Creating Memories HK2015

Next week we're going to Japan - our 2nd trip oUt of the country this year. The first was in Hongkong with a sidetrip to Macau. And before i create new memories, i want to write this blog about that first trip so that when i look back, i can read about those 4 days last May. It was a memorable double birthday celebration. Ralph celebrated his 50th. Day 1 was spent in Macau. It was such a short stay that i promised myself i will come back. Venetian is soooo amazing thouh i can say it was super bitin.

Day 2 was spent at Disneyland & day 3 at Ocean park. Between the 2 i enjoyed Ocean Park more. Seing the real Panda was in Rap's bucket list. Mine was real Penguins. They were sooo cute.

That side of Cubao

I was with my marketing girls  JA, Tina & Patty and  we were only supposed to check the signages of  S& R Pizza parlor at Puregold Cubao. However, since it's lunchtime, we decided to check out "that side of Cubao" as we were talking about Marikina made shoes earlier  and... walk we did to Cubao Shoe Expo.  It's my first time there and was amazed!  it's like you're in another world.  Shops selling "vintage items", Marikina made shoes so cheap i bought 2 pairs, an Itallian resto where  One More Chance movie of  Bea & John Lloyd was filmed,   and   an interesting place called Alan's Grill.

This is where Basha (Bea) and Popoy (John Llyod)  meet with friends in the movie One More Chance

It's a meeting place to artists on Tuesdays starting 1 pm. According to the waiter,  they should be closed to non-club members but since we are already there they can't  turn us down.   The tables were all filled by artists' painting, It's amazing. I was mesmerized, the feeling was overwhelming seing all those talented people in one room doing what they do best.

 

I never owned a painting and  i wanted to have one.  I know it's expensive hahaha....maybe when i get my bonus i'll include it in my "things to buy this Christmas". There's one water color painting that i  truly liked and when we asked the waiter how much it cost,  he referred us to the old man next to our table. We were told the man is "sikat" because he did the painting in one of our  peso bills, can't recall if it's the 200 or 1000.

Forgot his name but we were told this man did the painting in one of our peso bills

When we asked the painter he said "magkano mo ba gusto bilhin?  pag nagtanong dapat binibili na"...Boom!    No idea what to say.    I believe i'm good in negotiating but i'm not prepared to answer him.  Much as i want to,  can't buy it now...still plenty of bills to settle hahaha.....But i'll be back.   For now,  i'll just wish that the painting will still be there.   In December  maybe?   a gift to myself.

You are what you eat.

You are what you eat. So i am pizza!

S&R recently opened a pizza parlor at Fairview Terraces,  this is the 3rd pizza parlor  outside S&R Warehouse Club. After the blessing,  New York Style pizza line were served.  3 years with S&R,  i'm still not yet over with pizza.My all time favorite is COMBO ( most popular at S&R).  Next to combo is  PEPPERONI,  3rd favorite is CHEESE.  I'm not a fan of  Garlic Shrimp, so i  would always skip it.  Seasonal pizza, BACON CHEESEBURGER  was also served (seasonal means pizza is available at a limited time only). Working at S&R is fun...It's more fun working at S&R's pizza parlor.  After all these pizzas - then it's time to worry on how am i going to loose those calories....hahahaha!  loving this job!without the guilt. 

 

How Great is our God.....

How great is our God
Sing with me how great is our God
Oh i sing how great, how great, is our God

Love this song, my themesong, my national anthem. I read in a book that you become what you think about most, so if you think of negative things you will attract negative people  & events into your life. You've got to refocus your thoughts to something positive. And who else should i focus my attention that's all positive but God. With him you can never go wrong. That's why when i feel blue on days like today, i keep on singing this song. To remind me that i am not alone. That i have a big God! That nothing is impossible with him! That my sorrow will come to pass & before i knew it i survived the storm.

Pray & give thanks....always...always.....
When you feel blue, start counting your blessings. And oh, i've got plenty!!!! After the typhoon Ondoy, i prayed everyday that God provide us with a flood-free house. And i acted on it...i asked around if there is a house for sale in the area where i like (closer to nanay). Even if i dont know where to get money to pay for it. I just believed that God will answer my prayers & he will provide. He is Jehovah Jireh!!!! and Yes, he provided. After 3 months of searching, we found a house for sale. The owner is leaving for Canada & are eager to sell the house at a "reasonable price". Oh it was very reasonable i guess, but i don't have any means to pay for it. We tried applying for bank loan, but was declined. I didn't lose hope, i just thank him. Thank you Lord for this house- i said - everyday!!!! After 4 months, the owner called me - willing to wait for my housing loan with Pag-ibig. To make the story short, God provided!

Today, i'm worried...about money. I'm financially drained  can't pay my bills. What should i do?
Stay positive...pray a lot....Just sing....Because i know  &  should remind myself. That i have a big God. Just sing with me...How great is our God, sing with me how great, is our God. oh i sing how great, how great is our God!!!

a new job, a new life....

Got a new job... still in retail. Maybe because retail marketing is my passion & i simply looove shopping. They say you become what you think about most  and  in my case, that is always right. After my stint as Marketing Manager for SM Hypermarket, i joined a company who's into skin whitening. I thought the job will be exciting  and challenging, unfortunely i was wrong. I got bored!!!! I missed the adrenaline rush of meeting deadlines. I kept thinking of my job at SM. My daily stroll in MOA after lunch everyday looking for good buy is what i missed most. God must have heard me, a job offer came along and i just have to grab it or my life will never be as exciting anymore.

Now i'm back to retail, with what i do best...we're opening a store in Pampanga by year end & im now doing marketing plans. My calendar is full, planning out for promotions etc until December...i'm again strolling (its not as big as MOA though) after every lunch. and I love looking at what we're selling, this time majority are imported. Love the towels that are on sale, coming from Pakistan (want to try using items coming from that side of the world). Just came back from a store visit in Cebu.....

Thank you Lord for a job that i truly love and will compensate me generously. Thank you for the bonus, a CRV. Thank you for answering my prayers.

Sam Milby at the Centris Station

I am a fan of Sam Milby. Since his PBB stint i have been following him in ASAP. I got to meet him in person during one of his mall tour for Dermablend in SM Hypermarket Sucat & Bicutan. He's undeniably popular, a lot of fans came & we have to request for additional security. Dermablend soap was a hit. Display shelves were empty after his visit. Well that was a year ago.

I am still a fan & im excited to see him again today as he visits SM Hypermarket's newly opened store at the Centris Station. (Its not inside SM mall but this one is easy to locate, its in MRT Quezon Avenue station). See him up close, sign autograph & have pictures with him at 4pm today.

Get to see the newest addition to theHypermarket stores. A lot of friends are commenting that if they want to do grocery "in peace" on weekends they go to the Centris station. It's easier because parking is free & regular crowd comes in weekdays not on weekends.

Are you a fan of SAM? Meet & greet him later at the Centris Station.

Lord give me a job that i will truly love...

I got hired at SM Hypermarket in April 2007. I remember i was so excited working again because in 2004 i resigned from my 14 year old job. So for almost 3 years i just stayed at home doing nothing...( i think i wasn't meant to become a "homebody" because i dont cook, i dont do household chores, im used to having a househelp making life easier for me, in other words...i was soooo bored... & course, i dont have money, thats the sad part there. Its so tough because i looove shopping). Then, i prayed.....Lord give me a job that i will truly love & will compensate me generously. That was my specific prayer. The bible says that when we ask God for something, we should be specific. I recited the prayer everyday of my life. Then 1 day, my previous boss called me up offering me my old post & since i dont want to turn her down, i obliged. But i never stopped from praying that the Lord will give me a job that i will truly love & will compensate me generously.

After seven months, a good friend of mine from SM asked me if i would like to join Hypermarket. Me opening daw !!!.....she set me an appointment with Mr Robert Kwee, the Executive Vice President. And after that, i got interviewed by no less than Mr. Herbert Sy. So you can just imagine how i felt then. I remember my interview was scheduled at 2pm, i wasn't able to eat lunch because of excitement.

That was 2 years ago....looking back, i am amazed. GOD indeed answers prayers. Just be specific, never get tired of asking him. He will surely answer. It may not be NOW, but the answer will certainly come.

Amidst all the news about recession, news about jobs getting harder to find, don't get discouraged. To the graduates of 2009, i ask you to say the same prayer.......

Lord, give me a job that i will truly love & will compensate me generously.

But im also asking you to check out the website of SM Hypermarket. You just might find your place to work (you may not have a good friend working at SM hehe)... we're opening 6 branches this year so we have a lot of job openings. And we're not just looking for cashiers & baggers. we're also hiring HR managers, Selling supervisors, IT, Accountants etc etc...

For now, my prayer is "LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE JOB THAT I TRULY LOVE & WILL CONTINUE TO COMPENSATE ME GENEROUSLY. Really, GOD answers prayers.