Bacolod, Land of Smile

 ...or Land of Thieves?!

To say I'm set-up is an underestimation. I am not well. I don't feel well. I'm torn between being pissed and in disbelief.

I have been panic mode for the past 2 hours. I just got home from the grocery and I can't find my cellphone. I put it inside my pocket, at the back since I was wearing jeans. My blouse was long enough to cover it. I was too busy looking for stuff that the whole time I never had the chance to take it out, which was quite unusual. I always have this habit of calling the IT Guy while doing my grocery since we used to do it together in Cebu. Now I'm in Bacolod and have to do it on my own...but today I was with Mom. 

Nothing seemed wrong. In fact I took my time at the ATM withdrawing some cash. The whole time I was not thinking of my cellphone 'til I put some of the groceries at the kitchen table. It was then I realize it's not with me. I had to call my carrier and had to argue with them for minutes because they're not able to offer any solutions except to deactivate my line. Now that was my last option. What I wanted supposedly was to just barred outgoing calls to make sure I don't get charged for any calls I did not personally make but to keep the line active so that way I can still keep ringing it in case it was turned over at the lost and found section. I gave up and just decided to let the IT Guy get a SIM replacement and send it to me ASAP. Thank goodness a friend is on his way here to Bacolod (our HR Manager) and now my SIM and my other cellphone is now en route to Bacolod. I will have my number working again as soon as it gets to me and I hope I have a way to recover my contacts because I have not backed it up for a while now. 

I know it will be unfair to say this, but this incident today will be my first and lasting impression of Bacolod. I have lived in Cebu for 30 years and this never happens to me, not even in its most notorious streets. I have bee in the worst streets of Xiamen and Shanghai, this did not happen to me. Not in Manila, not in New York, not even in nightmares. I couldn't believe I will have my share in a very laid back city, inside a small grocery store located in one of the most upscale blocks in Bacolod. 

I don't care about the phone, I care about my contacts and all the information there. I care about the photos there! 

Who do I plea? I pray to the Patron Saint of lost things. If it was not stolen, please send it back to me as I feel like I've lost half my life losing it. If it was stolen, I hope whatever he or she gets from it is worth the crime he or she just committed and more importantly worth the agony it has caused me. And if it was indeed stolen, I swear, I only need a week to trace back who did it and I certainly will get back to you and I promise to make our meeting worth my while.

I am in a new place and instead of shopping for new furniture, I think I'm going to spend most of my money making sure I find out who just screwed me up. Nobody messes with Mariposa. Nobody.

The Beginning of The New ME!

Yes...I'm a new person in some aspect. And my new mentor (the new boss) is reminding me of that everyday. I am the BOSS now and that I can do anything and everything to be successful and for "my center" to be successful. (I did mention I will be running a call center in another city, remember?) He always wanted me to think of it as my "center". By the way, the new boss, is one of the owners and I am so privileged and fortunate to be working with him and his family. 

Anyway I have been shopping for ISP and was setting meeting with different Telcos. Today we had our meeting with PLDT. I never expected it to be the VP of PLDT. So this is how it feels to be a VIP. I am beginning to like it and slowly it is getting to my head that I am now a different Mariposa in terms of work status and all. While I couldn't care less about status quo, it is also a fact (and my boss keeps emphasizing this) that work dynamics is totally different now. I have to learn and adjust with how I relate to people and I guess time for me to make adjustments as how lenient and understanding and approachable I am.

It's Friday and I had a hell of a week, all for good though. I have accomplished a lot of things this week and is slowly getting settled.

Tonight I have to rest and chill out...and right now to me that means to blog. =)

Here is my Friday Fill-Ins for this week!

1. Why are you making face?
2. I want you to take me to the top of the world.
3. If we have to agree then it will be on my terms.
4. Let's observe and see what happens.
5. I could use a joke. Got any?
6. I thought I was lucky to get this job and then I realized it's not just luck, I'm blessed.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to blogging, tomorrow my plans include meeting the technical team that will handle our IT infrastructure and Sunday, I want to spend time with myself! 

I wish you all a kickass weekend. I love guys...and I miss you all. I promise to catch up slowly.

Finding A New Home

And when the day arrives I'll become the sky 

and I'll become the sea 

and the sea will come to kiss me for I am going home.

~ Trent Reznor

The past days were manic days for me. Half of last week were spent meeting with different vendors for the new call center that I will be joining/ managing. It was the first time to be working closely with my new boss and so far it was fun. Last weekend I had to hurriedly prepare for my trip. As I have mentioned, I will be moving to a new city where the new call center will be built. Just about 30 minutes away by plane and I guess 5-7 hours by land, depending on the route. We took the land trip coming here and this is one of the first few photos I took.

So I am here now, in my so called new home. It was a bit hard finding for a place, and I was so ready to give up and was decided to just stay in the hotel forever. Ha! But well, today I found a nice house within a subdivision and it is well guarded. It is a two bedroom house, with a garden, garage and a garden! Yes, I have to type it twice for emphasis. I am just so happy to have a garden, as that is one place I love spending time with. Though it cost me a lot because I had to pay 2 months advance and 2 months deposit (and it is quite pricey than I expected) I'd say I'm happy to have found it.

And now that I have found a place and will finally be able to move there from the hotel, reality has slowly sunk in. I will miss my family and I will miss the IT Guy. Soon Mom and IT Guy will go back to Cebu and I'm just hoping work will be more than enough to preoccupy me. 

I think I just typed a chapter of a book. I will try to write more about this new place and my new life as I get to settle slowly. I wish you all a happy mid-week!

Happy not so Wordless Wednesday everyone!

P.S. Happy birthday Papa! I miss you!

The Clown's Meme

...another meme from Sunday Stealing.

I got up today feeling sick. My colds has progress into cough, acck, I hate it. I just had asthma about 2 weeks ago and I don't need it back this soon.

Anyway, I miss Sunday Stealing last week due to Chinese New Year and so I am doing both Part 1 and Part 2 this week as well.

Let me start with the current, Part 1 will follow --

34. What do you like about the summer? 

We have the sun all year round, so summer is not big deal for me. I am not a beach for person too...and well if there is one thing I like about it, I get to wear itchy bitchy clothes and flip flops! LOL

35. What do you like about spring?

I had a taste of spring several years ago when I used to travel a lot. A nature lover I am, I'd day I love how everything transform back to life...I just couldn't get enough with the greens.

36. How many states provinces have you lived in?

I have lived only in one place - Cebu. But that is about to change soon as I will be moving to Bacolod, a city in another island. I will move there to start a new job. Wish me luck! =)

37. What cities/towns have you lived in? #36

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?

Depends. Most of the time shoes...and open toes so that leave sock out! The only time I walk barefoot is when I enjoying the sands at the beach.

39. Are you a social person? 

I'd say. Though I'm not a party goer and I love to host parties.

40. What was the last thing you ate?

A friend of ours visited us and brought lasagna. His wife did it and it's yummy! That's what we had for lunch.

41. What is your favorite restaurant?

Now this will be hard, I have a lot in my list, but mostly Japanese Restaurants.

42. What is your favorite ice cream?

I'm not really fond of ice cream but lately I've been liking the flavors mocha and mango.

43. What is your favorite dessert?

Fresh fruits. Any. Bonus if there's water melon and kiwi.

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?

Anything hot is good for me! LOL

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?

Strawberry and PB are the best! And I think I'm going to make one now! Haha!

46. Do you like Chinese food?

Some, not all.

47. Do you like coffee?

Is that a question? Life for me begins after coffee!

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?

Used to be hardly a glass, but now I'm hitting 8-10 glasses of pure water.

49. What do you drink in the morning?

Orange juice.

50. What non-banking related card in your wallet is the most valuable to you?

My HMO card. That is our health insurance card.

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?

Yes, always!

52. Do you know how to play poker?

I am good at it! :P

53. Do you like to cuddle?

Very much.

54. Have you ever been to Canada?

Yes.

55. Do you have an addictive personality?

I'm addicted to blogging and internet, does that count?

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?

I'd say both. I live with the parents and Mom always cooks for us but IT Guy and I spend time by dining out.

57. What do you miss about highschool, if anything?

My allowance. LOL

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?

Yes, several people in fact.

59. Do you want kids?

I LOVE kids.

60. Do you speak any other languages?

I can do Spanish but not that good.

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?

Yes, in my arm. Two sets, each about 10 stitches. Got it January last year.

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?

No and I hope it stays that way.

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?

Depends. If I'm too lazy I'd go for a pool.

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?

I'd kill to get a window seat.

65. Do you know how to drive stick?

Aha.

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Well I love buying stuff for friends and family. I buy shoes most of the time. I also find myself buying makeups and clothes that hasn't been used 'til now.

And now for Part 1 which I missed last week --

1. How old will you be in five years? 35

2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?  

The friend who visited me and IT Guy.

3. How tall are you? Almost 5' 2"

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?

Opening of the call center that I will be running.

5. What’s the last movie you saw?

Terminator Salvation

6. Who was the last person you called?

The HR Manager whom I just hired.

7. Who was the last person to call you?

My brother.

8. What was the last text message you received?

"How are you? How's your cold?"

9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?

I just disabled mine. LOL

10. Do you prefer to call or text? Call.

11. What were you doing at 12am last night?

I was up checking emails.

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?

Married and happy together.

13. When is the last time you saw your mom?

She is with me right now.

14. What color are your eyes?

Dark brown.

15. What time did you wake up today? 9AM

16. What are you wearing right now?  

A pair of short and a tank top.

17. What is your favorite christmas song?  

When A Child Was Born

18. Where is your favorite place to be?  

Home and garden.

19. Where is your least favorite place to be? Pubs

20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Forest

21. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?

At the garden playing with my children. Ahem.

22. Do you tan or burn? Tan.

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? Nothing.

24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? A political joke.

25. How many TVs do you have in your house?

Just one. TV is never allowed in the bedroom.

26. How big is your bed? Enough to roll over.

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer? Both.

29. What color are your sheets?

Printed with butterflies!

30. How many pillows do you sleep with? 3-5

31. What is your favorite season? Spring

32. What do you like about Autumn? The Color!

33. What do you like about winter?

I tried it once or twice and I did not like it. Can't stand the cold.

So there you go. Wish you all a kickass Sunday!

The Best Part of Being Loved

PhotoHunt: ...CUDDLING

This is Mariposa with the nephew after playing at the garden for  eternity! Can you tell how dusty his legs are and he put them on mine readily for a cuddle?! Ah, the best part of loving and being loved...to have someone to hold with. I'm sure to miss this once I move to Bacolod for the new job. 

Please visit PhotoHunt's HQ to see others CUDDLING!


Wish you all a great weekend!

Pool Party Coming!

It's almost summer here and IT Guy is trying to fix the nephew's cute swimming pool. Then we thought of doing a pool party for the nephew's birthday. Well his birthday is still about 6 months from now that hey, we need ample time to plan! Especially that we might need to do some changes at the lawn to accommodate the said activity.

IT Guy told me that we need to consider having above ground pools. They are way cheaper and we can take it down anytime. Also with the limited space that we have this might be the best for us. Add to that the young nephew's safety. If we just simply remove the ladder, then he can't go in there anymore! Nobody here is a serious swimmer so I guess we will get by with this type of pool for now. I think I can take care of the aesthetic part and can make it look natural. Yes, we are that crazy to consider getting one for the party. We're too tired of hosting a party in a country club or hotel. I want a homey and cozy pool party so we do barbecues and those other fun stuff. After all, guests are all close friends. And more than anything we want the nephew to enjoy and I'm sure he'll love to stay in the water with other children. 

So now we have a theme for the nephew's birthday and we will start collecting items that will be good for giveaways. IT Guy said he will take care of the pool. Ha! So sweet...so that is off my expense. The brother and SIL will once again complain that we might be spoiling the child, but who cares, flower blooms in abundant water!

And for you guys, you may want to have your own pool party too!

Choosing Furniture

I am so excited with the new job that I have started shopping for some nice furniture, not only for the office but for the new home. I have not chosen a place to stay yet but it is always nice to start looking around as early as now.

In my search I found several good furniture both for the house and office. I have found some really interesting pieces and I can't wait to see the actual layout of the building (office) to finally decide if they would fit in there. And it is quite a bonus that I found some good deals too like the discount furniture offers! 

Now I am battling whether I chose some cozy fiber or get leather furniture. For one, the leather I am guessing is quite low in maintenance and will not host dust like some fibers. I can't stand dust as I have allergic rhinitis and this allergy once triggered take a long time to go away and is more than enough to drag me down. And THAT is the last thing I want when I'm away from home and has a new business to attend to.  Another consideration I am particular with is the color. I am very conservative and would like to stay with earth tones. I think I have them covered for now as well. All I need to do now is get to the new place and check.

Dress Children Like Chidlren

Fashion do give out its own statement and this is not just true for women but for young girls too. Yes, the little citizens of the world has also their own fashion statements. I am sometimes startled to see young girls sending out not so good statements with what they wear. I am not so particular with clothing, in fact, my rule is, whatever is comfortable. Comfort however in my book is extended to the concept of wearing appropriate clothing given a place and a time, so that way you are also giving a sense of comfort to the people around you. 

Have you ever seen young girls being forced to look like Hollywood stars by letting them wear model-like outfit? Not only these clothes make them look older, it robs them the privilege of being young girls! I mean, they are children, let them be, and start by letting them wear clothes suitable for their age. 

I always shop for children's clothes specially during the holidays and I always make sure I get what is appropriate for their age, so that way they look pretty young girls, and not an adult trap in kid's bodies. I found some really nice collection of children's clothes and I'd say these are what I consider as appropriate clothes for young girls. You can go check it out and I'm sure you will all agree with me on this.

Lessons Coming From the Road

Having engine trouble? Couldn't figure out what is wrong with your car? Give it up and get some professional help!

That is one lesson I learned while on the road, and for goodness sake in one of the roads in LA! That was some years ago...but that lesson I'm able to carry with me 'til now. I had some engine trouble and couldn't figure out what's wrong with the Honda Civic I was driving. I was guessing it was the head gasket that needs replacement, but boy, where and how will I do that? So I had to call the owner of the car and told her what was going on. After a long litany of my own car diagnosis, the friend gave me a very simple instructions, and that is to call Los Angeles auto repair. 

Why haven't I thought of that? Why did I not ask where to get some help rather than where can I buy parts?! LOL

Business of Helping the Elderly

I'm in a manic mode right now. I still have to start packing. And I have to pack a lot because I will be moving to a new city for the new job. I am quite excited just that so many things to do and as days passed, I feel like I have so little time left. Mom still has to visit the Grandma at another province. I really wanted to go as it might be 3 to 4 months before I could go and see her but then looks like it is not just possible. 

Grandma always has me worried at some point. I am very close to her and I cannot just be at peace with the thought that she is far from us and she live alone. Can you imagine an elderly living alone? While my Moms 2 of my Mom's siblings live nearby, it is just sad that we couldn't rely on them to take care of her. Good thing my Grandma is quite strong despite her senior years. 

So what Mom do to make things work is she or we visit Grandma 2-3 times a month to make sure her needs are covered. Mom for the most part go there to clean the house. Grandma cleans it too but Mom do the general cleaning for her. I think this is one area where the elderly has some challenge doing, cleaning their home. I am thinking since most of the elderly here either live alone or live with their children, they might be needing assistance in cleaning their home. I don't think our case is an exception. I was kidding Mom that we might as well get a cleaning franchise. That way we have some of the chores for Grandma covered and at the same time we have a business and we could specialize on helping the elderly, after all there is that latent demand and they are a captive market. Right?

Hmmm, let me go and think about this seriously now!