Adobo at ensaladang kamatis sa probinsiya

A dinner served under the stars,
Caressed by a cool southern breeze,
and deepened by gracious conversation.

Under that star-lit sky, the white linen glowed,
whilst stories of the past were exchanged.

Now, There are some meals taken in one breath,
many taken without gusto.
Then there are those dinners, like this one,
taken slowly, sparingly,
in between pockets of memorable conversations.


at one point, as we sipped digestif,
We listened to Piaf.
Monique and Andre, with a glint in their eyes, hummed to her tune.
Pierre and Deruelle were in each other's arms.
I smiled to myself,
happy, deeply happy.
knowing we had served our gracious hosts,
not only a good meal, but with one brief moment of joy.

Neules, France
The summer home of the the Kemulas


Oh when life offers its graces!

Weathered stone walls with tales to tell,
unkempt gardens with seasons to bear.

Old chairs,
fresh plums,
blades of grass,
and toys left to rust.

I live for these moments that simmer in time!
No longer needing to measure. Instead, to savor.
Let my body be my clock!
Eat only when my stomach churns,
drink only when my throat is dry,
sleep each time my eyelids fall.

I feel like leaping in the wind!
running like a boy!
laughing like a child!

and when the sun is setting...
when the sparrows cuddle in their nests,
When time seems to have passed so quickly,
an aperitif, perhaps?

Oh when France offers its graces,
One cannot help but just ... Be.

On my way to Cahors, France.

A baguette with fromage and prosciutto, a diet soda, eating on the floor of the gare d'auserlitz - they all contribute to a feeling.

a book to read, my journal to express, my camera to capture.


The view from my window were like post cards flying by. There was an ease...A peace so sweet.

A Classic Marco in Paris

I often go to Paris to live yesterday tomorrow.
Malcom Maclaren

My arrogant Paris

Paris, Paris, when you take him at face value, is an arrogant lover. But ignore Eiffel and all his monuments of vanity and you come upon a different Paris. Passionate, insatiable, forever discontented, and always longing to be loved. Like many of us, really.

Arrived Paris later than scheduled. It wasn't a good flight - cramp, nauseating, cold,... Or am I getting old and impatient?

Upon boarding the roissybus, I was biologically confused but I had to keep myself mentally awake to absorb everything, everything that surrounded me on, this, my second trip to Paris.

The minute the bus turned into the city, I lost the weariness. My Body shut up, my heart started beating, my mind churned.

Paris is indeed magical. It was made out of passion, with passion, and for the purpose of passion. It breathes love. Heaven has to look like this! Otherwise eternity won't be so attractive.

Got off the bus at the Opera Garniere. After the irritating burden of unloading luggages, I sat on the steps, gave out a subtle "whew" and looked up at the sky. It was grand. God really knows my need for drama...And he delivers :)

11:23 pm: PACKING SIYET!

- 3 classic cotton dress shirts (black, white, grey)
- 4 wash n wear pairs of pants (maong, black, khaki, white)
- 6 wash n wear sport shirts
- 3 undershirts (black, white, grey)
- sexiest undies
- socks
- 2 belts (black and white reversible & red)
- 1 black turtle neck
- 1 evening suit
- 1 sports jacket
- 1 hooded sweater
- 1 ube colored scarf ;)
- black loafers
- rubber shoes
- white uber chic driving shoes
- swimming trunks
- board shorts
- my journal
- a compact bible
- camera
- i pod shuffle
- tootbrush/ paste/ floss
- facial wash
- exfoliating scrub
- mosturizer
- toner
- condoms
- lube
- asthmador
- vitamins
- ticket
- passport
- wallet
- address book with the numbers of Pierre, Martin, Bogie, KC, Darra, Theophile, Ken, Chita, Julien.
- the spartacus guide
- and a determination to just watch the world go by and smile :)
im ready:)

Au Lac Hotel, Saigon 10:30 pm

I sit in my hotel room trying to find rest. I have been working so hard that my body has gotten so used to this annoying restlessness. Eating has become a necessary bore, sleep a luxury. If I really dig deep, I think i'd come to the common conclusion that I am suffering from that proverbial "doing a lot but feeling empty" syndrome. It's true, Man is strange, he always finds some reason to feel not good enough. I'm no exception! I should actually be the happiest man on earth - I have a great career thats looking up, My peers like me, my colleagues respect me, I am not lacking in suitors, I travel a lot, I have children to fill my life with laughter and meaning, I have GOD in my heart! I'm what aspirants call a self-actualized human being. So, why am I restless? why can't I be still and just be?... Whats bothering me tonight?

In retrospect, I spent most of my day in the editing room forming and curing the nth TV commercial of my fabulous career. I'm being catty to myself :/ As i watched what I was doing and listened to my agency creative director praise me for the good work I have been doing, I examined my own work and thought to myself, "thats good for you?...it's crap!". I suffer from fear of being mediocre. I habitually backslide towards self-chastisement. Silly. It's really silly. It's the devil whispering stupid stuff in my mind!

This sweet madness...this glorious sadness!

I think i just miss being in love.
But, I'm liking my freedom.

I think maybe i just miss home.
But, i love Saigon too.

I'm confused.
But, I know where I'm going

Stuff it...all will turn out good.