Archive for July, 2007

The boy and the staple

July 24th, 2007
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Another fine Saturday morning, I was in hurry and I mistakenly stapled together some printed materials. Before starting the tutorial, I removed the staple to detach a paper, then got down to business.

A few minutes later, the boy picked up something from the table and showed it to me.
Then he spoke as if admonishing his 3-year old younger sister…

Boy: THIS is very dangerous. Please excuse me…

I was stunned and it took me a while to utter my reply.

Me: Yes, go ahead. Please throw that staple away.

How silly of me… of course, I intended to throw that staple away AFTER the lesson.
But first… could somebody convince me that I’m still the tutor?

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Ooopppssss

That Gundam Wall

July 22nd, 2007
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Yesterday, I went to Denden Town again for electronics window-shopping. I was about to cross the street but this wall caught my attention. I hoped to capture it as best as I could but my cellphone’s camera was (and still is) all I’ve got. What really captivated me was the nice color combination. I’m not a fan of Gundam’s but believe me, it’s cooler when seen with naked eyes.

I’m not really comfortable taking pictures of just anything, especially when I’m alone but I couldn’t help it.. I really had to. I stopped for a while, then quickly did it… then I heard two guys behind me laughing and I was 100% sure they mentioned the word “Gundam”.

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Experiences in Japan, Ooopppssss, Simply Osaka

The Boy and Me

July 22nd, 2007
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Every weekend, I tutor a 10-year old Japanese boy. I wasn’t so sure what to discuss on the trial lesson so I decided to bring some picture cards that could aid me to get to know him and to identify his English level…

He got the picture with a boy watching TV and showed it to me.

Me: Do you love watching TV?

He was obviously taken aback by my question, then glanced at his dad as if trying to ask permission to speak.

Boy: Mmmmm…. I don’t watch TV.
Me: Oh… so how about movies, then?

He glanced again at his dad, this time, appeared to be scared.

Boy: I also don’t watch movies.
Me: Even Disney cartoons?

For the third time, he looked at his father and appeared to be even more frightened.

Boy: No.

I was already a bit embarrassed because I thought I was more childish than the boy! What else should I talk about when even “child-friendly” cartoons are taboos there.

Me: Ok… so what do you usually do for fun?

His eyes now appeared to be sparkling.

Boy: I read the encyclopedia!
Me: Wow that’s good!

At that moment I really didn’t know what else to say…

My childhood was completely different. When I was about 5 years old, our parents already gave us almost complete reign over the TV. Then at 8, I’d watched all the movies of Jacky Chan, Chuck Norris, and Cynthia Luster. I’d only laid my eyes on the encyclopedia when I had to research something.

Now…how else could I catch his attention?

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Ooopppssss

Tomarimasu Ka???????????

July 22nd, 2007
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The goddess of questions (if there’s one), is really smiling down at me as yet another Japanese lady asked me one!

As I boarded the train bound for Osaka…

Japanese Lady: blah blah blah desu ka?

I didn’t notice her and I didn’t expect someone trying to get my attention, so I thought it was not directed at me. But I felt someone was staring at my back so I turned around. A bewildered Japanese lady looked up at me, obviously waiting for an answer.

Me: hai?

Japanese Lady: blah blah Tsuruhashi blah blah blah?

Based on the keyword “Tsuruhashi”, I assumed she’s asking where Tsuruhashi is. But I sort of panicked again and couldn’t pull out a single word from my Japanese data bank. So I just made some hand gestures hoping that she could surmise that I was pointing at the direction where I think Tsurahashi is. But she was wearing an even more confused look…

Japanese Lady: blah blah Tsuruhashi blah blah tomarimasu ka?

Thank God for another key word! So she’s asking if the train was stopping at Tsuruhashi station!

Me: Hai. Tomarimasu. Tsugi no … (how do you say next stop?)

Japanese Lady: Tsugi desu ne. Sumimasen…

I just smiled back as sweetly as I could because at that moment, it dawned on me that my hand gestures might have appeared as if I was trying to get her off me!

There goes another victim of my very rich Japanese skill!

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Experiences in Japan, Ooopppssss

The Bangus Challenge

July 21st, 2007
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Daing na bangus, sinigang na bangus, kinilaw na bangus… just thinking about all these Filipino bangus dishes is making me wanna go home to the Philippines all the more!

Bangus or milkfish is a national symbol of the Philippines and my favorite! Before I moved here, I was a frequent patron at the Mangan Restaurant in Glorietta. You must try their daing na bangus, kinilaw na bangus, and iced tea.

I was really delighted when Idel gave me bangus! Thanks Idel. ^-^

Unfortunately, I have no idea how to prepare these dishes, leaving me one option: marinate, then fry! But the fish was still “untouched” so I really had to do the cleaning and cutting! This would be my first time to clean a bangus. I could not apply the usual way of cleaning other fishes because… it’s bangus! It should be handled with much care. ^-^

With Luan’s coaching, I took the challenge. Darn, it appeared so easy when the fish vendors do this… but the task required physical strength and patience ;)

After around 20 minutes of strangling cleaning the bangus, I’m proud to present the fruit of my labor…

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Food, Ooopppssss

Until Then

July 21st, 2007
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“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. “

– John 11:25,26-5:24
We love you Titi Victor… Thank you for being a part of our lives… Thank you for everything… until then!

This morning, Titi Victor was laid down to his final resting place.

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Family, Sentiments

A Friday Night Out at the Caribbean!

July 20th, 2007
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Okay… I admit it. I have caught a severe blogging fever. I couldn’t go to sleep or do the things that needs to get done without sharing first about one of my rare Friday night outs. Akane-san and I dashed from work to catch the last show of the Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End at the HEP Navio Cinemas. To those who are wondering how the cinemas here look like… here’s some pictures, with their new endorsers… ahem ahem


Even if Japan is known for having the latest technologies, Philippines have more impressive cinemas, not to mention the price difference! I have only tried cinemas in HEP Navio and in Kagoshima (5 years ago) so probably they have greater cinemas in other parts of Japan. Still, my movie experiences here are great. What else can I say… I’ve always loved going to the movies!I won’t go to great lengths expressing my views about the movie. A sentence is enough: I love it and I love Jack Sparrow! Oh, one more thing. The proposal and wedding of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann is sooooo romantic. ^-^There’s something I’d like to forget, though: I had the misfortune of taking a glimpse at the trailer of the new Ring movie! I really need to watch something that’s funny enough to exorcise the image of Sadako from my mind! Yikes!
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Movies

Where to next?

July 19th, 2007
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Since I started treading this path to becoming the ultimate geek IT person that I can be, I’ve already worked for five (5) different companies. Since 2001, I’ve never stayed in a company for 2 years…

Company #1 : ~12 months
Company #2 : ~12 months
Company #3 : 1 year & 4 months
Company #4 : ~9 months
Company #5 : since August 2006

You’ve correctly read my mind… now that I’ve stayed here for almost a year… I’m itching to go somewhere new. But where to? Believe me, I’m on the move. he he. However, it seems like for now, no one likes to have me… so I have no other choice but to stay put.

Many would call this job hopping… but I would like to call this as my quest for a higher-paying better and more challenging career. ^-^

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Revelations, Sentiments

Happy Birthday Dodong

July 19th, 2007
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Happy 26th Birthday to my only brother, Dodong!

To Dodong:
Honestly, you have been a pain in the ass, but now that you’re a year older, I hope and pray that you would decide to start living your life with purpose and stand firm in getting back on your feet. Hope you’ll realize that we, your family has always been by your side despite the ugly paths you took. Be the beautiful person that you are…

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Family, Sentiments

On the Japanese

July 19th, 2007
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Found this article in Japan Times. Matthew Fargo, a language expert, considers the Japanese people to be hilarious. Quoted from the article:

“I think Japanese people have a wonderful sense of humor, so I don’t know why people think Japanese people are serious. I think Japanese people are hilarious. They’re making me laugh more than anybody,” Fargo says.

Considering the really funny manga (comics) and countless entertaining JDrama, I would have to agree with Fargo. Looks like they’re channelling all their “funny streak” in manga and TV. But living in the midst of them, it’s entirely different… more so working with them.

In here, you could work in the same desk for months without knowing the name of the person sitting next to you. Another weird, troubling, and a little bit funny thing is the way most of them behave towards foreigners. Majority seem to avoid or keep the maximum distance as much as possible. In the trains, the vacant seat next to me is often the last one being occupied.

But just like any other race, you could still find some who are friendly, even to foreigners. On rare occasions, some of our teammates joke around while at work. Still, the overall rating of work atmosphere: serious. But then this is how everyone should be while at work… yes? no? ^-^

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Opinionated Me

Asahi Beerbots

July 18th, 2007
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So cute… so cool and they remind me of R2-D2 of Star Wars!

Even if it takes a lot longer than manually pouring your beer to a mug, I’m still very much awed by these beerbots! Each unit costs about $800 but Asahi is giving away 5,000 units! (I’m not sure though if they still are doing this… watashi mo hoshii!)

Trivia:

  • This was created during a science contest in Japan
  • Can be purchased from any major store in Japan, but I’m not sure if this is already available in other countries

Major Features:
• Stores and refrigerates 6 cans
• Programmable voice (male, female, or custom)
• Cleaning mode
• Child lock
• Instructions in Japanese and English

For more information and for a demo video, check out CScout Japan – Online Shop.

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Japan: exposed

5-kilograms… more or less

July 17th, 2007
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When there were still two of us (Jet and I) in the apartment, we usually buy 5-kilogram rice twice a month. Now that Luan is staying with us, we now buy 5-kilogram rice three times a month.
Assuming that the three of us consume the same amount of rice, which of the following statement is true:
a. I consume about 5-kilogram of rice per month
b. I consume more rice than Luan.
c. I consume more rice than Jet.
He he… forgive me for this worthless entry. When I’m bored, sleepy, or trying too hard to activate my brain, (which by the way, happens all the time) my corny personality takes over. ;)
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Revelations
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