When Imeldific Meets OC

Tomorrow is Madam’s birthday. By “madam”, I mean Madam Imelda Marcos. I know this because of another madam, Ms. Ria, our Brand Officer. When I was new in our office, I wondered why everyone called her madam whereas she doesn’t look old enough to be called “madam.” (“Madam” seems to connote “old donya,” thanks in part to Imelda.) As it turns out, her birthday falls on the same day of that of Imelda Marcos’. Advance happy birthday to both of them.

Interestingly, I wasn’t able to “publish” the photos of my shoe collection on my multiply account, not until yesterday, 84 days after I uploaded them. I called the album, “When Imeldific Meets OC.”

Although it seems pretty much self-indulgent, I feel compelled to share the pictures and the anecdotes I have for each of them. Besides, what isn’t self-indulgent in my blog? (Thereby explaining the existence of the category, “battikcentrism,” among others.)

I have no plans of beating Imelda Marcos and her thousands (or was it millions?) of shoes. And, hello? None of my shoes costs more than a thousand pesos. (None of them even cost more than Php800!)

But just as I had stated to start my Multiply album, “Every once in millennium, a girl’s gotta be a girl.”

Thus, the shoes-es. Despite being on a perennial tight budget, I managed to squeeze in some shoe-shopping sprees, thanks to impulse and credit cards!

So now I would like you to meet some of my favorite shoes, at least those which are in good condition and within reach (meaning, I didn’t have to take more than 7 steps to grab them) when I got a little too obsessed and went all shutter-happy. And each comes with a short story to tell.



Black Unlisted Slip-ons

They are 3-4 inches high and pretty much comfortable—granting you wouldn’t have to stand on them for, oh, about 45 minutes!

I bought this pair using my earliest sweldo. Perhaps it is also the reason why they served as my back-up shoes, often times parked under my table at the office. I couldn’t very well play pantintero with the speeding cars coming from C-5 or get on and off a tricycle in them now, can I?

Avon Red Rubber shoes

My mom gave them to me. She knew I liked them. I have a thing for red shoes which I haven’t quite satisfied. You see, I’m a bit fixated on Dorothy’s famous ruby slippers. (Think Wizard of Oz.) Maybe I’d have one custom-made for me someday. Although I doubt if it’ll look nice. Just imagine a size 8 sparkly red pair of shoes! That ain’t cute. That’s slutty.

Going back to the rubber shoes my mom gave me, I used to wear them with my office uniform—that is before I headed to the gym. I’d rather look baduy than carry extra weight when I’m all sweaty and tired. (Jologs or tamad? You choose.)

Too bad, I wasn’t able to bring them with me. Couldn’t squeeze the bulky pair in my luggage!

Stephanie Slip-on

Out of impulse, I bought them in 2005, I think. I remember the sales lady pulling my leg—well, not literally—and telling me, “ma’am maganda po siya.” Needless to say, I believed her. I never wore them until the family went out last year, during Nichi’s 40 days when I accidentally knocked down the bottle of purple vinegar which got splattered on my cream pants (clumsy me)—the vinegar in Superbowl is purplish, isn’t it? And then I wore them during my last two months at work. That’s when they started falling apart. (Bic all-purpose glue came to the rescue!)

Black Confetti dancing shoes

Well if it were not for the massive heels, they’d pass as dancing shoes.

In any case, they are killer shoes! They hurt my feet so much, they should be illegal! You have to grow callus in order to survive them. I opted to leave them in the Philippines. Maybe if my callus grows thicker and my feet becomes numb, then I’ll have them shipped in here.

Brown Maphisto Babydoll Shoes

Do not be deceived, this is just another pair of killer shoes. Apparently comfort did not come free with this pair. I thought wearing them out would “soften” them. But I was wrong.

Primadonna Strappy Silver Sandals

My sister bought them for me to complete my maid-of-honor outfit. Last year, I wore them during Dodie’s wedding, the first berk marriage. I think I’ll just wear them to all the weddings I’d be attending in the future.

Brown Mendrez Wedge

These I otherwise call, my “teacher shoes,” not because I used them all the time I was teaching, but because I bought them when I was a teacher.

They’re very comfortable to wear—that is, if you are used to wearing high-heels. But a part of it got pulled out the last time I wore them. But no worries. I brought them to the nearest shoes and bag hospital, “Mr. Quickie!” I just hope the “experts” did the trick.

White Celine casual Shoes

It took me forever to buy these shoes—therefore this pair I didn’t buy out of impulse. And when I finally decided I was getting them, I had to contend with the last pair—last pair counting the other Celine branches. I talked my way into getting a discount. And with a little help from Joy, the store manager gave me 5% off. Haha! (Divisoria-schooled!)

This pair reminds me of the shoes I wore when I was a baby--that is, based on my old photos. There's just something nostalgic about this pair of shoes.

I had to use my credit card to buy them. The next day, I earned, in my first proofreading gig ever, almost the exact amount of money to pay for them!

Happy Feet Camel Shoes

This pair zaps me back to the 80’s and I love it! Plus the color reminds me of caramel bars with chunks of chocolates. Sarap!

I got them on sale—70% off, I think. They are extremely comfortable. Talagang magiging happy ang feet mo! I’m planning to get another pair when I get back home. Even without the 70% off, I think this pair of shoes will be worth it. Well may be, almost.

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That's about it. Imeldific and obssessed!

June Ends Here

My birthday month will be ending in a few minutes and I have a few items on my list to check.

- Resign. Check!
- Have my teeth cleaned and filled. Check!
- Get a haircut. Check!
- Get a new job…Still working on it.
- Submit my Kwentong Peyups. Umm pwede pa ba?
- Contribute in My Favorite Movie. Will work on it soon.
- Have my eyes checked. Check! (Yet the floater irritates me more!)
- Read Twisted 8. I’m currently on page 14.
- Break someone’s heart (nye!). Check! (But believe me it’s last thing I want on my conscience. That’s why I don’t find it “nakakatuwa” at all.)
- Turn 28. Check! As if I had a choice.
- Count my blessings. Check!
- Have my hair curled. Cancel. I got a haircut instead.
- Ride a plane and fly. Check!
- Do something special for the PBK people. I’ll still try to do something about it.
- Get lost in a foreign city. Well, that will be easy…
- Once and for all, explain why “battik.” Check!
- Eat not-your-regular-kinds-of-food. Check! (I’d like to thank my sponsors, Ate Win and Kuya Wah for that.)
- Get an extra Project: Brave Kids dog tag. My budget didn’t allow that.
- Play bowling. Check!
- Gather my friends—berks, mare and officemates. Check!
- Stay with my Ate and her family. Check.
- Pack my life in a bag. Check! (My "life" weighed around a total of 34 kilos! And it took 3 bags!)
- Embark on an adventure. Check!
- Have my eyes refracted and get a new pair of eyeglasses. Check!
- Say “Hi!” to LeeSun. Check!
- Settle my credit card accounts. Now those will soon be over. Halleluiah!
- Keep a tiny notebook with no lines in it. Check!
- Get sufficient sleep. I think I can check this now.
- Get an online job. I hope to check this soon.
- Get more blog readers. Nyay, is that within my powers?

***This is not at all my bucket list. Perhaps I’ll prepare one of that nature soon.

Label Lessons

This morning, we grabbed a hearty breakfast at the fastfood center of Giant Hypermarket. (Which branch? Don’t ask.)

We had (blank_to be filled in later. I forgot the name.) luncheon platter. Within the platter are generous servings of flat noodles, a sunny side-up egg, and two sausages. Then Kuya Wah got us refreshments, fresh orange shake for ate and me, and avocado shake for himself.

Suddenly I missed my local fruit shakes, specifically the Philippine green mangoes. I’m a fan of fruit shakes. I figured, they are better than any Starbucks frappe or a grande Zagu.

One time, I copied the very educational text around my Fruitas cup. I am fond of reading labels. Maybe because they are short and colorful. By reading labels we could learn a thing or two.

Allow me to share the lesson from my Frutas label.

Fruits and what they do us:

1. Strawberry – Good refreshing cleanser for the whole body.

2. Orange – Clean up digestive system.

3. Melon – Gentle laxative that stimulates action on the kidneys.

4. Watermelon – Stimulates the appetite while cleansing the bladder and kidneys.

5. Apple – Helps relieve indigestion, keeps cholesterol stable and suppresses the appetite.

6. Banana – An excellent aid in digestion.

7. Mango – Gives energy, vitality and promotes healthy skin.

8. Papaya – Energy booster that stimulates the appetite and cleanses the internal organs.

9. Pineapple – Aids in the digestion of protein.

10. Grape – Excellent metabolism stimulator.

So there, take your pick!

* * *

At the supermarket, I saw some giant Taiwanese mangoes. They don’t look nearly as enticing as our own mangoes. They are so big and have irregular shapes. My sister says their taste don’t even match to the Pinoy manga.

I’m so glad Shom showered me with her bags full of freshly-picked mangoes! I'm sure I wouldn't be craving for mangoes for the next few months.

Why Battik?

battik's etymology - came from tye d., the blogger's shortened name. keeping the rhyme, d can stand for "die".

put together, “tye die” is an obvious anagram for “tie dye”. and how else does one add an indigenous flavor to the art of randomly decorating an otherwise bland canvas? Battik! (Note the extra T.)

i am battik. i am an array of random colors and shapes and patterns. i can be as interesting as they come. my canvas is my life. and each day, I discover something new, something to add to my colors, my shapes and my patterns.

in my workshop i attempt to simplify life's complications by taking it one day at a time. and there I see the beauty of my canvas.

battik.

A Portrait of an Afghanistan Baby

I’m in Singapore, an idealistic country close to utopia. But here I found probably one of the most chilling things I’d ever see in my lifetime.

My sister and her family were taking me around Singapore to bask in the beauty of this nation. We were taking pictures around Boat Quay, and despite the construction going on, even of the Merlion.

Singapore is currently being groomed for several events and one of those is the National Day Parade to be held on 9 August 2008 at the Marina Bay. In preparation for this event, Singaporeans are running through their program. We were lucky enough to witness a glimpse of their air show.

Jet fighter after another jet fighter came flying by, in flying V formations, from different directions, while two even formed a heart with the smoke they emitted. I was so absorbed with the aerial exhibition, I didn’t notice how my niece was reacting to it.

The jets, military jets, were making too much noise, little Yzee was trembling with fear. At the sight of her, I saw flashes of what-could-be-portraits-of-Afghan-babies. I swear I could have cried if I didn’t stop myself.

You see, babies, they may have no idea what destruction a jet fighter can make and yet its sound haunts them. Babies know nothing about war and yet some of them die because of it. They are just innocent, innocent casualties.

While we were having a good time at the Boat Quay, an Afghan baby may be cringing at the arms of its mommy, quivering due to extreme fear because their place is under attack by jet fighters or tanks or what-have-you. I saw that baby’s face through my niece.

And I felt the pang of fear. I realized how certain things couldn’t be fair.

Worse, I couldn’t do anything about it.

Yzee will surely be fine. Her mummy assured her that no will harm her. Her daddy gave her a hug to further calm her.

But the Afghan baby? It will be lucky if it survives the attack. It will be extra blessed if its mom or dad survives with it.

I am Legend

Do you remember the movie with Will Smith and a dog? It’s called I am Legend.

Well, somehow I’ve been feeling a lot like Will Smith’s character there. But instead of a dog, I have my sister’s semi-extended family who keep me company. Specifically speaking, I have 3 sane adult females, 1 equally sane adult male, and a cute 8-month old to interact with on a daily basis. But being used to going out especially on weekdays, having that few people to hang out with falls a few notches below normal.

Since not a lot of people talk Filipino here, you can actually babble in public without being understood. And since the way I see it, individuality prevails in this land, no one would really care what you are up to. Or at least what you are saying.

Thus leading me to something similar to the predicament of Will Smith’s character: With my dawgs on the side (I’m really sorry for calling you “my dawgs”! I figured it’s better than “dogs.”), I feel somewhat alone.

The people here are not nearly vampires, unlike in the movie I’ve been referring to. But just like the vampires, they have their own thing going on. I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider. Perhaps if someone bites me, I’d turn into the likes of them which wouldn’t be nearly as bad.

But tonight my sister and her husband brought me to this Zion—now I’m alluding to another different movie, think Matrix—where people like us are found. And the race is flourishing.

Among the pool of locals—Chinese, Malays and Indians—live the Pinoys. And, apparently, the community is growing. In the first party I crashed (with permission—so it’s not actually crashing), there are at least 3 kids to comprise the new generation of Pinoys who I think were all born here. And another one is about to be born soon.

It’s fascinating to see a whole new generation bloom.

Perhaps I am no legend. Those babies are.

Today I Killed a Singaporean Mosquito

The poor Singaporean mosquito made a mistake of flying inside my room. That’s how it met its tragic death.



I have strong defensive reflexes against mosquitoes. I kill them in a clap. And then it sinks in and I shriek. I can’t stand seeing mosquito blood (or is it its victim’s blood?) on my hands. Often times I freak out. Then rubbing alcohol takes it all away. Part of my obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Following the kill, I moved on to a more creepy activity: watching Barney.



There’s something about that purple dinosaur that creeps me out. And the children around Barney, singing and dancing, and who couldn’t be perkier, do not help. I worry that my niece enjoys his show too much. Although it has come to my attention that it was through Barney that Yzee learned how to clap her hands, stomp her feet and shout “hurray!” if and when she is happy. So I’ll let Barney be.

Still I continue to wonder how he is related to Grimace.

The day passed by mostly spent sending away my resume to who-knows-who. My identity may soon be compromised now that strangers know my particulars, from my birthday down to my employment history. If I want a strong wave of paranoia to take over me, remind me of my resumes and the number of times I clicked SEND.

I needed a break within my break, so I went with Yzee and her caretaker. We strolled around the block, and another, and maybe another, until we reached a playground filled with Singaporean kids. As soon as Yzee saw her friend, a Chinese-looking baby one month older than her, Yzee flashed her warmest smile coupled by her signature demure wave.

The kid’s name is Marissa May. As it turns out, the kid’s a girl. Out of curiosity I waited for the foreign baby to make a sound. I haven’t seen a pure-bread Chinese baby before. I wasn’t sure what sort of sounds they are capable of. Unlike the eyes of children in our family which are most often characterized by the words “round” and “bright”, Marissa May’s eyes were tiny slits with black dots inside. It is, in a weird Chinese way, cute.

A lot of things out here are like Marissa May to me. They are foreign yet refreshing. And in some weird kind of way—be that Chinese, Singaporean, or Pinoy—they do have their fair share of cuteness.

* * *

Something interesting: I got the image of Grimace from this site: http://www.macstoys.nl/history%20characters.html

You may want to check it out for some Ronald MacDonald Trivia.