end of the month - again!!!!

wow... once again I find myself at the end of the month - and with no BLOG entry for a little over a week.... when in Manila - I try to get online as much as I can.... try to catch up with FB and Blogging - but somehow, the days just keep flying by and I am not able to UPDATE or check here and there.... good thing am still able to catch up with my emails or I would totally be in trouble -- and sooooo behind.... lols....

so half the year is over.... with so many things on my agenda - sometimes I feel that for every step forward I make, I take two steps back..... when do I ever get to catch up - really catch up.... still too many things to deal with: family, financial, work, personal, etc.... as if that is not enough - I recently found out that am on the Verge of actually suffering from High Blood Pressure.... for three days, while in Manila - my Blood Pressure was monitored and it was just getting up there.....haiiiis.... when can I catch a break???

Oh well, just THANKFUL for KRISPY KREME treats once a month... am sure against the Doctor's Orders.... hahahahahahaha

Am ✈✈✈✈✈✈...

and I feel so lucky and touched by an angel as I ran into my FAVE Priest from St Christopher's Church, Taipei, Reverend Tajonera M.M.... now I know am not supposed to be picky when it comes to who presides over the masses I attend - but I cannot help it... His HOMILIES just speaks to me more.... maybe it is what he talks about, the way he talks about them... well, not maybe - it is all that....

Sadly he does not hold masses often as he is a whole lot more busier with UGNAYAN, an organization that helps out the Migrants of the Philippines during their time here in Taiwan.

well, am just glad to have bumped into him here at CKS.... had to write about the excitement right away as I also have a bit of time before my flight....

Happy Father's Day To All Dads!!!!

for some of us - myself included, this is the most fitting way to give tribute to our Dads....

"He didn't tell me to live; he lived and let me watch him do it."

~Clarence Budington Kelland

a little break here, a little break there....

another Friday is upon us... another week over.... sometimes I really wonder where the time goes.... not just me but seems like everyone else that knows me well enough... they wonder how I fill my days up... what ould I possibly busy myself with all day long - each and every passing day....

hahahahaha as if it's not obvious enough - BLOGGING, and the INTERNET, of course!!! hahahaha just kidding - better correct myself or else, people might truly believe this and think that I do not ahve a life....

well, I do not think anyone would truly understand... working for yourself, at home, truly is even more hectic and time consuming than anyone could possibly tell you.... between doing all the thinhgs you need to do to take care of biz (following up on orders; corresponding with people: factory, companies, customers; billing, processing and shipping orders, etc..) one needs to attend to house matters as you see it around you - so there is no escaping.... then you are the one delegated to take care of all chores (laundry, ironing, cleaning) and errands (post office, bank, grocery, etc...) as your time is more flexible....

so what if I take moments here and there to check my FB account and my BLOG... and even an occassional YOU TUBE... these, as well as taking a walk by the river.... or to the book shop...; or coffee with Juliana (the only one I know in TAIWAN who can relate to this post am sure - hahahahaha) are the only things that breaks the monotony of my days and keep me sane.... they do envigorate and refresh me to face more challenges that comes my way.... TRULY!!!

so at the end of the day, contrary to everyone else's belief, you are tired... and you feel that you ahve accomplished a lot....i mean "bringing home the bacon and still, frying it in a pan " is no small feat.... I SALUTE ALL OF YOU, HOUSEWIVES & HOUSE HUSBANDS OF THE WORLD.... you have my RESPECT & ADMIRATION!

and speaking of breaks here and there - here's something I just got out of YOU TUBE... it is Stupid, mindless, insane & definitely Hilarious - a good one for this entry's Fridae Funnees

The What, Where & When of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

WHAT: The boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival are traditional customs to attempts to rescue the patriotic poet Chu Yuan. Chu Yuan drowned on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month in 277 B.C. Chinese citizens now throw bamboo leaves filled with cooked rice into the water. Therefore the fish could eat the rice rather than the hero poet. This later on turned into the custom of eating tzungtzu (rouzhong or sticky rice) and rice dumplings.The Best & Worst Part of Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: The season for the YUMMY STICKY RICE.... I always end up eating way too much.... waaaah!!!

The celebration's is a time for protection from evil and disease for the rest of the year. It is done so by different practices such as hanging healthy herbs on the front door, drinking nutritious concoctions, and displaying portraits of evil's nemesis, Chung Kuei. If one manages to stand an egg on it's end at exactly 12:00 noon, the following year will be a lucky one.

The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated by boat races in the shape of dragons. Competing teams row their boats forward to a drumbeat racing to reach the finish end first.


WHEN: The Dragon Boat Festival is a lunar holiday, occurring on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (that is today this year -- June 16th, 2010)

WHERE: The Chinese Dragon Boat Festival is a significant holiday celebrated in China, and all over the world where there are people of Chinese origins.

Happy Chinese Dragon Boat Festival

"grateful... duly grateful, I am..."

now and again, the feeling of loneliness gets the BEST of US... yes myself included... and when we let this DEPRESSION get the BEST of US - we go deeper and deeper... lower and lower - till we feel so LOST, ALONE and worst, WITHOUT HOPE...

been seeing a lot of POSTS lately about being SAD, feelings of Emptiness and of ALONEness.... I cannot help but be affected by it... especially from those whom I consider friends... family... love ones... after all, we are all CONNECTED one way or another... I wish that there is something I could do or say to CHEER YOU UP.... to GIVE YOU HOPE.... to MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER.... to MAKE YOU FEEL THAT THERE REALLY ARE MANY THINGS IN LIFE TO STILL BE GRATEFUL FOR...

Alas, am not well versed in such matters.... now am I ARTICULATE enough to spread Words of Wisdom... instead, I will SHARE with you a song written by John Bucchino - it is touching and sentimental... cheesy and corny... but it will remind you of all the LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT MAKES IT WORTHWHILE TO GET UP EACH & EVERY MORNING.....

===============================
I first heard this many years ago from Australia's David Campbell CD.. and loved it ever since.... now and again, I play it just to be reminded of all the things I have to be GRATEFUL for....

GRATEFUL

I've got a roof over my head,
I've got a warm place to sleep.
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep.
I've got a heart that can hold love,
I've got a mind that can think.
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink,
But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed

Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.
In a city of strangers,
I've got a family of friends.
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way,
I know that they will stay until the end.
I feel a hand holding my hand --
It's not a hand you can see
But, on the road to the promised land,
This hand will shepherd me
Through delight and despair,
Holding tight and always there.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.
It's not that I don't want a lot
Or hope for more, or dream of more,
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me so much happier than keeping score.
In a world that can bring pain,
I will still take each chance --
For I believe that, whatever the terrain,
Our feet can learn to dance.
Whatever stone life may sling,
We can moan or we can sing.
Grateful, grateful,
Truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful.
Truly blessed
And duly grateful.

the little things....

haiiiis.... with the rain in Taipei going on almost a week now - it's enough to make one go insane.... I mean I am told it will be SUNNY & beautiful by Wednesday and today, Tuesday, should already start to IMPROVE.... but so far, even with the birds out chirping away, the rain still falls.... so I figured, I BLOG about it and hope that someone up there will take note and actually give us a break from all this rain... LOL!

Now as you know, I really do not m,ind the rain much.... I actually love the sounds of the falling rain on my window pane.... love taking walks in the rain now and again..... and I even relish the run by the river after it rains (sans the puddles to avoid - and there are lots that is it more like an obstacle course than a leisurely run - hahahahahahah)... Still, I look forward to the BREAKS FROM THIS HARD RAIN..... then am able to run my errands... go for walks in the market or the book store.... go for a real run by the river.... and get energized to get dressed and see friends and the world - not be bogged down with the feeling of gloominess from the dark clouds and the thoughts of getting wet, no matter how one tries to avoid the rain....

Still, am not all about griping today.... there are still many things to be THANKFUL for - little things that matters a lot, a whole lot... like the following: the rainy season marks the season of certain fave fruits in Taiwan such as Grapes, Lychees, Mangoes...; rainy days are GREAT DAYS to spend visiting the Library and discovering new magazines - such as DPI (Art & Illustration magazine) - a new fave..: catching up with the Premiums am collecting...; and many other surprises, little ones that brings so much joys, like waking up to find an email telling me that YAHOO! editorial chose to include 2 photos of mine in their FLICKR "DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2010" album... it is always good to know that others are checking out my blogs and photos ...

Fruits from Nantou, couteasy of Lyn & Shaun

DPI Magazine

New Addition to my Premium Toy C0llections

and Surprising Notifications

Hidetoshi Nakata

He has to be ASIA's answer to Mr David Beckham... just as stylish and a total Metrosexual!!! I was always looking out for his TV and Magazine appearances as he was always stylishly changing his looks - from head to toes - like a total fashionista that he is - on (and even more so) and off the soccer field!!! Sadly, he has hung up his soccer shoes - but am happy that he is still very much visible in the fashion/entertainment scene... with the latest being part of the "X Marks the Spot" brand new ad campaign for Calvin Klein undies...

Below is a BLOG I did on Hidetoshi Nakata way back in 2007 elsewhere... thought I would bring it over here, as I will be doing, now and then, with a few FAVE Blogs of mine... hahahahahaha

Introducing: Hidetoshi Nakata (Nov. 2007)

One of the BEST reason to get into SOCCER.... too bad I hear he is already retiring/retired.... am pretty sure though that he will be gracing a lot of magazines/TV shows to come..... Just got the latest M's Magazine with him on the cover.... his hair is long now... still hi-lited.... for me he is a TOTAL IDOL/STYLE ICON -- on or off the field; in or out of his uniform; heck, with or without clothes!!! hahahahaha

FIFA misses you both....

Hidetoshi Nakata

David Beckham

HECK, I miss you both on FIFA!!!

(just THANKFUL for the Undie Ads, hahahaha..)

as I see it...

"A person without money is poor. A person without nothing but money is poorer."

=======================

♪♪ ♫I'm broke but I'm happy
I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded
I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful baby♪♪ ♫
=========================

See... I always believe: "it is not what we have but what we do with what we have that matters..." Great Week to you all!!!

Freedom, FIFA & Dragon Boats....

Today marks the 112th Anniversary of The Republic of the Philippines Independence... so MABUHAY to all Filipinos all over the world....

So it is another rainy afternoon in Taipei... well, actually it has bee a couple of really rainy days in Taipei... and it seems that the rain will not be letting up anytime soon.... but as always, I do not let this stop me from all the things I want to do and want to see.... and this weekend, being the Dragon Boat Festival weekend - there is much going on by Dajia River - close to the house, where we run....

and good thing we decided to weather the rain... it has been a while since I was able to see one of these festivals and it was worth getting a bit wet... the Dragon Boat races are always fun.... no matter if you have a favorite team to root for or not.... lots of people from all over the world participates in the races each year - and this year is no different.... then there's also a host of other things happening - including a "sticky rice wrapping contest... and numerous booths: food delicacies to try plus crafts and gift items to purchase or admire...

FOR MORE PHOTOS - PLS CLICK HERE

and the other BIG thing going on, as if we all do not know is FIFA - currently happening in South Africa... and with that comes one of my FAVE things: product sponsorships... so many things bearing the FIFA logos, mascots and participating teams' emblems... they have been turning up here and there - in clothing (PUMA, Adidas, Fred Perry), bags, drinks (Coca Cola & Heineken), Premiums (McDonald's in particular) and of course, toys.... my FAVE one so far being the colors of the South African flag representing the FLAG series in Bearbrick Series 20 collection - see photo below...

and speaking of Bearbricks, the new set Captain Kirk & Lt.Uhura have just been released, too... they will look good next to my Spock one, for sure!!!

Congratulations Mr. Jason Wu!!!!

Talented Hot Designer, and personal friend, Jason Wu , bags Swarovski Design Award for Women's Wear!!! This clipping was from Taiwan's major newspaper - it ran yesterday, June 9th.... Could not have happened to a more talented guy....
Incidentally - did anyone noticed that Charlotte was wearing this dress (worn by Rachel Weitz above) in Sex and the City 2???

age & beauty

"He Who Never Fail To See Beauty In Everything Never Grows Old"

I came across this quote yesterday... yes, just yesterday - on my BDAY..... maybe it was someone's way of telling me something I already know.... I WILL BE FOREVER YOUNG.... hahahahahaha anyway, it was just PERFECT to come across it as it reminded me that there TRULY are much worse things to worry about than how old am getting... and also a GREAT REMINDER to not lose track of my ways - to still, and always, FIND BEAUTY in all the places I see, all the things I experience, and all the people I meet....

So what is another year added to my age... it just means I got to experience and survived another year of ups and downs -- joys & pains.... it means that I got to add a few more people in my life that I can call friends.... it means that I am a year wiser - well, one can hope anyway.... well, I was wise enough to have a concrete plan for my day.... to do what I felt would make me happy....

and that I did set out to do, and that I was able to accomplish... was able to give a little back by donating Blood....; stopped by St. Christopher's Church to give thanks for all the blessings that comes my way, and for surviving another year...; had the Chicken Sandwich with Cheese from Burger King that I was soooo craving....; and capped the nite off by seeing a fun filled movie, Sex & The City 2".... so another BDay over and done with...

FULFILLED... SATISFIED..... OVERJOYED.... especially from all the BDay Wishes that came my way via Phone Calls, Texts, Facebook, etc.... I TRULY could not ask for more.... Thank You all for making my Special Day even more Special....

and just take a look at who I shared my BDAY with -- Birthdays on June 9:
1981 - Natalie Portman
1963 - Johnny Depp
1961 - Michael J. Fox
1931 - Jackie Mason
1893 - Cole Porter

Bench 2010: UNCUT

Here's a preview of what's to come July 2010 - the much awaited Bench Body Fashion Show.... filled with the Philippine's TOP/HOTTEST celebrities, actors, athletes, hunks, models - ALL IN THEIR SEXINESS!!! Would be nice to attend one of these Fashion Shows but ALAS, never the right timing..... once again, am at the mercy of YOU TUBERS....

Photo shoot for the latest Ad Campaigns with some of the brightest & of course, sexiest celebrities in the Philippines - and staple Bench Endorsers....... Bench once again is the country's leading local fashion label - much sought after for their underwear.....

+ 1....

....Another BDay - Another Year Older.... never mind the getting older part - i can only hope that am at least a year wiser.... hahahahahaha

Got up a little after 5AM today... not really sure why.... am having a bit of anxieties - not really about my BDay, I do not think... not really sure what it is... nothing major planned for the day - if all goes well, today's agenda should look like this: "Donate Blood... Go To Church.... Eat a Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Cheese from BK.... Work a Bit..... Run.... & see "Sex In The City 2"..."

so we will see.....

some WISDOMS shared....

It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder

A man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied; he must know how to disengage what is essential from the detail in which it is enwrapped, for everything cannot be equally considered; in a word, he must be able to simplify his duties, his business and his life.
-Henri Frederic Amiel

Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy.
-Richard Halloway

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.
-Anonymous


Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three and to a hundred or a thousand… We are happy in proportion to the things we can do without.
-Henry David Thoreau


To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter ... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
-John Burroughs

mark bautista!

well, am still in 7th Heaven from seeing Mark Bautista perform LIVE yesterday at the 112th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Taipei.... have already processed all the photos... UPLOADED them on FLICKER.... BLOGGED about the EVENT.... the only thing missing are the videos I shot of him and the other performers singing live.... my internet provider is sooooo slow that a 3 minute video is to take 15 HRS - lols..... so all will have to wait another day - when I can actually go elsewhere, where the connection is much faster and I can UPLOAD with no troubles at all...

So for now I will just leave you with a couple of YOU TUBE music videos of Mark, one in English and another in Tagalog, that I like a lot... so you can get a TASTE of his singing style....

Here he sings a cover of the ballad - manly voice and yet full of emotion: "Break It To Me Gently":

and and in this one, Mark sings one of my all time fave Filipino song classic: "Ngayon at Kailanman" - this is from the Grand Finals of Star of the Night, Philippine's version of American Idol... he came in first runner up back in the early 2000's... been a fan of his ever since!!!

Super Pinoy Sunday

This month marks the 112th Anniversary of the Philippines Independence.... and each year, this Holiday is celebrated in Taipei by the MECO Office (who handles all affairs of the Philippine Nationals in Taiwan) - in collaboration with many, many companies who benefits through the thousands of Filipino workers in the Island of Taiwan...

Like in years' pasts, a host of celebrities are flown in to stage a concert for the OFWs - ushering in the celebration of this Filipino Holiday... for the last few years, the venue has been the Taoyuan Covered Stadium in Taoyuan City - almost an hour outside of Taipei - but much more convenient for a lot of OFWs as most factories are around the vicinity... it is also GREAT to have it at this venue as June is already rainy season in Taiwan - and having the stadium covered helps get the show going - come rain or shine...Now I have never been to one of these concerts - for one reason or another... at times I happen to be out of the country... the particular stars I do not know or care for, or the venue just way too far.... but this year was to be different... I could not have missed it as one of my MOST FAVE Filipino singer/actor is the main draw - Mark Bautista... so it mattered not, that the venue is a long bus ride on a gloomy Sunday afternoon... I had to be there and see/hear this idol of mine sing LIVE!!! I have missed his concerts in the US, Philippines and once, even in Taiwan ( a few years back)...

and boy was I ever glad - he did not disappoint - his voice so Pure, so Manly, and so Full of Emotions.... even more so than on his CDs... he is just as entertaining & charming in person... talking to the crowds, making jokes, getting on all fours to kiss one or two people on the audience, and bringing that familiar BUDDY feeling to the people so far away from home.... he sang some of his hits and a few oldies... he did this all to my AMAZEMENT and ENJOYMENT!!! A total entertainer, indeed!!!

and as a BONUS treat, a few other entertainers were there that completely entertained.... the popular band SPONGECOLA rocked everyone; the beautiful Vina Morales sang and dance her heart out - giving every song her all; and the oh-so-funny Giselle Sanchez -- I know nothing of this woman but am sure to never forget her... she had everyone laughing till our stomachs ache from the very get-go... and the audience themselves, touched me so.... the smiles, the laughter, the joys are all apparent - ever so happy to see familiar faces from back home... and enjoying and savoring every minute and every moment of this Special Super Pinoy Sunday...

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

rainy days & saturdays...

well, the weekend is upon us once again..... but with the non-stop rain in Taipei, what one can do is really quite LIMITED.... we opted for a DOUBLE FEATURE - catch up on a couple of movies we have missed out on during their first run.... and there is this GREAT little place close to Hsin Yi that plays a variety of 2nd run films that we go to now and again....

The first movie, Wedding Fever in Campobello, was a complete surprise for me... at fitrst I was not too sure as I knew there was not going to be English subtitles - it was going to be in Italian & German with Chinese subtitles... but I am so glad to have seen it.... such a funny, funny film.... partly because I understood most of the Italian and David translated most of the German... the rest I got just from watching the actors who were soooo expressive....

The 2nd film, Nodame I, did not need much translating for me - though it was in Japanese with Chinese subtitiles... it was a funny film done in the tradition of ANIME/MANGA style.... the story quite simple with the actors' acting were all soooo overly exxagerated that I was rolling with laughter even without getting the full jist of their dialogue.... the movie btw is sooooo POPULAR in Japan and made quite a lot of money in their local box office.... so POPULAR that a follow up is already making the rounds and the big bucks like it's predecessor....

So really, the next time you catch yourself with nothing to do on a rainy day - - try catching a film you did not even think about seeing... you just might be surprised, as I was today - TWICE!!!!

he with the KILLER smile....

GOODE Friday for you all.... Matthew Goode, that is!!!

...you know who am talking about... am pretty sure most of you have seen in any of the last few films he has done - WATCHMEN as the Villainous one in the group, MATCH POINT as Scarlett's hubby, and his latest, LEAP YEAR, co-starring with Amy Adams... am also sure that at one point or another, you look at him and say - as I have plenty of times: "why does he look familiar??? I know it is not just his Great Smile and Dashing Looks? I have seen him somewhere or in something before...."

Last time I had these feelings was when Sue and Cecilia loaned us the movie "Imagine Me & You"... he was the handsome groom that, alas, was left by the bride for another woman... but through it all- he shone and took it all with a killer smile.... and it helped that the writer gave him such great lines to utter.... if you see the movie, I guarantee you would fall on your knees with the parting words he uttered to his ex-wife to be....

anyway, after watching that movie, all three of us (David, Liya and I) all said the same thing... "we have seen him before - he looks familiar" ... so what to do but GOOGLE!!! hahahaha - Of course we have as we all have seen MATCH POINT... he was only a second lead but boy, one cannot help but stare at him in each and ever scene he was in... and that's including those when he is on camera with Scarlett johannsen or Jonathan Rhys Myers - not an easy feat but he sure did it, for me anyway....

Digging in further I canme to realize that he is also the Villain Hero in WATCHMEN; the ill-fated bad guy in The Lookout with another fave, Joseph Gordon Levitt; Mandy Moore's Prince in Chasing Liberty; and the one that I saw want to see but have yet, the classic Brideshead Revisited... you know it, am hooked... Pretty Accent, Great Talent, Piercing Eyes and most of all a Killer Smile!!! You can DEFIITELY add him as one of my FAVE Actors!!!

Latest thing I caught him in was A SINGLE Man - Tom Ford's directorial debut with Colin Firth & Julianne Moore... he played Colin's dead lover, and was seen mostly through flashbacks... I loved the movie and feel that Mr Ford did a pretty good job translating Christopher Isherwood's dark & melancholy novel... the leads all stood out - as expected... both Colin and Julianne commands the screen like they TRULY own it.... but once again, I found myself, looking forward to each and every time the movie would flashback to Matthew Goode... had to actually watch it a few times so as to take in everything, as I was almost always, getting distracted by Matthew's good looks....

You try watching any films with Matthew in it - let me see if you could escape his charms, talents and killer smile...

Of course, the BLOG has to have the obligatory HUNK shots - hahahahaha...

what now????

what am I getting myself into??? my Bearbrick collection has spun off a collection within the collection... am now getting into the DESIGNER series -- well, not really a series but over the years, many Clothing designers/fashion brands have collaborated with Bearbrick & Medicom for some of the coolest Bearbricks around.... alas, much more LIMITED in numbers - thus making finding them a bit on the harder side... and when I do, they usually command HIGH $$$... boo hoo...But I do intend to FILL UP this 3rd case with NOTHING but - and am not PRESSURING myself to do so in a HURRY!!! (Yeah Right!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) With 2 newest ones (LEVIs) courtesy of Juliana brings the total up to 13.... so only 27 more to go to fill up this case....

so far I have, 1 X Comme Des Garcons (there's many of them!), Jun Watanabe, 8 X Bathing Ape (missing the SPECIAL one), ...3 X LEVIs, Ben Davis, LVs, FNAC (still not sure what this one is doing here... so many others are in existence and have seen them here and there: FENDI, STUSSY, more Comme Ges Garcons, PORTER, CHANEL, etc....

WONDER if there are any PAUL SMITH & Fred Perry ones... they would TRULY enhance my collection - am sure!!!

A Grand (Hotel) Time!!!

As a Pre BDay dinner treat - Juliana took me yesterday, June 2nd) to Taipei's Grand Hotel for an extended, fabulous, more than satisfying, fun-filled lunch/brunch...

The Grand Hotel boasts itself as the "Only Truly Chinese Palace-Styled Hotel in the World" - and it is rightly so!!! From it's grand exterior to an even more grand interior - the Grand Hotel is truly one of the most magnificent hotels I have ever seen/visited. I remember seeing this hotel in a few Chinese movies filmed in Taiwan... and each and everytime I take the ride to the CKS Airport, I am always in awe of its beauty, standing a top an elevated part of Taipei... commanding in every way.The architecture is truly in the ancient traditional style of a Chinese palaces of yore... it boasts large red pillars, ornately tiled roofs, marbled staircases, beautiful large Chinese artworks on its walls, Chinese style furniture, etc.... everything about the place screams Elegant Grand Chinese Style!!! And I loved every single part ot the place.

Where we had our brunch was adjacent to the swimming pool area... the decor of the restaurant was just as beautiful as the Hotel itself... using the same color and style themes the main building uses.... The food selection was just as magnificent - with a wide array of so many Asian delights: Chinese delicacies such as Peking Duck, BBQ Chicken, & Shark Meat; a very fresh selection of sashimi ( am not much of a sashimi person but the salmon and tuna looked so deliciously enticing I broke down to have some!) & sushi; seafood galore; plus a host of others that I gobbled up too fast without bothering to find out the dishes' names.... and of course, there was a beautiful and delicious selection of desserts to choose from... and since I could not choose, i opted to sample each and every one of them.... I must have had 3 plates of desserts and finished it all up with 3 scoops of ice cream!!!

This was one TRULY SPECIAL BDAY TREAT!!! Thanks Again Juliana!!!

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

Added BDay Gifts from Juliana: LEVIS X Bearbricks

"dance... it's all I want to do..."

Loving the new KYLIE song and music video.... Welcome Back Kylie...
Guess I know what this year's Gay Pride song will be for 2010!!!

Lyrics Kylie Minogue lyrics - All The Lovers lyrics

taking this BDAY month in stride....

so it is JUNE once again.... and it can only mean one thing - another BDAY is in the horizon.... YIKES.... but really, BDAYs has not meant much for me in a while now... it does get celebrated one way or another... but forgotten soon after.... and this year will be no different... I will be in Taipei again with nothing special planned...

So I want to mark this BDAY month with a few funny quotes on BDays - for me and for all other JUNE BABIES:

===========================

You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.
-Bob Hope

As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
-Sir Norman Wisdom

Age is a number and mine is unlisted.
-Anonymous

Inside every older person is a younger person - wondering what the hell happened. -Cora Harvey Armstrong

The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. -Lucille Ball

Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
-Jack Benny


Whatever with the past has gone, The best is always yet to come. -Lucy Larcom

It is lovely, when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me. -Ellen Glasgow

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL JUNE BABIES!!!