YOU: Tabula Rasa

Silly, yes, but I still get the chills up my spine.

Was it the cloudy skies or the fact that yesterday's the eve of the blue moon's appearance?

Whatever it is, the surprises seemed endless I was a little afraid it would end very soon and on a a very predictably awkward note. Thankfully all went well.

I don't ask for much. I'm quite happy with small gestures: a note here, a little help there, and maybe some jesting. Getting all three in one day is just perfection.

In plain language, I only wanted to say that every touch is felt to the core, every favor extended (whether solicited or freely given) appreciated, every confidence relished knowing that they're hard to come by these days.

Even the fact that my notebook has been wiped clean of data didn't even matter (Thank you Google for Drive).

BLISS vs GLOBE

Having well rested from a fruitless maiden voyage as a partner in an  entrepreneurial endeavor, I volunteered to mind Summer as long as her mum shows up to the annual campaign rally for the student council election. (Yeah, I am now very obliging to any activity that doesn't involve academics. Every opportunity to rest from brain work is now something that I look forward to with much excitement).

Summer and mommy arrived towards the end of the program when everyone was on their feet, dancing, shouting and shoving at  each other (with some busy eating the cupcakes that the candidates made for the occasion). The unusual large number of people convening in a cramped space and everyone towering over her, Summer was obviously disoriented and confused at the chaotic sight that instead of dancing to the music as she is wont to do, she just either stood on one side or held on to my legs until somebody noticed and picked her up. 

Excited. Anxious.

After so much waiting to get started, it finally happened today. Seventy-five minutes into the new day and we drew first blood. 

It was painful as expected. 

Getting a rejection is heartbreaking and this many in just an hour? Well, one could get used to this ;)

MC Restaurant

How long has it been? I cannot remember the time but the picture of how painstakingly we endured the heat of the sun going from pond to pond hoping to catch some fish, Tatay and I, is still vivid in my mind. I must have been talking and asking of questions then which scared the fish away. (Looking back now, I've been scaring fishes then already. Lol!)

Since I have been acquainted with the boys from Bacolod, I have long since expressed my great interest into renewing the experience. Opportunities have been presented before me many times but the chance of finally doing it happened just this week.

While our Muslim brothers are celebrating Eid Mubarak, we got busy and scheduled some interview and for a quick product training.

Since only three out of seven hopefuls showed up, we finished early and the free time that it brought us was just enough for some relaxation, i.e., fishing.

Toto and JD brought Kz and myself to MC restaurant which is located about a kilometer away behind the regional hospital. At four, the parking lot was full of cars, and the benches on one side of the pond teemed with people of all sizes. There were groups of kids, teenagers, families, couples, Koreans and some serious enthusiasts who even brought their own gear.

The mechanics was simple. The resort provides the fishing poles and bait. The customer pays for all the fish caught.

I made a production of hooking my own bait to the tilapia's great delight. As a result, I lost all of my baits on two occasions. But that did not prevent me from proudly brandishing two biggies before I had my fill of waiting and pulling. Among the three of us, we caught about a kilo and a half of fish which we had the staff grilled for a very early dinner.

Little Farmers Coffee

Yesterday, JM provided a welcome interruption to my rather tedious morning of reproducing duplicate and triplicate copies of the program registration papers that I busied myself with. It was to report that he and Peter discovered a kiosk at East where I could finally source out my coffee beans while both AusAid and USAid are out of stock. It's called Little Farmers Coffee.

Tonight, after the vesper service, I walked from Maranatha towards Lopues with every intention to look up the coffee kiosk. It was located behind Cafe Bob's. At 7 pm, I chanced upon the owner who was busy refilling the labeled bean boxes. He was tall and fair with deep engaging voice that encourages conversation. I asked about the varieties the shop has on display. He asked me back on what I want with my brew. Automatically I said, strong but sans the bitter taste. He recommended the medium roast Arabica for that jolting strength and chocolatey taste. I bought 50 grams each of Kalinga and Benguet Arabica and the House Blend made of Arabica and Robusta with undisclosed ratio. My blend of choice will be decided in two weeks' time when I have sampled all of the stores beans.

Yes, the store sells with a minimum amount of 50g which varies from P29 - P44. One can buy whole beans or have them ground to suit brewing preferences. 

I had mine coarse enough for my french press.

BUS(ted)

Business activities in the cities of Silay and Talisay have been a part of my usual week activity of late and taking the bus is the most convenient way to go. The seats are comfortable and the schedule, reliable. 

It's a wonder that the north bus terminal's ticketing system could be so efficient and organized while that going down south is so horrific.  

Friday nights are a nightmare, with having to compete for space with students who go home to their respective cities for the weekend. With everyone wanting to get on the bus first, passengers scrambling for a seat on a running bus is commonplace. I am not a stranger to an exchange of heated words about who got to the seat first. 

When I am in a hurry and pressed for cash, I usually take the already packed bus and sit on the platform beside the driver right above where the engine is located. The heat emanating from it was naturally comfortable and the drivers would usually loan their bamboo backrest for me to sit on. 

In cases when I have money to spare, I find myself taking two trips aboard Hinigaran or Kabankalan and alighting at San Enrique for another bus or puj that head for La Carlota. At times, a passing Canlaon or La Castellana bus has become a natural option for me too.  

Others may have been as patient and ingenious as I am but who has the time for such trivialities. Why can't the Vallacar people sit together and share best practices in the business.  A consistent and organized system will benefit both their company and the people they serve (or the people that give them their business in the first place).