就這樣生活

一個人生活其實也很不錯。不需要無必要的發言也不需要委屈求全。
或許我越來越不會與人供事。完蛋了。孤僻潛伏期症狀。
倘若哪一天朋友一一離我而去，應該不難理解。

離開家，也就想重新開始。
脫離責任，以及所有朋友之間產生的包袱。
我再也不用愁找誰作伴，因為再也不理所當然。
今晚的飯局很平常但很悠閒。
只是兩個在異鄉的孤獨人，想找人說說（費）話，發發牢騷。
想說就說，想笑就笑，想吃就吃。
以現狀來看，這樣就夠了。

撇開屎一般的工作不提，這樣的生活，很舒服。

The Classics

Since young, i have developed a habit of watching the same show over and over again. Of course, the ones i liked. 

Especially on flights, i would hardly tune into anything that i've not watched before. For the record I watched Friends with Benefit 5 times for 6 consecutive flights over 2 months. That missing once was when i decided to re-watch a Chinese film. 

For that reason, SQ would always be my preferred airline as no other airlines' in-flight entertainment can beat KrisWorld. 

As i pondered, i concluded i guess it came about from my unadventurous and knowing-what-is-ahead personality. 

One of the comfort habits living alone is watching the classics i've collected and still collecting. The dramatic love fantasies somehow remind me that love still exists in this present world. Very worldly i know.
Otherwise, they are just great shows for couch potatoes. :) 

忍 is the key to success

I have always thought that back-stabbers only appear on TV, especially the HK ones.

Little would i ever imagined that i would be stabbed from the back. 

Very painful indeed. For a moment, i felt that i was drowned in a spirit of unjust and i was helpless and speechless.

I was too appalled to realise the existence of such a jerk (i couldn't find a more suitable word than this).

I couldn't utter any words of explanation although deep within, i was dying to defend myself.

Retaliation, though tempting, was the last option because by doing so, it puts me down to his level.

I suddenly thought of a phrase a friend said in school...忍 is the key to success. 

Demureness Cultivation

Weekends are my favourite days of the week (i mean who would contest that) even if i have to work at home on Sundays. 

But as far as possible, i keep my Saturdays free. 

Five months into the new environment, still friendless, i didn't have a problem spending time alone. I was surprised at myself to, given my extroverted personality. But i guess it's an age issue.

I've set a weekend routine for myself which is comfortable for now and i will be rather annoyed if anyone were to interrupt it abruptly.

I concluded, by the end of two years, i will have a complete transformation from my clamorous image.

Counting down five hours to the start of my demureness cultivation. :)

It's Feb

The regional people were in town for the past week for our annual retreat. I supposed it's annual although i have no idea when was the previous one. 

The offices of Jakarta, Sydney and Manila form the ASEAN (islands) & Oceania division and till now, i still have no idea how could that happen when proximity doesn't even exist. 

Jakarta and Manila were not connected by any direct flights and the Indonesians and Filipinos require visa to Australia. 

Therefore, i heard, for the past years, the regional people only gather in Indon or the Philippines. How fortunate are the Aussies.
Held at the Marriott Hotel located at Resorts World Manila, i was really glad to escape from the office for those two days and finally experience the feeling being a regional officer. 


It has been rather suffocating, with the endless tasks that flood my to-do list. 
Honestly, i'm still trying to enjoy the so-called dream job which most Filipinos were telling me. 
But the fact is, i can hardly find a breathing space to stop and feel. 


Met the (Singapore) Ambassador (to Philippines) for lunch today. 
Wow... uber big shot i thought. Ex-president Nathan was an ambassador to the United States before he became a president. 
I was a tad nervous but it all turned out to be unnecessary. 
The Ambassador is really a nice man with no airs and very down-to-earth. 
Being a typical Singaporean, his sharing was structured and impactful. Even if they are just day-to-day stories.  
It's really a comfort to have such conversations with fellow comrades in a foreign land.
It's a conversation of "we know what you are going through" and every comment was really a hit-on. It could drive me to tears. Happy one.
But the highlight was when he shared that we mustn't be too caught up with the fuss of when or how the train will arrive at the next station and forget to enjoy the scenery along the way.
I shall include this as one of my MVV for this stint. 

First i didn't realise January was over and now, i just realised we have crossed mid February. What's happening??

潜意识

二月了。怎么夜晚依然这么凉快？
好想在外头散散步。危险！算了吧。也没什么好看的。

整个星期没说多少话，但内心不停在嚷嚷。
自己跟自己的对话一直没停过。

我娘细心打包的招牌梅菜扣肉和炸五香成了我这个星期的精神粮食。
它们给了我无比的力量。
肉干也顺理成章的变成世界上最好吃的肉。
黄梨挞则太甜了。牙齿受不了。
娘有心了。

走路回家时看到两个热恋的大男人当众手牵手。
世风日下。*呕*

情人节快到了。
心型物品淹盖了各商场，洋溢着甜蜜的气氛。

终于遇到洋人邻居，不错看哦。
应该是好人。我看人挺准。

堕落了。越来越懒得去健身房了。完了。
以压力为借口，放纵的暴饮暴食。
有一天我将变成一个动弹不得的大肥婆。
没人娶。孤独过一生。
那天的烧猪可真香呀！

疲惫的身躯，好像被揍了两百拳。
我用尽拖牛的力推开办公室的玻璃门。
再不离开，我可能就会当场睡着。
眼皮就像举重般的随着地心吸引力往下垂。
折腾的有够累的。

家乡传来了则短讯。有人要帮我“赎身”。
哇，感动到暴！五位数的赔偿，不是盖的。
如果他单身，高一点，帅一点，眼睛大一点，或许我会以身相许。
可惜我婉拒了他的好意。
因为我犯贱，喜欢被折磨。

倘若有一天不知那道光直射入我的脑门，决定从此不认真干活儿。
可能吗？

困毙了。
此时此刻，我与周公有约。

Imperfection

I say, if i would to complain about anything with my new life, it would be my job. 
Ironically, that's the whole trigger of how this new life blossomed. 
My Monday didn't start off too joyfully and i couldn't fathom the real reason behind it, except to fault it on the colour code for the day i.e. blue. How convenient. 
What's worse, it had to start off with a team meeting, the one which has been postponed for two weeks. 
First on the agenda - administrative matters. Seriously?! Mandating the stipulated working hours, lunch hours, annual leave application is more important than all the real work we are doing?
I, in fact all of us, couldn't care much when she recited the mandates. "You should come into the office by 9am and i can only give 10 min allowance. I got approval previously for myself to start work at 9.30am" "Lunch is one hour. You don't...auwehrhjhahfd" 
I wonder if she could hear me muttering "whatever" under my breath. 
C'mon, flaunting your authority on a morning of the first working day of the week is the last thing you wanna do to gain respect.
For the subsequent agenda, my mind wondered to the Starbucks downstairs, my daily cuppa joint which i had to miss today, no thanks to this crap meeting. 
When it finally got to the last item on the agenda, she pulled another stunt which sort of sparked off my aggressiveness. It seemed that i had been waiting for that venting moment. 
Well, sor-rey if it's a shame for Mon and Monette who had to witness the whole ding-donging between two "HQ-people". But i reckon i had to do it to prevent the "smoke" from getting too overpowering. 
By the time the ordeal was over, it was already noon. 
Good, half a bad day gone. 

I've always thought that my stint started at the most unfortunate phase when everything that could go wrong, went wrong. 
First and the biggest mistake was none other than...ahem. *see above*
And in view of that, the original team dissolved. In simple words, they quit. All of them. At the same time.
To amplify the frustration, the server had to crash weeks before i arrived and every single historical data was wiped out. (Not mentioning that i have to go through the painful process of getting a replacement server. Pui.)
Memory of six years eradicated, along with the crash and the departures. 
What a way to restart the office with a clean slate. 
The sense of helplessness was indescribable and before i could start on a task, i had to play detective; gathering background info across the ocean i.e. the headquarters. 
That was when i realised the importance of developing and sustaining friendships at work. You'll never know when you need them. 
I guess, there's an unspoken empathy.
I'm still far from arriving at Zion to which i convince myself that "if i overcome this, it will be the most satisfying journey ever". I'm still finding my walking stick to help me climb that hill and before that, i have to decide which material should the walking stick be. 
It's really damaging to my mental and spiritual health coz at every hair-pulling event, i have the tendency to be uber impatient towards everything around me. I'm conscious of that. But thankfully, God has managed to hold my tongue. I bite it.
But God has been good to keep the situation under control. At least i only feel miserable when i'm in the office. 
Lunch time is when i can breathe like a bird.

Well, just that my precious lunch today had to be ruined by a solid-rock chicken steak. 
All in one day. Oh well.

Best of Both Worlds

Coming to the Philippines has made me more sociable. 
I wouldn't have a second thought to accepting invitations for any social gathering, not wanting to miss out any opportunity of making a new friend.
That's the desperate perspective but practically, staying out of home means saving a few watts on utilities. So...why not?
So on Thursday, when one of our social media agencies extended an invitation for an after-work drinks, i rejoiced to myself. 
Even if it means business talk after working hours. But at least i get to talk!
Even if it involves PR-ing to which i totally loathe (absolutely). ArD was shocked when she heard about my resistance towards PR and quoting her "it doesn't reflect your personality at all!" Yah right, how much do you know about me?
Anywayz.
Drinks took place at Skye Lounge at The Fort. The open roof-top bar reminded me of the Loof at Odeon Towers but the air is better with unobstructed view of the city. 
It was a windy evening, to the point of chilly. Finally the "supposed" temperature at this time of the year. 
The party was made up of a five-to-four composition, with five from the other side. 
First impression - they all look really good! But that's kinda a phenomenon here. The Pinoys are good looking people, generally. 
I landed on a seat next to the boss of the agency. Jeff, a 30yo chap, Filipino-Chinese, started the business two years ago, grew from a duo to a twenty-three staff strength. Humble, ex-photographer, ex-drummer of a band. Impressive.
Two hours later, after a vodka and a whisky, we were already teasing one another. By the third drink, we were at the top of our voices, shouting across the table. Such a flirt i was. Tsk tsk.
AND THEN, i remembered i have actually met Jeff before! At the first occasion, i was seen to be so tipsy to the point that i couldn't stand straight! 
And that made it two. Omgosh. 
He must be thinking if all Singaporeans are bad-drinkers. 
By the time i got home, it was already two hours past midnight, followed by a major hangover the next morning. Boo!

I was close to zombified throughout the whole of Friday and ArD had to choose that day to pull stunts on me. I mean she acrobats everyday but it was just harder to manage when i was functioning at 60%. 
Just when i was about to pull my hair, i was prompted to log into www.brighton.org.sg to listen to some wise message from my favourite pastor. 
It was really a spot-on as the latest message was on "calling" and how our secular job is a calling. 
God speaks through anyone and any medium and any time indeed. My eyes were wet by the ministry time and i responded, virtually. 
With the spiritual boost, I was even able to gather the concentration to work on some numbers that came in as an urgent request at 6.45pm. Done within twenty minutes!  
Well, the fact was that I had to rush for my first cell group meeting! 

Earlier in the week, i received a call from one of the churches i visited, inviting me to join their international cell group (international participants). At last! After several indications on their prayer request slips. 
The call was made by Ps Jonathan CamCam (so cute), a pastor from Victory Fort Church and the leader of the group. CG is usually held at his home on every Friday evenings. 
They have dismissed for Christmas/New Year break and this would be the first time they are gathering in 2012. 
I was really in much anticipation since the day of the call. 

CG starts at 7.30p.m. but at 7.15pm, i was still waiting for a cab! 
Somehow, miraculously, at 7.20pm, a cab stopped just right before me and although the cabby refused to turn on the meter and asked for a flat rate (part of life here), i had to give in. 
With some traffic, i arrived at Ps Jonathan's home at 7.38pm
It was an old and traditional bungalow near the Fort. Humongous-ly embellished with traditional Filipino furnishing, predominately made of wood and marble. The musty air around the house could almost reveal its antiquity. 
One of his many servants showed me to a room at the basement which i believed it was the designated room for the weekly CG gathering. I thought "Better not be a day where i have to wonder the house alone, or else it would be the day i get trapped in the maze!".
Upon entering the room, i was greeted with a warm welcome by Ps Jonathan, a very charismatic man in his late 30s, and his wife, Joann, an elegant yet amicable lady, and five to six other members of the cell. 
Half an hour later, before i could notice, the room was almost filled, with about sixteen people scattering around.
Armed with an iPad, Ps Jonathan walked around the oblong dining table, asking the group to share on their experience from the seven-day corporate fast which happened just a week ago, as well as some thanksgiving items. That's familiar! Yay!
As I was amazed by their openness, considering that one-third of the group was new, i was even more encouraged by their faith from their testimonies. 
This was what i needed most at this point of my life, i thought. How timely.
After the sharing, we broke out for dinner. How random, i thought, but at the same time, pleased at the spontaneity. 
It was a feast, prepared by Joann. Baked macaroni, grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, bread, brownies...I was just glad that i didn't gobble the cup noodles earlier. 
That was when i realised, having a job like mine made conversations easy. I could see the beam in their eyes when they heard what I'm here for and almost unanimously, they would start recalling when they last visited Singapore. It was smooth after that. :)
Before the night ended, a visiting missionary pastor did another sharing of his works in Istanbul and how tough and dangerous it is to share the gospel in a Muslim society.
Somehow i was reminded of ArD, who is also a Muslim. Hmm. 

I left for home close to midnight and was offered a ride by a lovely couple. Otherwise, i could imagine being stranded in that deserted housing estate. There's no such thing as "call for a cab" here in the Philippines. 
In any case, i hope to return again and hopefully, i can call this my community. 

The Blocks

Having been a "policy person" for seven and a half years, i felt the repercussion finally. 

As much as i've incorporated the inertia and non-adaptability as part of the relocation package during my decision-making process, i was hoping that i will sleep over it eventually.

Honestly, besides feeling the dread, i found myself finding excuses for the move i chose to make. 

I was puzzled at my reaction. Especially when my job sounds really sexy. 

I mean, there are abundance of marketeers out there but how many would have the privilege to market a CITY? Pretty cool isn't it? I bet it would be a dream job to many. 

Don't get me wrong. The passion still exists and i'm still very eager to show the world what my petite little gem country can be. Good things have to be shared isn't it?

When i was in another cycle of mood swing yesterday, i pondered a little deeper at my negativity and i kinda realised why:

1. It was the belief that - policies have the power to influence and impact the tourism landscape of Singapore, that kept me in the same department for so long. Even when i dreaded the thirty-page policy papers i had to write, but it was the belief that kept me going. But when it sounds easier to organise trade events at other beautiful islands of the Philippines and to share the new offerings in Singapore to the trade partners, it is in fact more abominable. Seriously what outcome can you derive from telling the travel agents that Singapore has got a new garden, by the bay? They would probably demand for a fam trip in the name of "better understanding of the product", also read as "a free vacation to the very expensive Singapore". 
2. After two months of market-sensing, I was appalled by the fact that "value" doesn't work in this place. When many of us would choose to pay $1,999 for a Scandinavian tour than $1,399 for a Korean tour, it would be otherwise for the case of the Pinoys. Simply because $1,399 < $1,999. Having the cost of living ranked the top in Asia and no. 32 in the world, with what argument can we have a stand in this price-war. Seriously.
3. Having mentioned the above points, bizarrely but statistically, the Pinoys are still coming! And i wonder how many came because the NTO has done a great job.
4. As if working on a totally different side of the coin is not enough, i had to add on the challenge with an entirely different working culture. Yes i meant the Pinoy working culture, which i could only describe as - blood-boiling. 
5. My neutral-hate (yes, not love) relationship with ArD, which posed as the biggest struggle of all, especially after seven and a half good-bosses years. She's.just.impossible. Haiz. 

Totally negative, i know and i'm still trying to talk myself out of it and it boils down to finding VALUE in the things i have to do. 

With the affinity i have with the organisation and my versatility, i don't see myself taking long to reconcile the disparities i'm currently experiencing before the-world-is-a-wonderful-place again. Maybe with the exception of pt 4. and 5. :p

If not, life is doing me pretty well, living a life of my own. Enjoying freedom and single-hood. So, no regrets lah! 

But i still can't wait to go home!   

Counting down...

it's a New New Year

Metro Manila has a uber strong mall-culture which you could never imagine. In the vicinity of my condo, there are already thirteen malls, within walking distance. Best of all, they are all connected. 
When there's a abundant supply, it's just translated from a strong demand. The Filipinos LOVE the malls, period. For any reason. 
Being a typical city-girl, i have no complaints about this culture at all. With the air pollution and the humidity, an escapade to the air-conditioned shopping malls is awesomeness. 
Riding on the bandwagon, i hopped down to SM Mall Makati on the eve of New Year's eve. SM Supermalls is one of the largest chain shopping malls with forty-three malls across the Philippines. They sell e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g and i mean it. 
For the past months, i have been hunting for a nice and affordable couch and some other furniture to complete my bachorlorette pad. 
To end the contemplation, i was determined to tick off my shopping list on Friday.
In just an hour, i ripped off a 3-seater sofa, a tv console and a 2-in-1 clothes rack. All for a good SGD 613. I is happy.
I got a couple of canvas paintings to replace the ugly portraits of Balinese women in the living room as well. 
Shopping in a country of a lower living standard is really carefree. Everything never seems to cost more than 10 bucks. I've also developed a bad habit of ignoring the price tags, in particularly at the supermarket. Wonder how am i gonna survive back home. 

Fast forward to Saturday, the actual NYE, and i reckon i screwed it by starting the day with work. For the entire day, i felt restless and irritated. 
It was only when i decided to shut the lappy in the evening, then there was a slight liberation.
The facetime session with the Lees was the first highlight of the evening. It was really fun preparing and having dinner "together", ocean apart. :)
The second highlight came when the new year was approaching. It was only a quarter to midnight and the fireworks started from at least two spots at the north-western then the north-eastern, then the southern part from my balcony. 
When the clock stroke twelve, a cloudburst of colourful and flamboyant fireworks filled the dark Manila sky.
It was spectacular beyond words and i was simply awestruck, standing right there at my balcony in my PJ, trying not to choke from the smoke-filled air, half thinking if i had to shower the second time. 
Though i'm not complaining, I wished i could share the moment when someone. 


Sunday, was church day. Visited a new church at the Fort. The third one.
The moment i entered the sanctuary, spirit-filled, tears welled. I really miss worshipping God, and more so, my beloved church at home and i miss my community. 
As much as i had assumed that it wouldn't be tough settling in a Christian church in a Catholic society, it was a judgement made too quick. 
Perhaps i should set the bar lower? But God would only give me the best isn't it? I shall continue to pray. 
Of all the three churches i've gone, Victory Fort could be the better one. Plus i really like the Fort. Heh.
For the rest of the Sunday, i brunched at Seattle Coffee with my Cathy Glass, shopped a lil before i headed back to Greenbelt for my spa massage. 
Being alone is not depressing if you don't intend it to, honestly.   


This is it! 2011 has become a passé in just a weekend. 
I didn't realised i survived four non-working days with less than ten sentences spoken per day.
The only interactions i had, were with the concierge at my condo, cabbies, the salespersons at the malls and my part-time helper. 
It wasn't anything new ever since i started my solo vacations years back but the only difference is to sustain it for two years. 
At this point, it doesn't seem to too tough as i do enjoy the solitude moments. 
But an extrovert can never change her polka dots, i will have to TALK soon.

Trust Me or Not

One of the nuances for staying alone would be the fact that you need manage all matters related to the big umbrella term – household.

It’s a mixed feeling honestly. As much as I enjoy shopping for pretty things to decorate the house, the process leading up to the final outcome can be a real pain.

When I moved into my apartment, other than being disappointed with the under-furnished state, I wasn’t too happy with the lack of the basic necessities as well.

C’mon, where’re the curtains in the living room?

The landlord, a Filipino Chinese (read: rich) lady who owns a large corporation explained that the building management didn't think it’s necessary when she asked them.

I didn’t buy that reasoning and I reminded her that I specifically asked for it before I signed the lease and she agreed.

Hence she had no choice but to give in to my request.

After much chasing and waiting for her village’s Christmas party to be over as she said it would be too stressful for her to organize the party AND settle the curtains at the same time, the installation finally took place, six weeks later.

As they run on liquid-time, I call it, I had to take a whole day’s leave just to stay at home and stare at their turtle-speed of putting up the curtains.

Two hours into the work and only one of eight curtain rods was installed. I was really appalled.

It started with sending two inexperienced workers (one of which was only supervising fyi), to bringing the wrong drill, to realizing that the rods were insufficient.

I couldn’t help but questioned them the point of taking measurement in the first place. Seriously.

And now I’m really blaming myself again for choosing the wrong apartment right from the start. How silly of me to believe that “trust” even exist in this place.

The biggest thing to adapt in this country is the lack of trust, in all contexts. Sad but true.

In the malls, each cashier counter will have minimally three cashiers, one to collect the money, one to tally the number of items and one to pack. Initially, I thought it’s their way of job creation.

But later I was enlightened that it’s a trust issue. Even more sensitive when there’s monetary involvement.

At work, I’ve learnt to take their words with a tiny winy pinch of salt until I verify myself. I’ve to reconcile the fact that things will NOT be done by a simple one-time instruction without monitoring every stage of the progress. Commonly known as micro-management.

I’ve reckon it’s essential in order to drive towards the outcome of my desire, even if it takes to breathe down their neck.

When everything and everybody cannot be trusted, it takes a toll on the efficiency and quality of the outcome. Either the quality is compromised or the time gets dragged on.

Coming from a fast developing nation which drives excellence, I’ve unfortunately taken both for granted. 

Perhaps I shouldn’t apply my standard on them but will it make me a sub-standard person at the end of the two years? I fear at that thought.

Halfway through the curtain installation, the supervisor told me “We want to work in Singapore”.

I had to hold back my snarl and in my mind I shouted “THEN YOU GOTTA WORK FASTER!!!”

Before they left, "Ma'am, the curtains not enough."

Why am i not surprised?

An All-New Blessed Christmas

The week started a lil bumpy. 
With the returned boss (aka ArD), i'm finally getting a taste of the everyday-life with her infamous working style and witnessing the real situation which the colleagues had fed me previously.
The mood was heavier and the usual yakking was gone. But it was bearable. I don't fancy an over-bustling working environment anyway.    
When i thought the day would pass without a glitch, the evening had to end with a war between a lion(ness) and a pinoy. 
Mon had to pull off a "late lunch" stunt which ArD didn't appreciate and all hell broke loose after that. 
A seemingly innocent act triggered a whole series of truth-unveiled chapter and a see-through of a person's character. 
So the stories i've heard thus far have been so out of context. 
I was mad at myself for trusting one whom i barely know, when i chose not to believe that culture can shape a person's character.    
That evening, with info overload, i sank into a deep confusion of men's words. 
For the rest of the week, i turned oblivious to the happenings around the office and direct my focus on the corporate work plan and budgeting which were enough to zap all my energy. 


Since Christmas was round the corner and being the first time spending it alone, i decided to liven up the spirit and make the best out of the seemingly depressing situation. Spending Christmas alone is not depressing unless you want it to.
At mid-week, my Christmas dinner menu was finally established, and i spent the next two days preparing for it. 
It would be my first home-cooked meal ever since i settled in and therefore, the initial start-up took quite some effort. Starting from the basic condiments, cutlery to cookware such as the frying pan and even the oven toaster. It was quite a biceps-training exercise to lug these home.
In the course of all these, i've grown a fetish for crockery. Every trip to Landmark (aka the mall of necessities), i couldn't help but to add a plate or a mug onto my collection when i already have eight mugs and six plates at home? But but that mug would be perfect for my hot chocolate and that cute bowl for my gelato! 
Eventually, I gave up on justifying why i need that extra piece. Thankfully, they are very affordable. A nice dessert plate can cost less than a dollar sgd? Anyways...
By Thursday, i was 80% ready for Christmas. :)


Friday felt like the last day of work before CNY. Even though i was stressed up with a deadline that very day and it required highly intense number crunching.
Well, the malay cuisine lunch prepared by ArD did ease the stress a lil, since i was craving for "home-food", but not until i submitted the final set of numbers at 5pm. Brain dead. 
Talking about home-food, i have been having strong cravings for lor mee and wonton mee since last week, my all-time favourite local cuisine. After twittering about it, the sweet Alywin boy offered to send me images of them but i told him it would only make it worse.
Cravings is one of the hardest things to overcome. 
On Friday evening, ArD brought me to a home party, hosted by the ex-president of the Ladies Association who is a Singaporean. She is here with her husband who is the attaché of MINDEF. Wow.
The sound of home party seems very casual to me. I used to have them quite regularly back home. But for this, it gave me a totally new perspective of a HOME PARTY.
Quality is the way to go. 
The party took place in a condo located at Fort Bonafacio (aka The Fort) which is approximately 20 min away from Makati (where i am), without traffic (which is impossible in Metro Manila's context). 
The Fort (aka The Global City) is a newly developed city which they say, modelling after Makati to be the next commercial district. To me, it's like a mini San Francisco. Not as if i've been to SF but at least it's like how i pictured it to be. Very spacious, very westernised, from the retail offerings to the road signs. One of my favourite cities in Manila. Anyways...
Located at level 40, the night had a good head start with the spectacular view of the city. Honestly, with that altitudinal experience, i was won over by 50% of the overall impression. 
Upon entering the door, we were welcomed by the host and almost twenty other guests, seated around a round banquet table which looked like an add-on for the party, and a oblong dining table. Male at the round table while the ladies congregated at the dining table, made up with elaborated dining ware.   
On a second look, i realised i was the most under-dressed as the rest came in ball-like outfit. Thank God i didn't change into my shorts and birkies. 
The Singaporean couple presented a buffet of Singaporean fare which included nasi lemak, fried bee hoon, curry veg etc. Yay!
The best of all, they were served on dining ware with the Majulah Singapura imprint. Double WOW. For a moment, i thought i was having a national day dinner at the Istana of sorts. I is impressed.
And for the rest of the night, i elevated my level as i mingled with the tai-tais and conversed about kids, living abroad, maids and whatever nots. Until the husbands, at the other table, initiated the closure for the night.
I've to admit, i laughed to myself in several occasions as i felt as though i was part of the cast of the Joy Luck Club movie. Hilarious. 
An eye-opener indeed. 


Then came Christmas eve. 
After catching up with ample sleep, i set off for brunch at Seattle Coffee, only to find that i was the only patron. I guess the Pinoys were mostly home preparing for their noche buena, their Christmas dinner which usually commence after the late evening mass.
The malls and the streets were quiet as well. 
I decided to give myself a pampering Christmas spa treat. No, i wasn't bua with log cake, not was i hammered with turkey. But the combi of Swedish and Shiatsu massage was enough to crack my bones. Oh my.
And then it was my home-cooked Christmas dinner! 
For the mains, i had oven baked salmon with rosemary and garlic butter sauce, serviced with mashed potato with bacon bits. Awesome. I gave myself two pats for this first attempt. :)
For dessert, it was vanilla ice cream drizzled with muscat. Sensational! I was inspired with this dessert during my last trip at Perth. Oh now i miss Perth.
The rest of the night was spent washing up while catching glimpses of the Korean drama playing in the living room. Ok despite the fun, it was quite a chore to cook.


Honestly, i couldn't recall any year when i had to spend Christmas alone. 
Minimally, a home party with several close ones, gift exchanges and of course, glorious food. 
First year away and alone. Yeah the thought seems depressing but i'm not complaining, and i think it gotta do with age. 
Before my home-cooked dinner, i said a little prayer. Thanking God for who He is and sending Jesus to save us two thousand years ago. Not forgetting His provision and the wonderful works He has done in my life. :)


Blessed Christmas! 

Happy One-Month Anniversary

It has been a month. 
Am i getting used to it? Honestly, i'm not sure. 
While enjoying the freedom to do whatever i want, i do miss the company back at home. 
Having said that, i'm trying to enjoy life, to my best ability. :)


So...how shall i start? 
Alright, with the basics i supposed?
On 15 Nov, i arrived in NAIA Manila Airport, embarking on a 2-year journey of...excitement. 
I found myself a nice apartment (ok not that nice after all) at The Residences at Greenbelt (TRAG) located in the heart of Makati city. To put things in context, it's like staying at The Orchard Residences at ION. I would never imagine.
Well, even when i'm still coming to terms with the wrong choice of apartment within TRAG, kinda under-furnished and minimal. Self-furnishing in progress.
But if you can reach the mall within 3 minutes and the cinema within 5 and no midnight charge after late drinking sessions, the interior doesn't quite matter after all.
Since Philippines clocked the record of having the highest utilities bill in Asia, as much as i would love to, i avoid staying home if i can.
Thus having air-conditioned malls within the proximity is critical in a tropical city like Manila. 


Office at Ayala is about 5 to 8 minutes cab ride away from home and yes i take cab everyday, everywhere i go. 
The jeepneys, buses and trains just look too adventurous for me and paying an average of SGD3 for each cab ride to work is negligible as compared to my cab-indulgence back home.
In the evening, i will take a 20-min stroll home, via an awesome covered pedestrian bridge that links Ayala to Greenbelt. If i can say, that is the most thoughtful infrastructure they could ever have. 
On the way, i can decide which mall do i want to drop by, depending on my needs then. 
However, i have a tendency to overbuy such that the short walk home can be dreadful. 
But but...there are just too many things that i need! 
I've got a new obsession of buying kitchenware when i don't know why i need 4 mugs and 2 glasses when there's only me, myself and i. But but...they are so nice and you will need a different mug for coffee, juice and plain water. :p
I've got 2 plates but i think i need 2 smaller ones for desserts and fruits. 
Oh i lack dessert forks and steak knives as well. And wine glasses. 
Oops. 
If i'm not buying things for my kitchen, it will be toiletries which is totally unjustified when i've shipped 2-year supply of most items over. But but...ok fine. 
Well, at least it's not food? That would be of a higher concern. 


Life after work? Well, so far, i've been succumbing to Mon's lure to his drinks session. It's bad, i know. But i couldn't resist the mojito when it costs the same as your Starbucks grande frappacino. Seriously. 
But my new year resolution! Hit the gym at least thrice per week! I is determined! 
Anyway, Mon is my new (and only) Filippino Chinese friend cum colleague. He stays alone in Manila while his family stays at his hometown in Davao, another province of the Philippines. A chain smoker and drinker despite being two years my junior. He said he started smoking and drinking since he was 15. With cigs costing at SGD1ish per pack, i can really see why. All thanks to him, i have turned into a passive smoker. 
Greenbelt is like his second home and hence, our hangouts become very convenient. 
Talking to him can be rather tiring as he wouldn't approach a topic at surface level. But honestly, how can one talk so deep everyday?? I'm still trying to manage that. 
Interesting character, and of course i wouldn't mind a new friend. :)


Christmas is just a week away. For the first time, i'll be spending with me, myself and i. And i shall dedicate this song to myself. 

The New Life

The new life has indeed started.

Three more days and it will be a month since i've been "in-market". 

Being in STB has been a journey which i would never have imagined when i was in school. 

I love its mission and most importantly, God has brought me to this place.

Seven years is long. As i looked back, i couldn't be more grateful to the awesomeness God has given me. 

Seven years later, i could feel the nudge from God. Not sure if i was too sensitive but i'm pretty sure it's not my preference. 

It has become such a comfort that i would gladly retire doing the same old thing. 

But God is cute. He never wants me to be too comfortable. He is against complacency and stagnancy. 

Therefore, upon the divine opportunities, here i am, out of my comfort zone. 

It was as if changing an entirely different portfolio is not enough, He had to add on the challenge by plucking me out totally. 

Half a year ago, i would never have imagined i would end up in the Philippines. 

A country which i didn't even know geographically. 

I just like the way it sounds and i think i can enunciate it pretty well. :)

Oh wells, i attempted to negotiate with God but He reminded me that i've asked for it in the first place. A change was what i asked for, but i could never dictate its outcome. God could. 

All i could do is to obey and f.a.i.t.h became the root word. 

Even when i'm still clueless why did God bring me to the Pinoyland, i know someday it will be revealed.

God is in control, and that is already a comfort.

Life wasn't a bed of roses eversince i arrived. In fact, it was the other extreme. 

I thought i fell into a depression as i couldn't eat at all. That is the most serious it could get. NOT EATING? ME? 

The last time i felt this way was the time when i was posted to a secondary school, not of my choice and very far away. 

"Not of my choice and very far away".... seems like the case now! No wonder. 

I couldn't deal with the uncertainty and it didn't help when work became overwhelming on the third day of my Manila days. 

My apartment was disappointing, my visa had a problem, my shipment was delayed, work sucked and whatever could happen, happened.

It didn't get better, but worse, for the next two weeks. 

After which, a KL trip became a saving grace. Even when i had to work an average of fifteen hours every day. 

I guess i needed the break from the pit hole.

Now that i'm back to Manila, it seems easier to manage and things seem to be falling in place. It's the perspective i reckon. A kingdom perspective would never go wrong. 

Yes that is it! Cast in stone. The going will get tough but if God is with me, nobody can be against me. 

James 1:12

 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

On the way...

If it's not for W who asked me if i own a blog, i wouldn't be coming back here any time soon. 

Nope i didn't forget but honestly, laziness has overcome the urge to record my life.

However, i'm on my way to something very exciting.

Something that might change my life now, and ahead....

Stay tune.

The Achilles Heel

I snapped again today when i got to know of an immature act by BB.
I didn't understand why i overreacted when, come to think of it, it was really not a big deal.
And then immediately after the lecture to BB, i received a reply from SB for the letter i sent to him a month ago.
My heart shattered and my mind went into a state of whirling.

One has a heart for the family but had to bear the consequences of his wrongful actions.
One is doing fairly well in life but only cares for himself and the Family has never made it to his list of priorities.
These are the siblings that i have and they have caused one of the deepest scars in my heart.
I don't deny that i have the tendency to set myself as a benchmark when i educate them. Not that i the perfect role model" but i reckon i've come a long way to achieve and become who i am today. Mostly, single-handedly. I paid for my own studies myself since tertiary, i decide on my career, i work hard to progress in the corporate ladder, slowly but surely. And through these, i grew into a character God has moulded for me. All these, the involvement of the Family was minimal.
Having said that, i tried to be with the Family as far as i can and contribute as much as i could, even when sometimes, the rewards have been judgment and misunderstanding.
After falling, i would get up and continue loving them for just one reason - they are my Family.

Therefore, when the Siblings behaved immaturely and took my parents for granted, i couldn't help but to dish out a mental ruler and measure the degree they have derailed from the axis.
But the difference is that, my parents would ungrudgingly support them like a pair of clutches. No complaints of any sorts.

Being my Achilles heel, i could never identify or dissect my emotions whenever i'm hit by the Family's issues.
Perhaps this is a part of my life that i can't find a solution, contrary to the confidence i have in managing other aspects.
I have to recognise that i don't a solution to everything. Only God does.
I could only be thankful that He has once again proven how vulnerable and helpless i can be and He is the only one whom i can rely on.

Hong Kong, My Love

Hong Kong has officially become my favourite short getaway destination after two trips in a span of 15 months. After the solitude vacation in October 2009, i didn't hesitate a bit when i had to return to the city to catch the show of the century (by my standard). Being an infamous critic, i felt the need to pen down my why-i-love-hong-kong justifications.

1. Yung Kee. I got to know about Yung Kee from J's FB's pictures and being a sucker for roasted meat, i was determined to pay the restaurant a visit. Roasted duck is always my favourite and roasted goose was new to me, but i thought it was just a same animal but different breed. The verdict - i prefer the conventional duckie. Having said that, the goose was still delicious and so does the rest of the dishes. A tad pricey but after i learned that it has been awarded one Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide, it was all worth it! :)

2. Cha Can Teng - Mido Cafe + Tsui Wah. An essential eat-out spots for the majority of the population in Hong Kong, the concept of the local tea houses is hassle-free, economical and spoilt-for-choice. Particularly, i favour Mido Cafe at Yau Ma Tei and the Tsui Wah chain pretty much. The setting of Mido Cafe set me in a Koo-Wat-Zai era and being in THE territory helps a lot too. Till today, it is still a popular scene set for filmmakers. They have been the must-goes for me and this shouldn't change much.

3. Hui Lau Shan. A dessert chain famous for their wide variety of mango desserts. I've always been wondering how do they ensure the quality of the mangoes and most importantly, maintain them?! Coz every bite of the fruit is always sweet and firm. My favourite is the one with tiny glutinous balls and strangely, i prefer it as a take-out. Love seeing the cute little white balls soaking in the yellowish mango puree through the transparent plastic spoon. Heh.

4. H&M. I guess it doesn't require much explanation or elaboration. No girls, i repeat, NO GIRLS would not be crazy over H&M. I make (it a point for) a minimum of two visits per trip. Haha.

5. Citygate Outlet. Mall at Tung Chung An outlet mall with the congregation of the famous brands. I love this megamall but my purse isn't big enough for it. Get it?

6. Langham Place This is like a 313@Somerset with a movie theatre. I kinda like the mix of stores and in particularly, "ans", a shop that sells accessories. I love their lady bags.

7. Airport + transfers. The first point of contact for foreign visitors will be the airport and most of the time, the transport that brings them out of the airport would be the immediate service they acquire. To me, the international airport speaks a lot of the city and it generally sets the first impression of a foreign visitor. Hence efficiency and accessibility became the crucial determinants for my holiday experience. Hong Kong, scored with flying colours! Not even mentioning the uber hassle-free transfers to the hotel in town, i was truly impressed by the air-to-sea transfer upon arrival on a international flight. I had the privilege to experience the first class service when i flew into HKIA and transfer to a ferry to Macau at the ferry terminal within the premise of the airport. Impressive! I will complete my experience by testing out the downtown airport check-in next time. Comparatively, Taiwan is deterring me for a second visit as a result from its poor airport infrastructure. It's THAT serious, mind you.

8. A Symphony of Lights. The multimedia light show which pans across more than forty buildings along the Victoria Harbour is just amazing. I was literally hypnotized instantly from the beginning to the end. I thought it was beyond just a light show, but it's a display of a unity amongst in Hong Kongers in promoting the destination and showcasing its vibrancy. Brilliant!

9. Lan Kwai Fong. Way much better than our (former) Mohammed Sultan i say!

10. The Peak. I've decided to make this a must-go for my future visit. Besides the magnificent view, the feeling of being high-above is simply surreal. Love the tram ride up and coach ride down too. I shall switch the order next time!
11. Macau - Senado Square & House of Dancing Water. Haven't been a great fan of Macau but with the new resident show of City of Dreams, House of Dancing Water, my perception improved tremendously. I named it the show of the century, it's THAT good. The uber touristy Senado Square has a character of its own as well. Sitting by the St Paul's ruin and immerse in the anecdotal history of the surrounding architecture is a simple pleasure. Oh and the 3-storey Naraya store is a drawing factor too!

柳暗花明

乐观的人也会有悲观的时候。
我不是圣人，所以我也不例外。
昨天，不知那个天使的探访，我突然开窍了。

每天的天气就像女人的心情一样，在你没注意的时候，一直在变化。
吃午饭的时候艳阳高照，喝下午茶的时候就刮风下雨。天上的云可真忙啊。
但这也印证了地球根本没有一刻是停止转动的。
秒针还在滴塔滴塔得顺着时钟旋转。
黑夜与白昼也随着时间交替。
既然宇宙都没有因为天灾人祸而休息，更不可能因为你不爽而停下来。
所以就只剩下两个选择 - 坐以待毙 / 柳暗花明。

一向都不喜欢浪费时间的我，绝对不会为了一个问题而执著太久。
尤其是那些超越我的解决能力的问题。
我太好玩了。苦恼的事，一点都不好玩。
不如简单点。伤心就哭，好笑就笑。
情绪过了就算了吧。

今晚的风很大，很凉。
闭上眼睛，感觉凉风轻轻地打在脸上。
顿时好像把烦恼都吹掉了。
积极了。高亢了。
我要继续享受青春去了！

Taiwan Finally

After three months of planning and anticipation, i've gone and now back.
Most people didn't believe that that was my inaugural trip to Taiwan as i appeared as if i was totally Taiwanese-cultured.
Well, all thanks to the years of Taiwanese-drama fanaticism, i didn't have problems with their language and communication indeed.
I managed to pick up the accent rather instantly which could easily feint my way through the locals. *proud* :)

As much as i thought Taiwan has a character of its own, i was a little taken aback by how underdeveloped this tourists-popular city is. Or perhaps not as developed as i had expected previously. The infrastructure was bad enough to dampen my mood with the airport-city-airport transfers. With an airport at the border, transportation could have been more thoughtful.
Same problem for some of the world-famous tourist attractions in the country when J and i were stuck in a cab at the dead end of a one-way street of Jiufen for a good 30 min in the downpour.
But i guess from the Taiwanese' perspective, they most probably didn't want to lose its heritage and run in the risk of being another commercialized product. So it'll just be another come-if-you-like-our-offerings kinda situation. Ok fine.

All thanks to the excessive exposure of Taiwan variety shows, i got to learn about the extensive range of Taiwanese local snacks which were enough to make me drool by just watching from the screen. I went with high anticipation but only left disappointed most of the time.
But i guess i'm one of the rare ones who detested the night markets and i'm glad to realise that i can be quite picky with food! Hurray! I'm not a glutton after all!
The worst of all was the smelly tofu of which if i could rank, top of the world's grossest food.
I totally cannot understand how on earth can a person shove a drainage pipe into their mouth.
Ok personal sentiment ya. Don't be offended if you are a fan of such a smelly tofu. :p

Well, having said that, there were definitely very positive places which sort of neutralized my disgruntlement. :)

Taipei 101
Instead of awing at the scenery from the 82nd floor, which is nothing much as compared to Seoul, my attention was drawn to the architecture of this state-of-the-art building. Standing 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground, Taipei 101 clearly presented an evolution of technology Asia could offer. I was most captivated by this gigantic damper which was hung in the middle of the building to withstand the typhoons and earthquakes which Taiwan is highly exposed to. It serves as a pendulum that sways to offset the large movement of the building caused by strong winds. Very impressive!

淡水 (Danshui)
A little town at the north of Taipei, only 45 minutes away from the city by train, it clearly exuberates the tranquility necessary for a congested city. Don't get me wrong. The place wasn't deserted at all, in fact pretty crowded. But overlooking the coastline which seemed uninterrupted by the buzz, it's just peaceful. Of course, the bonus was when we could waste an afternoon at 榕堤水湾 (Rong-Ti Shui Wan) restaurant with a secured table by the sea. All thanks to J, the true blue fan of the 就想赖着你 (Down With Love) drama, who hunted down this restaurant that was featured in the show and making the reservation one week before our trip. I particularly liked 渔人码头 (Fisherman's Wharf) and 情人桥 (Lover Bridge) even when we couldn't catch the most-talked-about sunset with the cloudy sky. Still as beautiful. :)
阿妹茶馆 at 九份 (Ah Mei Tea House at Jiufen)
It was revived after the filming of an award-winning movie directed by the famous director, Hou Hsiao-Hsien. The chilling rainy day (like every other days) at the scenic mountainous area made a perfect setting for tea appreciation. I didn't realize i could appreciate (expensive. it cost closed to SGD50 for one kind of tea leaves, four pieces of small bites and one small dish of preserved plums) Chinese tea that much. Well, all thanks to the waiter who mistakenly gave us the table which should be reserved for the Japanese tour group too. Heh.
乾杯烧肉居酒屋 (Kanpai Yakiniku Restaurant) at 敦化南路
This was one of the, if not, most memorable dining experience i've ever had. The atmosphere was made so vibrant by their lively (and lovely *grin grin*) servers and their renowned kissing game (whichever two persons who can hold their kiss for ten seconds, they will be rewarded with a free plate of sliced pork) which was happening like any other moments. OMG. It was crazy and the noise was deafening! The images i vaguely saw in 败犬女王 (another drama, heh.) were far milder than the actual thing man. Considering the excellency of the "software", the "hardware" was not at all compromised. The cow was so succulent and well-marinated which i could safely say it's one of the top five best beef in my list. Heavenly! And of course, the bonus of the bonuses were the cute and warm servers! My favourite was Lu Lu and here's a pic of him (the one behind)! Hohoho... I'll sure to return some day!
花莲 (Hua Lien)
Located southeast to Taipei and approximately 2.5 hours train ride away, Hua Lien county is perhaps what Taipei was like fifteen years ago. No trace of skyscrapers and commercialism, we went back to simplicity in the heavily tribal-influenced civilization. The lunchboxes which have been their daily affair became a fascination to us and it was so tasty that i felt like having a second one. Taroko Gorge was pretty self-contained, by which i meant it has the sky, the sea and the mountains so by just visiting that, i felt i've covered the "nature part" of Taiwan. But having said that, i've to disclaim that i am not at all a nature enthusiast, so what i deemed as sufficient might not apply to the majority. And to further prove my point, it was almost to the point of eruption when the over-enthusiastic tour guide-cum-driver made us go up and down his cab for umpteen times and instructed us to walk through numerous caves and narrow pavements. "都来到这里了 (since you've come all the way - literally)" has never been such an irritating phrase than before. But the beach-side bed-and-breakfast made up to any complaints that happened earlier. Apart from being new and clean, the warmth that lingered in the chilly after-rain air made us just wanted to laze around and do nothing. If the waves were less threatening and the sky less cloudy, it would be perfect. Oh and i've also tasted the best mua-chee ever!
Stay Real at 敦化南路 (Dun Hua Nan Road)
This was one of my POVs for visiting Taiwan. Stay Real is a fashion boutique opened by Ashin (Mayday) and being an ardent fan of him, i've been yearning to pay a visit and hopefully to be able to brush shoulders with him. Obviously the later didn't happen since this didn't appear at the beginning of this entry. But i had a wonderful time splurging browsing in the store that sells mainly street wear, t-shirts, caps etc. Honestly speaking, their designs are unique and stylish, so if not for the steep prices, i would have swept quite a few bagfuls. After a tough time of disciplinary control, i left the shop with two tees and a cap. :)
Mr J 北医店 (Bei Yi Dian)
Jay Chou's first movie that he directed 《不能说的秘密》 (Secret) became a hit three years back and seeing it as a business opportunity, he started a themed F&B outlet. The museum-inspired restaurant that displayed the antique piano, which was the biggest highlight in the movie; and wall posters of classic scenes, created a great ambience which brings the diners back to the movie. You just wanna watch the movie again after the meal. Since its opening three years ago, it has drawn curious visitors around the region, all eager to want to be part of the blockbuster. Of course, i was one of them. Heh. It was really pleasant.
Hello Kitty Sweets Cafe
Another themed cafe which i wouldn't recommend for the faint-hearted or if you are adverse to excessive pink stuff. Otherwise, i can't guarantee that you won't be nauseous after the experience. Heh. Personally, i'm not a HK fan but i won't decline anything that's pink either. Upon observation, i have to say that they have really put in a lot of effort to the slightest details to ensure authenticity. As much as i might be skeptical towards the quality of "pretty foods", especially cakes and desserts, they had somehow proven me wrong. J and i were quite pleased with our cakes and the cafe being wifi-enabled was a bonus to our dining experience. :)
Alright, these kinda summed up my memories of Taiwan.
I'm quite sure i will return some day, after Japan, Australia, Korea (again), Hong Kong (again) and.....yeah just some day. :)

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