A lot of things have happened since last year. Two friends left my previous company. One went home to the Philippines for good, the other one, to get married. Then recession happened. We were given the option to either transfer to Tokyo or stay in Osaka with lower salary. I was surprised that God has given me the chance to relocate here in Singapore. A few weeks after I left, three more friends left the company.
Things happened so suddenly that I haven’t spent more time with them. I wish I could turn back time so that I could tell them how grateful I am for treating me as family. I was at home in Osaka because of them. I don’t know when I would meet them again but I am sure of one thing: I will forever hold them dear.
Just like in Japan, advertising pamphlet always fill our mailbox. Mostly are apartment sales and rental ads. A few weeks back, we got a 2009-2010 brochure from Ikea. I’ve browsed it a dozen times but I just don’t get tired of doing it. After all, I really love looking at home and office furniture. Sometimes, I just go to Ikea to visit their showroom. I often daydream having those furniture in my dream house. Visiting Ikea is one of my stress-relievers. I also go there to look for items on sale. When they are on sale, you could get them at 50%-75% lower than the original price. My beddings are from Ikea and bought each set at S$12 only! I got my full-length mirror at S$5.
The picture below was taken across ION, a newly-opened mall in Orchard, Singapore’s shopping street. The ION mall is located right above the Orchard station. You can find Takashimaya and Tangs, among others along Orchard road.
Almost everyone I know loves going to Orchard because of the great bargains the malls there offer. But I don’t. I dread going there, to be exact. Not only because I don’t have a penny to spend, but also the place is so crowded! The MRT going to Orchard is always full and it is about 40 minutes away from my place.No matter how I avoid going there, I have to force myself, at least once a month. Lucky Plaza, an old department store, is in Orchard and many remittance centers are in that place. I could send money through Western Union but it costs a lot. In every visit, I go directly to Metrobank, drop by a Filipino store (there are many Filipino stores there) to buy Filipino goods, then go home. I usually take the bus home because I don’t want to go home standing all the way, even if it takes about an hour.
I love coffee! I always start the day with a mug of coffee. While I was still in Japan, I had to visit coffee shops on weekends for English sessions. On weekdays, I always had canned coffee. Since I arrived here, I’ve only settled for instant coffee. The vending machine at the office has canned coffee but the taste is not good. I’ve bought once, took a sip and ended up throwing the rest. But I guess too much instant coffee is taking a toll on my health. Maybe I should buy one of those coffee makers, instead? There are very cheap ones but I really hope I could get one of those Capresso coffee makers. I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy the search for good coffee beans.
We usually go early to the staff lounge during lunch break, primarily because of the tables. They’ve only placed few tables to make room for the pingpong table. Early birds also get to hog the TV remote control and the daily newspapers. I usually read the news online but good vacation package deals are in the classified ads section. Last Friday, I saw some Vegas vacations for at least 7 days that cost less than S$1,500. Europe tour packages for 11 days only cost less than S$2,500! There are even deals that offer 50% off! I don’t have finances for that but I just love daydreaming.
Before leaving Japan, I had chances of eating one of my favorites especially during cold seasons: nabe. I love putting meat into the pot but I love tofu most. I thought there’s nothing like that here in Singapore, considering that this is a tropical country. I went out with colleagues one Friday. I was told that we were going to a “steamboat” restaurant and by that description alone, I thought that food are just placed in a steamboat-like tray, but here’s how it really looked like:
Just like nabe, you just put all the raw ingredients into the boiling pot. The pot is divided into two: plain and hot and spicy. I have to admit, the soup stock in that restaurant is more delicious than my favorite ready-made kimchi flavored I tried in Japan. The hot & spicy is even more delicious!
*It took me more than a week trying to recall the word “nabe”. My Japanese words are slowly evaporating!
When I was still working in Japan, I had to undergo a series of interviews each time a project is finished. And yes, all of those interviews were done in 100% Japanese. The most common question I encountered was: “How long do you intend to stay in Japan?” The answer I often gave them: “for at least five years”. I may have wanted to stay in Japan for at 5 least years, but I had doubts of staying in the previous company for that long. Because of recession, I had to let go of that plan.
Months after staying in Singapore and I’m still being asked the same question! This time, if it is God’s will, I am very much contented to stay here in Singapore for five years. After that, I may try to relocate elsewhere. Why? Because by that time, I may find Singapore too suffocating. It’s like almost every piece of land is filled with buildings. Even if I have an RV, there’s no place where I could go rv camping! The place I’ve been dreaming of visiting again: the land down under.
Kaniadtong gamay pa ko, nakapuyo ang akong lola sa amoa ug pipila ka mga katuigan. Sa among tulo ka managsuon, ako ang pinakasuod sa akong lola. Ampay kaau ni lola na magkanta-kanta busa atong mga panahona, daghan kaayo kog nakat-unang Binisaya, sama na sa “Pobreng Alindahaw”. Sa sige nakog tan-aw tan-aw sa YouTube, nahikaplagan nako ning manindot na pagkanta ni Sheryn Regis ug mga Binisaya. Giagni ko kamo, hilabi na ang mga Bisaya sa pagpaminaw sa kanindot sa mga Bisaya nga kanta.
When I was still a child, my grandmother stayed with us for a few years. Among us siblings, I was closest to her. Lola (grandma) loves to sing so at that time, I learned a lot of Bisaya songs like “Pobreng Alindahaw”. While browsing YouTube, I came across this impressive video of Sheryn Regis singing Bisaya songs. I encourage you, especially the Bisaya/Cebuano people, to listen to these wonderful Bisaya songs…
I love coffee! I always start the day with a mug of coffee. While I was still in Japan, I had to visit coffee shops on weekends for English sessions. On weekdays, I always had canned coffee. Since I arrived here, I’ve only settled for instant coffee. The vending machine at the office has canned coffee but the taste is not good. I’ve bought once, took a sip and ended up throwing the rest. But I guess too much instant coffee is taking a toll on my health. Maybe I should buy one of those coffee makers, instead? There are very cheap ones but I really hope I could get one of those 
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