Club Med, Ria Bintan (June 23 - 25, 2006)

I woke up this morning with eyes still closed but trying to grasp the sound of the waves. Oh my God, I can't hear it. I'm back to reality. I'm off to paradise now. Good days are over. Time to earn again to sustain the little pleasures in life that I wanted. It's just sad to think that the relaxation times are only 1% of your stressful days. But I guess it's true that it is what it makes it worthy of. I took a 2 hour time off and let my mind clench the actuality of my surroundings. Good to be back though. So for now, give this lady a chance to recount the "relaxing days" she'd had the past 2 days. Either bear with it or relive the good experience.

Before the Club Med days...
Ffg's company were to held a some sort of company outing in Ria Bintan, Indonesia. And as soon as I heard it will be in Club Med, I did not hesitate to say yes. It was a Resort only for members, I heard and it was too expensive for non members to go there. I think it's highly over-rated, yes, but yeah I was caught in that yearning to at least have a taste of it. Why not, when you're going there paying only about 20% of what it costs. So let's go for the roller coaster ride.

June 23, 2006
At exactly 5.45pm, as soon as I got out from the office, I hailed a cab and went directly to Tanah Merah ferry station. The ferry should leave at 7:30 pm so time is not that restraint. It only took us 45 minutes to reach the immigration at the Bintan and by 9.30pm Singapore time, we went directly to our rooms. Bintan was an hour behind Singapore so our timing couldn't be any better, well whaddaya know, it's dinner time! Wow, aside from the fact that it was a buffet, there are a lot of foods around! With all kinds of dessert you can dream of! And an all you can drink house wine! Free! Wheeeee. After the very hearty dinner, we stroll around the hotel, and there were a lot of activities and fun not only for the kids but for the adults too. It was run by hundreds of people around club med, and aside from the chef's, gardeners, waitresses, waiters, there's this group they called G.O. team. *Forgot what it meant, though* This team embraces at least 30 people around from different parts of the country. Some are from Mauritius, Japan, Korea, Australia, France and a lot more. Different people, different cultures, different skin colors, different language. It's like having a holiday in the United Nation. Anyway, going back to my story, after we felt a bit of exhaustion, we went back to our room and took a shower and head back again to the lobby where a bar was located. We played darts, but gone off to bed in an hour. Room was not that good though, if I may say so. It's OK but it's not WOW. Ok, yeah Im a freak. I always look for the interior decoration of the rooms of every hotel I've gone through, so, sorry if i had to steal a few lines about it.

June 24, 2006
A first for me to woke up 7 in the morning singapore time (6 am Bintan time), of my own free will. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, went to the room's terrace and relished the sweet sound of the waves of the ocean few meters away from our room. It was a delight and so tranquil. I literally closed my eyes and let my mind absorbed the
resonance that brought me serenity. I'm a bit OA but I really felt it. So I took my book out and read it in the terrace. Just like what I've been dreaming to do. After a few moment, I woke up ffg. We had our breakfast, then we stroll along the shore. We were aiming to do the windsurfing but unfortunately we can't do that for the reason I can't remember. So we opt for kayaking instead. I was scared at first because I always get sea sick whenever I ride anything that moves on the water. But it was all fun. I had the best time having fun with my baby. Kayaking looks easy for me but I had it all wrong. I have to work my muscles and paddle accordingly to ffg who sat in front of the kayak. After kayaking, we went for sailing with the loudest person ever. He was part of the Club Med team and knows how to maneuver the boat. He said he was from Mauritius, a big black guy but with a golden voice. It's a dream! Feeling the wind on our face, touching the water with someone singing. It's like being part of the LOST series but with a lot of hope to survive and get out of the island. We're moving as far as the wind can blow us and as fast as it could. If the wind stopped, which can be impossible, we'll be trapped in the middle of the sea. Kayaking and Sailing are a first for me so please spare me the space to brag about it. Though nothing of a camera to prove it, it was etched on my memory. A glorious day, it was. And though it's expensive, I'll say you have to try it too. After the tiring activity, we headed for lunch which was followed afterwards with snorkeling. Uh-oh not me. Only ffg. This I have to pass. I've tried it a lot of times but it didn't bring me any good. Yessiree, Sea-sick! I've waited for him on the shore, while reading my book. Good thing I brought a really great book by James Patterson titled "The Lake House". When they got back, we head back to our room, and while waiting for ffg, I dozed off. Tired indeed. When I woke up, it's already dinner time. Talking about good life, huh. Plus the fact that I don't need to cook, hehehe. We had dinner along with ffg's friends, Kit-yan with his wife and daughter, Michael and his gf Noy, and Stephan and Barbara. Had too much wine, hehe. After the dinner, we headed for the bar and the guys played pool. After the game, we went to the lobby and watched Germany - Sweden game. 2-0. Yep, I've survived watching the whole match. And I kinda like it. It was one full pack night.

June 25, 2006
Ok, nothing much to say here. It rained the whole day. And although our ferry's at 5pm, we have to checked out at 11 and leave the hotel at 3.30. We did stroll along the beach for a while half an hour befor it rained. We never get a chance to do any activity. So as all the good things that ends up hastily, we always say, Waahhhhhh, it's over!!!!

Good weekend, though. Sorry to bore with this long article. I just want something to help me remember things like these. =)

Six-Six-O-Six

I guess no matter what you've been through, caused by someone, you can't help remembering them once in a while. Somehow thinking of the what-could-have-beens and what-ifs in your life if they never did a magical desertion causing an emotional tremor. Oh well, life's a bitch. And we can't do anything about it. But this, comes from the bottom of my tattered heart. . .

Happy Birthday, Otrebron!

Azkaban

am i wrong to think that married life will caused you much pain than anything else in the world? am i wrong to be cynic in going through another chapter of life where there's more conflict, verbal abuse and sometimes physical mistreatment, financial difficulties, insecurities and more? Although I'm aware of some of the incomprehensible bliss that this chapter of life brings, still, the unending circumstances of getting hurt is much more intense than the latter. I used to be so agitated about weddings but now that getting married requires a lot of funds, plus the fact that what I've said earlier about married life is not that alluring, I'm hesitating now to be thrilled about it. It's like your paying an expensive "ticket" to a place I now called "Azkaban". I hate to be pessimist about something that I myself haven't experienced yet. But I have walked this far, meeting a lot of people - married people, who have shared their quandaries with me, and I may have not seen the worst or the best part of their life, I'll say I have seen enough to put fear in my heart. This, I say, based on my own opinion and not yearning for others to deem the same way I do. I hope this fear won't be nurtured...

AngMOs

For years it never ends, it never change. It's always been and it always will be. We against those we call by different names. We're not the one who's racist, they are. Or I guess they were just born with a petite body attached to a big dumb head. We call them by different names, which varies according to their etiquette not that they have them, only few were blessed. We have nanay, tatay, kuya, siemens, tapia, bart, manoy, abay, dragon, tenga, dingbats, bopols, spice, bungisngis, bulaklak, silverswan, sisa, utot, ubo, balakang, tibo, tuliro, politiko, tutubi, ingay and many others that most of us we're familiar with those names rather knowing their real bitchy names. They were otherwise known as the "amos". So when some lost staff was around our department asking people by their name, we, the measly sipi's, have no idea who they are. Unless, well it's only known to us, call them by their cutesy moniker which i think very much speak of their personality. Although it's always true that in every rule there is always an exception, and yes, I have been blessed with a team with "amos" that do not belong to the "dark side". Thank God. At least I do not need to deal with that stupendous shallow head of those "uber epal amos". My highschool buddies will definitely deny of who I've become now compare to who I was back then. Well, it pays a bit because as time goes by you have gain the power of knowing your rights in living and working with people from different upbringing, different beliefs and different races.

Mentos Moment

I, have a confession to make, a very amusing narrative that happen to me during our lunch break. After we satiate our cravings for McDonalds twister fries and a free choco sundae, we stroll around toa payoh heading back to our office. We were laughing hard about something and then I thought "excessive happiness" and in an instant I tripped and my right sandals' strap broke. At first, I dragged my feet like a frankenstein on the street but to no avail. One of my friend suggested to carry me on his back - although it was the kindest offer, i decline - ewww ate shawie's pasan ko ang daigdig suddenly flashed back to me hahaha, and one asks me to wait right where Im standing so they can buy a new one for me - awwww so sweet but this too I refuse very kindly. Since I do not want to give them any trouble, I took off my other shoe and throw it in the trash and walked towards the shoe store - barefoot! It was no big deal but I just thought of sharing it with you guys not to add insult to my own injury and totally humiliate myself, but I thought it was kind of funny actually. I didn't yield in to the embarassment of the situation, instead I focused on what needs to be done and of course having a new - although cheaper - pair of shoes. Oh, I couldn't deny what happen earlier bec my friends "documented" it. Hahahaha. Darn!

Be brave little one

It’s been a tough week for her and though I’ve tried to think of the best words that could ease at least a bit of what’s on her shoulders, there’s none but be there for her and listen. Today, in between those sobs, I listened wordlessly, unable to say any reassuring words, and just cried as soon as I put down my phone after that call from her. It’s not a tears of pity nor of hatred to somebody but of uncertainty as to why life was never fair for any of us. It’s iniquitous to let someone who’s famished to see a bag of chips and not let that person have a taste of it. I know that GOD has His own reasons why things like these happen. But I can’t help but question the inexplicable verity of life. Why do we always have to come across a few good things in life that even if we worked hard to get it, it still remain distant and left us in pain and into wondering where will this leads us? Am I right to think that there’s no such thing as utterly bliss? I have walked a thousand miles, scarred, obtain few good reasons to be very happy only to find the equal significant ones to lose their way and out of my hands? I guess she had the wrong choice of friend in me. Because I am not brave and I do not have that “gift” to ebb her pain. I know it’s unbearable and hard and tears won’t stop from falling because it’s all part of it. I can’t tell her it’s ok and to stop worrying because I know it’s not and it won’t go away that easily. So I guess that leaves me worthless??? Ugh, I hate this word.

“Lean on me, not because I’m strong but because GOD is pushing me to stand tall for you." - Inah.Ynna(f)

Mission Accomplished!

Today is a no-work day but we didn't let this day go to waste by just lying around our cribs. We meet up the pasaway kidz at quarter to 2 and went to Toa Payoh Safra to try climbing the wall. Oh yes, you heard it right. WALL CLIMBING! I've been longing to do this for ages, so forgive me if I'll talked about it like it's a big achievement for me hehe.

Anyway, we meet up with the instructor, DIN, and went directly to the customer service to pay for the fee. Since it was raining, and obviously we can't used the outdoor climbing, we were ushered inside the gym to use the indoor climbing. The gym in toa payoh safra wowed me. It was huge with complete fitness equipment and a jacuzzi inside the loo! Or maybe I just got used to see the small, cramped, smelly sight of our gym in HDB, hihihi. But if you gonna ask for my opinion, signing up for membership like this is far better than signing up for a membership with famous fitness centres. Ok, im getting off the tracks. By 3pm, we started by DIN teaching us few tips in climbing and taught us how to secure our harness. Then it's show time! Boss started it and looking at him doing it, the girls got pretty nervous. Hello, we can see the effort! I almost backed up! When it's my turn, DIN clipped the safety rope and attached to my harness. As I started climbing, I found the foot holds and hand grips easy to use, but as I got higher, I found it hard to think where to put my feet on and luckily, DIN patiently assist me on this very first experience of working my ass up to reach the top. Believe me it's not a joke but it surely is a wonderful experience. And those times that we have worked hard going to the gym three times, at least, in a week, wasn't enough. It was a hard work grabbing those hand grips. Oh, by the way, for those 3 attempts, none of us had made it to the top. It was hard! And it's a bit frustrating not to reach the eight square when you have already made it to the seventh. Funny how we feel like the clock is ticking very slowly or we're all just too tired to try it again after three attempts. DIN asked us to try the outdoor since the rain just stopped. And as obedient as a kindergarten, we followed him through the muds. After setting up the clip that will hold the rope, I get to be the one to try it first. It was a bit easier than the one inside because the hand grips and foot holds are easier to grab. Although it's a bit slippery, I, aherm, managed to make it to the top. And yes, I am bragging, hehehe. Because after all those years that I've waited to do this, I really felt a great sense of achievement reaching the top of the wall. It was one hell of an experience! Although most of us are doing climbing for the first time, I could say that all did well, very well in fact. Thanks to our very kind instructor who was patient enough to assist 9 "pasaway" kidz. Thank you Din!

After the tiring activity, we head to Gluttons Bay - the place that's becoming our favorite, and replenish the energy we lost from impersonating the famous Mr Spidey Spiderman. A day's full of fun! Im hoping there will be next time! Yippeeeeeee.

We missed the rest of the pazawayz, Inay and Itay who's very excited preparing for their honeymoon getaway hihihi, Fenk who's enjoying now with her family, Yao who's busy *always* working, Nonoy who's I dunno doesn't want spend fun times with us hehehe, Jack who's uhhhmmmm he's actually not there most of the time hehehe, and G who made it to the glutton's bay... well, after we've consumed most of the food.

Friendster

I was browsing my friendster account the other night hoping i'll get a reply from Quincy (waaaaaaa dvd's ko huhuhu), and I saw my list of friends with the updated profile and saw my bunso's account. So I went through it, and wonder how time pass by so fast that i didn't realize (or i just dont want to accept) how grown up she is even if I've seen her in her debutant gown, 'coz for me she's still my baby. She got tons of pictures of her friends and us *yey andun ako*, pure bliss painted on her sweet angelic face, i silently utter a prayer to God to make her strong and not just her but apple and kendz too, to make them realize the value and sweetness of life's beauty. I hope they won't endure any more pain though I know it's not possible. She had grown up, they all grown up, without me beside them. It's saddens me knowing their friends knows so much about them than me, their own ate. I don't even know what they like now. All that memories I have now about them, i think they have outgrown most of it. Maybe that's the main reason why I still think of them not as a grown up ladies but as little kids. My mind was stuck to tweety, hello kitty and tazmanian devil as their favorites. I still thought that Jollibee tsiken joy can make them ecstatic. There are a lot of things that Ive missed, that I never had the chance to witnessed, that makes me think how far i've been to reach out to them, and sometimes it scares me. I can't make up for those times that was lost. I can't bring back those days when they needed someone to listen to them and celebrate with them during those happy times. Though, I never regret any of me being away from them, i can't say that things like these never occurs my mind. It does, it always do, it's just that "choice" has never been on my side. Thanks to Friendster for I still get a glimpse of what my kidz have become.

Home

he was once lost, unable to find the way
stumble upon a place, baffled, he dwells

life was a moment bliss, utterly inexplicable
through its perplexities, he tried to grasp
accepting amiss, defying the intricacy it convey

but amidst of it all, he resolutes to cease
heart is aching, there is no forever
impaired and shabby, he rise and stride

unleashing its exquisiteness, he grieves
but now without complexities, he's finally home...

Just a thought

I believe that each individual has their own way of solving their plight. Being tough and learning not to be feeble is something that you can not learn even from the best school in the world. It is one of the cynicism of life. There may be times in your life that you will be weak and won't be able to contain yourself from yielding in to some things that were categorized as a wrong doing, but God will always find a way to pick you up and tell you that it's gonna be alright. But you have to realize when it's really time for you to be brave enough to let go of things that you don't want to let go of and worry about the "healing time" afterwards. It's not easy and it will never be. But all wounds heal in time. I may have heard the same old story, I may have step on it sometime in my life, but the way each person fought for it is always different from the other. But I always believe that in every predicament there will always be a lesson learned and that God never fails to alleviate the "heavy loads" you are carrying on your shoulder.

Hour Game

I bought this book accidentally when we were strolling at the carrefour and fortunately they were having a $5 book sale that time. There's not much of titles to check out but since it was Baldacci's, it caught my attention and so I bought it. Now I'm hooked with it and just thought of "googling" the story and found out that it happened in the 60's. About the Zodiac Killer, I mean. Although I haven't finished the book yet, *hehe*, it's what a reader could ask for in a mystery/suspense thriller novel. Maybe I'll try finishing it up so I could really tell if it's worth it. =)

Back Again!

Ok, guilty! Been in and out of blogging world since i don't know know when for some reasons. First, pc games! Im addicted, im hooked, im drawn to it. Second, just started my program *thanks ulrik*, and I've been regularly going to the gym for 3 weeks! Third, Badminton. I just feel like there's too much going on so I cant find the time to even write a short hello to the bloggin world. You'll forgive me, right?

Anyway, ffg's BIL, will be staying with us until June, *i think*. My cousin's hubby is going back to Manila for good =( *sniff, la na ko kuya dito*, my bebi apple got a job, my family's doing well, my relationship's doing ok after a big storm, my work's doing well - been trying to upgrade my skills *thanks bossing* and it'll be ending on September, my friend pagong got something going on with her and Im very happy for her, envy of course but very much happy for you hehehe, Eian and Edward along with the kidz will be moving back to singapore yipeee, talked to Annie and she seems doing fine *mishu mars*, don't know anything about Joey hehehe, watched Fort Minor concert few months ago, hmmm what else, Oh these are the good things that's happening to me right now, and the not so good things list is very long so I thought of not writing it here. I always thank GOD for all the things and blessings Ive had and I'll always will.

So for now, that's all folks! 'Till next and promise that next time won't be as long as ive been idle before... i hope.

One of those days

how do u get over of something that depresses you?
you talked about your feelings, they give you advise
but does it make any difference or was it the same thing?

is happiness only over rated?
do u have to feel the pain to have a taste of glee?
can't we just live life full of euphoria?

only you can make your life easier without any complications
only you can lighten up the burden you're carrying on ur back
do you reckon the things that could really let you feel the bliss?

you divulge it to people, you write to your blog
did it solve any of it, or did you just whisper to the wind?

Back again!

I have been idle for God knows how long. I've been busy. I have walked in an emotional tunnel but no worries, just like the past years of my life, I have walked out of it, undamaged... i hope. I have been busy at work, for the first time. A week's overtime is a first for me. Idiocy devours my sanity again. For the second time i lost my handphone and i think stupidity is a very kind word for it. But I managed to have a new phone that I really like, thanks to my angel. My sister got a job. My bunso got a part time job. My mom worries about me. I got friends who sometimes make my life miserable but all the time making it wonderful. Thousand blessings to thank God and a few things to lament. Still, I am so grateful for the way my book of life is written. There may be hundred things that I want to have in my hands now, but I know it's not yet the right time. I have to believe that one's happiness lies not in the completeness of the things we wanted but in the contentment with the things we have now. Life's miserable if we aim for the things we know we can't have at the moment. I hope I could live my life with this saying. =) 'Till next... I'm finally back!

Abril

abril na.
panibagong buwan.
panibagong pahina na naman ng kalendaryong pipilasin ko.
narito pa rin ako.
nagiintay.
umaasang nawa'y mapansin mo sa kahit anong paraan.
lahat ng ingay ginawa ko na, narinig mo ba ako?
ikaw lang ang iniintay ko.
marami mang dumating, ikaw pa rin ang iintayin ko.
... dumating man ang disyembre, ikaw at ikaw pa rin.

rant

how long will you let fear control your sanity and trashed the unprejudiced personality in you?

do u always wish for things to be running the way it has been until you meet the end?

never let someone feel bad about something bec u never know how hard it is for them to keep that smile while hurting.

Thanks

I appreciate the kindness and concern... very much. God knows how glad I am for people like you. But I believe in the saying "Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over." Friends don't need to talk about what's in the past. There are things that can be easily forgotten and go back to the things they used to be, but there are things that's said and done and cannot undo just like that. Some things happen without us realizing that we tend to hurt the people we care about without any intention. I may have hurt few people but i have my own reasons and I expect you to respect that as I am respecting your reasons for hurting me.

Rumour has it

"I didn't come here to tell you I can't live without you. I can live without you. I just don't want to." - Sarah Huttinger (Rumour Has It)

Let's do our part

"An entire barangay (village) was literally wiped out last Friday, 17 February 2006, when a mudslide buried Guinsaugon, one of 30 barangays in St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte. Close to 2,000 people were estimated to have been buried in an instant."

*A demise that once again breaks the hearts of many people especially mine. I didn't post much of it for no reason. There's not much we can do but to pray and help by donating few cents from our pocket that could be a big help to those in need so here's few ways to help. Leyte Blogspot

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Message from the Phil Embassy in Singapore
To all Filcom Leaders/ Organizations:
Re: 22 Feb 06 email on donation for landslide victims, kindly note that donations may be made directly to the following Philippine agencies:

I. Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) at the following bank account numbers:
Peso Account
Bank : MetroBank, Port Area Branch
Account : Philippine National Red Cross
Account No. : SA-3-041-63122-8

Bank : Bank of the Philippine Islands, UN Avenue Branch
Account : Philippine National Red Cross
Account No. : SA-8114 ? 0308 - 4

Bank : MetroBank, Port Area Branch
Account : PNRC ? Southern Leyte Relief Operations
Account No. : SA- 151-3-15151391-4

Dollar Account
Bank : MetroBank, Port Area Branch
Account : Philippine National Red Cross
Account No. : SA-2-151-00218-2
Swift Code : MBTC PHMM

Contact Person : Mr. Victor A. Liozo, Jr.
Secretary General, PNRC
Tel: (632)524-5787/Fax: 527-5981/
Telefax: 527-0857

Ms. Gwendolyn Pang
Director of Fund Generation
Mobile No: +63-917827-7421
Email: gwenpang@redcross.org.ph (24 hrs)

II. Department of Social Welfare and Development
Disaster Response Operation Monitoring & Information Center, (DROMIC), Batasan Pambansa Complex, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines.

Bank : Landbank of the Philippines,
Batasan Branch
Account Name : DSWD Donation
Account No. : 3122-1011-84
Contact Person : Ms. Vilma Cabrera, Director IV, Program Mgt. Bureau
DSWD (Tel : 632-9319147/Fax : 632-951-2801)


III. Department of Health
(donation of medicines)

Contact Person : Dr. Carmencita Banatin
Director III, Health Management Staff Department of Health
Attn: Ms. Merlina Villamin, Logistics Officer
Tel : (632) 929-6923
Telefax : (632) 929-6867/929-6827


Those who wish to donate items indicated in the "Wish List", you may drop them at :
1) Filipino Association of Singapore (FAS)
C/o Afreight Cargo
Unit 03-19 Lucky Plaza (Orchard Road)

2) Prudential Life Plans, Inc.
#03-01A Lucky Plaza (Orchard Road)

3) Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road

Deadline for dropping of items at the Embassy and at Lucky Plaza is on April 9, 2006.

We would appreciate if you could inform your members and friends on this update.

Thank you.

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Hello Again

unexpectedly u see someone u once knew
time stopped, contemplating what u feel
was it bliss? was it pain?
or was it something of mixed emotions?
that moment u wanted to say hi
but something held u, decided not to
abruptly u were brought back to the past
and everything that u tried to disregard
all came apparently and vividly
and so u asked urself only one question
why do i have to run into you?


"There are some people who meet that somebody that they can never stop loving, no matter how hard they try. I wouldn't expect you to understand that, or even believe it, but trust me, there are some love that don't go away. And maybe that makes them crazy, but we should all be lucky to end up with that somebody who has a little of that insanity. Somebody who never lets go. Somebody who cherishes you forever." - Ally McBeal