MARIPOSA'S TALES

Bacolod, Land of Smile

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:03:00 +0000

...or Land of Thieves?!

To say I'm set-up is an underestimation. I am not well. I don't feel well. I'm torn between being pissed and in disbelief.

I have been panic mode for the past 2 hours. I just got home from the grocery and I can't find my cellphone. I put it inside my pocket, at the back since I was wearing jeans. My blouse was long enough to cover it. I was too busy looking for stuff that the whole time I never had the chance to take it out, which was quite unusual. I always have this habit of calling the IT Guy while doing my grocery since we used to do it together in Cebu. Now I'm in Bacolod and have to do it on my own...but today I was with Mom.

Nothing seemed wrong. In fact I took my time at the ATM withdrawing some cash. The whole time I was not thinking of my cellphone 'til I put some of the groceries at the kitchen table. It was then I realize it's not with me. I had to call my carrier and had to argue with them for minutes because they're not able to offer any solutions except to deactivate my line. Now that was my last option. What I wanted supposedly was to just barred outgoing calls to make sure I don't get charged for any calls I did not personally make but to keep the line active so that way I can still keep ringing it in case it was turned over at the lost and found section. I gave up and just decided to let the IT Guy get a SIM replacement and send it to me ASAP. Thank goodness a friend is on his way here to Bacolod (our HR Manager) and now my SIM and my other cellphone is now en route to Bacolod. I will have my number working again as soon as it gets to me and I hope I have a way to recover my contacts because I have not backed it up for a while now.

I know it will be unfair to say this, but this incident today will be my first and lasting impression of Bacolod. I have lived in Cebu for 30 years and this never happens to me, not even in its most notorious streets. I have bee in the worst streets of Xiamen and Shanghai, this did not happen to me. Not in Manila, not in New York, not even in nightmares. I couldn't believe I will have my share in a very laid back city, inside a small grocery store located in one of the most upscale blocks in Bacolod.

I don't care about the phone, I care about my contacts and all the information there. I care about the photos there!

Who do I plea? I pray to the Patron Saint of lost things. If it was not stolen, please send it back to me as I feel like I've lost half my life losing it. If it was stolen, I hope whatever he or she gets from it is worth the crime he or she just committed and more importantly worth the agony it has caused me. And if it was indeed stolen, I swear, I only need a week to trace back who did it and I certainly will get back to you and I promise to make our meeting worth my while.

I am in a new place and instead of shopping for new furniture, I think I'm going to spend most of my money making sure I find out who just screwed me up. Nobody messes with Mariposa. Nobody.

The Beginning of The New ME!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:21:00 +0000

Yes...I'm a new person in some aspect. And my new mentor (the new boss) is reminding me of that everyday. I am the BOSS now and that I can do anything and everything to be successful and for "my center" to be successful. (I did mention I will be running a call center in another city, remember?) He always wanted me to think of it as my "center". By the way, the new boss, is one of the owners and I am so privileged and fortunate to be working with him and his family.

Anyway I have been shopping for ISP and was setting meeting with different Telcos. Today we had our meeting with PLDT. I never expected it to be the VP of PLDT. So this is how it feels to be a VIP. I am beginning to like it and slowly it is getting to my head that I am now a different Mariposa in terms of work status and all. While I couldn't care less about status quo, it is also a fact (and my boss keeps emphasizing this) that work dynamics is totally different now. I have to learn and adjust with how I relate to people and I guess time for me to make adjustments as how lenient and understanding and approachable I am.

It's Friday and I had a hell of a week, all for good though. I have accomplished a lot of things this week and is slowly getting settled.

Tonight I have to rest and chill out...and right now to me that means to blog. =)

Here is my Friday Fill-Ins for this week!

1. Why are you making face?
2. I want you to take me to the top of the world.
3. If we have to agree then it will be on my terms.
4. Let's observe and see what happens.
5. I could use a joke. Got any?
6. I thought I was lucky to get this job and then I realized it's not just luck, I'm blessed.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to blogging, tomorrow my plans include meeting the technical team that will handle our IT infrastructure and Sunday, I want to spend time with myself!

I wish you all a kickass weekend. I love guys...and I miss you all. I promise to catch up slowly.

Finding A New Home

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:47:00 +0000

And when the day arrives I'll become the sky

and I'll become the sea

and the sea will come to kiss me for I am going home.

~ Trent Reznor

The past days were manic days for me. Half of last week were spent meeting with different vendors for the new call center that I will be joining/ managing. It was the first time to be working closely with my new boss and so far it was fun. Last weekend I had to hurriedly prepare for my trip. As I have mentioned, I will be moving to a new city where the new call center will be built. Just about 30 minutes away by plane and I guess 5-7 hours by land, depending on the route. We took the land trip coming here and this is one of the first few photos I took.

So I am here now, in my so called new home. It was a bit hard finding for a place, and I was so ready to give up and was decided to just stay in the hotel forever. Ha! But well, today I found a nice house within a subdivision and it is well guarded. It is a two bedroom house, with a garden, garage and a garden! Yes, I have to type it twice for emphasis. I am just so happy to have a garden, as that is one place I love spending time with. Though it cost me a lot because I had to pay 2 months advance and 2 months deposit (and it is quite pricey than I expected) I'd say I'm happy to have found it.

And now that I have found a place and will finally be able to move there from the hotel, reality has slowly sunk in. I will miss my family and I will miss the IT Guy. Soon Mom and IT Guy will go back to Cebu and I'm just hoping work will be more than enough to preoccupy me.

I think I just typed a chapter of a book. I will try to write more about this new place and my new life as I get to settle slowly. I wish you all a happy mid-week!

Happy not so Wordless Wednesday everyone!

P.S. Happy birthday Papa! I miss you!

The Clown's Meme

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:04:00 +0000

...another meme from Sunday Stealing.

I got up today feeling sick. My colds has progress into cough, acck, I hate it. I just had asthma about 2 weeks ago and I don't need it back this soon.

Anyway, I miss Sunday Stealing last week due to Chinese New Year and so I am doing both Part 1 and Part 2 this week as well.

Let me start with the current, Part 1 will follow --

34. What do you like about the summer?

We have the sun all year round, so summer is not big deal for me. I am not a beach for person too...and well if there is one thing I like about it, I get to wear itchy bitchy clothes and flip flops! LOL

35. What do you like about spring?

I had a taste of spring several years ago when I used to travel a lot. A nature lover I am, I'd day I love how everything transform back to life...I just couldn't get enough with the greens.

36. How many states provinces have you lived in?

I have lived only in one place - Cebu. But that is about to change soon as I will be moving to Bacolod, a city in another island. I will move there to start a new job. Wish me luck! =)

37. What cities/towns have you lived in? #36

38. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet?

Depends. Most of the time shoes...and open toes so that leave sock out! The only time I walk barefoot is when I enjoying the sands at the beach.

39. Are you a social person?

I'd say. Though I'm not a party goer and I love to host parties.

40. What was the last thing you ate?

A friend of ours visited us and brought lasagna. His wife did it and it's yummy! That's what we had for lunch.

41. What is your favorite restaurant?

Now this will be hard, I have a lot in my list, but mostly Japanese Restaurants.

42. What is your favorite ice cream?

I'm not really fond of ice cream but lately I've been liking the flavors mocha and mango.

43. What is your favorite dessert?

Fresh fruits. Any. Bonus if there's water melon and kiwi.

44. What is your favorite kind of soup?

Anything hot is good for me! LOL

45. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich?

Strawberry and PB are the best! And I think I'm going to make one now! Haha!

46. Do you like Chinese food?

Some, not all.

47. Do you like coffee?

Is that a question? Life for me begins after coffee!

48. How many glasses of water, a day, do you drink on average?

Used to be hardly a glass, but now I'm hitting 8-10 glasses of pure water.

49. What do you drink in the morning?

Orange juice.

50. What non-banking related card in your wallet is the most valuable to you?

My HMO card. That is our health insurance card.

51. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?

Yes, always!

52. Do you know how to play poker?

I am good at it! :P

53. Do you like to cuddle?

Very much.

54. Have you ever been to Canada?

Yes.

55. Do you have an addictive personality?

I'm addicted to blogging and internet, does that count?

56. Do you eat out or at home more often?

I'd say both. I live with the parents and Mom always cooks for us but IT Guy and I spend time by dining out.

57. What do you miss about highschool, if anything?

My allowance. LOL

58. Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you?

Yes, several people in fact.

59. Do you want kids?

I LOVE kids.

60. Do you speak any other languages?

I can do Spanish but not that good.

61. Have you ever gotten stitches?

Yes, in my arm. Two sets, each about 10 stitches. Got it January last year.

62. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance?

No and I hope it stays that way.

63. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool?

Depends. If I'm too lazy I'd go for a pool.

64. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat?

I'd kill to get a window seat.

65. Do you know how to drive stick?

Aha.

66. What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Well I love buying stuff for friends and family. I buy shoes most of the time. I also find myself buying makeups and clothes that hasn't been used 'til now.

And now for Part 1 which I missed last week --

1. How old will you be in five years? 35

2. Who did you spend at least two hours with today?

The friend who visited me and IT Guy.

3. How tall are you? Almost 5' 2"

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?

Opening of the call center that I will be running.

5. What’s the last movie you saw?

Terminator Salvation

6. Who was the last person you called?

The HR Manager whom I just hired.

7. Who was the last person to call you?

My brother.

8. What was the last text message you received?

"How are you? How's your cold?"

9. Who was the last person to leave you a voicemail?

I just disabled mine. LOL

10. Do you prefer to call or text? Call.

11. What were you doing at 12am last night?

I was up checking emails.

12. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?

Married and happy together.

13. When is the last time you saw your mom?

She is with me right now.

14. What color are your eyes?

Dark brown.

15. What time did you wake up today? 9AM

16. What are you wearing right now?

A pair of short and a tank top.

17. What is your favorite christmas song?

When A Child Was Born

18. Where is your favorite place to be?

Home and garden.

19. Where is your least favorite place to be? Pubs

20. Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Forest

21. Where do you think you’ll be in 10 years?

At the garden playing with my children. Ahem.

22. Do you tan or burn? Tan.

23. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? Nothing.

24. What was the last thing that really made you laugh? A political joke.

25. How many TVs do you have in your house?

Just one. TV is never allowed in the bedroom.

26. How big is your bed? Enough to roll over.

27. Do you have a laptop or desktop computer? Both.

29. What color are your sheets?

Printed with butterflies!

30. How many pillows do you sleep with? 3-5

31. What is your favorite season? Spring

32. What do you like about Autumn? The Color!

33. What do you like about winter?

I tried it once or twice and I did not like it. Can't stand the cold.

So there you go. Wish you all a kickass Sunday!

The Best Part of Being Loved

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

PhotoHunt: ...CUDDLING

This is Mariposa with the nephew after playing at the garden for eternity! Can you tell how dusty his legs are and he put them on mine readily for a cuddle?! Ah, the best part of loving and being loved...to have someone to hold with. I'm sure to miss this once I move to Bacolod for the new job.

Please visit PhotoHunt's HQ to see others CUDDLING!

Wish you all a great weekend!

Pool Party Coming!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:45:00 +0000

It's almost summer here and IT Guy is trying to fix the nephew's cute swimming pool. Then we thought of doing a pool party for the nephew's birthday. Well his birthday is still about 6 months from now that hey, we need ample time to plan! Especially that we might need to do some changes at the lawn to accommodate the said activity.

IT Guy told me that we need to consider having above ground pools. They are way cheaper and we can take it down anytime. Also with the limited space that we have this might be the best for us. Add to that the young nephew's safety. If we just simply remove the ladder, then he can't go in there anymore! Nobody here is a serious swimmer so I guess we will get by with this type of pool for now. I think I can take care of the aesthetic part and can make it look natural. Yes, we are that crazy to consider getting one for the party. We're too tired of hosting a party in a country club or hotel. I want a homey and cozy pool party so we do barbecues and those other fun stuff. After all, guests are all close friends. And more than anything we want the nephew to enjoy and I'm sure he'll love to stay in the water with other children.

So now we have a theme for the nephew's birthday and we will start collecting items that will be good for giveaways. IT Guy said he will take care of the pool. Ha! So sweet...so that is off my expense. The brother and SIL will once again complain that we might be spoiling the child, but who cares, flower blooms in abundant water!

And for you guys, you may want to have your own pool party too!

Choosing Furniture

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:37:00 +0000

I am so excited with the new job that I have started shopping for some nice furniture, not only for the office but for the new home. I have not chosen a place to stay yet but it is always nice to start looking around as early as now.

In my search I found several good furniture both for the house and office. I have found some really interesting pieces and I can't wait to see the actual layout of the building (office) to finally decide if they would fit in there. And it is quite a bonus that I found some good deals too like the discount furniture offers!

Now I am battling whether I chose some cozy fiber or get leather furniture. For one, the leather I am guessing is quite low in maintenance and will not host dust like some fibers. I can't stand dust as I have allergic rhinitis and this allergy once triggered take a long time to go away and is more than enough to drag me down. And THAT is the last thing I want when I'm away from home and has a new business to attend to. Another consideration I am particular with is the color. I am very conservative and would like to stay with earth tones. I think I have them covered for now as well. All I need to do now is get to the new place and check.

Dress Children Like Chidlren

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:25:00 +0000

Fashion do give out its own statement and this is not just true for women but for young girls too. Yes, the little citizens of the world has also their own fashion statements. I am sometimes startled to see young girls sending out not so good statements with what they wear. I am not so particular with clothing, in fact, my rule is, whatever is comfortable. Comfort however in my book is extended to the concept of wearing appropriate clothing given a place and a time, so that way you are also giving a sense of comfort to the people around you.

Have you ever seen young girls being forced to look like Hollywood stars by letting them wear model-like outfit? Not only these clothes make them look older, it robs them the privilege of being young girls! I mean, they are children, let them be, and start by letting them wear clothes suitable for their age.

I always shop for children's clothes specially during the holidays and I always make sure I get what is appropriate for their age, so that way they look pretty young girls, and not an adult trap in kid's bodies. I found some really nice collection of children's clothes and I'd say these are what I consider as appropriate clothes for young girls. You can go check it out and I'm sure you will all agree with me on this.

Lessons Coming From the Road

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:50:00 +0000

Having engine trouble? Couldn't figure out what is wrong with your car? Give it up and get some professional help!

That is one lesson I learned while on the road, and for goodness sake in one of the roads in LA! That was some years ago...but that lesson I'm able to carry with me 'til now. I had some engine trouble and couldn't figure out what's wrong with the Honda Civic I was driving. I was guessing it was the head gasket that needs replacement, but boy, where and how will I do that? So I had to call the owner of the car and told her what was going on. After a long litany of my own car diagnosis, the friend gave me a very simple instructions, and that is to call Los Angeles auto repair.

Why haven't I thought of that? Why did I not ask where to get some help rather than where can I buy parts?! LOL

Business of Helping the Elderly

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:39:00 +0000

I'm in a manic mode right now. I still have to start packing. And I have to pack a lot because I will be moving to a new city for the new job. I am quite excited just that so many things to do and as days passed, I feel like I have so little time left. Mom still has to visit the Grandma at another province. I really wanted to go as it might be 3 to 4 months before I could go and see her but then looks like it is not just possible.

Grandma always has me worried at some point. I am very close to her and I cannot just be at peace with the thought that she is far from us and she live alone. Can you imagine an elderly living alone? While my Moms 2 of my Mom's siblings live nearby, it is just sad that we couldn't rely on them to take care of her. Good thing my Grandma is quite strong despite her senior years.

So what Mom do to make things work is she or we visit Grandma 2-3 times a month to make sure her needs are covered. Mom for the most part go there to clean the house. Grandma cleans it too but Mom do the general cleaning for her. I think this is one area where the elderly has some challenge doing, cleaning their home. I am thinking since most of the elderly here either live alone or live with their children, they might be needing assistance in cleaning their home. I don't think our case is an exception. I was kidding Mom that we might as well get a cleaning franchise. That way we have some of the chores for Grandma covered and at the same time we have a business and we could specialize on helping the elderly, after all there is that latent demand and they are a captive market. Right?

Hmmm, let me go and think about this seriously now!

And Friday Came...

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:08:00 +0000

It's a Friday and I'm nursing a cold. Pfft!

Anyway, here is my take for this week's Friday Fill-ins!

1. Johnny Weir the skater?

2. Vancouver is hosting 2010 Olympics.

3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud is more costly than the risk it took to blossom. *I love this poem by Anais Nin, take note I changed the word painful to costly since this line speaks to me strongly with my decision to join a new start-up company in another city. This will be the first time I will be away from my family.

4. Yield for it if you get an urge. Hehehe!

5. Having sweet dreams makes my coffee every morning sweeter.

6. What does it take to make dreams come true.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early, tomorrow my plans include doing the grocery and Sunday, I want to start preparing for my trip. (I will be moving to another city end of month for a new and more challenging job!)

Hope you all enjoy your Friday!

Get Paid To Shop Promo

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:21:00 +0000

I've been talking about online shopping and its conveniences the past days. Today I'd like to discuss about a recent discovery, the ma Cashback - Get paid to shop. Has anyone heard of it? Like me, I'm sure most of you have heard this get paid to shop programs many times but like me I have not really gotten into knowing it until now.

Get paid to shop is well, exactly that! Every time you shop you get something it, a cash back. And take note, they don't give out promo credits but cash! Cool!

I know many people go to Target to find items which are reasonably priced. And well, if you go to Target.com, not only you find those reasonably priced items, but you also get 5% less for shopping online. But then, if you subscribe to ma Cashback, it let you shop Marketamerica.com, then through Target.com. You still get your 5% off from Target, and an additional 2% off for Marketamerica. You 2% more without any inconvenience, a win win thing as how I see it. Subscribing to this program is free and this is a no obligation deal, so no harm in trying checking it out, like I did.

Brought to by: Marketamerica.com

Mariposa's Preoccupation

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:42:00 +0000

Time flies so fast, it's been home for just almost a month. No trips to office, no graveyard shifts, no stress! I just made the best decision of staying at home and taking some rest before joining a big project. The past weeks allowed me to do so many things, stuff that I love to do and have been wanting to do but did not have the time.

As most of you could guess I am referring to my online activities. Other than blogging and reading blogs, I have been able to do research and some readings. I am able to shop around too. And I don't mean just clothes, shoes and makeups. I have been shopping for my other passion - books!

Shopping is a very good way to release stress for me! And I don't necessarily spend so much. What I enjoy most every time I do shopping the experience of going through several choices, examining each, comparing them against each other and then coming up with a decision. Now, imagine doing that from home because it's online shopping. I don't have to walk around in my high heels...and I can do it anytime!

Shopping for books is always fun but doing it online couldn't be better! That is because I always get what I am looking for and most of the time I have lots of discovery. Sadly the bookstores here doesn't have much of what I am looking for. Offers.com is a showcase of the things I love and have been looking for. If you need to find me, go there, I'm always there!

Women's Perspectives

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:32:00 +0000

For Thursday 13, I'd like to share to you guys 13 words from the women dictionary! I got this from email and it made me chuckle...and smile. Hope it will do the same to you!

Argument (ar*gyou*ment) n. A discussion that occurs when you're right, but he just hasn't realized it yet.
Airhead (er*hed) n. What a woman intentionally becomes when pulled over by a policeman.
Bar-be-que (bar*bi*q) n. You bought the groceries, washed the lettuce, chopped the tomatoes, diced the onions, marinated the meat and cleaned everything up, but, he, "made the dinner."
Cantaloupe (kant*e*lope) n. Gotta get married in a church.
Clothes dryer (kloze dri*yer) n. An appliance designed to eat socks.
Diet Soda (dy*it so*da) n. A drink you buy at a convenience store to go with a half pound bag of peanut M&Ms.
Eternity (e*ter*ni*tee) n. The last two minutes of a football game.
Exercise (ex*er*siz) v. To walk up and down a mall, occasionally resting to make a purchase.
Grocery List (grow*ser*ee list) n. What you spend half an hour writing, then forget to take with you to the store.
Hair Dresser (hare dres*er) n. Someone who is able to create a style you will never be able to duplicate again. See "Magician."
Hardware Store (hard*war stor) n. Similar to a black hole in space-if he goes in, he isn't coming out anytime soon.
Lipstick (lip*stik) n. On your lips, coloring to enhance the beauty of your mouth. On his collar, coloring only a tramp would wear...!
Waterproof Mascara (wah*tr*pruf mas*kar*ah) n. Comes off if you cry, shower, or swim, but will not come off if you try to remove it.
Valentine's Day (val*en*tinez dae) n. A day when you have dreams of a candlelight dinner, diamonds, and romance, but consider yourself lucky to get a card.

Happy Thursday to all!

Wish You All Wealth and Success!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:35:00 +0000

We just celebrated the Chinese New Year and we will have different related activities for the next 2 weeks. A tradition that the family gets to keep for the most part is the giving of red envelopes. I, personally is fond of giving red envelopes may it be new year or any special occasions such as birthdays. I'm sharing you one here. I wish you all success and prosperity for 2010! May this be your best ever!

Happy Wordless Wednesday everyone!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:58:00 +0000

This new year is all about BIG things happening, and this is quite true for Mariposa. As most of you know we always celebrate Chinese New Year, and I did share our moments for the past years now, remember 2008 and 2009? So the past days had me, the IT Guy and the entire family busy preparing for the big day.

Last week I already did my advance visit to the Taoist Temple and we should go back there tomorrow. My decision to leave work earlier and stay at home first before starting the new job just made this new year the best so far. I'd say the best because for this particular one I'm able to spend more time at the kitchen and was able to plan everything out. Woot!

The house was more than ready for it as IT Guy did some of the decors...as you can see here --

We also prepared some money in red envelopes for the traditional monetary gift. In Mandarin we call these red envelopes Hóng Bāo, and Lai See in Cantonese. We do this not only on new years by the way, but also on other special occasions such as birthdays and weddings.

Here we hanged some of in one of the small tree in the garden --

Here is a closer look!

We also prepared some food for dinner and of course the traditional new year delicacies --

I did my favorite beef caldereta. I made it a little more spicy than the usual to help welcome the year of the metal tiger. I also made sure there are enough veggies on it for health and longevity. The IT Guy did the spaghetti. As most of you know, noodles are for long life and the nephew love it! The rest are the usual, spring rolls, sweet and sour fish, lechon kawali and other desserts. One things unusual here as you may have noticed is the whole chicken, and it is really WHOLE, as you can see, it still have its feet and head. Yes, we have this every new year too so symbolize completeness. Got this particular tradition years ago when I visited mainland China.

For the other usual delicacy, we have the traditional tikoy, macy, huatki, chibiko and of course, my favorite fortune cookies!

We also prepared some candies and chocolates!

And of course some dried sweet plum, jelly candies, dried pineapple and sweet potato candies!

All those, and some other which I feel no need to be mentioned is more than enough to make the table so crowded!

I also have to mention that IT Guy took care of the fireworks part (he always does anyway) and this year is just AMAZING! I did not take any video as I wanted to enjoy it and just really watch and enjoy. He told me he found a new supplier and we plan to have another firework display soon! Maybe on the nephew's birthday.

So here are some snapshots of the celebration we had last night --

Once again, Gong Xi Fa Cai to all of you! That is how we greet in Mandarin, and while we say it differently in Cantonese, Gong Hey Fat Choy, just for everybody's info, they're both written the same. =)

Congratulations and Be Prosperous!

Mariposa's Going Bananas

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:08:00 +0000

I've been most of my time at home baking banana cakes the past days. So if you visit you will see bananas all over the kitchen!

So for Thursday 13, let me share with you some facts about bananas -

It is believed by many experts that bananas were the first fruit cultivated by humans.
The banana "tree" is not really a tree, but a giant herb. The banana is the fruit of this herb.
The strings that go up and down the length of bananas are called Phloem Bundles. They help distribute nutrients to every part of the growing bananas.
The cluster of bananas sold in supermarkets is a "hand" of bananas, while the individual bananas on the hand are called fingers.
The yellow bananas that are most often sold in supermarkets are sometimes called "dessert bananas" because they are soft and sweet. And this is the type I made into banana cakes such as this --

Plantains are a type of banana that are not as sweet and are usually cooked. While not as commonly eaten in North America, plantains are a dietary staple in many tropical regions like here in the Philippines!
Worldwide, bananas are the fourth largest fruit crop.
The banana peel is edible, though perhaps not very palatable unless cooked. Acckkk! LOL
The banana split was invented in 1904 by 23-year-old David Evans Strickler, an employee at the Tassel Pharmacy soda fountain in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
The song "Yes, We Have No Bananas" was released in 1923 and became a huge hit. It refers to the banana shortage at the time
In 2001, Britain recorded 300 incidents of injuries related to bananas. The majority of these involved people slipping on banana peels. Please be careful of those peels!
Alexander the Great first came across bananas in India in 327 B.C.
The pejorative term "banana republic" was coined by American writer O. Henry. He used it in reference to Honduras, but the term became widely used in reference to any Latin American, Caribbean, or African country that was politically unstable, relied heavily on basic agriculture, and was not technologically advanced.

So there you go...happy Thursday to all!

The Port of Cebu

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:58:00 +0000

IT Guy took this shot inside the boat on our way to Bohol few week ago. This is a facet of the port of Cebu.

Happy Wordless Wednesday everyone!

Simply Be Yourself

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:57:00 +0000

It's rather late and I'm trying to get some sleep. Meanwhile I'm helping a friend shop some clothes. She keeps complaining that she can't seem to find anything sexy given her size. Duh?! What's up with that. I believe we all can be sexy regardless of our weight, height and what have you. It all starts in the mind, then we need to project it. I am also partly blaming the size availability of some clothing brands. It's not just giving a good message to some people.

Well I'm up to prove her notion that she can't find anything sexy for her WRONG. So I have been touring the net for some minutes now and I got into this online store which sells plus size clothing. I have to say their designs are well chosen too. I LOVE them!

So there finally I found something for her. Something that will let her be herself. They are fashionable and more than anything, comfortable and let me add affordable too!

So, you need clothes that will let you be who are? Visit SimplyBe Women’s Clothing and you love to dress yourself! Promise! =)

Wednesday Delight

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:27:00 +0000

Resigning from my job and deciding to take a rest for some days before starting the new one not only did give me time to get that rest that I need but it lets me do some things I've been meaning to do. I am so delighted to be back doing Word Filled Wednesday.

Last weekend we brought the nephew to the mall and had hist haircut done in one of the barber shop there. As usual he cried a lot that we have to bribe him with his favorite spaghetti after. This is one of the things that gives him joy. He did enjoy it despite him not feeling so well then.

"Your law is my delight."

- Psalm 119:174

Looking at this photo and just about every child taking delight on little things had put me into some thinking mode this whole week. Once again I have to ask myself what are the things that gives me joy and how they how much they matter in my life. I am glad to note that all of them come only next to God and my family (and friends and the people around me). Many times in our lives we get too passionate over the things which delight us that we are so easily manipulated by temptations. Sometimes these things make some lives so tragic because they let these things rule over them forgetting God and their families. Psalm 119:174 reminds us once again on the thing that matters most.

Look around you and ask yourself, do you love God more than those things. God takes delight in us, how can we help but take delight in Him?

Celebrate with us
and join us
as we share inspiring Bible verse
at Word Filled Wednesday

Crowd Control Measures

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:37:00 +0000

Have you ever organized an event which requires you to do some crowd control? And I mean not just yelling and asking people to stay calm and orderly. =)

Well I was into even organizing many years ago and I'd say one cannot just underestimate the need to facilitate traffic, impose security and do crowd control. I was very young then and had to seek help from experts in my explaining to me measures for crowd control.

Crowd control requires some planning, expertise and some products which will help in assisting the crowd. Depending on the type of crowd, crowd control may vary from a simple putting up of barricades to setting up stanchions. On top of that, one may need additional manpower to make sure everything is being followed accordingly.

Barricades can be of different forms. For instance, the government here imposes no jay walking and they use those orange traffic cones to make sure nobody crosses the street nor no cars making illegal U-turns. There are also fence barricades which I have used when I had outdoor concerts. But the best one I've tried so far are stanchions as these let me use retractable belts and or ropes. In almost all of my formal events, especially the indoor, I have used this one. I am happy with the fact that it lets me choose the color of the ropes and do some prints on it. That allowed me to customized it according to the theme of my events. I have used it in bridal fairs, product launch and other political events with some VIP guests.

So if you are to organize your own event, grand or personal, you may want to consider this aspect more than anything. Nothing ruins a nicely organized event than a chaotic crowd.

Asking Friends To Be Your Bridesmaids

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:05:00 +0000

I know I've been a slacker and the IT Guy and well even friends are slowly getting annoyed with it. But heck, it's my wedding so please let me take my time!

Anyway, this week I intend to finalize some aspects of the wedding but the date! LOL I can't seem to decide on the date as I have not made up my mind yet if it's going to be a church wedding or a garden or somewhere at the beach. All I know is it should be so early in the morning before I want that sunrise over my shoulder!

I will be working on wedding favors this week and the weeks to come. I know there are really a lot of do-it-yourself out there but since I don't have that luxury of time I guess I might as well find some professional help. So I have been shopping around oh my, I found these cute "will you be my bridesmaids" wedding favors.

I am just so excited now. I think what I just found will just compliment whatever stuff I have (yes I've been collecting stuff years ago for my dream wedding, and include the IT Guy there! LOL). And I bet with these cute thingies asking friends to be your bridesmaids will be more exciting to them!

Anyone looking for some wedding favors out there, you may want to check out my discovery. It did pass my taste, and I was a wedding planner before and hey, it's my wedding we're talking about. So I'm sure you will LOVE it too! I just know because I so LOVE it!

Never Too Late To Give Calendars!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:50:00 +0000

We're in the middle of the first quarter of the year but certainly it's never too late to give out 2010 presents to friends and clients!

I still find companies and some people still sending corporate gifts. Most of the gifts I got the past weeks are pens, organizers and desk calendar. Needless to say I have just a lot of them right now! LOL

Mariposa and IT Guy did give out some as well. We also gave pens and some executive planners. We thought then we ordered a lot but oh boy, we did ran out! I never realized IT Guy has a lot of friends...and his corporate network suddenly seems bigger. Well for one, I work in the BPO and since it is off shore I cannot just send pens to clientz and friends in the US and Europe. The shipment would be way more costly than the item. Anyway, going back, yes we did ran out of supply. At first I was like, well, there's none so we stop giving. But wow, people are asking for it. We feel bad when they say hey you give so and so something, where is mine. Though they may say it jokingly but still, we can't help but wish to have more to give.

Enough for wishes, Mariposa is big on making things happen to today I opted to order more items. This time, not pens, but pocket calendars! After all we're still in the first quarter and Chinese New Year is still approaching, so I can technically argue that it's not that late yet, right? =)

Ballroom Dancing

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:39:00 +0000

I've been away once again. No, I wasn't sick...not that busy as well, just having my lazy days. And though I was away here, I was at Facebook most of the times. Ha!

Anyway, one of my friends there won in a dance competition. It was a dance sport...something. There were times that I got interested with ballroom dancing. Well I am still but I just don't have those set of friends to go anymore. I think I miss it. I love dancing and more than specifically ballroom dancing. The IT Guy unfortunately falls into that category of "tough men don't dance". LOL There was a time though that he tried and started joining my Saturday dance practice, but that was short-lived. I wonder what happened. I guess it was our schedule, most likely my schedule.

Right now more than anything I just want to go back to dancing. Nothing big and fancy like the way it used. No competition for sure, but there will be more fun I hope!

So what's the first thing to do when you are into dancing?! Guess what! You have to shop for your dancing attire and that means those cute little dresses and a cute shoes to go with it!

It's Friday!

mariposatells@gmail.com (Mariposa) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:02:00 +0000

This turns out to be a rather busy Friday and I did not even realize it 'til it's 4PM (Philippine Time). I had to meet my best friend at the mall, we had coffee, then I met the web developer, then had 2 other meetings after that.

Now I'm sitting here all by myself trying to sleep, few minutes back I was so ready to hit the sack but then I just lost it like that. The IT Guy is not feeling well and had to retire early.

Good thing I still have some things to do, here comes my Friday Fill-ins!

1. I know what I want.

2. The month you promise to visit when you didn't was the longest month.

3. You can't help but fall in love with me. (Bleh!)

4. To all detractors; bring it on!

5. Where have you looked when I am just here beside you all this time?

6. He is now available.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting more sleep, tomorrow my plans include visiting the Taoist Temple and Sunday, I want to bake more banana cakes!

And before I go and visit others, let me share with you what I have been playing over and over for an hour now. Gosh, how could I blush listening to this! Well, what's new, it's Friday and I'm in love!

Happy Friday everyone!