the binge.

happy birthday, rams!

2010-05-15T22:31:00.008+04:00

My dear fabulous and crazy friend,

It's been so long since we had under-the-mango-tree kind of conversations...How are you? and how has Jeff been as a husband?! haha!;0 funny how we're all living different lives but still feel as close as ever. we don't need to talk everyday or even see each other for months or years but when we do, we just pick up right where we left off. i miss you, your insane stories and your crazy view of the world!;0

hopefully i can visit new zealand someday and you can cook for me! haha! it's better that i eat nalang. won't be of help in the kitchen!;0

i can see you're happy there and with jeff. take care of her, jeff vasquez! keep her happy with your spur-of-the-moment inamaw like the one with manny pacquiao!;0

what do you wish for now? i pray that you will always embrace your radiance and not be afraid to do risky, stupid yet creative pursuits that is so you. just like the picture below. haha!

have a happy life rams!!! mwah!;0

love,

choi;0

05.05.10

2010-05-05T00:28:00.005+04:00

it's funny how life turns out - that i'm now living in the middle east (which i never imagined i would given it's negative image) with my sister who "bullied" me growing up and stopped doing so when she read, "i hate my sister" in my so-called diary. and that's probably the tamer version of it. i think i probably wished her dead as well. haha!

left home at 23 and it has been a year and a few weeks since. i knew then that life wouldn't be the same. when you leave, you can never really go back. i'm not being a sap...but is it possible to be extremely happy and free but sad at the same time? yes, because we are growing up.

i left for many reasons. but it all comes down to living THE dreams...sometimes it becomes hazy and i'm afraid to dream it to detail because when you want it so much, a bitch's hand might take everything away. it is a lingering thougt; an everyday prayer that is constant and persevering.

i miss my parents (mama and papa), my family, my friends and the food;0 i miss sleeping in my parents' bed and cuddling to both of them. i miss squeezing my dad's sagging fat arm, his "office" belly and how he always pretends there's a baby growing inside of him. i miss my mom's cooking and how she always makes me and my siblings feel special in the simplest of ways and in the most profound of manners. thank you GOD for mothers;0

i miss my family and the happy chaos. for all the drama, the laughter, and for the abundance of food in family celebrations, i am grateful that you love me and i love you. (did that make sense?)

i miss my yaya. for everything that you did and all you gave up, i thank you with all the love in my heart.

i miss my friends. i wish you were all here with me;0

when you grow up, you have to let go of some, to gain alot. it has been a whirlwind of emotions but i must always remember to take joy in all of life's adventures...here's to the big 25!;0

mommy Oprah: know what you love doing and look for a way to get paid for it.

happy 25th on the 25th, tina!

2010-04-24T19:25:00.008+04:00

last year's greeting - http://tobingeornotto.blogspot.com/2009/04/happy-birthday-tina.html

...should i give up or should i just keep chasing pavements... even if it leads nowhere?

mmmmm...so that's the question huh?!;0...how are you? where are you now? what are your plans? and unlike irene (peace!), tubaga intawn ko;0

i was searching in my friendster and multiply accounts and i couldn't find a picture of us two - even had a hard time looking for barkada pics. paging ody? (where are the pics?) i guess i have it in my box in cebu. anyways, just made me wonder how many times we've actually had bonding moments together - that we actually didn't upload any pics to these social networking sites is a telling sign:( but we have FB PMs now right? plenty of opportunity to get in touch!

being the most un-creative of us all, i managed to spell TINA using our landlady's basket of fruits - bananas, peaches, apples, capsicums and some utensils. but it didn't quite come out as i expected it to...so never mind. might be the lamest set of pics i'll have and you guys will have another story to remind me after 10 years or so...

so here goes, i wish you all the best...pray that whatever it is you want, you will have...and once again, i'll make a toast to fabulous clutches and the cutest boys - here's to our best life yet!;0

mwah!;0 luv yah!

not your typical day job.

2010-04-17T21:33:00.005+04:00

when i was still looking for a job, this ad caught my eye...it's pretty amusing;0 it's not everyday i'd get to see a company looking to hire an astronaut! but it just got me thinking, would it have been more strategic if they inquired and hired from industry-related universities? and the deadline. how many of us know an astronaut or space cadet? seriously.

happy birthday, langga!

2010-04-12T23:20:00.003+04:00

hi langga!

it's been such a long time since we updated on our lives.

how is motherhood treating you?

how is cady?

how is wing?

how is married life?

more importantly, how are you?;0

at the risk of sounding cheesy, being so far away from home has made me realize the importance of great friends - of the freedom of being my impostor self or my normal chubby self without risk of censure nor judgement;0 at the end of the day, nindot jud manghinaway...haha!;0

on your 25th, i wish you the best of everything and pray that GOD will grant you your heart's desires. Here's to our best life yet!

l-r: tina, choi, patty, jeff, ramc, guilay, ody, irene/langga

i just miss you.

P.S. ody, guilay and patty. just decided to update my blog this month - after a year's hiatus. will make one for you guys when you turn 26! haha!;0

lovelots,

choi

the splash spring/summer fashion show.

2010-04-12T23:10:00.008+04:00

so this is how the frontrow feels like. just happy to see my first Dubai fashion show;0

February 2010. Splash spring/summer collection. Madinat Arena.

bummer: low-quality photos ahead.

see you next season!;0

in freezing water.

2010-04-12T23:09:00.006+04:00

january 2010. excited for a day of swimming! we could've stayed the whole afternoon but t'was freezing cold at the JBR beach...

after an hour, we decided to check out the football game between the UAE and Kuwait...

laki kaig bagtak! nice...;0

the first christmas away from home.

2010-04-12T23:04:00.008+04:00

i didn't have a big cry or anything. just shed a tear or two;0 i'm just thankful i didn't hear jose mari chan's Christmas In Our Hearts. i could've cried buckets singing, "let's sing merry christmas..." while looking at our makeshift Christmas Tree complete with decorative balls, stars & angels, gifts and lights. But tis definitely true what they say, iba talaga ang simoy ng hangin sa Pilipinas pag Pasko. people just went on with their business. i miss the rush. life does not stop for Christmas afterall. boohoo Dubai!

...spent the season with david's uncle in fujairah (lots of good food!), christmas eve dinner at my boss' house, shopping and exchanging gifts with the carlift gang;0

december 2009: ruby tuesday, JBR

l-r: kite with the sweater, lady with the wallet, alona with the blouse, mary rose with the track suit, choi with the new moon book and figurine, ate jenny with the purple jacket & green scarf

yum!

thank you, lady!

happy with my gifts! note to self: find time to read new moon!

but nothing beats this kind of christmas...

lechon!

cruising around town.

2010-04-10T21:52:00.014+04:00

just a bevy of random pics. trying my best to make this blog current;0

madinat jumeirah soooo many months back. can't even remember what we did before and after this. laag laag lang? (with david and loyloy)

jumeirah beach residences. just a phase where i wanted to channel kristen stewart - plaid shirt, skinny and chucks, without the attitude. reality check: you are already 24. move on...

burj dubai/khalifa: the world's tallest building

sisterly bonding at souk al bahar

enjoying the summer heat with friends at wild wadi (nori, jess, pia and jean)

a pic for mom and dad;0

abu dhabi. sheikh's mosque.

illustrado halloween party.

2010-04-10T14:16:00.006+04:00

november 2009. the goth (?) party. came as a goth japanese highschool kid. fun times with the sindikatos.

l-r: rey gonzaga, devone vender aka lady gaga, lalaine, bandoix, choi, rhon

l-r: iman, choi, rony, rose, ximo, louie, luchi, yasmine, ching, and zena

with angelo

with alex aka the scream killer, gigi, angel and friends

the philippine diplomatic reception.

2010-04-10T13:40:00.007+04:00

june 2009. intercontinental abu dhabi. my first foray into the emirates filipino diplomatic scene...jitters. and the dress that made me take a deep breath before handing the money over to the cashier.

do not be a wallflower. look for the friendliest face in the room and talk to him/her.

l-r: mon benitez, tini meyer, lalaine chu-benitez, madame fe cabactulan, ambassador cabactulan, rony aquino, choi

with consul general adelio cruz and his wife

illustrado team with kris lee

lalaine, rony, choi

surprise, surprise - the burj experience.

2010-04-10T11:53:00.011+04:00

August 27, 2009. "...wear something elegant/pretty and bring a camera for souvenir photos..." the message read (if i remembered it right). when we took a left turn before wild wadi, this is it! we are going to the burj al arab! thank you boss!;0

http://www.web-arabica.ru/sites/Dubai_City/images/burj_al_arab_dubai_04.jpg

http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/blogs/uploads/dubai-burj-al-arab-hotel(1).jpg

http://www.transit-port.net/Galleries/Dubai/images/Burj.Al.Arab.Pattern.jpg

rose showing us around...

l-r: ximo, rony, rose, choi, the boss - lalaine

fooling around...

dinner at junsui...i miss you wagyu beef teppanyaki!

The Japanese word for ‘pure’, Junsui is a new, authentic Far East Asian restaurant set within the opulent interiors of Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel. With breathtaking views over the Arabian Gulf and an uber-stylish cocktail lounge for pre and post dinner drinks, Junsui is the definitive Far East Asian restaurant in a setting which is a pure delight.

The Culinary team will comprise Asian chefs preparing a wide selection in front of the guests, from twelve live stations in open kitchen concept. Japanese and Chinese cuisine will be well presented and completed with Thai, Indonesian and Korean dishes.

til next time...the bed beckons...

crab hunting in umm al quwain.

2010-04-10T01:17:00.018+04:00

april 17, 2009. I couldn't remember then if got excited with the thought of hunting for crabs. i probably even wondered why it's a popular tourist activity. You see, i have this mental picture of tio adul, tito ben's saop (papa ni analyn?) hunting for crabs in the mud-laden fishpond in tawin-tawin, where my sister almost drowned. Little did I know that here you hunt for crabs in the sea in full gear! Loyloy, David and I didn't want to go but the lure of pork barbecue got the best of us! i miss you pork barbecue!;0

my first group of friends (loyloy, lady's mom, lady, kite, marilen, biboy, teddy, ate jenny, kuling, and jon)

also with david in white and alona in black

waiting for the speedboat

having a good laugh - t'was the most unflattering life vest ever!

the speedboat taking us to the island

yum...that pork barbecue;0

feels good to catch a crab...haha!

our catch for the day!

time to eat our crabs!;0

the long overdue F1 post.

2010-04-09T16:34:00.010+04:00

april 10, 2009. a day short of a year (from today) and barely two months in dubai, i took up the courage to go to dubai mall from al qusais to see nelson piquet jr. and the renault drivers. i've never been much of an F1 fan except for the occasional gushes about fernando alonso just to have something to talk about with joan and tiny when they 'discuss' about schumi and kimi. plus, i was bored then. ate and david left for fujairah to visit the boyfriend's uncle. i was my good baby sister self by extending them the courtesy of not tagging along...haha!;0 Got home at around 1:00 am after probably my scariest bus ride ever. the bus route was unfamiliar to me and when the driver told me it was nearing the emirates road, i felt so much panic and stopped myself from crying. being new in dubai at that time, i heard so many horror stories about the emirates road. particularly the crimes being committed there. i tried my best to remain calm and asked for the right directions from the driver. thank God he was a friendly old man. arrived home safe and sound.

Renault Roadshow

April 10-11, 2009

Downtown Burj Dubai

nelson piquet jr.

and the pics that made me wish for a better camera...

renault booth

amazing display of driving skills

the dancing fountain

2 renault test (?) drivers

the blurred picture

autograph for joan

it's been awhile. hello again.

2010-04-09T14:37:00.011+04:00

february 26, 2010. it's been a year since I arrived in the golden land of the emirates. indeed, time fliest fast when you're having fun! and as expected, it has also been a year since I took the time to write. so before I lose this sudden urge to share my life - with all its trappings of drama, comedy and even suspense, indulge me...afterall, i'm just a girl trying to make it in the big city.

the job.

issue 39: the empowered filipina

Illustrado is a unique lifestyle-community magazine published in Dubai devoted to uplift the morale and the image of Filipinos in the Gulf. The slogan ‘Taas Noo, Filipino’ and the vision of ‘Helping the Filipino flourish - global vision, native soul’ define the substance, style and corporate ethos that has helped Illustrado gain respect and recognition in the region as a wholesome, positive, highly engaging and richly visual medium that has accorded due respect and recognition to the Filipino community.
Illustrado's distinctive approach combines premium production values with a very down-to-earth philosophy; it is not only a magazine, but is a social enterprise that speaks and aspires to enrich a very diverse range of readers, veering off the usual media fare of gossip, scandals, sensationalism and materialism. It is a publication that has the look and feel of premium glossies, but is patronized by Pinoys who still appreciate the distinct homey flavor of ‘tuyo’, regardless of whether they are domestic helpers or business owners outside the Philippines. Because of Illustrado’s earnest approach, the magazine has touched the lives of so many progressive-thinking Pinoys, who found resonance and empowerment in the contents of its pages.
Illustrado has an eclectic non-traditional team of contributing writers, photographers and artists spread across the Philippines, the UAE, including Southeast Asia and the US - all of whom share the same passion towards the Filipino cause.

CNN Building

(http://www.dubai-architecture.info/800px-Dubai_Media_City_1.jpg)

april 25, 2009. i got the job at Illustrado magazine! i had a checklist of the life i wanted to have when i left the country and the man-up-there has put everything into place (as he always will;0). It hasn't been all glamour but dressing up and having your make-up done by a professional MAC make-up artist is always worth chasing clients on a hot, humid summer day in the middle of August!

the house.

I knew that living here would entail moving. But four times in nine months was just too much! Good thing Mrs. Saleh found our ad in Dubizzle and we have been living with them since last November. The flat looks and feels like a house. Plus, we have Adam to cuddle when we come home from work. Oh yeah, the pool will be opened soon...the water comes calling!

discovery gardens

adam

will keep them coming...;0

perfect sun.

2009-04-24T23:59:00.002+04:00

on my way to the bus stop, i saw this picture-perfect shape of the sun.

that's how visible the sun is here. i'm starting to dread summer.

chocolate heaven.

2009-04-24T21:17:00.000+04:00

thanks to my sister's friend, kite and her bro, boyboy, i got my first taste of Patchi chocolates! it's for free so twas quite a treat! According to them, Patchi offers a wide choice of over 30 fillings. i only got to taste 10 or so but twas a delight picking one everytime - from the bitter dark chocolate, to the ones with bits of coffee and caramel. twas pure chocolate heaven indeed! my head kind of liked the sugar rush too - no migraines after my choc binge;0

(photo: http://yonja.com/NewsTagSearch.jsp?tid=4856)

happy birthday, tina!

2009-04-24T20:55:00.000+04:00

southern fried chicken.

2009-04-24T00:21:00.000+04:00

a week or two of eating canned goods and cooking my brand of "sauteed" vegetables (with pork), i craved for my all-time comfort food - fried chicken!;0 my sis and david brought me to southern fried chicken and you could say it has become a favorite. it's a good mix of crispy and juicy with a spicy bite. and the sauce is different from my usual choice of gravy but twas good - combination of garlic and mayo. yum!;0 there's also a salad bar. for 10 to 12 dirhams, you could fill a plate with a variety of salad. they could do better with the rice though. it seemed burnt;0

abu dhabi.

2009-04-23T23:44:00.000+04:00

yacht club across marina mall

on my 12th day, my sis, loyloy and i went to abu dhabi, the capital of the united arab emirates. had a great time taking pictures of the buildings along sheikh zayed road through our bus window - etisalat, emirates towers, burj dubai and other high-rise commercial and residential buildings. arriving at abu dhabi, it reminded me of the flying book stories in gma 7. the houses look like matchboxes!

and there's construction everywhere, from the circular buildings to man-made beaches...went to marina mall, took pics at the yacht club across, ate lunch at popeye's (to recharge) and headed for the emirates palace. unfortunately, the driver took us to the different side so we decided to walk...bad idea...if you see the structure, then it's near...not true! from the corniche to the emirates palace, seemed like i walked from our house in punta to e-mall or the sto. rosario church. guess that compensated for my lack of mobility for the past 23 years! but the long, long, long walk was worth it...took pics at corniche...and pics taken at the fountains reminded us to pursue the dream to visit greece!;0...we only got to the sheikh's entrance to the emirates palace...visitors are not allowed unless you have a room or restaurant reservation...the view was great nonetheless...will come back next time!

the strip outside al wahda

emirates palace

we would have wanted to go to the sheikh's mosque (which seemed like a city in itself and looked like one of the structures in moscow), but we were so tired from the walk and loyloy still wanted to check out his (animal) sunglasses at al whada...which he dint buy! at 10 pm, we arrived back in dubai...;0

adrift in the emirates, sort of.

2009-04-23T18:22:00.000+04:00

Flat 304, Al Jabre Tower 8, Al Qusais 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

yup, that's my new home. i've officially uprooted myself from the home and country i've known for 23 years in pursuit of the so-called dream. since college, i had a good grasp of what i want to be and where i was going. along the way, the lure of money and that "easy-way-out" opportunity came calling. I took a different route for awhile but i constantly found myself wishing to do the things I love doing - creating events, thinking of campaigns, and collaborating and debating with friends. slowly, the dream is taking shape. but i could not outwit the man above;0 i thought tis as easy as saying, "tada!". i forgot that part where i had to walk for 20 mins to get to the bus stop, share a flat with 5 people, sit for more than 2 hours in a bus consciously enduring and appreciating my sense of smell, and that never-ending cycle of chores;0 there's no room to complain really. this is my "wide open spaces" afterall.

*while i was onboard the plane, crying a bit (sob), i accidentally heard what my seatmate was listening to...lo and behold, twas wide open spaces by the dixie chicks. been singing this since 2006 and no song couldn't be more apt to the tune of my life right now;0

http://www.imeem.com/choeyjo/music/RLzkQbeu/dixie-chicks-wide-open-spaces/

another space in cyberspace.

2009-04-23T17:36:00.000+04:00

my cyberspace life could have been complete with just 2 social networking sites (multiply and friendster) if it weren't for facebook, joan (or china banning multiply), tiny, cj and some freaks in friendster. building another profile and gaining another network of friends make such a daunting task to a technologically-inferior and lazy person like me. so, i've decided to create a neutral nook right here; the day i stop eating is the day i stop blogging. that is, if i don't eat my words first. or until, the white-clad sheikhs of the emirates decide to out it!