are you still reading...?
Ok... don't have Internet at the apartment, just found out last night so that's why I'm blogging at the office. It's lunch time so I have a few minutes to spare until I start working again, not that I'm busy anyways, I did most of the work earlier and just have to add a new article. Like always, when I have nothing much to do, I just surf around our website to see what needs to be done (a reason to read the forums!
) and try to make my work last as long as possible so I don't get bored. Christmas eve was different this year. Just had dinner with Elaine and Martina then went to church (late!). Afterwards, Elaine and I were to lazy to go out, not that there was anywhere to go to (most of the bars have entrance fees), so we just stayed home and watched DVD. Oh and I finally got to open Elaine's gift which turned out to be the makings of a cocktail!! 
Never imagined anyone would actually give me alcohol as a gift! It was good too! She gave me wine (strawberry flavor), lime, soda water, orange juice, and even a champagne glass! So fun! First wine I had that tasted so good! Yup, Christmas was definitely different this year. Didn't have work monday coz the boss gave us a day off to celebrate the holiday (cool noh?) and next week monday, we don't have work again! (yippeeee!!). Jeremy also told us to go home early last Friday and I was so excited that I was the first out the door! Having westerns boss is soo nice! I get to celebrate Western and Chinese holidays! Too bad they don't celebrate Philippine holidays too... I'll get a lot of day offs for sure if that's the case! Elaine didn't go to work Monday coz she got sick so the both of us was at home all day, her sleeping (yup, all day!) and me, watching DVD (charmed - season 7). I figured, I'd better watch it to see if it all works fine so I can send it home since I brought it for my sister. (probably my christmas gift for her.. hehe). Anyways, finished 7 cds in one sitting hehehe..all in all around 20 episodes I think!
Time really is so fast! Christmas is over and now it's almost the new year! I haven't decided what to do next year yet.. go home for Chinese new year and come back, or go home and work there, or just to stay here for a long time. The thought of a long time alone in a foreign country seems scary but then again home is only 3 hours away by plane anyways.. so, we'll see... too early to plan!
Now, got to get back to "work".. heheheh.. will post pictures when I have net at the apt again and I'm feeling up to it... 
Must see: Cats - Elaine brought a DVD.. it's soo cool! I like broadway shows, it's one of the reasons I wanna go back to New York! I'll probably just spend my money watching broadways.
Books: none.... haven't had time to buy something new.. maybe next week.. heheh
ps.. thanks jons 
Merry Christmas!
Maligayang Pasko!
圣诞快乐!
(Sheng Dan Kuai Le!)
I like surfing around the forums of shanghaiexpat. I've been learning a lot of things. Be it what's happening around shanghai or where to buy hard to find stuffs. Today, I learned something else which is how to open sites that are banned here... its easy too! I've read the forum thread before but haven't had the time to test it out and forgot about it after.. this afternoon I saw the thread again and decided to try it. Some people use proxies, but I'm not yet sure how to do that yet, this one is the easiest which is to just visit their site and type the URL on the form and click on Surf anonymously. I tried it out with blogspot and wikipedia... it works!! yipppeeeeeee... not that I'll be using it a lot.. I just like learning about this stuff.. so cool! and Elaine wants to surf wikipedia.. so two birds with one stone.. heheh
Almost had a nervous breakdown this afternoon heheh... been doing some new work since Michael, my boss, is back in the States for the holidays. I have to do the newsletter, test it out and email it to the subscribers which is around 30,000 people or more! Jeremy, the stand-in boss while Micheal is away gave me the thumbs up to send the newsletter after some editing and testing. I was nervous about sending it but almost had a breakdown (ok not that serious but still was feeling very cold and it wasn't from the weather!) when I found out that I can't open the links when using IE AFTER I already sent out the newsletter! I forgot about having to check it in IE since I figured it has to be the same coz its just links if you know what I mean... if you don't then nevermind! So I had to go to Jeremy and tell him about it, turns out that its only in the computers in our little room that we can't open the links in IE coz we have a different connection from the other computers in the office..*whew*....I know coz Jeremy tried it out in his computer and it work.. and I also just tried it out here! (just making sure! my first e-newsletter!) Going to be doing two more newsletter in the next two weeks.... all I can say is, can't wait til MIchael gets back! hahaha I know I shouldn't worry too much but I'm a worrier.. can't help it.. that's why I have lots of white hair! heheh Oh well, at least I learned something new, two things actually, how to make a newsletter, and next time check using all browsers! (IE and Firefox!)
Just finished watching Monster starring Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci.... all I can say is.."weird movie..."
Elaine cooked spaghetti again tonight! She texted me this afternoon that she wanted to make meatballs and I asked, "with spaghetti?", and she said "if I wanted to, ok"....um.. when did I ever say no to spaghetti? hehehe so yummy!!!
Last time I mentioned that there's a Desperate Housewives showing with Chinese dubbing... the voices dubbing are not that good... good thing I can understand English!!
I was putting up an article on our site a while ago.. and of course I have to read it first just to check .. really interesting! Learned more about firefox.. turns out you can just click / and it will search as you type the site.. cool noh? Been using firefox at work and downloaded it on my laptop too! It's fast and doesn't hang! unlike IE....
I'll make this short since I'm currently eating the world's fattiest food ever! Homemade Chocolate Malt!! YUMMY!! Don't even ask what I put in it coz it's too fatty to tell anyone hehe.. tastes great though! I probably gained 10lbs from this but oh well, life is too short to worry about weight!
Wheeeee! Got home in under 30mins! The traffic is improving, or so I'm wishing. It usually takes me about 40 mins to get home from the office coz of traffic, without traffic, would you believe I'll be home in under 10 mins? Walking is much faster way which would take around 30 mins, but seeing as I'm heavier, can't carry myself home that far.
It's almost Christmas!! I can't wait!! Although, Elaine and I don't really have a plan. We kinda take things one day at a time heheh.. We were thinking of going skiing, hopefully first week of January, if not, Chinese New Year! I really really want to ski! Not indoor skiing, but outdoor! Elaine was just starting to decorate our apartment when I got home earlier with those whatchamaculits.... We went to Yu Yuan Garden yesterday and looked at Christmas stuffs. Bought a few more of those thingys that we were using as scarves around our neck during the Fabrique party also Christmas lights coz the ones she got from Carrefour wouldn't work anymore.
Also got Santa hats! Gonna wear them over the weekend! Already wore them home last night! We went from Yu Yuan to Ikea last night wearing our Santa hats and we looked like employees of Ikea coz all of them are wearing Santa hats too! Ikea sells furnitures and stuffs for the house, wish we have that in the Phils.. and best of all, they have good foods! Which was why we went there in the first place.. to have dinner!
Finally finished my book last night... The Kite Runner... good book!
Haven't bought gifts yet heheh.. tomorrow for sure.. if I'm not too lazy... it's not like I have a lot of gifts to buy anyways
Ok.... Gonna go back to eating my malt... near the Aircon coz I'm starting to shiver from the cold! heheh... hmmm did i say eat? I meant drink!
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year! Ho Ho Ho.....
Just coz..... I'm happy
*****An hour later......
Heard pounding outside our door.. went to see what's going on, turns out our neighbor is chopping a pig i think, didn't look that closely! eeewwww... they're still at it!
Watching French Kiss ..... Hilarious!
Some cool sites worth checking out! www.happynews.com and www.FutureMe.org
*****After a while...
We just finished watching French Kiss... nice movie...
Now watching CCTV 8... Desperate Housewives but with Chinese dubbing! hahahah Sooo funny!
Elaine showed me a picture she took this morning before going to work! She found a bit of snow on top of one of the cars! Will there be snow in the coming day??.....hmmmm....
I'm bored...... that's my only excuse... Spot the Best Mask and the most common one!!
Last year, on this day, I was on my way back to 
Small chance it will snow here in
I was chatting with my sister this afternoon and she turned on her webcam, showing me Micah. She’s so cute, two months old now and I think she got bigger already! I actually haven’t bought any gifts for my family except for my niece. We also chatted about other things, mostly what my family is up to.
The other day, we watched Calcium Kid, it wasn’t that good actually but I like some of the stuff they said. Here are a couple of quotes that I was able to remember.
“If you have a dream, follow it, coz it might just come true”
“Nothing’s out of reach if you’ve got long arms”
“Just because you can’t see the sun from behind the clouds doesn’t mean it’s still not shinning.”
Right now, Elaine and I are watching Shrek. This is how we will probably spend our Christmas. Watching DVDs and eating microwavable foods (which actually taste good too!). I’m gonna miss all the holiday foods! Lechon, buko pandan, puto, black sambo, hmmm what else? Mostly the deserts! Yummy! Also miss Jollibee! Also all the Christmas Parties! Mostly we are just hanging out at a friend’s house which is more fun. Wonder why I never gained weight back home when all I used to do is eat and watch tv while I do a lot of exercise here (mostly walking!).
One of my co-worker at the office is blogging about his experience with acupuncture to lose weight. I wonder if it would really work. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t do it, I’m scared of the thought of people sticking pins or whatever it is on me.Just some ramblings.....
Still reading: Kite Runner
On DVD: Still Shrek - French Version!
YES!! It's Friday tomorrow!!! Gamay kalipayon noh?
Why is it soooo cold in the apartment??? We have the aircon on!! WHY? WHY? WHY???!!!! All the heat is going to the ceiling! We're down here!!!!! FREEZING!! grrrrrrrrrrr.... 
I’ve been waiting for this party ever since I heard about it. Shanghaiexpat sponsored it so I knew what to expect coz that’s all they talked about in the office and what they were planning sounded exciting to me since it involves wearing masks.
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In the room where I work with my office mates trying out the masks. |
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The Office |
The party started at
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Shanghai Expat Masquerade Party December 9, 2005 at Fabrique |
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ShEx Employees having fun!! |
My friend sent me this link http://www.blogthings.com/bloggerquiz.html while we were chatting and asked me to take the test “What kind of blogger are you?”. Turns out I’m a Social blogger if anyone would believe it. It says “Your blog is more of a semi-private affair for your friends. It's how you keep in touch... sharing stories, jokes, and pics. 
It’s kinda true, I guess although I still say ym is better. I don’t know when I turned into an Internet person; it used to be that I can spend a week not using the Internet and if I do use it, it would usually just take me a few minutes then go back to watching TV or reading. Now, there’s not a day that goes by without me using the net. At least, this last month, I have a reason, coz my work involves the internet! It’s fun though, because my friend is usually online too. We haven’t seen each other for a while and it’s nice to finally be able to keep in touch not that we chat all the time since we’re both at “work”. But just seeing her online is a comfort coz I know no matter how “busy” her ym says she is, I know I can always send her a message even if it’s just to bug her which I do most of the time and vice versa. I just found out that there’s a lot of interesting stuff online too, that is, mostly on our website www.shanghaiexpat.com. The forum is filled with interesting people and topics that entertain me when I don’t have much work. We’ve also made a new addition which is the community blogs where only a few are invited to write and they’re good writers too. It’s new so not much to read but what some of them wrote so far is quite interesting. I know coz I have to visit it once in a while to see that everything is running smoothly since it’s one of the websites I work on. (Jons, saw your comment on the elevator thing!) I don’t write in it although I can if I wanted to, but I’m a private kinda person and wouldn’t know what to write if I knew others would be reading it. Anyhow, it’s past my bedtime which is usually 1030pm (yup, sleeping early, waking up late! and eating more! Fats here I come!) and we have the aircon on. Can’t waste the electricity so I’m just gonna get ready for bed, turn off the aircon, and hide under the blanket! FRIDAY NA BWAS!!! Yippppeee!
It’s so cold! I wonder if I’ll ever be warm again. Here we are finally turning on our aircon (no heaters in Actually, I’ve already seen snow when I went to
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February 2005 Outside our Apartment in Beijing |
The cold weather is making me lazier. I’ve been waking up later and later than usual these last few days, mostly because its cold once you step out of the blanket and it’s really so nice sleeping if its cold outside, reminds me of when it used to rain back home, I’d be curled up in bed reading or sleeping with the aircon turned on. Then when I go out, I would sometimes take the taxi instead of the bus coz it takes a while to arrive and it’s too cold to stand around waiting for a bus to come. Not only that, its usually crowded and I have to walk a bit to get to wherever I want to go be it the office or apartment whilst the taxi would drop me off right in front the place. So usually I just take whichever comes first.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! It’s the best Christmas ever! It would be perfect if it would snow too!
I’ve been telling Elaine that we should buy a Christmas tree this December so that it would seem Christmas but didn’t have time to look for one since our only free time are after work or weekends. The one tree we did find was kinda expensive so we didn’t get that but afterwards I would still sometimes tell her that it would be nice if we have one although I’m just saying it coz I wouldn’t really have minded if we don’t have a tree. I was thinking that one of these days, we’ll go out and look for one when we have time but what I wasn’t thinking was for her to actually go out and buy one!! She’s off work earlier than me so she’s usually home by the time I arrive. I was very surprised when I arrived home today and saw the tree in the side! With an accompaniment of Christmas songs coming from the speakers too!! Just when I was feeling kinda down and wishing I was back in the Phils too! Really feels like Christmas now! I'm soooo happy I could cry! Thanks sooo much!!!! I know I've probably said this a hundred times, but sooo glad we met in Beijing and your my roommate!!!!!!!
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With Flash |
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On DVD: American Pie 4: Band Camp!
Wow! It’s already a month since I started working! Can’t believe time is so fast! Seems like it was only yesterday I was bumming around the apartment and now I’m actually doing something! It’s been a fun last couple of days! Last Thursday, we got to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with turkey imported from ! It’s great having an American boss coz we get to celebrate their holidays! We also had ham, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and gravy! The foods were good but I still say they should have lechon in all their parties! Nothing beats lechon, not even the turkey! (Anyone from Pinas coming? Please bring lechon from
Shanghai Expat Employees on Thankgiving Dinner, Michael (the Big Boss) celebrating his Bday that night too, Jeremy with his wishbone and below him is our office Ayi who cooks us lunch everyday
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Then during the weekend, a friend from
Houseguests
Kristine, David, Jec (the Multo!), Claire (Standing behind Jec), and Elaine (sleeping!)
Internet Browser: Mozilla Firefox... better than IE!
Yay! It's Friday tomorrow! One more day then its no waking up early, no riding a bus that's so full you won't be able to move, no work! For the weekend anyways... then it would be Monday again.... life....
