Friday, June 27, 2008
secret hope
when you are secretly hoping for something, and you know that it's never going to happen, how would you feel?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
BHBH1 gathering
at last, the BHBH1 has come together! rawrr.. haha..
Big Hands Bigger Hearts 1 - (half of) the legacy
it was in September 2004 when 24 of us came together to create a miracle, sort of. :) and then in December 2004, the 24 of us stepped onto the beautiful yet unknown grounds of Bago City, Philippines. a place that I've fallen in love with, a place that I call it my second home.
more than 20 days of staying together, working together as a team. we had so much fun that it was as though we were having a vacation there. haha. and we have forged strong friendships, and I am thankful to have them as my friends.
3 years have gone down the road. all of us have grown, and matured into young individuals carving out roads and careers of our own. good to see that everybody is doing well. nice to hear laughters again, listening to stories and reminiscing our days in Bago City.
the YEP in Bago City has changed my life, of course not in a dramatic way, but at least it gives me the motivation to continue doing what I like, and to continue helping the children. I don't know how much the project has changed their lives, but I do hope that they have gained something from it. :)
Big Hands Bigger Hearts 1 - may the legacy continues. haha..
Big Hands Bigger Hearts 1 - (half of) the legacy
it was in September 2004 when 24 of us came together to create a miracle, sort of. :) and then in December 2004, the 24 of us stepped onto the beautiful yet unknown grounds of Bago City, Philippines. a place that I've fallen in love with, a place that I call it my second home.
more than 20 days of staying together, working together as a team. we had so much fun that it was as though we were having a vacation there. haha. and we have forged strong friendships, and I am thankful to have them as my friends.
3 years have gone down the road. all of us have grown, and matured into young individuals carving out roads and careers of our own. good to see that everybody is doing well. nice to hear laughters again, listening to stories and reminiscing our days in Bago City.
the YEP in Bago City has changed my life, of course not in a dramatic way, but at least it gives me the motivation to continue doing what I like, and to continue helping the children. I don't know how much the project has changed their lives, but I do hope that they have gained something from it. :)
subsequent groups that have ventured to Bago City also take after the name BHBH. hahah. we are the creator. we are the best! haha..
Big Hands Bigger Hearts 1 - may the legacy continues. haha..
Monday, June 16, 2008
thinking back, a month ago
i always tell people, that the Philippines airport doesn't like me. haha. i always run into problems whenever i'm in the airport, despite the number of times i've been walking in and out of it. haha. there was even once i entered the boarding gate, without having my passport chopped. amazing isn't it? and i only realised it after i've gone through all the troublesome security checks and scannings, and i sensed that something was not quite right, i quickly flipped through my passport, kaboom! i had to get out again, re-queue (i spent more than half-hour waiting) and going through all the security checks again.
haha.
the Singapore sky, and the plane i took
a month ago, i was jetsetting to my favourite place again, so i prayed hard nothing would happen to me in the airport. before even touching down on the Philippine land, there was already a small hiccup. due to zero visibility (the pilot said so), we couldn't descend, so we were hovering in mid-air for half an hour. going in circles and going through the turbulences.
and we touched down 45 minutes behind schedule.
looking down to Manila
transiting from the international terminal to the domestic terminal was considered smooth, until i forgot to collect my paper bag after passing through the security check at the boarding gate in the domestic terminal. so forgetful. nothing new. haha.
Ya Kun kaya toast in the Philippines airport!
i had 4 hours of waiting time before my domestic flight, thank goodness i had my MP3 and my loyal Sudoku book with me. hahaha. there was nothing much to explore in the airport anyway, i could walk from one end of the terminal to the other in 5 minutes. haha. but there was something new! Ya Kun kaya toast!! a pity they had ran out of the kaya, if not i could have done some comparison. haha.
i was supposed to board the next flight at 6pm (i remembered!), but the boarding call was made at 5pm. thinking that i could reach Bago City earlier, i was excited and boarded the plane happily. the plane moved off before schedule, but came to a halt before entering the runway. an annoucement was made, saying that there were technical problems, so we would have to wait. dampened my mood.
little tofu couldn't wait to go to Bago City
and so we waited. until people got impatient. but no clear explanation was given. and so we waited, seeing the sky turned dark. i got tired and fell asleep. when i woke up 2 hours later, we were still there, on the same spot.
then we were told that the problem had been fixed, but we had to wait for a new batch of crew because the current batch of crew on board had exceeded their 13-hour duty time. wert.
when the plane finally started moving, it was already 8pm. but there was another hour to go, and i was too sleepy, so i went back to sleep. haha.
the new Bacolod-Silay Airport
when i finally saw my beloved friends, it was like 9pm. 15 hours after i had left my own house in Singapore. i felt like i was travelling to Europe, time-wise. haha. instead of "hello, good evening!", we greeted each other "good night". hahaha.
and now i pray there would be international flights going to Bacolod soon. what a waste of resources, for an international airport serving only domestic flights. and when that day comes, i can whiz off to Bacolod in 4 hours!
and that day better come fast. haha.
haha.
the Singapore sky, and the plane i took
a month ago, i was jetsetting to my favourite place again, so i prayed hard nothing would happen to me in the airport. before even touching down on the Philippine land, there was already a small hiccup. due to zero visibility (the pilot said so), we couldn't descend, so we were hovering in mid-air for half an hour. going in circles and going through the turbulences.
and we touched down 45 minutes behind schedule.
looking down to Manila
transiting from the international terminal to the domestic terminal was considered smooth, until i forgot to collect my paper bag after passing through the security check at the boarding gate in the domestic terminal. so forgetful. nothing new. haha.
Ya Kun kaya toast in the Philippines airport!
i had 4 hours of waiting time before my domestic flight, thank goodness i had my MP3 and my loyal Sudoku book with me. hahaha. there was nothing much to explore in the airport anyway, i could walk from one end of the terminal to the other in 5 minutes. haha. but there was something new! Ya Kun kaya toast!! a pity they had ran out of the kaya, if not i could have done some comparison. haha.
i was supposed to board the next flight at 6pm (i remembered!), but the boarding call was made at 5pm. thinking that i could reach Bago City earlier, i was excited and boarded the plane happily. the plane moved off before schedule, but came to a halt before entering the runway. an annoucement was made, saying that there were technical problems, so we would have to wait. dampened my mood.
little tofu couldn't wait to go to Bago City
and so we waited. until people got impatient. but no clear explanation was given. and so we waited, seeing the sky turned dark. i got tired and fell asleep. when i woke up 2 hours later, we were still there, on the same spot.
then we were told that the problem had been fixed, but we had to wait for a new batch of crew because the current batch of crew on board had exceeded their 13-hour duty time. wert.
when the plane finally started moving, it was already 8pm. but there was another hour to go, and i was too sleepy, so i went back to sleep. haha.
the new Bacolod-Silay Airport
when i finally saw my beloved friends, it was like 9pm. 15 hours after i had left my own house in Singapore. i felt like i was travelling to Europe, time-wise. haha. instead of "hello, good evening!", we greeted each other "good night". hahaha.
and now i pray there would be international flights going to Bacolod soon. what a waste of resources, for an international airport serving only domestic flights. and when that day comes, i can whiz off to Bacolod in 4 hours!
and that day better come fast. haha.
Friday, June 13, 2008
the mass wedding
oops, i went on a shopping spree while searching for a wedding gift for a friend. well, i was eyeing something for quite some time, and i need something else as well. haha..
now that i've mentioned weddings, yup, the mass wedding i've attended in Bago City. :)
the programme leaflet for the ceremony
May 26 is the birthday of the mayor, and he celebrated his "40-something-th" birthday with a bang! a mass wedding for 334 couples!
the mayor, giving a speech during the ceremony
that was my first time attending a mass ceremony, and i'm sure that it was also the first time for almost everybody who was present. seriously, how often do you get to witness a mass wedding? :)
the stage decoration
and i was invited to be seated on stage alongside with the mayor and the city councillers, witnessing the entire ceremony, as well as taking the group photos. it was an honour, but it was embarrassing too, because i'm just a nobody. and that was how i became the ma-ninay (sponsor/witness) of the 334 couples. oops.
empty chairs awaiting all the couples
334 couples, how much effort was put in to make the mass wedding possible? A LOT. i mean it. from the preparation, arrangements in the venue, all the co-ordination, crowd control, to the actual event itself, it involved a lot of work. Tricia's office was in charge of this event, and i say, you guys did a great job! hooray! :)
almost the entire city government workers were involved in this event
the mass wedding was a simple one. nothing was lavishing, probably except for the three-tiered wedding cake.
the wedding cake became the centrepiece of all the group photos we took
the couples came from all parts of Bago City. 24 barangays. many of them set off from their homes a few hours before the ceremony, dressed in simple white shirts and dresses, travelled to the city's coliseum in buses, tricycles, jeepneys. how did i know? because i saw a few of them when i visited Balgros Elementary School in Barangay Dulao in the morning. haha.
all the couples need not pay for the fees to process the legal documents and the charges for the ceremony. it was being paid for by the government. i was told by one of the city councillers, Ma'am Somcio, that many of them could not afford to get married, to have a wedding banquet, and they would just live together, forming families that are not recognised legally. which explained why some of the brides were pregnant, some couples looked like grandparents to me, and some towing their children along. i was also told that a few of the would-be brides just gave birth a couple of days before the wedding, so there were empty seats in the hall. hahah.
a couple with their child
which is also why the mayor is encouraging proper and legal marriage, because of the various health and educational benefits their children and they themselves would be able to receive.
there were quite a number of young couples as well. lack of education, and many other factors. i shall not elaborate any further. ha.
there were touching stories too. Ma'am Somcio was pointing a couple to me while we were on stage, waiting for the ceremony to begin. the lady was suffering from cancer, and she was being led to her seat, with her husband holding her hand all the time. she was too frail to stand, so she could not have her wedding march, and had to be seated while reciting the oath. but she had her husband by her side all the while.
the lady with cancer and her husband
there was another young lady who was in a wheelchair, and it was her husband who was with her all the while, wheeling her down the aisle.
in sickness and in health. true love is the love that is able to endure these obstacles. :)
the long wedding march
towards the end of the ceremony, everybody rose to take their oaths, and we the witnesses stood up as well. i could only understand a little of the oath (it was in Ilongo), but i could understand the last sentence very well. "you may now kiss the bride." and suddenly everybody started giggling. haha. nobody was kissing! the couples were shy! Ma'am Somcio and i were on stage, shouting "kiss! kiss!", while the mayor prompted the couples. it was only then i could see shy pecks on the lips, and i could see long passionate kisses too.
the 334 couples standing to take their oaths
it doesn't really matter if two persons were to get married or just living together, either way it requires a lot of courage and determination to make things work. but of course, there are pros and cons to be weighed, and the future to be considered. it's not just a simple "I do", but a lifelong promise and commitment.
i wish all the couples (and all around the world), to stay blissful together, and the best of luck. :)
now that i've mentioned weddings, yup, the mass wedding i've attended in Bago City. :)
the programme leaflet for the ceremony
May 26 is the birthday of the mayor, and he celebrated his "40-something-th" birthday with a bang! a mass wedding for 334 couples!
the mayor, giving a speech during the ceremony
that was my first time attending a mass ceremony, and i'm sure that it was also the first time for almost everybody who was present. seriously, how often do you get to witness a mass wedding? :)
the stage decoration
and i was invited to be seated on stage alongside with the mayor and the city councillers, witnessing the entire ceremony, as well as taking the group photos. it was an honour, but it was embarrassing too, because i'm just a nobody. and that was how i became the ma-ninay (sponsor/witness) of the 334 couples. oops.
empty chairs awaiting all the couples
334 couples, how much effort was put in to make the mass wedding possible? A LOT. i mean it. from the preparation, arrangements in the venue, all the co-ordination, crowd control, to the actual event itself, it involved a lot of work. Tricia's office was in charge of this event, and i say, you guys did a great job! hooray! :)
almost the entire city government workers were involved in this event
the mass wedding was a simple one. nothing was lavishing, probably except for the three-tiered wedding cake.
the wedding cake became the centrepiece of all the group photos we took
the couples came from all parts of Bago City. 24 barangays. many of them set off from their homes a few hours before the ceremony, dressed in simple white shirts and dresses, travelled to the city's coliseum in buses, tricycles, jeepneys. how did i know? because i saw a few of them when i visited Balgros Elementary School in Barangay Dulao in the morning. haha.
all the couples need not pay for the fees to process the legal documents and the charges for the ceremony. it was being paid for by the government. i was told by one of the city councillers, Ma'am Somcio, that many of them could not afford to get married, to have a wedding banquet, and they would just live together, forming families that are not recognised legally. which explained why some of the brides were pregnant, some couples looked like grandparents to me, and some towing their children along. i was also told that a few of the would-be brides just gave birth a couple of days before the wedding, so there were empty seats in the hall. hahah.
a couple with their child
which is also why the mayor is encouraging proper and legal marriage, because of the various health and educational benefits their children and they themselves would be able to receive.
there were quite a number of young couples as well. lack of education, and many other factors. i shall not elaborate any further. ha.
there were touching stories too. Ma'am Somcio was pointing a couple to me while we were on stage, waiting for the ceremony to begin. the lady was suffering from cancer, and she was being led to her seat, with her husband holding her hand all the time. she was too frail to stand, so she could not have her wedding march, and had to be seated while reciting the oath. but she had her husband by her side all the while.
the lady with cancer and her husband
there was another young lady who was in a wheelchair, and it was her husband who was with her all the while, wheeling her down the aisle.
in sickness and in health. true love is the love that is able to endure these obstacles. :)
the long wedding march
towards the end of the ceremony, everybody rose to take their oaths, and we the witnesses stood up as well. i could only understand a little of the oath (it was in Ilongo), but i could understand the last sentence very well. "you may now kiss the bride." and suddenly everybody started giggling. haha. nobody was kissing! the couples were shy! Ma'am Somcio and i were on stage, shouting "kiss! kiss!", while the mayor prompted the couples. it was only then i could see shy pecks on the lips, and i could see long passionate kisses too.
the 334 couples standing to take their oaths
it doesn't really matter if two persons were to get married or just living together, either way it requires a lot of courage and determination to make things work. but of course, there are pros and cons to be weighed, and the future to be considered. it's not just a simple "I do", but a lifelong promise and commitment.
i wish all the couples (and all around the world), to stay blissful together, and the best of luck. :)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
photos from Bago City
ah.. finally most of the photos have been uploaded. actually i'm done with the uploading last week, just that i'm lazy to update and for a few times it slipped my mind. heh.
i remembered i took about 700 shots, but i've only uploaded 500+, because the rest are either repeated, too blur, or too ugly. haha. a lot of the pictures were taken during the TRY Summer Youth Camp. i was the unofficial photographer. haha. which is why there aren't many photos with my face on it. bleah.
so here's the link to my flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuhui-loves/
will blog about interesting things that happened while i was there (like the mass wedding) and interesting shots. slowly, as and when i have the inspiration. :)
i remembered i took about 700 shots, but i've only uploaded 500+, because the rest are either repeated, too blur, or too ugly. haha. a lot of the pictures were taken during the TRY Summer Youth Camp. i was the unofficial photographer. haha. which is why there aren't many photos with my face on it. bleah.
so here's the link to my flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yuhui-loves/
will blog about interesting things that happened while i was there (like the mass wedding) and interesting shots. slowly, as and when i have the inspiration. :)
Sunday, June 08, 2008
fondue and concert
it seems like it's becoming a habit to combine 2 meals into 1. not good. i need something to keep to a proper eating time.
yeah! the big 4 of BHBH1 has come together again! and yes, over our favourite fondue. :)
Huijie, me, Aline and Waipeng
it was nice to see our dear Sarah Huijie growing, becoming a lady, and knowing that all is well for her in London. yup, i still hold on to the hope that we will get to go to Bago City together. one day. it will come. :)
our chocolate fondue, with the long marshmallows
and thank you for the unique marshmallows! we have never seen marshmallows in this shape before. and even the waiters were curious and laughing. haha.
and we should meet up again before you return to London. :)
------------------------------
Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists (part of Singapore Arts Festival)
water pool outside Esplanade
went to attend this concert on friday. it was good, although there were parts which i felt the arrangements could be better. i'm not an ultimate fan of LOTR, and i can't really remember everything from the LOTR trilogies, but parts of the symphony with the Irish whistle did make me imagine that the hobbits were jumping around on stage. haha.
from the roof terrace of Esplanade
many events happening this week. not a bad thing, at least i didn't need to see my kids (they are on holiday). took my mind off things as well. time to prepare myself for the challenges coming up. and one is coming up soon. arghh.
yeah! the big 4 of BHBH1 has come together again! and yes, over our favourite fondue. :)
Huijie, me, Aline and Waipeng
it was nice to see our dear Sarah Huijie growing, becoming a lady, and knowing that all is well for her in London. yup, i still hold on to the hope that we will get to go to Bago City together. one day. it will come. :)
our chocolate fondue, with the long marshmallows
and thank you for the unique marshmallows! we have never seen marshmallows in this shape before. and even the waiters were curious and laughing. haha.
and we should meet up again before you return to London. :)
------------------------------
Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists (part of Singapore Arts Festival)
water pool outside Esplanade
went to attend this concert on friday. it was good, although there were parts which i felt the arrangements could be better. i'm not an ultimate fan of LOTR, and i can't really remember everything from the LOTR trilogies, but parts of the symphony with the Irish whistle did make me imagine that the hobbits were jumping around on stage. haha.
from the roof terrace of Esplanade
many events happening this week. not a bad thing, at least i didn't need to see my kids (they are on holiday). took my mind off things as well. time to prepare myself for the challenges coming up. and one is coming up soon. arghh.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
a week after coming back
a week ago, i was trying to control my emotions, not to cry at the airport. i could still remember Nonoy saying this in the van, "it's your 5th time already! don't cry!" and they all kept singing Leaving on a Jetplane. well i didn't wail out loud, i just pretended that i was having some eye irritations and a sensitive nose. haa. suddenly i remembered how i scared the hell out of my friends when i was crying like nobody's business on the flight coming back from Bago City the first time round. haha.
and now, a week has passed, but i felt like it has been weeks or even months, and i'm raring to go on my next trip already. somehow work seems to be getting heavier, my to-do list is getting longer. but it hasn't really able to take my mind off all the thoughts. for a few nights i have been dreaming about the place, and i felt depressed in the dreams. i knew i felt depressed. :(
everytime when i share my stories, i was reminded of the time i've spent there. i guess you can never remove the Bago spirit in me anymore. but it was still good to meet up with good old friends. Aline, Waipeng, Ryan, Shaoting. and soon, Sarah! :)
and perhaps very soon, everybody in Bago City! :)
P.S. photos are still being uploaded. please bear with me.
and now, a week has passed, but i felt like it has been weeks or even months, and i'm raring to go on my next trip already. somehow work seems to be getting heavier, my to-do list is getting longer. but it hasn't really able to take my mind off all the thoughts. for a few nights i have been dreaming about the place, and i felt depressed in the dreams. i knew i felt depressed. :(
everytime when i share my stories, i was reminded of the time i've spent there. i guess you can never remove the Bago spirit in me anymore. but it was still good to meet up with good old friends. Aline, Waipeng, Ryan, Shaoting. and soon, Sarah! :)
and perhaps very soon, everybody in Bago City! :)
P.S. photos are still being uploaded. please bear with me.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
faces of TRY
i've a new blog look. :) just changed the header design, because the previous one did look a bit pessimistic. haha. this new one, although not nicely done, it's close to my heart. if anybody could recognise that, it's the Bantayan in Bago City. we all called it the boulevard of broken dreams. haa.
ok, this post is dedicated to all TRY members. :) and TRY is the abbreviation for Today's Responsive Youth.
it's always a pleasure to work with them, and i always have so much fun with them. we are like one big family, brothers and sisters. every time when i go back to Bago City, i'll meet new friends, new members from TRY. and the family is just getting bigger and bigger. :)
introducing to you, the faces of TRY!
Tricia, the president of TRY. a marvellous leader, and a wonderful friend to all. very committed as well, i've never heard a single cry of tiredness from her. super amazing. enough said. :)
Nonoy, Joseph, Marty
Nonoy can be serious yet fun at the same time. i used to be afraid of him because he looks stern when he doesn't smile. haha, that was when i first went to Bago City. but you will come to realise that he's a nice guy. :) and his catchphrase is 'my golly..' (pronouced as 'gali', which is his own version of 'my god..') and i'm being affected by that too. haha.
Joseph, the big brother. never short of witty jokes. an optimistic person. and of course, likes to tease me. haha.
Ryan, the father to my godson. super talented in dancing and super creative. he was actually one of the few whom i was closer to, during the BHBH1's time. loves to play around, but don't be fooled by him. he's known to be a strict teacher by all, and beware when he starts raising his voice. haha.
Serlu, with Yoga (BHBH4)
Serlu, but i like to call him Lolo Serlu. haha. likes to make fun of others. very active, but likes to sleep (i have a lot of his sleeping photos. muahaha). very thoughtful too. thanks for the dictionary! haha..
Karen and Ingrid, the two babes in TRY. haha. i still can't imagine Karen is already happily married with a cute baby Sophie. Ingrid, the other Sudoku lover. yeah.
John Paul a.k.a JP (seen here with a TRY camp participant), loves to eat. creative too. he designed the costumes of the TRY camp facilitators for the cultural night item! wow!
Eugene, another strict teacher. haha. good at dancing too. and no, i will not sing and dance in front of all people. haha. :P
Apple. the goddess with super long hair. haha. don't you think the costume makes her look like a goddess? :)
Jerievic, the environmentalist. likes to make fun of me too.
Andrew, the yes-ma'am man. we are the ones who always like to make fun of him. see? i've caught him in a 'scandalous' picture. wahahah.
Marty, and JR busily doing the silkscreen printing on t-shirts
Gamay, Ivan and Marty
Ryan and Sam
there are still many faces that i didn't get to capture, but nevertheless, they are as important as the rest of the TRY members, and they are my friends as well.
thank you all, for all the wonderful memories i had in Bago City, and thank you all, for all the assistance and help when i needed them.
i'll be back. :)
ok, this post is dedicated to all TRY members. :) and TRY is the abbreviation for Today's Responsive Youth.
it's always a pleasure to work with them, and i always have so much fun with them. we are like one big family, brothers and sisters. every time when i go back to Bago City, i'll meet new friends, new members from TRY. and the family is just getting bigger and bigger. :)
introducing to you, the faces of TRY!
Tricia, the president of TRY. a marvellous leader, and a wonderful friend to all. very committed as well, i've never heard a single cry of tiredness from her. super amazing. enough said. :)
Nonoy, Joseph, Marty
Nonoy can be serious yet fun at the same time. i used to be afraid of him because he looks stern when he doesn't smile. haha, that was when i first went to Bago City. but you will come to realise that he's a nice guy. :) and his catchphrase is 'my golly..' (pronouced as 'gali', which is his own version of 'my god..') and i'm being affected by that too. haha.
Joseph, the big brother. never short of witty jokes. an optimistic person. and of course, likes to tease me. haha.
Ryan, the father to my godson. super talented in dancing and super creative. he was actually one of the few whom i was closer to, during the BHBH1's time. loves to play around, but don't be fooled by him. he's known to be a strict teacher by all, and beware when he starts raising his voice. haha.
Serlu, with Yoga (BHBH4)
Serlu, but i like to call him Lolo Serlu. haha. likes to make fun of others. very active, but likes to sleep (i have a lot of his sleeping photos. muahaha). very thoughtful too. thanks for the dictionary! haha..
Karen and Ingrid, the two babes in TRY. haha. i still can't imagine Karen is already happily married with a cute baby Sophie. Ingrid, the other Sudoku lover. yeah.
John Paul a.k.a JP (seen here with a TRY camp participant), loves to eat. creative too. he designed the costumes of the TRY camp facilitators for the cultural night item! wow!
Eugene, another strict teacher. haha. good at dancing too. and no, i will not sing and dance in front of all people. haha. :P
Apple. the goddess with super long hair. haha. don't you think the costume makes her look like a goddess? :)
Jerievic, the environmentalist. likes to make fun of me too.
Andrew, the yes-ma'am man. we are the ones who always like to make fun of him. see? i've caught him in a 'scandalous' picture. wahahah.
Marty, and JR busily doing the silkscreen printing on t-shirts
Gamay, Ivan and Marty
Ryan and Sam
there are still many faces that i didn't get to capture, but nevertheless, they are as important as the rest of the TRY members, and they are my friends as well.
thank you all, for all the wonderful memories i had in Bago City, and thank you all, for all the assistance and help when i needed them.
i'll be back. :)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
a get-together
savouring my special ice-box cake right now. flown in all the way from Bago City! woohoo~ i'm trying not to eat too much, not because it's fattening, but rather, my stomach can't take in too much dairy products sometimes. and the ice-box cake is full of condensed milk and cream. hee.
met up with Aline, Waipeng and Ryan yesterday for dinner, and relaxing at Musicdreamers cafe. it has been quite a long time since we last went there, i think our last visit there was almost 3 years ago. haha. but it was good, we had lots of laughs at each other and the singers' lame jokes. and it was just so coincidental that it was Aline and Waipeng's 6-month wedding anniversary. haha. :)
but the day ended with an adventure, when Ryan forgot where he had parked his car, and we spent 1 hour walking around looking for it. haa.
i know i'm back to my usual boring life, back to seeing kids. although with much reluctance, i'll still have to face it. there's never a day that i never think of Bago City, and i'm already looking forward to my next trip, and wondering when would that be.
yuhui the unofficial Singapore ambassador to Bago City and the unofficial Bago City ambassador to Singapore. sounds not bad. :P
met up with Aline, Waipeng and Ryan yesterday for dinner, and relaxing at Musicdreamers cafe. it has been quite a long time since we last went there, i think our last visit there was almost 3 years ago. haha. but it was good, we had lots of laughs at each other and the singers' lame jokes. and it was just so coincidental that it was Aline and Waipeng's 6-month wedding anniversary. haha. :)
but the day ended with an adventure, when Ryan forgot where he had parked his car, and we spent 1 hour walking around looking for it. haa.
i know i'm back to my usual boring life, back to seeing kids. although with much reluctance, i'll still have to face it. there's never a day that i never think of Bago City, and i'm already looking forward to my next trip, and wondering when would that be.
yuhui the unofficial Singapore ambassador to Bago City and the unofficial Bago City ambassador to Singapore. sounds not bad. :P
Thursday, May 29, 2008
thank you, Bago City
i'm back to reality. back to work. thank god the supposed meeting today was cancelled. but then, if not for this meeting, i could be staying there for a few more days. shucks. i don't mind a few more mosquito bites.
anyway, i did have an enjoyable time in Bago City. i know it was short (only 12 days.. sobs) but it was meaningful. i attended a baptism, a Christian wedding and a mass wedding (334 couples!). i've spent more time mingling with the people, especially with the TRY members. and all of us had so much fun, despite we were all tired preparing for the TRY Summer Youth Camp. thank you all, so much, for all the fun times and the laughter. =)
to all TRY members, congrats for the completion of the 8th TRY camp. you guys have done a wonderful job. i've gotten to know you guys better, and become closer to all of you through the TRY camp. sorry for not being helpful enough at times, and i know it was bad of me when i kept wanting to watch Lobo, and sneaking off to go swimming in the pool. hehe. but i really had fun, and many memorable times too. thank you all so much.
to all people in the HRMO office, including those in Joenil's office, it's always nice to just sit down and chat with you guys. there are always laughter when i'm with you guys. thank you all so much.
to the Matti family and all, i can never thank you guys enough, for everything you have done for me, making me feel right at home. don't worry if i don't eat much. i do eat, and i eat lots of junk food. so i won't get hungry. hahah. thank you for the many santols, the ice-box cake, the mashed potatos, all the rest of the goodies, and of course, the warmth. :)
to the Mondia family, although i didn't get to spend much time with you guys, but it was nice to be gathered with all of you. hopefully the next time, i can get to spend more time with all of you. thank you.
to all my friends in Bago City, thank you all so much, even if it was just a simple hello.
i will be back. the adopted daughter of Bago City will be back.
----------
more stories and photos coming up. just hang on. :)
anyway, i did have an enjoyable time in Bago City. i know it was short (only 12 days.. sobs) but it was meaningful. i attended a baptism, a Christian wedding and a mass wedding (334 couples!). i've spent more time mingling with the people, especially with the TRY members. and all of us had so much fun, despite we were all tired preparing for the TRY Summer Youth Camp. thank you all, so much, for all the fun times and the laughter. =)
to all TRY members, congrats for the completion of the 8th TRY camp. you guys have done a wonderful job. i've gotten to know you guys better, and become closer to all of you through the TRY camp. sorry for not being helpful enough at times, and i know it was bad of me when i kept wanting to watch Lobo, and sneaking off to go swimming in the pool. hehe. but i really had fun, and many memorable times too. thank you all so much.
to all people in the HRMO office, including those in Joenil's office, it's always nice to just sit down and chat with you guys. there are always laughter when i'm with you guys. thank you all so much.
to the Matti family and all, i can never thank you guys enough, for everything you have done for me, making me feel right at home. don't worry if i don't eat much. i do eat, and i eat lots of junk food. so i won't get hungry. hahah. thank you for the many santols, the ice-box cake, the mashed potatos, all the rest of the goodies, and of course, the warmth. :)
to the Mondia family, although i didn't get to spend much time with you guys, but it was nice to be gathered with all of you. hopefully the next time, i can get to spend more time with all of you. thank you.
to all my friends in Bago City, thank you all so much, even if it was just a simple hello.
i will be back. the adopted daughter of Bago City will be back.
----------
more stories and photos coming up. just hang on. :)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
3 more days
i've just experienced the TRY Summer Youth Camp, organised for the Sangguniang Kabataan officials of Bago City, and the BHBH4. it was fun, i had fun with all the people, and i think i've opened up more to the rest of the TRY members. :)
i think the TRY members have put in a lot of effort to make the camp possible and trying their best to run the camp smoothly. but it requires full cooperation from the participants as well, and sadly, i didn't see that happening. in fact, the cultural night last night started 2 hours behind time, because the participants were late and claimed they did not have enough time for their preparation. i'll be honest, the camp is meant to be a training ground for all members, especially the SK members, for they are the youths representing their barangays and perhaps they will be leaders in future. but i did not see them being able to cope with challenges and having the responsibility to assume their duties as a camper. i'm a little disappointed, but i hope they will learn from this experience.
putting those aside, i really enjoyed mingling with the people and the children. a good chance for me to practise my Tagalog and Ilonggo. haha. it was really enjoyable working with the rest of the TRY members, although i admit i didn't do much being a facilitator of the camp, as compared to the other facilitators. and i've gotten more nicknames. bleahz.
i've also distributed about 150 packs of stationery to the children who came for the feeding program during the camp. not all children received the stationery sets, but at least i tried making most of them happy. :)
wednesday is coming real fast. very soon i'll leaving again, but yes, i'll definitely be back. someday. haa.
i think the TRY members have put in a lot of effort to make the camp possible and trying their best to run the camp smoothly. but it requires full cooperation from the participants as well, and sadly, i didn't see that happening. in fact, the cultural night last night started 2 hours behind time, because the participants were late and claimed they did not have enough time for their preparation. i'll be honest, the camp is meant to be a training ground for all members, especially the SK members, for they are the youths representing their barangays and perhaps they will be leaders in future. but i did not see them being able to cope with challenges and having the responsibility to assume their duties as a camper. i'm a little disappointed, but i hope they will learn from this experience.
putting those aside, i really enjoyed mingling with the people and the children. a good chance for me to practise my Tagalog and Ilonggo. haha. it was really enjoyable working with the rest of the TRY members, although i admit i didn't do much being a facilitator of the camp, as compared to the other facilitators. and i've gotten more nicknames. bleahz.
i've also distributed about 150 packs of stationery to the children who came for the feeding program during the camp. not all children received the stationery sets, but at least i tried making most of them happy. :)
wednesday is coming real fast. very soon i'll leaving again, but yes, i'll definitely be back. someday. haa.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
6th day in Bago City
it's now bright and sunny. yeah. the typhoon and the heavy rains are gone. it's time to play!! hahah.
the BHBH4 group will be arriving today, and later in the afternoon, we will all go to Bueno Aires for the TRY camp. and i don't mean the Bueno Aires in Argentina. there's a Bueno Aires in Bago City, a little high up in the mountainous areas. :) spring water in the swimming pool. whee~
it has been quite eventful for the past few days. i've attended a Christian wedding, a baby's baptism, watching basketball matches, going around places to meet people. i went shopping for stationery for the kids too, and bought 250 sets of stationery for Grade 1 elementary school kids. they will come handy, just in time for their school term re-opening.
everybody has been doing fine, though life is never that smooth. the people here are rather optimistic, which is good. :)
and don't be surprised if you see this entry posted at 8 am in the morning. yes, it's kinda back to a 'normal healthy' lifestyle. i sleep early, and wake up early. i don't need an alarm clock here, because there are too many alarm clocks around i.e. the cats and the dogs and the chickens and the birds. haha.
yea, if you are trying to get away from being a night-owl, come to Bago City. it's the place to be (as quoted from the mayor). haha. :)
the BHBH4 group will be arriving today, and later in the afternoon, we will all go to Bueno Aires for the TRY camp. and i don't mean the Bueno Aires in Argentina. there's a Bueno Aires in Bago City, a little high up in the mountainous areas. :) spring water in the swimming pool. whee~
it has been quite eventful for the past few days. i've attended a Christian wedding, a baby's baptism, watching basketball matches, going around places to meet people. i went shopping for stationery for the kids too, and bought 250 sets of stationery for Grade 1 elementary school kids. they will come handy, just in time for their school term re-opening.
everybody has been doing fine, though life is never that smooth. the people here are rather optimistic, which is good. :)
and don't be surprised if you see this entry posted at 8 am in the morning. yes, it's kinda back to a 'normal healthy' lifestyle. i sleep early, and wake up early. i don't need an alarm clock here, because there are too many alarm clocks around i.e. the cats and the dogs and the chickens and the birds. haha.
yea, if you are trying to get away from being a night-owl, come to Bago City. it's the place to be (as quoted from the mayor). haha. :)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
hello from Bago City
a very late good night to all, i'm doing ok here in Bago City. i've just experienced a bad heavy downpour a while ago, the rain didn't come splitter -splatter. it came like swooshing-swashing. pardon me for the lack of vocabulary, or rather, the inappropriate description, but i think it was like flushing a toilet bowl. a super long and heavy flush. ha.
there was brown-out a while ago too, while i was trying to check all my emails. i've been experiencing brown-outs since yesterday. yesterday , it was from 8am to 9pm. ha. back to the ancient days.
anyway, yar, i'm ok here, my Tagalog has been improving, so is my Filipino accent. :) everybody is doing fine too, although i've yet gotten to meet everyone. there were people who were surprised of my visit. :)
i've met up with my foster family the Mondias, together with their other big families, the Torres and the Singsons. things have changed, but life's still fine. kids have grown bigger. how time flies.
my schedule will be tight, since this is a short visit, but a lot of things to accomplish. and very soon, i'll be back in Singapore again. aww.
i will try to update whenever possible, if not, see you guys next thursday. :)
there was brown-out a while ago too, while i was trying to check all my emails. i've been experiencing brown-outs since yesterday. yesterday , it was from 8am to 9pm. ha. back to the ancient days.
anyway, yar, i'm ok here, my Tagalog has been improving, so is my Filipino accent. :) everybody is doing fine too, although i've yet gotten to meet everyone. there were people who were surprised of my visit. :)
i've met up with my foster family the Mondias, together with their other big families, the Torres and the Singsons. things have changed, but life's still fine. kids have grown bigger. how time flies.
my schedule will be tight, since this is a short visit, but a lot of things to accomplish. and very soon, i'll be back in Singapore again. aww.
i will try to update whenever possible, if not, see you guys next thursday. :)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
i'm going back to Bago City!
i'm flying again! woohoo~
i'm going to be back in Bago City!! yeah!! it's going to be my first time to be back there during summer (though i've been warned that there have been rainy spells these days), my first time joining the TRY summer youth camp, my first time arriving in the new Bacolod-Silay airport.. :)
it was a last minute decision, thanks to Tricia, who managed to succeed in tempting me. haha. it's going to be real short stay there, so yar, time is precious, and schedule is tight.
but it's a pity that i still can't get to see my white sand beach. there's always a next time!! there will be a next time!!
i'm gonna try relaxing throughout this trip. to recharge myself, but the whole busy-period-saga-that-will-last-six-months starts all over again. chill, yuhui, chill..
but before i embark on my trip, an email was sent to me informing that there is a flight schedule change. darn. a delay in flight timing. that's so great. -_-""
and i've not started packing my luggage. never mind, i'm trained, i only need at most 2 hours. :)
see you guys when i return!! :D
i'm going to be back in Bago City!! yeah!! it's going to be my first time to be back there during summer (though i've been warned that there have been rainy spells these days), my first time joining the TRY summer youth camp, my first time arriving in the new Bacolod-Silay airport.. :)
it was a last minute decision, thanks to Tricia, who managed to succeed in tempting me. haha. it's going to be real short stay there, so yar, time is precious, and schedule is tight.
but it's a pity that i still can't get to see my white sand beach. there's always a next time!! there will be a next time!!
i'm gonna try relaxing throughout this trip. to recharge myself, but the whole busy-period-saga-that-will-last-six-months starts all over again. chill, yuhui, chill..
but before i embark on my trip, an email was sent to me informing that there is a flight schedule change. darn. a delay in flight timing. that's so great. -_-""
and i've not started packing my luggage. never mind, i'm trained, i only need at most 2 hours. :)
see you guys when i return!! :D
Monday, May 12, 2008
my alter ego
it's kinda interesting to know how different you portray yourself to others from how you think who you really are.
i have the habit of doodling (and discarding them.. haha) and penning my thoughts down. but some of my friends were surprised that i actually do keep a blog or a travel log. they thought that i'm the no-nonsense kind of person, maybe to the extent of being indifferent. i actually am, but i don't think i'm indifferent. as long as you don't step on my live wires, i'm fine. haha. and i do think i have a high level of tolerance, if not i couldn't have been standing up with all the silly things my kids do. haha.
i was chatting with a friend, and i mentioned that i've always been a crybaby. i cried the most when most of the BHBH1 team members returned back to Singapore while only a few of us stayed on. i cried every time i boarded the plane leaving Bago City. i even cried while eating Tita Tessa's mashed potatos when waiting for my next flight back to Singapore. in front of many people waiting in the boarding gate area. and this friend of mine couldn't believe it. haha.
i think i have an alter ego. so different, they are like worlds apart. sometimes i can't handle myself. but i think i'm still lovable. muahahahah. :P
i have the habit of doodling (and discarding them.. haha) and penning my thoughts down. but some of my friends were surprised that i actually do keep a blog or a travel log. they thought that i'm the no-nonsense kind of person, maybe to the extent of being indifferent. i actually am, but i don't think i'm indifferent. as long as you don't step on my live wires, i'm fine. haha. and i do think i have a high level of tolerance, if not i couldn't have been standing up with all the silly things my kids do. haha.
i was chatting with a friend, and i mentioned that i've always been a crybaby. i cried the most when most of the BHBH1 team members returned back to Singapore while only a few of us stayed on. i cried every time i boarded the plane leaving Bago City. i even cried while eating Tita Tessa's mashed potatos when waiting for my next flight back to Singapore. in front of many people waiting in the boarding gate area. and this friend of mine couldn't believe it. haha.
i think i have an alter ego. so different, they are like worlds apart. sometimes i can't handle myself. but i think i'm still lovable. muahahahah. :P
Friday, May 09, 2008
May's playlist - Gold Classics
sorry, this month's playlist came a little late. was busy with something else. heh.
Playlist of the month - Gold Classics
i grew up listening to oldies, and i'm used to waking up on Sunday mornings with oldies blasting on the radio (because my dad likes it so). haha. i'm not so into the lyrics, and most of the time, i don't know the song titles, but i would be able to hum out the melodies while listening to it.
the songs i've chosen, some are of course, with special meaning to me, while some i find them sound better after revived by other singers.
i like Gary Valenciano and Jed Madela's version of Hard Habit to Break, originally sung by Chicago. i also like Barry Manilow's Somewhere Down the Road. a sad love song. Desperado by Eagles is another classic. :)
yup, so just relax, and listen. :)
Playlist of the month - Gold Classics
i grew up listening to oldies, and i'm used to waking up on Sunday mornings with oldies blasting on the radio (because my dad likes it so). haha. i'm not so into the lyrics, and most of the time, i don't know the song titles, but i would be able to hum out the melodies while listening to it.
the songs i've chosen, some are of course, with special meaning to me, while some i find them sound better after revived by other singers.
i like Gary Valenciano and Jed Madela's version of Hard Habit to Break, originally sung by Chicago. i also like Barry Manilow's Somewhere Down the Road. a sad love song. Desperado by Eagles is another classic. :)
yup, so just relax, and listen. :)
Monday, May 05, 2008
i want my white sand beach with blue waters
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
anybody wants to come along?
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
i want my white sand beach with blue waters.
anybody wants to come along?
Friday, May 02, 2008
sorry
sometimes, you really don't know what kind of personality and characteristics a person has, you don't really know what kind of life they have been leading, and what they have gone through. just by looking at their appearances, or even if you claim that you are their friend.
it takes a lot of understanding to know a person, and to treat them how they deserve to be. but sometimes when you hurt them, consciously or unintentionally, you leave them with a scar. by the time you realise your mistakes, it may be too late, and you may have regrets for your actions.
i'm sorry for not knowing you well enough, and i'm sorry for assuming too much. i'm sorry for being so cold-hearted to you. i just hope all things will turn out fine, less trouble, less worries. please step out of your own world, and take care of yourself.
it takes a lot of understanding to know a person, and to treat them how they deserve to be. but sometimes when you hurt them, consciously or unintentionally, you leave them with a scar. by the time you realise your mistakes, it may be too late, and you may have regrets for your actions.
i'm sorry for not knowing you well enough, and i'm sorry for assuming too much. i'm sorry for being so cold-hearted to you. i just hope all things will turn out fine, less trouble, less worries. please step out of your own world, and take care of yourself.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
identity crisis
everytime when i'm about to experience some identity crisis, i have to tell myself that i have to be sure of myself, i have to be proud of who i am and what i have achieved.
i don't like to compare, but sometimes, the reality is there. but it's ok, mind over matter. i am who i am, and i don't need to be someone else.
yeah, this is me. i don't care if you like me or not, i don't care if you think lowly of me. i don't give a damn to your opinions. as long as i know there are people out there who appreciate me for who i am, for what i am.
i'm special. take it or leave it.
P.S. this is not intended as a personal attack. just a general statement. :)
i don't like to compare, but sometimes, the reality is there. but it's ok, mind over matter. i am who i am, and i don't need to be someone else.
yeah, this is me. i don't care if you like me or not, i don't care if you think lowly of me. i don't give a damn to your opinions. as long as i know there are people out there who appreciate me for who i am, for what i am.
i'm special. take it or leave it.
P.S. this is not intended as a personal attack. just a general statement. :)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
time is relative.
my colleague once told me that time is relative. some people find 24 hours not enough, while some may end up rotting their time away. and some are able to live it up to the fullest (but again, it's hard to define what is "fullest"..)
although i just had my Bangkok trip about a month ago, it seems like i've been back for ages. the workload is always there, and kids are getting just as annoying. ha. (5 is divisible by 2 and 3. my god.)
but of course, i try to give some time to myself, to my friends. during the past few weeks, i've met up with aline and waipeng the married couple, and i've just met up with my mentor and my job attachment partner at Singapore National Eye Centre. i enjoyed going out with myself while doing errands out on the streets. :D
i'm also trying to spend some time reading up on some stuff. hehehe. perhaps a step nearer to one of my dreams.
yeah, time is relative, and i think i'm getting along fine. for now. haha.
------------------------------
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bong and Ryan! i know a lot of April babies, but i'm not saying they are not close to me. these 2 guys just happen to have the same birthdate! :)
Bong, Tambok as i always like to call him, is one of my closer friends in Philippines. although some things may have changed, but nevertheless i hope he remembers what i've been telling him, and hopefully, all things will turn out fine. that's my wish for you!
and Ryan, he's the father to my godson, so am i supposed to call him pare? haha.. he's also like a brother to me, not so much like Joseph, he likes to tease me and make fun of me, particularly fond of reminding everybody how ugly i look when i cried non-stop when leaving Bago City. but really, he brings laughter to people around him, making him so likable. haha. happy birthday, and of course, wishing you happiness, and take good care of my inaanak! :)
miss you guys!
although i just had my Bangkok trip about a month ago, it seems like i've been back for ages. the workload is always there, and kids are getting just as annoying. ha. (5 is divisible by 2 and 3. my god.)
but of course, i try to give some time to myself, to my friends. during the past few weeks, i've met up with aline and waipeng the married couple, and i've just met up with my mentor and my job attachment partner at Singapore National Eye Centre. i enjoyed going out with myself while doing errands out on the streets. :D
i'm also trying to spend some time reading up on some stuff. hehehe. perhaps a step nearer to one of my dreams.
yeah, time is relative, and i think i'm getting along fine. for now. haha.
------------------------------
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bong and Ryan! i know a lot of April babies, but i'm not saying they are not close to me. these 2 guys just happen to have the same birthdate! :)
Bong, Tambok as i always like to call him, is one of my closer friends in Philippines. although some things may have changed, but nevertheless i hope he remembers what i've been telling him, and hopefully, all things will turn out fine. that's my wish for you!
and Ryan, he's the father to my godson, so am i supposed to call him pare? haha.. he's also like a brother to me, not so much like Joseph, he likes to tease me and make fun of me, particularly fond of reminding everybody how ugly i look when i cried non-stop when leaving Bago City. but really, he brings laughter to people around him, making him so likable. haha. happy birthday, and of course, wishing you happiness, and take good care of my inaanak! :)
miss you guys!
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