Perfect Symmetry

Bente Singko

September Madness

The First of September means the end of something and the beginning of another.

The first of two steps towards the end of a journey happens on the Fourth.

The Sixth brings me to my 25th.

The Fifteenth is 100 before 12.25.

09.09.09 09:09:09.

The second of those two steps occurs on the Twenty-first.

The Twenty-second is 100 before 2010.

I should have at least 8 by the Twenty-fifth.

Thirtieth.

9.

Social Networking Everywhere

Blogger <--> Multiply <--> Facebook <--> Twitter cross-posting!? Why not?

Because...

...I don't want to break my streak of posting at least one article per month, so here it is.

Am I too busy that I couldn't take a break and write something here? Or was there just nothing for me to write about all month long? Maybe the latter... Nadal lost at Roland Garros and opted not to play at SW19, my project cutover was postponed to July thus prevented me from watching the Turkish Grand Prix live, and yeah, I was glad that Lakers won their 15th NBA championship trophy but I chose to post updates through my facebook and twitter accounts. Even the photos of my "summer escapades" with my relatives, elementary and college friends - they are all uploaded either in friendster or facebook.

But I miss multiply... So here it is. June 2009, you can officially end now. Hehe.

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PS: I just might as well promote my twitter account, follow me at https://twitter.com/onindje.

PPS: RIP to the 216 passengers and 12 crew members of Air France Flight 447, 76 people in Harmony Gold's Mine in South Africa, 52 people in combat in the Amazon Rainforest, Neda and other Iranians, David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson - who all died this month.

PPPS: Happy birthday to all June celebrants and congratulations to all June brides and grooms.

Salamat sa iyo, Nanay

Happy Mothers' Day!

Another Year Hence*

*In reference to A Year Hence

My second year at (or with) HP is way way better than my first one. Why?

1. I was pulled out of QR and got engaged in an RTCIS project. No offense to QR haha.
2. From being on Asia shift previously, I am now on EMEA (Europe/Mideast/Africa) - which means I can now sleep late and wake up late - and get paid extra for that. Bwahahahaha.
3. I got to travel outside of the Philippines - I have been to Istanbul/Gebze (and Singapore/Dubai on the side) - TWICE! One more coming up. Bwehehehehe.
4. I was part of the SAP-ADSI INGXAKI ESCAPE Committee which organized the September 2008 team building offsite at Chateau Royale in Tagaytay/Nasugbu - as co-head of Logistics.
5. I co-managed the June 2008 - Caliraya Summer Escapade for the PD team. Thanks to the whole PD Events!

...and many more.

Maybe these are the reasons why I still enjoy being with the same group of people I have been with for the past couple of years - despite the recent economic crisis and ludicrous contingency measures our senior management is currently implementing.

Now I realize, I am still contented after all. Good for me.

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I am looking forward to a better and definitely more AWESOME third year in (or with) HP. I will surely love to CZECH that out!

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HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY
HP ALL-STARS!

Father-er

Hmmm... Now I know why/how he injured his back even though he did not play any competitive match since losing (and crying) last February 1.

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Roger Federer says girlfriend is pregnant

BASEL, Switzerland (AP)—Roger Federer is going to be a father.

The second-ranked Swiss tennis player says on his Web site that girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

Federer says: “This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.”

The 13-time Grand Slam champion is in Indian Wells, Calif., for the Masters tournament, which starts Thursday. He also says his injured back is “feeling better.”

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Off-Court - Great News

Dear Fans

I arrived in Indian Wells earlier this week and I am eager to get back out on court. My back is

feeling much better and I am ready to go.

I also have some really awesome news to share with all of you: Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer! Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.

Speak soon and thanks for all your continued support!

Roger

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Retirement, anyone?

Maybe, if he wants to be a full-time dad...

Well, anyway, congrats Rodge!

Innocence Nowhere

Baby-faced boy Alfie Patten is father at 13
By LUCY HAGAN Published: 13 Feb 2009

BOY dad Alfie Patten yesterday admitted he does not know how much nappies cost — but said: “I think it’s a lot.”

Baby-faced Alfie, who is 13 but looks more like eight, became a father four days ago when his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman gave birth to 7lb 3oz Maisie Roxanne.

He told how he and Chantelle, 15, decided against an abortion after discovering she was pregnant.

The shy lad, whose voice has not yet broken, said: “I thought it would be good to have a baby.

“I didn’t think about how we would afford it. I don’t really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10.”

Little family ... Alfie, Chantelle and baby Maisie
Lee Thompson

Alfie, who is just 4ft tall, added: “When my mum found out, I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried how people would react.

“I didn’t know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it.”

Alfie's story, broken exclusively by The Sun today has sparked a huge political storm with Tory leader David Cameron saying: "When I saw these pictures this morning, I just thought how worrying that in Britain today children are having children.

"I hope that somehow these children grow up into responsible parents but the truth is parenthood is just not something they should be thinking about right now."

Secret

PM Gordon Brown refused to comment directly on the story but said it was important that the Government did all it could to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Alfie’s dad Dennis yesterday told how the lad does not really understand the enormity of his situation — but seemed desperate to be a devoted and responsible father.

He wanted to be the first to hold Maisie after the hospital birth. He tenderly kisses the baby and gives her a bottle.

And Dennis, 45, said: “He could have shrugged his shoulders and sat at home on his Playstation. But he has been at the hospital every day.”

Maisie was conceived after Chantelle and Alfie — just 12 at the time — had a single night of unprotected sex.

They found out about the baby when Chantelle was 12 weeks pregnant.

But they kept it a secret until six weeks later when Chantelle’s mum Penny, 38, became suspicious about her weight gain and confronted her.

Devoted ... Alfie holds and cuddles Maisie
Lee Thompson

After that Alfie’s family told only those closest to them for fear he would be “demonised” at school.

Chantelle gave birth to Maisie on Monday night after a five-hour labour at Eastbourne Hospital, East Sussex.

Last night she told The Sun: “I’m tired after the birth. I was nervous after going into labour but otherwise I was quite excited."

Chantelle told how she discovered she was expecting after going to her GP with “really bad” stomach pains. She said: “Me and Alfie went. The doctor asked me whether we had sex. I said yes and he said I should do a pregnancy test. He did the test and said I was pregnant. I started crying and didn’t know what to do.

“He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared.

“We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you.”

But Penny figured out what was going on after buying Chantelle a T-shirt which revealed her swelling tum.

Chantelle admitted she and Alfie — who are both being supported by their parents — would be accused of being grossly irresponsible. She said: “We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good loving parents.

“I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

“I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad.”

“He said I should tell my mum but I was too scared.

“We didn’t think we would need help from our parents. You don’t really think about that when you find out you are pregnant. You just think your parents will kill you.”

But Penny figured out what was going on after buying Chantelle a T-shirt which revealed her swelling tum.

Chantelle admitted she and Alfie — who are both being supported by their parents — would be accused of being grossly irresponsible. She said: “We know we made a mistake but I wouldn’t change it now. We will be good loving parents.

“I have started a church course and I am going to do work experience helping other young mums.

“I’ll be a great mum and Alfie will be a great dad.”

Caring ... Alfie bottle feeds his little daughter
Lee Thompson

Chantelle and Maisie were released from hospital yesterday. They are living with Penny, Chantelle’s jobless dad Steve, 43, and her five brothers in a rented council house in Eastbourne. The family live on benefits. Alfie, who lives on an estate across town with mum Nicola, 43, spends most of his time at the Steadmans’ house.

He is allowed to stay overnight and even has a school uniform there so he can go straight to his classes in the morning.

Alfie’s dad, who is separated from Nicola, believes the lad is scared deep down.

He said: “Everyone is telling him things and it’s going round in his head. It hasn’t really dawned on him. He hasn’t got a clue of what the baby means and can’t explain how he feels. All he knows is mum and dad will help.

“When you mention money his eyes look away. And she is reliant on her mum and dad. It’s crazy. They have no idea what lies ahead.”

Dennis, who works for a vehicle recovery firm, described Alfie as “a typical 13-year-old boy”.

He said: “He loves computer games, boxing and Manchester United.” Dennis, who has fathered nine kids, told how he was “gobsmacked” when he discovered Alfie was to be a dad, too.

He said: “When I spoke to him he started crying. He said it was the first time he’d had sex, that he didn’t know what he was doing and of the complications that could come.

“I will talk to him again and it will be the birds and the bees talk. Some may say it’s too late but he needs to understand so there is not another baby.”

Lovely

Chantelle’s mum said: “I told her it was lovely to have the baby but I wish it was in different circumstances. We have five children already so it’s a big financial responsibility. But we are a family and will pull together and get through.

“She’s my daughter. I love her and she will want for nothing.”

Last night Michaela Aston, of the anti-abortion Christian charity LIFE, said: “We commend these teenagers for their courage in bringing their child into the world.

“At the same time this is symptomatic of the over-sexualisation of our youngsters and shows the policy of value-free sex education just isn’t working.”

Today Sussex Police and the local council's children services said they have investigated the case and pledged continued support for the young parents.

Britain’s youngest known father is Sean Stewart. He became a dad at 12 when the girl next door, 15-year-old Emma Webster, gave birth in Sharnbrook, Bedford, in 1998. They split six months later.

Best Job in the World

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From CNN:
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Life's a beach with dream Australian island job

By Glen Scanlon

(CNN) -- It sounds far too good to be true: a salary of more than $100,000, a free home on a palm-fringed island and all the snorkeling you can be bothered with.

The successful applicant will have plenty of time to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

However, it is true and a very clever marketing ploy to boot.

Australia's Tourism Queensland has garnered worldwide media coverage by advertising the "best job in the world" -- the post of caretaker on Hamilton island in the Great Barrier Reef.

The six-month contract, according to Tourism Queensland, comes with flexible working hours and the successful applicant's "key responsibilities" include exploring the area to discover what is on offer and to report back weekly via blogs, photo diaries, video updates and media interviews.

Sounds taxing doesn't it?

The group said other responsibilities would include cleaning the pool, which comes with your free home, feeding the fish and collecting the mail (this would be done by joining the aerial postal service for a day or two to get a good view of the neighboring islands).

You might also take time out from your busy schedule to check out the turtles and passing whales.

On top of the six-figure salary you'll get return airfares from your nearest capital city, transport on the island, travel insurance, computer and camera gear and travel to other islands in the Great Barrier Reef.

No academic qualifications are required but you must be a good swimmer and enjoy snorkeling, be adventurous and have good communication skills.

Where do I sign up I hear you ask?

Tourism Queensland is asking for a 60-second video explanation of why you'd be great for the job and that you fill out their online application form at www.islandreefjob.com

Applications close on February 22, by which time you may be able to get on the Web site -- unsurprisingly it is proving very hard to load at the moment (not that I'm trying... that often).

To apply for this job go to http://www.islandreefjob.com/en/.