End of the month movie reviews

Jet Lag - I watched this on Star Movies. It was in French with English subtitles. Good enough acting by Jean Reno and Juliette Binoche. A chance encounter with a stranger that leads to a romance plot. It got me wondering how come in my numerous travels I never met someone that way! Tough luck!

Callas Forever - I stayed up late to see this on Star Movies. I'm not an opera fan but I've heard of Maria Callas. The tragedy of her life is Onassis never married her, he instead hooked up with Jacqueline Kennedy. Ain't that dramatic? Well anyways the film picks up on her life in Paris as a recluse. She is trying to stage a comeback through the guidance of a manager played by the indefatigable Jeremy Irons. The French actress Fanny Ardant portrayed her well from the uncunning resemblance to the theatrics of a fading diva.

Wasabi - is part of my foreign movies collection. But it is dubbed in English so the audio is murky. A Jean Reno starrer set in Japan. A rather simplistic plot where the lead character discovers he has a daughter with a Japanese woman. A child he never knew existed. More of an action flick than anything else. The actress who portrayed the daughter though irritated me to high heavens.

The Four Feathers - one of those VCDs I bought for a mere P75. Very interesting tale of bravery, cowardice, heroism entwined with patriotism. Heath Ledger projects well on screen but he sometimes mumbles his words. Or maybe my ears are failing me. Either way it is a riveting saga set against the backdrop of an unfortunate war in Sudan by the British forces. I like movies which dwell on contemporary history!

Crimson Rivers - January seemed to have been the Jean Reno festival month. I bought this movie in Dubai but never had the time to watch it back then. It is dubbed in English and it stars Vincent cassel in a good role. A bit gruesome but it all leads up to a twist in the end. Sort of teetering on the edge of your seat type of movie.

Ocean's 12 - George Clooney! Need I say more? Well the original was better! It seemed like a good excuse to just reassemble the entire cast and go off on an European junket and have fun while making the movie. Bruce Willis as himself was hilarious!

Far From Heaven - a low budget film which perhaps had a slow run at the theaters. So I was glad I caught it on TV. Julianne Moore is a Stepford wife-y character who stumbles upon the truth behind her husband's secret lifestyle. She is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood yet she adds essence to each role she portrays.

Elf - a bit late for Christmas but I still borrowed it. I wanted to chill out with a feel good in a fun way movie.

The Butterfly Effect - has an interesting premise for a story. The lead character is given several chances to make changes in his past so his present life turns out for the best. Yet just how many times can you alter something just so your life is picture perfect? The countless twists towards the end of the movie drove me nuts.

Jersey Girl - I believe this would make a good date movie. It was simple, no murders, no mystery to figure out, no lessons learned - it is just pleasant! Ben Affleck has been getting a lot of flak for turning out flops this one included but hey would you ever credit him for his acting ability? I don't think so.

The Clearing - only the cast of Robert Redford, Helen Mirren & Willem Dafoe salvaged this lousy plot. Otherwise it had nothing going for itself.

Meet The Fockers - the casting was an excellent coup for this movie. Plot wise it was less corny than the original one. Hilariously funny scenes which had me laughing so loud I had tears in my eyes. A good one!

Open Water - I was too scared to watch this in the theaters so when I saw it at the video store it caught my attention. Being left behind by a boat in the middle of the ocean is a very terrifying situation. But hey it was based on a true story, so go figure. Till now I can't get over the fact how that couple met their tragic end. Dehydration, drifting away in shark infested waters. Gosh I had nightmares for days.

Catwoman - Halle Berry in a leather cat outfit, Sharon Stone still looking good despite her 'advanced' years, Benjamin Bratt yummy as always. That's about it. The story was not engaging at all. Now I know why this film received 7 razzie nominations! Total letdown.

Freaky Friday - Mother and daughter switching bodies much to their chagrin. There were some funny scenes, lessons learned from being in someone's else shoes so to speak, just a fun film. Jamie Lee Curtis & Lindsay Lohan were pretty convincing in their roles.

Chasing Liberty - Not bad seeing a teenager gallivanting all over Europe - Prague, Venice, Berlin - only she happens to be the daughter of the US President and played by Mandy Moore. Ewww! The actor who played the undercover Secret Service agent though was really cute with his deep voice! His accent was lovely!

Stuck on You - Matt Damon & Greg Kinnear stuck together as conjoined twins. That in itself is funny already. It could have been corny but it wasn't. Or maybe I'm just too shallow that silly stuffs make me laugh right away.

I forget myself!
Yes Girlie, I had another pamper me day at the spa yesterday. I indulged in a body salt glow.
I say indulge because I don't like being touched and massaged. I have certain sensitive spots on my back when poked can result in a violent reaction from me. LOL
So anyways there I was being scrubbed with this grainy salt like substance which was very fragrant. The vigorous rubbing exfoliate your dead skin cells. This is good for the circulation. From my neck down to my toes in a room dimly lit with aromatherapy candles.
To distract my mind from the fact that I was naked (wearing only a disposable panty) and being brushed with a loofah (a situation that made me really uncomfortable because I'm very conscious of my not so perfect body) I kept humming this Blondie song in my head. Hey don't ask me why and whom I was thinking of! But it worked! ;)
Then I'm wrapped up in a cellophane and covered with a towel for 30 minutes. I could feel the salt start to melt and moisturize my skin. I drifted into a semi dreamlike state having really pleasant thoughts of being in a special place.
It was so relaxing and soothing I didn't want to go home. My skin is now so tingly soft I feel like melted butter. I ate a tuna sandwich for dinner and fell asleep by 9:30 pm. Imagine that!

Musical Tag
I've been tagged by Misty.

Random 10:
1. "L'amour en France" - Alain Chamfort
2. "Amazing" - George Michael
3. "Lost in Space" - Lighthouse Family
4. "Eleos" - Amr Diab & Angela Dimitriou
5. "Fragile" - Maria Mena
6. "Moonlight over Paris" - Paolo Santos
7. "La Mer" - Francoise Hardy
8. "100 Years" - Five for Fighting
9. "Sway" - Bic Runga
10. "La Vie en Rose" - Patricia Kass

1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
I currently have about 175 files on my hard drive. I have alot more saved on zip drives and USB drives. Rather huge collection and mixed variety.

2. The last CD you bought is:
It was a Christmas CD - a medley of carols (Dec. 2004.)

3. What is the last song you listened to before this message:
"Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" by Mari Wilson.

4. Write down five songs you listen to a lot or mean a lot to you:
1. "You Raise Me Up" - Josh Groban.
2. "Flying without Wings" - Westlife
3. "Feels like Home" - Chantal Kreviazuk.
4. "Fait comme si" - Claude Francois.
5. "Tamally Maak" - Amr Diab.

5. Who are you gonna pass this stick to? (3 persons and why)
Flare - so he can finally update his blog :D
Jax - she loves music too!
Toni - you've been tagged!

Wooohooo it's Friday again. Pamper me Day Yeehawww! Time does fly by so fast. Soon it would be February! Gosh!

Hi, I'm Daphne and I'm an internet addict!

This is interesting and yes I'm guilty as charged! LOL

12 Step Program Of Recovery For Internet Addicts
1) I will have a cup of coffee in the morning and read my newspaper like I used to, before the Internet.

2) I will eat breakfast with a knife and fork and not with one hand typing.

3) I will get dressed before noon.

4) I will make an attempt to clean the house, wash clothes, and plan dinner before even thinking of the Internet.

5) I will sit down and write a letter to those unfortunate few friends and family that are Internet deprived.

6) I will call someone on the phone who I cannot contact via the Internet.

7) I will read a book...If I still remember how.

8) I will listen to those around me and their needs and stop telling them to turn the TV down so I can hear the music on the Internet.

9) I will not be tempted during TV commercials to check for email.

10) I will try and get out of the house at least once a week, if it is necessary or not.

11) I will remember that my bank is not forgiving if I forget to balance my checkbook because I was too busy on the Internet.

12) Last, but not least, I will remember that I must go to bed sometime ... And the Internet will always be there tomorrow.

I'm done!
Finally submitted my project and met the deadline, just in time. I spent the past 4 days working on it.
Now I can finally sleep!!!
This song from the TV show "The Coupling" kept me sane. It was droning on to my subconscious as I tinkered with html codes and scripts!
I'm a big fan of that show. It is hilarious! In fact it is way better than that other show. You know ... the one with Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey & Ross! Yes, I'm one of the few people on this earth who hated "Friends", so bite me! :D

Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
You won't admit you love me
And so how am I ever to know
You only tell me
Perhaps perhaps perhaps
A million times I ask you
And then I ask you over Again
You only answer
Perhaps perhaps perhaps
If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't wanna' wind up
Being parted broken hearted
So if you really love me, Say yes
But if you don't, dear, Confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
If you can't make your mind up
We'll never get started
And I don't wanna' wind up
Being parted, broken hearted
So if you really love me, Say yes
But if you don't, dear, Confess
And please don't tell me
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

It is rather rare ...
... for my hair to be this straight. I went for a hot oil treatment and a trim yesterday. Can you believe the last time I went to the salon was in July 2004 right before the trip to Singapore & Bangkok? Yes it has been that long! So anyhoo I'm relishing the way my hair feels right now, soft, tangle free, no single curl a swaying, flat on my forehead! Even though it makes my face alot more chubby! I'm starting to enjoy these pamper me Fridays. I just might do it every week! :D

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is one quality you really admire about yourself?
I'm a nurturing person!

Soup
What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
Palmolive's silky straight shampoo & Cream Silk's black henna conditioner.

Salad
Describe your favorite movie scene. You know, the one that just gets to you every time you watch it.
It would have to be the part in Love Actually where Mark confesses how he truly feels for Juliet. He shows up in front of her house and tells her:

Mark: [on sheets of poster board] With any luck, by next year - I'll be going out with one of these girls.
[shows pictures of beautiful supermodels]
Mark: But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you - Until you look like this [picture of a mummy]
Mark: Merry Christmas

Main Course
If you were a veggie, which one would you be, and why?
I would be a petit chou ... I mean a cauliflower. Why? Oh I just love eating them that's all!

Dessert
If you could take a weekend trip within 100 miles of your current residence, where would you like to go?
Hmm Tagaytay definitely. Not sure if it is within 100 miles of my home. I'm not good with calculating distances.


Alright I'm off to have a trim and maybe another facial! Yes it's pamper me Friday. Wooohoo!

Nowadays
When I go out I probably end up spending my money on:

Vcds (preferably foreign films)

My current food cravings - this month are those delicious beef patties from De original Jamaican pattie shop. Gosh I love them, the spicier the better. Soo yummy.

Undies - well specifically bra. I don't know why I suddenly developed this need to fill my closet with them. Different colors! So Ernie & Bert are upliftingly pampered. Yes that's their names according to this site. LOL It's fun answering all those quizzes.

Movie tickets - my cinema of choice is at the Power Plant, Rockwell. Even if they have increased their prices to P101 for their matinee shows (movies shown before 5pm)! I watched "Meet the Fockers" this afternoon! It was hilarious. Truly enjoyable! Just what I needed because I've been working on a project since the weekend. I felt the need to amuse myself and take a break from all those freaking codes and scripts clouding my weary mind.

Renting movies. Movie junkie that I am, it is very convenient to have a video store right in the building where I live.

Not on clothes, bags or shoes.
Not on household items.
Not on electronic gadgets.
Not on office supplies.

But know what?
I get giddy as a witch flying around on her broomstick.
In short, I'm happy! :)

My favorite gowns at the Golden Globe Awards, this year.

Kate Hudson looks great in this satin copper gown.



Halle Berry can wear anything and look gorgeous!



I like this shade of blue ... Cate Blanchett looks so refreshing.







Of course!
Now how can I forget Johnny Depp?!! Duh! He looks kinda gruffy in terms of appearance but the outfit suits his bohemian lifestyle. If I may say so myself :)

Guessing Time!
I got this from Jax.

- Make a list of 10 statements about yourself.
- 4 of the 10 statements must be lies.
- Post your list and have people guess which four are lies!

1. I'm an insomniac.
2. I have only 2 pairs of jeans.
3. I love the scent of cinnamon candles.
4. I once went on a hiking trip on the Swiss Alps.
5. I live with my parents.
6. I cried during the ending of "The Last Samurai"
7. I worked for a travel agency.
8. My favorite city in the whole wide world is Paris, France.
9. I have a step sister.
10. I rode a donkey while touring the Nabatean City of Petra in Jordan.

No prize for guessing but hey il be grateful that you dropped by my blog. That would make me happy. :)
Have a Happy Weekend!

Well well
I just broke the first item on my list of new year's resolutions. Not that it matters because technically I didn't make any promises for this year. So it doesn't count, right? But boy it was good and sinful just as I expected it to be. *Sighs*

My quote for the day states:
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
Yes well .. whatever! *Sighs again*

Moving along ... It's been a week ... It seems I've lost the only person who really mattered in my life.
Mixed emotions bordering from shock, denial to pain then being numb. *Sighs for the 3rd time*

As the song from Lighthouse Family goes:

I wish I knew how I'm gonna be happy without you
I don't know what I'm supposed to do
I thought I got it all mapped out but now I'm lost
In a world that ain't got you in
I don't know what I'm living for
Hopeless without the only thing I cared about
Cos you've been my salvation in a place
where there's no love anymore
I won't let it get to me
But I'm gonna miss you badly

Snippets

When it comes to my hair I don't make a big fuss. I get up in the mornings, take a shower, then let it dry on its own. If I'm going out then I will blow dry it then tie it up in a pony tail. So it's great that I discovered these head gears made of cloth. You put them on your head and tie it behind your neck. Sort of like the buff that castaways on Survivor wear. Now I wear them all the time. Really comfy, I don't even brush my hair. Hmm if only I had enough guts to wear them outside.

I went to watch Ocean's 12 at Rockwell yesterday. I didn't know that the ticket now costs P101 (matinee price -- movies shown before 5pm) from P81 last year. But anyways, it was an enjoyable film. Don't you think it is rather unfortunate that Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston have split up? They were a rather pretty couple. But I guess there is more to a marriage than looking gorgeous together!

I'm planning to review all the films I've watched on the last day of each month. So I'll blog about it soon.

I did like the Italian song from the soundtrack. Since I'm into foreign songs, I downloaded it. Ornella Vanoni's rendition of "L'Appuntamento"

This is unbelievable!!!
UAE sees snow for first time ever
(Thu Dec 30,12:09 PM ET Mideast - AFP)

DUBAI (AFP) - Snow has fallen over the United Arab Emirates for the first time ever, leaving a white blanket over the mountains of Ras al-Khaimah as the desert country experienced a cold spell and above-average rainfall.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Me: whoa!
Me: wtf why did it snow when I'm no longer there!
Me: :((
J: awww
J: you know the obvious answer?
J: because you're too hot!
Me: :D

In my quest to be more expressive I committed a major boo boo. Even though I knew what would happen, I still did it. I wished it never happened but now that it is happening, I'm terribly upset with myself. I hope somehow I can still salvage it. I miss E and I never meant to complicate matters by opening Pandora's box. Wish me luck!

Ok enough of my dramatic melancholy, I'm off to read this book.
Get myself lost in conspiracy theories and try to ignore my achy breaky heart.

Eventful
Well I had a rather hectic first week of 2005!

I took down the decors and cleaned the condo off of glitters spread all over the staircase.

I entertained N who was in town. He is the colleague of a friend of mine in Dubai. Nice to connect with someone who brought back fond memories of my stay there. Oh hearing someone speak with a Mideastern accent again made my heart flutter.

I activated my Amex card. Temptation staring at me in the face so I had to hide it somewhere in my wallet where I don't see it

I paid my Mastercard bill which was badly bruised during the past holidays. Big ouch

I downloaded these songs:
Patricia Kass - Chanson D'amour
Patricia Kass - Les Feuilles Morte
Francoise Hardy - La Mer
Lara Fabian & Andrea Bocelli - Je vie pour elle
Lara Fabian - Adagio
Francoise Hardy - Si tu crois un jour que tu m'aimes
"If you believe one day that you love me
Do not believe that your memories obstruct me
And run, run until you lose your breath
Come to find me
If you believe one day that you love me
Do not wait a day not a week
Because you do not know where life will lead you
Come to find me"

My mood was pretty jovial and upbeat despite the fact that my freaking monthly visitor is late this month and I'm breaking out all over my face due to the impurities.

So I went to pamper myself. I had a skin whitening facial which was rather painful but now my skin is glowingly shiny. The massage which accompanied the facial was very soothing, I tried not to drool all over the floor. LOL

Since I was already being tortured I said ok what the heck let me try the bikini wax. Ok now if you heard a shrilling scream around 3pm on Friday afternoon that was ME! GEEEZ that was a different kind of pain. I don't know what came over me to go for it. I'm sure I'm not going to the beach anytime soon especially now with tsunami warnings. And I would rather die than wear a swimsuit. What on earth was I thinking? I'm cringing because I can still hear the "whapak" sound. Goshhh!

I went to First Friday Mass. Yes incroyable mais vrai.

Lesson learned this week:
Stay away from lusty married men. They are a menace to society and spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e with a capital T!

So I'm looking forward to a rather peaceful weekend. Time to relax, give my liver a rest. Recover from a freaking hangover I've had since Tuesday. Happy Weekend!

Happy thoughts
In my mail box today along with this week's edition of Time magazine and loads of bills came my ONLY Christmas card for 2004. But it made me smile today.
It came all the way from Sweden from my friend J.
A lovely card from an organization that supports a cause. The focus of the programme is to replant trees in the forests around Lake Victoria in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. A very noble cause indeed.
Thanks J ... You know who you are.
Thanks for being a good friend to me and my multiple personalities.

Daily Dirt
Internet Dating

1. Have you ever dated anyone online?
Yes been there ... done that
2. Did you know them other than chatting on the computer?
I met them in real life, became good friends hanged out etc
3. Do you think it's wrong for people to date over the computer?
To each his own ... it's not for me to judge what people do with their social life. But nope I don't think it is wrong.
4. Have you ever had a crush on someone just because of how you knew them online?
Yes but it is just a crush and what you do about that attraction is the tricky part of internet dating
5. Do you know anyone that has actually met someone that they knew online and began dating or even married?
I know several couples who starting dating online and are now married. My best friend Donna met her husband online. But at the same time I also know of online couples whose relationships didn't flourish beyond the internet. I guess it all depends on the persons involved.

Predictions for 2005
Chinese astrology

I don't believe in astrology. Neither do I read my horoscope on a daily basis. However at the start of every year, I do read up on what the stars have in store for me. Just out of curiosity. Out of all the ones I've read so far, (believe me I read quite a lot already!) The one below best describes my personality. The prediction for 2005 is favorable. Not that I'm ignoring the negative ones, I just want to be optimistic about my future, for once. Ergo, I'm posting it.

Monkey: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 *** Just an excerpt, click here for the rest ***

Always upbeat, they are considered minor celebrities in their circle thanks to their sparkling wit and that rapier-sharp mind. Perhaps surprisingly, Monkeys are also good listeners and tackle complicated situations with ease. This Sign's natural curiosity lends it the desire to become knowledgeable on a broad range of topics. Monkeys have a show-off side that loves nothing more than to dazzle their pals with all they know

In love, the Monkey makes a fun, exciting lover -- but one that may have the potential to stray romantically. The good news is, the Monkey's glib manner and witty repartee can often get this Sign out of a scrape. Perhaps not everyone will be won over by the Monkey -- but do you think the Monkey really cares? The Monkey's world, full of devil-may-care energy and revelry, isn't for everyone. Remember, though, it's not that this Sign is mean; it might just be a bit too curious for its own good. Monkeys often feel the need to try everything at least once, which can make for a merry-go-round of relationships.

What's in store for the Monkey in the Year of the Rooster?
*** courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board ***
The Rooster tolerates your levity, mischief-making and agility, so this is a year of opportunity for monkeys who are prepared to put in the effort. Opportunities exist in the workplace but as competition is tough, brush up on your skills and you'll need more than your persuasive charm and confidence if you're aiming to advance. You're prosperous enough, but you'll need to take care to stay that way, with overseas travel featuring high in a long list of commitments. If you stay away from speculation, a disciplined and managed approach to finances should see you through. Personally and socially, this is a busy time. Family life is especially rewarding, offering a stable grounding for your active social life. Romance, too, is set to flourish. Don't get distracted by the frenetic pace: learn to pick and choose, giving yourself time to relax, indulge your own interests and appreciate the good things you already have.

The year that was
Nothing like putting things into perspective through the eyes of someone who knows you inside out.

Me: So 2004 is gone. Phew what a year.
E: Yeah I know especially for you it was quite emotional. If I may say so myself.
Me: Yes you may say so.
E: You went through a breakup, both your parents had medical problems, you got your hopes up over C and D yet it fizzled out and you finally admitted to yourself you were over the love of your life (W).
Me: Yes it was tough!
E: But hey the worst is over! I do admire your resilience to overcome those "downs".
Me: Oh well life goes on.
E: True! Seriously except for your father, all those guys that you cried over, they don't deserve your tears.
Me: Oh thanks but I did grieve over those 'failures'
E: Well sure it is ok to mourn breakups and whatever but you have to love yourself more.
Me: Ok thanks Dr Phil.
E: Come on be serious. At your age you must be aware of those medical reports about people in their 30s ... Low metabolism, prone to high blood pressure, high cholesterol level etc.
Me: Ok thanks for rubbing it in ... my 'mature' age.
E: You're welcome :D but really you need to be kinder to yourself ... Put yourself first ... Guys come and go but there is only just ONE you.
Me: Now you sound like Carrie Bradshaw from SATC.
E: Oh geez you know I've never watched that show. No one I know who lives in New York have those kind of lifestyle.
Me: It goes beyond fashion, glamour and sex it is about true friendships.
E: Well ok but do you have friends like that?
Me: Hmmm no I don't
E: There you go ...
Me: I only have an American dude who speaks perfect French because he lived in Paris for several years. But out of the blue and perhaps due to insanity, he moved to the Land of the Rising Sun to make ends meet. Now he is charming his way into the hearts of innocent Japanese women who won't give him the time of day. Yet if they only knew what he had to offer they should welcome him with open arms. On second thought ... they should just run off as fast as they can because they won't know what hit them ;)
E: Hehehehe You're crazy.
Me: No you're crazier
E: Ok so we're both crazy
Me: Amen


What do I expect/look forward to in 2005?
Nothing really. I don't really know for sure.
Only thing I was certain of - the date I was to marry W. September 14, 2005!
But we all know that isn't happening.
I've made no new year resolutions.
I don't have any travel plans.
My career is at a standstill.
My life is sort of directionless at the moment.
I will just take one day as it dawns.
My immediate concern is to lose weight.
Quite a mean task but not impossible.
Drinking peppermint tea, 4 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil to detoxify.
Perhaps go for a facial to destress my skin.
Have a trim, manicure and pedicure.
Things to beautify myself. Give myself a treat!
Especially now that the malls are practically empty!
So yes I'm ready for 2005!

Recap
The second to last day of 2004:

I woke up early to scout for a new template for my blog. I got totally caught up in the whole process. I've come up with enough skins to make several changes in the months to come.

Then it was time to head off to Price Smart at the Fort for grocery shopping

Next stop was nearby Market Market for fresh flowers and plants for the staircase and dinner at Trellis.

The night was still young so we passed by Policarpio Street in Mandaluyong to get bedazzled by the lights sparkling on the houses on that street. My favorite is the Santa House. Too bad I forgot my digicam I wasn't able to take pictures. I noticed though that there were some houses who didn't participate this year.

New Year's Eve

By 12:15 a.m. I parked myself in front of the telly to catch the final episode of SATC. That's when my drinking session started. By the end of the series, I had already consumed 6 cans of San Mig Lite beer. Yes I drink fast! I knew that Carrie would end up with John (Mr Big). But watching it unfold gave me a case of deja vu. I know how it feels to go all the way to another country just to be totally ignored and abandoned by someone you are supposed to be in a relationship with. But alas in my case, I don't have a Mr Big to come rescue me.

Still drinking beer and eating chocolate chip cookies (What a combination!) I stayed glued to CNN. It consumes me to absorb all the tales of survival, the eyewitness reports of the horrific tragedy and how the world is coming together to help that part of the region recover from their loss.

Since the sun had risen by then I put on my apron to cook up a feast. I boiled, chopped, diced and baked. In the middle of it all I realized I didn't have enough tomato sauce so a quick dash to the nearest supermarket was in order. I suppose I need to mention the fact that while cooking up a storm in the kitchen, I was sipping on red wine and ended up finishing 1 whole bottle.

After I was finally done cooking, I barely had time to clean up the whole condo unit before my parents stepped into the door.

I showered, got dressed and rested a bit in my room while listening to Vonda Shepard sing "What are you doing New Year's Eve" and Barry Manilow say "It's just another New Year's Eve".

First day of 2005

At the stroke of midnight amidst the deafening sounds of firecrackers, fireworks, blaring horns, we sat down to toast a warm welcome to 2005!

This year I was in charge of the menu. I served Morcon, Spaghetti, Chicken macaroni with veggies salad, Adelina's Ham, Keso de Bola (Cheese) and fruits. For drinks ... red wine, beer and champagne.

I never liked firecrackers, they scare the shit out of me. That's why I prefer to stay indoors during New Year's Eve. But if you live in the Philippines ... New Year is always ushered in with a lot of noise. It is supposed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. So looking out my window at 2 a.m. on the first day of 2005 you will see a thick cloud of smog hovering over the land.

At 6 a.m. after I cleared the table, stored the leftovers in tupper ware, washed the dishes, tried desperately to find space in the ref for the tupper wares, I was exhausted.
I took Zyrtec for my sneezing fit which sneaked up on me. Hmmm it must have been the red wine! I finally went to bed!

Then after lunch, we went all the way to Angono to visit an uncle and his family who are in town for the holidays. More drinking, more food and certainly a lot of pleasant conversations.

Today

I'm still in an upbeat mood, I might as well take the decorations down. Because if I get too lazy they will stay up till March!

Went to Rockwell, I bought 2 more foreign movies, "The Crimson Rivers" and "Wasabi". Some celebrity sightings at Power Plant Mall - Amanda Griffith, Jomari Yllana with his son and Judy Ann Santos

Then had dinner at The Master's Wok which is located at the Podium. My fortune cookie stated "You don't always get what you want, but GOD provides you with what you need". Well well ain't that the truth? Hmm very strange indeed because just earlier this afternoon E and I were talking about signs. He mentioned that signs always seem to manifest itself to me in some way or the other. It was up to me whether I chose to believe or ignore them.

I'm posting some of the New Year greetings I received thru SMS. My obsolete cellphone's inbox is full and I would have to delete them soon.

GOD has gifts 4 U:
a KEY 4 every problem,
a LIGHT 4 every shadow,
a PLAN 4 every tomorrow
& a JOY 4 every sorrow.
Enjoy GOD's gifts 2day
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Let laughter brighten ur eyes
Smile lift ur spirit
peace be in ur heart
warmth in ur soul
contentment in ur life
joy in ur home
May you always b blessed w/these
priceless treasures everyday!
May u have a happy n blessed 2005
Hope ur good tidings come on pouring!

No one can go back
& make a new beginning
but anyone can start from now
& make a happy ending.
hope u'll have a year
that starts right
& ends happy!

From our heart, we offer u & ur family
our prayers & best wishes
4 a prosperous New Year.
May u have fond memories 2 last a lifetime

it's the last day of the year.
may the coming year bring u more
success, happiness & good health
happy prosperous new year to u
and your family

The year has changed but GOD's
love remains the same.
may the year 2005 be peaceful,
loving and fruitful year to all of us!

New beginnings


A new year beckons thus a new layout for my blog.
And I'm throwing in my new picture as well. :D
I'm posting in advance because I'll be busy.
Busy cooking and eating.
Yes I do know how to cook! DUH!
Busy drinking.
So I will be too drunk to blog.
Busy wishing.
Wishing for not just happiness but pure joy.
Not just wealth but heaven's treasures.
Not just silence but God's peace.
So go out and party. 2005 is here!
Happy New Year!!!