Being Sharon Joy

My carrot cake is a success!

2011-02-18T10:57:00.001+08:00

Husband loved it.

Grampa loved it.

I loved it.

Recipe: (from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

4 eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.

LOL LOLLING

2010-10-01T04:17:00.001+08:00

Lucien Oscar Loper – LOL living up to his initials

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2010-10-01T04:08:00.001+08:00

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Perceptions

2010-08-17T13:03:00.001+08:00

[...]

Lucien in What A Wonderful World

2010-08-13T03:38:00.001+08:00

Lucien @ 2 months in Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World.

The Boonjing at the TEVA Games

2010-06-04T12:08:00.001+08:00

I don't care that he didn't win. I'm still mighty proud of my boonjing.

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Update WP Blog from Blackberry?

2010-05-31T07:55:00.001+08:00

Why not? :) This is my first blog post from my BB Curve. This is a test.

Project 52, Week 11: Spring Has Sprung

2010-03-23T11:14:00.001+08:00

It's a beautiful day. That's my beautiful man.

Project 52, Week 10: Movie Nights

2010-03-23T11:05:00.001+08:00

We both love movies so almost every night, we'd download a movie and watch it from his Macbook and every night, this is how we'd look like in the couch.

DVDFab "DVD to DVD"

2010-03-18T17:31:00.001+08:00

DVDFab "DVD to DVD" option is the most powerful and flexible DVD copying/burning software. With 8 copy modes, you can back up any DVD to DVDR in just one or a few clicks.

Get it here!

Project 52, Week 9: Lemons

2010-03-13T11:33:00.001+08:00

I bought a used printer from eBay and this is how it arrived to me.

Seller didn't bother wrapping it properly and the box it came in with was too big for it. Go figure.

So the husband finally opened his Facebook and this is what he asked me…

2010-03-11T12:19:00.001+08:00

"Baby, someone invited me to Farmville, should I accept it?"

I almost spewed orange juice all over my laptop.

My Mom Has Joined Facebook

2010-03-07T04:17:00.001+08:00

You know what that means. It's the end of my life in the interwebs as I know it.

Project 52, Week 8: Tiled

2010-03-03T15:36:00.001+08:00

The tiles we made for our kitchen wall is almost finished. Just waiting to be painted and clear glazed over.

A few out of the 40 something tiles we made from clay. It pays to have a mother-in-law that knows art.

When I Can’t Go Out Because I’m Feeling Under the Weather

2010-02-28T03:39:00.000+08:00

I turn on my 80's music and dance myself silly.

Project 52, Week 7: Blink

2010-02-25T13:01:00.001+08:00

Tried to capture a picture of Stella, Ian's German shorthaired pointer, and the abandoned puppy he found at some restroom. I was only able to take one photo of them when my camera's battery ran out.. FAIL.

Project 52, Week 7: Super Bowl XLIV

2010-02-20T02:00:00.001+08:00

Hung out at Sarah Baskins's house to watch Super Bowl XLIV last week with friends. There was booze and all sorts of delicious (i.e. unhealthy) food.

I think we have something similar in the Philippines. It's called a Manny Pacquiao Match.

The boys watching The Simpsons while waiting for the Super Bowl game to start.

Project 52, Week 6: To The Man I Love…

2010-02-08T01:12:00.001+08:00

You are the only being in this world who can drive me crazy. (And there's going to be two of you soon. So help me god.)

You're the boonjingest bonjing of them all and I'm madly in love with you.

Happy 28th birthday, my dear husband. I love you so much!

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Project 52, Week 5: Baby, we’re halfway there.

2010-01-31T12:23:00.001+08:00

I am now 20 weeks pregnant, halfway through my pregnancy.

Winter Stills

2010-01-28T05:04:00.001+08:00

Some photos I've captured from our Sunday walk.

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Love means…

2010-01-24T04:43:00.001+08:00

Sharing the Wiimote and letting her play your game… even when it mean she'll get your character killed.

Project 52, Week 3: I Spy With My Little Eye

2010-01-18T11:16:00.001+08:00

This is Eli at Doug's place. He says he likes looking for car chases.

You know what our fridge’s built in ice crusher means to me?

2010-01-12T05:08:00.001+08:00

Unlimited smoothies and shakes for me, ANYFUCKING TIME OF THE DAY!

Yeah!!! Now I don't have to smash ice cubes against the wall to crush them. I heart technology.

Current favorite: Banana + peanut butter milk shake.

The Name Hunt Begins.

2010-01-11T03:43:00.000+08:00

Now that we know that we're having a boy, we've started the name hunt. I've been thinking a lot about it that I've been dreaming about different people. Last night, I dreamt of King David. I would say David has a lot of significance to me. While reading the bible (when I was was still in school) I learned that before he became king, David grazed his herds in the fields of a place called Sharon (where The Rose of Sharon grows). Another significance is I have also been always interested in the Star of David. And David beat Goliath, and so on and so forth…

Thus, DAVID is included in the roll of names we will consider.

Your suggestions are also more than welcome :)

Project 52

2010-01-10T13:22:00.001+08:00

There's the Project 365 where people take a photo everyday for 1 year but I'm a lazy slob so I'm just gonna do a Project 52 where I'll pick my photo for the week. Since it's already a week late, I'll upload two photos today. For last week, and this week.

Project 52 – Week 1: New Year, New Job

New Year. I want a new job. Thus, I need to create a resume. And at first I thought it'd be nice to include an ID photo of myself in my resume but I'm too cheap to have it taken in a studio so I took photos of myself in the bathroom. LOL

Later on I dropped the idea of putting an ID photo of myself in my resume. I think resumes appear more professional when there isn't a face grinning from ear to ear on it. Did it work? I'd say 3 job offers says so.

Project 52 – Week 2: Home Improvements

Eli wanted to do some home improvements before the baby comes so the house is a total mess at the moment. He has a lot of ideas but I'm not excited about his idea of creating climbing walls out of our living room walls though. My husband. Such an eccentric being.

[...]

Guess what! :D

2010-01-10T12:24:00.001+08:00

We're having a boy!

I thought we were having a girl because old wives tales were pointing to that direction but I guess it isn't always so. :)

Eli and I are very excited. Time to start the name hunt!

I knew it.

2010-01-10T12:01:00.001+08:00

As expected, I have accomplished so much more since closing my Facebook account.

Hot cocoa

2010-01-05T10:31:00.001+08:00

…after a winter hike is made in heaven.

Wow. It’s Another New Year.

2010-01-02T02:45:00.001+08:00

Well, bring it on 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T14:57:00.001+08:00

This was my first white christmas in a winter wonderland. When I come to think of it, it is a childhood fantasy come true.

Though I miss my family in the Philippines this Christmas, I had a really great time with my new family here in Colorado. Though it's freezing cold outside, it feels good inside. Love is truly everywhere. I enjoy being with them. They are absolutely loads of fun, and not to mention absolutely amazing in the kitchen. I'm glad I'm not on a diet now.

It has been a truly wonderful Christmas.

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I sent presents to my family in Iloilo…

2009-12-20T11:05:00.001+08:00

I had a note placed outside the packages that said "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL NOCHE BUENA"

Guess what. Of course it didn't stay closed until Noche Buena!

But then, I kind of expected that to happen already. Not following instructions. It runs in the family.

Why I know I married the right man.

2009-12-19T05:16:00.001+08:00

Because he sings:

?? My wife is psychotic but I still fucking love her… ??

My first attempt at Bicol Express was made of success!

2009-12-18T13:26:00.001+08:00

I loved it. But then, I love anything with gata (coconut milk). My husband loved it too.

Here's my version of the hot Pinoy favorite:

1/2 kilo pork, cut into 1" cubes
1 cup serrano peppers thinly cut (or jalapenos)
1 tbsp chili powder
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 onion, minced
1 1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup shitake mushrooms thinly sliced
Salt and pepper

Directions

Brown pork with a little oil for a few minutes,
In another pan sauté garlic, onion, mushrooms and serrano peppers. Add the pork when onions look transparent.
Pour in coconut milk, and bring to a boil and then stir
Add in chili powder and cook until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Had my first prenatal ultrasound today…

2009-12-18T10:40:00.001+08:00

Doctor said my baby is bigger than he/she's supposed to be for his/her age, but he said it's within normal expectations.

He also said baby moves a lot. Why am I not surprised. (By this time Eli can't stop talking and interrupting)

Then baby starts to hiccup… and I fell deeply in love.

Went through Eli’s old stuff and saw photos of ex-girlfriends…

2009-12-18T03:18:00.001+08:00

What went through my mind?

I thought, boy, he sure has had hot ex-girlfriends.

Am I jealous?

Should I be?

I mean, it is I that he married after all. If there's anybody that should get jealous, it's them.

Teehee ^.^

Excited for tomorrow!

2009-12-17T08:14:00.001+08:00

It's my first pre-natal appointment :D

My favorite website at the moment: http://www.recipepuppy.com/ Here’s why.

2009-12-17T02:59:00.001+08:00

Often times, I have all these stuff in the fridge and cupboard but I don't know what to do with it. Recipe Puppy is an ingredient based recipe search engine so you just type in what you have in your inventory right now, and it will run a search on major cooking sites to find recipes that mentions your ingredients.

Isn't that just freaking awesome?!

Work dammit. Work.

2009-12-16T16:26:00.001+08:00

Aha! I know how you looked like about 10 summers ago.

2009-12-16T13:15:00.001+08:00

I know. I'm stalking my own husband. LOL

Wow. I’m being bribed with chocolate and coffee ice cream to make pork adobo again. And this even ain’t by my husband.

2009-12-16T12:19:00.001+08:00

My husband's friend who was here the night I made pork adobo called Eli to ask for the pork adobo recipe and since Eli doesn't know how to cook it, he passed the phone to me. Ian then tells me that he's in the store to buy whatever I need to cook pork adobo tonight and is going to buy me my favorite ice cream too.

Welp, anything for my Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

It’s been a while since I last updated this blog.

2009-12-15T14:49:00.001+08:00

I just watched the movie Julie and Julia and it kind of reminded me that I have a blog here, and inspired me to write again.

I don't plan to cook 524 recipes in 365 days, but I have been trying my hands on cooking, and I should blog about it along with other things I'd like to write about.

There's so many things I want to do, but I can't make up my mind. Paint? Crafts? Photography?

Oh I know what I need to do first. MAKE MONEY.

Roadtrip to Las Vegas

2009-12-05T02:37:00.001+08:00

We stayed 4 days 3 nights at Caesars Palace and for our entire stay there, I only ate seafood that I developed rashes on my thighs but I didn't care because it was worth it.

Was finally able to watch Cirque du Soliel's "O" show which was absolutely afuckingmazing. It's a childhood dream come true.

I forgot my DSLR though so I had to settle with my Blackberry Curve's camera.

Las Vegas is like being in another world… you see people who aren't afraid to risk it all and fuck it all, performers who seem to be not human, extreme emotions, bad vibes and good vibes abound, the energy, the force, and hedonistic souls who has no regards to what has been defined as moral.

It is superficial, yet profound.

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Finally! Our Wedding Photos

2009-11-27T12:56:00.001+08:00

It was a crazy, hilarious, and fun wedding. Couldn't have wanted it any better!

Taken from here.

Sharon and Eli’s Wedding Video

2009-11-17T03:54:00.001+08:00

Our wedding was broadcasted live on the web via ustream.tv, but for those who missed it, here's the highight.

Colorado

2009-10-10T02:25:00.001+08:00

This place is mind blowing beautiful.

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The Borneo Adventures

2009-09-17T14:53:00.001+08:00

September 6 to 14

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This Video is made of EPIC win.

2009-09-04T20:36:00.001+08:00

I just couldn't stop laughing. This video absolutely made my day.

(Thanks to Floyd for sharing)

Coolest Wedding Invitation EVAR.

2009-08-29T21:59:00.001+08:00

I was thinking of a concept for a digital wedding invitation and I stumbled upon this video. It absolutely rocks! And I love the music they used, Vampire Weekend's M79.

I have a new domain!

2009-06-03T12:56:00.002+08:00

Please go to http://taoacc.com

Confessions of A Maldita

2009-03-12T18:59:00.000+08:00

No wonder you hate me so much. Your long-time crush is marrying me.

A Night at the Shangrila

2009-02-24T09:40:00.000+08:00

Spent a night at the Shangrila to escape the city for a while.

Click image for photos.

HALP! My Bike Has Been Stolen!

2009-02-22T16:31:00.000+08:00

My bike got stolen yesterday. Eli rode and left it unlocked at Golden Peak's car park. We never really bothered locking it because there was a guard, and we've left it there unlocked many times already and it was always where we left it -- until yesterday.

If you see a white Jamis 2009 Trail X2, please let us know if it fits this description:

This is how it looks:

I WANT MY BIKE BACK :((

Please help me find it...

An Open Letter to Fate

2009-02-22T14:32:00.000+08:00

Dear Fate,

You really need to improve your sense of timing. Like for example, when we are given a free night at Shagri-la Mactan, try to schedule it well so it doesn't fall on my goddamn bloody PERIOD.

Yours truly,
Sharon

EA's Cookout - February 21

2009-02-22T14:15:00.000+08:00

We usually have a theme for the cookout but this one came out random. So random that I randomly decided to not cook anything and just eat.

Well, I toasted bread so I wasn't that useless.

Click image for photos.

Valentines Day With The Bonjing

2009-02-22T13:57:00.000+08:00

My caveman bonjing can be romantic afterall.

Click image for photos.

What The Ha?

2009-02-10T20:11:00.000+08:00

"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." - Oscar Wilde

So there's an on going rumor in the office that I'm pregnant. All I could say about it was, "I am?"

Ehe.

Eli's Birthday Surprise

2009-02-07T08:04:00.000+08:00

Minutes before the stroke of midnight of February 7, Cath, Ced, Lineth, Nino, Sebastain, Aime and I rushed to Golden Peak Hotel to surprise Eli as soon as his birthday arrives. As soon as we got to the 20th floor, we went to the fire exit so I can light the candles there. Then I call Emi, my accomplice inside the office to tell Eli someone's looking for him. By now I was close to freaking out because them candles were darn excited to burn! Some of them are close to being gone. Luckily, Eli has ordered pizza and he though his pizza has arrived. Then he comes out of the office and got his pleasant surprise.

Thanks to Cath, Ced, Lineth, Nino, Sebastain, and Aime for going out of their way to greet the bonjing, and Aime for the photos.

Click image for photos.

Hala Bira! - Sinulog 2009

2009-01-23T20:01:00.000+08:00

Eli's camera ran out of juice early so I wasn't able to capture a lot of photos. Therefore, I shall steal some photos from friends to fatten this album up a lil bit.

Hurhurhur. Thanks to Aime's and Liliane's photo albums LOL

Click image for photos.

Sniffle.

2009-01-22T22:59:00.000+08:00

As an adult, the thing I don't like about being sick is knowing that Royal Tru-Orange and Skyflakes don't cure it anymore...

the way it used to when I was a kid... because mama said so.

Goddamn These PMS!

2009-01-19T23:52:00.002+08:00

God must have enjoyed watching women get annoyed so much that he designed to fuck up our hormones for a certain period every month for his entertainment purposes.

The Ex-vegetarian

2009-01-08T19:03:00.000+08:00

First, his curly hair shaved off. Now, his being vegetarian.

This is Eli's first sushi and sashimi meal after a year of being vegan.
Click image for photos.

The Outpost Restobar

2009-01-06T12:32:00.002+08:00

The Outpost is located at 976-A Veteran’s Drive, Lahug, Cebu City but it would be more helpful for cab drivers if you tell them it’s near Neville Hills, just before Cosmopolitan. They’re more familiar with that description. Outside, The Outpost does not look like a restaurant or a bar at all—it looks like a house with a big balcony. That’s because it used to be house that was considered haunted and no one has lived there for years. Since it has been converted into a bar and restaurant, The Outpost has been one of the favourite hang-out place of local artists, musicians, eclectics, outdoor enthusiasts, music lovers and travellers.

Perhaps because of its history and structure of looking like a house, The Outpost has a very homey feeling. Another reason perhaps is that you’ll notice that most of its customers are not particular with how they dress and act. You don’t have to shave, put on make-up, or wear high-heels and all that jazz to go there. You can even wear your house flip-flops and you won’t feel out of place or dressed inappropriately. However, I think everyone would appreciate it if you at least take a shower if you haven’t showered since yesterday.

There’s a live band almost every night. The genre of music the bands that play at The Outpost are blues, jazz, rock, reggae, latin, acoustic but definitely no “show bands”.

As for food and drinks, The Outpost is relatively cheaper than most established bars and restaurants in the city. They have a wide variety of food, from Mexican, to Italian to Filipino. They also have vegetarian friendly food. My favourite so far is their Pasta ala Pesto and The Outpost Sampler. Beer and drink prices are very competitive and if you are feeling adventurous, you can mix your own at the bar. There’s no entrance fee and the staff are great.

Those who drive cars might find it hard to find parking because The Oupost doesn’t exactly have a gigantic car park. Most customers who can’t find space in the front yard usually have to park their cars by the side of the road, but pay attention when the guard starts yelling “TOWERS!” That’s one of my favourite sights too. When all these car owners dash to their cars to move it so it doesn’t get towed.

Conversations In My Head: When People Change

2009-01-02T17:02:00.000+08:00

I remember back when we were kids and we'd write in each other's "slum book" and leave our friends messages such as "Please never change."

I have come to realize it is not right to tell someone to not change. People will change and so do our friends, and even our families. I change too. In fact I think I'm always changing. It doesn't matter whether for the good or for the worse. Circumstances and experiences cause us to always evolve. Do not take it against someone if they don't seem to be who you used to think them to be. They do not live for you, so do not expect them to always conform to your expectations. Let them grow in their own time and fashion. Do not expect the caterpillar to always stay a caterpillar.

An Awesome Party To End An Awesome Year and Welcome 2009

2009-01-01T16:37:00.000+08:00

Spent the new year with the couchsurfers who are in Cebu at the moment at Kris the Iceman's rooftop. There was so much booze for everyone that I was having 2 glasses of different kinds at one time and Eli got pissed drunk at around 2AM.

Racky, as usual, started a food fight that got people running here and there around the roof and Eli, as a result, lost his shirt because he took it off to avoid it from getting dirty.

Fireworks were going off in the wrong places and sent everyone running for cover in the safest area they can find, like on the head of the person sitting on the sofa in the corner for example.

Then we all went to the Iceman's room to, err... rest. We broke his bed that was worth a month's rent instead.

Eli and I went home happy drunk.

Photos below. Some were stolen from Aime's and Racky's albums teehee!

Click image for photos.

Year-end Shoutout

2008-12-30T19:29:00.000+08:00

Guys, it has been an a-fucking-mazing 2008. I loved every moment of it.

Thank you all.

Look Who I Painted...

2008-12-29T13:08:00.000+08:00

because I was bored.

Click image for photos.

Embarrassed

2008-12-16T07:07:00.000+08:00

Embarrassed: an emotion brought upon by asking the boyfriend whose photos were those he accidentally removes from his bag, only to realize they were of you and your ex-boyfriend which he found in the office because they were left there a long time ago.

Teehee. Oops?

The Tacloban Mini Adventure Race

2008-12-09T17:34:00.000+08:00

November 27, 2008

We went to Tacloban because Eli's company sponsored 2 teams, and he was in the race himself. All I can say is that Sandra, Sebastian and I are royally pissed that we didn't make the registration because we so wanted to be in that race and get our asses pawned and owned. So we just followed the racers around and got drunk when we couldn't catch up.

Anyway, Eli's team finished 17th out of 41 teams. Howell.

Click image for photos.

The Surigao Adventure

2008-12-09T16:57:00.001+08:00

Eli tells me that he wanted to go along with his friends to Lanuza, Surigao for the surf competition. We both had no idea what to expect. We just packed a week's worth of clothing.

November 15, 2008

12 of us get on a huge pumpboat for a 20 hour ride to Lanuza, Surigao from Cebu. We left Cebu at around 7.30PM. No electricity, no reclining seats, no beds, no comfort lounges. Just hard wood for sitting and sleeping on, tarpaulin to protect us from rain and wind, jackets, blankets and Tanduay to keep as warm, dutchie to pass around, a firewood burner to cook our food and the big pumpboat to take us from point A to point B. At around 9PM we were rained on heavily but luckily, we had more tarpaulin to protect our bags and reinforce our shelter. The boys were braving the rain and wind to secure more covering it felt like we were hardcore fishermen or pirates in movies when they shout at the top of their lungs to get their messages across. Since we had no electricity, we had to rely on battery operated lamps for some light. You know there's at least 9 more hours you have to spend in the darkness, at least 20 more hours on an unpredictable weather, and the unforgiving ocean. I told Eli that it was the kind of adveture I'd gladly pay for.

November 16, 2008

At around midnight the sky was in all its glory. The stars were all out it makes you want to cry. You can't see that many stars in the city when the sky is blocked by the smog. Eli and I were making out constellations. There was not a cloud in the sky you could make up a computer matrix out of the stars. Afuckingmazing.

We fell asleep at almost 3AM and woke up at around 9AM. Storytelling, eating, sightseeing and more sleeping the rest of the day and we arrived Lanuza at around 6PM. Problem: The waves are too strong for the boat to come into shore.

Trial and Error: Use the smaller pumboat to bring us into shore.
Result: Smaller pumpboat was swallowed by a wave and capsizes.

Solution: Let the surfers ride the waves on their board to shore to find a local with a paddle boat because a paddle boat can better be controlled in big waves. Like kayaking.

It's dark now. We can't even see the shore anymore. Just a few yellow lights coming from the houses. We even thought we had to spend another night on the boat because there aren't any paddle boats yet, and it's too dark. We cooked some oats because we were getting really hungry. Soon, the paddle boat came and though we were all brought safely to shore, the paddle boat was a little adventure on itself. Seeing what happened to the pumpboat earlier that got capsized, I wanted to hold my breath and never make any movemements. The locals who paddled know their shit. I thought they would just leisurely paddle to shore. Uh-uh. You have got to have timing. The wave breaks and it could swallow up your boat. We had to wait for a three waves to come in before they paddled like crazy to catch up with the speed the 4th wave so we could be pushed to the shore.

We were supposed to stay at Rob the tripper's place. But where is he? His phone is dead. Luckily Aileen, a local with an Aussie hubby who also surfs happens to be there on the shore when we arrived. She invited us to stay in her house for the night. We meet her husband Jeff who is a surfer too, and they seem glad to have us around, maybe because there aren't a lot of visitors there and Jeff is glad to be in the company of fellow surfers. Oh, and they have a huge beautiful beach house with a really nice garden. We retired early that night. Eli bought 2 hammocks from Juan who owns Driftwood Enterprise. I slept on my hammock for one week and I loved my hammock.

Rob arrived later in the evening but we decided to stay at Jeff's place for the night and transfer to Rob's the next day.

November 17, 2008

We ride a jeepney to Rob's place and I got to ride on the roof. You can't do that in the city and hell I ain't passing this chance to ride on the jeepney's roof.

The rest of the week we just totally chilled out and detached ourselves from the rest of the world. We got to relive the days when boiling water takes almost an hour because we still had to gather firewood, start fire, and keep the fire burning by blowing or fanning it. I loved it. So basic, so primal.

Rob's house is right on the shore and the waves were big. When you sleep at night, it's not the calming sound of waves that you hear... it's the drumlike sound of the big waves and the crashing sound when they crash into the rocks. Sometimes it makes you afraid. Sometimes, it makes you feel a wave will engulf the whole house. Surfers come to this place during this time of the year because the waves are big. They're big they almost drowned me. I kid you not. And I even know how to swim. But I had been used to calm beaches. I had not experienced rough and big waves before, but they're Eli's cup of tea. If Eli had not been there, I am convinced I'd have been dead now. I panicked so much I felt I wanted to bawl and cry while swimming to shore for my life. It's not like you can just walk out as soon as you touch the sea floor. The waves will swallow you and drag you back to the sea. But that didn't stop me. The next day, I went back in but this time, with a body surf board, and I learned to paddle myself to the sea.

We went back to Cebu by passenger boat this time on November 23rd. I miss Surigao. I can't wait to go back there in February.

Click image for photos.

Click image for photos.

No Plastic Please, Thank You.

2008-12-03T05:31:00.000+08:00

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Gandhi

You have no right to complain about the pollution when you yourself is contributing to it. I'm not going to play self-righteous here because I have contributed to the pollution the moment my mother popped me into the world. God knows how many plastic bottles, wrappers, bags I've thrown and littered in this lifetime. I've been driving a car since I was in college until I moved to Cebu but then I always took a cab while living here. I've always been aware of the planet's environmental problem but didn't really bother doing anything about it, and been acting indifferent because I was under the mind set that the wrapper or plastic I hold on to until I find a garbage bin won't even make a slight difference to the present situation. And I was too selfish to compromise my convenience.

And then I saw Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth". The scene about the frog in a boiling water hit home. It showed that if a frog jumps into a pot of boiling water, the frog's initial reflex is to jump out of the pan again. But, if the same frog jumps into a pot of cool water, then turn on the stove to slowly bring the water to a boiling point, the frog WON'T do anything. It will notice that the water is warmer than it used to be but still won't budge and even though the water continues to become hotter, it still won't budge because the frog is either so stupid, or so lazy, that it chooses to get used to the water becoming hotter and hotter than moving its ass out of it. And not only that, stupid, lazy frog still sits in there even when the water is dangerously hot, waiting to be rescued.

This is used to illustrate how humans ignore problems that build up slowly,and when the problem is becoming unbearable, they will still continue with the way they live their lives, but this time, they start complaining and asking why anyone isn't doing something about it. They're looking for a hero to rescue their asses out of the stinky situation they've put themselves into in the first place.

So I've turned into a tree hugger. Big fucking deal right? Now, I bring my own bag in the grocery store and ask the baggers to put my purchases right into my bag instead of using plastic bags. A lot of times, the baggers and cashiers would have the this-girl-is-weird look in their faces. Now, I ride my bike (not motorbike) with Eli going to the office or mall or anywhere that's not too far or too dangerous for me (I'm not as good as Eli yet in heavy traffic). Now, I put my trash in my bag or pocket or hold on to it until I find a trash bin.

I may not be perfect in my attempt to save the planet but at least now I am doing something and not just yack about how polluted our city is and contribute to the pollution when my convenience is compromised.

All I ask now is directed to car, cabs and jeepney drivers to be tolerant of bikers and skaters because we are compromising our comfort, convenience, health and safety for the good of the planet. I also hope we can still reverse the effect we have caused to our planet.

Obama

2008-11-06T16:54:00.000+08:00

I squealed for joy when I found out yesterday morning that Barack Obama had won.

Change has indeed finally come.

Fucking Finally.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

2008-11-04T11:39:00.000+08:00

I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
- Queen, Bicycle Race

2009 Trail X2

Color: Bone

Enduro II frame design with lightweight but strong 7005 alloy tubes with XC suspension fork, 60mm travle, Weinmann ZAC 19 double walled rims with alloy QR disc brake hubs with CST XC knobbie 26x1.95 tires, 21-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain with Tektro IO mechanical disc brakes & forged alloy cranks, Jamis XC riser bars, stem & alloy post with Jamis ATB SL saddle.

Honestly, I don't understand half of the shit in the description. All I know is that my new bike looks hot, and it rides sweeeet.

My new Jamis Hardtail 2009 Trail X2. Let me show you it.

Imagine

2008-09-30T15:33:00.001+08:00

Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace John Lennon – Imagine 1971

I don’t know how it can be done, but I’ve always been a believer that anything is possible. I dream, that one day, there will be no more countries. A world free of borders. We can still choose to believe what we choose to believe, we can still choose to speak the language we like, we can still choose to keep the cultures and traditions we grew up into. But only this time, we live as one world. One mankind. There will be no more wars between countries. We can all share everyone’s resources. After all, we didn’t build Earth. We didn’t build the ocean, we didn’t build the mountains, we didn’t build the dessert. The whole world is for all people. Why should only one group of people enjoy a resource that happens to be only available in their country? We can set up one government to govern the whole world to keep things in place. Like, the United Nations perhaps. But it won’t be called United Nations Organization anymore because we are just nation or one world now. Perhaps we can call it United Mankind Organization? One World Organization? LOL. Seriously! Or how about The Republic of Earthlings? And we only need one monetary currency so we don’t have to cut each other’s throats trying to keep the nation’s economy afloat. Besides, converting money is such a pain in the ass. In Cambodia, almost all stores accept three currencies, so they set 3 different prices for an item (in Cambodian Riel, in Thai Baht, and in US dollar). Just buying a cup of coffee or bread can be a mentally tiring experience. I wanted to figure out on which currency I could save most so I have to convert all three to Philippines Peso before I can decide which currency to use. And every store has different conversion rates, and everyday, conversion rates change, so go figure.

You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one John Lennon – Imagine 1971

Thought For The Day

2008-09-30T14:12:00.002+08:00

Cebu Couchsurfers Group Surfs The Outpost Couch!

2008-09-26T19:44:00.000+08:00

September 19, 2008

Wasn't able to take a lot of photos but Aime here didn't miss a single Kodak moment.

Luna Oblivione

2008-09-26T16:15:00.000+08:00

I was 11 back then. And I saw her, and she was tall, and she was beautiful, and she was mysterious... like she didn't belong in this world. Her eyes had the look of always asking... perhaps, asking how she ended up in this strange world. I was a child, and she was a child. I was a curious child (still am), and she was... interesting. Curious children always poke their noses into anything interesting.

So I worked my way to make friends with her and came to find out many things about her. One of which is she has the coolest name I've ever heard. Margaux Phoenix (Margaux is pronounced mär - gō). How fucking cool is that! I wish my parents were more creative. I always wondered if there was anyway I could change my name. Sharon Joy *snort* I did try to imagine having a different name when I was 13. I imagined my name to be... Sandra. OK! So I didn't have much of an imagination. Sue me. And she can draw. (I always tried to imitate the way she drew), and she's smart as hell. She's actually 6 months younger than me but she's a year ahead of me in school.

We have had a fun and interesting childhood. We grew up on top of a hill, in a village within a forest in Surigao del Sur. I kid you not. That's why we talk of monkeys, and swamps, and walking on trails inside a forest. It's not unusual for us to find snakes inside our houses. She used to have a spy book and we tried to learn it so we could send coded messages to each other. And I still remember the codes we used. Hahaha!

When I was turning 15, my family had me and my sister have a vacation in Iloilo. I didn't know that I was never going back. My dad got a job in Indonesia and they decided that the family move back to Iloilo. I never had the chance to say good-bye to my friends, and to Margx. I can't really remember now if I had taken to writing her. I think I have, but never really continued. You know, everything was new to me, I had to make adjustments, make new friends... Ok. Fine. I was lazy. And kids always take things for granted...

More than four years ago, I started looking for her on the internet. It took me 2 years to find her. And for 2 years we tried to catch up on each others' lives. She now lives in Finland with her husband. Finally, she sends news that she's coming to visit the Philippines. I was so happy to see her again. We decided to meet in Cebu and so I flew in to meet her.

She's still tall, and she's still beautiful, and she's still the mysterious girl I've always known. We may have only spent 2 days together in Cebu but that has been one of the most memorable times I've ever had.

Ours is a friendship that transcends time, distance and space. She's one of the few people I have considered a soul mate if such a thing exists. I am convinced it does, and it is not exclusive to a romantic partner. We lead very different lives, yet we connect. Not out of similar interests, or similar circumstances or common grounds.

In my opinion, there is no such thing as "not a true" friend. People have a tendency to label someone who won't stand up alongside them in times of adversities as fake friends. I don't expect all my friends to go through thick and thin for me, and for those who won't, that doesn't diminish them in my eyes. It doesn't mean they're less worthy or they're not true friends. I know they would stick through thick and thin for someone else, but not for me and I respect that. Never judge a person even if you've been in their shoes. Because you're not them, and they're not you. We're all different.

Wait, I think I got side-tracked.

Anyway, Nick, I love you, and I fucking miss you already.

Philosophy. Do You Can Has It Too?

2008-08-01T14:42:00.001+08:00

When I was in college, I never learned anything in our Philosophy class because our teacher didn't make any sense, didn't know what he was talking about, was either absent or late and would sleep while we were having our exams. So I thought the subject was just a waste of time and a bunch of bullcrap, but we rejoiced when it was Philosophy class because we'd be almost sure the teacher was going to be absent.

After reading the book "Sophie's World", it completely changed my view on Philosophy and I realize now that I am resentful of our Philosophy teacher because he denied us the chance of understanding what Philosophy is really about. It could have easily been my fave subject. (If you haven't read it yet, you should.)

Philosophy to me is the art of thinking, and the subject is Life itself. Not to mention that it's a good and fun topic during drunken states. LOL! The only truth about life I have ever fully established myself to believe in without a doubt is that even if I live for three thousands years, I will never be able to fully fathom the mystery of the universe. (But I'm sure I'll be able to draw. Thanks Goethe.) But I will never stop myself from opening my mind. I will always be a student of the universe.

Got Couch?

2008-07-28T06:56:00.000+08:00

I think it's one of most brilliant ideas of our generation - Me

If I remember correctly, I first heard of couchsurfing.com from Mich, then from Vera. I've always been fond of cultural exchange (thus my love for traveling), having conversations with people that has come from different perspectives, upbringing, and environment, and helping make a friendlier and more peaceful world.

The CouchSurfing 2.0 Project: Our Mission

Participate in Creating a Better World, One Couch at a Time

CouchSurfing seeks to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding.

As a community we strive to do our individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and we believe that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal.

CouchSurfing is not about the furniture, not just about finding free accommodations around the world; it's about making connections worldwide. We make the world a better place by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!

Read more about The Couchsurfing Project here. If you agree with the project's mission and created your own CS profile, you may add me as your CS friend.

My CS profile: http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/vishadomini

Let's help make the world a smaller place, one couch at a time.

Into The Wild

2008-07-27T21:38:00.001+08:00

I haven't read the book yet, but I will. This blog is about the movie.

Plot summary from imdb.com:
Based on a true story. After graduating from Emory University in 1992, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandoned his possessions, gave his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhiked to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters who shape his life.

I saw this movie in my guesthouse in Cambodia. After the movie, I just sat there, overwhelmed and unable to say anything for a while. I couldn't stop thinking about the movie for days. The reason that it had so much impact on me was because I saw it while I was backpacking on my own, and because I share his philosophy in life.

I'm not going to talk about my philosophies here, nor am I going to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it yet, but I am going to tell you this: Watch it.

Here's the trailer for the movie:

United Colors for United Nation

2008-07-26T15:51:00.000+08:00

It was a very colorful night. But above all, it was one absofuckinglutely fun night at The Outpost! I love it when people from around the world come and gather for the same cause: JUST ENJOY THE MUSIC AND HAVE FUN.

Click image for photos.

KL With My Baby Brother

2008-07-25T07:10:00.000+08:00

Kuala Lumpur was my first and last stop on this journey and such a nice finale to be met by a person I love so much. Oscar, our youngest in the family. Well, he's not a baby anymore, but he'll always be to me (much to his dislike) LOL.

He graduated nursing last year and is among the Top 20 nursing board examinees when he took the Licensure Exams. I'm just mighty proud of him.

He was only there for 1 day (me 3) so all we did together was eat as much as we can, and go to the Petronas towers. :D He was going to Sarawak to visit the parents after.

And because Lineth said I should miss the Reggae Bar, I didn't miss it the second time around. :)

Click image for photos.

My Tat

2008-07-24T20:11:00.004+08:00

I was supposed to get my tattoo done before I started my journey, but I was advised by my friends that it would be better if I get it in Thailand, and at the end of my journey because I'll be doing a lot of travelling. I knew I had really smart friends.

So when I went back to Bangkok after Chiang Mai, I decided to get my tattoo done. The night before I got my tattoo, I met Karen and Angela, two awesome, and hilarious British ladies in one of the bars in Khao San Rd. It was a rock bar, so I stayed there. They looked friendly so I asked if I could join them because I didn't want to be on my own in a bar. We talked about traveling, and how they thought San Miguel Beer was from Spain (San Mig was served in that bar). They were quite surprised that it's from the Philippines. They mentioned that the next day they would be getting their tattoos done (Angela's 6th and Karen's second), and I said I was planning exactly the same thing! (Funny how things turn out) So they invited me to join them tattoo shopping the next day.

We met at 12 noon the next day but didn't really go tattoo shopping because we ended up getting it in the first shop we went to LOL! I stuck to the tattoo idea I wanted. The Filipino word "Malaya" which means "Free" written in the ancient Filipino script, Alibata. I printed out the script and pointed to the artist how I wanted it. I wanted it on my right ankle, the 3 characters forming a triangle. When people ask me why this particular design, and why in the ankle, there are many reasons actually, but I just say "I roam the earth freely."

I know my parents will flip when they see this. But like I said in my blog post here for me it's not a form of rebellion for I am not rebelling against anyone, or anything. I'm getting it because I want it. Pure and simple, and I am free to do it.

Pics and video here. LOL!

Charming Chiang Mai

2008-07-24T13:15:00.001+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Eleventh Stop: Chiang Mai, Thailand
July 7 to July 10

Everything about Chiang Mai is charming. Even my couchsurfing host's bungalow. I mostly did temple seeing that my host Steve said I've been templed-out LOL!

Steve had already lived here for a while that he can speak a some Thai, and Thai people get weirded out that the white guy can speak Thai and the Thai looking girl is just clueless. There were even a bunch of promo girls who won't believe him and they think me and Steve were just pulling their legs LOL!

Photos here.

Hi Hanoi!

2008-07-24T07:03:00.000+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Tenth Stop: Hanoi, Vietnam
July 3 to July 6

Decided to rest some legs and take a plane for this one. Another Low-cost airline that I'm loving now: Jetstar Pacific!

Hanoi, although the capital of Vietnam, is more retentive of Vietnam's culture, traditions and is more old fashioned than Ho Chi Minh City.

Hoan Kiem Lake - Never have I seen any body of water as green as Hoan Kiem Lake. It almost literally look like a liquid emerald. Giant tortoises used to inhabit this lake. As for whether they still exist there, no one can be sure.

For me, it's like Hanoi is like someone who is struggling whether to join the modern times, or be content of who she is now... old, but still pretty.

Photos here.

Let's help them find their nephew

2008-07-23T15:27:00.000+08:00

Got this from one of The.Lee's post.

Let's help them find their nephew.

http://melquita.multiply.com/photos/album/348/HELP_My_Nephew_Was_Abducted

The Beautiful Hoi An Ancient Town

2008-07-23T12:40:00.000+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Ninth Stop: Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam
June 30 to July 3

Hoi An Old Town is the most beautiful, charming, and laid-back town I've ever been to. The old quarter of Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it's so small that you can walk the entire town in less than an hour.

Funny story:

I took an overnight train (about 11 hours) from Ho Chi Minh City to Danang, where I would get a 45 mins bus to Hoi An. When I got off the train, I didn't know where the bus station was because it wasn't included in my Lonely Planet map of Danang, and Lonely Planet's suggestion was to take a taxi. I was alone and didn't have anyone to share cab fare with. The cab drivers were asking me 300,000VND which was about Php800! I wasn't in a hurry so I decided to walk around Danang while finding the bus station. I had to resort to drawing an image of a bus to show people because no one spoke English. HAHA!

After walking for what may have been 20 minutes or so, a woman who spoke some English pointed me to where the bus station was. When I was about to cross an intersection I saw an old bus with open windows (so no aircon) that had a huge DANANG-HOI AN sign on top of the winshield. I didn't think it would stop where I was because it looked like it was turning left on the intersection. On the bus's rear exit door, the driver's assistant (you know, those who collects the money) was shouting at me "Hoi An? Hoi An?" and I kept nodding my head, happy to know that I didn't have to walk all the way to the station. The assistant shouted to the driver to pull over (ok, I'm assuming that's what he said) and got off the bus to help me with my huge backpack. The driver may not have heard him because it kept running. When he looked back, the bus was already a good distance away and still running! He ran as fast as he COULD while shouting to what I assume was, "STOOOOOOP! YOU STUPID FUCK! STOOOOOOP! STOOOOOOP! YOU SON OF A BITCH STOOOOOP!" with all his might. As he was running after his bus, I was running after him. I didn't want to miss that damn bus either.

Luckily, one of the passengers must've heard him, looked back and saw the driver's panic stricken assistant run like the wind and told the driver to pull over. When we got to the bus, the assistant was still swearing and went directly to the driver to reprimand him. HAHAHAHA!

Hoi An:

When I got to Hoi An, I got a motorbike to take me to town. I already had a guesthouse in mind (from my travel bible Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia on a shoestring) but my driver took me to a different guesthouse. I learned this is what they do, because they get a commission from the hotels or guesthouses. I told him he took me to the wrong place and he should take me to the guesthouse I had originally told him. Since we have already agreed on a price, I didn't pay him to take me there. While riding the motorbike, I was already falling in love with the place. Streets were so small that cars aren't allowed to get in so you either walk by foot or bike your way around. Beautiful little shops filled with colorful paintings, lanterns, handwoven products, custom-made clothes, etc etc etc. When I got to the guesthouse I wanted, I was told it was full. Luckily, there were a lot of guesthouses to choose from in this place. I found a cheap but nice hotel (with a bathtub for $10!) and settled.

The only couchsurfing.com member I found here is Arfan, an Indonesian who is the general manager of a beautiful 4-star boutique resort in Hoi An. Though he couldn't host me he was very nice to let me use the pool (best pool I've ever swam in my life by the way) and the resort's gym for free.

The next day, I rented a bike for one dollar to go to the beach which was about 5kms away. The receptionsist told me it was only 2kms away. It was my first time to ride a bike again after more than 15 years so you can imagine me wiggling and trying to get my balance. Soon, I was driving faster. After driving for what I think was definitely more than 2kms already, I still didn't find any beach! I was getting frustrated and hot that I turned my bicycle around and decided to just go back. Then I remembered a few lines from one of my favorite poems "Don't Quit",

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

I turned my bike around again and told myself to just drive and drive and no matter how long it will take me. I will get to that goddamn beach.

Sure enough, I wasn't very far at that point anymore. About 5 minutes later, I saw the beach right at the end of the road. I loved that feeling. That rewarding feeling after I went for it, worked hard for it, and deciding not to give up even when I was at a point of giving up.

Ahhh... Hoi An is one of those places that will captivate you and you find yourself always sighing at it's charming beauty. Very peaceful, very friendly, very laid-back, very romantic, very calm. People were already asleep by 10.30PM, there are no loud bars where you can dance all night. (I guess that's the only draw back for me because I love to dance.)

But it's such a delightful little place. Sigh...

Photos here.

Good Morning, Vietnam!

2008-07-21T14:17:00.000+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Eight Stop: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
June 27 - June 29, 2008

"Ho Chi Minh is not a city that will roll out the red carpet just because you have arrived. On the contrary, it's proud enough to look you back in the eye and say, "Only for the brave." "- a writer for Cebu Pacific's airline magazine

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) was formerly known as Saigon. I took a 6 hour bus
from Phnom Penh to get there.

First thing that I noticed about HCMC: I've never seen so many motorbikes! A
common joke among visitors here is, "There are more motorbikes than people."

Highlights of my stay here:

On my first night, my phone (N95) almost got snatched away from me. I took a motorbike going to my host's house. When I had the driver stop at the street where I was to get off, I stayed on the motorbike while reviewing my host's address on my phone. Suddenly, another motorbike passed beside us and the girl behind the driver took hold of my phone and tried to grab it away from me. When I realized what was happening, I shouted AAAAAAAAAAH!!! (LOL) Luckily, the phone slid from her hand when the motorbike sped off. I didn't feel scared after what just happened. All I could think of was, "What the fuck was that?!"

Before coming to HCMC, I contacted My, a Vietnamese couchsurfer girl to host
me. She had major exams coming so she couldn't host me but instead, referred
me to Steven who lived with 2 other expats. My hosts were Steven, Charlie
and Whitney. Steven is a Canadian who works as an English teacher, Charlie
is from Buffalo, New York and works in the same school as Steven, and
Whitney is an American who works for the Marketing department of a hotel
there. They were awesome hosts.

The night that I arrived at my hosts' house, I realized there were EIGHT of
us couchsurfers that they are hosting! Diego and Camillo from Colombia,
Claudio from Brazil, Kim from Australia, Jonas from Germany, and the 2
Canadian girls whom I didn't get to know because they weren't able to join
our little party. That night, we went to apartment's rooftop where we
watched the stars while drinking what may have been Vietnam's version of
lambanog and talking about everything from work to red pill and blue pills.
Everyone was so drunk and "rocked". LOL!

My, (the Vietnamese couchsurfer) took me, Steven, Karen (another CSer from
Canada but wasn't staying with us) and Claudio to a public swimming pool.
The Rules of the Pool:

1. Leave all your bags, clothes and everything else in the counters
designated for boys and girls – i.e, you should only be in your swim wear
with nothing else with you except your goggles if you have them, and your
claim tag when you enter the pool area.

2. All boys shall stay on the right side of the pool while all girls
stay on the left. A floating marker is in the middle of the pool to
implement this, and should not be crossed.

3. You only have 45 minutes to swim in the pool. Every hour, a bell
will ring to signal the people to get in the pool. After 45 minutes, another
bell will ring and everyone should be out of the pool. The next bell will
ring in 15 minutes to let the next set of customers to swim in the pool.

4. Once you get out of the pool before the 45 minutes is over, you
cannot get back in.

I.KID.YOU.NOT. Those really are the rules of this particular pool. Of course
I couldn't take photos because I couldn't bring anything! Steven, however,
managed to sneak in his underwater camera because he placed it in his swim
shorts' pocket.

I played bowling, pool (me and Steven won against an American and his
partner, YAY!) and went drinking with the other couchsurfers. On my way out
of the ladies room, a white guy who was standing near the door was looking
at my chest and just blurted out "Wow. Nice boobs." I stood there surprised
for a moment, not sure how to react.

Then I said "Thank you."

Surprised, he said, "Oh. You understand English?"

"Yes."

"I meant that as a compliment."

"I did take it as a compliment."

Apparently, he must've thought I was a local who couldn't understand English
(Most Vietnamese don't).

I didn't really get around HCMC because I decided to stay there for only 2
days. I did see some sights around the city though.

Photos here.

Phnom Penh – So much for holding on to whatever innocence I had left.

2008-07-16T09:30:00.001+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Seventh Stop: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Because the movie The Killing Fields is one of my all-time favorite movies, I couldn't afford to skip Phnom penh and actually seeing it for myself. A little bit of story about how I got to see the movie before I share the experience... Although it was an 80's movie, I only got to see it in 2000 when I was in Indonesia to visit my dad. Remember how VCDs used to be? There usually were 2 discs for one movie right? So I was already crying my eyes out on the first disc when the player requested for the second disc... and it WON'T PLAY. My eyes were red and puffy from crying and I was dying to see how the movie ends and the damned 2nd VCD won't play! My dad bought these VCDs from Medan, which was 12 hours drive from where we lived. I can't just drive 12 hours for a VCD. When I got back to the Philippines, and I see a video shop, I always looked for i but since it was a very old movie, it wasn't easy for me to find them there and (cough) torrent was not yet available then. You know how long it took me to finally see the whole movie? After more than TWO YEARS. But it was worth it.

I can't watch movies with too much gore because I can't stand it. But having been to Phnom Penh's Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng S-21, I realize those were just movies… just products of our imagination… products of how our MINDS can conceive brutal and sickening violence.

But actually having the heart (or the lack of it) to do it, to mass-murder in thousands, to brutally, cruelly, and coldly torture and kill men, women, and children in ways one can not even seem to believe another human being can be capable of, to train adolescents and turn them into monsters who torture and kill even their own parents, relatives or friends is just an entirely different story.

While in Cheung Ek's Kiling Fields, I still had the tenacity to take pictures of the thousand skulls within the stupa that has been built to commemorate the victims of the Pol Pot regime. Having had taken up Physiotherapy in college, I have opened up dead bodies to study the human anatomy and seen many human bones and skulls (believe it or not, I've even fallen asleep with my arms around a real human skull while studying for my Anatomy finals exam back in college) that it doesn't creep me out anymore.

But the Tuol Sleng's S-21 (Security Office 21) museum was a different story. The S-21 used to be a secondary school that has been turned into a prison where the victims were imprisoned, questioned, tortured and exterminated. No one was exempted. Men, women, old, young, children, babies. The prison was surrounded with a double wall of corrugated iron and dense barbed wires. According to one of Lonely Planet's contributors, "This is one museum where silence doesn't have to be requested – the power of speech is simply lost here." I knew what he or she meant when I got there. I couldn't even get myself to take photos. The only photo I've taken from Tuol Sleng was the board that contained the description of what the S-21 was about. Seeing all those devices and modes of torture the victims had gone through, seeing the mug shots of these people you know had been mercilessly tortured and killed and knowing that I am standing in the very grounds were these unspeakable and unthinkable horrors have happened, I couldn't even get myself to complete the museum. I had to get out because I had felt I was going to break out and cry if I stayed any longer.

On my way out of the last building I went to see (it may have been C or D), there was a room at the end that had the letter "V" on top of the entrance. If you've seen the movie "V for Vendetta", you'd understand why this was very interesting and uplifting for me. Not only because the movie is one of my favorites, but also because none could be more appropriate. The "V" may have been added recently and whoever had "V" put there may have been inspired by the movie. Inspiring and well-wishing messages for Cambodia and her people were written on the walls by visitors.

Cambodia seems to have witnessed the extreme ends of what man can do. Ankor clearly shows the greatness humans can accomplish, while the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng shows the unthinkable horror man can do.

Photos around Phnom Penh here.

The Amazing Angkor

2008-07-16T01:55:00.000+08:00

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Sixth Stop: Siem Reap, Cambodia

"Angkor is everywhere: on the flag, the national beer, hotel and guesthouse names, cigarettes -- it's anything and everything. A symbol and symbol of fierce pride, it's a fingers-up to the world, stating no matter how bad things have gotten lately, Cambodiana built Angkor and it doesn't get better than that." - Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia on a Shoestring

"Angkor Thom is not an architectural "miracle"... It is in reality the world of gods springing up from the heart of ancient Cambodia." J. Boisselier, "The Symbolism of Angkor Thom"

"My God, I am imagining you at Angkor Wat - the most amazing building in the world!!!" ... "I was in a daze for 3 days after seeing this incredible place." - Evil Ampao Catherine Peard

For me, Siem Reap is a very simple, dusty, laid-back, small town... that happens to hold one of the world's greatest, most mysterious, and amazing monumental achievements. All I can say is, I am still dazed and amazed by Angkor. I had been so awestruck that I was (literally) brought to tears because it made me think that compared to what the ancient Cambodians had been able to achieve, our generation is a joke. There are just no words. The photos I've taken cannot even begin to justify the awesomeness that is Angkor.

I toured Cambodia with Eugenia, a girl from Chile I met on my way to Siem Reap. We became good friends and decided to tour around Cambodia together so we can save on transportation and lodging. We toured the Angkor temples for two days, and that wasn't even enough to see all the temples.

Though I've taken hundreds of photos, I'll just post some
here.

My Occupation

2008-06-26T07:18:00.000+08:00

"Sharon Stoned, official occupation: statue stabber." - Ryel from here

Filling up those airport arrival cards where it says "Occupation:" has been some sort of a conundrum to me. I'm stumped! I don't have one! I've been tempted to write gypsy, lone traveller, nomad, but you don't want to mess with immigration right? I don't want to be sent back because I tried to be a smart-ass. So instead I put "Researcher" though I have no idea what I'm researchiong on. LOL!

Anymore suggestion anyone?

Isn't It Funny?

2008-06-23T14:03:00.000+08:00

While I was in Kota Kinabalu, Andy was already telling me that if I get bored, I should just cut my stay in KK short and fly to Subic because he was already waiting there for me. I loved staying at Kota Kinabalu but I was also terribly missing the Oz so I decided to cut my stay there short and fly to Subic a day earlier. When I realized that rebooking was going to cost me a lot of money (because the ticket price for that day was much more expensive than my original shcedule), I decided to keep my original schedule and stay there for three days. But if it had not been so expensive to rebook, I would've rebooked.

Later in the afternoon, I received an SMS advisory from AirAsia informing me that my flight was moved from 2PM to 4PM! (There's only 1 flight to the Philippines daily, and it's only in Clark) That would mean I might have to stay in Clark for a night because KK to Clark is 2 hours flight and there might not be anymore buses from Clark to Subic after 6 (I was not aware then that there aren't ANY buses from Clark to Subic.) Noooo! I can't let that happen! So now I was decided to rebook my flight and I'm willing to pay almost the same price for a whole new ticket. When I tried to rebook my flight online, I was informed that I couldn't do so anymore because rebooking should be done at least 2 days before the new flight schedule. What.The.Fuck. Noooo! I went to an Airasia ticketing office in a mall and just rebook and pay there but they told me I can only rebook from the main office in the airport because they were only agents. But it was already almost 7PM! They can't be open at this time! A voice in my head said "Call customer service." Of course! So I called their CS, spent waiting on my mobile for 5 minutes and no rep is still picking my call! FUCK! I was ready to cry. Pay phone. Must find pay phone. I asked the receptionist at my guesthouse if she knew where I can find a payphone. She pointed me to a payphone on the street. I was putting on my slippers when she asked "Where are you calling to?"

"AirAsia"

"Oh you can call from our phone here, it's ok. We also had a client yesterday who called AirAsia but I must warn you that you might have to wait from 30 to 45 minutes. That was how long they waited on the phone last night."

Did I say I ABSOLUTELY love Malaysian people? So I dialled AirAsia's number and waited for more than 30 minutes alright. If I stayed a minute longer, I would've memorized AirAsia's hold tone. In Bahasa. When I finally got a rep, I explained to her that I received their SMS advisory, and I have a problem with my new schedule because it would make me miss my appointment so I've decided to rebook my flight a day earlier. The rep then goes on to say that she understands and since this is their fault, they will rebook my flight to a day earlier, FREE OF CHARGE.

Isn't that funny? Had I been able to rebook my flight online hours earlier, I would've paid an awful lot of money. God works in mysterious ways.

Three Men And A Lady

2008-06-23T12:29:00.000+08:00

How I met my Big 30.

After spending a little more than a week with my parents in Sarawak, I flew to Kota Kinabalu on the 11th of June because I wanted to be with the monkeys on my birthday. Since there was no direct flight from Bintulu to KK, I had to take a 4 hour bus trip to the city of Miri and took a plane from there to KK. Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah, which is the other state in Malaysian Borneo. Since there was a really cheap but clean and homey guesthouse in the city, I decided to live it up like a real backpacker instead of couchsurf. I shared a dorm with 6 other backpackers, and pay only RM20 (Malaysian Ringgit) which is about Php260 a night. "I'm going to see them monkeys the tomorrow, but tonight, I'm gonna spend it with people.", I said to myself. So I informed Suchen, the couchsurfer that I previously contacted that I've arrived KK.

He invited me to have dinner with him and his friends who also just arrived from Kuala Lumpur which I gladly accepted. Suchen, with his friends Chris and Kwan picked me up from my guesthouse that night. Suchen is a professional photographer (check out his awesome photos at www.suchens.com), Christopher and Kwan are event organizers whose work invlove travelling, and getting drunk. They make me green with envy I want to stab them and take their jobs from them.

We we went to KK's version of SuTuKil and they ordered loads and loads food! Fresh fish, shellfish, veggies, (I'm drooling as I'm typing this.) Then we went to KK's posh revolving bar and restaurant Atmosphere. It''s situated on the 18th floor of Menara Tun Mustapha and revolves 360 degrees every hour, which got me quite dizzy... or maybe that was from the 2 rhum-colas I've taken. Suchen told me that I'm very welcome to stay in his place if I wanted and that it's perfectly fine with his wife as they've hosted couchsurfers before. Since I've already paid my 3 days stay in the guesthouse in advance, I had stay there. The three guys I were really nice and I really like them. They're all married so don't look at me in that tone of voice. I like Malaysian people a lot. They're very friendly, and warm, and hospitable. When I found out that they're all in their early 30's, I told them I was entering into version 3.0 myself in a few hours. They were all pleasantly surprised that I was meeting my big 30 with them. The highlight of my night was when we went to this bar called Shenanigans. Guess what. They had an all-Filipino showband playing! Apparently, a lot of Filipino bands are in Malaysia. Jaci, another couchsurfer I met there on my last day, is convinced that all Filipinos are good singers. Hahaha! Anyway, it was less than an hour before midnight strikes to mark my Big 30. The boys ordered a bottle of Scotch whisky. I've never had scotch in my whole life but nothing will stop me from trying scotch to meet my big 30! (I can't stand whisky that's why I didn't bother trying Scotch.) And what do you know, I LIKE SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS!

Apparently, Suchen is quite a personality in these here places. Everyone in the bar knew him and some even taking his photos for the local magazine! Cool! I'm with a local celebrity! Haha! He was going around like he was running for public office. Hahaha! As soon as midnight struck, the house DJ announced to the room that it was my birthday! Then the boys I was with gave me a big hug and we drank and cheered. Like that was not enough, Suchen goes on to tell every person he knows that passes our table to give me a hug! I can't remember how many people I hugged that night! And like I said, he knows almost everyone in the room! Hahaha! "Give her a hug! It's her birthday!" And like that's not enough still, and because this bar has a girl who goes around with a bottle of tequila and a shot glass holder with at least 10 shot glasses in it, Suchen had some of his friends (I figure those were his rich friends) buy me a shot if they made a huge mistake of passing by our table. I think I had more than 5 shots of tequila that night on top of my scotch whisky. Then me and the 3 men went to grab something to eat and they drove me home.

What a fucking amazing way to meet my Big 30. With people I've just met, free hugs from strangers, in a city I've never been to until then.

Suchen, me, Christopher, and Kwan

What a joke.

2008-06-19T22:04:00.001+08:00

Ever since the first time I went out of the country when I was 17, no one, as in NO ONE, has ever asked me if I were Filipina. I was ALWAYS mistaken for a Thai.

So, when I finally came here in Thailand, I already knew Thai people would talk to me in their native language, and I wasn't mistaken. There was even this girl in a shop who kept talking and talking and I didn't realize she was talking to me me until Andy called my attention and told me, "She's talking to you."

Everytime Andy tries to communicate with them, they would always look at me expecting me to translate to them what Andy was trying to say, or expecting me to translate to Andy what they were trying to say. I absolutely love the look on their face when they realize I was just as clueless as the white guy I was with.

Then what always follows is: "Oh! I'm so solly! You not Thai people? Oh! So solly! You INDONESIAN?"

"No."

"Ah! VIETNAM!"

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure

2008-06-07T19:35:00.001+08:00

Click here for photos and all. Please start at the bottom or last page.

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - Second Stop: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2008-06-05T15:25:00.002+08:00

Date: May 31, 2008
Transportation: Air Asia, 11.45AM
LOS: 2 days

The things that cross my mind when I think of Kuala Lumpur are, FOOD, Batu Cave (Rock Cave), food, day and night markets, FOOOOD, so many Indians, Malays, Chinese, fud, sore feet, skyscrapers, phoood, Petronas, "Eddieee! Slow down!", Ed's cool old school 1971 Toyota Corolla, makan, pagkain, pagka-on, drool, yum yum, staying up late and going out at 2AM to eat some moooore! Dammit. I should've written the names of the food i ate. Click image for more photos.

My Little Southeast Asia Adventure - First Stop: Clark, Angeles City, Philippines

2008-06-05T15:09:00.003+08:00

Date: May 30, 2008
Transportation: Cebu Pacific, 10AM

About 2 weeks ago, I contacted couchsurfer Lyn to host me for a night in Angeles City because I can't make the flight to Kuala Lumpur if I flew in on the same day. It was my first time there, I was her first surfer, and she was my first host.

I like Lyn a lot. She and her family welcomed me with so much warmth I felt like part of the family right away. I'm glad Lyn agreed to host me. She's an amazing woman. She's also such a small-framed woman if emotions were things, you'd wonder how she can contain so much strength, wisdom, love, care, determination inside her.

Also, on my first day of this little Southeast Asia adventure, I saw the sharpest, most beautiful rainbow in my life. Rainsbows actually, because there were 2 of them though the one on top was not as strong as the other one. Most rainbows I've seen are transparent, but this particular rainbow was so strong it almost look solid.

Click image for more photos.

Livin La Vida Loca

2008-05-28T20:25:00.000+08:00

How can I set free anyone who doesn't have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it's a lie – people claim they want to be free – everybody insists that freedom is what they want the most, the most sacred and precious thing a man can possess. But that's bullshit! People are terrified to be set free – they hold on to their chains. They fight anyone who tries to break those chains. It's their security…How can they expect me or anyone else to set them free if they don't really want to be free? I think people resist freedom because they're afraid of the unknown. But it's ironic…That unknown was once very well known. It's where our souls belong…The only solution is to confront them – confront yourself – with the greatest fear imaginable. Expose yourself to your deepest fear. After that, fear has no power, and fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free. - Jim Morrison

More than a month ago, I did what has got to be the most daring, possibly craziest, thing i've ever done in my life. I quit my job and left a healthy company that had been good to me and paying me very handsomely. I don't have another job waiting for me, I didn't and still haven't applied for another job, and I have no plans of applying for one yet soon. No, I am not worried, and no, I don't have plans. All I know is tomorrow, I'm going to get my tattoo. I always wanted to get a tattoo, and I know what tattoo I want but people had been stopping me. I am so going to get that tatoo... it's the word "Malaya" in alibata. For those who don't know, alibata is the ancient Filipino alphabet, and "Malaya" means "Free" Is it a coincidence that I was born on Independence Day? It's not a form of rebellion for i am not rebelling against anyone, or anything. I'm getting it because I want it. Pure and simple.

On Friday, I am flying to Clark, stay with Lyn (a couchsurfer in Angeles City who agreed to host me for a night) and then fly to Malaysia the next day where I'll couchsurf with Eddie in Kuala Lumpur for 2 days and then get on the plane to Sarawak and stay there for 2 weeks with the parents. I will be spending the most anticipated 30th birthday there. I plan to spend it with the monkeys in Borneo if my parents do not object. Then I start my solo backpacking through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia for a month.

I'm a bit scared, but mostly excited. I don't have much savings, and I don't know how I can last with the money I have in my bank. I don't know what happens next, and I am so amused with myself. I swear I surprise even myself. So, here starts my journey... here's to what lies ahead of me! Livin la vida loca!

So help me God. Ehe.

It Is What It Is.

2008-05-23T14:57:00.001+08:00

This morning, I decided to move all my funds from my current bank to my old bank account because I like my old bank's online services better. After withdrawing cash a certain number of times, ATM machine tells me, "Sorry, missy, you've reached maximum witdhdrawal limit." Ok, no biggie. So I deposited all I've got to the old bank account. Then I go to SM city to buy some stuff, and pay some bills. Oh, but now I don't have cash with me, and I can't use my credit card because I've maxed it out (Teehee!). So I go to an ATM machine again and tries to withdraw money, and since I reached max withdrawal limit for one account, I was forced to use the other one where I just deposited money. Since old bank account is old, I couldn't remember my PIN number and I left my cheatcode at home. But... I think I remember... let me just try... entered wrong PIN 3 times and now it tells me maximum number of PIN tries reached.

So now, I can't withdraw money from ANY of my banks until tomorrow, and I was already in SM ready to pay my bills and purchase what I need and I only have a few hundreds in my wallet.

If this has happened a year ago, I would've been swearing and cussing so much the devil himself would be embarrassed. Now, I can very easily shrug off a bad day and even laugh at the ridiculousness of the situation.

This Sharon Joy. Hoowat a funnee.

If I found a cab driver like this one...

2008-05-22T13:38:00.002+08:00

I am a customer for life!

Trust Condoms

2008-05-22T12:54:00.000+08:00

A smart man always saves his last condom for a rainy day.

/edit: watched it at least 3 times and it still kills me everytime!