Relief Operations - You're Doing It Wrong

We were helping out at a relief center yesterday for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy and some of the stuff people donated was really hilarious. For example, someone donated like 5 boxes of sachets of catsup. Like, yeah... they're really gonna need THAT. And someone else donated a bag full of swimwear. I don't know whether that person was trying to be funny or what. If he was, it was a really bad joke. Then others donated ladies' stiletto shoes. Just in case they need to attend a formal affair, you know...

Nostalgia

Sometimes we have days that just go by and we barely notice them, but then we look back and realize that they were some of the best days we've had. In this myriad world we live in, it is so easy to get lost in the multitude of colors and sensations that to go out and embrace everything all at the same time seems like the best option so as not to miss out on anything. Often though, we find ourselves just flying past the most important ones.

Bratislava City Tour 2

Bratislava City Tour 2, originally uploaded by Indigo Windi.

I love this photo! It was one of those instant, shoot-while-moving photos that I took while riding on a similar vehicle that was ahead of this one. With a little help from Adobe Lightshop, I was able to get this old world effect.

Burgenland

Burgenland, originally uploaded by Indigo Windi.

Taking photos in Austria was very easy because there were so many beautiful panoramic shots that I could hardly stop shooting. This was taken on the scenic drive to Fritz's sister's farm house in Edsestahl.

Raubkatzen - Wild Animal

Raubkatzen - Wild Animal, originally uploaded by Indigo Windi.

One of my favorite subjects for my photos are swans, just because they are so photogenic. This swan looked so nice and graceful from afar, but once it came close and we were eye to eye with it, it suddenly seemed pretty scary and we sped off as fast as we could away from it.

Sunset over Wolfgangsee

Sunset over Wolfgangsee, originally uploaded by Indigo Windi.

A glacial stream taken in Schladming, Upper Austria

A glacial stream, originally uploaded by Indigo Windi.

Right after white water rafting, I got inspired and chased Fritz all the way to the Wilde Wasser theme path. We didn't have time to actually go the 12 km, but what we did see was pretty impressive: crystal clear glacier water running through forest scenery. It was very impressive and looked like something straight out of a storybook.

Spider Pig Lyrics

Spider Pig

Spider pig
Spider pig
Does whatever a spider pig does
Can he swing
From a web
No he can’t
He’s a pig
Look Out
He is a spider pig

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOO hilarious!!!

Lichtenstein

Today, I've learned that if you're bald, sport an earring and are from Lichtenstein, you can get away with saying "titties" in public and everyone will think you're charming and hilarious...

Bagan, Land of Pagodas

When they said there were almost 3,000 pagodas in Bagan, I couldn't really picture it. But here it is... Pretty astounding sight.


The sunset was nothing short of indescribable. So I took a picture instead. It felt almost like we were in another world altogether.

If you look closely, you can see the hot air balloon that you can ride on for USD 250 per person. Uh, maybe when I'm too old to climb the pagodas...

Shwedagon Pagoda Myanmar

This is it. The mother of all pagodas. Right in the heart of Yangon. The Shwedagon Pagoda.


"While much of the pagoda's beauty derives from the complex geometry of its shape and surrounding structures, equally mesmerizing is its golden glow. The lower stupa is plated with 8,688 solid gold bars, an upper part with another 13,153. The tip of the stupa, far too high for the human eye to discern in any detail, is set with 5448 diamonds, 2317 rubies, sapphires, and other gems, 1065 golden bells and, at the very top, a single 76-carat diamond. Surrounding the pagoda are a plentitude of smaller shrines housing pre-Buddhist spirits called Nats, miracle working images, and even a wish granting stone. The entire temple complex radiates a palpable sense of beauty and serenity."

Exploring Burma

If Angkor Wat captivated me because of its grandeur and size, the simplicity and sense of timelessness of Bagan enchanted me...

The SIMS

Remember that game called The SIMS, where you start with a character and build her up, choose a career, have relationships, maintain a home, etc?
Well recently I've been feeling like that. I think I have past due notices on my phone bill and electric bill and probably the only reason why I still have both is because the people who cut them off can't get past security at my condo.
Hehehe.

Vito on CNN!

This is the picture that made it to CNN Sports Fan Zone! Woooohoooo! My doggy is famous :D

World Cup Fever

The 2006 World Cup is just around the corner, and Vito is obviously more than prepared for it. Italia! Italia!

Old Friends, New Friends

The best part about meeting up with friends you have lost touch with is rediscovering them and realizing that the connection between you is still there. It's almost magical the ease with which you fall back into comfortable conversation with them about all the things that have changed in your respective lives. The realization that instead of growing apart, your bond has grown stronger because it has withstood the test of time, distance, boyfriends, girlfriends, children, pets, careers, and whatever else there is.

Proud Momma

Yesterday, as Fritz and I were walking with Vito in Urdaneta village, a car screeched to a halt and a woman opened the car door calling out to us. In that split moment as I took in her colorful outfit and equally colorful hair, I imagined a million scenarios ranging from "Fritz's ex?" to "It wasn't me!!!"

When the woman called out, "Is that your dog?" I was thinking, "Oh no, don't tell me dogs aren't allowed here or something."

"Yes he is!" Fritz and I yelled back.

"What kind of dog?"

"A Jack Russel"

"He's very active isn't he? A friend of mine has one and when she throws the ball up in the air he catches it even before it bounces on the ground..."

As the woman rattled on and talked about her friend's Jack Russel, I couldn't help but think: "Wow, my dog stops traffic!"

I am soooooooooo proud of this uber cute canine who has come into our lives and taken over, much as we try not to let him!

My new love

Meet Don Vito Coltrane, Birthdate January 19, 2006. Exactly 3 months from my birthday. He is the cutest thing on four paws and I love him to bits!!!

Actually, I am in grave danger of becoming one of those parents who can't stop talking about their kids and every single thing that their kid did no matter how boring it may seem to the listener. I'll take it as a warning sign when my friends and co-workers start avoiding me...

Exploring Indochina

Like any event that is so overwhelming and so grand in scale, our journey through Vietnam and Cambodia was filled with a virtual flood of new experiences that it has taken me more than a week to completely absorb it all. Now that sufficient time has passed, I feel I am up to the task of relating the entire experience in its entirety without dwelling too much on the little details that were significant for me, but would probably bore the hell out of anyone else ;-)

We took the Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Ho Chi Minh and arrived in Vietnam on December 25, 2005. We had no reservations at any hotel (which made the anal obsessive-compulsive nerd in me go bananas), having decided to just play it by ear and hopefully find a nice hotel to spend Christmas night in. I was, however, already having nightmares about knocking at each hotel and being turned away at every place we tried and having to spend the night in some manger or in our case, some drafty old parking lot.

The first hotel we checked was The Grand hotel, which was already fully booked except for the really expensive suites that we weren't quite willing to splurge on. So Fritz went hunting around some more and we ended up in a spacious, old-fashioned suite at the Riverside Hotel with a gorgeous view of the Saigon River.

After unpacking a bit, we immediately started off exploring the city, and it was certainly a beautiful city to explore. We had already been warned about the thousandsof motos that we would encounter, but nothing anyone could have told us could have prepared us for the actual sight of a moto-to-moto traffic jam.

We made our way to the city center and checked out the Continental where we asked if they still had available rooms. Turns out they did, so we made reservations there for the next night.

We spent the rest of the evening walking around the city and sampling the cuisine (including the bia, of course).

Funky noodle house. I can't get over the fact that the neon sign is as big as the front of the shop! I thought it made for a great photo-op.

Sonya's Garden

Finally! After three months and seven thousand pesos, I have my battered, 3.2 MP casio exilim back. Just in time for our Angkor Wat trip :)

Before I delete all the pictures from my mem card in anticipation of the numerous photos I will be taking to document our trip, I decided to post a few memorable ones.


Our salad/pasta buffet at Sonya's Garden which we thoroughly enjoyed, although a nice juicy steak afterwards would have been highly appreciated.

Me and fritz at the Taal Yacht Club before we sent sailing on a hobie cat.

My experimentation with digital photography and cellphone lighting. Models are Amanda Virrey and Gabby Gaskell