Party I threw this weekend turned out pretty well I thought considering that I had thrown caution to the wind when I invited people. I invited workmates, hockey players, high school friends, college travel buddies, mountaineers, theatre people, miscellaneous friends, and debaters (low turnout for the last group, losers!). Props for people who showed not hardly knowing anybody, but mingling well and having a good time (Mickey, Ria, Tina)
Bobby & Len: You would have more than made up for everybody if you were here. Carl was sick, and Kellda flaked (hmm). Maita had another engagement. John and Amanda showed up, good of them.
The authentic Thai food that was served early on was received really well; thought it was nice that people got an idea of how more scrumptious Thai curry and noodle salad could be. Drink of the night was the traydor "blue frog". This can easily become a staple for future parties IF people will chip in for the Amaretto.
There was a lot of booze, except for beer (on purpose, bwahahaha).
The home entertaining tradition lives on. . .
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Leaving London
Resting my heels now at Easyinternet Cafe along Bond Street. It was a day of shopping, hoo ha. Met up with Tams and her cuz Addie (sp?), and we were "good tourists" first: Buckingham Palace and National Gallery (!), but after lunch at Covent Garden we went on shopping mode. Actually, it was really just Harrods.
What a place. I had never been much to the Kensington-Chelsea portion of London before. I've really seen grittier bits more, read: Camden Town, East End and Brixton. This was a nice change, seeing posh cars, posh buildings, and posh people. So many Arabs here dang. I was also feeling ashamed that I wasn't preppie enough to wear loafers without any socks, boohoo.
* * *
Leaving London with a bit of stuff. Really hope it'll all fit into the luggage.
* * *
World Schools Update. Yeah, that's the reason I'm here after all, not shopping! he he. Australia won. Again. Corny.
We did okay, thought we really missed the break by just that much. We ranked 21st, and had 4 wins and 4 loses. South Korea made quarters and booted out top ranked Pakistan in Octos. Singapore made semis but lost to Australia.
The kids were very social during this tournament. Made many friends, and were quite popular I thought. He he. I do hope they decide to try out for next year's tournament in South Korea. We've got a strong chance to do really well, like make the final. I really think that World Schools is just a puzzle that the Philippines has been a little delayed in figuring out. All ingredients for a good run are there.
* * *
Okay, logging off now. Am flying out from Cardiff in about 7 hours. I'll probably be home in Manila around lunch time Monday. Til then I have no load. Sorry!
What a place. I had never been much to the Kensington-Chelsea portion of London before. I've really seen grittier bits more, read: Camden Town, East End and Brixton. This was a nice change, seeing posh cars, posh buildings, and posh people. So many Arabs here dang. I was also feeling ashamed that I wasn't preppie enough to wear loafers without any socks, boohoo.
* * *
Leaving London with a bit of stuff. Really hope it'll all fit into the luggage.
* * *
World Schools Update. Yeah, that's the reason I'm here after all, not shopping! he he. Australia won. Again. Corny.
We did okay, thought we really missed the break by just that much. We ranked 21st, and had 4 wins and 4 loses. South Korea made quarters and booted out top ranked Pakistan in Octos. Singapore made semis but lost to Australia.
The kids were very social during this tournament. Made many friends, and were quite popular I thought. He he. I do hope they decide to try out for next year's tournament in South Korea. We've got a strong chance to do really well, like make the final. I really think that World Schools is just a puzzle that the Philippines has been a little delayed in figuring out. All ingredients for a good run are there.
* * *
Okay, logging off now. Am flying out from Cardiff in about 7 hours. I'll probably be home in Manila around lunch time Monday. Til then I have no load. Sorry!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
World Schools Update: Some Good News, Some infuriating news
Okay, I can't take long here. There's a line behind me. But this is the short of it.
We carried the round through with Lesotho, no surprised there, though it was a split decision. Some of their speakers are really quite powerful. So a 2-0 slate was nice.
Today was a different story today however. We lost to South Africa (deservedly actually) on a motion on treating terrorists as Prisoners of War (we were opposing).
And we (unfairly) lost to Scotland in the next round. I can give you a blow by blow about how I found such a decision to be ridiculous. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on negative feeling. But this par for the course anyway, unforunately, for World Schools. So we're 2-2.
Fairness to the tournament though, there have been some interesting upsets, so it isn't as if there are unbeatable teams. Pakistan has made the big splash today beating BOTH England and Australia. Good for them.
* * *
On more positive news, we absolutely adored the school we were in today, called Ysigol Plasmawr here in Cardiff. The high school kids (Ryan, Ruth and Angelauch (sp?) ) who were watching after our team were saying Go Team Philippines and also following the debate well, and making fun of our opponents bad points. That was really swell of them. Also nice to hear that one of them actually (no joke here), is going to be in the next Harry Potter movie. He has to be hush-hush about it though. He can't tell people much about it. Wow. We're one degree of separation from the entire Harry Potter cast. He he he. We've got pictures of him if you want to see. He really looks like he can be a character in the movie. It's a wonderful school really. Great kids.
* * *
I think the girls today are gonna do some retail therapy the next day since it's free day. We're gonna be at Cardiff Bay tonight. More updates soon. :)
We carried the round through with Lesotho, no surprised there, though it was a split decision. Some of their speakers are really quite powerful. So a 2-0 slate was nice.
Today was a different story today however. We lost to South Africa (deservedly actually) on a motion on treating terrorists as Prisoners of War (we were opposing).
And we (unfairly) lost to Scotland in the next round. I can give you a blow by blow about how I found such a decision to be ridiculous. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on negative feeling. But this par for the course anyway, unforunately, for World Schools. So we're 2-2.
Fairness to the tournament though, there have been some interesting upsets, so it isn't as if there are unbeatable teams. Pakistan has made the big splash today beating BOTH England and Australia. Good for them.
* * *
On more positive news, we absolutely adored the school we were in today, called Ysigol Plasmawr here in Cardiff. The high school kids (Ryan, Ruth and Angelauch (sp?) ) who were watching after our team were saying Go Team Philippines and also following the debate well, and making fun of our opponents bad points. That was really swell of them. Also nice to hear that one of them actually (no joke here), is going to be in the next Harry Potter movie. He has to be hush-hush about it though. He can't tell people much about it. Wow. We're one degree of separation from the entire Harry Potter cast. He he he. We've got pictures of him if you want to see. He really looks like he can be a character in the movie. It's a wonderful school really. Great kids.
* * *
I think the girls today are gonna do some retail therapy the next day since it's free day. We're gonna be at Cardiff Bay tonight. More updates soon. :)
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Philippines: First Win
On the motion that this house would have a worldwide ban on civil nuclear energy, Montenegro (AFF) and Philippines (NEG), the debate went to Team Philippines with a unanimous 3-0 decision.
Getting the first win in was good. Even though Montenegro isn't a highly touted team, getting that first win has been vitally important. We look to improve and solidify our performance for the next round. :)
Did that sound enough like a press release? He he.
As I blog on this matter, our team is in the middle of a one hour preparation for its 2nd Round. We are on the affirmative side against Lesotho, on the motion, roughly, that this house would have full-time education students engage in compulsory charity work.
* * *
Cultural Wales Update:
1. Food still crap.
So-called creamy herb chicken for dinner at Temple of Peace turns out to be boiled milky chicken fibers. Beef Bourgogne with a wine sauce means black-brown sludge. I kid you not. We were given a brief respite today at Bettws High School in Newport, today's venue for the rounds. We had yummy quiche, egg and ham sandwiches, curry samosas type stuff, and orange juice. The kids eat better than the uni students thank God.
2. Weather becomes more British.
Which I actually don't mind much. Rainy and colder now. Makes me feel that I'm really in Britain. The sun has come out again quite recently though, which is nice. Makes me hope that by the time we get to London in a few days, there will be neither the past weeks heatwave weather nor rainy-rainy-rainy depression.
* * *
Wales is starting to grow on me a bit. Caerdydd the Welsh name of Cardiff seems so much prettier than its usual name. We heard some musical performances in last night's opening ceremony and they were really good. We had a tenor, a choir, a soloist, and fiddler all give good performances (esp. the fiddler). We were proud to stand and show our Philippine flag and Filipiniana attire during the opening ceremony.
* * *
Italy vs. France. Wot.
Getting the first win in was good. Even though Montenegro isn't a highly touted team, getting that first win has been vitally important. We look to improve and solidify our performance for the next round. :)
Did that sound enough like a press release? He he.
As I blog on this matter, our team is in the middle of a one hour preparation for its 2nd Round. We are on the affirmative side against Lesotho, on the motion, roughly, that this house would have full-time education students engage in compulsory charity work.
* * *
Cultural Wales Update:
1. Food still crap.
So-called creamy herb chicken for dinner at Temple of Peace turns out to be boiled milky chicken fibers. Beef Bourgogne with a wine sauce means black-brown sludge. I kid you not. We were given a brief respite today at Bettws High School in Newport, today's venue for the rounds. We had yummy quiche, egg and ham sandwiches, curry samosas type stuff, and orange juice. The kids eat better than the uni students thank God.
2. Weather becomes more British.
Which I actually don't mind much. Rainy and colder now. Makes me feel that I'm really in Britain. The sun has come out again quite recently though, which is nice. Makes me hope that by the time we get to London in a few days, there will be neither the past weeks heatwave weather nor rainy-rainy-rainy depression.
* * *
Wales is starting to grow on me a bit. Caerdydd the Welsh name of Cardiff seems so much prettier than its usual name. We heard some musical performances in last night's opening ceremony and they were really good. We had a tenor, a choir, a soloist, and fiddler all give good performances (esp. the fiddler). We were proud to stand and show our Philippine flag and Filipiniana attire during the opening ceremony.
* * *
Italy vs. France. Wot.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
cardiff
We have no use for our rain gear and sweaters here in Cardiff. I spent the whole day in my tsinelas. Yes, it's the most appropriate footwear here in Wales. Some people in the main shopping area are nakahubo. Most are lean and have abs. A few needs to work out more. He he.
Speaking of shopping, I've gotten some done already. :) I'm never gonna shop at Zara at home again. I got a polo and a shirt here at 15 and 9 quid. they'd probably cost somewhere from 50-75% more back at home. The shopping area at downtown Cardiff is pretty okay. Much better than anything in Geneva (not that THAT is a tough standard), and Cardiff castle is in the background! *end ditz commentary*
Funny the people I've bumped into here at the tournament. Peejay Garcia is the coach of South Korea. Wen Qing (remember him William?), is the coach of Singapore. And JJ of La Verne is the coach of the USA. (die of jealousy Maita and Mahar). We had cross training today with Singapore that turned out okay. And we're doing something with the Korean team a little later.
Last bit to blog about before I go, since there is a bit of line here at the internet provided by the university, british food really still truly sucks. They have to a) learn to cook with garlic and b) stop frying things to death. I'm getting quite potatoed, and breaded out.
More later. Wales is great ey, don't get me wrong. There are lots of bikelanes and Bute Park and downtown shopping is not too shabby. Til next update.
Speaking of shopping, I've gotten some done already. :) I'm never gonna shop at Zara at home again. I got a polo and a shirt here at 15 and 9 quid. they'd probably cost somewhere from 50-75% more back at home. The shopping area at downtown Cardiff is pretty okay. Much better than anything in Geneva (not that THAT is a tough standard), and Cardiff castle is in the background! *end ditz commentary*
Funny the people I've bumped into here at the tournament. Peejay Garcia is the coach of South Korea. Wen Qing (remember him William?), is the coach of Singapore. And JJ of La Verne is the coach of the USA. (die of jealousy Maita and Mahar). We had cross training today with Singapore that turned out okay. And we're doing something with the Korean team a little later.
Last bit to blog about before I go, since there is a bit of line here at the internet provided by the university, british food really still truly sucks. They have to a) learn to cook with garlic and b) stop frying things to death. I'm getting quite potatoed, and breaded out.
More later. Wales is great ey, don't get me wrong. There are lots of bikelanes and Bute Park and downtown shopping is not too shabby. Til next update.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
World Schools
Hey guys, will be semi out of commission for the next two weeks. Am flying off with my younger sis to Wales with the Philippine team to the World Schools Debate Championships. This is the World Cup for High School debating. I'm there as a coach/chaperone. It'll be me and 6 high schoolers (2 miriamites, 2 povedans, 2 atenistas).
I bought a Philippine flag today, which we'll use during rounds. We'll put it on our table. If you think this is a little kitschy, shuddup. All teams do this. He he. We also have little pins of the Phil flag which we can put on our shirts.
Like the World Cup, we have an idea of our draw already. We are facing the following teams:
Montenegro (newly independent!), Lesotho, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Peru, Lithuania and Germany.
there are 36 countries competing, and these are the one's which we'll be facing. The top 16 seeds will then face each other in knock-out rounds. Thankfully, we won't have to meet teams like Australia or England but til later.
Wish us luck! I'll still be textable, but can't receive or make phone calls. :)
* * *
Incidentally, the ADS is now in New Zealand. My bro is there. I think this is a first. All 3 of us debating siblings in international tournaments. (*proud*)
I bought a Philippine flag today, which we'll use during rounds. We'll put it on our table. If you think this is a little kitschy, shuddup. All teams do this. He he. We also have little pins of the Phil flag which we can put on our shirts.
Like the World Cup, we have an idea of our draw already. We are facing the following teams:
Montenegro (newly independent!), Lesotho, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Peru, Lithuania and Germany.
there are 36 countries competing, and these are the one's which we'll be facing. The top 16 seeds will then face each other in knock-out rounds. Thankfully, we won't have to meet teams like Australia or England but til later.
Wish us luck! I'll still be textable, but can't receive or make phone calls. :)
* * *
Incidentally, the ADS is now in New Zealand. My bro is there. I think this is a first. All 3 of us debating siblings in international tournaments. (*proud*)
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