Rush Hour

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.” -Maurice Setter

It’s been a very hectic month of April for me but I have no reason to complain. On the contrary I love every minute of it. I wake up with the sound of beautiful music in my head and feel so light these days. Though there was a brief awkward moment and this happened when the boss asked for my passport for work permit re-chap and I had to tell them that it’s not with me at the time. I was supposed to give my notice letter on the same day but naunahan. So of course, they were caught in surprise and were aghast that I want to stay until 15^th May only. Discussions ensued but not for long. They decided they will wait for my passport which was supposed to arrive that same week before finalizing everything. And sure enough, it came (with a hefty collect payment price). So it was decided that my last day in Brunei will be on the 30^th April, earlier than I anticipated but I’m okay since I still have time to meet Jojo in PH, I can stretch my vacation until after May 18. Now I’ve finished all document deliverables and just waiting for my last project meeting. My garage sale is complete and my luggage is ready.

Since last week, I have been occupied with meeting up with friends. Thank goodness for internet we can still keep in touch and see each other’s adventures through the web. I just had open house with very tasty caldereta, Mimi’s mom’s specialty – chicken pandan and a humongous chocolate cake.



Saturday was shabu-shabu dinner at Fratinnis in Kampong Ayer - good food and ambiance that is uniquely Malay and Bruneian.

Sunday was late meryenda with a few gym friends.

Monday was delivery of last of my sale and sauna time for me. Carol is back in Brunei so we had late dinner with my fave Mango Fish. House guest was Mark, sitting in for the couple. Too bad Lucas is sick. Today and tommorow are last stretch for work hand-over. After that, its Manila baby! Hello traffic jam, noise pollution and air pollution but still, there’s no gimik life like Manila’s.

Importing Filipino Time

“Math tells us 3 of the saddest love stories. Tangent lines who had 1 chance to meet and then parted forever. Parallel lines who were never meant to meet. And asymptotes who can get closer and closer but will never be together.”

Les Mills Class Launch, my last launch class from FZ. And it had to be ruin by bad time management. They just could not agree on what time to start it. 6PM was the announcement but the first 2 classes started past 6:30PM and the third class started way before 6:20PM. That is such a bad customer service for me. It’s such a simple matter to organize a gym class event that I cannot fathom why they blundered on this one. So many members complain and I even heard some didn’t join the class because of this conflicting time schedule but I don’t think they really expressed it to management – it was all locker talk. For all the mishaps I witnessed during several events at the gym, I verbally relay it to the managers, instructors and receptionists. Most of these are Filipinos, in fact the gym is like 80% Pinoy staffed. So it was so heartbreaking to experience the repeated mistake amid the feedbacks I’ve already expressed to them. Trigger factor of my rant was when they did not want me to join a particular class because the dress code was red or/and white and I was wearing read & black. Why would I wear a gear that is far from the color code? Simply because the poster had the model wore my color and there was no announcement about the attire. Of course, they denied this saying they texted everyone. Well, clearly not everyone. And isn’t it a shame to refuse me to join the class when other guests – none paying participants (because the launch was for public and not restricted to members only) to join because of some attire code that I, a paying member of almost a year now, was not informed about? A Filipina receptionist lent me a white shirt which I wore and yes, I still joined the class though I was late. But I was steaming with anger. This should be the last of this mistake. I cannot take bad management sitting down and doing nothing especially if it affects me dreadfully. I wrote the management a very long email and they were kind enough to reply the following day. Now I’m at peace and have high hopes this will never happen again as the reply promised. It might reflect immediately to the Filipina manager but this has nothing to do with her personally. I like her as a kababayan, she’s fun to be with and is always the life of the party. But this is constructive criticism and I want to correct obvious mistakes. After all, it is a gym club and only positive energy is nurtured and welcome. No grudge please.

Eye Candy

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit.” -Helen Keller

Bukit Shah Bandar is Brunei’s remarkable nature trail. And it’s free for public use and yet, very well maintained. How cool is that? It’s also just about 20minutes drive from the city and is just beside Empire Golf and Country Club should you wish to spend a lavish afternoon tea break after climbing the hills of Shah Bandar. Thank you very much Mimi for taking time and inviting me to see this place. Nakahabol pa before I leave and it was worth it. The whole experience was so unforgettable because it was mixed with so many ‘lost’ moments. First, I got in the wrong lane and ended in Trader’s Inn hotel and back to Gadong. It was my first time to drive there alone and the sign was put after the road separates and is hidden in the bushes. But that was a minor ‘lost incident’ compared to what was awaiting us on top of the hills. We started a bit late coz Mimi came from work and I got ‘lost’ on my way there so it was already 5:40ish when our walk started. By 6:30, we were exhausted and can only finish 1 trail. We reached the 4^th hut though and on our way back, Mimi decided to be more adventurous and try the other trail going down the hill. The sky was getting dark and with all the trees in the woods, it was even darker in the ground. After all, I read somewhere that only 5% of the sun’s ray reaches the forest ground. It was exciting though since it felt like we were in some adventure movie – ala Narnia, Lord of the Rings, you get the drift. After about 10 minutes and we cannot see any sign of parking area or highway and just trees abound us, Mimi confirmed that we were indeed lost. We decided to run back from where we came from and just use the trail we used going up. We had to run because it was already dark and the park closes at 6:30PM and it was way passed that time. Lost count how many times we said careful to each other because of the steep road, some paved, some rocky but all very narrow. By 7:20ish, were out of the jungle and were so glad to see the highway. Only 4 cars were left and there were 3 guys chatting there. Apparently, they were about to find the owners of the 2 cars – my and Mimi’s, and were sure we were lost. Told them our story and thanked them profusely.

To reward our hard work and triumph – coz we sure felt like amazing race winners, we had buko juice! Sure trench our thirst.

And final ‘lost’ moment for me as I can’t seem to reach Bandar. It was dark and again my first time to drive on that rode alone and at night. After so many turns, I finally got it. I could have enjoyed the ride it is was daytime and was not exhausted from walking and running. I missed Cel’s birthday party and I’m sure there were lots of goodie food – she’s a good cook, but I’m still happy over the whole event. Unforgettable indeed!