Happy 1st day of winter, Australia! ♥

HELLO AUSTRALIA

Metro Manila is in ruins, so let's pool together donations for the Storm Ondoy victims. We're accepting donations to be sent straight to organizations in Manila ASAP. For questions, inquiries, pledges, etc call Mio Paredes at 0424338472 or 98363494 or me at 0425218416 or 98328862. Thank you :-)

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Hello everyone,

As you may know/have heard, the Philippines has just experienced a great natural disaster. There have been deaths, and a lot of damages that need rehabilitation. My parents have been directly affected in our Manila home. Some friends have lost their properties. All I ask is for all of you to please pray for their safety. Please pray that courage fill their hearts to know that we will all pull through this.

However, the Filipino masses are needing assistance, and sadly, it has been reported that the president has used up the emergency fund of PhP800,000,000 for her foreign trips (read all about it here: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=496123). The damage has been done, and this is what Manila looks like today:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=ondoy

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090927-227074/Too-much-rain-too-soon

Any help that could be forwarded would be deeply appreciated. Listed below are the drop off areas for donations in Manila.

Xavier School, Greenhills -

You may donate food (canned goods etc), bottled water, etc to the Xavier School Multi-Purpose Centre. Those who wish to volunteer, do come over and help collect and sort the goods. See you there. Please pass.

La Salle Greenhills -

Relief Operations Drop-Off Center has been set-up beginning 9am, Sunday, September 27, those who are living in the nearby areas may bring their donations to Gate 2 of La Salle Greenhills, along Ortigas avenue, Mandaluyong. Those interested may contact Louie Aguinaldo at 0917-5295706 or 216-8505.

De La Salle Health Sciences Institute -

For those in the Cavite area: De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) is launching a relief drive, please drop off donations of food (ready to eat) canned goods, clothes, blankets at the lobby of the University Medical Center starting today.

Ateneo de Manila University -

Accepting donations preferably cooked/ready-to-eat food, clothes, medicine, blankets & water. Donations may be dropped off at MVP, University Dorm or Cervini Lobbies. Also in need of volunteers for relief operations today. Please bring boots, shovels, large vehicles/small watercraft. For donations & enquiries please contact 09088877166. Pls pass

Help through SMS donations (Philippines only) -

1.6 million Philippine Facebook users. Donate 100 pesos each and we'll raise 160 million for Red Cross rescue and relief. Red Cross donation through SMS: text RED to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart). Spread the word and help.

Mean Streets Manila blog -

The rest of the information for all other local & international methods to send help can be found here http://meanstreetsmanila.wordpress.com/

A million thanks again for all of your prayers and encouragement. Please forward this e-mail to get the help all around as soon as possible. God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Ryc Aquino

ryc.aquino@gmail.com

16602902@student.uws.edu.au

+61425218416

LIFE ON MARS

23. September, 2009.

Australia has officially been relocated to Mars. F yeah, cool beans.

On autumn, and the promise of good days

(Written on the train at 0700H, edited 2204H)

My past visits to Australia have always been from mid-April to mid-May, but I never needed to wake up at dawn. This semester, my Wednesdays start as early as 0530H and I found out that if it's foggy when I step out of the house, it's going to be a really nice, sunny day out.

At dawn, the fog is heavy as anything; it seems as though snow will fall any second but it doesn't. Half an hour into the fog, it just almost suddenly clears up, and you see the sun right before you telling you it's a new day - and it assures you it's bound to be good.

To be honest, I've never been more thankful for waking up everyday. That said, I can't wait for my first Australian winter! :-)

First class all the way

But not really. Hah, I must say, I enjoyed flying business with Philippine Airlines, that’s all I can say. It was a smooth flight, and most importantly, I was pampered. I felt sick throughout the eight hours and got meds and 3 hot cups of tea. But of course it wasn’t the only perk. Hah, sorry I’m amazed. I’ve always flown coach as it is the practical choice. I’m not shy to say I’m ignoramus when it comes to flying business because I never have until my flight to Syd.

It was so enjoyable to eat really nice appetizers - tiny bread filled with some sort of paté, a 2-cheese & fruit & nut bowl (wine included!) and fresh fruit. The main course was delectable as well; we were served with either fish, pork or beef (i chose beef). I got a massive slice of beef tenderloin in glazed onions with steamed zucchini & carrots on the side. To top it all off, we were served watermelon & melon (lawl) alongside with a cup of mocha/chocolate mousse.

More than that, the seats were nice and spacious. :-D I was able to sleep nicely for half of the flight, and the rest of the time I just enjoyed the luxury of a smoother, less noisy ride. Overall, I can say I had a good flight to Oz, discounting the fact that we left late (due to airplane traffic, lol). We arrived on time anyhow.

Moving on.

I arrived on the 21st as well at around 8.15 in the evening, Oz time, and we went to Leichhardt straight away. I’m staying there at the moment as Phil’s (my habib haha) has Canadian occupants (our aunty&uncle!). It’s a quaint flat and there are 12 tenants. It’s also just about 15 minutes away from the city which is pretty good.

So yeah that was Sydney on the first day, and I was surprised by almost unbearable 35-degree heat. :c

x
Ryc