Saturday, October 30, 2004

Before Sunset! --

Waltz For a Night
Artist: Julie Delpy

Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my thoughts
Let me sing you a waltz
About this one night stand
You were for me that night
Everything I always dreamt of in life
But now you're gone
You are far gone
All the way to your island of rain
It was for you just a one night thing
But you were much more to me
Just so you know
I hear rumors about you
About all the bad things you do
But when we were together alone
You didn't seem like a player at all
I don't care what they say
I know what you meant for me that day
I just wanted another try
I just wanted another night
Even if it doesn't seem quite right
You meant for me much more
Than anyone I've met before
One single night with you little Jesse
Is worth a thousand with anybody
I have no bitterness, my sweet
I'll never forget this one night thing
Even tomorrow, another arms
My heart will stay yours until I die
Let me sing you a waltz
Out of nowhere, out of my blues
Let me sing you a waltz
About this lovely one night stand

* * *

I would talk about the movie, but some friends haven't seen it yet and I would hate to spoil the ending for them.
Trust --

Be afraid of the unlived life.
- Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt

I have trust issues.

I've discovered that almost nothing ever comes to me "pure" -- everything has strings attached to it and it always leaves me tangled and resentful.

When a good thing comes my way, I brace myself for the other shoe to drop. For me, there is always a catch.

I know that this isn't the way to live life -- I can't always be suspicious of things or question their meaning -- and I'm trying my best to suspend my disbelief and just let things be.

For the most part I succeed -- I forget about having to worry so much or to think too much and I just let the flow take me wherever.

It is a wonderful feeling -- to just be. To empty yourself of all worries and thoughts and just allowing life to live itself out.

Lately, I've been forgetting to be Zen (my version of it, at least) and I've been letting everything touch me again. It's a terrible feeling, waking up in the morning and knowing that you are burdened by things yet to be --

Last night, my J and I had an activity on trust -- I asked him to fall backwards and to trust me to catch him. He also asked me to do the same.

It's an interesting exercise -- it allowed me to contemplate the limits of my faith.

I was worried that I was standing too close and that, when my J would be falling, he would bang his head on my head and we'd both end up with painful bumps.

I was worried that, when I do catch him, I wouldn't be able to support his weight.

I was worried about everything.

Then I realized that that was part of the exercise -- that it was part of what I needed to let go. Our only concession was to have the sofa behind us so that, if we fell too hard, we would be cushioned by something.

I went first. It is hard to will yourself to fall. I did this exercise before with my dad and I had no trouble closing my eyes and letting myself fall because I knew my dad would catch me. My friend, V couldn't fall. He kept stopping himself. He was being pushed back na and he would always take that step to brace himself.

I closed my eyes and let go of everything. Took one deep breath and fell backwards. In that instance of falling, I felt so free -- I could feel myself defying all the laws that tells us that falling is wrong and that we should always be steady and stable. And it was a wonderful feeling.

And then my J caught me as I fell.

And that was an even better feeling. ^_^

(And, yes, I caught him easily as well --)

I love you, hun.

* * *

This is from G's blog --

Truths

The Rules:
1. Write something about 15 different people.
2. You can NOT say who they are.
3. If someone asks you which one is about them, you can NOT tell.

1. Though you are younger than me, I still want to be like you when I grow up. It's amazing how much talent and insight can be found in one person. I am a great fan of your writing. You inspire me.

2. We've been through so much together -- been on the same side of some issues and on opposite side of others. You're still one of the people I run to for advice and the first one I tell all my good news to. It's wonderful to see that everything is going well for you -- you deserve all this happiness.

3. Dearie, please don't despair -- love comes when it needs to. Be patient and live your life for the time being.

4. When I'm around you, I get so nervous and awkward and I don't know what to say -- if only you knew how much I admire you and want to be your friend.

5. You've found yourself a gem -- this one's special. Cherish her. Treasure her. (And let her know how much you love her!)

6. I look at you and I wonder what I did to deserve such a gift. You are my everything and my always. I love you so much!

7. When we first met, I knew you were a keeper. Thank you for being such a dear friend and for sharing with me your mom's wisdom. Thank you for keeping me grounded and for being my giggle buddy.

8. You are one of the few people who has seen the real me. Thank you for accepting me as I am and for teaching me to celebrate myself. I'm glad you found him and I'm so happy for the two of you.

9. Forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other path, no other way, No Day but Today. Hang in there, girl -- this, too, shall pass!

10. I'm sorry this had to happen. I'm sad that it did -- but I couldn't think of any other way. I feel the loss of you, even though I don't know you that well. I know he misses you and that's my fault. Please know he had nothing to do with this and, given a choice, I'm sure he would have wanted you in his life. Please be patient? I'll get around and understand all this eventually. I hope that, in the near future, we could all sit down again -- like we did that night and laugh and talk over Bailey's and beer.

11. I hope you're doing okay. I saw a Blue's Clues notebook (like the one Joe uses in the show) being sold in Greenhills.

12. Hey, I need to know if what I did was right. You seem like someone who could help me understand and get through this. What do you think? I am in dire need of your wisdom.

13. What are you so afraid of?

14. Take better care of him, please. He really needs you.

15. The most beautiful person I know -- the embodiment of purity, grace, strength and will. Thank you for being there and for listening to me -- 3 hugs and kisses!

Friday, October 29, 2004

You have to see this! --

Pretty Art!

And you can buy prints! Yay!

And this is another interesting place --

I got these links will checking through a friend's friends bloglist --

* * *

The things I learn from watching Buffy --

Giles: You all right?
Willow: Yeah.
Giles: Ah yes, because your good mood is both obvious and contagious.
Willow: I had a fight with Tara. It was awful.
Giles: Oh, I'm sorry. (takes the box and walks toward the shelves behind the counter)
Willow: (OS) Me too.
Giles: You two don't quarrel much, do you?
Willow: Never. Until today.
Giles: Well, now it's over.
Willow: (very upset) Over? How can it be over? I just found her!
Giles: The quarrel is over.
Willow: (quieter) Oh. Yeah.
Giles: Uh, you'll feel better when you've made your apologies and you'll know that you can fight without the world ending. (walks toward the rear door) I know it all seems bleak now, but as they say, this too... (Giles opens the door to discover one of Glory's demons, Slook, who was listening at the door. Slook falls into the room.) ... shall pass.

- Buffy Season 5 Episode #97: "Tough Love" from this site

* * *

From Yahoo! Astrology --

Daily Couples:
Take time out to relax together -- even if that just means shutting the bedroom door and tuning into a nature show. Reconnect via giggling.

I like the idea of the last part. ^_^

~giggle~

* * *

And I keep forgetting to rave about this --

M's dad came back from the US and gave M the CDs for Wicked and Last Five Years --

M let me listen to Wicked when he visited me at the store -- Ohmygoditissocool! >_<

Thursday, October 28, 2004

Books! --

Finished reading Tuck Everlasting and A Christmas Carol and am now reading Ella Enchanted.

Am still trying to decide whether I should get Mike Gayle's latest book, His 'n' Hers -- am a little low on funds, which is why I'm hesitating.

And Christmas is 2 months away! >_<

Thank Goodness sweldo na tomorrow. ^_^

* * *

Tonsillitis Woes --

My sister has it. My J has it. I have it.

Bleh.

My J and I visited the Health Development Institute, which is located in the ISO Complex of the Ateneo -- they offer alternative, wholistic approaches to healing.

While waiting for my J to get examined, we looked over the pamphlets in the clinic -- every Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have acupuncturists available.

Am curious and I want to try it out. ^_^

* * *

And more about books --

I'll be teaching fiction this sem and I need to teach a novel as a culminating lesson for the semester --

Some teachers opt to teach Dogeaters or Woman with Two Navels or Chronicle of a Death Foretold --

I'm hoping to teach something more contemporary and more appealing to Freshmen minds --

Some guidelines:
1. Has to be short enough that we can read it in 3 to 4 weeks.
2. Should be widely available.
3. Should have a movie version.
4. Not Sci-Fi or Fantasy (I don't read this, sorry ^^;;)

Suggestions?

I'm considering:
1. Like Water for Chocolate
2. Emma or Pride and Prejudice

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Today's Lesson --

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

(Would ye both eat your cake and have your cake?" - John Heywood's Proverbs, 1546. )

Definition: have success and enjoy it at the same time

Explanation: Used when speaking about someone who wants both success and enjoyment at the same time without wanting to sacrifice anything.

And a word from Bartleby about this same subject --

This lesson was brought to you by Google, Bartleby, Wikipedia, the letter T and the number 6.

Monday, October 25, 2004

Saturday Fun! --

It's usually difficult to organize a get-together for my J and his friends (D, P, C and the other C who is now in Shanghai) -- they live so far from each other and they all have crazy skeds and days off.

Early last week, I bumped into A, P's girlfriend on MSN and we realized that we haven't seen each other in a bit and wanted to catch up. We're both on sembreak and P and my J both have the weekend off, so we arranged to meet up for lunch last Saturday.

That was that. When I told my J that we were planning to meet up with his friends for lunch that Saturday, he asked for details (he may appear laidback and relaxed about things but, deep down, OC din yun) and I told him it was for lunch at UP this Saturday.

Siyempre, this immediately worries him: "You mean you didn't specify a time or a meeting place?!? Hun, it takes careful planning and many text messages to organize something like this." <-- nagti-twitch na siya at this point... X3 Wahahahahaha! Saturday came, and my J was very antsy about the whole lack of structure/careful planning. (Kept asking D to call or text people to ask them where they were)

Some hitches -- Beach House iss closed pala on Saturdays so we ended up in Trellis. Friends came late so we had a late lunch as well.

After lunch, we hung out sa store and played Carcassonne (gameplay is similar to Settlers of Cataan but much simpler and with less moving pieces) and then went to watch a movie in Galleria -- Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (which rocked!).

It is always fun to see the interaction between this group of friends. They've known each other since college and were all part of the same org. Wala lang, cute lang talaga sila when they talk to each other.

* * *

Errant Friend(ster) --

I've lost track of the Iloilo people --

I spent the weekend checking out my Friendster account and looking at which friends were linked to whom and I discovered that so much has happened since I was gone -- so many people are married and have kids (I didn't even know they were together!), so many of them have gone abroad, etc.

I left Iloilo 10 years ago and, every time I go home, I feel like a stranger there. I get lost in the mall. I don't know where streets go any more.

I want to stay in touch with these people, but I don't know how. I've tried to a long time ago but everything's different now.

~sigh~

* * *

Before Sunset is this Wednesday na! ^_^ --

Celine: You know what I want?
Jesse: What?
Celine: To be kissed.
Jesse: Well I can do that.
- Before Sunrise

(Happy 7, dear!)

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Corny naman yung names nila --


Your Boobies' Names Are: Betty and Veronica






* * *

Watched this last night --

House of Flying Daggers -- am glad I watched it.

I felt the ending was a bit off -- and I read somewhere that Zhang Yimou had to rewrite the ending because he had wanted Anita Mui in the movie (and I guess she had an important role in it), but she died. Instead of replacing the actor, he rewrote it and kept Anita Mui's name in the credits.

For people who haven't seen this movie, it's still showing in some theaters -- try to watch it.

* * *

On Moviegoers and Theater etiquette --

My J and I saw the movie in Galleria yesterday -- considering that this movie is about two weeks old, we had figured no one would be in the theater to watch it na. (I really hate crowded theaters.)

We were half-way through the movie when a group of people came in and sat behind us. Pucha they were so loud! This one guy kept speaking in a LOUD voice (may twang pa talaga -- bwiset) and was eating -- get this -- a BURGER inside the theater.

I thought that was an odd contradiction -- (or I'm really just guilty of creating stereotypes) but I'd like to believe that, if:

a. you have a twang then
b. you are educated (and he did sound educated -- I wouldn't be surprised if that moron is from Ateneo) so
c. you should know how to behave inside the movie theater.

When the movie ended, the morons were wondering what the movie was about -- (and you could hear the disappointment in their voices. One of them went, "That was it?")

Well, if you come in in the middle of the movie and
you keep distracting yourself from the movie by talking to your friends loudly and
you are eating a frickin burger during a subtitled movie then
you really wouldn't understand what the movie was all about.

And his phone rang pa.

Some people talaga. Bleh.

I'm actually tempted to discuss theater/movie etiquette to my classes next sem. I'm teaching lit classes so it's inevitable that we watch plays or movies and I want my kids to behave properly when they're in the cinema.

This is a very interesting essay that we read in En10. Maybe I'll ask my classes to reread this and then we can talk about how to behave when watching a play or movie.

* * *

But my J and I had fun! --

Traffic yesterday was terrible! It's a straight line from my area to Galleria and it usually takes us about 15 minutes to get there by jeep.

We couldn't even get a jeep last night so we ended up riding a bus (a first for both of us ^_^). We were lucky to get an air-conditioned bus but still had to walk from POEA to Galleria.

At the cinemas, we got our popcorn (Caramel for me and BBQ for him) and our drinks and watched our movie.

After the movie, we rushed over to Podium to buy a board game for my youngest bro (who finally got his MA degree from NUS -- congrats! ^_^)

And then we treated ourselves to Delifrance goodies at 30% off -- yum!

Oh, and we bought a plastic Viking helm from Toy Kingdom (in Podium, they have a little Halloween stall there) and proceeded to take turns wearing it when we got home. ^_^

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Sometimes I believe all the lies
So I can do the things I should despise
And every day I am swayed
By whatever is on my mind

I hear it all depends on my faith
So I'm feeling precarious
The only problem I have with these mysteries
Is they're so mysterious

And like a consumer I've been thinking
If I could just get a bit more
More than my 15 minutes of faith,
Then I'd be secure

(Chorus)
My faith is like shifting sand
Changed by every wave
My faith is like shifting sand
So I stand on grace

I've begged you for some proof
For my Thomas eyes to see
A slithering staff, a leperous hand
And lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your back-side glory
And this soaked altar going ablaze
But you know I've seen so much
I explained it away

Chorus

Waters rose as my doubts reigned
My sand-castle faith, it slipped away
Found myself standing on your grace
It'd been there all the time

(Chorus repeated)

Stand on grace
- Shifting Sand by Caedmon's Call

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Because I now have time to do this --

Found this on N's blog -- I thought it was interesting and wanted to give it a go ^_^

13 Random Things You Like
13. Really crunchy fishballs with the sweet sauce
12. Going to the spa for a two-hour break from reality
11. Going abroad and having money to go shopping
10. Bookstores and enough time to browse through it
9. A really good musical (and tickets that aren't too expensive)
8. Being able to do something nice for a friend
7. Singapore
6. Watching Unwrapped on weekdays at 630pm with my sister and my J
5. Knowing what my bros want and being able to get it for them
4. Discovering something new and being able to share that experience with my J
3. A good game of VtES
2. A well-written book
1. My life and how everything is progressing smoothly

12 Great Movies
12. Amelie
11. Hero
10. Turn Right, Turn Left
9. Glory
8. The Royal Tenenbaums
7. Breakfast at Tiffany's
6. Before Sunrise
5. The Last Samurai
4. Possession
3. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death/Rebirth and End of Evangelion
2. Gone with the Wind
1. My Sassy Girl

11 Good Bands/Artists
11. The Corrs
10. Lisa Ono
9. Lisa Loeb
8. U2
7. REM
6. Counting Crows
5. Eraserheads
4. Duncan Shiek
3. Sarah Mclachlan
2. Dave Matthews Band
1. Tori Amos

10 Things About You
10. I am obsessive-compulsive and carry a bottle of isopropyl alcohol in my bag
9. I love both sweet and salty stuff
8. I love wearing sandals/rubber slippers -- I really hate wearing and walking in heels.
7. I own 1 pair of formal leather heels
6. I live in skirts
5. I love Shakespeare (and tried to read through ALL of it -- but didn't)
4. I love being a teacher
3. I am very picky about the books I read and when I read them -- I have books I've bought years ago and still haven't read. It took me two years to get through AS Byatt's A Biographer's Tale.
2. I adore my siblings
1. I am still in awe of how freaky/cool it is to be with someone whom I share the same birthdate with

9 Friends Nung Kabataan
9. Abbie
8. Chenggay
7. Elben
6. Michael
5. Chun Leng
4. Iris
3. Doreen
2.
1.
... I really didn't have that many friends growing up

8 Favorite Foods/Drinks
8. caramel popcorn
7. Jollibee Chicken Joy
6. orange juice
5. Ice Monster Mango with Sago
4. Congo Grill sisig
3. M&Ms Peanut Butter
2. peanut butter and Nutella <-- this counts as a food, right? ^_^ 1. Earl Grey Tea with milk

7 Things You Wear Every Day
7. watch
6. anklet my J gave me for our first monthsary
5. glasses
4. a skirt
3.
2.
1.

6 Things That Make You Happy
6. waking up in the mornings and knowing I am completely at peace with the universe
5. being with friends
4. trips abroad
3. lazy Sundays
2. my sibs
1. my J

5 Shows You Watch
5. As Told By Ginger
4. Unwrapped
3. Will and Grace
2. Ed
1. Even Stevens

4 Things That Irritate You
4. when it gets too hot
3. when I don't know what to wear in the morning <--- yes, I am this shallow and vain 2. narrow-minded idiots 1. people who drive but shouldn't because they suck at it

3 Celebrities You Admire
3. Tori Amos
2. Bono
1. Susan Sarandon

2 People on Friendster Whom You Invited First
2. my cousin J and her hubby
1. Galactus

One Greatest Fear in Life
1. Mediocrity

* * *

Advance Notice --

My J and I will be trying the new Sun Cellular promo -- the unlimited text thingy --

So for a week (will let you guys know when the week starts), we'll be using different numbers to test whether it's worth it.
Yay! --

As of 11:30am today, I am officially on sem break.

Yay!

I was supposed to be done with everything yesterday morning, but I had to wait for one student to submit the requirements. ~sigh~

I got a trim at Bench Fix and will now devote some time to taking care of my skin (which was woefully unattended to all this time)

Yes, I am vain.

Anyhoo -- now that I have free time, this is my list of things to do:
- get a haircut = done!
- watch a movie with my J = done! (but I want more, please -- preferably with caramel popcorn ^_^)
- meet up with college friends (I had lunch with my friend JC last Friday and I realized how much I miss these people)
- have coffee and cakes with E and G (*ahem* -- poke poke ^_^)
- read Tuck Everlasting
- read Dicken's A Christmas Carol
- learn how to drive
- get driver's license
- fix/organize my room and my house (erg -- I am not looking forward to this)
- learn how to make my own caramel popcorn (will try to get this done later -- my J and I are going to Fresh to get the ingredients)

* * *

The Vienna Boys Choir will be in town for a performance on November 7. Tickets range from PhP500 to PhP2500.

* * *

For some strange reason, I want to go to Vietnam.

Probably because of all the spring rolls I've been eating here.

Or I really just want to go.

And Shanghai -- to visit C.

Gaaah! Wanderlust! >_<

Monday, October 18, 2004

I love As Told by Ginger --

All this time it was you
I didn't think that it could be true
You were right there from the start
And what might be the strangest part
Is while I sure enjoyed the view
Of seeing everything brand new
It's still you
All this time I was home
I didn't know just how far I'd roam
Winter brings all this snow
Blinding, it covers everything you know
But when the sun comes shining through
And the sky returns to blue
I will rush to take my cue and find you.

* * *

Hello, stranger - you came just in time
I look for your face in a crowd, or in line
Hello, stranger - not a moment too soon
See, that old picture's fading in the drawer of my room
Now toys have gone lost, baby teeth have come loose
There were accidents involving stitches, spilt juice
Report cards were shown, and one time I got sick
But it's nothing I couldn't catch you up on real quick
Hello, stranger - I saved you a place
And it hardly seems strange now that I've seen your face

* * *

There were copper-colored ponies
there was air that smelled like rain
And the moon was out in daytime
when I first learned your name
and though the clouds a-quickly moved in
Though the path looked overgrown
the time that I spent talkin' to you
made me feel like I was home

* * *

For the MP3 and Video of the opening and for that really haunting piece "And She Was Gone," click here.

* * *

Friday, October 15, 2004

Weekend Fun! --

.... and it started yesterday!

My J and I had a walking tour of my part of town -- we started in Little Baguio (near Xavier School) and then made our way to Ortigas and then to Wilson (where we made a LOT of stops: Wei Wang for ma pa -- beef jerky, Green Joy for haw flakes) and to J. Abad where we visited Ice Monster for ... erm ... ice stuff, Tita Merce's for sisig and bbq and another Chinese place for canned coffee)

And then back to Little Baguio.

And, no -- we didn't eat them all. >_<

We plan to watch movies this weekend (so many to choose from >_<) and hang out with a friend on his birthday on Sunday.

I'm lucky to be able to spend this much time with my J -- and the funny thing is, I still get excited to see him everytime. There's always a new kwento or chika. There's always something new to do.

~tee hee~

My J makes me smile. =D

* * *

In other news --

Am nearly done checking papers -- I can't believe I'll be giving Cs and Ds to students ...

in English! That's really an achievement, considering I have a built-in basement mindset not to give anything lower than an 85. Seriously -- just do the work, show some effort and that counts as an 85 in my book.

And, yet, some students have managed to get Cs (70-74) and Ds (60-69).

Oh well.

*shrug*

* * *

Pleasant Surprise --

While checking the final drafts for my En11 class, I stumbled upon some notes written by my students thanking me for the semester.

It's nice to get that kind of affirmation. ^_^

* * *

Cabaret! --

Is opening at Music Museum on November 5. I wanna watch it!


Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Picture! --

Remember that really nice picture that C took of me and my J at our friend's wedding in Cavite?

Well, I finally uploaded it. ^_^

I love this pic -- this is what we would look like if we went to the prom together.

Except that we would be too old to go to the prom. ^^;;

* * *

Wasabi! --

The lunch buffet at Wasabi is worth it! Everyone should try it out when they get a chance. ^_^

My favorite part was the dessert -- my J raved about the Creme Latte, which is a coffee-flavored custard. I also had a slice of chocolate cake and a slice of cheesecake and had a mango crepe made.

And then we went home and watched Super Size Me.

We felt so guilty about having *ahem* over-indulged like that and have vowed to go soda-less for this week.

So far so good. ^_^

* * *

Finally! --

I finished reading A Year in Provence this afternoon!

I was reading it while administering the final exam for En10 this afternoon.

Ganda! It is a joy to read.

Yun lang.

And now I'm reading Tuck Everlasting, which is also amazing!

(Thanks E for the copy ^_^)

* * *

Activities! --

There's an Interior Design exhibit ongoing at Paseo Center in Makati. If you're in the area, go check it out. It's fun. ^_^ (until the end of the month)

New Voice will be staging Cabaret at Music Museum this coming November. (The reason to go to this is that Ugoy Ugoy will be providing the music. A cool thing.)

This week, so many good movies are showing:
- A Shark's Tale
- Wimbledon
- House of Flying Daggers
- Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

~sigh~

All the malls are going on sale this weekend. (And I got a text message from Chocolate telling me that they're going on sale in Megamall -- and there is this really cute skirt that I've been eyeing...)

It's a friend's birthday this week and we're trying to decide whether to take him to Old Swiss Inn for fondue or the Beachhouse for BBQ.

* * *

Stop all the clocks --

Many of us are mourning the death of Christopher Reeve, the original Superman and I am one of those people. I loved the Superman series and had such a huge crush on him when I was younger.

When he got into that terrible accident, I felt bad for him and thought that would be the end of him -- but he proved many of us wrong. I think he did his best work after that -- off camera pa.

Another great figure also passed away -- Jacques Derrida. (And this one affected me more, actually)

While Christopher Reeve got front-page coverage on every major newspaper, Jacques Derrida was allotted a teeny-tiny section in the same papers.

Requiescat in Pace.

Sunday, October 10, 2004

So this is what this is like --

It's Sunday and I woke up this morning with nothing to do.

It is a wonderful feeling -- not to be rushed or hassled by the knowledge that Monday is 24 hours away.

I'm done checking all my papers. I don't really have to report to work anymore -- except this Wednesday when my En10 class has their final exam.

*exhales*

It was a hectic last few weeks -- and the last week wasn't so great --

I had to deal with a very annoying student whom I just want to scream at right now.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! <-- there.

^_^

Much better.

So many things planned today -- a lunch buffet, an Interior Design exhibit at Paseo Center and magazines to buy. ^_^

* * *

Fahrenheit 9/11 --

My J and I had planned to watch Super Size Me yesterday but could not find our copy of it. We ended up watching Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11.

That was a very intense documentary. I lost myself in the narrative and was crying through it all.

What really got to me was the mother from Flint, Michigan -- I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to lose your son.

Or a parent. Or anyone for that matter.

My J and I then discussed the ongoing elections campaign in the US --

I don't want Bush to win, but I don't think Kerry has what it takes to win.

~sigh~

Saturday, October 09, 2004

What earthquake? --

My J and I had a wonderful session at the spa yesterday -- we really enjoy the steam room where we sweat out all the nasty stuff in our bodies. And our therapists yesterday were so good. ^_^

We were going home na when, in the cab, we decided to make a detour to Eastwood.

This turned out to be an interesting side trip --

Dinner at Fazoli's, dessert at Floyd's (smoosh-in goodness!)

There was also a mime performing in the mall. Galing! ^^

I love my J. ^_^

* * *

Good vibrations! --

C and I have been chatting quite regularly on MSN and today he showed me the link to John Kovalic's LJ --

John Kovalic has a project right now and he calls it "good vibrations" -- he copied the concept from his wife.

No matter how successful you feel, no matter how much self-confidence and self-esteem you have, the self-doubt will rear it's ugly head from time-to-time. I actually have a list of things that I accomplished in my life that usually works as a good antidote for the self-doubt:

Lori's Life Achievements:
-Gold Award (the highest award in Girl Scouting)
-BA in English/Creative Writing earned 13 years after graduating high school
-Living almost 20 years after suicide attempt
-13+ year marriage to the World's Greatest Husband
-3 wonderful cats -I own a house
-gainfully employed full-time since 1992, w/state since 1993, currently working a job I love and in my field
-Christmas Child, a short story I wrote and gave as a gift to family and friends Xmas 2001
-The Pie, a story I wrote for Heroic Stories (Good news in a bad news world) http://www.geocities.com/delazan/writing/writing.html

I'm working on my list now. On of the coolest things I've done, or at least one of the things I'm proudest of, is to rescue or help rescue three animals this last year. An awesome cat, a cool gerbil and a giant bloody great snapping turtle (full story to come. trust me: "John vs. The Snapping Turtle" is good).

So, this begs the question...what's YOUR list look like?

Am thinking of my list right now. Will probably write it later. ^_^

* * *

Yay! --

It's the weekend and school is OVER!

Yay!

Friday, October 08, 2004

I'm really glad it's Friday and it's the last day of classes. I only have 12 papers to check and then I'm done.

I think my J and I are treating ourselves to a session at the spa today to detox and relax.

(and if I'm lucky, I might get a meal at Chocolate Kiss after -- hint hint ^_^)

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Oprah Moment --

The first time I wore a skirt was when I graduated from college six years ago. I had it made in Iloilo and I even chose the cloth for it. I was so excited to have it and couldn't wait for an occasion to wear it.

The occasion came and I wore my skirt, feeling so wonderful in something that I had helped make.

And then I'm told that it didn't look good on me -- I didn't have the figure for it.

The next time I decided to wear a skirt was a year later. I was enjoying my job (and the salary) in Xavier and felt it was time to make a transition from ? (I wasn't a kid, but I didn't think I was an adult yet) to adulthood.

One of the ways I made this transition was in the clothes that I wore.

This was my bible.

I also had help from my friend, C (super-bonding summer!).

That summer, we would spend hours going around malls and department stores. She helped me build the foundation of my current wardrobe.

She had this philosophy, which I follow to this date:
If you feel good on the inside, then you will look good on the outside.
If you look good on the outside, then you will feel good on the inside.

For the most part, I get by pretty well, without experiencing episodes of insecurity about my body. But there are those times when I absolutely hate myself.

And then, I got an Oprah moment (a moment of enlightenment; a you-go-girl! moment)

I am lucky to live in a time when women are slowly becoming more comfortable about their bodies. Walking around campus, I love seeing the many shapes of women dressed so prettily. They aren't limited by their size -- they manage to look good.

I like it that women are showing their curves.

* * *

A Visit! --

This whole week, I've been stressed out checking papers and seeing my students for consultation. I finally got sick checking papers (literally! A fever!) last Sunday.

And today, just when everything was turning bleak and I still had a stack of papers to check, I got treated to a wonderful visit from E!.

And he came bearing gifts pa -- a copy of Tuck Everlasting. ^_^

That was a bright spot in my day. (Thanks, E. Coffee some time soon? Hopefully G can join us. *ahem* pokes G ^_^)

Monday, October 04, 2004

Oh, how the gods must be laughing right now --

So it's the last week of classes and it's a very hectic week for me --

Consultations for final drafts, oral presentations to be graded, first drafts to be returned, etc. etc. --

And here I am with a fever and painful joints.

And just last week, I was telling all of my students to "hang in there" and to "mind their healths" because they wouldn't want to be sick at this crucial point in the semester.

Hardeharhar =P

* * *

Sunday --

Come and rest your bones with me
Driving slow on Sunday morning
And I never want to leave
- Maroon 5, "Sunday Morning"

My J and I had such grand plans for Sunday. We were going to Galleria to watch a movie and then go around to check out the new stuff. Lunch was going to be at Mangan (which we both love --)

But I woke up feeling really weird -- my bones were hurting and I was clammy.

He brought over some orange juice and we spent the day at the house na lang.

Though it wasn't what we originally planned to do, I'd like to think we still had a grand time -- watching all those shows on Lifestyle and Disney --

Saturday, October 02, 2004

Yesterday --

On my way to the store from the dept, I saw this man standing on the sidewalk in front of Red Ribbon. He was waiting for a cab. He had a cake box with a birthday candle taped on the top of the box. 7 -- it was probably for his son or daughter who was turning 7 that day.

I realized that I wanted that.

I want to see myself, some time in the future, standing on the sidewalk with a cake box waiting to go home.

My cubicle-mate, after seeing a picture of me and my J (our friend, C took the picture at the wedding reception we all attended last Saturday), said "three."

Apparently, that's how many children he sees me and my J having.

"Introduce them to me when they're older."

This made me smile.