Friday, December 31, 2004

Let's get interactive! --

Post a comment in reply to this entry and...
1. I will tell you what song reminds me of you;
2. I will tell you what celebrity/public/fictional person you remind me of, either personality-wise or looks-wise;
3. I will give you one word that I associate with you when I think of you; and
4. I will tell you what colors I associate with you.

Copy and post; spread the love.

* * *

Thoughts for the day --

So it's the last day of the year and, strangely enough, my last day here in Iloilo (I return to Manila tomorrow afternoon) --

We never really make plans for a New Year Eve celebration -- it's usually just church and then sleep. Yep, we know how to parteeeh~

Bleh.

I'm looking forward to going back to Manila (to my PC, my TV, my clothes, my J, etc. etc.) and I'm really excited about celebrating my birthday with my J this year.

I was planning to make a list of my New Year's resolutions and I decided to check my entries for January this year to see if I had fulfilled any of them. I guess I didn't write them down here. ^_^;;;

For the coming year, I think I can sum it up to this: To let go and be.

I don't want to bother myself about my weight.
I don't want to bother myself about negativity.
I don't want to bother myself with people who are deadset in bringing you down.
I don't want to bother myself with insecurities.
etc.
etc.

I just want to let it all go and be.

Life's too short to be bothered by all this. I just want to go and enjoy my life (and to have as much fun with my J! ^_^)

* * *

Happy New Year everyone!

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

From "A Mighty Wind" --

A Kiss At The End Of The Rainbow

Ohh when the veil of dream has lifted,
And the fairy-tales have all been told.
There's a kiss at the end of the rainbow,
More precious than a pot of gold.

In tales of ancient glory,
Every knight and maiden fair.
Shall be joined when the quest is over,
And the kiss is the oath that they swear.

And when the veil of dream has lifted,
And the fairy-tales have all been told.
There's a kiss at the end of the rainbow,
More precious than a pot of gold.

My sweet, my dear, my darling,
You're so far away from me.
Though an ocean of tears divides us,
Let the bridge of our loss span the sea.

Your kiss....
There's a kiss at the end of the rainbow,
More precious than a pot of gold.

<-- My J and I were so surprised to find a VCD copy of this movie in the local Astrovision for PhP99! I remember seeing this song performed during the Oscars the year it was nominated for best song --

When we were watching the movie -- goosebumps galore! It was so well executed and clever! I'm thinking of buying the rest of the copies here in Iloilo = 2 and will be giving them to friends who might like them. ^^

Oh ... and I think I would like this song played at my wedding. ^_^

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

An Amazing Race --

It started last Wednesday, when my J found out he was getting the 24th and 25th free instead of the 27th and 28th. He was planning to join me in Iloilo on the 26th -- but with that news, we had to scramble and find a ticket for him on the 23rd.

It's the Christmas season and all flights to anywhere would be fully booked. My J decided to try his luck and went to the airport as a chance passenger. He went there at 7am and, at 9, there were seats available on the Bacolod flight. (We checked all the possible connections: Manila - Bacolod; Manila - Roxas, etc.)

By the time he got to the counter, however, it was too late and the flight had already left.

~sigh~

He was able to make the 455pm flight to Bacolod, but missed the last ferry from Bacolod to Iloilo. He had to stay in a crap pension house for the night and took the 7am ferry to Iloilo the next day.

Oh what fun it is to have my hunny here for Christmas. ^_^

We went mad shopping for pajamas and shirts at SM Department store and the Surplus Shop. I took him to all the yummy food places here -- (oh, my poor waist. ^_^;;;)

He left for Manila yesterday evening.

~sigh~ I wish he could have stayed a little longer.

It was wonderful being able to spend the holidays with him. It was great to be able to share all these moments with him.

I wish I could have been there during his first plane ride --
I wish I could have been there with him to explore Bacolod --

But, like my sister said, this is one trip in a lifetime of trips that I will be taking with him.

* * *

Iloilo --

I love it here. I love being able to relax and just walk around with my J -- it isn't so busy here. One could go into SM Department store and take one's time browsing and trying on things.

And how reasonably priced everything is! My J and I went on a "date" and ate batchoy for lunch. Total cost = PhP98 for 2 extra super special batchoy and PhP30 for 2 drinks.

* * *

Bleh --

I think my J and I are both coming down with a cold -- our joints were aching yesterday, but we thought it was because of the weather. This morning, I'm feeling a bit weak and there's a slight tickle in my throat.

Am drinking loads of orange juice and taking Sinutab.

Poor hunny, had to go to work this morning --

* * *

Possibilities for January --

My J and I will spend our birthday doing a movie marathon --

On our list:
1. Kung Fu Hustle
2. Ocean's 12
3. Blade: Trinity

My mom and dad watched "Mano Po 3" and they say it's really nice. I'm still wanting to watch "Enteng Kabisote" for sentimental reasons. ^_^

* * *

Hope everyone's resting well and enjoying their Christmas breaks.

Take care all!

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

How can I forget? --

Books for the year:
5. Wislawa Szymborska's books
4. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
3. Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman
2. Angels and Demons & Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
1. Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen

* * *

Adventures! --

Monday, December 20:
Met up with my J's friends and finally got to meet P, N's girlfriend. We decided to have dinner at Super Bowl of China in Glorietta and went crazy over the suckling pig. *Yum!*

After dinner, we decided to go to Time Zone. (Can't remember when was the last time I visited Timezone. ^_^) I had so much fun! My J beat me at Skeeball. >_< We did that rafting/rowing game -- which was really silly of us.

Best part was when we decided to splurge and had a sketch of ourselves done by the "Van Gogh Machine" -- we had one done na caricature and another one na regular. Cute! ^_^

Tuesday, December 21:
Had some errands in Alabang -- yes, Alabang with my J and youngest bro. After the errand, we had ourselves dropped off at Little Tokyo because I wanted my bro to experience the place. We ended up at the same Okonomiyaki place my J and I ate at the last time. My bro loved it there and is planning a field trip there with his class.

We went to Greenbelt3 and then took the MRT to Shangri-la.

It is impossible to go anywhere these days -- with the traffic being what it is.

Wednesday, December 22:
Was packing a bag and discovered a box that leads to a great adventure -- potentially the greatest adventure of my life. Hurrah! ^_^

* * *

Online Comic Goodness! --

Gashapon Shop

<--- sooooo cute! ^_^

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

Something I got from M's blog --

Five Things You May Not Know About My Time in School:
1. I suffered a slight crisis during my junior year and didn't attend classes for an entire week.
2. I really enjoyed Chemistry.
3. I had to load rev out of a class on CS Lewis because I couldn't handle it.
4. I got delayed for an entire year because I wanted to take more of Prof. Torres's classes in grad school
5. Our speech teacher gave me a failing mark because she didn't like me.

Five Things You May Not Know About the Job/s I Have (or Had or Don't Have):
1. I cried in front of one of my classes.
2. I used to get paid in taho. (Summer job ^_^)
3. During an interview, when I was asked why I wanted to teach, I answered "because I want to be a man for others" and, when asked what salary I was expecting, I answered "pay me what you think my service is worth." -- napaka-idealistic ko dati ...
4. I used to write press releases for the Black Shop -- not sure if they ever used them, though
5. My current job is my dream job and one that I worked hard (and waited for so long) to get.

Five Things You May Not Know About My Online Life:
1. I enjoy blogging.
2. Some of my favorite stops are Amazon.com and Amazon UK and Amazon Japan.
3. My friend M got my started on blogging and was actually the one who gave me my online name: kiteflying.
4. I love having DSL connection.
5. The first thing I check when I go online is my mail.

Five Things You May Not Know About Where I Live:
1. I live on the loft of a condominium unit on the 4th floor of a 4-storey building.
2. The place where I stayed at during college had a "presence" and my sister actually saw it in a dream.
3. The most expensive item in this house is my computer table.
4. During the renovation in Iloilo, my mom decided to color coordinate rooms and had mine painted a god-awful peach.
5. I used to have a red bedsheet and it made me feel like I was lying on the fires of hell.

Five Things You May Not Know About My Home Life:
1. I love my sibs.
2. I used to cook and we would have theme nights (Mexican, Japanese, Junk Food, etc.)
3. Our yaya doesn't like me. =(
4. I love early mornings because that's when the house is quietest.
5. I had fun growing up.

Five Things You May Not Know that I Desperately Want:
1. The ability to be calm and not stress out when things don't go as planned.
2. A fast metabolism
3. Someone's forgiveness -- I want things to be as they were before.
4. the motivation to finish my thesis so I could graduate
5. i want to be less controlling of the things around me

Five Embarrassing Fannish Admissions I Have That You May Not Know:
1. I loved the Spice Girls and we would listen/exercise to their music.
2. I love watching the Sunday afternoon talk shows for showbiz chismis.
3. We actually followed the RENT-Manila cast around for all their performances. -- We ended up in Freedom Bar for Ugoy Ugoy gigs; Alabang for a play one of the cast directed, etc. <-- not really embarrassing, but very fangirl
4. During last year's C3Con -- when I was introduced to Carlos Pagulayan (who did the art for Elektra), I went "OHMYGODYOURECARLOSPAGULAYANIABSOLUTELYLOVEYOURWORK!" -- I started taking pictures and even took a 15s video clip of him drawing.
5. My hands were cold when I shook Q's hand the first time I ever met him. (Because I am such a fan of his work)

Five Things You May Not Know About What I Do in a Typical Day:
1. I check my calendar to see if I have anything scheduled for the day.
2. I exercise! <-- yes, this is true
3. Spend so much time with my J (and it's never enough time! I want more!)
4. Read the morning paper in the car on our way to work
5. Have a KFC Asian Chicken Salad on Tuesdays and Thursdays for lunch

* * *

And this one is from G's blog --

Top Five Life-Changing Experiences
5. passing the compre
4. getting a job in Ateneo
3.
2. the store closing
1. my J <-- bet you saw this one coming a mile away ^_^

Top Five Musical Finds
5. college acapella groups
4. benzxi and sofia / wholly grail
3. osts! (TRTL, etc)
2. joss stone
1. wicked and avenue q


Top Five Success Stories
5. my bro finding a job and getting his work visa in the US
4. my other bro completing his MA from NUS
3. completing my chapter 1 and passing the compre
2.
1.

Top Five Goodbye Stories
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. There really is just one entry here -- the store. So many things and people I will miss. ^_^

Top Five Favorite Things
5. staedler triplus fineliner pens (that come in soooo many cool colors!)
4. my credit card
3. my new cellphone
2. my rubber mary janes (white and black pair)
1. photos of me and my J and all the tickets we saved of all the movies we watched

Top Five Regrets
5.
4.
3.
2.
1. just one -- the one i need to ask forgiveness for. ~sigh~

Top Five Promises for 2005
5. lose weight / adapt a healthier lifestyle
4. read more books
3. write something
2. be a better teacher
1. finish my MA

* * *

A curious thing I got from a friend of a friend's blog --

Project: Person for the Day
Objectives:
1. to acknowledge people for the little things they do to make me happy
2. to help me recognize who makes my day

Friday, December 17, 2004

At this moment --

My sibs are playing VtES with my J and our friend C -- we've just had a grand dinner of Panciteria Lido take out and we've opened all our presents for Christmas.

It's always fun sitting around the tree and recounting the story of how we got a particular gift for a particular sibling -- there are always stories.

This year, there was the added element of my J and friend C --

The funniest thing -- my sibs and I got my J the same gift! Size difference lang! We couldn't stop laughing about it! It really just goes to show how we all have similar tastes and how alike we all are. ^_^ (I love my sibs)

Best gifts received so far --
5. Cash for an LCA -- yay!
4. A pair of funky shoes! (with a pretty flower design on the side!)
3. A Body Shop White Musk bath set!!! -- just in time, my current stash is running low
2. A Japanese-inspired photo album
1. A green house dress ^_^

I like this moment -- we're all in our pambahay and we're sitting around and playing and listening to music. It's so peaceful and right.

This is the best present I think -- this peace and rightness.

(I'm smiling right now.)

* * *

Interesting site --

Stumbleupon Review -- check it out

Look at this -- (by Mary Daniel Hobson -- thanks to the stumbleupon people)


Destiny, you are the oldest of The Endless, you are eternally chained to a book that holds the secrets of the universe. You are all business, never have time to even crack a smile,%
Destiny, you are the oldest of The Endless, you are
eternally chained to a book that holds the
secrets of the universe. You are all business,
never have time to even crack a smile, and
always make sure you do not draw too much
attention. You do not want people hunting after
you!


Which Endless are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Still more of my lists for 2005 --

Things I did that I am most proud of
5. not giving up on my MA despite the oh-so-many things that are keeping me from finishing that damned thing
4. applying to Ateneo to teach and going back to teaching
3. reading all the books I read this year (i love books ^_^) -- discovering Young Adult Fiction (thanks to M)
2. taking that big, big leap and saying "yes"
1. living my life ^_^ (h'ray for me)

Discoveries for 2004
5. I love Andok's Liempo!
4. Knowing how to commute -- having to take a bus to the V. Mapa Station of the LRT2 and then taking the LRT2 to Katipunan 3 times a week
3. Booksale, Books for Less, etc. -- I was able to find so many cool books from these places. (This is thanks to my J ^_^)
2. UP Shopping Center -- a treasure trove of yummy food, cheap photocopying and more books!
1. my J!!! -- the bestest, greatest, most amazing surprise of my life! Gives the best back rubs and the tightest, warmest hugs. The absolute love of all my lifetimes.

Happy Thoughts
5. my students like me (particularly my Lit13 students) -- how their faces light up when we see each other in campus
4. new friends -- I love how my horizons are continually expanding because the people I am around share so much with me.
3. my life and the people I have in it right now (I want for nothing more ... seriously ^_^)
2. March, 2004 -- (I love my J!)
1. knowing that I am loved and knowing how much love I am able to give / my J <-- ultimate happy thought / my sibs (and how cool they are and how proud I am of them)

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

This worries me --

Remember Fr Bob Hope? SJ?
(Not the one who made American GIs laugh.)
The one who taught you English! (He also made us laugh.)
This is your last chance to laugh with him (again)!

Calling all ex-students of Fr. Galdon to
"A Tribute To Fr. Galdon"

For over three decades, he labored to teach us English…with mixed results…not because he was a bad teacher but because we were NOT so bright students! But we loved him…and as he nears the twilight of his years, we gather here to express that love…in appreciation of the labor of love he put in; in not giving up teaching us. Maybe he should have, but he didn’t!!!

Come to the first planning/organizing meeting on Saturday, 8 January 2005, at the Cervini Cafeteria, from 12 noon. You may eat (and pay) your lunch there.

Who’s inviting? That’s us:

Benjie Osias, coll70 (0916-5172715, artalaga@i-manila.com.ph) and
Perry Doroja, coll70 (0919-3078689, perrydoroja@yahoo.com, 727-9555),
both of En 11/12 in 1966.


...it worries me because I already lost Fr. Lahiff (and every mass I attend in Ateneo when all the Jesuit priests gather, I remember him and it always makes me cry.) and I would hate to lose Fr. Galdon --

~sigh~

* * *

Something to reflect on for the coming year --

God Knows Our Hearts

* * *

Wholly Grail! --

Wow! I finally got a chance to see them perform -- well, practice. They sound really great and, in time, am sure they will resoundingly ROCK. ^_^

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Christmas Wish List --

I posted this list last November 1 --

Here's my *ahem* want list:
1. Gregory Maguire's Lost, Wicked (turned into a Musical) and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
2. Mike Gayle's His 'n' Hers
3. A watch (the Tintin watch from Swatch - is this available here kaya?)
4. A subscription to Real Living (haaay, my J got me hooked to this magazine >_<)
5. A new pair of Havaianas
6. A nice bag that I could use for work -- Egg has really cute canvas ones.

In addition --
1. A new blog template -- that's mine and mine alone
2. Judy Moody books (my J and I saw them in National Bookstore - Shangri-La) -- it looks cute ^_^
3. Grown-up shoes -- I'm always in my rubber mary janes and birks, even in school. I think it's time to learn how to walk in heels. ~sigh~
4. A button maker <-- wanted one since last year pa
5. An LCA <-- but I think I'll get one for myself as a birthday present (I also got my Supersampler as a birthday present for myself ^_^)

* * *

I finally got it! --

That Starbuck's annual journal -- it's mine, all mine! The secret pala is having your boy get the drinks you don't like (I'm sorry world, I really don't like that peppermint mocha).

Explanation --
Every year, I look for one of those diaries and I place it in front of my computer screen. It holds a record of everything I've done for the year -- who I met where for what, movies I watched, etc.

It's a lovely record of my year and it's always fun to look through them.

The first one ever was the diary from HP, which my bro (who used to work there) got as part of their Christmas package.

Last year, it was an insurance company's diary -- I panicked eh -- it was already December 31 and I couldn't find the right one. Thankfully, this one grew on me.

So, this year -- it's the Starbuck's one. Hurrah! ^_^

* * *

In the continuing adventures of J and T --

Yesterday, we found ourselves in Shangri-La wanting to buy the last of the Christmas presents and ended up watching "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" --

The movie was at 715 so we decided to have dinner first. We had originally planned to eat at Mongkok (which we both love), but decided to look at the menus of the restos beside it.

We ended up eating at C2 (Classic Cuisine), which serves Filipino food. Everything there is delicious and amazingly affordable for Shangri-la -- their food is good for two and, trust me, it is enough. We took pictures (using my k500i -- now I just have to figure out how to upload them.

My J and I tried their Adobo Rice and Spicy Pork Barbecue, which were both oh-so-yummy! ^_^ We were supposed to have their Bibingka Souffle, but we were informed that it would take 15 minutes to prepare -- and we had a movie to watch.

We will definitely go back there for that Bibingka Souffle (and for the Ensaymada Bread Pudding).

We made our way to the cinema -- stopped by for some popcorn first.

Side kwento: We ordered popcorn from the snack bar, and, while waiting for my J's Sour Cream popcorn to be prepared, these two girls also arrived to get their popcorn. We were standing a little after the cash register and we were blocking their way. One of the girls gave me this look, which I took to mean, "why are you blocking our way". Siyempre, ako naman, I step aside so they could pass through. And then that I realized that the moron had walked in from the exit of the queue. (I am that OC -- even if we're the only people there, I would always enter through where they have the sign "Line Starts Here")

I loved the movie -- and so did my J. We were both laughing our heads off at some scenes. There were times I couldn't breathe na from all the laughing. I loved Colin Firth's character (and I even turned to whisper to my J that I wanted Mark Darcy for Christmas). There were parts of the movie that I felt were rushed -- parang it was strange how they contracted time -- one year na pala yun and I didn't feel it or see the change.

But I came out of the theater inspired (to lose weight -- Renee Zellweger gained so much for the movie and she's lost it all again! I will try to do the same -- erm... the losing part and, hopefully, none of the gaining part ^_^;;;)

* * *

From Avenue Q --

(Thanks to E and C for multiple copies of this. ^_^)

There's a fine, fine line
Between a lover and a friend
And there's a fine, fine line
Between reality and pretend
And you never know till you reach the top
If it was worth the uphill climb
There's a fine, fine line
Between love and a waste of time

There's a fine, fine line
Between a fairy tale and a lie
And there's a fine, fine line
Between "you're wonderful" and "goodbye"
I guess if someone doesn't love you back
It isn't such a crime
But there's a fine, fine line
Between love and a waste of your time

And I don't have the time to waste on you anymore
I don't think that you even know what you're looking for
For my own sanity I've gotta close the door
And walk away

There's a fine, fine line
Between together and not
And there's a fine, fine line
Between what you wanted and what you got
You gotta go after the things you want
While you're still in you're prime
There's a fine, fine line
Between love and a waste of time

and

PRINCETON:
Why does everything have to be so hard?

GARY COLEMAN:
Maybe you'll never find your purpose.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
Lots of people don't.

PRINCETON:
But then- I don't know why I'm even alive!

KATE MONSTER:
Well, who does, really?
Everyone's a little bit unsatisfied.

BRIAN:
Everyone goes 'round a little empty inside.

GARY COLEMAN:
Take a breath,
Look around,

BRIAN:
Swallow your pride,

KATE MONSTER:
FOr now...

BRIAN, KATE, GARY, CHRISTMAS EVE:
For now...

NICKY:
Nothing lasts,

ROD:
Life goes on,

NICKY:
Full of surprises.

ROD:
You'll be faced with problems of all shapes and sizes.

CHRISTMAS EVE:
You're going to have to make a few compromises...
For now...

TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

LUCY:
For now we're healthy.

BRIAN:
For now we're employed.

BAD IDEA BEARS:
For now we're happy...

KATE MONSTER:
If not overjoyed.

PRINCETON:
And we'll accept the things we cannot avoid, for now...

GARY COLEMAN:
For now...

TREKKIE MONSTER:
For now...

KATE MONSTER:
For now...

ALL:
But only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now! (For now)
Only for now!

Only for now!
(For now there's life!)
Only for now!
(For now there's love!)
Only for now!
(For now there's work!)
For now there's happiness!
But only for now!
(For now discomfort!)
Only for now!
(For now there's friendship!)
Only for now (For now!)
Only for now!

Only for now! (Sex!)
Is only for now! (Your hair!)
Is only for now! (George Bush!)
Is only for now!

Don't stress,
Relax,
Let life roll off your backs
Except for death and paying taxes,
Everything in life is only for now!

NICKY:
Each time you smile...

ALL:
...Only for now

KATE MONSTER:
It'll only last a while.

ALL:
...Only for now

PRINCETON:
Life may be scary...

ALL:
...Only for now
But it's only temporary

Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba-dum ba-dum
Ba dum ba-dum
Ba-da da da da
ba-da da-da da da-da
Ba-dum ba-da, ba-dum ba-da
ohhhh-

PRINCETON:
Everything in life is only for now.

Saturday, December 11, 2004

So I just wished someone dead a few hours ago --

Couldn't help it. The man was just so fucking obnoxious and rude. And his daughter was no better.

My sister told me about them last week -- how they insisted that everything be discounted, including the ones that were just released. They were insisting on getting special treatment because he believes we're from the same place (I refuse to believe that these morons come from Iloilo).

This morning, they were back. The daughter kept coming back and forth from the manga shelf asking for how much the discount was for each volume when they were all clearly labeled anyway. She kept asking for a higher discount because "suki" na daw siya -- (uhm -- no.)

And they kept speculating that we would lower our prices next week because it's our last week. When we told the father that, no -- there would be no final reductions for manga (because, seriously, we don't mind keeping a set of the good ones ourselves) -- he's like "well, what are you going to do with all these?" -- like it's his business in the first place. My sister tells him that we plan to keep them and perhaps give some away to friends in the future -- and the guy tells us that we are now friends with his daughter and that we should give them some now. (uhm -- no.)

When they finally made a purchase they insisted on getting the FF characters on display as a freebie. I politely tell the guy that those were gifts from friends and it would be RUDE <-- I really put emphasis on this word when I said it, if I gave it to them.

Then the guy interrupts me mid-sentence and asks me who my parents were. The fuck. I looked familiar daw.

Here's how he said it: Sino parents mo? Parang kilala kita.

To which I reply: I don't know you so I don't think I should tell you who they are.

Not satisfied, he bothers our yaya -- thinking he could bully her into spilling.

Uhm -- no. Our yaya is so wary of them as well kaya she would rather sound disrespectful to him than to tell him.

Wahahahahahahahaha <--- my most evil laugh

I don't understand how some people can be so rude.

I don't understand why people think they deserve special treatment just because you speak the same language. If anything, they should be the people who would support and understand you more.

~sigh~

Apologies for the rant.
Lists! --

Yep, it's that time of year again --

Actually, am starting a bit late this time. ^_^;;

1. List five things you'd like to accomplish by the end of the year.
- revise my thesis proposal so I can defend the damned thing by next year
- work out a timetable/lesson plan for Critical Thinking and the Argumentative Research Paper
- finish reading the Jasper Fforde books
- write a poem (kahit isa lang -- for the end of the year)
- take my sibs to Little Tokyo for lunch or dinner

2. List five people you've lost contact with that you'd like to hear from again.
- Abbie, a good friend from high school
- Cheng, another good friend from high school
... sad lang, they were on my list then last year --
- friends from college
- friends from Xavier
- friends from Iloilo

3. List five things you'd like to learn how to do.
- to relax and take things as they come
- to learn to let go of things from the past and to live in the present
- to lose weight and keep it off ... forever!
-
-

4. List five things you'd do if you won the lottery (no limit).- give some to the victims of the recent typhoon
- set up funds for people who need it (people with great ideas, etc.) / pay for my godchildren's education
- travel!
- set up a retirement fund for all of my teachers and yayas
- save the rest

5. List five things you do that help you relax.- talk to my J (great stress reliever)
- read / write down thoughts
- stay quiet and reflect
- go to Fresh and do the grocery
- ask for hugs (from my J) ^_^

* * *

Top 5s! --

Movies watched on video (VCD/DVD/VHS)
5. Vatel
4. Triplets of Belleville
3. Before Sunset *koff*
2. Lost in Translation / Love Actually
1. Fahrentheit 9/11 / Bowling for Columbine / Amelie / Turn Right, Turn Left


Movies watched on the big screen
5. Last Samurai / Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind / Imelda / Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
4. National Treasure / Shrek 2
3. House of Flying Daggers
2. 2046 / Lost in Translation
1. 50 First Dates <--- super-special significance to me and my J ^_^ / Incredibles


Movies that I wanted to watch but didn't/haven't (and are either not out on video or I just haven't gotten a copy)
5. The Merchant of Venice
4. A Very Long Engagement
3. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
2. Kung Fu Hustle (Stephen Chow!!!)
1. Ocean's Twelve
... there's also Batman Begins, Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events


Cartoon shows
5.
4.
3. The Wild Thornberry's
2. Fairly Oddparents (Nickelodeon)
1. As Told by Ginger (Nickelodeon)


Comic Series
5. Hopeless Savages
4. We3
3. Demo
2. Runaways
1. Fables


Gadgets I lusted over
5. Dell Insprion 700m (which one of my bros got -- soooo cute! I don't need it, but I want one ^_^)
4. Honda Jazz <--- wahahahahaah! Is this a gadget? XD
3. SE K500i (which I got), K700i and S700
2. Ipod or any MP3 player
1. Lomo cameras! <-- there are new ones! (and I still want an LCA >_<)


OSTs
5.
4. Kill Bill vol 1 OST
3. 2046 (I don't have it, but I want one!)
2. Turn Right, Turn Left
1. The Royal Tenenbaums / Wicked

Songs
5.
4. Breathe by Michelle Branch
3. Fell in Love with a Boy (Joss Stone's version)
2. Defying Gravity from Wicked (and For Good)
1. She Will be Loved by Maroon 5 (and Sunday Morning)

* * *

Over coffee and cake --

Comes enlightenment. Thanks, G! ^_^

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Song --

I've been browsing for a nice meaning for the word "song" and none of them seem to capture that element of singing that seems to involve and affect your total being.

I don't know if that makes sense --

Maybe I can explain it better through some more random thoughts --

Father Galdon always believed that singing was the purest prayer one can offer up to God. There is something about singing that inevitably involves your emotions. You can't possibly sing and not feel it in your heart.

During the lunch masses in Ateneo when I was still a student there, he was known to say, "That was so good, we'll sing it again." And the campus choir would indulge him.

At mass yesterday, while listening to the ACMG choir (they changed their name), L turned to me and said something about how our religious songs are actually love songs -- so different from the soul/gospel music of other places.

They sang one of my favorite songs yesterday -- "Huwag kang mangamba" -- the first time I heard this song, it was just the choir singing it at a concert but, yesterday, it was the entire church singing it.

Huwag kang mangamba
Di ka nag-iisa
Sasamahan kita
Saan ka magpunta...


Something in me recognized the promise that HE (and by "He" I mean God) made and it was so wonderfully comforting. And when it's a lot of people singing it at the same time -- you realize that you aren't alone.

And that thought just made me smile.

* * *

...and there was no light in the world but you --

I love my J. ^_^

* * *

This is cute. Trust me --

My J and I love toy stores and we went crazy going through all the new toys at Kidz Station in Shangrila. The other day, we were with out friend C and spent almost 2 hours inside Toy Kingdom.

Anyhoo -- at Kidz Station, we discovered this nifty little toy (and I thought it would make a perfect gift for one of my bros). See here. ^_^ As you can see, you can make one and have it play in your desktop.

My J and I might "adopt" one later. ^_^

* * *

2046!!! --

We were pleasantly surprised to find out that Wong Kar Wai's latest movie was going to be in local theaters today. Siyempre, we watched it (at Shangrila -- which is really nice and comfy. And they have great popcorn)

Ang galing talaga ng vision ni Wong Kar Wai -- there is something about his movies that leaves you breathless and speechless at the end.

Hmmm -- maybe this is because in one scene in the movie, we get to see Tony Leung Chiu Wai's naked behind!!!

OMG! (I clapped through it -- much to my J's dismay ^_^)

Watch it, peeps! (The movie -- not Tony Leung's behind ^_^)

Sunday, December 05, 2004

On the question of whether there is still magic in this world --

We just wrapped up our discussion of the traditional modes of narrative in my fiction class and I assigned my class a paper. I asked them to consider these traditional modes in the face of (post-)modern fiction and to answer the question -- "Is there still magic in this world and do you believe in it?"

I'm reading through 46 essays and they all pretty much say the same thing -- No and No. Many of my students cite science and technology and this awareness of reality as reasons why they don't believe in magic anymore.

I don't know if I gave them the impression that I didn't think it existed anymore and they were just writing to please me or if these are really their thoughts.

I'm hoping it's the former --

Because it would just be sad if it were the latter.
What a day! --

Had a really busy day yesterday -- had to make a trip to Makati on very short notice. I originally planned to make the trip to do the errands today, when it's my J's day off but everyone I needed to see was more available on Saturday than on Sunday.

Traffic was terrible and the heat was unbearable. Ugh!

It was a hectic haring around Makati to make all the needed stops. At around 6, our feet just gave in and we had to make a stop at Starbucks to rest and refresh ourselves.

And then had to go to Makati Cinema Square to find my bro's gift -- he's really into watching these series and, since r!'s been raving about it, I wanted to get him a copy of "The Office"

Sayang it was sold out na.

But I was able to get him Mr. Bean the Animated Series plus CSI Season 3. Yay!

* * *

Dinner! --

Was sooooooo good! My J's been wanting to visit Little Tokyo near Makati Cinema Square for the longest time and we finally made the trip.

The area is a "little" Tokyo -- the path that leads to the restaurants really sets the mood for the place. We settled into an Okonomiyaki place (Kagura) and had to sit at the bar (because the booths were full -- sayang, cool pa naman sana to sit on tatami at a low table).

The food was amazing and the prices were fairly reasonable.

We ordered the Okonomiyaki with Shrimp and Yakisoba with Pork.

Here are the yummy pics!


It is excellent with the Japanese mayo, which we had them serve on the side for *ahem* diet purposes. =P



* * *

Some realizations --

1. I really get cranky and whiny when I'm tired. Yesterday, I was sulking most of the time. My J is very patient about this, which is good. Brat din pala ako. ^_^

2. Am accident prone. Yesterday, I managed to:
a. make my thumb bleed (stubbed it on the zipper of my bag)
b. make my littlest toe bleed (stubbed it on the leg of a table at Mcdo)

3. Big wounds scare the bejesus out of me. The wound on my littlest toe is icky and I couldn't bear to look at it or take off the band-aid we used to cover it from the elements. My J was very nice and very gentle with the whole thing.

* * *

Sun! Sun! Sun! --

Don't you just like how things sound better in threes? ^_^

I sort of made the switch to Sun Cellular na. My J and I bought prepaid simpacks and the 24/7 card.

Assessment:
1. It's hard to load the 24/7 -- I guess this is because a lot of people are using this same service and Sun really hasn't updated its systems to cope with the 1 million subscribers they have. We had to try about 6 to 8 times to load it.

2. Paminsan, the signal does die in certain areas.

3. It's a bit of a pain to send messages paminsan -- you keep getting the "Message Sending Failed" message.

I guess Sun will improve naman in time.

This is curious, though -- it's printed on the back of their card:
Sun Cellular reserves the right to disallow or discontinue 24/7 Unlimited Service at any time and at its sole discretion without encurring any liability whatsoever. This service is strictly for the exclusive private and personal use of the individual subscriber only.

Hmm -- I don't seem to be doing a good job convincing people to switch --
It's biggest pull talaga is the whole "unlimited" thing -- and this is true. My J and I were texting and calling each other like crazy early yesterday trying to coordinate for our errands in Makati.

I'm giving myself a month to try this out, which is why I'm not giving out this number muna. You guys can still contact me through my old number.

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Not bad --

I'm worth $1,755,586.68! How much are you worth?


Thursday, December 02, 2004

It's a big one --

See here --

We had no idea there was such a storm coming so, when we woke up this morning and everyone was talking about "storm signal no. 4," we went to my bro's website and saw the huge storm system coming our way.

* * *

New discovery! --

Got this from r!'s blog -- good place to get books. Check it out. ^_^

* * *

There is no escaping --

Shaun of the Dead!

My J's been wanting to watch this movie for a long time and today's the day. ^_^;;;