Siempre naman, I registered for the above and I'm attending the class on October 18. Hahaha. When I got the flyer naexcite ako kasi naman sulit ang ibabayad kong $150. Fully redeemable ito at matututo pa ako magapply ng make-up na hindi ko alam kung magagamit ko araw-araw. Gla-mur daw eh.
The event is sponsored by Bobbi Brown Shimmering Nudes Collection and kapalit ng pagreregister I will enjoy the following:
- A three-hour intensive hands-on glamour nude makeup workshop with Bobbi Brown's professional makeup artists
- A welcome gift (ooooh, ano kaya ito)?
- Six complimentary sessions of 1-to-1 makeup lessons that is valid for one year
- Delectable delights from Bakerzin
- A $150 gift voucher from Bobbi Brown (yey!)
And as one of the first 200 POSB cardmembers, I will get either a free pampering body massage or facial at The Ultimate Wellness Haven, a complimentary brow grooming session, and an additional travel size skincare gift pack! Happinezzzzz!
Singapore friends who are interested can call Angela or Pang at 62305321 from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday. The sessions are from October 15 to 19 at Vivo City.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
i let my hair down today
then my boss sent me this e-mail:
Hi Kat
You have that look on your face that says: “Graham, I really wanna write something cool that isn’t a hotel description”
So here you go…
And gave details on a fun writing assignment.
I replied to him and asked him if it was my face or my hair. Kasi, since I began working here, ngayon lang ako naglugay at ni-flaunt ang kakulutan at kabuhaghagan ng buhok ko. Napakafunny na coincidence naman. Hahaha.
After nun, nilapitan ako ng boss ko, natawa daw siya sa e-mail ko tapos kinumusta ang wedding preps namin. So cool! May pasalubong siyang ensaymada with red egg por dat.
Hi Kat
You have that look on your face that says: “Graham, I really wanna write something cool that isn’t a hotel description”
So here you go…
And gave details on a fun writing assignment.
I replied to him and asked him if it was my face or my hair. Kasi, since I began working here, ngayon lang ako naglugay at ni-flaunt ang kakulutan at kabuhaghagan ng buhok ko. Napakafunny na coincidence naman. Hahaha.
After nun, nilapitan ako ng boss ko, natawa daw siya sa e-mail ko tapos kinumusta ang wedding preps namin. So cool! May pasalubong siyang ensaymada with red egg por dat.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Time to Laugh
From Sacred Voices: Essential Women's Wisdom Through the Ages, edited by Mary Ford-Grabowsky
1. Laugh when people tell a joke. Otherwise you might make them feel bad.
2. Laugh when you look into a mirror. Otherwise you might feel bad.
3. Laugh when you make a mistake. If you don't, you're liable to forget how ultimately unimportant the whole thing really is, whatever it is.
4. Laugh with small children… They laugh at mashed bananas on their faces, mud in their hair, a dog nuzzling their ears, the sight of their bottoms as bare as silk. It renews your perspective. Clearly nothing is as bad as it could be.
5. Laugh at situations that are out of your control. When the best man comes to the altar without the wedding ring, laugh. When the dog jumps through the window screen at the dinner guests on your doorstep, sit down and laugh a while.
6. When you find yourself in public in mismatched shoes, laugh -- as loudly as you can. Why collapse in mortal agony? There's nothing you can do to change things right now. Besides, it is funny. Ask me; I've done it.
7. Laugh at anything pompous. At anything that needs to puff its way through life in robes and titles… Will Rogers laughed at all the public institutions of life. For instance, "You can't say civilization isn't advancing," he wrote. "In every war they kill you in a new way."
8. Finally, laugh when all your carefully laid plans get changed; when the plane is late and the restaurant is closed and the last day's screening of the movie of the year was yesterday. You're free now to do something else, to be spontaneous… to take a piece of life and treat it with outrageous abandon.
(taken from theknot.com)
*****
To B, who has been laughing with me for three years, happy anniversary.
I love you!
1. Laugh when people tell a joke. Otherwise you might make them feel bad.
2. Laugh when you look into a mirror. Otherwise you might feel bad.
3. Laugh when you make a mistake. If you don't, you're liable to forget how ultimately unimportant the whole thing really is, whatever it is.
4. Laugh with small children… They laugh at mashed bananas on their faces, mud in their hair, a dog nuzzling their ears, the sight of their bottoms as bare as silk. It renews your perspective. Clearly nothing is as bad as it could be.
5. Laugh at situations that are out of your control. When the best man comes to the altar without the wedding ring, laugh. When the dog jumps through the window screen at the dinner guests on your doorstep, sit down and laugh a while.
6. When you find yourself in public in mismatched shoes, laugh -- as loudly as you can. Why collapse in mortal agony? There's nothing you can do to change things right now. Besides, it is funny. Ask me; I've done it.
7. Laugh at anything pompous. At anything that needs to puff its way through life in robes and titles… Will Rogers laughed at all the public institutions of life. For instance, "You can't say civilization isn't advancing," he wrote. "In every war they kill you in a new way."
8. Finally, laugh when all your carefully laid plans get changed; when the plane is late and the restaurant is closed and the last day's screening of the movie of the year was yesterday. You're free now to do something else, to be spontaneous… to take a piece of life and treat it with outrageous abandon.
(taken from theknot.com)
*****
To B, who has been laughing with me for three years, happy anniversary. I love you!
Monday, September 22, 2008
I'm an NC30, and Tanya, mas mura diyan ang MAC
Thank you sa mga nagsuggest ng MAC. I bought a Sheer Select pressed powder yesterday and I'm loving it so far. Haha, Lunes pa lang ngayon.
Ang nice pa ng girl/boy na tumulong sa aking makita ang perfect shade para sa akin. Nung nakita ko yung NC30, ang tingin ko sobrang puti. Pero nung inapply na sa mukha ko, ok naman. It disappeared like magic!
Another happy shopper!
Ang nice pa ng girl/boy na tumulong sa aking makita ang perfect shade para sa akin. Nung nakita ko yung NC30, ang tingin ko sobrang puti. Pero nung inapply na sa mukha ko, ok naman. It disappeared like magic!
Another happy shopper!
calling manila's beautiful
I need your help!
I'm bored with my hair. I need a new and refreshing look. Where can I get a nice cut? I might be lucky enough to squeeze in an appointment with a stylist when we go home next.
H Salon? Propaganda? Toni & Guy? Fix? Kailangan ko ng expert sa kulotacious na buhok. Kulotacious and buhaghagacious at that. Ayoko na sa dati kong stylist. Sawa na ako sa kanya. Hahaha.
Suggestions please!
I'm bored with my hair. I need a new and refreshing look. Where can I get a nice cut? I might be lucky enough to squeeze in an appointment with a stylist when we go home next.
H Salon? Propaganda? Toni & Guy? Fix? Kailangan ko ng expert sa kulotacious na buhok. Kulotacious and buhaghagacious at that. Ayoko na sa dati kong stylist. Sawa na ako sa kanya. Hahaha.
Suggestions please!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Mamma Mia!
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Movies |
| Genre: | Romantic Comedy |
Thursday, September 18, 2008
what do we get in return?
Found this at theknot.com. A beautiful reading from Beyond Words Daily Readings in the ABC's of Faith. This is by Frederick Buechner.
*****
They say they will love, comfort, honor each other to the end of their days. They say they will cherish each other and be faithful to each other always. They say they will do these things not just when they feel like it, but even -- for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health -- when they don’t feel like it at all. In other words, the vows they make could hardly be more extravagant. They give away their freedom. They take on themselves each other’s burdens. They bind their live s together... The question is, what do they get in return?
They get each other in return... There will always be the other to talk to, to listen to... There is still someone to get through the night with, to wake into the new day beside. If they have children, they can give them, as well as each other, roots and wings. If they don’t have children, they each become the other’s child.
They both still have their lives apart as well as a life together. They both still have their separate ways to find. But a marriage made in heaven is one where a man and a woman become more richly themselves together than the chances are either of them could ever have managed to become alone.”
*****
They say they will love, comfort, honor each other to the end of their days. They say they will cherish each other and be faithful to each other always. They say they will do these things not just when they feel like it, but even -- for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health -- when they don’t feel like it at all. In other words, the vows they make could hardly be more extravagant. They give away their freedom. They take on themselves each other’s burdens. They bind their live s together... The question is, what do they get in return?
They get each other in return... There will always be the other to talk to, to listen to... There is still someone to get through the night with, to wake into the new day beside. If they have children, they can give them, as well as each other, roots and wings. If they don’t have children, they each become the other’s child.
They both still have their lives apart as well as a life together. They both still have their separate ways to find. But a marriage made in heaven is one where a man and a woman become more richly themselves together than the chances are either of them could ever have managed to become alone.”
random things
I overheard this exchange at Charles & Keith yesterday.
Girl: (picks up a black shoe from the shelf)
Boy: You have lots of those at home.
Girl: But I don't have black ones. (tries the shoe on) What do you think?
Boy: (shakes head) It's ugly.
Girl: Why?
At that point I walked away kasi natatawa na ako sa kanila.
*****
I want this so badly!!!
It's the Canon EOS 1000D, the more affordable baby brother to the 450D and kuya to the 400D. *drools* 
It ranked first among The Straits Times' review of affordable DSLRs. The Nikon D40 came in second. But I'm a Canon baby. So it's either this or the 450D for me. Kaunti lang naman difference sa price.
Kailan kaya??? Hmmm...
*****
Girls, anong magandang face powder?
My Loreal True Match foundation is almost finished and I'm on the lookout for a new product. I decided to just use face powder instead of foundation. I hardly wear any makeup anyway.
Suggestions please!
Girl: (picks up a black shoe from the shelf)
Boy: You have lots of those at home.
Girl: But I don't have black ones. (tries the shoe on) What do you think?
Boy: (shakes head) It's ugly.
Girl: Why?
At that point I walked away kasi natatawa na ako sa kanila.
*****
I want this so badly!!!
It's the Canon EOS 1000D, the more affordable baby brother to the 450D and kuya to the 400D. *drools* It ranked first among The Straits Times' review of affordable DSLRs. The Nikon D40 came in second. But I'm a Canon baby. So it's either this or the 450D for me. Kaunti lang naman difference sa price.Kailan kaya??? Hmmm...
*****
Girls, anong magandang face powder?
My Loreal True Match foundation is almost finished and I'm on the lookout for a new product. I decided to just use face powder instead of foundation. I hardly wear any makeup anyway.
Suggestions please!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
risky business
Since news broke out that the insurance giant AIG was in trouble, Singaporeans have been flocking to the AIA customer service centre near my workplace. On our way to Lau Pa Sat for lunch, B and I passed by a long queue of people waiting for their turn at the counter. Super dami talaga even as the Monetary Authority of Singapore has already announced that everything's going to be fine, that AIA Singapore has enough to cover their liabilities. They even advised people to not pull out their policies pero masisisi ba nila ang mga tao?
B and I are AIA-insured. We availed of their medical (hospitalisation) insurance a year ago. Kaka-upgrade nga lang namin since we're already permanent residents. We're not worried because this is a term insurance. Kahit kailan pwede itigil ang payments.
However, B just got an endowment fund/life insurance from AIA. He just paid two-months' deposit worth a couple hundred of dollars. Siempre, he was so disturbed when we heard the news yesterday. We were not expecting anything to happen to AIG since it's a really big company. But I guess no one's safe nowadays. Kahit pagkuha ng insurance na supposedly ay magpoprotect sa'yo from risks, risky na din.
Fortunately, B hasn't received his policy yet so he can still opt to pull out. May tinatawag na free look period kung saan pwede mong i-assess if you still want to continue or not. If you decide to discontinue, AIA will refund the deposit. Buti na lang!
Hopefully, things will improve for AIG. Kawawa naman yung mga policy holders kung di nila makukuha ang pinaghirapan nilang pera.
B and I are AIA-insured. We availed of their medical (hospitalisation) insurance a year ago. Kaka-upgrade nga lang namin since we're already permanent residents. We're not worried because this is a term insurance. Kahit kailan pwede itigil ang payments.
However, B just got an endowment fund/life insurance from AIA. He just paid two-months' deposit worth a couple hundred of dollars. Siempre, he was so disturbed when we heard the news yesterday. We were not expecting anything to happen to AIG since it's a really big company. But I guess no one's safe nowadays. Kahit pagkuha ng insurance na supposedly ay magpoprotect sa'yo from risks, risky na din.
Fortunately, B hasn't received his policy yet so he can still opt to pull out. May tinatawag na free look period kung saan pwede mong i-assess if you still want to continue or not. If you decide to discontinue, AIA will refund the deposit. Buti na lang!
Hopefully, things will improve for AIG. Kawawa naman yung mga policy holders kung di nila makukuha ang pinaghirapan nilang pera.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Kite Runner
| Rating: | ★★★★★ |
| Category: | Books |
| Genre: | Other |
| Author: | Khaled Hosseini |
Saturday, September 13, 2008
practicing presence
Since I started reading A New Earth, I've been trying to be more present in my daily life. Today, I decided to be present while taking a shower.Taking a shower is one of the things I take for granted. I go about it hurriedly in the mornings while thinking of the tasks I have to accomplish or the errands I have to run for the day. I seldom, if at all, appreciate our bathroom, the shower head and its varying flow strengths, the water coming out of it, the scent of my shampoo and bath gel. I hardly pay attention to the drops of water as it falls on the crown of my head and as it trickles down my body. But today I did, and it was the best shower I've had in years!
I then remembered how, as a child, taking a bath was one of the highlights of the day. I was looking forward to shampooing my hair and playing with the froth for a while before rinsing it with water. I was happy to make landi, lingering in the bathroom more than I should. I used to imagine that our big plastic drum was a ceramic tub. I would ask my mom or dad to put me inside of it so I can swim or float at least. I yearned to have a shower head so much that I instead of pouring the water from the tabo on my head, I threw it up in the air and position myself so that I'm directly under the showers.
Now, we do have a shower head but I don't feel as excited about it as I was back then. I guess taking a shower just became one of those things I had to do. I just don't have fun doing it anymore.
But I intend to change that from this day on.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
sole searching no more
Between saying and doing, many a pair of shoes is worn out. --Iris Murdoch
In my one year here, I've thrown out four worn-out pairs already, I think. And yes, that's in between a lot of doing but a lot more saying.
I recently bought two pairs. One is from Novo, a local shoe shop. It's okay but the leather still needs breaking in. Masakit pag matagal suot. I was wearing it this morning but it became too painful and just can't wear it again this afternoon.
So, I rushed to City Hall during lunchtime and bought this:
The upper is made of soft, buttery leather. It's from Topshop but it's made in India. Could've probably been cheaper if it didn't go to the UK first before being shipped to Singapore. Oh well. I love it. Saved the day. And I got it $10 dollars off.
In my one year here, I've thrown out four worn-out pairs already, I think. And yes, that's in between a lot of doing but a lot more saying.
I recently bought two pairs. One is from Novo, a local shoe shop. It's okay but the leather still needs breaking in. Masakit pag matagal suot. I was wearing it this morning but it became too painful and just can't wear it again this afternoon.
So, I rushed to City Hall during lunchtime and bought this:
The upper is made of soft, buttery leather. It's from Topshop but it's made in India. Could've probably been cheaper if it didn't go to the UK first before being shipped to Singapore. Oh well. I love it. Saved the day. And I got it $10 dollars off. Monday, September 8, 2008
now it's official
It's time to go sole searching.
I really need a new pair of black shoes!
The pair I've been wearing since June (I bought it last time we went home) is already so worn out. Plus, nahati na yung sole ng left shoe. As in putol siya. Must be because of the way I walk.
Oh well. That's goodbye to another pair. It's been a good three months.
I really need a new pair of black shoes!
The pair I've been wearing since June (I bought it last time we went home) is already so worn out. Plus, nahati na yung sole ng left shoe. As in putol siya. Must be because of the way I walk.
Oh well. That's goodbye to another pair. It's been a good three months.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
our new love
Our favorite noodle dish is Hokkien Mee. But Katong Laksa just trumped it. 328 Katong Laksa to be exact.
The first time I tried laksa, I hated it. I swore never to eat it again. But now I'm eating my words. Nung una sa maling tindahan lang kami bumili. If you're going to Singapore and you want to try laksa, you should only do so at 328. Super sarap.
According to Wikipedia:
Katong laksa (Malay: Laksa Katong) is a variant of laksa lemak from the Katong area of Singapore. In Katong laksa, the noodles are normally cut up into smaller pieces so that the entire dish can be eaten with a spoon alone (that is, without chopsticks or a fork). Katong laksa is a strong contender for the heavily competed title of Singapore's national dish.
I'd pick Katong Laksa over Chicken Rice anytime as Singapore's national dish!
328 Katong Laksa is just a short walk from Holy Family Church so after hearing mass tonight, we went straight to the shop and ordered our $4.50-bowls of hot katong laksa, with sambal chili of course. Yummm.
To down our delicious laksa, we ordered Siam coconut. Hay. Sarap!
The first time I tried laksa, I hated it. I swore never to eat it again. But now I'm eating my words. Nung una sa maling tindahan lang kami bumili. If you're going to Singapore and you want to try laksa, you should only do so at 328. Super sarap.According to Wikipedia:
Katong laksa (Malay: Laksa Katong) is a variant of laksa lemak from the Katong area of Singapore. In Katong laksa, the noodles are normally cut up into smaller pieces so that the entire dish can be eaten with a spoon alone (that is, without chopsticks or a fork). Katong laksa is a strong contender for the heavily competed title of Singapore's national dish.
I'd pick Katong Laksa over Chicken Rice anytime as Singapore's national dish!
328 Katong Laksa is just a short walk from Holy Family Church so after hearing mass tonight, we went straight to the shop and ordered our $4.50-bowls of hot katong laksa, with sambal chili of course. Yummm.
To down our delicious laksa, we ordered Siam coconut. Hay. Sarap!
Friday, September 5, 2008
what made me happy today
From my boss, after I sent him the promotional copy I wrote for an airline. Before he sent that e-mail he sent me a message via MSN:G: FANTASTIC copy
K: thank you!
G: don't expect a reply from fred though coz he's in NS but I'm sure he will be impressed
K: I hope so
G: I really have a talented team
G: I can't wait to have you guys started on marketing copy and e-mails!
Just what I needed.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
shoe and bag hunting
Last night, B and I went to Raffles City. Nagchecheck ako ng prices ng shoes at bags dahil isa lang pair of shoes ang ginagamit ko at isang bag lang. Even if both are still in good condition, gusto ko ng kahalili. Babae ako noh. Guys lang ang kaya mabuhay ng may isang pares ng sapatos at isang bag.
Nilakasan ko ang loob ko. Pumasok kami sa Nine West. Nasa $150+ ang mga leather shoes nila. Ang mahal pero sinalat ko ang leather. Malambot. Pumasok din kami sa Coach. Nakita ko ang isa sa mga type ko na bag, yung Lindsay. Itim nga lang ang nasa boutique. Di ko na chineck ang price kasi yung sling bag na pagkaliit-liit at di naman leather, $229. Pano pa kaya ang leather. (Tanya, nakita ko din yung type mo na bag. Ang ganda niya in person.)
Chineck ko din yung Hue, isang shoe shop. Nakakita ako ng magandang ballerina flats (similar sa French Sole) at nang nakita ko ang presyo, muntik na akong magkakaripas ng takbo. $309 lang naman ang isang pares. I believe they had snakeskin uppers.
Nagsukat ako ng Itti & Otto (oo meron dito pero iisang brand siya). Hindi maganda. Pero genuine leather din ang upper. Nasa $70-$80 ang price range. Umuwi akong bigo. Hahaha.
Namimiss ko ang SM pag ganito.
Nilakasan ko ang loob ko. Pumasok kami sa Nine West. Nasa $150+ ang mga leather shoes nila. Ang mahal pero sinalat ko ang leather. Malambot. Pumasok din kami sa Coach. Nakita ko ang isa sa mga type ko na bag, yung Lindsay. Itim nga lang ang nasa boutique. Di ko na chineck ang price kasi yung sling bag na pagkaliit-liit at di naman leather, $229. Pano pa kaya ang leather. (Tanya, nakita ko din yung type mo na bag. Ang ganda niya in person.)
Chineck ko din yung Hue, isang shoe shop. Nakakita ako ng magandang ballerina flats (similar sa French Sole) at nang nakita ko ang presyo, muntik na akong magkakaripas ng takbo. $309 lang naman ang isang pares. I believe they had snakeskin uppers.
Nagsukat ako ng Itti & Otto (oo meron dito pero iisang brand siya). Hindi maganda. Pero genuine leather din ang upper. Nasa $70-$80 ang price range. Umuwi akong bigo. Hahaha.
Namimiss ko ang SM pag ganito.
bye, blogger
I can't maintain this blog anymore so should you be interested in updates, please go to http://kataztrophe25.multiply.com.
I was complaining, but had an epiphany
Last night, B and I had one of those why-are-we-in-Singapore conversations. These conversations pop up once in a while, and when that happens it means we haven't been home for a while. When we get a dose of Philippine reality, we start feeling okay again, preferring the the sterility of this country over the chaos and political bickering back home.
These conversations pop up, too, when we see friends in Canada or Australia being able to buy their own homes, raise kids and take care of pets. Here, even if we have the money, we always need to think twice about things like that.
We can't buy brand new, inexpensive government-built flats here even if we're permanent residents. Only citizens have that privilege. If we want our own flat, we can only buy second-hand units in HDB (Singapore's Housing Development Board) buildings or units in free-hold condominiums (which we can't afford).
It's expensive to have kids here. Medical services are sky-high. Baby stuff, like toiletries, are also expensive. If we hire a yaya, aside from the monthly salary, we need to pay a monthly levy to the government. Isa pa, for me, mas maganda pa din mag-aral sa atin. Ayoko din maacquire ng mga anak ko ang Singlish. Aiyo! Pagkapanget ng wikang yan.
In fairness to Singapore, meron din namang perks ang pagstay dito. Una, it's safe. Here, you don't have to worry about being mugged or held up. The crime rate here is so low you can barely see policemen patrolling the streets. At least you get to take that off your mind na. Hindi mo kailangan maging praning.
Pangalawa, it's a great place to work. Madali ka talaga makakaipon kasi the basics are inexpensive relative to your salary. A meal here can cost as low as $3. So if you're earning $1,800 (minimum for foreign professionals), that's only 0.16%. Sa Pinas, if a meal costs P40 and you're earning P15,000, that's 0.26%. Malayo talaga ang mararating ng pera dito. Kahit mahal ang rent, you would still have enough to save for trips or luxuries.
Pero the pace here is exahusting. Sometimes I feel I'm a rock on the river, constantly trying to not be washed away by the flow.
Wait! I just had an aha moment!
I still feel that resistance towards being here! I can't let go of that resistance because I'm afraid that if I do, I might lose a part of me, that Filipino part of me to be exact. Siguro that's why we get tired. We keep on resisting and we keep on thinking of the future! Aha!
I've been reading A New Earth and it's about accepting the present moment. According to Eckhart Tolle, stress comes from an inner resistance to the now. Siguro kaya nga ako nasestress. I keep saying NO to Singapore. Sana when I finish the book, I'll learn to let go and just accept the NOW. I know I've already said I've accepted that we're going to be here for a while, but I guess I have only accepted it on an intellectual level. My brain's not going to help. I have to accept it from the core of my being.
Hahaha. Nakakatawa how this piece evolved. Dapat magrarant ako eh pero naalala ko ang mga natutunan ko sa classes ni Oprah at Eckhart Tolle. So ayan, ok na ulit ako.
These conversations pop up, too, when we see friends in Canada or Australia being able to buy their own homes, raise kids and take care of pets. Here, even if we have the money, we always need to think twice about things like that.
We can't buy brand new, inexpensive government-built flats here even if we're permanent residents. Only citizens have that privilege. If we want our own flat, we can only buy second-hand units in HDB (Singapore's Housing Development Board) buildings or units in free-hold condominiums (which we can't afford).
It's expensive to have kids here. Medical services are sky-high. Baby stuff, like toiletries, are also expensive. If we hire a yaya, aside from the monthly salary, we need to pay a monthly levy to the government. Isa pa, for me, mas maganda pa din mag-aral sa atin. Ayoko din maacquire ng mga anak ko ang Singlish. Aiyo! Pagkapanget ng wikang yan.
In fairness to Singapore, meron din namang perks ang pagstay dito. Una, it's safe. Here, you don't have to worry about being mugged or held up. The crime rate here is so low you can barely see policemen patrolling the streets. At least you get to take that off your mind na. Hindi mo kailangan maging praning.
Pangalawa, it's a great place to work. Madali ka talaga makakaipon kasi the basics are inexpensive relative to your salary. A meal here can cost as low as $3. So if you're earning $1,800 (minimum for foreign professionals), that's only 0.16%. Sa Pinas, if a meal costs P40 and you're earning P15,000, that's 0.26%. Malayo talaga ang mararating ng pera dito. Kahit mahal ang rent, you would still have enough to save for trips or luxuries.
Pero the pace here is exahusting. Sometimes I feel I'm a rock on the river, constantly trying to not be washed away by the flow.
Wait! I just had an aha moment!
I still feel that resistance towards being here! I can't let go of that resistance because I'm afraid that if I do, I might lose a part of me, that Filipino part of me to be exact. Siguro that's why we get tired. We keep on resisting and we keep on thinking of the future! Aha!
I've been reading A New Earth and it's about accepting the present moment. According to Eckhart Tolle, stress comes from an inner resistance to the now. Siguro kaya nga ako nasestress. I keep saying NO to Singapore. Sana when I finish the book, I'll learn to let go and just accept the NOW. I know I've already said I've accepted that we're going to be here for a while, but I guess I have only accepted it on an intellectual level. My brain's not going to help. I have to accept it from the core of my being.
Hahaha. Nakakatawa how this piece evolved. Dapat magrarant ako eh pero naalala ko ang mga natutunan ko sa classes ni Oprah at Eckhart Tolle. So ayan, ok na ulit ako.
Monday, September 1, 2008
an Eraserheads entry
There have been much talk on the Internet before and after the Eraserheads Reunion Concert. Thanks to technology, I don't feel so left out. Last night, B and I caught glimpses of the concert through youtube. Buti na lang may mga nagpost ng videos. Salamat.
It made me sad to hear about what happened to Ely. Kawawa. His mom died two days before the concert and yet he decided to push through. Siguro what happened to him was caused by the combination of sobrang stress plus the thrill of seeing their fans and hearing them sing their songs as if six days and not six years have passed.
I feel sad, too, that I wasn't there to see them perform. They were my favorite band after all. Sila lang talaga yung hinangaan ko. I like Parokya. I like Bamboo. I like Rivermaya. But I love the Eraserheads.
I first fell in love with the band when my friend and now kumare, Cecile, made me listen to Circus. I was 13 that time. I remember not liking it the first time I heard it because I thought it was too noisy, but I gave it another listen, with the cassette cover in hand, and was hooked. Hearing is different from listening talaga. I loved the whole album but my favorites were Sembreak, Alapaap, Wishing Wells, Minsan, Kailan, Butterscotch and Sa Wakas.
I then decided to buy their first album, Ultraelectromagneticpop. Andun yung Ligaya, Pare Ko, Tindahan ni Aling Nena, Maling Akala tsaka Shake your Head. Hinintay ko ang release ng next album.
My mom got a copy of Cutterpillow for me. I remember just having come home from school
(exam day ata yun kasi maaga ako nakauwi) when mommy told me she bought a copy of Cutterpillow already. Pumasok agad ako sa kwarto, sinaksak ang casette at nakinig with the lyrics in hand. If I remember correctly, Superproxy and track 1. Again, I loved the album.
May lumabas din silang magazine after, yung Pillbox. Siempre bumili din ako. Di ko lang sure kung nasundan pa yung isang issue na yun.
After that, Fruitcake, their Christmas album, came out. I liked it but the music sounded different from the previous albums. Lightyears and Christmas Party were my favorites.
Mas naging evident ang evolution ng music ng Eraserheads sa mga sumunod na album. Ang last album na binili ko was Sticker Happy, which was released after the Bananatype EP. Siguro nagbago na din ang type kong music kaya di ko na naappreciate yung Aloha Milkyway, Natin '99 at Carbon Stereoxide.
Bukod sa pagbili ng album, iniintay ko din ang pagbisita ng Eraserheads sa San Pablo dati. Dalawang beses sila nagpunta sa San Pablo at dalawang beses din ako nanood. Siempre, chaperone ko si mommy. Hehehe. Type din niya ang music ng E-heads eh.
Nung nag-Diliman na ako, super excited ako kasi alma mater yun ng E-heads. Hehehe. Sa welcome concert for freshmen nung 1998, alala ko tumugtog sila. Ang saya!
Lumipas ang mga taon at nabalitaan ko na lang na nagdisband na ang grupo. Na-sad ako pero I also felt it was time. Siguro masyado nang iba-iba ang pananaw nila tsaka atake sa musika. Lahat talaga natatapos din. Dats life.
Pero thankful pa din ako kasi nagkaron ng banda na gaya nila. They provided the soundtrack to my teenage years. May kanta sa bawat episode and for that, they'll always be a part of me. Naks!
I lab the Eraserheads!
It made me sad to hear about what happened to Ely. Kawawa. His mom died two days before the concert and yet he decided to push through. Siguro what happened to him was caused by the combination of sobrang stress plus the thrill of seeing their fans and hearing them sing their songs as if six days and not six years have passed.
I feel sad, too, that I wasn't there to see them perform. They were my favorite band after all. Sila lang talaga yung hinangaan ko. I like Parokya. I like Bamboo. I like Rivermaya. But I love the Eraserheads.
I first fell in love with the band when my friend and now kumare, Cecile, made me listen to Circus. I was 13 that time. I remember not liking it the first time I heard it because I thought it was too noisy, but I gave it another listen, with the cassette cover in hand, and was hooked. Hearing is different from listening talaga. I loved the whole album but my favorites were Sembreak, Alapaap, Wishing Wells, Minsan, Kailan, Butterscotch and Sa Wakas.I then decided to buy their first album, Ultraelectromagneticpop. Andun yung Ligaya, Pare Ko, Tindahan ni Aling Nena, Maling Akala tsaka Shake your Head. Hinintay ko ang release ng next album.
My mom got a copy of Cutterpillow for me. I remember just having come home from school
(exam day ata yun kasi maaga ako nakauwi) when mommy told me she bought a copy of Cutterpillow already. Pumasok agad ako sa kwarto, sinaksak ang casette at nakinig with the lyrics in hand. If I remember correctly, Superproxy and track 1. Again, I loved the album. May lumabas din silang magazine after, yung Pillbox. Siempre bumili din ako. Di ko lang sure kung nasundan pa yung isang issue na yun.
After that, Fruitcake, their Christmas album, came out. I liked it but the music sounded different from the previous albums. Lightyears and Christmas Party were my favorites.
Mas naging evident ang evolution ng music ng Eraserheads sa mga sumunod na album. Ang last album na binili ko was Sticker Happy, which was released after the Bananatype EP. Siguro nagbago na din ang type kong music kaya di ko na naappreciate yung Aloha Milkyway, Natin '99 at Carbon Stereoxide.
Bukod sa pagbili ng album, iniintay ko din ang pagbisita ng Eraserheads sa San Pablo dati. Dalawang beses sila nagpunta sa San Pablo at dalawang beses din ako nanood. Siempre, chaperone ko si mommy. Hehehe. Type din niya ang music ng E-heads eh.
Nung nag-Diliman na ako, super excited ako kasi alma mater yun ng E-heads. Hehehe. Sa welcome concert for freshmen nung 1998, alala ko tumugtog sila. Ang saya!
Lumipas ang mga taon at nabalitaan ko na lang na nagdisband na ang grupo. Na-sad ako pero I also felt it was time. Siguro masyado nang iba-iba ang pananaw nila tsaka atake sa musika. Lahat talaga natatapos din. Dats life.
Pero thankful pa din ako kasi nagkaron ng banda na gaya nila. They provided the soundtrack to my teenage years. May kanta sa bawat episode and for that, they'll always be a part of me. Naks!
I lab the Eraserheads!
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