tonton eras

3rd mosaic... tonton eras' trip here in paris.

halloween

halloween, pronounced "ah-lo-een" by the french was virtually unknown here until late 1990s. however, the popularity have started to wear-off. i remember years ago (2001), at monoprix one can find several sizes of pumpkin. last year & this year i haven't seen a single pumpkin. they only have the chocolate kinder surprise as their only halloween merchandize.

many people thinks that halloween is originated in america. actually, halloween started among the celts in ireland as a pagan celtic harvest festival. oh yes, halloween is originated from europe. the irish immigrants in america introduced such tradition in u.s. of a.

halloween french-style.... the best place to visit -- cementeries where tombs are lavishly decorated with flowers and personal items. one can try to enjoy etching grave stones, reading elderly epitaphs and taking eerie photos. the most famous cementery in paris is père lachaise cementery. graves of famous people like: frédéric chopin, georges bizet, honoré de balzac, marcel proust, oscar wilde, jim morrison, etc.

then there is a tour of the catacombs. i guess, this is the best halloween one can experience. lol it is evaluated that there are 6 million people rest in the catacombs.


practical information:

Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
16 rue de Repos
75020 Paris


Catacombes de Paris
1 avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguay
75014 Paris

alyssa

here's the 2nd mosaic i made for alyssa during her christmas holiday in thailand last year.

mosaic

the first mosaic i made. they are selected pictures of océane taken from 03 september to 27 october.

digital scrapbooking

my first time to try the digital scrapbooking.





thanks to the shabby princess for the harvest spice kit.

daily saving time

beginning today, we are on dst.



current time in paris --> 7:16 am

today, it will be

• 1:16 pm in bangkok, thailand
• 2:16 pm in manila, philippines
• 9:16 am in saudi arabia

and

• 11:16 pm in los angeles, california (that is last night for us)

autumn break

toussaint




this morning is the last day of océane's class and now it's autumn break. she made a ghost as their activity in the class. the ghost's name is pumpkin:-) she named it while we were walking on our way back home.

today...

from our window... this is paris right now --- so gloomy!

this afternoon i went to hard rock cafe and bought the latest shot glass for kuya eras. it is called paris cordial -- black letter, large cafe and taiwan bottom.

then i got the christmas catalogue for a toy shop for océane. perhaps, she'll find something interesting since she is problematic (this morning) because she have no idea what she will write on her wish list.

océane got a letter again from tonton eras. "thank you, tonton eras! i will definitely use the hairclips." -- océane

random christmas thoughts

random christmas thoughts


i've always been a sucker for christmas. years ago, back in the philippines kuya eras & i usually start our christmas shopping as soon as the month of september came. there was even a time that i put up christmas decoration on the 1st of september.

now having a 6 yr old daughter, who started asking when is the christmas day.... then i can't help but start thinking about christmas.

• advent calendar. océane will start her christmas countdown on the 1st of decembe. hey, that's ate yssa's birthday! i saw some nice advent calendar from last year and one that caught my attention was the christmas tree advent calendar that starbucks released last year. i want to have that one for this year, so i asked kuya eras to watch for that stuff in starbucks bangkok, just in case they will release something like that this year. then i went to the starbucks across our street where i frequent and asked one of the barista if they are going to have the christmas tree advent calendar. geez, they are going to have it and will be out beginning 07 november! yes!!! i already asked him to reserve 2 for me (1 for océane & 1 for me). then i sent email to kuya eras to let him know that we are going to have that advent calendar, so he can just send me money for two advent calendar. hey, it will save him some money for mailing, so it's a good deal. lol

• christmas stockings. last year our christmas stockings were red and white. i'm thinking of having a new colour combination -- pink & apple green or lime green. well, i hope i'll be able to find the colours that i want to use. i guess, i have to wait until november then i can check at bouchara for the materials (felt & thread) i want to use.
• christmas tree. oh i wish to have a fiber optic small christmas tree. well, there is one that is even tall back in the philippines. we got that last 2000 -- the year i had to move here in paris. i don't know if the fiber optic christmas tree exist here. many french usually uses real tree and some would even re-plant it after new year.
• christmas ornaments. every year i add something new on our christmas tree. however, this year, i am not sure yet what we're going to have. i'll jsut wait & see what will be the interesting stuff.
• christmas cards. oh i have to start making the list ----- names & addresses.
• christmas scrapbooking. i bought (actually kuya eras paid for it. lol) one raw christmas kit with the thought & wish of being in the philippines. wishful thinking.... bwahahahahaha my idea is to use is to scrapbook our christmas in the philippines, but then i think i have to keep it for future reference. lol not unless i'll change my mind and use it this year.
• christmas poem. i am planning to make a mini book for océane when i'll read to her the poem "twas the night before christmas." i am just waiting for the new arrival of christmas item at the scrapbooking store here.
• still thinking of the advent calendar. because it will have 24 or 25 pockets, i thought about having "christmas around the world" theme for océane. the idea is to have a small item that symbolize christmas of 25 different countries (of our choosing). however, i have to find 25 friends or relatives from 25 different countries to ask for their kind-hearted participation. oh that will be too much. lol
• christmas gifts. gotta make a list; must get the christmas catalogue from a toy store, blah blah blah blah.. lol

it is still october....

cheerios and other yum-yum

talking about cereals

i was crazy with kellog's frosted flakes when i was young. océane loves cheerios anytime of the day or night (while watching tv).

everytime i see a bowl of cheeries infront of océane it reminds me of froot loops. it is something that i haven't found here in paris.

in my early years here in paris, i couldn't find oreo cookies. my sister and brothers sent me regular supply of oreo cookies. one of our american friends came to visit us... she discovered that océane and i are crazy with oreo cookies. she went back to states and sent us a big diaper box filled with oreo cookies. it was hilariously great!! we had supply of oreo cookies for several months.

i remember my niece, alyssa, when she was about 2 or 3 years old she only ate the oreo cookie after my sister scrape the cream off. when océane was 2 years old, she only liked to eat the cream. then i have all the cookies (without cream) to enjoy:-) ahhh pleasure.... well, i better post this now before océane see these photos. otherwise, she will tell me that her tummy is empty. lol

tonton eras' day

today is tonton eras' birthday. my gift for him is already posted here.

here is océane after she phoned to kuya eras...

happy birthday, tonton eras!

this is for you, tonton eras...

fiac 2007 at jardin des tuileries

Foire Internationale d'Art Contemporian 2007

océane and i went to see some modern arts at jardin des tuileries this afternoon. the main event (design & art exhibition) is currently in grand palais. here are the photos i took:

chocolate truffles & christmas ham

saturday yummy

a homemade & handmade chocolate truffles and what we call back in the philippines, the christmas ham (without pineapple & cherries).

we had this oven-baked ham for lunch today and it really taste like the christmas ham i knew and we often had during christmas back in the philippines; even without the pineapple and cherries on top, it reminds me of the christmas back home.

hmm speaking of cherries, we don't have here the kind of cherries we grew up in the philippines. sweet bottled cherries. here in france, the cherries i ate were the fresh fruits. a trip to my mother-in-law would mean bowls & bowls of fresh cherries she would put in-front of me coz she have her own cherry trees in her yard.

as for the chocolate truffles.... oh it's heavenly. we had fun rolling the truffles and licking our fingers! i wasn't able take pictures otherwise my camera would be covered with chocolates.

chocolate truffles and christmas ham..... i think, we are calling the christmas. lol

events

tonight in manila... my family are all gathered in the funeral chapel.

tonight in bangkok... kuya eras will have his advance birthday celebration.

today in paris... we switched on our heaters, the public transportation strike continue, and the mini-final of rugby match between france & argentina. i won't be taking a nap or i may forget to pick up océanefrom her class. hahhahahaha

happy weekend to all of us!

La fourmi

Une fourmi de dix-huit mètres
Avec un chapeau sur la tête
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Une fourmi traînant un char
Plein de pingouins et de canards,
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Une fourmi parlant français,
Parlant latin et javanais,
ça n'existe pas, ça n'existe pas.
Eh! Pourquoi pas?


Robert Desnos

*** 6th poem

Le goût de la mer

Puisqu'il y a du sel
Dans l'eau de mer
On pourrait ajouter du thym,
Du poivre en grains,
Des vermicelles,
Des pommes de terre.
Un volcan sous-marin
Ferait cuire le tout,
Les ailerons de requin,
Les harengs, les mérous.
On dînerait sur les plages
Avec des cuillères en coquillage.


Corinne Aldaut




**** this is océane's the 5th poem

hair cut

from sunny morning to gloomy afternoon


yesterday, océane asked me to cut her hair really short. i told her can't be really short because it will be winter soon and her nape will be cold... nice reasoning huh? lol

anyway, here she is now with her new hairdo...

Jeanna Penamora Adolfo, 13 October 2007.

She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

written by David Harkins, 1981

a secret revealed...

THOUGHTS RANDOMLY MEDICAL
Aim: To Heal
By Jose M. Pujalte, M.D.

Self Deliverance From Kidney Failure

There were two questions my cousin, Ed, asked the doctor. “Doctor,” he queried, “What’s wrong with me? I know you have examined me very thoroughly and had some important tests done. Anyway, may I also know what my treatment is?”

The urologist, a close friend from medical school to whom I referred Ed, was very kind but direct. “Ed,” the doctor answered . “Don’t be alarmed. You’re very sick. From all indications you have a very serious kidney ailment: what we call end stage renal disease. Dialysis won’t do you any good. You may need a kidney transplant.”

Even as a doctor, used to doing, witnessing or reading about intricate and formidable operations, I was deeply disturbed, swept by a sudden sadness and pity for my cousin when I heard this. Thinking back in surgical history, it was not too long ago, in 1954, when Dr. Joseph Murray and Dr. David Hume of Boston, Massachusetts, did the first successful living-related kidney transplant from identical twins. The recipient had normal kidney function for eight years. The in 1962, the same surgical duo performed the first successful cadaveric kidney transplant, with the recipient enjoying normal kidney function for 21 months. Ed began to manifest symptoms of kidney failure in 1967, had on and off dialysis for another two years until the kidney specialist declared that he had already reached the end stage of the disease. A few distinguished surgeons in Manila began to duplicate the American successes, but because of the failure of effectively preventing donor rejection, their trial runs ended disappointment. By and large, it may be said that kidney transplantation in our country was still experimental and its “infancy stage”. During that time. Now it has come of age. An Esquivel, an Antonio, and an Ona began to score some successes in kidney transplantation. They started the slow trek to the hallowed niche of the surgical greats because of their pioneering spirit and their charity.

Ed, the patient, was a first cousin and one of my best childhood friends. We grew up together in Quezon, and had been playmates since boyhood days. But during our teen years we had to go separate ways. He had to finish high school in Lucena, and I, in Manila. And so we lost contact. Later, when in college I learned that Ed got married to Alice, his childhood sweetheart. And in a span of ten years, the couple had a brood of four, two boys and two girls.

A few weeks after our last visit to Ed’s doctor, we were back to his clinic for some follow-ups and more questions, especially about the expenses for the operation. True enough, the doctor said it would entail a very big sum, and yet he was quick to add that complete cure was uncertain. As Ed listened, I noticed that he was unusually calm and collected. This perception of calm before the storm was poetically described in the book entitled The Prince. The author, Antoine de Saint Exupery, said “It is with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Touching a bit on his family resources, Ed was not a rich person, although in our town he might have been considered well-to-do. He inherited from his parents a big house and lot, and a number of coconut plantations and rice lands, from which he derived income.

Contemplating on the whole situation, Ed felt that maybe he could afford the operation. But again doubts engulfed him. He could sell his possessions to meet the high cost of the surgery, but he would not be fully useful again, especially to his own family. What stood in the way of his impending operation was his overflowing love for his wife and four children. In his mind he rejected the possibility that his family would lead a life of hardship and deprivation, enduring the bitter taste of future penury.

Ed was already weakening in resolve, but summoning his last remaining inner strength, he tried to psych himself up to gain once again full control of his senses. His family should not suffer the painful consequences of his wrong decisions. Therefore he decided to die.

Fourteen months later, through a period of costly dialysis, agonizing bouts of depression, physical and mental anguish, I heard, with sadness, that Ed, at last made his quiet and final exit. There was bereavement and grief, but there was also the strong guarantee of economic well-being for the family.

This is a true story, a story of self-denial, self sacrifice, and self deliverance.

I am sure that when Ed left to meet the good Lord, he had a happy smile on his face.

……that “life levels all men; death reveals eminent.”




I was three years old when my father passed away. Hardly, I have memories of him. I never knew this story until my uncle decided to publish this most revealing secret story. My oldest brother mentioned to me about this secret recently after my uncle contacted him about this article. It is only today that I got hold of the copy of this story. After thirty-five years..... we discovered something and we don't even know for sure (and will never know) if our mother knew about this for she too passed away sixteen years ago.

La mer en colère

Qu'est-ce qui met la mer
En colère?
Ce ne sont pas les poissons
Dans le fond,
Ce ne sont pas les bateaux
Sur les flots,
Alors c'est sûrement
Le grand vent
Qui, dans un accès de rage,
Hurle au large.

this is océane's 4th poem and a difficult one to memorize becoz of the words.

By the time you're 30, your salary should be P120,000

By the time you're 30, your salary should be P120,000
By Dan Magallanes

YES, you read it right. By the time you reach the age of 30, your salary level should be four times your age. If not, go and check what's wrong with your career. See a career doctor. Don't trust your self-assessment.

It is not a do-it-yourself thing. There was a time I was experiencing a severe stiffness in my neck and I was supposed to meet the CEO of a multinational company over dinner in Hong Kong. On my way to the airport I dropped in at Lourdes Hospital to see its director, Dr. Jose M. Pujalte, a world-class orthopedic surgeon. He prescribed a tiny tablet which cost me more than the price of an Emma Shapplin CD. But presto, upon reaching the check-in counter at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, I felt relieved and ready for the short flight and brain boggling meeting that very same day.

Lesson in life--don't trust yourself in areas beyond your competencies.

Farm it out. Hire a professional consultant. I am a consultant myself, but beyond my expertise, I hire only the best. I am prepared to pay the high price because quality for me is expensive. Career planning has being done in the first world a long time ago.

In the Philippines, we don't do it that's why we still remain in the third world class. It becomes a dictate from home.

When the boom for nursing employment in the US and UK hits the country, everybody wants to become a "nurse." This is motivated by the dollar syndrome and the opportunity to bring the whole family to the land of milk and honey--a promise of comfortable and easy life. Even licensed doctors are burning their brows again to study nursing and swiftly get to the US. High school graduates are no longer given the chance to pursue a career where they will eventually become happier.

Of course, it is the responsibility of the parents to guide them on what course to take in relation to their capability and interest. But it is still the best move to hire a professional career consultant. Planning should start from the time you pursue a degree. But it is not too late for you now if you will only keep an open mind.

A group of friends of mine from abroad who are experienced professional career consultants pooled themselves together and established a career consulting office despite of my objection that it will not prosper in the Philippines at that time--or even now.

Seven months later, they all decided to pack up and head to where they uprooted themselves. In my history as a headhunter for 17 years, I only got three appointments for career counseling. One was an executive of a mall, the second of a well-known television entertainer and the third, a very popular clothes designer in the '80s.

I have observed that most of our executives and professionals at any point in their career would rather buy a high-end mobile phone or an expensive designer bag than pay a career consultant for their stagnant or sagging career. They tend to forget that they have to live on a parallel lifestyle based on their position in the company and of course their take-home pay. If you are bent on having a good career, you have to focus on how you will attain it at a certain paradigm. It is not wanting but not doing anything.

On one occasion that I was invited to speak before a huge audience composed of young managers. I asked them to raise their hands if they want to become successful in their career. Everybody did. But when I asked if they have made a thorough check on where they were heading, no one braved the challenge.

I have interviewed hundreds and hundreds of executives and professionals in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, Europe and even as far as Samoa and I have seen why only a few are successful.

New graduates, forget about where you got your degree. I never look at the so-called "top universities." I claim to pioneer in promoting this attitude with my multinational client-companies.

Have you ever wondered why this 38-year-old guy who earned his degree from a not-so-known college in the southern part of the country got a job which offered a whooping basic salary of P500,000 per month plus dizzying perks? You read it right: half a million pesos on the 30th day of every month.

This executive bested nine other candidates who are mostly graduates of "top universities" in the Phi-lippines fielded by other headhunters. The interview process was tedious.

First interview was done in Manila; second in Bangkok; third in Singapore. Then there were only four shortlisted candidates. The fifth interview was done in Hong Kong. A week later, I got a call from the chair of the company in the US and was asked to send my candidate to the US on a first-class seat that very same week for a courtesy call with the big bosses. He got the job. He was given a signing bonus of $50,000.

The secret? MBA? No, he does not have one and does not aspire to have one. It was his attitude, the quality of his experiences and accomplishments, capped by the desire to make things "happen" now.

If you do not have at least 10 years of meaningful work experience occupying a manager's position in your current employ, then you don't need an MBA.

Most of the top executives I placed do not carry graduate degrees. Being an honor graduate is likewise unimportant. I do not look at the transcript of records.

I often wondered why most of the summa, magna and cum laude graduates do not make it to the top. My profession has shown me the reasons.

One: honor graduates tend to be perfectionist and idealistic.

Two: they have high career expectations within a short period of time because they know they are the best.

Three: they have little patience. Since they are intelligent, they want things done their way, within their time frame which is impossible in a corporate arena. People skills matter. Team work counts. You are not alone in your department.

I once plucked a 28-year-old guy who works as communications officer for an international NGO. Impressed with his impeccable oral communication skills, I again concluded this fellow is a graduate of a so-so college.

True enough--he obtained his bachelor's degree from an up-town college in the south. He speaks with elan.

At a young age, he has already published a book on corporate social responsibility which is being used as the guide book of all the worldwide offices of the NGO where he worked with. He was asked by his employ to travel to different countries to speak about the topic he had written. I advised and moved him to a more responsible position with a blue-chip company for three times his present salary.

The company where I placed him was taken over by another giant. He called me up for advice. I coached him to move to another assignment. Other managers in his level decided to stay on. For three months, he could not find a job better or even parallel to his previous compensation, experience and qualifications. He started to get nervous. He dropped in my office one late afternoon and invited me for coffee. After a thorough analysis of everything in his career life, I told him to capitalize on his creative juices. Put on a new pair of shoes--be an entrepreneur.

That was three months before Christmas.

On his first month, he already earned his salary for the first quarter of the following year.

Capital? No. It is trusting the expert to do the thinking for him. His fellow managers who remained during the acquisition process were later advised on redundancy of their position. They lost their jobs.

It is true that career professionals move for better pay. But it should not be the monetary consideration all the time if you really want a high-flying career. Don't move just because the work is near the place where you live. Don't move because you just want to move. Pay an expert the way you pay for a nice-looking Louis Vuitton purse or a top-of-the-line mobile phone.

The best career is in the Philippines nowadays. Blue-chip companies are coming our way. This is the place to become successful. The most comfortable life is here. You leave the country because you feel you cannot make it here. If you cannot make it here, you cannot make it anywhere.

Be a winner in your own country.

Remember, by the time you reach the age of 30, your salary should be four times your age.

(The author is CEO of Headhunter Manila, an executive search firm. He consults for blue-chip companies and lectures on moving your career up. He also coaches executives and professionals. Feedback at dan@headhuntermanila.com)

autumn in paris

friday has been a good day and i spent most of my time walking around....

here's the beautiful colours of autumn at jardin des tuileries:

and at avenue des champs élysées:

rendez-vous

17h

this is not my appointment but océane's and it is with her pediatrician. she had her check-up:

• weight, 20.3 kg
• height, 117 cm

océane had a flu vaccine too. got a prescription for her annual vitamin to be taken on december and another prescription for her cough.

here is the big girl while waiting for her doctor to open the office door.

a box filled with suprises

that was tuesday afternoon


how about a box waiting for a little girl? yes, a surprise box (from tonton boyet) was waiting for oceane. when she saw it.... i guess her excitement immediately reached the top.



oh yes, she's one very happy girl. thank you, tonton boyet!

happy autumn!

it's a little week behind nonetheless, happy autumn!

i had a flu since friday evening. weekend had been filled with tissue paper.. drinking medicines and hot tea with lemon & rhum. océane had been telling me to do nothing. i was on bed under the thick cover but she kept on talking to me. heck, by saturday i passed the flu to bernard. lol

it's a better monday for both of us with a happy océane coz it's her sport day today.