Childhood Stories

It all started on a rainy day. I was walking from the LRT to my house amidst the pouring rain and I was about to make a dash for it when I started to ask myself, "When was the last time I had the chance to play in the rain?"

I remember it was back in the Philippines and in those times playing in the rain was something I could have always done but did not do often. In fact I remember only one instance when I did and I distinctly remember thinking that it was crazy but I want to do it. I wanted to do it but was rather scared because I was not very adventurous back then. I remember asking for permission if I could play in the rain.

Some days passed after that little walk down memory lane and I started to think back more about my childhood and this question popped up in my head: What do you think your friends here in Singapore did as children?

I realized then that because of cultural differences, their experiences of growing up in Singapore would be different from my own and a curiosity rose up in me to find out about it. I was pretty sure that growing up in Singapore meant more than just eating duck rice, eating pastries and playing soccer...

Hence, began my quest for the answer to this question: What is it like growing up in Singapore?

I often get stunned reactions when I ask this question so I always have to rephrase it: What are the things that you did when you were young?

Through asking this question I began to know more about my friends and what they were like before and I came to the conclusion that even though the country they grew up in is the same, the experiences are vastly different and even though our countries are different, there are some similar experiences.

Through the recounts of past experiences I began to remember memories of my own that I thought I had forgotten and by asking about others, I was able to remember more of myself and even laugh at myself at some of the things I did.

I hope that as I continue to ask others that I'll know them just a little bit more and be reminded of my own past because through that, I get to know myself just a little bit better too.

Love Stories

Came across this video when a friend put the link up on youtube...

Somehow I like these kind of stories... Maybe that's why I watched Slumdog Millionaire in the cinema three times with three different groups of people...

There's one scene that I caught where they were filming the outside of a building to show that the film scene is taking place inside and a passerby, possibly a security guard of some sort, walks by and says, "No filming." It's a very short moment and because parts of the film is in the Indian language, it could be mistaken as an Indian man saying something random in Indian. I don't know whether it was deliberately left there to prove that the film was shot on actual sites or whether it was an oversight because when I first watched it, I did not even really hear that he said, "No filming."

Anyway, I think the ending credits for the show is really funky (in a good way).

Coffee + Prayer

So much stuff has been brewing (no pun intended) in my heart and mind lately. I shall let go a funny little incident that happened today.

We were having a celebratory ORD lunch for Alvin Lim and Bryan at Pho Noodle House in Suntec Tower 2. I ordered this set meal that comes with a main course, an appetizer and a drink. I was pleasantly surprised as I was drinking the leftover ice from my Iced Coffee when the waitress asked me if I wanted to have a refill for my Iced Coffee. Initial question in my head was, "How much?" but before I could ask she said it was free. My cup was gone in a split second.

So after a delicious lunch and two cups of Iced Coffee there was some sharing and prayer. At the moment that Deaconess Tammie asked Ireen to pray for Agnes, nature decided to give me a call. I get this particular call especially often when I drink coffee. I figured that I could wait until the prayer is over before I went to the toilet so I continued to sit and wait until the prayer was over at the same time praying silently on my own that the Ireen's prayer will be short.

After Ireen's prayer I was about to get up and go when Deaconess decided to pray for Alvin Lim. So I remained in my seat and continued to pray my own prayer.

After Deaconess finished praying I was so relieved and was about to get up and go when Alvin Lim blurts out, "Wait, wait. Can we pray for my lasic tomorrow?"

-_-"""""""""""""""

At that point I stood up and walked off to the toilet.

Walking Thoughts

Sometimes I prefer to walk than to take the LRT because I tend to think about stuff when I do...

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I am more comfortable sleeping in the couch than in my own bed. I think I am one step closer to being marriageable.

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Its kinda nice to forget bringing my phone out sometimes. Although at first it feels like I am handicapped it makes me realize that I do not have to be shackled by the device. I do not have to reply messages or answer calls that I know are not urgent, especially if I am already talking with someone in person. I don't have to check my pocket every once in a while because I think I felt it vibrate. Its a refreshing feeling...

I wonder if I have any missed calls or messages.

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Turn of the switch, will You?

Import Testing...

What do we make of today if not for our tomorrow?

How Long Has It Been Since You... (No, this is not another one of those survey things.)

... spent time with your grandparents?

... watched a movie with your parents?

... played together with your siblings?

... ate lunch with your friends?

... shopped with your friends?

... attended a reunion?

... read an engrossing novel?

... caught a good movie?

... get caught in the rain?

... and actually enjoy walking through it?