Young yet full of Courage to speak the Truth

Paper? What paper?

The worst thing that can happen in a place who claims to be thoroughgoing is have a system that lack the commonsense to do paperwork! The place is idiots infested and I'm bewildered beyond belief on why the outsiders think otherwise.

It racks my brain when I get the answer "ma'am but that's S.O.P." despite the obvious that what they're asking for is right under their noses. tsk tsk tsk But shucks, that's all you get when you ask a public servant who does not know how to serve, let alone, what they're serving!

Power POOF Girl

Being the eldest of 6 children, I'm accustomed to celebrating birthday parties. I grew-up seeing my mom prepare food as if the whole neighborhood's invited, organize games for at least 30 kids, pack loot bags like it's Christmas and redecorate the garage and garden like there's a fiesta. Regardless if she had to do it alone or with helpers, it was the norm. That said, I should be a pro by now with birthday bashes (specially if there are less than 20 kids around).

Yeah right...

Though Germany kept those abilities in check for some years, after moving to this island, the curse of dependence slowly over powered those skills I grew up with. The last time I prepared food and did some entertaining on my own was on 2007---Keanu's swimming party. Then last year, I succumbed to comfort and opted for one of the gazillion party packages offered. Am I ageing too fast to be that unenergetic to entertain 5 year olds?!

Work with Perks

Nowadays, I consider myself quite lucky to not only have a job but also have a working environment where I look forward to go to. Busy yet relaxed. No typical, stiff uniforms are required. Lunch meetings with the boss is not a breath stopping experience and having a chauffer driven Jaguar for the simplest of office tasks is something really not to complain about.

Also, I get the chance to attend certain opening nights of theatre plays that are quite "interesting"---given the sensitive topics exagerratedly addressed but have to be humorously taken in.

The one we attended a month ago (see photo with hubby, my friend and bro-in-law) was a small theatre play compared to the upcoming one this November; and given that I like the bravery of this particular production---I won't miss it for the world.

(disclosure: photo from ExpatLiving Magazine, Aug. 2009 issue)

Caught in the act...

"No artist can paint the images these two can, no writer can write the scripts they naturally articulate and no musician can play the music of their laughter..."

Gotta admit---without their hanky-pankies, the house will be moth-eaten and characterless.

These photos were taken by them and supposedly for their eyes only--until the time I needed to format and re-use the cam :-) kids!

I know they'll scold me one day for this www humiliation BUT (though I don't usually go by this saying)--I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Riddles for the Soul-O

When everything seemed right and going the right way---here you go again!

You foolish, foolish you. Why the need to come into sight and darken the already brightening view?!

It is clear that things move on despite how strong the pull to not to but still does.

Regrets do not happen because mistakes are made. Regrets happen when what shouldn't couldn't but it did and then the rude awakening that you are where you are when you don't want to but have to.

It doesn't make sense, does it? But surely it does when it doesn't...

My Happy Birthday

After years and years of birthday parties and the usual gatherings, this year's 38th was celebrated differently. We had a beautiful weekend in Hong Kong and Macau where we met with my sister Jurist and my BIL Art for a just adults getaway-cum-birthday blowout.

Upon arriving HK around noon, we headed to Causeway Bay and decided to have a bite at California Pizza Kitchen in the frustration that we didn't know a better place and we were starved. My fear of flying activates my tummy acids which efficiently digests airplane food. So...

I was content with the birthday trip gift and wasn't expecting for more but I found A's offer to pay patronage to the Esprit, Mango and Zara shops hard to decline so I happily obliged for the "necessities".

I rarely buy branded stuff that aren't having the red tag on it coz fashion changes too fast nowadays---but that day, I told myself I should indulge. I challenged myself by NOT looking at the prices, however, my frugal and practical side over-powered me and I found myself in their SALE sections. Whew!

For dinner, I was craving for steak so my sister booked a place HERE and it was so worth it! The next day, we were off to Macau with the hopes that birthday luck would surround me in the casinos ;-) Before all the gambling and touring, we tried out the Portuguese restaurant Art's Dad recommended and we were wise to have done so. Food was excellent!

Tummies and wallets still full, we headed to Sands Casino. Soon as we entered, the feel of Vegas was immediately obvious given the gigantic chandelier in the middle of the place and the exagerrated blinking lights and gold tinted railings. We warmed-up there for an hour before heading to The Venetian Macau-Resort Hotel. I was transported to Europe in a blink of an eye. Seeing Plaza San Marco and it's skies was a sight! They had gondolas with singing gondoliers (just like in real Venice!)

We didn't really have lady luck with us but I brought in some cash back so playing wasn't all in vain :-) Dinner was at a Filipino owned Italian restaurant back in HK and before midnight struck, we had a nice drink at the MO bar at The Landmark, Mandarin Oriental. A good close to a day but a nice beginning to another year.

These are all nice things to thank for but most of all, I'm thankful for the immaterial blessings...Thank YOU.