Category: Personal

  • Tattoo I Pull My Sleeve Over

    Tattoo I Pull My Sleeve Over

    “I’m a Mommy’s girl.”

    This one’s for my Mom who celebrates her birthday today. With her young looks, it’s hard to believe she’s sweet 18 – 29 years ago, right? :p Here are descriptions that mark her as the mother we’re blessed to have:


    1. Organized

    Like me, she’s obsessed with getting everything organized. Water spills, dirt and hair on the floor are not her eyes’ best delights. The forks should rest at one side and the spoons on the other. The bed should be made up once you wake up. The kitchen counters must be at their tidiest after every meal. Clothes should be aligned and folded in one straight line inside the closets. Hangers in the laundry area must be arranged in one direction and according to color, size and type. These are just of the few examples of the house rules we follow attentively if we don’t want to encounter much trouble ahead.

    2. Strict

    Although she’s a mom who portrays herself as our closest buddy, she’s one who carefully looks into our everyday lives and activities with austerity. For instance, she would linger at the dining table to supervise food’s disappearance and then remind us to take those which are not out of sight (not eaten yet). Although we don’t have implied curfew, she’s one who would message or call us when we’re not home yet as she expects. She’s one who’d correct us consequently when she sees things not in their right frame.

    3. Comical

    She takes every opportunity to laugh to her heart’s content. She laughs even at overworked and corny jokes. She also finds my random made-up statements amusing and laughs again when she learns that they are mere pretenses. On top of it all, she’s happy when we’re happy.

    4. Tender

    She always hugs and kisses us not only when we reach home, go out, wake up in the morning and sleep at night but also whenever she just feels like doing so. There are no goosebumps when we hug or rest on each other’s arms, because we are already used to these every day. Thank goodness. 😀

    5. Patient

    She has made it through those long and thorny valleys in between the mountain-top moments of motherhood because of her patience. She digs for perspective and does not give up. She might not had always liked what she had to do but she’s got the “mother’s high” feeling, always trying to do what’s right and best for us.

    Wrap Up

    She considers spending time with us a gift–a gift that had been wrapped from wet diapers, dirty school uniforms and messy tables to isolated and busy hours. Now it has been unwrapped to a sense of gratification.

    Once upon a time her rule was absolute and her word was law. If she told us it was time for bed, off to bed we would go. Talking with our mouth full? That was not acceptable behavior and in time, we’d eliminate even the need to speak to her on the subject. One glance was all it took and we would stop talking, chew our food, not speak again until the mouthful was swallowed. One glance was all it took for us to understand, comply and obey. Whether fair or unfair, rational or irrational, her ruling went unquestioned, unchallenged and life was easy being queen in a court of two. They were good times and now they’re better; now we tell her if it’s time for bed, not to talk when her mouth is full, cover her mouth when yawning, etc.

    The truth is that as she grew older, we did, too. We grew familiar with foibles and idiosyncrasies. And because we’re all grownups now, it’s about time to take care of her with equal or heightened patience, tenderness, appreciation, faithfulness and organization.

    To Mommy Dearest, happy birthday! 😀

  • The Party Didn’t Start Till June Walked In

    This month presented a tumultuous coaster of firsts and celebrations. Here’s a list of my first-time encounters which happened in June 2012:

    • Meeting other newly hired managers from different departments and branches in the company orientation
    • Meeting my teammates in the second day of work (actual deployment)
    • Knowing about the background of the projects I’ll be handling from a project meeting
    • Meeting the project sponsors/clients and appreciating that they are cooperative/willing to work together for the project’s success
    • Meeting the internal team for updates
    • Going to work as required on two consecutive Saturdays
    • Visiting the Mall of Asia Arena
    • Dining in the Oasis to celebrate the birthday of Louie and mine
    • Having free pizza for dinner because of a late Pizza Hut delivery last Father’s Day
    • Treating workmates to celebrate my birthday together with five other colleagues’ on a Friday night in a karaoke bar; singing duet with a person I didn’t know
    • Buying a coupon myself from a deals site where I purchased two pieces of vacuum compressed bags
    • Having my braces adjusted
    • Investing in the Forex market
    • Holding a VIP card/becoming a member of a clothing line because of my purchases
    • Incurring “one late” because my ID failed to register to the chronolog machine when I swiped it for like five times to log in from a snack break
    • Activating electronic banking service for my ATM card myself
    • Drinking Happy Lemon and Chatime milk tea in the Philippines

    So lately, I have been hanging out online reading lots of articles and have happened to stumble upon this post: Steal Like An Artist. Main point is that everyone would have copied their ideas from everyone else.

    Who’s to say that you’re original when others found out that your work is pretty similar to those which had been published earlier? We might have taken inspiration from hither and tither thus people would call us copycats. But in today’s world, where sharing is just a mouse click away, putting yourself with much originality after tweaking others’ original work then pretending that you feel quite comfortable/confident can be hard.

    But who’s also to say that your presentation (original or the lack of originality thereof) won’t be successful or more successful than the former?

    Even if your statements are cliché and even if they have been seen and done several times before, they could have provide impact and meaning to a different audience and in a different time. If you’ve got something to express and do with all your heart, then make it happen. It’s the YOU in it that makes it unique.

    Thanks, Ke$ha, for TiK ToK. (I couldn’t think of a title for this post until I remembered your song. ♥)

  • Dos Mil Doce

    Dos Mil Doce

    Happy New Year! 2012.
  • Revel In a Money-free Christmas!

    Revel In a Money-free Christmas!

    Oh wow. This blog is turning one year old in three days. And it’s the Christmas season once again lurking around the corner, waiting to pounch on all of us.

    Every day as I go home on a bus, I see festive lights in Orchard Road inviting more attraction than ever—or people to go for year-end sales, discounts and store promotions. This increased shopping frenzy influences minds and before we know it, our savings have dwindled down to nothingness.

    Christmas, the season of giving, becomes interpreted in a manner skewed from its tradition; it becomes a season of giving out money to these “vendors!”

    What Lies Beneath It All?

    Essentially, we remember the birth of Jesus Christ through humble praying and gathering. We don’t need to spend extravagantly; celebrating Christmas can also be done in an affordable way. Here are just some suggestions:

    1. Stay Indoors

    Instead of spending the monies on restaurants of great splendor for lavish luncheons and dinners, have your Christmas party in the comfort of your home. After all, home is where the heart is.

    Having your dearest friends and family spend Christmas in the warmth of your home is a heartening and exciting affair! Arranging for a potluck among your closest ones not only saves money for everyone, but it also allows everyone to taste a variety of delicious home-cooked dishes among great company.

    2. Sing Your Hearts Out

    Instead of heading down to the coolest (and incredibly expensive) clubs to party with strangers, why not engage in a more meaningful activity such as gathering a band of pals and heading down to a nursing home or an orphanage for some good ol’ carolling fun?

    The aged and the young, who live in both nursing homes and orphanages respectively, are often destitute of familial love. Spending time with them singing Christmas carols will bring joy into their hearts and will certainly bring smiles to our faces.

    3. Get Your Hands Working

    Christmas does not mean that you must spend bags of money purchasing gifts for everybody. The most precious gifts come from the heart and aside from showering your loved ones with unspoken love and attention, take some time to make something for them.

    Touch the hearts of your loved ones this Christmas with a handmade card, an elaborate cosmetic box or even a lovely hand-sewn pouch.

    Therefore, I Conclude…

    In the hullabaloo of modern life, Christmas has been transformed into a season of commercialism. However, it is important not to lost sight of the essence of Christmas and the crucial values that are associated with it, such as love, peace and joy. These values have no price tags attached to them.

    This year’s Christmas will be the first time I won’t be with my family. But I know I won’t be miserable because I’d spend it with my hearty housemates, SG friends and colleagues.

    Though I will be missing Santa Claus…

    *Sniff*

    and my magic Snow Man, too.

  • Round 22—How I Celebrated My Birthday in Singapore

    Round 22—How I Celebrated My Birthday in Singapore

    I don’t know maybe you are like me, maybe you fancy hearing about how other people celebrate their birthdays?

    In that case, want to hear about how I celebrated mine?

    I thought you’d never ask!

    It was a fun-filled, weekend-long celebration together with Louie who also had just turned one year older last week. He visited me here. Sweet, right? As in my Facebook album caption, we spent quality time traversing to the following attractions:

    2011jun11: Changi Airport, Singapore Science Centre (Jurong East), People’s Park (Chinatown), GMAX Reverse Bungee (Clarke Quay)
    2011jun12: Botanic Garden, Wisma Atria Food Republic (Orchard), Dunearn Garden (Newton), Marina Square, Marina Bay Sands (Esplanade)
    2011jun13: Vivo City, Universal Studios (HarbourFront)
    2011jun14: Applebee’s (Somerset), Changi Airport


    We are each other’s birthday present. When I was with him, I forgot all about work and other things I normally think and care about, like I was in a totally new secret dimension and no landscape could clue me in to any familiar location. Our birthday wish turned out to be the same: happiness. Simple yet profound. ♥

    Reflections at 22

    At 22, I have realized that I cannot be forever 21. 🙂 Kidding aside, now I have reached the idea that from the beginning, as soon as we’re born, we’re like a wave crashing onto a shore. Some are fiercer than others, and others, well, they’re gentle and almost unrecognizable.

    These are those people who are generally overlooked because in reality, we would always prefer the stronger ones. You know, the ones who look like they can bust anything, the ones that form “caverns by the rocks and ruin sand castles.” We crave destruction, and that’s why we like crash landing, because it means we’ve achieved something.

    In the past few years, I’ve been wandering among the rubble of a battered self-confidence. I’ve jettisoned most of the debris and baggage; I’ve said what I wanted to, cried as often as I needed and started piecing together my new self. I stick to believing that failure is a foreign, abstract concept.

    Breathing my every breath with this affirmation, I just buckle up in this bumpy ride. I often remind myself that I can achieve anything once I set my mind on it. I realized that in order to move forward, I gotta know what I stand for. I have to go to those things that make me weak so I can build myself back up again. I have to do the hard stuff–because this inspires me.

    We have our light and carefree days. But if the actual storm comes, we sure have to live through it. This is where everything is rationalized and logic is twisted to justify the most bizarre of thoughts. It’s when we have display different emotions from excitement, contempt or loathing—all rather theatrical.

    With everything that has happened in my life and with all the relationships I have cemented, saying I’m blessed would be an understatement.

    *Wipes off the tears dramatically* Wow… it felt like finishing an Oscar speech!

    Thanks to all 359 people who greeted me on my birthday. Cheers! 🙂

  • Greetings From a Distance: Happy Mother’s Day!

    Greetings From a Distance: Happy Mother’s Day!

    My mind now is so relaxed. It’s actually just blank in meditation mode. My fingers nervously tickle the keyboard as I ponder about what to write. Since I am often guided by simplicity, I choose to simply greet mothers worldwide first and foremost, “Happy Mother’s Day!”

    During the church service today, the pastor asked all mothers to stand. We recognized them and said our prayers of thanks for being such wonderful and loving mothers. When I saw some children hug their moms, I can’t help but feel touched. I got teary-eyed and thought of Mommy.


    I bought her a gift yesterday and have it sent through Achi Kathy’s mom and aunt who both flew back to the Philippines this morning. I hope she receives it well soon. I also sent her an international SMS to remind her of the package and of my love for her. She replied back and exchanged words of gratitude.

    To the one person I can tell my soul to, who can relate to me like no other, who I can laugh with to no extent, who I can actually cry to when times are tough, who can help me get through the problems in my life, this one goes for you.

    Mommy, B (nick name) or Achi Kawlasya (play name), thank you very much for you’ve never turned your back on me. I love you for countless reasons.

    Thanks for listening to my senseless banter even when you’ve had a long hard day. You have gone through so much stresses and hardship on your own, and you still have time for me, for us, your family.

    I love you for listening even when you’re dying inside. I

    love you for laughing at our stupid jokes which go around like circles.

    To this day and to forevermore, I look up to you because you’re strong, stronger than any other—and beautiful, even though you don’t think you are. I hope you know that I’m always here to listen to you, laugh and cry and help in all the ways that I can. I hope you know I would not be the person I am today without you.

    Thanks for being someone who has always believed in me, who has always understood, who has always accepted me, who has always cared.

    I love you always. We both know that, but it’s something I have to say anyway. ♥

  • Gathered Around the Dining Table: Holy Week 2011

    Gathered Around the Dining Table: Holy Week 2011

    Today is a day when morning came all too quickly after a fairly sleepless night. We came home at 12-something-AM from Marina Bay Sands (MBS) SkyPark (yes, I went there straight from the office), and I slept at almost 1:30AM.

    We had awesome sightseeing, being on the 57th floor, topping the hotel towers over Singapore’s lights and commercial buildings. We also saw the 150-meter infinity pool, which is said to be the world’s largest outdoor pool at the height of 200 meters in the sky.

    If you’re one who’s afraid of heights, I encourage you to face your fear by swimming in that pool—at the edge where only clear, transparent glass separates and keeps you from falling down down below. 😉


    The park in the SkyPark isn’t that wonderful itself though but at least I’ve earned the experience of being up there for free. This was because Achi Kathy’s friends from the Philippines stayed in MBS, and only hotel guests can taste the perks of visiting that area, while casual visitors have to pay—from what I know—S$20 just to go up on that floor to be captivated by the observation deck and view that spell WOW. By this, I must say gratefulness is easy to come by.


    We had our dinner in MBS’ food court: Rasapura Masters, located near the pretty skating rink. And because it was already late, almost all food stalls were closed. I only had a lemon barley drink, gorged with the beauty of everything around.

    Why had I not written any post for this blog last week? We were out, all day and night, rewarding ourselves with palatable variety of food after our hectic and busy work schedules.

    Last Saturday, we dined in Marché 313@somerset, a total Swiss haven. Sunday lunch was at Food Republic Somerset, where I had tried a different kind of congee (almost like soup, only with tidbits of grain rice) and ice kachang (one of SG’s famed desserts) for the first time; snack was at Achi Kathy’s friend’s house in Buona Vista, where we celebrated a kid’s birthday; dinner was at Annalaksmi Restaurant in Chinatown Point, where we enjoyed an ethnic Indian vegetarian buffet and paid just enough as how much we thought the food was worth (more like a donation).

    All the more bringing in the topic of food, yesterday was Maundy Thursday, the celebration The Last Supper denoting the final meal Jesus had with his Followers. On this day we remember the love we have experienced from God and are encouraged no matter how dark the night gets and it will be getting very dark for those disciples, we will experience the love of God and will show that love with each other and those we encounter. It’s two more days before Easter, the time for rejoicing over redemption and restoration.

    Ah, how it’s great to be alive and relive every feeling of accomplishment. When sadness was the sea, faith taught me to swim. And while we’re alive, there are no endings in this: the “swimming;” there are only transformations and the harder strive for the best times ahead.

    So don’t just stand there. Spread out your arms. Fly. Because even if we fail and fall, the most important thing will be that we flew. Then when one flight is over, we have to be strong enough to pick ourselves up and search the sky for another route to take and another incredible food experience to partake!

     

  • Causes of the Aww’s—Valentines’ Day 2011

    Causes of the Aww’s—Valentines’ Day 2011

    Valentines’ Day might be that one day of the year that all singletons dread and every couple longs for. It is the one day of the year that the emotion of love is over emphasized and romance constantly lingers in the air. Is it such an epidemic because of classics like Titanic or Jane Austen’s novels, or even new-age lit like the Stephanie Meyers’s Twilight series? Or could it perhaps be the feeling of being accepted, desired and appreciated?

    I believe option number two is the winner. It comes down to the simple fact that people love, and they love to be loved. They love the wooing, waiting and falling in love. Valentines’ Day might be corny and may highly be commercial, but it is also extremely romantic and a classic day to share with the one you love, your valentine.

    For those who cannot afford to miss how I’ve spent V-day…
    Presenting to you the causes of aww’s:

    You see, I spoke with Shakespeare the night before V-day. He told me stories in iambic pentameter. But I didn’t listen. Beethoven was down on the other side of the hall playing me Fur Elise. But all I wanted to do, was spend the day with You-Know-Who.

    1. Funny, what Louie missed on doing two years ago he did yesterdaycalling me up to say he was waiting in the car while he really was standing next to our door carrying a bunch of roses @}-,-`-.


    2. He wrote me an expressive love letter (yes, his butterflies have spoken) and gave me a heart-shaped locket with his picture in it. So cute. I haven’t seen this coming, and I bet neither have you. : )


    3. We went around National Bookstore below Crossings Department Store and talked and talked. I don’t care what we talk about. As long as we’re talking.

    4. We dined in Alba Restaurante Español, Tomas Morato, and absolutely, it was the best meal served. He might not know this but every time he puts portions of food on my plate before his, my heart melts.


    5. We were serenaded with the song Unchained Melody by the small band in Alba. Back at home, coincidentally, Mom had us watch the movie Ghost which played the same song.


    Tomorrow at 5:20AM I’ll be leaving for Singapore. Thinking about him makes me miss him now, for it’s once said that “missing someone isn’t about how long it has been since you’ve seen them or the amount of time since you’ve talked. It’s about that very moment when you’re doing something and wishing they were right there with you.” The least I can do is remember our happy moments together and smile.

    Smile, because a genuine smile is one of the strongest sparks of happiness we can spread.Smile, because every time we do, it makes the world a little brighter.Smile, because when you do, you light up my world.Smile, because I’ve fallen in love with your smile—and through it, you.

    …Aww
    Happy Valentines’ Day!