My Chemical Week

This post is a week overdue and I blame it all on the crazy week that was. It was a like a series of unfortunate events starting Monday, the details of which I will not even share. It was only Tuesday when it seemed it couldn't get any worse when Heath Ledger died. Talented, young, and it has to be said - hot - it is a tragedy reminiscent of James Dean (according to R), or Rico Yan (according to me). But really, that was a downer - of course i didn't know him but with the week that was, having someone die that young, really got to me. Actually, anyone dying young or old gets to me. Some other trivial things happened like the stock market almost crashed along with the wavering US economy (It's the war, stupid! I always think) and Obama and Hilary had a slugfest in the Democratic debates. And news back home? I'm sure its dreary but my week was so bad I didn't even have time to check inq.net! On Wednesday one of my staff got into an accident and I had to make arrangements to bring her to the hospital. My boss is actually thinking of having "some sort of blessing by feng shui or a monk" in our office because too many bad things have happened lately. Well I didn't know feng shui was "some sort of blessing", and I didn't know if she was counting the Heath tragedy in, but well whatever ticks her fancy - she's the boss anyway (suffice it to say I wasn't very fond of her in the week that passed too). But that's done. Over with. The start of the week wasn't so bad actually. In fact it was great. Hint?


Sunday, January 20 was Unite 08, a Tiger beer event where, well, beer flowed and well, rock music rocked the house. Headlining the event was an "obscure" band from New Jersey called My Chemical Romance. Yes, My Chemical Romance was in Saigon!!!! We scored sweet, free tickets and along with our friends S,A, B, J, E, and my new friend, A. L and I trooped to the stadium in Tan Binh district, near the airport to watch the show. A few days before, S & A actually stalked the band - attending the meet-and-greet and having their t-shirts signed ala fangirl+fanboy. They even had a paparazzi-like shot of Gerard having a cig in his hotel...




It was a great, super fun event. I mean, how often do rock bands go to Vietnam??? According to the band, "We might be wrong, but they say we're the first rock band here in 30 years. But you know what? It f*cking doesn't matter!" And how often do you get tickets for FREE? Like, never? It was great to see the Vietnamese rocking it out too. Some white boys and girls were there of course (of the 14-year old variety, mostly). When the entrance riffs of "I Don't Love You" started to play, the crowd went wild and pretty soon everyone was singing, "I don't love you, like I love you yesterdayyyyyyyy!". How very emo di ba? But the band rejects the emo title saying "Emo is a pile of shit" and wants to be called simply a rock band. Which they are, emo lyrics and all, hehe. Here are more pics:

A had to point out that Gerard was bursting out of his shirt probably because of too much beer. Haha. But he's cute. I love boys in eyeliner. Well, maybe not all - just the the My Chem kind. :)

Saigon rocks!

So really, I can't complain of the not-so-great week that was. It started out right, with a rock band and all. And it ended right too - we met with I who was here for a few days for some quality bonding time. And we also met with M's mom + her amigas who were also visiting Saigon. In the weekend, we chilled and got over the stress of the week before (but not Heath's death just yet). And today, it's a Monday again. But I'm starting it right here in Ciao Cafe writing my blog and drinking (and getting tipsy already) and waiting for L. Life is sweet. We have to try make it that way don't we?

BIG Things

No, I haven't forgotten that i have a blog and having a blog means you should actually write in it. I just got caught up in the holidays, the blast that was 2007 ending. I went home, left home, got back to work - and now it has finally sunk in. 2007? It's a wrap.

2007 , like I said was a blast. It was a year of more change and growing up. I got settled a little bit more in Saigon during the past year; I saw some friends and family that came to visit and that was great. I went home to twice, first in Feb and then in Dec. My main highlight for 2007 was learning more about myself and what I could do and what I want to do. The plans are all laid out in my head, it's just getting there that needs to be resolved (not a big task, you know!).

So 2008 is the year when I act and get the wheels rolling. I'm up for BIG things. I'm also up for small things that make a BIG difference. What I'm saying is, 2008 should just bring it on. I'm ready for anything. Hmm. Except maybe the part about turning 30. How does one ready herself for that?

putting the helm in helmet

I had a first today, or so I think.

Dec 15, apart from it being one of my bestfriends, Risa's birthday was also the the day when Vietnam saw the full force of the Helmet law. A few months back, Vietnam's governmet passed the Helmet law, first applying only to government officials. To give everyone enough time to purchase their equipment, they announced the December 15, 2007 will be D-Day. On that day, everyone - driver or passenger, gov't official or not (rich or poor, young and old!) found riding on the streets of Vietnam are required to wear a helmet, otherwise it's a 100,000 -200,000 VND penalty. And you could be fined as many times on the street if you are caught.

Thus, helmets, they're the new fab fashion accessory!

So today I got on Son's bike and wore a helmet. For the first time in my life (or maybe I wore it during one of those DWTL activities?). I don't really remember. But today was the first time at least that I wore on the street and on a bike. In short, I wore it for its real purpose. :) It was weird - I've worn a hat of course, even a hard hat but a helmet is something else. It feels too heavy on your head and it makes you sweat faster because of the padding. But that's just me complaining. I think the helmet law is a great thing, what with all the street accidents happening on these streets everyday. I'd take anything that could preserve your brain from frying on the pavement(ok, too graphic) anytime over, well, the "comfort" of your hair flying freely all over the place.

Dec 15,2007. Mark that day in history: the day the helmet helmed Saigon's streets into a safer place (hopefully) . For hygenic purposes, I'm getting my own and I'm getting it in pink. At least if I'm getting helmet hair, I'm getting it in style.

I pray that it suits me, I hate bad hair days. Among other things.

Option to Shower

I've had my share of interviews gone haywire in my years as a recruiter. On a bad day, you can meet 9 out of 10 really bad ones. And the 10th one, just when you are losing your patience turns out to be either 1) painfully so-so or 2) unexpectedly weird. If you ask me, I prefer the weird to the so-so, at least it provides for entertainment.

Anyway. My client, Julie told me this story one day when she interviewed a candidate for her company. Considering how hard it was to hire really good people here in Vietnam, this guy did pretty good at the start of the interview. He seemed to really know what he was talking about and Julie was happy for such breath of fresh air - relieved too that she would finally be able to hire someone for a position that's been open for months. Until towards the end of the interview that went like this:


Julie: So, it looks good, I think we can work out something here. Before we end, do you have any questions you want to know about our company, the job? Feel free to ask...

Candidate: Yes I actually have one question...

Julie: Shoot!

Candidate: Do you have washroom in the office?

Julie: Oh, yes of course we do. It's on the third floor and actually I can give you a tour now...

Candidate: Um, does it have a shower?

Julie (now really finding this weird): Um, sorry no we don't. Can I ask why?

Candidate (looking sinccerly disappointed): Oh. Then I can't accept the job. I'm sorry.

Julie (a little bit speechless, but damn this was too weird so she can't just let it go): I'm sorry, but did you just say that you can't accept the job because we don't have a shower???

Candidate: Yes. I need to shower a few times a day at work. It's really important.

Julie was stumped, bewildered, and in the end just felt like cracking up. She managed to thank him for his time and say sorry that they couldn't reach "to an agreement". Because, really what do you say to THAT?

Projection

GMA on Trillanes et. al:

“You saw it on television. It’s clear that the actions of these few desperate men reveal just how out of touch they are with the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino,” the President told the Filipino community here after her arrival for a two-day visit.
"The actions of these misguided men undermine each and every one of the genuine aspirations of real Filipinos. Instead of working to bring the nation together by working within our democratic process, their actions merely are fuel for selfish motives, for personal gain,” she said, adding that in the end, “the rule of law prevailed.”
“The transgressors will not hold this nation hostage with impunity. They will be punished to the full extent of the law. Justice shall be served and the interest of the people upheld,” said the President.
(http://www.inquirer.net/)


In psychology it's called Freudian Projection:
'A defense mechanism in which the individual attributes to other people impulses and traits that he himself has but cannot accept. It is especially likely to occur when the person lacks insight into his own impulses and traits.'

Everything she said above could be easily directed at herself. I loved the statement where she observes how out of touch those people are to the hopes and dreams of the average Filipino. So out of touch (and brazen) is she that she doesn't even mind that the aspiration of every Filipino - regular or not - is to have her a** kicked from office, an office which by the way she stole. Trillanes' only faults are that 1) he didn't learn from history - it flopped before why do it again? 2) he didn't get the needed mass to achieve tipping point 3) he offered himself up for the power, so now he's just like the rest of them politicians.

But hey this pseudo-president is on the right track of her own impending downfall. Soon, we all hope! And so that proverbial Moonpools and Caterpillars song, 'Soon' comes to mind, "And one day soon, it's gonna happen to you and when it does it won't be prettyyyyy..."

Meeee (possibly the most pa-cute blog title)

(I got this from my friend's blog)

Type your answers in Google Images and pick an image off the first page. etc.

[1] The age you will be on your next birthday:

[2] A place to which you’d like to travel:

[3] Your favorite place:

[4] Your favorite object:

[5] Your favorite food:

[6] Your favorite animal:

[7] Your favorite color:

[8] The town in which you were born:

[9] The town in which you live:

[10] The name of a past pet:

[11] The first name of a past love:

[12] Your bestfriend's nickname/screen name:

[13] Your nickname:

(Well, it's my blog. :p)

[14] Your first name:

(Yes, my first name is Nitro.)

[15] Your middle name:

[16] Your last name:

[17] A bad habit of yours:

[18] Your first job:

[19] Your grandmother’s name:

[20] Your major in college:

...and finally [21] Your favorite word:

Sister Love in Saigon

They came, they saw and they conquered. And now I miss them. It's actually been three weeks since my sisters and almost-brother came to visit us in Saigon. They stayed here for a week - too short, but we managed to pack a lot of activities (and a lot of eating!) in the 7 days that they were here. Nov 2, Friday was the day they arrived. We were too excited to see each other we forgot to take the reunion airport pic! We remembered to take it just before we left Hung Vuong 2 (where we live) that night:

On their first night, it was dinner in Ben Thanh market where we sampled fresh spring rolls, pork barbecue, fried clams with garlic, red snapper (or simply tilapia!) and hot vit lon otherwise called balut. Yes, balut exists in Vietnam and it is eaten in a very saucy manner - with matching "throne" where you put the egg and teaspoon.

Day 2, we were off to Mui Ne in Phan Tiet for some sun, sea and sand and more. I love Mui Ne - it's not only a beach but there are loads more to see like the white and yellow sand dunes, the red canyon, fishing village, and fairy stream. Unfortunately the Red Canyon was closed on this trip but we managed to see all the other sights plus lounge in the beach and pool for some quality bonding time and great food. Dinner was spent in Luna D' Autonno, which they absolutely loved. The pizza and pasta were perfect to cap off an adventurous day.










We went home the next day and the rest of the time flew by so fast. On the days when I had to work, I booked them to a trip to the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta where they had their share of the culture and history of Vietnam. On their last day, they hit the museums and did some heavy duty city walking (and map reading - we armed them with a map of Saigon and left them to their own devices). In between, of course we spent time for shopping and lounging and seeing the sights. Mags had his share of the Vietnam coffee experience, where after two glasses of robusta coffee, he felt jittery and restless and unable to sleep til dawn. Haha. Apart from that, it was all about food: Temple Club, Luna, Ngon, Windows Cafe, and Black Cat on the last night for the Big Cheese Burger.






One thing was for sure - it was never without our friend, Tiger.



.... or Miguel, or Zorok, depending on our mood and who was available:)


It was fun and tiring, but ultimately it was just great to be together again. But as most vacations go, it ended and it was pretty hard to get back to normal after 7 wonderful days of togetherness.



In the airport, we didn't cry over goodbyes but afterwards we had to admit to each other that when we had gone our separate ways (me at home alone and them in the pre-departure area) we cried. Well the world turns - Julia after that weekend started with a new job, Tenten back to her day job and then the more enjoyable night job of singing in a band, Mags back to cooking school and playing in the band too, and well, Lem and I, we continue to survive the Saigon life while always longing for home and if that can't happen yet, the next big vacation.



In the meantime, in able to cope with the perils of our mundane existence, we have taken to planning our next reunion and this time it includes Cambodia plus more of Vietnam sometime next year. Can't wait for that, but there's another reunion that happens next month and this time it's no where else but home.






See u soon girls...and boy - and well, everyone else! More of our pics are in my multiply, here.

Favorite: Bubbles

Some post-Halloween pics from home. Meet my favorite powerpuff girl Bubbles, in Egyptian garb:

Sugar

Spice

And everything nice

(if you're on her good side)

My cousin Leslie a.k.a Bubbles is one of the people I truly miss. She sent me a drawing via my sisters on their trip and I was surprised to see she draws so well now. Well, she "traces drawings" well is what my sister tells me. Leslie is my little friend who manages to make me feel better on a bad day, laugh out loud with her silly antics and kabarokan, annoyed when she gets too bratty, protective when I see how the world can possibly be not kind to her always... This tiny package makes me feel closest to knowing how mothers feel about their kids: you want to protect them and wish nothing would harm them, ever. Or just plain selfishly, you just wish they would never grow up. There's just a handful of people I love to bits and she's one of them. One of the best reasons to go home soon.

Excited

2 Nov 2007 @1430 hours (GMT+7:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta

My sisters and brother are landing in Saigon in 24 hours and I can't wait. Excited to see them, excited to be away from work, excited for the weekend getaways, excited over the loads of stuff from home. and excited for another day away from the office on Monday. No manic monday for me next week. Yey!

21 December @ 1900 hours (GMT+8:00) Singapore, Kuala Lumpur

Got a passport, will use it. Confirmed the flight and the ticket is sitting pretty in my cabinet, ready to be used. Guess where I'll be til Jan 4? Extremely excited about that too. :)

So no more blues for me, there's at least two things to look forward to! Did I mention I was excited?