Oz Welcome and Celebrating 31 Years
By The Parodist | December 23, 2008
The Oz Welcome
Pushing a trolley laden with a set of luggage amounting to 60kgs (or somewhere close) became less taxing when I saw a beautiful family holding up a home-made placard saying “Welcome Lola & Tita!” walking through the airport doors. Now, that’s what I call a warm and love-filled welcome! I’ve always wanted to get that sort of reception!
In photo: Sasha (me!) with my gorgeous nephew, my equally gorgeous neice in my brother-in-law’s hands, and, yes, my mum — aka “Lola”.
Not in the photo is my sister Shai, who had offered to take some snaps. Good thing I had my camera ready!
It’s been over a week now and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time with these two little munchkins —
C is incredibly smart that it often amazes me that he’s only turning 5. Would you believe that he breezes through learning books tailored for first graders and is now starting to learn division??? Dear me. He also easily beats me in any of the Wii games we play. Goodness! (P.S. I’m so stealing his made-up word: thingamadoodles Hahaha!)
Now, as for H, she’s only turning 2 but she’s starting to learn her ABCs and can even say “there it is!” Remarkable! She’s way, way adorable! It’s funny how she loves clothes, shoes, playing dress up, and shopping! I love how she’s always ready to smile in greeting. I just want to crush her in a big, big, hug sometimes. Too cute for words!
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Gallyvanting Episodes, Mood Notes, The Traveler | 2 Comments »
New Moleskine Winner
By The Parodist | December 16, 2008
G’day, mate! Yea, that’s me saying hallo from Oz. But before I go off telling you about the stuff that’s been happening down here, let me sort some business out of the way.
After over a week’s wait, with no word from the winner, I had no choice but do a re-draw for the Avalon.ph-sponsored Bloghopping Moleskine Giveaway. No sense in letting the Moleskine go to waste, yes? Not exactly sure if she’s still interested to get her prize.
Again, with the use of Random.org, I’ve listed all qualified entries minus the ones from the previous winner. And the winner is —
Congratulations, ANNIE! You can choose between a Moleskine Reporter Notebook or a Moleskine Sketchbook to enjoy!
Send your particulars (full name, mailing address + zip code, contact number) and the Moleskine of your choice (Reporter Notebook or Sketchbook) using the email address you used on your comment (for verification purposes) to sasha@the-parody.com as soon as you can.
Thanks again to Jasper and the rest of the Avalon.ph team for sponsoring this contest. Hope you folks have a merry Moleskine Christmas!
Topics: Blogs & Blogging | 1 Comment »
MNL - SGP - ADL
By The Parodist | December 11, 2008
Seems like I can’t sit still, yes? Memories of the trips to Vietnam and Cambodia early this year is still fresh yet here I am, leaving the country yet again. The Parodist is off to spend some time in Australia. It’s been two (2) years since my last visit. I wonder what sort of changes I’ll be seeing when I get there. I can’t wait to take photos!
I’m sure there’ll be loads of new things to discover but, personally, there are a few *new* things I’m looking forward to that I plan to share. I’ll probably tell you folks about them as they happen.
Anyway, I’ll need to pack this lappytop up real soon and start finalising the luggage. So not looking forward to traveling with such a heavy set of luggage. Pah. PLUS I need to start getting ready for the 10-hour flight on board Singapore Air. Yay for more KrisFlyer miles! LOL.
This reminds me, keep me company during the long wait at the airport. Any plans for the holidays? How are you spending yours? Done with all the Christmas shopping? Also, how’s the “resolution” list going? Getting longer each year? Would love to hear from you!
Hope you folks are well and do wish me Bon Voyage!
Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, The Traveler | 11 Comments »
Tuesdays with Moleskine
By The Parodist | December 9, 2008
Well, for the winner of the Avalon.ph-sponsored Bloghopping Moleskine Giveaway winner, it can now be everyday!
I know it can be daunting to actually write down your dreams. It can feel too pressing to have this sort of wanting for something that’s not exactly within your reach. At least, not just yet. But seeing them on print helps in reminding ourselves of what we want to do with our life or stuff we need to get out of our system or finally owning up to what we are most passionate about. Dreams are golden.
I loved reading the ones who entered blog posts. I discovered new blogs that I can visit even after this contest. Thanks to all who shared theirs in the comments. Knowing that there are people who are not afraid to dream big, inspires me to hold on to mine and to keep on dreaming for new things.
Getting to the point. Quickly listing the names with corresponding points:
Annie - 1 point
Kat - 7 points
Ed - 1 point
Michelle - 1 point
Nerie - 1 point
Phaelun - 4 points
Najee - 1 point
Blue Rose - 1 point
JM - 1 point
Mich - 2 points
Gilbert - 1 point (no link back to the contest post so I can’t count your blog post)
Nick - 1 point
Leirs - 1 point
Pinoy Contests - 3 points
Melissa - 1 point
Astra - 1 point
Markus - 1 point
Leah - 4 points
Maureen - 3 points
Mel - 1 point
Dee - 1 point (no link back to the contest post so I can’t count your blog post)
Gail - 10 points
(Feel free to go over the contest mechanics to determine how I awarded the points.)
Topics: Blogs & Blogging | 7 Comments »
Spending a Night with Jose
By The Parodist | December 8, 2008
Quick trip to a nearby supermarket to assemble the goodies, adamant that the night be spent with Jose.
A couple of bags of Tostitos and a jar of salsa. Check and check.
Lemons. Check.
Ah, yes. Dear old Jose. Jose Cuervo Gold. CHECK!
The mother of all despedidas! Good thing we did it on a Saturday night.
Conquered? Yes. Jose did the conquering though. LOL.
Twas a night caught on tape, which will never air. Ever. Thank god!
I woke up Sunday morning remembering EVERYTHING (er, sort of) and all I can was “there’s always a first time for everything”. LOL. Gawd. I had never pictured myself that drunk — happy drunk, I should add.
Filling the seats at the round table were M, K, J, P and myself. L was there to witness the climactic end to this night of drunken debauchery. P emerged as the winner, last man standing so to speak.
Thanks for making it tremendously fun and funny, guys!
Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel
Topics: Gallyvanting Episodes, The Rambler | 2 Comments »
An Early Christmas Gift
By The Parodist | December 5, 2008
December is the month filled with celebrations. Of course, the most obvious reason would be Christmas but the month is filled with friends’ birthdays, “Simbang Gabi”, and such, too.
The month is also known for the unbelievably, horrendously, you’d-rather-shoot-yourself-than-drive-in-that-traffic heavy traffic. But this doesn’t really stop people from going out anyway. There are still things to do, events to attend, and so on and so forth.
With all the busy-ness — sometimes, people forget that it’s my birthday, too. Sniff. Not entirely their fault, I know. Because to be honest, even if I do want to throw a party or something, people will be just too busy or worse stuck in traffic to go since my birthday is much too close to Christmas.
Another sad thing about that bit (having a birthday too close to Christmas, that is) people tend to be stingy. LOL. Instead of giving two separate gifts, I would end up getting only one gift hearing them use the too close to Christmas with matching whinging about how hard the times are sort of excuse. Yes, I’ve grown accustomed to it.
Oh, don’t get me wrong! I’m not here to complain. Just stating plain facts. I’m actually grinning while I’m writing this post! I guess I better get to the point.
Perhaps the folks from Clinique is wise to have sent their gifts early. Not only did they catch me before I leave the country, but also saves them the headache of competing with all the rush and traffic that comes with the holiday season.
The gift bag actually contains products for review but the cupcakes are a bonus! I know work’s involved but I love Clinique and reviewing these babies won’t feel like work at all!
Thanks, May! It’s never too early to have a Happy Holiday and Birthday!
Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel
Topics: Blogs & Blogging, Fabulous Beauty, Mood Notes | 8 Comments »
Celebrating Wellness
By The Parodist | December 3, 2008
Having been consumed by work and getting lost in the urban jungle of everyday life, taking time out to focus on your health and general well-being are such rare occurences for some people nowadays. Oftentimes, one can’t help but wonder if individuals even stop and ask themselves, “am I healthy?”
Driving down south, towards the direction of Tagaytay, spending an hour and a half on the road is well worth the time and effort esp if it means I’ll be spending a day celebrating wellness at Nurture Spa Villages.
Proudly Filipino, Nurture Spa is one of the pioneers in the spa industry in the country. They offer exquisite spa and wellness experiences. International standard services include massages, facials, scrubs, body wraps, hair treatments, spa packages, outdoor treatments, and in-room treatments that are inspired by Asian and Filipino healing traditions. They also offer overnight accommodations. Nurture Spa was created to provide its guests a blissful combination of healing and pampering at its best.
Three things on top of my list were de-stress, research, and photography.
Topics: Fabulous Beauty, Gallyvanting Episodes, Photography | No Comments »
Dreams and Moleskines
By The Parodist | December 1, 2008
Starting the last month of 2008 — also my birthday month! — is the Bloghopping Moleskine Giveaway courtesy of the longest running shopping website in the country, Avalon.ph!
Avalon.ph is the very same place where I bought my new Moleskine notebooks plus the Jeffrey Eugenides book. This gives you an idea of what they’re all about. If you’re a book and notebook lover, particularly the Moleskine sort, Avalon.ph is a great place to get them. Apart from the fact that you can shop in the comfort of your own home, you’ll find that prices are extra cheap (plus they accept Paypal!). Seriously.
But here’s your chance to get a free Moleskine as The Parody starts off the December leg of this Moleskine Giveaway.
Topics: Blogs & Blogging | 31 Comments »
Notes, Doodles, Scrapping and Stories
By The Parodist | November 19, 2008
A perennial note-taker, an avid journal writer, a lover of the arts, and having a general fondness for literature. How else can I describe the stuff I busy my hands with outside the usual tapping on the keyboard and fiddling with the camera? I guess I’ve most of them covered.
Notes
Writing is my friend. I can’t imagine myself without it. I still love the smell of paper and watch words form as the ink touches the parchment. Life is poetry waiting to be transcribed, though I’m more of a story-teller than a poet. That’s probably why I’m more into notes. Notes that will help me form a full thought. Thoughts that fill my stories.
Doodles
Drawing, painting, illustrating… these are not my strongest points. I guess that’s why I prefer to call my scratches sketches, doodles. I doodle. There’s no complete thought nor emotion in the stuff I create. Just fragments of a thought. Half an idea. Nothing concrete. All passing fancies. Yes, you can say I’ve never even dared master it.
Scrapping
I’m a pack-rat. Er, sort of. I like keeping mementos with the intention of compiling them in one “scrapbook” but never (and I mean EVER) gotten around to doing it. I hold on to pieces of history like a leech but the sheer silliness of it pushes me to throw them away later on. Silly, silly, silly.
Stories
As much as I like telling them, I like reading them more. They take me to places that I’ve never been but have always wanted to go, meet people I’ve always wanted to meet, explore a period in time that’ll never, ever find myself in, and watch events unfold without having to wait and age.
Topics: Books, Philosophy & Paradox, Writing | 5 Comments »
The Virgin Suicides
By The Parodist | November 10, 2008
There’s nothing more exciting than a new book in my hands. I don’t know. I just love books. And the past year or so, I’ve been exploring titles and writing genres that’s outside my usual preferences. And today, I ease into a tender, wickedly funny tale of love and terror, sex and suicide, memory and imagination that’s found in a Jeffrey Eugenides book, The Virgin Suicides.
Curiosity in the lives of the virgin Lisbon sisters: Therese, Mary, Bonnie, Lux, and Cecilia, I sometimes can’t help take small peeks in the book’s pages and read reviews online. However, I’ve yet to finish another book and finish a tonne of work before I can actually curl up and enjoy my new book.
This is one of the few items I recently bought over at Avalon.ph. I was hoping they had a copy of this Milan Kundera book but, yes, twas out of stock. I was also looking into getting another one of Jeffrey Eugenides books, Middle Sex. Still working on building the shopping cart to save on shipping. Hehe.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book but not too much spoilers, please! I’d love to let the story unfold by itself and let my reading slowly lift the shroud of mystery.
How about you guys? Any new book up on your reading list?
Photo Copyright © 2008 Sasha Manuel
Topics: Books | 8 Comments »
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