When in Australia part 2

As promised. Here are more of the tourist spots I've been to here in Sydney.


Friday, 02 December 2011 - Fish Market, Chinatown
My cousin Kirsteen is a calamari/fish and chips fan. She gets thrilled every time we talk about one of her ultimate favorite food. At last! I get to try for the first time the uber famous Fish Market Cafe's grilled calamari. :)

Just a squeeze of lemon and more tartare sauce!

Series of fail photos. :)

Tuesday, 06 December 2011
It's time to fill up the pantry! Grocery shopping at Costco, ANZ Stadium and Sydney Olympic Park - where The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium was held. 

Thursday, 08 December 2011 - Eastwood, Berrowra river, Mooney Mooney
The Eastwood here is an Asian Market. Very different from the Eastwood we have at home. We crossed Berrowra river by a ferry. It's a less than 10 minute ride where vehicles are transported from one side of the river to the other istead of building a bridge they have a free-fare ferry. 

Friday, 09 December 2011 -  Chinese Garden of Friendship and Darling Harbor 
Chinese Garden of Friendship is open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day.

A paradise of calmness. I can stay here for a whole day.

Darling Harbor is Sydney's favorite destination for leisure and entertainment, with more than 40 restaurants, 30 bars, cafes, museums, theatres, parks and more. 

skip. climb. play

Thursday 15 December 2011 - North Beaches

Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach

The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea, and a bunch of crispy chips. :)

When in Australia

I am having the time of my life. For sure I am the luckiest tourist ever. I went overseas just to follow up my nursing papers and spend the rest of the days exploring this country. I only have a minimum amount of pocket money so all my expenses are c/o my relatives. Oh yeah! Since one of my Titas went to Sydney for 2 weeks holiday too, the Tolentino family were so kind to show us around not just in the city but also the other suburbs of OZ.

So when in Australia, make sure you'll visit these places:

Monday, 28 November 2011- Just around Sydney's city

Daryl, Tita Josie, and me with the Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House

Luna park - an Amusement Park in Sydney

Tuesday, 29 November 2011- Dee Why Beach

the epic jump shot with Ki

SEA the SEEgulls? The other way around! :) 

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Blue Mountains

I wanted to make a separate post for this trip because it was the best I've been so far. But I have heaps of backlogs now. Quick fact about this attraction: It was listed for its unique eucalypt vegetation (that makes it blue from a far or maybe even up close too). 

The Echo Point where tourists usually visit to see the spectacular view of the Blue Mountains
PS Don't forget to bring a jacket and don't wear shorts! You have to keep yourself warm!

The Three Sisters - Blue Mountains' landamark

Just like in the Philippines, there are legends behind the natural structures here in Australia mainly from the Aborigines. So here is the story of the three sisters named  Meenhi, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo. The typical forbidden love story. Same as Romeo and Juliet's, this time it's multiplied to three. They fell in love with the three brothers from the other tribe. They were not allowed to marry one another because of a certain tribal law. The frustration of the three men started the tribal war when they kidnapped the three ladies. So to keep the ladies away from harm, a witchdoctor cast a spell for them to turn into stone. Unfortunately, the witchdoctor died in war. He was not able to take away the spell to bring the three ladies back to life. 

Thursday, 01 December 2011 - Sydney Opera House

This is not just an ordinary picture taken outside the Opera House. This is the picture taken outside the Opera House after watching Sydney Symphony's concert inside THE CONCERT HALL.

My ticket and we actually have good seats. Picture taking is not allowed inside the concert hall. Here 's just a sneaky.

Then we went around the town hall, shops, park and this cathedral.

My wedding venue- St. Mary's Cathedral. You're invited! :)

Shopping! Shopping! Shopping!

Part 2 of When in Australia is coming next! Hopefully I won't get too lazy to do photo dumping again! Oops! Sorry!

The Serenity of Staring

Since I got all the time in the world, I got all the time to day dream too. I know it is the dumbest thing to do for the rest of you but it is the most wonderful for me. My "me-time" isn't complete without a little of day dreaming.

A daydream is a visionary fantasy, especially one of happy, pleasant thoughts, hopes or ambitions, imagined as coming to pass, and experienced while awake. In short, all things positive ONLY.

I came to realize then that while I do this act, my eyes need to focus on something first. So, yesterday when we went to Palm beach I caught myself imagining again while staring at this wonderful sight.

Right. I can sit down on a bench and fight the cold breeze while eating fish and chips all day. Then, I can  imagine the most magical dreams I can think of to come in to reality in my own made-up life. Lame. But that makes me stress-free. 

I just want to share the landscape/illustrations I love to fixate my eyes on for hours.

1. The beach starting from the sand til the never-ending sea plus the blue skies with the puffy clouds. Lucky enough if there are birds flying up high to make the picture more dramatic.

2. The full moon fascinates me. It is just a bummer that my crappy phone can't take beautiful shots of it. Specially during eclipse and some other once-in-a-year/decade/century-sky-events that I love watching. I only get a circular light with dark background. This is the best I got.  

And every time I look up there, I always say to myself  "We're under the same moon, wishing on the same stars." 

3. This may sound creepy for all of you. I stare at beautiful people too. Like really look at them the whole day. Oh, how I wish my nose is as pointed as hers. Or my cheeks are as rosey as hers. Yes, my insecurities are being enhanced in my perfectly-imagined life. 

Just for a fact, when I'm not talking/typing my  mind still works. I actually think more creatively in silence. 

First Week Away from Home

A very busy Monday. My first time around the city. I am scheduled to follow up my papers at AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). It is the organization assigned to implement the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme here in Australia. Good thing I have my very handsome, generous and very reliable cousin Daryl to accompany me around the city. We took the CityRail from Hornsby to the City itself. Actually, I don't know yet how to ride the train by myself until now. I'll get lost for sure. Riding the train outside the Philippines is very complicated for me. They have more than one platform. And there are trains that won't pass by the station that you're going to. The good side is everyone has a chance to have a seat. Unlike in Manila. But hey, I'd rather stand the whole trip than to get lost in a big city of a foreign land. 

Gladly we made it to the AHPRA office just in time. Client no. 1 - that's me! It only took me 5 minutes to talk to the very accommodating customer service personnel. Then, it's time to walk around. We went to three different malls (Queen Victoria Building, Westfield, and Myer also at Westfield). MALLS = CLOTHES! I was literally drooling! I haven't seen so much in so long!  Ahhh...while window shopping I started to realize and set my goals in life. No. 1 EARN MONEY! I can't wait to do my shopping spree! 

After I had loads of shopping (just window for the mean time) we went to St. Mary's Cathedral and Hyde Park to rest and I noticed three medium sized blisters on both feet. Ouchie! For all those who know me, they know that they are my weakness. I can't walk and enjoy the rest of my day. So, my very handsome, generous and very reliable cousin Daryl bought me a new pair! :)

His treat - Bubblegum Mcflurry and my new pair of sandalyas!

Hyde Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House

Spent the rest of the day at Sydney Opera House to take some pictures. Thank you to my ever-reliable Nokia phone and Daryl's iPhone. We went to Macquarie University to see Kirsteen too!

Mid-week Ki asked me to go with her and her friend Steff to Bondi Beach and Tamarama Beach to witness the annual Sculpture by the Sea. We spent the whole morning under the sun, took lots of pictures and had fish and chips for lunch at this restaurant near the shore. 

with Steff (Ki's friend) and here my cousin Kirsteen

red tinkie winkie

triplets

Literally TIREd turtle!

the best jump shot we had. FAIL!

like a cameleon - blending well

Thank you mister for taking this picture!

Zebra kissed

sosyal na vandal :)

be-ach!

TV personalities, are we?

Thank you guys for making my 1st week of stay a good one! Looking forward to the next weeks to come. And yes, I gained 1.4 lbs. already! Happy now? :)

with my playmate Riza aka Ri aka Buribut

How I wish I won't look like this when I go back to the Philippines. Oh well, I promised someone I won't.

Anxiety backed off

During my eight hour flight, I'm thinking of posting this post in Filipino. I was overwhelmed with so much emotions that I need to express. But then, I need to practice my English skills. 

We left home Saturday early morning. I was not able to sleep cause my friends and cousins came over to see me Friday night. It's my first time to travel alone. My second time to ride a plane. My first international flight. Inspite of the lack of sleep I have to keep my self alert of what is happening and what will happen to me in the airport. Mum said I have to take care of my luggage and watch over it. ALWAYS. She even said that I should not sleep in the airport. As if naman makakatulog ako! I'm busy texting and calling people before boarding. I did not cry when they dropped me off. Not a single tear. But when I was waiting for my flight and started calling Ma, Dad and my sisters, tears fell. I was not able to hold it. Imma miss my family! BIGTIME! :( 

Then, it was boarding time!

PAL PR211 Manila - Sydney

I know my smile reached my ears while I was walking towards the door of the plane. The F.A.s of PAL started to give the passengers a warm welcome. Thank you for being very accommodating!

my boarding pass

So there, Seat 70 F. I saw this guy in long sleeves. He is bald and tan. I'm guessing that he's on his late 20's to early 30's. Halatang Pinoy but looks like He's not raised in the Philippines. He is hot and I told Steph about it right away. We were asked to fill up a form for Australian immigration. He holds a blue passport but here's the catch, born in 1971! Tenenenentenen. 14 years older than me. So thank you na lang. He didn't help me with my luggage though but he was an over-all gentleman during the trip. I was seated right next to him for 8 hours. Since he is the one beside the aisle, the FA gives him two of everything and he hand me everything I need. He doesn't wear a ring. Hmm, nice try for a first date? Kidding. 

Ahhh,,, my ultimate dream. I was staring at the attendants every time they pass by. I'll be like that someday. Or maybe some other lifetime? I still want to be all dolled-up smiling and assisting the passengers. 

I can't tell you about the flight itself cause I was asleep the whole time. It took me too long to figure out though how to incline my seat. I know. Stoop newbie right here! :) And I just found out how by accident.

Maybe the flight went smoothly cause if not I'll be probably awake when we started to shake. Or not?

At 8PM Australia time I arrived Sydney International Airport.  

all smiles when I saw Riza and Tita Ruth

with my cousin Riza

meet my Tita Ruth

I need a quickie!

It's not what you're thinking. I've been up all week and I need to breathe. Since the day that I received the package from the embassy, I haven't watched any movie/ tv program. I miss lounging here at home. I miss my simple life when I had the luxury of sleep and bath time. I haven't been to my every other day jogging ritual. I haven't had a sit down meal on our dining table for a week now. I tend to eat lunch on the road while I'm on my way to where ever I'm heading. 

 If only I could make time stop, believe me I would try. –King Triton (The Little Mermaid)

I'm not complaining Lord. I just feel tired cause of the activities I had for the past 7 days. Today is my last day in the Philippines but until this very moment, I haven't packed my stuff yet. I'm still thinking of buying that bag. :| And a lot more of things to think about. Like, what to bring and not to bring. I haven't printed my ticket yet.

Or maybe I just need to vent out all these emotions. I am about to face a new chapter in my life and this time, for the very first time I'm alone in this battle. I feel now that the only person whom I can fully entrust my life with is myself. This time, "I" is the priority.

Tata! I have so much to do in 24 hours!
That's it! Told you it will only take a few minutes of your time.

*This is a very lame post. Sorry! :)

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

closing time
"washing" during a drinking session
closing time
dessert
closing time
curtains down
closing time
doors locked
closing time
sign of the cross
closing time

it was a long night
our longest travel home
the final drop off
complete silence
if only our heartbeats can be heard
if only the jumbled words inside my head have loud footsteps
it was already the break of dawn
we knew that this is our closing time

you broke the dead air
we didn't know what to say anymore
we already knew everything by heart
fingers interlaced
and then, that soft sweet kiss on my hand
the teardrop that I was holding for a long time fell
tight embrace

wishful thinking
high hopes
hearts' desires
mutual understandings
uncertain future

be patient
be happy
be lovely
be free

i will be the best me for the best you
another hug
this time it's tighter
iloveyou and iloveyoutoo

memorized every single detail of your face
we kissed like we don't want it to end
our lips won't let go
it tasted like our cigarettes
smelled like you

finally, i opened the door
stepped out of the car
but i came back

for the last time we squeezed and smooched

the sweetest goodbye
the start of our healing

 

My eyes opened as I wake up and I realized that all of these were just random memories from a dream that just seems so real.

Girl Chums over Beaux

I've been reminded how important are those people who've been really there during my struggle. I came to realize that my girlfriends are the most important type of friends ever. They are the ones who literally cry and laugh with you through your highest peaks and lowest downfall . I've been very blessed to be surrounded by girls. I studied in 3 exclusive schools for girls (Miriam College, Holy Spirit School, and St. Bridget) since I was in Kinder until high school. Up until college and at work, my set of friends were ruled by ladies. Maybe because of the profession I chose. So for 24 years of my existence, I came to know variety of women and found the bestest for keeps!

Unfortunately, I lost contact with my Miriam friends because there were no Facebook yet during that time when I left.

I was in my 5th year in grade school when I met my bestest best friend, Daisy. I had a separate post about her in this blog. Click here.

My high school friends are crazy special. We started as bus mates and then everything was history. I'm proud to belong to this barkada where you can find the dancing heartthrob, the Atenean magnet, the blooper chick, the angelic diva, the sweetheart next door, and ms. independent. FYI, I can say that were not just beauties but ehem we got the brains! We belong to the larger group who rule the corridors and make the young ones cry cause of envy.(Kidding! That's too much!) To cut the story short, we are the local mean girls just of lesser bitchiness. Don't be deceived with their smiles cause you don't know what's running behind their beautiful minds.

April 2007 - From Left to Right, Angela Galvez, Manna Leano, Kristine Macatlang, Me, Andrea Tecson, and Junee Sevilla      

March 2011- It will be just us three for now. :)

I realized that as I age, my group of friends becomes crazier. My college loves are composed of 2 men and 10 girls. Told you people, who run the world? Girls! We started as 5 then boomed to 12 and counting. 

2007 - Sandralyd Atienza, Leslie Co, Catherine Javier, Noreen Busto, and Me

2007 -Through black or white, through thick or thin, through all those fun and crap!

November 2010 - We nurse hard and party harder! - December 2009

September 2010- Trying to rule our crazy little world. - December 2007, January 2010

These ladies and 2 gents are the people I can bug in the middle of their sleep, in the middle of their duty, or even in the middle of whatever their doing just to tell them the latest update about my roller coaster love life or anything under the moon and stars. The distance and unmatched schedules are keeping our bodies apart but not our hearts.

Here comes the most controversial set of girlfriends I have. We have one major thing in common. That is - we were in love (back then) with that one person who lead us to one another. Thank you, you!

Kat Antonio, Me, Milette dela Cruz, and Andre

It's very extraordinary to find a buddy in your ex's exes, but here we are, not just friends but real ones!

I always say that they are my most favorite people. We were brought about by fate - that the men we've been with were best friends since they were fetus. We share the same headaches, heartaches, and all the other aches! We laugh at the same people and at the same mistakes that were passed by one ass wipe to another.

Rose Pangilinan, Me, Katrina Tadeo, Mio Marquez

at The cursed resort

Our little angel and first born, Stefan Alexander

I know that one day, we may or may not end up with those men who brought us together but we will still be Mares for life! :)

I swear to myself that my girl chums will be prioritized more than any other guy from this day forward. Those men will leave me hanging but not these ladies of honor. 

I love you chicas! Cheers to all the SHEs!