Saturday, January 31, 2004

Curiouser and curiouser --

For Americans:
"Intimate space is about 18 inches away from our heads... personal space is two to four feet all around us... social space expands to about four to eight feet away and public space is all areas beyond." p. 111

This German scientist studied women's flirting behavior and this is what nearly all women do when they flirt:
"1. Smile
2. Lift their eyebrows in a fast, jerky motion.
3. Open their eyes wide (a sign of sympathetic system arousal which means that the "Hey, pay attention! part of our nervous system has kicked into gear.)
4. Lower their eyelids.
5. Tilt their heads down and to the side (a universal sign of submission in the animal kingdom).
6. Look away." p. 153

from *ahem* Dating for Dummies ^_^

* * *

A friend gave me a really cool belated birthday present -- it's one of those Kodak disposable cameras with a flash -- I haven't opened it yet, but it's in my bag and I take it anywhere. I don't know why, but I really like having it with me ^_^

And E also gave me my birthday present -- it's a movie magazine which features Hero, one of my favorite movies -- (Tony Leung Chiu Wai! ^_^) Ty, E! ^_^

Had a really great day -- started with a walk to Starbucks with G (always fun to talk to) and then the usual group of VtES players ^_^ R! was at the store and he shared his thoughts on the Oscar nominees for this year -- I am a bit disappointed that Last Samurai didn't get as many nominations --

Did something spontaneous -- went with friends to Greenhills after work where we checked for erm... stuff ~tee hee~ ^_^

Tomorrow is book-buying day -- I want to get a copy of the book that Last Samurai was based on... not sure what the title is, though. Erg.

I'm also loving my new CD, Songs from 31 Songs -- it isn't music meant to be played in a public space, though (I can't appreciate it when I'm in the store --)

J lent me his copy of Pink Champagne and that's going to be Monday morning music (alliterated, yay!)

Oh, the store turns 2 tomorrow (not that we're open) -- we aren't doing anything fancy this year, though. Methinks we will celebrate quietly ^_^

And for fellow female Capricorns, a curious thing -- our horoscope for today, January 31:
Today you will have a golden opportunity to tell someone just how much you care about them. If you have not done this for some time, then it may be good to make some kind of grand gesture, and either take them on an adventure, or buy them a gift that will encourage them to explore the potential of your wonderful partnership.

... okay-- I don't have anyone in particular to say something to, so:
Dear world,
I'm beginning to care about you again. Let's not screw it up for each other, k? ^_^

* * *

Reading Kafka's The Metamorphosis -- =P (Though his Hunger Artist is something worth reading ^_^)

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Crisis over-- (January 30)

I actually had another entry all written out -- when I read it, I felt it was too depressing so I deleted it. (There is enough doom and gloom in this world as it is) =P

I've managed to deal with the situation and now it is time for me to pick up the pieces (which is going well ^_^)

I really can't dwell on this too much because there are so many other things that are happening in my life -- (compre, compre, compre) and I can't really afford to give in to the negative vibe ...

... and there is nothing like the comfort of friends to get you through a difficult time (thank you ^_^)

In hindsight:
I guess it was time for me to experience something that jarred me back to existence -- I had somewhat taken my life for granted and was going on automatic pilot.

* * *

Hehehe -- quote from Virginia Woolf:
I seemed to her such nonsense -- inventing differences, when people, heaven knows, were different enough without that. -To the Lighthouse

Every Wednesday of February, a presidentiable is will be in Ateneo to participate in a forum. I think I would like to hear what Ping Lacson and FPJ have to say -- not that I'm voting. =P

And this amuses me: Came from the lib yesterday and bumped into one of our store's customers -- fun lang when they do a double-take and you see surprise and confusion on their faces. Lol! ^_^

* * *

I really like Cheesecake etc.'s Chocolate True Confection (or is it confession) -- it's this gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. (I don't know what it's doing in a cheesecake place, but I'm glad it is there -- yum!) And one of our VtES players makes amazing, amazing cheesecake brownies -- will have him make some and will bring it to the store one of these days. ^_^

And I finally got a copy of Songs from 31 Songs (which compiles 18 of the 31 songs Nick Hornby writes about) My favorite is Ani DiFranco's You Had Time (sad song)

how can i go home
with nothing to say
i know you're going to look at me that way
and say what did you do out there
and what did you decide
you said you needed time
and you had time

you are a china shop
and i am a bull
you are really good food
and i am full
i guess everything is timing
i guess everything's been said
so i am coming home with an empty head

you'll say did they love you or what
i'll say they love what i do
the only one who really loves me is you
and you'll say girl did you kick some butt
and i'll say i don't really remember
but my fingers are sore
and my voice is too

you'll say it's really good to see you
you'll say i missed you horribly
you'll say let me carry that
give that to me
and you will take the heavy stuff
and you will drive the car
and i'll look out the window and make jokes
about the way things are

how can i go home
with nothing to say
i know you're going to look at me that way
and say what did you do out there
and what did you decide
you said you needed time
and you had time

* * *

Compre countdown --
1 week left to the first part ^_^ -- am looking forward to February 14, 12:01pm ^_^


Tuesday, January 27, 2004

after a while, one realizes that there is no escaping one's lot in life, no matter how hard one tries-- and the search for peace is futile.

~sigh~ ^_^

here's hoping tomorrow will be better ^_^

Sunday, January 25, 2004

Wached The Last Samurai --
~sigh~ I *heart* Ed Zwick ^_^

I like this guy -- scene stealer imho ^_^

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Listening to The Last 5 Years (thanks to N and P for the copy ^_^)--

Found out about this musical through N -- she has the lyrics to the first song in her blog and it was so beautiful! I needed to listen to the music (and now I am ^_^ -- nice!)

* * *

Happy New Year (again) to everyone ^_^ -- i love tikoy ^_^

* * *

For AdMU Alumni:

A Retreat for Holy Week based on the Spiritual Exercises
of Saint Ignatius will be held on April 7-11, 2004 at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Jesuit Retreat House and Seminar Center, Novaliches, Quezon City.

The Holy Week Triduum is a very good time to take some days off from home and work to engage God in quiet prayer and prepare for the great Easter mysteries.

This directed retreat will be a good opportunity to reflect on the past year and to see the unique ways by which God invites us to share in the Paschal Mystery in the concrete events of our lives.

A major highlight of this retreat is the rich liturgy of the Paschal Triduum which will be presided over by the Jesuit fathers of the Sacred Heart Novitiate.

For the last five years, the Center for Ignatian Spirituality Philippines has been successfully offering directed days of prayer during the most solemn Paschal Triduum.

A group of supervised retreat guides will be on hand to guide the retreatants, one on one through the days of prayer. The retreat begins at dusk of Holy Wednesday, and ends mid-day of Easter Sunday.

For more info, contact:
Center for Ignatian Spirituality (Phil)
Spiritual Pastoral Center, Seminary Road
Telephone Numbers: 426-4250 to 51
Fax: 426-4250 or email: cisphil@ignaciana.org

* * *

Compre countdown:

I have two weeks left to study for the first half of the exam. I'm doing well so far --

No use squeezing blood from stone (favorite quote from my beloved Prof. Torres) -- I know what I know and there's no improving that knowledge na -- but I hate the anticipation =P (I dread the evening of February 6 -- it would be an agonizing wait for February 7)

I just want to get this over and done with! >_<

Thank God for the "what comes after" -- so many plans, so many friends nice enough to indulge me and an afternoon at a spa! ^_^

* * *

Finally got a chance to read My Faith in Frankie -- lol! Such a great, great first issue! I wish I had my own personal god. ^_^

Today I decided that I will believe that I have a god who is looking out for me -- it is a comforting thought and all it takes is a bit of faith --

Speaking of faith --
Conversation with E:
Me: According to A, I need to take a leap of faith --
E: And?
Me: I want to leap, but I don't have faith.
E: [snorts] [shakes head] [continues drawing]

* * *

How time flies! The store will be two years old in a week -- yay! ^_^

Saturday, January 17, 2004

Something I want to add to my 2003 lists--
A really beautiful graphic novel called Blankets by Craig Thompson. (cried over this ^_^) I was reminded of this when I was reading Bryan O' Malley's Lost at Sea (another really good read ^_^)

The Strangest thing--
It seems PDI made a mistake and reprinted yesterday's horoscopes today (Saturday). Yes, I read my horoscope. I wonder what the "cosmic" implications are -- having to experience the same fate twice in a row --

* * *

Sunday
Watched Kill Bill at Podium with sibs and J -- kinda sad that few people watched Kill Bill (and the cinema for RotK was packed!) Was surprised to see that they didn't cut _that_ much out -- thoroughly enjoyed the experience ^_^

Go watch it if you can ^_^



Thursday, January 15, 2004

Got this from an email sent by the Ateneo Alumni Office:

LEARNING LINKS, an NGO that assists street kids and at-risk children
through alternative learning opportunities and mentorship programs, has
helped reduce the number of street children along Katipunan by more than
75%. The organization is currently recruiting Ateneo alumni who are
willing to devote around three hours per week to its 2004 programs. There
will be an orientation for potential volunteers on January 31 at 9 a.m.
at the Learning Links Center. Please confirm your attendance by sending
an email to learninglinks@hotmail.com

* * *

Currently listening to Fuel's Shimmer (got to see the music video late one evening -- yay! ^_^ I love this song.)

And I'm writing again ^_^ --

* * *

Friday

A Leap of Faith --

The Osho Zen Tarot deck's image for The Fool is this harlequin walking off the edge of a mountain. This is the card that came out in A's reading of me. It's what I need to do -- close me eyes, step off and know that there will be people who will catch me.

Another very interesting change is the shift in colors and I asked A what it meant. Most of the cards that came out were all from the red suite (?) and this signified action -- (or in my case, a desire to take action ^_^)

* * *

In other news --

Compre is 3 weeks away and I don't feel ready for it =P (Oh well, no use squeezing blood from stone)

Monday, January 12, 2004

Had a really nice chat with E today --

Made me think (hahaha -- bad word ^_^) about what I want for myself this year -- and that is to not think too much; to do more and worry less.

I have a really bad case of analysis paralysis. I tend to over-analyze things to the point that I've resolved whatever it is in my head even before I've done anything. E said something that really made a lot of sense -- he said that I think I want for nothing because I'm too afraid to do anything.

He's right --

I think people think I'm very self-assured and confident (A read this during one of our Tarot sessions), but I'm really so effing scared of consequences (or perceived consequences). I have taken some steps to try to resolve this, but it's just so easy to fall back into safe, comfortable habits... ~sigh~

And then I was reading something and the question the character was asked was, "If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be?" And my answer is, me -- but a me who doesn't think or worry too much. ^_^

It's the start of a new year, I'm 26 -- things are going to change.

* * *

Still reading Einstein's Dreams and picked up a copy of Alan Lightman's Good Benito -- I told my friend A to get a copy of 31 Songs and am hoping he likes it.

Wednesday, January 07, 2004

Whew! --

So I turned 26. I'm not quite sure what to make of that yet. It'll probably take me the entire year to figure it out (but by then, I'll turn 27 ~sigh~)

I had a fun birthday -- pretty much predicted what was going to happen: first, a phone call from A and then a visit from F & C and from J & B... but the real thing was far, far better than what I had predicted. G also dropped by -- and she's always fun to talk to ^_^

(It was so nice to have my old friends and new friends meet each other.)

I was smiling the entire day (and, it's the day after and I'm still smiling ^_^)

thank you thank you thank you ^_^

* * *

It's also fun to know someone who shares the same birthdate as you --
My conversation with J:
J: Happy Birthday!
Me: Same to you ^_^

... ambabaw ko...

Guess how I'll be spending my Valentine's Day--

Found out today that the comprehensive exam will be on February 7 and 14 -- when I told F about this, she sent back the funniest reply: "Guess this is the reason why a lot of teachers are single..." lol!

It's after February 14 that I'm looking forward to -- (I'm already making plans. ^_^)

There's videoke with sina E and a very reluctant G (pero sasama ka ^_^) and anyone else who wants to tag along ^_^

and then there's the trip to the beach ... now to find people to drag along...

and the non-lit and theory books to be read after! (Alan Lightman is a new discovery, thanks to B) ...also curious about JM Coetzee, who won the Nobel ...(a trip to the Tomas Morato bookstores with M siguro) ...and the book that G gave me ^_^

I wonder if I'm studying enough for the compre--

I wonder if they're going to fail their only grad student in Lit who is taking the compre... (would they kaya? i'm willing to settle for a B -- which is the equivalent of almost-but-not-quite failing in grad school)

~sigh~

And today at the lib...

So I walked to AdMU to get an extension on a book that I borrowed -- it seems pala they don't give extensions if it's been borrowed over the break... I had to explain that I needed it for my compre. (Guess I looked sufficiently distressed because the guy broke their rule and gave me my extension) h'ray! ^_^

Went to the comm dept to meet someone who was giving me a copy of ChunHyang (a Korean film that stars Cho Seung-Woo from Who Are You? and The Classic) ^_^

-- I like walking around the campus ^_^

* * *

Currently reading Percy Bysshe Shelley's In Defense of Poetry -- lots of really good quotes. Will try to take note and share them here...
My bro has my number until Sunday (he's going on a trip) and I'll be using his number until then -- will try to text everyone the new temporary number.

For now, either send me an e-mail or contact me through the tag board.

... is all for now

Sunday, January 04, 2004

Currently listening to: Tori Amos' new album, Tales of a Librarian

From G's blog:

1. What did you do in 2003 that you'd never done before?
Nothing outwardly manifested -- more mental.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Some -- yes.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin. I have a little buddha for a niece. ^_^

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but a lot of people I knew had people close to them die.

5. What countries did you visit?
Hong Kong

6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
A more productive life? ^_^ -- clarity and maturity siguro.

7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 4 -- birthday dinner with friends
January 6 -- birthday
mid- to late February -- Tony Leung on the big screen ^_^
April 11 -- RENT concert at Onstage, Greenbelt
May - June -- got sooooo sick. erg...
August 15 -- started playing pRO ... after that, the rest of the year became a blur ^_^

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Having my chapter 1 approved.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Lots! -- but I don't want to dwell on them.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
That terrible illness during the summer, compounded by the SARS scare.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I like everything I buy -- otherwise, I don't buy it. Favorite thing I bought for myself? My Lomo Cameras

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Strange question... it really isn't my place to say, di ba?

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
See answer for 12.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Books. Skirts/Clothes. Notebooks.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
the prospect of graduating; got excited for E & A ; Christmas break; my trip to HK; etc. etc.

16. What song will always remind you of 2003?
Taxi Ride - Tori Amos

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? same
iii. richer or poorer? same

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spend time with friends. Write. Read. Smell the roses.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry. Think too much.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
We usually go to Mass and have a quiet dinner at home.

22. Did you fall in love in 2003?
No. ^_^

23. How many one-night stands?
None. ^_^

24. What was your favorite TV program?
CSI.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't know.

26. What was the best book you read?
Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, Da Vinci Code (and everything else he wrote), Nick Hornby's 31 Songs, etc. etc.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Bossa Nova. (Thanks to E), Korean and Japanese OSTs

28. What did you want and got?
^_^ -- a reason to be

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hero, Finding Nemo, LotR: TTT and LotR: RotK

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Was 25 (turning 26). Spent day receiving well wishes from friends. Celebrated a few days before with dinner.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Taking and passing the compre last September -- instead, had to postpone it to this February

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
Always, always -- skirts and slippers ^_^

34. What kept you sane?
Family. F and C , A -- my friends.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Tony Leung! Takeshi Kaneshiro.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
All of it! It was a really chaotic year, wasn't it?

37. Who did you miss?
si most missed memory ^_^

38. Who was the best new person you met?
si no. 1 discovery of 2003 ^_^

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:
Love yourself. (copied G's answer ^_^). Have faith in people.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"We've all been
Pushed
Too far
I guess on days
Like this
You know who your
Friends are
...
I'm glad you're
On my side, sure
I'm glad you're on
My side still"
- Tori Amos, Taxi Ride

* * *

Got a copy of REM's The Best of REM: In Time, 1988-2003 and a dayplanner. Re-read Tuesdays with Morrie (and cried). Am set for the year. ^_^