Holiday Roads

I don't know where everyone went, but I love the traffic situation of the metro during the holidays. I rarely take vacation leaves because of this.

Took the picture below earlier before going for my year end run. I looove the sight. I know on wednesday, it will be back to chaos again. But, that's part of living the city life, I have accepted it, we all just have to adapt.

Anyway, I wish you all a Happy New Year! Like the traffic below, I wish for everyone to have a free flowing peace of mind and more reasons to celebrate everyday. Cheeeerrsss!!

Diva-Soria

Just woke up from my 8hr slumber, and this is because I slept late and I came from Divisoria yesterday.

People have warned me about going here in this time of the year. I also know this by experience because I also went here before on the same time but I think there were less people (by about 10%). But I came because I want to experience it again! (kuhrayzee idea Abi)

I went around lunchtime. I ate my lunch at Baliwag resto at Morayta so that we will have the energy to walk around. Then started walking to Recto ave to ride a jeep. This jeep no longer went on to Tutuban mall due to traffic, so, started walking from then on. (We, meaning me and my cousin Ritzel Anne, who is also a fan of great deals aka "mura")

My target mall was the Divisoria Mall since I would be buying everything in whole sale and I love how low prices would get there. The mall is actually far from the jeepney drop-off site, it's about a kilometer away. Plus, you have to conquer this sea of people (see picture below). Literally sea because the streets are already made up of people making their way to their respective destinations. Of course, this is the time to not to be all "maarte-ish"and kept walking. I know this will happen, and if I were being maarte enough I should go to the mall instead, where it's more comfortable and less people.

Divisoria Scene during christmas time. Credits to Langyaw.com for this. 

We went on. We were laughing with the people, especially the whiners. Don't visit Divisoria if you're claustrophobic, sensitive and weak, this is not the place for you. People you would encounter here would usually compose of shoppers, hardworking laborers, passersby and robbers. Yes, Robbers, in this time of the year, they also know that people have a lot to spare, so you should mind your belongings. I brought a small sling bag so I can easily watch my things and it is easier to maneuver around. 

It's funny how small this world could get, as we were steps away from our final destination, I saw two office mates compressed along this sea of people and I greeted them with glee. I love that I saw them, I love seeing people I know in an impossible place. 

We shopped inside the Divisoria mall, for me, this is the place to be. As I said earlier, you can get wholesale prices here. In my own opinion, all that is sold outside came inside this mall. We went around 'till my pockets run empty. 

I forgot that we're both girls and forgot about our capacities. Total weight of all that we shopped is almost 10kgs and we would have to walk 1km to ride a jeepney. It was a very dumb decision. We went back, mustered the people, distance and the weight of the things we shopped. 

After getting that seat on the jeep, I felt relieved. My back and arms hurt. And I still have to travel everything from Manila to Quezon City. I would like to just leave it but I was already excited to wrap gifts that time so I just imagined myself home with all the things we bought and I was about to wrap them. I am always excited to wrap gifts. So, I made it my motivation and went on. 

Now, as I seat here in front of my computer. I declare myself as a Diva-soria. Bravering the streets of Divisoria, even with its given situation, knowing where to shop to get the greatest deals, and loving the experience even if it was the most inconvenient one. I already wrapped my gifts and I would like to return next year! For more gifts! :) 

MRT Scenes

This is a clip from Bubble Gang's (Gag show shown here in the Philippines) November 23, 2012 episode. For me, this pretty much shows how it is to ride the dreaded MRT - Edsa - which I happen to ride almost everyday. If you do understand Tagalog, you get to understand the jokes which  I now laugh about. 

If you finished watching it, I would like to know which kind of MRT passenger could you relate to? My own answer is the stunt man. Usually I get to the area where all the posts/handrails have been occupied by other riders and I have no choice but to do stunts just to make sure that my face won't be meeting the MRT floor. Nyehehe. 

And yes, even though sometimes it sucks, I guess this is far better than some other countries. I hereby declare - MRT Rides, it's more fun in the Philippines. ^_^

Pang-aliw

Since I travel around 2 hrs just to get home, I manage to get myself occupied by using my favorite toy, Abivee.

Abivee is my iPhone, I love tweaking everything on it. At the start of having this, I would read tweets and check FB of people. But it got boring and I also needed a break from all the people so, I used it's other functionalities.

1. Internet - main reason why I got this phone. Almost everything is connected to it, since I was on twitter break I started reading and making blogs, research on runs, people, traffic, news, health, etc. Pocket, one of my favorite apps, keeps all of the articles I have tagged as to-read-later. So cool, I get to read them in the middle of the commute. I am actually making this blog inside a train. I just can't contain the idea.

2. Multimedia - still connected to the internet but I needed to isolate this one. In the middle of traffic, I get to watch my favorite youtube videos and also some of the series I've been waitin' on. I also get to listen on the radio when at work. Yeah lovin the technology here!

3. Games - I admit, there's a part of me that wants to be a gamer but I suck at nonRPG/adventure games. I don't say that I am good at those two games mentioned but I love how it makes my head going. It just makes me wanna play some more. Of course, a little competition is good it drives me nuts (in a good way people!)

4. Camera - obviously, I love taking pictures and having a handy dandy camera just makes it all easy to keep the memories. I love making memories by taking pictures. And one of the things I loved in using Abivee is that it shoots beautifully. I love the quality and the sharpness, I could even post process using iPhone apps.

5. Functionality/Utility Apps - speaking of apps, I love how I can do different things with the phone while on commute. I could use the maps to locate places, I can check on movie skeds on an another app, Or when I am losing something I can use the flashlight app.

Am I just crazy for my phone or what? Haha. But please note that it is not safe to just get this gadget out in the open, for me, I just make sure I am somewhere safe (safe - meaning there is a low probability of having my thing being stolen). Here are my guides where I mostly use my phone:

1. Fx - usually I use it out in the open if I rode it coming from a station. I would use it once inside the vehicle.

2. Train - I ride the safest (again, refer to my definition of safe above) part of the train, the woman's coach. So, if ever someone wants to get it on that area, likelihood that I am stronger than most passengers there is verry high. (Yabang lang haha)

3. Bus - this is the unsafe among the three given the passengers on it. I would normally use the phone if I am riding the aircon bus - and I am at the back and no one seems suspicious. (Suspicious meaning people giving the creepy looks, always standing near to the doorin the middle of the bus even if there's available seats, and the likes)

Of course, it's better not to take it out. I just couldn't help myself (can you guess that I am a hard headed lady already? Teehee!) sometimes it's really really boring just looking outside waiting for the vehicle to get to your destination. Just remember to be always safe. It pays to be safe! :)

What 5mins late could do to you

And then in some days, this is what you get for being 5mins late - a 500 m line to the MRT platform, well, I am living with it. So, I promise myself to be a bit early by tomorrow, and then if I fail, there's tomorrow's tomorrow.

5 O'Clock People

Work hours here in this country normally start from 8am to 5pm. Since we transferred to Bicutan, we were back to this norm. Especially when we were provided a shuttle service from which we depend on to and fro the plant.

Happy at the same time sad because I never get to go on overtime to finish some work. (Yes, seriously, this is because I don't want to work at home). Well, this is the new norm and I have to embrace it, I really have to optimize my time at the office. Embrace Abi Embrace :)

Took this picture while we're on the shuttle. Embracing this norm that we already belong to the five o'clock crowd.

Sleeping on PUV's

Since commute would take me about 2-3 hrs to get home, sometimes, I get to sleep while sitting on whatever vehicle I am on. This usually happens during morning commutes.

How do I sleep? Let me count the ways.

1. Bag Hugging - In buses, since I sometimes bring my laptop home, I will hug the laptop bag and then put my head on top and sleep on it. Usually, I would get stiff necks after the commute, but hey I am soo asleep that I can never notice the pain.

2. Masa - me and my ofc friends would sometimes call our other colleague this, 'masa' which is the short term of 'masandal tulog' (when he leans, he sleeps instantly). I am kinda like that. I love sitting near the window so that I can just lean my head on the window sill or the window itself just to get me to sleep. If I am on an FX, I would be resting my head on the back rest just to get my eyes a good resting.

3. Head Bangers - When I don't have anything lean on, this is my last resort. I just close my eyes, and let my head down and follow wherever inertia leads my head to. This is my most funny position, there was this one time that the driver woke me up because I was blocking his side mirror view. He even told me not to sleep just about anywhere when I went down the vehicle, some advice eh?

It is really not advisable not to sleep during commutes, it's not safe especially here in the Philippines. Your things maybe stolen or you may pass your stop because you overslept. But I guess I am one lucky commuter, or I am just one safe gal.

Whenever you sleep on commutes, you have to take precautions.

1. Make sure your bags are near or tangled up on a part of your body. This way, if someone tries to steal it away from you, it may give you just the right jolt to wake you up. I would usually tangle my bags on my arms so that I could feel if someone takes it away from me.

2. If possible, hug the bags while sleeping. I hug my bags because there may be someone opening your bags, or cut them using a blade and gather whatever's important inside. This will protect your bag and also yourself.

3. Always think that sleeping is the last option. There may be some robbery or bomb threats inside the vehicle that you may not be aware of if you are asleep, so it's better to be aware of what's happening around you.

But of course, if you are dead tired, give yourself a break and just lean in and sleep. Just be careful. Be safe everyone. :)

Pwestong Box Office (repost from Multiply)

Paborito kong upuan sa bus ang sa parteng may bintana. Maarte ako at may gusto akong posisyon, yung side na nasa bangketa. Maraming advantages ang pwesto na yun in fairness, at sa tingin ko yun ang side na unang napupuno ng pasahero. Box office ang pwesto na yun. 

Dahil nasa bangketa sya, sya yung side na may mga tao, at dahil isa akong discreet usisera eh advantage ang pwesto na yun. Mahilig akong sumakay ng non-aircon na bus, at sa upuang yun eh maririnig mo ang aksyon sa bangketa. Mga nag-aaway, mga nanakawan, mga chikahan at kung anu-ano pa. Ewan ko pero gustong-gusto ko yung feel ng sidestreets ng manila. Unique at classic.

Syempre dahil may mga bangketa eh anjan din ang mga street foods, sa kabilang side ksi puro usok lang ang maamoy mo (Remember na non-aircon ang paborito kong sakyan) . Nakakatakam yung amoy ng mami, kwek kwek, bbque at kung anu ano pang mga lutong kalye. Naalala ko napabili ako ng mami dahil sa amoy lang. Heheh.. Kaya di ako napayat ano? Ang ganda din tignan nung mga bangketa sa gabi, may ilaw sila tapos makikita mo yung mga usok usok and yung mga tao na kumakain at isa ka sa kanila. 

Sa may pwesto din iyon ko nakikita ang mga billboards. Ewan ko ba? Pero since mahilig ako sa pictures sa pwestong un ko naappreciate sila. Kapag nasa ibang side kasi lalo sa EDSA nakaharang ang MRT. Panget. Ang masayang parte lang ata sa pwesto na yun eh pwedeng pwede mong pagtawanan yung mga nasa MRT na parang sardinas sa loob. Hehehehe..  Classic yung hitsura nila sa loob eh, lalo yung malapit sa pinto. Sarap kuhanan.

Karaniwang gabi na kasi ako nauwi. Sa pwesto ko na yun ko naappreciate yung Manila lights, makikita mo sya pag umaakyat na ng flyover ang sasakyan o nasa isang lugar na kayo na kita na yung mga bundok (Likod ng St. Peters sa commonwealth, HS pa lang favorite view ko na yun kaso hinarangan na ng CVG at kung anu ano pang bldgs, malaking sayang). Ang ganda. Kaso masyado nang maliwanag, dun ko lang napapansin na masyado na palang urbanized ang Maynila.

Sa tinagal tagal ko na ring bumabyahe eh di ako nagsasawa sa pwesto na yun. Ewan ko, di pa rin nawawala yung pagkamangha ko sa Maynila. Aminado ako minsan natutulog ako, pero kapag nag-iisip ako at may problema, nakakawalang stress yung feel ng Maynila sa mga mata ko kapag dun ako nakaupo. I guess, isa sa mga bagay na hinding hindi ko maiwanan dito ay yung pribilehiyo na makita at maramdaman ang mga bagay na yun. Kaya kapag sumasakay ako ng bus, talagang tatakbo ako papunta ng bus, maupuan lang yung pwesto na yun.

Feb 20, 2009

Normal Day

Normal day. I rode the fx to the North MRT Station, waited for 30 mins to get inside the platform. Figured that I should buy the North-Ayala one way ticket to save my stored value ticket (also, I would like to save time in buying a stored value ticket, the line for the one way ticket was shorter and faster than the other - yeah, hello impatient girl).

So, I was able to ride the next incoming train, as usual, I was standing again in the middle. But was able to get to Ayala Station before 8am. Bought my lunch at KFC, ate my breakfast at Siomai House, went down the station to ride the bus to Bicutan. Good thing, it's also one normal day, there were enough buses (not lucky though, I get to ride the ordinary/non-aircon bus). 

I didn't get to commute on my way home, so I didn't know if it's traffic or not. But I thank God, the week started out right. Our team was able to use the new lab (finally) and we (our team) get to eat together again the same table. 

Yeah, I am starting Normal days again. This day, I think I won. :)

Wednesday Bump

It seems that this wednesday was my lucky day.




This was taken around 755am, North Ave MRT Station. I left the house at around 635am, arrived at MRT Q. Ave Sta at 710am. Fell in line, line not moving, left station at around 730, transferred to North and boom, line was about 1km from point of origin.
Stupid decision but I am impatient when it comes to falling in line. So upon seeing the effing view of people, I wanted to just curse out loud and just give a good punch to some random stranger in the face. But of course, I didn't do that, that's just how angry I was.
The day couldn't be any better, I went home at 530pm, went for the bus thinking that the traffic won't be as horrendous, but I was soooo wrong. It took us 1.5hr to get to Edsa, so I decided to go for the MRT, again.




I got home at around 9pm. And I swore I will never the shirt I wore this day.

Distance

“I didn't pay attenton to times or distance, instead focusing on how it felt just to be in motion, knowing it wasn't about the finish line but how I got there that mattered.” - Sarah Dressen, The Truth About Forever

I live where everything seems far - FAIRVIEW. Whenever people hear where I live, they all say the same thing - oh, far. Yeah, it is far. Everyday I commute to different places to get me to work, to friends, to sports activities etc.

I have this love and hate relationship with commute. This is where I wanna write about them - this is where I fight the streets of Manila/Phils or anywhere just to get me to one place to another. 

As stated from the above quote, this will all be about the journey and not the distance. Because in the end, it is what matters, it is what's fun.