living nightmare

Something totally freaky happened to me this morning.

Let me beginning by informing you of my usual morning routine. When I get up and do the usual stuff in the bathroom I either dress up first or have my breakfast. Ths morning I decided to get dressed first. Before I have my breakfast I take this fiber drink for my digestion.

So here's how it goes. My room is across the kitchen. In my room I keep my mug and my glass, since I drink a lot of water so I usually have my glass with me. So this morning. I took my EMPTY glass and mug to the kitchen. Placing the empty glass on the counter I had my fiber drink. I rinsed the mug after I was done and brought it back to my room.

I then returned to the kitchen, my female flatmate was there preparing some food. I got the bottle of water from the fridge and filled my glass of water when lo and behold, my flatmate and I realized there were TWO FRIGGIN GIANT ROACHES IN MY GLASS!

How the hell did that happen? Was my leaving the glass on the counter ample time for TWO roaches to enter? My flatmate suggested maybe they came from the bottle of water. But how could that be? I was definite it was empty when I brought it out from my room.

It felt so surreal and freaky. Like someone was playing a trick on me. My cousin suggested the supernatural. What the f***? How could that be possible? I just kept on cursing, trying to figure out how that could have happened.

The scene played over and over again all morning, like I've been traumatized.

I totally abhor roaches. I even stuck some rules (or rather reminders) on our fridge to maintain the cleanliness of our kitchen to avoid roaches.

It feels like someone's playing a joke on me.

I decided to get breakfast in 7-Eleven instead. I didn't want to have breakfast in oru kitchen after experiencing that crazy thing.

Gawd, hope I snap out of it soon.

learning from pinoy big brother

Yes, to make me feel more in touch with the Philippines I expose myself to the shows in TFC. Especially Sundays wherein we have The Buzz and ASAP, I sometimes watch Pinoy Big Brother.

Although most of the time I think it's all crap, Pinoy Big Brother somehow captures my interest. Not that I watch it everyday but it's interesting enough to watch when there's nothing else good on.

I watched an episode last week (or was it the other week?) that two of the "housemates" agreed to have their heads shaved to be able to offer P100,000 to anyone they want.

For one, Rico Robles --being a guy -- should have no problems at all having his head shaved. He's jst an overly sensitive guy. My hats off to Aleck Bovic (is that how you spell it?) for agreeing to do it. It crossed my mind though that isn't P100K an easy enough amount for these actors/actress/entertainment personalities to earn? Why do they have to go to such measures to earn that P100K.

Although I know that P100K can go a long way, I don't think I'll be able to do it. Although believe me, I could sympathize with the situation of having the chance to help someone else out. For a million, maybe I could. Half a million at least. (Although easier said than done. Maybe you can try offering me an amount now and we can see how I will react haha).

The things we discover when we watch the television. I don't know if it makes me more insightful or the opposite. Haha.

while i'm away

It saddens me about these political issues in the Philippines. I've already accepted the fact for the past weeks and months that the value of the peso has been improving. I'm sacrificing the lower value of my dollar salary for the future of the Philippines.

Then here it goes again. Something to shake up the Philippine stability. For a while I was guilty for being glad and thankful I'm not in Manila right now. But then I guess you can't blame me.

But how then, when I plan to come back home in the future?

I spent Saturday with fellow alumni members, and some of them just joked about the rallies going on. I guess with all these commotion for the past years, it has become a joke. Too redundant. Mocking what the EDSA revolution of 1986 achieved.

I'm not closing my eyes and ears to what's going on in the Philippines. It is still my home. I just pray that all of these will resolved soon.

just for laughs

Locking Up In My Own Room

For the past couple of weeks I've been locking myself in my room enjoying the solitude. With the aircon turned on at a tolerable thermostat and with my piled up movies and series, I'm a happy girl! The recipe for my content.

I've been having marathons of desperate housewives (season 2), the o.c. and one tree hill (both season 3). They're addicting! And I've squeezed in movies like Brokeback Mountain, Ice Princess, Trainspotting, Underworld Revolution, Derailed, Jarhead, and Dodgeball. Among all these movies I liked Dodgeball and Brokeback Mountain.

I still have Lost Season 2 and Veronica Mars to watch. Plus a couple of Korean series. And movies like Memoirs of a Geisha. I should be preoccupied for the next weeks to come!

way advanced wish list

Okay. I know my birthday is like still 3 months away and Christmas has just passed. But there are a few things that I've been looking for that would need time (and luck) to find. Just taking my chances here.

Basically I've been looking for a DVD (can't afford the real one) or a download (mpeg/avi) of the following:

1. Much Ado About Nothing (Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, etc)
2. All I Want for Christmas (Ethan Randall/Embry, Thora Birch, etc)
3. Empire Records (Ethan Randall, etc)
4. First Daughter (Katie Holmes)

That's all I could think of right now. Please holler if you have any of these!

shopping philosophies

Here I go again. When I was so proud of myself for not buying any clothing item since after the Chinese New Year break, I chanced upon the Charles & Keith sale and bought myself a pair of shoes. In fairness to myself, I was just thinking the other day that I needed a pair of dressy black shoes. And voila, there it was before my very eyes. And they had my size. Perfect.

My sister told me she keeps on buying clothes because she has a lot of events to wear them to. What about me? I just like shopping for the sake of shopping. For the sake of finding a good bargain. I don't go out that often. In fact, I have several pieces of clothes that I have yet to wear since I haven't found a good occasion to wear them.

It's funny that when I meant to shop a lot (like in Bangkok) I ended up hardly buying for myself. I ended up buying mostly for other people. But when I'm not supposed to buy anything, I do. The screwed up ways of the world truly.

American Idol Fever!

They've trimmed down the finalists to 24. I actually think this batch is a good one. If they're as good or even better than the last batch, I don't know yet but there a few of them that I am looking forward to reach the top!

1. Ace Young. A hottie! And he isn't just good looks. He has the voice to boost and sex appeal that lights up the stage! He's an R&B version of Constantine Margoulis... therefore perfect!

2. Chris Doughtry. I have yet to be a real fan of this guy but he intrigues me. He's unique and he looks okay.

3. Kellie Pickler. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson in one. What more can you ask for?

4. David Radford. Adorable guy! He seems like a shy goody-goody buy he has a crazy side as seen in the elevator before meeting the judges haha. Someone to watch!

5. Lisa Tucker. People may compare her to Jasmine Trias. But hello, she's much cuter and much more talented than Jasmine!

There. I hope these five make it to the top 12. I don't know what's wrong with America if they don't vote for these people! Of course, I'd want the Filipino guy Sway to make it too since I do like the voice quality of the guys in Drop n Harmony/ 6th Day. But don't blame me for cheering on these five people over him!

Office Goodbyes

Right this minute, I know of six people who are officially leaving the office within the next few weeks. Four of them have been part of the office for less time than I have. I don't know if this is an eye-opener. Some of them have their own reasons -- deiciding to fly back to London, join husband in the US, etc. Some though are just tired from work.

It saddens me that some of them have been good friends of mine.

But life goes on. There might (or should?) be greener pastures for them. Who knows? I might just join the roster one day. With all these people leaving, despite the number of people the office ss expected to hire, I'm sure that I'm bound to help out in at least one project the ones going will be leaving behind. Good luck to us.

Valentine's Day and Me

It's another Valentine's Day. Still nothing special. Somehow suitors have this perfect timing to stop courting me in time for them not to give me anything on this day. Hahaha. Or maybe it's me with the bad timing. Giving them the signals that I'm not interested before February. But I'm okay, I don't get all sentimental on this particular day. Good thing I never really experienced any special or extraordinary Valentine's.

My history when it comes to this day is just watching every other girl in my high school class receiving flowers from boyfriends and suitors, manning the booth for our college organization as a fund-raiser, speaking to a college professor about my angel and what the future has in store for me, a guy I had an understanding with just texting me the "Happy Valentines Day" greeting (cheapskate!), and something I did last year that only some of my family and friends know. Haha.

But it's two years in a row that my parents sent me the same sms message. Not the exact words, but the key words were still there. I couldn't help but grin when I got them, wondering if they just saved it from last year and just resent them.

sudoku craze!

If you haven't heard of this, check out www.sudoku.com, which I found out was the 5th most visited website for 2005. I don't know if this is true. I first encountered a sudoku puzzle in our dailies here in Singapore. It's quite addicting. If you're into numbers and puzzles this is definitely for you. (And if you're a geek like me) I've printed out a few puzzles for my bus rides to and fro work. Haha. Try it out. Enjoy!

a month and a half into the year

It just seemed like yesterday that I was home in Manila for the Christmas holidays. But I'm glad that time is working to my advantage. I can't believe that I'm approaching two years in thei lion city. I still remember answering to people that I'll be here at least until july 2006. I had to state the year for them not to think it's july 2005. 2005 seemed like a blur. Hope this one does too.

I know that time is subjective. Maybe there was something I did right (?) to make the time pass by fast.

I got into the depressed state for an evening after my Thailand trip. But now I'm okay. I'm back into my daily routine. I think I'm going to be okay.

darn it!

I didn't know! Jason Mraz was also performing here! Thought he would just have a concert in Manila :( Now it's too late. The only tickets I would have been willing to pay for are sold out. I just push for my luck in the MTV Asia contest. But I never win those kinds of contests.

Argh... if only I knew...

Visiting the Land of Smiles

After the days of stressing over booking hotels and flights for my Chinese New Year break, the holiday has come and gone. Nine full days of freedom. Actually I stretched it to nine and a half.

I left the office during lunch break to catch my flight later Friday afternoon. I then flew to Bangkok on my own. Can I just tell you how unlucky I am? There were so much potentially cute foreigners in my flight but I ended up sitting beside a smelly bumbay. Geez.

The Don Muang Internation Airport is a bit worn down. Reminds me of the domestic airport in Manila. But I heard they were building a new one. They better. Our Terminal 2 in NAIA is much better. And of course, I'm already used to the standards of Changi Airport here in Singapore.

Immigration was quick. I got my luggage immediately. But the gueue for cabs was long. And I ended up with a cab driver who extorted from me 400 Baht. But I was thinking, he brought me to the hotel safely. I might as well give it to him.

The hotel, well, it has seen better days. It's in between a hotel and a backpackers hostel. Or so I think. But the room was huge. The bathroom was pathetic but it did it's job. Breakfast was mediocre. But still filled me up. It's quite sad eating breakfast on your own. Haha. But I knew my parents and sister were arriving noontime, so that's okay.

I ventured to the nearby mall and market (We stayed right next to the Pratunam Market). Disciplined myself not to buy anything yet. We have yet to go to the Weekend Market where stuff or reportedly cheapest.

So that afternoon, my folks and sis arrived and we went straight to the Weekend Market, Chatuchak. It was the closest I've been to a flea market. Cool feel! Mostly the stuff we bought were for my other sister, brother and nephew. But that's okay. We had the next day to come back.

So for the next four days we visited the main shopping destinations in Bangkok: Chatuchak again, Suan Lum Night Market (must have been the basis of Manila's Tiendesitas with the live band and food market as well), MBK (disappointed me; everyone knows this but the shops weren't even great), Siam Square, Siam Paragon (One of the newest and one the most gorgeous malls I've been too! They house the best grocery as well!), Gaysorn, Platinum Mall (walkable from our hotel; newly opened; really promising; my mom, sis and I spent more than half a day going through the shops), Pratunam Market, and Chinatown (really yummy dried pork and cheap dried plum!).

I've never been more tired shopping. Five days in a row. I ended up buying less than I expected. For myself, that is. I was disappointed that most of the clothes that caught my eye were in free size only. Meaning, free size for the Thai frame. Can't they think that many tourists go to Bangkok? How about the Caucasians, huh? A couple were extremely expensive, so no thanks.

Bangkok is also good food. A bit spicy for my parents but I found them very flavorful. Of course though, some days we just ate at Pizza Hut (Pizza Company) or KFC (their original recipe is so not the same)

So that was Bangkok. Thursday, my sister and I flew separately to Phuket, while we left our parents to fly back to Manila. Our hotel in Phuket was much better than where we stayed in Bangkok. Walkable to Patong Beach. Mostly caucasians. I don't know what season it is, but everywhere would be caucasian senior citizens. My sister called it Cocoon, after the movie. But there were still several cute guys. I haven't been to Boaracay before but my sister said there's still more life in Boaracay. I'm not a party animal anyway so just bumming in Phuket is fine with me.

My sister and I spent Friday morning soaking in the sun. We spent late afternoons in the hotel pool. Then spent the nights at the restuarants and bars along Patong Beach. It was relaxing, except for the pesky vendors along Patong Beach who use up all their English whenever you pass by, "Where are you from? Hello. How are you? Beautiful! Tuk tuk?" That was EVERYTIME! Gawd!

But a few days after our trip was over. I flew back to Singapore Sunday. The flight of my sister back to Bangkok was unfortunately delayed and she almost missed her flight back to Manila. But I guess it was an experience.

This trip is memorable. Of course, I would have loved if my whole family joined us. But maybe there's next time. Probably another time this year we could visit a place in the Philippines we haven't been to.