This was our first New Year's Eve together at Singapore. In the past 6 years of being in the relationship we spent New Year with families around us.

Spending New Year's Eve far away from our families and relatives and most especially far away from home was a new feeling. I kept telling myself, "walang iiyak". I cried a lot last night. Stop crying and missing home. So we keep ourselves busy this day. We need to act the same way to feel like home.

We both miss the Pinoy Style Spaghetti, every New Year we're craving for pasta and pancit for long life. Yesterday, we ate pancit at Kabayan's Restaurant Lucky Plaza thus this day we decided to cook spaghetti. We went at Lucky Plaza MJ Filipino Store to bought some ingredients. We spent $15.50 for the recipes, ground pork, onions, garlic, vegetable oil, pepper not included.

Afterwards, we go at Fairprice Supermarket. We are looking for round fruits. We bought fruits such as apple, green apple, israel sweetie grapefruit, dragonfruit, kiwi, oranges, lemon, mangosteen, pears, grapes and blueberries.


























When we reached home, we clean the room first . Sweep and wipe the floor, do laundry and thrown unwanted rubbish.

This was our first attempt to cook Pinoy Style Spaghetti. First, I cooked Royal Spaghetti noodles according to my mama's instructions. Put iodized salt and oil in the water. In the sauced pan, put garlic, onions and cooking oil. Added ground pork and let it cook. We didn't have hotdog because we cant find Tender Juicy's hotdog at the store, I missed. Then, added tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, small amount of hot water and fine pepper. We also added cheese and sugar to taste.


We let it taste by our housemate who's watching in the living room and he loves the taste. Hahah. So happy when he said, "masarap! salamat.". I prepared spaghetti and fried chicken in our table for dinner, had few photo shots and we eat yum yum! :)

We went at Marina for fireworks display. I made a wish while watching beautiful fireworks seen lively. I wish to spend my next Christmas and New Year's Eve with my family, wish to have good luck at work, sweet and kisses, good health and loads of fun. I call my mother and sisters many times, hearing their voices makes me feel home. After watching beautiful fireworks display, we greet everyone a "Happy New Year", then we ate again.

Some shots we have.





Thanks EJ, for always being there and not giving up on me. Thank you Mama, Gadz, Grace and Junun for sending me prayers and encouragement to work harder each day.  To all my agaw, ante ug uncle who's always there for me. Thank you to all my friends on Facebook for making time to message me, even on my busiest days. Thank you for my freelance colleague Alexis.

Thank you Singapore for adopting us and for giving us opportunity. Thank you so much 2011. Thanks God for helping me.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

xoxo,
glaiza

Yay! Today, was 2011 last day of work. I can't believe another year is coming to a close. Welcome 2012! :)

I don't have much things to do so I create "My 12 things to do before 2012".


1. Call mom / Tawagan si Mama
I always had a talk to my mother whenever I'm free and I have extra load to call. So before there will be lot of noise, call mama first.

2. Attend a mass
I visited veritas Singapore website and they post that mass will be on January 1 at Novena Church

 3. Come down to Marina Bay Sands
EJ wants to capture some photos during Countdown 2012

4. Put money in my pocket 
I always do this every year. I remember before, I used to give coins for my sisters and brothers making sure that they have lots to shake those coins for money luck!

5. Buy twelve round fruits
Popular choices for these round fruits are Orange, Pakwan, Apple, Grapes, Chicos, Dalandan, Suha aka Buongon, Lanzones, Atis, Pear, Melon, Lychee, Lemon, Guava, Kiwi and Rambutan.  Hope I can have some of these fruits for New Year’s Media Noche.

6. Payment for SSS and PAG-IBIG
I need to this later after work, see ya Lucky Plaza.

7. Wear polka dots or red shirt
I dont have one, how can I wear this for good luck.
 
8. Back up files at HD.
I bought 1TB HD last IT Show, sadly I don't even put some files to it. EJ's laptop had many files already. Please back-up. Clean the laptop desktop.

9. Jump?
Jumping to help me taller! Waaaa, hope I can jump for joy this coming New Year.

10. Clean the room
I need to this, wipe the floor.. Clean the roooooooooom.

11. Punuin ang lalagyanan ng Milo, asukal at bigas.
This is one of my mothers "palihi", she always make sure that our rice, all the containers were full.

12. Eat pancit for long life
Definitely YES! :)


Most of my 12 things to do were Filipino's tradition for New Years Eve. I didn't list down one of my favorite task every New Year - to open all windows, doors, lights so that all the graces will come to our home as we welcome the New Year. I miss this big celebration in the Philippines.

Manigo at Masaganang Bagong Taon Sa Inyong Lahat!

Saturday - December 24, 2011

Medyo maulan nung Sabado, naisipan namin ni EJ na mag-picture sa void deck ng block. Wala kameng magawa at hindi pa namin alam kung anung gagawin namin. Wala din kameng hinanda na kahit ano para sa "Noche Buena", kaya picture picture muna kameng dalawa.


Mag-isang oras din siguro kameng nag-pipicturan sa void deck hanggang sa tumawag tito ni EJ, niyaya kame mag-Orchard. Yey! May lakad na kameng dalawa.

Nagkita kame ng tito at auntie ni EJ sa may Ang Mo Kio Mrt station, para kameng nag-exchange gifts sa mrt, bawat isa ay may bitbit na regalo. Wala kameng usapan na mag-exchange gifts, talagang spirit of Christmas ang gift giving. :)

Una kameng nagpunta sa Lucky Plaza, nagpagupit muna si tito sa Bongga Salon at pagkatapos ay pumunta na kame ng Takashimaya.

Sa Takashimaya ang daming sale na laruan, naalala ko tuloy yung mga inaanak ko sa Pilipinas na sa tuwing sasapit ang pasko ay binibigyan ko ng mga toys. Super puno parin ang stores at ang daming nag last minute shopping, pati kame ay naki-join na rin.


































Pagkatapos ng salo-salo, nagpunta naman kame sa Marina Bay Sands.


Sa Marina Bay Sands na namin tinuloy ang kwentuhan. Mga nangyari ngayong 2011 at kanya kanyang sharing of experiences. We are very thankful at nandyan ang mga relatives ni EJ na nagpapayo samin, auntie niya at mga tito.

Pagkatapos nag-aya ng inuman si Tito sa Hawkers, tagay kame ng Tiger Beer.


Tinatawagan na kame sa bahay, nag-aantay din ang mga housemates namin sa tagay. Tequila ang iniinom nila at may bisitang taga-Thailand, katrabaho ng kasama din namin sa bahay. Nagkaroon pa ng Pinoy Henyo Game sa bahay at kame ang nanalo. :) May gifts kameng natanggap pagkatapos ng laro. 

Last monday (December 19), nag-celebrate ng Christmas dinner ang company namin. They decided to celebrate it earlier dahil may mga kanya kanyang lakad din sa mga susunod na raw.

Hindi ko agad ma-feel ung excitement sa Christmas dinner namin, wala din namang bonggang bonggang preperation. At bago kame mag-dinner ay halos maiyak ako nung kamustahin ko kay Google ang Bagyong Sendong. Nagulat ako sa mga pictures at videos na nakita ko dahil hindi ko akalaing ganoon pala kalaki ang pinsalang binigay ni Sendong sa Cagayan de Oro at Iligan.

Halos mag-alas-siyete na ng makarating kame sa Shangrila 5-minutes lang ata ang tinakbo ng kotse. Pinagbuksan kame ng pinto. Nang makita ko ang lugar naalala ko bigla si Shangrila Makati, halos magkatulad.




















Dumiretso na kame sa The Line. Ito daw ay isa sa best buffet restaurants dito sa Singapore. Pagpasok isang hilera ng ibat-ibang klaseng putahe ang makikita mo sa The Line, may Japanese, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, Singaporean and Western Dishes.














Una kong tinikman ang Caesar's salad ako na nag-mix, pagtapos ay oyster, hipon, crab, etc. Hindi ako makapag-focus ng kakainin sa dami ng food at they were all looks tempting. Tinikman ko din ang turkey, pasta at konting dessert. Ang drinks namin Tiger beer, kamusta naman ang drinks pero masarap naman dahil malamig.



"Merry Christmas, Cheers!", masayang sinabi ng boss ko at nag-cheers kameng lima sabay inom.

I'm happy makita silang masaya celebrating Christmas. Buddhist ang religion ng mag-bf-gf kong boss, Buddhist din ang OJT namin at Hindu naman ang religion ng app developer namin.

Madadama po pa rin pala ang Christmas spirit kahit nasa ibang bansa. I admire them, kahit na hindi sila Christians they celebrate Christmas.

Ang boss ko nung una ko siyang marinig na nag-Merry Christmas sa kausap niya sa phone, napa-smile ako. He greet all his friends with Merry Christmas first bago kamustahin ang business.

Ang isang boss ko naman, nag-tatanong ng magandang gift ideas to her cats, friends and families.
Ang buong Christmas dinner ay kwentuhan about Christmas. Na-ikwento ko pa ang aking labing-anim na inaanak sa Pinas. Ang sabi ko 'non, 16 ang mga inaanak ko, mali pala, binilang ko kahapon umabot na pala ng 20.

Nga pala, nag-Secret Santa na kame, at ang nakuha ko ay Borjoius Paris na cosmetics.

Masaya ako kahit na maliit lang company at walang Christmas Party gaya ng nakagawian sa na company Christmas Party sa Pinas mararamdaman mo ang ngiti sa bawat puso celebrating Christmas. Totoo nga ang kantang, "It's Christmas all over the world".

Merry Christmas to everyone!

We always visit Yohinoya, whenever we are at Bugis, maybe because we have SGDeal vouchers but aside from it we love the taste of Yohinoya. We always have Beef with Vegetables Bowl with healthy mix of vegetables and Salmon Bowl on the table.















We seriously love "Yoshinoya!".

HELLO MY DEAR,PLEASE HELP ME OUT,


I am writing this mail to you With due respect trust and humanity, i appeal to you to exercise a little patience and read through my letter i feel quite safe dealing with you in this important business having gone through your remarkable profile, honestly i am writing this email to you with pains, tears and sorrow from my heart, i will really like to have a good relationship with you and i have a special reason why i decided to contact you, i decided to contact you due to the urgency of my situation, My name is Lala Turabi Kem, 24yrs old female from Southern Sudan in Africa.........


My father Dr. Turabi Kem Arop was the former Minister for SPLA Affairs and Special Adviser to President Salva Kiir of South Sudan for Decentralization. My father Dr. Turabi Kem, my mother including other top Military officers and top government officials where on board when the plane crashed on Friday May 02, 2008. You can read more about the crash through the below site:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7380412.stm


Some months after the burial of my father, my uncle conspired with my step mother and sold my father's properties to a Chinese Expatriate. On a faithful morning I opened my father's briefcase and found out document which my beloved late father used and deposit money in a Bank in Burkina Faso , with my name as the next of kin. I travelled to Burkina Faso to withdraw the money so that I can start a better life and take care of myself. The Branch manager of the Bank whom I met in person told me that my present status does not permit me by the local law to clear money or make a transfer of money into an account, he advice me to provide a trustee who will help me and invest the money or I should wait till when I will get married it demand by their Authority.


I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust. But rather take me as your own blood sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well, I will say that my mind convinced me that you are the true person to help me. More so, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my uncle has threatened to assassinate me. The amount is $11.750 Million and I have confirmed from the bank in Burkina Faso . You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country.


However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 30% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your interest in helping me, I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely. Please do keep this only to your self. I beg you not to disclose it till i come over because I am afraid of my wicked uncle who has threatened to kill me.


Sincerely yours,
Lala Turabi Kem.
(misslala_turabi@9.cn)

I basically taught myself for everything when there's something new I really want. When I got my first real job as a Junior Web and Graphics Designer in Outsourcing City at Mandaluyong I didn't know more on web and graphics designing, I just know how to open Photoshop and play around.


Working at night shift has never been easy for me because I'm quiet scared travelling alone late at night but I need to meet the schedule working hours on California. Within six months working at night, I had learned designing microsites and layouting page templates for eBay. Coding one page layouts and email marketing templates was really an exciting task and with relative ease. Working at night keeps my determination and eagerness to learn more. No matter how much they curse me, but I love what I'm doing.


I experienced many trials and errors, CSS problems most specially. Why this elements can't be aligned and everything but without those CSS disasters, I wouldn't know a little what I know now. I’m sure they’ll be more, too. For me, solving the problem in CSS is what’s addictive.


I love web design, from planning, brainstorming, layouting, coding, debugging - I love what I do. I believe in work what you want to work and I'm definitely sure on my path. I always keep in mind let your passion drive you.


However, I wish I’d known about PHP and MySQL more. If I will be going to rate myself in PHP, my rate is 1. I just used it creating contact forms and PHP includes files for many pages for static sites and that's all. Good thing there's Wordpress for someone like me that can only read php codes but don't write codes, WP is probably the best way to go.


Last 2010, I enter freelancing because of not enough paid work, sigh** I'm being honest. It started when there's a friend of mine who referred me to create company website. The feeling that they trust my skills and capabilities is a big plus on my confidence. That's the start of my big love on creating websites in freelancing. In fact I would say that I get a bit obsessive about creating websites in small businesses that wants to have online presence on the web.


I also experienced Joomla handling clients from Netherland under Online-apps.nl and Wordpress recently. When I discovered jQuery as an amazing tool for front-end development, I felt the urge learn some JavaScript first but above all I'm still engaged in doing lot of Photoshop works.


When I was hired at 88DB Philippines, it becomes an eye opener for me to enter corporate world than just working freelance at home, 7 days a week. It gives me another opportunity to meet friends in a very nice working place, but it didn't stop me in creating freelance websites for businesses.


Freelancing granted me to know different kind of clients, to trust people. Through freelancing, I have meet a special friend who gave me opportunity to work outside the box and my boyfriend who become my mentor in proper coding. I am very thankful with every single opportunity crossed in my life.


Now I now live in Singapore lah, currently our company having difficulties in their management financially. I hope to stay and had modest goals for my life as a web designer. What important to me is working in a stable company, friendly environment and growth in career as well.


The whole point of writing this article was to share with you little things about me, that life is in fact, what you make of it. If you want to change, there really is nothing stopping you from doing so. Just growing up. 

Maaga kame nagising today, akala namin matagal kame magigising dahil halos mag 3am nakame nakatulog kanina gawa ng konting inuman sa Hawkers.

This day, Sentosa daw kame, ituloy ang pag-celebrate sa Birthday ko, Sentosa Saberday :)


Pumunta kame ng Underwater World Singapore, nanood ng Pink Dolphin.

After work hours, I started to thanks all my friends who sent me greetings on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Pagtapos punta kame ni EJ sa Orchard..

We first bought Boston Chocolate Cake at Breadtalk, Plaza Singapura, Orchard. Nakakatuwa kasi Pinay ang sales sa Breadtalk.. Nagtitingin palang kame ng mga cakes na salestalk na kame :)

June 10, 2011, tomorrow I will turn 22 years old.. Time flies sooo fast, today I'm 21 and tomorrow I will be 22 lady.

For those who don’t know me yet, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I'm Glaiza Bernaldez, a daughter, a sister, a grand-daughter, a niece, a cousin, a friend.. Nah! that's all :)

I started this blog as a personal blog last year in an effort to share my everyday experienced.  I don't want to have more readers, I just want to write and share some about what I've experienced to life.

You will noticed me have tags about Bohol, well thats my province. Thats my hometown. Thats my birthplace - Guindulman, Bohol. And noticed in this blog the same name I repeat, his name was EJ, and he is my best boy friend. He stays beside me in my worst and in my best..

And just like any birthday, there has to be wishes and all my wishes were for good luck in my stay here in Singapore.




I hope all them come true.. if not today, tomorrow or in God's perfect time. Good things come to those who wait". I am still waiting though for some of them. But in good time when it is right for me it will happen.

Thank you Lord. Please extend my regards to my father up there and my families in the Philippines.

Good morning Tuesday!

I always start my day checking notifications at Facebook, bulk of emails at Gmail and reading tweets at Twitter. While reading short tweets in Twitter, I saw gmanews tweets asking "Sapat bang ipagbawal ang mga computer shop malapit sa paaralan para iwas-bulakbol ang mga estudyante?". I replied, depends :).





I've been working in 2 years now, how I missed being a student.

Computer shops near our school plays important role in my student life, not just because I am a computer student in college but because computer shops was one of our favorite place to hang-out. :) There was a time when I was in highschool that I was so excited after class.. because after class was our time at Zirconia - one of the nearest computer shops at our school that time.

EJ was one of my dearest highschool friend, I asked him if he could help me in searching my assignment in Filipino. Nah! it was hard to searched because what we need were old filipino music lyrics. So I asked him if he could help me out.. I was beside him and I noticed that he was so familiar using the web and typed very fast at keyboard. Wow! I was really amazed that time. We have computer at home but we are not interested using it, kinda bored. No internet.

Then I knew, EJ spent lot of his spare time playing games that makes him very familiar using computer.

That's the beginning of my interest in computer. Gusto ko din ma-master, exploring the world wide web.

So nung nag-college na kame pinayuhan ako ni EJ na kunin ang Bachelor of Science in Computing na course kesa sa Engineering course (Civil Engineer). Wala akong regrets sa course na kinuha ko, ang sabi ko sa sarili ko kinuha ko to tatapusin ko :)

Ganto lang naman ang naging buhay estudyante namin noon.

Eksena 1: "Ang init! Tara, sa computer shop tayo"
Palamigan din namin dati ang mga computer shops :)

Eksena 2: "Asan sila? Nasa computer shop."
Sa malapit na computer shop sa school sila madalas matatagpuan (sila - refers to my classmates)

Eksena 3: "Dito lang ako sa BJ Computer Shop, wait kita dito"
Nagiging antayan din namin ang computer shop, Hehehe. Computering while waiting! Hahah.

Eksena 4: "Dota? Dota!"
Nanonood ako habang nagdodota sila.. Ayoko matuto. Heheh.

Eksena 5: "Wala daw si Sir! . . Sige, computer muna ako."
Haha. Mahal na mahal ko dati ang Friendster, so I always keep in touch. Changing my Friendster layout, adding bit html codes when I'm putting testimonials to my friends.

Eksena 6: "15 pesos x 5 hours = Php 75.00 para sa internet cost"
Ubos ang pera, ang bilis ng oras 5 hours na palang nasa computer shop.

Di ko na maalala ung ibang eksena pero lahat nangyayare sa computer shop. Doon kame natuto. Nagiging tambayan namin. Minsan nga me time na dun na kame nagkikita-kita magkakaklase, kahit di naman nag-usap. Super close kame sa mga computer shops. Nagiging friend din namin ang mga nagbabantay. Sa halos araw-araw ba naman na nakikita nila kame eh namememorize na kame. Pero hindi naman namin pinabayaan ang pag-aaral namin non :)

As college students, self-discipline pa rin talaga. Hindi palaging dis-advantage, me advantages din. Pag wala naman kasing magawa sa school, wala ang prof, talagang ang bagsak namin kung hindi sa mga foodchains sa SM Manila, sa mga computer shops sa may San Marcelino ang bagsak namin. :)

Thanks God! We just received our medical result for HIV test and Chest X-Ray. We are soo happy that nurses were very hospitable in assisting us.

We took our HIV test at Medical Center, Commonwealth and X-Ray at Jurong East.

It was Wednesday last week when we had our medical check-up with Dr. Gwee-Shoung Yee Rachel, she was beautiful and very calm, she advised me to closed my eyes and turn my face to the right, maybe she feels that I'm getting nervous that time and Oh!! Finished! :)

The next day was X-Ray day, we went to Jurong East to complete our medical exam requirements for work pass. We almost lost, it tooks time to searched the laboratory at Jurong East. Wew! We feel surprised when the medtech speak in tagalog. :) 3 days before we received our Medical result.

More luck tomorrow. We will go to MOM :)

Here we go again, sa aming Lakad trip. Napapadalas na ata ang lakaran namin tuwing weekend. Hahah Ang target namin this day, to walk from Farrer Park Station to Temasek Boulevard.

We first checked gothere.sg website to review the walk and the distance. Wow! So near. :)

Walking from Farrer Park to Little India was awesome. You can see a lot of stores with cheaper prices and restaurants. Super we enjoy walking at these area nakabisado na rin namin pati paikot-ikot sa lugar. Ang first stop namin ay ang OG Albert Mall. Then diretso papunta sa Bugis Village hanggang sa makita namin ang building na Suntec City.



Medjo hindi kame nag-enjoy sa mall hahah this was our first time.. We just canvassing laptop prices woooot same prices with Funnan Mall, well one reason we go there was memorizing the place so that when the IT Show comes we are familiar at the malls levels already.

We rest after a long walk for a while watching the Fountain of Wealth. We do not appreciated it much because it was hot afternoon and all we want was to sit down and rest. We promised to go back at the fountain at night when theres lights coming from the fountain.

We decided to go at Orchard, wew! We ride at Bus number 36 and we saw way to Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore flyer, the Cityhall. Now we have one list plan, to walk from Farrer Park to Marina Bay Sands :)

At Orchard Road, we walked again from Dhoby Ghaut station to Lucky Plaza. We eat at Filipino Carinderia there (Lechon and Bopis).

Then Daiso at Plaza Singapura. What a tiring day! We got home at 10:00 in the evening.

Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure
I was loved

If I could get another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Ooh, ooh

When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He’d make me laugh just to comfort me, yeah, yeah
Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he
Would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance
One final step, one final dance with him
I’d play a song that would never, ever end
‘Cause I’d love, love, love to dance with my father
again

Sometimes I’d listen outside her door
And I’d hear her, mama cryin’ for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me

I know I’m prayin’ for much too much
But could You send back the only man she loved
I know You don’t do it usually
But Lord, she’s dyin’ to dance with my father again
Every night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream

First time ito Snorkeling at Batangas :)


Advance Pa-birthday ni Arvi :)