Cosme in Bolinao

Rain or shine....It's on! -- Dani Girl

Would you believe the OMS team and Art Dept. team of Branders.com was in Bolinao, Pangasinan that same weekend when Cosme hit the province at signal # 3. We were stranded inside the Bungalow we rented for the weekend. The wind was whistling and it's freaking us out. At first, Michelle, Abi, Mic and I thought of it as an adventure. We changed into our swimming clothes and braved the winds towards the shore front. The waves were not nearing the shore, they were stuck in the breakwaters. The water was surprisingly warm according to Micmac. We also got free acupuncture! -- it was like sandstorm. The strong winds blew some sand and when it hit our skin it was piercing like needles. So we thought, it's a bad idea to stay at the beach area. We went back to the resort and dove into the pool.

After a while we got back to the hut were the boys were drinking booze. Mic and I decided to go back to the house so we can clean up and to rest before dinner time. While we were inside the house chatting with Dani, Angel and Carlo, Abi came with news that Becky was bleeding. (Becky's 3 month pregnant) Becky was rushed by Ronnie together with Liza and Jamie to the nearest(1 hour away) hospital during the hit of signal#3 in that area. Theirs was a different adventure. Jamie told us that they encountered a lot of fallen trees and electric posts on the road. Good thing Becky is now doing fine and is recovering back in Manila. The baby is fine too. Becky just need bed rest.

The morning after the storm, the sky was brighter, the winds were tamer and so we decided to get back to our swim wear and take some pictures. So here it is, our Stormy Bolinao experience.

Fortune cookies at the NLEX stopover.

*coaster ride*

*country mouse*- they have round ears

Caroline Beach Resort -- "only the best" haha:)

have you been weighing right?

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

beer and make up have the same use:)

I got this email from Joel of Evolution CA. -- FUNNY!

take a bow

Rihanna Lyrics
Take A Bow Lyrics

Branders.com won't be the same without...

Michael Peter "Micmac" Macalua

* Here is where our story started.
* My office bess turned B:)
* Never failed to give me a pat on the back when I'm doing well at work, and also the person I run to when I'm having a hard time juggling work and personal issues.
*Always there to cheer me up.
*A shoulder to cry on and lean on.
* MY LIFE PARTNER. -- I'll miss the surprise snacks on my desk, the boner bashing with Jody, the chismis you always have handy for the OMS team, your persistent ways to make me go on break, the way you sneak in to my station... and I can go on and on and on...

Michelle "Inna" Alo
* She's my partner in crime:)
* We've been through the worst mood swings together. (Remember my memo? Hehe)
* I'm her baby:) -- but oftentimes, it's the other way around. Roles reverse when I start to talk about realities of life.
*A very trusted friend in and out of the office.
* The ultimate coffee buddy.
* Part of the Virgin Crew -- that includes me and Abi.
*I'll miss our ym-kulitan especially when you're making me work fast so we can take our coffee break, I'll miss your "moves" during breaks, I'll miss all the fun stories and the DRAMA... but, hey we're still going out next week;) Haha!

Dhayve Besona
* My kumare, I'm Sydney's Ninang.
* My OTOM buddy, during OTOM days.
* Coffee girl and text mate.
* Kachikahan about anything under the sun.
* A person to lean on when problems arise-- tried and tested!
*I'll miss the Heart look alike, I'll miss our ym-raving over TURTLE! and mga pasaway reps:).

Joseph "Joe, JMM" Mendez
* He's my Master -- sa kalokohan.
* Kaboom!
* We're both blessed with CIFs hahaha!
* Reliable team mate. Always yan!
*I'll miss the "inuman" after work and the Kaboom moments. Master now signing off!

It's now time to move on and explore greater opportunities guys!
Good luck and God bless! Love you all!

photo play

my first attempt with photoshop

photoshop creation by nisha and yela

by nicole aquino

by dean sedrick carlos

by robby aquino

by abigail balaoing

2 cups of coffee

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee:

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes'.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions. And if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.'

'The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house and your car.'

'The sand is everything else---the small stuff' 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.' 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with your grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

' Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' 'The coffee just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

Got this email from Tita Dina. Indeed true, we always have time to sit down with a friend, sip coffee, relax and de-stress.

There are studies that proves coffee is high of anti-oxidant components or the "free radical scavengers" slowing the ageing and damage of our system. A lot of studies also proves that laughter is also good for the heart and mind. So share that antioxidant dose and forget your worries in life while sharing laughter with a close pal.

I have my own circle of coffee girls;) and I can say that bonding time with them really helps me forget even for a while all my worries for the day. We learn from each other and it's also great to be able to impart life lessons with your girlfriends. I know that they are there for me when I'm facing family, work or any issues in my life. My coffee buddies are tried and tested when it comes to "being there" for me during low times. They enhance whatever I have in my life right now And I love them:) Family(+Micmac) + Friends + Work + Coffee gals = AWESOME LIFE.

Its another story to hear
Its another laugh for two
Its another take a look on the clock
And the magic shared by you

A cup in hand
You know its worth a while
A cup in hand
Let's sit and stay a while
When we deserve the moment
Let's sit
Let's talk
One moment
(from Nescafe Theme)

*hormonal*

I've been on high and lows with my emotions and I'm going crazy. The being emotional part is a side effect of the medication I am taking. The inconsistencies of my mood may be a mix of medication, sugar rush and adaptation to my new lifestyle. Sometimes I just find myself welling into tears when I have this sad feeling that's overpowering, but sometimes it's at no reason at all. Sounds crazy huh? I'm just blessed to have a very understanding partner who never fail to lift me up and also let my bitch fit just pass:)

I can't wait to be at the prime of my health once again. Other than my work issues, MY HEALTH is my topmost priority now. Anyway, I am now in good terms with my mom. Ever since I moved out, I can say we are making progress. Now I have Micmac, Dad, Mom, Lola, Mommy Josie and my doctors helping me recover. They are all God's angels sent to me to help and guide me everyday:)

So if you're my friend or officemate and I threw some bitch fit on you, I'm sorry! I'm just being HORMONAL:)

the GIRL and her BOAT

This is a story about a young girl, who wanted nothing else in the world, but a boat. A small boat, just right for her size, that would take her anywhere she dreams. Her father was a carpenter, and everyday, she would ask him to build her a boat.

The father, protective of her, would always say no. She would cry in secret, unable to understand why her father would deny her one, simple desire. But her father heard it - all the sobbing, all the tears. It hurt him to break her heart, but if she only knew. Her father started building the boat three years ago, even before she asked for it. He knew exactly what she wanted, and he prepared well for it.

Slowly, he built the boat, careful with every piece that went into it. She is much too young to sail on her own, he thought. So he took his time. Then one day, when she least expected it, her father showed her the finished boat. It was exactly what she dreamt of.

She cried a river that day, she was so happy. And her father was well pleased. Then, her journey began. She went to places she only used to visit in her dreams. She enjoyed every moment. She kept sailing away. She went too far away. The waves drifted her farther and farther… She wouldn’t have realized she was in trouble when the storm didn’t come. But it did! And it stirred up the seas, it rocked her boat. She panicked. She was afraid. She didn’t know what to do. She cried out to her father. “Father! I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wandered very far. I planned to come home after one destination but the waves set me adrift. Help me father!” She prepared herself for the worst – the boat will surrender to the waves and she will drown. She closed her eyes, waiting for her doom. But it didn’t come.

The boat made it through the storm. Tears fell from her eyes. Now she realized why it took her father so much time to build it. She made it home. And her father ran to welcome her back. “I never thought I’d make it back home. I was so scared. I never want to go anywhere again.” she said. Her father replied, “But the boat, my child, was built to endure even the greatest storm. And don’t say that you never want to go anywhere anymore. Just don’t go anywhere alone.”

---
Sure, a lot of things rocked my boat. I made mistakes. I sailed on my own.
I wandered far. The storm came, and I was ready to drown.

But then I realized, this boat was made to last.

Then, Jesus calmed the storm.

How could I have forgotten? He was in the boat with me all along.

(Matthew 8:23-27)

Oprah's Opinion about Men

Oprah's Opinion about Men
I know my girlfriends will have fun with this post:)

- If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away.

- If he doesn‘t want you, nothing can make him stay.

- Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior.

- Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache.

- Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that‘s not meant to be.

- Slower is better.

- Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy.

- If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can‘t "be friends". A friend wouldn‘t mistreat a friend.

- Don‘t settle.

- If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is.

- Don‘t stay because you think "it will get better." You‘ll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better.

- The only person you can control in a relationship is you.

- Avoid men who‘ve got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn‘t marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently?

- Always have your own set of friends separate from his.

- Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you.

- If something bothers you, speak up.

- Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later.

- You cannot change a man‘s behavior. Change comes from within.

- Don‘t EVER make him feel he is more important than you are... even if he has more education or in a better job.

- Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less.

- Never let a man define who you are.

- Never borrow someone else‘s man. If he cheated with you, he‘ll cheat on you.

- A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you.

- All men are NOT dogs.

- You should not be the one doing all the bending... compromise is a two way street.

- You need time to heal between relationships... there is nothing cute about baggage... Deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship.

- You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you... a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals... look for someone complimentary... not supplementary.

- Dating is fun... even if he doesn‘t turn out to be Mr. Right.

- Make him miss you sometimes... when a man always know where you are, and you‘re always readily available to him - he takes it for granted.

- Never move into his mother‘s house.

- Never co-sign for a man.

- Don‘t fully commit to a man who doesn‘t give you everything that you need.