Halfway through our meeting, bossing’s mobile rang. In the middle of the dev manager’s spiel, bossing picked up the phone & interrupted the meeting.

I was wondering if I could do that. In fact, if any of us middle management can. I doubt it. Such is life, in practice the rules do not apply to all.

After the call, which was sufficiently long and jovial, bossing said while giggling that it was his daughter & she was excited their school had a power failure & thus she was going home.

har har har

Then he went on that in his daughter’s school they have a credit-card-like method of paying for their meal (!) and that she once spent £150 (!) for a week’s worth of school dinner (!) — that’s Brit for lunch. Of course, they told the girl not to spend so much on food but her response was they want her to eat properly.

har har har sabay tumbling

Hayy the longer I work in London, the more I am faced with how different my life really is to all these Westerners. Yes, not all Brits can afford to send their kids to a private school & that having a card limit of over £150 for school dinners is not a common thing. BUT, my my my.

I can hardly afford to spend more than £5 for my lunch & I make efforts to limit my monthly allowance. I am a working class no matter how far my career goes. I don’t own the company. I don’t dictate my hours. And I certainly cannot interrupt management meetings for casual chats with my family.

I’m not sure if I blogged about it before, but there was this lady I used to work with & she moved here from Paris. Her husband’s a banker & she said it was very tough for her moving & settling in. She lamented how difficult it was to find the right (private) school, the nannies, the cleaners… She was telling me this thinking I could relate. Well, I guess yes, but in a (much) smaller scale. It was tough because my husband’s nurse wage isn’t enough. It was tough because we had to share accommodations until we could afford a house deposit. It was tough because our combined income’s very stretched with the private nursery & house let alone be able to afford a house cleaner!

While we continued on with the meeting I sat there with bossing’s children in mind. I mean how much do you think they get for an allowance? How much is their family budget? They live along Regent’s Park, you know.

Me, I live in East London. Gritty, real, pulsating & sometimes unstable. The streets are often dirty & because the fascist party BNP won a seat in the council, I’m always aware that in our area, there are a lot of closet racists.

I love my neighbourhood though. The people around us are nice. We have one or two troublemakers but they’re just a nuisance more than anything else. pogiBoy goes to a really good public school, Praise God! He’s well-liked by schoolmates, teachers, and parents. Our Pinoy friends are blooming.

But sometimes I can’t help entertaining thoughts of living somewhere much nicer. Where the streets will be clean, the views will be grand, the house cleans itself. Will I need to own my company to get there?

I hope not. We’re hoping to get there in afew years’ time. For now, austerity daw.

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If you’re not familiar with Lito Lapid & his most famous character, google it.

Kung ka-facebook o ka-friendster kita, nakita mo na siguro yung napakagandang bahay nang kapatid ko.

Para sa anak-pawis na tulad ko, laking-laki at lulang-lula ako sa 5-BR house, fully-A/C at de-marmol nyang bahay. Super comfy nga kaming mag-anak ayaw nang umalis dun ni pogiBoy.

So habang pa-petek-petek ako nung holiday, tingin-tingin ako nang mga properties sa Pilipinas. Para kunwari may pang-invest ako.

I came across Pico De Loro. Do you know the place? If you don’t and you haven’t seen it, i-google mo para maka-relate ka.

Ang ganda. It’s perfect for me, na mapagkunwaring nature-lover-aka-hiker-nuong-sinaunang-panahon. Beach at bundok… Perfection talaga.

SM Property ang developer at siguradong perfection din ang presyo.

Oh well. Libreng mangarap. So kahit malapit na kong mawalan nang trabaho, panay na plano ko kung pano namin lalagyan nang furnishing yung 2-BR family unit namin.

Paanong schedule gagawin nang parents ko pag-bisita dun, kung paanong scheduling gagawin sa mga kapatid at pininsan na mag-i-stay all-year-round…

San kaya malapit na palengke at bilihan nang furnitures? :-) Okay lang siguro na uupa na lang kami nang isa pang room para sa in-laws. Berat!

When you’re done reading my post, some of you will be incensed and are likely to say the Title is harsh.

I only knew of another protest going round the Net via Kotseng Kuba’s post. Apparently some Middle East based kababayan are encouraging all overseas Filipinos not to remit any money on 1-2 November, that’s this coming Thursday and Friday. This is because of what they perceive as a false perception of a stronger Peso buoyed by the OFW remittances. Generally the feeling is that it is unfair that our converted pay is now lower than before and our families in Pinas are left shortchanged because of the ever rising inflation. One would expect that with the upward trend for a better Peso - Dollar rate that our economy should also show signs of reviving. Unfortunately, that is not the case. (more…

I have been racking my brains how to best start this post because I do not want to be accused of having “conflicting interests”. Cheng, a friend from Uni, started an online venture a few months ago and has recently flagged me on PPP to post about it. I was reluctant to accept the direct offer made from PPP as I would have done it for free. In fact, I kept chiding myself for not doing so earlier.

Just to make it clear, yes this is post is a direct hire from PPP. But the venture I’m going to talk about is not just based on a paid blogging opportunity’s description, but based on what I found out when I tested the site and based on Cheng’s ideas about a pro-Filipino portal.

Cheng is a Filipino mother based in Laguna. I met her in 1994 when I joined an acad organisation and she attempted to scare the heck out of me and my batchmates. She’s like most mums I met online, open-minded, vocal, has a strong personality, bright and hopeful of the Philippines’ future. She’s taught IT for a good number of years and recently decided that she wanted to empower herself and also give something back in her own way. Thus “HoPeS UP” was born.

So just what is “HoPeS UP”?
You can look at “HoPeS UP” as a web portal for any service you might be looking for that specifically caters for Filipino – service providers and clients alike. The idea is if the site gains as many subscribers then potentially this can be a one-stop shop for nearly anything.

Most consumers, especially Filipinos, rely on “word of mouth” in terms of referral to specialist needs. “HoPeS UP” takes that value in consideration and aims to house all those information in one place accessible by everyone in the world.

You need a builder? You need a nanny? Or perhaps you want a web designer? Or a wedding planner? Then if “HoPeS UP” gain enough subscription, potentially you find all that by setting the appropriate filters on the Search facility on the site.

What can “HoPeS UP” do for you?
“HoPeS UP’s” main target is listing businesses, be it a professional service or consultancy or teams of people or proper business venture. BUT it’s NOT LIMITED to just that.

“HoPeS UP” also offers “Affiliate Membership”, an option to earn at your own pace without leaving your comfort zone. Stay-At-Home-Mums (SAHMs) can easily be Work-At-Home-Mums (WAHMs). Those looking to supplement their regular income can look at this as a potential second job. In fact, I considered joining in June but then the homefront situation changed, making it difficult for me to commit to anything. Perhaps next year I will.

“HoPeS UP” also supports people looking to pay into charities or foundations.

Why am I even posting this?
Because I believe in what “HoPeS UP’s” trying to achieve. Like me Cheng of “HoPeS UP” believes that modern Filipinos have the talent, skills and resources to succeed. We just need to help create more opportunities for our community to leverage that pool. Perhaps with this venture, we don’t just hope, we can actually do it.

Need more information?
Check out the site (you’ll also find a link from my sidebar): http://hopesup.com/
Or get in touch: simplify(at)hopesup(dot)com

We held our wedding date a month before my departure to London & two weeks before hubby’s return to England. We knew we wouldn’t be able to take any material gifts with us to our new “home”. We specified in the invites that we prefer gift certificates but this was only for our friends. The “older” guests (friends of our parents, the VERY few relatives) were told not to bother we just want them to witness our vows.

My Nanay & hubby’s parents were very scandalised (esp. when they saw my red dress!). They tried several times to change our minds, to withdraw that “line” from the invitations. But it was one of our best decisions ever. We used the ‘gifts’ for luggage, for additional clothes, tons of medicines & supplies. We got what we really wanted and needed. It’s akin to having a gift registry, but the oldies didn’t get it. Dahil na din kaya nasa probinsya kami?

Yesterday (15 April) we celebrated our son’s 3rd birthday party with selected family friends. We spent the entire day in the Colchester Zoo. We were all tired but everyone enjoyed themselves. We have special events booked for our group. The kids were given time with some farm animals & other critters. They were given some educational at the same time, which the parents themselves liked. Then my son took part in feeding the seals as the other Zoo visitors watched & cheered. We fed elephants, we even saw some disgusting rhino behaviour (i’ll post this later), we took part in the Easter fantasyland, and many more! It was really an amazing day.

Now here’s how it relates to my post…

We told the invitees that only the kids will have the free meal, they will have to pay for their lunch. We also told them not to bother with buying or wrapping their gifts, it’s optional. We really just wanted our friends and their kids with us on that day so it could be a group outing. If they felt they need to give something, we said maximum of 10 GBP is enough.

To some this will appear extreme. But given that the adults will have to fork out for their food and some will pay for the train fare to and from London, we felt it necessary to point out that their real gift is their presence. At the end of the day though my son still received nearly 100 GBP. We’re putting the loot in his savings account.

This is the way my hubby & I operate and we feel it’s pratical. Yes, we still spent good money on my son’s party but the idea is everyone will enjoy the day not just the adults drinking & eating themselves to death. And the money? Well isn’t it better to receive something you’d need rather than 10 punchbowls or dozens of GAP shirts?

My tummy turned into a ten-wheeler’s rubber tire like a thief in the night. I was thanking my lucky stars yesterday that I got upset last week & turned into an online shopping maniac. I spent nearly £200 on Next and on Doroth Perkins outfits and Amazon for my soul and entertainment. In that moment of madness I was stsill aware of my credit limit and I wanted to maximum number of clothes for my meager allowance, so I stayed away from Topshop and Zara.

Then I realised I needed some accessories so last friday I went to Monsoon/Accesorize and bought a nice slouch bag and some fashion jewelries. My total spending if you calculate is at £300 (30K PHP)… And if you count my shoe shopping trip two weeks ago in Clarks & in-store shopping at Next, too… O sige mukha akong galit sa pera!

Don’t get me wrong, I very rarely update my wardrobe, emphasis on the VERY. Normally I reserve my shopping escapade to once a year, that is when we visit Pinas. I cannot wait that long, mukha na akong matrona with the bloated tummy and swollen neck-area. At least I can feel good about myself not looking like a 10-seasons ago Betty. In my new job I’m surrounded (not by fashionistas) but business people, so even if I work in the Technology (where most people are in tees) I prefer to look presentable like I used to when I was single.

I have also started dabbing on make-up. The only thing I really don’t like is wearing foundation and I’ve never tried concealers, so my daily makeup really is just a set of eyeshadow, blusher and lippie. I know, ang nipis pero at least may effort na ko.

I’m not finished yet. I still want to do more shopping pero na-max out ko na ang card ko so I have to wait for a few weeks, maybe months. I am eyeing a gorgeous pair of kitten heels shoes and I also need new coats/jackets as the ones I’m using are at least 4 years old! O kitam, di naman ako kasi magastos. Actually I was hoping na heavy jacket na lang ang bibilin ko kasi may nabili ako last December na cheap spring jacket. Kaya lang nadale ng tita namin sa washing machine so kasya na lang sya sa mga teenagers.

I started picking up my taebo, don’t be fooled, I started just last night & I plan to do the Basic Workout every night. I will measure my body tonight, I forgot last night as I was too busy trimming the bushes above my eye.

I want to get this exercise machine called iJoyRide. There are so many testimonials on how effective it is & can easily be used for 15 mins with effective result daw. The catch? It’s nearly £450! So sabi ni hubby bakit di na lang ibang machine ang bilhin ko? The thing is I’m really enthused about this product & when I’m psyched I know I will not let it rot in the shed. However if he buys me something else, in other words, nakialam sya, tse!

So I plan to save up on the remaining things I want to buy as well as the iJoyRide. Nagbabaon na nga ako sa office para di na ko bibili ng lunch (I’m just looking for recipes to add variety to my meal, medyo limited dahil di kami allowed ng microwave). So hopefully by my birthday in June, I can buy myself that big gift. And double wish ko ay sana by that time, I’m healthier & doesn’t tire easily anymore courtesy of taebo. I would like to wish na sana I’m slimmer din who knows, afterall I’m cutting back on my rice & dinner.

I revisited my Drafts and found this saved from Q2 of 2006

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The title is supposed to be a literal translation of the Pinoy proverb “isang kahig, isang tuka“. Mostly associated with the working class struggling to make ends meet.

But does it still apply to OFWs across the globe when they’re earning more than their counterparts back home? Of course!

Hubby & I live and work in London. Yes, if we convert our income to peso (php), we’re mucho dinero but since we have a mortgage, a car, childcare costs, household bills & taxes (there are so many in the UK!) to pay, we have no spare cash after every pay day. Our wallets are as thin as Kate Moss, if not thinner.

I’d like to think we’re not destitute but we can’t save a penny - yet. Right now our earnings’ just enough. We’re gritting our teeth but our situation will ease in a year’s time. By then, hopefully we should have completed our payment in our Tagaytay property & we’ll have that spare dime we can then stash in our starving savings account.

Another year & the car would be paid, which would mean we can upgrade if want to. Or even decide to get another property in Pinas or even here. We could opt to work on that extension on our house… So… yes, we’re tightening our belts so we can live it out in comfort & we can secure our future back home. We’re not greedy, we’re realistic. I tell hubby the reason for all the “struggle” is because we can do this while we’re still young & can handle the “stress”. But can we?

As I savour my first paycheque in 2 months, I resist the urge to pull at my hair. It is frustrating working for a startup company. The fact that 2 of the 3 developers left does not help matters. Now I cannot just disrupt the remaining engineer’s time! I wanted to persist so I can move forward… but hey it’s 4:40pm. It can wait tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, I will catch up on my emails, my blog-reading, and I went for a long lunch! We’re near the Leather Lane street market and I’ve finally bought a pair of low-slung shoes. Really cheap, just £15. I wanted to buy 3 vests for the £10 asking price but I controlled myself. I need to work out my budget first before I splurge. Afterall, I’ve got lots to buy tomorrow: Mothercare stuff for more safety kits and Marks & Spencer’s lingerie — I’ve got a voucher that needs using!

So today after the heat of yesterday, I will relax as it’s nearly end of play. I will get on the 5:40pm train, read my paper, read the gloriagate transcript & relax some more. Then arrive home, do my accounting & maybe catch a bit of telly. My goal is to be in bed by 10pm. I’ve got an early day tomorrow, it’s my turn for the school run!