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Bond, James Bond. Women and men alike, shrieked.

Finally watched the latest 007 film after several weeks of indecision. When I first learned months ago or was that a year ago, that Pierce Brosnan turned down the offer to continue portraying one of the world's most beloved spy, I thought people would lose interest in watching it. For me, Brosnan and the previous Bond actors fit the role to a T, and when I saw the trailer for Casino Royale and saw this overly-pumped up guy with a facial expression similar to Ben Stiller's Blue Steel look, I said, this is totally screwed up.

It's difficult to swallow your pride and admit you're wrong. But I was, totally. Chris Cornell's vocals opened the film singing You Know My Name and people were confused if they're watching Ian Fleming's creation. It was definitely worlds away from the usual catchy rhythm so enmeshed with his films.

The film was stripped off to its basic, no kick-ass gadgets that personified the previous Bond epics. There were still hot women but this time it did away with the stereotypical hot-woman-bed-scene-with-James eagerly anticipated by male moviegoers. The film traced back the origins of Bond's habits and preferences which gave more depth to the infamous character. Tthe film was more edgy and three dimensional.

When the bartender asked if he prefers his martini shaken or stirred, the reply was: "Do I look like I give a damn?" This was when Daniel Craig won me (or maybe earlier than this part though I hate to admit it) and stopped getting distracted by his pout.

*****

Feeling a bit sluggish today probably due to the weather. It's grey the whole day because of the super typhoon. Classes have been suspended and some parts of the country has already been lashed out. Sad really, I don't think we're ready for another one immediately after Milenyo. I don't think we'll ever be ready for disasters this scale. The government just can't rely on sheer volunteer work after a disaster occurred. You have to have a disaster management plan (this we have), that is working (hmm, not sure about this). I'm aware that we can't fully blame the government whenever people gets killed (except for the increasing number of dead activists/journalists--for this, the present government is all to blame), some surely are stubborn and won't leave their houses or their sources of livelihood. Perhaps, it's better to be flown away with their anahaw roof or be awashed with the trusty, old kalabaw, than suffer from this bitter life. But hey, isn't there an adage that as long as you're alive there is you know what...sht.

Me, I count my blessings. I'm extremely thankful that I'm given another day to blog, to breathe the polluted Manila air, to say hi to friends across the globe, to spend the day with loved ones. Isn't it obvious that I have a full day at home? Bummer.

Pacquiao made Pinoys prouder!!
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photo from BBC.co.uk
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Several months after my last post and it's about Pacquiao!
Can't help it but I'm extremely happy and in a celebratory mood along with the millions of Pinoys around the world! So, first post after a long hiatus, a tribute to a great Pinoy figther!

Hindi yan typo. Nagsimula yan years ago, every 23rd of the month, nagsasabihan kami nyan ni hny. Happy, happy [count number of months together]. Bakit kailangang ulitin yung happy? Dahil feeling naming dalawa parang hindi masyadong masaya pag happy lang. Parang kulang. Parang nickname nating mga Pinoy; Bong-bong, Ning-ning, Ging-ging, Mon-mon. Okay foul yung last name. Super sorry sabi nga ng mga dalagita sa kwento ni Bob (sa lahat ng kuwento na sinulat ko today, lahat andun yung name ni Bob).

Ngayon bakit four times ang happy sa post na to? Dahil bukod sa happy, happy 76th month; happy, happy birthday rin sa hny. Corny no.

Ang tagaaaaal na namin, as in. Ngayon ko lang din na-realize. Naging kami, 21 pa lang sya at 19 naman ako. Nge ang tanda na natin bun!!

Problemang malaki dahil para sakin hindi ko kayang i-summarize ang six years and 4 months na yun into one short post. Or in one long novel na kasingkapal ng Name of the Rose ni Umberto Eco. Saka hindi ko rin kayang sabihin ang sikreto kung bakit inabot kami ng ganito katagal. Kasi wala namang sikreto. Basta ang alam ko lang kung yung isa sa couple ay pangit ang ugali dahil immature, mababa yung EQ (aka impatient), at control-freak dapat mabalanse yan nung isa. So dapat yung isa ay mature, mataas ang EQ, at willing magpa-control. Ngayon okay lang hulaan kung sino at sino saming dalawa yun. Hehe

Dapat din pala nakakapag-usa kayo hindi lang bilang couple kundi bilang magkaibigan rin. Halimbawa, kami nag-uusap tungkol sa music, books, food, at buhay ng mga ka-opisina at kabarkada. Pwede ring hulaan dito kung sino saming dalawa yung mahilig magkwento tungkol sa buhay ng ka-opisina at kabarkada. Sigurado ako magkakamali ka ng hula.

Kahit na magkalayo kami ng milya-milya at anim na oras ang difference ng time zone namin, hindi excuse yun para hindi mag-usap. Kaya hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa bayad ang phone bill ko since March. Nakita ko rin sa phone bill na almost everyday ay may tawag ako sa cellfone mo bun.

Pag ganito na katagal yung relationship ninyo, marami kang matututunan tungkol sa sarili mo at marami ka ring madidisprove. Tulad na lang ng kadaldalan. Akala ko madaldal na ako. Sabi kasi ng parents ko, nun daw bata ako meron daw akong taped monologue na nagkukuwento ako tungkol sa kalabaw. 90 minutes yun, hindi ko alam kung anong nakain ko bat ako nagkwento ng ganun. Pero yung mga matatanda, alam kung anong nakain ko. Sila ang nagpakain nun e. Shet na pamahiin yan.

Yun, akala ko madaldal na ako. Pero meron palang mas. Yung tipong kailangan mong sabihin na ok natutulog na ako o kaya nagbabasa po kaya ako.

Akala ko rin vain ako. Pero may mga studies na nagsasabing mas vain daw ang mga guys. Sigurado ako bun na isa ka sa na-interview dun sa study na yun. Meron syang (ano yung opposite ng kikay kit? Dow- Pogi Pack), yun. Na naglalaman ng Clinique happy for men, Ralph Lauren na facial wash, sabon, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouth wash, hair wax, at face towel. Okay lang yan, at least hindi amoy pawis ang boyfriend mo di ba.

Isa pang palatandaan na destined to be together kami. Kasi meron akong bisyo na akala ng parents ko ay isang abnormality. Mahilig akong magkuskos ng paa sa kulambo. Pero simula nung mag-college ako, ni-restrain ko na yung sarili ko, eventually nawala rin naman. Kaya nagulat ako ng nalaman ko na ganun ka rin bun. Sobrang coincidence!! At nalaman ko rin na hindi lang tayong dalawa ang may ganitong bisyo. Meron akong roommate dati na nagbabaon pa talaga ng kulambo kahit na mago-overnight sya sa bahay ng classmate. Tapos may isa pa na iginawa talaga sya ng nanay nya ng maliit na unan na nababalot ng kulambo para dala nya kahit saan. Tapos meron din akong kakilala na pagdating ng bahay, naglalagay ng fishnet sa paa para kahit na san sya pumunta sa loob ng bahay, nakakapagkuskos sya ng paa.

Tapos siguro dahil na rin sa tagal ng pagsasama namin, eye contact pa lang alam na ng isa yung message. Di na kailangan ng sms. Either merong nakakatawa sa paligid o merong problema. Halimbawa, andyan na yung kaklase namin na naka-tuck in ang damit sa blip o kaya kailangang mag-p**p sa school. Nagpapasahan rin kami ng notes habang nasa klase. Kung hindi sya busy sa pagdo-drawing at ako naman sa seryosong pagno-notes.

Leo rin kami pareho. Pero napakadalang na nagka-clash kami kasi okay lang sakin na minsan panalo sya sa Boggle. Madalas nagko-complement pati mga pangarap namin sa buhay. Gusto nyang magtayo ng foundation para sa mga bata, ako naman gusto ko ng haven para sa orphaned elderly. Kami rin ang number one fan at critique ng bawat isa.

Lagi rin kaming nandyan para sa isa’t-isa. As in literally. Halimbawa pag hindi sya pwedeng pumasok sa MA class at hindi makaka-attend sa group meeting dahil may coup attempt sa palasyo. Since pareho naman kami ng group, representative ang kahit sino sa aming available na umatend na kadalasan ay ako. Pero hindi kami nagta-tag team sa exams. Isa pang halimbawa, pag naglalaro sya ng Doom o kaya ng Medal of Honor, taga-cheer nya ako pag natatalo nya yung mga kalaban at taga-console naman pag nahihirapan na sya sa isang level. Ganun din sya sakin nung dating na-addict ako sa Pokemon, Battle Realms, Sim City, Sims, at Ragnarok.

Meron pa palang isang importanteng element, respect for each other. Halimbawa, gusto nyang magpatugtog, e nagbabasa ako ng libro at ayoko ng maingay, so either hinaan nya yung volume or i-turn off totally yung radio at magbasa na lang din, since hindi rin naman nya ako makausap. Respect. Pag may pupuntahan kami, tapos ayaw ko ng suot nyang damit, either magpalit sya or hindi kami aalis o maghapon akong nakasimangot. Respect.

Kadalasang masaya yung relationship namin kasi siguro may pagka-weird kaming dalawa at maraming pakulo ang naiisip. Andyang mag-coordinate ng suot na damit sa wedding ng friend. Naka-cheongsam ako at siya naman e nakabarong na may Chinese collar. Ganun. Hindi ko sinabi na mag-pareho ng kulay ng suot at magpunta sa mall ha. Ngayong magkalayo kami, halos araw-araw syang nagpapadala ng picture nya dahil meron syang webcam sa ofis. Tapos makikita ko na sinubukan nya yung hairstyle nung vocalist ng Orange and Lemons ba yun. Hideous! Patawa di ba.

Wala naman talagang sikreto ang isang happy, happy relationship. Palagay ko alam naman ng lahat ng couples ang mga bagay na dapat i-nurture, iwasan, or tiisin para i-maintain ang magandang samahan. Napakaraming combination at walang iisang formula.

Tatanungin mo bakit kahit mag-control F ka e wala sa taas yung love. Palagay ko kasi given na yun, nasa sa inyo na lang kung paano io-operationalize.

In the making pa ang ending ng story naming dalawa. Alam kong maraming couples ang mas matagal pa samin at siguro mas masaya pa pero nauwi rin sa wala. Kaya kahit Catholic sya at ako hindi, pareho yung request namin na sana nga sa huli meron kaming little Atari at little Aiko.

Happy, happy hny at luv2 u so much.

Two months and 25 days bago ako bumalik ng Pinas. Naisip kong magpaka-senti at magsulat ng walang kawawaan. Okay kasi ang ambience dito sa bahay, mag-isa ko lang, hindi pa ako naliligo, alas-dose na ng tanghali, at kailangan ko pang magluto ng lunch. Kinakantahan pa ako ni Don Mclean ng walang kamatayang And I love you so.

Tapos nga kababasa ko lang ng dalawang libro ni Bob Ong. Kaya ganito ako magsulat. Instant inspiration kumbaga. Mas masaya palang magsulat ng ganito. Danke schoen Bob!

Hirap simulan ng kuwento. Siguro pwede kong sabihin muna kung paano ako napadpad dito. Nagsimula to July last year. Stressed out na ako sa work sa UP kung saan three years din akong naging model employee. Dumating yung time na mas madalas na yung ranting kesa raving tungkol sa work environment. Hindi sa nature ng work, kundi sa work environment. Yun bang tipong ayaw mo ng pumasok kahit pa merong cute sa opisina nyo (pero sa totoo wala). So nagsimula na akong maghanap ng ibang work. Naghanap siempre ako sa internet. May nakita ako sa eldis.org, research internship sa Johanneburg, South Africa. Hindi nila sagot ang plane fare pero may maliit na allowance pagdating dun. Bahala na, nag-submit lang ako ng CV at kinalimutan ang lahat. May nakita ulit ako sa isa sa mga forum sa www.peyups.com (plugging!), sa isa namang quasi-government organization na nag-iimplement ng anti-corruption project sa Mindanao. Pero funded ng USAID. Bawal tumaas ang kilay. Meron pa pala akong isang inaplayan, government naman ng Japan ang may hawak. Ang learning point naman dito, pag pala hindi ka naghahabol ng trabaho puwede kang maging maangas. Hindi mo kasi kailangang i-please yung mga nag-iinterview sayo. Puwede mong sabihin sa kanila na kamote sila at pinahirapan ang mga Pinoy nung WWII at hanggang ngayon. Tapos nagpapanggap silang mabait at tinutulungan kunwari tayo thru ODA. Patawa pala kayo e. Bakkero!

Siempre hindi ko sinabi yan. Pero masaya akong lumabas ng building na yun kahit alam kong hindi na nila ako tatawagan ulit. Natanggap ako dun sa anti-corruption project. Okay kasi yung interview ko, ginalingan ko yung bola at dahil lawyer yung kausap ko nagkaintindihan kami. So, umalis na ako sa UP at nagsimula sa bagong mundo September last year. Masaya dun sa bagong opisina, napakalayo nga lang. Kasumpa-sumpa ang biyahe dahil nasa Malate. Sinubukan kong mag-round trip from Cubao to North Edsa to Baclaran, yung tipong sasakay ka sa Cubao then hindi ka na bababa sa North Edsa dahil yun din naman yung train na babalik papuntang Baclaran. Para hindi mo na kailangan makipagtulakan at makipag-apakan sa isanlibong tao tuwing umaga. Minsan lumulusot, madalas hindi. Ang pwede lang daw gumawa dun sabi nung guard, matatanda, may kapansanan o buntis. Since mahirap magpanggap na matanda o pilay, sabi ni hny sabihin ko daw buntis ako. Napakapatawa.

Malapit sa LST ang ofis. Kaya araw-araw ang dami kong kasabay na mga students na taga-LS. Alam nyo ba yung kwento tungkol sa tatlong estudyanteng taga-UP, taga-…. at taga-…? Okay wag na lang.

Yung opisina ko pala dun ay nasa fifth floor, walang elevator, 80-100 steps ata. Parang Lourdes Grotto sa Baguio. Bale pag dumipa ka, halos abot mo na yung kabilang pader. Dalawang maliit na cubicles, isang linya ng telepono, at dalawang computers na may kalumaan na. At cork board. Kasama ko yung project coordinator na sobrang mabait sa maliit na space na yun. Seryoso yung sobrang mabait a. As in. Masaya ako dun sa bagong work kasi ang daming free travels. At walang stress. Maliban sa araw-araw na pag-e-MRT at LRT.

Bandang September, nakipag-communicate sakin si FH thru email, PM ng CSI (hindi yung series ni David Caruso a). Yan yung organization na inaplayan ko sa Johannesburg. Short-listed daw ako, ipadala ko raw yung ganito-ganyan. Excited naman ako at sinabi ko agad sa parents at hny ko. Nag-schedule ng phone interview, tapos less than a month after, natanggap daw ako kahit pa may kakamotehan ako nung interview. Ang sunod naming pinroblemang dalawa ay ang paghahanap ng funding para sa plane fare. Mabait naman dahil wala naman talaga sa usapan na sasagutin nila yung pamasahe ko papunta dun, pero tinulungan pa rin nya akong maghanap ng funding. Bale dapat October palang lumipad na ako pa-Joburg. Pero dahil ayokong mag-Pasko mag-isa at malayo sa mahal sa buhay, sabi ko January na lang ako pupunta dun. Pumayag naman at nung _____ nakabili na ako ng tiket. Hulaan kung sinong nagbayad ng plane fare ko.

Siempre malungkot na masaya kami ni hny, 6 months akong mawawala at yun ung first time sa loob ng six years na magkakahiwalay kami ng ganun katagal. Ang pinakamatagal kasi na paghihiwalay namin ay two weeks dahil sa Christmas break. End of January ang effectivity ng resignation ko sa ofis. January 28 ang flight ko. Si hny at mommy ang naghatid sakin. Overweight ang luggage ko. Ang dami kong inalis, pero naiwan ang mga stilettos.

January 29 andito na ako sa Joburg. Ang sumundo sakin ay ang future supervisor ko. Italian. Naghahanap ako ng matandang Italyanong may PhD. Ang nakita ko itsurang matanda dahil sa facial hair pero batang Italyano na may dalawang hikaw sa tenga. Cool.

Supervisor mo ang naghihila ng bagahe mo at sya pa ang chauffeur mo. Saka first name basis kayo. Anlupet.

Sinundo nya ako gamit ang isang old, yellow car at hinatid sa {*drumroll*}… 102 Gleneagles! Housemates pala kami, sort of. Nakatira sya sa cottage sa compound ng bahay na titirhan ko. For five months ganun ang sitwasyon, magkakasama kami sa compound at sabay-sabay kaming papasok sa ofis at uuwi pabalik ng Greenside. Iba-ibang mukha muna ang nadatnan ko dun at eventually nagsialisan din, bago naging ako, si J, si A, landlord at ang Italian supervisor/chauffeur.

Mabilis ko lang ikukuwento yung mga naunang buwan ko. Nakakatamad kasi. Siempre nung una nahihiya pa ako sa mga kasama ko sa bahay. Ang kasama at kausap ko lang madalas si Bob at Sherlock. Hindi ko pa rin alam na pwede palang i-exploit ang resources sa bahay, kaya nung mga unang araw at hindi pa ako nakakapag-grocery, ang breakfast ko lang is bread and nutella. Nalaman ko eventually na kasama pala sa bayad namin ang breakfast, including eggs, milk, bread, muesli. Nung tumagal pa, nalaman ko na puwede rin pala naming gamitin ang lahat ng spices sa cupboard including turmeric, basil, parsley, cumin, chili, olive oil, at ang maraming-maraming expired na spices at pagkain na naiwan ng mga naunang tenants tulad ng pita bread, jam, nori at iba pang weird matter na sa tagal ay hindi mo na ma-recognize. Isang beses, sinimulan kong itapon yung iba, nagalit sa akin yung landlord saka si A, wag daw magtapon ng pagkain, sabi ko expired na yun 2004 pa! Pwede pa daw yun. Since dalawa sila at si A ay nanggaling sa Mali kung saan millet lang ang pagkain, sige na panalo na sila.

Halos every week, either meron kaming dinner sa bahay or nagpupunta kami kung kaninong bahay at nakikiparty. Pag sinabing dinner sa 102 Gleneagles Greenside, i-expect mo na maganda ang table cloth, merong vase with fresh flowers, candle-lit, at engrande ang presentasyon ng food. At may picture taking before and after. Sa bahay lang namin yan at lima lang kami.

Kalaunan, nagte-take turns kami sa paghahanda ng dinner at madalas nag-iimbita rin ng mga friends (na ka-opisina rin) sa bahay. Maliit lang ang mundo ng mga expats dito. Kadalasan kami-kami lang ding magkakaopisina.

Less than 30 kaming staff ng international organization na to. Dati nasa Washington, DC ang hq pero dahil mahirap maghanap ng donors pag nasa States ka, lumipat sila dito sa Joburg. Siempre me iba pang dahilan. Pero hindi ko puwedeng i-broadcast.

Makulay ang composition ng ofis. Ang Sec-Gen, Indian-South African; may iba pang mga departments, pero siempre ang ikukuwento ko lang yung department namin, ang CSI.

Lilinawin ko lang na hindi kami nag-iimbestiga ng mga kaso ng mga namatay o nawawalang tao ditto sa Joburg. Hindi namin boss si David Caruso kundi isang blue-eyed, boyish-looking at uber-cute na German. Magkasama kami sa room kaya napagdesisyunan ko na kung gusto kong makapag-concentrate sa trabaho kailangan ko ng divider, otherwise maghapon lang akong nakatingin sa direksyon nya. Pinalagay yung divider sa harapan ng table ko na nakaharap sa kanya. Ngayon nakaharap ako sa pulang divider. Great!

May isa pa kaming kasama sa CSI room 2, isang guy na South African. Sa CSI room 1 naman, andun yung dalawa kong housemate, si A (American), si J (Kenyan), then si M (Egyptian) , si J (Venezuelan), at si N (Indian). Merong dalawang nakahiwalay ang room, yung supervisor cum housemate si L (Italian) at si R (Canadian). Bale para kaming maliit na version ng United Nations.

Lately, tumaas yung position nung cute na German kaya naghanap ng kapalit, isang cute na Austrian naman. Saka meron pang Eritrean/Swedish na dumating ulit. Hectic ang schedule at nakakawindang ang trahabo. Lahat passionate sa ginagawa nila at lahat willing magtrabaho over the weekend and even during holidays. Masaya na nakakawindang na life-enriching, yan ung adjectives na una kong naiisip tuwing magre-reflect ako tungkol sa experience ko dito.

Kung meron man akong regret, yun ung pagkakahiwalay namin ng hny ko. Pero in a way, okay pa rin kasi nagkaroon ng breathing space ang relationship namin na kahit hindi namin kailangan, dapat meron. Bago kami lumagay sa magulo, in two or three years. Sabi ko rin, na okay lang magkaroon ng fling na lubos na ikinabilib ni Pabs.

Minsan palang nagkwentuhan kami nila J, L, at A, nasabi ko na si hny ang nagbayad ng tiket ko. Sabi ni A, that’s so sweet, sabi naman ni L, yes, but maybe that’s his way of getting rid of you.

Sabi ko kay L, fck u. Sya ung supervisor ko.

Napagdesisyunan kong gumamit ng chop sticks para kainin ung natirang egg omellette at kaning lamig. Di ko alam kung bakit. Tapos pinagkaabalahan kong kunin at panoorin yung DVD ng The Social Economy in Glasgow (anlupet ng accent nila) habang kumakain ng Lay’s at mocha drink na recipe ni A.

Ang daming nangyari mula ng huling post ko (nga pala, kakabasa ko lang ulit ng dalawang libro ni Bob Ong kaya ganito ako magsulat ngayon, ABNKKBSNPLAko saka Stainless Longganisa).

Skip muna yung kwentong Glasgow tutal wala namang masyadong happening dun bukod sa nasira ko ung camera namin ng ‘partner’ ko, araw-araw na makulimlim at malamig, pero sabi nila summer na daw yun at 11pm na saka palang madilim, astig!

Backtrack muna pagdating namin ditto sa Joburg nung July. Nakuwento ko na pala sa huling post yung nadatnan naming sitwasyon sa Greenside, with luggage, jet lag and all, nadatnan naming wala kaming toilet and bathroom at may mga walang habas na nagmamaso ng pader. Eish.

Dahil pagod natulog pa rin kami dun siempre. Kinabukasan, ginising kami nung landlord at gumamit na raw kami ng banyo dahil andyan na yung mga workers. Unahan naman kami kahit na gusto pa naming mag-stay na lang sa bahay at matulog maghapon. Hindi ka nga pala makakatulog kung may nagmamaso ng pader sa ulunan mo.

May side story pa pala. Pag gising namin nung umaga ring yun (yes, that fateful day), merong mga pulis sa labas at loob ng bahay dahil may nagnakaw nung electric box namin sa gate. Shet, first time to!

Kahit na expected na namin na mangyayari to (ang attitude kasi dito sa hijack/rape/burglary/death: a disaster waiting to happen) dahil sa kawalan ng electric fence o barbed wire para man lang magdalawang-isip yung mga magnanakaw, medyo shock pa rin kaming tatlo. Kasi nga bangag pa kami sa jet lag e.

Dumating yung punto nung araw na yun habang nagra-rant kami sa isa’t-isa (si A, J, at ako) na naiyak na ako sa sobrang depressing na sitwasyon. Ok lang to dahil sinabi ko na sa kanila dati pa na iyakin talaga ako. Si A nga medyo may sakit pa rin nun (may sakit sya buong duration ng ICSI at World Assembly) at ako nagsisimula ng magkasakit. So understandable kung bat cranky kami.

Pagod ka dahil sa dami ng trabaho sa ofis, pagdating mo sa bahay, marumi at may ‘ïbang tao’. Kaya pala maraming nagdi-divorce sa ganitong grounds J (Dito sa Joburg lalo na pag expat ka [naks], paranoid ka sa ‘ibang tao.’)

Nag-isip na kami ng solusyon pagkaraan ng dalawang araw dahil mukhang wala kaming makitang liwanag sa dulo ng tunnel. Hindi pala magagawa ng dalawang araw yung banyo. Kung alam mo yung bricks na gamit sa mga lumang simbahan, ganun ung itsura nung banyo dahil tinuklap yung mga tiles, dahil ditto nawala rin ung katiting na insulation, kaya pagpasok mo sa banyo para kang pumasok sa meat freezer.

Ang brilliant solution namin: kapalan ang mukha at makitira sa kaibigan. Dahil wala naman akong kaibigan, kaibigan ni J ang nilapitan namin. Si A, Pinay at katulad rin nyang volunteer. Nakilala ko na rin si A bago pa man yung bathroom disaster, nung nagpaparty kami sa Greenside bago kami umalis pa-Glasgow.

Fast forward dahil pagod na ako magsulat (sinulat ko muna sa notebook to!). Nahalata namin na hindi na nga matatapos yung grand construction sa bahay. Ang ending pagkatapos naming makitira ng ilang araw kay A: ako mas kinapalan pa ang mukha at nagtanong kung puwede bang dun na lang ako tumira hanggang October 13 (flight ko pabalik sa Pinas) at si J lumipat naman sa Newtown kasama yung isa pa naming ka-opisina. Walking distance lang sa ofis yung place nya. Sabi nga nung Austrian PM namin kay J, now you can work more. Joke lang pero medyo hindi nakakatawa dahil alam naman ng lahat na halos sa ofis na nakatira ang CSI team dahil sa trabaho. Kasama na ako dun.

Ngayon, almost one month na mula ng dumating kami galing sa mahal at nakakapagod na Glasgow adventure namin, pero hindi pa rin tapos ang banyo at wala pa ring electric gate. Nabalitaan rin namin na dun na natutulog si landlord sa loob ng banyo hehe Joke lang ulit, kahit naman medyo nagkasamaan kami ng loob, like ko pa rin sya. Saka maayos akong nagpaalam sa kanya nung gabi ng farewell party ni A (American housemate/officemate/close friend). As in naiyak pa ako (best actress!), habang nasa harap kami ng bonfire at may mga lasing na nagsasayawan at nagdedebate tungkol sa kawalan ng kaalaman sa world geography ng mga Amerikano (!). Dahil dito, nalaman niya na hindi ko naman talaga gustong umalis kaya lang logistics-wise hindi praktikal na tumira pa ako dun. Malayo kasi at mahirap maglakad ng 30-45 minutes papuntang sakayan ng taxi, lalo na kung apat sa sapatos mo ay stillettos. Sabi nya, bilhin ko na lang daw yung kotse na binebenta nung isa kong ka-opisina na paalis na rin. Sabi ko, (patawa ka ba) hindi ako marunong magmaneho. Kaya yun, feeling ko nakumbinsi ko na rin sya na wag na akong singilin sa renta hahahaha

So yun bale yung last party namin sa Greenside, kung saan ako tumira ng limang buwan. Nagluto, namasyal, tumawa, umiyak, at naglasing kasama ang isang Amerikanang nagserve for 2 years sa US peace corps sa Mali at isang Kenyan na 2 years ding volunteer sa India. Last party bago namin isinara yung chapter na yun ng buhay namin sa 102 Gleneagles.

Endless dinner parties at night outs, yan halos ang summary ng Gleneagles experience ko. Pero tulad ng maraming dinner parties at night outs, pag may lasing na, kailangan ng magpaalam sa host at umuwi.

Learning points sa Greenside:

  • Ang Mali ay bansa sa West Africa at ang capital nito ay Bamako.
  • Ang salita nila ay Bambara (Nanikama=Good job)
  • Huwag uminom ng vodka kapag hindi pa nag-dinner
  • Mag-isip munang mabuti kung gusto mo ba talagang mag-volunteer sa India
  • Okay lang maglakad ng 45 minutes pauwi ng bahay basta may mga kasama kang naglalakad rin at may baon kayong cashew nuts
  • Okay lang maglakad ng 45 minutes pauwi ng bahay kahit na nakasuot ka ng pointy shoes, basta alisin mo to 5 minutes after magsimula kayong maglakad
  • Puwedeng gawing curry ang kahit anong gulay
  • Mahalaga ang cumin at turmeric para sa authentic na curry
  • Pwedeng ilagay sa freezer ang brown bread para tumagal ang shelf life, ganun din ang gatas
  • Ang dhal ay isang uri ng legume (ang alam ko lang munggo e) at kinakain to (dhal curry)
  • Pwedeng araw-araw kumain ng curry ng hindi ka naman bumabaho
  • Makakasurvive ang Pinoy ng walang tabo (water dipper) sa banyo J, para-paraan lang

Just got back from the extremely exhausting week in Glasgow. We travelled for more than 15 hours and the thought of finally being able to stretch our legs and get a long warm bath made us more excited to get back home. But murphy's law was definitely in motion yesterday as we were greeted by a distraught housemate outside the gate (she arrived from the airport 15 minutes ahead of us).

Our landlord decided to start the re-furbishing of the bathroom on the day of our freaking arrival. So we went inside and saw chaos. Sledge hammers pounding the wall, dirt all over, no food on the fridge. Totally unbelievable.

I decided to ignore everything and plop down on my freezing cold bed. I turned up my heater and prayed that I won't die from frostbite. Let me just rant that despite the grey and cold weather in Glasgow the buildings are very well insulated that getting inside is actually a respite. But here in Joburg, the office where I'm seated right now is bitterly cold that my fingers are numb. They simply just don't believe in insulation. Or opted to ignore it.

Oh and by the way, we were greeted this morning again by sledgehammers and a burglary of our gate's electronic box. I was told that being hijacked or burgled or meeting a road accident here in Johannesburg is not an issue of if but when. And all I can do is pray and fervently hope that it won't be tonight.

Organised by World Vision, this event aims to raise awareness on the plight of hungry children all over the world. Ultimately, its goal is to end child hunger by 2015.

The global event is scheduled on Sunday, the 21st of May.

I'll be walking with friends and strangers here in Johannesburg but I hope my friends in the Philippines would walk with me in support of this cause.

Unfortunately, I've accessed the Philippine website of WV, but they don't have postings yet. The WV website here in SA provides more info.

http://www.tswinfo.com/walktheworld.nsf

From the NetAid Team

From rock concerts to op-eds, from school assemblies to video documentaries, we hope you have been inspired by the efforts of the 2005-2006 NetAid Global Citizen Corps (GCC) in the fight against global poverty.

Now we are looking for the best high school leaders out there to follow in their footsteps.
Tell a student or educator about the GCC. Or if you are a young person who is passionate about improving the lives of the world's poor, apply online today! There are only ten days left.

Learn more about the GCC and how students can apply online at www.netaid.org/go/gcc or contact gcc@netaid.org. The application deadline is May 7, 2006.

For undegraduate students who might be interested in attending the SABF to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 4-6 August 2006.

The event was born from the initiative of a group of Engineering Students at ITBA (Buenos Aires Institute of Technology), and it is the first Student-run Business Forum in South America. Held annually -each year under a distinctive theme-, the goal of the South American Business Forum (SABF) is to unite present and future leaders, regardless of generations and nationalities. The Forum creates a platform that encourages debate and the sharing of ideas, pursuing the
sustainable development of the world from South America.

The Forum takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and consists of three days (August 4th, 5th and 6th) of dialogue and workshops where students from all around the world have the chance to exchange ideas and create solutions to the challenges of the present and the future. The main topic for this year’s edition is "Politics and Social Responsibility in a Globalized World". In order to achieve a wide vision of the subject, we are contacting speakers from different areas of society, as well as the most talented students from Argentina, South-America and the rest of the world.

The deadline for applications is on May 7th, and students from any career and University are welcome to participate sending us their contributions and thoughts on the topic in the form of an essay. For further details, visit their website: www.sabf.org.ar

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Johannesburg

23 March 2006

Hny,

It’s half past ten here in Johannesburg and I’m sure you’re deep asleep. I try to read rushdie to tire my eyes and join you in slumber but I ended up playing flipwords. And writing this. I may not be able to come up with an unselfish reason why I’ve opted to be here and decided to leave you there but I know you understand. I’ve expected life far from you would be sad, but it turned out miserable. I thought I was strong because you made me think that I am; I’m not. But hey, I’m trying.

Thank you for not asking why. You know I’m often irrational. The truth is you know everything about me: my insecurities and my being a highly charged drama queen. I guess six years is way too long not to get to know each other, birthmarks and all. We’ve breathed the same air for that long, six months seemed eternity.

So what is this really all about? Taking out the drama and all that stuff, nothing actually, just checking if you’re coping well and not getting complacent about your weight. Cheers to us both hny, to a lifelong friendship, companionship, and love. Looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you, Atari and Aiko.

Luv u always,
peaches

XXX

Manila

23 March 2006

Six years ago my journey began Chasin down this cure no plan in hand Just your pulse, my racing guide in the dark Just knowing with conviction from the start The moment your eyes made an introduction I felt my second violent breath of life Flawless to the point of bein godly Yet I fell for your imperfections

Now we're slightly weathered we're slightly worn Our hands grip together eye to eye through the storm yet I still believe in ever after with you Cause life is a pleasure with you by my side And there aint no current in this river we cant ride I still believe in ever after with you

Nothing compares to the good times Feels like were floating when the rest have to climb You made me believe in love and not the perfect kind A real messy beautiful, twisted sunshine Emotions: volcanic eruptions We both still care so were still alive Tunnel vision . . . determination I want you, I want to make it right

Ever After Bonnie Bailey

People love to use the word quick here. It has become some sort of an adjective-prefix in almost everything that a person wants to say, like quick question (when you have to ask something but you're hesitant to interrupt), quick lunch (you have a meeting to attend but your stomach is grumbling), and this, quick post (when you should've been doing work but you find time to blog).

***
Interesting quote:
"I sting those who rattle me. Don't mess with me, Condoleezza."
Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan President, lashing out at U.S. Sec. of the
State Condoleezza Rice after she stated that Venezuela had become
a "challenge to democracy" -Time, 6 March 2006
You're the man, Hugo. Enough said.
***
We're planning to go to Mozambique on the 18th of March. We used to be five, now we're down to three. And I'm not really keen on going without dô. The travel agent is supposed to collect our passports and our hard-earned money (242R) today for visa. I shouldn't go for several reasons: financial, health (high season for malaria), and safety (they had a 7.5 earthquake there last month and flooding 14 hours ago). And I have one fckng reason to go there: how often would I be in South Africa and visit neighboring countries (where, according to many, you can find the most beautiful places on Earth). (The expletive courtesy of the daily ride with an Italian guy with a temper)
***


Hello! Hopefully, I'll have time to update my blog when I get there. There meaning almost 7,000 miles away from my loved ones. There meaning latitude 26° :10 m:0 s S, longitude 28° :2 m:0 s E.

There.

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