Swiss miss: Geneva, PHILIPPINES

Once again, I am congratulating myself for surviving yet another workweek, and another week crossed out of my waiting calendar! Yey! Vincent and I are also celebrating our eight months together today as a married couple. Although miles and miles apart, still we hug!

Weather here has been unfriendly these past days and I'm quite sure it will be in the days to come. When it rains, it means cold temperature the day after. I would print out weather forecasts weekly just to tell me when to and when not to bring an umbrella (By the way, I don't own one. I nick my housemate’s. Hehehe). I feel that summer is about to end, though. I would always check on the leaves of the trees outside of my room window and see if they're turning yellow everyday. 'Pag nagdilaw na sila, ang tuwa 'ko lang. It will mean that autumn is just around the corner, therefore I have survived one month in this costly city. And when the heaters are fired up on all floors of the apartment building, it will tell me that it's October and just a few weeks more of waiting, I'll be finally coming home.

This week was rather exciting. I was able to find the only Filipino merchandise store in Geneva. When you enter the store, you are suddenly transported back to Manila. Maingay sa loob as fellow Pinoys exchange chit-chats, even if they are strangers to each other. They also offer money transfer service to the Philippines, so most Pinoys go there to send money back home. They also have a huge TV overhead where they show TFC programs. I was there for two straight days to accompany a friend (she's actually the one who took me there), and while waiting for her, I was watching Iisa Pa Lamang. Hehehe.

Since it has no competitors, ginto lahat ng presyo sa tindahang ito. But I didn't care. Thanks to this store, I had tuyo for breakfast this morning, I would have a teaspoonful of bagoong on my plate everytime I have dinner, I will have gata for my vegetables and will cook ginisang munggo this weekend! Haaay, ang sarap.

Oh, and the UP Singing Ambassadors will have their concert here on September 8th. I once sat down for lunch with a fellow UP alumna (who's a regular ILO employee) in the cafeteria this week. Pareho kaming nagbabaon ng lunch.

He said he misses UP. I told him, "Lalo na 'ko".

Swiss miss: Ting-ay gone missing

I didn't get a decent sleep last night because I was subconsciously keeping track of my husband as he travels back to the Philippines. We were in a minus 7-hour timezone difference from where I am right now so when I am about to sleep, his day was just about to start. It's good that he's now back home surrendering to jetlag. As soon as he's gotten enough rest, we can at least catch up.

As his London-HK flight was delayed, he had to literally dash to his boarding gate as soon as he touched down in HK in order to make it to the boarding gate of his Manila-bound plane. He did make it to his seat, but later noticed that his carry-on bag was gaping open and realized that he was missing something. In the haste and panic, he dropped Ting-ay along the way!

Ting-ay is our little stuffed pup cuddler (read about him HERE). He's been with us for four years and losing him is truly heartbreaking. Vincent took Ting-ay along with him to Mexico while I took Mumuy, our cowlette cuddler, with me. Read the latest about them HERE.

So saaaad.

Swiss miss: It's Frrrriiiidaaaayyy!!!

As the common expression here goes...Voila! I have Friday Madness on my computer. It's good to feel like I'm home. If it weren't for Magic, I wouldn't even realize that today is 080808, the opening of the Beijing Olympics, and lots of weddings taking place (good feng sui they say). Right now, it's almost 11PM in the Philippines while it's nearly 5PM here.

I go to work eight to five, but because I had an extended lunch break (I got together with new Pinay friends to send off another Pinay as her internship ends today), I should leave at around thirty-forty minutes past five. People respect the honor system so much here, at work and on public transport. Coming from an office where a bundy clock is god, this is something else. No one watches me from behind. I owe it all to the bundy clock training, though. My feet lead me to my office when I should be working.

Going back to the subject, I never really looked forward to weekends when I'm out of the country. In fact, I DREAD weekends here. It only means I need to work up a plan for me to get out of the apartment and let the days pass. Maybe ride several buses the whole day around town and walk back home, if only to kill time. But this weekend is not a problem for me. It's the culmination of Fetes de Genève (Geneva Festival). Lots of happenings going on around the edge of Lake Geneva. They say the fireworks are spectacular. I'll be going with my new Pinay friend I met here at the ILO.

I have a strong feeling that I'm going to be excited every Friday beginning today. It means I've survived five days equals one week scrapped off my waiting calendar. I also have a feeling that a wonderful surprise is in store for me in the weeks to come. I'm keeping the expectation :)

Happy weekend, people!

Swiss miss: Surviving Geneva

I'm alive! After almost 20 hours of long haul, I'm here. Today is my fourth day in expensive Geneva (and I mean really expensive) and my first day at work at the ILO Library. But obviously no, I am not working. How's that for my first day? 'Wag tularan.

I actually went here yesterday just to be sure I won't get lost in my way on my first day and then get the feel of the place. Almost everybody here wears coat and tie, despite the scorching heat outside. Yes, summer is in its peak but because I came here overly prepared for the cold weather, I am to wear my turtle necks to work everyday beginning today. But right now, it's raining outside and as it is the classic me, I have no umbrella. There's a storm coming, I was told. Seems that I brought Cosme and Frank with me to Switzerland ('di tulad ninyo ni SA, Emang!).

Today is Swiss National Holiday. All offices and establishments are closed, EXCEPT for the dakilang International Labour Organization, although most people here in the Library, even my supervisor, are on a holiday. My supervisor left me with some readings, though. My other focal person gave me a tour of the Library and introduced me to some 15+ staff members but because of my faulty memory, I can only recall 4 names with the correct faces. I was shown into MY office, complete with PC, printer, phone, and soon, a name in MY door. Now that is overwhelming. But what overwhelms me more is the bulk of work laid for me. REALLY. I was told that by my mid-term, I will be a part of the team to revise the ILO Library's indexing and thesaurus guidelines. Whoah! I was blown away! Makes me not want to go back next week. Hehehe.

How am I doing really? The work, I can handle. But the loneliness whenever I enter my apartment room is unbearable. Add to that is the agony of seeing the airport everyday (as that is my bus stop to ride another bus to the ILO), giving me the feeling that I am sending off people back home while I stay behind, EVERY SINGLE DAY. I live just four short bus stops from the airport and I can see planes flying off every five minutes from our balcony (see photo). The balcony is my least favorite part of the apartment.

I want to go home.

Leaving in a few hours...

After torturing the bathroom scale just for my luggage to make it to the 20kg-limit, I'm finally set to go. I've no idea as to when will I be able to post another entry, but for sure that will be soon.

All my shoes are in the bag, my tickets and papers are in. Yes, I'm ready to go. All set for the long haul.

See you in Geneva :)

Twelve Mondays

By this time next week, I would probably be unpacking my stuffs in an apartment room alien to me (My apologies to those who thought I've already left because of my apparently 'misleading' blog entry I published previously. Panaginip lang po 'yon. Hehehe.). While I'm on to that, my husband would be in flight (probably somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean) to Mexico City.

The wallowing is coming on to me again. Truth is, I will miss my Vincent. Call me cheesy, I don't care. As we were sorting out our stuffs yesterday, I was chanting, "It's just going to be three months. Time flies like a speeding twister..." over and over again. And then Vincent said, "It's just going to be twelve Mondays. One down next week, tapos eleven na lang!"

From now on, I'm going to count in twelve Mondays. The feeling has changed from melancholy to excitement! And so is this ticker. That's me chasing the plane!

Cause and effects

I just got to the apartment in Geneva and was starting to unpack my things. I had one small and one large luggage. The small one was stuffed with my clothes all in. When I opened the large one, expecting to see a lot more, I had the scare of a lifetime because what were in there were just a pair of sneakers and a whole bunch of plastic bags!

"Nasa'n na yung (where are my) passport, tickets at papeles 'ko?"
"Where are my office shoes?! I can't come to work on my sneakers!"

I was having rounds and rounds of panic attacks. I kept retracing my steps, cracking my head. Where have all the papers and the shoes gone?

"I can't have possibly reached this place without my passport and tickets, can I?"
"I've got to tell Vincent to send me the shoes."



Cause:
The trip three weeks (counting it in days makes it look darn too soon, so I'm not doing that) from now.

Effects:
1. Separation anxiety.
2. Travel stress.

Manifestation:
Travel nightmares.

The one above-retold was the latest I've had about two nights ago, aside from the two I related in my last post. The dream was like a continuing effect of the last activity I did that day i.e., shopping for weather-friendly clothes. I wasn't able to get everything in the bag, specifically, a pair of shoes for the office and a pair of new sneakers for any day strolls.


I've got to get those shoes. I can't afford one more shoe nightmare.

I want my own clock

Truth is, I'm starting to get emotional little by little everyday. Whenever I look at the calendar lately, nostalgia wades in every time. If only I can have my own clock.

There is no doubt that my husband and I are totally excited about all the amazing things that's been coming along our way, most of which are products of incredible leaps of faith. Personally, I am grateful for everything. I am humbled by God's goodness. I just didn't realize soon enough that with every blessing that I receive, I have to prepare myself to take it and rake it all.

I'm beginning to have nightmarish dreams about going away. Weeks ago, I had this silly dream of not being able to exit the airport because my visa was torn apart in two, and I had to reattach it to my passport. And then two nights ago, I dreamt of not catching my plane for the oddest reason: I forgot to pack my bags...Maybe it's the stress. Though frankly, I don't think that that's just it.

I am not an amateur with long absences. This is not the first time that I'll be away from my loved ones. I know I shouldn't be wallowing this much. It's not like I'll be away forever. But it's an entirely different story this time. It's not easy.

As I am writing this, I would from time to time take a peep at my husband who is now fast asleep.

I will miss watching him in his sleep.

The return of the OCD checklist

I'm going through another OCD moment here. Anyone who knows Bree van de Kamp (now Hodge, since remarrying) of Desperate Housewives knows what I'm talking about.

As I'm leaving next month for yet another stretch of European immersion, the stress of travel preps is slowly creeping in. Unlike my husband who flies almost every year both out of and around the country, I am not a frequent flyer. Prior to last year, the last time I boarded a plane was in 2004 -- my first time to go abroad. This will be my second time to go out of the country and visit the continent and my experience four years ago is definitely an advantage. I'm extra mindful of the culture and environment, the climate especially, and the clothes that will go along with it.

Yes, I am not into luggages. Anything that involves packing bags to me is a horrible nightmare. So what I did four years ago was to list down all my travel essentials in a handy notebook, which I started doing about a month before my trip. I noted down all personal effects that came into my mind practically everyday until I've had it all in the bag! I was scared of some things that I might forget. As early as three months before the trip, I already purchased a huge luggage. That's how obsessive-compulsive I was.

And now, I'm at it again. I remember that small notebook very well and I know I stowed it away somewhere. Vincent tells me to just forget about it and make another checklist, but I stubbornly insisted on sticking to it because I know I can never come up with another one like it. And so for days, I have been turning stuffs upside down around the house. I even went back to my cousins' house one day and burrowed my head down on all my stuffs that I have yet to move out from there, but the quest was in vain.

I haven't given up on it, though. This morning, I saw one storage box that I haven't checked out yet. I had a strong feeling that it could be in there. And eureka! My husband's head was shaking left and right while I was taking pictures of my precious notebook, page by page. Hahaha!

TOILETRIES --

CLOTHES --
"Why do you need to bring three pairs of pajamas?! One is enough!" My Chilean friend gushed when he saw this on the list.

PERSONAL EFFECTS --
Tabo (dipper) is a must bring must have!

"Have you seen Europe in the map?!" (as brownouts are taboo in developed countries), again asked by my bewildered Chilean friend.
"That's my security blanket," I told him.




SALVAGE GOODS --
At least I had something stacked away to eat before seeing the supermarkets there.




MEDICINES --
One thing I learned is that these things are expensive in their local pharmacies.




ACCESSORIES --
I didn't have a digital camera back then.




TRAVEL DOCUMENTS --
I brought lots and lots of ID pictures and photocopies of original documents, and I sure didn't regret bringing them along.




SCHOOL AND LEISURE STUFFS --



Denise and Vincent actually did the packing for me at that time. This one was Denise' handwriting (lola, naalala mo pa ba 'to?). She listed down all that should be stuffed in both the large and small luggages.

I can sleep well now. I have THE notebook! Weeeeee!!! :-)

A junket

I'm into ILO readings these days. I'm doing this as part of my internship preps. On top of "virtually" familiarizing myself with my would-be workplace (at least for a couple of months), I have to read about some related literature: the Treaty of Versailles, the United Nations, labor rights and standards. As I'm not a newspaper and world history person, this is really challenging for me. I have to motivate myself to at least have a spark of interest about these things. It's a good thing that my husband is into these. He explains them like he's just teaching me how to cook scrambled eggs.

The International Labour Conference (ILC) is currently happening at the ILO, and of course, I'm keeping track of it as part of my "review". The ILC is an annual worldwide gathering of member states to craft and implement international labor standards. Each member state must send a delegation from the government (2 representatives), the employer sector, the worker sector, and then the advisers. I was curious as to who are the people sent there to represent the Philippines. Well, I wouldn't be surprised if our country will send a rather big party to sit up there, I know, but then again, the number astounded me! Thirty seven delegates! Personally, it was a government junket to me. Sa dami nilang 'yon, sana lang may ma-contribute silang kapaki-pakinabang sa labor and employment ng bansa natin.

I think my readings are working. I'm starting to get involved now.

Second thoughts

I've been busy assembling my travel papers lately (and sucking up to all the red tape that went with it, yes). I'm almost done with it, though. I just need to pick up my visa from the Embassy, and then the rest is just pretty much luggage work -- for which I have sufficient time. And because Switzerland will not issue Schengen visas until November 1st, I'm going to apply for one from the French embassy soon. Trivia: the French/Swiss border is just a stone's throw away from the international orgs headquarters in Geneva.

As some of you know, I'm bound for Geneva in late July for an internship, although I haven't been talking much about it. Maybe later I will. In fact, I may even populate this blog with entries on that when I get there. But for now, let's just leave it at that.

Although lately, I've been having second thoughts about leaving.

Screwball, ano? After all the harrowing MRT rides, after completing all the papers, even after purchasing the tickets, nagdadalawang isip pa.

Really, I'm a fan

NKOTB performing on the TODAY Show.

Convinced yet?! I can't get enough of them now ;-)

House arrest

I've been under "house arrest" for being sick for almost a week now. Six days straight to be exact. I'm a walking and croaky talking viral infection. Name it: flu, colds, telenovela-ish coughs (my husband says my coughing sounds like that of a melodrama queen heard over AM radio during siesta)...and just as I'm over with my on-off fever, then comes sore eyes! Ano ba.

The red in my eyes is almost gone, though, but I still need to confine myself at home for one more day. My worry was my husband catching all these nasty contagion after me. And so he had to change his bed linens, camp on sleeping bag (wawa naman) and disinfect himself from everything I use (phone, TV remote, et al). All that did not seem to work. After we woke up this morning, he was coughing badly. We both went to see the doctor a few hours ago. We had separate prescriptions, but with one medication. He's now down in bed with fever while I'm here barking to blog.

It's my turn to be the doctor. I'm done being the patient.

Musing randomly

On MRT: Why can't it be logistically efficient when this can be done with sound planning?

On boyfriend-girlfriend exchanging SIM cards: WHY??!!! What for?! I neither find it cute nor sweet. It's annoying.

On blue lady guards: Their incredible patience over impatient, non-abiding customers always amazes me. I wish I have the same.

On gadgets I know I will never own for practical, economic and sensible reasons: But then again, I get to hold them without really acquiring. Talk about perks of being a UP librarian surrounded with kids not knowing the full potential of their educational "toys". Hah!

On pretty girls: How come they still look pretty when they're all sweaty and dirty? It's unfair.

On honor students: Getting a medal for academic excellence doesn't mean one is brilliant. It doesn't always follow, I figured out lately.

Not so perfect timing

I was busy vacuuming our really soiled floor Sunday last week, when Vincent drew my attention over to one short article in the morning newspaper. It says, Switzerland joins Schengen visa protocol.

Too eager to know the details, I snatched the paper from him -- while he just sat there grinning sheepishly, I wondered why so. But after reading the first line that goes: "Starting on November 1, 2008, Switzerland will apply Schengen rules in the issuance of visas...” my enthusiasm died away as quickly as it soared seconds before. Starting November 1 pa. Great. Just great.

For the longest time, Switzerland isolated itself from the rest of the EU member states (literally and principle-wise -- see map HERE), but has integrated some cooperative policies (primarily, trade) to maintain its ties with them. But with this new development in the Schengen agreement, Switzerland can now issue Schengen visa to enable one to move freely across borders into other Schengen-member countries. One doesn't need to secure two separate visas (Swiss and Schengen) anymore.

As if to add insult to injury (although of course I knew for a fact that it was not intended that way), the article stressed on: "But visas issued before November 1, 2008, will be valid only for entry into Switzerland.", in case a few concerned readers still didn't get the point. Fine! I get it alright.

I just wish they broadcasted this bitter-sweet news much later, say, in September, if only to cushion the blow a bit.

Lost for words

I guess this will be my best friend from now on 'til before this year ends, unless I take French lessons this summer, which I am seriously considering. Or else, it's doomsday for me. I just wish UP's still open for the next quarter of French crash course.

On equal footing

They say that no matter what your social status is, everyone smells equal in the toilet.

This thought was floating in my head last week while I was waiting in line at the NSO. Ingliserang sosyal ka man o pobreng matandang ale (whether you are an English-speaking lass or a poor old miss), it doesn't matter. It will never matter when you're at this government office's mercy. It felt like sweet revenge to the rich and self-important, as I watched a lady in oversized shades with hair highlights demand from the blue guard that she be served ahead of others because she's been there since morning, to which the guard nonchalantly replied, "Hintayin nyo na lang po na tawagin ang number nyo (just wait until your number is called)". This obviously pissed the porcelain skin off of her, but just like the rest of us, she had to sit down and wait. I can just imagine how much arrogance she had to swallow after making a scene in front of about a hundred of us patiently waiting for our turn.

At least for once I get to level off with everybody. Never mind the sweat and hassle.

2007 was something big; 2008 is bigger

I haven't been posting anything up here since September last year. I didn't notice that until I checked up on this today. I never failed updating another blog actually, and that gave me the impression that I am updating this one at the same time all along.

Whoa! There's a lot of catching up to do! Honestly, all I can remember is that I've been very busy during the last quarter. Save for one homecoming I had with my Dad in Iloilo last November.

Cake looks fake but it sure is real!

Since I started blogging in 2005, I usually say something about what happened to me in a nutshell at the end of every year and what I look forward to in the New Year. It's the 7th day of the brand new year and usually by this time, as in the previous new years, I've already got loads of recapping stories to tell. Yet, of all the remarkable events, I can only think of my wedding day that happened later in the year. Yep, I'M MARRIED! I'm Mrs. Christine Manglal-lan Abrigo now. It keeps on replaying in my mind ;-) Gano'n pala 'yon (that's how it is). I've been keeping quiet about it for quite sometime. I'm not really a spotlight fan; I never wanted to be the center of attention. But whether I get the attention or not, I couldn't care less now. I'M SO HAPPY!

2007 was a challenging year yet again, a trying time for my family. I guess it was even tougher than 2006. And again, I am grateful to God that we were able to overcome as a family. Where there are challenges, there is also an overflow of blessings. I look at my nephew now and realized how much he's grown (he can chase me with his tubby feet!) last year, when in 2006, I was a struggling “Tita-Yaya”. It's so 2 years ago now...I looked at the stove this morning (and oh, how I panicked cooking eggs and hotdogs for breakfast, I used up two frying pans!), gave Vincent a guilty I-messed-up-this-early-Good Morning! smile, and realized that he's my husband now. Big challenges, big changes, all the more that I am grateful realizing how blessed I am with so much.

There is definitely a lot to look forward to this new year.

They are going to Amsterdam!

I was surfing through Google videos when I discovered this new Harold and Kumar teaser. If you've seen and enjoyed Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, you'll probably be equally excited as I am to see the next installment. First was the quest for hamburgers. This time around, they found themselves in deep trouble en route to Amsterdam.

I saw the first movie over cable TV two years ago. That one is a cracker! Vincent and I were laughing in tears! Hahaha. We bought a VCD copy (cheaper than the orig DVDs) when we happen to see one in a video store and made some of our friends watch it. These friends found it seemingly odd that I enjoyed this genre -- rated R: drugs and sex comedy -- not my kind of movie, they think. Of course there were some scenes and languages that were taken out when it was shown on cable. But putting these aside, it was to me, a nutter. Mababaw pero masaya!

For those of you who don't know Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) yet, you can read about them HERE.

Losing my voice and my voice neglected

Everyday on my way to work, an officemate or two would've been on an Ikot jeepney as usual, long before I hail whichever reaches my stop first. One morning late last week, I rode with two officemates and squeezed in right next to one of them. After silently beaming at them, I called out to the driver to hand over him my fare. The surprise jumped in when the words "Bayad po!" which I belted out in full hearing, came out not from me but originated from my officemate's vocal chords. Apparently, what materialized from my mouth was just a husky, dead air with no words. I totally forgot about my bad sore throat. Thanks to her, I didn't have to worry about calling out "Para po!" to the driver because she caught the words across for me.

With storms filing in like August is the only month there is that spells rain, classes were suspended thrice in a row last week. And because I belong to a working class which is just being "dutiful" sometimes, I still have to go to work. In truth, I don't really mind much about this. Not until yesterday came along.

My voice is still husky today. Although not as clear as would my normal tone and volume, it is audible now and I know I will soon have its normalcy back. The only important thing now is that I can be heard, understood and listened to. The thing that struck me yesterday however, was the dawning reality that no matter how far -- even booming -- your voice could go, if you are talking to the hand, you are talking to the hand. No matter how frustrated you are, or how passionate you are with whatever advocacy you support, the hand will not understand. If the owner of the hand refuses to listen, you are likely to face a battle half-lost. And if the owner of the hand pretends to listen and chooses not to understand, your war is over.

These are the very moments when, though they seldom come, I can really feel its thundering blow. Moments when small voices are neglected. These are the moments that make me think twice about my chosen career. These also compel me to evaluate how far my loyalty would go. I have always ingrained in me that I am not going to be a stunted professional. Librarians cry foul whenever they are only regarded as clerks -- "glorified", as I humbly quote my friend, Richard. The society is not to blame for this because this is what it sees. This perception will only change, slowly as it may be but still it will, if we will instill change. I know of some colleagues who have sailed into pursuing a bold cause if only to let the world see that Filipino librarians can actually think. I for one, though not a born writer, am honing my writing skills in order to stir my head to think and then put my thoughts down into words.

That's the good news: that we can always break away, make a difference, and be librarians all at the same time. What is sad and disappointing about this however, are the times when you are so fired up into making a significant contribution in the society and yet you are strapped down in a tight straitjacket that spells the lack of support from those you believe will be the first ones to pull you up and cheer you on. If the strapping will not be let go, there really is no difference between that and those horses in the streets of Manila drawing the calesa. Their only purpose is to run where their powerful kutseros whip them to go because they can't do anything else. They're tied to their calesas with blinders and head onto only one destination.

Sigh...Thank goodness for this blog. I can now start working again.