Love Thy Job

Today marks my 3rd year as a part of [24]7's Quality Management Group and because of that, I became so eager to talk about that little something we have in our life called WORK. Boring eh? You are free to click the X button anytime you want. 

I've been expressing my thoughts about anything through this blog (and some of them, I know, are just silly stuff) but this time, more than expressing myself, I want to (hopefully) touch lives as well.

I took a stroll down memory lane and started to ask, "What was I, 3 years ago?" Well, I was just a fresh grad slash crybaby in a circle of experienced colleagues and for someone who prefers to write, I asked myself a thousand times, "Am I really at the right place?" but as months gone by, I found myself having a constant conversation in my mind: "Why do you have food on your plate?", "Why do you have a decent home to live at?", "Why do you have clothes to wear?", "Why were you able to buy another cuteey bag from CLN store?" (haha!) and so on. Of course, it's not just about the moola. It's about appreciating what you have.

Here's an inspiring story by Paulo Coelho. It's a bit long but definitely  a worthy 2-minute-read:

___________________________________________________________

Many years ago, there lived in China a young man 
called Mogo, who earned his living breaking stones. Although he was strong and healthy, he was not satisfied with his work and complained about it day and night. One day, his guardian angel appeared to him.

‘You’re healthy and you have your whole life before you,’ said the angel. ‘All young men start off doing the same sort of job as you. Why are you always complaining?’

‘God has treated me unfairly and has not given me the chance to grow,’ replied Mogo.

Concerned, the angel went to ask the Lord for his help.

‘Do as you wish,’ said the Lord. ‘Everything that Mogo wants will be granted to him.’

The following day, Mogo was, as usual, breaking stones when he saw a carriage pass by bearing a nobleman laden with jewels. Wiping the sweat from his dirty face, Mogo said bitterly: ‘Why can’t I be a nobleman too? That is my destiny!’

‘So be it!’ murmured his angel, delighted. And Mogo was transformed into the owner of a big palace with a vast estate, with many servants and horses. He used to go out everyday with his impressive train of followers and enjoyed seeing his former  companions lined in front of him.

On one such afternoon, the heat was unbearable; even under his golden covers, Mogo was sweating as much as he used to in his days as a breaker of stones. He realized then that he wasn’t really that important: above him were princes and emperors, but higher than them all was the sun, who obeyed no one – the sun was the true king.

‘Dear angel, why can’t I be the sun? That must be my destiny!’ asked Mogo.

‘So be it!’ exclaimed the angel, concealing his sadness at such vaulting ambition. And Mogo became the sun, as he had wanted.

While he was shining in the sky, admired for his immense power to ripen the grain or scorch it as he wished, a black spot started moving towards him. The dark stain grew larger and larger, and Mogo realized that it  was a cloud spreading all around him, so that he could not longer see the Earth.

‘Angel!’ cried Mogo. ‘The cloud is stronger than the sun! My destiny is to be a cloud!’

‘So be it!’ replied the angel. Mogo was transformed into a cloud and he thought he had finally realized his dream.

‘I’m so powerful!’ he yelled as he obscured the sun. ’No one can beat me’; he thundered as he chased the waves. But on the deserted ocean shore stood a vast granite rock, as old as the world itself. Mogo thought that the rock was defying him and unleashed a storm such as the world had never seen. Vast, furious waves lashed the rock, trying to wrench it from the earth and hurl it into the depths of the sea.

Firm and impassive, the rock remained where it was. ‘Angel,’ sobbed Mogo, ‘the rock is stronger than the cloud! My destiny is to be a rock!‘ And Mogo was transformed into that rock.

‘Who can vanquish me now?’ he wondered. ‘I am the most powerful thing in the world!’ And so several years passed, until, one morning, Mogo felt something stabbing into his stone entrails, this was followed by intense pain, as if part of his granite body was being broken into pieces. Then he heard dull, insistent thuds and felt again that terrible pain.

Mad with fear, he cried: ‘Angel, someone is trying to kill me! He has more power than I do, I want to be like him!’

‘So be it!’ exclaimed the angel, weeping. And that was how Mogo went back to breaking stones.

_____________________________________________________________

I was like Mogo until I finally learned the value of contentment and acceptance. This does NOT mean that we should stop dreaming. We just don't have to hurry things up because we have a big God who already laid our destinies. We just have to let things happen and wait for His perfect time.

Still didn't hit you? Hmm. Okay. This one might work. Take a look.

The following images are from a slideshow I got via my work email eons ago. To watch the full slide, click here.

AN ELECTRICIAN IN CHINA

A DELIVERY SERVICE EMPLOYEE IN ASIA

DEODORANT TESTERS IN GERMANY

A DITCH DIGGER IN POLAND

A HORSE WHISPERER IN ENGLAND

A PLUMBER IN HUNGARY

A ZOOKEEPER IN AMERICA

MOBILE TOILETS

If these people can work with so much passion and gusto, no matter how hard (or weird) their jobs may seem, SO CAN WE.

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Quezon! Oh! Quezon!

A day after his birthday, Ken treated our dear families to a lunch date at Kamayan sa Palaisdaan in Tayabas, Quezon (a less than an hour drive from Tiaong, his hometown). Seeing my family bond with my second family? I only have one word...PRICELESS!

Photos by Laine Duka

KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN

Brgy. Dapdap Tayabas Quezon

Restaurant: (042) 793-3654 or (042) 793-3655

Hotel & Resort: (042) 793-0088 or (042) 793-0089

Cellphone: 0918 951 0460

Website: http://www.kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph 

Email: info@kamayansapalaisdaan.com.ph

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Salty-Sweet Discovery

I'd like you to meet my newest favorite!

Rodillas Yema Cake

Photos by Laine Duka

My friend, Marj, was the one who recommended this NOT-another-OA-sa-pagkasweet-cake. And as usual (I'm a professional google-r), I researched about it and here's what I found out: Huli na pala ako sa balita! 'cos this Tayabas, Quezon-based cake is now here in Manila via Geicks!

Visit www.yedylicious.com for more details and other food reviews.

Or check out Geicks' Facebook page.

  

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Foodie Buddies

I don't know what the Gastronomical Gods did to me these past few days but I was craving for food--oh! I want to make this accurate--LOTS OF FOOD! Good thing, my groom-to-be is not very much particular with sexy curves (just slightly!hahaha) so we knew exactly what to do on his birthday. For our Fridate, we were up for a 4-hour Lafang Challenge. Before I get too serious about being a fit bride, I got a chance to be a healthy bride-to-be and by healthy, I mean F-A-T-T-Y. 

First Lafang Stop: Sumo Sam

What we ordered: Ken-Pork Katsu Curry | Bea-Chicken Teriyaki 

The birthday boy and Sumo Sam's complimentary birthday ice cream treat

Yummy Food, Big Servings, Cozy Ambiance 

Second Lafang Stop: Taco Bell

We'll forever be taco lovers.

Third Lafang Stop: Dairy Queen

Wrapping up this mini lafang challenge with our blizzards

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HBD TO MY HONEYBEE

August 3 has been one of my favorite dates since 2005. It's the birthday of the nicest among the nice people I know.

Wondering how nice this man is? Imagine this.

I may look at him in the most maldita way. I may have the craziest tantrums and bipolar attacks. But he can still put his hand on my shoulder and sweetly whisper, "Tama na."

I may vent my experiences with not-so-nice-people. He would listen intently and calm me down and when we bump into them the next day, he can still smile (with his gorgeous dimples) and greet them oh so nicely that I want to tell him, "Hoy! diba sabi ko sa'yo di natin yan bati!!"

And when he shares his own not-so-nice experiences, after a few minutes, wala na 'yun sa kanya pero ako, galit na galit pa rin. Yes! He's THAT easy to forgive.

I'd like to believe that we are perfectly destined to be together: The Overly Nice Guy and "The Slightly Nice Girl" (oh walang kokontra!) That's probably what they call the Balance of Life, hahaha! And I thank God, not only every 3rd of August but everyday of my life, for giving the earth this handsome creature who loves me the way He would like me to be loved.

Happy Birthday to the man I'll spend the rest of my life with.

Enjoy your last birthday as a single dude! :)

All the single dudes

Now put your hands up!

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Eat....Bulaga!

Because it's their anniversary today, I thought of sharing a pinch of my not-so-long-ago-College life (haha!): I became an On-the-Job-Trainee of the EB writers for 2 months.

I salute, not only the hosts, but all the creative minds and hardworking people behind the camera of the longest-running (and unbeatable) noontime show in Philippine television. 

(These are 3-year-old-photos)

With the EB Writers

Happy 33rd Anniversary Dabarkads!
BTW, let's also congratulate them for their first international franchise 
(Eat Bulaga Indonesia). This is something Pinoys should be proud of. 
Many more anniversaries and franchises to come!

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Sc-arf! Sc-arf!

This will be a weekend without my Ken. (If I will literally take KEN out of wee-KEN-d, that will only be WEED and weed means: Something useless, detrimental, or worthless, especially an animal unfit for breeding, or A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted. Hmmm. Ok! Enough of the nonsense!haha)  He's in Baguio since last night for a business trip/lakwatcha and I'm left here in Manila feeling so inggit!

We're still in the rainy season here in Pinas and I can imagine how much colder it is now in the City of Pines and for many fashionistaaaas out there, this is a perfect time for flaunting their boots, scarves, robes, jackets and all their great-for-cold-weather accessories. As a feeling-nasa-Baguio-din-girl like me, I wanna share MY VERY OWN scarf styles.

I want to reiterate the emphasis on "MY VERY OWN". LOL! Obviously, I'm not an expert. But this video I got from Youtube might be more helpful.

   

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What Are You Thankful For?

(I got this via my work email)

I AM THANKFUL

For the wife who says, "It's hot dogs tonight",

because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,

because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,

because it means she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay,

because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,

because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,

because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,

because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning,

and gutters that need fixing,

because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government,

because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,

because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,

because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing,

because it means I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,

because it means I have been capable of working.

And for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,

because it means I am alive.

My POV: Life isn't perfect. But the way you see things makes all the difference.

Have a happy week ahead!

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Fart-y Girl

While most people are heading to the bars and other gimikans, I am here...at nakadukduk nanaman sa laptop. Well, I'm not a party girl. A "Fart-y" Girl may seem much applicable. (hahaha!) I never was a party girl and I think I never will. I'd rather spend my Friday nights doing a Movie or Music Marathon.

Thank God It's Fuuuuuuurayday!!

From hours of work, from the flooded streets of Makati and from all the kulogs and kidlats outside, I'm finally home with my forever pampakalma song. Thanks again Pareng Jason Derulo!

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Quirky Cakes

A few days ago, we had an appointment with one of our Wedding Charms (that's how we like our suppliers to be called). For our cuuuutey cake-to-be, we have Miss Angelyn Tan. Some of you may say, "Cake lang yan! Di naman 'yan napapansin!" but for us, we want every single detail of our Big Day to be of equal significance. The cake design that we chose is just simple but it perfectly matched our theme which our family and friends will love. (hopefully!)

When we entered her house (Yes, their showroom is in her house), I became so overwhelmed and excited that I wasn't able to take pictures...but just imagine a small space (in a big house with swimming pool) filled with colorful cakes in different sizes and unique shapes, ooooozing with quirkiness, sweetness and yummy-ness. OA much? Nah! To see it for yourself, here are some photos I grabbed from their website.

 

Visit  www.angelyncakes.com  for more photos and details.

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Soon-to-be-Home Sweet Home

Last weekend was a veeeeeery productive one for me and Ken. Nothing, even my Cookie Monster voice (I was paos from Friday until yesterday. Welcome back, my precious voice! I missed you so much!!!!), has stopped me from sticking to our weekend agenda: from wedding preparation to home design planning and back to wedding preparation. I'll be sharing our Big Day updates here next time. For now, I wanna share the developments that we spotted when we visited our soon-to-be-home.

Now, here are a few of my favorite home design inspirations from www.home-designing.com which might help you as well, whether you're just renovating your space or you're about to build your future home sweet home. Let's dream together in 1..2..3..Go! :)

Via Huelsta

Via Columbini  

Via Rio Laksana

Via iceci3

Via Elmar Cucine

Via Scavolini

If you're still finding it hard to visualize your dream home design, you might need professional help. Yes, I know! You're worried about your budget. Nowadays, even a simple interior design consultation may hurt your piggy bank. But worry no more. Just check this out! (Trust me. I'm a professional kuripot.)

Visit their website for more details. Click here.

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