Monica goes Asian! December 15, 2008
Posted by monica in my happy endings.Tags: Hong Kong, Macau, MTR
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I am still on vacation mode even after four days of being back at the office. I have been late since Tuesday and not in the mood to do anything (not that it’s possible:P) but really, I have not been my usual self. My mom has been on my ears this week because I am slacking off especially with work, in her words, bakasyon na binabakasyon mo pa.
But the trip to Hong Kong and Macau with my two college girlfriends is worth all the trouble I am having now. Both places were heaven for us, the four days we were there. And despite the time constraint, I can say we’ve seen the most beautiful of what they have. Imagine waking up at 7am and getting back to the hotel at 2am for three nights, I have memorized the stations of the different train lines and can understand their English at one go despite the accent. And although according to Les, it was the first time in her life wherein she felt really left out (this was during our river cruise in Disney where even the guide speaks in Chinese and we couldn’t understand why they were laughing:P) I can say that it was the good kind.
New experiences are always fun. There were times when I squirmed at their weirdest mannerisms and really funny English but I adore and respect them for the love that they have for the differently-abled people. In almost everywhere we went to, there were considerations allotted for them. Like in the MTR, people in wheelchairs have their own exit, giving them the capability to experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s transport system. Ngong Ping Village had their maps in Braille and the stoplights all over the country have a sound device to signal that it’s safe for the blind to cross the street. Brilliant indeed! And did I mention their super efficient and convenient transport system? We really made use of the MTR to tour Hong Kong, going from the opposite side to the island outskirts in less than an hour. I know I still sound so excited even after the tripJ.
Macau was a sight to behold too. We met many Filipinos working there. They were very helpful and friendly. The Filipino guards at Casino Lisboa were extra kind for letting us in and telling us what slot machines to play with. Although at first they were kind of strict when they asked me questions regarding my age, ensuring that I’m really above 18 just so they could let me in.
We also visited The Venetian which I recommend to all those planning to go to Macau to go see. It was such a beautiful, romantic and elegant place. I loved how they structured the place as if it was always dusk and although the gondola ride was short of being similar to the original one in Venice, it, and everything else in Macau, was worth the one hour ferry ride that I dreaded to have.
I couldn’t pinpoint a particular place where I had the most fun because everything was just memorable and I can’t afford to write them all down here. The extra school work, the piled up work load and the exhaustion are all worth the happiness I have experienced being in a foreign place with Les and Trins. Special thanks and kisses to my loving sisters who surprised me for being overly caring especially during my quivering nights because of the weather (I am one ginawing bataL). I cannot imagine having my first Hong Kong-Macau trip with anybody else than you guys. My Christmas is already perfect even if it hasn’t even started and I’m one happy bouncing kid!
11 days to go! Ho ho ho! J
Happy December! December 2, 2008
Posted by monica in my happy endings.Tags: Cafe Juanita, Christmas
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The start of the month’s kicking off just right for me. My December’s busy and it’s something that I am thankful for. Really. It’s not my birthday but it feels like it and I am just so happy.
Setting up our Christmas tree this time of the year is something I always look forward to doing. It has always been
a family thing for us, although that doesn’t really apply now as we all have our reasons to be busy and unavailable. Nevertheless, the tree has remained part of our Christmas routine. My brother Elmo and I freed ourselves yesterday afternoon to do the tree task and I was unusually giddy, putting the decors and the lights and of course, climbing the ladder to reach the top of the tree to put the star. It certainly felt like Christmas.
I was also able to do finish off a big part of my gift list. Two friends and I checked out some of the many bazaars that have already opened since a few months ago in time for the holidays. I’m not really the type who buys expensive gifts but I really enjoy picking out artsy, unusual stuff that I find in them than in the malls. And despite having fever the night before and the rainy weather, I was all bazaar-ready. One plus was when Kai brought us to a very nice café in Pasig – Café Juanita. It might look shabby outside, but once you get in, it’s really different. It has a homey feeling because of the design and the antique interiors and the food’s good – just a bit pricey.
Another highlight for me is our (I’m with two college friends) travel to Hong Kong and Macau very soon! It’s going to be my first time and everything’s pretty set for the trip. Aside from the ultimate bonding time with two of my most precious girlfriends, we’re going to squeeze in all the things we can afford to do in both places in just four days. I know it’s short but everything has been planned well so I’m sure we’ll have a taste of a lot of things from there.
And of course, the parties! One’s December would not be complete without the crazy parties lined up for us to go to! I will be missing our company party though because of our HK trip but will be back in time for our annual Bidas’ Christmas dinner! Yey!
And just like last year, we will also be giving out donations to a chosen charity, same as how we’ve been reminded by our elders, let’s all see to it that we practice the real meaning of Christmas.
This month sure speaks a lot about red and green, loud and fun. But I’m sure I’m not forgetting whom the real celebration is for. I hope everybody’s enjoying the month as much as I do. Merry Christmas everyone!
