JUST THINKING OUT LOUD!

So Alone but Never Lost-- HongKong

2011-11-26T13:59:00.005+08:00

Towering apartments and business establishments
were the scenes that greeted me when the bus I took
from Shenzhen airport was on the bridge leading to
the shopping capital of the World- Hongkong.
The bridge was in the middle of high rise apartments and
business offices that seemed to devour the limited
space given to each of them."Too many to build but too
little space available" I realized.
I arrived in Mongkok where my hostel was. Mongkok is
packed with shopping malls, fastfood chains and restaurant
both local and international.
It took me some time to find my hostel because I relied on
the address and not the detailed map that they left on the
website. It was already 2 pm when I found my hostel.
I fell asleep after settling down.

The hostel was located in a building shared with several
other hostels. The single room I booked was so tiny but
has television set, airconditioner, heater and a small
closet. Well, good enough for tired muscles to recover
before taking another adventure.At night I walked around
Mongkok and stumbled into a long line of night market.
I was like,"OMG"-An hour won't be enough even if you
don't plan to buy any. Anyone who loves shopping would
drawl for the bags, shoes, souvenir items and anything
under heaven.
Mongkok

Mongkok

On the next day, I took a map and headed out. I started
hiking around Mongkok. I came across a temple and got in.
It somewhat looked similar to some temples I've visited
in China. I went to the park and took a taxi to a church
somewhere in nathen road. I then went to the Peak
to view HK on the top. It was a breathtaking experience
looking at the spectacular view of the city, victoria
harbour and the sky rocketing buildings.The peak tram was
also an amazing experience. I took it
when I got down from the peak. It was the the perfect way to
experience HK's natural wonders with the spectacular
perspective and illusion the tram creates when it
is moving down.
Temple in Mongkok

at the park!

Hiking in HK

Christian Church

Mosque

The Peak

View from the Top

Botanical Garden

This one below was at the Peak, people wrote messages to their
loved ones and then posted it there.

Then I went to Victoria Harbour to see the symphony of lights.
Going to this harbour was really my major reason for visiting
hongkong and I made sure not to miss the show even if I knew
that I didn't have enough time left before my flight. It
started at 8:00 and lasted for 20 minutes. At that time the
sponsor of the show was Shanghai. When the clock struck 8
44 buildings on both sides of the harbour burst in multi-colored
lights and music. The tourists and locals became quiet for
awhile and just mersmerized the playful lights dancing to the
beat of the music.
Victoria Harbour and The Symphony of Lights

Then after the show I rushed home at night to catch my flight
back to Cebu. This time I took the subway and successfully
got out of the correct station. Unlike the days that I came
out in the wrong station and ended up walking to my
place. Taking the subway in Hongkong isn't complicated. It
was just me who made it complicated.Hongkong isn't a very huge
place so you can go around by subway. I took a taxi when I
couldn't find my way anymore.

My two days were not enough to see everything in Hongkong. There
were still many places that I didn't go to. I even missed
Disneyland. So hopefully I get to see Hongkong next time
and hopefully by that time I wont be
SO ALONE EVEN IF I WON'T GET LOST!

Coincidence or Fate?

2011-11-07T13:28:00.006+08:00

I once had two memorable days that I was caught staring at my messenger and
smiling and giggling "just like crazy", my roommate commented.
But the two days of happy coincidence ended too soon and
I've decided to leave it behind and moved on to the next page
but the thing was, my heart got so used to it, looked for the thrill it brought....
To bring myself to conciousness, I wrote in my shout out saying
"Nerissa needs to forget you". I expected friends on the list
to make all kinds of reactions but what I didn't expect
was to get the first reaction right after I clicked enter and what was more
surprising for me was to get it from the one I INTENDED it to saying
"Don't forget me". I felt like I was caught doing a crime and I scrambled
for some reasons of my post. "hmmm, because of the holiday...because of
my colleagues and because of my new responsibilities. All those were so
irrelevant and illogical. I was not good at inventing stories but
there was no way to clear things out because I couldn't say that it was
because of the two days of nonsense chat with him....

--------JUST THINKING AND FEELING OUT LOUD!

Lantern Festival in Tieling City China

2011-04-12T14:20:00.004+08:00

Every year the locals and Wàiguó rén (foreigner) like me are looking forward to this time of the year where the streets become colorful, bright and festive. Part of the celebration of the Chinese New Year is the putting up of these gigantic lanterns on the street. Each of these lanterns represent a business group, public and private institution.

Amidst the chilling temperature, people come out of their houses to join the rest of the population picking up their favorite display.

Here are some of the lanterns in 2010 Lantern Festival (The Tiger Year)

and this Year's Lantern Display (The Rabbit Year)

The Tiger Year 2010

Lantern Festival 2011

The Rabbit Year

Which one is your favorite?

To Eat or Not To Eat (Some Exotic Foods in Beijing)

2011-03-24T13:33:00.004+08:00

They said, in China, they eat everything that flies except airplanes and anything except chairs and tables. Two years in here, I think people were just exaggerating the idea. Not all people eat dog meat or grilled scorpions. Not every day that they have snake for dinner or lunch. Rarely you can find fried insects sold in a restaurant. So I have been wanting to see a place that I heard from my friends so when I went to Beijing, I had a chance to see myself these truly Chinese street food!...

Will you try to eat for the sake of "Once In A Lifetime Adventure?"

silkworms

snake

scorpions

<><><><><><><><>

scorpions

grasshoppers

starfish

Will you try to eat for the sake of "Once In A Lifetime Adventure?"

My 730th day in China

2011-03-22T22:53:00.002+08:00

What do you think I should do on my 730th day here in China?

Since I am living in a ~~country side~~ simple and peaceful city, I think I should be contented into looking at child's art hanging around the corridor of the kindergarten where I teach 3 times a week, hoping to get inspired by how kids innocently see the world in lieu of the grand art museum or theater.

Or pass by an old acquiantance or have a taste Chinese barbecue on the street

Or maybe just be contented with a bite of these apples

perhaps indulge in these chocolates

or maybe, end the day with a glass of one of these

or maybe just go home and do lesson plans again!

My 730 days in China was a complete package of adventure.

A test of strength

A test of principle

A test of pride

and

A roller coaster ride.

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Can You be Someone Else?

2011-03-17T23:49:00.006+08:00

How does being compared to someone else appeal to you? Does it “make you or break you?” Does it enhance your skills and be good at what you are doing while being appreciative at other people’s achievement?

Taken from http://tamihayase.deviantart.com/art/apple-pear-banana-oh-my-158604580

Today, I heard my "work-partner" murmuring on her own but loud enough that I can hear over the disarranged little chairs of my students, 3-5 years old and who’ve just had their second English class. They were a little messy (I was aware of it!), some cried, some roamed around although some were attentive. Who can be happy at that right? Especially the assistant who has to calm them down when they are crying or run after them when they are all over the place. At first I let her burst out what she was feeling while she dragging the chairs to order “When Ms. Xxx did this, it wasn’t like this”, ‘When Ms. YYYY did this, I didn’t have to do this”. I let her just burst out what she felt and told her, “give me time to adjust, if you may”, but then she continued and citing more examples about Miss Xx and Miss Yy. I Know Miss Xxx and Miss Yy and I salute their skills, their enthusiasm and their passion. But since I am just starting, I have to discover myself in this new path. But she hasn’t stopped. Until the end of the day, following me in the office saying, “hey, didn’t you see what Miss Zz did?” Right at that moment, I really wanted to light a bomb and throw at her. I told her, I can’t be X , Y nor Z so stop bugging me. If you want, go ahead the let them do my job, I will be indebted to you if you will do that! And so then from her high and mighty face shifted to someone who was a victim of harrassment and said “I am just trying to help you- but you don’t want, okay!”, “What?!!! (Did I just hear that right?) help me? Is this how these people here coach? And then she walked away. Great!What a perfect way to end a conversation!

After several hours, I found myself sitting right across from our headmaster. Of course, what else do you expect?!? I was under investigation. The thing was Miss Zz just reported that, “She can do a lot better than I can”, what a blessing, I responded with a big ~~sarcastic~~ smile. But without a doubt, she has the skill and I am not denying it and I can’t be like that because she is what she is! I can never be someone else, I can only be the best that I can be. And in the end- “Tadahhhhhhhh- I have just sold Miss Zz” and due to my high reviews she had to do my job. It could have been nicer and I could have been happier if she had to do it for the rest of her glamorous life but not. She just needed an hour of a day to show off. I wasn’t feeling well after that talk. It was just too hard to be an apple or a pear when you are a banana. We can dye the pear red but it will never tastes banana. While I was back at my desks, I was thinking and thinking and then reflecting maybe teaching isn’t really my vocation while I was holding my tears back. I suddenly felt that the world collapse on me and I just couldn’t bear it but I couldn’t just cry or else another investigation will occur and I hate to be investigated. It was hard to control when you are about to burst out so I sat up straight, hands clasped under my chin and while mentally counting from 1- 100. When I got lost in counting I began again 1,2,3,,,,,28, 30, 31....then suddenly a loud popping out sound from my Skype messenger halted my ceremony and it said “How are you?”, What a perfect timing! I almost choke myself and abandon counting off and broke into tears. It was the first “How are you?” in my life that I couldn’t find any better answer because by simply being honest I don't know if I can hold my self in one piece.

(Anyway, Thank you Joy for doing so, it just made me realize that no matter what happen there are always people who still cares even if I am just me and not someone else and unfortunately doesn’t have the skill to be someone else).

Now, tell me- in which part of being compared to someone is constructive and inspiring?
or maybe let's put it this way,

Is comparing someone to someone else healthy?

Maybe it's just me and that the world simply revolves around someone as a standard. It must have just been me and I just couldn't help but

Feel and think Out Loud!

Another Post from the Mailman!--Thanks

2011-03-14T00:04:00.000+08:00

Thank you for sending us the post cards
~~Although it made me contemplate on the thoughts below;~~
    ~~You sent us these cards~~
  ~~a. to let us know that you are really in the Philippines and not somewhere near~~
       ~~shanghai or~~
   ~~b. to prove to us that our homesickness has reasons.~~

I'm just kidding.......

Seriously, thank you for being thoughtful and for being caring
For taking extra time to send these cards. We appreciate it a lot!
We miss you here Miss Lea!

Jenny

Remembering My Subway Story

2011-03-13T19:42:00.020+08:00

There maybe many things that have happened in three years or so but there will always be things that I would want to look back,
just like the flowers all over the balcony of that fairyland themed ice cream shop with
the wooden benches scattered cozily around giving warmth in winter.

The populated city, the protective arms around me in the busy streets.
The silent walk, the chilly air, the local candy bar and the barbecue store
The long walk and the wonderings, the chattering and the waiting of the long line
The cup of coffee, the unguarded laughters and the never ending arguments

One day, I may not remember how this used to feel
but I'm sure I will not forget that,
once, in my life,
I was there-

In that fairlyland themed icecream shop,
sitting in the wooded benches,
having an unguarded laughters with you
while holding my favorite vanilla ice cream.

One day,you may not remember it, that we were there,

gleefully walking silently
with no words for each other.

on freezing Christmas day

Until, with one last smile

You waved goodbye and

I turn my back away

and took the subway.

-----------------------------
Read:
My Subway Story

Thank You- Angel and Saires

2011-03-08T00:57:00.004+08:00

Thank you guys for remembering special days

that sometimes don't mean anything to me but work

THANK YOU FOR THE THOUGHFULNESS

AND

FOR THE FRIENDSHIP

The Crosswalk

2011-03-06T13:57:00.009+08:00

The foggy winter afternoon left me shivering, impatiently waiting for the green pedestrian light.My face turned reddish and my toes numbed. Just when the cars halted and the tick tack tick  of the shoes began rushing towards the opposite side, towards me, and just when I was about to step,I caught a glimpse of you, right across from where I stood, among the rushing crowd, the busy population in the fast paced city in your past paced world.

I have walked a lot farther but I don't know why I still end up in the crossroads with you.I thought I was heading a new direction but I don't know why I still see you in front of me.In your comforting smile, you stood, staring at where I was-frozen. Frozen at the sight of you and the glimpse of the past.

                  "Let us just let people come or go,
                    "for the sun to either set or rise

I seemed to hear my own voice from the past,
as if they were just yesterday. .

                      and to live like we haven't met
                      and if one day, our path crosses
                      please say Hi"

Emotions seemed raw and afresh

I pretended not to see I pretended not to remember. I pretended that the light was red.I pretended to be waiting again for the green light which were nowhere in sights. But with your confident strides, you broke my pretense turned me back to reality, returned me standing at the end of the pedestrian lane

                     "Hi", you began, with you consoling tone
                      and with your apologetic smile, you shrug
                     "This is what I was just asked to say, right?"
                       but if I may be allowed to say some more,
                       I would want to also say that, that..
                       "I've missed you a lot".

Previous Post -2008

Distance
from the previous post

Check out the lyrics of this song as well as the English translation through this link; http://kreah-craze.com/i-believe-lyrics-my-sassy-girl-ost/

What We Ate In Seoul?- Korean Dish Part 2

2011-02-28T15:58:00.002+08:00

Part of our adventure in Seoul in our "Food Trip!"

Mandu Kuk

Dumpling Soup

                                                                  Kimchee Bokumbob
                                                                   Kimchee Fried Rice

Kim bob

Kam Ja Tang

A mixture of everything in a pot!

They said this dish originated from military training

where soldiers prepared their meals by simply boiling water and

putting everything they can in that boiling water

such as vegetables, sausages, noodles and sauce

can't remember this....

Dduk Bok- Kee

is made from rice cake, fish cake, pepper paste and meat

불고기

Bulgogi

marinated barbecued beef

with all the side dishes and sauce

Samgyusal

Bibimbob

This one below, I can't remember how this was called but

this is also a kind of "bob" or rice meal

I can't figure this out!

Donkas

Odaeng

Caught in my Lens 1

2011-02-26T13:17:00.006+08:00

A Perfect Picture.

The lens of my camera caught this guy so engrossed into taking pictures of the traditional houses in Namsanggol Hanok Village in Namsan, Seoul. While I was repositioning my camera to get a better view of the other other side of the house, I got caught by another scene. In as much as I wanted to get a closer look, I couldn't or even wouldn't. He might notice and get embarrased or maybe scold me for doing. Anyway,this guy seemed to put so much of his soul into photography, trying to catch the effect of light into his subject, capturing the texture and even perhaps the story of each structures.

hats off !

To all the people who put passion into what they are doing

Myeong Dong Cathedral in Seoul 명동성당

2011-02-25T03:32:00.002+08:00

For some reasons this Cathedral in Myeong Dong is close to my heart!

The first time I visited this place was on December 25th, 2008. It was Chistmas and fortunately there was a mass. We stayed for awhile and said our prayers.

My camera was broken at that time so I wasn't able to take any pictures but I swore that the next time I would be able to visit the place I would take lots and lots of pictures and here they are.

There isn't any catholic chuch in the city in China where I currently live so coming back to this place was refreshing and while I was inside I felt like I was coming back home and I was home.

The people inside were praying the rosary, reciting novenas and nuns were also around

like a common scene in the Philippines.

Amidst my troubled mind

and heart too much to tell

I had peace and serenity...

I wish I can come back.....

Other structures near the Cathedral

To get to this place, you can take the subway

Local Transportation

1. From Exit No. 5 of Euljiro Ipgu Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 2), walk 10 minutes.
2. From Exit No. 8 of Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), walk 10 minutes.

Inside the Philippine Pavilion (Shanghai Expo 2010)

2010-09-26T01:06:00.002+08:00

Philippines Travel Guide

No matter what others say about the Philippines, I still love my country. We are nothing compared to the technology presented by other powerful countries but since it is my "home" it's the BEST for me!

Philippine pavilion showcased tradition, culture and Food. There were several performances from a band and group of students dancing traditional Philippine dances. The Pavilion's theme was "Performing Cities".

Expo 2010 Part 2

2010-09-21T21:15:00.006+08:00

Countries in Africa

The Afternoon Parade

Shanghai Expo 2010 Part 1

2010-09-21T00:34:00.024+08:00

It was huge. It was exciting. It was thrilling. It was the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Germany

South Korea

Saudi Arabia
One of the most expensive pavilion where almost all visitors queued for almost half of the day to get a glimpse of Saudi's amazing presentation.

Who says only "Marsians" can make a flying saucer?-- Saudi Arabia can too!

China

Poland- Polska

United Kingdom

Nepal

Turkey

Luxembourg

India

Vietman

New Zealand

Afghanistan

Qatar

Bahrain

African Countries

Malawi

Shenyang Horticultural Garden- Liaoning Province China

2010-07-27T11:13:00.013+08:00

This trip was one of those stubborn decisions to pursue beyond precautions
with or without basis but luckily as it always, it turned out to be
an enjoyable trip fillied with laughters.

We were told that it was going to rain but on that day the sun shone
brightly until the end of the day. Packed with egg sandwiches and water and
some drinks we headed to Shenyang Horticulture Garden.

From Shenyang train station, there is a train that stops directly in front of
the Horticulture garden which costs only 4 rmb in around 5 minutes ride.

The place was huge and exhibits different flora from different provinces in China
and from other countries as well. There's even an area for boating and a theme park
where visitors can enjoy various rides which includes roller coaster, ferris wheel, merry go round and some other more exciting rides. What made it interesting was what the locals created. They made hanging bridges and other forms
which visitors can use to cross the little man-made lake. SOme were heart-stopping and the visitors were all "IN" for the challenge even if they got wet or fell into
the brown colored water.

I am a Laowai!

2010-05-12T00:48:00.005+08:00

I am a LAOWAI, a word which means "foreigner" in
Chinese. Being a laowai is fun, exciting, amazing but can also be
irritating. I have been here for a year and I have had several
experiences some of which are really memorable and one of a kind.

I'm currently living in northeastern part of China, in a small city
called "Tieling" of which foreigners aren't a common sight. I don't
have blue eyes, blond hair and white skin so if I don't speak
English and if I shrink my eyes a little bit I could peacefully pass
to be a "Chongou Ren"(Chinese person).Let me describe being a Laowai
with my train ride from Dandong,another city in the northern
part of china which takes 6 hours by train from where I live.

I have had a lot of stories to tell of this train ride but
let me just share this last one. The train stopped on the second station
from where i boarded.A man in his mid-thirties got in and sat opposite of me.
He had this jolly attitude. He was smiling all the way, guessing from
the way he looked, he had just gotten off from a job and
he was on his way to his province for the holiday but he had this kinda
sly attitude that a look at him you wouldn't want to prolongue
the conversation. He had this grocery bag that he was confused where
to settle with the limited space in the train. After some thoughts
he found a tiny clip on top of my friend's head and hang it
there. I was so sorry for my friend who is tall. After settling he looked at me and
said "I'm going to Harbin." With a big smile and
I smiled back and since I have visited the
place I managed to pull out several of the Chinese phrases
I learned and told him, "It's very cold there" and he replied
"It's cold there every day".I nodded as I remembered how my toes got
numb when I was there. I drifted to sleep.
My phone rang I was brought back to reality and
my eyes opened up to the populated train where people in every minute pushed
each other for space and air. It was our headmaster and in a much I didn't
want to, I couldn't help but speak English.After I hang up all eyes were on me.
Well there wasn't any other sight other than the head or the back of the people
next to them so they vented it to me
I felt like I was a specimen under observation so I keep my eyes low and
minimize my movement. It was a moment that I wanted to freeze.
They were standing all over the aile and I was sitting. What a good view they had.
People began to exchange words and nodded to each other. The man opposite of me
suddenly became more excited and began a conversation I can only comprehend one or two
words. Most questions are answered with a smile and the thing is every time I answered
"wo ting butong" or "wo po mingbai" they started gigling and said "ah you said it
very well and assumed that I can speak and understand their language. He spread the
news to the next seats that he was sitting with "mei gou ren" (foreigners) and the next
group of people stood up to examine the lost laowais. Then they were chattering
one of which who said that, ah I know English " A B C D" and "1 2 3". They were
so cute to look at. I also wanted to giggle. People on the sitting on the right
sides exchanged glances. His colleague passed by and perhaps was
heading to the "WC" (Toilet) but he stopped him to talk about the "mei gou ren" he was
sitting with. While they started having conversation with me, I realized that all ears
suddenly shifted to us. Huh, it was was tiring to be nice when all I wanted
at that moment was to shut myself to the word and get a sleep but how could you
ignore when all they just wanted to do is suffice their curiousity with a laowai
whom they only see boarding in a packed, noisy train once in a blue moon.

I don't have blue eyes, white skin, tall and slender figure but I am a LAOWAI
and there is no way to hide it.

Christmas Trip in Beijing

2010-03-19T08:48:00.021+08:00

Two years ago I spent my Christmas in Seoul and while they, take christmas as "couple's day" and even though I was "homealone", someone out of the blue asked me out so then in 2008 I had A "Christmas day, the Korean way".

Last Year I was in Beijing. It wasn't a "couple's day nor a family day. It was just an ordinary day but surprisingly the city was colorful with lights and christmas decorations. I could have mistakenly thought that the country is Christian but no.It was commercialism that drives them to do so. It is a trend and western people do it, why can't they?

Christmas isn't a holiday over here but to avoid the foreigners getting "homesick" working in one of the special holidays, the administration decided to give us 3 days off with a free trip to Beijing.

So before I could even finish my class on the 22nd, the headmaster fetched me to pick my bags and head to the train station. I was like "What?"-right now?- while I was holding a whiteboard marker in my hand infront of the puzzled middle school students.

We took the train from Shenyang to Beijing which took us around 9 to 10 hours. First day, We visited the Great Wall,A Tibetian place, Beijing Olympics Stadium where the Bird's Nest and The Water Cube are and the Grand National Theater. On the Second day, we spent more than half of the day in The Summer Palace and the remaining time- window shopping. On the last day we went to "Tian na men square" and The Forbidden City .

On the 24th night, we attended the Christmas gathering at our the main office in Beijing.
After the party, we headed back to our hotel and while waiting for the clock to strike 12, we played cards and loosing several times I got my face painted with lipsticks.

It was a different Christmas celebration. We had dinner and exchange gift during the party but still nothing compares to the Christmas back home!

The Great Wall- Badaling Entrance

The Tibetian Place- showcase the history and culture of Tibet.

Olympics Stadium
The Water Cube

The Bird's Nest

National Grand Theater
We watched an opera on the night of the 23rd. There were several soulful performances by local and international artists with guest choral from Paris. We were exhausted from catching up the day's activities and jumping up from one subway to another and sitting in the quiet room with voices that seem to reach heaven, it was a good place to relax and and regain the energy, well luckily nobody fell asleep.

The Summer Palace
According to the locals, it is called the Summer Palace because during summer the royal family and other members stay in this place. This is considered as one of the largest parks in the world built for a king.

The Forbidden City

Silkworm in the Grocery Store?

2010-03-18T13:32:00.005+08:00

When I went to the department store across from our academy,
My homesickness was a little relieved when I saw some products from home and my colleagues and I couldn't just contain our smiles and the feeling of being at home by merely the sight of local goods and remembering how it tasted.
This fruit is also found in the Philippines. Locally we call it "Balimbing".

What I didn't expext to see were these silkworms in a pack- (fat which means meaty) and skin with brown or black. What is more surprising is, even if they were in a pack covered with transparent plastic, they were still alive because they were moving when we touched them. Our cook actually cooked silkworm once but nobody dared to feast on it

This isn't the strangest food people eat in the world but still to me it belongs to one of the peculiar delicacies only a few enjoy.

I am an adventurous person but when it comes to food, I usually have second thoughts.
How adventurous are you when it comes to eating?

Kindie World

2010-03-17T12:06:00.000+08:00

It must have been nice living in the world where everything is possible- just like an animated world, where imagination can come to life.

I have my own animated world. I go there 4 times a week--opps don't get me wrong.I haven't gone insane yet. I am talking about my "Kindergarten World". I called it animated world because everything is possible in children's mind.

It is so interesting looking at their work and their innocent concept of life.

Children are artists. Their "artistic honesty" is interesting. Sometimes I can't understand what they are doing or what they are making but once I get their explanation, all I usually say is, "uh huh- I see, I got it" with my head moving up
and down.

Good Morning

2010-03-16T01:51:00.001+08:00

What I love with mondays is that I don't need to wake up early to work so most of the time I spend my morning lazily in pajamas until 10 in the morning. Sometimes skipping breakfast. Yesterday it snowed heavily so this morning It was white all over the city. While my collegues went out, I was stuck with my laundry.

Snowy days aint over yet. I am already tired of coats and inner clothes, sweaters, boots and gloves.

I can't wait to see the flowers bloom and the sky, blue and clear with clouds dancing all over it.

"Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head"

2010-03-15T01:52:00.001+08:00

Let me say this is quite an old one but I have just discovered
how nice the message this song has. I remembered this was used
in the movie, "Spider Man 1". When I am tired I just hum this
song, it makes me feel a little better.
Enjoy!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head
by B. J. Thomas
Submitted by: L. Romero at lromero@theriver.com

Intro: F-C-Bb-C

F Fmaj7
Raindrops keep falling on my head
F7 Bb Am
and just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed,
D7 Am D7 Gm7
nothing seems to fit, Those raindrops are fallin' on my head they keep fallin'

C7 F Fmaj7
So I just did me some talkin' to the sun,
F7 Bb Am
and I said I didn't like the way he got things done
D7 Am D7 Gm7
Sleepin' on the job, Those raindrops are fallin' on my head they keep fallin'

C7 F Fmaj7
But there's one thing I know,
Bb C Am
the blues they send to meet me, won't defeat me
D7 Gm7 Bb C Bb C
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

F Fmaj7
Raindrops keep fallin' on my head,
F7 Bb Am
but that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red,
D7 Am D7 Gm7
Cryin's not for me, cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
C7 F C7
because I'm free, nothings worryin' me

(instrumental) F-Fmaj7-Bb-C-Am

D7 Gm7 Bb C Bb C
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

(Repeat last verse)

Fmaj7= xx3210
Gm7= 353333

Lyrics and Chords are taken from http://www.tabpower.com/s40866.html

My Chocolates and I

2010-03-14T21:42:00.001+08:00

I enjoy anything with chocolates. Hot chocolate on a cold and chilly days.
A Cup in hand while taking a walk on an icy street battling against the
heartless wind. A piece of chocolate cake on my precious day offs or
a chocolate ice cream on a hot summer day. Although I love chocolates, I am not much into chocolate bars. But today is an exception!
I don't really feel so good so I opened my refrigerator and surprisingly saw these chocolates. I didn't know they existed and abode in my tiny fridge.
The three tiny chocolates in a cup is one of the chocolates I grew up with, "Curly Tops" which surprisingly still exists until now. My colleague brought it from the Philippines.

They said chocolates have something to make you feel better.

Whether it is true or not, it doesn't matter. For tonight and for the next nights
There 'll only be "ME and MY CHOCOLATES".

Life at 29?

2010-02-24T01:42:00.000+08:00

When I was 7 or 8 I couldn't wait to be 9 or 10 and when
I was 10 and in fourth grade, I was looking forward to being
12 and be in 6th grade.I always looked up to 6th graders and always in awe every time I scanned their textbook with less pictures and more texts
with words that were so unfamiliar to me. "Argh, this is tough"
I exclaimed.
Then they have science class and they looked like little Einsteins to
me when they had experiments in the laboratory handling
cool stuffs such as test tube, beaker and most importantly
they were allowed to handle the microscopes of which
in my current level we weren't given so much chance to explore.
Activities involving delicate and fragile apparatus had to be
done with with the teacher.

When I was in high school I was excited to be in the university
and start learning the independent way. Going to the
library and digging one book after the other in a
dusty shelf, attending a lecture where students are allowed
to answer on their seat, remaining on the seat while
answering or reciting isn't considered impolite and rebellious.
It is the time when you can decide which subject to take and
what time of the day you want to take it.

And when I was in the university I couldn't wait to march up
to the stage to get that rolled paper, a ticket to the real world.
and then I was 20 and I finally completed my university.

Ageing was fun and exciting. Going from one stage to another
is like a long trip. It is like climbing up a mountain and each step
gives you a partial view of the entire scene. As years pass you step up
and see a better view yet isn't the best and then you move forward and
learn to understand the dynamic of the scenes and life and then you move on.

but would it still be as exciting at 29?
Would I still say, I couldn't wait to be 30? and when I get 30 will
still say I couldn't wait to be 35 and have my hands filled with
responsibilities and work?

It's New Year and comes another additional year to my age even if my birthday is
still far away. Since I am in China and living according to how locals
live, then I am officially 29 years old. So, is there anything
interesting being 29?-

I am not conscious about ageing, "everybody does grow old and get wrinkled
skin" but some people have just certain ways to point out things.
I have been around with older women. Some were able to
create a euphemism on it while others have created a way to trick time. Some
made several trips to the surgeon while others have learned the art of
"avoiding such kinds of conversation."

Where were you when you were 29? How was life back then?