Confession of a once in hiatus blogger

I have to make a confession. Aside from the fact that I am really busy, I lost the desire to blog about just anything. I thought I needed time to think so I stayed away for a while, maybe in that way I can sort things out. My busy work schedule, what is happening out there which made my world go round and not to mention why I lost interest with something I so love doing. But even on those quiet times when I stayed away from the blinking cursor, I had to admit that I really missed this thing called blogging and the people I've come to know called friends.

Where did the old time went? It dawned on me that one of the factors why I had a temporary distaste to share anything was because I am missing old folks who were also away right now: blog friends who are in hiatus and those who decided to quit for good alike (if in any case you're reading this, which I know you do, just want to let you know that I'm missing you).

Reality knocked me down. It's not blogging that I want to stay away with, it's the prying eyes. I know this fact ever since and it's a shame I let it take the best of me. Everytime I try to write something, they ended up on my drafts and they soon piled up. One proof that I want to share it but afraid to do so.  

...............Until..................

One day, I realized that we're blogging for different purposes. Some wanted to share their thoughts while it's an outlet for others. One blogger once told me that I should always remember that I am also blogging for myself. When several people take interest of your writing, somehow you would feel happy but itchy and watchful as well. You would consider their feelings and thoughts, fearing that you would hurt someone unintentionally along the way or would cross the line somehow. But blogging is about respect too. Respect for other people's feelings and opinions. Bloggers have different genes and creative abilities and so as their way of sharing. With that I rest my case especially when I read the words below:

Each of us has a fire in our hearts burning for something.

It's our responsibility in life to find it and keep it lit.

This is your life and it's a short one.

Don't let others extinguish your flame.

Photo borrowed from Talentedo

A blog which is home to gorgeous photos 

and few words full of substance.

I Will If You Will

The World will go dark again at 8:30 PM on March 31 in observance of the Earth Hour. A moment to switch off the light for 60 minutes to save energy and to raise awareness of environmental issues.

The Philippines started participating since 2007. And as this article had pointed out, our observance can go "beyond the hour" if we are really committed in saving our environment so the future generations will savor themselves with the bounty of nature.

To encourage everyone to go beyond the hour, World Wildlife Fund for Nature  (WWF-Philippines) came with the brilliant idea of "I Will If You Will". A dare/challenge game to inspire friends, family and colleagues to pledge in caring for our environment beyond the hour. 

You can participate through twitter by tagging the friends you're challenging with a simple statement like the one below:

I will use the stairs instead of the elevator if you will pledge to support the Earth Hour @Maderuchan. At the end of your dare, write “Let’s support #EarthHour” the hashtag #IWIYW, and mention @WWF_Philippines. 

January 18, 2011 when our city implemented the city ordinance which required everyone to bring their own bag when shopping. Plastic bags were banned as a step for waste reduction, alienate non-biodegradable products and to raise awareness of the depleting aura of natural resources. A year after the implementation, bringing shopping bags seemed normal to everyone and if you forgot yours you will use a paper bag instead provided by the grocery stores and boutiques where you buy your goodies and clothes.

And it didn't stopped there for me. Brown paper bag have its unique character which fascinates me even more. I love its color and scent and since I'm a sucker for Papemelroti (gifts  and other stuffs made of recycled paper) I came up with the idea of using the paper bags for different purpose whichever deemed appropriate (gift wrapper, notebook, and envelope).

The stuff below is my "Walk and Save Envelope" where I put the money I saved from walking instead of taking the tricycle. The idea benefited me twice cause I was able to save an ample amount everyday and I'll be fit at the same time. And observing the Earth Hour made me realized that there's an additional benefit which is dedicated for the environment  and that is recycling.

made from used paper bags

Endless ideas about the Earth Hour increases my adrenaline and this whole idea is making me excited. #TheBlissOfSimpleThings isnt it?

Drunk

After getting headache differentiating the words "drank" and "drunk" ( I seriously need to go back to school and study subject and verb agreement again) I was intoxicated with a naughty idea. After contemplating on the matter and rigorous analysis on situations I witnessed, I am sure that a person drunk with power is far more dangerous than a person drunk with alcoholic beverages.

How far does powerful person willing to go to hold on to their power? There are people out there who were bestowed with the power to rule but never take it into heart but rather let it dominate their mind. Boasting like the world would never end and that universe conspire for their benefit alone.

Who said that only alcoholic beverages have the capacity to intoxicate people's mind?

You better think twice

Conspiracy and Anomaly: Post Office Experience

At last the time has come. I've been dreading for this day to come when I could pour out my emotions. My last two post were visible evidences how I was so into Snail Mail. But no matter how perfect a thing is, sometimes there are hindrances that can never be avoided.

Before I start, please brace yourself. As much as I wanted to let this pass, I couldn't because I know actions should be taken at least, on the least thing that I can do and that is to turn on my blog for help. This is a long story

February 9, 2011, Thursday, the landlady knocked on my door to give me another notice from the post office. I'm already expecting it and I was so happy because this time the parcel arrived immediately. The said notice includes the days and time you can claim your parcel (Monday and Wednesday, 8:00 am - 12:00 p.m.) and the amount you have to pay for the custom fee which is Php40. Though there was another print on the notice which states M-W instead of M and W only, so I assume I can still claim it on Tuesday because the schedule wasn't clear. If you're wondering why I have to claim it on the post office instead of it being delivered directly, well that is because every parcel should be inspected in the presence of the customs representative, which is I think a good point to avoid illegal products. 

Came Monday I wasn't able to claim it because the rain poured so hard. On Valentines Day I immediately went to the post office. The post office personnel assigned on window 5 of Alabang psot office informed me that the customs representative wasn't there. I told her that I took my chances because of the two schedules printed on the notice. Afterwards she told me to wait for a while and she will call the customs representative if she can release the parcel. She made the call and then she described the product I received to the customs representative and before that, she handed me the card that comes with the gadget case and told me to handle it.

Post Office personnel: Maam Happy Valentines, someone is claiming a parcel here. May I give it to her? (She had to describe the parcel so the rep can decide) It's from the United Kingdom, it's a Gadget case, Cath Kidston ltd, London. It's beautiful. A gadget case which looks fit for a Samsung Galaxy Y cellphone, the trending phone today. There's 16.96 British Pound on the outside.

After that she put down the phone. And she told me:

Post Office personnel: she said you have to pay a tax because the product was from the United Kingdom and it's expensive. She will call again (which I think by that time the rep was doing her calculations) and if she told you the amount you have to pay, for example she told you it's Php700, tell her you only had Php 300 in your pocket. (Nice advice from a public servant).

Right there and then, my guts told me there was something going on. The customs representative called again and she talked to me saying I have to pay the taxes and duties for the product which is Php1361.00. Below is the picture of the notice they gave me where the post office personnel wrote the amount I have to pay. I asked her why it's so expensive and she explained that is due to the fact that the product I received is expensive (OMG, insert deep breath here, when I breathe deeply that means I am already losing my temper and my patience). 

I told her that I'll just go back because I don't bring that much money knowing that I just have to pay Php40 for the customs fee. Then she asked me to hand the phone to the post office personnel.  They talked for like 5 minutes and as long as the post office personnel put down the phone, this is what she told me:

Post Office Personnel: Maam said she can lower down the cost to Php700.00 (OMG again) If you will not claim your parcel they will send it for auction. You should claim it, it's beautiful.

Needless to say I decided not to claim my parcel. First I would like to talk to the customs representative and make my research before paying the amount. While walking outside the office, I sent a message to Mommy Razz and I asked her if she was required to pay a certain amount of tax. At night I sent a DM to Kris which I was so hesitant to do at first. I asked her if the other recipient of the gift paid too, but unfortunately one is from Spain. It's clearer than water that I was the only one obliged by the customs representative to pay. I also did my research.

Wednesday

I went back to the post office and I was glad that the customs representative, Ms. Carlota C. Caberto was there.  I approached the post office personnel again and this time she's not friendly as the other day. She said that I took the card and didn't returned it when in fact she's the one who gave it to me. I said I came back to claim my parcel and that the sender told me that wasn't very expensive like what they're telling me. They almost yelled at me telling me that they cannot take my word and I have to present them the receipt of the gift. Ms. Carlota Caberto asked for the parcel and she told me if I want to, she'll value the product (that is to compute for the tax I have to pay) and I agreed. When the post office personnel hand her down the gadget case, she was somehow shocked that the product she wants me to pay an expensive amount is a piece of gadget case even marked as gift.

Without computing for the value, she handed me the case and didn't made me pay for Php1361.00 she mentioned on the phone the other day.

Why am I telling this?

Eventhough I didn't paid for the said taxes and duties in the end, there is somehow an anomaly and conspiracy going on. It's not a problem to pay for what is due. No matter how high the tax was if they were able to present me with the computation and didn't offered me for a discounted tax, I might have paid for it. But the moment they did it, I had second thoughts.

To the customs representative and post office personnel

I don't know if it's legal for you to offer a discount on air parcel taxes. If yes, I guess you should explain to the claimant why and how did you arrive to that computation. 

Instead of showing and explaining to us why and how did you compute for the tax and what is it for, you always serve us with burning head, ( i take it you don't want to answer our questions.)

You should also refrain from computing the tax via phone when you haven't seen the product yet and don't know the real value of the item. It's prone to mistakes like what had happened to me. I almost gave you an amount which is more worthy to be spent on street children.

You as public servants chose to be on that position should always serve with kindness but instead whenever we approach your office, you always have that grin face.

When I said I take it seriously, I did. That is the reason why I've written the whole story. By now, you already guess what I am intending to do. I don't want other people to be trap on that kind of situation again. 

For additional reference you can read Taxes sa Air Parcels na Kinukuha sa Post Office written by Ms. Ruth Floresca only it was written in Filipino.

Please be careful not to be carried away with the wrong doings of this society. We should serve and protect our country from the corrupt and malpractices. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world". Let's all be vigilant.

President for Happiness

Over the years, Coca-Cola never fail to amaze me with their commercials especially during Christmas season. They're my all time favorite advertisements together with Mc Donalds not only  because I love the product but in all fairness they're full of substance.

So imagine my delight when I heard the news that Coca-Cola  will create a new position called "President for Happiness" in line with the celebration of  it's 100 years in the Philippines. The purpose of the said position is to spread happiness around the country.

There were speculations as to who would be chosen as the President for Happiness. I myself guessed he/she  will be pulled out from the line of the veteran actors/actresses (he's a model though). But I was freakin' wrong! 

Yesterday, when I watched the television the most awaited face of the president for happiness was revealed.  Meet Caloy but his real name is Arran Phil Sese. Hmmm, "Sese"?, I was wondering how are we related hahaha.

source
Coca-Cola's President for Happiness

He was presented on a commercial inside his office filled with Coca-Cola soft-drinks explaining that his task is to make everyone happy while ideas were popping on his head. The latest commercial showed Caloy doing surveys  from the busy streets of Manila asking people about things that would make them happy.

Coca-cola did a great job in bringing to life the creative idea of having the so called president for happiness. Not only will they capture the hearts of the Filipinos but will further create news and impact on their product the whole year round as I think this project was intended to run that long.

I was wondering what kind of activities will Caloy and Coca-Cola would come up with to make everyone happy. Well, that's for us to find out in the next few days/weeks/months or so.

I'm pretty darn excited Caloy, don't fail me.

Reality bites, but don't be sad

Yeheey! at long last, today is the last day of my 2 weeks medication. After a hard battle with the seemingly endless fever which later accompanied by cough, I'm feeling better. I want to share a different story today but that could wait since this post would somehow help you be aware.

As you all know, I am having some problems with my nose. I forgot to share the updates after I went to the ENT several months ago, but the doctor found out I have Atrophic Rhinitis, a type of rhinitis caused by the thinning of the nasal membrane. Not much information about it was shared on the internet. I tried to Google it several times but would only show sites with technical terms. Until today, I came across this website. Limited information was also given but it caught me between acceptance and freaking when I read the complications.

I don't recall if the doctor mentioned the case to me but I can't remember any, maybe because I was so woozy that time. To continue the story, there are two complicaitons (1.) Rhinorrhoea  and (2.)Anosmia  by which based on my observation, number 2 is the prominent complication in my case then, I FREAKED OUT. Why wouldn't I? I know my smelling ability was reduced (which is one of my best abilities before), but knowing the fact that I am facing the circumstances of completely losing my sense of smell...I almost cried.

The second complication was also responsible for the colds I endured while celebrating New Year, which I thought was just a common cold but was not because it is once again another condition triggered by the allergen looming around the corner. I am glad I consulted the doctor before taking over the counter medicines for cough. It was irritating, it wakes me up in the middle of my sleeping hours. At first I couldn't believe the cough has something to do with my nose, but after the doctor's thorough explanation, I left the hospital hands up, head down.

The good news, I am feeling better but extra precautions should be taken because this is the season of the allergen. Just another hint of precaution, be careful with the medicines you take. It is better to visit your doctor to make sure you're getting the proper medication. If you notice something strange is happening in your body, health or what you feel, consult the expert at once. Be safe.

antihistamines will save my day from allergens.

Antihistamines have different effects to people. You'll feel sleepy but other's may experience palpitation. Those with 6 hours effect will really drive you to bed (in my case) but most of the times, I'm taking those with 24 hour protection.

The Seven Wonders of the World

I received this video from a friend way back 2008. Actually I haven't met him personally. He just happened to be a client of our company and his account has been assigned to me. I am not quite sure if he is a pastor but I know they're sending missionaries all over the world to spread the word of God.  I dug this from an email he sent me over more than 3000 unread messages on my inbox and thought of sharing it to you. 

7 wonders of the World from Sey on Vimeo.

I don't know who did this video so I cannot give proper credits, however I know that this is meant to be shared to all the people out there. 

1. To See - Our eyes were given to us to see the beauty of the world and to see the beauty in others. Because not all that can be seen by our naked eyes are true. Let us use them to construct and not to criticize or destroy other people. 

2. To Hear - Our ears are there so that we can be open to people who needs someone to listen to them and not to use them for gossips and rumors.

3. To Touch - To touch is something prerogative when you love cause this adds to the magical feeling.

4. To Taste - We should use our tongue to enjoy the  wonderful taste of foods in the world. Remember to guard our tongue because our words can make or break a person for thoughtless words can cause wounds deeply as any sword


Words said no matter how sorry you are in the end cannot reciprocate the hurt we may cause to others. (I just added this one, as you can notice on the video, #4 was missing)

5.  To Feel - Lucky are we to feel the different kinds of emotions. Be it fear, pain, anger or worries, feel them and let them make you a better person.

6.  To Laugh - Laughter is the best medicine as they say. Enjoy it while we can still enjoy the sense of being happy.

7. To Love - Did you ever tried locking your  heart because of the fear of being hurt again?  Believe me when I say pushing love away is so hard to endure. That isn't healthy because it will eventually draw you away from people.

Let the question be "How much love do you give?" rather than "Are you in love?"