My Holiday Entry

I have no profound thoughts for my year ender…only happy memories.

This past year has been very fulfilling somewhat. First and foremost, I’m on print! A few months back I volunteered to evaluate and give a new HP digicam a test run for an HP magazine. Fast forward to today and I have that very magazine on my desk, complete with two full-page photos which I took!! Of course my name was included and credit was given due….

Sure, I’m a little critical of the photos I took. I am, after all, my own worst critic, but still, seeing them on print renewed my drive to be better. I’m still taking it slow photography-wise and not learning as much as I can, but then, I do have other priorities. But hey, this isn’t bad. Not bad at all.

Second, I finally performed in front of an audience. Sure, it was just the company Christmas party, but the point is, for a few minutes of my life, I was part of a ‘band’! I was on acoustic guitar along with my other office buddies, doing a special, surprise number. So what if it wasn’t exactly a Slash performance – I played the guitar! And after YEARS of not playing even! Needless to say, it was an easy song. But it was all in good fun. Check out our 'album cover' photo below...(ahem) Socs and the Diegos

socs and the diegos

Merry Christmas all! I wonder what other ‘Things to do before I die’ will be fulfilled next year? Who knows! All I know is, I’m having fun and just taking things in stride.

vince and jennie

Vince and Jennie's wedding was last Saturday, 5 days ago, and still I cant believe that VINCE is actually married!!!

I'm not being negative here, its just...unbelievable.

Flashbacks of those Saturday afternoons after Marketing class when we'd all just hang out at Kostka, doing nothing, talking about nonsense...
and of that one particular time when Vince was particularly bothered about something (never mind what it was, suffice to say that it was something major -- and that he'll probably laugh at me now when I bring it up)

*sigh* We ARE growing up aren't we?

Congratulations Vince! Congratulations Jennie! I wish you both well.

Jazz Up Your Hair

Today marks the start of SPL's Theme Fridays, and the theme for today was 'Jazz Up Your Hair'...

We had an assortment of sticky hair shaped with gel to all kinds of pointy proportions, as well as hair decked out with clips, ribbons and adornments of all colors and sizes.

I opted for braids. Not really as creative I would have wanted, but at least I joined in on the fun.
What was even fun was watching the reactions i got on my way to work. Yes, i took the MRT all my hair separated in sections and braided. It took me an hour to get my hair ready. To top it off, I was in the train with a dread-locked guy! (No I didn't know who he was, but the reaction the two of us got was hilaous)
Some shots from the day...unfortunately my camera wasn't fully charged (shame, shame, shame)...but this should a pretty good picture of how everyone looked today.

Family traits

I've always believed that had it been my brother and not me behind the camera, the photos that
my 300d would produce would be absolutely wonderful. After all, my brother, my sister and
my mom are the creative people in the family.

This past weekend I left my cam with my brother and Carl (his 10 year old son ) for La Salle's
Grade 4 Family Day and then again on Sunday to take photos while we were playing soccer.
Below are just some of the photos they took:

admu



This one's my brother shortly before we left Ateneo. Its a bit dark and I had to tweak the levels
in Photoshop just so you'd see the composition and all. My feeling is if we had a tripod with us
then, this would have been a really good shot.


carl's

These are Carl's. I handed him my camera while there was a Wushu Exhibition ongoing during
the Family Day. Noticed the focusing and the composition...not bad for a 10 year old dont you
think?

And by the way, the camera was in 'P' Mode the entire time. =)

'core'

my best friends...i love them all dearly. my fondest memories almost always include them.

Lately though I think I've been going through some changes...and I apologize to them if I don't join in as much as I used to.

Changes. changes. changes.

*sigh*

war!

paintball nov 13, 2004 at Gotcha! Antipolo


Its expensive but we all should allow ourselves to splurge every now and then right?

We spent Saturday morning hunting each other down with rounds of paintball at Antipolo's Gotcha! 'war zone'. In the photo above are the group photos and some of the fanatically war freaks and effortlessly scary terrorists that happen to make up our paintball group...

can you imagine I work with most of these people?? :p

peeved

Lately I've noticed that I get annoyed easily. No, its not a female hormonal thing (otherwise it would only be monthly, not almost everyday). So I've decided to list down what and why I get irritated faster than I normally would. Below are two, in the coming weeks, I just might add to this...

Personal space

There is no fixed size, scale nor dimension to when it comes to defining the boundaries of personal space. It changes depending on the venue, the situation and your relationship with those around you. This can be as broad as the entire length of a room -- such as when in a room with another whose smell automatically incites gag reflex -- or as miniscule as the indecipherable distance between a tango-dancing pair.

It is this very flexibility that makes it confusing. When is it okay to be one elbow nudge away from the person beside/in front/behind you? Common sense (if it were THAT common, then how come very few possess them???) would dictate that if:

a. you don’t know the person’s name
b. the other person doesn’t know your name
c. hell, if you plain DON’T KNOW THE PERSON

then by golly, do not endeavor to be within physical contact of the other person! Especially when there is no need to be. Is that lunch tray mine? No? Then please don’t put in front of me when I’m ordering something for take-out at the food line!!! Its YOURS not mine, don’t you think it should move with YOU?

Human Traffic

Not to be confused with trafficking as in ‘selling’ other human beings. This is, in my opinion, a basic rule. Very easy to adhere to, yet just as easily ignored. As with vehicles, humans also occupy space, and humans are also mobile, requiring to move from one place to another. Since people move, naturally, there are channels of movement: sidewalks, corridors, escalators, elevators and the like. The tricky part here is that unlike vehicles, we don’t have lanes. So just as easily, these pathways, walkways, areas are blocked by other people. Humans are matter, therefore, we occupy space. And when we block a corridor, we take up that space. Other people who need to pass through CANNOT do so if there is someone in the way. Unless the blocker is displaced by the blockee…which would in effect cause a scene.

This is worsened when the blocker is actually ‘blockers’ meaning, they are more than one. Most often than not, blockers are:
a. A big group group of giggling and laughing (dare I add ‘loud’) girls made oblivious to their surroundings by the very fact that they are a big group of giggling, laughing, loud girls.
b. a big group of people who are unfamiliar or new to their surroundings. Easily identifiable by the way they look around them and the questions they ask those within their group (where are we? Where are we going?). Map is optional. (This also applies to new people within a bigger group who choose to hide their insecurity by immersing themselves in a crowd. Ironically, by flocking together, they attract more attention to themselves.)

First Time Ever!

San Miguel's Employee Service Awards

Somebody actually paid ME to shoot for them! I covered San Miguel's Service Awards this weekend, and after weeks of stressing over it and worrying, I finally pulled it off!

It helps to have friends in and outside of San Miguel. Thanks Renee for trusting me enough with the job, to William and T for loaning me their stuff and to Sumi for letting me panic pre-event.

Sa uulitin! :)

contemplating...

I've been thinking of joining this Football club.

They play in the Makati area three times a week. Lately I've been playing with a group of officemates and I've been enjoying myself immensely. It made me think that maybe, I can join competitions again and that maybe, just maybe, this can be a regular part of my life again.

But then again, am I really up for it? Am I ready for it? More importantly, will things be different this time??

My life in a nutshell

work during the day on weekdays

on friday nights, there usually a movie to watch, a bar to go to

on saturdays, I sleep til late and then i wander off -- to the gym or to the mall
at night, I usually just find people who have something / somewhere interesting to go to

on sundays, I sleep til late and then prepare for the afternoon's soccer game with a few friends
back home, I read, watch TV or do whatever...

and then on Monday, the cycle starts again.

Pick Lit # 2: The Bell Jar

Author: Sylvia Plath

After days of writing and re-writing my pick lit review, I think I finally have something coherent...so here it is, short but sweet...

Ethel is the lead character in this Sylvia Plath novel. Here, the reader goes through her slow sink into insanity...or at least thats what reader's are led to believe. After all, she is institutionalized after a failed suicide attempt...however, if you take away the therapy and the mental home, then you are left with a young girl left with very little, if any, drive to live. She is the gifted kind, as most people depict most of those who eventually become mentally ill. A scholar and perhaps a talented writer with high dreams of becoming a famous name.

Everything changes when her mentor notes that she isnt giving it her best, and she finds herself tearful at a photo shoot. Her character struck me more as the kind who has lost her drive, her zest and her dream. She fears becoming shallow, and eventually, succumbs to thoughts of just being there, being nothing herself.

My thoughts on this: if everyone who finds themselves falling into a rut of un-eagerness, of not looking forward to anything,of not wanting to do anything but to create another life, in another city, bearing another name -- then maybe, most of us dreamers are doomed to be institutionalized?

when life becomes blah

In my dream life I have plenty of exciting, amazing and mind-blowing events to write about day in and day out.

Which is why its a dream life. The real thing gives me a 9 to 5 job (which recently changed to '8 to 10') and a splattering of fun here and there. Of course, there is also the definition of 'fun' that remains arguable.

I have a running joke with a friend of mine (and you know who you are!:p) that I have become a l o s e r. And I won't argue with that. I have always wanted a *simple* life where I work, I play when I want to, and I hang out with those I want to. So there, Loser I am.

But I do long for some ass-kicking, once-in-a-lifetime experience every now and then. Futbol once a week, looking out for my crush (how juvenile can I get???!) and the occassional shoot (okay, okay, make that RARE) just arent enough....

Maybe I'll jump off this building someday soon. With parachutes of course!

Or maybe I can change that Boracay booking to, oh say, sometime next week maybe? (Yes! I have my tickets already!!! More on this later).

I'm sitting at my desk, at work, on a Saturday afternoon, working overtime, trying to kick start some decent work thought trail.

Yet all I can think of this afternoon is how much I want to...

I realized a few days back how obnoxious I can be. I don't mean to be, its just that when I'm in the mood to joke around, I sometimes get carried away, I don't stop and maybe, I end up irritating some people.
Everytime I look up from my laptop I see the light outside....no, I don't feel the urge to go out and bask in the sun (not at the moment) I want to be HERE. Yes I am here, but not wholly here. I'm here, yet I am displaced somewhat. My thoughts are travelling, to that place where I should not, must not allow them to go.

Otherwise, I'll find myself in yet another frustrating position....and the cycle -- though different in circumstance as the one before, the repercussions remain the same -- begins anew.

drained.

How is it possible to feel soo tired because of work, to be busy all day working

and yet not really accomplish anything??!?

Frustrating day.

I hope I never get have one of these days again.

. . . . .

.... about to embark on a perilous journey.

its not entirely an unfamiliar situation...but daunting still.

Crash and burn, baby.

Its the only way to go.

tripping

we took out my brother's point and shoot and started snapping away in black in white mode.

In the photos are myself, my brother, his kids Carl and Ally and our dog, Chili.

I need to get this out of my system

Ever since I saw Teedge's YM status the other day (Spin the black circle.) and then found my Pearl Jam cd, I can't keep this song out of my head and out of my playlist.

If you can't fight it, go with it.

Black by Pearl Jam

Hey...oooh...
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me as her body once did
All five horizons revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn
Ooh, and all I taught her was everything
Ooh, and she gave me all that she was
And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything?
Oh, the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything...
I take a walk outside
I'm surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter, so why do I see her
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I'm spinning, oh, I'm spinning
How quick the sun can, drop away
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything?
All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything...
All the love gone bad turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see, all that I am, all I'll ever be...yeah...
Uh huh...uh huh...ooh...
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a sun
In somebody else's sky, but why
Why, why can't it be, why can't it be mine

the force is with me

:: how jedi are you? ::

we need more people!

Football, Sept 26

I've managed to put together a small (and I mean small) group of people, officemates and their friends, to play on Sundays at the Ateneo football field. Unfortunately, the numbers don't seem to be growing.

Two weeks from now (we cant make it this Sunday) we'll be playing again...lets see if the numbers improve.

..and then there were three

There were originally six of us assigned to the Melbourne Project last yesr. Out of the six, three are now married.

Bert was the last of the three to tie the knot. He and Alpha celebrated their sixth year as a couple by exchanging vows and saying yes to a lifetime together.

Pictures from the intimate wedding celebration held at Patio Victoria within Intramuros are now in my gallery here. Congratulations Bert and Alpha!

Oh and by the way, they let loose butterflies after the kiss...here's one that found its way on the elaborate floral arrangement on our table

butterfly

I need a book

I am in serious need of a new book to read.

I've been trekking over to bookstores in search of something new, to no avail. Either I really just don't know how to look for one, or I really can't find anything that suits my current mood.

I do a random check of books in bookstores, reading the synopsis and browsing a bit through the pages to see if they "speak to me." Lousy method of finding a book you think? Oh well.

*sigh* I need a book!!!!!!
HELP!!!

No I DID NOT forget

Happy Birthday Grache!!!

Grache turned 26 11 days after I did (Sept 16) and if you read below, I went to her uber-cool, uber-fun and uber-overflowing-with-vodka (er..uh) PARTY!!

So Grache dear, I hope you never ever forget your dear little (literally) friend with low alcohol tolerance wherever you go. (uh...thats me by the way)

So it WAS an earthquake

I honestly thought it was just me quaking from all that Smirnoff at my friend's birthday party last night. Seriously.

I had just gotten home and plopped down on my bed, ready for the sleep that normally comes with that much alcohol.

But then I've been having a hard time sleeping lately, and when I do doze off, its to a very light sleep.

So there I was on my bed, in my almost-asleep-but-not-quite state, feeling the headache slowly getting worse, when I started shaking. Oh shit. Its not just a headache, I'm getting that woozy moving-room dizziness....No wait...the bed's shaking! Ghost!!!??!

I instinctively opened my eyes to see if there are any floating eerie white things in my room but failed to see anything....but I'm still shaking.

Then it slowed. And I stood up. And I felt the room twirl again, and I had tremors running through my legs. Oh hell. It was Smirnoff and all that Kamikaze / Vodka 7 / something-or-other. I thought it was that bad that my bed shook. Or maybe I just thought it was that strong.

This morning confirmed my initial, sensible impression. It really WAS an earthquake.

(For more about this earthquake: visit INQ7.net)

pleasure pain

I played football (soccer, that is) yesterday after more than a year of not playing.

Needless to say, my thighs hurt like hell. I'm not used to all that running. And I don't think I had the ball for more than a few minutes.

But this is the kind of pain I miss. It reminds me that yes, I still have muscles, though they are dormant most of the time. Its a bit masochistic, but when I feel the ache when I move, I think to myself, next time I play again, it won't hurt. And when it really stops hurting, then it means I'm not pushing hard enough.

But then again, I don't think I can play regularly anymore. Not enough to make the pain go away. Oh well. The price of age. And the price of loving a sport that you can't play regularly for lots of reasons (no time, not enough players, not the right weather, blah, blah,blah).

Next week we're planning on playing again. I hope it pushes through. And I hope more people can join in.

26 Years after the beginning.

My birthday blog entry is long overdue, so I’ll try and see to it that this entry will most reflect how I celebrated my 26th year of existence.

No parties. No gimmicks. No alcohol. Just me. Doing what I wanted to do. Catering to my whim.

And that whim was just lunch that Sunday after wandering off to SM Megamall’s NBA Madness (where is the NBA in that by the way??!?) with my brother and his kids.

My reason for not wanting to have any elaborate celebration is simple. I can’t think of anything I wanted to do. Every idea that I had was something that other people would want me to do, but nit does not necessarily reflect my preference. If anything, this past year has taught me that I alone will give myself priority, and nobody else. No matter where I go, what I do, I look after me like nobody else will. Out of all the people that I have and will encounter, very few of them will genuinely give a damn about me. Therefore, I have to listen to what I wanted to do. Me. No complications. No drama involved, no wheedling and pa-cutesy just so they can attend my celebration. No attempts at pleasing everyone, no guest lists, no tampuhan. Just me.

Maybe at one point I may decide to celebrate with a few people. But I would rather live my life from day to day and be on the lookout for people who, like myself, will give time for me, rather than spend it trying, convincing (and sometimes even forcing??) people to pay me that attention only I can give myself.

So happy 26th , self! I hope you find what you’re looking for.

back to office basketball

I dont play by the way, I always just shoot.

After almost a year of not being there to take their photos during their weekly games, I finally made it back to Guadalupe to shoot. This time around, there are more new faces, more players, new uniforms and a different digital camera for me.

Buddy had a dose of SPL basketball last Tuesday...and it wasnt easy. Even at my highest ISO setting (1600..so the photos are mighty grainy) , I could only get shutter speeds of 1/50... gotta save up for a flash!

Some of the photos are posted below.


take two 

move 

Gift

I dont think I've ever posted this on my blog, but its something that I return to every so often whenever I need to feel calm, hope, hopelessness, peace and turmoil all at the same time. I can't explain it, but this poem almost always comforts me.

The author is J. Neil Garcia, a filipino poet/writer and this is taken from his book "Sorrows of Water".


The rhythm that hears me
this day is the sea's:
salt-borne, choking with weed
and oysters, the movement
of piscean shapes weaving water
far as the eye can see.
And I am back
amid the repeating waves off Pamilacan:
the vessel bearing me
is little else but desire,
a density much heavier
than our earth's liquid nature-
its only choice is to float.
It is not stillness I am seeking from this ocean,
but its pain:
a violence of forms
in this sweep of appearances--
flashes of fish flying,
herons and somersaulting terns,
the handsome heads of cetaceans rising
from abyssmal depths, even
the glint of shark-fins,
slicing the horizon like quick
knives. Life caught
in the maw
of its own consumption:
permeable, as though we all
are designed to pass through
each other like food--
plankfon sifting
into the fine-tooth-comb
of baleen, sunlight
rippling past riptides
to reach the sightless bottom
of rock.
And you are everywhere
evern as you are nowhere
in touch, for here is the place
things cherished are laid bare in--
the edge of body's knowing,
the edge of the world.
And I know my task
for the day
is no different from the tide's:
to take in and let go,
to push against land and
pull away, to love you without claims.
for nothing given is ever owned, and ghosts
we already are
of fickle matter's imaginings.
I told you I am yours for the kill--
I can never take it back.
Let this gift pass through
the self's fictive openings,
allow it brief residence someplace
in the soul.
True: not even the sea can hold us.
But listen:
its real bequest is not loss,
it is transformation--
glass fished out
from among a shore's brittle ruins
is never quite glass
but a muted shard of water:
all the ocean pressed against the palm.
An empty shell, a grainy piece of coral.
The gift is yours
to keep or not to.
I can no more reclaim it
than the sea disown its salt--
for, love, how do you
unbreathe
a breath?

making a mess of things

How is it possible that things can go from good to bad, in just a few days?
A few days ago, I was thankful for the friendship...and a few days later, I messed it up.
I only have myself to blame.

Thank you

For the first time since I got back I actually feel like I still belong.

Thank you for taking time out to just hang, and make me remember what its like to be here, to be home. All this time, it was what I was looking for. That feeling of someone wanting to take me back home, bring me back to where I used to be and then show me how and what has changed since then.

I'm so glad I have a friend like you.

Pick Lit: Veronika Decides To Die

Seeing that I no longer feel complete nowadays if I am not in the middle of reading a book, I figured I'd share my chosen literatures and post them on my blog.

The title does sound a bit morbid, but its very appropriate. It is basically that (at least as far as where I'm at)...Veronika puts matters into her own hands, commits suicide --- and fails.

It seems ironic though, that her last act in life is also her first conscious real effort at deciding and choosing to do something with her life. Her reason for wanting death was because her life had become routine and that she isn't about to experience anything new. Strangely enough, when she survives, she begins to discover that there is more to life than she originally thought...and she begins to feel...and she needed to be in a mental institution in order to know that there might still be something to live for.

I have yet to finish the novel and as early as now I can tell its not like my typical fiction fare. Written without any attempts at suspense (it is after all, not a mystery) it's goal is to provoke contemplation and to encourage curiousity. What happens after her failed suicide? Was her reason reason enough in the first place? If I were her, would I have the same mind-set?

Not for the non book reader, and not for those easily saddened / repulsed / turned-off by thoughts on life, death and existence either.

My Horoscope for today says:

This is likely to be a busy day for you. You will feel a bit like a social
butterfly as you flit from group to group. Pay special attention to anyone new
in your life. All signs are that you are going to meet someone, most likely a
man, who will have a tremendous impact on your life. Hmmmm, who do you think it
could be? Keep your eyes open for a stranger in your midst!

At half past five in the afternoon, there doesn't seem to be any sign of any mysterious stranger...sure I subscribe to these daily Horoscope things, but there's a reason why I don't believe them.

Oh well...this made me smile though. Its not everyday someone (or something) tells you you're about to meet someone special.

Confession

Its not really a secret, but I don't disclose it readily... I once was a big Guns N' Roses fan. Yes, I was.

I donned the black jeans, white/black shirt, silver medallion, multiple silver rings look that was so prevalent back in my High School days. I don't know where it is now, but I know I have one of those GNR shirts. Not the cheesy shirt versions of the posters you buy for 50 or 100 bucks on the sidewalk. Its one of those "logos" that they have...it was a heart wrapped in thorns or something to that effect.

I have all their albums (save for a cd copy of Lies, don't know why I never got around to buying one..), I had copies of Hit Parader, Circus and whatever US Rock magazine I can get my hands on. I even have a Laserdisc copy of their "Making the Video" documentaries on "November Rain" and "Don't Cry" (which are 'on loan' from teedge).

Why do I bring all of this up? Velvet Revolver.

Don't know if they're any good....I'll try and get my hands on a copy and see...

Quick blog...

I saw Cold Mountain just this weekend and I kicked myself for not watching it sooner. Its exactly the kind of film I like, it makes sense, its not dragging and its haunting....

I'm sure there are other films out there that I haven't seen which are sure to be good...I wonder if Spiderman (1 and 2) is part of that list? Yeah...I haven't seen those films either!

oh well.

Letter # 1

I'm writing to you like you're reading this directly, and like I'm telling you this directly....out of the million questions I want to ask, right now, its only this..

what's it like, being where you are?

I started this blog thinking I would be happy just being your phantom....but then every presence craves to take form, every apparition longs to be acknowledged.

what's it like, being where you are?

Tita Mae where's my car?

Carl and his basketball cards. Those were his dad's gift for his tenth birthday.


Ten years ago, I promised my brother that for his son Carl’s 10th birthday, I would get him one of those remote controlled cars --- the really expensive ones that real hobbyists buy. I don’t remember why we formulated that promised, I think both my Kuya and I were just thinking of a good excuse to buy an expensive toy for the three of us.

Its been 15 days since Carl blew out the candles on his 10th birthday and still no car. What can I say? Hard times. Maybe in a few years, I can contribute to his first real car….

Meet Sam


My youngest niece, Maria Samantha D. Pampolina at 2 and 1/2 months. This photo was taken during her christening last July 18, 2004.

we are this many...

From left to right (front row) Paul with Kanga,Bea,Carl and Ally (back row) Sam, Ate and Kuya

Imagine all of us, 5 adults who think they're still young,four hyperactive kids, one 3-month old baby in our little townhouse in QC. Chaos? You'd better believe it!

Joy marries her man...

 

during a beautiful wedding and reception at Fernwood Gardens last July 11.  It was nice to see the couple finally tie the knot after months of long distance preparations and a week or two of crammed skeds.  They are now finally back in Canada as Mr and Mrs Charlie Ng.
 
My favorite part in the wedding is seeing my friends from Ateneo.  Funny how after college, you'll only see each other during major events and then spend the rest of the time hoping and asking when you will all see each other...say it with me girls, unless someone is willing to plan, it'll will never happen :p

Looking back...

Looking Back....

 

A few weeks back someone asked me what I would change in my life if could. I had several answers in mind, but I realized that I wouldnt want to change any of them. Whatever problems I have, whatever shortcomings, they are a part of who I am and who I will be. Life becomes perfect with every imprefection that it has.

So my reply was 'none'. She said then that I'm lucky because I'm happy...and I thought, yeah, I am. Relatively.

But on my way home last night I did not feel as happy as I thought I was. I just had dinner with a friend and all throughout he seemed distracted by the text messages that he had to attend to since they were work-related. I didnt mind really. Its just with every pause in the conversation, I felt like I was in the way. That there's something he needs to do and somewhere he needs to be. I thought then, is this how it is now with all of my friends? Will I always be that other person, waiting for a break in between whatever it was they're doing so they can pay attention to me? Have I become that pesky friend who insists on being there when life and responsibilities are calling to them? More importantly, I think, am I happy to just shut up and wait patiently until they can turn their attention back to me?

I have no answer. I just know that I would like to be important as well. I'd like to be given as much thought and attention that I give them. I too, have other obligations, things I have to do, responsibilities that I have to attend to, but I am certain that I never have and I never will, let all those get in the way of my relationships with other people.

So does all this make me less happy? I refuse to believe that it does. If anything, it only means I am more prone to bouts of loneliness such as what I had last night.

ADMU Q&A

1.ANO STUDENT NUMBER MO?
960424
2.NAKAPASA KA BA OR WAITLISTED?
waitlisted :p
3.PANO MO NALAMAN ANG ACET RESULT?
nagpadala yata ng sulat ang ateneo...
4.FIRST CHOICE MO BA ANG Ateneo?
first and only (kaya pinilit kahit waitlisted hahaha!)
5.ALAM MO BA ANG ACET score MO?
nope.
6.ANO ANG FIRST CHOICE MO NA COURSE?
First choice ng parents ko -- M.E.
7.SECOND CHOICE?
MIS
8.ANO COURSE MO NGAUN?
course ko dati : MIS
9.MAY PLANO KA MGSHIFT?
I did.
10.CHINITO/CHINITA KA BA?
pinay na pinay po
11.TGA ATENEO HIGH?
hindi pwede eh
12.NAGENJOY KA BA SA ORSEM?
i think so....actually nakalimutan ko na ORSEM (so that could be a 'No')
13.SAANG GATE KA PUMASOK NUNG FIRST DAY?
Gate 2 tas naglakad lang ako hanggang Admin para namnamin ang first day ko sa Ateneo..hehehe.
14.NAKAPAGDORM KA NA BA?
nope
15.NAGKA-F KA NA BA?
....wala yata... =)
16. NAGKA-A?
ye... P.E!!!
17.HIGHEST GRADE
A
18.LOWEST
W (withdraw)
19.WORST EXPERIENCE SA AdMU
wala akong maisip eh...
20.LAGI KA BANG UMAATEND NG KLASE?
of course not!
21.ANONG ORG MO?
Football team na pinaka org ko eh....
22.MAY SCHOLARSHIP KA BA?
nada
23.ILANG UNITS NA NAIPASA MO?
lahat. graduate na ko e.
24.NANGANGARAP KA BA NA MAGLAUDE?
nevah!
25.KELAN KA GAGRADUATE?
march 2000
26.FAVE TEACHER
unfortunately, wala yata.
27.WORST TEACHER
wala rin akong maisip (ang corny ko pala sumagot ng quiz)
28.FAVE SUBJECT
philo (pero hindi ibig sabihin na mataas grade ko dun ah...)
29.WORST SUBJECT
accounting (for lots of reasons...)
30.FAVE LANDMARK SA AdMU
Admin siguro...madami akong nakakausap dun pag naghihintay ng sundo (kung susunduin man)
31.BUILDING?
Kostka.
32.FAVE KAINAN
Inihaw sa Clubhouse!
34.ESTUDYANTE BA ANG BINABAYAD MO SA JEEP?
huh?
35.LAGI KA BA SA RIZAL LIB?
nada
36.NAGPUNTA KA BA SA INFIRMARY NUNG MINSANG
NAGKASAKIT KA?
ye...pero humingi lang ako ng drugs sabay uwi
37.MAY CRUSH KA BA SA CAMPUS?
of course!
38.BF/GF?
nada
39.MAY BALAK KA BA MG-MS, PHD?
ndi ko afford eh
40.ANU-ANO ANG MGA na-PE MO?
101, table tennis and ballroom dance
41.KAMUSTA NAMAN ANG BLOC NYO?
ok naman...madami dami rin akong mga barkada pa rin hanggang ngayon
42.NAKAPANOOD KA NA BA NG GRADUATION?
nakanood? hindi pa
43.MEMORIZE MO BA ANG ALMA MATER SONG?
syempre!
44.MEMORIZE MO BA ANG FABILIOH?
oo naman!
45.E ANG HALIKINU?
yup!
46.E ANG BLUE EAGLE SPELLING?
ano ba namang tanong yan???!!??
47.MEMBER KA BA NG TEAM ATENEO?
Women's Football Team once upon a team (sub lang po)
48.CNO PABORITO MONG UAAP BASKETBALL PLAYER?
Rainier and Gec -- kasi kilala ko sila eh
49. NAKAPERFECT KA NA BA NG EXAM?
I dont think so
50.ANO AYAW MO SA HELL WEEK?
mahirap maghatak ng gimik
51.DITO KA BA NATUTO UMINOM NG BEER OR ALAK,
MANIGARILYO?
well...
52.DITO KA BA NADEVIRGINIZE?
next question please
53.ANO GUSTO MO SA SKUL NATIN?
lahat!
54.ANO AYAW MO?
wala
55.BUMILI KA NA BA SA A-SHOP?
yan ba yung nasa 2nd floor ng Admin building dati? yup nakabili na.
56.MAGANDA BA ID PIC MO?
taken during the ORSEM kung kelan hulas hulas na ko at naka dark green akong polo shirt!! I dont like dark green and I dont like collared shirts
57.MAY GINAWA KA NA BANG ILLEGAL SA LOOB NG
CAMPUS?
wala pa. mabait ako eh.
58.NAKABILI KA NA BA NG GAMIT SA NATIONAL KATIPS?
oo naman.
59.NAGSTARBUCKS KA NA BA SA KATIPS?
ye
60.GUSTO MO BANG MAG ARAL ULIT?
nung bagong graduate oo, ngayon kahit wag na...

I signed myself up for the gym today. I'm not sure if it was a smart move, I just know that I have to start working out.

Hopefully by this time next week, I'll be starting on a new fitness program.....Good luck to me.

Mabuhay!

Total number of days in Manila: 5
Total number of friends I've met up with (excluding office friends): 1


I'm currently in the office, not working, just walking around and saying hi to people and letting them get acquainted with the extra pounds I've put on. Right now I'm using someone else's PC to fight increasing boredom.

This is the first sign that I am back in (SPL) Manila.....the office hours do not necessarily end at 5. or 6. or 7 for that matter.

I have other things I'd like to blog about, but since time is limited and my thoughts are restrained, it'll have to wait a while longer.

How to put on weight

Eat big hefty brekkies whenever you possibly can!

I have given up on trying to cut down on what I eat a few weeks back. I just don't enjoy restraining myself when it comes to food.

Oh well.

Last Saturday

Yesterday was my last Saturday here in Melbourne.

We spent it by having brunch at the diner on the corner of Chapel St and Toorak Rd at South Yarra. I ordered "The Works", an all day breakfast treat with, er, the works. And then we went on to Borders where I bought the book "Quirkyalone" which I described in a previous entry.

Shrek 2 was next on the list. I've always loved the first one, and I have to say I was not disappointed with what I saw. You have to love those cute,big, bulgy eyes...hehehe.

After the movie we headed off to O'reilly's, and Irish pub a few blocks down from Jam Factory where the boys had their pints of beer and I had my glasses of water. Yes, I am a sissy, and it didnt help that I had an attack of my occassional hip pain, which after a year of not making its presence felt suddenly decided it wanted to part of my Melbourne experience. I had a horrible feeling that it might have something to do with what I've been drinking (coke, beer, diet coke and more coke)...see, its not a muscle pain its...well, never mind. We watched two games of rugby on their big screen,watched the people piling in for the rest of the night and witnessed the bouncers drag a drunken Aussie down the stairs and out of the bar.

That may very well be our last night out in Melbourne. And today, our last Sunday. And tomorrow our last Monday. And Tuesday our tuesday...and..well you get the point.

Fear

When I come home I have to face something that I have been able to leave well enough alone because I'm far away. In the months that I've been here, I had thought myself strong and capable...but now I realize my strength is purely because of the distance. Once I get home I cannot claim to be as resilient as I thought I was, not unless I manage to keep myself together.

I was looking forward to coming home and proving to myself that I could handle it...now I'm not sure if I can. Worse, what if I convince myself I can, face my fears since there won't be much distance stopping me and to prove I can, and then find out that I cant?

Happy...

...Birthday Jenny!!!!

Pwede bang pagdating ko na lang tsaka ka mag p party sa condo mo? ;)

... and the Goodbyes begin...

Des leaves for Manila tomorrow morning, leaving me, Sumi and Bert behind to wait out our remaining 10 days before we fly home. We had our Last Supper as a quartet at Tandoori Junction and reminisced about the past 10 months here.

It amazes me to think that 6 of the 10 months we were here, Des, Sumi and I have been living under one roof. I never realized that it was such a long time.

Imagine, prior to this assignment, we were all just officemates who see each other almost every day at work. You'd know something about the other, have a chat every once in a while, but never, not once did I suspect that we would eventually end up in the same project and be housemates!

It was a fun time (Australian Idol, Tuesday night movies,American Idol...and all those things we'd do/watch together at home) and I'm thankful that Sumi, Des and Bert put up with me. I don't think my Melbourne stint would've been fun if they weren't with me.

Have a safe trip home Des!

Quirkyalone

I came across this book at the store named "Totally Weird Shit" in Brunswick. The book was "Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics" by Sasha Cagan.

The title alone got me. Having both "alone" and "Romantics" ...single ergo alone ergo no romance ergo "what the hell is this book talking about?". Yet that was the point and she said it in the first few sentences of her book...something like single people are the last remaining true romantics in this world.

Does it sound like another "Bridget Jones' Diary"? Yes it does,and I'm sure it belongs in the same genre, and its not an original idea. But to me at least, the three pages I flipped to set off some notes of familiarity, and the music is resounding still, even hours after I put the book down.

The punchline is I didn't buy it. Not yet at least. But I'm coming back for it...for sure.

Where I am wanting to be...

Five seconds with my eyes shut and immediately its the water I see, with the waves moving to and fro and the fine sand cushioning my feet....Its sunset, my favorite time in a beach day (and everyone else's favorite I would think) and I sit staring at the orange glow of the sky before it completely turns black and then become studded with stars. I imagine I'd be sitting there on the shore, happy with the stillness, calmed by the crashing sound of the water...

I can't wait til November.

You know what happens when you keep editing out blog entries?



You end up not posting anything interesting on your blog.

A dose of reality

Melbourne's number of unemployed citizens has just grown by 22...

John Butler Trio

John Butler (photo from www.johnbutlertrio.com)


I discovered them on telly while surfing channels aimlessly. Their latest single was entitled "Zebra" and the guitars and the beat caught my attention.

The group is Australian, and I was told they're Melbourne natives. I bought their CD when I had the chance since this is not something I'll find back home.

I've always been a rock/blues-sy chick, so its not a surprise that I like them.

Sweet!

Marlon invited us over for dinner last Saturday. It was the first time his swankin' new pad had that many people. There were oodles of food (thanks to Jax and Weng) and lots of laughs with Finding Nemo on DVD (it was the first time I've seen it) and a bloody boxing game on PS2.

The apartment is a classy,one-bedroom unit with two(count 'em,TWO!) balconies. One overlooking Lygon Street, and the other, overlooking the apartment complex and the swimming pool. Whether or not that pool is heated remains to be seen, but in this weather, I don't think anyone would dare jump in that water.

Lovely place, accessible location (tram stop a few walks away)...sweet indeed ;)

More photos from that night in Marlon's gallery here.

Warehouse Wedding!

Weddings are wonderful, even more so when you know those (or one of those) getting married. Best wishes Ian and Christine!

Goal!!

This was the lone goal by Turkey during the Australia vs Turkey game I wrote about. More photos are in my pbase gallery.

Poor Little Rich Girls

I saw a few minutes of Simple Life this afternoon. Needless to say, I'm never watching that show again. The idea of two rich girls living a completely different life as compared to their real lives is intriguing I must admit, and its funny seeing them struggling to work...but I just don't like the amount of disdain and disresect that they had for manual labor. That little scene where they messed up the milk about to be delivered to people did not make me laugh. At all.

I'm sure the show is getting a lot of airtime, and people watch it wherever its shown, but I'm going to be one less person watching. No big deal maybe, but I just don't think they deserve 30 minutes of my time.

Futbol!

One of the things I love about being somewhere else, is the countless opportunities you have that would not be available to you when you're at home. Take Futbol for example...I don't think any international team would ever dare visit Manila for a round of friendlies.

But in Australia, they do.

Last Monday I took off early from work and took a 40-minute train ride from Glen Waverley to Telstra Dome where the Australian Soccer team was scheduled to play Turkey. It was the first time that the Socceroos (as the Aussie team is called, and I personally think its sounds a bit weird...almost like an insult) are playing for the public in their home country FOR THE FIRST TIME -- whether or not its because they're soccer players and not Footy players is beyond me -- but for both teams, I think its part of their Road to World Cup preparations.

The crowd was not as big as when we watch Aussie rules, but they were crazier. A typical futbol crowd is insanely into the game and most possibly end up hoarse after each game. This game was not an exception. There were more Turkey fans as expected, and not surprisingly, Turkey was the big winner that night. Though the Socceroos had some mean attempts, ball possesion and ball control was without a doubt, with the world #9 team (and recent World Cup third placer). Besides, most Aussies think Futbol is a wimpy game anyway, I dont see any reason why their team would beat "Turkiye".

More photos will be posted on my gallery soon, including a shot of the lone goal made that night during the 27th minute of the first half. In the meantime, relish that photo above and imagine how it would have felt to watch an International game in a stadium that big...better yet, imagine how it would feel if it were World Cup 2006.....

Socs I am not...

What Name Should You Have? by Lauren

I ought to be Jade. (got this 'quiz' from Cyn's blog aka Alyssa)

Hello Bloggerbot!

Searching for this photo for my first ever attempt at using this feature made me realize how very few nice photos I have. I look crappy at all my other photos...maybe I should get in touch with the Extreme Makeover people...

Home and away...

Its amazing how time flies. This time last year I was still wondering whether or not I would be spending the next year in my life in a foreign country.

Now I'm (almost) one month away from coming home and saying goodbye to Melbourne.

I am looking forward to coming home. There's nothing more comforting than knowing that the house you come home to at night has most, if not all of your worldly possesions in it and that your stay there isn't a temporary thing. Its home. Its where you'll always belong. Home is where you don't have to ask people to repeat what they just said because they don't really a different accent. Its where you can hang out with people who understand you when you mumble, curse or groan (haaay ginoo)....

And yet as the time draws near, I'm also a bit apprehensive. Home means real world. Home means traffic, pollution and all the economical problems that comes with being part of a third world country struggling to survive. Just thinking about the ongoing electoral count and the scandals that will inevitably follow gives me a headache. Not that I'm an expert on the Philippine political scene, I don't deserve that credit. I just know that times become tougher when people start craving more power.

One more month...and then I'll be back. Manila, here I come.

Okay so they still lack that oomph...

..but I'm still proud of them anyway.

I'm referring to my latest gallery up over at pbase. I think I must've sent the link to all I know, whether they care or not.

That's the thing with happy-snappers like me I guess. Whenever we come up with a photo that has some semblance of decency to it, we like to dance around and rave about it over and over again. Its some form or rain dance I think. Maybe if I keep doing it, then I'll eventually have real talent and not just luck.

So while I dance around and pray for the gift of artistic ability, bear with me and drop by my humble little gallery...

36 men and a ball

We were told right from our first few months here in Melbourne, that our Aussie experience would not be complete without watching Aussie rules Football.

So we did. Almost everyone from AGL Onsite team trekked to Telstra Dome last Saturday to watch the St. Kilda Saints eat Collingwood Magpies alive. They are currently the first and last ranked teams respectively.

My thoughts on the game? While nothing still beats The Beautiful Game, it was not boring. I was cringing with pain everytime they slammed into each other. Don't know how the game is played? Imagine American Football without the pads and Rugby without rules. The field is much much bigger than Futbol, and people are everywhere. You have 36 players running around, 3 (or is it 5?) umpires inside during the game, plus coaching staff from each team (yes, they can run inside to hand water to the players and there are other staff whose main job is to relay the coach's orders direct to the players.)

Troy

I saw Troy last Friday. I won't add another review to what I'm sure will be a thoroughly reviewed movie anyway. But I will say this....

Its been three days since I saw the film, and I'm still drooling over Brad Pitt.

*drool* *sigh* *swoon* *sigh*

Our last day trip out of Melbourne?

We purposely scheduled our Dandenong trip on the early part of May because we were told that the autumn colors would be beautiful this time of the year. So we went last week and while the colors were there, they weren't as breath taking as we hoped in would be. But overall, it was a beautiful day.

We started off at the William Ricketts Sanctuary where the artist's (William Ricketts) clay sculptures of aboriginals were nested among the trees. For lunch we went to a nearby feature place, The Cuckoo Restaurant where the buffet was overwhelming (too bad I couldn't eat more!!) and the entertainment was worth staying til late afternoon for. Last stop for the day was at the Emerald Lake Park where we waited for Puffing Billy, Australia's only surviving (thank god) steam train. We opted to not go on the train since it was too slow, and we had a car for the day anyway.

In case the link above doesnt work, more photos are here and our group photos are here.

I'm running low on melanin.

I need to go to the beach and soak up some serious tropical sun and beach fun. My feet are dying to walk on fine, white sand and I'm beginning to miss my sarong terribly.

But until I come home, I'll have to make do with the lap pool at Monash Aquatic Center.

Pamangkin No. 5

I am now a proud Tita to five lovable kids. My youngest playmate was born sometime 10 am last April 30, weighing in at 6.4 lbs (the smallest of the bunch so far). Her name is Ma. Samantha D. Pampolina and I hear she's quite the little lady, still very quiet and well-behaved (so far).

I'd post her photo but I don't have one yet, so until then, this entry will have to do.

....

Kill Bill Vol 2

Whereas vol 1 was literally a bloodbath, Vol 2 will overwhelm you with words. The sequel is meant to answer the questions brought about by the first movie...Why was she attacked in the first place? Who is Bill? What's the Bride's real name? In the process, there's more talking and less bleeding, more story-telling than sword clashing,but not too much of it that the fight scenes are overlooked. There's still a lot of fighting inherited from the Vol 1, my favorite of which is the snake fight (as opposed to cat fight) scene between Elle Driver AKA California Mountain Snake and *bleep* AKA Black Mamba. There is also the movie's tribute to classic Asian movies although this time, they've moved from the ancient Japanese art of the Samurai to the equally ancient art of Kung Fu. I'm not too sure if its the awe the movie and its characters have for the sword or if its just my fear of sharp objects, but I just wasnt as impressed with Pai Mei as I was with Hattori Hanzo. A Hanzo sword is priceless, on the other hand, Pai Mei's lethal blow (more of this in the movie) is a legend.

Overall, I think Vol 2 still has the vital necessities of Vol 1. The shifts to Black and White are still there, the too-good-to-be-true scenes are still too-good-to-be-true and the assasins are as cold blooded as can be expected (though Cotton Mouth and Gogo are the most insane of them all). I'd say Vol 1 and Vol 2 are just about the same level, but for different reasons. The first one shocked and amazed me presumably since I had no idea what it was about while the second one had me waiting on edge for the next kick, punch, shove and gush of blood and where it didn't happen, I was hanging on to what the characters were saying, wanting to find out who, what, why and how. However, if you're the type who would rather see the action rather than hear about why there's any action, you'd still prefer Vol 1 over Vol 2.

changing skins...again

the happy phantom had to change its look again. its part of my never ending search for just the right look. I wont promise I won't change it again...but as long as I don't ruin this template and as long as I remember how tedious it is to keep changing the layout, this one stays put.

Which (of the author's favorite) rock song are you?

SR71-Empty Spaces

Your Lyrics

I'm not afraid to
go backwards and fix what we broke
My gaze falls behind, you make desire seem so easy
I hold off sleep, it's so silent without you here
Don't give up now, it would all be for nothing

I believe in second chances
I believe the years forget

Let me fill these empty spaces
Better late than never / Stay forever
Let me fill this empty space
There's always room for one more mistake

Can you feel that
I think we're moving in the right direction
I was someone else then
I'd take it back if you would let me

We were never this close when we were young
Every night I whisper your name at the top of my
lungs


Which of my favorite rock love songs are you?
brought to you by Quizilla



I have no idea who this group is or how the song sounds like, but the words sound promising. It sounds very optimistic...and I like that....for a change.

...and for the record, here's what Quizilla has to say about me after taking the Quiz:
You have been down this road before, but you have grown up a lot and you are willing to give it another try. You believe in second chances, just don't try to relive the past. Fix whatever went wrong the first time.

All in a day's work

I found these comments on one module I was working on the other week:




She must have been having a really good day...

To cull or not to cull?

What happens when the presence of one organism threatens another? A big issue in Kangaroo Island
in South Australia is the growing Koala population and the decreasing manna gums which support birds and insects indigenous to Australia. Environmentalists are now calling for a Koala cull as the fastest,
most cost efficient way to reduce fur count in an effort to save other animals not found elsewhere.

Its sounds like a really controversial dilemma, especially when Australia prides itself in taking care of their animals. I think the fact that Koalas are so adorably cute make the issue messier. Who, in their right minds would agree to shooting them in the first place? Politicians who would allow it risk losing votes, environmentalists who would agree would be questioned, and parents who nod their heads risk losing
their kids respect ("My mommy hates Koalas!!")

Read more about it here.

(above photo taken from a visit to the Koala Conservation Center in Phillip Island)

marrying men (and women)

This seems to be a very wedding-friendly year. I guess thats what happens when you get older. Most of the people you know are of marrying age. Well, to those who have tied the knot already, Congratulations and best wishes to you and your spouse! And for those still planning and preparing for the big day, don't forget to take those beauty naps....stress means wrinkles, and wrinkles don't go very well with wedding gowns (or barongs either)

March: Anton and Lissa
May: Schuyler and Gilbey ; Christine and Ian
June: Des and Nards
July: Joy and Charlie
September: Bert and Alpha

Did I forget anyone?

Lazy Oaf

No work today.

I should be making the most of the holiday.

But I'm too lazy. I had lunch at 2 pm. My clothes are still in the dryer. The dishes are waiting for me to lay them to rest in the dishwasher.

I just love work holidays! :)

Go You Big Red Fire Engine!!

Its the title of the Adam Hills show we watched last Saturday. He's one of the many comedians performing all around Melbourne for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

I've never really seen a stand up comedy act before, and since I know that the shows in Manila are usually flavored with the "slapstick" style of comedy, I was never interested enough to go for it. This show was different from . He carried on like he was just having a conversation with the audience and he just happened to have several funny quips to share. Well...its not just plain conversational, he did have a little song number which I thought was just hilarious.

Definitely something I'd like to do again sometime soon. I guess that means I should go see another show. After all, this isn't something we have in Manila.

Blood Red

(Photo removed...sorry Quizilla, it just doesnt go with my blog)

You're blood. You're all over the place, but you
definitely keep things moving. You're thick,
but sweet. You enjoy others' physical pain.
And you keep coming back until you finally
clot. Some people faint when they see you.


Which bodily discharge are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Flowers from me

I've never taken photos of flowers. I don't know why, but I guess its because when I'm shooting somewhere, I usually zoom in on other things and I tend to ignore the flowers. But last Friday, we walked around the Royal Botanic Garden, and it seemed ony natural that I take photos of all that color around me.

On the lighter side of things...

I have my favorite zoo photos. I've been to quite a number of zoos already and I took photos each time. So far, however, this bunch has got to be my favorite. They are by no means perfect and the most fantastic shots anyone has ever taken of animals, but I think it shows I'm improving.

And that, I thnk is the most important thing.

I hate to whine but....

My mobile has been really quiet for the last month or so. Not getting anything but the Globe promotional messages and the messages from my family which is are to be expected.

I haven't been getting that many messages from my friends. Okay, okay, they're busy. And if I were in Manila it would be the same thing, I wouldn't get anything either.

Pero KSP ako eh. And I'm really not in the mood to think of their reasons. And I texted FIVE people last saturday to say hi...I got ONE reply.

Better than nothing I suppose.

Happy Birthday Jaque!

Libre mo na lang ako when I get back ;)

On my bedside table lie four different books....

a borrowed copy of Arundhati Roy's God of Small Things, Myths of the Ancient Greeks, Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and a very old, secondhand, hardbound copy of Homer's Iliad. Of all four, I've read two of them one-fourths of the way through.

You know how we sometimes buy a dress or blouse (or a shirt if you're a guy) for that occassion that isnt there yet, but just might come up? You think to yourself you're being prepared, that you're foreseeing something and are really proud of it....until time passes and that event never comes around? Sometimes that how I feel with books. I want to have a copy. I want them there. That way, I can read them, know more about the world, be smart and be aware. But soon after reading page one you find yourself not having time,or falling asleep after reading two lines. And then not reading them at all. And then not knowing they are there in the first place.

Maybe this weekend I'll pick up one of them and then finish reading it. And then maybe I'll move on to the next, and the next and the one after that.....

or maybe I'd best set my goal to one page at a time.

Seven months in Melbourne....




From left to right...Des, Sumi and Socs



Des, Socs, Sumi and Bert