Are You Ready For Christmas?

Christmas is just around the corner. I heard radio stations playing Christmas songs already. A house around here has already Christmas decorations up. I even saw Christmas lights at their window grills when I passed by at night. I understand others are done with Christmas shopping already. When I was still in Manila I started to buy Christmas gifts when ber months come. But now I haven’t had the chance to shop for Christmas gifts don’t know where to buy here lil expensive :) to shop Christmas gifts here in Singapore. I and Babeth actually scourge Takashimaya last weekend however there’s so much crowd at the basement that you can’t afford to queue at the counter. We didn’t buy anything and just transfer to Paragon Mall instead. I actually wanted to buy gifts this early because I will be going home in Manila on December 6 for my regular check up in St. Lukes and this would an opportune time to bring those stuffs at home. But anyway might as well buy gifts at SM or Shangri-la upon my arrival, I just hope I will be able to finish all my medical affairs early so that I could still scourge for bargain sale in Manila :). I have lots in my lists. I may need two days to complete my gift lists.

My nephew wants PSP and the other boy want new mobile and I want new camera for myself so I might wait for after Christmas sales. Now that I think about it, there are only 63 days until Christmas. Maybe I’d better get to start on :).

Anyway have a nice day folks!!!

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On A Busy Saturday

I’ve sat here for a while thinking what I could blog today? Then I fell asleep for an hour or so, woke up when I heard a noise from my door. It’s my landlady’s daughter knocking at my door to inform me that it’s raining and that I have to get my laundry outside. I rushed outside and found out that my linens and bed sheets were soaked in rain water again :). But anyway it’s been a busy day today. I woke up early this morning and did my laundry for Babeth and I planned to go to Orchard later in the afternoon. I’ve finished my laundry after two hours since I hand washed all my office clothes though I can set our washing machine to accommodate delicate clothes. I am a lil oozy with my clothes that’s why I hand washed all of them. I hung my clothes at the corridor and left to meet Babeth at Sun Plaza before we headed to Orchard. Our purpose was to remit money at her bank account maintained at PNB in Laguna but when we were at the Lucky Plaza we scourge the store again for any bargain sale. Since there were no queues at PNB we were able to finish our transaction fast. We went to Paragon Mall again in searched of bags and shoes. We went from one store to another fitted several shoes before we were able to buy strappy sandal Bettine from Italy. The shoe fits well a lil expensive but it’s worth the price anyway. It looks classy and comfortable with faux Swarovski crystal flower design. We went home satisfied with what we bought and promised that we will go back to the shoe store next time we shop. We did ask the store owner if we can avail of discounts the next time we buy another pair. We went home late again and had to drop by at NTUC for our regular grocery shopping activities. When I arrived home I went to sleep late and come online to chat with my friend Malcolm. Anyway its weekend I don’t have to worry about work for tomorrow is Sunday I can afford to wake up midday. After all am done with my laundry and done cleaning my room as well.

Anyway hope you enjoy your weekend...... Cheers :)

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Singapore Lantern Festival

Just wanted to show all of you the photos I took at Singapore Lantern Festival held recently. I took these while wandering around the Chinese Garden last week. I hope you'll like it too.

Cheers !!!!!!

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My High Profile Love Affair

There’s nothing special about the title of my post. It’s just that I want to share with you how I get to know my new high profile love affair with Dr. Murad. Maybe you would ask who is this Dr. Murad. Am I lucky to meet him and was able to feel his warmth and the transformation he has done to me? I must say yes. He made me feel beautiful from within :). To date I am satisfied with the result it gave me though as I mentioned he’s a lil bit high profile in the real sense of the word. It just started when I happened to bump into him at Paragon Mall in Orchard here in Singapore. I saw him in one corner of the Paragon health and beauty section. And who is Dr. Murad? Well he is the beauty guru makers of Murad Beauty Skincare Products.
I have been battling pimples since time immemorial, through the years I’ve tried several beauty products to get rid of them. I went from one dermatologist to another. I even availed of myself of a diamond peel session at a famous facial clinic for a year. I tried Dr. Frez facial product and Dr. Amon’s as well. It thus, helps but just to prevent future break outs but they do not take effect immediately. It took me more than a year to be able to get rid of those pests in my face. I used several topical creams and had my pimples injected with cortisone shots to avoid unsightly keloids and acne infection.

But nowadays worry no more , I was able to get rid of my bigger acne slowly and those unsightly blemishes disappeared and I no longer worry about future break outs all I have to do is just to apply Murad acne spot treatment. The product was little expensive but I tell you it’s proven effective to get rid of my blemishes. I got clearer skin and oil free face :). You can use some or try all his skin care products; I think these are available at Rustan's Makati in Manila. I remember before when I was still there I used to drop by Rustan’s for wanting to try these products. But due to budget constraints I always end up just reading the labels :). But now that I am here in Singapore I took it upon to give myself a treat and splurge a little. Here are your must try skin care regimen :).

1) Hydrating Toner – wash your face first with your regular facial soap then spray over the

toner to your entire face and neck. Wipe off with cotton or massage your face with your

palm.
2) Apply Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum – this serum quenches and restores dehydrated

skin. After toning gently massage evenly over face and neck.
3) Then apply Murad day reform treatment after which followed by Murad Energizing

Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF15. This moisturizer will protect your face from the

damaging effect of sun exposure.
4) You can choose to apply moisture silk eye gel.

Anyway folks please keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you. But in any case it’s worth a try. Who knows before I knew it you have your love affair with Dr. Murad also.

Have a nice day to everyone.....

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How Time Flies .......

At last sat down and relax on a Friday evening! So I’ll take this chance to tell you about my week and my work here in Singapore. I am now in my fourth month of my new job as SAP FICO Consultant. I just can’t believe that it’s only been more than three months since I arrived here in Singapore, I seem have taken in so much! :) The best thing about it although is how much I am enjoying my job here. As mentioned in my previous posts I came here to work with ATOS Origin. Upon joining the company I was assigned as ASIASAP Support for AstraZeneca. Large bulk of my work was focused on Travel and Expense Module (T&E) a customized program used for expense claim reimbursement. As this is not an SAP standard module I find it difficult at first to grasp. I was always nervous every time a ticket was logged in service desk. There would always be butterflies in my stomach every time I got a call from our user or every time I received email from the client complaining about the system not working because of T&E. I would always scourge the share folder for any documentation we have and searched from the customized SAP tables any available information I could get to answer their numerous queries I have in my hands. It was only last week, when I was final checking the training slides I prepared for my scheduled workshop in Indonesia (I went to Jakarta for 3 days to conduct training with our client’s user) that I realized that I have done the documentation from start to finish. Now, I know that may not sound like such a big thing, after all, it’s only a slides!!! But after the amount of knowledge I’ve absorbed over the last month for this T&E module the sense of achievement was immense!

From creating the master data, creation of test data, running the T&E module in the QAS and EP portal, creating the test scenarios up to simulation of the issues encountered by the different markets. Every detail I have to test and determine the cause of the error to finding the table entries and analysing the program logic all of these are the requirements that I have to finish. Everything has to be in order to get the perfect results and have to be delivered to our clients based on their requirements. This sets ATOS apart from the rest to deliver the perfect results based on client’s request.

So you can imagine how good I felt about it? :) I just hope I was able to deliver what they expected of me. After all I was sent there all expense paid trip by our client to conduct training, I just hope our client was able to learn something from the discussion I have with them. And I was hoping as well that they are happy with the outcome of the training. Needless to say I still have a lot to learn from my work. I am slowly trying to cope up. It may be stressful at times but its part and parcel of any job. Who else didn’t experience stress; everyone does. :)

Have a great weekend to everyone!!!!

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My First Day In Singapore

How's my first day? After three (3) hours in the air I am here wandering @ The Lion City. I was thinking what to write, about spending time with one of my friend officemate in HP Philippines. She picked me up from the airport and accompanied me going to my guest house in Spottiswoode. I met Babeth, a filipina girl working at the Ministry of Finance and Kirti an Indian gal - working at Savi Technologies and would be my housemates at my new home here. After a brief talk with our company's Administrative Officer (Xavier Francis) we went to The Lucky Plaza in Orchard to buy a new prepaid singtel mobile and eat at Kabayan - a Filipino restaurant at the mall. On our way home I decided to exchange my peso to a singapore dollar at an Indian foreign exchange center. Such a relaxing journey, and a cool way to start off the week.

Have a nice day to everyone.

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Arrived!

Well I am now in Singapore. Feeling only slightly jet-lagged, hardly @ all in fact. I left Manila @ 10:50 A. M. and as soom as the plane finished climbing I lowered, the seat put in my ear plugs and went to sleep - about three (3) hours later a nap for a plane trip! I woke as the lights were put on and warm hand towels handed out before snacks was served.

The time passed quickly and before I knew it I am in Singapore. I arrived @ Changi International Airport @ 2:05 P.M., it seemed a very little time before I was through passport control, pulling my bag off the conveyor and making my way out into the hall.

What a wonderful Sunday in Singapore - the weather was lovely - yes, it's true while Manile was raining when I left I arrived in Singapore with clear skies and sunny. No rain either!!

Have a blessed Sunday to everyone.

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Leaving On A Sunday Morning

This was supposed to be a day of rest, right? I started the day getting dressed up to leave for Singapore. As I made mentioned in my previous posts I will move in Singapore to join ATOS Origin. I didn't sleep much last night and now am up to early morning. I need to be in the airport 3 hours before my departure.

As I leave my house I can't make it but think of what would be my life in Singapore. I missed my apartment my family and relatives back home. But on the other hand, I need to move on be strong and stay focused to be able to cope up with my new job starting tomorrow.

Have a blessed Sunday !!!

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Busy Day

It's been a busy day for me today. Did my laundry, clean my house, arrange my luggage, went to the mall to buy other stuff I need. Eat out @ Mc Donald's with my cousin Ate Joy, went to the grocery (Puregold). Had a short chat with my Auntie and Ate Liza. I chatted with my online friend ya1h007. Sleep late rather early Saturday morning already.

Have a nice weekend !!!

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Its the Weekend

Friday night and I am looking forward for Saturday. There'll be some kind of food on my side while I browse through the net the whole night and sleep the entire Saturday. I always do this on weekend, woke up late and extend my sleep.

It's been another exhausting week. And I am supposed to feel @ a weekend however, since I will be flying to Singapore on Sunday I need to wake up early tomorrow and deter my extended sleep next week.

- there's the luggage that I have to check on

- and maybe after all the packing and housework a stroll in the mall to buy other stuff that I have to bring when I move in

- I still have to clean my bathroom.

Somebody please send me some energy.

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Two Days Left

Two days left to go. Oh my goodness I am getting closer to the day when I have to leave Manila. Well, my tenure with HP has just ended. I ceased to be connected with the company effective today (June 20, 2008). Then, I will be flying to Singapore on June 22 @ 10:50 A.M. I will be joining a company i haven't been except the information I got from their website. My application was processed through electronic communication. The interviews were completed through mobile interviews.

On Monday, I will be one of the many OFW's living away from home. I am beginning to wonder, down the road, how these will affect my life. Am I going to be a different person because of it? When I am an old woman, how will I look back on this part of my life?

Anyway have a nice day folks !!!

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Moving On

Today, I've finally returned my HP badge to the HR Dept. of my former employer. I've just gone to the office and submitted my clearance and filed application request for Certificate of Employment. It's been 1.5 years of working with this company and I must admit I am starting to miss my teammates.

Everyone asked where I will be going to where I will transfer and what will be my next work. Everyone keeps on saying to me it's difficult working away from families. Well yeah I am aware that working abroad is a huge sacrifice. But if you will not try you will not be able to experience besides this is my life, I know what's best for me after all its me who will have to draw my future.

I won't miss the horrible traffic to work but I will miss the warm environment and the freezing temperature as well as the vacation like office work and the flexibility @ HP - and many other college campus-like atmosphere in the office I've got used to over the years.

But it's the right time to go. I am ready for a new adventure.... where to but in Singapore?

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Ain't Cure Yet

I'd been under medication for more than 3 years now. As made mentioned in my previous posts, I was diagnosed of thyrotoxin sysmptoms. This disease affects my lymphatic system which resulted in contamination in my blood and it affects my heart to become abnormal. Early this year my endocrinologist had advised me to stop my medication for a month to determine the state of my ailment. I was advised to undergo laboratory tests after a month of not taking any medicines. When I got the results I was hoping I will be given health certificate as I was informed by my attending physician the last time I consulted him that I am cleared of the symptoms however, laboratory tests showed that I still have the symptoms.

On the bright side, my endocrinologist prescribed new medicines but instead of a monthly laboratory test it was reduced to a quarterly basis. I am relieved somewhat @ least I see some improvements. For 3 months I have to take 3 tablets a day instead of the 9 different tablets last year. And my heart problem was cured too.

Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Michael Lim - Villa of St. Lukes Medical Center. He was instrumental in giving me another lease in life.

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Still Waiting

Well, it's Wednesday and the middle of the week can be pretty exhausting day... Do Wednesdays always seem like the longest day of the week to you too?

It's been a busy week for me ....a lot of time spent @ work. I am done with my transition. And my clearance is in process also. I am only a few days away now before I move in Singapore on Sunday (June 22). Today is my last day here @ the office. I bade goodbye to all my teammates and new found friend as well. I had my farewell one-on-one with my Team Leader and Delivery Manager. Tomorrow, I have to go to our Makati office to submit my non-disclosure agreement and return other accountabilities to our HR Department.

Meanwhile, I may not be around much @ all in the next few weeks for I am expecting a busy week in my new job @ my new company in Singapore.

Hope you will all have a fantastic day !!!

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Continue To Climb

Hello everyone. As I sit here browsing through my mailbox I came accross an email from a friend. This one caught my eye and worth sharing with you all. Here goes the email.

Follow your dream ...

take one step @ a time

and don't settle for less,

just continue to climb.

Follow your dream ...

if you stumble, don't stop

and lose sight of your goal,

press on to the top.

For only on top

can we see the whole view,

can we see what we've done

and what we can do,

can we then have the vision

to seek something new ...

Press on,

and follow your dream.

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My HP Experience

Dakak Conference Room

Camiguin Training Room and Quite Room

This is where I spent 8+ hours a day, Monday thru Friday. I work near the aisle so I can easily escape or roam around the office if I want to without disturbing my other officemates. My back is the main entrance of Dakak our conference room and @ my side were Camiguin and Guimaras training room. If you move ahead you will reach quite room. This is where we sleep sometimes or a place were we share our secrets.

Now that I am leaving the office I can't make it but reminisce my first day @ work. For sure, I will be missing my officemates and the warm environment here and the freezing temperature as well.

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Ayala Avenue

I took this picture while I was on the 34th floor of Robinson's Summit Centre one of our office in Makati. It's the Ayala Avenue stretch. I took these a couple of months ago when I attended Six Sigma Greenbelt Training

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Early Morning Rush

As you all know if you read my yesterday's blog, I did not report to work yesterday for no apparent reason. But anyway today I got out of bed begrudgingly this morning. After a quick shower I heeded to the office. Well, as I've said weather was glorious, the sun was crackling @ 8:00 A.M. and the walk from my house to the main road had caused to break sweat. As luck would have it there was a taxi cab infront of the bakery I passed by and I immediately asked the driver to drive me to the office.

I arrived with few of my officemates around already. I chatted with them for a few minutes to say hi and hello before I started my day @ work.

Anyway I am almost done with my transition. Few more files and job aids to complete I can sit back and relax and wait for my clearance.

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Why Does A Woman Cry

I recently received this in my email, and thought I would share it with you.

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him."I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?""All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"God said: "When I made the woman she had to be special.I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.""You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."Please send this to beautiful women you know today. If you do, something good will happen - You will boost another woman's self-esteem!

You can also send this to men who would really like to know the value of a woman and why she is so different from others.

Hope everyone is well and happy. Have a nice day to all !!!

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No Turning Back

Today, I received my P2 E-pass and plane ticket from my employer in Singapore. There's no turning back anymore. My flight itinerary has changed to June 22 instead of June 21 as previously agreed. My departure will be @ 10:00 A.M. @ Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 and expected to arrived @ Changi International Airport @ 2:00 P.M. I also signed non disclosure agreement with ATOS.

What else I accomplished today? Hummm, I am on leave today not because I am sick but because I have lots of activities to attend to. First, I went to Loyola Makati to pay my Dad and Mom's life plan policy. I paid the whole year premium to avoid the hassle just in case I will not be able to go back from Singapore. On my way home I dropped by SM Makati to buy office shoes for my everday use when I move in Singapore. I bought 2 pairs, one pair flat shoes and one pair with 3.5 inches heels.

On my way to my house I decided to have lunch @ Mc Donald's Boni before proceeding to the parlor for my monthly beauty regimen. I availed of the head to toe package. The package includes hair rebonding with cellophane, swedish massage, diamond peel, foot spa treatment, manicure and pedicure. I stayed the whole afternoon pampering myself. When I left the parlor I felt refresh and energized. I love the feeling of being beautiful once a month. Tomorrow I am expecting another gruelling day @ work. I need to finish my transition within the week.

Anyway have a nice day folks !!!

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Late Night

It's 11:00 PM and I should really be in bed sleeping, I guess falling asleep while reading a legal thriller pocket book earlier doesn't help me to sleep. Managed to have a fairly busy day- productive day. I did my laundry and was able to clean up my book shelves and my closet. Anyway I left few pieces of office dress and jeans in here. A bit more clean -up and I can paint my house again before leaving.

Also managed to get around and browse my network connections in friendster.

Anyway I guess its bedtime, I might opt to watch movie on DVD to see if that makes me lil sleepy, gotta work tomorrow too, which sucks, but anyway bills don't pay themselves so gotta go to bed now, else my bills will pile up.

Cheers and good night everyone !!!!

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Sleepless Night

Today, I woke up late already around 11:00 A.M., anyway its holiday no need to worry about reporting to work late. I tried to extend my sleep since I can't sleep the other night. With the weather being so spectacularly warm and pleasant (a weekend without rain surely hot). I spent my sleepless night browsing the net for any interesting topic and chatting with my online friend. He gave me suggestion to put an ice in front of my electric fan to lower the temperature. It thus, help and I was able to sleep for a while.

So what else happened, well my day wasn't too bad, spent the day with my nephews (Kurt, Matthew, and Lian). They spent the whole day playing computer games. One more weekend with them and I will fly to Singapore. I am starting to miss them with the thought of me leaving in a week's time.

What else, I've done for the day? Well I am done packing my clothes in my luggage. Few more work on organizing my documents and am ready to leave.

Anyway have a nice day to everyone !!!

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His Influence

Today while packing my stuff, I can't make it but reminisce the day when I was undecided whether to accept the job offer from the company I will be joining with @ the end of this month. I was torn between two jobs. One had a promise of better career opportunity prospect to pursue my SAP FICO consulting work but would require me to leave the country while the other was promising but infested with corporate sharks and too much office politics.

I was confused for a week and was not able to concentrate much. I didn't tell anyone yet about the offer.

One night when we had the chance to chat he took notice of my silence and he caught me unaware. He was able to convince me to open up and told him about my dilemma. I was hesitant @ first to tell him about the job offer, thinking that I didn't know him personally, yeah we have been an online friend since I started chatting but we only knew each other through our pseudo names. But maybe he has this talent of seeing what people can do and what they can make. Good thing, I opened up to him. He made me realize to seize the opportunity that come my way. He advised me to consider exploring other options to widen my horizon. That I could do much more with what I have.

At first, his advice was a little too much for me to take. I am after all, neophyte and haven't had the experience working abroad. I need to live, make a name for myself, and yes make money. And he understood my hesitation.

He told me to try to consider the offer even if it means working away from my love ones, as he said that if it will not work out the way I want it to be I can go back in Manila anytime.

In the end, it made me realize that he was right in giving me those options. And now, am waiting for my flight to Singapore to establish my career there.

I am thankful for him that he stood by me during my moments of confusion. His words of encouragement were but momentary cure but it put a smile in my face and helped me get back on my feet. I take pride of being his friend.

When I asked him to help me make the best decision, he did not tell me to leave or stay. He just helped me find out for myself what would make me happier.

And with this, I am very grateful for his wisdom. He may not be around physically to laugh and cry with me but I know he will always be around to his friends to lend a helping hand and offer a part of himself.

To ya1h007 whoever you are thanks for your friendship and for your kindness. It's my pleasure knowing you. You helped me changed my world.

Thanks for being a friend !!!!

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Reflection

I have been reflecting today on my time @ yahoo chatroom. How the time has flown when I started room hopping. So many people I have interacted with on the past 3 months. I encountered and met lots of people with diverse personality. People I've learned to love and cherish. Yahoo chatroom became my home away from home. A place were I shared little information about family and myself, but fort he most part, the community serve as my outlet to have a good laugh in times of boredom. As you all know, I am living alone in my apartment, and chatting keeps my sanity while working late @ night.

It's been a while since I created my profile in yahoo for use in my chatting frenzy. And now that I will be moving to a new place I am not sure if I can still login to the room that become my home from home that often.

To all my chat friends, thank you for your friendship. I am going to miss you all !!! I hope I can still keep in touch as often as I can.

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Summer Sunset

Though summer is not my favorite season, but the beginning of summer makes me excited about the sunset watching and summer blooms. I took this picture today, it was just a perfect day.

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