i wanted one...

I wanted to buy my own bicycle so i can save on cab fare (usually i take the cab when i am running late - which is almost everyday).
What stopped me from buying are the following:

Rain - I don't find raincoats or umbrellas fashionable, especially when you're pedalling away

Crazy Drivers - they drive like crazy, they drive fast, they speed drive.

Security - 2 of my officemates parked (and locked) their bikes outside the local bread shop when it started to rain, when it cleared...the "rain" apparently took their bikes.

uniform

I would have not noticed her, but guess what caught my attention.

You are right, the hair accessory, the scrunchie. it's part of the uniform! I completely understand the caps, hats or aprons, but the hair accessory...it's completely...fascinating!

Speaking of uniform, something went into my head. High School field trip, we were required to wear our uniforms, we were on our way home when suddenly one of my classmates screamed..."The curtain on that bus and our skirts are one and the same". Shucks!

I would have followed her all the way to the resto where she works, but nah...i only have 5 minutes left. What i will do now, is look for her by having lunch in one of those restaurants near my office.

I could imagine it now, all of them serving me lunch and i will be looking at those scrunchies...with a smile on my face.

parade

I went to work early, i was looking for the best route, the "summer route" with more trees and shade. This is the first time that i saw them, they are all dressed up!

Like they are participating in a parade of some sort.

I was just here last Friday, they were not "dressed" then. It took me a while to notice the lampost on the left and the floodlights below...ahhh...these are accent trees. They will make the area look less industrial especially at night.

I saw the other side last Saturday night, the facade looks a little soft with yellow lights and wall features...I promise to take a night shot and show it to you.

Oh. by the way, I had a very nice walk.

rainy sunday

I was supposed to swim...i played badminton very early, i prepared adobo, i cleaned the house while the adobo is slowly being cooked...i had the whole day planned, at 3:40pm it started to rain, it was a downpour. I was wearing my swimsuit, i was so ready to plunge in the water. i had to cancel, i had to change, i had to think of something else to do!!!

I love it when it rains in Manila, i love the cold wind, the sound of it and the way it streams in our street, i just love it. i love rain.

Everything is different in China, i don't like going out in the rain, roads are muddy. I've been here for a year, i know what the street looks like, rain or otherwise.

There was nowhere else to go but stay at home and watch DVDs, cable won't work, i have a satellite dish that will never receive feeds if it rains or blocked by very thick rain clouds.

high fashion

Is it me? or them?

It was summer the second time i visited China and for most of them, summer means showing off their best in short summer dresses which they usually match with stilettos. I was trapped in prom fever, everywhere i look girls are dressed like they're out to party! Laces, satin, sequins, ribbons, everything you can imagine.

They go to work everyday wearing those frilly dresses, sometimes when i get on the elevator, i feel so lost and so underdressed...i usually have the "i-didn't-get-the-memo" feeling.

What bothers me though...is how in the world do they ride their bicycles? Bicycles are still in fashion here, it is still very much used. I guess you can imagine people-wearing-skirts and bicycles together...but add to the that the stilettos(?)

Well, it's summer once again, and yes i see them everywhere. The are back! Going to work today i saw her, i like her dress, not to frilly...and to answer my first question, it's me. i don't read memos, i think its high time i wear one to blend with the locals.

of buses and queues

Bus or Train?...i will choose the former. They have a very efficient public transport system, every area is practically covered. You'll have to do a little walking to get on from one station to another; or a little hike if you forgot what bus number you should take and ended up taking the longer bus route, that will never in a million years stop at your station...but it is perfectly fine. You can always cross the street and take the same number back and start all over again.

The only problem is that locals are not really fond of queuing, they'll wait for the bus at the designated station, and once it arrives...pandemonium erupts. People just claw their way in. It's messier when it rains.

I am used to it, it's like Manila, particularly in the Philcoa area between 4 - 6pm, where half of the Quezon City population waits for their buses and jeepneys bound for Fairview or Lagro...those were the days. It was a good training.

This bus station is very near where i live. Buses here goes to the beach (2 hours), pass by the public market, and that clothing depot that i have yet to explore.

why did i forget the battery?

I promised to take pictures everyday...of places, of what i see, of everyday things.

I woke up very early to catch the 8:00 am bus to HK (for work) i figured i had plenty of time, i moved a little slow today.

I took my cab, i was at the Immigration area, about to take out my passport....then i remembered, i plugged my phone in together with my camera battery...it was supposed to be the perfect shot...7:20am, just me, the immigration building and the clear blue sky...sorry...will have to do that next time.

I know you've seen a lot of HK pictures (from friends and family), but i am posting my favorite HK picture, somewhere in Stanley Bay. We were crossing the street (and taking pictures...multitasking), when this cab blocked my shot...it turned out OK.

why?

This is where i am now. I am in China, i've been working as a planner in a multinational firm for a year now. So far, i am enjoying every minute of it. I've been in and out of Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi for the past 12 months because of work...it is physically tiring - ferry, bus, train, plane, you name it - but i am fine with it.
So, why did i work in China? I've been asked and i have been asking myself why...up to now, the only reason i can think of is...because it's China.
Maybe in the next couple of months i will be able to answer that.
But now...i am still enjoying everything...