"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".....

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!!!

...alone....

well, here I am again.... past midnite and waiting for another flight.... i should be used to this - flying alone each and every month... i guess in a way I am, but still, it is a bit trying especially when flying in some un-God-ly hour... my flight is actually at 1:25AM - lols.....

Th airport is soooooo DEAD..... all the shops and restaurants closed.... nothing to do whatsoever.... THANK GOD there's WIFI, Facebook & Blogging.... kills the 2 looong hours i have to wait..

i see the plane now... so at least am smiling knowing the flight will not be delayed.... just an hour more....

GREAT WEEKEND TO YOU ALL!!!

enjoying the silence.... well, i was.....

Quietly working since early this morning.... enjoying the peacefulness of the day.... a bit gloomy but not raining so it was OK to be indoors all day, working.... silence is golden after all, right???

well, just like the weather in Taipei lately, that changed really fast.... silence changed to noise... but I should not complain as it was not just any noise... it was actually from a parade for a nearby Temple.... so I ended up watching it - right through my very own window...

So this noisy interruption actually became a very nice break from working... of course, I had to take some photos...

photography for me...

My friends and family are ALWAYS teasing me about having the camera in TOW - all the time... and I mean, all the time.... everywhere and anywhere.... and when I forget to carry it and happen upon something or someone I wish to photograph - I get SAD :((.... really sad....

Am the kind of person who would not hesitate to randomly ask people around to take photos for me and my friends - so everyone can be in the shot... nor would I hesitate to stop people on the street for a photo op -- especially if they are cute, HOT, or a celebrity I know (as you all know!)... hahahahahaaha...

When I think about it, I do feel BAD for my friends and family, when at meal times - no one is allowed to dig in till i have taken shots of each and every dish placed on the table... no one is allowed to leave a party or venue without getting their obligatory photo shoot with me.... most of my friends have already gave in and accepted this fact.... and some even looks out for me to stop others at their tracks from digging into a dish that I have not photographed yet... CRACKS ME UP all the time!!!

But really, if you get to know me long enough - you will realize that I do not do this because am ANAL, NARCISSISTIC, or CRAZY... I do this because I love capturing moments.... I love being able to look back and see where I have been... things I have seen.... billboards and quotes.... food I have eaten.... people I have met and MISSES!!! and just about everything and anything that speaks to me - and baffles my friends.... hahahaha

so, next time you find yourself out with me : alone or in a group - don't run away.... don't hide ur face.... and most especially PLS DO NOT BE MAD!!! have patience and accept my apologies now.... consider yourself warned.... I WILL TAKE YOUR PHOTO!!! Just RELAX and SHARE the FUN OF IT ALL with ME....

Now I leave you with something from Nigel Barker (AMTM Resident Judge & Professional Photographer & HOTTIE!:
'Photography for most people is a hobby, something they dabble in on vacation or just away to document life. The fact I could and actually do it for a job is a blessing." I can totally relate to the first part - as definitely, my photos will not be enough to make a living... hahahahahahahaha

HOT TIMES!!!

Not that am having HOT TIMES of late..... more like too much HOT sun and not enough TIME!!!

I cannot believe not a SINGLE ENTRY here the two weeks I was gone.... and I always PRIDE myself in being DILIGENT with this BLOG, too....

oh well, back to square one.... lot's of catching up to do... so be warned - and be sure to check back all the time.... Blogging galore here, for sure.... hahahahaha

saw this on a store window campaign - and just LOVE it.... I COMPLETELY AGREE, especially on the 2nd one...

what's HOT for you???

Friendlier Way to Fly : PAL, Take Two

could they have really READ MY BLOG.. and LISTENED?

well, I would like to think so as the last flight I took with Philippine Airlines - I was TRULY SURPRISED and AMAZED!!!

Some of you must have heard me gripe about a flight I took with PAL a few months back.... it left such a bad taste in my mouth, I actually had to blog about it (You Get What You Pay For - Indeed!) back in July last year.... I hated that so much that, though I fly to Manila once a month, I try to avoid flying PAL unless I really had to (TICKET PRICE being the main factor to consider) - and was LUCKY enough to not have to experience them again except November - it was the Holiday Season so Cebu Pacific was charging a tad bit more....

This past February though, I once again, did not have any choice - last minute booking ended with me having to do PAL once again... and much to my SURPRISE - how things have changed!!! Still for the same price as the ECONO LITE fare that I always take - PAL now, not only let you choose your seat upon check in - they even FEED you - not just a couple of bags of peanuts - but what everyone else is getting on the flight... heck, even the dessert came from one of the BEST dessert places in Manila, BIZU (a personal FAVE of mine) -- TRULY AMAZING!!!

Maybe it is because of the slow/low passenger traffic lately due to the economy and competition? Maybe, many others besides me, have logged in complain? Or as I would like to look at it" "I BLOGGED, THEY TOOK NOTICED and COMPLIED!" - hahahahaha Whatever reason it might have been... am just glad they changed their ways... it is even reflected in one of their newest Magazine Advert....

So, couple that with a better flight schedule - I must say, PAL has WON ME OVER ONCE MORE!!! Now if only we can get a younger, and better looking, cabin crew... which I know they do have but are relegated to DOMESTIC FLIGHTS... but that's another story - for now, am just Happy with the change....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

Sexy Gym - where do I sign up....

HAPPY APRIL FOOL's DAY, Everyone!!!!

TATTOO ME!!

wow...seems so looong ago.... almost 3 years ago to be exact....

"Let's Cafe" with Mark Chao

Mark Chao right now, has got to be Taiwan's Hottest Hunk! From modeling to TV Commercials, including his break out "Let's Cafe" ads for 7-11... to starring in Teen Soap Operas (and winning an award for Best Actor already on TV)... and now a full pledged movie star!!! This guy's flame burns fast and furious (just about 2 years in the biz)... and it seems that there is no signs of the fire burning out. The 24 year old actor was born in Taipei, Taiwan and grew up and educated in Canada.

Mark's Break Out Ad Campaign is for 7-11's "Lets Cafe"... I believe the TV commercial and the ads all over Taiwan just converted so many more into coffee drinkers....Mark, starred in the commercial with his actual dad. In the commercial, he plays an unsuccessful man in both love and work -- and turns to coffee to relieve his pressure. The company invited Mark's father, Zhao Shu Hai, to make a special appearance, relating coffee to the warmth that your family gives you.


Currently, Mark can be seen in the Taiwan Film, MONGA - based on the lives of a few misfits who grew up as gangsters in the 70's/80's Taiwan. This movie just added more to his HOTNESS STATUS in Taiwan. My feelings though about the movie, or the actors in it, including Mark, is quite different... that's for another BLOG though....

Transformers III - Rudi Style

hahahahaha... just came across this photo edit by a friend of mine a couple of years back... found it as I was cleaning up my photo files...

thought it would be a good LAUGH for all on this HUMP DAY!!!

IF ONLY I COULD REALLY TRANSFORM... HMMMMM....

monday blues???

NO MONDAY BLUES HERE!!! Just work, work, and more work... plus dreaming of the BEAUTIFUL BLUE LIGHTS @ KAOHSIUNG's LOVE RIVER!!!

...what makes me SAD....

over the Chinese New Year holidays, down south with The Wus, I stumbled upon a few of these completed Premium Program booklets, all ready to be redeemed from Family Mart & 7-11... I should be HAPPY right? But am not - for these have all EXPIRED!!! Such a WASTE as it is not even easy to accumulate the stickers to begin with... OH WELL... guess, unless you are like me all GA GA for the Premium Toys, such things will not really matter.... oh well...

and a couple more - just for laughs....

"For all those men who say,'why buy the cow when you can get the milk free'. Here's an update for you! Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!!!! "

This Photo Cracks Me Up whenever I come across it...Oh Well... Go Figure!

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

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!

aaah the simple pleasures of life....

just a few RANDOM things that's keeping me HAPPY, BUSY, and FAT lately...

A daily dose of VITAMIN C & CHERIMOYA season...

Still Organizing...

David's Treats...

New Projects...

The Dalai Lama is in Taiwan now...

..but all I got to see is this CUTIE!!!
I want one of these for my collection!!! More on him and the story soon...

Guess what I have in my Bag???

why... it's Mr Duckie's siblings, of course.... YUMMY!!!

Just something to lighten up and start your weekend with... Friday Funnies!!! Have a GREAT WEEKEND to come, everyone!!!

COINCIDENCE? maybe....

i was thinking the exact same thoughts walking about one afternoon, a couple of days ago... then I happen upon this poster... not sure if it is for a movie, a book, or a CD but they were my exact sentiments at the time.... hmmmmm......Hope you are all having a GREAT WEEKEND in your own neck of the woods...

Vanity Strikes...

Looking back, I was hating the way my hair was soooo flat in all the TOY FEST photo - so on this weird weathered Monday morning, I just had to go for a haircut....

Am happy again... Lols, how a decent haircut can change one's mood... Now on to gaining a few POUNDS as am tired of hearing how skinny I am... waaah, just as when I reached my WEIGHT GOAL.....

VANITY - Never Ending Torture, really!!!

Hot & Cold

Summers in Manila can be really trying... The HOTTEST TIME of the year can also be the WETTEST time as rainy season falls on the Hot Summer months.... now I know why Schools' summer vacation here is between Mar & June.... so people can still enjoy some kind of summer instead of be stuck at home, or worse yet, caught in a flood somewhere while on a summer holiday.

The last few days have been either TOO SUNNY or RAIN POURING DOWN... and if one is LUCKY - you get both, alternating in one day... as I have been... makes it really so hard to get around, plus I cannot even go for a swim... I can only eat.... no wonder many people are a bit on the heavy side... and why I am always catching a cold when here in the summer months...

Oh well, at least there's the GREAT BIG & VERY CHEAP movie houses to escape too... as I recently did, and saw TRANSFORMERS... not that I was really dying to see this but nothing else is playing that catches my fancy.... besides, they had this BIG OLD TRUCK displayed right outside the movie theatre - which turned out to be one of the main robot characters in the movie... and in fairness, it was entertaining ebnough for the 2 1/2 hrs, its running time.