07-29-06-Aquarium-GiantGourami&Say 

07-29-06-sayong-bfar 

07-29-06-fishpond2 

07-29-06-The Aquarium  

day off

I have just heard from the radio (DZBB) that there would be
no work in all government offices tomorrow. A few minutes earlier,
classes tomorrow in all levels in the NCR and a few provinces were
also cancelled due to typhoon Glenda's strength and based on the NDCC
recommendation.

Once more, God answered my prayer. Not that I was praying
for a stronger typhoon so that I could have one more day off. I was
actually praying that the President would declare tomorrow as a
non-working day because of the SONA.

I need one work-free day to have a rest. I've been so busy
this weekend and feel so tired. Actually, I still haven't finished
rearranging my room. I started around 5 p.m. yesterday, after
shopping with my mother at SM City Sta. Mesa.

Detour. I always bring my digital camera with me. But I
left it at home yesterday. While grocery shopping, Jennylyn Mercado
and Alfred Vargas were shooting for the I Luv New York. Later, we
also saw Mark Herras. My mother enjoyed seeing them and it would have
been nice if she had a memento. She happily told me that Alfred
Vargas smiled at her.

Before shopping, we also went to Delos Santos Memorial
Medical Center (now DLS-STI) for our follow-up check-up.

Anyway, I haven't been out of the house today but for mass
because I was so busy cleaning.

Now, I have to get back to it so that I can rest tomorrow.

sayong
07-23-06 9:30pm

fully-booked

Only 30 days are left before our trip and I still haven't
booked us a hotel. And I'm getting worried that we'd be left with no
choice but to stay in a very expensive hotel or in a cheap but
unacceptable one.

When I checked two weeks ago for possible hotels, there were
still many suitable ones. This means that these hotels are
reasonably-priced for the duration of our stay, strategically located
and have more positive reviews than negative ones.

Last week, I exchanged emails with the most suitable one for
our needs. Unfortunately, the hotel is fully booked on the dates that
we would be there. I agreed to be on its waitlist but to be informed
of the status of our reservation just a week before our flight is
simply too close for comfort.

So this week, I reread the reviews on the hotels I
short-listed last week and checked on new ones.

When I verified the rates of my new choices, I found that
they were already booked on the dates I want. I was so surprised
because less than two weeks ago, they were still available. It seems
that my choices are also the popular ones. It is no wonder because
from the reviews that I've read, there are only a few decent (very
accessible, good service, many amenities) hotels there that don't
charge the earth.

I compared the reviews of some Philippine hotels with hotels
of the same star rating there and our hotels are cheaper but better
(in amenities offered, services rendered, etc.). It is such a pity
that our country doesn't attract as many foreign tourists as they do.

Anyway, I can't afford to pay so much on accommodation and
yet, comfort is a prime consideration. My 59-year old mother will be
traveling with me and this is her first time to go abroad.

I wish that I could find a decent, affordable hotel before
this week ends.

sayong
07-20-06 11:55pm

07-19-06-Ardi@10mos10 

10-month old nephew

I believe that my nephew Ardi has gained a lot of weight this month. My arms tire much more easily whenever I carry him. And he has just turned 10 months old!

He knows a few tricks now that make us all laugh. Just last night, he held my sister's cellphone but instead of carrying it to his ear, he held it at the back of his head. Perhaps, it is still too heavy for him :) But without the cellphone, he could easily pretend talking on the phone. When we said hello, he put his right hand over his ear. He has also just learned "close-open" and clapping.

In the picture below, he was on my bike. He is no longer shy with the camera and loves looking at his own pictures.


07-19-06-Ardi@10mos


07-19-06-Ardi@10mos2

There are more pictures of him at http://sayscrapbook.blogspot.com/2006/07/my-nephew-ardi-10-mos.html.

sayong
07-19-06

two-way radio

I’m learning a lot because of all the pre-disaster preparations that our agency is conducting.

We had our announced fire drill last Friday. The recommendations of the observers from the Bureau of Fire Protection, the NDCC and the OCD were relayed yesterday to our team (communication) and the floor marshals (from the evacuation team) at the afternoon meeting. This is the first time that we were being met by teams. Before, we only had meetings with our team members.

Today, we had an orientation on the use of a two-way radio. I don’t think I could memorize all the codes and call signs until next week, when we will have our unannounced fire drill.


sayong
07-19-06

fire drill

Our agency conducted its announced fire drill last Friday.

And it aggravated my cough. My throat has been scratchy
since Tuesday night. I rode my bike after work around Bacood and got
caught in a drizzle. I treated my throat with salabat (ginger juice)
and by Thursday, it wasn't scratchy anymore though I coughed now and
then.

But last Friday, we had our fire drill and the fourth floor,
where our office is, was covered in smoke.

My other officemates immediately evacuated our room at the
sound of the first alarm. Otherwise, they would have been trapped.
The fire was at the training room (between our room and the exit).
The firefighting team members in our unit put out the fire. But as it
was a drill, the whole training room and stairs were covered in smoke.

As the communication team member in our floor, I had to alert
the whole Comm. Team that fire was ongoing in our floor and monitored
its progress. I had to run back and forth to the training room and
near the stairs to sound the three alarms. And I inhaled a lot of
smoke.

sayong
07-16-06

popularizing soccer in RP

I hope that San Miguel's Street Party at The Podium tonight
was well-attended. It was scheduled to start at 10pm this Sunday
until the live broadcast of the final game (France vs. Italy) of the
World Cup 2006 at 2am this Monday.

When my mother and I dropped by The Podium just before 9pm,
only a few people were at the Chill Area.

A replay of the game of Germany vs. Portugal was being shown
then. I was rooting for the Portuguese because I go for looks and it
was too bad that they lost to the Germans.

Anyway, I couldn't help thinking that there would have been
more people interested in watching soccer or the World Cup and in
attending its related activities if these were done in SM Megamall or
other malls that are easier to access or "pang-masa".

sayong
07-10-06 12:45am

07-09-06-Ardi 

07-09-06-Tet-Ardi 

07-08-06-Tom-dance 

light sandals

My mother and I bought new sandals at SM Megamall. Instead of style,
weight is our requirement this time. We expect to traipse a lot on
our forthcoming trip, so we'll use shoes that are light.

sayong
07-09-06 11:50pm

07-07-06-Says-DancePad 

07-07-06-Say&Bike 

07-07-06-Tom-Bike 

07-07-06-SaysBike2 

biking and dance revolution

After 19 minutes and almost 70 calories burned, I packed my dance
simulation game machine. If my memory is right, I last used it in
2003.

Superman

Last night, I watched The Lake House which starred Keanu
Reeves and Sandra Bullock. And last Wednesday night, Superman Returns
starring Brandon Routh,

Routh certainly came up to the standard set by Christopher
Reeve. I just found the ending of the movie quite dragging. I would
have preferred the last scene to be a comedy. But as a whole, I
really enjoyed it.

The people stirred in the middle of the movie, when they
heard Manila mentioned by a reporter as one of the places Superman was
seen.

Anyway, I finally got some time to watch movies. I don't
have German classes at night until September.

sayong
07-01-06 11:50pm