And I Miss You So

Test Shot:

Caption: Does it make a difference if I tell you I really miss you?... Psychedelic! :)

Aww mangoes from Thailand, better than SG or MY, but still not good enough as Ph.

Ok back to test shot feedback :), quality is not bad, the picture is clear. Yay!

Hidden Potential: Hunting Rare Finds

I find it ecstatic when people tell me something about me that I never even noticed.

In almost all of my Manila visits, I am always close to turning insane on how to stuff my pasalubong in a small 15kg limit of a budget airline haha. Obviously I would have some goodies for my family and my mom will also disperse a few to some of her close friends.

If time and budget permit, I usually have the habit to dig good finds in every place I go, these should be uncommon and are price-friendly and of good quality and should NOT be available in Manila. Perhaps it also suits the tastes of the old filchi aunties in Manila, that's why 'bumenta'. Some of the rare finds are:
Milk tea (not lipton but another brand)
Satay bbq in sealed microwaveable packs
Australian Herbs and Spices
Dried orange peels
Bottled fried shallots
..etc..

Anyway, it turned out the goodies reach my kumare’s mom as well. Her mom asked my kumare to buy the same things. She then has to ask me back where to get those as she cant seem to spot them, thus I accompanied her one time to buy. It happened several times, that she finally concluded, ‘Les, may talent ka, you have the potential’. She said I probably can try my luck in the distributor business. Woow winner, love her to bitz hihi :D

Check out my latest find from Vietnam. I brought a pack to share with my officemate. Upon first munch, they also said 'hey Leslie it's good, you should have gotten 10 packs for us'. Seriously, I never knew that is such thing as cappucino peanuts. I am not a die-hard fanatic of either, but it is good combination to coat nuts with coffee indeed.



I wanna be a shopper! :)

Artsy Bitchy Shot

I guess it's better I dont know the technicalities of photography, so I can just shoot subjectively and judge with fresh eyes. :p Like Ellen with her judging stint in American Idol. Everyone doesnt have to be an expert, she can just do it, simply based on gut feel and from a regular audience's viewpoint.

Referring to camouflaging the fats, I like this picture I took for a friend, I find the pose sexy :p.


And showing an ordinary shot of her that I didnt post in fb.


Angle makes a difference right? Or if you still cant see my point or deny that it makes sense, I guess it is better to just donate your camera to charity. :D

P.S: I wonder why some people have to post hundreds and thousands of pictures of a same event same background same everything, cant you filter and choose the best shots, do the audience a favor that they only have to scan through the best shots. hahaha

Photography and I

I submitted some beach photos in an online contest and unexpectedly won first prize! I am fondly coined as 'award-winning' among my close friends from then on. :)


What I get for a prize, a free 3d2n stay in Angsana Bintan Resort for two, worth 800sgd! I couldnt believe this can happen to me, I have never won anything this much by luck! Hearing about the good news, it was so amazing where u feel tickles all over you!

Nowadays there are so much people into photography, investing in more lens and other powerful tools. I am still using my 3yr old p/s digicam. Living by my simple ways (i.e. kuripot?), why buy when you can borrow :p Kidding aside, I dont want to develop a new addiction, I am satisfied to just be a leisure photographer. With the p&s, I am only limited to take nature shots, where the sun helps me a lot in achieving good scenic pictures. I am happy enough when some people say I have a potential in photography :))

I am not good with taking portrait shots. Ok with the numerous times I was taken portrait shots in a studio in binondo ;p, I guess there are simple secrets a photographer needs to know about taking portraits, especially women :)

1) Vanity and not reality
It's not just about how over-clear your picture is. No one wants to be taken over-clear pictures where big pores, pimples, blackheads, scars, fine lines are clearly visible. I've heard of male photographers responding back 'eh ganon naman talaga hitsura nyan'. If you are a taking a photo of a bride, I am sure she wants you to find her best angle and work on it, make it prettier. I am not spending 100k+ for a wedding package and posing for you to take pictures of reality.. I want it to be closer to fantasy.

2) Forget about lighting
Isnt it obvious that sometiems, over-exposed pictures always make a woman prettier? The skin becomes very fair and smooth. The imperfections are hidden. The overall face shines with a glow. Same with those in dim lights. Just dont overdo and overfollow lighting rules.

3) Forget about the rule of thirds
If you can take a closeup picture of me with symmetrical perfect 10 score, I guess I probably wont be talking to you and paying you, I should be a model and you should be paying me. There are only a luckly few common people who can look so good with the camera that you can fill the whole picture with her face. Refrain from doing this so often in prenup for ordinary-looking couples. And besides, most likely the women might have splurged on her gowns and some accesories that she wants to be captured altogether rather than just her face occupying 70-90% of a picture.

4) Camouflage the fats
Fats are the worst enemy of any woman. Avoid avoid focusing on any problem areas, big belly, big thighs, double chin and big shoulders.
Shoulder fats seem to be the hardest part to get rid of, and is also the most visible in a normal half-body picture
My friend shared to me what she learned in a paid workshop. (oops I am not supposed to share then) but who cares. :p An efficient photographer should naturally camouflage the problem areas by using other elements. If the bride has big shoulders, then have poses where the groom is hugging her or putting his arms on her shoulders. Sounds witty to me.

Here are some of the latest shots I had taken while enjoying my prize in Angsana resort :) On the contrary, I guess I won because only a few people joined :p. Who cares, the best things in life are free!

Jay and Jolin again

Ok fangirl for the last time, well anyway only one person can make me crazy :D

Jay's concert finale in Taiwan has a special guest, no other than Jolin. Top 2 icons of Taiwan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQv3_dFfUN0

And the juicy part, Jolin is Jay's ex 5 yrs ago! When their careers were just starting, the two were once a pair. He has composed songs for Jolin in her earlier
albums. This is what the rumor is, grapevine. Due to Jay's womanizing ways, he dumped her for another famous pretty TV news anchor (who I actualy dont consider lovelier than Jolin). Jolin was said to be torn after the break-up. Both their careers grew stronger throughout the years, being the best-selling icon of Taiwan
superstars. Jolin seemed to be more competitive after the break-up and exerted lots of effort to improve her skills, now earning the title of being a dancing diva. It was said that her motivation was to beat Jay and she did, a few times in records selling. Jay broke up with the news anchor and consequently get linked to various women from time to time. It was said they were not in good terms.

And to everyone's surprise, they hooked up again in Jay's concert, whatever the dance means! Love it. Super kilig watching this. I hope they do get back together! They are just too good to be together, two of a kind, no one could ever compare and dare come close :)

Now the saying 'Nan Ren Bu Hwai, Nu Ren Bu Ai'. I am not much of a fan, but yes, Jay is an exception :p. Why bother the starlets when you can have the brightest star, wake up kid! :p

Old concert 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SQKBSfZH3E&feature=related

Admiration for Jay

Jay got me into so much temptations recently..

First Attempt
It was announced that he'll be having a concert in one of the Saturdays of July in SG. I was so upset hearing the news as the concert date coincided with my vacation in Manila. Haha to be honest if i did insist on preponing my return flight to sg, I wont be able to attend my barkada's wedding. Yup I am guilty of being unsupportive :) We werent really very close buds, just a newer member of the barkada and also someone whom I have much respect for.. (hmm he's the only person who has ever beaten me academically in my entire school life, need I say more how much of an uber alien this earthling is!) I would recall a Chinese saying my mom would jokingly say 'hong te chua bo, ke po tan tiong' = 'the king weds a concubine and all the kepo's (nosey people) wants to take part in the party'. :) Sorry but Jay Chou has become an influential person in my life.

The night before concert booking date, I thought it over and slept on it and woke up saying 'Yes I'm gonna do it, I'll move my flight earlier'. And again I was haunted by the OCBC credit card priority booking. I dont have one so I asked my friend to book for us. I thought things would go well, who knows online booking got screwed up with the numerous millions of people trying to get hold of the tickets, local and international. My friend should have queued in the booth itself, like what I did back in 2008 for Jay's concert. So tickets were sold out in 2hours or so. Selling like hotcakes literally.


Second Attempt
After all the chaos, same day it was announced there will be a new show added on the Friday (one day before the previously scheduled show). Again did the same thing thought about it whole night, it was actualy quite pricey to rebook my flight and much effort too. But as you grow older, things that tickle you and those you are so 100% deadly surely sure you like, it's just so hard to let go. This time my friend cant make it so it's a one-man battle. I smsed an officemate to bring his credit card. I'm gonna queue at 9am first thing in the morning before going to work. That said, next day (booking day), I ran into the chaos of being locked out with all belongings in my bedroom (refer to previous entry on 1st locked out attempt). Struggled till 8pm after work and finally able to get this fixed. I seemed to lose the enthusiasm that day. At the back of my mind, cant help thinking why on earth are the forces against me.

Is this an omen, like blocking off some misfortune that will be happening those days. Better something exciting awaits me in Manila for staying those extra days. I concede.


Third Attempt
Due to insistent public demand, a third show was added on the Sunday (day after the original scheduled show). My family was with me and I had depleted May's budget early on :p. Tipid mode and tamad mode too so I gave it up. My friend again has a failed attempt as the tickets again got soldout in 2hours. I actualy dont know why she didnt try harder. For myself, I just felt sad. Really dont understand why among the 365 days of 2010, the 3 concerts day should be during the time I will be out!!! grrh I surrender to faith. Not meant to be and I lost the energy to screw my plans :(

I didnt know scalpers are also famous in sg. Those lucky crazy people who rushed to buy the tickets, some are selling the tickets online, at least double or triple the price! scary. And also a lot of crazy people out there who have booked to watch all 3 consecutive nights!

It probably hurts not to get something you like with your whole heart. You wont know when the next opportunity comes, or will it still ever come? Life is just like that. Well as for Jay's concerts, it seems to come only every 3 years.. :(

And did anything remarkable those extra days.. yeah big time.. I got stranded in the airport as the flight was postponed for 2.5hours.

A House to House Your Heart & Soul :p

Managed to put a little personal touch in my new room. Adding a new item to my collection, the naughty pet which took me some time to find one. Aint it cuddly.



After much drama and struggle and reluctance, finally settled :p. First time I understood the meaning of 'compromise' in the truest sense. It was still a
right decision actually, but somehow probably I just know I wont fall in love with the new place the way I did previously. Funny but I did learn a lot about myself, my weaknesses, my preferences, my pet peeves, and what matters. Anyway it's a done deal. I would be fine. I am fine. Let's not bother as there are more important things to bother hehe.

Ok I rarely talk about lovelife-related stuff in the blog :p. But here's one:
Similarly in choosing a partner in the future I guess. As you grow old, it's actualy not just about choosing someone with qualities you like, more importantly it's about choosing someone you are sure doesnt have something you DONT like, things that you cant bear and cant live with, someone you wont regret over. Whew, more than dating several guys, this chapter is much more effective really. :p

The Simple Things

I like. I crave. The best things in life are not always expensive. =)



The best-tasting siomai I've ever tried. I discover this in a little store across my house here. Too bad the store opens only during mornings till 1230. It only costs 0.60sgd per piece (considered cheap here)










I so much like this Polo bread (Po Lo Pao), this is quite popular in HK. It's a soft bun with a not-too-sweet crust designed to look like a pineapple. Note that only a few bakeries here have it (well the most famous Bread Talk doesnt sell this). The nearest bakery to my haus only produces a small quantity of Po Lo Pao, hence again this is one of the reasons to wake up early and rush down to get hold of one.


Strolling is the next best thing on a lazy afternoon. The clean river, the bridge, the dollhouses (aka mansions), the sunset, the lights view at night. Hmm hmm.. if only parks in Manila are not just meant for dodongs and indays.. and if rivers can be much cleaner.. lolz

I seem to have developed a new addiction for soft scents (not the dizziness-inducing strong air freshener in cars). I now have a regular supply of something nice-smelling to hang in my bedroom. The scent, with my bed and
blanket.. all hates to part with me every morning.

The new lamp, Just the right hues for night mode. (the lamp has disappeared with my high-tech cam :p)

What's Cooking 09

Some serious decoration can help create appetite. Let's have some fancy names this time.

Grilled Chicken Marinated with Basil and Herbs

(finally trying to divert away from the usual Chinese cooking hehe)

Prawn and Squid Ball in Tomato Puree

(in layman terms, leftover from ref :p)

Deep Fried Lapu-lapu fillet

(the secret is simple, marinade)

My Two Way Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken - finally made one without using a ready-made sauce!

Oatmeal Fried Chicken

(theme is sesame seeds :p)

Chicken and Veggie Medley

take note of my flower carvings again

(special mention to this simple dish is that I cooked this last year at home during my vacation, my mom and sister liked it and asked for my recipe! yoohoo success)

P.S. Finally starting to expand my seasonings. The taste of the herb mixes is quite strange at times, even I didnt like it, too strong.

I Bet!

These are some of my fave souveniers.


Framed Memories
During vacation, we seldom buy tourist spot-specific, personalized keychain as they are usually exaggerately priced (foreigner level). However the photo is really excellent - great editing skills :p, so with the packaging. Thus we still bought one each. It's the memory and the feeling that I want for keeps. How much are you willing to pay to frame a fond memory in your mind? Can we frame all the good ones virtually so that we dont forget any?

The Bet, You Bet
I bought two of these shimmering chips (bets) in Senado Square. I just like it :D. Although some people might find me quite different , to be honest I think I'm also just going with the flow and taking only 'calculated risks'. I still have some big bets to make.. I thought I was capable, but still circumstances seem not quite. And the bet might just always be a bet kept in my bag, I wonder when will I be ready to cast it out. The concept of betting, shall I keep it or trade it for something else? Good point.


One more thing, the bet has a church printed on it, with the value of $1000. Funny that gambling and church co-exist - twisted, just like my thoughts hehe. I have twisted thoughts, but somehow luckily I always seem to outgrow those, deviate within acceptable limits and then again retract back to what I should be. Btw, my family smiled so big when they saw me back in my old look, straight hair. No traces of curls and frizz, the wonders of rebond seem to hide everything so neatly, the annoying untamed curls are gone. Now makes me curious who developed this magical concept. Who cares, I love it.


The Glass
Nothing much to explain. It was on sale so I bought it.

LSS: Ballads

I heard this song over the radio and instantly had LSS on it. Sung by a new singer, I would say he is excellent with falsetto. You can hear it here: http://www.gg800.com/p/239547.htm
The lyrics are sincere. I 'crush' him tuloy :D. (disclaimer: falsetto is not gay)

你可不可以爱我 可不可以想我
虽然我对自己没有一点的把握
别害怕我难过 告诉我你真实的感受
至少忐忑已告一段落
你可不可以爱我 可不可以看我
反正看或不看
我依然失魂落魄
成全不是美德
拒绝也不是一种罪过
你能给我 快乐还是寂寞 ＊


One more song, the chorus is well-written and rhyming.
全世界都停了电
全世界都封了街
我所有窗子外面 被贴上黑夜
我呐喊思念却没人听见
绝望到极点 剩的是疲倦
全世界都停了电
全世界白雪满天
才发觉在我心间 有回忆碎片
一作梦翻身就刺痛流血
我卷着身体 缩成一个圈 像一个句点

There goes recommended mp3 for the day.

Of Pilates and Yoga

Last year I joined Pilates. Currently I'm taking Yoga. For me, both are almost similar. Pilates has more stretching to do, sometimes you have some pulling to do with a partner which is quite relaxing. Yoga, on the other hand, has soo many positions to assume and sometimes some of the movements are really extremes, funny-looking, with the instructor shouting 'HOLD IT RIGHT THERE... 10.. 9... 8... and by the time you reach 1, your body is shaking like hell hehe. Balance, focus, sounds easy but not that easy to execute. And oh yoga's positions are fun to recall, mostly related to objects and animals: bow, locust, butterfly (flap), downward dog, cobra, warrior, etc.

Pilates

From the net: Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles.

Yoga

Some of the positions that I can recall:

Bow

Cobra

Downward Dog (or is it Sun Salutation)

Storm

What a long day. All my officemates are gone, somewhere for some reasons. One left SG for vacation. Boss was on MC (medical certificate, equiv for sick leave). One called in that he'll be working from home. One left early to attend to her sick daughter. One said he'll be working late this evening. The whole office is mine today, no one is here except me. The joys of project cutover - Silence. It has never been this silent. The crams, the escalations, the issues, the meetings, all are gone, hmm this is quite unusual. Savor savor! Cause it wont be long when phase 2 kicks in next month and again chaos!

This is not healthy. Surfing too much, talking too much, thinking too much of things. I still have 30min before I can go home, (i guess 6pm is the not-so-garapal time to leave)

Here goes again one of the deep literary fragments that came dancing in my thought.

Somewhere sometime someone strikes something somehow. At some point, I thought I am good yet with some unforeseen amiable implications, suddenly something that I thought that I am, that I have, that I believe in, got tinted with a blur. Left some parts of my world shaking. I cant believe why or how it happened or is it that I flew off the beaten path from the very start. I tried to immerse myself with the world that I believe in, yet unexpectedly you came and shake it off, the rain. Yes, it pours itself so harshly that it overflows. I am alive. But does that mean I have to go through hell hearing the thunderstorms. It amazes me how the mantra just gets hold of me so easily, as if swept by the whirlpool rhythm. It flickers like a beacon in the dark ocean and I feel like the firefly, captivated to fly nearer and nearer. It's just so hard to ignore it. It wraps me like a cocoon and I will be here waiting for the time, the space, the universe, that I shall fly by you and sweep you off your feet. And for once, you will realize, rain or shine, what is bound to happen will happen and nothing's gonna stop it. I know for once I tried.

I'm lost....Again. - Storm

okay enough for the day, going home.

Sketch Me

As I was enjoying my homebody days in Manila, I made it a point to clear all the trash in my room. In the midst, I found a funny sketch of me in my college days.








Oh my...! What a @#$%!%^. yeah right I wish this body is mine :p

The face was sketched based on a picture I submitted and the body was fr Mariah's. (if I remember correctly).

Still cant get enough, then I discovered this Photofunia site. Photofunia site has been quite popular nowadays that you'd see it quite often in friendster/facebook albums. I fancied the sketch layout, here are some more attempts :)

















For the non-sketch, here are some of those I like:




























Enough of the vanity strike.

Fave Collections

Some of the things I fancy:

I think I fell in love with this cute long shirt (pantulog), it was so cuddly na nanghinayang ako gamitin, sayang hehe :)




My new bedsheet. My ate's bday gift to me, I told her I need a new bedsheet and I want a pink color as I dont have a girly one yet here. Just the right shade of pink that I like! not the flashy type, I like soft colors that will aid putting me to a good sleep. :)




Finally I got time to frame this picture, gives my room a personalized finish. :p

My Wow Ph - Additional

Davao, Jul08


Matina Hills



Jack's Ridge



Show@Crododile Park



Pearl Farm



Pearl Farm 2



Philippine Eagle Center - Mulawin



Eden Nature Park - Skyrider



Eden Nature Park - Secret Garden

Davao, Jul08


Eden Nature Park - Matinlo Falls



Eden Nature Park - Flowers on a Well

Hair Craze - Ultimate

Early this year, I had my hair dyed. But my real target isnt really just the color thing, I want big waves and curls hehe. I've always wanted an ala-princess or doll hairdo that's not messy and frizzy. :p. In SG, perm and color go together or else it would be too 'auntie' look if you have black curly hair, that's whay they say.

I got my hair highlights before July's vacation. Actually the salon didnt do a good job. The first application was totally 'invisible', I didnt really see any difference before and after I step into the salon. Then I said I wasnt satisfied, and they applied a second application for free (SG never lets an unhappy customer step away from their store). The second was finally 'visible' and the color was actually stronger that I intended. I did catch quite a lot of attention in Manila, it just probably didnt fit the image that people remember me to be, I look like a party animal. :p

When I went back to SG, I scouted for the best deal and finally had my hair permed. Digital perm is quite popular in SG. It gives you big soft curls that are not too difficult to maintain. Sometimes it doesnt look like real curls, but rather a 'set' hair from parlor. I'm loving it. :p It's a bit heavy on the pocket though, probably 4X of the price I paid when I had my first regular curl in Manila last 2004. :p

During my Sept vacation in Manila, people seem to think of me as a 'foreigner'. Service crew in restaurant talks to me in English. Family friends cant recognize me during the christening party. On my way back to SG, I took a cab in SG from airport and the cab driver was surprised to know I came from Manila. 'I thought you're from HK or China, you dont look like Filipino, not at all'.

Here's a comparison using some famous TW stars with curly hair, it's too ambititious I know :p hey everyone has a free pass to dreamland.


I dont know what change I'm capable of. :p Yeah I'm done with my hair experiments, looking for the next best thing :)