I find myself squeezing the entire 4.5 years of my life spent with you in a 60kg baggage plus 13kg excess, leaving some part of me that I think I could live without for the next half a year or so. Up to the last minute, the idea still hasn't sink in at all. It’s as if I am just packing for a weekend getaway to wherever part of the globe. It never really hit me not until last night - my last night - that I would be leaving my second home of barely half a decade.
I spent my last few weeks taking the same bus to work and walking the same route going home, imagining making my farewell music video for you, with that sadness and fear that it might take me so long to go back. Funny how a place left a mark that will forever be engraved in you, while on the other hand, it just needs to keep going and could go on without you.
Truth is, I never knew whether I could stay forever; yet at the same time I never saw an end in sight, never saw us parting ways. I still can’t believe that I am leaving.
I am still not ready, a hundred percent. Yet another 30-something crazy dweeb never knowing what is in store for her in a new place somewhere in a new face of the earth. But whatever will be, will be. Let’s get it on and face life heads-on…”
I remembered writing that, seven months back. I was headed to an unknown place somewhere in the middle of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. It was the day of my flight from Singapore to Perth. When I arrived, it was close to the end of the winter, and I, being not a fan of the cold, found myself more homesick to the warm weather in Asia. And did I mention that most shops close at 5:30? I was used to roaming around the busy streets of Singapore or Manila until the late hours. When I found out that I couldn’t do grocery shopping or at least eat out later than 5:30, I was shouting on top of my head “What is this place, a ghost town? I wanna go baaaaaack!” I wanted to book an early return flight, pack my things up and go back right away.
But I gave it time. I gave you time. They say, sometimes all you need is a second chance, because time wasn’t ready for the first one. And indeed, it is true. Life in Perth or WA per se, is not enclosed in the busy streets of Murray or St. George’s Terrace or the nightlife in Northbridge. You offer something more. Your unique charm lies on your beautiful parks, beaches, wildlife, camping sites, wineries, fishing spots, bushwalk and bike trails.
Weekends are meant for spending time with friends and family for dinner, drinks, footy or a barbie. It could also be days spent by yourself relaxing and snuggling onto your duvet while catching up on your favorite series or reading a book. Or it could just be driving up some place unknown and getting lost.
After half a year of stay, I must say that I am getting used to the laidback kind of your lifestyle – not there yet, but getting there. So hell yeah, Hello Perth! I hope one day, you would leave a mark on me just how Singapore has left me with one. You’re my third home now and I’m looking forward to spending more time knowing you even better. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. And cheers to more adventures out there – a pint or a middy is on me for our next arvo trip to the pub. *fist bump
Older and wiser but still a bit dumber (at times) and even crazier.
- Current Mood:
cheerful
I remembered the time when I arrived here, how I felt so homesick with Singapore and I just want to book a return flight and go back right-away. The first weeks were a struggle. From enduring the coldness of winter to house-hunting to stopping myself from converting grocery goods and to not getting lost with the transport system. At this time, I would say I pretty much memorized how CBD looks like. But I honestly admit that I get lost still at times.
Three months and thirteen days. I survived the first few months in the company. Woot! woot! So far, so good. Though a bit boring. Maybe because it is closing to the Christmas holidays. And a lot of us are just doing self-paced training on bench. :/
The good thing though is still earning while not doing much of a hard work.
Three months and three days. Time flies fast when you're happy and *ahem* in love? Hahaha. This story I think, deserves a separate post. But to make it short, yes, I am with someone and he's making me happy and special. Life is sweet. :)
Two weeks. Before the Christmas shutdown. This is something new for me because I am used to still going to the office on the 24th of December and it's up to the senior management whether they would advise for a half-day or not on the eve of Christmas. This shutdown thing is common here in AU and NZ, wherein it's mandatory to take leaves on the week before Christmas up to the first Sunday after the New Year. Sad to say that I won't be coming home in Manila for the holidays as fares are too costly now (probably next year *cross fingers*). So what am I up to? Maybe just go on a drive and spend the holidays with the bf's fambam. :)
Twenty four days. 'Til the New Year. Yet another year for a clean slate and a new beginning. And another year of growing up, learnings, lessons, experiences, struggles, ups, downs and things to be grateful for.
Why am I counting? Nothing really in particular. I just missed numbers and Math. :P *dweeb moments*
- Current Location:Australia, Perth
- Current Mood:
bored - Current Music:Not a Bad Thing - Boyce Avenue
I find myself squeezing the entire 4.5 years of my life spent with you in a 60kg baggage plus 13kg excess, leaving some part of me that I think I could live without for the next half a year or so. Up to the last minute that, the idea still hasn't sink in at all. It’s as if I am just packing for a weekend getaway to wherever part of the globe. It never really hit me not until last night, my last night, that I would be leaving my second home for barely five years.
I spent my last few weeks taking the same bus to work and walking the same route going home, imagining making my farewell music video for you, with that sadness and fear that it might take me so long to go back.
Funny how a place left a mark that will forever be engraved in you, while on the other hand, it just needs to keep going and could go on without you.
You were the one who taught me that my $5 has a long way to go and can actually buy me a meal and a drink in hawkers; and having IKEA next door means bringing home a life-size wooden Lego blocks to assemble; and getting poor every quarter is inevitable because of IT sales and whatever mall sale per se. Because of you, I managed to memorize every nook and cranny of Universal Studios and other touristy spots. With you, I felt safe walking the sidewalks in the wee hours in the morning and being dependent in the efficiency of the transport system. And did I just say that I love you because of your parks? Yeah, because of that, I learned how to ride a bike, finally after 30 years.
Truth is, I never knew whether I could stay forever; yet at the same time I never saw an end in sight, never saw us parting ways. I still can’t believe that I am leaving.
Singapore, you’ve really taught me so much. I came to this country having four or five friends, and yet after almost half a decade, you gave me a bunch that was so hard to leave. You showered me good and true friends – from office colleagues, friends of friends, yoga classmates and Zumba buddies – people who became essential in keeping me sane even away from my family. I learned that these people regardless of my flaws and hang-ups, still truly love me no matter what, and are willing to support whatever plan I may have for the future.
I am still not ready, a hundred percent. Yet another 30-something crazy dweeb never knowing what is in store for her in a new place somewhere in a new continent. But whatever will be, will be. Let’s get it on and face life heads-on.
But one thing’s for sure, I owe a lot to you Singapore – from the lessons on life to the friendships made to lessons about independence to superb office camaraderie – those things I will keep and carry with me to wherever I may go.
And for all those things, super Thank You!
- Current Location:1 Elias Green
- Current Mood:
grateful
*Disclaimer: I am not recommending this to anyone. Ever! Aside from the emotional, psychological and physical stress it brings, you can even get yourself jailed for fraud.
July 25, I arrived Manila to spend an almost 2-week vacay with the fambam. As you all know, I will be moving my ass off to the Land Down Under so I am making the most of my time in the Philippines because we're no longer talking about a Singapore to Manila or vice versa flight. It means double the flight hours and thrice the airfare.
Before I left Singapore, I already booked my one-way flight from Manila to Singapore. Why one-way? Because the return flight was f*cking expensive! While I was looking at the ticket printout, I was asking myself whether the Manila ticketing would be looking for a return flight. So I did a freakin' idea of editing one of my past itineraries from a different airline and fake the return date. The idea itself is quite liberating especially if the printout looks a lot like an original.
But I didn't know the implications not until I was already at the check-in counter.
August 7, Moment of Truth. Since I am officially not an OFW anymore, I don't have any OECs. So I am obliged to pay the travel tax, amounting to Php1620. Which by the way, I don't have any idea, what the purpose is for. Then I gave my passport and ticket to the girl at the counter. She was browsing through the details of the booking and when she got to the section for the return flight, nothing was in there. She asked me for my return itinerary and I simply handed out my "dummy" ticket. This is it. She was typing here and there on her monitor. My heart was pumping so fast to the fact that she might catch me cheating my flight. Because for all we know, check-in counters still have internet accesses. She was holding onto the piece of paper for about 2-3 minutes while I look so calm to her, I was praying nonstop on my mind, 'Lord, please let me pass through this. If it's Your Will for me to go to the land of kangaroos, Your Will be done.' If I can shout out loud, I could've prayed the whole rosary. Then finally, she gave back the printout including my boarding pass - that's the time I was able to breathe.
But the emotional turmoil doesn't stop there. After eating early dinner, I waved my Mom, Dad and little brother goodbye and head to the terminal fee counter. Yes, as a tourist to another country, even for locals, we need to pay that Php550 (which again, I don't know where it goes to). Imagine, I am still inside the Philippines, I am already robbed Php2170. It is even close to my airfare!
So anyway, after paying for that fee, I went to the Immigration section. The officer saw that I renewed my passport in Phil Embassy in SG, so this is how the convo went like:
IO: Are you a tourist or a resident?
Me: Tourist.
IO: Then why was your passport renewed in SG?
Me: I worked there before.
IO: Why are you coming back?
Me: To get my stuff
IO: When did you arrive here?
Me: Last week, July 25.
IO: When are you planning to go back after SG?
Me: August 29.
IO: Can I see your return flight?
Me: *handing out the "dummy" ticket*
IO: Oh you booked through a different airline...
Me: Yeah, because fare was cheaper
IO: And where is Elias Green? Who lives there?
Me: That used to be my address. I'm gonna get my things there.
IO: And you booked it last July 28...
Me: Yep. Using my SG Card.
IO: And who is in New Zealand?
Me: *puzzled. Then suddenly remembered the visa sticker* I went there to take a vacation
IO: And who is in Japan?
Me: My brother
IO: *stamps*
Me: *whew*
I guess, the lie detector test will break down because of my acting. Good thing, I am calm that time and I have that presence of mind. What I fear was if the IO will hold me and those at the office will interview me and ask for all documents that I have. I will definitely be dead. After I passed the final screening, I wanted to really shout "Yes!!! Thank You Lord!!!" at the top of my lungs. God knows how happy and relieved I am after that. And I swear I wouldn't do it again! Ever!!!
Imagine, for just a simple thing I could get caught and put into jail for fraud. And I wouldn't be here to where I am now.
So, as much as I wanted to give you a tutorial on how to create dummy airline tickets, well, sorry, I guess I wouldn't give it a go. I don't want you suffering behind bars because of such a petty thing. Go and book your return flights. Then if you need to extend, just rebook it. It will cost you a couple of bucks but at least your conscience is clear. And you wouldn't go through the same stress that I have been.
You can and will never be ready. You just have to do it and take that one big leap nonetheless.
I am leaving Singapore.
This is not something new to some of my close friends. I think I even mentioned it implicitly here(bullet #3).
Late last year, this company had a job drive here in Singapore for relocation both to Australia and New Zealand. I applied on both, got shortlisted, sat on both (totally) different exams, passed one, almost failed the interview, to fortunately being offered a job.
I still can remember vividly when I missed a call from a +61 country code one humid Wednesday noon. I called in sick that day but sneaked out to go to Legoland with friends because of the free passes! Haha. On the way to Pancake House for lunch, I looked at my phone and got an unregistered number. There was still war in my head whether the country code is of India, Malaysia or Australia. Then I just decided to return the call even if it would cost me roaming charges. I just had a gut feel that it was something important. I left a voice mail to the other line and around 3pm, I was already talking to the HR.
It was good news after all :)
I was offered a senior position in the company - a position that would require more responsibilities and tasks BUT would mean lots of challenges - and once I returned the signed contract to them, they would trigger the visa processing. It was no joke - from acquiring all certificates, COEs, transcripts, getting a medical to sitting the IELTS exam. Add to it all the hassle of squeezing my entire 4.5(yrs) life in Singapore to a jumbo balikbayan box to send back to Manila, losing all hopes not finding a replacement tenant for my room within 3 months, my housemate/friend being relieved from work to almost giving up and just forfeiting the rent, it was four months worth nothing but stress. But God's timing is always the best. Though always a buzzer beater, He won't just leave you like that and will always make a way.
It took me four grueling months before I finally received the Immigration letter that I've been longing for. This is it. No turning back.
I'm excited and scared at the same time. Excited for the new environment, new work, new challenges, new colleagues and new friends; Scared for the what-ifs, whether this decision has something in store for me or not. But I will never know unless I give it a go.
A friend once told me that "Change is as good as a holiday."
And if that's the case, I will make sure to make the most out of this holiday/adventure.
So, let's do this! :)
- Current Location:Room
- Current Music:Classic by MKTO
hard-earned cash - which means more options on dining out, binging on food junk as long as you want, and etcetera etcetera. When you already got hold of your first paycheck, it simply means that you are not and won't be asking anymore your folks for your 'baon' and try to maximize it weeklong to squeeze transport fees, library dues, cafeteria food, and once-in-a-while dining and movie date with best friends.
So to make it short, I got bigger and bigger. I used to work in Makati when I was still in Manila and for all you know, Makati is a haven of not only shopping but
also food! Every nook, there's a new recommended resto to try and every place has its own chef thumbs-up icon for the consumers to taste - even if it means
loading on lots of calories and unwanted fats. It never was actually an issue with me unless I am buying new set of clothes wherein plus sizes are not yet that
available. I used to get my jeans and shirts from the men's section. My shirts are all loose as if I am hip-hop wannabe or would head on a basketball
tournament.
More than four years ago when I relocated in Singapore, since their cuisine was mainly adapted from the Chinese culture, their food is very very oily. I think you
can even fry an egg just by draining the excess oil from your food. Over the years, Singaporeans are growing literate on the importance of healthy eating. And so organic food products, vegan restos, Ministry of Health's weight loss contests and health advice started to boom.
Then more than two years ago, everyone in the office went gaga over dieting and losing weight because they are about to get married and would need to fit in those lacy whites. They just tagged me along. It was harder that I thought. Cutting down on food intake, exercising daily -- those are really not part of my routine.
But over the course of 24 months and counting, I've come to love doing it.
I'm no fitness guru but I do want to share some tips for my fellow 'heavy' people in our fight with our nemesis -- fats!
Take It Slow.
As I mentioned, it actually took me two years removing 14kg of excess weight (I was 85 then). I am still under the border of 'Overweight to Obese' category and
there's still lots to lose. But I always tell myself not to push too much. Even if the results are not that drastic, just continue to do what you're doing. And eventually you'll (we'll all) get there.
Ditch The Diet Fads
I am not really a fan/advocate of sorts of diets like South Beach, GM, blah blah.
I find myself craving for stuffs and when I finally finished one session, I tend to binge the following week.
And usually, what I lose are just water weight - which actually you can lose just by sweating everyday. Some friends claim that some diets are effective but not for
me. Maybe it's a case to case basis per person. Anyway, we're all of different composition. My sub-atomic layout is different with yours. My metabolism is
different with yours. But if you opted to follow a certain type of diet, be sure to still get a portion of all the food groups - Go, Glow and Grow.
What About Teas
A friend once asked me if we can purchase this certain weight-loss tea because it is for sale when you buy more than two packs. Before, I used to say 'Yes' or
'Okay' all the time. But I learned my lessons well. I came to know that not all teas are good for people suffering with high-blood pressure. Yes, I do have that -- with readings going way above the optimal level! Even doctors get scared that I might suffer aneurysm. I got it from my Dad. It's in my genes! (But it is managed now, they're back to normal.)
So going back to teas, yes, not all its ingredients are good for people with high BP. If you plan on buying some diet supplements, pills or teas, do your research
first. There's no harm reading.
Read Food Labels
This task is one of the most enjoyable part of grocerying. You need to compare not just the price but the healthy elements of the food you are buying.
Avoid foods with all the "ose" - fructose, glucose, sucrose -- they are sugars! If you suffer with high BP like me, opt for food with lesser Sodium content.
If you are following a strict 1000 calorie diet, opt for foods with lesser kCal readings per serving. It actually depends whichever your goal is. But always, try to
minimize everything.
Do What You Enjoy
If it's dancing, even if you have left feet, it doesn't matter. I do Zumba about 2-3 times a week with friends. At first, I'm shy with all the twirling and belly twisting.
But who cares, it's your body and you need to get comfortable with it. If you feel that you can't dance, you will not really be able to dance properly.
I mentioned before that I just learned how to ride a bicycle recently. And from the moment I learned to balance on those two-wheeled machine, I found myself
looking forward to more bike rides. And so, I go to and from work by bike! It's just a 25-30min ride that apart from saving almost $4 a day in transportation, I can
also have my daily dose of sweating to jump-start my body.
As I love outdoors, I also do enjoy trekking/hiking. But Singapore hasn't much to offer with regards to outdoors and stuffs, so I always escape to Malaysia to do
that. The important thing is you're happy with what you do and everything else will follow. But beware, not all exercise are good. Say for example running,
especially for overweight people who have bigger mass on their upper torso, the weight drills down to your knees until you end up with a painful patella.
Just Move to Sweat
I must admit, I am a restless human being. Sometimes, I think I have ADHD. I can't stand being in one place for so long. I get easily agitated.
If we have a meetup at 7, I'm usually there 10-15 mins before. If you're not there by 7, you'll see me walking and exploring around.
Cleaning the house, walking from your house to the office or bus stop, anything that involves movement that would make you sweat is good. It releases bad
toxins from our body and keeps our skin glowing.
Have A Rest/Cheat Day
or Day(s) but not more than 2 days in a week. Do not deprive yourself of anything. If you feel like eating chocolate, go eat some. If you feel like gulping on ice
cream, go and pick out your favorite flavor. If you feel like having steak, do grab whether it's well-done or medium-rare. Indulge BUT with moderation. Indulge BUT not too much. Just know your limits.
Eat Breakfast
From elementary days up to now, they say that breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. I am a fan of heavy breakfast. In fact, I love breakfast! And it is the meal that I am always looking forward to everyday. Breakfast means splurging on food even if it is fried or requires two cups of rice.
I find myself not craving much for junks when I eat a satisfying brekky.
I Am Poor In Dinners
Since I go to the gym almost everyday (except Thursdays and Sundays), I usually get home around past 10. Even if I am starving on the way home, I know I cannot eat heavy at night because that means I would still need to be awake for 4 hours just to digest the food. So I just take milk and banana and I'm off to dreamland. And before going to sleep, drink at least a glass of water to keep you full so you won't get up in the middle of the night to sneak something out of your fridge.
I Still Love Rice
I'm a rice person and adobo without rice is such an injustice in the universe. I still eat complex carbs every now and then but I try to limit it at least 1-2 a week. If
you have the means of having red or brown rice, do so. Some people don't like its taste but try to combine it with white rice first until you get accustomed with it then eventually switching to pure brown rice. Those types are healthier since they've got more fiber in them because their husks are not totally removed
from milling. If you have the chance, look for the purple/black rice, they said it's the most expensive but the healthiest variety.
I am still overweight but little by little, I know I can get there.
Whenever I hear someone comment that I lose weight or I get smaller or blah blah, I get giddy. I always try to deny it, but deep down, I felt happy because people are noticing the changes in me.
Whenever I go to the mall and be able to fit in a size S shirt, I smile at myself and say at the mirror, "Way to go, Jake!"
I still don't have that 6-pack abs or that toned arms like J.Lo and Coca-Cola shape like Beyonce, but the important thing is that I started to adapt a better lifestyle. And that's all the more enough to get motivated.
Honestly speaking, I can't remember the "detailed" detail of our itinerary in our Laos trip. I don't even remember keeping an Excel or Word file for that. All I know was that the 9-day trip was all worth it! All the experiences and so forth! :)
But from digging up my precious notepad scribbles, this is the best that I could get:
Day 1-2: Aug 1 flew from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia around midnight. Since our flight to Vientiane is still at 7:35am, we opted to stay in AirAsia's Tune Hotel which is 5mins away from LCCT airport only to find out that they are already fullybooked for the day. Talked to the shuttle bus driver to let us sleep in his bus while he moves to and fro LCCT & Tune Hotel from 12mn until 5:30am. Paid him 30RM.
Reached Wattay airport at 9 in the morning. Booked our guesthouse (Mali Namphu) via Agoda two weeks before the trip. Though there are many guesthouses at every corner of Vientiane, you can just drop by at their place on the day itself if you want.
Walked around, went to Patuxai, That Dam, Ho Pra Keo, Wat Si Saket and Pha Tat Louang. Some are accessible by foot while some you can rent a tuktuk or a bike. Since I dunno how to ride bicycle [at that time], tuktuk it is! Haha :))
Ate late lunch somewhere with a whole grilled tilapia plus fried rice, mixed fruit shake and freshly picked veggies with spicy dip. We ate dinner around 5pm which is 6pm in Laos. Not spicy but turned out to be extra hot we could not eat.
Day 3-5: Still in Vientiane, we tried enrolling for Lao cooking class at Lao Experiences. We woke up early for the Fresh Market Tour & Tasting. Staple food: sticky rice or malagkit. They would eat it with anything -- sweet, spicy or salty food; name it! Though they still have the normal rice. We had cooking lessons together with two other Caucasian couple. And the best part? Eating and chatting while enjoying what we cooked.
By 8pm, we went to the Northern Bus Station for our 8-10hr bus ride going to Luang Prabang. Since we don't know how to go to the hotel, a man, whom we met at the doubledecker bus offered to drop us at the hotel lobby via his "car" which turned out to be an old school pickup truck (used in delivering hardware materials).
All I recall was we did Elephant Riding. We're supposed to try Hot Air Balloon, but the season won't let us since weather was mostly playing between partly cloudy to raining all day.
Day 6-8: Already in Vang Vieng. Stayed in a villa overlooking the Mekong River. Highlight? Pitch dark caves! Trekking barefoot in rice paddies while raining! and Cave Tubing!
Since I cannot squeeze my braincells anymore, here's a Laos video to sum it up. Enjoy! :)
WHICH MEANS...
a) The grammar gurus are sooooooo busy with their own lives that they don't have time correcting or proofreading everyone's work. Hehehe :))
b) We ALL can write again... even the mundanest and crappiest idea everrrrr!
c) Filipino, English, French, Japanese -- any foreign language you want, we can scribble it!
AND...
LiveJournal has this new capability of: Making your posts Public BUT an option to "Do not add to friends page and RSS".
How AMAZIIIIIING! I can update without notifying anyone. Haha!
I really missed writing. I have heaps of stories but ended up flushed from the memory bank because I wasn't able to write them. :(
I tried creating a new blog but I always come back to this old trash. Somehow, it always feels like having a U-turn and being welcomed with a grand homecoming.
So let's try to get back to business again. ^___^
Throwback Travel Thursday: New Zealand
[Originally written 10/15/2013 04:05pm]
And so life in the Shire goes on, very much as it has this past age. Full of its own comings and goings with change coming slowly, if it comes at all. For things are made to endure in the Shire, passing from one generation to the next. – Bilbo
I always think of myself as a hobbit. I would really love to live in a hobbit-hole. A house full of comfort, good food, and surrounded by happy and carefree people. If I would to choose somewhere else to live for retirement, I would immediately (*with two hands up) pick the Shire. I can till my own garden, tend my patch of land, plant one or two herbs, and enjoy a cup of tea while watching the sunset at my porch. Ahhhhh, the good life.
Day Two in Middle Earth started out pretty early. We were up by 5am to take a relentless shower that one could ever have. Water is *brrrrrr* freezing! Though the hotel have a water heater, the coldness of winter still mercilessly spikes up the bones.
Around 7am, we were picked up by http://www.freewheelingnz.com for our Hobbiton Tour plus Waitomo.We travelled with three other tourists – a couple and one Chinese guy. We hadn’t much interaction with them because they’d rather keep quiet than do the usual meet-and-greet-fellow-tourist-introducti
In Matamata, we stopped by a local café to buy and eat breakfast. We continued our drive for another half an hour, to finally reaching Hobbiton.Yatta!
We first waited for other tourists to arrive then finally boarded the bus going inside the farm. Promise, I was like a kid full of excitement upon seeing all the hobbit-holes!
I COULDN’T BE ANY HAPPIER WITH THIS AMAZING PLACE!!! The way one pictured it while reading the book suddenly came to life – the lake, the big oak tree, Bag-End, the party hall, Green Dragon, and pretty much everything!
The girl guide, I think her name was Susie, said that some people go to Matamata for volunteer work to maintain the area. At the back of my mind, I was like “Me! Me! I soooo want too!”
The tour ended for roughly two hours with a free ginger beer from the Green Dragon. We bought an additional beef minced pie for NZ$6. And if you opt to have another round of ginger beer, it’s worth the same.
Comments
See you when I see you! :)
Will definitely miss you guys!