Time Off from Work Well Spent

I have been contemplating on cleaning this AC unit but I just cannot extract my niece from her favorite place at home. Where else but her bedroom. We have the same day off. She does not  want to be disturbed watching movies or playing online games on her computer. Yesterday being my vacation leave.  I took the chance after she left for work. I do not  have AC in my room to save on electricity bills. My sister bought this AC unit for my niece. My niece shares on our electricity bills. 

Accumulation of dust on AC filter balloons electricity bills.It has been four months since the last time I cleaned this AC unit.  Dust could hinder its operation. As a result it would use a lot of electricity for cooling off a room.

I cautiously scraped off the dust using used toothbrush. Then, wash the filter with bath soap and water. The bath soap made it fresh smelling when I put back the filter and covered it up. The owner of the room was very pleased. 

Lenten Holiday

Happy Easter!

If you work in a Call Center here in the Philippines, you have to work even on Philippine Holidays.  In contrast to other industries where employees enjoy Holiday vacation leave.  In a Call Center, you are oblige to report for work if it is not your day off or you are not on vacation leave.  Call center employees perk working on a Holiday, is the mandated overtime pay by Philippine Labor Law. To answer some of my customers’ questions, we get paid in Philippine Pesos, the Philippine currency, not Canadian Dollars.

For regular Philippine Holiday, if an employee has no work, he will be paid 100 percent of his salary for that day. If he works, he gets 200 percent for the first eight hours of work, plus 30 percent in excess of eight hours.  On Special Non Working Holiday, if an employee has no work, he does not get paid.  If he does, he will be paid 100 percent of his salary for that day, plus 30 percent for the first eight hours. In excess of eight hours, an employee gets additional 30 percent. 

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are our Regular Holidays. Black Saturday is Special Non-Working Holiday.  Some of my office mates who have work schedule have wide grin on their face.  Some opted to work overtime. Me, I would rather stay home. My vacation leave was approved for Maundy Thursday. Day off on Good Friday and Black Saturday. I am done with my financial obligations to my family members.  I now own my salary, so be it.  For those who opted not to work, they visited their relatives in the provinces.  As a result most drivers in Metro Manila were rejoicing. No traffic jam!

While most car owners were rejoicing, not too good for those who reported for work.  Most public utility vehicles were also on Holiday.  Most of my office mates have to endure long wait to get a ride. Some took a cab to go home enduring higher transport fare.  One of my friends took this photo of a deserted street in one of our business districts.  On regular working days public and private vehicles dominate this place.  At least the place enjoyed fresh air for lack of pollutants this Lenten Holiday. 

Welcome Summer 2017

It is starting to get warmer now in Manila, Philippines since summer has been declared by our weathermen end of March. Being a tropical country Philippines has only two seasons, summer and rainy reason.  Summer starts around middle of March until the end of June.  Our temperature scale measurement is Celsius.  Although most foreign visitors who come to Manila consider the weather to be always warm.  The warmest months we would have are April in May.  

My work schedule is at night time. It gives me the advantage of cooler temperature when reporting for work.  The air condition system inside the work place would even make us wear jackets and sweaters despite the warm temperature outside. When the morning sun is up after my work shift, I am on my way home.  Shower cools me off before hopping in my bed.  I share a rented two bedroom condo with my niece, which is good.   I have someone to share the cost of my rent. 

Without a balcony I hesitated before to take the rented place. It is only now I begin to appreciate without having a balcony. Being in an inner unit, it is cooler compared to those units directly facing the sun.  My niece has air conditioning in her room. I have electric fan in mine. The electric fan is enough to cool off my room as long as I close my door.

I always make it a point to have plants in the house.  Aside from serving as decor, plants help to cool off the temperature and freshens the air inside my small space. I have a pot of plant inside my room, my niece room, in the living room, kitchen and bathroom.  I go for plants that are easy to grow like sansevieria and some plants that grow in water, without much need for sunlight.

You can count on me when it comes to recycling pots.  As you can see in this photo, the pot I used is an old pot for rice cooker. Empty glass bottles also serve as flower pots for water plants. I just do not have much time to decorate the bottles as flower pots.  These bottles have special place in all corners of my small space, rather than inside a trash bin. 

Breakfast

I am busy folks. I will be writing soon. I just post my breakfast today to assure you this blog is still active. I will be back with more post in the coming months. Thank you to those you have checking on my blog regularly. 

Happy New Year!

No cook Media Noche for busy people. My niece and I agreed to order from our favorite pizza restaurant.  At least I save my effort going to the supermarket for groceries. Likewise another way of saving on my electricity bills as I use electric stove for cooking.  The daughter of the sister and I share an apartment.

A family member invited us to join their Media Noche but we declined as we got work before the Eve of New Year. I am just happy I am home to celebrate New Year this year and also home on Christmas. Christmas and New Year happen to be my day off. Some of my office mates filed vacation leave to join their relatives in the provinces.  I was among those requested to cover for the absence of some employees due to Holiday Seasons. I was only granted vacation leave for December, the 5^th and 26^th. Unused vacation leave though can be converted to cash.  At least, I was given a week vacation in November. Thankful enough for the week rest from wearing my headset at work.

Despite some bits of odds at work at the beginning of 2016, it was a changeling and awesome one.  To my blogger friends, blog visitors and the whole WWW... 

Merry Christmas!

To my blogger friends and blog visitors ~

Have a Jolly Holiday! Cheers! 

Remembering our Departed Loved Ones

Every 1^st to the 2^nd of November yearly, Filipinos would visit departed loved ones at various memorial parks and cemeteries. Customarily, the occasion is being observed nationwide by surviving family members taking with them flowers and candles as offering to their departed loved ones. 

Those with bigger family members visiting would have tents. The tents are to protect themselves from the bright sunlight at daytime. Likewise shield from possible rain as they vigil overnight.

Family members would bring food for them to partake during the visit. In some memorial parks, fast food operators would take advantage of business opportunity. They cater food to the family members who do not have time to prepare food. It is a family reunion to most Filipinos as they gather together at the resting place of their departed loved ones.

Most of us prefer to visit on the 1^st of November, being All Saints Day, some would visit the 2^nd being the All Souls Day. It is also acceptable if we visit early to avoid the traffic jam.  In my case, I prefer to visit my parents resting place before the 1^st of November.  Prior to the occasion, family members would clean up the tomb, freshen up with new coats of paints and make sure the epitaph on the head stone are readable.  For those who can afford to pay, they would hire someone to do the job.

Despite the influence of Western culture that is celebrating Halloween. Most of us Filipinos would spend for candles and flowers for our departed loved ones rather than spending for Halloween parties.  Due to some imposition from private offices and shopping malls some of us are hook up on preparing costumes for Halloween.  I have nothing against those who celebrate Halloween parties. But, to be honest I do not like to see grotesque figures of dead people, zombies and the like.   It is not that I am scared of them but for me it connotes negativism.

I am glad that majority of us, Filipinos do not really buy the idea of Halloween parties. Rather continue the cultural tradition of spending money and time in remembrance of our departed loved ones. This tradition has been handed down from generation to generation all over the Philippines. This occasion in addition to Christmas brings Filipinos together as a family

Remembering our Departed Loved Ones

Every 1^st to the 2^nd of November yearly, Filipinos would visit departed loved ones at various memorial parks and cemeteries. Customarily, the occasion is observed nationwide by surviving family members taking with them flowers and candles as offering to their departed loved ones. Those with bigger family members visiting would have tents. The tents are to protect themselves from the bright sunlight at daytime. Likewise shield from possible rain as they vigil overnight.

Family members would bring food for them to partake during the visit. In some memorial parks, fast food operators would take advantage of business opportunity. They cater food to the family members who do not have time to prepare food. It is a family reunion to most Filipinos as they gather together at the resting place of their departed loved ones.

Most of us prefer to visit on the 1^st of November, being All Saints Day, some would visit the 2^nd being the All Souls Day. It is also acceptable if we visit early to avoid the traffic jam.  In my case, I prefer to visit my parents resting place before the 1^st of November.  Prior to the occasion, family members would clean up the tomb, freshen up with new coats of paints and make sure the epitaph on the head stone are readable.  For those who can afford to pay, they would hire someone to do the job.

Miss International 2016

Congratulations Miss Philippines! 

Kylie Verzosa, Miss International 2016! 

Thank you for a job well done! Thank you for making us Filipinos proud again with another talented Filipina beauty! 

At the pageant the fifteen finalists were given a minute to give a speech.  She spoke with clarity and said.

"Three things come to mind when I think of Miss International: culture, education, and international understanding. These three work together to make the brand of Miss International beauty pageant relevant to the global community and to our time. If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is in developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity. All these enable us to achieve international understanding and I believe I am prepared to take on this responsibility"

Other winners - 1st Runner-up Alexandra Britton Miss Australia. 2nd Runner-up Felicia Hwang Miss Indonesia, 3rd Runner-up Miss Brianny Chamorro Miss Nicaragua, 4th Runner-up Kaityrana Leinbach Miss USA. Pageant was held at Tokyo Dome City Hall, Tokyo,Japan, 27th of Oct. 

Kylie is Philippines 6th Miss International winner. She is a pre- school teacher from Baguio City Philippines. A graduate of one of a private schools in Manila, Philippines with Business Management degree. 

Miss International 2016

Congratulations Miss Philippines Kylie Verzosa, Miss International 2016! 

Thank you for a job well done! Thank you for making us Filipinos proud again with another talented Filipina beauty! 

Her winning answer - "If I become Miss International 2016, I will devote myself to cultural understanding and international understanding because I believe that it is in developing in each of us sensitivity to other cultures that we expand our horizons, tolerate difference and appreciate diversity,"

Other winners - 1st Runner-up Alexandra Britton Miss Australia. 2nd Runner-up Felicia Hwang Miss Indonesia, 3rd Runner-up Miss Brianny Chamorro Miss Nicaragua, 4th Runner-up Kaityrana Leinbach Miss USA. Pageant was held at Tokyo Dome City Hall, Tokyo,Japan, 27th of Oct. 

Kylie is Philippines 6th Miss International winner. She is a pre- school teacher from Baguio City Philippines. A graduate of one of a private schools in Manila, Philippines with Business Management degree. 

Simple Lifestyle

When you get to speak with too many people trying to resolve their unique trouble over the phone on working days. On my day off.. I would like to stay home. Relax a bit after my usual house cleaning and laundry. There is  no place like home no matter how simple my lifestyle could be. 

On my day off.. My day starts with a cup or bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. This is instant oatmeal with choco, in a sachet. 

Veggies and rice for lunch and dinner. 

Series of Fantastic Events

Series of fantastic events happen today! What? 

I was able to download the latest game craze on my old phone. I got stuck on creating my name. It has been saying name is not available. Finally I got a name and caught tree cute characters inside my room! My phone is a bit of slow though. It is alright. I have no time to play the game anyway. I downloaded it just so I know. I would rather have time working on my cleaning, laundry, watching news on television and go surfing the net on my day off from work. 

I was about done with my dinner when my niece announced she ordered some food and be delivered anytime. I was full, yet my tummy has room for delectable delivery. Well actually, I just had a saucer of pasta. I will save the best (chicken wings) for last.  I had warm calamasi juice in lieu of coffee.  

Oatmeal for Breakfast

I ate a lot last night as I have to do some cleaning and laundry.  I need energy, you know. My dinner was steamed white rice and pan fried bitter gourd with egg. 

Yes folks, I follow the same sleep pattern when off duty as a call center agent. I work at night and sleep at daytime even on my day off. 

I thought of just having small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast this morning. Besides health benefits of oatmeal it saves money, time and effort. 

Coffee and Apple Pie

Coffee and apple pie after dinner last night... love it! Apple pie is courtesy of my niece. She ordered it from one of her favorite fast food together with some goodies for herself. We have same day off this time Saturday and Sunday, but different work schedule.  Happy tummy again!

Why do I like coffee a lot? I have migraine way back in my early teens. I found out caffeine in coffee is the cheapest and easiest way to combat migraine attack. If you suffer from migraine and you feel migraine headache is underway. Try taking a cup of black coffee. I take it without sugar. Caffeine constricts blood vessels and alleviates migraine headache. 

At the first sign of asthma attack coffee also helps. It is advisable to take strong coffee without sugar.  Caffeine is bronchodilator. It helps relax and clear the airways, for asthma sufferer to breathe easier. 

Happy Plant

So it is true some plants respond to artificial light. This one is inside my room underneath my night lamp. I noticed leaves became shinier than when it was in my living room. I switched their places. Sanseviera plant was in here before. The sanseviera is bigger now with three shoots. I had to repot the sanseviera and put it in a roomy space in my living room. 

It enjoys reading my blog.. I guess.  (lol) 

The Home Body

If you stay in a small home chances are you will find ways to at least make it look bigger. On my day off, I thought of rearranging my wardrobe. Instead of making it as a divider I had it right next to the wall. The bookshelf became its substitute as a divider. I am happy with the result. I now have a bigger view of my living room from the kitchen area.

The bookshelf as the divider. It took the place of the wardrobe. My niece was so happy when she opened the door coming home from work. at 4:30am. Her collections greeted her. Her collection of comic books she bought online.

Eid ul fitr Greetings

~To my Muslim friends, Muslim blog visitors and Muslim bloggers ~ 

Happy Independence Day America!

~To my American  friends,  my blog visitors and bloggers ~   

Greetings to all Canadians

~To my Canadian friends, bloggers and blog visitors -

Simple Home Remedy

My washing machine was clogged up with tiny bits of yarn, soap residue and all sort of dirt from years of used. I have to use a dipper to scoop the water out of it. 

For a while I thought it was a good exercise for my arms in lieu of dumbbells. But I had enough, when my back started to complain.I bought a pump, that one use for clogged lavatory sink but to no avail. I broke the pump after a month. 

Thankfully, Mr Google helped. A gentleman posted useful tips to clean and unclog washing machine on You Tube. Yesterday after work, I bought this wire from a hardware store at the mall. It looks like this when coiled. When stretched it is a meter long. Brilliant! It worked!