On the Move Again

I barely unpacked my clothes from the moving boxes, and had pack some of them again. No, I'm not moving flat... I'm going on another trip!

Toronto and New Jersey, here I come!

More details to follow...

Life is Beautiful!

Goodbye Horsley

At long last, my move is complete. It is time to say goodbye to the little village that I have called home for the past 2 1/2 years... Horsley.

It's a little village 20 miles outside of London. By train, it takes approximately 45 minutes into the city. What makes Horsley special?

Could it be the lack of streetlamps? When night falls in this little village, it literally becomes pitch black. This was done on purpose. The people who live in Horsley choose to live here because it offers privacy and the country life just a stones throw away from the city. You want lights? Go live in London, the local council says. We like our darkness! Fortunately, it is a very safe village, and the only thing you really need to be afraid of is stepping on a puddle, or worse, some dogs mess on the sidewalk.

Or maybe its the horses, cows and sheep that I see in the fields when I take long walks around the village. If I am lucky, I will see some rabbits scurrying around the trails as well. If you are a nature lover, you will love Horsley.

This is in stark contrast to all the expensive cars I have seen on the roads around here. Aston Martins, Bentleys, Ferraris... I do not have to look very far to see an exotic car. The latest one I saw was a Ford GT40 rumbling down the roads. Make no mistake, this is a very rich village... and I am probably the poorest one living in it!


The Horsley main street... It has everything a village needs. A local butcher, a bakery, flower shop, green grocer, chip shop, and newsagent. And last but not least, no village is complete without an indian restaurant (and Horsley has a really good one)!


My flat is the one just above the parking spaces... the one with the curved drapes. I loved this flat. Sure, it had the tiniest kitchen and the shower had barely enough pressure to wash off the shampoo out of my hair. But the location was excellent. Just a two minute walk from the train station. This meant that I survived in England without ever driving! People who commute can relate that living close to local transport is a luxury. I would have posted pictures of the inside of my flat but... all of the pictures make it look as if a storm had blown through it (I'm not kidding)!


An old building in Horsley. Actually, I just posted this because I think it's a nice picture (hehe).

I will miss this place. But as with almost all things in life, it is

Off to Shakespeare County I go!

La Vita e Bella!

Disconnected

Yesterday I realized how reliant I am on technology.

When I first moved to my new flat, the first thing I assembled was my bed (at the end of the day, I want to make sure I have a nice, warm place to sleep). The second thing I set up was my television to make sure that I was able to receive channels through the buildings antenna system. I could not make it work as I did not have the proper cables required. Damn!

With no tv signal, my thoughts turned to the internet. My new flat does not have telephone and broadband yet, so I tried sniffing for unsecured wireless networks. As my luck would have it, there were several wi-fi networks but alas, they were all password protected. Shucks!

Which is one of the reasons why I am tolerating camping out in my old flat for the time being. The things I'll do for an internet connection! That is not the only reason for me being here of course (I do have to make a few phone calls, clean the flat, and meet the landlord, among other things) but it is a blessing to be able to connect to the world wide web in an otherwise empty flat.

I find this self-realization strange because I always thought of myself as someone who wasn't addicted to the tv or internet. I always felt that I could survive without them.

Apparently not.

I can survive without one or the other... but if you take away both, I will feel like I have been stripped of my freedom (this empty flat does feel like a prison cell sometimes). It's an exaggeration of course, but it just goes to show how much I have taken these things for granted.

Good thing I have my workout clothes... when in doubt, exercise!

Life is Beautiful!

Moving Day

I can confirm that I did get the flat that I was looking at and that I am moving into it today!

La Vita e Bella!

San Marino Grand Prix Analysis

An uneventful Grand Prix, in my opinion. No matter where Fernando Alonso was on the grid, it was always going to be a battle between him and Michael Schumacher.

It was the opposite of last year, when Schumacher was the one chasing Alonso. The Renault driver tried to overtake the Ferrari during the last third of the race but, Imola being a very difficult place to overtake, had to 'settle' for second place.

The McLarens raced under the radar but pulled in 3rd and 5th place by Montoya and Raikonnen, respectively. Massa in the other Ferrari was sandwiched between them and also drove a pretty respectable race. Webber was a nice surprise, driving consistently to sixth place.

Another disappointment for Jenson Button, taking only seventh after a mistake in the pits cost him precious seconds and a possible podium finish. Too bad, as it seemed that he had the pace to match Schumacher and Alonso. Fisichella rounded out the points positions with 8th place.

Next stop... Nurburgring!

Life is Beautiful!

Athens by Night

Before I leave Greece, let me post some of my favourite night shots. I love walking the streets at night. It is such a different atmosphere... tourist spots become deserted, and the nightlife comes to full bloom.


Athens...


The Parthenon


Hadrian's Arch with the Acropolis through it


Street Vendors with Hadrian's Wall as the backdrop

Η ζωή είναι όμορφη !

The Streets of Athens

Wherever I go, I always make it a point to walk around the city. I simply detest tour groups and would rather go around on my own with friends, armed with just a Lonely Planet guide to show us the way. I don't like to follow a schedule in which I am only allowed 1 hour per site or risk getting left behind by the tour bus. I would rather soak everything in on my own time, stop for a snack in a neighborhood cafe, and get pleasantly lost in the streets of the city.

For me, there is simply no other way to immerse yourself in a foreign culture.

Fortunately, the Acropolis is surrounded by quaint neighborhoods, the Plaka and Monastiraki. Much of the streets have been closed off to cars, so there is no choice but to walk. Besides, some of the streets are so narrow that not even the tiniest of cars can pass through them.


The streets of the Plaka. This is the neighborhood at the base of the Acropolis to the east and northeast. There are the token souveneir stores, but among the tourist traps, there are tavernas (traditinal Greek restaurants) and shops that date back over 50 years and more. There is such an old world atmosphere to the place, especially when you venture into the more residential areas. Stray dogs sleep on cobblestone streets as locals go about doing their daily chores. And all of this in the shadow of the Acropolis!


Hadrian's Arch at the end of the street.


Monastiraki Plaza. From here, you can go to the Acropolis or Ancient Agora (Marketplace), watch people pass by in one of the cafes, look at the strange things being sold in the flea market, or even walk towards the main commercial area of Athens. If it weren't for the Greek flag and the Metro station sign, this picture could have very well been taken in Manila!

Athens is such an incredible mix of the old and new mixing together cohesively. You have this extremely ancient city surrounded by modernization. No doubt, this is all a result of the Olympics that took place here 2 years ago. But they did (in my opinion, at least) such a good job at preserving the spirit of Athens while updating it to 20th century standards.

I had two full days in Athens, which was just about enough to see everything in the city. If I had more time in Greece, I would have probably visited the museums, took a day trip to one of the islands or even to some of the historical sites up in the mountains.


Looking forward to my next adventure!

I would definitely go back to Greece again when I have the chance!

Η ζωή είναι όμορφη !

Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus

At the foot of the Acropolis stands two more ancient places of interest.


This is Hadrian's Arch. This once marked the border between Athens and the Roman part of the city. You can't really see it in from this angle, but through the main arch you should be able to see the Acropolis. I'll post another picture in a different blog entry.


It's actually set against one of the busiest thoroughfares in Athens. I just love how the road snakes past the ancient monuments and how the old structures blend in with all the modern things around it.


The Temple of Olympian Zeus. This used to be the biggest structure in Athens, but alas, this is all that remains. It took 700 years to build and there was once a huge statue of Zeus (who else) inside of it.


The ruins of the temple with the Acropolis in the background.


The view from the Acropolis.

Next... the neighborhoods of Greece!

Η ζωή είναι όμορφη !

Athens and The Acropolis

Yes, I went to Athens over the Easter break! I originally planned to go somewhere closer to England, such as Lisbon, Barcelona, or Rome, but when I saw the prices, I was turned off. Everything was expensive, no doubt due to the long Easter holiday. I was about to put off dreams of going somewhere for the weekend when I tried looking at trips to Athens. They were very reasonable (I could stay longer for the same price), and after a few hours of decision making, I booked the trip. I later found out that Easter is actually low season in Greece which is strange as April is one of the best times to go.

Where else would I go first but to the most significant and recognizable landmark in all of Athens?

The Acropolis... smack dab in the centre of Athens, its hard to miss wherever you are in the city. Its a symbol of Greece's vibrant culture and history and has served many purposes during the height of Greece's power. From a fort to a place to display Greek riches to the historical site it is today, its just as breathtaking as I'm sure it was almost 2000 years ago.


The Parthenon... the main monument in the Acropolis.


That's me standing in front of the East side of the Parthenon. As you can see, restoration is taking place.

It was a perfect day to visit as there was not a cloud in the sky. The weather was just perfect for the short hike up the mountain, and the cool breeze at the top was refreshing. It was nice to just sit down on the rocks, marvel at the structure and its ruins, and see Athens sprawl outward from it.

I actually went up the Acropolis twice... early morning during the first day, and then again the next day, one hour before closing time. Both are good times to go (the middle of the day is the worst because thats but I recommend going near closing time. That way the tourists thin out instead of grow in numbers, and you can get better pictures because of the setting sun.

The tour of Athens continues tomorrow...

Η ζωή είναι όμορφη !

(Belated) Happy Easter!

This Easter, I decided to make use of the 2 non-working holidays (Friday and Monday) to go on a trip... guess where! Here's a hint...

More pictures (and blog entries) to follow!

Η ζωή είναι όμορφη !

The Shark and the Sheep

This just occured to me as I was browsing through my Yahoo Messenger list... both me and my brother use stuffed animals as our pictures! We didn't even plan it, it just happened... what a (cute) coincidence!





Guess who is the shark and who is the sheep!

La Vita e Bella!

Crazy is in the Eye of the Beholder

Craziness is relative.

We all have our own idea on what to think and how to act so that we fit into society. If we see anyone that does not conform to our definition of society, we immediately think that there is something wrong with them. Either they're stupid, crazy, or somewhere in between... we would have no doubt in our minds that they are not thinking straight.

Some people think that its crazy to fly halfway around the world for the weekend to see someone they love. Yet others would see it as an act of ultimate sweetness.

Some would say I was crazy when I tried eating plastic cups, but some found nothing wrong with it and cheered me on.

Some think bitterness, I think therapy.

I say, do whatever you feel like doing! As long as it does not break any laws or violate any human rights, whats wrong with that?

Just don't do anything you won't regret later, and do the things so that won't make you regret not doing!

La Vita e Bella!

Flat Hunting

Its always exciting to look at new places to live. And thats exactly what I had to do the past week. Recent developments at work has required me to move to a new area, and I'm looking forward to the new place and the new challenges.

But first, I need a place to sleep!

As the new place is a 3 hour train ride away, I first did my research online. I then narrowed my choices and contacted the estate agents and arranged viewings.

Now, the only thing to do was to actually visit the flats...

So today, thats exactly what I did. I was finally able to go visit the town (to be revealed in the future) and the potential flats. I was VERY impressed. Basically I will be getting much more apartment for just about the same amount that I am paying now.

And the winner is...

This is the kitchen. Notice the high ceiling, modern appliances and wooden flooring.


Its an open plan room containing the kitchen, dining room, and sitting room.


The bedroom and its fitted wardrobe.

The images are not so nice and don't do justice to the flat.

No worries, in a few days if all goes well, I'll be moving into it within 2 weeks!

Life is Beautiful!

Bubble Boy

Before I forget, I must recall and write down what could possibly the most hilarious moment in Washington DC. It was the day after the wedding, and the Lacsons gathered us all for one more meal before we all headed our separate ways. We had just finished our meal and were walking in the mall on the way to the hotel when Ritchie spotted something and immediately thought of me. It was a vending machine containing the biggest pieces of bubble gum we had ever seen (appropriately called 'Mouthfuls'). Before I knew it, 3 quarters were gathered up and, much to my dismay, a big, round, pink piece of gum was dispensed and placed in the palm of my hand.


Now that's one big piece of bubble gum!


How in the world am i going to put this in my mouth???

Why was I the one put up to this task? Rewind approximately 10 years, when the PAC was still in high school. For some reason or another, I had the uncanny ability of putting almost anything in my mouth. GDU (garbage disposal unit) was what they called me, and I took it as a compliment. It started with simple food dares. If anyone could not finish what they were eating, they would pass it on to me and I would finish it up. Then came the kuchay pie dare... I dared everyone to stuff a kuchay pie (zobel people will know what I mean) with as much chili as they could... and I would eat it without drinking anything until the whole kuchay pie was finished. Of course, I did it! Probably the most famous (and grossest) memory was when I actually took a small plastic cup and fit it into my mouth! I didn't swallow it, of course. I just wanted to prove that it could be done.

Fast forward to today, and that is probably the reason Ritchie just HAD to see if I could conquer the huge bubble gum. And how could I resist a challenge?


Here I go!

It was difficult to get it into my mouth, and even harder to break its sugar shell. I had to suppress my gag reflex and use all the muscles in my jaw. It took several minutes but I did it! During this time, the PAC were laughing and cheering me on. I can still hear their chants of 'Chew! Chew! Chew!' outside the Pentagon City Mall.


Disclaimer: I'm not normally like this! Don't judge me by this one video alone!


Ahhh... the fruit of my labor! After almost an hour of chewing, I finally chewed out all of the sugar and was able to blow a huge bubble!

They don't call me the GDU for nothing!

Life is Beautiful!

End of Hibernation

Winter is over! Well, officially at least. Its still relatively cold, but at least it isn't so cold that I can't feel my nose and ears after being exposed to it for a few minutes. Its just like Baguio, only a few degrees cooler.

For me, this means its time to get back into shape. Time to burn the excess fat that I stored in my body to keep me warm through the winter. Time to cut down on carbohydrates such as rice and start eating healthier foods such as salads, and up my protein intake.

So a few days ago, I finally went swimming again. It felt good to make my body (especially my lungs) work hard. Truth be told, I could have gone swimming over the winter, but the long walk from the train station to the pool put me off. But now, I can walk without having to bundle up too much, and I can walk in daylight as well.

Yeah, I'm a polar bear coming out of hibernation!

Life is Beautiful!

My Best Friend's Wedding

It's always nice to attend weddings, even more so if you know both the bride and groom (plus you're a groomsman!)

To describe everything that happened during the wedding would take too long (needless to say, it was a great wedding and reception). Instead, I offer my reflections as one of my best friends bit the bullet and walked down the aisle.

I really wasn't sure what to expect, attending the wedding. Not because Ritchie is one of my best friends, nor because I thought he wasn't compatible with Lee (on the contrary, I think they are incredibly perfect for each other) but rather for more personal reasons.

You see, I should have been a married man by now. In fact, if my plans had pushed through, I would have walked down the aisle a day before Ritchie and Lee. So in many ways, I was expecting it to be a weekend of mixed emotions.

I can tell you as early as now that I was wrong. I felt nothing but happiness during the whole time I was in Washington DC.

As soon as I stepped out of the airport, my spirits were lifted when my friends picked me up. I found it surprisingly easy to tell them about my problems, and I was incredibly upbeat about it. I was not faking any emotions... I guess being around your closest friends makes it easier to pour your heart out. You know that they will understand you and listen with unbiased ears. That's what I love about my best buds... they offer support and give sound advice (thanks Syd and Arv!). I knew right then and there during the drive from the airport to the hotel that everything was going to be ok. After the rehearsal dinner, the PAC (Ritchie, Me, Syd, Arv) had a nighttime drive around the city to take pictures as well as reflect on all the things that had happened to each of us since the last time we met. It wasn't the typical last night as a bachelor, although we still got into misadventures (Deluxe Diner, anyone?) that will be told time and time again whenever the PAC gathers.

The next day, the wedding day, as we stood in the back of the church waiting for the entrance music to be played, the PAC had one last moment with Ritchie as a bachelor. I couldn't help but smile... this was his and Lee's day, and no one could take it away from them. If there were any bitter thoughts about my own postponed wedding, they all washed away right then and there. As I watched them exchange vows at the altar, the whole meaning of a wedding and a marraige flashed before my eyes. I saw it for what it was... not just a 'formality' or a bunch of laid out plans going down the drain (as my own wedding did), but a joyous occasion, a celebration of love, of two hearts joined into one.

I can only hope that my own wedding, when that time comes, will be as perfect as Ritchie & Lee's. And I also look forward to seeing the rest of the PAC walk down the aisle and recite their vows to their better halves... so who's next?

Life is Beautiful!

Washington Reunion

Another good reason for going to Washington DC, aside from attending the wedding of Ritchie & Lee, was to have a mini reunion with members of my barkada (affectionately named the PAC). We came from many places... Me from London (via Atlanta), Syd from Manila, and Arvin & Ritchie from Boston. Two are absent from the pictures... Carlo and JP could not make it because of previous engagements... but don't worry guys, we didn't forget about you!


Me, Syd, Ritchie, Arvin


The Capitol Building


Mafia Pose

I've known these guys for over 12 years now. They have been my best buddies through high school, college, and even after college. We've had legendary arguments, great gimmicks, and have supported each other through everything. And although we have taken our different career paths and only see each other about once a year or so, whenever we do meet, its as if we never parted ways at all.

The places are more exotic, the get-togethers more grand, but the friendship is still the same!

Life is Beautiful!

A Semi-Clubbers Guide to... Fabric

I went to Fabric over the weekend.

And it was good.

To those clubbers out there... you know what I'm talking about. To those who don't... well, they say its the biggest nightclub in London. Three dancefloors and hundreds of people moving to the same beat.

I don't know who the DJ was, but who cares? He was spinning some damn great hardcore house. The kind you really really want to dance to, no matter how badly you dance. It doesn't matter anyway, as the darkness makes everyone look like they dance well.

We stayed until 8am the next day... we probably would have stayed longer, but thats when they close!

la vita E bella!

Australian Grand Prix Analysis

Well, what can I say? An eventful race from start to finish!

The Alonso-Raikonnen 1-2 was expected. I honestly had doubts about Buttons pace in the very first lap. This was evident as you could see Alonso attacking from the get go. This was confirmed during the first restart as the Renault simply outdragged the Honda into the first corner and promptly built up a 3 second lead. During the second restart, Raikonnen used the very same technique to pass Button. It all went downhill for Jenson from there, and even missed out on a points position due to a blown engine on the very last lap! Well, he could have gotten some points, but his race advisers told him not to cross the chequered flag so that, although he wouldn't earn points, he would not have to suffer a 10 place penalty on the grid in Imola. Strange strategy... obviously the Honda team think that they should be in front to win.

Michael Schumacher was driving on a ragged edge. Either he was not concentrating or the Ferrari simply had very little grip on the track. So many times he ran onto the grass, so it was only a matter of time before he made a mistake that he could not get out of.

With all the accidents (especially on that last turn) and mechanical failures that occured, the final spots in the points paying positions were surprising. It was nice to see Ralph Schumacher and the Toyota team take third, and I liked that the two BMW cars finished in points as well. Barichello recovered from a horrible qualifying to take seventh place, and (if I'm not mistaken) Coulthard was able to scrape a point in 8th place.

The Easter break is upon us, and it will be another 3 weeks before the next race in Italy. Let's hope that the top teams catch up to Renault, and that the midfield teams continue their development!

La Vita e Bella!