HMM, IS THIS IT?

Another one of those

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Shanana...THE WEEKEND IS HERE!!!! HOORAY!!
RAY!!!
I LOVE RAY!!
Joanne ...oh god
Shanana...yes, god is great
◄i am most blessed by god
◄everyone should give thanks
◄once in a while
◄hows A? (the boss)
◄aka workload
Joanne ...its not THE time yet
SGX is still trading
Shanana...ahh .. ok
◄i want to faint
◄after watching the video azlinda posted of the PA dudes singing
◄goosebumpss.. help
Joanne ...haha
its for hardcores only
Shanana...faint!!!
Joanne ...smelling salts
Shanana...hey, how do u feel abt macdonalds?
Joanne ...i feel revulsion
Shanana...bleh
Joanne ...why? u thinking of eating it?
Shanana...i told ray abt ur look of disbelief when i told you abt my bowling score.. he said i could be on his team anyday!
Joanne ...thank goodness. or else you wont ever have a willing team
Shanana...bleh!
Joanne ...even i can do 70 and I am the worlds worst player.
now i can rest in peace knowing that that isn't true anymore
Shanana...bleh! BLEH! BLEEEEH!!

◄babe
◄hello...
Joanne ...hey
sorry was talking to someone
are you up already fr fainting?
Shanana ... are you still merajuk with NR?
Joanne ...merajuk?
Shanana ...merajuk: sulk, dowan to talk to her
Shanana ... eh, u wan macdonalds?
Joanne ... no!
Shanana...wet blanket
Joanne ...your diet allows Mackers is it?
Shanana ... no, i can start tomoro
Joanne ...sheesh
Shanana...eh, so u still merajuk with her is it?
Joanne ...why?? why do you asK?
well, she asked me on monday to go upstairs
but i said no cos i really had just come back fr there
thats it so far
Shanana...ok, then
◄coz she asked me
Joanne ...how asked you?
so she knows i was pissed?? you told her??
Shanana...messaged me: sha, i think jo merajuk with me
Joanne ...hahahaha
damn right i am
Shanana...i was chatting with her abt psp
◄so i told her u were disappointed
◄coz of the change in plan
Joanne...u shld have told her HOW disappointed
disappointed isn't even the word i would use
but I've let it go
I cant expect everyone to be solicitious
even if ive tried to be to them myself
you know, she just left it at that you know. There's a term in Filipino for acting like that-- it translates to forsaking everything if one gets an advantage for herself
something like that
oh well
im talking to myself as usual
Shanana...hang on
◄on phone
◄k, let me read ur messages now
◄well, she did ask whether she should have declined her bf's ride, or she should have gone on to meet you at the train station
◄said its for her to answer
◄aargh, on phone again
◄hang on ah
Joanne ...of course its for her to answer! Who else? one hopes only that she doesnt just leave others in a lurch when she decides right???
its just unfortunate, the timing
she changed the plan just as i was stepping out of the house
its a bummer, i got dropped and im pissed
obviously, she made her choices and was happy with it
so thats that
Shanana...thats what i told her, you took it that you were dropped at the last minute for sometjhing that u've been planning the whole week
Joanne ...pity the roadkill but thats that
Shanana...jo, dont let this eat you up
Joanne ...i dont
Shanana...eat at u, i mean
Joanne ...i even forgot about it till you mentioned it
Shanana...only because she asked
i'm going to leave it at that
Joanne ...she should have at least called me up to say, so sorry but. ... then it would have eased my hurt
she didn't, you know, just left it at that. no other sms, no call, nothing.
Shanana...the fact that you're not going to talk to her means u're still harbouring resentment abt this
Joanne ...what do you want me to do sha???
◄skip there and hug her??
Shanana...u're not gonna talk to her if she talks to you?
Joanne ...i did when she msged me on monday, didn't i?
Shanana...ok, so let it go, and let your anger pass
◄nobodys perfect jo
Joanne ...sha, perhaps you shld give this talk to her
it sure as hell isn't me you shld be cajoling to be asking forgiveness
Shanana...i'm not asking you to ask her for forgiveness
in this case, you have every right to be slighted
◄i'm with you there
◄i'm just saying, people have transgressions.. is that teh rite word?
Joanne ...when you have to break a plan with friends, whats a phone call to tell them how sorry you are to break the plan ..... your friends will understand
its different when you just sms and blithely go your way
aiyah
Shanana...like i said, i'm with you there.. ok, perhaps dissapointed isn't quite the word i should have said
Joanne ...my blood pressure is up
Shanana...i can feel it
◄and i'm beginning to be sorry i started this
◄can u calm down for a second?
Joanne ...you're saved by A (the boss)
her messages have started
Shanana...one part of me says phew, the other part says it's not resolved yet..
◄let's have a chat abt this k? but can u promise not to blow your top on me, pls?
Joanne ...you talk to me after i've had my sashimi lunch
then i will be too stuffed to talk
Shanana...thank god! eh, so this sunday ah?
◄u just listen only
Joanne ...yup
◄hahaha
Shanana...no need to talk
Joanne ...you are her PR rep now, is it?
Shanana...it'll be a challenge in itself
◄gotta practice my PR skills rite, in preparation for whatever job i may take i the near future
◄what time we meeting?
◄so excited!!
Joanne ...oh shit
◄i haven't made a reservation
Shanana...i'm gonna exercise in the morn
◄so i can eat lots lots
◄whats it called?
◄ill call them
Joanne ...can you call?
◄tatsuya of goodwood park hotel
Shanana...ok
◄i call
Joanne ...thanks!
Shanana...1pm can?
Joanne ...sure
Shanana...at the counter?
Joanne ...where counter?
oh i get you
ok
Shanana...in front of chef lah
Joanne ...anywhere with aircon
Shanana...u new to this is it?
Joanne ...they have outdoor sitting too
Shanana...counter shld be indoors
Joanne ...yep
◄ok
◄counter then
Shanana...set, 1pm
Joanne ...yey
◄thanks
Shanana...we take train there?
Joanne ...can
Shanana...orchard, then we walk down?
Joanne ...yep
Shanana...meet u at 1215 at my station?
Joanne ...ok

◄u busy??
Shanana...facebooking now... so super busy
◄wats up?
Joanne ...hahah
Shanana...wan me to eat ur crackers is it?
Joanne ...u want some??
◄come
◄i told you to bring some to your desk
Shanana...no lah, thanks. my colleague bought us snacks
◄wats up?
Joanne ...did i tell you that my 2 ahem people from the past want to be friends in FB?
◄hahahha
Shanana...WAHHA!! not baddd!!
say yes lah!!
Joanne ...so funny cos they both sent the invite on the same week!! SAME WEEK!
Shanana...i think they conspired
◄mwahahah!
Joanne ...i think so
Shanana...they know each other?
Joanne ...i just felt my heart flutter a bit when it happened
and u weren't around to see me fly to the moon abt it
Shanana...hehe!! thats a nice feelin to hve
Shanana...now, i can share and understand and feel some of that joy u feel
Joanne ...and i told them both separately of course
Shanana...coz i'm in lurvee,,
◄u copy and pasted?
◄mwahahhaah!
Joanne ...that i have this newly instituted No-ex rule on FB
◄hahahaha
Shanana...what??
◄what a lousy excuse? how old are you? 15???
Joanne ...i know!!!!
◄but im fat!!!! hahahaha
Shanana...crazy
Joanne ... hahahahahahha
Shanana...u're nuts!
Joanne ...matter of pride my dear
Shanana...so what was their reply?
Joanne ...SHA KILL ME NOW! FRUCK!
Shanana...WHAT HAPPENED??
◄what what???
Joanne ...AT (otherwise known as the Boss...story in
6:08:44 PM◄story in
6:09:18 PMJoanne ...ok
6:31:04 PM◄especially since ERIC is looking good
6:31:13 PM◄ok, scratch that
6:31:14 PM◄hahahha
6:31:18 PM◄meant for sha
6:31:19 PM◄hahahhahaha
6:31:24 PM AT...hmmm who is eric??!!
6:31:33 PM Joanne ...hahahahahhahahahha
6:31:43 PM◄TV show lah
6:31:45 PM◄hahahhaha
6:31:47 PM◄Gossip Girl
6:32:08 PM AT...ah. i watched season 1 of that until i returned mio.
6:32:32 PMJoanne ...its my secret guilty pleasure
6:32:40 PM◄its meant for teens but i like it anyway
6:33:11 PM AT...yes, it is quite good. i love the guys actually.
6:33:50 PMJoanne ...yes!! I like the Dan humprey character. He is a goody goody boy.
6:34:23 PM AT...if u like the look, then u shd watch twilight, if u haven't done so.
6:34:41 PMJoanne ...OH MY GOSH, A!
6:34:49 PM◄i finished the books and I LOVE IT!
6:35:00 PM AT...dvd better
6:35:07 PMJoanne ...i have the DVD too
6:35:17 PM◄yes, it is SOO GOOD
6:35:43 PM◄im looking forward to the second movie
6:35:45 PM AT...second installment coming next yr.
6:36:42 PMJoanne ...This dec lah, not next year!
6:37:12 PM AT...oh.
6:37:35 PMJoanne ...hahaha. im a crazed fan, is why in know.
Shanana...YOU GUYS HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON!!! BOTH CRAZED FANS!!!EWWWW!!!
◄help!! what is the world coming to???
Joanne ...hahahahha. congratulate me on my quick thinking pls
Shanana...yes, congrats!!!
Joanne ...and btw, there IS an eric character in Gossip Girls
i mean Gossip Girl
there is only one gossip girl
Shanana...yes, apparently so
Joanne ...im regressive sha
im liking teen stuff nowadays
Shanana...in more ways than one
Joanne ...i think you really should mercy-kill me now

Interrupting the silence

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:13:00 +0000

Went to LP today after my haircut at Xpect and couldn't help but buy some munchies.

We are going to Phuket tomorrow, Wednesday, so had some SGD changed to bhat and USD too. I'm bringing an Ayn Rand book, The Fountainhead, to read at the beach, under lots of shade preferably. It's the monsoon season over there -- big, not-meant-for-swimming waters and showers in the afternoon -- but we aint exactly going to frolic in the water anyway, so it should be good still.

This is the hubby's surprise birthday mini-break for me. Tradition, he says. I hope this time around, we actually get to go to Phi-phi island and Phang Nga Bay.

We will be back on Sat, God-willing, with pictures of the place to post hopefully.

Back, sorta

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Ok ok, I know I said I will write, yet never did. Between Facebook, YouTube, The Chocolatier online game, work, badminton, yoga and the trips to Manila, I've been busy. ;)

I was in Manila for a week in Feb. Ask me why, quick!

To pay my property tax for the South of Market condo, would you believe? Yep, I went voluntarily to be 'held up' by the Taguig govt to the tune of Php14k. For a studio apartment, 14k in tax is so high! My friend who owns a house and lot in QC was assessed so much less for her place, about Php5k if I remember. So grrr grrr grrr. Taguig sure has upped the property tax rates of the Boni Global City area. I read that it is now pegged to Makati property tax rates, so there's no way to go but broke in that area.

Anyway, after that business with the city hall, I had a great break in Manila. I stayed in the condo this trip, met friends for lunches and dinners over at Boni Hi St and rushed home at night to watch Seasons 1 and 2 of Gossip Girl. I didn't dilly dally with the GG watching knowing that I couldn't bring the pirated disks with me back to Sing, so had to double-up on that or risk not knowing how the season ended.

All in, got to break bread with Hannah, Rachel, Mard, Jopie, the SMC gang, Wena and Monica; got to go to the spa with Hannah one time and another time with my family (Net and Joan); got to finally go to the Salcedo weekend market with Mard, Mishka and Hannah, rode in our MRT for the first at the urging of Monica (while carrying my Balenciaga, que horror! Good thing it wasn't crowded) and got to cheer for my nephew Waji during his singing finals at San Agustin.

Great trip, all around. I can't wait for the next one. :)

After that trip, its been work, work, work here in SG. See, I would normally have prefaced that part about 'work' there with the words argghh, boring, argghh. BUT we live in interesting times, as you know. Work nowadays is PRECIOUS! Work is good, work is your friend, work is something many people are losing all over the world and so must be treasured by those who still have one.

Singapore is in a recession, joblessness is up, lay-offs are common, so are 4-day weeks. Paycuts are here too and yours truly has been hit! Yes, hit! Argh!

Company said it's still profitable (then why cut!?) BUT to 'brace for a possible protracted difficult period', they allowed pay cuts of between 2 and 10% depending on salary level. Jaws ko!

But I ain't complaining (sige na nga). Juxtaposed beside the threat of being jobless in this environment, the pay cut is nothing really but an early call to simplify life a bit, trim out some frivolities and fluff.

C'est la vie.

Inspired, some are

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:31:00 +0000

Shahnana... yo!
Joanne... yo yo!
Joanne... how's it going down in the hood, yo
Shahnana... guess who's a happy bunny?! thrilled to bits anticipating the weekend?!?!
Joanne... i know!!!!
Joanne... u leaving tomo??
Shahnana... yep!!! yep!!! yep!!! tomoro i leave office at 5pm!!
Shahnana... i'm soooooo excited!!!
Joanne... what time is your trip?? overnight?
Shahnana... we leave s'pore at 7pm-ish
Shahnana... i can't remember how long the drive is
Shahnana... but we reach resort at abt 5am
Shahnana... rest a bit till 9am
Shahnana... and then we do OUR DIVEE!!!!!!
Shahnana... i'm soooooo thrilled!!!!
Shahnana... wish u could come along!!!!
Joanne... u better stay safe, ok?
Shahnana... i will
Shahnana... definitely
Joanne... dont do any antics, thinking you are a dolphin or a stingray
Shahnana... of course lah
Shahnana... i'm very cautious
Shahnana... yesterday
Shahnana... when we did the pool dive
Shahnana... we practised a bit
Shahnana... and im a little bit better with my buoyancy
Shahnana... so it's more fun..
Shahnana... wish me well, ok?
Shahnana... :-))))
Joanne... of course!!!
Shahnana... so so thrilled!
Joanne... i pray that the sea creatures wont be too shocked to see you in their hood
Shahnana... mwahahahah!
Shahnana... i hope i dont cause too much damage to the flora and fauna there!
Joanne... you better not!!!
Shahnana... yes, thats why its important to have neutral buoyancy
Shahnana... thrilled - thats me!!
Joanne... wow, it all sounds very exciting!! im jealous to bits
Joanne... :(
Joanne... i wanted to do that too
Joanne... ok, you must tell me how easy it is and I just might still get the guts to do it.
Shahnana... ok! will do!
Joanne... when you back??
Shahnana... sunday nite
Shahnana... its just over the weekend
Joanne... ok
Shahnana... but im on leave on monday
Shahnana... but will come for gym
Joanne... lets do lunch!
Joanne... on mon
Shahnana... my gyms at 1pm though..
Shahnana... tilll 230pm
Shahnana... u can meet up then?
Joanne... no lah, too late
Joanne... i start at 3
Shahnana... we can do dinner today if u want
Shahnana... i think i'll be working late
Joanne... ok
Joanne... yey
Shahnana... got smokes?
Shahnana... on second thought, no need
Shahnana... i need lung capacity to breathe underwater
Joanne... yes!!!
Joanne... crazy woman
Joanne... i mean yes, you need clean lungs
Shahnana... i cant focus on my work now
Joanne... hahaha. understandable
Joanne... what are we eating today
Joanne... im hungry
Shahnana... got cake here, kristie baked
Shahnana... u wan?
Shahnana... im thinking of composing haikus
Joanne... hahaha
Shahnana... i watched vagina monologues the other day
Shahnana... quite funny
Joanne... your first time??
Shahnana... yep
Joanne... oh
Joanne... saw it when i was still in mla
Shahnana... aah
Joanne... 99 or 98
Shahnana... so long ago?
Joanne... yes, that's why i was surprised when u said u were going for it
Joanne... it's at least the second run in singapore
Shahnana... yep i guess
Shahnana... my haiku: clouds float in the sky
fluffy and light, blue and white
beautiful day
Shahnana... keke
Joanne... hahahaha
Joanne... does it fufill the strict haiky req??
Shahnana... 5, 7, 5
Shahnana... thats all i know
Joanne... im so hungry
Joanne... what shld we eat
Joanne... is your DM hot?
Shahnana... wats DM?
Joanne... dive master
Shahnana... oh
Shahnana... no lah
Shahnana... youngish thing
Joanne... oh ok
Shahnana... i go for 37 or older
Shahnana... haiku 2: my dreams woke me up
im drenched in sweat and im lost
why? where are you now?
Joanne... wah, it should be read to the strains of the Desperate Housewives anthem
Shahnana... haiku 3: the bird chirped and sang
what an annoyance, goodness
i threw an old shoe
Joanne... i can smell a bestseller haiku book already
Shahnana... hahahah!
Shahnana... one mor haiku
Shahnana... online mates, thrilling
i fell for one and floated
i crash to the ground
Joanne... hey be like ee cummings
Joanne... the guy who uses symbols
Shahnana... ok, will try!
Joanne... in his poetry
Shahnana... next haiku: :-) i love smileys yeah!
;-) superfluous they are not
:-) :-) :-* :-& how are you today?
Shahnana... next haiku: love life, love yourself
wonderful feelings engulf
liposuction pls
Joanne... hahahahaha
Joanne... now that is funny
Shahnana... thank you! (takes a bow)
Joanne... looney
Shahnana... next haiku: prata, instant mee
a glorious treat on board
my diving trip.. weeee...
Shahnana... (the last wee is NOT referring to my colleague, ok)
Joanne... hahaha
Joanne... someone is soooo free today
Joanne... lets go eat!!!!

Fort-area South of Market condo unit for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:05:00 +0000

After considerable thinking and a serious weighing-in of the pros and cons, I've decided to sell my unit at South of Market.

It was turned-over in late April this year and has since been left forlorn, unoccupied by yours truly in the wonderful area that is The Fort in Taguig, Manila. I only just managed to inspect it, had it blessed, made sure it was spic and span before I had to lock the place to fly back to Singapore.

Now, what am I to do with it?

Two years ago when I signed on the dotted line to buy it, I was single and thought I should get me a bit of roof over my head someplace convenient for when I returned home for good.

I decided on the smaller-cut unit (South of Market calls it a 1-br) as it was the configuration that allowed me to pay the bulk of the purchase price in cash.

But clearly, with my personal circumstances now changed, I've had to rethink my decision re real estate ownership in the Philippines.

For one, I'm married to a man who isn't keen to live in Manila.

Also, the unit can't possibly accommodate the 5 children we are going to have (dreaming...) plus the 2 dogs we want to acquire along the way (this may be more do-able than the 5 progeny scenario).

I could just rent it off, of course. (I've had it listed too.)

Anyway, in case someone is looking to buy a move-in-condition, brand new, fully furnished, fully fitted unit at the Fort, contact me, mate.

The specs: The unit measures 38 sq-m, comes with a parking slot at the basement. Furnishing includes window-type aircon unit, small dining table with 2 chairs, sofa set with centre table, bed frame, flat-screen TV, kitchen cabinetry, ref, cooktop, rangehood, microwave oven, washing machine.

Condo amenities include a swimming pool, a theatre room, function rooms, a fully-equipped gym, concierge and doorman-assisted entry.

This condo development is about 2 blocks away from Market Market and Serendra or about 10-12 minutes of slow-walking away. Bonifacio High St is about 8 mins by foot. Ground level of the condo itself is alloted for commercial spaces. On location alone, this condo is a W-I-N-N-E-R if I do say so myself.

Check out the real estate company's marketing website for South of Market at http://www.century-properties.com/soma/frame_set.html

Will post pics in a while.

Bag hag for a colleague

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:51:00 +0000

An office colleague came up to chat with me by my desk today and in between topics he looks at my bag and mindlessly reads the label aloud.

'Miu Miu,' he says. 'Miu Miu Miu Miu.'

Then his head snaps back and he looks at me.

'Hey, you like Miu Miu too?' he asks. I didn't have time to say 'hmm..' before he says, 'You have to meet Amy, a new hire at my department. She's bag crazy like you and she carries a Miu Miu too. Bag hags both you are, victims of marketing. You must come and say hi to her. Come now! Be welcoming!'

I trotted off with him to meet the lady.

My new bag-hag friend is a really cheerful young woman. She's funny, articulate, warm. Like me, she sure can talk so passionately about bag styles and brands! Aside from Miu Mius, we also both like Bals it turns out. No, wait! Let me be accurate here. Make that LUV LUV Balenciagas.

Anyway, as a celebration of our new bag kinship, we've decided to act like schoolgirls by agreeing and solemnly promising to carry our Balenciagas tomorrow for our mutual show and tell.

I can't wait to see her lilac city!

Kill me now! Oh, the shame!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:28:00 +0000

me: mar! ive humiliated myself. sheet na malagkit!
Marie: what do you mean?
me: you and your stupid idea to look up my old HS crush in Friendster!!!! its your fault. you very well know that I don't use friendster except to check on new photos of my nephew. now look what you've made me doooooooo!!! arggggggggggggh, i've humiliated myself and my family's honour!!!
Marie: so??? it's not only you who's browsing.. ako nga maraming nagbrobrowse di ko naman kilala. bakit kilala niya family mo?
me: mar, i didn't know you can track the people who check you out??
Marie: eh wala ka namang nilagay sa profile mo.. malay niyang maraming joanne
me: its worse. i don't care about the HS crush. I checked out my SMC crush!!!!! arrrrrrrrghh. he will think that I'm lame being married and all and still checking him out!!!! arrrghhh. why didn't you tell me that they can check out who checked their profile??? WHY WHY WHYYYYY
Marie: there are 2 of you one single and 1 married malay niya sino
you were too excited my dear even me.. don't you worry.. alam ba niya crush mo siya?
me: well, yeah
Marie: really how come? you sent him love messages ano? you were stalking him
me: but i wanted to maintain the illusion that I've forgotten all about my hang-dog infatuation with him a gazillion years ago
hahahah. crazy woman
Marie: you can never forget you crushes dear..
unless may amnesia ka
me: that's it. I've dishonoured myself!
oh, thanks for making me feel better. really, you can never forget?? i thought it was just me
Marie: i can just see you turning beet red... how lovely colour
pero ang ngiti ear to ear... i can tell
me: i wanted to scream here in the office just now when I realised my folly. no ngiti, i swear, i promise
Marie: hey which one is him nga para i can look.. oh dalawa na tayo
me: just rounded eyes and gaping mouth and a sinking feeling
hahahaha which one? the HS one or the SMC one?
Marie: naku dalawa pala yun..
mey smc ka pa..
ang aga mo namang nagkacrush
me: the SMC one is boring. Name nya lang and that's it
Marie: rommel is from smc ba then naglasalle
me: Mar, not St Michael's College, ok? San Miguel Corp
Marie: hahaha
hehehe
hihihi
hohoho
huhuhu
smc lang alam ko michaels
me: as you can see, I'm a St Michael kinda woman
Marie: yup..
kaya libog ka
both meanings
me: shet!
Marie: hehehe...
alin na nga
me: alin what???
Marie: si rommel?
me: sino na si rommel??
Marie: where is he based now? anong nakalagay sa profile
alin sya dun sa friendster
me: i dont know woman. you're the one who's checking him out
i was checking out my SMC crush, remember??
Marie: i can't check him out.. i don't have the faintest idea how he looks
ahh.. so humiliated ka sa smc.. kala ko ke rommel.. wow

Here we go!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:37:00 +0000

I'm going to Manila on Sat and will stay for 9 days. This will be my first trip home this year, which makes it 8 months since I last visited.

When I was a newly expatriated Pinoy, there was no way you could have asked me to stay in SIngapore for 8 months straight without a Manila break in between to refresh me. During those early years, I saw myself as being submerged in water while I was working in Singapore, not breathing, just waiting for the time when I could break through the water's surface to breath again, take in huge lung-fulls of air, which in this case would have to be the very polluted and dusty air of the Philippine capital.

After 7+ years here, I've long stopped romanticising Manila. It has moved on without me, and I too have flourished far away from its bosom. I don't know if I can ever be based there again honestly. Can you blame me, after the sheer efficiency of Singapore? But I will go, again and again, for lightning visits to see my family and dwindling number of Manila-based friends. Until they all decide to move too, that is.

Told of my trip, Pinoy friends in Singapore have had one refrain: Ang init daw dun ngayon! Is it true, Net?

Scorching or not, I look forward to enjoying my short stay. Specifically, I hope to be offered home-cooked meals (hint, hint!); have lots of play-time with the nephews and niece; see the smooth turnover of our small but much-awaited new digs at the Fort; get cheap massages; eat some golden, ripe, sweet mangoes; have lots of catch-up sessions with the mates; and of course try and not add to the rice burden of the country by eating camote instead of rice (hmm, camote with adobo, camote sushi, camote with sinigang, anyone?).

LV's Mon Monogram

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:49:00 +0000

LV lovers, start saving now!

I was at the nail salon yesterday for a pedi and mani and while reading Harper's Bazaar's Singapore March 08 issue, I chanced upon a short piece of absolute happy news re Louis Vuitton's monogram bags.

In May this year, I read, LV will be launching Mon Monogram (My Monogram), a service that enables LV bag-hags to personalise soft-sided bags, at the Ngee Ann City store of the French brand.

Customers can choose to personalise one of two bag styles (initially) -- the Speedy 30 or the Keepall 44 Bandouliere -- and decide on variations of vertical or diagonal stripes; initials (2 or 3) and 16 colours for the stripes for a total of 240 possible variations! 240!!!

The article went on to say that the personalised touches will be silk-screened directly onto the canvas before the the bag is stitched up and made at the Asnieres workshop (just outside Paris) of LV. Delivery time is 8 weeks!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. This is such good news it's baaaad! I.Must.Resist!

My 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:59:00 +0000

I know, it's almost March and what the heck am I doing blogging about 2007?

Indulge me pls. I was putting a semblance of order to my work station today and saw this piece of paper that had my doodles and my wrap-up of 2007 that I had done one slow December working day.

I had been trolling the net then when I came across a Jessica Zafra column where she summarised her year by answering questions about the year slum-book style. Or something like that.

Anyway, I wrote down my own summary of my 2007 and this is how it is written on my piece of paper.

Holidays: 5! (all short and sweet)
February - Bintan, Indonesia
July - Hyderabad, India
Aug - Manila
Sept - Hong Kong
Nov - Bali, Indonesia

Record number of house guests/tour agent opportunities this year!
Monicca
Aunti Mimi and family
Cahoy family
Karen
Arvin
Rocky D
Joan and Juancho and Dad
Jeff, Net and the kids
Anna
Kathy
Emma and Malou

Major buys
Coffer
Marine Balenciaga
Our Singapore abode!

Leaps of faith: 1
Buying our Singapore abode

Instances when clearly shown God's angels on earth: 3
Jean, Cristy and Sally

Question: What have you learned about yourself in 2007.
Answer: I learned that I am diabetic.

The Police in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 02:52:00 +0000

Oh my God! I can hardly believe it! Guess who's dropping by this city after Santa Claus?

The Police! The Police is coming to town! If this is a dream, dont wake me up! (OA, I know)

Their gig at the Singapore Indoor Stadium will be on Feb 4 next year. Tickets, at S$98, $148, $200 and $400 (according to Life!), will start selling tomorrow.

Now excuse me while I go queue up at Sistic! I can't miss this, really. I gotta go.

White Christmas in S'pore

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:55:00 +0000

Took this pictures this weekend with the hubby. This is how Orchard Road has been decorated for the season this year. Familiar and comforting. Loves it!

Ahh, Christmas! For once, Time, pls don't rush by this month. I've been waiting for this since Jan 2!

A blessed Christmas to everyone! May your days be merry and bright. And may your Christmas be any colour you like!

I got a package today!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:22:00 +0000

More than a month ago, in Oct 14 to be exact, I wrote an email to my dear friend Rica, who is now living in Boston, to please, please, please help me get my grubby hands on some Bath and Body Works products which I so adore.

You see, my favourite heavenly-scented hand gels and lotions and body washes are not sold in Singapore. What's more, Bath and Body Works' online shopping business is currently available only to those who pay with a US-issued credit card, which I of course don't have. And so, when Rica innocently e-mailed to say hi and asked if I wanted anything from the US, I pounced on the offer, hollered YES and sent her my order list in a day. The poor woman didn't have an iota of a chance to say no! (Rica babes, thanks mucho!)

The online site promised delivery in 6-10 business days to any US address. To get from my US address (c/o vPost) to Singapore, I reckoned it would be another 5-7 working days. With that, the package should have been delivered around early Nov, right?

Well, no. It just came today, a few hours ago. Two weeks late! Ugh. This is so unlike vPost. They are normally so efficient and right on the dot!

It seems that the package was sitting in their office in California for a long time as it didn't have a reference number, so they couldn't trace it back to me. Ay sus!

Anyway, all is well that ends well. Look at my loot! Guess who's going to be smelling of brown sugar and fig and vanilla soon? :)

Rica, thanks for the help and sorry for the trouble. And girl, you sent a Christmas pressie pa!! Wowee! Thanks a lot. Hugs!

Bath and Body Works! I like.

Rent or mortgage

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:52:00 +0000

I'm a worried woman.

The real estate market in Singapore has been RED HOT for the second year now and stories of new record sale prices of flats have been figuring prominently in the news lately.

Our lease on our current place is running out and we now have to find a place very soon. The landlord has sent word that he won't be able to renew us as he wants to cash in and sell the flat while the resale market is so bouyant. And so I must bid adieu to this unit that has been home for 5 years now.

But ack! A look at the classified ads these days for rental condos around the island is just cause for hyper-ventilation.

Why?

Cos there are NO MORE 2-room condo units going for less than $2,000 rent a month! Egads! Even condos located at the far corners of the suburbs -- those that require at least 40 mins of travel to the city via public transpo -- are now asking for at least $2,300 rent! Rents in similar-sized condos on the fringes of Orchard Road (where we now stay) are now almost always asking for at least $3k. Grabe.

How the tide has turned.

When I started working here in 2000, my first apartment was a huge 3-bedroom, 3 T/B condo right smack in the Orchard Road area for only $2,200 a month. (Right now, the same unit would fetch $3,800-$5,000 easily.) Asking price for most 2-br condos outside of the ritzy enclaves of Singapore would ask for $1,200 -$1,800 per month. Many kabayans who started work here around that time would almost always share one of these condo units with other friends for an easy $500-$800 share a month. It was a real sweet renters' market then. But not anymore. The circle has turned and landlords have the upper-hand now.

How now, how now, how now?

The questions foremost in my mind are: Should I just buy a tent and pitch it at the East Coast park (thus escaping this high-rent problem)? And if so, will Carrefour have the best prices for good tents?

haha. Kidding. (My attempt at comic relief, sorry.)

Seriously, should we go with the flow and just accept high rents in stride or should we bite the hot bullet and finally buy a house (convert rent to mortgage, turn expense into equity but be 'chained' to a 25-year loan in the process). Mind you, prices of condos have already gone up by 22% so far and if we do buy now, we will be doing so at a time when prices are already so high.

This needs serious thinking.

Rent or mortgage? Rent or mortgage? Rent or mortgage?

Hmm.

While that thought is flipping around in my mind, I live nowadays riding this roller coaster of emotions that go from excitement to dread when thoughts of house-hunting come to the fore. To release tension, I go to Carrefour to check out prices of tents. For the moment, a tent is my plan B.

2 Macdonnell Road, Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:25:00 +0000

We just got back from HK where we made first use of our Marriott Vacation Club points by staying at the affiliated property there for 4 nights and 4 days. The property, called 2 Macdonnell Road, is located in the Mid-levels area of HK, which is halfway to Victoria Peak and right above Central.

(Marriot Vacation Club, you ask? Well, one slow weekend in May this year, when the hubby and I were meandering about town, we happened upon this club's kiosk in Wisma Atria in Orchard Road. Travel-hounds that we are, the pair of us thought, hmm, why not sit-in on their presentation about the benefits of club membership? Of course, 3 hours after that, we were already signing up to be members of this points-based holiday membership club that allows members use of resorts, apartments and Marriott hotels around the world. So, there.)

The nearest MRT station to 2 Macdonnell Road is Admiralty but we never got to try walking to and from the station to/from the hotel. It's just as well too given that HK was really, really choking in pollution the whole time we were there. The smog was lying low over the city and it was already difficult to breath heartily without the added physical exertion of walking up and down the steep sidewalks of the Mid-levels area.

Our 2-bedroom apartment was really comfortable and more than adequate. We had wanted just a 1-br for this trip given that there were just me and the hubby but alas, there were no more of the latter to be had. So plonk down more points for the bigger apartment, we did.

But I ain't complainin. We had a great time at the place. The staff were very polite and helpful, the location was superb (it's very near the happening Lan Kwai Fong party area too). Despite the smog, we had an absolutely good break, helped no doubt by the fact that we had a packed schedule: a day in Macau; a day in Ocean Park, a day and then some shopping all around town. What bliss. Now, if only that HK smog will disappear forever!

Here are a few pics of 2 Macdonnell Road (double click for a larger view):

1. Living area: Check out my Marine City lounging out on the couch :)

2)The dining nook, flowers courtesy of the dear hubby

3) The kitchenette had an induction cooker so you could actually cook if you were inclined to. I prepared our breakfast here everyday (poached eggs, toast, coffee or tea).

Given the gadgets available, brekkie was a cinch to prepare.

There are plates and utensils and pots and pans inside the cabinets, but no dish washing fluid and sponge to wash the stuff after the eating. So do include a bottle of Axion with your bread and cola purchases when you go to the small grocery store just across the building.

4) The master bedroom. It's kinda small -- but then again, what do you expect? This is HK! I found the mattress too hard though.

5) The other bedroom which we used as our ironing room. The bed here is a single but I reckon the 2 couches in the living room can sleep 1 each if required.

Back from Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:34:00 +0000

It's been a week since I came back from Manila and still, the red luggage I used for the trip is not fully unpacked and definitely not stowed yet. Yes, what a lazy bum, huh?

My defence is that I will be packing in a few days again for that 5-day R&R trip to Hong Kong with the husband. We are leaving this Saturday, yippee! We've had these tickets since May when Jetstar had a sale and by golly, I got them really cheap - S$240 each, return, inclusive of all taxes and charges. Great price, no?

The return Manila ticket I bought for this last trip (Aug 25-Sept 2) was a bargain too at S$245 net, courtesy of PAL. I got that ticket sometime in May too and when I did, I must have specified that I wanted a special meal because on both flights, I was served ahead of everyone and given a low-fat, low-carb meal. Surprised on both occasions, my first instinct upon being handed the meal was to check that it wasn't all a mistake. But lo and behold, the foil lid of the main dish always had my full name scribbled on it.

The 'surprise' factor even extended to my seatmate on the return flight who couldn't help but exclaim, 'Wow, a special meal! May I see what a special meal is like?' and she promptly wrinkled her nose when I showed her the boiled chicken breasts and mushy, overcooked vegetables which all tasted like paper pulp. Eww.

I was feeling so at-home at home that I didn't take any pictures of where I went and what I did. Suffice it to say that I topped up on my happiness bank by spending time with my dad, my siblings and their small families. I was a happy aunt for a whole week to my 2 nephews and one so adorable, pretty niece. Ah, what bliss!

Some highlights:

1) Had my first-ever gimmick at the Rockwell area, in this place called Cantinette ba? Arrgh. Basta, its the one just beside Starbucks and Good Earth. Lovely area, Rockwell. It's one of those places in Manila where you could almost convince yourself that the Philippines is not a third-world country.

2) In contrast, I saw more poor and downtrodden families sleeping off their hunger and despair right on the side streets of Malate -- a place I navigate by everytime I am in Manila as my sis lives in the area. Normal sidewalks in the day transform into stretches of sleeping quarters at night for families, many with little children. They just really lay neatly on the sidewalk, their heads to the walls, their legs towards the street, with only an open umbrella over the child for protection. Honestly, I don't know how to describe my feelings when I see these scenes: it's a mixture of shock, pity, outrage for them, anger at them too, despair, helplessness and an overwhelming sense of guilt for not doing anything to help them.

3) I was unknowingly parted with my ATM card for a couple of hours in Greenbelt before I realised what had happened. With thoughts of online theft and monetary catastrophe in my mind, I darted off immediately to the customer service bay on the ground floor for help. Lo and behold, they had my card! They said they had been paging for me a few times already but I of course remained stupidly impervious. Whew! Close call there.

4) Finally got to see the Serendra scene after reading so much about it online. The place is very nice, so abuzz with energy and so crowded too. We had dinner at Larry's bar (their salpicao is muy delicioso!) and then bought 10 cupcakes at Sonja's to share between 8 people. My so uninformed take on it? They all look so pretty and would rather use them as centerpieces instead. The taste? It tastes like any cupcake with very sweet icing. (I told you I am uninformed about these things.)

Will add to these when I remember more. For now, let me go pack for HK! (Boohoo, there will be no Lester to show us around town during this trip. He'll be in Japan then, is why.)

:)

Quick update!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:18:00 +0000

Hi guys! I'm back. :)

First off, here's a shout-out to Rica, Kim and Lester, my 3 faithful readers. Naks!! Yes, 3 lang kayong readers ko. hahaha!!

It's been busy after busy here! Have had a succession of visitors, starting off in May with my paternal relatives, the Lingats, from North Luzon, closely followed by girlfriend Anna Banana.

Anna's vacation, of course, included grooving at St James Power Station with 2 other girlfriends despite protestations from my old, creaking body. It was my first time there and it's a great place to wiggle your bottie if you don't mind doing so while standing on the few square centimetres of space that it takes to plant your heeled feet. It's packed to the rafters, that place! But it was fun though. Towards the end of the gimmick, my feet were aching so much that I just had to slip off my black, patent leather stilletos and dance on bare feet. Haha!

After Anna, our family friend, the Cahoys from Iligan, arrived which meant another round of tour-guide duties at Sentosa and Esplanade. In the heat! :(

Then a little bundle of joy came a-visiting in June! A last-minute approved leave of my sis allowed her and my nephew Juancho to plane in, accompanied by my dad. Oh, what week that was! The tot was all over the house alternately playing with the light switches, the power switches, the used batteries that he unearthed from a cupboard, his toy cars and empty, plastic water bottles. And he ensured too that he made a stamp in every room by puke-ing at least once everywhere in the house. Hehe. Kids! Don't you just love them!

Then it was July and Kathy, another girlfriend, arrived. Just in time too before we left for a week in Hyderabad, India.

India!!! The people we met were lovely, so gracious and hospitable. I was fed vegetarian food, which was good, and I tell you, eating it everyday brought on deep, new, heart-felt realisations about myself such as: that in this lifetime, I am meant to be an omnivore and will never make it as a vegetarian. :)

I'm off to Manila next week for a week. Hope my timing is good and it isn't raining torrents there so I won't have to whip out my rubber boots and raincoat just to be able to get around the drenched metropolis.

Will post pix soon!

Is it just me or are there more kabayans in S'pore now?

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:11:00 +0000

I can't seem to shake off this suspicion that 1/3 of Manila's population is now in Singapore. Most everywhere I go now, a Filipino voice is never far away, so distinctive (to me) is it that it somehow floats above the din of passing human traffic. Its uncanny.

And I'm not talking about the usual gaggle of domestic helpers camped out at Lucky P every Sunday too. I'm talking groups and groups of kababayan it seems, out in the restos, shops, the neighbourhood groceries, the parks.

Cases in point: I went to buy some stuff from Watsons recently and two cashiers just happen to be kabayan.

Got a shirt from Lacoste, sales assistant was Pinay.

I call DBS at 10pm, and who answers? A rude Filipina.

I ask to speak to her manager, and yes, she's Filipina too.

I buy shoes for my godchildren at Robinson's Centrepoint and? You guess it, got a Filipina sales assistant there too.

Just last week, I sat down to have lunch at my company cafeteria and the table behind us was occupied by 4 young Pinoys, all new faces. I haven't heard of new Pinoy hires at work so my guess is that they all must be part of the outsourced team that mans our IT helpdesk.

Even in this condo where I live, it seems at least 2 units have been newly rented by young Filipinos who are either in the IT field or are students. Seems 3-4 of them share a flat. I was told this by a lady who I frequently share the lift with in the evenings when I come home. No wonder our poolside bbq area is now almost always booked every weekend! I always see a large group of laughing people there having a 'party' during Sundays. Inusyuso ko minsan. All Pinoys. I wasn't surprised too. Chances are very high that if you hear hearty laughter anywhere here, the group is bound to be Pinoy.

I mentioned to a Singapore colleague how weird it was to talk in Tagalog to a sales lady in Lacoste here and she exclaimed, 'Know what? I was going to tell you too that at my block in Sembawang, I've seen many Filipino families move in. I think many of them are in IT cos everyone totes a laptop bag.'

Hmm, interesting.

Anyway, let me just say Mahuhay! to all the newcomers. Need pointers from the oldies? Got some actually.

1) Soften the volume of your speaking voice

No joke folks, they speak much, much softer here. If you talk in your normal Phil volume, chances are, fellow Pinoys will be able to follow your story from across the restaurant, the office, the cinema, the bus, the MRT carriage.

But see, while we kabayans may smile about having inadvertently listened in to the loud narration of a countryman's antics, others may not find it friendly and polite. It can even be irritating in small spaces. So tone down that volume and reserve the extra large guffaws when you are in a private space.

(This reminds me of how I used to shush my Dad whenever he visited me in college. Without his realising it, he was speaking so loudly in normal conversation that it never failed to turn heads towards our direction. It's nothing more than regional differences in speaking really, but still ...)

2) Stop converting everything into Philippine pesos

The sooner you internalise that you are no longer in Manila, the better for you. Accept it, there is no way to buy bottled water or canned Coke at less than the S$0.70 (Php23) (at least) it commands at the stores here. Beer is S$10-12 in pubs. If you want it to be Php20 like in Manila, go take a plane ride to Manila.

And the smokes! It's S$12 a pack if I'm not mistaken. That's Php360! And for fun, it comes with gross pictures of the effects of smoking. Ew! Trust me, you don't want to see those pictures! But if you are weird that way and insist on seeing them, the pix are here.

For women, manicures and pedicures are at least $30 each; haircuts are at least $35; treatments, at least $80.

A full-body massage meanwhile is at least $85 and a 20-min chair massage for shoulders is $35.

That is the way the cookie crumbles.

3) Cultivate friendships outside of your Filipino connections

While I agree that making new -- and maintaning old -- Pinoy friendships in Singapore is very important, I encourage you to go out of your way to befriend locals too. Stop the regionalistic cocooning!

Learn about other people's ways, see how different and similar we are. Correct a stranger's wrong impressions about Filipinos if you must, like how we really aren't all mad for liking boiled duck embryo. (It's great with salt is all I can say.)

New friendships can only enrich your stay here. How best to get to know and understand the Singaporean pysche and heart than by jalan-jalaning around and going makan with them, right? And really, who better to learn and understand Singlish than from a local?

So, yah lah, must meet new frens mah.

4) Throw your racial stereotypes out the window

Racial stereotypes are often always mean, hurtful and untrue. It is a clutch utilised mainly to cut people up so they can then be labelled and accorded respect or not, depending on which pile one ends up on in someone's mind.

I understand the need of some to find order in the diversity of humanity around, but can we just be kinder in our labelling of people, pls?

Because surely not all Chinese are ____ (supply your own blanket statement here); not all Malays are _____; not all Indians are ________; not all Caucasians are _____.

And certainly, not all Filipinos are ____!

5) Have fun at work

Might as well, right? That job is going to require at least 40 hours of your time each week so you better have some fun doing it.

Bag education of the unwilling

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 03:49:00 +0000

I just had to chuckle after my hubbs narrated to me the short story coming right up that obviously just goes to show how my incessant bag talk has been permeating into his subconscious unwittingly.

Get this -- he actually asked a colleague if the 'Spy' bag she was carrying was real!!!

Yes, I agree, he needs to be more tactful next time but he said he just wanted to know, so he asked. Haha! But whatever, he actually noticed a bag and recognized it as a Fendi Spy design!

I can't begin to tell you how I whooped like mad at home when he told me this story. It's incredible, given how he always rolls his eyes when I start my bag chatter. And all the while, he was actually listening! Awww!

Anyway, the colleague answered that she didn't think her bag was authentic but used it anyway cos it was a gift from someone. And of course she asked him back how come he even knows about Spy bags.

His answer: Well, I almost bought one for my wife! (He says 'almost' cos I went for the Miu Miu Coffer instead and saved him a pretty amount as a result!)

Good eye there, dear! Now lets get you to identify a Birken! ;-)

Just in case you were wondering, this is how a Fendi Spy handbag looks like:

NotCanada.com

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 02:23:00 +0000

I just got a link to the above website and well, it's been a fascinating/dreadful read so far. It's a site that basically discourages would-be immigrants from choosing Canada as a place of destination, citing racism and a lack of appropriate jobs for highly skilled, new citizens as the top drawbacks, among others.

It also says that as 'the Government of Canada and Canadian immigration lawyers don't accurately reflect the reality of the country', then the site has 'decided to provide an accurate view of the problems and issues that exist in Canada for immigrants'.

If you know of anyone mulling prospects of moving permanently to Canada (quite a huge group seeing as how every adult Filipino, I think, can count at least one person in his immediate circle who is currently thinking of hightailing it to Canada), get them to check out the site so they know what they may be up against.

NotCanada.com

A realisation

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:54:00 +0000

Shanana /... i saw someone carry a coffer just now
Shanana /... u must make sure there are things in it .. otherwise it will look flat ..
Me /.. really???!!!!
Me /... where? who???
Shanana /... j8 food court ..
Shanana /... carried by a haughty looking lady ..
Me /... wow. haughty eh?
Me /... so it must be genuine miu miu
Me /... hahahaha
Shanana /... u better not be like that
Me /... i will thumb my nose down too at all those who carry fakes. hehehe
Shanana /... sheesh ..
Me /... she prolly was thinking, oh god, why do I have to eat HERE??!!! the horrors!
Shanana /... i think so oso ..
Me /... was it a young haughty lady
Shanana /... yep
Me /... or an aunty haughty l
Me /... oh ok
Me /... sha, i cant go to KW's do too
Shanana /... WHY?
Me /... hubby has a surprise that got blown when i reminded him of our appt this sat
Me /... he booked us for the wkend at bintan
Me /... so, can't go afterall
Me /... he got the dates mixed up
Shanana /... ahh..
Me /... thought the KW do was next next week
Shanana /... u better drop them a line ..
Me /... i did already
Me /... to KW!
Shanana /... he replied yet?
Me /... NOT YET
Me /... boohoo
Me /... i hope he doesn't get angry
Shanana /... sorry to say this babe
Me /... i just sent it
Shanana /... but u are now on his blacklist
Me /... what?????
Me /... why???
Shanana /... u will be the target on his dartboard
Shanana /... i should say thank you
Shanana /... to you ..
Shanana /... now the burden is off me ..
Me /... what???? some cancelled also what?!
Me /... like Martini
Me /... and you! Again!
Shanana /... WHAT ME?
Shanana /... i have a very valid reason
Me /... you cancelled too!
Me /... and I don't have ??
Shanana /... and my cousin can vouch for that
Me /... my husband has a surprise. and we want babies!
Shanana /... err.. in that case, ok ..
Shanana /... pls tell him that .. heh!
Me /... i did!
Me /... i explained to her
Shanana /... ok, who her?
Me /... ooopppss
Me /... i mean him, to him
Me /... sha, i just had a very profound realisation just now
Me /... im a human being who doesnt try hard at anything
Shanana /... whats the enlightenment?
Shanana /... guess what
Shanana /... elsie has just said i'm only a 3-min passion person
Me /... i dont try hard enough at at work,
Me /... at life, at reducing my weight, at deepening my relationship wth God
Me /... at conceiving, at anything
Me /... im a human being who really just coasts along
Shanana /... your hubby shld be trying hard at it
Me /... but as a human being, i suck
Me /... everything that I have, i got by the grace of God. not cos i really really wanted it
Me /... and worked hard for it
Me /... what a lousy person i turn out to be
Shanana /... hmm.. how come this sudden epiphany?
Me /... i dont know
Shanana /... but i do undertsand how u feel
Me /... i was just eating here and it struck me
Me /... like it was beating in my head

My Coffer!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 11:58:00 +0000

Oh my goody wow.

I have my Coffer, woohoo!! I can just faint now.

Remember my first encounter with this beautiful bag? I was all set to not hear from Miu Miu until Chinese New Year at least, as per the SA. But late Saturday afternoon, who should call but SA Viktor who said that if I still wanted the bag, he had one for me all waiting to be picked-up asap. (This means the wait for this bag was a short 2 weeks only!) Oh boy, was I so happy!

So without much further ado, here she is! (Pls click on pictures for a bigger view.) My dear hubby's early wedding anniv pressie! Dance of joy all around!! Thanks thanks thanks, DH!

The bag is a quilted nappa (or full-grained leather, typically dyed, made from unsplit kid-, lamb- or sheep-skin, and noted for softness) leather hobo with two front pockets and an inside zip pocket. It has a hand-braided top handle and a detachable body strap. The top flap has goldtone lock detail. Measures 11¾"H X 15"L X 2¼"W.

It is really so soft and so luxe-looking and so utterly, completely, breath-takingly divine. I lurve, lurve it! And really, the pictures don't do the bag justice at all! Bag hags, you should see this in real life.

And to address the price issue, yes, this is one crazy expensive bag. I was all prepared to pay for this myself too until dear hubby insisted that this will be his gift instead.

I am thrilled of course to receive such an expensive gift, but i kinda feel guilty too about the turn of events. I can't help but think, did I rave too much about the bag while waiting for it to arrive that I made him think I was hinting at him to get it for me?

Nah. Maybe my unease stems from my being unused to having someone else buy my small luxuries for me.

Oh well, whatever it is, DH, thanks for my ultra, super, mega beautiful arm candy. I so love it! And with this bag, I now declare you exempted from having to get me any more presents, big or small, to celebrate all the happy occasions and events we are looking forward to this year.

Now excuse me all while I go stare at my Coffer again. ;)

More pix:

Bag crazy

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:49:00 +0000

Following a traipse around Orchard with the hubby last week to oogle at and cuddle bags, bags, bags and more bags, one would have thought that I would be recovered by now from the sudden attack of bag fever.

But oh no, I'm still at it a week later! Warning, warning. This is very dangerous territory to thread on. I'm thisclose to making a serious purchase!

Arrghh. What is it with me and bags?!

I'm particularly vulnerable to a splurge now cos, ahem, we got our bonus a week back and the long-ignored bag impulses that were quietened by wedding expenses and condo payments last year have suddenly come back to semi-life. I'm trying to pummel those impulses back to sleep by calmly reciting over and over in my head the saying 'A fool and her money are soon parted' and thankfully, this has held sway for a week now. But for how much longer?!!!

The...bags... are ... calling ... me.... It .. . is... futile ... to ... resist... Help!

I am insane. And I've not helped my case any too by becoming an avid reader of The Purse Blog and its forum pages here which are read by millions of other ladies like me who are so into 'it' bags. Yes, bags! Purses!

Here are the bags that are torturing me at the moment:

Chanel: See! I love this metallic silver flap bag so much that I even took a photo of a magazine ad of it. I'll have to content myself with photos, know why? Cos this was a Christmas special edition bag and there are NO MORE to be had from the stores. Period! Ah, the heartbreak! Cost: S$3,860.

Fendi: The Spy bag has been around since 2005 but its latest Spring/Summer 2007 edition in cracked patent leather is TDF! Me likey likey. According to the SA, only 6 pieces were delivered to Singapore of which 2 are left on the shelves as of today. Price: S$3,500. More pix here.

If you want to see some of the Spy's other seasons' TDF variations, click here.

Louis Vuitton: The red Bedford! The colour of this is just amazing. Price: about S$1,900

The LV Baggy PM. About S$1,940

Such lovelies, huh? Come, my precious...... And oh, I also am on the list for the Coffer, remember?

Temptations!!!

Must... help... myself... A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. A fool and her money are soon parted. HELP!

What a bag!

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:39:00 +0000

Hello! I'm back! First off, so sorry for the absence. I was busy, then was on hols for Christmas and New Year. All too soon, it was back to work again. Been generally lazy to write tho. Bad, bad, bad. My bad.

Anyway, I'm glad to be back!

First off, I must tell you something amazing that happend to me yesterday, Friday. It's bag-related, btw, so those who are not crazy over purses like I am, go away, shoo. ;) Or just indulge me, yah?

Here goes. I was in a queue for cabs just outside the chichi Paragon Mall here in Singapore. My wait at this particular queue is always interesting to me cos there is usually a lot of eye candy to be spotted on the crooks of the arms or over the shoulders of nicely dressed women.

Yesterday was no exception. As I was waiting, I was also quietly checking out the bags of the ladies. Then bam, just in front of me I see two ladies who each had slung over their shoulders the same fantastic, sexy, drop-dead gorgeous bag (in different colours though: black and dark brown leather). You know how it is when you see something that shocks? You involuntarily whip your head back and stare and gape? Well, that's what I did. I stared at the bags, taking in its beauty, with my jaws open that the two ladies actually acknowleged my look of longing and smiled at me. I smiled back and quickly faced front again, a bit embarrassed but furiously thinking, OH MY, what are those TDF bags?? Where can I get them? I had absolutely no idea what they were!

A bit later, still thinking of the gorgeous bags, I kinda turned around towards the ladies again, hoping to see a logo on the bags. Didn't see any in my haste, but I did see them both toting Miu Miu shopping bags! I thought, must check out Miu Miu on Saturday!

And so that's what I did today -- go to Miu Miu in Paragon to see if the bag is from there. And halleluiah, it is a Miu Miu bag! Here's a picture of it. And it's called the Coffer bag, from the brand's Spring/Summer 2007 collection! Display here in S'pore is in 3 gorgeous colours: black, dark brown and white. And they are in lambskin leather, hence oh-so-soft goodness! Drool, drool.... I am so loving this bag!

But alas, there are no stocks to sell at the moment. I must wait a month at least! The sales assistant (SA) told me that if I wanted the bag, I must put my name on a list. And boy, is it a looooooooooong list! More than a hundred women in front of me waiting patiently in line for a Coffer!!!

Egad!!! I can't wait!!! I'm delirious with joy and love for this bag! (OA no? But really!) Of course I've put down my name for a black lambskin one. Now I'm constantly checking my phone for a call from Viktor, that nice SA who took my name down. Viktor honey, call me now!!! Please!!!

While I'm waiting, I've been all over the net looking at pix of the bag. And reading forums too (ok, it should be fora if you want to be tight-assed about it) about the bag and how women are liking it or not! And boy, it sure has its rabid fans. Just check out the Fendi and Miu Miu forums at The Purse Forum, my favourite hangout online at the moment. They have bag showcases over there too that are just simply TDF! (These are women all around the world putting up pics of the bags they have, their new purchases, and such. Definitely a good place for bag hags!)

Here are more pics:

The suede version

Jessica Alba and her Coffer

Canvas Coffer

Velvet Coffer

Apartment-hunting

noreply@blogger.com (Joanne) — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:25:00 +0000

I am so stressed! We are in the midst of apartment hunting and it hasn't been easy to find a good place. It's a landlord's market through and through and rents are up across the board by $600-$800 in the categories and location we are after. And to top it all, there aren't many properties to choose from at the moment too. Ack!

This move will be my third, if ever -- this after 4 years in this current condo. This place is great, location-wise, for me as it is just 8 minutes away from my office in a cab. But this place is a bit out of the way for my relatively new housemate, the hubby, who just has to go to work in the great beyond that is Jurong. And so it is that we are looking for a place that is about halfway to both our places of work.

I initially harboured hopes that our push to live further from central Singapore would redound to rent savings for us! Well, like I said, so NOT! And this house hunting has to happen just before Christmas too! Egads!

Stress, stress. Is there no end to stress this year? Even if this is my supposed year (Dog), I can't wait for it to finish. My toes and fingers are crossed that Dogs will have a better year in 2007, the year of the Red Pig.