Kavi is such a darling

It really lifted me up to see Kavi smile at me at the airport.

The little boy still remembers me! How that smile warmed my weary soul.

And when we opened that box of Krispy Kreme, his face just literally lit up with gasping "Wow!!!"

Being with this little boy has reminded me to rekindle that childlike wonder within me. I shouldn't lose it. No one ever should.

Kavi now almost 3 years old

Ode to banana cue

I didn't have a formal lunch yesterday so at past 2 in the afternoon, I headed down to the cafeteria to buy some food. Later on, I began to think that I was specifically looking for the type of food that I have grown up with and that's not moussaka or any other non-Filipino food. So off I went to the contractor's cafeteria to check some home-cooked Filipino meals. Then I saw the banana cue. And turon.

I bought one each and enjoyed every bite of the banana cue and turon while I walked back to my workstation. Banana cue does give a certain sense of satisfaction. I don't know why. I did looked for it when I came back in Manila from Singapore. I love it that it's tender, sweet, and warm and makes you feel full after consuming the two bananas and a half on stick. =)

Banana is just one of the most important fruits/food ever created. Well, at least to me.

Laughtrip with Jollibee

Oh, did I mention that I attended a Jollibee kiddie party for my officemates, Mara, Dionne, and Maggie, last night? It was the first time that I get to attend such a celebration and bhoy, was it fun! Hilarious! I now love Jollibee the mascot who made tampo (sulked) because we did a McDo sign for our photo op. It took us sometime to pacify dear Jollibee who later entertained us with a really cute dance. Oh I love cute Jollibee! And how I miss having such extremely fun parties.

Only in Manila. Only in the Philippines.

The perks of being in your own country. Fun is the very definition of fun.

with Jollibee

Off to Bukidnon for the Holy Week

So I bought a ticket to Cagayan de Oro City this afternoon for tomorrow. I will be back on Monday morning and will head directly to the office. Again, here I am saying that taking a break can be such a stressful thing to do with deadlines and backlogs piling up. But I am looking forward to playing with my little boy, Kavi!!!!

Nagsasa Cove, Zambales

Waking up to this view at 5:30 one Sunday morning, I would say, was the highlight of my stay at Nagsasa Cove, Zambales.

Tin and I would have stayed in our tent but we opted to camp out on my banig in front of Alice's kubo facing the sea. That night, I saw a shooting star but I forgot to make a wish. Seeing a shooting star though was already a personal wish by itself. That night, too, the moon was very round for it was nearing full moon.

Tin, who woke up earlier than I did, said she saw the moon about to "set" in the sea. I never knew that the moon does have its version of the sunset. It would have been a pleasure to witness it myself but I seriously needed to catch up on sleep. This view was already more than enough for me.

April 15

I just realized that today marks, supposedly, my last day at JPM in Singapore had I not terminated my contract. I just feel like that three month contract was such a long stretch. Probably, it is because  a lot of changes have happened to me since my last day in the company on February 11. And it's just creepy that I am wearing the same attire as what I wore on February 11 to the office.

What could my life be had I decided to stay in Singapore?

Funny how taking a break, even a really short one, can cause a lot of stress, too!

With tons of deadlines at work for the three-day work week next week and a sore throat and runny nose, I am off to Nagsasa Cove in Zambales, Philippines tomorrow (Saturday) at 3 in the morning.

The blog http://www.pinoylakwatsero.com/nagsasa-cove/ posted this photo of Nagsasa Cove. I hope the experience will not disappoint. I still need to buy a banig (Filipino mat) tonight as I plan to do some reading tomorrow at the beach, work-related reading. Urgh!

I'm now quite excited. Earlier, I was really stressed and dreaded going out of town over the weekend. Last night, I slept with a prayer to be able to deal with my insecurities and weaknesses in a healthy way. At this very minute, I am already energetic and optimistic!

Off to find a banig! :)

Wish me a safe and fun trip,
Diane

Feeling nostalgic

How can I forget that coffee shop at Borders, that sunny afternoon facing the sea at Brotzeit, that Christmas feast at Serenity?

Above all, how can I forget all the meaningful conversations I had with you?

I miss you. Take good of yourself.

Here's a friend praying for your wellbeing always,
Diana

I pray that I'll find my habibi

I mean it. But I wrote it because I learned a new word today. Habibi is the masculine form for my love or my beloved in Arabic. The feminine form is habibti.

Found Sambuca (and many more) in Manila tonight

It's been awhile since I last literally enjoyed a meal! Tonight's meal at People's Palace, Greenbelt 3 was a feast for the palate. Maybe the hunger and the wonderful company of sensible people made the dining experience even more memorable. And as if the pleasant dinner was not enough, we later headed to another resto to have some drinks. You wouldn't be surprised if I ordered Sambuca.

I wouldn't say that Sambuca is my favorite liqueur; just that the experience of drinking a shot of Sambuca reminds me of a very good friend back in Singapore. I hope you are well. You are missed.

Hello world from ADB

I got the job that I mentioned in my previous entry. I like the environment - the type of work, the building, the people, the facilities, the food! Thank you, Lord!

I wanted to write these down. These are some memorable lines I gathered during the first quarter of 2011. Some of these lines still make me laugh today. :)

1. On complaining about the salary from her recent promotion, her husband remarked:
    Choosy ka pa! Hindi ka naman UP!

2. Sister, hwag na tayo mag-away. Tutubo din yan[g buhok mo] in two weeks. (As relayed by a gay hair stylist to his client.)

3. Playing charades:
     To guess: Roast turkey
     a. Taya: Manok ba ito?
         Mga tao:  Pwede! Mas sosyal sa manok!
         Taya: Fried chicken?
         Taya: Microwave chicken?
         Taya: Estofado??????

     To guess: Buddha
     b. Taya: Filipino ba ito?
         Mga tao: Hindi
         Taya: Ah! So American?

4. How much copy-pasting can one get???? (As relayed by the boss to his intern.)

5. Boss: I don't reply to stupid emails.
    Intern: (To herself: Gosh, that's why you didn't reply to my mails?!)

6. Trying hard subordinate: So you speak French?
    Boss: Vous parlais francais?
    Trying hard subordinate: un poco
    Boss: That's Spanish!
Oh shit! Too much for trying hard!

7. Person 1: Uy, skydiving tayo sa Clark!
    Person 2: Sige! Pero baka masira ang ilong ko! Malaking investment ito.

8. Don't you know that your office building, since it has everything in it, is actually a spaceship that will just one day take off when there's serious trouble in Manila????

9. No offense ma'am, but your YM ID is a borderline between gross and pervert.

These are all I can remember for now.  :)

cheers,
diane