Shaken not stirred

The James Bond franchise turned 50, this year.  I'm 44 years old so yes I grew up watching most of the films featuring this slick British agent provocateur who fought against outlandish villains, bedded beautiful women, likes his martini 'shaken not stirred' - all done under Her Majesty's secret service.

Growing up, I always associated James Bond movies with fancy gadgets, exotic locales, Bond girls, the familiar James Bond theme music (which is now currently playing in my mind!).

It also came with amazing soundtrack composed of songs made famous by artists like Matt Monro ("From Russia with Love"), Shirley Bassey ("Diamonds are Forever"), Sheena Easton ("For Your Eyes Only") and Duran Duran ("A View to a Kill") to name a few.

So there is no way I would have missed  Daniel Craig as 007 in the 23rd offering of the longest running film franchise of all time.  It has to be said that I absolutely adore Daniel Craig in all of his films so seeing him as James Bond is quite an intensely thrilling experience! 

I really recommend "Skyfall" it is one of the best James Bond movies I've seen!

4 More Years

Millions spent on campaign sorties.  All of them manned by an effective team made up of volunteers and experts.  3 heated debates in which they argued on a variety of issues.  An assortment of campaign ads which I don't get the privilege to watch. 

It all led to an important date - November 6, 2012.  Or the morning of Wednesday, November 7 in this part of the globe.

America has voted and decided they want 4 more years of a Democratic President.

As I watched the extensive coverage of CNN on the election, I couldn't help but admire how seamlessly the whole process unfolded in one single day.  I didn't see any long lines of people waiting for their turn outside voting precincts.  No confusion and chaos as people looked for their names on the long voters list posted on the walls.  No election observers from major political parties crowding the entrance to voting precincts handing out sample ballots. No piles of garbage filled with 'kodigo' or the list of people to vote for.  Everything was orderly and well organized.  

Then a few hours later, the results were announced. The defeated candidate conceded graciously. The winner gave his victory speech.  End of process.  No claims of cheating or electoral sabotage. 

People partied till the wee hours of the morning and now wake up with a newly elected President who has a tough mandate to deliver his programs to the best of his ability.   Time to move on and get to work.    

No qualms about it, he has a tough job to do but I think America chose wisely. I'm not a Democrat nor a Republican when it comes to my political affiliations. I find myself right smack in the middle between being a liberal and a conservative. Besides, I'm not qualified to vote because I'm not a citizen of the US of A.   But as a keen observer of the electoral process which unfolded in just a single day, I can't help but wish our local elections set for next year will be as organized and a hassle free process!

Sumo San @ Edsa Shangri-la Mall

I've been meaning to eat at Sumo San @ the Shangri-la Mall for the longest time.  On a few occasions, we found ourselves in the area, the Japanese restaurant was always full and we didn't want to wait as our tummies were already grumbling.

For my 44th birthday last month, I decided to call ahead to reserve a table for four. My parents got there early so they decided to order California Roll (P258.00) for appetizers.

When I got there, I was totally confused on what to order as their menu was quite extensive. The menu itself was quite heavy but it did have pictures of the dishes they offered.   I just went by my gut feeling and ordered what I thought look and hopefully tasted good. 

I added Crunchy Tuna Roll (P238.00) to our appetizers.  For our main course, I ordered the Rib Eye Teppan (P779.00) and Gindara (P778.00).  

As well as the customary noodles for long life dish - Seafood Yakisoba (P258.00).

Conclusion: The portions of the dishes are a bit small but quite tasty.  Their menu is quite extensive as they serve steaks, seafood and sushi.  A distinct Westernized Japanese flavor is the main cuisine.  A bit pricey but the family friendly ambiance makes it conducive for celebrating special occasions.

Kids birthday parties

A few weekends ago, D & I were invited to the baptism/1st birthday party of the son of a co faculty member.   These birthday parties are quite fun. There are many games (well for the kids), and of course plenty of food to feast on.

Yet I always feel a bit awkward. It is being quite apparent during these sort of happy occasions that we stand out as the childless couple. It used to be quite exhausting to keep explaining that we don't have kids, not out of choice but out of circumstances which are beyond our control.

Nowadays, I leave it to D to do the 'explaining', I simply smile like I know something they don't.   When the truth is I don't really understand why despite our numerous efforts we still haven't been blessed with an offspring.  

It has been almost 2 years now that I gave up the 'battle'.  There are days when I still wonder if I made the correct decision. Other days, I shrug and accept the fact that we will be a childless couple.  While other days (after all, there are 30/31 days in a month!) I still burst into tears whenever I hear that friends and friends of friends are expecting and will soon be mothers.

D has been reassuring me that it is just how life is. We win some, we lose some. But what's important is we remain true to our faith and accept that challenges and struggles are also part of God's plan for us.   Amen.

Serenity

I guess it is more PC (politically correct) to be called a stay at home wife rather than a 'plain housewife', these days.   Frankly, I don't see any vivid difference because they both  basically convey the same notion.  

For the past decade now I've been a homebody ergo I don't have a 9 to 5 job but it doesn't mean I got it easy.  I guess in same way, I'm lucky because I don't have to commute daily,  deal with traffic and office politics. But it has its disadvantages too which I'd probably tackle in another post.

So long weekends, school holidays doesn't basically get me all excited because for me it is just a couple of days or a couple of weeks when D is home the entire day.  Since he is a homebody too, we just basically coop up in front of our respective PCs (personal computer) lost in our own virtual realm for hours on end.

Yes I know, it sounds pretty boring, right? But believe me, it is also these moments when I find myself at my happiest with a serene and peaceful vibe that envelops me like a warm blanket on a chilly day.

Each of us totally focused on our own activities. Often, no words are spoken as we both wear earphones to listen to our respective genre of music. D prefers to listen to jazzy tunes.  I'm more inclined towards songs from the 1960s to the 1980s range.

An eerie silence permeates the entire apartment. But we are at peace, our hearts are smiling, contentment reigns.

Yes life is grand, indeed. :D

The house on a hill

Since my parents are now in their 70s, my sister and I deemed it would be much better and very convenient for them to stay at a centrally located place.  Since my sister now lives aboard and I've relocated after my marriage,  the condo has been their home.  A sanctuary that is quite accessible to the malls, places of worship, places that provide public utility services and everything else that one needs for a comfortable lifestyle.

But we still visit our house in the hills occasionally.  Coincidentally, I named my blog after the subdivision where our bungalow is located.  Our single detached house is still fully furnished and contains most of the trinkets and souvenir items we've accumulated from several of our travels as well as our stints overseas.  

So every time I enter its premises, memories just keep rushing in from all corners of our bungalow.  From pieces of furniture bought from exotic places, beaded curtains that adorn the rooms, wooden carvings and souvenir porcelain plates of different shapes and sizes that hang from the walls to numerous photo albums containing pictures taken in different countries.

The time frame of these pictures range from our toddler years up to the time we came back for good, 10 years ago.  An era of pigtails, thick eyeglasses, bulky shoulder pads spanning different hairstyles.  As well as the period before the onset of the digital camera.  

Unfortunately, some of the photographs are already discolored from the ravages of time.  They are also gathering dust in albums stocked into piles of boxes that are now misshapen from years of neglect.  I know I need to salvage them before it is too late.

Actually that is my main resolution for next year. Until then, I guess I have 2 months to figure out how to go about this task.  As well as canvass for an affordable scanner that can magically transform memories into digital form.  How exciting!

La Familia

D has been on sem break for several weeks now so we decided to go early to visit our departed ones.  The ashes of his father who died 3 years ago in Seattle are buried in a crypt beside the Loreto Church in Sampaloc.  It is a small yet intimate enclosure so it doesn't get as crowded as in the public cemeteries.

Sad to say I never met his father in person but from the stories I've heard about him, he seemed like a jolly fun person who lived life to the fullest until he passed away at the ripe old age of 95 years old.

The remains of my grandparents on both sides are located in cemeteries that are simply too far for us to visit.  I know it is only once a year but frankly I don't really do well in crowds so I deem it is best I avoid these kinds of situations.

I remember my maternal grandparents quite fondly. Though they were quite strict, they were the epitome of good moral values. They taught us to be God fearing individuals who must be respectful, value the dignity of everyone and understand that the family is the most important unit of society.

During past holidays, several generations would all gather in the ancestral house to partake a hearty meal with lengthy conversations peppered with laughter.  My grandmother would arrange all her Spanish inspired dishes on the large dining table adorned with her fine china and silver cutlery.  We would all eat till we would burst. It was so much fun. I really miss those reunions.

Nowadays, my cousins are all living in different far flung locations it is quite rare that we all get together during holidays. I guess times have changed, the present generation are composed of smaller units who celebrate with their immediate family.  I only get to see them through pictures they post on their FB.  I guess what's important is that we still adhere to the dictates of our grandparents.

Blogging challenge

It's the first day of the 11th month of the year 2012.

I've given myself this task for the entire month of November.

I will try to blog every day.

Quite a daunting challenge as it seems my brain cells have dried up.

Along with my skin which now requires tons of body lotion.

As well as facial moisturizer which tend to make my face look 'shiny'.

Hopefully I find interesting subject matters to rant about.

So wish me luck! :D