Yakkity Yakkity

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my new website!

YAHOOOOO!!!!! I finally got my new site set up... well it's still lacking a few things like design and stuff... but at least I can blog in it... I've been excited with the thought of having my own domain.. and now I finally did it! Visit my site at www.beetalking.com.  More updates later on....

posted by: melsChina at 20:35 | link | comments |
blahs, interesting stuff

I'm A Cypress Tree...

Wala lang... I'm a bit bored...

WHAT TREE DID YOU FALL FROM?
Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is really cool and somewhat accurate. Then send it to your friends, including the one that sent it to you, so they can find out what tree they fell from, but don't forget to change the subject line to your tree. Find your tree below and see what you are like...

Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree Mar 21 (only) - Oak Tree Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree

Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree

TREES (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love)

quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

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Ash Tree (Ambition)

extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

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Beech Tree (Creative)

has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

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Birch Tree (Inspiration)

vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

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Cedar Tree (Confidence)

of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

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Chestnut Tree (Honesty)

of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

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Cypress Tree (Faithfulness)

strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

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Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness)

pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

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Fig Tree (Sensibility)

very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, sexually oriented, great sense of humor, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

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Fir tree (Mysterious)

extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

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Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) charming, sense of humor, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a
perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete
fairness.

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Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste)

of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

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Lime Tree (Doubt)

intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always
willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

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Maple Tree (Independence of Mind)

no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

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Oak Tree (Brave)

robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

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Olive Tree (Wisdom)

loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

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Pine Tree (Peacemaker)

loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

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Poplar Tree (Uncertainty)

looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

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Rowan Tree (Sensitivity)

full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

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Walnut Tree (Passion)

unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

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Weeping Willow (Melancholy)

likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

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posted by: melsChina at 15:05 | link | comments (1) |

Wednesday Nights, among other things...

I love Wednesday nights.  It used to be before that during weeknights, we’d just be in the apartment, watching DVDs, but now, we have something to look forward to and those are our Wednesday nights.  It started after the Backstreet Boys concert which was on a Wednesday night (see BSB blog).  As I mentioned in that blog, we took advantage of our night out and decided to head over to Zapata’s which was having a ladies night.  It turned out to be fun and back then, I thought Elaine would be leaving mid-February so I decided to go with her every Wednesday and enjoy the night coz for sure I’ll be back to being a homebody after she leaves.  Things started to heat up a few weeks ago when we decided to visit another ladies night across town before we head to Zapatas, which turned to an every Wednesday night after BSB concert, because we were curious about a certain something that caught our eye while reading their ad.  Turns out they didn’t have the certain something we were hoping for but instead something more fun!  While we were a bit disappointed coz they didn’t have it, seeing the free tattoos corner soon had us excited and forgetting about the reason we came.  It’s only washable paint and only last a night but it’s still cool! Then next week after that, we planned on going to Mint (the No Man’s Land) first to get tattoos and afterwards Zapatas when something came up.  I edit a few websites aside from Shanghaiexpat and one of them is MTO123 which sells gears and you can put any designs on hoodies or shirts (they have great stuff!).  That day, they gave me, along with a few others, a Shanghaiexpat hoodie which is really cool, in exchange for our help in their website as long as we wear it during our event that Wednesday night!  So instead of going to 2 places that night, we ended up going to 3 places instead! Yup, that’s right!  We first went to Malone’s (where our event is held) and had dinner there with me wearing the hoodie (I was a walking advertisement!).  Mingled with my colleagues and some others (they actually have great free finger foods during the event!)  Afterwards, we went to Mint which was just walking distance from Malones where we got our cool tattoos and even waited in line for a free manicure (which I had trouble taking off last night, reminding me once again why I don't like having manicures!!)  After that, we went to Zapatas to dance.... well I was more like just standing and moving  a bit!  I even met one of my co-worker there (who also got a hoodie and showed up at Malone's but had an after party at Zapata's with her friend!)  Interesting night noh?  By the way, that's me in the picture along with Ed and Michelle, my collegues, wearing our hoodies at Malone's. Oh, guess who has which tatoos!  So every wednesday night, we have 3 places that we can go to that offers freebies!!

Anyways, some good news.... Elaine has renewed her visa which means she'll be staying for a few more months..I'm not sure how much longer I'm gonna enjoy every moment of it coz China sure won't be the same without her.

On a totally unrelated subject, I've been learning a lot of things here in China and before learning usually comes the bloopers.  One of them is how to do laundry!  I've learned that I should separate the colors from the whites coz sometimes the whites would stain which happened one day to Elaine's white-now-kinda-pink-shirt while I was doing laundry.  Of course we always learn from our mistakes.  I learned not to mix the colors and Elaine learned to separate the colors from the whites before she'd let me do laundry. 

I've also learned how to differentiate the onion, garlic, and ginger.  That's an embarrassing story and I'm sure David (our roomate in Beijing) would be retelling that story to everyone I know until he grows old, so I'll keep mum on it.  Really embarrassing...

The greatest achievement I think is in learning how to cook.  Now I know that I won't starve if left alone coz I can cook something to eat, might not be very good, but at least it would be edible.  Some of the things I recently learned how to cook are breakfast foods (in cans, mind you, I'm not that good!), one of them are pancakes!  Not pancakes from scratch, but those easy-to-cook pancake mix.  The instructions seemed easy enough but turns out that I should've cooked them bit by bit instead of pouring all the pancake mix in the pot.  It was hard to flip over because it was so thick, that's why one side is burned while the other side was good. It was still edible though as the picture shows and Elaine and I didn't get food poisoning which was a good sign.  All in all, I find cooking can sometimes be fun...

Well, I've learned a few more but its late so I'll blog about it next time.  One last thing I've learned is how many people it takes to change a light bulb... It seems, it actually takes two to change it.  One to hold the new/old light bulb and the other to actually change it. (See picture)

 

posted by: melsChina at 23:44 | link | comments (3) |
blahs, shanghai

You Know You're Filipino When...

You Know You're Filipino When...

1. Your middle name is your mother's maiden name.
   
2. Your parents call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy."
   
3. You have uncles and aunts named "Boy," "Girlie," or"Baby."
   
4. You have relatives whose nicknames consist of repeated syllables like "Jun-Jun,"  "Ling-Ling," “Che-Che,” and "Mon-Mon.”
   
5. You call the parents of your parents and your friends’ parents "Tito" and "Tita."
   
6. You have four or five names that all your family call you by..
   
7. You greet your elders by touching their hands to your forehead.
   
8. You always kiss your relatives on the cheek whenever you first enter a room.
   
9. You follow your parents' house rules even if you are over 18.
   
10. You live with your parents until, and at times even after, you're married.
    
11. You decorate your dining room wall with a picture of Jesus’ Last Supper.
    
12. You keep your furniture wrapped in plastic or covered with blankets.
    
13. You have a Santo Nino shrine in your living room and crosses above every door in your house.
    
14. You have a piano that no one knows how to play.
    
15. You keep a tabo (basin) in your bathroom near the toilet.
    
16. You use Vicks Vapor rub even when you aren’t sick.
    
17. You eat with your hands.
    
18. You eat more than three times a day.
    
19. You think a meal is not a meal without rice.
    
20. You think sandwiches are snacks, not meals.
    
21. Your dining table has a merry-go-round (lazy Susan) in the middle.
    
22. You bring baon (lunch) to work everyday.
    
23. Your pantry is never without Spam, Vienna sausage, corned beef, and sardines.
    
24. You love to eat daing or tuyo.
    
25. You prop up one knee while eating.
    
26. You eat your meal with patis (fish sauce), toyo (soy sauce), suka (vinegar), banana catsup (Jufran baby!), or bagoong (shrimp paste).
    
27. Your tablecloths are stained with toyo (soy sauce) circles.
    
28. You love sticky desserts wrapped in banan leaves and salty snacks like shrimp chips.
    
29. You eat fried Spam and hot dogs with rice and banana ketchup.
    
30. You eat mangoes with rice or bagoong (shrimp paste) with great GUSTO (liking)!
    
31. You love "dirty" ice cream.
    
32.  You love to eat, yet often manage to stay slim.
33. You put a special “secret sauce” for you spaghetti and put hot dogs in it too.
    
34. Everything you eat is sauteed in garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
    
35. You order a "soft drink" instead of soda.
    
36. You hang a rosary on your car's rear view mirror.
    
37. You get together with family at a cemetery on All Saint's Day to eat, drink, and tell stories by your loved ones' graves.
    
38. You play cards or mahjong and drink beer at funeral wakes.
    
39. You think Christmas season begins in October and ends in January.
    
40. Your second piece of luggage is a balikbayan box.
    
41. You've mastered the art of packing a suitcase to double capacity.
    
42. You collect items from airlines, hotels, and restaurants as "souvenirs."
    
43. You feel obligated to give pasalubong to all your friends and relatives each time you return from a trip.
    
44. You use paper foot outlines when buying shoes for friends and relatives.
45. You're a fashion victim.
46. You can convey 30 messages with your facial expression.
    
47. You hold your palms together in front of you and say"excuse, excuse" when you pass or squeeze in between people and the TV.1
48. You ask for the bill at a restaurant by making a rectangle in the air.
    
49. You cover your mouth when you laugh.
    
50. You respond to a "Hoy!" or a "Pssst!" in a crowd.
    
51. You'll answer "Malapit lang!" (close by!) --no matter the distance--when asked how far away a place is located.
52. Goldilocks is more than a fairy tale character to you.
    
53. You refer to electricity interruptions as "brownouts."
    
54. You love to use the following acronyms: CR= comfort room, DI= dance instructor, DOM= dirty old man, TNT= tago nang tago, KJ= kill joy, KSP= kulang sa pansin, OA= over-acting, TL= true love, BF= boyfriend and GF= girlfriend.
    
55. You say "rubber shoes" instead of sneakers, "ball pen" instead of pen, "stockings" instead of pantyhose, "pampers" instead of diapers, "ref" or "prijider" instead of refrigerator, "Colgate" instead of toothpaste, "canteen" instead of cafeteria, and "open" or "close"  instead of turn on or turn off (as in “turn the lights on/off”).
    
56. You use an umbrella for shade on hot summer days.
    
57. You like everything imported or "state-side."
    
58. You love ballroom dancing, bowling, pusoy, mah jong, billiards, and karaoke.
    
59. You have a relative who is a nurse.
    
60. When you're in a restaurant, you wipe your plate and utensils before using them.
    
61. You can squeeze 15 passengers into your five-seater car without a second thought.
    
62. At a picnic or family party, you wave a pom-pom on a stick around the food to keep the flies away.
    
63. You always ring a doorbell twice, assuming that the first ring was not heard.
    
64. You let the phone ring twice before answering, so you don’t appear overly eager.
    
65. You use a rock to scrub yourself in the bath or shower.
    
66. You're proud to be Filipino - and you pass these jokes on to all your Filipino friends!

posted by: melsChina at 22:36 | link | comments |
interesting stuff

about my niece

I can't help it... I just have to blog about my niece and show you pictures.  I can't wait to go home and play with her!  Spoil her a bit and afterwards give her back to my sister!   Every time she does something, my sister usually emails me the pictures and she's just so cute!  On the left side is a picture of her a few weeks ago.  She's now crawling and as you may have noticed, she still has hair!!  Then one day last week, my aunt went to Manila and 'lo and behold, the new Mikah with no hair!!  My aunt used to shave my sister's hair back when she was a baby, now; she's shaving my sister's daughter's hair! Cute ain't she?

posted by: melsChina at 22:10 | link | comments |
family

Spring Festival

Just an update... last January 28-February 4 we didn't have work coz it was chinese new year or better known as the spring festival.  We celebrated the first two days of no work by going out with Elaine's uncle and his family, taking them to tourist areas.  After that two days, we had a three day DVD marathon watching the show 24 until we (Elaine and I) got so sick of it that we never did finish the 4 seasons.  Only got to watch til season 3 episode 12 (I think or somewhere around that episode).  We'd wake up around lunch time, go out to eat and would come back after to continue watching until late in the evening.  I think it would take me another few months to be able to continue watching that show.

The last two days of vacation, was spent walking around Shanghai (outside our apartment!).  On the right side is a picture taken around Yu Garden where they were having a lantern festival.  Spring festival was really interesting with lesser people making it more fun to roam around the city! It seems that most of the people left the city, those who did come to the city mostly visited tourist  spots, and the rest are celebrating with their families.  So the street was usually empty.  Not only that, it was easier to get a taxi and there were seats available while riding the bus, if no seats, at least the bus was not "shoulder to shoulder" crowded.

Anyways, it was a fun vacation... too bad we had to work Sunday (Feb 5) to make up for the vacation...  Made me miss Philippine holidays where they would actually move the holiday to a Friday or a Monday so that people can take the weekend off straight!

P.S. It's official! Feb 16 was the day I left Philippines last year... I've been in China for a year without going home! Wow!

posted by: melsChina at 11:42 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

birthday surprise

I haven’t had the time to blog for a while now and when I do have time I usually am not in the mood.  I’m just gonna write something about what I did on my birthday before it’s too late and I forget. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit forgetful nowadays hence the blog so that someday I can look back and read about what havoc I wreak whilst in . That and to occupy my time when I’m bored.  Don’t worry; I’ll make this short... or as short as I can make it without boring anyone patient enough to read this.

I woke up feeling excited that day, not because it was my birthday, mind you, but because it was the last day before our one week holiday!  It didn’t even feel like my birthday except that once in a while a text message would come from friends back home greeting me, reminding me I’m a year older. I thought it would just be any normal day except I’ll be going out to dinner with a few friends instead of the usual just Elaine and me.  But the unexpected happen. It turned out to be a very nice day, definitely memorable.  I’ll run it down for you.  First, there were less people on the street coz most have left early to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families which meant I didn’t have to wait so long to get a taxi!! Then came lunch time, our ayi had another day off which meant no Chinese food (I’m a bit sick and tired of them… there's always veggies in the foods!)!! They ordered pizzas instead yummy! Then afterwards, Michael came in around 2pm and told all of us that after we finish our work, we can all go home! Great wasn’t it??  By that time, I was excited to go home and was just plain happy with how the day was going so far. I was hurriedly finishing up all my work so I could go home early.  Now here comes the funny part of the day.  Elaine was text messaging me about how her day went coz her uncle and his family arrived that day and she was stuck giving them a tour.  So I replied that I’d be going home in a little while coz Michael was letting us off early and afterwards I can catch up with them.  As it turns out, she wouldn’t let me go home coz it seems she had a surprise for me and wasn’t done yet. So, while she hurriedly left her relatives at their hotel and went home, I was stuck in the office working slowly to pass time.  I even walk home so she can have time to finish up.  It was a nice beautiful sunny day to walk, not so cold, no traffic, no loud honking of horns, and not many people. I probably should’ve walked slower coz before I knew it, I was at the apartment and Elaine wouldn’t let me in!  I had no choice but to wait outside the door. While I was leaning on the door, waiting, I was suddenly surprised by a loud “boom” and was about to shrugged it off as people wanting to celebrate Chinese New Year already when I heard Elaine laughing inside.  Turns out a balloon popped!! There goes her surprise! The surprise might have been ruined but there were some other things I was surprise about when she did let me in.  For one thing, I wasn’t expecting David (I should’ve since he’s living there!) and was surprised to see him. Another thing is her having gotten me a cake (not just any cake, a cake in a box with a scented candle on top!), and to have actually gone to all those trouble just for me… I’m touched.  Then we went out to dinner at Malone's along with a few friends.  It was fun and the food was great! Oh, I almost forgot! Elaine also got me a cool gift... a digital clock with a stand that you can clip on table corners or headboards and movable head... kinda hard to explain... you have to see it. There's a story behind why she got me a clock, not just any clock but a digital one and that's another story for another time.  For now, have to get back to work!  

To Elaine, thanks, ur d best gid!... INDI ANAY MAG PULI!!!!

Me and my birthday cake surrounded by balloons, Elaine and David after the surprise, dinner at Malones, Elaine finishing up the should have been surprise at 11pm.

posted by: melsChina at 14:38 | link | comments (2) |
shanghai, moments

what lies ahead....

As last Sunday night ended and a new week started, the weather looked great (no rain!).  Work was hectic again which is what I like instead of boring myself (like now – yea, I’m weird, we all know that already).  I was starting to feel that it would be a great week ahead.  We even started the week with dinner out which we don’t usually do on a weekday and had a nice night…until we went home that night.  As I walked in the door, I noticed that the Christmas tree was gone!  And so were the garlands hanging around the apartment!  Ok, I didn’t mind that, I guess Christmas is really over.  Since the room still feels different, I looked around to what else she did, and it seems that not only did she take down the Christmas decors, she also packed her stuff!!! All the picture frames that used to hang on our wall were gone! She’s all packed except for her clothes!! Now this I minded!  Why couldn’t she have started packing a week before she would leave?? Grrrrr…  That night, it suddenly hit me that she’ll be going home mid-February and it’s only a few weeks away.  But I guess I can’t really sulk for long so I did what I always do when something like this happens.  Got up from the fall, brush away the dirt then put on a brave front to face whatever comes. 

What came was David back from Guangzhou and staying in our apartment again last Tuesday night.  A fun Wednesday night also came.  My colleagues and I went out for dinner then afterwards we went to Malone’s for the Wednesday night Mixer that my company sponsors every week.  It seems that it was a free night for Sunny (graphic artist) and I.  From dinner to Malone’s, we took a taxi that the company will be paying for since Michelle, the marketing manager, is required to go to the Mixer.  Then she also bought us one drink each (XieXie!) and there were free finger foods there (yummy!).  While we were in Malone’s, I received a text message from a wayward friend that she was in Zapatas for the ladies night.  So Sunny and I caught up with her there, shared a taxi with Jay (sales manager) to go there coz he lives near Zapatas and was gonna go home.  Got a free ride and got free drinks (frozen Margaritas – blech) at Zapatas…. It’s great being a girl!

Wonder what else lies ahead... this is officially my last blog as a 22.....

posted by: melsChina at 12:18 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

life goes on....

Life goes on, and it’s only gonna make me strong
Its a fact, once you get on board say goodbye cuz you can’t go back (LeAnn Rimes)

This is my song for the week.  The day seemed gloomy last Tuesday, the future seemed gloomier.  Everything and everyone seemed to irritate me. I was a grouch to everybody, aggravated by every little thing although I still have enough manners to control my urge to push the people who are pushing me in the bus.  Even the weather didn’t agree with me since it rained all week!  But as always, I don’t stay on a bad mood for long and as the day progressed, I found the reason for it.  I don’t know if my bad mood caused it or it was because of it that I was a grouch all day, but by night time I had a slight fever.  I would’ve gone to bed once I got home but when I entered through the door of the apartment, I found food waiting for me at the table.  Elaine’s cooking!!  She followed some recipes she found online of the foods she wanted to eat.  I was her guinea pig trying out the foods she made, and it was good! (I'd pay her to stay and be my cook!) After dinner and a few Sex and The City episodes later, I was fast asleep.

Foods she made Tuesday, Thursday and Friday respectively... yummy!

The next day seemed a bit brighter.  I would’ve taken a sick leave coz I was still feeling a bit tired but since the BSB concert was that night, my conscience won’t let me be absent for work and go out later that night.  I’m weird that way.  Besides that, the only reason I wanted to stay home is so I can sleep all day but since it was almost the weekend, I decided to wait til then to have a sleep-a-thon.  I should’ve known I won’t be able to do that!  The BSB concert was really fun.  The concert wasn’t sold out since there were a lot of empty seats so we were able to move to a better seat and only moved once when the owners of the seats arrived to other empty seats.  They were so late that they shouldn’t have came and made us move hehehehe.. Afterwards, since we were already out anyways, we decided to go to Zapata’s since it was ladies night every Wednesday.  Wasn’t there long though coz I was feeling a bit tired and had work the next day too.  I had a sore throat the next day.

Concert

Now it’s the weekend and I still haven’t had my sleep-a-thon. The sore throat’s gone but instead I have a cough. It’s the second night in a row that I have woken up in the middle of the night and had a hard time going back to sleep because of this non-stop coughing.  Don’t hold anything that I just wrote against me since it is too early in the morning to blog so I probably am not yet thinking straight yet.  Since I couldn’t sleep, I decided to just tire myself out until I conk out hence the blogging. (There’s really not much to do this early in the morning!).  Although my week started out bad, along the way it turned out to be not so bad.  Like the song, no matter how bad a day is, life goes on and maybe tomorrow the sun would shine or better still maybe it would snow!  Snow, snow, and more snow until its knee deep.  Ok, it’s wishful thinking but who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Yesterday, we helped a friend move to her new apartment.  We moved some stuff from her Aunt's friends apartment (things they are giving her since they are leaving) to the apartment she's gonna move from and also moved her stuff from her apartment down to the car (no elevators and on the 3rd floor) then after stuffing them all in the van, more moving at the new apartment.  From the front of the apartment building to the front of the elevators then into the elevators, back out of the elevators after arriving on her floor and from there up one flight of stairs (the elevator doesn’t reach her floor) into her new apartment.  Whew! Tiring isn't it? Just thinking of it is making me tired.  I think the exercise did me good although I probably lost only one pound and gained it back dinner time by eating pizza at home and having a drinking session afterwards while watching DVD.

Her old building with me trying to sell some of her stuff (sssh.. she doesn't know I sold some of her clothes) That's her with all her stuff in front of the elevators at her new building. Thanks to whoever invented elevators!

posted by: melsChina at 04:38 | link | comments (2) |
shanghai, moments

What A Day....

Since our weekdays are usually so mundane, weekends, if we're not feeling lazy, are the only  times when we can do something fun usually it involves eating at some nice restaurants.  Today was a bit different than most saturdays because our day started with something special, then came the eating, the frustration, the massage, new look, and ending it with more eating.  A few minutes after I woke up this morning, the doorbell rang, and there was the guy holding the thing that made us so excited.  Two tickets to the Backstreet Boys concert this coming Wednesday!!!!  It might seem stupid to some, or tacky to others but to us, it's something new, something we've never done before, and who knows when we'll see another BSB concert again! Need to listen to BSB songs again to refresh my memory coz I can't seem to remember their songs... heheh

2 Backstreet Boys Tickets!! January 18, 2006, Wednesday 后(Back)街(Street)男孩(Boys)

Then we ate lunch (our usualy store brought foods) and after went to our  favorite French place for dessert! Afterward came the frustrating part.  Turns out my supposed to be roommate for the next six months, Martina, wanted to find an apartment closer to her school so Irhymbox-1.0/cheeky.gif" /> told her I'll look at the apartment she saw a few days ago. But it seems that we misunderstood each other and it turned out that she hasn't seen any apartment, instead we're gonna look at some.  It's like September all over again when I arrived in Shanghai and Elaine and I were looking at apartments to live in.  The apartments that the property agents were showing us today and the ones that we saw before were still the same, old, ugly and dirty!  It sure made me appreciate my apartment now!  And there's absolutely nothing around her school too!!!  At least here, there's a lot of busses going to shopping areas or good foods  and I think I'll just stay here in this same apartment and hope that Martina would live here with me.. if not, find new roommates.. isn't that just so frustrating? We also went to get a haircut and I love the massage they gave after shampooing our hair!  I felt like falling asleep in the chair.  I like the people there, they're nice to talk to.. Chinese people might not have good manners and might seem dirty, but they're really friendly.  Then of course afterwards, we had dinner at Papa John's.. a  pizza place, which was just beside the saloon we went too.  Good food!  Now, we're here in the apartment, just sitting, too full from dinner to sleep, listening to music from Elaine's ipod.

Something funny happened to me the other day.  As I was in the elevator on my way down to go to work, I noticed the old lady beside me looking at me.  So I did what I usually do when I'm in a good mood, I smiled at her.  Turns out there was something in my hair, or so I thought, coz she was pointing at it.  So I touched my hair to get whatever it was she was pointing at, when suddenly she reached out her hand and... ouch!.... she was holding a white hair.. not just any white hair.. it was one of MY treasured white hair! Then, she held it out as if she was holding a prize, and as I was still feeling a bit shocked that a total stranger would actually pluck one of my hair when not even my family will do that coz I'll be giving them my evil eye if they did, I just looked at the white hair, looked back at her, smiled (I was still in a good mood) and nodded.  She still didn't let it go though, turns out she wanted to give it to me.  So I took it from her and I think I also said thank you, and dropped it on the floor while thinking goodbye white hair, hello more white hair... *sigh*  Ok, stop laughing already!

posted by: melsChina at 22:42 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai, moments

pictures...

I'm sooo happy! Jeremy, the other boss, just asked me to his office a few minutes ago to talk to me.  He asked me what my plans/goals are and why I came to China.. of course I was a bit surprise and I don't really have any answer.. I'm just taking this one day at a time so I haven't really thought about it yet.  Then he told me if I have any questions or wants something, I should tell them coz they don't want me to feel unsatisfied and leave or something like that. So I did the one thing I've wanted to do since last week but haven't yet coz I've been waiting for Michael (the big boss) to return.  I asked him if I can take a  week or two off in Apri to go home! He said he'll talk with Michael about it and that I won't get paid (I know that) but it might be alright.  Ok, so the verdict isn't there yet, and April is still 3 months away, but I am soooo excited! BORACAY!! Here I come! I really, really hope I can go home for the holy week hehehe.. I'm already excited.. makes not going home this Chinese New Year worth it..

Here are some pictures:

Christmas In Shanghai

Elaine's gift to me Christmas heheh.. and Elaine's dad opening the soda's at the bottom so it won't ruin the cans...

Just last weekend, Elaine and I went on a boat ride.. coz we didn't have anything better to do after having lunch at our favorite crepe place.. yummy... The boat crosses from the Puxi side (where I live and where most of the entertainment is) to the Pudong side and back.. It's only 2rmb too.. so very cheap.. then in Pudong, we just walked around a mall.. really didn't have anything better to do...

Boat Ride Puxi Side, Boat, Pudong Side

The popcorn guy.. don't know if it's clean or not.. but we've been in China too long to care It's good though.. Although Elaine is the one who mostly eats it..

So, what do you think of the new template? hahahah.. nothing much changed... maybe next time when I have more time.. Anyone wants to go to Boracay with me?

DVDs: Golden Girls! Season 1-3! hehehe.. and Sex and the City (Elaine's) all Season!.. it's DVD marathon at our apartment

posted by: melsChina at 12:17 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

New Year's Resolution....

Hmmm.. this is getting to be a habit... bloggin at work i mean hehe.. just been kinda tired when I get home lately that I don't want to use the computer anymore (after all day staring at the computer at work!). And I'm feeling kinda bored at work so I figured might as well...ssshhh!  Not yet sure if I have Internet at home already or not! oh well...

My new year's resolution is to walk to and fro work and I added another one (only in my mind!) that I won't eat chocolates anymore!  But nature seems to be against me.  Last night, I was able to follow through with my resolution.. I walked home! Took me about 20 minutes of kinda fast walk to arrive at the apartment, and it was raining too, but just light rain so it was ok.   But this morning, not only did I woke up late, it was raining again! (or maybe still!) So, I wasn't able to walk to work.  Then when I got to work, it seems that one of our colleague is back from her trip and gave us chocolates!  So of course, I took one...  So since I wasn't able to go through with my resolutions, I was thinking of making tomorrow my new year and start over again... but then again, it might rain... I'll just revise my resolutions to this: walk to and fro work if I feel like it and it's not raining (dapat lng!), and not to BUY chocolates (I'll eat if someone would offer me some..... um, anyone??.. dove lng a!)  Not really much of a new year resolutions noh? heheh

My sister emailed me pictures from Christmas... this is a picture from Christmas at home.. after midnight snacks at our grandma's house, we usually wait until after midnight to go home so we can open gifts... I'm the one who took the picture! (I wish!) hehehe Dhia needs a haircut!! and why are they all wearing red except my dad? My gifts are still there, under the tree.. unopened... but just in the picture coz Elaine's parents brought with them my presents! Got a book from my sis and Don, a denim jacket from my brothers (which I think is a bit big.. they must think I'm that fat already!) and a bag from my parents.

 

 

Little Mikah on her way to our house in Bacolod... She's soo big already!!

posted by: melsChina at 13:06 | link | comments (3) |
family, shanghai

Happy New Year!!

What a way to end a year and to start another one.... Just slept throught it .... Didn't hear a lot of fireworks this new year, didn't miss it at all!  Ok, I guess I'm a scrooge but only for new year mornings.. if that's even considered.. but having your sleep disturbed by loud "BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!" that just won't stop and on one of the few days in a year that I can actually sleep til late is really irritating especially since we usually sleep late the night before.   My dad would be one of those people who would be lighting up those noisy fireworks early in the morning along with the other people on our street. They would be taking turns too until they finish all their fireworks while I'll be up in my room covering my ears and trying to go back to sleep.  What I did miss is how we'd end our year.  My dad buys a lot of cool fireworks every year and we'd light it on our roof deck a few hours before midnight and some noisy fireworks that we'd have on midnight to celebrate the new year, then of course comes the midnight snacks....yummy!

Elaine's parents came over to celebrate new year with her, they're really nice and talkative (elaine's mom!) and wow, can they eat!  Theirs is a food trip!  They eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, a few snacks in between and would still be eating when we get back to the apartment!!  We'd also be drinking sodas while watching DVD at the apartment coz Elaine's dad collects coke cans so we needed to drink them all so he can take the empty cans home.   All in all, it's been fun.  They're on their way home now and I hope my parents will pay them back for all the foods they bought for me.

New year's resolutions:  I wasn't going to make one this year since I never stick to them anyways... who does?  But I figured, why not?... I might as well try if I can do it...  So far I only got one and that is to walk to and fro work (30mins walk) everyday... started doing it this morning but woke up a bit late and didn't want to start the new year by being late to work so... Will start tomorrow! Hmmm.. I'll have to think some more... heheh

Ok, I'm doing this at work.. no Internet at the apartment yet... don't know why since I already paid the bill last week..  so, gonna go back to work.. Can't wait til lunch!! Heard we're having pizza! Our ayi's on vacation this week and won't be back til Friday I think, so unless someone's gonna cook, it'll be delivery til she comes back... yippeeee!

Pictures next time....

posted by: melsChina at 10:31 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

Merry Christmas!

Ok... don't have Internet at the apartment, just found out last night so that's why I'm blogging at the office.  It's lunch time so I have a few minutes to spare until I start working again, not that I'm busy anyways, I did most of the work earlier and just have to add a new article.  Like always, when I have nothing much to do, I just surf around our website to see what needs to be done (a reason to read the forums!) and try to make my work last as long as possible so I don't get bored.  Christmas eve was different this year.   Just had dinner with Elaine and Martina then went to church (late!).  Afterwards, Elaine and I were to lazy to go out, not that there was anywhere to go to (most of the bars have entrance fees), so we just stayed home and watched DVD.  Oh and I finally got to open Elaine's gift which turned out to be the makings of a cocktail!!   Never imagined anyone would actually give me alcohol as a gift!  It was good too!  She gave me wine (strawberry flavor), lime, soda water, orange juice, and even a champagne glass! So fun!  First wine I had that tasted so good!  Yup, Christmas was definitely different this year.  Didn't have work monday coz the boss gave us a day off to celebrate the holiday (cool noh?) and next week monday, we don't have work again! (yippeeee!!).  Jeremy also told us to go home early last Friday and I was so excited that I was the first out the door!  Having westerns boss is soo nice!  I get to celebrate Western and Chinese holidays!  Too bad they don't celebrate Philippine holidays too... I'll get a lot of day offs for sure if that's the case! Elaine didn't go to work Monday coz she got sick so the both of us was at home all day, her sleeping (yup, all day!) and me, watching DVD (charmed - season 7).  I figured, I'd better watch it to see if it all works fine so I can send it home since I brought it for my sister. (probably my christmas gift for her.. hehe). Anyways, finished 7 cds in one sitting hehehe..all in all around 20 episodes I think!

Time really is so fast!  Christmas is over and now it's almost the new year!  I haven't decided what to do next year yet.. go home for Chinese new year and come back, or go home and work there, or just to stay here for a long time.  The thought of a long time alone in a foreign country seems scary but then again home is only 3 hours away by plane anyways.. so, we'll see...  too early to plan! Now, got to get back to "work".. heheheh.. will post pictures  when I have net at the apt again and I'm feeling up to it...

Must see:  Cats - Elaine brought a DVD.. it's soo cool!  I like broadway shows, it's one of the reasons I wanna go back to New York!  I'll probably just spend my money watching broadways.

Books: none.... haven't had time to buy something new.. maybe next week.. heheh

ps.. thanks jons

Merry Christmas!

Maligayang Pasko!

圣诞快乐!

(Sheng Dan Kuai Le!)

posted by: melsChina at 12:37 | link | comments (1) |
shanghai

wheeeee again...

I like surfing around the forums of shanghaiexpat.  I've been learning a lot of things. Be it what's happening around shanghai or where to buy hard to find stuffs.  Today, I learned something else which is how to open sites that are banned here... its easy too!  I've read the forum thread before but haven't had the time to test it out and forgot about it after.. this afternoon I saw the thread again and decided to try it.  Some people use proxies, but I'm not yet sure how to do that yet, this one is the easiest which is to just visit their site and type the URL on the form and click on Surf anonymously. I tried it out with blogspot and wikipedia... it works!! yipppeeeeeee... not that I'll be using it a lot.. I just like learning about this stuff.. so cool! and Elaine wants to surf wikipedia.. so two birds with one stone.. heheh

Almost had a nervous breakdown this afternoon heheh... been doing some new work since Michael, my boss, is back in the States for the holidays.  I have to do the newsletter, test it out and email it to the subscribers which is around 30,000 people or more!  Jeremy, the stand-in boss while Micheal is away gave me the thumbs up to send the newsletter after some editing and testing.  I was nervous about sending it but almost had a breakdown (ok not that serious but still was feeling very cold and it wasn't from the weather!) when I found out that I can't open the links when using IE AFTER I already sent out the newsletter!  I forgot about having to check it in IE since I figured it has to be the same coz its just links if you know what I mean... if you don't then nevermind! So I had to go to Jeremy and tell him about it, turns out that its only in the computers in our little room that we can't open the links in IE coz we have a different connection from the other computers in the office..*whew*....I know coz Jeremy tried it out in his computer and it work.. and I also just tried it out here! (just making sure! my first e-newsletter!) Going to be doing two more newsletter in the next two weeks.... all I can say is, can't wait til MIchael gets back! hahaha I know I shouldn't worry too much but I'm a worrier.. can't help it.. that's why I have lots of white hair!  heheh Oh well, at least I learned something new, two things actually, how to make a newsletter, and next time check using all browsers! (IE and Firefox!)

Just finished watching Monster starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.... all I can say is.."weird movie..."

Elaine cooked spaghetti again tonight!  She texted me this afternoon that she wanted to make meatballs and I asked, "with spaghetti?", and she said "if I wanted to, ok"....um.. when did I ever say no to spaghetti? hehehe so  yummy!!!

Last time I mentioned that there's a Desperate Housewives showing with Chinese dubbing... the voices dubbing are not that good... good thing I can understand English!!

posted by: melsChina at 20:41 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

Firefox!!

I was putting up an article on our site a while ago.. and of course I have to read it first just to check .. really interesting! Learned more about firefox.. turns out you can just click  / and it will search as you type the site.. cool noh?  Been using firefox at work and downloaded it on my laptop too! It's fast and doesn't hang! unlike IE....

here's the article

posted by: melsChina at 10:42 | link | comments |
interesting stuff

wheeeeee!

I'll make this short since I'm currently eating the world's fattiest food ever!  Homemade Chocolate Malt!! YUMMY!! Don't even ask what I put in it coz it's too fatty to tell anyone hehe.. tastes great though! I probably gained 10lbs from this but oh well, life is too short to worry about weight!

Wheeeee! Got home in under 30mins! The traffic is improving, or so I'm wishing.  It usually takes me about 40 mins to get home from the office coz of traffic, without traffic, would you believe I'll be home in under 10 mins?  Walking is much faster way which would take around 30 mins, but seeing as I'm heavier, can't carry myself home that far.

It's almost Christmas!! I can't wait!! Although, Elaine and I don't really have a plan.  We kinda take things one day at a time heheh.. We were thinking of going skiing, hopefully first week of January, if not, Chinese New Year!  I really really want to ski!  Not indoor skiing, but outdoor! Elaine was just starting to decorate our apartment when I got home earlier with those whatchamaculits....  We went to Yu Yuan Garden yesterday and looked at Christmas stuffs.  Bought a few more of those thingys that we were using as scarves around our neck during the Fabrique party also Christmas lights coz the ones she got from Carrefour wouldn't work anymore.  Also got Santa hats! Gonna wear them over the weekend!  Already wore them home last night!  We went from Yu Yuan to Ikea last night wearing our Santa hats and we looked like employees of Ikea coz all of them are wearing Santa hats too!  Ikea sells furnitures and stuffs for the house, wish we have that in the Phils.. and best of all, they have good foods!  Which was why we went there in the first place.. to have dinner!

Finally finished my book last night... The Kite Runner... good book!

Haven't bought gifts yet heheh.. tomorrow for sure.. if I'm not too lazy... it's not like I have a lot of gifts to buy anyways

Ok.... Gonna go back to eating my malt... near the Aircon coz I'm starting to shiver from the cold! heheh... hmmm did i say eat? I meant drink!

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year! Ho Ho Ho.....

Just coz..... I'm happy

*****An hour later......

Heard pounding outside our door.. went to see what's going on, turns out our neighbor is chopping a pig i think, didn't look that closely! eeewwww... they're still at it!

Watching French Kiss ..... Hilarious!

Some cool sites worth checking out! www.happynews.com and www.FutureMe.org

*****After a while...
We just finished watching French Kiss... nice movie...

Now watching CCTV 8... Desperate Housewives but with Chinese dubbing! hahahah Sooo funny!

Elaine showed me a picture she took this morning before going to work!  She found a bit of snow on top of one of the cars! Will there be snow in the coming day??.....hmmmm....

posted by: melsChina at 19:10 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

just coz...

I'm bored...... that's my only excuse...  Spot the Best Mask and the most common one!!

posted by: melsChina at 20:58 | link | comments (2) |
shanghai

wishing, hoping, thinking......

Last year, on this day, I was on my way back to Manila from Beijing and at this time I was with my sister, recounting to her my adventures in , shopping with her and just hanging out at the condo watching tv with the aircon turned up coz it’s hot.  It was good to be home but for a while, I was wishing that I was back in Beijing and playing with snow (which started to fall just the day after I left!).  Now, I’m back in and thinking “What am I doing here?!!”, half wishing I was back home where its hot and hanging out with my siblings, cousins and friends.  Small chance it will snow here in Shanghai so not hoping so much.

I was chatting with my sister this afternoon and she turned on her webcam, showing me Micah.  She’s so cute, two months old now and I think she got bigger already!  I actually haven’t bought any gifts for my family except for my niece.  We also chatted about other things, mostly what my family is up to.

The other day, we watched Calcium Kid, it wasn’t that good actually but I like some of the stuff they said.  Here are a couple of quotes that I was able to remember.

“If you have a dream, follow it, coz it might just come true”

“Nothing’s out of reach if you’ve got long arms”

“Just because you can’t see the sun from behind the clouds doesn’t mean it’s still not shinning.”

Right now, Elaine and I are watching Shrek.  This is how we will probably spend our Christmas.  Watching DVDs and eating microwavable foods (which actually taste good too!).  I’m gonna miss all the holiday foods!  Lechon, buko pandan, puto, black sambo, hmmm what else? Mostly the deserts! Yummy!  Also miss Jollibee! Also all the Christmas Parties! Mostly we are just hanging out at a friend’s house which is more fun.  Wonder why I never gained weight back home when all I used to do is eat and watch tv while I do a lot of exercise here (mostly walking!).

One of my co-worker at the office is blogging about his experience with acupuncture to lose weight.  I wonder if it would really work.  Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do it, I’m scared of the thought of people sticking pins or whatever it is on me.Just some ramblings.....

Still reading:  Kite Runner

On DVD:  Still Shrek - French Version!

YES!! It's Friday tomorrow!!!  Gamay kalipayon noh?

Why is it soooo cold in the apartment??? We have the aircon on!! WHY? WHY? WHY???!!!!  All the heat is going to the ceiling! We're down here!!!!! FREEZING!! grrrrrrrrrrr....

posted by: melsChina at 20:17 | link | comments (1) |
blahs, shanghai

Masquerade Party!!

I’ve been waiting for this party ever since I heard about it.  Shanghaiexpat sponsored it so I knew what to expect coz that’s all they talked about in the office and what they were planning sounded exciting to me since it involves wearing masks. 

In the room where I work with my office mates trying out the masks.

The Office The first pic is the room where I work (the computer that's on is mine), the second and third pic are the living room (our office is an apartment)

Parties back home doesn’t really involve costumes, masks or dressing up.  I’m glad I went coz it was so much fun! With free drinks too!  Elaine came with me which is good coz it's more fun when she's there.  I’ve told her about the party of course and what they have planned like what programs we’ll have there.  I’ve also told her I’ll be bringing her along but just in passing coz I knew I’ll just be wasting my breath since we’re last minute decision makers so I wasn't sure if she'll want to go.  The night before the party, I told her one last time that she’s definitely coming along coz I already have her ticket and hoped that she’ll want to come.  I was surprise the next day when she messaged me and told me she’s excited about the party and started asking what I’ll be wearing.  She was even more excited when I told her that not only will we be giving masks to everyone, we’re also giving these... what ever they are. (Don’t know what they’re called!)

posted by: melsChina at 10:57 | link | comments (1) |
shanghai, moments

blogthings

My friend sent me this link