SYWMK

Ain't this perfect for us?  Hope this puts a smile on your face baby.  SYWMK!

Photo taken from this site.

AGREED!

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS:

from the book, 100 years of Women's Wisdom

I remember when my friend Melay told me that you are only allowed to make one big relationship mistake.  I already made one and learnt so much from it.  My cousin Lorraine told me that I didn't just say that I'm gonna soul search, I embodied soul searching.  After my break up, I did what I've always wanted to do, travel abroad and do loads of first time experiences.  I learn so much from experiences that made me the person that I am today.  I have better judgment of character now.  I found the good one and is very thankful of him.  Thanks baby! ♥♥♥

Childhood Nostalgia: Saying Goodbye

Lorraine's mum left for US last night.  I jokingly asked her and her brother during dinner if they cried.  They said, "Of course" with smile on their faces.  They said that they were holding back until their mum started to cry.  It was 4 years since her mum moved to America and it was 4 years after 'til their little family were re-united.

My mum started working in abroad when I was 10 years old.  Working abroad for middle class filipinos are normal.  You don't get to earn enough money in the Philippines and so you make the hard decision of leaving your family behind for greener pasture.  It was hard but we were loved and taken care of by my relatives(especially by my granny and her sister).  Twice a year, my mum would come home for a week on Holy Week and at least 2 weeks for Christmas holiday.   Every year, we would cry on our way home to Cabanatuan ,where I spent most of my childhood years.  You get used to the situation.  You would never question why they have to leave. Although my mum is always away, she would call us weekly and send us cards on our birthdays. 

Photo taken in Singapore.  This was our first out of the country trip together.  Most filipinos don't take time off from work and most holidays are spent with families - chatting and catching up.  My dad was working in Singapore then so he showed us around.  It was a fun filled trip.

Malaysia with my parents.  My brother asked us to do the boring tourist pose.  My parents would always participate with our foolishness.  I inherited the Peter Pan Syndrome from them.

 HK last Christmas.  My dad was very tired but my mum is always ready to smile for photos.

My parents missed a lot when we were growing up so I promised myself that I won't do that to my future kids.  I want my family to be all together.  I don't blame my parents.  Without their sacrifices, we won't be able to experience all the luxury that they have given us.  In life, there is always trade off.  I love my parents and hopefully in the future, I will be able to give back to them. 

Project Ailema: Cycling Day 2

I grew up knowing my whole neighbourhood.  How can't I?  Most of my relatives on my Dad's side of the family lives on the same street.  I know that the farmer with his carabao comes home at 5PM, I know when it's time to play and when it's time to go home, I know when the kids from public school comes home.  You get the idea, I know everyone's routine. 

I moved to Cabanatuan from Manila when I was 7 then again when I was 13 for my first year in High School then finally when I turn 16 for University.  I was excited.  Most my cousins our age were in University then.  We were excited to all the fun possibilities.  Since I was busy with Uni, I didn't have time to know my community. Right after Uni, I moved to England.

I took photos while cycling today.  Cycling is a good way to know your neighbourhood.  Don't you agree?

I found few stray cats and dogs.  Dogs are not allowed to roam in our subdivision.  They impound stray dogs.

My Neighbours Bianca and Kittel.  Finally, I asked for their names.  Oh Gosh, I sound like a perv taking photos of kids and asking for their names.

Road Parking.  This is the reason why I don't drive.  I get scared of "roadblocks".

 Kids Playing.  Later when I came back from cycling, I saw one of them crying.  It made me think about my childhood.  I don't remember crying but I remember kids not wanting to play with me cause I was a sore loser.  My granny would beg my cousins to play with me.  Maybe that's the reason why I hung out with my older cousins. 

Few Massive Houses.  This isn't a rare sight to where I live.  I saw few more new massive houses.  When I was younger, I wonder how people get very rich.  I still don't know the answer. :P

I am slowly learning the routine of my neighbourhood.  I passed by a house who got Chinese Station playing loudly everyday.  I wonder if Chinese people live there.  I also see Helps chatting on sidewalk.  Men fixing cars.  I love seeing people and their normal activities.  Cycling is good for me. Must do this everyday.  :)

I'm Back

I am back from Thailand and back to reality...

I am so Thankful to the Lord for all the blessings that he has given to me.  I won't question why things happen.  He got his reasons.  This year, I plan to focus on my career.  I finally know what I want to do.  I am excited to for all the possibilities this year.  Hope everything works out for me! :)

Big C

Today, I found out that my cousin Krishna got cancer. She is only 25 years old. It saddens me to know that women as young and strong as her can get the horrible, horrible disease. Please pray for her safe surgery and recovery.

My heart goes to you Krishna. I am deeply shocked and sadden by the news. Let us know if you need anything. You must BEAT this. We still have more girly bondings to come.

Taken in Eastwood 2006. Lorraine, Krishna, Me and Ruzelle.

Lantern Parade 2006.

In Terminal 2

I had yet again, another sleepless night. I met up with my friend Trisha last night for a quick chat and dinner and got home by 12midnight. I plan to pack quickly and sleep but couldn't. Spend the whole night praying that my sleep will soon come and when it finally came, it was time for me to wake up again. FML.

I left my place at 6AM but my flight isn't until 10:30AM. Traffic in Manila is horrible so you have to expect the worst. The more prepared you are, the better. It was a quick travel I tell you. It only took us less than 45 minutes from our subdivision to NAIA Terminal 2.

I forgot how I hated travelling from Philippine Airports. This is how their system works:

1. Scan bag.
2. Pay Airport tax. I don't know why they don't include this on the air fare. I am assuming that it is one of the government's job generating scheme. They have at least 5 people on the airport tax section acting very unprofessional. Everyone was chatting while I was being served. One is actually eating her breakfast! How unprofessional can you get! I mean, this must be the Philippine norm but they should at least make an effort and change it.
3. Check-in bag. I was served by the worst ground stewardess ever. I don't expect them to be all smiles everytime but the one that served me isn't hospitable at all. C'mon! Service environment people!
4. Pay Immgration Charge(for using the airport). This is another stupid money making scheme of the government. They should just included this in the bill.
5. Immigration.

I was told that they have a free wifi at the airport. OMG! Free wifi with very low connection. I can't even browse any website. They shouldn't advertise free wifi next time.

People, next time you go to my country, have your money ready. You have to pay at 2370pesos (at least £33) for airport charges. Make sure you had breakfast too. They only have 1 restaurant there. Duty free is limited as well. It is as big as our Reading flat. This terminal definitely needs improvement!

What's Next?

It's 5AM here and I am still awake...

I am feeling lost at the moment...

In the past months, I have been trying to make myself healthy. Personality wise, I can honestly say that I am better in that department. I have set my standards and boundaries. I know people who I will trust and treasure. Health wise, I haven't done any exercise since I came back apart from cleaning my room and sorting stuffs at home(after the flood, there are so much to sort out. We experienced 6 feet deep flood. We lost all the things on the ground floor). I am now back to smoking. It's bad but it relaxes me. Career wise, I am a total mess. Yesterday, I tried searching for jobs online. I haven't submitted any CV's yet but I am looking into jobs. There are few that interest me but I don't know which one to apply for. I am overwhelmed. I don't know what I want although I have an idea what I want to do. I've been looking into different unrelated fields. I looked into Hotel Management - I like the challenge of everyday task, Tourism - I really love to travel and to organise, the list is endless. I was told by friends that I should apply for all jobs and have a feel to it. If I liked it then I should stick to it. It's difficult when you don't feel the pressure to work. The parentals don't pressure me into working. I hate that I am lost. I hate feeling like a total mess. I need my centre. I need to sort this soon.

What's next???

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Been there, done that.

I promise to love again and to only give my heart to someone who is worth my time and who knows my worth.

"LOVE IS AN ACTION" , "Love is a enlarging experience, not a narrowing one" and Love does not make excuses for his/her bad behaviours.

Let's choose wisely girls and not settle for less. :)