Sweets that Hurt Your Pocket

You'd think that these chocolates and candies would be cheaper after Boxing day, but I was wrong. Deceivingly marked with yellow tags, they're all as expensive as they were first stocked for Christmas shopping. I came home empty-handed.

Boxing Day

Boxing day in Vancouver was a rampage. I usually stay out of the malls during this day of the year, but I wanted to spend some time with my sister who leaves for Toronto in a few days. This is a picture of our city's mall decked with your usual Christmas fluff.

The Week Before Christmas

I voluntarily isolated myself from everyone in the office during the week before Christmas. The isolation precluded me from the merry makings while I attempted to complete my design work. Since I'm mostly doing design on a white board, I decided on using X'mas colours for my scribblings this week. And just in case Santa misses my "don't erase this" note, I took a digital picture of my week's worth of work.

Rockstar

I've been away from Oxford for almost 10 months now, but the best memories still linger thanks to the many pictures and this calendar that I have at my work desk. I used to drink "Red Bull" in school for those stressful nights preparing for exams.. now a prominent fixture on my desk is a new age of energy drink - they're called Rockstar.

Pictures from Around the World

Autumn around the world: Here's Vancouver's version of Fall

I've been stuck working 11-hours a day since coming back from vacation. My weekly dose of bite-sized rice dish provides the rejuvinating calm during weekends as I get ready for yet another week of hot wasabi-like experiences at work.

A Gift To Myself

This morning, I picked up my brand new car. While driving home, I pondered whether buying this car was a splurge when I could've invested the money in a new and bigger house. Of course, buying a new house would mean putting down more money for such an investment - I was later convinced that buying this car was not so much of a splurge but rather a smaller investment and more importantly, a gift to myself.

Green Tea Dessert

The Japanese are known for their intricate designs whether it be in electronics, kimonos or sushi boxes. Finding green tea ice cream is already hard enough here in Vancouver, so I took the opportunity to sit down for 10 minutes at the Osaka airport to enjoy this green tea yogurt dessert.

Techno Frenzy

This year's RoboCup (and World Cup) is in Osaka. I really wanted to attend the event where robotics expert around the world showcase their fast-moving robots in a friendly soccer match. I was pre-occupied with finding my way around the city by taking the train (and avoiding the cabs which costs a fortune), so attending any events was out of my hectic itinerary in Japan.

A Short Trip to Osaka, Japan

I was in Osaka a few weeks ago and found it difficult to get around the city without knowing how to speak the local language. This English direction guide is one of the very few you'd find around the balmy city.

Stopping to Smell the Flowers

I'm taking a three-week break from work this month. I'm planning to either go around British Columbia or maybe take a quick trip back to Manila.

My Spring Postcard to You

Bright sky. mild temperatures. lush green trees. the blue pacific. a glass of iced tea. Pictured above is a scenic jogging and rollerblading route in downtown Vancouver, also known as the Vancouver "sea wall". The curb (lower left) is what they're referring to as the "wall" that separates the land and the pacific.

Guilty

Dear Spring,

I'm sorry I've forgotten all about you. Just a day ago, I've spent more time thinking about Summer when I could've been with you outside. I'm guilty. You've given me longer day lights, kept me warm and surrounded me with flowers. I promise that I won't take you for granted and you're still my favourite season. I hope you won't leave me soon for yet another year.

**I know it's too early to think about summer. Nash's more accurate forecast calls for the start of spring. I can't help it. Summer's when I get my vacation leave from work. I plan to go somewhere nice and more importantly, with someone special, unfortunately, it's not with you, Spring.

What I plan to do this Summer

Just because I don't get a summer vacation anymore doesn't mean
I can't enjoy the season all the same. Here's what I plan to do
this summer:

I will barbecue in the back yard.

I will take long walks, with and without my camera.

I will buy my fresh produce at the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings.

I will make halo-halo, watermelon shake and eat lots of fruits.

I will go on little road trips with the windows rolled down driving
without a care in the world.

I will write more love letters and make my girlfriend feel loved (not that I'm not doing this now).

I will write to my friends that I've long neglected, say hello and try to meet up for lunch.

I will stop asking myself, "What am I doing with my life?" and start
paying attention to the wonderful people, blessings already around me.

I will look up.

I will sit by the nearby lake and slowly take in the fresh pine breeze.

Work. Work.

I don't have my own room nor do I have an executive desk with a secretary. My work cubicle doubles as a napping area during lunch. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose pictures of work, but this picture looks generic enough to be any company's cubicle.

Taking a Moment to Breathe

Days can breeze through without realizing that it's been weeks since I've updated by blog. I've been spending less time in front of the computer after work. Working made me realize that life's more than just earning. It's also about being in the company of people that you care most for. So last night, I told myself to..

Stop. Breathe. Listen.

I had a long, sweet chat with a dear friend. We had made plans, then we changed those plans, then we changed them again. We've both been doing so much and we finally realized it was time to take a deep breath and relax.

So, we talked instead about the past couple days and the next few months. We have plans, grand plans.

For now, I'm taking deep breaths and listening to the slow rhythm of my heart.

Monolithic Blue-Tinted Building

A view of of the "world's local bank" IT headquarters. Most of the Universal Banking System components are designed and built in this highly secured building which is rather intimidating for a timid city like Vancouver. I have to go through several doors and card scans every morning just to reach my desk (approx 4). The washroom is even a card scan away. They do everything to keep people and perhaps the sun away from the building with its highly reflective blue window tint . On a lighter note, we share the building with EBay's call centre.

Something's Brewing

A lot of brewing transpired the last two weeks. I'm savouring the last few days of freedom (certainly not by drinking) until I shift gears and work the clock. Hopefully new work won't stop me from photo blogging.

Weather's excellent these days in Vancouver. I was out at Granville Island walking by the port. One of the attractions I recently discovered at the location is the Granville Brewery. Nothing comparable to the vibrance of the English bars (in England), but a novelty in a city where coffee-lovers out number the beer drinkers. I still prefer the non-intoxicating peppermint tea.

Peppermint Drink

A warm cup after an exhausting night of snow sports at the resort chalet.

Night Snowboarding

Can't believe snow's back on the Vancouver terrain (in April) when it's dry and sunny on the (Vancouver) mainland. I drove for 30 minutes to reach halfway the mountain and took a cable car to reach the city's peak for some last minute snowboard action.

Too Hot to Cook

I'm in the look out for furnitures that will fit my budget. This Scandinavian designed-IKEA kitchen caught my attention because of the flashy red glaze, modern not to mention sleek design. It's not something you'd take home to meet your parents but simply a 5-minute crush - sexy and eye candy.

It was sunny the other day so I took the seabus across downtown Vancouver. Pictured above is Vancouver's skyline with the revolving harbour tower (similar to Seattle's needle tower) and the five white sails mimicing the Sydney Opera House's structure. I'm standing on a platform somewhere in Lonsdale Quay.

Drizzling in Vancouver

Weather-wise, Vancouver's not the best place to be in this week. As forecast indicates, next week doesn't get any better.

I plan on taking a trip to the Canadian Rockies to avoid another week of rain. It'll still be snowing when I visit Banff. Yes, I miss snow.

Yesterday was spent house-hunting with my mum. I came home drained because I didn't find anything that I like. Houses that I like are outrageously out of my budget. We will be viewing another house tomorrow, I'm excited because this one has an indoor pool.

It's still the same

While I haven't updated my site for awhile, a few things have changed in my life. One thing's not changed, and it's that calm surrounding that embraces whenever I get out of the house.

The best time of the year's almost here. Spring!

Flash Forward

How I wish it's still December two-oh-oh-four. Here I am staring out the window thinking, waiting for a sign from that so-called destiny to help me make up my mind. What I have in front of me are all that I wanted. Some people tell you to follow your heart over your head. In my case, I don't know whether I should be practical or follow where my heart leads.

Jetlagged for a Week

I'm back, teetering between timezones and realities. I woke up this morning, thinking, hoping, it was a decent hour, but no. It was 4am and I was wide awake.

I sat up in bed and read my laptop like a book pressed up against my chest. I imagined what my family might be doing in the Philippines. Dad is eating breakfast. My cousin is preparing to go to school. Grandma is watching tv.

My time spent abroad was filled with so much love and adventure. Some sadness, too. I came home with a renewed sense of gratitude for everything I have.

I just know that part of me misses Manila already and another part of me is so glad to be home.

HK Airport

A glimpse of the vast HK Airport enroute to Vancouver. My four week holiday's over, but I look forward to working in Vancouver after I shake off this week-long jet lag.

Tikoy - Sweet Sticky Rice

Also a New Year's tradition, sweet sticky rice - this one in form of a pair of fish. It is believed that eating Tikoy brings sweetness that "sticks" throughout the year. On the otherhand, "fish" in Chinese symbolizes being able to save/keep a lot of money. As far as tradition goes, it is both important for people who celebrate the New Year festival to eat tikoy & fish.

Chinese New Year

Chinatown, Manila. A make-shift sidewalk fruit vendor preparing for the Chinese New Year by selling taros, clementines and pineapples amongst many other fruits. Pineapple when translated into Chinese means abundance (of wealth, prosperity). The rich orange color and the shape of clementines symbolize money (think- gold coins; it's all about money and getting rich, isn't it?). I still dont know what taros symbolize, but I'll find out. These fruits are then displayed in the house while most traditional Chinese families burn incense and pray to the gods for prosperity for the coming (lunar) new year.

Eastwood

Had lunch today at Eastwood City- A restaurant complex near a developing technology park, 40 minutes from central Manila. Food is so expensive. Ordered lots of seafood - paella, grilled squid, seafood soup and crabs for a whopping price of £8 for 3 people.

An Asian Powerhouse District

Makati City, Philippines - The financial district of the country. It's like your typical wealthy city - clean spacious streets, fancy restaurants, 5-star hotels, thousands of brand name shops, loads of flashy cars (and raucous drivers), wealthy shoppers pooled in a small area..it's a mirage.

Warm Treat

I'm visiting Manila for three weeks. Can't be beat the tingling tropic weather matched with delicious and cheap food. Pictured above is the garden of Westin Philippine Plaza in Manila.

Back in the tropics.. Pina colada, seafood - lobsters, oysters, king prawns, lechon (suckling pig) and an all-time summer favourite: sweet juicy watermelon.

History Lessons

A look from outside the Forbidden City in central Beijing. More than 1,000 pavilions grace this walled imperial complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. China's feudal system only ended sometime in 1911. I gave up walking after 3 hours. Jenny and I decided that we've had enough history lessons in one day.

Imperial Ice Castle

Complete with intricate details, this one of many 30 foot ice/snow carvings awakened my curiosity for large ice structures.

I'm travelling in the northern part of China now. I'll post more when I get a chance.

Snow in Vancouver

We got around 5cm of snow yesterday, maybe even a little less in this picture of the back of our house. In the midst of the snow out pour, I went out of the house fully coated and started a snow ball toss around with Assad. I ended up soaking wet after failing to aim my snow balls properly.. in short, I got snow-clobbered (what's worst, by a rookie).

A Love for Berries: A Mixture for the Perfect Dessert to Usher in 2005

A local produce of Canada, blueberries are popular around the world for muffins. I like raspberries more for its look than its taste. We've been eating a lot of Assad-made blueberry desserts lately.. he calls it Blueberry Supreme. The dessert tastes like blueberry cheesecake with a layer of graham cracker crumbs, several thin layers of cream and blueberries and gelatin on top. Thanks to Assad for the desserts and this picture.

Sunset of 2004

A sunset trip to Granville Island before the new year. Granville Island is an hour away from where I live and is also an hour away from the ski resorts. The pictured bridge (Granville bridge) connects downtown Vancouver to the West side of Vancouver, a suburban residential area.