Yoville

When we we're young, I shared a room with my 2 brothers. It's a blue room with 3 beds. Here in our house we call it the boy's room.

As we grew older we need more privacy, especially for a person like me, who does not follow a routinary body clock. There are days when I would sleep at 11 pm and there would be times that I would be taking a shower at 1 am and would sometimes play my music at a high volume.

This has cause my brothers, whom I shared my room with to complain because I would be making noise at an unholy hour.

When I came back from China, having adopted to living alone, I asked for my own room.

I was granted to use our spare room to be my own room. My parents thought moving in to my new room would be smooth and breezy as just transferring all my things.

They were shocked when I told them that I have to re do the room and make it at my own design.

First I did was the shower. From the yellow and white tiles, I changed everything to "black and white only" . No other colors can be seen inside my shower except for black and white.

After doing my shower for almost 3 weeks, I started with my room. I wanted my room to have asian and japanese concept. From the original white and grey color with a king size bed, I got rid of the massive bed and changed the room color to red and black.

I modified the bed and made it as a japanese bed, which is typically close to the floor.

I also got rid of most of the stuffs inside the room to have it minimalist concept.

I just want basic things inside my room.

After a month, I was ready to move in to my very own "yoville"

As of this writing, I just finished changing the floors from cold marble to wooden floors to add japanese accent to my room.

Photos will be uploaded next post.

3.10.10

3.10 my birthday

I don't know if its just me or its the same with everyone, I always feel sentimental on my birthday.

Growing up, kids always look forward to birthdays. I was also like that.

Our birthdays makes us special. We are to believe that the day belongs to us and nothing can go wrong. We own the whole 24 hours.. It's our day.

I wanna share my thoughts about my birthday.

When I was young, I was studying away from home. Me and my siblings were staying in my aunts house with our nanny. For students, march in the Philippines is quite a busy month since its the last month of the school year. It is the month when most final examinations are given to students before having the summer vacation. Because of this I spent most of my birthdays away from home since we were not allowed to return to our hometown because it is supposed to be the study time. I have gotten accustomed to it already. But despite that, I was made to feel special during my birthday. It maybe because of the special treatment each kid gets in school during their birthdays. Because of this, I always look forward to that day in a year when I feel special.

When I was working as an Investment banker, I took time off to make my birthday special by availing of the company's "birthday leave" . As much as I can, I try to turn off my mobile phone so I wont get calls from my clients. I just want to own that special day. I either spend it by getting myself a good massage or indulging a good food in a fancy restaurant. Thinking about it now, I have come to realized, maybe I don't really need the pampering massage, but I just indulged myself to pampering just to make me special on my day.

Things started to change when I leave alone abroad, Since I was alone, I kept my special day to myself. I did my thing at work as if it is a normal day. But I bought wine for me to celebrate in my own way.

Last Year, I felt bad during my birthday... so bad that I kept it to myself.. Last year 3.10.09 I was in Agra taking some photos that my guide took me to a secluded area to have a good view of the Taj Mahal when a stranger approached me and robbed my money.. I was terrified.

It was scary to robbed in a secluded place in another country, I was thinking that I might get killed if I fight back. It felt more depressing because I was used to think that nothing could go wrong if it is my birthday. When that incident happened, part of me wants to tell the bad guy to postpone the robbery the next day because today is my day and nothing should go wrong. But well it was a wake up call to me that...

Our birthdays are our own and the whole world continues and would not stop to make it special for us.

Today 3.10.10 I was busy visiting my customers at the same time getting messages in my phone from other customers either placing orders or following up orders or worse complaining. Just tonight I was on the phone for 25 minutes with a customer haggling for an extension for price increase. As she was haggling to death I am so tempted to cut her and tell her "please stop haggling I have been on the phone for too long and spare me its my birthday". Luckily I was able to control myself.

As I grow older, I am starting to realize that birthdays are not as special as before. And learning to accept that thought, I can say I am wiser.

The irony, despite the hectic schedule, and the toxic day ahead of me tomorrow, I am still anticipating to see the many many notifications in my facebook that uniformly states " XXX posted something on your wall"

Maybe I am looking for things to make me feel special on this not so special day ;)

Let me share a photo of a homemade cake I got from an old classmate

(cake made by kelly)

Lastly, relating to my previous post. I got myself a present.

Maybe my slippers of 3 years needs to rest. I am way too late of the crocs fad... but never the less, I am joining in the bandwagon.

(new pair of footwear)

My slippers

While I was taking a shower, a thought came into me. What is one thing that I always bring with me every time I travel?

Aside from the basic necessities like toothbrush and all the toiletries. I realized it should be my slippers.

Being a person who casually loves to wear slippers everywhere I go, I want to share a simple slipper that has journeyed with me along the way.

2007.

There was a "hype" of the havaianas flip flops in the Philippines. Everyone was just wearing havaianas.

They are brightly colored simple looking flip flops that made an impression to a lot of Filipinos. Because it was very famous, havaianas launched a promotion they call "make your own havaianas" , where buyers can actually create and match different colors of the slippers.

Being hyped up as well, I lined up and match my own havaianas.

I chose an orange sole and a green strap and added a pin of the Philippine flag in the green straps.

That was 3 years ago. Currently there are a lot of flip flops that are available in the market. Havianas are not as famous as they were before.

But despite that, I realized that my designed havaianas has been with me for 3 years and has kept me company a long the way.

Some pictures of my slippers through the years

(my very own slippers lounging the beaches of white island camiguin)

(My slippers was not so useful during the winter 2009 in Korea, and it was not allowed to get inside the house as part of korean culture of leaving slippers outside the house)

(my slippers hanged in my bag for a rough adventure in laos)

( I was not wearing slippers in snowy china, but I kept them handy in my apartment)

(my slippers jumping with me in the angkors of cambodia)

(my slippers getting drunk and tried a pole dance in Pattaya thailand)

(my slippers and I are amazed of our 1st desert experience in Jaisalmer)

Yes. It has been 3 years, my slippers and I are still inseparable. I wear them everyday to work....

Thanks for keeping me company....

Something to look forward to...

It is almost a year since I got back home. How time flies. I can't believe it's a year of a complete turn around of my lifestyle.

I was traveling like crazy when I was away from home. October 08 I was in Hongkong. Spent Christmas in China (dec 08), Spent New Year in Seoul(jan 09). Had chinese New year in Xi'an (jan 09). Did India (feb 09 to March 09). Went back to China (mar 09) Got back in Philippines (apr 09).

And now I am in my hometown. It's amazing how I managed to change my nomadic lifestyle to a simple rural laid back setting.

I have to admit that there are times when I miss the crazy parties and the fast pace life I once had. It was at those times, when booking a ticket and planing a trip abroad is as easy as facebooking. Now my lifestyle is more structured and going on a trip should be planned ahead of time.

After devoting myself with helping my family at work. I need to give myself a pat in the back and to treat myself with a trip again.

I am counting the days of February and I am sure March would run fast as March 31 I am heading to the land of "same same but different" THAILAND.

It was July 08 when I planned to stop over Thailand for 4 days before heading back to Shanghai that I became fascinated with Thailand and stayed there for a month! And now I going back to Thailand again... Wooohoo

Memories of my Thailand trip came back to me as I looked at the pictures of my trip.

And I promised myself to go crazy, and get wasted during my trip next month.

I am excited to.........

Drink and meet other travelers again

(me and keith sharing a shot at 4am in some random bar)

Drink at their side walk booze

(side walk booze in Soi Rambutri)

Walk in the world famous backpacker's haven Khao san road

(the partyplace-- Khao san)

Carry my backpack again

(a common sight in Thailand)

These are the things that I am looking forward to...

While I am dreaming and excited about this trip, I can't help remembering good times also when I was working in a bank and me and my friends are looking forward friday nights for us to get wasted and party in some clubs and bars...

I wish I could be drunk right now and dancing to this music.

Since I am looking forward, for this year I am looking forward my grand vacation of going to Africa. I am planning to explore Kenya this July.

Next Stop..... Kenya

Huge thanks to E for helping me get hold of the Kenya Consulate's number for me to inquire the requirements for Kenyan Visa.

Despite some loneliness of staying in an uber laid back place.... At least I have something GREAT to look forward too

sulking in

Sulking in... That is the state that I am in now.

I just got back from a short trip from the city. I had the same feeling from the dreaded short shanghai trip I took last december 2008. I felt that the I am running around in circles but in different place this time.

Because of my actions, I really felt empty and hollow inside. I felt suspended in the air.

I am full of negative energies now. Extra sensitive people can see my inner color now is black. I am inhaling fresh clean air and everytime I exhale its all polluted dirty air. I need days to think and to get back on track again.

It's a strange feeling wanting to cry, but I cannot find any reason to cry about. I am starting not to feel anything at all. I am just numb. People can hurt me, spit on me, slap me or tickle me, and I just stay still with no emotions or feelings at all. I am becoming a thing not a human being.

I feel that a part of me is slowly taken away until I am left with nothing and could not feel anything at all.

I am sulking in.... I dont know if i wanna sulk in forever until i feel numb..

I am sorry for the negativity.... I am just sulking in

My 10

OK I am bored and I am day dreaming. As a person with passion for traveling, I suddenly thought of listing my 10 countries that I want to set off into. I thought it would be an easy and stress-free listing. But, with all the beautiful places in the world, I had a hard time tallying MY 10 top picks destination.

As much as I can, I am arranging this from my favorite down.

I want to live and experience staying with a Maasai tribes of KENYA. Also take a picture of the famous Kilimanjaro.

I want to explore the ancient structures of PRAGUE. Besides its cheap and its in europe.

Bask in the sun while sitting at one of the white houses overlooking the ocean at GREECE .

Go crazy and street dance with the carnival at BRAZIL.

Feel the pain of the latest genocide victims of RWANDA.

Take a 30 days walk in the road to santiago in SPAIN.

Offer prayers for all who died in auschwitz concentration camp in POLAND.

Smoke pot at a local cafe, and explore the redlight district of amsterdam in the NETHERLANDS.

Share a vodka during a cold winter with locals of RUSSIA.

Learn spanish in MEXICO and get drunk on cheap mojitos.

These are MY 10 places to go. If I could go back to a place that I have been to already, It would have to be MCLEOD GANJ in DHARAMSALA.

Why the hassle?

It's been a long time since I poured my thoughts in this blog. I have been looking for inspiration to drive me to think again and draft my thoughts.

Today I realized one thing that somehow made me think.... Hmmmn... why not put my thoughts into writing.

Nov 1 2009. Philippines will always be on holiday on this day for All Saints Day. This is a day where we all go to the cemetery to visit our dead relatives.

My day started early I was tasked to fetch my grandfather's sister in the airport. She arrives this day to visit her dead parents and dead brother (my grandpa) and her dead sister (i was not born when she died of cancer). Since the airport is an hour drive from our home, I had to wake up extra early to be able to get there on time.

Luckily, I was just on time when I got to the airport. After fetching her, she told me she wants to go to the cemetery but we have to stop by a local store to buy candles to offer to the dead people.

When we arrived at the store, it was packed with people buying all sorts of candles, from the tiny white simple ones up to those candles with dragon designs, which I bet would last for a few days because of its overly enormous size. At the back of my head, I was thinking " hmmmm not bad for a dead business". It took us almost 20 minutes because of the long line of customers buying candles.

From the candle store, we went to fetch the care taker of my dead relative's tomb. We have to fetch him since the keys to the mini house is with him and since a lot has changed in the cemetery we might get lost finding our relative's area.

It was a hot day, and when we were near the entrance of the cemetery, the whole road was closed because they are expecting heavy traffic of vehicles. We have no choice but to park our car on a nearby lot and we had to walk going inside.

By the way part of the chinese culture that we have is apart from lighting candles, we also offer food, drinks, flowers and burn incense for our dead family.

So walking to the cemetery we carried, flowers, candles, foods, drinks. ( I know this is going to look like someone is gonna have a picnic).

After finding our way to the narrow paths covered with mud, grass, tombs sometimes open tombs, we found our spot.

When we got there, our care taker realized he forgot to bring the keys! He has to go back to his house and get the keys and we had to wait for him under the heat of the sun with our "picnic baskets".

After 10 minutes he managed to return and we eventually were able to get in. We lighted candles, offered the food and drinks we brought.

I saw my grandfather's sister looked at the tomb of her parents and prayed.

(my great grand mom's resting place)

As she was facing the empty white wall and praying. I am almost tempted to take a photo of her. She looked like she was talking to the flower and the empty wall.

I cannot help but think.. Was this all worth it? Does it matter at all to the dead relatives? All these hassles of having to book a flight to visit them and light candles for them. Does it really impact them on their world?

I may sound so skeptical, but learning the cultures of other countries when dealing with death just made me realized and asked this question. Why the hassle of doing all these?

I witness a death ceremony in India. It was morbid on how they publicly burn their dead bodies.

Tibet culture, chops the dead bodies of their relatives and feed them to the vultures. They believe that these birds help bring their dead relatives to heaven. Another point is that, dead bodies are useless already, it would be better to make use of it by feeding the animals.

I am not against our local culture, on how we pay so much value and respect to our dead relatives.

(picture of surrounding tombs)

All these things made me believed further that our life is just a journey, we come here on Earth and we go to our next destination. Everything is temporary and nothing will last forever. We will all die and rot.

Honestly, when it will be my time to die. I would be happy to donate whatever functioning organs I have to people who may need it. Whatever is left of me shall be cremated. I want my ashes to thrown in the beach. And I may sound so tough, but I prefer that my relatives will just let go of me completely and to move on happily with their lives. That way they wont be hassled to bring their picnic baskets and have the obligation to visit my dead decaying body and offer flowers and candles in my tomb.

One funny irony I realized that made me laugh inside myself. Today I saw how much our culture hold on to our dead relatives. We do all these rituals to show so much respect and value to our beloved dead. We offer them food and flowers, as if they can eat it. That is how much respect is shown in our culture.

The irony is....

While we were looking for my great grandparents tomb, the cemetery was poorly planned that pathways we're either blocked, covered with mud and cemented tombs are just everywhere.

Since there was no proper pathways, my grandfather's sister with my aunt who was walking ahead of me. I cannot help myself and took a photo of them walking and stepping into other dead people's cemented tombs just to be able to walk easily and avoid the muddy paths.

Now I asked myself.... Where is respect there?

( we rather step on the cemented tomb than get our feets messy with mud)

With that, listen to this link which agrees with my feelings towards this realization:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxGd0g-wpXA