Unpredictable

I woke up with clear blue skies. I thought it was going to be a perfect day until suddenly (as in superduper unexpected), hail was falling like mad. Hmmmm for a moment, I thought winter was over...maybe not =(

it's raining...ice hmmmm

after 15 minutes the sky is clear again

Haaayyyy...ano ba talaga, kuya?

Winter and Spring

Winter is officially NOT my cup of tea. Gloomy, cold, wet and the nasty flu is about everywhere. I got red marks surviving it. Most of the time, I was awfully lethargic and I inevitably brought the weather everywhere I went **sigh**...My first winter was truly dreadful but I aspire to weather the “storm” next time. I certainly would not want to be labeled with Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter depression) so I must rise to the occasion hehe.

Thankfully, the gloominess of the sky is gradually bringing back its bluish color and the vivid hues of the surrounding are emerging. Yahooo!!! It’s officially springtime here. Now I know what it really means when you say I am full of the joys of spring =D

While putting away my winter clothes, I’m also ditching Ms. Misery! Impromtu!

Goodbye winter, hello spring!

Ready to go PRO hehe

Exploring my knack (feel na feel ko naa koy talent haha; feeling lang) in photography was made possible by hubby’s enduring support of my always-finding-something-new-to-do self. We purchased a high-end point and shoot camera a few months ago. I rejected the urge to buy a DSLR because I thought it was overly ambitious to abruptly shift from digital compact camera to DSLR. Aside from the fact that I wasn’t sure if I really have the ability to take awesome photos, there is a $400-500 price difference from what I wanted as well. Hence, we settled for a Canon Powershot S5 IS.

For a moment, I thought I made the right decision but to my dismay, I humbly admit my regrets for not listening to D’s opinion (he should have insisted harhar). I mean yes, it’s a really good camera but after discovering my flair (trying hard) in taking photos, I’ve wanted to do more. My present camera is a disappointment already because of its limited features. If I will sell this in TradeMe (counterpart of ebay in US), I will probably lose around $300 because it’s 2nd hand already. Money spent and lost equals a new DSLR **sigh** if I only listened to hubby…well, lesson learned hehe =D

Now, I’m drooling for Nikon’s entry level D60 that hubby believes I’ll get tired again sooner because of its inadequate features (again?). He is suggesting that I’ll get the mid-level D80 and I sooo get his point therefore I concur; no more qualms about it hehe. But with its whopping price, I feel quite silly to splurge for my hobby and so I am unwearyingly waiting for the price to go down as Nikon just released its new version – the new and improved kickass D90. I wonder when it will be available here in NZ. Perhaps two years later waaaahhhh I hope not! Please lang!

As of now, I’m fidgeting to jump on the DSLR bandwagon…hmmmm patience, patience, please abound =D

Housing in NZ

I dreamt of buying a house as soon as we get settled here in NZ. Based on my research, NZ has a high percentage of homeowners so I thought that houses are affordable. Well, reality-check, not anymore!!! The influx of immigrants made the value of properties twice as much for the past 5 years. Of course, supply and demand is basic economics so go figure. Although recently, there has been a price slash caused by the dollar depreciation or whatever but the interest for home loans is increasing too. So, it’s still the same story.

Nevertheless, my sister and I tried browsing for some prospect homes because we’re simply pathetic dreamers hehe. And for months of house hunting (kinda window shopping lang), here are my findings:

1. Most houses are old as 40years or more and the designs are not appealing at all. Look!!!

These four houses are the very common "brick-and-tile" homes here. You see it everywhere as if they only have one architect here in NZ before haha! They are called "units" (like duplex) so the land isn't yours alone. Prices for these houses range from $320,000-$400,000 depending on the size/location.

Also very common here are these weatherboard/hardiplank houses which are newer compared to the brick-and-tile style but less durable. Prices are more or less the same.

What do you think??? Omigolly! my dream would turn out to be a nightmare if I spend 30 years of my life paying a monthly amortization of $3000-5000 for one of these unsightly houses (excluding other expenses like property tax, repairs, etc). In short, soooo not worth it!!!

2. Newer or nicer houses usually cost a whopping price of half to a million dollars. Apparently, we can’t afford that!

3. Other nicer houses that are affordable are found in the far-flung or "unsafe" (a la Bronx) areas. Thanks but no thanks!

Hence, this leaves us one choice: stay in the fantasy of owning a house until further notice. Wish the government’s plan to make housing affordable will push through soon or else the exodus of NZ citizens will never end. Living in this magnificent place is becoming more and more expensive now. If this trend continues, perhaps NZ will become the dreamland of the rich only =(

Paradigm shift on happiness =D

Happiness is something we aim to find, indicative of a goal, an end. Seemingly, we are all in the pursuit of happiness. We seek it or better say, chase it. Chase because it fades away once in a while and tends to be just a temporary state – the so-called ups and downs; a part of life’s paradox, so we say. Every so often, we are inclined to postpone it as well until we get what we think characterizes it – having a better career, supportive parents, a loving spouse, a child, a sexier body, a bigger house, a newer car, more money…whatever it is that we think will please us.

To Kahlil Gibran:

Happiness is a myth we seek,
If manifested surely irks;
Like river speeding to the plain,
On its arrival slows and murks.
For man is happy only in
His aspiration to the heights;
When he attains his goal, he cools
And longs for other distant flights.

My, oh my, I wish I can articulate my thoughts like that hmmm whatta knack! Seriously, I concur to what he means and now I don’t wonder why there are so many unhappy people in this world.

Most of us are like hunters in a magnificent forest. We are apt to put so much effort in the chasing. So focused on our target that we normally miss to stop and smell the fragrant flowers; or fail to notice the colorful trees; neglect to hear the music of the chirping birds; forget to appreciate neither the clean air we breathe nor the abundance of stream that quenches our thirst and gives life to the forest.

If truth to be told, maybe we’ve missed a great deal already all these years. We don’t know for sure…not until we correct our disposition and our perception on the matter.

Haaayyyy, I’m sooo mortified …but it’s never too late anyway =D

Seeing Some Stars =D

When a stumbling block presented itself, I can’t believe my feebleness. I never knew how fragile I am in facing hindrances and afflictions. Call it fortunate or blessed (I prefer this), but for many years, I have been sheltered from life’s adversities. I mean, I’ve been to ups and downs too but nothing major. Maybe this explains why I went berserk when I encountered this frustrating situation here but I have enough of that pathetic-sounding crisis already! Goodness, I’ve been so melodramatic to oversensationalize that one aspect of my life. When I read my previous rants, I sounded like it’s the end of the world. Silly me! haha...At least, I can laugh about it now.

Although I’m a little guilt-stricken about my idleness but nevertheless, it gave me valuable reflections and self-awareness. And so, I am gradually reviving myself from being stupid and desperate. I have not yet resolved my quandary but I am working on it – this time, proactively.

“I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right.
When you set out on a journey and night covers the road,
you don't conclude the road has vanished…
And how else could we discover the stars?”
~unknown

Good Morning =D

I was sooo alive and kicking past 1:30am - must be an impact of the overwhelming Batman movie, The Dark Knight. Wow! Heath Ledger was truly phenomenal in his role as the Joker. It’s a shame that we won’t be able to see him portray another exhilarating role. May he rest in peace.

Anyway, on our drive home from the theater, Alanis’ acoustic version of Hand in Pocket was playing in the car. The tranquility of the streets in the wee hours of the morning magnified its rendition (thanks to the kick-ass Kenwood stereo that hubby himself installed with his sweat and all hehe). It wasn’t the first time I heard it but it was the first time that I truly listened to it. OMG, I was soooo struck because I can actually relate to the message; like sensing a “breakthrough” if you know what I mean.

Music and movies are some of the things I can’t live without!