Posts Tagged "Northern Mindanao"

Summer Blues

Posted by Alma on 16 Mar 2010 in Children, Family | 0 comments

Its definitely summer.  Its scorching hot in Northern Mindanao and boy we are parch every 20 minutes.

Coke, coke, we want coke!  With ice to the brim!

The school year is over and the children are all around the house and I wonder how I can get to finish all my work this time around.  So here are some of the things that I need to do before the week ends:

1- Plan and create activities for the children everyday.

2- Look for paid activities during the summer break.

3- Plan for Pascalis’ 9th birthday.

4- Plan for a short break probably to Cebu, Boracay, Davao or Bohol.

5- Check the video store and buy tons of videos for the children to watch during the break.

So what’s on your calendar for the summer?

Starbucks in Boracay

Posted by Alma on 30 Nov 2009 in Children, Family Travel, Food | 1 comment

My children and I love Starbucks.  Despite the cost of coffee and dessert, we love to frequent Starbucks in Manila.  So after moving in Northern Mindanao, we have been missing our night prowls to Starbucks.

I found Starbucks accidentally in Boracay.  My children and I were having lunch at the Yellow Cab and waiting for my sister and her family to pick us up for island hopping when this young man approached the security guard of the place for something.

The security guard obviously had a hard time understanding the guy so he beckoned to me, and the young handsome fella approached me and asked, “Do you know where Starbucks is?”  To which I responded, “I have no idea, we just got here… you sure there’s a Starbucks here?” “Yea, saw a girl drinking her coffee earlier…”  So anyway to make it short, I asked the security guard and the security guard pointed to the left and the guy and I looked and found the oh so familiar green logo further down the street.

Aha, so there is a Starbucks in Boracay… much to the excitement of my children.  The girls made me promise to take them over to Starbucks after dinner…

Cha-Li Beach Resort- Great Place to Hang for the Weekend

Posted by Alma on 17 Nov 2009 in Children, Family, Freelance Life, Internet, Technology | 6 comments

When you are a webworker, the internet connection is crucial, so when Globe in our area went down without prior notice, my kids and I went on a huff to look for a place with very good wifi connection.  Since our favorite place to hang Apple Tree Resort and Hotel also has Globe, we had to find an alternative.

My requirements for a good place to hang are:

1.  Has internet connection (wifi or cable)

2. Has a Swimming Pool

3. Good and affordable food

We found them all at Cha-Li Beach Resort.

The last time I was at Cha-Li was almost 20 years ago.  Then, it was just a small place with thatch huts for day time swimmers.  They did not have a pool yet.  Once I have checked the amenities of Cha-Li using my mobile connected through GPRS, I called them to ask about the internet connection and their rates.

Ivy, the amiable receptionist confirmed that their internet is up and running at that their service provider is PLDT, I booked and we packed and left for the city.  When I got to the resort, Ivy took me around while we find the cabana with the strongest wifi connection.

We settled in at Cabana Naranja.  The cabin has 2 queen sized bed, full tub and bath, plush pillows, aircondition, cable television, and yes, my very important wifi connection at the veranda.

The children loved Cha-Li.  It has a good pool, although I would have preferred a kiddie pool, but since they only have one adult pool, the kids have to make do and wade on the shallow end.  While they are in the pool, I am at their restaurant which is close to the pool and has yes, my wifi connection!

Although I had to shell out almost $150 for the weekend, it was no biggie since I managed to stay in contact with my work and my kids had a break from the usual house related activities and they all spent their time on the pool and the beach!  A win-win situation!

To book and for more info:

Cha-Li Beach Resort and Conference Center
Zone 3, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City
Philippines, 9000
Phones: (+63) 88-855-5941
info@chalibeach.com

Job Hunting

Posted by Alma on 25 Sep 2008 in Internet, Job Hunt | 3 comments

There is no doubt that I need to find a job.  I am also on the lookout for businesses to open in my own little town here in Northern Mindanao.  Opening my own sari-sari store is obviously not my thing and I do not see selling load as my bread and butter.  Hayyy, the stressful living of married, er single motherhood.  So solution?  I am on the hunt for a Virtual Assistance job scouring Craigslist and other websites like monster and our local listings.  Craigslist has a myriad of authentic and legitimate job hunters and sadly scammers are also posting their non-sense so people like my has to wade through some bullshits before finding the rare and authentic posts. Part of the adventure of job hunting in the digital age, I guess.

Anyway, I have been sending off my resume for 5 VA positions mostly in the Philippines, and I got a response from AICOM in Manila and I received a call from them asking me to come tomorrow for exam and interview.  My mistake was assuming that the VA job was home based or at least telecommuting is allowed– wrong.  So, its my loss really since I obviously am not in Manila and cannot fly and work there… The chance and opportunity was not for me so, moving on…

So I am on the trail for THE dream Work at Home Gig.  I am technically harnessing my resume and eversince I got that call from Aicom, I am happier that my resume was noticed.  But anyway, I know I am more than qualified for the VA stint having worked for a huge company eons ago as an executive assistant.

So what is my dream job?  I want a job that I can do at the privacy of my own home.  A job that can support my children and at the same time, I can be near them 24/7.  Any VA job would be great but the Philippines has not opened its door 100% to telecomuting.  I am also scouring VA jobs elsewhere hoping I will stumble on some legitimate search.  So, guys, wish me luck…

For more information about VA Jobs and Telecomuting, check out the Rat Race Rebellion.