Petit Chéri ♥

Black and White

2009-12-09T00:13:00.003Z

My friends and I trooped to Scarborough to check on my surprise Christmas gift for Jobert. I've been scouring the internet for weeks for this surprise and finally, just few weeks before Christmas, I've found the perfect present :)
Meet our new border collie pup....a pedigree...

He won't be ready until the 20th when he will be 7-week old but already, I'm one excited mum!
Isn't he a cutie?

She Said The Darndest Thing

2009-09-21T19:43:00.007+01:00

Post-Party conversation with Angeline, the cheeky six-year old:

Ange: "Tito Jobert, why aren't you and Tita Cherry married?"

Jobert: "We are married! Your Tita Cherry is my wife."

Ange: "You're only married if you have a baby. But you have no baby so you're not married."

Me: "We're not ready to have a baby yet that's why."

Jobert: "Don't worry Ange, your tita Cherry and I will make a baby tonight, ok?"

Ange: "How will you make one?"

Angie's mom: "Angeline, stop asking those questions, please."

Jobert: Hmmm...

Angie's mom: "Tito Jobert, ssh!"

Jobert: "When you're a bit older I'll tell you everything, ok?"

Ange: "When I'm twenty?"

Me and Ange's mom chorused: "Yes!"

Jobert: "No!"

Ange's mom: "kaw tito Jobert, bad influence ka talaga."

We all burst out laughing.

Angeline looks confused. Poor sweetie :)

Subtle Serendipity (Jobert & Chez's Story)---a repost :)

2009-09-15T19:35:00.001+01:00

His name lit up on my computer screen.

"Hi! I like your nick...sounds so sweet. How are you Windswept?"

"Is that why you click on my name because it sounds so "sweet"?" I retorted.

"No, of course not. I found your nick intriguing. Maybe, so do you. Where are you from?"

"I won't tell you." I tapped the keys stubbornly. Questions like this scares me.

"Do you have a....c e l l p h o n e?" I typed quite hesitantly. Don't know what came over me to ask this to be honest.

"Course. If you want try sending me a message." He replied.

"Okay." Hmmm. I seemed a bit uneasy about this. Sending a text message to some stranger? That's just not me. But I did it in the end.

"So you're in Singapore?" He typed back.

How did he knew where I am from? The country code perhaps? I quipped.

"Can we be FRIENDS?" he typed the word friends in capital letters.

"As long as you won't express your feelings for me then why not?" I anxiously replied.

"Don't worry I won't express any feelings whatsoever or be too personal to you for that matter. I just want us to be friends."

"So I'm safe with you then?" I replied jokingly.

This time I felt so relieved. Expressing your feelings to a stranger over the internet on a large computer screen was just ridiculous. And we've only just been exchanging few words of nonsense for chrissakes! And besides, I'm not that kind of person who's easily persuaded by some sweet words from an internet-savvy stranger.

"Can we chat again Windswept?" He asked.

"Sure." I typed the word with a little smiley at the end.

"Don't worry you're safe with me." He also typed back with a little smiley at the end.

"So, tomorrow?" I tapped the keypads with excitement I felt a certain pulse skip.

"Yes. Tomorrow it is then". He typed back.

It was a fleeting moment. So fleeting that I still can't remember how our chat started and ended.
I went back into my apartment with a little anticipation.
Tomorrow...Tonight's certainly not the last.
I remembered that night after I said my evening prayer I slept with a smile on my face.

If my foot could speak...

2009-08-12T16:37:00.007+01:00

While he's talking to a friend on the phone...

So does my foot!

"£$%^^&*()!

2009-07-06T12:28:00.001+01:00

Until when do I have to take the backseat?

'Til I'm old and gray?.....

Puppy Love

2009-06-12T20:06:00.010+01:00

Meet the cute-as-a-button Sam, the cocker spaniel...

Okay Sam, lift your chin up and give me a serious face

Jobert's father instinct is etched all over :p

He's making pa-cute to him this time

Steady now, you're tickling me :p

Good dog ;p

Eureka!

2009-06-06T20:18:00.023+01:00

We treated our li'l goddaughter to a wee bit of exploring literacy, I mean, for us adults too! Her mom, Jobert and I trooped to Halifax for a 15min train journey to explore Eureka!. The sun was grinning widely so we're off to a good start :)

Her fave spot :)
Listening to Jobert's voice on the other line
We're inside a puzzle
Cool ride!

With her mom :)
Doin' her shopping at M&S

The goodies looked so real that she had to bit a piece of chicken off!
It's got milk too!
The book tower
Both being educated :)
Bookworm :)

Archimedes. He shouted Eureka! and takes a bath every hour proving that when immersed in water, a body does indeed displace an amount of water equal to it's mass. He looks good on his front view though :)

Face smothered with ice-cream :)

Ninong's girl. Train back home

Can't you tell? I'm broody ++++! :)

Me & Ayah

2009-06-06T14:36:00.003+01:00

I want to show y'all how cute our li'l-miss-independent goddaughter is!
At one-and-a-half year old, she now eats on her own, holds the spoon with dexterity sans food droppings, unlike me!
Clumsy ninang, dear oh dear! :)

One Fine Night

2009-05-27T22:48:00.010+01:00

Star Trek was the prelude to our anniversary celebration. Jobert had made a reservation for a dinner date at Chaophraya at 9pm.
After the movie, both of us went home to change to a more formal attire suited for fine dining.

As expected, the Thai restaurant was packed. We were ushered to the centre near the waterfall wall. The trickles of the water made the ambience more soothing.

The food was excellent and cheap. Jobert denied me the pleasure of taking pictures of the food we ordered for decorum purposes. So I concurred.
The rosé wine was the only thing pricey but was well worth it. I think I'm starting to have rose wine fetish from now on.

Coincidentally, our thai friend was working at the bar that same night so we head to the other part of the restaurant and spent the rest of the evening chatting away. I wasn't brave enough to pour another drink because the wine alone made me light-headed.

It was nearly midnight when we call it a night. It was a simple yet romantic dine out because for the first time in seven years where we used to spend our anniversary with friends, this time, it's just the two of us.
As usual, Jobert was gorgeous and a perfect gentleman that night. (don't mean to embarrass u baby ;p)
I'm proud to say that even if we lasted this long, we are still peppered with a blissful couplehood which proves that even for aeon years, our romance will still be alive.

7ven Years

2009-05-14T19:33:00.003+01:00

Seven years ago, two strangers from different timeline met, got married and fell in love...
Yes, practically in that order and they never stopped loving each other ever since ;)

Seven years of married bliss have made me opened my eyes to only one very important aspect of love---that it is in fact a choice.
A choice to stay, despite.
Know that the good parts aren't worth leaving the bad for---if they really aren't.

Seven years saw us braving the undeniable phases: the disputes and the boring bits.

We've come this far mainly because we have no expectations and we haven't given in to temptations.

To say that our love is worth more lifetimes together is an understatement.

It's built to last :)

Teaser :)

2009-05-08T18:40:00.002+01:00

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save the Queen!

Saint Lazeeee

2009-05-06T02:39:00.009+01:00

Did you miss me guys? ;p

I had been so lethargic lately that even getting a glass of water from our fridge's water dispenser seems to be a huge effort. For sure, I'll be incredibly fat from sloth!
To compensate for my lethargy, I stopped drinking pop. For an individual who self-diagnosed everything, aka, hypochondriac, I blamed my sluggishness to too much sugar from drinking too muuch pop. Saying that, we just had our monthly groceries to which half of it consist of chocs, ice cream and lollies and softdrinks! I wonder how on earth can I resist this sweet temptations?
Like a baby learning its first step, I'll try to diminish one sugary treat at a time hoping that my EQ would be strong enough to deliver myself from evil :)

Bottomline of all this though is that I am pathetically lazy and all those sugary crap stuffs are just my excuses.

Last April 30, Jobert and I had a date at Nando's to celebrate St. Cherry's Day. To those of you who doesn't know who St. Cherry is, she's a special child of God with a huge heart. She is the Patron Saint of all shopaholics. She is generously extravagant sometimes. She's not yet in heaven though, in fact, she's still enjoying her life roaming the earth and exploring it's amazing wonders. St. Cherry is suffering from an avarice flu at the moment so stop praying for her because any of your requests won't be granted until she recovers.

Seriously.

My ultra-soft pillows are calling me now. You just don't know it but everytime I lay my head on them, I'll get an uninterrupted sleep and soon I'll be dead for the world.

zzzzzzzzzzzz..................

To The One That Got Away

2009-04-12T22:00:00.002+01:00

You may be successful in nicking the one thing that's valuable to me but I'll make sure that the next time you use that sticky fingers of yours, it'll be your last.
Thanks for taking my three-week old baby away from me.
Bad karma will be yours forever.

Enjoy my Nokia E71. I think you badly needed it.

Modern Lent

2009-04-08T18:57:00.016+01:00

If you're given the chance to be Jesus for a day, month, or year even, and was asked to do a miracle what would you choose?

a.) walk on water?

b.) or turn water into wine?

Since I don't know how to swim, I would rather tread on water, that way, at least, I won't drown. Wine? I can live without.
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I'm going to church tomorrow and Good Friday---first time in a long while. Does that make me a bad person?
*Jobert's an atheist and he's not been to church in years but he's not a bad person* :)

Oh, well. I'm not an atheist though.

Which means I'm bad??

I'll promise that while I'm inside the church, I'll make an act of contrition like I did years ago. I'm sure God remembers all of it :)

But then, I pray anywhere like in lifts, before going to bed or before starting work...

Does that count?

As a product of a private Catholic school I never missed any sunday masses. With heavily-lidded eyes I sat there as if attentively only because the next day, the sunday's homily will be part of our Religion test. I was there mainly for one purpose, to pass the exam.

I wish you won't criticize me when I tell you that not going to church isn't wrong, after all, to each his own. But I'm one of those people whose once-a-week religious activity has waned and to be honest, I feel absolute freedom after I stopped getting forced to go.

I have great faith in God and all the things He can do that's the reason why I pray everyday and everywhere because God knows what I want and what I need at this moment in time.

Faith doesn't have to be represented always by going to church. It's the deed that counts and not the attendance.

Gifty Day For Me!

2009-04-07T21:47:00.007+01:00

It's the time of year again when only the best person was born!

I'd like to thank all my gorgeous friends who remembered my big day. Hugs and kisses to you all!

...to my goddaughter who gave me a bouquet of flowers delivered to me as a surprise although Jobert was the one who received the delivery coz I only had a towel on ready for my shower :)

...to Mariel, the cake-maker, for my yummy-chocolatey-fudgy cake and Chanel :)

...to Rose for my cutie purse :)

...to Rachel and Vivian for the identical beauty bags. They were adamant that I'll open their gifts first for fear that the bags might have the same contents which luckily, they haven't much to their relief :)

...to ate Winnie for my jersey topshop dress complete with receipt and all in case the dress won't fit me :)

...to Razdy for my cutie-pinkie giraffe family with their mono-eared mom, he,he,he...

...to Anne for the wish and the U.S. invite ;)

...and to my Philanthropist (who doesn't want to be named for fear of being stalked by LV lovers) for this:

Although there was a Great Divide during the party with kids all engrossed with the PS3 upstairs and the adults downstairs sharing all the gossips, it was indeed a fun-filled birthday overflowing with sumptuous food to which the guests took-away after! I bet some of you who didn't come are now regretting it, he,he,he

Anyway, it's great feelin' the looooovveee!!!!

It was a good 25th (walang kokontra, ok?) birthday and I was happy, happy, happy!

Sweet Treat 101

2009-03-19T00:17:00.007Z

I never thought Rice Krispies can be this yummy until I tried making a sweet treat out of this lovely bubblies a fortnight ago.
The first time I tried this was when a colleague brought this to work with the rice krispies flattened so inconspicuously in a pan. It's sweet aroma was so enticing that our breaktime was held an hour earlier. Get it out of the pan already! And so she did.
The crunchy and sweet taste easily reminded me of the sweet delicacy back home called "ampao".
( the original ampao from Cebu. Image from pinaypie.wordpress.com)

A trip down memory lane saw me enjoying my daily dose of ampao after school with friends. We were so young then.
Several years on and with so many miles apart, I came face to face again with my fave delicacy but this time, right in the comforts of my own kitchen. I never realized how easy this sweetie is to make. No sweat!

I bought a box of Rice krispies, marshmallows and toffee sauce.

Mix all the ingredients together and viola! a homemade ampao UK-style for you.

A definite quick-fix for hypoglycaemics :)

No scent of apples for me anymore!

The Road To Revolutionary Citizenship

2009-03-11T15:36:00.006Z

I was in deep slumber when Jobert woke me up and showed me something. I was still in a trance-like state that reading the mail and understanding all of it was next to imppossible. Wait, let me get my bearing...
"I am pleased to tell you that your application for British Citizenship has been approved" the letter says.

Too ecstatic was I that I was wide awake in an instant(never mind if I came from nights the day before).
Finally, we are officially adopted citizens in this country! Yay!
DDay May 7 will be the Citizenship Ceremony. By then, I am expected to be familiar with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Queen which is actually too short to memorize.
Now though, I'm in a dilemma of whether to relinquish my Filipino citizenship or be a dual citizen.
I still have a month to think about it though but for now my mind is clear about one thing: I get to travel wherever now without the hassle of getting a visa.
Life's great if you're British, I may say.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S.
Our application took only two-and-a-half weeks to process. Yes, too fast that I didn't see it coming :)

No, Thanks!

2009-03-04T22:28:00.004Z

To you-know-who-you-are,

My Facebook account is exclusive for my FRIENDS only. If you're a stranger and not someone special, then stop inviting me...

You will just be ignored.

Comfort Zones

2009-02-26T00:01:00.015Z

Before my latest arm candy came along, I have enjoyed several others (both cheap and the not-so-cheap ones) in the past. From my array of collections, I have shortlisted three. These triumvi-bags are all special because each has its own story to tell.
Yes, my new LV is so dear to me because it's Jobert's most expensive gift ever, yet, I definitely prefer sentimentality over value and LV still has to prove its worth. Here are the fab three that I'll take out of the box come spring cleaning time.

My DIY bag.

I bought a plain bag from warehouse and decorated it with my PIN collections both vintage and new from the countries I've visited. What I loved about this bag is the stares I get from kids. Seeing their envious look from their faces makes my heart melt. One kid even wanted the butt-showing Bart. Oh, kid if only we can share Bart's butt, gladly I would. Drool kid, drool! :)

My Boblbee Scarabee.

I've searched high and low to find Jobert's female version of his Boblbee People's Delite. It was difficult to find this then, and it still hard to find this now. We ended up in a train to London to search for one and bought it immediately as soon as we found it regardless of its price. The petite-size is so me :) Whether you're a fashionista, sporty or maybe just a plain jane, this bag is your ultimate accessory. It's rarity makes me clamor for more of this brand. I wish somebody who's at the the third floor right now would read this and buy me the pinky one :) My Bayongs.

These reminded me of home. It's funny how we appreciate things that we have taken for granted in the past. I was so much influenced by imported products while I was in my own country that I have totally ignored the beauty of straw bags.
These couple were purchased in a boutique called "East" and if you see the insides of these pair, you will find the label "made from original straw in the Philippines." I am still amazed whenever I find beautiful things being displayed in posh boutiques that came from my country. Why can't I find these beautiful creations in Pinas by the way? or was I just turning a blind eye?

Rant and Rage

2009-02-25T13:45:00.004Z

"There's something different in you today, chez"

"Must be my hair. I've got it coloured last week and well, "trim", I suppose."

"It looks beautiful. It suits you really well."

"But I absolutely hate it!"

"Why?"

"Well because I've spent nearly a year trying to grow my hair back but that s****d hairdresser have cut it really short without my consent." "I wish she could've listened to me."

"But it's beautiful. I like how the waves framed your face."

"Thanks but I'm still so upset about it."

It's been over three weeks now since my last hair disaster and I'm still fuming!
I made her forty-five pound richer and left me with my self-esteem down the drain.
Lesson learned: Word of mouth is bollocks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello, this is Julie, how can I help?"

"Hi, we've ordered a fridge-freezer via online yesterday and I want to change the delivery for that if it's possible."

"Okay. But you have to add an extra amount if you want to have it delivered within 2-3 working days, I'm afraid."

"No problem."

"So when do you want the item to be delivered?"

"Tomorrow. Friday."

"I'm sorry but I don't think it's possible."

"Why not? I'm looking at your website right now and it says that 13th friday is available."

"Sorry but it can't be delivered tomorrow."

"Look, our fridge have been broken since yesterday which means it's just a matter of time until all our food will be spoiled. Can't you understand?"

"I'm sorry but because the additional charge won't come out from your account till tomorrow, then we can't deliver it."

"Goodness gracious! It only took 15 minutes for the three-hundred odd pounds to get through to you yet it would take a day for the mere twenty-four pounds delivery charge to go through. I just don't get it."

"I'm sorry but I can't do anything about it."

"So when is the nearest possible day then?"

"Saturday."

Our fridge was broken in such an opportune time when there was a big freeze. So we took the chance and stored all the frozen food outside---in the snow.
Lesson learned: Comet? Never again! Your customer service sucks, big time!
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Hey, you! woman on a wheelchair.
Just because you are a patient doesn't mean you have the liberty to smoke inside the hospital's premises. Can't you read the "No Smoking" sign in front of you? Are you blind? or just plain stupid?
Why can't you just wheel your chair out from this hospital lobby and spread your toxic smoke somewhere and stop inflicting other vulnerable individuals.We surely don't want to have whatever chest problems you may already have, thank you very much.

214

2009-02-14T00:03:00.009Z

To My Poodledoodledoo,

I can only afford a homemade card for you this love day. If not for our gigantic new fridge purchase, I could've bought you one straight from shop.

As you can see, this card of mine has my own concept and design you wouldn't find in any other love cards in the planet and it's smothered with my own choice of colors too. It's raw and unrehearsed. It's my work of art that even you, a painter and an artist, would be very proud.

The message that goes with it is short, brief, concise yet encompasses all the extra-ordinary qualities I love and hate (yet love them just the same) in you.

I hope you'll like it :)

kisses (and lots of 'em!),

cherryberrystickerellyfiferry

Serpentine

2009-02-10T01:44:00.008Z

I have always been fascinated by snakes in different colors and sizes. If a close friend of mine loves sharks and their scarily wide mouth and sharp teeth, I love snakes and their wonderfully coloured scales and equally coloured lifestyles.

But just because I love them doesn't mean I'm fearless when I see one. Truly not! I only love watching them in documentaries BUT not in their slimy glory.

Once I saw a TV documentary entitled: In search of the Giant Anaconda. I was glued to my seat, feet up on the sofa (in case something horrid and cold passes my feet), and was enjoying the takes on other snakes species while also too excited to know whether the snakemaster can really find a giant Anaconda. However, as the tension mounts up so too was the documentary as it was slowly turning to some sort of a horror movie where the presenter was walking barefoot underwater while a black and large-bodied anaconda was swirling around him, their bodies entwined as he struggles to fight against the snake too careful not to drown himself. The slow-motion and time-slicing effects were exciting yet scary at the same time that I ended up watching like this:

It was my first time to watch a documentary with my eyes and me covered with a blanket where I'm sure the only purpose of the film was just pure entertainment and not horrify the viewers.

I do apologize if you can't visualize my drawings its because I drew this on Photoshop and being a neophyte, the result understandly lacks perception or to put it bluntly, crude.

Not to mention was my screamfest while watching the docu. I don't know how to draw a "scream" you see so I just settled with this. I know my drawing of a snake looks like a sperm but I made his head a bit bigger to defy the obvious :)

I'm now beginning to be a bit wary in watching snakes docu that's why I made sure my blanket comes in handy just in case:)

Sweets From My Sweet

2009-02-07T21:37:00.015Z

Jobert came home yesterday armed with familiar packs of tiny red-ribboned boxes with white balls inside. This is his so-called "peace offering" for me after getting bonkers last night. His inability to sleep made him like a madman that I felt like I am sleeping beside an enemy, literally.
He knew that I've been searching high and low for this specific flavor so it was definitely all-smiles from me when I saw these beauties.
Raffaello is the best sweetie in the planet amongst all the other chocolates I've ever tasted. I'm a sucker for coconut which made this sweetie more closer to my heart. As they are individually wrapped, getting them out of the package can be a bit messy for you will be showered with bits of coconut that at the end of each bite, you'll have a coco overload. I still have to figure out the best way of biting each snowballs without looking like you own a whole coconut plantation! But don't get disheartened by it because biting into its wafer filled with cream with a chunky almond at the center is a sure pleasure. The reason why Jobert bought loads is because you can hardly find this being sold in any other large supermarkets. These are only available at dear old Morrisons but not often too. So if you're nearest Morrisons branch have these, can you please give me a buzz coz I'm good at hunting down a rare yet fabulous find :)

Frozen Tears

2009-02-05T01:25:00.010Z

Cry not in winter for your tears may be frozen :)

I walked out from the heavy glass door of the heavily-bricked establishment feeling unperturbed by the freezing cold and the gushing wind. The narnia-like surrounding gave me a feeling of placid eeriness to which at anytime a gentle creature would suddenly appear in front of me and swept me away to a place enchanted.

As I step on the snow-covered pavement, I realized that I'm still in the city and that my sleepless night made my brain-cells go haywire. I just can't believe how my brain has a mind of it's own. Sometimes it amazes me.

The snow tracks of heavy boots were a sure proof of the morning rush. People collide while dusting snowflakes from their North Face jackets. Somebody even slipped and fell backwards from wearing a wrong footwear. But I wasn't part of them because I was not in a hurry and certainly I wouldn't compromise embarrassment to fashion. Forget Ugg for now, the Docs are the best!

Yet, all I could think of in this very freezing morning are my hot shower and my bed. The dust of snowflakes on my face isn't helping either for it made my warm home more enticing.

I battered through the snow covered road safely. Thanks to my Doc Martens remarkable strength and steadfast traction. It made me reached home in one piece.

After a hot shower, I was ready for bed. Once more, I looked through my bedroom window and retrace my tracks. The snowfall was getting heavier and thicker, the trees were merely silhoutte, and the cold was getting painful on my skin. Yet, I still love winter and snow, even it brought the world to a standstill and made me lethargic.

Our street

On our doorstep

Scene outside our bedroom window

Writing in my jim-jams and underpants!

Snow graffitis

What's left of now though are ice and gritted-salt pavements. Snow's gone but certainly not forever.

White Stuff

2009-02-02T10:44:00.003Z

I am gazing at the window right now and is admiring god's dandruff. Oh, it's so pretty!----the snowfall, I mean :)

Too Long An Absence Makes The Heart Wander

2009-01-24T23:32:00.005Z

I know I've been missing in action for a while now but I can defend that for a fact that I'm heavily laden with work and pleasure. But I'll soon be back in my briar patch as my head is swelling with tales to tell.

Anyway, thanks for ignoring me ;)

I Am Loved II :)

2009-01-12T23:47:00.003Z

Waving through the maze of the mad rush wth my carrier bag in tow, my mobile bleeped. Ah, text from Jobert.

"I love you baby. I'm glad ur happy with ur new bag as u deserve it :)"

I Am Loved :)

2009-01-11T17:55:00.001Z

Do we really have to be at the brink of losing someone to realize the importance of that person in our lives? Some people are not lucky enough to meet that one person who can make them feel truly alive. Sometimes we never get to bump into that person that matches our life line –who can make you smile amidst all the trouble, who can make you feel your best and inspire you to be your best, that person you won't ever let go and you would fight for, heaven and hell, who can laugh with you all day and no matter where you go, you manage to always have fun and create lifetime of memories forged only by a special bond… only a few lucky ones do. And it changes them forever.

It changed mine. Hope yours too :)
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Thanks so much baby for my new LV bag. Love it to bits :)

Let's Talk About Chicken, Shall We?

2009-01-06T21:00:00.004Z

Upstairs in our warm bedroom underneath the massive duvet, I was about to close my eyes when Jobert asked me:

"So how many piglets did the sow have?" He was talking of course about the movie Charlotte's Web.

"Twelve?" I answered but with a hint of uncertainty.

"Eleven" he said.

"I'm sure it was twelve. That's the reason why the farmer wanted to kill the 12th pig because his mom only has eleven nipples." I said matter-of-factly.

Jobert burst out laughing. "What do you mean eleven nipples? The sow has ten nipples. It always come in pairs, you silly wabbit!"

"He was the eleventh piglet." He added in between laughter.

"Really? I have no idea."

"So how many nipples does the chicken have?" he asked.

This time, I was in deep thought.

"Pag-isipan ko munang mabuti ha?" I said sweetly.

"C'mon, how many?" he urged.

"Hmmm, two!" I answered.

Just then, he went into a laughing fit, nearly dropping himself onto the floor from sheer laughter and hysterics.

"Wala!" he said. Tears welled in his eyes from laughing so hard.

"Chicken don't nurse their chicks." "Fowls basically don't nurse their young." He said.

Already embarrassed, I said: "Ok, ok. Don't rub it in, will you?"

" I didn't realized that they don't have nipples till now, to be honest. I thought that they have because they have breasts." Defending myself obviously and calling National Geographic to the rescue :)

"Haay, baby, magaling ka lang talaga sa medical." he said.

"Cutie-cutie ka no?" He added as he gave me a kiss.

At least he didn't call me a silly wabbit again after that.

New Year's Resolution In 3D

2009-01-06T01:44:00.010Z

The truth is I have never made any resolutions in my life. Funnily enough, I couldn't even remember what my resolutions were as the months gone past let alone make any!

So when a friend asked "what's your new year's resolution?"

"Is not to make any" was my quick reply.

"I think it make sense not having any because you will just end up feeling worse if you've not achieved any of it." I added.

I am the most disorganized person in the planet so when I got hold of my new belle du jour planner, I hastily logged my working schedule with sheer optimism that I can fill all the pages of the hardbound diary for the year and be at least in tune with time, (organize is too complicated for a word). BUT, I won't make any promises since I have enough planners that came and went empty and unused. Already, this new planner of mine has only seen the light of day once---and that's when I scribbled my off duties for this month. My over-enthusiasm's already gone down the drain, fast!
Proudly, I am organized being disorganized. To be honest, I can achieve more without making any list and plans. My brain is my pen and paper, though size like a pea, I can rely on it better than anything else. Through impulse and spontaneity, I am reformed :)

Yet, if I could make one resolution for example, it would be this: (click to enlarge)
There's hidden messages behind the words. Find out what it says using your magic eye.

Ang hinde maka-gets, panget :)

This Year's Trimmings

2008-12-30T22:30:00.010Z

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 :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

2008-12-20T22:46:00.005Z

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

2008-12-10T03:50:00.015Z

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

2008-12-09T13:38:00.002Z

"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

2008-12-03T23:57:00.003Z

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

2008-12-02T21:54:00.013Z

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

2008-11-26T02:33:00.006Z

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

2008-11-22T23:51:00.003Z

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

Not An Urban Myth

2008-11-21T23:50:00.003Z

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,

2008-11-18T21:42:00.005Z

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?

2008-11-18T03:37:00.002Z

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

2008-11-13T21:06:00.014Z

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

2008-11-13T00:00:00.011Z

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

2008-11-09T13:42:00.002Z

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

2008-11-08T02:00:00.004Z

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

2008-11-03T22:45:00.003Z

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

2008-11-03T21:35:00.005Z

There.

I've changed it.

Satisfied?

'M talking bout my header.

B!tc*

Yes. That's me.

My alter-ego.

------------------------------------------
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

2008-11-01T23:27:00.012Z

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

2008-10-30T21:54:00.011Z

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

2008-10-23T23:47:00.006+01:00

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

When Shoes Attack

2008-10-21T21:46:00.005+01:00

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

2008-10-13T15:51:00.010+01:00

"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

2008-10-12T22:16:00.006+01:00

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!

2008-10-05T18:28:00.004+01:00

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

2008-09-30T17:17:00.008+01:00

"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

2008-09-30T01:30:00.006+01:00

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

2008-09-30T00:15:00.010+01:00

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

2008-09-24T01:00:00.009+01:00

" 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

2008-09-20T20:40:00.009+01:00

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

2008-09-20T18:47:00.006+01:00

While in london.

My Knight in a Suit:

My Knight in Tarnished Armor :)

Been and Back

2008-09-20T12:43:00.027+01:00

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

2008-09-14T14:13:00.011+01:00

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

2008-09-12T18:55:00.006+01:00

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

More About Maldita

2008-09-09T00:14:00.008+01:00

I am a Type AB whose personality is hard to categorize.
I am left-handed but I'm always on my right mind.
I am animated and a good conversationalist.
I am a procrastinator but does things my own way in my own time.
I am 5 feet tall with my shoes on but my limbs, torso, head, and forehead are all symmetrical.

I love to collect fashion magazines and trinkets even at their cheapest.
I love to sing but not in public.
I love to watch snake documentaries but hate to see them in all their slimy glory.
I love prawns but I'm allergic to them.
I love to give gifts but most loved it when I receive them as a surprise.
I love to sleep all the time.
I love winter and snow.
I love pink stuffs but black is the most dominant hue in my wardrobe.
I love to be stroked coz stroking will bring me to my dreamland.
I loved to love and be loved in return.

I hate cats.
I hate raisins and prunes.
I hate autumn when it's wet and windy.
I hate mornings coz I can't function during the day.
I hate bad spellers, unless you're dyslexic then you're forgiven.
I hate those so-called "noveau riche", they're utterly classless.

I'm fond of kids and their laughters.
I'm fond of fruits dipped in salt.
I'm fond of saying "i love you" to everything that is a good buy.
I'm fond of my baby.
I'm fond of my family and my closest relatives.
I'm fond of my teddy bears. They're the inanimate object of my embrace.
I'm fond of books.
I'm fond of anything cheap and cheerful.
I'm also a fan of anything expensive and nice.

I'm not a fan of most fish and leafy vegetables.
I've never used soap for seven years but I miss the refreshing feeling it gives to my skin.
Coz now I'm a sucker for shower gels and can't live without them.
I'm a fan of my lucky socks.
My brain works better in stimulating conversation.
I think better when I'm sick.

I am not a touchy-feely person unless I know you well.
I don't have many friends but the ones that I have now, are the best ones.
My best friends are my husband and my three bears.
If your name is on my phonebook, consider yourself lucky.
My baby is my partner in life.

I used to have long, brown, wavy hair when I was a child.
I used to be a good student.
I used to love my job until mundane replaces excitement.
I used to have clear skin until I stopped taking pills.
I used to be so shy.
I used to be independent.
I used to sing with the music imperfectly with my own lyrics.
I used to have nightmares.
I used to go to church.

I was stood up.
I was once a happy child.
Now I'm still a happy, fulfilled adult.

I wish to have an L-shaped converted farmhouse in the country with a sprawling garden to boot.
I wish to stop alcoholism and drug addiction.
I wish I can be carefree forever.

I believe in prayer and karma.
I believe that love is not enough even if it's too much.
I now believe in the importance of personal space.
I believe that the heart has its own way of speaking.
I believe in the sounds of silence.

I value life and it's ups and downs.
I value time.
I value the quality time I spent with my loved-ones.
I have learned a great deal about life's daily lessons.
I rose from the hardship.
I have made mistakes.
I was betrayed but still cling on to the power of trust.
I have laughed and cried a million times.

I am a prodigal daughter, a good samaritan, a drifter, a traveller.

I'm every inch a homo sapien, thank God!

Full Monty

2008-09-07T17:23:00.015+01:00

Last Sunday, Jobert and our friend Rose celebrated their birthdays at home in full monty style.Nah, the guests weren't in their nakedness glory if that's what you're thinking but it's actually something else. Check out the pics!

The Full Monty cakes!

Rose's cake with PG

Blinking boobies

Ready, steady, blow!

The birthday girl

Bad role model huh? he,he,he

Little bratinella!

Ranz, li'l brat's bf ;)

Grumpy brats

Me and the cheeky monkeys ;)

Booster

2008-09-02T21:21:00.014+01:00

My pins brought me to Occupational Health today to have my clinical check-up as a protocol when starting a new job. I was expecting to be interviewed only to find out later that I need to have my booster dose of Hep-B done today. Records showed that my last dose was administered in Singapore seven years ago so I needed to have it ASAP. No matter how hard I tried to convince the OH nurse that I am sensitive to it, or even told them I am back to work the next day, the sight of the vaccine in front of me just proves that I am seconds away from being shot. So, shoot!
It wasn't that bad as what I have hoped it would be but sure enough, it left me with an invalid right arm and a clammy nurse! (I sure did put her under pressure, he,he,he!)
Lesson learned today: Never inject a nurse (unless you're ace), as she will put you under too much scrutiny.
But kudos to her, she was so gentle, I could hardly felt the pain.

At home after the shot. A weary smile can be deceiving :)

Birthday Thought: Organ Donation

2008-09-02T17:42:00.010+01:00

Jobert and I had a random conversation over dinner on the eve of his birthday.

"I had a rather depressing shift today," I told him as I was chewing my food.

"The doctors had to do a brain stem test on my patient before donating his organs."

"Sad isn't it?" I added.

"Yup," he said. "I wanted to be an organ donor too, you know?"

"Really?" I replied, wide-eyed.

"Well, I guess, you can donate your liver, kidneys and heart. But definitely not your lungs." I told him.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"Because your lungs are knackered with you being a smoker, obviously." I said jokingly.

He just gave me the potent look. "Funny baby." He muttered.

"I want to donate my organs too if I'm brain dead." I said.

"What do you think, baby?" I asked him.

He said, "If you're brain dead? I will shake and squezze you real hard as I'll shout at the top of my lungs: Baby! wake up! you still haven't bought me a super computer and a dog yet!!"

And I laughed. In fact, he made me laughed so hard, I nearly peed my pants!

"No, I don't want you to leave me, baby." He said seriously.

"Promise I won't." I replied in between giggles.

So, on his birthday, I bought him a gift fit for a fab and gamer husband. It may not be a super computer as yet but it sure made his heart leapt a wee bit. He was ecstatic!
As for me? one box was surely ticked on my "to buy list" for him.

Happy Birthday Baby! I love you ++++++++++++++++++++++++! :)

Meet: MasterBear 80gb (his PS3)

Just Grin And BEAR It

2008-08-24T20:23:00.014+01:00

Meet the Lurkers of my profile. They can be moody and restless at times but one thing for sure, they can provide a warm hug and cuddle if you want to. Just don't get too close to them or they'll tear you to pieces. Just smile and wave instead.

Hiro is born and bred in Singapore. Chicken rice is his favorite staple and spits mashed potato to the full. Very inquisitive and curious, he wants to be the centre of attention all the time. He's a sweetie and ramps with a silly grin which makes him all the more endearing.

jR is of Malaysian descent. A spoiled brat, he travelled to the UK atop my Boblbee backpack much to the delight of the passengers and flight attendants. Understandably, he is always seen wearing his winter gear as he's still not settled with the gray british weather. Although he sports a grumpy look on his face, he is also the most lovable of all.

And Tabby! A shopaholic, he came from a quirky shop called "Clinton Cards" bearing an expensive price tag. And knowing his affluent background, he tends to be the "bully" of the three. He is ginormous and super cute! But don't be deceived by his cuddly nature coz he can be a tyrant too!

Right guys, enjoy your five minute of fame coz come winter, you'll be hibernating again.

Helluva Movie

2008-08-21T22:23:00.002+01:00

You know I can't smile without you
I can't smile without you
I can't laugh and I can't sing
I'm finding it hard to do anything
You see I feel sad when you're sad
I feel glad when you're glad
If you only knew what I'm going through
I just can't smile without you.

This song is still playing in my mind over and over again. Who would've thought that a monstrous looking devil, literally, is also a softie by heart? cheesy, to put it bluntly.
Sorry, just watched Hellboy.

Pulls Out Some Punches

2008-08-18T14:29:00.016+01:00

I treated my family to a luxury shopping at the mall one day after coming home for a much needed R&R.

"Sky's the limit" I told them sheepishly as I saw one of my cousins scampered to the jean's department looking like a headless chicken and too excited to fill up his shopping basket.
My shoe-fetish aunt was holding four pairs of shoes on one hand and another three pairs on the other.
My mom was on the kitchen department choosing utensils in different styles.
The sales ladies were doing what they do best: following them around.
While I just sat on one corner fiddling with my phone.

"What a sight" I thought.

After what seemed like forever of creating havoc in the mall, we headed straight to the counter where all the purchases have been piled and handed out my card.

"Ay naku! ilang pwet na naman kaya yan?" I blurted out as I went for a little walk just within the department while the cashier was still punching the keys and checking out the purchases.

I came back after a few minutes, and signed my card.

As we head home, my mom said: "You know what, the sales ladies asked me if you're a Japayuki?"

"A what?" I said. "why did they asked you that?"

"Because they heard you saying ilang pwet na naman yan, you're wearing shorts pa, so they thought you are."

At that time, I found it funny at how such an innocent remark and a silly joke can make such an impact to them and turned me into one I'm not. But thinking about it now, I can't help but feel sorry for the sales ladies and their derogatory remark to such term. They seemed to assume quickly that I am one because of my comment and the way I looked. It just shows how shallow their understanding of the word "japayuki" is. Discrimination to the highest level!
If only they knew that I'm a nurse and cleaning a patient's a** is part of nursing care in the UK (and Singapore's) standards of care, they would've shut up.
If only they knew the things that we do here are sometimes not pleasant, they would've understood.
If only they knew that earning those grand pounds is also equivalent to a sometimes hard life here, they would've been more sympathetic.
But then again, as evidenced by the the looks on their faces and their tiny giggles, they won't understand because like some others, they are prejudiced.
-----------------------------------------
You can't tell the wide difference of being a nurse here in the UK (and Singapore) as compared to the Philippines unless you can experience it yourself.
As a nurse in the Philippines, I wasn't directly involved in patient's care because there were midwives who did it for me. I wasn't wiping patient's behind because relatives do it mostly. All I did was charting, meds, charting, rounds, and charting again. For five years. Boring.
I was grateful to have worked in Singapore where my nursing care was honed to perfection. I was thinking of quitting the first time because the workload is too much. A far cry from the laid-back Philippine nursing. But I lingered and learned and I must say, that here in my current unit my nursing techniques are imitated but never equalled, he,he,he...
The silly joke "ilang puwet na naman yan" wasn't really coined in the UK. My friend in Singapore started it when he was thinking of buying his son a playstation as his birthday gift for him.

"Hmmmm, siguro mga tatlong puwet lang yan," that's what he said as we all burst out laughing.

And so, it has been a byword eversince.

Me? a japayuki? only to my husband.

Little Treasures

2008-08-15T15:19:00.005+01:00

Apart from me ;) these items are Jobert's little treasures. He will defo give up his life for these little beauties anytime come hell or high water. All his life, Jobert have been collecting original DVDs and action figures and overtime too, he has hoarded a massive array of DVDs in different genre and "little people" with characters. Tucked in between these videos is the movie called "Salo" by Pasolini. Honestly, this is the most disgusting yet controversial film I have ever seen in ages. I can't bear to watch it in one sitting because almost every sequence of the film induces vomiting and I literally, vomitted. I can't watch it again though. The film is just too sick for me. I'm not surprised why the director was assasinated after doing this film.
These attractive action figures are also his collection. What you see here is just part and parcel of what he actually have in total. Somewhere in the attic, are the most coveted original collections of Japanese action figures.
These collections are worth a fortune and his overprotectiveness for all these is justified.

Awful August

2008-08-14T02:15:00.002+01:00

I have always been a sun worshipper all my life. I am just one of the lucky few that doesn't get burned easily. So imagine my joy when my favorite dose of sunshine was beaming it's rays on me as I perched myself on a wooden chair outside Starbucks sipping my favorite Strawberries and Cream while watching a shirtless Jobert topping-up his tan and enjoying his cappuccino. Ah, the pleasures of summer!
But those endless rays that I wish to keep forever have long since gone only to be replaced by ferocious downpours that seemed like gatecrashers to me. It's not yet your time tiny raindrops, why so soon? I haven't missed you at all because you are here forever blocking my little sunshine.
I am now confined in my bed, feeling miserable and down with a cold.
Pathetic I know but we only have two weeks of summer this year. But I'm still hoping that before August ends, my elusive sun will still come out.

Maternal Notion

2008-08-08T20:16:00.008+01:00

The notion of being a mom came across my mind one day. The thought of rearing a daughter with intellect, beauty and virtue seem too good to be true. However, the satisfying dose of retail therapy, the constant eating-outs, the undisturbed late lie-ins, and the frequent romantic breaks, drove me away from having a little one for the moment.
Until recently, a friend of mine entrusted her cute little princess to stay with us for a day. I was filled with so much joy that I find myself shopping for baby clothes and stuffs.
The day she was with us was fun-filled. She's less than a year old and already, she has a mind of a brat---sweet, that is. She ate a lot of strawberries and drank milk like there's no tomorrow. There was a blast of kiddie channels in the living room where, normally, only BBC resides. Both our bedroom and living room were a mess with her always agitated state. By mid-afternoon, we were already exhausted. I wished to God that she will at least have a kip even for a few minutes but she didn't. Instead, she had an expected-but-hope-you-can-get-away-with-it-poo that all hell break loose! Jobert had proclaimed himself allergic to "nappies-with-poo-in-it" all of a sudden so I have no choice, nice.
The culmination of the day was a much deserved bubblebath to which she mostly enjoyed. I drizzled a bottleful of burt's bees baby bubble and had some of our little blue whales swam around her and gave her a tiny tickle. She was a handful I must say!
But still, that didn't put me off from breeding a beautiful one, one day. She of course, will inherit her dad's principles and intellect and her mom's charm and values.
We have already created a name for her---one that resembles the name of fairies and goddesses but until our GCS becomes perfect and have made a wild decision to "create" her, her name will remain a guarded secret for the time being ;)

Beau Papillon

2008-08-04T23:06:00.008+01:00

Je suis en effet.

04.08.08

2008-08-04T10:21:00.004+01:00

I tried my hardest to be strong and apathetic by refusing to open the card my colleagues gave me even with too much persuasion. When I reached home however, I opened it, read and was overly touched yet fascinated by my friends' sweet messages. Just then, tears flow, first slowly, and then they were just unstoppable. The liquified feelings that caressed my cheeks revealed what I truly felt. I missed them all!
I am known to be a hardcore at work and can be a b*tch in STAT doses but I can also be a real softie PRN. And that PRN is today---the "end of an era".
I love my workplace and the beautiful people that lived in it but when things are getting too familiar and uninteresting, people are getting too close, tasks are merely routines, and caring has become meaningless, I guess, it's time for me to go..... to stay.

Sweet!

2008-07-30T01:16:00.004+01:00

This is the note that welcomed me after coming home from a hectic night shift. Jobert isn't a morning person so waking up at 8am is hell for him so he prepared the food a few hours before he drifted off to dreamworld (usually at 4-5am!) and left me a message in it's raw form. Isn't it sweet? Of course you're right----I've eaten loads!

One Year On

2008-07-17T15:02:00.006+01:00

Today marked our one year as Permanent Residents. So what were the changes since becoming a PR? There's nothing much really. I still continue to work but with no more contract which means I can work wherever I want, whatever I want and a career break is just within reach. But for Jobert, it brought a new twist to his lifestyle.
As soon as we got the PR status, he immediately resigned from his job as a sales consultant and started contemplating on applying in a University. At first, I was apprehensive with his idea. The first thing that came into my mind was "right che, your shopping pleasure is over." You see everytime Jobert was out working, I usually spent my day off shopping. Going inside those wicked shops gave me a different high.
Once I bought this gorgeous clutch from Accessorize out of a whim. I know Jobert would say "bag na naman?" so I hid it inside my drawer. When I came home from work one day I saw my clutch on my vanity table with a note beside it which reads: Who are you? Where did you come from? much to my surprise.
So obviously when he told me his plans of entering a University, I was crestfallen. All I could think of was our future. We were back to square one. Our future is definitely clear as a mud now. But Jobert tried to talk to me about it. I too, started to think out of the box. All I could think of is Jobert's determination to provide me a much better lifestyle. As what he always say to me "This is all for you."
If not for his PR status, he will be considered as an International student and be asked to pay tens and thousands of pounds but because he is, the government is providing all the financial needs for him. Basically, he's being paid to study. Aside from the massive allowances and bursaries, he also has student discounts to almost everything such as: shops, restaurants, cinemas to name a few. We have discounts from our council tax as well which is a bonus. If only Philippine student life is exactly like this, we would have a happier educational system with no financial worries. But I could only wish.
So the perks of being a PR? aside from work and financial gain, we are getting closer to our ultimate dream: A British citizen to which we can actually apply anytime now.
Living here means our opportunities are endless and the world is definitely our oyster.

Bugs and More Bugs!

2008-07-12T12:14:00.004+01:00

My pretty cupcakes that I have ordered a while back arrived today just in time for the little 'un's birthday party themed: Garden and Garden Insects. These cupcakes are worth £50 for 60 pieces. You might think it's expensive for a cupcake but just look at them, aren't they cute? I can't wait to munch them but I guess I just have to wait later. I'm sure I'm gonna wrestle my way amongst other little ones to grab hold of these lovelies!

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

2008-07-11T19:17:00.004+01:00

This is the birthday invitation made by Jobert for the little sweetie, our goddaughter. But it doesn't mean that just because I posted it here, you are all invited, LOL. Each invite bears a security tag that any gatecrashers will defo be ushered out. Kidding! ;)

The Meeting

2008-07-04T16:43:00.002+01:00

My spoiled Bratinello meets li'l Bratinella at Starbucks

Ah! what a cutie pair! I just love to squeeze them both!

Moment To Your Lips

2008-06-26T03:21:00.005+01:00

You are the worst temptation I mostly find hard to endure.

You summoned my senses by your succulent nature.

Provocatively, your rich and molten frost cascades through your soft body like a desire that runs through my veins.

Tempting, enticing.

Looking at you, my hunger has awoken my senses.

Suddenly feeling the sugar rush, famished no more.

Let me taste you for you are so desirable.

Even he, manly as he is was drawn by your enigmatic presence,

To which I so damn envy.

Him, biting you.

*Our Freebie Chocolate Cake from Mariel & Rose* (Thank you lovelies!)

Season of the Empty Nest

2008-06-24T09:02:00.007+01:00

In a few months time, I will be in my new abode just round the corner, literally. I've realized that it isn't the comfort of work that I need at this stage of my professional life instead, I need growth and opportunity. I have no regrets in my current working environment though but I felt that I have already achieved what I needed to, career-wise. There is no more challenge for me. I am already in a comfortable place. Sure, I can do whatever I want, I have made my requests and they've all been granted, been dubbed as a "super nurse" (ahem), loved and respected. Basically, I can move freely in all directions except forward. I need more!
For a couple of years I was working in Neuro-ICU in Singapore and I felt at home. It was crazy and fulfilling at the same time. Now, I will be working in the same ICU but in a different setting this time. New beginning, new adventure.
My new home is just a few steps away from my current one but I am so excited I could fly!
So this August, I am officially leaving my nest and be spreading my wings to soar and explore!
Wish me luck!
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"Innocence" A painting by my husband :)

There He Was...

2008-06-23T01:35:00.004+01:00

Lying on his nimbus air mattress bed with a weary look in his face yet still able to flash that amicable smile at me. I introduced myself.

"Ah, Cherry blossom" he said.

"Yup, that's me." I replied.

His face may be tired after a six hour long operation but his smile was the sweetest and the most sincere I have ever seen.

"How long have you been a nurse, Cherry darling?" he asked.

"Do you mind if I call you "darling?"

"No, no. Not at all." I told him. " I have been a nurse for more than a decade. Florence Nightingale would be so proud of me." I said.

"Ah, he called me "darling" that's just so sweet of him." I thought.

He's my ninety-two year old patient who have seen the world. The lines that were etched on his face marked a thin mask of love and contentment. He's a retired lawyer, a previous bank president, a loving husband, father and grandpa, and was married twice.

"My first marriage lasted for forty years. My first wife died of cancer. She was a special lady and my first love. My second wife was a famous actress and singer. I pursued her with much ardour. I felt happiness existed once more when I captured her heart. She gave me a reason to live again. We were married for twenty-seven years. Sadly, she died on Christmas Day." He said this with such a painful glow in his face, it made my heart melt.

"What's your secret for having such two successful marriages?" I asked.

At first he hesitated. Clearly choosing his words carefully.

"I think I am just blessed with such a capacity to love." He said.

"It was a rollercoaster ride but in the end, our love for each other triumphed." He added.

Looking at me intently, he said this thought provoking words, "I tell you this, Cherry darling: the most important thing in every relationship is not to let the sun go down with a wrath."

"It's absolutely true." I said to myself.

"Are you married Cherry?"

"Yes," I said.

"Children?"

"None as yet. My husband is in University at the moment you see." "Perhaps soon." I replied.

"Oh well, you're still young. You can still have as many children as you would like to have. Just enjoy your life, like I did mine."

"You're such a nice young lady and I'm proud to have known you even for such a short time."

He took my hand and gave it a kiss.

"It's my pleasure to have looked after you as well." I smiled coyly.

Love Is

2008-06-17T14:58:00.005+01:00

Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree and not two.
~Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis De Bernieres~

To the sweetest and perfect couple, who happened to be my parents, may you continue to:
- profess your undying love for each other
- walk hand in hand like blushing teen-agers
- set an example that perfect matches are made in heaven
- be happy

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY :)

Stepford Wife Not!

2008-06-13T21:57:00.005+01:00

No one can ever tell me what I can or cannot write. Not even you.

To You

2008-06-13T21:10:00.005+01:00

who never missed a smile,

my heart sang for you,

as you have impressed me wholly,

imperfect oh so you are,

yet your simple strength showed,

never a prevaricator,

but always true,

with clasped palms,

i wish fervently that with you,

you'll reprieved me

from the mundane world

i am in

and that,

with you,

i hope to be loved.

Subtle Serendipity

2008-06-11T21:01:00.006+01:00

ACT I

His name lit up on my computer screen.

"Hi! I like your nick...sounds so sweet. How are you Windswept?"
"Is that why you click on my name because it sounds so "sweet"?" I retorted.
"No, of course not. I found your nick intriguing. Maybe, so do you. Where are you from?"
"I won't tell you." I tapped the keys stubbornly. Questions like this scares me.
"Do you have a c e l l p h o n e?" I typed quite hesitantly. Don't know what came over me to ask this to be honest.
"Course. If you want try sending me a message." He replied.
"Okay." Hmmm. I seemed a bit uneasy about this. Sending a text message to some stranger? That's just not me. But I did it in the end.
"So you're in Singapore?" He typed back.
How did he knew where I am from? The country code perhaps? I quipped.
"Can we be FRIENDS?" he typed the word friends in capital letters.
"As long as you won't express your feelings for me then why not?" I anxiously replied.
"Don't worry I won't express any feelings whatsoever or be too personal to you for that matter. I just want us to be friends."
"So I'm safe with you then?" I replied jokingly.
This time I felt so relieved. Expressing your feelings to a stranger over the internet on a large computer screen was just ridiculous. And we've only just been exchanging few words of nonsense for chrissakes! And besides, I'm not that kind of person who's easily persuaded by some sweet words from an internet-savvy stranger.
"Can we chat again Windswept?" He asked.
"Sure." I typed the word with a little smiley at the end.
"Don't worry you're safe with me." He also typed back with a little smiley at the end.
"So, tomorrow?" I tapped the keypads with excitement I felt a certain pulse skip.
"Yes. Tomorrow it is then". He typed back.
It was a fleeting moment. So fleeting that I still can't remember how our chat started and ended.
I went back into my apartment with a little anticipation.
Tomorrow...Tonight's certainly not the last.
I remembered that night after I said my evening prayer I slept with a smile on my face.

ACT II

I was alone in the flat one day. My mates were out shopping so the idea of having the flat all by myself was a luxury. I went inside my room, draw out the curtains to welcome the afternoon sun and had a lie in. The sun outside was tempting but the pressures from work made me too tired to even just walk.

Then I saw my cellphone perched on the little chair in front of the vanity table. I grabbed it and had a fiddle with it by checking text messages, deleting, scrolling... and then, I saw his number. Hmm...Shall I? or shall I not?

Those long months of chatting and sending text messages seemed not enough to fill the void of what we both wanted to do... to talk and to hear each other's voices or perhaps even more.

"How does he sound like?" I wondered. Curiosity started to crept in.

I checked my phone again, stared at his number and this time I bravely managed to press the phone keypad with stiffly cold fingers. I waited a second and then...

"His phone's ringing!" I thought nervously.

Then a voice:

"Hello?"

"Hello?" he said it strongly this time.

"Who's this?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. I was quite the whole time. I just sat in my bed listening to his voice as if the world around me has suddenly stopped. I was transfixed by his deep and manly tone. My heart was hammering as if it will explode out from my chest.

I hung up straightaway. I was out of breath and I still could feel my body shaking. I couldn't believe I have just done such a stupid thing.
But just as I was still recovering from my nerve-wracking experience, I received a text message.

"Did you just call me?

"No, why?" I lied but still have the courage to ask.

"You see, I just received a call with no number registered on it. I guess it must be international."

"Must be your mom." "She's out of the country too, right?" I had to press on.

"My mom never calls me." "Was it you?" He asked.

I suddenly felt the color drained from my face. How embarrassing! Now I don't know whether to tell him the truth or not. But it's too late now. He already knew. He's too smart for this kind of crap.

"Yes, it was me." I conceded. "I'm sorry I hung up on you." I pressed the letters on the keypad too quickly as if those letters were bile that I had to get it all out of my system.

"Why did you do that?" He asked.

"Because I lost the courage to speak to you" I replied.

"Don't you know that at that very moment, all I ever imagined was you and your voice?"

"I want to hear your voice, Windswept"

"Will you call me again?

ACT III

After so many nightly chats and super long phone conservations went by, we decided to meet up.
I thought long and hard about this decision. Seems to me that my heart and mind were battling against each other. My heart wanted to see him but my mind was in doubt. I was in a dilemma all of a sudden.
I was anxious yet unafraid. Excited yet unsure. But, "what if?" Would I still be asking myself this question until my last breath?

So in a sunny October afternoon, there I was, packed, ready and excited yet dreading to climb the steps of the plane heading to Manila.
My heart was in turbulence. I had palpitations and I felt sick. Too scared to disembark.
"What have I done?" I asked myself guiltily.

Then a text: "where are you?" it read.
I anxiously replied " I'm nearly there".
"What are you wearing?" he asked. He wanted to know obviously because of all those months of sharing sweet nothings, we haven't been exchanging photos. The mystery behind the voice would soon be revealed.
"Hmm, what about you? what are you wearing? I texted him back.
"C'mon, you tell me"
"Okay, I'm wearing an orange top and cream-colored shorts." I replied.
"See you!"

Just then, I heard my name called out gently. I turned around and then I saw him. Him in a white crisp shirt, dark jeans and "barely there hair." To say that he's nice was an understatement. He was too good to be true!

I had butterflies in my stomach, I felt sick and I felt cold and clammy. I never felt this way before. But I liked the feeling. And I obviously doesn't want this to end.

He kissed me on the cheek too awkward to even say "hi" and held my clammy hand almost too embarrassed to hold him back too scared that my hand would reveal what I truly felt.
Then we stared at each other's eyes, smiled and started to talk just like old friends as we walked hand in hand towards the waiting car.

There were no fireworks or sparks and certainly no expectations the first time but it was all worth it. We both took our chances and tried whether we will stay firmly glued to each other and yet against all odds, we did.

So yes, we came a long way since our first meeting. He was a stranger at first, yet he became my best friend and my loving husband.

I finally found the man who loves me more than I love him :) and that I'd say was the best part.

Life only comes around once so make sure you spend it with the right person. For those of you who yearns to be loved, find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep and kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you.

And you don't have to look too far, he might just be right under your nose!

ACT IV

Do you believe in dreams? Do you believe that at one point or another the images and emotions that are being conveyed during your sleep may actually be true?

I had this particular dream that seem to be very persistent that it was so unnerving for me to sleep thinking that this certain image would come back. The image itself wasn’t intimidating. It was the repeated presence in my sleep that makes it quite disturbing.

It goes like this:

I was in a certain room holding with one hand this white, humongous book while flipping through its blank pages on the other. When I reached the middle part of it, I saw an image. It looks like a blue pendulum in an orange background. I wasn’t sure whether it was a painting or just a random picture but the image was so vivid. I seem to be floating too at the same time while staring at the whole picture. The room was dark and it was only the image that gives the room its brilliance.

Every day, I looked for signs that would seem to bring meaning to the image but I can’t seem to find one. I looked for the colors that resembled the image but couldn’t see any.

Then it just stopped appearing. Just like that. I was so relieved to know that I can sleep more soundly now at least.

The next day was my trip back to the Philippines for my holiday. I was excited because I will see Jobert for the very first time.

And so we met. Kisses and smiles were exchanged.

The journey to his place seemed like forever. There was a long silence in between as I was still uneasy to sit beside him, while he seemed to be relaxed during the whole travel. He tried to reassure me by holding my clammy hand.

We reached his place after the long drive. I was exhausted. All I could think of was a shower and a well-made up bed for me.

As he opened the front door, imagine my surprise to see right in front of me the exact image that used to appear in my dream!

I stared at the painting for the longest time in utter disbelief.

“Where did you get that image from? Did you copy it from somewhere? And why these tints?” Questions started racing as if they were bullets being fired at him.

“No. It’s my idea. It just came straight from my mind and my inspiration.” “The colors are my favorite.” He replied.

“Why?” He asked me back.

“I can’t tell him. He might not believe me.” I thought. I felt so uneasy now.

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” He asked me again. His curiosity started creeping in.

“C’mon. What is it? Tell me.” He prodded.

“It’s just because…because…that exact image is the one that used to appear persistently in my sleep I still can’t believe it.” There I blurted it out finally. I’m sure I felt myself blushing for a second.

"Could this be the reason of it all.?" I said to myself.

"It's so surreal."

He looked at me with amusement in his eyes.

“Come here” he said.

A Taste of London

2008-06-11T14:11:00.045+01:00

London. The last time I and Jobert were here was to see the breathtaking sights of this vibrant, multi-racial city. It was cold, wet and grey too. This time, we were not as curious of the sights and sounds as we used to anymore, instead, we came back for only thing: retail therapy. The weather was the best ever. The sun was beaming all day and the city itself is filled with tourists and shoppers alike.
We went to Portobello Market to buy my well-loved Nenuco. The Portobello Road is as famous as the market itself as it is where the film Notting Hill was shot. It's also the place where both Jobert and I were nearly ran over by Kate Moss' black Range Rover. The white painted apartments can be visibly seen through slit eyes as the sun blinds our vision. In one manicured garden, I noticed a father and daughter perched on their antique bench under the thick foliage both engrossed in their reading materials and both oblivious to the din of the passers-by. Walking towards the end of the road is the tiny Spanish store where Nenuco is sold. We bought loads.
As we got out of the gloomy and humid underground tube, a warm blue sky and the purity of the sun welcomed us. We went to Trafalgar Square first to rest our aching feet. True enough, the fountain with its blast of cool water was enticing us to get wet. Ah, it was pure bliss.
We had lunch at the quaint French restaurant in Soho district. It was our first time and the food was superb. I will definitely be coming back for more.
I love this city. Although you got to have the perfect pins to do all the strenuous walking, it has everything you want to see and more.

The famous Portobello market

Walking towards the Spanish shop

Vibrant hues

Just took a shot of this but never tried :)

An empty music bar where we had the mouth-watering ice cream

The appropriateness of these lovelies on a sweltering heat is just heavenly!

Solitary yet recognizable

Amused by the tardy train

Heading towards Trafalgar Square

It's freakin' huge even at a distance!

Your respite here is not complete without a shot of him

The fountain in all its glory

Even Nemo would envy this

Water therapy at its finest

Skinny dipping after being enticed by the cool water

Satisfaction guaranteed at Pierre Victoire

My main course

His much needed sugar boosting, mood calming cappuccino

A dose of retail therapy at Uniqlo

Scrutinizing but hey, don't buy everything!

Oxford Circus

Where shoppers collide in delight

Malls are a no-no here....Only massive shops reside

The fashion capital

The iconic Red bus

A bicycle is dwarfed by the huge double decker

Man, Oh, Man!

Inside the Tube station

Just follow the arrow

Short stop at Jobert's fave
So as mine

Heading for home

The only reason why we went to London...
But Jobert has a special way of getting away with all these shirts!

A Taste Of Leeds

2008-06-11T13:25:00.019+01:00

Not wasting the rays of the beaming sun, we donned our summer wear and headed out to the city and took some pictures that, as of yesterday, were significant to capture.

Leeds flagship store

His and Hers

Advert outside Leeds Gallery

Imposing...

Transport

Foliage

1805

Nimbus

Leeds @ night

The Light

Absolutely laveeeet! ;)

The Place Promised In Our Early Days

2008-06-04T17:11:00.001+01:00

The cold wind gives off the smell of that day. The clouds are drifting fast and in between them I can see the faded blue, like in an old photograph. The straight vapor trail that has just been drawn quietly melts away in the blue as if water has been mixed in. On a day like this, the place deep in my heart that I usually don’t show to anyone slightly hurts. It’s a pain that I usually pretend doesn’t exist.

Because the world hid you from me a long, long time ago, I can’t remember your face or your form very well now. I feel that I made some sort of important promise with you one day. Since then, I’ve come through every day as if holding my breath, and now I realised I can’t remember even that promise. I also don’t even know if I’m standing at the right place right now. I’m certain that I’ll continue to lose you from now on as well.

But, I clearly remember your aura at least.
I remember how your voice echoed in the air.
I remember how your hair reflected the setting sun.
I remember how gentle your fingertips were.
I remember how you and the world were shining.

You know, I hope that my voice will reach you no matter where you are in the world. I would like to become kind and strong. I hope my voice echoes in the air of the world and some day reaches you living somewhere. I hope so, no matter how far the world hides you from me. I hope so, as long as you are alive.

I can hear the sound of that day from the sun-baked rails. Within the wind that blows from far away, your breath is quietly mixed in. Beyond the clouds, there is still the promised place from that day. Although I’m sure the world looked out upon from the green field was full of kindness in those days, I don’t know since when but I am surrounded by solitude and holding a heart creaking under the strain. I’m certain that we’ll continue to lose each other.

But your warmth continues to give me warmth.
I remember how precious the words that came from your lips were to me.
I remember how smoothly your fingernails reflected the sky.
I remember how much your back caused me to tremble.
I remember how much you and the world were full of mysteries.

You know, I pray that my song will reach you no matter where you are in the world. I would like to become kind and strong. I hope that our voices echo in the air of the world and that some day they reach the two of us who live far apart. I hope so, as long as we are alive.

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(From the Anime of the same title)

Everyday's a Different Story

2008-06-03T17:16:00.005+01:00

Not just another post but also a vigorous attempt to update my writings everyday in a rough, raw, and unrehearsed kind of way.

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30/05/08
The Faces That Could Munch A Thousand Crisps

Sensations, Twiglets, Doritos, Popcorn and Marshmallows---you name it, we have it, and we munched it all for just less than 24 hours. While the patient was in deep slumber, the sound of crackling crisps could be heard audibly on an eerily quiet night as we, the night nurses were munching on this unhealthy and moorish treats that at the end of our long and boring shift, we had bellies larger than our waistlines!
Moments to your lips, lifetime to your hips....true, true!

31/05/08
A Taste Of London

Our trip to London is booked and our e-ticket has been printed out. Can't wait! I just hope the weather would behave though. I've had enough with sunless summers already.

01/06/08
A Weak Me

I'm sick again. The nth time this year. The makers of the "wonder" medicine called: Day Nurse, will surely be thankful that they have a loyal customer like me who can't live without them. I'm not hooked to them, I'm just dependent on them, if you know what I mean. But hugs and kisses are still the best remedies for illness and thankfully, I have Jobert to give me all these for free.

02/06/08
Li'l Cherub

No medicine can ever compare it's healing wonders than a smile and a hug from a child. Today, my adorable Aaliyah had come to visit us. How she managed to put up with my involuntary sneeze, God knows! But apart from the shock look on her face everytime I spread the virus, she seems to be enjoying her stay with us. With her oral stage apparent, she devours everything from both edible and non-edible objects if she has the opportune time. A living proof that we humans are by nature, omnivores.

03/06/08
Still a Weak Me

It's still a "weak me" day today. My angry cough and sore throat had woken me up. My tasteless buds dominated my urge to eat some nice enticing food. I could only do with sweets at the minute which is not helping with my sore throat either. I'm back to work tomorrow so whether I like it or not, I definitely need to be up and about or my tiny behind will be riddled with nasty pressure sores!
Jobert had told me many times already to go have a shower. I don't have the strength to do it as yet.
Stubborn and frail, yup, that's me.

Ageless Romance

2008-06-02T15:25:00.002+01:00

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that mostly, if not all the elderly couples are walking around hand-in-hand? If by chance you hit the shops next time, have a look. It's terribly sweet and it's amazing to know that there's still some love left in this world.

Weaving the Wicked Web

2008-05-30T00:21:00.000+01:00

I was lost for a day and when I was gone, I brought with me my writings, ideas, and emotions when I visited my little nook called “hiatus”. I thought I will find comfort and peace in there but instead, hiatus made me uncreative, uninteresting and stagnant. Ah, I miss my little old friend, blog.
I have been in the blog galaxy for over four years and in that wide vast of space where a myriad of intellects in all genre interact, I have created my own little cluster. I too have interacted with them. I have shared friendly banters, offered suggestions, read some oddities, ranted and raved.
Until that one fateful day when I have decided on a whim that I needed to stop---writing. Fortunately, it only took twenty-four hours for me to realize that I still wanted to be with the other clusters enjoying the fun of scribbles. So I have recreated my old blog into an old one still but with a tiny new twist and a little speckle of tinge in it.
When I write, I pour all my heart and soul into it. Every idea, word, letter, or punctuation mark comes from the very core of my being. My writings are the extension of myself. My blog is basically ME in black and white.
When I was in hiatus, it made me realized that my blog also needs the rest it deserves and once it has gained back its strength, it will be more interesting, more prolific, and much more intricate like a spider web than the last. A new start is definitely what I need. Some of you may loathe it but to those of you who will read it with interest, I don’t want you to fall into a trap, instead, may I say: “welcome you all to my parlor.”