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.