Survey says!

LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:	Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW:	The Runner by Christopher Reich
FAVORITE BOARD GAME:	Scrabble
FAVORITE MAGAZINE:	Time Magazine
FAVORITE SMELLS:	Scented candles
COMFORT FOOD:	Kit Kat
FAVORITE SOUNDS:	Wind chimes
WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD:	Regrets
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING:	if i have emails
FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE:	Jollibee
FUTURE CHILD'S NAME:	n/a
FINISH THIS STATEMENT: "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY, I WOULD":	travel alot
DO YOU DRIVE FAST:	No I don't drive
DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL:	No
STORMS -- COOL OR SCARY:	Cool
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR:	n/a
FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK:	Gin & Tonic
FINISH THIS STATEMENT,'IF I HAD THE TIME, I WOULD LOVE TO':	Travel
DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BROCCOLI:	No
IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE:	Red
GLASS HALF-EMPTY OR FULL:	Half full
HOW MANY CITIES/TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN:	Manila, New Delhi, Brussels, Singapore, Dubai
FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX:	My room
FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH:	Tennis & Soccer
WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED:	Dust
TOILET PAPER/ PAPER TOWEL--OVER OR UNDER:	Under
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Christmas Challenge Meme Questions Week 2
c/o of Michael
I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas challenge. It's Wednesday and that means it's time for some new meme questions...
It seems as if every recording artist under the sun records at least one Christmas song. For some, that song can define a career such as Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" or Elmo and Patsy's "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." There's a holiday song for everyone--from the serious music of cantadas to the comedy stylings of the Bob Rivers Christmas albums. This week, we'll take a look at the music that surrounds the festive holiday season.

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas song? If so, what is it?
Yes, John Lennon --- So this is Christmas
2. List your top five Christmas albums/CDs. (or you can go with songs, if you want) a. Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad
b. Brenda Lee - Rocking around the Christmas Tree
c. Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is You
d. Band Aid - Do they know it's Christmas?
e. Boney M - Mary's Boy Child
3. Is Christmas music played too much/not enough/just about right? Explain.
Well if you live in the Philippines, they start playing them in September so I guess it is too much. So by December you have Christmas carols oozing out of your pores.

4. Were you part of any holiday themed Christmas pageants growing up? If so, please tell us about one that is particularly memorable or stands out. Parents--tell us about one that your children have been involved in or will be involved in this year.
Ok this is like an embarrassing moment but what the heck I will mention it. I was one of the angels guarding the manger during a nativity play in one of the Christmas parties for the Embassy staff. This was way back when I was about 8 years old in New Delhi, India. I was wearing all white and the wings on my back were so heavy and kept falling off my tiny shoulders. LOL

BONUS - Is there just one song that you want to hear every year that really makes it feel like Christmas? If so, which song is it? Are there are any special instruments involved? (For example, I love to hear Carol of the Bells played by a handbell choir).
It's the most wonderful time of the year.Because it really is! :)

A week of "firsts"

"You know you sincerely love someone when you want them to be happy, even if their happiness means you're not part of it". First time since I met E that I haven't chatted with him since Friday. I had to take a break from him because my heart bleeds whenever he talks about the women in his life.

First time for me to go to Robinson's Pioneer (Sunday). It looks like a nice place to hang out in. But the best part is that it is conveniently located near my residence. Simply down the street.

First time for me to watch a movie at the relatively new cinemas of Edsa Shangri-la Plaza. (Monday) The P120 (matinee show from 1pm - 4pm) was worth it. Wow the place rocks. Wide screen, great sound system, reserved seating and the seats are big and comfy.
I watched "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason". Hilariously funny and a feel good movie. I love it when she said at the end of the movie "I truly believe that happiness is possible... even when you're thirty-three and have a bottom the size of two bowling balls." So there's still hope for me huh? A 36 year old with the same bottom size! Yeah right, whatever! (insert sarcastic grin here)

Today is the first year anniversary of my blog! So that's 365 days of endless yapping, ranting, rambling and pondering! I honestly doubt I would stop blogging any time soon!

Thank you for the music
And a million thanks to the ever adorable E for introducing me to this software program. I can now download songs I've always wanted to listen to again.

So far I've harvested the following songs:
1. Patricia Kass - "La Vie en Rose"
2. Nana Mouskouri - "La Paloma Blanca" and her duet with Julio Iglesias "Se Que Volveras".
3. Julio Iglesias - "Guantanamera" and "Vaya Con Dios"
4. 2 versions of "Comme D'Habitude" by Claude Francois and the kings of Rai (Algerian) music Khaled, Rashid Taha & Faudel.
5. Michel Sardou - "En Chantant"
6. Alain Chamfort - "L'Amour en France"
7. Amr Diab duet with Angela Dimitriou - "Eleos"
8. Amr Diab - "Noor El Ein"
9. Herve Vilard - "Nous"
10. But my favorite is an ensemble of some of the best singers in France like Lara Fabian, Anggun, Patricia Kass, Johnny Hallyday to mention a few singing

"Sa Raison Etre"
Elle en a vu de toutes les douleurs
Elle est revenue de tant de combats
Elle a tellement tendu son coeur
La ou d'autres ont baisse les bras

Elle dit qu'apres certains regards
Les mots deviennent derisoires
On fait les choses parce qu'elles s'imposent
Sans se demander pourquoi

C'est peut-etre
Une goutte dans la mer
C'est peut-etre
Une goutte d'eau dans le desert
Oui mais c'est sa raison d'etre
sa raison d'etre

Oh, elle en a essuye des yeux
Elle en a baisse des paupieres
Oubliant meme que le ciel est bleu
A tant se pencher dans la poussiere

Elle dit qu'on peut toujours trouver
Des excuses pour ne pas bouger
Elle, elle prefere encore se taire
Et faire ce qu'elle a a faire

Oh, elle en a brise des silences
Pousse des cris contre les murs
Avec pour echos l'indifference
Et des rancunes encore plus dures

Car aujourd'hui, si l'existence ici
Ne se limite qu'a la survie
Il faut savoir qu'une aile de papillon
Peut tout changer pour de bon

What she lives for (Sa raison d'etre)
Lyrics and Music Lionel Florence / Pascal Obispo
Translation : Nathalie Leviol

She saw all kind of pains
came back from so many fights
She held out her heart
where others just gave up

She says after some looks
words become useless
you do things because they're just obvious
without asking questions

Ooohh it may be
Oh it may be
a drop in the sea
Ohh it may be
yes it may be
a drop of water in the desert
yes but that's what she lives for
what she lives for
yes but that's what she lives for
what she lives for

oh she wiped many eyes
she closed many lids
forgetting that the sky is blue
by bending so much towards dust
she says you can always find
oh reasons not to do anything
she'd rather remain silent
and do what she has to do

Oh she broke many silences
screamed against walls
and indifference echoed
and even tougher resentment
'cause today if life here
is only limited to survival
you must know that a butterfly's wing
can change everything for good

Cheerios!
Yipeee yes I'm way ahead of schedule!
Because normally I would get in the 'mood' December 8 onwards.
But this morning, I started decorating my place with garlands, lights and Christmas decors. I still have to set up the mini tree but surely I'll be done by this weekend.
I also decided to change the lay out of my blog to commemorate the season. Cute isn't it???
Hopefully this would lift up my spirits a bit and not let SAD (seasonal affective disorder) creep up on me again this year.
Alright I better continue with the decorating before I get too lazy!
Happy weekend! :)

Getting to know all about you!
I copied this from Jax
Indulge me and let me get to know you some more.

1. What kind of music do you listen to? Why?
2. What's your number one favorite movie (of all-time)? Just one!
3. What's your favorite city? Why?
4. Where would you like to go to next? Why?
5. What is your favorite quote?
6. Describe your typical day.
7. What is your passion in life?
8. How many kids do you want? Have you named them already?
9. Do you have any addictions? To what?
10. What is your ultimate favorite book? Why?

My answers:
1. What kind of music do you listen to? Why?
I listen to a wide range of songs from the oldies to the latest tunes on the radio. I also like listening to Spanish, Arabic & French songs.

2. What's your number one favorite movie (of all-time)? Just one!
"City of Angels" because he gave up being an angel just to be with her. Yet it doesn't end happily since she dies. I like it because it is realistic in the sense that we don't really get what we long for in life.

3. What's your favorite city? Why?
Paris! I love the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre and all the other museums and the cuisine. But mostly just sitting in a quaint cafe to watch life go by and people watch.

4. Where would you like to go to next? Why?
Spain and Portugal. Simply because I've never been there.

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

6. Describe your typical day.
Check my emails, shower, run errands, meet clients if need be, home, dinner, watch tv, go online to do some work, chat, sleep.

7. What is your passion in life?
Traveling is my passion!

8. How many kids do you want? Have you named them already?
No kids for me, thanks!

9. Do you have any addictions? To what?
Yes, I'm addicted to chocolates, chatting and movies.

10. What is your ultimate favorite book? Why?
Almost Heaven" by Marianne Wiggins. It moved me beyond words. It was poignant and the author was vividly graphic in her details.

OK yalla it's your turn! Come on now, don't be shy! :)

Great bales of hay!
The moment I saw that the teams in the Amazing Race were in Sweden, I knew they had to feature IKEA. I love that store.
Their largest branch in the world is in Stockholm. Holy Cow I could spend days in that store. I definitely can assemble that desk with my eyes closed. Me being the DIY gal in this family.
I always knew Sweden was a beautiful country but watching it on the show made me more aware of just how picturesque it is.
But that last roadblock was something else!
Rolling through bales of hay to find the next clue is sheer madness.
I felt so sorry for Lena & Kristy that they weren't lucky enough to find it.
But hats off to Lena for persevering and not giving up for 8 hours!
They were a dynamic duo. Too bad they got eliminated.
I admire Don & Mary Jean for being the oldest team yet they are full of energy and have such strong will power!
But I'm actually rooting for Freddy & Kendra. I don't know why. I guess I just like their chemistry.

Something to start a brand new month with!
1. Where were you an hour ago?
Here at home, chatting with E

2. state your full name?
Daphne Laura P. Q

3. do you like your name?
Yes except when people mispronounce it

4. can you remember what you did on the first day of school?
Hmmm probably cried my eyes off

5. what are you going to do first thing tomorrow?
Check my emails then take a shower

6. what did u feel upon receiving surveys like these?
I like answering them

7. at what age you first learn to use a pc?
20

8. do u think u could live without a pc?
no.

9. do you feel lonely right now?
yes.

10. have you ever eaten any exotic food?
no, i'm not brave enough

11. What was your last illness?
is menstrual cramps an illness?

12. do you like listening to rap music?
No

13. have you ever thought of driving the train at MRT?
nope

14.what did you do last November 1 2003?
went to Loyola to visit my grandparents tombs

15. which do you prefer? sunny or rainy days?
rainy days.

16. when was the last time you browsed the bible?
Oh geeez probably when I was in grade school.

17. Do you have a pet?
No

18. What is the brand of your first wristwatch?
A mickey mouse watch, I forgot the brand

19. Look to your back, what do you see?
my bed and the aircon

20. what can you say to your friends?
May God bless you all always!

21. Do you sing while taking a bath?
yes

22. What is the last dream you remember?
I was somewhere where it was freezing cold and snowing hard and I was truly happy

23.what do u usually do if ur mad?
I talk to my friends

24. do you agree on the saying to forgive is to forget?
no

25. can you ride a bicycle?
no

26. last thing you held before using the computer?
the remote control

27. Where is that place you always dream of?
Paris where I wake up each morning and I see the Eiffel Tower from every room in my apartment

28. When was the last time your tears fell?
when my father suffered a mild stroke

29. What will you do after this?
sleep