tsinanera
a sort-of Chinese-looking Filipina
and her (mis)adventures
once upon a time
in China
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Friday, May 18
A little snippet from the little girl's simple and intimate birthday celebration...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my roommate and bestfriend in China...Liedy!
Also, here's a look into the Tsinanera life.
Video courtesy of my trusty Mimi. :)
Posted at 11:16 am by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Monday, April 30
Currently playing: The Sweetest Thing (U2)
Mababaw kaligayahan ko. Little sweet things mean a lot more to me. It makes my day bright. It makes me giddy and giggly like a little girl. Lavish and spoil me with simple joys, you're in luck. I reciprocate. It brings out the sweet side of me I rarely show. The past weeks, lemme say, despite some setbacks (i.e. the persistent colds and throat infection) I have been blest with some snatches of sweet things.
Ika nga, life is like a box of chocnuts.
FADE INTO
Easter Sunday, Early AM (like, madaling araw)
Drinking with choirmates at Ate Gemma's house in Shui Wan Tou.
KB was asking about my Saturday night. Text-a-thon ito, ineng...which I replied:
I'm on my 3rd big bottle of Tsing Tao. I'm drnking wth d boyz.
Something pang-asar, so replied with:
That's trouble! I know how you get
Then I continued with:
I object! Why? Do I get wild when I drink?
So, he retorted:
You better come here to find out
After some more songs in the videoke and probably my 5th bottle of Tsing Tao...
Just let me know if you're headed here.
And another...
Have fun!
Come Cinderella time, I took a cab after going ober da bakod and headed for his place. I was sorta expecting some lecture about my drinking, but he just smiled at me and he hugged me. He was amused probably because I was pretty hyper. He was so cute too. (Yuck, this line is so highschool!) That extra weight is good. He's such a big baby when I tucked him to bed. Akalain mo nga naman, pag-uwi ko, my black jacket got white marks from the gate I went over pala!!!
That was sweet. He just wanted to see me and know I'm okay even if he was raging with fever that time. I would've loved it if he picked me up at the bus stop, but well...we have to make do with the circumstance that night.
DISSOLVES OF
Cross out the Saturday night, week after Easter I got drunk and cursed my phone with my classic drunken "Why don't you just die!!!" when it fell into the sink. I totally shut down from the world and it's still a mystery to KB why the hell my phone was off during those times. Thank God he doesn't know this blog and this site is inaccessible here.
Cross out getting sick.
A smile formed on my face seeing his big white sneakers beside my cutesy, floral Havvies at our friend's house over dinner the other day. It was even neatly lined up. It's just so cute seeing our footwear together. Ganito ba talaga ang pagiging coupled up?
And as a peace offering for the past dramatic days, I gave him chocnut. Just a simple way of saying "Thanks for putting up with me." Almost 5 months na!
FADE OUT
It's a one-week holiday here, and we're spending it apart. Darn the visa and some complicated matter called the ex. Pfft.
Posted at 09:09 pm by lipat-bahay
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Sunday, April 29
nasabuyan in hai yang da sha
Written sometime last April 23...
Namaste.
Pleasant recuperating Sunday.
Started with yoga class after seven months of inactivity. Thought my bones would be cracking or I'll be malleable like jelly or aching like rheumatism after; but N hours and counting, I am bursting with energy.
Namaste.
I met another set of people in yoga class and given the philosophy practiced in yoga, this is another start of soemthing good. I really am crossing my fingers for this. I swear, para akong Ms. United Nations dito! Tee-hee!
Namaste.
I got good karma because after yoga, akalain mo nga naman who would I be seeing? KB! Those eyes made bluer by his shirt. Hahaha. The perks nga naman of having someone na sinusundo ka...
Namaste.
Lovely sumptuous lunch at Lila's (yoga classmate) house and dinner with Liedy at Hai Shang Shi Jie (AKA Sea World) after a short stop at Gui Miao Xin Cun.
Naman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While waiting for the bus at the Hai Yang Da Sha bus stop, a speeding 328 bus splashed the puddle of water at the people. We leapt away too late; my right side was muddy. Liedy's new shoes got muddy too and the Chinese girl in the frilly dress was sodden wet.
Probably protesting the miniscule miniskirt.
V. bad. It was effing hot (until now) so skirt needs to be worn.
Namaste.
Later, I'm off to the doctor because I need to dump my coughs and colds. Indeed.
P.S. As of typing this, I have been to the doc twice. Got a throat infection so for this whole May Holiday, I am taking a much needed rest and my kadaldalan and hyperactivity shall be put to the test. I am crossing my fingers I could pull through a very peaceful week.
Posted at 08:53 pm by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Saturday, April 28
reverse culture shock ep 8
iam@home.hk
Maleta Ng Mga Alaala
She tucked away the errant strands of her wind-blown hair as she entered the store. She handed her claim stub and the storekeeper gave her a pretty thick envelope. She sat on the couch by the door and opened the envelope. A wide grin formed on her face. Memories, one by one, unraveled before her. Her trip home- the multitude of people she loves; a distant past, and the present. She looked more closely at her picture with Judy in the airport. She, Judy and the big blue luggage.
You made your choice. I made mine The lines echoed in her mind.
I carried the best memories back.
And I'm moving on.
Kabilugan ng Buwan
Fresh out of the shower, Judy unceremoniously barged into Mai-mai's room.
"Alex!" She shrieked. Mai-mai almost smudged her lipstick.
"Judy, contain yourself!"
"Nothing, I'm just excited. We're partying tonight." Judy twirled around the room. Mai-mai sat there, smiling at judy in front of the bureau mirror.
"I know. Why don't you dress up now?" She teased Judy.
"And, why aren't you dressed either?" Judy teased back, pointing at her slightly gaping bathrobe.
"Later." She smiled naughtily.
Later came and both of them were giggling as they were walking to the bus stop.
5...4...3...2...1!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Chanted the crowd. Mai-mai and Judy were dancing and singing the night away with their friends.
What better way to start again... Mai-mai pondered while sipping her martini.
"Alex, look who's coming." Whispered Judy.
Mai-mai glanced at the approaching person over her maritini glass. She pursed her lips and smiled as the person drew nearer and nearer.
She raised her eyes to him. He pulled her closer to him.
"I have been waiting for you all night." He whispered raspily. She laid her head on his shoulder. They danced. Slowly.
FIN.
Posted at 08:00 pm by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Friday, April 27
reverse culture shock ep 7
Rainy Days and Mondays
"Coffee?" Victor asked.
"Yeah, sure." She flatly said.
"Victor, why aren't you talking to me?"
"What is there to say? Nagbago ka na."
She threw a pillow at him.
"Why didn't you just confront me earlier?" Her tears were gathering in her eyes.
"I dunno how to handle this 'new' person." He turned his back as she approached.
"Nothing has changed!"
"That's the point...since you came back, bigla akong nag-alinlangan sa atin."
"Bakit nga? Don't give me that 'Hindi ikaw, ako 'yan...' crap."
"Because, you're flying back later and I want you to stay."
She hugged him from behind. He gently pried her hands away.
"It's all or nothing, then?"
"I suppose."
"Hindi lang ikaw ang nahihirapan."
"Then why did you leave?"
"A myriad of reasons."
"I'm sorry I had to be one of them."
"We can't undo that. You made your choice. I made mine."
Before Victor could muster the courage to confess his feelings, she was walking away. So dejected, so hurt. His tears fell and he sobbed. He tried to run after her car but she drove fast. he was oblivious to the rain and the wind blowing his shaggy hair to his face.
Posted at 07:49 pm by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Thursday, April 26
reverse culture shock ep 6
Not Everything Comes Clean @ The Carwash
Meet Andrea, Mai-mai's best friend since college. They haven't seen each other for nine months. Today, they are at their "suking" carwash near the gasoline station in between their subdivisions.
"Sweetie, you look..." Andrea strated to comment.
"If you as much as say 'anime', I'm gonna cry!!!" Then, they both laughed.
"Some things never change. Dear, I was about to say you're different. It fits you to a T."
"Why? Care to explain...'cause honestly, apart from the hair, I felt that nothing changed although I feel that...I dunno..."
"Look; for one, hindi ka na workaholic. You're not ranting. Two, you don't seem stressed. Maaliwalas kang tignan..."
"Kahit may malaking pimple ako sa mukha?" She butted in. They laughed again.
Andrea continued, "...where was I? Oh, you're a survivor. Dati, super homesick ka but you made it there and I think..."
Mai-mai stared far. "Andy, aside from this sweltering heat, my impending bungang araw and all that is typical here; I realized parang iba yung pakiramdam dito."
"Manila will always be your home."
"I know that." They both lit a cigarette.
"Parang gusto ko nang umuwi ng Hong Kong eh." They stared at each other, shocked.
"Oh my God, Andy...what was that I just said?"
Andrea put out her cigarette. "You slipped dear. Iba na yung 'uwi' mo."
Mai-mai patted Andrea's lap. "I'm sorry. It's just that so much has happened that if not for them back in Hong Kong, don't you think I'd be like this now?"
Andrea hugged her. "I understand."
"Ma'am yung kotse n'yo po, tapos na."
"Salamat. Magkano 'yon?" Andrea asked the carwash boy.
"Corolla. 80 po." Andrea handed her payment and they drove off to Gateway Mall.
Plop! Plop!
"Ay, punyeta! This happens all the time after kong magpa-carwash!"
Mai-mai shrugged. The laughter ensued again and again.
Posted at 07:40 pm by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Wednesday, April 25
reverse cutlure shock ep 5
TGIF...Not!!!
Calling...
mai.baby
Reject/Answer
Victor stared at his phone. One more ring.
¡°Hi baby! Friday night, labas tayo! I¡¯ll pick you up...¡± came the unusually perky voice on the other line.
¡°Baby, I¡¯ll pick you up. I¡¯ll bring you somewhere new.¡±
¡°But...baby, I¡¯m out with the girls eh. I drove.¡±
¡°Oh shit. Paano ¡®to...¡± then a pretty long pause.
¡°I know! Uwi muna...¡±
¡°I don¡¯t wanna hassle you.¡± He cut in.
¡°No, I mean nasa Select lang ako sa may gate ng subdi...uhmmm...see you!¡±
¡°See you too at 7-ish. I lo...¡± Then the line was cut.
¡°Ay...ang labo ng linya.¡± He said to himself aloud.
Calling...
mai.baby
End Call
One more ring. Please answer the phone.
¡°Baby, I¡¯m here. Wait for you outside or shall I go in?¡±
One more look at the mirror.
¡°Wait, wait, wait! I¡¯m coming out na lang. See ya!!!¡± She abruptly pressed the end key of her phone.
¡°Ay...na-excite daw ba?¡± She said to herself aloud and dashed outside.
Dinner for Two, Too
Victor and Mai-mai were strolling hand-in hand at the new mall some 10 minutes away from Mai-mai¡¯s home. Mai-mai was mesmerized by the sights; Victor could barely say a thing. He looked on and listened; amused at how animated and hyper the former ¡°drama queen¡± has become.
¡°...grabe ano, would you believe this place used to be a parking lot! Baby, dito pa tayo madalas mag-park noong college!¡±
He just nodded and smiled. She¡¯s so cute. Would it be so bad if I could just... He stared at her while she continued her monologue.
¡°Umm...baby?¡± She waved a hand in front of his face.
¡°Baby???¡± Still, no response.
She kissed his lips, lingeringly.
¡°Aren¡¯t we gonna eat dinner na? I¡¯m hungry na eh.¡±
Still in shock, he tried to collect his wits quickly and pointed to the nearest restaurant.
¡°You wanna eat at ¡®Flavours of China¡¯?¡±
She raised her brows. ¡°Okay ka lang? I said no Chinese food kanina, dib a?¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry, tao lang. What about ¡®Teriyaki Boy¡¯?¡±
¡°No.¡±
¡°Want some Thai food?¡±
¡°Sinabi nang NO eh. NO ASIAN FOOD!¡± She tugged his hand and walked to...the parking lot.
¡°Isaw na lang tayo for dinner. I remember I promised our barkada food trip tayo pagdating ko eh.¡±
Oh mannnnnnnnnnnnn. He sighed.
Whatever happened to romantic getaways?
Posted at 12:48 pm by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Tuesday, April 24
reverse culture shock ep 4
37 Degrees and Rising
She barely slept upon arrival. She lay awake in the dark, trying to refamiliarize herself with her surroundings. This is my room...she kept repeating to herself. Her eyes shut shortly after 4AM.
5:32AM Her father and brother¡¯s booming voice roused her. She descended the stairs stealthily.
¡°Hija, it¡¯s too early- go back to bed and catch up on your sleep.¡±
¡°Pa, it¡¯s okay. I couldn¡¯t sleep that much anyway. Mainit.¡±
Her brother interjected, ¡°How¡¯s the weather back in HK? It doesn¡¯t snow there ah¡¦¡±
¡°Kuya Ipe naman, it was 12 degrees when I left.¡±
¡°But...our airconditioning¡¯s okay naman eh.¡± Then he handed her a cup of coffee. ¡°Here, I believe...your favorite.¡±
She stood up and headed for the cupboard.
¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Her brother asked.
¡°¡±My morning drink. Try mo kuya, it¡¯s good.¡± She prepared 2 cups of the drink. Philip reluctantly accepted and drank it. She prepared another cup and started frying eggs.
¡°Let the help do it, anak.¡± Her father reprimanded her, yet she still continued preparing breakfast with Yaya Inday.
7:37AM ¡°Pretty good breakfast,¡± cousin Miguel commented. Mai-mai was busy helping Yaya Inday clean up. She smiled back at Miguel and Victor who were left at the dining table.
¡°Guys, I¡¯m driving you to work. Pwede pa lisensya ko.¡± She cheerfully announced while washing the dishes. Miguel and Victor just nodded.
¡°That silence means a ¡®Yes¡¯ to me.¡± She glanced over her shoulder and winked at Victor. Victor suddenly blushed; unsure how to react to this new side of Mai-mai.
8:13AM She started the car and backed it out of the garage. Philip, Victor and Miguel took their seats. Philip sat at the passenger seat while the rest at the backseat. She turns on the radio.
¡°Pare, slept well?¡± Philip looked behind him and asked Victor.
Victor dumb-foundedly nodded. Miguel ribbed him, ¡°Oo naman, di ba?¡±
¡°Aray naman dude...¡± Victor muttered.
¡°Mai-mai, para kang si daddy magmaneho! Anong oras pa kami makakarating sa office!¡± Philip exclaimed.
¡°Wait...I¡¯m trying to get the hang of it!!!¡± She rebutted.
¡°Kanina pa yan eh!¡±
Along Emerald Ave., Ortigas¡¦
¡°Fuck it!!! Ang init!!! Argh!!! Traffic!!!¡±
¡°Maria Alexandra, watch your language!¡± Her brother reminded her.
Suddenly, the three guys made it to their office before 9AM.
Posted at 12:22 pm by lipat-bahay
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Monday, April 23
reverse culture shock ep 3 pt 2
Jetlagged?
¡°Oh My God, I forgot how hot Manila is pala...¡± Mai-mai softly said. Slowly, she took off her scarf and looked at her reflection in the car¡¯s rearview mirror.
¡°You¡¯re looking good, Mai,¡± her dad quipped.
¡°Thanks dad.¡± And then she winked at Victor over the rearview mirror.
She sat quietly in the car. Mesmerized by the sight of EDSA- the buses, the jeeps, the billboards and all the familiar city lights she was accustomed to. It now seemed so same, unchanged; yet in a way, distant. She stole a glance at Victor again and suddenly held his hand when he shifted geras. Victor gave her hand a light squeeze in return.
30 minutes after, they were home. Mai-mai volunteered to open the gate of their house and was greeted by the brother, her cousin and the rest of the household staff- Yaya Inday, Manong Rudy and Manang Rosie.
¡°Mai-mai, anong nangyari sa¡¯yo?¡± seemed to be the chorus line of the Robles household on her arrival. Victor just stood close by, keeping a close eye on her; ready to hold her steady since Mai-mai slowly turned red since getting off the car.
¡°Baby, are you still okay?¡± He whispered.
¡°Yeah, I am.¡± She whispered back.
¡°If you¡¯d excuse me muna, I wanna go upstairs to change.¡± She icily said. Everyone looked at her as she headed for the stairs, the heels of her boots making a loud clacking sound against the silence.
¡°Ser, ma¡¯am¡¦baka gusto niyo munang mag-kape...¡± Manang Rosie said to break the silence.
¡°Salamat Rosie.¡± Mr. Robles replied. And to Victor he added, ¡°Baka gusto mong magpalipas na lang ng gabi dito, hijo. Pagod na pagod ka na.¡±
¡°Hindi po...nakakahiya naman po.¡±
¡°Bawal mahiya dito. You want, I could drive you home.¡± Philip offered.
¡°Wag na po kuya...OK lang talaga.¡±
After everyone finished their coffee, Mai-mai never came back to the living room. Then, Mrs. Robles convinced Victor to spend the night at their house. As soon as Victor entered the guest room, Mai-mai was sitting by the edge of the bed.
¡°Oh, overnight ka dito?¡± She said. Slowly, she scooted beside him.
¡°Yeah,¡± then he held out his hand.
She laced her fingers with his. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m back home again¡¦¡±
¡°Me too...I really missed you.¡±
The just sat together quietly. Unknowingly, Victor fell asleep on Mai-mai¡¯s lap.
¡°Goodnight.¡± And she gently kissed his forehead, laid him in bed, pulled over the blanket, turned off the lights and left the room.
Posted at 11:56 am by lipat-bahay
and link it here
Sunday, April 22
reverse culture shock ep 3 pt 1
Unang Gabi
Hi dear! ETA arnd 10ishPM. Cnt w8 2 c u. Miss u! :)
P.S. agn, my flght # s PR306. :p
The Arrival
10:46AM Victor kept reading the message over and over again since receiving the message an hour ago. Today¡¯s the day he¡¯s been waiting for. Eight long months and finally Mai-mai is back- in the flesh. Not just via the net but the real Mai-mai he missed so much. He couldn¡¯t wait for the clock to strike 5 and off he goes to the airport.
10:16PM Victor was patiently waiting with Mai-mai¡¯s parents for more than an hour. Throngs and throngs of people have been coming and still no sign of Mai-mai.
¡°Victor, what¡¯s taking Mai-mai long? Anong nangyari sa anak ko?¡± Mrs. Robles suddenly asked, just to break the silence.
¡°Umm...tita, baka po natagalan sa pila ng immigration.¡± Victor reassured her, smiling tensely. Sweat was starting to trickle as Mr. Robles began to approach them.
¡°So, Victor; are you excited to see Mai-mai again? Matagal-tagal ring panahon wala si Mai, di ba?¡±
¡°Yes congressman, ah...eh...opo sir. Matagal-tagal na po.¡± Victor answered nervously.
¡°Hijo, no need to be nervous. The past aside, I¡¯m thankful you¡¯re doing this for us...especially for my daughter.¡± He clapped Victor¡¯s back and both men laughed. Mrs. Robles smiled at the two while Mai-mai was waving unnoticed in front of them.
¡°Mom...hello!!! I¡¯m here na!!!¡±
¡°Pa...Vic...hello!!! I¡¯m here na!!!¡±
¡°Por dios, Maria Alexandra! Hindi kita nakilala!¡± Mrs. Robles exclaimed, then hugged her daughter tight. Soon, her father also joined hugging her; leaving Victor slack-jawed at the sight of her.
She looked at Victor and smiled. She disengaged herself from her parents¡¯ exuberant hugs and walked to him. She stopped right in front of him.
¡°Vic?¡±
At the mention of his name, Victor hugged her tight, speechless and overwhelmed.
Posted at 10:16 am by lipat-bahay
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