Today is my Grandmother's birthday... She would have been an impressive 100 years old... Or 102, I'm not really sure.  But yes, she'd have still been impressive.

I've been thinking about her much lately because I've been thinking much about food.  I remember she had these unique recipes that were simple but absolutely tasty.  I'd have inherited those skills except that there was this one time that I almost chopped off a finger when she was "training" me.  I never set foot in her kitchen again! But it didn't matter much because everyday I had her version of Bistek Tagalog... Stuffed Bell Peppers... Tortang Talong... Chicken in Special Soy... Callos... Kaldereta... Kare Kare (I was allowed to shell peanuts)... Sinigang na Hipon... and my favorite, Leche Flan.

It's been 21 years since, and we've demolished her kitchen and the rest of her house.  In it's place we built a concrete box. It's nothing compared to my Lola's house, but we try.  We've kept her pictures, her dining table, her china cabinet.  I wonder if she'd have liked that.  I wonder if she'd have liked how I turned out. I wonder if she minds that I've not visited her as often as I used to. I wonder if she'd have thought me impressive...

Today I think I'll buy cake... and have some Flan.

Happy Birthday...

Current Location: in a cabinet
Current Mood: curious

My sister miafitz has bluntly informed me that my previous post was embarassingly mushy... My angst level has been low lately. I would apologize, except I dont care! : )

I thought it would be fun to make a compilation of 80's music by females (solos or bands), cheesy songs are much desired, so far I've downloaded songs from:

- Madonna 
- SOS
- Bananarama
- The Bangles
- and consequently Sussanah Hoffs
- The Gogos
- and consequently Belinda Carlisle (how cheesy are Jane Wiedlin's songs?)
- Tiffany
- Debbie Gibson (yet i still refuse to download electric youth)
- Sheena Easton
- Songs from Fame 
- Joan Jett (not so cheesy)
- Pat Benatar (anything else other than Love is a Battlefield)
- The Pretenders (again, not cheesy)
- Cindi Lauper
- Bonnie Tyler (anything else other than Total Eclipse?)

Are there any one-hit wonders I should know about? I would love suggestions... I've only managed to collect up to 300 mb... I still need 400 more!

Current Mood: busy
Current Music: 80's cheesy

I'm happy... and I mean just flat out, simple, uncomplicated happy. And I'm thinking, is there any other kind?

I have tons of things to worry about, such as bills... And more bills. And work is not really a career at this point, it's just a means to an end... which goes back to the thing about bills. I worry about my parents'health, and how they're not qualified for a healthcard (which is so unfair, but that's another topic). I worry about how our house is not finished. And some more... But I know for a fact that I can fix it, in time.

But on this day, at this hour, life is simple. My joys are simple. There's someone who makes me smile at simple things. So I'm wondering, is this all that I've been looking for?

I simply hope it is.

Current Location: oficina
Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: some sort of ringing, but i'm not sure

Hi! I'm not sure how to begin... Except this is along overdue promise to smilie117 (hi Sabsy!). So hello to everyone and to miafitz who is currently smoking away in the toilet (haha!).

Ehm, not sure whatelse to say except maybe what's up with me.  And the quickest way to do that would be bullets! Obviously I've been waaaay to preoccupied with office work...

- back home in Manila... and it'll be a year on 15th October I think and so much has happened
- finally found another corporate job, and although it's how I envisioned my career to be, it's good pay
- have since changed industries and is now working for a telco company... 
- am dating (yahoo!)
- i am no longer a shopaholic
- have not read a book since six months ago (the last being The Da Vinci Code)
- did not finish HBP, and still refuse to pick it up
- got addicted to Prison Break and Wentworth Miller
- got addicted and got over One Tree Hill
- got over my fascination of Jet
- bought six new vinyls
- and dating (did i say that already?)

Not in any particular order ofcourse, but just glad to find the time and the inspiration to post... so hello all!

Current Location: Pilipinas
Current Mood: accomplished

My speakers have landed!!! I am tempted to stay home for the rest week... Except today is Sunday and would have to step out to attend church. I've finally located the vinyl shop nextdoor but they were closed for an awfully long lunch and the speakers were scheduled to arrive at 12:30 pm.

I'm just building my vinyl collection, so far have gone for the basics which is the Stones Greatest Hits and a Beatles 1967-1970 collection... Have found Frank Sinatra's My Way which I got dirt cheap but currently being flattened by the Chronicles of Narnia (hardbound ofcourse). Have got two 45's as well, both Police songs.  So my question is, whatelse (or whoelse) are great on Vinyl?

And I just realised, I have a preference for 60's rock, hmmm.

Ofcourse first day of teaching English Class was overshadowed by the arrival of the speakers, heh. Which went fantabulous by the way...

 

Current Mood: ecstatic

An early Happy Chinese New Year to everyone, or Lunar New Year or whatever. I just learned they celebrate in different names in China, Korea and  Japan (?!).  It's the Year of the Rooster and according to my Chinese friends here, tis not a good year to get married but a good time to find ROMANCE... Hmm, I'm starting to believe in all these Feng Shui, either that or I'm desperate. In any case my ex-boyfriend is getting married this year, so yeah, good for him! (cackles)

It's the 5th of February and I can't believe how remiss I was with updating my journal so there goes my first new year's resolution! I'm looking around and see that I've missed a couple of birthdays too and a lot of very significant events in the friends list. 

Can't believe how much change two months can bring.  No change in location though, am still in Malaysia being bored and fearing that I am wasting days and days waiting for a new job oppurtunity.  Which may never happen considering I'm not even looking.  I need to remind myself that jobs do NOT fall from the sky.  And yet here I am sitting here writing in LJ instead of looking for a job. Very much in character.

At least the personal life is looking up.  Over the Christmas vacation I managed to snag a couple of dates with 2 different guys (not men) who were polar opposittes.  Nothing fantastic but nice distractions anyway.  Lets call them Mr. Rockstar and Mr. Bootylicious. One thing I did take away from that though is that I am apparently not as superficial as I thought I was. Because even though Mr. Bootylicious looked more appealing "physically" I actually was attracted more to Mr. Rockstar who has a band, loved the Stones and the Beatles too (but hated Jet) and oh, thinks I am hyper-critical in a charming kind of way. And took me to a vinyl record shop which to this day I would describe as a most orgasmic experience.

Which brings me to the highlight of my year so far. Have finally taken up my longstanding interest in Vinyl. Tomorrow my Mission speakers shall arrive (dances) and ready to install with my Omnitronic turntable (just a 2nd hand buy but good enough!) and my Cyrus III Amps! Wheeeee! And I've just discovered that right next door is a quaint little vinyl shop. Can life be anymore perfect?!  Maybe if I find Abbey Road on vinyl here. Is there a community I can join?

smilie117 , Mia and I received your Christmas cards and so sorry for not replying earlier. Thank you so much,  I've it pinned on my desk.  And a belated Happy Birthday to you!

anya_writer , I'm looking at your posts and I see you have been very very busy! ;) And you wouldn't guess what I'll be doing tomorrow, I'm teaching my first basic English class to OFW's (that's Overseas Filipino Workers mostly comprised of domestic helps and factory workers here) at the embassy center.  First lesson, phonetics! Would be so grateful for tips from you and from all the teachers in the friends list... am a bit nervous but excited.  I have 11 students so far and I'm just scared they'll find me boring or worse... inefficient. Ah, the OC's biggest fear!

And the most important development... and the reason I believe for the dates and the all of a sudden bunch of interested "males" I've been getting (sad but true...guys are such !!!!!) ... is that I lost 20 lbs. which I is a lot considering I am only 5'2" tall. I am amazingly back to my college weight of 105 lbs! (applause) which I never thought possible considering how much I love to eat.  Apparently the secret, which is not really secret, is eating the right food. Ha, I know, not a mystery.  To make it simple, I'm into this high protein, low carb diet. So haven't had proper white bread or any kind of bread in months.  Have been having rice only twice in a week.  And heaps of grilled meat (okay occassionally fried)... beef, pork, fish, lots of chicken and a whole barrage of veggies (except carrots and potatoes) and VOILA, I'm wearing tight jeans again. Fantastic. Now, to keep it up...

I should be looking over my lesson plan for tomorrow... here's hoping they're a talkative bunch of students enough to kill 2 hours! WISH ME LUCK!

   

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Midnight Oil by Midnight Oil

How is everybody? It's monday morning and I am not in the office! I have nothing to do until tomorrow, NOTHING. Those are the most beautiful words I've heard in months.

Today and tomorrow is a fantastically looooong holiday here, we are celebrating Hari Raya and Deepavali which are the Muslim and Indian holidays respectively.  The streets are empty as most everyone in Kuala Lumpur has gone back to their Kampung (which I believe is hometown) and more importantly there is NOBODY in the office. I mean, I do get weekends off, but being home on a Monday is just so special.  I just realised there's a tiny private park right accross my apartment. 

I woke up this morning hoping to catch Oprah but ended up with the live telecast of the AMA, eh. Just on the day I get to stay home. Well, can't complain much as I'm having my home-made Mocha Java and a pumpkin cookie!

Have been busy much the past few months with the job, that has gotten more complicated.  Let's just say that I might not have a job come June next year.  The big giant oil company I'm working for has decided to sell off the business we are in and so people will be losing their jobs.  And the bgoc has become sheep and will be moving office to CHINA, everything is in China now.   Not that I hate China, but I do hate whoever it is that will be taking over my JOB.  I'm bitter much if you can't tell.

Yep, I will not be taking a job in China as they will only take me if I agree to be a "local" employee, which means no living allowance. ?! Which I belive is their way getting rid of all asian expats who cannot speak Mandarin. Because yes they are giving expat status to those coming from the west - who dont even have to speak Mandarin.  I am very bitter, yes.

Ah well, have managed to get into what we call a Transition team that will exist until June.  As the bgoc realises that even if they don't need me in China, they need me NOW.  I am so bitter I am hoping to get me that job in Manila and leave when they need me most (which is NOW), no notice! As I am on contract, they can't stop me.  Yes, I am extremely bitter.

In other news, I'm taking advantage of the location while it lasts and have visited lovely spots in Malaysia.  Have reached the foot of Mount Kinabalu in  Borneo which I hope to climb soon.  Have gone to the island of Tioman which I think pales to the beaches of my Boracay. And have gone back to Singapore to go to Sentosa Island and to watch MAMMA MIA! with friends which has made it all the more special. The best friend (who came over to visit with the hubby) bought the CD which played the minute we got to my place, and ofcourse I bought a t-shirt, because apparently appearance is more important to me.  Speaking of the CD, I know the London cast was the original, but I thought the Australian who played Sophie was a much more powerful singer.

And it's lunchtime and I realised I have nothing to eat.  Will be scrambling some eggs.  And coming back to catch-up on the friends list.

I hope everyone is doing great! 

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: Lazy Gun - Jet (I am infatuated with Nic)

Happy Birthday LIBBIE!!!

Happy Birthday DAN!!!

 

Hope you had a wonderful day :)

Badminton. Today, I'll find out what the big fuss is.  Honestly, I prefer tennis. We'll see how quick I really am.

 

I am so late! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE!!!!!

And as you can see I have just discovered the rich text mode, gah!  Here's wishing you a joyful and comfortable day ;)

Meanwhile, I have discovered the joys of DIY salad that's clean and ready to eat.  Have stocked up on dressing too. I have the basic Thousand Island, Caesar's, Vinaigrette with sun dried tomatoes and Vinaigrette with Garlic. I am obsessed with salads!

And how does it happen that I can gain 10 pounds in a week?! (pre-salad ofcourse) My friend tells me it's because I've entered the 30's zone and that my body metabolism has gone retarded... Ergo, I'll have to do doubletime at the gym.  It's good that I've renewed my love for step class (try stepping to Chihuahua!)

I am sorely tempted to go to a slimming salon. 

EDITED TO SAY: OH HOW MUCH I HATE WEBSENSE!!!! WTF?! They've blocked my gmail! Grrrr... now I'm going to have reset all my e-mail notices back to yahoo.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIA!!! Saw you post on the yahoo groups, so what a birthday gift to us, ha ha. I hope you have wonderful day :)

I had a cheerful incident today. I met a neighbor on my floor and he asked if I was a student! Heeeeee... Although, I sincerely hope he wasn't just hitting on me.