How was your Holy Week?

How was your Holy Week?

Well, if you'll ask me...i dont really know how or what I felt during the week. Holy Maundy, I went back to condominium in Malate to handle and fix some important things there. Then I went to Leo's house in Las Pinas and stayed there for the night. I woke up in the morning the following day to renew our Business Permit at the Las Pinas City Hall and passed some requirements at the Sanitation Department. Then I went to SM Southmall with Michael, a friend of Leo's to deposit the payment for our rent in our business place. I hope I got the correct account number or else, good luck to me! Then after depositing the money, Michael and I played billiards for an hour. I went back to Leo's house and stayed there for the night. That was Holy Tuesday.

Holy Wednesday - I went back home in Mandaluyong and arrived at the house at around 9 pm. I stayed at Leo's house the whole day of Wednesday...played billiards and went to a Videoke house in Paranaque along with Erwin. I didnt really expect that there were still some Videoke houses that were open that time since its a Holy Wednesday already. Anyways, we sang a lot of songs there and stayed there for almost 2 hours. We had a very nice dinner at Leo's house at that time --- adobong pusit and boiled tahong. I ate a lot. While we were having our dinner, Edward texted us and invited us to go with him in their house in Mexico, Pampanga. I told him that we (Erwin, Leo and I) dont have budget for the said trip. Then Edward said that he'll take care of the food and place to stay. So the next morning, we went to Pampanga.

Holy Thursday - I woke up so early because I was excited to go to Pampanga again. It's been 6 years since I last went to Edward's place. I called Erwin early in the morning to check where he was...he told me that he was on his way to Boni, Mandaluyong. Leo, just woke up and was preparing for the trip too. He was in Mandaluyong too but staying in his "special friend's" house. We all met at Jollibee, Boni Branch and went straight to Victory Liner in Cubao. That's where we will meet Edward. We arrived at the bus terminal at around 9 am and saw a lot of people inside. I guess they are all going to Baguio because the line going to Baguio ticket counter was really long. But it says on the ticket counter that all buses going to Baguio on that day were all fully booked. Well, anyways, I never tried asking which line was that...our concern was just the line for Olongapo trip (it's the only route in Victoria Liner that pass by SM San Fernando, Pampanga) We waited for almost 5 hours for the bus going to Olongapo since there were a lot of people going to the provinces and all buses were all out. Anyways, it was a smooth travel from Manila to Pampanga. Randy, picked us up at SM San Fernando and drove us to Edward's place with his car. We arrived at Edward's place at around 3 pm. We were too hungry and tired...good thing, Edward's mom prepared Lunch. I ate a lot again. I guess, I am gaining a lot of weight now...I have to go to the gym. Moving on, we went to the "peryahan" near Edward's place and played some games there. Unfortunately, I didnt get any price. I heard some people singing the "pasyon" when we passed by a basketball court near the "peryahan." After the "perya", we decided to play "balut" (its a card game wherein you'll be given 3 cards that you need to match with the cards being shown by the gamemaster. If you get to match first all three cards with those being shown by the gamemaster, you'll be given 3 baluts for a price) for a while and took some pictures. That was my very first time to play that kind of game. I never won any game, unlike Edward who was so lucky and brought home with him 9 baluts. Hahaha. Although we were too tired at that time because of the travel, we still decided to drink beer until early in the morning of Holy Friday.

Holy Friday - we all just stayed in Edward's place and played with the kids. At long last, I was able to meet and talk to my "inaanak" from Edward's sister. His name is Dave. He is already 5 or 6 years old. We were supposed to visit some churches there in Pampanga with Randy but we cancelled it for some reason. Randy was tired and cant really drive anymore. We decided to stay in the house and played with the kids. I felt so bad right now because I never even remembered that it was a Holy Friday and that I should be praying and asking for forgiveness. Instead, we played games with the kids and drank beer with some friends of Edwards' during the night. I was even too drunk at that time to stand and wake up the following day. By the way, I get to meet Erlan again after 6 years. He is Edward's friend.

Black Saturday - I woke up with a very painful headache and too nauseous to stand and walk. I did my best not to vomit...well, i never vomitted as far as I can remember. Anyways, Erwin said that he is going to his friend in Nueva Ecija this afternoon. Marialyn, Erwin's friend was texting him since yesterday and inviting him to go to their place. I told Erwin that I am not really feeling well and cant go with him. But he said that Marialyn was inviting us all and that her family prepared something for us. So I stood up from bed and prepared for the trip. Leo was already taking a bath at that time. Edward didnt go with us because he has to go back in Manila that day. So we bid goodbye to Edward and his family, and of course to my "inaanak." We arrived at Marialyn's house in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija at around 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I saw a lot of food in the table and ate a lot again. Hahaha. I'm already bloated. Then after eating lunch, Marialyn gave us a tour of their Mango farm. We stayed there for one night and left Nueva Ecija this afternoon.

Easter Sunday - I woke up late in the morning. Leo woke me up and told me that they were all eating "brunch" already. We were in a hurry because Leo has previous engagement that he needs to attend to in Manila at 4 pm. While we were eating "brunch", Leo told me that I was snoring. I got so surprised because I seldom snore or even never according to my friends. Hahaha. I guess, they were all being nice to me and dont want to hurt my feelings. Hope I dont snore badly. Anyways, we left Nueva Ecija at around 12 in the afternoon and bid farewell to Marialyn and her parents. They gave us some mangoes for "pasalubong."

I arrived here in the house at 4 pm without even remembering that it was Nico, my nephew's and Leander, my cousin's birthday yesterday. I kissed my nephew and greeted him a happy birthday and texted my cousin to greet him as well. Nico's parents prepared pancit for my nephew and some pastries. Again, I ate a lot and felt so tired and sleepy. I was supposed to go to the church at 5 pm to attend the mass and meet Aileen afterwards but wasnt able to do so since I fell asleep and woke up at 8 pm. I really feel bad because I wasnt able to go to the church.

Well, this is my story for the whole week. I dont really know what I felt the entire week because deep inside me, I feel so bad enjoying and having fun while most of the people in the country were thinking of Jesus Christ's death. I feel so guilty, most especially because of not able to attend the mass today. I am so bad...

Business -- Closed Until Holy Week

I have been in our house in Mandaluyong since Saturday morning, last week. One of Brian's friends from the US is currently staying and renting the condominium. He will stay there until next month. So I'm stuck here in the house...well, on the lighter side, I'm glad that I am here since I am able to be with my parents, lola and brother again. I haven't been to my parent's house for a long time. I always see my brother at the Tutorial Center because he is managing the business but not my mom, dad and lola. So, it's really nice to be with them again.

It's also a good time to spend my whole month here with my family since the tutorial center is closed until holy week. My tutors, brother and I have decided to have a break since it's the end of school year and summer vacation has just started. Generally, its an off-peak season for most tutorial centers since most of the students are off to their provinces for vacation. So its better to just close the center until holy week to at least save money for transportation (hehehe!) and electricity (hahaha) But come this 2nd week of April, business will resume. I just pray that we'll have some students who will need summer advance classes this coming month...

By the way, I'm a bit desperate right now to get a job and start working again. It's really been a long time since I resigned from my previous job. I have to start working again...I already applied to different companies and I'm just waiting for their call. Hope someone will hire me soon. Whoever knows a nice job (hope, its not a call center job) please let me know...I will apply to it.

Business Permits, Registration to BIR, TAX!

Having a business really is a tough and tedious one...there are a lot of things you have to consider and a lot of things to do, most especially when you are just starting. You need to secure a business permit from the Homeowner's Office (if your business is in a village or subdivision), then another business permit from the Barangay Hall, then lastly, a business permit from the Mayor's Office. You can't get the Mayor's Permit without securing the Homeowner and Barangay permits first. It took me almost three weeks to be able to completely process and secure all those permits from different offices. Guess what caused the delays...of course, not me but the people who processed it, starting from the Homeowner's Office up to the City Hall.

Homeowner's Office - took me almost a week and a half to get the business permit because their head officer who's going to sign the paper has been out for a couple of days. It should have been processed and given to me after one to two days but that didnt happen...

Barangay Hall - took me another week for them to issue my business permit. The lady who received my documents and application told me that they will just inform me the following day through text regarding the release of the permit. But guess what...I never received any text from them. I asked my brother a couple of days later to follow it up with them and as expected, the permit wasn't ready and they will release it after we give them a simple sketch of our business location (which they didn't ask from us beforehand) The next day, my brother gave the sketch to them but was told that he has to wait until afternoon since the person who's going to sign it wasn't in the barangay. My brother went back to get the permit in the afternoon and surprisingly, after a long time of waiting, it was handed to my brother.

Mayor's Permit - I didn't experience a lot of trouble processing the business permit in the city hall. The only cause of the delay was because of the misinformation provided to me by one of the employees from a certain department who needs to approve my application (I guess, I need not mention the department) The employees in the Business Permit Office were really helpful and patient. The old guy who works from that department helped me a lot and instructed me with all the things I need to do and where I will go, step-by-step. I finished the first step for 10 minutes. I thought the next steps will be as smooth as the first one not until I went in to the second step. This time I had some confusion...the employee who first talked to me just gave me a form and talked to me while she was filing up all her papers. She never even dared to check which department I have gone to already and if the form she's giving me was even needed. I asked her a lot of questions but she just keeps on filing her things and not really listening to what I was asking her. With dismay, I went back to the tutorial center and tried reading all the questions in the form and other documents needed. I was surprised because the documents they need aren't really applicable to me since I am not asking for a building permit but a business permit. I am only renting the space and not reconstructing a new building. So I guess, I dont need to give them the layout of the building, Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) and a lot more papers. I went back to the same department the following day and talked to a different employee. She told me different things but this time, she admitted that she was not sure. So she asked me to stay and wait for their Head Officer. After a couple of minutes waiting, the Head Officer arrived and talked to me. She told me that our place will only be inspected the following day with one of their officers and that's all. The following day, an inspector came in the tutorial center at around 10 am and just checked the place. Then they told me to go back to the city hall and get the application form in the afternoon to move on to the next step. The succeeding steps weren't really difficult. It only took me two hours to finish all 5 remaining steps. I felt so happy when I received the last of all business permits I needed to secure...the most important of all business permits. Now, I can display it inside the tutorial center so that people will know that we are a "legal business."

Anyways, after those tiring and exhausting weeks of securing the business permits...here comes a new challenge...registration of business to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This time, I must admit, I am not familiar with the forms they will ask me to answer and I have no clue as to what type of taxes they will give me. So when I went to the BIR office in Las Pinas, I immediately went to the Officer of the Day and asked what to do. She was very patient and instructed me everything, what to do and where to go. I followed what she told me...went to the Registration Section and gave them lots of forms I was asked to answer. The lady from the Registration Section was very accomodating and told me that I have to update and change my registered address from Pasig to Las Pinas since my business is based in Las Pinas. She advised me to go to BIR Pasig to process the transfer. So I did...but again, it was stressful and confusing. The Officer of the Day from that district office wasn't helpful because she didn't even bother to look at my application and listen to me, the next guy I talked to just referred me to someone else. But the last employee I talked to (he's the only employee who gives out BIR Forms; he's located in front of the stairs going to the 2nd floor) was very helpful and nice, gave me all the steps I need to do. He should be commended!!! same with the old guy from BPO in Las Pinas!!! Well, moving on, the Registration Officer told me that the transfer will be processed within 5 days. That means, I will have to wait for 5 days before I go back to BIR Las Pinas and register the business. Well, at least I would have time to relax and not think about the papers...

For now, I'm just trying to relax, managing all the expenses and schedules. My aunt will do the bookkeeping for me while my brother is managing the business. Hope I'll finish all the papers for the business soon.

Finding a Job

Its been a long time since I resigned from my previous job...around 8 months already. Those months were really fantastic months for me since I was able to enjoy a life without being bossed out or pressured with lots of work. But, in all honesty...I miss everything about it.

This time, I have decided to find a new job. Something that I really love doing. My new business is all okay and I will let my brother handle it for me. I trust him so much that I know when the business is in his hands...it will never fail. My friends are all in the business too...for sure they will not let it fail.

I'm on my way now to find a job...a new journey will begin for me.

Insomnia Strikes Back!

My insomnia is back again...

I've had great nights last month because my sleeping habits had gone back to normal. I was sleeping at 10 PM...latest would be 12 AM and automatically wakes up at 8 or 9 am. Everything was working fine during the month of February. But now, my insomnia strikes back.

I don't know why...well, I guess I have been thinking a lot of things the past few days. Business is going strong and thank God we already have more than 5 tutees (that means more income, hehehe) Things are going well also with the condominium. Everythings' on the right track. But I'm thinking a lot about the future...what will happen next week or next month. I keep on planning ahead of time so as to be prepared with "unexpected problems." It is really too hard...so difficult when you are just doing it by yourself without any help from anyone. Planning definitely is the most difficult part when you want to have your life be on the right direction. That's what's making me so busy...that makes me think a lot...that's definitely the cause of my insomnia.

It's actually a bit surprising because whenever I check my friendster's horoscope, it keeps on telling me to just relax and give myself a break. I did allot some time for relaxation but my sleeping pattern still sucks. Brian told me to try sleeping pills but I really dont want to take any of those "untrusted" pills (well, doctors recommend it for insomnia so they trust it but not me) Oh God, what's wrong with me?!!!

Well, its already 2 AM and I'm still not sleepy. I have to do some errands later, around 9 am (good luck!) Anybody here who has suggestions? Please let me know so that I could bring back my life to normal.

Guy Sebastian's "Angels Brought Me Here"

"Angels Brought Me Here" --- I just heard this song when I was walking back to the condominium. It touched me a lot...I don't know why. But the song and lyrics are really fantastic, especially the voice of the singer (Guy Sebastian)

Enjoy guys!

Prayer

I just attended the mass in Malate Church. It was presided by a priest from I guess, Spain or somewhere in the Spanish-speaking countries/region. Anyways, everytime I attend the mass it makes me feel that I am well comforted and relieved. Life always a puzzle to me everyday...but whenever I am in the church, it makes things clear to me. I guess, praying and connecting myself to God gives me confidence to move on and surpass all the struggles in my life. That is the Power of Praying...gives yourself a boost of confidence and faith.