tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25946114686225034262011-07-08T13:17:04.030+10:00Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-28525590604967541912010-05-22T11:31:00.004+10:002010-05-22T12:22:43.739+10:00

Some random things I have learned/observed in the workplace for the past two weeks: 1. While doing some computations during training, I asked the facilitator for a scratch paper and she thought I was referring to some form of "art paper". Turns out I should have said "scrap paper." 2. I have learned in my first month in Oz (mostly while watching TV) that locals pronounce the letter Z and H

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-55937808425492578582010-05-03T22:43:00.012+10:002010-05-03T22:58:08.441+10:00

ME I am commuting to work and feeling so nervous since it's my first day. What's weird though is the path I'm taking brings me to the mini hills of the pre-school area of my alma mater, San Beda Alabang. But still I keep on walking like it's the most normal thing in the world... and it leads me to the mountains of Tibet. I continue on and then I pass through a desert (I know, it gets weirder)

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-15181353057943424322010-05-01T23:54:00.009+10:002010-05-02T00:23:09.085+10:00

Forget about Nicole. Younger sister Antonia Kidman is  a breath of fresh air. TV host, journalist, model, mother of four...she still looks like a regular person and is a lot, lot healthier. Coming out strong after the end of an 11-year marriage, everyone is ecstatic over her new engagement with Singapore-based businessman Craig Marran. So question is, who's moving where? I wake up with Today!

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-11539810988300722442010-05-01T22:17:00.002+10:002010-05-01T22:18:33.211+10:00

We just got back from a (hoooot) dinner at Tandoori Flames with Jimmy's friends from work Caroline and Kathy, and their plus ones Paul and Dan. Nakakahiya mang aminin, it was our very first time in this Indian restaurant when it's located just across our flat. Ever since we're just not keen on spicy food. What we really, really, really, reeeeeeally love though is Italian and every time we feel

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-63714572470597404072010-04-30T15:19:00.000+10:002010-04-30T15:19:31.785+10:00

Sa wakas, I found the lyrics of our favorite hymn at St. Margaret Mary. We both haven't encountered this song in Manila and it just makes us at peace every time we hear it: Come as you are, that's how I want you Come as you are, feel quite at home Come to my heart, loved and forgiven Come as you are, why stand alone? No need to fear, love sets no limits No need to fear, love never ends

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-9905531450372469172010-04-30T13:17:00.006+10:002010-04-30T15:21:20.622+10:00

Since graduating from college, I was probably at my slimmest when I left Manila six months ago. On my last day at work, I weight myself at the clinic and the scale whipped up a beautiful 118 pounds (at 5'6 that's glorious for me). These days, I rely on those bathroom weighing scales on sale at Big W or K-Mart. Since we're practically there every weekend, I pretend I'm shopping for one by

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-64663145803538581162010-04-29T09:40:00.003+10:002010-04-30T14:57:08.085+10:00

*Tumbling, tumbling, tumbling* After four months of waiting, my new visa has finally arrived! It came through registered mail this morning and after ripping the seal off and furiously skimming through all the legal provisions of x number of pages, I finally found the words that made my day: ".... allows you unrestricted permission to work and to travel overseas and re-enter Australia... until

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-58397639916100955822010-04-28T15:06:00.005+10:002010-04-30T15:02:00.275+10:00

Ang tao wala talagang contentment. When I arrived in Melbourne last year, I couldn't wait to start working. I must have been sending out thirty, forty customized resumes per day, applying for everything I could possibly get myself into. I have managed to churn out sets of cover letters and CVs per industry---banking, communications, insurance, call centers, retail, hospitality, tourism,

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-13660201920479397872010-01-04T10:08:00.000+11:002010-01-04T10:08:00.730+11:00

Our relationship is two years old today---which we just remembered over the weekend while we were doing our general cleaning. Hehe. Me: Alam mo, ito pala ang pinaka-progressive two-year relationship ko. Him: Oo nga no. Congrats! Ang galing mo! So two years down and (six? seven? eight?) decades ahead. But for now, it means this day next year we're getting hitched again---this time with family,

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-75287688299154547022009-12-31T11:19:00.008+11:002009-12-31T11:34:01.590+11:00

Given its timezone, Australia is one of the first countries to welcome 2010 and initially we planned to drive to Sydney and watch the famous fireworks by the harbor for New Year's Eve. However, plan was sacked a week ago when hubby was advised to report for work during the holidays.  In hindsight, it's not really that bad since the extra income can do wonders and we can just prepare a simple,

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-80059523990018647812009-12-29T15:44:00.003+11:002009-12-29T15:52:06.814+11:00

  It was thirty degrees the day after Christmas and we just had to get out of the house so we packed some snacks, brought out the picnic blanket we got as a wedding gift from a friend based in South Africa and printed Google maps. The spur of the moment thing led us to a day of driving along Great Ocean Road, a 243 km stretch along South East of Australia passing through various Victorian

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-7706528135183399262009-12-25T17:27:00.023+11:002009-12-25T18:22:01.994+11:00

With the wedding, honeymoon, new apartment, visa upgrade application and about a hundred other expenses in a one-income household, it's a must to tighten the belts. So I thought hubby and I kind of had an unspoken deal that we won't be giving gifts to each other for Christmas (or for any occasion in the near future). We can't really complain since 2009 has been a good year for us and we've had

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-25303775216901022822009-12-25T12:59:00.003+11:002010-04-29T14:10:23.849+10:00

We are thankful for wonderful friends who have graciously invited us over for dinner but we decided to defer and hold date night to celebrate our first Christmas Eve together in Melbourne.  After hearing the 6 pm  mass, hubby took me to Il Divo in Altona Meadows that reminded me so much of Italiannis back home. We wanted to dine al fresco but it started to rain and the cold was picking up (dang

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-54728793148364784242009-12-23T11:34:00.045+11:002009-12-23T13:57:30.892+11:00

Sa pelikula ba yon ni Piolo at Claudine kung saan may cherry-picking na eksena? Iyon ang laman ng utak ko habang palaboy-laboy sa bukid ng mga cherries hawak ang asul na timba sa outing namin nung linggo. Pinasyal nila ako sa bulubunduking lugar ng Dromana, mahigit dalawang oras na biyahe mula sa lungsod na siguro kasinglayo na ng Olongapo dahil walang katrapik-trapik. Nung una eh pumapalag pa

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-78326004470955422602009-12-08T12:04:00.015+11:002009-12-09T10:23:17.942+11:00

A couple of bus stops away from South Kingsville is the Yarraville Library, one of the four libraries under the Marybyrnong Council and the closest one in the neighborhood. I spent a refreshing morning today at the lib, something I should have started doing a month ago, and now I'm itching to go back. Only proof of residence is needed for a free membership and one can borrow up to 30 books for 3

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-49683920401294499772009-12-07T13:48:00.008+11:002010-01-05T08:36:56.503+11:00

In quest of the perfect Monito-Monita gift for Jimmy's officemate, we ended up doing our weekly grocery yesterday at K-Mart, a Greenbelt 1-ish mall in Altona Gate where we chanced upon a Christmas sale for decors! We were planning to buy our Christmas stuff at Footscray but J said why not splurge in the mall for a change since it's our first Aussie Christmas anyway? :) So now our humble abode is

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-70190634666249294182009-12-07T13:45:00.011+11:002009-12-09T10:24:08.611+11:00

I made new friends last Saturday... Obet (Economics graduate from LB and a batchmate of one of Jimmy's brothers) turned "21" and we were invited to a barbie (que; Aussies are fond of shortcuts ending with "ie") at his place. It was my first time to meet the Evangelistas though J has sent me photos of them in the past. I simply adore his Malaysian wife Angela (witty, amicable and just all-around

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-36523499868299692262009-12-04T22:16:00.009+11:002009-12-23T13:05:10.536+11:00

We just got back from a lovely evening with the Cornejos---Miguel and Jen invited us to watch the annual Christmas Carols Concert at St. Kevin's College where their son Lucio is a sixth grader. It was my first time at the East side and they toured me around Toorak, Melbourne's version of Forbes Park and Ayala Alabang, where the school was located. It was a picnic concert, something I haven't

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-67522799134450938932009-12-01T10:22:00.021+11:002009-12-09T10:25:40.077+11:00

The last time I had a legitimate exercise (legitimate meaning no slacking off---a whole hour of a "rigorous sport") was in May 2005 at Slimmer's World in Pasay Road, Makati. I used to be hooked in their Advanced Aero Jam class thrice a week after work at Insular Life for about a year and a half. Then I started grad school in June 2005 and since then I've never been back to the gym. It was

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-24959474508485386752009-11-30T08:09:00.020+11:002010-04-30T14:33:05.500+10:00

I look forward to Sundays as it means a trip to Footscray, the central multicultural shopping area of West Victoria being the business and residential hub of Asian and European immigrants. I feel at home whenever I'm here as I can easily get lost in the crowd of Vietnamese, Chinese, South Africans, Italians, Greeks, Indians, Filipinos (of course!), etc as I'm no different unlike in other suburbs

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-62695778538088166492009-11-30T07:47:00.004+11:002009-11-30T08:09:28.380+11:00

My mom sent me this yesterday to show that finally she was able to include a framed photo of our wedding in our living room back home.And I sent her this. Haha. We just got our blow-up from David Hsu and it's so huge it's freaking us out. Since we're just renting, we can't just hammer nails wherever we want (that's how strict real estate agencies are here; they have a count of ALL existing holes

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-27755101481471163692009-11-27T08:14:00.014+11:002010-04-30T14:26:15.903+10:00

It's been raining for three days now which is actually good for me since I've stopped being paranoid of being swept up in a fire. I wasn't alarmed at first since Melbourne is supposed to be a pretty safe region from bush fires but last week Jimmy and I were on our way home from the supermarket and we passed through a street just along Spotswood Train Station and we were shocked. A couple of

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-21140268693283762982009-11-25T11:46:00.006+11:002009-11-25T12:01:24.760+11:00

One of the things I like about our apartment is when I don't feel like cleaning up the kitchen...Voila! The sliding door does the trick!Now I can resume my cooking lesson with my mom in peace.

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-71597549153042616932009-11-24T08:58:00.006+11:002010-04-30T14:23:04.234+10:00

Prior to migrating to Melbourne, I didn't know how to cook. I was a disaster in the kitchen and everyone knew it. But it's a whole new different story these days since I took a second shot of cooking (pork) adobo for dinner last night and I NAILED IT! It tasted exactly like Nanay's adobo. The sauce was perfect (it's in another bowl since Nanay likes to separate it from the meat and I didn't have

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-49385119766414108592009-11-24T08:01:00.011+11:002010-04-30T14:21:08.217+10:00

When we flew to Australia via Air Asia we were only allowed 20 kilos each---just my barest necessities: five slacks and blouses for work, five casual tops, three jeans, five pairs of pambahay, two jackets, my ever-dependable maong mini skirt, a dozen pair of undies, two slippers, two flats, two bags, my bridal gown and heels, his tux and shoes and the rest were documents, toiletries and really

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-28563685291395379482009-11-23T12:21:00.042+11:002009-11-24T08:01:16.512+11:00

We attended the annual Philippine Fiesta held at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds in Flemington yesterday. In spite of the $10 entrance, Jimmy was lured by the chance to eat as many baluts as he can while I wanted to see Jericho Rosales (this is my version of a good time now).We were there by lunchtime (excited) because the plan was to get seriously started with some authentic Filipino food (

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-88084165839701807642009-11-21T19:09:00.005+11:002009-11-23T12:20:44.277+11:00

We hear the anticipated mass at St. Margaret Mary Church and it's quite sad that the usual churchgoers are the elderly and very few families. The size of the place is less than half of St. Jerome Emiliani Church in Alabang but since we started hearing mass there in October, we haven't seen the place full. I thought perhaps more people hear mass on Sundays but former Spotswood residents Allan and

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-44932087321463785552009-11-21T07:36:00.020+11:002009-11-23T11:17:48.686+11:00

Two months ago, a typical weekday for me would be waking up at 6:30 AM to get ready for work and be able to catch the 7:30 AM shuttle at BF Paranaque Phase II. I would be arriving in the office between 9-9:30 AM depending on how terrible the traffic was with the construction of the Bicutan-Alabang Skyway.As a Product Manager, my day would mean client calls, tinkering with the powerpoint, a number

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-65002371094141880592009-11-20T11:05:00.006+11:002009-11-20T13:54:33.008+11:00

Last night, lovely couple Allan and Gemma invited us over for dinner. I have only seen them in photos sent by Jimmy during the long distance thing and it was my first time to meet the Francisco family. Their kids were very sociable, polite, witty and can still speak straight Filipino (albeit the Aussie twang). It's always a pleasure chatting with people so family-oriented.Turns out Allan used to

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-5232744710268389672009-11-19T14:19:00.003+11:002009-11-23T14:22:26.593+11:00

We went to a car shop owned by a Filipino family at Maribyrnong this afternoon for an oil change and I was able to chat with a striking, petite woman from Samar in her early 40s who could still pass for 35. She migrated to Australia when she was a mother of one at 19 and had been staying in the country for more than two decades. Then I learned she has six kids now--- all were born two years apart

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-25192904447559239312009-11-16T08:11:00.016+11:002009-11-19T14:11:13.092+11:00

Jimmy and I have never been inside a casino before and right across Crown Promenade Hotel was the Crown Casino where we had a blast. It's not that either of us were seriously dying to go to one. It's just one of those things that we were curious of and for as long as I could remember, whenever the subject was brought up at home my dad would always say "Tatamaan ka sakin pag pumasok ka sa casino."

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-24118550361770624302009-11-05T08:34:00.022+11:002010-04-30T14:14:45.256+10:00

I did have a moment while getting ready that morning. We had just arrived home from Mimi's place where Lea did my hair and make-up (she lives around 40 minutes away from us and we arranged to meet halfway at Mimi's). Jimmy was setting up the laptop so I could chat with my family before leaving for the ceremony while I was in our room trying to pull out the strap from my new bra but it wouldn't

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-80261820281051906342009-11-04T08:34:00.022+11:002009-11-04T13:38:41.961+11:00

We arrived in Melbourne last October 15 which was just three days before our civil wedding. I was actually excited and not stressed at all since I thought everything was already in place.Most of our energy then was devoted to shopping for stuff for our new flat and new clothes for me (yay!), visiting friends for that "proper introduction" (YM does not count), preparing a decent meal to enjoy

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-49725844787616074212009-11-04T08:00:00.009+11:002009-11-04T08:33:43.884+11:00

Yesterday was "the race that stops a nation." Good thing it was a holiday since hubby's got hay fever (every spring he has it) and at least he could get some rest. While we're not really into horse racing (or betting) we did keep ourselves glued to the TV for most of the morning to check out the fashion scene. Hmmm... fancy those head wears.I think Divisoria can definitely rival Myers (equivalent

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2594611468622503426.post-63261000172839438242009-11-02T08:28:00.015+11:002009-11-02T12:53:53.088+11:00

A little over two weeks ago, I left home to start a new life in Melbourne.Home is the Philippines (or Philippine Islands/P.I. as what they call it here), a lush, tropical country famous for its picturesque beaches, mixed cuisine, never-ending typhoons and Manny Pacquiao.I grew up south of Manila (Alabang, Paranaque and Las Pinas to be exact). For twenty-seven years, I lived in different villages

Chiquihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01402729397755199718noreply@blogger.com0