SING IT!
(part 5: Last batch from our Clark Quay escapade)

After our boat ride, we toured the area for more sights, and yes, for more pictures.

Funny statues

Welcome to MARRAKESHI!

We were not planning to eat anymore and just wanted to retire after a tiring day, but I was advised by an officemate not to miss out Singapore’s black peppered crab! We ate at Jumbo Seafood and we were not disappointed. The food was superb! I am really not a big fan of crabs because I have asthma. But after tasting it for the very first time, I couldn’t stop eating anymore. Plus of course the yangchow fried rice was still present (yes, we have yangchow everydayÜ).

We ended the day really tired from the walking and eating but tomorrow’s another day.

SING IT!
(part 4: More of our Clark Quay experience)

Walking along the place wasn’t really a problem since it fed us an amazing view. Just see how amazing I’m talking about…
This is my post card picture with Jelson. Ate Jeng and Kuya Al were our creative directors for this shot.

Don’t you think this could pass off like we actually were in Italy?

Walking along the place has its perks, we learned that the boat ride to see Singapore’s mark--- the Merlion, was still open. The ride arrives every 15 minutes. Guess what we did while waiting for ours…

HOOTERS!!!

After so many pictures at Hooters, we made our way near the pier to see the arrival of the boat that would take us to the Merlion. We finally got on the boat a little past 8 o’ clock in the evening so it was quite dark already when we started our boat tour.

Pictures from our very relaxing boat ride.

There were so many things to see during the ride, here our some of the views at night time.

FINALLY!!! The Merlion. It’s so big. We didn’t get down anymore since it was already late. This is the closest thing that we could get to it.

SING IT!
(part 3: Our Clark Quay experience)

Time was so cruel to us because before we knew it, it was already 4:30pm. We decided to go to Clark Quay, another tourist destination. Good thing, a Filipino from Pizza Hut Lucky Plaza taught us how to get to Clark Quay. Going to our destination, we had to change trains, from the red lane train to the purple lane. We had to go down to Dhouby Goute station and change trains to get to Clark Quay. The Dhouby Goute station was like a huge mall.

Here are some cool pictures of the underpass from Clark Quay.

When we finally reached the end of the underpass, we really felt like we were in Europe! This bridge is reminiscent of an old bridge in Europe that I saw on the internet (I haven’t really been to Europe…)

This is a picture of some more legacy of the former British colony.

Pictures galore at Clark Quay---

That’s me and Ate Jeng… behind us is one of the most exhilarating rides of Singapore—reverse bungee jumping! Unfortunately for us, since it is rainy season at Singapore, we didn’t have the chance to try it.

SING IT!
(part 2 of the many)

Day 2 (May 26, 2006)
It’s the first day of the great Singapore Sale!!! I wasn’t really that excited because Jelson and I were running on a limited budget but nevertheless, we braved the Sing dollar signs and tried our best to convince ourselves that whatever we bought would still come out cheaper than buying it in the Philippines.

We had an early breakfast at the hotel. After which we took some time to visit this cute park in front of our hotel.

Our first stop was the shopping haven for techies--- SIM LIM CENTER. It was a walking distance (well, it was a long walk but we tried not to mind the distance) from our hotel. We got there really early and only a few stores were open. Ate Jeng and Kuya Al went immediately on a hunt for a good digital camera. Jelson and I on the other hand just feasted our eyes to a glorious sight of amazing technology in progress. But we couldn’t contain ourselves that we bought 2 simple gadgets. We got a simple portable DVD player and a video cam cum digital camera.

We finally were able to pull ourselves from the Gadget Nirvana and made our way to a restaurant to eat. We found a place that serves good ramen. For S$24 of meal good for 4 persons, it was all well worth it! Their yangchow fried rice was so good. We all got to finish our more than a cup each serving.

Pictures at Nonya Village--- good food cheap price Ü

After a heavy meal, we immediately got on foot around the area. We went to OG at Albert Street. We bought some stuff that were on sale then proceeded to Bugis Street Mall. The mall was indeed on the street. Instead of tiled floors, it was asphalt. We got to go around and saw an interesting store for grown ups.

Since none of us have ever traveled to Singapore, we had to ask around so many times for directions. We wanted to go to Orchard Road to have a feel of the Singapore Sale so we boarded their MRT. Their MRT is a far cry from what we have here. Everything is organized. We bought on the machine single journey cards. Although if converted to peso their train fare is quite expensive, but at least, it was better and safer. When we got down at the City Hall station, we saw an arrow that directed us to Orchard. We walked following the sign but after more than 10 minutes of walking, we knew it was time to ask again. Apparently, we got off on the wrong station. It would take us another bus ride to arrive at Orchard. You could just imagine what would have happened to us if we did walk all the way to Orchard Road.

Finally, after more than 10 minutes of bus ride, we arrived at Orchard Road! I was totally amazed at how many shops can be put up on only one street! Now I understand why Singaporeans never get tired of walking. We passed through Wisma Atria, Lucky Plaza (which by the way felt like SM because of the many Filipinos), and Paragon.

Some pictures at Orchard Road…
With Ate Jeng in front of Tangs… our gift to ourselves after being employed for a year… yes, we are laborers!

With Jelson still at Tangs… sadly we couldn’t get inside anymore due to time constraint.

Somewhere along Orchard Road

Before going inside the MRT station

SING IT!
(my long overdue blog of our Singapore trip)

Our trip to Singapore wasn’t a spur of the moment plan or just because we felt the need to splurge our really small savings. Jelson learned about a certain conference in Singapore late last year. He really worked hard for it and last April, he finally got an email confirming his attendance to the said conference. I had the privilege of accompanying him to Singapore (not the conference itself cause people paid good money to listen to the speakers). That being said, I would like to share with you our fun Singapore tour. (That felt like a disclaimer Ü)

Day 1 (May 25, 2006)
Jelson and I were so excited for our Singapore trip. It is after all our first together. We left the house with Ate Jeng and Kuya Al at around 10am and arrived at the Centennial Airport before 12 noon. Checking in was sort of hassle free since the lines were not like that of NAIA’s (or were we just to excited to mind the line?). We finished checking in our luggage and going through the immigration almost 1pm. Waiting was really a bore because there wasn’t much to go to and undeniably, there were quite a number of people inside the really small international airport. We bought sandwiches at Delifrance and strolled both ends of the airport. Jelson and I were looking for something to read or at least keep our mind off the really warm weather, when we saw Ate Jeng and Kuya Al running towards an exit. Apparently, Kuya Al heard his name called over the PA system. He didn’t hear where exactly he was being asked to go so they went outside to check with the information. It turns out, our friend from PAL has arranged for us to be accommodated at the Mabuhay Lounge (thank goodness!!!). An hour before our boarding, we treated ourselves with everything that is available there, most especially the really cool air-conditioning.

Our first plane ride together. We were treated with a great meal and movie--- Kingkong!

We arrived at Changi Airport and we were all left in awe. The airport was huge. Like 3 times the entire Centenial Airport--- domestic and international combined!

Visitor’s Center at Changi Airport, Singapore.

The ride from the airport to the hotel was fun. Our cab driver wasn’t the usual kiss-ass Singapore tourist driver. He told us the best place to eat crabs (black peppered crabs!!!) and of course the best beer they had to offer.

We arrived at Hangout at Mt. Emily a little past 8pm. Our hotel is located in Little India area and at the top of Mt. Emily. We met the receptionist (we forgot her name so we coined her Yao Ming because that’s what we could make from how she pronounced her name) who was very accommodating to us.

We didn’t waste any more of our time and went to the best place where shops won’t close their doors on you--- Mustafa Center. It’s a 24- hour mall. I’m not kidding! They really are open 24 hours. There wasn’t a chance to take pictures there but the height of our night was walking from Mustafa Center back to our hotel. According to Yao Ming, it would only take us about 20 minutes of walking to go from the hotel to Mustafa Center (vice versa) but honestly, it really felt that it was more of 20 kilometers walk than just 20 minutes! We got back to the hotel safely at around 1am (it’s relatively safe to walk around the city even in the wee hours). What a way to cap off our first day.

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold" -Unknown

SILVER YEAR
(a quarter life journey --- hoping that I live to a hundred)

Today I turned twenty five. Some people would like to think that this is the golden age because this is where it should all come together--- plans, dreams, long term goals. I celebrated my birthday intimately with my family. I'm not really big with parties. You can ask Kaloggals (my high school barkada) when was the last time I celebrated my birthday and I think their answer would be my 18th birthday (yeah, yeah I had my debut and all--- but no cotillion for me, just the fluffy baby blue gown).

Before I turned twenty five, I had this vision of myself that when this age comes, I would be more content with my achievements, fulfilled with my mission, and happier in the aspects of family, career, and love. That was what I envisioned myself would be when I graduated in high school. This was going to be the turning point of my life. But those visions were made 8 years ago when I thought that college life was long enough to plan your future, working a minimum of 3 years would increase your market value all the way up the corporate ladder, and being in a relationship for more than 5 years merits you the decision to get married. You could say that I am quite an optimist because I dream big. But what I have realized through my journey to my silver year was that life catches you at your most unguarded moments. It pinches your heart with too much sadness and just like a blink of an eye, can easily make you tumble and turn for joy. You see, what I have been envisioning myself to be has been based on something that's too tangible. What never hit me was to be really happy, it must reach a part of you that no one can see but is manifested on your personality--- the heart. Happiness, afterall cannot be measured by the number of times you laughed, how long you smile everyday, or even how many commas and zeros are there on your bank account. To sleep peacefully at night, to eat good food, to be healthy, to have a family--- these should be the basis to happiness. I am like the many who took for granted what I have before me until they start to become scarce. But now I know better...

For five years now, I have been celebrating my birthday in the company of "strangers". To me it is more special, more heartfelt. And this year was no different.

I went to CRIBS Marikina today. CRIBS is a shelter for abandoned babies. I have been doing outreach projects on or before my birthday. I feel that this is my way of thanking God for the numerous blessings that my family receives. I will not brag that I am the most benevolent person in the world because I have my flaws too.

Today's trip is extra special because I shared it with my family, Jelson, and Jelson's family. It was sheer joy seeing my family care for the babies. You see, there are 17 babies and there but only very few volunteers. We all had our own "alagas" when we stayed there. Mama took extra care for Nicole, a baby diagnosed with cerebral palsy. I wanted to adopt all of them if only I have enough means to accomodate them all.

It's so sad that it has to take over a dozen babies with no parents to call their own to make us realize how blessed we are. Still, it was a humbling experience that leaves you warm inside (from all the crying that you will do).

The silver year celebration that I imagined to be exceeded my expectations. And now, more that I thought was possible, I can say that I was able to achieve something that no one can take away from me. Ü

==================================================== A bunch of THANK YOUS

*To Mama, Jay-ar, Kuya Jon, Ate Fiona, Danielle, Diego, Kuya Al, Ate Jeng, Kuya Gary, Tita Susie, Jeng, and Jelson for accompanying me at CRIBS.

*To Danie, Diego, and Dima for the drawings that can best out the greatest artist (those are my babies and that's my opinion anyway)

*To Papa for taking time to call me on that day.

*To everyone who greeted me through text
-Tita Julie, Geka, Melai, Annche and Earl, Carlo, Ms Lot, Ms Amy, Tsong Jack, Ate Fiona, Tita Beng Tito Nelson Ga and Ging, Monica, Tita Susie, Ate Mia, Jelson, Tsong Ely, Don Yu, Cecile, Tita Inday Tito Ta Micko Mike and Maco, Mama Connie, Ms Ingrid, Noel B., Mia, Ms Danette, Uncle Jun, Ate Ching, Atoy, Ypan, Bok, Mateth, Aileen, Kuya Jayjay, Auntie Julie, Erin, Best Sig, Tita Neth Tito Onie and Mags, Kuya Dong, Micko, Itchel, Razel, Redg, Jogs, Eidel, Ting, Jonille, Uncle Bot Tita Belen PY Pao and Janus, Jez, Johnny and Aileen, Love, Cielo

*To those who sent their message thru friendster
-Ayin, Iole, Drix, Tristan

*To Tita Inday and Tito Ta for bringing food last July 4 Ü

*To Ms Ingrid, Don Yu, Melai, Ms Danette, and Minna for the surprise cake at coop last July 4 Ü

*To Jelson for making me feel that I am worthy to be loved.