Dio is Leaving Japan

April 8, 2009 - Dio's decision to leave Japan shocked most of us because of it was so sudden. Even Mars knew little about it, he only knew less than a week before Dio's flight!
I was glad that eventhough it was sudden, we were still able to get together to talk. We even took "pirikura" pictures with him. The night before we accompanied him to the train station, I was exploring some files in my PC and I came across the video of a jam session we shot together with him playing the electric guitar. It felt nostalgic. Life goes on, friends come and go but they leave you with ageless memories to remember them by.

Shiera is Leaving Japan

A mixed of emotions plagued me the night before Shiera's Farewell Party. I was very sad that she decided to leave Japan, but I also feel happy that she found a better oppurtunity elsewhere. Shiera has her own fair share of pain and triumph here in Osaka. We used to talk during our weekend coffee sessions about our lives and common experiences. :) We would come up with silly acronyms to guide our lives such as 3Ms. This is just one of the intimacies that I would miss once she leaves.

Shiera, I wish you all the best in your new life. I know that you know how much I admire you. You are one of the few superwomen I know aside from my mother. Lab yu shie! :)

Shiera's Birthday

20090109 - The sun was bright and the air was cool. It was a great day to celebrate the birthday of a very inspiring friend! The day before we had ordered a lot from the AkabaneBussan(Offers Filipino Product Delivery Service) including ice cream and barbecue. Everyone was excited. The game boys(Pai, Jay and Yuri) joined us for lunch. Dio came back in the afternoon for early dinner. He came earlier just to slice the ingredients for the "Pancit". All in all we had two eating sessions. We had the regular elements of a typical Filipino Birthday: pancit, ice cream and barbecue/meat. One missing item is the cake! But despite that, we enjoyed our salo-salo. It wasn't about how complete the menu was but about celebrating the special day of an extraordinary friend.

Moving Out

I had been slowly preparing to move out of the mansion and on the night of November 14, I finally did. On the same night we had a dinner meeting with our manager. I was relieved that he didn't refuse my request. The dinner and the after dinner drinking took a little while. It was already late when we got to my mansion to get my things. It's a good thing that my new place is only a few minutes away by bicycle. My friends came to help me out. Some who didn't make it sent messages for moral support. It should have been somewhat awkward but somehow I didn't feel as bad as I had expected. I feel blessed to have so many great friends. Kay, my new housemate, welcomed me with open arms! The next day Mars came to help me organize and unpack too. Even though I have nothing to give back to these people, they still lend a helping hand. I am truly blessed. My family and my friends are my real treasures in life. My room is more or less organized now. I owe it all to everyone. Thank you!

Yakisoba Party

animageek.com - make animated picture
September 6 , 2008 - Just like the week before I started this Saturday by going to the hospital. This time Mars went with me instead of Kay. When the results came, it was all normal. Thank God! But the doctor advised me to continue drinking the medicine and not to hurry when I said I wanted to stop taking the medicine because I want to get pregnant. :P
Mars and I went to an Indian restaurant in Sannomiya for lunch and had curry lunch set which made us really sleepy after that it made me momentarily think that we were food poisoned! We then headed out to Kobe for a light gift shopping for him. (He who loves to be alone and doesn't know shit about how I feel! He has rejected me quite a number of times already with "hitori ga suki" and I haven't even made definitive move on him yet. Talking about rejection, this definitely tops the list in mine. :P)

We then bought a few groceries at tamade and went to Shiera's mansion for the yakisoba party. We enjoyed eating while watching "Seigi no Mikata"[正義の味方]. I feel asleep around the 4th episode though, I guess eating too much in a day can really take its toll on a frail body like mine.

The party ended around 2am. I'm glad the neighborhood streets of Shin Osaka and Minamikata are still relatively safe during these early morning hours so the walk home was ok. There were still many leftovers so we continued the party the next day at Jay's. This time it became a takoyaki party.

Busy Saturday

August 30, 2008 was quite a busy day. In the morning Kay and I went to Kobe Kaisei Hospital for a consultation and blood test. I was grateful for the fact that the hospital had an International Internal Medicine department. Moreso because the doctor speaks English!(He's a guy and he touched my throat during the examination, nyahahahahah!). By the time we finished at the hospital it was already past lunch time so we ate around the area near Rokkomichi station. It was a pasta place and there were a lot of manga on the sorrounding shelves in it for people to read while enjoying the great food.

After that we went to Umeda to look for the salon that was recommended by the ex-girlfriend of one osakapinoy who was very talented in looking for cheap but quality services. I won't say she was a miser because that'll be too rude. After all, I did benefit from her patience in looking for that place. I had my hair done and the results were absolutely fantastic! Kay had a hair cut too, but her hair didn't really look much different to me. I met up with Kay again in Yodobashi camera because she went ahead of me out of the salon. She introduced me to her close friend Joseph.
Then we had ramen for dinner at Umeda. We queued in the line for quite a while.(There are always a lot of people lining up for this particular ramen shop). It was a good thing that they were able to put us together in one table.(Actually it's half of a table, half of it was occupied by other people :P). We concluded the night playing archade games at the top of Hep Five and taking some shots at perikura.(Kim was really cool, she played Time Crisis the longest!)

Kobe Hanabi 2008

20080802 The afternoon Dio and I went to Kobe to watch the Hanabi. We started walking from the Sannomiya station. It was a gruelling 45min walk and the air was saturated and hot.
I felt like all the grease were in my hair and all over my body by the time we arrived at Kobe Port. We met Idel and Kay there. It was a waste that Mars couldn't join us. The only thing that made the fireworks acceptable to me (I was never that enamored about fireworks!) was the presence of music that was choreographed together with the fireworks. It was funny and it made the event a little memorable. On this same day I got a new phone. I bought a Nokia N95 from Yodobashi Camera's Softbank. It cost me roughly 45K++ and although I'm poor right now, I'm happily poor. hehehe :)

I still have a lot of stuff to setup for my new phone like the address book as well as some applications. I'm pretty excited about it.

Lu's Birthday

Yesterday, I woke up early to send a gretting to Lu. It was her birthday so I typed in the birthday song in my cellphone and emailed her first thing that morning. I felt great after a shower and had plenty of time so I did my hair. It was the first time in many weeks that I let my hair down. The air has become quite hot because of summer so I mostly tie it up.
When I came to the office, Lu's ex-PL was the speech leader that day. As usual, I had no idea what he was saying the entire time. That afternoon during break I got into the elevator together with Mr. Genius, Mr. Immature and Mr. Cool. Mr. Cool was busy with his cellphone, perhaps sending an email to his girlfriend(hehehehe, don't be jealous Lu).When we got to the 1st floor I got out first since I was in a hurry. I had many errands to run. I planned to buy some stuff for Lu on her birthday. I decided on flowers and socks. I wanted to pick light green roses but the flower shop didn't have any so I had to settle for a more common variety. I had originally planned on buying a flower plant but when I checked it out, I was dumbfounded by how much it costs so I opted for flowers instead. Anyway it's not the cost that counts in a gift right, it's in the thought.
Late afternoon around 5:55, people started disappearing from the office so I took the opportunity to go out as early and as fast as I can to get to Umeda earlier. I wanted to get a new phone that night at Yodobashi Camera but I couldn't because they ask me for my passport and I didn't bring it with me. When my girlfriends(Lu, Jet, Sheira) arrived , we headed out to Hep Five's Top floor to eat "tabehodai".

It was nourishing but not all the dishes were tasty. But it was still worthwhile, more so because I didn't have to pay a single cent for it! (Thanks Lu, belated Happy Birthday!)

I was so full when we finished that I found it hard to breathe and walk.

Rose' Bridal Shower

June 28, 2008 was one of the busiest days of Osaka life. I started the day early and went to Dio's and Mar's mansion but I was still late in getting there. Dio and I headed out to Daiso. We separated around the intersection since I had to print stuff for the party at Sheira's. Then I went to meet Idel at Hep to buy bridal gift for Rose which turned out to be a black underwear set for her honeymoon. Then I went back to Dio's to help pack the stuff to bring to Kaibigan.
When I got there everything was almost ready and it made me feel relieved that many people came to help. When we got to Kaibigan around 4PM to set up the place, I was already feeling a little anxious. My mind was about to explode from the many things we have to finish before the shower started. But little by little things were happening and tasks were being completed.
It really helps if people cooperate and help each other. If I were alone at that moment I would have already hang myself. hehehehe
We started the event at exactly 6PM eventhough Rose and Kay haven't arrived yet. All of the OsakaPinoys were there except Alvin. There were also a few Japanese guests which included Maru-Okasan and Takahara-san. We shared a toast for the bride-to-be and then started attacking the food.
A little while later Rose arrived in all her splendor and beauty. I really thought she sparkled like a star that night. After dinner we started the program proper. Yuri was the host of the event.
We started with an invocation led by Shin Kaisoku band(which included me!). Then we started out with a Name the song game followed by Game KNB(All about Rose). We then played the video that Lu prepared for Rose. Embedded in the video was a message from Rose' husband to be. Then we presented a song "When God made you" which was one of Rose' favorite song.
Although the song rendition was needed more practice it was heartfully rendered. We then gave Rose the underwear set we bought her which she showed to everybody. As a conclusion to the party Mrs. Sagami spoke a few words for afterwhich Mr. Sagami sang a song and then also delivered a speech. Then everyone gathered around for picture taking. As a final event people sang their hearts out in karaoke and danced in merriment. I guess the karaoke fever was the true highlight of the activity because it showcased Lu and I belting out Alone song(which I always sing in dedication to --------san), Maru-Okasan's dancing talent (She danced with all the guys in the party including Takahara-san whom I never saw danced before. Takahara-san also sang song duet with Rose.

Sunday Calligraphy Class

June 10, 2007 - I woke up a little late than I wanted to. So I immediately went to do my laundry since I had a calligraphy class to go to a little later.
I was late in arriving at the meeting place (Umeda), added to that yoke I got lost trying to get to the Tanimachi Line! Sorry gyud kaayo Shei :(
I was still glad though that I was with somebody upon going to Osaka International House since I had no idea where that place was. So Sheira and I rode the train and started talking. Then she suddenly retorted that we have already arrived while "tanimachi 4-chome" was being announced over the train speakers. After walking around 4 steps from the train door, Sheira looked upon the sign on the wall that says "tanimachi 4-chome"....And then came the magic words --> Ayyyy sayop! 9-chome ta d-i ta naug! At that moment we hurriedly went to the next train door just as it was about to close. We ended up getting in the car next to the one we were riding before :P We couldn't help from laughing when we got in. :)
A little later we finally arrived at Tanimachi 9-chome. The instruction for reaching Osaka International House stated that it takes 10 mins from the station to get there by walking. So we started walking straight from the station. We were unsure if we were going to the right direction so after walking for about 8 minutes we went to a nearby Family Mart to ask for directions. Unfortunately, both Sheira and I are not very good with Nihongo so we couldn't understand what the store clerk was trying to say. We only understood the summary of what she was suggesting which was to go back to the station where we came from and from there ask somebody for directions. Later that day we found out that we were actually already very close to the place at that point. We only had to turn left and we would have spotted sign board that read "Osaka International House" IN ENGLISH! (Perhaps that is also partly the reason why the store clerk didn't know where the place was, the signs for it were all in English.)

Both of us then headed back to the station and looked for clues on how to get to the Calligraphy class. I decided to ask the store clerk adjacent to the station exit but she replied that she didn't know so we went back to looking at the map near the exit. After a few seconds the girl from the store came out with a map in hand and she was pointing at a location that says "Osaka International House"! She's such a kind and gorgeous angel! Whoever you are, you have saved both of our asses and we'll forever be grateful to you :)
A few steps later, we felt a great relief when we finally saw a sign that indicated that we were going in the right direction. We took pictures of the moments when we were no longer a pair of lost children in Osaka. :)

We finally arrived at the calligraphy place 20 minutes later. We went up, paid the registration fee and headed towards the classroom.

Extensive brush strokes after that, we finally finished our "masterpiece". After assessing the finished product of my clumsy hands, I concluded that calligraphy is truly NOT my cup of tea. :P

Umeda Sky Building

After doing my laundry last Saturday (March 3) I headed out to Umeda to meet Idel and Mars. Idel invited us to eat at Baskin and Robbins in Umeda since there's a new ice cream flavor out. But I got there late and she was already done eating.

Anyway, I thought that ice cream wouldn't be enough for me since I haven't eaten anything since lunch time so I asked if we could go to a Ramen Shop instead. After the big meal we headed out to the Umeda Sky Building.

The building is composed of two main towers which are connected with each other by an observatory on the 39th floor.

When we got to the top the air was cold but the view near the river was spectacular!

Osaka Pinoys Christmas Party 2006

Last night we had a Christmas Party at Sheira and Jet's apartment. Everyone came for the celebration (aside from the usual Isaac people, we had 3 guests) and each of the housemates brought along with them their food specialty except for Idel and I, we brought drinks.

The night was filled with the air of festivity. I think that was the only time that I truly experienced the feeling of Christmas. Since most of the japanese are not catholics, christmas is not as festive as it is at home.

Some of the memorable events that night include:
1.) Sagami-san and his wife brought along 2 of the prettiest cake in Osaka (mind you, they are the most expensive also, I could faint with their price! wahhhhh!)

2.) Everyone brought FOOD with them. The most surprising one was the lumpia that Diobert and Mars brought along. I'd have to give 100% for the presentation of that dish. To think that it was prepared by a guy, AMAZING!
3.) Singing the manita-manita song over and over again (Even if the gift was to be given to a guy! I guess everyone was a manita that night. =))
4.) Alvin being the Rose's manito - we've been trying to pair them up eversince we heard that Rose was coming to Osaka. (wala gyud miy lingaw! hahahaha) DESTINY!

5.) The "what is your most memorable experience in Osaka" question which was initiated by Mrs. Sagami. I don't know what happened in the course of this activity but when we came upon asking Ranil we drifted to another interesting topic, the "how did you meet your girlfriend" topic. Ranil's facial expression was really comical, my stomach ached 'caused by too much laughter.
6.) The internet karaoke singing. Romsil might have been annoyed with me on this one. The boisterous person that I am couldn't help but be my natural self.
7.) The 2nd round early morning eating session! (There's always room for more food. hehehehe)
We went home at around 2 in the morning.
Great party! Great night! Awesome people! Merry Christmas!

Celebration at Sagami-san's Place

Last December 2, Sagami-san held a celebration at his place for the new members of Osaka Family, Rose and Kaye who just landed their first job. (Though later I found out, the job was cancelled due to budget issues. TOINKS!) . I worked overtime that day and arrived at the place late, so I wasn't able to eat the highlights of the food parade but I was still able to fill my stomach with an ample amount of food and drinks. As usual, when pinoys gather together, voices get louder and louder and conversation gets interesting as the night goes on. This is what I love about being a filipino during these events. It wouldn't matter if we were eating only nuts and drinking only water because the stories and conversation will always be great.