Still in my jammies at 4:46pm

Lazy Saturday afternoon. My kinda thing. Right now, I should be on my way to the bathroom. Instead, I'm listening to "Such Great Heights" and pondering when I'll see Episode 16 of Gossip Girl.

I just finished watching Episodes 14 and 15. I miss these upper east siders... who have nothing better to do than be beautiful and make each others' New York lives more complicated. I am liking Nate Archibald more and I continue to wonder why these kids can't just be perfectly honest with each other. Deng. More honesty, less drama. Georgina/Sarah looks like a troublemaker. I wonder how much havoc she can wreck in the remaining two or three episodes.

Last night, I saw Sex and the City yet again. Beegee, Mowie, Rni, Tuts, and I caught the 10:50 show at GB3. We had dinner at Banana Leaf first. While waiting for the movie to begin, we saw, seated two rows from us, was Manila's elite. Tim Yap, KC Concepcion, and a couple other socialites. They were all dressed up! Funny, the evening before, when Mike and I saw the movie at Powerplant, we also noticed the girls who saw the movie came in fours and were clad in their fashionista outfits. No diff here in Greenbelt. We wrapped up our evening with Butter and Sugar crepes at Cafe Breton. Most of us were yawning and had droopy eyes. At the end of the evening, we were all rather proud of ourselves for staying up late.

In my conversations with Beege, Mows, and Rns, we were all in agreement that we miss the original Pinay Samantha... Keysi! Haha! We're all dying for her to come home later this year.

Some random thoughts...

** "It's forgiveness", Carrie had said. I really like that message. Irregardless of who wronged you (friend or loved one), forgiveness is still forgiveness. Just like trust, it is absolute. Not a very easy thing to do though. And it does take time. But after that, there's really nowhere to go but forward. Which is where you want to go.

** "Love of my life", Big had said to Carrie. Been wondering about the love of one's life. I'd say those who do end up with the love of their lives is pretty darn lucky. Not all of us do though.

** Will be sleeping over Ate Love's tonight! I told Iris we'd have a That 70's show marathon. Hehe. On the agenda tomorrow is a good massage. Hopefully I'll be able to book an appointment at Rodeo Spa.

** Hello 14th month pay. Credit Card bills have arrived though. Good bye 14th month pay. Deng woman. Have you ever heard of "saving"?

Immortal Beloved

Fresh from SATC. This is a great piece. Perfect for wedding vows actually. This is one of Beethoven's Immortal Beloved letters...

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I nedd a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a clam consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.
ever thine
ever mine
ever ours

[Movie Shmovie] Sex and the City

Two Krispy Kreme donuts (bribe), a look of desperation, and several coaxing later, I was able to convince Mike to watch Sex and the City the movie. I was super excited to watch the movie. It's been a few years since I last bid my favorite New York girls adieu. The show celebrates friendship, a woman's individuality, and gives a lot of insight about the search for love and relationships. The movie itself was relatively long, but if you're a fan, you'll love every minute of it. It felt like watching one entire season in one sitting. I won't spoil the plot, for those who haven't seen it. It's entertaining (thanks to Samantha and Charlotte). An eyeful to fashionistas (drool-fest!). And a beacon of hope to those who are looking for L-O-V-E.

[Movie Shmovie] Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

This entry is a week late. My parents, Tonton and I went to see the fourth Indiana Jones movie on the first day of screening (Thursday last week). My brothers and I are huge Indy fans. Just like "Back to the Future", we love watching Indy over and over again. During the first half of the movie though, I felt a little uncomfortable. As though an old friend came back from a sabbatical (after 19 years) and we're getting to know each other again. The plot itself is interesting enough. The Indy today's a little slower than the Indy from the Last Crusade. But it was exciting enough! Shia's character was entertaining. My favorite scene was the quick sand and the snake scene. Very Steven Spielberg. Some of us who have seen Iron Man stayed until the end of the credits... for nothing. Hehe. I would line up again for another Indy sequel.

Make-Over!

I give Cel credit for introducing me to this awesome awesome make over website! Haha! I was actually on my way to ZZZZZZZZzzz land when I read Cel's blog. I visited the website she had referenced in her entry and viola. I stayed up for the next hour just laughing at myself and coming up with these make overs.



Try it out! It's a lot of fun!

Cause you gotta have faith...

I've been trying to figure this out today. What's that thing called? When you're so sure of something that's unsure or not fully realized? Ahhh... Faith.

2008 has been pretty good to me so far. I think one of the best years yet. I'll be turning 29 this November, and I think a change is coming. I'm not sure what exactly it will be, but I know it'll be good. Weird because there isn't really anything tangible that confirms it to be sure, or any indication of what aspect of my life it will be coming from. I somehow believe that this might be the birthday or Christmas like no other.

I can probably attribute this faith to certain things I've finally admitted to myself (been in denial for a while). I've been hearing the words Irene, Paolo, and Suzie have been telling me over and over again. There's something about not being in your early twenties which makes talking about certain things supposedly easier. It can still go either way, and I think I'm fine with both.

Oh well. We'll see.

Started exercising more lately. I've been boxing these past three weeks! I have my own hand wraps and gloves! I love the intensity of boxing. How training keeps you focused on doing upper cuts and jabs. It's a great outlet. I also started running! We're planning to join a marathon sometime June, and so far, I can do 2 kilometers in 28 minutes. Deng. Got a long way to go. But I have faith! Haha. I'll know I can do better.

The Great Singapore Sale and Food Tripping!

Saturday started pretty early for me. I happily got out of bed when I found out that Isabelle was up. She's Kuya Andre's youngest, and she's not shy! She loves smiling and making faces. It was kind of difficult to say good bye to her adorable face.








Kuya Andre's condo is pretty cool. Conveniently located close to a bus station. And a kick ass swimming pool.






I took a cab to the city center at around 8:30. I met up with the girls, Ina, Iris, and Ate Love and had breakfast with them at the McCafe along Scotts road, perpendicular to Orchard Road.



We were all pretty psyched out spending the day together. It's been 8 years since I was out of the country with Ina and Iris. The girls were quick to fill me in their two-week Singaporean adventure. Obviously, they had a really, really great time seeing the city and bonding with their sibs.

We walked around Orchard first, awaiting for the opening of the stores. Took some pictures with this interesting figure outside Paragon Mall.




We went across to the Takashiyama Shopping Center. As early as 11AM, there were a lot of people inside the Coach Store. There was a line outside Louis Vuitton for interested buyers. Tourists and locals alike were ready to flex their shopping muscles. The Great Singapore Sale started the day before and most of the stores had promos (30-50% off on selected items).



Ate Love and the girls were raving about Jumbo restaurant. We took a cab to Clark Quay, just in time for our 12NN reservation at the said seafood place.




And O.M.G. I have to say. One of the best lunches I've had in a really long time. Sweet and crispy baby squid, prawns with cereal, and black pepper crabs!








Huge thanks to Ate Love and Jojo for the wonderful meal (and for letting me have a Tiger beer in the middle of the day!).



The afternoon was all about shopping. We went back to Orchard Road after lunch. First stop was Wisma Atria. It's probably one of my favorite places on the famous Singaporean shopping strip.






After Wisma, I walked down the street and went back to where all the Z-fever started! Haha. This was the first Zara store I ever went into. It was about four years ago, on my first trip to Sing with Irene and Armie. I remember Jinna, a former Dow teammate, telling me about this fab store in Sing where they sold great clothes. I was dubious (being the Mango/Topshop fan I was back then), but when I stepped into the store, my jaw just dropped and my heart started pounding. Hehe. The next words which came out of my mouth were, "Irene, balikan nyo na lang ako after an hour" (Irene, come back for me after an hour). Haha. Anyway, it was nice to come to where it all started. And by the way, Grouchy, remember that blue shirt you got with the cat? I got one too! Haha!



Anyway, the girls, Jojo, and I then went to Cafe O, this nice smaller cafe inside Wheelock which sold great desserts. Camille had mozorella sticks (her usual order), Ina got the My Oh My, which was a plate of chocolate ice cream and a slice of cheesecake. Us three adults shared potato skins, the Aphrodisiac (a heart shaped mini cake which had chocolate truffles, and a slice of this really soft chocolate cake. Everything we had married well with a cup of brewed coffee.









After merienda, we crossed the street to go to Isetan. Some more shopping. I got shirts for the boys and a pretty good deal with a nice pair of trousers at Topshop (30 SD!).

Before long, it was dinner time (eating time yet again, and I wasn't complaining!). We had this nice chinese dinner at Crystal Jade, apparently a popular resto around Singapore (with several branches along Orchard Road alone!). The duck was good, and so was the sweet and sour pork! For dessert, we had this almond milk thing which smelled awesome.






I was pretty pooped after dinner. I met up with Kuya Andre, Reia, the kids, and Lola at Takashiyama to have dinner yet again (no complaining still!). The prawns with garlic was really good. I lost count of how many I had.




The evening ended with lots of good conversation with Kuya Andre (on the way back to their condo). Life in Singapore, family, and a couple other things. It is very true that the money you'll be able to save while working in Singapore is not something which is easy to earn while working in Manila. But the odds of working with a great employer and great officemates in Sing has mostly got to do with luck.

All in all, it was a great day. I was stuffed and my wallet had a pretty good workout.

Here na lah

Just arrived in Singapore. Travelled by myself from Manila to Sing.



It's been a while since I last went to Terminal 2. I was pretty pleased to see that apart from Delifrance and Fruit Magic, there was a Goldilocks kiosk inside the terminal! Haha. More mocha roll fun for the balikbayans! It was such a treat to see this foreigner holding a plastic of Goldilocks goodies.





The flight was ok. Three hours went by like a breeze, thanks to my really interesting seatmate. An Aussie named Allen. He's in Manila on business and he has a Pinay wife. He and I just chatted and chatted about work and other stuff. Aussies are generally brutally frank about stuff.

Speaking Aussies and quotable quotes. My favorite quotes for the day... "He's like Michael Jordan... and I was speaking from the heart." And "3 x Sherwin = 1 Jennifer"

Anyway. I digress.

I managed to squeeze in time to take a picture of my feet (when my seatmate went to the loo).



Kuya Andre, Reia, and Nanay picked me up from the airport and I ate two servings of spaghetti when I arrived. Yummeee. I'm staying over Kuya Andre's place, which is super nice! I've been telling him and Reia that it feels like they're playing house. With actual kids. Hehe. Ianna, Dani, and Sabeng are here. Sleeping! Will play with them tomorrow. Ina and Iris are with Ate Love now. I'm super psyched to see them.

On the agenda tomorrow... Hitting Orchard Road and some serious Singapore food tripping!

Pics to be posted soon!