OKINAWA TRIP - Day 1: Early XMas Gift

As promised, come rain or shine, I have to be in Manila and spend XMas with my Mom....  this I will do come the 18th of DEC....  but because of VISA purposes, I needed to get out of Taiwan so as to not overstay.....  David comes to the rescue.... he gave me my early XMas gift: A 3 Day Trip to Okinawa!!!   Am happy as it is a place I have yet to see/visit - though I have been in Japan many times before....  and the flight is under one hour - even closer than flying to Manila....  and as an added bonus it is called an Eternal Summer City....  looking forward to that as it has been cold and rainy in Taipei the last few days....

So early on the 26th of Nov., we took the shuttle bus at 5:30AM to head on to the International Airport.... this time around, Terminal 2... not often for me to fly out of here...  actually, only my 2nd time ever!  Flight was at 8:30 AM and we were in Okinawa by a little past 9AM!!!  Getting to the city was quite easy... thanks to Okinawa's Monorail that runs through the island, really....  checked in the Hotel for the nite - then we were off to explore the city....

First up was running into this little quaint place called BENTO... yes, just freshly cooked and packaged meal as you wait, served in Bento Box for all to enjoy....  inexpensive, fresh and TASTY!!!   Nice first taste of OKINAWA....

... then we walked 15 minutes over and we were on KOKUSAI Street - Naha's main shopping district....   Specialty Shops, Big Department Store (well 2 only really - Mitsukoshi being one of them), Cafes & Restos, Souvenir Shops, all one could ever need and think of - on a Major Tourist/Hang Out District.  

From here, we decided to walk on over to UNIQLO, in the OROKU area.. instead of taking the Monorail - we decided to take a walk so as we can also enjoy some sights of the city... get a feel and taste the flavour of Okinawa streets.....  It was a nice day for it, too....  No Sun - but not too cloudy, still a beautiful Saturday - and walking by the  city's main park and Stadium, it was GREAT to see people enjoying the day...  Locals and Tourists alike just enjoying the day...

Got to UNIQLO in less than an hour....  not a hard walk at all as the city is pretty flat, too....  UNIQLO is on the 2nd floor of the AEON Department Store....   not as big as the ones in Tokyo, or even Taipei for that matter - still it was quite packed with both goods and people....   AMAZING to always see the cool casual clothing in regular Japan Retail - definitely cheaper than in Taiwan....  Enjoyed AEON a few more hours... had some snacks at Mister Donut (Happiness is MISDO campaign with the SNOOPY Gang is too cute to pass up... :)  and then walked back to Kokusai Street to check out dinner choices....

Fresh Sushi & Sashimi plus SOBA noodles for dinner on one of the many restos on the 2nd level of the Heiwadori Market did not disappoint as the dinner choice....  filling...  tasty....  and fresh....  Nice Choice for dinner, indeed.....  walked around a bit more...  and picked up a few things for desserts and late nite snacks and headed back to the Hotel.....

Be@rbrick Series 23 Revealed

Here's the actual LINE UP for Series 23....  I pretty much like them all...  WAAAAH!

TROUBLE TROUBLE TROUBLE!!!!
(Not so sure if I should be THANKFUL about this announcement or NOT? LOL)

Now I wonder what the SECRET ONES will be?  and how many there will be? 

Giving Thanks..... still....

I cannot even remember now that last Thanksgiving I have celebrated....   this is the 12th year I am not celebrating - yes, that looooong!!! I, too, cannot believe it.....

Though memories are all a bit jumbled up now of many Thanksgiving past - so many of these memories are still pretty fresh in my mind... and even more so, in my heart..... Thanksgiving with dear friends.... quiet moments with past love ones (not so many, mind you... hahahahahaha) .... having Thanksgiving dinners for some friends and co-workers who could not go home to their respective families; worse, who did not have families to go home to.... delivering meals to those who did not have families to go celebrate with through Chicken Soupers, and other various charities...

They were, they are, my families.... having grown up pretty much on my own - I was LUCKY ENOUGH to have had them all at separate times in my life.... they made my Thanksgiving complete and forever I will be THANKFUL to them - for touching my life one way or another....

 

 

And now another Thanksgiving is upon us.... lately, it feels as if I have less and less to be THANKFUL for.... with business the way it is.... with the way things have been with my family - near and far..... and of course, with the way things are with my Mom.... just the other day I spoke with her on the phone...checking in.... and even thousands of miles apart - I could hear the pain in her voice....  all i can do is try to not let on of my feelings and sorrows and just to be BRAVE and STRONG for her... something that is getting harder and harder to do as time goes by....    And just tonight, am reminded that it has been 8 months ago since the time my MOM went through her last complete physical... the time the doctor basically said she is LUCKY to have a year left in her...Has it really been that long already? Is this why she has been feeling worse and getting health complications lately? Is she feeling something that she is not telling us - in her way, trying to be Brave and Strong for us, too? I guess only time will tell....

For now, I will just be THANKFUL for all the days she is not in so much pain.... for the times she is able to get up and down the stairs on her own.... for the smiles I see in her, still.... for all the stories and memories she has been sharing with me - of her childhood, of my childhood, of our families... for reminding me something I almost always forget - that in the end, we only have one life and we MUST LIVE IT THE BEST WAY WE CAN. DO WHAT MAKES US HAPPY WITHOUT HARMING OTHERS, AND FIND HAPPINESS IN ALL THAT THERE IS.....

 But most especially, AM THANKFUL for whatever time I still get to have with her.... and though am not with her this Thanksgiving - it matters not as I surely will be with her for XMas - as promised....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

Juju Days

Seems like these days it is really all about Juju....   every extra moment, when in Taipei is spent with this little one....  yesterday was no different.....  though Wu papa is up from Kaohsiung to look after her - we still ended up taking her back to our place to play with...  put her to nap... and then later on - a stroll at Sun Yet San Memorial Hall - with Wu Papa along....

It ended up being a fun nite...  got to see the Guards do their thing, taking the flag own...  watched the Water and Light show which happens nightly.....  and of course, got to view Taipei 101 all lit up... always a pleasure to see at night....

And Juju had so much fun - walking....  pushing her wooden toy....  dancing about.....  and saying Hello and Bye to all the passers by....  she had such a blast, exerted so much energy that she fell asleep on the bus ride to the restaurant....  we capped off the nite having a little Shabu Shabu for dinner.... a very nice treat.....

Sunday's Little Blessings

Started off the day with my first 7-11 Premium Earphones....   yes, I was FINALLY LUCKY enough to happen upon a 7-11 with a few of them IN STOCK for redemption....   and I got me the OPEN chan one....   Could not wait to get it deboxed and give it a try....   hooked it up on my iPhone and listened to some tunes - in fairness, it sounded pretty good....  nice, very nice, reception indeed!!! 

Now I cannot wait to get the LOCK chan one... I do hope that I get LUCKY enough for that one as my second redemption -- two more stickers to go..... :)

Then later on, out of the blue - with the skies still looking gloomy but no rain - we decided to drive up for a DIP at the Hot Spings... less than an hour outside of Taipei....   today was the perfect day... though the sun tried to come out a few times - it never really did....  so it was refreshing to be outdoors, nice cold breezes, and soothing Hot, Natural Spring waters...  and all that heat equaled an appetite for some delicacies for lunch....

...and earlier tonite, we got a visit from Jewel - who just came back from Japan... her first trip abroad ever....  only a year old and already Traveling....  what a life!!!

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT WEEKEND!!! 

 HERE'S TO A BRAND NEW WEEK!!!

Luke Evans: More Than A God!!!

He will almost make you forget Henry Cavill in IMMORTALS  - in every scene he is in - he captivates.... Sexy, Brooding & with acting chops to boot....   keep thinking to myself, "Who is this actor?"

So, of course, i had to GOOGLE him as soon as I come home....  then I realized I have seen him before on the recently released take on The Three Musketeers.... and even then, watching the film I kept thinking who is this guy playing the charming Aramis...

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

Well, this is his Mini Biography in IMDB:

6' footer, Luke Evans was born in Pontypool, Wales (April of 1979) but grew up in Abergargoed, South Wales. He moved to Cardiff at the age 17. He then won a scholarship to the London Studio Center, and graduated in 2000.

He starred in many of London's West End theater productions. In 2009, he landed the role of Apollo in Clash of the Titans (2010). Then, he quickly landed roles in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (2010), Robin Hood (2010), Tamara Drewe (2010), Blitz (2010), The Three Musketeers (2011), Ashes (2011), Immortals (2011) and The Raven (2012). He's also scheduled to star in The Amateur American (2012), Only God Forgives (2012) and No One Lives (2012).

IMMORTALS

What a GREAT way to spend another rainy day in Taipei....   watching IMMORTALS in the big screen!!!   it was worth every penny and every effort from navigating through the rain....   ADD this to my list of FAVE movies for 2011 - and Henry Cavill as a certified HUNK and leading actor...  always knew he would fit right in on the big screen.....

Knowing that this is from the same creators of the movie 300 - one is certain to expect Great Visuals and Great Action Sequences....  well, IMMORTALS has all that and so much more....  not as dark as 300, especially the sequences in Mount Olympus, where Zeus and the other Gods (Athena, Poseidon, Ares, etc..) discusses what's going on down below...  this world is very Pierre et Giles in looks and feel...  colorful, sparkly & sensual...   not that the scenes below are not sensual - it was that but Gritty as well....   every frame will hold you captivated....  actions sequences or not....

It helps a lot that the actors fits the movie quite well....  with Mickey Rourke providing real acting chops as the baddie...  he did not need to be totally enhanced as was the baddies in 300 - his acting alone was enough to chew up every scene he is in....   the supporting casts of familiar faces (Stephen Dorf, John Hurt, Freida Pinto, Isabel Lucas as Goddes Athena, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon, and most notably, Luke Evans as Zeus...) were all pretty good, as well....   again, they fit right in...  one forgets that these are just actors playing parts....   I was totally engrossed in the film... 

and Henry Cavill totally delivered on the promised seen in the HBO Series The Tudors....  now am even more soooo looking forward to seeing him fly in the screen as the Man of Steel!!!

Never mind that, most likely the director and producers of the film, butchered up the whole Mythology of Theseus - you just go in for the ride and come out Visually Satisfied!!!  Very much recommended - rainy day or not....

Close But No Cigar...

or in my case: "No Premium Earphones....  Yet!"

Went to a few 7-11 today to try and CLAIM my first of the Premium Open/Lock Earphones as I have collected enough stickers (Thanks fto all those cups of coffees - the BEST and FASTEST way to collect stickers!!!) for one so far....  but NO SUCH LUCK....  except for the ones they have on displayed (Teasing Me!) - none were available for redemption...  so I wait another week... BOO HOO!!!

AAAAAAHHHHHH  The Torture..... 

 I really should just got the Yahoo Auction way via Sue....  hahahahahahahaha.....

In My hand but cannot take home... BOO HOO!!!

Incidentally, sister company COSMED is running the same Premium Program but offers 3 EXCLUSIVES - Coco the bird, Open & Lock in XMas Clothing!!!

Original Post Regarding this Newest 7-11 Premium Program HERE!

Wet Friday Night

Winding down the evening....  Friday, first night of the weekend....   as always, not much to do...  decided to brave the rain and  just trek over Shilin Night Market - for food & people watching....  and it was a good call as it was, as always crowded...   locals & tourists....   young and old alike.... so many people abound.... 

Needless to say, never ending choices of delicacies to munch on.... plus lots of Night Market goodies to marvel on: Clothes, Bags, Shoes, Accessories and Nick Knacks.... a couple of hours later - we had our FILL - both the Tummy and the Eyes!!! 

The place is always a pleasure to visit....  just a total fun night out...

Even got to stop by the Temple to give respects and Thanks to the Gods!!!

More Sweet Treats!!!

....okay, okay... of a different kind.....   with today being HUMP DAY and all - just had to post these shots of personal fave Mike He & Taiwan's Newest Heartthrob, Chris Wang - both are POPULAR Taiwanese Models & Soap Opera Idols...  and the current HUNKY Celebrity Spokespeople for Mens UNO facial Cleansing Wash - gracing magazines and buses all over Taiwan....

The photos below are from their respective Picture Books recently released....  They will sure make some SWEET XMas Treats for many, am sure!!!!

MIKE HE

CHRIS WANG

HAPPY HUMP DAY ALL!!!

XMas Treats @ Mister Donut

was a rainy day the whole day yesterday....  so most of the day was spent indoors....   working...  playing with and looking after jewel...  never a good thing for me being couped up indoors for looooong periods of time....  as most of you know....   so the minute the rain let up a bit, Jewel in tow, I was out of the house.....  hahahahahahahaha...

Sadly it was already around 8PM at this time... with really no place to go - too late to hop on the bus and go to the malls... we walked over to Min Sheng Rd - to check out mags at KINGSTONE BOOKSTORE....   and just hang out....   and Jewel did a lot of her walking exercises for the day on the 3rd floor....  even walked up and down the steps - A LOT!!!  ON HER OWN!!! (Not to worry - am ALWAYS close by for support and safety...)

Just so happen that Mister Donut is next door to it...  and their XMas poster beckoned us to come in - so a good whole hour was spent eating, drinking, people watching and snapping shots....   we both LOVED sampling the new XMas mini treats - so cute in their XMas packaging - 2 varieties available....

Jewel walking....  Yummy Mister Donuts....  and XMas spirits in the air - FINALLY....  

 Sweet Treats, Indeed!!!

Burnt Bridges

"choose wisely the bridges that you burn"

...because sometimes, some of these bridges just cannot be repaired - no matter how much one would like to.... no matter who wishes to get it all fixed up....  and no matter how far they go to get it fixed...

POSITIVITY

starting off the BRAND NEW WEEK with some Positive Thoughts... 

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

~ St. Francis of Assisi ~

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

~ Lao Tzu ~

"Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them."

~John Updike~

Have a Great Week ahead All!!!

of rain and queens....

another rainy Sunday here in Taipei.....   as with every Sunday, started the day, answering emails, PMs and catching up online....  then Church for this week's Sunday Mass....  enjoyed the music more than anything....   had some Filipino desserts....  called Mom....   and came back home to wait for Jewel, who arrived a little after 1PM... yep, today is babysitting day.....

Jewel has gotten even bigger these few days I was in Manila.... as always, upon arriving - she has the smile and the outstretch arms for me...  as if it was only yesterday that i saw her last....      we played for a few hours and now she sleeps....  soundly....  Hopefully, when she awakes the rain would have subsided a bit - so we can take a walk by the river... been a while since I was there last.... 

I MISS IT....

So, am back answering emails and watching trailers on You Tube...  just realized that there will be two Snow White film adaptations....  and both are Big Hollywood undertakings....   and forget who is playing Snow White on both films, the more thrilling news will be the battle of the Evil Queens....  Charlize Theron dons the wickedness in "Snow White and the Huntsman" with Kirsten Stewart as Snow White.... this looks to be a more action packed, darker take on the tale....; while the other adaptation boasts Julia Roberts as the resident Evil Queen to Lilly Collins' Snow White....  I for one, cannot wait for both adaptations....   so forget the Pacquioa/Marquez bout that just concluded - this is the fight am waiting for!  Hahahahahahahahaha....

ADDENNDUM: 10PM

Juju just got picked up a little while ago.....   we did have a nice nite and got to go for a walk by Dajia River, all the way to the Roahe Night Market for some delicacies, and a visit to the Roahe Temple....  in just under two hours - we went and came back...  perfect timing as it started drizzling once more a couple of blocks away from the house....  WHEW!!!

Mama Mary

During the last trip to Manila, I got to stop in at the Church in Greenhills Shopping Center once more....  and it was an added BONUS that is was not too crowded....  I got to really look around and get up close to the Madonna and Child sculpture by the altar....   even from afar, it gives such as serene feeling....  soft colors, just the right touch of Golds to make it not GAUDY looking for my taste....  and the Virgin Mary's face is soooo soft and serene... so calming....  I could just stare at it for hours.... 

By far, IMHO, this is the Prettiest face sculpt of the Virgin Mary I have ever seen in all my travels....  and I have even been to The Vatican.

happy/sad

One of my WISHES for my MOM just happened.... one more to go....
Happy Friday All!

11.11.11

Heartaches & Lies

God Give Me Strength...

This trip has been too much of a downer for me....   physically, mentally, emotionally....   the weather is not helping....  with all these rain Manila has been having - it seems as if even the skies cries with me....

Am full aware of what condition my Mom is in....  am full aware that the medicine she is taking, mainly AROMASIN, contains STEROIDS that helps her keep her healthy look on the outside....  basically, lies to her and everyone else regarding her condition...  and since it was prescribed to her, it has been doing its' job and making my Mom look healthy on the outside.... and made her feel good on the inside....  doing what it mostly is supposed to do, including stop more lumps from appearing, too fast, too soon... Giving her a longer lease on life...

Each month I come, even with all the pain she is experiencing -...from the existing lumps.... all the grief and sadness.....  all the emergency trip to the hospital for one reason or another......   and the emotional baggage she carries within her, that she does not talk about much, but is sooooo apparent - she appears in very healthy condition and happy for the most part.... 

But this visit is a total turnaround....  Mom looked sooooo sad and tired.....   lost weight once more.... looked pale and sickly....  and the saddest of all, looks as if she has no ZEST for life left.....  her eyes were soooo deep & dark that even laughing I saw no shine in them....  and seeing this kills me the most....  feeling helpless as there is not much I can do.....   feeling lost as I do not know what to say to her when asked what else can be done....  knowing full well, deep down she knows what condition she is in.....  

Just as the medicine Lies about her Health...  I too, have to Lie to her just too keep her spirits up....  and just as the medicine seems to be waning its powers over my Mom's condition - my energy level (EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY & PHYSICALLY) seems to be waning as well...

"We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name,
But all we have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your resting place we visit,
And put flowers there with care,
But no one knows the heartache,
As we turn and leave you there."

...waiting....

...starting off the week - the month - waiting is DEFINITELY NOT GOOD..... WAITING is STILL NOT A VIRTUE of MINE..... and it is about to get looooonger as I take another red eye flight out to Manila tonight.....   as you know, this always consists of a bus ride to the Domestic terminal; only to take an hour bus ride to the International terminal.....  then a two hour wait for the actual Red Eye flight...  so it is another day by the time I arrive....  and yes, it is worse - it's raining!!!

Hope you are all having a better start of the brand new week...  brand new month... :)