California Dreaming

Ciao for now America... I'm off to Cuba!!! :) :) :)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Are We There Yet?

Sydney to Seoul = 10 hours
Seoul to Los Angeles = 10 hours
Getting cuddles from my brother at the airport = priceless. :)

A Day On The Green

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Summer Breeze

photo by Sue Ellen

If It's Free, It's For Me ;)

Hello from the Good Food Affare in Castle Hill!

I packed my bags on Friday night and ran away to play with OP for the weekend. We had a sleepover at Amanda's and the plan was to eat out for dinner and come back to play board games, watch movies, sing karaoke and chat all night. We got two ticks... the dinner part and the chatting part. I think we all passed out on Manda's couch before we even got the chance to either pop a movie into the dvd player or pick a song on Sing Star.

The main weekend activity was to check out the food festival in the Castle Hill showground. And the motto was "If it's free, it's for me." We went to every single tent in the festival grounds to see what they had on offer. Free samples are soooo good for you. We tried a variety of things - coffee, cheese, sausages, breads, dips, cakes, ice cream, etc. Our tummies were full from taste testing as were our hearts from laughing so much and having a great time together. It was a simple and relaxed way to spend a Saturday afternoon and I enjoyed it immensely.

It is true that the best things in life are free. It is an overly used phrase but I don't think it will ever lose its meaning. There is nothing like the positive feeling and energy boost from the little things that make us happy. I love love love them natural highs! Here are fifteen that never fail to make my day a little bit more different and worth the extra appreciation.

1. Summer days
2. Laughing so much until my jaw and tummy hurt
3. Walking around town without a particular destination
4. Hearing a song randomly and relating to it
5. A good dance... especially when I least expect it
6. Getting lost, stumbling upon nice little surprises and finding my way back again
7. Receiving mail and hearing from loved ones - email, letters, postcards, parcels
8. Work meetings getting cancelled at the last minute
9. The feeling of sand on my bare feet
10. Making up recipes and creating magic in the kitchen
11. Dancing outdoors
12. Ice cream
13. Browsing through children's books in the bookstore
14. Falling asleep while in public transport and waking up just before my stop
15. Taking my camera out to play

Now if only there was free internet in Cuba...

You. Are. Online.

This is me trying to be amusing because I'm a little bit sad innit... just a little bit cos i'm oh so stoked for your upcoming adventures. So stop tears and on with the monologue.. ;)

without the net, there is no catch
without the net, there is no safety
without the nets, there's no basketball in jersey
without the net, there is no goal
without the net, there is no income
without the net,there is no web
without the net, i. will. be. thai.
without the net, you. will. be. french.
without the net, scooby. will. be. indian.
without the net, you will get bored
without the net, i will get sleep
without the net, there is no red mist
without the net, there is no volcano
without the net, there will be no surprises
without the net, there will be no postcards
without the net, there will be no photos
without the net, there will be no comments
without the net, there's no copycat
without the net, you can't learn from the master
without the net, there will be no banter
without the net, there will be no winner
without the net, there will be no points
(which reminds me you're still on negative)
without the net, we will not talk endlessly
without the net, you will never see me teary
without the net, there will be less laughter
without the net, we will not have each other
without the net, we will not be here
without the net, things will not be clear
without the net, there is no going with the flow
without the net, we will never know
without the net, we wouldn't have become closer
without the net, goodbyes won't take forever...

without the net, i will miss you
without the net, you might miss me too...
so off we go to find it out
and see what this is all about...

This pretty much illustrates what seems to have become a daily routine for the last five months or so.

Love Love Love

thank you to friends who contributed to the production of this moving postcard:
clara, gretta, guapo, reem, sarah, amanda, rick, tony, andy, moro, gaby, margaret, sam, felicity, iris, claudia, mary, liz, laurie, lauren, paola, valeria, coco, nikki, janna, dwight and scooby doo.

special thanks to jason mraz for "clockwatching" (it's the perfect song for this moving postcard), www.jasonmraz.com

Clara y Yusdel

Our Clara is getting married innit!!! :)

They are perfect for each other. Their story has touched many. Their relationship is inspiring. Their union is beautiful. And their future is promising.

I cannot explain how much love I have for Clara and Guapo... but I know that with you, I don't really have to. Because you understand the reasons why. :)



Te amo sin saber cómo, ni cuándo, ni de dónde,
te amo directamente sin problemas ni orgullo:
así te amo porque no sé amar de otra manera,

sino así de este modo en que no soy ni eres,
tan cerca que tu mano sobre mi pecho es mía,
tan cerca que se cierran tus ojos con mi sueño.

***

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Reunion

I was back in the airport innit! But this time I was there for a different reason. I was there to welcome Erika to Australia. :)

Erika is one of my bestfriends and we met each other in university. We were attached to the hip back then. Most of the memories that I have of uni have her in them... hanging out at each other's houses, coffee at our local Starbucks, basketball games, training sessions at the gym, cramming assignments, cutting classes, Saturday nights out, shopping, movies, strolling along Katipunan Avenue and trying every restaurant in the stretch a million times over, crying over boys, laughing at anything and everything... it is impossible to name them all. We have come a long way since then. Our friendship has lived through moving around three different continents and has been nurtured by phone calls, online chats and occasional visits that never seem to be enough to catch up properly on each other's lives. This visit in particular is very special. We usually either catch up in Manila or in Singapore where she's based. But this time she's actually the one visiting me innit! I am so excited to show her my life here and introduce her to people and places that have become very special to me over the years. I cannot wait for her to see for herself why Australia has earned the name "home".

Erika got held up at customs so I was waiting by the arrival gates for over an hour (lol so you didn't make me late after all :p). I didn't really expect to get much from that hour but I must admit that it was one of the highlights of my week. I saw loads of people who were there for the same reason as I was. We were all waiting in anticipation to get reunited with our loved ones. I noticed a pattern in people's behaviours... keeping whatever bit of personal space that they can claim early in the morning, distracting themselves from getting bored and then lighting up at the sound of footsteps and trolleys to check if it's their loved ones coming through the doors. And if it is indeed the person they're waiting for, the most genuine of expressions are witnessed by all... and then the hugs and kisses in between chatter follow. It was too early in the morning to get emotional but I had no choice as I was moved. And I felt very blessed to have been their waiting for a reunion of my own.

People have different stories of being away from loved ones... different places, different scenarios, different lengths of time spent apart... but at the end of the day, the outpouring of emotions will be equally special for anyone who's seeing a loved one for the first time in a long time. And whether it's getting reunited for good or getting reunited for a short period of time, that moment of coming together will be pure and priceless regardless... it's as real as real can get.

I leave you with my favourite quote from Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist... It's something that I've shared with you in the past but it's been ringing in my head throughout writing you this postcard...

If what one finds is made of pure matter, it will never spoil. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return...





2nd photo by Ricky

Drawn Together

We found Scooby in a train station... or it might have been the other way around and he might have been the one who found us, I'm not sure. You'll have to wait for Clara's story as it is hers to tell. :)

His name is Moogy Scooby and Clara got him just over a week ago. He has been under my custody since. :) You do not understand how many people he and I have made friends with lol. The chicas are a given, of course. But I've come across people who were genuinely interested in knowing about him... a Colombian tourist, an old man who was reminiscing about winning Scooby's in Easter shows, a RailCorp worker who gave me free lollies, a punk chick at Krispy Kreme and loads of other randoms. Even Sue Ellen fell for his charms innit. Everybody loves Scooby. He's been so instrumental in bringing people together. And for that he deserves some Scooby snacks. :p

There are endless opportunities to let people touch our lives if we're open and accepting. Some may be random acts of kindness from strangers whilst others may be a deeper level of relating loved ones. Some may be one off encounters but if we're lucky, others can grow into significant parts of our lives.

I am thoroughly amazed (and sometimes freaked out) by the connections that I discover with people. The year has been a stand out in that regard. There are so many people who've become constant fixtures in my life whom I didn't know a year ago... you, my chicas, salsa friends, work friends, Filo friends... and even our little family of Scooby Doo's. I love love love it! :)

There are neither rules nor set parameters. And how life brings us all together materialises in varied shapes and forms. It may be common interests and principles. It may be sharing triumph or even tragedy. It may be a mutual love for someone or something (like how everybody loves Scooby, for example ;)). At the end of the day, the result is a beautiful beautiful thing. We are drawn together.

Te Mando Flores...

... y amor, amor, amor!

Hola from Floriade! I was in Canberra for the weekend and I thought I'd check the flower festival before this year's display of colourful blooms comes to an end. I spent ages admiring pretty flower beds, people watching and being shutter happy with my camera. Whilst the beauty of it all was imminent, I did notice that a lot of the blooms have dried and wilted. I suppose that's what I get for coming to visit on the last weekend of Floriade.

Four weeks ago, these blooms would've been standing tall in all their glory. This weekend, you can see loads of them shying away from the sun and slowly surrendering to their inevitable fate. But there is hope for the flowers as they will get reunited with the sun and the sky come next spring. And with spring comes another chance to emanate their beauty.

Like the blooms of Floriade that soak up the sun as much as they can, we take the good things that life hands us with the risk of wanting more than what we can have for the time being. You know the feeling of missing something or someone? Or when you crave for bits of special moments from the past? Or when you wish you can go back to a significant place even for a short amount of time? But then you realise that there's not much you can do to fill the void and satisfy the longing... not for now anyway. It's both a blessing and a curse. It's beautiful to have something that's special enough to be missed. To figure out how to deal with it is a different story and can end up being painful. I think patience and resilience are good starting points. From there, all you can do is wait and see...

And like the blooms of Floriade, you can always hope to have your own "spring" to look forward to in the future.

At the moment, I am craving for time with my family. I wish I can teleport to where my Mum and my brother are and just spend a day with them. But I'm trying to be patient as I know that my "spring" is just around the corner... and it won't be long before I get reunited with them again. What are you craving for? :)

Fiesta!

Fiesta
fi·esta (fē es′tə)

noun
1. a religious festival; esp., a saint's day
2. any gala celebration; holiday

etymology
Spanish, from Latin festa

In the Philippines, a fiesta has the same significance as Latin American fiestas. It is more commonly practiced in provinces where a town dedicates a day to celebrate its saint's day. There are processions, street parties, free entertainment and fairs. People prepare feasts and open their homes to just about anyone who's up for a feed. You start at lunch time and finish late at night, going from one house to the next and having a little bit from each of the banquets prepared. It's such an amazing atmosphere of sharing and being grateful for life's blessings.

I personally think that a Fiesta (or any celebration for that matter) is founded on gratitude. We celebrate because there are things to be glad about and grateful for.

The chicas and I have this daily routine. We email each other five glad points to draw positive energy from each day... I tend to focus on the little things and the natural highs that set a day apart from the rest. I truly believe that there are always reasons to be grateful and they don't always have to be major things. So allow me to share my Fiesta glad points with you... because I'm bursting with happiness over how wonderful this weekend has been. And I'd love to channel some of that positive energy through to you if I could.

Fiesta Glad Points
1. The weather. The sun hardly said hello but at least fiesta wasn't a washout. ;)
2. Latin music and the performances
3. Dancing outdoors... I love love love it!
4. Being silly and laughing at ourselves.
5. My OP chicas (and Guapo and Andy and everyone else who made cameo appearances over the weekend). I cannot explain how much these girls mean to me. It's unbelievable how strongly we connect and relate to each other.

Lastly, it is no secret that I'm grateful for YOU. Because this special friendship makes everything a little bit more... something. And it's all sorts of wonderful. :)



PS...

Closing Cycles

I've never been good with goodbyes. And the one thing I've learned is that it never comes easier with time nor practice.

In 2003, I came here through an international exchange program that brought together interns from different parts of the world. The year was ours. We had full time jobs but the essence of the experience materialised from the connections that we made through 12 months of exploring this beautiful country and embracing the Australian way of life. We were like a mini United Nations. There were endless opportunities to get to know people and learn about different cultures. It was fantastic! Some of us stayed whilst most have moved on. I have said goodbye to more people in the last five years than I have in the 21 years prior to moving to Australia. Today, I farewelled Liz and it felt like all the other goodbyes were a lead up to this one. Just think of it this way... You have your chicas, I have Liz and Sue Ellen. I've known Liz for as long I've been living here. We've shared so many memorable times and I guess the airport goodbye was just another thing that we needed to go through together. Today, she set off to fulfill her dream of making a life in France. I was sad to see her go but I couldn't be happier for her.

Goodbyes make me weepy and form big knots in my stomach. And that's ok because everyone's allowed to feel the loss and miss what's gone. There's nothing wrong with being bittersweet because it's normal to feel torn between letting go and being excited for a loved one. Having said that, life does go on and the world won't stop to wait for us to come on board if we don't take action. And so instead of clinging to memories on a standstill, it is important to detach ourselves to a certain extent and make room for new things that come with the change. That's not to say that we can't grow friendships and relationships over long distances. But being left behind doesn't mean that life has to stop. It'll present just as many opportunities for amazing adventures and rich experiences if we allow ourselves to be open to the signs. :)

I still don't like airports though... unless I'm in the arrival gates anticipating massive hugs.

I just realised... you were the last person I said goodbye to before seeing Liz off. And I was the one leaving then innit... xx

Donde Esta Scooby Doo?

The real one, por favor. Denisse is in trouble and she needs you to save her!

The ghost villain from outerspace and Butter Chicken Scooby Doo have kidnapped Denisse and they have put up terms for her release.



photo by Reem

Butter Chicken Scooby Doo's Ransom Notes:

1. Meet us at Havana Airport on 28 December 2008 at 3.30 pm.
2. You cannot, under any circumstances, bring Cop Guy with you.
3. Nobody from your Cosa Nostra either.
4. Wear a red bandana... only one will do and you know which one it is.
5. Bring a photo of a fisherman from Tulum, Mexico.
6. Bring Scoobs' birth certificate that proves he's half Filipino, half Sicilian.
7. Bring Scoobs' address book that holds contact details for his connections in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
8. Bring a stash of CUC's, cigars and rum.
9. Convey the password "Down with Amber" upon first contact.
10. Don't be late.

Because Denisse is currently gagged and tied up, this postcard is being brought to you by Agent Abdalla and Agent Hassanen.

Spring Has Sprung

It was a sunny 28 degrees in Sydney today. With my ipod in one hand and my camera in the other, I stepped out of my apartment in a white summer dress and greeted the city hello. I had everything I needed and was all set for a day of adventure. The only plan was to follow the sun. I figured that the rest of the details will present themselves as I go along. My first stop was Hyde Park and it it was buzzing with so much positive energy. There were families, friends, couples, kids, grandparents and people from all walks of life. Everyone was happy claiming their share of sunshine and going about the spring activity of their choice - painting, reading, eating, rollerblading, napping, tanning, chatting, juggling, etc. Can you imagine how much of a treat that was for me? You know me and my people shots. :) After an hour or two of being shutter happy, I made my way to Newtown to meet up with Reem and Sarah. We spent some time trying on silly clothes at op shops and eventually ended up at the Newtown Cemetery. Reading tomb stones isn't my usual idea of hanging out but I must admit that it was quite an interesting way to spend the afternoon. I was also surprised to see the amount of people chilling by the graves (no pun intended) and to feel a warm vibe that was quite contradictory to the nature of the premises. Sometime later, I got a call from Clara and before I know it, I was on a train to Padstow for a quiet Saturday night with the chicas. Oh the spontaneity that beautiful days like this one bring! There were loads of chatting as per usual. And danish and ice cream to share amongst friends. There was a sense of togetherness everywhere I went today and I'm very grateful. It must be the magic of spring fueling smiles and good moods all around and I love love love it!

Spring is often associated with fresh beginnings. In the same way that roots wake up to make new trees and buds open up to form new blooms, I see spring as a perfect opportunity to reflect, reenergise and to some extent, be reborn. There's no room for being idle during spring. Whether it's something that you've been putting off for a while or something entirely new that you've been wanting to try, own it, take action and trust that everything will be ok. Spring is on your side. The combination of the sun, the sky and the light breeze will be encouraging and comforting. And the universe will be cooperating so you'll know when it's your cue to make things happen.

You'll recognise a perfect spring day when you come across it... and there'll be no better time to satisfy that craving for triple scoops of ice cream. :)

I'm Singin' In The Rain, Just Singin' In The Rain...

What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!

This was me whilst waiting for the bus to get home this afternoon. Spring has officially started but Sydney seems to disagree. It's been raining all weekend and instead of shorts and sun dresses, people are walking around with brollies over their heads. The sun worshipper in me can start complaining right now. For the most part, rain makes me think of tropical storms that result into traffic jams, power failures and class suspensions. But rain can be beautiful if you just let it be. It's probably just waking up roots from their sleep for all we know. And the trees and flowers will be in full bloom before we know it. Plus we've all heard of that common saying... there'll be no rainbows without the rain. :)

I've come to associate special treats with the rain - sleeping in, snuggling under the covers, my grandma's chicken soup, dvd marathons, catching up on my reading, coffee and hot chocolate with friends, group hugs, sharing umbrellas and walking in the rain.

Today, I went to Leichardt to meet up with friends for lunch. We went to a Brasilian restaurant and shared feijoada, garlic prawns and churrasco as Ivete Sangalo sang in the background. It was followed by an impromptu photoshoot at the Forum. My friend Andee and I were literally hopping, skipping, dancing and singing in the rain as Lars and Liz snapped away. After one million shots, we headed to Berkelouw and spent the rest of the afternoon browsing books and chatting over coffee. It was a perfect day.

I'm still waiting for the sun to come out but I think I'll hold off a bit and wait one more day before I start singing my "Sol, solecito" song. :)

And If You Could Only Let It Be, You Will See.

See the words on the screen? I believe it's a line from an Avril Lavigne song.

Karaoke is really big in Asia and my friends and I used to go to all the time. Four years ago, my auntie asked my Mum to get her one of those portable karaoke microphones when she came to Sydney for a visit. Mum thought I might find it handy so she got me one as well. It gathered dust in the cupboard for months as I didn't think it was something that any of my friends would be remotely interested in. Boy was I wrong! I took it out to play during one party and there was no going back from there. It's a staple at all our house parties now. :)

I haven't done karaoke since moving to Sydney and it was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits up last night. I've had a really busy week at work as you know and karaoke was the best way to rid myself of all the stress. Lol. Also, Ramadan starts next week so we won't be seeing Reem, Sarah and Amanda for a full month! We totally rocked Karaoke World. We even had some people gatecrash our party cos they claimed that we were choosing much cooler songs than their friends were. LOL. And then of course we had to gatecrash their party after our 2-hour reservation ended. We sooo rocked the other party as well... changed things from lame to lively as we like to do. :p

Lucky and Loved

What a fabulous weekend it has been! I will definitely remember my 26th as one of the best birthdays that I've ever had. I have had a busy last three days dancing, eating and catching up with friends and family. I am very very grateful.

It's a Saturday night and I'm staying in. Earlier today, we capped off the 3-day birthday celebrations with a smaller gathering for family and close friends. The lunch was at Cristobal and Nuvia' house. They're Colombian and I met them ages ago through my good friend, Liz (remember her?). They love their culture and they love sharing it with friends. They occasionally open their home to friends and prepare yummy Colombian feasts. I have been to their place a few times and I connected with the family from the very beginning. We knew that I was with it when Nuvia saw me dancing lol. She brought her traditional skirt out, made me wear it and taught me cumbia all afternoon. Anyway, Cristobal and Nuvia were so nice to agree to prepare lunch for me and my friends today. Colombia has earned a very special place in my heart cos of the connections that I've made over the years and it makes me happy to share a bit of what I know about the country and the culture to friends who are equally special to me. Today was a typical lunch at Cristobal and Nuvia's... started off with yummy traditional dishes and ended up with loads of dressing up and dancing. The only difference was having all my family and friends there... very very special.

Happy Birthday!!!

I'll make you banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend now...

Where Is My Coffee?

There used to be a Starbucks here. Do you remember which one?

I read somewhere that were 84 Starbucks locations in Australia. Now there are only 23. There were loads of people who lost their jobs. The regulars would now have to get their daily dose of caffeine from somewhere else. And the randoms will have one less option to choose from.

I used to go to Starbucks a lot when I was in uni. In an attempt to avoid passing out on the couch whilst studying, I'd lug my laptop to the Starbucks down the road and work there... not that I'd always get a lot done. It would depend on who I bump into and if the study sessions turn into catch ups instead. :p I don't really go to Starbucks anymore. The last time would've been at the one on this photo and it had all the things that I loved going to Starbucks for... cinnamon on my coffee, good company and engaging conversations. A good last memory if I may say so.

I'll miss my toffeenut latte's though... but I suppose I can go to Starbucks in Town Hall. :)

Mr. Mraz Says Hi

Jealous much? It's possibly either because I got to see Jason or because Jason got to see (and dance with) me... I'll leave it up to you to decide. But I have a feeling it might be a little bit of both. :p

Do you hear me?
I'm talking to you
Across the water, across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel you whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard

They don't know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss

And so I'm sailing through the sea
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now

Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday...

Now close your eyes and I hope you see mine.. ciao for now.. xx

PS - In other news, it's City 2 Surf weekend. I thought of signing up for it but I'm kinda glad I didn't because I would've been too buggered to get up this morning. Maybe next year... :)



But hey...

Weekend Away

I took this photo from the car on our way back from Canberra to Sydney... Gretta was driving, I was dj-ing and Clara and Guapo were cuddling in the back seat.

It's almost silly to take naps in the car when you never know when you'll come across moments such as this one. I love how the mountain, the sun and the different cloud patterns show the depth of the sky. It was beautiful. Oh and if you look closer, you can actually see a silhouette of Telstra Tower right where the pretty clouds are. That's about as Canberran as this photo gets. :p It was a fantastic weekend... freezing (as expected) but I had the most amazing time. I was surrounded by wonderful people the whole time - some I've known for ages and some I only met on that weekend. There was so much love among friends and family and I guess above everything else, that's what made this short trip really special.

Baila Conmigo

photo by Felicity

One Night In Cuba

Hola from One Night In Cuba! I took a break from dancing to snap this photo from the balcony of Watershed. I used to have salsa classes in Pyrmont on Tuesday nights and I loved walking across the foot bridge to get home. I love Darling Harbour when it's still and quiet and there aren't heaps of tourists walking around... It looks picture perfect that way... pretty as a postcard except it's right before my eyes.

Italian Pilgrims in Sydney

I was playing tour guide to some friends from Manila when I came across a bunch of Italians posing in front of the Opera House. Naturally I had to approach them, flashed them a big smile and explained that it would be lovely if I can take their photo for an Italian friend who's probably missing Sydney. :) They thought it was a cute idea and were quite happy to pose for me. I spotted their ponchos from a distance and of course I was instantly reminded of you.

Moments Like This Make Me Want To Stop Time

That's a photo that I took of the sunset whilst I was in Boracay islands in the Philippines. Beautiful innit!!! :)