Random Update #1

It's been a long time since I last posted anything, so this is just a quick update of events, in no specific order.

(i) I got my lump removed (March 2006).
Utterly freaky experience. Hospital Gown, paper showercap for my head and paper booties for my feet. A mixture of blood and iodine leaking into my armpit as they were operating. Glaring lights suspended above the operating theater. Muffled voices, clinking instruments (to slice and dice me). The doctors were both male, one was old and kindly, and the other looked like some of the guys I used to hang out with in highschool. They found two lumps. The first one was smooth and round, the size of half a golfball, and the second had the look and texture of some chewed up gum. They were fascinatingly disgusting so I made sure to take some photos, which I will upload in a second. I've got a curvilinear scar on my left breast about 3 cm long that's slightly raised and pinkish compared to the rest of my skin. The doctor said it should be invisible in a couple of months, so I'm not too worried about it. My original worry of having one boob look slightly smaller than the other didn't happen, and they look fine apart from the scar. The biopsy said they were both benign. Either way, good riddance.




















(ii) I went to Spain (February 2006).
I met up with my mum in Manila, then went through 3 cities in 2 weeks - Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

Madrid was nice, and our hotel was smack in the middle of the town center. Spent my first day and most of my nights in Madrid working, being bugged continuously by my multifunctional team and boss, so that wasn't much fun, and I remember my temper rising most of the time, since I was supposed to be on holiday. Regardless, I did a walking tour and bus tour, took some silly photos of myself in a knitted hat and enjoyed the old world feel of the city. Surprisingly the entire city was very familiar as the people, the food and disorderliness was very much like the Philippines. Got some stinky cured meats (cana de lomo and jamon serrano) for a friend. Went to see the Palacio Real, which had an extravagant 2800 rooms for the monarchy, but has since been converted to a government facility/museum by the state. The royal family doesn't live there anymore, but still uses it for official ceremony. Went to see the Madrid Cathedral as well. Then I ditched all the cultural stuff and went shopping in Gran Via.


Took the train to Valencia, and spent 3 days helping my mum at Cervasai (tile exhibit) carrying brochures, chatting up exhibitors and generally being a gofer girl. Wasn't complaining as the Feria (Exhibition Centre) had the best paella I've ever had, so we made sure to eat at the same place for lunch everyday. My feet were killing me, however, as the fair was MASSIVE. Also, it was much warmer in Valencia than it was in Madrid, so I could get away with 3 layers instead of 4. Still pretty cold at night though, when I spent most of my time WORKING (blech!) On the last day of the fair, the taxi that was supposed to take us to our hotel ended up driving to another province altogether. We didn't notice at first as the Feria was slightly outside the city center and took quite a long time to get to, but when we did we freaked out. Cabby took us back, and apologized profusely.

Finally took the train to Barcelona. Was accosted by a creepy Nigerian in the train station whilst I was reading and waiting to buy our (me and my mum's) tickets. He kept insisting on making conversation, and asked extremely personal questions like "What is your name?", "Where are you working?", "Why are you reading something in English?", and saying creepier stuff like "I would like to be your friend." CREEPY. He just wouldn't stop talking. So I tried to zone him out and concentrate on my book, but he kept asking and asking and asking these questions! I definitely vamoosed the heck out of the waiting area as soon as I finished my ticket affairs.

Rode train to Barcelona. Guy boarding in front of me had a really nice dark mahogany, woolen, suit. Skinny cut. And pointy shoes. Very sexy. (My mum noticed too, and when we got back to Manila, she bought my brother (who was going to attend someone's prom) a similar-looking suit and shoes.) Three hours later, we arrived in Barcelona. Our hotel directly overlooked the Gran Via. I saw the Dali and Picasso museum, had some paella (not as great as the one in Valencia), and the old town - Barcelona Catedral (breathtaking and very solemn), and some other old buildings whose names I have forgotten. Went to see the Sagrada Familia, and did yet another city tour, which means I saw everything there was to see. Then I shopped some more, and went to a Tapas bar. All in all, I think I prefer Barcelona to the other cities, as it was definitely a lot more tourist-friendly.

My last big holiday was in London, with Nick, back in July 2005. Don't think I really wrote about that, but safe to say it was fun, apart from the fact that I got accosted by an old crotchety Irish guy and his cranky nagging wife in a wheelchair. I seem to have a talent for getting emotionally abused/harassed whilst on holiday in Europe.

(iii) I went to a private island, Pangkil, for a weekend (March 2006).
Mixed reviews. The place itself was divine - a view of the sea with water so crystal clear and clean you could see the fish swimming around the reefs below, a nice swimming/snorkeling pontoon, kayaking and sailing. The "driftwood palace" where I stayed at was at the poolside, which meant it was cut off from the rest of the other huts on the other side of the island where the rest of the group was staying. Amazing food, servants to answer your every whim (theoretically, and probably realistically only up to a certain point), and lots and lots of alcohol - the poolside (and every other gathering place) had its own open bar. Four-poster bed of rough-hewn hardwood in the huts, and lots of cozy areas for lazing about everywhere else. Plus it was a private island. No reception area, no official-looking people running about, no rules. Just you, your own island (for the weekend), and whoever else you decided to bring with you. Bliss.



Company was ...interesting, to say the least. I was the youngest and only non-white, person on the trip. Felt very Asian, but was ok in general because I brought a good book along to read. Everyone else was pushing (or beyond) thirty, was either a mid-level manager or higher, and one of the couples even brought their children (not that I have any issues about that - merely stating examples to illustrate contrast). Somehow found myself doing things that I wouldn't normally do, like play Trivial Pursuit and Charades, and other assorted drinking games.

Felt a bit odd, but also glad that I went.

(iv) Spent Christmas and New Year's in Singapore, WORKING (yuck).