I'm back from Asia...and TSA din't touch a thing

Just a quick update everyone. I'm back from Asia and I didn't post while there because I forgot the cable for my cam. I also really didn't take a lot of pics since I was really just there to spend time with my grandmother.

I did want to say that TSA and Customs did not molest me ONCE. I went through TSA in Phoenix - and they barely gave me the once over. I went through TSA twice in Honolulu - and even when I was selected for a "random" search all they did was take a cotton pad run it past my hands and check for chemicals. I went through customs in Manila and all they said was "welcome" and wave me through.

So on the way home yesterday I decided to make it interesting. There were 4 of us traveling. We stopped at the duty free on the way there and the way home. Our "duty free items" included a big bottle of cognac, an assortment of beers, 18 cartons of cigarettes, a danish knife that is a gift for Mr. Man from some friends. All of this but the cigarettes were arranged in 11 of our checked baggage. We also had 4 pairs of hardwood hand turned fighting sticks, 2 huge wood statues, 10 bamboo rainmakers, 4 louis vuitton purses, 3 tory burch purses and a couple prada bags add to that the cocoa powder, cocoa nibs, virgin coconut oil and assortment of dried fruit and powdered coconut cream, plus more random crap and the tshirts and such we had. Total to claim should have been at least 4000USD. In my purse in 5 separate areas I had a variety of 4 oz moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, contact solution, face serums and lotions. I purposefully did NOT take these out and put them in ziploc bags for inspection.

We left Manila late afternoon - one lady asked is that Lotion? I said yes. She said go ahead no need to check it then. Once we arrived in Honolulu a man told us - you will have to pay a $10.00 tariff per carton of cigarettes because it is limit 1 carton per person. I said really? He said yeah - I said would you mind following behind us - because I bet you a carton we won't pay. He said deal. Lol. Customs said do you have any seeds, meat or produce- we said nope. The customs agent looked directly at my 3 duty free bags and said do you have anything to claim? I said nope. He said may we xray 2 of your baggage - I said please select what you would like to peek at. Then he waved us through.

International TSA asked what the glass bottle in my purse was - I said face serum - they said ok and waved me through. Domestic TSA asked if I had lotion in my purse. I said yes. They said next time please separate it - and the 2 women waved me through.

That's the brunt of it. Even when I pushed the envelope they waved me through with barely a glance. This is how it has been for me before 9/11 and after 9/11. Perhaps the TSA and Customs are like muggers or rapists - they know how to pick a victim that will cave in more easily. I have been traveling since I was in preschool - it does not phase me. Truth be told I think Customs was a lot more strict before the dogs and xray and all that. People are constantly saying that we are being subjected to some shit that I have yet to be subjected to. All I'm saying is - if your swagger is strong they probably won't mess with you.

20 Sept 2009: The Fabric of Life...literally and not so literally

So Day 25 26 and 27 were spent battling with the seamstress...

About 10 days ago I told Tita Mama (my godmother) that I wanted to go to the fabric district. About a day later she asked me what I needed from there - I said oh some fabric coz I want a couple of my dresses copied. She laughed and asked,"what kind of fabric" I laughed and said oh just linen and cotton for everyday wear. She said Ohhhh no problem just come to the house - and pick what you'd like, I'll come pick you up in the morning.

I went to titas house and she literally had 4 floor to ceiling cabinets 4 half cabinets and 3 trunks full of fabric. I didnt even know where to begin. I finally narrowed it down to 12 choices and dresses to copy and some sketches of what i wanted.

The original lady who used to make all of our dresses has very unfortunately passed away. That lady was originally taught to sew by our grandmother...and she always said that so proudly whenever we asked her to sew us up anything...

Well I guess my Mom had a lady who sewed up her shorts. I wasn't going to trust anyone so blindly so I gave her 4 dresses to copy about a week ago and some fabric. I should have known then it was bullshit when she showed up late, left late and returned a day later than the originally scheduled time. But she did a good job.

It ended up being day in and day out of constant text messages from Mom's #1 girl just to get a delivery time and the last 3 days I've had to reschedule any kind of going out. She was supposed to show up today past noon and after calling her 8 times she finally said that she was going to be here by 7pm. I'm hella pissed coz I missed one of the girls birthday dinners - but as we are packing and I need a final fitting I have no choice but to pack and wait since we leave in the morning.

However - the tardy beeyotch does do a clean job.

Here's a peek at what she's done so far.







I had to have 2 purple joints made to match the eggplant etienne aigner that my Tita Oyee gave me - I like this little jackie O style joint. And I got the boots to match the purse which will also go with THIS dress...




I also had some little sundresses made...I love them all but I really have a crush on that blue one...













I got a couple little neutral dresses...




Egad...I love this joint with the geometric...Can't wait to rock it with boots.



And I just had to get ONE flossy joint - Black Kimono...Don't hate...




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So there you have it. You know the funny thing is - because I was comped the fabric the dresses only ended up being like 9 dollars each. Bwaa hahahhhaa. Imagine that. I was still a bit perved at her and advise her that I dropped a tasty amount of change on her because the usual work she does is 1 dress a week and I dropped 9 on her and because of my complicated selections I paid twice as much.

In these times when someone pays you double on a 9x order you should be quick and courteous because when I order I bring other orders with me. Tsk tsk.

But like all my different dresses - only certain fabrics should be used for certain dresses and should be worn by certain people. It's the variations in the cloth that make all of us up.

17 Sept 2009: Hahahha - Still havin fun!!!

hahahha Still havin fun...mission 1 today - Ongpin...




Yummy Yummy Crazy Fruit Displays



Yummy Yummy Chinese Pastries






Okay we are off for dinner and beers...Part 2 later.

14 Sept 2009: Everything Works Out...

Today Julian was supposed to fly home...he was supposed to go home a week earlier than I was. He already had a crate and his golf bag packed, the car was ready to go - his bags loaded and he was having a bite to eat. I told him to relax while I called Korean Air to confirm...



Well...Let me tell you - I love the Asian Airlines because the flight attendants are not only beautiful and attentive they are also thorough, quick and adept...Well my preference has a reason. En route here from Phoenix - the US Air 'ground stewardess' messed up Julians return flight and booked it the same time as MINE. Wuteva Heffa. Fortunately his work isn't gonna be buggin about it - but still it's retarded.

However, everything works out - last night for some reason all the radar systems went out at the airports and none of the flights went out so this morning all the flights finally went out but it was bonkers crazy...so better that he be hear instead of anywhere else.

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The PBA vs NBA Asian Challenge 2009 was very fun. I must admit the seats we got were even better than I thought...We had a better view than people who got a little closer for double the price...




RIDICULOUS...and we were just havin a good time...Plus this was our first NbA or PbA game ever --- I'd never gone to a sports event with him before despite our many freebies and offers to go...I would go anytime




Plus Quezon is so funny and bustling that the cops have to rope off the pedestrians during red lights so they don't go berserk and stop traffic...




Big fun and the bustle it's different in another part of the city...people in this part of the city are always on the move...you have to keep your wits about you and be prepared for anything.

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Yesterday...we were trying to see this WuShu demo in a park about 15 minutes from here but we had like 5 hours to kill. Well Julian wanted to go to see the CCP exhibit on Asian instruments - well I'd taken Janine there but I'd forgotten my camera...but I didn't this time...hahaha.

It had been a LONG minute since we'd gone there so we meandered...And people were inviting Julian to hang out. Hahahha.





Well...Cameras are NOT allowed in most museums...but don't let me use my night setting button on this joker...well 285 pics later...and voila - you guys get a tour too.






We didn't get one shot off at Casa de Manila but it was certainly worth it to use the camera that rest of the time...After we went to Silahis Arts and Crafts we wanted a coffee to rest our feet and sit for a bit...turns out there was a place right behind the art joint out of the way - It started to sprinkle when we entered the gallery but as we exited it meant cool breezes over a few drinks.

everything works out.

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So we are refreshed after some drinks and conversation and started to exit Intramuros with no particular destination and then chanced upon an abandoned building with plenty of Graff. Imagine that...




This is a place of creation not destruction - you find that people here make things...expressions of themselves - expressions of protest - expressions of hospitality...and there are times where they aren't even sure if they can do it but they don't quit at ALL...

perfect example - My mom has a dressmaker - My godmother hooked me up with like 15 bolts of prime fabric - so I asked the lady can u make this can you make that - and she said well...I said let's try 4 pieces and if you do it i'll get 6 more...

She stopped by today and she's the "SHIT"....she told Mom's girls those designs make my head bleed - but I love making beautiful things...and I'm lucky to have work right now because no one is really ordering anything.

everything works out

05 Sept 2009: Halfway there...

So...we're about halfway through vacation...it's so fun to relax and decompress...

Today Rommel Scilla and Pete left for Hawaii...but before they caught that 7pm flight we ran to the Mall of Asia...Everyone got up around 9am, everyone packed their bags and then we had a late breakfast. Julian wanted me to do a little museum tour with him (that's another story)...but LotLot (Mom's #1 best ever assistant) asked me,"aren't you getting the tickets today?" I was like DOH - I almost forgot about those tickets...

Last night Julian finally looked up the PBA vs NBA Challenge in Manila...also known as Asian Challenge 2009. He said the tickets were only hittin for 800 Philippine Pesos - so roughly 9 bucks. I was like well...if you are down i'm down. Lotlot heard us talkin about the game and she was like "BASKETBALL!!!" I said oh you like it? She was like yeah usually i'm the only one watchin in the living room..so I said wanna go? She's like Yeah...I'll give u money for the ticket...I said "NO YOU WON'T...our treat..."

Lotlot does everything for Mom and is also charged with the care of our maternal grandmother...she has done this for over 10 years without any piss poor behaviour or care...without complaint or neglect. She is also far more trustworthy than MOST of our relatives and tracks the finances and schedules in the house. So...if she wants to see a very rare game -I'll be the FIRST to get that ticket...







The boys weren't really lookin that bad for bein out until 330am last night and 5am the night before - but it was a last stop for facials and massages...

In looking at us you can't even tell it's a rainy day...we look so sunkissed and shiny.




Pete still wins the most photogenic award for vacation 2009





While they did that...We stopped for tickets. We got there ahead of someone who could barely restrain himself from pushing us over to look at the damn seats as there weren't many left - Then the SM Customer Service Center couldn't log onto net tickets...coz their internet connection wasn't even Booty...it was just BOO. bleh. So the guy behind us kept tryin to push forward...and Julian pushed him back and then he sidled up again and I said Damn Mothuhfucka can I but some tickets back UP...And he finally backed up. THEN the link disconnected to the ticket center - so the girl had to call on the phone and hold our tickets. She did. She looked at the guy behind me and I said I will NOT move until I have printed tickets in my HAND. She smiled and nodded. I knew what the hell is goin on.






The tickets were hittin for 4x the internet price - but all good.

Finally we got them...for Sept 11th. Woo hoo




Me, Julian, LotLot and Camille...roll out...roll out...roll out...roll out...




It's gonna be mad Fun. I've never even been to a real basketball game...and to think my first real game with Julian is a NBA PBA rare game with Kareem Abdul Jabbar as Head Coach and in Manila. CRAZY!!! Hella Cool but CRAZY. I'm excited....





The Georgia Cousins left for Hongkong this AM as well - we were to go with them but opted instead for this NBA PBA game...as HongKong will always be there. Yanno.

We also picked up a few things at the mall for our God Daughter - Cute like I dunno what! I know she will be very excited to get her things....Julian grabbed up one of the latest golf visors and ordered some sick air jordans plus matching jacket in from another nike store (they will arrive 2pm tomorrow)...While he did that - I popped by this spot i've been WRECKLESSLY EYEBALLING...




Seriously...the BOMB...even just plain yogurt is too delish. Creamy with perfect melt temperature...the right amount of tart. I could eat VATS of this plain...but with fresh kiwi and sliced almonds...UNBELIEVABLE...I may have to alternate frozen yogurt with my other fave coffee joint - UCC coffee...bwaa hahahha.

Hellz it's vacation - I can have both, just not at ONCE.

And still - they hit walls all over...i've been real neglectful about takin pics of different spots around that have grafitti...I gotta be more astute in takin out the cam...




Seems like this is the last place that krylon isn't under lock and key anymore.

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I just wanna say it's so nice to relax and do nothing. When we first got here it was unusually HUMID for August. I was very surprised when my brother and sister got a case of Prickly Heat. Really rare for us coz we never get that. But in the last few days it's really cooled off and has been raining almost every other day. It's more acceptable and far far easier to get about. But regardless of the weather, we are able to get around. But the heat wiped us out a few days and even on those days family is prone to stopping by with a plate of food, a case of beer, a quick hello and more often than not they don't even stay because they have things to do. haha.

My Best Girl in Manila...Monica S...She was finally able to step away from her copywriting and food styling for one day and we caught up. It meant choppin it up until 130 am. hahaha Just like the old days when all we did was suck down either coffee or beer and paint all night. I have only the deepest respect and admiration for this girl of mine. Her grind is unbelievable and she's been 2 kinds of creative Art Director already - Yaddadamean? Even after all that - at our cores we are the same women who love life and art and food...in various orders. But I will say this - she is far more decent than I am...far more patient...but with such Joy doing what she does. And as if work weren't enough - she's kicking off a food styling company for tv and print ads.

Somehow she always does what is RIGHT.

We have a few things scheduled.

It's gonna get exciting.

Hahahha.

As if it weren't already.