Goodbye 2012

As early as now, I am saying goodbye to 2012. It's definitely not my year. At the start of the year and on my birthday, I had one fervent wish and I didn't get it. I don't know if I'll get it soon or ever. Yeah, drama.

But lest the Guy Above gets angry, I am still grateful for a few things:

Singapore 2012 (Part II)

The trip to Singapore made me realize how much I've neglected photography. I found out that I've "forgotten" how to operate a DSLR, even my Olympus PEN, huhu. Must make time for taking pictures.

The rest of the photo dump:

Sentosa

Singapore 2012 (Part 1)

Spent the long week-end and a couple of vacation leaves in Singapore. We planned the trip partly so my aunt and sisters can have stamps in their passports before these expire haha. Although we booked our tickets awhile back, I was most unprepared for this trip. I forgot to bring our stash of medicines (then hubby suffered a massive headache), our travel adaptors (we had to buy) and our usual Snickers bars. Yet, this is our most tipid trip pocket money-wise because we stayed with my uncle and aunt and they sponsored  most of our meals. (Yay!)

They say Singapore is only as big as Quezon City yet we still missed a couple of spots despite being there for five days. We skipped the zoos and gardens and went to Orchard, Little India, Bugis, Arab Street, Marina Bay Sands, Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore.

Be ready for a massive photo dump with a few captions. :P

Little India   

(We spent our first night in Orchard but I forgot my camera, boo.)

NKOTBSB in Manila

Growing up in the province, I was never allowed to watch concerts. For one thing, we could not probably afford it back then, for we had to add transportation, lodging and food expenses to the ticket price. 

So when I learned that NKOTBSB (New Kids on the Block - Backstreet Boys, for those born in the late 90s or 2000 onwards) was going to have a concert here, I was giddy with excitement. I reverted to my high school self who spent hours watching BSB videos on MTV. I just received a bonus when tickets became available, and I seriously contemplated parting with P8,000+ for a seat near the stage. I found the P13,000+ range a bit unconscionable already as there were plenty of bills to be paid. However, I could not find anyone my age who was willing to pay the price and go with me. Again, I seriously contemplated going alone. I slept on it, and decided that it'd be too sad if I go alone. In the end, I bought my youngest sister a ticket, even if she had no idea who NKOTB was. 

We were seated in Upper Box B, which was a breath away from General Admission, so I didn't bother to bring a DSLR camera. I completely relied on my iPhone and Canon Ixus for a few souvenir shots. However, my phone was already dying before the concert started. Good thing my Ixus came through with a few nice shots.

I was in Grade 6-1st year HS when NKOTB disbanded so I'm not really familiar with them. I recognize the melody of most songs, but not the lyrics. But they do seem hotter than BSB even if they're older - especially Jordan Knight!

Please believe me when I say this is a picture of the Backstreet Boys haha.

Beijing in Spring (PART 1)

Or, as pictures would reveal, Beijing in Diorama. :)

Went to Beijing the week after Holy Week with hubby's family and my best friend L. Since I no longer have a DSLR, my cameras for this trip were my Olympus PEN EPL-1, my SuperSampler and my iPhone - which was fine because they weren't as bulky and heavy as a DSLR.

Our first stop was Jingshan Park. My SIL, who did the our itinerary and made research, told us the Chinese built the hill to the north of the Forbidden City for good luck.