It is Holy Week

I am home today and yesterday, my days off. Although I would love to be at work being a holiday in Manila, Philippines. That means additional budget for my groceries. On my way home from work yesterday morning no traffic jam. I guess almost everyone is on vacation to their respective provinces or on retreat. Shopping malls and groceries are closed Maunday Thursday and Good Friday. They will be back to business on Black Saturday. 

To my believer blogger friends –“God bless everyone as we commemorate the Holy Week. The week of the great sacrifices our Lord Jesus Christ did to give us everlasting life.. “

My Surprise Visitors

My sister was here in Manila last week for three days visit. Just in time for my youngest brother and his family to visit Manila from Singapore. My sister stayed in my apartment to be with her daughter who stays with me. Mother and daughter had a great bonding in cooking. Yes, my sister is a great cook. Please do not ask how I fair with her. I can cook alright, just the basic cooking. My brother and his family stayed with his in laws. His brother in law has a big house intended as vacation house for all of their family members.

My surprise presents- laptop and IPhone

I had great time with my family members. We visited our parents at the memorial park were they were laid to rest. Ate, chatted, the limited time is not a bother. At least we had bonding time. My brother and his family came to my apartment last Thursday, Oct 20, my day off. I slept late last Thursday. I never thought I could manage to be up until 12 midnight, Friday. My sister left for the province after four days. My brother and his family had a brief stay for five days.

Thanksgiving Vacation

We do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the Philippines but I am happy to be off from work comes the 25^th and 26^th. Yes, some of us were allowed to go on vacation leave because we are expecting less call by then.  Our team captain approached me if I want to go and vacation and he got a positive reply from me. It is not that easy for us to go on vacation leave. I am happy for being given the opportunity to have a rest day along with some of my officemates.

The vacation leave is just the right timing. I have cold this time. Although manageable because of the cold medicines I am taking. It will give me time to rest and sleep with gusto. I seldom get sick but when I do. I would like to rest for fear I might end up in a hospital. We do have hospitalization benefit but being at the hospital makes me sicker. Why? It is because I am unable to rest being at the close watch of a nurse, getting my temperature every now and then. In line with duty, a nurse has to write something on the clipboard for the doc to see the progress of the patient. If the hospital has a nursing school, pray that a throng will not come inside your room to ask you how many times had you visited the toilet. Oh, no please do not get me wrong. I have nothing against the nursing profession. Nurses are doing a noble job. I am just saying I am not comfortable being at the hospital, okies? Likewise, please do not be alarmed I am alright. ☺

To some of my American friends who are to celebrate Thanksgiving, please take it easy on the drinks. After Thanksgiving there will be Christmas to spend your precious dollars with your godchildren. 

LCD Text Scroller

Off to Work Today

Speaking of Christmas shopping, my apology to the daddies and mommies who do not want to think about the occasion yet, yes some of you are correct it is too early. However, the reason why I shop early is because of pre-Christmas discounted sales. I guess some of the malls in Manila are trying to dispose some of their stocks to replenish with new ones. Manufacturers instead of taking the items back. They sell the items at discounted price. I developed the technique of scouting for items that might go on sale. I checked on the original price of the items.

During mid night madness, it is how we call it here. Malls are open until twelve midnight during the sale. That is why it was called midnight madness. When the items go on sale I tried to check how much they are being marked down. I noticed mall owners had been wiser this time. They would only get few stocks and would reorder when needed. Before, I could buy books for as low as seventy percent mark down, now not all the books go on sale. If all of them do, only up to twenty percent off. Budgeting? Count me in, folks. Well, just being wise when it comes to spending.

Today, the 30^th of August is Philippines National Heroes Day, and therefore it is a holiday. No work for those that goes to the other offices at daytime. Not me, I got work. Call Centers do not have work Holiday. We do get additional pay though when we work on Philippines Holidays. I received a text message from our team captain at work that we have to render at least one hour overtime today. I replied okay, count me in. Hush! I do not want to frustrate him in exchange of my remaining vacation leave. I want him to approve the vacation leave at the latest next week. ☺