Took this story from a good friend...

-=Jack and Jill=-
Jack wakes up at home with a huge hangover after the night of his office party. He forces himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table. And, next to them, a single red rose! Jack sits down and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed. Jack looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror, and notices a note on the table, "Breakfast is on the stove, I left early to go shopping -- Love you, Jill."

He stumbles to the kitchen, and sure enough, there is hot breakfast and the morning newspaper. His son is also at the table, eating. Jack asks, "Son, what happened last night?"

Jack's son answers, "Well, you came home after 3 a.m., drunk and out of your mind. You broke some furniture, puked in the hallway, and got that black eye when you ran into the door!"

Jack says, "So, why is everything in such perfect order, so clean? Why a red rose, and breakfast on the table waiting for me?"

His son replies, "Mom dragged you to the bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, 'Leave me alone, lady, I'm married!'"

Broken furniture - $85.26
Hot breakfast - $4.20
Red rose bud - $3.00
Two aspirins - <# WebPartBody #>.38
Saying the right thing, at the right time...Priceless!

I stumbled across a web site that introduces a new dimension to Prayer -- making use of your MP3 player!

Check it out at http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

I don't understand how some people can just lack the basic "social graces" (for lack of a better term). Things we have been taught since we learned to talk -- apparently, some people have forgotten. I guess it's not so basic after all.

I didn't realize until now that "Thank You" has become such a hard thing to say. When someone buys you food, when someone does you a favor, when someone picks up your book when it falls to the floor... Tiny things that someone should be appreciated for. My concern is, if one can't say "Thank You" for those little things, there's no "thank you" to expect in the big things. How will you continue to do things for someone, who is supposedly your friend, who can't say those words?

Another things that really ticks me off... I'm a happy sharer, I share food and things happily. But when something disappears that's mine, without me knowing before the actual disappearance, I can't help but be annoyed, or even disappointed. If I have a pack of chocolate bars, I'd gladly share it with you when you ask for one. But if they start disappearing, and you only own up to it when I say "Hmmm... Only three bars left, I could have sworn I had left five in there." Shouldn't there be something wrong there? My point is, the only reason I get annoyed in such a situation is that it's so easy to ask me, and I'd gladly give. But to take without asking or even just informing -- it's just so rude.

Okay. Ranting over. I feel better now.

I don't think I've ever really mentioned it, but there are a few places I'd readily recommend in terms of meals (primarily because they are relatively healthier than the regular fast-food fare)... and desserts too!

Flaming Wings
Of course, wings being their specialty, I love their Smokey BBQ coated wings, which goes absolutely perfectly with their Honey Mustard Dip.

Their pastas with tomato-based sauces are yummy and filling, especially with the choice of spaghetti, angel hair, linguine, or penne -- the Puttanesca is perfect! In addition, the Pasta Chicken Parmigiana, a new addition to their menu, is even more filling with a whole chicken fillet, generously topped with melted cheese.

Of their sandwich selections, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich is at the top of my list.

Our most recent discovery is something nice and refreshing -- the Lettuce Wrap. A mix of asian sauces, chicken, water chestnuts, and shiitake mushrooms served on a bed of crispy fried noodles, accompanied by what appears to be 1/4 of a head of iceberg lettuce.

To end all meals, their desserts are heavenly and sinful at the same time. To top it off, their ice cream scoops are huge! Try it with the Apple Pie a la Mode and the Warm Brownie a la Mode. In addition, they got creative in coming up with the Breakfast Sundae and their Wicked Oreos. All served with ice cream!

Freska
Having opened only a month ago, we only tried Freska last Wednesday -- their specialities, which we couldn't resist trying: grilled Scallops and Oysters (still in the half shells) with Lemon-Garlic Butter and topped with cheese and Quezo de Bola.

I must say, I've never been served oysters so big -- when I scooped one out of the shell, I couldn't see the spoon anymore!

The Alige Rice and Grilled Squid were delicious too! To go with all that food, we ordered bottomless iced tea and lemonade.

Casa Xocolat
A branch of Cafe Xocolat (at Eastwood Citywalk 2), Casa Xocolat is in a house-turned-restaurant. Of course, I would expect that they are popular for their Fondeau for Two (chocolate served over a tea-light candle with slices of oranges, bananas, chiffon cake, and marshmallows); Taza de Xocolat (very rich bittersweet hot chocolate); and the various hot and cold combinations of chocolate, coffee, and other deliciously sweet things. I have yet to try a cold drink called Butterscotch Bliss.

One non-sweet thing that I like a lot from there is their Grilled Eggplant Panini, served with sweet-salty dilis (dried and flavored anchovies) and potato chips on the side.

I tried to subscribe for a mobile phone service postpaid plan at a certain branch. Before actually going there, we had already asked another branch about the requirements, and if the documents I had were sufficient, the answer was yes. Before going to the branch to apply, we called the hotline four times to ask about the requirements, and if the documents I had were sufficient, they said YES. And when I'm there, at this branch, already actually applying, they say NO. Apparently, my money's not good enough for them. So I walked out. End of rant.

-=Teaching=-
Last week, June 15 and 16, some of us went through the InTACT training workshop for the faculty. For the most part, it was fruitful, meaning I got something out of it. It is worth noting that InTACT has gone through a lot of changes, and I believe it will still go through improvements. This is, of course, from my point of view; that I went through InTACT as a Freshman, then I went on to be an InTACT student facilitator, and now I'll be going through InTACT as a Homeroom Adviser.

Another thing worth mentioning about those two days -- I personally met the new VP for LS -- meaning she sat beside me, and we had a conversation, not just the small talk. For a part-time and very new facultly member like me, that's something. I admire how she interacts with people, although I haven't seen her with the students yet. She seems to be very "hands-on" and very involved in things that she deems valuable. Good for her!

I also received a copy of my Faculty Evaluation from the Summer Term, and it gave me a good sense of fulfillment. It being my first time to really teach (and at the college level), it's really great to know that my students enjoyed the class and learned something, and that they'd actually use their projects in the "real world." :) Thanks!

Moving on...

June 19 - First day of class. This semester, I'm teaching one section of CS 30. There are three other sections of the same subject. Most of the time, students believe that they don't have to attend the first day of class. But I was impressed, my class, on the first day of class, supposedly a "lab" class, was in complete attendance! Good for them! (And me as well)

I received this directly from the person who experienced it.

This is not something that I received from someone who passed it on to someone who passed it on to someone.

Shucks. I've always wanted to go there. Now, I'm very very very discouraged. Although, some credit is due to the owner, but not completely until she does something about the staff.

If you believe this is worth passing on, then by all means, do so, or just link them back to the source.

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MAL"TREATMENT" AT THE FARM
--- Andy, Agnes, Alexie, Acky and Anj (June 2006)

We finally get a chance to peek at this relaxation mecca "The Farm at San Benito", an institution known for its foreigner-magnetism, exclusive detox programs, award winning spa accommodations, "live foods", sprawling grounds, world-renowned massages -- and steep prices. This seemingly immaculate image just had to be marred by impersonal customer care and messy management.

Our family was rewarded with a handsome sum of a gift certificate in this so-called prestigious spa. After going through their reservation drill of faxing a copy of the gift certificate, choosing a day-relaxation package inclusive of massage, meal and tour, reserving for treatment time and depositing the additional balance to cover for all our packages, we set out looking forward to a day of relaxation which only ended in disgust, disappointment and humiliation.

Reservations have been made a week in advance, and their Makati office confirmed everything, complete with a RESERVATION VOUCHER, which indicated our time of treatments. We arrive at their reception area, weary from a 3 hour drive, and presented the voucher -- only to be welcomed with "Ma'am, your 2pm reservations cannot be accommodated because we are fully booked. We can only treat you at 4pm." The trusty reservation voucher claimed otherwise, of course: our status was CONFIRMED since 5 days before.

It sounded like an honest mess up, but the staff nor the management didn't seem to HONOR our reservation. Apparently, there really are NO SLOTS LEFT for spa treatments. Reception even made us talk to the Spa Manager, but to no avail. Take note, we went through the whole drill -- we had the deposit slip from the balance paid in cash 2 days before our day tour, in addition to having on hand our gift certificate -- both faxed to the Makati office prior to our trip -- heeding the insistent calls of their office to settle our reservation accounts.

Still taking time settling the mess up, we told the Assistant General Manager, whose attention we had to call, that if the reservation cannot be honored we demand that our balance that was paid in cash be refunded. Now. We were asked to sit down and then we were served plain tap water. 40 minutes passed. New guests-- Japanese, we believe -- arrived with the same reservation vouchers, and almost automatically, servers come with their lemon water complete with the decorative lemon slice. Go figure.

We were heated up by this time. A foreign man came out from an inner office and started hovering around the scene, then left in a car. Nonchalantly. We later find out that he was the General Manager. We again followed up our reservations, and still the same standard answer came up -- "We are fully booked. This wasn't our fault -- this was the fault of the Makati office." Finally, the AGM came and told us that the General Manager had approved our refund, but can only pay in CHECK. No, we demanded for cash because we paid in cash!

No genuine concern from this AGM, who left us in a huff. No effort to even appease us, to give credit for driving all the way to paradise, to give an ALTERNATIVE to plainly driving back home. After 30 minutes, one of her staff came out and handed the cash, and asked us to sign an acknowledgement receipt. We demanded for ALL our original vouchers -- which they held in the meantime. We continued our complaints to the staff and to the AGM (whose attention, btw, we had to call again) -- that they make us drive ALL the way from Manila only to be treated this way, not honoring our reservation, insisting on following their reservation routine, not honoring our deposit, blaming the Makati office for this mess up, not claiming responsibility that it is clearly both Makati and Lipa offices' fault -- only to be rebutted by the AGM with (in Tagalog) "You are hurting my feelings! This is not my fault! You are hurting my feelings!" ("Sinasaktan nyo ang damdamin ko! Hindi ko ito kasalanan!") in exasperation! The gull!!!

The matter was "settled" in an hour and a half -- and yet, what was unsettling were that: Is this how they treat gift certificate holders? How important is customer care to them? Do they prefer clients whose names sound foreign and ARE foreign to Filipinos? Have the reached the heights of fame and prestige that they can AFFORD to mistreat customers?

So much for relaxation TREATMENT.

Next time you consider discovering what lies behind The Farm's curtain of pristine exclusivity, think again. The neighborhood spa or suking manghihilot might give you a much better "world-class" treatment you deserve.

EPILOGUE: By the end of that day, we had texted all our contacts, heralding this horrific maltreatment and lo and behold -- it had reached the owner herself. She is a gracious lady, who took immediate action to call us up at our home. And apologized on her staff's behalf. (The staff never apologized, btw) She was genuinely shocked at the way her management and staff handled the situation...... THIS COMMENTARY IS DIRECTED TO HER MANAGEMENT TEAM.

Yesterday morning, I joined a group in welcoming and meeting the new batch of CS students -- freshmen.

Like the typical, they listened, participated even, but didn't ask a lot of questions. Interestingly though, when most of the group had left, I stayed behind, and that's when they started asking about other things... Not exactly related to the CS program, but to other academic aspects, like diagnostic tests and the tests to be given by the Guidance Office.

Unfortunately, the upperclassmen who were assigned to take care of this fresh batch were not exactly able to satisfy their need for an adequate answer of explanation, so I did give a little input, which thankfully satisfied their curiosity.

It is true though -- they are scared, a little too scared.

Later in the afternoon, some of us attended an orientation on a program designed to help the Freshmen adjust and "survive." I was part of the program when I was a student, and I know that the program made an impact on certain students, not all though. Hopefully, this reformulation will be more successful. :D

Earlier, a friend linked to a certain article on a 7-year-old Filipino boy being punished for Filipino table etiquette.

I know many educators, professors, and teachers, and I myself still have my passion for education, though I may be only at the beginning... It is shameful and heart-breaking to hear of such discrimination, especially when in a country known worldwide for the almost non-existence of racism and cultural tension.

I was on MSDN Connection, and I had a PTR design... Is there a way to change the PTR design? I think I selected too many topics, so I really ought to redesign it... I know topics can be added to the PTR, but can topics  be removed?

I appreciate any help. Thanks!

Last Saturday, I reserved it. And it's being delivered tomorrow! I'm excited!!!


APEX AT11
Intel® Pentium® M 740
Intel® 915GM chipset
Wireless LAN 2200BG - 54Mbps
Intel® GMA 900 - 128 MB VRAM
1 GB DDR2 RAM - 533 MHz
80 GB Mobile HDD
15in. TFT Screen
DVD Dual Recorder
56 kbps Modem, 10-100 Mbps LAN
SD/MMC Card Reader, Firewire Port

So, now, I'm thinking of a name for it... Any suggestions?

The laptop issued to me for work, which I'm returning at the end of the month, I named DOLPHIN, because of our naming convention of using aquatic life forms as computer names. I'm not sure if I want to keep that name for the new one.

So, I'm open to suggestions. The new name doesn't have to be "aquatic" anymore. What do you think?

Some lessons cannot come from books...
They cannot be taught...
They cannot be imposed...
They must simply be lived.

Powerbooks is having a bigger and better Warehouse Sale on March 16 to 31, 2006 at # 25 Brixton St. Capitol Subdivision, Pasig City.

the Helper
The Quick and Painless ENNEAGRAM Test

you chose CX - your Enneagram type is TWO.

"I must help others"

Helpers are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
• Share fun times with me.
• Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
• Let me know that I am important and special to you.
• Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
• Reassure me often that you love me.
• Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Two

• being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
• knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
• being generous, caring, and warm
• being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
• being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Two

• not being able to say no
• having low self-esteem
• feeling drained from overdoing for others
• not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
• criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
• being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tune in to them
• working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Twos as Children Often

• are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
• are outwardly compliant
• are popular or try to be popular with other children
• act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
• are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Twos), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Twos)

Twos as Parents

• are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
• are often playful with their children
• wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
• can become fiercely protective

Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele
The Enneagram Made Easy
Discover the 9 Types of People
HarperSanFrancisco, 1994, 161 pages