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.
Thursday 30 October 2008
Thursday 23 October 2008
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 :)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------
*Stab- is the British term for blood-taking.
And of course in tagalog it means: saksak
"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 :)
--------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------------------
*Stab- is the British term for blood-taking.
And of course in tagalog it means: saksak
Tuesday 21 October 2008
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.
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.
Monday 13 October 2008
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.
"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.
Sunday 12 October 2008
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. :)
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. :)
Sunday 5 October 2008
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 :)
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 :)
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