Thursday, November 30, 2006

I am --

Relentless.

I think that's a good word to describe me especially when I want something. I know when it's just a passing fancy or a phase because I don't feel compelled to pursue it to the best of my ability or I don't get it even when the opportunity presents itself to me. (Like the waffle maker -- my sister and I were in front of one last week and I passed on it.)

My current wants (which I am moving heaven and earth to get) --
1. A new camera -- well, I have this na. I told my sister and Johann to give me money na lang for Christmas and I asked my dad to split the cost with me as an advance birthday present. My brother was very nice and took the time to buy it in Japan (loads cheaper than if I got it here.)

2. A lightweight stroller for Seth -- my mom was supposed to get one for Seth. A lovely lightweight Combi from China, but she her luggage had exceeded the weight limit so she didn't buy it. So I'm still working on this one.

3. A pair of Crocs -- I'm looking forward to going to Manila so I can look for a pair. I've contemplated ordering this online and shouldering the cost of shipping.

* * *

Countdown --

It's 25 days to Christmas.

It's 37 days to our birthday. (Johann and I are going to celebrate our birthday at David's Tea House. It's opening this December. Yay!)

Monday, November 27, 2006

Thanks Jin! --

I don't know who Steve is, but he gives good advice. ^_^

* * *

And this is what I'm getting --

Well, that didn't take long. (It really helps if you have techie friends. ^_^)

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The Canon Powershot A640

I'll be getting this before my birthday. Hurrah!
Icons! --

Visit Icon Buffet! It's fun! ^_^

I got this --
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And my bro sent me this --
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Sunday, November 26, 2006

Confoosed and Confuddled --

So I'm getting myself a digital camera. That much is decided.

Which one do I get? That's where the fun starts --

I've been reading about them for the past few days and I've decided on the following criteria:
1. AA or AAA batteries -- I don't want the hassle of charging lithium batteries.
2. 5 megapixels and up. ~~Oh the lure of a 10 megapixel camera~~
3. $200 and under
4. Durable -- it must last as long as my dinky cybershot. What worries me is that newer digital cameras are made mostly of plastic and I don't know how long it will last me.
5. I'm leaning towards Sony because I'm used to the system but my brother is a big Canon fan.
6. Light/small enough that I won't mind bringing it everywhere with me.
7. It must look pretty ^_^

So I've looked and here are my choices (prices from Amazon.com)--
1. Canon Powershot A530 - 5 megapixels for $149.99
2. Sony Cybershot S500 - 6 megapixels for $149.99
3. Canon Powershot A540 - 6 megapixels for $177.00
4. Sony Cybershot DSCW50 - 6 megapixels for $199.99
5. Sony Cybershot DSCW30 - 6 megapixels for $174.99

Oh, and my dream camera? Canon Powershot A640 -- it looks pretty ^_^

Which one should I get?
I wonder how Johann and my sister would do on this quiz --

What Kind of Reader Are You?
Your Result: Dedicated Reader

You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.

Literate Good Citizen
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Book Snob
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You?
Create Your Own Quiz

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Oh No! --

They're discontinuing the gocco! =(

Must stock up on supplies. (Inks! Masters! Bulbs!)

Save Gocco!

Friday, November 24, 2006

Words --

One afternoon my sister asked me if I still find new words in my current life, considering how fixed my world is. I told her yes, I do.

I think the life of a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) is quite misleading. While it seems that my revolves around my son (well, it does), I'm still able to do a lot of things. I'm still able to experience a lot of things.

There are the conversations with Johann and my sister.
There are newspapers and television.
There are books and magazines.

And there is the ever-expanding world of Seth. I feel I've learned so much just by being with my kid. When he discovers something new or learns how to do something for the first time -- I (re)discover that same thing and (re)learn that same thing along with him.

Some of the words that are part of my current vocabulary:
1. grace
2. flexibility
3. agenda
4. many of the words in the business section of a newspaper
Curious little website --

I found this in a friend of a friend's LJ --

Icon Buffet

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

A great one has died --

Robert Altman, 81

who made MASH, Pret a Porter and Gosford Park --

Monday, November 20, 2006

From Mahar --


You are The High Priestess


Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.


The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Finally! --

We watched The Prestige last Friday and I thought it was amazing! I was a bit confused with the beginning of the movie as I was trying to reconcile it with the book. Christopher Nolan did a great job "editing" Christopher Priest's work and it remained faithful to the spirit of the novel.

Michael Caine was amazing as always. (I kinda felt that Scarlett Johansson was miscast but Johann disagrees with me on this.)

* * *

Obsession! --

I am currently obsessed with Korean food -- Bibimbap, bulgogi and cucumber "kimchi" -- we've even made our own bibimbap. (Which was yummy!)

There's a lovely place here in Iloilo that serves really amazing Korean Food -- it's called Rendezvous. There's no effort at making the place look pretty -- it's pretty much white walls, and tables and chairs. But the food is AMAZING! (And our Korean friends tell is that this is as close to authentic as it gets.)

I'm also looking for good coffee. We have Blue Jay in Iloilo and they have really great coffee drinks. The last one I tried was a bit bleh though because it was a bit heavy on the liquer. =P Johann loved his Swiss Avalanche so I might order that next time.

* * *

Procrastinating --

I haven't done my Christmas shopping yet. I really should start, especially since all but one of my inaanak don't live in Iloilo (so I have to send out their gifts to them).

I haven't shopped for Johann or my siblings yet, although I know what to get everyone.

I have all of my Christmas cards ready but I haven't written on them yet. I should get this done so I can mail them out by the end of the month.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Evidence of human hands --

I've been thinking of changing my blog's name to that *points at title* -- the phrase comes from an interview -- I forgot who and what show but she was talking about making something and not sweating about the product being perfect because she liked seeing the "evidence of human hands" --

I find that I am no longer a "serpent beneath the flower" -- I've always had issues about people thinking I was some sort of paragon of virtue when I didn't really think I was. I am too aware of my flaws and I felt that there was a me that people didn't really see. So, for the longest time, I borrowed that which Macbeth used to describe his wife -- which is, I think, an excellent and economic way of showing the layers of human nature.

It is years later -- I am married and a mother and I've come to terms with who I am. I'm quite comfy in my skin -- flaws and all. Thus, an evidence of human hands.

* * *

Hmmm --

She [Tessie Sy Coson] admits many of today’s Chinese-Filipinos, who are enjoying the fruits of their grandparents’ hard work, " are not as hungry and ambitious anymore. - Philippine Star, November 14, 2006

There's another saying that goes, "The first generation will earn the money, the second generation will increase the money and the third generation will spend the money."

I don't know what tangible proof of our drive and ambition can we show that would satisfy older people such as Tessie Sy Coson. Isn't it enough that many of the younger generation have earned not just their college degrees, but also their MAs, MBAs and PhDs? More works of literature has been written and published by the younger generation. More films and TV shows have been created by the younger generation. A lot of the smaller business establishments in the malls are run by the younger generation. Isn't there a survey that shows that people are getting married later now because they have opted to pursue their careers and goals first?

This is the burden that has been placed on the shoulders of the younger generation (not just of the Chinese Filipinos but every member of the mid-20s to early-30s group). Much is expected of us and, yet, very little credit is given to what we have accomplished. We are constantly chasing after something which we will never catch.

~sigh~

Monday, November 06, 2006

It's that time of the year! --

I've been thinking and nursing this list since October but I wanted All Saint's and All Soul's to pass before I posted this:

My Christmas Wish List --
1. Crocs Prima (size 8) in Black <-- when I was in Manila, the only pair with my size was in Orange =P and Mary Janes in Burgundy (thanks for pointing this out, Nikka ^_^)

2. A nice lightweight stroller for Seth - A Maclaren or a Zooper or something <-- wishful thinking ^_^

3. An Ellaroo hip carrier for Seth or a Hip Panda, which is cheaper ^_^ <-- Got a nice cheap one through my bro in Japan

4. A new cellphone -- am looking at the Sony Ericsson Z520i

5. A panini press

6. A waffle maker

7. Gregory Maguire's Son of a Witch and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

8. A new digital camera to replace my dinky 1st-gen Cybershot. This recent article says I should get a 4 or 5 megapixel camera.

9. A subscription to Smart Parenting

10. A Sizzix Set <-- I don't know why I want it, but it looks cool and it seems to be able to do interesting things with paper. I have a feeling, though, that getting a Sizzix would lead me down the path of bankruptcy as there are a lot of accessories that go with it.

11. Nick Hornby's non-fiction works -- The Polysyllabic Spree and Housekeeping vs Dirt

12. Walt Disney Treasures - Disney Rarities DVD -- I WANT THIS! This contains the "Truth About Mother Goose" which I've wanted to show my Fiction classes for the past two years but could never find a copy of! >_< For that matter, I WANT the ENTIRE Silly Symphonies collection! >_<

Friday, November 03, 2006

Finding my groove --

Today we interviewed a potential new yaya for Seth and when I was describing what was expected of her, I realized that I was hesitant to let go of some of the Seth "duties" -- the new yaya will handle Seth for about an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon and I'll be taking care of Seth the rest of the time.

I've gotten used to being a full-time mom and I'm quite lucky to have a very good support team of Johann, my sister, my parents and the maids.

Plus, Seth is a very easy baby to take care of and such a joy! A few days ago, his sleeping sked shifted a bit because he didn't take his 4pm nap so he slept early for the evening, which meant that he would be up at around 1am. Difficult as it was waking up, just seeing his cute, cute face in the shadows made me smile. ^_^

Even Johann realizes that he doesn't mind so much waking up in the odd hours of the morning.

Lookie at what I've accomplished this afternoon. ^_^ (Thanks to my sister and Johann for keeping Seth entertained when I was cleaning out the Gocco.)

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I did a hundred invites in about an hour and we decided to stamp the envelope flap as well. ^_^

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Thursday, November 02, 2006

Movies --

One of the downsides of being yayaless is not being able to go out to watch the new movies -- (we're still trying to make arrangements for a temporary yaya so we can watch "The Prestige" next week)

But I've been quite fortunate in being able to watch really good movies on DVD. Johann and I have quite a stack of movies that we purchased last year on our honeymoon, which (to this date) we have yet to watch. Now that we've run out of TV series to watch (it's my turn to choose, but I don't know what I want), we've started going through our stack.

1. Jean-Pierre Jeunet's (with Michael Caro) Delicatessen
This is the same guy who directed Amelie, which I loved. Johann warned me that Delicatessen would be very different and much more representative of Jeunet's world. It's a quirky take on a post-apocalyptic world where people have to resort to a rather unusual way of procuring food -- cannibalism!

My favorite part of the movie involves a squeaky bed, Louisson, Mme Plusse and really lively samba (?) music. ^_^

2. Welcome to Dongmakgol
I saw the trailer for this movie early this year and it made an impression on me. Our dear friends Simon and Lena (Koreans) decided to give us an education in Korean movies and gave us a stack of Korean DVDs for Halloween. When I saw that one of the movies was Dongmakgol, I got excited and watched it immediately.

Dongmakgol is Kwang Hyun-Park's answer to the question: "What would a world without wars look like?" A group of North Korean soldiers and a group of South Korean soldiers stumble into the quiet little village of Dongmakgol. At first, they are suspicious of one another and cause a stir among the villagers whose biggest concern is how to handle the wild boars that run through and ruin their vegetable patches.

Eventually they put aside their difference as they enjoy the peaceful and conflict-free life that Dongmakgol offers.

There's a part in the movie when the captain of the North Koreans talks to the Village Leader --

Captain: It is amazing how you are able to lead the village without ever having raise your voice. How do you command such loyalty and respect?
Village Leader: I just make sure that everyone is well-fed.

3. Stage Beauty
This is a look at the English Theater during the period of Restoration. One of the most interesting and problematic aspects of theater during this time is that only male actors were allowed to be on stage so they had to play both male and female roles. What made this more interesting is that in some plays, the male actor is playing a female character who is pretending to be male (Shakespeare's As You Like It and Twelfth Night). Louis Montrose's The Purpose of Playing has a very interesting discussion on this matter.

Anyhoo, Stage Beauty is about the period of transition when women were slowly allowed to be on stage and how this affected the theater of the time. The movie looks at Edward Kynaston whose resistance to "progress" caused his downfall as an actor.

I love how the film tackles the ambiguity of gender and what it means to be male or female. I remember C telling me about this movie last year and how she loved the dialogue between Claire Danes' and Billy Crudup's characters.

Maria: So, am I the man or the woman?
Ned Kynaston: You're the man.
Maria: And you're the woman.
Ned Kynaston: Yes.
...

Maria: So, who am I now?
Ned Kynaston: You're the man.
Ned Kynaston: Uh, you're the woman.
...

Maria: So, who are you now?
Ned Kynaston: I don't know.
Ned Kynaston: I don't know.

<-- from IMDB.com

4. Fun with Dick and Jane
I love this movie! It's quiet and unassuming but it really takes a jab at Corporate America and the American Way of Life.

I love how the end credits acknowledges infamous companies such as Enron, IMClone, etc. ^_^

We still have Girl with a Pearl Earring, A Touch of Spice and a shedload of Korean movies on our list. ^_^

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Fun, fun, fun! --

Check this website out -- Chambers Book of Days ^_^

* * *

Future movies to look forward to --

Paul Auster's In the Country of Last Things

Audrey Niffeneger's Time Traveler's Wife <-- what's interesting is that in IMDB, Stephen Frears was pegged as the director

Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

The Darwin Awards

Stardust