This Year's Trimmings

So how many presents have you opened last Christmas? Did you get what you wished for? I can only give you a teaser of mine: A contract. And he's being true to his word :)

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With the New Year just a day away, I'm more pre-occupied with what to wear on the day itself rather than what to eat, he,he,he.
I clealy remembered back home when I used to wear anything with polka dot prints on for more money in the coming year.
And it's been my personal tradition eversince.
Then, I just saw the dress I wanted. A large lady have been eyeing it too. I looked for the same dress in the whole store but couldn't find the exact one. Imagine my joy when I saw the dress hanging back on its rack with an invisible sign: buy me now!
I took the dress and check the size: Size 8. My size exactly. The large lady must have been too disappointed to know it's so teeny-weeny for her.
I grabbed the dress and showed it to the boss.
Jobert bought the dress for me of course :)
From Topshop. Original price: £45. Was on sale for £30. Bought with a student discount for £27.
A bargain indeed!
My last purchase(s) for the year. Food not counted :)

Happy New Year Everyone!

Potpourri

I came home from work on a sunday afternoon with a burning throat that led to coughing fits, fuzzed head and high temperature to which eventually finished off with contaminating someone else. Very unpleasant.
I can see clearly now the consequence of what a flu jab won't do to you if you have it in the first place. I realized it now.
Next year, I'm having it. Promise.
Tough luck! I want my appetite back before the season of mouth-watering holiday treats arrives.
Gifts? This is the one thing I've been good at this year. I've ordered nearly eighty-percent of it from the comforts of home. The living room was a sight at one point but now that nearly all of them have been wrapped and labelled, they're all beautiful.
I just wished the people on the receiving end will appreciate how a talentless me was able to wrapped a present and turned it into one kind of art---lopsidedness and all!
I've not thought about anything for me this year. I don't know, I think mainly because, I can buy anything I want at anytime if I do want something. Although, both Jobert and I have always wanted a dog but I'm not ready for that kind of maternal love as yet. You see, having a dog here is like having a child of your own. You'll be prosecuted if you take the dog for granted.
I wanted a child of my own for a while now. But I don't think I've been very good this year that Father Christmas will grant my wish.
Perhaps next year?
One thing for sure though: we'll be having Roast turkey this Christmas! A challenge for Jobert.
Yet still, I can't seem to find the elusive chestnut puree I've been wanting to have for my planned christmas dessert and I've only few days left!
Anyway, I wish you all have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are in this world!--and that's from the bottom of my heart :)

Of Mask And Me

I had dreamed of one day owning a Venetian mask, an intricate and beautiful one to grace the lounge of my future house. But as much as I just had to dream, I actually found one that I loved and set my mind into---my dream mask on a shopping trip one day. And I couldn't be happier. Although I sometimes wear a mask, figuratively, of course, in uncalled for situations, I still wanted to own a proper one and wear it as a disguise. My invisible mask has allowed me to socialize with people with much ease and comfort and be accepted as I am. So, will the true Venetian mask provides me the same concealed identity that I clamoured for?
So I wore the mask with much excitement but because I was in a shop, and not in a carnival of sorts, my going incognito failed with much dismay. Instead people were looking at me like I was sort of a lunatic. The only consolation is that my true self was hidden, my face concealed.
Truly so, Venetian masks are attractive works of art yet the lure of attraction you'll get from it doesn't last. Still, true beauty is the one thing that's totally unmasked, for all the world to see and be admired forever.


*Pics taken randomly by somebody*

Candy Conversations

"Shouldn't you be going to bed?" he asked.

"Not yet. I'm still watching America's Next Top Model." I said as I shifted my body comfortably on the sofa.

"That show again?" He retorted.

"It's my frustration you know. I wish I'm taller, leaner and prettier like those girls."

Leaning close to me he said: "Don't be frustrated baby." "You know why?"

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Because you have me."

SL-Ugg Boots

If these boots are made for walking, then why do I keep on slipping everytime I have to walk on ice?
---------------------------------------
And everytime I got to wear my boots, it instantly reminded me of my time back home where my feet were so proud in showing off their newly pedicured toenails in my flower-patterned flip-flops. To be honest, I wouldn't trade the hot and humid weather for the world but, you can't have the best of both worlds, can you?

A Tree And A Carol

Our numb faces and frostbitten fingers already told us that Christmas is in the air and even though it was still too far off till the merry season yet already, we were overly excited to setting up our 6ft tall tree!
Baubles and trinkets we've bought and kept over the years.
It's amazing how these lights still have the staying-lit power after having been stored for a year :)

Santa takes a peek while Reindeer's showing off his butt.

Reindeer's sneaking out too.

Our grandiose tree standing proudly.

The three stooges. Hear them sing!

Here they are singing a Chrismas Carol in well choreographed voices and dancing rhythms.

Love Mode

Love is when my husband wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead as he listens wilfully to the trickling sound on the proof of my existence.....

My pee :)

Kayo? What does love mean to you?

xxx

Misery Loves Company

I'm sad and I feel guilty because I have no reason to be, but I am...

Not An Urban Myth

This letter truly exists, in fact, this has landed onto our coffee table yesterday and has turned our humdrum day into a happy "period".

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your Always maxi pads for over 20 years, and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core™ or Dri-Weave™ absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from "the curse"? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my "time of the month" is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call "an inbred hillbilly with knife skills." Isn't the human body amazing?

As brand manager in the feminine-hygiene division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers' monthly visits from Aunt Flo. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy! The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in capri pants. Which brings me to the reason for my letter.

Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: "Have a Happy Period."

Are you fucking kidding me?

What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness—actual smiling, laughing happiness—is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything "happy" about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlúa and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreens armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory. For the love of God, pull your head out, man. If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like "Put Down the Hammer" or "Vehicular Manslaughter Is Wrong"? Or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your accounting department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flexi-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.

Best,

Wendi Aarons
Austin, Texas

Dear Baby,

After too much hyped about it on the net, I've finally decided to leave you. I know I just got to do it. I do apologize for the embarrassment I've caused you.


I'm really sorry but I've met someone else...someone virtual :)



Don't get mad ok? I love you!

Say What?

I read an entry on a patient's careplan from a previous shift that brought me to stitches: Mr. ***** ate a bowel of cereal.

It's amazing how a single letter can change the whole meaning of the sentence and, how, the purveyor of the signature below it had just ruined his reputation :)

Ang mga puti talaga kung mag-spell wala sa ayos!

Bowel of soup anyone?

Guardian Forces

I always brushed aside the idea that we have a benevolent guard of nature in our midst, more so for Jobert that is. He claimed that before his great-grandfather died, he handed over his "tagabantay" to him as his "Pamana." Now Jobert is not a great believer of anything spiritual (he's an atheist) and supernatural but he graciously accepted the guardian as his own.
But if there's anything that I desperately hope is true is not the "guardian" but the concept of karma. Many of us uses it as a means of consolation to every unfortunate situation that are beyond our control. Karma can be malevolent or benevolent and it all depends on the person's deeds. It is humbling to know that if a person does harm you, that person is all well-taken cared of by karma.
Over the years, Jobert and I have been toyed with, wronged, and sometimes can be the source of gossip. If it's up to me, I would definitely act on instinct and inflict painful words and deeds to those who created the scenario. I may be tiny but I can be vengeful too. It is so easy to think the worst for that person. But I don't want to take avenge if I'll only regret it later. My only option is to leave it to karma or in Jobert's case, the guardian, because one won't disappoint. For me, karma clearly knows when to strike and to whom.
Now, everytime Jobert hears anything about an ex-friend's misfortune, he would always say: "malas lang nila. Di ba nila alam may tagabantay ako?"

That, or karma.

Picket Fences

I have received a message from my closest friend in the U.S. inviting us over for a holiday. It's been a long three years since we've not seen each other apart from the odd phone calls which happens ?once or twice a year. She and her brood are the sweetest bunch ever and I loved them all to bits. Our friendship started way back in Singapore where we have the same passion for shopping. Always without fail, when we shop, we were each other's guilty conscience. And more often than not, we were always the guiltless shoppers. Wala pa kasing credit crunch nun. We spent too much time together just hanging out, sharing our diet secrets (even hiding the diet gel under the pillow from friends!); bought the same style of Nike trainers after we got our first gym membership card but not used it since after we went home with aching muscles and sore backs; and was caught at Malaysian Immigration for buying a rucksackfull of pirated VCD's (there's actually more to it but I'm not spilling the beans!)
We had a few chances to meet up when we both moved here in England and have shared the same adventures and misadventures (like Punting at the back of Cambridge's Colleges). We used to visit them in Cambridge for a short overnight stay but still, the time spent together was all worthwhile. When they decided to move to the U.S., I was crestfallen. But seeing them all too certain about their plans for the future, I felt that there is no turning back for them and just wished them all the best.
Now, they're all settled in the US surrounded by white picket fences and enjoying the warm Californian sunshine. I can almost feel a bittersweet smile etching on my face as I took the trip down memory lane and remembered the things we did together and things we did differently but planned together, then. They may be distance away from us but they're the sort of friends that are worth keeping and they will be always in our hearts.
Definitely next year, we'll see you and we'll paint your white picket fences red ;)


At Hull Marina


At Cambridge

Hard Core

Sometimes, a neurosurgeon would remove a part of a patient's skull during surgery to relieve the pressure of the brain making the brain swell a lot more yet saving the patient's life.
If that patient recovers, do you think he or she would feel:

vulnerable or thankful?

If a turtle loses it's shell, do you think it'll feel:

vulnerable or free?

When Green Eyes Turn Red

Being a "student" man's wife is not easy, in fact, it's the second hardest role as to being a mom to a terrible two, albeit it's fun, I would still gladly accept the latter with open arms.

So much so that I've realized a few things:

1. Friends and classmates come first.
2. Pub is the new home.
3. Women are from Venus. Men are from Hell.

Junk Stack

Quite an understatement if you can check the contents of our cupboard. But I can assure you that even after their expiry dates, these lot will still be intact and expired in the true sense of the word.
Bottomline is that my taste buds sometimes can go haywire and my cravings are just takaw-tingin.

Nil

There.

I've changed it.

Satisfied?

'M talking bout my header.

B!tc*

Yes. That's me.

My alter-ego.

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My baby totally lost it when he noticed that I've not used the header he specifically made for me---thus the change.

Meet My Furry Slippers

A cutie fella' named Li'l Yella'
Was out to make everyone betta'
When he saw his lonely friend, Li'l Green
Everything became perky again.

One cold autumn night
The two had a fright
Coz out of the corner of their li'l eyes
They saw what they thought was a mice.

They brace themselves to come closer
Yet they can't help but feel the shiver
But what they saw were clammy tootsies
Of Li'l Chezza's glammy footsies.

Coz Li'l Yella' wants everyone to get betta'
He wrapped his furry paws to Li'l Chezza
And there to help was his cuddly friend Li'l Green
So Li'l Chezza's tootsies became warm and cozy again.

It Was A Many Year Ago

Three hundred and sixty-five days have gone past and I even haven't noticed that my seventh year here in England have said "hello" and "goodbye" without funfare. Every year for the past six years, my anniversary stay here was always anticipated and celebrated. This year however, it had gone unnoticed.
On a daily basis, I looked forward to going to work, having tea-breaks, coming home from work and just lounging on the sofa. On a weekly basis, I look forward to strutting my stuff to do some retail therapy, going to the cinema or just watching my favorite programme on television. On a monthly basis, I look forward to having a week-end getaway and holidays. It's no wonder why I haven't noticed that important part of my life because I was too busy looking forward.
My very first day here in the UK was spent searching for rice and converting (to peso) my purchased goods. One friend even commented why I spend too much on cheap finds when I can easily afford the expensive ones with my wage. And wage includes the extra shifts you do whenever. It's only on the next succeeding years that I truly understand what she meant.
Now, on my seventh year, I:

☼ Stopped doing the conversion on all my purchases (except for some pinoy products that are ridiculously priced!)

☼ Still adore cheap finds especially on sale. At the end of the day, it's not the price that matters.

☼ Honed my english language to perfection ;)

☼ Got more english friends than pinoys and liked them better too! ( I'm sure you know what I mean)

☼ Have learned to say, "darling" and "love" to strangers like it's second nature.

☼ Have been accustomed to the cold and gray weather.

☼ Loved big breakfast and fish and chips yet still can't function without rice.

☼ Value the importance of washing machines, microwaves and hoovers.

☼ Was best educated through all the travellings I've done here.

☼ Feasted on Indian food for the first time! (I dare tried with too much coaxing)

☼ Am well compensated and valued in my profession.

☼ Am a completely lazy bugger on my days off. And it's perfectly okay to be lazy.

☼ Learned that for one to be happy, one needs to live simply.

☼ Am staying put here. To be uprooted again is next to impossible.


For the past six years, I have been counting the days till my next anniversary, relishing the memories, looking back at my successes and failures. For the past six years, I have been counting myself for existence. This year though, I stopped---counting.
And I realized that the moment you stopped counting, you start living.

Lost In Translation

I heard a muttered sound of my colleague's voice behind me.

"Phakay sack-sack phashentay khow."

I turned around. "Are you talking to me?" I said. I still can't comprehend what she just uttered.

"Phakay sack-sack phashentay khow." She repeated but this time she showed me two sets of blood culture bottles for her patient.

"Say that again?" I was quite impressed that she just spoke to me in tagalog but with an english accent.

I was laughing so hard after realizing what she just said. "You're good, aren't you?

"Who taught you that?" I asked her.

"Have I said it right then?" "So, did you understand that? She asked me back.

"My previous Filipino colleagues have taught me a few words but I can't remember some of it now"

"Right, I'm going to *stab your patient but I'm not sure whether I can find a vein coz he's so swollen." I told her. "But I'll try."

"Thanks!"

"Here you go." I've handed back to her the bottles that were already filled with the patient's samples. "I've not labelled it yet though"

"Oh, you're a star!"

"How do you say, "thank you lovey" in your language?" She asked me.

"Salamat, mahal." I said. "Salamat means thanks and mahal means love."

"Oh, I'll just say mahal. It's easier." "Thanks, mahal" she said.

"Pleasure." I replied.

So, how do you say: "Don't drink and drive or you'll end up in ICU with a smashed head and broken bones?" Another colleague asked me.

"Huwag kang tanga!" I said.

"That short?" he said, a bit impressed.

"Well, that means: Don't be stupid!" I replied.

"Ah, I see."

While on the background, I heard another colleague saying, "coffee, mahal?"

Lordy be! Fortunately, our patients are all sedated or else, they would've thought they're in another country :)
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I had a shift once with two other Filipino colleagues. Sometimes, it's fun to work with an all-filipino team but some of them aren't mindful of the fact that speaking in our own language can be rude.
An old lady, bless her, was uncomfortable in her bed and was shifting from one position to the other.

"Are you alright darling?" I asked her.

"I just can't make myself comfy," she said.

"Don't worry, we'll help you."

The three of us helped her (while talking in tagalog in between turns.)

"Thank you, ladies." She said.

"No worries."

"Excuse me love," she called me.

"Am I still in England?"

And that's when I sealed my lips.
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*Stab- is the British term for blood-taking.
And of course in tagalog it means: saksak

When Shoes Attack

My rather new 3 inch-heeled leather laced-up shoe saw me walking on a cobbled street on one night out looking like a clumsy toddler trying to learn how to walk with a very unsteady feet. I tripped many times while walking on them and it made me look stupid. It's a beautiful shoe nonetheless. The kinda feeling like you're looking like a million dollars wearing them never mind the faded jeans and a simple top that goes with it. A beautiful shoe is what you really need, everything else is nonexistent.
But would you trade comfort for fashion? That night out saw me choosing the latter. My new pair is pricey but wearing heels a tad higher and gives you a sore ankle and a bruised ego is definitely priceless.
True, I have shoes in different colors and with heels in different heights but they are just stored in their designated boxes, some, even with tags still hanging on them. I don't know whether I will have the enthusiasm to wear them again after the embarrassment I've felt from walking on them.
For now though, I'm back to my ever-loyal 3/4 worn-out boots of which I have been wearing for 3 years now. But do I care? certainly not! I have walked through different seasons with them and they're my comfort zone, my irreplaceable love.

Grey's Anatomy

"Can I pluck your grey hair baby?" I asked my husband while stroking his "salt and pepper" hair.

"Leave it alone." He said simply.

"I promise not to charge you for a pound each."

"Even if it's for free, baby, I won't let you." He answered.

"Well, can I just pluck the ones that stood out then, they're not that many anyway." I said.

"I said leave it alone." He said this with utmost annoyance.

"Can we dye it then?" I asked him with a slight cheekiness.

"Ang kuleeeeet!" He retorted.

This is usually our banter everytime we have a lie-in. And, it's always his hair at the center of attention. My husband has a naturally black hair but started to have this annoyingly singular grey hairs a few years back. So now instead of having a luscious black hair, he has now a headset filled with salt and pepper.
But to be honest, the look fits him perfectly and he doesn't look old for his age, if anything, he looks more mature and sexy. The fact that he's not bothered about it and doesn't seem to care just adds to the cool factor.
I must admit, men with grey hair doesn't look too bad. It doesn't make them look awful, instead, it suits them in every way. But there are also a handful of men who color their hair to vanish the grey but they only looked unnatural, trying hard, and seem to be carrying a full on wig on their heads. Please stick to the grey guys, you might end up being a headturner :)
For us women, a big chunk of the vanity pie has been eaten and swallowed if grey hair starts sprouting into our crowning glory .To us, it means that we are getting old and stressed and always likened ourselves to our grandmothers. Thus we find ways and means to become younger and appealing once again.
For men, grey hair makes them even more sexy and mature. It adds to their sex-appeal and it's definitely not to dye for.
And I guess, when it comes to the attitude of getting old gracefully, men surpass women.

The gods Must Be Crazy

What's up with the weather lately? Haven't you noticed or is it just me? These past few weeks of changing colors in Autumn I was basking in warm sunshine enjoying the light friendly breeze that touched my face while looking at those crimson leaves of the "near-dying trees". It is autumn after all but the warmness of the weather doesn't seem to be.
Exactly the same day last year, I was already donning my warm winter jacket and boots to brave the strong cold winds too careful not to tripped on those falling leaves, but today and the weeks gone past, the weather has been utterly lovely like walking on a summer's day. Sure, the leaves are turning into flaming crimson, some in glorious purple and others still in evergreen, but the biting cold is nowhere to be felt to which by now, my pale cheeks should be blushing from the wintry wind.
Is this global warming at its best? or perhaps, the gods must be crazy?
Whatever it is, I must admit that I'm looking forward to an autumnal winter after that awful wintry summer.
So, Mr. Ugg, I guess you have to stay in your little nook for a bit longer because Miss Havaianas has extended her stay. :)

Don't Stoop!

Stooping and bending from the waist down are the worst body movements ever known to man.
A friend have done this in the past and she ended up in total mishap. No, it didn't gave her back pain or spinal injury, but instead, it ruined her reputation to say the least.
It began when she attended a wedding of another friend. She was the appointed "novice" photographer and being too eagerly excited, she took pictures with gusto of almost everyone. Because she wanted to take photos of the couple up close, she went to the front row towards the side where the string musicians gathered. She was happily clicking away when suddenly she lost grip of her camera and it fell. Already a little self-conscious for causing a scene, she hastily picked it up just in time for the violinist to play his part. So while she was bending to pick her camera, the violin's bow had strucked her bottom! Almost instantly, she was thrown towards the floor and the music was a little bit out of tune! She was too embarrassed that she wanted to die.

"Damn camera!" that's all she could mutter at that time.
-----------------------------
The same friend arrived this morning with her hair in pigtails.

"What's going on?" a colleague asked while looking straight at her.
*Giggles and laughters on the background (mine included)*

"I had a shower last night, didn't bother to brush it up and can't be bothered to brush it this morning too." She said.

"Why, what's the matter?"

"Take a look at yourself in the mirror." He said to her again while grinning sheepishly.

"I know what I looked like ok? I know my hair is a mess and I can't be bothered." She reiterated.
*more giggles and laughters this time.*

Hats off to this girl really. While I spent almost half an hour styling my hair before going to work, there she was flaunting her blonde yet unbrushed, messy, sticking out wiry hair in pigtails, without a care in the world!

...And we totally love her for being so funny without even trying :)

Being Imperfectly Perfect

"They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe if we all spent a little less time beholding -- We'd be a lot happier."---- Doggie Howser, M.D.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

My salmon-coloured candle has an intricate Japanese-inspired carved design on one side and a speckled of gold-dust on the other. I've never seen anything quite like it so I bought it even with its hefty price tag. It has been a resident on our bay window where it stood proudly for years. Never have I tried lighting it up for fear that it would lose its beauty.
One night, for sentimental purposes, I lit it up. An orange glow instantly filled our dim living room. Since then, it has been our constant companion.
Now, it looked worn and torn. The artistic carved design is halfway melted and the specks of gold dust looked like a stream of molten lava.
I realized now that before when it was perfectly formed, it looked boring. Now, with its new melted design, it looked perfect, interesting and much more beautiful.
In modern times glassmaking, a perfect vase is the almost absence of bubbles whereas in the past, a perfect vase would mean the presence of many tiny air bubbles trapped in the glass. Like the vase and the candle, sometimes, certain flaws define a perfect craftmanship and a bubble-free vase and a perfectly formed candle evoke a mediocre and plain design.
I am far from being beautiful. All my life I've lamented my pert nose, at least if it would have been a slight pointy, I would be much happier. But no. I wouldn't succumb to those much hyped plastic surgeries and botox-infested expressionless faces. The results are just all plain boring. Now I've wholly accepted my imperfect nose because it's part of what makes me, ME.
Before when I met Jobert, I had this greatest fear that he wouldn't like me because I'm not perfect, but much to my amusement, he now calls me "a beautiful butterfly." A music to my ears I know and that's what matters most.
So embrace your imperfections because after all, being NOT perfect is your only asset.

My Week Gone Past

In a nutshell:

**'Tis a healthy week for me after being nearly rice-free for nearly a week and devouring only on steamed fish and vegetables. A healthy option to which I've only realized until now after eating meat for years. But for how long? I'm not entirely sure yet, all I have to do is keep the faith.

Crossfingers!

**A fiftyish looking kabayan looked lost and overwhelmed in a queue. "It's my first time to set foot here in the UK," she said. When asked whether she came here as a tourist, she answered: "No, student visa."

My lips are sealed.

**Workwise in Neuro-ICU has been both heartbreaking and exciting. The former entails you to empathize with the relatives and be strong for yourself's sake, the latter begs you to crave for more horrible near-death cases and embrace each experience as part of your learning process.

I am a novice with the former.

**The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, they say. I beg to disagree. I have a love-hate relationship with cooking. But my lack of culinary skills I made up for being a good barrista. I make the most enticing coffee for Jobert that even he, choses my concoction over Starbucks. Nothing still beats serving a cuppa with a kiss!

I think that the best way to a man's heart is not through his stomach but through his liver!

New Career Path

With the dark cloud of the credit crunch looms over us, I could easily do this for a living, professionally, to be honest :)

Only You

" I've fallen in love with Once. Seen it four times---with subtitles so I can sing and of course, cry. I soooo loved it."
--Text message from my lovely friend Raz :)

Like him, I also heart the movie Once and I could too well watched it for England but the movie gave me enough inspiration that watching it all over again would spoil my madness---of being in love.
How often do you find the right person? Fortunately for me, it was only once--at the right moment and time.

"Let me tell you now
All thats on my mind.
For a love like yours.
Is oh, so very hard to find.
Ive looked inside myself.
Now Im very sure.
There can only be, you for me.
I need you more and more....
You, turned me inside out and you showed me.
What life was about.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away.
I wanna do all I can, just to show you.
Make you understand.
Only you, the only one that stole my heart away."

**Jobert's singing to me in his raspy voice, Lionel Richie's, Only One, over the phone at the beginning of our relationship---and since then, it has become our anthem :)**

Two Loonies

Scene outside.

Two loonies had made a respite at Harrods.

He: "C'mon let's take a picture."

She: "Sure"
Both of them have looked at the screen of their camera. And they both laughed.

He: "Let's be serious, okay?"

She: "I'll try. You should too."
He: "C'mon baby, let's be serious for once."

She: "I will, this time."
He: LOL!

She: " You said be serious, but you're still making funny faces," (irritated)

He: "Ok now, let's be serious shall we?"

She: " We should coz people are already looking at us like we're lunatics."

He: "Ready?"

She: "Shoot!"
Both: LOL!!!!!

My Chaperone

While in london.

My Knight in a Suit:

My Knight in Tarnished Armor :)

Been and Back

So far, our recent escapade to London was the best ever yet. First stop was Heathrow airport where we parked the car for an overnight stay and from there, we took the tube towards Victoria station and looked for a place to stay. Hint: don't go to those eager-beaver-cum-friendly-looking receptionist, coz their hotel is exactly the opposite. Looks can be deceiving, as always. Instead, go somewhere that looks alienated with "no vacancies" sign lurking somewhere, chances are, you could have the best room in the house. We ended up checking in at easyHotel (with easyjet as its counterpart) at the end of our search. The two interior designers (Jobert & Rose) gave their verdicts and sure enough, the rooms were clean and the sheets were in their whitest white but true to easyjet's trademark, the walls are in full blown orangey hue.

We had lunch at Victoria and headed straight to Trafalgar Square to check out the sights. There were obvious signs that the pigeons' population has diminished over the years: the ubiquitous "don't feed the pigeon" sign , the much clearer view of the National Gallery, and the absence of the "pigeon-lady" of whom for so many years have become a popular tourist attraction. Without the pigeons, Trafalgar have lost its main ingredient.


As we made our way towards Oxford Circus to do a bit of retail therapy, we caught sight of this what looked like a granite coffin but is actually a statue made as a tribute to Oscar Wilde. It's called Conversation with Oscar Wilde and depicts the head and shoulder of the Irish playwright that is carved in bronze. It's a makeshift bench and a respite corner after a long walk but Jobert laid on it like it's his coffin.


Then all we did was shop, shop and shop. Nevermind the omnipresent credit crunch, we still went to visit the cheap and cheerful store: Uniqlo and bought a little bit of what we fancy.
Going in and around London in a tube is the best way so far, unless you don't know how to read the map then the big red bus is for you.
It was a taxing first day and although we're dead tired, still, the conversations we've shared in between coffee-breaks, and the laughters in between boohoos were all priceless.


While the boys made their way back to Heathrow the next day to put some of the things in the carbooty, us girls have done our share of the sights in and around Westminster. The morning stroll coupled with a very calm weather and a slight breeze have brought us to the banks of the River Thames were joggers and early morning tourist collide. With few people surrounding the River, we gazed at the magnificent London Eye and the Parliament in full view---there's nothing way much better (not even the best cameras) than being there and seeing these sights up close.




The boys were back from Heathrow. Soon after, we paid a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Cameras were not allowed inside (but still, Jobert managed to get some shots from his mobile, cheeky!). A mass was being held as we made our way through a flock of tourists and security. I lit three candles and said my prayers. The interior of the Cathedral was magnificent. I wanted to walk through the aisle towards the altar as I did the first time I came to visit, but with the mass going on, going up towards the altar was next to impossible. The echoes of the hymn that reverberated throughout the cathedral gave me goosebumps. Amidst the throngs of visitors, tourists, believers, and non-believers alike, the solemn ambience still remained.



London as a city is both busy and idyllic. You can have the best of both worlds in one visit. Although, our two-day trip weren't enough to visit some of its renowed galleries and museums still our stroll among the city's famous sights and the walks through the busy streets remained unparrallelled. Be it your first, second or third time to visit, London has always something special to offer.
I'll keep coming back for more sights and shops :)

London (and rabbits) Calling

A sunday. I'm about to prepare our tiny, red luggage for London tomorrow on a road trip. Our friends will be fetching us as we commence our early drive on a September morn with an optimistic attitude that the weather would be at least welcoming. As it is the beginning of autumn, the skies are always bleak and the breeze aren't always light. You can feel them rustling through the leaves joyously like a long-lost friend.
We'll be staying in a 3-star hotel for a night and I'm expecting at least an inward friendlier service with no such haughty stance like some of them are and of course a total outward luxury. If you've been to London, you will know exactly what I mean.
Shopping will be top of the list on the first day and sightseeing on our last. I'm hoping we can take a cruise on the River Thames as I've never done it before.
During the 3-hour drive, I will be munching my moment-to-the-lips-friendly-to-the-hips guilty pleasure: raw carrots dipped in either sour cream or mayonnaise. Yum!
I can just imagine the rabbits calling me now: "Cherrypie we want our carrots back!"

Sweet Talks

'Nuff said, he,he,he....