New Year Breakfast at Grayline

It has been our family's tradition since my grandmother died to visit Grayline Memorial Park on special occasions. This New Year is no exception. So despite our late 'til early morning New Year's Eve dinner-party, we made sure that we would wake up early (hence, the "kagigising" look we all have) and have our breakfast at the park.

One Fine Evening at Rodizio

For voracious eaters like us, this dinner at Rodizio in Holiday Inn was food overload. Gastronomic, indeed! So excuse our stomachs if they're bulging.

A Certain Romance

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Music
Genre:	Alternative Rock
Artist:	Arctic Monkeys

I'm so addicted to this song right now, I've been listening to it practically the whole day. Thank God my sis hasn't took her ipod away from me yet.

The guitar pattern is addicting to listen to and I like the honesty of the lyrics.

Well oh they might wear classic Reeboks
Or knackered Converse
Or tracky bottoms tucked in socks
But all of that's what the point is not
The point's that there ain't no romance around there
And there's the truth that they can't see
They'd probably like to throw a punch at me
And if you could only see them, then you would agree
Agree that there ain't no romance around there

You know, oh it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell 'em if you like
We'll tell 'em all tonight
They'll never listen
Cause their minds are made up
And of course it's all okay to carry on that way

And over there there's broken bones
There's only music, so that there's new ringtones
And it don't take no Sherlock Holmes
To see it's a little different around here

Don't get me wrong, oh there's boys in bands
And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands
And just cause he's had a couple of cans
He thinks it's alright to act like a dickhead

Don't you know, oh it's a funny thing you know
We'll tell em if you like
We'll tell em all tonight
They'll never listen
Cause their minds are made up
And course it's all okay to carry on that way

I said no
Oh no!
Oh you won't get me to go!
Anywhere, said anywhere
I won't go
Oh no no!

Well over there there's friends of mine
What can I say, I've known 'em for a long long time
And yeah they might overstep the line
But I just cannot get angry in the same way
Not in the same way
Not in the same way

The Long Expected Party

The long expected post-celebration of my birthday with my friends.It did feel like a reunion, though some would probably suspect it as a council. (Haha.)

What Made Me Boil

Anger is exquisite, one author had written…  And I agree.  It is as exquisite as it is intense that expressing it is the only thing you can think of when you feel its onset, and keeping it is a sin.

 

Just a few weeks ago (you see, I still harbor it), I embarked on a seemingly easy task of coordinating with a few people to finish a project I was assigned to do.  Yes, easy task...  Except for the usual delays, everything flowed smoothly.  Until my deadline came and I still have one delinquent agency on my list.

 

So, in my more polite than usual manner (which means I’m on the edge and really irritated), I called up the secretary of this LGU higher-up to follow-up on the things I needed so as to complete what I’m doing.  As I have always assumed, and based on previous experiences, secretaries are easier to deal with than their bosses (although there are random exceptions), so this one I thought would not be any different. 

 

Unexpected things always hit you in the face before you can even say “What?!!!,” so they say. And I got hit big time.   What I was asking was not really that hard… just a picture of his boss and a brief profile.  That wasn’t hard, right?  All I was asking was for her to email them to me.  It’s a no-brainer.   And what did she say? I would have been more understanding if she had said that their agency’s  IT capabilities are ancient, but no, she almost made me choke on the spot when she said “Pwede bang pa-pick-up na lang kasi hindi ako marunong mag-scan at mag-attach ng picture.”  If the telephone has a playback button, I would have pushed it just to make sure I heard her right.  How could they hire someone who doesn’t know the basics of internet and e-mail to fill up a secretarial position?  Okay, granted I have a very high expectation of people in the government service, can’t she just ask someone else to help her do it?  After all, that LGU has more than a thousand people in its employ, and she’s the secretary of the HR Officer.  How hard can it be?  “Kasi maraming ginagawa yung sa MIS namin, hindi ko rin sila maistorbo.” Wrong answer!  I don’t know how many people are stationed in their MIS department but there must be one who she could ask for assistance.  I know, because I used to work in that agency and I used to be in the HR department so I know the kind of power the HR people can wield if they want to ask for a favor that’s work-related.

 

If you ask me, it didn’t really matter if they couldn’t give me anything.  I could always find a way. There’s always a bunch that can be found on the web.  The mascot of a famous cold reliever will actually be a perfect replacement. 

 

I wasn’t about to give up, of course.  I’m beating the deadline and I know the kind of last-minute revisions that could take place so I need to finish early.  So I gave her time to ask for help.  Less than an hour before 5:00 pm I called her up again.  She said she already sent it through the email.  I told her I didn’t receive any file as I've been checking the mail every hour,  Turns out the email address that was given to her was wrong.  Miscommunication, I understand.  I gave her the right email address and she said she’s about to email it right at that moment.  So I thought there wouldn’t be any trouble.  I put down the phone and waited for her email.  Alas! It came.  I opened it, and… lo and behold!  She did give me what I was asking for but not exactly how I explained it to her.  I was asking for (1) the picture and (2) the profile, not the picture and profile.  I asked for two things, she gave me one, and in jpeg format.  Quite hard to edit the picture out, if you ask me, because I need it to be separate from the profile.  I thought to myself, I must be really difficult to understand or I failed to explain properly.  It must be that or she’s a total loser (excuse me for the word but I can’t find any other word that fits).

 

Anyway, I was at the end of my patience.  I called her up half an hour before 5:00 pm asking for just the picture.  I explained to her why.  And this was when she finally drained the last ounce of patience I reserved for other unfortunate events that might take place within the day…  “Okay lang ba kung bukas na lang kasi paalis na yung head ng MIS namin.”  I looked at my watch, it wasn’t 5:00 pm yet. So I told her, “Wala pa naman pong 5:00 p.m.”  She retorted, “Ganon po talaga.”  As if she couldn’t do anything else other than shake her head.  I’m sure the MIS head has an assistant or subordinates she could ask for help. It’s just a matter of re-scanning the picture and sending it.  What could be harder?

 

If I had been on the phone with her longer, I really don’t know how it would all end.  So I just said, “Ok” in my most polite tone while I was racking my brains as to who I could call to help her out in her stupidity.  Then, it occurred to me that I don’t need to think for her.  That’s her freaking job!  Instead, I called my friend (she probably thought I didn’t have any connections) who is also in the HR and complained about her attitude.  My friend must have been so shocked at my outburst that all she could say was “Sige tol, mangulu ku.”  And would you believe it?  In a matter of 2 minutes, I got what I was asking for.  If I could still wield some sort of influence there, despite the fact that I don’t even work there anymore, I wonder why she’s having a hard time asking people for help. It’s work-related anyway.  Or is she just too lazy to think…  With that kind of capacity, she’s so lucky that she has a job.  Is that the kind of people they hire nowadays?  Uhmm… no wonder…  It’s people like her who give government employees a bad rep.  Shame on you ___________!

 

I do, however, regret putting her boss’ picture in that directory.  He pulled out of the mission at the last minute.  How convenient…  I wish I hadn’t bothered.

 

Moral of the story?  Some people lose their morals because some people make them do so, hehe.  Oh… and another thing… Make sure you have friends everywhere.  They’re your saviors. 

Singapore Trip August 2006

Again...

Fernloft Chinatown Backpacker Hostel

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Going to Singapore? If you're on a budget and still looking for a place to stay, I highly recommend that you check-in at Fernloft. This hostel has two branches, one in East Coast and the other is in Chinatown. Fernloft offers accessibility to different types of travellers. If you're the laid-back type, you might want to stay at their East Coast branch which is close to the beach and far away from the City's center. On the other hand, if you're the type who wants to shop, their Chinatown branch would best suit you, as it is close to the bustling Chinatown district and only a few MRT rides away from Clark Quay, Orchard and Bugis.

The hostel in Chinatown is cozy and gives you a homey feeling even if you're staying at the dormitories. Compared to other hostels, rooms are limited, however, this limitation should be viewed as a perfect setting to get to know all the hostel's guests. The exclusivity gives a more personal experience to your stay at the hostel.

The best thing about Fernloft that you won't find in any other hostel is the staff's personalized service. David, the all-around guy in Fernloft Chinatown is the best host one can ever hope for. Compared to other hostels, the reception you get in Fernloft is very warm. It's like staying at your friend's place. David makes sure you feel comfortable during your stay and his hospitality is a welcome respite from the coldness of some of the locals we encountered. David is also very informative and helpful, so you can ask him about anything--your travel itinerary, places to go to in Singapore, best places to shop, and even your astrological sign.

Fernloft is also licensed by the Singapore Tourism Board so do not hesitate to ask for perks such as free transfer to Singapore's famous tourist spots. If your itinerary includes Singapore Zoo, Night Safari or Jurong Bird Park, just say so, and David will book you for a free transfer to any of these places. You can just add an additional 5sgd for the van to pick you up after your sightseeing and drop you back to the hostel or any other place in Singapore that you want to see.

Aside from the personalized service that Fernloft offers, the hostel is also known for its cleanliness. The sheets are changed regularly, the rooms are tidy, the kitchen area is spotless. It's a wonder how David keeps it all together. But of course, you are reminded to do your part in keeping the place clean, and washing your own dishes is a must (after all, it's not a five-star hotel).

Fernloft's unique character and its one-of-a-kind brand of service has kept some guests coming back. It is undoubtedly one of the best hostels to stay in Singapore.

For more information on Fernloft's facilities and room rates, please visit their website:
www.fernloft.com

Fernloft is located at:
Chinatown: Block 5, Banda Street, # 02-92 Singapore 050005
+65 6323 3221
East Coast: 693A East Coast Road, Singapore
+65 6449 9066

Lost: Season 2 (Part 2)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

And you think the plot's complicated? I'm not even done yet. This TV show is the kind that gets your mind working overtime. Just when you think you have the answer, another plot shakes you up. And it's not all about the plot and the mystery. You get some good acting too from the cast. Matthew Fox's character as Jack is really starting to get on my nerves. Talk about believable acting.

As the story progresses, you find each of the character's intertwined past. Just before the crash, almost each of the survivors have had some contact with each other and had affected each other's lives in some way. A good example is the case of Libby and Desmond. They met before the crash in a coffee shop by accident, had a conversation and before they even finished their coffee, Libby is already giving Desmond a boat. Yes, the same boat that he used for a race around the world to win back the love of his life... except that he crashed on the island, a few years ahead of Libby. The ironic part is they never knew each of them managed to get themselves in the same island. Libby died before Desmond circled his way back to the island, after leaving the hatch.

Another baffling scene is the presence of the remnant of a statue with four toes. Sayid, Jin and Sun, while navigating the outskirts of the island to set a trap for Michael and the Others saw the magnificent remains of a four-toed foot of a huge statue. The workings seemed ancient, and yet, you couldn't help but ask, "What does an ancient statue have to do with the island?" And the four toes... that's really odd. Now, Atlantis seems to be inserting itself in the plot.

By the end of Season 2, you not only get some answers, you get more questions. That means we get more of Lost in the next season. Despite it's omission in the recently held Emmy's, I think the producers still have a lot more surprises in store for the faithful viewers. With the departure of Michael and his son Walt from the island (oops... another spoiler), I wonder how they're going to start off from there. What would happen to Jack, Sawyer and Kate in the hands of the Others? Would Hurley tell the rest of the survivors about what happened to them?

Now, if you're still asking what Lost is all about, I think you should just get lost. I can't believe you're not watching it. It's rare to find an interesting TV show nowadays, what with everyone borrowing ideas from everyone. If you have a short attention span to TV programs, I highly recommend this one. Every show makes you feel like you're watching a new one. No dragging plots, no overstated melodrama... the only downside is you keep thinking about it.

In this age of technology and advance science, how could it be possible for an island big enough for a group of people to get lost in and still remain uncharted. Now, that's the mystery. It's the ultimate "what if?" and it's in that direction that the writers and the producers have made the show a success.

I still keep wondering how the producers will manage to extend the plot for a few more seasons without ultimately revealing the island's mystery and without dragging the story. But if they have managed to sustain my interest after two seasons, then I have to say, they're doing a good job. I just wish they would ultimately end the alpha male battle between Jack and Locke, with one of them murdering the other.

For all it's worth, Lost is the kind of TV show to wait for every week. With season 3 just around the corner, you can't help but review the previous season and formulate your own theories hoping that they're in sync with the show's plot.

The parting scene of season 2 is the ultimate cliffhanger. In another part of the world, two men (probably scientists or researchers) detect an electromagnetic signal from their machine. They dial a number to report the anomaly and at the other end of the receiver, Pen picks up the phone. Pen, who? The camera zooms in to a familiar picture on the bedside table. A couple during their happy times. The woman in the picture is the one holding the receiver while the man is a younger looking Desmond. Now tell me, what's your theory? (End)

Lost: Season 2 (Part 1)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

Are you still wringing your brains as to what the hell is happening on this mysterious island? If you haven't been initiated to the show, well, you are totally lost. Or you may have been on that island lately. Either way, read on if you want to know some spoilers (for those who are still watching the season 1 reruns) or if you feel like getting hooked on the story's premise, which is basically about 40 or so survivors of a plane crash waiting to be rescued on a seemingly uncharted island full of baffling occurrences.

In the second season, none of them still has any clue as to where they are or who "the others" are but developments have made the plot even more intriguing. Even more engaging is the unraveling of each of the character's personal lives before the plane crash. For example, it turns out that Anna Lucia worked for Jack's father in Sydney as personal body guard. Of course, that's after Anna Lucia resigned from the police service.

Did I warn you about spoilers? Not to worry, because I cannot totally spoil the whole season 2 for you as I am still waiting for the next Monday to come to watch the 2-hour season 2 finale on AXN.

Every episode of this season makes you wonder about the island. Is it riddled with supernatural forces or is the island just a very complicated science laboratory for an experiment of some sort? Whatever theory you may harbor, there is the definitive presence of "the others" who, in season 1 seemed more like imaginary or invisible foes responsible for the supernatural events occurring in the island.

The opening of the hatch has made the story swing from supernatural to scientific. The discovery of this place with a computer where you type, every 108 minutes, the same number-combination which Hurley played to win the lottery and was also found embedded outside the hatch, is making the story more complex. A new character by the name of Desmond has also popped up. Desmond is the one manning the hatch before he was found by Kate and Locke, and he has had an encounter with Jack in their life before the plane crash. He is not among the plane crash survivors for he arrived on the island some years ahead via his yacht. Intriguing? Well, what's more intriguing is Desmond's return (he left the hatch, remember?) to the survivors' beach. Talk about going in circles. Michael (who also left to look for his son Walt who got abducted by "the others" during their venture into the open sea with Sawyer and Jin to find rescue) is also coming back and will be responsible for the death of Anna Lucia and Libby. Oops... are the spoilers too much or are you lost to the plot? Wait til you find out what happens from the moment Michael left to find Walt and how he'll be able to go back to the survivors' camp. But I need to tell you that the fate of father and son depends on the father and what he is compromised to do. (End of Part 1)