Movie Reviews
This past month I got hooked on French movies on TV5. I saw ONLY 2 movies at the cinemas. Unbelievable! Although I'm a movie addict, lately I've been selective in my choices of films to watch. My criteria has up an ante. Unlike before when I would practically breeze in and out of a movie theater. Well hopefully, in August I'd find make the time to view more meaningful and significant movies.

Wicker Park => This one was pretty haunting with a wicked twist. The games people play when love enters the equation.


Monster-in- Law => No heavy plot to figure out, it was simply entertaining.


Sylvia => Dark tale about the tragic life of talented poet, Sylvia Platt. Sadly, it didn't delve more into her persona.


La Chanson du Macon [The Song of the Mason] => A single woman inherits a house from her dead uncle. The present inhabitants of the house are 3 very endearing characters of the third sex. Quite amusing as they try to match her with the mason/contractor who was hired to renovate the house.


La Reines d'un Jour [The Queens for a day] => An ensemble cast of Parisians living life as they know it. Their interactions, their careers, their fears and their daily existence. A realistic story about life in Paris!


Shark Tale => Cute, funny and very entertaining!


The Body => A priest is ordered by the Vatican to go to Jerusalem. He needs to debunk the theory that the body found in the crypt is that of Jesus Christ. In essence it would mean HE didn't resurrect on the 3rd day after his death. Thank God it was only a movie!


The Incredibles => Half way through this animation I fell asleep (because it was already past 3 am). But it was worth the P25 I paid for the rental - it was hilarious.


Constantine => I ran out of VCDs to borrow from the shop so I said ok why not? But ugh demons, angels, fiery hell - no thanks not my idea of fun. Horrifying!


War of the World => Something not quite right about this film. Nope it wasn't Tom Cruise! But anyways highly implausible scenario but it wasn't that bad either. Just blah!


Trois Petites Filles [3 little girls] => 3 teenagers hunt down Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis who are vacationing somewhere in Corsica. They need him to champion the cause of young Algerian women who are forced to marry old men in their villages. Yes, Johnny Depp! But he doesn't even make a cameo appearance. Their adventures along the way and the characters they encounter make the movie interesting.


La Crise [The Crisis] => Things take a turn for the worse when a guy loses his job then his wife leaves him. When he turns to his family for support - they don't really care. They have their own troubles! Only person to care is a homeless bum he met on the street. A French movie circa 1992. Good acting!


Un weekend pour le dire [A weekend of revelations] => To celebrate Louis' 50th birthday, his young wife surprises him the weekend before his actual natal day. All 3 of his older children and his ex-wife are present. It turns out he has a few surprises of his own which rattles his entire family. Typical dysfunctional family whose secrets are unraveled during that weekend.


Romuald et Juliette => The owner of a milk producing company is clueless. He isn't aware of the machinations of his employees, nor know his wife is having an affair. His company is sued when people are hospitalized from drinking contaminated milk. Juliette is the only person who can help him. She is the African cleaning lady who is privy to everything! Since she tidies up the office, every night.


Strip Search => An original HBO film which features 2 interrogations. One of an Arab guy detained in New York City. The other that of an American woman held in China. Both of them are subject to exactly the same tactics and same questions but in different contexts. Very interesting indeed! Terrorism in whatever form is a very sensitive issue to portray in films. This one succeeded!


Avenging Angelo => A spoiled wife's husband cheated on her, her seven year old son is at a boarding school and she doesn't know her real father is a Mafia boss. Throw in a bodyguard, portrayed by a wooden Stallone, who worships her and you have one crappy movie. But I needed something to occupy my Sabado nights.


What Dreams May Come => Flipping channels after above mentioned crappy movie, I came across this film. It shows there is life after death. That soul mates still find each other even if one is in heaven and the other one is doomed in hell. Beautiful, bright colors, great cinematography! Good acting from Robin Williams.
I cried when he told his wife (Annabella Sciorra):

"Thank you for every kindness. Thank you for our children. For the first time I saw them. Thank you for being someone I was always proud to be with. For your guts, for your sweetness. For how you always looked, for how I always wanted to touch you. God, you were my life. I apologize for everytime I ever failed you. Especially this one..."

Survey says ...
Nervous Habits:
I giggle a lot, sip my drink when I run out of things to say.

Are you double jointed:
No

Can you roll your tongue:
No

Can you raise one eyebrow:
Yes

Can you blow spit bubbles:
No, why should I?

Can you cross your eyes:
I think so

Do you make your bed daily:
Nope, it's my room and my bed ok?

-- CLOTHES --
Which shoe goes on first:
Right foot

Speaking of shoes, have you ever thrown one at anyone?
Yes

On the average, how much money do you carry:
Not much, I rely on credit cards

What jewelry do you wear 24/7:
I don't wear them 24/7

Favorite piece of clothing:
Jeans


-- FOOD --
Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it?
It depends, if I am famished I cut them

Have you ever eaten Spam:
Oh sure numerous times

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Chocolate

How many cereals in your cabinet:
None

What's your favorite beverage:
Diet Coke

What's your favorite restaurant:
Just one? It depends what I crave for.

You cook:
I know how. I don't necessarily do so on a daily basis


-- GROOMING --
How often do you brush your teeth:
Thrice

Hair drying method:
Hair dryer, if I don't have time I just tie it in a ponytail even though I know tying wet hair is a big NO NO

Have you ever colored /highlighted your hair:
Never


--MANNERS--
Do you swear:
Yes

Do you ever spit:
Ewww no


-- FAVORITE --
Animal
Dolphins

Food:
Sushi, Pasta, Pork chops, Lamb chops, boneless Bangus

Month:
October

Day:
Mercredi

Cartoon:
None

Shoe Brand:
Tangerine/Tangs studio in Singapore - they actually fit my tiny feet. So I don't have to go to the kids section of the shop!

Subject in school:
Geography

Color:
Blue

Sport:
I watch tennis and soccer but me engaging in sports is a blasphemy

TV show:
Lost

Thing to do in the spring:
A walk in the park

Thing to do in the summer:
Eat ice cream, take showers and stay away from the freaking sun

Thing to do in the fall:
Watch the falling leaves

Thing to do in the winter:
Frolic in the snow

-- IN AND AROUND --
In the CD player:
An acoustics CD

Person you talk most on the phone with:
My mother. Basically I'm not a phone person. I prefer face to face or if it ain't possible I write long emails. I'm too textual.

Do you regularly check yourself out in store windows with mirrors? Honestly?
No I don't. I only do it when I'm in the fitting room huffing and puffing trying on clothes that don't fit me.

What color is your bedroom:
cream

Window seat or aisle:
window


-- LA LA LAND --
What's your sleeping position:



Even in hot weather do you use a blanket:
Yes, because I always sleep with the aircon on

Do you sleepwalk:
No

Do you talk in your sleep:
My sister says I mumble incoherently but I wouldn't know would I? I'm in zzzzz land

Do you sleep with stuffed animals:
No

How about with the light on:
No

Do you fall asleep with the TV or radio on:
No, I need absolute silence or else I can't sleep

Last interesting person you met:
Karl

Better to be safe than sorry
Today , Friday is supposed to be my pamper ME day.
I check the contents of my wallet.
Ugh, not enough funds.
So it was either lunch out or hair treatment.
Not both, just one.
I ponder and ponder and ponder some more.
Time ticked by. 12:30 pm.
My stomach started to growl so no contest.
Lunch out wins.
Where to eat? More pondering ensues.
Suddenly remember I have this Italianni's coupon.
Rummage through all my bags to look for it.
Rummage through my sister's bags.
Where is it???
Ooops there it is => on the bulletin board.
Is it still valid? Yes
Which branch? Any
Let's go to the one in Libis.
We munch on Caesar's salad, Chicken BBQ pizza and Mussels Lombardi (c/o of coupon) with ice tea.
I am a pretty observant person.
So I notice people filing out of adjacent mall.
Hmmm what's going on?
More people leaving building next door.
Should we ask the waitress what is going on?
Oh never mind it might just be a fire drill practice.
Alright we continue eating.
More gulps of bottomless ice tea.
Lunch done and paid for.
My sister needs to smoke before we drive off.
I, matter of factly ask the security guard:
"Manong, why are all these people loitering outside?"
"Ah Ma'am there was/is a bomb threat"
"WHAT??? Where?"
"Oh in the One Luna area!"
(meaning the entire complex)
He said it as if it was a normal daily occurrence, even grinning from ear to ear, shrugging his shoulders.
Duh!???
So we went to my favorite mall, The Podium na lang for my Mocha Frost and her cafe latte at Figaro.

"If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad"
INXS eliminated 2 wanna be rockers this week. Heather [she totally ruined the above song by Sheryl Crow] and Daphna [I'm not familiar at all with "Rock the Casbah"].
Daphna now that's a name I'm familiar with. My ex ex used to call me that whenever I needed to tow the line because I was being childishly stubborn.
But what really made my day was when Jessica sang "Elegantly Wasted"! Wow it used to be my theme song for the longest time.
Look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world
And she knows it
If your spirit's running
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run We hide We wait and we want
The good life Aw sure You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted


Eavesdropping
As opposed to being the lazypoke that I was a week ago - today was totally an upbeat day for me. I grocery shopped enough food to last till the weekend. But managed to buy everything on my list within my budget.
I actually overheard this conversation when I was in the shampoo aisle between a mother and her daughter. The daughter is about 12 years old, she approaches her mother with a tube of Palmolive Vitacreme Conditioner

Daughter - Mom I want this.
Mother - Ay naku anak you don't need that na. I will cut your hair short like Princess Diana. Tipid ka sa shampoo at di mo na kailangan ng conditioner. [You'll save on shampoo, no need for conditioner]
Daughter - Sino po si Princess Diana? [Who is Princess Diana?]

I don't know what was funnier. That the kid doesn't know who Princess Diana is or the mother economizing by cutting the child's hair quite short while she, herself has hair up to her waist. Hmmm.

Anyways I got home and started cooking everything I bought. Yes dearies I do know how to cook! I just don't like to broadcast it. Frankly what I do in my kitchen stays in the kitchen - spices, smells, oil splatter, dirty pots & pans et al.


Organized Mess
Done with the cooking, I tidied up some of the clutter. A daunting task, indeed since my sister and I, we both have our offices in our home. Papers, faxes, documents, press releases can cause quite a mess. While organizing the mess, I came across a piece of paper from a laundry shop. It was dated June 27, 2005. Guess what?
We forgot to claim the items from the laundry store! I call them up. Phew, our clean clothes are still there! So a month after we were supposed to pick up the items, they were kind enough to deliver it to my door step. I just couldn't stop laughing at how forgetful we have become. It's a good thing I found the receipt. But the thing is - one of the items - is a favorite shirt of mine. I didn't even notice it wasn't in my closet for over a month. Teehee =)


Farewell, fair prince, farewell
So sad to watch tonight's episode of "Lost" Poor Boone died from his wounds. I knew all along who was going to perish but still it was heartbreaking! His sister, Shannon wasn't around when he took his last breath. But I do have to say, "Lost" is one good show and I truly look forward to it every Thursdays on AXN.


Gosh I'm beat - I better snuggle into bed with John Barron, the cop on the LAPD's elite 5-2 squad. I tell you truly "The Exile" is one thrilling novel!!!

Experience is not what happens to you;
it's what you do with what happens to you.
[Aldous Huxley]

Monday - I sated my craving for shark's fin soup by having lunch at Shanghai Bistro in Eastwood City, Libis. I ordered shredded chicken with shark's fin soup, together with boneless lemon chicken, beef with broccoli, salt & pepper fried beancurd cubes, century egg, mango puree with sago for dessert. To cap it up, I had this yummy Mocha cold drink [ok I forgot its exact name] at the Coffee Beanery Bakery. All quite delicious never mind that I went bankrupt in the process!


Tuesday - I won P520 in the Lotto. Teehee!!!
I got 4 out of 6 numbers! Know what the winning numbers were? 6- 8 -10 -19! In essence it translates to October 19, 1968 = a very auspicious day in history, the day when the world was graced by my entrance into the world. A cute addition to the human race. Yes, I just threw modesty out of my 12th floor window, indulge me ok? It's my blog! =)
So I bought Allan Folsom's third novel. I've read "Day after Tomorrow [his first novel] No, it isn't the movie about the earth freezing with Jake Gyllenhaal. It was a riveting page turner about conspiracy theories involving Nazis. I like Folsom's style, his stories are really massively grand with characters trotting all over the globe. Purely exciting and very intense scenarios permeate his books.


Wednesday - I went gaga over Mr Muscle. Ah nope he wasn't a date. It is a cleaning detergent for mold and mildew - those hard to get rid of soapscum. I used up an entire bottle to scrub off gooey stuff in both of my bathrooms which accumulated from years of neglect or pure laziness on my part. Ugh, achy bones and sore palms later, I could have fainted from the fumes but I had a big grin because tiles are now whiter. Yes, I've become so domesticated now, cleaning products rock my little world. Tsk tsk!
I caught the season finale of CSI on AXN. The episode directed by Quentin Tarantino. Quite exciting to see if the entire CSI team would get to rescue Nick before he is eaten alive by ants and buried forever in some hard to find place. Of course, you have a few Tarantino weird moments [the autopsy kuno scene] in the episode. But overall, it was a good season finale.

Yawn
I've developed this strange habit that when I open my eyes in the morning to check the time - it is always 08:19 A.M.
On the dot, day in and day out for the past 2 weeks now.
I'm so NOT a morning person and an insomniac so waking up that early is baffling me.

I've also taken to falling asleep during the day.

Working online - 10 mins later, I'm dozing off.

Watching CNN for the latest on the Sharm al Sheik & London bombings - I doze off on the couch.

Reading Time Magazine before dinner time - 4 minutes into the article about Karl Rove, I'm out flat.

My sister reads to me the latest Harry Potter book (the chapter where Dumbledore is killed) - I'm snoring away and don't hear what really happened.

Watching Pierce Brosnan fight off the Korean bad guys on TV - I wake up to see the end credits of "Die Another Day".

Hilarious really!

Need I add that I've also developed these cravings.

A week ago it was Kitkat. (not good for my skin, I KNOW)

A few days ago it was for peppermint tea (that's all I drank!)

Yesterday and right now, I want shark's fin soup.

I want, I want, I want!
Gosh I sound like a petulant brat! =)

My body clock and body rhythm is totally messed up, really. Naturally I blame it all on being highly irregular and in a constant state of eternal PMS. Ain't it grand to blame it on something? Either that or I'm turning into a stark raving mad lunatic. Eeeeps!

Encore, une fois!
Ten years ago: We just arrived in Dubai, UAE for my father's last foreign assignment before his retirement. Quite a revelation for me to discover such a liberal city in a region known for its strict Islamic rules.

Five years ago: Still in Dubai, living it up in the grand 'diplobrat' way, happy with traveling, a steady boyfriend, carefree, no worries in the world.

One year ago: Slow but.it.pays.the.bills job, more time to pamper myself with spa treatments and out of town sojourns, a zero lovelife but that meant less worries too.

Yesterday: was my cleaning the house day. Mopped, dusted, cleaned the 2 aircon filters & the electric fans (would you believe I have 5 fans in this loft - no wonder my electricity bill is equivalent to the salary of an executive!), floor waxed the stairs and my most hated cleaning chore - making the bathroom spanking clean! Evening - I relaxed by watching "RockStar:INXS" on Star World and "CSI" on AXN.

Today: I've responded to several personal emails. I am doing some work online (taking a break to blog this) Tonight's TV fare includes "Rockstar:INXS", "Lost" and the finale of "The Apprentice" Season 2 (I already know who won but still ...)

Tomorrow: I need to get some banking transactions done in the morning, grocery shopping for the weekend and next week, schedule my derma appointment and maybe head off to my parents' place for the weekend.


5 snacks I enjoy:

Nestle yogurt

toaster buns

pancakes

Kit Kat

junk food like Lay's BBQ chips

5 bands that I know the lyrics of most of their songs:

The BeeGees

Carpenters

Westlife

Bon Jovi

Blue

5 things I would do with $100,000,000:

Buy a top of the line cellphone

buy a house nearer to the city for my parents

travel, travel & more travels

5 locations I'd like to runaway to:

Paris

Florence

Barcelona

Lisbon

Palawan

5 bad habits I have:

I'm lazy

I procrastinate a lot

I tend to judge people right away

I don't clean pots & pans

I don't answer phone calls

5 things I like doing:

watching movies

downloading mp3s

reading in bed

sleeping (despite being an insomniac)

writing long emails

5 things I would never wear:

swimsuit

white shoes

too much jewelry

unpadded bra

blue eyeshadow

5 TV shows I like:

CSI

Lost

Amazing Race

Survivor

NYPD Blue

5 movies I like:

City of Angels

Before Sunrise

Before Sunset

Love Actually

Amelie

5 famous people I'd like to meet:

Johnny Depp

Edward Burns

Oprah

the Dalai Lama

Jon Bon Jovi

5 biggest joys at the moment:

I am healthier and so is my family

My sister won a 2N/3D stay for 2 at an resort in Boracay! Teehee!

I got my pay cheque

I get to email/chat with soul mate ER

I am more centered, calmer & stoic than I've ever been in my life! Thus I heart myself more!

5 favorite toys:

I'm not into toys so I will say just my computer!

5 people to tag:

Anyone is welcome to play along if you want to.

Because I am ....
A friend
I want to greet my buddy John a happy birthday! Here's wishing you loads of happiness over tiramisu, tapping feet and warm climate in Florida. Something I wouldn't have known (his birth date) if I didn't check my Friendster account yesterday. Frankly I'm not a Friendster person (whatever that means), I believe I'm already too old for it. But I do check occasionally.

A sister
I researched online for the newly released Harry Potter book since my sister is a huge fan. Voila, I found the bootleg/pirated edition of the book. So suffice to say, my sister was ecstatic, I'm glad too since I'm cheap and now don't have to spend to buy her the book. Teehee!

A foreign movie aficionado
I can't wait for CineManila to begin next month. I've got a rather busy August coming up but it would really really annoy me to high heavens if I don't see those movies.

An internet addict
But it's Mercredi - my clean the house day! I better get to it before I morph into this chair in front of my computer. Pffft!

And I'm fragile, I am hopeless, I'm not perfect but I am free! (Maria Mena)
I took this handwriting analysis wizard test online. Since it is a full page analysis I will just post some excerpts which are rather accurate regarding my personality:

Daphne Laura allows many people into her life because she is accepting and trusting. She is sometimes called gullible by her friends. That only really means that she trusts too many people. Daphne Laura has a vivid imagination.

Daphne Laura is sarcastic. This is a defense mechanism designed to protect her ego when she feels hurt. She pokes people harder than she gets poked. These sarcastic remarks can be very funny. They can also be harsh, bitter, and caustic at the same time.

Daphne Laura is a practical person whose goals are planned, practical, and down to earth. This is typical of people with normal healthy self-esteem. She needs to visualize the end of a project before she starts. She finds joy in anticipation and planning. Notice that I said she plans everything she is going to do, that doesn't necessarily mean things go as planned.

Daphne Laura will be candid and direct when expressing her opinion. She will tell them what she thinks if they ask for it, whether they like it or not. So, if they don't really want her opinion, don't ask for it!

Daphne Laura uses judgment to make decisions. She is ruled by her head, not her heart. She is a cool, collected person who is usually unexpressive emotionally. Some may see her as unemotional. She does have emotions but has no need to express them. She is withdrawn into herself and enjoys being alone. The circumstances when Daphne Laura does express emotions include: extreme anger, extreme passion, and tremendous stress.

She is ruled somewhat by self-interest. All her conclusions are made without outside emotional influence. She is very level-headed and will remain calm in an emergency situation. In a situation where other people might get hysterical, she has poise.

Daphne Laura will work more efficiently if given space and time to be alone. She would rather not be surrounded by people constantly. In a relationship, she will show her love by the things she does rather than by the things she says. Saying "I love you" is not a needed routine because she feels her mate should already know. The only exception to this is if she has logically concluded that it is best for her mate to hear her express her love verbally.

Daphne Laura is not subject to emotional appeals. If someone is selling a product to her, they will need to present only the facts. They should present them from a standpoint of her sound judgment. She will not be taken in by an emotional story about someone else.

Daphne Laura can be defiant. She sometimes has the attitude that if someone doesn't like it the way she is doing it, then they can just "go to hell!" This trait may reveal itself in a rebellious nature that is always ready to resist forces which she thinks are infringing upon her freedom of action.

Monday Madness
.....and the last of the questions offered by our participants are below. Thanks to everyone for playing! =)

1. Mal asks... What is the last thing you do at night?
I pray the rosary though I'm ashamed to admit I don't finish all the mysteries.

2. Wil asks... Where were you when the lights went out?
What lights?

3. Andrea asks... What's on your refrigerator?
Magnets from all the cities I've visited

4. Jenny asks... What is your ideal vacation spot?
Paris, bebe!

5. Kia asks... What's the sexiest language in the world?
Italiano - ciao bella mi amore complete with hand gestures.

6. Zeno asks... Have you ever made a wish on a shooting star and had that wish come true?
Nope

7. Bunnykissd asks... We're more than halfway through the year now; how are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?
Hmmm *Me* tries to remember my new year's resolutions - I believe I didn't make any and if ever I did I broke all of them within the first week of January 2005. Teehee!

Ako ako ako puro na lang AKO =)
I AM: downloading Frente's version of Bizarre Love Triangle
I CRY: occasionally
I WANT: an Avon lipstick
I HAVE: a younger sister
I WISH: I was thinner
I HATE: my freaking cellphone!!!
I MISS: eating hawker food in Singapore
I DANCE: when no one is looking
I FEAR: cockroaches
I HEAR: the radio
I LOOK: younger than my age
I LOVE: watching movies
I ACHE: literally, PMS mood swings
I SING: in the shower
I NEED: protein treatment for my hair
I MUST: get my cellphone fixed!
I BLOG: about my little moments
I SEARCH: for peace of mind
I REGRET: nothing
I AM NOT: tall
I WRITE: really long emails
I SHOULD: go out and socialize more
I WONDER: if I did make a good impression (even though I pretend I don't really care!)

Did you know?
If you spend P300 at Robinson's Department Store, Supermarket or Handyman at any branches - you are entitled to their special promo. "Shop and Watch Buy 1 Take 1 coupon." You get a free movie ticket upon purchase of one regular movie ticket or a minimum purchase of P50.00 worth of snacks at the Cinema Snack Express.
The coupons are valid till November 30, 2005 at any branches for any movie except on first day of showing and premiere nights.
But the promo is valid only till end of July.


I finally saw Tom Cruise in "War of the Worlds" c/o of above promo. I'm a happy trooper. No, not because of Tom Cruise (frankly the movie was crap, not my genre but it wasn't that bad either) I'm excited with the idea that I get to see movies free, well kinda sorta free. =)


That despite the fact that my date was kinda sorta late in showing up - I had a nice time. We talked about a range of topics - real estate, travels, the economy, his life, my life, relationships, the South Beach Diet and cars.
I had only 2 San Mig lite beer, he had 5 or 6(?) Cerveza Negra.
He's cute in a cuddly teddy bear bald head kinda way. Cute smile!
But.
It was very casual not really a date scenario. Just fine by me.
Essentially I had a pleasant evening. I wonder though if there is going to be another rendez vous in the immediate future.
I hope so! =)

*Pouty pouts*
Rain, rain go away!!!
Tiny me has a date tonight!

Grrrr!!!!

"I am moody, messy.
I get restless, and it's senseless"
Couch potato queen me has been caught up with the latest reality tv show - Rock Star: INXS! Most of the songs they sing are way too noisy for my taste but hey that Dave Navarro is one hot dude! Woot he smolders! I don't have a favorite among the contestants, I'll just watch it for Dave ;) Of course I love INXS songs they bring back fond memories of my youth.


I also caught the premiere of Desperate Housewives on Star World last Tuesday. It does nothing to me really. It's too suburban Americana for me, I guess. Just makes me more determined not to become a harassed, stressful housewife. But sure I will still watch it to occupy my Tuesday primetime slot.


"On a Monday, I am waiting
Tuesday, I am fading
And by Wednesday, I can't sleep
Then the phone rings, I hear you"
"Pieces of Me" by Ashlee Simpson
I got something brewing. It bears fruit tomorrow night so let's see how that goes, hopefully I don't jinx it. I'm excited and anxious at the same time. Teehee =)

Therapy
Nothing dissipates my anger, depression or melancholy better than playing with html codes.
Yes I know - Major geek alert!!!
Tweaking. Tinkering. Changing. Customizing.
Adjusting fonts, colors and background images.
Preview. Readjust. Voila new template.
Still with the butterflies a flutter theme.
My favorite color BLUE.
Me entirely focused while listening to Bo Bice (with Ritchie Sambora) singing "Vehicle" at the top of his voice.

I'm your vehicle woman
But I'm not sure you know
That I love ya
I need ya
I want ya
Got to have you child
Great God in heaven you know I love you

I took a short break to chat with ER on Mirc. I find out he has decided to stay another year in Tokyo, instead of going back to Paris. So he is hunting for a cheaper apartment. I suggested they (he & his girlfriend) just move in together, less expenses, share rent etc etc. I'm glad he finally made a decision and we will still be in the same time zone. Besides since Paris lost the bid to host the 2012 Olympics - my plan to stay in his apartment simply faded away like most of my dreams! Typically true, as usual! Ugh!

Anyways I'm off to have my only meal today - Dinner.
Enough geeky stuff! =)

Dis moi pourquoi?
Alright I'm in a bad mood so allow me to just lash out. Isn't that what blogs are for? An outlet to air out our grievances!
Anyways, I was going to gripe about something.

But.

How can I rant about the 'unexplainable'?
Why is the sky blue?
Why does it rain (sometimes) when the sun is shining?
Why do people just stop communicating?

Endless speculations.
Was it something I said?
Was it something I didn't say?
Did I reveal too much?
Open ended questions.
Never to be answered.

A friend told me - "Everything happens for a reason".
I saw the movie "Wicker Park" last weekend. It does affirm the above statement. In the film, the woman in the lead character's life suddenly just 'vanishes' for no apparent reason. Later on, we figure out the scenario which led to the abandonment. 2 years later they end up with each other so a happy ending.
Yes surely I know it is only a freaking movie.

My point is YES ... There was ...
A reason why 'a certain someone' disappeared from my life.
A reason why 'another someone' stopped emailing me.
A reason why 'somebody' didn't show up for our blind date.
A reason why 'yet another somebody' ended our correspondence.

But tell me why do I feel so rejected?

This pattern of "non closure" makes me wish eternally for peace of mind. I hope it is within my grasp. Only time will tell if I can truly reach my goal. My aim to be completely detached and comfortably numb.
The art of stoicism, I so long for.

Because.

Je Ne Suis Que Moi
Je suis humaine, j'ai mes problemes
Et aussi mes desirs
Comment je pourrais parvenir
A t'expliquer mes raisons
Mais je suis humaine, pas magicienne
Est-ce que tu comprends ca ?
Je ne suis que ... je ne suis que moi
Est-ce que tu comprends ca?

Personality Test
Here's something about me. Quite accurate too except I'm not dependable nor popular.

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

By golly - totally senseless!
Those series of bombs that rocked London is proof that certain sectors in society do not value human life anymore.
My heart goes out to the victims of this tragedy and hope that London recovers because a vibrant city cannot be silenced. Especially since they won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic games.

Well I don't have to go very far do I?
Our beloved nation itself is besieged with total anarchy. The current farce at the Congressional hearings - grandstanding representatives, bad sound system, the tapes are inaudible - total drag!

Now calls - left, right & center for Pres. Arroyo to resign.
The Liberal Party.
Makati Business Club.
Former President Cory Aquino.
A mutiny from certain members of her own Cabinet.
The leftist.
The academe.
The rightist.
Retired generals.

Rallies here, there and everywhere.
So easy to simply destabilize the nation isn't it?
Edsa 3, 4, 5 and so forth.

How can we ever progress if every time we see a loophole within any administration - we rally to bring it down.
And all these for what?
For the Filipino people?
Gosh!

Who will lead us?
Noli de Castro - ewwww
Susan Roces - another ewwww
(Ret) General Abat - even louder ewwwww


WHO????

God have mercy on us all.
The Filipino people and our beleaguered nation!

What a difference a week makes!
Last week (June 30) at around 2:45 pm, my sister and I checked into Room 735 at the Westin Plaza. The view from our balcony - the imposing Film Center of the Philippines.




To our right - far ahead is the soon to open (Dec. 2005) Mall of Asia to be operated by the owners of the SM chain of malls.



To our left - the World Trade Center, exhibition halls.



I then took a refreshing bath in the bathtub - with warm, tepid water gently caressing my body for about 1 hour, lying supine while reading a book. We went down to explore the facilities at around 5pm. Most of the hotel premises is undergoing renovation. But the outdoor area where the swimming pool, the mini golf range and 2 of their restaurants are located is accessible.





Then at 6pm - it was time to go to the Sports Club & Spa located at the basement area. We booked for an aromatherapy massage. It basically restores the sense of well being by diffusing the aromatic scent of therapeutic oils derived from flowers, herbs and spices. So for 90 minutes, I was transported to a world of utter calm (except for the Thai inspired music) while the masseuse kneaded, rubbed, pressed her palms on pressure points on my entire body. Now I have to admit, I don't like massages for the main reason that I am not comfortable having my body 'roughed up'. Instead of relaxing, my back gets all knotted up. So she told me to stop resisting. After a few tense minutes, I succumbed and simply melted away. I most especially like the part where she worked on my feet and massaged my toes. As well as the head and scalp massage. I almost fell asleep there on the bed if it weren't for the music and the fact that I was totally naked.

Anyways it was almost 8pm when we finished - we both felt like a noodle barely able to trod back to our rooms. So we decided to order room service and pig out. We feasted on cream of peas with mint soup, seafood kare kare, pita bread lamb burger with French fries, peppered sirloin steak with veggies & potato wedges & 1 plain rice.




Completely full, our bodies still glistening with oil and extremely relaxed, we plopped into bed and watched TV. Shortly there after fell asleep - it was only 10:30 pm.






The next day (July 1, Friday)
I woke up early refreshed from a really good sleep despite the fact that the hotel pillows were too soft. I took my bath - taking full advantage of the hot water and the bathtub. Carefully washing the oil off my hair and my body, soaking in the warmth and steaming up the bathroom. Then it was time for breakfast at the Cafe Plaza. Full buffet spread consisting of the usual Continental breakfast fare. We had a heavy and hearty breakfast to last us till check out time - 12 noon.



One last photo opportunity. =)

Time to update
But frankly I got nothing to say!
Except I've been in a melancholic mood.
Perhaps listening to French love songs doesn't help.
Perhaps it's PMS.
Perhaps my mind is going to explode from work.
Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!

Who knows?

Actually I do know the reason.
But never mind.

I'll just share a joke from the Reader's Digest list of their 50 best ever jokes:

Doctor: "Did you take my advice about your insomnia and count before going to sleep?"
Patient: "Yes. I got as far as 24,534 and then it was time to get up."

Polaroid it!
This is cool, try it! =)

I'm back!
I had a great time relaxing. I will surely blog about it some time next week. For now I need to do some WORK!
Times are hard especially with all these troubles over the wire tapping conversations, the call for President Arroyo to resign, the weakening Peso and most of all the implementation of the e-VAT law
(currently under TRO from the Supreme Court but still!)
I need to work doubly hard to afford my indulgences now. Gosh!
I leave you with this image of my room key at the Westin - Room 735! I wish the guy on the card was indeed in my heavenly bed but alas he is merely a model! Teehee =)