food for thoughts

i love the tuna melt panini at caffe cucina.





i had a lonesome and late lunch at euston's caffe cucina on friday.

its a rarity that i eat on my lonesome. and if i do, i normally am reading a book or magazine. that day i had none with me. (business matters in london town on a weekday makes adrian an absentee husband).

so what better to do, than people watch.


tuna and people watching on a friday, who can grumble?


- - -


i am ever so grateful to my lucky stars.

unintentionally,im getting alot of queries to photograph people's weddings and children. i cant keep up.

there was never an intention to make this photography thing to be a business. this was just so i could learn and master my camera. and for this hobby to pay for itself.

(talk about reverse learning,lol.)

the sad thing is, i have other commitments that weigh with the same importance..like family. like therapy.

plus, i know i will never ever be a successful businesswoman. i love giving too much. (i had given an album for free twice before, lol).


i want to take things my pace. or else, this love for snapping will turn into something i feel pressure from, which is the least i want.

other than that,mama chelski, is cool as ice (buko).


* * *

i cannot wait for my powerpoint presentation for tuesday...its like an end of internship oral exam. im so ready. with matching, flashy all-singing-all-dancing powerpoint presentation for the day.

and some free sweets for the attendees too.

indeed, the best way to get good marks is thru the stomach.

today at euston

there was a sombre mood today in london. i dont know if it is due to michael Jackson's passing, but i think it was partly also due to the heat in the tube.

i tried avoiding using the underground and just use the bus, but i left home a few minutes late, i was running everywhere, the tube was the only way to get anywhere without losing track of time.


* * *



i was trying to take a photo of paperchase, but this woman was so quick, the next thing know, she was in my view.





busy station..


* * *



its so sad, the premises around London eye and Southbank is not allowed to be photographed anymore.

London is getting stricter and stricter when it comes to photography.

i think this is overdoing it. its overkill.

how on earth will tourists be able to take photos around the gorgeous Southbank?

i am so disappointed.

its a sad day for people like me who loves photographing around that area. i wonder if they have the same rule for digicams too.

facing up to difficulties

photo: adrian does his gardening even if its difficult to manage his time


* * *


i was starstruck.

i met the most inspiring person (face-to-face) yesterday. (i was suppposed to blog about this but i was too tired from other things).

i met a 2012 Great Britain swimming olympian. a 16 year old, very artistic young girl, in fashionable clothes,funky eyeglasses,and an even funkier haircut.

shes just like one of those teenagers that you meet in the street. the only difference, apart from her being on training for the 2012 Olympics is that she's an amputee. she only has 1 arm.


(hence, why us OT's are involved,lol).

it was a surreal experience, as her dad and mum were showing us the calendar of the Scottish Widow (an insurance company owned by a big British bank)which she and the rest of the 2012 Olympian's were featured.

she's a spokesperson for a disability group and she's always doing charity fundraisers for disabled clubs and organizations.

we overstayed at her house,as the mum and dad were talking unendlessly about her projects, and her accomplishments, pride so evident in their voice.


if not for her being picked up by the cab for her training in the pool, we probably would have a hard time coming out of their house.


(i wish i could share her website here but because of confidentiality issues, i am legally bound).


* * *

i went home eager to go to the gym last night.


J, swims 6x a week at 5:30 in the morning, and does body training sessions in the gym 3x a week.

and this girl has only one arm.


while i, two arms, two thick legs,and even thicker trunk, can hardly walk to the kitchen to even cook for myself.


55 minutes on the cross-trainer and treadmill after, i resolve, to keep going, despite and inspite of difficulties.

no excuses.


well, not yet anyway.

missing siblings

i miss the subdued jojo...and my newly acquired sister--mayel.





i miss the funny roi.





i miss the quirky ankai...



i wish i was with them right now.



and just be myself.




* * *


something weird about this photo?



(photo from my despedida night)...




* * *

roi and ana's antics on a night out.




although ana could wear men's shoes; roi, i assure you, has not taken to wearing female peeptoes. well, not yet, the last time i checked.


(and yes, they swapped just for this photo..tsk! anything for a photo opportunity these two!).

delayed rant---but justified

my mind is about to explode.

this week is the hardest of the weeks im in this placement.

plus, there were so many worries hanging over my head.

i had so many stressors this week, and slowly, i tried getting rid of them one by one..


-the worry of grades from the two assignments i handed in on April.

this is now resolved.

i rang the college today and i got my grades over the phone.

pheww!!! not bad considering i had to travel to cebu in the middle of assignment handing in week.


* * *

plus this....THE BIGGEST STRESSOR--


-the worry about visa's for my family to visit me.

my Mama now has a visa to visit me(multiple entry!!!whoopee!!).

unfortunately, Roi and Ana have been denied because according to the refusal letter, "being a student and dependent on your spouse Mr. Cezar (roi) Aviso, with no children, deems you as having no social ties in the Philipines, to guarantee that you will return to the Philippines"...

same spiel on Roi's refusal letter. apparently, having no children with his spouse Ana Aviso, they will have no social ties to come back.


How could they get this wrong??? the aplication form and letter,says both are of single status..

there were numerous documentations to prove they are both single,a nd that they are brother and sister.

and there were parts of the letter that asked : "who are you travelling with and state relationship"...

so Ana put on hers:

1)Helen Aviso--Mother

2)Cezar Aviso-brother


and same with Roi's application...she put Mama's name and Ana's name with the relationship clearly written..


Ana had to ring the embassy call centre and told them the error. the lady on the phone apparently was shocked and was asking Ana to send back the documents + appeal form to be filled up and sent to their Taguig office instead of the UK office so they can overturn it "quicker".

the hassle is in the waiting (apparently, another 30 working days or more), the effort of running back and to fedex (for Adrian and I because were both full time workers),the money to correct their errors, the phone calls...everything, all because the entry officer did not read the application properly..


but surely, why would anyone assume, two people applying with the same surname for a visitor's visa as married couple.

did they even read the birth certificates that stated Ana and Roi have the same mother and father?


Adrian today, (on his lunch break) delivered (another) sponsorship letter, via Fedex, because we want it to get them as soon as possible. and this is no mean feat as Fedex is quite a long travel from his workplace...he had no lunch today (that is a big sacrifice in Adrian's terms), and be late in his afternoon lectures (Adrian is a stickler to punctuality,so this one is another big blow).

hopefully, they (ana and family) will get it on Wednesday afternoon.

hopefully, Ana could send it back to the Taguig office ASAP.

hopefully, the officer who will process it this time, will read whats written. and NOT IMAGINE what nots there, and assume.


* * *

alot of martyrs died on wrong assumptions.


..as well as stress.



* * *

(last night, i was so busy doing research about my final presentation for my final grades, i could not sleep even after midnight...i had to take a break to put me to sleep. facebook,is a wonderful tool for initiating shut-eyes. my eyes get tired looking at something unfamiliar and difficult.)

untitled

hey Pa.

it was father's day yesterday. (or the consumer-dictated father's day).

i have stopped celebrating it since you left.

from now on, your day is the day,you and mama brought me into this world.

september 26, i will celebrate you (which i always do since 2007).


i love you Pa.

i miss you,every single day.




celso "taba" aviso

14th september 1949- january 20,2007

tasty at Taste of London

"how do i look?" i asked my ever adoring husband after i put the finishing touches of my make-up...

"tasty" he said with a smile.

then he added, "...like green crunchy apples".

there goes my self-eestem.





dressy day for me








dusk coloured 'moi'





'perting hiyaka', lol







love and food goes together






another love shot=)



* * *

there's no denying, my husband loves green crunchy apples...

trying again

...i have been so motivated lately to go to the gym. im on my 3rd week of doing cardio exercises , and so far, im still going.

it has not shown any results yet (and im not expecting anything until after the 3rd month--if i do get there), as its just a recent preoccupation, but if there are, its how i feel after working out.

i still get so tired, but i do enjoy the lightness i feel after a 45 minute cardio workout on the cross trainer and treadmill.

plus, i am not dieting and i dont have an plans to diet (food is too important to me and i know myself, i wont be able to manage a full-time job with minimizing my food intake...not yet at least). i just eat the same stuff i used to, with a little more healthy options.


hopefully, ill continue, as i feel alot energetic and light on the feet. all these are just psychological results so far, but this means so much to a diabetic like me, who's constantly dead tired, day in and day out.






but of course, a whole body photo...





and yes, that ID look,adrian keeps taking of me.



* * *

lets see if there are changes on the third month...=)


*that is, if this gym-love continues..i need your prayers,lol*

update about the key story....

i did end up working today after all.

nope, i did not break the car's glass, in my panic, i rang Adrian, to tell him about the problem. in his heroic manner, he said, he will come home as he was free on his first class.

i waited for him and fidgeted and mourned the ability of my brain to remember non complex tasks.

he came whizzing the front door, red faced, and laughing.

he said, next time it happens, i need a senility exam.

i said, "there will be no next time".

i sure hope so.

* * *

i rang the paediatric department, and looked for my supervisor/educator and told her what happened and why i will be late in coming in. she was laughing on the other line.

when i finally got in to the office, they all gave me pointers on what to do so that i wont forget it next time. i felt i should never have tried to come to work because it just reminded me how frustrating it was.

being annoyed at one's self is a very good excuse to go to the gym and work out.

and so i did.

plus, darn adrian was already waiting in his gym clothes when i got home. talk about motivated!


* * *

and yes, im on the second/third week of my fitness regime with adrian.

i have always been inspired by friends to be healthy, but i never got the motivation until a series of events happened and really pushed me to get my (jiggly cellulite-ridden) ass off the sofa, and get on the cross trainer....

these events, i will write about them soon, so that perhaps, i might inspire some other friends to think hard, and make a move, or better yet, a reminder of how i started in this lifelong quest.

and these events deserve a sole blog entry to themselves.

until then.

dinner's waiting.

another key story

im soooo stupid.

i was panicking this morning, on my way out to work/internship.

i could not find my keys.

i tried tracing back to where i normally put it, the foyer,the small pot in the front room, none.

i retraced the events of last night. did i go out? yes of course!

adrian and i returned the dvds we rented last week, and on the way out, he said, he'd drive.

i remember putting the keys on the dashboard, when i had to go out of the car and went inside the store. (but did not picked it up again when we got inside the house).

a cold shrill went through my spine. i had to check the car!

remember my "locked outofthe house" incident?

i made sure, i did not go out of the house without putting a door stopper,too afraid to get locked out again (all my keys were in one holder).

and then i found the keys. sitting beautifully on the dashboard, for everyone to see.

tanga kaayo ko.

i wanted to cry, i wanted to punch myself, i wanted to pull out my remaining 5 hairs.

how am i going to work?

adrian is at work already. he cant possibly come back all the way from brentwood to just open my car up for me.

now, im locked indoors.

i cant even go out to enjoy the sunshine because i cant close the house door. i dont have keys to get inside again.

*crying, punching the air and pulling out hairs*


* * *

and that my dears, is the reason why one should learn to be more organized with thy personal belongings.


(imagine me, typing this in the front room, fully dressed in placement uniform).

therefor i conclude, i am world's biggest loser.

about marriage

what is marriage like, you ask.

marrriage, its like a bollywood movie.

it has drama, adventure, fantasy, romance, in beautiful colours,
all in a span of time,

then there will be moments,

when you just feel like bursting into

a song and dance.



* * *

(photo: karen and danny on their wedding day)...

un-officially posting

...its nice that in this placement, i could actually use the computer and do unofficial things.

but its a secret.

this is a breather before i actually do a sensory programme on a 3 year old cerebral palsy child.

i know, some good things never last.

craver's delight

craving for green mangoes and bagoong. (not pregnant,haha).

something crunchy and sour and dip it with equally salty bagoong.


i would give all the money in my wallet money right now to have that bite...


i wonder if its possible to go home for a day and come back after gorging on green crunchy mangoes?


lets see...

perting

i have a friend who used to say "perting" everytime she wants to emphasize an adjective of something or someone.

(e.g. me: "that food was delicious"..friend: "perting!"...)"perting" is like the vernacular equivalent of "very much!" but used in street slang. a sort of emphasis on certain sentences.

everyone in our circle of friends eventually caught on to the word, and it seemed as an immediate understood term within the group.

the point of this blog is that today, im exhausted.

perting.


* * *


at placement today, i had a realization.

that when one is expected, and becomes the normal, the "special" aspect of that action, or the meaning is diminished.

take for example, friendliness. when one opens themselves all the time.it becomes an expected action. so the meaning of being friendly is lost. because everyone expects it.


when one is ready to help, people around that person has lost the ability to appreciate that, just because it becomes the norm.


when one is too trusting, and too patient, and too forgiving, its expected, and the generosity of the act is lost.


it is frustrating to say the least.



perting.


* * *

one gets tired of giving,forgiving, trusting, and being too overtly open...because some people, no matter, how the giver is willing--the receivers become ill-mannered and too ungrateful to see the act of selflessness, that time comes, its not really worth the trouble at all.

perting.

coming home

everyday, going home to you, is always a home coming.


* * *

(photos: adrian and me, on a late late night train to home).

mark's day...

or night...

today,we celebrated mark.

his birthday is always a specially marked day on the calendar because, apart from he is my husband's son, he is loved by everyone in the family...including by his very young stepmom,(that's me, silly).

as most of my friends know, Mark has special needs, he has autism. but thats just a label, to mention his needs. other than that, he lives on his own, (he owns his own flat), he works and is such a responsible, loving adult. his talents are computer-related,and he is never short of stories about football (soccer,they call it across the pond). he is well mannered and just absolutely a nice person...and i love him as my own son.







since adrian and i were working, we booked a nice chinese restaurant at Ongar for the evening. (and did i mention that chinese food is his favourite meal?although he has now the palate for filipino dishes).




after the meal, we went back to mark's flat and cut his chocolate birthday cake...
(these are the times, i wish Kusina Habana was just a local shop, i could have ordered custom made cake.. ) this choclate cake was store bought, and it did not live up to its price...




adrian and Mark...he was happy with his snazzy new mobile phone birthday present...

* * *

life is a wonderful surprise.

june 15 is not just an ordinary day for me anymore. since 2003,i have been given another reason why i should mark the 15th of june as a day to celebrate family.

special ones at that.

today's funny moment

we were at hyde park.

i was under the shade of a tree, relaxing.

adrian was near the pond.

he was holding a loaf of stale bread, and started feeding the ducks.

the ducks gathered around him and some of them pecked on his legs,others were pecking his hand...he was talking to them telling them off to be nice and to have manners.

it was like a scene from a movie. a comedy.

i wish i took a photo...i wasnt able to, as i was laughing too hard.

if i took a photo of it, the caption would have been "Adrian,Lord of the Ducks"..

Adrian was enjoying what he was doing and continued feeding them.

passersby got mesmerized with the whole scene when the whole flock of ducks were coming out of the water aggressively went after Adrian...

although in hindsight, it was bad taste to laugh. but i could not help it.

Adrian has a method to his madness. and one of them was military training to a flock of ducks.

and leading them to cadence march out of the water.

sigh, my husband's such a quack!

i'm in love with kevin...

...and joey, and amelia and marianna and isabella


yes! its definite. i am head over heels in love with the kids i see at my placement.

kevin is a 3 year cerebral palsy (cp)child that i work with in one of the special schools connected to the Child Development Centre im currently assigned at.

he is a son of an indian couple and he is such a chunky little boy, and so handsome. he was the first kid that made me cry home on my first day. i culd not stand seeing him in pain in his special seat. we had to strap him to enable his proper posture development.

he gets painful spasms every now and again, and seeing him smile and laugh everytime i see him just warms my heart.

joey is an athetoid cp child and he is just gorgeous. beautiful features this kid has and such a happy kid.

i do stretching exercises and play therapy with him, and it just such a nice session because he just laughs the entire time.

he is already 9 years old and his older sisers dote on him. i dont blame them, for having such a beautiful kid as their brother, they are mighty damn proud.

he taught me how to maneouver his joystick enabled wheelchair, and laughed so hard when i almost crashed him into the wall. ahhh, bless him.

Amelia is one of a kind. I love going to the "good morning" sessions at their class, because i get to play with her.

three year old Amelia has autism and some syndrome i forgot the name, but she is just so adorable.

everytime she sees me, she holds my hand and makes eye contact...she has got gorgeous golden brown curls and pretty brooding eyes..and when she smiles, she just makes your heart flutter and make you want to run to her and squish her til she giggles. (which i do,haha)


Marianna is a daughter of a portuguese lady and british man. she had a traumatic birth, and ended up with cerebral palsy.

shes a beautiful young girl, (13 years old) and such a bright kid. although Marianna cant verbalize her communication, she is able to use a communication aid to communciate and has developed her own vocalizations which her parents can understand.

I assessed her for a special seat which she needs to correct spinal curvature. Shes so well behaved and so cooperative and although you can see shes was somewhat in pain, she just went ahead and worked with me and the company rep who was supplying the seat.

everytime i see her at the school corridor, she'd wave excitedly and vocalize unintelligable sounds (for me), which was obviously quite positive. ahhh, i cant help but love her.


and Isabella, my dear Isabella. A 3 year old, but very tiny.

she's almost always sleeping, but not really. shes no trouble in class and just sits there listening to the teacher. she gives no fuss, and does not cry and gives all the normal positive responses any normal kid would have.

we hoisted her the other day, and i just wanted to carry her in my arms (because she's only tiny), but being on internship, i had to abide by health and safety regulations.

she clearly sometimes is in pain, but just coos and whimpers. oh,my heart breaks when she does that.



playing favourites? you betcha!=)


- - -

every night, these children are now in my prayers...i feel so blessed i get to work with them.

my mornings and days are fuller just by being able to work with these little people who have such amazing personalities despite and inspite of their disabilities.

they have given me a renewed appreciation of being able to walk, and talk and do things as able as i can.

inspiration definitely do come in different forms..and in their case, sizes.

missing my women

its unusual that karla and i are not attached in the hip when im in cebu.

so when on a wednesday she said she was doing client meetings and was unable to come and join us, it was an opportune time to spend with my girlies (ana and ruby).

my mama joined us for lunch, and grocery shopping afterwards. when she left for home, ruby, ana and i were left wandering around killing time. we decided to get a facial, and a body massage...then rewarded ourselves with ice cream afterwards for a tough afternoon of no structure.

all's well that ends well.



i miss my mama



love her



girls, dont do your mascara on the table, its rude,lol.



the newly refurbished abeseria...well, new for me, as the last time i was there, it was in a different location.



the gutom girls=)



asus, there goes that V sign again...



gutom ra na kai,haha=)



Ana's gypsy girl look



and myself, in my laidback-day-fuss-free look...


* * *

it was a nice relaxing day...i pray to have more of them....(but with karla next time)...

why we love the plantation

there is so much history to this. bear with me as i reminisce about my father.


as much as we, as a family love variety, routine is also a welcome fun for us--esp if it brings wonderful memories.

and perhaps why shangrila never happened. (aside from the fact that the beach is a long walk away from the rooms).


plantation bay will always be that one for us.

it was where, in 2005, my father expressed his love for the resort, uncannily, when he was the type of person who really loved staying in. we stayed there with just the immediate family and a guest from a the UK...we enjoyed the clean and beautiful surroundings and the lagoon-concept was such a novelty then.



the gang of brothers and cousins pretending to be kids again




waiting to slide

in 2006 (may), we went back for him to enjoy the resort...this was after my sister ana's 18th birthday party, we stayed again at the Plantation.(okey i know my father sounded like a spoilt brat the way i put it, being catered to for his all his likes, but as some dont know, my father was blind the last years of his life...so anything that made him relaxed and happy and anything enjoyable for him--we made sure he got it as he deserved it for all he have done for us his kids). this time, we got the riverboat suite. --(highly recommended!)




enjoying the riverboat...this is my favourite photo of my papa that year=)




ahhh, can you tell i was a papa's girl?


the next year,2006 december, we went back again, and because the riverboat suite was already booked, we took the penthouse suite. it was a disaster. we enjoyed the company of people we love, but the stay at the penthouse wasnt as enjoyable as that of the riverboat. perhaps it was the late service,or the rainy weather, we didnt enjoy it as much. but my father was still happy as larry. and the young cousins were enjoyin every second.



the view from the window of the penthouse suite



this was the master bedroom in the penthouse...same as the riverboat actually, but the riverboat was on one floor/bungalow type on stilts by the water, while the penthouse,has a bigger second bedroom than the riverboat.

(note: the penthouse is on three floors-the bottom floor which is the restaurant, the two top floors being the suite. its beautiful and opulent, but lacks the warmth and homey feel of the riverboat.)


in 2007, my father died. when we went home for a vacation, we resisted going back to the Bay, as we didnt want certain memories to be put in the surface. we opted going the Portofino way--a local beach resort.

eventually in 2008 we did Boracay island. all were fun and served some purpose for the much needed r&r. still at this time, talking about plantation bay was still sore. ---and yes, we also went swimming at the local Tubod springwater (quite nice actually) in Minglanilla, so that Adrian can swim every week. he is addicted to swimming.

in april 2009, we took the courage to go back to Plantation Bay. this time, for some closure. where to do so at our favourite suite room. the one where he jovially was his old self (funny and just warm person to be around with).



beautiful under the sun




man made, but still beautiful...



ana ,ruby and bolantoy, still swimming at night




they used to give a welcome basket of fruits together with a run-in-the-mill bottle wine...this time, its a plateful of cookies..still, a welcome treat

alas, we bury the sadness of him being gone, and just pure happy memories of him going underneath the dark watered pool---and resurfacing after a few seconds with a huge smile on his face...

im not sure if i'll be lucky enough to reserve a room in the Bay in december (as its their peak season), but when i can find a window of opportunity, i hope to go back again. and look for his memories.

when i go, im taking you with me.

good times.


* * *

muni-muni

a beautiful centrepiece @ Lily's farm....

* * *

now that im growing older (by the second), i have realized that life is not all about brains (and beauty) and special higher learning abilities. its about the ability to contort your mind to believe that things will get better, even if the rest of the world thinks otherwise.

the tenacity of ones will to surge through amidst hardships and trials, and making do with the little for the meantime--is the marking of a survivor.

let us tell our hearts to be brave. life has its ups and downs, and from here, theres no way to go but up=)

like soldiers, let us surge on.


* * *


my mom's sister had an amputation scare a few days ago. they have little to their name,and they are struggling with their day to day finances. being in hospital is such a big life upheaval. i should know,my father being in and out of hospital when i was young was such a life crises for us.

things like these happen,and if it means being the person that they can ask help from, i should look at it as a blessing, not a cause for defensiveness. it should be given, and looked at with empathy, nor cause for aggravation.

giving is not a bad thing. it is the most beautiful position to be in. if one is in the capacity to give, be thankful. i would rather be the one to give, than the one being given to.

and if one cant help, say "im sorry,i cant for now" graciously. ayaw na pakapini ug sakit nga mga storya and insults. (when my father was in hospital before he died, we just came back from a philippine vacation....so there was little cash left, and whatever saved up money we had was tied to some bonds. we had to wait for 15 days before it can be released, so the day-to-day costs of him being on monitors and life saving apparatus was running like mad while we waited on turtle pace for our money. we asked for some aunties to lend us the money to keep the running costs afloat and that they wont stop the monitors and the machines while we waited for our money to be released. we gave our house in the phils as collateral, but lo, some of them have said hurtful words, and even insults, and said "no,we cant lend you the money" +++ insults . there was no need for that. saying "no, sorry not now", was enough. (although i have to be fair, some of the siblings were helping in some other ways, which i will never forget).


the only person who actually helped BIG TIME was my cousin (and all time angel) Karla (with nothing to say negatively). this space is not enough to enumerate what she did. the initial money we sent, which was more than hundred of thousands was not enough for the running bill, she put up her own money to save adrian and i.

(so how can i be selfish? when one person out there is always ready and willing to save me? and looks after me? thanks karl).


when our money was released (thank goodness,earlier than planned) and was sent off to the Philippines to pay off everything, my father also died shortly. and the insults and the cattiness of some sisters, were just buried under the carpet, because they started to relax that no one was asking from them at that point.

that experience changed my life and how i look at money (and friendships and family).

let us look at how God blesses us. let us be thankful when we can do something for others, and that we have the capacity to do so for our love ones.

let us not compare ourselves to the greed that feed some people. at least we sleep better at night. and money? we can never take it to our graves. and it wont buy us character.

* * *

this is all but personal opinion based on personal experiences and situation. some people may have had different perspective based on their life experiences. this is what shaped me.

and this is why i am what i am now.

robert pattison, i officially crush you

i watched the MTV awards 2009 (maybe a rerun).

Robert Pattinson received awards for the movie.

he is so crushable. i saw the movie twilight when i was in the plane going to cebu.

i remember how strikingly intense his gaze was in the movie, it just made me feel flushed for a while. nevermind the storyline of the movie.


seeing him talk and joke around while receiving the award, with his cute british accent, he just made me remember that even if im not yet menopausal, hot flushes are now possible.


* * *


they showed the New Moon trailer during the awards.

by golly, i know i got to see it.

just so i could get flustered one more time.

im a sucker for blood suckers,haha.

senses

(flower centrepiece for dinner)


* * *

this is a boring blog.

i am in love with the word sense/ senses.

its the neurological and physical sense which im referring to, than the "common" sense one (although, that one, we need too).

i blame it when i fell in love with my neurological/stroke placement, and now, im in paediatrics, im in love with it more.

im starting to think and be aware more of what specialization im going to be in when i fully qualify, but, still, its early days. i may change my mind the next placement if im put somewhere like social care, for example.

sensory play, sensory integration, and sensory mechanics (and sensory stimulation toys and tasks), all im taking in with alot of gusto and welcome.

im just basking in the things im learning each and every day. all the seminars im attending, all the one-on-one sessions i have with each child (and learning their personalities), and the wonderful books im reading---just lures me into this aladdin cave of information.

i feel theres a minefield out there which waits for me to put in my two cents and give it my best shot.


* * *

each person has some sort of sensory problem. mine is focus. i have difficulty processing information when theres so much sensory stimulation going on around me. sensory tolerance could also be a problem. i can only take things in small doses. i understand now that to get the best possible learning out of me, i need to break down things in small doses, and frequent breaks in between, and limiting any other things going on around me as well.

i wish i could say the same about my eating habit.


i told you this was boring.

little tots

( Ava---the tiniest guest at Karen and Daniel's wedding, and my youngest customer so far--the dad has just hired me to photograph her on her birthday---aint i lucky?)



as much as i love children and i dream of having one of my own, (someday,one day), i think i got wrong reasons (for now,lol).

today for example, i was dreaming of what birthday party i was having for my future child.

so far, ive got all the theme, the logistics worked out, down to the invited guests and even the games to be done during parties. (and to be honest, ive even gone so far as planning up to the child's 4th year,haha).

this is what happens when im left on my devices, and idleness gets my mind wandering to the far, and the preposterous, sometimes to the impossible.

oh, ive also worked out the room colour scheme too, lol.

surprise, surprise, working with children really does this to me.

and if you care to know, im soooo loving my paediatric placement...and after speaking to my placement educator yesterday, im so over the moon. (a first grade isnt bad for a halfway mark.)

the most interesting face

i say.

a warts-and-all portrait of my other half.

gorgeous.



* * *

adrian and i have a friend named Charlotte. her husband''s name is Mike. Mike is a professional photographer. (although i must say, we havent seen them since Charlotte moved to a different county).

i first met them when i moved here in 2003. Charlotte used to work with Adrian and was part of the Lecturer gang (Pat, Rey,Adrian and Charlotte).

everytime Mike and i were talking about photography (this was before i owned an SLR, and i was asking about photography), he always said to me, he dreams of taking portraits of Adrian. he says Adrian has a face he would love to photograph. (i understood now, it was his way of asking me, if he could photograph Adrian in his studio).

eventually, Adrian introduced me to his friends Pete and Lynn, (both photographers), they were also saying how they loved to photograph adrian in their studio. --adrian wasnt too happy with the idea though,haha.

now, aint i lucky, i get to photograph Adrian, lines, crows feet, stubbles and all, free of charge, and with all access.

lucky lucky girl. thats me.


* * *

on the same note...i want my portrait done too. any takers?