Time Off October 20, 2009
Posted by leicia in daily doses.Tags: idle chatter, thoughts
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Yeah. That’s the best plan my confused mind can come up with, after so much deliberation and reflection. The next 6 months should see me saving up for the time I’ll finally decide to go & move. To do what exactly, that I’m still trying to figure out 
Hopefully, I’ll have a new job or plan lined up somewhere else. But if nothing is there, then I’ll have to resolve to be fine with that. Quite scary to think about it now actually, with nowhere concrete for the following step… But sabbaticals should serve the purpose of refreshing your head & giving you a clearer picture of what to decide & do next, right?
However, I may have chosen a worse time to do this lil soul-mind searching. With the economic downturn everywhere, it may actually be a tad foolish. But I feel I just have to do something different this time, otherwise I’ll feel more (misplaced) complacent, crazier & might end up resentful.
Thing is, I do have a vague outline of plan-of-sorts of what I want to do, it’s just the getting to it aspect that is always daunting & almost improbable! And so before I scare myself out of this great plan, I’ll psyche myself up with images of just dropping everything & flying off somewhere pleasant & cool and ready to rock another adventure… 
Happy birthday MOX! September 11, 2009
Posted by leicia in daily doses.Tags: family
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YUP! It’s my mokong bros’s birthday on 10th September… This post may be the day after, but I’m just really glad he’s well and good in sunny Dubai
And the other good thing yesterday was, I got his visit visa without any delays and hassle, and only after a week from application! I just pray that everything else will go smoothly when my cousin and him cross the border…
This Eid time will be fun!
60th September 1, 2009
Posted by leicia in stream of thoughts.Tags: best mom, family, thoughts
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My mom would have been 60 today. Was it already 12 years ago that I lost the best parent that I could ever have? Sometimes I do wonder what she would have said to me and my bro about everything that’s happened in our lives… About all the decisions we’ve made, the choices we’ve followed, or just simply talking and catching up… Even after all these years, I still miss her. Happy birthday My.
office gossip = crab mentality August 26, 2009
Posted by leicia in graveyard shifts, stream of thoughts.Tags: thoughts
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I’m trying to wrap my head around being the subject of office gossip. It boggles my mind, really. The ridiculous thing is, I don’t even go to this office now, and was never employed there in the first place. It’s not even in the same city, or country for that matter, as where I am now!
Around two and a half years ago, doing what probably everyone else was also doing, I submitted my CV to this big architectural firm in the UAE, after being alerted that they need “female, junior architects”. A day or so after, somebody called me up for an interview of sorts. He was a Filipino, probably a head architect or CAD manager there. I cannot recall exactly our conversation now, but I’m sure I would’ve asked about the basic important issues like housing, transportation, compensation and such. The following days, they sent me acceptance/confirmation email along with the employment contract for my signature. I didn’t reply and send it back as I found the whole package to be not quite what I had in mind.
No follow-up mails or calls came and I thought that was that. So I went on with other life plans and ended up to where I am right now.
But, just early this evening, a friend buzzed me on YM and told me there’s a “chika” regarding that company. I had to jog my memory until I remembered it. Apparently, a friend of hers who worked there came to know about that application of mine. He heard that some people there were “discussing” that my salary expectation before was too high when I was “teacher lang daw”. HAHAHA! I had to laugh at that one. Really! I may not have been the best of teachers before, but that is just soooo WRONG calling teachers that way.
First of all, how unprofessional was this company that candidate information is divulged to non-HR staff and second, how unethical was that manager/architect who I talked with to ridicule our conversation? I mean, that time, what do I know of living and working abroad, especially in the Middle East? Lastly, just to be on the flip side, what’s the point of even considering on going abroad for work, if not to look for higher pay?
My mistake was probably being too naive to ask questions that I felt needed to be asked. Now, I am just glad I didn’t make the mistake of choosing that office 2 years ago. The company itself might be establisehd and successful but I still might have made the right decision, knowing now how the staff there were acting up before. And the sad part, but come to think of it not so surprising really, is that they may be mostly Filipinos…
Pedicure Spa + Hot Stone Massage! August 13, 2009
Posted by leicia in kewlness, oman!.Tags: Essence Spa, hot stone massage, muscat, spa, VLCC
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Without ever really intending for it, the past 2 weeks or so saw me paying homage to body pampering and relaxation.
An Indian guy from Granton was going around offices here selling promotions for VLCC, a slimming, skin and hair clinic/spa at Shatti Al Qurum. I didn’t think much about it until I remembered I was invited to Michelle’s (my former flatmate) mom’s wedding reception the following week…
So I bought the set coupons with its freebies for 20 rials and made appointments for the wedding day. I reserved for the pedicure spa (I think) with a complimentary manicure and a face pack. I actually thought these were all free from how the sales guy explained it, until it was clarified by the receptionist that the spa was just on a discount, but the face pack was free. I had to pay the discounted (30%) price of 10 rials for the pedicure, and this was after I got the coupons. Miscommunication (or was it misinformation) rears its confusing head here…
Anyhow, I headed to the clinic on 29th July and was met by a local and an Indian lady asking if I understood the promo. Apparently a lot of clients got angry, thinking that everything was included on the 20 rial promotion as well. Granton should really be more straightforward on this matter…
A Filipina met me and she started the treatment. The pedicure spa includes a paraffin wax for the feet and pedicure with the complimentary manicure. Let me just say that this is the first time I got myself a wax anywhere. She explained that the wax good for the veins and circulation of blood in the feet. But that paraffin sure was hot and made my bony feet feel like candles being made!
Good that the lady was efficient and she kept the coffee and drinks coming. She also helped me choose a very nice polish which I wore even days after. It was luminous pearlescent kinda color, a departure from my usual dark plums & coppery bronzes…
I was already happy chalking up another new experience in body pampering until my best friend, Farah, surprised me with another body-melting extravaganza!
To mark 2 years of great friendship here in Muscat, we went for an “Essence Aroma Stone Massage”. Sigh* Just saying that is enough to bring me back to the massage table. Almost…
On a balmy Monday afternoon, we encountered cool, lush hush inside Essence Spa at Madinat Al Ilam. Eschewing hot tea for welcome, they gave us this chilled hibiscus drinks instead…
The massage room was calm, oriental minimalist but plush enough, each having its own shower & changing area. My masseuse, I think a Thai, was good. Pressure was medium and just right. Stones were hot, hot, hot! They were placed at points on the back. Afterwards, they were used to sweep all over the body, massaging away kinks, tense muscles and maybe even some dead skin cells! With the smooth stones oiled and gliding down hotly, I literally felt I was being flat-ironed! And for the finale, they have this intimate area where they serve dates and the hot tea after sessions. Both of which tasted surprisingly good, especially the dates, as I never took a particular liking to them here before.
I was impressed with the whole experience and all I can add now is that hot stone massage is the way to go! Until, I guess, we go back and try the “Essence Moroccan Red Clay Body Wrap” anyway… =)
architectural food for thought July 8, 2009
Posted by leicia in arki trix&stuff, kewlness.Tags: architecture, design
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Optimism vs Pessimism
Expressive vs Neutral
Radical vs Conservative
Emotional vs Cool
Inexplicable vs Understood
Hand vs Computer
Complex vs Simple
Political vs Evasive
Real vs Simulated
Unexpected vs Habitual
Raw vs Refined
Pointed vs Blunt
Memorable vs Forgettable
Communicative vs Mute
Risky vs Safe
Space vs Fashion
Democratic vs Authoritarian
- Daniel Libeskind
To hear the rest of the talk… “>
settle for more June 19, 2009
Posted by leicia in stream of thoughts.Tags: idle chatter, thoughts
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To be really candid, I am fine how and where I am right now.
But this doesn’t mean I didn’t yell and shake my fist at the world.
This doesn’t mean I have always been on bended knees in gratitude and expectation.
This doesn’t mean I never questioned the events that happened in my life.
This doesn’t mean all my decisions were wise and right.
And still to be completely true and honest, even when I am fine right here and now,
there is still that yearning to settle for more…
And why not?
I am finding it is actually not that bad to want to have everything you desire.
It is the fuel that drives people to do their passion, to deal with life , and to live as they should.
Whatever works for you. Without hurting or inconveniencing those around you.
Love. Sex. Money. Fame. Power.
Or Kids. Family. Education. Fitness. Business. Your garden and crossword puzzle.
Salon day and food trips. Massages and movie dates. Flirting with a stranger, talking to a long-lost old friend. The dream wedding.
Shooting studio-quality pictures. Day at the beach. Your bug and stamp collection. Trips abroad. Fancy shoes and frilly dresses. Cliff-diving, bungee jumping or just surfing the net. Heeding your destiny’s call.
The list goes on and on.
The point is NOT to be not content with what you have or, who you are this moment.
But to appreciate and be grateful for those and also realize that the best may still be on its way…
Approaching 30… May 31, 2009
Posted by leicia in stream of thoughts.Tags: birthday, cheers!, thoughts
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Finally getting to THAT stage now. And somehow despite everything that’s going on, all is good, thank God!
But shouldn’t I be anxious and fearful to turn 30 in 5 days? They say women have a lot of issues at this point of our lives. Shouldn’t I be suffering complexes now too complicated to articulate?
Well, yeah, half and half I guess. Complicated issues are still there, but who doesn’t have problems and concerns ? I guess the point is, its all in the mind! That should be a good sign right? =)
The only thing I’m concerned now is how to mark it. Celebrate gratitude for another year by throwing a party? Or just have a nice dinner and drinks with good friends with mox?
Either or neither, I am very thankful I still have the chance to complete 3 decades of life here =) And as always, I only ask THE power that be, for good health and protection from harm and danger for myself and family. Any add-ons to that will be greatly, greatly appreciated! =P
A good friend, Ma’am Jean, sent me this SMS last week: Remember 5 simple rules to be happy…
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
A fitting reminder for this coming 5th June. Cheers!
home sweet davao… May 18, 2009
Posted by leicia in stream of thoughts, traveling shoes.Tags: buddies, cheers!, davao, home, trips
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so finally arrived home…
and it’s raining! and had kinilaw and inihaw for lunch! and i’m gonna have my long-awaited massage in an hour! simple joys =)
to backtrack a little…
after almost 40 hours straight of being awake wrapping up work, final packing, traveling, layovers and waiting, we groggily disembarked at MIA close to midnight last may 14. good thing i was with friends, as they made the whole trip a little less stressful. though with this virus going around, we got a little paranoid. passengers were coming in from the US, korea, and i don’t know from anywhere else! this prompted us to don masks. only to find out we were probably 4 out of 8 passengers using them. haha. but immigrations officers were using them. and its always better to be safe than praning and sorry i guess…
we checked in around 1am and after spending the first night at the hotel, i woke up to a late breakfast of PORK tocino and bacon! hehe. just couldn’t help it. afterward, went to farah’s house in antipolo and had yummy, home-cooked lunch! then for dinner had oxbrain and keema at a kebab joint with vang in front of sterten place in maginhawa st, UP village. which is where i think my “discomforts” came from!
may 16th was ggdoll’s wedding day. after all preparations and we were heading to the church in the afternoon, fatigue suddenly hit me. hard. literally, my eyes were drooping and my head started to ache coz i felt so sleepy! in the church, i just sat down for fear of swaying or worse, fainting! something i’ve never done my whole life…
so i was on and off of it, even at the reception. then started to think paranoid stuff when i threw up that night. and it was worse the following day, when i woke up really feeling bad! had to call several “advisers” in the medical field. after reassurances and instructions on which meds to take and what else to do, i started to feel better. a little weak still, but not sickly. morning nap was helpful and so was good lunch and another nap before dinner. had to be better for my morning flight the following day.
seeing the whole college gang was worth all of it though. spending time with them felt like nothing changed. but of course, a lot did change. but some things, like friendships, deep bonds shared over joys and sorrows, the mundane and special, and most especially surviving UP, count for something else…
thankfully, i woke up well-rested and feeling way better today. and after breakfast with a few dear friends, i was off to the airport for the final leg of my trip home…
fastforward now….
just had my body-melting massage. my new masseuse was good really, strong. had a hearty dinner of tinolang tuna belly and pork sisig at banoks. and after chatting up with several good friends abroad, and finally catching up with them, I’m ready to crash in my own bed. at last…
miniatures April 15, 2009
Posted by leicia in arki trix&stuff, kewlness.Tags: amazing, architecture, miniatures, quirks
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as far back as i can remember, i have always been fascinated by diagrams and drawings, maps, pictures of houses, buildings – the inside and outside, dollhouses and small versions of whatever. one reason i can think of now, was a big drawing mox made, when i was maybe 4 or 5 years old?
it was a full colored illusration done in 1 whole manila paper showing an airplane cut in its longitudinal section, hand-drawn by my grade-schooler big brother that time. for the kid i was then, it was huge! colored crayons depicting the seats, people and the big plane. fine details are quite hazy now, but i guess it really left an impression…
enough to make me take up architecture. but i admit i dont have the patience at all to make this minute renditions, thats why i opted for the big versions. one artist for miniatures remarked he had to go into a meditative state. he has to slow down his heart rate so his hands wouldnt tremble as much. wow. im even having trouble just completing some of my more challenging yoga asanas!
when i stumbled upon peter tucker via the weburbanist, i was simply floored. (the parquet, tiny version =)… lots more other artists there, but i simply like that he has contemporary models and designer stuff as well. simply amazing and in my language, “nakakagigil”. miniature settings you can imagine, he can make. see the following images and tell me you dont go crazy over the LED lights for lamps, minisicule designer furnitures and the fine grained-flooring and woodworks…
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to see more of his work, his website is roomboxes.com
