I miss my cats

I'm in Bicol right now for this survey that we're doing. I miss my cats. Sob.

But it's great being here. I feel like I'm reconnecting to my roots. I've been away for so long I've almost forgotten what it's like to be here. Feels good.

Will be spending Christmas with family, and maybe see some of my old High School friends.

I've sworn off Red Horse though. I don't want to bump my head again. Haha!

Hopes for Obama

I'm documenting a training right now here in Tagaytay. The participants are in their workshop groups, so I've got nothing else to do but surf the net, and well, blog. For a change! Yes, I do miss blogging.

Anyway, I finally got the chance to do some blog rolling. It seems that everyone is still reeling from that momentous Obama win. Despite my skepticism, I have to admit that I got carried away myself. Who wouldn't? That huge crowd I saw on TV, all that weeping and cheering. And now, reading first hand accounts from blogs. I couldn't help but be teary-eyed for a moment there. I almost believed it was my president who won. Only it wasn't, and I'm still skeptical about elections. That's what happens if you're born in a country like the Philippines where elections are nothing but a nightmarish farce. In fact, I was truly surprised that many of my favorite musicians were overly and openly supportive of Obama right from the start. I was like, WHAT?! It was incomprehensible for me at first. But I guess, unlike most people here, they still have confidence in their democratic processes.

It's not hard though to become hopeful of Obama. Especially now that my mom is in the US. I, more than ever, need to be hopeful. For our own sake. Yes, it's that selfish. A progressive America is beneficial to us. And maybe to many other Filipinos too. So I'm keeping my fngers crossed.

At least I'm not thinking of anti Obama slogans yet.

2008 is nearly over

This morning, I just realized that two more months to go, and the year is almost through. Oh no. Tons of backlogs! And yet all I can do now is blog and surf. I'm so wasting time typing this nonsense. I have to go.

Can't help posting this link though:
http://teganandsaraclothes.blogspot.com/

True believers. Haha!

What the hell am I doing?! I really should go.

Swim-swam

I went with Pinky this evening to try the neighborhood pool for the first time. I was so confident with my swimming abilities that it never occured to me that the last time I was ever near a pool was like a zillion years ago. In fact, my last pool memory was back in college during swimming class. That time, I could still cross the entire length of the pool, and back. But today, I was breathless with just a few rusty breast strokes. And if before I could do a decent threading, now I could only gasp, swallow and claw at the chlorine-filled water in panic. I was pathetic, to say the least.

It was great to just float though. And stare up at the well-lighted buildings that surround the pool. I could probably do that all night -- if I wasn't always bumping into other people in that crowded pool.

Call it off

Para sa mga adik sa T&S.

I'm a recent convert

I've switched to Linux and to Open Office. I feel liberated! Goodbye big bad Microsoft.

At first, I was apprehensive, but it turned out to be a breeze. Naks haha! Feeling expert.

Goodbye irritating viruses! You can all go to hell now.

I'm using Ubuntu by the way. Thanks Eleyn! Thanks Rick! Thanks Nelson Mandela. Haha!

Lo-fi sound

I'm obsessed right now with lo-fi music. Have you noticed, I often start my sentences with "I'm obsessed"? Total lack of imagination. So going back to what I was saying earlier -- I'm into lo-fi now. It's inspiring. I almost convinced myself I could make my own music. Right.

It started with Electrelane I guess. I found out about their side projects -- especially Ray Rumours. So charming. Then there's Tender Forever. I LOVE TENDER FOREVER! I can't say it enough. I was completely taken.

I'm on the hunt now for more lo-fi love. Any suggestions?

How Naked Are We Gonna Get --The Blow

Because my fascination with Khaela just got worse.

Hey Boy --The Blow

Shaw Blvd Station

shaw blvd station, originally uploaded by yinsu.

In the morning

Quezon Ave Station

quezon avenue station, originally uploaded by yinsu.

At night

Music Geek

Smilla loves Electrelane.

Feist on Sesame Street

Thanks CJ!

Bookworm

bookworm, originally uploaded by yinsu.

Stuff you might like too

I know I haven't been posting like I used to, but sometimes, there's just something that I needed to share with everyone. This is one of those times. This blog made my day. Quick, click the link:

Stuff White People Like

I promise you, even if you're not white, you'll love this. Or maybe more so because you're not. :)

Digs

I'm blogging right now from our new apartment. Hurray! We haven't really quite settled in yet (boxes are still all over the place), but it's good to be here. Goodbye foul neighbors. Haha! But on second thought, I kinda miss our old apartment. Hell, we've stayed there for years! And even longer for me -- more than six or seven years I think. Wow, that long... We've never had any complaints, except for the loud neighbors. Our old apartment looked great, it was cheap, the owner was really cool (would bring us pasalubong sometimes), and it was near the office and school. But outside the apartment was a whole different story: TOTAL CHAOS. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But it was enough to really piss us off. We'd be roused out of bed in the middle of the night by shouting and loud cursing. It was unbearable.

But I still sort of miss the old place. Oh well. Too late I guess.

Water Puppets

Hanoi, Vietnam

Apology

Oh, unattended blog! Soon.

Kaki's Revenge

Thank god for full album streams.
Here's Kaki King's Dreaming of Revenge.
And this is her new video, with a cameo from Sara Quin:

Sun and candy

Since my last post, I've been busy house-hunting (our present abode reeks of foul neighbors and such). I turned into a darker shade of brown as I've been knocking on doors with "for rent" signs in the middle of the godforsaken summer sun. But even so, we've only been rewarded with one disappointment after another. Yes, it is hard finding a reasonably-priced and yet perfectly-situated apartment here in Metro Manila. Any tips?

And since my last post, I've seen one interesting film of note: Hard Candy. This, I owe solely to K. She brought the film, and the food to match. The obsession with Ellen Page deepens hereon. Go Canadians!

And speaking of obsession, I'm still into Bon Iver, who's singing Blindsided as I write this blog.

My new favorite band

Bon Iver have such haunting music. I love. Thank you Carrie for introducing us.

Stream the entire album (For Emma, Forever Ago) here.

My favorite songs are: Blindsided, Skinny Love, Team, Flume... ok, I admit, nearly the entire album. Shucks, I'm hooked.

Revisiting Sorsogon

My aunts and cousin came home to Sorsogon for the holy week. We romped around town to visit relatives and check out some interesting spots. We saw the Bulusan Lake, Rizal Beach, Barcelona Church, San Benon Hot Spring, etc. It was fun! I actually enjoyed it even if I'm not the outdoorsy type.

More photos here.

Fort Santiago

My balikbayan relatives are here for the holy week. We went to see Intramuros, specifically, Fort Santiago. This was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. The Philippines' national hero, Jose Rizal, was imprisoned here.

Hawkers market

I love the food markets in Singapore. It's everywhere, and it's cheap. Delicious too. This one was just a few steps away from the building where we stayed.

Craftsmen

artisans, originally uploaded by yinsu.

The guy in brown checkered shirt asked me if I have a pen. I thought he wanted to write something, so I handed him my pen. He thanked me, and said he would give it to his child who goes to school.