I asked Annamanila of Ode2Old to grill interview me and oblige she did.

1. Do you still keep the black dog? If so, why is it so hard to exchange it for a lighter-colored one? If not, how did you shoo it away?

First question & I’m almost tongue-tied, how did you manage to find this post? Yes, my black dog is still present but these days he’s only a chihuahua. It took me a year’s worth of medication and some lifestyle changes to cope with my depression.

I guess I have always been prone to depression because I think and worry too much. I often find it difficult to let go of situations or emotions that some people find easy to dismiss. When I leapt on the chance to be with my husband, the only thing in my mind was Love. I wasn’t prepared for the many changes I “contracted in” by marrying an OFW & leaving my comfortable life in Pinas.

So far I have managed without “happy pills” for over 5 years now. Even in 2006 when I was at my lowest, I did not need it. Pills and depression do not control me anymore and I really hope it stays that way.

2. What part of you has been most thoroughly “britified” or “londonized” in more than five years living in England?

This one is the toughest. I did this last as I need more think-time but my answer is still lame.

Professionalism? One thing I didn’t like when I worked in Pinas, lahat personalan. Pati ba naman performance evaluation may mga personal comments? Of course, office politics is nearly the same everywhere, but at least I deal with less BS here, excuse my French.

Food. Sabagay foodie naman ako talaga kaya di ito kataka-taka. I love the Cornish pasties and the British meat pies, especially the steak-and-kidney pie. I also buy their national dish, fish-and-chips, and their other national dish, the chicken tikka masala.

Accent daw. No violent reactions please… I get goosebumps every time somebody tells me I actually sound British, because I don’t. I still sound more American than English, but really in my heart I know my “accent” is publicschool english.

After 15 minutes(!) these are the only things I can think of. I know you’ve only asked for one but I gave you more, because if I put in just one of these it sounds even lamer. I guess I’m forever Pinoy through and through.

3. I am going to London not to visit the Queen but to visit Auee. As I am too excited and breathless, you perversely want to take me to a place where my bubble would burst. Where will it be?

I will take you to London’s version of Tondo – Hackney. We always associate England with culture, class, social snobbery, and everything else of top quality/standard. What most people don’t know is the high crime rates, the rife burglary, the poor education, the near-slum like situation in some areas, the list goes on. When I first got here, I was shocked to learn London is struggling with similar situations we can find in our own Urban Poor, only of course you don’t call them jologs, here they’re called chavs.

If the ghetto doesn’t stump you, I’ll book you for the Body Show. Ikaw lang, antayin kita sa labas kasi nandidiri ako hehe.

4. You have the chance to develop and test the software (or some other IT product) that will change the world for the better. What will it be?

A product that sniffs out corrupt politicians & executes punishment on detection? :-)

Seriously, it has to be for the environment. Something like real time systems we can embed in any plants, factories or machines that will automatically convert pollutants to harmless gases. If we extend the application’s features (or our imaginations) we can include an ozone layer repair tool, too.

Or I could stick with my first choice.

5. Your readers tell you that your blogsite is wonderful, inspiring, and ‘may kwenta.” They insist you change the title. What will it be?

“Samu’t sari” but I just googled it, it’s already taken – at least 3 times!

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Goodness, I should have timed how long it took me to answer this because my leg’s fallen asleep!

Thanks Annamanila for your wonderful questions. You really did read a good chunk of my archive, wow I’m really, well, grateful & humbled at the same time.

I am reluctant to post the following as I cannot possibly match Myrna’s thought-provoking Q’s, but hey give it a go.

Interview rules:1. Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someoneelse in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

This post is sponsored

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