Sweet World of Joan

This is my tenth year of teaching in college. I started teaching in PUP in 1998 where my students was just a two years younger than me. I teach computer engineering subjects then. I was invited by my former department head Engr. Rafael Oquindo to teach in my alma mater PUP. I was a computer programmer/developer before I started teaching in PUP but as part of my work I also train newly hired programmer trainees in our company and had been a resource person on Information Technology on several seminars before teaching in PUP. I guess I have the calling/passion for teaching. I love teaching, when I teach I forget everything, my problems, my worries and everything else in between. What matters are the lessons I would like my students to learn. What I would like to achieve now in teaching is to teach senior citizens, or adults who don’t believe that they can still learn to operate computers and I would like them to enjoy the benefits of the Internet. Maybe even teaching kids about computer...

Here is my list for the writing project Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2008 . This is a writing project of Janette Toral that would be identifying new and emerging blogs that are making an impact to its readers in 2008. My list is composed of blogs I regulary read and helps me in my life, whether in my work or my personal activities. Manila Foodistas basta food love ko! Filipino Voices - thought provoking ideas on current issues and events Visit Sagada - always want to visit Sagada, very informative specially for people who wants to visit The Not So Talented Dj Montano - love his posts, he is so brave in sharing his innermost emotions and I've been reading his blog since March Pacute - relaxing read, informative Jd's Niche - I met her during the ICT Training Workshop for Women Empowerment on UP last month and both declare we would be busom friends, a mommy, a fellow academic, people person just like me. Her blogs serves as a source of inspiration and reflections for me. M...

I have been getting this phone call lately about having won a free 3 day hotel accommodations at Days Hotel for 4 persons, all I have to do is to go to their office somewhere in Ortigas to claim the prize. But I have to bring my husband with me and there is something like a presentation we have to listen to first. I have been getting these calls while teaching my class, and the noise level in school is high so that I didn’t get clearly the details the caller on the phone was telling me. I ask her to call on weekends instead. Since me and my husband works there is no opportunity for us to claim the prize of that free hotel accommodation anytime soon. I am also wondering how they got my information, I’ve been to different seminars and conferences lately and dropped my calling cards to different booths on those events so maybe they got it there though I can’t remember any particular company that asked me if I am interested on a vacation. I don’t get good vibes about the “prize” I won but ...

Finally! I have my own Paypal account. Just got it verified. I am an occasional online buyer and now with Paypal I could increase my online buying activity without the fear of having my credit card hacked. As a site owner I see many doors of opportunities opening up for me. My husband joked about even putting a link on my site asking people to donate. Kidding aside I am thankful that we have PayPal in the Philippines. It is great to think that there is like an “e-money” for online transactions. I am still trying to learn more about my Paypal account, there are still things to set up like the bank transfers, sending money, security tips and shopping online. I have to learn these things before I can confidently use Paypal. My next step? Helping my husband create his own Paypal Account. Isn’t it fun?

Finding an affordable house or apartment to rent nowadays is really hard and looking for one in a place like Cubao with a beautiful, spacious kitchen(so I can bake with ease) was like finding a needle in a haystack. Of the dozens of houses I had looked into these last two months only two passed my criteria and one of them was already taken unfortunately. Luckily for me I acquired the other one, a townhouse. Many might think that I am crazy to move from my existing apartment to a more expensive one at a time like this, when all prices of basic commodities are continuously rising. Don’t worry there are times I think so too. But when I think about the reasons and the benefits I would gain in moving into a new house it counters the other “sane” reasons to stay in our current apartment. I planned to move into a newer spacious house so that I can make more chocolates and baked products than in the cramped space I have now. I can accept bigger orders for I know I can handle it more if I have ...

These past few weeks have been hectic for me, preparing for school, house hunting, attending seminars and events, having last minute summer bonding with the family and planning protocols on moving out from our current house to moving in another while everyone of the family works and continue on their usual daily routines. I allot time for seminars and events, to an entrepreneur like me it’s a great way in meeting people, finding great ideas and gives me the needed information in helping me run my business. I usually look for seminars or events in newspapers, on E groups which I belong to, on websites of products or services I am interested in and also on different organizations offering services on business enterprises. I usually have regular events I go to like the coming Fil Negosyo Expo this month and Food Expo usually on held on August. This coming months is crucial for me, my mother is retiring from government service and just told me she wants to engage in business but is unsure ...