Those Weeks I was Away: Ruby on Rails, IECEP and a Notebook
Silence is golden.
It has been several months since I’ve published posts on any of my blogs. Although some of you might have noticed my brief updates through Plurk, Facebook or Twitter, I was not able to manage having time to create longer posts for any of my blogs.
March 2010: Dad got stroke
At the start of this month, just nearing the end of the Panagbenga festival, my father was suddenly down with stroke. This unfortunate incident definitely changed the way things are done at home. But that’s just the way life is: my parents are getting old and I suddenly realized that I have to assume the responsibility of being the sole breadwinner of the family.
Me and my dad
Ironically, a blessing that came after that is that I suddenly got lots of freelance work to do: I never ran of jobs to do up to this time. It was not also difficult for me to find new clients to work with.
I have been actively paying Philhealth contributions since I’ve established my freelance career, thus making me an active member. My dad was declared as my dependent in the first place, so my mom and I managed to get a good amount of discount from Philhealth (plus their senior citizen’s discount) from the total hospital bill.
Indeed, if are one home-based freelancer or blogger based in the Philippines, it is wise to continue Philhealth contributions. Philhealth contributions only cost P1200 each year or P100 per month. You’ll never know when unexpected situations arise.
April 2010: Meetup with Baguio’s Ruby on Rails Programmers
I was glad to meet some Ruby on Rails programmers – all from Baguio. I only knew one of them, Kat, at the beginning, but when I came to the meeting place I met the others: George, Dennis and Rad.
The group first met at a cafe, but since the order came too late we decided to eat dinner and discuss at a restaurant near Burnham Park.
These guys are into Ruby on Rails (ROR) programming but I am not. However, I am still grateful to Kat for warmly inviting me to this group (though I really wish I to have a photo opportunity with her; who wants her pretty face included in the picture?).
If not for the numerous projects and backlog blogging work I have these days, I will seriously consider learning ROR as I had learned that this skills this opens up better opportunities and higher hourly rates in freelancing.
Meetup with Rails Programmers, Kat took the picture
I strongly urge home-based workers to attend as many meet-up events as they can. It’s less lonely that way.
May 201o: attended an IECEP seminar
Some of you may get the initial impression that I finished a computer degree, but I did not. I actually graduated with a degree that’s related to that: electronics and communications engineering (ECE) – where the main focus of my course is on electronic circuits, communications equipment and a little on computer hardware. After graduation I was able to pass the licensure exams, so I’m holding a PRC license as an electronics and communications engineer.
My knowledge in computer was all from those years of work experience I had, as well as having near-perfect grades in my computer subjects. Some would say I should have taken IT course because I’m better at software programming but I did not regret the decision to pursue electronics and communications engineering instead.
One weekend I attended my very first seminar as an IECEP member. One of the speakers explained why electronics and communications engineers are now simply shortened as electronics engineers. The shortened name doesn’t mean that the scope of this profession is now limited: the implementation of R. A. 9292 (Electronics Engineering Law of 2004) widened the extent of this profession, such as the inclusion of ICT (information and communications technology) in which my freelance web designing and programming jobs are still applicable. Learning this, I am happy to know that I’m still practicing my profession as an electronics engineer.
Some would argue that the high cost of maintaining IECEP membership plus the PRC license isn’t worth pursuing these days; but I believe that in due time, this will change. I hope I’ll be able to get to the Electronics engineering license would become an internationally recognized license. For now, I simply maintain that license because I believe it gives me more leads to opportunities that may arise in the future.
New IECEP Officers
Oh and I met one of my college classmates and some of my college instructors and had a brief chat with them.
June 2010: Got an Acer Aspire 4740G Notebook
Because of my dad’s stroke, the way we do things as a family became different. One of the things I had to do is to try working away from home. I had been content in doing things using a desktop terminal for almost three years, but now I had to go out more often than before. I find myself being in the middle of many long hours of waiting and idle times when I am in town.
Since there are already many WiFi hotspots here in Baguio City as well as 3G/HSDPA signals for USB broadband internet, I decided to invest in more equipment so that I can take work outside.
Initially, I considered buying one of those lighter netbooks around. But I realized that I was already qualified to borrow salary and multipurpose loans from SSS and PAGIBIG respectively (like Philhealth, it is good practice to continue paying contributions to SSS and PAGIBIG to enjoy benefits such as loans). Those two amounts combined were enough for me to purchase a shiny Acer Aspire 4740G notebook that’s powerful enough for me to do web design jobs.
I decided not to get rid of my desktop computer since that equipment still remains to be my first choice in doing freelance jobs. My desktop is hooked to a 22-inch screen which allows me to easily view more details.
One big disadvantage of this laptop is that it is somewhat heavy to carry around. The laptop itself is around 2 kgs, but I’m carrying a laptop plus its bag so I must be carrying 3 kgs. This bulky laptop also makes me an easy prey to robbers: this puts me into a disadvantage in some places such as the public market.
Acer Aspire 4740G
My ideal laptop is the one that’s as powerful as notebooks and as light as netbooks; however, I think that laptop doesn’t exist yet in the computer marketplace.
I had been using the notebook outside of the home since I bought it and I am very happy that I made this decision. Having this laptop around surely made me more productive: those long hours of idle waiting times in town are put to good use – I can finally use those moments to update my blogs!
(I really hope this time there won’t be anyone trying to steal/rob me off these gadgets away from me – again!)
there’s more… I’ll write more on the IECEP and the Acer Aspire notebook in separate posts.
kate
June 18th, 2010 at 7:46 am #
I hope your dad is feeling better
Btw, thanks for the tip about the philhealth… I think I take it for granted because I rarely get sick. But of course, it’s always better to be prepared.
elmot
June 18th, 2010 at 9:25 am #
Wow! Astig, you’ve got a new toy, eheheh!
Sana ako rin real soon….ahahaha!
Calvin
June 18th, 2010 at 3:46 pm #
i also have a review unit of that acer 4740 notebook lying around the house. havent opened it yet.
we have the same ideal notebook. actually mukhang meron nang ganyan, light, powerful and long lasting na battery. the lenovo ideapad u460 pero gusto ko may switchable graphics din hehehe.
Rom
June 18th, 2010 at 5:15 pm #
Hi, I had been a long time lurker of your website. I hope your dad recover soon. As for the netbook you are longing for that is both light and powerful I highly recommended MSI U230, a dual core athlon netbook. Just search it and it has a good reviews. Your experience as a freelancer greatly inspire me.
Roy
June 18th, 2010 at 5:25 pm #
Di ka naman pala masyado busy
hope your Dad fully recovers. Happy father’s day to him.
astig naman, may bago pa laptop. sana kapag ako naghibernate, may ma-i-produce din na ganyan
Gem
June 18th, 2010 at 7:35 pm #
I’m busy whenever I am online noong wala akong laptop, ’cause naiipon ang work. Ngayon pwede ko na isingit ‘pag lumalabas na ako.
Yung father ko, excited na i-celebrate ang father’s day. Gusto nang i-celebrate last weekend pa, hehe.
Happy father’s day to you! Malay natin magkatotoo ang wish!
Gem
June 18th, 2010 at 7:37 pm #
Yup, until now tuwang-tuwa ako sa new toy ko. I could go places!!!
Gem
June 18th, 2010 at 7:43 pm #
Philhealth is not just for the active member – you can add beneficiaries like I did. The one who benefited from my contributions is my dad – and not me.
SSS too has a sickness benefit.
Tweets that mention Acer 4740G | IECEP seminars | Filipino Ruby on Rails Programmers -- Topsy.com
June 18th, 2010 at 8:44 pm #
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Gem, Roy. Roy said: RT @LadyProgrammer [Lady Programmer] Those Weeks I was Away: Ruby on Rails, IECEP and a Notebook http://ping.fm/SSlOK [...]
katz
June 18th, 2010 at 8:57 pm #
I hope your father will be well soon. Gusto ko rin magbayad ng PhilHealth kasi pwedeng beneficiary din yung father ko kung sakali. But he knows very well how to take care of himself. My pagka health buff sya.
It’s good to learn Rails. I have tried so many frameworks and languages. I stick to Ruby on Rails. The framework is getting better. I will definitely share my books if you find time to learn. I bought several books (hardbound from Amazon). Medyo malapit ko na matapos.
jan geronimo
June 18th, 2010 at 10:00 pm #
I hope for your father’s good health – and your mother, too. Para mas lalo ka mainspire sa iyong freelancing career. Nice laptop and the great thing is di siya katas from abroad – although that’s not a bad thing either, of course.
You’d make a lovely poster girl for freelancer moms. That’s on top of being a great daughter. Winner!
Freelance forums
June 19th, 2010 at 2:02 am #
Best of health to your father.
The new toy looks pretty cool, it’s indeed a good one for the job. Enjoy it. Nice seeing you posting again.
Ishar
June 19th, 2010 at 12:05 pm #
Hi, Wish your dad get well soon!
Gem
June 19th, 2010 at 7:41 pm #
Thanks. I guess he’s halfway from full recovery.
Gem
June 19th, 2010 at 7:42 pm #
Thanks. Yes, I love my new toy and it’s good enough to bring web design work somewhere away from home.
Gem
June 19th, 2010 at 7:50 pm #
Yup, it’s a good feeling to be able to work here lang sa Philippines. I don’t need to be away from the people I love so much.
I should be taking a picture na for the posters no?
Gem
June 19th, 2010 at 7:53 pm #
My dad is a health buff din – mahilig kumain ng vegetables at mahilig talagang maglakad and do physical work. Yun lang talagang tumatanda na sila at magkakasakit na.
Yan din kasi ang naisip ko, malakas pa ang tatay ko. If not for a friend who encourage me to continue Philhealth, then mas malaki pa ang binayaran namin sa hospital.
johnV
June 19th, 2010 at 8:07 pm #
I hope your Dad’s better now, Gem.
Nice post about SSS, Philhealth, etc. Is there a convenient way to pay our monthly contributions or do you have a VA (‘A’ lang pala) doing those tasks for you?
Gem
June 19th, 2010 at 11:58 pm #
Nope no VA. I don’t need one at this time, kahit may friend na ako who’s willing and able to do this. I pay monthly contributions directly through those respective offices, plus I pay bills too – not online.
Those chores are a good exercise for me, so I don’t get to sit on the computer all day and all week! And I don’t mind walking because I like the climate here.
johnV
June 20th, 2010 at 12:56 am #
hmmmm. maybe my family should relocate to a colder region first. =)
Dexter | Techathand.net
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:50 pm #
Great new Gadget , Gem.. mas mapaparami na ang free lance work mo nyan
God Bless
Eric : Manila Blog
June 22nd, 2010 at 12:59 pm #
welcome back to your blog
frenchy
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:22 am #
Nice new gadget Gem! I have friend who usually carry his laptop in a worn-out canvass type of briefcase para iwas nakaw kasi he works somewhere in Quiapo. Macbook dala nya kaya medyo maliit sya kaya madaming stuffings pa sa bag para magmukhang malaki. Sabi nya kasi pag mas maliit daw ang laptop mas takaw nakaw kasi mas mahal daw mabebenta kaya pinapalaki niya ng konti dala nya.
I’m glad that we are now over from the shock that our respective dads brought us recently.
Hats off to you for handling all the responsibility so well. No wonder you’re so blessed. I’m now seriously wanting to apply for a philhealth program. Ewan ko ba kung bakit di ako kumuha nyan before pa. Your post reminded me about it. Thanks.
Tanny Gallardo
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm #
Hi Gemma! How are you?
Good to knwo your business is doing great.
Regards,
Tanny Gallardo
Gem
June 27th, 2010 at 7:40 am #
Great! You found my blog. I wonder how you came here. I guess I’m still struggling less than before. LOL
Gem
June 27th, 2010 at 7:42 am #
But smaller laptops (netbooks?) are half the price of notebooks. Mas ninanakaw pala ang mga maliliit? I think Macbooks are also the same weight as this one I’m carrying.
Did you already apply for Philhealth?
Gem
June 27th, 2010 at 7:46 am #
I noticed I’m really more productive because I am able to cover idle time. However, I still have to do long-hour work using my desktop computer.
frenchy
June 27th, 2010 at 10:50 am #
Di pa rin. Malamang first week ng July ko maasikaso yung pag-aapply.
Baka akala kasi ng mga ibang bobong magnanakaw pag malaki laptop ay luma na or old school laptop na. Advantage din yun sayo.
Gem
June 28th, 2010 at 9:10 am #
Ah. Sana ganun ang iniisip nila. Para pwede pa akong mamalengke pa. Hehehe.
On other thought, better safe than sorry na lang.
Race
July 15th, 2010 at 12:27 am #
So that’s what my friend Gem has done in the past months
so busy with my family din these days and so glad nagka-time to visit and read your post, na-update ako, sana ok na dad mo and I’m happy that you’ve got lots of work. I’ve got plenty too so we have so many blessings of work Gem! regards to your family especially to your little girl, grade one na ba sya? hope to see you soon pag umakyat ako ng baguio, you’re right about attending meet up kase it’s fun (you look lovely on your pic with Rails programmer)!
congrats on your new toy, i have my own new toy din last May it’s an HP compaq, sarap no? i want nga to have a battery that would last up to 4-5 hours sana pero impossible ata, anyway so that makes us two happy fellows hehehe! take care and God Bless!
Ed
July 22nd, 2010 at 5:42 pm #
Hey Gem! Please introduce me to your Ruby on Rails friends! My client needs them! hehehe
Oriental Blogger
July 27th, 2010 at 8:46 pm #
Best of health for your Dad and your family. My Mom died 6 years ago because of breast cancer, recently this month, my grandmother died because of stroke. Lots of hardships for us but still happy that they’ve met the Creator already.
Anyways, it’s a good decision that you’ve made, i agree with you that you will be more productive this time.
Instead, you can bring a big shoulder bag enough for your ACER. My office mate sometimes brings her lappy with her in the office hidden in her shoulder bag. It’s kinda bulky though.
Safety tip when you plan to bring your laptop in the market area, dont forget to bring a backpack along though it is not nice to look.
Ruby&Rails i’ve heard them but im on PHPCake.
Cheers
Oue
July 31st, 2010 at 2:44 am #
Hoping for good health for your Dad. My father has a debilitating illness too. He first noticed a black pea-like in his vision, but he didn’t mind it. He wouldn’t heed our advice to have checked by a doctor. Now, he is complains about having double vision, when he looks at anything, it appears double to him. I am afraid this is something really serious like cancer. Oh, God forbid. The worst thing is that we are not in good terms. I care so much about him that it pains me to think about it. He is going to see a doctor tomorrow. I know I should be there. I know I must.