Brief Stories

Traveling on a Night Train from Bandung to Yogyakarta

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:05:06 PST

If you have plenty of time exploring a certain country, traveling on a train overnight is one smart move. It does cut costs not alone for your transportation but also a big chunk on the accommodation - sleeping on a train saves costs for a hotel. Last January 19, I was heading to Yogyakarta from Bandung through the cheapest mode I knew, via a train. The train service for the 8PM

Short Trip from Jakarta to Bandung

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:00:20 PST

My flight to Jakarta was grounded on the runway at Singapore Changi Airport last January 19. I didn’t expect that. I should’ve known better that Changi is such a busy port which could have heavy air traffic cum ground delays. The plane finally took off thirty minutes after it was supposed to. We arrived in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (in Cengkareng, Jakarta) at around 11AM, (

Balloons Don't Fly Away All by Themselves

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 06:32:19 PST

When you free someone close to you for reasons you have known all along spell of his/her happiness, you free a big part of yourself if not the biggest you realize you could never keep until the very end. But it’s not a bad thing after all. You have simply removed yourself from a sea of uncertainty, false hopes, bitterness and being unfair to yourself. And the grandest of things is that you

Petronas Twin Towers

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 03:41:57 PST

Kinetic I & II are to be visualised together, one complementing the other. Just as the PETRONAS Twin Towers joined by the skybridge symbolize strength in unity, the sculptures represent the concept of unity in diversity. The revolving parts of the sculptures relate to the vitality of creative vision and symbolise the dynamic growth of PETRONAS and the Malaysian people. "Kinetic I," 1998Latiff

Sleepless in Kuala Lumpur

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:58:06 PST

Bring it to the table and I would eat it. Come to my mind and I would do or act on it. With another solo exciting trip wafting into my mind that was still pre-occupied with a short, tight-packed, with-a-purpose-for-friends trip back home, all I ever wanted was to take a breather and to think – to give myself a think space, a much-needed one where a long distance from my little reality would make

Simala Shrine: Miraculous and Majestic (Cebu)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:43:14 PDT

People from all walks of life come out in droves to Simala Shrine in Lindogon, Sibonga, not just to pray for divine intervention, give thanks for their blessings or revisit their faith but to see what is clearly an architectural wonder in Cebu south. It is built on the side of a hill with a design reminiscent of European cathedrals. The shrine, even though evidently under construction when I

Shades of Grey

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:21:35 PDT

According to the wise, only two things in life are real – one is black and white being the other. These two gauge what is exclusively a right and what is a wrong, what is a yes and what is a no. They are perfect instruments to weigh on objects, people and deeds and judging differentiates one from another. They help assess the value of something by tagging it with either of the two extremes and

The Twin Bridges of Cebu

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:15:37 PDT

Cebu's twin bridges are a classic reminder of where I came from and where I was headed. I was born and raised in Leyte and found a new home through the wonderful years in Cebu. Oh yeah, reminiscing those epic years! Pictures were taken using a Sony Cybershot W310 during my trip back to Cebu from Ormoc City, Leyte in May 2010. Mactan-Mandaue Bridge Marcelo Fernan Bridge business as usual...

Pulau Ubin: Rustic Side of Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:26:58 PST

Little is known of the old ways and what used to be. But with much curiosity and keen observation, history effortlessly unfolds before your very eyes, taking you deeper into the forgone times. Once you step into the soil of Singapore, its overwhelming modernity somehow makes you forget about its beginnings. Coupled with its clever conveniences, shiny skyscrapers, green environment, Singapore

Somewhere Somehow

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 03:03:19 PDT

Waxing Crescent Moon (August 5, 2011), a photo by Joemill on Flickr. Somewhere far beyond today I will find a way to find you And somehow through the lonely nights I will leave a light in the dark Let it lead you to my heart * Lyrics from "Somewhere Somehow" by Michael W. Smith feat. Amy Grant * Forgive me the cheesiness. :)

The Green Roof at Marina Barrage

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:20:52 PDT

One of the recreational parks in Singapore of high regard is The Green Roof at Marina Barrage. Long before I went there, I only knew that that elevated, curved, green, perfect-for-kite-flying park as nothing but Marina Barrage when in fact it’s just a small part of a bigger area. Many people go there on picnics with the city’s awesome skyline in the background. But more importantly, Marina

Best of Youtube Musicians 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:27:28 PDT

Another round of good music from awesome musicians where else but on Youtube, in no specific order! They might make it to your hit-the-replay-button-over-and-over-again list. :) 1. Hoorahjencar (Joseph Vincent) 2. Ilajil (Aj Rafael) 3. Jsanchezfan (Jessica Sanchez) 4. Jessebarrera (Jesse Barrera) 5. Rojuanearagon (Maria Aragon) 6. Jasminevillegas (Jasmine Villegas) 7. GabiWilsonTV

The Funny Turkish Ice Cream Man at Clarke Quay, Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:24:29 PDT

If you want some Mado Turkish Ice Cream, go to Clarke Quay but expect a little twist. The Turkish man selling ice cream is funny, naughty, very playful. He flips the ice cream using his long scoop, gives it to you, takes it back leaving you with an empty ice cream cone, does it for a couple rounds, fakes a high five and finally you'll have what you pay for. You'll enjoy watching him doing his

Have These People Ever Read John Maxwell's?

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:21:50 PDT

When you expect too much from people whom you thought were to show good leadership, of course, you get disappointed, you carry yourself a heavy burden, you don’t miss to be a mess yourself, you find yourself getting mad unwittingly, you curse. Need I say more? These are the marks of how unhappy you could be in an environment that capitalizes on delivering results while forgetting the right way

Glimpses of Old Cebu: Images of the Colonial Era

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:43:03 PDT

The title is borrowed and so with this post’s images of bygone Cebu, decades of years past. I was at SM City Cebu, May 1st last year, for a photo exhibit and book launching of Lucy Urgello Miller's book, as titled. Pictures showcase a peek into her book, a vast collection of photos and postcards of old Cebu. According to the Philippine Star article, these “photos were taken between 1899 to 1940

Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:22:15 PDT

The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the oldest and notable churches in the city, is the seat of the Archdiocese of Cebu. It is within close proximity to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, an important place of worship for Roman Catholics. These pictures were taken in 2010 using a Sony Cyber-shot W310. newly renovated facade belfry lamp post trees draped with lights (

San Fernando Church (Cebu)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:22:33 PDT

San Fernando's San Isidro Labrador Parish Church (1870) is an example of Gothic architecture the town in festive mood (town fiesta, May 14-15), that's why the church is decorated with banderitas (fiesta banners/flags)

Images of Carcar, the Heritage City of Cebu

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 19:54:52 PDT

Plaza Rotunda the famous landmark of Carcar Don Mariano "Mayor Nanoy" Mercado, said to be responsible for the construction of the plaza; he was mayor for over 20 years St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church (1876) beautiful interiors stairway to the choir loft one of the confessionals choir loft Parish Convent Rizal Monument in front of the church

Tioman Island in Malaysia: Explored and Conquered (Part II)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:15:55 PDT

All the exhaustion that was meant to see half of the western part of the island in the day propelled us to a good night sleep afterwards. Indeed it was a “mission accomplished” in our pockets. We dozed off soundly with the cold sea breeze gently piercing into the chalet until the sound of the phone alarm at 6AM prodded us for a brand new day to be seized. It was time for jungle trekking to Juara

Manila Street in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Mon, 02 May 2011 02:41:29 PDT

Manila Street in Singapore, a photo by Joemill on Flickr.A little bit of the Philippines in the Lion City. Manila Street is an unassuming drive from Victoria Street and along Iluma shopping mall in Bugis.

Tioman Island in Malaysia: Explored and Conquered (Part I)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:04:24 PDT

The celebration of the Chinese New Year paved the way for a trip in the name of love-for-the-outdoors. My friend and I had always wanted a getaway to anywhere distant from anything synonymous to work. Malaysia became a clear top choice, accessibility and budget-wise and its Tioman Island (or Pulau Tioman), our impression was that it could satiate our islander souls. We planned it to be a

Losing Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:24:24 PDT

Reflections always prove perfect when put in writing and the now is just it. Right away. I have been in constant search for what to do going forward. I have been away from home for more than half a year now but I question what’s currently running in my life engine and the next step is a blur. It’s quite a young time for me to be feeling this way as the urgency of moving, up or down whichever is

Newbie Raises the Red Flag

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:53:26 PST

All that’s new ends up at the pile of your fancies. More realistically, not every single thing can tickle the funny bone. Feeling just one bit of it or merely looking at it, you can tell right off the bat that you would be a follower of this little new thing, addressing you to be its slave in either good or bad ways and the inception of the term newbie defaults as a tap on your shoulder. You are

Live, Laugh, Love (It's Christmastime)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:23:38 PDT

LIVE. Because one’s arrival is no accident. I have to remind myself all the time of my purpose in this foreign land. I am working my ass off here to fill in the gap described as poor man’s destiny. I have to live as I ought to live – stay healthy, frame my mind rightly and keep homesickness at bay (Ugh, it sucks when homesickness takes over). LAUGH. Because happiness is majorly a choice. The

Go Fly Kite (Uniquely Singapore)

noreply@blogger.com (Joemill) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 20:24:52 PDT

We were strolling around Clarke Quay when we saw a multi-lighted debris spiraling down the ground. That easily magnetized our attention, drawing us closer to what had just fallen, a falling star it could be. Following what seemed to be a falling star (nah, just exaggerating) led us to a feast of lights, buzzes and science in Riverside Point, just right across Clarke Quay. On the ground and in