On times of crisis

Everyone heeds and trying to keep composure as the verdict will come out in just a matter of days. News circulating around says that 10% of the current workforce will be cut-off from both direct and indirect labor. And that would mean adding 1000 more jobless people in this sadly to say rapidly depleting world.

With the advantage of seeing everyone working at their best efforts, it still fretting going to work and later found out that you'll never come back the next day right. I actually don't believe that the weakest link are mostly expected to be sent off. What about those people who pledge their loyalty and service to the company, will it just end up in vain and wait till the company goes into bankruptcy? as such, no one is indispensable, recession is at the threshold and shortly after will be opened.

Even me, I'm starting to prepare myself and deal issues related to this. But what I'm more concerned about are the OFW's who just came here. When they left home, everyone is hoping for a better future for their family. Most of them has payed large amount of processing fees, which was either taken from loan sharks or worse sold or used their hard earned possession as collateral. What about those? what will happen next?

It's really sad that in a situation like this, the ones affected most are the "little people". Last Friday night as I've waited my bus and work shift Filipinos pass me by, I don't know why I can't help not to stare on their eyes and feel sorry at the same time. I'm not sure what I'm thinking exactly, but I guess if there's only enough good job back home, maybe the pain won't be this much.

On the side, I will always be forever grateful to God for bringing me to Taiwan. I'm sure lots of expats will agree. For me, He has given the best years experience of my life and career. More than I could ever dreamed or imagined and amidst the situation, I believe His preparing the best things for everyone. Just like the bible says, when a door closes, He will open another window, and that window is from ceiling to floor.

On budget campaign

2 months ago, a former colleague of mine e-mailed me about their company's imposing force leave due to economic downturn. She inquired further of how are we doing so far, which I replied back as still stable. Our respective companies are basically the top competitors in this field and having said that, we're not into spying each other OK, but rather checking out latest updates in our lives.

But in just a matter of time, this global economic crisis has also started it's blow in our company. Effective last week, we're enforce of 1 day-off every week. Now it's 1 day, maybe 2 next month or 3, who knows...as economist predicts that this crisis will last until quarter 2 of next year. A total big loss for sure, but looking at the bright side, there's definitely a purpose and something that can be learned out of it.

So for my case, I started real budgeting and watch out my expenses. Actually, this statement is a big deal especially for a shopaholic like me ( I may misspelled it) and would like to believe that I'm succeeding to date. Anyway, everything is a work in process right. So, I'll do it one step at a time.

Say for example, today I went to Watson's to buy my toiletries. And in that area, several shopping stores are found which I usually go thru just like today. With the season changing and winter coming in, it's a norm to check the newest fad and those for sale summer clothes I've been eyeing. Oh my, the gorgeous dress is already 50% off, so I hurriedly fit it and was convince does looks good. But deep inside says it isn't practical and so I left without regrets after returning the dress on its rack. Yeah, no regrets because for sure it's much cheaper next month...ha ha

Another way to may I say budget campaign is to lessen eating outside. Just like today's stride is usually accomplish with me eating my favourite beef noodles. Well, apart from the toiletries, I also bought chocolote cookies for my craving, it's no yet dinner anyway. Hmm, wise buy I guess as I could also eat it during my snacks, yummy with milk.

Productive weekend

This weekend seems productive I think and maybe you might ask why.

Well, yesterday morning I was able to go to the wet market which I was planning for more than a month. Before with my housemates, we normally go there every payday, but since I started leaving alone, I became used to buy in the grocery. Of course groceries has higher prizes than the traditional ones, so I was really happy that I could save plus it's fresher I supposed.

What amazes me here in Taiwan is that in their wet markets, you could also do shopping at the same time. Yeah, it's a one time shop which has stores for clothes, bags, shoes and anything you'll want in much affordable prizes. How I wish I bought my camera with me for your visualization. Anyways, I'll try to do it next time. And since I'm on budget, I settled my eyes in looking and left after getting my needs. A record breaker of spending only an hour of buying.

My mother is really a good cook and I love to cook when I had time. The problem is, I didn't inherit her skills. So far, I only know 5 recipes which I alternately cook, and maybe it's only me who'll aprub the taste. Well, as long as it's edible right, ha ha...So I cooked nilagang baboy just enough for the whole days consumption.

And then in the afternoon, I was able to sweep and mop the floor. Finally, I could removed those accumulated dust. Can't remember when was the last time I mopped. And with just me, surely one afternoon isn't enough to clean everything. But at least, I did my best, so should be OK. One more thing, what about the laundry? well, skip this week and do it next week. Whew so tiring! can somebody send me a maid please!

I spent this morning till noon in the church and after checking progress of our activities for Christmas, I went home afterwards. So, I cooked broccoli with shrimp sufficient till dinner and then took a quick nap.

After waking-up, I could still feel my stomach full and so, I decided to jog in the university which is just in front of my apartment. Again, I forgot to bring the camera with me. I was downstairs when I realized it and so lazy to go back. I guess, my thoughts are also still flying at the time. Anyway, I was able to have 4 loops this time, twice as I had 2 weeks ago and I hope I'll improve next time. I missed jogging with sweats dripping my face and back and with the winter coming, I bet it'll be a lot of effort doing so.

The night is still young, much so in saying I'm not yet finish doing my chores. I ate my dinner and took break by watching television just enough to do the next task. So, while watching Dwayne Johnson's movie "The game plan", I was ironing clothes for this workweek. Well, it's the last one to finish and had a good time while watching it. And before I closed this post, I was reminded of Peyton's question to Joe which you'll know the answer if you've watched the movie. But the question is actually applicable to all, and made me also to ponder. So, what about you, " What is the best thing that ever happened to you?"