*I realized that this is going to be my first post for the year of the Dog so I might as well write the appropriate title.
*Today is February 12, otherwise known as Lovapalooza Day. Now on my 26th consecutive "cold" Valentine's Day, wouldn't it be nice to watch all those couples kiss to break (yet again!) the world record...
*Ok, enough about that...
*Things are turning out in a mixed fashion this 2006. Some may say (after hearing the facts and happenings) that this will be a good year for me, while others may want to play devil's advocate and say otherwise. A couple of nice projects are in the offing this year, yet the it seems the price to pay for that would be another delay in my thesis. It will be almost one school year since I (would supposed to have) started my thesis, yet I've got nothing to show for it except for an expired library card...
*I read Alekos' blog on the Baguio trip and somehow also long for an elem reunion with my chinky eyed friends. I managed to stay close to a few but still I'd like to see how they are turning out (hopefully not as washed out as me). I heard some of them are filthy rich now (from their own businesses), some got married, some joined the band scene, while some are hardworking members of the Philippine labor force... I'd bet some of them turned out really pretty :) (love them chinky-eyed chicks)
*On the long book list, I realized I read either "girly" classics (like Pride and Prejudice) or just classics (like Les Mis). In my defense, these books were mostly the ones my much older sisters read. One was required (Kill a Mockingbird, are there others ba?). I read only a few of the more contemporary (like Alchemist and 100 years) but none of the Robert Jordan and JRR Tolkien stuff... How come no John Grisham book made the list? What about "Applied Probability and Statistics for Engineers" by Montgomery :D
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Food Haven
Iloilo City - The second stop of our consultations for a UP System-wide initiative brought us to this beautiful city in Western Visayas. Home to the UP in the Visayas, the province of Iloilo and its capital Iloilo City is the gateway to the entire region. A 15-minute outrigger boat ride brings you to the fabulous island of Guimaras, where the mangoes abound and where the beaches are fabulous. About 2-3 hours away is the province of Capiz and Roxas City, the seafood capital of the country. About a few hours away also is the province of Aklan and the pristine beaches of Boracay Island. Iloilo is the place to go for some of my most favorite gastronomical delights. A trip to Iloilo is never complete without the usual trip to Ted's Old Timer for their Extra Super Special (yes, it's that superlative) batchoy, complete with all the toppings (some of which are better eaten than described). Another place to go is the Biscocho House in Jaro, home of my super-ever all-time favorite butterscotch. The molo soup also originated in this wonderful place. Yummy! And how about Tatoy's, the place where beachside dining is at its finest. Atchara pa lang, ulam na! There was also a time that I ate enough talaba to last a lifetime.
Recently, Jonas informed me of his most recent venture (no, not his sleeping pills, though I'm desperate for some), The Mango Tree. I discovered that, at the time of my visit two weeks ago, The Mango Tree was in the 3rd week of its operations. With some expectations on the food (courtesy of taste-tested sisig while playing DoTA) and ambiance ("It's the most romantic date place in Iloilo City" boasts my friend), I invited Prof. Manegdeg of the ME Department to have dinner at The Mango Tree. Dr. Ricarte Nunez of WIT (I'm not so sure of this) joined us for dinner.
True enough, the ambiance at the entrance is impressive especially by the standards set by other restos in the city. Music was provided by a component system that I vaguely recognize from the Gonzales home in Capitol Homes. The restaurant had space to seat about 50 people but it can easily accomodate double or triple that. Upon entry, a huge MANGO TREE (thus the name) welcomes the casual diner (note to visitors: slippers and sando/sleeveless shirts aren't allowed, though I saw a group of teens wearing flip flops when we were about to leave).
Prof. Manegdeg, Dr. Nunez, and Mr. Po after dinner
The menu was printed on copy paper, cut into three. Hardly impressive, I thought, but maybe they're still developing the menu. I was remembering the instructions... try the sisig, don't forget the bulalo steak... I immediately asked for those, and then ordered some spicy gambas. I don't remember if they had mango shake but I do remember some kind of food with mango dressing or sauce. I may want to try that next time. Prof. Manegdeg ordered some molo soup, which arrived first. The molo actually tasted very ordinary, especially when compared to the ones from Molo (duh?!) but was heartily tasty nonetheless. The sisig was a tremedous improvement from what I tasted and I am now a bit more sure of backing Jonas' claim that it's the best sisig (the one from Razon's could compare but it's not fair to compare them because I ate the sisig with halohalo). It was very tasty, just a teeny bit spicy and the calamansi added a nice touch to the flavor. The spicy gambas was, well, spicy. But the shrimps were very fresh (dapat lang!) as they came right out of the shell. It was a perfect complement to the beer (oops, did I say beer??). The servings were paltry though as we had to order another plate. And, for the coup de grace, the bulalo steak was amazing (just don't think of heart disease). It was very tender and the grazy was smothering the steak in all the right places. I told Jason later that night that the bulalo steak looked very much like the one in the picture (a tarp outside). Few restos can boast of that.
**
Food Quality: 4 burps (I can make better adobong mani than that!)
Value for Money: 4 burps (considering its Iloilo, where the minimum wage is much lower)
Ambiance: 4 and a half burps (the music mix was quite ecletic; may nahahalong music na wala sa mood; the mango tree lighting was very well made)
Rest Room: 4 and a half burps (walang mirror! paano na pag magpapapogi yung nakikipagdate?! but the rest room itself was designed well and may soap)
Overall: 4 burps (may room for improvement pa)
Recently, Jonas informed me of his most recent venture (no, not his sleeping pills, though I'm desperate for some), The Mango Tree. I discovered that, at the time of my visit two weeks ago, The Mango Tree was in the 3rd week of its operations. With some expectations on the food (courtesy of taste-tested sisig while playing DoTA) and ambiance ("It's the most romantic date place in Iloilo City" boasts my friend), I invited Prof. Manegdeg of the ME Department to have dinner at The Mango Tree. Dr. Ricarte Nunez of WIT (I'm not so sure of this) joined us for dinner.
True enough, the ambiance at the entrance is impressive especially by the standards set by other restos in the city. Music was provided by a component system that I vaguely recognize from the Gonzales home in Capitol Homes. The restaurant had space to seat about 50 people but it can easily accomodate double or triple that. Upon entry, a huge MANGO TREE (thus the name) welcomes the casual diner (note to visitors: slippers and sando/sleeveless shirts aren't allowed, though I saw a group of teens wearing flip flops when we were about to leave).
Prof. Manegdeg, Dr. Nunez, and Mr. Po after dinner
The menu was printed on copy paper, cut into three. Hardly impressive, I thought, but maybe they're still developing the menu. I was remembering the instructions... try the sisig, don't forget the bulalo steak... I immediately asked for those, and then ordered some spicy gambas. I don't remember if they had mango shake but I do remember some kind of food with mango dressing or sauce. I may want to try that next time. Prof. Manegdeg ordered some molo soup, which arrived first. The molo actually tasted very ordinary, especially when compared to the ones from Molo (duh?!) but was heartily tasty nonetheless. The sisig was a tremedous improvement from what I tasted and I am now a bit more sure of backing Jonas' claim that it's the best sisig (the one from Razon's could compare but it's not fair to compare them because I ate the sisig with halohalo). It was very tasty, just a teeny bit spicy and the calamansi added a nice touch to the flavor. The spicy gambas was, well, spicy. But the shrimps were very fresh (dapat lang!) as they came right out of the shell. It was a perfect complement to the beer (oops, did I say beer??). The servings were paltry though as we had to order another plate. And, for the coup de grace, the bulalo steak was amazing (just don't think of heart disease). It was very tender and the grazy was smothering the steak in all the right places. I told Jason later that night that the bulalo steak looked very much like the one in the picture (a tarp outside). Few restos can boast of that.
**
Food Quality: 4 burps (I can make better adobong mani than that!)
Value for Money: 4 burps (considering its Iloilo, where the minimum wage is much lower)
Ambiance: 4 and a half burps (the music mix was quite ecletic; may nahahalong music na wala sa mood; the mango tree lighting was very well made)
Rest Room: 4 and a half burps (walang mirror! paano na pag magpapapogi yung nakikipagdate?! but the rest room itself was designed well and may soap)
Overall: 4 burps (may room for improvement pa)
Sunday, November 27, 2005
I'm not dead
Ok, so it's been almost two months since my last post. A lot has been happening lately. Consider yourself lucky you're reading this...
The main highlight for the month of has got to be the wedding of the decade. Pat and Chico's wedding was a successful bash (If I say so myself). The Best Man did a great job... oops ako pala ito. Well, all I really did was arrive very early at the bride's house (since the groom was busy confessing whatever) and then later on that day spoke of some funny, skewy, detailed anecdotes about my long affair with the bride and groom. I must admit a part of that speech was googled (gasp!) but the greater part of that speech came from the heart and I know the couple is very well aware of that. Of course, what would a wedding be without a wild bachelor's party?? Well, it wasn't exactly wild (Happened the week before the big day). We just drank a few beers and and shared funny/gross stories.
October 15, Oliver invited us to his newly built swank place smack right beside their old house. Of course, visions of Oli growing old with his brood of kids beside his parents' house is a mighty sight to behold. Overall a nice place, so nice it's gonna be the venue of our annual Christmas party. I remember the last one, conversations till the wee hours of the morning... without any alcohol. Of course, this year promises to be different with everything we've planned.
October also marks the frenzy of 1st sem grade submission. This is without a doubt my most pasaway sem, submitting grades a day late (gasp! again!). A funny anecdote could be told about our Chairman receiving a memo for late grades. She snickered at me, to which a replied with a wry smile. Shock overcame her upon reading HER name on the memo, and not mine.
Novermber (and late October) gave me a time for a short breather. However, unlike in previous terms, I didn't find the sembreak to be quite relaxing. I didn't actually have to go to a spa.
The start of classes have been a regular November thing for me (since I was a student in UP). Its quite different when you're on the other side of the fence. Teachers have to prepare more at the start (and the trend of preparation reverses significantly come finals time).
A whole lot is scheduled and slated for the coming weeks. Today marks the start of the 23rd SEA Games. Two good friends are competing for the country and from what I hear (and read), they're shoo-ins for the gold. Mickey (fencing, team foil and team epee, I think) and Sandra (triathlon), good luck and go for the gold (so cliche). In other matters, the usual end of the year signals the start of planning for next year. Being in some position (not necessarily of authority) I'm doing some planning myself. It's on top of teaching kids what happens when we reject the hypothesis and it turns out to be true.
Come December, it will be fast and furious. By Friday, I'll finally have a taste of The Mango Tree, Jonas' latest baby. With a sisig that's to die for (no pun intended, I hope), I can't wait to stretch my taste buds in Iloilo. Less than two weeks of classes, then the break. IE Club will be gunning for its 6th consecutive EWOC. Its likely they'll repeat. Balita ko ang pogi and charming nung adviser nila. Eng'g faculty and staff will also enjoy their own version of Eng'g Week albeit capped by a feast that's enough to feed half of the acad oval.
A couple of Christmas parties with friends are also scheduled. Regi should take care of us from IEC '98/'03. I'm looking forward to a reunion with some PIQC friends. Oh yeah, my only godchild's birthday is on December 19. Lucky ninong.
My thesis docket has been empty for quite some time. High time to get rolling on it.
No pics of my throat getting slashed or me hitching a ride in the wonderful roads of Oahu for now. Just a short update, much like CNN's breaking news. Nothing sensational.
The main highlight for the month of has got to be the wedding of the decade. Pat and Chico's wedding was a successful bash (If I say so myself). The Best Man did a great job... oops ako pala ito. Well, all I really did was arrive very early at the bride's house (since the groom was busy confessing whatever) and then later on that day spoke of some funny, skewy, detailed anecdotes about my long affair with the bride and groom. I must admit a part of that speech was googled (gasp!) but the greater part of that speech came from the heart and I know the couple is very well aware of that. Of course, what would a wedding be without a wild bachelor's party?? Well, it wasn't exactly wild (Happened the week before the big day). We just drank a few beers and and shared funny/gross stories.
October 15, Oliver invited us to his newly built swank place smack right beside their old house. Of course, visions of Oli growing old with his brood of kids beside his parents' house is a mighty sight to behold. Overall a nice place, so nice it's gonna be the venue of our annual Christmas party. I remember the last one, conversations till the wee hours of the morning... without any alcohol. Of course, this year promises to be different with everything we've planned.
October also marks the frenzy of 1st sem grade submission. This is without a doubt my most pasaway sem, submitting grades a day late (gasp! again!). A funny anecdote could be told about our Chairman receiving a memo for late grades. She snickered at me, to which a replied with a wry smile. Shock overcame her upon reading HER name on the memo, and not mine.
Novermber (and late October) gave me a time for a short breather. However, unlike in previous terms, I didn't find the sembreak to be quite relaxing. I didn't actually have to go to a spa.
The start of classes have been a regular November thing for me (since I was a student in UP). Its quite different when you're on the other side of the fence. Teachers have to prepare more at the start (and the trend of preparation reverses significantly come finals time).
A whole lot is scheduled and slated for the coming weeks. Today marks the start of the 23rd SEA Games. Two good friends are competing for the country and from what I hear (and read), they're shoo-ins for the gold. Mickey (fencing, team foil and team epee, I think) and Sandra (triathlon), good luck and go for the gold (so cliche). In other matters, the usual end of the year signals the start of planning for next year. Being in some position (not necessarily of authority) I'm doing some planning myself. It's on top of teaching kids what happens when we reject the hypothesis and it turns out to be true.
Come December, it will be fast and furious. By Friday, I'll finally have a taste of The Mango Tree, Jonas' latest baby. With a sisig that's to die for (no pun intended, I hope), I can't wait to stretch my taste buds in Iloilo. Less than two weeks of classes, then the break. IE Club will be gunning for its 6th consecutive EWOC. Its likely they'll repeat. Balita ko ang pogi and charming nung adviser nila. Eng'g faculty and staff will also enjoy their own version of Eng'g Week albeit capped by a feast that's enough to feed half of the acad oval.
A couple of Christmas parties with friends are also scheduled. Regi should take care of us from IEC '98/'03. I'm looking forward to a reunion with some PIQC friends. Oh yeah, my only godchild's birthday is on December 19. Lucky ninong.
My thesis docket has been empty for quite some time. High time to get rolling on it.
No pics of my throat getting slashed or me hitching a ride in the wonderful roads of Oahu for now. Just a short update, much like CNN's breaking news. Nothing sensational.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
A Best Man's Tale
This should not come as a surprise to many of us, most especially me. However, when I got this bit of great news I will admit that I was indeed shocked to hear it. I will not go into the details of my reaction (though the bride will give you a vivid account upon request) but more importantly, we should look at how our lives are changing. Jonas predicted that in the next 2-4 years, we'll be going to about 4-10 weddings (lower number for me, higher for him). We were also discussing "sinong mauuna?" The guess was correct. Timing? Way off!!
She announced this with a dagger in-hand. Future husband took photo.
As their best man, I dedicate this blog post to my very good friends Chico and Pat! Best wishes!
The downside is that we won't be able to ask them to play dota a lot now, since they'd now have "bills" to pay... nyay!!
Looking at the bright side, at least they'll get an income tax exemption... :D
She announced this with a dagger in-hand. Future husband took photo.
As their best man, I dedicate this blog post to my very good friends Chico and Pat! Best wishes!
The downside is that we won't be able to ask them to play dota a lot now, since they'd now have "bills" to pay... nyay!!
Looking at the bright side, at least they'll get an income tax exemption... :D
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Productivity Lows
I think I may be suffering my worst streak of low productivity... although a part of me thinks it's due to an immense workload never before seen in my two and a half year career.
***
After I finished printing my exam for today, I burned my time reading other people's blogs and following links everywhere. Got this from Jae... (this is probably more than two years old now!!)
***
After I finished printing my exam for today, I burned my time reading other people's blogs and following links everywhere. Got this from Jae... (this is probably more than two years old now!!)
Friday, August 19, 2005
50 more reasons why we love surfing the net
Inasmuch as I wanted to work hard on a Saturday to finish a huge backlog of papers and commitments, Time Magazine's list of the 50 coolest websites gave my productivity a huge blow.
I've gone through the entire list and I've seen probably less than five of these sites. I've visited only a few and the sites were really good. The blogs are a new category this year and some of them are really hilarious. A sample quip (from Overheard in New York...)
Hobo #1: Do you know what time is it?
Hobo #2: Yeah I know.
Hobo #1: Thanks.
I've gone through the entire list and I've seen probably less than five of these sites. I've visited only a few and the sites were really good. The blogs are a new category this year and some of them are really hilarious. A sample quip (from Overheard in New York...)
Hobo #1: Do you know what time is it?
Hobo #2: Yeah I know.
Hobo #1: Thanks.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
lab exercises and research in ergonomics
One of my tasks in IE 134 (Ergonomics) is to come up with laboratory activities for our new equipment from Vernier (thanks to Angelica of Velca). My students were surprised to note that we were using the same stuff Physics 71.1 and 73.1 (lab courses on Mechanics and Thermodynamics) classes were using.
Most of the exercises I designed were really exercises, as in my students would have to do some sweating to get their project done. Research in this line of ergonomics would be allied with what they're doing down there at the CHK (Human Kinetics). We're trying to look at anthropometry, its applications, and its implications on human performance.
I hope we do some justice for our room's name, the Human Performance Laboratory.
***
I'm sort of disappointed to note that none of my students decided to conduct research in this field of ergonomics, preferring the safer route of ergonomic evaluation of everyday stuff. At least, there's a saving grace since some students decided to pursue research in the field of industrial ergonomics, or the ergonomics in the workplace. Since the IE program in UP Diliman is really manufacturing/industry oriented, we might as well focus our research in this area. Another area I find interesting is cognitive ergonomics.
More on my Hawaian adventure next week...
Aloha!
***
Happy Birthday
18 - Leks
22 - Pat aka Raven
23 - Wilbert P.
28 - Chewy
sorry tinamad maglagay ng links
Most of the exercises I designed were really exercises, as in my students would have to do some sweating to get their project done. Research in this line of ergonomics would be allied with what they're doing down there at the CHK (Human Kinetics). We're trying to look at anthropometry, its applications, and its implications on human performance.
I hope we do some justice for our room's name, the Human Performance Laboratory.
***
I'm sort of disappointed to note that none of my students decided to conduct research in this field of ergonomics, preferring the safer route of ergonomic evaluation of everyday stuff. At least, there's a saving grace since some students decided to pursue research in the field of industrial ergonomics, or the ergonomics in the workplace. Since the IE program in UP Diliman is really manufacturing/industry oriented, we might as well focus our research in this area. Another area I find interesting is cognitive ergonomics.
More on my Hawaian adventure next week...
Aloha!
***
Happy Birthday
18 - Leks
22 - Pat aka Raven
23 - Wilbert P.
28 - Chewy
sorry tinamad maglagay ng links
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