I’ve Moved!

Four months ago, I’ve announced that I’ll be moving soon. I’ve been happy with wordpress but I’m happier on my new home.

To see the latest changes in my life, please go to my Terapad site.

If you also want your own free website, go here.

Moving…

Despite of the fact that I’m happy with my page rank now, I’ve finally decided to move to a new space. I’ve been keeping this blog for quite a long time and it’s sad to leave.

The Starbucks Principle

by Nick Garcia

Haven’t you noticed how Starbucks has taken the place of Megamall, Enchanted Kingdom and Jollibee? Today, Starbucks spells gimmick. Suddenly everyone is mad about coffee, and is willing to spend a whopping hundred bucks for “one tall mocha frappe please!” or “I’ll have one grande iced coffee please!” Everyone claims it’s different, it’s something else and it’s to die for. Instead of catching a nice flick at the cinema, the Filipinos’ new idea of fun is to voluntarily park their buns at the café and gulp all the caffeine they can.

No one knows exactly why Starbucks has become the hot spot, when what they serve is just foamed Blend 45 for crying out loud. Oh, try pointing this out to Starbucks fanatics (ex. the likes of teeny-boppers and kikay girls), and you can expect getting attacked on how little you know about coffee. Get ready with answers like “Duh! Starbucks isn’t just coffee! They’re ground beans and processed chocolate and skimmed milk! What do you know about that?”
They have a point there, though, because even in the United States, when you talk coffee, Starbucks comes first. Their ingredients never questionable, and if I’m not mistaken, Starbucks is an establish-since-year brand. In short, Starbucks is the coffee authority. But it ends there. Starbucks is coffee, period, certainly not a gimmick place of some sort, not convincing enough as an alternative for the mall. This, I repeat, is the case in the United States.

But Starbucks invades Manila and here it becomes an obsession. As you may have already seen, the interior of Starbucks cafés are all designed to create a distinct ambience. Notice the Italian-tiled flooring, to the cowboy-motif wall covering, to the fancy lamps, tables and chairs crafted like those only seen in home magazines. Of course, who would miss the complicated bar counter, behind which all the grinders and blenders are displayed as if to remind you they really do process your cappuccino.

I mean, who can resist frequenting a posh place like this? Instead of worrying about other important things, the typical kikay teenager puts on her best dress and with her kikay friends goes straight to Starbucks where she orders “one tall caramel frappe please!” This takes time to prepare, which is fine. She feels rewarded by the fact that the ethical barista would shout her name across the room by the time her frappe is ready. After she claims it, she heads for the self-service counter where she takes excessive packets of extra sugar, extra cream and an inch thick of Starbucks tissue paper for souvenir. Then she sits by the front window, hoping someone she knows would pass by and see her drinking expensive coffee. She takes remarkably mall sips in order to prolong her stay, like a real smart-***.

During the entire process, there is the obligatory flaunting of Nokia cell phones, the occasional eruptions of “yeah” and “sure” here and there. You get the impression everyone in the room is from the conyo sector. Pathetic as it is, the Starbucks atmosphere is so contagious that it simply brings out the social climber in one.

You have to admit that the Philippine franchiser of Starbucks-whoever-he is-deserves credit. He’s certainly not stupid. He sees through us Filipinos, and definitely knows how to flatter us. Mr. Starbucks is aware of the average Pinoy desire to be associated and considered among the elite because well, in reality, the average Pinoy is far from being that. The average Pinoy home is less attractive than a place like Starbucks. The average Pinoy meal is without garnishes. The average Pinoy environment is less comforting and convenient than the service of Starbucks.

But when in Starbucks, the average Pinoy is instantly made to feel he’s in New York, or Las Vegas, or Paris, or anywhere else but Manila – one probable reson why we Filipinos buy this flick. We are total suckers for anything that is western in concept. But Starbucks has gone beyond colonial mentality; it has become pure escapism. It helps us forget about the EDSA traffic jam, the hostages in Mindanao, and the decreasing popularity of Erap. In this age of harsh realities of poverty and chaos, anything that offers oblivion and temporary indulgence sells fast. No matter how costly it is.

With their little creativity in repackaging, Starbucks is no longer just coffee. It’s already a religion. That we Filipinos practically worship that green logo with the exotic lady shows where we derive our strength to move on. It is from the promise of Starbucks every pay day.

Ces: What more can I say? AMEN!

Three Minute Management Course

This was sent to me by my former boss a year ago. I was scanning my emails to delete some of the unnecessary emails in my inbox for ages until I found this one. It will not consume much of your time but you will definitely learn something.

LESSON ONE

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing?” The eagle answered: “Sure, why not?” So the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

MANAGEMENT LESSON

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

LESSON TWO

A turkey was chatting with a bull.
“I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”
“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. “They’re packed with nutrients.”
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

MANAGEMENT LESSON

Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.

LESSON THREE

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

MANAGEMENT LESSON

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you’re in deep shit, it’s best to keep your mouth shut.

This ends your three minute management course.

Chikki

The first time I saw her in the pictures, I knew that i liked her..

23rd of September at 1:30 pm was one of the most memorable days of my life. At long last, I met her.. I was surprised to see her small body. She looked so fragile and yet charming. I was a bit hesitant to hold her at first but my hands did the moves. I was so nervous to hold her as i might break her into pieces. She was so adorable and I can’t wait to get home to feed her. It’s really the first time.

She was not comfortable at first to sit on my lap. She can’t figure out what type of position she’ll be doing to balance her body. Few minutes later, she finally found her spot. The trip is a bit exhausting. I myself had a motion sickness during the last minutes of the road. What more can I expect of her. she is about 4.5 inches long and a width of 3 inches. I immediately grabbed my small box and placed a nice towel for her to feel comfortable. After the long hours of trip, she finally saw her new home.

She was hesitant to land her feet at the floor until i used both of my lands to place her on a warmer cloth. She sniffed around and tried to familiarize every corner she sees. Few minutes later, she finally felt at home. She rans after me everywhere I go. She also lays upside down and asks me to cuddle with her. She was probably trying to impress her new master. And then the rest is history.

I look forward of the long years to come with her. I’m pretty sure those years will be a blast!

An Unemployed Graduate

An unemployed graduate woke up one morning and checked his pocket. All he had left was $10. He decided to use it to buy food and then wait for death as he was too proud to go begging. He was frustrated as he could find no job, and nobody was ready to help him.

He bought food and as he sat down to eat, an old man and two little children came along and asked him to help them with food as they had not eaten for almost a week. He looked at them. They were so lean that he could see their bones coming out. Their eyes had gone into the socket.

With the last bit of compassion he had, he gave them the food. The old man and children prayed that God would bless and prosper him and then gave him a very old coin.

The young graduate said to them “you need the prayer more than I do”.

With no money, no job, no food, the young graduate went under the bridge to rest and wait for death. As he was about to sleep, he saw an old newspaper on the ground. He picked it up, and suddenly he saw an ad vertisement for people with old coins to come to a certain address.

He decided to go there with the old coin the old man gave him. On getting to the place, he gave the proprietor the coin. The proprietor screamed, brought out a big book and showed the young graduate a photograph. This same old coin was worth 3 million dollars. The young graduate was overjoyed as the proprietor gave him a bank draft for 3 million dollars within an hour. He collected the Bank Draft and went in search of the old man and little children.

By the time he got to where he left them eating, they had gone. He asked the owner of the canteen if he knew them. He said no but they left a note for you. He quickly opened the note thinking it would lead him to find them.

This is what the note said: “You gave us your all and we have rewarded you back with the coin” Signed God the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. 1 Kings 17:10-16; Matthew 11:28-30

Have you given all to Jesus Christ? If you haven’t, do so today and he will surprise you.

Fishballs + Street + Usok = Cholera

Okay! Since I am currently into fish balls and all, I might as well share this recipe to you.. Enjoy!

FISH BALL

* 2 carrots
* 2 potatoes
* 1 head garlic
* 2 eggs
* 3/4-1 1/4 cups cornstarch
* ginger, pepper, salt,
* 1 kilo fish (lapu-lapu, talakitok, apahap, maya-maya, or carp)
* vetsin and soysauce

Procedure:

1. Boil fish for 3-5 minutes in water with ginger.
2. Strain and put in a container. Remove the heads entrails, skin and bones. Flake the fish.
3. Peel and chop the carrots, onions, garlic and potatoes. Mix and combine with the fish flakes.
4. Grind. Add the eggs, salt, pepper, vetsin and cornstarch.
5. Mash and form into balls.
6. Boil fish stock. Drop fish ball one by one into the boiling fish stock. Drain.
7. Deep fry in hot oil.
8. Store in sterilized bottles, add 2% brine solution (1 tsp. salt for every 4 cups water).
9. Cover and boil for 11/2 hours.
10. Store for 12 days.

What are we missing? Ooops, the sauce!

Red Sweet and Sour Fish Ball Sauce
1/2 Cup Vinegar
1/2 Cup White sugar
1 tablespoon Catsup, to color
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
Preparation

1. Pour Vinegar into pan, dissolve sugar, low-medium heat.
2. Dissolve catsup in 1/4-cup water, then mix with vinegar and sugar in pan. Slowly simmer.
3. Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4-cup water, then add to mixture, stir.
4. Turn to high heat for 10secs or until consistency is just right., add grounded pepper(optional).

Brown Fish Ball Sauce

1. Same procedure just add Sprite or 7 Up to vinegar and sugar mixture (according to taste) some fish ball vendors use Royal or Orange Soda.
2. For the color and consistency, substitute catsup with soy sauce and cornstarch with flour.
3. Note: Corn Starch makes a clear sauce, Flour makes a merky looking sauce, no difference in developing consistency)

Recipe from : EntrePinoys and Bohol.ph

Cookies

(From Qisas)

A small boy at summer camp received a large package of cookies in the mail from his mother. He ate a few, then placed the remainder under his bed. The next day, after lunch, he went to his tent to get a cookie. The box was gone.

That afternoon a camp counselor, who had been told of the theft, saw another boy sitting behind a tree eating the stolen cookies. “That young man,” he said to himself, “must be taught not to steal.”

He returned to the group and sought out the boy whose cookies had been stolen. “Billy,” he said, “I know who stole your cookies. Will you help me teach him a lesson?”

“Well, yes–but aren’t you going to punish him?” asked the puzzled boy.

“No, that would only make him resent and hate you,” the counselor explained. “I want you to call your mother and ask her to send you another box of cookies.”

The boy did as the counselor asked and a few days later received another box of cookies in the mail.

“Now,” said the counselor, “the boy who stole your cookies is down by the lake. Go down there and share your cookies with him.”

“But,” protested the boy, “he’s the thief.”

“I know. But try it–see what happens.”

Half an hour later the camp counselor saw the two come up the hill, arm in arm. The boy who had stolen the cookies was earnestly trying to get the other to accept his jackknife in payment for the stolen cookies, and the victim was just as earnestly refusing the gift from his new friend, saying that a few old cookies weren’t that important anyway.

Prisoners going gaga!

I’ve got to post this. This one’s makes me proud of being an artist. This is really funny, believe me! I salute the trainers of these people cause they really look like professional dancers. Not to mention that they are old and still have those reflexes. I’ll will not make you wait further, here’s the best video! Tadaaaa!!!!

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

I am not a typical 23 year old gal. I’m odd and unique in my own ways. Definitely not a kikay and not pretending to be one. Yes, i’m not friendly, i don’t socialize. I do get easily annoyed with social climbers and idiots. Yes, i do not belong to that. Don’t care either. You cannot see me in any disco or bar. I do not smoke. I do not drink alcoholic beverages. I don’t gamble. Don’t take recreational drugs. My smile is very expensive. You will seldom see me smiling or throw jokes. That is because i pick my friends and i keep them. I easily can tell if we would click as friends or enemies. I do observe each word that will come out of your mouth. The way you speak may not necessarily reflect what your personality is but i watch their meaning and how you deliver them. I am transparent. What you see is what you get as they say. I do not go for bola-bola’s. I mean every word that i say. I may say words that may offend you. I believe that is my strength thou. I am strict. I have a mirror personality effect. I will treat you the way you treat me. You may think that you know me well but you don’t. You cannot befriend me easily. If you win my heart and trust, you win it forever. I’ll be loyal and true to you. I can tell if you are bluffing or telling the truth. I can read your mind but you can’t read mine. Sounds crazy?

This may sound confessions 101 but don’t open your mouth yet unless i say so. This is my blog, my world, my territory. I am the main character. You are just an extra so better be careful with what you say. I watch you.