This is bad...ever since I wrote that blog entry below, I have been listening to hip hop non-stop. Today is a holiday but I am here at the office working my ass off. I'm about to bounce and go to Tower Records Shibuya, which they claim is the biggest in the World, and blow off some hard earned cash on some hard knockin tunes...Choices are:
1. Erykah Badu-Wordwide Underground
2. Alicia Keys - Diary Of
3. Kanye west - College Dropout
4. Jill Scott - Who is Jill Scott?
5. Basement Jaxx- Kish Kash

Well, gotta enjoy Golden Week and none better to do so than with a stack of great cds!

I was going over my personal .jpeg collections just now when ...WHAM...I saw my Afro Disco Diva picture from last year's Malate White Party. Dang...I miss the night life! Ever since I moved here, I have done nothing but work!!!! Plus, the fact that I have not in any way established any form of social connection whatsoever is sooo pathetic. I gotta, gotta, GOTTA dance! I can feel the canned heat in my heels, tonight baby!

Now here's something new...I've never before heard of Hot Cross Buns. These buns are baked only during Lent. Apparently, it is English Tradition to serve Hot Cross buns on Good Friday. These buns are part of the original pagan celebration of in honor of the God Eastre, the goddess of Spring (and hence the "Easter" celebration). Original buns were marked with various symbols, the most favored being the cross which was a symbol for the four phases of the moon. Since Christianity has incorporated a lot of pagan symbols and traditions in order to attract more converts, Easter lives and the traditional Hot Cross Bun are still being baked.

you're different and special in every way imaginable
you love me from my hair follicles to my toenails
you got me feeling like the breeze, easy and free and lovely and new
oh when you touch me I just can't control it
when you touch me, I just can't hold it
the emotion inside of me, I can feel it
....You excite me to chorus

words borrowed from Jill Scott

Since you brought up nightlife, I finally got the chance to go clubbing in Melbourne. We've been to bars, but we've never been to a "club". Our friends here, Christie who's an ex-Melbourne SPLer and her friends, took us out that night. The place was The Next Blue and the day was Saturday, Asian R&B night. Good music, lotsa beautiful people, lots of alcohol (a bit pricey, but as long as I get at least one free drink I'm fine..hehe) but not enough Core.

Guess I'm really just used to night outs with you guys, and I was needing dance partners willing to stay on the dance floor, high-heeled shoes permitting. Still, its something I wouldn't mind doing again. Especially if there'll be another funny/weird/whacked bit I can share...

Here's the funny/weird/whacked bit: I went up to the bar to get another drink (yes, I had more than one, yay for me!) when the guy beside me asked me if I could chat with him for a while. I didn't say anything, I just looked at him and waited for what else he had to say. He went on to tell me that he's been in prison for 5 years for robbery. He was wondering how it feels to be free, to be able to walk the streets knowing that you've never been in the big house.....all the while he had this faraway,teary-eyed,pained look on him..........

I'm serious! It did happen! I tell you, I laughed incredulously, raised an eyebrow and told him outright that he's got to be kidding. Then his friend told me something (which I didnt understand, but interpreted to be something like, "ignore him he's drunk"). So I just told him that he's a free man now, and that I'll leave him to enjoy his new found freedom.

Talk about the weird things alcohol can do to someone.

Thanks Grache for changing the blog!

If you saw the terrible colors of the previous one, its because I got it into my head to play with the colors...never got around to getting rid of the shitty one. Anyways, comments are back again as well as the links ;)

....And by the way Grache, they're not in Boracay. That's just the way they are.....

Yeah, mi casa su casa. I would really love it if you come over and visit me. I can't wait to check out the night life in Tokyo!!!

And speaking of being alone and single...can't believe my article is still up over at TG's

SINGLETONS...

I'm in my so-not 20ish sqm, 3-bedroom apartment and I'm hearing the very English sounds from the telly echoing echoing through the bare and quiet rooms and reverberating from the walls. Both my flatmates are back in Manila for a short, 2-week break. Though my other officemate is just next door, I'm pretty much on my own out here. In Suburban Glen Waverley....

and, yeah, I'm loving it. Why wouldn't I?

Congratulations on your new flat, Grache. Too bad, I was getting used to the idea of calling you Meguro Girl. Now I have to re-orient myself and think "Takanoblahblah Girl, Takamababa Girl, Taka-whatever Girl"......Hey, you think you'll have room for me when I come and visit? :)

Alas, finally moved in to my own “aparto” in under two weeks. I do wish I could’ve gone hunting a little while longer but immigration law says that I have to have a permanent address within 90 days and the company just didn’t want to risk me being deported.

Like anything in Tokyo, my place is a 20ish sqm!!! studio unit that is equivalent in price to a 2-3 bedroom unit in Manila. Of course, I am not complaining because I’m happy enough not to be living on the streets. I now am a legal alien residing in “Takadanobaba” which is like Boston because it’s Tokyo’s University Town. I will eventually post some pictures…just waiting for my snazzy sofa bed to arrive =).

Speaking of pictures, I’m thinking of pasting black and white pictures on my bare walls. Around 4 pixes: Barkada pix, Family pix, Philippine pix, ? scenery pix. Socs, any suggestions for the 4th one (btw, I download QE episodes via Kazaa because I need to friggin’ watch something in ENGLISH!)? I also need a Philippine skyline, street or beach scene which I can just edit in photoshop and digiprint.

And speaking of more pictures, did I mention that big boss takes breathtaking-skin-pin-pricking pictures? The most amazing thing is that he only has his left arm. He lost his right arm in an accident when he was 3yrs old. He then lived in the US for 30 years and traveled all over with his trusty Minolta. He has also provided pictures for NTT DOCOMO’s, one of the biggest telco company in Japan, annual calendar giveaways. I guess I’ll borrow one of his slides to scan. Maybe I can get a free photo lesson as well…

04/04/04 10:24 pm

Tidbit#4
Japanese people need a seal to conduct official business. They don’t sign with a pen, they stamp their own “jazzed up” registered seal.

Tidbit#5.1
Local prime time television consists mostly of shows with a big group of people discussing or featuring a certain event, object or person…it’s mostly comical. For example, my new favorite show features a series of single people finding their perfect mate. The series usually ends with the person traveling somewhere with significant other and grandly proposing ex. a trip to Italy “Roman Holiday” style. It’s sweet and funny without needing to understand Nihongo! I like the way they perfectly insert subscripts, sound effects and small freeze/repeat frames to emphasize or point out funny things captured by the camera.

This now leads me to 5.1a and 5.1b which is…

Tidbit#5.1a
Japanese people are very visual. Diagrams and illustrations are everywhere, especially in documents! Thus, the birth of anime and A3-size paper. They actually have big copier/fax machines which is considered an office standard!

Tidbit#5.1b
Speaking of Roman Holiday, I was quite surprised that Audrey Hepburn is big in Japan. I just love her! Darn if only I have my DVD player, would’ve slapped on Sabrina or Breakfast at Tiffany’s…

Where did you first see Queer Eye Grache? I heard they're airing it in Manila already. My favorite episode so far was last week's when they featured this really hot ice skater guy. He was wanted to do something special for his dear wife (an equally stunning Italian ice skater)...And you know what they did? They prettied up their (already) spacious flat, dressed the guy up in Armani (*drool*...at one point I started wishing I were Carson!) and then set them up for Central Park date (complete with horse-drawn carriage) where they did a little number on the rink for all the other Central park skaters. Definitely one of the best episodes (admittedly because of the straight guy..hehehe)

The only thing I dont like about the show though, is that its a constant reminder that cute guys are either married (Armani skater hunk) or gay (Jai and Kyan).

3/30/04 9:03 pm

I say….

“Video killed the radio star”…It’s a factoid which actually comes to mind. Fact is it’s the first ever music video released on Earth! Rock on!!!



3/3/04 9:10 pm

Just finished my can of Sapporo biru. Yoshiyama san and I went apartment hunting with Tokyo Chintai’s (a local leasing agency) “Apartment Consultant”. We had the luxury of riding his company car and pleasantly enough I got to see Shinjuku and Harujuku! I started salivating at the sight of all those couture shops we didn’t have back in Manila. But of course salivating is all I’m ever gonna do because I have to save money to fund my 10 yr, which now is my 5 yr, plan.

Afterwhich, I had the longest journey back to my temporary home. I am so worn out because it started to rain late afternoon and continued a ‘lil bit harder the last km home. This made me realize how much I miss my car! My feet aches from blisters because I simply had to wear my stylish pumps to work! Agh, I must search for sensible work shoes or I will go bow-legged! With the laptop alone my spine is starting to complain. Geez, I did have it easy over at Manila…no language barriers and no high cost of living to worry about.

Ergo, had to relax with my Sapporo and an episode of Queer Eye for the Straight guy…how I miss my uber-gay and metrosexual friends!!! Episode 3 was about this husband wanting to throw an exquisite birthday dinner party for wifey. I’d settle for a simple foot massage anytime….

Music videos?


Mine was Jamiroquai's Virtual Insanity. No particular reason why I asked, just that I read the phrase "music video" and then remembered Jay Kay. Love that clip...he has got the coolest moves ever. To this day, I still try and visualize how they did that video. Yeah I know how they did it, but the more I think about it, the more I'm amazed at creative people. I never would have thought of that.

This is suppose to be a Saturday morning...

3/26/04 12:00 am



Tidbit#1
It is the norm in Tokyo to have Toto the Toilet. If you refer to the picture above you will get an idea of how it looks like. It has an electronic menu on the side which lets you select the temperature and volume of the bidet. ANT! Hindi mo na kailangan ng tabo!

Tidbit#2
“Free-ters” are mostly young people who give away corporate advertising freebies such as flyers and tissue packets! They’re actually paid 800 yen an hour to do this…hmmm maybe I can moonlight as one!

Tidbit#3
There are more people per square inch in Tokyo than any other city in Asia. And equally more men and women carrying Louis Vuitton bags as if it were just a Jansport bag. Maybe that’s why they call it a megalopolis.

3/26/04 11:37 pm

Fourth day in Tokyo…drizzly and cold. I was expecting cherry blossoms, I guess I have to wait. It has been very hectic..left Manila in a rush and now I’m still in a haze. I haven’t really had time to breathe and absorb my surroundings. Just now have I found the time to sit down and chronicle this life changing move…

Day 1 March 22

Started the day with extreme paranoia. Just finished repacking for the nth time Sunday night because Northwest had to have a strict baggage limitation (27kg per passenger). I almost busted my back weighing and re-weighing my box. Good thing James, my boss, was flying in with me for a meeting over at “headquarters” so got his other 20kg! Another good thing was his brother was Northwest ground staff who turned a blind eye to my other 15kg excess!!! Wahooo…owe you one guys! I still have one big box due for shipping in Manila-yikes! = o.

So after a 5 hour plane and bus ride we arrived at the Narita Airport. We got to the office baggage and all. First impressions:

a. OFFICE- “Wow, so this is headquarters” – bright, clean, streamlined with a clutter of boxes which is a healthy sign of business
b. OFFICEMATES – “Oh so this how they look like” – finally got to see the people I’ve been emailing and “msn-ing”. Didn’t get to form an impression of them until the second day though.

After the introductions, we proceeded to walk to the hotel and got settled. Thank god, I didn’t have to carry my luggages =). We then had our first Shibuya dinner complete with Japanese beer and Japanese sweet potato wine called “socho” or is it “sochu”? I slept like a baby afterwards.

Day 2 March 23

Got down to business first thing in the morning then went out to lunch with some of the office people and had “Japanese pasta”. Imagine Italian noodles topped with shredded nori and squid strips in olive oil with red ginger and horseradish mustard on the side. Interestingly enough it was yummy!

Afterwards, I left the office to move in to my “monthly mansion” in Meguro which was 20 minutes away by train ride (with a little tutorial) and by walking….Impression: really nice: clean, modern and new. It was a one bedroom affair-furnished with kitchen and t&b. Nothing fancy it’s actually as small as a one bedroom hotel room.

We then sped off to big boss’ “aparto”, to attend our welcome party. It was there that I saw my first cherry blossom tree. It was right in the middle of their building’s courtyard where it stood tall and proud…elegant in the soft yellow light. To top it off…an old Japanese lady in a kimono was pointing it out to her grandchildren. Totally picturesque.

Dinner was fabulous…loved Shoko-san’s mushroom dish and the warm sake…most of all the warm welcome!

Day 3 March 24

Work…work…work! But it’s good to be busy. Gosh…must learn Nihongo!

Examples of my hilarious attempts:
“Watashi wa sushi-o tabe-mashita!”…”Oh yes…KFC furaaaaido chicken-ga firipin are-masu”.

Day 4 March 25

On this day, what stood out was the fabulous ramen house we went to. Actually, getting there was an event in itself…Shibuya, where our office is located, is simply thriving with youth and commercialism. Around the office everything is a bit modulated. But that night was the first time I saw the Tokyo often portrayed in the movies…loud and unique!

Big boss took James and I to the MIRAC to have dinner. He ordered this ramen dish that just blew me away. The egg in the dish was the best ever…it looked like a light brown (soy marinated) hard boiled egg but inside it was the softest yummiest yolk!!! Hmmm…just love ‘em!

Buddy is my new camera. We go everywhere together...including the office. Yeah, it seems pretty weird bringing it along with me even when I go to work, but then again, I don't want to risk losing him this time. They can break into my place and take whatever they want, but they're not taking Buddy.

But anyway, we were at the city last Friday night, and it was the perfect opportunity to take some night shots. Needless to say, I'm so proud of Buddy. :)

Every time I'm not doing something -- which is most of the time -- I end up thinking of what I would be doing if I were home. Its a very dangerous line of thought, especially since I counted 14 more weeks before this bloody project is over and i can go home. Sigh. Funny since I was the number one enthusiast when it came to overseas assignments. I kept saying it didnt matter how long and where, as long as its not in Manila, then it SHOULD be fun.

Dont get me wrong, I am having fun. I think I'm just OD'ing on Footy, Cricket, DIYs and reality shows from the Aussie Telly. Maybe if I were in the city and not in some suburb 45 minutes away from everything then things would be just fine. But then again, it did take me 7 months before I started being homesick.

Some of the things I miss:
1. "my kids"
2. Friday night movies and dinner for under PHP 500 per person
3. core
4. heading home late and not really knowing why
5. billiards in the Manila office
6. my favorite gimik places -- 70s, Sanctum,Cafe Karabana
7. weekday gimiks (work tomorrow? so what?)
8. the once-in-a-blue-moon Sunday afternoon Futbol games in Ateneo

*Sigh* work isnt even hectic enough to keep me pre occupied. I guess when you start wishing you were busier at work, then it can't be good.

I've always been amused by YM Status messages. I've also noticed that there are a growing number of people who rarely leave their YM stats empty (myself included).

I suppose when you have to resort to talking to another person via chat, then there has to be some sign that says, yes, it is me, and this is my mood today. After all, you can't see their faces and you can't guess their mood. At least this way you can tell what song they've been listening to, or what movie they've seen recently. Now there's an opening line for you! No wonder chat is the best way for shy people (myself included) to reach out and start a conversation.

Now lets see...what should I set as my status for today....

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Took time out to post my first ever "snippets" blog. I bought a copy of this movie thinking that it would give me a nice picture of Tokyo. I didn't know it was a serious comedy...as soon as I watched it I was floored by its simplicity and purity.
You also better check the website coz its really cool. I guess it is true that everybody wants to be found...but its also true that sometimes you just want to get lost...

Well anyways, on to lighter things I am so excited about this trip. I have heard so much about Tokyo but I cannot wait to find out which is fact, fiction or urban legend=P. Its spring there and the cherry blossoms will be in full bloom! What a nice transition it would be! Wish me luck!!!