june is almost over

I'm preparing my trip back home for work and vacation. I'm itching terribly to dive. I wanted to plunge into the deep blue see and interact once more with the seemingly
'stress free' marine life.

June is almost done. Halfway through 2006. How fast time flies. I almost forgot to feature my dad for it's the month for dads.

I sent him a stamp collection through the help of my friend in HK! I owe him for his wonderful favor. I hope Papa received and appreciated it.

My relationship with dad is nothing like what u think daughters would be to a father. My sister and I never had the "daddy's girl" relationship with him. "Papa" as we call him, was never affectionate but his impression and love for us is shown in many ways.

Being away from home makes me think how lucky we are to have very open minded, fair, generous and supportive father. He never imposed on us what he wants us to do. He never scolded us when we commit mistakes. Rather, he does it "mentor-mentee" type. He gathers all of us to watch a Chinese sitcom together, national geographic, discovery channel. He always bought us an enormous amount of books to read during summer season. He never fails to buy us gifts whenever he was abroad. He brought home and calls for pizza delivery whenever we are all together at home. (I've realized that it is really a big effort on his part to do all of these. I never thought it would be too troublesome to get us those gifts. Being part of the workforce now, I dread going back home coz I need to prepare gifts.) He never complained whenever I asked him to solve very difficult trigonometry/mathematical problems (I really suck in Math).

He's not perfect but I think we should only think of the good deeds and how people around us has helped us be better people. Dad is like "air" to us. He is almost invisible and yet he is vital to our lives. Right now, being an adult myself, I begin to realize it is not easy to be a parent especially if u have no model to follow on to. I'm sure Papa is trying his best to make up for the lost time spent abroad since his work requires him to be in HK most of the time.

Thanks papa for all the things u've done to us. We are very very grateful and can never repay the toil and trouble u have done for us. We hope we can spend more time together and u can retire soon!:P

aint no mountain high enough

I had a great weekend last week having the chance to climb Huangshan in Anhui Province. Huangshan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are very lucky to hike up the mountain with perfect weather. 90% of the people whom I asked and has been there told me it is important and essential that we get there without rain.

It was kinda difficult but it was all worth it. It was a perfect trip having had the great company. A friend and my brother. We climbed up the mountain VERY SLOWLY. The supposed to be 4 hours hike took us perhaps 8hours. We got to the top around 8! hahaha! It was fun.

I dont know how to describe the scenery. I was only able to climb up the easy way and was already impressed with what I saw. All said it was more scenic and beautiful if we took the western steps. Oh well, I can only afford two days since I have to work. :) I think it was the experience of seeing a seemingly "dormant" mountain with the interplay of clouds, fog and sun. Within 30 seconds, u'll experience and see a different view. It was spectacular.

Anyway, here are some of the "nicer" pictures.

the prodigal son

I got a message yesterday from a friend in Beijing who is also acquainted with my brother saying that he was really SWEET---a statement I didnt expect to hear and was surprised by it. I'm beginning to see a new life for our prodigal son....

Our middle brother (eldest among the brothers) is the meekest, quietest, weirdest among the three. He was on strike and was trying to be rebellious by growing his hair so long achieving that "surfer" look and that perfect shampoo hair endorser. Aside from which, he deliberately didnt want to work for...hmmm...4 years since he graduated. He started growing his hair since graduation.

But now I think he is discovering himself, finding meaning in his life and whereelse?! in Beijing. He is studying Mandarin now. The funny thing is that he is learning how to dance SALSA. I never saw my brother being passionate in dancing. He was the most ignored in the family. His views were often neglected and didnt have the means to express himself. I'm happy for him! It may seem that his new found passion in dancing is really making him a better person. At least, he is really trying to perfect it with passion.

I'm very touched with his small gestures of filial love to us. Well, I havent had a real experience but when my brothers visited him in Beijing. He was concerned enough to bring them Wal Mart food...roasted chicken, hotdogs, microwave meals. He was never like that when we were together growing up. And now, from the friend, he got my sister architecture and desing magazines..and where else?! WAL MART. He's staying now with my friend in Beijing since he will start his short course of Mandarin. He got her a nice purse bag which my friend also find it very surprising.

A man with few words but with a big heart and full of surprises......I hope u find ur true self soon and walk this life happily!

photo op

Okay, here I am again, getting that photo opportunity with a politician here in Shanghai. That's the benefit working abroad and being hosted by one of the biggest Filipino company here in China, the frequency and the chance that you meet the politicians back home is not difficult.

I invited Asel to join me and celebrate Independence Day. The speech of VP Noli de Castro was so long while everyone wants to get hold of the "cocktail" food which turned out to be real food! hahaha! Initially, Asel and I planned to check out the event and grab dinner elsewhere. But, because the food was superb, we didnt have to get dinner somewhere else...hehehe!

Celebrating Independence Day I think for a Filipino like me has lost its charm. Our VP was giving a speech how our economy is doing great with the fiscal control of the government and new tax collection scheme. I know that WE HAVE THE MONEY, but the problem is after its collection, where does it go?!?!?! The problem lies to the fact that the money which was collected is not spent wisely by the people in the seats. Am I being hypocritical here? Posting a pix with the VP and then criticizing his governance! hahaha!


Here's a pix of me and Asel with VP Noli De Castro. :D

office fengshui

Here's what my plant looks like to enhance the CHI in my office.

I'm excited to move into my new office. Actually, it is not far from where I hold office now. Still in the same building inside the production area. I chose the date to move tomorrow because according to my Fengshui calendar, tomorrow (June 8) is the best day to move in. I hope it does.

I think this is a sign of my getting "old." I'm now beginning to find meaning and be more sensitive to the things around me. I finally decided that I'm getting myself a fortune plant. I think I was ripped off...:( Oh well, my selection of the plants composed of not to die asap plants so that I can maintain the "chi" in my new office.

Oh boy, what's the relevance of these plants with the heading of my blog. Hahaha! I want to have a green thumb. Let's see if I can develop a passion for taking care of plants. I think getting a dog is too high maintenance for a newbie care taker wanna be that I am. I hope I'll be able to "attend" to my plant's needs. Hahaha!

I will try to show u progress and decay ( I hope this will not happen)....Wish me luck! My name "Marie" in the Book of Names say that I should be a green thumb...have a knack with plants. The most that I had to deal with plants is green mongo seeds back in elementary school! :D