29.11.07
I had the perfect bday gift for myself. I just earned my restricted licence few hours ago.
It took me roughly 18 months to have the courage to sit my practical driving test. But as it turned out, it was worth the entire wait. It isn’t such big a deal really but for me who desperately wanted to have this since hell knows when, it became a major concern for some time.
Getting licence here isn’t as easy as getting one in pinas. There are no fixers whatsoever. You have to do the written and practical tests no matter what. And it’s not very easy. Some get it in their first try while some are lucky to get it in their third or even more. Even my dad who’s been driving in the Philippines for so many years had to sit his test twice (although that’s quite justifiable given how different the driving is between here and there i.e. car orientation, speed limit, car volume, road conditions, route familiarity etc).
Driving here is a lot better though, mainly because they have good roads and cars, operational rules and generally disciplined drivers. Even my dad commended how people drive here. They are just far more ‘refined’ than the average toot-toot-make-way-coz-i-am-passing Filipino driver.
I remember one time while we were having a long drive somewhere here. It was a bit traffic and this car few metres ahead of us without hesitation pulled out of our barely moving lane and swerved to its left which is a roadside and rushed to the nearest intersection at least 50 more metres away then turned left. Then my dad exclaimed, “pinoy sigurado un.” The remark was funny but somehow appalling.
It’s a bit shameful that pinoys are getting known for being notorious drivers. I can still remember how annoying tricycle drivers are in San Pablo, how they would always try to penetrate through the traffic. And how the buses in manila will just swerve left and right or stop in the middle of the highway to let passengers off. And how they would all crowd up into a park causing road blocks to pick up passengers then run off while the last person trying to hop in is still dangling in mid-air. And the endless blowing of horns. Etc etc. Although I have to say, having to deal with a bad traffic condition every time makes pinoy drivers tough. They practically have better defensive driving skills because they know how to play rough. That’s a plus but it shouldn’t necessarily be the philosophy to live by.
Here it’s different. They generally abide by the rules. They stick to the speed limit. They stop at the right stops. They don’t really blow their horns unless someone’s not paying enough attention. Some drivers are rude but most of them are not. And they don’t just park everywhere. Blahblahblah.
i don’t know what to expect when I come back in pinas. it’s been a while since I’ve been there and who knows? things may be different, better. And I certainly wish it has changed. Cause I hope to bring better Philippine traffic memories. But until then, I will just enjoy driving here, and maybe by the time I hit the roads in pinas, I am already more prepared to the rollercoaster drive I am yet to experience.
It took me roughly 18 months to have the courage to sit my practical driving test. But as it turned out, it was worth the entire wait. It isn’t such big a deal really but for me who desperately wanted to have this since hell knows when, it became a major concern for some time.
Getting licence here isn’t as easy as getting one in pinas. There are no fixers whatsoever. You have to do the written and practical tests no matter what. And it’s not very easy. Some get it in their first try while some are lucky to get it in their third or even more. Even my dad who’s been driving in the Philippines for so many years had to sit his test twice (although that’s quite justifiable given how different the driving is between here and there i.e. car orientation, speed limit, car volume, road conditions, route familiarity etc).
Driving here is a lot better though, mainly because they have good roads and cars, operational rules and generally disciplined drivers. Even my dad commended how people drive here. They are just far more ‘refined’ than the average toot-toot-make-way-coz-i-am-passing Filipino driver.
I remember one time while we were having a long drive somewhere here. It was a bit traffic and this car few metres ahead of us without hesitation pulled out of our barely moving lane and swerved to its left which is a roadside and rushed to the nearest intersection at least 50 more metres away then turned left. Then my dad exclaimed, “pinoy sigurado un.” The remark was funny but somehow appalling.
It’s a bit shameful that pinoys are getting known for being notorious drivers. I can still remember how annoying tricycle drivers are in San Pablo, how they would always try to penetrate through the traffic. And how the buses in manila will just swerve left and right or stop in the middle of the highway to let passengers off. And how they would all crowd up into a park causing road blocks to pick up passengers then run off while the last person trying to hop in is still dangling in mid-air. And the endless blowing of horns. Etc etc. Although I have to say, having to deal with a bad traffic condition every time makes pinoy drivers tough. They practically have better defensive driving skills because they know how to play rough. That’s a plus but it shouldn’t necessarily be the philosophy to live by.
Here it’s different. They generally abide by the rules. They stick to the speed limit. They stop at the right stops. They don’t really blow their horns unless someone’s not paying enough attention. Some drivers are rude but most of them are not. And they don’t just park everywhere. Blahblahblah.
i don’t know what to expect when I come back in pinas. it’s been a while since I’ve been there and who knows? things may be different, better. And I certainly wish it has changed. Cause I hope to bring better Philippine traffic memories. But until then, I will just enjoy driving here, and maybe by the time I hit the roads in pinas, I am already more prepared to the rollercoaster drive I am yet to experience.
23.11.07
1st – God knows how it went. I was a cry baby based on the pictures. I might have spent that whole day inside my crib. I even saw a picture of me receiving a gift from some guy with a bucket full of tears. It must be his fierce look.
5th/6th – I can’t remember it at all. All I have are pictures of a small gathering. There were a handful of kids (See, being quiet that I was, I still managed to acquire some friends when I was little) and me looking cheery in my red jumper blowing my cute little cake. And we were wearing party hats and there were balloons and stuff. It must have been a happy day.
7th – I had a pretty big bday bash although I didn’t like how I looked. I was small and skinny wearing this horrible balloon dress. But I do remember how packed it was. And I remember feeling very pleased to see a mountain of gifts, 2 of which were stuffed toys (TMNT and biglet) about as big as I was which when I see now look terribly small and filthy.
I don’t remember any of my birthdays between then and my 18th. Did I even celebrate? Hmm. But I do remember glimpses of my classmates singing happy birthday for me and dagul giving me money and lots of raining.
18th – Contrary to my sister’s (or any other girl’s for that matter) typical debutante party with 18 kaekekan, I managed to convince my folks to just spend my bday in Enchanted Kingdom. I co-celebrated it with another friend who turned 18 around the same time as me and we organised an all-expense paid whole day adventure in EK with around 25 of our friends. It was a blast! I remember a lot of laughing and eating of hotdogs and winning the arcade game against my notorious classmates and getting all wet in the Rio Grande Rapids which was relatively new at the time and riding the giant wheel of fate with my crush on the same gondola I was in, minutes before the mesmerizing fireworks display. Lol. It was a happy thought.
I remember that I also had a separate dinner with my friends in LB and a simple family gathering. So I felt I had a long celebration. And they were all worth it. My 18th celebration couldn’t have been any happier.
19th/20th – my birthday had been pretty ordinary. Spent the day in class, met up with family and friends for lunch or dinner then boozed at night. The only thing that made them a little more special was that karol and I were already together.
21st – spent my day sobbing under my sheets. It was 2 mons after I left pinas. I didn’t like my job, I had no friends and I was away from karol. It was plain depressing.
22nd – went fine cause I just met new friends and I acquired this job. Only karol was still away but my life was starting to get some shape.
And tomorrow my 23rd – nothing major happening. We’ll have some BBQ and that’s about it. But frankly I see this as my happiest birthday of all. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m living my life in full. I have everything I’ll ever need. My past birthdays have all been great but there’s always a trace of sadness for each of those. This is the first time I’ll be celebrating my birthday worry-free. And hope it’ll stay this way at least until Sunday. Coz I’ve never fancied big parties and balls. All I want is to keep things simple and light. Share it with the few people I love and linger every inch of hint that my already good day will be better even just until Sunday.
5th/6th – I can’t remember it at all. All I have are pictures of a small gathering. There were a handful of kids (See, being quiet that I was, I still managed to acquire some friends when I was little) and me looking cheery in my red jumper blowing my cute little cake. And we were wearing party hats and there were balloons and stuff. It must have been a happy day.
7th – I had a pretty big bday bash although I didn’t like how I looked. I was small and skinny wearing this horrible balloon dress. But I do remember how packed it was. And I remember feeling very pleased to see a mountain of gifts, 2 of which were stuffed toys (TMNT and biglet) about as big as I was which when I see now look terribly small and filthy.
I don’t remember any of my birthdays between then and my 18th. Did I even celebrate? Hmm. But I do remember glimpses of my classmates singing happy birthday for me and dagul giving me money and lots of raining.
18th – Contrary to my sister’s (or any other girl’s for that matter) typical debutante party with 18 kaekekan, I managed to convince my folks to just spend my bday in Enchanted Kingdom. I co-celebrated it with another friend who turned 18 around the same time as me and we organised an all-expense paid whole day adventure in EK with around 25 of our friends. It was a blast! I remember a lot of laughing and eating of hotdogs and winning the arcade game against my notorious classmates and getting all wet in the Rio Grande Rapids which was relatively new at the time and riding the giant wheel of fate with my crush on the same gondola I was in, minutes before the mesmerizing fireworks display. Lol. It was a happy thought.
I remember that I also had a separate dinner with my friends in LB and a simple family gathering. So I felt I had a long celebration. And they were all worth it. My 18th celebration couldn’t have been any happier.
19th/20th – my birthday had been pretty ordinary. Spent the day in class, met up with family and friends for lunch or dinner then boozed at night. The only thing that made them a little more special was that karol and I were already together.
21st – spent my day sobbing under my sheets. It was 2 mons after I left pinas. I didn’t like my job, I had no friends and I was away from karol. It was plain depressing.
22nd – went fine cause I just met new friends and I acquired this job. Only karol was still away but my life was starting to get some shape.
And tomorrow my 23rd – nothing major happening. We’ll have some BBQ and that’s about it. But frankly I see this as my happiest birthday of all. For the first time in years, I feel like I’m living my life in full. I have everything I’ll ever need. My past birthdays have all been great but there’s always a trace of sadness for each of those. This is the first time I’ll be celebrating my birthday worry-free. And hope it’ll stay this way at least until Sunday. Coz I’ve never fancied big parties and balls. All I want is to keep things simple and light. Share it with the few people I love and linger every inch of hint that my already good day will be better even just until Sunday.
15.11.07
Dolands’ back from pinas.
He’s been away for 1 month and for practical reasons, we missed him so dearly. He is finally back to drive us around, give us free Mcdo meals, help us with house expenses and chuck our rubbish free of charge (Here in NZ, trash is only collected if it’s in the official NZ rubbish bag which costs a fortune. We exempt ourselves from this cost by secretly dumping all our rubbish in Mcdonalds where dad works. hahaha).
He seemed to have enjoyed his 1 month vacation in Pinas. He spent probably half of his trip boozing with his mates, which is practically the most perfect indication that he did enjoy his holiday.
I became very jealous watching the vids that he took. To see faces of relatives, friends and even just mere acquaintances laughing all together and partying upon my dad’s comeback is just heart-warming. It makes me want to buy a plane ticket right away. They all seemed to be ecstatic to see my dad once again. And I can only hope to see the same bliss on my turn.
Learning from our misfortunes from past balikbayans, we didn’t ask for too much pasalubongs from dolands. It is exasperating to get a pasalubong entirely different, in a distasteful kind of way, from what you originally have in mind. Expectation can cause too much frustration you see so we just asked dad to bring us whatever if not really specific stuff like Goldilocks polvoron and YES magazine and new pinoy movie dvds. Other than that, we just let ourselves get surprised by what our relatives and friends bought for us.
With this principle in mind, I arrived at one conclusion. Undies is the way to go! it is fascinating how people would give me undies as pasalubong every single time. My mom went back home around the same time last year and since it is near my bday, relatives and friends bought more for me, undies for that matter, than for my mom or for my sister. And same thing happened this year, I got more undies because my bday is nearing. Even karol’s mom gave me undies. I now have a truckload! Lol.
Anyway, all’s well that ends well. I can’t thank people enough for whole-heartedly accommodating my lousy father and for sending us all those extra gifts. I just love everything especially the polvoron. Yum!
Btw, Camille Prats still looks pretty when pregnant (c/o Yes Magazine). Lol.
He’s been away for 1 month and for practical reasons, we missed him so dearly. He is finally back to drive us around, give us free Mcdo meals, help us with house expenses and chuck our rubbish free of charge (Here in NZ, trash is only collected if it’s in the official NZ rubbish bag which costs a fortune. We exempt ourselves from this cost by secretly dumping all our rubbish in Mcdonalds where dad works. hahaha).
He seemed to have enjoyed his 1 month vacation in Pinas. He spent probably half of his trip boozing with his mates, which is practically the most perfect indication that he did enjoy his holiday.
I became very jealous watching the vids that he took. To see faces of relatives, friends and even just mere acquaintances laughing all together and partying upon my dad’s comeback is just heart-warming. It makes me want to buy a plane ticket right away. They all seemed to be ecstatic to see my dad once again. And I can only hope to see the same bliss on my turn.
Learning from our misfortunes from past balikbayans, we didn’t ask for too much pasalubongs from dolands. It is exasperating to get a pasalubong entirely different, in a distasteful kind of way, from what you originally have in mind. Expectation can cause too much frustration you see so we just asked dad to bring us whatever if not really specific stuff like Goldilocks polvoron and YES magazine and new pinoy movie dvds. Other than that, we just let ourselves get surprised by what our relatives and friends bought for us.
With this principle in mind, I arrived at one conclusion. Undies is the way to go! it is fascinating how people would give me undies as pasalubong every single time. My mom went back home around the same time last year and since it is near my bday, relatives and friends bought more for me, undies for that matter, than for my mom or for my sister. And same thing happened this year, I got more undies because my bday is nearing. Even karol’s mom gave me undies. I now have a truckload! Lol.
Anyway, all’s well that ends well. I can’t thank people enough for whole-heartedly accommodating my lousy father and for sending us all those extra gifts. I just love everything especially the polvoron. Yum!
Btw, Camille Prats still looks pretty when pregnant (c/o Yes Magazine). Lol.
9.11.07
Talking to myself…
Ano ba tong nararamdaman ko? I feel so tired and lazy. Too tired to think. Too lazy to work. Too tired to talk. Too lazy to do anything. Di ko lam kung bakit. Gusto ko magkasakit ng 3 araw. Ung tipong I’m too weak to move para nasa bahay lang ako. Tapos I can just watch tv/dvd or surf the net all day. Para I have a reason to absent. Kasi ayaw ko naman galawin ung annual leave ko kasi I’m saving them up for next year. And even if I can, I will have to explain myself to everyone. And the dahil-tinatamad-ako-magtrabaho reason is definitely not good enough. so they will try to dig in further kahit na that’s seriously the only reason I have.
May mga dapat ako gawin na trabaho pero di ko ginagawa. I realise tuloy na having a flexible job doesn’t really work for me. I’m born lazy. I only get something done if I’m really passionate about it or if I’m obliged to. At sa mga panahong to, I am neither passionate nor obliged. nakakatamad tuloy. Sigh.
Ano kaya feeling ng nasa private sector?
Sabi nila matamlay daw ako lately? Parang nga. Siguro napagod din ako kasi ilang buwan din ako generally masaya. Pero nakakapagod bang maging masaya? Hmmm.
A friend already left for US. Nakakasad. Tapos 2 more will leave for pinas this xmas. Sigh. Ano kaya itsura ng pasko namin? The plan was to spend xmas in Auckland kaso naman wala na kami budget kaya baka di na kami tuloy. So di na lang kami sa welly. Corny. Pero ok lang un. Sana na lang by xmas break, may restricted licence na ko tapos I’ll drive up to hawkes bay kay karol. Para for a change, sya naman puntahan ko. Sana talaga.
Sigh.
Dadating na si dolands next week. He seemed to really enjoy his stay in pinas. Pero ang sakit naman sa bulsa. We had to send him money thrice this week. Grabe para syang shredder, ang bilis. Ano kaya dala nun for me? all I’ve asked from him ay goldilocks polvoron. Sana naman may dala sya.
At I remember. the day before karol and I fought in rotorua, nagkita si dolands at parents ni karol sa laguna. Wow diba. Tapos funny kasi nga the ffg day nagaway naman kami na halos on the verge of breaking up na. it’s interesting how fate can be so playful. =p
Ayan, namimiss ko si karol. I have to see him on my bday. Basta. =p
Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
Ano ba tong nararamdaman ko? I feel so tired and lazy. Too tired to think. Too lazy to work. Too tired to talk. Too lazy to do anything. Di ko lam kung bakit. Gusto ko magkasakit ng 3 araw. Ung tipong I’m too weak to move para nasa bahay lang ako. Tapos I can just watch tv/dvd or surf the net all day. Para I have a reason to absent. Kasi ayaw ko naman galawin ung annual leave ko kasi I’m saving them up for next year. And even if I can, I will have to explain myself to everyone. And the dahil-tinatamad-ako-magtrabaho reason is definitely not good enough. so they will try to dig in further kahit na that’s seriously the only reason I have.
May mga dapat ako gawin na trabaho pero di ko ginagawa. I realise tuloy na having a flexible job doesn’t really work for me. I’m born lazy. I only get something done if I’m really passionate about it or if I’m obliged to. At sa mga panahong to, I am neither passionate nor obliged. nakakatamad tuloy. Sigh.
Ano kaya feeling ng nasa private sector?
Sabi nila matamlay daw ako lately? Parang nga. Siguro napagod din ako kasi ilang buwan din ako generally masaya. Pero nakakapagod bang maging masaya? Hmmm.
A friend already left for US. Nakakasad. Tapos 2 more will leave for pinas this xmas. Sigh. Ano kaya itsura ng pasko namin? The plan was to spend xmas in Auckland kaso naman wala na kami budget kaya baka di na kami tuloy. So di na lang kami sa welly. Corny. Pero ok lang un. Sana na lang by xmas break, may restricted licence na ko tapos I’ll drive up to hawkes bay kay karol. Para for a change, sya naman puntahan ko. Sana talaga.
Sigh.
Dadating na si dolands next week. He seemed to really enjoy his stay in pinas. Pero ang sakit naman sa bulsa. We had to send him money thrice this week. Grabe para syang shredder, ang bilis. Ano kaya dala nun for me? all I’ve asked from him ay goldilocks polvoron. Sana naman may dala sya.
At I remember. the day before karol and I fought in rotorua, nagkita si dolands at parents ni karol sa laguna. Wow diba. Tapos funny kasi nga the ffg day nagaway naman kami na halos on the verge of breaking up na. it’s interesting how fate can be so playful. =p
Ayan, namimiss ko si karol. I have to see him on my bday. Basta. =p
Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
