Friday, November 30, 2007

Ghosttown


HEADLINE: An Oakwood mutiny sequel. Trillanes and a group of people renewed their call for PGMA's ouster and called for withdrawal of people's support to the current government.

Morning of Thursday, I thought it was just the usual protest or walkout from courtroom or whatever you like to call it. I really thought that it would not be making a big fuss.
By late afternoon, we knew it was not a small ordeal. Poor Manila Peninsula (with above 70% occupancy) had to be evacuated! I feel especially sorry for the couple who was having their wedding reception. The SENATOR and his men have already taken over the hotel. Tanks and soldiers were surrounding the hotel perimeter as well as media men. The 3 PM deadline was not met to restore order. I am not well-informed on details about the tear gas, gun shots, etc. Anyway, tension waned before 6 PM and I heard it was because Trillanes did not want to hurt civilians inside-out.

While most of the offices closed early for a longer-than-expected long weekend, our manager went outside to check the situation (our office is walking distance from the hotel). Seeing that there is no need to panic and that it is more dangerous to rush home during the critical moment, he ordered and reminded us that it was business as usual and that we would be retaining the 9-6 office hours.

Employees at the company were in a frenzy. I personally kept my screen on inquirer.net for updates and kept chatting with my teammate C who had meebo updates from her friends and got calls from her mother with TV updates. My parents were worried sick but I assured them it was nothing.

By the time I went home, the streets in Makati were empty. The ever-busy city became a ghosttown yesterday and everything was quiet. You will remember you are in Manila when you get back to EDSA where traffic was terrible even at 10pm. Manila...Manila...I keep coming back to Manila...

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Minor Repair

Just changed my blog header to something more "me". Before, I used "Welcome to my Life" which was as general as any blog title could get. Obviously, this blog is all about me, what I like, and everything else I want to share with everyone. I guess the title above is more fitting.

I ain't your hollaback girl. I never was and never will be or want to be because I don't need to be a hollaback girl to be special. I am who I am. And this is what people like about me (if they do at all...hehe...).

Cheers! and Happy Thanksgiving by the way. :)

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Coffee Time


I love Lisa Cullen's Time column Work in Progess. The author writes about work trends and other related stuff which I can very much relate to. This week, she talks about gender discrimination in Starbucks- in summary, women are served 20 seconds longer than men. Hmmm...Unfair!

Related link http://time-blog.com/work_in_progress/2007/11/does_starbucks_discriminate_ag.html

Guilty as Charged

See link below on what not to do at work. Pleading guilty on #s 3 and 6.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/worklife/11/09/not.at.work/index.html

A Generous Heart

In a period when the "rich becomes richer and the poor becomes poorer" so it goes, it is nice to hear that some of those who have acquired massive wealth remember to give back to the poor through foundations, etc. It is even more admirable that some of these people do so without announcing or proclaiming their good deeds.

Someone called 'Anonymous Friend' gave $100 million to some 46 charities. So thank you, A.F.! In the spirit of 'paying it forward', I know this deed would go a long long way.

Related link http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/11/12/million.mystery.ap/index.html

About Chocolate

Did you know that recent research suggests that chocolate was discovered 500 years earlier than it is commonly known (about 3000 years ago)? Archaeologists studied ruins of pots from Honduras and found a chemical linked with cacao plants. From the pot form, chocolate was said to be served on important occasions.

Related link http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/11/12/ancient.chocolate.ap/index.html

Plus! $25000 dessert and your choco dosage for Thanksgiving!
http://bakingbites.com/2007/11/25000-haute-chocolate/
http://bakingbites.com/2007/11/turkey-cake-with-chocolate-maple-glaze/