Chad and I: Are we compatible?

I took this test and I must say, the results were actually better than I expected. Probably because even at the early stage of our relationship, most people do not think we will make it through. I thought, why would this test be any different?

Big Five Compatibility Test Extroversion |||||||||||||| 60% |||||| 24% Friendliness |||||||||||| 50% |||||||||| 32% Orderliness |||||||||||||| 58% |||||||||||||||||||| 86% Emotional Stability |||||||||||| 48% |||||||||| 40% Openmindedness |||||||||| 34% |||||||||| 36% scale key - you |||||| them |||||| Your overall similarity is 69%. Your overall complementarity is 63%.

Take Free Big Five Compatibility Test

Vacation in an Island

Finally, I get to do this again... feel how to be a tourist in an island... not far from where I reside... here... in Bermuda.

Believe it or not, I have been looking forward for this. I have been here in the island for a year but have not visited all of its attractions. I would not want to leave without having to enjoy most if not all of them. I was taking my time... I still am, but guess time may not be very long as I initially expected. So better enjoy while I am a paid "tourist" here.

Our Office Smells!!!

I got a surprise last Monday. My manager said, there were flowers for me. I did not believe her; must be one of her funny jokes.

Then came the man with a big vase of flowers... he said it's for me! I was in shock! Good thing I managed to ask him who it's from. He just said, "This must be your lucky day!". Well, he must be right with that!

I had to call Chad to confirm! He said he didn't want to mess it all up by including his handwriting in the package (He does not write very good.). Sweet nevertheless!!!

My officemates kept asking what the flowers were for! I wish I knew! So I just told them Chad's reply, he must be making prepayments for possible faults he might do in the future! Giggles after that.

And the office smells! There are times during the day when the flowers would smell really good. I couldn't get enough, I wish I could take them home! But that would have to wait, as my officemates seem to enjoy my great surprise too! For this weekend, guess I'll have to settle with this picture taken thru my mobile phone.

A Meaningful Lent

Palm Sunday in the Philippines is much celebrated. Palm leaf making has even become an art. Various designs have come up over the years. Palm leaves are normally sold at the front of the church before the mass. Prices vary as the designs do. I missed home more when I saw these pictures in Flicker.

Palm Sunday here in Bermuda is celebrated too. Only, palm leaves are not sold but given by the church to church-goers. There is not much art as you would see in the picture below.

I found myself reflecting on those extravagant palm leaves. Is it necessary to show my artistic side when I bring one to church? How do I relate this with my life's choices, with my preferences, during Lent or otherwise? Do I realize simplicity as beauty or do I go into status symbols and the likes?

With this ever changing and demanding world that we have now, there's much to think about this Lenten season. May we all have a meaningful one.

Change is everywhere

1. Bermuda has changed.
Before leaving home this morning Chad said in a text message that I shall call a cab as the buses were not running still. Luckily for him, he was offered a ride to town by a local. I was hoping to get the same - a free ride - so I waited for awhile at the bus stop. A van stopped by and the good driver invited me in. Inside were two old ladies who appear to be "picked up" as well. So I got in and off we went.

The old ladies were talking about old Bermuda. How people in cars used to offer rides to those waiting at bus stops, if they are all going to the same area. They said, this rarely happens nowadays. And that they commend our good driver for showing that there are still people living up to the old Bermuda way.

And these ladies were right. Things changed here. Jorge, one of my officemates, was offered a ride by a local, too. Only, it cost him $6. All of them who were picked up were charged by their driver. And their trip was not continuous as the driver stopped by the hospital area to wait for more "hitchers".

2. Working hours have changed.
Since last week, my teammates leave the office no later than 7PM. With this week being our reporting week to the client, no later than 7PM is pretty early. Supervisor Scottie (who used to be the earliest comer and the latest goer) now arrives every morning almost exactly on time (10AM) and leaves right before we all do. When asked, he said, that's the new office culture. I'd love that if it's true!

3. The landlord has changed.
Summer is almost here. Last Sunday was a fine day for swimming and since Chad is not much into beach water, we could have enjoyed the pool here in our apartment. Only if it was clean for swimming. But the Landlord has not been cleaning it for sometime now. To add to the tall grasses, busted water pump and walkway lights. I have not seen him visit in a number of weeks; contrary to almost twice a week visits when he and his family first bought the apartments from our previous landlords.

3. I am changing.
I wish I could say I have changed. But I am still working on it.

Tonight, I turned the office lights off. Meaning, I was the last person to go out. Considering I was one of those who got there early, I am not doing very good in trying - trying to stop being very task-oriented. To the point of working like there's no tomorrow (or the next working day). I always want to get things done. To the point of forgetting what my real priorities are.

I realized a few months ago that my being very task-oriented does not always work for my benefit. And that's the reason I have to learn how and when to stop. To keep in mind my priorities... which are not necessarily my tasks.

I was asked by my manager if I am working tomorrow. I could not believe I heard me burst "it's Good Friday for God's sake!". I explained to her that it is my Lenten sacrifice - to not work while I want to. She thought I was being funny. Guess she does not know me enough.

See, I am changing.

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Good or bad, change is everywhere. How's it been there for you?

It's been a year... and this is the best I could come up with!

It has been one year that I have been far from home. One year since I started cooking for myself (and for my boyfriend Chad). Pity my talentless cooking skills, above is the best I can come up with last Sunday. I had it shared with Chad and Shiela, a friend who helped me a lot to get here in Bermuda.

Good thing my other friends who had a taste of the chicken wings said it was really good. I'd like to believe so since someone was not able to hold him/herself! (See that part without the skin?)

1 year and counting

I got this cake for myself, to share with my teammates and some officemates last April 1st - my first anniversary with the company I am working with here in Bermuda.

The treats started not with this cake though. Scottie, our team's supervisor, bought banana cake for the team to share. This was after I and my other teammate teased him to treat me for my anniv the following day. And yes, I am thankful, he gave in to that! Apparently, I was the first person they could remember to celebrate my anniv with treats. Only birthdays are usually celebrated this way in the office.

Some co-workers laughed at and criticize my gesture... others seemed to like the idea and were sincere in greeting me. I barely care about the negative reactions. I have enough reason to celebrate. Besides, everyone enjoyed the cake!