BIKINI SALE! HURRY!

Swimsuitsforall.com is having a really fantastic sale, and I suggest you hop on there now if you're in the market for a suit or two. I just bought 3 myself.

They have bikinis from pretty nice beach brands like OP, Love Surf Love, Rampage, Hot Kiss, Aaron Chang, and Waterfront Surf at ROCK BOTTOM prices. And I mean ROCK BOTTOM. Love Surf Love's "Coco-nuts" separates, which retail for about $42 a triangle top, are on sale for $1.98. No, that's not a typo. It's really $1.98!!! The white graphic print OP bikini set that's selling at Victoria's Secret for over $50 (and that's already on sale, the original MSRP was over $88) is on sale for $9.98. And these are from the 2006 collection, ladies! Plus they have a 10% off thing going on right now, which is on top of their already unbelievably low prices. Hurry though, because they're selling like hotcakes and last I checked, their running out of smalls. Oh and they ship worldwide too.

I bought the OP Blue Lagoon Halter (total cost $9.98), the pink "Crazy in Love" ruffled top with tie bottoms (total cost $3.96), and the "Coco-nuts" bandeau top with foldover bottoms (total cost $3.96). I liked two or three more others, but they ran out of my size before I could place my order.

*Note: Some of their models are incredibly FUG (with strangely distorted bodies), but don't mind them. And anyways, if they don't fit, you can always sell them on ebay and probably even make a profit. Everybody wins.

**Oh and one more thing: Lalai, if you're reading this, go there and tell me which one you want and the size. If it's still available, I'll get it for you.

Lolo Paco

Lolo Paco had a tremendous influence on me that few people probably know about. I don't talk about him or the way he has affected my life, because I've always considered my relationship with him to be too intimate, too profound. I don't know why I'm driven to write about him now, but I am. Perhaps, now, the time is right.

I didn't know Lolo Paco for very long. He passed away many years ago, when I was 11 or 12. We never lived with him, we never visited him more than once a week (at most), but I always felt drawn to him. As a child, although I didn't understand why, I always sought him out in my own timid way. I would look for him quietly whenever we were at the old house on Riviera St. in Merville and my eyes would not be content until they caught that glimpse of him in his old chaise, watching TV or reading the paper. And then he would give me a kind little smile. I still firmly believe that I am his favorite granddaughter and I don't care if it isn't true.

He was the first person who gave me a REAL book. Two, actually. They were both Children's Bibles, but one was in tagalog and the other was in english. I read them both, cover to cover, many many times. I couldn't have been more than 8 - and I felt honored that he thought I could read such "grownup" books.

I was always impressed by his vast (to my childish eyes) library. But what I liked most was that though his books were old and kept well-guarded behind a shiny glass case, he always willingly pulled one out of the shelf when I hinted any particular interest. The best books are the ones that are always read, he said.

I have always secretly credited him for my love of literature. He gave me books regularly - most of which were far beyond my juevenile comprehension - and had almost unfailing belief in my ability to read and understand. He gave me books by Allan Gurganus, John Locke, and F. Sionil Jose. He let me read tales of fiery pits and impassioned betrayals. And he told me stories about himself. How he was once a seminarian destined for the priesthood. How he lost a lung (or was it a liver?) in the war. How he gave up a child for adoption. How he's kept his secrets.

Lolo Paco was the first person (perhaps the only person) who has ever told me, point blank, that I could be great. (I probably owe much of my Napoleon complex to him as well.) He didn't say I could be rich or pretty or successful. He said I could be great. He was already sick and confined to the little room in the front of the house by then. He had been telling me about how, when I was a little older, he would give me Don Quixote to read. I must have asked him a question that impressed him, because suddenly he said something that I have never forgotten. "You know, I think you have the mind to be great."

And I, in my impressionable youth, believed him. That day, he openned up something in me that let me see what I could be capable of. He openned up something inside me that amazed me. In that moment, I felt like I could do anything, like I was the chosen one, that I was destined for greatness. My mind latched on to his words with a fierceness that sometimes still catches me offguard. I held on to his words for dear life. I still do.

There are many people without whom I would be nothing. Without Lolo Paco, I would not have been me.

Pahabol Pictures

A few underwater stills, taken in El Nido.


John on a dive


It looks like I'm cruising on a carpet of corals, doesn't it? Actually, I'm on my way up to the surface and those corals are part of a huge coral wall. .


This is the ONLY entrace to the "Secret Beach", a beautiful and mysterious place locked in by rocks and jagged limestone.


The Secret Beach - a pretty enclave of crystal clear water and soft white sand.


A strange attempt at underwater jogging, maybe?


Practicing my "hovering" skills.

Laugh On

This one's making the rounds and if you haven't seen it, I suggest you take a look. Laugh trip! No idea who this girl is, but I want to thank her for making me smile first thing in the morning!

So go ahead, keys me v-neat da milky twalay and make the parflays dance! Oh and make sure it's in your father's melt!

To understand what I'm talking about, click here.

PLUS:
Things i did in THE ARNEO!

(X) eat at Manang’s

(X) learn the alma mater
I know I learned it one point. Did it stick? NO.

( ) get on the dean’s list
Some near-misses though.

(X) lie down and sleep on a bench along EDSA walk
Hell yeah. LOTS of times.

( ) be a TNT!

(X) jog around the campus in the evening

(X) visit the art gallery
At least I think i did this at one point.

( ) know at least one xerox lady, manong, or technician by name

(X) get a Jesuit for a teacher

( ) itch from higad bites

(X) have gotten an F in something

( ) have taken a crap in school

(x) watch a La Salle vs. Ateneo UAAP game

(X) give a powerpoint presentation
How could I not when it was almost de riguer? The only way to get out of the powerpoint trap was to make a video instead!

(X) study in the Caf Upstairs
Haha, the CALF. Yep. I ate their "fine dining" food quite a few times too.

(X) watch a T.A. play

(X) sit on the SEC ledge and watch the stars

(X) eat in Full House, Martha’s Kitchen, and Ken Afford
Oooh Ken Afford and Martha's Kitchen. Them good old days... although I'm really a Mang Jimmy's Tapa Mix girl.

(X) sleep in the lib

( ) visit Mr. San Andres

(X) go to the chapel

(X) have gotten a pebble stuck in your shoe/slippers in the middle of the quad

( ) cut class with your block to watch a movie

(X) sign up for those institutional (i.e. difficult but brilliant) teachers.
Oh my god, I lined up for CALASSANZ twice! I also took David, Manacsa, Arcilla, Totanes, and a bunch of others.

( ) go to CERSA night

(X) have tried siomai rice
Practically lived on siomai rice during sophomore year!

( ) fall in love

(x) actually read the book you keep borrowing from the lib

(x) play cards during your free time

(X) dress in business attire

(X) learn to stay awake for more than 24 hours straight

(X) have gotten side comments from ASSOC

(X) take (and enjoy) Saturday classes

(x) go to your immersion

(X) eat Food for Thought sandwiches
Mayo mustard!

( ) get a boyfriend/girlfriend

(X) take time to read the vandalism in the CR doors

(x) watch “Minsan Lang Sila Bata” and “Macho Dancer” for class

(X) do a last minute paper

(x) have spent a lot for 1x1 ID pictures

(X) get exempted from final exams

(X) attend a college mass

( ) play hide-and-seek in the mini-forest

(X) know where the best restrooms are on campus

(X) join an org

(X) allow yourself to make mistakes

(X) take summer classes

( ) admire the sacred heart statue in the evening
i wish i did this more.

(X) make a video for a project

( ) have a crush on a teacher

( ) attend a Jesuit retreat (a must for everyone)

(x) have gotten a parking ticket

(X) come to school in your crappiest yet most comfy clothes
ALmost everyday!

(X) learn how to use the Bayantel pay phones

(X) participate in school activities

( ) catch the Blue Babble Battalion tryouts

( ) date an Atenean

( ) ride a tricycle on campus

(X) find a tambayan.

(x) admire the marikina valley at night

(X) go drinking along Katipunan
Again, almost everyday!

(x) learn how to beg for a higher grade
Learned from Aisa (who is the QUEEN of this sort of thing). Actually skipped one PE class because of this...

(X) use your cuts wisely

(x) volunteer to be class beadle

(x) had the worst lottery schedule for reg
It was so bad I decided to just do late reg instead.

(X) admire the trees on campus

(X) have forgotten about your free cut and gone to that class

(X) eat in the ISO canteen
Almost everyday during the first two months of my freshman year - LOSER!

(X) be active in your org

(x) have signed up on an ACP class just because the girl or guy u like signed up for it

( ) get as many app forms as you can during the job fair

(X) learn how to cram

( ) sell tickets (or watch) an org-sponsored movie premiere

(X) save money to Xerox all of your seatmate’s notes
Haha, never took notes myself kasi.

( ) have accidentally seen a make-out session

(X) check out the Meron Lagoon and Lambingan Bridge

(X) have dozed off in class in Bel right after a class in CTC/SOM/Comm. Bldg or vice-versa

(X) learn how to work with groupmates from hell
Gawd, so true. But then there were times that I may actually have been THE groupmate from hell.

(X) perfect the art of parking on campus
Craters, uneven surfaces, holes in the earth and all!

(x) had a bad encounter with one of the guards on campus

(X) develop a love for sisig
Oh yeah... never ate the stuff before college.

(x) learn how to pronounce “AEGIS” properly

( ) have used typing rooms at the library

(x) have reserved a classroom, AVR, etc. for a class or org function

(x) have asked the library for an endorsement to research in other libraries

(X) have lost a perfectly functioning umbrella

(X) have used consultation hours properly

(X) Looked forward to lab breakage refund, in case you didn’t break any equipment

(X) visit the Guidance Office

(X) and Infirmary

That's all folks!

A smidge of introspection

I slept for over 12 hours last night and I'm still tired. I woke up this morning and made John turkey tenders in a tangy sauce with bits of veggies in the fridge for lunch. I had to make it up to him since I was already in bed by 5 yesterday and had not made any dinner.

I really do like cooking. Wonders never cease.

The other night I made porkchops with hummus. Divine. The porkchops were really just ordinary (if a little thick) slabs of meat seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and some cumin, but with the hummus they were transformed. I love hummus. And baba ganoush. Too bad those things aren't easy to come by in Manila. Here I just order them from FreshDirect (which is where John works, incidentally).

This weekend we shall have our first barbecue of the season -- my scrumptious Turkish veal kabobs (which involves a 2 day marinade in extra virgin olive oil, turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and a special secret ingredient), vegetable kabobs (free from FD and already in skewers!), a yummy and refreshing mint yogurt sauce, maybe some garlic rice, a spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and a couple of glasses of sangria. Splendid. The last time I made those kabobs, John and I probably ate around a pound of meat each. (Mental Note: Do not forget to buy charcoal.)

Sleepy and tired. Gah, something must be wrong with me.

Last Batch of pictures

Some more images of Taipei


Downtown Taipei.


One of Taiwan's famous night markets.


Me with the superstar's mini yorkshire -- as if a regular yorkshire wasn't tiny enough!

Yinnge, Taiwan
Beautiful dinnerware, pots, vases, glassware... exquisite plates and bowls stacked neatly by the side of road... precious tea sold at a premium... quite an experience.


The entrance to Yingge (Yeeng-guh).


Trying to make a ceramic pot of my own.


I think I'm getting the hang of it.


Well, it could've turned out worse.


A sampling of Yingge's treasures... all for just $7 or about Php 350!

10 pounds and a crop of curls later

Yes, I gained 10 lbs in about 4 weeks. Yes, I curled my hair.

Baguio, Philippines
It's been awhile since my last visit. And boy, has the city changed. There's an SM, for one. It's a lot warmer, for another. And the scent of pine no longer lingers in the breeze. But it still has its sweet little charms.

First time on a horse in YEARS.


Happy Times.


Yep, it must be in the genes.


Assumptionistas


Me and Kyra.


Manila, Philippines
Nothing changes, yet nothing stays the same. Ah Manila, my Manila.


Tres Hermanas. My first day home.


In deep conversation with my siblings and cousins... I wonder what was so important?


The people I call friends.


Taiwan
Isla Formosa, as the Spanish once called it, was a veritable surprise. I didn't expect it to be so beautiful. Sun Moon Lake in Nantou has some of the most breathtaking vistas I've seen in my life. The 101 Beauty is an extraordinary accomplishment in architectural design, and the view from the top is incredible. Even the night markets, with their parades of Chinese cuties in black knee-high socks paired with denim micro minis (or some other equally bold getup), blinking neon lights, and gastronomic curiosities, were sights to behold. And Yingge Township, just outside Taipei, has some of the most gorgeous ceramics (pots, plates, bowls, vases) I've ever laid eyes on.

Nantou, Taiwan


Sun Moon Lake, Gorgeous.


Walking on the harbor.


The mystical Lalu Island covered in mist.


Leaving Lalu Island, Sun Moon Lake.

Taipei, Taiwan

John joins his uncle (and his uncle's myriad secretaries) in prayer to the neighborhood gods.


Right in front of Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world.


View from the top


Prince Charming, perhaps?


Tomorrow: Yingge, Taiwan.

Pictures

A plethora of pictures, as promised. You can view 95 of our pictures (taken in Malaysia and Palawan) here, but you'll need to sign up.


New York, New York: Ready to Leave!

Departure. John waiting at the nearly empty JFK airport.


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

John and I met up with Ravi in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Langkawi, Malaysia

Me walking around Hangat Village.




At Pantai Cenang, the only beach in Langakwi that served margaritas!

Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines



At Banwa Guesthouse.


At the Butterfly Farm


At the Crocodile Farm


In the Jungle

El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

John surveying the land


John walking in El Nido town


Watching out for nasty plankton!




Tomorrow: Baguio, More of Manila, and Taiwan

Rambles

I'm tempted to take the train to a Filipino restaurant. I want to be swaddled in the fragrance of native comfort food as it wafts over the unmistakable clop of Tagalog on the tongue. I know that a Filipino restaurant is the closest I'll get to that right now.

I cried before going to sleep last night. I called my mom from my bed and sobbed incoherently, splashing my tears all over John's cellphone. It was inevitable. I had already been fighting to hold the sadness down even while waiting paitently in the airports, the planes, the ride home, fighting to keep my head above water with saccharine smiles and too bright eyes, and bouts of forced sleep.

I've learned that the predictability of my sorrow doesn't lessen the force of its impact. If anything, the anticipation only makes it worse.

It's strange to think that I feel most complete during these slivers of time spent in transience. Being neither here nor there makes me happy, because it means that I don't have to choose where to be. Everything and everyone comes to me instead, like moths to my flame. For the briefest of moments, I am the center of my splintered universe, and I can decieve myself into thinking that one day it will always be this way.

And I am alone again. There is no more noise, no more laughter, no more crowded nights and days. It's just us, just us, just us, just us.

I'm BACK!

Just got back from Southeast Asia about an hour ago. A crapload of pictures to follow, probably tomorrow. Right now I just want to let everyone know that I'm back, and that if I didn't see you at all while I was in Manila it wasn't because I was trying to avoid/ignore you but because my schedule was more packed than I had anticipated. We ended up with only 2 full days in Manila, so I hope you guys accept my sincerest apologies. I'll see you in October, promise!

Sidenote: Feels weird to be back home. Feels good to be back in my own space ofcourse, but I also feel myself having to readjust to the silence. It's just me and John here now, and although our apartment is tiny and cramped, I can't help but feel like the place is half empty. My mind is missing too many voices and faces and scents, I guess.

Ah, but I know I'll feel it even more tomorrow, when John goes to work and I have the flat all to myself. At least I'll have my Connie's Kitchen Gourmet Tuyo!