A completely-forgotten chocolate candy ruined a polo shirt today. The culprit was tucked in to my breast pocket earlier today and because of the series of meetings and work-to-take-care-ofs the darned thing was forgotten. All the while, the chocolate performed one of science's greatest feats -- matter phase -- the once solid chocolate turned to a liquified, gooey mess that completely spread havoc on my polo shirt, my undershirt ... even managing to penetrate to touch the skin. I realized what was happening too late and the entire mess was already in its advanced state. Good thing I had an extra shirt on hand for such emergencies.
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Turning to more techie stuff ...
Hoping to better manage the temp of my PC, I added a third fan to my PC which acts as another exhaust. Due to the rather humid conditions inside the bedroom, my CPU heats up fast and the two fans are unable to allow me to work longer than usual hours with my computer. According to the Intel Active Monitor, the processor zone is the fiery portion and the two fans helping the processors own fan are not enough to cool down conditions. I installed the third fan as a second exhaust and so far, temps in the insides of my rig have been, err, tempered.
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Three days since returning from a northerly cool trip, I still wish I had more time and resources to spare for an extended stay in the City of Pines -- Baguio.
The trip up the mountain city was a treat by my sister to the whole family. Wheng hasn't been to Baguio her whole life so we obliged her. I, myself, have been up there only twice before -- one, on official business, and second, on my honeymoon. Along with Wheng and my little family (Elvie and Ikai), there was also my parents (who've been to Baguio so many times), and Ate Arlyn (a she-hulking cousin of mine many years older) and Grace, Ikai's yaya, both of whom have never been to Baguio like Wheng.
I will talk more about our Baguio trip on a future blog along with some pictures.
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2007 was a mixed year, a mix of ups and downs. While we were, at times, financially down on our luck, we were up and about for most of the year thanks to our little daughter who we watched grow month by month until her first birthday last November 18, 2007.
It was a year of good fortune -- I got promoted somewhat, got a slightly significant increase in terms of salary, and now manage my own team. However, our bid for better living conditions and work opportunities suffered yet another setback, and there were several instances when things were looking bleak.
What's more important though is that we've managed to overcome them and looking forward to a more prosperous new year.
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December was probably the best month for me in a year of ups and downs. It was largely because money matters were not of a concern as it was the season of plenty. With a substantial 13th month, the Christmas season was, not significantly happier than last year, but both my wife and I were breathing easier and with much, much relief.
Here's hoping to an indeed more prosperous 2008.
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Here's a treasure chest of the "Christmas gifts" I now am in possession:
• The Sims 2 (PC game) - thanks to my sister
• Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff (PC game)
• Crocs (flip-flops)
• Dunhill Desire Red (parfum pour homme)
• Matic - Cambio's second album (what I received from the company Kris Kringle)
• Giniling Festival Album - I bought as a gift to myself
• Kami nAPO Ulit Album - The APO Tribute Album Volume 2 (another gift to me-self)
• Bvlgari Aqua for Men (perfume)
• Nike ballcap
• another perfume, a CK One
• a Billabong shirt (part of the pasalubong package from my sis)
• a LiteOn DVD-Writer drive (for all those wonderful DVD PC games especially The Sims 2)
• a Hanes shirt at a bargain of two shirts for one (I got the free shirt, the purchased shirt became a gift for my mother's baby in the Kris Kringle)
• a Light wristwatch, originally for my old man but since it was too "bagets" for him, bequeathed the thingy to moi
• a USB-powered mini-vacuum cleaner from CDR King for cleaning up my rig
• a souvenir Thailand shirt from Wheng's stopover at Bangkok
• new, black, leather shoes direct purchased from Natasha (but it's named Nathaniel) so that I can finally retire the leather shoes I've been wearing out for 2.5 years
This list is not meant to show-off or boast or tell everyone I'm freakin' rich. A lot of the items here were gifts freely given and received and if some of the items here were purchased by me, I guess it's my right. This list is just my way of expressing my happiness (yes, it's so materialistic, forgive me) and to show that little things can make me smile and giddy inside.
Sadly, the guitar is not yet on that list and still on the wish-list.
Talkin' 'bout stuff over steaming cups of coffee. Grab a seat and be part of the chit-chat.
