At least five feet four inches
Posted on February 19, 2010 - Filed Under Family
My father was only 5 feet 4 inches tall. My mother stands at only 4 feet 11 inches. So, I’m not really surprised why I could not join beauty contests. As if I’d be qualified even if I get the minimum height requirement! Also, I don’t have the guts to wear a swimsuit in front of many people. But being tall really have its advantages. Like getting the luggage from the overhead compartment. There was one time when I was the last one to get off the plane because I couldn’t reach my luggage. I had to call a flight attendant to help me. I want Shaynna to have the height advantage. At least it won’t be difficult for her if she wants to be a flight attendant. But I’m not really sure if it is safe to let her take hgh supplements. If they are safe, are they really effective? With the help of such supplements or not, I just hope Shaynna would grow at least 3 inches taller than me.
Are they really effective?
Posted on February 19, 2010 - Filed Under Lifestyle
My first visit to a “real” hair salon was six years ago. By this, I mean those salons that are air-conditioned with the comfortable, rotating chairs. Since I was little, I always went with my mother to her hairdresser. That hairdresser did her job at her house. That was when I was introduced to a hair serum. I did occasionally put on conditioner to my hair, but putting on that hair serum did better job to my hair. Now, there are salons and spas everywhere. When I had the worst acne breakout as a highschool student, I went to a dermatologist. That did not solve the problem. I still have acne. Will facials be effective against acne? I would like to find out but I cower each time my friends tell me how painful it is. A few years from now, I will definitely be introduced to wrinkle serum. I just hope that I’m done with acne before I start holding off aging. But are serums, creams, etc. really effective?
To where the tutus are
Posted on February 16, 2010 - Filed Under Shaynna
The school year is almost over in the Philippines and I’m looking at few activity options for Shaynna during summer break. She once asked me if she could join in one of those ballet dance lessons. She might have been bored last summer, but what attracted her most to ballet is the tutu! She even asked me to buy her one when she saw some tutus at the mall. If I were to decide, I would love her to take some horse-back riding lessons. Little girls really look good in an equestrian apparel! Unfortunately, there’s no such lesson offered in my hometown and if there were, it’s definitely costly. So I am left with: ballet, piano, painting, or swimming lesson. But for Shaynna, it’s definitely the one with the tutus.
Late sunsets and sunblock
Posted on February 16, 2010 - Filed Under Health
Common TV advertisements in the Philippines are of hair products and food. Of course since the start of the campaign period and even way earlier, TV commercials are often those of the politicians. I don’t often watch local channels here in Singapore but when I do, anti aging products commercials are shown, like sunblocks. Must also be a reminder for me that I need to concern myself with these things. I don’t really like putting on sunblock even here in Singapore where it is a must. But if I don’t want to age real fast because of the sun, I should just bear with the sticky feel of the sunblock. I’m still looking for that brand that won’t add to the burden of my oily face.
Sunset now comes late, usually at almost 8PM. Sunshine at 4PM feels like it’s still 1PM. But it’s really nice to go out of the office when it’s still bright. At least my body won’t feel that it worked real hard during the day.
Singapore Airshow 2010 Photos
Posted on February 7, 2010 - Filed Under Singapore
I actually had second thoughts about going to the airshow because I was alone. But having borrowed an SLR made me look forward to taking photos. I did not enjoy the aerobatics because I spent half an hour searching for a part of the camera that wasn’t there! (Ahh, in this case, ignorance was definitely not bliss). The aerobatics started at exactly 11:30AM, scorching hot that I had to hide in the shade. But there were some who really brave the heat. I lacked zooming power so the plane and the helicopter in the photo look like flies…
The static displays were a lot of fun. We were allowed to go inside some of the displays, even into the cockpits! I excitedly hopped from one aircraft display to another, fear of being sunburnt forgotten. I actually took 255 photos, I’ve just picked my favorites.
The displays inside the exhibition hall were even more exciting. And getting inside was a good relief from the heat outside!
I really had a great time and I’m pretty sure to be at the next Singapore Airshow in 2012!
Singapore Airshow 2010: How did I get there?
Posted on February 6, 2010 - Filed Under At work, Singapore
I still couldn’t believe that I got to see the Singapore Airshow 2010 at the Changi Exhibition Center. I wanted to, but I found the tickets expensive. The Airshow is a 6-day event. February 2-5 were the “Trade Days” and during these days, only those who are at least 18 years old were allowed inside. Supposedly exclusive for trade attendees, but those who didn’t pre-register were able to buy their tickets at the venue. Attendees had to fill up registration forms and should present IDs but in my case, they didn’t ask me to present one. February 6 & 7 are the “Public Days”, and on these days, children are already welcome. Trade Days tickets were sold at S$50 (+7% tax) and a Public Day ticket cost S$20(+7% tax).
How did I get my hands on a ticket?
I was on my way to the conference room when one of the managers came out from their office looking for one of my teammates. Manager #2 couldn’t find that person, then Manager #1 just blurted out “then we have a winner right here”, looking at my direction. When asked if I’d be willing to go to the airshow, I immediately said yes.
How did I get to the venue?
My place is about 15 minutes to the venue by taxi, according to www.gothere.sg. There was a shuttle from the Changi Airport Terminal 3 but I was running late for the aerobatics so I took a cab. When the driver learned that I am going to the airshow, he grumbled all the way saying that all the other drivers refuse to take passengers there because they couldn’t get any passenger on their way back. Even referring to the trip as “buy one take one free”. I don’t really like hearing something like this so when I got off, I gave him twice the fare on the meter. After all those rants, he still refused. Taxi drivers here in Singapore might be very vocal but they are really honest. They don’t overcharge and they don’t expect passengers to give tips.
This doesn’t come often so I mustered my courage to borrow an SLR from my housemate. Thank you very much H for lending me your SLR! Will post the pictures soon!
IT Show 2010
Posted on February 4, 2010 - Filed Under Singapore
It’s IT Show again from March 11- 14! This time, it would be held in Suntec. It’s only been less than 6 months from the last IT Expo, the third time for me since coming to Singapore, but I have not bought anything, have not taken advantage of the freebies. I hope that I could find good laptop deals because I badly need a new one. My current laptop suddenly turns off because it heats up quite fast. I could no longer enjoy watching a movie while doing some work a the same time! Anyway, if you’re planning to come to Singapore, make it so that you could visit an IT show, especially if you are planning to buy a new TV.
Three Oh!
Posted on February 1, 2010 - Filed Under Birthday, Family
I don’t want to say it out loud. Even after almost a month of that special day, I still refuse to admit that I could no longer rightfully claim I am still in my twenties! I even opted for the above “happy birthday” candles instead of numbers, or my younger cousins could have teased me until I melted. Yes, I turned three-oh last January 9. The best thing about that day was I spent it with my family. The last time I celebrated my birthday with them was when I was still 18! It was my birthday but look who was more dressed up for the occasion:
Yes, it was my birthday but these two angels had to take their turns at blowing the candles.
I no longer jumped
Posted on January 30, 2010 - Filed Under Family
Okay, the New Year’s eve is almost a month ago but the joy of celebrating it with my family is as vivid as if it just happened last week. We didn’t attend the New Year mass due to fear of firecrackers, but I tried to imitate what the others do to welcome the new year: spread coins and candies on the floor and have the children gather everything up. We weren’t able to prepare much but the two kulilits at home had a lot of fun. I was able to convince Shaynna to take an afternoon nap so she was up:
Since I already lost hope of growing any taller, I no longer did my “New Year jump”. Some of my cousins also joined us and just sang the New Year’s day away. The last time my siblings and I had our photo taken was almost two decades ago so I took the opportunity to pose with them. Now, who do you think is the youngest?
It was really a joyful moment and I hope next New Year’s Day, I get to celebrate it again with my family.
Sometimes, I prefer to close the door
Posted on January 29, 2010 - Filed Under Singapore
I live in a 4-bedroom apartment with eight other Filipinos. My housemates say that the bedrooms are smaller compared to their previous flats’. But I’m really happy with it. My bedroom is the smallest one, yet it is almost twice as big as my bedroom in Japan. We have a big kitchen and a very spacious living room, the reason why I love to just sit on the couch while “TV surfing”. These days, it is best to open the door for the cool breeze to come in. But I want to avoid conversations with sales people knocking on the door. There was one time a lady tried to sell icecream that was clearly more expensive than the ones at the supermarket. It was hard to turn her down but I honestly didn’t have cash at that time. This afternoon, an insurance agent knocked on the door. He tried to sell an insurance plan. He even presented an instant life insurance quote! Fortunately, it was not me who faced him, ‘coz I often feel bad to say “no”. If I’m the only person around, I’d rather close the door.
Read!
Posted on January 29, 2010 - Filed Under Sentiments
It’s really uncomfortable being caught up in a conversation about something I’m not familiar with. Like the time when my friends compared each other’s auto insurance quote, or the time when they talked about investments. Maybe it’s about time to educate myself on financial matter. I have always wanted to work for a financial company because I’ve heard they pay a lot higher, and yet I have nothing to put in my resume that says “fixed income”, “derivative”, etc. I should broaden my interests as soon as possible. Maybe it’s high time I should add financial-related books to my small collection of romantic and mystery novels.
Last Christmas
Posted on January 24, 2010 - Filed Under Christmas
It’s a bit overdue but I didn’t have easy access to the internet when I was on vacation in the Philippines. We have decent internet connection at hand but our PC is still the old Pentium III and I didn’t want to test my patience with it either. So how was my Christmas 2009? We didn’t prepare much. As usual, the “traditionals” were there: spaghetti and macaroni salad (we’ve had these since I was 5). For the first time in a long time, food preparations were done a few hours before Misa de Gallo. Maybe because this time, it was not my mother who did the preparations. Still, we were about 5 minutes late for the Christmas mass. Good thing we brought chairs or we would have stood until it was over! Shaynna was really ecstatic that she did not take her afternoon nap. The result? She fell asleep 15 minutes after we arrived at the church, and slept through the night! So, no photo with Shaynna. Only with my mother and some relatives…
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I blame Dora, Sponge Bob and Barbie
Posted on January 23, 2010 - Filed Under Shaynna
Shaynna knew how to operate the DVD player since she was three years old. If you are busy and you want to prevent her from following you around, then tell her to watch cartoons. It’s like Sponge Bob revolution at home, because Sponge Bob is her favorite and Kiera’s (my niece), too! Dora and Barbie are also their favorites. But sometimes, I blame these cartoons because I often have a hard time answering Shaynna’s questions. She asked me why the sun (the real sun) is not smiling, while in Dora it is alive. Or, is the sun a male or female? How about the moon? Or why is sponge bob alive when he is just a sponge? At least in Barbie, she learned some songs.
Wash and use
Posted on January 22, 2010 - Filed Under Lifestyle
Since I’ve moved to Singapore, I bought only a single pair of curtains. I wanted to buy one of those faux wood blinds because I want to sleep for as long as I like on weekends. But my curtain holder is just a bit elastic string, not even that good for hanging clothes. We are not basically allowed to alter anything in the apartment and we might move out after a year’s contract. So right now, I just wash the curtains, hang it in the “curtain line” until it dries up and only wash them again after 3 to 4 weeks. Pretty convenient, hun?
If I win the lottery
Posted on January 22, 2010 - Filed Under Revelations
I have bought dozens of raffle tickets but I have never won even a consolation prize. Yet, there are some people who are very lucky, like winning major prizes each year at Christmas parties or annual company gathering. There’s anticipation, yet I haven’t experienced the joy of winning. For the past few months, my housemates have been buying lotto tickets that I sometimes ask myself “what will I do if I get the jackpot prize?”. First things first, clear off financial struggles. Then maybe travel to my dream destinations, buy properties, and maybe a motorhome? If only it is safe to travel Philippines with motorhome, I would definitely do that. But before my imagination run wild, maybe I should start buying a lottery ticket or two (one entry is only 50 cents). I know I’ve never been lucky in the lottery, but I still hope that maybe I am destined to win a jackpot prize? *_*
Things we usually do before New Year
Posted on January 22, 2010 - Filed Under Family
I think almost everyone does some kind of preparations for welcoming the New Year. I don’t even believe that these things have some effects on how one fares in the coming year. At home, at least we try to fix what we can, like replacing busted bulbs. It’s far from those Hubberton Forge but we have a simple chandelier at home. All of its 6 bulbs had been busted for almost a year. My mother just decided to replace them on the New Year’s eve! Aside from fixing stuffs, we also try to at least up on basic commodities. I will write another post on how I spent my New Year’s eve at home. It was not grand but I had a lot of fun. Indeed, there’s no place like home.
Be inspired
Posted on January 21, 2010 - Filed Under Quotes, Spirituality
Months ago, I’ve subscribed to Bo Sanchez’s GodWhispers Club. Twice a week, I look forward to the inspiring messages such as this one:
I’m ashamed to admit it, but financial struggles and being the sole breadwinner for the past years have changed me a lot. Sadly, focusing on these struggles has not turned me into a better person. It’s like the joy of living has been slowly taken from me and I’m the one inflicting it to myself. I want to turn my life around. I’m still a work in progress and there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. Inspirational readings such as the one above serve as light of the path that I have to take. Thank you, Bro. Bo. Thank you, Jesus.
Rural areas are not safe
Posted on January 21, 2010 - Filed Under Ooopppssss
I grew up in Mindanao. My hometown is not as crowded as Manila, far from it actually, but it has never been crime-free. There was a time when an “akyat-bahay gang” got away with various thefts in the neighborhood, and our sari-sari store was no exception. A teenager broke into our store and took away cash, a cassette player, etc. Good thing the police was able to trace him up but only right after he used up all the cash and sold the things he got. There was also a time when a group of peeping Toms emerged. Some even stole undies and I don’t want to mention what they did with them. Just recently, the batteries of our jeepneys got stolen by out-of-school youths. I wish I could afford to get one of those home security systems. For the time being, maybe I’ll raise dogs? But some dogs are even poisoned by the thieves!
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