Day 1 of Singapore...

Let me tell you the story of my trip to Singapore, land of his highness the Merlion...

Once upon a time, in a land governed by Jun Bernabe, lived a lady and her blue suitcase (packed with predetermined outfits). She was feeling a little under the weather, which explains why she has 5 packs of travellers tissue in hand. In one of those rare moments, she woke up early on the morning of November 17. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, corned beef, and garlic rice, she and her parents went to the airport.

Thus begins the tale of the 5 day Singapore adventure...

'Nuf of the third person monologue!

At the airport, I couldn't easily dismiss my apprehension about my health condition. I was taking thousands of miligrams of ascorbic acid, and I wasn't entirely sure if I was going to enjoy the trip, more so, survive it!

Anyway, company proved to be the best vitamin C. Chit chat with Irene and her sister made me feel a little better (although we were exchanging stories in between nose blowings)

I was pretty happy we chose Singapore Airlines. I was impressed by how organized they were in getting our boarding passes while we waited, pre-boarding. I especially loved the interior of their aircraft! Pretty darn amazing!



Leg room was better, and we had personal TVs! Three hours just flew past us, and I had Will Farrell and his new crew keeping me entertained! I would have to say then, among all the planes I've boarded, this one proved to be the best.



My travel companions were in deep thought during the first hour of the flight... or NOT! Twas more of trying to understand the intricacies of CIA involvement in consipracies (hello Jason Bourne), and the complexities of a serial killer's profession (hello... Mr. Collateral).



The Changi Airport was simply divine! Very similar coolness points between this airport and the Narita Airport in Japan. The picture above, though, is that of our beloved hotel, Copthorne Orchid hotel, Dunearn Road. Not exactly a stone throw away from Orchard Road. But it was comfortable nonetheless. Compare if you may, this actual picture with the promised picture a few blogs ago... Not bad huh?



Define Orchard Road? Redefining the shopping experience!

If there's a place I wanna be when I finally become successful in my future business dealings, it's Orchard Road. Louis Vuitton shops left and right baby! And what's even more amazing is how sooo many Singaporean women (and tourists, I'm sure), have taken a liking AND ownership! to these heavenly bags. In sight, too were Gucci, Burberry, Fendi, and Hermes bags... Can I please wallow in my pool of envious saliva?

I would say twas also the perfect time to visit Orchard Road. The holiday spirit was alive in the air... and in the streets! Christmas decors adorned each of the major malls, and the roads themselves! Twas pretty festive!



After shopping and staring at must haves for the season, we went back to our hotel and freshened up for an evening of Chili Crab and delicious Satay. These guys definitely knew what to do with peanuts to concoct such a delish satay sauce. Yummy! We dined alongside tourists and locals, occasionally glancing at the bumboats afloat.
After Boat Quay, we walked the calories off to Clark Quay. It was nearly a twenty minute walk. We crossed this bridge to officially enter Clark Quay territory, where we found more souvenir shops, and Australian street performs. It was hot and humid, so I had to buy a fan! It proved to be one of my best purchases throughout the trip...

Other thoughts I have - -

I was pretty amazed at how powerful McDonald's has become in immersing itself into our local culture! I mean, since we have a McDo here in Manila, we've all become pretty accustomed to burgers fries, mcnuggets and whathaveyous. It's not exactly Filipino food, but it's Filipino in a way. Because when you're in a foreign country, where taste testing and dish-heroics may prove to be an expensive risk to take, retreating to the familiar McDonald's offerings has become the most obvious option! Pretty cool... and powerful!

Oh Singapore... How I adore thee! And day one promised more fun days to come...

Wacky Weekend

My oh my... where do I begin the weekend speech??

Friday... despite the opening scenes of Tenten is sick, Act 1, I had managed to sleep over at the kids' and show them how to use the computer.

Saturday... Decorating divas, Keysi and I. We braved the busy Mongkok-ish streets of Divisoria in a Holy-Grail-ish quest for the perfect Christmas decors. The Saturday evening was marked with birthday cheer as Mackie, Karina, Bibay and I laughed the evening away.

Sunday.... Canyon woods time with Keysi, Boom, Marian, Lea, Wins, and Ave.

Monday... More canyon woods, and some badminton! It was good fun. Late lunch at RSM. Yummy!!

Tuesday... dusty day, o dusty day at the office. Poor allergies came a'runnin' back. I had to quit while my lungs were still able. So I hitched a ride home with mom and began a'packin'! Singapore, here I come tissue-laden and runny nose! Pooohooohoo! Those lazy days of 2004 are nowhere to be seen!

Singapore, here I come... with a cold and a box 'o tissues

Barely 24 hours before our estimated arrival in the Singapore International Airport, I am nursing a stuffed nose, desparately trying to ignore a soon-to-be-sore throat, and constantly clearing my throat. In other words, this ain't what one would call a healthy prologue to 5 days of gallavanting in unknown territories... Jeepers. Wish there was a pill I could take to make all my ailings go away...

Phone in question : Am I excited?

A little, I think. My mind's pretty preoccupied with thoughts of to-bring-lists, outfits, to buys, tasks to accomplish before leaving, decorating our house (with the rustic orange and gold theme), and recuperating from the tiresome weekend... But I think in the end it'll all be good! Maila said that adrenalin will soon flow through my veins. I'm pretty excited about that! And of course, catching up with Irene (in between nose blowing, lozenges-popping, and throat-clearing).

Here's our hotel:



I wonder if it looks exactly the same... According to the website, it's about 5 minutes away from Orchard Road. I wonder how much of that is true. Our agent said it's about 30 minutes away.

Anyway, will blog some more later about the weekend happeningssssss....

My Favorite Girls

Christmas is just around the corner and in the horizon is the Uh_huh2004 grand alumna homecoming! I can't wait to reunite with our now-what-the-hell Maan Meeners!



Sooo many things on my to-do list! I have to shop for Christmas cards, Christmas decors, Christmas gifts... So far, I have a pretty good idea about what to give some of my godkids. Celine would like a Dr. Seuss book, Renren would like Ragnarok VCDs...



Shopping here I come! But first things first... Paycheck! Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!

The Distance...

Episode 1, Season 2 begins... with a scruffy Ben McKenzie!



I can't wait for the second episode, awaiting bittorrent downloading! I'm pretty amazed how technology has changed almost everything in our lives! I won't have to wait eons and eons for the latest season to air in a local channel, or rely on the online episode guides.

I soooo love this show! The soundtrack rocks (Props to Mackie and her downloaded Mix 2 wav files)! The first episode was predictable though... Given the fact that I've scoured over magazines and spoilers! Hehe. Anyway, I am sooo looking forward to the return of Anna...



Hope we see more of her again!

Mamma Mia Mania

Mamma Mia Mania is on!



Excerpt from my email to my Singapore companions...

Hey girlies! More Singapore updates...

Paid for our Singapore package. Will get the ticket and hotel vouchers tomorrow morning.

I also purchased our Mamma Mia tickets. It all comes down to S$301. Let's divide that into three. I charged it to my credit card, so let's do the math when we see each other. We got Row FF, Circle 2 seats. To see where that's located, look here:

http://www.sistic.com/SOPApp/SOPPortal/portal_proxy?uri==U409!E=A@fsy1LqHM5Na4BPZIfAdTs5IAgsJFM#news

Scroll down to see the seating diagram for the Esplanade Theatre. We'll be seeing the 8PM show on the 18th of November. We need to be there an hour before the show to claim the tickets. We can arrange the logistics later (how to physically go to the Esplanade Theatre from our hotel).

Bausi! You'll be arriving in Manila in two days! That's awesome! I highly doubt it though kung magkikita tayo!! I know you're going straight to Batangas, but if you're in Manila this Saturday, punta ka sa house ko for dinner. Punta din sina Macky, Karina, and the peeps. :) So anyway, my whole weekend is booked! Here's my schedule:

Friday - Sleep over at my niece's house (sina Ina and Camille)
Saturday - Decorate house, buy Christmas decors and stuff; Beeday dinner (please come if you're in town!)
Sunday - Monday - Canyon Woods with Keysi, Wins, etc. Overnight kami dun, and we return Monday afternoon
Tuesday - Work (I've a deliverable I need to finish by this time)
Wednesday - Singapore!

Shucks... mukhang sa airport na tayo magkikita, but nonetheless, if you're in Manila this Saturday, punta ka sa house if you can ok?!

I got my passport na rin pala, so we're all set!

oooo! Just remembered! We need to fix our itinerary pala, like day-by-day activities for our 5-day vacay. so lemme know na lang.

I need this vacay... Ugh...

Post 25th Celeb

Got an empty GJ Rootbeer Chiller beside my laptop... and I'm beat! I've been testing the whole morning, trooped to Ortigas to pay for our Singapore tickets, and tested some more in the afternoon. After a pleasant Bread Talk break, I am ready to call it a day! Looks like tomorrow will be less stressful. I HOPE!

*sigh* I'm officially 25 years and 3 days old. My birthday, in a nutshell, was... your average birthday. I was frantically trying to reply to all the texters and callers who greeted me (God bless all of your thoughtful souls!), midnight of my beeday and early the next morning. I took a nap in the afternoon (and what a wonderful nap it was!), heard mass in the evening, and "partied" the night away with relatives. Qualified "Partying" activities that evening consisted of stuffing our faces with Tito Hermie's delightful meatballs, talking to Ate Mylene about my job angsts, talking to Tito Mar about his trip to Korea (and how painstakingly expensive everything was), singing raw-Christmas songs (not even a month away, hence "raw"!), and chugging down Artic Melon with ICE. I was touched at how the Tondo chapter of my family gave me a Red Ribbon Black Forest cake and how some of my cousins gave me presents. It was actually more of a birthday weekend! Celebrations extended till Sunday, when I received a phone call from my New-York-based relatives. The family went out for lunch, and saw a movie during the evening.

Weekend highlights:

• Phone call from my super great and now-OC-girl Maan! Always a pleasure talking gibberish and life-matters to her.
• Saturday evening phone call from Karina, saddened by the fact that we couldn't see each other that day (blasted HSBC heaps of work!)
• SUGI lunch. My oh my.... I'm close to making the Homer-salivating sound. Delish!! This resto has climbed to the Top 3 Restos in my book.
• Sunday drive home with the family... conversations flowing nicely. :) The usually friendly and funny exchanges.
• "Happy Birthday" sing-song greeting from my kids, Yssa, Ina, and Camille. Warms my heart just thinking about it.

All in all... it was actually an above average beeday. :) Makes me smile remembering these highlights. It's pretty different than how I've been celebrating it over the years. Different, and kind of laid-back. Haha. Could this be indicative of what lies ahead?? We'll see...

The OC's back!

Grenade-ish Morning

A day in the life of a Philippine-based employee...

Arrived at the office at 730 AM today (practically ran out of the house because I got up late, credits to Late Night with Conan O'Brien for that).
Just as I was happily expressing my breakfast pangs to my Breakfast Club-mates, Mercy Lim, accompanied by our floor's security guard, rushed in, asking us to leave the building immediately and return when all is well... "Well from what?" we all wondered. Well from this friggin' grenade-launching-but-not-exploding threat in the office! Two floors down! Mwahahaha!

Funny how these incidents seem to routinely happen, and well, after a few hours, will be non-eventful. Hope we don't make it to CNN this time around. Puh-leeze!

Whoa... barely 13 hours away, I'll be turning 25! Jeepers... I can't believe how quickly the years have passed me by. It's like, "Gee, I'm 22...", "Oh yeah, one more year. I'm now 23", "Hmmm...24, I think." And then boom! I'm 25!! No major milestones, which will explain why the years have hazily passed me by. I'm not all that excited about my birthday, really. It's not the growing-old thing. More of, I've nothing special planned. November 6's almost wide open in my calendar. 'Cept for the evening where we have our monthly prayer meeting. Might visit SM for some Christmas decor shopping. I've been given the green light to decorate the house and spread some holiday cheer! I'm pretty psyched! Gotta work within that friggin' budget though. Anyway... I'm babbling here... Time to work!

God Only Knows

Beach Boys

I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it

God only knows what I'd be without you

If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what I'd be without you

God only knows what I'd be without you

If you should ever leave me
Well life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me

God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you

Just had my weekly fill of HBO Original Programming. My favorite New Yorkers, the Sex and the City girls. Tonight's episode is one of my favorites. Carrie's question this Tuesday evening was, "When will searching for the one.... be done?" Again, that eternal question about "the one" which completes you - the perfect job, the perfect family, the perfect man... Been thinking about "the one man." I saw Before Sunset last Saturday. It was such a sweet movie. And a sad one. I was saddened by the absence of "the one man" in my life. The entire movie was just links and links of conversation between these two characters who were just in the moment with each other. I've never shared that with any one. Yet. But the thought of finally finding "the one", and talking endlessly about mundane life events and the universe... Wow. It just blows my mind. I'm turning twenty five in four days. And the quarter of the century past, not meeting "him" yet, isn't scary at all. I still have a huge dallop of faith in the universe. In the words of Paulo Coehlo, it will conspire to bring my heart's desire to reality. Call it hope, call it optimism. I dunno. I think it's the way the universe works I guess.
By the way, I especially liked it when Miranda was so baffled why despite having the perfect guy, she couldn't bring herself to say the three little words. She shared with Carrie, "I always thought when the one comes along, the words'll just come rolling out my mouth." She even thought there was something wrong with her, maybe she wasn't capable of saying the three little words. Maybe she was never going to be happy. But then, during Brady's party, she found herself in the laundry room with Steve, and the words just came out! I particularly liked what Steve said, "C'mon Miranda. You've always been the one." Awww.... I guess what's I'm trying to say is, it's pretty awesome when you've found "the one." But it's even more awesome when you're "the one" to him, too.

Undas weekend wraps up... And what a weekend it was!

Friday late evening, we braved the North Luzon Expressway for a one-night only gimik in Balibago, Pampanga. Oktoberfest, Kapampangan style. It was a dare-to-fly ride going to Dau because of ChaCha's Speed-Racer-ish KMPH! But we got there in one piece. The crowds weren't too happy to see us. We had to elbow our way through the mosh pit! From 130 AM until 5 AM, we happily listened to the bands playing, exchanged family gossip, and witnessed the small Tetet and Nonoy jealous squabble. Finally, just before the sun rose, all 15 of us jammed ourselves into the 2 cars and drove to Guagua, where our Longga-breakfast awaited. After filling ourselves with Kampampangang breakfast specialities, I took a bath and hit the sack, for a measely 4 hour-nap! But it was some good ZZZs. I felt a little energized. The two-bars of batt power lasted me from the lunch at Florida Blanca, to a quick trip to Guagua Plaza (for some yummy baked delicacies), to Robinson's Mills (thanks Forever 21 for my pink pin-stripped trousers!), to the sedated ride back to Manila, to the late night movie with Karina, Dino, and Teng. Please see my separate entry for Before Sunset. The ultimate data movie ('cept of course if your date is waaaay tooo tired to appreciate good conversation, turned into a movie).

Sunday was pretty awesome too! Spent half of the day with my little girls, who I realized, aren't so little anymore. We went trick or treating at AAV. The houses along the main road was like a Divisoria-stall on a December weekend! Sunday ended with a wacky pseudo-photo shoot, with Camille and Ina posing like their favorite sexy stars. Naturally, there was a promise of a sleep over weekend. Hope that pulls through.

Monday was your typical Undas day. This time around though, I was in the cemetery a couple of hours before the praying of the rosary. It was your usual grilled hotdog stuffing, chatting up a storm, ex-flame sighting, lying on the grass, All Saints Day.

So in a nutshell, the long weekend wasn't exactly a restful one. Eventful was more like it!