Ice Cold Mornings

I woke up to this two days in a row.

ice frost in the pathway

its blurry but you can see the frost on the grass

Frost covered the grass along the pathway, as well as cars, bins and lawns. Its freezing cold at 2degrees (but it really felt like negative 2!!!). My hands and feet were so cold, it needed to be thawed. Time to use my ugg boots to work tom.

Weather reports say that we haven't had this cold weather since the 80s. If this will continue in the next few days, I wouldn't be surprised if we have snow in Toongabbie. hehe. but im scared...

Another two done!

Yey, my wait is over. Got my CPA results last Friday and I barely passed my Strategic Management subject. I was so depressed after the exam because it was so tricky!!! The materials were very easy to read, and I think I only spent a week or two studying because I knew what was being discussed (or so I thought). But come exam time, I think I got confused with the choices and did a process of elimination when answering. This was the only CPA exam that I couldn't find the answers from the materials. My only consolation was most of the people I knew who took the exam also found it difficult.

And when I got my result last Friday, I was ecstatic! Finally, I can move on and forget about it, haha. One more subject to go and I'm done with my CPA. Global Strategy and Leadership - Bring it On!

Sweet Little Yuan

Facebook status of my sister:

"Grenna was sleeping alone in her bed last night while her Langga carried Yman to sleep. Suddenly, Yuan, slowly went up to her bed and said: "diri sa ko oi!". She just let Yuan slept beside her but Yuan took her hand and held it tight. After 5 minutes or so, her Langga with their Yman opened the bedroom door and said "Go back na sa imo bed Yuan kay mag sleep na si Yman diha". Yuan quietly went back to his bed and said "Thank you Mommy".


naiyak ako, waaahhhhhhhhh


ps... Yuan is 4 years old while Yman is 6 months old.

Kalamansi Muffin

What would you do if you have heaps of these?

Why not turn it to these?

Early this week, Jess and Daisy brought kalamansi from their backyard and I ended up with loads of them. I was thinking of creative ways of using the good old kalamansi and I remembered I read somwhere about the very yummy Kalamansi Muffin of Real Cafe in Boracay. So I searched the internet for some recipe and lo and behold --- I got it thru Market Manila, where else??? hehehe

So, armed with (over the top) butter, sugar, yogurt, flour and kalamansi extract, I made the muffin and followed the recipe to a T. It was too buttery for my liking. Brought some to the office and everyone liked it. I might tweak the recipe next time and half the amount of butter to make it less fattening.

Thanks again Marketman for the lovely recipe!

Camelia Station (not Clyde!)

Photo taken last year.

While waiting for the train at Camelia (not Clyde), I cant resist the urge to have my photo taken at THE RAIL TRACKS!

Wala lang, natuwa ako kasi you can cross the tracks here. Sa ibang stations, you'll be fined if you do that.

Buble on Valentines Day 2011

I am sooooo thrilled!!! Hubby finally agreed to watch Michael Buble on Feb 14, 2011. Just booked ourselves a ticket! Thanks Bebe, love you!!!



Cant wait for Feb 14. =)

Foggy Tuesday

Its 6:55 am and Toongabbie is still engulfed with fog.

Boo, I didn't bring any jacket.

Agie-less for 3 weeks

Agie is off to NZ today for a 3-week audit engagement.

Naku, wala na naman akong katabi matulog, buti na lang andito pa sina Mommy at Nanay, may kausap pa ako sa bahay.

Bebe, God bless your trip. Ayaw pa stress-out sa mga people ha?

I will miss you... sending you hugs and kisses in the cyberworld --- xoxoxoxo....

All in a Day's Work

a (not so) typical day for me... let's see if something exciting will happen before this day will end

6:20 am - woke up and went straight to the shower (not minding Agie who is brushing his teeth and laughing at me because I can barely open my eyes).

6:38 am - walked with Agie to the station so we can get on the 6:44 train. Its an early Friday for us... (and yes, it only took me 18 mins to bathe and groom myself)

8:03 am - after a 15 minute wait for my train at Epping, I finally arrived at the office.

9:30 am - di pa nakaka simula magtrabaho pero ang aking daily read sa world wide web ay tapos ko na basahin. gusto ko na umuwi kasi antok ako at feeling ko mas magiging productive ako sa bahay (makakapag aral) kesa dito sa opisina.

10:30 am - mobile FB and answering msgs from high school barkada. i miss them. :(

10:46 am - mobile blogging is soooo much fun!!! but this entry is to be posted via the normal route. =)

11:00 am - eating my banana. Its non-stop eating for me... but to my credit, I said no to cake for once haha. You'll get fat in this company if you're not careful --- free bread and spread anytime of the day (I only eat bread occassionally, i try to be healthy and eat oats in the morning), Top Taste cakes every Wednesday, Cereform mud cake once in a while and Michel's or Cheesecake Factory cake every month end!!! I sooo need my daily escalator walk/run at Epping and Macquarie Park stations.

11:38 am - so many things on mind and Ate Pearls new job makes me want to try the jobmarket too... but I will wait for the right time.

11:50 am - walked to Macquarie to have lunch with Ellyn and Sally

1:00 pm - came back from Macquarie. Lunch was flop - didn't happen. Sally has another lunch with her ofcmates so I just gave her the bread and the long overdue bday gift while Ellyn is still at her desk working. I walked back to the office, its a very nice day to have a walk - cool and windy.

2:00 pm - Got myself some Peppermint Tea - a great way to wash off my junkfood of a lunch (aka Whopper jr).

2:04 pm - Received email from Yen and her good news! Yey, excited for her. Hope the training will be in Sydney so I can see her again. =) All I can think of at this stage is the make up and shoes I'll be asking her to shop for me in Singapore, mwahahaha.

2:11 pm - went to search for Teradata and CSC websites for jobs and noticed one thing --- their job search is powered by Taleo - same as NSW job search page.

3:00 pm - Ofc mates are eating cake again! Now I am hungry but will not give in to my cake cravings. Buti na lang may tira pang Dingdong, hehe.

4:21 pm - ready to go...


happy weekend everyone.

Sa CR

Wala lang. Gusto ko lang mag upload ng picture ko. =)

Breads galore

This is our breadroom. I'm getting one to bring home.

Btw, this mobile blogging is so much fun! I recently discovered this one despite me owning my phone for over a year now. Expect more posts from me!

Ding Dong on a Friday

My morning tea. :)

Annoying or what

i was browsing my favorite online forum vogue and chanced upon this thread (http://forums.vogue.com.au/showthread.php?t=358137) about house etiquette. I was thinking to myself that I can be very anal when it comes to my place and maybe my housemates hated me for this? Good thing I married Agie because we think alike, altough he is worse than me, hehehe.

Some things I can leave with, but others I cannot --- specially dirty dishes because they attract cockroaches, which I really hate and I do not want to live with them! Apologies to my ex-housemates if I was such a Nazi when we were living together. =)

On another note, I found this hilarious site - PassiveAggressivenotes.com - I can't wait to submit my entry on this. Will start to look for passive-aggressive notes from now on. (Im laughing non-stop at the office

So You Think You Can Dance Australia

Thanks to Jake for the tix! Uploaded via mobile thats why its sideways.

chips no more

fter giving up hot chips for lent, i salivated at the sight of ribs and rumps chips --- my lunch for today. it doesn't taste as good as before. =(

maybe my tastebuds' telling me not to eat junk foods. i could benefit from this, yey! from now on, i will try not to eat chips, no more kfc, mc do, hungry jacks etc etc...

Running and Trains

When I was in highschool, I used to be so good in athletics. I would run barefoot during Intramurals and my favorites were the 200m and 400m dash because it gave me momentum and I know I can out-ran anyone with this distance (more difficult with 100M because the runway is too short for me).

Yesterday and today, I did a lot of running and it involves catching the train. From our house to the station, with only 8 mins left before the train comes, I ran like crazy coz I still have to buy tickets for my parents and in-law (they too were running and speed walking, hahaha). We wanted to catch the 8:38 am train to Blacktown, otherwise, we'll be waiting half an hour for the next train to come. In the afternoon, after my 2pm appointment with the doctor, I ran again to the station hoping to catch the train back to Blacktown. I barely made it.

This morning, my limbs were stretched even further. As I was getting ready to get off at Platform 4 in Strathfield for my connecting train at Platform 5, I noticed that the train was running in a different track. Thinking ahead, if the train will not stop at Platform 4, I had to run because I need to get to the other platform and I am far away from the exit door. With only 2 minutes interval, this would be a run-for-your-life kind of run. And so I did... but the other train was late for 4 minutes. And this meant I need to ran (for the last time) to catch my other train at Epping. And I did again, and this time, the train was just arriving and when I got inside, it was already closing its doors. Too bad for the other commuters who did not run (or did not stay close to the exit doors in the Strathfield train) because they will be late for work.

All these running for the train are like accidents waiting to happen. I need to be careful next time and try not to beat the time. Or maybe, I should do my driving lessons more frequently so I can take the road test soon and drive to work. Hmmm, but what about my exercise? All the calories I burned from taking the stairs instead of the lift? Nah, I wont exchange that for the comfort of driving (and spending too much on toll fee). I will still take the train, and continue running and walking the stairs but in the odd occasions, I will treat myself to a lift. =)

the Travel Bug bit me again.

I was looking at my friend's NYC photos and I am soo jealous that I want to book our next holiday there. But what about Europe in May 2011? And trip to Pinas (and Palawan)? Oh well, I have to take it easy, one destination at a time. I need to save, save, save!

NYC at Night (photo grabbed from the Web)

Or maybe, I can go to Tasmania this June.. hmmmm, need to book our ticket soon.

Tasmania cove (photo grabbed from the Web)

St Barachiel my guardian angel, thanks for protecting me

I am normally alert and conscious of my surrounding, especially when walking alone. But tonight was different, I was on my mobile talking to Tanya when I got off at Toongabbie. Its already dark even if it's still 6:30 because we just finished DST and our time moved back an hour.

While walking, I didn't pay attention to where I was going and didn't realized that I was on the 'darker' side of the road. Still on the phone, I heard somebody following me but I thought it was just another commuter going home somewhere in my street. Then I heard someone shouted but I didn't mind them. I was clutching my handbag when suddenly someone tried to grab it from behind! I was sooo shock that I shouted then tried to look from behind me if someone else is there and surveyed where I should run and shout for help. Then I look at the would-be thief and realized he's a young bloke, maybe 10 or 12 years old. He is hesitating to come back or run... So I shouted at him "Are you trying to grab my bag??? I will report you to Triple 0!"

Then I pretended to call "000" on my mobile and shouted loud enough for the boy to hear. "Someone's trying to grab my bag. He is running towards Portico St. He stopped in the corner of Cecilia and Portico." When he realized I was talking to someone on the phone and gave away his location, he run under the bridge to the other side of the station.

During this time, Agie was calling me and I answered but at the same time I was shouting. He heard everything and he was sooo scared for me. He's mind was racing, thinking of the worst. When I was sure that the Boy was gone, I talked to him and recounted what happened.

I was sooo scared... but at the same time thankful for my Guardian Angel. St Barachiel, you saved me. I should have known better. I should have walked along the shops, where the street lights are and where there are a lot of people walking.

As soon as I arrived home, I told my parents what happened. Then we ate dinner. Then I talked to Agie again (he is still in the City visiting a Boholano admitted in the hospital). I am still scared but very much thankful that nothing bad had happened to me.

And this is my easter story... hope you had a better one. =)

Food trip!!!

i was craving for pasta aglio olio so I whipped a single serve while trying to study my cpa materials. yum yum but kulang sa parsley. =)

steamed tilapia (from Costi's Blacktown) with fried garlic and light soy sauce. good food for lent and healthy too.

Banana bread ala Agie. Taste soooo goood!

Goodbye TFC

I was planning to get TFC for our parents' stay here so they wouldn't feel too homesick and bored at home. Last February, I checked online, called up TFC customer service and enrolled my details. Luckily, they have a contract for 6 months but we need to return the dish at the end of the contract. Sounds good to me since we wouldn't be able to see all shows anyway once our parents are back in the Phils, so we would be cutting the service after the 6th month period.

Since we lived in a townhouse, we still need to get Strata approval for the dish installation. Come March 2, I sent my application form, together with the approval from the Strata Manager. I was told before that the installer will call me within 24-48 hours of receipt of my application. On the same date, our credit card was charged for the first month fee of $39.99.

I waited for the entire week and I never received a call from TFC nor from the installer. I checked my fax transmission again and it was sent successfully. Since they've already charged hubby's card, then they must have received our application. On March 9, I received a call from TFC confirming our application and that I will have to wait for 24-48 hours for the installer to call me. After 3 days of waiting, I gave them a call telling them that I need it to be installed on Saturday, 13th of March, otherwise I'll cancel the service. They gave me the name and number of the installer and they said it was assigned to him a few days ago. I gave the installer a call confirming the day of the installation and he said either Monday or Tuesday but he'll call me to confirm.

Come Tuesday morning, I still didn't received a call so I called him up again asking if he'll install today as promised. He said that he can't but he will try to install before Friday.

At that point I was getting mad. Its been 2 weeks since I applied and until now I can't seem to get a confirmation when the installation's gonna be. With everyday it gets delayed, it shortens the time our parents can see Filipino shows which defeats the purpose of getting the service in the first place. Also, in my 3 years stay here in Australia, I always received prompt services from any supplier, regardless if I paid for the service or not. The most that I had to wait was 2 weeks after the scheduled date and that is understandable because the product has to be ordered overseas. But this one, its only the installation and I cannot understand the delay... well, the installer was saying he doesn't have the equipment now and it will only arrive on Thursday or Friday.

After hearing that, I told hubby that I wouldn't call the installer again for follow-up. But if by Friday, I still won't hear from him, I will call TFC and cancel the service and have the payment reimbursed to us, the reason being, our parents will only have a month left to use TFC. Really no point of having it installed this late.

Friday afternoon, with still no communication from the installer, I called up TFC and explained that it has been 3 weeks since I applied and several follow-ups later, I still don't have my TFC, so now I want to cancel the application. I also informed them that the installer said he is still waiting for the equipment to arrive. After a few minutes of being on hold, the customer service representative told me that they wouldn't be receiving the equipment until the 25th of March so if I can't wait that long, they will just cancel my application and refund the money. March 25th is too far away. By then we will be busy going out on weekends, then its Holy Week so really, we cannot make use of our TFC 24/7! So I decided to just cancel it.

Then, all is well... until I got a call from the installer at 9pm on Friday and our 15-minute conversation goes on like this:

Installer: hi, is this Gracy, this is XXX from TFC.
Me: Hi, How are you?
Installer: this is regarding your application noh. Sorry, kasi natabunan ang email mo eh.
Me: okay na po. napa cancel ko na din sa TFC, naitawag ko na po kanina.
Installer: Hindi, hindi. Bukas, first thing in the morning, pupunta ako sa inyo. I-i-install ko na.
Me: Di bale na po. Napa cancel ko na naman tsaka wala po kami bukas. May pupuntahan po kami.
Installer: Maaga ako pupunta. Sige na, para ma install na natin.
Me: May lakad po kasi kami bukas.
Installer: Tumawag ka na ba sa akin?
Me: Opo. Tumawag po ako last week, sabi nyo po sa Monday or Tuesday ang installation, tapos Tuesday, tumawag po ako, sabi nyo po sa between Wednesday to Friday. Nung di po ako nakareceive ng call nyo kanina, pina cancel ko na. Kasi nga 3 weeks na pending ang application namin tapos na charge na ang credit card namin pero wala pa din.
Installer: Ganito yun Gracy ha, yung next na billing sa inyo, one month after pa ng installation so hindi naman kayo i-bi-bill kaagad.
Me: okay lang po. Kasi yung reason talaga is uuwi na po sa Pilipinas yung mga magulang namin next month so wala nang gagamit ng TFC.
Installer: Naku, pa install mo na. Di ka mag sisisi. Ma eenjoy mo lahat ng shows. Ang ganda ganda ng shows namin. O ano, install na natin sa Sunday.
Me: Ay, hindi na nga po kasi napacancel ko na diba?
Installer: Yung cancellation, yung may last say tayong dalawa naman. Kung sabihin mong i-install na natin, hindi na nila i-ca-cancel yun.
Me: Hindi na nga po kasi nga di na rin sya magagamit. Next time na lang po, pag bibisita ulit dito ang parents ko ng matagal tagal, papakabit ako ng TFC.
Installer: Sige na, libre na kita ng first month. 5 months na lang babayaran mo kasi matagal ka nag antay eh. Para lang makabitan ka na. Ano lang ba yung $40, libre na kita.
Me: Wag na po, kakahiya naman sa inyo. Tsaka uuwi na nga po ang parents ko so wala nang gagamit ng TFC.
Installer: hindi kasi kakahiya naman sayo. Kasalanan ko naman na hindi ko nainstall. Sayang din, at least ikaw, approve na. Matagal ang approval ng installation alam mo ba yun?
Me: Okay lang po. May approval na kami sa Strata. Di naman po kami lilipat ng bahay in the next few years. Di bale, if babalik ang parents namin papakabit na lang kami pero for now po, cancel na po yung application namin.
Installer: Pasensya na talaga ha?
Me: Okay lang po. walang problema. Sige po. Bye.


Ang kulit diba? Paulit ulit na lang ang sagot ko! at bakit, biglang pede na i-install kinabukasan??? At sabihan pa akong "ano lang ba ang $40"? Hay naku talaga, I can easily earn that $40 noh. Wala po tayo sa Pilipinas, hindi po pe-pedeng pa petiks petiks ka sa trabaho (ako lang po ang pede maging petiks). Your service sucks, you gave TFC a bad name (kanta yun ah). For you to just keep on postponing the installation without letting me know is not acceptable. Clearly, the equipment is there, you are just too busy to care that someone is actually waiting for you to do your work, and now, when Head Office sends you a letter regarding the cancellation, you panicked. Kainis lang. Di ko tuloy napanood ang ASAP sa Boracay. hmmp.

Anyway, i told my Filo officemate about this and she is also having problems with TFC! She kept on calling them explaining that she needs the dish to be moved from one room to another because her mom needs it in the other room. Until now, nothing has been done. And when she calls their number, she has to explain what she wanted done over and over that it gets really frustrating. I asked her if we had the same installer but she said a different name.

Why is it more difficult dealing with Pinoys than with other nationalities??? Buti na lang, maayos kausap ang Driving Instructor namin, at least natututo na kami mag drive paunti unti...