Lake Macquarie

Don't ask me or LJ how to get to Lake Macquarie next time. We got lost for about 1hr getting there. Haha! Its all part of the adventure, huh, LJ?

One sunday morning, I showed up at the rental car shop, asked them if they had a rental car available, got one, picked up LJ, and drove off to Lake Macquarie. It was Mother's day and everyone was out by the lake. LJ and I did some kayaking (oi! iitim na naman ako!!!) at Warners Bay, cruising around to see some big houses, a stroll on Blacksmiths beach overlooking another beach (which was called Nine Mile Beach!?!?!?!?). LJ has decided he wants to have a place overlooking the lake.

This blog is boring! No great pictures either. I'm out!

Harry's Cafe De Wheels

Something I used to do back home - latenight drives to 'In & Out Burger' for their yummy burgers and fries.

In Sydney, latenight drive to Woolloomooloo for some hotdogs and hot pies at the original, iconic Harry's Cafe. Celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Brooke Shields have visited the place. Russell Crowe lives by the wharf where this caravan cafe now stands.

I had a rental car this weekend so I made that trip Sunday night and sat by the wharf possibly overlooking Russell Crowe's digs eating my hotdog!!!

Read more about Harry's

Luna Park Pool

I tried practicing my hopeless swimming skills at Luna Park this weekend. Needless to say I wasn't any good at it but also the view from Luna Park's swimming pool was distracting.

Try swimming next to a view that is the Sydney skyline, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour on a nice sunny day.

Salsa - Coldplay Style

Did you ever think you could salsa a Coldplay tune? "Clocks" in particular? Go on! Pull out that Coldplay CD of yours or search it on your iTunes collection. Listen and see if you could imagine yourself doing salsa with it.

I've taken up salsa dancing the past couple of weeks and will go on for another five weeks. I haven't given up on swing! I'll give that a rest for now. But I'm not guaranteeing I'll be doing any of these dances on any weddings any time soon (hint, hint).

I'd be really surprised next week if they started playing Keane's "This is the Last Time" for salsa.

Sydney Royal Easter Show

Its the must see and do over the Easter weekend - the Royal Easter Show at the Olympic Park. My adventures in Oz land continues.

On the website, it says its the largest annual event staged in Australia. It highlights the country's rural heritage featuring livestock and domestic animals you can pet (sheep, cows, goats, pigs), clydesdale horses, woodchopping competitions, floral arts, alpaca competitions, cooking demonstrations to carnival rides, live music, motorcross action, female cannonball, daredevil aquatic divers, to the all time favorite - showbags (I had three Twix showbags - full of chocolates).

Let me tell you, I think I'm getting too old for these rides. After a rollercoaster, we had to tame it down to the classic ferry's wheel. We gambled a little bit on carnival games but we all ended up empty handed. We did have some privileges at the member's lounge...cheap food!

It was all good fun! Reminds me of those fiestas and carnivals we had in the Philippines when we were little kids. But as they say, once you've done the Easter Show, you've done the Easter Show. That's all folks!!!

Skywalk - AMP Sydney Tower

March 31st - 'Earth Hour' starting at 730pm. Its Sydney's way of participating in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Kyoto Protocol - Australia hasn't actually ratified the protocol. So is the US!!!). Turning off your lights at 730pm for just one hour. Sydney is the first city in the world to do this initiative hoping other countries will follow in the next years.

Of course I'll be participating! I won't be home to use any electrical devices. I'll be walking on top of the tallest tower in Sydney. And it just so happens that our booking is set at 715pm. But only lucky enough to see the lights turn on (well, we had to change to this blue and yellow suit before going up there).

It was still a fantastic view, although I was a little disappointed as they were still a lot of lights turned on. You could see the bridge on the top left but not the hanger itself. Right next to it is Australia Square (the round bldg) just turning on its lights. North Sydney CBD was blacked out...great job...including our bldg.

It was pretty exciting that Channel 10 got to interview us! I thought being interviewed on National TV was more nerve racking than actually doing the walk. I checked the news - I think we ended up on the cutting room floor.

We ended the night with dinner at the 360 degree restaurant just below the Skywalk.

Newcastle

I didn't think I was going back to Newcastle so soon after I blogged about it not having too many things to do. But so be it. I actually went there for a babyshower...surprisingly, babyshower with lots of booze served. That's how babies are made in the first place, right? Oh, don't you worry. I've got nothing to do with all that. Just a few sips is enough for me.

On the paper, they mentioned about the finals of a surfing competition. So we checked out the Toyota Maitland International Surfest Competition by Merewether Beach. I guess its pretty big coz Kelly Slater was the champion a couple of years ago (he's pretty much the only surfer I know coz he was on the TV show 'Baywatch'). Sort of disappointed...waves were too small. It was cold. No Kelly Slater.

I've got this video, though. This one's for you, Brad Pitt!!! Surf's UP!




P.S. FYI - Sydneysiders is to Sydney as Novocastrians is to Newcastle

March Madness - 2007

Here it comes! My 3rd year participating in the so called "March Madness" in the world of College Basketball (NCAA). It has always been exciting for me even before I won 3rd place out of 40 something in my first year...and to almost last place in the second year. We'll see how I do this time around. I hope the amateurs I'm competing with this year will have as much fun as I always do.

Here are my picks for the Final 4:

Midwest: Florida Gators
West: Kansas Jayhawks
East: North Carolina Tar Heels
South: Ohio St Buckeyes

Its all a guessing game!!! If you remembered last year, none of the #1 seeds got into the Final 4 - and nobody expected that!!! If you want to follow or copy my bracket (not that I can guarantee you its gonna win), click on the picture below:




There's about $50 in the pot, I think.

Here's brother Mike's picks

QM2 and QE2

The largest oceanliner doing its maiden voyage was coming to Sydney and I just had to see it just like everybody else that's making a big hype about it. The so-called "Around the world in 80 days" inaugural voyage of the largest and grandest ship of its time reminded me of the Titanic. Not that I'm hoping this will go down, too!

Queen Mary 2 remains the largest oceanliner but second to 'Freedom of the Seas' as the largest cruise ship. It towers over most of the buildings by Garden Island where its docked, too tall to go through the Harbour Bridge, and too long to fit at Circular Quay. Regardless, its only stop in Australia was in Sydney and it happens that Queen Elizabeth 2 was also arriving in Sydney Harbour. The last time these two ships actually met in Australia was back in the 1940s when the original QM1 and QE1 met up in Sydney.

So I went to Circular Quay, took a ferry, and got to meet the Queens. (I've read a Queen Victoria ship is also in the works for the Cunard Line). And the night ended with a splash of fireworks to celebrate this historic meeting. Hooray!!!

Philippines 2007 - part II

Beach#1 – Surfmaid resort in San Juan (San Juan is the surfing capital of Northern Ilocos – ata?!?!). The guy renting our house took us out to lunch (FOOD)…na libre na naman. Tsibug na naman. Hehehhe. We went to this new resort that was owned by some Danish guy. When we met him, mama recognized right away that he used to rent our house, too! Small world talaga.

After lunch, we got dropped off at Reveal salon where I spent 5 hours of more pampering. Tita Emily was getting impatient na coz we had a 630pm dinner party to go to at Mng Gidang’s place… and I didn’t get out of the salon til 730pm na…ooops! While at the salon, guess who comes out of her own massaging…si Tita Florie!!! Funny, we end up seeing each other pa dito sa Philippines. So we go to the party (FOOD AGAIN), endless eating, and after that, I told mama, “let’s go to plaza and try some of their hotcakes (MORE FOOD)” – ako pa na kagagaling from food poisoning!!! So Tita Emily, mama, and I dropped off the car at the house and went galavanting…kuno!

Beach#2 – Tita Florie invited us to check out her new beach house sa Bauang. Meron kasamang bahay kubo worth P30,000 = $600 USD. Ok no? Complete with lounge area, bedroom, and a small sink. We had morning merienda (FOOD!!!).

Beach#3 – Horizon’s View. After Tita Florie’s, we had lunch (sigh! More FOOD) at the Aquino’s. After lunch, because it was Valentine’s Day, lola gave us a surprise (sorry, only those present were concerned…should I say what the surprise is?). Well, just look at the picture. Then I pretty much spent it all when I went for my afternoon massage.

Beach#4 – Bali Hai. Again, I sort of held up everyone coz I was at the parlor. We had Valentine’s dinner (should I say more how much FOOD intake I’ve had since arriving in the Philippines?) with the Aquinos, Ortegas, mama and lola. Ngek! Doon pa naman nag-date sila Tito Andy and Tita Carmeling. Hahaha!!!

There’s a pattern here: Beach (I never actually set foot in the water), FOOD (which I had a lot of), and not enough pampering.

PAL Flight# PR209 – MNL to SYD

Enough that I had to sit next to a talkative 3yr old kid for about 9 hours from Sydney to Manila. Flying back from Manila to Melbourne, to my left sat an 80+ year old woman and to my right was a couple who had a < 1 yr old baby. Somebody kept farting and it had to be either the old woman or the baby…I couldn’t figure out which one. Thank goodness that didn’t last the whole flight. Whew!!!!!

When I got to customs here in Sydney, I had declared food. I brought with me on my hand carry a box of polvoron and another box in my check-in luggage. The lady said, “Sorry, I have to take the polvoron” – in my hand carry. But I guess she didn’t notice the one inside my other luggage. Hmmmp, nakursunadaan ata nila yung polvoron. Pang merienda!!!

Packaged ukoy – ok
Packaged hopia – ok

Maybe it depends on who’s checking. I didn’t want to bring any more food at masita but I didn’t undertand the packaged polvoron (maybe the milk in it?). Can anyone explain???

Philippines 2007 – part I

1 luggage, 1 hand carry

I arrived 9 hours later direct from Sydney to Manila through PAL and seeing for the first time PAL’s “new” terminal. Pretty modern but used only by Philippine Airlines. Another portion of the airport is being built but has been halted due to politics…not surprising! Sayang!

Cousin Marc picked me up at the airport after about an hour of waiting. Sorry, Marc! Tagal kasi lumabas yung mga luggage. With one plane arriving, I can’t believe it took them so long to get all the luggages out. At least I had company talking to a few people including one of Andre Dulay’s friend who happened to be on the same flight as mine, which, unfortunately, was not able to meet up with the night before. Di bale, Andre. We’ll get a chance to see each other when we visit Melbourne. I’ll bring along LJ with me.

We only had a few minutes (actually, make that an hour – because of traffic) to go home and get changed, then meet up with the cousins in Greenbelt, Makati at Mr Rockefellers restaurant – specialty: OYSTERS!!! I also had some nachos, pasta, orange juice, at beef. Hay naku! Too much food! Pero sarap naman. Then we had dessert…halo halo na. Ice cream, cheesecake, etc.

The Espeletas drove me to the Lloren’s place at Verdana. Very nice house, tita Evelyn! Very beautiful garden, tito Oscar!!! I felt like I was at a hotel staying there. Breakfast was ready in the morning with bangus, salted eggs, and carabao mangoes. Sarap na naman!!! (I usually don’t eat breakfast, ha!)

Then we’re off to SFLU. On the way home, we stopped over at “Isdaan” restaurant in Gerona where we had more food and I had a drink of green mango juice. Yum yum!!! This is the place where you’ll also find the Filipino Elvis!!! Kaya mun? Walang patalo mga pinoy!!!

About two hours later, my tummy started to grumble. Ano kaya yun? Oh shit! I had the shits, man!!! Buti na lang, nakaabot pa kami sa Agoo for my second stop. Doon pa kami sa restaurant called ThaiKee (as in “tae” kee or “tae” ko sana). We were gonna stop at Jollibee’s but Tito Oscar said, “there’s too many people there.” Hahhahaa. Buti na lang. Then I pretty much vomited the rest of the food. Man, those laxative mangoes are dangerous (I’m staying out of mangoes for a while). It can’t be the oysters from last night coz everybody had some and nobody else got sick except for me. It must have been the green mango juice, maybe with ice from dirty water, and me not used to eating this much!!! Nabigla. Anyway, we were about less than one hour from reaching home. And we decided (including Dr Tito Andy Astom – naku, everyone was involved na) I’m going directly to Bethany hospital – I’m having food poisoning and was dehydrated. Next thing you know, I was being poked with an IV on my hand (which hurts sooo bad not to mention, I get really “weak” with needles. So what do I do…I cry like a baby!!!). They can’t get the IV right on my left hand. Because I was dehydrated, it kept collapsing. My left hand didn’t work. Hmmm, let’s try the right hand. OUCH!!!!!! Repeat: So what do I do…I cry like a baby!!! I was hoping mama would get to the hospital quickly coz she always says her hospital would always ask her to do IV coz she’s good at it. But too late!!! One more, one more…they had to check my blood. So I get another poking. Aray!!! Isa pa pala. Next day, they needed to get more of my blood so that’s another hole in my body. Ouch!!!

Ano ba yan? Nya met ten!!! Next day, the doctor said, “well, if you feel better, you can go home now if you want.” Heck yea!!! I’ve got three days left in SFLU. So we were out before noon, went home to grandma’s (lola) house. I was gonna go directly to the salon for my first installment of pampering but lola said to go home first. I haven’t even seen her and I’m already out galavanting especially just coming out of the hospital!!! Ay yah!!! Hahahha. Di ata pwede yan!!! Had lunch at home, took a nap, then I woke up with a fever! What the heck??? What about my haircut, shampoo, hair dye, waxing? Priorities, hello!?!?!? I took some Tylenol and mama and I were off to the salon (the heck with the fever, right? It went away anyway after taking the medicine but I was really pushing it). We get out of the salon in the city and we see our neighbor passing by. She asks me how I was, am I ok, blah blah blah. And I was thinking, this just happened less than 24 hours ago…how quickly did the neighbors find out about this.

Chinese Garden of Friendship

I was running out of places to see in Sydney and my friend had told me it wasn’t really worth it to check out the Chinese garden at Darling Harbour. But I went anyway to see what its all about...being the adventurous me. And with my student ID (many times I’ve mentioned on my blog the usefulness of a student ID), I got a bargain.

The garden symbolizes the friendship between the states of Guangdong, China and New South Wales, Australia. An opportunity to see and share a part of Chinese culture. From the Chinese art of “Penjing” (creating miniature landscape such as bonzai plants), to carved Chinese lions guarding the entrance (Foo dogs – always in pairs, female with a cub guards the left, and the male with a ball of chi guarding the right), to golden carps swimming in the lotus pond, traditional moongates, pagoda, waterfalls, rickshaw made out of pure jade used to carry emperors, and the serenity the garden offers while sipping the perfect tea at the teahouse.

Check out the teahouse for traditional Chinese tea and sample authentic dumplings, pastries and steamed buns while relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the garden.

Bring a book on a Sunday afternoon, sit under a nice shaded area while listening to the cascading waterfalls. Enjoy the sound of peace and calmness that surrounds the garden located in the middle of the city. Maybe I’ll see you there next time! Don’t forget your student ID.

Have you lost your cell phone before?

I never had a cell phone until I was in college. I didn’t think I really needed it. Who’s gonna call me? How important can I be?

I lost my cell phone this week (fortunately, someone turned it in to the lost and found department. Maybe because my cell phone is so basic who would want to steal it? Although, they could have used it to make ridiculous phone calls from all over the world – don’t get any ideas! Well, I’ll find that out later when I get my phone bill). Even worse, I haven’t had internet connection at home. No communication with the outside world!

So what have I learned or experienced in the past few years of having a cell phone and internet:

- if you’ve forgotten your house keys or car keys, a friend is just a phone call away to let you in or pick you up
- if you’ve lost signal for a few hours (or people cannot get a hold of you), its good to let them know you’re ok
- if you cannot get a hold of someone, its good to receive a message on your phone that they are ok
- in an emergency situation, just dial 911 / 000
- if someone is stalking you at the train station for about a year, a phone can be handy (yes, it has happened to me)
- credit card bills that’s almost due…online payment!!!
- free phone calls on the internet to anywhere in the world just to hear your family and friends’ voices
- a happy birthday phone call is always nice
- a message that says, “I’m pregnant with my third child and I’m turning 40! What was I thinking?”
- counting down until the new year comes with someone who’s halfway around the world
- calling someone who has the same birthday as me and waking them up early in the morning forgetting the time difference between Australia and the US
- stock trading on the net (although its always 15 minutes delayed)
- blogging and reading family and friends’ blogs
- paying bills in the US while living in Australia
- chatting with dear friends from all over the world
- receiving and sending unexpected messages just to say hello
- downloading music in less than 3 minutes – I don’t think I can live without music!
- online shopping…how can I forget!!!!
- checking out your pictures on kodakgallery, snapfish, walgreens, or Costco
- three-way, four-way, conference calls with friends from different parts of the world…and its FREE!!!!
- text messages about them being late! Ugh!!!!
- making sure you have enough $$ in the bank

I’ve also realized after losing my phone, to make sure you save all the phone numbers separately somewhere else. Like today when I called my lost phone. I needed someone to pick up my phone before the lost and found department closes at 4pm (that’s just impossible for me!!!). Good thing I have my friend, Bart, who works nearby. Unfortunately, I didn’t have his number anywhere else. So I had to ask the lost and found department to go through my address book. Well, I didn’t exactly know Bart’s last name either so I had put him on my address book as “Bart Simpson”. I don’t know if the guy on the other line gave out a chuckle. But now I know Bart’s last name (I had to give his full name so he can be ID’d when he picks up my phone). But I think I’ll keep “Bart Simpson” or maybe I can hyphenate it. What do you think?

I don’t think I can go back being without a cellphone or the internet. But just make sure you make a life outside of it, too!

My 2nd Xmas in Oz!

We had a Xmas eve party at the house this year for our orphaned friends (including me and LJ) for those who didn't have families around. See our pictures below. Can you count how many Santa Clause hat were worn that night?















So how many did you count? Well, there was actually just one Santa Clause hat that night.

Xmas Day - 2006: I spent some time volunteering with St Vincent de Paul for the biggest Xmas party I've ever attended. St Vinnies must have entertained more than 500 elderly and homeless people that day. You won't believe how many volunteers wanted to sign up for this day - St Vinnies had to turn them down. I think I'll do this again next year. Anyone up for it next year?

After the volunteer, I went to the Rocks to have a Xmas lunch with the Caoile and Byrne family, with LJ. The whole family was there except for Cameron. Thanks again, Tita! The food was great. Must have gained a couple of kilos just this weekend.

Wishing you all the best this Xmas holidays! HOHOHO!!!

Manny Pacquiao - Boxing

Day after I arrived from Tasmania, I went to Rooty Hill (western suburb where lots of Filipinos live in Sydney) with cousin LJ to watch boxing: Philippines' own Manny Pacquiao vs some Mexican (no need to mention).

My trip (through public transport) must have taken about 1.5hrs. LJ was already waiting for me at the station on a hot Sunday afternoon. When we got to the RSL, I easily got in. Unfortunately for LJ who lost his wallet just a few weeks ago, he couldn't provide any form of ID to get in (FYI for everyone going to an RSL club). So we came out of the RSL club thinking, what are we gonna do. We went all the way here to watch one of the biggest boxing events in the Philippines (on big screen TV), its hot outside, there's no where else to go coz I'm sure the filipino shops are closed so they could also watch the match. A few suggestions: we borrow some other filipino guy's ID and try to get in, wait until the security guard change shifts and see if the new person would let us in, find another bar where we could watch, or just go home. We waited a little bit and tried a second time with another security guard.

I go in first and LJ follows me. The guard sees LJ and asks him who he was with. He says, "I'm with her." The guard asks, "are you brothers and sisters?" I said, "Yes, we are!" LJ says, "NO!" Ok, LJ and I need to get our stories straight. Anyway, we explained to the guard that we were here to watch the boxing match. Easily enough, the guy lets us in but we had to walk outside of the casino area to get to the big screen TV. Fair enough. When we got there, LJ was mad after seeing lots of underage kids inside while he was given such a hard time at the front door.

Well, the match ended very well for the Philippines. Pacquiao won by KO in 3 rounds. Apparently during the 2nd match a few months back against the same Mexican boxer, Philippines had a zero crime rate - even the thieves and criminals took a break to watch the game.

Pacquiao for President!!!

Xmas Party - Towards 007

We were sent down to Melbourne this year for our Xmas party. The theme was James Bond - Towards 007 (as in '2007' - get it?!?). You can dress up as Bond (definitely a few James Bonds at the party), a villain, or a Bond girl. I thought of being Dr Christmas Jones with a Santa outfit but it was toooo much effort.

I flew down on Saturday morning on the week that Melbourne was having their bushfires. Unfortunately for me, bushfires = plane delays...at least 1hr for me. It was so smokey in Melbourne even after driving 45min away from the airport to our hotel.

By the way, this was the last weekend before my last day of work at VeriSign. I guess I was lucky I got to fly down to Melbourne and join the festivities. I got to say "Hi" and "Bye" to some people I've worked with and never met in person before. We got to stay at "The Mansion" in Werribee (http://www.mansionhotel.com.au/) and got a nice little Xmas gift. Thanks, VeriSign!

The morning started out with a seminar, lunch, and laser tag outside during a hot summer day (remember, bushfires!!!). The ladies said, "No, Thanks! We're going to the winery next door." And so we did for some wine tasting. Too tired after and we pretty much went back to our own rooms til the Xmas party.

Here are some pictures from the party. Can you guess who the characters are:












The day after, I met up with Paul, my friend, in Melbourne who took me around the shopping area in downtown (Melbourne is known for its fashion and shopping). Before I left for the airport, we visited St Francis Church (the oldest church in Victoria) before flying back to Sydney. See you back in Sydney, Paul!

Tasmania - 2nd half of the tour!

5th Day: We dropped off five people and picked up 11 more for the second part of the tour (east coast part). And boy did we pick up a bunch of noisy, fresh out of college girls. From the moment they stepped on the tour bus, two other people usually sitting at the back moved all the way infront to get away from these noisy girls.

We picked up the rest of the group at Launceston, stopping over at Cataract Gorge.





We passed by tree sculptures carved with chainsaws dedicated to four sons who died in the war.




St Columba Falls

And ended the night with a penguin tour by Bicheno beach (freezing!!!)

6th Day: The toughest climb I've ever done. Mt Amos in approximately 1hr. But definitely worth it!!!








7th Day: Port Arthur - penitentiary (getting lazy writing here). Check out wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur%2C_Tasmania for more details.

Convicts were sent to the penitentiary for stealing a chicken or just a handkerchief. They handed tough punishments to the prisoners but at the same time, giving them education and training to learn skills valuable in the outside world.

Port Arthur has been coined the term, "Beauty and the Beast" as you'll see in the pictures. With great views comes the dark secrets that happened inside. Just about 10yrs ago, some pyscho fired shots to visiting tourists killing about 35 people and injuring more for reasons people still don't understand.












After Port Arthur, we did a short trip to a wildlife park featuring tasmanian devils, natives of Tasmania (see previous blog entry).

We ended the Tasmania tour back in Hobart where the group met up for some beer at Irish Murphy's and another bar at Salamanca place where we almost got kicked out. They told security not to let us in next time...sounds ok with us...its not like we'll be back any time soon! Bye Tasmania!