Tic Toc Tic Toc and a bout of Strep Throat

The clock is ticking tic toc tic toc and before I know It, am flying off again to Europe, but this time for a good four years of work . . . Last week I shipped my car to my parents in Roxas City, and then I flew in last Sunday for some quality time with the folks. Time flies so fast, and I really can't say enough of how I love living in the Philippines.

I seem to be destined to spend every winter (or at least a part of it) in Europe, or somewhere temperate, as I have done for the past 4 years . . .

This means Christmas away from family and dear friends and in the middle of the cold winter . . .

Bye guys, see you around, follow me through my blogs . . .

Don Miguel, il Signorino

Tanya (in Africa) is finally coming home for good (I hope)

my childhood pal Tanya's finally had some sense knocked up her her head and she's coming home for good (i hope) on the 10th of November. While I, on the other hand, am leaving for Brussels on November the 5th. Waaah, we won't get that get together before I leave . . . maybe in January, when I'll be home for a couple of days for a meeting . . .




she keeps a wonderful blog about her life in the African Bush (Iko Esai, Cross River State, Nigeria, where they are fond of kidnapping pinoys.)


Tanya's always been an outdoors person, even back in Roxas City in high school/ college, she's had that stallion named macho and she would ride him along the beach . . . then in college she was with Loyola Mountaineering to the dismay of her really prim and proper mom, Tita Rose. Then she worked her life for Haribon Foundation, swimming with the whales and helping conserve tribal communities , cloud rats and watersheds. Finally she volunteered with VSO and got sent to very remote Nigeria, far far away from Abuja the capital. Crazy girl, I admire her anyway though. hehe

Sore Loser (as defined in urbandictionary.com) and Guess who comes to mind

The Sore Loser, definitions:

1. A sore loser is someone who loses in a fair competition but whines about it on a constant basis, blaming everyone around them for their loss except themselves. Fun to taunt, but no fun to play with.

"Stop throwing chess pieces at me, ya damn sore loser!"

2. Someone who can't simply be honorable, by accepting defeat and/or trying again. On the contrary, said individual or group engages in childish pissing and moaning; bitching about how it's not fair and the other side cheated, etc.

Al Gore, Cynthia McKinney and John Kerry are all prime examples of winners. You won't find a single sore loser in that jolly little group!

3. A sore loser is somebody whose hand falls asleep when they're jackin off

ure a sore loser, you son of a balut!
(disclaimer: random picture, no relation to post, hehe)

Must we suffer justice?

Must we suffer Justice for the sake of Peace?
Must the white dove with the laurel leaves come before the lady in the blindfold with the measuring scale and the sword?
Must we give up our principles for the sake of compromise?
Must we give up our principles for the calm and the quiet?
Is this cowardice, is this bravery?
Is this the day in history that marks the death of lady Justice in our Land?

Before we pass judgement,
The Power of Absolute Pardon is IN the constitution for a reason,
and rightly so, the President has the absolute power to wield it.
It is not our place to say when and when not she will exercise it
Let us hope for the best . . .




Photo dated May 3, 2001 shows President Arroyo shaking hands with detained former President Joseph Estrada at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Manila, Manila, What If

What if the war did not ravage Manila, one of Asias most beautiful cities in pre-world war days. If you look closely at the photos, the men wore hats . . .



What if we knew better how to preserve our patrimony . . . would we be earning billions to rival that of thailand's tourism trade?





What if we can go back in time and walk the streets of Escolta and Intramuros in their heydays . . . will you get used to walking over cobblestones?

Will you read the papers to see what's on Sale? Will you be checking the entertainment section to see what's on stage?

(Clickez les images . . . click the images for a bigger view)


Sigh Manila, I'll miss you indeed. . . again

Stardust - My feel good movie of the moment

Amidst Bombings, the woes of moving out of your pad, packing four years of your life into boxes, getting rid of your favorite car and at the same time trying to get ready for a new life (for at least 4 years in Europe) . . . It's good to have a feel good movie like Stardust . . .

Think witches and princes, and ghosts . . . a leprechaun and Robert De Niro - Gay hahaha. (oops sorry if I spoiled it). Although I hate Claire Danes for her previous derogatory remarks about Manila years back (listen you dumb blonde, you where shooting in the slums that's why it smelled like that)

The best part of all is Michelle Pfeiffer . . . she's really the best there is, not to mention, she is the ultimate MILF still

In Memoriam of the 9 Filipinos killed in Yesterday's Bomb Attack at Glorietta

May the precious lives of those who perished be not for naught
May justice be nourished by the blood they spilled
May courage awaken the Filipino spirit
To fight these cowardly acts and vanquish the poor excuse for human beings that commit this deed.
May we, as a nation, finally find the unity that we badly need
And arise above the dirt and grime, filthy politics, corruption, extremism and fundamentalism
that is undermining the very foundations of our great Nation.

Requiescant en pace . . .

Cowardly Bombings at Ayala Mall - We will rise above this!

Just when our currency is rising, our stock exchange outperforming the others in the region, our economy  whizzing by with  thesecond highest growth rate in south east asia, second to singapore . . . (of course we still have muck politics, poverty that's not eradicated overnight, and all that) . . . the cowards-poor excuse for human beings that they are, blast Ayala's Glorietta with C4 explosives.

8 dead, 80 plus injured . . . my prayers for the victims . . . My good God, poor innocent victims of useless propaganda . . .

Puto teroristas de mierda! que quemen en el infierno por toda eternidad y mucho mas! Joder !!!

For more pictures and news reports, check fellow multiply denizens trueasiatik and disneycute

http://disneycute.multiply.com/photos/album/25/Glorietta_2_Bombing

http://trueasiatiktribe.multiply.com/journal/item/9/Flash_Report

Funny email I got from a dear friend

Mike!

Hey - sorry I've been soooooooo busy. And very sick! I miss you and Pam already. Believe it or not, I haven't seen her either. Have been busy both at work and in the home front. You know I'm in the process of breaking in the new help. But I desperately need another one because we're sending this new one home. She has lice!!! Imagine that!

She's very weird, so we're sending her back. Please please please don't ask me how we got her. Please lang. I'm just so stressed these days it's not even funny. And my cough isn't helping either. Of all times to get sick. Geezzz...

Anyway, let's meet up soon. Maybe this Friday?

XXX

(name withheld for fear of the helper's vengeful wrath)

Poignant Childhood Memories

A short trip to the farm
Harvest Time once again
The farmers would gather around this contraption
Smell of Cut Grass in the air
The constant whir of the Rice machine
Cut hay flying over the air in an arch

Something I picked up in Gender Sensitivity Class Today

I GOT FLOWERS TODAY I got flowers today. It wasn’t my birthday or any other special day. We had our first argument last night, And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt me.. I know he is sorry and he didn’t mean the things he said Because he sent me flowers today. I got flowers today. It wasn’t our anniversary or any other special day. Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me. It seemed like a nightmare. I couldn't believe it was real. I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over. I know he must be sorry. Because he sent me flowers today. I got flowers today. And it wasn’t Mothers Dat or any other special day. Last night, he beat me up again, And it was much worse than all the other times.  If I leave him, what will I do? How will I take care oof my kidss? What about money? I’m afraid of him and scared to leave. But I know he must be sorry.  Because he sent me flowers today. I got flowers today. Today was a very special day. It was the day of my funeral. Last night, he finally killed me. He beat me to death. If only I had gathered enough courage and strength to leave him,  I would not have gottten flowers . . . today.

My New Office Address in Brussels, Belgium

207 Avenue Louise, Brussels is a corner office building overlooking 

the wide thoroughfare and the parks across from it.  

Very near the Center, where the European Union head quarters is

I'll be staying at Hotel Brussells about 4 blocks away.  For a month at most, 

just until I find my own pad, and fill it up with Ikea furniture. 

I realized I haven't checked out yet my new office surroundings, so I whipped out my trusty Mac and Google Earth.

Hahaha. Guess what, I now know where I'll be going to work for the next four years. (visually I mean) Not bad, jack, not bad at all . . .

My New Office Address, 120 sq.m. of work area for me and the staff . . .

207 Avenue Louise, Bte 5, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Click click click to zoom and see where I'll be working my ass off . . . 

Moving Checklist for the expat/ diplomat

Ready or not, the day is coming fast and sure, when I will move to Brussels for four years, to start living my life as a diplomat. November 5 is on my flight itinerary.

For those of you will will soon find yourselves in the same boat as me, either moving from one pad to another, or from one city to another or across the oceans, Here are some checklists I use.

Now that I'm a diplomat, I don't have to do the consular/visa stuff anymore, but most of you will still do.

here goes, hope this helps.

======================================

MOVING TIPS

So you're moving? Here are some helpful tips that will save you time and effort!

Start paring down | Following a timetable | Packing guide & tips |Interior planning | Moving plants | Moving notification checklist

Start paring down

Moving is tough, but it can also be an opportunity. This is the perfect time to get rid of the extra "stuff" you've accumulated. Take it one room at a time and prepare to make tough decisions.

Survey each room and ask yourself —

Does this have sentimental or monetary value?

Does anyone really use it?

Is it worth lugging around?

Is there room for it in our new home?

If the item in question doesn't make the cut, ditch it! Plan a yard sale, post an online auction or simply donate anything that does not meet your criteria. This is a great way to earn a little extra and make some space.

Start using up items that can't be moved to your new home. Eat foods that are frozen or stored in glass jars and don't plan on replacing these items until you are in your new home. Finally, be aware that live plants cannot be shipped with your other household goods. Mention to XPS Tokyo that you have plants and they’ll receive special care.

Do not pack flammable items such as kerosene, paint, gasoline, lighter fluids or other such items. Let XPS Tokyo do that. Empty kerosene heaters before moving.

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Following a timetable

Allow yourself enough time to pack. First, pack items you won't need right away, such as articles stored in the basement, garage or attic. Wait and pack things you'll use right up to moving day last.

Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and its destination (e.g., dishes-kitchen, cupboard-bathroom). Be as specific as you can; it will make unpacking that much easier.

Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. If possible, put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.

Use strong boxes for fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.

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Packing guide & tips

Essentials —

Strong packing boxes

Bubble wrap for packing fragile items

Tissue and packing paper

Scissors

Knife for opening boxes

Several broad-tip markers to label boxes

Rolls of packing tape

Misc. tips —

Don't apply tape directly to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface. (Ask XPS Tokyo for any special requests and what tape is good.)

Make sure that the items you want to take to your new home can fit through the doorways and halls. Sometimes a living room window has better access so check that also.

Notify all necessary parties of your new address. Cancel the newspaper, check your cable/satellite company if you can transfer. Different wards in Tokyo have different providers so transferring may not be possible. For a list of other parties that may also need to be informed of your move, see our moving notification checklist.

Packing yourself can be more work than you anticipated. Allow enough time to do this without putting yourself under pressure.

Packing tips —

Get more boxes than you think you will need.

Pack room-by-room, keeping similar items together.

Remove lids from jars and ceramics. Wrap each separately.

Seal any opened boxes and bottles before packing them to avoid spills and leakage.

When disassembling furniture, beds, lamps, etc. put the hardware into a plastic bag along with any assembly tips and tape it onto the item itself.

Make a master list of all household items and your belongings.

Number boxes when they are packed and sealed. Clearly indicate on the box its room destination. Write on the master list the contents of the numbered boxes.

Don’t pack anything that you may need at any given moment. Assign a drawer or place for those items.

Make a box of essentials and label it "Open Me First." Put this box to the side to be loaded last (so it’s unloaded first) or move it yourself. Your Essential box will include: Basic tools such as flashlights, pocket knife, hammer, screwdrivers, nails, masking tape, tape measure, and light bulbs. Bathroom essentials such as hand towel, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, and shower curtains. Kitchen goodies such as paper towels, coffeemaker and filters, paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, dish detergent, a sponge, pet foods, dishes, and trash bags.

Pack rugs last so they can be the first items unloaded and placed at your new location.

Keep your valuable paperwork in a safe place. You should also personally transport irreplaceable photos, financial papers and assets (bank checks, insurance policies, stock certificates, etc.), legal documents (wills, passports. etc.), valuables (jewelry, coin and stamp collections, etc.), and medical and family history records.

How to pack boxes —

Assemble boxes. Invert box, fold in flaps. Place a long, wide piece of packing tape across center seam, and one piece along each side seam making an 'H' shape.

Place heavier items in the bottom of the box and lighter items on top.

Separate items with paper to prevent scratches caused by rubbing.

Wrap all fragile items in paper or plastic foam (ask XPS Tokyo for this). (Towels, linens, curtains, etc. can also be used.) Not only does this protect it from other items, wrapping also helps things fit snugly in the box and prevents contents from shifting during the move. Clearly mark these boxes "FRAGILE."

Fill all empty spaces with small items or crumpled paper. This is also to prevent shifting, and helps make the box crush proof.

Get smaller boxes for books and other heavy items. Use bigger boxes for lighter items.

Periodically lift carton to check weight — box should not be too heavy for one person to lift comfortably (approx. 20 kilos or 50 pounds).

Make a top and/or bottom cushion. Leave 1/2 inch of space at the top of the carton. Fill this space with crumpled paper or foam sheets. When closed, the carton should neither bulge nor sag.

Label boxes clearly. Write the room to which the box should go and a general description of its contents. Write "fragile" only if items within are truly fragile. (Otherwise, good loading decisions will be impossible.)

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Interior planning

As much as possible, have an idea of where you want to relocate your furniture in your new home. If not, the tendency is to tell the movers to just put it anywhere. Knowing where you want your furniture ahead of time will save you a lot of work later on.

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Moving plants

A couple of weeks before you move, prune plants to facilitate packing. Consult a florist or a plant book for instructions.

A week before your move, put your smaller plants in a black plastic bag with a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or bug powder in the bag before you put the plant in. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight. This will kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.

The day before your move, place the plants in cardboard containers. Make sure they are held in place by dampened newspaper or packing paper. Use paper to cushion the leaves and place a final layer of wet paper on top to keep them moist. Water the plants normally in summer, a little less in winter.

On the day you leave, close boxes, punch air holes in the top and load in your car.

Unpack the plants as soon as you can after arriving. Remove plants through the bottom of the box in order to avoid breaking the stems. Do not expose the plants to too much sunlight at first. Let them get accustomed to more light gradually.

If you must leave your plants behind, then take cuttings. Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.

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Moving notification checklist

Don't forget to notify businesses of your move. Keep a list of who you’ve contacted and when.

Post Office

Department of Motor Vehicles/Driver's License

Employer

Voter Registration

Magazines/Newspapers/Subscriptions

Credit Cards/Charge Accounts

Insurance Company

Investments

Stockbroker

Finance Companies/Car Loan

Banks/Credit Unions/Loan Companies

Airline Frequent Flier Cards

Alumni Associations

Doctors/Dentists/Other Medical Professionals

Attorney/Accountant

Schools

Tax Assessors

Emergency Road Service

Any others