Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya - A Review

Hilton Petaling Jaya
No 2 Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 46200

What I like about it: Two things I enjoyed about this hotel - Breakfast and Swimming Pool! Morning breakfasts are great with a wide range of food and beverages at Paya Serai Restaurant (Ground Floor). The lights and food presentation add appeal to the place. The swimming pool was also fabulous.

What needs to be improved: My check-in experience wasn't that good. The front desk lady was giving me a room that I'll share with another business traveler. I specifically mentioned that I have a reservation and I don't need to share a room with a total stranger. She doesn't speak English well although she's trying to be as courteous as she can.

Also, the room quality is fairly average. The bed is just okay. The marble bathroom simple (no bathtub). The television is small and old, no DVD and there are limited international channels (mostly local). Although the lobby and restaurants are elegant, I was expecting a newer and more extravagant hotel.


My ratings for this hotel are:
3 of 5 = Check in / front desk
4 of 5 = Quality of Service
4 of 5 = Value for Price
4 of 5 = Rooms (Bathroom, Kitchen, etc.)
4 of 5 = Cleanliness

Being a Call Center Trainer (Part 3)

Why we need mental composure: If you want to be a trainer, be ready for tons of feedback and criticisms from both your internal and external clients. As the saying goes, you can't please everyone.

No matter how hard you prepare for every class, there will always be unavoidable mistakes or "not so good" interactions with your participants. As adult learners who are full of life experiences, the trainees may question your job knowledge or even your credibility to teach the topic.

The key here is to view feedback as a gift. You can either use it or file it. If you think the feedback will make you a better trainer, then use it by all means. But if you think that the feedback will not give you an advantage, then file it.

There were several times when the client provides me information in the morning and wants me to deliver the training in the evening. That gives me less than seven hours to study the information, come up with a neat module, check for an available training venue, coordinate with team leaders, notify the participants, prepare for the discussion itself and conceptualize a training agenda that would differentiate it from my previous classes.

Believe it or not, in spite of all these somewhat baneful experiences I've shared, my heart will never tire of training or teaching people. I find a sense of unexplainable joy when I teach. And what makes it even more beautiful is when I see my trainees evolve and become better with what they do, because of me.

Being a trainer is no joke.

Being a trainer is a phenomenal privilege.

Being a trainer made me a stronger person.

I have no regrets or whatsoever for burning the candle at both ends. I love being a trainer and the passion for teaching will forever be in my heart.

Watermelon Eyes

I couldn't believe my (watermelon) eyes!

There is hope

Whatever troubles you may be having right now, believe with all your heart that the Lord will fill your life with abundant love and blessings.

In the midst of your life's turmoil, come home to the peace of certainty. Certainty that the difficult road will soon be over and a new grace will touch your life.

Easter Day is God's way of telling us that there is hope in every problem. The Lord will shine above darkness and will bring us relief and healing.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Being a Call Center Trainer (Part 2)

Why we need emotional composure: We live the life of big celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in some ways. No matter how exhausted or uninspired we feel, we need to put on our best smile and be a perfect role model in front of the class.

A slight fever is not enough reason to miss the class. When we feel down and lonely, we find every single strength in ourselves and deliver world-class training. I remember a pregnant colleague while being rushed to the hospital was giving me instructions on what to do with her class. When we roll out policies or guidelines that we personally feel inappropriate for trainees, we have to set aside our own judgment and encourage the class to understand the importance of the issues presented.

As trainers, we have to also be self-motivated as there are no constant recognition (and sometimes even management support) in this profession. We look at the positive side of every opportunity that comes our way and use the challenges to improve our craft.

To be continued...

Recipe: Tinolang Manok (Chicken Ginger Soup)

This recipe is a sure delight to most Filipinos. It has been a popular local dish as it was even mentioned in Chapter Three of Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. The novel, Noli Me Tangere, was written in 1884 and Rizal is the country's national hero.


What you need to prepare:
-casserole

Ingredients:
-1 whole chicken, cut into small serving pieces
-1 small ginger, peeled and sliced
-1 small garlic, crushed
-1 medium onion, chopped
-2 tbsp patis (fish sauce)
-2 medium sayote (chayote squash), peeled and cut into serving pieces
-sili (chilli) leaves
-1 tbsp canola oil
-1 liter of water
-dash of salt

Let's start cooking!

1. Heat canola oil in a casserole. Saute garlic, onion and ginger until it produces an aromatic scent.

2. Add the chicken pieces to brown the meat lightly.

3.Season with patis and a dash of salt. Then pour water and cover for about 15 minutes.

4. When the chicken is half done, add sayote. Simmer over medium heat for 7-10 minutes.

5. Stir in sili leaves just before serving.

Serve with love!

NOTES:

1. Be careful not to overcook the vegetables.

2. You can also use raw papaya instead of sayote, and malunggay leaves instead of sili leaves.

Sudoku Champ in the Making

My niece who is fifteen months old begins scribbling and enjoying the exploration of the Sudoku world. As a start, she can count one, two and three. :GRIN:

summer and watermelons

Our summer meal as a family is not complete without the crisp, cold, and juicy watermelon. I guess summer and watermelon are inseparable especially if you're living in a tropical country such as ours.
Other than the water content, the beautiful red watermelon is filled with high concentration of lycopene and some of nature's antioxidants. It is packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6. Everything about it is healthy so obviously, eating watermelon to quench the summer thirst is a safer than taking energy drinks.

A stroll around the city will show you several fruit stalls. I usually buy from Beth's Pakwan (which means watermelon in Tagalog) along Don Bonifacio Avenue. If you're from Balibago and going to NLEX/Angeles Municipal Hall, the store is after Caltex Gasoline Station.

So eat up and take advantage of the nutritious, bright red watermelons this summer. I'm actually enjoying a big slice right now. Happy watermelon slurping!

Being a Call Center Trainer (Part 1)

Being a call center trainer may appear to be an easy task. Your daily mission: wear a smart casual outfit and discuss a topic in front of a group. Plain and simple... you think!

Don't be fooled with the poise, confidence and fluency of these professionals. I've been a trainer for America Online in Clark, Angeles City for five years and I could confirm there's certainly more than the glamorous outfits. This profession demands solid physical, emotional and mental composure.


Why we need physical strength: We are willing to work more than 8 hours a day and in flexible hours (double shifts or triple shifts, if necessary). Monday, I have a class on a graveyard shift. The next day, I'll work afternoon shift to catch up with morning meetings. The following days, I'll be required to work early morning to attend conference calls or queue brainstorming. On top of that crazy schedule, I have to finish collateral projects during my supposedly days off.

This line of work is mostly walk and talk. In Clark, the training office is in one building while the training rooms where we conduct classes are in the other building. At least an hour before my class, I walk from my office to the training room to prepare what I need. Yes, while we have maintenance helpers and Internal Computing (IC) support, it will always be the trainer's sole problem if the training room is unavailable or any necessary equipment (computer, projector, speakers, etc) is malfunctioning. So we have to be at least an hour early for our own convenience.

As soon as the participants enter the room, we start talking to check the attendance, distribute modules and energize the class before the discussion proper.

We don't have the opportunity to sit down all the time regardless of the class size. When having individual activities, trainers should walk around the room to address problems and answer questions. During group activities, on the other hand, we walk from one group to another to make sure they're on the right track and they aren't just chatting about showbiz personalities or latest gadgets.

We provide 15 minute breaks for the participants every two hours of the training to freshen up and quickly grab something to eat. Most of the time, these breaks are useful for trainers to prepare the activity for the next topic.

After the class, we again walk around the room to ensure cleanliness of the area and at times, we may need to talk to participants who have issues concerning the topics discussed. And then complete some administrative work like tracking data and reports.

To be continued...

Weird News : Man Swallows Scissors

Today is April Fool's Day but this news is no joke.

A Chinese man named Kong Lin, 27, was using nail scissors as a toothpick when his pal's joke made him laugh hard - and the scissors slid down his throat.

He was rushed to a hospital in Putian, China and it took surgeons half an hour to extract the scissors.

Now I'm wondering what the joke was. It must be really hilarious.

Credits: EuroPics

Marley and Me : Movie Review

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."

Starring:
Owen Nilson - John Grogan
Jennifer Aniston - Jen Grogan
Eric Dane - Sebastian

Directed by: David Frankel

A down to earth husband. A caring wife. Their growing family. And the world's worst dog. This is a family movie - in the truest sense.

If you think the movie is plainly about a naughty puppy, you're wrong. Marley & Me is a simple story of an American couple who depicts the ups-and-downs of marriage. Their pet dog, Marley, is a total nuisance at first but matures and develops into becoming a member of the family.

This is an easy-going film based from a book that will appeal to newly weds and pet lovers like Gilbert. More to that, the film teaches valuable life lessons about painful decision of letting go, unconditional love for your family and giving up to ultimately gaining more.

The scenes are realistic, some of which are hilarious. I can so relate to Jen Grogan who has a list of all her life plans. I was laughing so hard when she said something like this to John after their wedding: "Number one, to find a sweet, sexy, kind and intelligent man. [Of course, John is proud of himself when Jen continued] Number two, to marry you instead."

Another funny moment was when Marley runs and dives into a pool of a nice house, John pretended to be disappointed and asked the people around "Whose dog is that?"

The ending on the other hand is a bit heart breaking. I recommend you bring a box of tissue when you watch it!

Four out of Five stars for me.

Avoid Hot Liquid Intake

According to a recent Iranian research, drinking scalding hot liquid may cause throat cancer.

Tea hotter than 160 degrees may trigger the development of cancerous tumors in the esophagus.

They suggest that we let steaming liquid cool at least four minutes before consuming it.

News from Reuters

Slumdog Millionaire : Movie Review

"You are not a liar, that's for sure. You are too truthful."

Starring:
Dev Patel - Jamal
Freida Pinto - Latika
Madhur Mittal - Salim

Directed by: Dan Boyle and Loveleen Tandan

Slumdog Millionaire wowed me from start to finish. Although surrounded by the chaotic slums of Bombay, the comedy drama was depicted with an amazing cast (especially the child actors), upbeat music, fast movement, outstanding light, and vivid colors.

Jamal's story as seen through his eyes is more interesting than I have expected. Despite being an orphan at a young age and until he becoming a hardworking man, he never lost his sense of fairness and respect. His growing years are tragic yet still beautiful with an abundant hope of finding Latika.

The story highlights both beauty and horrors of street life in Bombay (which is very similar in the Philippines), brotherhood, righteousness, and above all, love in the face of obstacles.

Go and watch this film. You won't be disappointed.

Five out of Five stars for me.

Shopping in Baguio

Wagwagan meaning "to shake" or Ukay ukay meaning "to dig" - This is what I consider the most cheapest and most exciting second hand shopping experience ever.

Imagine having an original Ralph Lauren jacket for only Php100 or a DKNY white shoulder bag for only Php80. Plus a pile of several other designer brands (Prada, Fendi, LV) for only Php200-500.

My last trip to Baguio was almost eight years ago and the ukay ukay strip has just grown bigger. And even with SM Baguio now, tourists still flock the ukay ukay stores. You can find good bargain from clothes to bags, shoes and now even home items and toys.

I was overwhelmed with my shopping that I forgot to take some pictures. But really, if you plan to go to Baguio and you love digging around clothes, make sure to add Ukay ukay shopping on your To Do list!

Not that bad after all...

We headed up north to Baguio at 10:00 a.m. yesterday. I asked my brother not to travel too early so I can have complete sleep and time to prepare myself.

The new SCTEX road was a big help in avoiding Bamban and Tarlac heavy traffic. I drank over the counter medicine (Bonamine) when we were in Pangasinan. I still felt a little woozy but I tried to enjoy the moment instead. We also took Marcos highway instead of Kennon Road. It was a longer route (extra 30 minutes travel time) but nonetheless, the road in Marcos Highway was bigger, smoother and with lesser potholes.

Surprisingly, the three and a half hour trip wasn't bad at all.
No throw up session for me.
I'm so proud of myself!

Ant Season is here

Hello summer and hello to ant season!

My lil cookery seems to be swarmed by ants. It's starting to be an eye sore as I notice more ants crawling on the walls now than before with their nests everywhere around the kitchen.


It seems like these crawlers are getting into everything - marching behind the cabinets and sink. It's weird. There were also million of dead ants floating over my cooking oil jar and my dish washing soap dispenser. I think they can't stand the summer heat and humidity so they commit mass suicide.

Some experts explains that no matter where your house is located or how old it is, it could still be invaded by these insects. So our ant control began by cleaning everything from floor to ceiling and placing some rock salt on small cracks where they hide. It's pretty effective so far. I don't want to use bug sprays. As much as possible, I want to use eco-friendly ingredients in controlling ants.

If you're having the same ant problem, you may also try using coffee grounds or vinegar. And of course, the most practical tip that I could give you is to keep the area clean. They go straight to where food and water is so if they couldn't find food, they wouldn't stay there.

I feel sick already!

Last weekend, my dad announced at dinner, "Pack up your things kids! We'll go to Baguio!".

While the whole family is thrilled and excited for this trip, I don't feel a pressing desire to travel to the mountains again.

I mean, I love meeting new people and exploring our country but I guess I'm just naturally prone to motion sickness. Sea sickness. Car sickness. Air sickness. Elevator Sickness. Amusement Ride Sickness.

Sigh.

Whatever they call it, I have it and I hate it.

Just the mere thought of going to Baguio makes me dizzy and nauseous already. No kidding!

As a child, I couldn't remember any Baguio trip without me doing the technicolor yawn. My family tried a couple of things to help me ease the pain. Granny usually rub a drop of eucalyptus oil under my tiny nose. Mom suggested I look outside the window and breathe the fresh air. Dad preferred that I just sleep. All of which, I tried politely but still the inevitable for me happens. So after some time, they were all raising the white flag in my battle with motion sickness and decided to just bring plastic bags or brown bags for my "throw up time".

It starts with a headache, then a queasy stomach. Soon I'd turn green and clammy. The worst part is that even after vomiting, I still feel unwell and miserable.

My US trip in 2005 was around 20 hours. So yes, I was throwing up for the entire trip - 20 hours. Beat that! My bosses were taking me to the nearest hospital the moment they saw how terrible I look in Jacksonville airport. I assured them I just need a quiet, comfortable room where I can rest for a while.

I was reminiscing these horrible travel stories with Gilbert last night. He was laughing hysterically at first and later on, told me it's merely a childhood fear and that I have to overcome it.

I'm still undecided if I'll travel to Baguio with my family tomorrow. But what I'm sure is that I'll be missing out a lot of fun just because I worry about being sick.

Watchmen : Movie Review

"You guys don't understand. I am not stuck in here with you, you guys are stuck in here with me." -Rorschach

Starring:
Jackie Earle Haley - Rorschach
Patrick Wilson - Nite Owl II
Billy Crudup - Dr Manhattan
Malin Akerman - Silk Spectre II
Matthew Goode - Ozymandias
Jeffrey Dean Morgan - The Comedian

Directed by: Zack Snyder


Make sure you don't watch this with your kids just because it's a "superhero" flick. There is an explicit sex scene in the middle part of the movie aside from the intense violence and frontal nudity (Dr Manhattan) throughout the film.

The story line and flashbacks are confusing. Almost like each character is telling their own story so I don't know which one to follow. The first fight scenes at the start where the Comedian gets killed is portrayed very well. Then the film gets slow, boring and complicated until the end. The graphic scenes are excellent but not new.

A bright spot I think is Rorschach's character who could be quite a ferocious, scary man especially when he was provoked in prison. He is borderline psycho yet he certainly has a solid view on what's good and bad. Rorschach was sure the Comedian's death is a sign that all superheroes' lives (including his own) will grow short. But then, all his good intentions and his body disappeared in air, leaving splatter of blood in the last part of the movie.


On a lighter note, I like Silk Spectre II's costume! It was a relief to see a brave and sexy heroine from time to time in a violent movie.

I haven't read the book so I'm not sure if the graphic novel was way better than the movie. Maybe this is also the reason I don't understand how people could give a two thumbs up for this film.

Well, maybe, just maybe - I'll read the Watchmen novel so this could make more sense to me.

Two out of Five stars for me.

Dora Makeover

It's time to say good bye to the chubby and adorable Dora as Nickelodeon unveils a new tween Dora. The simple, adventurous preschooler is now thinner, prettier and more fashionable as she moves to the city and attends middle school.

Some parents and Dora fanatics are voicing out their disagreement about this "grown-up" appearance of the famous character. They fear it would become a poor role model and erase the character's outdoor, courageous spirit.

Nickelodeon, on the other hand, assures the public that the Tween Dora will still be filled with wholesome image and adventurous journey, not just to preschoolers but now also to teens.

Recipe: Fish Cardillo (Fish in Tomato Sauce and Egg)

I thought of sharing with you one of the many dishes my husband likes. The garlic, onion and tomatoes will produce a fragrant smell and it also enhances the flavor of the fish. This is definitely tasty and easy to cook. Here's my own version of Fish Cardillo.


What you need to prepare:
-frying pans

Ingredients:
-1 kilo tilapia, bangus (milk fish) or dalagang bukid (Yellow Tail Fusilier)
-1 medium onion, sliced
-1 small garlic, minced
-2 cups chopped tomatoes
-1 small pack of Tomato Sauce
-1 large egg, slightly beaten
-1/2 cup water
-1 tsp patis (fish sauce)
-1 tbsp olive oil
-a pinch of salt


Let's start cooking:

1. Scrape fish scales and clean thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt and fry until they are half brown on both sides. Drain in kitchen tissue.

2. Saute onion, garlic and tomatoes in olive oil. Add tomato sauce, fish sauce and half cup of water.

3. Add slightly beaten eggs and cook until it becomes a thick sauce. Season with salt.

4. Place the fried fish on a serving dish and pour cooked sauce.

Serve with love!

NOTES:

1. My grandma call this recipe, Cardillo but it is also sometimes referred to as Sarciado.

2. The original Tagalog Sarciado recipe will require you to marinade the fish overnight in garlic, onion, fish sauce and calamansi (or lemon) juice. Then roll the fish in bread crumbs prior to frying.

3. Another ingredient that is not included in Sarciado is the slightly beaten egg.

Earth Hour 2009

The countdown to Earth Hour 2009 is on!

Let's show the world the importance of saving energy.

Lights off on Saturday, March 28, 2009
8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Log on to www.earthhour.org for more details.

Residence Inn Jacksonville - A Review

Residence Inn by Marriott
Deerwood Park Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida

After a horribly long trip and motion sickness, my stay at this hotel restored me back to life. I had the pleasure to stay in this hotel with some colleagues for a business trip and believe me, I have never slept so well after traveling.

What I like about it: Although the hotel is right off of the highway, we were never disturbed by street noise. The rooms are way much larger than a typical hotel and actually, it was more like a small house to me. It has two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, small dining area and complete with appliances - full size refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, kitchen sink, dishes, fireplace and television. I felt pampered with the comfortable bed and huge bath tub. They also serve a nice, simple American breakfast buffet in the mornings with waffles, pancakes, breads, eggs, sausages and fruits.

laundry time

view from my room

cooking dinner

What needs to be improved: They could provide more breakfast variety for their guests. The food is great on the first two days but to eat the same food for three or more days in a row is a different thing.

My ratings for this hotel are:
5 of 5 = Check in / front desk
5 of 5 = Quality of Service
5 of 5 = Value for Price
5 of 5 = Rooms (Bathroom, Kitchen, etc.)
4 of 5 = Cleanliness

LJ Hottie

Wooohooo! This heartthrob is Kirby Atwood. Aside from being a photographer, he actually spends his days pursuing an older married woman, Nico Railey.


This is not in real life though.

He's definitely another reason you may want to watch Lipstick Jungle.

Honey Bunches of Oats

I'm not really a breakfast person but to start my day right, I grab a bowl of my favorite breakfast cereal with fresh milk.

Whole grain wheat + Rolled oats + Almonds + Honey

Honey Bunches of Oats is a healthy and delicious morning, afternoon or evening treat - with zero Trans Fat, zero Saturated Fats and zero Cholesterol. I like the original flavor because it's very crunchy, tastes really good, and it's not overly sweetened.

I buy a couple of this cereal pretty much every time I go shopping. I feel happier when I know I have it on my kitchen shelf. There was a time when we couldn't find one in our local supermarket. We had to search for it on the next town. Good thing we had Duty Free Shops in Clark as our last resort.

La Source Crabtree and Evelyn

I am a big fan of LaSource at Crabtree and Evelyn. We don't have an outlet in Pampanga and the nearest that I know of is at Edsa Shangri-la Mall. Thanks to online shopping!

The LaSource scent is described as a "relaxing sea air fragrance" and I totally agree. You must try their Relaxing Body Lotion which smells fresh and lovely!

Lipstick Jungle - TV Show

"Lipstick Jungle" was adapted from a novel written by Candace Bushnell. I couldn't say that the tv show is flawless. In fact, I didn't really like the first episode. But later on, I find the storyline realistic, exciting and funny.

The female characters showcase how real women act to tough situations as any real women should. They don't just flaunt their stylish wardrobe or sexuality instead they show their intelligence and genuine friendship.

Kim Raver plays as Nico Railey who is an editor in chief of a hot fashion magazine and torn between a boring husband and a hot young photographer. Brooke Shields is a successful studio chief who is working on that career and family life balance. Lindsay Price is a fashion designer named Victory Ford who is trying to regain her career while coping with her billionaire boyfriend.

Critics say it is an obvious clone of Sex and the City. That could be good or bad. What I know is that this desirable group is a good, late night entertainment. I prefer watching this than those predictable reality shows.

March 2009 Cover Girls

Feast your eyes on two of the country's prettiest celebrities (and my favorites too) as cover girls for March 2009 edition of Preview and Cosmopolitan Magazines.

Lucy Torres flaunts her stunning short do (Rihanna inspired) and black Loius Vuitton swimwear.

Fearless Marian Rivera bares some skin with her light blue two piece bikini for the first time.

What a sizzling summer start!

Changeling: Movie Review

"Never start a fight... but always finish it."

Starring:
Angelina Jolie - Christine Collins
John Malkovich - Rev Gustav A Brieglab
Michael Kelly - Detective Lester Ybarra

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Changeling is about the mysterious disappearance of a boy, the courage of an average woman to challenge the corrupt police force and the capture of an insane serial child killer.

Angelina's performance was fantastic. Her unconditional love and quest to find her missing son is indeed remarkable. The injustice and abuse of political power is also ancient but it was well portrayed in this film that I had to close my eyes at some scenes. There were some gruesome events in the lives of abused women and innocent children.

It's interesting, engaging, and definitely an eye opener but I have to admit, I was truly sad after watching it. The movie was heartbreaking but what's more depressing is that it is based on a true story in the late 1920s.

We searched for the life of Caroline Collins to find out if she was reunited with her lost son years after. Sigh. Well, one thing is for sure: No matter what her troubles were, she always had the hope in her heart.

This is one of those movies where you don't get to smile while viewing the final credits.

Four out of Five stars for me.