Manila Invasion

When i told people that i was going to the Philippines for a holiday, the general theme of responses that greeted me was, "Why Philippines? Is there even anything to do there?". Well, why not Philippines? I like the idea of being in a largely Catholic country (especially on Christmas month), their culture is different, it is affordable and more importantly, i have never been there. Never go, never know.

The adventure pretty much began when we got off the plane. We caught the bus to the city, then somehow found our way--with heavy luggages in tow--through a sea of humans and cars to a train station, then got lost after being directed here and there by locals. Nobody seemed to know where our hotel was! So we gave up on walking and turned to the pajak instead.

For many, the pajak is a form of transportation that gets you from point A to B. For many of the drivers, the pajak is their form of livelihood and their home. It was heartbreaking to watch our pajak driver shoo her family--a young woman carrying a naked baby--out of the pajak so that she could drive us to our destination.



There is a major, and slightly disturbing, difference between the rich and the poor in Manila. The new metropolitan suburb does not allow beggars and basically looks like a rich man's playground. The area we lived in was badly lit and peppered with beggars and homeless individuals. However, after a few days of scrurrying along dark paths and holding tightly to our bags, we realised that it was not as scary as it appeared to be. Sure, people came up to us for food and money but that was basically it. They never once laid their hands on us or intimidated us in any way.



It was in Manila also that we discovered new food--no, we did not dare sink our teeth into balut. Chicken adobo, bread with a combination of icing sugar, cheese and salted egg, chicharon (crispy pork skin with a dash of chilli powder--so good, we bought FIVE packets) and a dessert called polvoron. When we first saw polvoron at 7-Eleven, we asked the cashier what "polvoron" was. His answer? "Polvoron is the name of the item". Epic.



Alcohol was so cheap and easily available that we overbought, and since good things are to be shared, the guards who worked at our hotel got lucky on the morning of our departure. And while we are on the subject of good things, the cousins staged a little birthday surprise for me, though at the most unglamorous of times--when i just walked out of the toilet.



One of the highlights of the trip for me was visiting the Manila American Cemetery. When i first saw the attraction on our tour itinerary, i thought, "A cemetery? How morbid." But it was far from that. Since its establishment in 1948 to honour soldiers who lost their lives to World War II, America has been paying Manila to maintain the place. I am amazed by the extent that America goes to give the soldiers nothing but the best final resting place. What makes it even more special is the inclusion of the Star of David on several tomb stones, respecting the religion of the fallen as oppose to branding everyone with a cross. Truly a sight to behold.



Manila is a little bit of everything. To us, it was also unpredictable. Every suburb appears to be very different, each with its own story to tell, and if you let yourself take that chance, you will discover something new. I'm ending this with another discovery that we made courtesy of our tour guide.

Tour Guide: Do you know that Manila Hotel (a luxurious, historical and expensive) is the holiest hotel in Manila?
Us: Holiest? Why so?
Tour Guide: Because when you step into their lobby, you go "Oh my God" at the sight of its beauty. And when you check out of your stay, you go "Jesus Christ" at the sight of the bill.

The Ocean Calls

Made reservations, paid deposits and fingers crossed that all will work out. Not gonna mention where i'm headed yet because i want this holiday so bad i don't want to jinx it. Heck, i've even got my bubble solution ready so we can blow bubbles under the sun, by the sea. It's gonna be wicked!

Things People Say

(Upon noticing a flyer advertising the Lost World of Tambun)
Dad: We wanted to go there once but couldn't find the place.
Me: Who is we? How come i don't know anything about it?
Dad: My sisters and I.
Me: When were y'all planning on going?
Dad: The day after Christmas but we couldn't find the place.
Me: Ask Uncle Pat lah. I'm sure he knows the way.
Dad: No, he doesn't know either. No one can find it. It's the LOST World.

(On my ride home, killing time on Whatsapp)
Friend: Lots of horses are named after rum. If i'm not wrong, there was a horse named Red Rum who was national champion like six or eight times.
Me: Red Rum is the signature phrase from thriller flick The Shining
Friend: Really? I never saw Shining. It was probably named after the real horse.
Me: *Thinks what the fuck? If you've watched the movie, you'll get my what-the-fuck-ness*

(During a conversation about a certain public figure)
Anonymous: I'm not exaggerating when i say he looks like a cock. Seriously, go and look for the ugliest cock you've ever seen and that is his face.

(After checking out my room's bathroom)
Nick: Your bathroom has something that i've always wanted lah.
Me: What?
Nick: A shower right on top of the toilet bowl.
Me: What the heck? What for?
Nick: For when i'm rushing. So i can shower and shit at the same time.

Grant Them Eternal Peace, Amen

As a child, i remember being left at home with my Mah Mah while Mom, Dad and Yeh Yeh head to the cemetery to pay their respect to my late greatgrandparents on All Souls' Day. Years later, Dad felt that i was grown up enough to finally 'meet' my greatgrandparents and decided to grant me my first cemetery visit. Although i was excited about getting an opportunity to say hello to Greatgrandma and Greatgrandpa, i was nervous too. Will there be spirits roaming around? What if i bumped into one? A cemetery isn't exactly a tween's ideal playground.

Soon enough, the fear began to diminish (especially after the departure of my dear grandparents) and in its place was a sense of calm. Cemetery visits were no longer an annual event. We stopped by on Christmas Day, on death anniversaries and whenever we felt like it.

Although their deaths mean i now have an unlimited access to them (i speak to them when my heart desires), having a physical place to go to and a physical object to target my conversations to somehow decreases the feeling of loss.

Dear Lord, i ask that you please bless my deceased loved ones with eternal peace and joy, and that the perpetual light continue to shine upon them. Till we meet again, rest in peace and know that you will always be loved and never forgotten.

I Love Clothes

A while back, I received an invitation to a media appreciation night done 'Broadway' style. Unwilling to spend money on a costume that I would only wear once, I played around with what I already have. One work top from Mum, a pair of socks from Daddy, and my flare skirt later, I became Rachel from Glee. Wearing the outfit to work that day, I felt so out of my element. Calf-high socks have never been my 'thing' and the odd stares I was getting certainly didn't help. And just when I thought my effort would finally pay off, I turned up at the event only to realise that I was the only one who came dressed according to the theme. Bah.

In another story, while raving to my parents about the gorgeous toga-esque dress I had on, and bought for a discount of 50 per cent, my Dad replied, "Did you say the dress was 50 per cent off? No wonder 50 per cent of the sleeve is missing." Ha ha. Very funny Pa.

Something Good

So apparently, it rains EVERY Good Friday. Long story short, Mabel lost a bet and had to stomach a family-made concoction made of tom yum soup, a few drops of Coke, rice, a dumpling, yam ice cream, a mashed osyter, and coconut shavings. It smelt like food that has been kept at the back of a fridge for a long, long time. The interesting part of the story? She did not fall sick the next day.

The woman who has an obsession with John Travolta came back for a holiday...and continued to live up to the silly image i know her for. She brought a packet of Macadamia nuts home for me, kept it in the bag throughout our entire outing, and left with it. Fail.

Current fashion obsessions: maxi skirts and sheer tops. Super excited on finding a comfy skirt that doesn't make me look like i spent my whole week indulging in buffets.

Funny thing happened prior to my chat with Archie of The Good Wife. That morning, i took the effort to put on my jeans, find a decent blouse to wear, and slip into my wedges for the interview. And what did my PR friend, Berenice, say after checking out my outfit? "Wah, so casual no need to go to work today ah?".

Spent a weekend night in with friends and what did i take away from the night? Karen spends way too much time on her Michael Jackson wii game. Joyce's idea of the perfect salad is anything served with sesame salad dressing. Weng uses way too many 'dey' in his conversations. Victor needs something else besides checkered shirts. TK will be the first person to introduce a 'joint venture' option in Monopoly Deal. I have the useless ability to remember all the families in Happy Family.

Think Happy Thoughts

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here, we should dance"

A recap at the little things that made my life beautiful in the past few months:



The launch of Disney Junior is possible the cutest channel launch I've been to so far. There were colour pencils, crayons and drawings for us to colour. Not surprisingly, i was the only adult in the room who did any colouring! Then there was the performance by toddlers, including one who was more interested in the TV stand than the audiences. Cuteness maximus.

Received a deer necklace from Karen on a day when i was, coincidentally, wearing my fave deer tee. And the day i decided to wear the necklace, was the day one of the antlers broke. So now i have a disabled deer hanging from my neck.

Discovered the beauty that is F&F from Tesco. Them tights are tight! If i have enough of boots and tights, I would rock the look everyday no matter how many times i've had people come up to me and say, "Wear boots not hot ah?".

Pa managed to find me fresh, raw lotus seeds! Beneath the ugly exterior, layers of skin that need to be peeled, and a bitter bud that should be removed are lotus seeds that can take over kuaci's place as the perfect fat-free TV snack.

A Swinging Time

There are many traditions in my family and one involves my cousins and I gathering at a certain playground once a year. Not twice, or thrice. It's something we do that only happens once and year in, year out, we would end up spending time at the exact same spot in the same playground.

Although this year, i did bring something to make it more fun - Monopoly Deal. Only the best-est card game in town! And this woman here won twice and caused one cousin to go 'bankrupt'. Woot! Family or no family, I take my Deal seriously.




Truth be told, this year's playground meeting was a much needed one for me because prior to it, something very unpleasant happened and knowing that the unpleasantness would continue as soon as playground meeting was over, i simply locked all worries aside and enjoyed the happy moment while it lasted. It was a few hours worth of good times that made the sad period i was facing slightly more bearable.



What would i do without my cousins?

New Year, New Surroundings

Because CNY eve at home is equivalent to noisy get-no-sleep firecrackers night, we tried something different this Rabbit year - we packed our bags (and Zipper's toys) and headed to somewhere more quiet to spend the night.

And i'm not kidding when i say the place is quiet. It is so far away from the city that cows take their morning walk along the roads!











A phrase that i hold dear to my heart. Home is family and family (all my awesome extended family included!) is love. And when you have love, all is good.

Dum Dee Dee Dum

Me: Hey Ma, guess what song is this. *starts to hum the tune of The Wedding March*
Mom: Sounds familiar but i don't know lah.
Me: You will know this lah. It's so easy. Everybody knows this song!
Mom: Oh, is it this? *starts singing a totally different song*
Me: Nolah! It's so easy if Zi can speak human language, even he can give the answer!

An hour later...

Me: Hey Pa, guess what song is this. *starts to hum the tune of The Wedding March*
Dad: Is it from a TV series?
Me: Nope. *hums again* It's damn easy!
Dad: I don't know lah. Or maybe you're just not humming in tune.
Mom: *laughs*

Potong betul.

Sleepover Recipe

What you need:
People who allow you to be who you are without judging you
DVDs, including horror movies and a complete SAW series
Monopoly Deal, PlayStation and a camera
Hats, wacky glasses and other party favours that tickle your fancy
McDonald's set meals
Lots of junk food and soft drinks
Club music, including We No Speak Americano's 'Papa Americano'
Mattresses, pillows, comforters, blankets and plenty of empty space on the living room floor



It's funny that people call it a sleepover because it seems that at a sleepover, you do everything else besides sleep.

'Tis The Season To Be Jolly

Christmas, like always, is the most beautiful time of the year. And i don't say this simply because i believe in the birth of Jesus Christ on one beautiful day in Bethlehem. I say this because i reckon it is a holiday celebrated by people of other religions. Be it a Hindu, a Buddhist or a Muslim, you see them buying presents, putting up Christmas trees and marvelling at the beauty of festive decorations at malls. It is one time of the year when so many people of different beliefs come together to celebrate a religious holiday that is not their own.

My Christmas this year was as expected, great. Sure, things have been different since my Mah Mah and Yeh Yeh left us but that doesn't mean it isn't good. There were the usual good food, great people and presents but no Christmas is ever the same thanks to the different happenings that take place and put a smile on my face.

As a kid, Christmas Day at Dad's home was often filled with the smell of curry and chocolate. Mah Mah would make curry to celebrate the day while Aunt Rita would come visit with her homemade chocolate cake in hand. Hoping to help Dad relive the beautiful days that were, Mom decided to do the same. And that was why instead of turkey, stuffings and brussel sprouts, i had a meaningful Christmas Eve dinner of chicken curry and chocolate nutty brownie.



I've stopped shopping for Christmas (or any other celebrations) clothes for the past few years. One, i cannot buy new clothes weeks earlier and wait for Christmas to wear it. Two, i think it's ridiculous to stress on getting an attire - shopping should be fun. But miraculously, this year somehow worked out for me because while Christmas-gift shopping, i found out that the top i've been eyeing on is on a 50% sale! And my dear heels that have been sitting in the cupboard for a month now, waiting for an appropriate event where it can make its debut, finally got its chance thanks to the Christmas mass! Super loving this outfit.

Christmas cards are beautiful. It's sad that so few people send them these days because of the convenience of email. Sure, emails are easy and free but they don't 'feel' sincere. Anyhoo, i was given THE BEST CHRISTMAS CARD EVER this year by a dear friend. Having grown used to usual folded cards, i was slightly surprised at this glittery one that is good enough to be a deco. While marvelling at the beauty of it, i noticed something and started laughing my lungs out. There, at the centre, was a little picture that only the dear friend knows how much it means to me. Creativity = 100 points. Sincerity = 200 points. Thanks! (Oh, dear friend, Mom just saw this picture and asked 'Why do you have a picture of a tomb on your screen?'. Haha! Choi! *touches wood*)

Christmas day 2010 played witness to the addition of a new member of the family. Meet Rachel. She so real, she even gets a baby seat! She is one part of the Baby Alive line with an ability to eat mushy bananas and drink apple juice. She also giggles, burps and says smart things like, "Yummy in my tummy". Apparently, there is a more expensive version of the doll that poops! And it comes with a juice mixture and diapers! What in heaven's name happened to normal dolls that do nothing but eerily blink? Tsk tsk tsk. Technology these days...

Then there's Mr Andrew who got a vest from Dad. He was so excited about it *cough* vain *cough*, he went to his room to try it on immediately after opening the present. The next thing i knew, a businessman-looking lad somehow assumed my t-shirt-wearing cousin's identity and came down the stairs. A before-and-after transformation worthy of a makeover reality series!



There is one more week left until the end of Christmas. Make the most of it, have a blast and a kickass 2011!