Someone asked what hinders me from traveling? I couldn't find an answer for it at that moment. So I blurted out what I was thinking - I still needed to save. It was partly true because I'm scared of the possibility of running out of money while abroad.

I wasn't satisfied with my response.

The question did not escape me. I was still pondering a few days after it was brought up. Still figuring out the answer...

After some time of thinking, I realized that I'm still mustering the courage to travel alone.

That's something I've been wanting to do since I was bitten by the travel bug. It's not that i don't enjoy being with family or friends when I do so. I think it's more of a personal challenge I brought upon myself.

I'm currently on a travel hiatus but I promised myself to break out of it soon.

My next step? I don't know.

But one thing's for sure I'll find a way to overcome this and finally start working to materialize all the plans and itineraries in my head.

For an obsessive compulsive person, sometimes I'm such a scatterbrain. Time to get to work there's a long road ahead and a big world to conquer...

One step at a time.

 

#happybirthdaylarkie Part 1

I always look forward to friends visiting me here in Singapore. They bring me a piece of home every time just by their presence.

So for the month of July as part of her birthday celebration, my best friend, Lark, is back in the little red dot. This would make it her second time here. I did not get to spend much time with her the first time because I was on my way to Kota Kinabalu last year.

So I made it a point to make it up to her this year. I had carefully planned the weekend in my head making sure that I have space for adjustments. And with the lovely friends I have, it's most likely to happen.

I volunteered to pick her up like I did last year. I made sure I had the right airport terminal this time because last year, I went to the wrong one. What I did not expect was a wrong bus. It was a rush hour on a Friday so I avoided the trains and I did not want to take a cab because it's gold. That was a wrong decision to take a bus not sure where it ends so I made her wait for 20 minutes or more. But the one thing I love about my best friend is she's very patient and her being excited helped. She was in her birthday mood and is excited as ever.

After the tight hugs, her birthday adventure continues...

The #happybirthday Salubong

For every visitor we have, Maggie Thai is the ideal dinner venue and the staple order include:

Cereal butter prawn, pineapple rice and sambal kang kong.

 

Of course, dessert is in the menu too. Automatically after dinner is a trip to  Ji De Chi Desserts also along Liang Seah Street.

Catching up over meals is the best.

A Magical #happybirthday

Breakfast was cooked and served for the celebrant. After dragging her for some errands, we had to go for chicken rice, per her request. A birthday won't be complete without a cake. 

Off to the Harry Potter Exhibition we went...

Where she was sorted to Slytherin...

We also passed by the Andy Warhol Exhibition to rest our tired feet...

A day in Singapore will not be complete without eating at Makansutra.

The most fun part of the day is spending it with half of the best(est) friends in the whole wide world.

P.S. Celebration doesn't end here...

TRAVEL: It was 2006 when I fell in love...

With Singapore.

Singapore was the destination of my first out-of-the-country trip. I could say, it was love at first land.

I did not do any research prior to my vacation because we stayed with my cousin living in the city. It was more 'go with the flow' type of travel.

They were staying at Bukit Timah, where the highest point of Singapore is located. They were staying at a condominium with a beautiful view.

Bukit Timah intersection.

The roads are very clean! No billboards, no shanties, no garbage. I didn't think that was possible.

Their place had a pool. I always think that houses with pools are very cool and that my future home will have one too.

My first attempt at moving shots. My nephew, Antroyce, playing in the pool.

We went around Singapore's various tourist destinations with my cousin and her family. 

Singapore Zoo with Antroyce.

Spotted some cute babies playing. How adorable is that mohawk?

Anjo on a Ben and Jerry's cow.

"Crouching Dragon, Hidden Armpit"

Can't remember if this was the view from the cable car or the sky ride.

Underwater World Singapore with Anjo.

My travel buddy.

By the Singapore River I sat down and dreamed.

Of course, a trip to Singapore requires a stroll along Orchard Road just to go to the different malls along the stretch. 

Very day-off shot at the Orchard MRT before ION Orchard was built.

The love affair has just started. I told myself then that I'll come back, live and if I get lucky, hopefully I could work here too. It was possible, it was a start.

P.S. The adventure continues...

An open letter to Mr Neal H. Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dear Mr. Neal H. Cruz,

While I have great respect for the publication you write for, I can't help but think what the murals along EDSA has done that caught your attention. It must be really daunting, like a nightmare, that it deserved a piece of your mind for you to dedicate an entire column. Not one, but two.

Have we not had enough negativity with what's happening in our Senate? Must you take a stab on people trying to help?

If this is your opinion, I'm happy to share mine. 

MMDA ART THEN

(Photo from Google)

To be honest, this is more nightmare-inducing (Photo from Google)

MMDA ART NOW

Bogie Cruz' artwork along San Lorenzo

Artwork along Cubao

I am not trained when it comes to art but I do appreciate a good one, especially something well-thought of and given time and effort to make. If this is how you describe ugly, I wonder what isn't for you?

Oh and kind sir, maybe the child was afraid of the dark underpass rather than the artwork. At least, the child will overcome his fears. Just saying.

Please note that the paint used on the murals is in itself an air-cleaning paint. And it is called Boysen KNOxOUT. Allow me to give you a bit of a background noticing that you did not even bother to type and click search. The paint absorbs energy from the light which transforms water vapor into free radicals that break down the air pollutants. You can watch the video here to help you understand better.

Boysen has in fact provided the paints FREE OF CHARGE so MMDA did NOT spend a dime. The artists were also commissioned by Boysen and the artworks were approved by MMDA. All factors were considered and the parties involved all met in the middle.

In defense of the artists, there are a lot of other artworks which people cannot find any comparison in real life. How about abstract art? I personally do not think they cannot not paint nipa huts or farm animals. I bet my bottom dollar that that they most definitely can. Again, beauty is subjective.

You do, however, make a good point on overpass lights. Maybe MMDA or DPWH are waiting for some company that will offer street lamps for free? I mean, if not for the initiative by Boysen, we all would still be cringing at the sight of the old MMDA (art) graffiti. Why don't you call out to those who would like to donate street lights? That might be a better use of space for your column. 

It was a good move for MMDA to replace the vegetable plants with grass. Perhaps, it is to discourage informal settlers to stay in that area. Come to think of it, street islands are not meant to be used as farm land. And if the informal settlers have somewhere safer to stay, then the Philippines wouldn't have spent so much to cover the slums with fences to hide it. 

Slums hidden behind a fence ahead of the Asian Development (Human Rights Watch)

Let us stop with the bashing and negativity. We have had enough from our government. We deal with it everyday. Maybe you can explore some topics you can write about? Here are some suggestions:

• How to inspire and motivate young people to write without any bias whatsoever
• Opinion pieces not tainted with disgust (if it's about the government, we'll let it pass)
• Not bribing kids with ice cream just to make them stop asking questions

And if you really do not like to see the artwork, then try a different route. 

That is all.

P.S. If you need additional reference you can visit the following links:

Google Search

Boysen KNOxOUT Project

BBC News Asia

GMA News

Huffington Post

Reuters

Reuters Video

Aljazeera

Let me know if you need more.

Cheers,

Miko / Czarina Cabuyadao

You

"You are an amazing person, and I don't know where the feelings that you give me came from. What I do know is that I am completely and utterly into you and I want time to freeze so I can be with you all the time and not have to think of anything else at all. I like literally everything about you, including the way your face shows everything you're thinking and especially the way it looks when we are together and your hair is back and your eyes are closed and your lips are open just a little bit."

- Something Borrowed, Emily Giffin

Everyday the work I do involves complicated words that's why I love to balance my thoughts by reading feel-good books. The book of the moment is Something Borrowed. I watched the movie first before I read the book, much as I am into 'chick lits', I'm also a sucker for 'chick flicks'. And yes, I am enjoying it so far. Surprisingly because I did not quite like the movie.


Shoot me, I'm a girl.

TRAVEL: Haji Lane

I love Singapore. I'm pretty sure it's very obvious by now. I love how it is very clean, organized, accessible, tropical, modern, nature-friendly, cosmopolitan, conservative and vibrant. I could go on and on ... 

I've been to 'touristy' places in Singapore so it's part of my resolution this year to discover more of this lovely state. First up - Haji Lane.

The first time I've been in the area was September 2011 when I met with my friend Pam (a.k.a. Polish Police). They were on a media tour and she dragged me along. It was around noon on a weekend and we were hoping to go around but since we were too early, all shops were still closed. I've been hearing a lot about it so I vowed to go back there and explore. 

I did go back a few times because my new found friends from the Filipino Dragons (Singapore-based dragon boat team) often hang out and have a few drinks (or more) around the area. Well, it was too dark to see the graffiti so I can't fully appreciate it.

Fast forward to one sunny weekend in March after a bah kut teh brunch with my two awesome bosses/friends, we decided to go look for dessert. Their trusty Google Maps led us a quaint ice cream parlor along Haji Lane. 

Gi: I think it's somewhere there... (unsure)

While they searched for dessert, I started snapping away...

More photos after the jump:

Cold feet

It's the day you never wanted to come but cannot wait to be over with.


But this decision, I have to make. I'm never one to run away from problems. In fact, I love resolutions. So, there is no other way but to do what needs to be done. It's time to put myself before anything else. Time to claim what is rightfully mine or at least what I deserve.


That's what life is about, how it usually is - never-ending decisions. That's what one will always have - CHOICE.

Pink and Chandeliers

Something Elle Woods would wear...

Valentino pink column dress and accordion cape.

Valentino Retrospective... a year later

This is a very late blog post. It's not that I don't have time but it's more of I don't really know what to write. Here goes nothing or something that might interest you.

Fashion is one of my many interests, believe me I have too many that I want to do everything imaginable and unimaginable!

When I found out that the House of Valentino will be displayed in Singapore, I knew I had to go and see it. The exhibition, "Valentino Retrospective: Past, Present, Future", featured a number of the designer's notable and memorable ensembles.

This was what greeted me as I entered the exhibition.

If you look up, this is what you'll see...

Ain't it grand? I was speechless and excited!