Ingrata by Default

TOP 5: Hong Kong

August 4, 2010

I’m broke but I’m happy

I first got a call from my best friend about a Cebu Pacific promo fair last May for International flights coercing that we push through our plan for world domination. It’s should have started in Korea but my irrational fear for K-POP and Communism made it hard for me to agree that it will be my first international destination.

Being the non-nomadic and inexperienced traveler that I am, I have relied to the navigating prowess and the mad street skills of my bff. Yes, I acknowledge that fact that I have co-dependency issues and that includes anything that involves interpreting a road map or something that pertains to obtaining location and direction.

So yes, here’s my top 5 spots to visits or places you might want to explore should you be a non-nomadic-underpaid-yuppy:

1. NGONG PING 360 - If you’re afraid of heights…too bad for you but if I were you I would suck it. It’s time to conquer your fear. Ngong Ping 360 offers several package trips to the famous Ngong Ping Village via cable car. The towering height gives you a breath-taking view of several scenic spots including the HK International Trade Port and an overview of the Great Buddha Statue which will be the ultimate and final destination of your trip. Depending on the package you take (which means the higher the ticket price, the higher the likelihood that you will have an “enlightening” experience whatever the case may be). We took the ” Journey of Enlightenment: Walking with Buddha” Package. And true enough, we learned that LIFE IS SUFFERING as the culminating part of our journey involves taking a long steep climb to the top where the mighty meditating buddha lies. I know it’s should have given us some deeper connection with the universe but the deeper connection I received was the pain in my legs and back after we reach the summit which means that I need more practice in terms of medidating and letting go of my worldly ways. Also, blasphemous. I’m sorry Siddharta.

2. MADAME TUSSAUD’S WAX MUSEUM & VICTORIA PEAK - or where I found my soul mate… the wax version of it at the very least — JOHNNY DEPP!!! On our way to Victoria Peak or the highest peak in HK, we passed by the Wax Museum. It was actually very cost-efficient since the tickets they offer already include the Tram ride on our way to the viewing deck. There were a lot of hollywood stars and famous personalities including HITLER, HUSSEIN, BECKHAM, THE BEATLES and even BEYONCE. There were also local Chinese celebrities (like Yao Ming - Fuck!!! he’s so tall) and politicians who had their replicas displayed plus you get a complimentary photo with Jackie Chan. We took loads of photos because for now that’s how close we can get to the real thing.

3. HK DISNEYLAND - Where the magic happens! Your wonderful journey begins in the MTR where you need to get to Sunny Bay. It’s where the interchange train for Disney passes. And you’d know if it’s the right train for obvious reasons. Everything is DISNEY! Even the handle bars! When we arrived it felt like I was in my teeny weeny days again. But seriously, if you have motion sickness do not even oblige to ride the SPACE MOUNTAIN. But if you are being a trooper for that day and swore on your mother’s grave that you will apply CARPE DIEM, then you’re in for a real treat. There are a lot of options in Disney and that depends on how lame you are. If you’re the adrenaline junkie, it may be satisfied by riding SPACE MOUNTAIN. Honestly, I was expecting more vomit-inducing rides (like here in E.K.) because my friends promised to see me die a slow painful death as they plan to make me ride each of those rides. However, if you plan to just hoard loads of photos and watch awesome 3D shows and fireworks, then this my friends is MECCA. Disney classics never fails for me as it always moves me to sing along to their theme songs. To end the night, you should never miss the fireworks display. For a moment, I believed that there are fairytales and happy endings. Awww, shucks. That part made me realize, I am perpetually sappy.


4. MONG KOK - A few blocks off the MTR station lies the shopping haven for the shopaholic. It is like the badass version of Binondo or DV. You’ll get the cheapest buys, if you know how to bargain right. In my experience, the vendors there are hardsellers. Like they will literally follow you just to make a sale. And yes, it’s always cheaper to buy in bulk whereever you are in this world. Truth to be told, even if it’s on sale sometimes they still give discount. So if you want to push you’re luck it will be a risk you should be willing to take. I got the shopping tips from the bff, herself. That woman…knows shopping like she was born to do it.

5. TSIM SHA SUI - Where Guang Dong Hotel is situated is like Makati but more Ghetto. It has a lot of recreational areas *cough* bars and boutiques around it. If you want to experience the night life which sadly we weren’t able to take advantage of…maybe it’s the best area you’d want to get lost in. The lights never seem to go out. It’s full of life. Plus it’s walking distance to anything - drugs stores, fast food chains, etc.


So there. The trip was another milestone in our friendship because the whole planning and executing was not that easy especially for our main organizers: Ariane and Raph (special mention to the couple for being the awesome globe trotters slash travel agents/tour guides - extraordinaire). The whole gang: Prinz, Bax, Sarsi,Rye (from which I got the photos I used here) for the laughters, documentation and ocassional headaches we give each other.

While it is true that when we travel we want to see the world and realize that it is awesome, the proverbial compass points it’s arrow back to ourselves — now what? What do you want now that you’ve seen a part of it? What will you do next? Where will you be?

Of course, that semi-existential bullfuckery ends when your bubble burst because your flight back is delayed or the strap of your luggage snaps as soon as you land in NAIA. Reality welcomes you back and it also says, please turn off your out of office agent. Vacation is over. Time to get shit things done…..like right now.

Again, Hong Kong today.. Tomorrow who knows? Limbo is just around the corner anyway.

Posted by joycerica at 4:44 am | permalink | comments[2]

Fire & Ice

July 16, 2010

Oh please, you got to be kidding me! A Twilight reference!?! You know you can do better than that. Sadly, I can’t. because guess what that’s the last movie I saw….because….. Jacob is way hotter and my attempts of making a point ends here. So yeah, what’s up? Nothing much here except yeah, everything is hot or cold.

1. I’ve lost 8 pounds and grew some curves in the appropriate places. What??? No kidding. (I’m thanking my secret benefactor for this. Yep it’s a trade secret for now.) I deserve a little credit, my self-esteem needs some positive validation at this point. A moment to gloat…..*hihihihi*

2. Tempers are flaring everywhere. I’m not used to experiencing such increase in hormonal activity from others. It’s almost insanity. I didn’t sign up for any of this. If I want some drama, I would have pursued theater or joined PBB. On second thought…..hmmmm.

3. I’ve become Switzerland - an autonomous self-destructing ball of sponge. ABSORB.ABSORB.ABSORB. 

4. The whole LOST mythology has gotten the best of me. I manage to associate any random event to it, I’m beginning to sound like some fanatic with separation anxiety issues. If you watch the show, you’d know what I mean. THE ISLAND IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET.  It has become my mantra for so long. I’m beginning to actually use it as a defense mechanism.

5. Just got appraised (evaluated,critiqued,etc).  An important note: AVOID UNNECESSARY COMMENTS meaning making inappropriate jokes or side comments during meetings. HAHAHAHAHAHA. I’m a jackass. I know. But I take pride that my humor…..among all other things made a huge deal. Did I offend people? Hmmmk. Speak now or forever hold your peace. Nobody raised this and certainly nobody confronted me that I offend them. I like that people laugh when I joke. Not most of the time because, usually they are sarcastic or blunt.  I cannot apologize for my humor. It is who I am.  

I am glad that my team mates understands me. I never expected them to give such humbling comments. When I read their feedback/s I felt some sort of self-fulfillment like a little pat in the back that reassures you, you’re not a failure as you think you are. I know there are still areas I need to work on and I know that I will continue doing what I can to help them out.COZ THE INGRATA GIVES BACK.

LAME. I know. Like your opinion really matters to me…

Posted by joycerica at 1:21 am | permalink | comments[1]

LA MEserables

May 21, 2010

Hey there. How about a little howdy-doody. I was so stuck with work I forgot the one thing that’s really important to me and that is writing. I lied. I didn’t forget about it. In fact, I always think about it everyday, while I cuss underneath my breathe inside the office because of the huge amount of insanely barbaric e-mails that I answer and the tantamount complains aired and at times resolved, inconveniences that have been apologized for and reports I have screwed up. It always crosses my mind, envisioning myself sitting inside a quiet room feeling the cool breeze brushing across my body as I just sit there infront of my trusty HOUSE M.D. (my laptop - pompously named after Gregory House himself. Geeky,I know) and just type away like a raving lunatic on crack. With the amount of time I spend in the office right now, I figured it can be equated to the amount of time a novelist sits down to draft his very first manuscript. Literally, people can almost tell that I wore the same clothes I wore the day before which if you think is quite appaling but really that’s not because I disregard hygiene (that’s just how I roll, no really), I’m just compelled to crawl in andout from the pile of work that sits on my desk. Generally, a 16 -24 hour work schedule has gotten the worst of me. But my passion for writing will not dwindle, it might just be  screwed over but I have nor will I ever grow tiresome (not entirely) of the usually rant-o-rama or diatribe about how work-life-balance (which is basically non-existent). And to demostrate this depleting activity in my blog, nay, even in my social life, I have sumed it up to this one self-incriminating sentence—- I HAVEN’T EVEN WATCHED IRON MAN or ROBIN HOOD or even watch that new Eugene Domingo flick. That’s basically how futile my rants have been reduced to.

To further prove my point here are some of the lame updates I have:

1. Facebook Abtinence. My lack of status updates have been minimally reduced since our very trust friend called IT did some major enhancements to our firewall. *cough* *sellout* *cough* and my inability to alot budget for personal internet connection at home. Sucks!

 

2. Speaking of facebook, the last time I have updated it, reception have been quite encouraging knowing that your relatives have migrated social networks and your entire alma mater itches for a reunion even in cyberspace. FEH. Thus, encouraging you more to diss the scene and humbly go on stealth mode until further notice.

3. Liquor Ban. Semi-permanent for the reason of hey, I have no life, money and Saturdays are dedicated for mandarin lessons with Farrah Lao Shi. I suck by the way because learning another language when you only have less than six hours of sleep can actually be equivalent to simultaneously downing 5 shots of tequila then running an entire 10k marathon. Mindfuck at its best.

4.Did I mention that  aside from the fact that my weekends are just for the sole purpose of rewatching past seasons of LOST, Sometimes I also have spontaneous provincial trips to take care of some family biznuz. How about some time travel or alternate realities? I can work with that.

5. I have become a corporate zombie that my friends have probably thought some master zombie have rendered me useless. I’ve been an absentee for quite some time on certain r and r with my mates.
 
6. So.. I didn’t vote. Never registered either. And to quote a colleague whose reaction made a resounding imprint in my brain said “Wow, ano ka katorse? (Wow, what are you 14?)”. I know I’m a bad citizen. I can cure apathy. But it’s a bitter pill to swallow. MEH. So Noynoy Palaboy it is. I would have gone for Gibo and go admin all the way —> that’s me being a sellout. Politics, we have a lot enough in the office.  But way to go for the how high-tech voting and holographic images in the news. 

7. I might have made new friends and future enemies. I cannot expound further. Just to built the tension. HA!

8. I suffered an asthma attack. First in five years. I felt like I was 5 again. Well, I am 5 with 20 some experience. Come to think of it, history does repeat itself. I hope I don’t bleed phallic images again.

9. I haven’t been to the beach except for work. Didn’t even brought my swim suit when we went there. HA! I’m still organizing another pity party for that.

10. Aah, existencially speaking. All is futile. sakto lang and boring for the time being. I need some kick ass comeback to life party.

Posted by joycerica at 1:29 pm | permalink | comments[4]

Apply Now?

April 20, 2010

 

  A friend forwarded a link to me, saying we should apply. I don’t know if she noticed or was simply being rude. I mean are we on the same page here? Do they necessarily need to hire virgins? I mean how would they know, right? And if you get hired will you lose or save it? And what difference does it make? Furthermore, am I in an endless waking nightmare?

Posted by joycerica at 10:57 am | permalink | comments[3]

Eats Too Much

One Friday night, one of my officemates shared a part of his “don’t date list” – or some characteristics / traits he tries to avoid when it comes to a looking for a suitable date. He only shared a few for fear of leakage. AS IF *Mandatory eye roll commencing*. Two of which includes 1. Boring conversationalist and 2. Eats too much.

(more…)

Posted by joycerica at 2:41 am | permalink | Add comment
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