Should I be worried? The holidays this year aren't as festive, the season's not as merry. Have I "outgrown" Christmas? (Actually, this feeling's been lingering for years.)
I'm nostalgic about the past Christmases, way back before. The smell of steaming embutido would wake me up in the morning, cooking for the whole day. We'd have loads of chicken pastel (mommy cooks this only once a year) and homemade fruit salad. The house would be so busy with cooking, gift-wrapping, gift-giving, and other traditions.
Seems like the traditions are fading. Christmas has been reduced to, well, noche buena and a Christmas mass. Am I out-of-line here? Am I starting to become superficial? Well that's my Christmas, at least it was.
Here's to hoping I can find the real meaning of this special holiday in the next years.
More Unhealthiness
So sums every trip I make back home. Not that I'm complaining, it's a nice change. But too much of it is making me crazy. Makes me super unproductive and overly lethargic.
Not healthy indeed, especially for the holidays.
cobwebs galore
wow i finally found time (and will) to post something haha it's been a while =)
time to get rid of the cobwebs!!!
time to get rid of the cobwebs!!!
VN Highlights: Hue
Hue, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, was another must-see for us culture-seekers. We just spent a night there/a full day, which was drastically short compared to our stay in Hoi An (2 nights and 2 full days).
The weather was already below 20 degrees, and we were still in Central Vietnam. The constant, but occasional rain didn't help at all. Thanks to hot and spicy pho, our weather woes were somewhat relieved.
We visited the emperor's Ancient Royal Tombs (for the emperors of the Nguyen Dysnasty) and the Forbidden Purple City. Along the way, we witnessed how they make incense and the trademark conical hats. =)
The weather was already below 20 degrees, and we were still in Central Vietnam. The constant, but occasional rain didn't help at all. Thanks to hot and spicy pho, our weather woes were somewhat relieved.
We visited the emperor's Ancient Royal Tombs (for the emperors of the Nguyen Dysnasty) and the Forbidden Purple City. Along the way, we witnessed how they make incense and the trademark conical hats. =)
the coolest way to get around: by motorbike!
it's an experience itself.
Thien Mu Pagoda, the biggest in Hue
playing around in the courtyard of Emperor Tu Duc's tomb (the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty)
(yes, those are incense sticks)
incense and conical hat making
another rainy day. in the Forbidden Purple City.
ELEPHANT!!!!!!
bullying the koi fishes in the moat
Thanks Mom =)
On my way to work today, I smelled a very familiar scent along Dela Costa. Then seeing white petals on the street, I knew it had to be sampaguita.
Thanks Mom for reminding me you're always there. =)
Thanks Mom for reminding me you're always there. =)
See. Taste. Smell. Hear. Feel. LOVE.
Reblogged from I Wrote This For You
"Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.
You think she's insane. Until, one day, you notice that she's taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.
Because you look. But you do not see.
And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she's some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.
Because you eat. But you do not taste.
It's been a while since their last album but he assures you, he's doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.
Because you sniff. But you do not smell.
And they say "Just OK" when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they're hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads "I wish you'd give me some privacy."
Because you listen. But you do not hear.
And they've got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.
Because you touch. But you do not feel.
And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.
Because you live. But very few, love."
"Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.
You think she's insane. Until, one day, you notice that she's taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.
Because you look. But you do not see.
And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she's some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.
Because you eat. But you do not taste.
It's been a while since their last album but he assures you, he's doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.
Because you sniff. But you do not smell.
And they say "Just OK" when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they're hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads "I wish you'd give me some privacy."
Because you listen. But you do not hear.
And they've got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.
Because you touch. But you do not feel.
And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.
Because you live. But very few, love."
VN Highlights: My Son
Dubbed as a mini Angkor Wat in Vietnam, My Son (Holy Land), was the site of religious activity for the kings during the Champa Kingdom. It was also a burial place for Cham royalty and heroes. My Son is one of the first Hindu temple complexes in South-East Asia, together with Borobudur in Java, Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Bagan in Myanmar, and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
VN Highlights: Hoi An Ancient Town
Suddenly became too busy with work. Anyway, here are some highlights of our recently concluded Vietnam trip. =D
I absolutely LOVE this place!! Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient buildings and architecture are very well-preserved. While walking around, you get a feeling of being transported back to times when it was known as "Champa City".
Lots of tourists and backpackers go there for all the cheap finds and uniquely Vietnamese food, handicrafts, paintings, and what have you. The walking tour is also very interesting as you get to visit temples, old houses (really well-preserved), and conference halls.
messing around in one of the temples
dragons in the pond
i love the streets of the Old Town
one of our many food adventures: white rose
the alleys of Hoi An
Hoi An's popular lanterns
Jozu Kin
Thanks to Joanne's efforts (aka kakulitan), had dinner last Friday at Jozu Kin in The Fort. We only found out about it through our efforts to look for a Japanese restaurant and thanks to Azrael's Merryland, we found the perfect place to spend our Friday evening and fulfill our quest for new finds.
Jozu Kin is the newest cosmopolitan Japanese restaurant in town, opening just last September 2009 in Burgos Circle, Forbes Town Center, Fort, Global City. The food is awesome!!! They offer new takes on old favorites and they also have all of the favorite Jap dishes. Every bite's a surprise. Price is ok, averaging 400-500 per person.
Will try the different foie gras dishes next time. =P
Our menu for the night: (Pardon me for not being able to remember all the dishes =P)
Jozu Kin
Unit ES-2, West Crescent Park, Rizal Drive (Burgos Circle), Forbes Town Center, Fort Global City
(632) 403-1875
Operating hours: M-Th: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-11 pm for dinner
Fri-Sat: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-12 am for dinner
Sun: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-10 pm for dinner
Jozu Kin is the newest cosmopolitan Japanese restaurant in town, opening just last September 2009 in Burgos Circle, Forbes Town Center, Fort, Global City. The food is awesome!!! They offer new takes on old favorites and they also have all of the favorite Jap dishes. Every bite's a surprise. Price is ok, averaging 400-500 per person.
Will try the different foie gras dishes next time. =P
Our menu for the night: (Pardon me for not being able to remember all the dishes =P)
Maguro Togarashi: spicy tuna with onions and wasabi mayo
crostinis
GYOZA!!!
jampackedbear's favorite: chicken teppanyaki
Jozu Kin
Unit ES-2, West Crescent Park, Rizal Drive (Burgos Circle), Forbes Town Center, Fort Global City
(632) 403-1875
Operating hours: M-Th: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-11 pm for dinner
Fri-Sat: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-12 am for dinner
Sun: 11 am-2 pm for lunch; 5:30-10 pm for dinner
100% Virgin Pulp
Featuring the newest brand of tissue paper from GOOGLE!!! Hahaha!!! Leave it to the Asians to think of the best (and worst) funny brands! This time, it's the Vietnamese.
Sushi Etiquette
Who knew there were so many rules to eat sushi? I only know (and follow) the one that involves not rubbing the chopsticks together to remove splinters. Glad I follow at least one of them. =)
Bottom Line
Does being an optimist or pessimist really matter? Because at the end of the day, we're all going to be struck by the reality of it all - LIFE IS SHIT.
The 8 Monkeys
Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder, leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling.
Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.
One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.
All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why.
However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.
A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him.
This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.
One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.
And that is how most companies' policies get established.
--- Sad as this story may be, it is true for most companies. We've been taught to be proactive and take the initiative but when when we enter the real world, it really is every man for himself. Heck, that's not even the case here. Each "monkey" just blindly does the norm, no questions asked.
Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.
One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.
All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why.
However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.
A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him.
This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.
One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.
And that is how most companies' policies get established.
--- Sad as this story may be, it is true for most companies. We've been taught to be proactive and take the initiative but when when we enter the real world, it really is every man for himself. Heck, that's not even the case here. Each "monkey" just blindly does the norm, no questions asked.
Lust
I never thought I'd be lusting over a designer bag but Louis Vuitton's new "Taiga" collection is just too beautiful. I love the simplicity and classic look of the bags, without the screaming LV monogram. Now where can I find look-a-likes? Or fakes? Hahaha
These are my favorites:
These are my favorites:
via bagaholicboy
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