one is a lonely number

Gelo has the bravura to tempt me for weeks with this solo number below the x-mas tree.

Two things:

- He's shaming me for not being organised - haven't done my gift shopping
- To test my fortitude

I'm the latter.
Although I have patience, deep inside I know I hate waiting...

it actually feels colder than ...

I swear I could almost touch it

.. figurative "gold" that is.

filler

civil partnership is not just a ceremony

... it is a challenge that goes on and on and on and on.

a good person got married yesterday

... and it has to stay secret for a while.

recycle

Cartier had this look years ago and is this one way of saying, they too... feel the economic pinch? I'm not against the idea of recycling designs, concepts and presentations. I laud it in fact. I imagine that little effort to save planet Earth and stressing the quote, "why fix what isn't broken?".

I love the brand.

For a fashion brand however, this christmas look is tired.

cordoned Trafalgar

It was Tina and her daughter Criszel's first time to tour London and part of my itinerary was Trafalgar. It was disappointing to see the fountain lifeless and dry. Being inquisitive enough, I asked one of the personnel what the kerfuffle's all about and was told about Brad Pitt shooting some scenes for his World War Z film.

I don't usually tolerate disruptions like this (as if) but...

I love zombie films.

I can't wait to see it.

branding

Paul has most qualities a gentleman/eye-candy possesses. He has the height, the looks, the wit, the humour and soon enough, the body (he is 2 kilos away from the bet we orchestrated - and winning this, means Gelo and I fork out dinner money for the double date by the end of this month). Also, he has a pretty girlfriend and amiable enough to keep good friends close and even win more friends if social instincts call for it.

If there's one thing he struggles in his diurnal existence... is the fact that his verbal communication is heavily accented and vocabulary, typical for someone who spoke not a word of english three years ago.  But for trying to correspond in the language not akin to him, he is highly commendable for his patience and perseverance. He'd insert the word "massive" as a substitute adjective to anything grand and emotionally charged. Known for speaking his mind, this slight verbal handicap doesn't deter him from getting his point known, loud and clear (albeit with gesticulations and iPhone translation app).

He said, "You know what Ryan, when I first arrived here.. I spoke three words of English. YES, NO and COCA COLA". I thought that was funny.

WFH

That's WORKING FROM HOME.

Ingredients:

- repeats of Glee
- X-mas tree in view
- blogging
- work microsoft outlook
- warmth of home
- freedom to create my own noise

yolk

I wasn't a fan of runny yolk years ago but something clicked inside me and now, I couldn't get enough of it. That's brekkie sorted for me today. I should have ample energy to do some work AT HOME. Yes, I'm WFH (WORKING FROM HOME) TODAY. This is one of the reasons why a job prospect in London wasn't exciting and interesting enough.

SHHH....

So...

Gelo and I competed at the recently concluded Kabayan Idol Semifinals and for the first time, I ranked higher than him. I repeat... FIRST TIME I beat him in his own game. Now, imagine the gloating and an overflowing pride for being in that position.

This is what I mean by growing confidence I'd take to the grandfinals next week. Truth is, I'm happy to get into the finals with the rest of them. They're a bunch of talented singers and I'm happy to share and witness their awesomeness on that day - 1st of December.

As for me, I'd stick to my roots and sing a musical show tune and hope that there are some spectators out there who still value the musical stage over the likes of Rihanna and majority of manufactured bands. I'm sure that's just wishful thinking because most Filipinos I meet don't really understand and appreciate dig musicals. But hey, to each his own right?

OLD ME

I MISS THE OLD BLOGGER IN ME!

an old brand ... doesn't mean "lacking in quality"

Shopping is always fun.

Actual buying or purchasing an item is more fun than window shopping.

But buying good quality is best, if you spend 75% off its original price.

off to Manchester

So...

Gelo and I got through to the GRANDFINALS of Kabayan Idol in Manchester next week. I am entering the GF with so much confidence and that's quite unusual considering the tough competition I'm facing against the honed, seasoned and extremely confident talents on the night.

I think... I have to start believing in myself.

imprint

I'm back to touring London for the first-timers. I'm glad to say that I still know the nooks and corners of essential London like the back of my hand. There's that glowing pride showing them my PRRREEECCCIIIOOOUUUSSSSS!

saying NO

We shouldn't be asking too much when we do things in a charitable way. After the Concert for a Cause, the VP of Internal Affairs invited us for dinner at the Nelson's Hotel. It's a curry night on a Thursday and for a very reasonably priced offer, you get eat-all-you-can for less than a tenner. I thought it was a rather good deal.

As dinner progressed to more emptied plates, we were then invited to the organisation's christmas party and another hosting event for a talent show. We were tempted to give her one of our calling/business cards to say, "our services are not for free" but how do you say that without sounding pompous, greedy and slick-shady in the process???

One of the constituents of the organisation told us that there's an election for new officers this January and it would be a good chance to run for office. I seldom say NO but that would be an EASY NO.

progress

The first few months after getting my driving license, I couldn't multitask whilst manning the car. There was that element of fear just to press a button or move a CD out of the player. However, my confidence is growing and I already play loud music of my choice without being distracted. I even take random photos whilst waiting for the green light.

Driving I thought was harder than maths and most sciences. That's why getting to this point is a major major achievement for me. I rank this feat as high as those past tour-de-force coups that made me the person that I am now.

You'd say shallow but to each his own, right?

restless

In a span of a week, we've changed the accessories of our TREES thrice. Believe me, the run up to christmas is always the fun bit. Come 25th of December, it's all downhill from there. So that's the reason why it's more fun to experiment and saturate possibilities while excitement is on the high.

Do you agree?

prospect

It's an early christmas present for me from Work. I'm glad that I'm getting the support I need from the organisation and for that reason, I promise to do my job better. I even promise an excellent, topnotch service if they give me a pay rise soon.

I'd secretly wish for that this christmas holiday... or better yet, summon an ounce of courage to approach my line manager and politely discuss the prospect of salary increase. This time of the year is always the perfect time but .... who knows right????

placate

My own version of Banana Split.

It's very simple to do and terribly fattening.

But effective in allaying anxieties.

let me love myself more...

Some people think I'm such a selfless person verging to being backbone-less... but I'm sure most of you would agree that I love myself just as much as the dramas happening in my life to make sure that balance is always restored no matter what.

so we drove halfway through and ...

We (Gelo on the driving seat - distrusting my manoeuvring skills on motorways) woke up at 6:30 and left the house an hour later, heading out to London for my Modern Matron interview. We deliberated about the practicality and lack thereof, by travelling 2 1/2 hours for an interview just for sake of it. I struggled last night to find a meaty enough of a reason to equate the hassles of long distance driving with the relevance of a job prospect. Still, with less than 80% of motivation in tow, we braved the rain and the dreary November morning.

An hour later whilst reading JD (Job Description) and Trust Values and Visions (Imperial NHS Trust), an epiphany slapped my sleepy head to say, "Would you mind if we turn back and drive home?". He gave me a perplexed look and reiterated an enquiry a million times as if I was pulling his leg. I was hoping a roundabout would be in sight soon enough before I dare change my mind yet again. Few miles later, we were heading back to Norwich. We stopped at Mcdo, The Range and Sainburys for home supplies. To ease my mind, I chose seafood sticks to trick my nous from the possibility of fickleness and self-reproach.

That instant decision happened when I used combined wit and heart. I'm not usually known for sound and straight-laced decision-making skills but at that moment, I knew the pros of going back outweighed the cons. I'm happy enough to know that I could be shortlisted for a relevant job I'd apply for and that's a big reassurance in itself for future plans.

shadows

ounce of sanity
pilfered languidly, gently
like a thief of night

thank you

Thank you both (Mika and Nelly) for visiting my dad.

I'm grateful to the nth degree.

I seriously love this tree

Just a few red lights

An angel perched atop

Red ribbons, gold and red balls

Simple

Warm

1st day

I'M TIRED.

...REALLY REALLY TIRED.

I didn't like the idea of being back at work.

I miss the sofa like a lover.

tolerating addiction

our second tree

Christmas has a shape.

accolades

So...

The CONCERT FOR A CAUSE was a success. It was uber tiring though; hosting and performing at the same time. But this is a good cause and like I said before, giving back is always a noble idea. We're glad to be of service to the Filipino community.

"You both were brilliant in hosting and goodness, what beautiful voices you two have"

"Can't wait for another event with both of you at the helm"

"Ryan and Al, thank you again for making the show last night a success. You are a breath of fresh air"

What I liked the most is this:

"Are you both free to grace us with your presence this December for our Christmas party? You both are invited. Also, shall we meet next week for dinner at Nelson's Hotel..."

Free good food is always hard to say NO to.

first time...

I find this prospect really exciting.

My ideas are on overdrive and I already see happy faces.

My designer items won't be waiting too long to be put to good use.

Yey.

feeling sorry is not really enough

I miss home.

I should have been home for a 3-week holiday but financial constraints stopped me from being with them. There's so much emotion but explaining it would just be an epic fail. All I know is that I will never be happy and complete without fulfilling a smidgen of happiness my parents deserve NOW, tomorrow and forever.

I need a slap and some sort of reality check.

My priorities need syncing.

all set

Tonight MUST go as planned or else...

I'm truly excited.

My index cards for hosting are prepped and our backing tracks, burned.

As for singing, I'm truly stereotyped as the "musical" guy.

That's why, I'm resurrecting the Phantom, Valjean and Javert, yet again.

Pics and anecdotes to follow...

abnormal

When kitchen is deemed to be cold, infested and wearisome, pizza is the best choice of sustenance. Losing more energy to food prep, cooking and washing dishes is the most lethal of our concerns. This is when sedentary lifestyle is more convenient and justified without the feeling of guilt.

Neither do I love nor hate pizza but with taste buds as clueless as the imbecile, I just need it to satisfy the cycle of gastric juice release and glucose needs of the body. Other than that, pizza will be the least of my "wanting moment" in a normal predicament.

darn

We slept all day.

We had round-the-clock Lemsip.

We drank lots of fluids.

We used throat spray to relieve soreness.

We felt sorry for missing the flu jab.

this is also that time of year...

Gelo has succumbed to it but I am willing my body and mind not to.

light

We've been having really calorific meals these past weeks and so, we've decided to GO LIGHT! Rummaging through the cupboard of our riches, I came across a packet of Chinese Sweet Corn and Seafood Soup. Few minutes later, we had an instant dinner for less effort and less pennies.

As for calorie intake, I'm not 100% sure of the nutritional content but I'm guessing that the MSG (monosodium glutamate) in it would be enough to give me headache. But it is still light in comparison with the stroke-inducing meals USUAL MEALS we cook, day in, day out.

We still value life and its longevity. I don't want to expire sooner than the life-span of the new telly we bought recently.

watching Mario

With friends over, we've now watched GGV 4x (Gandang Gabi Vice Talk Show) with Mario Maurer as the main guest. He is a good mix of Chinese Thai and German blood and as ever, an amalgamation of different genes make a fine, beautiful creation. Personally, I don't find him appealing but most of my friends would disagree to the nth power.

OK. He is goodlooking and quick-witted as well; the two main ingredients to survive the business. But we can all agree that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think ginger-haired people are pretty and oh, Jamie Oliver is definitely sexy.


 

brightest

I don't care if this is the smallest of all christmas trees I have ever had but this is definitely the brightest.

A 3-ft tree with 240 colourful bulbs is trying to compensate for the lingering loneliness, knowing that this is for the nth time that I'd be celebrating the holiday away from my own family. I'm hoping I'd be distracted by the twinkling lights; irritate my eyes to the point of lacrimation and blame it on that instead of banging my head out of guilt.

I miss home and everything that embodies it.

 

giving back

Today's Eastern Daily Press plastered our faces in a column about "Concert for a Cause" in Norwich. This coming Saturday, Gelo and I will be hosting and singing at the event together with the other talents (singers, dancers and bands) to raise money for the sick and those needing financial support within the region. I think this is a noble cause and should be given an all-out support by the Filipino expats in East Anglia.

However, there's that niggling effect at the back of my mind. I fervently hope that people running this event will be truly responsible and deliver the outcome with efficiency and honesty. Personally, I'm not doing this for exposure and that recognisability-factor. My time is precious and my talent, exhausting (takes a lot of practise sessions to hone it). I really expect betterment and change.