i like cheese

I took Manang out to watch A Very Special Love this afternoon. I don't know who was more excited, si manang o ako. Haha. I don't deny that I like Star Cinema-produced romantic comedies, but I don't announce it to the world naman (but I think I just did).I liked the movie. So. Much. I was in giddy-mode almost the entire duration of the movie. Yes, I am cheesy and baduy like that. Romantic comedy is definitely Sarah Geronimo's genre. I've seen her past telenovelas and thought that she's not a good actress, not bad but not good either. So I didn't expect much from this one. But guess this one's a pleasant surprise and it made my day. 5 hours after the movie, I still can't wipe this stupid smile off my face ;) I just have to say that John Lloyd looked really guapo in this movie. But what's with the sockless get-up? I just don't get it and it doesn't work for me.

The movie was oozing with cheesiness and all those baduy lines typical of a romantic comedy. It definitely is a feel good movie. Actually, if I was not in a hurry to get home I'm up for a second round. I would want feel good again. And should someone ask me to watch this again, I would... even if I would have to pay again. Support the local movie industry, right?

I liked Sarah Geronimo's wedges in this movie, especially the green one she wore in the scene where John Lloyd took her to his mother's grave. Wala lang. Oh and before I forget... was Sarah wearing a wig? Cos her hair looked stiff and unnatural. And if she was wearing a wig, what's with ABS-CBN/Star Cinema and wigs? Does ABS-CBN own a wig company? I can't help but notice kasi.

Again, this is a good watch. Not award-winning, but definitely worth my P110. Sarah should make more of these movies and steer clear of hard-core dramas. And as for John Lloyd, guapo siya talaga.

so pas

I've been waiting for September 2008 for the longest time but now that September's like 32 days away, I'm feeling a little bit excited but at the same time, anxious. I'm looking forward to September for the following reasons:
1. my *ahem* birthday
2. Gossip Girl returns
3. new season of Chuck as well
4. Thailand trip
5... my birthday :P
but I'm also anxious about September since it means I'll be a year older, and this coming birthday would mean I'll be in the late-twenties group. Schiiit! Note to self: Move it! I need to do some major planning and then overhaul my entire life before the year ends. Well, that's the plan.

Anyway, guilty pleasure time... Disney Channel! I'm super happy with Disney's programming on weekdays, from 9 to 10.30pm they have Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place and The Suite Life of Zach & Cody; then from 12.30 to 1am, it's That's So Raven and Lizzie McGuire. Why is it a guilty pleasure, you ask? Well, let's just say that those shows are like, for high schoolers. I'm a 25-year old who must have her fix of the aforementioned Disney shows. I lurrrrve them! Hannah Montana's really funny even if Miley can be annoying at times. And although I like watching Wizards at Waverly Place, I find Selena Gomez somewhat annoying as well, actually more annoying than Miley with that big, poofy hair of hers. I don't know if it's her role on the show or just her big, poofy hair. I only watch the show cos I find Justin funny. Wala lang. Speaking of Disney chorva, I saw on E!News the video parody Miley & Mandy made of Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato's Vlog.

Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato's version

Miley & Mandy's version

It's really funny! It's a little retarded that people were commenting about what a bitch Miley was for making this video and supposedly "mocking" Demi and Selena cos I really think it is super amusing. Watch Selena&Demi's version first, then Miley&Mandy's next, corny na lang ang hindi matawa... (or baka ako corny?) Plus, Miley & Mandy had this youtube thingy first (The Miley and Mandy Show), so I think that Selena & Demi were trying to do the same. So hindi naman halata na Miley fan ako, haha. Pero, honestly, S & D were really annoying... they're prettier, alright but it seems as if mas maarte sila and it seems as if they were trying to act cool, diba? Whatever. Hindi ikagaganda ng buhay ko and pag-dissect sa issue na 'to.

And last but not the least...
I finished Spa Mania! If only running a spa and acquiring kick-ass spa technology is easy just like that...

Share ko lang. I watched Camp Rock today and my favorite quote from the movie was:

"Btw, your lip gloss is so not glossy anymore."

Tu risa

Quítame el pan, si quieres,
quítame el aire, pero
no me quites tu risa.
No me quites la rosa,
la lanza que desgranas,
el agua que de pronto
estalla en tu alegría,
la repentina ola
de plata que te nace.
Mi lucha es dura y vuelvo
con los ojos cansados
a veces de haber visto
la tierra que no cambia,
pero al entrar tu risa
sube al cielo buscándome
y abre para mi todas
las puertas de la vida.
Amor mío, en la hora
más oscura desgrana
tu risa, y si de pronto
ves que mi sangre mancha
las piedras de la calle,
ríe, por que tu risa
será para mis manos
como una espada fresca.
Junto al mar en otoño,
tu risa debe alzar
su cascada de espuma,
y en primavera, amor,
quiero tu risa como
la flor que yo esperaba,
la flor azul, la rosa
de mi patria sonora.
Ríete de la noche,
del día, de la luna,
ríete de las calles
torcidas de la isla,
ríete de este torpe
muchacho que te quiere,
pero cuando yo abro
los ojos y los cierro,
cuando mis pasos van,
cuando vuelven mis pasos,
niégame el pan, el aire,
la luz, la primavera
pero tu risa nunca
porque me moriría.

Pablo Neruda

temporary distraction

I just noticed that whenever there's something bothering me, I write multiple entries in a day. That explains why this is already my third post for the day. Shit.

1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!

How are you feeling today?
Gemini, Spongecola

Will you get far in life?
Ugly, Sugababes (shet, patay tayo jan)

How do your friends see you?
4 Seasons of Loneliness, Boyz II Men

Will you get married?
Just My Imagination, The Temptations (waaah!!!)

What is your best friend's theme song?
God Only Knows, Beach Boys

What is the story of your life?
I'm Feeling Good, James Brown

What was high school like?
Buttercup, The Temptations

How can you get ahead in life?
Every little thing she does is magic, Sting & the Police (sana... )

What is the best thing about your friends?
What a Girl Wants, Christina Aguilera

What is today going to be like?
Tuliro, Spongecola (shet, totoo.. bad trip!)

What is in store for this weekend?
Crush, Jennifer Paige

What song describes you?
Kiss from a Rose, Seal

To describe your grandparents?
Break the Ice, Britney Spears

How is your life going?
So Happy Together, Beatles

What song will they play at your funeral?
Pies Descalzos, Shakira (bagay...)

How does the world see you?
Take a Bow, Rihanna

Will you have a happy life?
Bounce, Timbaland feat. Dr. Dre, Missy & JT

What do your friends really think of you?
Got to be there, Jackson 5

Do people secretly lust after you?
Ain't no mountain high enough, The Temptations

How can I make myself happy?
Moonshine, Jack Johnson

What should you do with your life?
All Good Things Come to an End, Nelly Furtado

Will you ever have children?
What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

That was amusing. But that still doesn't solve the problem. Maybe I'll just take Michelle Branch's advice and just...

Breathe

Blair

From today on, I'll be posting a set I've made daily. It's fun and I get to exercise my creativity. Obviously I miss Gossip Girl so so so much!

Random Musings

I came across this verrrry funny video

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

***

I watch a lot of Disney Channel and so I see the Jonas Brothers very very often. I just don't get it why these boys are sooo popular? Well, I was once a high school girl who used to scream at the top of my lungs for pop stars such as *ahem* Savage Garden (who, later, turned out to be gay). But, the point is... they're not even that cute. So cuteness is in the eye of the beholder but it irks me when I see them on tv every so often belting out that SOS song. I wasn't a fan of Hanson but they're more tolerable. Even if Taylor Hanson was the only cute brother, his cuteness outweighed the very much manufactured cuteness of those Jonas boys.

***

I'm reading Like the Flowing River by Paolo Coelho and am enjoying the book so much. I'm not yet done reading the book but I like it how he injects his thoughts in such simple stories. When I'm done with the book, I'll post here some of his words that have inspired me.

***

Three days ago, I said to myself that I will go on a diet on 23 July 2008. Having watched the movies Made of Honor and The Dark Knight and seeing how thin and lean Michelle Monaghan and Maggie Gyllenhaal were in the movie, I was inspired to go on a diet and adelgazarme. But I think the thought of going on a diet the next day only makes me binge-eat like there's no tomorrow for the next day, I shall diet. And then when the scheduled day arrives, I put off the start-of-diet day for tomorrow then eat again like there's no tomorrow for tomorrow I shall diet, again. So there goes my vicious cycle of diet in my life. Therefore, I think I should stop going on a diet and just moderate my food intake (which is also a challenge for me).

***

AB introduced me to this new website that allows you to create a Look Book.

I oh-so-love this site since it allows one to play dress-up without the hefty price tag. Plus, it also inspires me to lose weight ;)

under the sea

Family day for two consecutive days.

For Saturday, we went to the Manor Hotel to attend my uncle's Thanksgiving mass for the success of their fundraising concert. Originally, the plan was to have the mass at 4pm. So I made plans for myself while I wait until 4pm since my class ends at 12pm. My plan was to eat lunch then watch Mamma Mia! to kill time. But my uncle wanted to see the Oceanarium so we had to meet at 1pm instead.

The line at the Oceanarium was loooong. Considering that there was only one ticket booth... talagang aabutin ka ng siyam-siyam. We waited for like eons just to get the ticket. After securing the tickets, we decided to go back to the Manor first, have the mass then go back to the Oceanarium so we won't have to rush and waste P400 just like that. And did I mention that it was free?
We had so much fun. We took pictures like there was no tomorrow! Actually, sayang kasi hindi na-charge yung camera ni Becky Balyus (BB). We had to settle with our 3MP camphone and ancient digicam. AB had her 8MP digicam but surprisingly, our humble 3MP cameras took better pictures. BB said we had to go back so we could take pictures with her big cam. I said I would go only if she'll treat me :P

Nyarks!

I was actually hesitant to take a video of the sharks for fear that I might drop my yet-unpaid phone into the water or I might fall in the shark-infested pool. Well, yeah, I must be really stupid to do both but I tend to imagine the worst-case scenario.

Pagi...

The tunnel was amazing. But I think it was mommy who enjoyed it so much. I just wish that the tunnel was longer. And I hope that there were more fishes.

It was quite an experience but I don't know if I'll go back for a second time. Maybe, maybe not. I just noticed the Oceanarium isn't well-maintained. Some aquariums didn't contain the kind of fish that was described and pictured on the description. There were aquariums already showing signs of non-maintenance due to the presence of lumot (moss). I just wish that the people in-charge of this will take good (actually dapat BEST) care of the fishes there. For the amount they're charging per person, they don't have any excuse to neglect the place. Plus, they should keep it nice, clean and in tip-top condition so people would want to come back.

As we reached the huge aquarium full of pampano... we imagined what would be the scenario had daddy came with us...
Kami: Wow! Ang ganda! Ang lalaki ng isda!
Daddy: Wow! Ulam!
Hahahahaha!

Sunday, mommy had her extension blessed my uncle. Then we had lunch at Han Pao. Supposedly, it was turn to treat everyone for lunch but since we had visitors and mommy had her "blessing," trade kami. Nyahaha! Next week pa ako.

tourist guide na talaga

I became Anna from NZ's (Crissa's friend) tourist guide. As I have always been taking my cousins when they're in the country/city to visit, I'd say this one is taking it a level higher since: 1) Anna is a friend of a friend, meaning we never knew each other existed before yesterday; and 2) it was only I who accompanied Anna to Intramuros since Crissa had to work.

First, we had lunch (Anna, Crissa, Jane and I) at Bubble Tea and go through the getting-to-know phase before the real deal. I was actually hesitant to go to Intramuros since it's raining really hard and since Anna would be doing a walking tour around Intramuros, I reckoned she might not be able to enjoy touring around that much. But I had no choice... I had to do it especially since Cathy aka Miss Intramuros 2008 (accdg. to Crissa) had commissioned her friend Xiao to take us on a walking tour.

And so our journey begins... Crissa suggested that we take the cab from Megamall, but I insisted on taking the MRT then just hailing a cab somewhere nearer Intramuros so as to save some pesos. That was what we exactly did... wrong decision since the MRT is unusually packed at that time of the day... maybe it was because of the heavy rains. We got off the Taft station and tried getting a cab along EDSA cor. Taft, but that was the worst decision yet since I had subjected Anna to the aromatic smell of Manila on a rainy day. I was embarrassed for my country. I was too embarrassed that I suggested that we take another train ride and just try getting a cab somewhere nearer Intramuros (more like a place that doesn't smell as bad). After a gazillion minutes, we managed to get a cab to the tune of P100... we had to take it already or subject ourselves again for a gazillion more minutes under the rain.

At looong last, we arrived in Intramuros. We met with Xiao, the walking tour guide. He was really good. He explained to Anna the history and significance of Intramuros to our culture and history as a nation and at the same time, I got to learn some trivia about the place and history as well. I've been to Fort Santiago a number of times- field trips, watching stage plays, ushering stage plays- but I never really appreciated Fort Santiago til now. After the FS tour, we went to the Manila Cathedral then to the San Agustin Church. The Manila Cathedral was just a reconstruction of the church since it was already destroyed during WWII and during a strong Manila quake way, way back. It was actually the San Agustin Church that awed me since it was the same church it was hundreds of years ago. I was also awed by the trompe-l'œil painting on the ceiling of the church. Inside the church were the remains of the Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the founder of Manila. Also, remains of the elite and the rich were also housed in the Church since it was once believed that if they were buried in the church, they'll be closer to God. I could go on and on and on since I love history myself... but I have to stop.

Fortunately, the travel back to Ortigas was a breeze- it wasn't raining too hard and the trains weren't as crowded. We met with my sisters in Shangri-la mall, had dinner then took Anna home. So that was the end of a verrrry exhausting day...

I just have to share this~ nakita ko si Toni Gonzaga and jowa (talagang jowa eh) sa Shang. So ang payat niya... inspired na naman ako magpapayat... hanggang inspired magpapayat lang naman ako lagi e... blech.

so near, yet so far

I've been a little lazy to post anything in here. There were a few things I would like to write about but I don't feel like it. I just want to post about the return of Gossip Girl... on September 1. Woohoo! Here's the link to the teasers for the new season. I wanted to embed the video here but I can't figure out how to do it and I can't find any official GG promo on youtube just yet. So there's the link and here's another, supposedly, promo for the new season.

Honestly, I don't know what to expect. They said Georgina's staying for season 2, then there's also talk that she won't be anymore. Nate will have an affair with an older woman. Pacey, is that you? Why do I keep hearing Paula Cole's I Don't Want to Wait in the background?

Oops, the teasers could only be viewed by members of the Gossip Girl Multiply Group. Sorry :'(
Also, I just would like to share that I'm a little disappointed that my cousin didn't send her copy of New York mag with the GG cast on the cover as she said she would.

Greek

I am currently addicted to Greek- which is bad since when I start watching a series and get hooked to it, I tend to sit through it continuously. Bad habit I really need to work on. Since I'm watching it online, once I pop, I couldn't stop. I found out about this series through Teen Vogue's Eva Chen's Beauty Blog. Aside from the thetas and omegas back in high school, I've never really had any experience with any greeks. And in the absence of Gossip Girl and Chuck, I thought I should give it a try. I did and... voila!

I am actually surprised as to how the series portrayed university life in the States. Still wondering whether it is anywhere near what's really happening over there. I've observed there were a lot of sex and booze. In every episode, it seems that there's always someone having sex with someone (kind of Melrose Place-ish but with college students) or a frat house binge drinking. Seriously, do these kids even study? Well, in spite of the aforementioned, I love Greek and am addicted to it.

I'm liking the Evan-Casey-Cappy love triangle. At first, I liked Cappy better since I thought he was the good guy and Evan Chambers was the stuck-up jerk. But several episodes and flashbacks later, I realized Evan was the good guy and Cappy was more of the jerk. Still, Cappy is cuter than Evan (that's why after Greek, I'm watching Quarterlife).

The idea of Cappy and Rebecca's.. umm.. crappy, but I'm starting to like it. It's a little reminiscent of GG's Serena-Dan pairing~ rich girl falls for the not-so-rich-boy. Or more like daughter-of-influential-family falls for a commoner. Oh enough with the hyphens. You get the idea...

I also like the fact that the series sends me back to college. Not exactly that my university experience was anywhere near that, it's actually nowhere near like it. But still it sends me back to memory lane. College was one of the most pleasant phases of my life worth reminiscing and apparently, I need to get over it already. But I still wish that our campus was as big as their campus is with a lot of places to hang out in, plus a lot of trees and greenery won't hurt either. On the other hand, having a small campus has worked to my advantage ;)

Anyway... I'm going back to my Greek viewing. ttfn!

que hicé la semana pasada

Thai massage, anyone?

Last Friday, I attended this one-day crash course on Thai massage. I now know how to stretch and press people thin. Haha. According to the resource person, Thai massage is yoga done by two persons. And as it is yoga it is considered as exercise, passive exercise that is (if you're the one getting the massage).

I was lucky since there were only three students who enrolled for the course. Consequently, what was originally a 2-day course was reduced to one and the teacher could focus on us. Bongga, diba? The other girl and I took turns doing the massage on each other. I swear if I didn't pay for it I would volunteer to be the model the entire day. But I did pay for it and so I had to learn everything step by step. I can do Thai massage.. uhh, that is if I can remember how to do it. I still need to do some refreshing since I can barely remember how the entire process goes. As of the moment, I can only remember snippets of the whole thing... the more complex the step, the more I can remember it. Don't you think it's weird that the easy ones were what I forgot first?

La mierda

in the Tagalog context...

Went to Trinoma after the day-long course. I hung out with the girls I had classes with- a doctor who operates a salon in Bulacan and her masseuse-in-training. We waited for our instructor and his instructional cd. Since it's pricey, I suggested to Doctora that we buy one copy and have it copied instead. But to my disappointment, they don't "burn" in Trinoma. Bummer. I kinda need it for incidences like * right now * that I am having a difficulty on how the whole process goes. But Doctora promised that she'll burn me a copy and will text me whenever she'll be in Trinoma so I could pick up my copy. I hope she does keep her promise.

Doctora, Maricel and I hung out at McDonald's while waiting for the instructor. Outside was a free Martin Nievera mini-concert and a cd-signing after. Not really a Martin Nievera fan, so after a while I told Doctora I'll go ahead already. I was thinking of reaching Megamall by 7pm so I could watch a movie.

Incredible Line

I love the MRT. It saves lives from horrendous traffic. Haha. Pero totoo. As I was looking on the traffic down below from my seat in the MRT, I really thanked God for the MRT since I didn't have to be down there on a dreadful bus ride that could take hours. The MRT ride took a little less than 20 minutes going to Megamall, just in time for the Incredible Hulk movie... well, almost. There was an incredibly looong line... so I was 15 minutes late for the movie.

Liked the movie. Enjoyed it. Although I still think that Transformers is better and has more action. With Hulk, the action was concentrated on the latter part of the movie. I was expecting a lot of chases and fights but there was only one big action scene :(

I'm not sure but I think there will be a collaboration between Iron Man and the Hulk on the next installment.

Still haven't seen Iron Man :(
I'm thinking of watching Hancock on Saturday :)

Clase de Español

...not clase en español

Spanish class has been really, really enjoyable. I love it that every meeting, we get to learn loads of new things. In other words, we get our money's worth. If only he was our teacher in the lower levels, we would have been experts on the language by now.

Right now, we're focusing on the use of prepositions. Who knew learning prepositions could be difficult and confusing? I always get the use of para and por mixed up since basically, in my dictionary, they pretty much mean the same thing. But in the Spanish dictionary, they don't... so I have to study study study.

Sunday is Family Day

I don't know where my mommy got the idea from but I have a feeling that she got it from her ka-legions. One Sunday, she just had this idea that one of her daughters should treat her to lunch or merienda. So now, every Sunday one of us has to treat the whole family out to lunch. I like the idea. I just don't like it when she injects drama every once in a while.

It's my turn next, next week and I'm taking them to Wai Ying.

Random Thoughts (of other people)
Because I'm not too bright to have my own random thoughts...

My Spanish prof said that Filipinos don't know how to hold rallies and pickets. Of course there were violent reactions from everyone in the class. Tayo? Hindi marunong mag-rally? E halos araw-araw may nagra-rally dito at naka EDSA 3 na tayo. But then he pointed out to us that our rallies don't yield results because we don't know how to do them.

For example, on jeepney rallies... not a single jeepney should be out on service. But not all jeepneys participate so they don't get the result they want. The purpose of a public transportation rally is to fully paralyze the public transportation system. It's either they we just don't get it or we aren't united as one nation. I think it's the latter. In a country where the prevailing theory is survival of the fittest, everyone's just after his /her own ass. Kanya-kanya. Ganun.

And with regard to the issue of skyrocketing fuel prices... we just have to grin and bear it. There's nothing we can do. The Arabs have the oligopoly of the fuel industry and no matter how we complain, they won't budge. The fuel supply is dwindling and they have to make big profit of what's left.

As to the idea of having cars running on water... it sounds perfect since water is highly available and cheap. But what happens when water all of a sudden becomes that much of a valuable commodity such as fuel? Some (greedy) people might take advantage and control such. As water is a basic need of all people, we can't have those greedy people capitalizing on it, right? I dunno... the idea is highly plausible.

beauty parlor

Bakit sa dinami-dami ng beauty parlor sa Pilipinas, e andami pa ring pangit? :P

Oo na, masama na ako.

i'll be anticipating

My current addictions, as of the moment, are fashion blogs and updating my notebook/journal and visualization book. I am having so much fun doing the abovementioned. In fact, I think I am wasting too much time doing them, therefore distracting me from what I should really be doing. Hehe.

I love fashion blogs since they inspire me to dress nicely and consequently, to lose weight. I also love how they have concepts for each post- very creative. I like... I just have to check their sites daily for outfit or design inspirations.My favorite are those from Europe, especially French and Swedish girls' blogs... aside from the gorgeous clothes, the scenery is beautiful as well. I always knew I wanted to live somewhere cool, where I can wear layers of clothes and trench coat and tights... but at the same time, I don't think I could live anywhere else other than the Philippines.
I also love updating my journals... makes me realize that there are a lot of things I still want to do. The journal helps me relive the past (if it was a good memory) or rant for 2 pages (or more, if it was a not-so-good memory). The visualization notebook helps me focus on the future... what I want to acquire physically, emotionally and materially.

This is a new topic but I just can't help but include it in this post- I just had to rant. GMA's remake of Kim Sam Soon is just horrendous. I'm sure there's a stronger word that could aptly describe how GMA murdered KSS. I will write a more detailed entry about this... next time when there are still pictures of KSS: Pinoy version. Basta alam ko Sam-soon is an average fat woman, not a fat retard. Please make Regine Velasquez stop acting like a retard.

And oh, Leighton Meester is Lucky's cover girl for the month of August :) Not that I'll buy it when it comes out... most probably, we'll have it 2-3 months after. It's more practical to buy back issues, right? I won't spend 400++ frickin' pesos just for a magazine I could finish reading in an hour. I like Blair... more than Serena, that is. But I always liked the anti-bida as Armida pointed out. Anti-bida is different from contrabida. Think Jen Lindley to Joey Potter. Ganun.

Giddy... I just remembered it's the first day of July already. meaning just two more months til September. Come September, Hello Gossip Girl! Hello Chuck! Hello Bangkok! Hello mi cumpleaños!

life navigational system

I think I need to get one.

from Glamour mag