MYRENE

Postage

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 05:47:45 GMT

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...

Mush and Essential 80's Females

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:42:08 GMT

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!

Happiness

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 12:39:06 GMT

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.

Hi!

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 14:57:00 GMT

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!

Speakers

Sun, 06 Feb 2005 07:52:27 GMT

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...

Vinyl, Teaching, Men err Guys

Sat, 05 Feb 2005 06:13:56 GMT

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!

Hari Raya Post

Mon, 15 Nov 2004 04:09:31 GMT

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!

Sat, 11 Sep 2004 03:58:45 GMT

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.

Wed, 11 Aug 2004 13:23:46 GMT

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.

Mon, 26 Jul 2004 17:12:48 GMT

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.

Another lazy Sunday

Sun, 25 Jul 2004 11:20:39 GMT

Have added another reason for my love of Die Hard... a young and still very agile Alan Rickman ;) Wouldn't mind being his hostage!

Now I have to find myself DVD's since I don't fancy getting up from time to time to change VCD's...

Thanks to cancelled dinner plans! Now off to buy stir fried noodles...

Sat, 24 Jul 2004 06:10:17 GMT

I'm watching my bootleg version of PoA and since I have rewind and pause at my beck and call, I'm so enjoying all the little details that Senor Cuaron has plugged in.

Other than new characters called Rubius Hadgren, Professor Lugen and Professor Tridone, and something called a Hibigrid and anothing thing called a Bogad... It's a good enough something to look at while wating for the original.

How you can see the neighbors dog barking while Marge floats in the air

How Harry says, "Yeah? Try me." So cute!

How Hermione took a breath, changing her tone of voice before greeting "Harry"

The Weasleys in Egypt, and thought Ginny in a bandana was cute

The Leaky Cualdron scene, how you had all this activity with the Weasleys and Hermione while Arthur spoke with Harry (you've got Hermione sneaking a peek at them for a bit), the floating Tea pot...

In the train when Harry gets up to look outside the cabin, the jeans!!! Oh and when you pause at a certain point, you see Hermione looking at his arse ;p

How Harry and Hermione looked at each other before the Dementor came in...

How the last thing Harry hears he passed out is his mum screaming Harry, and the first thing he hears is Hermione saying "Harry?"

How Crookshanks looks never ever moves...

I've finally seen Sir Cadogan!

Seamus is so gay...

And who is the chubby, black boy who has lots of important lines?!

My favourite scene would have to Lupin's class, the swing music is classic and I love Glenn Miller!

I loved the phonograph and want an icon!

Loved how Hermione goes right behind Harry when they form a line and stays there :) They're squished together!

And looks at him with her hand on his shoulder before removing it

Loved how Harry gives Ron a high-five after he finished with his Bogad, err sorry, Bogart...

And I have to stop here and enjoy the rest of it first :)

I so enjoyed staring at Lupin's phonograph as I recently found myself intrigued by phonographs and records and want to buy one like this.

And before I forget, thanks to beautiful sister miafitz for my nifty new icons! Thanks!

MAMMA MIA

Mon, 19 Jul 2004 14:26:32 GMT

EEEEEEEEEE! Mamma Mia is showing in Singapore in September :) Now all I have to do is organise a group trip ;)

I remember when I went last June to Hong Kong, I saw the banner outside the HK Cultural Centre I felt so bad because I was only staying there for a night. So this Singapore leg is just fantastic :)

It's a 4 hour car drive to Singapore, but should be worth it. Now all I have to do is find a place to crash.

I'm so excited!

(and 3 posts in 3 days, wow)

Myrene
(who signed a business e-mail today as Korine, ha!)

Sun, 18 Jul 2004 15:53:00 GMT

Went to the shopping mall today. Have succeeded in my goal to NOT shop for clothes and shoes in any form. However, I should have known that it's impossible to keep pirated DVD purchases to only 1.

In any case, happy to have finally purchased my bootleg copy of Prisoner of Azkaban (which is an incredibly good copy) and am smiling at the backcover which only has Harry and Hermione :) Have also looked at the shop's new stock and realised how many movies I've missed in the cinema, the only movies I've seen at the theatre this year is PoA and Spiderman. I'm still scouting the RL friends list to drag to King Arthur. Anyway, I've settled for comedies to cheer me up, have got Shrek 2, 13 Going on 30 and Starsky and Hutch. Well, I also did purchase Kill Bill 2 which I will delay watching till I'm a bit more up to all the gore.

Have failed too in my attempt to avoid bookstores. Other than the "no spending" part, I have large backlog of books for reading. Except that I've been hearing about The Da Vinci Code from a bunch of different people telling me that I JUST HAVE TO read it. Has anyone else here read it? Is it really that good?

Sat, 17 Jul 2004 08:05:33 GMT

How many times does one have to face crossroads?

Or maybe I'm just naturally indecisive. I thought I made a decision already to GO HOME. I thought I was ready to pack-up and call the movers (or in my case, call the movers to pack-up for me). Life does funny things when you think you've finally got it in order.

So, why am I all of a sudden tickled by the idea of living in Shanghai? It's not a formal offer yet but it's a high possibility. Life in BP (which by selling off assets and rendering people jobless has managed to be the No. 2 revenue earning company in the WORLD, next to Wal-Mart) is filled with "new possibilities" every bloody month. That's taking "dynamic workplace" to obscene heights.

Whatever the case, here I am again at crossroads. Do I leave or do I leave?!

Why does fate make me choose between moving and more moving when all I want to do is settle-down.

And why is it so unbelievable that all I want is to get married and make babies, and that I'm willing to give-up this whole career for L - O - V - E. (and does it matter that I even have to spell it out in writing?)

More than that, why am I so embarassed to speak it... and pretend to everyone that the reason I am single is because I'm BUSY. Does it really make me less of a "woman" to have not found "someone"...yet? And if I truly believe otherwise, why do I feel inadequate when I am around those who have found "IT".

I've realised that my decision making is colored by this "finding someone". Maybe if I don't move around so much? Maybe if I go home to Manila? Maybe if I move to Shanghai? Maybe what?

Maybe I'm getting all bothered because I am now 30. And that my birthday, in retrospect, was not as wonderful as I thought it was. And that 10 years ago, I did not dream that my 30th birthday will be spent away from friends and family, with people I am friends with by default, and going home to an empty apartment and falling asleep on my couch.

Yes, yes, I should be counting my blessings, as I know there are many. But this is not the day to do so.

Exes and Perms

Sat, 19 Jun 2004 15:34:12 GMT

Thanks to eibbil_libbie, now I have koriander@gmail.com. Yay! now I know what everyone's talking about.

Thought this was as a good time as any to catch up on my journal or is that let my journal catch with me?

Am back in Malaysia from my super-extended Manila vacation and adjusting again to work that I've long since decided I did not want to do anymore. Surprisingly though, the absence has renewed my interest a bit as I have forgotten almost everything! Even my direct line password... and then somebody took my desktop computer charger... and took my chair!

Some good news has come my way when in Manila. A former boss has approached me if I wanted to join them come July or August at the ADB (Asian Development Bank), it's sort of an Asian version of the United Nations. It's a huge huge financial and development institution. And am thrilled, thrilled to be asked! (I've been wanting to but it's just so difficult to get a foot in the door) Funny as my one condition to go home was ONLY IF I can get into this ADB. And miracle of miracles, somebody did ask.

On the social front. I've finally gone out on a date, a BLIND date, stress again on the blind. I've fully trusted a friend of mine to set me up with someone SHE THOUGHT would be PERFECT for me... Suffice to say the second I laid eyes on him I started chanting, "She is so dead". I mean, I'm not THAT difficult to please but... I only have 2 conditions when being set-up, (1)With Hair, (2)No Beer Belly. And so on purely physical reasons I chucked the guy out of my "potential" list. Does that make me a bad person?

On news that does not really bother me, but should at least be noted once on my journal, is that my ex-boyfriend/bestfriend is going to get married. And he did not even have the balls to tell me.

Not wanting to end on that note, I have again changed my hairstyle. I got a perm! And learned that there are so many kinds of perms, now. There's something called a ceramic perm, an air perm, an ionic perm... and mine was called an isometric perm. Heeeee. I think it looks fantastic and so much fun to wear. AND THE BEST PART IS, I only need to brush it once in the morning and let it be for the rest of the day since it's supposed to be naturally messy ;)

And while am at it, would like to send a late birthday greeting to fangexploring, hope you weren't in Hong Kong Ken! And to arianaeh. I got to greet zorb but wanted to do it again here.

Tue, 30 Mar 2004 15:27:29 GMT

I should not be left alone to shop.

I’m not feeling so bad anymore about my lost phone because the company has given me an unexpected bonus. I was hoping for it but considering how HR tends to be biased towards "what’s more advantageous" to the company, I didn’t think I’d get one. It turns out it was a decision by my line manager, wheeee! And so, am glad I splurged on my new phone, am so click happy, have taken pictures of all my officemates and tagged them to my directory, so far, none of them have called :)

And although I saved much on buying the cheapest available plane ticket to Denpassar, Bali, have overspent on Beach accessories, which included:

-2 new swimsuits (since my old one was a 4 year old black one-piece Speedo)
-White beach dress-top or whatever you call ‘em that’s the rage all over Asia now, it’s like a soft/ loose Mexican poncho (?)
-White sandals, since I got this beach Mexican poncho
-Beach net mesh bag
-Black halter top, to wear under off-shoulder shirts
-Off-shoulder shirts (to wear black halter under)
-Tube tops, am surprised I did not own them
-Spray on sunscreen
-Reversible fishing hat ( I cannot afford the Burberry version and so settled for the Liz Claiborne one which was just as cute)
-And finally, to enable myself to pull this off, I have to go through 4 sessions of full body scrub because I’ve just realised that I have freckles on my back (argh)

The nice thing though when you have time to shop is you get to pick and choose and find all kinds of new things. One of the swimsuits I bought is this Triumph style called a "Body Shaper" which is amazingly successful in tucking in your tummy and giving you that much needed support up-there in a swimsuit. After I tried it on, I did not ask for the price anymore and just bought it, that’s how pleased I was.

Ofcourse, on the side of my beach excursion shopping expedition, there were a couple of damages along the way… I mean, purchases that were not beach related but am swearing I’ll one day be using soon, soon.

On the other hand, am just extremely glad that I’m enjoying shopping again since Pilates class is finally paying off. I swear, if you’ll have to pick just one exercise to do, pick Pilates and stick with it. I am amazed.

Thu, 18 Mar 2004 15:37:42 GMT

On other news, I lost my cellphone.

And i am still in denial of how upset i am, dammit. I left in the cab. And the thing is, i was careful. I looked in the seat to check if i left anything and did not seet it. Yep, i am pretending not to be utterly upset and angry at myself.

My philosophy though, is that whenever i lose something the person who finds it most likely needs it more than i do. Am i kidding myself?! In any case it does give me comfort... But damn, it was only a year old. And now i have to make an unplanned purchase. Any suggestions on what hot new phone are available now? I've always been partial to Nokia, i think it's the most user friendly phone in the world.

*sigh* and that's all i'm going to say about.

Moving on, it's F1 weekend here in Malaysia, and i am still waiting for a free ticket to go to the tracks. Not that i'm a big fan, i just want to experience it at least once. Although most people who've gone tell me it's not fun sitting there in the scorching heat (up to 40 degrees) and watching blurs pass by.

But in consolation, am finally going to BALI!!! But not after realising how biased travel agents are to people travelling alone. As i could not avail of a special vacation package unless there's two of me going. But it doesn't matter, am looking forward to lying around under the sun and go partying at night.

I was going to write about my new Norah Jones and Joss Stone CD's, but i'm too distracted with the whole cellphone incident. Crap.

Tue, 16 Mar 2004 11:30:46 GMT

I am feeling better. No longer depressed, still disappointed, as everytime i watch my pirated Love Actually dvd, i keep thinking how much i wanted to go to London.

The whole incident i think is a wake up call more than anything else. It made me realise that i have to sit down and think about my life. That i can't go on "cruising" forever. I've gotten away with is for years now, but i think it is time for me to figure out what my place in the world is. What fulfills me? What i love? What is my passion?!

And so, i have devised myself a 9 month plan. Which mainly comprises saving money from this whole expatriate deal... and by the end of the year, be financially independent enough to quit, with or without a job. That's tough... and i need all the luck (and prayers) i can get.

So here's my initial list, of what makes me happy and what makes me passionate:

Furniture: not buying, but looking, searching, restoring old and antique furniture. When i was in Jakarta, i became the unofficial consultant to my friends as i was really good at hunting good buys with good quality.

Interior Design: This would be the course i should have taken had i realised earlier in life that i DID not want to be a lawyer. I have been told though, that i have a really good eye... it's worth considering as i've done a lot for free.

Book Editing: I did this once with my mom and enjoyed it a lot, even if it was for free.

Foundation work: I have done this early in my career and it is by far, where i got the most fulfillment. But this time around, i want to be on the opposite side of the fence, meaning, the one who gives the funding.

Coffee: I've mentioned before, owning my own Cafe would be fantastic! Although i might have to push this back 5-7 years, i need capital!!!!

And finally, CHILDREN, if i am ever to teach, i can only teach children (12 and below). This has always been at the back of mind but never seriously considered. I've always thought of it as something i would do late in life.

...

So WOW, my goodness, at the top of my head. I'm amazed with what's in there when i really look ;p And i'm excited and scared and nervous and confused, and it's the best i've ever been in years.

It's nice, looking forward to my future :)

Korine

Tue, 09 Mar 2004 09:03:53 GMT

I haven't been this upset for a long time. Not even when I cried my heart out when i learned that the "ex" love of my life has met someone new. At least then i did not feel lost.

I feel lost. And unhappy. And i realise that there's a big difference between being "brokenhearted" and unhappy. Does that make sense?

I just got a reply that i am no longer being considered for a job posting i've applied for in the UK. It was actually the first time in years (or ever) that i've been excited and "passionate" about possible work, thinking that it was something i would ENJOY doing. And knowing that i didn't get it just made me realise how much i was looking forward to it. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

And much more, i realised that what i'm doing now, is just so... meaningless. I don't like my work anymore, i'm tired of it. I don't find enjoyment in doing it, and i don't look forward to my day. It's interesting enough, but at the end of it all, i don't get any sense of fulfillment.

What is lifestyle anyway?! I'm an expat, and is that what i want to be? I did not grow up dreaming to be this little expat.

I don't think i'm cut out anymore for corporate life, i think i've changed. The allure of money and career and the lifestyle doesn't mean much anymore.

I still dont know what i want, but at least now i know what i don't want. I know i cant do this for another two years. But to take that risk, to leave my job and find "something else"... is as scary and as undesirable as staying.

Being single and all, at my age, i feel as if my career is the one thing going for me. Something i'm proud of. I'm just afraid that... well, i'm just afraid.

Ah, wish i had a lot more fun and happy news to post about. Certainly not the way i was planning to be back... but, baring my soul right now just feels right, as i have nowhere else to do it.

Hopefully, things will look better tomorrow.

PS

Hong Kong is not fun without a sale... i should enjoy myself... i really should

Christmas '03

Thu, 25 Dec 2003 06:23:30 GMT

It's good to be HOME!

A very very HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all of you!

And as miafitz has mentioned, we have very very late Christmas goodies for all (well, all those she has addies of), lots of which are stuff I've promised before but never did get to send!

Love,

Myrene (aka Korine)

In Changi Airport

Sun, 23 Nov 2003 20:43:03 GMT

Doing an all-nighter (or an early morning-er!) in the airport aint so bad when you can hang out with free, high-speed internet :)

Just spent 6 hours of my life flying from Tokyo to Singapore... waited for around 4 hours now, just an hour more and can board on flight for KL... unfortunately, no time to catch up on sleep as i have to head off to work :(

Luckily, tuesday and wednesday are holidays as Moslems celebrate the end of the Fasting Month with their Idulfitri. Yay!

In any case, am happy for once to work for a huge oil company, as they book me on business class and so can wile away my time on very cozy and coffee/tea flowing airport lounge with ofcourse, free internet!

Hopefully, will be able to post pics of my Tokyo Disney adventure (unfortunately, all by myself) and all the cutesy stuff i got! And finally be able to catch up with all the LJ posts i've missed...

And miafitz got your fancy schmansy japanese made eyeshadow...

Surprisingly not sleepy.

Myrene
(reporting from Changi Airport - Singapore, 4:30 AM)

Tokyo: Day 3

Thu, 20 Nov 2003 15:55:06 GMT

Day 3

Did not get to make own tempura and eat it too, unfortunately. But had the best Katsu-don ever... and i finally know how to eat cold soba... and have seen what wasabi is actually made of (a root similar to cassava, which you sort of grind to paste)

Had tea lessons for today as well... Japanese green tea should never be used with boiling or just boiled water... English tea should always be with freshly boiled water (never re-boil)... and really good Chinese tea leaves a scent in the pot even after you rinse it. Makes me want to go to Tea lessons, as i enjoy tea much.

Hmm, had an interesting potty experience today. Maybe you've seen those electronic toilet seat covers with heater and bidet... but have you seen one that sings? (reminds me of heart_of_wine's baby potty story) Well, was looking for the flush was when i saw a button with "flushing" on it and pressed it, and voila! There was no flushing, but there was a "flushing sound". Was completely perplexed. Why oh why?!

So, since i am completely impolite and insensitive to Japanese etiquette, i asked my japanese colleague, why? She was quite amused actually and said that for them Japanese ladies, they don't want others to hear when they are doing their "business" on the potty... and so you can use "flushing sound" for distraction! Hey, aint that neat ;)

Anyway, it was cold and raining so was feeling a bit cold walking around, but enjoyed it nonetheless. I more or less looked around street shops and looked at gadgets... and found lots of interesting smart stuff which i swear i will come back for.

Hmm, goal for this trip (other than the usual refrigerator magnet) is green tea and teapot and chopstick set.

And miafitz, have seen what you were talking about with anime and short skirts... just saw anime show with the girls in ridiculously short skirts who keeps kicking when fighting, as well as trip and fall on their knees and yeah, have the breeze around all the time. Although i suspect this particular show had that in mind, as freeze frames always include breeze lifting skirt from behind and showcasing lovely tattoo on one cheek. Amused.

In all.. did not forget what i was really doing here, and had productive discussion with our Japan team.

So tomorrow, they promised to take me to drink sake.

Tokyo: Day 2

Wed, 19 Nov 2003 16:26:38 GMT

For someone who's lived all their life in a tropical weather, am truly enjoying lovely cool Autumn in Tokyo... And i love walking a distance and wearing a coat and a scarf and not sweating buckets! I only wish i bought loffly knee-length boots to go with my skirt, it might be insignificant to you guys but for me, it's a dream! Wish i could :)

Tokyo is lovely, the air is clean and the streets are safe and it's really pretty. And the food, the food! I love Japanese food, it's my favourite and so i was so excited to try my first truly authentic Japanese food... prepared, cooked, ordered and served by Japanese, in Japan!

I was so not dissapointed. The food was lovely! And i actually ate Okra, which i hate. Loved the sushi, and ate barracuda meat :) And TOFU! I love Tofu, it's my absolute favourite any which was it's cooked, fried, steamed, boiled, curd... juiced!

Anyway, tomorrow they'll take me to a place where i can make my own tempura :)

Can see Tokyo Tower from window... and they say if it's clear, might see Mt. Fuji.

Hopefully, i won't forget what i'm really doing here...

Flying over home

Mon, 17 Nov 2003 16:00:07 GMT

Last night on my way to Taiwan I flew over home and had my most emotional experience for this year. I gazed out of my window seat and stared at the beautiful but dim lights of Manila and watched for everytime lightning would make it look brighter. It was a great show seing great streaks of light over home, it was raining in Manila. I thought about my family and wondered if they were having dinner, or if my Mom was watching TV and my nephew was off playing with a helicopter or of my sister was surfing the net or if my brother was working on yet another video or if the boy who broke my heart was cuddling with this new girlfriend. But I still smiled. It was just wonderful to think about home. So for the 30 minutes it took I stared and stared as it all faded behind clouds. And I was excited again for Christmas. I feel blessed.

So I'm not going to update... because... well, thinking about it only keeps me away longer.

Tonight I indulged myself to a nice soak in the tub at the Westin. And wondered why I only do it when I'm in a hotel. I lit a candle and put on freebie Neutrogena face mask. And lit a cigarette. (I smoke, I wonder why I was embarassed to talk about that before). So it beats the whole purpose of refreshing facemask and my face probably smelled of tobacco. But who cares? It felt great. Then was finally driven out of tub by really sad Singaporean remake of "In the End" (how dare!). Wish I could do it more.

So a big HELLO! to everyone! Can't say I missed you all because I was trolling around all the time!

And I share belated squeeing over the new PoA video and of Emma playing with Daniel's hair! And yes smillie117, it really is Harry and Hermione! (we spite Mia!)

Korine (who really wants to be called Myrene again)