Thinking Sunday

Goodbye - Paperplane Pursuit

The lesson to take away from this, do not use your phone while driving. I am serious. I heard this on the radio, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it was a homegrown band. =)

Where do you place? Where do you stand? Always searching, always looking, and still never quite sure.

Hmmm. Blessed week ahead peeps! xx

Love

What is it really?

5 Minutes & 43 Seconds

Our last race @ Subic - Boracay 2014; 

Feat Team Ulumulu 

So this isn't the same video as the one I've posted before, though to most people, it'll look similar. And that's okay. =)

This 5:43 minutes of fast forwarded content is the equivalent to perhaps 90 minutes of actual sailing time, which honestly, makes up some of the best moments of my life.

It's funny even for me. How I've watched this video play almost a dozen times in the past 48 hours. And yet everytime I watch it, I'm in awe of it all. Just how it all came together, how 16 different people sync on a 52 footer, and how when I sail, I don't bring issues along with me. How it's such an exhilarating feeling to just... be.

And now, here I am, watching it all documented, and it feels so surreal. Almost unbelievable.

Guess that's what it's all about at the end of the day. xx

Much Better

Juliet - Lawson

I'm A Little Happy, And A Little Sad

Let's go with the happy first. In life, the one thing I know I am really blessed in, is in the friends I've made.

My definition of friends goes as such - they are people who know you better than you (sometimes) know yourself. They are people who have stopped judging you, because let's be honest, first impressions count, and first impression are based on a judgement, what else would you be calling it? They are people who would call you out when you are being stupid and have no qualms telling you to snap out of it. They are people who give you the advice you're least willing to hear, but you know that they're right anyway. They are people who know when all you need is a pat on the head, or a hug, or a simple word of encouragement. They also happen to be the people who know who is good for you, and who isn't, trust them on this too. They are people who know when you need to be alone and they respect that need. They are people who simply love you for who you are.

And I, as fortunate as I am, have plenty of people like that in my life. But today, this is a special dedication to two very special people. One, decided to adopt a kitten into her house so that I can no longer drop by for visits. The other, would totally call me out on that saying, "Ng Ai Li, it's not always about you!", which, I know is true, but that's why I say the things I say anyway, because you girls always keep me in check.

A very belated happy birthday to you both, and thank you for being the awesome people that you are. xxx

I'm now a bit reluctant to talk about what's making me sad, but not saying it doesn't mean it ain't hurting. Human beings have this collective thing about being I feel. With all the press about our country and its people, and those who are no longer coming home, makes me wanna cry.

Look What You've Done - Jet

There's really nothing we can do beyond what's been done. And the one thing I'd takeaway from this would be to not leave words unsaid, feelings untold, and think that there'll always be another chance. That chance, may not come. So do it now. Say it now.

And that my dear friends / readers, is my cue to tell you, that I appreciate you reading my thoughts, and I wish all of you a happy life. Don't live life with regrets, as long as you're living, you've got every chance to make a difference. To make it good.

And last but not least, I love you all!

Everyone Knows This One

Scatman's World - John Scatman

Today, my alarm didn't ring in the morning. So I missed church.

Today too, I am thankful for many things. From having clean water for consumption, for having a car to go places, for the guys at the car wash center who gave my car a good polish, for being able to afford good food, for having friends who stick by you, for colleagues who care for your well being, for being mistaken for a student, for being able to change negatives to positives. For the good Samaritan who returned my parking ticket after I walked away from the autopay machine absentmindedly without my ticket. To be able to offer a ride to others, to be able to be writing this, to be able to the things I do in life.

And a female student said to me sheepishly, "You're so pretty". Totally made my day.

Hmmmm

And let's hmm some more, because today, was that much tiring.

Too Full

1. Don't ask me why but I was jabbing at my layer(s) of tummy fats and I realized, "Oh crap! It's so thick and flabby!" >(

I'm sorry that's a horrible visual for those who are imagining it now, but it's so bad, I'm worried for my own well being. Probably time to give the gym a call tomorrow.

2. Provided that I have some time tomorrow to make that call. I forgot to bring my name cards back from the office. Which means I got to go retrieve them tomorrow before going off. That's 20 minutes of extra snooze time.

3. Little doggie is napping on my lap. Such bliss.

4. Have you heard Ellie Golding's acoustic version of Lights? I love that song, I really do. But I don't agree with this version of it, she sounds like she's choking on her words.

5. "And the telling thing is that self confidence has very little to do with actual competence" (The Social Animal by David Brooks, pg 222). Because that's where I've read till so far.

6. I love this song, Superman - Five for Fighting



7. The truth wasn't the hard part. Pushing it further than what should've been is where it gets difficult. But then again, staying within the comfort zone doesn't get you anywhere.

8. I'm so glad the haze has cleared out! :D It's been a good couple of days since the haze has gone, and that it's been rainy so it's not so hot here, but humans mostly only complain when things are bad, and when things get better, they look for the next bad thing to complain about. Aye humans tsk tsk!

9. I had 4 cups of coffee today. Brekkie, brunch, tea and supper. And I reckon I can still sleep just fine tonight, that's how tired I am. "You look tired". I am tired.

10. If I do jinx myself and fail to fall asleep tonight.. I only have myself to blame.

Hahaha. Goodnight world, sweet dreams, sleep tight! xx

7 Tips For Subic & Boracay

Disclaimer: I wasn't exactly vacationing at both places, but, these tips would be good for first timers visiting the country anyway I suppose.

1. If you are a person who cannot live without data connectivity, you can opt to get a Globe sim card (one of their local telcos). Don't forget to get yourself a top up card too, you'll need it. Once you've activated your sim (instructions are pretty straightforward), top up your credit, you can then type SUPERSURF200 and send to 8888. That would costs you 200 pesos and you can enjoy unlimited data connectivity for 5 days!

2. Ringgit Malaysia isn't hot in the Philippines, particularly in Boracay, so if you don't want to carry too much pesos, what you should do is exchange Ringgit to USD and then, you can exchange your USD while you are there.

3. Most hotels (I presume) in Boracay would not be anything fancy unless you're paying a bomb because the whole point of being there is to not stay in your hotel room. So don't have too high expectation about your room, but embrace nature while you're there. You'll be impressed.

4. Though the weather is more cooling there than back home, the sun is equally bad, if not worse. So don't forget sunscreen if you plan to hang out under the sun. And it can get pretty chilly at night too.

5. Taxi's in Subic are the norm to get around, and they don't have fixed charges, ie, they don't go by meter. So your best bet would be to ask your hotel reception what is the relative fee for traveling from destination A to Destination B and just pay your cab driver accordingly.

6. *Non halal: Porky is easily available there. And so yums!

7. There's a airport exit fee for each departure, and I can't remember how much it was for Boracay and how much it was for Manila, but I remember it isn't cheap. So it would be wise to keep some pesos with you until you're on your plane ready to leave the country. And you should probably check out how much it actually is.

Hahaha! I wish I could think of 3 more tips so that I don't end this post with an odd and weird number but for the life of me, I really can't remember anything else..

So there you have it! xx

Why'd You Ask

Yay, rain. Heavy rain. =)

I really don't want to lie, but I can't exactly be completely honest either. Because the truth, may just be a little too hard to handle.

Cleaning my room has proven to be extremely therapeutic. =) Didn't manage to read yest though, I'll catch up on that today. Maybe. So sleepy.

I have always ever only said that I must be doing some things right in life to deserve the friends I have. Today, I am going to take a different stance. I must have done some things wrong in life, to have lost some people who could have been friends.

Ng Ai Li, Ng Ai Li.

My nails have not stopped cracking / chipping. =(

And it's looking to be a hectic weekend. More like a long week with no weekend. Ohwell, after all the fun I've had over the past couple of weeks, I can do it. All in the name of work-play balance.

Questions that go unanswered, or answers that you're not ready to learn?

Where Are You?

I'm limiting myself till 8pm to be on the computer tonight - which includes writing this post, chatting on Fb, replying emails and listening to youtubes.

Feeling a little sick. Like I-need-to-puke kinda sick. And feeling headachy. I wonder if this is an onset of another bout of viral infection or am I just tired. Or could it be that my body is not used to being this lazy having been sailing so much the past two and a half weeks.

Either way. I hope this feeling goes away soon. It's uncomfortable. =(

My room is a mess. I want to repaint it, baby blue, like Tiffany blue kind of baby blue. It's a calming color me feels. I need to get packing too. Why do I own so much stuff I don't even know I own. And it's not my organized mess which I can live with, it's unorganized mess, which I loath.

I'll probably (at some point) write a 10 tips to travelling in Philippines (Subic & Boracay). Hopefully it'll be soon otherwise I'll forget what those 10 tips were.

I've got one too many good problems lately. While they are good, they are still problems. And while they are problems, at least they're good ones. Looking at the brighter side of things hey!

Verbal diarrhea (diarrhea being a word I never learnt to spell right) today. I wonder why.

Hmmm. Clean room, shower, read, sleep. Clean room, shower, sleep. Clean room, sleep. Shower, sleep. Sleep.

Probably attempt the first and see how far that goes.

I think I dreamt a little yesterday. Trying to piece the fragments of what I remember together but it's doesn't make sense. Or maybe I'm just making up my dream with what I want it to be, which at this point, even I am not sure.

8 minutes to go!

Touch My Hand

Saw you from the distance,
Saw you from the stage,
Something 'bout the look in your eyes,
Something 'bout your beautiful face,
In a sea of people,
There was only you,
I never knew what this song was about,
But suddenly now I do,

Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand,
Reach out as far as you can,
Only me, only you, and the band,
Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand,

Can't let the music stop,
Can't let this feeling end,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never see you again,

Can't let the music stop,
Until I touch your hand,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never get the chance again,
I'll never get the chance again,
I'll never get the chance again,

I see the sparkle of a million flashlights,
A wonder wall of stars,
But the one that's shining out so bright,
Is the one right where you are,

Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand,
Reach out as far as you can,
Only me, only you, and the band,
Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand,

Can't let the music stop,
Can't let this feeling end,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never see you again,

Can't let the music stop,
Until I touch your hand,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never get the chance again,
I'll never get the chance again,

Saw you from the distance,
Saw you from the stage,
Something 'bout the look in your eyes,
Something 'bout your beautiful face,

Can't let the music stop,
Can't let this feeling end,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never see you again,

Can't let the music stop,
Until I touch your hand,
Cause if I do it'll all be over,
I'll never get the chance again,
I'll never get the chance again,

Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand, (I'll never get the chance again)
Reach out as far as you can, (I'll never get the chance again)
Only me, only you, and the band,
Trying to reach out to you,
Touch my hand,
Yeah, yeah

David Archuleta (Source)

If You Have 3 Minutes To Spare

Watch this!

Feat Team Ulumulu @ Subic - Boracay 2014

Video edited by my crew member, Saifullah, who is also the resident bowman, mast climber and in general, a super nice chap. =)

Absolutely love his choice of song for this, One Day by Matisyahu.

Hope you enjoyed it!

Still As Whiny As Ever

Why am I so sleepy, and tired?

I've resorted to using the aircond in my room, and left my windows closed today so that the haze doesn't get in, but it still stinks. And my throat still hurts. Smokers should cease to exist.

Had dinner at Ippudo at the Gardens. Like finally! Having heard about it for so long, and having resisted the urge to go all the way into the city just to try it at Pavillion, so glad they decided to come to me. It was yums, the broth was mostly.

But by the time I was halfway done, I just couldn't eat no more - it became jelak, too salty too I reckon. So while the portion was generous, and while I am glad I finally tried it, I don't think I'll be going back for more. It simply doesn't fall under my comfort food category. And it's pricey too.

And I need to pack my bags for tomorrow too. 

Look At The Stars

Yellow - Coldplay

During my recent trip, as I was out at sea looking at the stars at night, I thought of this song.

I'm partly emo today. It started from angst, and it's just been going down. Like a slide.

If I could wish, and have my wishes granted, my wish list will be as such. I wish the haze would clear, because my throat is really hurting, and it's not likely to get any better with the air quality being like this. I wish that the mystery of the missing flight will be resolved soon, so as to not give all the many parties reasons to debate, to defame, to argue and to mislead. And also to give closure to all those who are keeping hope. I wish I knew what to do, and what is best. I wish I didn't have to make decisions.

I wish that people would grow up, I wish that I too would.

Look how they shine for you.

Ready For Love

Ready For Love - Claudio Caccini ft. Carl

I heard this while at one of the dinners at Boracay, liked it, shazam-ed it, and now am sharing it.

So I'm back from my Philippine adventure, more on that another day, or not, since it's all on Fb. Just completed my tagging spree, so tiring.

In summary, great team, awesome times.

So upon coming back, I hear about the missing flight, about the political condition, and the haze, and of course the water rationing. Not the most pleasing welcoming home I'd say. 

It saddened me to realize that while I was having a great time in the Philippines, there was so much going on back home, and at that point, none of it had concerned me. Until I got back. 

This is how selfish and ignorant people can be sometimes.

Nonetheless, let's keep praying for our nation, for all that's going on. For all that is to be. 

Why Do I Allow Others To Affect Me So Easily

I just don't get it.