Thank you series: Will be on vacation in Manila

Although I dread the traffic and pollution in Manila, I am soooo excited to go back and visit my home town. I can't wait to:

• see my family
• meet my friends
• eat in Jollibee, Gerry's grill and The Old Spaghetti House
  
• play with my dogs and new puppies
• feel warmth. I need weather that averages 20 - 30 degrees.
  
• watch cable and local TV shows that use the two languages I can understand - Filipino and English
• take a road trip to Tagaytay, Quezon or Batangas

Before I left I took this photo that shows our gate, the street village and my two dogs (posed like gargolyes hahaha)

We are flying tomorrow so please expect a temporary lull in my blog. Since I will be on vacation, wahoo! :)

Thank you series: Macau becomes our second home

As Filipinos, my husband and I grew up with a strong inclination to the western ways - specially for (fast)food and entertainment. Although I have adapted more to the food and culture here in Zhongshan, my husband has more difficulty. He still craves for the food and environment he has grown into and although we pledged on eating healthy, a once in a while a fastfood meal is always a treat.

There are several McDonalds and KFC branches here but it doesn't taste the same. As expected the food they served has been slightly modified to appeal to the Asian/Chinese taste. For example:

• KFC's chicken is still good but is served without the gravy. (Again what is KFC without gravy?)
  
• KFC's gogo sandwich sauce has been updated to take on the chinese taste.

Also I have still yet to find a Starbucks store here in our area. Although there are a lot in Shanghai or Beijing, I have not found one here in Zhongshan. The nearest branches are in Macau or Guangzhou.

Thankfully we are blessed with the visa and capacity to travel to Macau regularly. Most of the things we crave for is just 2 hours away from us. Everytime we visit Macau we feel better and less homesick. We get to have the once in a while treat of eating fastfood we crave for. Just this week I got to eat Mcdonalds breakfast meal and my husband also discovered donuts that tasted the way he wanted. We have yet to find a nearby Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme but the patisserie in Macau Tower is good enough. The bread and food they serve is really superb!

sunnysideup perspectives: Christmas makes me homesick

Waaaah!!! I miss Manila. My family, friends, Filipino food and even my dogs. Christmas seems to magnify my homesickness. And, it doesn't help to read a recent blog about my friends meeting up. Just can't wait to go home! Oh well, 30 more days and will be off to Manila for a 3-week vacation.

Anyway its funny how all of a sudden I feel intense homesickness, just as soon as the month of December comes. I think it's mainly because it's my first time to miss Christmas (in Manila).
It's my first time to spend Christmas:

1. in China
2. with my husband (instead of my dad)
3. without Kris Kringle
4. without seeing the streetlights of Makati
5. without a 13th month pay
6. without a Christmas mass

Ok ok.. enough ranting. I need to help myself. What don't I miss...

1. Traffic
2. Shopping rush

That's it! Can't think of anything else. :(

Oh well, Christmas is simply different in Manila but I'll make the most of this experience. Maybe my hubby and I can spend Christmas in Hong Kong. We'll see. :P

Settling series: My first pang of homesickness

September 2, 2008, I miss my friends and family terribly – my dad the most. I’m very close to him. We share a bond that I am proud of. My dad is my parent, my protector, my consultant and my friend. We support each other and I’m not used to the idea of not being physically able to support him or his plans.

Most of the day, I spend in our condo. My husband heads to work early in the morning and arrives around 7:30pm. I’m an only child and am very used to being independent and able to find ways to keep myself occupied. I can always find something to do. My laptop and the internet is my ally, but still I always feel a pang of sadness after a quick chat with friends and family. I miss the surprise parties, the celebrations, the get in touch moments at coffee shops, I can go on and on. I felt more homesick when my childhood friend Jacque sent me a link to her blog.

Then again, I guess I’m really blessed with great friends and family. The fact that there a so many people to miss means I’m sooo blessed with great people in my life. :) I’m online almost everyday and I’m glad for all the messages and calls I’ve been getting. See you all soon guys!

PS. Thank you for all the Despedida parties and celebrations you’ve prepared for us. I miss you all and see you soon!

"Despedida and Subic trip with Dad and Mommy Mariz."

"Despedida with Opposwim."

"Despedida with Nine."