Karayan stones are still the best

It has since been famous in Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and recently in the US. It has also become a fad business here in Merli's haven despite the controversy.

What am I talking about?

ZOOOM....."Kampong Fish Therapy"

What is "Kampong (meaning: village) Fish Therapy"?

These are guppies...not! They are doctor fishes actually.

They nibble on dead skin cells to make the skin flawless afterwards. Here, they ensure that there are no open wounds to prevent the health risks they've been debating on. But I don't think they're strictly adhering to it.

Honestly, I'm scared to try it. Imagine a jaws-let and a piranha-let devouring your flesh? Ay-ah! ..too much movies lah! And besides I'm overly ticklish. I might just end up soaking my hand/ feet in a tub of squashed fishes.

Radio Gaga

I regularly tune in to one radio station, Gold 90FM. The tunes they play are lovely to my ears; 70's, 80's, 90's; hence the term Gold, i.e., Classic, i.e., i'm already getting old. Aside from that they share anything-under-the-sun info. Today's one is interesting; the 5 Grimiest Places:

1 Grocery cart - presence of fecal matter/coliform because of the raw meat and from kids' diapers when parents let them sit on the cart. They said it's advisable to wash the veggie/fruits right away with water once you get home.

Diapers? Kids have their clothes on hello? Maybe when they step on the cart yes. Raw meat definitely yes.

2 Cellphone - millions of bacteria per square inch

True! Our tendency is to leave it anywhere, carry and use it wherever we go even inside the loo

3 A woman's purse - she carries it wherever she goes, eg inside the cubicle, to the market

TRUE!

4 Swimming pool - presence of coliform; chlorine disinfects only

TRUE! Coliform plus urine and other body fluids

5 Airplane - the "cold virus paradise" because of the cramped space; E. coli may be present on the toilet seats

TRUE! plus some inconsiderate grimy, grouchy seatmates

I'm sure we all have something to add to their list. Well, the more OC you are, the longer your list is.

Anyways, I've been looking forward to tomorrow. It's gonna be the "Subaru Impreza Challenge-The Regional Face-off" whereby the endurance/stamina of 400 qualifiers would be put to test. The last man standing gets to bring the Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5MT Hatchback car home worth SGD80K. All they have to do is stick their palms on palm-shaped decals painted on the car and withstand the worst physical/mental/emotional conditions come morning or night time.

The champion last year was a Singaporean lady who held on for 77hours. Contenders this year were picked from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines. If a foreigner wins, aside from the car he'll walk away with SGD5,000 as well.

As the radio ad says it: "May the best hand win"

I hope it won't rain during the kick-off. Hubi, Kimi and I plan to snoop around.

I will try to update tomorrow :)

...vroooooooooooooom...

Me, Myself and Eye

It's the Nth time I went to see our doctor this morning.

...patiently waiting

The stye has recurred and I couldn't concentrate well with work, moreso, the sandy feeling when I blink and blink. It's been three weeks since my last appointment and it hasn't gone better. I had given up wearing contacts (temporarily) and still nothing.

Mid of last week, I went to see my optometrist and he checked again for my eyes. He told me he still can see patches on the cornea in that I must apply the drops/ointment prescribed by the GP and see him again in 2 weeks time.

Today, it is more reddish and slightly bumpy than the previous lump.

Dr. B was surprised that the meds had no effect. He gave me oral antibiotic this time and asked me to continue the ointment after the fifth day.

Hmmm...I took advantage of the situation, I got myself a 1-day sick leave.

Kimi and the Bus

I don't know what's with the bus that fascinates Kimi a lot. Whenever we're out and he sees one, he would immediately scream "Ba!" while pointing at the bus. There's something that excites him. Perhaps the size? Or is it because BUS is the first word he had uttered minus the "s". And from then on most of the things around him, he calls "ba". However, now, his speaking has quite improved. More syllables, that is, and grumbles.

Today, we decided to go to the dept. store and get him a simple toy. We were planning to buy a toy computer/laptop since he likes to smash on the keyboard. We can't afford to lose it so we might as well look for a replacement. It has a sentimental and a saleable value that's why. =) Hubi and I and Kimi were going through the various "laptops" on the shelf and found nothing apt. He was too small for the functions yet. Maybe a few months more and he'll be interested in it. So we looked around for a no-brainer toy. There's the xylophone, the telephone, some building blocks, music box, shapes box, stuffed animals, flying animals, race cars, softballs etc etc. We let Kimi choose; whichever he picks up and shows eagerness to. He was bringing down the boxes and subsequently seating on the floor about to play. I dragged him away to the next shelf. He went pass me and headed further. I looke to where he went and I saw him pull out a small bus from the shelf. He got hold of it and played with it, pushing it to-and-fro even if the toy was still inside the box. Clever!

We bought the bus right away! When we got home Kimi was surprised to see a bus in his toy box. Maybe he didn't expect us to buy it for him. At that same instant, we could see how elated and contented he was. He was smiling from ear to ear. He couldn't contain the happiness inside. He so loves the bus and I guess he will never trade it for something else...

...unless you want to sacrifice your laser keyboard or your DSLR camera, he would definitely entertain the offer.

Copy Cat!

BOO!!

Filipinos are not used to celebrating Halloween. Singaporeans are not used to celebrating it either. It has not been a part of our/ their custom. It's basically Western.

I couldn't even remember a time during our primary years when we would have the opportunity to adorn ourselves with the superhero/superheroine/prince/princess/witch/animal costume we all like. No aping, no imitating. Very traditional a.k.a. barriotic. *kidding*

Why we have not imbibed it?

First, our school's founders are Belgian

Second, it is impossible to trick or treat in my hometown where stray dogs are ubiquitous

Third, you might be mistaken as a trespasser or worst magnanakaw

Fourth, kids of my generation were not obsessed with superheroes and the like. I guess we were more interested with what Lola Basyang's kwento has to offer us

Fifth, we all know as kids that pumpkins are meant to be eaten with sitaw and gata, or mixed with shrimp paste to make pinakbet, and

Lastly, children would rather stay at home, keep their selves warm under a cozy blanket, and FYI, we were required to sleep early.

Lucky for the youngsters now. This celebration has already been incorporated in their school's curriculum. They all get to wear spongebob squarepants *hehe* Anyways...

Oh! my mistake! I guess we all had one celebration when we were forced to wear a costume. It wasn't halloween 'though.

Well, that was during the first(?) streetdance ever held in Baguio. Where we had to dance along Session Road to the tune of Life Dance in our school uniform plus a Japanese parasol and hundreds of people watching and televised pa. Shameful really..

For me it was then like halloween. Ok na siguro if I was to wear a disgusting mask while dancing. At least, di kita ang mukha *wink*

Well that was before, when I was younger. Reminiscing that day, I can happily treasure it inside my biography. It was a first of its kind halloween...errr...experience.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

an artwork ek-ek @ The Esplanade

The History of Halloween: click!

My past chronicles: October 2005, October 2006, October 2007

The Beach

We've been planning for ages to bring Kimi to the beach, however, the rain has been hindering us from going. We wanted to accustom him to the environment, the sand and the water, 'though no intention of swimming yet. He never loved it. I can remember his 1st time, he was really screaming and crying non-stop. He was so scared. Nothing could ever pacify him. Perhaps the sound of the waves wasn't pleasing at all and the gushing made it look as if it would swallow him up.

Here's the proof: (see the tears?)

April '08 @ Candon, Ilocos Sur

Last Saturday was a great time to go, the sun was peeping; no sign of rain. Kimi was eager to go out and besides he's good at it. *wink* We arrived at Palawan Beach and there were quite a number of people; some just chillin'. Some kids were playing by the shore and others in the man-made fountain/pool but we didn't let Kimi try 'coz the place looked slippery, nothing to hold on even. Anyways, maybe in the future.

even a peacock was chillin'

We walked further the pathway and stayed near the lifeguard house. We parked his stroller and went ashore. As expected, he was again hesitant; scared. He was trying to climb up as I was attempting to put him down on the sand while I was carrying him. *sigh*

The sand was too mushy to support us both. All the while I had to carry him. My feet sunk. Kimi didn't want to sit on the sand. Everything is strange to him that is. Hence, I had no choice but to let him sit on the stroller 'til he fell asleep. Hubi and I just sat beside him and waited 'til he woke up. After almost an hour of recharging, we again attempted to let him sit on the ground. I had set a blanket so he won't see nor feel the sand. After sometime of convincing, we succeeded! He sat there while Hubi was playing with his spades. He would let him touch the sand once in a while so he would have a feel of what's around him. Eventually he was already playing with his spades and the sand on his own; even brushing the sand away with his palms. His butt was glued to the sand. If you let him stand, he didn't like.

YES!....One down and more to go. Our next assignment is to make him sit by the shore. Slowly...slowly...we'll get there.

We lingered 'til 9 then headed for home. Obviously, Kimi got so tired in that he went to bed early.

A few more shots from Hubi:

I just hope it won't rain this coming weekend.

The Show Must Go On

In line with the Deepavali Celebration tomorrow, they held an Indian cultural show last Friday night @ the Farrer Park Field which is annually organized. It was our first time to attend such event; there were lotsa people including tourists. It was truly a festive night with all the dances and colorful costumes. Good thing it didn't rain or else we were stuck at home. I enjoyed watching, Hubi enjoyed taking pictures while Kimi enjoyed staring at the big air balloons which were placed quite near our seats.

Here's a peek:

Peacock mode:

Smokin'!

Ganda noh?

Better Late than Never

My parents have never exposed themselves to anything techie. The only stuff that's defines "modern" is the cellphone. They are traditional. They don't wanna complicate their lives. :)

But as the world evolves, times change. I never expected that they would be interested in learning how to use the computer, more so use the internet. I guess that's what retirement can do. Although a more intensive guidance is what it takes and repetition so that every detail would sink in. I know they are doing this so that we may be able to communicate regularly and much faster than usual. I really appreciate that.

Yesterday was their first time to see Kimi for real/reel via the webcam. It's been 2.5 months they haven't seen him; only from pictures and they've truly expressed their excitement and happiness to see him. They won't mind if they don't see me and Hubi *just kidding*

Indeed, it's never too late. I just hope there won't be any interference. The network signal @ home is not that strong; stable 'though.

Thanks to YM and Smart....not!!

PS: Beware of the Smart Buddies @ the mass mall up the hill, they provide stoopy recommendations. Some of their employees don't even recommend their service. Better subscribe to PLDT or Viacomm na lang daw.

KITAM?

Down the Rabbit Hole

Newsflash:

Hubi's found my keys!

Yahoo! Yehey! Yipee!

Indeed, what they say is true...wag mong hanapin pag may nawawala, lalabas at lalabas din yan. TRUE!

Hubi was calibrating his camera last night and he accidentally discovered the keys inside the subwoofer. I think he was supposed to use it as a platform since it only served as a barrier to keep Kimi from going under the table.

According to him, when he lifted the subwoofer up, he heard something inside as he shook it and at that instant he already knew that they were the keys we've been looking for 2 weeks now. He screwed open the back of the equipment and the keys indeed were there plus 2 rubberballs which we didn't notice that were also missing. :)

TADAAA!!!!

He immediately woke me up from my sleep but the entire moment has not sunk into me. I couldn't help but smile even as sleepiness was taking it's toll. I was half-conscious; happy 'though.

As I am writing this, I caught Kimi in the act. He has truly made the subwoofer his safe. He has just inserted a red toy block inside, at the same time trying to push in his ball.

See the evidence:

YES!! I can sleep more soundly now