K

PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 15 - A photo of someone you love

Even if it weren't Special Education & Autism Awareness Week, I'd still post this photo because my sister K is the greatest love of my life. And yes, I still get goosebumps saying that.

I love this photo. My family went to Bora (once again, without me) and my sister, water baby that she is, had an absolute mint time. K turns seven this year (OHMYGOSH - in exactly a month!!!) but is still as adorable and as malambing as ever. She's turned out to be a really smart kid - when she was barely a year old her early intervention school teachers have commended her cleverness and intuitiveness. And she's very, very, very entertaining! =)

I'm posting an old journal entry, because K really is the blessing my family needed at the time. My love for her goes beyond words, beyond time and beyond the universe.

my little big brother

PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 14 - A photo of one of your favourite family members

Robjob & I / Manila / December 2010

As far as brothers go, I think I have a pretty decent one. We've had our fair share of fights growing up (I've bashed the door on his fingers and pushed him off the bed once, he's pushed me and spat on me before) but now that we're *ahem* mature young *ahemahem* adults now, our relationship's gone so much better. Obviously, we've shared heart to heart talks involving family issues and all that. 

I didn't get to see my brother for three years since 2007. Within those years, Rob was gearing up for the Blue Eagles, who wanted to offer him a spot for the team. Unforch, he suffered a knee injury and his doctor told him he couldn't/shouldn't play again. It broke my heart to see the boy cry because Rob's such a strong character whose laidback vibe puts Bob McFerrin into shame. But as it goes, Rob would rise from this personal battle and would still enjoy a cheeky game of ball at home. When I went to Manila and saw him the first time again last April he's an absolute mint. 6-feet tall and 19-years small, he's a deadringer for my dad (and they have the same sense of charm, too) and as his own person you can tell that he definitely has something special in him. His voice is amazing. His humour fits all. He's my brother and I'm so proud. 

We talk better now and we'd have our 'Bro-Sis' days whenever we're together. We don't agree all the time but that's what brothers are for, aye? I really wish he'd definitely come here so we can hang out some more.

I miss him. Everyday.

sweet you rock and sweet you roll

 PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 08 - A photo of your favourite musician

 

I was fortunate enough to catch John during his London leg for the Battle Studies Tour. Fair enough, the guy comes across as an insensitive douche most of the time, especially when it comes to his rather politically incorrect dealings with women. However, what he lacks in social skill he definitely makes up for his musicality. Amazing lyrics and mad guitar skills, his songs are really the type that hit the spot.

Dave Matthews wrote my number one favourite song in the world. He's amazing and he's quirky and is an absolute gem to watch. I love how wacky and how crazy he is when he plays, I love how he doesn't take himself too seriously - have you seen him go gay in Adam Sandler movies? Hilarious. But when he sings.... MAN. You transcend into a whisky bar and every word he sings hits you harder than the proof.

People who inspire: the other brother, J

 PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 07 - A photo of someone you love

J is technically my oldest cousin, but he's been a brother to me since I've existed and I love him dearly.

Growing up he was such a kickass dude - Mr Popular who played ball, the smart-ass student who was fairly smart, the suave boy who was a loyal boyfriend. He was the epitome of cool (still is) and everything he did I tried to copy.

There were heaps of deep moments shared between us, too. Like when I was so lost when he ran away when he was 16, when we shared a room in LA so he can meet his mom for the first time in 20 years. Or when he asked me to be his Maid of Honour and when I cried heaps when the wedding was called off. Like when he finally married the right woman and when I saw his face light up like a galaxy when he held his firstborn in his arms - and I saw the same amount of joy when he sent photos of him and his little boy. He's always been around my highs and lows and has always been supportive no matter what.

We're not the type to express ourselves profusely but our closeness goes way beyond blood and familial ties. There's no need for words, really. All it takes is a look, and maybe a few bottles of beer. I love Kuya J - the loving husband and dad to his amazing family, the man he's become and the brother he will always be to me.

never fails to pick me up

 PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 06 - A photo that makes you laugh

My dad sent me this photo ages ago when I was feeling homesick and it was the best pick-me-upper ever. My sister K is such a water baby and I can't help but snicker everytime I look at this photo. They're both so happy in the jacuzzi and the censored nipples make it all so comical.

I miss them everyday.

self-explanatory

PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE 
Day 05 - A photo of you

Embracing the sun, Tali

last year

PART OF THE 30-DAY SNAP ATTACK CHALLENGE

Day 02 - A photo of yourself a year ago

16 June 2010.
An eventful summer of closure. I lived on the West side of Brockwell Park and embraced the promises of the scorching hot sun. The feel of its warmth glowed on my skin and despite the uncertainties and the aftermaths of an ending, I was ready.

16 June 2011.
An eventful summer of new beginnings. I now live on the East side of Brockwell Park and I'm still waiting for the promise of a hot summer. It's pissing it down outside, but I glow in the happiness of knowing that the world offers limitless possibilities, and that my day has just begun.

east end marketing weekend

Sun is shining in Londontown

I love how awesome weather gets everyone in a really good mood. The last bank holiday weekend was quite pleasant.

I had to work on the Saturday, but it went pretty awesome as I managed to catch a lot of breaks in between. It felt a bit weird being in the office alone, but I managed to feel productive. I also managed to watch One More Chance online - because I wanted to kill time. Haha. After work I was quite knackered so I decided to head off home. It took me ages to catch a bus because traffic was absolutely mad - a lot of out of towners and tourists about, for the Champions League (which of course, Barca won).

On Sunday, I met up with B. I got to Covent Garden early and managed to see the place in its quiet state, before weekend performers hauled in tourists and crowds bloomed in pub terraces. I rarely see Covent Garden like this and it was really pretty. I love the market area - it's so picturesque and so artsyfartsy and the cobblestone footpath gives you a slight feel of continental Europe as well. Shops around are also great, a mix of high street and independent retailers out and about. 

The new Laduree shop boasted awesome displays of decadent sweets, tempting saintly passers-by to sin against their summer diets. And how could they not be lured when the pièces montées of colourful macarons are just too pretty to resist?

We hopped on a bus to go to Spitalfields market and I keep forgetting how beautiful London is and how much you don't get to see on the tube. I'm not really familiar with The City because I work Central (the West End) so I'm always fascinated when I go East. We trekked it to Liverpool Street and atop the bus, we got to spot awesome buildings in the Square Mile ie the Gherkin, Heron Tower, Tower 42 and the very industrial-looking Lloyd's Bank. We then walked to Spitalfields where the market was buzzing with stalls and indie retailers.

Ethiopian cuisine

So we trekked the markets in Spitalfields and in Brick Lane. Markets here are similar to tiangges in Manila. They sell stuff on the cheap but you can't make tawad unless you're a regular or something like that. I wasn't really much into the clothes as much as B was but I was very much into the food stalls. We sampled some cupcakes (super soggy) and Malaysian pancakes (nuts + corn = yum) and saw a number of international delights from sushi to siopao to Ethiopian cuisine (all green and pulses!). They also had a lot of vintage stuff like old school cameras, pocket watches, shoes, paintings, independent artist's albums etc. See photos below for random sightings =)

I've never seen a ring here that fit me properly.
They're all too big!

Kinda like Greenhills lang, but extra markup

SARAAAAAP!

London's 1st ever bagel shop
Although its katabi had more customers!

Five a day?

How angry is your bird?

Cupcaaaaaakes!

Spanish food!

Heaps of cameras!

We ended the day at Somerset House where they had the water holes running. Ang saya the kids who were running around getting wet! I was close to taking of my sneaks to go play around but my sanity stopped me. HMPH! Hahaha. But it was awesome to see also the controversial Ai Weiwei's Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads.

Somerset House

These two were on a date!

Oh... to be young and carefree!

Lot of cocks out there.

I am the monkey.

London is a really pretty city and the East End markets are nothing but a snippet of how awesome and how diverse it is.

27 before 27 blog countdown: 32 more to go!