Friday night. BM1. Embassy. Robert and Cie.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Thursday, May 11, 2006
So Far, So Good
First of all, Studio 34 now is 41 sq. meters but is blocked by a huge Benetton billboard. Sigh. 2 angry letters so far from me to their sales office. In the meantime, Project Real Living is happening.
Transferring and delivery of stuff took most of my time in the past 2 weeks. At first I thought I'd make do without seats in the living room, but it was the first thing I snapped up from the stores. Stores of choice: Lonely Planet (a discovery from Boracay back in 2000), Regalong Pambahay ( I know, so mainstream), Dimensione (clean lines of furniture, Italian designs) and Rustans for home accessories.
I managed to sleep on a 
Uratex ortho mattress before the queen bed arrived this week. I knew I wanted a big bed. 300 thread count sheet in white makes sleeping an indulging expererience.
29 inches of colored TV 
(not plasma,not in this third world salary), an IKEA rug, a bangko I used as a mesa and a 2-seater couch makes this TV room my favorite room, so far. 
Yes, I can do without the fridge and a gas range, but there's lots of food, after all, I'm a foodie.
I'm at a dilemma on how to decorate the huge vertical space as is with a loft. A huge Runo mirror, or an artpiece, maybe. Patience and money. Tsk tsk.. But so far, so good.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Beach Time!
Dos Palmas is a wonderful secluded island beach along Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa. One of the nicest beaches I have been to, its appeal include its placid waters, fine sands and the different shades of blue on display all throughout the day. It is quiet and peaceful, which allows for a nice detoxification process. Away from it all, away from stress, one's rhythm is magically changed over a couple of days. There is kayaking, snorkeling, diving and other marine sports available, but then again, once can just read a book,seated in a cavana or on a hammock, and let time pass by.
Watching the sunset
, allowing yourself to do nothing and let nature take its course has a quiet and calming effect on me. I try to recall what I was thinking at that time, the worries and the biggest thing on my mind, but being in the island is a blessing in itself. One can live this lifetime and not see such beauty.
In the end, I just thought of one thing. Rather, my havaianas whispered something to me. "I miss my other pair.."
Summer is Here, Why is it Raining with Memories?
I love summer. Sometimes I wish we had four seasons here in the Philippin es, because my real favorite season is spring for its Cherry and other blossoms. But then again I also love autumn with the wild burst of orange and red leaves contrasting against the vast blue sky. But alas, in the
Philippinesthere is the rainy season and the hot summer season. March signals in summer, and along with it, the dry humid air, the intense gaze of the sun which gives me a sudden longing to head for the beach.
Summer reminds me of happy days of youth, when school is over, and we would play in the afternoon, make ice candies from mango, cook polvoron, pretend to be asleep so we can eat our merienda. I remember turon in the afternoon, or kamoteng kahoy. I remember playing with cousins in the province, we would walk the narrow lane of rice fields and play in the grass. Our uncles would get us our fresh buco straight from the coconut tree, and I remember we would all sit down and listen to stories told over and over again.
*****
When I was in elementary I remember cotton trees in Lola's land, and in mischief, my cousin Dondon and his brother Tonette and I would go to a house where they keep the hens-a-laying. It used to be a house that just became a shack so they kept it to house the "chicken". We would go inside in the middle of the day and watch the hens lay their egg. We saw the egg turn from being luminous to its hard white shell. We would volunteer to get the eggs, and giddy with excitement we did this with glee.
I remember Lola's old kitchen where she didn't have gas range or ref, but had an old banga where the water was cold and sweet. Then there was the restroom made from bamboo. The house was elevated from the ground and to get to the restroom, we would have to cross a walkway connecting the kitchen to the restroom. It is nature at its best. The Andrade's shit falling from 4 meters to the ground, while the rustle of the bamboo leaves keep you company and the smell kind of mixes in with the whole nature theme. It doesn't sound so bad, now that I remember it. Natural, that is the term,thank you very much.
******
There was one summer I was asked to go visit my mother's relatives in the boondocks. Quite literally. Lola's land is high up in the mountains, and the tricycle could only climb to a point. So we had to hike our way up to San Isidro. What I remember from this visit is that teenagers and young adults anticipate summer and fiesta because of the bayle, or the dance. The dance means getting dressed for it. But it also means going down the mountain to get to the other side of the mountain. I kid you not. My cousin dragged my Manilena feet one night, with my teased hair and acid dry jeans and high cut rubber shoes, we went to another baranggay. There is a boy there (there's a point to my story,you see), of course. After the dance, it was already early morning and we had to sleep in this friend's house. Then upon sunrise, we rose , ate breakfast,then climbed up the mountain again to go back to Lola. I vomited my breakfast. Again, I kid you not.
*****
There was also one summer when we went to another cousin's place and they had a plantation of watermelons. They ran in the ground. But we were running and stepping on them I think, and I remember just running faster as the farmers were scolding at us.
*****
I have etched in my memory my BAHAY KUBO story. There was a little thatched house we visited one summer, and this little house was surrounded from every corner with plants. There were pineapples, lots of it (after all it was in Amadeus,
Cavite),vegetables, spices, chickens-hens I should say, pigs, dogs, cats, and lots of little children. Our Lola Fely brought us there, and my cousins and I ran around and around the bahay kubo, and played with our relatives' kids. We were just amazed to see such a space, and such a life, so different from cramped Sampaloc to this wonderful heaven. I was at age 10, I think, and what I remember are our faces filled with smiles, and sweat pouring down our our tiny faces, but with twinkles in our eyes.
******
Summer doesn't have to involve Disneyland, it doesn't really matter if we had expensive meals or stayed at hotels. It doesn't take a lot to make a child happy. And these memories last a lifetime. I've reused these memories again and again, and I can't help but smile. Last week, my cousins and I got together once again. Sheryl has a cute little boy now, Dondon has 5 and his wife is pregnant for the 6th (they are all boys). Charry has Kayla, and Theo, this mischievous Bosconian, will have another child, a boy to carry the Iman family name. How time flies. No matter what, we must keep the children happy with the memories of summer.
Philippinesthere is the rainy season and the hot summer season. March signals in summer, and along with it, the dry humid air, the intense gaze of the sun which gives me a sudden longing to head for the beach.
Summer reminds me of happy days of youth, when school is over, and we would play in the afternoon, make ice candies from mango, cook polvoron, pretend to be asleep so we can eat our merienda. I remember turon in the afternoon, or kamoteng kahoy. I remember playing with cousins in the province, we would walk the narrow lane of rice fields and play in the grass. Our uncles would get us our fresh buco straight from the coconut tree, and I remember we would all sit down and listen to stories told over and over again.
*****
When I was in elementary I remember cotton trees in Lola's land, and in mischief, my cousin Dondon and his brother Tonette and I would go to a house where they keep the hens-a-laying. It used to be a house that just became a shack so they kept it to house the "chicken". We would go inside in the middle of the day and watch the hens lay their egg. We saw the egg turn from being luminous to its hard white shell. We would volunteer to get the eggs, and giddy with excitement we did this with glee.
I remember Lola's old kitchen where she didn't have gas range or ref, but had an old banga where the water was cold and sweet. Then there was the restroom made from bamboo. The house was elevated from the ground and to get to the restroom, we would have to cross a walkway connecting the kitchen to the restroom. It is nature at its best. The Andrade's shit falling from 4 meters to the ground, while the rustle of the bamboo leaves keep you company and the smell kind of mixes in with the whole nature theme. It doesn't sound so bad, now that I remember it. Natural, that is the term,thank you very much.
******
There was one summer I was asked to go visit my mother's relatives in the boondocks. Quite literally. Lola's land is high up in the mountains, and the tricycle could only climb to a point. So we had to hike our way up to San Isidro. What I remember from this visit is that teenagers and young adults anticipate summer and fiesta because of the bayle, or the dance. The dance means getting dressed for it. But it also means going down the mountain to get to the other side of the mountain. I kid you not. My cousin dragged my Manilena feet one night, with my teased hair and acid dry jeans and high cut rubber shoes, we went to another baranggay. There is a boy there (there's a point to my story,you see), of course. After the dance, it was already early morning and we had to sleep in this friend's house. Then upon sunrise, we rose , ate breakfast,then climbed up the mountain again to go back to Lola. I vomited my breakfast. Again, I kid you not.
*****
There was also one summer when we went to another cousin's place and they had a plantation of watermelons. They ran in the ground. But we were running and stepping on them I think, and I remember just running faster as the farmers were scolding at us.
*****
I have etched in my memory my BAHAY KUBO story. There was a little thatched house we visited one summer, and this little house was surrounded from every corner with plants. There were pineapples, lots of it (after all it was in Amadeus,
Cavite),vegetables, spices, chickens-hens I should say, pigs, dogs, cats, and lots of little children. Our Lola Fely brought us there, and my cousins and I ran around and around the bahay kubo, and played with our relatives' kids. We were just amazed to see such a space, and such a life, so different from cramped Sampaloc to this wonderful heaven. I was at age 10, I think, and what I remember are our faces filled with smiles, and sweat pouring down our our tiny faces, but with twinkles in our eyes.
******
Summer doesn't have to involve Disneyland, it doesn't really matter if we had expensive meals or stayed at hotels. It doesn't take a lot to make a child happy. And these memories last a lifetime. I've reused these memories again and again, and I can't help but smile. Last week, my cousins and I got together once again. Sheryl has a cute little boy now, Dondon has 5 and his wife is pregnant for the 6th (they are all boys). Charry has Kayla, and Theo, this mischievous Bosconian, will have another child, a boy to carry the Iman family name. How time flies. No matter what, we must keep the children happy with the memories of summer.
A Virtual World ...Indeed!
On my Inbox (SMS): "Then try your best to treat him well. I believe it has soul."
That's the response from master C.P. when I texted him early this evening: " Sam how nice your HRV. I'm enjoying it." (Ayos, tinago pa sa pangalang C.P.)
My response: " Really? Then he was just waiting for the right person. I've had a crush on him for a long time."
Then my mind starts to think, "uh-oh. He might think my words have double meaning." So I text back," Not on you ha. The hrv." Which of course makes it worse. Hahaha.
But Sam understands. He has known me for over 5 years, he is my mentor and he has earned my trust. He has earned the right to scold me, mold me, shout at me (only when there is a point which should of course affect me), tease me, ask me about personal stuff. He is a great mentor, a wise man trapped in a 38-year old body. There was a time we say good night to each other almost every night. We were practicing his English, I think...It is much improved.
Final word on the HRV: " It brought me many good lucks, remember to wax him every month."
I hate him these days, though. One day, the long BATTLE will come to a close, and I have a story to tell. Boring, but it makes a great story just the same.
*****
On my Inbox ( OUTLOOK): My brother in law from KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) writes to 
me:
Tita Armi, (I call him Manong)
Updates sa dalawang angels:
Ysabel –
1. Super kulit
2. Wala ng bulutong J
3.Gusto laging nakadikit sa Mommy niya
4. Lakad ng lakad sa buong bahay
5. Mahilig paglaruan yung mga pinggan (buti na lang puro plastic yung pinggan namin)
6. Grabe tumawa, as in bukang-buka yung bibig with the occasional beautiful eyes pa J
7. Expert mang-uto lalo na kapag gusting magpababa sa crib/kama
8. Lakas kumain pero di tumataba
9. Attached sa stuffed toy niya na Seal (or sea lion yata yun)
10. Paboritong kagatin yung nose ni Pooh
11. Meron ng 4 upper front teeth and 2 lower
12. Manipis na kulot ang buhok
Miguel – 
1. Super kulit
2. Wala ng bulutong J
3. Gusto laging nakadikit sa Papa niya
4. Nuod ng nuod ng TV (cartoons, kahit arabo and salita); nag-aaway na sila ni
5. Edendahil di makasingit si Mommy niya
6. Places na gusto niyang puntahan: McDo, toys, bookstore, park, zoo,
7. Toys na gusto niyang bilihin: buzz lightyear, dinosaur, robots
8. English expressions: Hey, Really, Of Course, I don’t think so, Okay, Oh no, I don’t know, Careful, See you later, etc.
9. Can count from 1 to 11
10. Reconizes basic shapes (circle, triangle, square) and colors (blue, green, orange, yellow, black, pink, purple, red, brown)
11. Expert in setting-up and operating dvd player
HUWAAA- I miss my pamangkins!
********
Let me count the ways:
1. My sister and her family are in KSA
2. My best friend/chosen ate is in Qatar
3. My barkada is in Malaysia
4. My lola and tita are in the States
5. My boyfriend is in Singapore
H: " Pagod ka na #__~ % (term of endearment)?
A: "Aee433454w54sfxgftfhrnjyuuytughvbiuoi453wjft20452tk"
H:"Gud nyt. I ve4566 u"
Huwaa.....
Friends, Kaibigan, Barkada, Tomodachi
2 Weeks Like No Other
In 2 weeks I managed to do the following:
1. Went to Taipei on a business trip where I did 2 business presentations, submitted 1 late write-up to my angry editor, did a lot of firsts (tried the hot spring in Taiwan, ate the stinky tofu , had my name done in calligraphy, went to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, visited the gold-mining Chiufen north of Keelung , and tried Google Earth). In total, I think I only slept 4 hours per night.
2. Was over-all coordinator for my Lolo Doroy's memorial service, as well as event planner. I made the pre-arrangement to have Lolo's body received from the US, arranged the paperworks for the memorial plan, service and memorial garden, sent out the text messages to relatives, drove whenever I can, prepared the beautiful flowers and the priest, as well as the choir, and had a say on the food to be served. I realized how difficult it must have been for a small family, when grieving is done along with making the arrangements because there is no one to support you. Luckily, we have a huge and extended family, and having everyone's support at this difficult time is very important. Each one of us had to pitch in, and we do this without question because we are a family. I did the coordination, but everyone made it easy. We all did this in just 2 nights of wake- how could anyone do this for more than 3 days? We love our Lolo Doroy, he is our own version of a taipan, and I will forever remember his wonderful story. He made all of us into a huge family, that link made him seem like the Godfather. Come to think of it, Lolo gave me my name (from Armi Kuusela in '79).
3. Hassled with 3 agents and the office to have my car sold in 3 days, with all the papers clean and notarized, and have a second hand unit as a replacement (guess what unit- I'll grant a space to this blog to the lucky guess-ee)
4. Finalized the documents for my housing, attended the PAG-IBIG seminar, filed all the forms and completed the requirements for the unit's turnover. Did some shopping for IKEA stuff. Am more than ready to transfer.
5. Arranged for a get together cum despedida for my Lola , Cha, Kayla and Louie with my mama, papa and Uncle Ray, Anti Weng to share a beautiful Sunday at Sonya's Garden.
Sometimes even I surprise myself.
Not a good way to live a life though, my eye cream can no longer conceal the tiredness. Mukha pa ba akong 25?
Ha-ha. All these an excuse to post the new pics taken from Canon IXY. A 5-megapixel digital camera released as a domestic model in Japan. I'm thinking hard about buying one for my personal use.
1. Went to Taipei on a business trip where I did 2 business presentations, submitted 1 late write-up to my angry editor, did a lot of firsts (tried the hot spring in Taiwan, ate the stinky tofu , had my name done in calligraphy, went to the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, visited the gold-mining Chiufen north of Keelung , and tried Google Earth). In total, I think I only slept 4 hours per night.
2. Was over-all coordinator for my Lolo Doroy's memorial service, as well as event planner. I made the pre-arrangement to have Lolo's body received from the US, arranged the paperworks for the memorial plan, service and memorial garden, sent out the text messages to relatives, drove whenever I can, prepared the beautiful flowers and the priest, as well as the choir, and had a say on the food to be served. I realized how difficult it must have been for a small family, when grieving is done along with making the arrangements because there is no one to support you. Luckily, we have a huge and extended family, and having everyone's support at this difficult time is very important. Each one of us had to pitch in, and we do this without question because we are a family. I did the coordination, but everyone made it easy. We all did this in just 2 nights of wake- how could anyone do this for more than 3 days? We love our Lolo Doroy, he is our own version of a taipan, and I will forever remember his wonderful story. He made all of us into a huge family, that link made him seem like the Godfather. Come to think of it, Lolo gave me my name (from Armi Kuusela in '79).
3. Hassled with 3 agents and the office to have my car sold in 3 days, with all the papers clean and notarized, and have a second hand unit as a replacement (guess what unit- I'll grant a space to this blog to the lucky guess-ee)
4. Finalized the documents for my housing, attended the PAG-IBIG seminar, filed all the forms and completed the requirements for the unit's turnover. Did some shopping for IKEA stuff. Am more than ready to transfer.
5. Arranged for a get together cum despedida for my Lola , Cha, Kayla and Louie with my mama, papa and Uncle Ray, Anti Weng to share a beautiful Sunday at Sonya's Garden.
Sometimes even I surprise myself.
Not a good way to live a life though, my eye cream can no longer conceal the tiredness. Mukha pa ba akong 25?
Ha-ha. All these an excuse to post the new pics taken from Canon IXY. A 5-megapixel digital camera released as a domestic model in Japan. I'm thinking hard about buying one for my personal use.
Nesting
I'm bored. And I thought I'd quit Friendster. But I can't. Not yet anyway. While I'm bored I'll continue to regale you with stuff that may also...bore you. Ha-ha.
*****
So there we were on a Sunday morning, headed to Westgrove. Worth the road trip, with a special tour from the project manager himself, a friend of mine (I'm trying to play matchmaker for Myr). The houses were a sight to behold. With rolling hills, trees and expansive sky, the place reeked of millions. P5 million per cut of land, and oh, around P25M for this house. (It's not Meditteranean bossing, it's Japanese). My favorite is this white house, though. Isn't this one owned by the Pedrosa's? Sharon Cuneta's house sits on 4 cuts of land. The house is alive as play houses and toys surround the pool. Apparently she loves it there. A lot of doctors and Ayala Alabangers transferred there. Hmnn, not quite within the horizon for me, but like I said the trip was worthwhile.
****
Studio 34 is coming alive. The lighting became the inspiration for me. There is also a new trend, a replacement for window curtains, which is a railing system with curtain panel. Panels are cuts of textile, which can be interspersed in three, a sheer white layer, a deep color layer to diffuse the light, and a patterned layer to use as decorative piece or tie-back. In some cases, one set of design, and it still works.
Not to be overlooked, the sanctuary for reading. The banyo. A simple Narciso Rodriguez look would work just fine.
A nice comfy chair. Mix and match. Why Live Alone?
Because it feels good. Because it is my life and I like it that way. Because.
Even if I'd miss Tata's cooking, it is time to move on.
*****
I'm procrastinating. I have writing assignments on dog breeds. 50 cents per word, that'll fetch me around P2750 for one day. Due next week. I realized what they mean about being a struggling writer. It doesn't get done for the money, that's for sure.
****
Taipei travel stories when I come back.
*****
So there we were on a Sunday morning, headed to Westgrove. Worth the road trip, with a special tour from the project manager himself, a friend of mine (I'm trying to play matchmaker for Myr). The houses were a sight to behold. With rolling hills, trees and expansive sky, the place reeked of millions. P5 million per cut of land, and oh, around P25M for this house. (It's not Meditteranean bossing, it's Japanese). My favorite is this white house, though. Isn't this one owned by the Pedrosa's? Sharon Cuneta's house sits on 4 cuts of land. The house is alive as play houses and toys surround the pool. Apparently she loves it there. A lot of doctors and Ayala Alabangers transferred there. Hmnn, not quite within the horizon for me, but like I said the trip was worthwhile.
****
Studio 34 is coming alive. The lighting became the inspiration for me. There is also a new trend, a replacement for window curtains, which is a railing system with curtain panel. Panels are cuts of textile, which can be interspersed in three, a sheer white layer, a deep color layer to diffuse the light, and a patterned layer to use as decorative piece or tie-back. In some cases, one set of design, and it still works.
Not to be overlooked, the sanctuary for reading. The banyo. A simple Narciso Rodriguez look would work just fine.
A nice comfy chair. Mix and match. Why Live Alone?
Because it feels good. Because it is my life and I like it that way. Because.
Even if I'd miss Tata's cooking, it is time to move on.
*****
I'm procrastinating. I have writing assignments on dog breeds. 50 cents per word, that'll fetch me around P2750 for one day. Due next week. I realized what they mean about being a struggling writer. It doesn't get done for the money, that's for sure.
****
Taipei travel stories when I come back.
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