Me and the Computer

Yesterday, I didn't do any work. Why? Because I kept losing to the computer! For about 4 or 5 games in a row, I lost in online scrabble to a robot. Poor me! I didn't stop till I could recover from my losing streak.

Today, I played again but I decided to do some work. Not rush but it gave me some sense of accomplishment.

I haven't been eating dinner these past few days. I hope to lose some pounds but the scale isn't showing it. Oh I do hope I will see my weight go down to below 140. I remember though that once upon a time, I weighed 190 pounds!

Full Moon

Last night, I could barely fall asleep. Small wonder. When I looked out the window, it was full moon! Awoo!

I don't know but there's something about full moons that triggers feelings in me. Feelings of romance except that I don't have a romantic object as of the moment. Feelings of my temporary stay here on earth.

So I was again led to thinking of my bucket list.

1) To go out on a date with Derek Ramsey, John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual and other actors
2) To write a screenplay or two
3) To write shortfilms
4) To write more books
5) To write stageplays
6) To write more poems
7) To write lyrics of a song or two
8) To sit in creative sessions of companies and put in my 2 cents worth
9) To meet living saints and top executives and interview them
10) To do more acts of charity like visit inmates, the sick, the elderly; tutor orphans and streetchildren; etc.

I would like to be known as being kind and loving, and as someone who brought joy and laughter to the world.

Why I'm Addicted

Yes, that's right. I'm practically addicted to online scrabble.

I play against the "robot"or the computer. I have advanced to advanced level.

I get to learn new words - the spelling of new words at least. The meanings, I have to look them up.

I discover new ways of playing the game. For instance, I recently discovered that when the word "hint" lights up, there's a potentially high scoring word that I have to figure out. They give up to three hints. Which letters (if not all) are to be used. The word begins with what letter and ends with what letter. And where should the letters be placed. And there's the dictionary. Many times I end up guessing the word. And sometimes, I come up with a word with a higher score than what the computer had in mind! Ha ha. Could it be? I'm smarter than the computer?

My highest score is 456. My personal best is three scrabble words in one game. For me, a game where I scored 400+ is good enough.

My friends prefer to play Farmville in Facebook. I prefer to play online scrabble in www.pogo.games. Try it!

Beauty of a Sunset

Yesterday, I prepared tab specs for a UAI study. Today, I transcribed notes from flipcharts to Powerpoint presentation. Small tasks but work nevertheless.

One of the best advantages of living in a high-rise condominium is that we get the chance to see sunsets almost everyday. The beauty of a sunset is beyond compare. Whenever I see one, I can only sigh and say, "Ang ganda!" (How beautiful!)

It reminds me of God's love. It is perfect, beautiful and constant.

Mom is Back!

After two weeks and two days, mom is back! Yehey! I missed her so.

She brought lechon, langka, durian, and solo papaya. She left some other fruits because she did not want to pay extra.

Mom is sleeping right now, very tired. I could imagine.

There is this person in Davao who could "see" things. He saw that I have cyst in my uterus that is why my tummy is so big. Hmm. Remains to be seen.

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From time to time, former students of mine ask me for favors. This afternoon, one of them asked me to prepare a letter of recommendation for a scholarship.

I like doing things for people. It's the least I could do.

God Is Good

Yesterday, I was just thinking of means and ways of earning more money.

Just today, two projects came up. I met with a new client today on a UAI (Usage, Attitude and Image) Study. We had a briefing with interviewers at Shakey's.

On Monday and Tuesday, I will be working on my other project.

I must make good in all my projects so that more work will come in.

Thank You, Lord, You are so good!

How to Have More Money

These days, I'm wracking my brains on how to earn more money. My medical expenses alone amount to five figures!

My friend suggested that I teach English to Koreans. But I don't know how to speak Korean. It has been done they said, but I'm not too keen on the idea.

Other ideas are:
1) I can teach people how to use the computer
2) I can use my scriptwriting skills to come up with screenplays and short films
3) I can write more books
4) I can continue being a marketing research consultant to more clients
5) I can be a creative consultant (help come up with creative solutions to problems)
6) I can be editor
7) I can think of new product ideas and propose them to companies
8) I can conduct workshops

Oh Lord, I don't want to be a burden to my loved ones. Please help me come up with means and ways of earning more money so I can pay for all my living expenses and still have enough for the future and to help the needy as well. Help me, Lord. You are Provider!

More Note-taking/Dinner with a Friend

Today, I spent time taking down more notes from the book I borrowed. I am more than halfway through. It's different when you're typing something than when you're just reading it. You somehow get to absorb the material more.

In the evening, I went out with Jobert. We went to Super Bowl in Gateway. He ate vegetables (two kinds). I ate their Super Bowl special - yang chow rice with four kinds of toppings. We both had calamansi juice without sugar.

Jobert looks good! He must have lost a lot of weight already. He is on a strict vegetarian diet and has given up Coke Zero. I'm envious!

But I know I will be miserable on a diet of pure vegetables. Oh well, I will start by giving up or minimizing my Coke Zero. I shall also try to minimize my overall intake of food. Can I do it? No harm in trying.

Alone Again...Naturally

If you don't know that that's the title of a song, you're much younger than me. Ha ha.

I was alone practically the whole day because my son left early for work.

I slept after breakfast.

After lunch, I checked my inbox then played online scrabble. I tried composing a song or poem entitled "Turning Gold".

I copied parts of the book, "How to Have Kick-Ass Ideas". I have to return the book some time.
So I am typing the interesting parts of the book.

Crazy Idea

I got this crazy idea last night. Why not come up with a creative thinking tool or game which would help people solve problems? I am thinking of calling it CREACT (for Creative Activity).

There will be a "Client" who will present his/her problem.

The rest of the players will be the Consultants.

There will be three boxes called P's B with U:
1) Problem Clarification - questions that will help clarify the problem for everyone, including the Client
2) Proposal of solutions - stimulus materials that will link the problem to possible solutions
3) Process of elimination - trimming down the list of solutions to a few

The winner is whoever comes up with the best solution to the problem.

What do you think? Does this idea have any merit? Any potential? Ha ha.

Sunday, Alone-Day

I'm all alone today as my son had to go to work.

I kept sleeping zzzzzz

I did some work and emailed to client.

I played online scrabble and reached 456 points before I quit! Yahoo! My all time high! That's because I had two scrabbles (totters and plotting).

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The book I am reading is making me think of coming up with my own bucket list. Hmmm. What exactly do I want to do before I "kick the bucket"?

Because of my physical limitations and budgetary constraints, my bucket list may look different from other people's bucket lists. A lot of writing. Something like before I go, I'd like to write an inspiring book, a moving song, an eye-opening movie, a funny stageplay, etc.

I also would like to reach out and serve other people - orphans, poor children, female inmates, the homeless, the depressed, etc. How? By joining outreach programs and joining my friends who are already helping these people.

I pray that God will give me a long life so I can accomplish all the items in my bucket list.

Surviving

Mom has been away for more than a week and I am surviving! Ha ha

Yesterday, I went to work for a client. So happens, it was the birthday celebration of her daughter, Angel. They rented a house with a swimming pool.

I got to eat paella, barbecue, lasagna and chocolate. Delicious!

Reena lent me a book entitled, "How to Have Kick-Ass Ideas". Very interesting book. About creativity again.

Her driver brought me home.
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Today, my sister brought me adobong pusit (1 Kilo). Sarap! I ate it for lunch and dinner.

She also brought me sanitary napkin. It's my second day today.

I chatted a short while with a friend.

I played several rounds of online scrabble. Except once, I kept winning against the computer. As usual.

I got to watch parts of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" and "Talentadong Pinoy".

Report Done/Online Scrabble

At last, I was able to finish my FGD report. Took me a while to get in the mood though.

I played several rounds of online scrabble. I stopped only until I reached my goal score of 400 (I had two scrabbles in that round for the words "unearned" and "injuries").

What to do for the rest of the day? Choices are: watch a movie with my son, continue reading my book, write something, watch TV, color coloring book, YouTube. This is my life!

Work Away from Home

Instead of finishing my FGD report, I had to go to another client's place for a meeting. We did some work. She (Reena) had to leave to hear mass and have lunch with her family because it is the tenth birthday of her son, Paolo.

I had lunch at Reena's place which consisted of beef steak, pinakbet, rice, calamansi juice, Coke, and Cinnabon. Later, they gave merienda of pandesal with asado inside.

I got to read an interesting book on creativity. Not a few people have thought of me as creative. What a compliment! I wish I can offer my "creative services" to companies, sort of an ideas person. Any takers?

Reena and her driver brought me down at McDonald's Katipunan. It didn't take me too long to get a cab. I was about to ride an airport metered taxi when I came to my senses ha ha. They were far more expensive than the ordinary cabs. So I took the one behind it.

When I reached home, I took a nap. When I woke up, it was time for dinner already.

Almost Done

I am working on my FGD report and I'm almost done. I have to do only the Conclusions and Recommendations section. I like to do this part on another day so my mind is fresh.

I listened to old music, disco music, and praise songs while working.

I ate ginataang mais, turon and Coke Zero for merienda. Sarap!

At last, my son is back! I have a companion! Yehey! And his pastor will come visit him tonight so we have a guest.

Alone on a Monday

My son went to a team-building with his fellow branch managers and will be back tomorrow. So I am alone till then.

I ate two pandesal and noodles for breakfast. For lunch, I had humba, sitaw and squash and rice. For merienda, halo-halo and turon. For dinner, I will be having fish (tilapia) escabeche.

Work came in. First, I cleared the transcription made by my assistant, Colleen. Not bad. I just made a few corrections. Then I started writing the FGD report. I will be done by tomorrow.

I listened to a few YouTube songs again. Tonight? I have a choice of reading, coloring book, online scrabble, watching TV or more YouTube.

Cooking at Home/YouTube Delight

My best friend, Amy, came over. She brought along her "maid", Nora. Knowing that Mom will be away till April 24, they helped me cook several viands.

Here's the list: pork sinigang, fish escabeche, ground pork with quail eggs and potatoes, chicken adobo, humba, and ginisang squash and sitaw. Delicious!

Amy even bought Coke Zero!

What are friends for? Ha ha. Thanks, Ams!

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I have been listening/watching YouTube for hours! What fun! I viewed/listened to:

1) Disco/danceable songs like "Trapped in a Stairway", "Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel", "Heaven Knows"

2) Singable songs by foreign singers/composers like Barry Manilow, Jim Brickman, David Gates/Bread, Paul Anka (I cried over "Times of Your Life")

3) Singable songs by local singers/composers like Jose Mari Chan, Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta, Basil Valdez, Sarah Geronimo, Ariel Rivera

I think I'm inspired to write a poem or the lyrics to a song right now. Inspired!

Gettogether with Maryknollers

Yesterday, I attended a small gettogether with fellow Maryknollers. Balikbayan, Ting Ramos, was in town. The mini-reunion was held at her place in West Avenue.

As usual, topics were past (teachers, cutting classes, classmates who have passed away, parties) and present (recent goings on in our lives and the lives of other batchmates).

Food was pancit Malabon, puto, sapin-sapin, banana cream pie, watermelon. There was Coke. Later they drank red wine.

Focus Group Discussion

Today, I practically panicked when I found out that Client did not print a copy of the FGD guide for our discussion. The participants were already complete when I arrived at Max's with my note-taker, Colleen.

We had the GD guide printed in one of the computer shops in Ali Mall. Whew! Just in time.

The FGD went okay except that practically the whole time, there was a brownout.
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Mom will be away for 16 days starting tomorrow! Oh no! She left some money behind but expects that I have some cash left when she returns.

I hope to have more projects. Lord, please grant me more sources of income. I need money badly. Already, I will not be taking Thalidomide for 15 days. It's the costliest of my maintenance medicines.

Additional Refund

I reviewed my income tax form and discovered that I failed to report income tax payments in previous quarters. So my refund increased further. Yehey! It pays to be poor!

Today, I prepared for my FGD tomorrow. I am praying that it will be smooth-sailing.

I am reading a book entitled "Last Man Standing". It was made into a movie. Looks interesting.

Taxes, For Sure

In this life, two things are sure they say: death and taxes.

Let's not talk about death. Too morbid.

Taxes then. I computed my taxes for the month of March, for the first quarter of 2010, and for the year 2009. I realized how "poor" I am when I actually came up with a tax refund for last year. Last year was about half my income of 2008, and 2008 was not a good year either.

But I survive. Somehow, we get buy. The Lord truly provides.

In a year when I needed more than 1M for my medication, friends and relatives came to the rescue and donated enough funds. I feel so blessed! Thank You, Lord!

Easter Reflection

Easter should be celebrated with much more fanfare than Christmas. But today, I spent the day quietly and simply. I listened to TV mass as usual. Mom and I had lunch of pancit, pinakbet and pork asado/pot roast.

I was craving for burger so I ordered McDo delivery - Big Mac, french fries and Coke Zero. Mom had double cheeseburger.

I was able to do some work for a client...slides for a workshop and statistical test tables.

So what does Easter mean to me?

E - very year, we are reminded of what Jesus has done for us

A - happy recollection of God's love for all mankind

S - inners we all are, should be grateful to Christ

T - rue repentance is what the Master is seeking

E - verlasting life with Him awaits us

R - ising from the dead, He saved us from sure death!

Simple Blessings

Today was a day of blessings.

My sister and her family came and visited us lunchtime. Food consisted of prawns (cooked in olive oil and vinegar), inihaw na baboy, lechon manok, langka, lanzones, and manggang hilaw with bagoong.

Oyie gave me shoes, pants and blouses which she no longer needs. I accepted most of them as if I came from a tiangge! ha ha

I was able to use my creativity in coming up with "immersion exercises" for a client. I enjoy being able to work and finish a task.

Good Friday

It is Good Friday. A day of fasting and abstinence. But because of health reasons, I am exempt from following it strictly.

I finished the Conclusions of my report. And I made an FGD guide (subject to revision).

I watched part of the 7 Last Words on TV. And I read/watched Good Friday reflections on the Internet.

Here's my prayer:

Dearest Lord,

Thank You for dying on the cross for me. I am sorry for the many times I have sinned. Give me many opportunities to reach out to others, to love them, to serve them...even if I am sick.

You are our Saviour and for this we are forever grateful.

Working Holy Thursday

Today, I finished a report...well, almost. I just need to do the Conclusions.

I "semi-watched" two Tagalog movies on Channel 2, "One More Chance" and "Kung Ako na Lang Sana" plus a mass in between.

It is mom's birthday. She is out right now with my brother and sister-in-law, on visita iglesia. I wanted to come along but I had to work on my report.

I looked at pictures of Derek Ramsey on the internet. Ha ha. He's really soooh good-looking. I never run out of crushes!

But the love of my life is....Jesus Christ!