Travelog: Bienvenue Paris!

My first Europe trip :)

Full load flight going to Charles de Gaulle airport and one of the managers of the airline was on board! Define pressure! Hee!

Upon check-in at the hotel, the crew had no plans of going out as a group, everyone has their own plans of enjoying the layover. It's a good thing I'm flying with Mona because if not I could have been the Asian version of the estranged tourist in Paris from the movie 'Taken' and unfortunately, I know my Father loves me so much but he's not as iron tough as Liam Neeson in the movie to find and save me. :)

I got knocked out when I landed at the hotel bed. We left Jeddah around 11 in the evening and I couldn't sleep before the flight perhaps because of excitement, haha! We arrved at Paris around 6:30 in the morning and it was frikkin' cold!

The view of the iron lady from my room, nice eh?

I slept until noon and woke up to fix myself and I tagged Mona along. We didn't have an itinerary for a day and a half and we just opted to go wherever our feet will bring us to but we asked the hotel concierge for a map anyway.

Love that everything is near the hotel- the metro, the Arc de Triomphe, Champs elysee, and if you really want to walk and savor Paris, you could walk all the way to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre!

Arc de Triomphe which stands at the middle of the busy street.

Too bad my friend is not a good photgrapher, hee!

I am in love with my new camera. I was like that (see picture above) far from the arc but it captures the details of the arc very well! Power shots!

The arc honors those who died and fought for France during the French revolution.

Beneath the arc lies the tomb of the unknown heroes.

We took the metro on our way to Eiffel Tower because we could have lost our legs if we walked around the city the whole day. :)

The Iron lady stands tall and still

By the Seine River

After the long walk, we ate chocolate crepes while resting our dead tired legs. Just sitting by the bench while eating and looking up on the Eiffel tower is love. It's somehing I've been just dreaming before and now it's right in front of me. God, thank you for I am blessed.

We continued walking, rode the metro, and reached the Musee de Louvre. I wanted to actually see the museum (because of Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo) but they said whole day isn't enough to finish the tour. Also, Mona wanted me to tour to other places so I decided to skip it because it won't be my last trip to Paris. We just strolled around the museum, and even if I tried getting in, the line was crazy! Here are some sneak peaks anyway!

Our next stop is the Notre dame de Paris or most known as Notre Dame Cathedral, the home of the fictional character Quasimodo. Not only that, it's the cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Paris.

Playing with pigeons outside :)

The Notre Dame

I didn't expect I was going to be emotional when I went inside the cathedral. The music. The French Gothic architecture. The stained glass. The holy spirit. God, I felt divine and I cried.

It's when a painting or any work of art,

so beautiful it overwhelms the viewer.

It's a form of shock. Almost fainting from joy.

People feel rapid heart palpitation.

They get dizzy. Looking at great art makes you

forget your own name, forget even where you're at.

Amnesia. Panic. Heart attack. Collapse.

Stendhal syndrome- Diary, Chuck Palahinuk

Okay. I did not faint nor collapse. But I was in awe and I cried inside and Mona was comforting me until we got out of the Cathedral. I will always go there whenever I have Paris flight.

Another place that I loved is the Sacre Couer (Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral). It's a breath of fresh air from the busy streets of the city of love. The cathedral is located uphill, you either take the steps or wait for the train-like vehicle to take you all the way up. You can see the whole city and the skyline of Paris when you reached the top. Parisiens are lounging at the stairs with their friends and amores and artists are singing their hearts out fillig the air with romance.

I was dead tired when we reached the hotel at night. I slept the moment my back felt the soft bed and I woke up late the next day. I just shopped Longchamp bags before we left and got my detax. Hooray for that!

I fell in love with Paris! But I know that the second time would be lovelier!

See you soon, city of lights!

Travelog: Namaste India!

For the first week of the love month, I’ve been to Lucknow, India.

Lucknow is a small and humble province in India but not too much away from civilization. However, as compared from its tourist capital in Delhi, only a few people here can speak English, yes they all speak Hindi, making conversations with the locals a bit of problem.

If you plan to travel here, just take the tour from the hotel because exploring the town on your own can be difficult, like what happened to us. J

We stayed at Vivanta by Taj, 30-minute drive from the airport and the hotel was nice.

Check out my room. It feels majestic with those colorful pillows and curtains!

Oh, and did I say that the people at Vivanta were so warm and welcoming? Like everything they say came from their hearts and not because they were obliged to do so!

Before we went out for dinner, we saw a pictorial of an Indian wedding. The groom’s outfit was extravagant with all the accessories and colorful clothing. I wasn’t able to see the bride but my colleague told me that the bride was wearing a beautiful silk saree that night.

Sorry for a not so clear picture J

For our first night, the whole crew went out to eat, wherelse but in an Indian restaurant. We wouldn’t have been to India if we will not try their spicy Indian foods. We went to Barbeque nation, starved, tired, and ready to eat those chilis. J

Here’s a picture of us having a gastronomic fun.

The food was okay. What I liked most is the barbecued chicken and shrimp, twas both crunchy but tender inside and the spiciness is just right. I also liked chicken briyani and I’ve never eaten chicken briyani anywhere in KSA. But the most favorite that night even the whole crew loved it is the vanilla ice cream. I don’t know if there’s something special with the ice cream or we just ate too much spicy, but it is really friggin’ good. J

After we pigged out we roam around a nearby mall and here we found, sarees, sarees, and sarees!

The next day my Egyptian friend Mona and I went out to explore Lucknow. We just grabbed a quick breakfast at the hotel and we’re off to go. But it took me some time to finish the most delicious yoghurt my taste buds have ever savored. I’d love to go to India again to buy some of it.

After that, we went to the zoo because Mona wanted to ride an elephant. Elephants in India are considered sacred and holy. Unfortunately, we did not see any and there’s like nothing too interesting in the zoo. Good thing I’ve seen elephants before in Manila. J

The main means of transportation in India is the ‘tuk-tuk’. It’s a small three-wheeled cart and also a three-wheeled cabin.

It’s the same as the tricyle in our country.

There is another one but I forgot to ask what it’s called. It’s like the same as pedicab in Manila except for the the seating cabin is attached at the back of the bicycle and the driver has to pull all the weight for us. It’s really hard work considering that it’s only worth measly rupees. By the way the currency in India is of the same worth as ours in peso. So back to the pedicab, it’s like kalesa for us without the horse.

Well, Mona and I wanted to go to a bazaar where we could buy some souvenir and other Indian stuff. We were talking to almost everyone but they could not speak English. That’s why it could have been better if we took the hotel tour. After some hard negotiation, an Indian man agreed to bring us to a bazaar because he quite understood the 'bazaar' word. And so we took his pedicab and geez, it’s the most dangerous ride I’ve ever been. I swear I could have died on that ride, no seatbelts, no safety or anything. And the traffic in India was mad, each vehicle is trying to cross over every street not paying attention on the traffic lights. Oh, good thing nothing bad happened to us. But, the Indian man did not bring us to a market or a souk or a place like Divisoria. Yes he cheated on us and he brought us to a boutique full of clothes. We could have been not mad if he brought us to a store full of sarees but no, it’s all yards of linens ready to be sewn. And then I just remembered a friend of mine telling me a story that when she went to India, but not Lucknow, the cab driver brought them to a store of his friend and asked them to buy anything from it. It’s like they bring tourist to their friend’s store and they will get commission in return.

Disappointed, we hailed a tuk-tuk and asked to bring us to Imam Bara. Imam bara is a shrine built for employment in Lucknow. It's one of the grandest building in the town. The entrance at the historic site was nice. I always marvel at ancient buildings or anything that were preserved for its historical value. It’s like you’ll be able to relive the prehistoric era when you experience or visit ancient sites.

Mona and I went inside the building that was behind me in the picture above. It is the Indian’s ancestral and cultural heritage. Upon entering, one should remove their shoes as a symbol of respect. It is quite weird because the weather was sunny and bright but when we removed our shoes, the floor of the temple was very cold. There was nothing very special inside the mosque, just some old pictures of their past. But the architecture was beautiful. People before were so artsy and good in architecture even without technology.

We only had a short tour because of our short layover. After that we just bought some souvenir outside the site (yes, we found something to buy, hee) and then we went back to the hotel.

For just 24 hours I’ve almost visited the popular spots in Lucknow. I could say that I quite enjoyed the town, the food and the people but I’m not interested to come back again. Perhaps Delhi will be on my next list because I’d like to see the Taj Mahal and buy authentic pashmina! J

Namaste, India!

Travelog out soon!

Hi! I have a new project. I named it travelog (travel+log). Basically this will be my reviews/raves/rants/wonders, etc for all my travels across the world.

I’d like to share with you all my discoveries as I wander to every country here in our awesome planet. So stay tuned and I hope to make you feel like you’re travelling with me as you read each post in the future.

Cheers! :)

I owe my blog so many posts already

My apologies for neglecting my blog as if it died a natural death. Oh well, I’m sorry.

So here are the deets of how I went from jolly-molly to MIA. When I last scribbled my thoughts here, see this, I was in shock. Have you ever felt confused and coward to move forward when the moment you’ve waited for so long just landed in front of your doorstep? If you haven’t, God bless you, but if you had you might get my drift

Hesitant and halfhearted for my sudden departure, I packed my bags and left my heart in Dasma.

It’s been four months now since I left my great life in Manila. Yes, I’m now a flight attendant living somewhere in the Kingdom of the Middle East. I’m already done with my training and I’m up in the air almost every day. Well, I was supposed to post this during my training but due to my crazy schedule, it never happened ;p. But if you ask me how it was, twas one of the craziest roller coaster ride of my life.

Being away and living away from my family is crazy. Living in a flat with people I barely know is crazy. Doing house chores I’ve never done myself before is crazy. Waking up every morning to put on my make-up and don the FA’s uniform is crazy. Training myself to be poised and confident is way crazy from the klutz that I am. Okay, to sum it up I’ve been crazy and mad for the first four months. Hee.

Everything now is different. Even my choices on what to buy for groceries and what to cook for dinner make for a difference. No one is responsible for myself now but me. No one will look after me, only me.

On the brighter side I am learning. I am getting used to the ropes and I am establishing myself here in the dessert. I am learning to cope up with different people, from different cultures. I am helping myself to be stronger, tougher and wiser.

Even though life here is hard for me and I’m still adjusting, I know everything will fall in its place soo, in God’s will, in Shaala.

Bye for now, I have a flight to catch and I’m back to base later. Will post more blogs soon. J

OMG

Am I really leaving today? :(

I dunno but, what should you feel, when the time you have waited so much has arrived in a snap of a finger?

Oh Lord, what you will let it be so. Where you will there will I go. What is your will help m to know.

Wake me up when September ends

It's just a couple of hours and September will vanish in thin air. How time flies. It's the last day of the month so I might as well create my September '10- ender blog.

Here's a wrap up of my September:

1. I waited in vain. And still I am! Oh, maybe my patience is being pushed to the wall. Or perhaps God thinks I'm not ready yet for 'that'. Oh well, He's given me the blessing in an unexpected way and maybe 'that time' will come the same way I didn't see it coming. Oh Dear God, just let it be :)

2. Work was okay. For this month work has been nothing good, nothing bad. I have had so many thoughts of leaving work because first; I grew weary of waking up very early, pulling myself out of the bed and commuting all the way to Manila, second; I wanted to rest before the day of the departure comes (but I'm still waiting when would it be) and third; the pay is unfortunate.

3. In the contrary, I'm into business! Hooray! I've discovered I could earn more and add up on my measly pay by doing business! I'll save up in the future because I don't want to be an employee forever. Franchise will do me good in my retirement. Jollibee? Salon and Spa? 7-eleven? I am quite sure my life will be a tad easier by that time though I'll definitely have to work my ass for the franchise cost eh?

4. I miss media. Some of my college and closest friends are starting their work in media firms right now, and I'm happy for them. Two of my friends texted me today, asking for support on their work. One said her very first story will be aired in national TV and the other told me her article will be published in national newspaper. Isn't that amazing? To be honest I felt a little envy and a quick thump on my heart. I miss media. I miss writing. I miss the adrenalin rush of deadlines, productions, scriptwriting, editing and tons of articles to work on. But I I did not feel the envy as if I wanted to cry my heart out for not being able to work in media. I did not feel the envy as if I felt insecure and left out. I felt encouraged and inspired. One day, I'm going back and be a cut-throat bitch in my 25's. One day, I'll be back and prove that the blood of a writer still runs in my warm blood. I am capable, I am, I can and I will.

5. My life has become more amazing! Sometimes a positive and an energetic attitude can attract good vibes of the universe. I dunno but in some little ways, I feel alive because of what's happening in my life right now. I guess it's just the state of the mind which provides me fulfillment. Attitude is everything.

I hope everyone had a good September. So much for this month. You had been fair to me. Thanks September! 'Til next year then! Ciao!

The typhoon which brought us love

September 28, 2006.

It was exactly four years ago. Four years ago when Yok and I first set eyes on each other.

I was soaked in the rain, with my gold satin gown and washed-up face from the pour. Yok Han was inside the church, anxious and nervous perhaps, ;p waiting for the moment we're about to see each other.

September 28, 2010.

Four years after. Remembering how typhoon Milenyo swept 'that wedding' with rain as well as swept off our feet to each other; today's the first time Yok held my hand, today's the first moment Yok kissed my cheeks and today's the first chance Yok told me in the eye that he love me and adore me.

Today's the day we braved typhoon Milenyo and faced God with our love. It was four years after this very day, we walked down the aisle with so much love in our heart and so much passion in our mind that we asked Him to bless us and guide us throughout the years to come.

Happy fourth year of togetherness my Yok Han! Happy fourth year anniversary of 'that wedding'. I love you to the core.

Forgive me if I could not put pictures of how we first met.
Friendster's so dead.
To see two people crazy, madly, and deeply
in love with each other, click here, and here. Hee!

This is what I'm afraid of.

Ever since Yok joined the fraternity in his Law school, I've become apprehensive of one thing; frat wars. I don't have anything against the brotherhood but if violence comes with it, I do not approve of that.

At first, Yok did not tell me he joined frat then because he knows I'm tons against it. He revealed it to me weeks after his initiation when all the bruises and scars were healed hence the girlfriend can't do anything because it's all been done. I just told him one thing- not to partake on frat wars.

September is the bar exams month and every Law school's fraternities and sororities show support on their colleagues. I've been there once and I can't hardly say every frat's hub is safe. This year, Yok wasn't active and he only went in the site once and left immediately in the morning.

Tonight 42 people were hurt because of a blast in De La Salle at Taft. I was completely surprised as I heard the news. The bar exams ended in a violent way because of supposedly frat wars. I couldn't think of what would I do if Yok went there and was hurt. I was so scared. I thanked God because he knows the Yok shouldn't be there.

Glee returns (and so the Gleeks!)

There are a lot of things I am happy about right now but what makes me perfectly happy is the return of my favorite musical show- Glee!

After almost three months of airtime vacay,
Glee is back, with a whole lot more!

As soon as I knew the what-about of it's Philippine premier, I immediately marked it at my calendar and even set the alarm 30 minutes before the telecast. Yep, call me a gleek! I watched the first episode and I must say I had spent an hour of good TV watching Glee! Even if I slept for less than 5 hours and went on duty for work, it's okay as long as I listen to Glee's playlist the next day. :)

Here's Rachel and Finn as an onscreen couple in the second ep.
Rachel lost weight and it's very apparent since her flabs are seen elsewhere on the first ep.
Plus, she's got a new look with her full bangs and mahogany-colored do.
Well, Finn, is still Finn except that he's no longer a quarterback.
I wonder what will he do to get out of the 'loser' shadow eh?

For this season, the couple gained maturity.
But, Rachel's narcissism is still on sky high notes (evident on what she did to Sunshine on the premier ep).
I wonder how Finn will put up with Rachel's craziness.
Another breakup, anyone?

Back to back.
Quinn has given birth, and she's regained herself as the head of the Cheerios.
Meanwhile, Artie is heartbroken. Tina dumped her because of the other Asian guy.
(Forgive me if that just sounded racist, but it's not. I just forgot his name)

Glee's new beast. There can only be one queen in a palace. Would that be Sue? Or the Beast perhaps?

Did I mention Charice is in the house?
Yep folks, Charice is in the house!

I loved Glee ever since it started and even before Charice stepped in. I understand why too much fuss was created because our very own Pinay homegrown talent is conquering the top musical show in Tinseltown. It's super! But with or without Charice, I'm still a fan. :)

I felt awkward watching Charice. I guess it's because of her excessive smiles. Perhaps why she was named Sunshine because her character should be sunny and lively.

But, I really think her smiles are over the top. Hee ;p It's like, she's overwhelmed to act and sing with Rachel and be seen in Hollywood TV and she can't hold herself from too much happiness and excitement. If you've seen that part where they had a mini showdown of Lady G's Telephone, Rachel was very eager to outshine Sunshine. I can feel it in her face, the diction of her words, the strength of her jaw and the direction of her lips. On the opposite, Charice was all smiles while singing leaving me confused how she was feeling all throughout their showdown. Plus, too many hand movements! Too many hand movements! When she sang "Listen" as her audition piece at the auditorium, she just threw her hands and shoulders in the air in between her inhales and exhales. Again, over the top. I'm sorry but I just have to say. :)

Anyhoo, aside from that everything was crystal clear perfect! Her voice was stunning! Her diction was American! And she looked pretty! So pretty! Charice is a diva, a real shining diva!

Well, I'm just happy Glee is back! And I'm looking forward to my Wednesday nights and some slushie with the gang!