In Memory of My High School Best Friend

I stumbled upon some old photos in our files. These pictures were intended for a slide show to be shown during our wedding reception. We already scanned some old photos but unfortunately, we didn't have time to set-up the slide show and we scrap the idea due to many other things we need to attend to.

I would like to share some good times with my late high school best friend, PAULYN who passed away two years ago.

This picture was taken at the grounds of St. Mary's Academy

(former Sacred Heat Academy) in Guagua, Pampanga. I believe

this was taken a few days before our graduation. We have a lot of

good memories in high school. We were classmates when we

were juniors and became very close since then. Actually our

classmates and batchmates were the ones who called

us best friends and the rest is history.

This picture was taken in May 1999 at Fontana Leisure Park in

Clarkfield, Pampanga. She was still in med school then and it was her

summer break. I just passed the Chemical Engineer's board exams

and I just started with my first job. She tagged me along (she always do,

whenever there's a chance) during their family weekend holiday

in Fontana, which was newly opened then.

This was taken in Baguio City. I visited her in 2002 during the

Penagbenga Festival (Flower Festival). She have always invited me to

come for a visit during college days but I've never been able to because

of our different school calendar. My school has tri-mestral system and

her school had semestral system so the term breaks are obviously

different. Nonetheless, she stayed there until her third year in

Medicine proper so finally, I had the chance to visit her in 2002

during the Penagbenga Festival. For the first time, I was able to

witness the Penagbenga Festival celebration. I wish I

could show some photos of the floats but they are in the

Philippines - maybe next time.

It will take several posts and digging of old photos to reminisce the good time we shared but I will always remember PAULYN as a sweet and loving friend. She will always be in my heart forever.

The Countries I visited...

I have already visited 14 countries (shaded in red) or 6% of the world. I need a lot of catching up. LOLs!!!




create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Good Morning, How Are You?

I lifted this entry from my old blog (posted in February 2006). I thought of re-posting this after reading Reyna Elena's post about standard questions and answers.

I noticed that my boss has stopped asking me the question "how are you?" every morning. I am not sure why, but maybe because he noticed that I do not ask him the same question or I am not really comfortable with the question. For westerners, It's sort of a standard question after a greeting. But I wonder if they are always sincere because I find it so casual for them to ask that question. In my case, it's something I would only say if I mean it. I've been here in Qatar for 22 months* already and both the companies I worked for are multi-nationals but I'm still not used to asking "how are you?" especially if I will ask the same person everyday or I am in a room with 20 people....you can just imagine exchanging these words 20 times, one after the other......

Hi, I'm Nina....How are you? - I'm good.
Hello, how are you? - I'm fine, thank you.
Hi. I'm fine - How are you? - Nice to meet you!
Good morning, I'm good and you? - I'm fine, thanks.

Gosh, I usually run out of combinations. I am really embarrassed when caught in these situations. I don't know if I'll ever get used it but If I did in time, I hope I will always ask it with sincerity.

I am also not comfortable when the word "excellent" is used casually. I often hear my colleagues say EXCELLENT to acknowledge simple favors. Duh? For me excellent is an adjective to describe things that are exceptional and nothing less period.

I may be too frank and tactless at times but one thing I can assure you is I am very transparent and if ever I give a compliment, I always mean it!

* As of now, I've been here in Qatar for 3 1/2 years already.

Doha Players' Annual Pantomime: "Almost Dick Whittington" Poster

Related Post:

Doha Players Annual Pantomime: "Almost Dick Whittington"

Classic TV Commercials

While blog-hopping last night, I came across Aileen Apolo's blog entry entitled Classic Tito, Vic and Joey and a you tube link for classic Philippine TV Commercials. I clicked the link and enjoyed watching classic 70's and 80's TVCs and some recent ones.

Back in the Philippines, there are times when I'd really get annoyed when the show I'm watching has lots of TVC. But there are TVCs that are just so cool and patok they leave footprints in our hearts. I can still remember some popular TVCs such as:

• Coca-Cola - Lilet in I'm the future of the world...
• Royal Tru-Orange - RJ Ledesma series
• Palmolive - I can feel it TVC, where Alice Dixon became popular.
• San Miguel Beer - Siboom...Siboom, Isang platitong mani...
• Close-up - Robin Da Rosa in closer you and I
• Ivory Shampoo - Bianca Araneta in Ang gaan-gan ng feeling, and a lot more.....

Here in Qatar, we don't get to watch the Philippine TVC anymore. Our closest encounter were spoofs from Bubble Gang. But if you want to watch some classic and recent TVCs and re-live some memories back home, visit Adman's page. Meantime, enjoy these classics:











I always hear the word "Kokuryo" from my Aunt when she is referring to a no name cosmetic brand but I didn't know "Kokuryo" really existed. I thought my Aunt just made up the name. I was surprised to find out that Kokuryu even had a TVC with no less than Amalia Fuentes as the endorsing celebrity. But I wonder if she ever used it? I mean, do commercial models really use the brand the are endorsing?

I would want to see Camay TVCs where the Revilla Ladies are the models. How about you? Do you have any favorite commercial that you still remember?

Blog ni Inday

Inday - the famous english-speaking maid also has a blog of her own... If you enjoy Inday jokes, you can visit her blog at Blog ni Inday. Enjoy reading!!!

My Phone T22 Duo Update

Last update: 17 March 2008

The SIM CLOSE problem has been resolved. Apparently My Phone is in flight mode. I posted the solution here.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Last updated 23 February 2008

Many people visit this post to get info about My Phone T22 Duo. Sadly, mine isn't working anymore. It worked fine in the beginning but one day, I just got a SIM CLOSE message from the phone. Both my SIM cards work in other phones so I really don't have any idea what's the problem. I 'm yet to discover if my phone can still be revived. I hope it can still be repaired. It's just a few months old and I haven't got my money's worth yet :( If you have info where can I send it for repair, please let me know.

* * * * * * **

I received this comment from my post about My Phone T22 Duo.

"hi. my friend bought one. she's having problems with it because she can't transfer mp3s from her computer. the phone didn't come with a driver. do you know where i can get one?"

Honestly I haven't tried transferring MP3s from my computer to My Phone T22 Duo so I read the manual and tried to follow the instructions. Page 25 of My Phone Manual about Multi Media:

"WINDOWS 2000 and above OS does not need to install driver, you must switch the phone off when loading music. When you upload music, connect the phone to the computer using the USB cable, the computer screen will show that a new hardware has been found and it will make a movable hard disk then load MP3 to the boot directory "My Music" of the movable hard disk, but not Audio, Images and Photos or these music will not play. (Only support the music whose postfix is MP3, AMR or MIDI files. "

Here's what I discovered:

The procedure works. Unfortunately, the internal memory of the phone is only 2MB. MP3 files can be as large as 3-4MB per song so it's not really possible to transfer MP3s without an external memory card. Since I don't have an external memory card, I am not able to try that option. If I already have a memory card, I'll try it again and update this entry.

I hope this helps.

Freakin'

Man, I'm still freakin' from the that incident at the junction a few hours ago. I don't know where was I exactly when the traffic light turned red and if my car was photograph for beating the red light. I turned left from C-Ring-Airport junction (Toyota Signal) to go to the Souq. Unfortunately, I already passed the solid white line along the signal when the green light started blinking. I couldn't stop the car anymore, otherwise, I'll end up in the middle of the intersection. I accelerated my car and tried to pass the intersection as fast as I could but the st*p*d car in front of me, was very slow. I was lucky there's no vehicle on my left side so I changed lane immediately and drove as fast as I could. Honestly, I don't know at which point the camera takes photo. If the traffic lights turned red while the vehicle is right in the middle of the junction, is it considered beating the red light?

Grrrr...this whole thing is driving me crazy!!! The fine (in case, my car was photographed) is whooping US$1650 plus negative points - yes, One Thousand Six Hundred Fifty USD. Gosh, I could buy a lot things with that amount of money. In fact, I can buy two round trip ticket to the Philippines. Hindi talaga ako makakatulog nito hanggang di ako nakakasigurado na wala akong violation.

Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Officially Winter!

Qatar has two seasons: Summer and Winter. It's dry most of the year with a little bit of rain during winter. While winter in Qatar is not as cold as in the temperate zones, temperatures can drop down to 10 degC. It can be really cold especially when there is wind chill.

Astronomically speaking, winter in northern hemisphere begins on winter soltice and ends on spring equinox. Winter soltice occurs on the shortest day or longest night of the year.

Without reference to astronomy, I believe many will agree that today, winter season here in Qatar started "officially." The weather has been really good during the past weeks but for the first time after summer, there's a very thick fog this morning. Upon seeing the fog, I immediately thought of two things: the winter season and the hazards of driving during foggy days. Fog reduces visibility and thus creating hazardous driving conditions. This morning, it's almost zero visibility. I can barely see the cars on the road. In situations like these, one must be really, really careful. If the trip cannot be postponed, drivers should follow these driving tips:

• Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.
  
• Reduce your speed -- and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.
  
• Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
  
• Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility.
  
• Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
  
• Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic.
  
• Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled, turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury.

Hope this helps. Enjoy the winter season and happy driving!

Contact Information of Philippine Embassy, POLO, SSS and Pag-Ibig Office in Doha, Qatar

Philippine Embassy

Villa #7 A1 Eithar Street
Saha 2, West Bay Area
P.O. Box 24900
Doha, Qatar
Tel No. (+974) 483 1585/483 2560/4836871
Fax No. (+974) 483 1595
dohape@qatar.net.qa
dohape@yahoo.com
dohape@yahoo.com.qa

Note: The Philippine Embassy is near City Center. At the embassy, you can renew passports and authenticate documents such as affidavit of support, birth certificates, etc. Passport renewal is QR 195. Office Hours: 8 am to 4 pm. Check my blog on How to Renew Passport in Qatar.


Philippine Overseas Labor Office
Al Abraj St., Fariq Bin Omran
P.O. Box 24900
Doha, Qatar
Tel No. (+974) 487 0487
Fax No. (+974) 488 3858

Note: OFWs can get OEC from POLO Office before going on vacation. SSS and Pag-Ibig Offices are located within the POLO compound. POLO is located beside CHN University. Office hours: 8 am to 4 pm.

SSS Doha
Contact: Ms. Bennette A. Cueto
Tel No. (+974) 487 8599/ 486 1220
Mobile No. (+974) 5263834

Note: You can update your SSS personal information and inquire about the status of SSS but they do not accept contribution payments. SSS contributions may be paid at designated remittance centers such as Habib and Gulf Exchange and others. Office hours: 8 am to 4 pm.

Pag-Ibig (Home Development Mutual Fund)
Contact: Ms. Charmaine Pamela V. Bautista
Tel No. (+974) 486 6236/486 8001
Mobile No. (+974) 596 7016

Note: If you want to be member of Pag-Ibig Overseas Program (POP), you can apply personally at the Pag-Ibig office. As POP member you can avail housing loan up to P2M after paying 24 months contribution plus other benefits. What I like about Pag-Ibig is that you can withdraw all your contribution plus earnings after 5 years if you do not have an existing loan. The contribution may be paid through Pag-Ibig Office or through designated remittance centers. Office hours: 8 am to 4 pm.

Decluttering Project

My mind is cluttered with a lot of thoughts but nothing really interesting to write about. There are too many things going on. I couldn't concentrate at all. I've been thinking to start a decluttering project at home and in my office but I think I need to declutter my mind first. Hahahahaha....

Anyway, for a start, I decluttered and organized my phonebook. Since I've got a new phone, I migrated all my contacts from my two old phones into my new phone. Then, I deleted all numbers that I haven't called or used for quite sometime. I found out I still have numbers of former colleagues who passed away already. I merge contact numbers of same person under one name only. In the past, I have this habit of storing names without surnames in my phonebook. This time, I made sure I also saved their last names to void confusion. Now, I have less than 200 contacts left and hopefully, I can keep it organized. Mind you, organizing a phonebook can take time but it can be a good therapy.

Next project in mind is to declutter my electronic files, e-mails and personal files. I want to delete files I don't need, old e-mails, etc. There is a long a list for this decluttering project but I want to it step by step and start with simple things.

By the way, I found this site about decluttering - you might be interested! Do also have tips how to declutter effectively?

Qatar Blogs

Qatar has a vibrant and growing blogosphere. Join the Qatar Blogs Project to add your blog to this list or to put this list on your site.

Revisiting My Friendster Blog

I used to blog at Friendster before moving to blogger. I kept the blog even if I do not update it anymore. The other day, I re-arranged the layout and created tags to organize my entries. As I review some of my posts, I realized that most of my entries are negative thoughts, rants and complaints. Hehehehe... But that is because, in the past, I only write blog when I'm pissed or I'm in my crazy mood. I used that to express my emotions and sentiments. Saka iniisip ko kasi mga ka-friendster ko lang ang nagbabsa dun kaya minsan masyadong prangka. I believe I've got a better blog now, di ba?