I arrived much too early for work so I decided that before I surrender to the pool of emails, I figured to take a quick peek at my own blog. Little did I know that I've been reading past and recent posts for an hour, and my neck was muscularly suffering from too much disgusted quirks. I read my blogs and I squirmed at every grammatical error, although minor, but still considered to belong to the freaking error umbrella. Damn it. It's unacceptable.
Before anything rantings, I offer my sincerest apologies to the concerned few, whom I've been giving eye sores due to my minor and easily overlooked errors. Putting "A's" where it shouldn't be, connecting two different sentences that shouldn't be joined (Sometimes, I honestly don't know where that came from), using prepositions that are highly inappropriate, and sometimes just messing up with the idea. I am objective to admit to that, but I just hate mistakes. I can be deemed as competitive, serious and sort of a flawed perfectionist, but clearly I need to undergo some editing work, however minor. It just has to be done.
It's always been my sickness. I've always written based from sudden urges of opinions and ideas, trying my best to apply basic rules from the start. Whenever I have reports, academic papers, and other literary projects, I write out at random, in a notebook, in a computer straight from my mind to my fingertips. I'm one of those writers that do not use "outlining" no matter how experts and academes tell us to do so.
Aside from outlining, I don't do much editing, which overlooks minor blurs in my posts. Always after I write something, I recoil back and move on. Apparently, my only editing practice is summed up in one step, which is swiftly reading my post once; and changing a particular phrase or a sentence at a jump of a gun. This allows the unedited "A's" to appear when I've suddenly decided to go on a plural phrase or single words and connecting phrases to plainly disappear.
Now that I've read some of my posts with certain defects, I badly wanted to change it, but unfortunately my technical position in the office wouldn't allow me to do so. I have to practically wait 12 hours before I get these things fixed unless I use my Globe internet in my phone, which is completely obsessive....which I tried to do by the way.
Some even say that I may be too hard on myself just because no one is deemed perfect in making flawlessly structured and written works. Even seasoned writers seek assistance from editors to point out "defective parts." Even editors sometimes just do it themselves. But the thing is, I don't have an editor, I publish at a faster and a much virtual setting, and I just hate seeing how I created imperfections. How are those for reasons to squirm?
So, I apologize if there are minor flaws in my posts here and there. I'm not providing excuses though. I 'd rather think of it as thoroughly understanding my shortcomings and pointing out the need to straighten them out. Towering mistakes in an activity that I love is something that I think deserves some of my attention. I have my whole life to enjoy learning to write whatever I feel and think. And hopefully, I could fully apply and appreciate other facets of near-to-flawless writing aside from banking on passion and ideas. Hopefully someday I'll get better at this.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Unemployment: A Global Change
Every country is tightening their belts as ripples of inflation hit across continental seas. It may be a product of the credit crunch tied up with high pricing of oil. Everyone is affected one way or another, ask United States to tell the story.
United States, being the economic and powerful giant, is pained greatly. They are in recession. A country as powerful as this always stood as a beacon of opportunities, and not a dessert of credit crisis and unemployment. Eastern folks or folks across the globe go to the States to enjoy a liberated and a democratic setting while nurturing a much sustainable lifestyle. But the bubble of security and luxury that most enjoy in their "greener pasture" is slowing deflating.
It's not new to hear that unemployment rates are steeping high in the states. US Jobless rate rises past 6% since 2003. According to Bureau labor of statistics in US, 84,000 jobs have been shed. If you're thinking that these jobs are merely in production, since most of the factories have closed shop, well think again. If you're following the business news, eversince the first quarter of this year, Investment bankers in the struggling financial corporations such as Citigroup, Sachs, Lynch and Morgan Stanley to name a few, contribute greatly to this statistics. But statistics have its own way creeping at our everyday lives. My friends and I have experienced it. Bags, a friend of mine, was assigned in London for three months in Morgan Stanley Headquarters. On her last day, before she goes back to the Philippines, there were bankers who got sacked. I for one was employed by a thriving start up company based in New York. We expanded and faced lots of opportunities and funding, but slowly ended up in a drastic liquidation process in New York, then in the Philippines. I've read lifestyle news feature that coincide with the economic meltdowns where investment bankers, who enjoyed a stable and flamboyant economy before, are now faced to sell their respective apartments in very reputable locations. Other real estate agents know as much about the unemployment crisis, that some refuse to entertain tenants who hail from the financial sectors.
Now that US is facing recession, factories and businesses started to close down, reshape and move elsewhere. This is where Eastern countries, like the Philippines and India, come in. We're not only talking about Call Center Posts. We're emphasizing on OPERATIONS.
It's true that outsourcing initially only meant doing Call Center deliverables, but not any more. Outsourcing eventually takes in the more complex, in house operations of global companies. Taking example Accenture, which is a leading global company in Outsourcing. The organization that started offering outsourced services of IT consultants to global companies, expanded by offering more services by hiring analysts, specialists in the fields touching research, accountancy, data management and procurement. Other outsourcing companies are Convergy's, IBM Services, RR Donnelly and other minor local outsourcing corporations. Companies like these have a considerable spike up in their revenues.
However, other global corporations such as Citigroup, Deutsche and HSBC have tapped the Eastern market and have pooled qualified resources to do Shared Services operations. Shared services is quite different from"outsourcing." In Shared Services there is no third party involvement. Employees are hired and included in the company roster. Shared services are done by bigger and global corporations to extend their operations in low-cost areas. Some operations like data analysis, accountancy, financial reporting from the US is immediately transferred to hired Citigroup employees in Korea, Philippines, India or even Costa Rica. In Shared services, Benefits and positions are recognized across the globe under one company. Citigroup now currently transfers data and key operations to strategic points in the world. In 2003, Deutsche has set up their regional office in the Philippines with regards to doing their change planning management, business analysis, IT and accounting services. They haven't stopped since. They saw the improvement in cutting down their expenses while there's the availability of resources here. Currently, they're relocating for a much bigger office to accommodate another round of massive hiring. HSBC in the meantime, is slowly setting up their operations unit here in the Philippines that would manage other global HSBC operations aside from the already established HSBC call center. Some companies like Chevron and Shell have already followed suit.
Some Western managers were even forced to relocate to different Asian countries just to continue working with the corporation. They've rendered sacrifices to leave everything behind just to go through this new global organization model. All in all, we are all in the phase of adjusting and establishing the new structure.
As businesses are thriving here whether it may be in outsourcing or shared services, it's quite understandable that some of our western counterparts see this as a major contributor to the rising US unemployment rate. Politicians have greatly expressed their views in it. Some conservatives bash outsourcing, some liberals encourage the global trend. Some analysts here in the Philippines, especially in operations and data migration, are continuously experiencing heated discussions with their western counterparts just because the westerners are uncomfortable with CHANGE going against them. Some call center agents, even manage to receive slip-ups of rants from their Western counterparts. "You stole my job!" Sometimes, you just have to let it go. Sometimes you have to understand it in their perspective. It's not advisable to just think that "you were just hired for it" and couldn't care less. It's better to be sensitive about it. It makes one appreciate life more.
A charismatic and enthralling Citigroup Business Services Regional Head, Nigel Romano, mentioned in our recent Town Hall that in this job and time where everything's gone global, we would be dealing with co-analysts and business partners all over the globe. We may be having constant conference calls with different Asians, Europeans and Latin Americans at the same time. We are being multi-cultural in business structure. Some are not going to be nice to us, especially if change and migration are involved. We just have to "accept it and respect it." There's no other way. Change is very difficult and painful. It's difficult for people who will be managing change and it's painful for people who will be submitting to change.
That's why when you see news like rise in unemployment rates, even if it's not within the confines of your geographic territory, one should be sensitive about this. Change is painful and difficult. It's not something done overnight in a global scale. In order to do so, one has to know his position to be able to understand this modern "wheel of fortune." Now it's become a global turn and every turn orchestrates a certain change. If people could extend their ounce of understanding, then encourage them, because there is nothing as painful in losing a certain relationship with a person, and having to lose a job that you love and sustains you.
United States, being the economic and powerful giant, is pained greatly. They are in recession. A country as powerful as this always stood as a beacon of opportunities, and not a dessert of credit crisis and unemployment. Eastern folks or folks across the globe go to the States to enjoy a liberated and a democratic setting while nurturing a much sustainable lifestyle. But the bubble of security and luxury that most enjoy in their "greener pasture" is slowing deflating.
It's not new to hear that unemployment rates are steeping high in the states. US Jobless rate rises past 6% since 2003. According to Bureau labor of statistics in US, 84,000 jobs have been shed. If you're thinking that these jobs are merely in production, since most of the factories have closed shop, well think again. If you're following the business news, eversince the first quarter of this year, Investment bankers in the struggling financial corporations such as Citigroup, Sachs, Lynch and Morgan Stanley to name a few, contribute greatly to this statistics. But statistics have its own way creeping at our everyday lives. My friends and I have experienced it. Bags, a friend of mine, was assigned in London for three months in Morgan Stanley Headquarters. On her last day, before she goes back to the Philippines, there were bankers who got sacked. I for one was employed by a thriving start up company based in New York. We expanded and faced lots of opportunities and funding, but slowly ended up in a drastic liquidation process in New York, then in the Philippines. I've read lifestyle news feature that coincide with the economic meltdowns where investment bankers, who enjoyed a stable and flamboyant economy before, are now faced to sell their respective apartments in very reputable locations. Other real estate agents know as much about the unemployment crisis, that some refuse to entertain tenants who hail from the financial sectors.
Now that US is facing recession, factories and businesses started to close down, reshape and move elsewhere. This is where Eastern countries, like the Philippines and India, come in. We're not only talking about Call Center Posts. We're emphasizing on OPERATIONS.
It's true that outsourcing initially only meant doing Call Center deliverables, but not any more. Outsourcing eventually takes in the more complex, in house operations of global companies. Taking example Accenture, which is a leading global company in Outsourcing. The organization that started offering outsourced services of IT consultants to global companies, expanded by offering more services by hiring analysts, specialists in the fields touching research, accountancy, data management and procurement. Other outsourcing companies are Convergy's, IBM Services, RR Donnelly and other minor local outsourcing corporations. Companies like these have a considerable spike up in their revenues.
However, other global corporations such as Citigroup, Deutsche and HSBC have tapped the Eastern market and have pooled qualified resources to do Shared Services operations. Shared services is quite different from"outsourcing." In Shared Services there is no third party involvement. Employees are hired and included in the company roster. Shared services are done by bigger and global corporations to extend their operations in low-cost areas. Some operations like data analysis, accountancy, financial reporting from the US is immediately transferred to hired Citigroup employees in Korea, Philippines, India or even Costa Rica. In Shared services, Benefits and positions are recognized across the globe under one company. Citigroup now currently transfers data and key operations to strategic points in the world. In 2003, Deutsche has set up their regional office in the Philippines with regards to doing their change planning management, business analysis, IT and accounting services. They haven't stopped since. They saw the improvement in cutting down their expenses while there's the availability of resources here. Currently, they're relocating for a much bigger office to accommodate another round of massive hiring. HSBC in the meantime, is slowly setting up their operations unit here in the Philippines that would manage other global HSBC operations aside from the already established HSBC call center. Some companies like Chevron and Shell have already followed suit.
Some Western managers were even forced to relocate to different Asian countries just to continue working with the corporation. They've rendered sacrifices to leave everything behind just to go through this new global organization model. All in all, we are all in the phase of adjusting and establishing the new structure.
As businesses are thriving here whether it may be in outsourcing or shared services, it's quite understandable that some of our western counterparts see this as a major contributor to the rising US unemployment rate. Politicians have greatly expressed their views in it. Some conservatives bash outsourcing, some liberals encourage the global trend. Some analysts here in the Philippines, especially in operations and data migration, are continuously experiencing heated discussions with their western counterparts just because the westerners are uncomfortable with CHANGE going against them. Some call center agents, even manage to receive slip-ups of rants from their Western counterparts. "You stole my job!" Sometimes, you just have to let it go. Sometimes you have to understand it in their perspective. It's not advisable to just think that "you were just hired for it" and couldn't care less. It's better to be sensitive about it. It makes one appreciate life more.
A charismatic and enthralling Citigroup Business Services Regional Head, Nigel Romano, mentioned in our recent Town Hall that in this job and time where everything's gone global, we would be dealing with co-analysts and business partners all over the globe. We may be having constant conference calls with different Asians, Europeans and Latin Americans at the same time. We are being multi-cultural in business structure. Some are not going to be nice to us, especially if change and migration are involved. We just have to "accept it and respect it." There's no other way. Change is very difficult and painful. It's difficult for people who will be managing change and it's painful for people who will be submitting to change.
That's why when you see news like rise in unemployment rates, even if it's not within the confines of your geographic territory, one should be sensitive about this. Change is painful and difficult. It's not something done overnight in a global scale. In order to do so, one has to know his position to be able to understand this modern "wheel of fortune." Now it's become a global turn and every turn orchestrates a certain change. If people could extend their ounce of understanding, then encourage them, because there is nothing as painful in losing a certain relationship with a person, and having to lose a job that you love and sustains you.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Daily doze of motivation
There's a Baker's Fair at Rockwell this weekend where genuine and hard to find dessert concessionaires are gathered. These are not neophytes to the trade. They are sophisticated, enticing and independent bakers that were once the best kept secrets of the Metro. One cake is featured in chuvaness' blog made by Estel's. I've gotten the opportunity to taste their famous caramel cake in one of the shindigs of Mitch's relatives. It was heavenly. I understand the whole buzz about it now.
It's also an opportunity for me to try their goods and get their contacts for the looming Christmas' banquets, which I'm really looking forward to with stress and fun combined.
I want to go, but the gloomy mood tries to keep me still today. I have an entire new book to read, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell, which I got at a sweet bargain from our company's book sale yesterday.
I've also pretty much read the blogs that I usually read. I got my daily doze of news and my mind's been cleared. A friend even called me a couple of minutes ago because he was bored and he needed to pester someone. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood.
What would I want to do now? Probably, go to the dessert fair and read. How come something's pulling me back? Ah, the gloomy weather.
Reference:
Baker's Fair at Rockwell, featured at chuvaness.com
It's also an opportunity for me to try their goods and get their contacts for the looming Christmas' banquets, which I'm really looking forward to with stress and fun combined.
I want to go, but the gloomy mood tries to keep me still today. I have an entire new book to read, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell, which I got at a sweet bargain from our company's book sale yesterday.
I've also pretty much read the blogs that I usually read. I got my daily doze of news and my mind's been cleared. A friend even called me a couple of minutes ago because he was bored and he needed to pester someone. Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood.
What would I want to do now? Probably, go to the dessert fair and read. How come something's pulling me back? Ah, the gloomy weather.
Reference:
Baker's Fair at Rockwell, featured at chuvaness.com
Western Trip and Dessert Trip
On my first trip to the States I was extremely excited because I would get to go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, possibly see Johnny Depp (when my father promised to take me to Sunset Blvd.), go to the Museum (like what Claudia did in the movie: From the Mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler), and finally test if KFC's chicken is way bigger than ours. When I got there and spent a month, I didn't expect my dad would rest the tour on my own hands. My dad had his own itinerary and it didn't quite include me. So when we got to LA, he immediately left for Vegas and didn't have second thoughts of allowing me to stay put in LA to meet my friend Vanessa So. After a week of LA visit, she dropped me at LAX and I went to Vegas to meet my dad. In Vegas we went straight to Bellagio for lunch and he...again...left me to tour on my own. Despite the people frenzy and the foreign place, he somehow assumed that I'm a walking radar and strangers are more disadvantaged around me. I'm getting used to this touring treatment, so I toured the whole Vegas stretch alone, went in and out of the famous casinos there, had a lone roller coaster ride at New York New York and I just used my camera for some landscape shots.
When we flew to San Francisco, I was used to our father-daughter set up already. He had friends to meet and his own itinerary to fulfill, which didn't really include me. He wanted me to have fun, and he knew the fact that I'm capable enough to have fun on my own. He gave me a sufficient amount of money, I got a map from a Filipino Concierge at the hotel and walked...walked...explored...ate at Segafredo...rode cable cars...went to the Fisherman's wharf and decided to pay 20 bucks for a bus tour. When I got home, I have books and souvenirs in my bag, met a few acquaintances and I know more about San Francisco than my dad who's been going there ever since. He was impressed, and I had loads of fun.
Aside from actually touring (on my own) and going to salient places like museums and theme parks, one highlight of the trip was FOOD. Some of my dad's friends got very excited for us when they planned to bring us to specific FOOD establishments. They were more excited to bring us there than accompanying me to the museums, train stops and bookstores. They treat the restaurants there as an immediate point of comparison to what we have or what we don't have in the Philippines. They took me to KFC, which a single order consists of 2 humongous chicken with biscuits, which I nailed from too much walking. WE drove the freeway almost every night to buy some Krispy Kremes for our midnight snack. We had a Jamba Juice ritual almost everyday. In and Outs have become a weekly staple and STEAKS...STEAKS...STEAKS...galore. No wonder when I got back, I gained 15 pounds. And for them, it was a success.
Starting on my Dessert Side Trip for this post, I remember when I was on my way home from San Francisco, I shared a specific cabin area with the Defensors and Em-Em Aglipay. Aside from the celebrity presence, I was amazed to see that the compartments contained boxes of Krispy Kremes. It was a time where Gonuts Donuts was a far fetched concept and those who have traveled the western areas were the only ones aware of the addicting and comforting "melts-in-your-mouth" doughnuts. I laughed at most parts, while my dad lectured me on why I didn't remind him to bring some Krispy Kremes for my brother and sister. Seriously, I was thinking that whatever I ate at the States, should be left at the States forever. I can't afford to have too many temptations when I get back, it's enough that I have kilos of chocolates with me to spare from my sudden food separation.
Anyways, now I'm assessing that I haven't seen any Krispy Kreme pasalubongs from the States because we already have the real deal here. Go Nuts Do Nuts, a rival of Krispy Kreme, took on a large market first and already had a number of following before Krispy Kreme decided to open a shop here in the Philippines. Doughnuts are still popular and it has gained a large amount of following, but a new dessert tries to fight for a powerful market share. These are CUPCAKES.
Cupcakes are present here in this country way before some Cupcake shops opened. These desserts were not unknown here, but admittedly it was less sophisticated. But now, since New York (cupcake capital of the States) popularized a new sophisticated, yummier version of what a good cupcake should be, then it wasn't long that these specific cupcakes cafes took a stake to promote and introduce these new desserts to the elite and general market. Sonja's cupcakes and Marta's cupcakes are established here to name a few.
The cupcake's popularity is rising here in the Philippines, thanks to its pioneers who mostly hail from the States. Even other mainstream and popular bakeshops and dessert concessionaires even tried to accommodate the demand. Brownies Brownies (A brownies specialty shop in SM Outlets) released their cupcake versions. Go nuts Donuts even has their own cupcake version. Aggy's (minor cake shop and bakery) showcased their own cupcake version. Even dessert makers and concessionaires in local bakeshops in Iloilo City (I have to ping Kegler of get the site), and those registered in MULTIPLY like thesweetlife.multiply.com, offer customized, creative and sophisticated touch to the cupcake bandwagon.
I've tried a couple of cupcakes and know some people who swear by them. I can see the reason why it has a major following. Aside from the now available, creamy, quality and sophisticated recipes, cupcakes are much easier to eat. Compared to cakes, these midget versions don't need any plates or added utensils to eat. It's portable, cute and easier to customize
It has a good start here, and lots of cupcake makers are joining the band to expand choices. However, in some states across the globe the sudden boom and expansion seem to be more strategic. Taking for example Krispy Kreme's popularity at the West Coast. They gained a large following, boomed to fast and too wide, but with saturation and mismanagement, it fell. That's why major cupcake vendors and makers in New York City try to keep it low key as they tend to do the extra effort to deliver to people rather than over expanding. We almost get the same treatment here..including the SATURATION part. Go Nuts Do nuts, a doughnut shop, expanded their specialty with cupcakes. Other bakeries are expanding their list and experimenting on cupcakes. It's funny because it makes an impression of a must have. Taking in consideration the multiply concessionaires who have managed their own cupcake businesses. They all make this dessert more accessible, fun and evidently more sophisticated..hopefully not that saturated.
Got to hand it to those westerners to populate the market with new stuff. These foods that I vowed to steer clear from continue to haunt me! If food was the only concern, I'd save myself a plane ticket and just stay here. We pretty much have everything already. No need to go to the States and get fat.
PIX source:
http://images.thesweetlife.multiply.com/image/3/photos/23/600x600/6/Sweet-Life-6.jpg?et=kaVx73qUTH5qp8UHy856mg&nmid=112266056
Ref:
Sonja's cupcakes are located at Fort, Serendra
Marta's Cakes are located at Fort, Serendra
Go Nuts Donuts located at various SM outlets (makati), greenbelt
Krispy Kremes at Fort Bonifacio High
Thanks to:
http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2006/06/sonjas_cupcakes.html
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/will-cupcakes-be-the-next-krispy-kreme/index.html
When we flew to San Francisco, I was used to our father-daughter set up already. He had friends to meet and his own itinerary to fulfill, which didn't really include me. He wanted me to have fun, and he knew the fact that I'm capable enough to have fun on my own. He gave me a sufficient amount of money, I got a map from a Filipino Concierge at the hotel and walked...walked...explored...ate at Segafredo...rode cable cars...went to the Fisherman's wharf and decided to pay 20 bucks for a bus tour. When I got home, I have books and souvenirs in my bag, met a few acquaintances and I know more about San Francisco than my dad who's been going there ever since. He was impressed, and I had loads of fun.
Aside from actually touring (on my own) and going to salient places like museums and theme parks, one highlight of the trip was FOOD. Some of my dad's friends got very excited for us when they planned to bring us to specific FOOD establishments. They were more excited to bring us there than accompanying me to the museums, train stops and bookstores. They treat the restaurants there as an immediate point of comparison to what we have or what we don't have in the Philippines. They took me to KFC, which a single order consists of 2 humongous chicken with biscuits, which I nailed from too much walking. WE drove the freeway almost every night to buy some Krispy Kremes for our midnight snack. We had a Jamba Juice ritual almost everyday. In and Outs have become a weekly staple and STEAKS...STEAKS...STEAKS...galore. No wonder when I got back, I gained 15 pounds. And for them, it was a success.
Starting on my Dessert Side Trip for this post, I remember when I was on my way home from San Francisco, I shared a specific cabin area with the Defensors and Em-Em Aglipay. Aside from the celebrity presence, I was amazed to see that the compartments contained boxes of Krispy Kremes. It was a time where Gonuts Donuts was a far fetched concept and those who have traveled the western areas were the only ones aware of the addicting and comforting "melts-in-your-mouth" doughnuts. I laughed at most parts, while my dad lectured me on why I didn't remind him to bring some Krispy Kremes for my brother and sister. Seriously, I was thinking that whatever I ate at the States, should be left at the States forever. I can't afford to have too many temptations when I get back, it's enough that I have kilos of chocolates with me to spare from my sudden food separation.
Anyways, now I'm assessing that I haven't seen any Krispy Kreme pasalubongs from the States because we already have the real deal here. Go Nuts Do Nuts, a rival of Krispy Kreme, took on a large market first and already had a number of following before Krispy Kreme decided to open a shop here in the Philippines. Doughnuts are still popular and it has gained a large amount of following, but a new dessert tries to fight for a powerful market share. These are CUPCAKES.
Cupcakes are present here in this country way before some Cupcake shops opened. These desserts were not unknown here, but admittedly it was less sophisticated. But now, since New York (cupcake capital of the States) popularized a new sophisticated, yummier version of what a good cupcake should be, then it wasn't long that these specific cupcakes cafes took a stake to promote and introduce these new desserts to the elite and general market. Sonja's cupcakes and Marta's cupcakes are established here to name a few.
The cupcake's popularity is rising here in the Philippines, thanks to its pioneers who mostly hail from the States. Even other mainstream and popular bakeshops and dessert concessionaires even tried to accommodate the demand. Brownies Brownies (A brownies specialty shop in SM Outlets) released their cupcake versions. Go nuts Donuts even has their own cupcake version. Aggy's (minor cake shop and bakery) showcased their own cupcake version. Even dessert makers and concessionaires in local bakeshops in Iloilo City (I have to ping Kegler of get the site), and those registered in MULTIPLY like thesweetlife.multiply.com, offer customized, creative and sophisticated touch to the cupcake bandwagon.
I've tried a couple of cupcakes and know some people who swear by them. I can see the reason why it has a major following. Aside from the now available, creamy, quality and sophisticated recipes, cupcakes are much easier to eat. Compared to cakes, these midget versions don't need any plates or added utensils to eat. It's portable, cute and easier to customize
It has a good start here, and lots of cupcake makers are joining the band to expand choices. However, in some states across the globe the sudden boom and expansion seem to be more strategic. Taking for example Krispy Kreme's popularity at the West Coast. They gained a large following, boomed to fast and too wide, but with saturation and mismanagement, it fell. That's why major cupcake vendors and makers in New York City try to keep it low key as they tend to do the extra effort to deliver to people rather than over expanding. We almost get the same treatment here..including the SATURATION part. Go Nuts Do nuts, a doughnut shop, expanded their specialty with cupcakes. Other bakeries are expanding their list and experimenting on cupcakes. It's funny because it makes an impression of a must have. Taking in consideration the multiply concessionaires who have managed their own cupcake businesses. They all make this dessert more accessible, fun and evidently more sophisticated..hopefully not that saturated.
Got to hand it to those westerners to populate the market with new stuff. These foods that I vowed to steer clear from continue to haunt me! If food was the only concern, I'd save myself a plane ticket and just stay here. We pretty much have everything already. No need to go to the States and get fat.
PIX source:http://images.thesweetlife.multiply.com/image/3/photos/23/600x600/6/Sweet-Life-6.jpg?et=kaVx73qUTH5qp8UHy856mg&nmid=112266056
Ref:
Sonja's cupcakes are located at Fort, Serendra
Marta's Cakes are located at Fort, Serendra
Go Nuts Donuts located at various SM outlets (makati), greenbelt
Krispy Kremes at Fort Bonifacio High
Thanks to:
http://anton.blogs.com/awesome/2006/06/sonjas_cupcakes.html
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/will-cupcakes-be-the-next-krispy-kreme/index.html
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What's Passion to the Few?
There are some people who are made to do wonders for their country in whatever way they could possibly can. Others are made for corporate greatness. Others are made to render service as licensed professionals. Others are made for mere entertainment and eye candy. Surprisingly others are made for being politicians that tread the ickiest and very complex path to self and public demise. No offense to these politicians, but their field is a wide game of popularity contest and downright "kanto-politics." Wit and responsibilities take the back seat amidst glamor, prestige and power. Forget about the knowledge, experience, morality and caliber. All you need here is passion to take your stake and try to change the lives of your constituents.
But Pacman has the passion. Invincible that he is in the field of boxing, much to my dismay, he decided to run for congress in Gen Santos last 2007. Much to my relief, he lost.
Already given the fact that our politics is a free for all affair, there are still points to be considered. One doesn't have to be a MENSA candidate to get in. He doesn't even have to look good and raging of Star Quality. But that doesn't mean everyone should tread this "one and only path" to public service.
Politics, Philippine politics at least, proven time and time again, puts even the good hearted ones on the line until they break down in whatever way. I'm sure PACMAN would soon face retirement and he wants to put his bed of dollars into good use. He could perfectly do that outside the political light. Some politicians who still have the slightest light in them, gave one of their best advices. Stay away from politics just because you're rich, people urge you and you realize that you are itching to help. Some politicians even admit that Politics may not be the way for everyone. They might be saying that to release a sense of threat, but what they are saying is true.
If PACMAN has too much resources and can't wait to see it disposed to good use, why not directly spend that in some projects and skip the allotment in campaign funding. If he wants to retire gracefully, why not be a Philanthropist to Philippine Sports where he clearly has the leverage aside from his edge in resource and popularity? He would be maximizing himself more, plus, he might be nurturing new bloods out there. Why not let him pull some efforts, since he's influential enough, and convince the Olympic Committee to make Billiards and Boxing official Olympic sports? He might pave the way for Philippines to win a gold next time if this happens.
Some senators have the same advice, but theirs are more lewd. For example, an opposition senator doesn't want him to run again if he's considering the administration side. If he's going to run, might as well secure victory with the opposition. See the difference and twist in perspectives?
But then again what good do perspectives offer when one is nursing intense passion? No matter how we fall and get lectured, passion makes everything worth it. Well good thing he's rich enough to afford going after it.
Inspired by the article here.
But Pacman has the passion. Invincible that he is in the field of boxing, much to my dismay, he decided to run for congress in Gen Santos last 2007. Much to my relief, he lost.
Already given the fact that our politics is a free for all affair, there are still points to be considered. One doesn't have to be a MENSA candidate to get in. He doesn't even have to look good and raging of Star Quality. But that doesn't mean everyone should tread this "one and only path" to public service.
Politics, Philippine politics at least, proven time and time again, puts even the good hearted ones on the line until they break down in whatever way. I'm sure PACMAN would soon face retirement and he wants to put his bed of dollars into good use. He could perfectly do that outside the political light. Some politicians who still have the slightest light in them, gave one of their best advices. Stay away from politics just because you're rich, people urge you and you realize that you are itching to help. Some politicians even admit that Politics may not be the way for everyone. They might be saying that to release a sense of threat, but what they are saying is true.
If PACMAN has too much resources and can't wait to see it disposed to good use, why not directly spend that in some projects and skip the allotment in campaign funding. If he wants to retire gracefully, why not be a Philanthropist to Philippine Sports where he clearly has the leverage aside from his edge in resource and popularity? He would be maximizing himself more, plus, he might be nurturing new bloods out there. Why not let him pull some efforts, since he's influential enough, and convince the Olympic Committee to make Billiards and Boxing official Olympic sports? He might pave the way for Philippines to win a gold next time if this happens.
Some senators have the same advice, but theirs are more lewd. For example, an opposition senator doesn't want him to run again if he's considering the administration side. If he's going to run, might as well secure victory with the opposition. See the difference and twist in perspectives?
But then again what good do perspectives offer when one is nursing intense passion? No matter how we fall and get lectured, passion makes everything worth it. Well good thing he's rich enough to afford going after it.
Inspired by the article here.
A very special John Lloyd Post
And so after my dinner yesterday with Mitch and his relatives, I immediately logged on and planned to make a post. Apparently, I didn't stick to it. My idea retreated into the deep recesses of my brain as I found myself watching trailers of...A VERY SPECIAL LOVE. I know. Crazy, right? I didn't get to watch the movie due to very unfortunate events although I wanted to, not because of John Lloyd, but because of Sarah Geronimo.
Anyways, the topic of discussion at our pantry yesterday was John Lloyd Cruz. Almost every bachelorette there watched the movie and they all agreed on one other thing (aside from the movie's funny and way better than FOR THE FIRST TIME), that John Lloyd's gaze could make you sizzle even if you're in the center of the Arctic. The John Lloyd TITIG sends "kilig" in the highest intensity that even the heartless of spinsters would find reasons to fall in love again and look for their own John Lloyds. I was instantly amused at how the girls in the pantry declared their love for the guy. Even if he wasn't there, the "kilig" rocked us into laughters.
I was intrigued. I wanted to put it to a test. Although, I've no objections about John Lloyd as an actor. The guy can brilliantly act. He looks clean and he is not pretentious on cam (is there such a thing?). I appreciate that he may possess a handsome face, that's too next-door type. But truth is, he isn't really my type. I wouldn't expect to find myself crooning at his infamous gaze no matter how girls are ranting about it. So trying to prove myself wrong, I searched for some trailer clips in Youtube and watched some versions. It led me to conclude that the guy is really handsome. He has an aura of a protector and of good influence. He's the type of guy that fathers and mothers would instantly approve of. He has the type of face that makes girls believe that he is the ONE. The structure is soft and very amiable. His stares are clear and doe eyed. He has the best genetic makeup of pulling off a good stare. If it goes beyond that comical personality, then the world has a male jackpot. Now, I seem to understand the fuss of his existence.
I may not find myself going ga-ga, but one thing is for sure. I'd pick HIM over Richard Gutierrez any day.
Anyways, the topic of discussion at our pantry yesterday was John Lloyd Cruz. Almost every bachelorette there watched the movie and they all agreed on one other thing (aside from the movie's funny and way better than FOR THE FIRST TIME), that John Lloyd's gaze could make you sizzle even if you're in the center of the Arctic. The John Lloyd TITIG sends "kilig" in the highest intensity that even the heartless of spinsters would find reasons to fall in love again and look for their own John Lloyds. I was instantly amused at how the girls in the pantry declared their love for the guy. Even if he wasn't there, the "kilig" rocked us into laughters.
I was intrigued. I wanted to put it to a test. Although, I've no objections about John Lloyd as an actor. The guy can brilliantly act. He looks clean and he is not pretentious on cam (is there such a thing?). I appreciate that he may possess a handsome face, that's too next-door type. But truth is, he isn't really my type. I wouldn't expect to find myself crooning at his infamous gaze no matter how girls are ranting about it. So trying to prove myself wrong, I searched for some trailer clips in Youtube and watched some versions. It led me to conclude that the guy is really handsome. He has an aura of a protector and of good influence. He's the type of guy that fathers and mothers would instantly approve of. He has the type of face that makes girls believe that he is the ONE. The structure is soft and very amiable. His stares are clear and doe eyed. He has the best genetic makeup of pulling off a good stare. If it goes beyond that comical personality, then the world has a male jackpot. Now, I seem to understand the fuss of his existence.
I may not find myself going ga-ga, but one thing is for sure. I'd pick HIM over Richard Gutierrez any day.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Anger and Frustration, the difference
If you're angry, does it automatically mean that you're also frustrated? Are they respective products of each other? If they are, which comes first? Do they have different solutions or methods of release?
I won't be answering this in a psychological or scientific perspective. I have no heavy credentials to support any claim in the complicated field of human emotions. I only have experiences, observations and questions. I'm not even emotionally inclined to begin with. But might as well give it a try lest I be frustrated.
As I have observed there are two things that really set anger and frustration apart for me. When I'm angry, I become deadly silent, sometimes irrational, but always on strategic mode. My mental activity seem to increase exponentially. I think of possible solutions or sometimes think of how to turn the tables around. In anger, I usually tend to get even. I may be kind, but when pushed, I'm never the one who's going to be the martyr. Anger makes me creative. Anger makes me "masculine." And usually anger for me is triggered by some isolated incident or a single act of a person that might have inflicted something negative in me. It's a natural human reaction to offense.
However frustration may be connected or fueled by anger, but it occurs after unfortunate series. When I'm frustrated, I would know because I would sulk and become helpless. Frustration triggers that I have been blocked to solve something or get even. I'm not creative when I'm frustrated. I get stubborn. I get weak and I get too feminine. In frustration, I tend to cry as a sign of helplessness over something or someone that cannot be controlled or changed no matter how I try. Frustration is deep and beyond any manipulation. Frustration is created by negative series of events that releasing initial Anger could not solve. Personally, this has more depth and psychological roots. This imposes more danger to a person by being detached and by losing faith entirely.
In Anger, it comes and goes powerfully. It's readily identified and released.
But Frustration is a different thing. It invests on negative emotions and its accumulation. It makes people irritable and to the point lose faith on others or themselves.
The question of Anger and Frustration as different emotions. Yes it is.
The question of being respective products of each other. At some extent yes. Too much Anger on series of events or something unchanged leads to frustration, where it replaces anger and just simply surrenders. Series of frustration may lead to heavy emotional burden, for being unsolved, and might cause anger to self or someone.
Whichever comes first? It depends on a person's personality. Some people are easily angered and some don't unless they are ultimately frustrated. But personally for me, anger usually comes first. If it's unsolved and happens repeatedly, frustration comes in.
Do they have different solutions or release? Important thing is that They both need the same SOLUTION to a certain problem, which made these feelings erupt in the first place. However the release may be different or varies from person to person. Anger makes one feel aggressive and masculine. Frustration makes one feel helpless and feminine.
It helps also to write about it, makes everything so objective. It strengthens the grip on emotions like these.
I won't be answering this in a psychological or scientific perspective. I have no heavy credentials to support any claim in the complicated field of human emotions. I only have experiences, observations and questions. I'm not even emotionally inclined to begin with. But might as well give it a try lest I be frustrated.
As I have observed there are two things that really set anger and frustration apart for me. When I'm angry, I become deadly silent, sometimes irrational, but always on strategic mode. My mental activity seem to increase exponentially. I think of possible solutions or sometimes think of how to turn the tables around. In anger, I usually tend to get even. I may be kind, but when pushed, I'm never the one who's going to be the martyr. Anger makes me creative. Anger makes me "masculine." And usually anger for me is triggered by some isolated incident or a single act of a person that might have inflicted something negative in me. It's a natural human reaction to offense.
However frustration may be connected or fueled by anger, but it occurs after unfortunate series. When I'm frustrated, I would know because I would sulk and become helpless. Frustration triggers that I have been blocked to solve something or get even. I'm not creative when I'm frustrated. I get stubborn. I get weak and I get too feminine. In frustration, I tend to cry as a sign of helplessness over something or someone that cannot be controlled or changed no matter how I try. Frustration is deep and beyond any manipulation. Frustration is created by negative series of events that releasing initial Anger could not solve. Personally, this has more depth and psychological roots. This imposes more danger to a person by being detached and by losing faith entirely.
In Anger, it comes and goes powerfully. It's readily identified and released.
But Frustration is a different thing. It invests on negative emotions and its accumulation. It makes people irritable and to the point lose faith on others or themselves.
The question of Anger and Frustration as different emotions. Yes it is.
The question of being respective products of each other. At some extent yes. Too much Anger on series of events or something unchanged leads to frustration, where it replaces anger and just simply surrenders. Series of frustration may lead to heavy emotional burden, for being unsolved, and might cause anger to self or someone.
Whichever comes first? It depends on a person's personality. Some people are easily angered and some don't unless they are ultimately frustrated. But personally for me, anger usually comes first. If it's unsolved and happens repeatedly, frustration comes in.
Do they have different solutions or release? Important thing is that They both need the same SOLUTION to a certain problem, which made these feelings erupt in the first place. However the release may be different or varies from person to person. Anger makes one feel aggressive and masculine. Frustration makes one feel helpless and feminine.
It helps also to write about it, makes everything so objective. It strengthens the grip on emotions like these.
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