Uganda, ke-ganda

3rd day at Uganda, Africa. Work-wise, the past few days have been relatively easy on us. Well, at least most of us.

This is my 3rd time in the African continent and my first in Uganda. I can't say that I would want to live here but I will say that I love the weather, especially at night. Though there's much left to be said about the sights, sounds and even the smell of this place. I will not touch on that any further. *wink!*

Monyonoyo Commonwealth Resort is located a few minutes away from the capital city, Kampala. It's a five-star resort that pretty much reminds me of Baguio, Tagaytay and Batangas rolled into one back home.




Just thinking about home makes me miss it even more. And eventhough this trip to Africa was planned a long time back I somehow still feel that this was an abrupt trip. It feels like someone just pulled me off my bed and dragged me to go here.



Good thing I have my handy camera with me and I took some pretty awesome shots (in my personal opinion!). Speaking of camera, I was wondering... I saw quite a number of people naming their cameras... their dSLRs. As to why? I really don't know. But I have yet to name my own d60. Haven't given it much thought yet. Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm thinking, BEBEH or HUNNY BUN! HAHAHA! I'm kidding of course, but when I do come up with a name, I'll make sure to let ya'll know.



Reejoie actually got the first shot of this freakin' huge bird since she arrived a day earlier. So I decided to hunt for this Crane and take a picture of it myself. Of course I highly doubt if this was the same bird but if it was then it's only lucky animal.

***I took quite a number which you could see at my multiply site.


Here are a few more artsy-fartsy shots I took while smoking, loitering, lingering, walking and everything else in between, including working.


This was the brick wall where I ever-so-considerately extinguish my cigarettes after I'm done puffing my death smoke. Doesn't it look nice? Tee-hee!




These are wristbands given to our participants. My job is actually to tally all the wristbands to whoever I registered for the day on my table. But just as luck may have it, I am missing one. And I am hoping not to be royally screwed because it. Oh well... I took a nice photo of them though. I was also asked by Jong to take another shot of this using the corporate camera, to which I gladly obliged and he used it for our website. Love it!




For more of these pictures just visit: http://www.imago.multiply.com





PS. I can't wait to be back home and fix my new apartment. I miss home and everything about it.

Move Me

Leaving for Uganda, Africa tomorrow night and I’m not at all ready for this trip. As usual, I’m just about to pack my things tonight. But since I’ve traveled so much because of my work I can consider myself as an able packer.

I failed to write blog entries the past week due to my very busy schedule, so I’m taking this chance to update you guys. At least to those very few who follow the drama in my life.


This was written on a scratch paper last Sunday, Nov 16, 2008 with my usual Café Latte in Starbucks, Rockwell Mall.

-o-

There are moments in life that can leave you wondering for days, weeks, months or sometimes, even years. And while some take their sweet time wondering and asking, I have fully decided to take action and try to take control over my seemingly chaotic life. I just want to try and be truly happy and I sincerely hope that my plans in the very near future can make that happen. After all, as I’ve already mentioned in my previous blog entry, happiness is but a series of correct choices. Let me just hope that this is one of many more to come.

There are several factors that I would consider why I felt so unhappy for the longest time. And this is not only because I’ve been single for a long time but I feel my life now is not going in the direction that I want or at least dreamed about. And though I know I have a relatively good life compared to most, I still ask myself what led to my unhappiness. Perhaps one big factor would be that I was too lazy to follow my dreams however ridiculous it may have been.

I have always been known as a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none. I am proud to say that I am quite talented (Ahem! Ahem!). I sing, dance, write, cook, paint, and draw. I can also take relatively good photographs – out of sheer passion for it. I know how to even process them. I can even wash the dishes, take out the garbage, clean the house (including the toilet) and wash and iron clothes. See, I can be a good house partner, I’m all-around. HE-HE!

But I remember when I was younger I was very much a different person. I used to be more carefree, jollier, perkier, and seemingly just living my life as if it were my last day on this planet. I was, as far as I could recall happy(-ier). But perhaps as the years went by in my pretty young life, problems, challenges, and all sorts of trials and tribulations robbed me of my child-like, not-a-care-in-the-world type of personality. I became less innocent and more malibog, (horny) este malishyoso pala (full of malice). The innocence slowly died when I reached puberty. I am no psychoanalyst or psychologist but I believe that no one can understand yourself better than you. And while most of my childhood friends would tell me that I never changed, I feel I did. But come to think of it, don’t we all change as the years go by and circumstances in our life force us to be different?

And so, in my attempt to find my old self or who knows even find a new me, I had to make certain decisions that I know will help me grow as a person.

I am moving out of my (family’s) house … soon, very soon!

I have lived my entire life there and though I love them very much, it’s just getting tiring to quarrel with your siblings every now and then. And then there are all the house rules that need to be followed. No, I am not moving out to be free from these rules. Well, okay fine, part and partial of the reason is that but not entirely. I am turning 27 very soon and I believe I am old enough to experience what it is like to live by myself. I’ve known even some who started during college and I believe those people are more matured and responsible in a way. I think I’m ready, but if I’m wrong then it’s about time I find out and prove otherwise.

Sure it’s practical to live with your family, less expenses, less responsibilities, and basically more convenient. But somehow, practically is over-ruled by (my) need. I need to grow. I need to prove something to myself and maybe to the rest of the world.

I know it will be difficult. I’ve already psyched myself about that, the long and lonely nights, the boredom, the financial struggles and everything else unexpected. But I still want to do it. Let me experience first hand how hard this would be and then I could say, even if I don’t succeed, I tried.

I am clearing my debts in a few months, the two credit cards and money loan will be forever gone, hopefully before the year ends. I want to start fresh. I will even learn to budget and commute (– I know how to, I just don’t like it. I take a taxi almost everyday). Goodbye convenience and kaartehan, Hello hardships and lessons! I am not about to say I could do it but it’s about time I did.

Fingers-crossed (and even including eyes, legs and arms) with a lot of prayers and strong will, correct judgments and even a little help from Mama and other friends, I hope this move will prove to be correct.

Let me be happy, even if I fail trying.

The Why's of Men

*My mom (yes, mom as in mother) sent this to me. Funny, funny, funny! Wanted to share. I wonder if they have something like this but for gay guys! =D

-----Just an intro before you read on . . .
and realize why men are so important to women!

----------------------------------------------------------
One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt.
Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me,
"What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, " University of Oklahoma ."

And they say blondes are dumb...
-----------------------------------------------------------
"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he stepped out of the shower.
"Honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?"
"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Q: What do you call an intelligent, good looking, sensitive man?
A: A rumor
-----------------------------------------------------------
Dear Lord,
I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;
Love to forgive him;
and Patience for his moods.
Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength . . .
. . . I'll beat him to death. AMEN
----------------------------------------------------------
Q: Why do little boys whine?
A: They are practicing to be men.
----------------------------------------------------------
Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath
and calling your name?
A: You did not hold the pillow down long enough.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?
A: Rename the mail folder "Instruction Manual."
-----------------------------------------------------------

. . . and now the explanations!

The Why's of Men

1. WHY DO MEN BECOME SMARTER DURING SEX?
(because they are plugged into a genius)

2. WHY DON'T WOMEN BLINK DURING SEX?
(they don't have enough time)

3 WHY DOES IT TAKE 1 MILLION SPERM TO FERTILIZE ONE EGG?
(they don't stop to ask directions)

4. WHY DO MEN SNORE WHEN THEY LIE ON THEIR BACKS?
(because their balls fall over their butt-hole and they vapor lock)
(You're laughing, aren't you?!?!)

5. WHY WERE MEN GIVEN LARGER BRAINS THAN DOGS?
(so they won't hump women's legs at cocktail parties)

6. WHY DID GOD MAKE MEN BEFORE WOMEN?
(you need a rough draft before you make a final copy)

7. HOW MANY MEN DOES IT TAKE TO PUT A TOILET SEAT DOWN?
(don't know . . . never saw it done)

Okay, before you think you women are supreme than us men, it's time to
bring you to your knees . . .

. . . and the personal favorite:

8. WHY DID GOD PUT MEN ON EARTH?
(because a vibrator can't mow the lawn!)

And Counting....

It's official. It's been forever and a day.

Exactly one year ago, I was in Nairobi, Kenya working my ass off trying to forget the fact that my lover and I had just broken up. I remember during idle moments, which comes rare on our events, I'd sit in one corner and start crying. And that's because that @#!@&!! partee addict can't kick off the habit and chose it over lil' ol' me. That and probably because I try and 'help' him do so. Let's just say my messianic complex gets the best of me sometimes.

So here are just a few things I've realized since I've been single. One year and still counting...

1. I've become a wee-bit jaded on the entire concept of love and relationships. I did meet several possibilities, including one very recent that I purposely discounted to be a relationship but more to be a big, huge, enormous mistake. With one particular chubby guy who was, more than anything, an idea of what great love could have been. But meeting a lot of great almost(s) can be such an irritating chore. You meet, connect, pursue, and then before you know it, it's more complicated than you hoped it would be. Then, you start it all over again.

2. Boys will be boys and men (way older men) are just meant to be my friends. A dilemma on choosing a 23 year old kid versus one 43 year old guy that lead me to conclude I should find someone around my age or a little bit older.

3. I still despise people who do drugs, especially the ohh, so notorious Partee Pill which I would like to call the death drug of our generation. I just don't know what they get out of it. But I've meet a lot of friends who takes this drug and I just find it sad that such wonderful people are wasting money over something they know is slowly killing them. Perhaps, much like cigarettes (which I also can't quit, but want to) they get some satisfaction out of them. Oh well, my opinions get worse over Shabs, Coke, Heroin, and the likes. Unlike partee, these hard core chemicals destroys not only their body, but it's a guaranteed way to destroy relationships as well. I should know seeing one of my uncles wasted away because of Shabs.

4. Exes will be and forever remain exes. In my search for true love (naks! me ganon?!), I visited past relationships and tried to rekindle what can be rekindled. But alas, I've learned that once you lose the fire, even time cannot put the spark back. Except for some freaky chance that you get in bed... to sleep. HA-HA!

5. The corporate world is a jungle and survival is the name of the game. Working for a corporate environment that's full of politics can be harsh. It takes a really tough person to survive all the back-stabbing, gossiping, jealousy, ass-kicking and ass-licking, betrayal and everything else in between. You need to learn how to play the game or you'll get eaten alive. But then again, good things come to good people and I believe that what happened to me came as a blessing in disguise. I'm happier, a wee-bit richer and less stressed now. H-A! Take that ya'll! (tee-hee!)

6. Count your blessings. There are many things I should be grateful for, like good health, great friends, a complete family and a well paying job. So why is it that finding a lover suddenly became a priority for me? Well, for one because that's the one thing I don't have now. But hey, who knows, maybe before my Christmas Blues kick-in I'll be in a relationship. Fingers-crossed.

7. I know myself now, more than ever. Yes, I can defy gravity. I've always thought that I am a tough nut to crack but hey, over the months, I've proven to myself that I really am. Me-so-happeee! Not a lot of things can bring me down but when it does, I can almost immediately bounce right back up.

And so, forever and a day isn't so bad after all. It has taught me a few things that I would have never realized otherwise. Still, I'm on my never-ending search and I sincerely hope it would be this one but I can't be too sure. So right now, I'm just enjoying the moment.



We only get to live once, why not live everyday as if it were the last.