The Manila Hotel in January 2008

Even though it's been relegated to a 3-4 star status, the Manila Hotel is still the grand o'le dame of Manila where we enjoy meeting with friends, having dinner at the restaurants, enjoying the pool, promenading around the lobby, sitting around and listening to music when it's available or simply enjoying the beer at the Tap Bar where they usually have a band playing too. I also had my hair done with manicure and pedicure a hand and neck massage all at less than AUD$40 from the lady who also shared a lot of gossip..haha!


Manila Hotel is located in the heart of Manila, walking distance to Luneta Park, the Pier, Intramuros, Manila Cathedral and the future Ocean Park/Aquarium which was under construction while we were there. It's also near a big shopping centre called Robinson's.


Hey Manila Hotel....this is free ads so when I am there hope you'll give me more discounts haha!Please click here for more photos.

In the spirit of easter

I posted photos of our brief visit to the Good Shepherd's Convent in Baguio City when we were in the Philippines. More photos here.

Good Shepherds, aside from being a nunnery, produces their renowned strawberry jams, rose wine, peanut brittle and other goodies.

They also serve authentic Benguet Coffee which is the best tasting coffee in my honest opinion. It's cheaper too than Starbucks.

One big bonus while over there is a lookout where one may view the beautiful mountain range of Baguio/Benguet now knows as The Cordilleras.

Negotiations

My application for an annual leave for Mar 25 to 26 was initially declined. On the letter, it was stated that I could have it reviewed by the Asst Director through the intercession of our Team Leader. But I was in a quandary today as our Team Leader went on a 2 week's leave with an email saying that he needed more information despite the reason that I wrote in there.

I resent the email with more information to the acting Team Leader. He was sitting on it when an email from the Asst Dir popped. I saw it as an opportunity to re-negotiate my leaves. It was a call for volunteers to do the late shift which has a finish time of 6pm. I immediately emailed my Team Leader again stating that if my leaves were granted, I will do extra work for the period of 2 weeks, and I cc'd (carbon copy) the Asst Dir.

To my great surprise the Asst Dir sent me an email with a cc to my Team Leader, basically accepting my proposal. Not only that- she sent me a personal email commending me on my initiative and thanking me (even) for my offer of help at a time when was badly needed.

This situation affirms that a lot of things can be re-negotiated if one has the courage and take advantage of the opportunities available.

I know...I know...i still owe you some photos of our last trip....it will be coming soon.

Life is a Journey

When I was cleaning up and putting things away for recycling, I came across Ray's high school newsletter (Nudgee News Vol 30 No 5) with a feature on the following Hebrew Prayer which I want to share with you. I am presently experiencing some challenges in my life brought by things beyond my control and because of a decision I had to make last Dec 07. The truth is I am missing my previous location in the City and now I am missing my situation in the 3rd floor because I have started working on the 5th floor. It's a journey and somehow I am stuck on the 5th floor which is the last floor. I am still new in this job and still on training. I am starting to like it now and I guess that I just feel a bit impatient. But I will get there and hopefully this journey will move on to a better situation - RETIREMENT! haha...i just passed up a great Florida/Bahamas/Mexican holiday and I am not happy!

I would like to thank my friend Jennifer for these great goodies she sent- much appreciated
Presently I am also reading this book from Len and getting a lot of inspiration from it!
Now here is the Hebrew Prayer so you might reflect on it too!

Life is a Journey

Birth is a beginning
And death a destination
And life is a journey:
From childhood to maturity and youth to age;
From innocence to awareness, from ignorance to knowing;
From foolishness to discretion and then,
Perhaps, to wisdom;
From weakness to strength
Or strength to weakness and, often, back again;
From health to sickness and back, we pray,
To health again;
From offence to forgiveness, from loneliness to love,
From joy to gratitude, from pain to compassion;
From grief to understanding, from fear to faith;
From defeat to defeat to defeat...
Until looking backward or ahead,
We see that victory lies
Not at some high place along the way,
But in having made the journey, stage by stage.