Wednesday, October 31, 2012

November Hiatus Coming Up

Alas! I have to admit that I am overwhelmed....
 
In between working my last month in, studying strategic level on my quest for CIMA recognition, preparing the big move overseas, selling my stuff, trying to keep everything as normal as possible...I am bogged down. Not that I am complaining. I am loving every minute of it as everything feels so new and exciting and scary at the same time.
 
But then, I am just running out of time for everything. I would like to continue blogging but have realised that something's gotta give.
 
Of course, this is not a permanent leave. It always happens around this time of the year anyway...when I take a hiatus  a month from writing to concentrate on my studies.
 
Don't worry though. I promise to come back with a vengeance. There is more to tell and I will not be content until I have put my journeys into blogosphere because that's just the way I am. I am slightly unsure as to when my next post will be. I will be taking a break for studies this side and am not sure what awaits me on the other side (Canada). But hopefully the wait will not be long.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

My Jazz And Me



There was just something about you. I knew we'd go well together the moment I laid eyes on you. Even when I drove you out from the Honda dealership, I knew we'd be well suited for each other. You were kitted in my favourite colour, you see. So I just knew.
 
For six years, you've been my companion in the morning when we ride to work, listening to the radio, having breakfast. You were my mate in the afternoon when we make our way home, facing the traffic head on. You protected and shielded me from the sun, the rain, the hail storms, the bird poo that fall from the sky, the garbage that the vehicle in front throws my way, the little stones that hit the windshield and your body........I trusted you to take me wherever I needed to go.
 
I loved you because you were MY ride. Not my husband's, not my family's, but ALL mine. Of course, we often carted the family along on our little adventures, but you were always referred to as MY car. And in that way, you were special to me.
 
However, the time has come for me to go and I cannot take you with me. It is with a heavy heart that I put you up for sale. My only consolation is that I find you an owner that will look after you and appreciate your many talents.
 
I hope that you will serve your new owners as well as you have served me. Bring them stability, safety, protection. I know you will not fail me in this regard, my faithful friend. And maybe one day, someday, I will see you on the streets of Johannesburg, still alive and kicking and putting your best mileage on the roads.

I bid thee farewell.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A Close And Intimate Wedding

Hubby and me at the "Greek" reception hall

We were recently invited to the wedding of a longtime friend. We had known the groom for over 20 years, actually we were still in our teens when we met, and now, to say that "we were all grown up" just doesn't quite express it.
 
Me with two of my longtime friends

The venue was at Garden World, situated in Muldersdrift. The wedding was attended by a handful of guests. The ceremony was held in a small garden. The minister, who promised not to give a long service, was funny and endearing. The exchanging of vows by the couple was sweet. 

The bride and groom looked on as the minister blessed the rings
 
The hall where the reception was held was magnificently decorated. With the pool in the middle and the pillars on the side of the pool, it reminded me of a Greek setting. There was a loft just above the entrance to the hall, and this served as the dance area where the newlywed had their first dance as well as the traditional throwing of the bouquet and garter.


 
The bride and groom had enough time to give thanks and entertain all their guests.
 
It turned out to be a perfect day to have a lovely wedding.
 
If ever, hubby and I have our "formal" wedding one day, complete with gown and the whole entourage....it was the kind of wedding that I would want.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

It seems apt to use this paradox at a time like this.

The end of September marked the start of my farewell countdown. Well, I was always aware that there was not a lot of time left but I did not fully realise until I went to see some of my old colleagues for breakfast recently.
 
We had not seen each other for a while but have certainly not lost touch. We decided that my impending departure was as good as any occasion to meet and catch up. We spent a few hours and ended our tryst around lunch.
 
It just dawned on me that time is really flying now. I have to say my farewell as it might be some time before I see any of them again.

We have a couple of circles of family and friends so we'd have to plan our goodbyes in several parts.

Indeed, parting is such sweet sorrow, even among friends. I'll be keeping these memories until the next time we see each other again.

 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

The Hula Girl On My Dashboard

It was bound to come out anyway.

I've always had the desire to be in theatres.

Even in my school days in the Philippines, I used to participate in various performances that were held yearly, be it dancing, singing and acting. People always thought that it was the singing that drew me to the theatres, but to tell you the truth....it was actually the make-up and the costumes.
 
No, no, no....no need to deny it. I quite accept that fact that I'm a plain Jane. I was never into make-up as a girl although I loved being made up. I loved donning attires that were out of the ordinary. I loved the whole transformation that I go through after the effort is done. I suppose they just really appealed to my fantasy. Even to this day.
 
So on a recent occasion, when the family was invited to a Hawaiian luau party, I jumped at the chance to show off my love for costumes as I plotted and planned our "Hawaiian" outfit/getup weeks before the celebration. The whole family had to participate...I was "coordinating" after all. And as if that was not enough, I just couldn't resist dressing my youngest up in grass skirt. The result was astounding. She was a bit shy at first but afterwards, she really had that "hula girl on the dashboard" effect down perfectly.

My very own hula girl
Mommy and daddy were not so bad themselves. Daddy had on a normal Hawaiian shirt and mommy had a Hawaiian wrap-around. Pity that the weather was a bit cold that day so the jackets were on when photos were taken.
 

Personally, I love themed parties. I suppose they keep the theatric in me alive. Here's hoping we'll be having some more in the future.

What is your most recent dress up experience?
 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Death Of A Saleslady

From here

Who would've thought that I'd actually make any money out of my junk?

I'd never have known this since I hate, hate, hate selling and marketing. The most selling and marketing I've done was when I was studying for it during my CIMA journey.
 
So it was really quite a surprise that I ended up enjoying selling my secondhand goods.
 
After we received our PR visas to Canada, Operation "Moving On" was put into high gear. There were still so many things to do and prepare, there were still so many items to get rid of, there were still so many stuff to think about...
 
My first step was to go through our media collection (i.e. DVDs, CDs, etc.) and separated the items that were worth something and those that went on the box to the left (trash). I then moved onto kitchenware, electronics. Last of the lot was the big furniture and vehicles. Everything in the house was not spared. As long as it's got monetary value, it went into my SALE pile.
 
I put all my items on Bidorbuy (an auction website), Gumtree (a free listing website), Kalahari (an online marketplace) and even do personal emails to all my friends.

Of course, not every little junk was sold, but I'd say the whole exercise was a success. It helped with the budget a bit and I found I was not such a bad saleslady after all.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Movie Review: The Flowers Of War

Wikipedia image


Can't believe this movie just started showing on South African cinemas recently.
 
A friend lent me a copy of this movie a few months ago, knowing that I loved watching fascinating Chinese-themed movies. The film top-billed an English actor, Christian Bale (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises), so it perked my interest.
 
The Flowers of War is a historical drama war film set in 1937 during the height of the second Sino-Japanese War. It follows the story of John Miller, a mortician sent to Nanjing (Nanking) to bury the head father of a school convent there, but then is caught amidst the war. He seeks refuge at the convent, pretending to be the dead priest. Together with a group of innocent schoolgirls and flamboyant prostitutes, they formulate an escape plan. And although the ending seems hopeful, it leaves a very bitter aftermath.

To say I was moved would be an understatement. After watching the movie, I researched and found that The Flowers of War was directed by the renowned Chinese director, Zhang Yimou. He was also the same director who made other thought-provoking movies like Raise The Red Lantern, Hero and House Of Flying Daggers.

I spent another 4 hours surfing Wikipedia for anything I could find about the "Rape of Nanjing" (or Nanking). I don't know if most of the articles I've read were factually true or false, but it brought me to my core. The hardship that the Chinese people suffered during the wars with Japan was undeniable.

So if you're sorta in the mood for a dark-themed movie, try this one out.

Monday, October 1, 2012

A Hubby Story: You Do Get Me Right?

From here


Just like Bon Jovi, let me start by saying this ain’t a love song. Nor is it a romantic yarn of any sort.

This is just a story about miscommunication, a bit of he says, she says. Although I think this is more of my hubby’s miscommunication than mine because I communicate fine (probably still in denial state, but who cares?).

Of course, I know that I have the habit of telling stories that are sporadic in nature. I’d be on one story and start the next one without warning. And then go back to the first story again. Such was what I did recently whilst discussing several stories simultaneously with hubby. After a while of trying to follow a one-way conversation, he complains that he is having a hard time keeping up because I just jump between subjects too much.

Further, I get annoyed when I am in the midst of telling my story and with the ending in sight, I expect hubby to jump right in and tell me what happens next….and then it just doesn’t happen. Or he tells me the wrong kind of ending.

Sure, most of the time he and I think alike. And we do enjoy our daily banter of ordinary stuff. However, we’re not characters out of a novel from Mills and Boon. We just don’t have that kind of ESP technology to finish each other’s sentences.

So I have learnt yet another thing in all my years of marriage. I must be prepared to talk...and finish my own stories. My husband will sit attentively. Whether he's listening or not is anybody's guess.

Just one label of warning: Men are not Martians and so they don’t read minds. They come prepared to take instructions and be told what you want done. No training manuals. And no batteries included either.