mistisangkalabasa

Bingo est Lotto

2008-07-11T12:57:00.001+08:00

Great occasions do not make heroes or cowards; they simply unveil them to the eyes. Silently and imperceptibly, as we wake or sleep, we grow strong or we grow weak, and at last some crisis shows us what we have become. -Bishop Westcott

There, the two game numbers where my age is still included. Officially today, I graduate from the calendar numbers. By golly wow, parang nde ko ramdam, lol (translation: batang-isip pa din). What a journey it has been, as Manang Lea would sing. From the barrio lass who walked to and from her public school, to being a high school extra- curricular activities addict shifting to being a college computer junkie, I have travelled to a number of places and experienced different cultures. However, I would much rather prefer the real world – taxes and all, and leave the student life to memory. Being employed simple meant – may pera na ako, wuhoo!! (regardless of the amount, fact is I now become a contributing member of the society) If you’re a regular student like me, you would agree na sakto lang pera palagi. Photostats were just way too much and consumed most of the extra money left in my pocket.

My sincere thanks to all my friends from Subic, Penang, KL, Singapore, Manila and Brunei for all the friendship and the bonding I had while I was stationed in each place. My life is not perfect, but you sure made it fun and worthwhile.

Thank You for such a wonderful experience. Now a new chapter begins. Will North America be as warm and inviting as Asia? I truly hope so. After all, every race is everywhere now. Just last weekend, amoy danggit sa labas and we had itlog na pula from ‘Es Em’ grocery store. It sure feels homey.

The Great Migration

2008-06-07T21:31:00.013+08:00

Today’s Thought: “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” - African Proverb

After the long wait, I’m now here where I hope to start a new chapter of my life. I try to keep with me all the beautiful memories from countries I lived in, friends I have come to love and food that’s truly Filipino and stuffed them all in my luggage. The foods are almost gone, save for a few but, my heartful thanks to the internet (again), I can still keep in touch with friends.

Last few days in Brunei was tagged by Mimi as the ‘Lost’ series as we trailed the steep slopes of Bukit Shah Bandar. The airport incident was a big headache but I was just so thankful to friends and colleagues who helped me until I was able to get a new ticket. I hope their anxiousness to get me to the next available flight was not a sign of ‘good riddance’ but they were simply being helpful as usual, hehe.

Midnight madness could be the perfect description of what I experienced right after I got to my condo in Pasig. That broker was just so unprofessional and utterly lacking of common sense. I’ll be forever thankful to Pam and Mang Marcy who helped me contact my broker and lent me their place, though they just met me that night at the lobby. The heart of Filipinos will always be helpful and accommodating to those in need, save for my broker.

All the frustrations I felt were easily washed away by the overwhelming warmth of seeing and spending time with friends. Just sad that I wasn’t able to see any of my college friends as they were busy with their own family, but it was enough to see my housemates, ‘wedding friends’ and former officemates. Of course, HS amiga Cjay was just delirious over the DVD I gave him. Mic-mic uttered a loud sigh after finding out I could buy her Wu Chu (?) DVDs had she told me she is a fan of him.

My PH stop-over might not have covered Camsur nor Bohol as I hoped, but our Batangas weekend getaway, mall tours and late night chikahan were more than enough ‘pabaon’ of good times together with friends. Even met Dominika and toured her in CCP and MOA as it was her first time in Manila.

And finally, after 20 hours of travel, unfortunately spent with lbm (I’m never flying JAL again!!!!....), I’m home to my adoptive country and together again with my family. Great news that my dad’s papers are already approved and are being processed right now. What could have become of our house in PH, I’ll just worry about that later. For now, I’m recuperating from jetlag (I woke up 3am here and couldn’t sleep) and from stomach problem. I was already asleep by 10pm and already awake by 5:45AM. This is so unusual for me who usually wakes up at 10 in the morning. My body is still adjusting, give me the weekend to recover and I’m sure to be back to the same takaw-tulog me.

Rush Hour

2008-04-29T11:35:00.007+08:00

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.” -Maurice Setter

It’s been a very hectic month of April for me but I have no reason to complain. On the contrary I love every minute of it. I wake up with the sound of beautiful music in my head and feel so light these days. Though there was a brief awkward moment and this happened when the boss asked for my passport for work permit re-chap and I had to tell them that it’s not with me at the time. I was supposed to give my notice letter on the same day but naunahan. So of course, they were caught in surprise and were aghast that I want to stay until 15^th May only. Discussions ensued but not for long. They decided they will wait for my passport which was supposed to arrive that same week before finalizing everything. And sure enough, it came (with a hefty collect payment price). So it was decided that my last day in Brunei will be on the 30^th April, earlier than I anticipated but I’m okay since I still have time to meet Jojo in PH, I can stretch my vacation until after May 18. Now I’ve finished all document deliverables and just waiting for my last project meeting. My garage sale is complete and my luggage is ready.

Since last week, I have been occupied with meeting up with friends. Thank goodness for internet we can still keep in touch and see each other’s adventures through the web. I just had open house with very tasty caldereta, Mimi’s mom’s specialty – chicken pandan and a humongous chocolate cake.

Saturday was shabu-shabu dinner at Fratinnis in Kampong Ayer - good food and ambiance that is uniquely Malay and Bruneian.

Sunday was late meryenda with a few gym friends.

Monday was delivery of last of my sale and sauna time for me. Carol is back in Brunei so we had late dinner with my fave Mango Fish. House guest was Mark, sitting in for the couple. Too bad Lucas is sick. Today and tommorow are last stretch for work hand-over. After that, its Manila baby! Hello traffic jam, noise pollution and air pollution but still, there’s no gimik life like Manila’s.

Importing Filipino Time

2008-04-26T11:43:00.001+08:00

“Math tells us 3 of the saddest love stories. Tangent lines who had 1 chance to meet and then parted forever. Parallel lines who were never meant to meet. And asymptotes who can get closer and closer but will never be together.”

Les Mills Class Launch, my last launch class from FZ. And it had to be ruin by bad time management. They just could not agree on what time to start it. 6PM was the announcement but the first 2 classes started past 6:30PM and the third class started way before 6:20PM. That is such a bad customer service for me. It’s such a simple matter to organize a gym class event that I cannot fathom why they blundered on this one. So many members complain and I even heard some didn’t join the class because of this conflicting time schedule but I don’t think they really expressed it to management – it was all locker talk. For all the mishaps I witnessed during several events at the gym, I verbally relay it to the managers, instructors and receptionists. Most of these are Filipinos, in fact the gym is like 80% Pinoy staffed. So it was so heartbreaking to experience the repeated mistake amid the feedbacks I’ve already expressed to them. Trigger factor of my rant was when they did not want me to join a particular class because the dress code was red or/and white and I was wearing read & black. Why would I wear a gear that is far from the color code? Simply because the poster had the model wore my color and there was no announcement about the attire. Of course, they denied this saying they texted everyone. Well, clearly not everyone. And isn’t it a shame to refuse me to join the class when other guests – none paying participants (because the launch was for public and not restricted to members only) to join because of some attire code that I, a paying member of almost a year now, was not informed about? A Filipina receptionist lent me a white shirt which I wore and yes, I still joined the class though I was late. But I was steaming with anger. This should be the last of this mistake. I cannot take bad management sitting down and doing nothing especially if it affects me dreadfully. I wrote the management a very long email and they were kind enough to reply the following day. Now I’m at peace and have high hopes this will never happen again as the reply promised. It might reflect immediately to the Filipina manager but this has nothing to do with her personally. I like her as a kababayan, she’s fun to be with and is always the life of the party. But this is constructive criticism and I want to correct obvious mistakes. After all, it is a gym club and only positive energy is nurtured and welcome. No grudge please.

Eye Candy

2008-04-25T15:22:00.003+08:00

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” -Helen Keller

Bukit Shah Bandar is Brunei’s remarkable nature trail. And it’s free for public use and yet, very well maintained. How cool is that? It’s also just about 20minutes drive from the city and is just beside Empire Golf and Country Club should you wish to spend a lavish afternoon tea break after climbing the hills of Shah Bandar. Thank you very much Mimi for taking time and inviting me to see this place. Nakahabol pa before I leave and it was worth it. The whole experience was so unforgettable because it was mixed with so many ‘lost’ moments. First, I got in the wrong lane and ended in Trader’s Inn hotel and back to Gadong. It was my first time to drive there alone and the sign was put after the road separates and is hidden in the bushes. But that was a minor ‘lost incident’ compared to what was awaiting us on top of the hills. We started a bit late coz Mimi came from work and I got ‘lost’ on my way there so it was already 5:40ish when our walk started. By 6:30, we were exhausted and can only finish 1 trail. We reached the 4^th hut though and on our way back, Mimi decided to be more adventurous and try the other trail going down the hill. The sky was getting dark and with all the trees in the woods, it was even darker in the ground. After all, I read somewhere that only 5% of the sun’s ray reaches the forest ground. It was exciting though since it felt like we were in some adventure movie – ala Narnia, Lord of the Rings, you get the drift. After about 10 minutes and we cannot see any sign of parking area or highway and just trees abound us, Mimi confirmed that we were indeed lost. We decided to run back from where we came from and just use the trail we used going up. We had to run because it was already dark and the park closes at 6:30PM and it was way passed that time. Lost count how many times we said careful to each other because of the steep road, some paved, some rocky but all very narrow. By 7:20ish, were out of the jungle and were so glad to see the highway. Only 4 cars were left and there were 3 guys chatting there. Apparently, they were about to find the owners of the 2 cars – my and Mimi’s, and were sure we were lost. Told them our story and thanked them profusely.

To reward our hard work and triumph – coz we sure felt like amazing race winners, we had buko juice! Sure trench our thirst.

And final ‘lost’ moment for me as I can’t seem to reach Bandar. It was dark and again my first time to drive on that rode alone and at night. After so many turns, I finally got it. I could have enjoyed the ride it is was daytime and was not exhausted from walking and running. I missed Cel’s birthday party and I’m sure there were lots of goodie food – she’s a good cook, but I’m still happy over the whole event. Unforgettable indeed!

Un-Filipino?

2008-03-31T17:00:00.003+08:00

“Never let the things you want make you forget the things you already have.”

I’m in the last phase of visa processing. Had my picture taken, renewed my passport (for a whooping BND85 bucks) and fedexed my new passport to the embassy. In two weeks time or less, it will be returned to me and I’m good to go. Already my youngest sis is starting her list of ‘pabili’ and top of her list is a magic sing chip. You can take away the Pinay out of the Philippines, but you can’t take the Philippines out of the Pinay, lol. My friends here are in excited about the list of stuff that I will be selling on my impending garage sale. My car has a lot of buyers and one even went to our flat as early as last Thursday although they are very much aware that I plan to go back to Manila by middle of May. My stuffs are hot and they know it, lol.

Of course, in the middle of the raucous, I popped my close cyber friends and told them I have good news for me. Funny how they really know me well that Jojo gave three guesses: a) My papers got approved finally; b) I have a new bf; c) I got a big bonus. Told her how I wish they’re all true at the same time but I’m just happy that dream numero uno is positive. The latter will come, hopefully before next season, hehe. Jocy is already inviting me to do a ‘CSI’ - meaning tour Vegas, Miami and New York. Told her I’ll check my schedule. Dominika said she’ll definitely be in Canada by June and wants to know if we can meet. Superb. I still haven’t broken the news to my bridesmaid friends and those that I’ll be seeing in Manila. I have to arrange my 2 weeks in Manila first and be sure to meet HS friends, college friends, ex-officemate friends and ex-housemates. I want to meet them all and my list of inaanak. Also, it’s mandatory to meet my relatives but I’m actually looking forward to seeing some of them.

Now that everything is final and the waiting is over, one thought come running back to my mind. Not so long time ago, my ex-officemates and I were just chatting over lunch and the issue of brain drain in PH popped up. The pros and cons of migrating and how much better it is to be living in your own country amidst everything that’s happening (latest are Hello Garci, ZTE deal, Gucci Gang, to name a few). When asked why I am still in Manila despite the fact that my family has already migrated abroad, an officemate answered the question for me. I don’t want to be a second rate citizen daw. At that time, he didn’t know that I have my papers submitted already. Nakikisagot kasi. But that phrase made me think. Do immigrants feel like and treated like second rate citizens? I know for a fact that this is definitely not true as my family hasn’t felt that except for an encounter with a bitchy saleslady. But, that’s all. Patulan mo ba ang saleslady? Not that I’m demeaning the position but you know what I mean.

As a student, did I ever felt like a second rate citizen? Growing up and studying in 2 public elementary schools, I see teachers play favorites, school libraries that have a policy of no overnight borrowing of decade old books and school canteens that sell mostly candies and junk food. And I thought that was the norm. Until I met very few teachers who really want to educate and kind to the poor students who can’t afford to buy stuffs the school is selling instead of berating them and making them stand at the back of the room the whole day. That libraries can have the latest books, magazines and encyclopedia that you can actually touch and read without the librarian eyeing you like a hawk.

The entire lifetime that I was I a tax paying citizen working in Manila, did I always feel like a 1^st rate citizen? Commuting through the hell that was coastal road, racing through the streets to chase after a bus and wrestling your way in and hanging on to dear life while the bus drives through a potholed road, I was always reminded how poor the Philippines is and how corrupt the system is. Our very own baranggay chairman, who for some miracle, has been elected again after his term, has only succeeded in having another wife and literally kicking the deaf wife out of the house. Our baranggay is still the same though, except for a new baranggay office and a waiting shed (a not very nice one at that) at the end of the street going his house.

With my previous employer, it is an ‘encouraged’ and practiced culture to stay way past after working hours. The boss will raise his eyebrow (although not known to be a queer) if you try to go home pronto and this incident will be the major if not the only thing that will be remembered come appraisal day. But this does not guarantee overtime pay. My job includes covering for overseas counterparts when their work ends – cannot call them unless it’s a really an emergency. However, we got calls in unholy hours and weekends included because we had to take charge of our own clients. It doesn’t work the other way around. I stayed there and tolerated it for a while. That was my norm. One brazen manager (rest in peace, just in case) often tells the newbies that they are dispensable so just be grateful for the job.

Does migrating mean becoming a second rate citizen in a first world country? I doubt it, although I doubt I will never encounter such, after all, each has its own demon to battle. But I’ll take my chances. I’m reading about my soon to be new country and state, and I like what I read so far. Very well organized and the OC in me rejoices.

Why not stay and help PH instead? Well, can I not help if I’m based abroad? Last time I checked, the Philippine economy is fueled by the money OFWs send while that fu#%$#ng POEA fees feed the fat assess of those in position. That may only amount to pennies and cents compared to ZTE kickback, but these breed of alligators will suck everything they can. I love Philippines and I love my friends there and will surely miss them, but I just can’t stay anymore. Now I’ll stop here before this reads like a break-up letter. As for break ups, nothing beats a Sarah Silverman – Matt Damon and Jimmy Kimmel – Ben Affleck gig. Cheers!

Singleness

2008-03-26T17:04:00.002+08:00

“Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.” - Maurice Setter

Four years after I submitted the documents for immigration (yes, I have long decided to be a citizen of another country), I finally got a reply. Talk about backlogs! I have heard so many people tell me that I should have gone through an agency so it will be faster and I’ll be guaranteed positive results. I at times almost believed them as I’ve heard a lot of people whose documents were approved before mine. Good thing I was/still am busy living life and enjoying the journey that I never felt bad that it’s taking too long. Well, maybe on bad days but I try to bounce back to the happy side asap, hehe. So, here I was trying to be a diligent OFW when out of the blue, the papers came. And the correspondence never stops. Updated documents here and there were requested. Kkapagod nga coz I have to process them in PH. Thank goodness for family and friends who helped but I still have to send authorization letters. One new requirement document baffles me and even made me snigger – Certificate of No Marriage or Singleness. It was the first time I’ve heard of it. Apparently, it’s a new certificate issued by NSO and is now a major paper requirement for my application. Panalo di ba? I have no qualms about it and when push comes to shove, I might consider laminating it for display on my office desk or facebook, might increase my chances of getting more dates… or I’m counting that people might simply think of me as looney, lol. Maybe it’s the government’s way of making sure Filipinos will have second thoughts about polygamy but I doubt if it’ll stop them from having kulasisi. Now nobody in PH can cry foul that their lover lied to them about their marital status. I just hope the immigration does not extend this requirement and make it like the police clearance they asked me for – 1 for each country that I lived in for a minimum of 6 months. That’ll be tough to gather and expensive. But I’m through submitting papers and my dear spring, here I go.

Ano Daw?! Part 2

2008-02-29T16:53:00.004+08:00

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver

Well, I didn’t know that you can actually buy air should you opt to. Neither am I aware that you can actually but air for a price of a dozen bathroom tissue. But this is what I thought the first time I read this tag line from this tissue brand. Oh well, never fails to make me smile in that shitty part of my room, lol..

Couldn’t Be Anymore Chinese than Here

2008-02-19T10:51:00.005+08:00

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet." -Anonymous

It took me to be located in a Muslim country to experience Chinese New Year full blast – open house lunches, afternoon snacks or pika-pika and dinner invitations from Chinese boss and acquaintances, and of course the most exiting part, am pao. The latter makes me feel like a young girl back in our streets knocking on neighbors doors on Christmas day asking for pamasko. Good old times. CNY is the only occasion that I’m actually on the receiving end of money. And it’s been a long time since that happens, $1:PHP25 pesos pa! LOL. I often see news about CNY celebration on TV and newspaper and back in Eastwood, it’s a week long celebration complete with all sorts of psychic reading – from tarot to palm reading and etc. But that’s the closest I was able to get. Not even when I was in college and one third of the class were Chinese. Not even that my Auntie’s husband is Chinese (he’s so Pinoy that he cannot speak Chinese anymore). Not even when I stayed in Penang where only a quarter my officemates were not Chinese and the fact that the island’s main inhabitants are Chinese. Not even when my ex is Chinese (well, that’s another story, hehe). In short, walang nag invite sken, lol (sounds bitter pero nde naman, reality lang).

So I’m glad I experienced CNY here and to personally witness how a big deal it was. My gym even closed on 7^th February, the 1^st day of the year of the Rat. It compensates for the almost non-existence of 31st December eve celebration here.

Muslim Weddings

2008-02-16T10:11:00.005+08:00

"When love beckons you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep, And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste in the garden. " - Kahlil Gibran

Another noteworthy experience is going to local weddings. Firstly, I have to thank Jocy and Mimi for lending me their baju kurung. It’s the local dress worn during formal occasions and as office formal attire for girls particularly with government employees. Our equivalent to Baro’t saya. But who wears them now, really? For local guys here, office attire is your regular Makati yuppie. They wear their traditional dress or Baju Melayu for formal occasions and prayer time.

You have to give kudos to the people here for having such true loyalty to their local attire. The more expensive Bajus are adorned with hand woven embroideries. During Hari Raya which is celebrated after fasting season and runs for one month, families usually wore dresses of the same garment. Super terno talaga, hehe.

In the picture is our client dressed in a majestic baju. It’s a week long celebration and we were invited by the groom, hence we were at his residence. The bride-to-be is in her own residence having a feast with her own guests. The groom will go to her place and his less than 6 steps walk from their doorway to the car must be covered under an umbrella.

Though the celebration stretches from 4 to 5 days, the days do not last long. Unlike in the Philippines where it could last for at least 3 hours (yan ay kung walang karaoke session to follow, lol). Each guest was handed a souvenir gift once they arrive. The female relatives will walk from table to table to shake hands or Salam with each female guest. The male relatives will go to the male guests and shake hands as well. Yes, females and males are seated separately. There will never be an opportunity to mingle and eye for single girls and guys here, too bad huh? After that, a prayer will start the celebration and the feast begins. As soon as the guests have eaten, all leftovers are up to grabs. Take-out or Tapao plastics are available and everyone dugs in. Everything usually takes less than 45 minutes and guests starts to go back home.

As for the newly weds, the celebration is ended with a honeymoon. Now that part is universal and no color or religion makes any difference. ^_^

Brain Meat

2008-02-04T16:30:00.001+08:00

"One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is to listen to each other's stories." - Rebecca Falls

Another brilliant marketing strategy brought to you by a famous hotel (not just here I’m sure). I love meat but how can I lust for having a piece if it shows a picture of a whole cow? Cowabangga! He looks so cute and innocent that this ad actually forces me to go on fish and veggie diet. Nice job Sheraton.

Ano Daw?!

2008-01-28T11:48:00.003+08:00

"Nothing in this world that's worth having comes easy." - Dr. Cox

Fitness Zone is promoting its café and is giving away free mugs for renewals and new members. But how can they possibly entice members like me to try their drinks when I get this feeling that it may somehow deteriorate my brain and my sense of spelling. What’s with the drink? Lead? Or maybe it’s a marketing strategy – pa shock effect. Well, if it’s the latter, they got me there, hehehe. I’m still not buying it though.

2007….The Year That Was

2007-12-28T16:31:00.002+08:00

"You don't do the right thing because of the consequences. If you're wise, you do it regardless of the consequences." - Jeannette Rankin

It was in general, a fruitful year for me. I was able to buy my dream house, my bio-fueled car and travelled Europe. Or at least, what my dream was about before the sound of the alarm shattered them and woke me back to reality. I’m in Brunei. It’s a day after Christmas. I have work. Bahumbag!

But no scrooge attitude here; My Christmas Eve and Christmas were actually fun. I had dinner at my officemate Thelma’s house and I brought fruits for potluck share. We had exchange gifts afterwards and I got a Stich minus Lilo car décor. Then my officemate Amor invited me to their flat for lunch Christmas day and watched a Migrant Xmas Party at the Church’s ground. I was with our consultant from Taiwan and didn’t know we needed tickets for food stab. We sat there, under the tree just a few feet away from the Bishop’s table. He must have read our minds or our face gave us away (mukang gutom?) that he approached us and asked one of his assistants to usher us to the line upon learning that we didn’t have tickets. God bless his soul. We later went to Brunei’s one and only 24 hours café for dessert and that was how Christmas went for me.

Here’s what I’ll remember 2007 for:
1. Went home to PH and met my sister and her husband whom I haven’t seen in 10 years and my mom whom I haven’t seen in 5 years. Distance was kind to us and we actually feel closer than we were growing up.

2. Took driving lessons, got my driver’s license here in Brunei and bought a car. Special kasi it’s right hand drive here. Feeling ‘Mr. Bean’ every time I have to go thru roundabouts, hihi.

3. Went back to gym. I miss my gym buddies in PH but I like Fitness Zone and the Les Mills classes. I’m currently crazy about Yoga and Body Balance.

4. Bought my own ref. Now, I can do panic buying without ever worrying about space. Sabi ko nga, bawal magutom. And food is every woman’s bestfriend, especially bcoz diamonds are quite expensive, hehe.

5. Travelled to Phuket, Thailand and Singapore with Shawie (who’s getting married, finally!). Went island hopping and saw Fantasea and Simon Cabaret show, both are must-see shows.

6. Dinner reunion with close ex-Trenders: Jojo minus the bf, Pedro minus the gf, super Mario and Jupee and Shawie(also getting married next year). Too bad I missed Jaja but I also met some of Jupee’s friends. So nice to see them again and to know that they have each a happy and healthy relationship.

7. Took IETLS exam. It’s long overdue if you asked me but it was quite an experience mainly because it’s my first time to talk with and be interviewed by an Australian. Umikot ata tenga ko trying to understand her accent, lol.

8. Met Dinky and her friends in Kota Kinabalu. I also got to meet a Filipina local girl there and her friend. She has Filipino parents but was born and raised in Borneo. She speaks fluent Tagalog and Nihonggo which is quite impressive. Filipino kids here in Brunei are like the Filipino kids in the States – can hardly speak Tagalog, sad. They are so friendly and now we are friendster friends ^_^.

9. Bought 4 books and finished reading 3 (Freakonomics due next year) – Paulo Coehlo’s ‘The Witch of Portobello’ and ‘The Zahir’, Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt’s ‘Freakonomics’, and the book of the year (at least for me!) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

10. Discovered ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, ‘For One More Day’ and ‘The Tipping Point’ and actually liked them. Although I like Mitch Albom’s first novel better.

11. Discovered the blog of Wanda Ilusyonada and eventually bought her book – uniquely beautiful and superbly entertaining! Di ba pang critic ang feedback?!

12. Got the latest Pugad Baboy 19 and as usual, the humor is worth the maximum star rating.

13. Got Howie Severino’s DVD compilation of his 10 best documentaries (so far). This kind of show should rule the primetime shows of Philippine TV instead of all those telenovelas. Inspiring, intriguing, intellectually stimulating and witty topics. Truly an eye opener.

Now if I can only put anything relating to romance at number 14, it would be complete. But for that, I might need to go back to sleep.

That Once in a Lifetime

2007-12-17T16:02:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "Time eases all things." - Sophocles

A thriving career and a blessed relationship with a man you will soon be married to and spend the rest of your life with. Practically living the life you’ve always wanted. But acting like a thief in the middle of the night, fate took them all away. All people can say to you probably is that it is a test of faith. But must it really hurt you that bad – strip you of all your dreams while you feel like you’re on top of the world? I felt numb after knowing what happened. All the heartbreaks I felt was nothing compared to your pain right now. I know that whatever I say, it cannot heal you as fast as you want. Only time will or maybe not. I don’t know.

I won’t even try to console you with words; just know that you are always in my prayer. When you are healed, I hope you will come to enjoy and embrace every single moment in life, just like before. If this phase in your life gives a reality check in life – that is to always love like there is no tomorrow and embrace each journey as a once in a lifetime experience. You did, and that’s all that matters.

For Lala who recently lost her fiance 2 weeks after he proposed to her....

Oh Sweet Liberty!

2007-11-26T15:03:00.001+08:00

Today's Thought: "It is not impossibilities which fill us with the deepest despair, but possibilities which we have failed to realize." - Robert Mallet

Mineral Water delivery does not exist here. You have to buy bottles in boxes or those containers that goes with a hot & cold dispenser. It's arms exercise and endurance everytime I buy a box and carry at most 3 bottles at 1 go. I live on the 3rd floor and there's no elevator. I might be a gym rat but the body's not build to carry boxes (even a guy would complain!).

It's just interesting and never fails to make me smile every time I got to read the box. I never thought this country is under siege and crying of liberation, hehehe.

In sickness and in health....There's Always a Medicine You Can Take

2007-11-16T10:32:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: “I'm so ugly - My mother had morning sickness - After I was born” - Rodney Dangerfield

I had slight flu and cold just last month, my first time to get sick while I'm based here. I went to our company doctor and was given these meds, 1 sachet for cold and 1 sachet for fever. I think the plastics' pretty cool, hehe. It's not a practice here to hand out any prescription paper so you can go buy them yourself. Instead, the meds are covered under sick leave (provided it was approved and signed by the boss) and are provided by government hospitals. All details are written in 3 languages - English, Malay and Chinese. The picture's a little blurd but these two just say that I should take 2 paracetamol tablets 4x a day & when necessary & before meals and 1 fedar(?) 3x a day & when necessary. If you ask me, the 'x a day' conflicts with 'when necessary' but who am I to question the doc? The result? I was sick for 1 more week and finally felt good after taking Neozep from a Pinoy friend. Pati ba naman sakit, brand concious?

Phuket Adventure Part II: Island Tour and Simon Cabaret

2007-10-30T11:43:00.000+08:00

Today’s Thought: “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

It was a cloudy morning and it actually rained quite hard before we left the pier. But it didn’t dampen our 2^nd day adventure as we head off towards the sea and on to our sea canoeing adventure. I know PH also has beautiful caves but, as it was my first time to have a sea canoeing adventure, it was marvelous! I like the idea of lying flat on the canoe as we enter the caves. The flashlights were close to useless as it was totally dark inside. But as flashes of camera never ceased to pop up, we got a glimpse of how the caves looked like – totally eerie yet beautiful works of art. But it smelled bat poop everywhere that I breathed thru my mouth while inside these caves. I also was not sure if the water dripping from the ceiling were bat poop or just moist water. I honestly didn’t want to know. My disgust for the smell was easily lost to the breathtaking lagoon at the center of the island. There were mangrove trees and monkeys abound. One white guy said that God is truly the best architect of all – amen to that.

We went to 4 islands – Phanak Island, Hong Island, James Bond Island and Lawaya. We only had cave trips in the first two islands so I’m not sure if the popular James Bond has its caves as well. What I saw was souvenir stores within the island! We didn’t bother to check the goods they were selling as Shawie and I were busy taking pictures of ourselves. It was such a fun and hilarious moment as we took turns trying to catch each other’s jumping moment through camera. Our buffet lunch at the boat was also a delight although we didn’t have seafood except for fish. The last island, Lawaya Island, was quite a disappointment though. We spent almost an hour in Lawaya, the longest in any other islands we went to. We’re supposed to stay there for more canoeing and swimming. But my goggles and the underwater camera we bought were useless as the water was not clear and the sand had a mixture mostly of crushed pieces of shell. I don’t know whether it was because of the tsunami or because October was still a rainy season. We just contented ourselves babysitting for baby Diego, a 14 month baby of a Filipina and an Italian guy. Diego is such a cutie and so well engrossed with our colorful bright blue and yellow underwater camera. We used the film to shot Diego instead.

Went home tired and all dried up from the sea water. For dinner, we were craving for seafood and the whole place was packed with seafood choices. So the only thing we had to agree on was the ambiance to go for. It didn’t take us that long to agree that we wanted to dine in Banana Phuket. It was an open air restaurant at the back of the street and it looked cozy. It was and we weren’t disappointed with our food either. Thank goodness!

Last stop was the Simon Cabaret show. We got VIP tickets and same luck like last time; we were seated in front center. Yehey! Being picture addicts, we started taking pictures as soon as we got to the place. It’s just weird that there’s a Chinese altar by the gate entrance and a picture of their king at the hall entrance. I guess they always want Buddha and their King to bless their show and give them energy to entertain the crowd. And finally, the show every one was waiting for. It was a total cabaret show but too bad they just lip synch the songs. I’m used to gay performers in Manila belting out songs from their idols live so I was a little dismay. Most of their songs were slow and local songs. I didn’t mind it for the Fantasea cultural show but I was hoping here at Cabaret that they will imitate gay icons – Cher, Madonna, Cristina Aguilera and heck, even Britney Spears. They did a Gloria Gaynor song with mild applaud and Tina Turner to the delight of the crowd (okay, she was also my favorite). A nod on the show was the dance and song number from 2 funny gays. They weren’t sexy and pretty like the rest and that’s what their number was all about. They walked through the crowds and kissed guys and their heavy lipstick marks were left on the guys’ face. That sent the crowd to the roof laughing. As the show ended, all the lady boy performers lined up at the exit. They were encouraging people to take pictures with them, but they also asked for some money after. I didn’t have much so I just tried to take group pictures while they were busy poising for a shot with some foreigners. Kuripot, hehe.

I think the lady boys earn more in Phuket than real women whose job mostly is 200 baht worth of 1 hr Thai massage.

Phuket Adventure Part I: City Tour & Fantasea

2007-10-11T16:07:00.000+08:00

Todays’s Thought: “To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.” - Katherine Paterson

I woke up to a beautiful Thursday morning, ready and excited about my trip to SG & Phuket. Only to be told at the airport that my multiple visa was already expired. To my shock and horror…and my fault, I just checked my working visa which is valid until April next year. The rush of blood I tell you! Felt like I’m part of Amazing Race Asia and I had to catch the next and last flight to SG that day and get my multiple entry before the immigration closes (until 2PM only since it's Ramadan). It was already 10AM and there was just no way I could make my 10:40AM flight. I had to call Shawie and tell her to reschedule our flight to Phuket as well. I guess, luck was still on my side that day so I manage to get my multiple by 1PM and just waited in my flat for the 9PM flight. Sayang, I could have been in SG that afternoon. I wanted to by a new SD for my camera before Phuket since mine always prompts an error (yes, parang PC may error message).

Shawie picked me up at Changi by midnight. And before 7am, we were at budget airport. T’was my first time to take budget airlines. It had an open tarmac so going inside the plane felt like a dramatic entrance for me. But we had to buy drinks and food inside the plane, hahaha. In fairness, the mushroom soup tasted nice, parang hindi galing sachet, lol.

9ish AM, Thailand time: The fun begins. But it was raining and the road was stiff and slippery. Shawie and I gave a sigh of relief coz we didn’t have to be driven to the hotel at midnight seeing how the road is. Kakatakot din and the driver of the van who picked us up drove like he’s having an LBM moment - lumilipad, sumisingit, parang jeep sa madaling araw! It was a 45mins drive so we just tried to enjoy the rainy scenery and chatted our way. It’s been a long while since we saw each other, bulk na ang chikka, hahaha. Halfway to our hotel, the sun welcomed us with its warmth. Yehey! So we were able to walk around a bit. It rained again but we were already on our way back to Royal Palm for a Thai massage. So relaxing at a cheap price – only 17BND.

After that soothing massage, we just changed clothes and was picked up by our tour van for buffet dinner and Fantasea show. It’s a good thing that we had a packaged tour since the van that picked us up also had to get the other tourists from other hotels. So we got to see other places in Phuket which we normally wouldn’t see coz there’s just far from us. Phuket has some of the amazing hotels ^_^.

Finally, Fantasea! Just seeing the entrance and the ticket booth is enough to take your breath away, so shinny and magnificent. Of course, Disneyland entrance is still better but Fantasea offers a different show. And EK has no chance to compete. It only has 1 wizard statue welcoming the guests where Fantasea has this Hollywood style sign and golden elephant displays at each corner of the entrance booth. And the painted ceiling tells of so many local stories pero di ko kinarir masyado, stiff neck ang magiging kapalit e.

We look around and took pictures and then headed to the Golden Kinnaree Buffet restaurant, the biggest buffet restaurant I’ve been to. It has 4,000 seating capacity. Shawie and I joked that our wedding or birthday should be held here. Bongga! Inside are statues of the mythical Kinnarees, half-bird and half-woman of legendary beauty and graciousness. So we had our dinner in a Thai mythology inspired atmosphere. Divine.

Few minutes before 9PM, the entrance at the Palace of the Elephants where the ‘Fantasy of a Kingdom’ will be shown opened. Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed and it had to be deposited at the entrance counter. On our way inside, we passed by a 2-3 booths that let you cradle baby tigers while they suck milk from a milk bottle (yes, kelangan i-mention saan) and have your picture taken. Wag n lang, takot pa din ako, hehehe. And finally the show: True to what it says in the internet, it was worth the money and the effort going there – a true Vegas style theater show with magical illusions, 4D effects, aerial performance, acrobatics, indoor pyrotechnics, special effects, elephant circus and stunts (in no particular order ha kasi minsan sama2x, ang saya!). And the stage is huge that it still has space left when all 16 elephants did their stunts. The whole show was one for the books, galing talaga. Then we felt sad realizing that PH does not have this kind of show when I’m sure we have so many talented artists. Baka walang makuhang elephants?

Lilet

2007-10-01T16:38:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "It is wrong to think that love comes from long companionship and persevering courtship. Love is the offspring of spiritual affinity and unless that infinity is created in a moment, it will not be created for years or even generations" - Khalil Gibra

She was an 80’s singing child sensation that faded from the limelight as soon as she hit her teens. A picture of sweetness and innocence, but to be called as her namesake? Kebarbaridad! Hard as I look at myself in the mirror, I couldn’t see the girl, hahahaha. But that was how I was described by the pips who were at Michelle’s birthday party. She’s one of the instructors at FZ and my favorite at that. This woman kicks ass! But that’s beside the point. Me? Lilet? Should I take it as a complement or does it simply mean that I was so tame compared to the other guests there? Let me tell you the highlights of the party – daring photo shoots and body shots. Either of which I took part of but I didn’t deny that I enjoyed watching them and I had the loudest laugh (tawang bragunda sabi nga ni pareng willy). Don’t get the wrong idea coz it was clean fun regardless of the game. They were all friends there and I’m a newbie. One third of the guests were gay and the girls had an all gay attitude for fun and the guys were contented to drink and smoke and chat on the veranda, away from the photo shoots. They had to drag them one at a time and they were actually prey not predator, at least, on this party.

By 2am, the birthday girl was too drunk and begun to puke. It was time to go home for me. They had been pouring drinks non-stop since 11PM while I busy myself with the food (we had shrimp and sisig!). I didn’t want to get drunk since I still have to drive and I might get wasted that next thing I know, I’m doing body shots myself! Kebarbaridad (ulit)! hahahaha.

So I guess for that night, I was indeed Lilet.

Next Stop: Phuket

2007-09-11T10:02:00.000+08:00

Today’s Thought: “Destiny is not a matter of chance; but a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for. It is a thing to be achieved.” - William Jennings Bryant

I am so looking forward to my next trip! My friend Shawie recently asked me if I wanted to join her for a vacation in Phuket. I have been dying to go there since I was staying in Malaysia (zeon years ago, ganun na katagal). My friends back there chickened out for whatever reason and back in PH, I was just happy to go out of town with friends. So when Shawie asked me, I said yes immediately. I checked the website for direct flights to Phuket where we could just meet but also checked flights going to SG. Thought it’s a good idea if we go to Phuket together. It’s almost the same price so I opted for choice #2. Next is to finalize the date when were going there. It’s off peak season till month of October but my concern is my impending work meetings here. Thankfully, I was able to iron out my schedule with our client but the September flights have doubled its price. So we agreed to have our Phuket tour early October instead. Now, where to stay? So many choices!

This one looks promising ^_^ and within budget. What’s more, it’s fronting the Patong beach, the biggest and most popular beach in Phuket (according to website research). I hope it looks exactly the same when we get there.

Last night before going to bed, I checked my self in the mirror (oh, for the love of vanity!) and contemplate if I should start a diet for the beach trip. But I remember my cake, my sweets and my jasmine rice…. Don’t bother, I got my gym membership anyway, hehe.

Somewhere in Between

2007-09-10T15:02:00.000+08:00

Today’s Thought: “Everyone has some adversity. Everybody has a battle in their lives, and some are more traumatic or obvious than others. You don't necessarily have to win. You have to endure.”- Nancy Grace

No, I’m not outing myself. It was the result of the exam I recently took – EITLS, that is. Why in heaven’s sake did I take the exam? Wala lang, bakit ba? Hahahaha.

It was just a general English exam but it took half a day plus 20 minutes for the interview. Yup, may ganun pa talaga! The most difficult part was writing simply because I have not been writing through pen for a long time (thank goodness for computers and the spell checker, hehe). I felt my left arm and all my 5fingers there go numb halfway in the exam. After a week, the result (drumrolls here): 7.5. 7 is Good User and 8 is Very Good User while 9 is the highest or Excellent User. So I’m somewhere between a good a very good user. I was actually hoping for an 8 and above average but not bad I guess.

Before this, I was dead serious reviewing for another exam. I honestly felt that I damaged my eyesight with my 50 pages per day quota that I sought an eye doctor. They had this machine which will diagnose the eyes and print the result (who can contest the outcome with that?). It said my eyesight is perfect and my eyes were just way too tired. But sadly, that exam was postponed and was rescheduled 2 months before the original exam date. Maybe it wasn’t meant for me. Or maybe I’m being tested. Or maybe life sucks sometimes and my exam took a big hit. I could accept the change in schedule but what broke my heart was the fact that I only knew about the cancellation 3 days before the exam date. And I would not have known it had I not called the test center here to verify the exam location. For an international certification organization that puts focus on CIA and has a lot of integrity, this just sucks. And I didn’t receive any apologies or clarification why it was cancelled. I’ve written emails day after day to no avail. So I decided after 2 weeks to just reimburse. And of course, it took 2 months to get my money back. My friends were already teasing me that it might be a hoax site because I paid online (and it wasn’t cheap). What a big disappointment it was. It’ll definitely take a while before I’ll consider taking cissp again. Where did I put that money on instead? My PH vacation, hehe.

Ay Caramba!

2007-09-05T15:26:00.000+08:00

All for nothing?

The Manila Standard rejected Malu Fernandez' resignation and Malu called the bloggers who hurled back at her a "lynch mob". I thought this only happens in Philippine politics. Reading PDI on a daily basis made me thought most local newspapers carry the same integrity and intelligence as this newspaper has. Nevermind the tabloids, but Manila Standard? All respect crumbles.

I support the call to boycott Manila Standard newspaper and web link. I've said my opinion about her, I won't waste another space. Just trying to reach out to friends and inform them not to support this newspaper.

Transformers Pinoy Style

2007-09-03T11:13:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "One shall stand, one shall fall" - Optimus Prime

Thanks to my friend Pam for forwarding these pics - trully Pinoy style. I love to share with you all.

The buses can be a menace in EDSA but they sure saved me a lot of times whenever they fly their way off to coastal road, the Mother of all traffic. I learned how to sleep standing up, how to sqeeze in, hold on to a steel bar for balance, pay the conductor and try to review for the exams - all at the same time, while the bus jerks off the highway.

Tatak Pinoy. Miniature copies of these are popular souveneir gifts to friends living abroad and foreigners who are fascinated by this means of transportation. Back in my town, hometown of Sarao jeep, no undecorated jeepney can be seen. You cannot have passengers if yours is not as colorful and well adorned as the rest are. The students simply won't bother. The turn off though is the load music. I swear I thought I lost my sense of hearing more than twice. And for the upgraded version, check out the aircon jeeps in Makati. Not as festive but definitely convenient.

A better alternative to buses and are most common for short distance travel. Just pray that the fx actually has a working ac and I'd rather not take the middle seat for the horror of being squeezed with 3 other passengers. It is really most uncomfortable pero kelangan kumita ni manong...

Our baranggay never had this transpo. But watching the police news on tv, you see these Brgy. Patrol cars typically loaded with illegal stuffs the Barangay Tanods seized from poor vendors or with robbers, snatchers, rugby boys or men and women with ashen faces (the latter usually caught skulking the dark corners of red districts).

This must be God's answers to every working parents' wish to make sure someone drives their kids to and from school. It'll be just a waste of fuel and an addition to the monster traffic that requires a lot of effort to do this job on your own. Unless of course, you are the bus driver. But here, parents are so lucky to excuse themselves earlier than the usual lunch break to fetch their kids and return a bit late coz they drove their kids back to school and get away with it.

Oh my gosh. This gives the same level of challenge and difficulty as the bus. It also tests your endurance to a variety of nauseating stench from Pasay to Monumento and back. Good thing the MRT is way better than LRT. I love the convenience of MRT and the thought that I can just go to Shangri-la and Ayala all in 20minutes. MRT2 is not that bad either although I took it just once. But my heart goes to the people who have to take the old train (the one that passes through Manila - Buendia, I forgot the name). Really a pity.

I have tons of cab stories. I have a love and hate relationship with them. I hate them mostly during rush hour when they choose their passengers, ask for extra payment because the gasoline is expensive, or because the area where I'm going to is traffic. Hell, I too am affected with the price hikes you know. And where in Manila can you find a place that is not congested with traffic? come on man! But I have one experience that I will never forget. I left my laptop inside the taxi and he, with his friend driver, returned it back to me! See, I took the cab with my friend and I was the 1st one to get off. After the driver dropped my friend, he went to the gas station and saw a thin black folder. He realized that it was a laptop and decided to call his friend for help. It was already pass 3am. They went back to my friend's house, waited until it was past 5am so as not to wake him up so early and asked him to tell them where my address was again. Di daw matutumbasan ng pera ang kunsensya. Never asked for anything in return and would not even accept the gas money I assumed he used driving back and forth to my and my friends' place. His friend driver, he proudly tells me, returned a huge amount of dollars from a balikbayan they picked up at the airport. Went all the way back to Bulacan to return it. There are still good manong drivers out there.

Only in the Philippines. They come in different shapes, some are bigger and carry up to 5 passengers comfortably while the regular ones can have 4 passengers at one go. I grew up with these tricyles. The colors represent their organization and the scope of their route. Pretty clever. Their toughest competitor are the pedicabs - nature friendly, cheaper for the driver since no gas is needed but requires all the driver's musles to move through the streets (hence its more expensive than tric) and a most favorable ride if your area is flooded.

Outrageous

2007-08-28T14:13:00.000+08:00

Today’s thought: “Do you still love nature, despite what it did to you?” – professionalheckler to Malu Fernandez

The Malu Fernandez bruhaha spread like wild fire in the internet and has caught the ire of almost everybody not just the OFWs she maligned through her column. Excepts from her column “FROM BORACAY TO GREECE!” are featured below:

“However I forgot that the hub was in Dubai and the majority of the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) were stationed there. The duty-free shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them.

While I was on the plane (where the seats were so small I had bruises on my legs), my only consolation was the entertainment on the small flat screen in front of me. But it was busted, so I heaved a sigh, popped my sleeping pills and dozed off to the sounds of gum chewing and endless yelling of “HOY! Kumusta ka na? At taga sann ka? Domestic helper ka rin ba?” Translation: “Hey there? Where are you from? Are you a domestic helper as well?” I though I had died and God had sent me to my very own private hell.

On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more. This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air.”

This has eventually caused her to resign from her post (and save face before People Asia and Manila Standard sack her). You can check this link for the full article but this is gonna make you rant the whole day, so beware: http://qa.filipinoexpats.com/malu-fernandez-articles-ofws-boracay-greece.

She came to her defense and write non-apologetically, which made it worse. Excerpts here again (full article is available at http://qa.filipinoexpats.com/malu-fernandez-articles-ofws-am-i-diva-or-do-you-lack-common-sense):

“I wrote a funny article in my magazine column and my friends thought it was hilarious. It was humorous and quite tongue-in-cheek, or at least I thought so, until the magazine got a few e-mails from people who didn’t get the meaning of my acerbic wit. The bottom line was just that I had offended the reader’s socioeconomic background. If any of these people actually read anything thicker then a magazine they would find it very funny. Most people don’t get the fact that they need bitches like me to shake up their world, otherwise their lives would be boring and mediocre. I obviously write for a certain target audience and if what I write offends you, just stop reading.”

I find no humor in any of her articles. Maybe it’s because I do not belong to her ‘target audience’, and her kind of ‘acerbic wit’ does not appeal to me, but being an OFW myself, she also caught my wrath and I really think that her writings were done in poor taste. I’ve travelled and have shared the economy class with OFWs myself and surely, most of them tend to be chatty and to some extent noisy once the pilot announces touch down to Manila airport. All dashing towards the exit door, lining up to get their balikbayan boxes and some are even clapping their hands in excitement. But none break rules and all are ever so friendly and polite. Malu, the socialite elite (kuno) should understand that we are just extremely in high spirits to meet our family and friends we left in PH. There is no need to criticize the smell of their perfume and besides, its been known that Filipinos are the most OC when it comes to cleanliness so I doubt that those OFWs she was with really smell foul. Hinde naman sila nakasabit sa jeep o nakatayo s loob ng regular bus n parehong nasa kahabaan ng traffic s EDSA. Dun talaga hindi maiiwasang mag-amoy tambutso at pawis.

She has, as she confirmed, been receiving death threats because of what she wrote which prompted her to resign in the first place. I wonder now where she can possible go to after all that she’s written in her column. I’m sure that every Filipino in the Philippines is connected in some way to an OFW. Having her face posted in countless blogs; feeling ko tinalo p nya yung collective pictures ng most wanted criminals in the country, I doubt there is nobody in the Philippines and Filipinos abroad who hasn’t read her discriminating column, except those that do not have internet access. But with 15-20 pesos/hr rental, I doubt there will be much.

Karma boomeranged so soon she didn’t know it hit her twice as hard as when she threw it. She’s now out of job. But it should not be a problem as she is rich and this she flaunts callously. I hope she learned her lesson well otherwise she is an abomination to her kind which I happen to love – baboy.

P.S. Check this site http://professionalheckler.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/this-is-for-you-malu-fernandez/ for top 10 Things to Tell Malu Fernandez When You See IT. Now this is my kind of wit.

I'm Bringing Sexy Back, Yeah!

2007-08-24T15:24:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "I'm too sexy for my shirt, too sexy for my shirt. So sexy it hurts" - Right Said Fred

Just this week, I've started the habit of going out (of office and back home) for lunch. We have 1.5hrs lunch break and its the envy of most partners from KL (but only before I mention that we have Saturday half-day work). Yep, that's the sad consequence of it. I'd rather enjoy a lazy Saturday morning and wake up a bit late than usual than to go to office and work for a few hours.

But anyway, I find this new habit invigorating. I do not usually go out but rather, pack my lunch food to office. It's too hot and traffic is bad during this time. You gotta understand that tinted cars are only for royals so imagine the heat of a 12noon sunshine. But it's been raining lately or atleast a bit cloudy so the weather is tolerable than usual.

Driving back, stuck in round-about traffic, the radio played a Barry White song. I forgot the title already (not a big fan) but I like it when the character John Cage sings it to himself to feed his confidence and ego. The voice (Barry's I mean) is just way too sexy. As the music ended, I thought of all the songs that exudes the same kind of effect - making u feel sexy! Here's my list so far.

Sexual healing - Marvin Gaye **Everything about it screams for some getting it on action but what I love about it is the rhythm, pasimple kasi. Totally contradictory to the cries of urgency of the lyrics (walang biro!)

Pure shores - All Saints **Leonardo di Caprio, the Beach - Need I say more?

Diggin On You - TLC **It's exactly what I'd want to say to a guy I'd cruise in a club, hehe

When I first Saw You - Jamie foxx **It's exactly what I'd want the guy I'm cruising in a club say to me, hehe

Say It Right, Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado **Have you seen the video? - hot!

Red Light, Do it to Me - Usher **Makes me wanna be with Usher, lol

Sexy Love - Ne-Yo **Uncomplicated rhythm

Too Close - Next **For the hot guy in the club, hehe

Let Me Blow Ya Mind - Eve & Gwen Stefani **Everthing is sexy in this song

Rock Your Body, Senorita - Justin Timberlake **Justin gyrating to his songs, lets parrty!!!

Shake that Thing, Temparature - Sean Paul **It's gives me that Boracay beach party feeling, haay, sana maulit

Beautiful Liar/Bello Embustero - Shakira & Beyonce **Seen than video - my gosh! If only my belly dance class would make me dance like that, lol

The Way I Are - Timbaland **Super pa-cool, love it!

Get Your Number, It's Like That - Mariah Carey **Back with a vengeance and rightly so since she has talent (in singing). Just stay away from movies sistah.

Control Myself - LL Cool J & Jlo - **Another awesome video, love her make up and love fafa LL. Don't think I can control myself if he sings this one to me (dream on, as if!)

The Way You Move - Big Boi **My ringback tone. Super love this song!

Get Low - Lil Jon, Ying Yang Twins **Yes, I'll get low **wink-wink**

Push The Button, Too Lost In You - Sugababes ** Candy tunes but I was/got too lost in you, hahaha.

My Boo - Usher & Alicia Keys **How many weeks did this stay on top (of the charts)? The collaboration is just so perfect.

Tonight Your Mine - 7 Shots **Way to go OPM! I like the group better than Ja Rule during Ja Rules concert, hahaha.

And for sheer Girl Power, I have high respect for these girls and their songs:
The Wreckers - Leave The Pieces
Sandi Thorn - I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker
Amy Winehouse - Rehab
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Sheryl Crow - All I Wanna Do
Dixie Chicks - Not Ready To Make Nice
Macy Gray - I try
Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On
Joss Stone - Super Duper Love
Rihanna - Shut Up And Drive

Ganyan kahaba ang traffic. And the very few radio stations played local music na so I just turned off my car radio (low tech, walang CD player) and sang to myself. Ang nagagawa nga naman ng gutom.

Audio Slave

2007-08-20T10:56:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends." - Dumbledore, HP1

T'was almost 2AM Sunday morning. I was sure that I looked as pale as Snape and my eyes had long since abandon any glimmer of light (in short, naka eye cap). Yet I laid wide awake listening to every word of the storyteller. I will forever be fascinated with the world of Harry Potter. I have read all the books including the most recent and last book (waahh, but I am happy with the ending though I thought either Harry, Hermoine or Ron will die when J.K. said 2 major characters will die in the book). And now, thanks to my friend, I have the audio book copy of all 6 books! Yahoo!!! So even if I do my chores, take a bath, or ANYTHING at all, I can hear Harry Potter. I've finished books 1& 2 and starting with book 3. Stephen Covey will have to take a back seat on this one.

My first encounter with audio books was with 'the Vinci Code'. I love the book, the movie was blah, and the audiobook - well it sucks. All characters sounded old, like 50ish. I have nothing agaist old folks but it's just so unbelievable. How can you possibly imagine a 50 year old Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu raising their hearts out trying to outrun a monster like Silas and the rest of the antagonists in the book? But I stayed with the story and finished it, fought off the age in my mind. I also stayed in the movies because I was hoping I'll get my money's worth and that at least the ending won't disappoint me. But of course, it failed in comparison with the book.

Next audio book is 'Anne Frank - The Diary of a Young Girl'. I wasn't able to read the book nor watch the film but I've always wanted to. Everytime I go to National Bookstore or Powerbooks, I always managed to find it and checked if it's on discount which more than twice it was but ended up buying PugadBaboy or ZsahZsah Zaturnnah or Bob Ong's books. I'd go for funny ones anytime, hehe. Imagine the fun it will be if there are audio books of these? To hear Ada's, Didi's and Aling Britney's super churvang punchlines and the Amazonistas' combat formation? To listen to the whole Pugab Baboy gang talk about everything and anything under the sun? Gold mines I tell yah. Gold mines.

Sidenote: The title is a tribute to the band Audioslave (I love you!!!). Check out their video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s56RlF_D6DE

Cravings

2007-08-17T15:15:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle

I was craving for dumplings yesterday. A few minutes after office hours, I decided to skip gym class and give in to my longing for hakao, sharksfin and carrot cake. There’s only a few nice restaurants here (I’m always pro ambiance – with or without a date) that have good authentic dumplings. I have Dynasty in my mind already – it’s the nearest from my office and is just beside the Mall where I can do my groceries later (just being true to my motto: “Bawal magutom”) and stuff my ref again. I went around the building hoping for a parking space. It’s usually crowded during this time of the day (simply because it’s the only place where people can go to unwind). The Mall at Gadong is like Eastwood, Metrowalk, Glorietta, Rockwell and The Fort rolled into one. I saw a parking space exactly in front of the restaurant, beside the basement parking exit. I’m starving, there’s no car before me and no car going out of the parking exit so I took my chances and drove passed the exit ramp, turn right against the one-way entrance and I got my space (tablahan na ito). I excitedly walk passed the restaurant/hotel entrance to withdraw some cash from the ATM just ‘round the corner and leisurely walked back to the hotel lobby. Smile turned to shocked and then to pout (all in 3 seconds time). Was it immediate karma (for going against the road sign) or just not my luck, but the resto was still close! It resumes business at 6:30PM and it’s only 6:10PM. Should I wait for a few more minutes? My stomach was grumbling worse than ever. I have to decide fast. I got back in my car and headed to NyoNya, just another block away and settled for buttered prawn.

I love this dish but I wasn’t craving for it. It tasted nice as always and Nyonya has the best buttered prawn if you ask me. It’s been a day now but I still got dumplings on my mind. Maybe next week I’ll try again.

Fun Filled Weekend

2007-08-13T10:23:00.000+08:00

Today's Thought: Rolfe Kerr's Personal Creed
Succeed at home first.
Seek and merit divine help.
Never compromise with honesty.
Remember the people involved.
Hear both sides before judging.
Obtain counsel of others.
Defend those who are absent.
Be sincere yet decisive.
Develop one new proficiency a year.
Plan tomorrow's work today.
Hustle while you wait.
Maintain a positive attitude.
Keep a sense of humor.
Be orderly in person and in work.
Do not fear mistakes -- fear only the absence of creative, constructive, and corrective responses to those mistakes.
Facilitate the success of subordinates.
Listen twice as much as you speak.
- taken from 7 Habits of Highly effective people, Stephen R. Covey

I've finished reading 'For 1 More Day' by Mitch Albom. What can I say, it's about death again. If you can talk to the dead long after their gone during your final day or a day you experienced severe trauma, why not. But I still like his first book - Tuesdays with Morrie. Read it three times and three times, it made me cry. As for the thought of the day, it's a nice motivation. Kinda like a personal mission statement. And yes, it's my current read and find it very interesting. When I accepted this job, one thing it gave me is my personal time and time to catch up on my reading. Yeheey! (Shouts the nerd)

As for my other part of the weekend, the gym opening was ok. Not sure if the girls here are just shy or they don't care about the 1month free price - but the events I'm supposed to join @the gym was cancelled bcoz we weren't able to complete the minimum 3 participants...too bad. But the Bodyjam release was jampacked and was held at the bbol court. So nice that a lot of pips really dressed up for the occasion. Just meant they want to win the best costume price - which was a towering grocery items, hahaha. I think they want us to eat more so we'll keep joining the gym. That's what I called 'balance life', lol ^_^. My housemate Carol won the best jammer award - she's a dancer in their college so no surprises here.

Ended my weekend dropping by the grocecy store and stuffing my ref with Sara Lee again. I am designating myself as a Sara lee cake critic (whatever, excuses) and see which flavor is the best.

Sidenote: The owner of the gym is an actor and fans from TW and HK flew to Brunei just to see him for this event. I inserted his pix, nakiki-fan, hehe. They say his group Fahrenheit is the next F4. I wonder if close sila ni Dao Ming Sui(?) Yes, I got caught in the F4 fever myself. Miss ko n nga, hehehe.

Guilt Free Friday

2007-08-10T14:16:00.001+08:00

Today's thought: "Who so loves, believes the impossible." - Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Sara Lee for a cake, anyone? Yes, that's a brand of cake here - and I bought chocolate swirl bavarian flavor and love it! Forgive the innocence but I've known Sara Lee as a brand for underwear only, hihihi. I've been binging on sweets lately and missed my regular gym this week. But worry no more, I'm going to the gym later to sweat off the extra fat I've consumed this week. Fitness Zone is having a competition for a number of exercises (threadmill, rower and threadwall challenge) and the price will be 1month free membership. Not bad specially that it's not really cheap. Good enough motivation for me, I hope I win. If not, Sunday will be the grand opening and the gym will still have a number of competition. Got nothing to loose trying and besides, it'll be a shame if I don't win since I've been a gym rat for a long time back in PH (kakahiya s mga teach, hehe). The weird thing to see inside the gym are girls wearing long sleeves shirt, jogging pants (this one is not weird though) and tudong! That hanky-looking-thingy they cover their head with and I dont get it. But it's a free country, and more so, it's their country. Opinyon ko lang yun. Bawal magalit.