Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Coffee
I believe I vowed never to drink coffee, but the other day those Sumatra beans seduced me like they were Kobe Bryant scoring three for me.
Caffeine, adrenaline, all senses stimulated.
And I gave in, even though I knew what was going to happen to me in the next couple of days.
True enough, now my heart's jumping like the Venga Boys are coming, and that means I will have to forego a good night sleep.
But can I really give it up altogether? Like forever?
We're talking lots of decades more here.
Probably not.
Coffee brings a familiar warmth inside me.
Because when I was in college, my mom and the moms of my friends didn't give us "wine-and-dine" allowance.
We couldn't buy nice meals.
But we still got to hang out at lots of nice places.
We simply ordered instant coffee.
Nescafe 3-in-1, like it was the most delicious thing in the world.
Of course when we were at McDonalds the sundae beat it, but coffee is universally the safest and cheapest beverage on the menu that requires slow sipping, and must be coupled with a looong conversation.
Of course there's also tea, but Tulka voluntarily serves me three cups a day at work, and Fifi makes some for me after work that it just becomes my second water.
Coffee has become a novelty for me.
How about that.
Years ago it was my only choice.
And I've upgraded to aged Sumatra. And it smells like heaven.
How things quickly turn around.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Family Matters
It really does.
Lots of good news this week.
Maoers, my cousin, celebrated his 14th birthday in New York.
What? He's 14? Where did all the years go?
Not long ago he was having toilet troubles and we used to tease him about it.
Then I learned that Tita Loloy gave birth to a beautiful baby named Olivia.
I cannot wait to see my new cousin!
Her genes plus Tito Alessandro's?
We've got a future Miss Universe.
Anyway all my cousins are charming and good-looking.
What can I say, they take after their ate.
And lastly Mama's going to China to visit some garment factories.
Garment factories in China are synonymous to bagsak-presyo signature clothes and bags.
Years ago when she went there, she got me lots of clothes and leather bags for a tenth of their actual prices in the market.
Slave labor issues aside, I think factory visits are awesome.
Way to go Mama Becky.
Keep the good news coming!
It makes me super happy :)
Lots of good news this week.
Maoers, my cousin, celebrated his 14th birthday in New York.
What? He's 14? Where did all the years go?
Not long ago he was having toilet troubles and we used to tease him about it.
I cannot wait to see my new cousin!
Her genes plus Tito Alessandro's?
We've got a future Miss Universe.
Anyway all my cousins are charming and good-looking.
What can I say, they take after their ate.
And lastly Mama's going to China to visit some garment factories.
Garment factories in China are synonymous to bagsak-presyo signature clothes and bags.
Years ago when she went there, she got me lots of clothes and leather bags for a tenth of their actual prices in the market.
Slave labor issues aside, I think factory visits are awesome.
Way to go Mama Becky.
Keep the good news coming!
It makes me super happy :)
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
I Saw Saw 6
Saw 6 was awesome!
Thanks Fifi for downloading it!
I think what fascinated me the most is the fact that it's a gory version of life.
You try so hard to win, but in the end you discover it's not even your game.
Also life is gross sometimes.
Under rare circumstances you're even forced to chop your forearm off.
Thanks Fifi for downloading it!
I think what fascinated me the most is the fact that it's a gory version of life.
You try so hard to win, but in the end you discover it's not even your game.
Also life is gross sometimes.
Under rare circumstances you're even forced to chop your forearm off.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Expats send flip-flops to young Filipinos - The National Newspaper
Expats send flip-flops to young Filipinos - The National Newspaper
Mother Galo, I'm so proud of you! Your kindness has spread like a disease!
Mother Galo, I'm so proud of you! Your kindness has spread like a disease!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I normally don't post forwarded emails here.
But I liked this one so much and thought I'd share this with everyone.
Sometimes I just drown myself in a lot of things to keep my life moving that I forget the thing that matters the most in my life - myself!
So sit back, relax, and tread the long forgotten path to self-love.
It's not easy, especially for girls, but just go with it and hopefully you'll get a grip!
And because I've started that process I've shamelessly included my thoughts on some of the things on the list.
1. Pray. - saves me from dying in my nightmare every time. True story.
2. Go to bed on time. - I try. I normally do eight hours, enough to make my peepers at least look awake.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. - Again it's been a hard battle that I am still fighting, and so far I am winning.
4. Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. - This a challenge I am willing to take on. Nine straight days of wining and dining and yakking and moving around is proving to be a bad idea.
So help me God.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others. - Yes I've been doing this. I realized that I am not the greatest and bestest and the most capable... thank you, I really did.
6. Simplify and de-clutter your life. - One in a while I do some spring cleaning, throwing away old unwanted stuff and trying to bury grudges in desert sand.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) - 'Nuff said. Holla!
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. - I am super impatient and I need to learn this! I need to slow down on the road, wait it out when there's no other choice, and take a deep breath when the schedule isn't being followed.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. - Amen to this! I'm a tiny 43 kg girl save for the thighs, and I can't do everything, even though I've attempted to a lot of times.
10. Take one day at a time. - Kind of the same as 9... either way it's an awesome piece of advise. I like it when I lounge around like a retired businessmen, and then I realize why retired businessmen are so freaking happy. Neurosis is gone, money is secure, and fun starts now until the day they die.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it. - I have had lots of worries that should have been concerns. Ranging from zits to where I really wanna be in a couple of years. So I vow to really map it out until my skin is impeccably flawless and my life is heading in the right direction.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. - I practically came up with this. No brainer. Don't spend more than you earn. Don't be a douche with spending. Keep it real and make lots of money with a goal in mind.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. - Maybe. I know where my stuff is, so maybe it's not an urgent thing.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. - Retarded much? I am an expert at this!
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. - My Bible sits comfortably but not happily on my bedside table. Time to upgrade my holy A-game.
17. Get enough rest. - Yes totally. I now get it. Five years ago, I didn't see the point: Life is short.. but now I do realize that life would be much shorter if I didn't stop and just breathe.
18. Eat right. - Except for the occasional no-eating days or the extreme "gimme a crapload of anything" feeling, I manage.
19 Get organized so everything has its place. - Halfway there and not intending to get to the finish line just yet.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. - Durr why do you think I have the Spanish learning CD on almost all the time on Emirates Road?
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations. - Since 1991.
22. Every day, find time to be alone. REPEAT...every day, FIND time to be alone. - This I have to learn. Seriously, it's hard for me to be alone sometimes. But other times I would have to do something nasty to drive someone away.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. - Instantly effective.
24. Make friends with Godly people. - Wouldn't say it's a must, but it's more like, stay away from the demons.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. - Not only scriptures, but quotes from the most admirable people in the world.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .' - It is true. I am a big believer and I am a big beneficiary.
27. Laugh. - Every single day, my friend.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. - Need to work on this one.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). - Praying helps.
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). -For sure. It's super hard to do this but hey, love love love makes the world go round. Declare war with these people and you've officially committed suicide.
32. Sit on your ego. - Done.
33 Talk less; listen more. - I'm a girl. I don't know.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. - This is something I would like to post on my bedroom wall. Sometimes girls tend to do everything, and they think anything less than what they do is completely crap. That is an awesome quality, but it sometimes backfires. So yeah I must try to stop playing god.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. - Amen!
But I liked this one so much and thought I'd share this with everyone.
Sometimes I just drown myself in a lot of things to keep my life moving that I forget the thing that matters the most in my life - myself!
So sit back, relax, and tread the long forgotten path to self-love.
It's not easy, especially for girls, but just go with it and hopefully you'll get a grip!
And because I've started that process I've shamelessly included my thoughts on some of the things on the list.
1. Pray. - saves me from dying in my nightmare every time. True story.
2. Go to bed on time. - I try. I normally do eight hours, enough to make my peepers at least look awake.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed. - Again it's been a hard battle that I am still fighting, and so far I am winning.
4. Say NO to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health. - This a challenge I am willing to take on. Nine straight days of wining and dining and yakking and moving around is proving to be a bad idea.
So help me God.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others. - Yes I've been doing this. I realized that I am not the greatest and bestest and the most capable... thank you, I really did.
6. Simplify and de-clutter your life. - One in a while I do some spring cleaning, throwing away old unwanted stuff and trying to bury grudges in desert sand.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.) - 'Nuff said. Holla!
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places. - I am super impatient and I need to learn this! I need to slow down on the road, wait it out when there's no other choice, and take a deep breath when the schedule isn't being followed.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together. - Amen to this! I'm a tiny 43 kg girl save for the thighs, and I can't do everything, even though I've attempted to a lot of times.
10. Take one day at a time. - Kind of the same as 9... either way it's an awesome piece of advise. I like it when I lounge around like a retired businessmen, and then I realize why retired businessmen are so freaking happy. Neurosis is gone, money is secure, and fun starts now until the day they die.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it. - I have had lots of worries that should have been concerns. Ranging from zits to where I really wanna be in a couple of years. So I vow to really map it out until my skin is impeccably flawless and my life is heading in the right direction.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases. - I practically came up with this. No brainer. Don't spend more than you earn. Don't be a douche with spending. Keep it real and make lots of money with a goal in mind.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc. - Maybe. I know where my stuff is, so maybe it's not an urgent thing.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday. - Retarded much? I am an expert at this!
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line. - My Bible sits comfortably but not happily on my bedside table. Time to upgrade my holy A-game.
17. Get enough rest. - Yes totally. I now get it. Five years ago, I didn't see the point: Life is short.. but now I do realize that life would be much shorter if I didn't stop and just breathe.
18. Eat right. - Except for the occasional no-eating days or the extreme "gimme a crapload of anything" feeling, I manage.
19 Get organized so everything has its place. - Halfway there and not intending to get to the finish line just yet.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life. - Durr why do you think I have the Spanish learning CD on almost all the time on Emirates Road?
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations. - Since 1991.
22. Every day, find time to be alone. REPEAT...every day, FIND time to be alone. - This I have to learn. Seriously, it's hard for me to be alone sometimes. But other times I would have to do something nasty to drive someone away.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray. - Instantly effective.
24. Make friends with Godly people. - Wouldn't say it's a must, but it's more like, stay away from the demons.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand. - Not only scriptures, but quotes from the most admirable people in the world.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .' - It is true. I am a big believer and I am a big beneficiary.
27. Laugh. - Every single day, my friend.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all. - Need to work on this one.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can). - Praying helps.
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most). -For sure. It's super hard to do this but hey, love love love makes the world go round. Declare war with these people and you've officially committed suicide.
32. Sit on your ego. - Done.
33 Talk less; listen more. - I'm a girl. I don't know.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe. - This is something I would like to post on my bedroom wall. Sometimes girls tend to do everything, and they think anything less than what they do is completely crap. That is an awesome quality, but it sometimes backfires. So yeah I must try to stop playing god.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. - Amen!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Bikinis, patriotism. You know.
I am so happy to have discovered the joys of online shopping.
It's not the most convenient mode of purchase in the world, but it's very very fulfilling.
It's not the conventional EBay or Amazon.com type of thing.
No credit cards involved. Sigh of relief.
There are lots of multiply sites selling clothes in Manila, and they FedEx the purchases upon receiving the payment, which is deposited into their account by the customer.
I asked Mama Becky to make the payment for me, and the goods will be delivered to her in a couple of days.
Why do I like it?
For one, the clothes fit me, I know it without ever having to try any of them on.
The clothes were made by Filipinos and for Filipinos.
They know my build, more or less.
So no more excess fabric hanging down my butt or sagging all over my chest.
And because I am buying from the Philippines, I am doing my bit to help SMEs back home.
It's a sweet deal really.
Here are some of the things I bought and am planning to buy - bikinis, of course for the summer.
I am probably going to take several days off the calendar known as the black hole diet schedule, in which temporary starvation is one of the options in order to fit into one of these.
But hell it's super worth it.
It's not the most convenient mode of purchase in the world, but it's very very fulfilling.
It's not the conventional EBay or Amazon.com type of thing.
No credit cards involved. Sigh of relief.
There are lots of multiply sites selling clothes in Manila, and they FedEx the purchases upon receiving the payment, which is deposited into their account by the customer.
I asked Mama Becky to make the payment for me, and the goods will be delivered to her in a couple of days.
Why do I like it?
For one, the clothes fit me, I know it without ever having to try any of them on.
The clothes were made by Filipinos and for Filipinos.
They know my build, more or less.
So no more excess fabric hanging down my butt or sagging all over my chest.
And because I am buying from the Philippines, I am doing my bit to help SMEs back home.
It's a sweet deal really.
Here are some of the things I bought and am planning to buy - bikinis, of course for the summer.
I am probably going to take several days off the calendar known as the black hole diet schedule, in which temporary starvation is one of the options in order to fit into one of these.
But hell it's super worth it.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Had a great night with the ladies.
You know who you are, if you're ever visiting my blog. Wink wink.
Ok it was wine, gossip, a delicious meal that's a cross between soup and pasta, and lots of coffee.
Oh my God I just remembered how much I hate coffee.
I had two cups thinking was already immune to caffeine.
I slept at 6 Am.
I called up friends in Manila, talked to my mother, wrote poems and a song, made lists that practically planned my life for the next thirty years, and well, did an impression of Alicia Keys in the mirror.
So yeah I slept at 6Am.
And I'm wide awake and ready for wine again in the evening.
Is there such a thing as an addiction to cheap wine?
Because it really does make me happy.
Like a young provincial girl barely in her puberty secretly meeting her uncle's beer buddy in the corn field every other midnight.
It is both sick and exciting.
Perfect analogy for my thing for cheap wine.
I am sleepy as hell.
You know who you are, if you're ever visiting my blog. Wink wink.
Ok it was wine, gossip, a delicious meal that's a cross between soup and pasta, and lots of coffee.
Oh my God I just remembered how much I hate coffee.
I had two cups thinking was already immune to caffeine.
I slept at 6 Am.
I called up friends in Manila, talked to my mother, wrote poems and a song, made lists that practically planned my life for the next thirty years, and well, did an impression of Alicia Keys in the mirror.
So yeah I slept at 6Am.
And I'm wide awake and ready for wine again in the evening.
Is there such a thing as an addiction to cheap wine?
Because it really does make me happy.
Like a young provincial girl barely in her puberty secretly meeting her uncle's beer buddy in the corn field every other midnight.
It is both sick and exciting.
Perfect analogy for my thing for cheap wine.
I am sleepy as hell.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
I have a new record for my lowest point in life, thus erasing the bitter memory of last year.
I picked up chocolate from the garbage bin.
I was so hungry and craving something sweet and the chocolate was right there, and it was staring at me and I felt sorry for it.
So I fished poor Mr. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup out of the trash and enjoyed it with green tea.
Nothing is wrong with that.
Don't waste food, don't waste waste.
God I love dirty chocolate.
I picked up chocolate from the garbage bin.
I was so hungry and craving something sweet and the chocolate was right there, and it was staring at me and I felt sorry for it.
So I fished poor Mr. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup out of the trash and enjoyed it with green tea.
Nothing is wrong with that.
Don't waste food, don't waste waste.
God I love dirty chocolate.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Here Lies Love
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/8588831.stm
Scottish-born musician David Byrne collaborated with artists such as FatBoy Slim and Tori Amos to produce here Lies Love, an album inspired by Philippines' former first lady Imelda Marcos.
That is so weird and also an awesome concept.
Haven't listened to the whole album but it should be interesting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8670594.stm
Sunday, May 09, 2010
I knew that shrimp was bad.
Never eat seafood embedded in a shady-looking salad displayed in a convenience store.
I am probably suffering from mild food poisoning, the kind that doesn't make you go to the toilet but blurs your vision and affects your appetite.
Cross-eyed and feeling physically weak, I shall carry on with work.
A love and hate relationship with seafood is not uncommon here.
Just didn't think it would happen to me, a Manila native with a stomach that endured years of eating chicken intestines between university classes.
And also mother said I ate my own crap when I was a baby.
So that shrimp must have been really really expired.
Never eat seafood embedded in a shady-looking salad displayed in a convenience store.
I am probably suffering from mild food poisoning, the kind that doesn't make you go to the toilet but blurs your vision and affects your appetite.
Cross-eyed and feeling physically weak, I shall carry on with work.
A love and hate relationship with seafood is not uncommon here.
Just didn't think it would happen to me, a Manila native with a stomach that endured years of eating chicken intestines between university classes.
And also mother said I ate my own crap when I was a baby.
So that shrimp must have been really really expired.
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