Day 273, Jan 06, 2012

Chinese decors out:

With Three Kings fresh on everyone's mind, some malls are already looking forward to welcoming the nest big event - which happens to be the Chinese New Year, and why not? After all... this incoming New Year promises to be a good year for a lot of people or businesses. Its basically the year of the Black Water Dragon - and though I am not privy ot the nuances of what that may mean, I've been listening to some Geomancers or reading their works  (this particular mall, by the way, happens to be Shoppesville in Greenhills).

Though there may be differences, most agree it will be a good year - or to say the least, as good as 2011 was, which means it won't be bad. The more positive Geomancers say that business will be good this year, and for me, personally, as with anyone born under the Ox year, it will be a good year health and business-wise. I mean, what else can I ask for, right?

Whether this will indeed happen will naturally remain to be seen. But as of now, most people respecting these beliefs and practices will be expected to welcome the Chinese New Year; happening January 23 (next Monday - not this coming Monday) by way of having fruits and sweets on their tables. Others may have fireworks... us, we'll be content to ensure that luck, health and prosperity comes into our home in whatever manner it can. Meanwhile, the anticipation builds - and the malls will once again take advantage of this.

Day 272, Jan 05, 2012

Meeting:

This was done at the PhoenixOne premises in Makati, and the agenda simply had two items - a review of 2011 and plans for 2012.

Regarding the first, we just summarized what we did right... what our strengths as facilitators were. Let me just point out that we - meaning my colleagues and I, do have a lot of strengths - but we did not really voice them out as we might come across as haughty, and to put it simply, we see our strengths as more like SOPs. Nothing really extraordinary there, so we (or at least, I) don't really place it as a strength. Do I underestimate us by doing so? I don't think so. If anything, I guess it makes us keep on our toes.

As for the 2nd option? I do hope it happens - namely the possibility of spreading the opportunities and not just relying on Accenture as a client. I mean, after close to 10 years of training there, I do need a change of environment. I'd like to add IBM to my repertoire. Another possibility is the more project related option. That would be cool - but whichever option happens, I hope that Phoenix can give me more work time or a higher rate... because I need to earn more... and based on my discussions with a few others, we're looking at it the same way.

Well... good luck to us. But as some people also say - we should make our own luck.

Day 271, Jan 04, 2012

Coffee break:

At least, its a break from all the driving I normally find myself doing  for Bernice, Bryce and Barbie... usually in that order too. The first two are about school... and the latter is work.

Today was basically a dry run for this year - and with Bryce's school starting tomorrow, it will be a real run tomorrow. By next week, hopefully, traffic will still remain light - though I doubt that very much. Still, it should not be as heavy as these past months.

So what exactly did I do here? Aside from coffee, that is? Simple, I planned for my week - what little activity it has as it is... like I said, it was a rather light day to a light week. Good thing too - it make me ease into reality mode again, in a sort of gentle manner. The metal disk at the right corner mentions Energy - and I guess my sitting there was not just accidental, as I was waiting - stoking my energy level, psyching myself up for the usual work ahead of the time I'll be needing it.

Day 270, Jan 03, 2012

Dict's Birthday:

Its a bit hard to celebrate one's birthday after people have barely been through eating and drinking binges in the holidays... so I can just imagine how Dict feels whenever its his birthday, and he tries to invite friends. As it is, Dict really did not have a  lot of invitees this year - or if he did, a lot of people were unable to turn up for his celebration... which was good in a way, as it turned into a purely family get together. For convenience sake, Dict chose to celebrate in his Makati residence.

Now, as for the celebration proper... to say I was not really looking forward to the food portion was not an exaggeration - nor is it an intended reflection of the food served... after all, I'm just having food fatigue these days... just like same time last year. And as it is, it was a simple set up... pizza was ordered, carbonara was served plus some chicken wings... that's it.

Here's to you Dict! May you experience an abundant measure of health and wealth this 2012... and Happy Birthday as well.

Day 269, Jan 02, 2012

Same old... same old:

Yup, one of the things I plan on doing consistently this 2012 is still collecting, reading and enjoying comics, after all... what was once looked upon as a useless waste of time is now seen as an actual avenue for future Holywood hits - we have but to look at what's in store this year. Batman: Dark Knight Rising and The Avengers being two prime examples of such ideas - and yes, its obvious that they're both from comics.

That said, I definitely enjoyed reading my latest batch of comics... ones that I purchased a few days before the new year - but  only got to sit back  and read this 2nd day of January, only after things have somewhat settled down in terms of holiday activities, reunions and the likes. Most in this picture represent the 4th month of the revamped DC, and I'm definitely trimming my list - but mainstays will most likely be the Batman-related titles, I mean they're all great... in fact, should I be asked to cite favorites, I'd say Nightwing, Red Hood and Birds of Prey. Batman and Batgirl come in after those - in fact, the only non-Bat related titles I see myself getting on a regular basis are 'GL', 'Aquaman' and 'I, Vampire'. The rest, I can opt to drop.

On the Marvel front, I finally read the end of the Dark Angel saga - wonderful arc... on I will get should they come up with a deluxe compilation. Forgettable issue here is the Avengers. I like that its events are tight with the other Avengers title... but the pacing and characterization are uninspiring... but then again, that's Bendis' writing for you. Guess that's another thing that won't change.

Day 268, Jan 01, 2012

Happy New Year!!!

This was taken as the clock struck 12 - leaving behind 2011... ushering in 2012. Its obvious from everyone's faces that they like what they see, which happens to be the 3rd and final set of fireworks as arranged by the Tribeca for our (and everyone else's) viewing pleasure. Consider as well the fact that if this is the 3rd set, then people would have been jaded a bit - but noooo... which goes to show that the fireworks were indeed spectacular.

I could have decided to show the shot of the fireworks instead - and I do have a lot of them, but I prefer the emotions shown in this picture. Suffice it to say that to get this reaction from a lot of people - some more stoic than others, the fireworks display must be grand indeed. It was a welcome get together for us, more so since its something we rarely do with the rest of my dad's side of the family.

Anyway, here's to everyone... cheers - and may we all experience greater health, more abundant wealth - both financial and spiritual, of course. May our dreams be fulfilled, and our lives be joyous. Lets not be strangers - too busy to share special moments like this... in fact, may moments like this be plentiful this 2012.

This I ask, for friends and  family alike, through the grace of God. Amen.

Day 267, Dec 31, 2011

Traditional welcome:

Every day before New Year, it has become a family tradition to have round fruits on the table - at least one fruit representing a month of the coming year... more if possible (specially for the superstitious sort who won't want 13 fruits).

Whether this can be traced to a custom or cultural practice, or whether this is just one hell of a marketing spin for fruit retailers - I don't really know. However, it doesn't hurt to have the fruits on the table - and we do get to eat some healthy stuff  as the New Year starts, so this is fine, as traditions go.

The four glasses at the foreground have the following, and are representative of the following meanings -  rice, to represent having food, salt representing the spice in life, sugar for sweetness, and cotton representing lightness (or a problem free life). The chocolate coins are a new addition - again, representing luck and fortune - and sweetness as well.  The drink tower is just that... a container for drinks, so we need not grow thirsty in 2012 - at least, not thirsty for  lack of drinks. After all, it is alright to be thirsty for knowledge, right?

Day 266, Dec 30, 2011

Nail art:

As I took this picture - at Bernice's request, I opted to go with flash, and without. What you're seeing is the without option - which absorbs more background lighting.

It was only belatedly that I realized how appropriate all the colors within this picture helped emphasize the nails being focused on here. In fact, even as the picture is set to do a macro shot (notice hte blurred background?), the colors of pink and lavender seem to help make this a most feminine background feel.

Anyway, this day saw us - Barbie, mommy, Bernice and I doing some last minute shopping before 2012 arrives. Surprisingly, Greenhills was quite a pleasant place to be in - gone were the days of maddening crowds, full parking and maddening traffic. Looks like its back to normal around Greenhills - at least, as normal as things are before the Christmas rush.

Day 265, Dec 29, 2011

Nature trip:

No, I did not smoke weed... nor did I eat one of those wild eggplants on the picture's lover left... and this pose is purely just for kicks. Just wanted to get things straight.

Today was our scheduled Batangas trip and this is where the picture was taken. It also happened to be Miguel's birthday - and though previous trips were made earlier... more in time foe Christmas, our being too busy made us opt for a latter schedule - and what better reason than going in time for Migs' birthday?

That said, I spotted a pile of hollow blocks stacked up to almost look like a pedestal for a statue - or a meditating spot, so... I asked Bernice to take the shot as I hammed it up a bit. Oh yeah... the Ray Ban Aviator happens to be a gift from Barbie to me this Christmas - I, of course, gave her one too.

On another note, this is a milestone to the countdown to my blog's end - as I only have 100 days to go, to fulfill my project 365. I'll most definitely continue on with a third year... but as things become more sluggish - performance-wise, I would most likely have year three done elsewhere... maybe create another blog. I don't think the blog can handle 700+ pictures, and I'm not about to try and experiment with such.

Day 264, Dec 28, 2011

Jude with Bubbles:

Precious moments come and go fast... so when Jude showed his wanting to lie down on Bubbles (with the latter not minding it at all), I was glad that my camera was just a few steps and set-up away.

Of course, it took me several photos to eventually settle with this one where we see Jude smiling lovingly as he enjoys Bubbles fur. I had another picture - this time of Bubbles smiling, but Jude's face was hidden in Bubbles fur - hence I chose this one instead,

Apparently, Jude is very much fond of our dogs - he is holding a picture of Buffy while doing this... and yes, he later did the same lying down thing, with Buffy. So cool... looks like Jude will, hopefully, get to love being with dogs, so long as he doesn't get traumatized for any reason.

And talking about possible trauma, as he was doing this, I was alert to check the dogs reactions to Jude - and to their credit, they both allowed Jude to do this. Guess they have accepted him as part of the family too.