Travel: Hyde Park, London

Friday is finally here. I've been itching to post my recent travel photos, but work and life in general isn't letting me. My trip to London and Paris was wonderful, a really needed and deserved break for me. For a week, I immersed myself into London and Paris life. Yeah, as if a week is enough. Special thanks goes to my cousin, Ivy, for taking me around London. I hope we can do it all over again.

The first batch of photos will be from Hyde Park, which is walking distance from the area where I stayed - Bayswater. My hotel was accessible through the Bayswater Station, walking distance to Kensington, the Portobello Markets, Notting Hill and Hyde Park.

The Round Lake

Royal Albert Hall

Tribute to Prince Albert

The simple yet flowing Princess Diana Memorial Fountain

Birds enjoying sanctuary at The Serpentine

Directions please

Dog waste only (This one really cracked me up.)

A favorite - Peter Pan

Queen Victoria

The Kensington Palace

A view from the back of the Kensington Palace

Nicely trimmed garden and a bench to rest my weary feet

Trust me, more photos to follow...

Happy weekend!

Not Marriage Material

I did came back from my vacation happy, relaxed and refreshed, but as I hurriedly got back into my usual life, some unexpected news hit my face with a splat. Sorry, it was more of a THUD. When I heard about the news, I couldn't breathe and that unexplainable pain was there again. I had to put on an unaffected face and told my friends I am absolutely fine, but deep within, my heart felt like a wobbly, melting jelly served on a sizzling platter. My ex got engaged. ("That SOB got engaged," was how it sounded in my head.)

How could someone, that you've been with for years decide to break up with you, but marry a girl he only knew for a year? I can't fathom any explanation to this, and I felt sick thinking that maybe I wasn't marriage material. It sucks, but it's a plausible explanation. I am going through some emotional turmoil right now; it's not as bad as it sounds (really), but I've been unable to concentrate on anything. I went from super high to super low, so if I don't update my blog for a few days, blame it on that SOB ex.

I'm so sorry for the language. Chocolates, anyone?

Facing Singleness

Yes, millions are terrified of facing singleness. To avoid it we settle for less, hooking up and staying in stale relationships. We marry, divorce, and do it again. It's a vicious little cycle. In desperation, we read books on finding a mate, and when that doesn't work, we read books on how to live alone and love it. Sadly, neither approach solves the dilemma because being single is not a condition to be cured. Being single is natural, as natural as being together. One is not better than the other - they are complementary. (Judy Ford, Single: The art of being satisfied, fulfilled, and independent)

Travel: Venice

For me, Venice is my favorite place in Italy. While Rome sizzles like a barbecue grill during the summer, Venice's water canals and highways keep the city cool throughout summer. Dining al fresco is perfect in this city. Whether you'll be content with a pizza or just plain bread dipped in olive oil, you can't avoid being amazed and entertained how a city can be utilizing canals instead of streets.

Riding a taxi boat as we sailed underneath this bridge to another.

Just another street canal...

We stayed at a camping site and slept in one of those cute cabins.

St. Mark's Square

I love how houses have flowers hanging from their balconies.

Taxi? Anyone?

Let's go for a gondola ride.

St. Mark's Basilica

Part of St. Mark's Basilica

This photo reminds me of the movie "Italian Job."

Travel: Barcelona

If you talk Barcelona, you talk architecture. I really enjoyed Barcelona and I was amazed at how stunning and fun this city is.

The Gaudi Dragon Fountain

Mosaic ceiling at Park Guell

Walk this way and tilted walking not allowed.

Entrance to Park Guell

This is one of the buildings you'll see at the park entrance.

What a strange looking window - Casa Batllo

My favorite Guadi designed house, Casa Batllo, located at the Illa de la Discordia (Block of Discord)

A closer look at the Sagrada Familia Temple entrance

The highlight of my trip, the Sagrada Familia Temple - another design by Gaudi.

Travel: Florence

I am grateful I was given the chance to study in Rome. It was an exceptional opportunity to learn about Italy's history, culture, language and people. But what made studying there fun was the out-of-town trips I took during the weekends. Florence is quite small but definitely alluring. The city is best discovered by walking, shopping (there's a huge open market while I was there), eating gelato, and of course, dining. Here are a few photos from my weekend trip to Firenze.

Piazza della Signora - other statues adorned the piazza

Piazza della Signora

Santa Maria Novella

The River Arno

Hiked all the way the top of Piazalle Michelangelo

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Facade of the Duomo

Florence Duomo or Cathedral

Devoid Of Enthusiasm

For the past few days, it’s been a struggle to get out of bed. I feel devoid of enthusiasm. I thought that since I just had a wonderful weekend catching up with a high school classmate, trying out that new Filipino restaurant at Gaithersburg (lovely buffet), and absolutely enjoyed watching “Angels and Demons” at the theater, that I’d be more alive this week. I feel the entire opposite. Monday and Tuesday went by like a blur. Today, I'm having a hard time keeping my thoughts together.

Is there such thing as having too much fun? Or are these the classic symptoms of old age? This is one reason why I’ve always decided against reviving my dead social life because whenever I get my social schedule rolling, I feel the need to hibernate for the next few weeks or more. I am starting to be convinced that at this stage, being anti-social is not bad after all.

Today, I noticed frown lines on my face. What gives!

Travel: Sagada

Sagada is my mom's hometown. Although I grew up far from it, since I was born and raised in the province of Kalinga, this place has always been near and dear to my heart. I visit Sagada whenever I visit the Philippines, and enjoy the peace and relaxation I find in this beautiful place. The following photos were taken in the summer of 2007.

A dog relaxing

St. Mary's Church

I love how the houses were built on the side of this mountain

A view of the town

Sagada Weaving

Waterfalls

Rice fields

Harvesting Cabbage

Hanging coffins

"Adi tako bokodan di gawis"

A carved gecko on the top lid of a wooden coffin

Lucky you live here

This was the beautiful sunrise that greeted me. At this time, I was on my way down to Bontoc to catch my bus ride to Kalinga.

Ms. Pangilinan Declared An "Unwelcome Visitor"

I wasn't expecting this. In fact, I was ready to move on and forgive, but I was surprised to read this at the ABS-CBN News website. The city of Baguio declared Ms. Pangilinan as an "unwelcome visitor." Living outside the Philippines, this is the first publicized incident, that I know of, about a Filipino comedian delivering an offensive joke about Igorots. I mean, there are good and bad jokes. Ms. Pangilinan's joke was offensive and a really bad one. I have spoken to some friends back home, and apparently, some comedians have been making similar jokes for a long time, they just haven't been caught.

I honestly feel bad for her. On the other side of the coin, I feel empowered that the Igorots, as a community, and Baguio, as a city, have the power to convey a powerful message - putting down someone's ethnicity is not acceptable and is not tolerated. For the Igorot community has come a long way fighting and correcting the stereotypes and misnomer attached to their name. As a public figure, Ms. Pangilinan is responsible for her actions, which she has openly admitted and recognized. She is indeed commendable for admitting her mistake and apologizing publicly for her offense. I do hope that she will find peace within and find a way to bridge the gap with the people she hurt. As for me, I wish her well and I think the lesson has been learned.

Below is a reprint of the news article.

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Despite her numerous apologies, Candy Pangilinan was declared an "unwelcome vis[i]tor" in Baguio City after she cracked a joke that implied that Igorots are not people.

In a special session held by the Baguio City council on Friday, Pangilinan was declared "persona non grata" by a majority vote. Councilor Tomas Balisong, currently the acting vice mayor, said that the declaration was in reaction to Pangilinan's "ethnic slur."

Pangilinan's joke, which was heard during her stand-up comedy act held in SM Baguio last Saturday, was: "Tao po ako, hindi po ako Igorot."

This drew strong criticisms from the Igorot community. "It is a slur, an insult to us Igorots," said Atty. Jose Molintas, a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Almost all the Baguio Councilors approved the motion passed by Councilor Greg Bagbagen declaring the comedienne an unwanted visitor to the summer capital. This also banned Pangilinan's movies from being shown in the city's theaters. Only Councilor Galo Weygan, also an Igorot, abstained from voting.

Many Baguio locals supported the move, saying they were deeply insulted by Pangilinan's comment. "Dapat maramdaman niya ang maging isang Igorot para alam niya ang sinasabi niya," said Annie Domiguay, a Baguio resident.

The full article is here.