Oh My Shanghai!

When you think you had it all, you're mistaken.

Now, wait. This is not some sort of a threat. It doesn't even connotes seriousness.

I was just talking about - FOOD! Chinese food that is. You see, we had our team dinner last night. We were given the location beforehand but we don't know which restaurant yet.

While on the taxi heading to Shingkong Mitsukoshi our Taiwanese team member called me up and told me the name of the restaurant. The name was in chinese she said but the menu will include shanghai dishes. "Okay", I said. So we thought, right, yet another Chinese food.

You see, this dinner thing is monthly basis. Thus, we always thought of something nice. We've been craving and wanting to go back to this shrimp house/restaurant where they offer mouth-watering dishes. But we had no luck this time.

I was actually expecting some traditional and "same old" dishes infront of the dining table but when the orders came, I was like OMG, this dishes should come with rice - lots of rice that is.

That made me confirm the fact that chinese food is so diversed. It is a great nation that offers different cuisine to our stomach's delight.

Shanghai dishes I can say has a bit of Filipino taste (or it's the other way around). "The taste is stronger", one of the team member said. You can always find soy sauce and sugar in their dishes which made me drool because I like soy sauce very much.

Anyway, I have to burn what I ate last night this coming weekend. Jogging for two hours perhaps? Goodluck!

P.S. I forgot to take pictures of the things we ate because I was busy eating. LOL.

Be human. Be loved.

Everytime I'm travelling, be it a long journey or just a trip to supermarket or a walk down to the nearby convinient store, I always observe other people. I glued my eyes to outside happenings. Actually, It's a habit of mine that somehow, would annoy others if they found out that I'm reading their ways as if they are tiny organisms subject for analysis in the microscope.

So last night, I was riding in a public coaster bound to Juangjing Road where my apartment is located. The traffic light was red at that time so I have a clearer,longer view of what was happening on the street.

There was a man who is holding flyers trying to distribute to strangers who are coming from the other side of the road. He was quite excited to hand out the flyers maybe because he has been standing there for quite a while (or for hours) and maybe, the only thing in his mind was to have the flyers run out and head home to his family or friends.

Nevertheless, from the five or so who walked past through where the man was located, No one did not even looked at the man. One was busy talking on his cellphone. There were two women whom he actually go after because he didn't caught their presence before but sad to say, the women refused to take the flyers. To cut story short, the man was not able to hand out a damn flyer - not even one.

To you, this situation is normal. Honestly, I think it is only natural for this type of things happen. It his job we might say and we can't force other people to take those flyers just for the sake of.

Actually, I feel annoyed everytime people tries to hand me out some flyers. Who doesn't? From the thousands or millions of flyers being hand out in the street, consider yourself lucky if you have at least one from these that you could be interested in. From these flyers, how many are for real and how many which are not?

But my emotions are toying with me every now and then. Maybe it is one of my soft side. At that time, I pity the man.

I imagined myself handing out those flyers. Standing still in one area, with hundreds of flyers in one hand and a piece on the other, and a smile ready to share, excited because there are crowds coming in, thinking and hoping that I hand out all the flyers soon and just head back home - It felt sad.

Once again, we point out that it is his job. Point considered. But, can we at least "be human" enough to refuse by giving a slight smile or a little gesture of refusal and NOT JUST WALK PAST THROUGH THE MAN AND ACT AS IF HE DOESN'T EXIST!

We should consider ourself lucky because at least we have jobs which are, shall we say decent enough compared to the "just his job" of the poor man. Try to be in his shoes. All he did was trying to finish his job and it is just correct to give him a little consideration.

Being ignored is one of the worst feeling a person can experience. A little attention would make a person smile. A little attention could mean a little compassion and little love altogether.

So it's Tuesday

Would I be blogging everyday now? Would it be my daily routine to blog about my feelings? Let's see.

So, in contrast with my drowned self yesterday, I'm feeling okay now. I got up a little late as opposed to the 7AM set on the alarm clock. I woke up a quarter before 8AM. Still catching those lost sleep, huh? LOL.

Anyway, I really wanted to wake up earlier these days. I started doing some small exercises. I bought a jumping rope the day before I flew to Manila and been using it since, a couple of munites after waking up. A hundred or so jumps will do. But I hope I will progress as time goes by.

I really want to cut my weight. Not for anything else, but it's for my health. I even believe that my parents are still at par with regards to their health compares to mine. Who doesn't have to worry when you sit 8 hours a day, "mingle" with stress all the time. I tell you, this job is killing me.

I even started jogging - which I hope will be a weekly routine which I pray, will turn into daily routine. As I mentioned in one of my post, I was able to succesfully cut weight when I will be attending my secondary education. I was so fat then that I don't want to be bullied. My daily routine before were the following.

1. Get up 5:30 AM
2. Jog and play hoops around the basketball court for around 30 munites
3. Extra careful of rice intake. A cup will do.

Now, can I get up that early? - I am trying. I do jog now, not everyday though but I use the jumping rope as a substitute. For the rice intake, God, but I'm really trying to cut my rice intake. That is why I have huge cans of oatmeals at home.

What else is new? Ah yes, new template for my blog and good thing Adsense from Google accept my application. So to those who will came accross with my blog, click those cute links at the link to help me, okay?

So much for now. Gotta go back to work.

What's up with Monday?

Gone are the days when I'm so eager to go to school on the first day of the week. When I wake up early every monday morning to ready myself to go to school. That was like decades ago. I don't know what happened but now, I hate Monday. Okay, "hate" is a strong word, so I'd like to rephrase my statement - "I don't like Monday".

Since I became an adult especially when I started working, this day of the week has never been my favorite. Maybe because two days off are never enough to recharge from the 5 horrible, tiring and stressful days of work. It is the day when you have to wake up early in the morning which you never did for the past two weekend mornings that makes you all grumpy on the first hours of the day. It is the day when you have to see most people you never really like. It is the day when you have to wear uncomfortable clothes. It is the day when you have to act being an adult - a mature adult that is. It is the day when you really don't like working and trying to act like a busy employee.

Thus, it makes me wonder how it feels like being excited again.

Thus, it makes me think what can my attitude towards Monday change.

On a second thought, maybe the reasons I mentioned above are not the main motivation that explains my indifference towards this day. Maybe, I hate my work. Maybe I need to have a career change. Maybe it is not my passion to be infront of a computer all day fixing programs, developing systems for institutions who hires us for it. Maybe because I'm getting older and I still don't know what my life is heading to. Maybe because I haven't got all the love I can have yet. Maybe because nobody excites me anymore. Maybe it's just my whole attitute that has a problem and instead of hating myself, I'm bitching other things.

Stop! Breath. SIGH.

Missing our Home

Before I proceed to Manila last Tuesday, I took our living room a snapshot last Sunday. Well, It was because of the new lamp shade I bought. :D I just wanted to see how it look. Actually, I like taking picture inside and outside of our house. I just miss it.

Flying back to Taipei

June 22, 2005



This photo was taken at NAIA Terminal 1 Gate 10 while waiting for boarding.

Post from the Airport

As the song goes, "all my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..", yes I am leaving again today. This post is actually being written at gate B7 of Chang Kai Shiek International Airport, Taiwan. I am waiting for my boarding time which is 9:30 AM. My flight to Manila is 10:00AM.


C.K.S. Airports Terminal 1 Gate B7

I'll have an almost 1 week vacation in the Philippines which will be mostly spent in my province.

The lady driver whose servicing us from and to the airport asked me something a while ago. She is confirming wether we will be leaving Taiwan for good- soon. I can't really find an aswer because our company hasn't given us any information yet. It actually started when my officemate Joena told me that she already asked her superior to go home for good and that she actually might go home next month.

I don't know but the thought of going home makes me a little bit sad. Or disappointed? I don't know. The "going home" schedule was originally slated on February of next year and I already set my self on that schedule. It started when they had lunch together with some of our client's employees and this topic was brought up. They even asked about my own schedule and they said that I might be staying a little bit longer.

Now, I got mixed emotions. Was I sad because they will probably leave me alone here or because I was sadden by the idea of going back to hard-Manila life?

Actually, one night, while we are riding in a taxi back to our apartment, they asked me a "what-if" quick question. What if our client will offer me a permanent position? It's a simple question but actually, it made me think hard. It would be a huge decision. There are many things to consider. Given the fact that I still have many plans in the future.

Things are a bit shaky this days. I hope when I come back I will have clearer views on things.

See you next week!

101 Things You Don't Know 'bout ME

I've tried to list a hundred facts about myself and I did it, Whew! I thought I won't be able to finish it considering I made the list for 8days. But, as I was about to reach the 100th spot, facts started to sink in. That's why I decided to make it 101. From this list, you will find things about me which could make you conclude how pathetic and loser I am. Har har har!

So without much further ado..Here it is!

1. I'm a snub but I always like to make friends.

2. I am from the province of Ilocos Norte.

3. I have three siblings. Two older sisters and 1 older brother.

4. I am the youngest.

5. I like travelling.

6. I have been to these places.
- Hongkong
- Macau
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Shenzen, China
- Taiwan

- Beijing, China

- Oslo, Norway

- Amsterdam, Netherlands

- Stockholm, Sweden

- Copenhagen, Denmark

- Paris, France

- Cannes, France

- Nice, France

- Monte Carlo, Monaco

- San Remo Italy

- Sydney, Australia

- Mongolia

7. The only singer whom I collect all albums, watch concerts, member of the e-group is Regine Velasquez.

8. I love to sing.

9. I can sing any song but I don't know how to rap.

10. When I was still in Grade school, I was a recording artist. I've recorded two songs; one solo and the other one as a group. I've been engrossed with the easy money and touring radio stations that I told my parents that I don't want to go to school anymore. My singing career stopped right there and then.

11. I've changed cellphone models every year since 1999.

12. I have fewer male friends than female friends.

13. I like change.

14. I like to be different from others.

15. The company where I currently work for is just my second since I started working professionally since 2000.

16. I'm sensitive. I don't participate nor comment on certain topic which I'm sensitive to talk about. I just smile and listen to conversation if that happens.

17. I hate insensitive people.

18. My drawing was published in national comic magazine called Funny Comics when I was still in grade school.

19. I love music. There was this one time when we took a day trip bus from Manila to Ilocos Norte. It took us more than 10 hours without hearing any song. It's one of the worst day of my life.

20. My birthday is every October of the year which make me Libra.

21. My older sister celebrates her birthday the day right after mine.

22. My other older sister and older brother celebrate their birthdays on the same month.

23. In connection to #19, I also like listening to artists from other country. It doesn't matter if I can't understand their language as long as I know the gist's song and I love the song's melody.

24. My real name "Jessie" is a girl's name - well, more on the spelling though. They thought I will come out as a baby girl but end up being a boy. Actually, the girl's name was suppose to be "Josephine" in accordance to the customary "J-O" first two letters of my sibling's names.

25. I have a Cantonese(read: from Hong Kong) friend.

26. I don't have any credit cards. ( Now I have: 6-2010)

27. I maintain 3 bank accounts in two banks; two Peso accounts and 1 US Dollar account.

28. I can dance.

29. I like watching TV. I have watched all the seasons of "Friends" and currently finishing up "Smallvile". ( 6-10: This is so old school)

30. I like watching Korean/Japanese series.

31. My favorite colors are black, white, any shades of blue, and gray. Though for my office attires, I like to mix-match.

32. I love electronic gadgets.

33. I'm shy but oftentimes mistaken to be a snub.

34. I'm a home-buddy person who likes to travel.

35. I buy pirated DVDs. (Whay can I say.. It's super cheap!)

36. I believe in "love at first sight".

37. I love Fossil watches.

38. I've watched porn. (Tell me a guy who doesn't anyway???)

39. I love Apple products.

40. My favorite sports would be table tennis, badminton, lawn tennis, and volleyball, swimming and bowling.

41. I graduated Salutatorian in my High School batch.

42. I've never been to any part of Visayas and Mindanao. (6-10: Been to Bora)

43. I could be thoughtful. :)

43. My crushes are Kristin Kreuk and Song Hye Ko.

44. I wish I am taller.

45. I dream of getting a franchise from Jolibee or Mc Donald's.

46. I don't talk too much.

47. I easily get jealous but fades in no time.

48. I won a first place award for an inter-high school YMCA singing competition. I was suppose to represent Region 1 for inter-region competition but I backed out.

49. I was the high school's CAT highest ranked official.

50. I was a brat while growing up. Well, I think I still am! :P

51. I still rent an apartment with my cousin and some friends.

52. I am not contented with just one hair style.

53. I wish to migrate in the US or Europe but still retire in my province.

54. I once helped in harvesting rice but end up hurting my self. I've never worked in the farm field ever since.

55. The GPA of our batch's valedictorian is only .02 higher than mine.

56. I don't know how to play any major instrument. I played the lyre in grade school though.

57. I've been living here in Taipei, Taiwan since August 2003.

58. I will be going back to the Philippines by February 2006 (hopefully).

59. In grade school, the day of the inter-school choir competition was the day my voice started to change into puberty's voice.

60. I can cook.

61. I can drive a motorcycle and a car.

62. My favorite aunt already passed away.

63. My favorite beverage would be Iced tea, pineapple juice, orange juice and hot green tea.

64. I don't descriminate openly. I keep it within myself.

65. I've been a guest speaker in my high school's commencement exercise.

66. I'm still have indifferent feelings toward my Grade-6 adviser who always hates me before, and one college proffessor who failed me in one of subject.

67. The same college professor whose the reason that my 50% tuition fee scholarship was revoked.

68. My first choice for a degree was Business Management.

69. I end up taking BS in Computer and Information Science.

70. I am intimidated to girls taller than me.

71. I have a tendency to be insecure.

72. I have a small business.

73. I don't like loud people.

74. When I was learning to ride a bicycle, I lose maneuvered it and end up in a cliff. Good thing I was trapped in tree branches.

75. I only had my circumcision on the summer before my first year in high school.

76. I don't like to be involve in any fight.

77. I started working professionally months before I graduated in College.

78. My first company that hired me is the same company where I spent 8 months as an intern.

79. I've only cheated once in an exam in College. It was the proctor who gave us the consent.

80. I like competition when I was still in high school.

81. When I was younger, I would swim in nearby irrigation with carabaos.

82. When I was about to enter secondary schooling, I had a rigorous dieting and physical activies to lose weight because I don't want to be name-called "pig" or "fat".

83. I don't easily trust strangers.

84. I usually don't know how to start conversation with strangers.

85. I like reading other people's blog.

86. I like surfing the wired world.

87. I still address my seniors in my previous company "Ate" or "Sis".

88. I don't address my sisters "Ate" or "Kuya" to my brother. We call each other in first name basis.

89. I always think myself as ordinary.

90. My passport number is J*02*260 which expires December, 2006.

91. I have two insurances - Life insurance and a pension plan.

92. I have a childhood sweetheart whose name is Michelle.

93. My driver's license will expire this year.

94. My employment status is direct contractual.

95. I always think that my older siblings should get married first before I am.

96. I always think the Philippines could've been better under the US government.

97. I still have 20-20 eye vision (thank GOD!).

98. 30 is the age for marriage.

99. I still have the same mobile phone number since 1999.

100. I always think I am better than the rest.

101. I was the one who decide which paint color will be used in our house. I've copied most of it from a magazine.

Farewell Dinner to Berve

We had our farewell dinner for Berve at the Wasabi restaurant at the 4th level of Taipei 101 mall. He will be based in Manila again. That leaves the three Pinoys here in Taipei - me, donald and jona.






(L-R) Joyce, Young Nam, Jona, Donald, Berve & Jeremy



(L-R) Joyce, Young Nam, Jona, Donald, Berve & Me