thoughtpic: Ouch!

This photo summarizes two things:

The abundance and love of sexy cars by the British people.

+

Their love for humor. (They're like Pinoys that were dubbed in English.)

Kanya-Kanyang Trip Files: Haters gonna hate.

KKT File: Masyado bang maraming bolshit sa buhay mo ngayon? Maraming intriga? Inggitero? Chismosa? Maraming kupal?

Eto na lang ang lagi mong tandaan: 

HATE is for losers that have no balls.

~cheers!

thoughtpic: The Sunday Ukay-ukay of UK

It has been 3 weeks since we've been here in Harlow, Essex. And we have adjusted ourselves to the environment, to the people, the food, and the weather.

But this Sunday morning, it was almost unbearable to experience a 28 degree Celsius weather. It was too hot for comfort, and it was a wind-less day at the same time. 

Feels like home?!

After the mass, we've met a number of Pinoys who lives here for 10+ years already. It always feels like home to see a random Pinoy in random places. There will always be warmth, chikahan, and the whatnots.

And one thing we picked from them, is the location of the coveted "Car Boot Sale"!

Car boot what?

Basically, it's like an organized garage sale in a large open parking area, and people will pay an entrance fee (which goes to a charity), and you'd buy lots of bargains! Sellers set up their goods literally from their cars, and may the best (and fastest) buyer win!

The Loooong walk to Cheaplandia!

After walking countless of steps under the punishing sunshine, and numerous people asked for directions, we have arrived the "Mecca" of Harlow's Car Boot Sale, The Pinnacles Area.

It opens at around 10:30 AM every Sunday, but the entrance fee at that time is 3 Pounds. By 11:30, 2 Pounds. And what time did we get in? 12 Noon. Because entrance fee by then is only 30 Pence (or cents), hehe.

UK's ukay-ukay

We arrived half past 11, so we waited. As we waited (im)patiently, we watched outgoing buyers with awesome buys: large tvs, chocolate fountain, bicycles, great clothes, nice shoes, etc. 

We were drooling as we waited for our time to enter!

As we entered, I looked around. It was pre-dominantly for women due to countless choices of clothes for her. And all the good gadgets were gone by then. And all the good bikes have been bought.

So what's my next option? Original DVD's!

Yes, they may be used already, but an original DVD for 1 Pound is a very good deal! (Better than a pirated dvd from Quiapo!)

It was also great to meet a Pinoy seller. They've lived here for more than 20 years. Plus he has a massive DVD collection, how cool is that?!

"Bili na bili na!"

Hannibal + Fight Club

*Both 2 Disc DVD, collector's item, in absolute great condition, a Pound each.

Scarface+Land of the Dead

*Bought 2 Disc Special Edition Scarface for 2 Pounds, and I won't complain!

That's all I've got for now. 4 original kickass DVD's for just 5 pounds. Do the math, and you know I've got a steal! ;p That's it, and I'll try to get back to my paperworks. 

(Now you know where I'll be next Sunday.) hehe. Cheers!

Super Mario+Violin=KICKASSTIG!

Always loved the Super Mario video game. I've always dreamed of playing its sound effects by any instrument. Preferably with a guitar. 

But it was beyond my imagination that someone really good could play it using a violin! OMFGenius!!!

(wishing I had violin classes when I was 4 years old.lol)

Not totally related to my first ward duty in the UK.(pramis)

Two words: Megan Fox.

any other 2 words to describe this picture?

KKT Files: Useless thoughts due to boring lectures...

"Masarap ang mabuhay;

Mabuhay ang masarap!"

-reigun's book of wisdoms.

p.s.

i think my blogging mojo just committed suicide, 

even before it was born.

if i get to visit you in U.K., where would you bring me first?

anywhere but near the shops!haha. ill show you London. we'd take the tube going to Big Ben, the London Eye, the Parliament Square, Buckingham Palace, shop at Oxford street, cross the Abbey Road, and ride a Thames River Cruise! That's all in the first day! Can't wait!

Ask me anything at your own risk. pramis.

thoughtpic: London Invasion

I fell in love.
19 June 2010.
London, be mine.
Please?

The "Mam/Sir" Conundrum Po

projectqueenbeatles: 2 weeks+1 day.

Malamig ngayon dito sa Harlow, Essex. (Oo, alam ko, syempre nasa England ako ngayon, etc.) Pero ibig kong sabihin, summer season ngayon. Pero maulan ang weather forecast for the weekend. Ang temperature ngayon ay umaabot ng mga 8-14 degrees Celsius. Masarap ang tama ng sikat ng araw dito, di masyadong mainit di tulad pag nasa Maynila. Parang Baguio ang klima ngayon dito. Pero pag tumama talaga ang malamig na hangin, saktong nginig ang aabutin.

Pero syempre, nakakatuwang isipin na lamig na lamig kaming mga bagitong mga Pinoy dito. Samantalang nung namasyal kami sa shops at park ng Chelmsford, eh may mga lalakeng naglalakad na nakahubad ang mga t-shirt! (i.e. mamang tambay sa kanto, ganun). At ang mga babae naman, paiklian talaga ng mga damit, at yung iba, talagang naka-sunbathing sa damuhan, at naka-two piece lang.

Bihira nga naman kasing umaraw dito, kaya di nila pinapalampas. Samantalang kami ay nababanas kapag mataas na ulit ang sikat ng araw.

Subukan nilang tumambay ng Pilipinas. Para matupad ang pangarap nilang maging tan ang mga balat, na mamula-mula pa.

Napakarami ko sanang gustong ikwento tungkol dito sa pagtira ko sa UK. Sa sobrang dami, di ko alam kung saan ako magsisimula.

Yung parang pakiramdam ng isang "Promdi" sa siyudad, ganun ang drama ko dito. Nakakamangha. At syempre, ang mga Pinoy, di papahuli sa pagkuha ng mga pictures para me maiupload sa facebook!

Subukan ko na lang ilagay ang mga ilang ideya ko dito, mga maliliit, at mga minsan eh tila walang kwenta, pero talagang kapuna-puna para sakin na isang promdi, Promdipilipinas~!

Pero bago ang lahat, eto muna.

=========================

The "Mam/Sir" Conundrum po.

Alam nating lahat na ang mga Pinoy ay talagang likas na magalang. Tinuruan tayo pano magsabi ng "Po", at "Opo". Marami tayong mga tawag sa ating mga nakakatanda lalo na sa pamilya, at sa iba't-ibang mga dialect pa.
Mayroong:

Tatay
Nanay
Ate
Kuya
Tito
Tita
Lolo
Lola
Manong

At sa mga di naman natin mga kaano-ano, bukod sa "Po" at "Opo", ay di matatanggal ang pagtawag sa kanila ng "Mam" o "Sir". Oo nakakatawa mang pakinggan na tila para sa mga bumabati lang na mga Security Guard sa pinto ang paggamit nito, pero kahit sino sa atin ay ginagamit ito. Lalo na sa paaralan, trabaho, atbp.

Kaya naman, pagdating namin dito, alam na namin na ang mga Briton ay may "First Name basis". Ayaw nila magpatawag ng "Sir" dahil di naman daw sila naparangalan ng Reyna. Gusto nila magpatawag ng kung anu man pangalan nila.

Richard. Bob. Betty. Sue. Ke anong edad, yun ang tawagan nila.

Mahirap ito para sa tulad ko na magtatrabaho bilang nurse. Lahat ay automatic na Ser/Mam. Lalo na sa mga mas naunang kong makakasama sa work. Sa mga pasyente, sa mga relative nila, sa lahat.

Pero ganun ang kultura nila.

Kaya ineexplain namin minsan na, ganun talaga ang ugaling Pinoy. Magalang. Lalo na sa mga nakakatanda, kamaganak man, o hindi.

At may mga ilan ring kaming mga nakausap na natutuwa talaga sa ugaling Pinoy na yan.

"I think that's lovely indeed. To call your folks with terms of endearment, instead of first names. I used to call my mother-in-law "mum", until now. But now, my daughters call me by my name. For me, it's okay. But way back, it wasn't like that. I don't know what happened really. But it would be great like you guys that you'd show courtesy and respect for your elderly people."

Yan ang sabi ng isa sa mga nurse instructor namin sa lecture.

Ang turo nila, tanungin muna sa tao kung ano ang gustong itawag sa kanya. At wag mag-assume agad na ayos lang na first name agad ang itawag sa kanila. Kung first name man, ayos lang. At least, may permiso.

Ang sarap pakinggan na may mga dayuhan na napupuna ang kagandahan ng pagiging Pinoy natin.

Kung pwede ko lang sabihin na, "It's a lovely day in England po!"

thoughtpic: The Best World Cup Team Ever.

Now, this is WORLD CUP FEVER.

Thank you so much 9gag.com.

You're the best.

thoughtpic: Worst Nightmare!

9GAG - Nightmare

Only a geek+a kid at heart will LOL at this!

What's the world's powerful force for you?

TAXES.

Ask me anything at your own risk. pramis.

thoughtpic: dangerous deed.

5 P.M.
15 June 2010
@ Flat 10 B

1 bored, hungry dude
4 double chocolate muffins
for 1 Pound.

============

dangerously yummy.

thoughtpic: Ayos sa UK

thoughtpic: A Great Wall

Thoughtpic: Green green grass of home

Unang Nobena sa ukay.

9 na araw. Nobena.

Maikling panahon kung tutuusin. Mabilis lang. Pero yan na ang pinakamatagal at pinakamalayong panahon na narasanan ko sa buhay ko. Mahirap. Mabigat. At ang malupit pa dun, nagsisimula pa lang ako.

Oo, masaya at ginusto ko ang ganitong trip, ang magpunta ng ibang bansa para magtrabaho. Masaya na makita ang ibang bansa for the first time. Makakita at makisalamuha ng ibang kultura. Nag-eenjoy din ako. At malaking bagay din na marami akong mga kasama na maski di man kami pare-pareho ng dahilan, eh nagdadamayan pa rin kami.

Marami akong mga napagmuni-munihan sa panandaliang pagtatagal ko rito sa UK. Sa sobrang dami, minsan ay nakakalimutan ko rin agad. At dahil dyan, parang nawalan rin ako ng ganang mag-blog. 

Hindi dahil sa wala akong mailagay. Pero parang naisip ko, ang mga ikukwento ko ay tila hindi na kaaya-aya sa mambabasa. Dahil para lang akong promdi na perstaym nakatuntong ng Maynila. O kaya eh magmumukha na lang kapareha ng iba pang mga OFW ang mga kwento ko.

"Eh ano naman ngayon foo?!" Oo nga naman. Bloodystool.

Pero itigil na ang drama. Dahil ilalagay ko na bago ko pa malimutan pa ang mga ito. Pasensya na sa mga twitter followers ko, dahil ilalagay ko rin ang mga ilan sa mga tweets ko dito, kaya pwede ka nang di tumuloy kung gusto mo, ayos lang pramis.

Ukay-ukay Tweets:

• its fun to buy grocery stuffs here at asda.lots of sale items!plus people here are jolly n hv a pleasant aura.:-)
• theres not much diffrnce ng mga grocery dito s uk vs s pinas.pnagkaiba lng,e puro puti at blondie mga tao dito.at mggling magenglish.
• it sucks i cnt update manikmakina.blogspot.com! i miss my broadband cnxn at home.waah.pinas- 1 point ,uk-0
• its amazing hw they love their football team in england.even boxer briefs bear their flag.lovet. i want rp flag on my butt too
• omg!orig dvds at 2pounds. rp pirated dvds,25 pesos. rp-1 point, uk-0 pts.
• ang summer s uk,nka sando at flipflops.pero me mga guys n shirtless mglakad s mall.ittry q nxtym.pg dna aq nanginginig s lamig.mkpgpushups nc
• nkk2wa s uk.d cla subsob s work.mdlas nmmsyal mga mgkkpamilya.mski wla msyadong cab o trcycle,they dnt mind.im thnkng of strting my own pedicab
• just fnishd dinner.mhrap mgadjust dito.9pm na,pero kasing liwanag p rin ng 5pm s pinas.atlist kming mga pinoy lging late m2log,hehe
• ang mhrap s weather d2,dpt prepared k sa 3 klase ng pnhon in a day.sunny hot,windy cool,cloudy dry.mhrap pg shirt n jeans lgi getup.lol
• @russellemania cheers!(catchphrase nla dito,haha)..ull love d cab here.kc malinis at mbango.tpos prng hollywood actor p drver.lo
• jst arrived here at the univ.still waiting for the instrctor.a gorgeous looking univ i must say.or shall i say,lovely?
• univ.orientation done.on d way back to d flat.hello student life part 2.1st day high!proj.queenbeatles is gr8 so far
• nainlab aq sa uk dahil:walang pollution.maraming puno.msrap ang beer.
• srap mgaral s anglia ruskin univ.facilities,d scenery,d accent,gondo!sna wla ring paperworx harhar
• ang cute2 ng squirrels!maguuwi ako ng 2. 1pt. for uk.lol.
• my brit prof sez brits luv to complicate things..with all these loads of papers n documentations,id hv to agree
• havin dinner here at nando's.bti p govt employees dto,me 20% discount s restos.srap ng peri-peri chicken!burrrrp
• prepping 4 busride to univ.dming bbsahin,toxic agad.tulog kming lht pghga kgbi.dpa whole day un a.gdlak samen.laters
• wil some1 update me re:nba finals?pro rsults nlng nllman q.plbhsa futbol country to.thy dnt cre.nkaroaming nman aq a!piso lng guyz!lol
• grbe gondo ng library nila.may vendo machines ng flashdrives!!
• univ time done.riding a uk cab.veryvery lovely interiors really.and all d drivers are very polite.well,lht nmn sila.:-)
• blogger ako.pero mdugo ang essay at paperworks for requirements for writing.nosebleed na,brainbleed pa.
• msrap ang countryside na puro greens.srap langhapin ng hangin.sarap ilagay s bote.
• it ws raining in the morning,sunny by noon,now past 4pm,cloudycold again.ohkay
• no prof yet.reading at d univ. lib.ansarap mging student kng gnto kaganda ang lib.i bet d uso cutting classes dto.hehe
• past 5pm.got back frm univrsity.mostly library work.must brush off rusty brain,and get in student mode!
• brit prof lauded pinoy nurses/s2dents 4 bein smart,educated,disciplined.she joked uk's stealin rp's brains.sad bt true
• tonight, town will be in a "pacman-fight-everybody-watches-mode" here for the england v usa match. im for england. pero shempre itatago ko brazil shirts ko baka mabugbog ako lol
• mabuhay ang mga pinoy.mabuhay ang kalayaan.kahit wlng phil.flag dto sa uk,proud to be pinoy pa rin.
• chilly,cloudy weather.i envy locals wearing shorts,sandos,sandals.this is their summer alright.
• i luv how england luvs their football team.flags all over town,worn by folks.i stl dream of pinas playin @ d world cup.*crossfingers*
• emopunk teens reprazent here in uk.theyre global for sure.lookin for brit jejemons
• evry1 went wild here 4 d worldcup.(except us pinoys).ergo,10pm is laundry time.lol

agree ka ba sa implementation ng Sex Ed sa high school? and even sa elem?

bakit naman hindi. sa ayaw at sa gusto natin, parte ng buhay ng tao ang sekswalidad, kasama na ang akto ng pagtatalik. nasa tamang konteksto naman yan kung pano ituturo sa magaaral. saan pa ba dapat matutunan ang mga bagay na ganyan, sa kabarkada?sa mga artista? sa magulang?

eh pwede namang galing sa mga guro sa paaralan. walang masama dun.

nakakamatay ang kawalan ng tamang kaalaman.

loljk

Ask me anything at your own risk. pramis.

You're not in pinas anymore? Shucks, minus one nurse here :(

ou. kakarating ko lang ng essex,uk last june 3. onga eh, bawas na naman ng nurses dyan.
pero di bale, surplus naman dyan ngayon.
tsaka magagaling ang mga pinoy nurses dito. kaya kumukuha pa rin sila sa pinas despite na maraming immigrants dito.

wish me luck!

Ask me anything at your own risk. pramis.

When my head goes haywire

"Close your eyes, and I'll kiss you. Tomorrow I'll miss you. Remember I'll always be true.

And then while I'm away, I'll write home everyday, and I'll send all my loving to you."

Can't get enough of the gig I've watched at the 70's Bistro Bar along Anonas St., Q C the other night. Enjoyed a night filled with John+Paul+Ringgo+George, together with tolskibots, my buddy Paul, her friends Dan, James, Jamie, et al.

Though we didn't get to hear the song "All my loving" played by the great band that night, it was a fitting tribute to cap off this "journey" aka "project" of mine.

>

A few months ago, sometime in December '09, I began with something called "The Project Queen Beatles." I wasn't telling people about it really, for it may fail (and I'd like to save some face just in case.)

So what the hell is Project Queen Beatles?

I called it such for I was referring to going to see the land of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and the birthplace of the Beatles: England. United Kingdom to be more precise.

So I toiled, worked, and sacrificed a lot for it to be fulfilled.

And in about < 24 Hours, I'll be leaving on a jetplane. (pun intended.)

It sucks to be left behind. That I'm sure of. But it is beyond words for me to describe the feelings of a son, a brother, a friend, a lover leaving all the people, places, things behind.

It takes more than just courage and strength of will and spirit to muster the challenge and to be able to drag my feet towards the airport terminal.

I know this kind of story sounds cliche much, and we get to listen to it a million times over.

But when I got into this position, wow. It really is more than difficult. I admire these OFWs for all the sacrifices they've been making. For everyday that they've been waking up in a land far away from home, God knows what could happen to them, but they won't stop. All for the love of family, success, and fulfilling those dreams whatever they may be.

So I was thinking of writing my "Mi Ultimo Adios Pilipinas" days ago, but I guess that sounded too corny, too cheesy, and too "gasgas" for my liking. Too emo would've fit too.

But I guess, in order for me to battle the blues I'll be encountering, I'll try to keep on the positive side.

I'll thrive on the excitement it brings and ride the chill it brings to my spine.

I was thinking of making another blog that particularly is filled with my daily tidbits there. But I guess I'll be too busy/tamad to make another blog. I may put it here in manikmakina, or in my tumblr.

I'll try to put an update once in a while.

Right now, I'm already on a trip to nostalgia. I'm already dreaming of home even before I leave.



But I'm sure I'll be sending all my loving to (you, blog, tumblr, twitter, fb, plurk, etc.)