gratitude list july 2012

Ack. It's the end of another month. The days are long but the years are short indeed. It's been a shitty month because it's been raining every frickin' day and consequently, sales were low. I have to be hopeful for August and the of course the following months after it: -ber months!!!

So July was shitty but in fair I got to finish 6 books. Who knew, riiight??? Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie (MARCUS FLUTIE!!!) were the highlights of my month. So here comes the inevitable... my gratitude list for July 2012:

♥ Jessica Darling book series. If it weren't for the awesome series, I wouldn't have met Marcus Flutie, the (fictional) man of my dreams. It was such a pleasant surprise, most especially that I didn't have expectations for this one. I therefore conclude, Expectations = Disappointment.

♥ Free movies. I have a monthly movie pass c/o my sister. Huzzah! Used this July's freebie to watch Ice Age 4: Continental Drift yesterday with AC. It was a cute movie although I really wanted to use it on Dark Knight but due to time constraints and AC's alam-mo-naman-ayoko-ng-mga-dark-movies, settled for Ice Age na lang. The second free movie pass I got from Smart Rewards.

♥ Reunions. Most of my friends live in lands far, far away, so we rarely hang out. So it was a happy day for me when Juno graced me with her presence last Wednesday. The yummy pork chop at Cyma made it an even happier day for me ☺ Kwento-kwento which consisted mainly of my Marcus Flutie swoonings.

♥ New series!!! Juno gave me Homeland and Downton Abbey. Done with Homeland and I loved it. Currently watching Downton and although I'm finding it a little slow, it's growing on me. And Matthew Crawley's been a big help ;)

♥ My nephews. Whenever I feel shitty, I just see them and I am filled with (fleeting) happiness. Albeit fleeting, happiness pa din :P I love them although they share their food with everyone but me (!) and they make me laugh but at the end of the day, it's still shitty for me. But at least they take my mind away from my thoughts for a while. I really think too much. Buti na lang it's bazaar season soon.

So there. Hopefully, my August Gratitude List will be lengthier.

awkward s02 e05: my love is a black heart

It's Valentine's Day!

Aww.. Jake's so sweet. I haven't really decided who I want for Jenna but I really like Jake because he's so nice and sweet. Well, Matty could be nice and sweet, too, it's just that he kept Jenna his secret. And according to the handbook, Think Like A Man, Act Like A Lady, if a man does not profess publicly his love for you, don't count on it. I mean, who could blame Jenna for choosing Jake over Matty?

So Matty asks Jenna what would constitute a perfect Valentine date and Jenna dishes out on what she wants in a date, thinking Jake, through Matty, was getting intel on what she wants only...

... it was Matty asking for himself.

Of course, Jenna was mortified. Obviously, she's not yet over Matty. I feel sorry for Jake who's like pawn in this little Jenna-Matty thing. Although I think Jenna likes J but not as much as she likes M.

Everyone's hooking up this Valentine's day episode, even Ming!

I thought Ming was of the Ellen-variety when she went with that girl in last season's prom episode cos I was thinking she can go with Tamara who also didn't have a date for prom, but I guess I was wrong.

But what was the most unexpected was this

Ricky Schwartz and Sadie Saxton! Who would've thunk it? Right?? I'm not sure if Sadie did this just to annoy Tamara or if this is the real deal. Speaking of Ricky, he really looks decent this season

hindi na siya mukhang dinilaan ng kalabaw.

I don't know if it's just me or this season seems kinda slow. Each episode this season isn't as action-packed as the previous one- I could skip one episode and not miss anything. Hopefully, they'd pick up pace. And I miss Lissa, who, by the way, said tonight's most quotable quote:

Lissa (to Sadie): So, tonight, I was thinking we could kick off our carbs-only movie marathon with a classic love story in your honor, like Mean Girls

Love it ♥ 

come, obsess with me

By now, I guess it's clear that I am obsessed with all things Marcus Flutie. And my flames of obsession is being fanned by news of a Sloppy Firsts movie. Gasp.

But alas, there are no news yet as to the cast. And oh, I think a TV series will suit this the best. C'mon, can you fit all the goodness in 2 hours? Anyway, seems movie it is for my beloved and now the question- Who plays Marcus Flutie?

Personally, I think Andrew Garfield would be perfect for the part

SEE!!! He is perfect as Marcus Flutie. Not perfect-perfect because Marcus Flutie transcends personification, but Andrew Garfield is the closest to him. He's tall, geeky and broody but gorgeous still. Other names have come up, such as:

 Thomas McDonell
MAY CHANCE

 Zack Conroy
MAY CHANCE

Anton Yelchin
HELL TO THE NO

Caleb Landry Jones. NO LANG TALAGA.

Hay there were lotsa suggestions but no one can change my mind about Andrew Garfield as Marcus. I just don't know if he'll be able to pull off dreads. I also want Joseph Gordon-Levitt but I reckon he's too old for that.

As for Jessica Darling, I agree with Ashley Rickards but I reckon she's too cartoonish for the role. Others want Ellen Page for the role but I want my Jessica Darling pretty. Not that Ellen Page's not pretty, she is, it's just I cannot reconcile her face with "Jessica Darling." Jane Levy (Tessa Altman in Suburgatory) seems perfect for the role- she's pretty and sarcastic and not cartoonish at all. Others suggested Kristen Stewart. POR FAVOR, QUE BARBARIDAD... NO!!! And I mean that in a bold, italicized and underlined way. Jessica has to look like a darling although she's notso.

But in the meantime, all a fangirl can do is wait.

RT 2012 book 16: rules of attraction (perfect chemistry #2) by simone elkeles

My my, haven't we just breezed through this one... I have this newfound fascination over Young Adult books and I am just devouring one book after another. Aside from the fact that they are easy reads (no need to pause for a while and try to make sense of or ponder about what I just read as in other books), they're natural page-turners. You'd just want to know what happens next.

Stumbled upon Rules of Attraction via Goodreads. I go through lists in Goodreads and try to get my hands on those books with higher ratings and raving reviews, and this one got both so I gave it a go.

I loved it! I enjoyed reading it although I knew where it was leading to. It was obvious Carlos has had the hots for Kiara and what's even more kakilig about that was it wasn't because of superficial reasons. I had Crazy Beautiful in mind while reading this. Pasado si Jay Hernandez as Carlos the tough hottie but I had to rack my brains for the pretty blonde because I do not like Kirsten Dunst. So my peg for Kiara is Karolina Kurkova or Brooklyn Decker in oversize shirts and cargo shorts.

I just have one comment though about YA books- every girl gets deflowered at the end. Ha. Young Adult Books- deflowering girls one novel at a time. Har dee har har. (Eep. That is in reference to Jessica Darling's sarcastic laugh).

So here's the official book trailer (I didn't even know book trailers existed)...

Nooo!!! That Carlos guy here isn't hot. At all. I'm sure they could do better than that. Hmph. Si Alex pa, pogi :P

Anyway, the good thing about this book is it is part of a trilogy. Hoozah! Perfect Chemistry, here I come! ;)

RT 2012 book 15: perfect fifths by megan mccafferty

I learned to never have expectations because most often than not, things, events or people fall short of what I expect from them. So, although many were raving about this Jessica Darling series on tumblr (ahh, tumblr, my love) and after 4 amazing books before the conclusion, I really tried my very best not to expect much. Of course, I wanted Jessica and Marcus Flutie *le sigh* to end up together but I am also preparing myself for the worst which is if they go on their separate lives.

Ten years after he first fell for her, Marcus still doesn't understand it himself.\

It is an alchemical attraction that transcends all reason, rationality and- in the

three years since she spurned him- reality.

After three years, Jessica and Marcus meet again for the first time. Both have changed... for the better. Although I totally abhor the fact that they broke up in Book 4 (Fourth Comings), I reckon it was necessary for the both of them to let them grow in to the persons that they are now At that time, their relationship hindered them from reaching their own potentials. And three years after, on that fateful day at the airport, the pieces fall together. Now that's destiny. Or fiction. Bah.

I loved Perfect Fifths because it wasn't written from Jessica's point of view. It was from narrated by a third, omniscient person who gives us the blow-by-blow account of what each party was going through. We only knew Marcus from Jessica's eyes, how she thinks Marcus is, how much he loves her- all from her perspective. We never got to see their relationship, Jessica through his eyes. And in this fifth installment, we got to see things from his perspective (which is as kakakilig when we read Midnight Sun, which was Edward's version of the story. I still hate Twilight and Bella though. Okay, I loved it at first, but man I don't know what did it for me, why I started to hate that book so much. I'm blaming the audiobook). I don't know if Marcus has really changed or if things were just from a different perspective that's why I didn't see his lighter side. All throughout the first four books, he's this brooding guy with an air of mystery and now we found out this other side- the veil of mystery has been lifted (and I still love him... more, actually). How cute is it that upon hearing her name, he has to see for himself if it really was her or when she stalks her while she was in line for the tickets? I never saw him like that before and omigaaaaahd, he's so much more endearing this time. That conversation in the coffee shop- PRICELESS. [enter music... Barry Manilow's Somewhere Down the Road]

Speaking of Barry Manilow, I've a newfound appreciation for his songs. Okay, it's really cheesy, most especially in this book, the Barry connections but it added to its appeal. I swear they should make a movie based on all Manilow songs. At first I was thinking how contrived Manilow's songs has played a part on their relationship but then Jessica also feels the same, so maybe it's not too contrived at all. They should really make a TV series out this book. Not a movie because it would kill me to see all five books butchered into a measly 2-hour film. A TV series with a kick-ass OST, mainly Barry Manilow songs.

I love love love this book series to bits & pieces and Perfect Fifths is the cherry on top. Jessica and Marcus, as what the title suggests, are perfect together. So ya we're just assuming that they live happily ever after into old age.

I ♥ Marcus Flutie. YOU. YES. YOU.

No more JD. No more Marcus Flutie. Now what? This is depressing. I WANT A TV SERIES OUT OF THIS!!!

P.S. I find myself lucky for stumbling upon this beautiful series just now because I can't imagine the torture of waiting for the next book. Sloppy Firsts was first published in 2001 and Perfect Fifths, the last one, in 2009. Eight years. I can't imagine how I'd be able to wait for eight frickin' years! Buti na lang talaga. But now what? No more Marcus Flutie :( I hope Megan McCafferty writes another one about them just so I have a closure. Haha. Whatever. Can someone, like, hit me in the head now because even Whatever reminds me of Marcus. Ack.

SO-OMFG-TRUE

Not exactly what happened in my case.

More like "You were so attractive until I cyber-stalked you

and saw how you updated your status or replied to your friends'

status or posts with your hideous grammar."

Okay, I can let preposition errors slip because they're really confusing, 

as the same goes with prepositions in the Spanish language, 

but man, simple s+v agreements? Seriously?

Yes, that was the beginning of the end. 

Fair dinkum.

RT 2012 book 14: fourth comings by megan mccafferty

Marcus Flutie proposed to Jessica Darling. Remember how I was distraught that I have read this event in someone else's book review? Apparently, this was revealed in the first few chapters of the book so it didn't really spoil things for me.

Charmed Thirds left us with Jessica and Hope embarking on a cross-country trip. Unfortunately, said trip was cut short because they were carjacked and what's more unfortunate is gone with their other belongings are the Marcus' journals. Jessica took one notebook, assuming this was one of Marcus', that she can read. However, this was the empty notebook Marcus gave her wherein she was supposed to write her thoughts and feelings during her supposedly 30-day trip. Fourth Comings, more or less, starts with the marriage proposal Jessica neither accepted nor rejected at the moment. And the empty notebook is where Jessica wrote down her answer to the question.

Regardless of my fondness over Jessica Darling, I've always felt that she's a little self-centered, selfish. Most especially when it comes to her relationship with Marcus Flutie. I know, I know, who am I to judge her being inexperienced in the field of relationships, but man, she's one irrational gal. Or maybe I'm just blindsided with my infatuation over Marcus? Hmm.. Anyway, her hesitation to give an affirmative response she attributed first to the fact that he is a 24-year-old college freshman at Princeton. Why not Columbia or NYU? Why not somewhere in the city where they can be together? She fears the 18-year-old freshgirls who are pining over him. She hates how he doesn't tell her much. She misses the conversations they had before they became them. She also hates how she was not informed of the past he shared with Hope. In a nutshell, she rejected his proposal because of the but not limited to the aforementioned reasons.

I've failed to mention that this whole book series thrives mainly on a Barry Manilow [the ultimate showman!] soundtrack. I dedicate this Barry Manilow song to the their doomed relationship~

The entire duration while reading the book, I was second-guessing as to what her final answer will be. I may have changed my guesses, depending on the chapter's content. Of course, I wanted a YES but in the end it was a NO. It broke my heart. Oo, affected ako. Naiyak pa nga ako eh. But there's a glimmer of hope for them still in Perfect Fifths. I hope the end of the Jessica Darling-Marcus Flutie story will be what the title suggests it to be. 

bed weather

So I decided to spend the entire day reading Fourth Comings but I remembered I promised my room I'd clean it today and change my sheets. Still undecided what to do first. Cos even if the room's cleanliness needs urgent attention, Marcus Flutie has been distracting me.

Speaking of Fourth Comings and Marcus Flutie, I'm halfway through with the book. At the rate I'm going, I might be done with the whole Jessica Darling series by Monday. I am irked with JD for wanting to break up with Marcus albeit the marriage proposal but at the same time I understand that girls are after (financial, emotional) security which he can't give her... yet.


Anyway... re-acquainted myself with this The Smiths song Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want  via The Jessica Darling books. My first encounter with the song was while watching (500) Days of Summer but I've only appreciated its message just now- 

so for once in my life

please please please

let me, let me, let me

let me get what I want 

this time

Pero sabi nga, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. 

awkward s02e04: are you there god? it's me, jenna.

Today's episode was a little boring. Ho-hum. I am more excited for next week's episode when Jenna gets all jealous over Matty's new prospect.

RT 2012 book: charmed thirds

[I should remind myself not to read other bloggers' book reviews so as not so spoil it for me. Now I know Marcus is going to propose to Jessica in Book 4. Bah.]

Three down. Two more to go.

You get older, but you don't ever feel grown-up

Jessica Darling enters college at Columbia- juggling her time between academics and her long-distance relationships with best friend Hope and boyfriend Marcus. She meets new friends and new best friend prospects in lieu of Hope. 

Whenever I read books, I never find it hard to put a face to the characters until this one. I cannot quite put a face to Jessica and most especially, to Marcus. The closest one I can think of is Andrew Garfield, but I have my recent Spiderman watch to blame for that. I read somewhere that other readers that Marcus reminds them of Brandon Boyd. I beg to differ. Although Boyd is handsome and also looks like a dreg (ha!), my Marcus is a former dreg and in no way will be looking like Mr. Boyd. 

This is the book where Jessica is most annoying but I guess I'd have to read the two remaining books to find out. Sometimes I'd get tired of her rantings but I guess that is her appeal to us. Maybe because we feel her, we can sympathize with her and relate to some of what she's going through. 

happy hump day

I'm still grumpy; therefore, I'm still chasing after what will provide me bliss.

Last Saturday, my reasons for temporary bliss were lechon and Mango Trifle. That and time with my family, nuclear and extended. It was my Auntie Madre's Golden Jubilee (meaning, she's been a nun for 50 years, longer than the time I've existed in this world). My Aunt is maybe the reason why we're all Paulinians. 

It was my first time after a loooong time in their Antipolo convent. The only memory I had in this convent was the time when my youngest sister asked my aunt what if she enters the nunnery, to which she replied, "Lalabas kaming lahat." We were around 8 and 9 years old that time. 

Windmill! Even after 12 years of graduating from High School, I can still remember remember snippets from This Is Our Story. Okay, I did a little research (Google nga lang) why the fascination over windmills. We also have one in our campus, only it's not moving like this one. The windmill is a symbolism for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives or something like it- "the Holy Spirit propels us to live a full life, just as the wind moves the windmill..." And what's more bongga is that they have a museum (!) with a talking hologram (!!) I wonder if our National Museum has that... 

To end the occasion, all the girls were given rosaries, the boys were given prayer booklets. I've yet to use mine.

Sunday. My reason for temporary bliss is Magoo's Pizza and Timezone with my nephews. Magoo's Pizza reminds me of my high school days and summers with AB. 

Monday, accompanied my sister to her check-up. Found out I'm having another nephew. While I'd love to have a niece, okay na rin ang boy basta healthy and normal. It was a day spent in waiting rooms of hospitals. I killed time by reading my current obsession: Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series. What I found weird was I didn't enjoy my food that day- pan-fried chicken at Pancake House (understandable), chicken wings at Flaming Wings and my brother-in-law's homemade cheeseburger. 

The chicken wings and burger were yummy. I just didn't have the appetite. Sayang. And oh, I had mocha frap na naman. May nakakalimot sa must-avoid-sugar-and-carbs diet. 

Wednesday- errands muna before lakwatsa. I need to buy a computer/laptop soon and I'm not yet decided what unit to buy. It is a major purchase after all. Don't you think it's pathetic that at almost-30, my definition of a major purchase is a laptop/computer? Perspective lang yan ;) Who cares??? So, finally met with A. Lunch at Kenny Roger's and again, I didn't enjoy my food. They have this chicken platter with pita and side dish which is their version of the Pollo Loco chicken. FAIL. The chicken is too spicy for me to enjoy. Speaking of intolerance to spicy foods, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY TASTE BUDS??? I used to love and enjoy eating spicy foods, why all of a sudden an intolerance to it? I can't enjoy spicy dilis and tuyo dipped in spicy vinegar the same way. A had an errand to run so I waited for her at Crepes & Cream where I had a strawberry & chocolate crepe. It was too sweet and that's coming from someone with a sweet tooth. 

Again, we've established that the highlight of my days (ergo, my existence) is food. 

RT 2012 book 11 & 12: megan mccafferty's sloppy firsts & second helpings

Loooooove Jessica Darling to bits!!! Fine, YA books are somewhat considered easy-reads but hey, it's not often I get to devour a book, even if it's only 300 pages long, that quickly. It's no secret that I love book stores (and groceries and hardware stores!) because I love school & office supplies and I also love perusing bookshelves for interesting reads. It's only recently that I've discovered the wonderful world of the YA genre and so far, I'm loving it. Out of all the other books from this genre that I've read, Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings are my favorite.

Sloppy Firsts

Starts with Jessica Darling in her sophomore year in Pineville High. Her best friend, Hope, moves out of Pineville and into far away Tennessee and suddenly she feels her world crumbling down. She gets into this sulky mode and complains how no one gets her- not her family, not even her friends. Her dad only cares about her running career. She finds it hard to fit in her mom & older sister, Bethany's, Blonde Bond. She complains they only care about superficial stuff like boys and clothes. She's only hanging on and hanging out with her other friends, Bridget, Manda and Sara out of habit. Actually, she can't stand her friends.

Although I love Jessica, I feel she's acting all high and mighty. Yes she is (very) intelligent but I'm sure she's not the only one in her entire school who has the mental chops. I mean, how can she diss everyone as if they're all stupid and ignorant and only care about superficial things. Aside from that, I love her. She's so funny and entertaining.

Sloppy Firsts was supposed to be circa 2000 which was the same year I graduated high school, so Jessica and I belonged to the same 'era,' so it's more identifiable to me. This was before cellphones were mainstream and before everyone had easy access to fast, reliable internet connection. Backstreet Boys, Brtiney - man, it was like a trip down memory lane. So this is also one thing I loved about the book- I can read it from the perspective of a 17-year-old me and can totally relate to all the teenage angst. But then again my 29-turning-30-soon-self can still relate to most of the angst and frustrations. Ha!

And oh, did I mention that I have a lot in common with Ms. Darling. No, I'm not talking about the high IQ. There was this one time when her mother said,

"You're both perfectionists. You're both hard-headed. You both get depressed when things don't go your way. You both think too much. You both keep your feelings inside, then explode at inopportune moments."

referring to her similarities with her dad. And upon reading those words, I can totally relate to it. Well, not entirely but the perfectionist and depressed when I don't get my way and the thinking too much bit, that's definitely me. Plus, Jessica and I both have broken female equipment- "Why was my womanhood revoked" - referring to our absent monthly visits. TMI, I know. But here's the similarity to end all similiarities- we both harbored a long-term crush for someone who turned out to be gay! Sounds family, no?

Anyway, as we (yes, tayong tatlong nagbabasa nito) all know how much I'm a sucker for all things nakakakilig, this has it also. What I also loved about Sloppy Firsts is how "Prince Charming" wasn't who we all thought it would be. Unlike other books (and love stories) where the heroine ends up with either the long-time crush (not possible in this case because He. Is. Gay) or the boy best friend (which almost happened). But our Prince Charming takes in the form of former dreg Marcus Flutie. I didn't see that coming and maybe that's what made it all the more appealing ;)

Second Helpings

Jessica enters Senior Year at Pineville High. Still nursing a recent heartbreak over Marcus' confession and still in denial that she still cares about him, she escapes via SPECIAL's writing program. Rather than moping about her life in Pineville and working another crappy summer job at the boardwalk, she signed up for something that will take her mind off Pineville and all things associated with it such as Marcus Flutie.

At the start of SPECIAL, she finds a new Obsessive Object of Horniness in her writing professor- Samuel MacDougall- who turned out to be gay. (See! Story of my life!) This SPECIAL experience may not have been pleasant for her but she thinks it was her destiny because if not for it, she wouldn't have met Paul Parlipiano at that cafe nor met Mac (her former and current OOHs and fairy gay mothers) and she wouldn't have considered Columbia in her school choices.

School starts and eventually, Jessica has her first real relationship with Len Levy. Only, Len is now Marcus Flutie's bestfriend. So this is my favorite part- Marcus' altruistic act. He wanted Jessica to be happy and if she can't be happy with him, he thought she could be happy with Len. Coincidentally, Marcus also works in Silver Meadow where Jessica's 90-year-old grandma, Gladdie, was checked in after her stroke. Of course we all want a Jessica-Marcus pairing after all that I-feel-it-in-my-fingers-I-feel-it-in-my-toes (shet, oo na baduy!) moments, we just can't deny there's something there. But at the same time, we also have grown to love Levy who's not only Jessica's cerebral equal but also adores her very much.

Only that changes when one night she commits a lapse of judgment and accidentally spills the beans- Len found out about her and Marcus. What's genius about McCafferty is that in this case we should take Len's side, she makes Len end up with Manda so we run back to Jessica's defense. In her heartbreak, she finds comfort in Gladdie.

I won't spoil the ending for you so I'll stop right here and start on Charmed Thirds already :)

Marcus Flutie is my newest fictional character crush and he can give me a hickey any-frickin-time.

awkward s02e03: three's a crowd

Jenna has this feeling that Matty is trying to sabotage his relationship with Jake. He willingly takes the role of a third wheel on Jenna & Jake's hangouts. She thinks that Matty is trying to tempt her by:

1. inappropriate "accidental" touching

2. "nuding up" every chance he gets

I understand your dilemma, Jenna. If I were to be teetered between two equally cute, nice and awesome boys, I too would be confused.

I remember this line from one of my favorite movies, The Man in the Moon - Remember when you couldn't wait for your life to begin... and then, one day, it did? I think this quote is applicable to Jenna's life. At the start of the show, she's complaining about how no one knows or cares about her existence. Her blog title is Invisible Girl. Here she is with her shiny new boyfriend (and ex-boyfriend) but that doesn't come with a price- her parents' marriage is falling apart and both yay! and nay! were caused by the same carefrontation letter her mother wrote her. You couldn't have one without the other. 

Lacey tries to lure Kevin back with a hot tub... only, Kevin sneaks into his house and finds his daughter with her boyfriend and (secret) ex-boyfriend in it. It has got to be one of my favorite line in tonight's episode:

Jenna: so can you please stick around and help me get Matty out of here
Kevin: So you can be alone with your boyfriend? 

"Nooooo"

So instead of driving Matty out, Dad has a better idea- 

He joins in on the fun. Whoopeedoo! 

Anyway, Kevin talked to Jenna about staying with his parents for the meantime. Heartbreaking, don't you think? But this could give Jenna and Lacey some quality time together

Is it just me or Jenna looks a little frumpy this season?

So here it is... after every episode I ask which team are you on: Team Matty or Team Jake. It's soooo hard to decide. Seriously, if it were me, I'd be in such a dilemma. Can't I just have both? Puede naman nating i-schedule diba? I thought I'm leaning more on Team Jake but when I see Matty like this,

I get all confused. So feeling ko ako si Jenna? 

this is about nothing in particular

I don't know if being lethargic is a side effect of Metformin. Oh yes, I am taking Metformin. It's for normalizing my abnormal hormones. Hopefully it does it job. Or maybe this is also a side effect of sugar withdrawal??? Hmm... I can't say I'm totally sugar-free but I've cut down around 80% of my sugar intake- as in no Coke (only on special occasions, teehee- cheat days!), less rice and very little bread. Sad, I know.

So anyway... the latest movie I've seen is New Year's Eve. Sorry naman at medyo mid-year na. It was the movie showing in La Casa Cleofas last Sunday. After lunch when the rest of the family went home, I stayed. It was okay naman. Zac Efron was hot. Teehee. Lucky Michelle Pfeiffer. Anyway, I wonder why their New Year's very eventful. Usually mine is stay at home all day, help prepare the medianoche meal or write a year-end blog post.

Speaking of movies, it looks like I won't be hitting my 100 Movies goal this year nor would I  go anywhere near the target. It's already the 7th month and I'm on movie #32 pa lang. I blame it on my favorite series, Korean dramas, books and e-books and of course, real life. I have to make a living din, no.

Now that we're on the topic of making a living, it's a good thing that orders are starting to come in. Maliliit lang but it's better than nothing, right? Not knowing how to drive is a casualty to me and my business. Not really a casualty but if I know how to, that could save me from a lot of troubles. That way I wouldn't rely on anyone to drive me because a) I don't know how to reach my destination via commuting; and/or, b) I need a car to haul my stash. Learn how to drive is one of my New Year resolutions... yet to be ticked off the list. Buti na lang my aunt has this jubilee chever on Saturday and she wants lechon from my dad. E di nagpacanvass si Father Dear sa may bandang Quezon Ave para makita ang mga lechon in the flesh... e di naki-hitch na lang ako. Bonggels ♥ After that and a trip to Malabon (!), went straight to my alma mater to deliver an order.

I was back to my second home for 11 years. I knocked on the Faculty Room door and a former teacher got the door. She didn't recognize me. After 12 years and 40 lbs, who would??? But after they ask for my full name, they still remember me :D Polite pa din daw ako. Siempre naman, peg ko po si Sarah Geronimo po.

A lot has changed and I'm not only talking about the color. The area beside the red tiles where we have our flag ceremony every Monday already has a roof. Daya! The Batibot is already a computer nook, which is sad. Sosyal na ang canteen- you have to have your credit loaded at the back of your ID (so that's what the barcodes in our IDs are for! 12 years lang in the making). Mas magubat na ang gazebo

ooh, there's the plant with pink, thorny petals I loved putting against my cheek. bata pa lang, masochista na :P

and the gargantuan... and when I say gargantuan, I mean GARGANTUAN gym sports complex

I wanted to go inside the oratory/chapel but I don't know if I'm allowed to so I didn't. I still prefer the smaller oratory kahit walang stained glass, it's more beautiful and more solemn.

It's late! I have this promise to myself that I'll sleep early every night, that I have to be asleep around 12am. This is actually hitting two birds with one stone- I get to sleep early and I get to read my books (YA!). Currently reading Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts and so far, so good and I'm enjoying it. Can't wait to get to the other books in the series.

Before I end this, I just want to share that I saw fireflies for this first time in my entire life last Saturday. Naki-epal ako sa pamamanhikan ng pinsan ko at sumama ako hanggang Cavite. After dinner, my cousin and I (because I wasn't privy naman to their conversation) took a walk inside the sparse subdivision. At first I thought I saw Christmas lights in the talahib then I thought it was someone smoking in there then I saw more flying lit-things! FIREFLIES!!! It was magical! Feeling ko ako si Son Ye-jin sa The Classic.

unfortunately, i cannot capture the fireflies with my camera :(
so i just had my picture sitting in the middle of the street

Although beautiful, I cannot live somewhere FAR from civilization. I need to be near my malls (take note: malls. plural).

krompalable

Hay bad trip. Went over to my supplier as in special trip pa because I needed to buy some supplies na paubos na plus this one particular ingredient I do not have any stock of na talaga. Because I just took a cab going there and I made it wait for me, I was such in a hurry that I forgot to buy that ingredient. FML. So I need to go to another supplier tomorrow just to buy that one ingredient. NAKAKAINIS. And it's for delivery TOMORROW. Ngaragan time!

Lesson learned: WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. MAKE LISTS. I always always make this mistake of not writing down stuff I need to buy like when I go to Divisoria because I needed to buy this and that, I always forget buying something- because I didn't make a list. Blech. I just make a mental note and say I'd write it down later but I never do... so there. Or I should have called in my order para pick up na lang. Dang.

lazy and lethargic friday

Actually, I've been lazy and lethargic almost the entire week- which is NOT GOOD. Bold, italicized and underlined for emphasis- just so I wouldn't forget. But I know why I'm feeling extra bad and sad today: my sales yesterday was only a hundred frikkin fifty pesos and it's so dark and gloomy outside. Low sales and fugly weather cannot coexist. A few more days like this and I'm going into major relapse. So anyway, as I find solace in tumblr in this time of sadness, I found a funny clip and a pic which are in a way hits you where it hurts (or shall I say, hits me where it hurts). LOL- by the way, sarcastic yan.

TRUE DAT.

And here's another one...

with a grain helluva glob of truth

awkward s02e02: sex, lies and the sanctuary

Wee! It's Awkward Day ☺ I'm super lazy and lethargic today as in I think I was sleeping the entire time. I was supposed to go to Divi today with my cousin but I begged off the last minute so here I am blogging and tumblring the night away.

The episode starts off with the students discovering of the installation of a CCTV camera in the "Sanctuary."

The Sanctuary is where people do their unmentionables. A DVD of footages has been stolen and with most of the school population, Jenna is worried if she and Matty are in it. Jenna hasn't told Jake yet as to who deflowered her and she's worried that he might know via the stolen footages.

Jake wanted to know who was that man before him in Jenna's life and Jenna just can't tell him who because it will break his heart. At first he was very insistent but later on, he told Jenna that if she doesn't want to tell then he doesn't want to know.

Ming also gets involved with the Asians in this episode and it is funny because although I'm an Asian, too, the specific Asian here are the Chinese and in college, most Chinese I know were like uptight Becca. Omigosh it's a good thing my Chinese friend doesn't read this blog or else...

As in it's super spot-on kasi. They're all grade-conscious and yun nga, uptight. Nakakainis sila, diba? But with our Chinese friend, we've accepted her the way she is- 3 o' clock habit and all.

Finally, Lacey told Kevin that it was her who wrote Jenna that letter but we'll see the aftermath in the following episodes. It'll be heartbreaking to see them break up over this. I hope they don't. In the season preview kasi they did and although what Lacey did was really detestable, she still deserves forgiveness and understanding, right?

So on whose team are you on: Matty or Jake? For me, it's 70-30 with Jake holding the majority. That is because he is such a sweetheart. Seriously, the guy can do no wrong. He's cute and smart and sweet. Well, Matty's also all that, only he didn't want to bring his & Jenna's relationship out in the open. As what Jenna said, she felt bad about herself when she was with Matty and it was the total opposite with Jake who tells it to the world.

I can't wait til that time Jake finds out that it was Matty all along!!! Exciiiiited ☺

slacking off for 15 mins

It's raining, it's pouring! Normally, I hate rainy days but since this rainy day isn't too rainy (huh?) and I'm loving the cool weather, I'm fine with it. Hopefully since classes were suspended, students will come and have their pedis, hoho! I was supposed to have tarp banners done today but I'm too lazy to go out of the house plus I hate getting my feet wet. So let me bore you with things that aren't of any interest to you :)

The story of my 3-month-long gel polish

This is the newest technology in nail polish, at least here in the Philippines. My supplier asked me if I would like to test their newest product and if I like it maybe I could offer it in my humble nail spa. I like it and I was REALLY willing to invest in it but most of my "advisers" were against it. I didn't take it. My current market is not the market for gel polish. So anyway, gel polish is supposed to last 3 weeks but I was able to make it last until 3 months!!! It didn't look pangit kasi mukha naman siyang french tip. Gel polish cannot be removed by plain nail polish remover, they needed some kind of special remover wraps and I was too lazy to get my butt over to this mall in Makati so I let my nails grew until one of my nails broke. Wala lang.

Aside from Korean and US series, I also addicted to two things

Anything that has to do with eyebrow grooming 

and facial wash!

I tend to have an obsessive personality and once I like something, I go to all the ends of the earth researching and knowing everything there is to know about it or obtaining things to add to my collection. OA naman ang all the ends of the earth... sa abot lang pala ng makakaya ko. It's just that am very obsessive passionate about my favorite things.

I finally tried J. Co Donuts

And it was disappointing. Just wanted to see what's the fuss all about so I dragged A to try the new it donut in town. 

The line was long so I was thinking that they must really have good stuff. Their donuts didn't have tags or labels so I just resorted to pointing what looked yummy. I chose the green donut with chocolate sprinkles because I thought it is chocolate mint flavor. Apparently it's Avocado Dicaprio. Well, it was okay naman it didn't taste icky as it sounded (avocado-flavored donut!!) but I was expecting a chocolate mint flavored donut :( I also got Thai Iced Tea which at P115 for 12oz is actually expensive. I've had better-tasting Thai Iced Tea in 8 Spices. I could have gotten a Large Wintermelon Milk Tea at Gong Cha for P90. A got their Cheezy Rich Donut which is just like you regular ensaymada which I could get for less than P10 or P35 if it's from Mary Grace- which is still cheaper than P45. The bread wasn't anything close to your melt-in-your-mouth Krispy Kreme donuts. I expected more from donuts that are 45 a piece. Just sayin'

I'm not going back. 

the ultimate jologs quiz

It's the 1st day of  July!!! What better way to start of a new month than with a Filipino pop culture quiz circa 1990s ☺ I will try my very best. AJA!

1. Name all eight (8) characters in the original Tabing-Ilog barkada. One point per character name? Eds, George , Fonzy, Badong(?)... nafru-frustrate ako kasi sinubaybayan ko talaga to :( 4 pts

2.  Who said this line in the TV series Maging Sino Ka Man: “Yes, I am a slut, but I am the best slut in town!” And to whom? One point each. Plus one point if you can gaya her acting? I remember the line but I don't remember whatsherface 0 pts, recent lang to eh... I was thinking mga 90s chever. Anne Curtis to Sam Milby era na to eh. Daya

3. Angelika dela Cruz was launched in what movie, co-starring Georgia Ortega and Mike Magat? She was known then as simply “Angelika.” Seventeen So Kaka  0 pts. And to think I was SUPER sure of my answer...

4. What is the original time slot of Ang TV?? 4:30 1 pt

5. What are the names of Kevin Cosme’s (Dolphy) four (4) kids in Home Along Da Riles?? ??? I just remember they're Smokey Manaloto, Gio Alvarez, Claudine Barretto & Vandolph 0 pt Do I get half points each actor? 

6. What is the name of Kevin’s boss Hillary’s gay assistant? Played by which actor? Clue: His name isnakaka-Phillip Phillips. One point each.? Actor: Bernardo Bernardo 1 pt

7. Eccentric TV show on unTV hosted by Tado and Erning. Tama!? Strangebrew 1 pt
8. Supply the next 14 words following this line from the movie Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang?: “Oh yes, kaibigan mo ako. Kaibigan mo lang ako.” One point for every correct word? ??? 0 pts
8.1 Who said the line in #8? To whom?? Jolina to Marvin 1 pt
9. What is the full name of Waks, played by Bobby Andrews, in T.G.I.S?? Joaquin Torres III 1 pt
10. Who is Dianne’s, played by Judy Ann Santos,ka-love team in Gimik? Clue: He was played by Rico Yan?  Sorry maka-TGIS ako 0pts
11. Who was the gay host of the late morning show Katok mga Misis, who usually talked with a live parrot on air?? Giovanni Calvo 1 pt
12. Which comics, or should we say, komiks, did Pitit and Planet Op Da Eypsappear in?? Funny Komiks? 1 pt
13. Name the complete title of Judy Ann Santos’ first TV series. Clue: It’s notMara Clara. Incomplete answer scores zero. Sorry, we’re harsh like that.? Ula, Ang Batang Gubat 1 pt
14. Which afternoon TV show has the theme song “Saan ka ba patungo? Bakit ka nag-iisa?” Uyyy, kinanta nya. Sorry, no points for singing? Valiente? 0pts Anna Luna pala :(
15. Who is the uncle with a Lucky 7 Club? One point for that, and additional one point if you are a member? Bob 0 pts 
16. What is the title of the morning talk show hosted by Michelle Van Eimeren and Bing Loyzaga? ??? 0 pts
17. Who was Pardina in the movie Pardina at ang mga Duwende? Who was the duwende who fell in love with her? Clue: They are one of more popular love teams from That’s Entertainment? Duwende is Romnick Sarmenta and Sheryl Cruz is Pardina. 2 pts
18. Donita Rose played which character in Ober da Bakod?? Barbie Girl 1 pt
19. Which game was sponsored by Yakult in Family Kwarta o Kahon on RPN 9?? ??? 0 pts 
20. Who played Anna, Karen, and Nina in GMA 7’s afternoon show, yes, Anna Karenina? One point for every character, in the correct order as their character names appear in the title. Anna is Antoinette Taus, Karen is Sunshine Dizon and Nina is Kim Delos Santos 3 pts 
21. Which love-themed TV show on ABS-CBN 2 was hosted by Buboy Garovillo?? Mr. Cupido 1 pt
22. Supply the next seven (7) words following this line popularized by an astrologer in the early morning showAlas Singko Y Media (ASYM): “Hindi hawak ng mga bituin ang ating kapalaran. Gabay lamang ito.” Three points for supplying all seven words. Dahil ang buhay ay weather-weather lang? Haha. Di ko alam pero kilala ko siya...0 pts 
22.1 Who is the astrologer who said the lines on #22? Clue: Her segment on ASYM was called “Syzgy.” Zenaidza Zeva 1 pt 
?23. What was Priscilla Almeda’s first screen name?? Abby Viduya 1 pt
24. Name Ms. Maritius who became famous for saying “Take it, take it!” at the 1994 Manila Film Festival scam. Wrong spelling wrong. Update: She committed suicide in India in 2010? Viveka Babajee 1 pt
25. John Lloyd Cruz, Baron Geisler, and which other actor comprised the teenage trio Koolits? Alam ko face niya pero di ko ma-recall ang namesung :/ Locsin ba last name??? 0 pts


So there, pader, DONE. Let's see how I fared... 22 pts


If you scored 10 to 24: You are not very jologs, but there is enough ka-jologs-an in you to make you not plain boring. Like I’m sure you’ve sung Aegis’ Ulan with the correct hoarse voice quality, right? What, hindi mo kilala ang Aegis?!

Memory gap lang yan. Wishing for a kick-ass awesome July for all of us :)