Preparing for Reports

This week until end October (or early November) I will be writing three reports. I have already started preparing report templates. I am eager to start analyzing already. Three different studies, different objectives. How challenging and fun!

I am still having chest pains. Could just be heart burn. But at least, Tramadol, the pain killer prescribed for me seems to be working. I have difficulty walking and carrying stuff though so I move around like a zombie, hand to my chest.

I went to the hospital last Monday but turns out that the people administering treatment were all absent, their rest day. So, I just had a CBC, ate at the canteen, had a chest x-ray, and got my mom's MRI results.

Mom is now in the hospital, accompanied by my son. Hope her condition is nothing serious.

It's all quiet here. Am all alone. Just waiting for my lunch to arrive. Then maybe I will take a nap or play some games.

It is taking me ages to finish the book, "The Front" by Patricia Cornwell. It is dragging.

Oh well...

The Best Pusit

Yesterday, I ate the best adobong pusit I've ever tasted! It was a little spicy but just right. I had it for lunch and dinner yesterday, and for dinner again today. Yummy!

I was able to finish my quantitative report and am just waiting for feedback from one of the consultants before finalizing it. I will be paid already for said project. Great!

I am getting better and better at Bookworm. The highest level I've attained is Master(or Supreme) Archivist. Yey.

I have time now to read the book I started. The one entitled "The First Family". It is hardbound and thick so I didn't bring it yesterday to the hospital. Instead, I brought my Sudoku book and solved some puzzles.

I have revised a company's website but I still need additional info from them. I had fun thinking of taglines for the said company and after more than a week, they decided on one which I liked, too.

I might have another online survey. I will be asked to finalize the questionnaire, maybe come up with tables, and analyze the results. Exciting!

My other quantitative study has been launched and fieldwork is being conducted. My next step is to prepare the tab specs for the two questionnaires under the project.

God is good! Not just good, but great!

Most Creative Website!

I had the wonderful privilege of having seen and visited the most creative, fun, interesting, and informative website ever! [It was voted as the most innovative marketing research company.]But don't just take my word for it. Come and visit www.brainjuicer.com.

I took their creativity test, hoping I will be among the top 6% most creative people. Ha ha, how ambitious of me!

I also watched one of their webinars on creativity.

I was so excited I wrote to them, asking if I can work with them.

No harm in trying, right?
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I am quite busy these days. I have a number of projects -

...preparing powerpoint slides on a book

...revising two questionnaires

...editing/revising a website

...and I am about to work on an employee opinion study (both quantitative and qualitative).

I love working!
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I am reading a nice book entitled "Mitigating Circumstances". I am almost finished with it. Thank God for books!
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Tomorrow, a client-friend will come over after lunch. We will work on a project and she will give me some money. Yey.
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Life is good...nope, not just good, it's great!

That Feeling...

How do you describe that feeling when you have finished a project knowing you did a good job and having enjoyed doing it every step of the way? It is more than a sense of accomplishment. I would say it was a job well-enjoyed and well-done from beginning to end.

Yes, I have finished lifting excerpts from an interesting book, "Beyond Disruption" by Jean-Marie Dru. Then, I came up with not one, but two, powerpoint versions. You see, I found the first one wordy and it lacked visuals. The second is condensed as I tried to remove as many extraneous words as I can find. With the extra space, I placed more pictures for greater visual appeal.

Praise God!

I have just said that I want to engage in creative thinking. Well, a number of people have told me that yes, they will give me creative assignments. And today, I was tasked to revise a company's website by giving suggestions for improvement and changing the wordings.

Moreover, I was asked to think of a good tagline for the said company. So, I came up with not one, but twenty-two, alternative taglines! Whew, quite taxing to the brain but what fun, too! I do hope the agency would be able to choose one of the 22, wishing that it is one of my personal favorites as well.

I love ginataang tahong! I ordered it for lunch...yummy! I also ate bopis (not bad).

The book I am currently reading for leisure is very interesting. It is a story of romance, family, success, vengeance and more. I am not yet half-way through but I just know I will enjoy reading the rest of the book, just like mom did. (I actually saw her clap her hands in satisfaction.) The Title? "Sins of Omission".

I was supposed to attend a client meeting today but I could not be fetched by my client-friend. It was a good thing since I have a bum stomach again.

All is well, all is well.

Ewww!

Yesterday, I had a bum stomach...such that I poohed on my underwear three times. The last was the worst, with shit on the toilet bowl seat, the floor, on my thighs and legs. Ewww! Poor mom! She had to clean up for me.

I weigh 130 lbs. I aim to be in the 120's. With little rice, this is achievable.

Today, for the first time in several weeks, I was able to rise up in bed. I did it three times today. Yehey! A major achievement! And I can walk around slowly. Thank God!

I emailed work today. Expecting payment soon.

It is my son's day-off so he accompanied my mom to the grocery.

I finished reading Tom Clancy's "The Teeth of the Tiger". Very interesting. I enjoyed reading it.

I also get to play scrabble these days, playing against robots or the computer. I almost always win.

I greeted my friend whose birthday is today. I remember I called her up on her birthday some years ago and I didn't even greet her. She cried. From then on, I swore to remember her birthday.

I learned from my friend that she has a relative who also had cancer of the bone marrow. He has passed away. I am again reminded of my mortality. Am I ready to meet my Creator?

Flowers, anyone?

Getting Better

Looks like my pain killers, Velcade and Recormon are working. I have much less pain these days although I still need assistance in rising from bed. Thank God!

I'm glad when mom goes out to spend time with her friends or relatives. She needs the "recreation". Today, she went to Greenhills with her sister, niece and grand-niece. They ate in a Chinese Restaurant. She said the food was delicious but did not order food for me because she did not want to carry it around while they went shopping. She bought espasol, puto seko, and tableya.

It is my son's day-off today. So, he cooked liempo for lunch. We had a little time for bonding. Then he left to watch a movie and help out in the store because they have a big sale tomorrow.

I used the time to read a book I started yesterday, "Deadly Grace" by Taylor Smith. Interesting. But I'm not half-way through yet.

I had some work yesterday but none today. So it really is rest day today.

I heard mass in the Internet. I was once more reminded to trust in God.

One of my projects was postponed till late July. I was supposed to do a report today and tomorrow. I hope more projects will come in.

I really enjoy watching "100 Days to Heaven". I hope it doesn't end anytime soon.

I might be visited by two marketing research friends this Saturday. I am looking forward to their visit.

2 Funny Movies, 1 Book, and Visit to the Hospital

Work came in and ended Saturday. To reward myself, I watched television and was fortunate enough to view "Trading Places" a comedy starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. My brother came to visit and recognized the movie as a hit in the 80's. That's how old it is.

I also got to watch "Top Secret!" starring Val Kilmer. Funny, too, but I prefer the humor in "Trading Places".

Yesterday, my mom attended my aunt's birthday blowout at Josephine's in Tagaytay. After hearing TV mass, I got sleepy so I gave in to the temptation of lying down in bed to sleep. By lunch time, I couldn't get up at all! So I had to make do with Maxx's menthol candy (cherry flavor) and some galletas de patatas. I also used the time to finish reading "Shadow Fires". Nice book! Very thrilling from beginning till end.

Today, we went to the hospital. My son came along but he left at once to catch more sleep. I had some blood tests. I spent almost an hour in the CR to urinate but nothing came out. So, I had breakfast of lomi at the canteen and drank water. I was able to urinate in the chemo room and mom gave the sample urine for urinalysis.

I had to receive another medicine via IV for more than two hours. Mom brought me lunch of Wendy's bacon mushroom melt and Potato Corner sour cream flavor but I was not able to finish either one.

I received Velcade treatment. One of those under study said that three of those who were part of the study have already passed away. He has four daughters from grade 2 to fourth year high school.

Then mom and I went to my doctor's clinic. We waited awhile. I was able to pray my rosary. My lab results were good - either improved or within normal levels. Yehey. I can also feel less pain these days.

Praise God!

Another Visitor

Yesterday, another Maryknoller friend visited me. She gave me holy water, some money and pizza. We prayed the 3 o'clock prayer and the Chaplet to the Divine Mercy. I gave her one of my pictures which she will bring to healing masses. What a dear friend!

Another friend and group of friends were supposed to visit me today. But some things came up so both visits were postponed.

Due to the bad weather, I have cough and colds. I drank a glass of calamansi this morning.

Work came in, due Saturday but I'm almost done. Unless I will be asked to summarize the responses to the questionnaire.

I'm reading another book by Dean Koontz entitled "Shadow Fires". As my mom described it, never a dull moment so I'm eager to keep reading it.

I'm wearing my brace again. Somehow eases the pain on my back.

Old Movies

Recently, I watched two favorite movies for the nth time - "Slumdog Millionnaire" and "Facing the Giants".

Why do I keep watching these movies? Aside from the fact that they are among the few working DVDs I own, I love their stories. "Slumdog Millionnaire" is about undying love, mixed with humor and suspense. "Facing the Giants" is about faith against all odds.

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I'm reading a book entitled "Paradox". A suspense thriller with romance in it, written by Echo Heron. Interesting book. I'm almost half-way through.

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I am crazy over Maxx menthol candies. I am eating different variants - honey-mansi, honey and cherry. I have to watch my sugar though.

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My friend bought a franchise for Itlog on a Stick. Hope it sells well. She promised to bring me some of her products.

A Book, and Movies

I read an old James Patterson book, "Jack and Jill". It took me three days to finish reading it. It was suspenseful enough but I did not like the ending. What I like about James Patterson books are the short chapters and the changes in POV's.

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I watched "The Truth About Charlie". Nice action movie.

Then, I viewed part of a movie starring Maricel Soriano, Diether Ocampo and Claudine Barretto. Maricel and Diether are lovers who live together. Claudine is Maricel's sister. Maricel goes to the US for a while. Diether and Claudine fall in love. But Claudine loves her sister more, she goes to Cebu. Maricel is devastated. She finds out she is pregnant. Maricel and Diether part ways but remain friends. Last scene is Claudine gets married to someone in Cebu. Diether carries his son. They all look happy.

After, I watched "Kasal-Kasalan (Sakalan)" starring Judy Ann Santos and Wowie de Guzman, with special participation of Ai-Ai de las Alas, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Gladys Reyes. It is about two sweethearts who keep their relationship secret for five years because they know that Judy Ann's mom won't approve since Wowie comes from a poor family. They are forced to marry because they shared a room in Tagaytay because their car broke down and had to get the last room available. However, the night before the wedding it is called off when Judy Ann sees Wowie dancing sweetly with Gladys. The two are miserable. To make the long story short, the two end up married.

Trouble with My Computer

My computer is my life...well, almost.

But even after my technician came over and "fixed" things, the same message appeared. "We encountered a problem and have to close. Sorry for the inconvenience." I thought he already killed the virus but apparently it has affected the system. Oh Lord, please don't let anything serious happen to my computer. I hope my technician-friend will be able to do something about the problem. I am waiting for him to come back today.

So, today, instead of working on my report template, I had a choice of watching a DVD, watching/listening to YouTube or writing. I opted for the third one. I continued writing my book entitled, "What I Think Heaven Is Like" or something to that effect. Ha ha. I had fun writing the first few chapters. I have already written the introduction and the first chapter. So I worked on chapters 2, 3 and 4. I am aiming for 10 chapters all in all for a nice round number.

You might wonder, who would want to read a book with a title like that? Why not? Don't you find it intriguing? It might be presumptuous of me to think of heaven when people might ask, how sure are you of getting there in the first place? Well, I am confident of God's love for me. That is what I am sure of. So, for my part, I am trying my best to be as good as I can be in order to deserve heaven. I am saved by the love of God. And that love makes me love God back and love others, too.

Another picture for you guys:

Another Book by Dan Brown

I just finished reading another book by Dan Brown entitled, "The Lost Symbol". Last night, I couldn't put it down because of the suspense but I just had to sleep.

So today, I completed the book. Typical Dan Brown book with all the symbols, and myths, and legends...and the Masons. The only thing though is that it was anti-climactic.

I took a nap to recover lost sleep.

I have to work tonight on a report. Hope I can think straight.

Reading Pleasure and Work

Last night, I finished reading "The Great Train Robbery". Nice book even if it contained a lot of "antiquated" language because it was set during the Victorian times.

Today, I did a proposal based on our meeting yesterday. Hope we get the project.

Bad news. My mom's obstinate kidney stone has lodged on her gall bladder. She has to undergo still another procedure costing P50,000 to P70,000. Where to get the money?

But God will provide. He always does.

Batch Get-Together

Finally, our batch get-together pushed through. It was held at Meldy's place in Tierra Pura.

I was the second to arrive. The first cab I took got a flat tire so I had to ride another one. The first guest was USec Anneli Lontoc of DOTC. She was there by 1:30 pm.

Slowly, the other guests arrived. There were 13 of us but one had to leave early to attend an Iglesia ni Kristo service and later a wake.

Someone brought our yearbook and we had fun looking at old pictures. I asked everyone to write their contact numbers to update our list.

Food was plentiful. Before dinner, there was red wine, nachos with cheese dip, potato chips, Chocnut and Mentos, chicharon with vinegar (two types: healthy and unhealthy), garlic bread with pesto. For dinner, we had pizza, lasagna, puttanesca, barbecue, chicken empananada, and salad. For dessert, there was walnut cake and cassava cake.

Everyone brought home food, including the untouched ensaymada. I chose cassava cake and lasagna.

Rino gave away books because he works for Random House. I got five books including one by Dan Brown and another by John Grisham.

Cynthia, who had a driver, brought me home. Mom already texted me so I had to assure her that someone was giving me a ride.

We are planning our next get-together sometime November this year, hopefully double the number of attendees.

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Today, I continued reading "The Great Train Robbery" by Michael Crichton. I also worked on a report.

Tomorrow, I will be attending a client meeting in Makati. I will be fetched and brought home. Yehey. Work is work.

Another friend is asking me for help in making Powerpoint Presentations. My pleasure.

A Movie, A Book, and A Telenovela

Last Sunday, I watched "Angels and Demons", starring Tom Hanks. I've read the book by Dan Brown. I prefer the book but the movie isn't bad. It did justice to the book, I would say.

Finally, last night I finished reading "Last Man Standing" by David Baldacci. It took me months to read the book. I don't know. It's not a page-turner until the last third. I'm glad I completed it. Turned out to be worth reading after all.

From Monday to Friday these days, mom and I look forward to watching "Magkaribal" in Channel 2. I like it because my current crush, Derek Ramsey, is there. Also, the story is interesting and exciting. There are funny moments, too.

As I write this, I have just taken a bath. I am so glad we don't have problem with water here where we live. So many people in the metropolis don't have water. That would be torture for me! Thank God for precious water!

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.

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.

Forgiveness

Today, I attended first friday mass. I feel so blessed that our condo offers first friday mass! Moreover, I was able to go to Confession. Thank God!

I re-watched "Facing the Giants" and still kept crying. Some movies are really so touching, you can't help but cry.

I am re-reading "The Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren but as he suggested, I am reading it one chapter per day.

Supernatural

I watched a few episodes of Season 3 of "Supernatural". It's about two brothers who are hunters of demons and evil beings. I don't usually go for this kind of stuff but there's nothing else to do.

I will be reading another book entitled, "Last Man Standing". It was made into a movie so it must be good.

I feel bad that I cannnot attend the funeral mass for the son of our batchmate, Joanna Morales. The son's name is Noey and he was only 28 years old. I grieve for Joanna. I cannot imagine the grief of losing a son. I cannot go to the mass because I don't have transportation and my mom won't allow me.