Sunshine Award

Today I promised to give myself a break- to rest and stay home on a Friday night. This week and last went by like a breeze. I barely had time to sit and think. The usual routine after getting home from work was to lie down for a bit, shower, have some quiet time until I doze off.

This time, for a change, I'm in bed, Facetime-ing with my mom, dilly-dallying, and reading blogs. I leared that Jean tagged and nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Thank you, Jean! I didn't know my blog can bring sunshine to anyone. I'm unwinding tonight by answering your questions. So how do I go about this? I just referred to Jean's post and practically did what she wrote.

The Rules

1. Post a picture of the Sunshine Blogger Award.

2. Post 11 random facts about yourself.

3. Answer 11 questions from the nominating blogger.

4. Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

5. Nominate 11 wonderful bloggers that you feel bring sunshine to the blogging world.

6. Write 11 questions for your nominated bloggers.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. My full name's Jacqueline. You can call me Jackie, Jacque, Jacq, Jacqs- spell it whichever way you want, I wouldn't mind. My dad and my aunts call me Siobe (little sister in Fookien, since I'm the youngest), or if they're mad, they'd call me by my full name. 

2. Nobody believes me when I tell them I used to work for Eat! Bulaga. Yes I had a short stint as a creative writer, in charge of scripts. Remember the "Sa Pula, Sa Puti" game, "Taktak mo or Tatakbo" "EBest Scholars"? Those were some of the projects assigned to me. I took up AB Communication Arts in DLSU Manila and after graduation I did some Marketing stuff, then became an EB babe (haha kidding).

3. I currently work and live here in Taipei. After a two-year MA scholarship program in a Taiwan university, I was able to land a job. The first two years as a writer-editor, and now as a communications officer. I still get homesick quite a lot after almost 5 years of living here, but I'm coping.

4. I have two big brothers. Big as in big in size, and older than me. We used to fight a lot back in the day, but now we long for each other's kakulitan.

5. I'm usually quiet. I like keeping my thoughts to myself. But when I'm with my girl buddies, we do a lot of girl talk. I miss sleeping over at my friend Kaymee's house. I remember talking about our future at 3:00 in the freaking morning. We called those the "3:00AM talks."

6. I have two sets of barkada. One from high school, one from college. We've known each other for over a decade and we've realized that we have matured when we stopped fighting over silly and petty things. Girlfriends are the best support group one can ever have. And they make great travel buddies too!

7. I love traveling. I try to save some amount of money so my mom can tag along. We've traveled to Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam and Cambodia together. Our last one was in Hong Kong. I love it when I see her smile when she sees new places... the simple pleasures of life.

8. I only learned to speak Filipino when I was around 6. I grew up speaking Ilocano and Fookien in the province. My parents moved us from Cagayan Valley to Manila for a proper Filipino-Chinese education. I think my Ilocano is better than my Tagalog.

9. I'm 25 and I'm excited to turn 40. Really. I once looked up to Carrie Bradshaw but I know I can never ever afford that kind of life. Now I wish for my own family at 40.

10. I don't can't dance. I was not blessed with this talent. Thankyouverymuch.

11. I like having my me-time every now and then. It's my only way to recharge. I take a walk in the park (Taipei has a number of huge parks, safe for walking even at night), or spend time at a nearby cafe.

11 Questions from Jean

1. What time do you usually wake up and get up from bed?- I'm usually awake by 6.30am, but I get up at around 6.45 to 7.00.

2. What do you do first thing in the morning?- I utter a short prayer of praise and thanks to begin my day then use the bathroom.

3. Coffee or tea?- Green tea with honey.

4. What is your favorite breakfast food?- Sinangag with tapa or longganisa, hotdog or bacon :) I miss this. Our mom prepares our breakfast.

5. Any other morning ritual?- Here in Taipei, I usually plug my electric kettle before going to the bathroom to brush my teeth. That way, when I'm done, the water has boiled and I can take some Milo or anything hot. Haha weird ritual, I know.

6. Care to share your top/favorite be-happy tip? - Whenever you're down, just smile and think positive. Smiling brings about a very pleasant feeling and lifts up your mood.

7. What's your plan on how to spend the rest of your summer?- Well no summer break here in Taipei. Just work, but we have an upcoming trip to Russia next month for business. Hopefully it pans out.

8. How do you cheer yourself up when you're feeling low?- I talk to friends. I'm glad my friends are always a Viber-away. Back up plans: do the laundry, or head to the grocery. Never fails.

9. How do you relax?- I'm a girl, so I do the occasional shopping. Some retail therapy wouldn't hurt. If short on cash, some coffee, tea and cakes at a random coffee shop will do.

10. Favorite chill-out place?- The great outdoors. I'm blessed to be here in Taipei where everything is within reach. I can do a short hike in Elephant Mountain and just enjoy the scenery, or watch the sunset by the river.

11. Pool or beach?- Beach, please.

11 Questions For My Nominated Bloggers:

1. Are you a morning or evening person?

2. Your favorite travel destination?

3. Your favorite food?

4. Describe an unforgettable moment.

5. What is your usual daily routine?

6. Black or white?

7. What makes you happy?

8. Any beauty tip you want to share?

9. What type of music do you listen to?

10. Name a gadget which you cant live without.

11. (The usual HR question) How do you see yourself in 5, 10 years?

11 Questions For My Nominated Bloggers:

1. Maita http://mrsdiazchronicle.weebly.com/

2. Leah http://curiousweekends.blogspot.com/

3. Kristine http://bubbleofblah.com/

4. Nathalie http://blackshirt13.wordpress.com

5. Rae http://littleeverydaystuff.wordpress.com/

6. Mrs. Panda http://chroniclesofmrspanda.blogspot.com/

7. Sheryl http://unboreddiva.com/

8. Angel http://www.invisiblestilettos.com/

9. Aiza http://www.loveisamutt.com/

10. KittyKat http://homebaseddiva.blogspot.com/

11. Francesca http://primpandpaper.blogspot.com/

Hope you'll have fun answering as much as I did! Link back so I can read your answers. :)