Archive for September 2009

Archive for September, 2009

Failed family business

September 30th, 2009 shiera

My mother’s younger brother had lots of automobile experiences. Although he did not take a vocational course for it, his experiences taught him a lot and he was good at being an auto mechanic. So when my father was still working abroad and things were a lot better for us financially, my uncle suggested to my parents to put up an auto repair shop. Just the basic repair shop, not intended to cover rv breakdown. My parents agreed with it and put up the business. Some personal issues could not be resolved that my parents decided to close the shop. Later on, my father and my uncle died. Now, all those auto repair stuff are left just to accumulate dust. My mother agreed to sell them somewhere but we could not find a buyer. It is very hard to find one especially in rural areas. I’ll definitely work on this when I get home. The proceeds could definitely help us. Anyone from Iligan City interested?

Family

Monthly flu?

September 26th, 2009 shiera

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September 25-27 marks the second F1 Night Race here in Singapore. I heard from my friend who works at the Marriott Hotel that the city is really buzzling with energy. But I’m spending my weekend here in the comfort of my bedroom. I am not really a fan of car racing. I don’t even know what is a motorcycle jack! This event does not only give you the chance to witness a night race. I’ve heard from an FM radio station that Black Eyed Peas and No Doubt are coming. I have no plans of buying a ticket and going at their concert, but it would have been nice to just check out the city with a big event such as this one.

Why am I still here lying in my bed? Because of this merciless flu. It seems like this has become a monthly occurrence since I’ve arrived here in Singapore. I just hope that the common flu vaccine we got from our company would make things better. I hate being sick.

Health

It’s up to me

September 24th, 2009 shiera

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More and more unhealthy food are popping out everywhere. But it is nice to know that more and more people are becoming more aware of the importance of pursuing a healthy lifestyle. I am not wishing to become skinny. I just want to get rid of my flabs. Going to the gym, attend Yoga or Pilates classes are what I have in mind but this option is way too expensive for me. Have you ever heard of exercising using a kettle-like instrument that they call Kettlebell? It seems really interesting. I have found this website that would give you tips on being fit without ever going out. But it all comes down to dedication, patience, and perseverance, which I don’t have!

Health

It’s a bird!

September 23rd, 2009 shiera

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I’m pretty sure I have not taken photos of every art piece along Singapore River. But this one is really unforgettable, unique, and huge! As we were approaching this piece, I kind of felt offended and later on got embarrassed. I thought it was an offensive art because from behind, it is just like a sculpture of a big behind…

But when I saw it upfront, I was embarrassed for making such assumption because it was just a bird! Wait, isn’t it a chick? I’m not sure anymore. I should have read its description…

Singapore

Panama City

September 23rd, 2009 shiera

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I have heard about Miami, Florida from the movies for as long as I can remember. But just recently, I found out that there is a Panama City in Florida! After looking through all the photos that I could find in the internet, I added it to my “places-to-go” list. By the way, anybody knows whethere there’s a stopover at Florida if you’re heading for Mexico City? If this is so, and if I were given a chance to go to Mexico City, I would definitely drop by the beaches of Panama City and take photos as much as my cellphone camera can.

Things I love

My journey to being fit

September 22nd, 2009 shiera

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Ningas-kugon, a Tagalog idiom that means something that is not permanent, usually connotes a behavior or action not meant to last (definition taken from www.seasite.niu.edu).

“Ningas-kugon” is how I describe my effort in leading a healthy lifestyle. When I was still in Japan, I felt I needed a fitness equipment because it was cold at that time to go out and jog. When I saw a step machine being sold in the Kansai Flea Market for less than 1/3 of its original price, I met up with the previous owner and bought it. For the first few days, I was really zealous in pursuing my goal of being fit. Daily became once a week then I completely “forgot” all about it.

Weeks ago, I started jogging just to try to get rid of the excesses. I even managed to do it almost everyday. Then I got sick for a few days. When my flu disappeared, so did my resolve to become fit. Ahhh… I want my resolve back. Maybe after I finish all of “The Avatar, The Last Airbender” episodes?

Health, Lifestyle

Art pieces along the river

September 20th, 2009 shiera

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Walking along the Singapore River could also be an opportunity for you to explore some interesting art pieces. I wanted to have my photo taken with these works of art, but people are always gathered around them.

I find this one really interesting…

This one’s so dramatic and my favorite!

Can you please stand aside so that I could take a nice photo?

Nobody else was here, but I was already tired from the long walk…

Will be posting the most interesting one soon…

Singapore

Convenience

September 19th, 2009 shiera

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The internet has brought about many changes in our lives, both positive and negative. For me, it is one of the factors why I became an anime addict. Animes are but a few clicks away. For some of my friends, it brought about their Facebook addiction! But the internet has helped me a lot in my type of work. I’ve been a programmer for years and there are so many things that I have to learn. Without the free resources online, I wonder how could I have finished those projects with limited time! I also love to do banking online. Now I can pay my bills online, view information on insurance online , and most of the time, do some “window-shopping” online! When I was still in Japan, I sent money to the Philippines online, too. I wish I could do that here, too.

Things I love

I already left Japan but…

September 18th, 2009 shiera

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I stayed in Japan for years but only Ai Otsuka captured the musical fan in me. To me, most of the Japanese female artists sound the same, and honestly (no offense to the Japanese), I don’t really like how they sing – kind of irritating to listen to. I can be close-minded at times so I never sought out J-Pop, except for a handful of good anime opening and closing themes. But there had been no anime theme that I ever desired to memorize.

I even tried listening to FM radio stations in Osaka but it is just so hard listening to something I can’t fully understand. Makes me more stressed than being relaxed.

Anyway, I’ve been watching this anime named Blood+. I often just skip almost every opening and closing song but in Blood+ later episodes, the closing song “This Love” by Angela Aki really caught my attention. The melody is so relaxing and I love Angela Aki’s voice. The lyrics is also really touching. I may have already left Japan but I admit I’m still so attached to the country and almost everything in it. I may have already decided not to improve my Japanese anymore but artists like Angela Aki makes me wanna learn Japanese again.

Intrigued by the song that changed my mind? I’ve attached it for you. You may not understand what the song is trying to deliver but I’m pretty sure you’ll gonna love it, too. The rest of Angela Aki’s songs are really good, too.

Anime, Music

Litratong Pinoy: Karatula

September 17th, 2009 shiera

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According to many people, Singapore is a “city of fines” and I agree. Signs like in the photo below could be found in the flyovers and tunnels.

Oppsss… someone messed with the sign. Here’s the real amount:

If you get caught eating in train stations, inside trains and buses, you might have to pay $500 (I’ve heard that they have been lenient lately but I don’t want to break rules). And yes, the trains and buses are full of signs saying so.

Litratong Pinoy, Singapore

A stroll along Singapore River

September 10th, 2009 shiera

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If you feel guilty about being a glutton at Makansutra Gluttons Bay, you can just fight off that temptation to sleep after a huge meal by strolling along the Singapore River. I actually didn’t expect much after getting close to the Merlion. But with a couple of friends, I thoroughly enjoyed walking about 2-kilometer stretch along Singapore river. I’m not really sure of the exact distance but I just based it on how tired I was.

Buildings are just norms, the river at that time was brownish maybe because of the heavy rains the previous day, and there were a few floating trashes especially under the bridges. But overall, I still think it’s a nice scenery.

You can actually hop on to one of these boats but I think the one-way fare is pretty expensive. A friend told me that it costs S$8.

What makes it pretty interesting is that it is a mixture of old and new buildings.

You can drink, dine and hang out at the Clark Quay. These buildings may look old and small but they house great restaurants, with great ambience (according to my friend Kay). I don’t know much about Clark Quay yet as it was my first time to go there. I do know that it is the common destination of my officemates and friends especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Singapore

Gluttons Bay

September 8th, 2009 shiera

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Makansutra Gluttons Bay. Some just call it Makansutra, most people call it Gluttons Bay. It is basically one of the great places in Singapore where you could be a glutton! Not only because of the delicious food they offer, but the price is acceptable even for someone like me. The place made me feel like being in one of those grill restaurants in Cebu City. In there, you could find stalls selling a wide variety of seafood. Pick out something and they could grill it for you…

So sorry I can’t give you a better photo. Anyway, just a quick overview of what we feasted on. We ordered that yellow rice. I don’t know what’s it called, but it was delicious. I’ve always loved shrimp, but eating it with oat meal? mmmm…