When Goodbye = Happy/Sad

It seems ironic that we're happy

ur goin away

Still, we are and

we're sad too

We know this is for the good

a promise of tomorrow,

a better, probably more convenient life


still.... can't erase the mellow

the sentiments of a melancholic fellow

Well, goodbye then, my friend

n good luck too

remember, wherever you are

We're all here,

just for YOU

TriNoMa Event!!! ATTN: PINOYS!

The Amazing Race Asia 2, including the TEAMS will be at TriNoMa on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3 for the Promotional Amazing Race Activity wherein 20 teams of 2 will be racing against each other to bag the 1000 U$D Prize money!!!

Spongecola, Itchyworms and other bands will also be there to entertain the crowd!!!

Bahasa Indon. Lessons_09262007

Selamat Pagi! Good morning! Magandang Umaga! 

c/o my CikgU / guru ~ Nilasy, Ray, Akoi...
 
I sent letter below to them yesterday and again, 
improved my bahasa Indonesia vocab.

Blue - Stardust's reply
Violet - (cikgU's) nila's answers+++

September 26, 2007

Good morning CikgU & alternates (hehe)

As I was passing my time due to the heavy traffic yesterday on the way
home, I'm so glad I brought my kamus saku with me to learn some words...

CMIIW, please as I'm just trying to recall this now (with Tagalog/Filipino
translations):

1.  satu (isa)
2.  dua (dalawa)
3.  tiga (tatlo)
4.  ampat (apat) ---> empat (official spelling); ampat is variation of
pronounciation
5.  lima (lima) ---> bingo! exactly the same! :-p
6.  anam (anim) ---> enam (official spelling); anam is variation of
pronounciation
7.  tujuh (pito) ---> 7 in lower Javanese is called 'pitu'
8.  delapan (walo) ---> 8 in lower Javanese is called 'wolu'
9.  sembilan (siyam)
10. sepuluh (sampu)

berada - well to do ---> as in 'orang berada'; more common is 'kaya' as
'berada' also denotes 'whereabout' as in 'saya berada di sini' (I'm here)
aduh! - oh! ---> or 'ouch!'
aga - pride ---> never heard of 'aga' but pride can be 'kesombongan'
(negative meaning) or 'kebanggaan' (neutral/positive meaning)
abjad - alphabet ---> or 'alfabet' or 'aksara'
beradab - ??? courteous??? ---> cultured or civilized
batu nilam - sapphire (my gemstone!)

I also tried to compose some statements; Can anyone guess what I'm trying
to
say here??? (and, does any of it make sense?):

Saya sungu sungguh menghendika afal B.I. ---> I really want to study
(memorize) BI
Perhaps you should say 'saya betul2 mau belajar BI.' or 'saya sunguh2 mau
belajar BI.'

Engkau adalah baik-hati kawan. ---> You are very kind buddy ---> 'engkau'
is rather archaic though not uncommoncly used in poetic, story-telling &
formal occassion. More common is 'Anda' (formal) or 'kamu/kau' (less
formal/daily); Betawi (Jakarta) dialect for 'you' is 'elo' or 'elu'. You
should probably say something like this (if it's between friends use
kamu/kau; if it's to somebody you just met use 'Anda') ---> Kamu baik deh
pren. (informal) or Kamu baik sekali, kawan (friend).

Ada adalah agaknya salah adalaknya. ---> my mind reading ability gives up
on this one...  I may be wrong?

Lastly, what does "Gorilla" mean in B.I., Russell wants to know... Looking
it up in the Dictionary, I came across "Siamang", is this the correct
meaning?

---> Gorilla is 'gorila' (natural habitat: Africa), 'siamang' (Eng: gibbon)
is a different species of big ape living only in parts of SE Asia & India
(including Indonesia)

Thanks!

Have a nice day!
:P

Siswa (male student), ---> 'siswi' (female student) or 'murid' (neutral)
Blue ---> biru

If I were the president of RI I granted you the honorary citizenship of the
Republic of Indonesia... :-p

-according to Stardust


from cikgU:

Instead of 
ada adalah agaknya salah adalaknya --- should be ---
kadang kadang kamu mungkin (bisa jadi) salah

banyak + verb or 2x = plural

baloon = balon
baloons = banyak balon or balon balon

sometimes = kadang

probably
perhaps 
maybe = mungkin or kali
        berangkali
        boleh jadi
        bisa jadi

maybe someday = mungkin bila nanti


Thank you all!!!

I'm back

It's been, like, more than 20 days since I last 'Multiply'ed' hehe and I missed it! I miss this!!! What've I been up to? hmmm, well, I have a Life now, an offline L_i_f_e... Okay, Okay, Okay, to be honest, I've been busy with a Doctor with a cane, a 'makulit' na agent, and Crimes; translate: Hugh Laurie, Jeremy Piven, Crimes and the boob-tube.... House Season 1, 2, 3, Entourage 1, 2, CSI 7... these are just some of the things that killed my o.l./interweb/virtual life, for awhile at least, hehe... Now, maybe, I'll move on to Nat Geo and life will be happily ever after, hehe... Take Care, y'all!!! see ya 'round

The wrath of the red moon

(Tuesday of my being sick)

Sometimes we do things we regret. We say words we hoped we didn’t. And words, when already said (esp. harshly), cannot be taken back… ‘the harm has been done’… A pretty unusual day it was for me last August 28, 2007. Coming back from a ‘long economic holiday weekend’ (as per the RP government), I ought to be well-rested, calm and bubbly. Alas, it was the other way around. I have not skipped meals hence, I am carbo-loaded hence I should not be cranky at all. I have this friend who’s just kiss-hello’ing me and I just (w/o any apparent reason) flared, aaargghhh… Seconds later, I realized I was doing the same thing to others talking to me, I was ill-tempered and crabby almost the whole day. Little did I know that these moods are already hurting others. I don’t know if it was just me or the red moon’s wrath… hard to believe but it seems that the Lunar eclipse truly has its effect on me. The Lunar eclipse occurred that same day, around 5:22 to 7:22 p.m., Manila time. Well, I heard Virgo, Pisces and Gemini signs would either be too hot-headed, ferocious or too optimistic and happy. I guess I was part of the former, not the latter… Well, that’s what the Astrologers say. This is not to affirm and justify my actions. But just like the moon that night, I felt I was on my darkest hour yet I dunno WHY. If only I can turn back time but whatever I think, do, wish or say now doesn't matter as Anger is something that can’t be un-done.

Russ Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

Russ Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

i hope i don't get killed for this:

LOL... for Manis, CikgU, Megg!E & The King...

The King's Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

Megg!E Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

cikgU Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

Manis Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

My Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

Celebrity Duets_Philippine edition

Just an update, guys n gals!!! Yesterday on its 2nd week of airing, our Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Anna Theresa Licaros bid farewell to us all as contestant of the Celebrity Duets_Philipppine edition. She's soo very slim, pretty & sweet but I guess her wrong choice of partner on episode 1 and wrong choice of song on episode 2 really cost her to bow out so early on in the show... Personally, I feel had she sung 'Way back into love' with a partner that matches her voice (& height) like, say, Ariel Rivera or even Harry Santos (syempre, kapuso lang kasi pwede ko i suggest diba, para realistic..)... The song by Gwyneth before - Cruisin' could've been okay for her too, I think... Well, now we only have two females left ~ the very colorful and hyper-active Tessa Prieto-Valdez & ex-Van Damme gf Jessica Rodriguez-Bunevacz... If Jessica does not shape up though, I think she'll be next or if our socialite-contestant Tessa cannot match her performance yest., well, she could be in trouble too... For the guys, it's hard to say but maybe Doc Manny, Tim or Doc Hayden may be next if and only if they don't do well as they did yesterday...

my 2 Cents worth ;)

TC...

~things to do before I die list~

Peek at Egypt's pyramids~ sunset

See the Jungles of Cambodia

Bungee Jump at Macau's highest tower

Walk through some Vineyards in France

Nature tripping @ Lombok

Bungee jump (wtf%^, again???) yes, again, pls. & now @ NZ

Visit Austria (home to many Classical composers) then, sight-seeing in Germany (where Jose Rizal lived) in Europe

In Africa, explore Madagascar.......

Build a home in Guimaras Islands & live there too ;)

there are MORE of this list actually but too many too mention, hehe :P

(own-selfish-versh)

At wit’s end

Imagine this: It’s been raining endlessly for the past several days, you wake up, and you’re at home with nothing do (lazy enough to do anything, actually). But you have no choice, you have to get up and prepare meals for your still-in-R.E.M.-state housemates. So in haste, you whip up breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one cooking session. After the chores, you yawn, and since you have the luxury of time, any sleep-urge and you’re off to your bed sleeping like cat (meowwww). On a slow day like this, what else can you do? Rainy blues hit you hard like it’s the only reality on this surreal, slow and gloomy day. You try to let Lakisha, Bon Jovi, Snow Patrol, and even Korean bands accompany you… Heck! That didn’t do much… you end up listening to Fur Elise and Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (Ode to Joy), weird as it is, it worked… You are now on a state of oblivion… feelin like a moody Master Ludwig van Beethoven… You want to be numb… To not feel anything... To feel something... To do nothing... To do everything... You want to shout out! You want to scream! You want to be quiet! You want to be cruel! You want to be kind You want to hear! And you want to speak out your mind! But all these emotions are drowned out by the deafening silence in your heart. Are you as eccentric as the Master composer? Perhaps. Are you raving mad? Possibly. Are you at your wit’s end? Most definitely.

Vote now!!!

Celebrities, Duets and my Clebrity Duets~Wish ko lang!!! etc., etc.

Anna Theresa Licaros, Thessa Prieto-Valdez, Wyngard Tracy, Hayden Kho, Tim Yap, Manny Calayan, Frederick Peralta, Jessica Rodriguez ~ what do these people have in common? Well, aside from the fact that they grace our magazine's covers? or broadsheets' Lifestyle section, they are also now part of the GMA-7 take on that Simon Cowell's Celebs Duets... Honestly though, have you heard of that orig. Celebs Duets? I dont think I have... hmmm... But anyways, that's beside the point, I'm here to tell you about what/which/who are the entertaining part of the show...

LOL
1. Contestant no. 1 Thessa Prieto-Valdez was, as my friend said, quite fun(ny) to watch ;)

2. The hosts Regine & Ogie. Look guys, I've nothing against you two (unlike many other Reg fans out there) but PLEASE, is that your best hosting skill? (I hope not)... These two are, of course, very very very talented (in singing/songwriting) but I really cant get it why GMA 7 would want to give them said hosting gig.

3. The way Pie Calayan laughed when Manny Calayan started his piece and his Rico J./knee bending performance.

4. Jay-R singing 'Ikaw'. OMG, whoever gets this dude to sing in his/her wedding performing that song must be crazy.




Who were THE stars of the night?




1. I thought pairs Wyngard-Jaya, Hayden-Agot & Frederick-Pilita gave us laudable performances...

2. Kudos too to Tim Yap for raising the bar in terms of performance-level... gave quite an energy-charged, hyper and entertaining song/dance number with his She-bang bang!



What I wouldn't want to see next episode:

1. The hosts? kidding, hehe, I know they can do better than that, right ;))

2. The Singers/Partners 'drowning' the not-so-singer Celebrity's performance... Jett Pangan, i do luv you BUT whew, poor sweet-There Licaros having been overpowered by the Iconic Fil-Rock Star... Plus, no chemistry between the two, tsk, tsk... (Yung ka-partner naman ng mga Celebrity, sana hindi yung mga sabik na sabik mag perform as if it's their show, eh yung 'Celebrity' nga dapat bida dito or di nila alam?, hehe...) Aside from Jett, others who drowned or almost drowned their partner's performance were Agot, Brenan & Mamita.

3. Jay-R.

4. Jessica R.



My Celebrity Duets~Wish ko lang!!!

1. Becky Aguila-Wilma Galvantes

2. Lolit-Osang

3. Kris-Hope

4. James-Hope

5. Gretchen-John Estrada

6. John-Tonyboy C.

7. Sam-Piolo

8. Ruffa-Yilmaz

9. Me & John Lloyd Cruz, hehehe

10. Me & Richard Gutierrez, mwahahaha

Our prayers were answered and more...

Just a few days ago, I was watching the evening news and heard Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales urging Filipinos to pray for RAIN... It has been since about two months that the farmers from across the Philippines are awaiting for the rain to ensure that their crops won't die... So when it started raining this week, especially yesterday some were saying that the prayers of Filipinos were answered.... and unfortunately, more... Aside from the heavy rains, ay may bagyo na pala... there were flooding in Malabon, some parts of Valenzuela, Caloocan, San Mateo, Cainta.... Well, ok lang naman yung bumaha pero ang nakaklungkot ay yung ibang stories sa news na may nakuryenteng bata, may gumuhong pader at natabunan dun na mga tao :( So, ngayon siguro, ipagdasal naman natin ang mga kababayan nating nadisgrasya dahil sa storm na kakalipas lang...

Our prayers were answered and more...

Just a few days ago, I was watching the evening news and heard Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales urging Filipinos to pray for RAIN... It has been since about two months that the farmers from across the Philippines are awaiting for the rain to ensure that their crops won't die... So when it started raining this week, especially yesterday some were saying that the prayers of Filipinos were answered.... and unfortunately, more... Aside from the heavy rains, ay may bagyo na pala... there were flooding in Malabon, some parts of Valenzuela, Caloocan, San Mateo, Cainta.... Well, ok lang naman yung bumaha pero ang nakaklungkot ay yung ibang stories sa news na may nakuryenteng bata, may gumuhong pader at natabunan dun na mga tao :( So, ngayon siguro, ipagdasal naman natin ang mga kababayan nating nadisgrasya dahil sa storm na kakalipas lang...

8 Insanely Random facts about moi

Courtesy of my dear BEST BUD & friend Roy I have been tagged and now you have no choice but to know these RaNdOm facts about me...

1. I love to eat McDo Spaghetti + Rice (Roy, provide pictures as proof, please).... Actually, I'm really such a rice-person that I eat a lot of food with r i c e!!! Actually, it's not just Spag + Rice, I also love

Lomi + Rice,

Batchoy + Rice (LaPaz, only, please),

Creamy Sopas + Rice,

Chowking Noodles + Rice,

Pancit Malabon/Lucban/Luglug + Rice

Bakso + Rice

I've also tried

Soy sauce + Rice,

Chilli Soy Sauce + Rice,

Patis-Calamansi + Rice

years ago, I also used to love Sugar + Rice, tsk tsk

the list goes on and on and on and on and on.....

Speaking of Rice, probably the best rice I've ever tasted is: Pao Tsin's Green Rice, + Scallop&Veggies, there's a Pao Tsin @ Robinson's Galleria, 2 branch @ Mega & 1 @ Sta. Lucia East, try it sometime!

2. When I was a kid (loooong time ago), I was in Nursery or Kinder then...I was watching a show (i think a 'play') from the back of our school stage (i dunno why the hell i'm not watching from across the stage) and accidentally hit my forehead there which caused a wound & that required some stitching . . . 5 Stitches, I think. This left an oval-shaped scar on my forehead... (Ganu'n din daw talaga ang totoong cause ng scar ni Harry Potter, LOL :P)

3. In Highschool naman, I often get 'kuliti' (sty or stye)... so I had this 'kuliti' in my left eye for more than 2 weeks. On the 4th week, my mom had it 'burst' by a Physician. How did he 'burst' it? Well, he just took a sterilized needle, poked it on the 'kuliti' and poof, pus out (eeeeewwwwww!!!) & stye, gone -> for good, hehehe... (O, wag n'yo nang isipin na mamboboso ako) Btw, did you know that the cause of sty/stye could be allergic to pollen/dust or deficiency in Vit. B (ok, tandaan n'yo yan...)

4. I can't sleep without a big pillow tucked under my feet... also, I have to stretch both my hands above my head....

5. I don't like aircon much, probably coz I feel cold fast/easily.... In fact, I would really rather sleep in a room with just fan than a/c. And when I'm lying on the bed already and the fan is turned on, I would most definitely cover with a blanket > from head to toe, LOL

6. Can't pronounce the word 'R' properly. I can't say that 'rrrr' sound, esp. if the R's is at the beginning of the word, that's why I don't like this cute song much: 'Row, row row > your boat'... :( tsk, tsk...

7. Can't sleep on airplanes/airports. This is not so weird nor insane, right? But normally people can doze off, even at short periods while travelling, esp. if the travel period is more than 2 hours... My not-so-weird behavior just might be caused by watching too many 'AirCrash Investigation' at NatGeo, or better yet, turn to number 4 & 5. again, pls. ;) hehehe

8. I love playing/showering/staying in the rain w/o umbrella - up to now. Simply put,

i L o V e R a i N.



Now, my dear friends' turn

and the winners are.....

1. djoeragan (is my cikgU & ms.U, special edition)

2. janie jones (a sweet gal from U.S. of A., hehehe)

3. akoi (manis :Perv.?, kidding....)

4. r1kireina (my very kind sis Rikireina, Zabrina, from M'sia)

5. kie leung (red oh red, setan merah)

6. Joy (Joyshe, my sistah in crime, hehehe)

7. hojsblog (Simon - TARAddict from HK)

8. Anaszt (cute TARAddict too, like me hehehe)

So, cikgU, janie, akoi, riki, red, joy, simon & anaszt, just post same title and write some insanely-random or randomly-insane facts about yourself... It's so so easy you'd have no reason not doing it, right?...... Plus, I'd love to know said facts from/about U as well :D

Earthquake hit Indonesia

I learned from some Indonesian friends earlier that a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia, Java, near Jakarta too a little past midnight (12:04WIB) earlier.

Well, I hope all you guys/gals there @ Indon. are safe.

Take care...

-chinnie
-blue

and from Jakarta Post:

A look at Indonesia's earthquakes, their magnitudes and death tolls

JAKARTA (AP):A look at some earthquakes in Indonesia since 2000:

- Aug. 8, 2007: A powerful undersea earthquake with a preliminary 7.5 magnitude strikes the capital of Jakarta, shaking tall buildings and sending panicked residents fleeing into the streets.

- March 6, 2007: A magnitude-6.3 earthquake strikes Sumatra island, leaving at least 52 people dead and some 250 injured. Two hours later, a 6.1 aftershock rattles the region.

- Jan. 21, 2007: A magnitude-7.3 earthquake in a regional capital on Sulawesi island in northeastern Indonesia leaves four people dead and four injured.

- July 17, 2006: A magnitude-6.1 earthquake triggers a tsunami off of Java island's southern coast, killing at least 600 people.

- May 27, 2006: A magnitude-6.2 quake flattens homes and hotels near the ancient central city of Yogyakarta, killing more than 3,000 and injuring thousands.

- March 28, 2005: A magnitude-8.7 quake strikes Nias and Simeulue islands off the western coast of Sumatra, killing about 900 people and flattening thousands of houses and bridges.

- Dec. 26, 2004: A magnitude-9 earthquake ruptures the sea floor off Sumatra island, triggering a tsunami that hits a dozen countries, including Indonesia, where at least 131,029 are killed and tens of thousands remain missing.

- Nov. 26, 2004: A magnitude-6.4 earthquake rocks Indonesia's West Papua, near Nabire, killing about 30 people and causing dozens of buildings and homes to collapse.

- Nov. 12, 2004: A magnitude-6 quake strikes off the eastern coast of Alor island, about 1,600 kilometers east of Jakarta. At least 27 people are killed and hundreds of buildings are damaged.

- Feb. 6-7, 2004: A magnitude-6.9 quake on Feb. 6 and a magnitude-7.1 aftershock the following day kill 34 and devastate Nabire in remote Papua province.

- Nov. 2, 2002: A magnitude-7.7 earthquake rocks Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing two people and injuring at least 40.

- June 4, 2000: A magnitude-7.9 quake hits Bengkulu province, killing at least 117 people and injuring about 1,900.

- May 4, 2000: A magnitude-7.5 earthquake shakes Sulawesi province, killing at least 35 people and injuring at least 148. (***)

Just as I am

I've had a lot of big dreams
I've made a lot of bad moves
I know you could walk away
But you never do

I've met a lot of cold hearts
I've learned to smile and deceive
I know I'm hard to be around
But you never leave

I'm not easy to understand
But you hold out your hand

And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me, baby
Just as I am, just as I am

I've made a lot of heartaches
I've found a lot of closed doors
When all the others turn away
You love me more
You love me more

I'm not easy to understand
But you hold out your hand

And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me, baby
Just as I am, just as I am

I want to love forever
To keep our world together
And be the best that I can be
Baby, every time the world caves in on me

And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me, baby
Just as i am,

just as ! am

Confessions of a Tom and Jerry loyalist

Tom n Jerry is so entertaining that:

1. Kids (and me) can watch it over and over and over and over and over aand over again.........

2. I play its online game thru Cartoon Network website.

3. I'm glued infront of the TV for hours (not minding food or my mp) if it's being shown.

4. I still laugh at the pranks bein pulled though I've watched it probably hundred times over.

........

to be continued na lang po ito, grabe na ang antok ko... g'night/ s'malam!!!

College days

Almher's Sizzling PorkChop, Janet's Ice Cream (na wala na ngayon), Spaghetti with Rice (ako lang ata gumagawa nito) sa McDo (or McD, as my Indonesian friends would call it), hehehe... Basically, food-trip!!! These are the things you miss pag wala ka na sa College. Sa USTe kasi, andaming food na pwde mo pagpilian...

Bukod sa Almher's (tama ba spelling?), Janet's, McD, Jollibee, etc. meron syempre street food like Kwek Kwek, Corn sa cup, Taho, dirty ice Cream at marami pang iba d'yan sa may kanto... Ano pa ba nakaka-miss sa USTe? Syempre, mga UAAP games dahil walang pasok esp. pag Championship, hehe... Library na 6/F - miss ko dun yun, hmmm... Baha sa Espanya pag tag-ulan... Oo nga pala, na stranded nga me dun minsan eh, nag bumuhos ang ulan nga pagka lakas lakas...

Hay, those were the days...

IM compare

I began chatting thru a friend’s influence about two years ago when she introduced me to Skype. Prior to that, I’ve heard about other IM’s but it didn’t seem to interest me… So I can say my virtual life (i.e., the internet-addict-me)actually began with Skype and everything else is history :P

YM. Probably still the most popular IM service there is. (+) about is its offline messaging. However, (-), its emoticons are not that good-looking, for me.

MSN. It is quite neat looking. (+) is you can add gif’s to be your own emoticon. (-) is that not many people are actually using it, t lacks the 'oomph' factor I guess.

Google Talk. Quite neat also. (+) If you're opening your gmail, you can G-talk too. (-) What if your friends don't use Gmail? hmmm

Skype. Unlike other IM service, (+ + +) I think Skype is neat, organized, nice hue: color blue ;) and has the cutest emoticons :P… (-) Downside though – no offline messaging… So if a contact of yours has messaged you and you’re offline, chances are, you won’t ever get it until you’re both online… well you just have to persuade them to be always o.l. then, hehehe...

Ok, take deep breath and skype now… hehe, I’m such a Skype-a-holic I know :P

so-so Saturday

Fried Rice. Sunny-side up, Beef Noodle soup. 3-in-1 coffee. Milk. That's how my day started. I'm now the breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks-maker/provider of the house - literally. After reading the Philippine Daily Inquirer News, off to Market, Market, oops and I'm not referring to that Mall in Taguig. I went to Marikina Wet Market to buy fish, vegetables, fruits, enough to last us a week... Oh and I rode the jeepney (pinoy na pinoy! LOL, eh wala namang ibang pwde sakyan papunta dun eh, pag commute) ;) Basically, it was a late-morning of walking around, sweating a lot, haggling a bit, and carrying a plastic bag-full of ingredients for my menu for the week. So everyday, I plan the menu, master it, and now even buy what's in my menu and of course f^&@#$% cook the menu. Hey, I'm not complaining here, just merely stating facts, LOL... Upon reaching our humble Nipa Hut , I sorted my buys and it's slice and dice time!!! I cooked Ginataang Tilapia (Fish in Coconut Milk) and fortunately twas OKAY!!! After my Iron-chef wannabe stint, I tried to nap but cant :( dunno why. At pre-dawn earlier, had mid-somnia againnn, hiksssssss.....

Anyway, after watchin a bit of TV, reading more News, drinking (H20), I'm just here at home - perhaps a bit broke, passing time by listenin to Christian Bautista ballads and chewin gum...

Hmm, what'll I do later? Probably prepare Tacos, cook Shrinmps and try to sleep, LOL

Echoes of a somber heart

I've always been good at this.......... at coping with change. pain. adapting. bein strong... Life isn't always fair, I know... so I smile, laugh, joke around though deep inside my heart feels anything but happy... I know I shouldn't be this way... Others might even say im OA... I know he will come back... That this is all for the best... I keep saying these to myself too.... But when alone, and the melancholy lingers, the only sound I ever hear are the echoes of a somber heart... then there's no other way for the tears but fall...

Top 10 things to do when feeling blue

1. Read, read, read

2. Watch whole seasons of House, CSI

3. Chat with friends

4. Listen to sad songs endlessly

5. Satisfy cravings (i.e, eat! Tacos, Chocolates... yummy!!! hehe)

6. Buy dress!

7. Buy great shoes!

8. Have hair cut

9. Attend a friend's wedding

10. <@ the wedding>> Make sure to have a goofy date ;)

The Invitation

It was a pretty unusual Roy-free Friday night for me last week. I am meeting with my friend - at RGL - Belle who is also my former officemate at THE BODY SHOP HR & my 'kumare' too. I have to give to her the Invitation to Jerlyn's wedding on the 28th. Jerlyn is a former OJT of mine at THE BODY SHOP too before... She's such a jolly, quirky, zestful gal and I'm glad she's gettin married to the man she loves :D It just seems like yesterday when Jerlyn and I worked together at TBS... and it seems just a few months ago that she graduated from college, got a job, intro. me to this future-hub of hers, hmmm, time does fly by... fast...

Belle and I met at, of course, TBS!!! Hehehe, lots of memories here... good, nice, pleasant, etc., etc., hehehe... But seriously, I'm REALLY REALLY glad about meeting Bel... I do miss her a lot! I remember she was my seatmate when I was still at TBS... before, during and after my 'conceiving' days, hehehe ;) while she was busy dealing with the ever-tedious benefits then, i was practically screening-24/7 there and that's where/how she became my 'kumare'...

I dragged her to eat at Chaikofi, which is an open-resto at the newly opened East Wing of RGL ;) We both had Lasagna and Tea ;) Believe it or not, I just thought we'll just exchange some questions/stories to catch up on what's happening on each other's lives. BUT more than that, twas a night wherein I learned a lot... a lot of things that I actually already knew before but am ignoring... Let's just say it's selective amnesia... Funny how we can easily forget or erase in our memory stuff that we already know because we don't bother to take time out to consider others' no matter how we say they mean a lot to us...

More than anything else, for me, twas a night of some significant awakening.... It was one important night of 'the Invitation'... inviting important thoughts I ignored a looong time ago...

Monasteryo de Santa Clara at mga panalangin para sa isang kaibigan

Sabado ng hapon noon. Nagkita kami ni Gracia (di nya tunay na pangalan) sa lugar na ito na isa sa mga paborito kung lugar… Ang Monasteryo de Santa Clara… Dito, madalas magdasal ang mga tao, mga Katoliko, kadalasan ay panalangin para sa maganda at kaaya ayang panahon… Mga dasal petisyon na may alay na hinahandog sa monasteryo (Cloister sisters) – kadalasan ang alay ay itlog. Mahigit na sampung taon nang una akong nagtungo sa Monasteryong ito. Ngunit kahit yata paulit ulit akong bumalik sa lugar ay hindi ako magsasawa. Talagang may katangi tanging katahimikan na madarama sa lugar na ito. Bago pa man dumating ang aking kaibigan ay nakapagdasal na ako, nakapagsulat ng petisyon at nagtungo sa imahe at fountain… Nakakatuwang isipin na magkikita kami muli nina Gracia ngunit nakakalungkot din dahil naisip ko na maaaring may pagdadalamhati pa rin sa puso ng aking kaibigan, na maaring wala pa ring pagpapatawad sa isang taong nagkasala… Tunay nga, sa kanyang pagdatng, ito’y aking naitanong at ika nga n’ya: “wala pa din talaga s’ya sa puntong iyon – ng pagpapatawad… at hindi rin ito madali…”… Sa muli naming pagdadasal, aking naisip at ipinalangin ang aking kaibigan – na sana’y magkaroon na ng katahimikan… pagpapatawad… at sana nawa’y makahanap ng mga kasagutan sa mga tanong na pinagdadaanan n’ya sa buhay… (akin ding ipinagdasal pa ang lahat ng aking mga kaibigan, na nawa'y mkamatan na nila ang kanilang mga inaasam-asam)... Totoo ngang masarap magmahal ngunit napakasakit naman ang masaktan ng isang taong iyong pinagkatiwalaan at minahal ng matagal na panahon…. hay…

Saint Claire’s Monastery and prayers for a friend

It was Saturday afternoon then. Me and my friend - Gracia (not her real name) decided to meet in one of my most favorite places… the Monastery of Saint Claire… Here, people frequently drops by to pray, Catholics usually, to pray for a good weather… Lots of prayer-petitions are also done here, usually with offering for the Cloister sisters (nuns who have vowed to take their vocation by turning their backs to Earthly pursuits, they are not to show themselves to the people who flock the place and their clothes cover their whole body) – usually, the offerings for the monastery are eggs. It’s been ten years since I first set my foot in this Monastery. But although I come here over and over again, I will not get tired of it. There’s a special kind of peacefulness felt. Before my friend came, I was able to pray already, write my petition and went to the St. Claire Image/Relic inside, then, I went to the fountain… It is kind of amusing to think that I’m gonna meet again with my friends Gracia but it’s also sad because I think there still might be sorrow in her heart, that it might not be possible to forgive the person who did her wrong… Indeed, I asked her when she arrived, and she did say “ she’s not yet on that point – of forgiveness… that this is not easy…"… When we prayed again, my thoughts turned to my friend and I prayed for her again – hoping that there’ll be peace… forgiveness… and wishing that she may find answers to the questions of life... what she’s undergoing now…. (I also prayed then for all my friends, wishing they'd get what their heart truly desires) True, it is good to love but it is very painful to be hurt by the one you trusted and loved for a long time…sigh…

On Men

There's no sin in loving men. Only pain! -- "Ally McBeal"

Is it me? Is it like I have a beacon that only dogs and men with severe emotional problems can hear? -- "Monica Geller" (on Friends)

Don't accept rides from strange men, and remember that all men are strange. -- Robin Morgan

Do you have any idea what's available to a woman of 33? Married men. Drunks. Pretty boys looking for someone to support them. Lunatics looking for their fifth divorce! It's quite a list, isn't it?-- "Sylvia Crewes" (in The Tender Trap)

Men think less of other men’s writing, but more of other men’s wives. -- Chinese Proverb

There are big men, men of intellect, intellectual men, men of talent and men of action; but the great man is difficult to find, and it needs—apart from discernment—a certain greatness to find him. -- Margot Asquith

Some men have a necessity to be mean, as if they were exercising a faculty which they had to partially neglect since early childhood. -- F. Scott Fitzgerald

All men are somewhat ridiculous and grotesque, just because they are men -- Friedrich Von Schlegel

Men have two purposes in life: reproduction and to open those friggin jars. -- Irene

Men have one advantage in life, they can pee on a tree. -- Irene

Men are good for one thing, and how often do you need to parallel park? -- Unknown (originally appeared in Reader's Digest)

Men never do anything right, and if they do something right, they'll never do it again. -- Unknown

The only good men are dating each other. -- Unknown

Men adore me, until I show my intelligence, assertiveness and independence. Then I suddenly seem to be a BITCH! Men are such fearful creatures! - Unknown

Men are a luxury, not a necessity. - Cher

There are easier things then finding a good man; nailing jello to the wall for instance... -Unknown

Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you. But the roses are wilting, and the violets are dead, the sugar bowl's empty and so is your head. -Unknown

Lastly,

No man is worth your tears and the one that is, won't make you cry. -Unknown

What If by Coldplay

"What If?"

What if there was no lie
Nothing wrong, nothing right
What if there was no time
And no reason, or rhyme
What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life
What if I got it wrong
And no poem or song
Could put right what I got wrong
Or make you feel I belong

What if you should decide
That you don't want me there by your side
That you don't want me there in your life

Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
Let's take a breath, jump over the side
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
How can you know it, if you don't even try
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right

Every step that you take
Could be your biggest mistake
It could bend or it could break
That's the risk that you take

What if you should decide
That you don't want me there in your life
That you don't want me there by your side

Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
Let's take a breath, jump over the side
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right
How can you know when you don't even try
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right

Oh - Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right,
Let's take a breath, jump over the side.
Ooh ooh-ooh, that's right,
You know that darkness always turns into light.
Ooh-ooh, that's right

Marshmallow Man

Who doesn't love this fluffy fella from Ghostbusters... Though he was a villain there actually... admit it: he's sooo very very cute!!! For those who doesn't know him, Stay Puft is the character that emerged to destroy the world in the Ghostbuster's the movie... The Ghostbusters were told by their nemesis then that whoever come to their minds 1st will be the creature to destroy them and the earth... And one of the Ghostbusters (I think, either Egon or Ray) thought of this fella because, as he said, he can't imagine Mr. Puft being a bad monster... But well, yeah, he did become BAD!!!! Hahaha... Such a cool character for a villain and sooo CUTE too!!!! hehehe...

The Marsio Surprise!

Wow! July 2 was unbelievable! Finally met Akoi, Ray, Nila, MARSIO!!!!

Actually Akoi, Ray, Nila surprised me and didnt say we're goin to Marsio's place and wow! I was soooo surpised and shocked I think I acted a bit 'gila' (crazy)! haeuhaeuhaeuhaeuhaeu.... Like, OMG! I scream, my face burned, I was tongue tied, my mind just went _____________ blank! OMG! OMG! Unbelievable! My bestfriend, Meg was like, "Chin, Ikaw ba yan?" Like saying "Chin, is that really you?" coz she had never ever seen me like this and never thought she ever will. Whew!!! Such a wonderful meeting! Great, great, great day!

It was really sweet of them to make such a surprise, thanks to you three! mwah! mwah!

Bali Beautiful

(sigh) Bali.....

I love the place... The short drive from the airport to the hotel where we stayed was pleasant.. We settled at their resto for awhile before deciding to go to the beach for a swim... Only drawback that morning was we walked a lot, which I dont mind really but well, my friend does... poor Meg, she's pretty exhausted from all the walking and we finally reached the so-called beach, but well we decided to walk more to a more 'swimmable' (pardon my new word) area. We've reached one and soaked for awhile and it is really just 'a while' literally coz we decided to go back to the hotel, dipped at their cute pool and dress up for our next destination. We're headed to the Gold/Silver Shop wherein I bought some 'pasalubong' (souvenir) for Mommy and Chummy (my sister). Meg bought some too for herself and her sister too... Then, we're off to Tanah Lot...

Unfortunately, we encountered a ROADBLOCK!!! (very TARA)... We got stuck on a road goin there bec. of a mis-hap wherein a truck's content blocked the not-so-big street. When we reached Tanah Lot, the sun's already down but the skies' still gleaming with silver gray hues... My first sight of the temple, i was really moved, I was near tears (sigh)... This is the kind of place you will feel you're near HIM -- THE CREATOR... (sigh) very BEAUTIFUL place!!!!!

When we left Tanah Lot, we're soo very famished, I swear I want to load lots of Carbohydrates that time, LOL ... What better way to satisfy this hunger than to go to Jimbaran!!! It's actually a long stretch of dining haven by the sea... You will order fresh seafood that'll be cooked for you, instantly... Aside from the frsh seafood, the very relaxing atmosphere by the seashore: the night sky, the seabreeze, music playing and waves (ombak) coming and going will truly make any weary soul calm and rested... WE had Squid, Red Snapper, Clams, and Tom Yam soup, which, I kinda regret coz I ordered it Spicy coz I thought I like Spicy food well apparently I thought wrong, hihihi... But over-all the evening at Jimbaran was wonderful... After our dining experience by the sea, I thought we can still hop to Kuta Square and shop but they're already closed by this time.... So we just headed back to the hotel and zzzzzzzzz......

I actually had a good night's sleep after a loooong while... But I woke up at 3 a.m. I always do, unfortunately)... With nothing to do, I scoured my bag, looking for a pen and paper coz I thought of writing a letter to my dear friends whom we will meet come Monday: King, MissU & of course Manis :P But my restlessness actually disturbed my friend's sleep (hihihi, sorry, Meg).. After about 30-45 minutes of restlessness, I've finally convinced myself to rest again so I did and woke up about 6 a.m.

Day 2 which is also our last day in Bali (hiksssss.....) started witha Buffet Breakfast... Then we went to Nusa Dua... This place we went to is like a park/beach which actually reminded me a lot of my mom's hometown - Guimaras... It really did seem like Guimaras with its laid back atmosphere, friendly folks, light colored sand; only thing lacking is the brimming Mango groves, hihihi.... We took some photos here and dipped in the cool cool water.... Then we went back to the hotel for our...

SPA! I had Balinese massage while Meg had Hot Stone Massage which is GREAT!!!! One and a half hour of such a wonderful / relaxing experience!!!

After this, we headed to Ubud for a lunch at Padi Prada overlooking some paddy fields... I had Nasi Goreng while Meg had Red Snapper (again)... She also ordered Choco-Milkshake and was a bit disappointed coz twas, she said, not as sweet as she expected it to be... Oh well, but the dessert made up for the disappointment, I think... The Banana Crepe was absolutely YUMMY!!!

After this, we decided to cancel the Elephant Safari thingy and go direct to Tampak Siring which I kinda regret. Not that I didn't like Tampak Siring... It's just that Meg really really really wanna ride the Elephant and I wish we just went there, to make my friend happy, despite the time constraint... We just took some snapshots at Tampak Siring and move on to:

Sukawati Art Market. This seems like Divisoria in Manila wherein one has to haggle and haggle and haggle till you get the price you want.. Kinda tiring but exciting at the same time, hihihi... Plus, vendors actually thought we're Indonesians so they're speaking to us in BI always which added to the chaos. LOL. We bought a lot here like Shawl, Sarong, Kid's clothes, Belt, Blouse, fancy earrings, Shirts, etc., etc.

After Sukawati, it's Kuta Square time but our Shopping was cut short coz we wanna Check-In at the a/p on time... and hiksss, it's nearly goodbye-Bali time... So we ordered fast food at McDonald's and flagged a taxi back to the hotel wherein a Van will transport us to the a/p...

So our bags and stuff were loaded to the Van and like true TARA fashion, we hurriedly arranged most of our stuff while at the Car; Meg ate her Nuggest while I was wearing my socks/shoes...

:(

Now, this is indeed Goodbye Bali... Hopefully, I can come back to this beautiful island next time with more days to spend... (sigh)

Flights

Friday. June 29. Less than 2 hours before our 8:55 p.m. flight and we're (Meg & I) still stuck in traffic nearby Ortigas, just around the corner from our offices. Will we make it on time? ..... We actually did make it around an hour before our flight but when we got there, nothing's happening really. There were like 10 of us on three separate queues but no movement at all. The CebPac ladies aren't checking any of us IN. First, they wouldn't tell us why. Then, they said their system/computer is down. Eventually, everyone got restless and they finally admit it: they're over-booked. WTF??? f$%^%$^^ how can that happen??? Okay, okay if it is indeed possible for somethin like this to happen, the airline must've learned about it in advance right? And should've informed us - passengers way in advance too. Now, at this point, I'm really gettin MAD! Since nothing is and seems nothing ever will happen to the queue, I went to their Supervisor to demand we got on that flight since we have a plane to catch the next day (to DPS)... Now, this Supervisor said, of course, they're doin everything they can: trying to get PAL (Phil. Airlines) to accomodate other passengers (that must be us) on their flight the next day AND/OR they're talking to passengers aboard also who'd be willing to get off, those who will will be booked overnight and given free tickets... 15 minutes.... 30 minutes... 45 minutes have passed and still.... NIL.............................................................................................. Finally, at around 9 p.m., those who came in before us we're allowed to check in.... After this, we're the only two left and of course, This really got me furious by this time so I again approached the Supervisor who just told me we're next to be called. Actually we're next an dlast to be called. And so finally, they Checked us In and they hurriedly assist us to the TravelTax, BI/Customs... and they even politely asked us to walk in fast pace. So Meg and I finally boarded the plane and the as we did, they closed the doors and off to JKT - Finally! Finally! Btw, some turbulence on the way to CGK but my friend, who's sound asleep didnt know a thing about it... We landed at CGK at 11:30 p.m. and met Ray there, Whew!

A few hours to waste while waiting for the Check In counter of Garuda to open... of course, my dear friend's asleep again... One thing I learned about this trip is that I really can't sleep on airports or airplanes or probably it's just that I cannot sleep without the comforts of a fluffy bed and my favorite pillow... So I walked, took pictures, met this cute little girl, etc... And although I literally didn't have any sleep, I'm just happy we're finally boarding this GA flight...

Nice flight on the way to Bali. GA was efficient, warm and pleasant.I was amazed actually with the view from my window seat... What's wonderful about this flight is that the sun's also rising as our plane's ascending! Magnificent view of the seemingly endless ocean, the fluffy clouds, blue skies you can almost touch oh and that spectacular view of the volcano's crater - AMAZING!


Sunday. July 1. We wanted to make it to the a/p as soon as possible coz we don't wanna be late this time. So against our will, we cut our shopping time short and head to the a/p nearly 2 hours before our flight which is the last flight out to Jkt thru AA. Much to our dismay, we learned at the AA Check In counter that our flight will be delayed. Instead of leaving Dps 11 p.m., our flight will leave at 12:20 a.m. So instead of flying out at July 1, we'll do so July 2... Now a little before 12 midnight, with hordes of AA passengers at the a/p, we were told that there'd be 20 more minutes of delay.... I swear, I am soooo exhausted at this time coz although we're there at the a/p for nearly 3 hours and a half, I can't even take a nap, waaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! So, 12:40 finally came and everyone rushed and rushed out of the gate to the plane... At this point, my friend and I were just wondering, 'why the hell are people running to the plane?', so, it's bec. there's no assigned seat no. in AA flights hence you must run if you wanna get a good seat, wow, very very interesting, LOL....

Goin back to Manila via CebPac was generally okay... not much turbulence... and also the stars were shining oh so brightly that night.... Me, enjoying my window seat... I was also still thinkin of Indon. at this time and how it seems I miss the people/place already.... (sigh)... and I also got to NAP, finally! maybe around 15 minutes! All's goin well, really well maybe except for that foreigner (American, I think) that's a row ahead of me and Meg... He occupied all three seats ahead of us and slept, he did made some loud noises, like snore, in his pre-R.E.M. state and then BLAG! he fell from the seat... LOL! and that's what I will remember about that flight..... hehehe

P.S.

Cebu Pacific tagline: "It's time everyone flies"

my suggestion: "It's time everyone gets stressed out THEN, flies"

AirAsia tagline: "Now everyone can fly"

my suggestion: "Now everyone can fly, BUT...... delayed"

Language Exchange Re-loaded

If you don't know it yet, since TARA1 (The Amazing Race Asia1), BI and Indons do have a special spot in my heart... I'm really fond of them coz like most Filipinos, Indons are, generally happy people :D This is my perception, having known some friends from Indon. for the past several months... Now, I've done this Language Exchange thing to bridge the gap of communication issues/barriers and the likes... Of course, this is the 3rd installment of my English-Indonesian-Filipino translations, taking note the tips and teachings of my Cikgu and Indonesian friends so this better be, well, 'better'... Aside from Indons, I also befriended some Malaysians as TARA1 progressed, their language, BM or Bahasa Melayu is somewhat similar to this also but unfortunately, I do not have sufficient material re- that to publish here but I'll work on it soon, promise ;)

English, Bahasa Indonesia and Filipino (Tagalog) translations:

Greetings

Good morning!
Selamat Pagi!
Magandang Umaga!

Good afternoon!
Selamat Siang!
Magandang Tanghali!

Good afternoon! (late afternoon)
Selamat Sore!
Magandang Hapon!

Good night!
Selamat Malam!
Magandang Gabi!

Good nigh too
Met malam juga
Magandang gabi din

Expressing gratitude

Thank you very much!
Terimah Kasih Banyak!
Maraming Salamat!

Thanks!
Makasih!
Salamat!

Sama sama means welcome (in response to makasih)
Walang anuman

expressions before and after >>> Eating time

I’m hungry
Saya Lapar
Gutom na ako

Let's Eat
Mari kita makan
Kain na tayo

Let's have lunch
Makan siang
Tayo ng mag-tanghalian

I want to eat
Saya mau makan
Gusto ko ng kumain

I'm gonna eat now
Saya mau makan sekarang
Kakain na ako ngayon

Let’s spread the love

Love
Sayang or Cinta
Mahal or Pag-Ibig

I love you
Saya Cinta kamu
Mahal Kita or
Iniibig Kita (more formal)

Like in BI/BM, mahal also means -- expensive in Filipino

Mahal ang Kotseng BMW

BMW Car is expensive

Finally, now, I understand!

I really have to give special thanks to Cikgu Nila on this one… She’s really been kind enough to volunteer as my Cikgu, hehe… Also, this ‘I don’t understand’ thing really confused me, I think, but she’s patient enough to correct me ;) Makasih, Nila, I really appreciate it!

I'm sorry I don't understand:
Maaf,saya tidak mengerti (good BI) or
Sori, gw gak ngerti (slang)
Pasensya na, hindi ko naintindihan

Sorry, dunno, basic, “Wh-H” questions and other phrases…

I'm sorry
Maafkan saya
Pasensya na or Paumanhin

I don't know
Entahlah
Hindi ko alam

See you, Till we meet again
Sampai Jumpa lagi
Paalam (means – Bye), hanggang sa muli

What? Apa? - Ano?

When? Waktu? Kapan? Bila? - Kailan?

Where? Di mana? - Saan?

Who? Yang? - Sino?

Why? Mengapa? - Bakit?

How? Bagaimana? - Paano?

How much? Berapa (harganya)? - magkano

It's too expensive Harganya terlalu mahal - napakamahal

Where are you from? Anda (formal)Kamu (informal) (berasal) dari mana? - Saan ka nagmula or Taga-saan ka?

How are you? Apa kabar? - Kamusta or Kumusta ka na?

I'm fine Saya baik-baik saja Mabuti naman ako

What time? Kapan? Anong oras?

Where are you going? (Anda/kamu) Mau pergi ke mana? - Saan ka pupunta?

When will you come back? Kapan (Anda/kamu) kembali/pulang? Kelan ka babalik?

What time is it? Jam berapa? Anong oras na?

Single sendiri, bujangan, belum menikah (formal); jomblo, belum laku, lajang (slang) :-p
- in our language: nag-iisa or walang asawa;
- if it's Single, Male = binata while
- Single, Female = dalaga

my humble BI-Fil Dictionary
Kamus Sederhana Saya
ang aking munting BI-Fil Diksyunaryo

alone sedih - mag-isa
angry marah - galit
ashes abu - abo
away tidak ada di tempat - wala or sa malayo
blacksmith pandai / besi - panday
blue biru - asul or bughaw
busy sibuk - abala
candy gula gula or permen - kendi
clever pandai - matalino
coffee kopi - kape
devil setan - demonyo
enough cukup - husto na or tama na
faint pengsan - hinimatay
far jauh - malayo
father ayah, bapak (informal), papa, papi (informal) - ama or tatay
good bagus - mabuti
grandma nenek - lola
happy gembira - masaya
hit in the head jitak - sapak
husband suami; laki - asawa or kabiyak (both refers to spouse)
in di dalam - - loob
king raja - hari
know tahu - alam
me saya - ako
medicine obat - gamot
money uang (formal)or duit (informal) - salapi or pera
mother ibu (formal), mama, mami (informal) - ina or nanay
near dekat - malapit
out di luar - labas
papaya pepaya (betik in BM) - papaya
pickpocket copet - mandurukot
pity/regret sayang - sayang
punch / strike pukul - suntok
red abang (java) - pula
red merah - pula
respectful adib - magalang
sad sendiri - malungkot
school sekolah - paaralan or iskul
sister saudara perempuan; saudari - ate
skillful cakap - bihasa
sleep tidur - tulog
sleepy ngantuk - inaantok
sour masam - asim
study belajar - aral or mag-aral
sugar gula - asukal
sweet manis - tamis
talk bicara (cakap in BM) - magsalita
teacher cikgu or guru - guro
tell katakan (BI) - sabi or sabihin
tell bilangin (BI slang) - sabi or sabihin
understand mengerti - naunawaan or naintindihan
very banget - sobra or masyado
wife istri - asawa or kabiyak (both refers to spouse)
work kerja - hanapbuhay (more formal)or trabaho
younger brother adik - kapatid (whether younger/older)


There. I hope, my dear friends, that these translations/mini-dictionary would be of help to you in one way or another... Rest assured, I'd update this as time goes by...

Oh and btw, our national / official language is called 'Filipino' but is practically based on the 'Tagalog' dialect widely spoken in our Luzon region, the region where Manila is also located. FYI.

The Challenge

Twas Saturday. The day was kinda hot. My mom challenged me to fight. My sister was up and ready for it too. Without any doubt, I took on the challenge. Yeah!!! SCRABBLE time!!! It was me, mom, sis & bro playing against each other... Whoa! This is exciting!!! But our family's Scrabble game is like a Big Big Event with Bets! Hehehe... But really it's not the money but the honor of emerging as winner!!! And, ahem, I did win 5 out of the seven games we played... Need I say more?

I'm Still Here

(from RUSS' fave cartoon flick: TREASURE PLANET)

I am a question to the world
Not an answer to be heard
Or a moment that's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say
I won't listen anyway
You don't know me
And I'll never be what you want Me to be

And what Do you think you'd understand
I'm boy, no, I'm a man
You can't take me
And throw me away

And how Can you learn what's never shown
Yeah, you stand here on your own
They don't know me 'Cause I'm not here

[Chorus]
And I want a moment to be real
Want to touch things I don't feel
Wanna hold on and feel I belong
And how can the world want me to change
They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me 'Cause I'm not here
And you see the things they never see
All you wanted - I could be
Now you know me And I'm not afraid

And I want to tell you who I am
Can you help me be a man
They can't break me
As long as I know who I am

[Chorus]
And how can the world want me to change
They're the ones that stay the same
They can't see me

But I'm still here

They can't tell me who to be
'Cause I'm not what they see
Yeah, the world is still sleepin' while I keep on dreaming for me
And their words are just whispers and lies that I'll never believe

[Chorus]
And how can you say I'll never change
They're the ones that stay the same
I'm the one now

'Cause I'm still here

I'm the one

'Cause I'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here

What a Fantastic Friday

No, this is not about the Fantastic movie. After a loong tiring week of bad back, stress, reports, project reviews and the likes, I finally have the time and opportunity to go out with my best bud at the office, of course, none other than RV :P We went to SM MegaMall, and twas like, packed! Perhaps coz it is a pay day weekend and 1st TGIF before the Big start of school in almost levels, and with movies like Ocean's 13, Pirates, not to mention Fantastic 4 still in the silverscreen, people are in hordes at the very big Mall like SM Mega... Kinda just a stone's throw away from the office, Roy & I walked goin there. Once there, we dropped by several Record stores at SM Mega as I was looking for a particular VCD-Karaoke about our local Tele-novelas. Others might find ir corny but I really like to buy that CD for my Kirei friend in Mal. Actually I do own a VCD exactly like that one, however, I dunno where it is now... From Oddyssey Record store to Astroplus, to God-knows-what the otehr shops were, we came out each store empty handed... It seems twas like an old and no longer in-stock VCD as I've bought it, way back 2-3 years ago... After that, we were lookin for a place to eat and was supposed to eat at Tokyo2 but the place was, as usual, packed! So, we opted to eat at Sbarro instead... After that, I still managed to drag Roy to Kultura shop wherein fine barongs and other original Filipino items are sold ;) I would say twas definitely a nice and Fantastic Friday... Even just a few hours and dinner with a friend can truly ease stress and make a day complete...

Think positive +

+

I'll try to keep my thoughts positive and trust HIM more from now on....


thanks, perv., for the advice ;)

Rafa oh Rafa

How could I have not watched The Roland Garros Championship Live! Have I been too busy at work? at home? sleeping? blogging???? LOL! darn! Well, it was a great match and I wanna tell you more about it here... The match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal aimed to put either of these two fierce, young tennis greats in yet another Tennis history chapter...
The rivalry between the two is strong and it seems the crowd favored Roger than my fave, Rafa :( However, it was a very disappointing day for No. 1, only 1 title short for a grand slam as No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal emerged victorious and is still, the undisputed King of Clay!!!

Cikgu

Cikgu means Teacher in English, Guru in BM and Guro in Tagalog/Filipino...

Other words I learned thru Cikgu/Lola Nila and "the gang":


I'm sorry I don't understand:

Maaf saya tiduk tahu (BI)
Maaf, gw gak tau (BI slang)


Red:

abang (Java)


Tell:

katakan (BI)
bilangin (BI slang)


I'm sorry:

Maafkan saya


What:

Apa


I don't know:

Entahlah


(later... translations in Tagalog/Filipino)

Things about my country...

Okay, so since it is our Independence day celebrations, I think it's only apt to tell you more about the things that I'm proud of about the Philippines!!!

No. 1: Our SWEETEST MANGOES!!!

Guimaras (pic near-bottom-right portion of this page), is the province that produces the best! the sweetest! mangoes!!! Even just the aroma's sooooo veryyyy sweet!!!! This is being exported in many different countries worldwide, esp. in Europe and the U.S. I've been to that beautiful island a couple of times before, and it's such a beautiful place :) Really sweet people livin there too :)



Other facts about the Philippines:

National Bird: Philippine EAGLE


National Flower: SAMPAGUITA


National Tree: NARRA


National Leaf: ANAHAW


National Fruit: MANGO
*above

National Fish: BANGUS


National Animal: CARABAO


National Dish: LECHON (roasted pig)


National House: NIPA HUT


National Costume for Men: BARONG TAGALOG

National Costume for Women: BARO'T SAYA (collarless blouse and skirt)



National Sport/Game: SIPA (hacky-sack game but, instead of a footbag, a metal stud with a tail or a bunch of rubberbands knotted together is used)

National Dance: Tinikling ( the Philippine National Dance )
- Tinikling involves two people hitting bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance. It originated in Leyte among the Visayan islands in central Philippines as an imitation of the tikling bird.

Once taught simply as a folk dance from the Philippines, it has recently become popular in the sports curricula of elementary schools as it involves skills similar to jumping rope. It's now a new fun form of aerobic exercise that also improves spatial awareness, rhythm, foot and leg speed, agility, and coordination.

Tinikling Sticks tinikling sticks that allow up to 6 people to participate
two 10' plastic poles can separate into 5' lengths for other games

www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GAfdmNEHvA

www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Qec7oS4IM

National Hero: DR. JOSE RIZAL


National Anthem: LUPANG HINIRANG
*Flag, below

www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGrcTb7ebU

Philippine Independence day!

Tomorrow is our actual Independence day but our Pres. decided to move the holiday to today for longer weekend.... so I thought it best to post this now, somethin about our Independence day:



109 years ago, on June 12, the Philippines was declared an independent Republic by the country's first Republican president, Emilio Aguinaldo, at Kawit (then Cavite el Viejo), Cavite. This happened after Spain was defeated during the Battle of Manila Bay in the time of the Spanish-American War. However, Philippine independence was recognized by the United States only on July 4, 1946, and from that year until 1961, Independence Day was observed on that date. It was only after that when President Diosdado Macapagal reverted to June 12, which had been observed as Flag Day until that time.

Today, June 12 has become just another holiday for most of us, a day we don't have to work or go to school. Do we even think about what our independence means?

As a country, the Philippines is free from colonial rule and running its own government. However, as individuals, we are sometimes unable to free ourselves from colonial influences. We do not do this consciously. Popular media has ingrained into our mindsets the ideals of Western culture so much that we sometimes fail to appreciate the wonder and beauty of being truly Filipino.

As Filipinos, we should be vigilant of the role media plays in our lives. We should be able to filter what we see and hear so that it does not warp our perception of ourselves as a person and as a race. Of course, we may borrow foreign influences, and respect and appreciate the culture of others, but first of all, we must be proud of ours. To preserve the best of our culture and values, let's not allow our way of thinking be taken over by that which is not our own. Let's keep our own identity so that we may remain truly independent.

courtesy of: http://www.globalpinoy.com/others/independenceday2007.php


What the flag means:

Detail of the sun, according to official sources:

the white triangle stands for equality and fraternity;
the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and
the red field for patriotism and valor.

The eight primary rays of the sun represent the first eight provinces (Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac) that sought independence from Spain and were placed under martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896.

The three stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

this and more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Philippines


Mabuhay and Pilipinas!

(Long live the Philippines!)

"I'm proud to be Filipino!"

Q & A....... Good morning!!!!!

Question: What is great about staying at home early on a friday night?

Answer: a GOOOOD Night's sleep!!!!

Finally, after a several days of insomniac-days, of sleepin late and wakin up early, of failin to fall asleep after an hour or so of counting sheeps n chickens and pigs, of the WHOLE farm!

Finally, I had a very very very good night's sleep last night and later, more!!!! it's another one of those 'sleep all day' days, ;)

oh well, i hope you guys n gals have a great day too, ayt?

sampai nanti! mwah!

Let me tell you about...

ROY.

He's my lunch-buddy, dessert-pal, walk-partner, techie-consultant, etc. etc.

First thing you must know about Roy is that he hates the camera....


















LOL

Secondly, he's great in what he does: "make websites"

Thirdly, he's perfectly a perfectionist and I'd say about 90% >> idealist, hehe

Last but not the least, he's such a joker! can make you laugh all day long!


Seriously, this music savvy/techie/idealist is a great friend and can make a gloomy day a blast! by just bein himself... with his green and not so green jokes n all :D

Language Exchange Part II

cukup. enough. tama na.

bagus. good. mabuti

sleep. tidur

sleepy ngantuk.

banget. very.

copet

....

i 4got the others, all consulatants - out of reach at the moment... time to sign off.... for now.... see ya

time to zzzz

time to zzzz.. i'll just update our BI/BM/Tagalog dictionary tomorrow, ok? malam! sleep tight n sweet dreams....

Language Exchange

this entry wouldn't have been possible without these wonderful people! akoi(manis), Ray, Riki, San San, Red, Nila among others ;) and thanks also to TARA... Perhaps I wouldn't have met them if there's no TARA :D
but of course, I still need to polish my BI/BM some more... all your comments / feedback are welcome... until I master my BI/BM, hehehe

Maganda vs. Selamat

Magandang Umaga! Selamat Pagi! Good morning!

Magandang Tanghali! Selamat Siang! Selamat Tenghari??? Good afternoon!

Magandang Hapon! Selamat Sore! Good afternoon! (late afternoon)

Magandang Gabi! Selamat Malam! Good night!


in Tagalog, maganda means good or beautiful:

Maganda si San San (San San is beautiful)


While salamat is an expression of gratitude:

Selamat Datang! Welcome!

Maraming Salamat! Terimah Kasih Banyak! Thank you very much!

Salamat! Makasih! Thanks!

EATING time...

Saya mau makan. Kakain na ako. I'm gonna eat now.

Saya mau makan siang. Kakain na ako ngayon ng tanghalian. I'm gonna eat lunch now.


Let's talk about Love:

Mahal! Pag-Ibig! (Sayang?) (Cinta?) Love

Mahal Kita. Gua Sayang lo? Sayang Cinta Kamu? I love you!


oh, btw, mahal also means expensive in Tagalog:

Mahal ang Kotseng BMW.

BMW Car is expensive.

other words i still remember...

guro. cikgu. guru. teacher

asul (spanish). bughaw. biru. blue

manis = sweet (matamis)
gula gula = candy? (kendi)
raja = king (hari)
obat = medicine? (gamot)
gembira = happy (masaya)
sendiri = sad (sad)
sampai jumpa lagi = see you / till we meet again (hanggang sa muli)
sampai nanti = see you later
sampai ketemu = see you
jitak means hit someone in the head (sapak)
pukul = punch? (suntok)
sama sama means welcome (in response to makasih) (walang anuman)
met malam = good night too (magandang gabi din)
too = juga (din)
mana = where (saan)
kerja = work (trabaho)
pepaya = papaya

BM:

setan merah = red (pula) devil (demonyo/diablo)
sedih = sad (malungkot)
ngumpat = talk (magsalita)
marah = angry (galit)
betik = papaya


to be continued....

Bakit ko ito ginagawa? (Why am I doing this?)

Ang mga pangunahing dahilan daw para mag-Blog ay napakadali nitong gawin, madaming gumagawa nito at maaari pa daw itong pagkakitaan ng pera... (It's been said that the major reasons to blog are: it is very easy to do, lots of people are doing it and it can even be a source of income...)

...itutuloy
---to be continued

is it better to burn than to fade away?

alternative.rock.poetry.music.madness.sadness.chaos.tragedy.life.










Sometimes I wonder whether there's some truth to that statement; that we can choose to burn and it actually is better than fading away. What is fading away anyway? Is it being in the depths of despair? in the abyss of one's life? the loneliest point of space or time? of bein insignificant in this wide wild world? I'm not sure what the answers are to my darn questions or if there really is any answer at all. All i know is that no amount of burnin and fadin can make the soul at peace & happy . . .

Nirvana and its music lives on. I'm one of those that listen a lot to this sound created by "the most famous addict of my time" not just because of the eerie and sometimes not-so-eerie elation i get from the angst of the long-forgotten grunge era but astonishingly, while listenin to the music, makes me ponder the life he had versus my own and how i wish i wouldn't have a tragic fate as his.

wish i can talk

but i cant
>>>>