Fun Monday

I am not starting my week so right and in an effort to cheer myself up, I searched hard for Fun Monday host for this week. Finally I got to Sayre Smiles and I did not find what I was looking for. I couldn't believe what I read. Fun Monday is dead. No! I will try to do something, after all it's a fun activity and it's been going on for years now. It's the first meme that allowed me to meet so many wonderful people, I cannot allow it to end. 

So I will try to revive it. I will make a monthly list of themes so that regardless if people volunteers to host it or not, I have the theme set already and anyone can link up with me and we visit each other. I am not sure if this will work but I am willing to give it a try. I am asking everyone who has joined Fun Monday to help me spread the word. I will post the list of theme at my sidebar Friday the latest. And to those who are new to the idea, I am inviting you to join. 

I wanted to do Fun Monday because for the first time in many years, I have no idea how to cheer myself up and now I am just sadder with thought of Fun Monday totally gone. (((SIGH)))

I wish everyone a Fun Monday and I hope to see some of you next week!

Breadful Friday

It's finally Friday and so many things to be grateful for this week. I am so happy with the progress of the training of my staff. This morning I went to Cimbali Bakeshop, courtesy of Doods and T@m. Boy, did I like their breads! 

My favorite so far is their cheese roll!I really LOVE it!

Today will be my last day here in Dumaguete. I'm going back to Bacolod tomorrow to help my boss with the center. I will back here next weekend to close the training. Just had a massage and will soon be packing my things to get ready for tomorrow. But well, I'm taking my break and eating some cheese roll and here is my Friday Fill-ins for this week.

 1. Layers of my heart.

2. A wonderful insight.

3. I'd be willing to bet my @$$ not! LOL

4. Something scares the dog.

5. I'm fond of shoes!

6. Nothing is too much!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to enjoying Dumaguete, tomorrow my plans include going back to Bacolod and enjoying dinner there with my parents and the IT Guy and Sunday, I want to rest! 

I'm off to bed now. Wish everyone a great Friday!

All About Dumaguete City

As most of you know I am in another city called Dumaguete for the training of my pioneer team, my Alpha Team! ;)

While this city is nearer to Cebu City as compared to Bacolod (where the call center is located and where I will be temporarily be based) it is just way different from Cebu...way different!

So for today, let me feature some facts and information about Dumaguete City which I learned first hand. So folks, here goes my entry for Thursday 13 --

1. Dumaguete is also known as the City of Gentle People. This I have no idea why. I just find it a label too difficult to keep, for one I have encountered several rude people here already...but while I know it is not fair to generalize, it is also not wise to generalize that they are all gentle. But then, yes that is what the city is known for. :)

2. Dumaguete City is the capital of Negros Oriental.

3. This is a city which I'd say has been trapped somewhere in time. The city does not have any cabs nor jeepneys (the public transport here in the Philippines). People here ride the motorcycles and the motorcycles with a side car which we commonly call as tricycle or pedicab.

See this woman? She is dressed well and most likely on her way to work. I cannot imagine myself in my corporate outfit riding one! The government they said does not allow franchise for jeepneys and cabs...amazingly crazy.

Needless to say this makes the like of Mariposa go nuts! I haven't driven for awhile moreso in a new and unfamiliar city...so I have to what, rent a car with a driver?! So crazy!

4. But I found a nice place to stay. Not a fancy hotel but very neat, people are very hospital and the place was able to host all of us. Yes we got the entire place for us!

This is Bolmon Guest House. If want to visit Dumaguete I highly recommend this place for you. I rarely make recommendations and this is one I am willing to promote for free! :) Seriously this place is just nice. Despite all the craziness that I have with transportation and at the other center, it is nice to know that I have a place to rest at the end of the day. This is like home away from home for me.

This is the terrace outside the room where I'm staying. Actually it is the suite. I can see sunrise from here...which I really love!

5. One popular landmark and one of of the city 's historic construction is the Dumaguete Bell Tower (Belfry). It served as a watchtower in ancient times and is now equipped with a lush garden. Devotees visit the place everyday to pray.

6. The Boulevard is Dumaguete’s most famous promenade and I have to admit, I love it, especially with the beautiful view of sunrise that it offers!

Lots of people jog here early morning and I enjoyed my morning walk here with my coffee!

7. Along the Boulevard is also a nice restaurant which I always frequent, Lab-as. It is a local term for fresh, as their specialty are seafoods.

7. The Quezon Park is another beautiful area with some stunning tree lines and a huge play area for children and a venue for concerts and exhibitions as well. A cultural program is being held every week in this park, the Tayada Sa Plaza.

8. Silliman Univeristy. This is definitely one icon Dumaguete has...to a point that I sometimes would say to myself that there is not Dumaguete without Silliman. They are just synonymous to each other. 

9. And the Silliman Beach is a beautiful place known for its relaxed and serene environment. Visitors can also enjoy some popular water activities here. It is especially popular with the younger crowd.

10. The place is famous for Sans Rival.

 11. I love Cafe Antonio! After several nights of searching for a nice coffee shop I finally found a place to stay and enjoy my coffee.

12. The people in Dumaguete speaks the same language/ dialect with the people in Cebu! WOOT! I get to finally talk in my Cebuano dialect. I missed it when I was in Bacolod because people there speak Ilonggo.

13. And finally if there is one thing I need to tell people who visits this place, you are in for an adventure. Should I come back here I will make sure I bring casual clothes to get to ride with their means of transport. This is a place where I feel I am way overdressed even going to work. This is one place I can't stay long...unless I have the IT Guy with me who make sure I get most of the things I need. LOL

That's it for today people...Happy Thursday to all!

Taking New Roads

“Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, 

down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.” 

~ Ayn Rand

Happy Wordless Wednesday everyone!

Forethoughts Win

I couldn't believe that the week is over and that I made it. My visit to another center did not turn out well and considering the fact that I was not really optimistic about it. So needless to say it was way worst than I expected. There was no proper coordination between my client that the other center and I was left at front line of a war and the only rule I had to follow were -- (1) never to shoot and (2) to come out alive with my team victorious. I know it does not make sense but then in the corporate world, you know these things happen. Anyway I am proud to say that I was able to work my way somehow and that if there is anything I made clear it was the fact that I am bigger than the situation. And just when I thought everything was going into the right place, one of my staff got sick. Her platelets went down, as low as 70. She was diagnose with dengue and had to be confined in the hospital. Did I mention that our center is a start-up and I am still in the process of getting an HMO? So what now? 

Well I am so happy that before leaving Bacolod I was prompt enough to include business health insurance. I never really thought I'd be able to use them, it was just something I felt I was obligated to do and now I am just so thankful for having thought of it as we are able to avail of it. The plan we got is quite similar to what I found online, the business insurance in Utah.

That is one of the many reasons why I said I still come out bigger than the rest and the situation despite all that happened. Oh well I am always a believer of insurance and since I cannot claim to good at it, I'd rather not discuss details about it except that it is really worth getting at the end of the day. You can learn more about it at Insurance Information Institute.