Friday, May 23, 2008

Live life!

I have always dreamed of being able to go to different places. Take on an adventure of a lifetime. Discover and try new things. Meet new people. Learn a new language. Backpacking on an unfamiliar territory. Friends will often describe me as "From Davao City to Any point in Mindanao", just like labels on cargo trucks. Be on the great outdoors.

But right now seems like work has been keeping me glued within the space of my cubicle figuring out how much volume should be excavated or how can I make my mind work after 12 or more hours of work. Is this what I really want to do with the rest of my life? I am not saying I hate my job. Well in fact we are all well compensated and well taken cared of but this is just a realization that I have. It's nice to be in a corporate world where you can meet people who would often discuss multi-million dollar projects or be a part of the realization of it.

Still for me working in a corporate world is equivalent to NO TIME for other things but work. I am just speaking for my case. Sometimes I feel so trapped... so restricted... On the other hand, this a good experience for career growth and stuff like that. For now, I'll just do more than what is required of me at work and save save save. In time maybe before I will turn 30 I will pursue what I have always dreamed of. Begin the adventure of a lifetime. I don't want to enslave myself on work, we only have one life to live and to think we don't get to live a hundred years. I don't want to be 60 years old, look back and wonder what if or regret that I should have enjoyed life more and spent more time with the people who matters.

Live life... Enjoy life!


Monday, May 19, 2008

There's No Place Like Davao...

Canibad with Burong mah friend
Samal Island

I just miss the laid back kind of life I have had in Davao.... the late friday and saturday nights at MTS taboan with Anne, burong and buloy over a couple of ice cold san mig light, sisig and spicy wings from Mamo's chicken or a serving of aling froping's special halo halo while gin blossoms is being played by the night's featured band. There were saturday or sunday morning's where out of the spur of the moment decision we suddenly find our selves in Paradise Island or at Isla reta eating kinilaw and grilled tuna belly and panga cooked by the boys. Or just having a picnic at Loleng's with my family during one of those lazy sunday afternoons after early morning church service.

A bad day in the office is equal to videoke night at Cats and Dogs or K1 where we can unwind while singing korny love songs or having the guts to sing 'Better Days'. I might say we can have a great time without having to spend so much money. Diba Anne?

Living here in Makati, I find myself spending so much time in the office. The 24-hours in one day is not enough. As they say, so little time so much to do. I find myself always in a hurry unlike in Davao when I wake up I can still have a few moments to spare watching sponge bob, CatDog, and Blues Clues with ellana, my niece, before getting ready for work. Well, I hate to admit it but I am a 26-year old who still loves to watch cartoons. A bad day at work here is equal to overtime, good food from kaya and me wishing to be able to lie down in bed and have a good night's rest.

Although I myself can cook, I still miss my Mom's cooking. It's different. I miss my Mom's pancit canton because here we've been eating a lot of instant pancit canton and korean spicy noodles almost every single day. I really love her home made pork and beans where the beans is outnumbered by the pork hehehe or Nilagang Baka. Hmmm yummy!

I miss my friends but atleast I made a few here. I might add my flatmates are also my officemates and the good thing is Bisaya mi tanan cool huh? My flat mates are the most unique individuals. I am having a hell of a great time with them.

Looking back during my first few weeks in Makati, I think it was just so funny. I was really homesick... I missed everyone including our dog. The worst thing was every morning Ryan was constantly playing Daughtry's song 'Home' makes me wanna cry. I was so pathetic. Well atleast now I am getting the hang of my life here... It's just Makati, not some other parts of the world and I can go home anytime. Yeah right, I can go home but I just don't have the time....

Maybe it's about time for me to grow up. Discover and be able to find a sense of fulfillment. Even though how much I wanted my life to revolve around the people I have loved, I have grown up with, my puppy, my dogs, my cousins or just maybe live my entire life in Davao, but I have to move on, move away... and find my place in this world. Maybe Davao is not the place where my dreams will be fulfilled but Davao will always be the place I will call home...

At Isla Reta with Anne and Billie

Videoke Nights with officemates

Lazy Sunday Afternoon at Loleng's

Me singing at some piano Bar
in Davao

Wasted at Retro Bar

Makati Officemates

Housemates!

Friday, May 16, 2008

"Road not Taken"


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I coul
d not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

...Robert Frost

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Kimchi and More...



Ever since I Started working for a korean construction firm in Makati, I have been to korean restaurants numerous times. From 'kaya' the ever famous korean restaurant with so many branches in Manila to 'Le jo', 'Korea garden' and 'Masan' all located at the heart of Makati. Korean Meals are known for its number of side dishes. The first time, when the 'banchan' or the side dish was served I ate a lot of it only to find out later that it was just the appetizer. I think Korean cuisine is very healthy since it is primarily with tofu, meat, rice, noodles and vegetables a lot of it i might add. There are more protein than carbs. Oh and before I forget... they have a lot of spicy dishes on their menu...

the 'kimchi' - the most common side dish
made of fermented vegetables
usually spicy

One of my favorites is the Bulgogi... made from marinated beef usually it is being cooked right in front of you...

'Bulgogi' - grilled beef
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia


Another dish is the Samgyeopsal-gui (Grilled Side of Pork) with the stove in front of you, you cook the thin strips of pork belly the way you like. Well, I love it slightly toasted and I eat it with lettuce.
'Samgyeopsal-gui'
Photo courtesy of my Korean Kitchen

Hmm what else do I like? aside from sojo... I like a few other side dishes and bibimbap but I forgot what the other dishes are called but what i love most is the experience... seems like a ritual of some sort where you can commune over a healthy hearty meal.

big bosses

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Fourth

Lately I am really hooked on listening to Colbie Caillat's Song. For me, her songs are some sort of make-you-feel-good songs or something you'd like to play while on a road trip with your friends or just listen to unwind from a long and hectic day.

I really liked this song ("Battle")... I also like the video uploaded by 'WalkingMiracles'