catching up with an old buddy

I just handed down the handset. A talk from patzs just ended. Both of us has to cut the conversation, may work pa kasi tomorrow. For there will be continuation of the conversation on our next meeting [where he promised a COFFEE TREAT ---Yipeee!!!!].

Got shocked upon seeing him in his new hair color late this afternoon where i brought my sister to see a doctor. The same old friend with more new things to find out. We caught up on stuffs, his whereabouts, about me, about life, talked about the latest happenings of our batch mate. Who's who? The recent passers of the June 2009 Nurse Licensure Examination. By the way,

CONGRATULATIONS TO ITESS YCONG!!

We are proud of you. Another Registered Nurse has been added to the group. More luck to the remaining members.

I feel hungry already about a long talk and laugh with my friend. Looking forward for that COFFEE TREAT. Its already noted in my planner. Question is...when?? hehehehe. Sunday perhaps?? Basi mawala na pud ka sa sirkulasyon, friend. hehehe!

Work Abroad

Some of my batchmate [in college] were now working overseas. Well, i'd be a hypocrite if i'd say i don't envy them. I envy them because they are on their way of raking greener opportunities. While me, and some of us are stucked here where career growth isn't possible. We have a job, yes but [you see, there's a 'but'] its not enough.

Its one of my goal in life - TO WORK ABROAD! My motivational thermometer has risen up after seeing the pictures of our batchmate in college [through Friendster] now working in London. Wow, amazing! Ikaw na jud, jave. Magkita ra ta diha puhon-puhon. God permits!

But I guess GOD make all things possible at the right time. I know He has reasons, I have a purpose for staying [for awhile], hehehe. Given the chance, I'd grab the opportunity of working overseas. I just need to work on my papers. Hopefully, my birth certificate problem gets to be ironed out soon. Muambak jud ko taman-taman masulbad ning sulirana --hahahaha!!

Foods Galore!

This evening we presented 4 sandwiches for our Commercial Cooking NC II class and prepared Home-made mayonnaise. Our dominant arms were exhausted beating, mixing all the ingredients. Not that easy, I tell you [chuckles]. There were portable hand mixers available in the cabinet but Sir Bong wanted all of us to experience the natural way of making mayonnaise. So, off we go holding wire whisk and mixing bowl. I get your point, Sir. Thank you.

After the presentation, our group [Bernz, Jopay, Dawn, Joy, JP, Van] shared what we prepared to people who's still present in the kitchen. Thanks by the way Dawn for the softdrinks. It took all our thirst-quenching throat to refresh! Although tired and stressed out, we all went home happy, satisfied, full not to mention the big scream of this blogger [char!] after we stepped out of the school's premises. Kaw daw mukalit ug ka brown-out niya haskang ngitngita! hahaha!! Thanks to our friends who ushered us sa kanto and waited for us to ride a tricycle before taking off. How sweet of our amegahs [hugs].

Oh, got to check my sister's temperature. Until here, goodnight! (",)

This is RAMBO. The youngest of our pets.
"The air is so refreshing.." -Rambo

PUCCA Ballpen

An addition to my collection

My dear friend Vanvan surprised me this afternoon with this iconic, fashionably feathery PUCCA ballpen. I kinda like surprises, you know..hehehe!

When she took it out from her bag, the child in me was jumping for joy. A stream of screaming followed then I hugged her showing my appreciation. Yes, things like this make me happy. I just love everything about PUCCA. How I wish I get to have a photo-op with this cute, little darling kahit na mascot lang [wishful thinking..wink! wink! ;-)]. May maipagmamayabang na naman ako ke Ate Grace nito. Her daughter Shane loves PUCCA also and we get to have the same birthday. Ganon talaga magaganda, pinagsasama [hahaha!!].

This ballpen never escape my precious hands the whole time I was in school, during the food presentation until my commercial cooking class.

At home, I boastfully showed it to my sister. "Bigay sakin ni Van" [Van gave me a present].

Thank you, dear! (",)

Great Achievement

Later part this afternoon after school, I went to church to light candles and to thank GOD for such great news I've received a few days ago. I still couldn't believe my eyes when I received a text message from our School Administrator gleefully extending her Congratulations for the release of my Accreditation [as of July03, 2009] as Competency Assessor for Health Care Services NC II. Until now, that message is still in my inbox. The origin of the text message was from TESDA-Davao City.

I was having my class when I received the message [ahm, excuse me my cellphone was in silent mode ;-) hehe]. With the joy and excitement, I shared the good news to my students and they were very happy for me. I forwarded the text to my sister and Papa. The two very important people in my life. They were proud of me. Papa replied through text "this calls for a celebration". Promise pa, when you get home.

Wow, such great achievement. I worked hard for this. Thank you, LORD! My effort was not put into waste. It's a blessing..an answered prayer. It was meant for me. I still do pray for the greatest achievement I am wishing for. People close to me knew what I am talking about. I know GOD will sprinkle that blessing to me, in HIS perfect time.

Goodnight, everyone! (,")

once in a lifetime chance

At the 12 hr, 34 mins & 56 seconds of July 08, 2009,

the date and time will be

12:34:56 07/08/09

that is

123456789

This will never happen again!

Set your alarms now. Go spread the word. Be the first to tell your friend :)

Return to INNOCENCE

Don't be afraid. Just hold on. Never let go.

A friend once dropped by my place and tag along his cutie son named Sam.

Adored by the wit of this child, we took pictures of him and from those shots, this one was my favorite.

It shows an innocent HAND with a willingness to help and discover the realizations of life.

Melodramatic. One hand has surpassed trials and difficulties while the other one has yet to experience.

13 Things Your Waiter Won't Tell You

What's with the number 13?? Some say its a cursed number but to some, its lucky for them. Whatever is the meaning of that value, surely they all have reasons for loving and hating it.

As a food loving earthling on this planet, after having been trained & exposed to the world of food and beverage services, well actually not that exposed though, still needed more exposure, I decided to make some post all about food industry, that includes service of course.

Recently, this article flashed and caught my attention..

Waiters share 13 insider secrets about restaurants - from tipping to what days to avoid dining out

1. Avoid eating out on holidays and Saturday nights. The sheer voume of customers guarantees that most kitchens will be pushed beyond their ability to produce a high-quality dish.

2. There are almost never any sick days in the restaurant business. A busboy with a kid to support isn't going to stay home and miss out on $100 because he's got strep throat. And these are the people handling your food.

3. When customers' dissatisfaction devolves into personal attacks, adulterating food or drink is a convenient way for servers to exact covert vengeance. Some waiters can and do spit in people's food.

4. Never say "I'm friends with the owner." Restaurant owners don't have friends. This marks you as a clueless poseur the moment you walk in the door.

5. Treat others as you want to be treated. (Yes, people need to be reminded of this.)

6. Don't snap your fingers to get our attention. Remember, we have shears that cut through bone in the kitchen.

7. Don't order meals that aren't on the menu. You're forcing the chef to cook something he doesn't make on a regular basis. If he makes the same entrée 10,000 times a month, the odds are good that the dish will be a home run every time.

8. Splitting entrées is okay, but don't ask for water, lemon, and sugar so you can make your own lemonade. What's next, grapes so you can press your own wine?

9. If you find a waiter you like, always ask to be seated in his or her section. Tell all your friends so they'll start asking for that server as well. You've just made that waiter look indispensable to the owner. The server will be grateful and take good care of you.

10. If you can't afford to leave a tip, you can't afford to eat in the restaurant. Servers could be giving 20 to 40 percent to the busboys, bartenders, maître d', or hostess.

11. Always examine the check. Sometimes large parties are unaware that a gratuity has been added to the bill, so they tip on top of it. Waiters "facilitate" this error. It's dishonest, it's wrong-and I did it all the time.

12. If you want to hang out, that's fine. But increase the tip to make up for money the server would have made if he or she had had another seating at that table.

13. Never, ever come in 15 minutes before closing time. The cooks are tired and will cook your dinner right away. So while you're chitchatting over salads, your entrées will be languishing under the heat lamp while the dishwasher is spraying industrial-strength, carcinogenic cleaning solvents in their immediate vicinity.

From Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip-Confessions of a Cynical Waiter by The Waiter (Ecco/HarperCollins)

Source: Reader's Digest Magazine

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/user-post-13-things-your-waiter-wont-tell-you-479179/