I'm back
I had a totally relaxed day, yesterday. Short yet enough to clear away the cobwebs in my mind. I will definitely post about it in the coming days. Pictures too but I need to attend to certains matters first. Till then, here's the review of the films I watched this month.

Normal - A HBO original movie with a strong cast dealing with a very sensitive subject. A man (Tom Wilkinson) after being married for 25 years to his wife (Jessica Lange) decides to go for a sex change. The ridicule, the anxiety and stress he endures is overwhelming yet with the support of his loving wife he prevails. Story line was a bit weak but the acting was believable to pull it through.

Wimbledon - A washed up tennis player is given another chance to shine in the tennis tournament he has never won. An underdog making it good plot, good tennis action shots, Paul Bettany is a delight to watch with his accent so the movie was enjoyable. Too bad Kirsten Dunst was it in. I don't like her. Blah.

Into the Sun - Yeah go figure I watched a Steven Seagal flop film. I actually borrowed it for my father but saw it lying around and decided how bad can it be? Yakuza, sword yielding ninja types, criminal elements all set in Japan. It was believable enough and something to occupy my boring Saturday night.

Godsend - Now this seriously scared me a lot and I guess it didn't help that I watched it at 2 in the morning. A couple who lost their son in an accident decides to have him cloned. The child comes back looking exactly as the original up to a certain point in his young life when he turns evil. Greg Kinnear and Robert de Niro contribute acting wise but it was the actor portraying the child who gave me goosebumps with his piercing demeanor. Good fright!

Kingdom of Heaven - I'm drawn towards historical epics which give us a sense of how life really was in the past. And this movie did not fail me in that aspect. I was lucky enough to visit Jerusalem as well the Kerak castle in Jordan, so it was fascinating to watch the Crusades portrayed so realistically. Never mind that Orlando Bloom still comes across as a weakling (due in part to his sissy portrayal in "Troy") the other actors like Jeremy Irons, Liam Nesson and Ghassan Massoud (Salahadin) ably sustained the movie.

Laws of Attraction - I caught this on Star Movies. I liked the chemistry between Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore. Funny, witty delight to watch them spar against each other in this courtroom comedy. Yes sure plot could use some direction but it was still amusing.

Cold Creek Manor - Sharon Stone, Dennis Quaid, Stephen Dorf couldn't save this lousy plot. I thought it was another ghost haunting new tenants movie but it wasn't. The thing with movies like these is I end up talking to the screen and tell them to move back to wherever they came from. If something weird happens when you live in a new house then certainly you wont stay around much longer, would you? But sure I know it's not that easy!

Twisted - Ashley Judd in another of her dysfunctional victim roles. She gets good support from the other actors in this film like as Samuel L. Jackson. And surely it is always riveting to watch Andy Garcia essay any role. With a wide variety of characters, it was fun trying to predict which one was the killer. And yes I got it right yet again.

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate events - I never read the book and only heard of it when it was shown on the big screen. Certainly a role that fits Jim Carrey perfectly well. The 3 children are good, you get to really emphatize with their misery. Their great (mis)adventures, meeting quirky characters along their journey and the set design is befitting the era it was supposed to convey. I loved it.

Little Black Book - You have Brittany Murphy snooping into her boyfriend's Palm Pilot (the modern equivalent of the little black book) to discover he still keeps all his ex-gfs pictures and contact numbers in it. She was urged on by her friend/colleague and it unveils a whole lot of details which the poor girl never knew before. Hmmm first of all I would NEVER snoop into my partner's possessions like cellphone & PDAs. It would be a violation of his privacy. I would trust him enough to tell me only what I need to know. Having said done, how else would the poor girl discover the secrets he kept from her? Oh well it turned out to be a ploy to make a TV show score up ratings. Gosh I was horrified how it all unveiled towards the ending. But ok it wasn't such a good plot but good acting from Holly Hunter, Brittany Murphy & Kathy Bates.

Star Wars 3: Revenge of the Sith - Ok so I didn't fall asleep, simply because the whole movie house reverberated whenever a spaceship flew away. Or the buzzing sound of the sabers of the Jedis felt like a fly was buzzing in my ear. The encounters made my heart pound or maybe it was too much caffeine. But sure I enjoyed the movie if only for the fact that we finally know why Anakin turned to the dark side of the force. The gullible fool did it for love. And what did it get him? He lost Padme and all he had to show for it - A long black cape, black knee length boots and a mask that amplifies the fact that he is a heavy breather! Was it worth it? I don't think so!

Greetings!
Dear Ma,



I know I may not say it all the time but I love you!
I couldn't ask for a better mother than you.
Happy Birthday, mommy dearest.
I hope you enjoy the treat we have organized for you today.
A whole day in scenic Tagaytay.
An overnight stay here.
Feasting and dining within the cool crisp air of Tagaytay.
With the warm presence of your family.

The cute one,
Daphne =)

"For out of what we live and we believe, our lives become the stories that we weave."
I had a relaxing evening last night. The play distracted my mind away from my worries.



The venue (RCBC Auditorium) was intimate and cozy.
I loved the colorful attires of the cast.
The native decor of the set was simple yet elegant.
Bituin Escalante's vocals was top notch.
I have a thing for bald guys so my eyes were mostly focused on Michael de Mesa. I also caught a glimpse of Bart Guingona, the director (also bald) before the play began.
Jeffrey Hidalgo needs to project his voice more.
The songs were catchy and engaging.
The story of unrequited love really pulled at my heartstrings.
But hopefully I don't turn into a tree like Ti Moune.

Yesterday
I freaked out when I discovered a single strand of white hair on the left side of my thick maned head.
I panicked.
I screamed.
I shrieked.
I cried.

Then I accepted it.

What to do?

I went shopping in Greenhills!

I bought my mother her birthday gift. 2 chokers.
1 turquoise blue with asymmetrical design.
The other - a three layered salmon color made from corals.
I bought myself a light pink blouse for my pink slide ins.
I bought a denim skirt.
I bought a backpack for our out of town trips.
Then feasted on Singapore food again at Lolo Mao.

Later I'm going to watch a play at the RCBC Auditorium.

So fine I'm slowly going gray.
But what the heck?
Sooner or later we all get there.
I just wished it was way later, though.
But no worries. Bring it on! I'm ready!

Random musings

I'm not a fan of boxing. I'm too sensitive and it hurts me to watch 2 guys punching each other out in the arena. It's like I can actually feel each bruise, cut and broken bones on their mangled faces. But being the couch potato that I am - I sat through the finale of The Contender - urged on by my sister. I cringed and kept my eyes closed most of time as they battled it out for a million dollars. It was an exciting fight but I guess the better man won. Kudos to Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora for being the champion.

So Carrie Underwood is the new American Idol!! Well she deserves it because Bo choked and gave such a lacklustre performance last night. But he still totally rocks and will always be the winner in my book!

My current fav songs in repeat mode on my computer are: Lifehouse - You & Me
What day is it? And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

Rob Thomas (sporting a nice lean look!) - Lonely No More
What if I was good to you
What if you were good to me
What if I could hold you till
I feel you move inside of me
What if it was paradise
What if we were symphonies
What if I gave all my life
To find some way to stand beside you

Oh while chatting with ER yesterday I found out something about him which only made me want him more BUT yes be still my heart, we did agree (well he did, I'm just playing along LOL) to keep it strictly platonic! Dear God in heaven, help me get over this man! *sighs*

Time Magazine's 2 resident film critics (Richard Corliss & Richard Schickel) came up with their list of 100 best movies of all time. Most of them are movies dating way back (before I was born!). It seems I've seen only 20 on the list. Among them -Lawrence of Arabia, Talk to Her, City of God, Citizen Kane & Finding Nemo. Interesting mix, I wonder where I can find some of them.

While rummaging through the boxes to put things back into order after the renovation (phase 1), I came across some inspirational postcards. I remember I bought them when we vacationed in Singapore last year and as usual just stuffed them in an envelope and totally forgot about them. I was delighted to know they have a website.
My favorite quote from the collection is:
In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life. IT GOES ON!

Yes life indeed goes on so I'm off to watch Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. I just hope I don't fall asleep. Not my genre of movie to watch but I'm not paying for it so sure I'm game!

Some girls have all the luck
I meant in terms of winning prizes during raffle draws. And the girl in question would be my sister. Whenever she attends those corporate events, more often than not she comes home with goodies.
So far she has won:
1. A GC (gift certificate) for 2 at the Farm.
2. A GC for an overnight stay at the Westin Plaza Hotel with a complimentary massage for 2 persons.
3. A trip to Davao for 2 with free accommodation at the Marco Polo Hotel (without airfare)
4. A GC for an overnight stay at the Legend Villas.
5. And this exquisite dress watch from Anne Klein. But mine ours has a light green leather strap.



Naturally since I'm her ever adorable sister (the one who gets her heart broken on every occasion) I get to share the loot with a big smile on my face. So yes life is good and I'm blessed despite having a lousy nonexistent lovelife.
Oh and me? I've never won anything in my life unless you count that hideous wood angel figurine that is gathering dust on top of the frigo!

Alright now I'm off to watch Bo Bice's mini concert on American Idol at Star World. Carrie who? Oh right I keep forgetting the show is a competition! Silly moi.

"This too shall pass"
Those are the immortal words a friend of mine would utter to me every time I would lament to him the demise of yet another relationship.

But how come in a span of 2 years all I seem to be doing is
MOVING ON?!!!

And how does one move on?

When every guy I encounter ends up failing in comparison to ONE GUY.

The one guy I chat with every single day.
The one guy I exchange tons of emails with regularly.
The one guy who is my confidante.
The one guy who is now my best friend.
The one guy who can NEVER be mine.
But I still keep around.
Because without him, my life would be incomplete.

The realist in me whispers "It is for the best."
The pessimist in me utters "Never again".
Well easier said than done!


But I've concocted a series of strategies guaranteed to shield my achy breaky heart from further damage:
1. Adapt a stoic attitude.
2. Detach myself from emotional attachments.
3. Develop an all.guys.are.the.same attitude.


To forget my heartache:
I went to my derma appointment.
I feasted on Singapore food at Rasa Express.
I splurged on lacy underwear to uplift my sagging breasts. It did wonders (get it? wonder bra = wonders) to boost my spirits too. LOL
I borrowed not 1, not 2 but 3 movies to watch.
I bought tickets to watch a play next weekend.
I booked an overnight stay in Tagaytay for my mother's birthday next week.

So yes it definitely cheered me up doing what I do best.
SPEND money!!!

21 things
1. Show your favorite digital photograph here:



2. What is your motto?
"There is a tomorrow and the best is yet to be. And somewhere in the world I know there is a place for me."

3. If you could meet any two people (living or dead), who would they be, and why?
Princess Diana - ask her how can she marry such an insufferable man.
Johnny Depp - because I adore him.


4. Creative Writing 101.
(For the next 5 minutes, type whatever comes into your mind. The idea is to type without stopping, without editing, with complete abandon.)

The truth is I've never really moved on I still got feelings for the guy so even if it hurts me, knowing that he sort of has someone in his life now, I still stick around because I rather be close to him in any way possible than be without him in my life.

5. What you want to be most remembered for?
For being a kindred spirit.


6. If you wrote a book, what would the first (or last) line be?
"She never saw it coming, but fate had other plans for her."

7. If you were King (and/or) Queen for a day, describe your first proclamation.
I thereby decree that every house be centrally airconditioned!


8. If you could change one thing about yourself, or your situation, what would it be?
Be more stoic and less emotional.


9. There's no genie, but you've been granted three wishes. They are:

Good health for me and my family.

Faster internet connection.

Frequent flier miles to travel anywhere for free.

10. Last trip "out of town" you took, and when.
Palawan - March 2005


11. Find a word in the dictionary that you never knew before and post the definition to it here:
Oubliette - a dungeon with a trap door in the ceiling as its only means of access.


12. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
I can't think of any.


13. Name something positively amazing (besides your birth) that happened the year you were born.

Martin Luther King Jr. And Robert Kennedy are assassinated.

The Summer Olympic Games open in Mexico City.

The launch of Apollo 8 begins the first US mission to orbit the Moon.

14. Name your favorite Beatle.
John Lennon.


15. In 250 words (or less), answer me this:
"If money were not an object, and you were to leave tomorrow to travel around the world in 100 days, name your preferred method of travel and at least a dozen destinations you'd visit."
(Examples: hot air balloon, Lear jet, yacht,destinations include countries, wonders of the world, people, places, things)
I'd travel in my own private jet plane and go explore the Pyramids while riding a camel. I'd sail on a yacht on the French Riviera, hop on a tram in the streets of San Francisco, fly in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon, get a tan in the islands of Maui in Hawaii, eat shepherd's pie while walking barefoot in Sydney.


16. Name of the last book you read, and list your favorite passage from said book:
I'm currently reading Pico Iyer's Global Soul.

"A person like me can't really call himself an exile (who traditionally looked back to a home now lost), or an expatriate (who's generally posted abroad for a living). I'm not really a nomad (whose patterns are guided by the seasons and tradition); and I've never been subject to the refugee's violent disruptions: The Global Soul is best characterized by the fact of falling in between all categories."

17. Last funny thing a child said to you.
Not applicable - no person below the age of 30 in sight.


18. Put down one stanza from your favorite song lyric, one that has particular meaning to you, one that, had you thought of it first, would have written yourself.
"There are places I remember all my life,
though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better.
And some have gone, and some remain."
Bette Midler "In my life"

19. Put down your favorite movie line.
"I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it. One."
Seth - Nicholas Cage from "City of Angels"

20. Name the actor or actress you'd want to portray you in a movie based on your life.
Winona Ryder


21. Professionally speaking, if you could do anything at all, what would you do?
Be an interpreter.

From my inbox - "What I Want In A Man!"
So funny yet so true! LOL

What I Want in a Man, Original List:
1. Handsome
2. Charming
3. Financially successful
4. A caring listener
5. Witty
6. In good shape
7. Dresses with style
8. Appreciates finer thing
9. Full of thoughtful surprises
10. An imaginative, romantic lover




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 32)
1. Nice looking
2. Opens car doors, holds chairs
3. Has enough money for a nice dinner
4. Listens more than talks
5. Laughs at my jokes
6. Carries bags of groceries with ease
7. Owns at least one tie
8. Appreciates a good home-cooked meal
9. Remembers birthdays and anniversaries
10. Seeks romance at least once a week




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 42)
1. Not too ugly
2. Doesn't drive off until I'm in the car
3. Works steady - splurges on dinner out occasionally
4. Nods head when I'm talking
5. Usually remembers punch lines of jokes
6. Is in good enough shape to rearrange the furniture
7. Wears a shirt that covers his stomach
8. Knows not to buy champagne with screw-top lids
9. Remembers to put the toilet seat down
10. Shaves most weekends




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 52)
1. Keeps hair in nose and ears trimmed
2. Doesn't belch or scratch in public
3. Doesn't borrow money too often
4. Doesn't nod off to sleep when I'm venting
5. Doesn't retell the same joke too many times
6. Is in good enough shape to get off couch on weekends
7. Usually wears matching socks and fresh underwear
8. Appreciates a good TV dinner
9. Remembers your name on occasion
10. Shaves some weekends




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 62)
1. Doesn't scare small children
2. Remembers where bathroom is
3. Doesn't require much money for upkeep
4. Only snores lightly when asleep
5. Remembers why he's laughing
6. Is in good enough shape to stand up by himself
7. Usually wears some clothes
8. Likes soft foods
9. Remembers where he left his teeth
10. Remembers that it's the weekend




What I Want in a Man, Revised List (age 72)
1. Breathing
2. Doesn't miss the toilet.

Meme time
Since it is too hot & humid for me to come up with a coherent post, I'm doing this meme which I copied from her blog.

1) My uncle: is an architect.
2) Never in my life: have I straightened my hair.
3) When I was five: I got hit by a bicycle.
4) High School was: a struggle for me to fit in.
5) I will never forget: the day my father suffered a mild stroke.
6) I once met: Lisa Macuja, the ballerina when she performed at an embassy diplomatic reception in Singapore.
7) There's this girl I know who: bought her first car.
8) Once, at a bar: I requested for "Hotel California" from the band. Now I hate that song.
9) By noon I'm usually: hungry.
10) Last night: I had menstrual cramps. :(
11) If I only had: more money to spend traveling.
12) Next time I go to church: mom's birthday (May 30)
13) Terry Schiavo: didn't deserve to die that way.
14) What worries me most: losing my parents.
15) When I turn my head left, I see: my side table.
16) When I turn my head right, I see: the door of my bedroom.
17) You know I'm lying when: I can't look you straight in the eyes.
18) What I miss most about the eighties: Bon Jovi :D
19) If I was a character written by Shakespeare, I'd be:

You're Desdemona of 'Othello' fame. You're
experimental, accepting and love new
experiences. You don't care what other people
think of you and you'll marry who you please,
even if that means enduring the scorn of others.


What Shakespearean Character Are You? (female)
brought to you by Quizilla

20) By this time next year: I'll be older.
21) A better name for me would be: Laurel.
22) I have a hard time understanding: guys and the games they play.
23) If I ever go back to school I'll: probably fail coz I'll be too lazy to study.
24) You know I like you if: I tease you a lot.
25) If I won an award, the first person I'd thank would be: my sister.
26) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: are all human beings.
27) Take my advice, never: believe someone who says "Trust me" - because trust is earned not forced!
28) My ideal breakfast is: I don't usually eat breakfast.
29) A song I love, but do not have is: "Woman" - John Lennon.
30) If you visit my hometown, I suggest: you be prepared to go malling.
31) Tulips, character flaws, microchips & track stars: are words in the dictionary.
32) Why won't people: use their common sense?
33) If you spend the night at my house: expect to sleep really late.
34) I'd stop my wedding for: chocolate ice cream.
35) The world could do without: conflicts.
36) I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: wear a two piece bikini.
37) My favorite blonde is: Princess Diana.
38) Paper clips are more useful than: staplers.
39) If I do anything well, it's: be there for you when you need someone to listen to your woes.
40) And by the way: He won the title of sole Survivor in the 10th season of the show.



A season dominated by a lot of firsts - first time no merge, first time a team lost all its immunity challenges, first time for the longest final immunity challenge (11 hours) etc. The usual backstabbing (Coby, Katie), alliances formed and broken, lies (sneaky Ian), deceit and two couples hooking up for real (Gregg & Jenn, Jeff & Kim) ended fittingly with my favorite outcast (what a hunk *drools*) winning! Congratulations TOM!

I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment - Survivor: Guatemala - The Maya Empire.

Friday's Feast
Appetizer
Whose intelligence do you find intimidating?
ER's well not intimidating but I'm impressed that he can talk about anything under the sun. His stock knowledge with regards to books, movies, politics is quite extensive. There is always a healthy exchange of ideas when we chat online.

Soup
Name something you've done that surprised yourself.
The fact that I was able to hike 3 rugged mountains (in Palawan) on an empty stomach and severly dehydrated is astonishing. Me being an old fart with a sedentary lifestyle. LOL

Salad
List 3 people whom you have only "met" online, but consider good friends.
Joel, Adam and ER

Main Course
Where is the dirtiest place you've ever been?
The public toilets in SM malls so as much as possible I avoid using them.

Dessert
What is the best example of "perfection" that you can think of?
Cruising on a boat with the wind in my hair, the sun rays caressing my face. While feasting my eyes on green rugged mountains, long stretches of the deep blue sea and clear blue skies.

Alright I'm off to Glorietta. It has been ages since I went there so it should be fun to rediscover it.

Happy weekend!

One down, 2 more to go
I'm talking about reality tv show finales.
Well the ones I do watch.
There are others that I rather switch the tv off than endure.
Such as "The Simple Life", "Who wants to marry my Dad?"
Yucky really.

So this finale of Amazing Race was rather exciting! One moment Rob & Amber are ahead then the next scene Ron & Kelly are. Excellent editing, great shots of places and most of all my favorite team won!
Woohooo. Congratulations Joyce and Uchenna!!!



All that trouble of shaving Joyce's hair, having no money, a flat tire, missing flights, not receiving any prize for finishing first at two pit stops definitely paid off!
I will miss watching this show.
So I'll just concentrate on American Idol & Survivor: Palau, for now.

These past few days
I've restored about 85 % of my place back to its original state.
The rest can be done in installments. Phase 2 (painting) has been postponed to next month. Too disruptive.

I saw movies about tennis, the Yakuza, an evil child & the Crusades.

I treated my mother on her day to lunch and some shopping.

I finished work in a record time of merely 3 days. Woot!

But the one thing that I won't forget is Sunday Mass. The officiating priest as usual tried to insert some anecdote into his sermon. He tried to incorporate some moral lesson from the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" with regards to the theme for the Mass.
He goes:
"In that movie, Richard Bloom valiantly tries to save Jerusalem ..."

Huh??? Richard who?? It's ORLANDO Bloom not Richard! LOL
I had to bite my lips so I won't laugh out loud in church.

Oh what a circus!
Gosh things have been hectic.
First day of the month I had to rush my sister to the hospital. She had severe stomach cramps. After waiting for hours at the emergency room for the results of the tests, they only prescribed paracetamol for her pain. They couldn't see anything wrong with her. Hay!

Then the renovation started. Furnitures were stacked up on each other, boxes everywhere. Total disarray! I'm updating my blog while sitting on a box with the laptop on where else but my lap and the phone lines snaking around my legs. LOL
But phase # 1 is done - the retiling of the floors.
Now I can skate on it and no more back aches from waxing! Yeehaw.
That alone uplifts my spirits. Or maybe it was all the fumes I inhaled this week that is making me high? :D

But I guess it was the emotional rollercoaster that hit me like a ton of bricks that is still messing up my mind. No further details can be divulged. I'll just deal with it the best way I know how!

Now excuse me while I go figure out which box has the remote control of the TV so I can watch "Survivor: Palau" while munching on Tapa Ranchero take-out from Tapa King!

Happy Weekend!

"It's May, it's May .. the lusty month of May"
Ok nothing really lusty about it I was just humming the song from "Camelot". Can you believe it's already mid year? Time flies!
My to do list, this month:

Work (2 deadlines)

Renovate the condo - this starts tomorrow with retiling of the floors then to be followed by painting the entire loft. Too much of an inconvenience but it's time we did it, something long overdue!

Birthday greetings to my friends J (today! Happy Birthday buddy!) and Pinky (Have a great UK trip!) and my mother!

We are planning to go to Manaoag for her birthday, end of this month! I hope that pushes through.

Treatments I am eyeing for this month includes a milk bath and body scrub. Protein treatment for my hair as much as possible. It is getting way too dry and brittle being exposed to this terrible humidity. And naturally my derma appointments!

Watch movies - "Kingdom of Heaven", "A lot like love", "Monster in law"

Not sure of any weekend trips, nothing planned so far.

But something set for the middle of May has got me pretty excited but I won't mention it here for now. I don't want to jinx it. :D

Let's all have a merry month of May despite the stifling heat.
Keep cool!