remember

You have to see every potential roadblock as an opportunity and a benefit.

—Suze Orman

we're supposed to stay at the InterCon Makati but

We both got pay cuts! To save moolah, we're staying at the Crown Regency Makati instead. It has good reviews at TripAdvisor naman and is way cheaper than the InterCon. 

Oh my, the crisis is really bad noh? We were asked to choose between a 5% pay cut or a 1-month vacay without pay. I'm okay with both but I feel better with the former since the difference is quite negligible. And as per the Singapore government's regulations, we get an extra day off per month.    

Even if we're earning less, both B and I are thankful that we still have jobs. I think at a time like this, having a stable source of income is better than not having one. Buti na lang we don't have long-term loans we have to pay--yet.

And to my friends who got retrenched or is having a difficult time finding a job, don't lose hope! Like everything in this world, this too will pass. Have faith!  Para sa inyo ang awit na ito:

*****

And despite the pay cuts, we're still excited about our trips! Nine days to go and we're off to Laoag, 30 days to Macau+Hong Kong and 59 days to Phuket (with free accommodation babe!).

According to Readers' Digest, the traveller is king this year so make sure to watch out for travel deals and satisfy your wanderlust!

just start

Kat, the Chinese say, "The best time to plant a tree was always 20 years ago. The second best time is always today." 

Funny how planting trees and taking action on the life of your dreams are the same that way.

The Universe

PS

Kat, it's NEVER too late for anything. Just start!

Seven Pounds

Rating:	★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

Now I know why Seven Pounds wasn't recognized at the recent Academy Awards. Sa simula, you'll think you're in for something grand. You never really know what Will Smith's plan is but you're teased every now and then. Once the big truth is revealed though, you'll realized it's just a story about a man who could've chosen to be happy but didn't. I just don't buy that anymore. Hee.

kalachuchi memories

Noong isang araw ko pa nakita ang mga kalachuchi blooms na ito sa may bakuran ng kapitbahay namin. Ngayon ko lang napicturan. Sayang at nalalanta na siya. Nung isang araw purong-purong puti sila na may kaunting dilaw. Nakakatuwang pagmasdan.

Naalala ko yung mga panahon na sa Los Baños pa kami nakatira. Maliit pa kami ni Lia noon at may mga kalachuchi trees kaming inaakyat. Hindi ko na maalala kung sa UPLB grounds nga or sa ibang lugar. Hazy na ang memory. Basta alam ko minsan akong umakyat sa isang puno ng kalachuchi.

Yun kayang mga magiging anak namin may aakyating puno? Ang lalaki ng puno sa mga park dito sa Singapore at bihira yung may sariling garden. Pero sana maranasan nila yung mga naranasan namin noong kabataan namin.

Simple lang ang buhay ng bata noon. Kahit walang laruan or kahit yo-yo lang ang laruan, nageenjoy pa din. Ngayon puro electronics na. Ano namang nakakatuwa sa pagpindot-pindot ng buttons? Mas masaya yung may kalaro ka.

Madalas kong laruin dati yung patintero or piko, langit-lupa or saksak-puso. Ok din yung Chinese garter. Pero ang baba lang ng naaabot ko kasi hindi ako long-legged gaya ni Pilar, yung kalaro ko na abot yung garter na nasa leeg na. Salamat sa Chinese garter, maaga kong naconfront ang body issues ko. Fortunately, natanggap ko agad na magkakaiba ang body structure natin. Hehe.

Naglalaro din ako minsan ng jump rope. Yung song all along akala ko I love you talaber taleber. Yun pala I love you teddy bear teddy bear. Hahaha. College ko na nalaman ang correct lyrics, salamat kay Marge.

Nagsisipa din ako. Yung sipa na gusto ko yung makapal ang tingga para mas madali icontrol. Kaso hindi ko kaya yung upto five na sipa. Hanggang two or three consecutive sipa lang ako. The rest kailangan kamay ang ipangtira ko.

Hay. Nakakatuwang balikan ang childhood memories. Ang ironic lang kasi pag bata ka gusto mo tumanda ka na agad. If I knew back then time adult life is more challenging, I would've climbed more trees and played more games. Nevertheless, I'm happy na maiibida ko sa magiging anak ko that I was able to climb at least one kalachuchi tree.