Australian Open 2012

I refuse to write an entry about the Australian Open. (Sore loser.)

Here's the Finals results for my own convenience. A reminder of January 2012.

Women's Finals (Martina Hingis presented the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup to the world) showed Victoria Azarenka's ascension to the top spot with a sweet bonus, her first Australian Open title by banishing Maria Sharapova with a brutal 6-3, 6-0 win.


Then the Men's Finals wherein Novak Djokovic outlasted Rafael Nadal with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 for his 3rd Australian Open title. It was an epic 5 hour and 53 minute match. I left home, attended Sunday service, then got home for the 4th set tiebreak. I thought my blood pressure was going to pop my veins.

And yes, I refuse to call this an entry.

Amazon Warrior!

Amazon is my best friend when it comes to giving me my CDs. It is also my worst enemy because it can siphon my money even while I'm sleeping.

There are only few balikbayans returning to the Philippines for vacation or from a vacation so better be fast at clicking and ordering at Amazon to have your "free shipping" from the US to the PH! Nyohooo.

So what do we have now? Say hello to my new CDs! (Yeah yeah, I'm already happy with these.)

The Submarines' "Love Notes / Letter Bombs"
Kate Voegele's "Gravity Happens" (Her song "Impatient Girl" is very much applicable to me.")
She & Him's "A Very She & Him Christmas"

I just realized I have been in love with indie music - folk, pop, rock, whatever indie. However, there are no CDs of those artists here in the Philippines! I think I'm going to die if I still run after them. And just a while ago as I type this, I hope my orders for Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton's CDs push through! That would be my birthday present for myself. Still a cheapskate compared to other folks. Haha.


MORAL: Money is not happiness, it's just a tool to get there. :)

Balanced Life

Work-Life Balance...is not applicable if you believe that your work is your life. Others make work as an excuse for their laziness to go out and mingle with other people - those one can see, feel, hear, smell, and...taste. Example:

"Yo, get-together on the 25th! See you there!"
"Ehhh.... I am busy eh...."
"Huh? It's after your shift kaya! Dude, it's on a Friday!" (Yes, the dialogue is between 2 conyo friends. So don't make pakialam that much, 'kays?)
"Have work eh..." (Truth is WLB-Loser is just really lazy to go out.) "I need to finish this real soon."
"Pfft, whatever, loser naman. Wala ka bang life?!"
And then there's....
"Define life nga sige."


MORAL: Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, (and) mental peace are all in good order. There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your break-up. There is no fun driving your car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

Don't take life seriously. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up?

Those words were taken from a shared life lesson in Facebook (Chetan Bhagat of Symbiosis as it read).

Hong Kong and Macau - 2011 Edition

Welcome to the cold November 11-14, 2011 not-so-China Amazing Race! 

Won't use the Pasalubong Guide, Itinerary, Travel Tips, Budget, Contacts template I have gifted myself with because this thing is crazy!

Since 2011 has brought me to places I have never been and never seen, I really owe this blog a couple of entries from 2011 (huhu lazy freak). First time to be out of the country with my brother and he made me plan for the trip. Yes, I crammed on the itinerary and was on the brink of diluting the map and drinking it just to make it stick to the back of my mind. Going to Hong Kong and/or Macao means a pretty nasty walkathon, as both places are really convenient for walking around. So unless you're a South Korean woman or someone from Sex and the City, stilettos are to be left home and comfy shoes/espadrilles are to be worn.

Anywhere, anytime. You have my heart and wallet,
Milk Tea.

Remember to get a map at the airport (it's free no duh) and staple it to your skin.

Let's jump straight to the ocean (pun intended)!

DAY 1 - Nov 11 [ Ocean Park Like A Boss! ]

I don't know why we got a really early flight when we all had to leave the office late the night before. So me, my brother, and his girlfriend were crazy sleepy. We're going to stay at Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) so ready the maps and the eyes for the trip!

So from HK International Airport, walk your lazy bum to the bus area and take the A21 route - double-decked bus are common in HK so enjoy the view as much as you can. After paying the remaining dues for the living quarters (Ashoka Hostel is a good and clean one promise), the next big question is, "What now??" Let's go to Ocean Park! Here's how to go to Ocean Park from Tsim Sha Tsui: Take the TST MTR Exit F/G to Central and get off to Admiralty (next station) Exit B. Take on CityBus No. 629 (you can buy the Ocean Park ticket there as well). Boom all set!

Real Panda!!!!

Here's what they call a "red panda" huhu cuteness.

Ocean Park is really, really big. It'll consume your whole day as they have animal attractions (poor kids, I seriously pity them) with a cable car inside the theme park going up to the mountains where their thrilling rides await you. Plus there's a light and fire show around 8pm so if you're planning to go here, allot one whole day for it, you'll be knocked out after gushing at Ocean Park.

Cable Car with crazy line.

Yes, never imagined jellyfish would be so cool.

Notes:
- Buy the Octopus card from the MTR as it'll be your ticket to all the wonderful places in HK.
- As of Nov 2011, Ocean Park ticket (includes all attractions and rides) costs HKD 299.
- Lines at Ocean Park are really long so if you're visiting HK, try to schedule this bad-ass during weekdays as you might decide to just go jump into the pool on a weekend line.

They'll be delighted to have you in the chlorinated pool
they're being kept in prison.

DAY 2 - Nov 12 [ Buddha Blesses Disneyland at the Victoria Peak ]

This day made my brother want to kill me. As much as I really wanted to have Victoria Peak on the 1st day, being sleepless the night before was taking its toll on us as after our hole-in-the-wall authentic HK dinner (the server was rude and mean, definitely authentic!) we slept like bears on hibernation mode.

Early day as we're conquering Lantau Island. First stop would be Ngong Ping Village. Yes I want to ride a huge cable car (Ocean Park's was just a warm-up) to see the Tian Tan Buddha. Here's how to go to Ngong Ping from TST: MTR TST to Tung Chung. Walk to 360 Ngong Ping Cable Car (you'll see it across). Purchase Crystal Cabin tickets to Ngong Ping Village.

Here's the cable car to the village!

Crystal Cabin... with that clear flooring experience.

We didn't purchase any other entrance fees, only the cable car ride because honestly, I only want to see Buddha. Period.

After a short climb on the stairs, you can see Buddha up close!

Tick, tock, tick, tock. The tour guide says it's time to move on! Let's go to adventureland to meet Mickey Mouse and the gang. We were on schedule as we got to Disneyland around 2pm. From Ngong Ping to Disneyland: MTR from Tung Chung to Sunny Bay then Disney Line. That easy!

Disneyland would feel so small after being in Ocean Park the day before. So you could really roam around and waste your time at the long queues for the rides. Just be prepared for the parade!

And yet the day is not over for us! Hahahaha I'm really pushing it this time as I really want to go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum as well. How to go to The Peak Tram: You can reach the terminus on foot from MTR Central Station J2 exit. Just follow the signs and you'll survive. :)

Long liiiiiiine.

After this, all we had in mind were food and rest.

Notes:
- Remember to get the Crystal Cabin to go to Ngong Ping Village and see the Tian Tan Buddha. The price difference is not that much and the line on the way back is shorter. Plus it's also pretty to see the lush greeneries underneath.
- Once you're in Disneyland, check the schedule of the parade immediately. Then circle your life around it. You're in there for the parade and the fireworks!
- Disneyland entrance fee is pretty heavy. HKD 399!
- Buy the bundle of Peak Tram (to and from) plus the entrance fee of the wax museum and Sky Terrace. Around HKD 210. :)

So This is the New Year

2011 was so spectacular, just thinking of how 2012 can top it, or at least be at par is already giving me hypertension (that is not contributed by the chopped up lechon on the table).

I have been to a lot of places, made big girl decisions (and committing to it), and have experienced the intense grief of losing someone very special. I have seen the sharp edges of friendship, encountered people who make the world interesting - in both ridiculous and amazing ways, have appreciated the fruits of hardwork (plus accepted that God will provide just not always in our suggested time which is NOW), and more than that I have valued my family in exponential times and realized that life's too interesting to feel bored and useless.

We make our paths, maybe with the help of other people, but we need God to make it the right one.

2011, you've been so memorable I pray let's make 2012 end-of-the-world-level exhilarating! :)

It's already the New Year. Now let's get a life.

Christmas Break

I envy my friends who can produce heartfelt, emotion-filled entries with 3,000 lines well-spent. When I start writing something, I stop mid-sentence and flash the events back. I get warped to the scene that cause whatever feelings I have and get lost in that dimension.

All I can type of right now are about teas, books, movies (or series), travel spots, and music. Oh yeah about life as well but entries that are taken from the strongest vein in my body that can make your heart skip a beat? I'll pass. I can write out dialogues, scripts, lines, those that can be movie-worthy (self-confidence, yee-haaaw!) but anything that is really from my own? Nah. Someone please pass the popcorn, I'm watching Revenge and re-creating the whole thing in my head.


See, the only thing I could say now is how anal I get inside music and bookstores. I have been spotted arranging the CDs at a popular bookstore when there are multiple copies of the same artist distributed all around. What ever happened to categorizing or having them arranged alphabetically?! No one wants to flip all the CDs over just to know if the artist they've been searching for is just behind the Justin Bieber hair-covered album cover staring them in the eyes?

One win moment I had when I went to Fully Booked was when my friend shouted at me, really confident that the book I picked up (in a motion to buy it) was fugly. He swore that I must not purchase the book just because. That book has been on my list for so long and this person is spitting venom into my face by saying it's not worthy of being bought! Turns out 2 of my most wanted titles are what he got me. Yaaay!

Here we have a Maximum Ride novel and also one from
Jonathan Safran Foer. It's a Merry Christmas indeed!

MORAL: Want something? Ask but do not expect that much. :)

Christmas Thing

These short paragraphs glued together in one entry were drafted last Dec 24, 2010. Wow, almost a year of being stuck in my phone!

Christmas.

This would be my most expensive Christmas so far. I'm not setting up the electric chair just because  of the cash out that occurred. I just computed my expenses, that's all. Recomputed it and still yielded the same numbers. My brother told me it's okay - it's my first Christmas with my own earnings. Good enough.

Seeing gifts from me and for me at our gift area (no, we didn't set up a tree this year because we're all getting fat already) makes me excited for Christmas. Presents I get from friends are left unopened till Christmas. Such a kid. Self-control is necessary to restrain one's self from violently tearing those neatly wrapped presents. Family members are writing each other's names, with my brother the surprising revelation as he's giving stuff now (Edit: now that it's 2011, he freaking bought an HD media player for everyone).

Honestly, I don't know why my family still give me something. Them helping me all the time and just being there is a present I thank God for everyday.

MORAL: It’s Christmas season. Since there's no Thanksgiving (holiday) here in the Philippines, this season would be the perfect time to thank people who are important to you or those who may have touched your life in one way or another. In giving (presents or tokens of appreciation), we are thanking them. :)

We're in the Russian Parliament, Baby!

When my boyfriend ultimate favorite (former) tennis player decided to go into politics, I thought maybe he was a little sexy-mad that time. Then poof. He freaking won. Marat Safin is part of the Russian federal parliament. Although he's part of Putin's party which is currently the target of 140% voters-turn-out jokes, in my heart I know a lot of people voted for him. So shut the crap up and believe in Marat Safin! I wonder how many tables or chairs would be smashed when he's mad. Incredible Hulk. You no make Marat mad.

MORAL: When you're a retired professional athlete, either go into show business or politics. It works.

Vanessa Carlton - Carousel

Of course, when I realized I posted Michelle Branch's music video, I searched my blog if I have also included Vanessa Carlton's. Holyfreakingmotherofnine!
(And music/videos are my instant posts if I haven't blogged for so long. :| )

One of my favorite artists should never be missed out. Dear friend, you'll get back around. Believe Vanessa Carlton. :)

For all you broken-hearted lovers lost
Go find another one
Cause you know time won't wait and you'll be late
White rabbits on the run

But the goodness is something you don't have to chase
Cause it's following you

And all you'll hear is the music
And beauty stands before you
And love comes back around again
It's a carousel, my friend