one afternoon my 4 officemates and i.....

went to see Dusty the Musical. This was when we were still at Riverside. We did not cut classes.. i mean we did not go AWOL- just applied for a flexi leave and thank God that we belonged to different teams so we were all permitted to take the leave. This was the matinee at 2pm one Friday afternoon.

I like some of Dusty's songs like I Only Want to Be With You and Son of a Preacher Man. I thought that she has a very unique voice and those particular songs seem to stick to you for awhile. I mean like when I hear them in the morning then I will just be humming them for the whole day. I do it unconsciously, without thinking- sometimes it annoys me LOL.

You can read more about Dusty here.

you can even hum this lyric

( by Ivor Raymonde / Mike Hawker) you may start singing here

I don't know what it is that makes me love you so

I only know I never want to let you go

'Cause you've started somethingOh, can't you see?

That ever since we metYou've had a hold on me

It happens to be true

I only want to be with you

What do I think about the musical? very entertaining- well made production about her story, her story is pityful though- a lot of wasted time and money but hey- that was her life. It was a good afternoon for me, better than doing work..haha!

I like to thank Kath who organised the cheap tickets- was part of the 10 tickets bought at a discount- $45 when most musicals normally cost $90 and above.

Guess who's concert I am watching next- this guy. That's in November 23- a birthday present to myself to be enjoyed too by my housemates- david and ray... my bday is on the 11/11 and i'll be.....drum roll.... not telling , my other name is Armi from Armistice Day and from the Miss Universe Armi Kuusela- who later married a Filipino who owned the Gilarmi Apts in Makati, MM Phils.

am into music lately whether you tube or my ipod and even found the old walkman from the pandora's box.

from one who rediscovered music.

Goodbye Riverside Part 3

I captured to images some of the sceneries i get to see on my lunch breaks while in Riverside- the casino, brisbane city council
library, myer centre


tourist shops, queen st mall
the casino, metal carved kangaroos
and celebrities to name just a few- there's always a wave of people in the CBD in their business clothes, black being the dominant fashion colour for office workers- for both genders.

Goodbye Riverside Part 2 - Welcome Chermside

Today was the first day of work at Chermside. The 2 boxes of things were waiting for me at my brand new workstation. Cleaned the table unpacked everything and reorganised my things to make it look similar to the one I left at Riverside. What I missed were the familiar faces that I greet with- good mornings, how was the weekend, another beautiful day and a little tete-a-tete here and there, the familiar breakout area, toilets, corridors and most of all the big beautiful windows. I now have unfamiliar surroundings that I will have to get familiar with as the days goes on. The windows here are just a quarter of the size in RC. While before I was on the 34th floor, now I am on the 3rd floor. I think I am a bit homesick now plus we spent nearly the whole morning getting computer access, installing our applications - organising voice mail, passwords etc. I explored the shopping centre and it's not bad. Coming and going to Chermside went smoothly too- I was home at 5pm compared to 6:40pm from the Riverside.
And gee, these are just some of the images that I am missing already...



...i left my heart in riverside....

Goodbye Riverside Part 1

Tomorrow is my last day at Riverside Centre (RC)at the Brisbane CBD. I have volunteered to join an advance party- composed of different volunteers from different teams-to relocate to Chermside earlier. For this past 2 weeks, we have finalised the logistics and finally, a group of 12 people will report for work there on Monday, 16 October. You may read the background story here
It's been a good 3 year or so at Riverside, have bonded with workmates as I spent more time here than at home. I have enjoyed the familiar surroundings, a lot of it in fact as Riverside is like the Rockefeller Centre (if you're in NYC) or Makati (if you're in MManila) or Session Road ( if you are in Baguio). I have taken quite a few pictures of RC and the Brisbane CBD and I shall chronicle it here- for as far as blogspot will let me post the pictures- so sit back and let me share these places that I shall leave for now (but visit on my leisure time)l. One of the views from my workstation on the 34th floor. Our building has 40 floors
My favourite revolving door- I got stuck here once with officemate Nicole and 2 security guards came to our rescue. I just love walking on those red carpets. On the security guard's desk is a flower arrangement that gets changed every week and each one is different, all beautiful featuring various flowers, lately using Australian natives, birds of paradise, orchids, lillies etd. I shall really miss glancing at those lovely vases of flowers and the welcoming smiles of the guards.
Some of the faces that I will miss- some of them are coming to Chermside, some are not due to hardship and compassionate considerations.
Nevertheless, whether they are coming or not, we are just one email away and can always meet up for a cuppa in the City or Xmas party or the Midyear Lunch. There are only two of us going in this picture.

Sad to leave RC but hey- change is good.

Badminton Revisited

Badminton seems to be the flavour of the year in my hometown, Baguio when we went home in Feb 06. I also found out from one of my cyberfriends that it's her way of losing weight. I need to lose at least 10 kgs gained from after having a baby, cooking for and eating with 2 guys who are carnivorous and have voracious appetites and let's face it, Brisbane offers the best of cooked and uncooked food in the southern hemisphere at least. The availability of cheap take away food- passing through the mall every working day does not help either.

Here is the badminton court of Mon in Loakan. By day it's a seminar centre, in the afternoon it's the venue of badminton tournaments- mostly for the ladies in the family for fitness. It's quite fun- as long as i don't play with the boys who seem to hit it really hard and i keep on chasing and picking up the shuttlecocks and seems to be foreverly serving. I prefer to play with my sis in laws, Cynthia and Dolly and we do it for fitness the shuttlecock can cruise back and forth even for 200 times!.

Finally, sometime last week, since it's Ray's school holiday (vacation for some of you), we finally bought a badminton set from Big W
It was a 4-set, with the proper net and all. So since Wednesday afternoons Ray, David and I take turns in matches, playing between 45minutes to 1 hour each time or until the sun sets. We still have to set up the nets- maybe next week. But it's really a lot of fun and we have lots of laughter, teasing and having a go at each other. It really makes one sweat- enough to have another shower.

I fully recommend this game to anyone. The racquets are cheap too but depending how we go Ray and I plan to buy the proper ones- once we get better at it. We should really hone our skills so we can compete with those guys in Baguio who are seasoned players by now.

Will exert more efforts to keep fit..and lose weight-
Play hard everyone!

Another busy week but just sneaked in for greetings

It's only Tuesday but I take a time off from other pressing chores to greet the birthday celebrants for October- seems like everyone's having a birthday huh!

Today, October 3 is the birthday of my sister, Jing (Mary Jane Therese) who lives with her family in San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

October 6 is the birthday of my beloved Daddy. I also featured him here , here and here.( Rest in Peace, Daddy)

For their birthdates I share what's written on my desk calendar on their particular natal date
October 3
My family and I know we love each other. We know that our love, based in the love of God, has whithstood the test and is stronger than ever. No matter what happens, we love each other, no strings attached.

October 6
i wouldn't have chosen this life but I wouldn't trade it for anything. My life is in god's hands, and I can't get much safer than that!

From a sister who wishes she could cook for Jing some pancit canton,
and from a daughter who misses Daddy so. Ray and David also says

Happy birthday! xoxoxox
images were sent by email friends

The BRISBANE BRONCOS- Premiership Cup Winner

The Premiership Cup, claimed by the Brisbane Broncos at Telstra Stadium in Sydney.
The great coach, Wayne Bennett and the retiring player, Shane Webcke-

this was his last game apparently- and what a great last game for him!

The Brisbane Bronco Team Clutching their well deserved trophy.

Their able captain, Darren Lockyer

Am not a great fan of any sports as I'd rather play than watch people play but somehow I got caught with the Football fever in Australia. Sports, specially Rugby has a big time following here. Rugby is their ultimate football and there are different ways of playing it but basically it's mostly grappling and tackling to get that ball into the goal either by kicking or clutching it and getting over the goal line. One is treated with viewing men who are all well built, strong, healthy and looking like sports heroes and machines. They must have taken Judo to grapple and tackle like they do. They normally retire when they are in their early 30's. I used to glance at the Rugby Union games played between New Zealand (All Blacks) and Australia (Wallabees).

Today though, it's something different. The Brisbane Broncos were having a championship match agains the Melbourne Storms. Broncos won, 15-8. It was a good game and David got to drink his favourite Toohey Beer. A special mention goes to Brent Tate who was Vivi's schoolmate in high school. He has done really well, only 23 y.o.

Brent Tate (image from broncos website)
Congratulations to the Broncos well done boys, you represented QLD really well. From now one I will watch your games (which will start next March season again)- i bet your clubhouse in Brisbane will overflow with celebrations.

A new fan...