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We were stuck in the office when typhoon Ondoy hit (international name: Ketsana). HR department distributed Fita biscuits to tide us since all stores are closed, or already without food.
During and after the storm I realized a lot of things.
1. I failed in the emergency preparedness category. All I had in my bag is a small package of cupcake and several packets of 3-in-1 coffee. Nothing that can significantly help me last an emergency.
2. My first aid kit is sadly lacking. There were several paracetamols, a gauze pad, tape and White Flower for nausea, but there were no bandages, Betadine, triangular scarf or cotton. I don’t even have tissue paper.
3. At home last night, I was stuck for a long time staring at my budget. My net salary now for half a month was the gross of what I was receiving for a whole month about a year ago. Yet, I still do not have a category for charity. That’s got to change.
4. Our home is not emergency-proof. We lack containers to store water. Our emergency light is busted. Food is not a problem since we have a store.
5. My emergency fund is too small. It needs to be raised to about 6 months of my salary.
6. Our significant documents are not kept in waterproof containers.
I will need a solid plan on how to tide us over in case of another storm (God forbid). We have faced fire before, when I was young, which took everything my parents built. It was heartbreaking.
All I can do now is to pray for my friends and countrymen to be safe.
Regardless of how seldom I post (and when I do, it’s not PF related), there are still some souls clicking on my blog.
I am not even updating my NetworthIQ! Tsk tsk.
Whoever you are, thank you for visiting. I can’t promise any substantial posts (blame it to life), but promise, I’ll TRY.
And, those blogs that are in my sidebar, rest assured that I read your posts, either through your blog, or using Google Reader.
Goodnight, world!
Last Saturday, I spent a little over 500 in the mall for lunch at Almon Marina and a movie (Angels & Demons).
This week, I spent close to 1,000. That’s about 450 on a nice, satiny red shirt (work appropriate), over 200 on lunch and 260 on three books.
I wanted to watch another movie but found nothing appealing. I might watch Drag Me to Hell next week, though. Is it any good?
One of the books bought was Confessions of a Food Addict. I fought the urge to buy it last week but when it revealed itself to me again, I proved too weak. Now, I am reading it alternately with The Rector’s Wife. I like that my love for reading is manifesting itself again.
Looking forward to a low key Sunday tomorrow, or maybe not, if gym buddy invites me to watch a free mini-concert in a mall near our places.
It’s confirmed. I am now the Assistant Manager for the group that I am in.
I had no idea this was coming. Our manager did not discuss the performance evaluation and left us with no clue as to where we stood.
The next guy is now Supervisor. Next year he will be due for promotion as the Senior Supervisor, taking my former job title.
What’s more surprising is the salary increase we received. A whopping 20% on base pay and allowance was given to us, against the former ceiling of 10% yearly. I am most excited with the increase in allowance which acted as a tax shield.
I felt bad for gym buddy, though. Although I know he got a 20% or higher salary increase, he should have been promoted to Asst. Manager as well. He’s much better than me when it comes to work, and that’s not lip service. His manager is now a Senior Manager, and he’s next in line. He’s been a Supervisor for almost 2 years now.
It’s fun to see your goals written down…but it’s a lot better to see them materialize!
Alright, I’m still alive.
The OB who I saw early this morning was not actually the one who did the TR ultrasound. She’s from MD Eastwood, and had put me at ease the minute she called my name. She’s very chatty but not annoying. She immediately guessed where my province is via my family name. Anyway, she gave me a request for TR ultrasound at The Medical City since their sonologists are ‘better’.
On to The Medical City. I had trouble putting on the lab gown; my heart was beating fast. I am jittery around hospitals and I try to avoid going in one as much as I can. The only time I went to one is to visit a dear friend.
The doctor who performed the procedure was a guy/gay while the one who viewed the scan was a girl. They were accomodating, put me at ease. They had to laugh when I made the sign of the cross. I was nervous!
I felt a bit of discomfort during the procedure, but very tolerable. Maybe it was more of the embarrasment more than the physical thing. The doctors said I’ll have the result in 2 hours, so I went and spent it in Starbucks. Bought caramel frap and a cake for P230, a lot cheaper than if I decided to while away the time at a nearby mall. But then, a frap and cake doesn’t exactly make a good lunch…
Results came and though it is yet to be interpreted by the OB from Eastwood, I think nothing is amiss. Hopefully…
I had this pink Vans Off the Wall shoes that I’ve been trying to sell for several months now through ebay. Finally, some girl took interest and paid for it instantly.
It’s pink, but if you look closely it is printed with tiny white skulls and crossbones. Bought it in 2004, wore it once and shelved it. It was too big…size 9.5 when I am only a 6 (5 in Chuck Taylors…). I can’t even remember why I bought it in the first place. The girl who bought it is an 8, but said she’ll manage by wearing really thick socks. Crazy.
Another girl paid for an old copy of Wuthering Heights. I am staring at the book now and can’t help but think if I am ripping her off. The book is really old, used and abused by me. Read at least three times (I am a Bronte fan). Anyway, the girl paid for the shipping which is almost double the list price of the book. Add a few more bucks and she can get a brand new copy at a bookstore.
Some crazy things we do.
Maybe it’s the full (or fool) moon, but we finally got around to paying a visit to Wensha Spa Center in Macapagal last night.
I was with two friends, one being a sort of regular client (gym buddy), and one who haven’t had any spa experience until last night (E). As for me, it was only my second time in a spa. We took the bus from Ayala Triangle to World Trade Center and walked the rest of the way.
The wet area had about 10 showers, a medium-sized jacuzzi, two TV sets mounted on the wall, a sauna and steam bath.
For only P680, you may use this spa’s facilities, an hour of body massage and an eat-all-you-can buffet. No leftovers allowed, though. You’ll be charged with P300 if any is left on your plate. You may stay at the spa for 8 hours maximum during Mondays to Thursdays, and upto 6-7 hours Fridays to Sundays. Talk about value for money.
At the reception, I paid an additional P100 for the therapist’s tip, surrendered the locker’s key, and we were handed back our shoes. We left the place feeling relaxed, sleepy, 780 pesos poorer.
All in all, it was a refreshing experience. One I wouldn’t mind repeating, say… next month? 
My gym buddy and I joined the yoga class last Friday just to try it out. Man, we’re we spent! It was a one-hour class and we were stretched like crazy. When it came to the part where we had to sit up with arms stretched and making circles, my mid-portion just can’t pull me up. I had to laugh, ’cause my buddy managed to do it only once. Lol.
I really have to develop muscles. But to do so I have to gain weight first, which is even harder. Some suggested that I eat a lot of sweets, which I love, but decided to cut back. I really don’t want empty calories. Gotta try those protein shake or something.
Deep apologies to those who keep on visiting my site despit the prolonged inactivity. And thank you, thank you, thank you.
What happened? LIFE is happening. For the first time in 4 years, I am having an active social life (let me call it that, ok?)
Since February, I have been to tons of movies (commercial and indie), been to lots of breakfast/lunch/dinner, concerts, malling. All with a single guy. And this guy is actually a friend since 4 years ago. I don’t want to call it dates, but he refer to it as such when talking to our other friends. He says it jokingly, of course. He’s crazy. And he’s my BMF.
I don’t want to expound on it until anything is sure. All I can say is I am happy, content with the way things are going. Till when, no one can tell. I am going with the flow, not doing anything to make things happen, really.
Financial wise, well, let’s not talk about it…yet. I have updated my spreadsheets and um..it doesn’t look good. Savings are still intact and growing, but the expenses are growing, too.
Bear with me. Hugs to all =)
Better late than never. Below are my 2009 goals. They are alot and on the ambitious side, but I’d rather dream big and fail (a bit) than to have mediocre success…
Finances
1. Save 3 months worth of aftertax salary as emergency fund. That’s about P54,000. I have about P20k in that fund and with the help of automated savings plan by my company, P34K will be fairly easy to achieve.
2. Save P12K for annual insurance premium due July 2010.
3. Save P15K for our Boracay getaway. I’m kinda hoping it will be Palawan instead, but my friend in Dubai wants to see Boracay. This will be funded by the income from my micro business.
4. Save P10K as Christmas fund starting July.
5. Save P20K as ‘retirement fund’ and place it in time deposit, adding about P20K each year. This will be my cash retirement fund. This will be funded by about 50% of any windfall I receive.
6. TRY to increase investment in stocks by about P10K. This is not obligatory, looking at the performances of various mutual funds. 50% of any windfall may or may not go here.
Physical Improvement
1. Get a gym membership. Running can be an option if I can wake up by 4:30AM and the drug addicts and the likes are on vacation…
2. Avail of a skin improvement package (or whatever you may call that) from a reputable skin clinic.
I’m not getting any younger, and the damage done to my skin by the sun and whatnots will be obvious in the not-so-far future. Better prevent it, right? Very expensive, but hey, this is a GOAL. I’ll work on it. I have no plans of being a high-maintenance girl, though.
Professional
1. Get a promotion and significant increase in salary. Of course, this will depend on my employer and the company’s performance (and mine).
2. Renew license (spill over from last year…)
3. Apply for Social Security ID, and apply for a loan just to activate my account. (Spill over from last year…)
Uncategorized
1. Go with my parents to attend grandma’s birthday in May.
2. Annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Manaoag’s Shrine in July.
3. Try out bowling.
4. Trek Anawangin Cove.
5. Wall climb (after strength exercises…).
6. Apply for a passport.
7. Visit an OB for a long overdue checkup. I never had one, and I’m scared, but the stories of friends who had cyst/lumps inside their uterus/ovaries are scarier.
8. Visit dentist for cleaning in July.
Wish me luck!
They sent me some lovin'