Renxkyoko Iglesias here.
It’s my summer vacation . Yay ! Well, it’s June 9 today. Last year , June 9, 2012, was the day we flew to Europe for our 30 day tour. I was really hoping I could end my travelogue post today, the anniversary of our trip, but I guess not. * sets aside the fireworks, disappointed* You’d think I’d have more time to blog, read other people’s blogs, more time for stuff I’d like to do, which is to play video games, read books, read mangas, watch TV, etc. and oh, yeah, post more often, but no, my employer had the temerity to promote me to a managerial position. Now, don’t get impressed with the title. It just means I work longer hours supervising 3 hapless sales clerks, I keep the keys, and handle some confidential store stuff. It’s a high end clothes store, though. A simple women’s Tshirt that sells for $ 5 at walMart, we sell for over $100.00. We have walk -in customers, and we have clients. Clients come by appintments, and they’re usually businessmen from overseas who choose the clothes themselves. ( We wear each dress and show it off to the client. I happen to be the favorite of Asian shoppers , the big spenders from Indonesia,Shanghai, HongKong, Malaysia, Singapore , and Japan. I have the body size of an Asian girl, ( I’m size 1 ) so I’m the one who gets to show off the dresses. If I’m lucky, I get a free dress. * blows my own horn * . I get the highest sales every month,too. * beats drum*
And well, that’s not the only job I have. I have another one…. I work at an ice cream parlor, scooping ice cream at Baskin and Robbins…. my very, very first job. I’m loyal to Kamal, my boss, even if she hasn’t given me a raise for years. ( So, okay , I got one teeny raise…. 25 cents an hour….. Booooo ! ! ) But, I’m the only one she trusts to handle money, and my work hours are flexible. I’m grateful to her for the work she gives me, at my own convenience.
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One reader asked me about Monsanto. I’ve heard of it, but don’t know anything about it. I read up , but gave up trying to know. This corporation is huge ! ! First off, what is Monsanto? According to Wikipedia, Monsanto is a ” publicly traded American multinational biotechnology corporation and is the leading producer of genetically engineered seed ( GE) and now known as GMO ( genetically modified organism).” It is considered by purists to be an ” evil” corporation that breeds modified seeds that are detrimental to humanity’s health.
I’m an environmentalist, a tree- hugger, if you will, but I’m not sure if I can totally side with the anti-GMOs . I have to be honest…… my sister, a microbiologist, had applied for a job at Monsanto. She didn’t get it, but will apply again when a position opens. She currently works for an establishment that does chemical anlysis of food products, fresh produce and manufactured ones.( Department of Analytical Chemistry ) I’m majoring in Molecular Microbiology, and when I graduate , hopefully this school year, I hope to follow my sister’s career.
There;s a research facilty in the Philippines, the IRRI ( International Rice Research Institute ) that is based in the Philippines, at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna. According to Wikipedia, the main goal of IRRI is ” to find sustainable ways to improve the well-being of rice farmers and consumers, as well as the environment.” The IRRI is a pioneer in genetic diversification and breeding of rice to improve yield, and grow more resistant to drought and pests , and breeds that are less likely to ” fall over”. While Monsanto started in the 90’s, IRRI was launched much earlier, in late 60’s. According to Wikepedia, ” 60% of the world’s rice area is planted to IRRI -bred rice varieties or their progenies.” The difference between IRRI and Monsanto is that IRRI is non-profit. Seeds have been distributed at no cost to rice farmers all over Asia. Since then, farmers in Asia have been planting high yielding varieties of rice. This helps feed the growing population of Asia, and so far, we have not seen anyone who has grown a horn or two heads. This is the reason why I cannot make a judgement on what Monsanto is doing. Not all of these biotech researches are bad, as long as they don’t make something like Soylent Green. What is Soylent Green, you ask. Soylent Green is a 1973 science fiction film that depicts an overpopulated earth, not much food, and available food is rationed, produced by Soylent Corporation, and whose product, Soylent Green, is advertised as high energy plankton. However, they discover that Soylent Green foods are made up of human remains. They are people.
Oh, by the way, Monsanto sells seeds to practically every farmer in America. It has captured the market, and worse, the seeds are ” copyrighted and patented” . In other words, the farmer cannot save seeds for next planting. He has to buy new ones.
* ponders*
If I were a reader of this post, I’d get bored and stop reading halfway. Oh, well. Better get back to the main topic of this post…. my tour of Bordeaux, France. Actually, I don’t have much material ( photos) of Bordeaux. We merely stopped for lunch there and lingered for about 4 hours.
Although I saw very little of Bordeaux, what I did see was impressive. 
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Bordeaux is the major wine capital of the world. No wine can be labeled as Bordeaux wine unless it’s actually produced in Bordeaux..Bordeaux wine has come to mean red wine as 90% of Bordeaux wines are red. Claret is English red wine. Excusez- moi, but I’m not a wine aficionado so I’m as clueless as the peon beside me.
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There’s a flea market going on in this photo.
Porte Cailhau
Below photo is the Place de la Bourse
Below is the Place de la Bourse at night
Bordeaux has one of Europe’s biggest 18th century urban areas, with buildings still intact, and all the buildings that you see here are in one area. The buildings are impressive.
In case you haven’t noticed, the architectural designs of the 18th century buildings shown here are almost identical.
These buildings must have looked awesome to a person from a small town in the 1700’s.
Above is the column of the Girondins on the Esplanade des Quinconces. It is the largest square in Europe.
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Holy s*it! Look, Ma, a couple kissing ! Oooops, pardon my French.
Anyway, above photo is Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of the longest pedestrian only shopping street in Europe. ( I’ve seen this kind of shopping mall in Barcelona and Madrid )
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The photo below was our group’s meeting place….. a toilet at the carpark….. a nice place to end our tour of Bordeaux.
*ponders*
I wonder why we call a kiss a French Kiss. It was supposed to have originated in the 1920’s (after WW1) when American soldiers came home and showed their wives and girlfriends how the French kissed. I guess, when Americans kissed before that time, they only locked their dry lips together. Then they found exchanging saliva and slipping their tongues into each other’s mouths more erotic. I bet they also brought home French lingeries for their wives. Throw away the bloomers and cotton panties , honey, and wear this…Ooooh, French lace! .
Aaaah, this post is so moi. I talked about my boring job, genetically modified organisms, food made of people, Bordeaux, France, wines, toilet, underwears, and French kiss…. all packed in one post. Good job, Ren., good job. You did it again.
This is all for now. Good day to all, and stay cool ! PEACE !
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Am a Molecular Microbiology student, love to read books, and I play the violin. 
dreamsending
renxkyoko
renxkyoko's space 
Posted by vampyrefangs on June 12, 2013 at 12:49 am
Great photos… and great comments, as always! 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 2:38 am
Thanks, vampyrefangs ! I’m lying low, he he.
Posted by vampyrefangs on June 12, 2013 at 8:44 pm
You sly boots, you! I won’t tell anyone. Our secret! Shhh.. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Oh, secrets ! I love secrets ! And I can freakin ‘ keep my mouth shut , unlike THAT guy ! lol ! ! the one who’s hiding in HK.
Am I thinking what you’re thinking? (^___^)
Posted by vampyrefangs on June 12, 2013 at 11:00 pm
I’m ALWAYS thinking what you’re thinking, ren! LOL
Glad I have you to keep my secrets!! 😉
Posted by Jonathan Caswell on June 12, 2013 at 12:50 am
HELP! This computer won’t let me use the “like” button!!!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 2:39 am
Jonathan Caswell, ME,TOO ! ! I can’t see my own LIKE button here. It’s just loading forever ! ! !
Posted by Smaktakula on June 12, 2013 at 12:51 am
I had no idea that’s where French kiss came from. I’d never really thought about it.
Lovely photos! After the first time I went to France, I swore I’d never go back. I did, though. Never went to Bordeaux, though.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 2:42 am
Huh ? You didn’t want to go back to France ? Hmmmm.
Anyway, Cheers, Smaktakula !
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on June 12, 2013 at 1:05 am
holiday ngayon sa Pinas. hello.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 2:43 am
June 12, Independence day, isn’t it? Hello, 25cup !
Posted by 25pesocupnoodles on June 13, 2013 at 5:31 pm
yeah. june 12 nga.
Posted by LAND OF FUN on June 12, 2013 at 3:41 am
Very nice post -So much informative and so much awesome 😀
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 3:44 am
Thank you, Land of Fun ! Cheers !
Posted by LAND OF FUN on June 12, 2013 at 3:45 am
You are welcome 😀
Posted by ~REBECCA DAWN~ on June 12, 2013 at 3:46 am
lovely pictures!!!
ack dont feel about not getting a raise. i just had mine after 3 years!! 😦 lol you can put on your resume you were a supermodel working at baskin robbins. jk!!!
congrat on managers job, it sounds lovely!!!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 4:12 am
Thanks, rebecca ! ! nah, I don’t mind. Besides, ice cream business is always bad in winter. My heart goes out to my boss, the owner. But she manages to keep afloat. And I get to keep the job.
Posted by Arindam Saha on June 12, 2013 at 6:47 am
Your post reminds me of the fact that I am sitting in Europe and virtually going nowhere… (Why do people have to work?)
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 8:50 am
June 21 is the summer equinox, the longest day of the year. 10 PM and the sun ‘s still up. Didn’t we talk about this ?
Cheers, Arindam ! Where are you in Europe?.
Posted by Arindam Saha on June 12, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Yes we did! Only that its worse now… 10:30-11:00 PM and can still see the broad sunlight! 😦 God knows what will happen on the 21st :)…
I am here in the Netherlands! Not in Amsterdam though…
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 5:26 pm
ha ha I told ya ! ! But wait…. the sun’s up at 11:30 PM ? Wow ! That’s extreme ! Although we were there in June. Hmmm, come to think of it, We’d have dinner at 8, leave at around 10 or later, and yeah, there was still light. ! ! I didn’t think much of it, though coz I ‘m used to that.
Amsterdam is a beaut ! ! Loved the place. You have to go there and visit…. * whisper* check out the infamous RLD.
Posted by Arindam Saha on June 13, 2013 at 4:24 am
I plan to go there with my friends when they arrive from Germany. *whisper back* Infamous? Going through the tourist sites, RLD seemed to be one of the famous (or atleast most sought after) spots. 🙂
Posted by Ang Tambay na si MyR on June 12, 2013 at 7:17 am
Wow so lovely..if i would be given a chance to visit europe, ill go to paris. eiffel tower and will make a proposal.. 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 8:52 am
Oh, you mean you’ll propose in Paris ? Woooot ! There’s a restaurant at the top of Eiffel Tower. So romantic, But it’s gonna cost you an arm and a leg.
Cheers, tambay !
Posted by Ang Tambay na si MyR on June 13, 2013 at 6:07 am
wow really? there is? OMG. How romantic to see my self proposing there..hehehe..wish i could found the right gurl first then if theres a possibility will go to that place…cheers!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:25 pm
With the cost of dinner, be sure the girl would be worth it, bahahaha.
Posted by Tatsat on June 12, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Haha… Interesting bit of trivia there 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 4:21 pm
He he he I know, right, especially about the Frenchie stuff. I could have added more, but , well. too much info already. Cheers, Tatsat.
Posted by countingducks on June 12, 2013 at 3:35 pm
Well yes, I did read the whole thing, and you should be proud that you are good at your job and get to keep some of the pretty and expensive dresses, and also you should be proud that you display loyalty to your first employer. That’s the sign of a very good character, which I’ve always though you were. I love your trip accounts. I’ve never been to Bordeaux, though I seem to have drunk quite a lot of it. Loved the photograghs
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Thank you for the kind words, countingducks.
I’m loyal to my first job employer for believing in and trusting me. I’m the one that handles the day’s earnings and putting it in the bank. I know that my employer can barely keep the business afloat. i mean, in winter, there’s practically no business coming in ( we;re selling ice cream in winter? LOL ). but the store stays open even if there’s no one buying. I mean, who does that?
Posted by countingducks on June 13, 2013 at 8:32 am
My ‘Like’ button is not working either. I’m not sure why. It’s a bit frustrating but I’m sure it will get better soon
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Countingducks, I went to tools, and unchecked the first one…. I think it’s the one that makes navigation faster. Also, check the cookies.
Posted by Arindam on June 12, 2013 at 5:09 pm
Great post, Ren!! Your travel posts are always a treat for your readers. And this time also I enjoyed the virtual trip. I had no idea from where french kiss came. So thanks for sharing the information !!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 12, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Thank you, Arindam ! I’m so glad you liked my post. And i did LOL about the French kiss. Be thankful I didn’t elaborate, ha ha
Cheers !
Posted by Arindam on June 12, 2013 at 5:59 pm
ha ha!! 🙂 No really I had no idea about the history!! Cheers!
Posted by melanietoulouse on June 12, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Bordeaux is at only 2h-drive from Toulouse! Come over next time, O.K. 🙂
Vive the French kiss! 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:12 pm
I’ve heard so much about Toulouse. If or when I come over next time, I’d like to see more of France, most particularly The Louvier. there were so many people, and the tour manager was always in a hurry. Not fair!
Posted by melanietoulouse on June 18, 2013 at 8:52 am
Kyoko, you may know that my city is the 2nd French University center after Paris and the European capital of space&aviation… 🙂 The country-side is amazing, too!
A well-situated spot: 2h-drive from the Méditerranean coast and the French-Spanish Pyrénées, 3h-drive from Barcelona, olé! 🙂 I do suggest to visit my wonderful France by yourself or with relatives or friends, not by quick tours, you need to take your time, that’s what our Japanese friends did last month… 🙂 Think it over, please & lemme know! 🙂 A bientôt! 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 19, 2013 at 5:19 pm
next time we go, we’ll be on our own, that’s for sure. The group tour was helpful, though. We didn’t waste our time looking for the right transportation, etc. It was very convenient that we had transportation everywhere we went. And we saw a lot of places. We couldn’t have done that if we were on our own. But next time, we’ll take our sweet time and savor each place, like an in-depth tour. And we’ll go to Toulouse !
Posted by Jessica on June 12, 2013 at 10:21 pm
I can relate to working odd jobs! Your comment about selling shirts for $100 that would sell for $5 at Wal-Mart made me laugh. Love the pics of Bordeaux. I wanna go…
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:14 pm
I’m not kidding about that, Rebecca. They look the same… but here’s the deal, the material of the clothes we sell are the real thing… real wool, etc, etc. Almost everything is DRY CLEAN ONLY.
Posted by Jessica on June 14, 2013 at 9:08 pm
The higher end stuff is definitely better quality! I’d personally rather spend a little more on clothing that will last than items that will wear out after a single use. But the dry clean only thing is a pain!
Also, it’s Jessica, but no worries! 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 5:06 am
Oooops, Jessica ! ! Bahahaha.
Posted by simpleek on June 13, 2013 at 12:45 am
Congrats on the managerial position at your job! Bordeaux is quite beautiful. I love drinking wine, but I prefer white over red. Still, it doesn’t mean I won’t drink a good red now and then. 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:16 pm
I like red, but white is okay too, but I prefer sweet white, not dry.here at home, I think we have dozens and dozens. My parents always have a glass, especially reds…. they say it’s good for the heart
Posted by Ben on June 18, 2013 at 9:52 pm
I like the reds too… I think you acquire the taste as you get older. I used to prefer the whites. I still like Riesling, a yummy white wine!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 19, 2013 at 5:02 pm
I like Riesling , too. Ben, what do you mean ” you acquire the taste as yu get older.” Does age have something to do with taste ? That’s quite interesting.
Posted by Ben on June 19, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Glad to hear you like Riesling! So good!!
Taste buds do seem to change as we get older. I just know I wasn’t fond of red wines when I was in my late teens/early 20s, but have grown to quite like it now. I usually keep a bottle of Chianti on hand at all times.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 8:18 pm
By the way, we’re just 30 minutes away from Napa Valley, the wine capital of the US. My family sometimes go there for taste tasting and to buy good wine.
Posted by Ben on June 20, 2013 at 8:49 pm
You are one of several online friends who live on the West Coast, and constantly make me envious… it’s entirely possible once my kids grow up and go to college I may uproot and move out there. Seems SO nice out there 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 21, 2013 at 7:22 am
Where do you live again, Ben? Florida ?
California residents pay high taxes. But it seems we don’t mind. We just voted to increase our taxes to improve our schools, playground etc… across the state. The people here are generous, ha ha ha. Also, real estate taxes are also high, not to mention the value of houses. San Francisco tops it… although it’s higher in New York City, I think. The farther you go up north, the lower the cost of living. If you’ve retired , the best place to live is in Lake Tahoe.
Posted by Ben on June 21, 2013 at 3:24 pm
I live in Virginia. Taxes are fine so long as good government services are provided. I’m sure I’d probably rent if I moved out there 🙂
Posted by PM on June 13, 2013 at 6:35 am
ren, offtopic: remember our conversation about a subscribe widget on my blog? i think i managed to add one but idk if it works, would you mind checking it out as i’m a tech idiot? thank you!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:18 pm
I’ll go to your site soon, PM. Right now, I’m getting comments only, coz that was what I saw I could click .
Posted by PM on June 14, 2013 at 2:55 am
thank you, lady. 🙂
Posted by 35andupcynicismonhold on June 13, 2013 at 11:50 am
hello, Ren… twas fun taking a peek inside your intelligent head, haha. your pics are great, like from a fantasy book. you’re lucky having been to B— (how do you spell that?) 😉
enjoyed your post, one of your best. regards to you and your bosses at work. 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 7:21 pm
ha ha … and what did you find inside my ” intelligent head” ?
It’s Bordeaux, and the place is really beautiful. believe it or not, they are 18th century buildings, like in the 1700s?
Posted by 35andupcynicismonhold on June 14, 2013 at 3:51 pm
your intelligent thoughts, you dummy. 😉 methinks many just concurred, haha… Bordeaux is too beautiful, i’ve read some about it. your narration and pics took me there personally, haha. had a grand time touring, dear. naiinggit na me. 😉
happy weekend!
Posted by StetotheJ on June 13, 2013 at 7:51 pm
I enjoy your way of thinking, your style of writing as you think is a wonderful insight into your head. Keep it up, it’s great to get such a varied post. That photo the place de la Bourse is wonderful, absolutely sublime. Finally the word bloomers…I haven’t heard that in years, made me smile.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 9:41 pm
It makes me think I’m such a scatter-brained girl, StetotheJ. I cannot focus and zero in on one topic , except on subjects that I really care about. I’m always like, ” Where was I ? ” Ha ha ha
Posted by StetotheJ on June 14, 2013 at 7:52 pm
It is a sign of your awesomely active mind. There are just to many topics to cover, if we all just stuck to one and wrote down all the things we were meaning to come back too, well we’d never get anything done. However you write, it is still compelling though.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:48 am
Oh, wow, thanks ! I just wish I could tune out everything, stop and smell the roses. I just did that the other day. I was at the backyard, a cup of coffee in hand, and watched a hummingbird checking out the geraniums and sipping the nectars . Fascinating bird.
One of these days, I’m going to talk about gardening. I’m not kidding.
Posted by StetotheJ on June 17, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Go for it, your insights will inspire others to just sit/stand/lay and take in nature. You already have me hooked and you haven’t even posted yet hehe.
Posted by The Hook on June 13, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Gorgeous shots of a life-changing trip. Peace, my friend.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 13, 2013 at 9:43 pm
Peace to you, too, Mr. Hook. Everything okay now?
Posted by The Hook on June 13, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Not quite. We’ll know next week, but I’m hopeful.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 14, 2013 at 12:37 am
6_6
I’m not liking it, Mr. Hook. It’s been weeks since I noticed the change in the tone of your posts.
Posted by NosyAss.com on June 14, 2013 at 12:00 am
Wow, thanks for the comment 😉 I was reading your blog and you are quite the entertainer. As in funny and smart and I’m guessing Philippine. If Wendi Deng does not reply to my post. haha yeah right!
So I am currently living in Delaware. Home of Dupont. Monsanto competitor. I will open my home to you and you can put your skills to work here. 😉 It’s close to Phili, New York, New Jersey and PA. Kind of interesting. I was born in Wisconsin, raised in Minnesota until I was 17. Lived in Southern California for 10 years and Las Vegas for three years. I am back here to help my 67 year old mother. What a sweetheart huh! Anyways, I enjoy reading your posts. Keep doing what you’re doing. Have fun in Europe and reach out to me and I’ll send you real pictures of my handsome self,, haha
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 6:46 am
Thanks, NosyAss. ( I like the name, ha ha ha )
There was a complicated buy out a few years ago that involved DuPont and Monsanto. I gave up reading on this.. It was an all- out Rigodon.
Ha ha ha Thank you for the offer of your home, NosyAss. You lived in SoCal for 10 years? You’re a Californian, then. 10 years is the magic number.
Anyway, cheers to you… and take care of your Mom.
Posted by NosyAss.com on June 18, 2013 at 12:30 am
HaHa, I started NosyAss.com over 3 years ago now. I am not an active FaceBook user. I haven’t been in many years now. I loved Myspace. Facebook became too generic. Also, I was not interested in having old acquaintances contact me from High School or former employees I worked with and did not like. Nosy Ass people all in your biznass 😉
I will sign up again soon just to check in and say Hi to some family and good friends and then deactivate it. haha. It’s too time consuming and distracting to achieve my dreams. Anyways, that’s my thoughts.
You are super sweet! Thank you. I most definitely will always look out for my momma! I miss California so bad. I had the greatest time in the world living the California dream and plan on returning hopefully very soon. 🙂 Ciao 4 Now
Posted by renxkyoko on June 18, 2013 at 9:10 pm
I don’t have these social networking sites, just WP. I really don’t have time. ( Although I go to specific fora , for video games, manga, etc. and I post there. )
Posted by NosyAss.com on June 20, 2013 at 1:15 am
Good for you 🙂 Focus on your studies and save our world. We need you. 🙂
Posted by JoJo Kelmer on June 14, 2013 at 3:51 am
goodluck on your studies Ren, although I have to admit that while I was reading your “school life” and your plans my nose is bleeding (just kidding) , I never thought that such career exist…or maybe I thought about it but didn’t give too much attention on it.
and reading about your work life is just fine, at your age (wait how old are you?) you’re lucky, I would love to work on an ice cream parlor b/c I love ice cream 😀 , I didn’t get to work until I was 20 my parents wont let me do part time./summer time job.
the clothing store, I think that’s amazing as well, you get to try the dress, be a model and get free clothes too…not boring at all 😀
nice pix btw, can’t believe it’s been a year already
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 6:59 am
Ha ha ha, Jojo Kelmer, nosebleeding is spot on. I get that a lot. ( no sleep at all during exam days )
I’ve been getting a lot of free dresses , and not only that, as an employee, I get a 70% discount.
OMG, I don’t eat ice cream anymore, girl. My sister used to work at McDonald’s , and just the smell of fries and oil could make her puke.
Posted by JoJo Kelmer on June 21, 2013 at 5:17 am
oh my goodness, u r such a lucky girl with your work :))
Posted by DokLita on June 14, 2013 at 6:14 am
I ENVY YOU BIG TIME! ;p
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:02 am
Awwww. My trip is now mere memories, DokLita. But thank goodness for photos. Like you, It’s like seeing it for the first time.
Posted by diwangtanglaw on June 14, 2013 at 10:02 am
As always, I’ve been to great places once again. Many thanks Ren for sharing.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:20 am
You’re welcome, Ate ! It’s been sometime since I last saw your avatar. How are you?
Posted by Sam Leung on June 14, 2013 at 2:44 pm
I’ve always wanted to go to Bordeaux! The only place I’ve been to in France is Paris, although I don’t really have much of an excuse, considering I’m right next door in the UK. It looks like a lovely place! Also, getting free dresses at your job sounds like a nice perk!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:33 am
Oh, right ! You’re next door to Calais, France ! That was the first city we went to after London.
Ah, Sam, I hope I can find time to play a few video games this summer. Resident Evil 5 is still right there in my PS3. I didn’t even bother to take it out when I stopped playing during the holidays. I’ll pick it up again and hope to finish it . My brother’s Xmas gift is RE6. ( Sam, we have 200 games in our shelf, ha ha. and I’ve only played 1/3 of the games . They’re actually my brother’s who’s a hard core gamer… he goes to game conventions every year with his friends)
Posted by Manu Kurup on June 14, 2013 at 4:54 pm
Amazing photographs that you’ve got here. 🙂 Enjoyed the post.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:34 am
Thanks, Manu Kurup. Glad you enjoyed the post. Cheers !
Posted by arjun bagga on June 14, 2013 at 7:46 pm
Quite intimidating artwork. No cheating, I swear!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 15, 2013 at 7:36 am
Arjun bagga, the drawing is from a manga. I can’t draw to save my as*. Ha ha ha.
Cheers !
Posted by arjun bagga on June 15, 2013 at 8:40 am
Nooo…I meant I read the whole thing because of the picture, Angry Renxkyoko….Noway! Ha Ha
Posted by renxkyoko on June 19, 2013 at 4:57 pm
Ahhhh ! So, you thought I was going to rant again ? Ahahaha ! Were you disappointed ? Well, watch out for another…. ” about the National Security ” thingy “.
Posted by Ajaytao2010 on June 15, 2013 at 1:20 pm
I Nominate you for a Special Bouquet of Awards – 3 Nominations
please accept it and oblige
there are no linkbacks for this award
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/a-bouquet-of-special-awards-3-nominations/
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Thank you very much. I’m honored. I’ll accept and acknowledge right after my Paris post.
Posted by Ajaytao2010 on June 16, 2013 at 9:53 pm
oh thank you so much dear
take your own time dont worry
Posted by ledrakenoir on June 15, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Very well written and great captured photos – I think it is about 10 years ago I visited Bordeaux last time – I’m really look forward for your next travel stories – really enjoy them… 😉
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Thanks, ledrakenoir ! The buildings are still there , and been there for more than 300 years. I’m sure nothing has changed. Ha ha
Posted by Lee Devine on June 16, 2013 at 12:50 am
What can I say… this is a fantastic series. It is almost like we are there. I am so happy you took such interesting photos. The pictures add so much to the articles. I wish I had photos for the series I am writing. Unfortunately they didn’t make it through the divorce… Ah well.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 10:00 pm
Thanks Lee Devine.
And please continue on with your series ! ! It’s really an interesting read .
Posted by Nia Simone on June 16, 2013 at 3:42 am
This is a great post. You always make me laugh. Your thoughts on GMOs and Monsanto are interesting. I’ve been pondering this too, since it came up in conversation at my husband’s birthday party.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Hello, Simone.
I do understand that GMOs are not desired and preferred, but I tell you, food prices would have skyrocketed if not for these GMOs. Tomatoes will spoil in 2 days and will not come to us fresh from the farms to different stores in the city. That’s a fact.
But we should encourage organic farming, and buy their produce. But in the 21st century with almost 8 billion people, we;ve reached a point of no return.
Posted by efratadenny on June 16, 2013 at 6:10 am
Lovely pictures. Happy holidays…
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 11:02 pm
Thanks , efratadenny ! Cheers to you !
Posted by Lim See Yee on June 16, 2013 at 7:31 am
Hello. Great post and pic.
See this too:http://limseeyee.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/%E2%99%A5inspiration-of-the-day%E2%99%A5-2/
Or following me…=)
Thanks!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 11:03 pm
went to your site and followed you. Cheers !
Posted by Lim See Yee on June 17, 2013 at 7:05 am
Thanks!
Posted by Tanumoy Biswas on June 16, 2013 at 8:10 am
Wow! This is so lovely! You really are having some fun! 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 16, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Thank you, Tanumoy Biswas. I’m just wondering about your name. Does it mean anything?
Posted by Tanumoy Biswas on June 17, 2013 at 2:39 am
Oh no no no! 😛
You didn’t just ask me that, did you?
Well, now that the question has been hurled at me, I have to confess the wonderful gift my late grandpa left me with… “Tanumoy” in Bengali language means “erotic”, and my family name “Biswas” means “belief”… *just imagine* So it becomes, I’m officially a “believer of eroticism”! *sigh of the shy*
How ironic can names be! 😀
Posted by renxkyoko on June 18, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Your name means Erotic? Noooo ! really ? That is so cool ! ! !
Hello, * hearts* Tanumoy * hearts* ! ! He he he * I’d give your grandpa a high 5 for that unique name *
And isn’t it weird that of all people I had to ask for the meaning of their name, I had to ask yours ? I have never asked for the meaning of anyone’s name, by the way. Ahahaha !
Cool, really cool !
By the way, I had a childhood friend, a guy, whose pet name was Honey. I innocently called him that when we were kids without a problem, but in HS, it became a problem. “Hi, Honey.” Well, I called him the way his family called him when he was little. All the rest called him by his real name. The problem was , it was even more awkward to suddenly call him by another name. It was so unnatural. So, I started calling him by Psssst, hey, hey, yooohooo ! ” Honey” wouldn’t come out of my mouth anymore.
Posted by Tanumoy Biswas on June 19, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Now, what do I say! 😛 Hi-5 to Grandpa from my side too! (he must be giving an impish smile right now, reading all these from up above). 😀
And I laughed like a hyena for 15 mins straight after reading the unnatural story of ‘Honey’! Hahaha! Poor him… you gave him quite a time with the ‘Psssst’ and ‘Yooohooo’. (Trying to imagine his face!) 😀
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Oh, wow ! I feel so happy I made at least one reader laugh.
“Honey” and his family later moved, darn it. I could have had more unforgettable awkward moments with him.
Posted by Tanumoy Biswas on June 20, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Lol! More? I was just thinking how he must have felt! 😛 All shocked and bewildered. 😀
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 8:27 pm
I know, right ? They moved before he could tell me, ” Oh, for crying out loud, Ren, just call me John.! ! ! “
Posted by Tanumoy Biswas on June 20, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Awww, he must have been scared. 😛
Posted by supernova1c on June 16, 2013 at 9:39 am
Hi Ren, your posts are always so entertaining and informative, I love them! I like your take on GMO and I laughed at your comment:
“Holy s*it! Look, Ma, a couple kissing ! Oooops, pardon my French”, I thought it was funny. Congrats on the promotion, I bet your the perfect person for the role and besides, I would love being served by you! Perhaps I could get some discount eh, ha ha?
Bordeaux is very classical, I loved your pictures. Whenever I’m somewhere with buildings like this it gives me a wholesome feeling, a feeling of a rich past with standards to match, even if sometimes they were misguided or misplaced!
Well done Ren and keep up the good work. Speak soon, James 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 17, 2013 at 12:00 am
James, the store sells women apparel only. Totally no male stuff in there.
Have you seen the Coliseum and the Forum in Rome ? I wish I had seen Pompeii, But it wasn’t included in our tour. I ‘m so interested in Archaelogy. I guess we’re in the same wavelength, huh.
Cheers, James.
Posted by supernova1c on June 20, 2013 at 7:18 am
We are definitely on the same wavelength Ren, we share a lot of idea’s about things, which is great!
I’ve never been to the Coliseum or Forum either, I wish I’d travelled more when I had the chance. There are so many classical and other places I wish I’d seen! I’ll have to shape up and go see some of them eh?
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 8:03 pm
England is beautiful, too, James. A pity we didn’t get to see the countryside. And guess what… for some reason, England was the country where I felt at home. I’m not kidding.
Posted by supernova1c on June 21, 2013 at 4:44 pm
I’m glad you felt really at home Ren and we do have some beautiful countryside. The lake district is about 50 miles away for me and that has spectacular scenery, truly wonderful, I don’t go there as often as I should.
Scotland has some wonderful scenery too, especially if one goes to the highlands and also around the loch’s.
Mmmm you’ve given me an idea……maybe I should plan a little camping trip…….
Posted by 35andupcynicismonhold on June 16, 2013 at 12:30 pm
hello, Ren… just came back to take a peek and see if that post about gardening is up already, haha. am sure the trivia (there) would be as much fun. keep warm, kapatid 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 17, 2013 at 12:12 am
I’m just threatening to post about gardening , 35 cup, ha ha ha. We had an awful garden last year, and this year isn’t any better. Most of our potted boungainvilla died this winter. It’s not the same here in the US…. in the Philippines, flowers bloom all year round… Ovr here, we have instant garden. Flowers in fall, flowers in spring, and flowers in summer. We just buy them. They just die and disappear. Then we buy again and replace them. Instant gardening is a billion dollar business here in the US, 25cup.
Posted by 35andupcynicismonhold on June 17, 2013 at 9:16 am
hello, Ren… it is 35 and up, different from 25cupnoodles. 🙂
sorry to hear about your plants and how you have to buy new ones each season. why, you’re supporting an industry faithfully, hehe, and pumpriming the economy, lol. there’s always two sides to a thing, hehe.
i will await the post, nonetheless. am threatened enough, hehe. kaway-kaway… 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 17, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Ooops, sorry Ate ! he he… I went with Mom to Home Depot last Sunday. We bought potting soil, 5 pots of boungainville, geranium and some plant that’s just pretty. We’ll buy some more this weekend. And that’s just for the frontyard…. we haven’t started with the backyard. It’s still a mess . But we vow to clean up before the 4th of July barbecue. party. yep, the plant industry should be happy with clueless gardeners like us. ha ha ha. We just look at the plants die off one by one and then buy again. yay !
Posted by ResidentPatriot on June 16, 2013 at 4:04 pm
great post, ren. i read all of it and the comments too. you are busier than i thought. congratulations on your promotion and thank you for mentioning some things about GMO. i didn’t know about IRRI before reading your post. i will be looking into that.
best wishes for your studies 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 17, 2013 at 12:18 am
I have to thank my parents for the IRRI tip. Both are graduates of the University of the Philippines. What else do you need to know, RP ? I’d be extremely interested in your everyday life in Japan. I’m right now so into Japanese culture. Oh, we were supposed to go to japan this year, but I was promoted and couldn’t get a vacation. I’ll be sure to see Japan next year. My Mom was very disapponted.
Posted by ResidentPatriot on June 19, 2013 at 11:44 am
the IRRI information is helpful enough, thank you 🙂
you are the only person who has ever expressed interest in my life in japan. i don’t even express interest in my life in japan myself haha
if ever that trip of your family happens, i would be more than glad to help you in any way possible.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm
I didn’t even know you were living in Japan. I found out from your post about the earthquake and you were actually there with your family ! !
So, please, write about your life in japan. I’m so into Japan culture that I even want to marry a Japanese, ha ha ha ! Eh, just kidding.
Posted by Mitzie Mee on June 17, 2013 at 8:02 am
Congratulations on your promotion, but what I really envy you, is that Baskin Robbins job! Can you have discounted ice cream?
Posted by renxkyoko on June 17, 2013 at 9:30 pm
I get one thing free everyday, but I have not really bought anything from Baskin, muahahaha ! Too expensive. I can just go to a supermarket next to baskin and buy a half gallon Ben and Jerry for about $ 4,. At baskin, that will give you 3 scoops, ( with nuts , of course, and maybe fudge )
Posted by melanietoulouse on June 18, 2013 at 8:44 am
last weekend I crossed Bordeaux twice on the way to beautiful La Rochelle&île de Ré that I highly recommend and then back to Toulouse… 🙂
– – –
Thanx-merci for your constant visits @ our playground! Friendly hugs, Mélanie
Posted by renxkyoko on June 18, 2013 at 5:38 pm
It did make me wonder why the first place we visited after London was Calais, France… then we passed by belgium, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Monaco, then Nice, France, then Carcassone, France, Spain, then France. Did we go around ? I didn’t really understand the itinerary.
Posted by Ben on June 18, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Congrats on your promotion, even if it means working more, it’s a nice feather in your cap and teaching new things. And if you get some free dresses… BONUS!
I too am torn on the GMO stuff. I think the bad thing about Monsanto is how secretive they are and how much they’ve corrupted politicians to give them unfair advantages and keep them protected from regulators. It’s more a problem with the company doing some really unethical and sketchy stuff rather than the product itself. I mean, heck, if you think about it humans have been “genetically engineering” crops for hundreds of years, we just now have much more powerful and precise tools for it… and the way we’re wrecking the ecology, we’re probably going to need some serious GMO stuff to feed ourselves in the not to distant future!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 19, 2013 at 4:50 pm
Actually, Ben, I think it’s just logic kicking in. I’m torn too. I want organic, but we have to be rational and be practical. That’s why I had to put out that IRRI thing. We need to step back and think things over. Organic farming is not sustainable anymore, given the world’s population. However, we are the boss of us. If we want organic only, then good for us, that is, if we can afford the cost. Europe is threatening not to buy US wheat. It’s okay, that’s fine , right ? When i was in Europe, I saw a donut in the store and guess how much ONE donut cost? Euro 1.68 ( US $3,00 ? ) Over here, a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts is like $5.00 . I’m sure if they stop import of wheat altogether, that one donut will cost $ 5.
Posted by Ben on June 19, 2013 at 5:35 pm
I think what we need are more companies with an organic/community mindset using the GMO technology to feed the world in a transparent, health-first way. Perhaps your sister and you will be a part of that 🙂
Monsanto sucks because it’s a monster company with a ravenous appetite for profit at all costs, and where the health of their consumers is treated as either a non-concern or a threat to their bottom line. That’s not to say everyone who works for them is like that, but we as a country have allowed these sorts of monster companies to grow and thrive.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 7:54 pm
Monsanto is too much for profit. They have also managed to pass a bill that allows them to do anything they want, at will.
There should be more companies that can supply enough non -GMO seeds to farmers. Farmers should be given a choice. Consumers like us already have a choice. We don’t have to buy GMOs if we don’t want to.
Posted by Sometimes Interesting on June 20, 2013 at 5:02 am
I love the architecture of Bordeaux. Great pictures!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 20, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Thanks, Sometimes Interesting. Bordeaux is really awesome.
Posted by incaunipocrit on June 21, 2013 at 9:23 am
Reblogged this on Playground.
Posted by renxkyoko on June 23, 2013 at 5:57 am
Oh, wow, thank you. It’s an honor to have my post reblogged ! !
Posted by limseeyee on June 21, 2013 at 9:43 am
Hi. Lim See Yee here.
My wordpress has been deactive. So I ought to reopen a new wordpress.
Haiz…everything go wrong.
Have a look on my wordpress.
Cheers!!!
Posted by renxkyoko on June 23, 2013 at 5:58 am
Okay, but what was it deactivated? the layout was nice and colorful.
Posted by limseeyee on June 23, 2013 at 7:17 am
dunno why suddenly like this.
Posted by limseeyee on June 23, 2013 at 7:32 am
so, mind follow me again??
Posted by renxkyoko on June 30, 2013 at 6:07 pm
yep, I already did ! Nice blog, by the way. It’s easy on the eye.
Posted by limseeyee on July 1, 2013 at 5:50 am
Thanks!
Posted by parth893 on June 21, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Wonderful photos dear friend , wonderful place , i’m sure you enjoyed there 😀 hehehe have a nice day , take care 😀
Posted by renxkyoko on June 23, 2013 at 6:01 am
Thank you, parth893.
I enjoyed my tour. Definitely. I hope I can go again. I guess it will be in the very far future. I don’t expect my mother to pay for everything next time, ha ha ha.
Posted by parth893 on June 21, 2013 at 6:50 pm
oh Yeah!!! i forgot to say ** HELLO ** (^_^) >>
Posted by limseeyee on June 22, 2013 at 8:38 am
Hi.Lim See Yee here.
My wordpress had been deactive so I had to open a new wordpress.
Just have a look in my new wordpress.
Cheers!
Posted by WordsFallFromMyEyes on June 23, 2013 at 1:03 am
Those buildings are awesome, just awesome.
Sigh, with it being winter in Australia, oh, for sun, sun, sun.
Wonderful post 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 23, 2013 at 6:05 am
Hello, Noeleen.
Guess what, something happened to my family and it involved PayPal ! ! Didn’T I say I had a problem with PayPal? yeah ! Someone used my mother’s identity , bought something and used Paypal , now PayPal is charging my Mom. We went to the police to make a report of identity theft. We did other stuff too ro protect Mom’s identity.
Posted by SerachShiro on June 28, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Great photos and lovely tour ! 🙂
Posted by renxkyoko on June 30, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Awww, thank you, SerachShiro !
Posted by Globalinfo4all on July 1, 2013 at 11:55 am
Amazing as usual!
Posted by readinpleasure on July 4, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Yes you did it again, and I enjoyed reading every single word of this. Great pictures too 🙂 bravo 🙂
Posted by Frances antoinette on July 27, 2013 at 7:35 pm
This was an informative post because I have only heard (and am against) Monsanto. I have not heard of IRRI until this post. Bordeaux is definitely a beauty and I find the people to be friendlier than Paris.