Talking to Myself

Talking to Myself http://achua88.multiply.com/ Tue, 6 May 2008 02:42:46 -0000 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:55:00 -0000 Talking to Myself http://images.achua88.multiply.com/logo http://achua88.multiply.com 100 100 Indiana Jones - the Lego version With all the hype around the upcoming Indiana Jones movie, Lego decided to come up with a new product line dedicated to the franchise. Kudos to Harrison Ford for having minifigs made in his image, as Han Solo in Lego Star Wars and now Lego Indiana Jones. <a href="http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-6p7goKCqIAAFhQV-o1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-6p7goKCqIAAFhQV-o1/lego.JPG?et=Qt8SIlB09faDnS24Og2Wfw&nmid=" border="0"></a> I wonder if these toys would ever reach Philippine shores. The local Lego distributor seems reluctant (or maybe slow) to release new Lego products (plus each set is quite expensive). <a href="http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/http://server8.kproxy.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R-6qMwoKCqIAAFhPVO81"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R-6qMwoKCqIAAFhPVO81/lego2.JPG?et=72y9%2Cxpu47ZEN9IBnbL3Jw&nmid=" border="0"></a> I'm not much into Indiana Jones, but the new lego sets showcase nice vintage cars, trucks, and tricycles. These vehicles would make a nice addition to a Lego builder's collection. (I'm guessing the truck set would cost around 1.5 to 2k pesos while the set with the motorcycle would cost around 1 to 1.5k pesos) http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/316/Indiana_Jones_-_the_Lego_version Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:55:00 -0000 Rice Hunting I'm not much of a rice eater, but living with a house full of workers we probably consume about one sack of rice a week. My mom's having a hard time ordering rice right now. She said the price of rice has risen twice over the week. She's called all her friends and our relatives. One is selling a sack for 1,500 pesos, our aunt (who owns a stall in a public market) is selling hers for 1,800 pesos. Rumor says that a sack would cost 3,000 pesos in a few week's time. I don't think there is a rice shortage at the moment. People are just getting greedy and hoarding the sacks out of greed and paranoia. It's mass psychology at work. The rice crisis is a self-fulfilling prophecy that is slowly coming true. Mom's thinking of sending our workers out to buy NFA rice. It's cheaper (18 pesos per kilo versus 35 pesos selling in the market). But you have to line up pretty early in the morning (around 5am) to buy the rice (shop closes at 10am). Each buyer can only buy up to two kilos of rice. There are cop... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/315/Rice_Hunting Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:35:00 -0000 When street children attack... A few Saturdays ago, Jen and I were traveling around Manila and we had the most unfortunate encounter with a few street children. Incident #1 We were riding a jeep going to SM Manila. Jen brought some take-out food and we thought of having lunch at the mall. When the jeep arrived at City Hall, this scrawny boy suddenly jumped into the vehicle and started brushing off everyone's shoes and sandals (note: he wasn't polishing or cleaning, merely touching everyone's shoes with a dirty rag pretending to clean them). Then the boy began to beg. Jen and I got out of the jeep and the boy followed us down. He kept pestering Jen, touching her elbows and looking at the food she was carrying. "Sa akin na lang yung pagkain" (I can have the food?) I was about to say something when another boy came out of nowhere shouting at the boy who was pestering us. "Wag mo bigyan yan ng pagkain, magnanakaw yan!" (Don't give him food! He is a thief!) The boy #1 continued to pester us (igno... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/308/When_street_children_attack... Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:33:00 -0000 Virtual Gallery (featuring Parables) This is another set of paintings that I found appealed to me when I was viewing the Drawing Room Gallery's virtual exhibit. These paintings are part of an exhibit entitled "Parables" and they were created by Rodel Tapaya. I found the portraits quite comical and colorful. Each painting depicts a Filipino (at least to me), with large and strong eyes that drew me into the work. The intricate patterns reminded me of checkered gift wrapping paper, but it further added depth to the portraits and their expressions. You can view these works and other exhibits at the gallery's website (<a href="http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php">http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php</a>). http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/59/Virtual_Gallery_featuring_Parables Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:54:59 -0000 Virtual Gallery (featuring FOLKgotten Myths & Tales) Here is another set of paintings I got while viewing the Drawing Room Gallery's virtual exhibit. You can view these works and other exhibits at the gallery's website (<a href="http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php">http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php</a>). These paintings were made by Rodel Tapaya. His exhibit is entitled "FOLKgotten Myths & Tales" which runs from February 9 to March 1. Obviously, the paintings in the exhibit are all inspired by local folk tales. Looking over these works made me remember those old fairy tales I used to read back in http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/58/Virtual_Gallery_featuring_FOLKgotten_Myths_Tales Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:50:39 -0000 Virtual Gallery (featuring Kiko Escora) I picked up a flyer/postcard when I dropped by Nano's exhibit a few days ago. It featured an interesting painting being exhibited at The Drawing Room gallery (<a href="http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php">http://www.drawingroomgallery.com/contemporary/html/main.php</a>). I was amazed at these charcoal sketches. They were drawn by Kiko Escora. This collection is part of Escora's "Map of the Problematique" exhibit. Each and every one of his charcoal sketch depicts a person who's face is either fully or partially covered. For me, these portraits appear to have a live and personality of their own. As if they have their own secret stories to http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/57/Virtual_Gallery_featuring_Kiko_Escora Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:51:40 -0000 Credit Card Perks and Rants I'm having free Jollibee spaghetti for lunch. This is the second day I'm enjoying a free meal, thanks to Jen's BPI card. <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R7EFugoKCqIAAEageAc1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R7EFugoKCqIAAEageAc1/banner_jollibee_525x140.jpg?et=UvZq2UZiS7QwlOTLbO3YVw&nmid=" border="0"></a> Apparently Jollibee gives away free spaghetti for every 500 pesos single purchase using BPI card. I'm so envious of BPI credit card and all the perks they have. Last time, it was Tokyo Tokyo Beef Misono... The only perk I have with my AIG credit card is a free dental check up, tooth cleaning, and discounts on other dental services. Well at least I have a credit card.... I tried to get rid of my AIG card by applying for a Shell-Citibank credit card... <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R7EF1QoKCqIAAEcGhoQ1/shell_mastercard.jpg?et=5k9HtLzN3Ab35tMy%2BGBDPg&nmid=" border="0"> I wanted to get the gasoline discounts that come with the Shell-Citibank card... Unfortunately my application got rejected. I guess I'm not good enough for Citibank :( http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/307/Credit_Card_Perks_and_Rants Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:33:00 -0000 Flowers at Dangwa Took these pictures two weeks ago with my Nokia 6630 phone. We were tasked to buy flowers for the Sunday Mass at Sinkun Church and I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of flowers... it's really a floral flea market. The flowers are cheaper here compared to the other flower shops in the city. But I'm definitely sure prices would go up as V-day draws http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/56/Flowers_at_Dangwa Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:17:26 -0000 Nano's art exhibit at SM Megamall The title of this exhibit is "We are not afraid of you and we will beat your http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/55/Nanos_art_exhibit_at_SM_Megamall Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:52:55 -0000 The season of love hits Divisoria Now that the Christmas season is over, the streets of Divisoria are once again cleaner and more spacious. The air is fresher and the battalion of yuletide peddlers have disappeared. <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R553UAoKCqIAACjkdHE1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R553UAoKCqIAACjkdHE1/01262008%28002%29.jpg?et=5AsrHN8jfITtFYuluD131g&nmid=" border="0"></a> So what's going on in the busiest commercial districts of Manila nowadays? Getting ready for Valentines! After looking over the stalls and shops in the area, I noticed that the shop owners have replaced the Christmas ornaments and decorations with a redder motif. Stalls in Divi Mall and 168 are now selling flowers, romantic candles, Valentine greeting cards, and other cupid inspired items. <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R553hAoKCqIAACedZEM1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R553hAoKCqIAACedZEM1/01262008%28005%29.jpg?et=aloyDmoDBsL2%2CWY2xz8EyQ&nmid=" border="0"></a> Of course, all these flowers are fake. But then they are cheap, and some of them beautiful. <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R553tgoKCqIAAC9SlL01"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R553tgoKCqIAAC9SlL01/01262008%28006%29.jpg?et=hbwjfrjHrsxS1ra7aDsa9w&nmid=" border="0"></a> Here's an interesting flower product being sold at Divi-Mall, a paper soap flower... <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R5532woKCqIAADaGswE1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R5532woKCqIAADaGswE1/01262008%28007%29.jpg?et=LwAQvYCilZTHVFx8gy3%2Bkw&nmid=" border="0"></a> Aside from Valentine products, some shops are starting to cash in on the Chinese New Year holiday by selling Tikoy.... <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R554AQoKCqIAADa5zxE1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R554AQoKCqIAADa5zxE1/01262008%28001%29.jpg?et=Ixsh5EpujAbk9fb5nGVzRQ&nmid=" border="0"></a> It just goes to show how much the shops here are in touch with the season, and know how to market the right products to buyers. http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/305/The_season_of_love_hits_Divisoria Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:37:00 -0000 PLDT = Sucky Customer Service Our landline phone at home has been dead for five days now. I have been calling up PLDT everyday, following up on the repair. The customer service people there are useless. I doubt they even care or sympathize with the customer's problem, they are merely following a script. Heck I already memorized their dialogue and lines. "Let me check the records sir..." "I'm sorry sir, but according to our files, someone already checked the line" (eh bakit ba sira?!) "I will write a ticket and notify the technical team..." (you've been writing tickets everytime I call you up.) "Medyo busy lang ang technical team ngayon, but they will fix your phone as soon as they are available" (kelan? when hell freezes over?) Good thing my mom applied for a bayantel phone. At least we have another landline phone available for use. The annoying thing is, my internet access is connected to the PLDT line.... that means no internet at home until the phone company fixes this mess. http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/304/PLDT_Sucky_Customer_Service Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:03:00 -0000 Dragonlance the New Adventures: Temple of the Dragonslayer The first time I saw this book, I was surprised that Dragonlance would publish a new line of stories for young adults. It seems that the publishers want to bring the world of Krynn to younger readers. The cover art looks cool. It reminds me of anime art and i think it is appealing to kids. Temple of the Dragonslayer is the first of a series of young adult novels called "Dragonlance the New Adventures". The series focuses on a new group of heroes -- all of them young teenagers, banded together on a quest to save one of their own from an evil black robed wizard. The events that happened in the novels happened shortly after the War of the Lance. The main protagonist of the novel, Nearra, is a young girl who has no memory of who she is or what she was doing wandering alone in a forest. She learns about a temple, where healers may be able to bring back her memory. Nearra begins her journey and meets several new friends along the way. Among these friends are a fallen knight, a ken... http://achua88.multiply.com/reviews/item/38 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 01:37:34 -0000 Kekexili: Mountain Patrol I stumbled on this movie accidentally at AXN last Saturday and I was glued to the screen. At first I thought it was one of those mainland films depicting life under communist rule, but as I continued watching, I realized this was a story about life in the wilderness of Tibet. The film acts like a travel documentary, revolving around a Beijing Photojournalist on assignment in Tibet. He gets first hand experience with the rugged and harsh life in the mountains. During his trip, the journalist encounters a group of Tibetan vigilantes who roam the land to protect endangered antelopes from poachers. They track down illegal hunters across the mountains, arresting violators and burying the carcasses of dead antelopes they encountered. The film portrays the harshness of the Tibetan mountains -- from its cold numbing frost, to its vast stretched of wasteland. It shows how people survive under poverty. Abandoned or simply ignored by the government, these people resort to illegal poachi... http://achua88.multiply.com/reviews/item/37 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 05:41:52 -0000 Children of Men Watched the movie on HBO last night. I 'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic movies and this was one of the best. The movie paints a realistic and terrifying vision of the near future, a future that seems all the more probable with all the problems that the world is facing right now. The movie is set in the United Kingdom of 2027. Mankind has less than a century to survive, since all women have lost the ability to conceive and bear children. Accompanying this crisis is a worldwide societal collapse, rampant terrorism, and environmental destruction. Britain becomes the last functioning government, persecuting illegal immigrants and refugees. Watching the movie gave me a picture of the world, if the present problems of global warming, political/financial instabilities, discrimination and terrorism would continue to worsen. Unlike other apocalyptic movies where mankind is quickly eradicated by some kind of holocaust, Children of Men shows a slow and more gruesome collapse of humanity an... http://achua88.multiply.com/reviews/item/36 Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:24:44 -0000 Books I want to add to my collection Thanks to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://rmacapobre.blogspot.com/">Max</a> and his obession with the Dragonlance series, me and my friends have been rereading the old books, revisiting the heroes of the lance. I remember reading Autumn Twilight back when I was in second year high school. In fact, that was the first novel I read outside of the required school readings.It's nice to reread these stories, and enjoy them during the holidays. But there's a new Dragonlance series that I have been itching to collect and read.... these are a series of Young Adult novels called "<a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonlance:_The_New_Adventures">Dragonlance the New Adventures</a>". <a rel="nofollow" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3mPma4IbBI/AAAAAAAAAjM/bEtHJTFzjsA/s1600-h/Dlya1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150305539087428626" style="" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3mPma4IbBI/AAAAAAAAAjM/bEtHJTFzjsA/s320/Dlya1.jpg" border="0"></a>The original series consists of eight books, but I could only see six books that are available here in the Philippines.Temple of the Dragonslayer (July 2004)The Dying Kingdom (July 2004)The Dragon Well (September 2004)Return of the Sorceress (November 2004)Dragon Sword (January 2005)Dragon Day (March 2005)Dragon Knight (May 2005)Dragon Spell (July 2005)The stories are set shortly after the Dragonlance Chronicles. It focuses on a rag tag group of you... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/299/Books_I_want_to_add_to_my_collection Wed, 2 Jan 2008 00:39:00 -0000 2007 Year End Celebration We just finished our Dec 31 evening meal and the air outside is reaking of smoke and burnt paper. The neighbors are burning away their money with those expensive fire crackers on the vacant lot beside our house. My stomach is stuffed with pasta, sweet & sour pork, fried rice, and radish/pork entrail soup. I get to sit down in front of the computer and write about the holiday celebration. Actually, this year's celebration was more enjoyable compared to the past Christmases that I had. Despite the hectic schedule, new work at a new company, surgey, and the news about my wife getting pregnant, this was still a very fruitful and memorable year for me. Here are some pictures I took from my cellular phone during the Dec 25 Midnight Mass celebration at Sinkun Church in Binondo.  <A href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvA64Ia-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/4tiQwvlKgQk/s1600-h/xmas+2008+1.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150128972981890018 style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvA64Ia-I/AAAAAAAAAi0/4tiQwvlKgQk/s320/xmas+2008+1.jpg" border=0></A> <A href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvBa4Ia_I/AAAAAAAAAi8/8VdAzDcBCIE/s1600-h/xmas+2008+2.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150128981571824626 style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvBa4Ia_I/AAAAAAAAAi8/8VdAzDcBCIE/s320/xmas+2008+2.jpg" border=0></A> <A href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvBa4IbAI/AAAAAAAAAjE/C2a-C5uX_qs/s1600-h/xmas+2008+3.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150128981571824642 style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R3jvBa4IbAI/AAAAAAAAAjE/C2a-C5uX_qs/s320/xmas+2008+3.jpg" border=0></A> I still make the time to count my blessings, practice being grateful and reflect on the lessons I learned for this year. There are still a lot of things to do in 2008, but I am confident that I'll do... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/298/2007_Year_End_Celebration Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:51:00 -0000 Baranggay Lego 2 I still have some remaining Lego pieces to do a couple of buildings for the "Baranggay Lego" themed set. So I came up with a Barber shop and a Two-in-one carinderia/celphone shop (with a mini grotto at the back). I also had some spare pieces to create a pinoy "Kalesa" -- one of my pet peeves while traveling in Manila. Hopefully I can take some pictures of the entire set, and add a couple more "shanty houses", and a jeepney or tricycle, for the barrangay collection to be http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/54/Baranggay_Lego_2 Tue, 25 Dec 2007 06:41:44 -0000 Doing a little good this Christmas This morning, Jen and I decided to do some 'spring cleaning' at home. I told her that I want to give away our old stuff to the <A href="http://www.tzuchizam.org/index.php">Tzu Chi Foundation</A>. We managed to collect our old T-shirts, pants, bags, sandals, and shoes. Some of the stuff were still new, but we never had the chance use them. So we figured that these clothes might be put to better use in Tzu Chi. <A href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R2zDhK4Ia2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/butzT5Nxtc4/s1600-h/tzu+chi1.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146703448800521058 style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R2zDhK4Ia2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/butzT5Nxtc4/s320/tzu+chi1.jpg" border=0></A> Actually my godparents are active in the foundation. The Tzu Chi organization is a Buddhist charity group that originated from Taiwan. The main thrust of the group is charity work (rather than focus on prayers/ceremonies and meditation rituals). The group had done alot of charity and relief work all over the country. Thanks to the foundation, a lot of Filipino Chinese became active in charity/relief work. While the group is predominantly Buddhist, they welcome volunteers from different faiths to help with their works. <A href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R2zDha4Ia3I/AAAAAAAAAh8/-GjfABKdA5I/s1600-h/tzu-chi2.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146703453095488370 style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R2zDha4Ia3I/AAAAAAAAAh8/-GjfABKdA5I/s320/tzu-chi2.jpg" border=0></A> The Foundation purchased the old Boy's Town/Girl's Town (located in Sta Mesa Manila) from the Sisters of Mary... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/297/Doing_a_little_good_this_Christmas Sat, 22 Dec 2007 08:16:00 -0000 Baranggay Lego The other day, I got to clean up my old Lego pieces and decided to build some stuff. I was inspired by the buildings and houses I saw while commuting to and from work. So I decided to create my own “Baranggay Lego” collection. Imagine a Lego set that depicts third world Philippines. From the squalid shanty towns, make-shift buildings and the people that inhabit them. That’s why I decided to make three initial buildings that would form this “Baranggay Lego”. So far I have created a sari-sari store, a vulcanizing shop, and a junk http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/album/52/Baranggay_Lego Sun, 16 Dec 2007 07:03:21 -0000 Online Tools for The Artists Way (from the Official Julia Cameron Website) For those who are creatively blocked, those seeking inspiration and ideas, those who are bored, those who need to squeeze out words from their head (as if their career depends on it)... This is probably the site for you. Honestly, the book is better. But if you need some tips and ideas, you can drop by this site. It includes a downloadable "basic tools" pdf document that teaches you techniques on how to be creative. It also includes an interesting article about creativity (and the psychobabble around it) and another article that teaches you how to create your own "creative http://achua88.multiply.com/links/item/38/Online_Tools_for_The_Artists_Way_from_the_Official_Julia_Cameron_Website Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:06:56 -0000 Via Ascris Christmas Party <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2EddgoKCnwAADWYDkA1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2EddgoKCnwAADWYDkA1/IMG_1683.jpg?et=yg4FKcCnPP2405VzXuCp6A&nmid=" border=0></A> It was nice to meet up with the guys at Via-Astris for this year's Christmas get together. Too bad some of the other VA members were not able to attend. The venue was at Murphy's (unlike the previous celebrations which were held at Brash). I thought I went to the wrong place when the sign outside the bar said: "Welcome Via Ascris!" Anyway, most of the guys were there, and we got the chance to dine on some ginger-bread TOS crewmen.   http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/296/Via_Ascris_Christmas_Party Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:52:00 -0000 Company Christmas Party <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2EZawoKCnwAAGWvJbU1"></A><A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2EadgoKCnwAAHuv4-g1"></A>It's a bit early this year, but we had a blast. We held the party at Grilla Bar and Resto near Rockwell.... the theme of the party is "black and white" Christmas... <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2EadgoKCnwAAHuv4-g1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2EadgoKCnwAAHuv4-g1/IMG_1680.jpg?et=lirMOUdNY9Y9m20HQWai1g&nmid=" border=0></A>                   <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2EZawoKCnwAAGWvJbU1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2EZawoKCnwAAGWvJbU1/IMG_1682.jpg?et=IORcIdRsyK5UfGR9WaRbig&nmid=" border=0></A> <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2C59woKCnwAAGRyMTc1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2C59woKCnwAAGRyMTc1/1.JPG?et=2YuYNq9YAZ9QwQKErgLFMQ&nmid=" border=0></A> <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2C6LQoKCnwAAGSAM7k1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2C6LQoKCnwAAGSAM7k1/4.JPG?et=FRZf5IgwGYJ3itceyHQdkw&nmid=" border=0></A> <A href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R2C6XQoKCnwAAGrbhlI1"><IMG class=alignleft src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R2C6XQoKCnwAAGrbhlI1/3.JPG?et=hwqcwQNrcIlppJGsewy9Jw&nmid=" border=0></A> The food is great. Definitely loved the spareribs, the thai chicken, the tuna belly in banana leaves, the calamares, and the chicken lollipop. Too bad I didn't win anything. I had to leave early to attend another party with friends. http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/295/Company_Christmas_Party Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:48:00 -0000 Dealing with writer's block Recently I've been having some problems editting a particular writing assignment. I've been working on this project since November and I think I'm now experiencing "writer's block". Nothing that I wrote seems to make any sense. Some of the pieces I wrote do not even connect well with one another. Got these pointers online. Hopefully they would help me cope with my writing problems. What is Writer's Block? You sit down in front of the computer, ready to get to work on your novel. You open a blank document, put your fingers on the keyboard, and completely freeze up. You cannot think of anything to write, even though you may have had a bunch of great ideas just a few hours earlier. Your mind is as blank as the screen in front of you and you start to wonder if you will ever be able to write again. This is writer's block and it happens to virtually all writers at some point. It may last a few hours or it may last a few months and during that time, you will probably question your ability to wri... http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/294/Dealing_with_writers_block Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:12:00 -0000 I have an exploding cellphone!!! Turns out my Nokia 6630 battery is one of those batteries that have to be replace. Apparently Nokia has identified that some its Nokia-branded BL-5C batteries could experience overheating initiated by a short circuit while charging and cause the battery to dislodge. Nokia issued a product advisory for free replacement of 46 million batteries and consumers can check if their Nokia mobile phone battery qualifies for the deal. I did check my battery type and it is one of those batteries that "might" explode while charging. I had been experiencing problems with my phone unit for some time now and I suspected that the battery has something to do with it. I already made an online request for a battery replacement, and from what I read, the replacement would arrive 2 to 3 weeks later. I guess I have to switch to my old Sony Ericsson phone in the mean time. <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R13hswoKCnwAAGU3GPU1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R13hswoKCnwAAGU3GPU1/bl5c1.jpg?et=cR5n5%2C%2BeutIphZtFuXKM5A&nmid=" border="0"></a> http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/293/I_have_an_exploding_cellphone Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:46:00 -0000 Company Christmas Party We'll be having our company Christmas Party tomorrow. I'm not really that excited about the party theme since they are promoting a "Black and White" Christmas. I already have something to wear for tomorrow night -- black jeans, black polo shirt, and black/white rubber shoes. I just hope that this year's food is edible (this means properly prepared and cooked). Last year I had stomach problems after eating hotel food. From what my colleagues told me, most of the stuff would be grilled meat, since we are having the party at a fancy barbecue/grill house. Anyway, among our prizes are a washing machine, a trip for 2 to Boracay, Microwave Oven, and Color TV. Of course the main prize of the night is a nice looking <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=24&l2=0&l3=0&l4=0&model=1907&modelmenu=1">ASUS EEE PC</a>. I'm not really expecting to win anything this year, since I plan to leave really early. Most of my officemates are thinking the same thing, since all of us still have to report to work the following day :( <img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3eujKUs8Ny4/R13VYodHpSI/AAAAAAAAAdI/L0CmXPb0oDo/s320/eee+pc+4g.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142500968680105250" border="0"> http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/292/Company_Christmas_Party Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:06:00 -0000 Heroes + Lego = Legoes Looks like D.M. Jeftnija is branching out his <a href="http://legostargalactica.comicgen.com/">Legostar Galactica webcomics</a> into Heroes.... <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R1kCUwoKCnwAAAvQNn01"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R1kCUwoKCnwAAAvQNn01/20071206.jpg?et=JoM1U3VEZrMRxnTM2XycQA" border="0"></a> <a href="http://achua88.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R1kBWAoKCnwAAHbZ4oA1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.achua88.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R1kBWAoKCnwAAHbZ4oA1/20071207.jpg?et=pT0J5LDy0IFdrz3uWm48sg" border="0"></a> http://achua88.multiply.com/journal/item/291/Heroes_Lego_Legoes Fri, 7 Dec 2007 08:13:00 -0000