Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Look Here!
I stumbled upon THIS in one of my forums...
It's just too adorable for words...=D okay, I'm a certified Constantine addict...
It's just too adorable for words...=D okay, I'm a certified Constantine addict...
Monday, March 21, 2005
Killing Has Been Ex-VJs...
Remind me to kill Nadya Hutagalung if ever I see her...
The friggin' Indonesian racist herself...
I was reading a local magazine called "8 Days" where when asked how she manages her wardrobe she answered, "I give my old clothes to my Filipino maid so she can sell them back home."
I wonder why it should be necessary to emphasize her maid's nationality??? I mean I would still be as miffed if she had said she gives her old clothes to her Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi (or even French or American for that matter if such a thing exist) maid...if there's one thing I observed in this goddamn country, it's that virtually no one recognizes the art of diplomacy or political correctness...
People here call African Americans, 'black,' and ask Indians whether they are the "white or black" kind...what the f*ck??? Stinking racists...
The friggin' Indonesian racist herself...I was reading a local magazine called "8 Days" where when asked how she manages her wardrobe she answered, "I give my old clothes to my Filipino maid so she can sell them back home."
I wonder why it should be necessary to emphasize her maid's nationality??? I mean I would still be as miffed if she had said she gives her old clothes to her Sri Lankan or Bangladeshi (or even French or American for that matter if such a thing exist) maid...if there's one thing I observed in this goddamn country, it's that virtually no one recognizes the art of diplomacy or political correctness...
People here call African Americans, 'black,' and ask Indians whether they are the "white or black" kind...what the f*ck??? Stinking racists...
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Alone and Liking It Immensely...
I hate doing things alone...except maybe taking a shower (which I wouldn't mind doing not alone, although it has to be Const there with me...haha...;D) or reading a book in which case I won't really need someone else's presence to perform.
A journalist friend once wrote an article in the magazine she works for on dining alone inspired by who else, but yours truly, knowing how I wouldn't ever attempt to eat anywhere, not even in a foodcourt where absoutely no one would notice, in my lonesome. She concluded however that it was a totally liberating experience, eating in a posh place, no less, without hiding behind the security of a book.
I'm still not convinced though. I would feel so naked having lunch without anyone seated infront of me to talk to. Now, don't get the idea that I'm totally dependent on the presence of others to survive. I'm perfectly capable of doing things on my own such as travel by myself or shop by myself but there are certain activities I would prefer doing with company.
Which is why I shocked even myself when I went to the Singapore Zoo last week with just me, myself and I. My sister and I got tickets but she had to work the last minute leaving me to decide whether I would waste the 18 bucks I paid for the ticket (my sis actually did pay for them...)or just go and check out the place. I opted for the latter.
The lady by the gate looked at me with an odd expression when I handed her my ticket and proceeded to enter. It's not such a wonder seeing how their usual visitors comprise of entire classes of students, groups of tourists and mostly couples. They might have thought I'm totally anti-social, repulsive, or both.
I initially trailed a pack of Japanese tourists pretending I was marveling at the tropical plants lining the footpaths but actually hoping that other visitors would just think I was with them. I can speak a bit of Japanese anyway and could actually follow much of what the tour guide was saying. The participants started to become aware of my presence however after about 15 minutes and began shooting me odd looks so I just decided to go on a tram ride so I wouldn't have to bear the pitying looks of bystanders who are probably thinking I was lost. It was a really big zoo, after all. The tram riders however were divided into either families or couples and despite my best efforts, I still stuck out like a sore thumb among them.
What the heck, I was beginning to enjoy my solitary adventure, nonetheless...
I went to the Fragile Forest next and canoodled with the furry, adorable lemurs although it was forbidden to even touch them...what? I'm horrible that way...
Before I knew it, I have pretty much seen everything in the zoo including the komodo dragons and the poisonous scorpions, reticulated pythons, iguanas, armadillos and porcupines aside from the usual attractions of bears, monkeys and cats.
A keeper approached me at one point before closing time asking whether I was lost and looking for my companions. I told him I was actually alone because I wanted to be with nature and the animals without the distraction of humans. Haha...what a lie...he offered to allow me to touch the cheetahs observing how I had been grinning widely at the felines' uber cute feline antics...I declined however as it was already 7pm and American Idol was on at 8pm that evening and I was at least an hour away from the city...so shoot me, I chose to see Constantine sing "Every Little Thing She Does" over petting a real live cheetah...what can I say? Mr. Maroulis happens to be a tad more adorable than the cats...so, so much for wanting to be with nature and the animals...=D
He's just a little too cute for words...(with AI4's Nadia Turner)
On my way out I went to the KFC conveniently situated right by the entrance of the zoo and ordered a 'Shrooms burger with cheese (yum!) and a medium lemonade...to go...I still wouldn't eat by myself...then I boarded the bus to the nearest MRT on my way back home.
I definitely got to do things alone more often.
A journalist friend once wrote an article in the magazine she works for on dining alone inspired by who else, but yours truly, knowing how I wouldn't ever attempt to eat anywhere, not even in a foodcourt where absoutely no one would notice, in my lonesome. She concluded however that it was a totally liberating experience, eating in a posh place, no less, without hiding behind the security of a book.
I'm still not convinced though. I would feel so naked having lunch without anyone seated infront of me to talk to. Now, don't get the idea that I'm totally dependent on the presence of others to survive. I'm perfectly capable of doing things on my own such as travel by myself or shop by myself but there are certain activities I would prefer doing with company.
Which is why I shocked even myself when I went to the Singapore Zoo last week with just me, myself and I. My sister and I got tickets but she had to work the last minute leaving me to decide whether I would waste the 18 bucks I paid for the ticket (my sis actually did pay for them...)or just go and check out the place. I opted for the latter.
The lady by the gate looked at me with an odd expression when I handed her my ticket and proceeded to enter. It's not such a wonder seeing how their usual visitors comprise of entire classes of students, groups of tourists and mostly couples. They might have thought I'm totally anti-social, repulsive, or both.
I initially trailed a pack of Japanese tourists pretending I was marveling at the tropical plants lining the footpaths but actually hoping that other visitors would just think I was with them. I can speak a bit of Japanese anyway and could actually follow much of what the tour guide was saying. The participants started to become aware of my presence however after about 15 minutes and began shooting me odd looks so I just decided to go on a tram ride so I wouldn't have to bear the pitying looks of bystanders who are probably thinking I was lost. It was a really big zoo, after all. The tram riders however were divided into either families or couples and despite my best efforts, I still stuck out like a sore thumb among them.
What the heck, I was beginning to enjoy my solitary adventure, nonetheless...
I went to the Fragile Forest next and canoodled with the furry, adorable lemurs although it was forbidden to even touch them...what? I'm horrible that way...
Before I knew it, I have pretty much seen everything in the zoo including the komodo dragons and the poisonous scorpions, reticulated pythons, iguanas, armadillos and porcupines aside from the usual attractions of bears, monkeys and cats.
A keeper approached me at one point before closing time asking whether I was lost and looking for my companions. I told him I was actually alone because I wanted to be with nature and the animals without the distraction of humans. Haha...what a lie...he offered to allow me to touch the cheetahs observing how I had been grinning widely at the felines' uber cute feline antics...I declined however as it was already 7pm and American Idol was on at 8pm that evening and I was at least an hour away from the city...so shoot me, I chose to see Constantine sing "Every Little Thing She Does" over petting a real live cheetah...what can I say? Mr. Maroulis happens to be a tad more adorable than the cats...so, so much for wanting to be with nature and the animals...=D
On my way out I went to the KFC conveniently situated right by the entrance of the zoo and ordered a 'Shrooms burger with cheese (yum!) and a medium lemonade...to go...I still wouldn't eat by myself...then I boarded the bus to the nearest MRT on my way back home.
I definitely got to do things alone more often.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
The Lion City Roars...
It's been more than a month since I last updated this journal and I totally missed it! Internet surfing here in the Lion City (a.k.a. Singapore) costs an arm and a leg per hour. And being the bum that I currently am, on leave, without pay, I might add, from my illustrious (eh?;p) editor job in Manila, I really should be thinking how I can wisely spend my dollars. An hour of surfing costs a nice hearty meal (from soup down to dessert) in a semi-posh eating joint back home.
Anyway, after thirty days of hawker meals, 36-degree heat, 7 pm sunshine and getting lost in bus interchanges and MRT stations, here are my observations on this fabled city, so far...
1. Singaporeans dance (whether in clubs or in the streets) like no one is watching...no one quite mind if they look like escapees from Mt. Elizabeth's mental ward...
2. Public transport is a joy to behold! I've never had much fun shuttling from one place to the next via MRT or bus...yep, I've gotten lost a couple of times but with a bus guide and an air of confidence, there's no way you can miss your destination.
3. Food is more expensive than electronics. You can buy a Creative MPEG recorder for the equivalent of five meals in the famous Jumbo Seafood restaurant at Boat Quay.
4. Everyone speaks English, yep even the lowly bus driver or newspaper guy, I just can't guarantee a fluid conversation every time. While in Novena Square, I asked the woman in the information counter where I can find an internet cafe. She politely replied that the nearest one is at "Go Hi Tow Wa" and instructed that I cross the street to there. Upon reaching the place she suggested, I was pleasantly surprised that the building is in fact, called, "Gold Hill Tower".
5. It's not unusual to see people clad in fineries (good enough to go to the Oscars with) in buses or trains.
6. Whatever you do, never ride a cab if you can help it. The cost of a kilometer distance can pay for a buffet lunch.
7. American Idol is big here. And I mean, Godzilla big. 90% of households, and all buses, tune in to Channel 5 (the local carrier) on Wednesdays and Thursdays when the show goes on air.
And speaking of American Idol. I recently confirmed that rocker boy extrtaordinaire, Constantine Maroulis and I, share a psychic connection. Stop making that face and listen to me first...
While listening to Black Crows a couple of weeks ago, I decided that Const should sing the song "Hard to Handle" in AI and as you AI heads already know by now, he did sing it in last week's performance show.
Okay, I admit it's mere coincidence, but still...
Anyway, I should have already racked up quite a bill by now so although I hate it, I would have to cut this short.
See ya all next time for the continuation of my useless musings on this island country.
TTFN!
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Anyway, after thirty days of hawker meals, 36-degree heat, 7 pm sunshine and getting lost in bus interchanges and MRT stations, here are my observations on this fabled city, so far...
1. Singaporeans dance (whether in clubs or in the streets) like no one is watching...no one quite mind if they look like escapees from Mt. Elizabeth's mental ward...
2. Public transport is a joy to behold! I've never had much fun shuttling from one place to the next via MRT or bus...yep, I've gotten lost a couple of times but with a bus guide and an air of confidence, there's no way you can miss your destination.
3. Food is more expensive than electronics. You can buy a Creative MPEG recorder for the equivalent of five meals in the famous Jumbo Seafood restaurant at Boat Quay.
4. Everyone speaks English, yep even the lowly bus driver or newspaper guy, I just can't guarantee a fluid conversation every time. While in Novena Square, I asked the woman in the information counter where I can find an internet cafe. She politely replied that the nearest one is at "Go Hi Tow Wa" and instructed that I cross the street to there. Upon reaching the place she suggested, I was pleasantly surprised that the building is in fact, called, "Gold Hill Tower".
5. It's not unusual to see people clad in fineries (good enough to go to the Oscars with) in buses or trains.
6. Whatever you do, never ride a cab if you can help it. The cost of a kilometer distance can pay for a buffet lunch.
7. American Idol is big here. And I mean, Godzilla big. 90% of households, and all buses, tune in to Channel 5 (the local carrier) on Wednesdays and Thursdays when the show goes on air.
And speaking of American Idol. I recently confirmed that rocker boy extrtaordinaire, Constantine Maroulis and I, share a psychic connection. Stop making that face and listen to me first...
While listening to Black Crows a couple of weeks ago, I decided that Const should sing the song "Hard to Handle" in AI and as you AI heads already know by now, he did sing it in last week's performance show.
Okay, I admit it's mere coincidence, but still...
Anyway, I should have already racked up quite a bill by now so although I hate it, I would have to cut this short.
See ya all next time for the continuation of my useless musings on this island country.
TTFN!
