Gran Tierra Suites, Cebu

I was sent to Cebu last month for work. I had to supervise the booth we set up in a conference and I also had to present our case in front of a thousand attendees. Scary, but I survived. I would probably not be that nervous the next time.

Anyway, I checked-in at the Gran Tierra Suites in Cebu City. I was actually surprised that the accommodations were very affordable, if not cheap (breakfast not included). But at the same time, it was clean and comfortable. And I also found out that I was lucky since normally, the hotel is full and booking months or weeks in advance is necessary. So I stayed at the hotel for three nights. I was out of the hotel by 6 or 6:30 in the morning and I was usually back by 8 or 9. Again, how workaholic am I? Hahaha.

I was pretty satisfied with the service as I did not encounter any problems during the stay except for the fact that my door was a bit heavy and was scraping the floor a little bit. I even broke one of the bowls I brought and they cleaned it right away.

I wish I stayed here during my visit to Cebu last year. The place was very comfortable, easy on the pocket, at the center of the city and most importantly clean. I recommend this place to people on vacation and those who will visit the city on business. No need to spend a huge amount of money on classy hotels since Gran Tierra Suites will definitely do.

The Double Room for only P989/ night

The TV was tiny but I did not stay here to watch the telly

The welcome snacks

The filling was not that sweet and has a peanut-touch (way different from Camiguin's pastel but in a good way)

The bathroom was not that big but it was always clean

The Blackberry Bold 9900

I've been using the Blackberry for the past two or so months. At first, I did not have a clue how to use the device. I managed basic calling and texting but other than that, I didn't know what else to do with the phone.

After having used an iPhone for the past year, it was a big adjustment for me to have a Blackberry for a phone. I wanted a Blackberry ever since I was in highschool. And now that I have it, let's just say that I am not super thrilled.

It's a bit difficult to navigate and the interface is very different, especially that of Facebook and Twitter.

I have adjusted a bit now and I can do more than texting and calling. But I still can't figure out how to do a screen capture without buying an app. I can take pictures but the camera is not that spectacular  Yes, it has a flash but that's it. Quality is not that high except if the lighting is super perfect.

Calling people is also a bit weird for me. I'm not sure if my cheeks are just big or what. But most of the time when I'm on the phone, my cheek would accidentally press hold, add participant, speaker or mute. Yes, it's a touch and type kind of phone and it sometimes drives me crazy.

BBM? It's so-so. I don't have tons of friends using the BB so my BBM is not maximized (even if I'm subscribed to the service).

On the other hand, what I like the most about the blackberry is that I can easily open and edit documents without paying for any app. It's very helpful with work.

As for the different blackberry models, the Blackberry Bold 9900 is supposed to be one of the top-of-the-line models. But I feel like I could get a phone with better features at half the price.

I don't recommend buying a Blackberry at this time especially when there are rumors that Blackberry is going down and about to close soon.

To cap it off, I think I will be going back to the iPhone soon. I miss all the apps, especially Instagram. If I can't afford the ridiculous price of the iPhone 5, I do hope my dad will switch phones soon so I can have his 4s. Otherwise, I'll settle with an android, or I'll just live with this Blackberry. Let's see.

Balancing on a Tight Rope

I know. I should be reading and working on my paper due on Monday. That's what I've been telling myself for the past week. I even took a one day leave from work so I can work on it. Sadly, I'm still staring at a blank document for the past hour.

It's all about balance they say. Work + family + friends + me time = non-existent for me. Lately, it's been all about work. I was out last Wednesday with Khalil and Tani, buying a gift for our dear goddaughter Lexi. It took us HOURS just to pick the right gift and a long time waiting for it to be wrapped. Anyway, Khalil noticed that I was too workaholic. In the few hours that we spent together, I made more than four work-related phone calls and I was busy typing away messages on my phone. Yes, it was a fail leave.

Or at times, it's been work and friends or work and family only. I've never accomplished balancing everything at the same time. Good thing I'm on the last two modules of my Digital Marketing thing. But it made me start to think about my plans to take my master's degree. I don't think I can manage working and studying at the same time.  Just thinking about it is giving me a headache. So what to do, what to do? It's like I've been contemplating about this since forever. It's exhausting. 

So I found a resolution. I will stop worrying and just see where the road will lead me. I'm sure the universe will not give me a situation I can't handle. It may be difficult but I'm sure I will learn something from whatever challenges I will encounter.

So for now, I have to get back to writing that paper on eCommerce. After all, I'm so near the finish line, I can't afford to slack off now. 

Hello again blank page!

5K? It Felt Like A Million Miles

I joined my first ever fun run today. I was so excited that I was already up by 1:30AM (Blame it on Unstoppable too as it was on HBO and I wanted to see how it would end). By 3:00, it made no sense to go back to bed - I would not be able to get up by 4AM.

Out of the house by 4:15 and at Tiendesitas by 5. It was a nice and cool morning and I was actually a bit disappointed to find out that the run would start by 6:00am. Bye wonderful and cool dawn, hello beating rays of the morning sun. :(

The Wacoal Team (photo courtesy of Ms. Concel)

Anyway, we were one of the last few to start the race as I had to check some stuff by our booth - but still ahead of the other runners. Once we were out on the highway, I was already exhausted and I was already cursing myself for choosing to run the 5k instead of the 3k (which they said was for kids). Once I saw the uphill part, I wanted to cry. My legs were starting to turn into lead and I was so thirsty and super exhausted.  Earlier, I said "eew, MWSS water from the pipes". But after running for about 20 minutes, I have never been more than grateful to see the Manila Water jugs. 

 After walking and jogging some more, I was already thinking of hailing a cab as I could no longer go any further.  But thankfully, Tani helped me with her words of encouragement and pushy efforts.

After 55 minutes (technically it's only 54, we just took some photos that's why it became 55. hahaha), I was able to cross the finish line! Yey!

Finally!

Photo from Anna

Even though I had a really tough time, I am proud to have finished the 5k run. In fact, I plan to run weekly in UP or in the village and join other fun run events in the future.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
~ Lao Tzu

Daughter of A Teacher

I am the daughter of a teacher. I always wondered when I was younger why my mom had a boring profession. My classmates' parents were doctors, lawyers, businessmen and executives. Now, I know why I am the daughter of a teacher.

I am the daughter of a teacher. I learned how to read and write at an early stage because my mom taught me how. Even when I had a burnt hand (I accidentally touched the flat iron - I wonder why this memory is so vivid), my mom let me answer a new activity book (it's a small one with a purple cover and a picture of a pyramid) so I could forget the pain. Books were such a joy and I would always ask her to buy me a copy of the latest book from the Sweet Valley Kids series. But she would not only give me such books, she also brought home books with Newberry Awards.

I am the daughter of a teacher. We were never really that rich. It just so happened that my dad had a good job so we were well provided for. But being the daughter of a teacher, I had to learn how to be thrifty (I wonder what happened to being thrifty now?). And I  also had to understand why some of the things I want cannot be given to me all the time.

I am the daughter of a teacher. My mom chose to send me to UPIS for my big school even if I passed in Miriam and St. Bridget's. She did not even influence my decision even if my dad wanted me to go to Miriam for highschool. And I proudly chose UP as my university even if I was accepted in Ateneo.

I am the daughter of a teacher. I had lots of friends and knew kids from other sections and other levels because my mom was their teacher. Some of my current close and best friends were my mom's students - Mara, Tasha, Jessica (I met all of them when I was in kinder).

I am the daughter of a teacher. After my class, when I was in K-2, I would hang-out in my mom's classroom and watch her create room decorations. She would bring to life dinousaurs, fairies and other animals.

I am the daughter of a teacher. When I was little, until I was about 10, I participated in the teachers' dances. I played a muslim princess (most of the time), a young hip hop dancer or a young girl dancing to the songs of Cyndi Lauper.

I am the daughter of a teacher. When my mom started teaching undergrad students, my brother and I usually hung around in her classroom. There was even one time when we were doodling on the blackboard while my mom was teaching and she was wondering why her students were sniggering. After that, we were made to wait outside the classroom.

I am the daughter of a teacher. I had some shirts which were customized. I had this "I am sharp" tshirt which my mom made using the white shirt as a canvass and fabric paint as her colors. Some of our shirts were even glow in the dark. How cool is that?

I am the daughter of a teacher. I developed my study habits and I have my mom to thank for because I graduated top 4 of my highschool batch (let's not talk about college - that's an entirely different story). I learned to value my education and invest time and effort on it.

I am the daughter of MY teacher. My mom taught me a lot of things. She taught me about love, patience, and being strong willed among many others (even if we don't always see eye to eye). So mom, even if I didn't understand your quote below (joke!), I believe that you are one of the greatest teachers in and out of the classroom. 

Happy teacher's day Mommy!

I love you (even though I don't say it as often as I should).