A Girl in the World

From the monthly archives:

December 2009

Back from the beach

December 30, 2009

We’re back from our few days getaway to Boracay.  I have to say, that place is amazing.  I’ve been to many beaches before but seriously, Boracay ranks as one of my top 5 favourites.  It’s so clean, warm and safe.  The music is amazing, the food so so cheap and the hospitality exceptional.  I would [...]

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Oh traffic

December 29, 2009

Traffic in this country is horrendous.  There is ZERO discipline on the roads.  Double lines, dashed lines, yellow or white – none of it matters.  It's everyone for themselves – trikes, trucks, buses, cars, bikes, all on single-lane highways on roads that are nearly as bad as those we traveled through in East Africa.  Seriously. [...]

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BORACAY!

December 27, 2009

Greetings from beautiful Boracay!  We are spending the next few days here, after a looooong journey from San Fernando.  IT IS BEAUTIFUL!  I've been to several Asian beach destinations before but this place is every bit the paradise that they say.  The beaches are stunning white, the water so clear and the food and nightlife [...]

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

December 25, 2009

To everyone! And to our dearest Bear, who is home in California with friends this season. =) We MISS YOU BEAR BEAR! We’ll be home soon!

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A gift of giving

December 24, 2009

Today, I received an email with a subject heading that read: Someone special has given a gift in your honour. When I clicked the link, it opened to a page that looked like this: What an amazing gift. I’m going to name the goat Billy and the chickens Melina and Roger. =) Thanks AP. Such [...]

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Merry Christmas with Giant Lanterns!

December 24, 2009

Last night we attended the 2009 San Fernando Pampanga Giant Lantern Festival. And it was amazing. I had no idea that something like this even existed but apparently it has been going on since my parents were kids. Each barrio or “baranguay” creates a lantern through a cooperative effort for entry into the competition. There [...]

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Girl’s night out

December 23, 2009

Do we look related, or what? =) We are just a handful of the dozens of us cousins here. Ranging from age 16 to 27, we were preparing for a night out of dancing. =)

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The weight of small things

December 20, 2009

A few days ago, the family (about a dozen aunts, uncles and cousins) went back to my Mom’s old elementary school to spread some Christmas cheer to about 300 kids from the barrio. My mom has been sponsoring this yearly Christmas feeding for about two years now but this is the first time she’s had [...]

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You know you’re in the Philippines when….

December 19, 2009

The crazy traffic and pollution is no longer charming like it is in other 3rd world tourist hubs.  It makes you want to pull your hair out. When you walk around in the mall, you're a whole foot taller than everyone else.    Elementary school Christmas parties consist of sing and dance routine presentations by [...]

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Back to the beginning

December 18, 2009

I’m a banana. Yellow on the outside, white on the inside. This is what friends have always said to me growing up. Philippine born, Canadian raised, Euro/American adult. I’m a bit of an in-between. My brother and I have spent most of our memorable lives in Canada. We left the Philippines when I was 5 [...]

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