Softwares

During my holidays, I just bought a laptop for me to regain things that I have learned before which I haven’t used for long time and learn new things. It may be near low end but it can do the job. It will be photo editing and website designing this time. As some one who likes to be an architect/graphic artist before, I think now is the time to relive the passion I had in terms of arts and I would say these are good venues to put them in.<>

When I was a kid I like drawing and looking for art pieces such as paintings. I have never been to a contest as there are kids that are better than me and not shy to join. I also love looking at beautiful pictures even then and I envy those who can capture them well. I wanted to take pictures and paint even before but cannot afford one.

Now that things are going smoothly in terms of work and other extra curricular activities I currently have, I believe I can have time for such. When I had a chance, I bought a camera (digital; compact only) for me to use and I have been taking pictures lately, I see that what I have are already good ones, but looking at it closer, there are flaws to fix.

I like colors and pictures, and being good at photo editing is a good thing to gain in such a way that it can boost my creativity. I just hope I am not old enough to start it over again but at least doing what I love is already an accomplishment and I find it stress relieving also. The website designing on the other hand is also a thing to also improve creativity and probably a place to put my future creations.

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May '09 Holidays

I had a great 3-week holiday in the Philippines. I and my family went from places to places, buying needed things for family and things that I have to bring in PNG. It has been more than 6 months since I left my country and found a lot of things that have changed. My focus then is for me and my family to have fun and enjoy the time we are together.<>

Unfortunately, my kids went to summer classes that hindered us to go far from home. My kids insisted that I send and fetch them. We just maximized time after school. I am glad to hear and see the improvement in them. I brought them to places that I know they would enjoy. I know that the place doesn’t have to be very special, but knowing my kids, I know exactly what they want. Of course, taking pictures is part of my itinerary. Below are some of the places we’ve been.

Below is a huge ground where I brought the 2 kids so they can run around. It appeared too big for them but they got what they wanted - running, running and more running. This is in University of the Philippines. We wanted to come here for 2 reasons, Gio and Jahn to Play and taking pictures of the scenery.

The city where I live in, San Pablo City is also known for its 7 Lakes. The one that is more famous is this - Sampaloc lake (Sampaloc means tamarind in English). I wanted to come here because I see the view to be relaxing. I took a lot of good pictures from here and this one is my favorite.
This may be a small resort, but I am hapy to see my kids swimming. The 2 kids are afraid of the water and with the aid of their classmates, they also had fun on the water.
Have been to this floating huts when I was still a bachelor. I find this place nice, the kids liked the placed and my wife - the food.
Going out is fun especially for the kids as they are both can already appreciate the things they see. Bonding with family is good problem I had – parting time.

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Spare Time

Having personnel to attend night shift was an issue then in Glaxo. When it was settled, what I did was just look for something positive for us being there at night time. In Engineering and Maintenance department, usually personnel in the ranks would just wait when there is trouble to work on. What to do with their spare time is up to us.<>

In Glaxo, when free, we have an internet access which I used so I can learn new things aside form the time to time surfing for the things that is related to my job. I learn to do some 3d animations. I also learned how to make a website and did visual basic programming. Though I don’t recall all of them, knowing the basics made it easier for me to understand other programming languages. I reaped the benefit when I studied PLC which is a high form of programming in the electrical world. I also had a chance of using the intranet’s online courses. Things like Communication and Production operations were part of the choices and it did help me a lot. I did made the most out of my spare time. Even in breaks, I would listen to funny to people to be relaxed and have fun or listen to matured ones to gain knowledge.

Now, it is more of applications of what I have learned, but I still work on improving what I have and continuously learn more. Spare time is usually time to relax and learning for me. I make sure they are balanced as doing one of them often would be boring. I spend them wisely that I would use all the resources around me to learn, grow and make life easier.

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Giants

My co-workers and friends sometimes ask me question(s) about life. Like them, I sometimes would be amazed with myself with the answers that I give them. I would not take credit for the words that I used and tell them where I got it – author and/or books, if what I am narrating to them does not come from my personal experience.<>

Leveling up in terms of maturity did not happened to me by chance. Aside from my experiences, it is a product of the written scriptures that the Masters I have followed have written and spoken (e.g audio books.) Doing this makes it easier for me to see what other cannot. Names like Tony Robbins, Robin Sharma and John Maxwell are just some of the few who have influenced me to be the person I am now in terms of leadership and regarding life.

As I learn more from them, I also try to impart that knowledge to people who needs assistance and advice. As time goes by, the quality of help I have been giving, in my opinion, improves. Though I know I still have lot of grounds to cover, I am very happy and very thankful when I hear people say that I am wise and/or smart.

“If I can see farther than others, it is because I am standing in the shoulder of the giants”

- Isaac Newton

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Relief

We went out of Lae last Easter and it gave me a different sense of easiness. Looking at the scenery on our way to Goroka, even with the long drive ahead of us, gave me calmness not same as the relaxed feeling I have while making decisions and solving problem.<> Not thinking of and away from work even for a day helped me relieve whatever is in me that I have carried for a while.

Even though I stay calm at work, hearing and seeing adverse events still produces these little things called stress. Stress is something that will come to us inevitably and for me, relieving and handling it is what matters. Instead of letting it build up, best to let it off before it produces problems. I may usually be relaxed but in case pressure builds up on me, I would always have outlets and going some place new to me will be one of them.

I would like to have rests like the Goroka trip we had, maximize time and go somewhere whenever I can. Carefree, I was like a kid then playing with the offspring of my friends, taking pictures and being amazed by the views. I felt like a different person coming back to Lae after the trip. I am very close to my 3-week leave and I would also want my family to experience the same – to just have fun and enjoy wherever we will plan to go.

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Not what you know

One thing I like about boarding in a new company is the Orientation day/week. This is where I have to be introduced to the personnel in the whole factory. Being in Engineering and maintenance, I have to deal with almost all the groups there is on the factory. So when they are introduced, I would remember names of the main people who I’ll be working with. One thing I would ask is their expertise.<>

Knowing them really makes my life at work easier. I would not know everything in a company, but I should know the people who can help me. In a company, when you are not the authority in a field, some times, no one would dare listen to what you say - even if you are right. Knowing the expert, asking them and making them say to the concerned parties what you think is a better way to say what I want. Sometimes, you don’t have to be the one to do most of the job but the one who understands the best.

In case of a deadlock with other departments, I would go to the higher authority. In Glaxo, we would ask for the help of the ones who makes rules and the more experienced people outside of the Cainta Plant e.g. Singapore Site. I may not even know them personally, but knowing that they exist already has helped me in winning debates. I have done this as I am not keen on taking credits anymore. As long as things will happen the way I want it, it’s fine to me for them to be the hero.

There are times when in dealing with a problem or some decision have to be made, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. I later found a more elaborated version and it says “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know and what you do with who you know.”.

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New Addiction

We had a chance to go to out last weekend to Goroka, a small town that is known for coffee. It is still in PNG but at least it is 300 km away from Lae (more than 4 hours of driving.) Found lot of things to take pictures of and got busy with them. Since I went to 8 mile and taken good photos, I have been imagining things that I want to take pics of.<>

Below are my favs from our latest journey. I have been experimenting and making sure that the subject would not look like hanging/floating.

Time consuming - waiting for the right time taking pics with insect in it but it's worth it.

I knew I bought an old book on photography and dug it out of my big box full of books. I located it and checked what other subjects can be taken. I got hold of great tips as the book is entitled "Learn from the Experts" and found it very motivating.

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