here's hoping UMBRELLAS will be enough....

Manila and the rest of the Philippines is bracing itself once again for another typhoon heading our way- this is from numerous TV NEWS report yesterday....... nothing new, as this is the Typhoon Season once again... Only warnings are already being given that it could or might be as INTENSE as the ONDOY one that DEVASTATED many areas nationwide... causing so much damages and losses - lives included....

This morning I woke up to Glorious Blues Skies.... so, So Far, So Good.... Hope it stays like so.....

So lets' cross our fingers, says prayers and send good vibes to the people of The Philippines and everywhere else being battered by heavy downpour this season.... remember, we are all in this world - TOGETHER!!!
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"When the sun shines, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)"
-Umbrella by Rihanna

XMAS ALREADY!!!!! WHOAH!!!!

OMG..... i was just thinking about the Halloween project i need to do when i get back to Taiwan - and BOOM, I was hit with nothing sooooo much XMas decors and such - all over Manila.... the ride from the airport to the city was already bursting with the holiday spirits.... then once in the malls - and i mean all of them, and it is Xmas, Xmas, Xmas!!! as if they wanted to skip Halloween altogether (albeit i did see at least a couple of store windows decorated lamely for Halloween....

All U Need for XMas 2010!!! XMAS Section @ SM Mega Mall

XMas Stalls @ Greenhills Shopping Center

Poinsettias For Sale for that early holiday Spirits in your homes...

and to top is all off, I was listening to the radio when The Jackson 5's "Someday at XMas" came on.... WHOAH!!! XMas song in mid OCT!!!

Haiiiiis PAL...:((

"First in Asia", that is Philippine Airlines much proudly ballyhooed motto.... that is for having the distinction to have National Carrier that flew Internationally... So on this count, I give it to them... they are first, indeed.... But when it comes to everything else - they are always last in my book, and I have flown many, many airlines already....

Each and every time I fly them, they seem to find new ways to somewhat aggravate me, and from what i see, other passengers, too.... Forget about the food or total lack of service.... let me start of by just pointing out that most of the senior crew not even able to deliver one thing that is FREE of CHARGE and should have been a prerequisite with this type of jobs: SMILE!!! My God, is the job really that hard that one cannot muster a simple smile.... even fake one??? I did not see any of them crew on my flight give anyone a single smile... but when i did go to use the toilet in the back of the plane - they sure were having a jolly old time, gabbing.... Not even the PURSER of the flight extended a smile when they were greeting everyone on and off the plane... WTF!!! and if one of your main duties on board it to give out the food and drinks, then do so willingly.... suck it up.... get over it... I mean, it should already be routine, robotic, second nature... so why act as if the passengers are asking for too much when asking for a second cup of Orange Juice.... it does not come out of your paycheck so give willingly.... But then again, maybe it does - with your recent company troubles going around - has it gotten that bad that the management is requiring you all to conserve and give less? LOL

And now let's talk, Terminal... how on earth could you have your own carrier's airport, a nice one at that, and still not be able to run it properly.... possibly the worst manned Airport terminal i have ever have been to... The longest wait ever, each and every time, for the bags to come... and how hard could it be when each time I arrive, only the flight from Taipei and Japan comes at the same time... How come you cannot get it together??? Only two flights - two baggage carousels... it does not take a genius how it should be... so how come there are times when both flights' bags are on the same carousel.. and at times, on separate carousels... and on this particular one - some of the Taiwan's luggage were picked up on carousel 4 along with the luggage from japan, while the rest had to be fetched on carousel 5... LOL....

And my Biggest Beef this time... the captain actually got us on the ground and on the bus terminal at the exact time we are to arrive - ON TIME!!! But where were the buses??? we actually had to wait a good half hour on the plane before the shuttle buses to take us to the terminal arrived... we saw a couple passed by fetching the Japanese passengers - so this means, the company only had two shuttle bus at your disposal? I don't think so.... Just another badly planned/badly organized day at PAL.....

NOTE TO PAL: "Just because you land the plane on time, does not necessarily mean it was not a DELAYED FLIGHT!"

...touching...

Just been seeing this a lot on You Tube.... and thought it is a Perfect Entry for this Sunday.... GLEE as we all know is a total breakout Phenom from the Get Go.... and understandably so.... am just HAPPY that all the cast members gets to have their shot at Great Solos, their turns to Shine....

Last Season Kurt got to do a FAVE old standard of mine, A House Is Not A Home.. this time around he gets to cover: "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".... Touchingly So.... Full of Emotions....

The song is truly a simple and yet, very emotional one to begin with.... and depending on how you are feeling, where you are at the point of your life, it could mean many a great thing.... this version SPEAKS to me.... in more ways than one......

NOTE: and what a HOTTIE Kurt/Chis Colfer has bloomed to be.... from the somewhat chubby boy, doing Single Ladies last season... to a fully matured young man...

As singled out by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the BEST Characters on TV right now!!!

Jewel Comes Home

This little girl once again AMAZES me.... her resilience does not wane... and she continues to Surprise us all....
Remember in my fist BLOG about her - Jewel at the last minute, decided to help out Mommy escaped a C Section delivery - and decided to push her way out into the wold - the NATURAL WAY....

and then, due to minor complications, (catching a little cold) - she was to be left behind in the hospital for at least another week so they can better watch over her till she is 100% ready to go home with Lyn & Shaun... even the day before Lyn's release, we still were not sure if Jewel will be able to come home... But TRUE to he Nature, so far, the morning of Lyn's release - Jewel got really better and was released alongside Mommy.... hahahahaha, there was no way she was going to be left behind.....

So she is now at home - enjoying her own sweet home... and we in turn, can enjoy her for longer hours, instead of the 30 minute allotted time every 4 hrs by the hospital....

Just this lunch time - we were able to see her take her fist bath at home.... aaaaah the BIG Pleasures we get from the LITTLE angels....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Break Time with Liya & Johnny (Jason)

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."
~Frederick Keonig
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Took a couple of hours break from "JEWEL WATCH" today - Liya, Jason (both up from Kaohsiung) & I decided to go to WarnerViewshow area, to have lunch at Burger King, check out what's playing at the Cineplex, and of course, try to check out the newly opened UNIQLO....

Well, we were too late for any of the movies we wanted to see... either already started or SOLD OUT.... and the next scheduled showings were just much too late - have to go back and see Jewel and bring food to her parents, too.... So we decided to just have our Burger King lunch... YUMMY!!! Of course, I had my Chicken Sandwich with Cheese.... and even got to try their Brownie Cubes Topped with Ice Cream....

Before heading back home, we walked by the NEWLY Opened UNIQLO Shop in Taipei.... This Japanese based clothing boutique' Grand Opening has been much anticipated by soooo many Taiwanese... so we knew it will be like a MADHOUSE.... well, that's an understatement.... it was soooooooo CROWDED!! Long lines from all point of entries - LOL!!! Spoke to some of the people there, and it seems some of them even spent a whole nite in line just to be sure get in as the shop first opens...OMG!!! Well, as much as it would have been FUN to get in and take photos for the BLOG, 3 hours of my time to waste in line was just not worth it.... indeed!!!

So instead, we took the bus back home - so I can get a bit of work done... and everyone else can prepare FOOD and more stuff for the nighttime Jewel visit.... which we did by 7PM... just in time to have dessert with Lyn & Shaun... then see Jewel by 8PM.... even Cousin Tori came to see Jewel tonite!!! Jewel is doing fine.... she was actually getting some Vitamin Rays - so she looks as if she is in a TANNING BOOTH!!! LOLs!!! We all left the hospital about 9:30Pm and walked the long way home... a good 30/40 mins walk....

MORE PHOTOS HERE

The "Jewel" In Our Eyes!!!

Aaaaah the MIRACLE of BIRTH!!!!

am TRULY HUMBLED and AWED by the whole process....

Please meet "Jewel"

- the much awaited first born to my friends/family, Lyn & Shaun....

Born: Oct 5th, 2010

Time: 6:10 AM

Weight: 3KGS and 30 Grams

Height: 52 CM

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okay, okay... this is actually the real reason why we all have been extra busy lately.... with not much time for anything else except going back and forth to the Hospital... first making sure everything is well with the Mom to be, Lyn... then welcoming Jewel into this world.... and now, just to see her from time to time during visiting hours - till she is safe and sound in her home... and we can see her as much as we want!!! Hehehehehehehe....As most of you know, Lyn & Shaun, I have known for over 10 years now.... shared lots of GREAT TIMES with them, and still doing so..... from college graduation, to tying the knot almost 2 years ago, & now, their first baby.....

So far, so good..... both Mom & Baby are doing fine.... though at one point it was going to have to be a C-Section delivery, but at the last minute, Jewel pulled through and helped Mommy open up a bit... so to speak.... been running back and forth to the hospital bringing the happy parents food - helps a lot that the hospital is only 15 minutes away by scooter.... and of course, we get to hold and enjoy Jewel a bit more!!!

Almost There!!!!

It is getting more EXCITING!!! I woke up from dreaming about Lyn's water breaking -and I was the only one around... so I was panicking as to what to do??? who to call??? Ect... so that was funny... Then we get a call from Lyn (& Shaun), saying she has already checked in as her water already broke.... LOL!!!(Photo taken a little after 4PM today)

So, she has checked in at around 9AM, and the Doctor is predicting that within the next 24 to 30 hours - she will deliver.... and she better, as Chinese Fortune tells her that Tuesday, the 5th is the Best time for her to have the baby, too.... So let's hope and pray that all the heavens are conspiring to make her wishes come true!!!

UPDATE: 9:30pm - SAME DAY: Just got home from the hospital.... Lyn is doing great... and everything is going fine... so far so good..... spent a couple of hours there tonite bringing her and Shaun dinner.... Visiting hours is only till 9PM - so we all left the parents to be for the nite...

"il dolce far niente"

otherwise known to the English speaking world as "The Sweetness of Doing Nothing"... something I noticed was TRULY, quite noticeable all over Italy during this last trip....

Now, this practice is really not lost on me - though I grew up in San Francisco, California - where I, being a good little boy - focused on school, school work, and doing what my parents told me all throughout High School; to working my way through college..; and working almost 7 days a week right after college....

Still, any chance I got, I remember rejuvenating myself by relaxing at home, laying about... reading a book by the park... sitting in a cafe watching people walk by... wandering about the streets of San Francisco... Basically, doing things without really doing anything... much like the way the Italians do when they practice "l'arte di dolce far niente"...

I attribute this to my Origins, I suppose.... the Filipino and Spanish heritage must have a lot to do with it, as they too, as a nation of people know how to relax, have fun, and take life in stride.... so it is in my Blood..... couple that with having traveled at a very young age and witnessing these simple pleasures of life from different cultures - most especially in Central and South Americas....

and then there is also the belief that: everything happens for a reason... what is meant to be, will be.... or famously put into words in The Tao of Pooh: "everything is as it should be..." keeping all these in mind - why bother stress too much... instead, give your all in everything you do and believe in.... and still, find the balance and take the time to live life to the fullest and try one's best at Happiness.... whatever that maybe to you - even if it means practicing "il dolce far niente".....

Blessed Sunday To You All!!!

Spent most of yesterday & last nite at Shaun & Lyn's house.... having dinner... watching movies... eating some more.... gabbing.... keeping Lyn company as we wait for the arrival of her baby.... was due on the 2nd but that did not happen.... maybe a few more days.... then eating some more.... finally went home around 12 midnite... tired and sooooooo full!!!

Taking it easy on this Sunday.... just Church, Gym, Library.... & hopefully running if it does not rain... or swimming if it does.... and am hoping for less food intake for today....

Happy Sunday All!!!

Mangia*Prega*Ama

Just got back from watching Eat, Pray, Love - such a wonderful treat on this Saturday - I have been waiting to see this film for quite some time now.... was really hoping to see it before going to Europe but it was not out yet.... just finally came out yesterday, Oct 1st....

Boy, was it worth the wait... not just for the beautifully written lines.... the all too realistic and believable acting from everyone (from Julia Roberts; the 3 male leads, Javier, Billy & James; all the supporting casts that she gets to interact with all through the movie; and of course, location, location, location!!!! This movie takes you from New York, to Italy, to India, and Bali.

It was extra SPECIAL to see all the places that her character goes to, as all I have been to, and was more than HAPPY and EXCITED to spot special places - that are still FRESH in my mind... especially, Rome & Naples!!! and it was soooooo REAL.... all the location used in both Rome and Naples, were so familiar.... and it I even have photos of myself in most of the places.... even the local people reminds me of most of the ones we encountered and got to talk with......

The movie covers a lot of grounds in Liz Gilbert's life (author and protagonist in the book & film): literal, emotional, and spiritual. and Ryan Murphy (of GLEE fame) did a great job adapting and directing the film. Watching how the story unfolds, one can almost feel what Julia Robert's character is going through... Miss Roberts, have truly matured as a woman and an actress.... and is very much comfortable in her skin - and it shows.... It was a joy to see her, and go through life with her, in character, and be re-awakened along with her....

TRULY A MUST SEE FILM!!!

Poster Advert taken in Rome.

Happy 1st of October Everyone!!!

Everything is going by too fast... it is both AMAZING & SCARY!!!

Since coming back from the Europe trip, things have been CRAZY HECTIC on my side of the world.... catching up with work - nothing new!; dealing with a couple of typhoon and the constant rain; dealing with more family troubles; and just about everything else on the home front.... and here we are, Oct 1st already!!! 85 days before XMAS!!! 3 more months before the end of the year!!! WHOAH, where have all the time gone....

October is proving to be even more hectic with the impending arrival of Lyn & Shaun's first baby.... Lyn is due on the 2nd so basically, that means anytime now we could all be rushing to the hospital for delivery... an exciting time for all... with the whole Wu clan due to come up from down south to help in during the first few days....Then come 11th of Oct., I should be flying off again to Manila - to take care of personal & familial matters.... REALLY MUST DO STUFF - before the end of the year....In between, I am looking forward to the Grand Opening of UNIQLO, Taipei on the 7th of this month.... hoping to see EAT*PRAY*LOVE..... and catching up with GLEE, the rest of Season 1.... and of course, HALLOWEEN!!!

Hope all's well in your neck of the woods....