5thirty

Friday, January 27, 2006

Hungry for Chinese?

Take a close look at these menus:

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Where Are You Going? -Dave Matthews Band

Where are you going
with your long face pulling down?
Don't hide away like an ocean
But you can?t see, but you can smell
And the sound waves crash down

I am no superman
I have no reasons (answers) for you
I am no hero, oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing for sure
Is where you are is where I belong

I do know, where you go, is where I want to be
Where are you going, where do you go?
Are you looking for answers
to questions under the stars?
If along the way you are growing weary,
You can rest with me until a brighter day
It's okay (You're okay)

I am no superman
I have no answers for you
I am no hero, oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing for sure
Is where you are, is where I belong
I do know, where you go
Is where I want to be

Where are you going, where do you go?

Where do you go, where are you going?
Where do you go?

I am no Superman, I have no answers for you
I am no hero, oh that's for sure
But I do know one thing, is where you are,
is where I belong
I do know where you go, is where I want to be.
Where are you going, where do you go?

Tell me where are you going, where do you go?
Where?
Let's go.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

spagalog

It is common knowledge that many words in the Filipino language has its roots in Castillan Spanish.

We know that words like plato, kutsara, mesa, kama, sabon, sibuyas, tenedor, coche, kutsilyo, kusina, sapatos, pantalon, patatas and many more.

What i didn't was that the words agogo (yes, agogo-dancer), yaya (over here, it is the name you call the person who took care of you, usually your grandmother), and saklolo (help!!!) are Spanish words too! Would you have thought so?

Monday, January 23, 2006

Enclosed Terraces

Here's something i think is pretty interesting about the architecture here (and probably in the rest of Spain and Europe): how walking through the narrow streets and esquinitas is like walking through a rainforest.

If in a rainforest, you have trees that grow so tall because one needs to be taller than the other to get as much light as possible, over here, you have buildings projecting as far out over the street as possible to increase space and get light and air in. In the old part of town, where the esquinitas are very narrow, you almost feel like these projections form a canopy as you walk underneath them.
One such projection is the enclosed terrace, which are terraces that are, well...enclosed!

I always think it's interesting to work with small spaces and how it streches the imagination. You have many boundaries that you can't work beyond and so you have to discover ways to work with and around it and be creative. In having an enclosed terrace, flat owners could have extensions of interior spaces and have a terrace all at the same time. They could stand at what used to be an open-air area and still be in their living room. In the same way, you could also be in your living room and watch the world go by beneath your feet-literally. It is that transition point between being indoors and outdoors, allowing you to enjoy two worlds all at the same time. In a place where you have narrow rectangles of space as your home, every square foot you can find to let air, light, and the world outside in matters, and enclosed terraces can make a big difference.

Just like the trees in a rainforest, this architectural element makes that extra effort to reach a little further beyond what is already there. No need for any toucans, monkeys, sloths, or other exotic animals in this rainforest, beacuse the enclosed terraces alone make it bustle with life.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

I've Arrived!

I'ts been almost a year since i arrived at Mallorca-but i haven't felt like i had 'till last night.

The feast of San Sebastian is perhaps the biggest event in Palma de Mallorca (San Sebastian is the patron saint of Palma) . It's even bigger than Christmas and new year's eve. The celebration lasts for weeks; there are concerts, bike-riding events, vintage car motorcades, and more. The celebration ends with a 25-minute fireworks exhibition at the bay on the final eveing of the celebration.

As we joined the rest of the Palma population in what felt like an exodus to the bay-side area on that final evening, i found myself caught up in all the rush. There was a certain energy in the air, as if anticipating something really big. The streets were deserted, practically no one was home, there were available parking slots along the streets. And then finally, we arrived, and saw people slowly filling in the bay-side area waiting for the event to start.


As i settled into my seat in one of the benches that line the bay, i looked around and was reminded of why this place is so beautiful. I saw the Cathedral lighted up in full glory, the fountains were on, and something about walking through the old part of the city (where the architecture is beautiful) started to feel familiar to me. It was that same feeling you might feel while driving home, listening to your favorite song on the radio, and your mind is clear and free.

At that moment, i smiled to myslef. I felt a wonderful sense of relief, and excitement as to what this new place may bring me. I smiled and exhaled, as i thought, i have finally arrived, after seven months of living here, and maybe even call it home.