Thursday, April 29, 2004

2:24am

Yes, I am awake and I don't know why.

Bleh --

* * *

These days --

Dragged my J to the Clubhouse for lunch yesterday -- it was my first time back there since undergrad and, sitting in those benches, (drowning my inihaw in suka) brought back so many happy memories of freshman and sophomore year --

I was returning the courtesy -- last Saturday, my J took me on a walking tour around UP (brought me to see his old org tambayan and his college) and treated me to isaw as a final stop -- yum! (I want to go back for more ^_^)

I'm thinking of taking him to Cervini Caf (but they changed concessionaires daw? Does this mean no more basilog?) or ISO next -- (and am hoping he'll bring me to Chateau Verde -- *hint hint* ^_^)

* * *

Finished reading Wendelin van Draanen's Swear to Howdy -- disappointing =P (it lacked the charm of Flipped -- all it had was a really pretty cover)

On my read list:
1. White Teeth by Zadie Smith (my J lent me a copy)
2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (it never fails -- every summer I try to read this book and I haven't been able to finish reading it. Maybe this time I will ^_^)

Saturday, April 24, 2004

No. No, you can't... STOP. Please don't go away. Please? No one's ever stuck with me for so long before. And if you leave... if you leave... I just, I remember things better with you. I do, look. P. Sherman, forty-two... forty-two... I remember it, I do. It's there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And-and I look at you, and I... and I'm home. Please... I don't want that to go away. I don't want to forget.

Dory, Finding Nemo

* * *

Watched Hellboy with sibs last night --
Had dinner at this Korean BBQ restaurant in Greenhills Shopping Center (we had my youngest bro pick out the resto) -- interesting food. No, we did not try the Kimchi. Had dessert at Goodies and Sweets -- "yum!" as usual -- we tried their Chocolate Lava Cake -- it's a cake with a truffle in the middle. When you order it, they heat the cake so the truffle inside melts (the "lava" part of the cake) and it's served with vanilla ice cream. It reminded me of souffle, I don't know why.

I enjoyed Hellboy -- Ron Perlman was perfect for the role. (Am glad del Toro and Mignola stuck to their guns and insisted on casting him for the role. Took them six years daw to convince the producers that Perlman was their guy...)

Now I want to read the Hellboy TPBs but we don't have them in the store -- ~sigh~ Oh well ^_^

* * *

So many movie trailers --

Am looking forward to:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
King Arthur
The Day After Tomorrow
Troy
Around the World in 80 Days

* * *

For Fellow Capricorns, our horoscope for today (from Yahoo Astrology) --
No matter who you're with, and whether you're feeling platonic or romantic love, you'll be doing quite a bit of hand-holding tonight. Don't forget to light the candles and put on some nice, soft music.

* * *

Am currently reading Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic -- M calls this "chick lit". I can somewhat relate to Rebecca's need to accumulate material things -- I enjoy shopping (especially when you have money ^_^). I find it weird, though, how she can continue to think of shopping when she is in debt.

It's an interesting read -- I'm told there are follow-ups to this. I'm not sure I'll read those na. (one book is enough capitalism for me ^_^)

Next on my list -- Wendelin van Draanen's Swear to Howdy

* * *

For people who will find themselves in the Ortigas area this Saturday afternoon --
A theater group is staging Man from La Mancha in Podium at 4pm. Yes, it's free. ^_^

* * *

And replies to the tagboard posts:
Laika: Am doing okay. "Busy" with store stuff ^_^
Cuppkeyk: Visit us sa store and play! It's really fun and people who are familiar or play RPGs will appreciate the humor. ^_^ (And MET group is the Metropolitan Theater Group, based in Loyola Heights)
Gabs: How are you? Hope you're feeling better. ^_^
Mahar: We handle stress poorly? hmmm....

Thursday, April 22, 2004

...currently getting brain-freeze from Ice Monster's Strawberry Ice

From my J's blog:

1.WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
4ish and then I sleep again and wake up at 6ish

2.IF YOU COULD EAT LUNCH WITH ONE FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE?
First thing that came to mind was Tori Amos, and then I thought of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai...

3.GOLD OR SILVER?
Platinum ^_^

4.WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA?
Taking Lives

5.FAVORITE TV SHOW?
CSI Las Vegas

6.WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?
Depends on what the housekeeper feels like preparing -- most days it's bacon or corned beef

7.WHO WOULD YOU HATE TO BE LEFT IN A ROOM WITH?
Anyone who hasn't taken a bath (or brush their teeth) in a week

8.CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR NOSE WITH YOUR TONGUE?
I guess I can -- if I try hard enough...

9.WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Everything has a potential to inspire me -- it's a matter of me realizing it

10.WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?
Uy

11.BEACH, CITY, or COUNTRY?
Country

12.SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer

13.FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Selecta Double Dutch

14.BUTTERED, PLAIN, OR SALTED POPCORN?
Buttered and salted popcorn ^_^

15.FAVORITE COLOR?
Black or Blue

16.FAVORITE VEHICLE?
Volkswagen Beetle/ Mercedes A-Class

17.FAVORITE SANDWICH FILLING?
Peanut Butter or Butter and Strawberry Jam

18.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG AT THIS MOMENT?
I keep listening to the many versions of True Colors and Time after Time

19.WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU DESPISE?
?

20.FAVORITE FLOWER?
tulips and roses

21.IF YOU HAD A BIG WIN IN THE LOTTERY, HOW LONG WOULD YOU WAIT TO TELL PEOPLE?
I'd tell my family and my J kaagad --

22.FIZZY OR STILL WATER AS A DRINK?
erm -- Tap? ^_^ (as long as it's clean and drinkable -- I really don't care)

23.WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT DURING HIGH SCHOOL?
Graduating from it? ^_^

24.HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR KEY RING?
2 keyrings with one key each -- one to the house and the other to my bro's place

25.WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO?
a private island off the coast of Iloilo (para I can still go to Iloilo and enjoy the food and take trips to Bacolod or Cebu)

26.CAN YOU JUGGLE? IF YES HOW MANY?
No ~sigh~

27.FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK
Everything good happens on a Wednesday ^_^ (but I like weekends, too)

28.RED OR WHITE WINE?
Red

29.WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY?
Spent the day at the store. Friends visited. Had dinner with friends at Penang. (Fun!)

30.IF YOU COULD ASK FOR JUST ONE THING (CAN’T BE MONEY OR MORE WISHES) WHAT WOULD IT BE?
world peace! (am serious) ^_^

* * *

We have discovered a new game and it is called Munchkin. We've been playing it in the store with whoever is willing to sit down and learn the game for the past week. My bro got it when he was in the US. ^_^

I'm reading the Szymborska collections of poetry which I asked him to get for me -- in a word: "Wow!" ^_^

* * *

In 3 weeks, we will be electing a new president --

~sigh~

I didn't even register to vote. I just don't believe in the current system and I don't care for any of the candidates -- it really is just a case of settling for the least of all evils. =P

I'd like to believe that there's still hope but, looking at the list of people running for public office, it's just the same names over and over -- nothing's going to change.

One time, in the store, I was discussing this same thing with E and M and I agreed with what M said -- I'm looking forward to a time when all these people would have retired because of old age and the true "new" blood will be the ones running for office.

... not that that's going to change anything either.

Can you say "vicious cycle"?

(... and, yes, I am guilty of perpetuating it by not registering to vote)

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

... i have ice cream beside me -- Selecta Double Dutch (and there was a bottle of chocolate syrup in the fridge, so --)

Your Life: The Soundtrack

Opening credits: Canon in D by Pachelbel
Waking up: Dreams by The Cranberries
Average day: Stones in the Road by Mary Chapin Carpenter
First date: I Melt with You -- Jason Mraz's version (or The Way You Look Tonight -- Frank Sinatra or Harry Connick Jr.)
Falling in love: Need to be Next to You by Leigh Nash (or I Love You by Sarah Mclachlan)
Love scene: Crash into Me (or Say Goodbye) by Dave Matthews Band
Fight scene: How's It Going to Be by Third Eye Blind
Breaking up: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (or My Immortal by Evanescence or No More "I Love Yous" by Annie Lennox)
Getting back together: All I Want is You by U2
Secret love: Pure Snow by Yuko Sasaki
Life's okay: Beautiful Day by U2 (or Shiny Happy People by REM)
Mental breakdown: Why by Annie Lennox, Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata
Driving: Taxi Ride by Tori Amos (or Salva Nos, Blanc Dans Noir-Noir OST Vol. 2)
Learning a lesson: These Days by Nico (The Royal Tenenbaums OST) (or You Learn by Alanis Morissette)
Deep thought: Shadow of Doubt, Vision of Escaflowne OST Vol. 2 (or Mothersbaugh's Canon, The Royal Tenenbaums OST)
Flashback: Seasons of Love, RENT OST (or Praise You by Fatboy Slim)
Partying: La Vie Boheme, RENT OST
Happy dance: La Vie Boheme, RENT OST
Regretting: Finale B (Rent OST)
Long night alone: Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper (or Intimacy by The Corrs)
Death scene: The Last Rose of Summer by Charlotte Church
Closing credits: Closing Time by Stereophonics

* * *

What song...
...reminds you of your first school?:
...reminds you of your first kiss?:
...reminds you of your first boyfriend/girlfriend?:
...reminds you of your first or a favourite pet?:
...reminds you of your parents?:

The Best and the Worst. Which song...
... reminds you of the best day of your life?:
... reminds you of the worst day of your life?:
... reminds you of the best night out you've had?:
... reminds you of the best sex you've ever had?:
...reminds you of your best friend ever?:

Which song...
...makes you cry the most?:
...makes you smile the most?:
...makes you think aww!?:
... drives you to hit the dance-floor?:
... do you just *have* to sing along to?:

What is...
... your favourite song right now?:
... your favourite song ever?:
... the song playing on your stereo/mp3 player now?:

And lastly...
... which song reminds you most of the person you got this survey from?:

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Mirror by Sylvia Plath

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful --
The eye of a little god, four-cornered.
Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.
It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long
I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers.
Faces and darkness separate us over and over.

Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me,
Searching my reaches for what she really is.
Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.
She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
I am important to her. She comes and goes.
Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.

* * *

"I know. But then I reconsidered. 'Cause I figured out what I really wanna do with my life, what I want to do for a living is I wanna be with your daughter. I'm good at it." - John Cusack, Say Anything

* * *

in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes
- In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel
//10 bands you've been listening a lot to lately: -- not band-specific eh, songs maybe
1) dave matthews band
2) counting crows
3) red hot chili peppers
4) maroon 5
5) barbie's cradle
6) REM
7) the corrs
8) greenday
9) third eye blind
10)

//09 things you look forward to:
1) april 25, 2004
2) march 25, 2005
3) completing my thesis and graduating
4) kill bill vol. 2
5) shopping session with the girls
6) boracay (in the future, with my J)
7) the met group's midsummer night's dream (this july)
8) happy shipment day every friday
9) the future ^_^

//8 things you like to wear:
1) skirts
2) sandals/slippers
3) a watch (am lost without one)
4) my pjs
5) my glasses (am blind without them)
6) perfume? ^_^
7) my accessories (bracelets, anklets, etc.)
8) nice, comfy tops

//07 things that annoy you:
1) poseurs
2) Philippine politics
3) Philippine economy
4) stupidity
5) mind games
6)
7)

//06 things you say most days:
1) "pucha"
2) "hay naku"
3) "sorry ha"
4) "what's up"
5) "plans for the day"
6) "god-effing"

//05 things you do everyday:
1) talk to people on y!m
2) go to the store
3) have lunch
4) play card/board games with people at the store (current faves: Landlord and Munchkins)
5) go to National Bookstore or Rustan's Fresh

//04 people you want to spend more time with:
1) my J
2) friends (the girls ^_^)
3) my sibs
4) E, G and all the other store people

//03 movies you could watch over and over again:
1) Before Sunrise
2) Royal Tenenbaums
3) Hero/In the Mood for Love

//02 of your favorite songs at the moment:
1) Deep Inside of You (3eb)
2) She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5)

//01 person you could spend the rest of your life with:
1) lol! take a wild guess -- ^_^ (my J!)
WHAT TREE DID YOU FALL FROM?
Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is really cool and somewhat accurate, also in line with Celtic astrology.

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 - Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 - Beech Tree

YOUR TREE

Apple Tree (the Love) -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm,
appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude flirtatious smile adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Ash Tree (the Amition) -- extremely attractive, vivacious,
impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

Beech Tree (the Creative) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (the inspiration) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant,
friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (the Confidence) -- of rare strength, knows how to
adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (the Honesty) -- of unusual stature, impressive,
well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit.

Cypress Tree (the Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable,
takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to
gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (the Noble mindedness) -- pleasant shape, tasteful
clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Fig Tree (the Sensibility) -- very strong minded, a bit self
willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, a social butterfly, great sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work,
has artistic talent and great intelligence.

Fir Tree (the Mysterious) -- extraordinary taste, handles stress poorly, loves anything beautiful, can become depressed at times, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them as well as helping strangers, rather modest, hard worker, talented, unselfish, few sexual relationships, many friends,
doesn't want foes, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (the Extraordinary) -- charming, sense of humor,
very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (the Good Taste) -- of cool beauty, cares for its
looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (the Doubt) - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind) -- no ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (the Brave) -- robust nature, courageous, strong,
unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree (the Wisdom) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings,
reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant,
cheerful, calm, well developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (the Peacemaker) -- loves agreeable company, craves
peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (the Uncertainty) -- looks very decorative,
talented, not very self confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (the Sensitivity) -- full of charm, cheerful, gifted
without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (the Passion) -- unrelenting, strange and full of
contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (the Melancholy) - likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

Sunday, April 18, 2004

+ Ten Things I Miss:
[1] my bro (one of them is still in the US)
[2] potato salad from Oliver's
[3] Fully Booked/PowerPlant -- haven't been here in a while
[4] my blanket in Iloilo
[5] batchoy (from Iloilo)
[6] well, I am missing an important book =P (I can't find it in my house!)
[7] slushies
[8] QOO (damn my youngest bro for introducing us to this)
[9] some of my friends (but I think am meeting up with some of them this Wednesday ^_^)
[10] evenings in Chaos with J and B (and occasionally, their friend P)

+ Nine Things I Hate:
[1] Quezon City bureaucracy
[2] the coming May elections and the circus that is campaign period
[3] that the exchange rate is almost PhP56 to $1
[4] stupidity (I really cannot tolerate this)
[5] liver and ampalaya
[6] the Bureau of Internal Revenue
[7] being abandoned
[8] days when I am not zen with the world
[9] all those American Idol-wannabe shows on local television (and Kris Aquino)

Eight Things I Love:
[1] my J!!!
[2] my sibs!!!
[3] clothes (skirts! and pretty tops)
[4] getting to spend time with my J!!!
[5] bonding sessions with sibs!!!
[6] shopping for clothes (lol! do you detect a pattern already?)
[7] really good plays/musicals (the whole first run of RENT and Blue Rep's Footloose and Mr. 80%)
[8] quiet time

Seven Things I Want To Do Eventually:
[1] teach in a university
[2] submit to the Palanca
[3] go to the beach and wear a bikini ^_^
[4] participate in quiz night at the Craic
[5] learn how to drive
[6] take yoga/pilates
[7] travel with my J

+ Six Favorite Cities:
[1] Iloilo
[2] Singapore
[3] not a city -- Cambridge
[4] New York (only because of Broadway)
[5] Manila
[6] Cebu

+ Five Songs I Can Hear Over and Over:
[1] Crash into Me by DMB
[2] Pachelbel's Canon
[3] the OST for The Classic (yes, I am cheating and including an entire album)
[4] Taxi Ride by Tori Amos
[5] What Can I Do by The Corrs

+ Four Words That Describe Me:
[1] Weird/Crazy
[2] open-minded
[3] practical/rational
[4] loved ^_^

+ Three Things I Want to Change:
[1] my grade for the comprehensive exam (a higher mark, please ^_^)
[2] the economic and political situation in the Philippines
[3] some aspects of my past (but not really -- I wouldn't be who I am now if it weren't for these things in my past)

+ Two Kinds of People I Want to Disappear:
[1] everyone who works for the BIR/corrupt people in government
[2] evil people (serial killers, murderers, etc.)

+ One Thing I Want:
[1] some money to go clothes/shoe shopping ^_^

* * *

Had a fun Saturday --

It was the last tourney for the Prophecy League (VtES) and the outcome was great -- all the fun people were there. ^_^ The games were pretty fast (everyone was bleeding!) and we ended before 4.

J and I decided to abandon our initial plan of going to Eastwood and ended up going to Galleria to watch Taking Lives (in hindsight, we really should have bitten the bullet and just watched Paycheck).

It was a wonderful day -- I felt bright and cheery the whole time (even if I got massacred in all 3 rounds of VtES games). (I really like it that things are falling into place ^_^)

* * *

Am LJ-hopping right now --

1. My REAL first name:
2. Where did we meet?
3. Take a stab at my middle name:
4. How long have you known me?
5. When is the last time we saw each other?
6. What kind of car do I drive?
7. How many piercings and tattoos do I have - can you name them all?
8. When you first saw me what was your impression?
9. When's my Birthday?
10. Color hair?
11. Color eyes?
12. Do I have any siblings - if so, name them and their gender(s)?
13. Have you ever had a crush on me?
14. Have you ever been jealous of me?
15. What's one of my favorite things to do outdoors?
16. Name my favorite childhood pet and what it was?
17. Do you remember one of the 1st things I said to you?
18. What's my favorite type of music?
19. What is the best feature about me?
(Don't answer if you don't want to.)
20. Am I shy or outgoing?
21. Would you say I am funny ha ha or funny sarcastic?
22. Am I a rebel or do I follow all the rules?
23. Would you consider me a friend, an acquaintance, or a good friend?
24. Would you call me preppy, slutty, average, sporty, punk, hippie, glam, nerdy, snobby, or something else?
25. Have you ever seen me cry?
26. If there were one good nickname for me what would it be?
26a. Do you know my childhood nickname?
27. Who is my favorite author?
28. If I had broccoli stuck in my teeth would you tell me?

Saturday, April 17, 2004

Fun Quiz!




Your Vampire: The Masquerade Character
Name/Username
Gender
Clan Lasombra
Sect Camarilla
Generation 5
Why did your sire Embrace you? They fell in love with you.
What does the local prince think of you? They don't bother with you.
Discipline you're likely to master in the future Protean
This QuickKwiz by Shahrizai - Taken 134 Times.
Currently listening to: Pachelbel's Greatest Hits--The Ultimate Canon
(yes, it's the same piece in different versions -- 15 tracks of it ^_^)

* * *




Dork-o-Meter
Username
Dorkage - 86%
This QuickKwiz by pixielust - Taken 162 Times.





Open a fortune cookie!
Username
Do you like chinese food?
Your fortune Patience is the best remedy for every trouble.
Is luck on your side? (8) - Better not tell you. - (8)
This QuickKwiz by Confused_Pete - Taken 4770 Times.


* * *

Got this from M's sister's LJ -- I thought it was interesting --

I want everyone who reads this to ask me three questions, no more no less.

Ask me anything you want.

Then I want you to go to your journal, copy and paste this allowing your friends (including myself) to ask you anything.


* * *

Thngs fall into place--

Everything has been great so far -- my life's moving forward, I caught a glimpse of the future (and it's really lovely ^_^), things at home are great and I've never felt more at peace with myself than I do now (and the most important thing is my J).

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better, they have -- I've received news of something that I've always wanted ... no, dreamed about for so long now. I've considered this one one of my end goals and I've gotten my foot in the door na --

I am thrilled beyond belief and am hoping that _this_ is it.

Yes, am being vague -- I don't want to jinx it or raise expectations or set myself up for a fall -- I'll share when things become more clear. ^_^

I remember the entry I posted a while back about being part of some cosmic canon -- and it's apt that I am listening to 15 versions of it as I reflect about how things in my life (and in my J's life) are falling into place -- it is an amazing feeling: this sense of things just coming together and being able to see a complete image (instead of just pieces of it).

I'm glad my J is with me -- there's no describing this feeling of knowing that he's there for me; that he's with me.

I'm just in awe -- and I wonder what I did to deserve this good fortune... but am not going to bother with answers right now. I'm just going to savor the moment and let things be. ^_^

* * *

My youngest bro is back -- I missed him din pala. Hehehehe (*sweatdrop*)

We travel around a lot. Sometimes together, but most times separately and I've gotten used to this nomadic existence -- we were all born with wanderlust, so --

And then you realize that something is off when one of my sibs isn't there --
Something's missing when one of them isn't there --

And how things are restored when they come home. ^_^

It was a wonderful thing last night -- seeing my bro hunched over the boxes of VtES cards fixing up a deck for today's tournament. So normal, so mundane -- so right. ^_^

(Welcome home, bro ^_^)

* * *

And the loot!

Hehehehe -- best part about my bros travelling is the pasalubong you get when they come home ^_^ (and youngest bro always gives the best and most thoughtful presents ^_^)

He got us (we're both fans) ALL (and I mean ALL) the Jimmy Liao books -- he got me a blank book, a 2004 calendar and a set of notecards with Jimmy Liao's art on it. ^_^

And then 2 Szymborska collections of poetry ^_^ -- oh joy and jubilation! ^_^

And Wendelin van Draanen's (author of Flipped) Swear to Howdy -- (to fans of Flipped, I will lend you this book when am done with it. ^_^)

It promises to be a great weekend.

I'm loving this month. ^_^ So many good things are happening. ^_^ (and it's just halfway through -- gads! ^_^)

Thursday, April 15, 2004

On my way to Greenhills Shopping Center, I saw a perfectly good pair of shoes left on the sidewalk -- they weren't the most sensible pair of shoes (very high heels and wood) -- but I wonder about the woman wearing them.

Did she decide, mid-walk, to just take off her shoes and leave them there?
Was it a woman driving by and thought that corner was a good spot to abandon shoes?
Or maybe a man?

So many questions -- ^_^

* * *

My youngest bro comes home tonight -- didn't think I'd miss him this much. But, then again, he is bringing home my KKNJ DVD boxed set -- ^_^

* * *

This weekend, the Philippine Opera Company will be staging AR Gurney's Love Letters at Eastwood City -- it's for free. ^_^ Here's some info on the play.

Show starts at 8pm.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Angel: I've been hearing violins all night.
Collins: Anything to do with me? Are we a thing?
Angel: Darling -- we're everything.

- from Jonathan Larson's RENT

* * *

Open your eyes
Dream but don't guess
Your biggest surprise
Comes after Yes
- Muriel Rukeyser

* * *

The Conjugation of the Paramecium
Muriel Rukeyser

This has nothing
to do with
propagating

The species
is continued
as so many are
(among the smaller creatures)
by fission

(and this species
is very small
next in order to
the amoeba, the beginning one)

The paramecium
achieves, then,
immortality
by dividing

But when
the paramecium
desires renewal
strength another joy
this is what
the paramecium does:

The paramecium
lies down beside
another paramecium

Slowly inexplicably
the exchange
takes place
in which
some bits
of the nucleus of each
are exchanged

for some bits
of the nucleus
of the other

This is called
the conjugation of the paramecium.

(from www.poets.org)

* * *

Rent
Jane Cooper

If you want my apartment, sleep in it
but let's have a clear understanding:
the books are still free agents.

If the rocking chair's arms surround you
they can also let you go,
they can shape the air like a body.

I don't want your rent, I want
a radiance of attention
like the candle's flame when we eat,

I mean a kind of awe
attending the spaces between us---
Not a roof but a field of stars.

Monday, April 12, 2004

Something to think about --

B sent me this via SMS:
"If good things lasted forever, would we appreciate how precious they are?" - Hobbes, the tiger

* * *

Tomorrow I am spending the night in Katipunan. Am supposed to be fixing up the stuff that I need to bring to Katipunan -- and I don't know what to wear! It's so effing hot these days =P --

It's 921pm and I am sleepy.

*yawn*

Sunday, April 11, 2004

From M's blog

Name Four Things You Are Thinking About
1. thesis
2. work/happy shipment day today
3. household concerns
4. my J

Name the Last Four Things You Have Bought
1. A top from U2
2. The Chocolate War and the sequel to it from Goodwill (each for PhP80 because they're on sale!)
3. film for my Holga
4. some CDs

Name Four Drinks You Regularly Drink
1. water

2. orange juice
3. the occasional soda (sprite)
4. yakult

Last Time You Said 'I Love You' And Meant It
When I tell my sibs or J --

Last Time You Cried?
While watching "The Last Samurai"? while reading Flipped?

What's In Your CD Player?
BOCA '99 (Best of College Acapella)

What Color Socks Are You Wearing?
Am usually in slippers -- but I like dark-colored socks or cute quirky ones

What's Under Your Bed?
books, thesis stuff, more books, notebooks

What Time Did You Wake Up Today?
430am

Current Hair?
short, too short -- (but am dying for a haircut =P)

* * *

How apt! I love this poem ^_^ -- yay!


Which poem are you?

Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda

Aw, you're a romantic. You believe in true love and all that sort of stuff. How cute are you? To you, love is incredible and amazing.

Personality Test Results

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.



* * *

From AS Byatt's Possession:

'I love you,' Roland said. 'It isn't convenient. Not now I've acquired a future. But that's how it is. In the worst way. All the things we -- we grew up not believing in. Total obsession, night and day. When I see you, you look alive and everything else -- fades. All that.'

* * *

A day of 'firsts' --

Saturday:
I met my J's parent's for the first time. First we visited his dad at the Magallanes columbarium. (Earlier that day, I visited the Agora Market for the first time to buy flowers -- it was an experience! I think it was pretty obvious to the people at the market that I was new to the place and they were all nice enough to give me directions and point me to where the fresh flowers were being sold. I wanted to go around some more to see what other things I would find there, but I didn't have enough time and my sister was waiting in the car.) We walked around Magallanes and ended up having brunch at Pancake House. (Another first!)

Over blueberry pancakes and french toast, I found myself thinking "So this is what bliss feels like." -- it was the most comfortable and natural thing, to be seated across him early in the morning, having brunch and having a conversation. I want more mornings like that. ^_^

I also got to meet his friends and hang out it with them -- fun people. There was the initial shyness, but I was immediately at ease with them -- they were telling stories of their college life and I was laughing and trying to imagine how they were back then. ^_^ (Am wondering how things will go when he finally meets my friends)

* * *

(It is never enough time --
there is always something more
to do,
to see,
to feel,
to talk about,
to hear,
to learn --)

~sigh~

* * *

Back to work, back to life. ^_^

Friday, April 09, 2004

In a different time, I was such.

Fifteen Years Ago: I was 11 and remember being a brat.

Ten Years Ago: At 16, I was a on my way to Ateneo as a freshman. (Oh, you should have seen me then -- what effing bad fashion sense!)

Five Years Ago: I started grad school in AdMU and had the time of my life. I remember walking around campus and thinking, I wish I could do my college life all over again (except, this time, I will have the clothes I have now then <-- yes, I am vain ^_^)

Two Years Ago: We opened the store and my life changed. Met so many great people. Learned so many new things. ^_^

Yesterday: Did Stations of the Cross with sibs (outdoors = hot!); slept/napped a lot

Today: My day hasn't started yet -- woke up at 4-ish and chatted with my friend C on Y!M. Will probably finish reading the stuff I had set aside for thesis ... ~sigh~ Will probably go hungry and subsist on cup noodles because our housekeeper is on holiday

Tomorrow: I get to spend time with my J and meet his friends. ^_^

* * *

... I found this quiz on M's sister's blog -- I'd answer it, but I think my J is perfect for me, so -- ^_^

On The Perfect Guy:

PHYSICAL
hair color:
eye color:
height:
six pack:
long or short hair:
piercings:
scars:
straight teeth, gap, or braces:
outgoing or shy:
should he have a best friend:
should he have a lotta of girl friends:
should he love his mother:
should he watch girl movies chick flicks?:
smart:
be funny:
be sweet:
be a smoker:
swear:
play with your hair:
bring you flowers:
lay under the stars with you:
write poetry about you:
call you honey, sweetie, or baby:
hang out with you and YOUR friends:
walk you to the door at the end:
sing to you:

WOULD HIS INTERESTS BE:
Soccer:
baseball:
basketball:
football:
waterpolo:
surf:
skateboard:
snowboard:
singing:
play guitar:
play piano:
play drums:
dance:
clean his room:
paint, draw, sculpt:
writes his own music:
one word:

NAME?

* * *

Yesterday morning, B decided to test my knowledge of Shakespeare -- his status message on Y!M read: "a canker in the hedge" and he asked me to guess which play it came from --

Am no expert on Shakespeare -- (but I did spend 3++ weeks immersed in the guy's writings a few years ago, and a semester reading his Tragedies, so --)

My first guess was Othello and then Hamlet. But he told me I was wrong.

So I asked him to tell me whether it was from a tragedy, comedy or historical play.

He said it came from a comedy.

So I guessed "Much Ado" --

(which was correct ^_^) and then he made me guess which character said those lines.

First guess was Puck, which I quickly corrected (wrong play! =P)

And then I said "John" -- which was correct. ^_^ (*yay!* to me ^_^)

I asked him if he was impressed, because I was impressed -- I haven't read Shakespeare in over two years and I pulled all that from memory -- (and me with my mind like a sieve...)

but I love Shakespeare -- he is a genius.

* * *

Am currently listening to an a capella version of Sting's "Fields of Gold" -- goosebumps! ^_^

Thursday, April 08, 2004

It's Thursday morning and there's nothing to do!

five details about you
- i like to read
- am craving chinese food
- i like taking walks (helps me clear my mind and refocus)
- i have a dark side (raaar!)
- i fall asleep a lot

five details about your appearance right now...
- wearing purple glasses
- i think my hair's too short (would like to grow it out a bit) and have red streaks added again ^^
- i like wearing skirts
- i don't like my knees >_<
- i don't like wearing heels

five things you did yesterday...
- read Intsik for thesis
- had left-over Chinese for breakfast
- walked to Greenhills with bro
- spent time with my J
- had a grande Starbucks iced tea (while walking to Greenhills with bro)

five memorable things you did in the last year...
... wow, interesting question -- the most important thing that i did last year was to make the decision to take down the walls and take a leap of faith. A kept reading it in the cards -- the ice-olation and the need to break through ... i think i've managed to do that ^_^

five things that make you happy...
- my J
- spending time with my sibs
- a good book and friends who've read the same book (so i have someone to talk about it)
- getting to see things fall into place (not necessarily for me -- i like it when things work out for other people as well ^_^)
- happy shipment day at the store ^_^

five things that impress you...
- intelligence
- good conversation
- Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (lol!)
- man's ability to transcend his limitations
- humility

five things that don't impress you...
- stupidity
- humor at the expense of others
- people who don't know their place

... basta, when i've lost faith in something -- that's it.

five things you can't live without...
- my sibs (and parents)
- my books, notebooks and pen
- my pc and dsl connection (ambabaw ko...)
- my house
- enough money to get by

... yes, yes and my J -- (lines 9 to 11 of Auden's poem IX in the Twelve Songs series, written April 1936 -- change "was" to "is" ^_^)

five songs you know all the words to, even without the music:
- most of the songs from RENT (but i still prefer singing along to it)
- Tori Amos songs
- DMB's Crash into Me
- Lisa Loeb's Stay

... i don't sing very well, kaya i prefer to sing along to things ^_^

five locations you'd like to run away to:
- Cambridge
- Singapore
- Boracay (well, not really -- too close to Iloilo)
- any hotel room that's paid for and has complimentary breakfast
- anywhere with my J ("...wherever you'll take me" -- Tony Leung Chiu-Wai in Chungking Express ^_^)

* * *

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

ah, finally found this:

Contemplating art --

and these
I touch --
framed fancies
floating

each a dream, a thought
alive and smiling

i stand
three feet away
then two
then one
then none.

(what a piece of work is man)

10.6.2003

* * *

Finally succumbed and bought a copy of Maroon 5's Songs About Jane -- really nice album. ^_^

* * *

Sked of A Wrinkle in Time on Hallmark
April 8, 9pm and 12mn
April 9, 3pm, 9pm and 12mn
April 10, 3pm

.. I haven't read the book. Am thinking of getting a copy soon.

* * *

Starbucks is doing free upsizes for their drinks until April 15 -- it's part of their Easter celebration. ^_^

* * *

In thesis news --

Damned readings are boring =P I keep falling asleep on them.

~sigh~

Monday, April 05, 2004

From M's blog

FAVORITE BOARD GAME?:
Scrabble with my sister, Trivial Pursuit with my sibs, Game of Life: Star Wars Edition with the VtES players

FAVORITE MAGAZINE/s?
Sky Guide, Food Magazine, Martha Stewart Living

FAVORITE SMELLS?
The Body Shop's White Musk, my J, cinnamon

FAVORITE PART OF OPPOSITE SEX?
Not a physical thing -- his mind

FAVORITE SOUND?
Silence! ^_^ the cello, the sound of water

BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
Love, unconditional acceptance, when you realize that things are falling into place

WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?
when you lose faith

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
"What time is it?"

ROLLER COASTER - SCARY OR EXCITING?
Scary -- it makes me dizzy =P

HOW MANY RINGS BEFORE YOU ANSWER THE PHONE?:
If it's the phone beside me, 1 ring; if it's the phone downstairs, mga 3 or 4

FUTURE DAUGHTER'S NAME?:
Kalen

FUTURE SON'S NAME?:
Oliver

FAVORITE FOODS?
Chicken, sushi

DO YOU LIKE TO DRIVE?
I can't drive =P

DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?:
Well, Blue sleeps on the same bed with me --

STORMS - COOL OR SCARY?
Cool -- when it's raining really hard, we open our curtains and watch the rain fall

WHAT TYPE WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?:
I don't have one -- but I would like one with a driver in it ^_^

IF YOU COULD MEET ONE PERSON DEAD OR ALIVE WHO WOULD IT BE?
Tori Amos? I'd like to watch one of her concerts ^_^

FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?:
Kurant with Sprite, Bailey's, Tequila, Singapore Sling

WHAT IS YOUR ZODIAC SIGN?:
Capricorn

WHAT IS YOUR FAVE SONG/BAND? songs/bands/artists
Tori Amos, Dave Matthews Band, Yuki Kajiura

DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI?:
Yes

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY JOB YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Teacher

IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR?
Would like to have red streaks in my hair again ^_^

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN LOVE?:
I am now ^_^

IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?:
Half full ^_^

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SNAPPLE?
Kiwi Strawberry -- thanks to J and D

FAVORITE MOVIES?:
Breakfast at Tiffany's, Before Sunrise, Hero, In the Mood for Love, My Sassy Girl

ARE YOU A LEFTY, RIGHTY, OR AMBIDEXTROUS?:
Righty

DO YOU TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS?:
no -- I remember where the keys are ^_^

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?:
Books, notebooks, dust =P

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
6

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
CSI, Buffy, American Idol, shows on the Lifestyle Network

* * *

It's Holy Week --

I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing these next few days -- normally, I would be out of the country. I guess I will take my mother's advice and use the time for quiet contemplation and recollection.

My sibs and I have stocked up on movies and snacks -- here's hoping we make a dent in our movie backlog ^_^

Am looking forward to the days off -- ^_^

Saturday, April 03, 2004

1: grab the book nearest to you. turn to page 18, find line 4. write down here what it says:
alienated) 1 make someone feel isol-
from Oxford Colour Dictionary

2: stretch your left arm out as far as you can. what do you touch first?:
the picture of me and my J ^_^

3: what is the last thing you watched on TV?:
MYX or MTV

4: WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is:
4am

5: now look at the clock, what is the actual time?:
3:27am

6: with the exception of the computer, what can you hear?:
nothing else -- it's too early for other sounds

7: when did you last step outside? what were you doing?:
yesterday morning to go to work

8: before you came to this website, what did you look at?:
bloghopped, read about the mother who killed 2 of her sons because God told her to =P (on Yahoo News)

9: what are you wearing?:
pajamas

10: did you dream last night? what about?:
I think so, but I don't remember

11: when did you last laugh? why?:
yesterday (it's too early to start laughing ^_^) I was trying to scam my J into giving me pool during the third round of VtES (it was fun being on the same table as him)

12: what is on the walls of the room you are in?:
two wall scrolls and a poster -- Noir, Sakura Taisen (Tokyo and Paris)

13: seen anything weird lately?
I see a lot of weird things ^_^ -- last one that comes to mind is a woman walking around Megamall barefoot (she was holding her sandals in one hand -- I think she was foreign)

14: what do you think of this quiz?:
very interesting -- got nothing better to do this early in the morning

15: what is the last film you saw?:
Love Actually in the theater and LoEG on VCD

16: if you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?:
plane tickets to travel all over! ^_^

17: tell me something about you that I don't know:
wow -- had to think about this one -- can't seem to pull one from memory...
Ah, I once tried to read a dictionary from cover to cover and made a list of all the words I liked (I think I didn't get past "b" =P)

18: if you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?:
eliminate poverty, re-distribute resources

19: do you like to dance?:
no. don't really know how. (but, in fits of madness, i do dance ^_^)

20: George Bush: is he a power-crazy nutcase or some one who is finally doing something that has needed to be done for years?:
nutcase =P

21: imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?:
Kalen

21: imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?:
Oliver -- hehehehe

22: would you ever consider living abroad?:
No -- I've always been given this option and I've always turned it down. There is no place I'd rather be in but here -- I still think we have the best of all worlds and, despite our shitty political and economic situation, I still like being here.

23: will you pass on this survey?:
No need to pass -- people will probably drop by my blog and answer this on their own ^_^

* * *

I find it difficult to express all that I am feeling -- I'm happy, but happy does not even begin to describe me right now. People have mentioned that I'm glowing; that there's something "new" (B even took a picture of me, claiming it's the "new" me) -- I don't quite know what they see, but I know why they see it --

I love my J; I'm in love with my J -- when I see the picture of us, I can't help but smile = stress reliever! (not that I've been experiencing stress lately ^_^). It's an amazing thing -- feeling this for someone (I didn't think I was capable of it --) and to know that someone feels it for you.

Everything is falling into place -- and it's such a wonderful sight to see (and I'm glad I get to see this). ^_^

* * *

We had dinner the other night with my cousins -- and it was so much fun! My cousins had recently acquired this and J and I played a game of Wishi Washi (basically, the entire television screen is a dirty window and we used our hands to clean it -- the faster you do it, the more windows you clean and the higher your score is = perfect game for an OC person like me ^_^)

We introduced him to my niece and she wasn't scared of him (a good thing ^_^) -- I think she would have let him hold her if he only knew how ^_^

I told J that I wish there was a way to capture that moment -- us sitting there in my cousins' room while my cousins were doing silly things with the Eye Toy, and my other cousin was trying to convince our niece to pose and smile with her for a picture. Nothing really spectacular happened, but it was this general feeling of ease that made the evening so special. ^_^

* * *

In thesis news --

I've started re-immersing myself in my thesis. Erg. Boring stuff really. =P

Am planning to defend my thesis proposal this coming June or July, so I have to find a mentor and a panel. I want to graduate next March, which means that I have to defend my thesis (5 of the 6 chapters haven't been written yet ^_^) this December. ~sigh~