L U I

Last friday was Labor day so we need not labor. All of us pinoys went to Baolilai Hotel which was just across the street to try out their new indoor pool.

I'm not anorexic damnit! hehe

I've been seeing Swine Flu headlines everywhere, I hope they finally put an end to it. It's bad enough that the economy has to worry about itself, and having a pandemic is certainly just going to make things worse.

On a positive note, baby Ange is at the office today with ate Ada. It's such a boring afternoon... until she came. She is sooooo cute and fat and adorable, we would pass her around but she would always cry really loud, she only wants ate Ada to be the one holding her. She would smile if you would sing to her Beyonce's "Single Ladies" though.

Went to the Canton Fair in GuangZhou last friday, it was the first time I've ever been to that show and I'm just floored at how BIG it was. It's like bigger than HK airport, probably even busier. Anyway I was there with my boss and art director to check out what everyone was doing; then again everyone was doing the same thing in just different variations. I really love going to trade shows as it gives me more insight on the business, gives me a sense of what the whole industry is up to. It was a good day for all three of us actually, even though we were a bit tired. We got dinner in this Taiwanese restaurant and boy was it yummy,and fried oysters...goodness, I don't know about getting horny afterwards but was I satisfied. My boss invited us for a foot massage when we got back but I politely declined, had other plans... it would've been nice though.

Next day I was off to HK for some errands-- my feet are beginning to hate me. It hasn't even recovered from all the walking I did the day before. It's a gloomy and rainy day but I pretty much enjoyed it, there weren't too many people; HK wasn't as bustling and chaotic as it usually is. I had this huge urge to shop but luckily I didn't have any money and I didn't bring my credit card so it was good, I just diverted my thoughts by munching on a bag of chocolates.

And as for my regular dose of gorgeousness, I googled this guy I was rooting for on last years "Make Me A Supermodel", Frankie Godoy. I wanted to know whatever happened to him...I was just disappointed when he got voted off, I mean c'mon, he has the most supermodel face if there's such a thing. Not that I didn't like Holly Kiser, she's awesome, but from all the guys that remained, I just expected that he'd be the one left. Actually I don't care, because now he IS a supermodel in his own right. God he is beautiful @@.

I'm doing all sorts of things simultaneously, some worthwhile, some pointless. I guess I'm just trying to keep myself busy, I miss home a lot.

     To be able to survive this life, we sometimes function similarly to cellphones. Turn ourselves "on" during Mondays and work until we drain our energy, usually during Fridays (in worse cases, during mid-week Wednesdays). So we then need to recharge ourselves to be able to function again, or risk being burned-out, resulting in psychosis or dementia. We do this on weekends.

    Today I went out with Chris. We watched this new movie "Aliens vs Monsters" in 3d which was so hilarious, we were just laughing the whole time with the kids, and with their parents too. We also went to the arcade and had a blast playing the machines like we were some escaped juvenile delinquents. Shooting zombies, racing cars (he's always the first) and a fighting game versus each other (I won of course haha), it was a lot of fun. People even gathered around us while we were playing, also because we were screaming at each other. Being with him is kinda similar to hanging out with my brothers, I mean besides them checking out girls all the time, which is hardly relatable for me, nevertheless we had fun and never had a dull moment.

<Intently making sure that I eat dust as he constantly overtakes me when I'm in the lead.

     Went to a couple of museums in the city with Will, as I am in desperate need of some Chinese culture. The artifacts and other exhibits are incredibly gorgeous, ancient Chinese art is really beautiful. I probably took photos of almost all of the exhibits, but I'm posting only my favorite pieces.

<The new SZ museum.

<Antique metal containers.

<It's the famous terracotta warrior, very nice and creepy.

<Ancient Rhinoceros sculpture.

I don't know what this little round metal thingy is, but it's so gorgeous with very detailed markings on it.

An ornate, golden goddess, it's such a treasure.

Probably the burial suit of a late emperor, it's said to be made out of gold, mummy anyone?

Lighted fish lanterns, I hope they still use these today.

It's the wax wedding of the century! God they look so life-like, I'm scared!

More traditions in wax.

  Can you feel the love tonight? Newly weds are about  to get it on, aw!

More ancient traditions.

An enormous finely-sculpted mural.

Will surfing some explicit materials, just kidding.

Some huge sculptures outside the old museum.

This big golden dragon commemorates the return of HK to China.

EEEEkkkk! The ugly bird wants to eat me! Oh its just a stuffed animal, whew.

If one of these stuffed animals move I'm going to run and scream like a girl.

  <This fish gives a new meaning to UGLY.

Some wonderful paintings.

Spent a day with Bong and Jay in HK, its their 10th anniversary. I wonder what's it like to be with someone for 10 years...

They stand beside a clock for good reason, their love was able to stand the test of time:)

Also got to hang out with Teri to talk about stuff. It's so funny how we relate easily with each other but at the same time, I think she's too mature for her own age, or maybe I'm just immature for mine. Anyway she treated me this appetizing lunch, with food being cooked in front of us.

We saw this freaky crocodile head immersed in ice, god who would eat such hideous looking creature.

She also invited me to have dinner at her home, which is a little surprise to me, it's very nice of her. Her mom cooked dinner which is really good, I was stuffed. I remember her home being spotless, incredibly tidy, now I understand why Teri enjoys staying home.

Thank God for weekends.

     I hastily grabbed my bag and told Mike that I need to go, I was late for dinner. "Just eat outside, you're rich anyway" he said, pointing out that we just got our salary. "I didn't leave word that I won't eat here, the cook will probably hate me already" I replied, quickly remembering how it was becoming a habit of mine. Mike didn't say anything, or perhaps he did, but I was already out the door.

     The 7th floor dining hall was it's usual gloomy self, it has been like this since, well...let's just say it has seen happier times. Lazily I dropped my bag on the chair and picked up the xiao wan, quickly glancing at the four dishes served on the table. Four...or was it five, I'm not really sure.

     After filling my bowl with rice I started to munch on some green, stalky vegetables, I've always liked this kind. I ate very slowly tonight, much slower than usual; perhaps the thought of eating at KFC would've been a better choice. I stared at my bowl with pity, but scooped up a mouthful nonetheless...and then I saw it: situated between a few chopped stalks was a black elongated creature...it was unmistakably familiar. Trying not to panic-- or hurl, I scooped it out, thinking that it just might be some burnt bean or something. But of course it wasn't, it's a fucking cockroach with it's evil tiny legs still intact. I looked at the girl beside me, Cherry, and felt a bit adamant to tell her about the foul ingredient in my dinner. "I'm not eating here!" I blurted out, but only loud enough for only her to hear. "Yes?" she said, giving me a puzzled look, as I pointed with my chopsticks the remains.

     Even before Cherry could say a word I was again grabbing my bag, hasty to leave. For a moment I felt sorry for her, after seeing that thing I'm sure she also lost her appetite. As I walked out the hall I heard her screaming the cook's name twice from her seat, she's going to give him some lashing for me. Besides, there's no way I'm going to call him out on that...who knows what he could put in my plate??