Joyeux Noël à tous!

Bonnes fêtes chacun!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season!!!

Happy Halloween!

My new crush...

Yes, she's the one playing those awesome guitar solos... wow...

A little comedy on a Tues...

If Britney and Justin had twins...

Emergency kit

Right on the heels of Ondoy, Pepeng is threatening the country again... with the strength of Milenyo, this isn't gonna be something we can ride out easily.

With relief efforts still on-going, people may be caught off-guard when Pepeng hits.

The last thing we need is more casualties... so please be as prepared as possible.

An emergency kit should be packed and ready to go at a moments notice. This is my recommended kit contents good for 3-4 days per person. Although this kit is meant for extreme evacuation situations, pray you NEVER have to use it... but it's always good to have one ready for each member of the household.

Food rations:
try to carry at least 9 small canned items... sausages, spam, anything ready to eat.
Libby's Vienna sausages are small and easy to carry... no need for a can opener
1 can of Spam should be equal to 2 cans of corned beef or sausages so volume-wise easier to carry. Cookies, biscuits... individually wrapped. They contain sugar and can lessen the impact of hunger if you should be stranded for prolonged periods with nothing but your rations. Oatmeal cookies are slow to digest and can offset hunger and make canned foods last longer. Do not pack perishables in your emergency kit. Keep these at home. Emergency kit should only contain absolute necessities and compact food items that are sealed, water-tight, and ready to eat. Instant noodles/rice are out... keep these at home. A bag of pad de sal should be on hand as well. Although bulky, it's an easy source of carbohydrates and can extend rations longer. All this food, good for approx 3-4 days will weight about 2kgs, and will fit in almost any backpack with room to spare. Pre-pack everything.

Water... unfortunately, 3-4L of water per person would be the minimum needed... 1L a day to prevent any kind of severe dehydration. 2L would be best. That's 1kg of weight per liter of water. Hydration packs, and Camelpacks are recommended if you have them since they distribute the weight of the water as you carry it.

Medicine: fever & diarrhea pills, bandages, band aids. Keep some toilet paper in a ziplock bag as well

Clothing
Jackets, heavy raingear, anything to keep you warm IN the rain.
Boots if possible... hiking, trekking, or anything heavy duty. Military boots are cheap and can withstand anything. As goes for any military clothing. Wear a belt... nylon webbing if possible (military belts) they can be used to lash yourself to something if flood currents are too strong... and are strong enough to lift up a person in an emergency situation.

Equipment:
Heavy Duty LED flashlight. Buy one if you can. Waterproof, shockproof... LED. LED flashlights don't burn out, and make batteries last much longer. Have at least one ready and one spare battery set in a water tight container.

Ziplock bags... VERY handy. These can keep celfones, documents, money, etc dry and safe inside you bag. They are tougher than garbage bags, and can be reused after the calamity has passed. Keep at least 5 of them in your bag.

If possible, have a dry-box, dry-bag, or water-tight bag for all these items... if not, a garbage bag inside a heavy cloth/canvass/nylon bag will have to do.

Swissknife or any multi-tool. Even if it's just for the can-opener, these come in handy in all situations.

**For computer users... back-up! Laptops can easily be replaced... data can't. It's easier to save a removable HDD than carry a laptop in a flood. Backup all important data to a portable external HDD. This fits in a Ziplock bag or dry-box and can be brought in the event of flooding. If you don't have a portable HDD... burn all data to CDs and DVDs. These can withstand water damage (yes I've tried) and are much easier to bring with you should you need to evacuate your home or office.

Just say NO

Kessler Knigge's Etiquette Video on drugs...

...my next running shoes!

...on leaving the nest...

A lot of my friends have asked why I moved out. My parents didn't want me to move out... nor am I at an "I just need to get out of the house" phase. I just felt it was time. In the Philippines, (Spain and Italy as well, I think)... it's so easy to just stay home until you get married... sometimes even after. You wake up, and breakfast is ready... your room is cleaned and made up as you're having breakfast... and you rarely have to lift a finger for anything. But it was just time.




It sounds logical to stay home... even if you're financially capable of living on your own, why spend right? This is always the logical argument made. But sometimes, you realize, it isn't logical to do the logical thing.

I know of a few people that have moved out for different reasons. Some just want a "party place"... essentially a personal motel room... Others, have the "anywhere but here" reason for leaving home... those that have reached critical mass, and just can't stand being with their family & neighbors (granted, I will NOT miss the annoying sound of those f***ing 2-stroke scooters!!!!) ... I moved because I felt it was time. At a point in my life where I did not want to move out yet, but wanted to move out... I knew the comforts of staying home... but didn't want to wait til it got to the point where I just wanted to "get the hell out of here".



So I moved. And it's been a very easy transition so far. I think my trip to France helped a lot, I have to say, that that particular trip was the largest turning point in my life (even more so than moving out) and really prepared me for everything that has come my way since.




Moving to the Fort was a big step in my life, and yet has been the easiest step I've taken. I guess since I was neither kicked out nor did I run away from home... things progressed a lot smoother and easier than I expected. I think my folks are going through more than I am actually... hahahaha. (Oh, as their house warming present, they told me that they're footing the bill for my lovely ref! Yay!!! )




I don't really miss my old room, despite the fact that it's been my room for over 14 years... and my home for 25 years. (Maybe the fact that I don't hear scooters anymore helps... hahahaha)





I miss having a separate room for my studio work... but it wasn't getting used as often anymore so it's not that critical for work. But I miss the funky wall color I chose for it... and the dual personality it had... hehehe... kinda like me... bwahahahaha...




I missed Loki so I bought a fuzzy rug... HAHAHAHAHA... the rug is more obedient than Loki... and doesn't shed as much... HAHAHAHAHA...

when I visit my folks on Sundays, he's very happy to see me for all of 5 mins... then after I pet him and he's had his "worship me, I'm cute" fill for the week... then he runs off and doesn't mind me again til I come back the next week. HAHAHAHAHA...




But now, begins a new chapter in my life. In my new home. And I think I've done pretty well making it "home" in the past month since I moved in.




*Look Mitch, an oven...I can bake now! HAHAHA!*


It's quite tough moving in so quickly... thankfully I had the general design in mind already so once I moved, it was just a matter of how quickly my credit card could recover... hehehehe... and no, it's still dead...






I still lack a few essentials (like chairs... hahahaha)... a dining set, a proper work desk (which I have to have custom made for my studio needs), a shoe rack, and a dresser/desk for the bedroom.


But these can all follow... for now... I'm already home.

...start living...

urban sunset...

It's been weird living on my own... weird in a good way.

Here's to a new chapter in my life.

I'm still in awe with the view from my window!

Change in inevitable...

Resistance is futile...

...transitions...

I lived in New York Street...

...and went to New York City...

...loved 5th Ave so much...

...I decided to live there...

...hahahaha...



MY NEW HOME IN FAIRWAYS TOWER
FIFTH AVENUE, BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY!!!!!

My secret... revealed!

I think it's time...

to reveal my secret plans...

...

I'm moving...

to the Fort!!!

This has been months in planning...

and finally plans are all falling into place!!!

I can't believe how things just happen...

When things are meant to be...

they just happen... so effortlessly...

Don't you just LOVE the view??!?!?

4 days...

Will finally get to unveil my 'secret' plans in 4 days...

8-mcdo

Just went for a walk around the Fort... ended up eating in McDonald's... HAHAHAHA...

skylines...

..I've got a secret...

I've been keeping something a secret for quite some time now... It's been really tough since I've wanted to share it with all my friends.

But thankfully, the time for me to share it is approaching, and hopefully, I'll be able to unveil it within the next 2 weeks...

Til then... I have to struggle to keep myself from slipping up...

Hehehehe

check out the view!!!

Just got back from my trip to Chicago and New York...

...I'm gonna miss this view...

...or will I????

... hehehehe...

things to do in the afternoon

Let's meet at the Met!

I ♥ NY

..whew... going on my 2nd week in New York... whew... it's been quite a trip so far... and to think... my adventure has only begun...

PIZZA!!!!

Damn, now THIS is a PIZZA!!!

DEEP DISH...

CHICAGO STYLE!!!

12 hours to go!!!!!!!

Ssshhhhhh....

Been keeping something a secret for quite some time now...
When I get back from my trip...
I think it would be appropriate to make my plans known...

just clicking...

I just love this view of Makati...

Let the countdown begin!!!

Woohoo!!! 1 week to go before my 4 week vacay starts!!!!!!!

"Thank You" from Coldplay!

A free album from Coldplay. Recorded during their Viva La Vida concert.
(Which I happily was able to catch in Paris!!!)

twister...

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Geophysical, Atmospheric and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday warned the public of tornadoes during thunderstorms after two twisters were reported in different parts of the country.

Nathaniel Cruz, PAGASA deputy administrator, said the formation of tornadoes could not be predicted.

“They can appear very quickly and there is no way to predict where they would strike,” Cruz told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

The best thing to do, he said, “is to stay indoors when there is cloudy weather, all the more when there are dark clouds. We must also stay alert.”

Cruz said PAGASA sent two meteorologists to the area in the University of the Philippines-Diliman campus that was hit by tornado on Thursday.

“Based on their initial investigation, it was a real tornado. Witnesses said they saw a funnel-shaped column from above descend downward,” he said.

The UP tornado lasted 10 minutes, he said.

“Tornadoes form when there is a strong vertical windshear. When winds roll fast, they start to move from a high altitude going down to the ground. That is what a tornado is,” he said.

Original article from Inquirer.net

Rain...rain...go away... then come back... the same day...

Can I just say how much I LOVE wet weather tires?!?! Goodyear F1 GS-D3!

Anyway, I'm loving the weather right now... so unpredictable! Hehehehe... I'm thinking of getting storm gear for my camera... hmmm....

A = Mansanas

From New York Street to New York City!!!

The Big Apple baby!!!!

Never been there, so I'm very excited about my upcoming trip.

Will be spending most of my time in Chicago though, to visit my friends Zsar & Carl... and to go on a cheesefest in Wisconsin!!!!!! Hehehehehe!!!

...rainy days...

Thankfully it's raining! It was just getting waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot...

The "hayden khomera" scandals...

THIS is THE best entertainment to come out of our local TV channels since the Ted Failon BS. My personal take is that Ted Failon was the one who released the videos to take focus away from his wife's "suicide". HAHAHAHAHA!

Sheesh, from all the stories and all, I had high hopes for the videos... mildly erotic to say the least. Both Katrina Halili and the Brazilian girl were boring to say the least... only the other girl's video (Maricar) was worth watching, and considering that she was Hayden's GF at the time the video was made, I don't even see what the big deal is. Ok, gee, they had sex... wow... ok... they were a couple, duh!

If the senate puts even HALF the effort into most corruption cases, our country would be 3000x more productive.

I'm so excited!

So many things happening...

I leave for Chicago & New York City in a couple of weeks...

Then a big change in July... a long over-due "next step" in my life.

Let's see where this all goes!!!

Just had to share this wonderful video...

This is a beautiful medley of Love Story (Taylor Swift) & Viva La Vida (Coldplay)

Visit Jon Schmidt

Padyak Pinoy!

Back from Baguio to cover the Padyak Pinoy bike race. UBE MEDIA bagged 2nd place for the team competition!

Weekend fun...

Bimmerfest 2009 (Alabang Westgate)

Mother's Day (Hawaiian Grill)

Congrats to the Virlanie graduates!

Congrats to Batch 2009

Our new club logo!

New BMW CCP Logo

Old BMW CCP Logo

Bimmerfest 2009

If Today Was Your Last Day...

My best friend gave me the best advice,
He said each day's a gift & not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind
and try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride.

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause
There's no second try
So live like you're never livin twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
Would you call those friends you've never seen?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one your dreaming of?
Swear up & down to God above
That you'll finally fall in love.
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make it up by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late
To shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind
A moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
& tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
Would you call those friends you've never seen?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one your dreaming of?
Swear up & down to God above
That you'll finally fall in love.
If today was your last day...


-Chad Kroeger-

I wish I played golf...

I wish I played golf... Golf courses are always so nice, specially at dawn... I just can't bring myself to wake up at 5am to whack a tiny ball and chase it... hahahahaha...