Autumn is just the season when everything is bathed in gold at sunset. Breathtakingly beautiful. Absolutely.
Was so thrilled when we saw these framed photos of Mt. Fuji in autumn on the train platform in the station nearest our home. Sorry for the bad angles, tried my utmost to avoid the reflection of the platform lights.
Cheers!
I always find it funny how one same word can mean different things in Bisaya and Tagalog. Take for one the word “langgam”. Langgam in Tagalog is ant. But langgam in Bisaya is bird. Amazing isn’t it?
And well, there are a number of words in Tagalog which are taboo in Bisaya because they allude to sexual things. In the same way, there are a number of innocent words in Bisaya which is considered sexual in Tagalog. Back when I’ve just started working and just getting to know our field of work and would often get confused (well, I still get confused even up to now), I was even more frustrated by the mere fact that I cannot express my exasperated confusion as I deem it fit because the word I want to use – naglibog – which means “I’m confused” in Bisaya, means “I’m horny” (pardon the language) in Tagalog. I feel that the Tagalog translation “nalilito” is too weak for what I felt that’s why I want to use “naglibog” but obviously I cannot use it in the office. Thankfully, I can say it to my closest Tagalog friends who thankfully understand how I feel, even when they were giggling as I say it.
There are some Tagalog words too that we have to be careful in using here in Japan as they mean something negative here in Japan. Take for one, “baka” which in Tagalog can be either cow or maybe but in Nihongo means foolish.
And just this evening, Hubs told me that the Nihongo for the verb “kneading” as you’d do for the mochi or a dough is nerimasu (ねります). Sounds so much like “nilimas” (Tagalog, which may be pronounced by some Japanese as “nirimas” since they don’t have “l”) or “gilimas” (Bisaya) which both means “cleared away”.
Ahhh. Language is fun!
There were times a couple of months back when I feel so lost and I’d ask – what to read?! It’s like I have this inner urge to read something really worth my time and yet don’t know what book to read. I almost envy Hubs who can get inside any bookstore we pass by and come out with three or four books in tow. Having no recommendations, I almost always buy the ones with the “international bestsellers” tag or ones which won a certain literary prize.
Hence I was really happy when I came across goodreads.com, featured by Aleng on her blog. It’s like finding a cornucopia, a cornucopia of books!
Came across The Prophets of Ghost Ants in goodreads. Can’t wait to get a copy of this one!!!
Anyways, this was the latest book I’ve finished reading a couple weeks back.
It was the Orange Award winner for 2011 so I was a bit curious with the book. This is the first time I’ve read a book written by someone 5 years younger than me and I must say she has a great career ahead of her. But I’d have to say I was a bit disappointed about how the book ended, almost feeling like I wasted my time reading it. Her narration is quite good though and young as she is and yet already award-winning at that, she has much time to improve her craft.
Was able to get a prized possession last weekend – my much awaited IQ84 English-translated copy, all three books, in one big volume! Felt like I waited for such a looong time for it’s translation that I almost jumped for joy when I found this hardbound three-book volume.
Hardbound as it is, of course I can’t cart it around with me. It’s gonna be a bedtime book. But I have to hurry reading it. Hubs is next in line. Haha.
I needed a book to read in between train rides and while on a queue (been working late recently that my free time for reading is almost only during train rides. Huff). I’m carting this around right now.
So much acclaim for this book. But at some parts, I’m bored although it comes pretty interesting on some parts. I’m yet to discover why it’s categorized as a science fiction though.
At the time I bought IQ84, I also came across the Tokyo Michelin guide at a discounted price. The 2012 issue is already out but this discounted old issue is already fine with me. Can’t wait for a good food experience soon!
We feel it’s unusually warmer than it usually is at this time of the year. Nevertheless it’s bound to be pretty cold in the next few months. And even now, we’re already using カイロ (kairo) or what I simply call hot pads, preferring to use it than turning the AC on. It’s pretty helpful when you’re out in the cold, the whole day as well. But it’s not advised to go to sleep with it.
It can heat up to 64degC, with average temp of 51degC and can last up to 9 hours, perfect for a day out.
Just peel the side with the sticker on and stick it on one of your inner layers, definitely not to be in direct contact with your skin. It’s not fashionable looking hence it’s meant to be under your coat and jackets 🙂
I find it pretty helpful as well during bouts of dysmenorrhea. Buy now. Available in Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Tomods and other similar shops.
Hurray! Puerto Princesa Underground River made it to the top seven list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature!
It’s not yet final and official though as it will be made official come early 2012. The results were based on the preliminary tally held yesterday, of course, 11.11.11.
Visit here to see the rest of the seven wonders as well as the other 28 finalists.
We’ve been to Coron and El Nido islands, both in Palawan and hence neighboring islands of Puerto Princesa, both beautiful in their own rights. We’ve been to Halong Bay in Vietnam as well, listed as one of the seven wonders together with Puerto Princesa. But we are yet to see the underground river. Hope we could get to visit Puerto Princesa in our next vacation in the Philippines. Can’t wait!!