- 9:48 AM
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In short, I wasn't able to go to new places in the last two days.. October 14 instead of me and Ate Ai going to Chinese Garden and Jurong swimming complex, we had to change plans because Kuya Rudz asked to wait for them as they want to join in that trip too and we needed to buy gifts for Tita Amy and Moses. We got Tita Amy a pair of elegant earrings from Swarovski.. and I got Moses a perfume.. Unforgivable by Sean John.. oh so clean yet masculine scent for a man..
Its the usual Orchard Road scheming from Tangs, Lucky Plaza, Ion, Wisma, Wheelock and Takashimaya. But its still fun being back in Orchard Road after 2 months.. so I thought of comparing malls in the Philippines from SG malls..
Tangs = Rustans and Landmark
* Its the best department store in Singapore.. but it can't be compared to SM as there are more upscale brands - from cosmetic brands (Chanel, Clinique, Jurlique, Benefit) to clothing brands. Name a brand and more often than not, Tangs has it!
Ion = Greenbelt 5
* Its my favorite mall in Orchard! though honestly I would frequent the stores in the basement, because its where the affordable brands are.. Mango, Rubi, New Look, Uniqlo, Bershka, Accessorize, Topshop/Topman.. The look of the floors at the basement is all different from the other four floors above.. the upper floors are of course very classy which leads to the next point..
* It houses so far the largest Louis Vuitton in Asia, largest Sephora in Singapore, and huge brands such as Dior, Valentino, Prada, Miu Miu, to name a few..
* The ambiance between the two malls is different.. Ion is still more upscale and luxurious (from the hotel-like restrooms alone) but Greenbelt 5 is the closest to Ion because of the brands it houses..
* Ion's design and architecture is very modern, especially the outdoor lighting and new media used.
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| from my very close friend Variane's SG business trip around February 2010 |
* It houses so far the largest Louis Vuitton in Asia, largest Sephora in Singapore, and huge brands such as Dior, Valentino, Prada, Miu Miu, to name a few..
* The ambiance between the two malls is different.. Ion is still more upscale and luxurious (from the hotel-like restrooms alone) but Greenbelt 5 is the closest to Ion because of the brands it houses..
* Ion's design and architecture is very modern, especially the outdoor lighting and new media used.
* Fave Restau: Xin Wang Hong Kong Cafe
* Fave Store/s: New Look, Bysi, Rubi, Sephora and Uniqlo
* Fave Store/s: New Look, Bysi, Rubi, Sephora and Uniqlo
Takashimaya = Glorietta / Greenbelt (general)
* Greenbelt will win by a mile over Takashimaya.. I love the Greenbelt's gasrdeny atmosphere.
* Anyway, I just happened to compare the two.. again because of the presence of upscale and almost the same brands.
* Takashimaya is somewhere in between upscale and midscale
* Favorite Restau: Seoul Garden, Basement food stalls selling Japanese noodles and Takoyaki
* Favorite Store/s: Hall at the Basement, where themed sales are held almost monthly.. Coach, Tiffany,
* Anyway, I just happened to compare the two.. again because of the presence of upscale and almost the same brands.
* Takashimaya is somewhere in between upscale and midscale
* Favorite Restau: Seoul Garden, Basement food stalls selling Japanese noodles and Takoyaki
* Favorite Store/s: Hall at the Basement, where themed sales are held almost monthly.. Coach, Tiffany,
Wisma Atria = Glorietta
* Because its where people usually pass by from Ion to Takashimaya, its often crowded. But it has great food (Food Republic) and store selections (Lacoste, Forever 21, Schu, Charles and Keith, Prettyfit, Bebe) that makes it not just another mall to pass through. Most of the crowd here are after-work, 20s,30s crowd..
* Favorite Restau and Store/s: already mentioned
* Favorite Restau and Store/s: already mentioned
Wheelock = Gateway
* The look, the store selection, and the number of crowd is very comparable to the ambiance that Gateway exudes.
* Fave Restau: Food stall actually, outdoor cafe-themed Dairy Queen
* Fave Store/s: Borders, New Urban Male, Bysi, is that Gramophone? Anyway, a store selling Apple products.
* Fave Restau: Food stall actually, outdoor cafe-themed Dairy Queen
* Fave Store/s: Borders, New Urban Male, Bysi, is that Gramophone? Anyway, a store selling Apple products.
Lucky Plaza = Isetann Recto, Ever Gotesco
* it really looks the same.. but I can't remember an Orchard trip without dropping by Lucky Plaza.
* it is our usual meeting place on a Friday night.. its fun to hear Tagalog, drama stories from other Filipinos (in the form of eavesdropping haha!), and there are lots of foreigners and locals who pass by, u'll see different clothing styles, hairstyles.. so we feel like we're judging each one
* Its where we go to remit money to the Philippines, buy cheap branded perfumes, buy Filipino food (from Boy Bawang to Datu Puti and Likas Papaya hehe), satisfy our Filipino food cravings from the variety of Filipino restaus inside (Kabayan's maja blanca is the best!)
* it is the best taxi stand within Orchard road, it could be a long queue but you are guaranteed to get a cab within few minutes of standing.
* I feel like every Filipino who visits SG must have a picture here and pay homage haha..
* Fave Store/s: Perfume store at the basement beside along the catwalk, 3rd floor a clothing store selling RTW goods beside Iremit
* Fave Restau: Kabayan, Jologs, Happy V, and there's one on the 3rd floor at the leftmost side of LP also selling CDs (wala xang name)
there are a lot more malls along Orchard Road, maybe I can review them next time..
- 9:21 AM
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I first heard of this book from Spot.PH announcing with pride that international Publisher Marshall Cavendish has chosen .three Filipina writers to launch the Asia version of their runaway success chick lit in the US and UK called “Asia Chic” books.
This is the first time i've read a story from second person Point of view which made it more likeable to me. Second person makes use of the pronoun "you", which effectively made me feel like i'm in Grace's place.
Grace's character was easy to relate and sympathize with. It felt like her thoughts and feelings mirrored mine. Grace is not exactly a desperate woman, but there was something in her that made her want to save the relationship with Mike even if her sister says to let him go.
The first selection of three ”Asian Chic” books are ”Undercover Tai Tai” by Maya Calica, “Amazing Grace” by Tara Sering and “Mrs-Mismarriage” by Noelle Chua. which were published as well in Malaysia and Singapore years back. Two of the three Filipina writers are Singapore-based.
I am a fan of chiclit , chicflick and whatever chic you can imagine.. I felt like I would be able to relate to the stories and characters since it is written by Asian women, for Asian women, and set in familiar Asian places. So when I read about this I immediately went to bookstores in Singapore hoping to get one, but no success.
After my Philippines vacation, I made sure I won't go back in SG without at least one and thanks to National Bookstore, I saw the three and chose Amazing Grace.. its a story I could mostly relate to I thought.
My REVIEW:: its very good!! its been a looong time since I finished reading a book within 1 day and a half and almost unable to put it down.. until this book.. it is just one of those interesting, addicting read..
Amazing Grace is the story of Grace Chua, a 26-year-old Filipina-Chinese single woman who has been egged on by her friends and family to find a man and settle down before her biological clock stops ticking. Grace realizes that, and she allows herself to be set up for blind dates. However, none of the guys were deemed worthy, until guy #7, her Valentine's Day date, Mike. She and Mike clicked, and after two years, he proposes to her. It would have been perfect if Mike hadn't gave her the next bit of news: he got a job in Singapore and will have to move there for two years for his contract.
Grace was determined to make the long distance relationship work -- after all, they were engaged, and there's no way she's letting go of that! -- but things become complicated when Mike seems to have less and less time for her, and he always seemed to mention a woman named Kaela in their conversations. Grace goes to Singapore on a weekend to surprise him, and finds herself in a race around three countries, all in an effort to get her man back.
Grace's character was easy to relate and sympathize with. It felt like her thoughts and feelings mirrored mine. Grace is not exactly a desperate woman, but there was something in her that made her want to save the relationship with Mike even if her sister says to let him go.
The book isn't all about love. I enjoyed how her character grew up, found herself and realized other highly important things in life.
There is also the element of travel, I love to travel a lot, and the places in HongKong, Bangkok and Singapore mentioned were all familiar to me.
There were a lot of fun sequences in the story, from front to end. I can't help but laugh by myself while on the bus and on the park.
There were a lot of fun sequences in the story, from front to end. I can't help but laugh by myself while on the bus and on the park.
Most of all, its not the common ending you'd find in chic lits :)
- 12:20 AM
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We woke up late because of last night's Facebook Texas Poker marathon.. so instead of going to Chinese Garden, I've just decided we head to Mount Faber..
Funny because the uncle (taxi driver) who drove us up to Mount Faber thought we were tourists.. telling us as we approach the destination to ride the cable car to Sentosa, watch Songs of the Sea and before we alight he said, "Welcome to Singapore!! Enjoy Singapore" hindi nako ngsalita.. since ngfifeeling tourist naman ako for this 15day challenge.. heeeheee..
Anyway, we reached there around 5:30PM.. good thing Singapore's sunset is late - around 730PM as compared to 6PM in the Philippines - so we had more time to walk around..
We missed the 1st stop which is the view of Marina :( as the uncle drove us straight to the cable car station and it was late when I realized that was the spot.. Anyway, it was glad to see the cable cars in operation again with cabins looking better and very new and elegant.. I have no idea why they stopped it for about a year, maybe for renovation? But to be honest, I never tried going to Sentosa via cable car, its so expensive 24SGD oneway and 26SGD two-way.. id rather blow that amount for a Singapore Flyer experience, which by the way, I still haven't tried.. uh.. stingy me!
Moving on, we headed straight to the walking trail and explored the rest of the park. The park offers magnificent views of the city. From the colorful HDB houses near Telok Blangah to the tall office buildings of the CBD. Its a first for me to see this view of Singapore.. Colorful and vibrant..
I didn't dare go deeper to the forest walks because I'm kind of scared it'll get dark and we're still along the forest walk. So we intentionally just took the easier path that goes straight to the famous Henderson Waves. It is the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. It looks very pleasing and unique because of its wave form and curves that also functions as shelters and viewing seats. Steel outer ribs and wood in the inner ribs. The view is amazing as well from the top.
Too bad We didnt manage to wait till the lights open.. so we missed this breath taking scene ='(
Generally, Mount Faber park is very ideal for walking and running enthusiasts, photography buffs, nature lovers, families and friends. Its worth a weekend visit :) I could recommend it to tourists as well since the walk won't take so long. My sis and I just spent about 2 hrs.
We went to Vivo City afterwards. Budget damaged once again.. We went to Daiso.. where everything is 2SGD and its so impossible to leave without not finding something to buy.. so i got art papers, decorative scissors (for a Thailand travel scrapbooking project) and i also bought 2 leis.. for myself and my sister.. for our beach party.. then off to Royal Sporting House to look for a basketball.. then off to Forever 21 and didn't walk away empty handed.. i got a Blue Asymmetric one shoulder top.. and satisfied my sweet tooth craving and felt like a kid again picking out candies from Candy Empire... Lovely, tiring day!!
- 1:10 PM
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i know i'm too old for wishlists.. so i'll start of with.. World Peace.. LOL.. I just thought of putting this up for the benefit of my family and friends hehe so world peace, clean air, good health for the family, dream job isn't something they can provide in an instant..
This is also for my benefit.. checklist for me to always keep in mind these items I often forget.. I always look forward to Christmases and birthdays not only coz of the presents and partying with loved ones but because, its also a good excuse for me to give myself a present, hah!
I know that I’m a very difficult person to shop for when it comes to Christmases and birthdays, so this would help in their selection.. I would appreciate other gifts too.. of course... these are just things I often look at online, or while window shopping, but I always end up not buying for reasons that im such a stingy and indecisive person haha.. so not in order of preference..
This is also for my benefit.. checklist for me to always keep in mind these items I often forget.. I always look forward to Christmases and birthdays not only coz of the presents and partying with loved ones but because, its also a good excuse for me to give myself a present, hah!
I know that I’m a very difficult person to shop for when it comes to Christmases and birthdays, so this would help in their selection.. I would appreciate other gifts too.. of course... these are just things I often look at online, or while window shopping, but I always end up not buying for reasons that im such a stingy and indecisive person haha.. so not in order of preference..
1. Skechers Tone-Ups / Fit Flop (Brown, Black or Red) - because i love walking..
2. Havaianas Filipinas Collection (Blue and Red) -- oh yeah i still have the Proud to be Pinoy blood rush
3. DKNY Be Delicious - simply coz i wanna smell delicious haha.. the green and pink suits me well i guess.. i wanna grow up from the usual VS scents..
4. Camilla Morton books (How to Walk in High Heels, A Year in High Heels, Girl for All Seasons) - i lost the first one in a cab.. given to me by my cousin for my debut.. i haven't finished reading it then..
5. Jessica Mclintock perfume (im so curious coz of Vishnu's raves and I would love to have a scent not so common to most women)
6. Narciso Rodriquez perfume - coz ive been hooked since I first smelled it on someone, read online reviews and smelled it again at Paragon.. they were on a promotion then but I still cant buy coz I still have 4 bottles of VS to finish and i cant give away..
7. Viva La Juicy - would love to see it on my dresser along with other perfumes.. love the bottle! hehe
8. Why Men Love Bitches - curious.. great reviews.. i wont pass for a bitch but it just might teach me how to be one..
9. Black Wrap Shawl Blouse from This Fashion i just saw last weekend - its soo elegant.. even while wearing jeans.. same cut as in the picture but its not the one.. i saw Bianca Gonzales wearing something similar in SNN few nights ago..
10. Spare Battery for my Sony TX7 - on tours and travels, my cam only last for 3/4 of the day.. sad :(
11. Apple Earbud Earphones - that's if, I get to keep my Iphone..
12. Belle de Jour 2011 planner!! - but it will only be launched in Phils on the 24th.. so this just might be my Christmas gift to self..
- 1:24 PM
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15.15.15 challenge..
Whoever said Singapore was so small you could finish your tour in four days was totally wrong!
Two and a half years in Singapore and yet I'm unable to roam around, visit and enjoy other places aside from the usual Marina Bay, City Hall, Sentosa, Orchard Road (for shopping and with Lucky Plaza for my remittances and cravings for Filipino food) and Shenton Way (where my office is located).. so where did my weekends go??
there were plans with Gracie, a friend from high school to go to all the malls connected to the MRTs once every month but never materialized.. well once?? not so sure..
there were plans with housemates to go to Family and Adventure places all around Singapore, but we never dared again after that traumatic 5-hr trail trip in Macritchie Reservoir.. Don't get me wrong, it is a good place and I'm still planning to go back and finish the entire trail and see the suspension bridge.. But imagine this scenario of me and my housemates:: Rudney in Burberry bag and sneakers, Ruben in Gucci bag, Mark in a new Zara slippers that's guaranteed to give him paltos, Vishnu? I cant recall his struggle, and me with 1 liter water bottle to save the designer wearing housemates of mine from collapsing haha.. it would've been fun.. if only we were more prepared.. and if perhaps we were more adventure seeking and sport minded?
ok so since freedom from work is official today.. and I have exactly 15 days before flying again to Manila.. and I missed my 10.10.10 challenge (10 hours, 10 different things, 10 different places) Now, I'm challenging myself to go to 15 interesting places in Singapore, which usual tourists may not have been yet, but someone who worked and lived here should've explored and known by heart.. (I've been to some of these places but never had time to explore)
targets in my list..
1. Chinese Garden
2. Jurong East Swimming Complex
3. Wild Wild Wet and Escape theme Park
4. Henderson Waves
5. Mount Faber
6. Macritchie Suspension Bridge
7. Haji Lane in the afternoon
8. Boat Quay
9. Marina Barrage
10. Changi beach / Pulau Ubin
11. either a mass at Cathedral of Good Shepherd or attend a Tagalog mass in SG
12. an evening at Zouk or Stereolab
13. Deepavali light up in Little India
14. Holland Village
15. anything goes..
so who's with me.. raise your hand?? hehe.. well i know it would be safe to do all this things alone in singapore.. and it would be nice to explore alone, but if someone could accompany, better right? and what else could you recommend apart from those above??
Whoever said Singapore was so small you could finish your tour in four days was totally wrong!
Two and a half years in Singapore and yet I'm unable to roam around, visit and enjoy other places aside from the usual Marina Bay, City Hall, Sentosa, Orchard Road (for shopping and with Lucky Plaza for my remittances and cravings for Filipino food) and Shenton Way (where my office is located).. so where did my weekends go??
there were plans with Gracie, a friend from high school to go to all the malls connected to the MRTs once every month but never materialized.. well once?? not so sure..
there were plans with housemates to go to Family and Adventure places all around Singapore, but we never dared again after that traumatic 5-hr trail trip in Macritchie Reservoir.. Don't get me wrong, it is a good place and I'm still planning to go back and finish the entire trail and see the suspension bridge.. But imagine this scenario of me and my housemates:: Rudney in Burberry bag and sneakers, Ruben in Gucci bag, Mark in a new Zara slippers that's guaranteed to give him paltos, Vishnu? I cant recall his struggle, and me with 1 liter water bottle to save the designer wearing housemates of mine from collapsing haha.. it would've been fun.. if only we were more prepared.. and if perhaps we were more adventure seeking and sport minded?
ok so since freedom from work is official today.. and I have exactly 15 days before flying again to Manila.. and I missed my 10.10.10 challenge (10 hours, 10 different things, 10 different places) Now, I'm challenging myself to go to 15 interesting places in Singapore, which usual tourists may not have been yet, but someone who worked and lived here should've explored and known by heart.. (I've been to some of these places but never had time to explore)
targets in my list..
1. Chinese Garden
2. Jurong East Swimming Complex
3. Wild Wild Wet and Escape theme Park
4. Henderson Waves
5. Mount Faber
6. Macritchie Suspension Bridge
7. Haji Lane in the afternoon
8. Boat Quay
9. Marina Barrage
10. Changi beach / Pulau Ubin
11. either a mass at Cathedral of Good Shepherd or attend a Tagalog mass in SG
12. an evening at Zouk or Stereolab
13. Deepavali light up in Little India
14. Holland Village
15. anything goes..
so who's with me.. raise your hand?? hehe.. well i know it would be safe to do all this things alone in singapore.. and it would be nice to explore alone, but if someone could accompany, better right? and what else could you recommend apart from those above??
- 11:55 PM
- 0 Comments
its been a long time since I've last updated this blog.. I was in Manila.. without a good internet connection (Globe Tattoo in which i need to go out at my condo's balcony just to get a good signal.. struggle!) so instead of spending too much time in the internet, i just check my mail and Facebook and go back to watching series..
so I posted this a few days go in my Facebook notes.. without realizing I have a blog and it should be there as well.. so here it goes.. a repost from my FB notes..
so I posted this a few days go in my Facebook notes.. without realizing I have a blog and it should be there as well.. so here it goes.. a repost from my FB notes..
you read the book.. or maybe you haven't.. its a very good read that i recommend every woman should have one.. :)
i haven't seen the movie yet.. and yes, i am soooo excited to see the movie adaptation of the hugely successful novel by Elizabeth Gilbert.. like the thousand others who read the book, laughed with it, traveled with it and have been so much inspired upon reading it..
August-September 2010 is somewhat my own version of an Eat Pray Love journey (mostly eat.. haha.. ndi pa tpos ang journey e).. and im glad i've read the book at least it was somewhat easier before life woke me up and brought me to a crossroad (you wake up and ask yourself... Am I making the right choices, is this the path i want to be in, am i living my life or just letting life pass by, what are the things i want to experience, how do i measure success?)
Life has a strange way of kicking you in the pants.. even balls :) to the point when the wall you've hidden throughout this years will crumble :)
Luxury is not always a mark of success, and that letting go may be the one thing you need to do to hold on to what is truly important to you.
Being Alone Does Not Mean Being Lonely - its fun being with friends.. but its also a rewarding experience to enjoy your own company.. do silly and crazy things people wouldn't think you can do.. and do it just once.. not too much.. (try drinking, smoking, try face painting, try costumes, try Brazilian, etc.)
Focus on the good things in your life and force yourself to write down at least one a day. You’ll soon see that life balances the good with the bad. Stop focusing on the bad.
Let Go Of Control – Trying to control every last detail of your life can make you sicker than you realise. Life is about living. Life is not linear, rather it spins off into many directions. Control the things you can and assume the strength and wisdom to cope with those you can’t.
Expect the unexpected
Eat.. discover a new restau.. try a new cuisine.. treat yourself to that restau/cafe you've always dreamt of trying.. a little indulgence to reward yourself for a good work.. good deed.. and be less afraid of dining alone..
Take risks.. do something new and challenging everyday..
Be thankful for your blessings and in return do something for someone.. We are so caught up in getting the best of everything.. latest gadgets, clothes.. we are too pressured about other things that we forget to realize just how truly blessed we are every day.
Explore New Places.. a trip to a place you've never been before.. you'll never know what / who you might discover
TELL THE TRUTH, TELL THE TRUTH, TELL THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to yourself.. to others.. letting it all out is a way of acceptance and healing and forgiving..
You will have to make huge choices -- some people are going to agree and like what you do, and some will not, but np matter what, choose the path that would make you happy, and don't have any regrets about choosing it.. make decisions for yourself, not about anyone, but just for the sakd of your own happiness..
Fave book quotes: (wrote them on my journal while reading the book)
* To lose balance sometimes for love is part of living a balanced life
* I am stronger than Depression and braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.
* Someday you're gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You'll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing...
* A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.
* This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.
* In desperate love, we always invent the characters of our partners, demanding they be what we need of them, and then feeling devastated when they refuse to perform the role we created in the first place.
* Prayer is a relationship
* When you're lost in those woods, it sometimes takes you a while to realize that you are lost. For the longest time, you can convince yourself that you've just wandered off the path, that you'll find your way back to the trailhead any moment now. Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and its time to admit that you have bewildered yourself so far off the path that you dont even know from which direction the sun rises anymore.
sana meron din akong Ketut.. or a Rabbi.. i have yet to find that mentor.. and i have yet to learn an new language :)
- 11:11 PM
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