Whatabawt?

It will never happen for people to stay in love forever but it's best if you find the right one worth taking that risk for.

Ayan, may topic na ulit ako. Back to blogging ulit. Pardon my long post. =)

For years kasi, I've been haunted with that same question that Juno asked her dad. I, too, was wonderin' why can't two people just stay in love forever? And not having a divorce after years of being together and suddenly realizing you're "not in love" anymore with the other person whom you've sworn to love till death do you part. Or finding yourself falling for another and then putting all the blame on your broken-hearted wife or husband or anyone or anything but yourself. Or suddenly realizing that you still have a lot of things on your life that you wanted to do on your own. I don't understand why things get so complicated when it comes to relationships and love. And I know that no matter how hard I tried not to be in that kind of situation, it will happen and only God knows when. Maybe this phase in life is something that everyone must go through. That's why I was wonderin why can't we just skip this phase and stay in love forever and totally eradicate the notion of having a divorce so you can do things in your own terms? Life and relationship and love were not the ones that are complicated. Individuals are.

After watching Juno last night, I guess the story crawled up into my skin. I dreamt of the first person that made me doubt about love and its complexities. Of how in that dream he was trying so hard to make it all up to us. I woke up trying to find the relevance of that reverie and found it easier to ignore it than think about it all day. Huwala lang.

It's not about laying judgment on those who have done it or playing the empathy game to those who have been hurt. It's about finding the answer to my 15 year old question and finding the ways of avoiding history repeats itself at least for this part. But I guess, sometimes these things can't be avoided. At least for now, it's calming to think that for 9 years, and after that, whatever happens, I am still and will always be thankful that it may or may not happen to me, I know that God gave me that someone worth taking that risk for. And one of us may stray along the way, which I really hope not, I guess the best thing to do for now is to live each day as if you're just starting to get to know each other. Finding love and be hurt is frightening. But finding love alone is exhilarating. So yeah, you may get hurt, but at least find someone really worth taking that risk for.

Juno

Juno is a whip-smart teen confronting an unplanned pregnancy by her classmate Bleeker. With the help of her hot best friend Leah, Juno finds her unborn child a "perfect" set of parents: an affluent suburban couple, Mark and Vanessa, longing to adopt. Luckily, Juno has the total support of her parents as she faces some tough decisions, flirts with adulthood and ultimately figures out where she belongs.

my thoughts
When it comes to rating - may it be a movie or book - I guess it all comes down to that saying "to each his own". Some things may be good for others but it doesnt work for me and vice versa. When I saw Juno on the movie house days before, i wasn't that interested as I've read some reviews that it wasn't good. But oscars changed my mind. So we did watched it.

First, Ellen Page was so natural and her role was so her age and totally different from her role in Narnia or X-Men. Although, in all movies she did well. It's so hard not to shed a tear in this movie, at least for me. Guess being emotional in certain part of your life makes you vulnerable to movies like this which maybe to some are just an ordinary story. I just like the part where Juno asked her dad, "Dad, why can't two people just stay in love forever?". Her dad's reply is a bulls-eye. Not on exact wordings coz I really cant remember them hehehe but a bit of his explanation was this. It will never happen for people to stay in love forever but it's best if you find the right one worth taking that risk for. Winner si dad-ee!

Movie Rating: 5 sweet popcorns and a box of tissue
Watched Where: GV Plaza Sing

Sister A in Singapore - Day 3

Woke up early and heads up to changi airport. Habiga's flight is at 9.40. Went home afterwards, and took a nap. We went out only in the afternoon and went straight to Vivo City in Harbourfront. I was savoring every moment we had and I was so thankful that we had this kind of chance to bond together after all those wasted years of me spending my time here in singapore and my family back in manila. It's something that people like us cherish and considered as blessing as this is one really rare occasion. And if God permits, we will be having more time to bond and fight just like we used to do when we were still young. Maybe fewer fights =) First stop in Vivo City was the first stop we had when we went there and when the time I lost my Treo. Well, at least now, it won't be the only memory I have going to the Candy Empire. And I was right bringing her there. She was so happy to see all those kinds of candies and chocolates. Who won't be? It's like disneyland of candies :)

From Vivo, we went to Chinatown. Walked around and took pictures then stopped for a cone of turkish ice cream which was really good. You know how sticky ice creams are when it melts in your hand right?

This one's not! Totally different and really good though a bit pricey but at least my sister got entertained by "mr turkish surbetero". From Chinatown, we stopped for snack at McDonalds then went home. It's still early and I was guessing that I'm not really getting any younger. I get easily tired from walking. Eh ultimate lakwatsera kaya ako! People do really change :)

Soon as we got home, i cooked buttered shrimp and had a CSI marathon.

Sister A in Singapore - Day 2

We went to Orchard and had dinner in Jologz at Lucky Plaza. Then went to Carrefour, Plaza Sing. Dunno how our weekend will be since habiga will be in manila 'till next sunday for business trip.

Sister A in Singapore - Day 1

After much stress and heart wrenching drama, she finally made it to Singapore.

Took half-day leave and went to Singapore 30 minutes earlier before the display changed from "CONFIRMED" to "LANDED". I wasn't totally relieved until I had seen her getting her luggage. This time, I know no one will prevent her from coming to Singapore. So ecstatic to see her! She said she didn't have any problems in the Singapore Immigration and the officer didn't even bother to ask her. It seems to me that our own country and 'kababayans', *if you can still call them that*, are the only ones who has a problem in seeing other people take a step ahead of them or I'm guessing that they were just envious of other people who can afford to take a vacation in other countries or had the opportunity to work abroad or they really just want some bribe. Sad to say, that's how system works in the philippines.

As soon as the we're done with our super mega late al-tang (breakfast and lunch) at popeye's, sis A was so excited to see our place. On our way, I can see the excitement in her face. I guess it's the same way I've felt on my first time here in Singapore. When we reached our place and seeing our room, she exclaimed "wow, parang hotel". I was glad she liked it. And hoping that the rest of my family will see our place before our contract ends :)

We called home and our mom was so happy that my sister's finally here. Hmmm, naipasa na kaya nya sa kin ang isang sakit ng ulo nya? We went to Orchard agad after I asked her if she wanted to rest. Lakwatsera talaga! We waited for kuya and then we had dinner at Food Republic. Western food muna. Unti untiin natin hehehe.

Thank God that she finally made it. I just hope and wish that she'll soon find a job. Cross-fingers!

Jumper

A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them.


Watched it last night at The Grand Cathay at 11.15pm. Funny, I just realized it was "anakin" who's playing the david as a jumper at the last part where he called diane lane mom hihihi. Better watch it! I had a feeling now what would they be doing for the 2nd book of the Golden Compass :)

If you had this kind of power, which place would you "jump" in first? Me? Of course, Europe where else???

Rate: 5 sweet popcorns!

That Bitch!

Last week's last 4 days was anything but pure rest and lazying around. I was so glad that at least once a year, we get the chance to feel rest like this. And last friday was suppose to be one of our happiest days but turns out to be one of the saddest and stressful days. My sister A was already at the airport, checked-in her baggage, paid her travel tax and airport tax and was queueing at the immigration when I got an sms from her and from my mom who luckily has the patience to wait, that the immigration officer *bitch* didn't allow her to go. Her f****ng reason was that her return ticket (via Tiger) is not the same as her ticket going to singapore (via Jetstar) and they don't know if the Tiger ticket is for real since according to her a lot have been using fake tickets. Why not checked it with the airlines then? I booked her that ticket since it's really cheaper and when i say it's cheaper it's not that cheap to waste that amount of money. She has the EPEC, two valid tickets and God knows why she wasn't allowed to go. In other words, after cursing and reaching the highest level of stress, my sister didn't managed to catch her flight inspite of her pleading and humiliation and money and effort. That conniving son-of-a-b****! Pardon my words. I was just really pissed off. Imagine if I have done this post at that exact moment, I don't know what words I would utter. Sigh!

Anyway, I know I was that mad at that time but I wasn't strong enough not to cry bucket of tears. Partly, it's my fault that my sister had to endure that kind of embarassment. I've been trying to save few bucks and this is what happens. But I didn't know that they had this kind of policy. Been doing it for years. Never heard it happen to anyone. Apparently, this has been their policy for years. I've talked to someone from Jetstar and they said that they don't have any issue if their customer uses any other airlines for their return ticket. I was soooo sad that day. But we just thought that hopefully and maybe there's something bigger for us to thank to. When that happens, I'll send that bitch a cake as a thank you.

You know how sometimes, people do everything they can to crushed other people's dreams and they do it with great delight holding that power granted upon them. I have never had a pleasant experience with any immigration officer in the philippines. I always felt a mixture of hatred and fear everytime I leave the country seeing their straight faces looking tough and asking questions with a palpable hint that you are working outside the country not as a professional. Even so, whatever that person is working as, i thought that people who queue at that line deserves some respect. You've got to learn to respect those kababayans who's trying so hard to be away from their families just to make a living by serving people of not their own race. And at this point, as I see it, you are the one working for us and not the other way around. I'm sorry but I never saw that kind of snooty attitude on immigration officers of other countries. They, who are some had that impression of being a racist. They do not have a friendly facade, all right, but at least they don't show what power they have. I just wish there would be a chance that people itself will change. It's hard to keep peace when people around you doesn't have the same kind of aspiration as you have.

Hong Bao Moment

Every year here in singapore, as they celebrated CNY, one of the traditions is the River Hong Bao. Typically like a "perya" in the philippine's provinces. We went there last saturday as we already run out of things to do at home besides watching tv or movies. Enjoy din. Full rest. Feel na feel ang holiday. We went there around 9pm and it was still full of people. Para kaming nagdedate sa perya. Alala ko tuloy yung peryaan sa bulacan noon. Pahirapan kaming magpaalam na magpipinsan pero pag naman pinayagan may allowance pang kasama. Dun namin imimeet mga barkada ng pinsan ko na crush na crush ko noon hihihi.

There were rides for the kids, and for the people who sadistically paid big bucks for a ride that either make you barf or make you dizzy like hell. There were displays of wires that look like animals in which year you're born to, of course the gigantic image of a chinese character that showers small pieces of paper at certain times which locals patiently waited to and open their umbrella upside down so they can catch hundreds of it *they said that if you put one in yoru wallet you'll be lucky and you won't run out of money*, stalls selling chinese pieces, and of course food! During these times, I will be acting now like a 12 year old kid asking rommel to buy me a muah chee or a cotton candy or a corn in a cup! It's fun but a bit tiring. Enjoy the photos!

Rule the World

Rule the World Take That You light the skies, up above me A star, so bright, you blind me, yeah Don’t close your eyes Don’t fade away, don’t fade away- Oh Yeah you and me we can ride on a star If you stay with me girl We can rule the world- Yeah you and me we can light up the sky If you stay by my side We can rule the world- If walls break down, I will comfort you If angels cry, oh I’ll be there for you You've saved my soul Don’t leave me now, don’t leave me now Oh Yeah you and me we can ride on a star If you stay with me girl We can rule the world Yeah you and me, we can light up the sky If you stay by my side We can rule the world- Ooooooooh [Rule The World lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com] All the stars are coming out tonight They're lighting up the sky tonight For you, for you All the stars are coming out tonight They’re lighting up the sky tonight For you, for you- Ooooooooh Yeah you and me we can ride on a star If you stay with me girl We can rule the world Yeah you and me, we can light up the sky If you stay by my side We can rule the world All the stars are coming out tonight (oooooooh) They’re lighting up the sky tonight For you, for you- All the stars are coming out tonight They're lighting up the sky tonight For you,for you- All the stars, are coming out tonight They're lighting up the sky tonight For you, for you- All the stars, are coming out tonight They're lighting up the sky tonight For you,for you-

Stardust

Since there's no open mall to go to, we stayed home the whole day watching movies and eating and lazying around. And I finally saw Stardust after days and days of asking friends if they have the movie or asking the lady from Gramophone if it's already on sale. I've read the book since day 1 it was shown in the movies. I've thought of trying to read the book first and when we decided to watch it, it was already over and I've forgotten about it until rommel told me he had watched it in the plane and that it was really good. So that kept me on the lookout for the movie and bless my housemate for giving me this site.

The movie is really really good though nothing will change how much I love the book it’s based on. And now I can really say that the movie is really different from the book. An adaptation of the stardust book if I may say. It's like having one story with two different twist.

If you have watched the movie and haven't read the book then go on read this post. But if you haven't, you may stop now.

Babylon candle wasn't given to Tristan by his mother along with the letter and he didn't met Yvaine by "falling" from the sky literally. He walk across the wall with the help of his father. Robert de Niro's character wasn't in the book at all though a captain and a ship was mentioned but not of a funny character as de Niro's. He was hilarious and I really love him! Septimus or the 7th prince didn't died the way he died in the movie, he was bitten by the witch's snake when he was trying to burned down her house. The arrival of the unicorn and how it died was also different. Lastly, the last part of the movie where Tristan return to his town was really not the way the book tells it.

Both the movie and the book are good and comparing it is really difficult. It's both a masterpiece. Eye-Luv-It! Neil Gaiman is truly a master of his work. I think everyone should WATCH the movie and READ the book.

I have the book, just let me know if you want to borrow it :)

Oh, and by the way, i sooooooo love the soundtrack. Rule the World by Take that. Rommel does too. He can now play it in his guitar. Lovely!

Stars: Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Charlie Cox
A young man named Tristan (Charlie Cox) tries to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine (Claire Danes). However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. A king's (Peter O'Toole) four living sons - not to mention the ghosts of their three dead brothers - all need the star as they vie for the throne. Tristan must also overcome the evil witch, Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), who needs the star to make her young again. As Tristan battles to survive these threats, encountering a pirate named Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro) and a shady trader named Ferdy the Fence (Ricky Gervais) along the way, his quest changes. He must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love.

The Final Cut

We rented this movie from Gramophone in Cathay and it was really a good movie though I think may be far from reality. I remember last time when I told rommel while we were in a vacation in another part of the globe, that if we could only tap the side of our eyes and it will automatically record all those things that you see. Hmmm, well this movie is somewhat similar though this you are not given a choice to choose which part in your life you wanted to record. Someone will be doing it for you only after your death.

Stars: Robin Williams, Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino
In a world where people are implanted with a chip that records their lives, one man has final cut on the recorded history of his clients. Alan Hackman is the best “cutter” in the business, his ability to grant the corrupt absolution of the sins of his clients, has put him in high demand. However, his talent for viewing life without emotion has shaped him into a cold distant man and has made him unable to experience life in the first person. He believes he is a “sin eater” and his work provides him with the ability to absolve the dead of their sins. While cutting a Rememory for a high-powered colleague, Alan discovers an image from his childhood that has haunted him his entire life.

Note to Self

When you're caught off guard with something and you have no idea how to respond to it, sometimes it's better to think things over for as long as it takes so you won't end up on the other side that you don't want to place yourself into. 

Negative Desires

A disciple said to his teacher:

‘I have spent a large part of my day thinking things I should not think, desiring things I should not desire, and making plans I should not make.’

The teacher invited his disciple to go for a walk with him in a forest near his house. On the way, he pointed to a plant and asked if the disciple knew what it was.

‘It’s deadly nightshade,’ said the disciple. ‘The leaves can kill you if you eat them.’

‘But they cannot kill you if you merely look at them. In exactly the same way, negative desires are entirely harmless unless you give in to them.’

(c) Paulo Coelho

Northern Lights

Have you seen something so beautiful as this? This was taken above Bear Lake in Alaska. *this is a United States Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang* This is really amazing.

I was reading the Northern Lights book also known as The Golden Compass and thought about doing few research about the Aurora that tickle my curiosity and this is what I found in the internet. Auroras or Polar Lights, according to wikipedia are colored light displays usually observed in the night sky particularly in the polar zone. In northern latitudes, it is known as "aurora borealis". Borealis is a greek name for north wind. It is also known as Northern Polar Lights. The aurora australis (latin word for "of the south") or southern polar lights is the southern counterpart. Indeed, there are things in life that God made for us to see. It's so enchanting. =)

src:wikipedia

Mourning for Heath

When I heard it on the news this morning, I thought it was really tragic that heath ledger died at only 28. It's really sad. You don't know when it's time for you to go so better make the best out of it. Enjoy every minute doing things that gives you bliss.

Heath Ledger

Lost Tiffany

It took 2 months for me to notice that my tiffany necklace is missing. And it's just now that it's beginning to sink in to me. I lost it during the wedding day. I could remember that I switch the chain of my tiffany from my mom's gift then lost track of it afterwards. I still have the pendant that my mom gave me but couldn't find the chain and my tiffany. I already asked my family but they didn't find anything. How could i be born like this always losing not just the ordinary but those expensive ones? When I told ffg about it, I was trying to change the topic to avoid him blaming me again or giving me full hour lecture. But when I told my friends about it, that's when it started to sink in. Then I browse the latest pictures that I had in my hard drive, almost every picture, I'm wearing that necklace :( It isn't just expensive. It has a sentimental value. It's really sad :( Haaayyy...

Wishful Thinking

I've been burrying myself doing a lot of things so I wouldn't think about that someone I terribly miss. Speaking of, I'm so glad I'm finally done creating a post for all my books and shared them here in my blog hoping that some might find it interesting and useful. I'm also trying to finish our wedding album, and hopefully I can find time selecting pictures and give them to our photographer. It's already been 5 months. I'm also planning to do a backup for my blog. Who knows, right? Better be safe than sorry. There's too much memories here and I don't even remember some of the details of those momentous events if I just rely on my memory. Yes, that's what you called getting "there". Forgetting the little things which to me are important. Also planning to do the travel posts that are still on my draft list. I know it's been years, but I figured it may remind me of those times that my longingness to travel was met. And one last thing, I'm currently trying to do my own novel about the details of our wedding. I'm almost half there anyway. When it's finished, i'll be going to recto in manila to have it hardbound. I will be printing the posts from my blog too and have them hardbound. I just have to figure out what kind of printing it would require so it won't fade in time. Then I will include them in my mini library! Sigh! Well, those are all my wishful thinking I hope I'll make at least one done. Wish me luck!

I'm almost done with our wedding photo album. Last night, from our visit to bebi Alexi, which i notice that she had gray eyes! so cute with her pinkie fingers always pointing up and her eyes that looks like she's listening intently to anyone around her talking, I slept almost 6 AM just doing the album! Better get some sleep now, I guess.

Santa uses sleigh, Ate/Kuya uses Door-to-Door

This was a draft post suppose to be posted last christmas but only managed to finish just now

It's already December and Orchard Road, as always, glimmers so brightly with all its christmas decorations. Shopping malls are all busy will a lot of shoppers, christmas songs in the background and a long queue of gift-wrapping service. Lucky Plaza, a Filipino lair in Singapore selling products from the philippines, restaurants serving filipino food and of course at this time of the year, all remittance centers are much busier than ever.

During this time of the year, we were one of those Filipinos in Singapore who painstakingly gather and packed things that we seldom use, chocolates, imported canned goods, laundry soap, old and new clothes, new state-of-the-art gadgets, perfumes, toys even toiletries like body wash, toothpast, household and kitchen stuffs which were sold cheaper here in Singapore. And everything were put in one box most commonly known as "Balikbayan Box". Boxes will then be shipped from Singapore to Philippines and from the office in the Philippines, they use vans or trucks to deliver them door-to-door to our family. KCDat or any other door-to-door delivery service providers are like Santa's sleigh with reindeers. They were like the cheaper version of UPS or FedEx. Only it takes two to three weeks before it reaches its destination.

And each time a balikbayan box was delivered at my family's doorstep, they would sms me right away which i would call back instantly and then i will hear shrieks of excitement and numerous thank yous. And I know that at that instant, in their eyes, I'm the real Santa Clause. =)

The Last Mimzy

Last night, I return all those dvds that bebe and i borrowed last saturday and was tempted to borrow another. And of those was the "Last Mimzy". I don't buy the story but the characters are really good especially that adorable little girl. The little girl and his brother found a box in the shore near their home and the objects that they found gave them both some magical powers. One of the objects included a stuffed bunny rabbit called mimzy who apparently can communicate with the little girl. Did I mentioned how pretty and cute she was? Mom and Dads, let your kids watch this. I bet you'll enjoy it more than them hehehe.

Pan's Labyrinth and Veronika decides to die

Pan's Labyrinth is a spanish movie that tells about a story of a girl who believe in fairytales. She spent her childhood believing that she was the lost princess long time ago told by the faun and doing 3 tasks that the faun asked her to do to be able to open the gate for their kingdom. I think if she's an adult and she will undergo medical treatment where she will be, no doubt, classified as schizophrenic. She wallow in her own world where fairytales are alive and fauns are real. She did the things that the faun asked her to do, somehow believing and making that hope alive that there's still some happiness for her to look forward to at the end of her tasks. She died believing that she's a real princess where her father and mother awaits her though realistically killed by her ruthless stepfather.

Veronika Decides to Die is a masterpiece of Paulo Coelho. It's focus is on Veronika who just decided to kill herself and failed and ended up on a mental hospital. Through this story, I was able to see and feel what it's like being inside this institution. I've learned that some people were still caught up with the sadness of their past and have never learned to take a step to forget about it. I've learned that some were living in the "illusion" of another world and found real peace in it. I've learned that no matter how "perfect" your life can be, there will always be something in your heart that you desire to do without fully knowing what and how to attain it. How many of us are guilty listening to other people's depression and showing compassion but feeling a bit of "im still lucky im not her/him"? How many of us are guilty creating a different world where we can go when quandaries arises?

Sometimes, it will make you think that living in a chaotic world like this, maybe it's best to create a different world where pain and suffering and ruthless people doesn't exist. Only you, the people you love and the "paradise" you created. Well, what do you think the real basis of calling someone "crazy" or "mad" or "schizo"? Is it when you take some time out of your usual ordinary ways? Or when you do something that you think will put gladness in your heart without finally taking heed of the other people's belief of an orthodox life? Wachutink? =D