Tales from a Team Lead

OMG! No freaking way! What an eyesore!



Affected? Well, Honestly, I have only been to Paris once and I do not live there so I have no right to protest! But c'mon... I may be a tourist but I won't fly all across the globe just to see a golden M arching above the Louvre!

It's one thing to see McDonalds sprout like mushrooms everywhere but destroying the centuries old architectural beauty of a place for the sake of this junk is another.

Strangely, some French citizens do not see this as a big deal. Sad. Just sad.

Read the news at BBC

As some of you may know, I am going away for a while as I take my Vacation Leave outside the Philippines. I earned these leaves since January and I feel I deserve a break. I'll be touring a few European countries for a month or so, and I won’t be able to drop on Entrecard or Adgitize, or blog throughout that time.

Thanks to all of you who have followed this blog! I do hope that you can still drop and click here in my absence. Also, do check out my earlier posts and tell me what you think! You can click the links below or go to my sidebar's Navigate and pick your topic. I'll surely go and visit your blog as soon as I get back!

SOME TAGS: Travel, Travel Tips, Lovelife

Also, I prepared a new blog for your daily visits while I am away, please check out my collection of flickr pictures over at Pick a Flickr Pic A Day!

Happy blogging to everyone and thanks for reading this!



photo credit: UnSeEn

For LOST Fans...(like him)




For CSI Fans...(like me)



And for all my Agents and Friends at work...

I'll be back. I know you can hang on without me. You are All Great! Just be confident in everything that You do. And Always Smile! Your Smile not only changes the tone of your voice over the phone, it will Also make YOU Feel Better. That is The Most Important Thing! That You are Happy with what You are doing and with Who YOU are!

For My Family and Friends Everywhere...

I will Miss You All!
I'll be back in a few weeks!

XoXo

Above is part of my luggage last year. Too bad, this year I cannot take a photo coz my digicam is broke. I planned to buy a new one before I leave, but my bf told me that we should just buy there since it is cheaper. At first I was hesitant but we could use some extra cash for something else indeed.

I will start packing tomorrow soon as I get home after work. Then on Sunday, I will buy other essential things I need to bring (including the pasalubong for him and his family):

    ■ coffee beans (preferably barako)
    ■ cashew nuts (aka kasoy)
    ■ dried mangoes
    ■ zip lock plastic bags (for liquid containers, mandatory for airport inspection)
    ■ luggage fabric freshener (I forgot what it's called, but it looks like a fabric or strong tissue that can be used in your washing machine's spin dry, placed in a cabinet or bag)
    ■ Philippine History Book (I need to find the best author! I'm not sure if Teodoro Agoncillo was the one I bought him before, or was it Zaide?)

Well, I'm about to sleep now and I know I have a longer list in my head. I can't think now but I will update later if I remember what other "things" I need to buy.

Hmm... I planned to have a haircut too but I think we have an OT tonight. So I guess I'd be too tired when I get home to deal with my long messy hair. Ha!

Love is space and time measured by the heart. ~ Marcel Proust


photo by: PatrickV82

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“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Photo credit:
"I'll fly away, I'll fly away" by ingephotography

Every guidebook repeats - travel light! A mound of luggage marks you as an amateur traveler, which also becomes a tremendous burden. My tip: bring along less than you can carry, because you will add things up along the way. It's 99% sure!

But before you go in a panic frenzy, just remember: You always need fewer clothes than you think you will! Have you ever traveled and went back home only to realize that there were shirts, pants and more that were not even worn? Yep. We tend to over-pack!

For the Girls, here's a nice list of the basics that a luggage must include:

    ■ 1 pair of heavy-duty slacks or jeans
    ■ 1 pair slacks or shirt that can be dressed up
    ■ 3 blouses
    ■ 1 sweater
    ■ 1 dress or suit
    ■ 1 jacket or raincoat
    ■ 2 pairs walking shoes
    ■ 1 pair high heels (optional - depending if you foresee yourself attending a dress function)
    ■ 1 nightgown or pajamas
    ■ 1 robe (can be used as bench robe just in case)
    ■ 1 pair slippers
    ■ 1 swimsuit (optional - depending on the climate of the country you will visit, some may even bring this to a cold country if the hotel has an indoor pool or spa)
    ■ 3 changes stockings, socks, underwear


For hand-carry, always bring the stuff you can't afford to lose (money, credit cards, passport, travel documents, mobile phone, your camera and batteries), and extra undies just in case your luggage got lost or left behind somewhere. Toiletries like toothbrush and paste is very essential, a small mouthwash bottle will do the trick too in case you run out of toothpaste. Also place here your deodorant, cologne or perfume, feminine wash, a small soap and shampoo. But be sure not to bring over-sized containers that is used by your whole family at home!

Just bring enough that will last you a few days. You can always buy additional from stores or use the complimentary ones from the hotel you are staying at (unless you plan to bring them home for souvenir ~ lol). And don't forget to put all your liquids in a resealable plastic. Some airports have this rule as mandatory and it is also for your own good. Believe me.


Helpful Tips for the type of clothes:

Vary the materials according to the season and destination. And because the Philippines is a tropical country, first time travelers outside the PH tend to underestimate what "cold weather" means. I learned this hard way! 2 degrees is way way too cold! For those who visited Baguio City (usually the temp there is 10-18 degrees), you may say that it feels like there is a giant air con outdoors! But when you go to a below 5 degrees country, it feels like you are in a giant FREEZER!

And so I am reminded each time an agent complains that the air conditioning in our office is too cold, it is NOTHING compared to what "cold" really means. The key is read about the country you will visit before going.

Anyways, for summer, bring cotton, linen or light wool. A sundress with a light jacket is enough.

For Winter: heavy wool, warm coat, a suit or even ski clothes (preferably padded). You need a hat or bonnet, or a cap without a wide brim for windy weather.



That's it. I think that would be enough. Don't be tempted to bring double of the amount above. I read on The Independent Women's Guide to Europe by Linda White, that "one week's supply of clothing will get you through three months". Well, maybe three weeks for me, but still you don't need to bring one piece of clothing for each day! (Despite what your mother says). Just make sure to keep the clothes clean! So don't forget to bring a few sachets of washing powder.

All these will save you a few bucks that can be used for fine food or even shopping!!

I can't believe how time flies! I have started packing my luggage and writing my list of things to bring, to do and to buy. In a few days I'll be on hiatus at the blogsphere to travel outside the country.

Maybe I'll post a few photos when I get back. But one thing's for sure, I need to decide if I buy that 0% interest on a new digicam. Or should I buy it at the airport to avail it tax free? Then I won't be able to take a photo like this on my way out of the country...



Vacation!!!!!!!

Woah... my long awaited vacation is finally here.
Honey! See you soon!


photo credit: "Aeroplane sunset" by sincerely