olympics

ewan ko ba, sobrang apektado ako sa olympics na to...

im sad na wala pa ding medal ang pinas, but on the other hand, im so happy for aussie aussie...

ang galing galing ni rice, ni jones at ni trickett - they are my favourites!!! attitudewise, they are awesome, they are so cheerful... ah, baka nakakarelate lang kc ako sa pagiging bungisngis nila... they are always happy!!! competitive pero ineenjoy nila ang ginagawa nila!

na-sad ako for jones when she landed silver in one of the events dahil kay soni, pero ok lang kc mabait din naman c soni (gusto ko din cya)... and un nga, happy pa din naman c jones! feeling ko humble cya!!! and she is pretty!!!

apektado din ako yesterday for trickett when steffen grabbed the gold from her , pero ok lang din kc happy disposition pa din c tricket... sobrang idol ko cya for being so positive... and lagi cyang naka smile!!! sabi nya nga: "You can always go what if? What if I did that better or what if I did this better? but why do that?, why not enjoy this moment and enjoy the achievement because it's a huge achievement. I have no regrets. I have got three medals at this Olympics, overall five and I am excited that I have still two races to come. "It's obviously going to push me further, not just in my swimming but in my life to always do things how I want to them and enjoy the moment, you never know when it is going to be your last one.''

tomorrow is THE day... and i can't wait!!! i am so excited!!!

tricket will try her best one more time for one more gold and so is hackett who will push his limits to win gold in the 1500m event (if ever, it will be his 3rd consecutive olympic gold for the event)!!! sobrang apektado ako... i really wish and pray na manalo cla, i really feel that they deserve to win!!! go aussie!!!

God, please help them... please please please po...

bad dream overruled

no, it wasn't my dream... it was a dream about me...

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i din't go to work today cos im really not feeling well when i woke up, i think its to do with the super unpredictable weather... i did work though and i still am (except just now as obviously, i took a break to blog!)...

around midday, i received an email from claudia, one of my officemates and is a nice fried --- i was shocked!!! she had a bad dream about me and to quote her words "I dreamt that you got involved in a really tragic car accident (similar to those disgusting one that you see on TV) and wt a bad ending"... it took me few minutes before i responsded... in those few minutes, not too sure what exactly run into my mind... then i finally asked her details --- was i driving, was it in a car, in a bus, by myself, or with friends... then she replied " Actually, i dont have the vision of you before the accident (driving or not driving), but i have the vision of you after the accident (which was in a VERY bad shape, which was close to a piece of smashed tomato - sorry for phrasing it in this way). So, the vision that i have was you on the chair, but i cannot see everything outside of the chair. So, the vehicle could be either a bus or a car, and you could be the driver or the passenger. Unknown. Its more of the after effects which was horrible ie your family was in a bad shape after finding out of the news and they came to australia to try to make sense out of everythign, and i was trying to help put them in understanding what was happening, collecting your belongings, formal procedures wt the police, and your bunch of philipino friends was also around to help out... Anyway, lets ignore this as the vision was really quite disturbing to me.... Just make sure you keep safe and i am happy that you replied my mail (which means you are safe and alive)"....

bevs said: i interpret it as don't buy a car daw muna... mamu, wag na lang tayo pumuntang hunter valley. hehe. natakot!! nothing personal ha..hehehe. di kasi natin alam ang sinasabi ni dream. wala din naman mawawala kung magiingat.

ruby called and said: no more speeding...

yolaine said: not sure whether you need to care too much about it, I am sure everything will be alright and you will be in great shape all your life :D...

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ghie says:

- thank you to claudia for not keeping this to herself and telling it to me. naniniwala ako sa mga matatanda na pag kwinento mo daw ang bad dream, it will mean the opposite (yes, long life in great shape!!!)

- sorry friends, no hunter valley and kangaroo valley this weekend (kahit bus or tour pa yan!), sa september na lang

- no cab this week if by myself (last week, twice akong muntik mabangga on my way home)

- lastly, si God na bahala sa kin, i have faith, i know He'll take care of me

pope is here!

yep, the pope is here!!!

and we are attending the wyd on saturday and sunday...

excited!!!

worried

im really worried...

plan has been set that my sister and i, with mng greg and bro joel, will go to thailand and singapore in december... wish nya kc mamasyal overseas, okay, fine... we'll go... i will start saving, obviously mabigat to sa bulsa...

earlier, i talked to mama...

ayan, na, i'm worried...

something in me is telling me, parang i want to take an extended leave from october...

god, please help me...

feliz kum pelanyos...

it's maribel's birthday today and it's also her housewarming party... they (with hubby jesus) bought a flat in hornsby and it is really really nice... hmm, makes me think how much could it be... ah, dunno! we brought her a cake as a birthday present and brought a champagne glass set as housewarming present... as expected, more than half of the visitors are spanish (umm, i just generalise them as spanish although they came from different places - spain of course, portugal, venezuela and brazil!)... needless to say, the spanish language dominated her house, which was fine cos they were nice people... funny maribel, at some point she was speaking to us in spanish too hahaha... with that, i learned some spanish words tonight... benga conyo means hurry up!, cartar la tarta means cut the cake, and feliz kum pelanyos means happy birthday... (i disclaim accuracy of the spelling of the words, i just wrote them the way i understand them and the way i should pronounce them if spelled in filipino)... it was a great night - feliz kum pelanyos senora maribel!

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oh, earlier today, i went driving.. nagpabook kc c ruby ng driving lesson nya so sumama ako... i drove for an hour... yeh, i miss it, i can't wait to have my own car and just drive away!!! next week, pupunta na talaga ko ke kuya mar, yey, excited!!!

madness!!!

so what's next after the diamond shoe... anyone who knows ghie knows the answer!!!

but its not mine yet... yah, not yet... soon...

diamond shoe

happy happy happy happy and happy!!!

i have a new shoe!!! that's right, its not a pair, its just one and it has diamonds!!!

^ wink ^

rondz and bevs, eto na... =) i am super super happy - love it!!!

100th blog --- shopaholic!!!

its my 100th blog!!! wow!!! (thanks to rondz who inspired me to start this thingie! then to bevs na din kc naaliw ako sa mga blogs mo!)

today i went shopping - went to dfo, started off at the oroton shop finding myself leaving the store after 10 minutes of looking around, not that i din't like what's in store... the thing is, i love all of them and i got confused so i decided to visit the other stores first --- i wasted the next 2 hours hopping from one store to another and ended up not buying anything, for one, d ako shopper ng damit (bags, wallets, shoes are my life! - well, add watches na din, lately!), and two, ang hirap humanap ng size ko, anlaki ko kc!... ending, i went back to the oroton shop and ayan na.... blah blah blah... 3 bags, 3 folders, 3 wallets, 3 mirrors... ripped off!!! but am soooo happy!!!! teka, obviously, hindi lahat yun akin, most of those are my gifts to my friends!!!! basta, am sobrang happy!!!

yesterday naman, i received my salary letter... yes, happy!!! (though not happy happy, pero basta happy!!! hahaha) thank you to uncle erniyo and pareng mike!!!...

tomorrow, ok since me increase, i deserve either a new shoes or a new watch (ghie, isa lang, its either and not both!)... excuses, excuses...

after tomorrow, its time to start saving for my december trips with my family... so excited!!!

Gold Coast September 2007

i just realised that i haven't posted this yet...

"sama ka sa gold coast"?.... that started it all...

then i found myself booking flights for myself, ruby and rondz... since then, the excitement just builds up everyday... being a themepark and beach buff, going to gold coast has always been in my wish list since i came to australia... and it definitely is a wish that came true...

while i took care of researching for the cheapest flight and surfing the net for what the theme parks have to offer, rondz owned up the hotel reservation... flight + hotel + ourselves... 27-30 september... gold coast, here we come!!!...

counting the days to the 27th is a mix of excitement and harassment... too excited for the thrill rides and for the beach... that actually was our inspiration to beat harassment... things need to be done, work needs to be finished, bosses needs to be pleased... but no worries, everything's manageable - we'll finish our task and we are going to enjoy our holiday...

at this point, im reminded of sgv where going for a holiday is like a mortal sin... you can't be broadcasting to everyone that you're going on a holiday if you don't want to see raised eyebrows and if you don't want to hear the famous unbeatable "buti ka pa..." line which is intended to engrave a feeling of guilt in your heart... here in sydney, everyone literally shares your excitement when you go for holidays... no guilt feelings, no work dramas of that sort... you are free to be happy... and they are happy for you too...

alright, here we go...

27 September, Thursday - off to the central station at around 630 to catch a train going to the domestic airport. we were among the early birds at the check-in counter, had dinner at red rooster while waiting for the boarding time... hmm, this is also my first domestic flight in australia.... the flight was 1 hr and 10 minutes.. of course, our cameras are always ready for every angle... 3 auditors on board = perfect documentation...

i probably don't even need to write here the first thing we did when we reached the hotel... (hint: canon!)... then we spent the next half hour or so surfing the net and planning the days ahead... we only have 3 days, can't waste a single minute....

i've been to more than a couple of themeparks and have definitely tried more than a couple of fun and thrill rides - this excited me but at the same time worried me as i've set a very high expectation of gold coast themeparks and i'll definitely be so sad if it turns out turkey... as much as i can, i tried to keep the excitement and ignored the silly expectations...

28 September, Friday - Warner Bros Movie World... still kilometers away, i can already see superman and batman... wew!!!! yep, we're finally here!!!... with a map on one hand and a camera on the other, we bravely entered the park as if all rides are gonna be chicken...we decided to follow the thrill challenge itinerary as suggested on the map to make sure we don't miss the action-packed thrill rides...

we started the day with what WB Movie World claim to be the best in the park... SUPERMAN ESCAPE... it is the southern hemisphere's #1 roller coaster flying 100km/hr... we queued for about an hour but its definitely worth the wait.... then off to Australia’s newest thrill ride… BATWING SPACESHOT which launches 60m vertically through 4.5Gs then plummet back to earth in a breathe catching negative-G descent… tip: swing your feet to relax yourself… after a couple of photos and video of both rides, we’re off to LETHAL WEAPON where you’re strapped in 20 tonnes of steel and propelled along 765 metres of cold hard track. Dives, bends, rollovers, sidewinders, double spins, loops and plunges – it’s all here, now this is what I call the best rollercoaster ever… with that, its time to refuel for the next rides… we head off to GOTHAM City Café… too hungry? – the riddler combo (beef burger, chips and coke) is the perfect treat!!! Perfect timing as the parade is up next – love batman, who can be sexier than catwoman, shrek is there of course, looney tunes gang were there, but hey, where is superman?!... on our way to the next ride, we tried our luck on one of the games, unfortunately, we were not that lucky yet… the WILD WEST FALLS ADVENTURE RIDE drops 20 metres at 70 km/hr – the effects before the drop amazed me more than the actual drop, its probably because I’ve been to more than a couple of this kind of ride before... now the next one wasn’t how I expected it to be… SCOOBY-DOO SPOOKY COASTER… wasn’t scared of the coaster, but m so scared with how spooky it can get… the amazing lighting and sound effects really got us ducking, weaving, screaming and laughing…i guess scooby-doo gave us some luck… we went back to the “ball –shooting” game… its not as easy as it looks, you have to shoot a ball in a big pail but you have to have the right balance otherwise, the ball will bounce back! Ending: we brought home 1 biggie bunny and 6 smallish =)… that was the end of Movieworld’s Thrill Challenge – of course, we survived!!!

as we still have an hour before closing time, we din’t miss going around the park and getting amazed with the rest what the park has to offer… we went around looney tunes village, took some photos, brought some souvenirs, had ice cream before we decided to head off… it was SUCH a long day…

by the time we arrived at the hotel, we were starving, but that din’t spoil our excitement to soak in the pool… poor rondz as he has to go to the resto and order our food… he dint have much time to swim… good thing the food was really yummy… and I mean yummy!!! and, and, and!!! how can I forget, that this night is also what I call the “freedom” night… unfortunately, details can’t be divulged in this blog!... suffice to say, that IT was indeed a night!!! whatever that means…

29 September, Saturday… we started off really early, and by mid-morning, we are already by the beach – Surfer’s Paradise! The sun is soooo ready to burn our skin (not that mine can be burnt further, duh!). At the first instance, I favoured Surfer’s Paradise over Bondi, but I don’t necessarily think that this is a fair judgment. Oh, it also reminded me of Hawaii, yes, Hawaii… in front of you is the cool beach and behind you are tall buildings and hotels. No one’s ready for a swim yet, so after so-so clicks with canon, we headed off to SeaWorld! Entering seaworld made me feel like a kid again – I guess, that’s partly because of the smart kid we chatted with on the bus on the way. More so, when we pass by sesame street (not really a big fan that’s because I rarely watch it when I was a kid!), it makes me feel like going back to my younger years! Undoubtedly a roller coaster addict, I led the march to Cork Screw all the way to the very front of the coaster – it was great!!! Of course, we also did not miss the Pirate Ship. Although I would say, the Anchor’s Away in Enchanted Kingdom is much bigger, they both have the same impact on your stomach (yes, who don’t feel throwing up, raise your hand!!!). It was a good ride that gave us a birds eye view over Sea World. Next stop was the “Unknown” – I really can’t remember the name of the ride but I perfectly remember its entrance that says “Entrance to the Unknown” – that was a cool ride… true enough, every next turn is “unknown” – surpirise surprise!!! Now, hurry, hurry, and I mean, run… we can’t miss the dolphin show! I’ve been to so many dolphin shows already but this one really stunned me – those dolphins were hell amazing, makes me want to hug them… I seriously salute their trainers!!! After being amazed by the dolphins, we bid a quick hello to the polar bears and the sharks on our way back. We decided to take the cable car ride so we won’t miss the “Waterski Wipe Out”. That I would say is my favourite part of our Seaworld trip – one, because, I haven’t seen that kind of show in other themeparks I’ve been too before and two, because, those waterskiers were just bloody talented!!! They deserve a round of applause and a standing ovation!!! That was our day at Seaworld, now we are so ready for a swim! We went back to Surfer’s Paradise for a swim and of course, needless to say --- more pictures!!!

We planned to go to Brisbane but the cab charge is just not worth it… blah blah blah… we had dinner and next thing I know, I was deep sleep… no, I wasn’t drunk (missed the pubs! next time!)… just seriously tired…

30 September, Sunday… again up so early, its our last day and we have to pack our things ready for check out… “ano suot nyo?”… “pants na lang para direcho na sa airport”… “shorts ako, init kaya”… “e d na tayo makakapagpalit eh”… “oo nga”… “ cge na nga, ako na din”… everyone in jeans, off to Dreamworld… Excited? Ready! First stop, The Claw - tried traveling 9 storeys into the air, swinging at up to 75 km/hr? and wait, it also spins 360 degrees! who is scared? – ghie!, yes, nachicken ako while we were on queue… it feels literally being thrown up up, in circle and away! but duh, I love it and I really love it! Just right next to The Claw is the Wipe Out! The Wipeout spins, twists and tumbles you through a body-wrenching range of dumping breaker waves leaving you helpless - strapped in the middle with no lifeline. It was bloody awesome!!! Our next stop is a ride that left me twirled – I hate it but rondz loves it! I’ll never ride that again – er, I forgot the name! Cyclone is next – it travels 13 storeys with 1000 tones of high-speed, heart thumping, hair raising twists, and into a 360-degree loop and screaming sidewinder. It was cool and great but not very extraordinary compared to the other roller coasters. Ah, huge thanks to Cyclone, it gave me a view of Whitewaterworld – naku naku I want to go, I want to go, I want to go!!! Yah, right, we are in jeans!!! Okay, decide now, are we or are we not?! “Eto na, dapat kc nagshorts na lang talaga tayo”… Eh, no worries, thanks to that shop, ripped off $85 from my card for a pink thong, pink shortie shorts and a pink top… Don’t get too excited with Whitewaterworld guys, we can’t miss Giant Drop! - the tallest, free-falling ride in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World records. Free fall time is 5 seconds. The cruise to the top takes approximately 90 seconds. Falling 120 metres is the equivalent of falling from a 39-storey building. Giant Drop is the reason I insisted on Dreamworld (and yes, its my favorite). Aha, again, I felt so chicken on the queue – seryoso natakot ako although im really excited! Good thing, it took a while before our turn and then I was able to compose myself, eto na, the fear has died down, its now pure excitement!!! Okay, here we go… up, up, up, up, up… right, the view is great isn’t it, its amazing, we’re so close to the sky, tic tac tic tac, going down yet? dunno… yah, yah, couple of chats, then only who knows when… drop!!! Waaaahhhhhh…aaaaahhhh… aaaaahhhh… thank god, im still alive!!! That was fantastic!!! 2 rides we missed in Dreamworld are the Motocoaster and the Tower of Terror – we obviously wanted to go but the waiting time means we can’t go to the Whitewaterworld (the newest waterpark in Australia). Entering the waterpark makes me miss my family, especially my nephews and nieces – i’m sure they will love this place! Who wouldn’t?!!! Hyper as I am, run it is, not just walk… the park is closing in 3 hours. What can be a braver start than The Rip? It launches from a 16 metre tower into 12 metres of pitch black terror before blasting into a massive bowl of WhiteWater’s best. After the massive whirlpool of high speed revolutions, you are sucked into the corkscrew core, blasted through a huge curtain of water to experience a momentary weightlessness before launching into the plunge pool. That was a blast!!! Next stop is the BRO (Blue Ringed Octopus) – using specially designed sled mats, with your head first, slide from 16 metres high into a maze of thrilling twists and turns reaching speeds of around 50 km/hr. That was so great!!! The Green Room is up next. The almost an hour wait was definitely worth it. The specially designed 4 person cloverleaf tube accelerates from a 75 metre tunnel to a 15 metre funnel before literally dropping out! You are thrown into the upper hemisphere, off back-to-back vertical banks before a needle-nose splashdown that will give the most hardened of thrill seekers the chills. That was definitely amazing!!! And now… (drum rolls please)… I din’t know water parks have roller coasters too --- Super Tubes Hydrocoaster – it is a water-based rocket and the world’s very latest innovation in waterslide thrills and technology. That’s my favorite amongst the water rides – bloody awesome!!! What a day it was! Of course, we din’t miss some clicks, no way! And, obviously, we can’t hide the joy – no one can be more photogenic than us that day!!!

Needless to say that our holiday in Gold Coast is a blast!!! It was superb!!! I just love it!!!

In behalf of my Gold Coast buddies, i would like to thank our sponsors...

- Google.com for redirecting me to the right websites of the themeparks
- American Express for letting me book our flights...
- Jetstar for the budget airfare and the bonus bumpy landing...
- Sydney City Rail for the quick ride to the airport...
- Raddisson hotel for the nice accomodation, the daily morning transfers, and the luscious dinner...
- Gold Coast surfside bus lines for the great road trips to the theme parks...
- Rip Curl, Billabong and Roxy for dressing us up to the White Waterworld (what a rip off!)...
- Canon for our magnificent photos...
- Doritos, our official chips...

Lastly, what can be a better bonus if not dvds styled by rhie - it was absolutely fantastic!!!!

I can’t end without sayin’, “been there, done that, definitely going back!!!”…

traydor...

thought i have posted this but nah!

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i felt so betrayed! about 10 months ago, i wrote a piece about someone i almost considered a hero...



i've searched google and have read about a news about fr richard - i was stunned - seriously shocked - stupidly affected and unreasonably hurt!!! part of me is saying he is still a "good" priest as he delivers the mass really good, but i can't understand the lies! but then again, who am i to judge - that maybe is the "human" part of him... i'll continue to pray for him anyway... wew, that was a long piece, haha :p