Sunday, December 25, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Deutschland!
Was lucky enough to be sent to Germany for a 3-day training last 14-Dec to 17-Dec 2005.
14th December 2005 - Left Dubai alone at 8am and reached Frankfurt airport around 2pm. Flight to Bremen with my German colleague was at 4pm and he rented a car from there and he drove to Kirchdorf for more than two hours (yeah, I was useless.. my driving license can’t be used there). He’s a good colleague… very professional (and a bit strict about punctuality, hehehe).
It was very memorable. I experienced countless “first”s there…
First all-expense-paid trip (business trip??hehehe...)
First trip to Germany (Europe, in general)
First visit to the Head Office
First time to meet my colleagues at the Head Office
First time to be aware of how important punctuality is for Germans
First time to taste “hot” wine.. steaming hot, German-style,
(at wine stalls in Minden; they bought one mug for everybody from each of the 3 stalls!)
First time to get drunk (but i behaved!)
First time that my colleague told me “Rose, you embarrass me!” (coz I got drunk!)
First time to be utterly embarrassed in the presence of my boss!!
First time to skip a very delicious meal specially ordered by my boss for me
(couldn’t eat anything… after the mugs of wine, I felt really dizzy and sleepy…
I had to skip the yummy meal *sigh*)
First time to stay in a hotel room.. and I was alone… for 3 days and 3 nights
First time to eat schnitzel (mmm… yummy!)
First time to eat lots of other German food I haven’t tasted before
First time to see installed heaters for winter
(manol gid ko ya, tingala pa ko wala sila mga airconditioners, hehehe..)
First time to attend Christmas party at the Head Office
(with yummy vegetables & mashed potatoes… and yummy dessert,
they served roasted goose instead of roasted turkey)
First time to drink too much alcohol (of different types!) without getting drunk
(during the Christmas party)
First time to be in a party with German-speaking people…
(so every time they spoke in English, it meant they were talking to me and only to me!!
Yes, even the printed menu is in German, hehehe..)
First time to be sooo “manol” in my life!! about everything!!
First snow!!! (during my last day, everywhere I looked, it was all white!)
First… etc. etc. etc. don’t want to mention all—you’ll be bored
My colleagues (especially in the accounts department there) and the “big” people (owners, CEO, Finance Director, Managing Director, etc.) were all very accommodating, friendly and very professional. I realized the higher his/her position in the company is, the more polite and good-natured he/she becomes. I was somehow convinced (by what I have observed) that they deserve to be there at the top of the corporate ladder. The owners & the CEO were unbelievably down-to-earth and accommodating. There was no sign of arrogance at all!
I'm glad the Germans I met in Kirchdorf were (are) wonderful people.
Arrived at Dubai Int’l Airport at midnight.. dropped at home by Sam at 1am.. went to sleep at 4am after “chika-chika” (chat) with Nanay and went to work at 9am on the same day… Sunday, 17th December, 2005.
The trip was a wonderful blessing.
I’m blessed, and I’m aware of it. Thanks to God.
14th December 2005 - Left Dubai alone at 8am and reached Frankfurt airport around 2pm. Flight to Bremen with my German colleague was at 4pm and he rented a car from there and he drove to Kirchdorf for more than two hours (yeah, I was useless.. my driving license can’t be used there). He’s a good colleague… very professional (and a bit strict about punctuality, hehehe).
It was very memorable. I experienced countless “first”s there…
First all-expense-paid trip (business trip??hehehe...)
First trip to Germany (Europe, in general)
First visit to the Head Office
First time to meet my colleagues at the Head Office
First time to be aware of how important punctuality is for Germans
First time to taste “hot” wine.. steaming hot, German-style,
(at wine stalls in Minden; they bought one mug for everybody from each of the 3 stalls!)
First time to get drunk (but i behaved!)
First time that my colleague told me “Rose, you embarrass me!” (coz I got drunk!)
First time to be utterly embarrassed in the presence of my boss!!
First time to skip a very delicious meal specially ordered by my boss for me
(couldn’t eat anything… after the mugs of wine, I felt really dizzy and sleepy…
I had to skip the yummy meal *sigh*)
First time to stay in a hotel room.. and I was alone… for 3 days and 3 nights
First time to eat schnitzel (mmm… yummy!)
First time to eat lots of other German food I haven’t tasted before
First time to see installed heaters for winter
(manol gid ko ya, tingala pa ko wala sila mga airconditioners, hehehe..)
First time to attend Christmas party at the Head Office
(with yummy vegetables & mashed potatoes… and yummy dessert,
they served roasted goose instead of roasted turkey)
First time to drink too much alcohol (of different types!) without getting drunk
(during the Christmas party)
First time to be in a party with German-speaking people…
(so every time they spoke in English, it meant they were talking to me and only to me!!
Yes, even the printed menu is in German, hehehe..)
First time to be sooo “manol” in my life!! about everything!!
First snow!!! (during my last day, everywhere I looked, it was all white!)
First… etc. etc. etc. don’t want to mention all—you’ll be bored
My colleagues (especially in the accounts department there) and the “big” people (owners, CEO, Finance Director, Managing Director, etc.) were all very accommodating, friendly and very professional. I realized the higher his/her position in the company is, the more polite and good-natured he/she becomes. I was somehow convinced (by what I have observed) that they deserve to be there at the top of the corporate ladder. The owners & the CEO were unbelievably down-to-earth and accommodating. There was no sign of arrogance at all!
I'm glad the Germans I met in Kirchdorf were (are) wonderful people.
Arrived at Dubai Int’l Airport at midnight.. dropped at home by Sam at 1am.. went to sleep at 4am after “chika-chika” (chat) with Nanay and went to work at 9am on the same day… Sunday, 17th December, 2005.
The trip was a wonderful blessing.
I’m blessed, and I’m aware of it. Thanks to God.
Sunday, November 6, 2005
Maybe an old song...
could bring back the old times?? :)
This song just makes my heart smile!! :)
I first heard the title from my elder sister (who referred to it as "a nice song" but forgot the tune at that time)...
and I first knew the tune in 2002 when I was in the ICLH dormitory in Manila during my "review days" (for the national board exams) when my group and I were looking for songs-with-easy-chords for the Holy Mass because it was our group's turn to be "the choir".
It has become one of my favorites because of its lyrics and tune...
and because it's one of the few songs I can play on the guitar.
I browsed upon my old song books last weekend and remembered how this song used to inspire me.
It's simple (a song for little children?!) and it's refreshing (for me!!)... :)
Pass It On
C Em F G
It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
C Em F G
And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing.
F
That's how it is with God's love,
Dm G Dm7 G Dm7 C
Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
F
You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love;
Once you've experienced it, you want to sing
It's fresh like spring; you want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.
©1969 Bud John Songs, Inc
Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser
This song just makes my heart smile!! :)
I first heard the title from my elder sister (who referred to it as "a nice song" but forgot the tune at that time)...
and I first knew the tune in 2002 when I was in the ICLH dormitory in Manila during my "review days" (for the national board exams) when my group and I were looking for songs-with-easy-chords for the Holy Mass because it was our group's turn to be "the choir".
It has become one of my favorites because of its lyrics and tune...
and because it's one of the few songs I can play on the guitar.
I browsed upon my old song books last weekend and remembered how this song used to inspire me.
It's simple (a song for little children?!) and it's refreshing (for me!!)... :)
Pass It On
C Em F G
It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
C Em F G
And soon all those around, can warm up in glowing.
F
That's how it is with God's love,
Dm G Dm7 G Dm7 C
Once you've experienced it, you spread His love to everyone;
F
You want to pass it on.
What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding;
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love;
Once you've experienced it, you want to sing
It's fresh like spring; you want to pass it on.
I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I've found.
You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound.
I'll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know; the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on.
©1969 Bud John Songs, Inc
Words and Music by Kurt Kaiser
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
What pride can do...
Mmm, my first loss… huhuhu…how sad... (LOL)
Ramadan Chess Festival (Crystal Plaza, Sharjah, U.A.E.)
October 4 - November 4, 2005
9 Rounds - Swiss System
I was playing white, Ahlam was playing black.
See how silly my blunder was!!
6th Round - Board 1
Scotch opening
1) e4 – e5
2) Nf3 – Nc6
3) d4 – exd4
4) Nxd4 – Nf6
5) Nxc6 – bxc6
6) Bg5 – Be7
7) Nc3? <--- huwaattt???
7) ... Nxe4!!
She got an extra pawn and after the exchange of pieces, her extra pawn was unstoppable for promotion into a queen, so I resigned. After replaying my game, I saw other blunders like a missed opportunity to capture her weak pawns and a missed opportunity for my king to occupy the center… but anyway, Ahlam and I are still friends. She’s too sweet and friendly, it doesn’t really matter if I lost. (Owss... "sweet-lemoning"...LOL)
I should have offered a draw from the very beginning... or accepted her offer for a draw! (Obviously, regrets always come later!) . Yeah, she offered a draw but I was too confidently stubborn that I had to take the risk to play. Besides, I was playing white… and I was comfortable with the e4 – e5 opening… and she’s only 15 years old… and I used to beat her in chess games before… and… and…
See what pride can do?? (LOL)
Ahhh, Life goes on…forget the trophy!! 3 rounds to go!!!
Lessons learned:
1) Be humble!!!
2) Be humble to offer a draw!
3) Be humble to accept an offer of draw!!
4) Think!
5) Pray!!!
6) Pray sincerely!!!
7) Pray humbly!!!
True, there are certain lessons in life that can be truly learned IF and ONLY IF I lose.
Ramadan Chess Festival (Crystal Plaza, Sharjah, U.A.E.)
October 4 - November 4, 2005
9 Rounds - Swiss System
I was playing white, Ahlam was playing black.
See how silly my blunder was!!
6th Round - Board 1
Scotch opening
1) e4 – e5
2) Nf3 – Nc6
3) d4 – exd4
4) Nxd4 – Nf6
5) Nxc6 – bxc6
6) Bg5 – Be7
7) Nc3? <--- huwaattt???
7) ... Nxe4!!
She got an extra pawn and after the exchange of pieces, her extra pawn was unstoppable for promotion into a queen, so I resigned. After replaying my game, I saw other blunders like a missed opportunity to capture her weak pawns and a missed opportunity for my king to occupy the center… but anyway, Ahlam and I are still friends. She’s too sweet and friendly, it doesn’t really matter if I lost. (Owss... "sweet-lemoning"...LOL)
I should have offered a draw from the very beginning... or accepted her offer for a draw! (Obviously, regrets always come later!) . Yeah, she offered a draw but I was too confidently stubborn that I had to take the risk to play. Besides, I was playing white… and I was comfortable with the e4 – e5 opening… and she’s only 15 years old… and I used to beat her in chess games before… and… and…
See what pride can do?? (LOL)
Ahhh, Life goes on…forget the trophy!! 3 rounds to go!!!
Lessons learned:
1) Be humble!!!
2) Be humble to offer a draw!
3) Be humble to accept an offer of draw!!
4) Think!
5) Pray!!!
6) Pray sincerely!!!
7) Pray humbly!!!
True, there are certain lessons in life that can be truly learned IF and ONLY IF I lose.
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Psalm 23 for the Workplace
Psalm 23 for the Workplace
(copied from a Friendster bulletin of a friend)
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things
without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions
that I might honor Him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes,
unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks,
gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors
and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning,
I still will not stop---for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own,
even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it's all said and done,
I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that,
I BLESS HIS NAME !!!
(copied from a Friendster bulletin of a friend)
The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things
without murmuring and complaining.
He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions
that I might honor Him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes,
unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks,
gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors
and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning,
I still will not stop---for He is with me!
His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.
He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own,
even when the company threatens to let me go.
His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.
His retirement plan beats every 401k there is!
When it's all said and done,
I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that,
I BLESS HIS NAME !!!
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Disturb Us, O Lord
Disturb us, O Lord,
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little;
When we have arrived in safety because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, O Lord,
When with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the water of life;
When, having fallen in love with time,
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
Have allowed our vision for the New Heaven to grow dim.
Stir us, O Lord,
To dare more boldly,
To venture seas where storms shall show Thy mastery,
Where losing sight of land
We shall find the stars.
In the name of Him
Who pushed back the horizons of our hopes
And invited the brave to follow Him.
Amen.
(Father Benny’s Personal Prayer, Catholic Digest)
*** A prayer during the USLS-IS high school graduating class retreat in 1997 ***
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little;
When we have arrived in safety because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, O Lord,
When with the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst for the water of life;
When, having fallen in love with time,
We have ceased to dream of eternity;
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
Have allowed our vision for the New Heaven to grow dim.
Stir us, O Lord,
To dare more boldly,
To venture seas where storms shall show Thy mastery,
Where losing sight of land
We shall find the stars.
In the name of Him
Who pushed back the horizons of our hopes
And invited the brave to follow Him.
Amen.
(Father Benny’s Personal Prayer, Catholic Digest)
*** A prayer during the USLS-IS high school graduating class retreat in 1997 ***
Monday, September 12, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Strange...
Everytime I try to type something to post on this blog because I feel like I have a thousand words to say,
I end up typing nothing...
It's like you want to fill a hundred pages with words,
and then you realize it's not worth it anyway.
So you drop the whole idea.
And stay silent.
I end up typing nothing...
It's like you want to fill a hundred pages with words,
and then you realize it's not worth it anyway.
So you drop the whole idea.
And stay silent.
Thursday, August 4, 2005
Car Accident
R.D., the one in the IT Dept., my only Filipino colleague in DTME (where I work), met a car accident today.
Whew! It could have been fatal… It’s sooo scary to imagine!!!
She was driving at the extreme right lane, and when she tried to avoid one delivery truck which was trying to take her lane, she lost control of her car, and it spinned and stopped two lanes away, facing the opposite direction... and then it was hit by another approaching truck... Had that truck driver driven at a higher speed, her car would have been smashed…
and since the impact was at the driver’s door… whew! Scary.
I woke up late today actually. I thought there was fog outside (and convinced myself I had a reason to be late for work… which later I learned was just the humidity of the summer) and so I slept a few extra minutes more. I left home half an hour late, but reached the office 20 minutes later than my usual time to “login”. The 10 minutes I “saved” was caused by my overspeeding. I broke my 140 kph record today. I was driving at 145 kph for a few minutes, and was enjoying it. The 40-km distance didn’t bother me at all. (I can spot the location of some of the overspeeding radars they have installed along the highway, and of course, I used the lanes farthest from those “strict” cameras. The fines are too costly!! And I’m stingy!!!)
And it hit me. Imagine. What on earth was I thinking???
R.D. wasn’t even overspeeding! And she met an accident!!
She got her second life. And I learned a lesson. “It is a must to drive carefully.”
Drive carefully.
Heaven is an awesome place (too beautiful beyond words), but I should never knock on The Door if it’s not yet my turn.
Life is too fragile... too fragile.
Whew! It could have been fatal… It’s sooo scary to imagine!!!
She was driving at the extreme right lane, and when she tried to avoid one delivery truck which was trying to take her lane, she lost control of her car, and it spinned and stopped two lanes away, facing the opposite direction... and then it was hit by another approaching truck... Had that truck driver driven at a higher speed, her car would have been smashed…
and since the impact was at the driver’s door… whew! Scary.
I woke up late today actually. I thought there was fog outside (and convinced myself I had a reason to be late for work… which later I learned was just the humidity of the summer) and so I slept a few extra minutes more. I left home half an hour late, but reached the office 20 minutes later than my usual time to “login”. The 10 minutes I “saved” was caused by my overspeeding. I broke my 140 kph record today. I was driving at 145 kph for a few minutes, and was enjoying it. The 40-km distance didn’t bother me at all. (I can spot the location of some of the overspeeding radars they have installed along the highway, and of course, I used the lanes farthest from those “strict” cameras. The fines are too costly!! And I’m stingy!!!)
And it hit me. Imagine. What on earth was I thinking???
R.D. wasn’t even overspeeding! And she met an accident!!
She got her second life. And I learned a lesson. “It is a must to drive carefully.”
Drive carefully.
Heaven is an awesome place (too beautiful beyond words), but I should never knock on The Door if it’s not yet my turn.
Life is too fragile... too fragile.
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
A Blessing
Can I be more blessed?
I listen to my favorite music on my way to work.
I enjoy driving at 120 kph everyday.
I work less than 8 hours, five days a week.
I have a great colleague in the accounts department.
I have interesting lunchmates.
My officemates have a sense of humor.
The GM of the company is generous.
There is a plan to increase our allowances.
My probation period will be over in two months.
I don't drag myself to work.
I love my job.
My days pass like dreams...
and my smiles are reaching up to my ears.
Envy me. :)
I listen to my favorite music on my way to work.
I enjoy driving at 120 kph everyday.
I work less than 8 hours, five days a week.
I have a great colleague in the accounts department.
I have interesting lunchmates.
My officemates have a sense of humor.
The GM of the company is generous.
There is a plan to increase our allowances.
My probation period will be over in two months.
I don't drag myself to work.
I love my job.
My days pass like dreams...
and my smiles are reaching up to my ears.
Envy me. :)
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Thursday, February 3, 2005
My Mornings on Weekdays
... Ah, my stunning view every morning while waiting for the EO bus!! ...
The office hours (in the company where I work) were changed last week.
Everyday (except fridays, of course), I have to be at my messy but comfortable desk at 7:30 AM instead of the usual 8 AM... but surprise, surprise!! I'm home a few minutes after 4pm!!
The 25-seater company bus picks me up at 7:15 AM (and we reach the office at 7:20 AM)... so now, my alarm in the morning is set to ring at 6:30 AM (but of course, I can always avail of the snooze function! hehe...)
What I like the most about waking up early??
The privilege of being mesmerized by a sunrise!! :)
...The chance to say "WOW" every morning and at the same time feel that the word is not enough! :)
Sunday, January 30, 2005
"Coloured" Water
The colourful water fountain at the Global Village
(2005 Dubai Shopping Festival, Jan.12 to Feb.12)
Friday, January 7, 2005
Sense and Sensibility
(the pic is not related to the posted message...? mmm...)
Yes, the movie... haven’t read the book yet.
Watched the movie on TV last night.
I won’t comment on anything. This is not a review.
Jane Austen is not in the list of my favorite writers. Neither is William Shakespeare.
But this one's really cute. It was read/spoken by a character in the movie...
“…Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom...”
(Sonnet CXVI: Let me not to the marriage of true minds by William Shakespeare)
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
Total Surrender
A book containing some of the inspiring words of Mother Teresa, Founder of the Missionaries of Charity.
“One thing Jesus asks of me: that I lean on Him; that in Him and only in Him I put complete trust; that I surrender myself to Him unreservedly. Even when all goes wrong and I feel as if I am a ship without a compass, I must give myself completely to Him. I must not attempt to control God’s action. I must not count the stages in the journey He would have me make. I must not desire a clear perception of my advance upon the road, must not know precisely where I am upon the way of holiness. I ask Him to make a saint of me, yet I must leave to Him the choice of the saintliness itself and still more the means which leads to it.”
“Let Jesus use you without consulting you.”
... Total Surrender ...
“One thing Jesus asks of me: that I lean on Him; that in Him and only in Him I put complete trust; that I surrender myself to Him unreservedly. Even when all goes wrong and I feel as if I am a ship without a compass, I must give myself completely to Him. I must not attempt to control God’s action. I must not count the stages in the journey He would have me make. I must not desire a clear perception of my advance upon the road, must not know precisely where I am upon the way of holiness. I ask Him to make a saint of me, yet I must leave to Him the choice of the saintliness itself and still more the means which leads to it.”
“Let Jesus use you without consulting you.”
... Total Surrender ...
Monday, January 3, 2005
Tsunami Casualties
Who knows what the exact number is?
Yet believe… Eternity is not a lie.
Yet believe… Eternity is not a lie.
“Accept death whenever God wants it, the way He wants it, where He wants it… To die is a good thing. How can anyone with faith be, at the same time, afraid to die? But as long as the Lord wants to keep you here on earth, it would be cowardice for you to want to die. You must live… live and persevere… and work for Love—that is your task. // …If I love, there will be no hell for me.” (Josemaria Escriva, The Forge)…for even hell would turn into a beautiful place if you have God and Love in your heart.
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