342: Board to Death

Cut, paste, trace, snip, punch, pin, lace, dot.  A week before classes start, teachers are expected to be at their craftiest.  Where's my fairy godmother when I need her?

Decorating a classroom has never been my strongest point but this year, I'm determined to give it my best.  The newly painted 5th grade room is giving me positive energy.

It's no secret that P5 classroom has a ghost or two.  I haven't seen one but I can vouche for eight-legged freaks on a daily basis.  But all these bad press need to go away and the only way to do that is reclaim the cool.  My new tenants will be proud of their classroom come September.

I snapped a couple of photos from my progress so far.  I'll post more pictures of the rest of my boards soon.  I'm all tapped out, to be honest so I'll end this post before I use up the last drops of my creative juices.

Quick Question of the day: Any suggestion for a classroom bulletin board? 

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343: The Animal Kingdom According to Matthew

Matthew's back!  My trusty companion when I'm alone in the classroom after classes is back from his Indonesian holiday.  With a hermit crab in a glass box, he gave me a hug and a kiss and said, "Sir Jay, I have a new pet!"

Matthew is our cleaner's son so he's basically part of the school family.  Matthew's obsession is the animal kingdom.  From dinosaurs to reptiles to mammals and, apparently, crustaceans, he observes, studies, and draws anything that moves.

I asked him what he did in Indonesia.  His eyes lit up and he started to stutter.  He stutters when he's excited.  "Yee, yee, yee, yeeow know, we went to the zoo!" he said.  I asked him if he went to the beach.  "Yes, but wait, aaa, aaa, aaayyy, I want to tell you about the zoo," he began his long story.

When Matthew left three weeks ago, he was mesmerized with Komodo Dragons.  But now, he's into bats.  He drew bats.  Bats with Mickey Mouse ears.  Bats with pointy ears.  Fossils of bats.  He drew a vampire, too!  I made him promise not to draw scary pictures with blood on them.

He talked about the animals he saw in Indonesia for the most part of the day.  The hermit crab kept peeking out from its shell to see if Matthew has set it free or at least stopped yakking about "optopuses" or "porchupies" or "chicken with big feathers".

Finally, Matthew drew the naughty monkey who stole his sister's food during their trip.  He also drew an elephant.  I asked him to name the monkey and the elephant.  Like a true English lad (and I'm not making this up) he named his animals after the two better known (for me at least) English Youtubers: Charlie and Alex.  Of course baby Matthew never watches Youtube so I assume it's just pure Brit genes in action.

Incidentally, Charlieissocoollike recently uploaded a music video about monkeys!  

I'm just glad my little monkey is back to keep me company.

Quick Question of the day: What name would you give YOUR monkey? 

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344: The Dearly Departed

The unmistakable incense, which I've been used to smelling, was stronger than ever as I passed by Long Ping Estate this afternoon.  August 23rd this year is Hungry Ghosts Month.  Billows of smoke from cardboard shoes, cars and clothes, joss sticks, and an array of food both fresh and rotting lined the walkway.  Black ash breezed past my face in fluid slow motion.  Welcoming the dead back to the world of the living has its repercussions--they're bound to bring something back with them to the underworld.

The gates of Heaven and Hell are open.

I woke up to the sound of a bell and a woman's voice.  "Next stop, Sham Shui Po," the recording said.  I looked out the bus window and saw the first drops of rain trickling down the pane.  Perfect, now all I need is some music to dampen my spirit even more.  Before I could even reach for my Sammy (yes, I'm not an Apple fanboi), the bus rolled to the stop so I reached for my umbrella instead.

I have finally decided to get rid of my phone, hopefully for a better one in the very near future (is an HTC Windows Phone too soon?).  But for better or for worse, I was there, haggling with suspicious looking merchants who knew the sellers from the buyers by the way they clutch their phone boxes.

After checking almost every stall, I settled to do my business with a slightly naive girl (bless you if you thought that was kinky).  The haggling was a bit tedious but not surprising.  Most of the stalls were expectedly controlled by a higher rank.  Each time I approached a vendor, they'd make a call.  I can only imagine the person at the end of the line having to hear a dozen versions of an HTC Touch Diamond 2 in very good condition with a very cheap asking price.

The exchange itself was quick.  Money, box, split.  And that's the underworld of Sham Shui Po.  I thought departing from my precious would be dramatic especially with the sudden rain.  But in reality, the first thing that comes to your mind is find shelter.

I got back to Yuen Long just in time to catch the news at the mall.  Most of the shoppers were glued on the TV.  I got curious.  It seemed action-packed.  A bus with Chinese words was parked horizontally in the middle of a highway.  I thought it was happening live somewhere in Hong Kong.  A few more minutes into the report, I realized that the whole thing was a hostage situation involving Chinese tourists back in my country!  The perpetrator, a former police officer.  Damn.

Then the SWAT team performed a full-on assault.  'Full-on' meant the use of mallets and hammers (or are they the same?).  Apparently, the "tactics" part of SWAT does not exist in the case of the Philippines.  Caught on camera, the whole operation was a potential Youtube viral video.  Double Damn.

The hostage drama ended with a few casualties.  I tried to exit nonchalantly amidst the worried Chinese viewers.  It's one of those days when you're not too proud to be from your country.  I hope though that people will see this as an isolated case.  One that involves a lunatic.  I mean, I never assume that retired Chinese men go on a killing rampage on primary school grounds during their free time.  It just so happens that in each country or society, locos abound.

Yue Laan Festival or Hungry Ghost surely took a feast this evening.  To those who are grieving their loss, like me, may we see them in the next life...or unit.

Quick Question of the day: What's a good phone to buy (no iPhones please)? 

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345: Welcome Back to Hell, Roomie

I got his call as I was going out the door.  "I'm on my way," I said, trying to figure out an effiecient way to close the gate, while holding the phone in one hand and the stroller on the other.

Van was gone for more than a week.  He stayed at a friend's house in Central while I remained in hell.  Yes, 'hell' seems to be the most appropriate term for this room.  He told me that he was going back Sunday.  At midnight, I got his call asking me to meet him at the bus stop that was a good 15-minute walk from our quarters.

I tried to tidy up the room as much as I could.  But it was no use.  All I did was merely relocate the mess to another corner.  I gave up and grabbed the stroller.  I had a feeling he'll need it for his luggage.

A few minutes later, I saw him walking aimlessly towards the MTR station, he got off two blocks away and I was going to meet him there.  I called out his name and he turned to me with the look of a resigned man.  Heavy shoulders and lonely eyes, he managed to smile before he let go of the bag and plopped it on the wheeled metal tray.  The mood reminded me of when  Holden went back to his home in The Catcher in the Rye and only his sister Phoebe saw him.  They should have been excited as hell but under the circumstances, there was a bigger issue at hand.  And for us, it was going back to an awfully cramped space and I know I promised I won't ever complain about it again.

A welcome post from Van as well.

So we walked and talked.  It's not as if we haven't talked for a long time but it was more meaningful and a tinge hopeful.  Anyways, I meant to keep this short.  I just wanted to let him know that much as I enjoyed having the room for myself for the last ten days, I'm glad you're back in hell, roomie.  Coffee tomorrow?

Quick Question of the day: Roomies or going solo? 

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346: Word on the Street II

The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts' Bethanie campus in Pokfulam is definitely not familiar territory to me.  I got the directions and bus routes but I needed a visual.  Launched in March 2010, Google Street View (Hong Kong) is fairly new so I had doubts whether it was accurate enough to be trusted.

Google Street View FTW!

First stop on the map: Caritas Building on Caine Street for the bus.  Finding the perfect bus stop was easier using Street View.  Van was at Derek's place in Upper Albert Road and from there, it was either the stop at Cotton Tree Road or Caine Street.  On the map it was a coin toss since both are of walking distance.  However, Street View revealed that the walk to Cotton Tree Road has more ups and downs.  Caine Street was just down the road.  A 2-D map cannot give you that kind of detail.

We got to the bust stop like we knew it was supposed to be there without looking like lost tourists.  My confidence was up.  The bus arrived and we sat just behind the driver and already I was experiencing déjà vu.  Block by block, turn by turn, it was the same scene from Street View as if I have been there before.  I knew we were going the right way.  It was different with Van though.  He didn't seem comfortable and he kept asking me if we were going the right way especially when the bustling Central faded behind us and the bus went further uphill.

Next stop: HKAPA.  It worked like a charm.  The bus stop was just across the venue as promised and as viewed.  A beautiful campus greeted us and had the trip been harder, I'd say it was worth the trip.  The whole building which was a former French sanitarium in 1875 stood almost on the edge of the hill.  Now, it's the breathtaking home to the HKAPA's School of Film and Television.

The HKAPA Bethanie Campus then and now.

Sir YK Pao Studio in HKAPA.

The studio was located at the roof deck.  It was the first of its kind I have seen because the side by side views were spectacular.  Greens on the left and a view of the harbour on the right.  And thanks to the glass roof, you get a lovely blue sky as well.  

Below the hill was the street.  Far up as we were, I could not trace the street back to where we started from.  We ignore it quite often but it's amazing how technology has made our lives easier.

Quick Question of the day: (Re-post) What's your favorite new technology? 

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347: Word on the Street

A few times on my post, I've added photos from one of the greatest inventions that came out of the interwebs--Google's Street View.  So far, the application has been flawless when I try to locate familiar places which I can use in my blog.  Taking it to the test is a different thing.  Would you trust technology when you're late for a rehearsal at a new venue?

So this is how they do it! =P

Our director sent an email regarding the new venue.  Perfect time to test the power of Google's Street View, I thought.  Hong Kong is lucky to be one of the few cities in Asia that has been mapped in Street View.  I got to it.  I found the venue, found bus routes and traced the bus route turn by turn.  It's as if you're driving in stop motion.

Sitting behind a computer is safe but it's better to see if the technology is accurate enough to be trusted.  Tomorrow, it's off to an unknown place with only the images from Street View in mind.  Google better bring me to my destination safe or the street's the war zone.

Quick Question of the day: What's your favorite new technology? 

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348: Acid Attack

A storm threatens with dark clouds and a distant rumble. Volcanic eruptions suggest impending doom with spews of ash. Like most calamities kind enough to give off a warning, my acid reflux starts with an unsettling burp that awakens me from a deep sleep.

The attack, as they call it probably because it's always on an offensive, came last week. Unbelievably early, too at 10 PM. Earlier that night I had sweet and sour pork, scrambled eggs, rice, and 7eleven's warm chocolate pudding. I saw them for about five minutes before they disappeared into my stomach.

For years I have carried with me all sorts of antacid and I'm alarmed that I've been doing it on a daily basis. I've tried almost every OTC remedies--Kremil S, Novalucid, Maalox, Pepto Bismol, Gaviscon, etc--and their variants whether it be chewables, tablets, suspension etc.

Hyperacidity can be easily managed with antacid. But there must be something wrong with me because a double dose of the meds can hardly keep up with the acid that burns my stomach.

There are triggers to this fireworks display.  Too much pepper or chilli, alcohol, cola, the list goes on.

(I started the above article last December, on the 30th to be exact, but I never finished it.  I have since found a treatment for my problem and it was effective.  I was on Ranitidine for three months and after that my acid problem was gone.  Until tonight.)

Tonight, the acid is back.  I don't have my usual friends to keep me safe.  I think I can still manage for a few more days before I need to go back to Ranitidine.

I remember the time I decided to go on medication.  I never go to doctors, by the way, which is not smart.  I woke up to an acid attack one night and it was probably the worst one I've had.  I started to puke almost everything.  And when there seemed to be nothing left to puke, I threw up the sole reason why I had the attack in the first place, the deadly hot chilli spice that laced a piece of KFC Hot Shot which I ate a day before.

What followed was an extensive information hunt online for my self-diagnosis.  The treatment pointed to a fairly simple and inexpensive drug.  Ranitidine is not an antacid.  It actually regulates the acid that your body produced such that in time you will no longer need the meds.  I wished then that I had known sooner that what I had was not merely an acid attack but a serious case of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).

This post was supposed to be part of a series I dubbed "Living Thirtysomething", a peek of what it means to be thirty.  But since the daily blog is underway, I guess everyday is thirtysomething day. 

Quick Question of the day: What's your drug and for what? 

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349: The Teacher is In

11:00 AM and I'm still in bed waiting for my excuse to reply.  I was supposed to go back to work today and I didn't feel like it.  I texted two people to set up a meet but it didn't happen.  11:30 and I'm in the shower.

I didn't want to be late on my first day back to work after a long holiday.  I had to be in school at noon.  Out the door at 11:50, the short walk to school should take me 10 minutes.  A quick trip to Circle K and after munching on the way, I arrived at 12:15 PM.  

"Why are you here?  Didn't you file your leave for until tomorrow?" the principal said as soon as I entered the office.

I smiled but no words can describe the self-induced brain slam inside of me.  The teacher is in and in too early. Damn it.

I made the most of the afternoon doing what they call "the other stuff teachers have to do"--prepping the classroom and making it beautiful.

Somehow, I was in the mood to work today so I got to it without grunts.  By 4:00 PM I already had the Birthdays board and the Cleaners board done.

Lesson learned and a word to the wise, it takes but a minute to recall your leave schedule.

Quick Question of the day: What's your latest blooper?

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350: Time Warp

"God, if you're there, here's how I want to go: a heart attack, a tragic car accident, or while I'm sleeping.  None of those long-term cancers that take you to an agony trip for six months before your time is up.  I want it fast and quick," I said to the ceiling because we all assume God is somewhere up there.  And then I looked at Courteney on the sofa, laughing.  "You're weird," she said.

We rehearsed Time Warp tonight.  The number is confusingly fast!  I was trying my best to keep up but sometimes the split-second you take to think of the next step can get you behind.  Time warping abilities would come in handy.
   

It's a jump to the left for slow-motion!

The last few days, I have met some wonderful people.  The chorus alone was a wealth of colorful personalities and in tonight's practice, I finally warmed up a little bit to some of them.  It might be a while before I get chatty with most of them but the introductions will do for now.  There's an Adam, a Matthew, a Caitlin, an Amber and a Jay.  Rye and Jason made me feel right at home of course even when Van missed the rehearsal.   

And a step to the right to fast forward.

After rehearsal, I met up with Van at Derek's so he can introduce me to a friend.  Courteney, is a twenty-year-old dark blonde beauty who refused to be Adele's doppelganger.  Understandable because Adele's fat and Courteney is hot!  (Forgiven?) The three of us were enjoying apple juice and I was inhaling the first gust of second-hand smoke when we discussed death.   

Bring your knees in tight to rewind.

Photo by Van Tengga.  Timepieces pieces time.

Then I remembered something that has bothered me some weeks ago when I was tagged in some college photos.  I found out that I can't remember the last years of my teenage life very clearly.  I shared this with my two bored apple-juice-drinking friends.  They could not be bothered of course but it was quite alarming for me.  Is it normal for a 32 year-old to start forgetting his teenage years?  Or was it because I have been conked out most of the time during my late teens?  

It's the pelvic thrust that drives you insane and drives you back to the present time.

Van and Courteney were kind enough to walk me down from mid-levels to Lan Kwai Fong.  I had thirty minutes to spare before the last bus leaves.  I thought I'd see if I can get lucky in Central.  Let's just say that the last line of Time Warp's chorus can drive you insane indeed.  Next rehearsal, I'm ready to do the Time Warp again.

Quick Question of the day: If you can go to any point in time, when would it be?

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351: Breather

I was writing a new post last night when I suddenly realized that I couldn't finish it.  I got lost.  I forgot what I was writing about.

I thought I needed a break so I went through my subs in Youtube and found this video from Lev.  I gave up on my post and decided to take a breather today.  The video clearly explains what is happening to me right now.

Quick Question of the day: Have you ever been stumped half-way through a project?

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352: Unbalance

It was my first time to do laundry in the new place yesterday and I spent almost the whole afternoon doing a few clothes.  The culprit was the washing machine itself, an ancient piece of machinery that threatened to explode every time I pushed a button.

It took me five minutes to look for the detergent drawer that never existed on the machine.  Three minutes to figure out how to make things work.  And five hours to finish 25 pieces of shirts and undies.

The cycle was set to wash-spin-rinse-spin-rinse-spin-rinse-spin.  But with the "unbalance" feature of the machine, it took forever because the wobbly drum set off the alarm.

Load-push button-wash-spin-stop (unbalance)-spin-stop (unbalance)-spin-rinse-spin-stop (unbalance) and so on.

I finally got the rhythm of the blasted thing and got the last batch done around 8 PM.

I don't know if I should be happy about the "unbalance" feature of that machine.  It's a freaking pilot light that goes on and abruptly stops the machine when the drum is doing a dance.

I can't imagine how my housemates can live like that!  Why would they allow a machine to take over their life?  Someone should install a pilot light on their head.  Perhaps when their minds are unbalanced, they'll know they need a kick in the head.

Quick Question of the day: What's your most frustrating encounter with a household appliance?

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353: Anticip...

I slept at 5:00 AM this morning because I had to do two things: 1.  Finish the minutes of the staff meeting and 2. Practice Eddie's Teddy for...

Weeks ago, Rye was talking about rehearsals on Facebook.  When I found out what it was, I asked Van to ask Rye if we can score some free tickets to the show.  We were in for a better deal instead.  Rye invited us to be part of the chorus for the...

We said yes.  We had a few doubts but it was an opportunity that's too hard to pass.  How often do you get invited, past auditions, to sing and dance for a cult classic such as...

So, Rye sent us the schedules right away.  He also gave us some videos of their practices.  It was homework.  I was already familiar with the musical because I have seen the film version before.  To be honest, although I did enjoy it, I thought the songs weren't catchy enough.  But homework is important so I watched the film again last night and gave the practice videos a spin.  The songs finally grew on me after watching the numbers over and over again.  I decided to focus on one song.  Only I chose the wrong song to learn.  I learned Eddie's Teddy and not Time Warp which is one of the big numbers in...

I arrived late on my first practice with the chorus.  I had an excuse but I know in such cases, excuses will not help the production.  I was shy.  There will be dancing thus, there will be blood.  And then I found out that the day's agenda was Time Warp.  I fainted inside.  If I'm going to do the pelvic thrust the whole summer, I'm not only going to go insane but I'll probably loose some flab off my tummy and get laid in the process.  I decided to rock it because in fact, this show is called...

The rest of the afternoon went rather surprisingly well.  Van and I were in a much better mood.  Rye assured me that a creative outlet would lessen our woes and he was as right as his chocolate nail polish.  If things go well, I'll surely enjoy the rest of the summer, even all throughout autumn, thanks to...

This afternoon, I got to see part of Darren's (not really sure of the name) portrayal of Frank N. Furter.  And watching him sing Sweet Transvestite live was a real treat!  My favorite part of the song was when Frank says "anticip..." and it just kills you with anticipation of course.  I won't do that to you, dear reader.  As if you haven't figured it out yet, the show is...

Quick Question of the day: Do you like The Rocky Horror Show (or The Rocky Horror Picture Show)?

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354: The Crescent Resurfaces

I was on the bus reading my horoscope.  It said that I should spend time with friends.  Incidentally I was on my way to meet Van.  It also said to take a gander at the moon and see a waxing crescent with a bright Venus beside it.  I looked out the bus window and sure enough, it was there--the sign of better things to come.

Almost the same scene I saw tonight.

I'm probably a Muslim deep inside because the moon's crescent has always mystified me.  Tonight it sat there on a blue-orange sunset sky.  For a moment I wondered if the Dreamworks boy was fishing for stars.  It was a good night to begin with because a friend called me up and we explored the possibility of a new job.  It got even more special when I saw the beautiful moon.  

I was excited to meet Van in Sham Shui Po to tell him of the most exciting news I have ever received since I moved to the new place.  These recent events have been pushing me to a decision that I didn't want to make until next year.

Van and I discussed our angst as usual.  We reached Mong Kok later in the evening and found a small Japanese restaurant.  No tourists, finally.  We continued our rants, alternating between miso, office talk, tonkatsu (not very Muslim then), dumplings and the mismatched couple seated beside us.  When I arrived home, what greeted me was basically the last straw.

I keep hanging on to hope and good intentions with my present job because my mom helped build the organization.  I even helped in the process when the organization opened the school.  Most of the school policies and materials like student handbook, grading system, etc., were patterned after my alma mater, University of St. La Salle Integrated School.  But lately, with this new management, I feel that I am not being treated fairly.

I hoped that Van and I would each get a room when we were asked to move.  It didn't happen.  Next, I hoped that we'd at least get a decent bunk bed to appease us.  It didn't happen either.  And that's what greeted me when I walked into the flat--a chunk of flimsy metal and two foams just over an inch thick. 

I wanted to send a text message right away to express my disappointment.  But I controlled myself.  I will not give them that privilege of knowing that I'm in a rut.  

I'm going for broke because I have self-worth and I won't allow people to treat me like they own me.  In other words, I'm leaving soon.  The crescent resurfaced to mark the coming change in my life.
  
Quick Question of the day: Does having a comfortable living space count when looking for a job (overseas) or is it a sacrifice one has to make?

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355: The Last M. Night Shyamalan Movie

I have been trying to avoid The Last Airbender because M. Night Shyamalan is a one-hit wonder.  But when you're in the New Territories with limited options, the best thing you can do is buy a large popcorn.

I usually check the times online before I head to the theater but today, I thought an adventure was in order.  With only faith in tow, I headed to Broadway Cinema in Yuen Long hoping to catch Salt's earliest screening.  Salt's gone.  Next option: Despicable Me (in Cantonese, no thank you).  Finally, a choice between The Last Airbender and Step Up 3D.  Like I said, I was in the mood for adventure.

I got my ticket, popcorn, and glasses.  Into the theater to seat C18 and I was praying I won't be seated next to an obnoxious smelly man.  I didn't pray hard enough.

I keep forgetting that I hated watching in Broadway Cinema (in Yuen Long).  The seats don't have cup holders!  In a few moments the trailer for Piranhas came on followed by Resident Evil Afterlife.  Those four minutes were the most entertaining part of the whole movie and M. Night Shyamalan had nothing to do with it.

The first ten minutes of the movie rolled out and I understood why it's a big FAIL.  M. Night took the material way too seriously!  He successfully established that emo freak kids with supernatural powers existed centuries ago.  All of the children in The Last Airbender acted glum and dull.  It didn't help that Aang looks like a young Paul Giamatti.  Airbender could very well be the prequel to Lady in the Water with Paul as the new reincarnation of Aang.  

I kept giving the film a chance from one pretentious scene to the next.  Surely there's something good from this film.  As if in response, the guy beside me, snorted and began his nap.  When the movie reached halftime, I wanted to shout at M. Night to get over himself.  He seems to treat his film like a gospel from the Bible and it freaks me out. 

I would have been happy if the film exuded a bit of airy lightness.  The message I got was this: it's okay to be gay.  And to prove that, here are some of the scenes that will cement its place in queer film history:

• Aang shouts to the land villagers to come out and be proud of their "powers".  And a group of men started to do a beautifully choreographed synchronized dance.
• Prince Zuko was ridiculed by his very masculine father saying that he's such a sissy that even his sister can beat him in a fight.
• Prince Zuko's uncle tells him to give up the fight and get laid with girls.  Zuko of course declines because he's really not interested in girls.
• Sokka is more interested in girls' hair (although he did kiss that white haired chick in the end so he might be Bi).
• When Aang was training how to bend water, Katara tells him to move more gracefully and which Aang effortlessly did a few seconds later.
• In the end, just when you thought they're in for a bloody battle, one of the gayest endings to date, Aang says they should all just get along, be friends and stop the hate.  World peace, anyone? I thank you.
• Hello! The title has the word "Bender"!  Check "The Last Ass Bender" in your nearest porn shop.

The film ended with a sequel set-up but we all know it's the last M. Night Shyamalan movie, right?  Or at least, it's the last M. Night Shyamalan movie I'll ever watch.  Promise. Snap. Snap.

Quick Question of the day: What do you think about The Last Airbender?

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356: Holiday

I have just gotten out of the bathroom when I received a text message from my boss.  He wanted me to fax my plane ticket as soon as possible.

Two weeks ago, just right after my visa extension was granted, I applied for my annual leave.  I also got my salary in advance because I "needed it to buy a plane ticket to the Philippines."  It might have been a lie.  But I'm entitled to my annual leave and my salary anyway and where I'm headed or how I spend my money is none of my boss' business.

That's why I wasn't so sure if I'm going to be happy with the text message or be pissed off.  I texted him back that I decided not to go home but I'm still taking the leave as requested and as approved.

                          (Thought I'd get in the mood for my summer Holiday)

Tonight, I was walking around town trying to find something to do.  On my way home I realized that if I'm not going anywhere for almost a week, I'll probably dry up and turn into stone.  I've decided to watch a movie tomorrow, but after that, I'm done.  I'll probably be busy during the evenings but a whole day of nothing seems such a waste of time.  Already, you can see how empty this post is because of an uneventful day.

Quick Question of the day: What's a good activity for my summer holiday?

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357: Done With Charity?

I can say that I'm a fairly positive person.  I am easily contented and maybe not for my own good.  I rarely get cynical.  But after our trip to Aberdeen, just allow me this one time when I say, I'm done with charity.  I am aware that I put a question mark at the end of my title.  (If you're my future employer, I'm not that cruel).

Aberdeen seems to hold the record for the most junk donated to charity in my book.  It's the third time that I was part of the hauling team tasked to head to Aberdeen and get some items that have been "donated" by "generous" people.  Notice the cynicism slyly expressed with the mere use of quotation marks.

A year ago, we hauled a ginormous TV.  There was also one time when we went there to clear out a whole office space, including their file folders!  Back then it dawned on me that these "donations" were clearly disguises for the more blatant free haul.  Normally, a lease would state that an apartment or office space should be cleared out first before being vacated.  And it's just too expensive to hire a clearing team.  So what does one do to save?  Donate it to charity, as long as the beneficiary is willing to pick up the donation.

So my organization has fallen victim to this for several times.  That's why when the boss called us to pick up a "donation", I wasn't too thrilled.  When he mentioned it was in Aberdeen, I got the joke.

Apparently, the items this time are too hard to pass on.  A "generous" businessman is going to transfer to a new home and he won't be needing the five new air con units that he has in his apartment.  If I'm breaking my lower-back for this, one A/C should end up in my room.

We got to Aberdeen around 6:30 PM, the sun still high and beaming across the ironically hilly Deep Water Bay Drive.  Into the elevator, I had a split-second to look at an A4 size ad which was posted right across the lifts before the doors slid close.  The ad:  For Sale: 5 Air Con Units, rarely used.  Are you with me on this when I say I'm a bit cynical now?

You know it's Ocean Park when you see a dragon tattooed on a mountain.

Apartment 13B in less than 30 seconds.  With only A and B on each floor, you can imagine how ridiculously excessive the apartment was.  The maid's quarters was bigger than my "new" room, and they had their own bathroom!  But what would've sealed the deal for any prospect buyer would be the view because 13B offered 180 degrees of spectacular.  Serene at the balcony on the left with mostly greens, a bit busy on the right with a view of the highway, and, probably the best one, the middle where the lower half of Ocean Park is doing a full frontal.  Glendale Quarters sits like a palace on a hill, magnificent at the same time inaccessible.  I wondered how the electrician will get home after he's done removing the ACs.

Looking at the view, I got to thinking.  I can do this or maybe something close to this.  I'm done being contented.  I'm done with compromise.  I'm done with contracts having to justify my relatively low salary as "part of my charity work".  I can use some selfish in my life even if it means I'll have to starve myself to get to my 13B.

We finished loading the van with all the ACs plus a circa 90s TV and an even ancient VHS Player (I know, right? That's what I've been telling you the whole time, donation my ass).  Just when we were about to leave, the electrician got off the lift and said goodbye to us.  It was dark and public transportation did not exist there so we offered him a ride.  And I'm done with charity.  Hence the question mark on the title.

Quick Question of the day: Do you think real charity exists or are charitable people taking advantage of the less privileged?

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358: Kama Karma

Sometimes we get pushed to our limits that we think there is no justice in this world.  But once in a while the natural laws of the universe kick in and we get a taste of victory that reminds us the fight is not over yet.

I spent most of the day trying to put everything in order in the new flat.  Since the day we moved in the villa, the heaps of luggage slowly diminished.  Our small room is now filled with plastic cases, drawers and containers.  Each container filled with roughly organized items.  I've had enough cleaning up for the day so I decided to drag Van to the town center to look for a double-deck bed, our kama.

A few months ago, when our boss first told us of our move, I wrote him a letter asking for some amount of money to cover our expenses during the transfer.  That amount would have paid for our bed.  My proposal was declined.  I understood because I thought then that HK$ 4,000 was way over the top.

This afternoon, I was surprised and a bit vindicated when we saw the prices of the furniture.  The cheapest double-deck bed we found was already HK$3,000 and that's without the mattress.  Somehow I felt glad that they didn't grant my request.  Now they'll have to buy the bed we found or else they can look for the cheapest one themselves.

Karma is a good friend.  It always shows up at the right time.  Things will probably start to get better after all.

Quick Question of the day: Do you believe in Karma?
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359: Trash or Treasure?

In the process of moving, I had to discard loads of things.  Room 217 was practically half stockroom so I found myself clearing most of it.  The room that we're moving into is also a storage room so imagine the frustration of moving and getting settled in when you still have a lot of things to put out.

Piles of old clothes and toys and kitchenware were thrown into bags.  We thought it was impossible but we emptied the room after two hours.  It could have been faster if we didn't look into those bags.  Early on I already told my housemates that we should not even open the bags and boxes and just throw them out.  But there's always that curious part in us that wants to know whether there could be something useful.

I am not interested in fabric so everytime we open a box full of folded cloth I'd yell out "trash!" but my female housemate would say keep it.  I'm partial to toys so they always get saved.  In the end we only managed to throw half of the things that we have all agreed to dispose.

The stuff that eventually made it to the rubbish stack outside the house were not exactly the kind of trash that comes out of your kitchen so we decided to move them to the refuse area outside the compound.  There, an old woman waited excitedly for our arrival.

The Refuse Site (circled) outside our compound on the right.

The little old lady had the softest voice I've heard but she was far from weak.  She carried each bag all by herself and she made it look effortless.  Each time we got back to her with more trash, she looked more and more like a fisherman reeling in the biggest catch of the day.  I was somehow delighted that we are not exactly putting all of the "trash" to waste.

This afternoon we threw a few more items and as expected, she was there on guard at the refuse site.  She looked a bit disappointed that we didn't bring in as much as we did yesterday but she still gladly took charge of the unloading and said the gentlest "thank you" that I've heard (in Chinese anyway).

Quick Question of the day: Are you a pack rat?  Why or why not?
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360: Leaving 217

"Last coffee in Room 217," I held up my cup and Van and I drank to that.  For five minutes, everything seemed just like any other day.  But of course it wasn't just any other day.  It's the day we leave our flat.

Photo by Van Tengga / 365 Project

It could have been worse.  We could've been fired.  Our visas have just been renewed and in return we were stripped off of some privileges we used to enjoy.  

We began packing like crazy.  I uncovered some things I have completely forgotten about but there was no time for nostalgia.  Books in a box.  Shoes in a bag.  Clothes in the luggage.  There was rhythm in our packing, probably because I blasted Pomatic's mixes just to fill the room with a certain amount of joy.

By 2:00 PM we were done and ready for the van.  We had an hour before the van arrives so we decided to have a late lunch.  Walking to the nearest shopping center, the beauty of our neighborhood flooded back to me.  From the moment I walked out of the building to the time we reached the estate's shopping mall, it was complete bliss.  You pass through a playground when you get out of our building.  Children play under the shade of a huge tree.  Old people chat the day away on benches that line the path of the estate.  A few more steps and you reach the overpass that will take you to the shopping center.  A small building that houses the basics of estate living--a McDonald's, a grocery, a wet market, flower shop, beauty salon, computer stores, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.  Below is an LRT station, the first stop of the train that comes from the station in front of our building.  It is that convenient in Yau Oi Estate.  And I'm sad to leave all of these perks.

When we got back to the flat, we packed our lappies and so we had to stop the music.  The mood became somber.  We were quiet for a while as we surveyed the room.  The room is now almost empty save for the bed, the sofa and the shelving unit that used to hold the TV.  Van let out a shout.  It startled me.  And so the move began.

Room 217 will be greatly missed.  Somehow it was close to our hearts, for me especially, because my mom also lived there.  The walls in that flat have witnessed the way we have grown in the last two years.  Right now, for me, it symbolizes freedom.  Because at least in that room, we could be as we are.  And when you can be as you are in a place, then that's where you are most comfortable--as comfortable as home.

Quick Question of the day: Would you trade privacy for a bigger living room?
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361: Two Years Living in a Paper Bag

I'm keeping this short because I only have hours left to pack and throw away two years' worth of accumulated bachelor junk (as I'd like to call it).  Tyler Durden would have advised me to burn down my flat and start from square one but I'm not that rich yet.

Moving has its pros and cons.  For the record, I'm moving to a much nicer flat but the room itself is smaller than what I'm used to.  And, as it turns out, privacy has a high price, and a bigger bathroom is just not worth it if you can't run around naked in your own space.

So excuse me while I sort my things and enjoy my last night in Room 217 or home for the past two years.  In the meantime, stay positive with me--a change would do me good, right?

Quick Question for the day: Old things, throw or keep?
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362: Not Acting on It

The Summer Performing Arts Creative Experience (SPACE) class has gone from eight students to six.  To set the mood, I began playing "The Entertainer" on the piano.  The day's lesson: pantomime.  With all that's been happening lately, theater class seems to be a good distraction.

After playing some improv exercises, we divided the class into two groups and each group prepared a short pantomime skit.  The children gave surprising performances, especially the older boys who would usually find the class boring or corny.  As expected from the exercise, they performed it in silence, which was quite amazing given the time crunch and the action-packed material.

I felt good going into the office when the class ended, only to be brought back to reality.  "The van will pick up your things Saturday morning," The Man said.  I felt like breaking things.  I smiled and asked if we could take the afternoon off to prepare. 


From the time we stepped out of the door to lunch to the commute until we got home, Van and I discussed at length our disappointments, plans and angst about the move to a new flat.  I have learned to understand Van's way, that talking is good.  I made the mistake yesterday when I told him that I was tired of hearing about the negativity.  But the truth is, if we're not talking about it, we'll probably lose our heads.  I do have an advantage because I can vent out through my blog.  But today, I was prepared to listen and, more importantly, I was prepared to talk.

In a way, my day was at opposite ends starting it with an almost completely quiet morning with the pantomime activity and ending it with a rather talky afternoon.  The common theme though was SPACE.

When we got home, I collapsed in bed and Van went online.  The packing can wait, or we just didn't feel like it.  I can't act on something when I just don't feel like doing it.

As I write this, Van is venting out in the only other way that he can--singing.  "Please Don't Ask Me" is his first song so I guess I'll stay out of his way the rest of the evening. 

Quick Question for the day: How do you vent out?
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363: No Bull, It's Buses and Trains

"Taurus:  Your emotions are even-keeled today, which helps regulate your energy.  Take some time for R&R.  You've got a new phase of life ahead of you and the next four weeks will be busy!"  Hours after reading my horoscope, a phone call at the office:  "You must leave your flat and transfer to the staff quarters before Monday."

I've never been lucky with accommodations.  The last job I had in Qatar, I had to suffer six months living with the most obnoxious roomies you can imagine.  Eventually, I got the room for myself, which was not exactly a five-star hotel suite.  A room without windows is a closet in my book.  Nevertheless, I have learned to love it, mice infestation and all.

Fast forward to Hong Kong, now.  It's happening again.  No bull, this is real.  I'm moving in three days.  Pack two years' worth of accumulated bachelor junk and move in three days.  Justice is not in this city apparently.  It's not that I haven't seen it coming.  Regardless of the eerily accurate horoscope, I knew I'd have to move within this month.  But, three days?

I suppose I can enumerate the pros of the move:

• A villa flat is more spacious than our minimalist studio-type flat.
• Facilities: Air-conditioning, better cable TV! A fully functioning kitchen, bigger bathroom, spacious living room.
• No more long commutes to school as it is within walking distance.
• The scene: trees, a bicycle path and a porch.

Now let's see if the cons outweigh the pros:

• I don't mind being with my best friend 24/7, but with two other teachers? That's a big one.
• Privacy.  No more walking around in my undies!
• Four people vs one bathroom.  I hate lines.
• I'm sharing a small room!  I was expecting Van and I would each get a room.
• Sharing.  This is going to take a while to master.  From bills to food to chores.
• Faked absences.  With the principal in the same flat, good luck booking dates.
• Vices.  Hide it or leave it out in the open?
• Perfect Vicinity!  No more five minute walk to the mall, park or beach.  
• No more LRT.  With the LRT station right across my building, I can go to any place in Hong Kong effortlessly through connecting trains and buses.  Or buses and trains.  

Cue totally random intermission:

I guess Van was right.  It's a tough deal.  I say, give us each a room and we'll be happy face during our first few months.  And as for the horoscope seers, you've been accurate, you've proven that but please, give me a reading I can actually look forward to.

Quick Question for the day:  What's your worst moving experience?
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