The Other Side of Mae

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Thursday Tidbits: A Delayed President’s Travel Tips

Thursday Tidbits puts meaning into life's littlest issues.

I’ve always been a master planner for everything! I planned my to-do lists, my to-buy lists, what to wear the next day, and even the littlest detail as to what FB status I would post for the next minute! I planned because I wanted things to be oh so-perfect for the little miss perfect me!

But since I became the president of our chapter, I had stopped planning in advance. I don’t know why but it seemed like “my” plannings didn’t work out that well. So I just injected in my mind not to plan things to be perfect anymore and would just let life take me by surprise instead.

So, I didn’t plan my trip to attend the Presidents’ Midyear Academy. To start with, I didn’t get tickets for my way to Bohol (usually I book tickets a month before my travel date). As a consequence, I got stranded in Cebu which made me super late for the academy. So based from my oh so-sablay experience, allow me to share with you some amateurishly-designed travel tips.

Travel Tip #1: Decide right away!

If you are asked to go some place, decide right away whether to go or not to go. Do not be fickle-minded because if you would delay this, this would be the cause of all the delays waiting ahead of your trip.

Travel Tip #2: Book tickets right away!

If you had made up your mind where to go, book tickets right away. Surf the net for the most accessible mode of transport. And since it’s time everyone flies, you might get reasonably-priced accommodations.

Travel Tip #3: Travel light!

Only pack the necessities. Do not bring extra clothes and extra footwear. Mix and match your outfits, fix ‘em, and stick with ‘em. It’s regretful to go back home with only half of your luggage got soiled.

Travel Tip #4: Stick with the itinerary!

Do not detour. If there’s already an itinerary, follow it. Do not go with the flow and leave the itinerary in an impulse. Think twice before going somewhere else or you might end up getting to a place where you had been to before.

But as always, all things work together for good. I may have missed major things from the academy, then again life took me by surprise!

Surprise #1

For the millionth time, I became an instant tour guide for my fellow delayed presidents in Cebu. I let them walk and rode on jeepneys as I brought them to Basilica Minore del Santo Niῆo de Cebu and Magellan’s Cross.

Surprise #2

I was in the same fastcraft with my fave South Border vocalist, Luke Mijares.

Surprise #3

I was warmly-welcomed by all the cuties of JCI-Davao at the peir.

Surprise #4

I graduated from the academy with only 1 ½ topics attended.

Surprise #5

I received my president shirt jock especially hand-carried by the Secretary General, Atty. Mark Lester Manalo.

Surprise #6

I got a more picturesque photo with the chocolate hills compared with what I had 6 years ago.

Surprise #7

I got to visit the miraculous well of Our Lady of the Assumption at Dauis Church and the 65-year old forever young, Bayoyoy as featured in Rated K by Korina Sanchez.

Surprise #8

Nonetheless, I got the opportunity to bond with Tita Lilibeth (PP, Ozamiz Red Rose), Pres Boyet (Pagadian Heights), Pres Arvin (Calamba Jose Rizal), Pres Choy (San Pablo 7 Lakes), Pres Onie and wife Cathy (Tacloban), Pres Ron (Baguio Inc.), Pres Bryan (Catbalogan), Pres Cathy (Sta. Rosa Prima), Pres Jofer and wife Pres Cathy (Kabankalan), and Pres Maleth (Bohol Chocolate Hills).

Then all the delays of my trip were all worth it! And as I mulled things over today, I realized that it’s not the sablays that matter but the people I met along the journey matter most.

So to whoever plans a trip, do consider the above-mentioned tips. Just don’t expect too much for things to happen according to plan so you might also double the surprises apart from the mishaps that would have happened.

Hurray to the delayed presidents! Hurray that I had survived my trip from Tagbilaran – Jagna - Cagayan de Oro - Ozamiz alone! (another consequence of my negligence)

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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tech Tuesday: Kinect

Tech Tuesday tells about the techie side of me!

As a body-conscious person, I love doing physical activities that would keep my body fit. I have a flair for all-things extraneous as mentioned in Fitness First! My fitness sessions last year ended with Zumba but lasted only until February because I got really busy that I didn't have much time to attend to my health-buffiness anymore. But now that I had adjusted with my work loads and schedules, I am so lucky to get back into being physical again! Fortunately after my Zumba craze, I have found a new discovery which is the Kinect.

Kinect is a motion sensing input device by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game console. Based around a webcam-style add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, it enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller, through a natural user interface using only gestures and spoken commands (Wikipedia.com).

Dancing Impacto (Remix) with my sissy, June Ann

I was so amazed on how Kinect-technology works! With just standing in front of the device, it can detect all your bodily movements. You can choose from a variety of hip dance songs by just waving your hand. And off you go dancing with the visual instructors! The dance steps can be easy, medium, or hard depending on your dance background. But entirely, they are easy to follow if you could also catch up with the pace.

Dancing Rude Boy with my cuzzy, Rio

After dancing with the beat of a whole song, I already sweat a lot! I found it better than Zumba because I didn't end up panting too hard. I considered it as only playing a game. But with this game, I got benefits by burning extra calories from my body. Then my body ached the day after. But I was still happy because it is in a good way!

Doing exercises had never been this fun! Thanks to the advent of such advanced technology that keeps on wowing us. Let's do Kinect again when Vian arrives in town this Friday!:)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Spiritual Sunday: A Mother's Day Special

Spiritual Sunday teaches all about life and our Big Boss.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts."

- Washington Irving

Mothers are our personal heroes. It is God's greatest miracle to beget a life inside a mother's womb. Upon conception, a mother's life is not her own anymore. But it is to live for her child, a life that's selfless and benevolent. They sacrifice a lot for their children, forgetting themselves just for the sake of their precious ones.

Mothers are truly the "ilaw ng tahanan" not just in every home but also in every heart. They light up our world, guiding us in everything that we do. They're the ones who pick us up in times of our downfall. They give us sound advice and ensure us that everything will be alright. Without the presence of our moms, we cannot be who we are today.

So as we celebrate Mother's Day today, we honor our mothers in different ways. In any way big or small, mothers are always grateful and delighted with our gesture of thanksgiving to them. Let them feel that they are treasured and loved. Not just for this day but all the days of our lives. Happy Mother's Day to our very beautiful mom, Mama Nita!:) We love you so much, ma!:)

Celebrating Mother's Day at Sr. Pedro's Lechon Manok with Auntie Lourding

Moreover, Happy Mother's Day also to our beloved aunts Mama Dita, Auntie Lourding, Auntie Angga, Mommy Becky, and Auntie Bebot. Likewise to our cousins and cousins-in-law, Ate Gearly, Ate Juvy, Ate Lizel, Ate Judelyn, Matoy, Jemimah, and Karen.

Celebrating Mother's Day at Home with Nanay Esther

I may not mention all my friend moms in the world but Happy Mother's Day also to all of you! I salute you in deciding to choose a life as a mother!:)

And as for the moment, I’ll just feed myself with an imagination of being a mother. Because being a mom is not just for those who literally bear children but also for those who are moms at heart!:)

Twitter Convo with my Baby EJ

Friday, May 11, 2012

Feature Friday: MUHS Summer Classes 2012

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

The Misamis Union High School (MUHS) successfully held its summer classes culmination program this morning at the Pre-School Department. Regular students of the school and several students from other schools also enrolled for the various fun summer classes which commenced last April 9, 2012.

Enhancement classes for English Reading, Mathematics, and Filipino were conducted. These aim to further the knowledge of the children so they will have advance learning in preparation for the upcoming school year. Chinese nationals are also welcome for tutorials the ESL-way. With the competence of the school's English teachers, non-English speakers can very well understand and speak the language after the program!

Teachers from Upper Left: Yieldeza Ebale, Amielyll Pauline Cabilan, Checkleth Tabulado, Aidalyn Alcopra, and Christy Taborada

Little kids had so much fun with their art workshop! They were taught several forms of art like painting, origami, and clay sculpting by Mrs. Rhodora M. Namit.

Enhancing the Child's Creativity

For showbizly kids, there were also sing and dance workshops conducted by Teacher Amielyll and Teacher Checkleth. Through these workshops, the children can freely express themselves and overcome shyness in facing an audience.

Talented Kids Preparing for Recital

With the height of the Junior Master Chef's popularity, everybody big or small are inspired to cook and wants to become a cook. So MUHS opened the opportunity for young children to learn how to cook by offering culinary classes. The school invited Chef Randy Co, owner of Shanghai Boy and Chef Niῆo Tang, owner of Morabora to teach the kids all the how to's in cooking. Moreover, Miss Hilbetha Bucua also conducted baking classes for the kids.

Chef Randy's Culinary Class

Chef Niῆo's Culinary Class

Ma'am Beth's Baking Class

The kids also had the chance to visit the very busy kitchen of Ozamiz City's top fine-dining restaurant, the Mooon Cafe. This is a very rare opportunity for the children to be exposed into the real kitchen world of being a chef! The kids were privileged enough to experience real-life kitchen scenarios.

Mooon Cafe Kitchen Tour

As the summer classes ended today, the kids had a lot of fun while learning! With that, they are now excited for next year's summer classes. We salute the diligence of our dear children. Congratulations and may you apply what you had learned wherever life may lead you!

MUHS Teaching Staff for Summer 2012 (me as a sidebit! hehe...)

Credits to Teacher Annalyn Jayme for the photos.

Milky Mitch School of Dance

Reminiscing Science Week

I Heart MUHS

Monday, May 07, 2012

Monday Matters: Team Out of the Box

Monday Matters is dedicated to all things that matter.

Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia

While boarding flight 5J-783 of Cebu Pacific, my cursor goes blink blink blink…..I want to write about my Iloilo-Guimaras experience with my Out of the Box Solutions family, but I couldn’t think of any word to start it with. Perhaps I’m still dizzy or in a daze? That I couldn’t settle yet with the swiftness of the pace. Which all began last February 28, 2012.

After almost four months of waiting, our VIPSEO manager, Alvin contacted me in correspondence to my application as an SEO writer. I’ve been waiting because I want to improve my writing skill and do what I love while earning. For months, I had been maintaining this blog and somehow, I had attracted readers. But it was just like wasting a whole lot of time because I wasn’t earning. I had spent hours facing the computer while gaining nothing. Thanks a lot to my cousin Vian who advertised my blog to her husband Marks’ friend, Jomar.

Then Jomar referred me to Out of the Box Solutions. Luckily, I got accepted and was totally shocked of my first pay which was P600+ a day! For only three days of working online, I got P1,800 which amounts higher than my half-month pay teaching part-time in Medina College. And it was so great! I wasn’t expecting that I could earn that much by just working at home.

In due time, our boss man James Jackson increased my pay and I was so glad and grateful! I felt so blessed for finding and doing my dream job while earning big time! Additionally, Alvin said that James would be coming to the Philippines to meet us for our team building. The trip would be all-expense paid and I was so excited to meet Jomar and Francoise who was the very first friendly person to assist me on the how-to’s of SEO work.

Then we were booked for the city of love, Iloilo! But the night before we left for Iloilo, our VIPSEO supervisor, Frank alerted us to make an article of any topic. Given the abrupt notice and very little time, I just submitted my article on study tips. Unfortunately, my writing didn’t meet James’ standard on conversational English which got me terminated right at that very moment. I was so saddened with the news and didn’t have an appetite for going to Iloilo anymore.

But as I mulled things over, I realized that I would just go. Anyway, the trip was already paid and I needed a vacation so badly given the activities I recently had with myorganization. So, I wore an extra thick face to show them. Nah, just kidding. I just went there so I could meet everyone of them for me to realize that Out of the Box is not a dream. I also wanted to make all of them not just my cyber friends but to become my real friends. I want to see that everyone really do exist in the flesh and not just in pictures and voices. Nyehe!

So, I got to meet and bonded with all of them. Just like any other group, we come from different roots, have different attitudes, different ideas, and different culture. Though we are different, we still managed to connect. We understand each other’s differences and respect whatever we believe in. By the end of our trip, James mentioned about cultural differences. Yes, it is really true! Cultural differences can be a hamper at times but we need to adjust.

So for this whole week of work again, I wish that these cultural differences would be bridged. Not the poor conversational English as he first said. We are fervently hoping that we could still be all intact and no one would be terminated because this job is our bread and butter. If worse comes to worst, we’re still thankful to “the” Mr. James Jackson who gave us Filipinos employment with better pay and way too better privileges!

And now, the plane is about to land. Let me end this blog post with "thank you's" and "see you again's", my new family - Out of the Box Solutions!:)

Bonding Moments

Beaching!

Iloilo's Must-See Churches

Original Biscocho Haus

Buto't Balat Native Dishes and Seafood Restaurant

Too Old To Be Sentimental About The Passing Of A Year

Friday, April 27, 2012

Feature Friday: Farmacia Elizabeth

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Nestled along 21-A Washington St., Ozamiz City is a very busy and flourishing drugstore, the Farmacia Elizabeth. It is owned by a pure Chinese couple named Ong Lu Hiong Suan aka "Suan Lu" and Imelda Lopez Ang. The pharmacy has been operating for over 41 years which started when Imelda decided to put up their own business after her experience in handling a pharmacy in Plaridel as a pharmacist. And as a true-blooded entrepreneur, Suan Lu supported his wife in putting up the family business.

Farmacia Elizabeth was named after Queen Elizabeth II of England for the pharmacy was established by the time when the queen sat in throne. It was also the year when Imelda gave birth to her second child thus giving the same name to her, Elizabeth L. Ang. Moreover, pharmacies nationwide have female names so "Elizabeth" was perfect to be its business name!

As a family business, all 3 children of Suan Lu and Imelda attend to their business hands-on. The eldest son, Henry who is an entrepreneur oversees the administration. Elizabeth who's a pharmacist like her mom is in-charged of the consultancies and legalities. While the youngest, Shirley takes care of the business management.

All 3 siblings take care of their business as much as they could. They work hand-in-hand in furthering what their parents had started. They value unity in their family in order to protect their parents' legacy. The business started-up with sweat and blood so everybody in the family cooperate to keep what they had already attained.

With their father's sound advise "Once you gain trust, keep it and nurture it", Farmacia Elizabeth is now one of the top drugstores in the city. Having a personnel of 10-12 people, the pharmacy can cater to each customers' needs. And with the phase they are successfully experiencing today, they are planning to branch out at the nearest possible time. So, visit Farmacia Elizabeth for all your medication needs and you'll be sure to get quality drugs at the most reasonable prices!

NINE LUCKY BLOG READERS WILL GET THESE FREEBIES FROM FARMACIA ELIZABETH!

1. Click LIKE on the Facebook button and TWEET on the Twitter button below this post.

2. Send name and address to maryrosalieo@yahoo.com on or before May 2, 2012 with the subject "Farmacia Elizabeth".

This is a sponsored post.

Top 3 Reasons Why One Should Choose Pharmacy

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Whimsical Wednesday: A Quick Escape!

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.

Unexpected online job,
Unplanned presidency,
Fascino orders,
Unexpected summer classes,
Another school waiting.....

Whew!!! Do I wish to be a supergirl???!!! Now I do believe in the saying, "When it rains, it pours!" For the whole 9 months of being extra lax, here I go again with all the conflicts in the world! But I am very thankful to God for answering my prayers. Sa wakas, nakaahon na rin ako! (Because of those lax months, I was totally broke!).

Then here I am again super busy! I got loads of things to do! Chemistry classes, online writing, scent making, and doing my responsibility as president of my organization. Plus, there is still one school waiting for me to report and do my working lesson plans for the next school year! What am I supposed to do? My mind is about to burst just thinking of all these work loads!

So, I got drained and wanted to surrender one thing. Because I am not enjoying a certain thing anymore. It was better before when I got no responsibilities yet. It was better before when I was the one being taken cared of. Not now that I should be the one to take care. I'm just having a hard time coping up with this.:(

But it's a good thing, I went to visit the people I previously worked with. We strolled along the city, had small talks, ate a lot, and laughed out too loud! It was such a wonderful time doing the things I used to do - just being young and free!!!

Raiding Food Stalls at Gaizano South Wing

For a while, I got to forget all my responsibilities in the world! For a while, I got to be myself again! This quick escape was such a breath of fresh air to me! Just when I needed it most, my good 'ol girl friends came into the rescue (without them knowing).

All the Pressures Went Into These Empty Food Vessels!

Thank you for the stolen time, girls and credits to Divine Ebale for the photos!:)

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tech Tuesday: Dreams Do Cam True!

Tech Tuesday tells about the techie side of me!

At an early age of seven, I was already fascinated with technology. Though I didn't know this word yet, I had come to desire it. My first amazement was with the family computer. My cousin, Day2x had one and she shared it with me. We always played The Mario Brothers that always astonished me into making the characters move with the directions from my fingertips.

Then the brick game became a fad which made me addicted to it. I always brought mine to school and wherever I go so I could play Tetris at all times. I join competitions with my classmates for the highest scorer in this game.

Afterwards, the cellphone came into being. My aunt had analog phones that were really big and had an antenna. I always wanted to use one but I was never allowed. Until I reached college when it was time to have my own phone. And this time, there was already text messaging which made having a cellular phone affordable.

On the other hand, personal computers and the internet also came into existence. When I had my computer science class, I requested a PC so I could do my projects conveniently. Even so before, I'm already an internet savvy. I love surfing the net and as long as I can, I want to have all the advantages the web offers. So I dreamed of having a laptop so I could log on to the internet everywhere I go.

Fortunately, I got hired as an online Search Engine Optimization (SEO) writer! So I invested into buying a laptop that made this dream come true so I could bring my job along with me wherever I go. This is such my great dream job since I love writing and so love the internet!

My First Splurge!

I am working with this lappy for a month and a half now. I also didn't expect that online writing pays really well so I'm into putting up my second dream. Since the advent of Facebook, I love posting pictures of my eventful life. My first digital camera is already outdated so I am now launching my dream of a DSLR camera. I hope I could fish out the most user-friendly and the most reasonably-priced one.

So whoever of you who has experience on this, the table is now open for brand nominations. Please help me in my search for my second splurge by sending me your suggestions at maryrosalieo@yahoo.com or pm me in Facebook here. For those who has Twitter, you may also tweet me @maryrosalieo.

Which is which?

I'm looking forward for your suggestions, guys! So I won't go wrong into buying a great deal and steal DSLR camera. Because as I always believe, I will really make this dream cam true!

Sunday, April 08, 2012

Spiritual Sunday: Flower in the Rain

Spiritual Sunday teaches all about life and our Big Boss.

Hallelujah! The Lord has risen!

Being a Christian since childhood had guided me into the right path. God's ways for my life have always been straight, sparing me from this earthly life's terrible strife. However, I'm still in the flesh which is so weak that often leads me to fallbacks.

As a result, I haven't been so busy for the Kingdom unlike before. For years, I haven't sought God the way I did before. But I chose this. I chose to be apart from God's will for a while to experience "life" the worldly way.

However, it didn't do me any good. Yes, I had enjoyed the worldly life but it was only temporal. There is still this hunger in me that I had always known to be God as the answer. Then I heard of this certain song in church. I once loved this song, meaning all the lyrics of it as I sang along. Then I got reminded of the sweetness of God's love for me (and not just for me but for you also, mind you).

So like a flower in the rain, I am again opening my heart for God to fill. I am again allowing God to satisfy my thirst for His interventions in my life. Then again, I am letting my old self die for the new self to live forever in Christ Jesus.

And this is the true resurrection. As Jesus died on the cross centuries ago, He paid the wages of our sins in order to give us EVERLASTING LIFE!:)

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

SG Parks

*This post was written last 2011 in My Adventures. :)

As one of the world’s top tourist destinations, Singapore has established world-class recreational parks. These are must-see and must-experience places once one set foot on Singapore shores. Among the fantabulous places I visited were:

National Orchid Garden

Location: Singapore Botanic Gardens

1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Getting There By Public Bus: Via Holland Road

SBS Transit 7, 015, 123, 174

SMRT 75, 77, 106

Via Bukit Timah Road

SBS Transit 48, 66, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170

SMRT 67, 171

A country of blooming flowers

Orchids are its super powers

Come and smell the sweet blossoms

Until you’ll fill your heart’s bottoms

Night Safari

Location: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826

Getting There By Public Bus: From the city, take service 171 then alight at the first bus stop along Mandai Road and transfer to service 927 or 926

Wild animals come and roar

Roaming around freely to explore

The wilderness that’s ferocious and savage

Never flash your cameras to prevent some wreckage

Mount Faber

Location: 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 62708855

Getting There By Public Bus: SBS Transit 409

A hill overlooking the city

Everything seems itsy-bitsy

Ride on the cable car

To reach Sentosa without a scar

Sentosa: Underwater World

Location: 80 Siloso Road, Singapore 098967

Getting There By Public Bus: Take Sentosa Bus from Seah Im Bus Interchange (just next to Harbourfront MRT station). On Sentosa, take the monorail to Station M2.