Sydney – Day 1

From the Sydney's tight security, we had our first taste of the winter cold air of Sydney. We went to the taxi stand and hailed a cab. I was surprised that our hotel is just near to the airport but was so shocked to pay A$36! I thought we were fooled by the taxi driver or something. It was still 11 in the morning and the check in time is only until 2pm. So We left our bags at the reception desk, and started walking around. It was really cold and windy but good thing we were ready this time unlike when we were in Japan. We were just wondering why it looks like a ghost town and not much people are walking around. We were scouting for food to eat for lunch but couldn't find any place that serves soup. Most were burger joints so we had our lunch at "Oporto". Meals are really expensive! A burger meal costs around A$10-13 bucks! We thought we're still on our first day and it hasn't ended yet and we already spent about a hundred bucks. Along the way we encounter few locals who were asking for loose change or few who were talking to themselves but they look harmless I guess as long as you're not so flamboyant with your belongings. While waiting for our checked in time, we stopped by at a coffee shop that has this heater outside. It's so very italian! Me sipping my cappuccino and ffg sipping his hot choco while people watching :) There were actually italians talking beside us. Very mafia! Hahaha.

We went back to our hotel and checked in. The room was huge! We slept until 5 and went to the nearest train station we could go to. King's Cross train station is about 10 minutes walk from our hotel. The train was so vandalised. It looks so demeaning and terrifying. If you're used to the clean and well lit trains in Singapore, this will be a huge change of scenery to you. But trains were a safe and cheaper means of transportation to go around Sydney. The minimum fare is A$2.60 each but it'll be cheaper if you take the return ticket at A$3.60 only. We alight at the Martin Place Station and surprised to see that no one's walking around. There maybe two or three but all shops were closed. We were so relieved to see one japanese place still open and after that long walk we've had we were really famished. That dinner costs us A$26! Gosh it is really expensive in here. We called it a day as there were no places to go to unlike Orchard and head back to our hotel.

Expenses for the day:
36.00 cab from Sydney International Airport to Devere Hotel
13.50 lunch
7.00 coffee
5.20 train fare for 2 to Martin Place station
5.20 train fare for 2 to King's Cross station
15.00 groceries
25.50 dinner at sakura

Places we've been to:
King's Cross
Martin Place

From Singapore To Sydney via Qantas

We are so excited! We're now on our way to the Changi Airport with 1 medium luggage bag, a small cabin size bag, a backpack and my ladies bag. We checked-in at the Terminal 1, Qantas window. On board, I was so amazed at the size of the plane! It was huge! Well, if you're like me who's already used to take budget airlines, this plane will be a new sight to you too :) There were 8 seats in a row! And my, the FA's are all yummy! They were all eye-candy! Anyway, pardon the ignorance hahaha but I was so happy with the provided pillow and blanket and kit with toothbrush, socks and eye cover. We couldn't be any happier. Some people hate airplane food as they were crappy. I don't! Though I hate the main dish, I do love the free flow of beverages and fruits and dessert and coffee. I was happy too with the featured movies. I watched Zohan which was really funny. Singapore to Adelaide was about 6 hours and we have another hour from Adelaide to Sydney. The flight was ok. We we're still given a breakfast at the flight from Adelaide to Sydney. We reached Sydney International Airport about 10 in the morning, Sydney time. Sydney is two hours ahead of Singapore. Sydney's International Airport wasn't what I expected. I guess my standard is base on Singapore's Changi Airport so comparing these two makes Sydney looks like a crap. When you're traveling, remember to put all your liquids in 1 clear plastic bag. All liquids no more than 100 ml. So better put all your toiletries in your check in luggage and keep those necessities in your hand carry making sure it was not more than 100 ml. No mineral water or any juice allowed :)

Lips Of An Angel - Hinder

Honey why you calling me so late?
It's kinda hard to talk right now.
Honey why are you crying? Is everything okay?
I gotta whisper 'cause I can't be too loud

Well, my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's funny that you're calling me tonight
And, yes, I've dreamt of you too
And does he know you're talking to me
Will it start a fight
No I don't think she has a clue

Well my girl's in the next room
Sometimes I wish she was you
I guess we never really moved on
It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

It's really good to hear your voice say my name
It sounds so sweet
Coming from the lips of an angel
Hearing those words it makes me weak

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

And I never wanna say goodbye
But girl you make it hard to be faithful
With the lips of an angel

Honey why you calling me so late?

Hebedey Me!

Today is the official "me-day". Last night after mass, we had dinner at McDonalds then we met Mars and Halil at my favorite place Que Pasa. Plan was to wait until 12 but we've finished our wines half past 11 so we decided to go home instead. At the strike of 12, Habiga and Mars Joey greeted me with a kiss. Friends sent me YM messages. Hawsmeyts Abby, Sheila, Glynz and Dennis gave me a card I didn't expect which was really sweet. I was so touched and I felt so much love at the beginning of my special day. This morning, I got a separate overseas calls from my family - Mom, Apple, Kendz and Roniel. I got sms from friends which some I didn't expect to remember. Few minutes after I got to work I received a call that I have a delivery - a bouquet of dozen pink and peach colored champagne roses! I received email greetings from friends, too. I had lunch with habiga at KFC and a cup of coffee afterwards. I can't wipe the smile off my face. I am so happy!

My day doesn't just ends there. After office, habiga surprised me with a buffet dinner at "Mariott Hotel". Well, I know about the dinner. No idea about the place though. Food was great! :) I'll make a separate post for the review of the place :)

I felt so much love in the air! I can't thank God enough for blessing me with friends and family who showered me with so much love and for giving me a truly wonderful husband. I can't thank enough the people who started making a big deal celebrating one's birthday. It's truly magical and and memorable moment. Thank you to all of you who remembered. And I don't mind those who forgot. You didn't have to as I myself is one very forgetful person.

"Happy birthday bebi boo I luv u so much :) wish that all your dreams will come true. I thank God for havin u in my life :) God bls luv lots"

12 Days before the big one

Time to walk down the memory lane again. This is me musing over the last year's biggest event of my life. I guess this is just something that I really need to commemorate every year as this is one of those dream-all-you-want-but-definitely-won't-have-it kind of realization before but actually happened in my life. So this is a big deal for me. Maybe not just to me but to everyone else who've experienced a childhood dream like this. It's not just the wedding I'm talking about actually. It's just so sweet to taste that amount of happiness when something in your life transpires when you least expect it or when you've worked hard enough to get it or when you always thought that dream will never materialize but still continue to dream about it.

This same day last year, my emotions were rocketing high. Mixed emotions that is. My heart was filled with too much anxiety but totally loving every beat of it. I couldn't feel the excitement yet at that time as there were too many on my list that was too impossible to happen in 12 days. I guess keeping list keeps you on track but it can turn your planning into a total chaos when out of every 100 on your list to do only 25% is happening. Well, looking back now, I know I didn't regret any single decision we've made on our wedding plans. All goes well according to what we've expected. We didn't expect much grandiose thing to happen, anyway. Ours is not a fairytale story or extraordinary or overstated kind of wedding. But it is the best thing that ever happened to me. And after all that time and money spent and year of preparation, the year just passed by and up to this very moment I know that our wedding was still the best thing that happened in my life as I am now looking at that person and I still feel the bliss of getting married to him. It is what's important. That person may not be the perfect person in the world but it all falls into place when that person makes a perfect fit of who you are and what you are in this world. Anniversaries are not clichéd or were they invented by women just to have a reason to get something from their partners. It is imperative as this will remind you of how you've started your life together as one, of how you've surmount the storms in your life and how you've established that strong bond you both shared now. It is a roller coaster ride you will truly enjoy - no matter how many obstacles there are, it's the ride that's so worth all those trouble.

Advance Happy Anniversary, Habiga!!!

Into the Wild

I am currently reading the book "Into the Wild". This has been shown in the cinema and it's already out on DVDs and VCDs. Havent finished reading the book yet so I cannot give you any review. But first chapter already hit me as I wasn't aware of the story. Hehehe I always buy books because of only three reasons - the novel is written by the famous author I know, recommended by a friend or it's on the best seller shelf of the bookstores I frequent. And no, I don't read much that back part of the book before I buy it to keep the element of surprise. :D Anyway, all I know about this book when I first started it was that there was this guy who abandoned all his belongings, gave all his money to charity and wander off to travel. I didn't know he died just four months after that. :( It was really sad for me. He was still young and just graduated with honors who came from a well-off family but choose to live a nomad life. I thought it was a stupid thing to do to choose a decision in your life putting yourself at risk. I thought at first that if I were to have that life he had, I would certainly be in law school, graduate with honors and do pro bono cases or spend my remaining time helping out on some refugee camps who were always short of people and money to help them with. But that's just me. And I'm not sure about what I just said because I might be doing something differently with that life.

People's reactions are subjective. We think differently when we are out of the box and retort to things otherwise when we are on that certain spot. It's like that story of the three men who were given each a bar of gold - one buried it in case he needed it, one spend it like there's no tomorrow and one who took the risk of using the gold and invest it and made it earn. We were told a lot of times how the latter is better than the two. Some of us may agree since it is the logical thing to do. But we are who we are because of the decisions we made in our life. We don't let other people run our own life just because they think sensibly and their life is better than ours. We might follow their footsteps and live their life but still feels miserable in the end. It is your life after all. No matter what others may think, it will still be your happiness and the gratification you will achieve. In a simple and shallow explanation, it's like buying that stunning dress worn by a famous actress or models we just read from a magazine and ends up looking stupid. There were finer things in this world that suits exactly of who you are and your personality and ends up feeling total bliss even in that cheap dress. Now, I think I better get back to my reading. :D

Pinoy Sunday - Bamboo

Hallelujiah !!!

The Philippines hottest band rocks PINOY SUNDAY !!!
NOY-PI SUNDAY proudly presents: BAMBOO live in Singapore !!!
The Arena @ Clarke Quay
August 31, 2008
4pm onwards
$40 with FREE drink

Bamboo Manalac – vocals
Ira Cruz – guitar
Nathan Azarcon – bass
Vic Mercado – drums


Achievements and Awards
Gold Award (15,000 units) for "As the Music Plays" (August 2004)
Platinum Award (30,000 units) for "As the Music Plays" (November 2004)
Double Platinum Award (60,000 units) for "As the Music Plays" (April 2005)

Gold Award (15,000 units) for "Light Peace Love" (July 2005)
Platinum Awards (30, 000 units) for Light Peace Love (January 2006)
Gold Award (15,000 units) for "We Stand Alone Together" (2007)


Winner -- NU Rock Awards 2005
Vocalist of the Year for Bamboo Manalac
Album of the Year for LightPeaceLove

Winner – AWIT Awards 2005
Best Rock Song for "Noypi"
People's Choice Favorite Song for "Noypi"

Winner – MTV Pilipinas 2004
Best New Artist
Best Group
Favorite Song for "Noypi"

Winner – 2004 NU107 Rock Awards
Artist of the Year
Song of the Year "Noypi"
Vocalist of the Year – Bamboo Manalac
Drummer of the Year – Vic Mercado
Listener's Choice Award

Winner –89.9TM Year End Awards (2004)
Local Artist of the Year
New Local Artist of the Year
Song of the Year for "Noypi" Winner – 93.1RX Year End Awards (2004)
Song of the Year for "Masaya"
New Local Artist of the Year
Local Group of the Year

Winner—2006 Awit Awards
Song of the Year for "Hallelujah"
Album of the Year for LightPeaceLove
Best Rock for "Hallelujah"
Best Ballad for "Much Has Been Said"
Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist
People's Choice Award fro Favorite Song for "Hallelujah"

Winner- 2006 SOP Pasiklaband (GMA Channel 7)
Best Rock Band
Best Vocalist for Bamboo Manalac

Winner- 2006 MTV Pilipinas Music Video Awards
Best Cinematography for a Video for "Much Has Been Said"

Winner- 2006 Aliw Awards
Most Promising Entertainer


For ticket inquiries and reservations:
+65 97670768 / +65 98719507
pinoytalents@pinoysunday.net


PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO OUR FELLOW NOYPI WHO WANTS TO EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT SUNDAY.

ONLY AT PINOY SUNDAY!!!!!
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Travel & Adventure: Genting, Malaysia

Whew! We're now back from our Genting adventure. I guess you're wondering why I'm making such a big fuss giong to this place. It's not like going to europe or anything. I guess we just had so much fun while we were there with our friends. And I'm sure out of the population of noypis in Singapore, there were only about 10 or 20% who've never been to Genting. And most of them I guess hasn't stayed in Singapore for a year. And those who have been in Singapore for a long time like us is very unusual to haven't been to Genting. But this is a must-see place in Malaysia, in my opinion. Something different for a change. A cold
weather out of the ordinary day-to-day warm or humid weather. I think going back there is something we would do again maybe next year. But this time, we'll be staying on a nicer hotel. And we will still go there with friends or family as it is much fun sharing it with than just then two of you only. So here's the story!

August 1, 2008
We met half past ten at the Golden Mile with the Garillo clan cuz, and cuz' friend dennis. Mareng Bebit and Rak with the kids were on a different bus but same departure time. It was cuz who took the trouble of booking our ticket :) Thanks cuz! We left the Golden Mile at 10 minutes past 11 and reached the SG immigration after 45 minutes. By the time we reach the Malaysia immigration it was already saturday :)

August 2, 2008
I was ready this time for the embarkation card, filled up and all with signature but was surprised that they already ditch that process. Don't know for how long. We can't even remember the last time we've been to Malaysia. Anyhow, we've reached our first stop after an hour and a half on the road. Thirty minutes later, we were back on the road again. The executive coach we had was really nice. The chairs were roomy and there were games and movies you can play or watch on. Very far different from what we usually take going to KL. And I enjoyed playing the "puzzle bobble game" which I remembered spending most of my coins playing it in the arcade at the src in my previous work. Amidst of playing games and taking a nap then waking up to see where we are, we reached Genting at quarter to 6 in the morning.

We felt the nice cold air the moment we stepped out of our bus. We went to the lobby of the First World Hotel and found Mareng Bebit and Rak and kids. This was a first time experience for us seeing a big hotel lobby where you'll take a queue just to get a no to be able to checkin at 12 in the afternoon. Man, this hotel is huge! We left our bags at the bag counter, and walked around to look for a coffee shop or restaurant since most of us looks like we're going to kill anyone for a cup of hot coffee. We found one and was told that the kitchen will be open only at 7am. We asked one lady to served us some coffee first which she said no at first since they said that they can't served until it was 7 am. It was exactly 6.56 am when we called for her attention. She gave in after a while. My patience is much thinner than it's usual already thin line especially in the morning that I haven't had my cup of coffee yet. And my ready-to-kick-some-ass-look always works in most aunties and uncles in singapore hahaha. We were all feeling sleepy *except for the two kids who were both hyper* after the big breakfast. We walked around the indoor theme park and bought the "All theme park" ticket. It was the usual RM$56/per person ticket but got a 30% discount because some rides were closed due to the MTV Asia Awards to be held in the Outdoor theme park. So we paid RM$36/person only. Since we still have more than 2 hours to burn before check in, we started taking the rides already. Some shops were still close but most of the rides were already up and running.

We started with the monorail which goes around the indoor to the outdoor theme park. There we had another feel of the cold air and very foggy surroundings. It was zero visibility and it was really cold. We took a ride at the bump ride, the mini roller coaster twice, and floating ship indoor. We left noahby enjoying the bump car ride which was on his third round already. We were drooling upon seeing the starbucks already open and ordered one cup of very hot cappucino. We tried the "Flying Coaster" which i think was the higlight of the outdoor theme park but we paid RM$8 each because apparently it was not included in the ALL day pass ticket we bought. Well, for everybody to know, I am just not the kind who have the guts to try extreme rides. But it's not purely because of fear. I just get dizzy easily and i really hate that feeling of nausea. But I'll hate myself without even trying once. At least I can say that I did tried. But never again will I try to set foot on that ride again hihihi. We walked around the outdoor theme and found the "Go-Kart" ride. Ffg, Dennis and I tried it. It wasn't much fun because you can't go fast and for my liking it's really really slow. I'd prefer the Singapore luge than this. We went back to the hotel to check in and found our queue no 30 counts away. When it was our time, the lady was still serving someone so we stand aside and waited for that customer to be done. When it was our turn, she took our queue no and told us that it's already passed which we violently react that we were there all along waiting. WTF??? Didn't she see us? And what if she didn't, isn't she still serving another customer??? Grrr. From her tone, she looks like she wants us to take another queue no again. But we won't allow that won't we? ;) We made our point but I think in the end she still wins. She puts us on the room facing the parking lot, smoking room and cuz's toilet is not working. We let it pass of course. We'll be staying there for a night anyway. Soon as we left our things in the room, we went down for late lunch. The chinese food were really expensive. Well the same amount as in Singapore. It's just that maybe we were expecting it to be cheaper since it's in Malaysia. Ffg and I shared a very awful and worst Chicken Rice I've ever tasted for RM$13.50 and a RM$6.50 for 3-pc siomai. I mean I don't mind paying that amount IF the food is as good as what I'm paying in Singapore. But if it's that bad, I'd rather choke on a daily dosage of McDonalds or any other fast food chain. Well, I did finished it. Still! :D We went back to our rooms and agreed to meet up at 4 so we can have a quick nap.

By 5 we were already up. Garillo clan went out for their late lunch. Ffg and I took a stroll outside the Hotel Genting while waiting for cuz and dennis which we met afterwards to take the cable car ride. It was said to be the fastest and longest cable car in the whole southeast asia and it was inded among others that I've ever tried. Well there were only two cable cars that i've tried and this is the third (SG and HK). After the cable car ride trip, we had dinner at Kenny Rogers which was a lot cheaper than in Singapore with 3 side dish! We met the garillo clan afterwards and took a stroll and window shopping. Then coffee at coffebean! Ah! This is life! We still stoll around afterwards then call it a night minutes before midnight.

August 3, 2008
We met at the McDonalds for breakfast around 10 in the morning. We went back to our room to pack our things and check out. Express checkout just hands over the room key and no other things to do. There were no things in the fridge or something to take that is chargeable anyway. We stroll around some more until 2pm. We left the beautiful cold Genting at exactly 2.30 pm. Our bus driver was really fast that we reached home in Singapore at 9pm. He only took the usual 7 hours trip by 5 1/2 hours. Wow! It was a really fun fun weekend and I know bebe did enjoyed it as much as I do.

As I have proven it in the past, you can't have much happiness alone without having anything lost.

Well, to cap it all Genting is a really nice place. I like the cold weather. I like to feel the numbness I felt in my hands. But I think they should invest on at least renovating the place or keeping the place clean. Some of the rides were a bit rusty. It's good to maintain something that from generation to generation will truly enjoy. :D