Backpacking in the Northland

On February 16th, I went straight from work to Changi airport to catch my flight going down under (way more down under than Australia, dude :). Ten hours later, I was looking out from the window beside my seat and I was already amazed at how New Zealand looked from a bird's eye view.

New Zealand is divided into two major islands, the North island and South island. Our plan was to take the up-to-the-North-then-down-by-the-West route starting from Auckland.


Day 1: Kia ora!* The perfect way of getting to know New Zealand (see the red arrow in the map)

From Auckland airport, we went to missy G-clef's house and met up with Beth. Two hours later we were on the bus going to the Bay of Islands. Four hours later we checked in to Peppertree lodge. We were given room 13 (hmm..I wondered if that was a good sign or bad sign, hehehe.) Since it was almost evening we looked for something to spend the night with and decided to watch the cultural show at 7pm in Waitangi. It was a great start of my New Zealand experience, as the cultural show oriented me with the history of New Zealand. Now I know that the first settlers of New Zealand were polynesians, called Maoris, and then the British came in the 1800s. So today the New Zealander people, or Kiwis as they refer to themselves, are composed of the native Maori, the polynesians, and the British Kiwis. We ended the night with our stomachs full from missy G-clef's very delicious cornedbeef pasta (yum yum!)

Day 2: The Dune Rider experience (see the green arrow in the map)

This day we were to have the Dune Rider day trip tour of the Northland. What we knew was that we will be picked up by 7:30am so we woke up at a few minutes before 7am, only to find out that the tour guide was already there at 7am and was looking for us! So we just grabbed our things, and just went up the truck without having been able to actually freshen up for the morning. I had no idea what this tour was, missy G-clef didn't give me the details so I had no expectations and oh boy, little did I know that I was to be in one of the greatest tours of my life. We were with around 20 other people, composed of Germans, Brits, Australians and Spanish. We were the only Asians in our group. The tour guide/driver introduced himself as Spike. While he drove, he did the narrating as well, how cool is that!
From the Bay of Islands, we went up further to the North. First stop after having breakfast at a local restaurant, was at Manginangina Kauri Walk, a reserve of Kauri trees. Kauri trees are one of the biggest trees in the world. They are now protected trees in New Zealand because they are endangered. After a brief walk around the forest, we headed on and drove a few hours going up to Cape Reinga, the northest tip of the North island where the Tasman Sea and Northern Pacific Ocean meets. It is a sacred place for the Maoris, because they believe that this was where the spirits of departed Maoris go. Indeed it was a very serene and magnificent place. The sights are just simply tantalizing. Next we went down at a nearby beach where we had a break and were given the time to eat our lunch and have a quick swim in the beach for those who wanted to. Then we headed further on to our next cool stop (see the upcoming irony here..) -- sand surfing! Oh yes, I couldn't believe that New Zealand had sand dunes and I was so thrilled to do my first sandboard surfing. Walking up to the top carrying your surf board was a struggle for me, but it was all worth it when you slide down the slope head on. I managed to stay on the board half way thru the ride but half way thru the end I went tumbling down like a rolling ball, ahehehe. It was a fabulous experience! Then after sand surfing, we drove going down by a long stretch of beach called 90 mile beach (although in realityit is just 64 miles long). We stopped briefly to get some seashells which we ate instantly and surprisingly, for a raw state, it tasted really, really good! (better than oyster I tell you!) The 90 mile beach is known also for having wild horses in the land across it, although we were not lucky enough that day to have a glipmse of them. Then we went on and drove down and stopped at a souvenir shop then at a restaurant beside a harbour and we ate of course, yummy fish and chips (fries) and made a last quick stop in front of one orange farm in Kerikeri (place in NZ known for having lots of orchards of citrus fruits) for those who wanted to buy some fruits. Finally, at around 7pm we were back in our lodge. We spent the rest of the night at an Irish bar across Peppertree lodge with Elena, an Italian backpacker that we shared our room with. What a fantastic day! Sweet as! ;o)

Day 3: The start of a marvelous road trip and camping (see the pink arrow in the map)

We started the morning by having a hearty breakfast - one loaf of toasted sliced bread, one pack of bacon and 6 eggs. Yes, a big breakfast could be an understatement. The two German guys on the next table told us they were so surprised to see the food at our table and was wondering how could 3 girls could eat all of it while two big guys like them were just eating bread and jam. (well, had they known about Filipinos' love for eating that should've explain it, hehehe). It was our last day in Peppertree lodge. We rented a car and missy would be driving us from the Bay of Islands going to the West and down. We stopped first at the historical place of Waitangi again to go around the place. Then we drove down down down to Opononi and Omapere where we had a spectacular view of the Hokianga Harbour. We camped out with our tent at a camping area across the beach in Opononi. It was another whole new experience for me. Our plan was to have some drinks on the beach side while watching the sunset but because we have forgotten to bring a flashlight and it took us a while to cook our dinner, this didn't happen. The sun seemed to have set so fast but it was ok, we still had a fun fun night eating another hearty dinner because besides for our fried chicken, we also cooked and ate some fresh mussels which were given to us by two camper Hungarian guys who went fishing that afternoon.

Day 4: The unexpected highlight of the road trip (see the purple arrow in the map)

Before mid day, we got ready to start the long road trip going back to Auckland. A few meters from the camp site there was a sign with an arrow pointing to the right of the road which says, "scenic view". We decided to check it out and we were amazed at what we've discovered -- indeed a marvelous view of the Hokianga Harbour. We went down to the beach (together with 2 senior American couples we met there) and was just hypnotized at the beautyof waves splashing on the rocks in front of us. And so we stayed at the place longer than we expected. After realizing we had enough basking in the sun, admiring the beauty of the New Zealand Northland, we headed on to continue our road trip. After around an hour's drive down, we stopped at Waipoua Forest where Tane Mahuta was located. Tane Mahuta is the oldest and largest existing Kauri tree in the world, dating to about 2,000 years old and measuring a girth of 13.77 m (45.2 feet) and a trunk height of 17.68 m (58.0 feet). Such a wonder how this tree could live so long, withstanding all the storms and earthquakes for centuries. After consuming our packed lunch and an icecream for dessert, we continued our journey. After an hour or two's drive Missy G-clef said she wanted to have a quick stop at a waterfalls or any body of water so we tried to look for a waterfalls along the way. We didn't find any waterfalls but we did find a sign that says Lake Kai-iwi if we turn right. So we did, and followed the long road leading to this lake. When we got there we saw a couple just going up from the lake. They said they had a swim and told us the water was perfect for swimming. So we went down to the lake and found ourselves to be the only ones there. We went in the water, and indeed it was perfect to take a dip, too perfect that we decided to do the unimaginable -- skinny dip!!!! Oh yes, we did it in broad daylight! We took off all our clothes while inside the water and just enjoyed the place like it was ours. A first time for all of us and Missy, Beth and me all agree that it was the highlight of our road trip. The perfect highlight to conclude our adventure. The travel from Lake Kai-iwi to Auckland would take around 4 more hours so halfway through, we stopped at Dargaville to have a quick coffee -- on the roadside beside the river, literally. We sat on the ledge that divided the road from the river, drinking our coffee and eating hotdog in waffle. Maybe people driving by probably wondered if we were suicidal...hmm, not really because the brown water from the big river was not that inviting, hehehe. So finally, we got back in Auckland in the evening. I had my first view of Auckland skyline at night, with all the tall buildings and the Skytower shining brightly in red. We concluded the night with a fish and chips dinner along Mission Bay. Ah yes, now I'm about to see the City of Sails....

*Kia Ora is the Maori greeting for hello or good day.

Hinagdanan cave in Bohol

I have to write this entry to mention another must see in Bohol -- the caves. We only managed to go to one cave in Panglao, the Hinagdanan (meaning "laddered") cave but I read that Bohol actually has many caves giving it a nickname of "Cave Country".

Hinagdanan cave is an underground cave and is indeed beautiful. Inside it is a pool of water where you could swim. We didn't see it in its full glory, though, because we went there at almost sunset. The best time to see it is perhaps early afternoon, or as long as the sun is shining high because it is quite dark without the sun, it is just quite warm inside, since the entrance is a small hole on the ground and then you go down inside the cave.

I really hope to go back to Bohol someday and see the other caves and more things of interest. Anyone willing to let me tag along when you go to Bohol in the future? :D

Wide awake under the sun in Bohol

I surprised my family when I came home on Friday and announced I'm going with them to Bohol. I am so glad I decided to go because as expected it was sooo fun with us cousins goofing around and just laughing our hearts out (although it would have been the best if all of us cousins were complete) and I was able to be with Daddy M and Mommy B for even a few days. We owe a lot to our "adopted cousin", Tita T, for organizing everything for us. ;)

I am so proud of my beloved country, the Philippines for it's beautiful places like Bohol. This beautiful place is even supplemented by its beautiful native people, the Boholonians.

Bohol is most famous for the Chocolate hills. I was really awed by seeing the chocolate hills for the first time. They indeed look like how they are in my gradeschool history textbooks. The Chocolate hills are a range of more than a thousand hills. They are called as such because of their brown color brought about by the dried up cogon grass that grows on them during the dry season (they are actually green in the rainy season so perhaps the name could vary to the Chocolate-Mint Hills at this time? hehehe).

Bohol is also famous for the Tarsiers. These are the smallest primates (i.e. monkey) in the world! See how small it is as it sits on my shoulder? They are cute but I find them actually a bit scary because of their big eyes, hehe.

Another thing that you should not miss if you're in Bohol is to cruise the Loboc River. This river has a grand ambiance, I find it fascinating, with its clean, green waters, and the coconut trees that grows on both sides of it. This river extends to the sea but on the other end, the river ends with waterfalls. Loboc river is also a source ofspring water. There are springs on its sides but the water is not hot since there are no volcanoes around. This river is also popular for fireflies watching at night, which we did not see since we cruised the river in the afternoon but I was happy enough to learn that there are still fireflies existing because I used to see them like a usual thing when I was a child but I noticed as I grew up they seemed to have disappeared so for the younger generation, like my brother who's 7 years younger than I am, seeing a firefly for him would perhaps be extraordinary.

The beaches in Bohol are also superb. And I heard that the people of Bohol would like to keep their beaches to be as natural as they are so the government does not allow the construction of commercial buildings/structures near the beaches, land owners of beach side lands are required to turn their place to a resort only. I think this isgood because it makes the Bohol beaches a tranquil and serene place where you can enjoy and relax.

Although I did not get the tan I was hoping to get even if I had myself barbecued under the sun (either my sun block was too effective or the morning sun of Bohol is too mild), I got all the warmth I needed -- from my family. :)

~~~~o~~~~

Going to Bohol from Singapore in a not so big budget:

Option 1 - Take Cebu Pacific Air going to Manila and then take a connecting flight to Tagbilaran

Option 2 - Take Cebu Pacific Air going to Cebu and ride a ferry (2 hours) going to Tagbilaran

You may also take Option 1 route via Philippine Airlines if you feel like spending twice as much. :)

For more information on Bohol visit their website: http://www.bohol.ph/

Outgrowing my pink

One of the things I enjoy about having a routine is that I am amused with how my routine can sync with other people's routines especially my neighbors' and it makes it like a group dance, everything is in harmony and I have different dance partners depending on which routine I choose for that day. For example, if I wake up early and decide that I want to be in the office before 9am I have a group of people I expect to be waiting with me at the bus stop and another group if I chose to go to work a bit later.

It's been around a couple of months that I have been taking the go-to-work-a-bit-later routine and today I chose to take my go-to-work-early routine. I chanced upon my neighbor and her cute toddler daughter in our condo's elevator. There was one time before, that when we saw each other I was wearing my pink outfit -- pink pants, striped pink and black blouse, and pink shoulder bag; and I think the mom liked the whole ensemble that she couldn't help but tell me it's nice that I was all pink. So today, as like déjà vu, I was wearing my pink outfit again, but in a more subtle version -- same pink pants, floral blouse with beige base, beige hand bag, and pink stud earrings. She first noticed my new short hair though and afterwhich the "pink compliment": she said she liked my whole outfit, she said it's so pink. I told her I have not outgrown my pink. She said I shouldn't have to because "that color is you", as per her words. That made me smile, as a simple conversation like that can be really perceptive. Pink color is usually associated with little girls' clothes and things and usually as girls become ladies their color preference also change to the "mature colors". This made me ponder: why do we need to give up our pink when it suits us fine indeed? Why do we need to give up the child within us when this child makes us see life in an innocent and magical way?

I believe we all each have our own pink, and the question I leave to you is: have you outgrown yours?

One hot and steamy week

And it's over, thank God.

Last Saturday, me and my housemates had a date with the aircon contractor for our bedrooms' regular aircon cleaning and maintenance. I didn't have any problem with my aircon before that but after last Saturday's service I noticed that the air seemed to be not cold. I thought my sleepless nights were just because of my long hair, my pajamas and my thick blanket or maybe even just my imagination but after one week I knew it was the airconditioner who was making me have those oh so hot nights. And so today I had another date with the aircon contractor. It turned out my aircon compressor ran out of gas (leaked apparently). I was not happy of course, because aside from the contractor being late, I had to pay for the gas top up (which was almost double of the cleaning service fees!). But well, even if I was convinced before that, that the reason for my aircon's regression in performance had something to do with last week's service, I just had to shrug it off and accept that it was just coincidential. Acceptance is, anyways, the start of moving on, you just have to accept and give the benefit of the doubt and trust. In the end, I chose to be happy anyhow since all's well that ends well.

So to celebrate the end of my hot and steamy sleepless nights, I endulged myself in a relaxing bubble bath, thanks to: Kimage hairsalon, The Body Shop's Papaya Foam bath (now on 20% sale from usual S$19.90), the candles lit and Hayley Westenra's angelic voice in her Odyssey Album.

Sometimes, all you need to get consoled is that embrace from the warm, fragrant water and the tranquility you experience as you close your eyes and feel your body relax in it's most natural form of nakedness.

****
Photo credits:

~Candle in l'alcazar bar , Paris

~Wikipedia
~The Body Shop

10 things I think about this month

1. Get some sun

2. Review my French to prepare for the start of class on the 28th

3. Spend more time in the gym

4. Read my backlog books to read

5. Enjoy Kiwi Land

6. Consider that job in the US

7. Have ampalaya on the 14th

8. Buy a tumba-tumba and do cross-stitching (dapat gantsilyo pero para naman mas modern, haha)

9. Have a haircut (a very short one)

10. Stop blogging

It's the start of another month

If I look back on the month that has passed, I would say it felt like one year has passed. Indeed, the year 2007 has a lot in store for me and it has already started with overwhelming happenings that I never expected would happen. Amazing how things happen in one's walk of life, on some parts the road is smooth, on some the road is rocky. The funny thing is even if you thought you are walking on a smooth road, you can still trip along the way in surprise no matter how careful you are in your strides. And you wonder how did it happen that you can actually trip on your own feet and fall. Then you look up and realize that you bumped in another person walking too close beside you. You don't know what to think, as in the first place everyone knows that in walking the road of life we are each equipped with an invisible privacy bubble, and the trail you walk as far as you know, is a trail where nobody crosses each other's bubble. But then you just get up on your feet and decide to not think about it anymore because you have to continue your walk. Some things are better left unexplained and perhaps even be forgotten, so you just keep silent and carry on smiling as you stride and perhaps even do a little glide, towards the end of the road you chose for the walk of life, because you are sure of who you are and where you are going to.

And so I walk, still holding flowers in my hands.

~o~

It's not only sad movies that make me cry

I stopped watching love story movies a couple of years ago. Well not really stopped, I just avoided watching them if I could. Because no matter how a love story went I was sure to cry. In the times when I did watch, my pretending toughie-toughie heart would reveal that it's actually a softie. So I decided to give my heart a break and gave it a chance to beat a little slower so it wouldn't completely die out of exhaustion. So I temporarily switched off my heart's romantic valve and put more lights on it's filial valve.

And the heart lives, filially.

But perhaps it has a natural way of saying that it can beat a little bit faster as time pass by. Perhaps even circumstances collaborate with the heart to remind you of the existence of the other valve before you completely forget about it.

But it could've also just been the 2 kilometer stride on the transport machine in the gym that made my heart beat faster that I suddenly had the urge to grab "You've Got Mail" instead of any non-romantic movie I was hoping to watch when I get home.

It's interesting how one movie that you have watched before could be different when you watch it again. Amazing how something that was just a line in the movie to you before would suddenly ring a bell, how hearing a foreign place would suddenly sound familiar to you, in just the exact moment.

Maybe that's it.

Maybe the heart needs a chance to show that it is ready to open up that other valve again so it starts to skip a little, then more and more... until you are convinced that it is time...

I still cried at the ending of the movie, oh yes.

But this time, though, with a smile.

***************
Image taken from http://youvegotmail.warnerbros.com/

Flying like the flowing river

On my flight back from Manila to Singapore I started to read the book Like the Flowing River, a collection of thoughts and reflections of my favorite author, Paulo Coelho (my friends' birthday gift to me last November). A few pages after, I felt the tears flow down on my cheeks (like a flowing river). It has never happened to me before that I cried during a flight and I tried to be discreet about it as I didn't want to embarrass myself from the ladies sitting beside me. Good thing the cabin lights were off but with only my reading light on from among the seats in my row, it made it even more dramatic. And indeed, tears trying to be held back is like water being held in a dam which once it breaks, the intensity of the water's cascading flow will be too powerful to stop.

What has made me cry?

Could it be I was so moved by Paulo Coelho's beautiful thoughts on life?

Or could it be because of something else?

Perhaps those last words I heard at the airport?

I think yes and yes. I've read many of Paulo Coelho's novels, all of them fiction but all I adored. But reading real life thoughts and reflections of a person written in impromptu, has an extraordinary impact on me. I was deeply moved at how He sees life in a beautiful way, full of hope, love and peace. It made me ask myself

Why do people lose this drive in life?

Why do people tie themselves up with the ghosts of their past?

Why not make the most of what you have?

Why those last heavy words need to be said?

We know the answers to these questions but I just wish that we do not let ourselves be spun by the web of sadness. No matter how things may seem frustrating, there is always a way to see things in the light. We say we err because we are just human but it does not end there. While it is innate for us to err, it is also innate for us to love. To love is to appreciate, to love is to see beauty and so I hope that we do not forget that this is the gift of life. Our ability to change is more powerful that we can ever imagine, let us not underestimate our ability to become the person that God wants us to be.

Signs that I've been in Singapore too long now

1) While shopping with my mother, I was starting to get impatient that she was walking slowly and was like taking a lot of time at looking for what to buy. Just after I uttered to her (trying my best not to offend her) to walk a bit faster, I looked around the mall and realized that my mother was not slow because everyone was the same pace as hers, it was me who was walking too fast! :(

(I was also not anymore used to the moderate motion of the escalators in the Philippines. Oh yes, the speed of escalators in Singapore is significantly faster).

2) I was meeting Debbie at Robinsons Galleria and I sent her an sms to meet me at Pastamania. She asked where was it and I told her the third floor. I was surprised she didn't know where Pastamania was, because she frequents Robinsons Galleria and she should know where it was. When I got to the third floor, I almost gave myself a tap in the head -- the restaurant I had in mind was Chef d'Angelo! There is no Pastamania in the Philippines.

Tsk, tsk, tsk...

Like Water for Coke

My new year's resolution for this year is... to drink more water.

Quite simple right? But I think this is something important that I have been not giving much attention.

As you may know, aside from coffee, the Coffee fairy also loves Coke Light (equivalent to Diet Coke in United States and Europe). I've been trying to avoid it but the flesh is weak :P. Imagine how hard it is to resist the Coke Light temptation everyday at work where we have a refrigerator full of it. But yes, I do get to resist the temptation sometimes so there are days when I do skip my one can daily dosage :) . The idea that it has zero calories gives me this psychological assurance that it is not unhealthy but yeah, of course that is just what we call conditioning of the mind because we know that too much caffeine is not good. When I was in California last August though I discovered this Coca-Cola product: Caffeine free Diet Coke!!! It was the perfect solution to my caffeine intake concerns but too bad it is not available in Singapore (yes, I tried loking for it in the imported products grocery but didn't find it.)

Anyway, going back to my new year's resolution: I am going to drink more water because water is essential in maintaining a good health. We've heard this a lot of times I'm sure, from our moms, our doctors, health advertisements, everywhere but we tend not to take it seriously, do we?

So I do hope that this year I'd be less stubborn about it. A simple thing like this indeed may seem easy to fulfill but never underestimate the power of non-water seductions. :P

Cheers to year 2007! Happy New year to everyone!

I Miss Him

He is my bestfriend, my confidant. He has always been there for me, thru thick and thin. I've known Him since I was a child but it was only a couple of years ago when our relationship bloomed when I devoted myself to Him, all my heart and soul. I survived because of Him, He gave me a second life which I now am living.

Yet as time passed and I have finally taken hold of my life, I have taken Him for granted. He is still in my heart but I know I have been distant. I have been busy making myself busy that I have not given Him my time that He deserves. We used to talk before I go to sleep, we used to spend quality time on Sundays talking about His love for the world. I used to read His works. But now I fall asleep as soon as I lay on my bed, my Sunday meetings with Him seem to just be a part of my routine -- I go to His house, I stay for an hour then I rush off.

As me and my family gathered around our Christmas eve dinner and I led the thanksgiving prayer, I bowed my head and closed my eyes...and I saw Him smile as I said out loud for us to remember the real essence of Christmas -- His birth. I felt His presence and my heart felt the familiar warm feeling of being close to Him. I miss Him and I know He misses me too.

And so I am going to spend more time with Him. Yes, I will.

Happy Holidays!

The coffee fairy is spending the holidays back in her homeland, the Philippines. :)

Oh yes, two weeks of eating galore for sure. So much for wish list number 16. hehe. =P

Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon!

(Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!)

Mon Homme Idéal

Mon homme idéal est un homme de Dieu. C'est spirituel et il va à l'église. Il est fidele et honnête. Il a compassion. Non, je ne chercher pas un prêtre, just un bon homme.

Mon homme idéal adore le voyage comme moi et nous verrons le monde ensemble. Mon homme idéal a un travail stable. Il est responsible et fiable. Il a des bons principes dans la vie mais il comprend et respecte mes principes, aussi. Il aime ma famille et mes amis, et ma famille et mes amis aimes lui, aussi. Il m'aime beaucoup même si je suis de mauvaise humeur.

Parce que mon Française est limité, je décrirai just mon homme idéal physiquement maintenant: Mon homme idéal est grand mais seulement maximum un metre 80. Il est intelligent mais ce n'est pas un genié. Il a des beaux cheveux blonde comme le soleil. Il a les yeaux bleu comme le ciel. Il a un beau nez. Il a un sourire gentil qui fond mon coeur.

English translation:

My ideal man is a man of God. He's spiritual and he goes to church. He is loyal and honest. He has compassion. No, I am not looking for a priest, just a good man.

My ideal man adores travel like me and we'll see the world together. My ideal man has a stable job. He is responsible and reliable. He has good principles in life but he understands and respectsmy principles also. He likes my family and friends, and my friends and family like him too. He loves me very much even if I am in bad mood.

Because my French is limited, I will just describe my ideal man in physical aspect now:My ideal man is tall but maximum of 1.80 meters. He is intelligent but he is not a genius. He has nice blonde hair like the sun. He has blue eyes like the sky. He has a beautiful nose. He has a gentle smile that melts my heart.

*****

My first semester of my Elementary French language course ended today. I really enjoyed the class because I have a wonderful teacher and classmates. For the last 8 weeks I had something to look forward to every Wednesday night (and had a good excuse to leave work early, hehe). For our last session, our professor asked us to describe in no less than 100 words, our ideal man/woman. Hence, my composition above (with corrections from my professor). Reading it again, I am quite proud of what I have been able to write given my limited knowledge of the French language. Hopefully, in a few more months I'll be better with my French and maybe someday I'll be fluently speaking it as well. But I want to emphasize though that the part where I described my ideal man in aesthetics is just for me to be able to use what we have learned in our last session, that is, physical description. In reality, I believe each man can be handsome in his own way. ;-)

My Christmas 2006 wish list

My good friend Maia asked me this morning to send her my wish list for this Christmas which made me thought of creating this blog entry. So here you go...

1. My Story by Dave Pelzer (book)

2. Tape measure for carpenters (I want to measure my bedroom windows to know the length of the curtains I need) =P

3. Bridget Jones diary CD soundtrack

4. The Best of Enya /Paint the Sky with Stars CD

5. Cute stress ball

6. 2007 Planner/organizer desk notebook – one week per 2 pages

7. 2007 pocket planner – one week per 2 pages

8. 2007 desk calendar in cute design =)

9. Clinique Happy perfume

10. Simple beige office bag big enough to contain an A4 sized folder.

11. Simple black shoulder bag big enough to contain my gym clothes, rubbershoes, wallet and a pocketbook but without making me look like I am carrying the world.

12. There’s this pair of very nice black stillettos at Charles and Keith that’s on 20% off sale =D

13. There’s this nice brown belt at Espirit…

14. Ipod nano 30GB/ Creative 30GB

15. Tennis racket (thin grip and lightweight)

16. 5 kilos off my current weight

17. Speak and write in French just as how I can in English

18. 60 days annual paid leaves at work

19. Unlimited travel voucher to anywhere in the world

20. Toyota Vios/Honda City/Mazda ZoomZoom

21. Ranch + orchard + vineyard

22. House in Orange County , CA

23. Have magical power that will make my bedroom spic and span in one clap

24. Mr. Right

25. World peace

****

haha, I think I'm too much wishful thinking with this list. I'm fine with any gift, I'm happy enough to be thought of this Christmas ;-)

Notes from Siem Reap, Cambodia

~While waiting at Changi airport for Debbie, one of my best friends since High school: It's impossible for me to read/study when I wait in excitement.

~While spending 6 hours in Changi airport to wait for our flight to Siem Reap: Waiting is not a drag when you have somebody to talk to. Even if the flight is an hour delayed. :)

~Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport: Impressive! An airport that looks like a resort!

~After passing the Immigration: Unbelievably, there is one place in the world that the Philippine passport is more privileged than the powerful passports (e.g. American, European, Singaporean, Japanese). All foreign visitors to Cambodia are required to get a visa except for nationals from Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. Yeah baby! ;-)

~On my first glimpse of Siem Reap: The place reminds me of Nueva Ecija, my province in the Philippines, except that in Siem Reap, hammocks are part of their life, almost all houses have hammocks.

~While touring the floating village in Siem Reap's river,Tonle Sap (Asia's largest river): People who live along the lake must have really strong arms from all those paddling to move around...

~On the Land Mine museum: I was expecting for a typical museum but voila! But it's still nice for me and it's free!

~On Siem Reap going about: Whoa! I was like in an American France or a French America - An interesting irony in Cambodia is that you can buy everything by using US dollars and yet all around the place are French translations.

~On the elephant ride: I felt like a princess being paraded around. haha. =P

~On eating green mangoes and almost a pint of ice cream: I should never ever do this again. Lactose intolerance plus wrong food combination equals stomach revolution.

~On tomb raiding the temples of Angkor Thom, Bayon and Angkor Wat: Magnificent is an understatement. Just be ready with your legs, need to do a lot of walking around and climbing to
explore them.

~On our dinner at our last night in Siem Reap: I felt so privileged that our tour guide took us to a non-tourist place, as in it was the usual restaurant of the locals where the guests had their own little hut with hammocks (of course) on the sides and in the middle is the table without legs and no chairs so it was like Japanese style. We played cards while waiting for our food.

~On our tour guide asking me and Debbie how long we've known each other: Almost fourteen years! Oh my God, has it been that long now?!

~On having a tour guide: Having a tour guide does not mean there will be no spontaneity. With limited time of stay, one could not afford to lose time experimenting how to go about. And it depends on the itinerary as well. Our tour guide, Vichet is the best! Thanks a million to missy G-Clef for recommending him to us.

~On this trip in general: One of my best travels! I love love love! =D

*Photocredits to me and Debbie. ;-)

She and She

It was one lazy day and they sat on the sofa. It's just been only two months since they've last seen each other.

Words came out with subtlety, it was obvious that she was trying to hold back her feelings. She was trying to casually talk about how she was having a hard time taking care of her two boys. She was saying it like it was the usual nonchalant matters about men. But she was not able to sustain it, her tears betrayed her as she said those words: "I had nobody to talk to."

She looked her and she wished she could just naturally give her a hug for support. But they have not been raised up to be affectionate with them eversince. Embrace is equivalent to awkwardness. So she froze and could only look at her. Words from her childhood echoed in her mind: "As soon as you finish school and have a job, by all means, you can freely leave this house..", words said in anger and frustration, words said with conviction. A little voice from her childhood whispered to her mind to remind her those words, because as she grew up, she was convinced that she meant every single one of those words. But looking at her sad eyes and the lines of tiredness on her face, she knew that bringing up the past is no longer necessary, and that she didn't need her to say she's sorry out loud. The blood flowing in their veins have their own language to say unspoken words. She needed her help, and in her mind she got up and gave her that hug she never had.

Melaka Escapade!

Spent the day at the historical place of Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia (3 hour drive from Singapore).
Had a fun time with old and new friends.
Another day to keep in mind to be thankful of the beauty of laughter and friendship.

Photocredits to Aoisoba, Day-oh-bee and Mr. Yotsuya