Director’s Job and Cinderella

Work Hard in Mactan FEA

Oh, yeah that was two weeks ago before Mactan FEA opened. I had no other choice but to help in cleaning. I also think its a good exercise so I could lose weight but ah, I got sick after this. My body was not used to this kind of work. I am often just sitting, thinking, planning, managing and all. I wanted to try again physical work but it was so hard! What happened was I got tired compared to others.

😦 My mom warned me not to do it because it has been a while to do physical work but I wanted to push my limit. As a result, hello body pains the next day! hahaha.. Nevertheless, it was a very good experience. YES! I must remember when I die that I HAD BEEN PART OF FEA MACTAN CLEANING TEAM. And if it weren’t for my mopping and dusting skills, the school would have been still dirty. (hahaha)

I just realized while doing this “tough” job — I often asked myself… How can janitor last all day doing this while they earn so little? How do their bodies feel? It must have been hard. My father was very poor and he did job like this and he told that it was not easy. And he also to me to BE KIND to laborers because their job is very hard. So that is why I try to be nice to people who works this kind of job… But sometimes, they are shy to talk to me. 😦 Anyway, people who do  this job should be respected. It is really NOT EASY! My hands were shaking after 2 hours of mopping! Can you imagine that? I can’t imagine people doing this 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. May God Bless them with good health….

Nevertheless, I glad I did that cleaning on that day. It reminded me many things. Next time, I should prepare my muscles more and more and drink vitamins. 🙂 And bring a lot of food! It’s amazing how cleaning made me hungry. hmmm…. hahaha

So FEA Mactan has a very special place in my heart because I cleaned the floors of the classrooms and dusted the walls. How can I ever forget that day? That was the day when I felt I was Cinderella… without a prince.  Cinderella wore glass slippers but I wore these…

YES! It’s CONVERSE ALL STAR CUT-OFF. Limited Edition. It was released this year because last year they had thongs! I will post a picture later. So this is the reason why my PRINCE is lost. I wore the wrong shoes!!! Crazy prince. Please send me a GPS. Please. 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Good morning from Cebu. Today the weather is not so sunny. But it’s not rainy either. We often this have weather once in a while and I like it this way.  😛

Anyway, today I will be explaining about the pre-paid loading system in the Philippines. I often experience our students having problems understanding and adapting our loading pre-paid system. They sometimes ask me for assistance and I do explain them but because of language barrier, the explanation can also be confusing. I hope this post would help those who wants to understand.

First, for prepaid users we can load in two ways:

ELECTRONIC LOADING

Electronic loading is done through, of course, electronic automatic transmission. How do you do this? Simply, you go to a store that sells E-LOAD. You can buy this in retail prices such as 30 pesos, 60 pesos and etc.or small portions, not  (Because our culture likes buying things in sachet not in bulk). All you have to do is pay and the seller would ask for your number, input it and send the load to your number. Done!

Confirmation Message from SMART

(Picture Above: I bought a 60 peso E-load and that is the confirmation message certifying that I already receive the load.)

After which, you also receive a notification via text message confirming your e-load purchase. Then it’s ready to use. E-Load credit is available is sari-sari stores (small stores) and in convenient stores like 7/11 and cellphone shops.  Also, some private individual are also selling this. Like my office mate before. E-load system is more popular here in Philippines because consumers can buy load in cheaper portions/amount unlike in cards.

Special Note: E-load has several promos like unlimited text for 10 pesos, unlimited call for 20 pesos and etc. There are several distinctions for e-load credits. My advice: when you buy e-load you have SPECIFY clearly what type of load you want. If you are not sure you can just say REGULAR LOAD. That means you have to pay 1 php each for each text. Unlimited load promos is only good especially if you often call or text like chatting. Yes, most of Filipinos enjoy texting each other like chatting. We even have a “textmate” friend. (hahaha…)

CARD LOADING

Card Loading is loading through the use of card. This is more familiar to foreigners than the E-load system. E-load cards are available in cellphone shops, malls and many stores as well. The card loading has limited amount to buy from and it is not retailed in cheaper form. The cheapest card cost 100 pesos while the cheapest e-load cost 10 pesos. However, if you have 100 pesos it is more convenient to buy in bulk.

All you have to do is follow the instructions stated in the card. It’s easy as 1-2-3.

As much as I want to take pictures of a card, to my own dismay, I already throw it all. 😦 Perhaps, next time I should take a photo first before I trash it.

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

FEA – Mactan First Graduation and Barbecue Party

FEA MACTAN IS FINALLY OPEN!

Firstwellness English Academy – Mactan Branch opened Feb. 4.  So one school week after that on Feb. 8 was their first graduation. There was also barbecue party. As the entire school director, I was invited of course. So I finished what I had to do last Friday so I can go there in the afternoon. It was a good decision, I did not regret going there. They prepare barbecue — hotdogs, chicken, pork, and rice and soft drinks.

FEA Mactan graduation is quite unique. They had it near the poolside which is “cool”. You can hear the water splashing! It was very relaxing. Right now, FEA Mactan only has 5 students. The population is few but in the coming months, there will be more because the are many available rooms.  Their accommodation rooms are bigger and nicer than that of Verbena and the scenery is also very relaxing — you can see the horizon. Moreover, the air is fresher to breathe. But maybe you will get darker because the sun-tanning is tempting. 🙂

ACADEMIC SYSTEM

FEA Mactan solely follows the Academic System I develop in Verbena. This way, if students want to transfer from either each campuses, it would be easier to continue the lesson. The same tests are given and so the same way of assessing the students’s level is also conducted. The teaching resources are almost identical from books to cd’s and others. Practically, it’s the same. Some of the teacher in Mactan are also from Verbena which lives nearer the place so they requested to be transferred. This is ensure from the management side that the transition would be smoother as possible. And true enough, for the Academic department, the system went well starting from day one.  There only just minor adjustments in terms of familiarization of the resources and adaptation of the system to the new setting, but other than that — it is ready to sail away! The entire FEA Mactan Team is ready to serve you. The Japanase Manager there is Yuto and the Academic Coordinator is Karissa.

I have to visit Mactan branch regularly, at least once a week to check out the operation of the Academic System and other stuff. The last time I visited there was Friday. I asked our previous student from Verbena-Cebu Branch how he is and he was smiling saying “No Problem”. It is also very fun to go there and meet new students!

I hope to see all of you in either one of our branches. You can choose which branch you would like to study — or if you want to enjoy both, you can stay at both places! See you all!

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

FEA Students’ and Teachers’ Dinner Party

Once in while student together with teachers go out to have fun! After studying and working hard, what we all need is a time to relax and let it loose!

In the  picture below, it this was a dinner celebrating a goodbye. In Firstwellness English Academy, we often have farewell parties usually in the form or dinner. And yes it is usually buffet so everybody can pig out and become bloated. After all, that is what buffet is for.

PINO RESTAURANT

On this night, we went to PINO RESTAURANT. Pino restaurant is a Filipino Restaurant which serves authentic Filipino food. Recently, it ranked no. 8 the Best Restaurant in Cebu . They have wide choices of beef, pork, fish, vegetables,  and oysters. Their desserts are  also delicious but maybe for Japanese it might be something they have not tasted! They serve “maja” which is a sweet jelly-like cake made from coconut’s milk and flour, “kunchinta” which is also made from coconut’s milk, flour and sugar; and they also serve fresh fruits and cakes.  So… yummy! (I kept going back to the dessert area. hahaha)

The restaurants facilities are also very clean. The service is fast and the waiters are very accommodating here. (By the way, the GM is my brother so that’s why. hahaha) But its honestly clean and the staff is prompt to give you what you asked. They are also very polite from the moment we entered ’till we left. They were always smiling. (I guess my brother trained them to do that all the time. hahahah Smile all the time!)

AFTER DINNER ACTIVITIES

After eating and eating and eating, we continued to eat. Hahaha! Until our stomach asked our mouth “Are you crazy?”. But our mouths remained chewing. So after all the eating, talking, and picture taking, we went to a Karaoke. We stayed up late that night. We partied and sang like there is no tomorrow. Teachers and students were drinking and laughing and singing. It was a lot of fun! FEA people went crazy over dancing with outrageous steps from modern to very old traditional Japanese steps – like planting rice or something like that.

(I only have few picture because I took most of the pictures here. Next time, I wont take pictures anymore. 🙂

The good thing about with FEA students and teachers is that no matter how hard we party, respect and decency is always intact. This is something other schools do not possess. 🙂

Perhaps next week there will be another dinner-party again with students and teachers. So it is really difficult to be on diet. But I guess that best way is to dance non-stop for 3 hours after eating.  Why not?

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Grand Majestic Chinese Restaurant

Grand Majestic Chinese Restaurant

This is a late upload. Last Christmas FEA teachers and staff together with the student had our first Christmas party at Grand Majestic. Yes, we all enjoyed the sumptuous food buffet! One thing you need to bear in mind is that Filipinos love buffet! We just simply enjoy the beauty of eating! So we need to double our exercise.

Food

Grand Majestic Restaurant is a serves fushion food but mainly Chinese inspired with a touch of Filipino taste. I personally think this is one of the best buffet in Cebu City. Their price is also reasonable at 600 plus without drink. It is very reasonable relative to how much variety of food you can choose. I suggest do go there without eating your lunch if you’ll have dinner! J

There is wide selection of food from appetizers to the main course desserts. For the main course, there’s shrimp, siomai, noodles, rice and their famous PEKING DUCK. I am not so familiar with what Pecking Duck is but they serve it and for me, it tastes just ordinary. But I see many people going back and forth to the Pecking duck section and they eat a lot of it! For the desserts they have ice cream – gelato specifically. There is a big difference: Ice cream uses cream while Gelato uses milk. So Gelato is so much tastier. This is heaven for ice cream lovers for me! There are also fresh fruits and salads. Good for vegetarian and those on diet and to those who attempt to go on diet but failed… This might be a big help. J

Rooms

Grand Majestic also has private rooms for special functions so man company parties and school events are catered here. They have small rooms good for 50 people to 100 and big events like wedding can also be catered at the Grand Ballroom. I remember when I was in highschool we had our Junior and Senior Prom here.

Location

The restaurant is located near Ayala Mall so all taxi drivers know this place. It is very convenient to go there.

Reservation

They do accept advance reservation unlike other restaurants.  Few restaurants do not accept reservation especially if that restaurant is quite popular. Perhaps it is because they have bigger space than other restaurants in the city. They have big round tables which can occupy 12 people. Nice for big groups!

Eat, Drink and Be Happy!

In eating a buffet, try everything in small portions then refill what’s delicious! 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

The Disadvantage of Staying Out

The Disadvantages of Staying Out

As promised I will post, according to my opinion, the disadvantages of staying out while studying English in Cebu.

ACCOMMODATION

Looking a nice and safe accommodation might take much of your time. There are many apartments available but going to many houses to check the place personally might take at least one whole day or even more than that.

LOCATION

Cebu is a small city. You can view the main area of the city in less than one day but looking for an accessible place to stay can be also be tiring.

TEACHERS

If you plan to stay out and study with a private tutor, the quality and teaching of skills of tutor is not guaranteed to be effective unlike when you study in a school where teachers are trained and goes through a formal hiring process.

CLASSROOM

If you rent in an apartment, the tendency is for you study in your own bedroom or own living room. As a teacher, I do not think is the best place to learn. Bed, TV and food can really be an irresistible distraction. You might feel easily sleepy and you might slack off easily.

BOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES

Obviously, your books and other learning materials are limited. Although your learning won’t be entirely be affected.  But it does have an impact.

CLASSMATES AND PEERS

Having somebody that you share the goal with is good for you in order to sustain. Living and studying alone can make you feel bored and there is a higher tendency for you to lose your focus and be distracted.

 My Final Advice:

The decision is always yours. Choose what you think is best for you and which way you think is suitable for you in learning English. What matters is your own determination! Study Smartly.

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Things to Bring in Cebu

What to Bring in Cebu?

Cebu is a tropical island in the South. It is located at the center of the Visayas Region. It is commonly called the Queen City of the South. As for me, this has been my lovely home. I was born and raised in Cebu City so I saw how Cebu grew over the years. I still remember when there were only about 3 pizza stores in Cebu around 25 years ago. There were no international fast-foods and the tallest building is only until 10th floor and there is only one building with that height. That was back then. If I compare Cebu City now, I say it’s like Cinderella when she was still a maid turned into a princess. 🙂 That much!

So if you want to study here in my beautiful home city, I do suggest to bring the following items with you.

1. Sunblock – Our sun shines brightly almost every day. Also, bring anything with SPF protection from lotion to lip balms.
2. Umbrella – For sun and rain protection.
3. Cotton shirts – This will keep your self cool.
4. Short Pants – We often wear it due to hot weather although long denims are a classic favorite.
5. Anti-mosquito repellant – Yes, we have mosquitoes due to our weather so I personally advice to bring enough amount of lotion.
6. Over the counter medicine – We do have our own medicine here, most of which are internationally made but it is ideal to bring your own. Medicine for colds, fever, cough and allergy is a must.
7. Slippers – It is normal to wear open foot wear due to the weather although formal occasion calls for closed shoes.
8. Handy Sling Bag – This is useful for bringing cash anywhere you go. This is much safer than bringing your wallet. Coin purse is also advised.
9. Shades/Eyewear- Be fashionable with our weather. Bring our favorite eyewear and enjoy the sun.
10. Face towel/Handkerchief – You will probably sweat than your used to so it’s better to carry this to wipe off your sweat.

 So why don’t you start packing now?

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Sinulog-Night Party Snapshots

To explain more on what is Sinulog night party, I decided to just post pictures. Pictures speaks a thousand words anyway.

The people on the pictures are my friends and brother’s friends. And some are friends whom I do not know. 😛

If  its Sinulog, everybody is a friend. 🙂

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

What is SINULOG?

There has been many write ups about what Sinulog is but I will explain it simply so you can understand.

Sinulog is:

• festival – a festival for Jesus our God started 1981
• prayer – its praying in the form of dancing
• street dancing – with colorful costumes
• cultural dance – there are two categories of dancing:
• ===a. Sinulog based – based on Sinulog traditional steps and music. The step is two steps backward and one step forward.
•  ===b. Modern Interpretation – dancers can combine modern beat usually done with drums and trumpets and lyres.
• competition for glory – this is competition of who dances better from different places , even from other islands

Other meaning:

• face painting – be dirty and paint your body
• beer drinking – people drink too much on this day
• dance party – there is loud music everywhere especially after the formal parade
• reuniting friends and family – for the younger people this is time for friends, for the senior its time for family to gather
• fireworks – there is a fireworks competition on this day
• actors and actresses – famous actors and actresses visit Cebu on this day to have shows and join the parade

Holiday:

•  Sinulog falls every 3rd Sunday of January. The next day after that, most business and schools have holidays. (Because maybe people drink all night and go home past midnight so it is usually impossible for them to work.) But it depends on the owners, nowadays, some big business don’t go on holidays

It’s FUN FUN FUN!

I am inviting everyone next year! Save the date 3rd Sunday of  January. Book early because all hotels are fully booked this Sinulog season.

Thanks for reading,

Miss D

Skype Call Test

What is a Skype Call Test?

A Skype call test is simply a test call to check:

• Audio – if you can hear the other person on other line or if you can hear your own voice.
• Video – if your video is working properly so the other person can also see you
• Settings – if your other settings such as volume and net connection allows you to have good call

How to do it?

• All you have to do is click the Skype Test Call Service and follow what the voice prompt says.  What they ask you to do is to say something while they record your own voice. If you can hear you own voice, then it means its functioning well and you are ready to start.

Sample Skype Test Screen

(Note: There are not hearts in the real Skype window. I just stick the heart to cover my friends ID.)

Before you start your online class, it is better for you and your teacher to have a Skype Call test first every time you start your class. Sometimes technical problems can happen at a split second. That’s normal. If this case happens, what you can do it just to agree on having a make up class.

Now you are ready to start!

 

 

Thanks for reading,

Miss D