Another Page Rank Update in 2008

The following is a short post of Matt Cutts, the famous Google guy, in his blog dated July 24, 2008:

Hey folks, I wanted to let you know that new toolbar PageRank values should become visible over the next few days. I’m expecting that also in the next few days that we’ll be expiring some older penalties on websites.

Really? I am anxiously waiting for this. I am not sure if I can regain my PR4, but I would gladly welcome anything green in my pagerank toolbar. The last update was a disappointment for this blog. I got a PR2 after penaltization. But everything was taken away in the last update. So, despite all the backlinks I got, my PR is nil.

You see, I haven't been posting money-making reviews here for quite a long time. I've not been logging in at the paid post sites, even almost forgetting my passwords. My paypal account is almost zero, as I used my earnings to buy domains and webhosting.

But if Google would not restore my PR, so be it. I'll blog on anyway.

Relocation Woes

I surveyed the map of Metro Manila. I checked the places I've been to. Monumento, SM North, Navotas, Sucat, Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, GreenHills, Makati, Tutuban and Luneta. I let my fingers run the streets and highways. From this point to that took me 40 minutes in a taxi. Here to there, took an hour.

Some things I'm considering when I'll look for a place to live in that big city. I know I should start looking by now. In a few weeks, I have to relocate. The house/apartment doesn't have to be big. Just enough for me and my wife. A garage is a must, or just any available parking space. Since I don't wake up early, I should find a place that can be traveled within 30 minutes from my workplace. It will probably be within the Parañaque and Las Piñas areas.

As to the budget, we don't really have a large budget for relocation. I rechecked our policies and it's really a small amount compared to what was mentioned by a friend who works for another company and is also going to be reassigned in Manila. Of course, we are in different industries.

I am not really good at moving. Perhaps this one is a good experience for us. I'm just thinking positively here.

A Bigger Challenge Ahead

There is a bigger challenge ahead of me. Careerwise, this is good. And my knees were not shaken, nor my heart beating fast when I first heard of the news, though informally. So many things/ideas/plans are swirling in my head right now. Plans here, plans there. These could not be another crossroad. I see myself as a catalyst for change, someone who comes from the outside, though basically from the inside. This could be a 'make or break' for me. I know it won't be easy.

I also have to relocate to a place I've been to many times but have not learned to fall in love with. My wife will join me a month after. That what she said but reluctant to actually transfer. "If it's a transfer then we'd better go abroad" she once said. She's a nurse, and I am a CPA. Plenty of foreign countries need us and are willing to pay more.

It's not that I don't want to go abroad. I want to. But we just have to wait for a little time. And there is a bigger challenge ahead of me now. May God give me the strength and wisdom!

Rafael Nadal Wins Wimbledon 2008

Rafael Nadal, the 22 year-old world no. 2 wins over the 5-time and current world no.1 Roger Federer in the finals of the 2008 Wimbledon Tennis. Rafa pushed Federer to the extremes from the start and lead 2-0. He broke the champion’s winning streak record and attempt to make it six in a row at the prestigious grass venue.

The game was suspended at 5-5 in the third set. I was glued in my set at aunt’s house at almost midnight. My wife was all smiles as she was cheering for Rafa. Oh, not that she’s a fan. She just wanted to take side on every opponent of my bet. Last night, I believed she got converted.

I was kind of frustrated at the many mistakes of Roger. I can also see frustration in his reactions. So many easy net shots went awry. He failed to convert many of the break points. Though it was obvious that Rafa always appeared stunned when Roger serves, the later was not able to break his opponent’s serves.

We went home at around midnight but I was not yet finished. I opened my laptop and immediately visited Wimbledon’s website. The game resumed many minutes after. I was also browsing other sites while waiting for scores updates. It was tied 6-all at the fourth set when I closed my laptop. I was too sleepy then and it seems that the game was halted for the second time. I slept hoping that Roger will survive another set.

As I was about to dress up for work this morning, my wife asked me about the results of the Wimbledon Finals. I forced myself to open my laptop. I was excited too expecting Roger to win. But I was disappointed to know that Wimbledon has a new champion.

The game was the longest in Wimbledon's history at 4 hours and 48 minutes. It also kind of repeat Bjorn Borg's stop of his 5-year winning streak. Final results: Nadal wins 6-4; 6-4; 6-7; 6-7; 9-7.