The Bloggers' Survival Kit

People are amazed at how I manage to maintain a blog when in fact they receive work emails from me at an unholy our of the day. I can catch a whiff of sarcasm somewhere somehow in few exceptional times when I get those questions... but hey, life is too short so let me enjoy the one thing I do that I am happiest about. Writing.

Blogging is not an 'effort' at all for me. It's a publicized soliloquy. It is like talking to oneself really and then writing all about it. My blogs doesnt take me more than 10 minutes to write. Finding the right picture and uploading them is actually longer. One of my top 10 blogs, believe it or not but I wrote it 10 minutes before my conference call that I took late night at home, simply because the memory of an event suddenly flashed back to me like a light bulb moment! (see "The Living and the Dead")

For Wannabe Bloggers, here are the basic survival kit guide....

1. A lightweight laptop. One that you can lug-around while travelling so you can update and upload blogs in jiffy. I bought a 10.1" laptop for blogging purposes. Must have bluetooth, wifi capability. You can also do the same nowadays via Tablets and Smartphones but I find the touchpad very cumbersome. If your thoughts flow fast enough, you have to be able to write faster. Can't do that in my phone.

2. Camera and card reader. Pictures paint a thousand word and blogging is publishing so it is always good to have visuals. I always bring a camera with me for those 'blog-worthy' moments and places, and you can immediately upload your pictures. New laptops have built in card readers already though which is a lot convenient. camphone with hi-res pictures are good alternative.

3. Prepaid Mobile Internet when travelling. Or go to any spot with free Wifi. I was able to write a new entry while waiting for my flight. Or connect via your smartphones. Figure it out. Of course, doing it from your home office is simpler.

4. Your creative juices. The real joy about blogs is that it is really effortless. You see something interesting and you write about it. An idea passes by and you capture the essence of the thought before it fleetingly disappears.

Like right now. Me and this blog entry. Pictures to follow later. My 10-minutes worth.

Our Kokeshi Dolls Collections

Our Kokeshi Tribe (and the Mini Me at far right)

I wasn't really into collecting novelty trinkets until recently. We started collecting Kokeshi Dolls. I like to put it as "we" meaning Kyla and I but I guess I'm the one who is more into it.

Kokeshi Dolls are sold at most Precious Thots outlets here and they have a wide variety of assortment of dolls. I call it the small-medium-large-extra large and Ninja edition. They also have key chains and knick knacks like make-up kit (I bought two), stationeries, ID holder, purses etc.

I decided to Google the origins of Kokeshi and this is what I found...

Kokeshi dolls date back as hand carved dolls from wood for the farmers' children in Japan. It evolved as colorful, themed-wooden dolls that we know today. Each doll is bestowed a name and represents core values and wisdom. I have one original Japan-made Kokeshi Doll from Tokyo. My youngest sister bought this in Japan during the same week when the earthquake rocked Sendai.

An Original Kokeshi Doll from Tokyo, Japan

When Wishes Come True

I received the "Daruma Doll" as a gift from friends at work. I have two of them.

These dolls originate from Takasaki, Japan. Also known as a Dharma doll, it is a hollow, round, Japanese doll. These dolls, are typically red and depicting a bearded man (Dharma). Daruma has a design that is rich in symbolism and is regarded more as a talisman of good luck to the Japanese. Daruma dolls are seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, making them a popular gift of encouragement.


Darumas are still usually made of papier-mâché, have a round shape, are hollow, and weighted at the bottom in a way that it will always return to an upright position when tilted over. In English, this roly-poly style is called a "tumbler doll," and in Japanese it is called "okiagari." meaning to get up (oki) and arise (agari). This characteristic has come to symbolize the ability to have success, overcome adversity, and recover from misfortune.

The eyes of Daruma are blank when sold. Monte A. Greer, author of Daruma Eyes, described the "oversized symmetrical round blank white eyes" as a means to keep track of goals or big tasks and motivate them to work to the finish. The recipient of the doll fills in one eye upon setting the goal, then the other upon fulfilling it. In this way, every time they see the one-eyed Daruma, they recall the goal.

Way back home in Laguna last year , I actually decided to fill-in one eye of the Daruma doll and silently uttered the "goal" which to me was more of a wish.

My Daruma Doll. One wish granted.

Last March 8, 2011 I was finally able to mark the other eye complete. Of course, it was more than just luck or wishful thinking.... persistence, hard work and consistency was involved. In my heart, i also believed there was an element of Divine Intervention and destiny as well. It was a day our family will never forget for the rest of our lives.

This is indeed THE day.

 

Road Trip: Weekend at Sentosa

I did promise to write about Sentosa by end-April but as a pleasant surprise, it came too soon!

I was soooo tired and dead to the world so hubby and I decided to treat the family to a weekend at Sentosa to de-stress.

Sentosa was apparently a former fishing village and part of the island is reclaimed land, beautifully transformed into a themed resort. There are several hotel resorts within Sentosa and you can get packages for accomodations and Universal Studio tour. Shangrila being the famous one (and pricey). I learned that Sentosa is actually divided into several distinct themed areas. We were booked at the Hard Rock Hotel (coz the other hotels were unfamiliar to me, but I found they were ok). Kyla thought it was so cool.

Great details in the Rock Themed Hotel!

Iconic Merlion at the Imbiah Point

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The Lake of Dreams is a Kaleidoscopic Sight to behold at night.

On Day 1, we explored the Imbiah Point where you will find the Tiger Sky Tower, Cable Car, Zip Line Adventure, Luge and Skyride, Songs of the Sea, Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom, Underwater World and Dolphin Lagoon, Merlion Point, 4D Magix and CineBlast and many others. Exploring this area will need one day already.

Kevin was a bit nervous going into the Cable Car ride esp. when the accelerators are boosted but overall he was fine. I learned that Kyla isn't a bit bothered by heights.

We wanted to try to Luge Ride but apparently kids 6 y/o and above have to ride alone. Which could be quite risky for Kevin so we figured we'll do this another time.

Kyla and I went crazy over the Candilicious Outlet, as in a world-full of candies. Nuff Said.

We saved Day 2 for the Universal Studio tour. The Iconic Universal Studio "Globe" (aka "Your Official Been There Bragging Right" shot) was actually under renovation (!) so a photo wall will have to do. There are five themed areas named after key blockbuster movies from the Universal Studio and the Hollywood and New York lanes littered with shops and food outlets. The park rides are 100% completed by now so its a great time to go. The Cyclone was quite awesome to behold! There are also plenty of themed cafes in every area so fear not, you'll never go hungry!

You can also catch your favorite (or not) characters and celeb lookalikes around the park for photo-op. I was actually hoping to find Marilyn Monroe or Michael Jackson... And dont worry because they have assistants who can take your family pic and ensure that there is smooth queueing.

The grand finale is the Firework show at the Lake Hollywood which I thought was a blast of an ending. There is something about theme parks that touches me. Theme parks remind me of the good ol' days of my childhood when life was simpler and we have the Fiesta Carnival at the Araneta Center in Cubao as the center of our childhood weekend treat. The sights and sounds of the theme park keeps us forever young at heart. I am sure that our children will also someday look back and find these memories locked in their hearts.

For more pictures, find me at Facebook!

Espesyal

April 1 is the World Autism Awareness Day.

Coincidentally, this marks Kevin's 1st Day at his new 'school' in Singapore. While it is a learning center for his speech therapy, it is simpler in his mind to just call it school. Even if Singapore is such a small island-country, I was amazed to learn the sheer number of Special Schools and Therapy / Learning Centers.

Back in our country, through the active advocation of Autism Society of the Philippines, I believe that the awareness and acceptance for people special needs have improved over the years.

However, it is also true that there will still be pockets of discrimination and misinformation. As parents of a special needs child, we have learned to take in stride the demeaning and condescending stares of people specially during the early years when our son would have a melt down in public places. They wouldn't know of course how difficult it was for a child to not be able to express his needs and be understood.

Not too long ago, I once had a colleague back in Philippines who called a famous media personality's son (a special needs child) as 'abnoy' (colloquial for abnormal) in one our conversation. Whether or not he realized that I am a parent of a special needs child, and that his comment alluded to how I think he sees my son --  I wouldn't know. I looked back at how I felt that moment.

And it wasn't righteousness or anger. I felt sadness. That he couldn't see past the curtain of a person's disability. Or see the beauty or the goodness within that every special child represents - that's why they are called Angels on Earth.

This day is not just a Special Day for all the Special Needs People all over the world- this is also a symbolic day we share with our families, friends, therapists, caregivers, teachers, advocates and professionals-- and the random every day people they meet -- who makes our Angels' world a little bit brighter.. a lot more optimistic and who sees them exactly as our Creator willed them to be. Special.

10 Things You Should Know When Planning a Trip to Singapore





Merlion Park at Nightfall -- At the Esplanade
With the Esplanade Theater (aka Durian) at the rear left. This is near the Makansutra Gluttons Bay

  

Planning a trip to the Red Dot?

First, decide whether you will travel on Splurge or Steal (ie, budget) mode. It will make a big difference in terms of how much you need to shell out. In an ideal world, travelling is a reward for life's hard work so why not splurge and enjoy the moment right?

But in case you plan to travel on budget with Singapore as your destination, here are a few tips and information for first time travellers.

1. Book with a Budget Airline. Try Jetstar Airlines. They have the lowest fares and as a bonus, you still alight at Changi International Airport rather than land in the budget airlines' terminal. I booked a travel to home once and it was okay (I am generally low maintenance). Meals are not included in the fare but in case you get hungry, they sell basic meals on-board like cup noodles, coffee, nuts, chips etc. They have go-lite fares in case you are not planning to bring your entire house. Be prepared to travel close to midnight though. If you are travelling with kids, better to have some contingencies to shake the boredom off. Some families bring extra pillows for the young ones. I usually bring a book. Or ruminate for my next blog.

2. Travel-lite. You can dress casually in Singapore so there is no need to dress ala Vogue unless you are invited to cut the ribbon for an opening night Gala. Bring one sweater for the plane ride because it can get chilly. When touring around SG, bring a pair of comfy walking shoes or sneakers, hat and shades. Even at an unusual time of the year, it drizzles in Singapore.

3. Getting Around. Transportation is convenient. There are specific taxi cab stations and a trip would normally range from $6-12/trip max for nearby destinations for a family of 4-5 pax. Airport to Central/City is about $22-27. You can also travel via MRT. You can buy MRT cards for $12 and just add on (top up) value as needed. Bring those free maps that you can find at the airport as they will come handy.

4. Singapore is a gastronomic melting pot so be sure to enjoy the wide variety of cuisine that it has to offer. Meals for a family of 4 can range between $50-150. This depends on the food choice, quantity and location of course. If you are on budget, you can try Hawkers Food Center (see my blog on Makansutra Gluttons Bay) and spend much less for an equally sumptuous food fare. If you desire airconditioning, you can try Food Villages-- every Mall in Singapore has one and spend around $40-50 for a family of 4-5 pax. The Food Republic in Somerset 313 and in the malls along Orchard such as Takashimaya, Ion Orchard's Food Opera are splendid and spacious. Of course, you may want to treat the family to something special while in Singapore too.  You can check out hungrygowhere.com.  Be sure to try local Asian fares like Chili Crab, Laksa, Wee Nam Kee Chicken Rice, Cereal Prawn, Bak-Kut-Teh, Carrot Cake (which is not a cake) and Satay. For kids, Chicken Rice is a safe bet. My top faves are the Chili Crab and Fried Buns in Jumbo, Chicken Satay, BBQ Wings, Hokkien Prawn Mee, Char Kway Teoh and Cereal Prawn.

5. Be sure to bring water bottles when you travel. Walking is inevitable so you may want to hydrate often. We always travel with a backpack-full of must-haves (water, map, wet ones, towels, hats, some snacks, MRT cards and folding umbrella). If the hotel comes with complimentary bottled water, bring them along and save at least $1.50 per bottle.



 6. Identify the major attractions you want to visit so you can plan around it. If you intend to see the triad of Jurong Bird Park-Night Safari-Singapore Zoo, better get the Park Saver deal. Aside from tickets, prepare to shell out for food, souvenirs and transportation. They have free transportation in key pick-up areas too.  Frankly, I was only interested on the Bird Park. The Universal Studio Singapore at Sentosa is also a popular tourist destination and you can easily spend 2 days to make the trip worthwhile. The Sentosa Island itself is an attraction of its own and you can also stay within the same area for Hotel Accomodations. We havent been there so can't tell you much today. Will update blog by end-April. This is also near Vivocity whose claim to fame is being the biggest Mall in SG. You can also try riding the Singapore Flyer ($30 for a 30-minute ride), stroll around and watch a play at the Esplanade or get a high at the Zip Line. Can also catch the Lion King Musical at Marina Bay Sands Theater (limited time) or the Singapore F1 racing in September. Landmark spots are Merlion, the new Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Raffles Monument.

7. For those who love nightlife, popular places are Clarke Quay, Robertson Quay, Chjimes and the Club Street (as in street-full of Clubs) as far as I can tell. Apart from that, can't tell you much. Sorry, wrong person to ask. Will refer you to friend Pepe.

8. Where to Stay? You can check out travel and tour packages where airfare and hotel accomodations are already covered. Hotels are still the most convenient place when travelling with family. No need to worry about breakfast (check), there are amenities to enjoy (like pool, gym-check) and these are located at convenient areas of the city (check). Serviced apartments are also a good choice for a minimum stay of one week and you need to book these in advance as well. They also serve breakfast and have the standard amenities. But it can also be quite expensive. There are budget Hostels but be sure to check out the location because these are generally located away from the "city", may have less than desirable accomodations and conditions (common bathrooms, no AC) and well, might be smack into the red-light district. These are usually frequented by back-packers or transients. As much as possible, target to stay within City/Central.

9. And oh... for digital and techie freaks, I would say Funan DigitaLife Mall is the go-to area. It is recommended to bring someone who knows the place and can help you around. Especially for haggling.

The Singapore Flyer

10. Singapore is a shopping haven for those those who adore international brands because you can find the latest designs here. Orchard Road is of course THE place to be. But if you are lucky, you will be able to chance upon great bargain finds too! I realized that Esprit, Gap, Zara and Mango are actually relatively reasonably priced branded stores here. You will surely not be able to resist the temptation to convert SGD to PHP and the price can be daunting so let me give you a perspective-- if you chance upon a $12 shirt in Mango or Esprit, or $50 denim pants in Mango, that's a great deal already. I once bought a $10 khaki pants in Giordano! By the way, keep your receipts so you can claim GST refund at the airport! For home stuff, IKEA at Alexandra Road is a joy to explore.

Even if you dont intend to shop, it is still a joy to stroll along the Orchard road. When I was new in SG and had nothing to do on a weekend, I walked endlessly along Christmassy Orchard road with my outdated iPod shuffle, watching people, taking in and enjoying the sights and sounds of this vibrant cosmopolitan city.

So, what are you waiting for? See you in Singapore!

You are a Planner If...

My ultimate tryst with Planning came 7 years too late. I was actually offered the Ops Planning role way back in 2002 when I was about to complete my engineering assignment as Project Manager (or one-woman army, more like it). But then I chosed to go the technical path and many other challenging roles thereafter.  Of course, I have always worked with the Planners and the Supply Network team over the years until the inevitable came which made me an official part of this network.

This blog is dedicated to the Planners. With this article is my awe and respect to these extraordinary people - the planners I work with, behind the scenes. It is an honor for me to have now added planning as part of my journey.

You are a Planner If...

• You are (or have at least been) the scapegoat for undershipment. Supply Issue.  Even if MTD is 33% vs 65% par and inventory is overflowing. Supply issue pa rin.
• You are wearing glasses. Or candidate for wearing one.
• You have mastered Excel and knew features no one ever thought of using. You might have even enrolled to the advance excel course. And everything has to be on an excel table.
• You have 50 windows or more open all at the same time.
• You have backache. Or ulcer. Or migraine. In my case, I now have all three of them.
• If you work in an office, you probably eat lunch in front of your laptop/PC.
• When natural disaster strikes, apart from worrying about your family and loved ones, you literally worry about the state of the nation and the plant. And the suppliers. And their suppliers. And the lists goes on....
• You are glued to the computer 24 hrs a day you might as well be married to it. Even on weekends and holidays. And if you are off for a minute people wonder if you have been working.
• You are a miracle worker. Like saving a hopeless CPS. All the time.
• You have superpowers. Like reading minds. Even if they can't make up theirs.
• You are the bearer of bad news or provide perspective of what could latter lead to more bad news. Supply issue. Delayed CPS. Ridiculous CPS. Less than believable forecast. Delayed equipment. Late delivery. Overflowing inventory. Remnants. etc etc.
• As they say, "Dont shoot the messenger." Good thing we have nine lives.
• You are the Historian Extraordinaire. You live to tell people why things are the way they are. And for that you need an exceptional memory. Or archive. Coz well, (some) people have either short term or selective memory.
• You have probably mastered writing issue sheets. If you haven't, go flex that brain and write one!
• You create RCCP for your team's capacity. I know, I made one years before I became a planner.
• You have Safety Stocks for your fast moving items at home. I do.
• You have monthly NPI clean up at home. I do too.
• You implement contigency planning beyond work.
• You have probably the most number of meetings in a week. We have pre-meetings for meetings.
• Now I understand why during my Operations days, our planners need hours to answer a simple question. :-)
• You have at least experienced working on a complex spreadsheet and forgot to save it before the PC hang! Bummer. BUT you can recreate it back from sheer memory.
• You have a polarizing impact with Operations, Engineering and QA-- that is, they either love you or hate you. Well, perhaps the latter.  During my DLP days, we were one happy family for as long as people share the same vision!

And, you will never be right! Go figure!



Picture from my 1st SG Bday with CSP and friends



Winning the AGILE Category for VSM Lead Model.
SNO Tool with team work at its best.

My Team (MPD) Christmas Party circa 2005 with our Planning, MSM and QA friends.
I decided that our team will sponsor this party with people we work with most- we are the folks nobody invites. With Ed Macias sponsoring the venue.



Camphone shaking. The other half of CSP team.