JICA Signing

I was sitting at the vacant chair

After nearly 3 months of delay, the Record of Discussion for the JICA-BIR Technical Cooperation on Human Resource Development was finally signed last May 28 at the Office of the Commissioner, BIR - National Office Bldg. Project duration is from 4Q of 2008 to 4thQ of 2010 and will cover development of training materials and nationwide training on Advance Audit Techniques and Public Relations Courses for Revenue Officers assigned at the bureau's Large Taxpayers Service (source of 69% of the country's total revenue collection) and Taxpayer Service.

There were no programme invitations, speeches or catered lunch - unlike the usual signing ceremonies. I even forgot to bring my digital camera. Good thing I was able to borrow one from a co-worker.

Atty. Janet's Thanksgiving Party

Got a call from Janet - she passed the bar exams! Been plotting and planning things with her since I came back from Japan....

For nobellaureate: this is me

 

The Melancholic / Phlegmatic

The melancholic-phlegmatic is tidier, more procedural and less flexible than the phlegmatic-melancholic. He may be slower to take on new projects, as the melancholic fear of new situations and tendency to perfectionism takes over. The double-dose of introversion, along with the melancholic tendency to negativity, makes it difficult for him to give compliments and make upbeat small talk. It also causes him to instinctively say “no” when he first hears a request. Others may perceive this as “snobbishness.” Unless the melancholic-phlegmatic is very comfortable, and is surrounded by understanding long-time friends, he may find himself somewhat isolated and alone, unable to warm up in a social gathering. He is less critical and less grudge-bearing than a pure melancholic or a melancholic-choleric. However, the tendency of the melancholic to dwell on things for a long time in their mind, combined with the sensitivity of the phlegmatic toward interpersonal relationships, can result in long-lasting hurts, an erosion of self-confidence and self-esteem, and even depression. Extremely sensitive and possessing a longing for the ideal (melancholic), they are also highly attentive to what others need or desire, through their phlegmatic aspect. This makes them more than usually susceptible to anxiety and a negative self-image
This temperament combination is highly driven to succeed—not for success’ sake alone, but because their melancholic nature is drawn to high ideals, and their phlegmatic side will have a strong desire to please. Thus, they are capable of long-range planning, organization, and attention to detail that makes them excellent and conscientious scholars. They are capable of pursuing highly idealistic goals, usually with long-term academic requirements, such as attaining their doctorate. They value their friendships, but can spend many hours alone reading or studying. They may have a tendency to hypochondria or to genuine physical weaknesses, as well as a tendency to timidity and anxiety, especially about new activities or ventures.
One melancholic-phlegmatic we know is highly organized, critical, slow, and dogmatically unforgiving, yet reveals her phlegmatic aspect in her intense discomfort with confrontation (unless she is very at ease among the warring members) and in her strong relationships with her friends. You wouldn’t guess that she is so devoted to her friends, however, because true to her melancholic nature she rarely initiates contact with them – they always have to call her first. A tendency to avoid the stresses of social interaction by spending overmuch time alone—whether in scholarly pursuits or reading for relaxation—is something that melancholic-phlegmatics need to watch out for.
If your temperament is melancholic-phlegmatic, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the melancholic and phlegmatic.

Monettee-Deo Wedding

with mary aileen

Attended Monettee and Deo's wedding as one of the secondary sponsors. The wedding was held at the Twin Hearts of Mary and Jesus Parish in Quezon City last 08 March 2008. Ma'am Nora insisted on having my hair done and face made up, =)!

a thousand winds

Met up with my sensei last week at UCC Coffee Shop -  The Block, SM North.  I ordered the coffee jelly and while we were updating each other, he mentioned my thesis and the paper that I submitted to him.  He asked me about a reference material that I used and requested that I update the stats in my thesis.  He said, he would need them for a paper that he will write. 
The thing is, while searching for the reference materials that I promised I would forward to him - I checked with the books and academic stuff I brought from Japan in my balikbayan box.  I chanced upon the brochures I saved from our temple stay in Sapporo February last year and saw a copy of this poem - a thousand winds.  Hm mm..... this explains why I was so intrigued when I learned that the Oricon chart declared this the number 1 song in Japan for 2007.  The buddhist priest read it to us on our last day of temple stay - sen no kaze ni natte. 

Funny thing, how we have to be patient for questions that bother us. In time, when we are not even looking for the answer or even forgot our question - they will just come...   

Manual Revision Workshop in Tagaytay

January 2-4, 2008 - First work day of the year and I had to bring with me at work my ever dependable and reliable backpack. We stayed at Taal Vista Hotel for the revision of training materials to be used for the National Roll-out of Computerized System under the USAID's Millennium Challenge Project. I call this project - ITS Redux. We're at it again - 10 years after the bureau's Tax Computerization Project.....New project name but same old people, even training materials. A rehash project as I would have reported in Katayama Sensei's seminar class. But hey, at least I got to take pictures of the famed volcano and the the lake - active and designated as one of the 16 decade volcanoes.

Ading's 7th B-day Celeb

Visited Melissa last December 3 to celebrate Ading's birthday. Met her other family members; got to host the birthday party with the two clowns; and had my face painted with sponge bob character. Forgot to take pictures of her new home in Cut-Cut Executive Village, =(

We had our first picture together in the Philippines, from now on no more Japan sceneries in the background....