Corporate Peace Corps

I’ve already heard about this around two to three weeks ago, but I only got to blog about this now (see how self-centered I can be? Ack):

IBM creates its own Peace Corps
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:34:00 05/03/2008

MANILA, Philippines — IBM is sending 600 of its employees to emerging countries over the next three years to do volunteer work involving IT.

IBM said the first 100 employees will be sent this year to six countries — Romania, Turkey, Vietnam, Ghana, Tanzania and the Philippines — to work on projects “that intersect economic development and IT.”

“It’s a corporate version of the Peace Corps,” said James Velasquez, country general manager for IBM Philippines, referring to the tech giant’s Corporate Service Corps initiative.

Thomas Veloso from the local IBM office was selected and will join nine more IBMers from the United States, Japan, China, India and the United Kindom as a team assigned to go to Tanzania in Africa.

More than 5,000 IBM employees worldwide applied for the program but only 100 were selected for this year.

In the Philippines, the IBM team will be based in Cagayan de Oro and Davao City in the South.

The team will create management information systems to track progress of loan and grant beneficiaries from the Philippine Development Assistance Program, according to IBM.

IBM is working with three non-governmental organizations from the US, Canada and Australia. These NGOs identify projects and local organizations the IBM teams can work with.

This is one of the coolest things I’ve heard at work ever. :) I love how the company is getting their people involved in helping. That’s why we were encouraged at work to go and volunteer for corporate social responsibility events, because it really has an effect. Thomas (Tom) Veloso used to be the GK-IBM head, and all his efforts are paying off with this amazing opportunity presented to him. :)

I’d love to have the same opportunity. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’d love if I would be granted one too, plus size clothing and all (um…right. What did I just write?). Maybe someday, I hope? :) Granted, I’d have to work doubly harder to get this, but it’s a good goal, right? :)

Maybe someday. In the meantime, let me finish all my deliverables. Heh.

Youth Camp Memories

I now remember another thing that I am reminded of during rainy afternoons, especially in May. Youth camps.

Summers used to be filled with YFC activities. I remember back in summer before fourth year high school, the moment I got back from the International Leader’s Conference in Cebu (ah the memories!), we were already starting to plan for the youth camp for the summer. There were lots of meetings going on, with venues to visit and dates to pick and participants to recruit. I was hardly home during the week because of meetings and fellowships — sometimes it feels like my YFC friends and I live in a single class A motorhome as we were always together. Every. Single. Day.

Fun times.

(More…)

I’m proud to say you’re mine ♥

I remember it so well: it was the day of m first thesis proposal defense. I haven’t been home for a few days and I was so scared and nervous. Then you text me, wishing me luck for the defense. I texted back, telling you to pray because I was scared…and you called me and talked me out of my fears. We failed that afternoon, but when I called you, you gave nothing but loving and assuring words, telling me everything’s going to be alright.

There was a time when I came home from school, and I sensed tension in the air. Turns out you accidentally chanced upon my journal, and saw some of the things I’ve been hiding. I told you everything, and I was afraid you’d get angry…but we ended up bonding. :)

I was having blisters all over my body — my fever was bad and the skin problem I had was getting worse. You brought me to the dermatologist and got me medicine to drink and cream to put all over my blisters. Even if I was in college already and I can manage pretty well, you helped me put the meds just so everything’s covered. :)

I was tired with schoolwork and thesis. You accompanied me as I got our thesis ringbound, and while I was waiting for it, you disappeared into the grocery. A little while later, you were back, carrying a bag of groceries for me to take to the dorm for the week with all the stuff you know I like, and an additional bag of M&M’s chocolate. :)

We weren’t always good to each other — in fact, I think I answered back to you too many times as I was growing up. But I know that despite all that, you were, are and always will be there for me. I know that even if we don’t really like and understand the same things, I’ll always be able to count on you to storm the heavens for me. You’ve taught me to pray, to value my faith and to believe in God’s faithfulness. You don’t have to apologize for not being the perfect mom, because to me, you ARE perfect. :) Flaws and all. :D

Without you, our family wouldn’t have been the same, our home wouldn’t have been the same. I wouldn’t be who I am, I wouldn’t be where I am. Thank you. :)

Happy Mother’s Day, Mama! I love you! ♥

And before I forget…Happy Mother’s Day, Mama Mary. :) Thank you for always praying for us. :)

And finally: Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Twilight Movie Trailer

Okay, altogether now…SQUEEEE!

Talk about Twilight yumminess. It really helped that when I was reading Twilight, I already knew Robert Pattinson was playing Edward, so it was easier for me to imagine him. He’s hot enough to burn a thick thick mattress! ♥

But you know who really caught my eye here?

Emmett. Suddenly I love him even more. Haha. Kellan Lutz is definitely Emmet. :P

I can’t wait for the movie all of a sudden. I should remember to re-read Twilight before the movie shows in December. =D

WYD 2008: Finances vs. Experience

[Cross posted from Mission: Sydney]

I know I haven’t been updating as much, and I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with job related stuff that I keep on forgetting that I owe this blog A LOT of updates.

So my last post, almost a month ago, was about me registering as a pilgrim for WYD 2008 — FINALLY. After long long wait and doubts, I finally got off my lazy bum and registered. :) It felt exciting and all, but after a few days, the excitement wore off and I suddenly wondered if I should still push through. I suddenly realized I had so much stuff to do — fix my visa, fix my airfare, buy winter clothes and save, save, save! I suddenly had doubts if I could pull it off financially. Do I have enough money? Can I pay for everything? I know my parents are there and all, and I could ask them for some help, but I’m already working; I want to finance this on my own, as much as possible.

And if I do manage to get enough finances…how about when I return? I’d be losing almost a year of my savings…can’t I just continue saving and go to Australia (or other places) another time?

But…this is World Youth Day. This is a chance of a lifetime. The next WYD might be too far and even more expensive for me to go.

See, I’m talking to myself.

But anyway, I know my savings might be gone after this trip, and it’s only for a week. And when I get back, salary’s like three weeks to go. How the heck will I survive, especially with my bills? :| Going to Australia isn’t as cheap as horse supplements, you know.

That’s worse case scenario of course. I know I won’t blow off all my money, and probably for airfare I can use my trusty Lizzie or Sylvia the credit card to save me some of the immediate cash out when I buy the ticket. Plus I’ll be saving more because I know my accommodation and food are paid for with my registration. But I still can’t help but think if I want to postpone this for another time.

BUT THEN…what I’m talking about is just money. I know it’s important, but I know I can never replace the experience I’ll be getting from this entire thing. Cliche as it may sound, this is a once in a lifetime experience. I’ve been praying to go to Australia for two years now; why stop now when it’s practically within reach? Right? And this is like, the biggest Catholic youth event ever, and other people are dying to go. The experience is definitely going to make a HUGE dent on my finances…but I’m pretty sure the ENTIRE experience is worth it. Right? I can earn the money back after, but I can never replace all the learnings that I will be getting from this entire…adventure. Yes, this is an adventure. :)

Soooo…go lang! :) Let’s see where this brings me. :) I pray that God provide me the grace (and finances :D) to go through with this trip. Please pray with me? :)