A Coach from the Heart of MT !!!

I wonder what's in this box !

My great boss, Greg Reichow came to my cubicle yesterday and handed me a nice silver box with ribbon.  He said it came from MT.  Boss Greg recently came from our headquarter in San Jose, California, U.S.A. for the Operations Review with our CEO, Tom Werner last week and it was so kind of him to hand-carry the package from MT. MT is Maria Queri, the Executive Assistant of our COO, Marty Neese from SunPower Corporation U.S.A. Her name sounds like "Mariah Carey", the  popular American pop/R&B singer-songwriter, record producer and actress.  So, whenever I see the name of MT on e-mails, it reminds me of the famous singer "Mariah Carey." 

Wow ! A cute Coach scarf print wristlet !!!

What's inside the silver box ?  It is a cute Coach scarf print wristlet ! Wow, what an expensive item.  This costs around USD 50 - 60  (Php 2,200-2600).  I love Coach but it is too expensive for me and I would rather spend for the basic needs. I can only afford the imitation one which can be found in the bags/wallet section in Greenhills, Metro Manila.

Thank you MT for this beautiful wristlet !

MT is a Filipina and I have not met her personally but I am looking forward to meeting her.  I hope I will have the opportunity in the future !

To Maria Queri ("MT") :  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity !  May God take care of you always and shower you with wonderful blessings !

Wristlets are extremely beautiful and functional !

Coach purses and wristlets are all about the style and details. These pouches are extremely beautiful and dream of all wristlet loving girls and young women. Finest materials, styling and detailing make it look awesome. One of the most important characteristics of the wristlet is the top-notch quality canvas and leather Coach Company is using. As a result, these fashion accessories have become very fashionable. Coach wristlets are known for their color range, hardware and distinctive shapes. Coach Company designs pretty and stylish wristlets both for formal and casual wear.

Coach wristlet is designed to be used as a handbag or as an envelope wallet. This is because it has a detachable shoulder strap that hooks on the sides. So, not only is it beautiful but functional as well. Coach wristlets are not large, but they have enough space for a lot of things, like lipstick, mascara, I.D., drivers' license, iPod etc.

Great original designs from Coach Company

Coach is a leading American designer and maker of luxury lifestyle handbags and accessories.

Coach’s slogan, “The best quality offered under the best possible price,” represents two of the three key elements of Coach Brand identity.



Experiencing "Walimah", a Muslim Wedding Feast (Melaka, Malaysia) ~ December 18, 2010

With Suhaila Mohd Zaki (1st from right) and her mother-in-law and daughter, Sabrina Adlyn.   This is the stage where the couple seated.

Earlier, I blogged about my Baju Kurung, a traditional Malay costume which was given to me by my  Malaysian friend, Suhaila Mohd Zaki last December 17, 2010.   The dress is actually intended for me to wear at a wedding feast.  Suhaila or "Sue" for short  invited me to her brother-in-law's Wedding Feast or what Muslim called "Walimah". I thought I was going to attend a wedding ceremony "Nikaah" but the ceremony was already held a day before the "Walimah". 

Walimah is a food reception which follows the consummation of the marriage, to make it public. It is offered by the parents of the married couple, by their friends, or by the newly married couple themselves. Friends, relatives, and neighbors are usually invited.

Islam is eager that Muslims share their happy occasions with the community. In the case of a marriage, giving a walimah or wedding feast is one of the means to ensure the community's participation in this happiness and joy. It also serves another purpose, that of publicizing the marriage, which is an essential element of marriage in order to distinguish between what is legitimate and what is illegitimate in relations between a man and a woman in Islam. When the wedding takes place, whether it is a small family affair or a grand one, a walimah is recommended to add to its publicity.

This is my Baju Kurung courtesy of my good friend, Suhaila Mohd Zaki

Me and Sue at her parents-in-law's house

I thought that the event was going to be in this house since when I arrived, I saw a cow already slaughtered and hanging outside ready to be cooked.  According to my friend, the Wedding Feast is going to be at the bride's house that day and then another wedding feast will be held the following day at the groom's house. That is the reason why her parents-in-laws were also busy preparing for the feast.

Me and Sue's daughter, Sabrina Adlyn

Here I am wrapping a boiled egg with a net

Sue's family and relatives were making the souvenirs so I decided to help them since I love arts and crafts.  It is a flower stick with a net to place the boiled egg.  The egg symbolizes fertility and is a wish for the couple so they will bear many offsprings.  The flower stick with an egg will be given to the guests as gifts during the wedding feast or celebration. We have to make a number of  flower sticks which will be placed in a base with holes that fits the stick.  When you complete putting all the flower sticks on the base it becomes a beautiful flower arrangement.

This is my finished product.  Did I do it well ?

The flower looks nice with some other accessories to it.

The groom and his entourage

We are now going to the bride's house and we had to do a procession.  There were men playing drums behind us as we walk towards the house.

This is Sue's brother-in-law, the groom with his assistant (like a groom's man in Christian Wedding)

The groom and the bride

Before the groom can join the bride and seat on the throne, any member of the family of the bride will intercept the groom from entering the house to delay the joining of the would-be spouses; only after the groom was able to pay a satisfactory “entrance fee” could he finally meet her bride.

The Throne

This is my friend Suhaila Mohd Zaki congratulating her brother-in-law

This is me congratulating the couple.  I am not sure if my gesture was right but Sue told me to just imitate what she did. 

Me, Sue and the other guests seating on the carpet after congratulating the couple.

Me and Sue and her daughter, Sabrina Adlyn

I am holding a flower stick with boiled egg, a gift (souvenir) from the couple. After congratulating the couple, the lady beside the bride gave me the flower stick. The lady is like the "bride's maid" in Christian wedding.

A photo shot with the couple.  They look gorgeous in their wedding attire.

Suhaila Mohd Zaki with her daughter, Sabrina Adlyn

With Sue's sister-in-law.  We are about to eat and most of the food are hot and spicy !!!

We are leaving the Wedding Feast.  With me is Sue and her husband

A Toy Hunter's Get Well Wishes

A Get Well Message From Mr. Toy Hunter

His favorite ~ Batman and Friends but loves BATMAN the most.

My Malaysian friend who loves hunting and collecting toys sent me a get well message yesterday. That is a nice gesture and I appreciate it.

Thank you for your "Get Well Wishes" Mr. Toy Hunter !!!

From: Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 8:39 AM
To: Elvira Mesiona
Subject: Take care and Get Well Soon!

Elvie!

Take Care and Get Well SooN!.. heard about your accident, hope you are doing well/fine now :)

Regards
Abdul Hadi Abdul Jalil

A Get Well Plant and Get Well Wishes !

My Get Well Wish Card from Jerry Collins and Family

A Flowering Plant from Jerry Collins and Family

Our EHS Director, Mr. Jerry Collins sent me a beautiful flowering plant with a Get Well Wish Card. Since my stepmom loves plants and gardening, I seem to recognize what kind of plant was given to me.  It is a "Bromeliad" specifically "Pink Aechmea Bromeliad and I love it.  My stepmom will definitely love it as well ! This will be an addition to her garden collection.

Do you know that the pineapple belongs to the bromeliad family ?

Bromeliads are members of a plant family known as Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye). The family contains over 3000 described species in approximately 56 genera. The most well known bromeliad is the pineapple. The family contains a wide range of plants including some very un-pineapple like members such as Spanish Moss (which is neither Spanish nor a moss). Other members resemble aloes or yuccas while still others look like green, leafy grasses.

In general they are inexpensive, easy to grow, require very little care, and reward the grower with brilliant, long lasting blooms and ornamental foliage. They come in a wide range of sizes from tiny miniatures to giants. They can be grown indoors in cooler climates and can also be used outdoors where temperatures stay above freezing.

Pink Aechmea Bromeliad

Aechmea is a type of bromeliads. Its name comes from the Greek word aichme, which means "spearhead" or "point". In their native habitat, Aechmea are mostly epiphytes, plants that grows on top of or is supported by another plant but does not depend on it for nutrition.

The leaves of the Aechmea Bromeliad have leathery variegated leaves. The leaves have spines around the edge. The leaves overlap each other and originate from the base of the plant forming a long tube and can grow up to twelve inches long. From the center of the tube the flower will emerge and bloom.

The Aechmea Bromeliad plant has the nickname of urn or living vase came about because it appears to have a vase that holds water for the flower. The flowers can be scarlet red and blue and also red, yellow, and black. There are Aechmea Bromeliad plants that have pink flower heads with blue blooms.

The rosettes of the Aechmea, like most bromeliads, will die after they have flowered, allowing young plants to develop at the base of the dying parent. These plantlets can be broken off for propagation. Aechmea fulgens and Aechmea miniata have fairly thin foliage while Aechmea fasciata has stiff, hard leaves.

To all those who sent me their "Get Well Soon" wishes, thank you for your love and concern.  I really appreciate it ! 

Aside from Jerry Collins who gave me a beautiful plant with a get well card,   a lot of people from SunPower sent me their get well soon wishes by text messages and e-mails after the laser tag accident.  Here are some of  the messages from some of our top Executives sent through e-mail :

From: Marty Neese (COO, SunPower Corporation USA)

Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 1:14 PM
To: Elvira Mesiona
Subject: Re: Laser Tag - Jan. 13

Hi Elvie,

Thank you for all your support during the Operations Staff Meeting. I'm really sorry that you got injured during the Laser Tag and hope you are doing better.

Best wishes from the Ops Team and we hope you have a speedy recovery.

Marty

From: Robert Vinje (Expansion Director)
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 11:33 AM
To: Elvira Mesiona
Subject: How are you doing?

Elvie,

Are you back to work already? I hope you are doing well ! You shocked me when I came around the corner and saw you there at the Laser tag area. Let me know if I can do anything for you to help out.

Rob

From: Yoram Zemel (Director ~ Business Systems, SunPower Corp. USA)
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 4:58 PM
To: Elvira Mesiona
Subject: Re: Laser Tag - Jan. 13

Hi Elvie

I hope you are feeling better. My prayers are with you for quick and complete healing.

Take care
Yoram

From: Vidul Prakash  (Vice President and Controller, Global Accounting Services, Sunpower Corporation USA)
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 2:53 PM
To: Elvira Mesiona

Subject: Hope you are feeling better

Elvie,

Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope you are recovering well.

Vidul

From: Aloy Yamzon (Purchasing and Logistics Director, SunPower Philippines)
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 7:09 AM
To: Elvira Mesiona
Subject: RE: Laser Tag - Jan. 13

Elvie,

I’m so sorry to learn what happened to you yesterday. I hope the wound heals fast and that you didn’t get traumatized so much by the accident.

Thank you for organizing the activity yesterday.

aloy



I Am Lucky to Have a Great Boss ! (Laser Tag Incident)

The Lazer Xtreme ATC Arena

Lazer Xtreme, The Leader in Laser Tag Entertainment in The Philippines

Yesterday, we took our guests from SunPower U.S. comprising of top executives out for a fun team activity at the Lazer Xtreme, Alabang Town Center for laser tag games.  There were four teams :

Blue Team ~ Team Superman 
Lead by my boss, Gregory Reichow -Vice President for SPML Operations
1.  Gregory Reichow
2.  Diana Ma
3.  Raphael Gernez
4.  Vidul Prakash
5.  Tom Atchison
6.  Andrew Turner
7.  Harjinder Bajwa
8.  Rob Morris
9.  Elvie Mesiona

Green Team ~ Team Captain America
Lead by Marty Neese, our COO from SunPower U.S.A.
1.  Marty Neese
2.  Paul Charrette
3.  Gerald Collins
4.  Marifel Magsino
5.  Jong Jimenez
6.  Ashok Tiwari
7.  Aloy Yamzon
8.  Fe Imperial

Yellow Team ~ Team Pacman
Lead by Sir Boy Alfelor, SPML (SunPower Phils) Cell Fab 2 Site Director
1.  Boy Alfelor
2.  Yoram Zemel
3.  Joe Mcgrath
4.  Ashish Goyal
5.  Nicholas Hyner
6.  Henry Castaneda
7.  Surinder Bedi

Red Team ~ Team Azkal
Lead by Sir Rey Mella, SPML (SunPower Phils) Cell Fab 1 Site Director
1.  Rey Mella
2.  Neil Bergstrom
3.  Ralph Robinett
4.  Robert Vinje
5.  Chris White
6.  Winston Guinto
7.  Andrzej Teplicki

Most of the participants were foreigners and it was their first time to play this game and everyone was so excited about this activity. My boss, Greg asked me to arrange for two (2) games.

My code name appearing on my laser gun screen  was "Falcon".  We enjoyed the first game and the leading team was the BLUE TEAM, Greg's team.  I also belong to my boss' team. We got around 59,000+ points. 

The second game was an unforgettable experience for me as I had an accident and injured myself playing the game.  There were ramps (inclined portions) inside the dark arena.  While trying to hide from my opponents,  I lost my balance and fell down with my head hitting the floor. It was a painful fall but I just stood up and I did not mind it at all until I placed my hand on the left side of my forehead and noticed lots of blood coming out.  The first thing that came across my mind was to look for the Lazer Xtreme staff who were also inside the arena checking on the players to ask for help.  I did not find one at that time and the first one I saw was Robert Vinje, our Expansion Director from the Red Team "Team Azkal".  I approached him and told him I hit my head and I was hurt. 

Rob took me out of the arena to check on me and he found out that I have a deep wound on the left side of my head above my eyebrows and I may have to go into surgery. I also have bruises on my face as if somebody hit me on my face. The blood did not stop from coming out  and I used my hankerchief to cover it.  Rob had to press it hard so the blood will stop. The staff of Lazer Xtreme gave us some first aid medicines but Rob said it will not do any good as it will not stop the bleeding.  He asked the staff to page my boss, Greg Reichow inside the arena.  After awhile, Greg came out and was worried about my condition and that I need to be taken to Asian Hospital.  He went back to the arena to page Sir Henry Castaneda, our Security Director to call a driver and send me to the hospital soonest. 

The Asian Hospital and Medical Center

I went out of the Lazer Xtreme, ATC accompanied by Sir Henry and my boss, Greg Reichow.  We could not find the driver yet that Sir Henry called but saw the driver of Vidul Prakash.  My boss decided to use Vidul's car instead of waiting for the other driver to arrive and he called Vidul to inform him.  I was not expecting that my boss is going with us to Asian Hospital.  I thought Sir Henry was the only one coming but he rode the car with us. We went to the EMERGENCY section of the hospital.  My boss accomplished the forms for me as if he was my assistant and let me signed the form.  I was taken to the Emergency Room and my boss and Sir Henry stayed with me.  The doctor on duty asked me what happened and I told him about the incident.  The doctor checked on me and said that I need a surgery to close the deep wound and he asked my boss, if a regular surgeon will do or he prefers a Cosmetic Surgeon.  My boss requested for a cosmetic surgeon so that it will not leave a scar on my face later on.  It was so nice of him to request for a cosmetic surgeon and to think about what is best for me.  We had to wait for an hour though  for the cosmetic surgeon  to arrive. The nurse gave me an anti-tetanus vaccinations.  I had two vaccinations one on the right arm and the other one on the left. Afterwards, I underwent a skull X-Ray and I was taken back to the Emergency Room to wait for the surgeon to arrive.  The pain on my head is getting worst and I told my boss, if I can have a pain reliever.  The nurse gave me something that melts underneath my tongue.  After a few minutes,  I felt so sleepy and weak maybe because of the effect of the medicine he gave me.

An hour later the Cosmetic Surgeon arrived.  His name was Dr. Jaime Anthony Arzadon, M.D., a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Board Certified ENT - Head & Neck Surgeon. He seem to know my boss since he has a land in Pila, Laguna that I think my boss and our JV, First Holding checked before as possible location for our Joint Venture.  I was transferred to the operating table and the Surgeon asked me what is my boss' position at SunPower. I told him he is the Vice President for Operations, the big boss at SunPower Phils. Mfg. Ltd.   Dr. Arzadon started to clean my wound and it was painful and later on he started to inject the anesthesia and pressed my wound and again felt so much pain.  He injected several times as I can still feel the pain.  While working on me, the surgeon said in Tagalog : Elvie,  ang suwerte mo mahal na mahal ka talaga ng boss mo at inaalagaan ka.  Ipinatawag pa ko para gawin ang surgery mo para maganda ang kalabasan.  Hindi lahat ng boss ganyan" (Translation : "Elvie, you are lucky to have a good boss who loves you and takes care of you.  He even requested to call for me to do your surgery so the result will be good. Not all bosses are like that"). After my surgery, the surgeon called my boss to look at me and asked him if  he was happy with his work and my boss was happy about it.   I was really touched by my boss' concern over me.  He did not even attend the dinner with our guests at Manong's Bar and Grill after the laser tag game but stayed in the hospital with our Security Director, Sir Henry until my surgery was done.  He also paid for my hospital bills and bought my medicines.  My colleague, Fe Imperial came to the hospital after the dinner at Manong's and she showed Greg a video shot of the happenings at Manong's taken from her cellphone.  Greg was happy to see the guests enjoying themselves...singing and dancing.  There was a videoke set-up at Manong's for our guests. My boss missed this because of the incident.

I am at home now and recovering from my injury.  My face is still swollen due to my wound and I have some bruises on my face and  other parts of my body.  Thanks to Rob, Sir Henry and most especially to my boss who attended to me in the hospital and all the guests who wished for my early recovery.

Yes, I definitely agree with what the Cosmetic Surgeon told me,  it is very rare to find a good boss who has a great heart, one who not only think about himself but also think of other people around him.  I am very fortunate to have found a GREAT BOSS with a BEAUTIFUL HEART !!!

My boss, Gregory Reichow ~ Vice President for SPML Operations

To my dear boss, my heartfelt gratitude for taking care of me in the hospital. I am really lucky to have a GREAT BOSS like you !!!



Petronas Twin Tower (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) ~ December 16, 2010

Petronas Twin Tower, Malaysia (Menara Kembar Petronas, Malaysia)

The Petronas Twin Towers (also known as the Petronas Towers or KLCC) are skyscrapers and twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Once the tallest buildings in the world, the 88-storey PETRONAS Twin Towers are now celebrated as the world’s tallest twin structures. Inspired by Islamic architecture, this gleaming mega-structure – standing 452 metres tall – retained its claim to fame until 2004 when Taipei's 101 was built measuring 508 metres – and with 101 floors.

Tower One is fully occupied by the Malaysian State oil company, Petronas and a number of its subsidiaries and associate companies, while the office spaces in Tower Two are mostly available for lease to other companies.

Declared the tallest buildings in the world when they were completed in 1998 – surpassing the 442-metre-tall Willis Tower in Chicago, U.S.A – these twin wonders, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, contain a complex of office buildings, conference halls, a sprawling 50-acre park and an upmarket shopping complex. Designed by Cesar Pelli & Associates, the buildings primarily house the corporate headquarters of the PETRONAS Company and are joined at the 41st and 42nd floors (175 metres above street level) by a 58-metre long double-decker Sky Bridge.

In front of the Petronas Twin Tower

The towers were designed to symbolise strength and grace using geometric principles typified in Islamic architecture

Skybridge Ticket Counter

The Skybridge Ticket counter is located at the Concourse Floor (underground) of the PETRONAS Twin Towers. The floor can be accessed from both Towers.

The Skybridge of the PETRONAS Twin Towers opens from Tuesday to Sunday.

The Skybridge Ticket Counter opens at 8.30am on every operational days.

The visiting hours is from 9.00am to 5.00pm

There are 1300 tickets to be issued on first come first serve basis. The ticket is free of charge. Normally the tickets would be finished around 11.00am. The tickets will be issued on the visit day itself. To avoid any disappointment, I would suggest you to come to the ticket counter as early as 7:00 AM although the ticket counter opens at 8:30 AM.  Why ?  because there are already a number of people lining up at the counter as early as 7:00 AM.

Skybridge Waiting Lounge

After getting your Skybridge Ticket, you will be asked to stay in the lounge to wait for your turn.  Inside the lounge is a video on the contruction of the Petronas Twin Tower and some other relevant information about it.

Me and Fe waiting at the Skybridge Lounge

Petronas Twin Tower Information Boards at the waiting lounge

When it is already your turn for the Skybridge visit, a staff will issue you an I.D. and lead you to a small theater for a video presentation on Petronas

INSIDE THE SKYBRIDGE

An inside view of the bridge

The Sky Bridge tour is an amazing attraction as the view from this awe-inspiring bridge is spectacular. Entrance is free but visitors do need a pass – of which a limited number are issued each day and a useful tip would be to get there as early as 07:00 as queues tend to be long. Apart from allowing tenants of the towers to move from one building to the other without having to go to ground level, the Sky Bridge also functions as an emergency exit route.

A view from the top

OTHER ATTRACTIONS AT THE PETRONAS TWIN TOWER

Suria KLCC Shopping Mall

At the feet of the Petronas Towers is the trendy shopping mall "Suria KLCC". The shopping mall has very expensive shops like: Armani, Chopard, Hermes, Gucci.

KLCC Park

Stretching out to the side of the PETRONAS architectural masterpiece is the spacious and beautifully landscaped KLCC Park which features a jogging track, walking paths, a water fountain and a wading pool for children.