Love Is The Answer

It was a turbulent time. Decisions have to made which I always hoped were for the best. I don't like hurting people and I don't want to get hurt either. But then, that is reality. You cannot please everybody. Somebody is bound to get hurt even with the best of intentions.

You can lessen the impact though. That is called implied reality. You say it nicely. You break it gently so as to give the other person/people the dignity to fight back and break you into pieces.

It doesn't work that way always. Sometimes you have to put it straight..there... lay your cards and wait for the reaction. The tip is to always be ready. For the outpouring of emotions. For the creeping guilt. For the unhappy ever after. Or for the oneness of soul. The absolute union. The happy ever after. See it can go both ways.

We all take chances and then we decide. If we stay in the chance stage, nothing will ever be accomplished.

Are you the type who waits for the world to happen to you? Or you  make it happen to the world? That's your decision. If you don't do anything about it, you still made a decision.

For me, I can't imagine being with a man who is indecisive. Who leaves things to chance. I want my reality absolute and not implied. Life is all risk but not taking it is even more dangerous.

So tell it to me straight. And then we move on accordingly.

 
 

Friday, 10 Feb
11.50am	Arrive in Singapore and Check in Gallery Hotel.
1.30pm	Lunch at Marche @ Hereen
3.00pm	Shopping at Orchard Road
6.30pm	Dinner at Faber Hill Bistro at Jewel Box (Mount Faber)
9.00pm	Late night shopping at Mustafa
Saturday 11 Feb
0900	Breakfast at Hotel
1000	Proceed to Little India - Take a guided tour of Srinivasa Perumal Temple - View Thaipusam Procession - Visit Viewing Galleries
1230	Lunch at Banana Leaf at Race Course Road
1300	Explore Little India -          actual visits TBC -          option: take part in Desire Paths (audio tour) -
1600	Take one last look at at Thaipusam Procession Option: hop on to Hippobus
1730	Back to Hotel for change and rest
1830	Dinner at ARIA Restaurant @ Esplanade
2000	Visit the Esplanade and enjoy Huayi-Chinese Festival of Arts Free Outdoor Performances
2200	Night out at Clarke Quay OR Drinks at Raffles Hotel OR party at Zouk Back to Hotel
Sunday, 12 February
0900	Breakfast at Hotel
1000       1100	Visit Asian Civilisations Museum (Empress Place) to view special exhibition: “Power Dressing”   Visit The Arts House at Old Parliament
1200	Peranakan Lunch at True Blue Restaurant
1300	Visit Joo Chiat for a taste of Peranakan Culture
1600	Visit Chinatown
1800	Dinner at Chinatown Food Street
1900	View Chinatown Light-up
2000	Take part in Chinatown Closing party
2100	Proceed to Singapore River Hongbao Take part in SRHB Closing Party
Mon, 13 February
	Check out and Proceed to Airport

It was my first time to get out of the country. I was lucky to have been invited by the Singapore Tourism Board to cover their Thaipusam Festival from Feb. 10-11. I actually stayed in Singapore from Feb 10-13. The other two days were extras, "pasyal" time.

Our tour guide had been very generous with time. I was able to explore the city by myself on few occasions. The shopping places were a real joy.

Every woman's haven was the Bugis Street (it is the version of our Greenhills tiangge) because of cheap items for sale. The Orchard Road held another promise though. There lined up were malls from high-end to low-end. And my, how I was surprised about how things are neatly placed. I expected Singapore to be clean and well maintained. What I didn't expect was that it will go beyond what you envisioned it to be.

I love the order. The balance of modernity and rich cultures and people from all over the world.

Singapore was like a Legoland--colorful and almost perfect. It was hot there like in Manila but the trees made a difference. And the air was clean, mind you. In a matter of few days, my skin had improved. But well, what more can I say.  A place for everything and everything in its place.

It was like a model of what the world is, a real melting pot. Indian Temple, Muslim Mosque, Catholic Church, standing near one another. No conflict. People there have learned to live together.

I cannot help but feel hopeful. If they can do it, so can my home country. I have high hopes for the Philippines, this is where my heart will truly belong.

So I sneaked out on my last night there. A Filipino friend based in Singapore (Hi, Randy! Thanks a bunch) took me to Hooters, a bar where the girls (probably from Malaysia) were wearing shortie shorts (hot pants!) in tangerine and tank top. A glass of wine costs S$8.90.

So after wine and fries (blah, bad!) we headed to Chijmes (bar & restaurant strip, kinda high-end). We had beer at Insomnia bar. This was where my eyes pop. I've never seen so many good-looking white men in my life. Not in Manila anyway! They were mostly Europeans, young(!) and really yummy. (Sorry, I wont share the pics, for my eyes only!) I'm selfish.

Randy can't help but notice that I was just staring and ogling. hehehehe

I would go back to Singapore in a heartbeat. This is my kind of place--very cosmopolitan, a perfect match for a city girl like me.