Thursday, March 31, 2005

The Chase is On! --

My J and I couldn't resist it -- we ended up getting our books today instead of tomorrow (when Podium goes on sale -- I asked the lady at National if they are participating and they said they are -- 20% off on foreign titles).

We spent the afternoon in our jammies, reading -- he his copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell and me my copy of Chasing Vermeer. (hehehehe -- just realized how badly written this part is ^_^;; -- apologies for the grammar)

I'm really enjoying the book and it has a lot of very memorable lines -- (am up to Chapter 11 pa lang)

Some really neat lines/ideas:

"Ask a question that doesn't have an answer."

*

For one of their school exercises, they were asked to answer the question "What makes an object a piece of art?" by "choosing an item at home that feels like a work of art... Describe this object... without saying what it is."

One of the main characters wrote this:
"This object is hard on the outside and bendable on the inside. It is the color of an unripe raspberry, and it weighs about as much as a pair of blue jeans. It smells like a closet in an old house, and it is an ancient shape. It holds things that are hard to believe. There are living creatures falling like rain and objects that float by themselves. People vanish and reappear.

It is made of substances that once grew, that once bent in the wind and felt the night air. It is older than trips to the moon or computers or stereo systems or television. Our grandparents might have seen it new when they were young."

<-- guesses peeps? ^_^

*

"We shall pick up an existence by its frogs." <-- this is for my bro

*

"This was a calm, deliberate world, a world where dreams were real and each syllable held the light like a pearl. It was a writer's world --"

* * *

Be Cool! --

We watched this today at Podium and we were the only people in the theater. Hurrah! I thought it was a really funny movie and am curious to see Get Shorty.

Every Monday and Tuesday, Podium sells their movie tickets for PhP80 from 10 until 3.
I wanted to be Edna --

Mirage
Which Incredibles Character Are You?

brought to you by Quizilla

* * *

I thought I would be Lawful Good --

... and I ended up an Elf, just like my J. The funny thing is, Elves are my J's least favorite characters for D&D. ^_^

Chaotic Good Half-Elf Bard

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Half-Elves are a cross between a human and an elf. They are smaller, like their elven ancestors, but have a much shorter lifespan. They are sometimes looked down upon as half-breeds, but this is rare. They have both the curious drive of humans and the patience of elves.

Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.

Secondary Class:


Detailed Results:

Alignment:
Law and Chaos:
Law ----- XXXXX (5)
Neutral - XXXXX (5)
Chaos --- XXXXXXXX (8)

Good and Evil:
Good ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Neutral - XXX (3)
Evil ---- (0)

Race:
Human ---- XXXXXXXX (8)
Half-Elf - XXXXXXXXXX (10)
Elf ------ XXXXXX (6)
Gnome ---- XXXX (4)
Halfling - XXXXXXXXX (9)
Dwarf ---- (-1)
Half-Orc - XXX (3)

Class:
Fighter -- X (1)
Barbarian - (-2)
Ranger --- XXXX (4)
Monk ----- XXXXXXXX (8)
Paladin -- XXXXXX (6)
Cleric --- X (1)
Mage ----- XX (2)
Druid ---- XX (2)
Thief ---- XXXXX (5)
Bard ----- XXXXXXXXXXXXX (13)

Take this test here.

* * *

We're having a heat wave, a tropical heatwave --

I'm getting so dark na and my face is getting really red! Waaaaah! I thought I was smart na when I scheduled all my errands in the morning -- it's just as bad pala. Bleh.

I remember last year, around this time din -- I was complaining about the heat and stuff and science-geek-beloved bro had to ask the question --

"Would you rather be sweating in the heat or get wet in the rain?"

Hmmm --

* * *

Big News for me! --

I finally did it! I finally got myself a 128mb Memory Stick for my camera. ^_^

I got so tired of constantly having to erase pictures from my 8mb sticks so I asked my sister to get me one and she gave me the money for it. Hurrah!

This comes just in time as we are set to do food sampling this Monday and I would like to take pictures of my J and me "sampling" the food at Mandarin. ^_^

The experience of wanting to get a new memory stick made me realize that I really am afraid to commit to big purchases -- I've been planning on getting a new memory stick for the past month and my sister has always been very supportive and gives me the money for it. Each time I go to the place, though -- I panic and freeze. I always end up going home and returning the money to my sis.

Apparently, I can easily spend (and buy) as long as the item is priced under a thou -- beyond it takes serious contemplation.

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

An attempt at gathering thoughts --

.
.
.

Not a spoiler alert

.
.
.

But I just want you to get a copy of the movie and watch it first. ^_^

.
.
.

Since I watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou last night, I’ve been trying to put into words my thoughts about that movie.

The movie begins with a statement – a simple, straightforward statement from the main character, Steve: “I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in 10 days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it.” The statement is reminiscent of the one Melville’s Ishmael makes in the beginning of Moby Dick and brings with it the same sort of problem: he is chasing after something that may or may not exist – he is his own witness and the test is how strongly he believes in himself.

Steve Zissou has a lot going against him. He hasn’t made a successful documentary in nine years, his wife is indifferent to him, he recently lost one of his closest colleagues and he is being challenged by another oceanographer who appears to have a lot going for him.

Despite the obstacles, Zissou presses on. It becomes a quest for completion: the documentary he shows at the beginning of the film is “part 1” and he does say there will be a part 2. It is also a quest for completion in his own life: to find and avenge the death of his friend; to figure out who Ned is to him, etc.

Ambiguity is one of the main devices used in the film – we see this in Steve Zissou’s quest for the Jaguar Shark and also in the introduction of Ned Plimpton’s character. Steve has to decide whether Ned is really his son from another woman or not. The whole idea of “revealing in half concealing” gives one the sense of being on the brink of something and the choice to be made is to either take the leap or to turn around.

Zissou takes the leap and so do we (otherwise, we would have stopped watching the movie ^_^). Midway through the movie, Steve's faith is challenged: first, by Cate Blanchett's character (she questions his abilities as an oceanographer and rejects his advances) and then by an encounter with pirates and then with a "mutiny" by some of his crew and lastly by a terrible tragedy but Steve gathers himself and moves forward and we are all rewarded for that.

At the end of the movie, we realize that simple statements are anything but simple – Steve Zissou proves this with the many twists that he encounters in his quest for the Jaguar Shark. There are never straightforward paths from point A to point B, instead we accept that life is an adventure and we embrace everything that happens to us, good and bad.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Do you wish you could breathe underwater? --

Your way's four inches, mine is an inch and a half. Do you want to pay for the extra gas?
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Finally got to watch "The Life Aquatic" -- I loved Anderson's previous work "The Royal Tenenbaums" and I was really excited to watch this movie.

In a word? "Wow."

(Let me gather my thoughts about the movie and I'll try to write about it. ^_^)

I checked Wes Anderson's information on IMDB and I found out that he's working on "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" -- a film adaptation of Roald Dahl's work.

Hurrah!

* * *

Monday was hot --

Not only was it hot --

According to PAGASA, it was the hottest day of the year. And my J and I were out traipsing about Greenhills and Galleria. We watched "Robots" in Theater Mall and were very very happy to be the only ones in the theater during the 11am show. (The popcorn that day was yum!)

After the movie, we decided to take a short cab ride to Galleria and we had the great misfortune of getting into a cab with a busted air conditioner. I really don't like the new system in Greenhills Shopping Center.

We were slowly roasting inside the cab as it inched through traffic going to Galleria. When we were in front of LSGH, we decided to just walk the rest of the way.

It was so, so hot! >_<

I've decided to postpone all afternoon activities and to schedule everything during the morning or after 6.

And I'm rethinking my plan to take up classes this summer.

* * *

Oh --

One more thing:

I love my J.

Monday, March 28, 2005

Weekend --

This weekend was all about really good food and great books.

Saturday
For our anniv, my J and I ate at China Star in Podium. I've read about this restaurant in several newspapers and I was curious about it. We tried their Fried Rice Fookien and Salt and Pepper Squid and some dimsum. Everything was yummy! We couldn't stop talking/raving about the food.

We decided to walk around before having dessert (because we were both so full from the meal =^_^=) and we ended up at Bestsellers, the National Bookstore branch in Podium. My golly! There's a lot of really great books out for the summer:

Here's our list:
1. Slick by Daniel Price <-- it was a toss-up between this and #2 on the list. My J opted to get this first.
2. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark
3. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

<-- we're getting these 2 this week. Either Wednesday or Friday (when Podium has their sale -- hoping Natio will offer a discount.)

Sunday
It was my youngest bro's birthday and we decided to treat him to Queen's in Jupiter. We had their Mutton Curry and Mock Duck Szechuan and many many others. And everything was so, so delicious!

Before lunch, we went around Power Plant and found a lot of really great books in Fully Booked and some cute, cute craft stuff in the toy store there.

One of the nice books we found at Fully Booked:
Men and Cartoons by Jonathan Lethem

There were loads of other books there -- but I forgot to take note of authors and exact titles. ^_^;;

* * *

For our anniv, my J gave me a really cute pair of pink rubber slippers. Perfect for the summer. ^_^

And here's a picture my bro took of us at Queens -- inggit ako sa camera ng bro ko -- it's a digital camera that can mimic that LCA in that you can modify exposure and such. ~sigh~

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Fun, fun weekend. ^^

* * *

And for more nice images --

Visit the ispot.com --

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Yay! --



I am a d6


Take the quiz at dicepool.com



You are a good old-fashioned six-sided cube, otherwise known as a d6. Others know you to be plain, predictable, conservative, average, ordinary, and downright boring. You prefer to describe yourself as dependable, honest, practical and trustworthy. People usually know what to expect from you, since you rarely hold any surprises. You hate to make decisions, and if forced to decide, you'll always fall back on how it was done in the past. You always order the same thing at your favorite restaurant, and your jokes, while funny, are never too offensive. It seems that you are well liked, but maybe that's simply because there's nothing to hate.

* * *

Student!
You are a STUDENT of the English language!


You are on your way to becoming
gramatically sound; however, you must keep
studying if you ever want to become a master.
You do manage to speak better than most
Americans, but then again, that's not really
saying too much. Keep studying, little
Student.


How grammatically correct are you? (Revised with answer key)
brought to you by Quizilla

* * *

I am European



Which America Hating Minority Are You?


Take More Robert & Tim Quizzes
Watch Robert & Tim Cartoons




* * *

Friday, March 25, 2005

Full Circle --

May the mozzarella of our respective pizzas remain forever entwined.
- Mike Gayle, My Legendary Girlfriend

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

So I got bitten --

... by the Craft bug -- I visit a website called Crafster.org and get inspired by the many, many ideas there.

Today, my sister and I dropped by the Crafts Shop in Galleria and I bought Crayola Fabric Crayons.

I also bought a plain white t-shirt from the Robinson's Department store.

Now I'm looking for a nice design to draw and iron-on.

Here are some fun places I visit for images:
Tack-O-Rama
All Things Kawaii <-- I have a feeling Mase and Gabs will go crazy over the cute, cute images found here. ^^ (Click on "Directory" and go to "Graphics" and then proceed to "Illustrations" -- but the "Adoptions" page is also cute ^_^)

Here are some samples:
(From Girl! Girl! Girl!)
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Now I want to get Iron-On Transfer Paper so I can make t-shirts with these images! >_< (But Transfer Paper is so, so expensive! About PhP600 for 10 sheets in National Bookstore!)

I also want to figure out how to do silkscreen transfers! >_<

I also want the Print Gocco! >_<

This is what boredom does to me.

* * *

In other news --

I don't have a teaching load this summer, but I do have a Thesis Proposal to defend.

I'm also thinking of taking up some classes just to enhance my teaching in preparation for the next school year --

Hmm --
EN 201
THEORIES OF LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNING
M-W-F 0900-1130

EN 212.5
ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE TEACHING
M-W-F 1430-1700

EN 216
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF LITERATURE TEACHING
T-TH 0900-1245

ED 246.3
LANGUAGE ARTS AND THE TEACHING OF READING
D 0830-1600

ED 246
SEMINAR/WORKSHOP: TEACHING THE LANGUAGE ARTS
D 0830-1600

COM 127
BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY
SAT 0800-1630 <-- but I don't think I'll be allowed because I'm a graduate student and this is for undergrads =(

* * *

Oh, and a reason to get your passport --

(I found out about this from one of M's LJ friends)
Starting April 5, Tiger Airways will be flying from Manila to Singapore --

Check out how much the airfare will cost: S$25.98 = PhP860 one way (PhP1720 round trip).

And, if you think Hotels will be a problem, it won't be -- they've affiliated with a company that offers really cheap hotel packages:

For 4D3N, Twin Sharing with Breakfast Buffet, it's as cheap as S$152 = PhP5026++
(In my favorite hotel, Carlton, it would cost S$692 = PhP22,900.)

Compare this to how much it would cost to travel via Singapore Airlines or PAL --

The catch is you have to go to Clark (the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport).

Can you say "adventure"? ^_^

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Paint! --

You can paint a virtual house here. ^_^

Monday, March 21, 2005

How about love? --

Date Vs. Non-Date

[in Portugese]
Jamie: Beautiful Aurelia, I've come here with a view of asking you to marriage me. I know I seems an insane person - because I hardly knows you - but sometimes things are so transparency, they don't need evidential proof. And I will inhabit here, or you can inhabit with me in England.
Sophia Barros: Definitely go for England, girl. You'll meet Prince William - then you can marry him instead.
- Love, Actually, directed by Richard Curtis

This is the story of how my J and I watched the movie Love, Actually:

I cannot remember what day it was or what month -- I remember sitting down in front of the television with a pitcher of water on one side and a bowl of microwave popcorn on the other. The movie had just started and it was my "alone" time --

About 10 minutes into the movie, my phone started buzzing (it is always on silent) -- it was my J commenting on something I was watching at that very moment. It turns out he was watching the same movie at his place.

And that was how the evening proceeded -- with the two of us exchanging thoughts and insights as the movie was playing. At one point, I remember saying that, with the frequency of the messages, he might as well be there watching the movie with me.

It is an amazing thing, to find this one person who shares the exact same birthdate as you. Even more amazing is to be able to form a relationship with one such person. The odds of it are astounding -- I've had smart people try to calculate the number and all we could get is a formula and all the values.

Considering that the odds of winning the lotto (and getting all 7 numbers correct) is 1 in 45 million, what I have with my J is like winning the lotto -- twice. When I told a friend that my J and I are "twins," he said "God doesn't play dice."

Mr. 80%
The Wiz
Enemy of the People
3PO
Merrily We Roll Along

Saturday, March 19, 2005

Saturday is the day between Friday and Sunday --

Had a pretty full day today:
- went for a fitting at Njork. This time it was cloth and the fabric is really, really beautiful. When I wear it, I want to cry or laugh or cry and laugh. It's exhilirating to wear something so beautiful meant for such a beautiful occasion. Basta -- beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

- made sure my digital camera was working well and even got batteries for it -- but I think the batteries we got were old because it couldn't handle the demands of the camera. It's okay -- took some pictures with my phone and Francis (the designer) also took pictures with his camera.

- made plans to meet with friends for an afternoon in Greenhills. We met up at Galleria and walked to Metrowalk for some *ahem* stuff and then we went to Greenhills. Discovered that many of the stores from Virra Mall transferred to Shoppesville. Found lots of really cool stuff.

- my J and I bought matching shirts. ^_^ Will take a picture of us when we wear them at the same time. ^_^

- had two "dud" drinks today -- the first one is from Gloria Jean's and the second one was from Bag of Beans. This is our second time in Gloria Jean's and we still don't know what to order when we're there -- we tried their Strawberry and Cream, which was mostly Strawberry (which I like) and not a lot of Cream. The second one was at Bag of Beans -- we tried their milkshake. I think they were rushing the preparation for it because it was mostly milk and no ice cream. =P

I had a fun day -- was with fun people and did fun things. ^_^ Fun, fun, fun. ^_^

Friday, March 18, 2005

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee --

"So what's it like to have your heart broken?"

Believe it or not, that's how our first conversation started. It was over really crap fries and crap drinks.

I asked him because I wanted to find out if we were alike -- if we felt and experienced things the same way.

It was a gamble -- I've always perceived him as very guarded and not very talky. But, that afternoon, he was. We talked for about 3 hours -- the fries had gone soggy and the ice had melted into our drinks.

And that was when it began. It became a regular thing -- to go off for a cheap lunch in the area and to talk.

And we could talk about anything and always have something to say -- some shallow and some really deep and insightful. And always, always, I walk away learning something new about him and about me and about us.

With my J, I am never afraid to express myself --

I can tell him that I mentally raze down structures along Katipunan and build imaginary condominiums or residential buildings and he will ask me what kind of buildings I am building.

I can point to the first star of the night and he will tell me to go ahead and wish on it.

I can tell him about my silly dreams and plans and he will tell me to go for it and ask me how he can help.

I can talk about what I watched on Oprah and he will pull out a hanky because he knows how sappy I am and that I'm bound to be crying already.

Mr. Flame
Mocha Blends
Katre
World Topps
Bento Box
Thai in a Box
Kamirori
KFC
Pancake House
McDonald's
Fruit Magic
Chateau Verde
Bon Appetit
Rodic's
Starbuck's
Seattle's Best
Ice Monster
Manang's/Clubhouse
Ateneo Caf
Panciteria Lido
Chowking
Coolking
Mann Hann
Sbarro's
Wendy's
Andok's
Wasabi
Hue
La Piadina
Taka's Tea Bar
Cafe Mediterranean
Max's Fried Chicken
AA's
Cinnabon
Tater's
Dencio's
Chinese Monk
Goodies and Sweets
Lolo Mao
Cheesecake Etc.
World Chicken
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
Pho Hoa
Lemon Grass
Soup Kitchen
Yoshinoya
Taco Bell
Hungry Hippo
Ministop
7-Eleven
North Park
Josephine's
Fazoli
Super Bowl of China
Tokyo Tokyo
Jumbo Japs
Bread Talk
Cibo
Auntie Anne's
Chicken Bacolod
The Old Spaghetti House
Munch
Delifrance
Dimsum n' Dumplings
David's Tea House
Hap Chang
Figaro Coffee
Mushroom Burger
Lord Stow's
Mangan
Luk Yuen
Mexicali
Mongkok
Sweet Inspiration
Sugarhouse
T Salon
Yellow Cab Pizza
Banana Leaf Curry House
Jamaican Patties
Popeye's Chicken
Rai Rai Ken
Shakey's
Pizza Hut
Le Ching
Sandosenang Halo
Smokey's Hotdog
Sugi
The Big Chill
Malacca Desserts
Oody's Bar and Restaurant
Ah Siu
Cafe Breton
Penang
Gloria Jean's Coffee
Kagura Okonomiyaki/Little Tokyo
Jollibee
Crepes and Cream

* * *

You are my very first thought in the morning
And my last at nightfall
You are the love that came without warning
- Westlife, "Obvious"
We interrupt this contemplation with a discovery of a new artist --

Check it out!

Now back to our regular programming. ^_^

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

How do you measure a year? --

Open your eyes
Dream but don't guess.
Your biggest surprise
Comes after Yes.

- Muriel Rukeyser

It was a Thursday -- that much I remember. We were sitting on the floor at the foot of my bed, watching "Lover's Concerto," a Korean film. Halfway through the film, I had fallen asleep and was leaning on his shoulder.

In that hazy minute of being awake and falling asleep, I could hear my brother telling him, "She really falls asleep through things. Just let her be." And he did.

I guess I knew then that he was it. He was the "one" -- He was my one.

I have these tests to see how comfortable I am around people -- if I can eat in front of you, that's something. If I can eat something more than a salad or a sandwich, that's something. If I can eat rice in front of you, that's really something. ^_^

With my J, the eating was easy. All those years of being friends made him a comfortable presence --

The sleeping is my ultimate test. In my entire life, I've only slept over very few friends' houses (3) --

I finally woke up when the movie was about to end -- when it was almost time for the big "reveal" scene. He turned to me and said, "There's something I've been wanting to tell you--"

What he didn't know was that I knew what he wanted to say -- one of his friends let it slip a few days before -- the friend was so happy to see how "in love" his friend was with me.

Still, when the moment came, it surprised me -- to hear the words and to know they're meant for me.

He loved me.

It was the first of many, many more "I love yous" and of many, many more yet unsaid.

We made it official during a walk from Galleria to Podium when he asked me if I loved him enough to be his girlfriend and I said yes.

50 First Dates
Hellboy
Troy
Shrek 2
The Day After Tomorrow
Super Size Me
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
Spider-Man 2
King Arthur
The Village
Along Came Polly
Garden State
The Incredibles
Wimbledon
Blade Trinity
Wimbledon
Sideways
2046
Constantine
A Very Long Engagement
In Good Company
Imelda
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Closer
Alfie
Taking Lives
Van Helsing
Chasing Liberty
Zatoichi
A Mighty Wind
Kung Fu Hustle
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
The Notebook
National Treasure
Napoleon Dynamite
Before Sunset
Meet the Fockers
13 Going on 30
Lost in Translation
Fahrenheit 9/11
Around the World in 80 Days
The Prince and Me
Shaun of the Dead
House of Flying Daggers
Elektra
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

.
.
.

I love you, my J.

* * *

yes is a pleasant country:
if's wintry
(my lovely)
let's open the year

both is the very weather
(not either)
my treasure,
when violets appear

love is a deeper season
than reason;
my sweet one
(and april's where we're)
- e. e. cummings

Monday, March 14, 2005

According to IMDB, these are the top 50 indie films:

Trying to check how many of them I've actually seen --

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
3. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
4. The Usual Suspects (1995)
5. Memento (2000)
6. Psycho (1960)
7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
8. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

9. Apocalypse Now (1979)
10. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
11. Se7en (1995)
12. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
13. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) <-- saw Life of Brian
14. Léon (1994)
15. American History X (1998)
16. Before Sunset (2004)
17. Amadeus (1984)
18. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

19. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
20. Fargo (1996)
21. Donnie Darko (2001)
22. Voyna i mir (1968)
23. The Lion in Winter (1968) <-- saw the recent Hallmark remake
24. The Graduate (1967)
25. Sideways (2004)
26. Amores perros (2000)

27. Platoon (1986)
28. The Straight Story (1999)
29. Campanadas a medianoche (1965)
30. A Man for All Seasons (1966)
31. Sling Blade (1996)
32. Lost in Translation (2003)
33. Magnolia (1999)

34. Invasions barbares, Les (2003)
35. The Terminator (1984)
36. Trainspotting (1996)
37. Henry V (1989)

38. Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
39. 21 Grams (2003)
40. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
41. The Sweet Hereafter (1997)
42. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
43. Being John Malkovich (1999)
44. The Big Lebowski (1998)
45. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
46. Whale Rider (2002)
47. Secrets & Lies (1996)
48. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
49. You Can Count on Me (2000)
50. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
I shall call him squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my squishy.
- Dory, Finding Nemo
On how much my J and I love Robinson's Galleria Cinema 1 --

We do. A whole lot.

We watched Constantine there yesterday and we were the only people in the cinema.

Galleria is actually my preferred movie place because of the caramel popcorn, but I really didn't like the cinemas there -- some are too cramped and others just yucky. We had settled already to wait for movies to show in Cinemas 7 - 10 (the ones on the second level) because those, while cramped, were somewhat better than the cinemas on the first level.

Until we discovered Cinema 1.

It costs a bit more, but the seats are comfy and the place is roomy.

Oh, and Constantine -- it's a nice movie. (Note that I am not saying that it was a nice movie adaptation of the comic book.) I thought the actress playing Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) was cool.

* * *

Weekend Blehs --

Yucky weekend started last Friday with the house-hunting fiasco. The series of stops and starts and stops finally got to me and I just broke down.

Saturday was supposed to be better -- I was fitting my wedding gown for the first time. I brought my digital camera and made sure there was enough space in my memory stick for pictures. It's a magical moment to step out and see yourself in your wedding gown. There is something about it talaga -- leaves you breathless and giddy with excitement. (more on this when I've organized my thoughts)

I asked my sister to take pictures and she did -- or so we thought. On our way home, I checked my camera and none of the pictures turned up.

Siyempre, me and my fragile state crumbled again -- I was thinking talaga, pucha not even pictures of my wedding gown?!? I couldn't even be allowed that?!?

That house-hunting hitch, which forced me to cancel a day with G finally happened. The place was lovely and the view from there was grand.

The catch: the current tenant plans to renew for another year. Her contract ends July 2005 and she intends to renew until 2006.

In real estate rules, the current tenant has first dibs on the place. That she's planning to renew until 2006 means I can't.

~sigh~

Saturday ended with my J and I going to mass, which I really didn't feel like going to because of my mood. But we went and I'm glad we did. Church is really more quiet time for me. It's a chance for reflection and a time to gather myself.

On the way home, my J and I stopped for fruits and I told him I was feeling better na. When we got home, I gave my sister a hug and apologized for being mad at her. She apologized too.

(I'm having my second gown fitting on the 19th. I will definitely make sure there are pictures for that one.)

Sunday was wonderful. My J and I went to Galleria to watch Constantine. We decided that it was going to be a day of trying out new things -- so we ordered Taters Onion Rings instead of our usual flavored chips and we had butter-drizzled popcorn instead of Caramel.

After the movie, we visited Kashieca, which is slowly turning into one of my favorite clothing stores and my J picked out the nicest outfit for me. We're at the stage na that we know what the other one likes and what will suit him/her. The day before we went to the Novecento sale in Tomas Morato (70% off on items!) and we got a really, really nice button-down shirt for my J.

For lunch, we tried out Ah Siu -- so-so food, decent service. We met up with my sibs after and I treated everyone to Auntie Anne's pretzels (they still have their "Buy 3 for PhP100" promo -- we got chocolate chip instead of the usual Cinnamon Sugar or Sesame. Iffy flavor for pretzels -- especially since the chips get burnt.

We dropped off my bro at his condo in Katipunan and we decided to check out another place in the area. I think we may have found the one -- the hitch for this one is the current tenant was giving off really bad vibes (super suspicious and was locking everything) and the owner is just as weird (instructed me not to inform the current tenant that we were thinking of acquiring the place, etc. etc.).

The day ended with me and my J going to Greenhills to have some PC games exchanged and we checked out the tiangge. Lots of really cool stuff that we will probably check out some time during the week (when it won't be so crowded).

It's Monday and I have two exams to proctor at the same time. In two different classrooms (they're beside each other naman, so that's ok).

I just love my life.

Seriously.

* * *

Oh --

And I'm currently reading "Howl's Moving Castle" by Diane Wynne Jones. Hayao Miyazaki adapted the book for his latest movie.

* * *

Is this me? --

Results
Your answers suggest you are a Supervisor
The four aspects that make up this personality type are:

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Summary of Supervisors
Bring order to their home and work life
Like to act on clear, achievable goals
Think of themselves as stable, practical and sociable
May be irritated when people don't follow procedures

More about Supervisors
Supervisors like to make plans, organise people and get things done efficiently. They are natural administrators who dislike chaos and strive to bring order to every aspect of their lives. Supervisors like jobs where the goals are clearly defined and there are proven work methods in place.

Supervisors are most likely to say they prefer a job which involves a series of separate projects, according to a UK survey.

Supervisors use logic to solve problems and believe in being open and direct in their communications with others. They prefer to work and socialise with like-minded people.

In situations where they can't use their talents or are unappreciated, Supervisors may reject the opinions of others and insist they are right. Under extreme stress, Supervisors may feel cut off from the people around them and lose confidence in their own ability to cope.

Because they like to take charge and organise activities, others may find Supervisors too bossy.

Supervisor Careers
Supervisors are often drawn to jobs in management or administration that require logical planning.

Take the test here.

* * *

How about this one? --

You are an Intrapersonal thinker

Intrapersonal thinkers:
Spend a lot of time thinking about and trying to understand themselves
Reflect on their thoughts and moods, and work to improve them
You understand how your behaviour affects your relationships with others

Careers which suit Intrapersonal Thinkers include
Psychologist, Teacher, Pilot, Child care worker, Explorer, Drama therapist

Take this quiz here.

Friday, March 11, 2005

I am not in a good mood --

I started the day with joy in my heart (deep, deep down in my heart) -- after months of searching, of having to bear the heat and the disappointment, of trudging through god-forsaken parts of Katipunan, we were supposed to see the place where we would live in after we got married.

My J and I promised ourselves that we would exhaust all possibilities before deciding on a place -- today, I went on an expedition to the far reaches of Katipunan (think: beyond Rustan's Fresh) to check out one such possibility. It turned out to be a dud. (So we scratched that off our list)

I wasn't discouraged, though -- despite the heat and my aching feet... this was because we were supposed to visit this really cool condo unit along Katipunan later.

We had to reschedule this several times already since Monday because the owner's schedule and the tenant's schedule and our schedule just couldn't mesh -- until today.

The meeting was set for 5pm. My sister even volunteered to come along to help us look at the place and so we would have a ride home after.

And then the owner informs me that the tenant won't be in and we had to reschedule again for tomorrow.

I couldn't stand it anymore -- the frustration and disappointment that I've accumulated in the past couple of months over this just exploded.

(There goes joy from my heart. Hello darkness my old friend.)

I already had plans for Saturday -- my first gown fitting and then meet up with G for lunch and some window shopping and then meet with my J after.

Siyempre, had to fix schedules again. (And I have this gnawing feeling that, when I call to confirm this tomorrow, I will be told that we need to reschedule again.)

For the first time this school year, I let my cubiclemates see how upset I was. Poor L had to suffer my venting.

July is less than 5 months away -- L told me that the place I'm meant to live in will come to me in due time ... I really should just be patient and wait for it.

~sigh~

* * *

A bit of good naman --

My J and my sister knew how this was stressing me out so they really went out of their way to try to cheer me up. My sister treated me to Shakey's thin crust pizza and my J was giving me hugs and reassuring me all the while.

M must have unconsciously sensed my despair -- he showed up at the dept with handmade notebooks and he gave me one of them. So, so pretty. And so, so thoughtful of him. Thankies --

* * *

I want to visit this place --

My cubiclemate T told me about this place today --

Library Hotel in New York

Curious concept -- the floors and rooms are named after sections in a library.

Check out the room amenities in Fast Facts. ^_^

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Photos! --

Discovered that Island Photo in Shoppesville can copy pictures from your phone and burn it to a CD.

Discovered also that all I need is one of those infrared port thingies and I can do the same at home.

I took this one during one of the English Dept-sponsored seminars and I volunteered to help with registration. I really, really love taking pictures of the SocSci building in Ateneo. Interesting talaga yung structure niya.

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On my way home one afternoon late last year, the sky was this really strange mix of gray and pink. The only camera I had with me was my K500i -- Good thing it still turned out okay.

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And this one, G calls "blog-worthy" -- my J and I were in Starbucks Magallanes waiting for Druid's Keep to open. Cute lang talaga ng hun ko -- couldn't resist taking his picture.

... I love my K500i -- beginning to wonder how much nicer these would look if I got the S700...

* * *

More quizzes! --

I took this one because my bro loves science. (hahaha -- that didn't make sense -- oh well ^_^)

Mo... Molybdenum
You scored 37 Mass, 36 Electronegativity, 75 Metal, and 0 Radioactivity!
I like to think of you as the miracle worker in The Princess Bride... you can do anything and you do it for the betterment of society. Just because you can raise the dead and make flying wagons and stuff doesn't mean that you show off about it though. You are capable of forming bizarre webs of relationships in which individuals are accomplices, lovers, coworkers, and so on all at once. I once saw you hanging out at the center of a cycloheptatriene... it was completely freakish and bizarre, and I'm not sure I've known what to think of you since. But hey, to each their own. Oh, and stay away from the carbon monoxide... you suck that stuff up.

Take the test! Which chemical element am I?

For Edgar Allan Poe fans! Grabe na test!

This is how I did:
You know SHIT!
You scored 44 Poe points!

Jumping on the bandwagon -- A Da Vinci Code Test

Da Vinci Code Maniac
You scored 73 points!
Congratulations! You almost know the book's every line! That's great, means you enjoyed the book as much as I did!!!

For people who love comic books.

Seth Cohen.
You are 65 percent comic book geek!
You've got a significant amount of comics know-how, yet can still get non-creepy members of the opposite sex to talk to you. You're sitting pretty, my friend.

* * *

Why all the quizzes? --

The semester is almost ending and I have some free time because I finished checking all my papers and I've encoded all of my students' grades. I'm really just waiting for final exams on Monday and final drafts on Wednesday and then I am done, done, done for the school year. ^_^

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Perfect for the end of the school year --

The University of Blogging

Presents to
kiteflying

An Honorary
Bachelor of
Self Deprication

Majoring in
Babbling
Signed
Dr. GoQuiz.com
®

Username:


Blogging Degree
From Go-Quiz.com

* * *

I'm Chocolate! --



Your Icecream Flavour is...Chocolate!
You are the all time favorite, chocolate! Turning white kids black since the 1800s. Staining carpets, car seats, and bed sheets for centuries. One thing is for sure, you will never go out of style. You can't go wrong with chocolate!
What is your Icecream Flavour?

Find out at Go Quiz

* * *

Fun, fun, fun! --

Design your own room!

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Cute Penguin! --

my pet!

* * *

Discoveries --

1. I can spend an entire weekend with my J in a place without television or internet.
2. I really, really love my J.
3. I'm glad I'm marrying him.

* * *

Share ko lang --

This is something one of my students wrote about Murakami's short story:

"The hundred percent lover is a paraphrase of true love. But because of the world we grew up in, we always require a direct quotation...

(We) will always seek to be logical about the matter. Like the man in the story, he derives an explanation of the feeling from a story that did or did not happen. Man is like that. He always has in his mind that the concept of falling in love should not be that simple. He does not let himself just fall in love but overthinks the situation that, by the time he realizes that he should go for it, the opportunity is gone.

Is love really a fallacy?

It becomes fallacious to the logical but magical to the irrational.

Is man both? Yes." - C.L. Lit13-E8

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events,
may in fact, be the first steps of a journey.

- Violet Baudelaire, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

This is something I would have to remember --

My J and I saw it today at Galleria 1. It's a nice movie and a fairly good adaptation of the stories by Lemony Snicket.

* * *

How good is your English? --

A curious test.

This is how I did --
Extreme Special Case
You scored 0% Beginner, 0% Intermediate, 87% Advanced, and 77% Expert!

Your test results are extremely interesting. Though your test scores in the beginner and intermediate levels weren't very high, you got at least 75% of the advanced and expert level questions correct. Possibly you guessed very well in the advanced and expert level sections? I don't know what else to say. You puzzle me immensely.

And I took the quiz again (although G and I had a laugh at the original results -- yes, I am a puzzle. ^_^)

English Genius
You scored 86% Beginner, 86% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 77% Expert!
You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!