In-house electrician

While ate was mowing the lawn yesterday, a fuse blew taking out the power sockets in the garage, When ate checked the fuse, she couldn't find anything wrong with it so she just plugged it in the lounge and continued to mow the lawn. Later that night, I found out that it also took out the power in my bedroom, a wall in Ate's bedroom and a wall in the lounge. By the time I found out, it was already dark and I was too tired to do anything about it. So I plugged an extension wire from the dining room to my bedroom so I'd have power for my heater, lamp and laptop.

That night Daddy called to give instructions to how to fix the fuse. I thought it wasn't necessary because the builder showed us how it was done before we moved in. Also, what's the use of going to USP every Saturday for two years but to learn electricity and electronics. right?

So this afternoon, I went to work fixing the fuse. It was a really old fuse box. It didn't have the fuse like we have in the Phils that looks like batteries. These are even better because they're just wires wrapped around 2 terminals. All I had to do was isolate the fuse that was busted and replace the wire. In the process, I also identified where each socket is connected so that it would be easier to change the fuse next time. There was only one fuse that I failed to identify. Either its a spare fuse or the water heater or the plug in the shower. I wasn't able to test that one coz the power was too low and I didn't have a tester.

Next on my list the the dishwashing machine. The top drawer is leaking...hmm...

Baking dilemma

There was a scone making competition at work last week. Everyone was encouraged to bake scones. There was even a recipe book that we can all use.

Never thought baking would be difficult. How hard is it to measure the ingredients and mix them together. Let me tell you...never half a recipe when its the first time you've ever used it. The recipe says that the mixture can serve 12. The office competition only needed 6 scones. So I decided to bake only half a recipe. Ha! It was a complete failure. I put too many water and the butter didn't even mix well with the flour. Nevertheless, I baked it thinking that it might still go well. It didn't. It tasted like flour. yuck!

Oh well, I've never liked scones anyway.

But I need to prove to myself that I'm not a complete failure in baking. So I've decided I need to bake a good batch of chocolate chip cookies over the weekend. Will let you know how it goes. In the meantime, I need to go to Wendy's to buy my dinner.

Out of hibernation and shopping

I just recently came out of internet hibernation, if there is such a thing. For the past month, I had no desire to go online except to check for "urgent" emails and use google to text loved ones back home. Instead of going online, I've been occupied with reading books, chores, sleeping and shopping. Yes, I have been shopping!

At first, I was shopping to buy things for the balik bayan box which we'll be sending in time for Christmas. However, last weekend, when I was doing an inventory of my shopping list, I realized that I've been buying clothes for myself. yey! este..oh no!! I've been using the winter sale as an excuse to spruce up my wardrobe. They're good buys I tell you. I've never bought anything at full price. Nothing less than 50% discount. I'm so happy with the things I bought...especially the addidas climatech shirts at buy 1 take one (which Ate Don brought to Europe! I haven't even worn those yet) or the wool coat that was $120 last week but is now at $99 (full price was $220) or James August track pants (i just love the bags they put the clothes in). But this has got to STOP! *sigh*

I wonder how I'll do when with labor weekend and spring sale in October?? One last hurrah this weekend (perfume sale!) then I'll stop.

As for coming out of hibernation...I just hope for the best. The sun sets a little later each day. The temperature is getting warmer. The winter blues will soon be but a memory.

Sports Day

Work suddenly became a fun place today. To end the health and safety week awareness campaign, everyone was required to come in their favorite sports attire. I was concerned since most sports uniform were not really fit for the cold. Thank goodness for air con.

I was surprised at how everyone participated. One dressed as an equestrian, another wore a Vodafone Warriors (rubgy) uniform (google it), anothe came in roller blades, and our division came dressed as a soccer team.