The Adventures of Tarabusaw

We don’t really need to say a word to express how much we love a person.  As true love speaks louder than words.  Naks!  Okay, before you think of anything else, I would like to clear that this entry is not for myself.  Remember the day when I swore that I would never ever post mushy entries again?  This blog is actually for a friend. 

I’d like to congratulate her for finally coming out of her shell and revealing the real score between her and her… uh… boyfriend.  Yikes!  Parang hindi ako sanay…

Actually, she don’t really need to tell me what’s going on between them.  I can sense that there was really something from the moment I first saw their picture together.  I had a hint that something good was about to happen…big time!  Hehehe… And I was not mistaken.  Ikaw talaga, tinago-tago mo pa… bibigay ka rin pala.  Todo long distance pa ako… Ikaw naman tawag sa akin sa susunod ha.

Congratulations, your NBSB no more (*wink*).  All the best to both of you.  I hope to see you (and him) again.  And by that time, you don’t need to hold back your feelings and emotions.  Pwede na kayong mag-holding hands at maglampungan… wag lang masyadong PDA ha, baka mag-walk out ako nun sa sobrang inggit.  Hahaha!!!

And to the guy (hindi pa yata tayo friends sa friendster, pero pinadalhan na kita ng invitation, i-accept mo na lang para mabasa mo ‘to), congratulations din.  Don’t forget to invite me when you’re getting married na ha.  Take care of her and… ingat dahil makulit yan (Sabagay, who would better know it than you?  Hahaha!!!).

Canadian English 101 (ala Mastercard commercial)

Penny. One Cent.
Looney. One dollar.
Twoney.  Two dollars.
Proper pronounciation of Toronto. Turon-ow.

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It was the firm’s Holiday Party last Friday.  The party was great.  Everyone was finely dressed.  Even I, was in my formal suit (and red-wine shirt).  Drinks were free flowing and it was a great time to chat with your officemates sans the client work setting.  The only drawback of the party was the disco portion where the DJs played really old songs – Mama Mia, Billie Jean, Video Killed the Radio Stars, and (braise yourselves…) UNCHAINED MELODY!!!  Eeeekkk!!!

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I was really tired the other night that I got up from bed at around 11 a.m!!!  I did usual my Saturday routine (read: wash and press clothes) and was planning to just take a good (and needed) rest.  But the weather outside kept on enticing me to go out.  It was really sunny and the breeze was light.  And so, I put a light jacket on and enjoyed the sun.  It feels like it’s not winter at all!!!  The sad thing is that weather forecasters say that we will not be having a white Christmas this year. 

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I checked the airfare to Calgary since I really want to spend Christmas there.  Guess what, it’s a whopping CAD975!!!  As my (Calgarian) friend puts it, konti na lang makakauwi na ako ng Pilipinas.  Haaay… Guess I’m stucked here in Toronto for the holidays.  But this will not dampen my (adventurous) spirit.  In lieu of Calgary, I am thinking of just backpacking to Ottawa and Montreal, since I can go there via train (and the cost is way cheaper).  If ever this plan pushes through, I will have a much needed time for soul searching and reflection. =)

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I’m becoming a shop-a-holic these days.  I bought a new set of perfume, body wash and after shave last Saturday for tuuuuutttt dollars.  Hey, what the?  The numbers won’t show up!!!  Okay let me press the number tttuuuuttt and number tuuuutttt and number tuuuuttttt.  Grrr… Guess my keyboard is broken needs to be fixed. =p

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Throngs of people were going to Nathan Phillips Square when I came out of The Bay after my shopping galore.  My curiosity kicked in, so I followed them.  There, I saw the Old City Hall lighted in different colours.  I suddenly remembered that there is a weekly light show at the Square and a free concert by different artists too.  Then, a quarter before nine, Toronto’s sky (and the City Hall too) was set aglow by magnificent fireworks in tune with “Hark, how the Bells!” "Carol of the Bells".  It was really a sight to behold! =D (Please click this link for more pics)

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I went to Jun and Sisley’s humble condo unit (*wink*) after the fireworks display was over…birthday kasi ni Jun.  We devoured on pansit bijon, lumpia, fish fillet and leche flan.  Sisley, I think, is such a good home maker. =)  I am actually telling her to start a Pinoy restaurant here, since she really cooks good food.  I am very much willing to be a Silent Partner, if ever.

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I was told that my cousin will be getting married soon (perhaps, you have an idea why the rush).  Oh, how I wish I was there to attend his wedding. 

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Mucho dinero.  In English, lot’s of money.  Why do folks back home think that people working abroad have lots of money? 

I was in PNB earlier to send some cash to my family back in the Philippines.  Then, I heard a group of Pinays talking about how their families only cared for the moolahs they’ll be sending without even asking how they are doing here.  I know there is nothing new with their story.  I am just hoping that it will not happen to me.  Isa lang masasabi ko sa mga ganyang tao, “Hindi pinupulot ang pera dito no!”

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I am guilty of having prejudice over someone or something.  Well, who isn’t?  I guess it’s a basic instinct of species scientifically called as homo sapiens.  But if we really take a closer look, we discover how wonderful a person or a thing could be.  Take for example the picture I have taken (which is also in this snippet).  At first, I thought it was such a mess since the shot was really blurry.  But after some time, I find the picture enchanting and more character-ful (if there is such a word).  I now realized that if we set aside the things that happened before and treat it as water under the bridge, we will catch ourselves surprised on how good things can start blossoming.  Thank you very much Sir for a wonderful conversation.  Talking to you without all the client hubbubs was such a blast. 

The Asian Games are now being held at Doha, Qatar.  It’s alreay in its homestretch with only three days left.  Team Pilipinas had a poor showing in previous days but proved their resilience and never-say-die spirit by bagging the first gold in billiards, plus a couple of silver and bronzes in other sports.  We may be lagging behind the five-gold target set by the Philippine Olympic Committee (or was it Philippine Sports Committee?  naah, never mind), but with three days left and momentum on our side, we can still reap that elusive gold!

We are ranked 22nd in the latest overall medal tally.  On a more microscopic analysis, we are sixth among South East Asian nations (as if it has a bearing when there are only 10 nations in ASEAN…hehehe) with Thailand leading the pack, and actually qualifying as one of the top 5 countries.  Hmmm… is this a preview of what their dominance could be in next year’s Bangkok SEA Games? 

Leading the nations (with a VERY comfortable gap) at the medal standings is the Sleeping (or should I say, awakended?) Giant - China, followed by (surprisingly) Korea (this is South Korea by the way), then by Japan, then by Kazakhstan and as I’ve said earlier, Thailand. 

Here’s a snapshot of the Asian Games medal board…

Let’s all hope that the remaining days will be fruitful for Team Pilipinas.  For sure, this will be a breath of fresh air in a country plagued by political and economic instability (?).

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Update:  December 18, 2006

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!  The Philippines placed 18th in the final overall team standings.  Not bad.  We were one gold shy from the targeted five.  But it’s very much okay.  Placing 4th best among Southeast Asian nations is really great.  Here’s the final medal tally (Top 19 only):

2006 Asiad trivia:  Gary Valenciano and Lea Salonga were selected by the Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee among other artists to perform the promotional and closing ceremony songs respectively.  Proof that Pinoys are indeed world-class!

Just a quick note…

Happy Monthsary to PwC (Manila’s) Star Circle Batch 1!!!  Cheers to forty-one months (and counting…) of friendship!!!  Tuloy ba ang New York 2007?!? =D

Note on photo:  I’ve chosen this photo instead of the usual "pendulum" shot kasi parang ang saya-saya natin (sabagay lagi naman tayong masaya eh).  As usual muntikan na namang hindi makuhanan si Ryan. =p

I gaze at my morning window everyday trying to find out if flurries of ice can already be seen… Unfortunately there wasn’t a single trace…until last Saturday!!! Yes, it’s already snowing here in Toronto!!! Woohooo!!!  Oh I remeber when I was a little younger… my siblings and I would scrape the ice that was formed inside the refrigerator and throw it high up in the air and pretend that we are in winter wonder land.  How I wish they are also here…  Di bale, next year… nandito na sila… Hehehe…

Au revoir Autumn… Bienvenue Winter!!!

Update:  November 6, 2006 (Pics I’ve taken last weekend… sorry ngayon ko lang nailagay)