fuck it.... more calories please!

the google glass

Click HERE and be amazed!

 

one of those very rare occasions

I would like to blog but words are like priceless commodities that are far too expensive for my perusal.

filler

pursuing the dream

Believe me... I know my niche and my distinct place on Earth. To become a famous singer is the most remote and impossible of all my wishes. Gelo on the other hand (and his god-given talent) is different. Despite his age, I still believe that given the chance, he'd be a celebrated recording artist. Saying that, we auditioned for another talent search (see below) and qualified for the final show on the 27th of April.

I really don't think my talent can stir the deepest of emotions. But as they say, talent is nothing without motivation and perseverance. Gelo definitely has tons of it and I won't be surprised if he makes it someday. By then, my managerial skills would be at par with the best out there. Why share the wealth if we can keep it to ourselves, right???!!

hosting

Apparently, I have the gift of gab. That's probably a cocky admission but if people tell you that, then it must be true. So in few weeks time, I'd be hosting the Bamboo UK Tour and I'm truly excited about it. I know very little of Bamboo so I have a lot of reading and listening to do (his discography). I don't think winging it on the night would be a good idea. His following is somehow distinct. They come because they appreciate his style, persona and music. A very little portion in the audience would be the tag-alongs and they're not the ones I aim to impress. Getting a favourable reception from those who are paying 40-50 GBP for that experience would mean something.

Then this evening, I received another call from organisers if I could host the Barrio Fiesta in Oxfordshire (Gelo to sing) but were dismayed by the fact that we're off to Philippines for holiday at that time. So it seems like the word's out there that my hosting skill is good enough (and Gelo's entertainment value)  ... truly good enough to import our services to their locality. I find that impressively heartwarming.

With the advent of social networking, Gelo and I are gaining that popularity in the Filipino community here in UK. We just hope that this translates into something of a mixture of social pleasure and business. That way, our energy expenditure does not get wasted and overlooked.

under the weather

With flu-like symptoms ravaging our system, there's nothing better than "sinigang" to appease our physicality. There's no place like home, we know that.

good company

Daniel Day Lewis makes me dream big. Too late for me I know but if young aspiring actors out there would have to emulate someone in the business, it truly has to be him. There really is something about this English actor that's so enigmatic, you're easily drawn to him like magnet.

congrats GURL!

I could have watched but ...

Oscars still bring excitement to a commoner like me.

Sunday

Today's a good day for so many reasons.

We huddled like real family and showed support to the PINAS (Pinoy In Norwich Aksyong Samahan) organisation and watched a hilarious film (Sisterrakas) and stood for the principle of charity and culminated the evening with a sumptuous meal full of hearty banters.

Oscars will be handed out tonight and I'm pretty much eager not to be disappointed by the Best Supporting category result.

tweet blog

IT'S A KNOWN FACT THAT I'M NO ATTENTION WHORE. IF I GET ATTENTION THEN THAT'S BECAUSE I NATURALLY DO. IN FACT, I URGE PEOPLE TO GO THE GYM (COZ I WAS A GYM-PHOBIC THEN) AND FEEL HEALTHY, IN AND OUT, THE WAY I FEEL NOW.

Being epal is not in my vocabulary.

Peace.

meet Carol

I like Carol.

She's fun, spontaneous and down to earth aside from the obvious glow about her presence. These are just few of the qualities that are outstanding about her. If you meet her in person, you'd pick up more adjectives to describe her but I'd reserve that moment when you cross path in this lifetime or another.

She is a MasCom graduate but abhorred the idea of writing for a living. She preferred Performing Arts and is now a renowned TFC Correspondent for UK. Her list of dabbles with the rich and famous happens to be reams of pages but talking to her seems to negate that air of possible egotism and contemptuousness that most wannabes employ to blind an unsuspecting Juan De La Cruz abroad. I really like that grounded person behind the vivaciousness on and off the camera.

In the past she's covered us (Gelo and myself) in some of TFC Balitang Europe news events and now, she's finally confirmed my involvement as the host for the upcoming Bamboo Tour in UK. I don't find the invite daunting. I find it a legitimate excuse from the routinary lifestyle called work-home-friends-teleserye-gym existence. It would be good to travel to Colchester and meet Filipinos from a different region.

I'm writing this because I think her job is like a dream. You work for the biggest corporation in the Philippines and you get meet people from all walks of life. My idea of optimum living is learning and developing oneself through knowing, understanding and influencing people that you meet. She then said, "It's not that lucrative if you think of it that way (being an ABS-CBN correspondent). I just love what I'm doing".

So there, an age-old adage about jobs and happiness is not rocket science.

almost perfect

A more muscular leg would make Gelo perfect.

Chos!

life is like an espresso

It's short-lived and bitterness lasts nearly a lifetime says the cynic.

That's usually the majority of us.

extra

Yes. That's a cheque for 90% mental and 10% physical work. A proof that right education goes a long way... oppppps.. OK, that sounds pompous but you get the drift.

 

an education

Stroke assessment made easy

retrieved blog from my iPhone

It's difficult when you cannot relate to some people. This isn't some form of snobbery but more of a fact. People have different wavelengths and we all know we clash with some of the bands whether we like it or not. If you're polite enough, you'd try to take the higher road to avert conflicts. Filipinos are like that: Some you get along well just fine and some, you don't. It's not their fault but having different breed of people in an event where we mean to harmonise differences doesn't always get the favourable outcome.  

Like this woman... 

Posh woman: God, I'm stressed. Putting up a show can be too much to bear most times. 

Moi: true. Don't worry it'll be successful.  

Posh woman: I know it will be. 

Moi: That's a good start.  

The conversation went on to where-do-you-live-what-do-you-do-type and I knew it's going to be an egotistical battle. I've learned from the parents (mother specifically) that being polite keeps the balance. The Brits taught me how to master this and voila.... We all had a good time.  

Some Filipinos can be annoying. I believe family values and education have a bearing to this so I need not say more. 

God, I'm bored

I'm known for having tons of patience but this type of waiting i.e. moderating/facilitating a study day, KILLS me.

Holt

I seriously mean this - If I have millions to spare, I'd buy a house in Holt, Norfolk.

respite

I'D LIKE TO BLOG MORE ABOUT THE GYM AND OTHER SELF-INDULGENT POSTS BUT I'M TIRED. SO CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY.

I actually worked hard today

Facilitating (and delivering some of the sessions) the two-day Patient Centric Mandatory Training is a major task. I did Pressure Ulcer Awareness and Resus (plus AED) for the group and by the time it's 4pm, I was knackered. Life really seeks balance. One day you check emails and do some paperworks at home then the next day, you get down the floor to do some work (literally). That's exactly how it was today.

Then as I was about to leave the venue (50 minutes drive away from the City), it started to snow. Was this a good or a bad sign of things to come tonight? Then I received a call from Gelo saying that he's got Brazo de Mecedez, Bopis and Leche FLan and that answered my question.

We went to the gym very early this morning and did some actual work today. That needs to be compensated by GOOD FOOD and GUILT is definitely not going to bug me in the slightest.

big

As far as I can recall, I've always been fascinated with women... their features - bodies, lips, brows, hair and mainly eyes. When I try to block out nonsensical conversations/lectures, I'd doodle to while away my boredom or disinterest. Then I learned from a really intelligent colleague that it's a sign of disrespect that I became conscious of drawing out of whim. I must have realised that it's a real show of irreverence with such behaviour.

What I am trying to figure out is why "women"... Since my young age, it was like my hands were totally independent from my own mind that it'd doodle big-breasted-child-bearing-hip-women with beautiful eyes and hair. I theorised then that it was my innate yearning to be understood as being different, being gay. Then when I came out to the family, I thought it meant to be a blatant sign that I should pursue fashion design. Then I learned that I was crap at colour scheme and even more crap at following trends. So with many other reasoning behind the drawings, I deduced that I must be dreaming of becoming a beautiful woman someday with the curves to die for. Then I thought short but hard and naaaaah... there's no way I would change myself even if my life depended on it (no offense meant to TS friends out there).

But I can say that even when I was young, I thought I was creative and artistic enough. Me, doodling today at home must be telling me that there's more to me as a person and I shouldn't rest on my collated laurels and be complacent. With that in mind, a light bulb flickered and an idea was formed. I will fulfil my dream of becoming a ballerina singer bum PhD holder someday.

Well, let's all dream big. Who knows what's going to happen right?

I just paired my iPhone and Telly (youtube)

... not revolutionary but to me it is.

The day I multitasked

joy

I'm glad to see my dad looking plumper than his usual old self few months ago. I'm also grateful to my nurse-cousins who look after him really well. He said, "When you go home, please buy me an iPod so I don't get bored at home". I understand why he'd be frustrated at times because he was mobile and physically active before his stroke.

I hope he recovers soon. We have more trials to withstand in the coming months but support is not something we have to give. It's already inherent.

my new passion

I'm big on scented candles, I really am. But it takes a while to ward off bad vibes used cooking oil stench (from fry ups) in the room. In seconds, the flat becomes sweet-smelling with scented oil as if the old rugs and carpets are brand new. It is a quicker way to help change mood; a reversion to a more positive outlook in seconds.

Talking about positivity, I don't know why people would think of my life as "boring". I go to the gym. I play tennis. I sing and win and lose and get accolades for that. I get invites to host events (latest - host the Bamboo tour in UK). I do a job that I love most. I own my working time. I blog (sub-standard to most people but hey ... ). I have a civil partner. I have a closer relationship with my family more than ever. My work colleagues are great. I have very few close friends. I am accepted for who and what I am. My cash flow is limited but such admission is liberating so I don't consider that as something that would drag me to having suicidal thoughts. My parents are afflicted with debilitating medical conditions but that make us closer as a unit. I am well travelled. I have good education. I speak and write OK - gets my point across without problems. I am close to being truly fit. I am bald but I have eradicated this complex years ago. I am attuned to the present day technologies. I am a better cook. I watch movies with friends on a regular basis. I've tried living in a metropolis. I live in a combo of a city and country. We may not have a child of our own but that's the physiology of it (but who knows right?). I can think of more but I'm sure whoever is reading this gets the point.

OK. I need to top up more on scented oil. I need more positivity.

funny how NAM finds the gym topic annoying

So NAM thinks ill of me blogging about "gym-ming" repeatedly (and calling it madness is not a fitting description of going to the gym twice in a day). I say, turning 40 and getting my first gym membership is a BIG DEAL. It may not be true to 99.9% of people in the world but personally, I feel that way. The psychology involved in avoiding the gym for years and the actual signing of the dotted line for a year's contract is so immense that the 99.9% of the populace wouldn't be able to understand because this is my  perception.

So... please... WALANG BASAGAN NG TRIP!

Please go buy me Jollibee chickenjoy in SFO.

foundation

Pre-Reg students are fun to teach. They're like sponges and would soak up all information that they could take. Such enthusiasm is so infectious that it motivates me to do better each time. I delivered BLOOD RESULTS INTERPRETATION  and it was good to see how participative and interactive they were during the session. This is one thing that I struggle to elicit when teaching POST-REG and the existing clinical staff of the NHS I work for.

Maybe BURN OUT isn't in their vocabulary yet and the fire within them is still at steady spark unlike the dying flicker of those who know the true nature of Nursing and the dedication it takes to overlook hardwork and inadequate remuneration.

 

so I'm a mayo now

I'm pretty excited about this session at UEA where I'd get to talk about one of subjects I'm really passionate about - Blood results interpretation. When I picked up my parking permit, I wasn't surprised anymore with the misspelt name. This has been a problem for me since I arrived in this country. In the past, they called me "Chipriano", "Kipriano" and "Kaypriano" but I never got tired of correcting them in the process. They lost patience and eventually suggested that I be called "Ryan". I could have said NO to that but there's a ring to it that's quite easy, mature and local that made stick to it. So roll on a decade and I'm effectively using this without incurring any problems with the institutions I've worked for and the people I've met in the process.

Now that I've corrected the first name dilemma, it seems like my surname is catching on the trend. It's been misspelled as "Meyer", "Mayer", "Mayot" (French sounding), "Meiyer" and now, "Mayo". People must be finding it hard to comprehend that a surname that denotes high political inclination quite impossible to exist in a foreign-sounding man like me. This could be interpreted as an indirect insult but I don't discount the fact that I too find it difficult to pronounce my surname when embroiled in conversations with the locals.

Mayo however is my least favourite of all misspellings. It goads me to go the gym even more.

trivia

I also learned that people these days check their phones every 6 1/2 minutes a day. It's not surprising really but ...

watching telly

I love programs about NATURE.

I learned how water and CO2 are utilised by plants to create energy to survive. With the sun hitting the specialised cells of the plants, it splits the two Hydrogen atoms away from Oxygen, where the latter is released in the atmosphere. The Hydrogen elements attach to CO2 to form simple sugar and then used in cellular processes.

More people should watch these programs on telly. They break down scientific facts to its simplest terminology making it a lot easier to understand. It truly saved me from flipping through science books to understand onerous activities of learning.

With that out of the way, it's time for FAMILY GUY.

warm and loving colleagues

I got back to the office today to find some heart cut-outs on my desk. I was moved. I've worked in many other NHS organisations but this is one of the rarest moments of how I truly belong to the Team. This may not be London life but there's more to this part of the British terrain.

I had a conversation with my Line Manager earlier about my professional prospects in the Trust and was assured of a truly secure job tenure despite the ailing economy. It's not that I'm pretty terrified of being jobless but it's actually my way in to steer the conversation to a possible promotion. He handled that indirect hint quite well for I understood the mechanics and politics of it all. The statistics of getting promotion outside London is so low that chances are, I'd be where I am in the coming months. Having colleagues like them however, makes the waiting bearable.

Now... the statement before last sounded like a whine.

I know I'd get up the ladder of the working world someday. My boss said, "Ryan, we'd lose our jobs but yours would remain intact. I told our Boss about how easy it is for you find another job in a flash so she shouldn't really make you upset or disappointed". Then he laughed.

The sad thing is, I actually believed it.

the word believe is multifaceted

twice

I must be mad.

Yesterday, I went to the gym twice. I played tennis against the machine in the morning and the whole business of gym-ming and steam, sauna and jacuzzi in the afternoon. By the moment it's home time, I could feel every inch of my bodily fibres stretched, twisted and worked out to its optimum. We got home and ATE as if food was more than just basic need.

I'm happy to say that I made progress with my regime. I now double the time I trek the treadmill. I push and pull 35-45 kg of weights and more importantly, I'm less conscious about my known insecurities about the whole GYM thing. In fact, I'm itching to go on days of rest.

Things, moments and decisions we dread and fear would remain as that thing, moment and decision unturned and uncharted unless we face it, we try it and conquer it. Like driving, gym isn't that bad after all. I guess, we live to try and learn.

going down down down down

Is it time to work in the Philippines?

He's back

... albeit slowly but surely, winning Brazil Open against David Nalbandian. I have reservations about his future in tennis but I'm hopeful. For him to win another French would be FUCKING AMAZING.

I don't know what to make of this...

I love steak

Who doesn't right? Oh, some vegetarians I know would react ferociously like a predatory lion for saying that. I've mentioned before that I tried vegetarianism for less than a year and it was a good experience. But such lifestyle requires too much of an effort for the little energy it affords (I don't mind eating squash curry once a week though). Talking about steak, this is the third time in just over a week that we've gnawed on the tender and juicy beef portion. But each bite is never the same. They're like sinning over and over again minus the guilt - less fatty bits and more lean meat.

Yesterday, Gelo cooked burger from scratch and it was tasty and yummy and delectable and ambrosial and more importantly, pleasurable. I commented saying, "This is the first time I've tried an explosion of flavours in a burger. I usually have it plain". He took slight offence of what I said and challenged me to cook "plain".  In the same scheme of things, I bought sirloin beef and showered it with pepper and salt. I rested it in room temperature for half an hour and pan fried in few drops of vegetable oil. Few minutes later and the odoriferous scent was enough to induce more gastric secretions that I ached.

So here's my pepper steak - simple and easy to cook.

Occasional flamboyance/ostentatiousness is not a crime. Simplicity provides the basic foundation.

on a foggy day, you can still see forever

Barbra Streisand (or Burton Lane and ALan Jay Lerner)  may not agree to this title but the sense of sight is not the only thing that connects us to the innate and extrinsic factors of living. Although saying that, I'd rather be deaf than lose my visual faculty (I just hope that I keep my senses intact and functioning optimally). I get a lot of rhetoric questions and opinionated hints about my life's thoroughfare. Saying that I'm clever enough to stay competitive against the humans herded by capitalism, commercialism, the lure of rat racing and the energy of hustle and bustle.

I was driving today to Virgin Active to play tennis (minus the hubby who's at work) at 7 am and the arresting panorama wasn't the fog but the lack of movement on the roads and sidewalks. The 15 minute journey to the establishment was reduced to a mere eight to my sheer ambivalence. I was early but too early that Virgin wasn't even open yet. Outside the glass door was a 60-year old looking man who remarked, "Aren't we the early eager birds?". I said, "I blame the fog". It certainly muddled the timing of the drive and to directly answer the man's rhetoric, waking up on a Sunday morning with this monotone translucency doesn't really inspire one to rise and shine.

But I love the foggy conditions. When everything else seems predictable and calculated, you know that 50 metres away could be a revelation.

a good beating

This is one of another FIRST in my life.

You'd think that playing tennis for over 25 years would make me experienced with anything and everything tennis. BUT NO. Tennis machines are expensive and not even close to being a substitute to another human across the court in terms of realism of tennis experience. But that opinion is about to change. True, they're expensive and I can't do anything about that but the latter, is perhaps not true.

So I adjusted the spin, the court coverage, the speed and projectile of balls and it was AN EXPERIENCE. An hour and a half later, my palms were grazed and blistered - the usual signs of heavy playing and properly simulated ball striking.

This is not the last time I'm going to use this machine. They're reliable than your tennis partners in many ways and most of all, they don't complain.

 

AMAZING!!!!!!

I will try and make a recording of this song.

I promise!

Oh Regine!

a bit of a niggle

Our conversation about family.

let me talk about the flat

We had a visitor last week for the first time and said, "Ryan, your place radiates warmth and cosiness". I couldn't agree more. That may sound audaciously assuming but that's not the first time we've heard such compliment. This is probably the reason why staying most of my waking moments at home most weekends satisfy my ageing disposition. It incredibly feeds into my wants and needs of a quieter lifestyle.

... unlike the London I know.