THAILAND.Friends and Nostalgic Moments (Part 1)

So today is Monday and I have triumphantly finished my task at work! whew. goodness that was over! haha ... it's just drawings and stuff of precise measurements and millions worth of curtainwall details for a new skyscraper in New Jersey, The Revel Resort and Casino ... so watch out for that!

Well, my work has taken me to places where I meet people and somehow get immersed into new cultures and ways of life ... as a tourist, you wont get as much exposure to the local scenes but when you live into their neighborhoods, you get a chance to eat home-cooked meals, shop at local markets, take the bus or metro, and if you're "lucky" get into an argument with a non-english speaking local over a petty something!

Anyway, the very first country I went to in my whole life is Thailand! I stayed there for 3 months with colleagues, worked on a project now built in Qatar which is the Hamad Medical City... and my very first travel on a plane was also my very first travel abroad with my very new Passport at hand. So it's unforgettable or SHOULD be unforgettable given those reasons! But besides those facts, it's the country itself. Thailand felt like an unknown region in the Philippines. The weather is similar, the "ambiance" of the place is like Manila and the friendliness of the people are similar... we even look like them, or they look like us... either way, they laugh at how they try to speak to us in Thai and when we look puzzled, they smile and say : "ah! Filipin" hehe. Well, for me... Thailand will always be special for the friendships I've made and the places I've been and the food I ate! haha I could not make a comparison between Thailand and my own country, or Thailand and other places... each is unique and though I say the country gives out a similar feel like the Philippines ... it's incomparable. No one should compare a country or a race amongst each other or there'll always be dispute!

So, anyway here are some pointers on how to travel well in Thailand based on my experiences! (...to count, I've been to Thailand for 3 times now and still 'lovi'n it) so here it goes:

1. You can never go wrong in bringing, oatmeal or crackers for a travel, local Thai food is usually spicy, so oftentimes we order a non-spicy version of the food which also tastes great! They put a lot of spices that without the chili, it's still yummy! But there's always Mcdonalds or KFC! (warning: they also serve spicy fast food!)

2. Never use your feet to point out on anything or reach, or push or just DONT. simple. it's disrespectful to do so.

3. When going to see a temple NEVER wear shorts or you'll be obligued to rent pants you can wear over it... which is kinda .... well, imagine the sweat and stuff from all the tourists who had been in those pants!!!

4. When shopping, SMILE and be friendly. They really give big discounts! ... and I must say, my friendly, cheerful disposition has earned me about a bag full of Bangkok stuff each time! Learning their "bargaining" language is a BIG plus too! Even if they laugh on our accent, it somehow gives us an instant bond with the vendors!

5. Bring your own medicine/s. You just dont want to risk drinking any medicine with weird looking swirls as writing for a mere headache!

6.Bring Camera. self-explanatory.

7. Roaming. This is 2009! You should be on a roaming service when you travel anywhere in the WORLD! Though I use pre-paid, like most "poor" people with unlimited internet access, works in an international company and owns a high-powered laptop yeah! get a roaming!!! Re-load by PASA-LOAD!

8. BASICS. Sawadeeka!- hello, Khap Khun Kha - Thank you.

9. Be Patient. Remind yourself that speaking English does not equate with intelligence! Don't be shy in using your hands or facial expressions to communicate! ... and dont yell when trying to make your point, it's easy to lose temper when people stare at you blankly but, they are not deaf, they just probably dont understand English ... this rule applies to all non-english speaking countries you visit ... so be patient ... what if youre an english-speaking person and a guy comes up to you needing help and he speaks Martian!!!

10. ENJOY. savor every sight and sound. You'll never know when you'll get a chance to go back.

New Found Respect for Kaba Modern and Badgley's Valentine...

That's a lot to take! haha ... but yeah, as I spent my day browsing the internet besides loading the washing machine once more with dirty laundry, cooking my meal and watching tv.... I was browsing the net! I'm a young wife of 28 "young" right...at least in my head I've never aged since 20!haha, I'm still into this hip hop thing, rock music and glossy, glam-rock fashion. So last night I watched a new show on hiphop dancing, break dancing and I got to see Kaba Modern ... name recall... they are a group that also competes in the World Hip Hop Championship like the Philippine All Stars (who were the winners of 2006 and 2008)... I'm a big fan.... so anyway, Kaba Modern did great, I was awestruck by the moves and for the Asian girls who until now I couldn't relate how they did it, looked like petite korean/japanese/filipino ... not sure which but moved like they were from a trasnformer movie! They were great, so I did my own research out of curiosity... googled Kaba Modern and viola! A website. I learnt that they're a dance group formed for a "Pilipino Culture Night" modern presentation in 1992 and since then for 15 years they got new members out of auditions and still performing great!

I like the fact that they are sharing their talent in dancing and develops a passion for it. You know it's good to be reminded of youth and energy!haha... I got very nostalgic about my highschool days, when I'm also a part of dance groups and practicing all weekend... hmmnn... memories...

....moving on to Badgley my PET in Facebook, oh! she's got a valentine ... another PET called CreamPuff, I spent time doing screenshots so we could join a Valentine contest in Facebook for PETS, it's alright, it keeps me busy and I like dressing her up... so after about 20+ screenshots, a few editing, were ready, I'll show my shots of them to my friend Marc who owns CreamPuff and decide which one's are our entry.

so, ciao! bouna notte!

i miss and love Ramil... see him soon!!!

my usual day and how i said YES.

Well today I was out doing some errand, like pay rent and buy vitamins... just a usual day. Then back to our apartment, load laundry into the machine, then an inspiration hit me... yeah just like that! Any precious piece about my life comes anytime, anywhere! haha kidding I don't mean to sound narcissistic... but anyway, I haven't really talked about how I got engaged... I know, you've probably read about proposal stories one too many times, but you know... to a person being proposed to... it's always different and unforgettable... and for me, it already has been over a year!

Anyway, it was September and a friend of ours just came home from Singapore and arranged a get together. So we went, ate, chat and after a few more laughs we bid goodbye... Ramil and I went for a stroll around a mall, and window shopped... I for one, is an avid window shopper! I just go see some stores, walk-in on some and have a good feel of stuff and if it's encouraging enough for my wallet, I buy.

In between our walk, we happened to talk about life and how long we've been each other's bestfriend, how we miss each other badly when were not together and well... things that probably have affirmed our feelings for each other... (^_^) So, halfway our conversation he asked me for a dessert and took me to our favorite hang-out for a cold something ... then he excused himself, I was left eating while he was gone for quite a while and so I texted him... he replied that if I'm finished I could meet him in front of a store ... so I did ...

The next thing I know he was asking this question that made me giggle, he asked if "I never want to be alone anymore?" haha ... I said "of course!" and if he ask me to marry him now, will I say yes? ... now?! ... my heart thumping like it's gonna burst!!! ... yes! are you asking? then he slipped a velvet box in my hand ... whaaaatttt??? you got me a ring?... yes, while you're having dessert! ... haha ... lets just do it! ... yes!!! than he opened the box and slipped this diamond ring on my finger, it was beautiful! I've never been happier!!!

OK so, there were no candles, flowers, wine and stuff ... well, there was no way it was going to happen that day either!!! haha It just happened and I guess you know when you know.
We've known each other for life! We cant imagine being without each other, so when our conversation lead to love, life and commitment, he wasted no time....bought me a beautiful ring and proposed! He was that sure he wanted to marry me! haha...

It was a life-changing YES.

Finding myself a thought....and a Song.

Well, for not so very inspiring reason, I'm trying to recap a few things about how this day went. Besides the fact that my "center-of-the universe/slash/husband" is still in Malaysia for some business trip he had to take, I'm here left with my "wonderings"! ... and well, nothing came vividly so far. If I may start with how I was teary-eyed listening to the song we first danced to as husband and wife matters, then I will tell you about it ...so, I plugged an earphone, scrolled all the way to the song I ought to listen for the first time since our wedding and then pressed PLAY ... the moment I heard the intro to the song, I was overwhelmed and somehow equally delighted as to the first time we danced to it!... I was teary-eyed and emotional... and this, if you ask me happened while I was in a public transpo...where co-passengers would dare not ask what's wrong with my twitching face and heavy breathing, but rather was very amused as if any moment I will belt out the song I was listening to! I'm not crazy!!!

The song is a familiar one, Boyzone has a version of it though, obviously I like the old, country version. Very pure, very loving and very -memorable. It's a song that I'll never get tired of listening no matter how it's screwing up my emotions in anytime, anyplace!haha... I've developed a total attachment to it and will probably never outgrow it... it's special...it's our song.

Wife's Wednesday

So this is just the 3rd day... 3rd day of my domestic solitude!!! and I feel like it's been weeks already if not years!!! I'm so missing Ramil right now, that after a day and yesterday I'm now giving up the idea that YES, I am able to be with myself and not panic! BUT, here I am... all panicky and seems helpless ... all that talk about independence is like a conversation with a friend who needs only affirmation on her beliefs and not reality!!!

Anyway, no matter how I need him, I can't have him near me in a snap, can I? So what's the use of all these, I'm scared, I'm alone and lonely drama... it's not going anywhere, unless I choose to not come home and be somewhere with people! The thing is, this is how it's gonna be ... come fear and isolation!

I'm lucky not to be feeling depressed, I'm lucky that I feel positive and supportive of my husband, who's doing this for his career and for us...That's what a wife should think in times like this, that's what a mature relationship is, being supportive of each other's career and growth!

God! I need you Ramil!!!

i was like this.

Well, yesterday was my first day of work without my hubby on my side. Not that I cling to him all day, but the thing is: he is very much devoted to seeing things for me before there'd be any problem...yup! that's how he is and he's been like that eversince we've become a couple. My life with him is pretty much a "spoiled" wife's life... not materially, but on all the other things that would make all the other women wish their husbands are like... too much of a gentleman! hmmmnnn, that's a good thing isn't it? and there shouldn't be anymore problem... well, there is: He went away for a business trip and like all the other trips he had to leave me for, I struggle to be independent. I struggle of sleeping alone in bed, I struggle on eating meals alone and I even struggle with the errands I have to make to keep our house running. Those are the sad parts but as quick as I had to respond, I'm now assesing my life as to how I lived before we were married, before I met him and before he took over my share of responsibilty. I was thinking about how I managed to cross the street without having to grab his arm before we met ... how I managed to be confident in speaking in public while I was still in school ... things that I did before I met him ... amazes me now on how I was able to live that life! and now... as I'm left alone for maybe just a few weeks to a month... I'm learning about myself once again... I cannot be the person that I am now for being loved so much! I cannot be dependent and seeking of support from others when I should be able to carry myself to do and face anything. I am my own person and though I love my husband and the things he does to love me ... I have to be myself, I have to give myself a chance to survive not needing help... at least when my husband comes back, I'll be able to say that he can't be worrying about me as much, because he knows I'll be able to cope and I'll be able to love him more than I need him.

Facebook's Pet Society!

I'm super hooked with Pet Society! That everyday I don't miss logging in and visiting all my Pet Society friends, going about my routine of hugging, scrubbing and feeding these virtual pets. It takes away my stress after work, afterall, you don't have to do much... just clicking away for each task you want to do to your pet, if you want to keep it clean and fed, if you want to dress it up or buy stuff for the Pet's virtual house, it's very entertaining and I tell you it's highly addicting! The best part is: it doesn't die! or as far as I know, it doesn't!!! I left my pet unattended for like a whole month, all the levels for food, hygiene and happiness were down but aside from the flies that hover my pet and it walks rather slow with its head bent down... it's very much alive! That's why, it never causes me stress, at least I've got something to do whenever I need something to do! haha...plus! were not allowed to have pets in our apartment, soooo...this is the closest way to have one!