Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Birthday Weekend Surprise


Because J turned out to be the sweetest over the years (next to me), she kidnapped me for a weekend getaway at Amara Sanctuary Resort at Sentosa as a birthday surprise.

And because I always choose memories over material things, she knew it will definitely make me happy. And yes, it made a memorable 28th birthday!

Upon arrival, the lobby has this relaxing distinct smell which I then realized was ginger. The resort truly exudes that 5-star feel, from the door lock, to the view, to the amenities, to the food, to the pools, and even goes beyond the friendly staff.

A 2-days stay wouldn't be enough to experience the full rest and recreation you would ever want. Feels really good to feel special. I hope birthdays are spent every week.


Sunbathing at the Rooftop Infinity Pool just a few strides from our hotel room.


Most of the moments were spent swimming. Who would not be in awe at the breathtaking view? Everything's seen here, from the Merlion, to the roller coaster at the Universal Studios.


The dream pool where I did non-stop laps.


Waking up like a princess, having coffee with a view like this. Ahhh, life.


Shutters Restaurant where we wad the most romantic fine dining & sumptuous breakfast buffet.


Table for two.


What to eat? Well, the most interesting part, I ate most of them.

PS
Looking for the Fine Dining surprise? Now, that's a different story altogether.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

How Apple has Changed my Life


44% Macintosh users
4% iPhone users
8% iPod users
<1% iPad users

Audience Statistics of www.oneblissfulnomad.blogspot.com.

Realizing this, more than half of my readers are Apple users, and I guess, today must be a sad day for you too. Like mine.

While in transit going to work today, there was a flashback of how Steve Jobs has touched and changed my life, that founder of technology which has given me the freedom of creativity, innovation, and genius.

2004. I remember my first ever job as a junior graphic designer. iMac. That was my first computer at work. That led to creating designs which made me love my career more. I did not stay long enough in that office, but I made sure that I will be absorbed by companies who are apple users.

2006. After coming back from China for work, I bought my most expensive investment during that time. Seventy-nine thousand pesos paid in cold cash. MacBook. I got in love with this buddy, and even named him, Macky. My acquirement of Macky has led to numerous design projects, both personal and paid, one of which was the birth of The College of Accountancy logo at the University of Santo Tomas. It has kept memories of all my nomadic experiences. It has played the songs which have kept me alive during those nights I was rushing for a deadline. It has kept my connection with people all over the world. It has been with me in the most dreadful and most exciting presentations.

2008. I was leaving for Singapore for good. My iPod classic was with me all throughout I have thought was the longest flight ever in my entire life. Fifi has always been the witness of the happiest, the loneliest, and even the ordinary days of my life. "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" was on repeat during the entire flight, while I browse the photos of family and friends.

2010. J's birthday. We bought an iPod touch. A gadget which opened doors for twitter, and made me follow even celebrities. A gadget which made me play games in the most boring times (while on transit or during meetings). A gadget who has become my running buddy, playing songs and telling me how many kilometers I have run so far.

While I am typing this in front of my MacBook office laptop, I am deeply saddened for the loss of the genius who has changed my life. He has touched many many lives in ways unquantifiable. Steve Jobs, your legacy lives on.

Thank you for your foolishness.
Thank you for your hunger.
Thank you for changing the world.



When I clicked the Safari button, this has appeared from the landing page of apple.com. The loss of a man whom I have only seen on his keynote presentations has crushed my heart deeply.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Much like Love

If there would be anything I would like to do today is to be stuck in my kitchen and whip up something good. Or maybe not even good, but at least whip up something. I wanna get messy, cook, and bake.

I woke up today earlier than usual to finalize the experimental cake pops I have started the night before. Was pretty amazed that I did not hit the snooze button of the alarm, and quickly got up. It was the same feeling when you were a kid, and you have a new toy to play with so you wake up really early in the morning.

I still have the candy melts leftover from the chocolate lollipops I also experimented on a few months ago (but never pushed through). I started to melt the white colour candy melts and mixed with a few red ones, but wasn't able to get the perfect consistency of smoothness. I tried the brown candy melts mixed with green but never turned out to be liquid enough. Both of the mixtures were dumped into the waste bin immediately. Yes, disappointment.

I did not lose hope. I still have a bag of couverture chocolate. You know, the ones you use in chocolate fountains. I melted them but wasn't really getting the perfect consistency of the liquified chocolate. It was not perfect, but it will do.

As I was realizing I am running out of time, I quickly dumped two cake balls into the melted chocolate and placed them inside the fridge. As I am typing this in front of the piles of paper works on my office table, I could not resist thinking what had happened to my experiment I left at home. Sigh.

Was the experiment successful? I don't know yet. This, can only teach me to acquire more patience.

So much like love. Everyday will always be experimental. There will be so many emotions when you are into it. Excitement. Passion. Disappointment. Desperation. Patience. And yes, Hope too. I know it won't be perfect all the time, but the promise of hope will always keep us going. Because there is more to life than this. If this is fucked up, eff it. You can always try again.