IDEAS - 12 years later...

I miss being a full time student - seriously.

After I completed my undergraduate course, I was immediately hired and started working. I keep on studying part time while working though making the entire experience challenging. Now that I am a mom of two with full time work, I wonder how I will ever manage when I return to school again to complete my PhD. We'll see....

During the follow up program of IDEAS last year, there were 9 of us who participated from 9 countries (Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). Each of us was asked to present on our respective country experience on how we were able to cope with economic and social resilience.

In March 2011, Japan was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake which took place 231 miles northeast of Tokyo. It was considered as the fourth largest earthquake on record since 1900 and the largest to hit Japan. That earthquake even caused a huge tsunami which damaged nuclear reactors in the area not to mention massive infrastructure. Even Japan is the most prepared country on such disasters that I know of, no amount of actual experience on dealing with this kind of catastrophes can one ever deal with.

Our follow up program was the second year anniversary of this event :(

What I presented was how our country was able to cope after the Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. ["After a Storm, We Rise: How the Philippines cope after the devastating Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) in 2009]. Around September 26-27, 2009, Manila was submerged in waters; everyone did not expected this to happen. Our house in Antipolo was filled with water until the entire first floor level; the rise of it was so fast that my parents did everything they could just to save the most important furniture in our house and moved to our second floor. I was not there when this happened :(

We learned a number from the Ondoy experience. Government failed to predict the scale of disaster. Damages reached around $270 million. After this, LGUs became more prepared and civil society became more active in responding immediately to such situation.

It was nice to be back and I feel like I was a full time student again :)

"Kampai" during a welcome ceremony of the program

Met my former language sensei and colleagues since 2001. The vendo deserves a huge photo too hehe.

Even if I miss being a student again, nothing can beat the everyday learning I get from my two children. I would not trade this for anything now :)

Many many reasons why I keep coming back to JAPAN!

I was a recipient of a scholarship from the Japan External Trade Organization back in 2001 where I earned my second postgraduate degree (Development Studies). 2001 was the start of my fondness and my eternal love for Japan. When I graduated in 2002, I would always go back on a yearly basis and explore each region and still find myself amazed each time. How lucky I am to work for a Japanese government based in Manila for 4 years too. This is how BIG the influence of Japan in my life.

Last year, my school, Institute of Developing Economies Advanced School or IDEAS invited me, being an alumni of the program, to a follow-up seminar. Can you imagine how excited I was of this opportunity to be back again? The last time I was in Japan was in 2010, the year I got married, and was not able to visit the country for 2 years. I was jumping with glee as soon as I got the invitation! The program time was perfect for me as it was season in the last stage of winter but approaching spring time.

I arrived in Tokyo, a day after my family spent holidays in Hong Kong. This means that I barely had the energy to plan the things I need to bring (moreso, the daily ootds there hehe). In addition to this chaotic but exciting schedule, my family was scheduled to make a big move to a brand new house a day after I will arrive from this Japan trip - kagulo no?

After I arrived in Tokyo, I went straight to our assigned accommodation which is located at the end line of Kaihin Makuhari station (Soga). My friend, Jenny, and I will meet for dinner around central Tokyo, which is around 1.5 to 2 hours away from my hotel. I quickly shifted to my rusted super basic local language and surprisingly I was able to managed to get through the crazy lines in Tokyo station :)

We went to a typical Japanese modern fusion restaurant and my first order was what else - UMESHU!!! Umeshu is a plum sake and of which is my most favorite drink in the world! hehe. How much I love umeshu, let me count the ways...

discovered this only in 2005 and the rest is history hehe

Umeshu is made from steeping ume (plum) fruits (best while still unripe and green) in alcohol. Its taste and smell appeal even those who normally dislike alcohol. Its sweet for me and I love it! The cold weather and umeshu was a perfect combination. Of course, umsehu with yakitori is the best!!! I miss this now here in Manila!!!

Happy to drink this again in 2013 :)

Japanese curry is like no other in Tokyo :)

A few good shots I had just outside Tokyo station as my omiyage (souvinir)

Love this forever :)

I will be back with family in Japan so soon :)

"Me - time" at Yerevan

"Me time" during my travels is a luxury and I define it as being able to enjoy food and sights by myself :) During this Yerevan trip, I was able to squeeze a super quick stroll around the vicinity and an hour lunch by myself - so happy talaga!

A quick walk around:

Eventhough it's summer time, the weather here was actually cool!!!

Walking, walking! Cool local shops around. I bought local hand made products and local toys for my children in this area :)

Since I had very very limited time, I walked back to my hotel and had a lunch at La Cucina. Located at the second floor, it is considered as one of the unique places in the city where one can experience a Meditteranean atmosphere, moreso, one feels like you're in Tuscany! :)

I read that their hand made pasta is a must try and so be-it hehe. Of course, I could not get enough of their super delicious, fresh, juicy tomatoes as well.

All these, by myself hehe

I miss my family terribly and while I was having my muni muni moments while eating all these, look at my fantastic view:

top view angle, even more wow view!

Bye Yerevan!!!

Cafe Tiziano Yerevan

Happy Monday, folks :)

One of the major things I look forward to every time I travel is the experience of trying out local cuisine. In Yerevan, I noticed that these are staple in their dishes: Harissa (a porridge made of wheat and meat cooked together), Khash (beef or lamb feet usually eaten at breakfast over crumbled dried lavash bread), dzhash (brothy stew consisting of meat or legume), stuffed dishes, and lots and lots of fresh vegetables! 

I know that most of my friends, including my husband, love to eat lamb. I don't. In this region, they are big on lamb and even if I look forward to trying out their local cuisine, I just couldnt eat lamb huhuhu.  I always associate lamb with the song I always sing to my children: "Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb..." hehehe.

It was this great opportunity that I was able to take in as much vegetables and bread, lavash and matnakash (as I was not able to encounter rice there at that time). For the record too, their tomatoes were the yummiest I have ever tasted!!! 

Our Armenian colleagues brought us to this newest, chic and classy cafe and local dinner place called Cafe Tiziano.  I was greeted by rows of desserts which were literally calling my name, "Welcome to Yerevan..Eat me now, Sharon!". I was literally drooling even before we made our order!

Photos from Cafe Tiziano FB page

"We need to eat real food", my colleague told me. 

"But these are my real food!" hehehe

What I had were: tomato and garlic bruschettas for appetizer, mushroom cream soup with truffle oil and mascarpone for soup, grilled tenderloin with mushroom sauce (puro mushroom yata) and what is dinner without wine? :)

Armenian way of cooking is love :)

And my star of the night is:

Assorted sweets! (P.S. I did not finish them all ha?) :p

Cheers to a great day that was!

Colleagues from all over :)

I was given a take out box of Armenian sweets which my family enjoyed when I went back home.

Happy me :)

Cafe Tiziano is located at:

Vazgen Sargsyan 10, Piazza

Grande Business Center

0010 Yerevan, Armenia

+37498630404

Bari-luys

Every time I travel to different countries, I try my best to learn basic greetings such as "Good morning", "Good day" or words of appreciation such as "Thank you." The Armenian language (or hayeren) is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenians and the official language spoken in the country. Armenian though has its own unique script, which is the Armenian alphabet. In one of the local shops, I even bought a book containing basic Armenian alphabet which someday I hope Syene and Scarloe will have an interest on :).

So here it goes, I was able to say this during breakfast time and got smiles from the locals - "bari luys"....wagi! hehe

After a good night sleep (and still very much worried because my main luggage HAS NOT ARRIVED yet [thinking it got lost from all of my transits] - another post in the future on lessons learned in traveling), I was greeted by these good summer weather site outside. See the beauty now of those surrounding buildings? Ganda, ganda!!!

The dancing fountain show is just across our hotel

no traffic all day!

This is where we had our dinner and drinks the previous night

locals have the summer look and ambiance :)

Helow, Yerevan!

Armenia belongs to Caucasus or Caucasia which is a region at the border of Europe and Asia, located between the Black and Caspian seas. Last year during summer time in the region, I had an opportunity to visit this country, which I mostly spent my stay in Yerevan city.

Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. It is considered to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited city according to Wikipedia. Yerevan is also the administrative, cultural and industrial center of the country.

Our hotel is just fronting a major tourist spot in the city that is why after checking in at the Armenia Mariott Hotel Yerevan around past 9pm, we immediately went out to the Republic Square. It has a festive atmosphere at that time where locals and tourists were all out celebrating summer and awaiting the start of the famous singing and dancing fountains!

The singing and dancing fountains was initially designed by engineer and scientist Abram Abramyan. We were lucky to watch the entire show which was magical and enchanting! This operates and performs just in front of the Art Gallery and History Museum. The fountains, colors and its movements depend on the rhythm of the song. We were mesmerized with background from crowd of "oohs" and "ahhs" and were entertained through its repertoire of classical music, contemporary jazz and rock.

I was amazed and so fortunate to see this during my visit to Yerevan. I also believe that I was the only Filipina in that crowd!!!

My colleague who has been to Yerevan several times acted as my tour guide that first night. Around Republic Square are 7 major buildings which are: (1) National Gallery and the History Museum building; (2) The Ministry of Territorial Administration; (3) The Government House; (4) The Central Post Office of the Republic of Armenia; (5) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs; (6) The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; and (7) Armenia Mariott Hotel Yerevan. I did not have more time to explore each of these during my stay there but I tell you, the facade and architecture are so gorgeous during day time :)

Around the square are local cafes and local dining places so after the show and a brief tour around the square, I ended up with this:

One of the best sangrias I've ever tasted!!!

And of course, my much deserved selfie-shot!

Good night, Yerevan! See you on Day 2!