Amelia's Nest

Today, 30th of June 2010 is the inauguration of 15th president of The Republic of the Philippines, my country. Benigno Aquino, III. or commonly known as "Noynoy" is the only son of the late-hero Benigno Aquino Jr. and late-former President Corazon Aquino. The inauguration will be held at Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Manila where most of the presidents of the Philippines held ceremony. And today is declared as special non-working holiday in the Philippines.

Similar to Barrack Obama, Noynoy offers a change. Change in governance, leadership and system. As a Filipino I am with the nation rejoicing to that fact Gloria Arroyo is no longer in power. But there is hesitation both in my mind and heart on his capacity to lead. But as other people says, let's give him a chance and we see from there. I am hoping and praying that he can bring good governance that is free from corruption and abuse of power.

We see a year or two from now what the 15th president of the Philippines can do.

A month ago I had a dinner with my colleague at a very pleasant restaurant. There were balloons that you can get and bring home. And so I did get two, one red and the other is blue for my two lovely kids. While in the bus going home, the seat beside me was empty. Far from were I hop-in, an old man seat beside me and say "what a nice balloon". And so I replied, "thanks uncle it's for my kids". And the conversation goes on. By the way, here in Singapore we call old man as "uncle", while the old lady as "auntie" to show respect and courtesy.

Uncle: And so you have kids.

Me: Yes, I have two kids, a boy and a girl

Uncle: That's good, do you have plans to have another?

Me: No, I have already a handful

Uncle: Yeah, and it's expensive here to raise kids. Are you from the Philippines?

Me: Yes, I am. Have you been in the Philippines?

Uncle: Yes, when I was young. My company send me there for some work. I have been to Manila and Cubao.

Me: Really, so how do you find my country?

Uncle: That was long tome ago. But I found you're country nice and people are warm and pleasant.

Me: Thanks uncle for the compliment.

Uncle: How long have you been here?

Me: Two years already uncle.

Uncle: So you're PR already?

Me: Yes we are PR now.

Uncle: How do you find my country?

Me: I like you're country. The moment I set foot on it. I begun to like and until now I like it. It's good and you're government is good. I envy you because you have a reputable leaders and effective system. Compared to my home country.

Uncle: Yes, that’s what we are proud of. You know Filipinos and other foreigner here in Singapore has a great advantage. Why because when you decide to go back to your home country you have a land to take care of. For us, we only have HDB. We don’t have any land. Good thing our government is working on bilateral ties with Malaysia acquiring land there.

(a moment of silence)

Uncle: So how do you see your new prime minister? (pertaining to NoyNoy Aquino)

Me: For me, he is just okay. Not a seasoned politician. I’m a bit hesitant about him since he is young and lack of experience.

Uncle: He is young? He is in his 40’s right? For me he should be able to carry on. Because he should live and lead like his father and mother. He should live with his name. Just like our Prime Minister, he should follow the footsteps of his parents. Why not give him a chance first before you judge. Give him time to do his thing, a year or two then we see if there were improvements. He is not corrupt right compared with the outgoing.

Me: Yes he doesn’t have any corruption issue.

Uncle: Then it’s a good start to lead a nation.

Me: Yes uncle. That’s a good thought. Thank you uncle. I need to alight now.

Uncle: Okay. Nice talking to you.

Me: Same here uncle. Thank you. Have a nice night!

I alight with a smile on my face. Having a short conversation like this is really worth your time. This gives you insights and what-not to ponder on. It’s really nice talking to a seasoned one.

Last Saturday, we celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday. And a birthday would be complete without a cake. And so I did bake and decorate a cake for my daughter to have it unique and personalized. I tried a doll cake, it's a Barbie kind of type since the theme of her party is Barbie.

This is my first attempt of this kind and I was a bit successful. Friends like it and give a good comment. It's a chocolate sponge cake with vanilla and chocolate frosting with fondant icing.

In my previous post Rainy Birthday I mentioned about the zero visibility from the top but I never imagine this will happen in central of Singapore. A big flood in Orchard happened today. Click this link for the story.



Locals are asking what really happened. They too can't imagine that this things will happen in their land.

**Pictures courtesy of Strait Times/Stomp.com.sg

It's raining heavily here. I'm here sitting at 37th floor alone and seeing the window with zero visibility. Playing music in my iPhone. I can hear the sound of the rain touched the window than my music. But it's a nice feeling. It's like working in the rain.

And today is my daughter's birthday. I just wished am with her at this very hour. Can't wait for the clock to hit the time that I need go back home to celebrate her birthday.

But before I arrived at the office it's raining so hard. I don't have umbrella nor jacket with me (I left my jacket in the office). I braved the rain to be able to come to office on time. I was wet that I decided to stop at the nearest convenient store to dry up and buy some food to eat. I saw this security guard in the building near the building that I am working with and asked him if he has any umbrella that I can use. Luckily he lend me his umbrella without hesitation and I promised to return later. What an angel. That reminds me I need to buy an umbrella.

It's rainy Wednesday on my daughter's birthday.

Few days from now we will be moving out of our current place. Our lease will expire by next week. And since we don't want to extend anymore. We will be moving out. We will be missing the place for this is the first house that we have stayed here in Singapore. A lot of memories in here. A place that gives us shelter for the past two years.

We will be moving to bigger place a bit far from the city but we are quite fine with that since transportation here is very good. Am excited and a bit busy. For moving-out means there are a lot of packing that needs to done. While moving-in there are a lot of unpacking and things that needs prepare. Like application of water, electricity and gas. Plus you need to apply for TV license. Yes TV license on top of your cable subscription. Real estate agents say it's unique in Singapore. Every year you need to pay a certain amount for your TV license.

Also moving-in to a new place means a lot of learning, need to know where is the nearest church, hospital, school and what-not. Speaking of school, I need to enroll my son to another school. And this means a new environment, new classmates, and new teacher for him. I hope he will be able to adjust. I know it will bot be easy but I'm confident that he can adjust and blend well.

Last night when I started packing our things, my son insisted to help out while my daughter get the things out of the boxes. When we're finished I told my son, "thanks for helping kuya" and my son replied "my pleasure mum". Me and my husband just smiled at each other for we were surprised with his response. He's talking like a grown-up. So clever.

We still need to pack a lot of things but it's fine. I'm excited!

Morning of our second day in Phuket, R noticed this funny yet eye-catching road sign.


Maybe they put up this sign because in Phuket night life is really crazy. Bars, pubs and restaurants they have one thing in common and that is very affordable beers. People can be drunk as much as they can and as long as they can.

And so I continue our so called "Thai-Break". After a tiring but fun day in Patong the following day we went for a half-day island hopping. Yes half-fay since our flight back in Singapore is on the same day but later in the evening. The package that we get from the guest-house that we stay sounds a good deal. I forgot to mention, on our first day we asked the owner of the guest-house on what they can suggest for us to go in their place for a half-day activity. The owner is so helpful and at the same time they also have a travelling agency which cater for all the activities Phuket can offer. He suggested us to take the Khai Island hopping. Khai islands trip compose of three islands. In Thailand "Khai" means small. The package sounds good deal for he charged us 1,000Bhat or roughly S$44.00 per head. It includes the transfers, speed boat and some light snacks and unlimited water and soda. Good deal right?

By 6:00AM we woke up and prepare ourselves for they are going to pick us up by 7:00-7:15AM. We had some quick breakfast at McDonalds. This is the first time I saw a post of Ronald McDonald like this.


Then went back to the guest-house to wait for the van that will bring us to the pier. On time they arrived. There were 10 tourist inside the van. It took us 30 minutes to reached the pier. Before departing via the speed boat, the tour guide brief us on the things that we can and cannot do in the island and while travelling. I give much commendation to the tour guide for he indeed do his job very well. We both enjoyed our half-day trip.

First stop, Koh Khai Nui island. We both did snorkelling here. I'm a bit scared since it's an open sea and there are a lot of jelly fish.


Second stop at Koh Kai Nok. At this island I enjoyed feeding the fishes. And stayed in this relaxing chair that asked us to pay 100Baht for two chairs. I don't mind paying the price since this is the only way they can earn extra. R, my husband went for snorkelling again.


Last stop at Koh Khai Nai were the tour guide and his assistant served sandwich and unlimited watermelon and pineapple compliment with water and soda. Again I fed the fishes were some of the Japanese ladies gave me bread in order for me to continue feeding the fishes since what I have is almost finished.


After the trip we gave a tip to the tour guide for a job well done. What a trip to remember. Nice place, just right fees, well prepared food and at the same time we are happy with the tour guide. We were transported back to the guest house and arrived there by 2pm. Even though we checked out they still keep safe our bags and we can use their toilet to take a bath and change. Indeed this trip was a blessing for us.

By 3pm we are ready to hit the road again. We had a quick lunch-tea break at a local restaurant in Patong beach. After a scrumptious Thai meal we checked for paintings and lucky we were able to find one. Then looked for a massage place to pamper ourselves with a well deserve massage. R goes for Thai massage while for me I have oil massage. It was one hour massage for both us.


A trip is not complete without stopping by to my favourite coffee shop. Starbucks. I was checking the souvenir rack then a staff approached me and explained that they are having a promotion. If you buy a tumbler they will give you a free coffee of your choice. And so I did. I bought this green tumbler and I got my favourite java-chip frap. R ordered for a cappuccino frap. We stayed there for about an hour. Talking. Talking about our plans. Talking about our careers. Talking about the kids. Talking about anything and everything. This is the thing that we both love doing. To talk.


When we head back to the guest-house it's about time to leave Phuket. We took a private car going to the airport and we paid 550Bhat or SS22.

I love this trip. Amazing place. Nice people. Good food. And most of all bonding and relaxing moment for me and R.

No matter how determine you are to be the person you want to be it seems that there are people who will find their way out to destroy you. To turn you down and crushed your heart out. To think that these people don't even know how you live and struggle your life.

They just make judgments. Judgments that they know give you pain. They don't have the right to say that. What wrong have you done to these people. You never even talked nor speak to them. They don't even know who you are. The real you. How dare them speak to you like that.

It is hard to accept the things that these people tells you because deep in your heart you are not the person they say you are.

Now you're heart is full of pain. Pain that even time cannot obliterate.