Farewell 2006

What a year! 2006 is about to end and the whole world’s about to welcome 2007 with a big loud bang. Although there are no loud, sparkling fireworks here in Davao since they are banned, well that gives another New Year minus the fireworks. J

This year made me experience a lot of “firsts” in my life.

Last year was my first time to celebrate the new year out of the house… and into the Nationwide Family Camp we endured for days *from Dec. 25 – Jan. 1* How’s that for a holiday? It was fun anyway… and a whole new experience.

* to sing in public with the family… and followed by a lot of singing presentations.

* to travel out of the country.

* to fly business class and use the business lounge (it’s free… so why not take the chance?)

* road-trip with friends for an hour and a half drive to a wedding and without a chaperone.

* See a panda.

* make a layout all by myself

* manage and edit a mini-video + music video

* take an international exam

* be in an organization. (IIPA and PCAM)

* an official (treasurer) of IIPA Davao Chapter

* to be late in class and it went on till the end of the year

* to make matters worst… I even have a couple of consecutive abscences..

* first time to see a Yellow watermelon.

* to be tagged

* to ride a tram and a double decker bus.

* to ace a math subject. Woohoo!

and a whole lot more of firsts…

I thought the election would be done by the year 2008. Silly me. Not up to date. It’s on 2007 and I was even lazing around not worried about registering in COMELEC. Now, I’m with the “rush-rush” registrants.

My first day was December 30, 2006, when my mom called me 8 in the morning to inform me that it would be the last day of registering and all that. I rounded up a couple of my classmates to join me in COMELEC at Magsaysay Park, only Avy and JV went along with me to register, but JV gave up after a few minutes of trying to get the form. It was not a good sight actually. Sweaty people and bad smell hovering. *Gah*

Me and Avy decided to be early today. We arrived at the park like 5:20. It was drizzling and we waited there patiently. Laughing at some korny jokes or just watching other teenagers. We were just keeping ourselves busy, not minding the negative side. The gates opened 8 am… and everyone rushed out like prisoners released. Shouting, pushing. Avy, Ate Alice and I just slowed down not minding the rushing people.. because it’s still the same.. we will all be inside in a few moments anyway. To make the long story short… we got the forms 11:44 and ate a quick lunch and passed the forms by 2pm. I was asked to go back this January 2 for the picture, and Avy on January 3.

I was quite disappointed with COMELEC (Davao) specially the ones handling District 2. They are not organized. They would tell you there are no more forms and then the people would go away, and in a few minutes they will tell you the forms are available. They are like toying with the people.

The lines in District 2 was not good. Dami sumisingit. Rawr. It was exhausting and suffocating plus with the blaring heat of the sun and the smell. *Gosh* The place smells like dog poop and to make matters worst, someone farted. Sweaty people pushing you around made it even more exasperating. I don’t like to be pushed nor do I like to push other people in front of me. I called my mom that time wanting to cry already and give up because I cannot take it anymore… our line can’t get anywhere with all the people trying to overtake. I told her there are no more forms. My mom told me “How can that be? With all the money we-the people are paying (referring to tax) they would suddenly run out of forms? No… No.. You better get your forms. Don’t go home without getting one. And that’s Philippines. You have to go through that experience… you must understand how our system works.”

Yeah. Crappy system, I must say. I was even asking myself why in the world am I there? I don’t care about the election. It doesn’t matter. Who wins, wins. End of story.

When I arrived home, I was dropping hints to everyone how tired I was, how the people were, how the place smelled. My mom would then reply…

“Oh well, everyone needs to go through with that… Now you know how it is like in the Philippines eh?”

Yeah, and I wish one day it would improve. A better system, one that would benefit everybody even to the ones who serve the people.

I’m not exactly complaining, I’m just observing. Although, yeah awhile ago I was. But, then I must experience this….. and get something from it. A lesson perhaps, one that I could apply to other experiences as well.

It was a good day. All’s well that ends well. No matter what process you’ve gone through.

It’s a nice thing to end the year. This is another first. Going to all the trouble on New Year’s Eve, and helping in the kitchen right away without getting a good rest because our relatives are coming over. A whole lot of them… and so there goes my movie marathon into the bin. I won’t be able to do it then. *sigh*

Oh my cheeks turned pink to red. Nyahaha. Na sunburn pa ako ni 2006. Salamat sa pabaon haaa?

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

Marathons and a Dash

I wanted to post yesterday, but I wasn't able to log-in. Don't know why. Either my internet is having a hard time connecting to blogger thus resulting to a timeout during the process or there's just something wrong. Whatever. Schmever. All i know... I'm posting now.

Oh and by the way.. I just switched to the new blogger.

Almost everybody's been having a "movie marathon", and I for one would want to do it myself. I only got to watch only one movie, hardly a marathon at all. But, as the days progress.. I found myself reading the books I haven't read yet. I think in just one week I finished 4 books. Not bad at all... considering I've been in and out of the house twice this week. So nice.

I'm planning to have the movie marathon by 31. Weee. Hope I'd fulfill it.

I've been playing Diner Dash 3: Flo on the Go(courtesy of Dwinny) for days now... and I'm on Level 45. But, I'm stuck.. at Level 45.. there's an invisible customer. I've been searching the net about this glitch.. and I've done what they told me to do... but to no avail. *Gah* Anyone out there who can help me? =)

Is my internet speed by any chance connected to the recent earthquake in Taiwan? Haha. Just a thought. I just got the message from Globe saying there would be delayed messages.. and those browsing blah blah... because of what happened in Taiwan.

Anyway,HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! :)

Christmas and White Envelopes

Merry Christmas everyone!! Have a Blessed day! :)

Im sharing a story I found online.... =)

White Envelopes

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas. Oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it, overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma, the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son, Kevin, who was 12 that year was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended, and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church.
These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in the spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids, all kids, and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse.

That's when the idea of his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition, one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.

You see we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.
Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

Author Unknown

Time flies..

Time sure flies.. -_- I can still remember what happened last Christmas... and it's Christmas(the day) all over again.

Party here and there... party everywhere. How many parties did you attend this month?

-----------------------------------

I was not tagged by Ate Ghee specifically. She just said whoever is interested... may do the tag...

Rules:
1.Grab the closest book to you.
2.Open to page 123,go down the 4th sentence.
3.Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog.
4.Name of the book and the author.
5.Tag three people.

"You were driving away in a taxi. Then I followed you, in another cab."
McAuliff put his glass aside.

Cry of the Halidon by Jonathan Ryder(a.k.a Robert Ludlum)

(Anyone is free to do the tag) :)

I'm currently reading that book now. I just finished Fire by Sebastian Junger author of the Perfect Storm.

I thought it was just some fictitious book(it's not)... and the first part of his story (little did I know, there were different stories in that book) was pretty boring. It was all about Fire! Oh my gooseneck. Jumpers, fumes, forest fires... etc. etc.

Yeah, yeah the title was pretty much related.. I know.. it's Fire.. and literally about fire. -_-

I was expecting some kinda "story" in it... but the first part droned on and on about forest fires. How a couple of fire fighters were killed in a forest fire... and investigation says that it was all sudden.. blah blah. So, I stopped reading the book for a few days.

But then, since I bought it... and it's not good to judge a book when you have not finished it from cover to cover.. I decided to continue reading it.

The next part was about whales. I thought it was part of the first story... and I was confused at first because from fire to whales? -_- Confusing, really.

Finally, as I was reading the book... the characters, the events that took place was real. (di kasi ako nag research about the book.)

From whales to the war in Serbia.... to the conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. (I even read the book.. with a map.. para ma-imagine ko talaga.. hehe.) From the diamonds to the logical warfare in Afghanistan.

I learned a lot. Really.

I learned diamonds are not exactly rare and should not be THAT expensive. The supply for the diamond was just controlled by some people.. and in that.. they increased it's price.

When the diamonds was discovered in Sierra Leone,and the whites heard about it.. they spread rumors to those "ignorant people" in Sierra Leone. In that rumor, they told the people in Sierra Leone that those stones are electric and they should not touch it, they should wait until a white man comes. *Wah, so mean!* Was that even right? *sigh*

I liked the story about the Afghan leader Ahmad Shah Massoud. He was never "power-hungry". He just wanted to serve his people and lead them away from all those people who wanted to wage war against them. Like the Soviets and the Taliban.

"A few years ago in Kabul, I thought the war was finished, and I started building a home in Panjshir. A room for my children, a room for me and my wife, and a big library for all my books. I've kept all the books. I've put them in boxes, hoping one day I'll be able to put them on the shelves and I'll be able to read them. But the house is still unfinished, and the books are still in their boxes. I don't know when I'll be able to read my books." - Massoud

Though he holds the post of vice-president in Rabanni's deposed governmenet, Massoud is a man with a few aspirations as a political leader, no apparent desire for power. Over and over he has rejected appeals from his friends and allies to take a more active role in the politics of his country. The Koran says that war is such a catastrophe it must be brought to an end as quickly as possible and by any means necessary. That, perhaps is why Massoud has devoted himself exclusively to waging war. - Sebastian Junger

Massoud's strategy has been studied by many soldiers in the Soviet. Massoud outwitted them for years.

One part, I found funny there was...about General Ratko Mladic the Serb's chief of staff who was indicted with genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity by South African Judge Richard Goldstone. He was never caught. But they heard that Mladic spent his days on a Bosnian Serb military base, tending beehives and a herd of goats. Each goat has been named after a Western leader or UN commander.

Pretty funny. Hehe. -_-

Anyhow... MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!

Adventures in China

I learned quite a few things in China. Our first stop was Beijing and then Shanghai.

Beijing is the conservative and ancient city unlike Shanghai which is the exact opposite.

Weather: The first thing you would notice when you step down from the plane is the weather.

Beijing is way cooler than Shanghai. Beijing is dry, windy, and sunny and the weather when you are outside is untolerable. In Shanghai, it’s wet(rainy) and cloudy and a ray of sunshine would bring a delight to your face.

Tour Guide: Most of the tourists have tour guides here. It’s the next thing you would notice.

*Miss Vicki fooling around while Mr. Hao gave us a few tricks.*

Our Beijing tour guide Miss Vicki, was jolly and very efficient. Good services. She made our stay in Beijing fun. She was not a bore, and she made us interact with her as well. She is very flexible and cater for everybody’s wants.

Our Shanghai tour guide Miss Sammi, was ok. She smiles and answers your question but not as efficient as Vicki.

Common thing in our tour guides: Nice clothes. You can make them sing(and the same song). Both are trying hard to give us jokes. Both are single and looking for a boyfriend. Haha.

Buildings: The bus has a wide window, enough for you to take pictures and get a full view of the places you are passing.

*A Beijing building*


*Another Beijing building*

Shanghai is much developed compared to Beijing. It’s buildings are higher than in Beijing. Shanghai has a lot of well-known hotels.


*Taken outside Shanghai Airport*

Food: We arrived during lunch time in both cities. So, before we proceed to the hotel we ate our lunch at a local restaurant.

Shanghai-nese food is much sweeter than what is served in Beijing. Still the same though, too oily. -_- The signal for the lauriat-style to end is the watermelon. It is the last to be served. Peking duck was not new to me. Davao has a Chinese restaurant that serves Peking duck but lately it ran out of supply due to the bird flu. But still the way they serve the duck is different. They also serve pigeon in Beijing and goose in Shanghai.

The part I like there was the breakfast buffet. Less Chinese food. Haha.

I like the interior of their restaurants. They have a man-made falls or whatever in display that would attract customers. It’s nice. Every restaurant has a different façade and interior. Some restaurants has a performance every night as well.

*Shanghai: While we were having dinner they performed different kind of dances and one of them is tinikling and they are encouraging the diners to participate as well*

*We were supposed to have pictures with some Chinese girls in costumes.. but they're asking us for money if we're to have our pictures taken with them.*

So guys beware of those picture taking... because you might be asked for some money.

Nights: Shanghai Nights

They said Shanghai is the Eastern Paris. The city is well-lighted during night time. They spend millions for the lights the tour guide says. (I wish they could spend it for the people in China who has no living/home. Specially during winter days. It’s awfully cold and freezing outside.)

Shanghai night life is pretty much active. They have a lot of bars/karaoke/mah-jong places. There are more foreigners and business people in Shanghai. Teenagers go to bars, the not-so-much teen goes to karaoke and the old ones in mah-jong places.

Shopping: I have to say shopping in Philippines is way better than shopping in China!! They have 3 different qualities. Class A, Class B and Class C.

Vicki: Class C may be cheap and you can bargain at a much cheaper price but it's rubbish. Really really rubbish.

Vicki: I will take you to a shopping place.... but I'm warning you. The prices should be bargained 70% off. Example if the price is 100 just pay it for 30.

And asking for the bargain is really stressful.. SUPER! They have crazy prices!!!!! and its not easy to bargain with them because they SHOUT! Gosh!!! It would make you want to go back to Philippines and buy from there. Usual convos in bargaining.

Pinay: How much is this?

Chinese: *takes her calculator out and types the price* 350

Pinay: Oh... so expensive... *types out her price 105 *

Chinese: Oh.. no no..*face angry* *types out 330* That is already cheapah.

Pinay: No.. that's too expensive... *sticks to 105*

Chinese: Oh ok ok.. *types 180* that's cheap. Very cheap lady.

Pinay: No... never mind.. *tries to go away*

Chinese: Wait lady! How much you want?

Pinay: 105

Chinese: That is a crazy price lady! You must be kidding!!!

Pinay: Im not kidding.. Im serious. *walks away* (you can call this the WALKAWAY TRICK)

And then in a few minutes... the chinese lady would run after you with your item in a cellophane already.. and giving you your price.

NOTE: Never ever try to bargain if you are not sure you will buy it, because they might *smack* you with their bag. Believe me... one incident like that happened. So, if you try to bargain...... be sure you will really buy it.

If you are just looking, they would grab you and force you to buy. *gah* what a terrible shopping experience. You would appreciate Pinay's who sell in Divisoria/168 better. Really. Those Chinese might be cussing you in their language for all you know.

But of course there are some who seem pretty fine. Just laugh and dont forget to smile when you try to bargain.. there might be other Chinese who are pretty much nice. But they are just the 5% of the lot.

CLOTHES:

Since, it was the winter season their clothes are mostly for WINTER. Checking out their winter clothes/boots/gloves/hats/scarves... you would want winter to be in the Philippines too. I absolutely love their winter apparrel.. as in!!! Imagine, all those cute boots... those gloves. *sigh*

We did not get to buy some of their clothes since.... the ones in display are for winter and pretty heavy!!! Too bad.

FACTORIES:

In Beijing we visited the Jade factory. Real Jade is pretty much expensive. They have nice designs. Prices are fixed here. No bargains.

*taken outside the royal pharmacy*

We also visited a very popular herbal medicine factory and also their royal pharmacy which goes back to the Ming dynasty. Amazing huh? :)

In Shanghai we visited the Pearl factory. Fresh water cultured pearls. Not so exciting, since we have our very own South Sea pearls. :) Although, I liked their Pearl Lotion. It is so nice.

We also visited the Silk factory. We bought the silk quilt (wala sa pinas eh) and it is sooo comfy. :) Just the quilt would be enough, you can buy any cover (cotton/wool/silk) of your choice when you get back to the Philippines.

Temples and Gardens:

*This one is the frozen lake. You can see people are trying to walk through the frozen lake. Just look closely. They said, this was the setting of King and I. I am not sure. :)*

Beijing has a lot of temples and gardens. Since, it is pretty much old-fashioned. And mostly people in Beijing still stick to their old customs/values and preserving the ancient structures.

Great Wall of China(Beijing):

So yeah, this is the number one spot. I finally saw it's wonder. Haha. Wonder ba talaga? Hehe.

There are different parts of the great wall.. and I am not sure what part we visited. I did not actually went to the top... it was freeeeeziinnng.. and the steps are too steep..... it's a bit hard to go down.

*The DXN TSI Qualifiers w/ the DXN staff. Wooo Go Philippines!*

Forbidden City(Beijing):

I thought it would be exciting to visit it.... but then since the fact it is not forbidden anymore and pretty much open to tourists made it less exciting. The history itself is a good story. Beijing has a lot of stories about Emperor, Empress and the concubines.

Chinese people are fond of rock formations. Every temple/garden you go... you see rock formations everywhere and with different meanings. :)

Disneyland China(Beijing):

This was supposed to be their Disneyland. It was unfinished because the owner got bankrupt.

Olympic Stadium for 2008(Beijing):

Everybody knows that the Olympics this 2008 will be held in Beijing. Everybody in China is preparing for it. They have different souvenir items ready even if it is just 2006.

Panda Zoo(BEijing):

I did not get any decent pictures of the cutieee pandas. *gah* All were too dark. They were inside and the lighting was not that good. It was a bit dim... so the pictures are dark. One is supposed to be staying outside but I guess the weather is a bit toooo cold for them. They said during summer the pandas have a cable tv to entertain them. And since they are too preoccupied with the tv they would not even look at the tourists. Nyahaha. :)

Mausoleum of Mao Tse Tung(Beijing):

This is where the body of Mao Tse-Tung lay. Mao Tse-Tung wants to be cremated... I wonder why he wasn't. Ala-Marcos style. Once inside, you are not allowed to stare at Chairman Mao's body... but you need to move on. Cameras are not allowed inside.

NOTE: Do not buy the flowers they sell to honor Chairman Mao. You know why? Because, they are just recycling it. All the flowers are identical. And once it is inside.... they can recycle to use it for tomorrow. Wow.. pretty cunning huh? :P

Tiananmen Square(Beijing):

*Behind is the Mausoleum of Chairman Mao*

This one is just near the Mausoleum of Mao Tse Tung. Here you can take pictures all you want.

Kung Fu Show (Beijing):

They say it's one of the best show. (but I like the Lion King Live Show in Disneyland HK better hehe) -_- You can even have your pictures taken with the actors/actress outside.. before and after the show.

I did not have mine taken with them... because there were soooooooo mannyyyy people. Foreign people. Big people. British and Americans alike. Haha. -_-

Yu Garden(Shanghai):

*A picture with the shy lioness*

The Yu Garden in Shanghai. Near this garden is a temple-turned-flea-market. The bargain thingy here is much better compared to Beijing. -_- A bit better... but still...

Nan Jing Road(Shanghai):

This is the shopping haven of the people in Shanghai or so they say. A few minutes walk in our hotel. Well lighted as well. :) Nice place to hang out.

Huang Pu River Cruise(Shanghai):

This is a nice river cruise. :) You'd see Shanghai at it's best! Yay. Well lighted... with all the prominent structures.... *sigh* It was soo nice. :)

Kids:

I love to watch the little Chinese kids. -_- They look so cuteee with their winter clothes.. and it's not hard to make them smile. They smileeee sooo genuinely from the heart it would make you want to cry. SOooo cuteeeee.

*That kid made me teary-eyed... hayyyy. I would never forget that lil kid's smile. It wass just so different from the smiles of other kids. -_-*

Language:

Not everybody knows how to speak English. Hard to communicate with them. But there was one kid who showed us the way to Pearl Market... and it was quite astonishing to hear him speak in straight English.

Random Pics

*The Czar and Czarina of da Philippines*

*That guy is so funny. After the picture taking he would gesture to look at your camera... maybe to check how he looks like in the picture. hehe*

*Sunset in Beijing. Outside the Royal Pharmacy and near the Tiananmen Square.*

I almost did not get any chance to take the Sunset in Shanghai. And *good heavens* when we were about to board the plane for Shanghai-Manila... I was able to see the sun setting in Shanghai and capture it. Weeeee.

*Sunset in Shanghai*

That's all for now.. Picture overload na ata eh. -_-

All in all... it was a fun filled trip.. although there were certain times... it was not that good because.. my parent's oppressor is around. Read this for more info.

China Convo part two

More Convos:

Sammi: Do you know any Chinese song?
Ed Hao: Yeah, Kong kway la... *sings* Buchikeee
Sammi: Haha. Do you guys know about General Mao?
Everyone: Yes..
Sammi: How about Jackie Chan?
Everyone: Yes...
Sammi: How bout Sammi Lee?
Everyone: *mumbles* huh?
Ramil: Oh I know Sammi Lee, She is the sister of Fami Lee (family)

*gah pinoy talaga ang korny!*

Sammi: Everyone hungry now? We will have dinner already.
Someone: What's the dish?
Sammi: Chinese.
*everyone disappointed*
Sammi: Why, you dont want Chinese food?
*almost everyone said no* ( who would not get fed up if 8 consecutive days your lunch and dinner was purely chinese lauriat style and same type of food? )
Sammi: Do you guys know the 4 best things in the world?
Someone: What is it?
Sammi: You don't know? Ok I'll share it to you... Number 1 is American money.
Everyone: Ooohh...
Sammi: Number two Japanese Y.
Noel: Y? What?
Sammi: Japanese Y.
*me thinking yen*
Noel: Y? Why? Explain it!
Sammi: Japanese waif.
Ed: Ahh.. Japanese wife.
*everyone laughs*
Sammi: Number three French perfume....
Sammi: and Number four Chinese food.
Noel: Who told you? Maybe you just made that up ha.
*everyone laughs*
Ed Hao: What about the 4 worst things in the world?
Noel: What?
Ed Hao: Number 1 House in Tokyo.. very expensive.
Ed Hao: Number 2 English cook
Ed Hao: Number 3 American wife.. a nagger
Ed Hao: and number 4 a Filipino salary.

Sammi: *talking about General Mao*
Noel: Wow! thanks for the information. tomorrow we will talk about General Hao.
*everyone laughs*


Im in a bit of a hurry. Have to sleep. -_- I just updated. :) Ill be sharing a lot of infos when Im back in Davao. :) See you all.

Ancient China

Weeee! My parents' room in Shanghai has a free broadband access. So I can at least be in touch for 4 days! oh dba? :P

Beijing is SUPER COLD(-16 - -4), dry and windy but unfortunately I did not witness any snow falling from the sky. Snow would start in January.

I learned a lot from this trip. =) I will share it when I'm in back in Davao with the pictures para colorful! haha.

Shanghai is WET and a bit cold. RAINY!!! I love rainy days.... when I'm inside.. but outside? tsk tsk... nu-uh.

I can't think of anything else. Everything's COLD HERE even the dishes. haha. *GAH*

Mag DXN na kayo tataba kayo sa kain pag sila ang nag host ng trip. Imagine Breakfast buffet, lunch(lauriat style 10 dishes, unli rice,) and dinner(lauriat style 10 dishes, unli rice) for 10 days?!!!

Anyhow... I'll blog hop.. :P and read all your posts!!! MISS YOU ALL. :)

Pinoys are known to be a happy group and loves to joke around. Happy bunch of people. Fortunately my team (we were divided in to two teams) has a few jokers around and our tour guide in Beijing was really good.

Here are some convos I overheard:

ON FLIGHT
Mean Stewardess.
Stewardess: Anong company kayo? Iisa lang ba?
Mom: Yup, DXN.
Stewardess: Kaya pala magkakilala. Ilang days kayo sa China?
Mom: 10 days.
Stewardess: Ang ganda 10 days. 10 days kayong maninigas.

IN BEIJING on BUS.
Vicki (Tour guide): We have a different government here in China and I heard that the Philippine government is corrupt.
*everyone laughs*
Everybody: Nooo....
Someone: Not all.
Vicki: You sure? I encountered some Filipinos from electronics department.. *sharesthestory*
Someone: Oh, corruption is evident in 13 regions.
Vicki: How many regions you have?
Someone: 13.

Vicki: Mr. Hao? You will do magic for us tomorrow? Or sing?
Ed Hao: Eherm. I cant sing in public, I just signed a contract in Star Records.

*Mr Ed giving us a magic trick while singing*
Ed: Ang tiguwang (the old man...)... *sing*
Vicki: What's tiguwang?
Nestor: The old man.
Ed: That's Jose Tan!
*everyone laughs*
Ed: you should marry a Filipino. Filipinos are loving like this *kissingsound*
Vicki: Yeah. They said I go to Manila and look for the 4M.

Bing Hao: Jose oi. Tama na ang benta. Sunod na. Oi.. tsk..

Ed: This would be my last trick. If you want more, just visit room 511.
Nelson: Ticket sales through Jose Tan.


SEMINAR
Prajith: How are you guys doing
Everyone: Great!
Someone: Great Wall!

Ed: Ok, thank you everyone. Mhmm *looks around* Saan na ang emcee?
(emcee was outside counting the pesos of the people to be changed into yuan)
Someone: Nasa labas nagbibilang ng pera
(enter Ramil)
Ramil: Thank you for waiting. We were joking outside and thought that with all the money we can go back to the Philippines.

There were more jokes but I wasnt able to record all of them. :P

Holiday Leave

I am again "on-leave". Not just blogging, even mailing/ircing,chatting... etc. Anything "internet" related for two weeks. :) A very early holiday leave.

To them that ask where would I be... I'd be leaving for Manila tomorrow (dec.5), and then to China (dec.8). It's an all-expense paid trip by DXN, we can't resist. Haha. Im leaving with my parents.

I might be updating once in awhile on this same post IF EVER i get the chance to.

I'm leaving you with some random ICST convos i overheard.
(Original convo in Bisaya. I did not write the Visayan version. *tired* hehe)

June: Hey guys! Let's all get voter's ID.
Tina: Yeah, let's!!
Avy: So we can vote. Weee
JV: Yeah, because I'm already 19, and I haven't voted ever since. :(
June: Huh? You were far from 18 the last election! Duh!

Renel: Tat Tat Tararat Tat Tat Tararat (Paris Hilton's Nothing in this world tune)
Giovanne: Tarat tarat Bom Tarat tarat. Tararat Tararat Bom Bom Bom.

Jv: Kane, is Giovanne's face perfect?
Gio: Sige Kane, You won't have a face anymore... It's perfect right?
Kane: *smiles*
Jv: Haha. Meaning?
Gio: Well, silence means yes!
Jv: Haha
Suico: What are you guys talking about?
JV: I was asking about Giovanne's face, is it perfect?
Gio: I'll treat you an hour in Dota.
Suico: Perfect! Perfect.

NOTE: Andoy owns an Internet Cafe where most of the ICST studes go everyday for a couple of games.

Andoy: I'm hungry. Treat me for lunch. I dont have money...even just a peso.
Eng2x: Huh! First class net cafe, and then no money? You're like Perucho.
Andoy: Haha. Perucho cries when he can't go home to Panabo.
Eng2x: Eat with the teachers. Ask Sir Mj for food.
Andoy: What? Sakim yan! He wont even give me a passing grade.. how much more FOOD?!!
Sir MJ: What?! You dont even attend my class.
Eng2x: Dah! You don't show up, that's why!
Andoy: Why did you react Sir? We are not talking to you... right Bap?
Bap: Right!

Mean guys. But they were just fooling around and Sir MJ knows it.

King of Fruits

I attended a "Year-end Gathering of Diamonds"(Mindanao) yesterday. We had a visitor from Riyadh(Mr.Sulaiman), from India(Mr.Frajith), from Indonesia(Miss Lisa), and the DXN staff from Manila(Mr. Ferdie, and Mr Tom)

Anyhow, one cannot leave Davao City without tasting the ever famous "durian" and of course our "native chicken". But since, we were so full for native chicken.. we headed over at "Durian Paradise".

Durian = "Smells like hell.. but tastes like heaven"

"A rich custard highly flavoured with almonds gives the best general idea of it, but there are occasional wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, sherry-wine, and other incongruous dishes. Then there is a rich glutinous smoothness in the pulp which nothing else possesses, but which adds to its delicacy." - Mr. Alfred Russel Wallace

But once, you get used to durian... and an avid eater of durian.. you'd go gaga over the smell. Once you smell it, you'd want to know where it is from. It's like seeing a mango with bagoong.

Mr. Ferdie: I'd have someone to make you a perfume.
Miss Lisa: Really?
Mr.Ferdie: Yeah, durian scent.
Miss Lisa: Haha. The people would not want to talk to me.
Mr. Ferdie: Yeah, they would run away from you.


It was really Miss Lisa's idea to try out the durian offered by Davao, and she was even teased by Mr. Ferdie.

Mr.Ferdie: We need to climb a mountain.... so that we can eat. Are you up for the adventure?
Miss Lisa: I like that! I like that!
Mr.Ferdie: Ay aba.. naniwala.

Durian is not new to Indonesians, since they produce them too. But, it was new for Mr. Tom, who covered his nose while eating. I wanna take a picture... but due to formality and all that I opted not to, and besides I was eating that time and a handful at that.

Durian is believed to have warming properties liable to cause excessive sweating. Durian should be paired with Mangoosteen since it produces a cooling effect. They are more like partners. Mangoosteen is also abundant here in Davao. It's also good to eat it with a softdrink of your choice. If you're from DXN and wants to eat durian, you must bring Andro-G so that it will reduce your body temperature.

Mr.Ferdie: Go and eat more.
Miss Lisa: No.. I already had 4 seeds. It's already hot.
Mr.Ferdie: Did you bring Andro-G
Miss Lisa: No.
Mr. Ferdie: Then, just take a bath, and shower the heat away.
(*everyone laughs*)
Mr.Ferdie: Or if you want there's swimming pool in the hotel.

If you eat durian.... better get the arancillo. It's a bit small compared to Puyat (which is veryyyy big.. and you can't eat 2 more seeds..) Arancillo is creamy, and it has this bittersweet taste. I cant explain it. And yeah it has a sherry-like taste.

TIP: After you eat durian, you better wash your hands along with the seed of durian. Use the seed like a soap when washing it with water to take the odor away. To know that it is effective, smell your hands before and after washing.

Dont think about the smell. You'd be missing out a lot, if you don't at least get to taste a durian. :)

Mr. Ferdie: I'm taking this out and bring this to Manila. I can't eat durian in Manila, because it's so expensive. 1 durian would cost me 500-600. tsk. tsk. This is really good for shake. Mix it with milk and cocozhi. Ahhh, heaven.
Miss Lisa: But, that's not allowed in the hotel.
Mr. Ferdie: Oh... right. I wonder why they don't allow durians in hotels.
Mom: Because some of the guests hates the overpowering smell.
Mr. Ferdie: I'd still bring this.
Miss Lisa: And what will you do? Eat it in front of the hotel. *Laughs*
Mr. Ferdie: I dont know... I'd let them find a way to keep this.

Mini Bottles.

Happy December Everyone!!!

Time to start the so-called Christmas shopping! Haha.

I gave out identical mini bottles last year to my classmates.

That bottle is called - "Mini Holiday Message in a Bottle". They should try to open the bottle and read the message, because there is actually a message written inside.

For my girl cousins.... I gave out the same bottle but with a different content.

This one is called "Mini Butterfly Charm in a Bottle". One of my trademarks whenever I give things would be butterflies and flowers. Haha. But this time, I'm trying to hear what they want.. that is.. if it fits my budget.

Those bottles are actually multi-purpose. Hihi.

I'm still brainstorming over what to give. Hmmm....

What are you giving away this Christmas? What did you give away last year? -_-