My Life Race Track

Whale shark and his friend

Two of a kind individual chained in a key called friendship ^_^. Friendship is a big thing, more than to the word itself. It takes some challenge and responsibility that could define us as a person. Friendship should not have requirements, if it does, it`s not friendship anymore, it maybe business or a competition we can called.

Each of has it in our life, best friend, good friend or whatever we called it. It play an extra special part on life our life. A relationship that makes us happy, inspired and more often do crazy things.

Cancelled Trip!!!

I can`t deny how excited I am last Thursday, at last the day as come for our trip to Ilocos. This was booked since last April. Although, I`m bit worried because of the weather condition, but since there is no update from the travel agency, I really have a good feeling that everything is okey.

Not not until arounf 5:00 in the afternoon, Ms, Rhe e-mail me that trip might be cancel due to weather condition. Yet, I`m still so positive that it would not be cancelled. 7:00 pm I`m already on the jeep on my way to Pasay, I got text message from Ms. Rhe, trip was cancelled.... I don`t know what I really feel upon reading the message, annoyed??? disappointed???... I wanted to talked to our coordinator right away, "No way!!!, it can`t be cancelled" but what I got is voice mail... gggrrrrrhhhh!!!

Ms. Jen and Ms. Rhe tried to convinced the agency to pursue the trip, but nothing happened. So sad, we go home feel so desperate, disappointed, annoyed, the feeling really sucks :((

Strike Two!

Maybe I need to accept that I have to deal with it from time to time, but cross finger, please not for forever!!! It would be a head cracking thing for me. I have patience in understanding things, but I think I have to work with in more. Things are nearly getting into my nerves.

Now I have questions in my mind, if I made the right decision, if I choose the right thing in accepting the opportunity. Most people say, I deserved it, and with humbleness I honestly believe that I deserved it too. But being in my shoes know, I`m having a hard feelings in dealing on some things and situation because sometimes, it shakes me totally.

As what I`ve said, I may not be kind nor I`m not a goody goody girl. But I have my patience. And yes, no need to please me, just don`t give me reason, that what is due would be no more. Like others, I have flaws and weak points too.

Having two strike is enough, making it three that would be too much...

* Photo not mine!

A Dose of Motivation

Monday, start of a week in the in the office. Better to start it with good vibes and it will carry through out the the end of the week. As it said, start well and it will ends well. Business is as usual inside the office, everything is in place and normal. Associates are doing good with each individual work schedule.

But during our leaders meeting, the mode as has change, as I looked at the chair where Big Boss usually seated during that start of the meeting, and now it`s empty. And it becomes more gloomy as AVP announced it again. I just take a deep breath and have a bitter sweet smile. But the meeting ends well.

I know I`m going to face changes in my work comfort zone. But things must go on. This is a challenge to cope up. At some point I need to start with the new. But what is good is I have already acquired weapon to win over the inevitable change and more over to achieve for the best.An additional little dose of motivation each day, for sure it would be a perfect blend.

zig ziglar quoted :

"People often say that motivation doesn`t last.

Well, neither does bathing.

That`s why we recommend it daily"

Short Hair

I`m not really into this short hair idea. Although, gorgeous Ferry joy bragging me with this so many times, either to cut or make it curl. And I think, six years ago the last time I cut my hair this short due to some heartaches... hehehe

But this time, it`s different... I just wake up having a thought of something to change. Then, boom! The idea, what about having new hair style, then I go for it, before I could change my mind. I feel creepy with the first cut but after my hair cut is done, seeing myself at the mirror... hhmmm... not bad. :) and it feels good, a little light for me. And now, I`m merely embracing and loving my new look. ( Ganda ko! )... harharhar

Be an Instrument of Kindness

To be an instrument by the kindness of other people to share and give what they have is really a great pleasure to me. Especially if its also for those people whom really close to heart too. It feels good that in a way or other I`ve been part of doing goodness to others.

And more surprisingly, you will received thank you e-mail from the donors. Super heartwarming and inspiring that life is good and beautiful and this because goodness and kindness is everywhere.

I received e-mail just an hour ago :)

Dear Ms. Gerlie,

Thank you very much for your greetings and your kind wordings. I was really surprised and so happy when I read your email. I was also so happy when I saw the picture !

I know our donation is only small one, but it comes from the depth of our hearts, and I hope together with the donation from all other lovely families of Benguet, the children will have a good start into their future.

Please give my warmest regards to all the children and the lovely families of Benguet.

Thank you very much again.

May God bless you all.

I did not show the signature, for it should be kept as anonymous! And I know, I`m the one should be thankful for them for the kindness of heart that they have. Thank you so much, I`m so happy doing this all.

More blessing to everyone!!!

To Mr. Yoshiya Nakashima

Dear Mr. Nakashima,

It sad knowing that you`re going back to Japan. And there is nothing we can do about it. It`s part of the plan since the first day you arrived, you just have a years of contract to work with us in FRDP.

We started in same year, 2009, I`m just ahead about two weeks, I think. But I first meet you and you officially introduced to me on our company sportsfest since during your first day I was on training in Alabang. At first, you was really so quite and look so serious on your workstation, and there are days I don`t even hear your voice, make me so shy to approach you for some. I just think, maybe because we`re having communication barriers, Japanese to English and Tagalog. But it does not took me a long time, to appreciate you, that you are really nice and approachable, because you really do your best to communicate with us.

For four years working working with you, me as one of your subordinate I see how you improved yourself in English. How you able to adopt to our environment and to live with our culture. Now, sometimes you are the one correcting my English grammar and spellings. First one to make jokes and laugh loud inside the office and during our hand over meetings. Making fancy faces and using "slang" tagalog words. Too far from the first Mr. Nakashima that I meet :)

In a way or another, you become part of our life. Each of us associates have different stories to tell about you. In your own little way, you make us smile or even burst into laughter. Perhaps, at one point you touch our lives to be better one. As you say... Work Hard :)

Your commitment and dedication to your work is really admirable. I`ve worked for other managers and you are one of the few I really looked up. You earned my respect. You're not perfect, because no one does, but you have it all. You have a great sense of responsibility and accountability, with all the schedule that you have, web meeting, e-mails, phone calls, design and drawings checking, documents and analysis checking, you never failed to be happy and smile everyday and that is something remarkable about you. You`re very low profile Boss, you correct yourself and accept your mistake without hesitation, I salute you for that. With all that have mentions and others that did not, two thumbs up, great job for four years. You already set good standard for your successor to follow. As one of the leaders, I will give Mr. Sekiguchi a fair and equal support that he might be needed. And we will make sure, what you have started will not be put to waste.

Of course, I will not end this letter without saying thank you for everything you shared. Thank you for sharing your knowledge towards our job, you taught us with your best. Thank you for all the pasalubong you brought for us. Thank you for all the treats you have given to us. And personally, I`m lucky and little spoiled of you, thank you for all the matchboxes that I love most and to other gifts you have given to me, maybe small little things for you but I truly appreciate. Remember, it's the thought that counts, and I will treasure it all. But most, thank you for trusting and believing on my capabilities. You treat me not only as one of your employee but as a friend somehow. And that is one thing I will never forget about you.

It`s really good working with you Big Boss and the four years has been great!!! Stay Cool :)

As you go back to Japan, have a safe trip. We were going to miss you. Definitely, I will miss your clumsiness in walking! you never failed on that :))... I wish you all the best for your next assignments and happiness with your family. May God bless you more. Looking forward to work with you again! Until next time and see you soon.

KUDOS!!! KAMPAY!!!

Respectfully yours,

Gerlie

Tears of Happiness

One of my elder sister has a schizophrenia for years, at first it was really hard to accept, I don`t know which is more difficult, having a cancer or being mentally ill. For years, we try everything that can for her to get well, but I think those has not been enough, until such time even she herself don`t want to go for medication. She just want to stay in the house, insulated herself to the world, or perhaps create her own world that she is the only one can understand. She hated other people to come and visit her, even her friends, but the most even us, her own family. She even not recognized us, even Mama who is always there for her everyday. Watching and taking care of her spite of sometimes she got physically hurt.

After Holy week last March, I convinced Mama, that we should try again for Ate Ne. We really need to forced her, she is being tied by my brother and two cousins. It`s been to risky to travel her from Bicol up to here to Manila. We`re are thankful for those people who help us specially in providing ambulance.

First Ate was admitted to the Out- Patient Section for observation. There, she was force to take medicine, and to take good sleep. After four days the Doctor give her clearance for home medication, but give us also second option to take her to a home care, like in Pavilion 6. We choose the second, not because we don`t want to take care of her, but we know it is better if she is in the hand of of some professionals.

After a week of staying in Pavilion 6. This is really an answered prayer for my family. It`s been a longs years we prayed for this to happened that at one point Ate Ne will recognize us. I`m tears when I was able to hug her and she hug me back so tight without resistant. Like the way when were kids. She even ask me why I`m crying while tapping my back. She was asking where is everyone, all my Ates, Kuya, Mama and the kinds. I can`t resist form crying form time to time. Tears of happiness. Little by little Ate Ne is coming back with us, and I know she can make. God is with us along the way, and with His grace and love Ate will be home soon.

Three Ninja off to Roadtrip

I miss doing this, and I claimed myself to today as leader Blue ninja... hahahha with the other two red ninja with me is kuya Allan and Mr. Nakashima. Good thing they invited me to come with them. It`s me that really make this trip more fun and amazing! hehehe

Week before we descend, Big Boss asked me about beaches which is good go. My suggestion is either in Quezon or Batangas part. I give him some online sites for him to view and choose where he wants to go. But I highly recommend to him the places in Laiya Batangas, because of long shoreline and white sand.

Seven o`clock of Saturday we depart in Manila, we expect our travel time would be 3hrs drive. And so lucky, first Big Boss has not yet decide where he wants to go, and don`t have even the map I remind him to bring, all he say is " Want to see the sea" :))). Second, even Kuya Allan don`t know how to go to Laiya. So, we make some calls for help. Thank you for those people who patiently replied on us about our headings.

We arrived at Laiya 10:15 already, we start our resort hopping since we don`t have reservation. It was Saturday, expected to be lots guest in every resort. I think we inquired in about eight resorts. And it`s either fully booked, walk-in is not allowed and resort is exclusive for land owners. It was only Virgin Beach resort is available to accommodate us but a little expensive compared with the others. But we decided to settled there instead of looking for another one.

Because its already 11:00, we don`t avail the day tour package, we just pay for the entrance fee, parasol rate, parking fee and for the food we just go for the Ala cart. But because the resort is having a buffet for the day tour guest we have to wait until 2:00 pm to make our food orders. And the only food that we have is cookies and kitkat chocolate.

I know the red ninjas are already hungry especially Big Boss because he don`t ate breakfast. And the sun is really up and hot to bad to go for a swim. All we can do is to wait at the parasol until 2:00 pm. To forget about our starving stomach, we deviate our attention on playing card, good thing Kuya Allan brought one. We taught Mr. Nakashima to play unggoy-unggoy, lucky 9, and tong-its! Nice play Sir, you learned it that well.

Until 2 o'clock comes, so ready to eat. For our food, we order carbonara with butter bread, special halo halo, and special turon. The serving of carbonara is almost good for two person for me. The halo-halo is place in tall glass, and the turon is two pieces cut into two making it four. After eating half of my carbonara, I`m already full, I just ate half of halo-halo and turon and I was super full. But the two ninjas with me, they really have big stomach. They almost ate all their food or maybe they are super gutom! hahaha

We finished our meal around three o`clock and we`re ready for swimming. We go for beach Kayak first for 30 mins I think. I enjoy paddling against small waves, but got scared too every time I was about to fall though I have safety vest also. Kuya Allan knows how to swim, and Mr. Nakashima is really a good swimmer I`m envy them both ;((... But I enjoy the saltwater even I`m just near the seashore. hehehe. Although the sands grain is not fine but it's white. And I had fun burying myself to the sand, and even the two help me too.

Exactly 6:00 pm we left the resort, our travel is little faster as compared going there because we know already the route. Along the way, Mr. Nakashima ask for dinner maybe he got hungry again after our almost 3 hrs swimming. We looked for some good place along the way, but we didn`t find one, so we decided to drop at Paseo or Nuvali for dinner. Big Boss asked suggestion for a place that serve good and delicious food. First come to my mind is the Pig-out.

Pig out stock of the town and grilled platter

We ordered trio sinigang, sizzling pusit, grilled platter, and sisig rice. And the three of as has the stock of the town for our drinks. All the servings is good for four person and we`re only three, so we`re having food trip again. We enjoyed the food it`s really good and delicious as per Big Boss comment, even the water they serve is really refreshing.

We go right after we ate, it`s almost 9:30 pm, and this time Mr. Nakashima do driving. Around 10:10pm I`m home. The whole is day is super enjoy. I don`t even feel tired... It`s really amazing whole day! Again thank you for the invitation!...

Super cool ninja road trip :D

At last I have "The Alchemist"

The first time I saw this book at the bookstore, knowing one of the best seller, translated in different languages, make me wonder what`s the story "the Alchemist" really all about, that most people from commoners to high profiles buy this book or want to have a copy of it. Makes me considered also to buy one for myself. I love to read novel particularly adventures and fictions. But I don`t have a hobby of buying books, I bought some also but most of the time I just borrow books from my friends that I want to read. I want to own a book that was gift to me because it takes something extra special.

Last Saturday, Eman called that the books I will be needing for the review is ready, so we agreed to met the following day, Sunday afternoon. I was surprised because he just told me that books are just about 4 inches thick all, but what he brought is one big eco bag full of books that would be around 5 kilos or more. As I scanned the books inside, there is one on top put in a separate eco paper bag. I asked him, what is it, because I thought it`s for him, he smile and said... You guess, I bought this a week ago and I know you will like it.! Guessing in my mind I grab it to his hand and as I opened it, I was really surprised, I have in my hand the book I wanted so much to have a copy of my own. I just smile back at him and say thank you. I was speechless of his thoughtfulness.

I`m not yet finished reading but no worries I`ll post what is it all about once I`m done :)