Monday, January 31, 2005

A very, very interesting website --

Koreanfilm.org has a list of all the Korean films made in a certain year, plus a review.

* * *

New Mall! --

My J and I went to Robinson's Place-Pioneer yesterday. We decided to watch "Meet the Fockers," which I thought was hilarious!

The cinema was clean and the seats were very comfy. Tickets are PhP100 and they do free seating. I was a bit disappointed with the popcorn/snack bar: no buttered popcorn. Strange.

We had dinner at Lamesa ni Gracia -- yummy yung lechon kawali and the prices are very reasonable.

The mall itself is small -- and there really isn't anything interesting there, except for the main branch of Hot Loops.

And National Bookstore.

And that's about it.

Sunday, January 30, 2005

A Tribute to Fr Galdon --

We’re giving Fr Bob Hope a Valentine’s party! JOIN US!

Date: 19 February, Saturday
Time: 3-6 pm
Where: College Cafeteria

No fee, no charge. Just have a chat with Fr G. It makes him happy to see and be with people who have been a part of his life.

We’ll have a microphone there. We hope you can make Fr G sing with you, as he used to do before.

* * *

Wackiness: 40/100
Rationality: 30/100
Constructiveness: 30/100
Leadership: 20/100

You are a SEDF--Sober Emotional Destructive Follower. This makes you a Evil Genius.

You are extremely focused and difficult to distract from your tasks. With luck, you have learned to channel your energies into improving your intellect, rather than destroying the weak and unsuspecting.

Your friends may find you remote and a hard nut to crack. Few of your peers know you very well--even those you have known a long time--because you have expert control of the face you put forth to the world. You prefer to observe, calculate, discern and decide. Your decisions are final, and your desire to be right is impenetrable.

You are not to be messed with. You may explode.

Of the 84293 people who have taken this quiz since tracking began (8/17/2004), 14.3 % are this type.

This and a bunch of other quizzes here.

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Some peeps might be interested --

The 33rd Bi-Annual Conference carries the theme "Critical Thinkers, Readers, and Viewers: Revitalizing the Language Classroom Through Mass Media"

Date: Saturday, February 05, 2005
Time: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Venue: Walter Hogan Conference Center, ISO Complex, Ateneo de Manila University

Keynote Speaker, SHEILA S. CORONEL (Executive Director, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism), shares her ideas in a talk entitled "THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE MEDIA: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE MASS MEDIA AND THE MANUFACTURE OF MEANING."

Parallel Workshops facilitated by English teachers from Ateneo de Manila University and Xavier School follow the keynote address. These whole-day workshops will demonstrate how grade school, high school and college English teachers can use mass media texts such as news stories, print ads, film, the Internet, and other authentic materials as pedagogical tools and allow learners to interact more meaningfully with them.

For reservations and inquiries, please call VICKY CALDERON at telefax 426 4322 or trunkline 426 6001 ext. 5315.

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Trying to make sense of it --

You know how sometimes a word can cause a spark and you try to make some sense of the "how" and "why" but you can't seem to do so?

<-- did that make sense? ^_^

Well, I had an episode of that this morning:
Over coffee with my cubicle mates, we were discussing current loves, current crushes, etc. and it was something one of them said that left an impression on me --
she was talking about how her current crush seems to have the qualities to contain her --

And that was the word "contain" --

A part of me identifies with that word -- there is something in me that has quieted and calmed because it knows it has found a safe place in my J.

I've been wandering and running away for far too long --

For the first time in a really long time, I'm feeling stable and secure and I can see a future and I know that it is a bright one.

I really love my J.

* * *

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABS!

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Monday, January 24, 2005

From one of M's LJ friends --

Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.

-Mary Anne Radmacher

... I did a search of Radmacher's other works and here's what I found:



And this:
"what can we ask of each other? to simply laugh - to love as deeply as possible - to trust as far as our hearts can willingly go - if there is more than this to ask of our love, we will choose the questions together."

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Ah, serendipity! --

While looking for the lyrics to the theme song of "Barefoot in the Park," I came across this:

the jane fonda song
(barefoot in the park)

by: wm micah

i'd walk in the park with you
even barefoot if you want me to
and just like robert redford
i would marry you

i'd live in an apartment home
that's 4-by-4 or 2-by-2
as long as i can get through the door
i'll be there with you

i'd lose my tie for you
if you want me to
i'd climb to the chandelier
if i couldn't reach the moon
you be my silver-screen
rising young beauty queen
you be my jane fonda
and i will be with you

i'd deal with the neighbors if
they had to get to you
even put up with the hole in the roof
while the snow keeps coming through

i'd sleep on the couch
every other night if i had to
as long as i could spend my days
alone here with you

i'd lose my tie for you
if you want me to
i'd climb to the chandelier
if i couldn't reach the moon
you be my silver-screen
rising young beauty queen
you be my jane fonda
and i will be with you

Which I found from this website -- now if I could only hear how this song goes.
Busy, busy, busy --

Been haring around the city for the past few weeks and yesterday was the busiest yet:
- attended a bridal expo at The Fort
- attended a birthday party for a really beautiful 1-year old
- had dinner and dessert with two of my favorite people in the world

It's Sunday morning and about to go off for my morning walk (<-- a resolution for the year, which I'm glad to keep).

~sigh~

And my week is oh-so-full! ^_^

Don't get me wrong, I like it that I'm being kept busy by all these activities but, there's a part of me that's demanding that I stop to smell the roses.

I'm glad that everything is running smoothly right now -- and all the plans my J and I have are falling into place and I'm looking forward to the day when all the gears will just move along and we can just sit back and enjoy the whole show.

^_^

* * *

About the dinner --

Funny thing -- it was supposed to be a girls' night out and it was naman ... to a certain extent --

During the course of the evening, we had to contact our significant others to tell them where we were and where we were going next. It turns out that my cousin's hubby was somewhere around Greenbelt and Landmark walking around and waiting for my cousin and my J was watching a movie in Glorietta to pass the time.

Cute ng boys namin. ^_^

* * *

How can I forget? --

Sale season! Was in Galleria yesterday and treated myself to a really cool top from Topshop and a very girly, flirty, swishy skirt from Dorothy Perkins.

All on sale, btw. ^_^

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Bleh --

Can't believe it -- am sick. I couldn't make it down the stairs of my house.

I think it's the weather.

~sigh~ I was looking forward to my student's presentations pa naman.

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Check my sidebar --

<--- The Adventures of Stinky and Tin is our joint blog. That's where we'll talk about our plans for our big day.

* * *

Wonderful, wonderful movies --

Met up with my J in Makati and we decided to make a trip to Makati Cinema Square. With Virra Mall closed, this has become the place where we get our *ahem* "fix".

We got a copy of Napoleon Dynamite, which my J has been raving about for the longest time. My cousins from the US were in the country for the holidays and they also recommended this movie to us.

We watched it this afternoon. (I'm bad at reviews -- sorry ^_^;;;) -- I liked the movie. It's very well written and intelligent. Quirky yung characters but they're all so charming. Basta, fun movie siya.

At 845pm, we started watching Garden State. This is a "wow" movie -- grabe. One of the reviews for this movie compared it to "Lost in Translation" and that was what intrigued me about this movie. I don't know why, but the statement that comes to mind right now is this: I was charmed by the movie.

It's just so lovely!

Freaky/fun thing about the movie -- it's about 26-year olds. (Which was our age a week ago ^_^)

And Zack Braff is a cutie.

... Oh, we also found a copy of "Irreversible", but I was too scared to get it. I don't know if I'm ready to watch it. (This is also the same reason why I haven't seen "The Passion of Christ" yet.)

* * *

A reason to go "yay!" --

I went for a haircut today -- a very expensive one. But it was soooo worth it. I haven't felt this good about my hair in a very long time.

I have bangs! ^_^

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Variation On The Word Sleep
by: Margaret Atwood

I would like to watch you sleeping,
which may not happen.
I would like to watch you,
sleeping. I would like to sleep
with you, to enter
your sleep as its smooth dark wave
slides over my head

and walk with you through that lucent
wavering forest of bluegreen leaves
with its watery sun & three moons
towards the cave where you must descend,
towards your worst fear

I would like to give you the silver
branch, the small white flower, the one
word that will protect you
from the grief at the center
of your dream, from the grief
at the center I would like to follow
you up the long stairway
again & become
the boat that would row you back
carefully, a flame
in two cupped hands
to where your body lies
beside me, and as you enter
it as easily as breathing in

I would like to be the air
that inhabits you for a moment
only. I would like to be that unnoticed
& that necessary.

<-- wow, di ba? ^_^
Half arch
Weird curved notched thing

You're this weird curved bar with a tiny flat plate
with a single peg. No one really knows what to
do with you, and usually end up trying to throw
you into some avant-garde looking thing where
you stick out like one of a dozen sore thumbs.


What Lego piece are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Whee! --

Had a fun (but hectic) weekend and an even better Monday --

Saturday, I had lunch with two of my closest friends from college -- J and F and I told them my big news. They were both so happy and excited for me. ^_^

We had lunch at Pagliacci in Podium. The food there is decent and the service is great. I would want to try their gelato next time. ^_^

Sunday was nice and restful -- spent the day at home with my J. Late in the afternoon, we walked to church and then to Starbucks where we shared a Toffee Nut Latte Frapuccino and tried some stuff from that fried snack place near it. It was a great way to prepare for the week ahead. ^_^

Met up with M for lunch on Monday. Ahh -- this was wonderful. It's always great to be around someone with so much energy and love for life. We had lunch at Fruit Magic and then had dessert at Starbucks. Finally got to try the bread pudding -- yum!

He's letting me "borrow" one of his songs for my day. ^_^ Thankies M!

ONE BOY
from Bye Bye Birdie the Musical

Kim:
One boy
One special boy
One boy to go with
And talk with
And walk with
Kim and Girls:
One boy
That's the way it should be
Yeah, yeah!
That's the way it should be
One boy
One certain boy
One boy to laugh with
To jump with
Have Coke with
One boy
Not two or three
Kim:
One day you'll find out
This is what life is all about
You'll need someone who
Is living just for you
Kim and Girls:
One boy
One steady boy
One boy to be with
Forever and ever
One boy
That's the way it should be
That's the way it should be
That's the way it should be

Rosie
When will he find out
This is what life is all about?
Will he ever see
I need him and he needs me?
One guy
One special guy
One guy to live for
To care for, be there for
One guy
That's the way it should be,
That's the way it should be...

we met up with some of my J's friends for a movie at Glorietta 4. Finally got to watch Kung Fu Hustle -- fun fun movie -- go watch it peeps! ^_^ Had dinner at the food court and got to eat World Chicken. I love World Chicken. ^_^

When I got home, some books that I ordered online finally arrived! The first two books from the Mary Poppins series, David Lodge's The Art of Fiction: Illustrated from Classic and Modern Texts, A Reader's Guide to AS Byatt's Possession and THE RENT ORIGINAL JAPANESE CAST CD!!!!!

The CD contains three songs: Seasons of Love, Another Day and Rent. Grabe -- even in a foreign language, goosebumps galore pa rin. ^_^

Today promises to be fun also. Meeting up with my J for lunch in Makati and then we're off on more of our adventures. ^_^

* * *

Oh --

and I love my J.

Sunday, January 09, 2005

And she said yes --

And the deal came with a lovely ring and the promise of a lifetime of warm hugs and laughter galore.

Friday, January 07, 2005

You get your answers from the strangest places --

Here I am, wishing in my head to read something reassuring and then --

My horoscope today:
Daily Couples:
Full speed ahead -- as long as your seat belt's fastened. Before barreling ahead to the finish line, grab your sweetie's hand and let it be a tie race.

Extended Forecast:
On the one hand, you're feeling just about uncontrollably excessive and lavish and extremely (uncharacteristically) unconcerned with the bill that will inevitably arrive next month. On the other hand, your ordinarily frugal nature is tugging desperately at the back of your mind, just about begging you to at least try to stop yourself. Forget that. It's the time to play. Why play halfway? Go ahead. Have the fun you're after. All of it.

... Thank you Yahoo!Astrology. ~sniff~

Thursday, January 06, 2005

The plan --

Blade Trinity (Cinema 3) at 2:30
Kung Fu Hustle (Cinema 2) at 5:10

Hurrah!

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Happy Birthday to us --

Tomorrow, we turn 27. My J was born at 8:43 am and I was born at 10:00 am.

* * *

On the tragedy --

This morning I was confronted with just how devastating that tragedy was -- one of my cubiclemates' students was a victim in the tsunami. She was a sophomore Bio student. She and my cubiclemate were very close and would usually have a chat every MWF when my cubiclemate comes out of her 8:30 - 9:30 class.

Today was the first time they did not meet.

It made the return to school a bittersweet event -- not only do you come back to welcome your students, but also to check who's there and who isn't and wonder whether they were in one of the places hit by the tsunami.

I spoke about my thoughts on the tragedy during my En11 class. I was on the verge of tears as I spoke about how it's strange to be greeting each other a Happy New Year when there is this happening outside us.

~sigh~
~Sigh~ --

Where did the time go? I have to go to work in a bit. Bleh.

Gads, if I'm feeling this way, I wonder what my students must be feeling right now.

And I have a medium-sized pile of papers that is still waiting for me. ~Haaaaaaay~

And with the store gone, I have to figure out how to commute home at the end of the day. Bleh.

* * *

Treat last night --

Getting to watch "There She Goes" performed by The LA's and then by Sixpence on MYX. Really cute song.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

End of the Year Survey

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before?
Took a leap of faith and fell in love.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
The most important one, yes -- the rest are a blur.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yup. My friend J last December 27 to a daughter.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
Hong Kong. (My answer last year, too -- Bleh. Need to make plans na for the summer.)

6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004?
Determination to complete my Master's. The ability to slow down.

7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March, 2004 - 50 First Dates ^_^
March 17, 2004 - Lovers' Concerto
March 25, 2004 - the walk from Galleria to Podium
late May, 2004 - getting a job
December 22, 2004 - the store closed; I got a pretty little present from my J ^_^

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting to teach in Ateneo. Getting very good feedback/evaluation from the teachers and students. Passing the compre.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Lots! -- but I don't want to dwell on them. <-- my answer last year ^_^

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thank God. I'm more conscientious now about taking my vitamins and staying healthy.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Sony Ericsson K500i. My 2 pairs of rubber mary janes.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
<-- still don't know how to answer this one.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
<-- see no. 12

14. Where did most of your money go?
Clothes. VCDs and DVDs. <-- my J is educating me on film appreciation. ^_^ Books!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The prospect of the coming year and the many many changes I will be encountering. Getting to teach Intro to Fiction. My J.

16. What song will always remind you of 2004?
"Obvious" by Westlife <-- although, my J wishes otherwise. Wahahahah! XD
"Crash into Me" by Dave Matthews Band
"The Way You Look Tonight" <-- no particular singer. I usually sing a few lines from this when I'm out with my J.

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?
Write. <-- *sigh* same answer last year

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worry. Give in to insecurity.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it with my family and my J. ^_^

22. Did you fall in love in 2004?
Yes!!!

23. How many one-night stands?
None.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Iron Chef. Nigella Lawson's shows on Lifestyle. Amazing Race.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really hate -- more of "not like"

26. What was the best book you read?
Mike Gayle's books. Wendelin Van Draanen's Flipped. Jasper Fforde's stuff.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
-- The Broadway Musicals Wicked and Avenue Q.

28. What did you want and got?
Someone to share my life and all that I experience with.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Incredibles. 2046. A Mighty Wind.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I'm 26 and turning 27 in a few days. Will be having a series of lunches and dinners with friends during the week ahead. On the day itself, my J and I plan to do a movie marathon at Shangri-la.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I thought it was a pretty good year for me. ^_^

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?
More girly. I wasn't afraid to wear tank tops. Havaianas. This year, I'm going with sensible more-girly shoes. <-- found a really funky pair from Hush Puppies. Sooooo comfy!

34. What kept you sane?
My J. My sibs.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Still Tony Leung Chiu Wai.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Stupid Pork Barrel issue.

37. Who did you miss?
No one really. I wasn't very angsty this year.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
my cubicle mates sa English Dept. ^_^

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004:
Have faith in yourself.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"It’s a beautiful day
Don’t let it get away
It’s a beautiful day"
- U2, Beautiful Day

* * *

First post of the year --

It was a season of taking chances -- literally! My J had to take his chances at the airport so he could be with me for Christmas. My sibs and I had to go through a very harrowing (but ultimately rewarding) experience just to get the earlier flight.

It was a season of taking chances -- at the start of the year, it was all about putting down walls and letting people in. It was about opening up to people and letting them share with you their lives and experiences. It was about letting go of everything and taking that great big leap into the unknown and saying "yes" to love.

It was all about learning to trust yourself and the decisions that you make and being able to look at the future and see its possibilities rather than its obstacles.

Bleh. So dramatic. ^_^

Basta. I'm excited for the coming year.

Yun lang.