When On A Tight Schedule

We are living on a fast paced world. This is given. But the ways people respond to that pace vary. There are some who easily cope while others linger a bit.

I am raised in a home where everything need to be done the right way at the right time, where things need to be put in their proper places at all times, or if misplaced, "look with your eyes, not with your mouth."

As a child, I followed a schedule posted at the back of our bedroom door. My day is timed from the moment I wake in the morning until the hour when I should go to bed. All activities has a corresponding timestamp: 5:00am - wake up; 5:00-5:15 - prayer and devotion; 5:15-5:30 - fix bed and clean room... 12:00 - arrive from school, lunch; 12:45 - go back to school; and the time goes up to 9:00pm - sleeping time. There was also a checklist on the things I should do on a weekend.

That training, I think, made me to always run after time or have the feeling that time is running so fast that I often lose if I were not able to accomplish anything for a day. It seems that rest and so-called free time are rare commodities. This kind of training was even professionalized when I took my journalism degree. Deadlines are DEADLINES! Because of this, I feel that I am always working on a tight schedule.

Admittedly, there are times that it is difficult to cope with schedules; and the feeling of weariness, tiredness, and helplessness can strike me anytime and make me even more guilty of seemingly not doing anything worthwhile. Sometimes I linger and slow down but again backlogs are piling on my desk and lingering does not cross out a task in my checklist.

Checklist and Calendar/Journal. I have a lot of commitments with different organizations and forgetting an appointment or task is very likely without my ever faithful checklist (but honestly, sometimes I still forget something). But keeping checklist helps a lot. I keep one on paper, on my desktop, and on my phone. Post-its are also helpful especially for keeping ideas. The journal is for longer notes to myself or for reflections and keeping my calendar. On my phone, I use Astrid Tasks. It's very convenient because it syncs schedules/tasks from my email and even display funny comments.

The Best Time. I am not a morning person, I have accepted that long time ago. Though I can do meetings in the morning, I am not in my best energy. My mind seems to switch on after lunch, so I have to make most of that time until before dinner to work on the things on my checklist. Then continue after dinner and I can go up until midnight or a little past that. So instead of trying so hard to work during the morning and waste my energy, I usually use the time reading and doing household chores. Know your best time and work on it.

I am a very mobile person, too. I travel a lot, and most of the times travel disrupt my routine. So to keep up, I have learned the following:

Wander and Wonder. To keep me from being bored, I wander and wonder. I learned to appreciate small things that will brighten my day--a child smiling, funny conversations, etc. I also take pictures to capture the memories especially fleeting moments. Wandering around the block also helps to clear my mind. And to enhance my problem-solving skills, I usually ask "what if" questions to keep my mind occupied. I doodle and read a book, too!

Travel Light (but bring extras). Packing checklist helps and also knowing the right way to fold your clothes. I use vacuum bags a lot. They take away unnecessary air and spaces. I also make an inventory of my clothes and plan ahead what to wear on certain days. I am not an expert in traveling light because I always bring an extra pair or two. I have experiences that I have to stay an extra day so at least I have clean clothes to wear. I have also learned to mix and match. I usually wear jeans that can match different styles of tops. Bring extra because you'll never know about weather changes, too.

Stay Charged. Even if they say that charging your phone or your gadgets even though they still have battery charges is not advisable, it's better to go out of your home with batteries fully charged. You do not know when you need them especially in cases of emergency. So before I leave, I make sure I plug-in.

Communicate Back Home. Stay in touch with your loved ones. Or bring something that reminds you of them, a picture in your wallet may do. When I am away, I make sure to send a note, email or text to my husband everyday. I also chat with friends and family. I always have to deal with separation anxieties but having a daily connection at home helps me to cope.

Keep Friends Everywhere. There are friends who are really friends, who will come to your rescue, stay with you late at night or take a walk with you. I learned to keep those friends whom I can call whenever I am in town. The good thing, they can accompany you to places, too!

Plan Z. As an event planner/organizer, I always keep alternative plans. My friend and I have a mantra: "Be prepared to execute Plan Z" if all else fail. When I am on a tight schedule, these alternative plans work!

Go Home. There's no place like home, indeed. My first place to go when I go home, the bedroom and just feel the ambiance and rest. The best thing when working on a tight schedule is to know that you have a place to go home to and a family waiting for you.

Family Vacation in Bacolod

I am not really good in making travelogues. I have been to a lot of places but I don't think I was even able to write about two or three. But I will try this time to cover the memories of our family trip in Bacolod.

Bacolod is the home of the Maskara Festival and known as the City of Smiles. It is the capital city of Negros Occidental.

Transportation
We flew into Bacolod Silay Airport via Cebu Pacific around 6:30 in the evening. The airport is more or less 30 minutes away from the city proper. There are taxis and vans in the arrival area. We took the van, since they said it is more economical. It cost PhP150 each. But going to the airport on our last day, we took a taxi for PhP500. If you are traveling alone, it's really economical to take the van but if you're in a group, you can just divide the taxi fare. Van terminal going to the airport is located in front of SM.

Transportation in the city is very accessible. You can choose taxi, jeep, bus, tricycle or pedicab. Walking is also good because there are interesting places just around the capitol area.

Places of Interest

If you are into nature trips, go to Mambukal Resort in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia. We rode a bus from Libertad market and after one and a half hours we arrive at the welcoming entrance of Mambukal Resort. There are a lot of things you can do there--swimming in the fresh water pool, mud bath in the hot spring, wall climbing, boating and zip line--but we chose to trek the seven falls.

Our trek guide said that most people stop at the third falls then go back down. But we challenged ourselves to climb up to the seventh. We were worried about our 59-year-old mom but even her took the challenge. After the third falls, the path is a bit steeper but there was no turning back. The water falls are breathtaking! We took some time to rest at the sixth falls because the last falls is 15 more minutes walk. At the seventh falls, the water was so cold, it feels like you are dipping into an iced water.

From the seventh falls, we walk back around 10 minutes and from there, we rode a single motorcycle to go down back to the resort. We paid PhP50 each.

The following day, we had our city tour. Thanks to a friend who showed us around. Places we have been include the Capitol Center, Provincial Park and Lagoon, Pope John Paul II Tower, San Sebastian Cathedral, Palacio Episcopal, Bacolod Plaza, and ANP Showroom.

The Pope John Paul II Tower is an interesting place. It is situated behind SM mall, a seven-floor tower you can climb to the top, learn about history and view the cityscape and port area. The island of Guimaras and Mt. Kanlaon are just on the background.

ANP Showroom showcase different native products are very affordable prices. But if you are a foodie, do not forget to bring home piyaya and barquillos from Bong Bong's.

Accommodation

We stayed in Bacolod Pension for only PhP550 a night. Pension houses are very convenient if you are on a budget. Also, most of them are located in the city proper and very accessible to transportation and places to eat.

Food

Bacolod is really a food place. On our first meal is Chicken Inasal--the food Bacolod is famous for. Many said that you did not go to Bacolod if you have not tasted their chiken inasal. True, the taste of authentic inasal is different. Try Chiken House at 24th Lacson.

Do not miss Calea, too. It is best for dessert and coffee. It is also located along Lacson Avenue. It was recommended by my brother's friend. We searched and walked one night to find it. The ambiance of the place is relaxing coupled with the warm smiles of their waitresses.

Finally, also a must eat, Bulalo (or Kansi) at Sharyn's located at Narra Street. Sharyn's Cansi House was awarded by Department of Tourism and Philippine Daily Inquirer to have the best bulalo.

The funniest sign ever! This is the sign that you are already near the seventh falls.

To cap my Bacolod trip, I went around SM and saw my book Jollyboats: Journeying through College at the PCBS store.

Lastly, a reminder to all travelers: leave your umbrella at home or place it in your check-in luggage or it will end up in this box. ;)

Overcoming Acid Reflux

I was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 2008 and even though sometimes it still recur, I am more cautious now and at least I know what to do. GERD is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux or acid regurgitation. If you have persistent heartburn occurring at least twice a week, consult you doctor. You may have GERD.
For me, it started with the feeling of having hyperacidity and hungry even if I have just eaten. Then I experienced vomiting after a meal or the feeling of it even if I was just brushing my teeth. I was not anorexic! But it seemed like my stomach has so much acid that it does not want to accept my food intake. There even came a time when I didn't even want to eat because I hated the feeling of throwing up after a meal.
What I did not know was the food I am fond of eating aggravates my conditions. Here are some of the food I loved eating but needed to avoid:

• coffee and tea
• orange juice and everything citrus
• vinegar and other sour condiments
• spicy foods
• spaghetti and other tomato-based foods
• chocolate and other chocolate-based foods
• potato chips and other potato-based foods

I was not ready to give up coffee and sour foods. I tried to trim down my coffee in take, but still it did not worked. Until such time that I really want to get over GERD and live a little healthy.

Give up coffee. That was one of the most difficult. I love coffee and it has been a great part of my being. Its aroma sets my mood and it really keeps me awake during the night. But I knew, this is one of the first to give up. (I am now back at coffee drinking but not as much as before.)

Switch to apple juice. Though I want apples and apple juice, I never imagined to be the replacement of my best loved coffee. But according to doctors, this is one of the best treatment of GERD. So for two weeks, I tried to drink just apply juice and water and I know it is working. Apple juice stabilizes the acidity of your stomach and it helps in the right digestion of food.

An apple a day. We always hear the saying, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” So be it! At first, I had to take ranitidine. It was a good medicine but more expensive. Apples are healthier.
Know more about GERD here.

Avoid stressful activities. This is one of the most difficult to do. I am always caught in stressful activities with my many commitments. But at least I learned to say “no” and to slow down. I took a spiritual retreat to renew my strength and just avoid being stressed.

Hydrate. One of the best therapy that we can have is to drink a lot of water. Through drinking lot of water, we can flush out toxins out of our body. For me not to forget to drink water, I always get a glass of water in front of me in my working area. I know I needed it badly.

Applying for Schengen Visa

I applied for Schengen visa twice so I can visit Germany. I went to Germany in 2010 for the Global Young People’s Convocation Planning Team meeting, and in 2011 for the Convocation and Legislative Assembly proper. In both applications, there were difficulties and uniqueness so I decided to revise a previous entry and repost my experiences here.

TRIVIA: Schengen Visa is valid for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. If you got this kind of visa, you are free to move from one country to the other.

Visit the German Embassy website. My first step is to visit the German Embassy website and take note of all the requirements. There are different requirements depending on the purpose of travel. The following are the general requirements to be submitted in original and photocopy:

1. Application form duly completed (including date and signature of applicant). This can be downloaded in PDF format.
2. Two (2) recent passport photographs with applicant’s full name and birth date written on the back.
3. Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months after expected date of return; passport must not be damaged) and Xerox copy of the applicant’s passport (pages containing data and Schengen-Visas).
4. (for business) Invitation letter in German language, confirmed hotel reservation stating name, date of birth and passport number of applicant.
5. Proof of health insurance valid for all Schengen States covering an amount of € 30.000 in case of illness, repatriation and/or accidents and accredited by the Schengen-Embassies in Manila.

So I already have my passport and have accomplished the application form. I have secured by airline booking ahead of time, too.

Duration of stay. In the application form, you are asked to state how many days you plan to stay in the Schengen territories. You may want to add a day or two just to be sure you are covered.

During my second application, I requested for 16 days, that’s the exact days but was only granted 15 days. I did not notice that until I was already checking in at the airport. I had to rebook my flight and pay a large sum of dollars just to follow what is written in my visa.

I had to cut my stay in Italy (from Germany, I flew to Rome) a day shorter to accommodate the expiration of my visa.

Call the Embassy and secure an interview appointment. This step is I think the most difficult to do. At least in my second application, we were in a group; so one of us volunteered to call the embassy for all.

Unlike with the US Embassy where you can set a visa interview appointment online, German Embassy need you to call their call center. It was not an easy dialing and talking call. It is a toll number assigned to every service provider. It’s very expensive as it cost PhP32-37 a minute.

I tried calling using the landline but I cannot get through it. It says “The number you dialed is not yet assigned.” Again, slowly this time. The same answer. So I called customer service to verify of our phone’s IDD is active, and they said yes. Dialed again, the same answer. I called the General Inquiries phone of the embassy to ask if there is a problem in their number. They said none. Dialed the toll number again, the same answer. I called Bayantel customer service again to check and the CRS says there is a service error in our account.

Since the matter can’t wait, because of the minimum days requirement for application is 15 days and I urgently needed an appointment, I loaded ₱500 credits on my cellphone. Dialed and not connected. I called Globe’s customer service to check again if IDD is active on my handset and they said yes. I asked for the instruction in calling a toll number. Dialed and at last I got an answering machine then a Customer Service representative. I was trying to give my name when the call dropped. Dialed again. I was in the middle of giving my passport number when the call dropped again. On the third call, I was spelling the address of my host when the call dropped. I run out of credits. So I need to load up again. Finally, I was able to set up an appointment but have spent almost a ₱1,000 just for that. The calls took so long because I needed to spell everything with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc.).

So before calling, be sure to know the phonetic alphabet or at least have a copy with you. Correct spelling is the key for a faster call.

Get a recent passport size picture. I needed to make sure the photographer follows the picture requirements. Yes, there are specifications. You can view it here on page 4.

Appear at the Embassy. The instruction said, be at the embassy 30 minutes prior to the appointed time. The usual traffic to Makati every morning delayed me for some time but it was fine. The embassy is at 25/F RCBC Tower 2 in Ayala. I proceeded immediately to the lobby where I signed my name and get my visitor’s ID. When I arrived at the 25th floor, an arrogant guard greeted me and checked my bag. Upon inspecting, he told me that I should have deposited my laptop at the lobby. Obediently, I went down again and left my laptop. Going back to the guard, he let me in. At the window, I was given a waiting number. That time, I knew I had to forget my appointment time and just wait for my number to be called. I walked to the other side of the hall, left my cellphone at the locker, got my key and entered the room.

At least, there were less people compared to the US Embassy when I had to line up for three hours. There, I was sitting pretty. Just waiting patiently and a little nervous. When my name was called, I immediately appeared at the window with a Filipino woman consul. She got my forms and payment but instructed me to get more requirements, a travel insurance and my confirmed hotel booking. I did not have those documents with me then because the invitation letters said that the DMYP and my host shall take care of all expenses. While she was talking to me, I observed that she stamped my passport. I knew then that it was approved. If not, she should have given back my passport. Then, I paid the visa fee worth €60 or its peso equivalent, ₱3870.00. Then left, thinking where in the world will I get a travel insurance and how would I pay for it.

Get a travel insurance with US$50,000 coverage. Yes, that is the minimum coverage or at least ₱2.5 million. That same day after the application, I surveyed the accredited insurance companies and ask about travel insurance to Schengen countries and how much it worth. I got the best deal with Mafre Insular for only US$25 or ₱1208.50. I just needed to wake up early morning the following day and go to their office in Ortigas.

During the second application, DMYP sent us an insurance coverage certification but the company is no longer accredited with the Embassy, so we needed to look for one that is on their list. Not all insurance company that provides travel insurance coverage are good.

I did not have any trouble with my hotel booking it was sent to me via email the following day. So two days after the application, I went back to the embassy to submit the remaining requirements. I could have used their accredited courier but it would cost me ₱160 plus the cost of calling their toll number again. So better find time going back to the embassy.

Upon submission of the requirements, the consul told me to go home and wait for my passport to be delivered after two weeks.

Wait, wait, wait patiently. This is I think the hardest part. There is no specific time or day when my passport will be delivered. I was just told two weeks. And to follow-up I need to call the toll number again… too much expense. I had a lot of appointments and I was worried if I miss the courier. There is not always a person staying at home. Gladly the CSR at the embassy told me to follow-up on July 1 to see if my passport can be released on that date. I was worried because I am scheduled to fly on July 6, Monday and July 1 is a Wednesday. What if, it is not delivered in time for my flight. Well, I just have to put my trust in them and (with the Lord).

July 1. I called the Visa Section of the embassy. The one who answered me says the visa cannot be followed-up over the phone. I need to call the toll number to verify it. So I tried to call but all get was the answering machine repeatedly saying the spiel. I just waited for half day. Then I tried again. Finally, I got through and someone answered affirming that my passport and visa was released yesterday and scheduled for delivery today. So I wait.

Return to the Embassy. When required, go back to the embassy when you arrive. I wasn’t required the first time but on my second time, when we travelled in group, some of us got a sticker on our passport that says:

“The applicant is required to report back to the German Embassy in Manila within 10 days after expiration of his/her visa. If he/she fails to report, further visa applications will be rejected.”

There are other provisions like the person holding the visa should not get married or get a job while in the Schengen area. So to have a clean bill of health, I went back to the embassy to have my visa cancelled.

I just hope next time, the embassy will have a new system that will allow online appointment and bank deposit for payment for a lesser cost and more efficient use of time.