Manila

After 2 years, I'm back again to Manila on a work trip. This time round, I did not have much of a luxury to spend my time at Boracay or to explore other parts of Luzon island.

I spent most of my hours; first in Alabang, then Tanay and finally of course, Makati. Of all months of the year, by unforeseen arrangements, I'd have to travel to Philippines; just when the most unfortunate have happened to Japan. Somehow, many people have this guts feeling that after this incident, many more hibernating volcanoes will once again go active. Perhaps even the Mayan cannot predict what impact will this bring if for real that such an incident will occur.

Gosh...
Anyways, here I am, sound and kicking and writing this piece on my journey back to Kuala Lumpur because I can't freaking take a nap...

I had finished reading my Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and i don't feel like finishing my book of China and the West. It's pretty heavy at the moment when my mind is unease about tomorrow...the lists of things that I have to think about.

That aside, I'd want to write...about my thoughts on this trip and how lucky I am to be born a Malaysian even if I hate the fact that we are - classified as the non 'Sons of the land' entity. Yes and to be precise, I shall use the word loathe because I was issued a summon of a darn RM 100 for violating the traffic law of parking by the yellow line. Damned, car owners don't get summoned on a Friday for whatsoever reasons especially when they park near a certain religious building!

ANYWAYS, I am still a lucky citizen despite all the unjust treatments (at least, I'm given the chance to vote and I'm definitely voting against the construction of a nuclear plant in East Peninsula).

So, Manila...it feels to me that every corner has got:
1. Starbucks (practically everywhere with a frequency way much higher than that in kl),
2. Mini
3. SM (they intended to litter every corner of Manila by living to their motto of 'SM is 30mins of drive from one another'
4. Mercury drug store
5. Jollibee
6. very affordable and good massage spa...and I absolutely love their 24hrs home-massage service:)

and, in an obvious sense, I felt that there are only a handful of middle class families around. I travelled once again around Manila and I took note of the long expressways, fantastic drivers as well as the number of low cost buildings (is squatter area a better term?) scattered everywhere en route towards the city and also very beautiful and prestigious looking neighbourhoods.

Like any other developing third world countries, the drivers in this part of the island are superb. A driver can be a good distance away from you but within a turn of your head, that car can be instantaneously 5 inches away from your car! Therefore I came to a conclusion that most drivers with a Philippines driving license are i) very agile, ii) can take on any hostile road conditions. Perhaps, if Earth survives 2012, United Nations should organize a friendly driving competition specifically for drivers from Phnom Penh, Hanoi, Manila and Paris (maybe)..

Haha...yea...so that's the world adjacent to Makati. Once you enter Makati, the constructions change dramatically. Low cost houses give way to high rise service apartments and posh looking restaurants which only the upper class citizens or foreigners can afford. You are there...there are only a handful of middle class citizens and corruption is no doubt rampant but that's life. I'm quite amazed that at this rate, it's research and development sector is still able to keep up.

I guess I'll return on another day for work...and till then, I'll end my journal here. I'm home sweet home.

If I do return, I hope I'll be able to visit intramunos and someday when the ocean is less restless- Pahlawan.

new app: FX cam

Crap...I just realized that unlike my previous beloved k770i, this phone doesn't have a blogspot integrated app. Well...it has but I don't quite like it. I thought that I'd upload a pic but I can't find the upload a photo button here...

Hmm..and I always thought a mobile browser would work the same as a computer browser...

Oh well...

Anyways, I've always enjoy taking photo and I find the world through the camera lens to be very fascinating. This world brings such joy in the form of memories. Memories which you would want to keep and yet reluctant to reminisce and dwell into them...memories which made you smile all the time and you wish that you could travel back into them again...and again...memories which was so provoking that your tears will flow every time you stumble onto them...

I used to have this old Canon last time and my mum would let me waste the film every time and best of it - she'd process the film regardless of what nonsense I captured. That, was supportive.

I truly have the most shallow knowledge on camera and photography but it is just a process that I took passion in - as how I am with musical instruments and art. I used to yearn for a DSLR but come to think again, it will be quite a waste in the hands if an amateur like myself. I could easily use that money for travel and still capture the world with my Canon of 7.1mp. moreover, gecko has one. He can do the heavy job of bringing that bulky thing around and I still get to play with it anytime;) *evil*

Then, I decided to get a lumos camera...i love the idea of having random photographs generated at every click! I thought I'd buy a cute ancient looking one but after a around of checking around...I thought that I should not part with my mere few hundred ringgits...haha..frugal, yes.

So I was really delighted when I came across this camera app which enables me to take different type of photo including Polaroid, fish-eye and some nice washed out effects type of photo! it went lagged and slow for a bit but hey, should I complain?!

hehe...

Guess only the quirky minds would understand this. Lol...I shall post some of my next blog! okay, they may not be of the qualities which you may see in 'i am number 4's Stranger in Paradise' but you see what is revolving around my life...through the lens...

Reluctance

Everyone!

I've got to officially announce that I'm in a state of denial.

I am facing a...
Reluctance in growing up. Despite the fact that my growth is giving me away to age, I am in denial and reluctant to mature with it...

I shudder at the thought of marriage...I shuddered at the thought of forming a new family...I shudder even worst at the thought of potential life with in laws.

These thoughts are really quite ridiculous and a little too early but as of these few years, friends around me are either married with kids, engaged or are planning to get married 2 years from now...I know I have ranted about this in my previous blog(s) but just can't help it! This is the thought which are meant to be shared with all ladies who are soon to reach the second half of her 20s and yet to have a satisfying career or even own her dream private space (read: a hideaway condo unit or maybe a comfortable landed unit surrounded by greens)...it is really normal if you are still feeling young and have this reluctance to mature!

The phobia of the whole idea of marriage which may possibly lead to a divorce! Gecko has got a point when I told him about this 87 years old billionaire who had remarried 4 times with a different younger wife in each marriage. He said, what is the point of being so lovey dovey everytime when after which it leads to the same ending altogether.

True but maybe partially. I always thought each relationship deserves an equal chance every time when one start anew:)

-bunny signing off...
to sleep away and dream of the yesteryears when she is still enjoying her youth being naive in school....where the subject of moving onto the next half of her 20s is still...far far away...