booktrack 2011-8: something borrowed

SOMETHING BORROWED

Emily Giffin

AB asked if I already saw Something Borrowed the movie and recommended that I watch it. I don’t know from where I found out that it was adapted from a book (from tumblr, most probably) but I knew I had to read the book first before I see the movie.

And I’m so happy I did.

It was a nice book. I couldn’t put it down- literally. Just finished reading it today and I just started with it last Saturday afternoon- all 403 pages of it! A big feat for someone like me considering that it would normally take me at least two weeks to finish a book. I just kept on reading because I wanted to know what happened at the end- will the wedding push through? Will Dex finally make up his mind? Though I wanted to hit myself in the head for reading Something Blue’s summary at the back of the book while browsing the shelves of National Book Store and found out Something Borrowed’s ending. Dammit.

Goody-goody Rachel gets into an affair with her bestfriend Darcy’s fiancé. They’ve been best friends for 25 years. More like frenemies for 25 years. Rachel has always felt she’s second place to Darcy who always gets what she wants. Rachel always felt that whatever it is she wants, Darcy also wanted it for herself. That incident during her 30^th birthday I knew she wanted it to happen. For once, she felt that she’s one-upped Darcy on this one.

Aside from the fact that he’s cheated on Darcy, Dex seemed perfect. Tall, handsome, intelligent, kind- he IS perfect. Maybe that’s why even after his infidelity I never really hated him. Okay I get it, he really loves Rachel but I want to know when he realized this. Did he realize it years ago or just recently? He admitted to Rachel he liked her back in law school so why did he even agree to go on a date with Darcy? It was difficult to say whether I rooted for Dex and Rachel’s affair. I know what they’re doing was wrong but Darcy was such a pain in the ass which maybe made their affair more acceptable to me. But in reality, having an affair (with your bestfriend's fiancé!) will never be justifiable.

I believe that Darcy and Rachel’s friendship was genuine. Though it may not be the most perfect and ideal of friendship, I felt they both cared for each other. But sometimes there are friendships that are toxic which I think what theirs also was. It was a true friendship which was tarnished by their insecurities. I know someone who is like Darcy only she is not beautiful like Darcy. Well, feel niya beautiful siya but to me and people I know who know her, she’s not. Not really a Rachel here but if a chance to outdo "Darcy" presents itself to me, I would take it in a heartbeat.

So yes I understand Rachel and why she did it. I take her word for it that she loves Dex but maybe the fact that Dex was Darcy’s but could be hers made Dex more desirable, more appealing. And the fact that Darcy was such made me more accepting of Dex and Rachel’s affair. If Darcy wasn’t much of a pain in the ass, I would be totally repulsed by their infidelity.

A very good read. Engaging. Who knew I would enjoy chick-lit? I didn’t purposely avoid chick lits but I thought I should read books I could learn something from, but after Something Borrowed I am reminded of why chick lits are good- they give one that giddy feeling and I’m such a sucker for anything giddy. I also think it’s genius how they included the Prologue and first chapter of Something Blue which is a follow-up to Borrowed. Something Borrowed was from Rachel’s point-of-view; Something Blue would be from Darcy’s perspective. Made me want to read it so I could see where Darcy is coming from.

But I have learned that you make your own happiness, that part of 

going for what you want means losing something else. 

and when the stakes are high, the losses can be that much greater.

booktrack 2011-7: paper cuts

Paper Cuts by Pam Pastor

I was a reader of her old blog and I’ve always enjoyed her posts so when I found out she was to release a book which is a compilation of some of her previous posts, I knew I wanted a copy. But I was conflicted whether or not to get a copy: I SHOULD GET IT because 1) I’ve always enjoyed reading about her adventures and sometimes, misadventures and 2) I would be supporting local publications; I SHOULDN’T GET IT  because it costs P235. I know that’s cheap pero sorry naman at sadyang kuripot talaga ako. In spite of my stinginess, I grabbed a copy and I'm glad I did cos it's worth every penny.

Paper Cuts was really fun and entertaining. There were some stories I can actually relate to most especially those of unruly hair and weight issues. Well, there’s also the school clinic that gives Caladryl, Vicks and ammonia to heal almost any ailment- I was laughing so hard while reading this entry because it is oh so true and I believe we didn’t even go to the same school. My sister kept on asking me why I was laughing every now and then and I would point to the book. Another story I liked was when she lost her brother’s Cross pen and this actually made me look through my stuff and find my Cross pen which was a gift from someone during my 14^th birthday. So I revived my Cross pen which would already be in high school had it been a person. Wow I feel old thinking that I own something that’s 15 years old.

I think I stopped reading other people’s blogs because I would feel how inadequate I am or how few my accomplishments are. Sometimes, you can’t help but compare. As with the book, I feel so envious of her and how much she has accomplished considering that she’s just a year older than I am. I am envious of how much of the world she has seen, how varied her life experiences were. But yeah, that was then. I am more secure now.

I love love love this book. I highly recommend Paper Cuts if you want a good laugh or a trip down memory lane or both!

post 1000

Wow! Time really flies. And not only when you're having fun. Apparently, time goes by extra fast when you're older. Today is the last day of June and we're only two months away from my 29th *ack* birthday. I started blogging 2005 when I was dealing with pre-mature quarterlife crisis. Six years after, here I am still and no intentions of stopping. Blogging has been my therapy. This is where I rant and rave, complain and compliment, gush and bash. Yes, I can also do that via old-school pen & paper journaling but there I can't embed pictures or audio or music videos, riiiight??? I know I don't make sense oftentimes and I don't really mind because the main purpose of this blog is purely personal- a place for my head [quoting a Linkin Park song here ;)]

I am glad that I started blogging six years ago because in a way I have been able to monitor my life for the past six years- see how much I've changed which isn't pretty much. Ha. This is not my original blog and how I would like to import posts from my old blogs and compare my old, younger self with this almost-29 mind of mine. The biggest change that has happened in my life is now I am more positive and I have fewer crying spells. Still insecure and still nursing a bruised self-esteem, but I am feeling so much better. Happy and content, but sometimes still wishing I were more of the person I envisioned myself to be. Meh.

{source}

Although I still feel inadequate in most aspects of my life sometimes, I just try to make the best out of the situation. I just would have to count my blessings to remember how much I have and how lucky I am. Who cares how far I would go in this life? We're all going to die anyway. Haha.

Oh well papel... this is only my thousandth post; Expect a thousand more posts to kill your brain cells.

week 25: rainy days and mondays can be lovely

MONDAY

Meet-up/reunion with old friend, K. She almost didn't recognize me. I suggested maybe it was because I gained weight but she said she already knew I gained weight. It was the hair. My hair's all curly now. Not wavy like it was before. Curly na siya ngayon. Natural curls. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila nanggaling.

Anyway, catch up over lunch at Almon Marina. There are some things I want to probe into but I restrained myself to do so because I might come across as too nosy. Like, she is already of age and I supposed his boyfriend is already of age, why the need to hide? Hmm... Diba? Oh well. None of my business. After lunch, we just strolled in the mall talking about just any topic. I love friendships like this one, like most of my relationship with friends- no need for frequent keeping in touch; after months, years even, of not seeing nor talking to each other, we just pick up where we left off. Dessert at DQ, courtesy of K. She accompanied me to where I took my FX ride home.

Got home just in time for church- we were today's family offerer. It's sad that there are only three of us. Before there would be seven of us there. There's barely a quorum.

TUESDAY

Lie To Me marathon. The only productive thing I did for the day was work on an order.

WEDNESDAY

Lie To Me marathon. AGAIN. Although I live for Kdramas such as this one, this is also the bane of my quest for my empire. Really good dramas paralyze you. Until I finish watching, I am a good-for-nothing blob constantly clicking on "next episode." Finally finished backlogged episodes. Just waiting for the final two episodes ☺

THURSDAY

Delivery to make today. Fortunately, took half the day off work so I was able to hitch a ride with her and make my delivery which is on the way to her work. Unfortunately, the person to whom I was making the delivery was sick at home; ergo, I wasn't able to deliver the goods yet. So I just went with her to her office which is located above a mall. Wee!

After a few purchases at the book store and a little window shopping, AD told me to buy ready-to-eat food from the grocery since it has been raining incessantly. We wanted to be prepared should this day's bad weather translate to another Ondoy event. Even if it didn't flood as much (thank God!), it was better that we were prepared with our canned goods.

FRIDAY

Still hasn't stopped raining. Closed shop for the day because of really bad weather- aside from the probability that sales would be likely low, I'm for the safety of the employees who live in Floodway. Stayed in bed and read my new book,  Paper Cuts.

In the afternoon, went to AD's house and celebrated Ate Jo's and Rona's birthday. Pansit, fried chicken and Hungry Pac chocolate cake ☺

SATURDAY

Weather was slightly better. No more rains but we were still closed because the employees can't come to work. I'm no employer from hell who will insist that they come to work come hell or high water (pun intended). So just stayed in bed and finished reading Paper Cuts and started on Something Borrowed. Literally can't get myself to put it down. I stayed up until 4am reading.

SUNDAY

Lunch at AD's. Had yummy yummy lechon and vegetables for lunch. Made mommy buy us coffee hehe.

week 24: the lost week

today i don't feel like doing anything

Except bum around all day. Sans guilt. Although another day of lost sales. We closed shop today since all my employees can't come to work today- they all live in Floodway. Sayang kasi maaraw naman na. But they claim it's still flooded in their area and it was still raining this morning. I just hope we recoup lost sales this coming week.

{source}

If I were to be reincarnated into an animal in my next life, I think I'd be a cat. Or maybe I was a cat in my past life. One profe even told me she reminds me of a cat. And to think I don't like cats and think they're traidores. Though I can even identify with Garfield. LOL.

Almost done with Papercuts. At least my day was somewhat productive. I intend to finish the book in the next hour and after that have a DVD marathon :) Hooray for days like these. Of course, minus the incessant rains and flooding. 

Another rant. I need to find a way to shut our maids up. Kalerkey I swear. Talo pa nila ang pabo. 

Wait. There's more!

They love to sing. Na mali ang lyrics. Which is one of my pet peeves. There was one time when she accompanied me to my sister's house. She was singing while we were walking...

Maid: ♫ a long and lasting lan... ♫♪

Me: Anon'g a long and lasting lun? A long and lasting LOVE! Sabihin mo nga LOVE

Maid: Love

Me: O kantahin mo uli

Maid: ♫ a long and lasting LAN... ♫♪

 Fine. Whatever.

And their singing with faulty lyrics has gotten into V already, without me knowing that she also feels the same. One time I was teaching the maid how to set the table and she was doing this while singing Miley Cyrus' The Climb cheerfully. 

Me: Siguro kung kinukulong lang yung mali lyrics matagal ka nang nakakulong.

Then I heard V, who I thought was not paying attention to us, laughing. 

V: Joy, pag kinukulong ang mali lyrics, sa palagay mo magkasama sila ni AC sa selda? [AC who also invents her own lyrics. She sings Will.i.am's "tell me where you get your body from" with the lyrics, "tell me where you get your MOMMA from." And many, many more.]

Me: Hindi. Maximum security na 'to (referring to our maid)

AB suggests that I buy her songhits. Puede.

adik na ulan

V made me watch this Parokya ni Edgar music video earlier today...

Cute ♥_♥ I rarely see OPM music videos with a well-thought of storyline and good film quality, too. Lagi na lang kasing may-I-emote ang concept ng OPM MVs o yung parang naglalakad-lakad lang sa buwan. Nice concept. Nice storyline. Oo nga pala, ang cute ni JM de Guzman. Oo nga boy, mangarap ka na lang kasi unang-una, Chinese siya ikaw Pinoy tapos waiter ka nila. Malabo. Actually, zero visibility na.

Another version of the MV

Eh naman pag Parokya na nasa video alam naman na joke time na yan.

I miss Binondo!

booktrack 2011-6: reading people

After a bazillion light years, I finally got to finish the book. This wasn't in my original line-up of books but after my Lie To Me (US) marathon and my newly found fascination over body language, et. al, I eagerly put down the business books I was reading back then and start with this one.

Reading People (Jo-Ellan Dimitrius and Mark Mazzarella) has tips and guidelines on how to (duh) read people. Actions and mannerisms that usually gives away what a person is feeling, whether or not one is lying. As the authors have said, just reading this book will not guarantee that you will be able to read people; it would take a awful lot of practice and further readings. Aside from the basics of reading people, I picked up a few techniques the authors use in reading people that could also be applicable to life in general.

If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else.

I know I already came across this saying before. Malamang sa tumblr. Anyway, I think this just means that we must have a goal in life. Something to work for, to achieve. Kung wala nga naman eh ano ang katuturan ng buhay? If we have or set a goal, we can prepare our action plan on how to work our way towards it. Although I admit that just sauntering through life isn't that bad, actually.

Don't shop when you're hungry.

When you're hungry, everything looks tempting. May point siya. I can relate to this big time with my little shop of horrors. I am the employer who is desperate to fill a position quick so I just hire the person my existing employees refer to me. But but but... it's really not that easy to find nail techs. Hay excuses.

Never marry a man until you've seen what he's like sick, stressed and angry. 

A good advice. Although I think I won't be needing this. I have this nagging feeling that I'll never get married. But I could be wrong. I hope I am wrong.

Never forget, coincidences do happen. Sometimes seemingly significant events are entirely meaningless. Don't assume too much.

Guilty. Asyumera here. College pa lang ako alam ko na na hindi mabuti ang mag-assume. Tingnan mo prof ko sa FINAMA, laging ina-assume na naintindihan namin lesson niya. Well, siya'y nagkakamali at usually nalalaman niya yun pagtapos ng quiz. Anyway, they're just saying that things happen randomly. We just give meaning to them. Look for patterns daw; only then can we make something out of it. Tse.

Preparation is an invaluable habit because 'you only get one chance to make a first impression.' And important first encounters often occur when we least expect them. You never know when you might meet someone who could change your life.

I've encountered something similar to this in Templar's The Rules of Life and ever since I've tried to look as presentable as I can, even when I'll just be doing the grocery. Of course sablay pa rin most of the time but hey, I tried. And there were times that you can't fix yourself up before going out because you're already running late as the case with me all the frickin' time. Twice I ran into my ex-crush and both times I looked disheveled. Meh.

Anyway, I still have to memorize a lot if I want to be able to read people. Basically, I just want to know when a person's lying so maybe I'll start with that first. And oh, must throw my biases out the window- mashadow pa naman akong judgmental.

this is why i'm _______

I had a nice day out. Well, I was originally supposed to deliver an order so I hitched a ride with AD going to Makati but the person I'm delivering to didn't go to work (I deliver her orders to her office). I found that out when we were still very near the village but since I'm conditioned na to go malling [after making the delivery], I just went with her to her office and still push through with malling as scheduled.

Mall + Me = Not a very good idea. Add to that the fact that I am a little bit sad; hence I resort to something in between binge eating and/or buying. I don't really make big purchases. I make little purchases. Pero madami. And many little purchases add up. At the end of the day, it's as if I also spent a lot. Just let me look at the bright side~ many little purchases is still much better than many big purchases, yes?

So my day began with lunch at Food Choices- Hecky's Lechon. Yummy lechon especially the crispy balat but not as I expected it though. Sa sobrang build up ni AD, my expectations were way up there again. Naturally, it fell short of my expectations. I really should teach myself to not expect too much.

Spent most of my time at National Book Store- one of my favorite places in the world! I was super tempted to buy new journals for me. See, I'm still very good at curbing these buying urges. I got 5 Nataraj pens for P31.00- my most recent NBS find. Also bought gifts for Ate Jo for her birthday tomorrow- Colayco's Pisobilities and another book titled And Pera na Hindi Bitin. I must read them first, or at least browse through them, before I give it to her tomorrow. I also need pointers. And oh, I also got two books for myself

So kamusta naman na yung kikitain ko sa idedeliver ko bukas, nagastos ko na? Hay. I really need to read on personal finance and budget chuva.

The other expenses for the day were all food items already. And this is why I'm fat. This is why this is why this is why I'm fat. To the tune of Mims's This is Why I'm Hot. Hoho! So now I bid you adieu my dear readers (kayong tatlo ♥) haha!

Seriously, I need to focus on my official duties. After my Lie To Me marathon. Promise na talaga.

♥♥♥

Never mind my stubby, fugly fingers. 

There are days when I'm inspired to do some nail art.

inspiration: ang lubad kong shorts :)

materials: fuchsia polish from Face Shop, white polish from Marks & Spencer and Per Una colorless from Marks & Spencer

 blurry shot

Next nail art chuva- using the floral stick-on I bought in Divi.

  adorable, no?

Only on my right hand. Well sometimes if sinisipag ako I'd do it also on my left hand, but most of the time I do it only on one hand. Total papalitan ko rin naman agad- sayang sa effort at sa nail polish. So if you see someone with nail art only on one hand, that's probably me. ☺

life update

Even if things are okay right now I still feel sad. I am in need of a good cry. Maybe I'm just PMS-ing. It's times like these that I am thankful for tumblr- you find images, quotes, etc. that reflect how you feel.

I never really liked The Little Prince and think it's overrated. Maybe I read it at the time I can't fully understand its real meaning. Or maybe it's really overrated. I don't want to read the book again but this snippet from the book is just beautiful. 

Oh yes. I need you to go away. 

You're spoiling the fun. 

I just hope this is true and that I already get that thing that's supposedly better than what I wanted.

“My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small. You never need to carry more than you can hold”

“And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you…”

 Good days ahead, I know. 

This is just one of those days that seems so low

and you can't seem to put your finger on what's exactly causing it.

Yes, please.

All images from tumblr

kdrama: 49 days

{source}

First drama/series I started and finished watching online. Not an easy feat for people like me who go ADHD in the worldwide web. But with a little bit of determination (which I wish I also have on much important endeavors), I finally finished 49 Days.

A local series called 100 Days is airing the same time I found out about this drama. Although I have an inkling that our 100 is loosely based from Korea's 49. Feel ko lang. But even if the two shows have the same premise- two souls with unfinished businesses- the storyline differs greatly from one another. In 49 Days, Shin Ji-hyun gets into an accident and because it's not yet "her time," she's given 49 days to get three people to cry for her out of real, pure love. Family excluded as they give unconditional love to their children and siblings. And the condition is she has to live in someone else's body but she can't tell anyone her real identity. If she gets these three tears before her 49 days end, she'll be given another chance in life. But if not, she'll go on to the other side. 

Musings about 49 Days:

• First up, this is one helluva good-looking cast. Being the ketanders that I am, I'm only familiar with Jo Hyun-Jae (Love Letter), who is also ketanders himself. Lee Yo-won who reminds me of a cross between Alice Dixson and Marian Rivera is indeed very, very pretty and a good actress to boot. Lee whose acting shifts from almost catatonic Song Yi-kyung to bursting with energy Ji-hyun often and she played each part impeccably. In-young is beautiful as well. Pati yung extra na doctor cute eh. 

• If I were to die, would I take 49 days to look at my life from another perspective? A part of me wants to but another part does not. Sometimes, it's better not to know, yes? Mamamatay ka na lang, mamomroblema ka pa? Diba? But it would be tempting to take the chance to live again albeit through another person's body. But then again it would only be torturous to do so- wanting to hold your loved ones, wanting to say your proper goodbye but can't. I think I'd take it. At least you could say you tried :)

• I know the world's so screwed up nowadays but I still can't believe that someone could be so selfish and evil? In-jung was almost family to Ji-hyun. They treated her as their own but because of her selfishness and greed, she wanted to destroy them. She could have just resorted to petty ways but I don't understand why the need for such large-scale destruction. Actually, she and Min-ho were good actors to play their roles for so long. Hindi ba nakakapagod? But maybe with so much hatred in their hearts, they're too focused on bringing others down with them. Life is such- some people are born into affluence.

• Still I can't get the logic of liking someone for far too long. Han Kang liked Ji-hyun back when they were still in high school and since then he hasn't moved on. There wasn't any mention that he dated other girls but still, after all 10++ years, he's still stuck on her. Baka hirap lang talaga mag-move on, like someone I know... tsk.

• The Scheduler was pretty funny, too. I wasn't much of a fan of his 'look.' But aside from that, he was a nice twist to the story. Well, I kinda figured out that he was somehow connected to this web. Feel ko lang. Turned out, I was right. 

• I got the ending I wanted and what's cool about it is it has this twist at the end that I totally didn't expect, not even a peep. It was a nice twist, actually. Although you would think where did that come from. There was no mention of it for the past 19 episodes and come episode 20, it hits us right in the face. Yes, I liked the twist but I hope they've hinted about that in the earlier episodes. Happy ending for everyone! Yay!

Di man ako naiyak ng todo, this is a nice and touching drama. It reminded me that life is short and uncertain- parang who knows when our time will come. Do I hear myself making an excuse again to not work on the things I need to do? Haha.

Next drama: Yoon Eun-hye's Lie To Me ☺

week 23: good times =)

Business-wise, it's actually a bit slow. But aside from that, everything's all G☺☺D.

MONDAY

My second favorite day of the week! Though I didn't get to laze around all day because there were some errands I had to do. Hitched a ride with the school bus so I could go to the nail polish shop. They were on sale! Yay! Some bottles I got pretty cheap.

Megamall afterwards to pay for AB's payables and also to buy new magazines for the shop. Clients are always asking for new magazines and now that AB, our magazine supplier, is currently not here in the PI, I had to excruciatingly shell out for magazines. Had lunch at Wham! Burgers- Hungry Hungarian ♥♥♥ Well, it's not as fun eating alone but I've learned to live with it. Drama. Haha.

TUESDAY

Rex Manning today. Almost the entire day. It was a little slow and I decided to go to my sister's house and made her treat me to bbq from our suki bbq ihaw-ihaw. Yummy! No-fail go-to whenever I'm having these bbq cravings.

WEDNESDAY

Ay eto na- the day I lined up for eight frickin' hours for ugly shoes. That's eight whole hours standing up. With no food. Well, AD and I shared a double cheeseburger and 6-pc nuggets for lunch, while standing in line on muddy grounds, under the pouring rain. Never again. But the good thing about this day was the Shakey's dinner we had. Instead of eating out, AD had pizza and chicken delivered to their house and ate everything while watching Philippine's Biggest Loser. I felt guilty gobbling everything down while watching the doctor reprimand the contestants to watch their diet, haha.

THURSDAY

Missed Bones season finale because of the ugly shoes sale, but caught it on replay today. The show's awesome finale made my day and also waking up from a nice dream ;)

Trip to the bank to pay my taxes (that aren't working for me on the optimal level). Enrolled my account on internet banking and just when I finished changing my passwords, I logged in and can't remember my new password and got blocked off. Stupid.

FRIDAY

Passport renewal day! My passport is good until June 2012 but since we want to visit AB, I need to get the new, machine-readable ones. Thanks to my BIL (brother-in-law) who made circumventing the process possible. Hehe. But I am not proud of this. If time wasn't of the essence, I would have gone through every step such as setting for an appointment online.

After everything's set and after I had my fugly passport picture taken, it was time for lunch. McDo was packed so we opted to eat somewhere else. Sana Greenwich na lang but someone insisted on trying out this ihaw-ihaw place- Kainan Club, if I'm not mistaken. Ay super laos ang food. At gutom na gutom pa ako sa lagay na yun. As in I was in a frown the entire time I was eating my food. Not content with my tocilog, we ordered additional bbq because seriously, how can you f**k bbq up. But even their bbq sucked! Ay grabe super nabwiset ako. Masarap lang yung coke. Pero in fernez, service was good.

V and I planned to go to divi after passport renewal but decided to go with AD to Glorietta and use her complimentary movie passes. Tinamad na kami mag-divi :( Watched X-Men: First Class. I liked it. Even more than Wolverine. V and BIL went ahead and left me and AD. After we bought gift for my inaanak (omg, the term! makes me feel so old already) had dinner at Pizza Hut- AD's treat! :)

SATURDAY

Francesca's christening. It's my third time to be someone's ninang but this is the first time I was in the actual ceremony, I think. Ate Lisette and the kids came over. Reception was at Cabalen's- yummy eat-all-you-can food! But imho, lugi ako sa eat-all-you-can kasi hindi man halata, I don't really eat that much. Haha. Just had a little of everything- menudo, kare-kare, etc. Yummy! Went home and did a little catching up with Ate Lisette and the kids before I headed to my next lakwatsa...

Edsa Shang con mis compañeras de IC. Since we are on break from our courses, we haven't seen each other for two months now. It was Pam who organized the get together ☺ Pam, Joji and I were the early (pero sa totoo lang, late pa rin) birds. Had Tonnos Salata which was just salad but left me feeling full already but also mostly because I just came from an eat-all-you-can affair. Had a little bit of everyone's order cos I don't really feel like eating much. My favorite was Josette's order- the skewered pork tenderloin. Mis compañeras de IC are always good company.

After dinner, had coffee at Dome. When they said we were having coffee, I initially thought we were going to Starbucks. Sorry naman at yung ang default coffee place for me. But Dome's Flat White coffee's also yummy ♥

9pm. Everybody decided to call it a day (night?) ☺

SUNDAY

Mommy's turn to treat for today's Sunday Lunch. Take-out na lang ng tempura at Paluto in Libis and had lunch at home.

The new maids arrived! My "assistant" has arrived! Yay :) I hope she's a keeper so I can do other things such as plan how to become a landlady of leisure and a bazillionaire and have that movie marathon, too ;) But first, must train her well.

Dessert in Eastwood- V and H's treat. Siempre walang kamatayang Starbucks.

Sometimes I fail to see that I am indeed living a good life. I keep comparing myself to others, how they're living their lives, what they have that I don't... but then I stop and count my blessings and be reminded that life is good, MY LIFE IS GOOD.

{source}

{source}

RAWR.
☺

project 100: x-men: first class

Before I proceed with my movie, I will first relate how my trip to the DFA went. First, I am not very proud that we went there through special arrangements but at the same time, I'm glad I've gotten this passport renewal over and done with. Though we have a casualty here: my ego. Two instances. One was I was asked if I was married and two, that moment after I had my picture taken and saw what an effin' fugly picture that was. Bruised self-image and all, we got what we came in for- our passports! Will deal with said self-image later.

After our DFA trip, I was supposed to accompany V to divi but we were too lethargic to push through with the original plan and it was already 12 in the afternoon- a bit late to go divi tripping- since it is advisable to start early. So we just went with AD and enjoyed her privilege- a complimentary pass for 2 to X-Men: First Class.

I grew up watching X-Men. My playmates and I wished it were already 8pm every Friday so we could watch our favorite cartoon. We even assigned who plays who among us. I was assigned to play Professor X and I actually dreaded that. The cartoon played down Professor X's character and maybe as children, we only wanted those mutants with physical abilities. If I had known how crucial the role the Professor plays, I would've played my role proudly and without any resentment that they let me play the role nung kalbo at pilay.


Musings on X-Men: First Class:

♣ I watched just the cartoon and never read the comic book so I didn't have an idea as to the beginnings of all this. As I said earlier, I was never aware of how powerful Professor X was and the role he played.

It was also refreshing to see how he was during his younger days and that he was actually best friends with Mystique. I just knew him as this righteous old, bald man on his wheelchair. I wonder how the old people were like during their younger days... but we would never know, right? Kung meron man silang kalokohan I'm sure hindi naman nila ipapangalandakan sa mga anak at apo yun. Pwera na lang siguro kung sila'y mga tanga at kalahati.

♣ Having watched this also clarified things as to how they became who they are and the circumstances surrounding them. The mutants were divided into two: those who use their abilities for the good and those who want to punish the human race for seeing them in a bad light. I noticed that the two leaders, Professor X/Charles and Magneto/Erik, came from disparate backgrounds which somehow affected as to how they would use their special abilities on.

I always know they were friends but I don't know what caused the falling out. First Class showed that. Plus why Magneto wears that helmet and how he acquired it. Ahlavet. Ang galing how they put the pieces together, seamlessly.

♣ Mabilis ang karma. Just look at Beast/Hank. He likes Raven but not Mystique and tells her that to her face. He injects himself with some sort of serum that would permanently hide the physical manifestations of their mutations (to Hank, his big, beastly feet), which actually did the opposite. After dissing Raven/Mystique's mutant blue form, he transforms into a blue creature himself. I therefore conclude- matakot ka sa karma. Sayang, cute pa naman siya.

♣ I've always wondered how some people can be so heartless. Sometimes I understand that you want to take revenge but after that, what? And I think they should've understood why the humans wanted to blow them up after after they blew up the ship. The humans didn't know they did that to thwart a possible Third World War if they hadn't did that. Oh well, sabi naman nila once pumatay ka na ng tao, madali na lang next time.

♣ There are two things that could break a friendship: pera o babae/lalaki. With Charles and Erik's, babae ang naging dahilan. It was touching how Erik immediately ran to Charles's side when that bullet hit Charles's spine. Bros before ho's, dude! But no, he chose the girl. tse. Sorry but this time I think Prof X should've also understood his friend and where he's coming from. First of all, matanda na si Erik and his anger and you can't get rid of his issues just like that.

I enjoyed the movie. More than Wolverine and the other previous X-Men movies. Maybe because it showed how things became the way they are now, like I've always wondered how Prof X and Magneto's friendship and falling out happened among other things. Although I was also looking for the mutants that were familiar to me like Storm and Rogue. I can't wait for the next installment.

Bones Made My Day

Crazy, crazy day I had yesterday. AD and I went to the Crocs Megasale at the NBC Tent and it was one experience I will never NEVER go through again. One, I am not a fan of Crocs and I actually think they're ugly but it's AC's bilin that we buy her Crocs ballet flats/mary janes at the sale. She specifically told me and AC over and over that we should go to the sale and get her the shoes she wants. So we went yesterday and it took me 2 frickin' hours just to get inside the tent. TWO HOURS! And that's under the pouring rain. But we decided to go through with it since we lined up for two hours na rin. So we went in using AD's connections (she figured our after an hour and a half that she knows someone who could let us in; had she not, it could've took us two more hours to get in). We just bought six pairs for AC and the kids. Others bought BOXES AND BOXES of these ugly shoes. How now, brown cow? And here's the best part- I was in line for the cashier for SIX FRIGGIN' HOURS. Never again.

How foolish. Tinalo pa niya ang pinila ko sa concert ng F4. Hay.

Anyway, just want to get that off my chest. This post is really for my TV shows ☺ Still not done with My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and 49 Days but Bones just aired its season finale yesterday. Thank God for replays, I caught it this morning (and this afternoon, too). 

MY GIRLFRIEND IS A GUMIHO

This Kdrama is just oozing with kyootness. Yes, it's that cute it should be spelled like that. Only on the fifth episode and so far, so good.
Miho (Shin Mina) is so pretty and adorable and calls Dae Woong "Woong ah," which drives him completely crazy. Miho depends on him for everything, most especially for food, so Dae Woong can't wait to get rid of her for good. Well, reviews say that Miho and Dae Woong will eventually fall for each other so there will be more kilig moments to look forward to. Our faulty DVD player keeps on conking out after each every episode that I can only watch one episode at a time and the subs don't show if I watch it on my pc. When I finally move the other player to our room, I will DVD marathon you, Gumiho.

49 DAYS

Halfway into the drama, I can say that I love this series to bits ♥ Being that I only watch this on youtube, very limited are my chances that I get to watch it- only when V isn't using her computer (and my internet).

I loooove the twists and turns in this drama. I'm really really in awe how Koreans make really good dramas. Sometimes it's just unbelievable how often they contract amnesia, are terminally ill or two brothers or cousins fall for the same girl. Also somewhat familiar because we have 100 Days on local tv but it's more of comedy than drama. I can't wait to finish this drama already and move on to my next ;)

BONES

Again, thank God for re-runs because if not, I would have missed Bones's awesome awesome season finale. I was totally not expecting that. I knew Emily Deschanel who plays Temperance Brennan aka Bones is expecting in real life. I thought they would just camouflage it or something cos they're really good at hiding preggy bellies as they did with Cobie Smulders' (Robin) tummy. But I think they would let it show in Bones's next season. Totally didn't expect that and I really don't know what to expect next season. I  think I would miss Bones and Booth's do-we-or-do-we-not moments. Homay.

But my most favorite part of Bones's season 6 finale- the way Seeley smiled when Bones told her the news. I die. A million times. Of kilig.

Ang ganda ng umaga ko dahil sa Bones. Rawr.

I wish I have all the time in the world to watch everything I want.

week 22: Walang gamot sa tamaditis

Room alone for 5 days. The room's all mine and I did a little re-arranging tonight. I placed my side table right under my bookshelf and my bed between the side table and computer table. This is actually in preparation for the great earthquake Manila's due for. Sorry naman kung medyo praning. Better to be safe than sorry, aye?

MONDAY

What I love love love about Mondays is that I can do whatever I want and not feel any guilt. I can totally waste it on anything. V went with her hubby to the office so the internet's all mine. My internet and I have our quality time together after a long time. I missed you, dsl :x

So what happens when you have the internet all to yourself all day? Umm, actually, nothing much- played Cityville, watched 49 Days, read Ria Tanjuatco- Trillo's blog and Chuck catch-up. The entire day.

Looking back, parang I feel guilty pala. Hehe.

TUESDAY

-- mind went blank. totally can't remember anything from this day --

WEDNESDAY

Rex Manning today! The first three hours only. Went home around 6 because the family's going out for dinner to celebrate AC's birthday in advance. Dinner at Uncle Cheffy's and had mocha frap for dessert. Sometimes, I think getting mocha frap after lunch or dinner has become a force of habit. Sometimes, I really don't want mocha frap after eating, it's just that it has become almost automatic.

THURSDAY 

I was going to go Rex Manning today but AD called and said to go with her to Ayala Triangle, bring J (and his mommy) so he could play in the park. Since it was impossible to play under the scorching heat of the sun, we hung out in Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. I had iced Caramel Macchiato, V had Ice-blended Mocha and we shared a slice of Guiltless Chocolate cake. We waited for two hours and V was already tired playing and running after J because he won't come with me. AD treated us to Bon Chon chicken wings after.

Stop over at Becky's Kitchen to buy cake for AC. Turns out she'll be home late. Nyek. So we didn't touch the cake since she hasn't come home yet and when she arrived, I brought it to her and her reaction was, "Cake na naman." Wow. Thank you ha. I really feel the sense of gratitude there. Oh well, iba-iba ang tao. While I wish someone would buy me cake on my birthday, others don't really care. The cake's almost finished and I believe she hasn't eaten a single piece of it yet. Pabor sa akin, actually :D

FRIDAY

Rex Manning today. Thought I could continue my 49 Days marathon on youtube in the shop but Sun's wifi has been excruciatingly slow and connection's intermittent so I went to AD's house instead to have merienda and to continue my marathon na din.

SATURDAY

Sick with tamaditis. Walang gamot yan. Malala na 'to. Tsk tsk...

SUNDAY

AD and I went to Christina's to interview a prospective "assistant." Basically, I need someone to do the cashiering in the shop and also to do other shop duties such as the laundry. Plus, I don't really trust my people. I sense some hocus pocus that's why I need to put someone there outside of their circle. I also need this assistant to help me when I'm working on orders. But this prospect of ours would rather be a yaya so kay V na lang siya. I will wait for my "yaya" galing sa probinsya. Haha.

Also, got a haircut already at Shunji Matsuo salon in Bo. Kapitolyo in Pasig. First time for me while it's already AD's second time there. AD said haircut is only P350, much cheaper than where I had my previous haircuts. I kind of expected a zen-ish, minimalist look for the salon but was a little surprised to find out it's Asian-inspired with all the Buddha images. I just wanted a trim but still keeping it layered, which the stylist did. I think I should've told him not too layered because it brings out my natural curls. After they cut my hair, they styled it (without additional charge). It's nice and I appreciate that they did that, though my only rant about it is that you won't see how your hair looks like after the cut. I got a haircut because I want to get rid of my curls. Wrong move ata kasi mas curly na siya ngayon. Boo.

Late lunch at David's Tea House in Q Plaza. In fairness, masarap ang lemon chicken nila- malapit-lapit na sa Wai Ying (which is my peg for lemon chicken and hakao). Service was speedy but it seemed as if the waiters were having a fit. Super mega ingay ng mga plato at upuan. It was annoying actually and waiters were dragging their feet. The food was okay but service was relatively bad. Never mind that they served the food pretty quick and they immediately give you what you ask for, but you get the feeling that you're not welcome with all that banging and dragging and crashing.

After we had lunch, went to SM Masinag because I want to go malling. I had Megamall in mind. Or Galleria. Basta big mall where there's much to see. But we haven't been to SM Masinag yet and they say it's bigger than SM Marikina naman daw so to SM Masinag we went. It's small. I'm actually anti small malls. Parang kahit saan na lang may SM. I want a mall to be my one-stop shop and that's the appeal of Megamall to me, no matter how crowded or masa they say it is. Anyone who says Megamall is too masa obviously hasn't been to Sta. Lucia. Haha.

Another week has passed and it's Tuesday again today. We're now in the sixth month of the year- only 6 months more and it's Christmas season all over again. So little time, so much to do.

world is not fair

I'm watching 49 Days [Korean series. Kung sila may 100 Days, ako may 49 Days] and I can't help but feel so insecure because these girls are unjustifiably cute, their hair falls sits perfectly on their shoulders, have flawless complexion and are thin. All that I am not. Darn it. Oh well, my dad still thinks my hair is fine and I don't need to have it straightened; he just wants me to lose weight.

I badly need a haircut and a facial. The only thing I have regularly is a maniped. Had I known e di sana naging kuko na lang ako. J/K. Baka magkatotoo pa, maging patay na kuko pa ako sa next lifetime ko. Ika nga, be careful what you wish for cos you just might get it.

***God heard all my whining and gives me His message thru tumblr (cos I am tumblring and writing this post at the same time)***

{source}

Okay, got the message.

Will stop whining now and will schedule for a haircut this weekend.

P.S. I want to make a 30 before 30 list of the the 30 things I need/want to accomplish before I turn 30. Number one will be lose weight.

killing time

Just got home from Negastar's advanced birthday dinner at Uncle Cheffy's in Eastwood. Yummy panizza and bbq ribs for dinner. Two groups for dessert- one half went for ol' trusty coffee at Starbucks and the other half tried Happy Lemon. Sipped from everyone else's (except my brothers-in-law's) drink and I reckon I kinda like the tinge of saltiness against the general sweet chocolatey taste. Maybe next time I will have Happy Lemon instead- cheaper than a mocha frap and perhaps, lesser calories?

The reason for the early birthday celebration is daddy's going back to the province tomorrow. Oh well. My dad's still working hard to provide for us. Geez, I really have to stop daydreaming about that business empire and start making it a reality. I will be a bazillionaire. I am a bazillionaire. Mind over matter, yes?

Killing time. Missed out on tonight's Bones's episode so I'm staying up until 1am to catch the replay.

What else to talk about... nuninuninu...

Oh, I have a new item on my wishlist:

The Brow Buddy form Billion Dollar Brows. I WANT! Saw this one while perusing the shelves of Beauty Bar and it was love at first sight. But since I am Little Miss Kuripot, I didn't get it right away. Beauty Bar is selling it for Php1,600++ while it's sold at US$20 in the States- half of what they're charging here. So I intend to have my sister buy for me instead ☺ I can't wait!

Ayoko na. Will go to my room and catch up on me reading.
Toodles xoxo