Memories of Manila

Continuing from the Memory Holder series...

This would remain my most memorable meet in all my years as a sports-person. At 14, we were the the youngest team members of the group to houl in a gold medal for the country tally of the SEA Games. All that hardwork, long hours, enduring the pains and injuries, scoldings from the coaches and lots of personal sacrifices were all well worth it for that one moment on the podium. As we watched our flag being raised, the national anthem played and the stadium's full crowd standing in support of us, the feeling is beyond description.

I've been back to Manila twice 14 years after that memorable moment and I somehow don't recognize the place anymore. What did seem familiar were the body searches everywhere we went, whether at malls or hotels. Back then during the games, I remember we had personal guards boarding the bus with us and even chaperoned us when we went shopping. It was thrilling to us then. Now it's probably a different story.

Next one: Memories of Beijing

Eternity on Cloud 9

Yupe, me high and dizzy standing on Cloud 9.

Yeah right! More like a sick cat lying in bed nursing the flu. But the flu medication does give that Cloud 9 feeling - I don't feel my feet on the ground and things seem to be a mirage around me.

Lost my voice on Thursday and when I tried to force a small voice out of me, someone said I sounded like a 40-year old. Hmm...

Finally took medical leave on Friday to recover and it helped a lot. Maybe by now I sound like a 35-year old. By next week I should be back to my own age voice, and start climbing down the stairs from Cloud 9.

Why God gave us only 1 heart

Something to warm the soul. (Click on picture to view full size)

A picture paints a thousand words

Dinner on Friday was at Dave’s. Food was great and company was comforting. Whenever the 6 of us got together, we always bring out the gossipers in us and we spent the night updating, gossiping and making silly jokes. Needless to say we had a good time laughing. Since it’s one of the last dinners we’re gonna be getting together with CR, we took lots of pictures together. Our plan is to buy a nice picture frame and slot in a group picture of us. Hopefully that will carry us and the memories with her.

Oops!

Funny thing happened at work today. Let’s call this person X. X came to ask this girl and I out for lunch. We didn’t quite know X. In fact, I’ve not spoken with X before until then. Anyway, out of X’s nice gesture, we agreed to lunch together. I didn’t know X’s name and I asked this other girl what his name is. She asked “who are you talking about?” and I replied “the guy who just invited us for lunch la”. Her reply came “That is a HER!”

Thank God I found out in time otherwise I would have probably said or asked something embarrassing at lunch! I also found that it’s a very small world, because she knows some people that I know too. At that moment, I really thanked my lucky stars I didn’t say anything stupid!

Is it worth the time & frustrations?

I haven’t gotten used to it – the distance and traffic going to and from work. When I see the long queues, I get so disheartened and wonder why something can’t be done to our road systems. Or do something to improve public transport to reach high traffic areas.

On my 4th day of work, I was stuck in traffic for more than an hour. I realized that the jams were caused by the traffic policeman. The flow of traffic from different directions was given different priorities. On one direction, he allowed traffic to flow for minutes on end while for another, you could count how many cars got through. If we just go by the traffic lights, I think everyone would benefit more regular flow. So why plant a man there to cause jams???

While I was fuming mad in the car, I asked myself whether it’s worth it to travel the distance and be stuck in traffic like this every working day. Is it?

So good to be back in civilization

I'm back to where there is connection to the rest of the world just by a click of a button! =) Needless to say I'm grinning all the way. Life's not so gloomy after all...

Come on, bikers!

Is it the right of bikers to use the lane in the opposite side of the road when there's a jam on the side they're traveling on? I saw about 70% of the bikers doing that on a heavy-traffic road. What kind of mentality is that?? Bikers, if you don't value own your life, then respect other people's wishes of not wanting to run down a biker coming head-on in the wrong direction.

Another amusing story...traffic was slow moving and as usual, bikers just weaned their way through stuck cars. 2 bikers were doing just that side by side when one of them accidentally brushed the other. That started off a kick fight between the two. And no, they were not stationary when doing that. In fact, they were still manouvering their bikes inches away from cars on both sides, and kicking each other!!!

Thank goodness I wasn't one of the cars alongside them. Could imagine the nervousness of the drivers witnessing the fight just beside these jokers.

When you find a job you love, it's priceless

I've missed the internet so much!! Now I know it drives me nuts to be so disconnected from the rest of the world; no email, no IMs, not even surfing.

Anyway, kinda overwhelmed in the last 2 days by the many new people to get to know at the new office. I'm bad at recognizing faces and to match the correct names to the faces, even harder!

I love the job in terms of the job scope. Seems like the perfect kind of work for me and I look forward to getting right down to business. But before that, I have a darn steep learning curve go walk through. No, it's not just steep. It looks like a vertical line actually :(

Feel kinda useless not being able to contribute a single thing at a meeting on my 2nd day of work. But boss is wonderful, told me not to worry and that she'll give me the time I need to catch up. She's even sending me to get certified for the job! Can't wait!

I'm glad for the weekend. At least time for me to shake off that overwhelming feeling and mentally start to adapt to new people, new culture, new surroundings. Looking forward to unwind at a nice long lunch tomorrow with girl friends.

No posts until...

I won't have regular access to the internet after today. So not sure when the next post will come. I'm already missing it... *hugs blog*

The way of life

Sadly, it takes death to make us realise that life is fragile and unpredictable. It jolts us from taking our time on this place for granted. Let us cherish each other and treasure the moments that count.


Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight and ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush,
I am the swift upflinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

- Author unknown -

How to say goodbye

I'm not good at goodbyes. It's awkward, sad, painful and sometimes tear jerking. Tonite we're going for a so called farewell dinner. At the end of dinner and when it's time for us to go home, I don't know how to say goodbye. It's silly, they're still my friends and we'll still gonna catch up. It just feels different leaving them in a place I've made good memories with them. Life is such I guess, it moves on and hopefully the memories stay long enough to warm the days ahead.

Whacha lookin' at?

Was walking about at the mall the other day and according to Ray, people were eyeing my shirt. I didn't see for myself but I hope they were good stares. After all, I must admit (as perasan as it may sound) I had on a pretty cool shirt. Check out what it reads!

Ain't this just cool and desperate!

Pasar Ramadhan visit

Visited the Pasar Ramadhan at TTDI last night. It was filled with people and the aroma of grilled chicken, fish, squids and even otak-otak.

The queue was too long to wait and my patience was running low due to a growling stomach. By the time I was done, I had stormed up an appetite for everything and couldn't wait to get home! Though I didn't get any of the grilled stuff, I brought along with me the smell of them in my clothes and hair!

Change

Change is a wonderful thing that many may not see.
Change brings you closer to what you didn't imagine you could do;
Change makes you work harder to get what you want;
Change gives you the adrenaline rush in an otherwise dull place;
Change could break your heart but it could be a blessing in disguise;
Change is what makes you hold on to your dreams;
Change is what you look forward to when all seems dreadful;
Change is God's gift to mankind to bring a sense of hope and wonderment to life.

© 2005 eternityblogs.blogspot.com

Productive weekend

Weekend was just a short 2-day "vacation" which I normally feel I don't get enough time to do all that I wanna do. But for some reason, the last weekend was real productive. Did all my "domestic" chores that I've been so good at putting off.

Finally bathed the cats, got my much needed car washed and vacuumed, ate my "ice cream sandwich" that I've craved for months but too lazy to buy the buns and ice cream, and manicured my nails.

Went with Ray to the D brothers' "hometown" for dinner. It was pouring and we got lost and waited for about an hour to be "rescued". Dinner was simple but nice. Ray and I got sucked into playing 3-kaki mahjong and cho-tai-tee afterwards. We lost at each of our games but won the last hand just before we bade everyone farewell! *beaming with pride*

On Sunday I finally got my cup of Kopi-O =) Been craving that after I finished the meme.

My Sunday fix. Real strong one. Love the sepia look!

As with all my Sunday nights, I was looking forward to catch Tru Calling but Smallville was in its slot instead. Last week's episode was probably the ending of a season and I never knew! But there's still Flightplan to look forward to for this week.

Meme: Childhood Memories. It's all about food.

I've been tagged by Funky Cookies to continue this meme that calls for 5 childhood memories that relate to food. Most of my childhood memories of food stuff are closely related to my grandparents and cousins. Gets me nostalgic thinking of them. But anyway, here's going back in time and here are my selected 5.

1. Junk food galore
I don't have a sweet tooth but I sure fancied the little heavenly Sugus sweets which my grandfather bought me. In my heart, he was the best magician after David Copperfield. He would make a Sugus sweet appear out of no where. I've secretly ransacked his room looking for them but never found a trace. I loved the magical Sugus moments with grandfather. I also enjoyed the little pleasures of the plastic cup jellies that come in fruity flavours and the thinly sliced hawthorn-berry strips called Haw Flakes.

Love these jellies, especially when chilled.

The Haw Flakes rolls that I still enjoy till today.

2. Puttu mayam
I don't know what puttu mayam is called in English. It's a vermicelli-like noodle that's eaten with sweetened coconut crumbs and gula melaka. An Indian man used to drive his motorcycle in the backlane of our house every morning and when he honked, that was the cue for us to dash out and buy his puttu mayam for breakfast. They're hardly around these days.

3. Sunday brunch at Klang Bak Kut Teh
Grandma loved car rides. Every Sunday we would take a drive from KL to Klang for her favourite food, bak kut teh. We savoured every bowl of soup and meat. As kids, our favourites were the yau char kwai that we soaked in the bak kut teh soup. While studying overseas, I craved for yau char kwai and to my delight, found an almost similar substitute for them in Yorkshire puddings. No kidding!

A hot steaming pot of herbal broth with meat and mushroom was our favourite Sunday specials.

4. Tong yuen
My family used to celebrate "Kuo Tong" day. It is believed that this day is even more important than the Chinese New Year. I never knew much about the history of it but what I remember most is a bunch of us kids sitting around a table with aunties and uncles making tong yuen. Tong yuen is a sweet glutinous ball soup that families make on Kuo Tong day. I don't quite like it but I loved kneading the flour into perfect balls. Cousins and I would compete to see who made better ones. The house would be brightly lit and lively.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, who is the prettiest of us all?

5. Yau char kwai in Kopi-O
Another favourite breakfast of mine was to soak yau char kwai into black coffee. Love the aroma of the steaming coffee. Most times I only get to eat this when Mom and Dad have already left for work and my aunt gave me this treat.

That wraps up my 5 favourite childhood food memories.

The baton has been passed on from:
1. Oswego Tea
2. Masak-Masak
3. Funky Cookies
4. Eternity

I'm required to tag others to continue passing this baton. So here you go, lucky ones, enjoy!

1. FoodCrazee
2. Thinking Aloud
3. Foxynell
4. Jason Mumbles
5. Xmocha

If it were up to me

If it were up to me...
There would be no need for money
Everyone would be happy
Living a life freely.

If it were up to me...
There wouldn't be any violence
There is no such thing as vengeance
And everyone would have compassion.

If it were up to me...
People will love unconditionally
As we grow into the years of finality
We'll hold each other until eternity.

© 2005 eternityblogs.blogspot.com

Too old to 'lose' a friend

CR announced the news to us a couple months back when we went out for dinner. She and hubby are migrating to Perth. We were sad to hear that.

3 months have passed and maybe we forgot about her leaving. We went about our lives and each busy with work and personal stuff. Until today...CR came online and we started chatting. It's so sad that the time for her to leave has drawn closer.

Never easy to see a friend go. As we get older, our circle of "good friends", "best friends" and what-have-yous tend to get smaller. When one leaves, it's pretty hard to say goodbye.

Memories of Auckland

I was either 15 or 16. This trip was different from the other meets' trips because we had a large group going. The Group Exercise team was finally getting to compete.

We stayed in a place that was called a motel. I thought it would be dodgy but it is a pleasant place, with nice big French-styled windows. Each room was like a suite; we had a living room, bedroom, dining area and a small kitchen. WL, H and I shared the room.

Each day after the house-maid cleaned the room, she would leave a feedback card for us to rate her service. We rated her highly each time because she did a good job. Soon, we were leaving her little notes to say "good morning" and thank her for cleaning our mess. She never responded to the notes but we knew it made her feel appreciated.

We bought bars and bars of chocolates because we never got such huge bars back home, and at very cheap prices. We weren't allowed to eat them so they were mostly souvenirs for people at home. Since we were so filled with them, we decided to leave our house-maid some. We would leave her pretty pieces on top of her daily notes. I'm sure she never forgot that.

It was a lot of fun outside of the competition arena and I truly enjoyed Auckland with my friends. The memories of this trip that stayed with me aren't the places we got to see, the shopping we did nor the meet itself, but the images of our friendship.

Next stop: Memories of Manila.

Whose grass is greener?

Nobody likes changes. I'm no exception. But there are too many changes already.

Whilst some are supposed to be for the better, yet I can't feel it now. I try to tell myself it's just the anxiety and once I get the feel of things and adapt to the change, I will see the silver lining. Nevertheless it is still hard to stay upbeat and cheerful.

I realised that I shouldn't see things as being greener on the other side. For those on that side of the fence, they must have worked hard at getting the nicer patch. So if I wanted it, it shouldn't be as easy as to just hop on to that side. Rather I should put in the sweat and effort to make the greener pastures.

Sounds so easy. How i "trick" my mind to convince it to get out of the melancholy path. Talking is easy, doing it is another. Besides, who's gonna hold me responsible even if I don't make my own grass greener and just go to the neighbour's?

If I stick a couple of these inspirational quotes with serene pictures in front of me, will it help?

Goodbye lunch buddies

As the fasting month approaches, and my imminent Freedom Day is just around the corner, I'm getting quite sad at not being here to enjoy lunch with my fellow colleagues soon. Though we don't always eat together, but when we do there is a sense of belonging and friendship. As they start fasting in the next few days, I'll be alone wandering the place and eating by myself. And soon, I'll be gone from here and will really miss them =(

What are you made for?

Over the weekend I had lots of intriguing questions for myself. And no answers. Wonder if anyone out there have answers to such questions relating to themselves...

What's the meaning of one's life? What is the purpose of your being here? Is it to fulfill someone else's life, or bring life to others, to live a life for others or self, to bring meaning and joy to someone or something else, to fulfill a destiny or a task of some sort, to make peace with something left unfinished, to repent past sins?

If you never find the purpose of your life, and your time is up, would you have to re-live another life to fulfill that same purpose?