While waiting inside the MRT Singapore station for the train to arrive, Filipino Marvin Tomandao cheerfully asked his friend to take a picture of him in front of the sliding doors, which, upon opening, lead into the interiors of the train.
Barely had three seconds passed after the deed had been done when five burly security personnel descended upon the small group of Filipinos, requesting to see the picture.
I had been attending daily Spanish classes for three weeks when I told my classmate in Instituto Cervantes about a Spanish “episode.” After I had paid for my transaction a couple of days beforehand, I said to the sales clerk, “Gracias (Thank you).” I found myself giggling afterward. I had uttered the Spanish word without thinking.
As I heaved my bag onto the security X-ray machine, the security guard commented, “Es nuevo (It’s new).”
His observation totally delighted me to the point that I was laughing in appreciation. Previously, we had been greeting each other with “Buenos dias (Good morning)” and “Buenas noches (Good evening)” plus the “Gracias/De nada (Thank you/You’re welcome)” combinations, but, I had no idea that his Spanish went beyond the usual salutations.
Going to a new dentist means setting up new dental records. I confidently told Dr. Arleen Uy (Room 818 of the St. Luke’s Hospital North Tower) that I have extra teeth both in the upper and lower parts of my mouth, but, I don’t know where exactly. For her records and to clarify my assertion, she requested that I have an X-ray done at the St. Luke’s Hospital X-ray department.
