Sunday, April 27, 2008
Week Past 04/21-04/27/08 (Rice,Gasoline,Goodbye)
Tue 04/22 they've started limiting the number of rice sack you can purchase in most stores. Not really a good time this year. Gasoline prices hitting the roof, scarcity of rice and even flour and home foreclosures. Add rise in unemployment. The next President who is going to be elected here in the US has his or her work cut out. The economic stimulus checks expected this May that Pres Bush passed would just be a temporary relief. A flicker of light in the dark.
Fri 04/25 one of my co worker informed me it'll be her last day. Goodbye. Her doctor advised her to take a rest. I was expecting her to transfer to another store ofter Sun 05/11. That would have been her last day with us. I guess it was preempted. My District Manager took care of the schedules. I guess she talked to him when I left early yesterday.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Week Past 04/14-04/20/08 (PointWest 5th Anniv/Birthdays)
Mon 04/14 is our eldest brother's birthday who paid me a visit recently. Mon also marked the first time for this year that I started to do work in the garden. Put some pavers at the back lawn to make it look neat and easier to mow. Left is the "before" pic and right the "after". Wed 04/16 is a friend's birthday in Manila. We used to work together. It's nice to know when she replied to my e-greeting that her kids are almost done with their college studies. Thu 04/17 is moi's birthday. W arrived on the 16th so we were able to celebrate the following day. We tried the Italian restaurant at the Prior Lake town proper: Perron's Sul Lago . Bit pricey but it's not your regular franchise resto. The place is "hidden" but thriving. It's not where you would really want your resto because it goes against the grain of location, location, location.
Sun 04/20 marked the 5th Anniversary ofPointwest . W's company based in Manila. It was held at the Wild's Golf Community Clubhouse. Their group is still growing as seen from the pics. It was also a recognition for the loyal employees and ex employees who provide opportunities for the company. And a Thanksgiving to the Lord for company's growth and five years in business.
Sun 04/20 marked the 5th Anniversary of
Also Sun I did some errand in the afternoon and I passed by a gasoline station and saw the price. It increased by .10 cents since my last entry whining. It's depressing. Gasoline is the barometer for consumer goods prices. It won't be long everything will have a price increase. It will be in increments but it adds up. Sum your expenses at the end of the month. And you'll feel the pain in your pocket.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Week Past 04/07-04/13/08 (Haircut/Donation)
Wed 04/07 had my haircut after almost 4 months. I try to delay it as much as possible and wait for coupons to get discount. Haircut, to me, is expensive at $16.00 plus $2 tip. I guess I still can't help comparing the price in Manila or whatever, it's still pricey. I requested the hair stylist if I can collect my cut hair so I can use it in our garden to ward of the rabbits. She said okay. But while she was washing my hair after the cut her co worker swept the floor. When we learned about it she offered if I wanted to just get the bag where they collect all the cut hair. I said OK that'll give me more hair to spread in the garden and hopefully the rabbits would refrain from nibbling the dayillies.
Thu 04/10 another winter storm warning (and it's already spring) is in effect beginning early evening. It was a mixture of rain, snow and strong winds but no accumulation. Today is also a red day for me. Another blood donation that fit into my schedule. It was done at the Y gym where I used to work out. I came in early as a walk in because their schedule was already filled. Turned out to be fastest yet in terms of the process. I was the second donor and I was out of there in less than an hour. That was good as the weather was becoming unpleasant.
Fri 04/11 while watching the BBC news the Philippines was part of their international news coverage. It was about the rice shortage and the need for the government to intervene to avoid crisis. It's ironic and heartbreaking. The International Rice Reasearch Institute (IRRI) is in the Philippines and yet, as the joke goes, it's findings and expertise never crossed the street. Foreigners who learned from the institute e.g. Thailand, became self sufficient and rice exporter. Yet the Philippines would rather import. Why? Because there's profit in importation. Somebody's pocket gets lined with plenty of cash in $$$$. Meanwhile agricultural development lags behind. The Philippines (our home) can really be a great nation if only it's leaders (supposedly the parents) would stop thinking only for themselves but instead look after the future of their children (it's citizens). Abba, why are we being punished?
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Week Past 03/31-04/06/08 (Spring Snowstorm,Gas,Small World)
Mon 03/31 another spring snowstorm struck the twin cities. The aftermath is shown at left. With wet snow everything is white again as it clings to trees and shrubs. I thought I was done shoveling.Gas prices is starting to kill me. Tue 04/01 it went up to $3.29. It's April Fools Day but this is for real. Everything is going up except for the housing market. After a year instead of appreciating our house's market value went down.
Fri 04/04 after coming from the chiropractor a not so good situation transpired at the office. For one my opening associate had an emergency and called in. Sat 04/05 was good news though. Our Profit & Loss statement for Feb came and we made a huge profit.
It's a small world. Fri 04/04 I was calling a tech support to verify an insurance eligibility for one of our customers. Lo and behold. The call center is based in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines. Our accent gave us away. She asked me if I'm a Filipino and I asked her the same question. That made the coordination a lot easier. Filipinos tend to go out of their way if they know they are helping a fellow kababayan. That's our good trait. Let's not talk about crabs. Anyways it's nice to know that call centers are not only located in Manila. That opens new job opportunities for those living in the provinces. It will also decongest Metro Manila.
It's a small world. Fri 04/04 I was calling a tech support to verify an insurance eligibility for one of our customers. Lo and behold. The call center is based in Lipa City, Batangas, Philippines. Our accent gave us away. She asked me if I'm a Filipino and I asked her the same question. That made the coordination a lot easier. Filipinos tend to go out of their way if they know they are helping a fellow kababayan. That's our good trait. Let's not talk about crabs. Anyways it's nice to know that call centers are not only located in Manila. That opens new job opportunities for those living in the provinces. It will also decongest Metro Manila.
