What a SHIP!

Do we really need that much of from China?

The Emma Maersk, part of a Danish shipping line, is shown in the photos below.
This monster transports goods across the Pacific in about 5 days!!!

15,000 containers and a 207' deck beam!

The crew-size: 13 people on a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier (which has a crew of 5,000).

Notice that 207' beam means it cannot fit through the Panama or Suez Canals .

It is strictly transpacific. Cruise speed: 31 knots.

The goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China -to- California run.
So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods.

The ship was built in five sections. The sections floated together and then welded.

The command bridge is higher than a 10-story building and has 11 cargo crane rigs that can operate simultaneously.

Additional information:
Country of origin - Denmark

Length - 1,302 ft

Width - 207 ft

Net cargo - 123,200 tons

Engine - 14 cylinders in-line diesel engine (110, 000 BHP)

Cruise Speed - 31 knots

Cargo capacity - 15,000 TEU (1 TEU = 20 cubic feet)

Crew - 13 people !

First Trip - Sept. 08, 2006

Construction cost - US $145,000,000

Silicone painting applied to the ship bottom reduces water resistance and saves 317,000 gallons of diesel per year.

A recent documentary in late March on the History Channel noted that nearly all of these containers are shipped back to China , EMPTY. Yep, that's right.

We send nothing back on most of these ships. What does that tell you about the current financial state of this country? Just keep buying those imported goods (mostly gadgets) until you run out of money.

Then you may wonder what the cause of unemployment (maybe even your job) in the U.S. and Canada might be?

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today, April 14, is my other half's natal day.

While I am typing this post (at work), hubby is sleeping (at home). I bet he would be surprised what he'd get when he wakes up.

Two weeks before his birthday, I already have something in mind to buy for him, a wrist watch. He has watch that he uses at work but I thought to buy one that is kind of "nicer" from the other one and of course, a birthday card and  of course, a birthday cake.

I had to get some zzzzzs  after preparing foods for me and for my kids today so I told them to buy those things I planned to buy for their Daddy because I trust them.  They did. When they showed me the birthday card for hubby (supposedly from me), I was laughing out loud! My kids really knew me pretty well. Haha!

Anyway, here's the card:

They also showed me the card for their daddy from them, I was touched when I read it . It was very nice and truly meaningful. They really love their Daddy so much.

When the clock hits 2:00 o'clock in the morning today ( which is few minutes away from now), I will call hubby's phone to wake him up for work. I am excited on his reaction to see the gift, the birthday cards and the birthday cake on the table for him. And to see the kids that are up too just to greet him a happy birthday. When I suggested this to the kids (to wake up at 2am), Jun said, " I will do anything for Daddy mom". And Jen agreed with a sweet smile on her face. I was very happy!

Happy Birthday Mahal ko! I wish you longer life and good health always.

Thank you for being there with me always. You are my hero, my soul mate and my best friend.

 I love you so much!

Weird Encounter: Ferret

I was attending a late check-in guest when two of the Hotel's regular guests dropped by to inform me that there is a little animal following them in the parking area. I remember they said, "It is a pet." I thanked them and told them that I will inform the Manager on Duty as soon as I am done. But I totally forgot about it.

Three hours later, I got a call from a lady. She said she was in the hotel's restaurant for dinner earlier and she was suspecting that her pet jumped up from the car while she was looking for her car keys inside the car before they headed to Idaho State. She said she was already 75 miles away already when she discovered that her pet is not in the car. I sensed the way she talked that she was crying at the same time. I remember about what the guys told me so I asked her if it is a little animal. She said, "Yes, he is very little." So I told her about what the guys had told me and that I will request the MOD to look around the parking area and the other two neighboring sister hotels and to call me back after 10-15 minutes. She called four times and the last time she said they are heading back to the hotel. When the MOD came back, he found nothing.

After more than an hour, the lady and her companion arrived at the desk. I told her the bad news. She became hysterical. She said, "He is spoiled, he is my baby, I always put him under my shirt while cleaning the house just to keep him. His color is white but he has a black mask. He is more or less 1-foot long. His name is Buster and he knew his name. He is more than a family member. He got lost in Salt lake City but I was able to find him. Is there a possibility to call for a help?" and I said, "sure!" I gave her the number of the Police dispatch to inquire if somebody turned-over it to the Police. She called the Sheriff Department too. But to no avail. She was sobbing already after she hung up the phone. Her companion searched every corner of the parking area and the neighboring hotels but still to no avail. She gave me her name, phone numbers and address to contact her in case I hear about her pet. They were about to leave when we noticed that it snowed outside. She sobbed more, thinking about her pet. She said her pet hates cold. She asked if she could go to the kitchen of the restaurant to check if he was there. She added that he loves to play with grocery bags, etc. But we said, there is no way that her pet could go there. Finally, they left and I felt relieved, whew!

While listening to her earlier, I was thinking it was a dog, maybe, a Chihuahua based on her description. But at first I thought it was parrot, hehe! But the Cashier said it is ferret. I didn't have an idea so I "googled" it and the picture above explained it to me. My reaction was, "It is a rat!" Hehe! One of my co-worker exclaimed, "It's ugly and dirty kind of animal! Yuck!"

How come the lady said, he was her baby and more like a family member? And that he is spoiled?! I can't  imagine what she went through just to find it when that ferret got lost in the State of Utah. That little thing must be very lucky huh?

But I kept her number though. I will check the next issue of the local paper and look for ferret under the Lost and Found section of the paper. Or I might call the local Animal Shelter here.

Good luck to that lady :)