Friday's Feast #4

East Bank's Marghuerite Pizza

Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to?

My husband. Even in silence we talk.

Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose?

Jerusalem, during the time when Jesus lived, was executed and cruxified. I wanted to witness the war between politics and religion at that time.

Salad
What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed?

Disneyland fireworks. I'm such a kid.


Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt?

Raise money for charity. I know I'm boring but I just think that at least with a publicity stunt like that, I am able to help other people as well. It's like hitting two birds with one stone.

Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child?

For me, age is just a number. If a person is emotionally smart, makes sensible decisions, financially stable, ready to sacrifice his or her life for the betterment of another person, ready to give unconditional love and has a partner who also has the same values on how to rear an offspring, then he or she may be ready for a first child.

Best Nights of My Life (Tagged by Ann)

Rule: Name five of the best nights of your life and then tag four people.

Night #1:
January 2002 - Me and my cousins at Port Stephens (Newcastle), in one room, with vodka and playing cards. At exactly 11pm, we got bored and decided to dive into the swimming pool.

Night #2:

I can't remember the date, but the year was 2000 (gosh, I'm not even sure--Armi, help!) I was with Armi, Mabel & Rizza in Baguio. It was one of the best times we've had together. Loud drunken laughter, pouring out of our heart and soul, kalokohan to the max!

Night #3:
December 14, 2002 - The first time my husband told me he loved me. There was something about the way he said it that it seemed so unconditional, not asking for a reply, not ending the statement with a question mark (or something to that effect), which made me feel his sincerity.


Night #4:
October 16, 2005 - My first night here in Sydney as an immigrant. When I arrived here, I was reeling with so much emotions. I was very heartbroken to be away from my parents and Chris and my life in the Phils, doubtful if my decision to leave was right, scared and insecure because I was out of my comfort zone. And yet, I also felt very hopeful and faithful believing that things will gradually be alright, that given the pain, i know in my heart, i made the right decision. At that moment when I was in so much despair, I felt my strength and positivity is greater than any adversity I will ever face.

Night #5:
January 20, 2007 - The night I made my parents proud by marrying a good man at the right age.


My turn to tag: Armi, Corie, Mama Jules & Enchie.

Lunar Eclipse Last Tuesday

My relatives and I finished dinner a little bit earlier than usual just so we could watch the lunar eclipse on the night of Tuesday. We had a 6 year old little boy who's very eager to see the changing colors of the moon and while watching, I asked him “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”, and he enthusiastically replied, “No Ate, its spectacular!” And I just had to agree to that.

I took a video of the eclipse while we were all in front of the house (thank god, the moon was angled right in front of us). We stayed there for about 30 minutes, taking turns with our one and only binocular. I on the other hand, was like watching a movie via the sky and the LCD of the handycam, munching on strawberries while Patrick (my 6 year old cuzin) sat on my lap. It's one of those moments that I will never ever forget--the wonder of nature shown before me while an innocent child accompanies me in appreciating it all.

Here’s an excerpt from the footage I took of the Lunar Eclipse. In the background, you will hear Patrick counting 1-10 in Filipino. Please click here: Lunar Eclipse (28 Aug 2007).

Photo courtesy of Erick Guerrero.

Something Old, Something New

Something Old: Reunited with My Beloved Racket

Last Saturday (25 August), I got reunited with my beloved badminton racket when I played with my friends at the Olympic Park. Napakanta tuloy ako ng:

“Reunited and it feels so good…reunited coz we understood
The breakup we had, has made me lonesome and sad…”

Corny I know, but it really sums up the way I felt last Saturday when I held my badminton again since after three years of not playing. And when I heard the sound “Wapak!” during a smash, wow, heaven! I missed that sound too.

Sa sobrang pagka-miss ko, bigla ko tuloy naisip na bumalik uli sa paglalaro, pero habang pauwi ako naalala ko na hindi na pala talaga ako pwedeng sumali sa mga competitions. Since the last quarter of 2003, badminton can only be a hobby, nothing more. Hindi ko na ito pwedeng career-rin according to my doctor.

But even if I hadn’t played for so long, old habits never die. When my friends finalized the date of our badminton escapade about three weeks ago, I started stretching everyday and made more effort to exercise even if I’m too lazy to even lift a finger. I get myself ready especially kung physical activity, kahit hindi competition. For me, the best preparation is stretching and warm up coz it prevents injury. Takot akong matapilok while playing kaya during stretching and warm up, I put emphasis on my calves and foot. Another habit that I still have was my habit of doing warm ups while still at home and briskwalking and jogging on the way to the place where I’ll be playing.

Grabe, I really felt exhilarated last Saturday. Nung hawakan ko ang raketa ko na dala ko pa mula Pilipinas (first time ko syang ginamit kasi nung dumating ako dito sa Sydney wala akong makalaro), isa lang ang nasabi ko, “ako ito eh, akong-ako.” I realized na malakas pa pala ako, malakas pa ako tumira, na kaya ko pang maghabol ng bola, na kaya ko pang mag-back hand, etc. OA ba? Basta. Passion ko kasi itong badminton, a sport that is very close to my heart. Playing badminton again is like going home to a place that I love.

After playing, I hung out with two couple friends at Rhodes Mall where we had lunch and shopped at Ikea (they shopped, I didn't).

For more photos, please click here: Badminton at Olympic Park

Something New: Meeting Up with Fellow PinoyPhotographer.Org Members

Just to be clear, I'm not a photographer (I'm dreaming of becoming knowledgeable on photography though) and I don't own an SLR camera (not YET, I'm dreaming of owning one). My husband owns one and he considers it as conjugal property but I don't really care about that. That's my wedding gift to him and it's his, period. The camera I use is a point and shoot digital camera only and I'm now learning how to use my Holga camera for lomography (that's entirely a different entry).

I joined PinoyPhotography.Org in the hopes of learning something via the internet. And when I joined, I somehow found myself being online friends with fellow Sydneysiders via Multiply. Indeed, what a blessing the technology of internet can bring---it can bring people together.

Finally on Sunday (26 August), I found the time to meet some of them in the flesh. And what joy to be with the company of very creative minds. Although, I don't own an SLR and I don't know what they were talking about half the time, I felt very relaxed because we all have the same goal, and that is to learn. :)

For more photos of that lovely afternoon, please click here: Photoshoot EB at Bicentennial Park