When Logic Overcomes Aesthetics

The crappiest, most expensive book I have ever bought in my entire life....



Used book price $112.80

Note the torn bit at the lower left hand point. Looks as if a mouse took a great big chew at it, yummy yummy.

Believe me, if it weren't the last book on the shelf, and if I didn't need the book by Thursday, I never would have touched it.

Manila

So Manila wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And Philippine Airlines was pleasantly delightful. On my way from Jakarta, the flight was empty so I was able to secure a 3-seat row all to myself. Good sleep.

When I got to Manila, I checked in at the transfer desk, to confirm my hotel arrangements. As had been notified, I was assigned to Century Park Manila. The lady officer asked whether I wanted transportation to and back to the airport in lieu of 1breakfast. Knowing from my good friend Uthe that I would be charged 700 pesos (Rp 175.000) to get to anywhere in Manila by airport taxi, and remembering the bread & pastries my mom packed for me, I opted for the transport immediately.

I headed for the airport taxi center where I was greeted by a male officer. I’d like to note that one recurring theme during my 34 hrs in Manila was my age. At least 3 people asked me, and of course they all assumed I was below 25, hahaha. How flattering. Now, when you get to be my age, this becomes a sensitive issue. But for Filipinos, apparently, age may be a common subject, as was for this male officer.

“How old are you?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You look very young. Are you 22? Or 24?”
“I’m older than you think.”
“Are you married?”
“Not yet.”
“Perhaps you would like me to visit you at the hotel tonight?”
“No thanks!”
Heeeeeeeeeeeh??!!!! Kampret ni orang! Isn’t that just a little harassing and a great bit offensive?
But I let the issue go.

Century Park, although a bit outdated, was OK for a five-star hotel. At least it was better than the terrifying reviews I read about it on Yahoo. Apparently management fixed themselves up a bit. I checked in and asked whether the hotel could sign me up on a city tour. Michelle, the kind receptionist helped me to find a basic half-day tour: 2,750 pesos. Later she called me to my room to tell me they would pick me up at 8.30 and that the price had become cheaper: 1,375 pesos, not bad.
Now I forgot the name of my tour guide but he was very kind, outgoing, and informative. God bless him. There were five of us on the tour. Two Singaporean girls who spoke Malay and a couple from New Jersey who had just moved in to work in Manila. We went to the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Rizal Park, and Intramuros. We also passed by the Business District and other interesting spots like the Cultural Center, Coconut Palace, and Folk Arts Theater.

I bought lunch at a bento place behind the hotel. Not so great. So again thank God for the food my mom packed me, I luv you Mom!!

Eniwei, I spent the rest of the day in the hotel. Sleeping, reflecting, sorting things out. It was a memorable day. The day after Indonesia's Independence Day. The day Musharraf resigned from office. The long day before I begin a new and unforeseeable phase in my life.

Intense Itinerary

It all began with my call to my father’s long & trusted travel agency. However, instead of talking to my father’s agent -- who has been catering to his travel needs for just about the past 17 years, I settled for a newbie thinking at least she would be able to provide me with the same standardized minimum service. I requested a one-way ticket to Honolulu. Several alternatives were mentioned. The first was a flight on China Airlines at around $1000 or so dollars, with an overnight layover in Taipei. Had my parents been in Taipei this would’ve worked out perfectly. In fact, I would’ve definitely extended the layover to a 1-2 weeks’ stay in Taipei. But since my parents were lovingly enjoying their summer vacation in Jakarta, this night in Taipei did not sound appealing. Knowing I was expecting another option, the agent offered me a flight on Philippine Airlines (PAL), with a special student price of just $730 bucks. I was supposed to leave at midnight, get to Manila in 4 hours, transit in Manila for 10 hours, then take a 10 hour flight, landing in Honolulu at 8 in the morning. Considering the price, and time savings (no need to spent the night in Manila), it was a very reasonable deal. Even too good to be true. Nevermind the 10 hour wait in Manila. So I was confident this was the best choice for me. I booked the ticket and was asked to pay within the week.

At the travel agent desk, waiting for my ticket to be issued, I luckily caught what would’ve been a tragic mistake. The ticket was booked for mid July, NOT mid August. So I sat there, patiently waiting, to see what flights were available in August. China Airlines: waiting list = not good. JAL: 4000 freakin bucks = so not good. Korean Airlines = available but a bit pricy. Philippine Airlines = same as the July schedule, same price. Perfect. So without thinking and without double checking, I issued and paid for my golden ticket to Hawaii.

Then came the day when an acquaintance in Hawaii offered to pick me up. I was in Jogya, my itinerary in Jakarta. I called home and asked my sis to read me the itinerary. It was pretty late, so I can understand why she wasn’t excited about reading the schedule to me. She said “Arrive in Manila Mon, Aug 18 and depart to Honolulu Tues, Aug 19.” “Say that again???!!!” And so she read the schedule one more time. I was in disbelief. Knowing how my sister can sometimes be a bit of a zombie, a mean one as a matter of fact, I called back home and asked my maid to read the itinerary more carefully. Reading everything literally word for word, letter by letter, she basically stated the same thing. That I would arrive early morning in Manila, and head for Honolulu the following afternoon. So instead of spending 10 hours in Manila, I would be getting 10 +24 hours. Perfect!!!

Still in shock I checked the PAL website looking for available flight schedules. Apparently there were no flights from Jakarta to Manila they day I was supposed to leave for Hawaii. So I had no other choice. Enjoy 34 hours in Manila it is!

So I don’t know if this was a blessing in disguise or just a stupid mistake. I had always wanted to go to another ASEAN country. But my priority had always either been Thailand or Malaysia, never the Philippines. ( It would’ve been a totally different story had Lucha, my best friend from PS 3, been in Manila.) Yet in all these instances I had always imagined travelling with someone, never alone.

To make the story worse, I had to wait 3 days to finally find out in which hotel PAL would put me. Hearing Century Park Manila, I googled the place only to find horrific reviews about the 5 star hotel, giving me all the more reason to fret about my trip to Manila. So there it is, saudara-saudara, the calamity preceding my journey to Honolulu. I will leave you to wait for additional updates. Until tomorrow, or whenever else I have time to write & upload everything on the web. Miss you all….

The Reason Behind

I opened my email that day never expecting to read the following words…

“The PhD Committee convened, and I am pleased to inform you that we have admitted you to our PhD program in International Management with focus on Marketing for the Fall 2008.
We are looking for a few young, bright doctoral students who share with us the dream to bring our research reputation to the next level. Your profile and academic aspiration fit our research orientation. We expect to place you in a respected research institution after you graduate. If you choose to join us, you will be offered an 11-month graduate assistantship….”

That was it. The email that has and will continue to turn my life around. And to receive it only 17 days after sending in my formal application, it’s like a match made in heaven. Somehow, I now believe, that somewhere out there, someone is working up a storm to direct my life down here.
Now, I would have to pack my bags and leave for Honolulu, hopefully to spend four years of my life as a grad student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. God is good. There is a perfect time and a perfect place for everything.

And thus the reason why factors 1, 2, 3 in my previous blog have now turned a 180.

I'm Back!

So… it’s been 1.5 years or so since my rambling on this blog stopped. You may understand why. First and foremost, crappy internet connection. Second, lack of interesting story to share or too much confidential information to disclose. Third, no time.

But now, I will try to revive what I have long abandoned. This apparently means that factors 1, 2, 3 have turned for the better. And in my future entries, you will learn why. Hopefully in the short months or years to come, the 3rd factor will not become an issue. So enjoy it while you can. Sit back, relax, and you’re more than welcome to read my ramblings.

L'appartment (opening scene)

The jeweler:

Look at this one
Simple, yet majestic
Sober but far from common
It's charm resides in its solemnity

This one is more whimsical. More titillating.
But don't brush against it. You may hurt yourself.
It's made to be caressed only by the eyes.

More discreet than the last one, and yet full of surprises
It may seem dull, but in another light it will glow like a star.
Look how it sparkles. Amazing isn't it?

The guy:
Yes. I don't know. I like all three. I'll call you.

WHICH ONE DO you LIKE?

0274

Jempol in Jogja
Window to the world


Gudeg maniaTravel to the top

Aiiiih keren si Adele

Chasing Pavements
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soLlNubWltI

I've made up my mind,
Don't need to think it over,
if I'm wrong I am right,
Don't need to look no further,
This ain't lust,
I know this is love but,

If I tell the world,
I'll never say enough,
Cause it was not said to you,
And thats exactly what I need to do,
If I'm in love with you,

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

I'd build myself up,
And fly around in circles,
Wait then as my heart drops,
and my back begins to tingle
finally could this be it

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even if I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

Should I give up,
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere,
Or would it be a waste?
Even if I knew my place should i leave it there?
Should I give up,
Or should I just keep on chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere

Big Girls Don't Cry

i didn't cry ;)


Da Da Da
The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry Don't cry Don't cry

The path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

La Da Da Da Da Da

green light, 7-11 (stay; u2)

As I was driving home from Danny's bday bash tonight, this song was playing on the radio. If this sounds familiar to you ... then it's dedicated to you. Miss u guys so much!

Green light, Seven Eleven
You stop in for a pack of cigarettes
You don't smoke, don't even want to
I see you check your change
Dressed up like a car crash
The wheels are turning byt you're upside down
You say when he hits you, you don't mind
Because when he hurts you, you feel alive
Is that what it is?

Red lights, grey morning
You stumble out of a hole in the ground
A vampire or a victim
It depend's on who's around
You used to stay in to watch the adverts
You could lip synch to the talk shows
And if you look, you look through me
And if you talk it's not to me
And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing

If I could stay... then the night would give you up
Stay, and the day would keep its trust
Stay, and the night would be enough
Faraway, so close
Up with the static and the radio
With satelite television
You can go anywhere
Miami, New Orleans, London, Belfast and Berlin

And if you listen I can't call
And if you jump, you just might fall
And if you shout I'll only hear you

If I could stay... then the night would give you up
Stay then the day would keep its trust
Stay with the demons you drowned
Stay with the spirit I found
Stay and the night would be enough

Three o'clock in the morning
It's quiet and there's no one around
Just the bang and the clatter
As an angel runs to ground
Just the bang and the clatter
As an angel hits the ground