Perhentian Island, Malaysia

     This came out from my memory in Facebook, our pictures when we had a department trip to this island in Malaysia 23 years ago.

The Regional Lab then

Other chemists who I am close to till now

     It's so sad for me to see that one of the guys, a technician, has already passed away ten years or so. I was with this group for about a year when we went on this trip and I worked with them for almost ten years. Ten years in the lab as a chemist before I moved to marketing for a regional job based in Singapore.

     Working with Jotun, a Norwegian paint company, has been my longest employment in a company. Working with this group of people is definitely unforgettable that if not for the boss, I won't have left this company.

     I will treasure all the memories that I have with all these people. They are like brothers and sisters to me. 

Friend's Visit to Singapore

     A high school batchmate visited Singapore in July 2017 when I was still working as an OFW. At the same time, a high school classmate was there for work. We met on a Sunday roaming around the city as I tried to be the hospitable tourist guide. I want to keep this photo as I look thin.

An awesome night in Singapore 

High School Class 1V-Einstein

     I saw this post from a friend in my memory, a picture of my high school class IV-Einstein.

Our 1985 class photo in our yearbook

     This photo triggers a lot of memories for me because my high school paved the way for my development from a rural boy to an urban fighter. I came to my high school so naive and innocent especially most of my classmates were from the city. I was shy, stayed always behind the class intimidated by my classmates who were so outgoing. It was in my second year that initiated me to the world figuratively, when my Biology teacher chose me among others to attend a regional science camp in Ormoc City starting August 21, 1983. 

     That experience began the inevitable, the innate intelligence began to shine and led me to top my class when we were in third year onwards. Third and fourth years saw me topping my class, excelling in Science and Math especially. A classmate from the city who was among the brightest in the earlier years said "the natural intelligence came out" when i topped the class beating all of them from the city.

    I won't forget those four-year experience in high school that saw me fighting until I was at the top of the pack. The fact that I hail from the rural village in the countryside made my triumph even more meaningful.

Sweet Corn

     My sweet corn plants are growing fast,  planted it around June 10, and now they're taller than me.

Sweet corn soon

     A BFF from the Agriculture Department gave me corn to sow complete with fertilizer and insecticide. It is such a pleasure to see the outcome. Around it, we planted cassava.

Cassava growing

     

Back to my FB

     Facebook(FB) has been phenomenal in connecting people all over the world. Thus when I lost access via my phone, I have been disconnected. When I changed phone, FB  has been cautious into my access due to numerous cases of hacking and the likes. For the first half of the year, I have been off the grid.

     Today, suddenly I thought of creating a new account in my Ipad mini. Everything was alright, they let me in using my details (name and phone) and lo, I was back into my old account, which I've had for 15 years or so. I got connected again with my friends.

My FB account

Best Fastfood Chain in the World

     As much as possible I avoid fast food, but sometimes I go to satisfy my family's craving. I saw this list online, and I have been to nine in the list. McDonald's is a general go to for me. If you crave for sandwiches, Subway it is; if chicken, must be KFC; for healthier burgers, Burger King then; if just for coffee, Starbucks is the place to go. I am surprised Kenny Roger's is not among the biggest, I know it has been declared bankrupt in the US, so it probably affected its standing.  Shakey's too  surprised me for not making it to the top. The others I've been to but very seldom Domino's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen and Wendy's.

Best Fastfood Chains

MH370, Whatever Happened to It

     Up until now no one is certain what happened to that fateful flight MH370, a Malaysian Airlines(MAS) plane that vanished in 2008 without any clear explanation including 227 passengers. It's almost 20 years that I almost forgot it happened until I saw this MH370 on Netflix, a 3-episode series with some hypothesis on what really happened.

The tragic disappeance of MH370  in 2008

     Of the theories trying to explain what really happened, I tend to agree with the notion that it was a US cover up, the US had a hand in the disappearance as it was preventing it to reach China as it was carrying mysterious unexplained load, which didn't pass through screening at KLIA. Only US has the ability and technology to cause disappearance without leaving any trace or clue. Up to a certain point above South China Sea, it magically vanished in the radar screens of MAS.

City Square Residences, Singapore

     Yesterday, a very good friend from Malaysia sent me a photo asking where he was based on the photo he sent. Looking at the photo, I immediately recognized it as the first condominium residences I lived in when I moved to Singapore from Malaysia and where I stayed for four years, 2011-2014. That friend, was an acquaintance in Malaysia and became a close friend a year after when he moved to Singapore to work, and lived at the same condo without us knowing it until he moved in. Pure fate! He was meant to be a real good buddy.City Square Residences, Singapore

     I got to know him, known as my nickname's namesake Jerry, in Malaysia as one of my miscellaneous suppliers, not a key one. I came to know him in my last few months in Jotun when he was just starting in his company trading chemicals for the paint industry. I met him as supplier maybe twice or thrice, not many. Thus, I was so surprised to learn later we were staying at the same condo in Singapore a year later.

     We became constant coffee buddies and simple meal partners especially after work. We had our monthly coffee or meal dates to share market info as we were both in the commercial field in the chemical industry for the region of Asia Pacific. I was keen to learn a lot from him commercial skills wise since my background was purely technical. I was impressed with his business and market acumen. I admire him a lot for his market knowledge. We used to exchange emails on anything related to our market, especially those affecting our region. 

     I still communicate with him via electronic messages now that I am no longer working. Every now and then, we would WhatsApp each other. I am glad to find a friend like him.