new things

So here are the things that happened to me lately:

1) I got into an accident while using the treadmill. It's a real case of stupidity. I was trying to read a magazine while running. Yes I know it's sort of foolish to do, but I felt like a superwoman that time -- enriching my mind while sculpting my body. The magazine slipped in my hand, so I had to reach for it. Dumb me, I did not stop the machine so I got thrown on the floor. So I was right on the floor, with all the pretentious socialites in the gym laughing at and/or feeling sorry for me. But I had to get back there to restore my dignity. Dumb me again, I returned without realizing that the platform is still rolling, so I got thrown AGAIN when I came back. Somebody yelled "You have to press STOP!", I yelled back "I know!" But it was too late, all the dignity I got left simply vanished. Finally an instructor came to the rescue and asked if I was ok, I had to say "Yes, no worries. I'll just run again.". In my attempt to regain my dignity, I ran for another 20 minutes while still reading (I never learned my lesson), with my entire body aching and some bruises bleeding. When I came back to change clothes, I really felt loser so I called my bestfriend. Even she is laughing at my accident. I got bruises all over my body now. It's been more than a week but the wounds are still fresh. Damn.

2) I got into a Jazzdance class last night. Imagine having to rehearse for an hour just to finish a 30 second choreo. It was really fun. Nevermind the bruises, I'd feel more of a loser if I just rot myself in my room, looking back at all the stupidities I made in my life.

3) I made a Friendster testimonial for my childhood bestfriend. I am not really a testi freak, but I felt like doing it. She made me a testimonial, and I was tearjerky upon reading what she had to say. I realized that I am a good person afterall, modesty aside. haha!

4) I spent another night of photo session of Hong Kong, this time taking it from the other side of Victoria Harbor. Also my first to time to finally use a tripod. Feeling pro! haha!

5) Forgiving my ex who cheated on me. This time I really intend to do it wholeheartedly. Hate is a self poison that I had been overdosing myself with. Time to move on. Besides, I have more important things to deal with aside from dwelling in the past -- like finding my ikigai.

So there. I'll post photos soon.

november 20

it's my mom's birthday. i greeted her when i went home after work. we talked for 35 mins, simply fighting about her application for passport. the conversation gave me a headache.

anyway, i was reading a back issue of National Geographic. it's about the secrets of living longer. they featured three communities that are holding the record for life longevity -- sardinians in italy, okinawans in japan, and seventh day adventists in california. these three communities have three things in common as far as i can remember: healthy lifestyle, family first, and social involvement.

this changed my perspective in life. there's so much to love about living despite all the war and poverty around us. so i'll try to take care of my body and sanity.

vocabulary 101:

ikigai - Okinawans' term for "that something that makes your life worth living"

moai - Okinawans' term for their inner social circle where they depend on each other emotionally and financially

I need a moai!

Also, what's my ikigai? I have yet to find out.

But for now, I'll try to enjoy life.

What I am eating these days?

Instead of potato chips, I snack on Kellogg's Corn Flakes at any time of the day.

My main meal is Maxim's Baked Lasagna.

Dessert is Mini, Chinese Yakult!

Yum Yum!

What could this be?

Come on, three guesses.

Too easy.

Due to my addiction to Maxim's Lasagna, I was able to collect Hello Kitty amulets (well they call it as such) from 7-11. Of all characters, why does it have to be Hello Kitty? Let's just say I was never a Hello Kitty fan. Now that theme song from the Hello Kitty song that my sister used to watch on Sunday mornings rings in my head...

Hello Hello Kitty

Hello Hello Kitty

Aaarggh! But I have to admit, they're not that bad. I want to collect the other 24 designs. I am such a hypocrite. Haha!

So what's my favorite cartoons?

Heads down to Lilo and Stitch.

My real love story revolved around the movie, so that makes it a plus.



For weeks now, I am trying to relive the story inside my head. Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten. Tear tear.

Musta ka na Lilo ko? Waha!

One of my attempts on macro photography

my nov 19 adventure

The New Star Ferry Terminal. For only 1.70HKD (lower deck), you can experience one of HK's trademarks.









And yes, we also have those little pigeons flocking the city's plaza. It just doesn't look too dramatic since there are people everywhere. What can you expect? You're in China, for Christ's sake.



















I hate Christmas, due to personal reasons, but this overly decorated mall really caught my attention.








So here's the thing, I was going to the HK Cultural Center to attend the "Open House" celebration. HKCC is a venue for grand concerts and other cultural presentations. This time it's free so I took the opportunity. They invited clubs and organizations to perform local and international presentations.





Clown on stilts. I still wonder how they manage to walk in towering planks with the faith that no psycho would ever shake their feet extensions thereby causing their death.



I believe it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.















Grannies doing a Cambodian dance.















Teens ballroom dancing












Kids being the clowns for the day




















Bringing real smile to the clowns















One of the girls belonging to a dance organization ingenuously dancing with wooden boxes.



















These girls can really dance!
















Dancers having a good time. This is my favorite shot for the day.








So after the "Open House" event, I am off wandering and taking night shots of Hong Kong.









The Peninsula Hotel at night


















I also went to the exhibition entitled "Body Moves", an interactive presentation wherein peoples' images are flashed by the use of projectors while spectators can see their enlarged shadows.















Would my night photo session of HK be complete without taking it from Victoria Harbor?








And this picture caps my November 19, 2006 adventure.

This reflects my life here in HK, fast yet manageable...so far.

my first attempt

I have signed up a to a lot of blog websites already. But somehow, I still could not manage to write one sensible thing to even start!

I was thinking of doing a scrapbook to chronicle my adventures and misadventures. I even collect magazine scrap to embellish the memoir I have been planning.

But I realized that it would be selfish to do so since I will not be able to share it to others for the reason that I live alone in a foreign land. No one will be encouraged to care about my life since no one can see my revered and imagined scrapbook.

So I hope I can maintain this site, and share to other what I have been up to.