Looking Back: Childhood and Decisions

"How one handles success or failure
is determined by his/her early childhood."

I studied at Paaralang Sentral ng Argao - I, about 4 blocks from our place. I went straight to Grade 1 as kindergarten was not a pre-requisite at that time (obviously!). I finished Grade 1 with the first honor award, and that was the only first I got until I graduated college. (Haha. What a loser!)

One unforgettable picture of my childhood days was the time I got into a fight with a classmate in Grade 2.  I threw a sizable twig at him causing him injury on his forehead. I could not recall what exactly the cause was but I think it started from a bullying act. Our teacher, who happened to be his aunt, punished both of us by letting us kneel in front of the class until everyone left for home. Looking back, I thought I was a brave kid. Haha.

I didn't know I had a talent in dancing until I entered Grade 4. My teacher enlisted me in a dance group for a school activity. I was a member of the school's dance troupe until I graduated elementary. In every major school occasion, the DT was there to perform. There was a time when we competed in a regional dance competition performing La Jota Moncadena. We took home the second prize (I think, if not the first - such a poor memory. haha). :P 

I continued to be part of a DT even when I was already in high school. The same members of the DT went to the same school as I did - St. Michael School Hijas de Jesus. We had regular shows at Argao Beach Club where we mostly performed ethnic and folk dances. Not only that, I also got to perform in the annual town fiesta celebration and in the annual Sinulog dance festival in my town participated by most of the schools (elementary and HS). Quite a childhood experience for me. 

My life was so simple and less complicated then. I was really sure of what I wanted in life. I just wanted to finish school and get a good job. I was so persistent and driven to finish school that even if I was sick, I had to report to my classes. :)) I liken myself to those students we usually see on teleseryes walking to the school on slippers. I used a net bag for my papers, notebooks and pencils. I played bato lata, takyan (sipa), luksong kabaw, luksong tinik, and other games you could play in the streets with your childhood friends and neighbors. I am so proud I had experienced such a life. I wouldn't have been able to differentiate good from bad or better from worse without such experience.

When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up, my straightforward answer was "to be a civil engineer". I really did not understand what that was. I just liked the word engineer. That answer was consistent until I finished HS. It only changed when my college sponsors brought up the idea of me getting a BS in Accountancy degree. And the rest became history. 

Where I am now or where I will be going is a matter of choice. What I am now or what I have become is a product of the choices I made in the past. And I could say, I am proud of those choices. 

People say, and I agree, we need to cherish our childhood.  It's the ONLY one we have. Do you have memories of your childhood?

Delightfully Yummy

These are just a few of what my wife can cook/bake/prepare.  And I tell you, these are all tasty. She does accept orders in packs or in bulk. You may contact her through email (donnaparasteo@gmail.com) or text/call (09277412091).  :P

"Whether it's served on fine china or a paper plate,

food brings us together and stimulates conversation.

We feast to wed, mourn, celebrate, strengthen

friendships, assert mana,and 

simply to be hospitable.

Good eating is one of life's great pleasures."

Upgrade or Not?

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was officially announced last September 3, few days earlier than the announcement of Apple's iPhone 6 (and iPhone 6 Plus). I am (or was?) known to get an upgrade as soon as a new release or version is introduced to the market. With the release of Note 4, I am quite hesitant to do the upgrade as I am still not sure if it's worth the money. I read the specs of Note 4, assessed its reviews and compared it with my current Note 3. 

The main differences between the two versions are shown below.

Display

Note 4 has the same 5.7-inch display as the Note 3 with the difference in the resolution. Note 4 comes in at 1440 x 2560, compared to 1080p display on Note 3. 

Camera and Battery

Note 4's camera has been bumped up to 16MP from 13MP in Note 3 and can now take panorama "wefies" when taking selfies with groups of people. The battery is only 20mAH bigger than that of Note 3 but Samsung says it gets considerably more life. And by the way, fast charging has been added (i.e., 50% charged in 30 minutes).

Software

Multi-window is made much easier in Note 4 by adding mouse-life features to the S Pen. Samsung is saying it's now easier than ever to copy text and take multiple screenshots.

Read the source here for full details.


iPhone 6

Yesterday, Apple announced its new offering in the market, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. I used to be an Apple fan having started with the original iPhone up to iPhone 4. Every new release Apple introduced, I immediately got an upgrade. Not certainly sure why it happened though :)

I also read the specs and comparisons of iPhone 6 Plus, which is definitely the first phablet of Apple. At first, I was quite interested because of the new design, 128gb storage capacity, "slow-mo" effect of video capture, and the wallet within. But with the comparison of the features between iPhone 6 Plus and Note 4, it looks like, at least to me, that Note 4 is still ahead.

The question now is am I convinced to get an upgrade? With this limited information, I think I am not getting one. I'll just wait for Note 5. :P

Playing with Photography

At around 8:30 pm last night, all of us were already in the bedroom getting ready for the night's rest. As everyone was still busy: 1) Nina playing with her guitar; 2) K and Sam playing with the ipad; and 3) Ean reviewing for his test today, I decided to get my camera and played with it.  

I tried to take pictures of the kids but the girls were not as enthusiastic as Ean. So here are Ean's shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them." Elliott Erwitt

My Adventures

Oxford defines an adventure as an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.  To me, it is an experience you don't normally do or get as you live your life. It is something you don't get to experience everyday because of lack of time, opportunity, and money. :P

"I'll look back on this and smile because it was life and I decided to live it."

The Edge Coaster

 

Nina and I took the Edge Coaster ride in July 2010, during our first (and only) vacation since the time we left for US in 2005. Quite not a scary thing to do by just looking at the pictures above.  But get to experience it and you will see how scary it is looking at the bottom of the ground from where you are sitting.

Edge Coaster goes around the edge of Crown Regency Hotel and Towers while riders are locked onto a rail set.  High above at the 38th floor of the tower, riders can indulge in a breathtaking panorama of the entire Cebu landscape 130.84 meters above ground.  Riders are fastened in a two-seat platform with a control lever that can tilt the platform down up to 55 degrees.  source:  http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com

On the Snow

 

This picture was taken in January or February 2009. I'm just but proud to say that this is such an adventure as not all get to experience literally lying on (or embracing) the snow.  I think this is more thrilling than the current Ice Bucket Challenge.  Haha.

Water Rafting

 

Water rafting is the sport of travelling on rivers and streams by raft.  source:  http://dictionary.com

I had experienced water rafting and rock climbing just once.  I had these activities sometime in 2009 in North Carolina (NC). I remembered we drove about 12 hours straight from New Jersey to NC (with only restroom breaks along the way).  

Rock Climbing

 

Rock climbing is the sport or pastime of scaling rock masses on mountain sides (especially with the help of ropes and special equipment. source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Wakeboarding

 

Wakeboarding is the sport of riding on a short, wide board resembling a surfboard and performing a acrobatic maneuvers while being towed behind a motorboat. source: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com

There was no motorboat involved in this experience though. I tried wakeboarding, rappelling and the tyrolean traverse at the Danasan Eco Adventure Park in Danao City, Cebu early this month.  See my article on A Day Tour at Danasan Eco Adventure Park. 

Rappelling

 

Rappelling is defined as a descent of a vertical surface, as a cliff or wall, by sliding down a belayed rope that is passed under one thing and over the opposite shoulder or through a device that provides friction, typically while facing the surface and performing a series of short backward leaps to control the descent. source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Tyrolean Traverse

 

The Tyrol involves using a fixed line to cross from one point to another, often over water. While wearing a harness, you clip onto the rope or cable to pull yourself across.  Tyrol was developed in the Dolomites of the former Tyrol region and was used to approach and descend from spires. source: http://www.climbing.com

What About Me?

Among my 4 kids, Kay is the most expressive.  She speaks her mind. She corrects you when you're wrong and she continues to explain until she gets her point across.  

While watching tv, the wife approached me and handed me a piece of paper. It was a note written by Kay expressing her thoughts and how she felt this morning.  Kay placed the note inside the drawer where the wife usually keeps her valuables.  She's witty enough to know where to strategically place the paper. :)

Tell me what you think about the note. :P

WTeam Experienced Associates

As of this writing, they are my experienced associates. But officially, they will be assuming the role of a senior associate effective September 1, 2014. The promotion was announced in the firm's 4th anniversary celebration held last June 27 in Jasmine Ballroom of Fontana Leisure Park & Casino. Congratulations again teammates!

I'm not going to write about how good these guys are in terms of accounting, audit, tax and other technical stuff. I'll share a little of what I know of their personal lives. 


Charles Nar Dominic Bote

Charles is commonly called by his colleagues and friends in the office as "Bote" (and it actually evolved into "Bote Uy").  He is a graduate of San Beda College. He is currently the bf of the equally good-looking gal, Andrea. They have been together for about 5 years (not considering the cool-off or break-up periods). There was a time when he got lost in an island but was able to successfully return. 

Charles is not into confrontations nor sharing personal matters with friends, colleagues and family. I think he's not alone as I also am not used to sharing personal matters with my parents. 



Eric Fernandez


Eric is the second among a brood of four.  He is from Legaspi, Albay and graduated from Divine Word College - Legaspi. Aside from his father, Eric is the only member of the family who is working. He regularly sends allowance to her mother for expenses and for his younger brothers' school fees. 

Although he currently doesn't have a gf (at least to my knowledge :p), Eric has a lot of admirers. Within the office and at his clients, I know of people who like him. 



Rjeelyn Tolentino


Rjeelyn, the only "thorn among the roses", graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas. She is the most sought-after singer in our team.  In every major firm occasion, she doesn't fail to amuse us.

Click this link -> The Talented Rjeelyn to know more about her and her performances.

Just very recently, she broke up with her bf of 2 years. Not sure though if it's serious since she did the break-up through viber. 


John Carlo Dueñas


Carlo is a magna cum laude graduate of Far Eastern University. He almost made it to the list of top 10 CPA Board passers (ranking 11th I believe) in his batch. Carlo is currently not available to date. He has just committed himself to a beautiful, intelligent, and long-time friend. Their first anniversary will be on June 28 next year. :) 






Lester Hernandez

Lester graduated cum laude from Technology Institute of the Philippines. He is the bf of one of the firm's topnotch hires. Among the five experienced associates, it's Lester whom I know least about. We barely hang out nor talk that much when we are in the office. Blame it to the circumstances. :P 

"Understanding is deeper than knowledge, there are many people who know us, but only a few understand us."

A Day Tour at Danasan Eco Adventure Park

August 6, 2014 was a special non-working holiday in Cebu Province in celebration of its 445th foundation anniversary.  It was on the same day when I, together with five of my teammates from our Cebu office, went to Danasan Eco Adventure Park (Ecopark).  It was a day full of fun and memories and of course body pains the day after. :P

The Ecopark is located in barangay Danasan of Danao City (a couple of hours from Cebu City).  It has three caves, a waterfall, fresh water springs, and a man-made lake.  For more details, you may visit its website -> http://www.danasanecoadventure.com.

A day tour is not enough for everyone to experience what the Ecopark can offer.  We had a few of the activities on that day from 9 am to 6 pm but still not enough.  I will definitely return. Enjoy the pictures below. :)

Wakeboarding

   

 

      

  

ATV Trailing

Trekking, Rappelling and Tyrolean