Monday, December 31, 2007

Thank You 2007

Here are some of the lists that I am thankful about 2007

1) For the good health for me and my loved ones.
2) For this job that even though I looked 5 years older, since I first started here 16 months ago.
(which is partly my fault coz I have this habit of staying up so late)
3) For the family that I work for
4) Some friends who I am so blessed to have with
5) My good kita (income) this year
6) My 2 trips in Portugal, which have costed me money which I wouldn't have mind at all if
they were pleasure trip. I went because there were some papers to be dealt with. That's
the setback when you are not suppposed to be where you are.
7) My trip in Paris. I had to be there for the weekend to take a Portuguese language
comprehension exam at the embassy. It was brief but an enjoyable short stay. J'aime Paris!
8) My trip to Sardegna
9) My xmas gifts
10)thank You Lord for all the blessings

New Year, Hopeful

It's just short of two hours before new year and here I am instead of celebrating it with my family. I am welcoming the year alone (and the sleeping baby in the other room). My boss were out for a new year's party.

I won't go anymore to the details (for now) as to how come my trip was postponed. I'd like to brace the coming year with just positive vibes (talaga lang ha).

My boss were so happy that I agreed to stay the new year, coz I was still to push thru for my trip (dec 27) but have had to fly back (jan 2), after giving it a thought I chose the other option which they laid out on me (after that unexpected turn of event came up), which was to go in 3 weeks time but stay for 2 weeks and a half in pinas. We were in Sammy's(my boss) father's villa in Fayence for the xmas. We were just back yesterday. They were supposed to stay there until january 2. But because I am here now, they came back and so happy that they can go to this party. Someone is going to babysit their baby. They wouldn't have gone if this friend (who was supposed to look after the baby for a month) stayed anyway.

I don't mind sulking right now in front of my laptop anyway, since most of my flatmates are working right now. I'm off tomorrow lunch though. I heard that my flatmates have prepared something tomorrow lunch. Myhousemate Greg, who's like the chief of the house, since we just share a space from him and the one who leased the house, and two other male hausmate love to cook. So there, I am spare from the kitchen, at least for cooking. I'll do my share in washing the dishes though.

I phoned home 5 pm here, which was exactly the strike of midnight sa pinas. I got to share with my family the loud noises of the entrance of the year. I thought I'd be sharing this festivity with them, after the 8 years.

Anyway, there's always a new year. So more reason for me to smile about.

Happy New Year Everyone especially those who are far from their families, like me :D

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Monday, December 17, 2007

A Voice To Reckon With

A new singing sensation is causing furor over Philippines. Charice Pempengco's gaining popularity in YouTube even resulted in her getting featured in some US shows.

Here are some videos:



Thursday, December 13, 2007

Nostalgia

I grew up listening to old pop and ballad songs. My mother's favorite station then was KY 91.5 where everynight starting at 9 and on Sundays, they'd play nonstop oldies.

I used to hate old songs but as years went by I beacame more aficionado than her to this genre of music. Now it's even diverge to liking classical too.

Below is a video of one the songs of Eydie Gorme, It Takes Too Long. I was so happy to find this in youtube. I liked this when I was a kid, knew the lyrics but had not really understood what they meant.



I swear hirap talaga akong magisip ng title when I make a blog. It's like I have to squeeze my brain out so I'd come up with a title, self-imposed torture. Anyway, puspusang effort pa talaga on writing hehehe. Practice will make it better rosalie

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Monday Blues

I had my off yesterday (Monday) instead of weekend. This, I would have found revolting had I not thought that this is a good hap to do some xmas shoppings as shops are closed in the weekends.

I was debating silently to myself whether or no I go to Nice. The thought of going to Nice by bus is already repulsive, the trip is long which takes about 45 min and the winding road makes it even less appealing to me. But there are more highstreet shops in Nice to go to than in Monaco. I couldn't go by train bcos I tagged a friend along with me. She doesn't have legal papers here in France so to go by train is a dangerous thing for her to do (there are lots of random passpost control going on these days) .

After a few hours of deliberation, while we readied ourselves, bathed, dressed and cooked some food for our housemates who are coming home for lunch, we decided to go to Nice via bus.

Over in Nice, our first stop was in Bershka. After struggling with undressing several layers of garments (u know naman when it's winter) just to try and fit some stuffs, we still left the shop empty-handed. We'd sneaked through some shops more and it was in H&M where we finally found interesting to buy. I got myself a nice pull-over and my friend got herself a bracelet.

After the lunch in KFC, we decided to proceed with our initial purpose of why we went there to buy xmas gifts. We went to HABITAT where I got some cups and candles and then to FNAC to buy some chidren's books and toys.

So there, we managed to be home before 7. As soon as we got home I just deposited the shopping bags in one corner. I only remember to check on them after dinner.

It was then I realized that I don't have one of the bags from H&M, 25€ gone just like that. Not only that, the Burberry scarf D gave me 2 years ago was also in the bag.kaiyak. So I was really in shock to find this out.

My friend went to the shop where I was sure I have left it but the staff said they don't have it.

So there all day today I tried to console myself... Kainis kasi ba't di ba naman kasi mainis ang pagiging t*ng* minsan, kainis sobra, pero oks lang sana maging useful iyong scarf na iyon sa bagong may ari, and the shirt gift ko na lang iyon kung sino man siya, hu hu ganda pa naman sana, kainiisss talaga.

Friday, December 07, 2007

A long week

Looks like it's going to be a really long week for poor me. My guy boss isn't due to come back till Sunday which means I have to work on Saturday and to stay the night as well. So it's from Sunday to Sunday work this week. And to top it all, my alaga wasn't sleeping through the night these days. I hope she will tonight. Im super exhausted.

On a different note, I'm already making list(computing) of things that I'll need to spend my on sa Pinas. To cut down my budget, Im thinking of buying things that Id be needing like shoes, shirts et al instead buying them here to profit my vacay. The day before my guy boss left he told me that I should go to Zara before I start on February to buy suits. But I like co equeated what he meant by "try to dress something reall smart, rosalie". Well, as a chimi aa, I do look the role hehehe on weekdays. Eversince I did this job, even in Portugal, I try to look as too ordinary as I can. Of course, I do dress neat and clean iyon nga lang talagang out of mode and sometimes the color combination which I dont find funny myself.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Within My Reach

All day today couldn't help but be in the state of awe and disbelief. I still couldn't believe of this good fortune that has come upon me. If this is a dream then I don't want to be woken up (OA na!).

The previous night, my boss, after talking to the people in the office, brought home a very good news. I can join the office next year.

After 8 years of doing domestic work and child-minding I have a chance to change all that. I'm so happy but apprehensive the same time whether I can cope up with this change.

I work 12-14 hours a day in average, most of the time the only break I got is when I take my meal or when I sit with the baby in her room. So at nighttime I'm completely exhausted which I think is reflected in each of my entries, they being incoherent

Sunday, November 25, 2007

my usual ramblings

My boss were back today. They were gone the whole week so when they asked me to work this Sunday I didn't utter a word. It was good enough to have a one-week break so I didn't think it was big deal if I had my a*se working today.

They hand me the baby as soon as I opened the door for them. My female boss was completely exhausted after several nights of the baby being difficult on her sleeping routines. So I stayed with the baby, played a little bit with her and then put a DVD to distract her while I unpack her suitcase.

Then my guy boss came to the room and asked me how the interview with the IT guy (for whom will tag as A) went. I told him everything went well and that he was nice and that he
showed me around the office. My boss will have a talk with him tomorrow. My future now lies with A, sortof heheheh. I was told that I have a 90% chance of having this IT job. So we talk about who and when my substitute (to look after the baby) can come. My supposed start-date if I get the job. And he gave me some reassuring words on this mammoth changes that I may have in the job front in the succeeding months. And I was kind of relieved after hearing the end bits of the chat.

It's only a month left before my forthcoming vacation to Philippines and if my subsitute can come on or before February I can start the training at the office before I go to Portugal on April.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

A Post Long Overdue

I had a talk with Andreas today, the IT guy. It was a 2 hr mentally bleeding orientation. I would be very pleased if I get this job. Although I have to give out all efforts to prove that I am capable of handling it. I swear I don't know 90 % of what he was talking about and I was honest to him about this.

This is what I have always asked for to be back on track again so I hope and I pray that once Im into it I will be happy. This will all be worthless if I feel otherwise.

I hope I can be more clearer about what Im talking about hhehehe but I can't coz nothing is final yet

....and my residence card (I pray)I hope I don't get into any hassles when I renew it.

:D I'll just keep a positive attitude. And I'm not watching horror/thriller movies like Final Destination or Saw I mean it can give me bad and scary thoughts really sometimes

....and I been wanting to go see Rome and have a pic in the Colosseo and to Florence to see the tower, (it's just a train away Rosalie, just get a ticket, esp. now that u found out that there is someone from Lisbon who's there now and u can actually have a free lodging, just go get a ticket on ur day off, let off from the net on ur day-off for once hehehhe)


je suis fou!!!!
Ja e muito tempo que no havia ter escrito aqui qualquer coisa. Acabei escrever um blog em ingles mas agora estou escrever em outro lingua para ser nao compreendido pelos alguns "gajos".

Agora que no nivel de trabalho esta ficar melhor vou me agora pensar bem no aspecto de coraçao.

Je souhaitais un homme gentil, tendre, intelligent mais avec beaucoup des humours (je ne sais pas si humour est un correct), quelqu'un qui va me comprend, mon faible cote e tous environ moi. J'ai eu plusieurs experience mal avec sexe opposé mais en depit de ca je crois encore de l'amour.

Por favor mon français est si tres mal so bear with me mais je l'adore deja est je suis interessais l'apprendre. C'est ça le moyen je sais pour le faire parce que je ne l'use pas au quotidien.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Im Blaming It On The Rain

Lately the weather was acting up really strange, we experienced all the 4 seasons in just a span of one week. There has been a drop in the temperature in the beginnng of the week, rainy in the middle and sunny sunshine today.

On Thursday, despite the bad weather, the baby had to go to her music class. The mom, just being wise as she was, so she'd not have to go out in the bad weather herself, asked me if I could take the baby. Eventhough I was less likely keen on setting off, I found myself pushing the pram in the drenched street. It was just a little drizzle on our way to the class but the complete opposite as we headed home.

The baby was well and dry since her pram has a good waterproof cover. I, on the other hand, was like a drenched chick. My feet were damp, my hands were shaking as I pushed the pram. My hood were not enough not to make my head got splattered with water because of the strong wind that came along with the rain.

Thus, going that rainy day getting wet is why I think why I have a runny nose now and I was sneezing all day long. I hate catching cold as it makes you really uncomfortable more so Im looking after a baby and don't want to bring it on to her. In short, I don't want to be the disease carrier in the house hehhehehe.

There were friends who asked me to go to Fanfare tonight by the port but I had to decline. I don't want to get worse on Monday when I go back to work. Sighhhhh!!! The bump-car would have been fun tsk, tsk, tsk, babaw hehehe!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Voix D'un Ange

I’m in to all music(except heavy metal music). But, I have got a special liking to old music from 50’s, 60’s and to some classical music, which others of my age would find weird. This video below features a song from Edith Piaf, L’Hymne A L’amour. I know the English version of the song but when I came to France I found out that it was originally an Edith Piaf’s.

The guy (Gregory Lemarchal) who sings in the video, unfortunately, passed away few months ago. He had a terminal illness. This video was one of his performances in a singing contest he joined in here in France where he was hailed as the grand winner. Back in Portugal, I used to watch a French MV Channel and his music videos would be played over and over again.

I have got so many versions of this song downloaded on my computer. However, it's this one I particularly like the most. I love this song before but I love it even more now after hearing this rendition. The girl is equally good. (Volume would usually be raised even more at 2min.02 sec part)



After hearing the song, don't you wish you understand French? - I do :D

Monday, October 22, 2007

PX Brands Coming


Finally, there will be a GAP outlet in Manila. It's opening on November. I will definitely visit it when I go to this December.

Article below from Manila Times:


Gap to open stores in RP


The US clothing firm Gap, Inc., will open stores in the Philippines through its partner, the Rustan Group of Companies.

In a statement, the company said it has signed a franchise agreement with Rustan’s to introduce the Gap and Banana Republic brands in the country.

“Over the next five years, Gap, Inc.’s franchise partner Rustan plans to open a combined total of approximately eight Gap stores and four Banana Republic stores,” it said.

The first Gap store in the Philippines is expected to open by the end of this year and the first Banana Republic store in (March) 2008, the company added.

All 12 stores are scheduled to be in place by 2012.

Ron Young, Gap’s senior vice-president for international strategic alliances, said the Philippines represents a natural market for the firm to expand its international presence.

“The country has a strong, steadily growing economy, and consumers in this market have a great interest in iconic apparel brands such as ours,” he added.

Under the agreement, Gap will use Rustan’s local operational expertise, and provide access to Gap and Banana Republic’s clothing and accessories.

Rustan’s, on the other hand, will hold exclusive rights to operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in the Philippines.

“[It] will purchase merchandise from Gap or suppliers designated by Gap, and must adhere to Gap’s quality standards to preserve the reputation of the Gap and Banana Republic brands,” the clothing retailer said.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

A Bit of Intro

I am writing again in blogspot after two years of neglecting it, that's why the title. Sometime in the gap though, I started writing blogs in MSN.

When I initially made this blog I was still in Lisbon and had been working as a nanny. On this previous job, I was with an Ukranian woman who was in charged of the house. She was my constant companion at breakfast and lunchtime for two years.

I used to share an apartment with couple of friends. My job was a bit far from where I work so for my travel time alone I spare like 3-4 hours to come and go to work. But when needed by the parents' baby, I had to stay over the nights to babysit something I liked since it would mean extra pay.

I'm on my 18 months sojourn here in Monaco, I still do the same nature of job. This time however, I have to do a little bit of household chores. There is someone who comes twice a week to do the house but the everyday tidying-up I have to do it myself.

I miss Lisbon a lot which is no surprise after having stayed there 6 years prior on coming here in Monaco but in terms of the salary rate I like where I am now. I miss my friends and I miss my routines at night after work. I'd let myself through the flat, directly to my room, dump my bag on the bed and straight to the computer table and won't be bothered until my tummy would demand for some attentions.

I do not have much leisure time everyday. So I really try to make most of my days-off by -moping about in front of the computer hheeehhe. SIGGHHH!!! (Well, in a littlle time everything is going to be alright, just have to hang on a bit more :D)