Is it on Sunday already?

We are on the verge of recession but Bush adamantly expresses only about the slowing economic growth. If I have to interpret what Bush has voiced out, we are recession-bound; clobbered by housing slumps, credit crunch and weak dollar. And now we will have to feel the pinch once again with the fare hike. I expected the subway and bus fares would increase some time this year but I didn’t expect it too soon. There were signs and publicity all over the stations, buses and trains when it went up from the previous increase. This time I only found out this morning that the fare will go up on Sunday when I picked up a free publication of amNewYork – its headline “NEXT STOP: HIKE”.

The Verdict

Just to update you of my decision about the job offer (see "What if"). After two days of deliberation with the recruiter and human resources personnel, I decided to decline the offer. There was only one issue that we didn't come to an agreement. They wanted me to start in two weeks, but I requested for at least six weeks. My argument seemed not reasonable for them because they needed a person right away. Though realistically, two weeks is a company standard. In any case, I have no regret for saying "no".

Only time will tell if I made the right decision.

What if?

Today I have to make a decision that may change my career.

Yesterday I got a job offer from another company. I asked them to give me at least 24 hours to think over and sleep on it. I spoke to two of my trusted colleagues about the offer, as well as to a good friend from Manila (who happens to be in NY this week for her Bar exam) and to my sister. And this is the day that I must have a decision to tell other company that whether or not I accept the offer.

I weigh in everything I can – the benefits, the base salary, the work hours, etc. I’ve even come to writing it down all the pros and cons. Still I have no firm decision yet.

The hardest part is to say goodbye from people whom I’ve worked for almost 11 years. Those years that we’ve been working together, they have become my second family. In spite of some petty arguments in the staff meeting (which is understandable), we have managed to stay friends outside the office building. We’ve learned not to mix personal feelings and work. That is something I didn’t encounter from my two previous jobs.

I hope I will make the right thing. I don't want to end up asking myself someday, "What if?"

Simon says

For the past weeks, flu has been ravaging workplaces across the nation and last night even the “Idol” girls were hit with the illness. While some of them were sapped by the sickness, there was no excuse and no sympathy from Simon. It seemed last night Simon was feeling sick himself. He was cranky most of the time.

Though my favorite that night, of course the 20-year-old Filipino/American from Florida. Ramiele Malubay is the little girl with a big voice that impressed the judges. “A voice to be reckoned with” says Paula, “very classy, almost like a pro” says Randy, and “tonight, you out sung every single person” says Simon.

I don’t know about you but I truly feel proud of her. She sang Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”. I had the first impression that she would sing that song, which popularized by Lani Misalucha in the Philippines, because on the “Idol” site Ramiele proudly says that Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez have influenced on her.

The fact that Ramiele Malubay is a better singer than Jasmine Trias (from the 3rd season), I hope you will vote her as much as you had voted Jasmine Trias. Let’s support and vote for Ramiele until the end.

Tuesday Night of Idol

While the former first lady (NY Senator Hillary Clinton) suffered another bruising night Tuesday, losing the Wisconsin primary and the Hawaii caucus to Illinois Senator Barack Obama, I on the other hand watched the “American Idol” and excruciatingly listened to 17-year-old Danny Noriega’s version of “Jailhouse Rock”. He practically destroyed that song. Sadly, it was painful to watch him doing the Elvis’ move. I totally agreed with Simon Cowell as he described Danny’s performance was “verging on grotesque”.

On the positive side, 16-year-old Danny Archuleta (“Shop Around”), who I will be rooting for, has a bigger voice among the young contestants. He sings well and is so likable on the stage. Other guys who I believe stood out are Michael Johns (“Light My Fire”), David Cook (“So Happy Together”) and Jason Castro (“What a Day for a Daydream”). Last night it was the music of the 1960’s but these guys had perfectly carried out like contemporary pop songs.

Tonight it will be girls’ night. Watch out for Ramiele Malubay...

Dancing with the Stars Announced

Since the first season of “Dancing with the Stars”, I’ve been a fan and glued to my TV every Monday night and Tuesday Results night. From an Oscar winner, to an Olympic gold medalist, to a Tennis Grand Slam champion, to the wife of the king, are among the new crop of celebrities who will fox-trot on “Dancing with the Stars” on March 17th. It will be its sixth season and with interesting line up and diversity of the cast, this season will be another blast to watch.

A Philippine radio disk jockey Patti of Jam88.3 once said “Those stars on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ have no career so they have plenty of time to waste.” Anyway, I love the show and who cares what people think and say about it. It’s a family show and entertaining. Unlike those trashy idiotic reality shows that come out during the summer or hiatus.

Things to do

I never went to my high school prom night. If I did I have no recollection. If there was, it might have been a prom “day”? Until now I don’t recall wearing a prom suit (if that’s what they call it then) so I can’t tell if I had really gone to my prom night. There wasn’t even a single picture that I could show to myself that I actually went. They said that “high school prom” was the best memories they ever had. And here I am trying to reminisce nothing. If I were to list the things I’d like to do before I die, going to a prom would be my first on my list (or at least somewhere in the middle).

Traveling is always my passion, therefore, a journey to the elusive land of Vietnam and a visit to the highly restricted Island of Galapagos is must things to do. I wish to wander out the outskirt of Vietnam by taking the train from South to North (Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi). And I will get close with the endangered species on Galapalos Island.

I did a few extreme adventures in Costa Rica in 2001. It won't be so bad if I do something I've always wanted to do. Skydiving will be fun. It is quite thrilling and spine-tingling. I should add that on my list.

Lastly, to do a road trip in the Philippines and visit old churches built during the Spanish colony. That will be educational.

Chinese New Year

Born in the Year of the Rat are claimed to be respected and considered a courageous, enterprising people. They believed to be clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.

They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner. They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities. They seem to have interests in everything and hope to participate in doing it and usually do it very well.

Super Giant Tuesday

I can’t get more Super than this and I’m thrilled.

Today my colleagues and I are sneaking out from work to watch the ticker-taped parade for the NY Giants for winning the Super Bowl XLII last Sunday in Glendale, Arizona; beating the almost perfect record New England Patriots 17-14. It will kick off at 11:00 a.m. at the Battery Park en route to the City Hall where they will have the ceremony.

Convenience is what we call it because our office building is only a few blocks from the City Hall and the Battery Park is just around the corner.

After work, I will be heading to the poll site in my neighborhood to vote for the Super Tuesday. Today is also the New York primary election. I will nominate who I think the best candidate for the U.S. President on the national election in November.

Super Sunday or Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday is, almost the national election, the primary election for the U.S. presidential candidate. Republicans and democrats from eighteen states will vote for their respective presidential candidate. The winners of the primary election one will be chosen to be the next U.S. president this coming November. Economy, education and healthcare are my major concern in choosing the next president. And Iraq is only a small factor.

Super Sunday or known as the Super Bowl. For many of us it is a showdown between a playboy and a boy next door; Tom Brady versus Eli Manning. New England Patriots is looking for their fourth Super Bowl title while New York Giants is gearing up to stop the winning streak of the patriots. As Giants fans, this could be the most momentous day since their Super Bowl win in 1991.

New television commercials are also the main attraction of the Super Bowl for they are fun and entertaining. The average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial is $2.7 million.

Go Red

Many of us pay a little attention that February is American Heart month. It is an important month for us to keep hard-working muscle in good shape. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. Today at work we join the awareness to fight against heart disease by wearing RED. Across the country already recognize the color red as representing the ability to all men and women to improve their heart health.