Vacation Pixs

This might not be the vacation pics everyone is hoping to see... but as I was browsing through my picture collection, I realized that even with my rehearsed smile for all occasion, I could still come up with a different look. Browse through this gallery....

20060916 - Self Protrait (During Pinas Vacation 2006)

ostrich meat

This entry is dedicated to my mom, bro and sis - a travel memoir of some sort so that you'll know what I am up to on my side of the world.

Still here in Cagayan de Oro. I am writing again from room 210, in my pajamas, while waiting for my hair to dry before I can finally call it a day.

I won't bore you with work related stories, instead, will give you a rundown of what kept us awake throughout the day.

Although we slept through the alarm clock this morning, we managed to get a quick but good breakfast before starting our video and photo shoot. Lunch was home cooked (native chicken tinola - broth) served by a very warm couple - a successful husband and wife team that is the reason why we are here in the first place. Dinner was composed of crispy pata, pansit, chopsuey and sweet&sour fish. Evening was capped with some drinks, sizzling sisig and ostrich meat (my first try!), caffe latte and banana caramel cheesecake (yummy!!).

In between work and throughout the day, we have laughters and jokes that kept us awake, our "happy drug", our adrenalin rush just to see us through the tiredness and sleepiness. You should hear us laugh, we are such a boisterous group!

With a complete, check-marked list, we are ready to go back to Manila tomorrow noon. Now, if I can just manage to find time to look for my CDO ref magnet souvenir...

here in cagayan de oro

Our events group took the 5am flight (yeah, we are crazy...) and touched down (hard!) here around 6:30 am. One thing I liked about our early flight was the sunrise view from the plane's window. Very beautiful, indeed.

So far, we have done what we needed to do as scheduled. It will be a challenge to stage an event in a place where we do not know any suppliers and do not have the "luxury" of convenience. Unlike in Manila where we can do our calls, bookings and confirmations in one sitting, just with our fully-charged mobile phone, here, we have to rely on contacts of our contacts' contacts. I just hope they'll deliver (I have started crossing my fingers, toes and eyes!).

On a lighter note, on our 1st day here (the five of us are all first timers in this city) we were able to do the following: check into a nice hotel, eat grilled chicken for lunch, experience sumptuous dinner, try the city's famous desserts place and get a 150 pesos foot massage!

Additional stories to come. Will have an early 2nd day scheduled with a whole day of photo and video shoot. Looking forward in the evening though since Ria and I booked ourselves to another round of foot massage.

Thanks to those who constantly reminded me to take extra care while here in CDO - mom, dad, jl and jen. I feel a rush of good feelings knowing I am loved :)

Saturday in New York

Back in Manila, I used to sleep in all day Saturday. Not anymore in NY.

My body clock triggers this alarm to wake up at exactly 7:30AM, snoozes off for about 30 minutes and by the time that I can't fight "wakeness-ness", its 8:30AM.

Am I becoming my father who wakes up at 6AM when we go out on vacation and insists that we have breakfast early?

As I write this entry, I hear the comforting sound of the NY City subway. Reminds me of Cityland with the old train running along South Super Highway. I'm supposed to work on a video (a part time gig) but can't seem to get started with it.

Maybe, Saturdays in New York are meant to be just like in Manila. The day where you just sit back and relax. A coffee and a toast (since I'm just too lazy to go to the deli and pick up a bottle of P&J or Nutella) while watching Saturday cartoons.

Sorry for the ramblings, just haven't been able to post for awhile.

a series of unfortunate events

(if you have yet to read the thirteenth book... this entry might spoil it for you.)

when my brother and i saw this movie we looked at each other and said "the story is so familiar." and gave each other that grin that says - i know what you're talking about. when we got home, after our uncle dropped us off.. we started talking about it - who the "count olaf" is in our lives.

months after that, my aunt came home with books one through twelve of the series of unfortunate events. i started reading it and got hooked. few weeks ago, i got the last book - book 13.

we (have) had our share of struggles. looking back, i am thankful for those things, i am thankful that we went through and faced each "event". although we were exposed to life's trials, it didn't hinder us from reaching our dreams, it didn't lead us astray. it made us stronger, realize at an early age how to be greatful of the life that Lord gives us, no matter how hard the struggle is. It made us seek God more.

just thankful for having such great siblings who were there for me. who made sure that each of us is safe, the support that we give to each other, the communication that is always open, the shoulder that we each know we could always lean on.

as for our little(st) sister, jackie (in the thirteenth book, they "adopted" kit snicket's baby - making them four...), just know that we are always here for you.

it's beginning...

to look like christmas. well, on this side of the world though. when i peeked through my window this afternoon, i saw some workers on the skyway. i thought they were just fixing some of the lampposts due to the past typhoons. but when evening came, i was surprised to see twinkling lights. they have put up christmas decors!

come to think of it, just the other day, ria, jackie and i happen to have a shoot in the ortigas area. after being tired and almost missing dinner, we decided to eat chicken inasal. near the manukan, there were several stores selling lanterns and they were all lit up! i did not really take notice since my concentration was on dinner. it just dawned on me tonight that, yes, christmas has started in pinas. if you happen to experience christmas here, you'll agree with me that it is one of the favorite holidays of pinoys.

in the past years, i am usually done with my christmas list when november rolls in. but with my personal economic situation, school and project load...my list is taking a backseat for now. i don't splurge on gifts, but i put personal touches in each one that i give out. plus, i find joy in gift wrapping (i also enjoy covering my books)! oh well...i still have a month or so to figure this out.

it's approximately 52 days before my 30th christmas....or will it be my 31st?