— Colors and Spices

If you try to search “shingles” in Google, the first five hits will tell you that:

  • its medical term is “Herpes Zoster”.
  • it’s a viral disease
  • it’s a very common painful, blistering viral rash
  • it’s a contagious rash

shingles

This which I got last Sunday. It was indeed a rash which appeared at the lower part of  my back.  At first we thought it was just a common rash possibly caused by any of the following: 1)too tight pants and belt(haha) 2) after-effect of too much sun exposure or 3) hot weather.

After 2 nights, it was still there. And the succeeding days, it’s becoming painful and small blisters are coming out.

I finally went to the hospital for consultation and the doctor said it was shingles.

How do you get shingles? The doctor said, shingles is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus. “Just imagine, you’ve had chicken pox when you were a child, after you’ve recovered, the chicken pox virus stayed and became dormant in your body, probably in your spinal column, and then it waited for a time that your body has a low resistance and the chicken virus attacked again your body as shingles.

So in short, I’ve had my lowest body resistance on the past weeks??

Now since it’s “contagious” and that those who have not had chicken pox and has a low body resistance could get chicken pox from me, I was advised to take a rest for a week! *wink*

But since that’s not exactly possible, I’m Working From Home starting tomorrow Monday until the shingles in my back heals :)

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Work can be stressful. It’s already a fact. At least in one point of your life at work, you might have thought of not going to office because you’re tired, you don’t wanna see your boss’s face, incidents(AM work) haunts you even in your sleep, in short you’re just burned out. Personally, I’ve experienced most of these. But every time I remember those experiences, whether it’s kwentuhan or busy-concentrated-on-my-screen moments, it gives me a 2-3 second mind break and I get to smile.

I’ve been in Accenture for exactly 1 year, 6 months and 17 days as of this writing. I must say that my stay here has been pretty much like a special Halo-Halo, a mix of thoughts, memories and experiences. There are some toppings that I like and there are some that I do not like. But just like how my team mate has always been saying, it’s just a matter of “mind setting”. If you get an escalation, take it as a learning and don’t get discouraged. If your team lead assigns you with several complex tasks, he/she must have been grooming you and does not intend to piss you. Work is fun. It just depends on how you see, take and accept it.

Work in Accenture can be stressful but going to work can actually be please-ful if you know how to maximize that resources around you.

Trainings - I must admit that one of the reasons I joined Accenture is because of the professional trainings it offers. It hones your skills, trainings courses are practical and to top it all, it’s FREE. It’s one opportunity I will never take for granted.

Best People - After joining Accenture, this is one reason that makes me (and most probably will make me) stay. I get to maximize my potentials as I know I am working with the best people in town.

Communities - One thing I appreciate about this company is its wide variety of available  and active communities. Start building your network and meet new friends!

Others - and a lot more.

No one is perfect. If no one(human) is perfect then definitely no company is perfect as well(since it’s the people who also compose a company). As I’ve already said, work can be stressful but it can also be fun and pleasing, it’s just how you react to it or maybe, make use of what a company “has” and stop whining on the what it “has not“.

It can just be a matter on how you see it, Accenture can be the Best Place to Be.

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In the workplace, the season of summer won’t be complete without the summer outing. Companies usually hold outings to increase people’s engagement, let the people get to know each other and develop the team spirit through various team activities. This year, the summer getaway of the project I am involved in, is a little way north of Manila – where several kilometers of long beach draw up the edges of Luzon. We spent an overnight  at Subic, Zambales’ Moroccan culture – inspired and luxurious resort, Club Morocco .

Team Building Subic Zambales

We were soaked under the sun for hours as they run into the base line, catch the flying saucer and bump into each other for the famous Beach Ultimate a.k.a Frisbee, Dodge Ball and Relay.

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I’ve read(and heard) much about Anawangin and that’s why when the team planned for a team building/outing, we all agreed to go camping there. Four AM at Caloocan Victory Liner Bus Station, we went off via Bus going to Iba,  Zambales for the Anawangin Trip straight from the office.

Where is Anawangin and How do you go there?

Anawangin is located in Zambales. You can take any bus going to Iba or Sta. Cruz, Zambales and drop at San Antonio(worth P260 from Caloocan Bus Terminal).  From here, you need to ride a tricycle going to Pundaquit(P30/each). As for our case, we asked the tric drivers to wait for us near San Antonio market(just near the bus stop) so we could buy our stuff. From Brgy Pundaquit to Anawangin, you need to ride a boat for 15-20 minutes(P300 each back and forth including Island Hopping).

My expectations/How it was described by friends and bloggers:

  • Untouched — It was said that this was just discovered by mountaineers 3-4 years ago.
  • Very serene. Blue Skies, Clear Water.
  • Peaceful. A place for rest. Quiet.
  • Camping Galore – No resorts/No hotels, No gadgets, no Electricity, no flowing water.

What I saw:

A place as if a piece of a painting masterpiece. This was what I realized while we’re on the boat to Anawangin. The scene was so amazing. I can’t help but get amazed. It was a picture of blue skies and clear water. God’s amazing craft. So thankful Kuya Pat allowed me to bring his cam and I was able to frame those scenes and bring them home.

Anawangin Zambales Philippines
It was said that this was just discovered by mountaineers 3-4 years ago

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Hillsong United is coming back to Manila for the Aftermath Tour at the Araneta Coliseum, June 2, 7:00PM.

Hillsong united in Manila 2011

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When watching TV, do you watch the commercials or you interchangeably go to different stations?

“Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan nagsimulang .. Matuto kung papa’no magmahal” This line from the song Pag-Ibig by APO Hiking Society was inserted at the very beginning of this commercial which I bet caught the viewers’ attention and eventually makes them watch it completely.

The concept:  a Lifetime with Nestle Products(based on what I saw)

Credit it to the Producer or to the Marketing/Advertising Staff of the company itself, what I would say is it’s effective, very Pinoy. It’s a  tear jerking 1 minute and 40 seconds(in full length) commercial that’s been airing on national tv for quite sometime already. With Nestle Philippines celebrating their 100th year, I say it’s effective as the use of a TV ad was not abused here but instead they made a way on how to showcase one of the Filipino Traits -its strong family knit. As Pinoys are naturally family-oriented, this tvc surely pinched every Filipino’s hearts.

Now here goes the rest of the chorus of the song. Enjoy!

Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimulang matuto kung papaanong magmahal

At ‘di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
Ang una mong halik, yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit

No’ng tayo’y nagkakilala nanghindi sinasadya
Ikaw lang ang napansin, nahuli sa isang tingin
At sa pagbati mong napakalambing


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Finally, I had my two lower wisdom teeth extracted.

Yesterday at the clinic:
Doctor: Anung papacheck mo?
Me: Ah, yung impacted tooth ko pa, naadvise po before na pabunot.. ipapacheck ko po sana kase sumasakit po sya from time to time.
Doctor: Kelan sya huling sumakit?
Me: Last week po.
Doctor checking…
Doctor: This should be treated as an emergency case.
Me: ooh o-k.

I was supposed to have the operation immediately yesterday(Thursday). It’s just that of so many days, I had the most unusual stomach pain of all time. Sabi ba naman ng dentist, “Baka naman stressed ka?” Hindi ko nasagot, “Eh, bakitngayun lang po sumakit yung tyan ko?” Instead, I told the dentist that i’ll come back the next day at pakikiramdaman ko muna yung tyan ko.

I thought I was gonna be fearless but just before the operation, nag chichill yung katawan ko! Kinakabahan? As I said before, I have a very large tolerance with physical pain but today.. I was wrong. Umiiyak ako nung tinatanggal na yung lower right impacted…to the extent na pinapakalma na ako nung dentist. Although may anesthesia pero I felt force and pressure against my jaw na masakit na pinaiyak ako. Siguro naiyak ako kase nararamdaman ko yung pressure at kung partida na may anesthesia, pano pa kaya kung mawawala na yung epekto nya. The operation almost took an hour and my dentist told me to take easy on my food and brushing as I had many stitches.

My jaw and mouth still both numb 3 hours after the operation. I still can’t control my lower lip that that I seem like a kid who do not know how to drink. The numbness feel awkward that I feel my lips are fuller than ever.

It would definitely much comfortable now that both wisdom teeth are gone. Thank you Daddy for taking charge with my a-month-worth-salary bill. I hope to repay you soon!

I just hope when the effect of the anesthesia is gone, the pain will be bearable!

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AKIC CSB hotel

I was searching CSB’s site to check if they offer short courses for Culinary and it seemed YES! My younger brother is on his last sem until this March and we’re planning on what would be next for him. Taking Culinary Arts is on top of the list and good thing CSB is offering it. The details I need to check tomorrow.

The Certificate in Culinary Arts (CiCA) program is offered in consortium with the Center for Asian Culinary Studies. A well-designed module for aspiring Chefs, Entrepreneurs and Restaurateurs who need accelerated training and education. The program combines culinary theories, latest trends in the industry, practical training and application in the DLS-CSB School of HRIM’s state-of-the-art facilities under the supervision of certified trainers, professionals and industry practitioners.

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