The Enchanted Return

It's been stressful and hectic these past two weeks, (well, what's new), and what better way to make up for lost time with the family is by spending the whole day at a theme park. It is our second trip to Enchanted Kingdom and I still didn't get a chance to ride all the park attractions. Despite being there when the gates opened, it was the long queue for each ride that ate up at least about 45 minutes before you can actually ride.

 

But then again, it gives us something to look forward to on our next visit. I really don't mind having these one-day vacation habits, as long as it brings smiles on the faces of my kids.

Flying Fiesta and The Petreefied playground

Up, Up and Away

 

Air Pterodactyl and Julia on the Flying Fiesta carousel

 

Dodgem and The Wheel of Fate

 

Ice Age at the Rialto (And it's snowing!)

 

We also got the chance to ride Anchor's Away and Bump N' Splash.

 

But the best part of this day was riding the Roller Skater with Kian and he actually insisted on riding it twice. How could I refuse when this is how the little kid enjoyed it so much...

 

 

First Visit: An Enchanted Afternoon

Featured Clips of the Day: Girls with Skills

You would expect girls to play instruments such as the violin, flute or piano, but....
 

Big Bang

Bebop

 

Meytal Cohen

 

Juliana Vieira



Ilocos Revisited - Day 2 and 3

We started off early on Day 2 since the other destinations had at least 2 hours drive. On top of the agenda, was to reach the top of Cape Bojeador Lighthouse (Burgos Lighthouse) in Ilocos Norte. It was unfortunate that we were not allowed to climb the lighthouse since it was under restoration.

 

 

Next stop was tha Paoay Church; and of course lunch at Herencia Restaurant. I had to try the Pinakbet Pizza.

 

Our third and final destinations:

 

Bangui Wind Farm and Kapurpurawan Rock Formation

 

And finally, to cap off a tiring day of walking among the rocks...Kapuluan Vista Resort in Pagudpod. (Though it is more of a destination for surfers, this is one getaway place that I would love to go back to every now and then for three reasons; it's far from work, it's quiet and the food tastes great)

 

 Just one of the many reasons to travel within the Philippines...

 

Ilocos Revisited - Day 1

 

For more information on Kapuluan Vista Resort: click here.

Ilocos Revisited - Day 1

The last time I was in Ilocos was the time I asked the family of my wife for her hand in marriage. Last Holy Week, the family decided to take a loooong trip to Ilocos Sur. (Though it was not that long anymore, since the super highways were built, SCTEX and TPLEX) If it weren't for my back injuries I would have driven all the way. (Maybe a few stops here and there would do the trick.)

 

But no matter how far the destination is, it was all worth it.

 

Our first stop was the Baluarte Zoo.

 

 

Pony Ride (Someone isn't too excited)

 

The Animal Show was a great attraction. (A wild boar that can paint?)

 

(No, you will not see me holding that thing.)

 

The controversial residence of the owner of the Zoo. (Claims that the interior walls are made of Mother of Pearl.)

 

The zoo kept us occupied the whole afternoon. After which it was time to head back home to catch some Z's before another round of sight-seeing and food-tripping. 

 

Ilocos Revisited - Day 2 and 3







You're A Leader: Act Like One

Not too long ago, I came across a story that really annoyed me;

 

After being tasked to accomplish a project on short notice, this leader was told the good news that they met the deadline and that we should thank the team who completed it. And the epic response…”Why should I thank them for doing their jobs.”

 

I had to actually pause for a moment…

 

The leader said what?

 

So it was not in this leader’s nature to say, job well done, appreciate the help, good to hear that, or simply…thank you? It’s not really the most difficult phrase in this world. Is it? It’s not as if this leader was being asked to say it in other languages; Xie Xie, Merci, Danke, Grazie, Ariga tou gozai mas, Muchas Gracias, or we would have settled in our very own dialect, Salamat.

 

There are many interpretations and traits of what a good leader is; leading by example, showing the way, nurturing others to become leaders, decisiveness, integrity, humility, just to name a few. And it was General Douglas MacArthur who claimed that, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”

 

Even though the general was a tough S.O.B., he knew about compassion and equality among ranks and how it affects the morale of his troops.

 

Employees are not robots; so as leaders, it’s not about pushing the right buttons, it’s about getting to know the people that actually run the business and ensuring that they remain happy working with the company. In my opinion, the simple gesture of recognizing the efforts of employees can already boost their morale. (It does not even entail any operation cost.) Letting people know that they are indeed doing good in their jobs and thanking them for doing so, will encourage them to be more efficient and eager to take more responsibilities. This is already a primer in breeding future leaders.

 

(If leaders are arrogant, disrespectful and condescending, and instills fear among the ranks, what kind of culture would that company have? What type of leaders would rise through these ranks? This particular leader should probably watch the Godfather, in order to understand that Respect is earned not given.)

 

So going back to the story, even if the task given was part of this team’s job description, I am totally lost as to where this leader’s compassion compass is pointing or maybe this leader’s gratitude GPS has a connection error.

(Get your bearings straight comrade.)

 

And to answer the question, why should you thank people for doing their jobs?

 

Let me ask you this, if they don’t do it…will you?

 

 

Thank you Great Leader

 

 

Featured Clips of the Day: Driving Nuts

 

 

If you had a choice...

Morgan Freeman GPS



 

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger Driving

 

 

Elements Bits: Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol

 

Cast:

 

Tom Cruise - Ethan Hunt

Jeremy Renner – William Brandt

Michael Nyqvist - Kurt Hendricks

Paula Patton - Jane Carter

Lea Seydoux - Sabine Moreau

 

A plan to bolt out Ethan from a Russian jail only means that things are worse outside prison, and the IMF needs him badly to complete a mission.

 

When an IMF agent was assassinated while intercepting a classified file from a courier, its now Ethan’s mission to retrieve the file and locate an extremist named Cobalt, as this is considered a top priority, since the file contains Russian nuclear launch codes. But to find Cobalt they need his personal file which is stored inside the Kremlin. But when the mission suspiciously failed and the Kremlin is devasted by a bomb, the US president initiated Ghost Protocol and has disavowed the whole IMF Team.

 

It is now Ethan’s mission to travel the world and find out who set them up and ensure that the launch codes are not used to start a nuclear war.

 

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Elements Bits number 1:

 

Not all things are what they seem to be. More often than not, intentions have hidden agendas or coincidentally a blessing in disguise. I’m a very gullible person, and I tend to give my trust too much and too often. When faced with a situation, we must remind ourselves of Murphy’s Law, which we must anticipate that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Either you’re prepared for it, or you have an effective recovery plan. (When Things Go Wrong - Blame Murphy’s Law)

 

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Memorable Quotes:

 

Ethan: "You mind telling me why you broke me out?"

Jane: "This wasn't a rescue mission?"

Ethan: "Let me put it this way. If the Secretary wanted me out of there, it must be pretty bad out here."

 

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Sabine: "How good is your backup?"

William: "The best."
Sabine: "I've killed the best."

 

 

Babe Battle

 

Lea Seydoux vs Paula Patton