May 2008

My first ever post/ blog was about Krispy Kreme (KK). There was a time that I got so hooked to its original glazed and hershey’s flavors that I frequented Megamall for that. That time KK was only available in Megamall and Greenhills. Before I left in January, there was already one in Mall of Asia and I was told by some friends that there’s one more now in Makati.

And I more than happy to know that there’s one also in Abu Dhabi, in Khalidiyah Mall. At least I would not have to tire myself to go Dubai, which is almost 2 hours away from here, when craving attacks. That I would not have to settle for Dunkin Donuts for second choice (oops, sorry). Not the original glazed, but choco glazed is more popular here. But when I tried, I can only approve up to the first piece. I still prefer the original one. Surprisingly, the mango shake is refreshingly tasty. I didn’t expect that it would be that mango-y since I never really liked the mangoes here. Perfect for the summer (more calories though)!

What’s your most favorite KK flavor?

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It has been more than three months since I got an iPhone.  I think it is a pretty good deal to judge this phone by now.  A few months before leaving Philippines I was intending to replace my ever reliable Samsung E530 which I got when the flip phones were just starting to hit Manila (until now I am using this for my roaming sim card, this pink fone is so small yet amazing especially because of its video capabilities which is commendable for its generation, one of the first flips) by a red Treo.  However, I deferred my outlay when I finally decided to come to Abu Dhabi.  I had to know what would suit me best as I came here.

More than 3 months back, I was torn between getting a Blackberry (BB) and an iPhone.  I compared the two and that made me more confused.  But initially I perished the thought of getting a BB because I would need to have a postpaid subscription.  Obviously I don’t like.  I can manage with the wifi so why spend a penny for the subscription?  Also, almost everyone in the office is holding a BB.  And I dared to be different!  Hahaha!  Kidding.

Seriously, I wanted a diversion from having a business phone.  The fact that I am already so much into doing business, creating one, and maintaining one, get a life at least.  So boldly I got an iPhone.  I got it from an authorized dealer stationed in the mall.  And yes, it is an unlocked one.  It is legitimately manufactured and I even got an AT & T sim card which is inside the package.  Obviously, that would not work in UAE but I am keeping it as a souvenir.  Cheesy. 

(Photo source)

After a quarter with an iPhone I can vouch for the following:

(+) It is really a fantastic chic phone:  stylish, slim, and it’s an apple (yes, chic-y)

(+) Lotsa of playlists on the go!  No need for a separate iPod.

(+) 8gb storage, I am not going to ask for more.  There’s the 16gb unit if you want, shell out some more of course

(+)  Movies, You tube, etc. on the go!  With the movies and other files that I saved/ queued, where’s the dull moment? :)  Seriously, it was so addicting and bizarre at first.  Makes you want to watch not from the television or laptop, but in the iPhone’s generous screen.  So strategically consumerly sized.

(+)  No need for a postpaid subscription (unlike BB, but there’s 1 unit that is wifi enabled) thanks to wifi resources!

(+)  Blogging/ checking mails/ being on-line  is handy, especially in case I get lazy to open the laptop

(+)  Scheduler saves my day!

(+)  Viewing of Word, Excel, and PDF files and other attachements in the emails is possible.

(+) It doesn’t have Sent Items folder, it appears like a chat trail. 

(+)  Auto completion of words

(+) Easy synch with iTunes

(+)  Nice camera, makes my old digicam inactive. 

(+)  8 hours talk time

(+)  Etc.

 On the downside

(-) It took me a week to adjust to its keyboard.  It has no stylus (BB doesn’t have one either).  I have perfectly adjusted after a week, anyway.

(-) The words that you type do auto-complete (which is actually an advantage if you are purely texting in English).  That’s why when I compose Filipino/ Tagalog SMS, some words came out as other another word.  Passed that stage anyway.  I supposed some who didn’t know I was using an iPhone already found it odd and not so witty of me of my out of the world combination of Tagalog.

(-)  Because it is a superb multimedia phone, you tend to use it more, you are using more battery.   It has no spare battery.  And borrowing (in case you didn’t bring yours) a charger is a problem when not so many iPhone users are in your circle.

(-)  You cannot forward SMS/ MMS.  I don’t care anyway, I am not fond of doing that.  But sometimes, I hope I can forward a few items that I already sent.

(-)  You need to keep your fingers clean all the time before touching it.  Remember, it functions with the power of touch.   During the first two weeks I did wish for a stylus.

(-)  Since my unit is an unlocked one, I cannot upgrade some third party applications while I am in UAE.  Luckily, there’s nothing much to upgrade yet.

(-)  Creation and editing of Word, Excel and PDF files is not yet possible (only limited to viewing), which is availble in BB Pearl.  So far, I just need to immediately view some files and forward these in emails.

All in all, I am happy with this chic fone with my old pink flippy Samsung (in it’s 3rd or 4th (?) year with me.  Let’s see if my old phone has not retired yet when my iPhone reaches its 3rd or 4th year so. :) 

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I sometimes judge a book by its cover, and it was one of the cases. But this time, I judged this one by its title. Interesting enough, my initial thought was why would a monk, or if not a monk, why would somebody sell his ferrari?

The Monk who Sold his ferrari is a story of very brilliant lawyer, Julian Mantle, who seemed to have everything in life, but had lived an almost empty life. While he was at court room, he had a heart attack and that changed his life.  After he recovered, he sold all his prized possessions including his red ferrari and went to the mountains of Himalayas and lived with the monks, and eventually became one of them. After a few years, he returned to the city and paid a visit to his only friend, John, who was once his junior at the law firm and is now at the apex of his career.

Truly enlightened people never seek to be like others.  Rather, they seek to be superior to their former selves.  Don’t race against others.  Race against yourself.

In this tale, he shared the wisdom and the reasons for the total transformation that he had - the drastic change in his physique, the way he sees the world, and many other eastern views coupled by western principles, which were mentored by the head monk in Himalayas. If you have read the book or watch the film, The Secret, you would notice similarities in some school of thoughts. What makes this book different from that one and other self-help books is the way it was presented. It appeared not authorly narrated but as told by the other person (the friend of the lawyer who turned monk).

Maybe it is because of my too much familiarization with some realizations that I already encountered in other books or articles, that made me felt bored in few pages. But in general, this book would make you feel as if you are realizing those words of wisdom for the first time. The turning point for me was the mention of improving one’s health and attaining better longevity by being a vegetarian. I never had to be influenced by this but admittedly, as I relate all the points in each chapter, I am psychologically in love with idea of being vegetarian since then. For the past two days I almost can’t choke on the meat I used to enjoy taking in.

Live foods are the answer.  Those that are created through the natural interaction of the sun, air, soil and water.  So if you like meat, you can certainly keep eating it.  Just remember that you are ingesting dead food.

What about friendships?  This is so striking:

And speaking of friendships, make sure you keep them in constant repair.  A person with three solid friends is very wealthy indeed.

Another important mention that I liked is about time management. This book has superbly explained (and let me instilled) how to see, get away and accept the time that we have.

I once heard my father say that it was the busiest people who have time to spare.  Busy, productive people are highly efficient with their time - they must be in order to survive.  Being an excellent time manager doesn’t mean that you must be workaholic.  On the contrary, time mastery allows you more time to do the things you love to do, the things that are truly meaningful to you.  Time mastery leads to life mystery.  Guard time well.  Guard time well.  Remember it is a non-renewable resource.

And what about the time thieves?  I think some of us are thieves or otherwise:

Don’t let others steal your time.  Be wary of time thieves.  These are the people who always call on the telephone just as you have to put the kids to sleep and have settled into your favorite chair to read that thrilling novel you have heard so much about.  These are the people who have a knack of dropping by your office just as you have found a few minutes in the midst of a hectic day to catch your breath and collect your thoughts.

Therefore, we must be ruthless of our time.  We must learn to say “no”.  It is there for your convenience, not of the convenience of the others. Also, the mention about reading books was simply written but greatly affected me.

But remember, some books are meant to be tasted, some books are meant to be chewed and, finally, some books are meant to be swallowed whole.

Futher,

It’s not what you will get out of the books that is so enriching - it is what the books will get out of you that will ultimately change your life.  You see, John, books do not actually teach you anything new.  Books simply help you to see what is already within yourself.  That’s what enlightenment is all about.

Those are among the new/ strong points that I greatly appreciated from this book. But if you haven’t read The Secret and other self-help books yet, this is a book that will surely bless your life. The timeless wisdom on abundance and joy, greater courage and balance are intelligently shared in this story.

I am glad that when I chanced on this book on March 8, 2008, I did not judge the book only by its cover, but by its title.

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I am glad to have been in touch with a high school friend (I am a batch ahead of her though) last week. We partly talked about separate high school reunions that we had  (I have to check that particular photo album of her yet. Which reminds me I haven’t uploaded my first high school reunion photos.)

Getting in touch (rather, back in touch) with high school and/ or long lost friends is always amusing. You catch up with each others lives while reminiscing the gool old days and amused (again) each other with what you currently have in life. Hopefully, all the good things are there.

When she told me that she is planning to put up a site also I thought it would be a personal one. But, gee, it is for their restaurant. I am more than happy for her and her family. She is on her way to being a restauranter, that is apart from her full-time professional work. When I think of Exotik Restaurant in Kalayaan, Laguna, there is a foodie in me wanting to join the wagon not as a consumer but as a provider. And here comes KM3 Restaurant!

I am inviting you to come and visit (especially when you happened to be somewhere in Tanay, Rizal, that is a few and enjoyable moment drive to) KM3 Restaurant. Why the name? Because it is 3 kilometers away from the town proper of Siniloan, Laguna (my native town!). Charge up your appetite as you travel to experience its humble service and relaxing facilities. Check out from this photo your opts:

KM3 Restaurant is in Barangay Macatad, Siniloan, Laguna.  For inquiries, reservations and catering services, you may reach Pricy Realeza at +63 917 9099186.

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