Gotham vs Cablelandia

This afternoon, I was again reminded why I hate Manila roads during rush hour. And while I was stuck in the middle of Commonwealth Avenue, my foot perpetually pressed on the brakes and clutch (yes, I am a clutch driver, and I blame A1 Driving School for that), I started making a mental list of the things I love and hate about Gotham (Manila) and Cablelandia (the province).

I love Cablelandia because...
1. There is cable tv connection (thus the term)
2. There is a wifi router at my sister's workplace (where I get to tambay), and 2 (not 1) internet connections at home.
3. Free food! (need I say more?)
4. No worries about doing my laundry, washing the dishes or cleaning the house.
5. Less gas expense (I don't go out much)
6. 2 little brats I call pamangkins I see everyday.
7. No worried about always using the aircon

Now why can't i stand Cablendandia...
1. Too hot!!!
2. No moviehouse
3.I have to drive to the next town to get really good brewed coffee.

Gotham, on the other hand is unbearable because...
1. Traffic! Traffic! Traffic!
2. Pollution! Garbage! Pollution
3. Expenses! Expenses! Expenses!

But I keep coming back because...
1. I love UP Campus and Teacher's Village
2. I love the solitude of my small shoebox
3. I miss Tippy!
4. Food trip! Food trip! Food trip!
5. I miss attending the gathering of the Dyosas.

So there, Cablelandia....I will never let you go, pero kahit anong mangyari... Gotham... I will keep coming back to you.

*singing... hinahanap hanap kita Manila, ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga... mga jeepney mong naglliliparan...*


10:20 pm
29 June 2009
Monday
Fairview

photo credits: Flickr

Jungle

After almost 2 months of hiding in Cable-landia (sorry folks, I can't divulge where that is), I am back in the urban jungle my dyosa friends call Gotham.

Did I miss being in gotham? I've been asking that question since this morning. And until now, I still have no answer.

I guess I am glad... because now i can again...

... drive like crazy in Commonwealth and Quezon Circle
... problematize about my daily meals
... complain about the rising prices of food and gasoline
... inhale the over polluted air of the metro
... smell the garbage lying everwhere.

But I am happier that I can finally have food trip sessions with the bestest dyosas you can find.

I'm glad I'm back in gotham.

Now, I just need to look for Batman to fight the swine flu virus.


11:55 pm
23 June 2009
Tuesday
Quezon City

photo credits: Flickr

Radical Sabbatical

Ever wondered what job or activity would make you really happy? Not taking into consideration money, family, expectations and norms... what would you like to do?

I made a list (a very short one) of the things I would do on my radical sabbatical:

1. Photographer - I've been really interested in photography for the past few years. And it would not hurt to do it fulltime.

2. Travel and Leisure Critique - It would be heaven to go to different places and try out the services and amenities... for free! That way, I can still continue to write feature stories and articles, and take some snapshots.

3. Food Critique - Do I really need to explain?

4. Pre-school Teacher - Lately, I've been having so much interest in developing a relevant (emotionally, academically, and socially) curriculum for children.

5. Lounge Singer - I love music (although I'm not sure if the feeling is mutual).

Ikaw?


10:28 pm
14 June 2009
Sunday
Santiago City

Rainy days

It's been raining since a few days ago. And though i love the sound and feel of rain, i feel a certain sadness. I don't know why, but I feel a melancholic every time i hear the rain. But i love this kind of melancholy. It's not the kind where you would cry your eyes out or wail in frustration.

It's a pleasant kind of melancholy.

Sometimes, i smile when it rains... when i smell the rain. I close my eyes and i am transported to another place -- somewhere cold and misty, raindrops gently tapping on the roof, wood crackling in the fireplace, guitar playing in the background, cool and fluffy pillows. That is heaven for me.

Incidentally, the place described above is real. It happened a few years back. When life was as sweet as rain.


09:50pm
05 June 2009, Friday
Santiago City

photocredits:
flickr.com