All about my mother
Today on her birthday, we had a pretty low key affair.
Compared to last year's luxurious treat, this year we had Malaysian/Singaporean fare at Penang Hill then watched a heart.pumping.darn.it.is.too.loud.my.adrenaline.is.rushing movie (she likes Hugh Jackman, who doesn't?).
Dinner was at Dencio's, Metrowalk and we ended the day with a sugar high yummy Choco Mocha cake from Red Ribbon.

We all had a nice intimately cosy family bonding time.
She's happy. We are happy that she's happy.
Now I'm tired and already quite sleepy.
And it is only 10:30 pm.
Bonne Nuit. =)

Gift giving
I had a rather mellow weekend. In fact, too mellow all I did was eat sineguelas, read a book and sleep. I even skipped the customary Sunday brunch with my parents at their place.
I'm a lazy poke, yes I am!

Tomorrow is my mother's birthday.
The procrastinator that I am, I still don't have any gift for her. But the practical side in me always ask the recipient what they want. So I don't end up roaming the malls, hurting my feet, dashing all over the shops for gifts. Of course, my mother being the humble soul told me she doesn't want nor need anything, really.

Well that simply won't do!

After prying and probing and bombarding her with a million questions, she relented and told me a few essential items, she is now in short supply of.
Voila. Problem solved! I know exactly what to get her for her natal day and exactly where to find it and which mall to go to later, today.
Aren't I the clever one?

This idea of mine stems from the fact that I am pretty indecisive. (Along with being lazy yet practical, a procrastinator and a clever soul). I remember several years ago I asked my smarty pants ex ex BF what he wanted for his birthday.
He blurts out ... "A BMW Roadster"
I naturally replied back ... "I can't effing afford that!"
He goes ... "Well duh you asked, didn't you?"
Touche!

So not to be outsmarted because I'm such an argumentative (yes another adjective to describe myself, just indulge me ok?) brat, I went to Toys R Us. I bought him a shiny red toy BMW roadster wrapped it in a box with a big ribbon.

Teehee!

I woke up this morning ...
... With a splitting headache and a song that kept creeping up into my mind.
Thankfully, Biogesic took care of the pain.
CNN drowned out the pesky song.
I barely made it to the bank before 3 pm.
The security guard was about to turn the sign on the door from "Open" to "Close". But I charmed my way in.

I finally watched The "Da Vinci Code", yesterday.
In a cinema where there were about only 30 people. Hurray!
I found it to be a relatively good movie. Despite the negative reviews and the media hype surrounding the controversy, I liked it. But then that is just like me to actually go against the norm to like something/someone everybody hates and vice versa.

Oh by the way, the song was:
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain,
Telling me just what a fool I've been.
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain,
And let me be alone again.

Strange because it isn't raining nor do I feel like crying, at all.

"Do I make you proud?"
2 hours of great songs from relics stars like Prince, Burt Bacharach, Meatloaf, Dionne Warwick, Mary J. Blige, the band Live, Toni Braxton, Al Jarreau performing on a well lit stage.

Their own version of the Academy Awards given to inane and silly rejects.

Group ensemble production numbers, solo performances from the 12 finalists. A great bunch of talent, this year.

Over 63.4 Million voted.
To answer the above question.
Yes, I'm definitely proud of you. =)

Wooohooo way to go.

Congratulations!

Bono
I know the show is shown rather late, at midnight.
A time when most are already in dreamland.
But did anyone watch Conan O'Brien, last night?

Anyone?

No one?

Anyways the group U2 were his guests for the whole show.
They sang a few songs from their albums, did that silly portion of "In the year 2000" which was hilarious. Then Conan interviewed Bono about his admirable charity work in Africa and debt relief among the poorest nations in this planet.

They ended the show with the acoustic version of this beautiful song. I believe it talks about being optimistic when you feel like you are in the doldrums. You feel like nothing is worth living for. I've been in that situation countless times in my life. But nowadays I *try* to develop a more positive outlook in life. =)

Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
I'm not afraid
Of anything in this world
There's nothing you can throw at me
That I haven't already heard

I'm just trying to find
A decent melody
A song that I can sing
In my own company

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it

Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

I will not forsake
The colors that you bring
The nights you filled with fireworks
They left you with nothing

I am still enchanted
By the light you brought to me
I listen through your ears
Through your eyes I can see

And you are such a fool
To worry like you do
I know it's tough
And you can never get enough
Of what you don't really need now
My, oh my

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

Oh love, look at you now
You've got yourself stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

I was unconscious, half asleep
The water is warm 'til you discover how deep
I wasn't jumping, for me it was a fall
It's a long way down to nothing at all

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

And if the night runs over
And if the day won't last
And if your way should falter
Along this stony pass

It's just a moment
This time will pass

Mall by the Bay



This is a picture of the SM Mall of Asia I snapped while I was aboard a plane, last month. Today, I was able to explore its newly opened sprawling premises. We made our way through its long spiral ramp at its South Wing parking. Somehow, managed to squeeze ourselves into its tiny elevators. Walked all over its very bright interiors filled with shops, restaurants, cinemas, a hypermarket and its flagship SM Department Store. The usual brands like National Book Store, Marks and Spencers, Lacoste, Toy Kingdom all enticing shoppers to spend, spend and spend. Restaurants like Jollibee, Max's, Tokyo Tokyo, Italianni's and Chow King feeding hungry mall goers. Trolleys filled with goodies at the SM Hypermarket. People lining up to watch the latest movies. Except the controversial "Da Vinci Code" which is banned at all SM cinemas. A film I have yet to watch but I keep procrastinating.
In short, a very common sight at any SM Mall peppered all over the metropolis in this mall loving nation.
The only difference - you get a fantastic view of the Manila Bay area from the second floor of the mall. Quite breathtaking.
It was getting a bit crowded even on a Tuesday. I suspect it would be filled with a gazillion people during the weekends. Eeeps!
Go check it out if you are into the whole malling experience, just don't forget to wear *really* comfortable shoes. Take my word for it!


P.S.

Ah nope, I wasn't paid by Henry Sy or anyone from SM to write this post. :D I'm just a certified mallrat who likes to window shop and people watch.

Nostalgia
It is defined by the dictionary as "a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition".

There I was flipping TV channels and came across a CNN news item reporting the recently concluded Eurovision singing contest.
This year, it was held in Athens, Greece with Finland winning top honors.
I fondly remember this battle of the bands contest held every year in different cities across Europe. So I go check their official website.
Much to my amazement I discover that the songs I'm still familiar with were dated 1979 (Gali Atari & Milk and Honey's "Halleluja" - Israel); 1980 (Johnny Logan's "What's another year?" - Ireland) and 1981 (Bucks Fizz "Making your mind up" - UK).

That's like 27 years ago. Wow, that's just mind boggling!!!
I still vividly remember all the frenzy leading up to the final night. Back then countries like Ukraine, Macedonia were still part of the Soviet Union. While Cyprus and Turkey weren't part of Europe yet.

Hey, I'm not *that* old I was just 11 years old in 1979, ok?
But boy this is like a flashback into my now distant past.

Oh next month, the soccer World Cup kicks off in Germany.

Yes I was a huge soccer fan, back then. I collected all the cards of the players for my special scrapbook and pasted them by team, by category and by country. Now I barely know the players. Let alone which team qualified, which categories are they grouped in. Of course I can always rely on the Internet for information but somehow it just doesn't seem the same.

Oh well.

I'll just hum "Halleluja" out loud and smile. =)

Have you ever been in a situation ...
Where you tend to assume the worst case scenario?

My conspiracy theory tendencies always do!

I realized I haven't heard anything lately from a friend.
A friend who has the habit of emailing me *every* other day.
Maybe my friend is busy with work, family and life in general.
I can't help but wonder if something happened.
But, no news means good news, right?
I don't know.
Something just seems totally off.
I can't put my finger to it.

I figure I can wait till next week to compose a "hey, you ok?" email.
I'm almost fearful to find out what's wrong.
Hmmm. I truly hope my friend is alright.

*** Updated on Monday May 22, 2006 ***

I finally received an email from my friend.

A very long lament about his marital woes.

Yikes, too much information to absorb!

It makes my head spin.

But I feel better now that he finally wrote.

I'm also grateful I'm blissfully single.
Or am I?
I don't know.

I'm just in a weird melancholic mood.

*Sighs*

Reality TV
The Hippies won the Amazing Race after crossing 5 continents, going to 9 countries (Brazil, Russia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Oman, Australia, Thailand, Japan) and traveling over 60,000 miles. Tatow!!

I was rooting for Terry but Aras got the bragging rights as the ultimate Survivor: Exile Island winner. A few venomous remarks from Shane and Courtney at the final Tribal Council, pretty predictable that Danielle wasn't going to win and the hidden Immunity Idol didn't even come into play so it was a blah finale. But heck, yes I will stay tuned for the next installment in this franchise -> Survivor: Cook Islands!

Next week on American Idol, the singing battle begins between Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks.
All I can say is go ... Soul Patrol ... Go! =)

Double yay!
(1). Leo Oracion is/was the first Filipino climber who made it to the summit of Mt Everest.

Alright so regardless of who made it first or which TV network sponsored which climbers - we should just be thankful Oracion made it safely to the top of that treacherous mountain. Now our flag is flapping away in the chilly air of Mt. Everest. Bravo!

(2). The "Da Vinci Code" has been given a R18 rating. It would be shown without cuts here in the Philippines.

So after much debate over whether the film should be banned or not, the Philippines would see it on May 19 when it premieres worldwide. I figure I will catch it during its 2nd week run at the theaters when it would be less crowded. I don't have to jostle for some elbow space. Nothing irritates me more than bad manners displayed by people in cinema theaters. Talking loudly during movies, the distraction from the bright glare of cell phones and worse someone actually talking on their phones while watching the movie. I don't know why they can't just switch it off for 2 hours. Is it imperative to be "connected" all the time?

Anyways I hope the movie won't be a disappointment. I have enough faith in Ron Howard's flawless direction. Although my sister and I did pick Kurt Russell for the role of Robert Langdon and Julie Delphy for the Sophie Neveu role. Something we always do (that is cast actors in roles) after we finish reading novels.

By the way, how do you pronounce Silas?
Is it .... "C-las" or "Sigh-las"?
Me, I say the latter.

Q & A
1. First name? Daphne.
2. Were you named after anyone? Daphne du Maurier, the English author of "Rebecca", "The Birds" and "Jamaica Inn" among other novels.
3. Do you wish on stars? No.
4. When did you last cry? 2 weeks ago.
5. Do you like your handwriting? No.
6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Spam.
7. When is your birthday? October 19.
8. What is your most embarrassing cd? "Menudo".
9. If you were another person would you be friends with you? Yes, I'm a good listener.
10. Do you have a journal? This is my online journal.
11. Would you pose nude for an art class? No.
12. Would you bungee jump? Heck, no.
13. What is your favorite cereal? Not into cereals.
14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No.
15. Do you think that you are strong? I'm rather stoic and detached.
16. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate.
17. Shoe Size? Really small.
18. Red or pink? Red.
19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I'm lazy.
20. Who do you miss the most? No one.
21. Do you want everyone you send this to to send it back? n/a.
22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Jeans and flats.
23. Last thing you ate? Nasi Goreng and oyster omelette at Penang Hill, Edsa Shangri-la Mall.
24. What are you listening to right now? "Afterglow" by INXS.
25. If you were a crayon what color would you be? Blue!
26. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My Mom.
27. Fingers or toes? Fingers.
28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? His smile.
29. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes.
30. Favorite Drink? Diet Coke.
31. Favorite Sport? I'm not into sports.
32. Hair Color? Black as a raven.
33. Favorite office supply item? Stapler.
34. Do you wear contacts? Yes!
35. Favorite Food? Japanese.
36. Last Movie You Watched? "Poseidon".
37. Favorite Day Of The Year? My birthday.
38. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? A somewhat realistic happy ending.
39. Summer or winter? Winter.
40. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs!
41. Favorite dessert? Ice cream.
42. What's On Your Mouse Pad? It is a plain dark brown leather mouse pad, a giveway from some hotel.
43. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? "Lost" on AXN.
44. Favorite Smells? Perfumes.
45. Favorite Sounds? Wind chimes.
46. Stones or Beatles? Beatles.
47. Where's the furthest you've been from home? Rome, Italy when I was still living in Dubai.
48. What books are you reading? "The Sun also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway.

Ten Things
List up to ten (10) things you want to say to ten (10) different people. Do not state who these people are. Do not confirm or deny any 'comment speculation'.

01. Happy Mother's Day!

02. You will be such a groovy 'young' grandmother.

03. Advanced Happy Birthday.

04. Why are you ignoring my emails?

05. I'm not rich, stop borrowing money from me.

06. I sincerely hope I'm *not* the reason why you refused that job offer.

07. You need to shape up and get things moving!

08. Reading your blog makes me smile.

09. Please don't let family squabbles bring you down.

10. You broke my heart but I still love you.

Beauty and Madness
I woke up this morning to the sound of the howling winds smashing against my window. The gloomy skies, the intermittent rain from the storm "Caloy" casting a chilly air all over Metro Manila. A welcome respite from the summer heat, this pleasantly wet, cuddly weather.

After an early lunch, I tinkered and tweaked this new template for my blog. I want to keep it clean and simple with emphasis on the content not on the design. Not that I post about heavy, relevant social issues but still ... You know what I mean.

After a really cold shower because I don't have a water heater, it was time to head over to Gateway Mall in Cubao. A Teriyaki Boy dinner had me and my sister full to the brim before we made our way to the Araneta Coliseum. Just in time for the Fra Lippo Lippi concert. It featured just one member, Per Sorensen of the Norwegian duo who were quite famous in the 80s. They named their band after an Italian monk, a character in a Robert Browning poem.



He started his repertoire with the hit "The Distance between Us" dressed in an all black outfit. His voice still sounding the same as it did almost 20 years ago. His band was composed of local session musicians, one tall Norwegian guitar player, an American keyboard player and two local back up singers. He sang a total of 17 songs, among them their well known hits such as "Later", "Everytime I see you", "Angel", "Light and Shade", "Shouldn't have to be like that" and "Beauty and Madness". Their success as a band stems from their simple lyrics and catchy melodies. Their songs are timeless. If you grew up in the 80s you can easily identify with their whimsical songs. The concert was quite pleasant, the 'mature' crowd responded enthusiastically to his performance, his songs brought back fond memories. A raging stormy night notwithstanding, it was worth every single cent if only to go back in time when life was rather fancy free. No rising gasoline prices, no cellphones, no Internet to distract our short attention span. Yes, the good old days! =)


"Later"
How could you come with me
when you knew all along that you had to go
How could you watch me sleep so close to you
pretending not to know
How could you memorize my name
and forget who I am
How could you think you're still the same
believing I can

It's too late to start pretending
It's too late for a new beginning
Later than the sunset, later than the rain
Later than never to love you again

How could you ask for more with an innocent smile
trusting me to stay
How could you close the door and leave me here
supposing I'm ok
How could you break down my disguise
and uncover my fears
How could you look into my eyes
ignoring my tears

"We're caught in a trap, I can't walk out because I love you too much, baby"
"Suspicious Minds" is my all time favorite Elvis Presley song.
I love Elvis Presley!
I grew up listening to his hits.
I even had the King's poster in my bedroom. Teehee! =)
It was nostalgic for me to hear his songs for this week's theme on American Idol.
Chris Daughtry did his version of this song.
But he didn't sound as good as JD Fortune (now lead singer of INXS) who performed it on Rockstar: INXS, last year.
But I'm just glad I heard "Suspicious Minds" again.
Well, America didn't agree, Chris was voted out this week.
Shocking huh?
Oh well!
We really don't know how this whole voting works.

I sometimes wonder if the results are rigged, you have no way of knowing the exact percentage of votes per contestant.

You just have to take Ryan Seacrest's word for it.



Fare well Chris Daughtry.
Thanks for gracing American Idol with your booming voice and your mesmerizing presence!

Questions I sometimes ask myself in the wee hours of the morning

Why oh why is it soooo very very hot in this land of 7,107 islands?

Do pigs really sweat a lot?

What would I give my mother for her birthday? (this is only valid during this merry month of May)

How do I reply to an email of a dear friend who has marital woes without peppering every other sentence with "I told you so!"?

Is Brad and Angelina's child going to be a boy or a girl?

Which book in my accumulated backlog of novels should I read next?

Am I too argumentative for my own sake?

Why won't I stop sneezing even after I've overdosed on Zyrtec?

Lastly.

How come I am still wide awake at this unholy hour?

See you at the movies!
I found this interesting concept at Toni's blog.
I had to reach deep into my memory warehouse to come up with this list. Believe me, I've watched a LOT of films over the years. But these are (a few) of my favorite movies!.
These 3 films couldn't be located at the website.
1. "Gilles Wife" => a Belgian film.
2. "5 x 2" => a Francois Ozon movie.
3. "Yentl" => directed by Barbra Streisand.



Create your own Movie List @ HotFreeLayouts!

Daily Grind
New month so I'm back to my routine.
That is "trying" to finish all my assignments in this heat infested little hole I call my work station.
Tedious boring work, I tell ya but heck I got bills to pay.
Mostly I'm in my zombie mode.
I wake up going "what day is it today? Wednesday? Oh wait it's already Thursday ... Merde!"
At least a life altering 'crisis' was averted.
So that's reassuring, for now.
It gave me freaking ulcers.
I got my gastric juices flowing which resulted in really painful stomach spasms attacks. Big Ouch!
Thank God for herbal tea.
I can just imagine how cranky I will be this month once my PMS session kicks in.
That would be a blast! NOT!

What is the real purpose of this post?
Nothing really.
I needed to gripe, gripe and gripe some more.

The End!