MY NEW BLOG: The Ciudadista: Life in the City

Thursday, September 23, 2004

High Street in Picton

High Street, Picton, South Island. Picton is where the Cook Strait ferries from Wellington "land."Posted by Hello


Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo, South Island Posted by Hello

Si! Cuba!

Cover of Si! Cuba! the Cuban film festival official programme. Artwork is called "LucĂ­a" Posted by Hello

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Senator seeks inquiry into state of broadband in RP - INQ7.net

Senator seeks inquiry into state of broadband in RP - INQ7.net

I'll tell you the state of broadband in the Philippines.

Firstly, there is only a minority who have access to computers.

Broadband connection is very expansive in the Philippines. The least expensive connection is about PHP 1,500 or USD 26 per month but you see daily wages is only about PHP 250 - 350 or USD 4.50 - 6.25. The hardware such as an ADSL or cable modems are expensive.

Not every single PLDT circuit or local loop are capable of ADSL connections.

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Change

I was fortunate that my last retreat during my high school days was not entirely the traditional God or faith based retreat. The twist was that this time we had organizational change and life skills mentors. If I remember it correctly our trainers were from a firm called Organizational Change Consultants, Inc. (OCCi)

I've leared a lot from that experience. One thing that I've learned and holds me together is to depart from a "victimised mindset." What I understood from this was that in any problem that I face I must look at different aspects that would have created the problem. It challenges me to look at what I have done than immediately pointing a finger to someone else. It forces me to be more responsible than just feeling victimised and blaming other people or the supernatural.

During that epiphany I realised also that success can also mean the level of happiness one experiences or achieves in a career or vocation.

you had it comin'

You had it comin'
You only have yourself to blame
If I have been there,
Will I do it?
No, I would not have done the same!

Monday, September 20, 2004

Frustrated

I am so frustrated with this group task. The Filipino and the US team members seem to not communicated with the rest of the team at all.

No amount of email seems to be working to get even a reply. Why do I have to get such team members.

They are very unprofessional. It is very unfair to the people here in New Zealand as they cannot really work without the Filipinos and the North Americans.

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Everybody gets a car!

"You get a car! You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car! Is that the wildest? Isn't it stunning? And, guess what? Your cars are waiting outside!" — Oprah

Source: Season Premiere Surprises — Wildest Dreams with Oprah @ Oprah.com


Friday, September 17, 2004

this is new

Air-con buses drop minimum fare to P7.50

According to this Philippine Daily Inquirer report minimum bus fares for air-conditioned buses will drop to PHP 7.50 (NZD 0.20 or USD 0.13) from PHP 9.00

This is a surprise as almost all goods and services in the Philippines are going up. Almost every week the prices of gasoline, diesel and LPG are going up.

The report says that it was a response of the bus industry to match the fares of the MRT (light rail) and air-con taxis.

too busy

A long time ago I have wished that my life could be busy so that I do not feel mundane.

Now, I regret that wish. In the last few weeks until the end of October I am very busy.

I have two projects that I have two do with completely different teams. The first project is based in New Zealand, my team members are here and we meet face to face. We need to submit a report and a sort of marketing proposal. The best marketing proposal is chosen by the "client."

The second project is not only in New Zealand. About sixty percent of the team is overseas. I have only heard from one overseas team member. I just wish the overseas team members start to answer my emails so that we can start with the proposal which we are tasked.

The second project is the most challenging of all as I have to consider the time differences of the other members.

Besides these two projects I also have work. I work on a per job/task basis unfortunately two jobs are within my schedule for the two projects.

new logo

I have uploaded a new .jpg logo for my blog.

It was my attempt to make my blog look unique from the rest.

It was a sort of an achievement for me as I don't know xml or html.
trial 6 Posted by Hello
trial logo 3 Posted by Hello

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

more B5 quotes

I forgot the exact episode but this came from disc 2 of the Season 4 DVD set of J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5.

The following was a conversation between Dr. Stephen Franklin and Citizen G'Kar after latter has been fitted with an artificial left eye.

Franklin: There is a rumor that after Narn [G'Kar's homeworld] was freed
your people wanted to put you in charge. Is this true?

G'Kar: [Nods]

Franklin: Why didn't you take it?

G'Kar: I've seen what power does and have seen what power costs. The one is never equal to the other.

Now I Can Dance

Now I Can Dance is one of Tina Arena's songs in her album, In Deep.

This and her other songs are what I consider as special. They remind of my days back home. I remember listening to her album in my room as I sat on my bed. During those days I am using cassette tapes as it was the technology of the day.

Still I cannot dance.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Church taxation unconstitutional, says solon

Church taxation unconstitutional, says solon - INQ7.net

If religious organisations like the Roman Catholic Church would start paying taxes in the Philippines would their intervention in politics become more valid?