Valentine Date

I’m not the romantic type. Take it or leave it. So when Frenchguy gave me the reservation card on one of the most reputed restaurant in Dijon, I started complaining... till he said it’s for me and my mom.

Oh (pause). That made me stop complaining… till I realized it’s still Valentine’s Day and it’s still baduy! The complains continued till I finally found a parking space and parked my car - probably a hundred meter from the restaurant! What an idea to go out for dinner on Valentine’s Day!

Well, okay. I’ll stop complaining..

The restaurant is set in a lovely décor situated in an old wine cellar at the basement. The ambiance required a certain level of standing, Burgundy snobbism at its best. I told my Mom, Let them do the job. Just go with the flow. An employee took off our coats and accompanied us to our table. She then pulled the chair back to help us sit comfortably. My Mom started to observe the place, overwhelmed by the thickness of walls surrounding us – not even a bomb could destroy them, me thinks.

Dinner was officially announced when the amuse bouche were served. I have this bad habit of counting the hours when I dine in fine restaurants like that (we dined for 3 hours, 6 servings). I also checked the list of wines which almost made me choke. But anyway, I couldn’t take a bottle, I’m driving palusot pa!. Each meal were finely prepared, beautifully decorated and well presented. I told my Mom to just smile and say merci pour each explanation of our meal. She then asked me if we could take a picture. I said yes if she wouldn’t mind being looked at - it’s like announcing that we don’t belong there. It’s not a restaurant where common tourist go only those who want to taste Bourgogne gastronomy at its finest. With that, she suddenly changed her mind.

The conversation was the highlight of the night – it was Valentine-inspired, what else. You wouldn’t believe it but we talked about our ex-es, our crushes, those who courted us, about my Dad and about my Frenchguy. We were like young girls talking about our respective prince charming. My Mom’s 65 year old and so what? Lol.

What about you? Anything special on Valentine’s Day?

Oh Merde!

Rule #1: If you want to effectively educate your child, don't forget to educate yourself first.

Continue reading here.

Engineers..

If you're wondering what I do at work (or at least know my job description), click on the image for a bigger view then discover.

FrenchED

My 6 years existence in this country is starting to take its toll on me. Somebody told me that I could be considered integrated in this country when I start to think French and I start to dream French. My gowd, didn't I encounter Richard Gomez in my dreams last night? What was he saying? Mais, il parlait français? .. Oh my, he was speaking French and I was answering back.. in French!

...

I was whiling away my time at the café this afternoon with my colleagues, after lunch, and the conversation was directed to the gift check being received by parents from our Comité d'Entreprise (CE) for the school opening (that adds up to what they receive from the government). I timidly asked the amount and my colleague told me that I'll receive 15€ gift check next year, when I decide to enroll Louna to pre-school (the amount increases progressively depending on the child's age). My unguarded reaction was C'est tout? (that's all?).

People, when I first knew about this amount received from the CE and the government every school opening - and the Frenchies were still complaining, I had a totally different reaction. It was some kind of revolte for me that this population couldn't appreciate the beauty of their system anymore because they're so spoiled with all the financial aid they receive from their government. I even reiterated to them that in the Philippines, there's no such thing as gift checks so grade schoolers could buy a new bag, notebooks and pens. Let alone parents solve their own problems.

6 years after, a baby, loads of tax money paid and minimum incentives received, I finally start to realize that like all the French restaurants, the more you pay, the less you get on your plate. Can you blame me if I get carried away sometimes and be FrenchED?

Ang Pranses na Mukhang Pinay, Bow.

So ok, KK wanted to know how my last stint in the Philippines went. For a little history, read this entry, on I'm Living on a Jetplane part.

My first encounter was with the guy at the hotel counter at the airport. His first question was of course, Filipina? To which I answered opo. Then he continued by saying Akala ko po kasi hindi Pinay, kadalasan po kasi hindi nagpapahatid sa hotel dahil me sundo. I just smiled and said Wala kasing gustong sumundo sa kin e.

Then the hotel car came. Apparently, the hotel counter guy told the driver P're, mukha lang mataray pero Pinay yan. How did I know what he said? Well, I think I have this bad habit of talking a lot with all the hotel drivers that I almost know all their driver stories - from abusive employers to generous guests.

On our way to the hotel, the driver started to radio one of his colleagues to check on traffic situation. At that time, I knew that they just started the construction of the Skyway
extension and traffic jam was of course, heavy. Not wanting to spend most of my evenings with the driver, baka kasi maubusan sya ng kwento, I asked him to drive me instead directly at my sister's place in Manila.

So the radio-ing with the hotel started. They exchanged too much blah blahs that in the end, they were able to cancel my hotel reservation and inform our sister company that I didn't arrive in the Philippines. Just a picture of how messages could be distorted and twisted that fast.

Another bad habit that I started to develop is checking my emails at home, at the airport, at internet centers... well, practically everywhere. A day after my arrival in Manila, I started checking my emails and there I learned that the secretary was helplessly searching for me (and it was Sunday!), asking if she had to re-book me to another flight and offered her number in case of emergency. Oh by the way, she already informed everybody, from the Plant Director to their Engineers that I missed my flight.

I rapidly dialled her number and tried to explain to her that I was already in Manila, that the hotel should be informed and the reservation was still on. Well, I think she did not digest properly why I was in Manila, where I was staying and this and that even when I said I was at my sister's place and everything was ok. She ended up by asking me if I was a Filipina. And I said yes. She then asked Marunong po kayong mag-tagalog? To which I answered Oo naman.

Right there and then, I guess everybody in that company knew I was a Filipina even before I set foot inside their premises. The news was just a text away.

Everybody was actually friendly and I saw some familiar faces - my classmates from Mapua. Somebody braved himself to ask why I was there, and when I said that it was their Plant Director's request to our Central Department, I think I saw some worried faces.

Working with them was a breeze, they were very cooperative and really willing to learn. I think I made a good impression (nope, di po ako nagyayabang, promise). Everybody thanked me and wished to see me again in the future. I was just surprised that 2 managers wanted to see me before I left - the HR and Training managers - telling me that they heard good reviews about me from their engineers so they wanted to thank me personally. Pwede rin po akong i-pirate hehehe.

Well, that experience, tho tiring was very enriching for me. My sole regret was that I didn't have the chance to shop (as if I love shopping!) and I missed my EB with the PMN moms. The only time I was available (because I needed to dine with them too - twice!), I was too tired that I stayed inside the hotel room and had my dinner room-serviced. The rest of my after-work time, I spent.. working! I was even too tired to even ask for a room-serviced massage. No wonder, I was sick when I arrived in France.

re: the title. That's how my former colleagues in our Philippine site fondly call me.

It says:

From: SIL and family
To: Moi, Louna and Frenchguy

- image of paradise -

Big thanks for this super duper vacation which we will have all because of you. We are over mega happy and this gift really pleases us a lot.
- smileys -
Again, a thousand thanks.

The translation is quite exaggerated but I just wanted to highlight how happy they are. Noticed the super super? I translated them to super duper over mega! And now, Frenchguy is super duper over mega inggit to them.

You must be wondering why he's jealous, almost regretting the plan. It's because we've never been to La Réunion and the travel could have been for us. The surprise gift to my SIL should have been to visit the western part of the USA to which they declined, so they ended up reserving La Réunion. If it was as planned, he won't be jealous as we already visited the west. My poor lil boy. Now, our planned visit to Italy and Greece this summer is not as enticing as it was, he prefers coconut trees and white sands.

Picture this: A little Frenchguy giving away his fave toy while crying because he's obliged to. Because he promised he would give it away. Palabra de honor. - that little Frenchguy hasn't grown up yet. He wants to keep his words - but sometimes, with a heavy heart.

Picture this: Moi, laughing my heart out while teasing him. Bwahaha. Bad girl

Globalization

When I first saw HSBC's print ads, I thought I should blog about it. Not that I want to promote it here (it's not even my bank), I just find it excellent and I want to share it with you. For those who never saw the ad, here's the work and play version of the ad.

It's actually a matter of how we view things. Each person, depending on his culture, environment, upbringing.. will see exactly the same thing differently. The magic of globalization is seeing and respecting these differences.

Globalization means competitivity. How could we propose the same product at a lower price? It also means working with different nationalities. We should then think locally and act globally.

Working in a multinational environment, I'm sometimes tasked to do an economic analysis on a certain product. Objective: Cost Reduction. Being Asian, of course, I would prioritize workloads going to this region. Here's some pictures I use to convince big bosses to caution my project - to a promise of lower cost (well, at least, for delivery cost!).

Special thanks to the unknown photographer. Must be a tourist.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!! HAVE FUN!

The Good Frenchguy's Guide

Have dinner ready. And that's applicable even if you are out of the country. Fill the fridge with ready-to-cook meals. This is a way of letting her know that you have been thinking about her and are concerned about her needs.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to take a shower, shave and brush your teeth. She has just been with a lot of odd-smelling work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for her. And please, don't talk about work. Her boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. A general cleaning of the house and garden plus the laundry at least once a week suffice. Your wife will feel she has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for her comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Leave the office and fetch your child before 6pm. This will prevent you from paying extra hours to your nanny and will give more time to your wife to finish her work.

Minimise all noise. At the time of her arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum.

Be happy to see her. Greet her with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please her.

Listen to her. You may have a dozen important things to tell her, but the moment of her arrival is not the time. Let her talk first - remember, her topics of conversation are more important than yours. She also has the right to talk about work, all you have to do is listen and agree to her.

Make the evening hers. Never complain if she blogs all the time. Instead, try to understand her world of strain and pressure and her very real need to be at home and relax infront of the www.

Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your wife can renew herself in body and spirit. Don’t greet her with complaints and problems.

Make her comfortable. Make her lean back in a comfortable chair or have her lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for her. Arrange her pillow and offer to shine her shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don’t ask her questions about her actions or question her judgement or integrity. Remember, she's earning almost as much as you do. You have no right to question her.

A good husband always knows his place.

The Good Wife's Guide

Apparently, this is an article published in 'Housekeeping Monthly' in 1955. Read on.

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by.Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

Minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquillity where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Don’t greet him with complaints and problems. Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.

Make him comfortable. Make him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgement or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

I just love the phrase highlighted in red. Excellent! The french translation added some more biting twist. Here's the french version re-translated.

After dinner, clear the table and do the dishes at once. If he suggests to help you, decline his offer because he would risk to feel obliged to repeat it afterwards. After a long day of labour, he doesn't need additional work. Encourage him to be engaged in his favourite pastimes and to dedicate himself to his centers of interest. Show yourself interested without giving however the impression to trespass his domain. If you have small pastimes yourself, see to it not to annoy him by talking about it because the centers of interests of women are often rather insignificant compared to men's.

On intimate relationship, be guided by your wedding obligations and in particular your obligation to obey him. If he considers that he needs to sleep at once, then be it. Be guided by his desires and never provoke or stimulate him for a sexual intercourse.

If he needs sexual intercourse, accept it with humility while keeping in mind that the pleasure of a man is more important than that of a woman. When he reaches orgasm, a small groan on your part will encourage him and will be completely sufficient to indicate to him any kind of pleasure you were able to have.

If he has extramarital affaires, be obedient and resigned, but indicate your possible lack of enthusiasm by keeping yourself silent. It is likely that your husband will fall asleep quickly.

You could then reset the alarm clock so you could wake up earlier than him. It will allow you to prepare his morning cup of tea ready when he will wake up.

Haha, this is hilarious!

Rediscovering France

An overview: My oldies are both retired elementary school teachers living in a little farm, in a house situated in the middle of our ricefield. Habitants of our little barrio are mockingly called taga-bukid or taga-bundok due to the hills around the area. They are first-time travelers outside the Philippines, both on their 70s and are religiously catholic.
(Our house in the province hiding in the middle of our riceland)

Their arrival in France made me rediscover this country I now call home. Allow me to introduce to you France as I rediscover it from my parent's naïve and uncorrupted eyes.

Paris, Walang Kaparis: Have you ever heard about this? My mom said she's been hearing that line when she was a kid. And indeed, for her, it's Paris, walang kaparis.

Tourism: According to them, France could live with tourism alone. We've been to Paris, Lourdes, Midi-Pyrénées (mountains) and La Vendée (facing Atlantic Ocean) and we never ceased to bump into tourists of different nationalities. If only we could do the same in the Philippines, that would translate to more jobs and more income to the government.

Houses and Hotels on top of the mountains: So now they understand why Frenchguy loves to stay in our little farm. It's his dream to have one like ours. Taga-bundok ka dyan!

Streets of Cobble Stones: So for them, France is really rich. In the Philippines, they put stones inside the house, here, even on the streets. And when they arrived in the centre ville of Dijon where streets are covered with Burgundy stones, grabe daw talaga hehe (Burgundy is also known for its white-pinkish stones).

Map Reading: So there's the driver..and next to him, the map reader. And yes, all of the houses we've been are equiped with at least the map of France.

French Dining: It lasted 4 hours during bébé's baptismal party. Busog na daw sila, kelan daw ba matatapos? By the way, we had 5 servings from starters to dessert.

White Dress for the Baptismal Ceremony: Not anymore. French people don't invest anymore on white ensembles which is destined to be used once. Bébé was the only one on white gown. Pinay pa rin yan.

Pain or Baguette (French Loaf): Parang unan na daw kalaki. And these frencies just place them anywhere.. iniipit pa nga sa kilikili hehe..

Prices: How many times should I tell them stop converting before they actually stop?

Flexitime: Now they're thinking that I'm a big boss because I go and leave my office anytime I want. Pass 8:30, they start to worry for me because they're thinking I'll be late. [Moi] I don't badge nga My. [Mom] Uy, big boss ka na talaga ha... that's almost everyday! Alam ko na bat makulit ako..

Bourgogne Escargot (Burgundy Snails) and Frog Legs: Sosyal daw ang kuhol at palaka dito, sini-serve sa restaurants.

Condom Automatic Dispenser: In almost every corner, be it in Paris or in small villages in France. Immoral daw pala ang mga Pranses. (Hyper catholic nga sila di ba..).

Nudity on Commercial Ads: Immoral daw pala ang mga Pranses Part II.

French Kiss Everywhere: Immoral daw pala ang mga Pranses Part III.

Modern Farming: Alleluia for what technology could do. Would you believe that they had as much interest in this field as what they had for the Eiffel Tower. I guess my father was dreaming of having one for his farm.

Beggars: Most of them don't speak French, they don't look kawawa at all, some even looks macho and able-bodied to plow our ricefield, iuwi na lang kaya sa Pinas at pag-araruhin.

Lady Bus Drivers: My father was amused to see that. Wala daw ganun sa Pinas.

Old People: Old and yet still climbing mountains, still driving cars, still gorgeously living their life!

Mc Donalds: [Moi] My, ano gusto mo? [Mom] Yung me rice. And I was wondering why they push me to eat in McDo instead of other restaurants. Miss na pala nila ang rice.

Pagpustahan daw ba ko...

Working with them back in the Philippines, them as expats and me as local, and now dealing with them everyday here in France is a heck lot of difference. There, they were the higher management, the experts, having a meeting with them was quite a privilege. I thought they were serious butts, you know, talking about work during pause café, brainstorming each time they bump into each other. But heck again, angkukulit ng mga 'to, mas makulit pa sa mga pinoy!

I just heard in the coffee room this morning that they actually circulated a memo months ago about...

So ok, I had a permanent contract a year ago and bought a house end of 2004 (with more than enough rooms for both of us). Two ideal elements to stir their kulit minds. Yep, the deal was 'little *frenchguy's surname* before end of 2005!'.

Natawa naman ako dun. Kung alam ko lang, I should have planned it a month later para mas exciting!

Kaya pala. As I flashbacked some short kulitans with my kulit colleagues, here is what I've gathered:

- Alors, ce sera quand, le petit bébé ? (So, when will the little baby arrive?)

- Il faut remplir la maison hein. (You should fill the house huh.)

- Hé, pourquoi tu manges des fraises ? (Hey, why do you eat strawberries?)

- Il faut peupler la France hein. (You should add to France's population.)

- Tu ne prends pas un peu de poids ? (Aren't you gaining weight lately?)

- Tu sais, pour les impôts, les enfants sont les meilleurs pour diminuer la charge. (You know, children are the best solution to lower down taxes.)

- Quand vas-tu nous faire un petit gamin ? (When will you give us a little baby ?)

Now I understand! Those discreet inquiries, they were actually keeping an eye on me. Haha, they probably started to worry when nothing was being announced. We actually decided to formally inform them about my pregnancy after my 3rd month. Now, those who bet for end of 2005 could breathe normally, I'm due on November hehe.

When I informed Frenchguy about this, his reaction was 'J'en étais sûr!' (I was sure of that!).

Ah, French!