RANT: Profile Picture

Sorry if I have to make a rant before I am able to post the 2nd part of my travel post. I just have let this out. A married guy who was positioned beside me in a GROUP picture cropped that certain picture with only the two of us left and made it his profile picture. What could be so annoying in this? He had several adulterous relationships! If you would look at his 'Profile Pictures' album, his wife was never there. He never used his wife's picture as a profile picture and yet I am there!!!! His other pictures are of him with his son. To make it worse, he did not only use one picture but two (cropped) pictures of me! What the hell was he thinking? This has really ruined my already messed up day. Facebook and all social networks should be moron-proofed! *profanities*

TRAVEL : Kuala Lumpur Part 1

I went to Kuala Lumpur last week with my sister and nephew. It was my first time in the place and their first time to travel abroad. It became a time for me to bond with them because I haven't seen them in a while...one and a half years to be precise.

Because it was my first time there and it was the first time i travelled with a child, my set itinerary was changed and i made several wrong decisions during the trip. I will give tips on how to have a better experience than me.

Tip #1: Transportation in KL is affordable...if you never use taxi. We used taxi a lot so i overspent. (Don't judge, we have a toddler. )
Tip #2: Don't worry about getting lost. They will give you a map of the city and travel guide once you check in the hotel.
Tip #3: The center of transportation is in KL Central. I would suggest to book a hotel in that area.
Tip #4: Traffic can be really bad.
Tip #5: If you want to go up the Petronas Tower, go there early. Ticket prices are RM 50 for adults and RM 25 for kids.

Places we went to:

1. Putra World Trade Center. This place is just behind our hotel.

it's a pity we didn't take a picture outside with the name of the building.

2. Petronas Tower

the magnificent building during daytime

while waiting for our turn to go in

a hologram was giving instructions

lakas maka-wa-poise ng pamangkin ko.hahaha

We went to buy the tickets at 10 am and we got scheduled to go in at 1 pm. This is my favorite part of the building tour:

you show your ticket to the monitor

the petronas tower will start building in your hands

completed building

It shows some trivia about the building too.

at night

(to be continued....)

RANDOM: Quick Update

So I haven't been blogging lately. Just a quick update, I'm done with the book, "A Year and Six Seconds". I am now reading, "Eat, Pray, Love."
I watched a very lame movie, "Your Highness", last night. I haven't downloaded new classic movies from iTunes so I make do with whatever movie is in my external hard drive. I am going to the Philippines and Malaysia (and possibly Singapore) in a couple of weeks and i still don't have a complete itinerary.
I am still considering not renewing my contract, the outcome would depend on how my vacation would go this holiday season. I have to discuss things with my family. That's all for now.

GARBAGE BIN

Lately, i've noticed that this blog functions as may garbage bin. where i dump a lot of my life's rubbish thoughts and emotions. i am sorry to whoever happens to drop by this site. i did not intend this to be such. however, i have no one to talk to and i am a girl, i have the need to express my feelings.

i feel really tired now. i want to give up and just let go. i'm too irritated now. i don't even know what to say. again, just like this post, another rubbish in my garbage  bin. my apologies.

UNTITLED

A lot of things going on at the same time. I feel like i've bitten more than i can chew. leading a group with most people older than me and the men are just going at each other. both sides telling me something against the other and sometimes i feel like i need to share it to somebody but i have to be responsible and not share anything to anyone.

my own life is a mess as well. my room's a chaos, my body clock is confused, and i don't know the next step to take with my life. once again, i am at that phase where i want a way out, i want to grow, to try new things. and new information really did come up today. the outcome of that info may have a huge impact on my decisions.

i need help. i need to remember that i should take one day at a time. one step...just one step each time. don't rush. i don't need to see the future. i just have to do good today. tomorrow is in God's hands. it will unfold just in time.

FOOD: Spicy Filipinized Pasta

I am from a region in the Philippines where people love to eat foods cooked with coconut milk and lots of chili, Bicol. I am no exception to that. At the same time, I also love pasta. So, what's a hungry girl to do when I'm craving for our native viands and pasta at the same time? Philippine-ize the pasta!

ginataang spicy tuna pasta

I used coconut milk (canned), added some carrots, Century tuna (hot and spicy flavor), garlic and onion, salt and pepper, and a pinch of sugar. I added garden rotini pasta to the cooked mixture...and voila! Cravings satisfied. I am one happy camper. :)

RANDOM: Missing the Days

I've been to my old blog site and I read a lot of my past posts. When I was in the Philippines, I travelled a lot. I have an out-of-town trip almost every month. With each trip comes a blog post. I remember the places, I remember the people...mostly, the people. I have been to lots of places and the most memorable ones are those with good company. That is one thing missing here in Palau. I am not saying that I never enjoyed the company of anyone here but it's just...different.

Here, people are always busy. Most people have work six days a week. I miss hanging out with friends on the weekends. Back home, even if you don't leave the house, as long as you're with friends, have good conversation, it's a moment worth blogging already. Now, it's really different. How I wish I could hang out again with friends and make good memories with just the simple things.

I love my friends here, don't get me wrong. I have a set of friends from the office, from badminton, and from church. However, with over one year of stay here, I could only count with the fingers of my two hands the times that I really cherish. I'll try to enumerate:

1. first road trip to babeldaob
2. trip to ngatpang
3. winning my first badminton tournament and going to seabird cruise to celebrate
4. playing dota with the boys and basically hanging out with ruben and kuya dan
5. bern's birthday
6. first fun dive
7. hanging out in the old airport one saturday afternoon with eds, bert, and laverne
8. long island swim with arsie, jane, and kuya frank
9. conversation with berns when i asked for advice regarding my career
10. celebrating my birthday with my church mates

Ok, so at least, all my fingers in my two hands would be counted. Then I realize, it's not too few after all. I still have to say my two trips to Ngemelis were equally memorable, the time when Kuya Roger randomly treated us to Nayong Pilipino, the time when we ate lunch three times, Friday nights with Jane, Manio, Mayshell, and Vani. I've already had lots of moments.

I guess I just took a lot of them for granted. There were some things in the list though that I purposely avoided because of things that I don't really want. I guess what I'm missing is the consistency of the persons involved. I miss having friends whom I could comfortably text when I feel the need to hang out and be available...and if that friend is a guy, I want the kind who is willing to hang out not because he likes me, but because it's just fun. Hayyy....should I just go back to the Philippines then?

MOVIE: The Seven Year Itch

This is the first time I've ever seen Marilyn Monroe acting. She really knows how to act, I'm surprised. Comparing her to some of the famous blonde 'actors' of this generation, she's way better! Plus, she is not thin, at all. She has a real woman's body which is really sexy.

The movie is nice. I really giggled in some parts, especially when she saw the air-con. It was fun seeing the reaction of people when a house has an air-con then. She's such a darling. One thing that disappoints me though was the iconic steam-blown dress. It's just a really small part in the movie and it was not shown as it was in the posters.

Nevertheless, I like that the movie maintained the family values of a man experiencing a seven-year itch in marriage.

OPINION: I'm Such a Drama Queen

Last night, I had a conversation with my roommate. She's talking about her financial problems. It was not really supposed to be her problem, it was her parents'. But because she is a part of the family, it becomes her problem too. I would not disclose how much she needs but it's really a big amount. She's saying that there are some things she wants to do and yet she can't do them because a big part of her pay is allotted to paying off the debt.

Then today, my friend gave his testimony on how he survived his college life and how he is helping his siblings by sending them to school. I would say I was pretty much impressed...

...and embarrassed. I realized how much of a drama queen I am. I feel so selfish. I can do a lot of things on a whim because I don't have that much of a burden when it comes to my family. I am not obliged to help. They don't ask anything from me. And yet, I complain. When some of my relatives ask for help, I complain. Mainly because I think of the things I have planned on spending the money for, and I would be honest that most of them are just for my personal enjoyment. Not really a necessity.

Today, I learned that I am so blessed and I have nothing to do but be thankful with what I have and with what I am enjoying.

May I always remember the bigger sacrifices of my friends whenever I am asked to give up a little of my whims.

RANDOM: Beautiful Minds

Years ago, I was jealous of the people who lived in Thomas Edison and other great inventors' time. I wondered how it felt like to see your street lighted by a light bulb for the first time. How magical it would have seemed the first time you heard your friend's voice over the telephone.

The newspapers' headlines are not of the latest blockbuster movie nor of a gruesome crime. They are about the new invention to be introduced for the first time. I said if I had a choice, I would go back to that generation and knowing that it would not be forever, I would absorb everything that is happening around me and tell stories to my kids and grandkids how great that generation is.

Today, our modern Edison passed away. I just came to realize that as much as the past generation is blessed with their own beautiful minds, they have never and will never experience ours. Our generation have more of these minds than the entire history of mankind combined, in my opinion. No, I did not research and nor did I actually count but I just know that it's true.

They will never know how Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs and many other can inspire people...even without meeting them in person. Today, people can touch each other's lives no matter where one is in the world. We also have Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page, and several other people from the internet who made our life a lot more convenient.

So, to all these people who inspire me to dream, thank you. I am forever grateful.

For

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

RANDOM: What If?

What if I can get everything I want, would I still want them?

What if I would be successful in everything I do, would success still taste as sweet?

What if I just leave everything behind, will I regret it?

What if I change my mind, would it be worth it?

What if I already met 'him', would i know?

What if this is where I am supposed to be...for the rest of my life, would i accept it?

Just a few questions from a thousand and one. I know the answers to some...but my other question is, would I do anything about it?

WOULD YOU?

RANT: People In Facebook. SMH.

Facebook account of a non-existent person

Years ago, people are so addicted with the Facebook apps. Farmtown (before farmville came out), Sorority girls, Mafia Wars, Knighthood, etc. In all of the apps, the more people you invite and accept the invite, the easier it is to level up. So people make fictitious accounts.

The picture above was an account created by my friend who shall not be named for her Knighthood game. That is not the point of this post. What's funny is she put October 2 as the birthday of this account. I was just amused that there are people who posted their birthday greetings.

Makes me realize how superficial Facebook greetings are. I do not regret removing my birthday from my profile a week or two before the date. Those who gave their greetings were people who really remembered. It made it more genuine. It is more touching.

So now, I don't post any birthday greeting unless I really mean it. So if I ever post anything on your wall, please know that it is sincere. c",)

BOOK REVIEW: The Tiger's Wife

First of all, let me say that I am not a fan of fiction and novels. It is very seldom for me to appreciate those.  Harry Potter series is an exception, of course.

Honestly, I did not enjoy reading The Tiger's Wife. I was bored. For me, the story lacks excitement, it was just dragging the entire time. There was too much build up on the background of the characters but I did not feel the climax. Just as the story gets interesting, the pace would suddenly change.

I just felt relieved to have finished the book. Maybe I should train myself to read more fiction, especially those that are beyond reality. This book failed to tap any of my emotions which is sad because that is the only reason why I even read fiction.

RANDOM: FILLER

Updates (not that you're interested)

1. Financial Statements almost done. A lot of lessons learned.

2. Badminton Tournament ongoing. A lot of lessons I want to share.

3. I'm going scuba diving on Sunday. Finally, after several months. What a shame.

4. That's about it. Yeah, after two weeks of not putting anything in, that's all I got. So lame.

OPINION: Miss Universe 2011 and Religion

“I would not change my religion because, first of all, I love my God who created me and if that person truly loves me, he must also love my God.” 
 -Shamcey Supsup


A lot of Filipinos were disappointed because Shamcey was not able to bring home the crown. Being 3rd runner up is still an achievement, though. 


I think I can see why she was not able to totally win it. There is a loophole in her answer because that same statement could be used against her by her man. Being a member of a minority in terms of religion (I am a Seventh-day Adventist), I have encountered people who had to deal with this question in real life. 


The safer answer in my opinion would have to be something like this: "I would not change my religion in the same way that I would not ask him to change his. When you love a person, you accept everything about him, including his religion. Both of us should have mutual respect with each other's beliefs and just maintain an open mind. Religion should be based on conviction and not on marriage. Thank you."


But then again, I am not under pressure and I had enough time to think about it. 

Still, Congratulations Shamcey, and thank you for making the Filipinos proud once again!

EVENT: Sweet 27 ♥

I rarely celebrate my birthdays. This is by far the biggest celebration I ever had. The celebration started in the office. Just had some snacks before lunch with the officemates and Karen who has the same birthday. In the picture below, she tried to make herself look smaller because I'd definitely look like a midget next to her if she didn't.

with Karen (we share the same birthday "but many years apart for sure" according to her)

pizza and ice cream, perfect combination

with the officemates. can you tell who's not palauan aside from karen? :)

In the evening, we had another small celebration at home. It was originally intended for my badminton friends who greeted me on my birthday (I kept my birthday a secret so whoever greets me gets an invite).

part 2 of the celebration at home

what the heck is going on here?

with my badminton peeps

with the badminton boys

the entire 1st batch

After a few hours, I was surprised to hear a knock on the door and four of my church mates came, the boys' group. They had a guitar with them and sang to me. Sweet, eh?

serenade from the 2nd batch

A few minutes after, another batch of boy friends came, a mixed group. My friend jokingly asked where my girl friends are and I said I don't have a lot. Then he said it's so obvious that I'm actually a boy (I hit him with my slipper). I'm a tomboy (for my Filipino readers, a tomboy is not a lesbian), obviously even until now that I'm a grown woman.

with mah boys ;) 3rd batch

Still later, someone knocked and a bigger group came and they brought cake with them, the bigger group Filipino group from my church.

from my loving church mates :)

final batch

On Sabbath day, I went to church and surprise, surprise...my girl friends are all wearing black too!

we all wore black to church, not planned 

Ate Elba, baked me a cake and she even prepared 27 candles for me to blow!

3rd part of the celebration after church

We had our potluck in Palau Mission Academy open gym. They tried to make it really special, they even picked some flowers from their yard to be centerpiece.

a feast my loving church mates prepared for my celebration

home made cake (gift)

These are the gifts I got on my birthday. So nice!

2 cute skirts, 1 sarong, and a pair of clogs

2 palau shirts and 1 palau mug

I really felt special the entire week. Unlike most people who dread getting old, I am always thankful and proud whenever someone asks for my age. Not all people get to live as long as I am living right now. I am happy with everything I have in my life and I know that more surprises still await. I have God to thank for everything! I missed my family though but thank God for the internet, it somehow bridges the gap the distance makes.

RANDOM: Daydreaming (before midnight)

I wake up early in the morning. I brush my teeth, then change to my swimsuit. I bring my sarong, wear my shades, get extra clothes and put on sunblock. I ride my car, I go to the beach and I bring my book for the month. I swim a little, lie down on the sand, read. I go to the resort's resto when I get hungry and I eat. Back to the sand, swim, read...while listening to music. When I get tired, I go home and sleep.

RANT: LAZY SUNDAY

Yes, there are no better words to describe how my day went. I literally wasted an entire day doing nothing but watching YouTube videos. Pathetic life, I know. I still thank God though that I have internet connection at home...if not, I could not imagine how I would have spent my day today, I got nowhere to go! On second thought, if I don't have internet, I might have thought of doing the dishes, getting my groceries, fixing my bed, doing my laundry, cleaning the bathroom, reading a book, taking a bath, and brushing my teeth. Yes, Im in an all-time low. This I assume is the after effect of my migraine attack last night. Yeah, I still managed to put the blame on something.

Man, I stink!!!

RANT: There's Something About Being Alone

I know I've just blogged about how hate it when guys hit on me just because I'm single and I said I want to stay single. Good thing, I said it may be just for a few days because here I am in one of those rare occasions, wishing for someone.

You can't blame me though. I am far from home, my roommate went to a month-long vacation, and my birthday is coming up. Somehow, all those things make me feel more alone than before. I have nothing against relationships and guys, really. I have everything against the wrong guys though who are trying too hard.

So yeah, Saturday night alone in the house with a not-so-severe-but-not-so-mild migraine attack makes me wish I am with someone, in a relationship...for real. The video above sort of expresses the mood tonight.

RANT: There Are Times When...

I wish I am with someone...in a relationship. It gets pretty annoying when you are single and everyone thinks you are available and everyone just gets too assuming. There are times when I wish I could say "yes" to the question, "do you have a boyfriend now?" so they would just leave me alone after just one question.

I am single, I like it that way. It might change in the future, maybe just after a few days, but let me tell you one thing: you would not be the reason for it!

Just because we are both single wouldn't mean that we will be together. Ever.

Get lost.

Sorry, that was a bit too much but really! If I like you, I'd let you know, I swear! You can ask all the guys I've liked  before, they never had to play the guessing game. And, oh, by the way, the more you try impress me, the more I get turned off. Stop trying too hard. It's not worth it.

MOVIE: CASABLANCA

So, I've finally decided to watch classic movies. I really never bothered to before because I had a feeling that they would be boring. I mean, they don't have the technology then and people were too romantic those days.
I started with "Gone With the Wind" because it is such a classic, I've been hearing about it since college (I was too "cool" when I was in high school, the only classic I heard about was MTV Classic). I saw the book but never got to read it because I am not really a sucker for novels.
After I watched the movie, I realized that classic movies are not that bad, they are adorable. So I decided to watch an older one, Casablanca. This one is in black-and-white, much older than Gone With the Wind. And boy, am I surprised! There was never a dull moment in that movie. All the lines were carefully thought of, they are very witty and the story itself is amazing. It is clean and yet, you could feel for the characters.
I am now hooked. I might look for Audrey Hepburn's movies, Marilyn Monroe's and whoever I find. If only the movie writers now are as clever, we would not need to hear the actors swear to get our attention.

EVENT: End It Now! Abuse Awareness Walkathon

I just arrived from a walkathon. It is for a cause. All over the world, women and children are the common victims of abuse, usually from their partners or parents. This event is to announce that we are making a stand against these unacceptable practices. We had the Abuse Prevention Director of Palau as our guest speaker.

Just one caveat: this is a photo vomit post. Photos are not necessarily relevant to the cause :p

pink ribbon - registered

yes, paused for a pose. :)

i'm going the other way? yeah, i'm a rebel like that. hahaha

me and my friends with our END IT NOW shirt.

ballers 

We say NO to violence against women.

my walkathon buddy's shoe

another friend's shoe

mine :)

it's almost over and my ticket hasn't been picked yet

loser

i declared a holdup and got my friend's winning instead. :)

Overall, it was a fun event. Good friends are really swell, they make you win without a winning ticket. Thanks, Kuya Roger! I'm so going to the parlor later. :)

Random

First, I found Tiger Cub's  blog. She is the older daughter of the famous (or infamous) Tiger Mom. I don't know why but I feel inspired after reading about their story. It makes me wish for a tiger den environment when I was growing up too. I was pretty much on my own when I was growing up so I am not used to discipline and rules and all those stuff only to find out later on that the world is full of rules and I needed discipline to enjoy those rules. I still feel pretty good about myself though. I just feel that I could have been better in some things and my defense mechanism might not have been running away. I'm interested with the Tiger Mom's book though, I might buy it...after I'm done reading my three new books.

Speaking of new books, yes, I got three new books from Amazon.

I bought Isabel Gillies' "Happens Everyday" and " A Year and Six Seconds." When I get interested in a book, I usually buy two from the author.  I bought it because I want to have a break from all the "serious" books I've been reading, I want to read something that's light and with emotions because I really need to work on my being phlegmatic right now. I need to feel something. I am trying to educate myself. So, I'm going to try to read a story but I wanted to read the kind that happened in real life.

It's such a coincidence that I am interested in the tiger mom today and a couple of weeks ago, I bought "The Tiger's Wife." There must be something about the tiger women.

Grumpy

I don't know why but i noticed that i'm easily pissed lately. There are some things that I did not mind before but irritates me too much now. I could not possibly blame PMS because I've just gotten over that monthly thing.

Everything a person says now, if it is contrary to my opinion is simply annoying and my eyes would just roll even if I did not mean to. I could be so ticked even if I do not know what the real reason was. Maybe I'm just affected by stress and pressure.

I hate it. I shouldn't be affected. I shouldn't. So help me God.

THE RACE (a poem by D.H. Groberg)

photo: http://kotekkatokkotakworld.blogspot.com

"Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get back up" (Proverbs 24:16).
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They shout at me and plead,
"There's just too much against you now. This time you can't succeed!"
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race - young boys, young men - how I remember well.
Excitement, sure! But also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope; each thought to win the race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went! Young hearts and hope afire.
To win and be the hero there was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular whose dad was in the crowd,
was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud!"
But as they speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought to win lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself his hands flew out to brace,
and mid the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell, and within him hope; he couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face.
Which to the boy so clearly said: "Get up and win the race!"
He quickly rose, no damage done; behind a bit, that's all
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!
He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace.
"I'm hopeless as a runner now; I shouldn't try to race."
But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face.
That steady look which said again: "Get up and win the race!"
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last.
"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to move real fast!"
Exerting everything he had he gained eight or ten,
but trying so hard to catch the lead he slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore; three strikes: I'm out! Why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away;
so far behind, so error prone; a loser all the way.
"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought. "I'll live with my disgrace."
But then he thought about his dad who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race.
With borrowed will, get up," it said, "you haven't lost at all.
For winning is no more than this: To rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit
he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran so as to win.
Three times he'd fallen, stumbling; three times he rose again;
to far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line first place.
Head high, and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line in last place,
the crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud.
You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to that crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me, you won," his father said. "You rose each time you fell."
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
"Quit! Give up! You're beaten!" They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says: "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"

Hello Kitty marshmallow!

With a bit of chocolate surprise :)

My friend from Japan visited us here again and brought a some sweetness with him...literally and figuratively. Yeah, he gave us hello kitty marshmallows which is so cute (my first time, sssshhh!!!).