Leisure and Business in Davao and Samal Island Resort

My school employer had required his employees to join the company benchmarking in Davao to see the implementation of  5S, a Japanese - originated strategy to good housekeeping. The 5S means (Sorting, Setting, Shining, Standardizing, and  Sustaining) that can be practically applied to individual homes and bigger institutions.

So, we managed to have a generous tour to ISO - recognized school, the Davao Doctors College, and their practices of the 5S are quite evident in the  way they keep efficiency in their school for a few years now. We hope to  exercise such order and commitment too in our own school but it shall take gradual and progressive efforts.

 Davao Doctor's Admission Officer giving us a tour

the STI - Gensan teachers and personnel at Davao Doctor's College for Benchmarking

some wacky teachers on the loose @ BlueJaz Resort, Samal Islands

So, after a half - day tour, we dined at Mang Inasal and headed our course to Samal Islands. We had our  short boat trip to the resort, had our light snacks and had our fun team games and discussed our benchmarking lessons. 

The day ended with a cool swim at their infinity pool and clear beach waters and had a  rock - hard sleep in one of the cottages. Of course, the trip would not be realized without the usual endless picture taking from all sides of the resort. 

On the second day, we took the morning shots before we went for shopping and headed home.  

 

How to Make Your Travel Fun and Safe

Since we have our boutique, I have been traveling at least once a  month. And, usually I travel with family  but if they are not available, I just travel alone.

So, to make the travel less boring, you can  do the following:

• bring a good novel to read;
• charge to the max an entertainment gadget like PSP or gameboy;
•  listen to classic and cool collection of music from your portable player;
• work on your stacks of papers if you have some;
• have a good chat with your co - passenger or travel companions;
• try new delicacies;
• visit hot tourist spots;
• have a good fun.  

My Zamboanga City Escapade

My kid and I had the chance to go back to our old home in Zamboanga City for a week vacation and with only six days to fill, we were dead beat with all the events we went through with friends and family.

joining other SOX bloggers in their Barter rummage

With SOX bloggers and other Mindanao Bloggers Summit Organizer and Attendees 

with Bucoy clan reunion

in one of my childhood friends gimmick at Park 88, Pasonanca

It was a draining but fun week for us and we could only hope to extend the vacation but since classes are up on November 8, we can only bid goodbye to friends and family again.

I Run Away!

Yap, I am out for a week as I enjoy the semestral break to be back to our old home and just savor the city local delicacies and meet up with friends and family.

Geez! I never realized how much I needed the break not until I am out from school and business as I enjoy only my free time with nothing to think about  but fun.

But, tomorrow shall be the end of our six - day vacation as we go back to  our home and our usual routines. And, come November 8, I am back to being a teacher again. Sigh!

But, I can only be thankful that I get to see my friends again and kin.

I Need a Breather

It has been a week since classses were done and though I have all the time to rest and have  fun, I am definitely bored!

Most of my free time now is simply consumed by updating my blogs, attending to the family business and just watching watching movies. I have been wanting to resume with my jogging but since I am getting all the awkward calf muscles, I decided to stop. Now, I am even more bored, lazy and simply fat. Tsk tsk tsk !

We will be leaving for a week of vacation next week and I can only be overwhelmed as I get to see old friends and colleagues again. Well, until then, I just have to savor the break.

Away with my Kid

We had this chance last summer to visit my younger sibling in Manila for a week and while we savored the change in environment, we somehow made use of our time mall hopping and recreational activities.

My kid was only more happy to try ice skating in Mall of Asia and bungee jumping in Market - Market. We culminated the trip with a two - day stay in Pureto Galera.

We did promise that we shall come back and try other things we missed. Nothing beats a good escapade after long years of work.

Puerto Galera Festive Welcome

with my kid on snorkeling

with my younger siblings 

 We were just back from our one  week travel to Manila, and after days and days of mall wandering and family reunions, I finally had my rest. LOL!

But, what topped the travel was our trip to Puerto Galera with my younger siblings. The travel took 4 hours from our place to White Beach-Puerto Galera. 

We had unique experience in fish feeding, snorkeling and clear - water swimming. But, the place had amazing people and food! 

This place is really something to visit again!

Our Kids Are on Vacation!

The country has declared November 1 and 2 as holidays. Thus, local schools have made used of the holidays as inclusive day offs in their school breaks.

My Grade 1 kid and nephew and my fourth year high school sister had their breaks too. Their report cards on the first two quarters were given to us already. I have to say, they did not do well on Mathematics and on our country's language.

So, I can only search for online references and tutorials on Math problems and Math answers. What is most difficult is solving Math word problems. Thus, if students are low in comprehension, solving this becomes a terrible ordeal.

Normally, students hate Algebra and some Algebra word problems. But, with the surge of internet, there are now online tutorials, including Algebra help and Algebra 2 help for all students on a 24/7 online support at reasonable rates.

Subjects now are more difficult than when I was student, but with help and student's diligence, any subject can be handled well.

Busy Busy Days Ahead For Me!

I am officially back from a vacation in Zamboanga City. And although, I had fun with old friends and had my orthodontics treatment which was the very reason why I went for a vacation, I had a terrible travel experience. I had to sit on my butt for over 24 hours from a bus travel traversing 6 cities. Goodness, I could only feel muscle tensions and inflammation.

When I reached home, I could only go straight to my bed and snore for extreme deprived sleep and exhaustion.

But, I am back to my usual days-family, business and volunteer works. I love these more than the usual time with TV.hehheheheh! I guess I am back to business, eh.hahahhahah!

I Will Miss My BFF-Sister Again

with my sister, Tammy on a nice ramp day in our store

I shall miss my younger sister, Tammy again as she and her baby will have to visit Manila to see my younger sister. They may be a away for a week or two. We oftentimes argue and wont agree on similar stuffs but I get used to bickering with her or dining with her whenever we can. Gosh! Family members can sometimes be a pain in your lovely ass, but family is family, so you can only love and endure them both. hahahhaha!

We Are Stuck!

My family and I are in Zamboanga City right now. We wish to bring our family van to Gensan City by traveling on road. However, since the van has seven-months of full rest, it is now experiencing a couple of car problems including brakes, battery and aircon. waaaaaaaaaaah!

We are supposed to leave today, but, obviously, it is still not done. We can only pray that by tomorrow, we will be off to the road and head to Gensan through Pagadian, Iligan, Cagayan, Bukidnon and Davao. Quite a road travel, huh?! We wish to meet other bloggers from these places. We don't know anyone in these cities actually. hehheheheh!

Wish us a happy and safe trip on our way home!

We Will be on Vacation

My oral brace has long been overdue for adjustment. So, tomorrow we will be leaving for Zamboangis a and have that appointment. However, we can only stay for a day since the family is quite busy with the furnitures.

I shall be absent from work but not from blogging.hahahhaha! I just have to finish all the things before departure.

A Heaven Haven in Samal Island

Isla Rita in the afternoon Sunset at Isla Rita, Samal Island with sister

Testing the clear water Isla Rita in the morning

Last weekend, my siblings and I headed to Davao City for Samal Island experience. I had been hearing only good things about this place but failed to actually be there. So, in spite of hectic schedule and piled back works, we managed to hit the road and the green waters!

We had approximately 4 hours of bumpy travel on the road from GenSan City and on the barge from Davao City wharf to Samal Island. We didn't mind the travel as we were more excited of what we should experience and savor from the trip. And, blessed we were, that we indeed had so much fun. We arrived late in the afternoon and just hit the waters until 10 pm. Yuri was almost inseparable from the sea. The sand was all white and fine, the waters all clear and the surrounding was all green. We just brought our tent with us. So, it was indeed a nature's trip!

The place was almost exclusive, so you get to enjoy the beach with very few guests. We wish to come back with the entire family and stay longer. We only regretted that we stayed on this beautiful of Isla Rita for overnight and headed back to our home.

Christmas Parties Everywhere

We had a great day today as early morning, the store was flocked with teenagers. Indeed, we had great sales from party-goers.

In the afternoon, we too had our party. So, today, our work day is officially over. We just spent our party in the school lobby with the usual program of playing and singing. I had to leave early though as my son was all stubborn, driving every one crazy.

We still have our masteral classes though tomorrow and then, VACATION IS ON! HURRRRRRRRRRRAY!

My Best Friend's Wedding

The Wacky Emcees (they wished, they didnt give us the mic! LOL!)

The gang in the newlyweds house! Posed again!

We are indeed bestfriendsof the bride, our presence would never really be forgotten. LOL!

More Poses!

And More!

Here are some of the pics of the wedding of one of my childhood best friends. We had great fun while my other best friend and I took the center stage as emcees. I was quite nervous at first but as the program started, anxiety faded and only bluntness prevailed. Hahahhahaah! I was even reprimanded by my bestfriend to stop talking. In between talks, we had to pose for our pics that is why I was all laughing the whole time. My, I really had great fun that night.

I sure miss them all and wish to see them again. Perhaps, when Carol, the newlywed gives birth in March, the gang can be complete again.

Great Vacation Time

We are now in our old home in Zamboanga City and since we arrived, we have been very busy filling time with friends and family.

I got to eat my fave cakes again, shop from mall to mall, meet old friends, and eat and rest a lot. My, I dont even miss my work. Hahahahahaha. Too bad, I am back to my draining works again, come Tuesday. Well, I might as well enjoy the break until it lasts. . .

Time Off with My Son

Working since my college days has made my summer '08 in General Santos City, Phil. difficult. Perhaps, waking up early, doing the job I love, and preparing for the next school's day fill much of my consciousness. All these are embedded deep in my system.

I am quite remorseful that I actually overlooked much of my duties as a mother to my son, Yuri. Although, I tried to compensate my absence in his everyday time, most especially after an 8-hour work. Perhaps, the lost time will take longer time to make up with him. I know it will never be too late to start anew with him, to have that quality time with him. And, this I hope I can realize this summer, away from work, away from the things that keep my son and I apart.