Kick-off at the IBM Morocco Office

We had our kick-off meeting last Saturday at the IBM Morocco office in Casablanca, which was a stone throw away from our hotel.  I would say that the kick off meeting went quite well.  We were able to meet some of the IBM leaders such as IBM Morocco’s Country General Manager, Abdallah Rachidi Alaoui; HR Country Leader Najlaa Hachami; Innovation Center & Technical Exploration Center Program Manager Asmae Chaarani; and Business Development Manager Ali Aqallal to name a few. Being able to meet these high ranking officials made me realize that what we’re doing is really of importance to IBM.  I do hope that we’ll be able to achieve everything that we were asked to do so that everyone’s happy. :-)  And oh, we were served some sweet pastries and of course, the much awaited “Moroccan mint tea.”  Loved it!!! It was an instant hit to the whole team, especially to Jailan Adly (CDC Program Manager) who had named the drink as the “Moroccan Red Bull”

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

I left Manila at around 11:30pm via Qatar Airways and had connecting flights via Doha>Tunis>Casablanca.  After 23 hours and 55 minutes, I finally arrived in Casablanca.  The whole flight was really tiring even if I just sat the whole time. The time of my arrival was almost the same as Mihoko’s (from IBM Japan) and Rahul’s (from IBM US).  It was really nice to finally meet them as it was totally different when you meet your team in person compared to all the telecons we had for the past 3 months.  I do hope that we’ll be able to bond as a team and be like a family by the end of this whole activity.  

What to do in Morocco?

I love to travel. I love to know more about the people, their culture, their FOOD, how a typical day goes in that part of the world, everything.  Last year, I also realized a desire in me which I didn't know was there.  For the past quarter years I've lived, it’s just recently that I realized that I enjoy volunteer work.  I'm not sure if most people who volunteer feel the same but I feel such great joy and accomplishment helping those in need –- help freely given which does not ask for anything in return.  I also believe that by doing these simple acts of kindness, it would give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I want these people to realize that there is hope for a better future, that God did not forget them; all they need to do is seek Him and surely, if they seek Him with all their heart, they’ll find Him. http://bit.ly/kqEgi1

Moonleaf Tea Shop ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I looooove milk tea.  Back in 2006, I only get my milk tea fix via Lipton Milk Tea sachets. >.<   There were still no tea place within the metro thus I only get it via sachets or from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL).  You see, CBTL offers a number of tea latte drinks and my 2 favorites are: Chai Tea Latte & Moroccan Mint Tea Latte.

Recently, a number of tea shops sprouted like mushrooms.  I've thought of putting up one myself but a lot of my friends and relatives told me that this is just a craze.  In a span of just 2 years, I've already lost count of all the tea places around the metro.  Aside from the ones I've tried namely Serenitea, Cha Time, Happy Lemon, Zen Tea and Cha Dao, there's still A LOT of other tea places (that are yet to be tried) but one of the tea shops that got me is Moonleaf.

 

Leona Art Restaurant ♥ ♥ ♥

Its been a while since I posted a blog entry.  I have been busy these past few weeks due to work and personal stuff.  A lot of positive changes in my life has happened lately and I got caught up in it thus I didn't have the time to post about all the restaurants nor the products I bought recently.  Anyway, before September ends, here's a food review about a hidden gem within the famous Maginhawa St. in QC.

Last September 11, the group IBM Foodistas met up for the first time and tried out this resto. It was a very enjoyable night because we were able to meet new friends, try out a lot of the food in the menu and also got to share stories to each other. We plan to meet and try out new restos or try a new resto at least once a month and for September, we chose Leona Art Restaurant. :)

You might have heard of or seen Leona Art Restaurant along White Plains in Katipunan years ago as this is where this resto was previously located.  Personally, I used to see Leona Art Restuarant along Katipunan but didn't realize until recently that it is indeed a restaurant as its facade looked like an antique shop.  I'm not sure if their signage did have the word 'restaurant' in it too hence the wrong impression I had. >.<

StraCurl / DigiPerm at BeautyBrick Salon ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Since I was a kiddo, I've always had bad hair days.  My hair is suuuper wavy, buhaghag, frizzy and thick.  I envy those who have super straight and shiny hair.  I started having my hair straightened back when I was in grade 5. Back then, it was called "hair relax" and I am satisfied with it -- somehow.  I had my hair relaxed year after year. But every time I look at my old photos, I couldn't believe that I was ok with it back then. haha! My hair was still frizzy and fluffy even after it was relaxed. o_O

Anyway, when I was in college, the answer to all hair problems was born --- HAIR REBOND. Haha! This was the answer to my years of hair woes.  Indeed, it made my hair problems vanish in an instant.  New friends thought that my long shiny hair was my natural hair and it made me happy.

We all know that women are very fickle-minded. One minute we want something and the next thing you know, we've decided to want another thing instead. And yes, I am one of them. :-P Seven years has passed and now I want some change.  I'm tired of having my hair rebonded year after year so this time around, I've decided to have my hair permed.

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about Tony and Jackey Salon thus, I've decided to look for other options.  I stumbled upon BeautyBrick Salon which also have a lot of great reviews online.  I searched for it in some forums and indeed, I've decided that this is the right salon for me. :-)  Within that week, I've made reservations and decided to have my hair permed.

Funniest Dog Contest by Good Dog Magazine Phils

I love dogs and I love to join online contests. I had my first dog when I was 9 years old and it was a Japanese Spitz.  Her name was Whitey. :P Back then, people usually name their dogs based on its color (i.e. Whitey, Blacky, Brownie..hehe) and you wouldn't see different dog breeds anywhere that much; compared nowadays, wherein almost all people have pet dogs which is a good thing. :-)

Since then, I've had my fair share of dogs in my life:  Whitey (Japanese Spitz), Nero (Doberman), Teri (Toy Terrier), Jessica (Cocker Spaniel), Tanny (Mini Pinscher), Trixie (Mini Pinscher), Tallah (Pomeranian), Cheewee (Pomeranian) and Snuggles (Chihuahua).  This list does not include my brother's dogs and my grandma's dogs.  We're simply a family of dog lovers. :-)

Currently, my cutest dog is Tallah the pomeranian.