Welcome 2007!

It's the first day of the year! Wish everyone good health and happiness. :)

Fusion

In an attempt to be artsy in writing, for once in my life hehe. :)
I like this piece, got this from my friendster blog.

My mind has been wandering. The sky is blue.

A beautiful island surrounds me, and I'm immersed in the springtime dews descending in the midst of oblivion. The scent lingers in the depths of the soul. It feels good to just cast your cares away and intently appreciate the natural essence of living and enjoying the subtleness of what it means to be one with harmony.

And now the sky is gray.

So many words are surfacing above the still waters, but somehow left unspoken. Feel with your heart and and let it set you free. It reaches out but the hands are far away. The waves engulf my all. The magnificence, and yet the harshness of the fathoms.

The clouds start appearing.

Bizarre fragments started crystallizing in the mind with backdrop of the breath-taking view.If you're a ship, I'd be your propellers,If you're a can, I'd be your opener,But if you're just you, I just want to be your pillow.

Rain starts pouring.

It was like crossroads proportional to time. So many fishes in the ocean with their exquisite royalty. I stop and marvel, wondering if you'd stop and let me in? Eternity, should I relinquish and be a jewel, a gem, or a diamond? Whirlwinds dancing with rhythms from heaven, magnetize me. Unperturbed and strayed till I notice I was thrown back to where i started. Reverberation and numbness of the equinox.

Now comes the sun..

Unparalleled, the light that illuminates from within. The torch that carries the seal. It knows when it finds one, it could fasttrack by itself because of the force that could surpass the myriads. Indulge and it will shine like stars, enchanting. Explore and magic befalls to those who have the will.

The moon dances its way too (the sun and the moon again).

The melodies echoed with sweet sensations. Phenomenal that is. The notes hit me hard, transcend thru the inner spirit that jerks me off from gravity. Soaring and glancing back as it reaches the peak. I know I will be one.

Embraced by awe and elan, I was reborn by this fusion.

P. S. I never thought I was capable of this. Surreal.

'Cute' in Lavender

To give you an idea of what I do in my spare time, just kidding! :)

P.S. I was teased kung magkano binayad ko, 'wala'!!!

Monster!

I had this scribbled in a notepad sometime Dec at a sudden surge of negative vibes. Actually, it looked funny to me now after typing and reading it. I think my emotions had toned down a great deal this year, I may get angry for several seconds on extreme matters but I now understand better the meaning of priority - that is not to waste time and effort on things that are not worth it.

If a similar thing happened before, I might not be talking to the monster anymore. Ngayon, there seems to be some change in my perspective. So far for this one, I'm just subtle , thought I gave away an old gift I got from the monster to our helper. (hehe mean?) :p

I am such a loser, I felt stupid. Maybe I cant help but to be gullible on people who I thought are trustworthy. And in simple things, it turned out I was wrong. I couldn’t understand why such a simple thing has to be blown out of proportion and reached people who shouldn’t be part of the loop. D*mn it, so disappointing. I thought I could share things without having worries of negative implications of such thoughts or actions. It turned out I underestimated the cunning acts of a manipulative monster. (to be safe on gender, I will be using it) It was playing its cards well and luck is on its side. I wish I could be more clever to be elusive of the cunning acts. And the bad thing was that it sort of backfire against me as I was quoted of several things. I hate it to be quoted on things I don’t really mean. Me and my big mouth then.

I am not good in using all elements to work to my advantage, something that I am not really inclined to do. Anyway, I guess I now know better. I remembered a saying: listen more, look more, and speak less. That’s the rule of thumb. Ready here I come. hehe

Gardens, a new career, hotpot with couple's sentiments and strange ticket booking

Dec 15 Fri

No work from this day onwards, hurray.

I decided to go to Suzhou today to see the famous gardens. It was my first train ride ever. When I got down from the railway station in Suzhou, I was surprised to see a lot of people with small brochures in the street, they were approaching me to book a day tour from them. I wasn’t so sure if they are trustworthy so I headed for a taxi instead. I went to Humble Administrator’s Garden, it was a huge garden with different small houses inside it. I felt like being in the settings for Chinese movies, just need some costumes to match with, pwede na hehe. The gardens were actually nice, they will look even better had I come on a summer or springtime when flowers will be in full bloom. For lunch, I had Sen-chien, they are like siao-long-pao but fried in oil instead. The traditional Shanghai food is oily, this one is not an exception. The supposedly ‘soup’ inside the small dumpling looks more like ‘oil’ to me. Sesebo ang bibig mo after eating hehe.

On my train ride back to Shanghai, it got stucked for like 20minutes because of some railway fixes near Shanghai station. (malas). Since I will be leaving the next day, I bought a big furcoat with cute furs in the hood. Sayang talaga, I couldn’t wear them back in Manila, so one-time expense.

Another funny thing happened, I was walking in Nanjing road on my way back to the hotel, suddenly a woman in her late 30’s approached me with a calling card, she looks decent. She asked me in Mandarin whether I am interested to take part in photo shoots for magazines and billboard. She told me they were ‘healthy pictorials’ for modeling, and not the profane types. I smiled and shook my head. Tpos she asked me again havent I tried any of those before, sabi ko nope havent. She handed me her calling card and asked me to call her if I changed my mind. HAHA ibang level ah, biro mo pumasa ako sa standards ng Shanghai? Hehe here’s the website in her calling card. (http://www.modmtv.com/) Kala ko nun una joke lng pero mukhng existing nga. Mag-iba kaya ako ng career hehehe.

That evening I had my farewell dinner with the couple and their cousins in Super Brand Mall, a Chinese resto called Chamate. On my way to the mall, I got lost in subway, (Lujiazui and Xujiahui sounded the same to me). Malas, kung kelan last day na, tska pa nawala hehe. Anyway, the food in this resto is good, I had hot pot, tried goose meat and goat meat too. I was with a group of married people and I was somehow amused with their sentiments on child bearing. One of them said she has some charts to project the expenses of raising a child, and has calculated her most optimum time of having a baby. (galing noh). Later on we also tried riding in this underriver tunnel with light show in the Bund area. That concludes my Shanghai trip.

I booked my flight via the ‘peddler’, those calling cards you will see scattered along the streets and in the subway. It was actually ‘instant’, I just called them in the morning. It was a funny call because the person I spoke to asked for my name to be written in the plane ticket. I said L-E-S-L-I-E.. and he asked me how to write L.. is L written with a vertical line and a horizontal line. Hehe nagulat ako dun, I said yes. They’re used to people booking flights with Chinese names, English names might be rare. He confirmed every letter to me (including the strokes on how to write each letter) Anyway, they delivered the tickets to my hotel hours later, and fortunately, spelling was correct. Booking that way was convenient and also cheaper by a few RMBs, it’s not refundable and amendable though. (not really an issue for me since I don’t intend to back off or change scheds with my limited time anyway)

Stranded in Tianamen Square

Dec 16 Sat

I arrived Beijing around 5pm. China Southern flight was delayed by 1 hour (parang minalas na naman ako, puro nadedelay hehe). I booked the airport pickup from the internet, the service was nice and not so expensive. I also booked the hotel via the same source. It was a cozy one, near the Wangfujing area (shopping area). Since it was still pretty early, I decided to take a taxi to Tiananmen Square. Tiananmen is a popular place if you'd ask the old Chinese even in Manila, more of less they would certainly know this place because it has high historical value related with Mao Tze Dong. They would usually have their pictures taken with Mao’s big poster in Tiananmen if they do go to Beijing.

Though I don’t know much of these traditions/culture, I decided to go there to see it, not really knowing I am putting myself in a big mess haha.

I clarified with the hotel staff whether I can catch a taxi home too from that place and they all said yes. When I got there, I just took a few pictures and then I noticed weather was getting colder so I wanted to go back to the hotel. I waved so many times for a taxi but nobody seemed to care. I walked thru a several underpasses, on different streets to catch a taxi but to no avail. The place seems to be restricted for taxi loading/unloading because Government office (ala Malacanang) is also situated in the same area. I tried asking a police about taxi stops, but really cant find one. I was ‘stranded’ for 30minutes, I was starting to freeze like hell at -5 deg Celsius. My hands and feet were becoming numb because the wind was so strong. (Yun tipong pag humihinga ka maraming mist (ala smoke) na lumalabas sa ilong/bibig mo) I tried asking passersby how to reach Wangfujing area by walking (I know it’s reachable by like 30min or so), the first 2 attempts were useless (parang lalo akong napapalayo). Finally I asked a little girl who happened to be going to Wangfujing area too and she asked me to take the bus with her. I was so grateful, mangiyak-ngiyak na ako sa loob-loob ko hehe.

From that instance on, I said to myself ayoko na, magkukulong na lng ako sa kuwarto after whatever day tours hehe.

First tour in Beijing + Shopping

Dec 17 Sun

I was scheduled to tour 3 famous spots: Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace. There were only 4 us in the tour, a mag-ina from Chicago na Chinese din, and Mr Jones from Indiana (of course I don’t know his name, I just named him Jones.. okay let me complete the joke.. Indiana Jones that is :) ) The tour guide spoke in English. All 3 places were nice. In Forbidden city, it was a big palace, the structures looked very classical. The Temple of Heaven has 2 temples, one of them is for harvest, another is for generic prayers I guess (I forgot na). In Summer Palace, it was the residence of the longest reigning empress named Dragon Lady (Tsi Chi Tai Ho) Honestly, I can hardly remember Chinese history though they used to be taught way back in HS. The trip ended pretty early.

Instead of asking the van driver to drop me in the hotel, I decided to go to the famous Silk Street (shopping mall in Beijing), the tour guide happened to be going to that same direction so I just tagged along. I clarified with her like 5 times if she was sure there were taxis in that area. She told me not to worry because the area was full of taxi as foreigners frequent that place.

I arrived there but then again, it’s the same scene again like tiangges in Shanghai. All stuff were overpriced for 4 times, and you really have to haggle a lot to get a reasonable price. The items were good though, they’re all branded stuff, designer bags, shoes, clothes. Brands like LV, Prada, Chanel, etc were everywhere. I think most of them were imitation and some were overruns. I had difficulty in their style of haggling, some of the sellers were really rude. I heard them cursing some foreigners (mga puti) if they don’t end up buying. I didn’t really like this kind of aggressive and demanding sellers, so I just decided to buy some souvenier items and leave the place. I lost my gloves (one hand) in daytime kainis so I had to buy a new pair of leather gloves. I looked and looked for a seller that looks ‘hndi mapagsamantala’ hehe. Then I ended up with a male seller who looks like a student. He told me the price is 90RMB, I said 40RMB. Then he said lowest price should be 60RMB. I said no thanks. Then he said okay 50RMB. I don’t want to ‘barat’ him too much so I said okay 45RMB. Deal. I took out money and got the gloves. It was actually more like a mind game shopping in China. The sellers seem to be able to read minds and manipulate. My first pair was bought in Shanghai by a friend, at 30RMB. But I guess fair price is for locals only. Foreigners are meant to be ripped off anywhere anyway hehe.

Dinner time, peking duck is a must try in Beijing. I am not really a super big fan of Peking duck, but I do eat them in pan-to. I didn’t find any difference in the taste of a real Beijing-breed duck hehe. But it was good enough, I couldn’t finish a half duck, still had some left for breakfast the next day.

I hit my butt so hard.. it hurts so bad!

Dec 18 Mon

I joined a tour for Great Wall and Ming Tombs. When I was brought to the tour coach, I was a bit surprised to find a bus full of local Chinese plus the tour guide himself. (For the previous tours, I’m used to seeing a group of real foreigners, mga puti in short, and the tour guide would speak straight English) This tour guide started speaking in Mandarin, made his long intro speech while injecting a lot of jokes. Oh my golly, I told the hotel staff I am booking an English-speaking tour, they seemed to naturally put me with the locals thinking that I can understand Mandarin well. Hmm this is something quite new. Mandarin in Beijing is a bit different, it has a lot of ‘R’s (chuan se, curving tongue), and though I know basic Mandarin, I have to listen closely to be able to decipher everything. . (My long-unawakened Mandarin knowledge, nahugot ko pa at nagamit kahit papano hehe, thanks to watching chinovelas, those HK gamble films and series, as well as Star Mandarin for the Chinese movies with English subtitles) Actually this trip made me realized Mandarin is useful. In HS days, I don’t know if you'll agree with me, but graduating with Honors in Chinese class is not really something to be proud of. In fact, minsan ikahihiya mo pa because people will think wala kang magawa sa buhay at nagpapaka-bihasa ka sa Chinese class haha) Anyway, going back, listening/deciphering the tour guide's speech would keep me busy for the next 8 hours of the tour, that’s what I was thinking and I started having doubts if I will enjoy this after all.

The first stop was Ming Tombs, it’s the tomb of a king named Yong Le. I tried looking for a potential companion in the bus, and I only found one girl who was also on her own, the rest were all in groups. I tried approaching her but she didn’t seem to be wanting a companion, so I backed off. Anyway, the tour for this spot ended soon. The only peculiar thing I can remember on this is that there’s a gate that you have to pass by and shout ‘I am back’ (wo huei lai le) so that your spirit will not be left in the tombs as well, some Chinese traditions.

The second stop was the Great Wall, Badaling. The tour guide had given a lot of warnings – such that you should not overestimate your strength by climbing too far, as the trip back would consume you a lot of energy. Another thing is that better to be in groups when you get up so that there would be no risk of being lost by oneself. Taking this into consideration, I tried my 2nd attempt to approach another group – my seatmates in the bus. It was a family – a son about my age, a mother, and a grandmother. I spoke to them in Mandarin if it’s okay if I walk with them, and they cheerfully nodded which makes me more than happy.

It was -2 degrees Celsius. But somehow I felt that it’s still tolerable, I was wearing 3 layers of clothes with thermal undies beneath plus my big furcoat and the thick scarf around my neck (that’s why I looked like ballooning :)

There was this cable ride that will bring you to the fourth station which costs an additional of 60RMB. Since the family was also taking this, I paid for the ride as well. When we reached the 4th station via cable car, we started climbing up. The way up was a bit tiring, some steps are really high. I was amazed to see this grandmother (age 73) climbing faster than I am, shame on me. I’ve been lacking exercise for like 4 months of not being able to go to the gym because of work. And even though I think I am adventurous, it’s a pity that I am not actually physically fit to challenge strenuous sports (must be related with my family background, being raised in a family of 4 girls, I think we all lean towards the dainty side rather than the sporty side. Too bad, I wasn’t able to inherit the genes of my 6 footer father who used to like playing basketball hehe)

The son is actually a nice guy. He kept on checking on me if I’m still okay, and offered several times to take my pictures with my camera. He actually looks nice as well, tall (probably 6 footer +), slim, with glasses and a nice hair to match with. Funny to see him chasing around his grandmother who happens to walk very fast. He seems to be very ‘siao suen’, my golly again, where would you be able to find a guy who is willing to accompany the elders in a Great Wall hike?!

After reaching the top (8th station), we paused awhile, took pictures and started our way down. I was initially thinking that the way down should be very easy, which I was mistaken. Not all the parts has ‘steps’, some are just slopes, downhill. The way up on these slopes without steps is manageable, but the way down isn’t as smooth as I expected. Imagine yourself walking downhill without steps, tendency is that you’ll slide all the way down if you’re not careful. Actually the problem is more with the soles of my rubber shoes I think, the grip is not good.

Okay my first slip happened, it was actually okay, parang nadulas lang, I still managed to balance. Mr Nice Guy (I don’t know his name, I’ll just use Nice Guy for the rest of this blog), he was worried and ask if I can still continue. I answered no problem and I just manage to smile a bit.

Now my 2nd slip on the big slope happened half way down. It was a big slip, I fell on my butt, napaupo ako, and it hurts so much. I can't manage to stand instantly. Habang inaaalayan din nya ang lola nya, Nice Guy came up to me, reached his hand and wanted to make me stand, he looked very worried this time, and of course I felt embarrassed. It took me like 20 seconds to stand up and I rested like one minute before proceeding with the way down. I could feel the pain in my butt, but luckily I didn’t have any major discomfort like sprains or fractures.

Finally the hike was over, and I was excited to go back to the bus to rest. I really made an unpopular and crazy decision to go side-tripping in Beijing for Great Wall. Take note, that’s alone and with weather conditions below 0 temp!. But then I stick to my decision and live with it. Finally I conquer Great Wall.. mission accomplished haha.

Now another nice part of the trip, Nice Guy and I were seatmates again in the bus. We have bonded a little in my helpless moments, we started talking a lot on our way back to the city inside the coach. My, 2.5 hours seem so short for the talk. I discovered that he just graduated and is pursuing Masters. I can understand his Mandarin because he’s from another nearby City, not so much R’s in his accent. He is majoring in English, speaks good English contrary to the typical Beijingese. As part of the curriculum, he has to study current events and history of several countries in Asia, Philippines included. He knows the names of the presidents from Marcos onwards, he knows about US navy, on economy status, etc. I am inspired by his brilliance.

I asked him what he wanted to be after Masters, and he answered he wants to be a diplomat someday. Honestly I don’t know what a diplomat exactly does, I just know they are people regarded highly who deals with VIP on matters of importance to the country on national policies, law, etc (haha vague noh). He also likes exploring diff countries and would like to be in politics someday. Hmm I think I can sense a great figure, deep inside I have a feeling this person beside me has a long way to go. Who knows, after 10 years I might see him on TV hehe.

He asked me what my work is, and I told him I am working for HP as a systems analyst. He seems to be impressed because he said that HP is a big company and asked me what do i usually do in my work. Seriously for the first time in my life, I feel proud working for an internationally known company haha. He suggested I might want to try working in Beijing for a change because of my IT experience coupled with strong communication both Mandarin and English, is a big edge. (Wow that’s flattering for me hehe)

He has shared a lot about Chinese traditions to me, about the one-child policy, about how people used to prefer only sons and not daughters. We also talked about hobbies, and when I asked his, he answered they only do 3 things as a student, 1) study, 2) play ball (basketball and football), and the 3rd is to watch for pretty women in the campus (the freshmen). Hmm not bad, this guy has great humor it seems. He looks fit too as he recalls the story about one time when he and his friend were so much bored in school, they decided to go to Great Wall for a walk and they finished jogging in Great wall for all the 8 stations in 15 minutes. (naks macho!)

Anyway, hndi ko talaga namalayan ang oras because I was enjoying the talk. At the back of my mind, probably I think I was hoping that he’d ask for my contact details, but he didn’t. (haha I think awkward din kung gagawin nya yun in front of his mother and grandmother na katabi ko, and it actually wouldn’t be of much importance afterall since we don’t reside in the same country) Sayang, he seems to be a good 'friend' material. He waved at me before going down and said ‘chu ni lui you yu kwai’ (hope you have a happy vacation)

That was the end of the story. It’s amusing how a person can leave a good and lasting impression in just a couple of hours. I wish him all the best and I hope one day, he’ll still remember the girl he assisted in Great Wall Dec06, who keeps on falling but strong enough to stand. :p

Crispier and Spicier

I already started blogging in Friendster, however I thought of having another outlet to write 'crispier and spicier' items with a smaller audience. I intend to share this only with my 'inner circle of trust', or those I'd feel comfortable sharing stuff with.

In case you're reading this now, be flattered (haha). Please keep what you read here to yourself. :)

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!