Archive for January, 2010

It’s hard to say “no”

January 20th, 2010
{ 1 Comment }

Since I came here, I’ve received a number of calls from insurance people trying to make me sign up for Medicare supplement insurances. I don’t really like talking to sales people not because they take so much of my time, rather, I find it hard to say “no”. I hope people in sales would not take this post as a hint to sell me stuff. :)

In less than a year, I’ve signed up with three big insurance companies. One was rejected because of the breast lump issue, the other two are still currently being reviewed. Since I don’t have any good health insurance in the Philippines, I also took two health cash policies, also introduced to me through phone.

Share
Health

Catching Up

January 20th, 2010
{ 1 Comment }

I had almost three weeks Christmas vacation so I had quite some time catching up with what have been happening in the neighborhood. Before my highschool days, I often went around the neighborhood so I knew almost everyone. A lot has changed. More than a decade of spending most of my time away from my hometown, there are many new faces. Those who were way younger than me have already married. I could not recognize some because they have gained a lot of weight. Yet, I’ve heard some dramatic weight loss stories because of severe illnesses. Three weeks of staying in the place I called home, yet it’s not enough to catch up on everyone. Maybe it’s one of the reasons why we don’t get tired of trying to go home as often as we can.

Share
People

I’m sorry, goodbye…

January 19th, 2010
{ 2 Comments }

My phone rang right after the alarm went off. It was my mother. She doesn’t normally call me early in the morning so I knew that she called to deliver another sad news. Nanay Soling, my mother’s aunt passed away. She was 80. I knew this was coming because she’d been sick a lot lately, but…

I had wonderful childhood memories of Nanay Soling. I used to visit her often because she had this huge “tisa” or eggfruit tree. Most of my playmates preferred eating “santol” (wild mangosteen) over tisa. Nanay also taught me a lot, mostly farm chores. Their nipa hut was my favorite place for taking naps. The snacks she cooked were delicious. Then I went to a school in the city. From then on, I didn’t visit her as often as before. I went to college in Cebu City, got a job, then went abroad.

I was home last Christmas. My mother mentioned about Nanay’s condition. I planned to pay her a visit. I wanted to, but I kept postponing it until it was my time to leave home again. I even thought of buying her a walking cane. I was wrong to assume that there will be a “next time”. Now, it pains me that I won’t be able to see her again for the last time. I won’t be able to attend the funeral.

Regret is one of life’s most cruel teacher. Yet, this was due to what I did. If we care, we have to show it now because we don’t know if we’ll be given another chance.

I’m really sorry Nanay Soling. Thank you very much for the wonderful memories you’ve imparted. I love you Nanay…

Share
Family, Sentiments

I want to continue wearing nice dresses

January 19th, 2010
{ 1 Comment }

My mother often tells me that she used to be very skinny. It’s hard to believe if not for those black and white photos of her in her teens and early twenties. Now, her wide hip has been “overshadowed” by the other bulges. She even told me that she would even take one of those ephedra diet pills just to be able to wear nice dresses again. Now, all she’s comfortable wearing are large t-shirts. But considering her age, I discourage her from doing so. I often advise her to at least start walking but she’s too occupied with other things. She loves to eat but doesn’t want to sweat it out. All she could do now is remind me to watch my weight, if I still wish to continue wearing nice dresses.

Share
Health

Feeling like a teenager?

January 18th, 2010
{ 1 Comment }

I hate to admit it but I’ve recently crossed the border from being in my late twenties to early thirties! I’ve gained a few pounds from the festive holidays so I’ve felt so lazy these past few weeks. But it’s my face that’s always making me feel like I’m in my teens. Not because I look so much younger than my age! It’s because of the pimples that seem to multiply monthly, a part of PMS. Every month, my self-esteem drops a notch. Images of the teenage girl who kept her head downcast because of acne keeps flashing back. When will this dilemma end? I thought I’ve found the right acne medicine then they appear again. My mother in her 50′s no longer have acne. Perhaps mine will disappear when I reach her age?

Share
Lifestyle

A longer way home

January 17th, 2010
{ No Comments }

I haven’t purchased my plane tickets early so when I was ready to book my flights, prices were already too high. Spending Christmas in Singapore is out of the question. Three Christmases away from my family is more than enough and I couln’t bear to spend another alone. So, in desperation to minimize travel costs, I decided to take a longer way home: Singapore -> Kuala Lumpur -> Manila -> Cagayan de Oro.

December 22, 2009: I have prepared mentally for it, then Jetstar happened. The first one was my fault. I booked the SG to KL flight for December 23, not 22! So I called Jetstar to change the flight to Dec. 22. I was supposed to leave Singapore at 7:50PM, then I’ll have at least 4 hours before my flight to Manila. As I approached the check-in counter, they have rescheduled the flight to 9:50PM! I had no other choice but to act quickly before I end up missing my KL->Manila flight. I booked another flight with JAL which left Singapore at 7:50PM. I arrived at the KL International Airport (KLIA) at around 8:45PM. Still had some free time so I was able to take photos:


The KLIA is very nice but I had to hurry down to their low-cost terminal (referred to as “LCCT”) as my flight to Manila is with Cebu Pacific. The LCCT is about 15 minutes away from the KLIA. Good thing they have a bus from KLIA to LCCT because the taxi ride costs about RM42. I only spent RM2 on the bus ride but I had to personally carry my luggage into and out of the bus. Yes, nobody lent me a hand. The LCCT is bigger than the Budget Terminal here in Singapore and it has more shops and restaurants.

After checking in my luggage, I realized I only had biscuits for lunch l and I was starving, so I tried the beef lasagna at the terminal. The meal didn’t taste good but the coffee was OK.

By the time we left Kuala Lumpur at 1:30AM, I was very exhausted. I wasn’t able to sleep on the plane either because being a budget airline, the seats are not that comfortable. There was also a baby who kept on crying (poor little one). I arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 3 but I had to transfer to NAIA2 because my flight to Cagayan de Oro was with Philippine Airlines! You could just imagine the relief I felt when I finally waited at the Centennial terminal for the last leg of my trip…

I didn’t regret taking the longer flight if not for Jetstar. But I’ve learned my lesson. Next time, I’ll take the same airline for both international and domestic flights. Rebooking fees are not cheap, after all!
Share
Travels

My red luggage

January 16th, 2010
{ No Comments }

Almost a year ago, I had so much to bring from Japan that I was left with no choice but to buy a wheeled luggage. It was a bit pricey but I loved what I bought: bright red and really durable. I care for the things I buy that it pains me a bit to see my bag acquiring scratches here in there after each trip. I hope I wouldn’t have to replace it so soon before I could even buy a smaller wheeled luggage. A Kipling bag caught my eye, still a red one. I don’t know why but recently, I prefer red bags, wallets, and shoes. Before, I just stick to black or dark brown.
The photo below was taken when I left Japan in March last year, and the first trip my bag took:

Share
Things I love

First work day of the year

January 12th, 2010
{ 2 Comments }

I’m finally back from the Philippines. I arrived last night after 2 hours land trip, almost 2 hours flight from Cagayan de Oro to Manila, and the flight to Singapore. Yet, I had to go to immediately go to work. Going to work after a long trip is not a problem for me, but upset stomach and abdominal pains are.

Every time I travel, I suffer these discomforts for one to two days. A serious case of “kabag”? *_*
Gotta go back to sleep and take in the relaxing smell of the Efficascent oil while already terribly missing my daughter.

But I really had fun mainly because this time, Shaynna and I had great time together.  Here’s a peek of my wonderful New Year’s eve at home, with my daughter Shaynna and my niece, Kiera:

Share
At work

Interior overhaul

January 11th, 2010
{ No Comments }

Christmas 2009 vacation has been the longest time I’ve stayed at home since I took my 2-month maternity leave. Being there for quite some time again gave me the opportunity to sort things out as my mother prefers to just “set aside” unused things. I prefer to throw them out or give them away if someone takes them in. I’ve also noticed that our house needs another round of maintenance as a couple of door jambs are badly need of replacement and our windows really needs replacement. Same with our furniture. Our dining table has now only 4 chairs out of 6. When we visited the malls, contemporary furniture caught my interest but with the cost available space at home, minimalist is still the best. Hopefully, I could at least have some repairs made the next time I go home.

Share
Family

Happy New Year!

January 2nd, 2010
{ 2 Comments }

Taking the “longer way home” was an experience I wouldn’t like to undergo again (will blog about this when I’m back in Singapore). But these past few days, Christmas and New Year’s Day included, have been spent great bonding moments with my Shaynna. Anyway, I just would like to wish everyone a year full of hope, love, and blessings! Happy New Year to all!
Share
Philippines

FPJ Movies

January 2nd, 2010
{ 3 Comments }

A Fernando Poe Jr. film was shown this afternoon by a local TV channel and this brought me back to memory lane. FPJ will always be my favorite local action star and my favorite film was the “Ang Panday”. One of the reasons why I love FPJ films was Paquito Diaz who often played the antagonist roles of FPJ films and who could be often seen smoking like one of those Drew Estate cigars. I wonder who would emerge as the next legendary action star in the Philippine films. Someone who could leave a lasting impression as FPJ.

Share
TV Shows
Newer Page

Switch to our mobile site