my random thoughts

tweet, tweet, tweet....

2009-07-15T20:46:00.000+08:00

i'm now on twitter. my goodness.

http://twitter.com/angelshaney

My Privilege/Loyalty/Discount Cards

2009-06-21T19:40:00.004+08:00

i really don't know when i became interested in privileges/loyalty/discount cards. all i know is that i'm a sucker for discounts and freebies.

since i got my Enjoy card this morning, i rearranged the cards in my wallet.

these are the cards i have (aside from my ATM card, credit card, and debit cards):

1. Enjoy Card
- privileges and discounts from different establishments in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Boracay

2. Ayala Malls A Card
- discounts and freebies in more than 1,000 participating merchant stores in all Ayala Malls
- unlimited use of the Customer Lounges
- free use of E-Lounge in Glorietta
- reserved seats for 2 to Ayala Mall shows
- exclusive invitations to movie block screenings, sale events, workshops, and promos
- expresslane for Cinema ticket purchases
- exclusive freebies on special occasions
- free use of telephone at the Ayala Malls A Card Booth or Concierge

3. SM Advantage Card
- points earned for every purchase which can be used to redeem any item in the stores
- members-only privileges such as exclusive sales, discounts, and freebies

4. Fully Booked Discount Card
- 10% discount for cash payment
- 5% discount for credit card payment

5. Powercard Plus
- 10% discount on cash purchases
- 5% discount on credit card purchases
- points are earned for every purchase made which are converted to peso

6. Laking National Card
- points earned for every purchase which are converted to peso
- discounts on selected books and non-book items on special occasions
- free gift wrapping services on special occasions
- free e-mail alerts on in-store promos and events
- discounts and freebies from partner establishments
- pre-sale privilege at the annual Cut Price Book Sale
- free premium item for every P1000 accumulated purchase during the program's anniversary month
- special privileges during in-store events

7. Rustan's Fresh Card
- points earned for every purchase

8. Bench Loyalty Card
- points earned for every purchase which are converted to peso

9. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Swirl Card
- points earned for every purchase which are converted to peso

10. 2009 Lifestyle Card from Philosophy by Mikaela (from Belle de Jour Power Planner)
- 5% discount on all services
- 10% discount on hair care therapy
- earn points for credits and chance to get free vouchers
- free haircut and hair therapy on cardholder's birthday

11. Iora Privilege Card
- lifetime discount card
- 10% discount on cash payments
- 5% discount on credit card payments

are all of these useful to me? yes, they are. :)

The Time Traveler's Wife: Movie Trailer

2009-06-21T14:52:00.004+08:00

finally! the movie version of one of my all-time favorite books, The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger will be shown on August 14, 2009. i have been waiting for it for as long as i could remember. (my previous post about it)

here's the trailer of the movie. it already made me teary-eyed. plus... Broken by Lifehouse is the theme song. aaawww....

My Barkada Blog

2009-06-21T14:40:00.003+08:00

after 2 months of not updating this blog, i'm back. i was not absent from the blogging scene. i was just in my barkada's blog.

yup. my college friends and i created a group/barkada blog. we just want to rant and share about the ups and downs of our lives. thus, the barkada blog.

The Coffee Table Blog
stories, thoughts, rants, and musings as we go through the daily grind of life
http://thecoffeetableblog.blogspot.com/

Enjoy Card: The Philippines' Premiere VIP Privilege Card

2009-06-21T14:24:00.002+08:00

i learned about the Enjoy card from the blog of Cecile Van Straten/chuvaness. as a privilege/discount/loyalty card addict, i got really interested.

i visited the Enjoy website and placed an order last Friday night. i got a confirmation call yesterday then received my card this morning. that was fast. so i can now enjoy the privileges offered here in Manila and in Boracay when i go there on October.

the really cute tin can

my card and the vouchers

The Sims 3: Bringing My Addicition to the Next Level

2009-06-20T15:02:00.002+08:00

i finally got my copy of The Sims 3 this afternoon at DataBlitz, TriNoma. good thing i reserved a copy a few weeks ago so i also got a shirt and a mug.

i bought the Collector's Edition which includes the following:

- The Sims 3
- 2 GB USB drive and carabiner
- European styled sports car download
- New The Sims 3 theme music
- Prima Tips and Hints Guide
- $10 worth of SimPoints to shop online

the 2 GB USB drive

i became a Sims addict 5 years ago when i saw a feature about it in Studio 23's old show, Digital Tour. there were a few times when i didn't go to work just to play Sims. hahaha. of course, i will not do that again no matter how tempting it is. right. :P

*here are all the Sim games that i played. i still play some of them in the PSP and Nintendo DS.

Desktop: The Sims 2 and all the expansions except for Mansion and Garden Stuff
Laptop: The Sims 3, The Sims Life Stories, The Sims Castaway Stories
Game Boy Advance: The Sims 2, Sims Bustin' Out, The Urbz: Sims in the City
Nintedo DS: The Sims 2, My Sims
PSP: The Sims 2: Castaway
PS 1: Sim City 2000, Sim Theme Park
PS 2: The Sims 2 Castaway, The Sims 2 Pets

just swimming by...

2009-04-21T12:35:00.000+08:00

on vacation.....

thoughts on a sleepless night: part neuf

2009-04-10T02:40:00.003+08:00

... Kkot boda Namja (Boys Over Flowers), the Korean Version of Hana Yori Dango has finally ended. i still couldn't get enough of it so i've been watching reruns these past few days. the Korean F4 is love!!! lol.

... aside from watching Kkot boda Namja, i also watched Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend). it is a live action series based from the manga written by Yuu Watase. jeez. i couldn't believe that i cried over Tenjo Night when i have been rooting for Asamoto Soshi. :P

... the theme song of Zettai Kareshi (Okaeri by Ayaka) has been singing in my head all day so i downloaded it.

... as usual, i've been busy playing different wars and games in Facebook.

... i haven't blogged about F1 coz i feel lazy. the Ferrari team doesn't have points yet coz Kimi and Massa aren't doing well. i don't care. haha. i've been rooting for Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel.

... early this year, i saw an F1 calendar with 3 of my favorite drivers - Kimi, Lewis, and Nico on the cover. i didn't buy it coz i didn't have enough money that time. damn.

... one of the TV shows i watch, Greek, is back.

... David Cook and David Archuleta will have a concert here on May 16. i'm still pondering on whether i'll watch or not.

... i have been reading mangas and watching Asian dramas since the week started so i haven't organized some of my stuff yet.

... i'm looking forward to my niece's first ballet recital next week.

... i am totally crushing on Kim Bum, Kim Hyun Joong, and Mizushima Hiro!

... i wish that Lil would be the next one eliminated in American Idol 8.

... Paulo Coelho has a new book. i haven't bought any of his book since i got disappointed over The Zahir (which i haven't finished reading) and Eleven Minutes.

... i'm starting to like Adam Lambert. i like his rendition of Mad World.

... i've been sleeping really late this week. it has been a long time since i slept this late.

that's all for now.

weird encounter

2009-04-03T01:13:00.002+08:00

i was very bored yesterday so i went to Makati to window shop in Greenbelt, Landmark, Glorietta, and SM. when i went to the ladies' room in Landmark (the one near the shoes department), a lady suddenly talked to me. we were in front of the mirror fixing ourselves. she asked me if i'm a Filipino. i told her that i am. then she introduced herself to me. she said that she's a Thai and she's from Bangkok. she's here in the Philippines to open a "bisnet". i think she means "business" though i didn't correct her. i just listened to what she was saying. she's looking for someone who could speak English well and could help her with her "bisnet." i just said okay and nodded my head while powdering my face. she then got her box of calling cards and gave me one. i accepted it and put it in my bag. i didn't ask questions about her "bisnet" because i'm not interested. i could help her with the English thing, but i have more important things to do. she then got her pen and paper and asked me for my number. i asked her why. her friend, also a Thai, suddenly appeared on the other side of me and told me that it's okay so that i could have new friends. ow-kay. i don't give my numbers to strangers so i told them that i'm a college student and my parents forbid me from giving my number to strangers. i apologized then immediately left the restroom.

i don't know why, but for some reason, i am always approached by foreigners (Indians, Koreans, Japanese). those people have only one question to me:

how do i go to _____?
where is _____ located?

their question is always about directions. i sometimes ask myself if i look like a map for them to ask me for directions. but the incident yesterday was something i didn't expect. i thought that the Thai lady would ask me how to go to Greenbelt or where is a particular store located. she must have been really desperate for her to talk to me and try to do "bisnet" with me. i didn't throw the calling card she gave me. i'll put it in my journal as a remembrance of my weird encounter.

just updating...

2009-04-02T15:45:00.004+08:00

- i haven't updated this blog for a long time because i was busy with work. there were lots of activities in school last February and March. they were tiring but fun.

- i'm on vacation right now. i'll be back in school after the Holy Week in time for our school's summer program. i'm assigned to do Reading tutorials. aside from that, i'll help out in the preparations for the opening of the grade school. i will no longer handle the Nursery class because i got transferred in the grade school department. i am both nervous and excited about this. it's going to be a whole new adventure for me. but whatever happens, i am positive that i'll survive.

- i've been preoccupied with updating my book blog. i've been reading a lot these past few weeks and writing book reviews in my book blog. i also attended different book discussions. i'm trying to catch up on my reading. i'm still not halfway through because there are still a lot of unread books in my room. hopefully, i'll be able to read at least half of them this summer.

- last Sunday, i was really happy because F1 is back. i'll be posting a blog entry about it one of these days. :)

- i no longer have a Friendster account. i cancelled it last February. totally no regrets.

that's all for now. be back soon. :)

Para Kay B (Ricky Lee): Power Book Club Discussion for January 2009

2009-01-27T22:59:00.000+08:00

The first book club discussion of Powerbooks for this year featured Para Kay B by Ricky Lee. It was held at Powerbooks, TriNoma last Saturday, January 24, 2009. It was a very interesting day because aside from discussing the book, Mr. Lee was there to answer our questions and to sign our books.

During the discussion:

Mr. Ricky Lee signing my book:

The Power Book Club with Mr. Ricky Lee:

The Power Book Club, Mr. Ricky Lee, and his entourage:

My signed book:

All I could say about the discussion is that I really enjoyed it. :)

* a re-post from my book blog.

I Hate Everyone

2009-01-22T17:42:00.002+08:00

Some stupid chick in the checkout line
Was paying for beers with nickels and dimes
And some old man who clipped coupons
Had argued whenever they wouldn't take one
All I wanted to was buy some cigarettes
But I couldn't take it anymore so I left

I hate everyone (4x)

All the people on the street, I hate you all
And the people that I meet, I hate you all
And the people that I know, I hate you all
And the people that I don't, I hate you all
Oh, I hate you all

Some fucking asshole just cut me off
And gave me the finger when I fucking honked
Then he proceeded to put on the brakes
He slammed on the brakes, but I made a mistake
When I climbed out of my van he was waiting
But he was six three and two hundred pounds of Satan

I hate everyone (4x)

All the people on the street, I hate you all
And the people that I meet, I hate you all
And the people that I know, I hate you all
And the people that I don't, I hate you all
Oh, I hate you all

I bet you think I'm kidding
But I promise you its true
I hate most everybody
But most of all I hate
Oh, I hate you

All the people on the street, I hate you all
And the people that I meet, I hate you all
And the people that I know, I hate you all
And the people that I don't, I hate you all
And the people in the east, I hate you all
And the people I hate least, I hate you all
And the people in the west, I hate you all
And the people I like best, I hate you all
Oh, I hate you all

* a song by Get Set Go

this is the song i listen to when i'm in a crappy mood. it makes me feel better.

Where the Hell is Matt?

2009-01-18T20:00:00.002+08:00

during the holiday break, i spent most of my time just surfing the net. i came across this video which really touched my heart.

just sharing.

25 Years and Counting

2009-01-18T11:16:00.006+08:00

one of the highlights of my 2008 was my 25th birthday. just like a child, it was something i look forward to by having my usual countdown. some of the people i know dreaded the day they would turn 25. according to them, they don't want to experience the so-called "quarter life crisis." as for me, i already experienced an early quarter life crisis. i still have that crisis up to this day. i already know what to do about it. i just don't have the courage to do it yet. i'm still prepping myself so that when the day comes i have to announce to the people who matters to me about my decision, i would be strong enough to stand by whatever decision i made. just like in one of my favorite Switchfoot songs, This Is Your Life:

yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
yesterday is a promise that you've broken
don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes
this is your life and today is all you've got now
yeah, and today is all you'll ever have
don't close your eyes don't close your eyes

this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, are you who you want to be
this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose

on to how i celebrated my birthday...

it was a cold morning when i woke up. i went to church together with my Mom and Kuya. i thanked God for giving me another year in my life. then we went home and had breakfast. i dressed up for work and actually looked forward to it. i usually do not work on my birthday. i go out to relax and enjoy my day. but that day was different. i went to work.

as soon as i arrived in school, my Nursery students greeted me. every time they passed by me, they greeted me "Happy Birthday." we had our usual morning routine like the circle time, presentation of lesson and workbook activity. during recess time, the first ones who went out to wash their hands were the girls. when they came back, they were all holding yellow daisies and lined up in front of me to give me the flowers. the next were the boys. when they came back, they all have single red roses which they gave to me. it was really sweet. for the second time in my life, i appreciated flowers. the first one was back in college from a guy i barely knew. i played a joke on him and he thought i was serious. so he gave me flowers as an apology the next time we met. i couldn't stop laughing after that. in my entire existence, i usually throw the flowers given to me or give them to strangers. i hate flowers. i know it's mean. but i really hate them. anyway, i kept the flowers my students gave me and i sincerely like them.

in my afternoon class, my students gave me a cake. they sang "Happy Birthday." i couldn't remember the last time people sang Happy Birthday to me. then we ate the cake. it was indeed a sweet birthday at work.

it was a simple and sweet birthday i would never forget.

after two months...

2009-01-17T20:45:00.003+08:00

... i'm back in the blogging scene.

a lot happened in my life in the past 2 months. it was not the usual work-home-work-home. there are just so many of them that it feels like they happened in a span of one year. you see, i live a boring life and events don't usually happen. a lot has been going on in my life and they don't seem to stop. but i'm not complaining. in fact, i'm happy about it whether the experiences i had were good or bad. at least something is happening in my life. i know that it's already 2009 and i should be telling stories of present events. but i want to share the memorable experiences i had especially to my friends who are far away.

2008 has been one of the best years of my life. this year, i'm going to make it even better. :)

Late Birthday Gift

2009-01-17T16:53:00.003+08:00

almost a year ago, i posted an entry about my Early Birthday Wish. i celebrated my 25th birthday exactly a month ago but i didn't receive it from anyone who cares enough to give me a gift. not that i'm complaining. i'm a very shallow person so an SMS birthday greeting is enough for me. i also forgot that birthday wish coz i was preoccupied with other things that time.

so this afternoon, i went to the mall to buy some school supplies and a book (Para Kay B by Ricky Lee). my first stop was National Bookstore, SM North Edsa. that branch of NBS is the nearest store that sells ink cartridges for my Inoxcrom fountain pens. i also bought a blue folder which my Dad needs. as usual, any trip to the bookstore would not be complete without checking out the books. there were books on sale but i didn't see anything interesting.

then i went to Fully Booked, The Block coz it has been a long time since i have been there. i have to stop myself from buying all the books i like. good thing i only brought enough money for the things i plan to buy. when i approached the shelf of Moleskines, i saw a pink pocket notebook. pink. my favorite color. when i got it, i saw that it's a pocket volant. oh my. Moleskine Volants are available here! i really wanted to buy it but i don't have enough money so i just left. but i promised myself to be back as soon as possible to buy that pink Moleskine.

i immediately went to Powerbooks, TriNoma to buy the book and to sign up for the book club. i also bought 2 Read Magazines, one of which has Christopher Paolini on the cover. *sigh*. i strolled around the store and noticed that there were only 2 shelves of Young Adult books. what the heck happened to the other shelves? i hope that on my next visit, the other shelves would be back. since i have nothing else to do, i left the store.

but before going home, i passed by Fully Booked Express. as soon as i entered the store, i found myself going straight to the Moleskine shelf. lo and behold, there were 2 large Moleskine Volant in pink! i couldn't resist anymore so i went to the nearest ATM and rushed back to Fully Booked to buy the pink Moleskines. i got it on a discounted price since i have a Fully Booked discount card. i know that it's an impulse buy. BUT, it was my birthday gift to myself and there were 2 stocks left so i have to buy one in case they never replenish their stocks again. well, i asked one of the staff and she told me she's not sure when they'll have stocks. so it's really great that i bought one of the two remaining stocks.

i know that getting excited over a pink notebook seems weird. i still have lots of notebooks to fill so why buy a new one? i'm not really sure. all i know is that i'm very happy right now coz my shallow birthday wish came true even if it's one month late. FYI, Moleskine Volant was not available here during the time i posted that blog entry and the months after that. so seeing and holding them in person was something i never expected would happen.

okay. enough of the drama.

Belle de Jour 2009 Power Planner

2008-11-17T18:54:00.015+08:00

the BDJ planners i ordered from Grab It Now Online Shop arrived at 8AM today while i was dressing up for work. i was so excited that i immediately opened the packages. because of that, i arrived in school 5-10 minutes before class would start. haha. i have been waiting for my planner ever since it was announced that online ordering is open.

here are the pictures of the planners i ordered.

The Packages

6 Planners I Ordered: Mine, Ate Dimples, Ate Cherie, Ate Joy, Ate Dimples' friend, the friend of Ate Dimples' friend

Freebie from Apple of Grab It Now

Philosophy by Mikaela Card (for online buyers)

Front Cover

Cover Page

Emergency Notepad and Coupon Holder

Greetings from BDJ Team

Pages on How to Maximize the Power Planner

2009 Goals Page

Someday, Maybe List; Vision Statement

Dream Board Page

Coupon Completion Promo

Some Coupons

Health Checklist Page

Menstrual Tracker Pages

Birthday List Pages

Vacation Planner Page

More Coupons

Christmas Gift List Page

January 2009 Cover Page

Monthly Priorities / Social Calendar / "Me" Time / "I'm grateful for" List / Expense Details

At a month's glance...

Weekly Page

Big Rocks / Priorities for the Week

Gap Time (5 min. Tasks) / Errand List

Most Important Tasks (MIT) + Action List

Forward Planning Page

Lifestyle Directory Pages

Emergency Information Page

Contact Infos Page

Calendar

Back Cover

i already filled up the information box and the birthday list. i'm so excited that i wish it's 2009 now so i could start using it. i'm also excited to use the 60 coupons included in the 2009 planner even if i still haven't used some of my 2008 coupons from this year's planner. haha. but i'll be using the 2008 coupons in the weeks to come since it's the holiday season.

so go and buy this planner now because stocks run out really fast. you wouldn't want to miss the ultimate planner. =)

*Belle de Jour Power Planner

Last Hangout with Jo for 2008

2008-11-12T22:02:00.004+08:00

i met up with my friends this afternoon to claim our yearbook. we graduated 4 years ago but our yearbook became available recently only. really nice.

anyway, one of the reasons we met was also to spend time with Jo who will leave on Saturday (Nov.15) to work in Singapore. after claiming our yearbook, we had dinner at one of the restos in the Petron station in Katipunan (the one beside the La Vista gate). after dinner, we just hanged out in Starbucks and talk.

Me and Jo (with Tin at the background. pa-cute! haha.)

Jo, Aie, Tin, Edel, Me

Jo and her yearbook page

Jo and Aie

Edel, Me, Jo, Aie

Edel, Me, Jo, Aie, Tin

we will surely miss Jo very much. :)

Jo's Send-Off Party at Frii Spirit, Katipunan

2008-11-10T16:07:00.008+08:00

after attending Erin's birthday party, my friends and i went straight to Frii Spirit in Katipunan for a surprise party for Jo. it is Jo's dream to become a rockstar so we gave her a chance to be one for a night.

Jo, the Rockstar for the Night

Aie on Bass

Me on Vocals (nyahaha...)

i'm now the drummer

Edel on Vocals

The Screen

Aie withTin, our photographer for the night (hehehe...)

Little Drummer Girl

Aie, now on Vocals (emote talaga!)

with Johanna and Maw finally joining us

Maw and Me (i sucked at the guitar. i'm better at singing and playing the drums. hahaha.)

Johanna

Ms. Rockstar playing the drums

back at singing

Ms. Rockstar is now singing. galing! hehe.

Me vs. Jo, boxing (i lost!)

Tin vs. Jo

Maw vs. Tin

we sure had a lot of fun. we kept on losing Rock Band at the start. but it's okay. the important thing is we made Jo very happy that night.

we'll miss you Jo!

=)

PS: here are some videos of our performances. pardon my voice for i am not a singer. i'm better at singing Nursery Rhymes. hehehe.

Erin's 1st Birthday Party at Manila Polo Club

2008-11-09T23:13:00.010+08:00

Ojane's youngest daughter, Erin, celebrated her 1st birthday this afternoon at the Manila Polo Club. even though it was raining very hard and there were floods in some areas, my friends and i went there to join in the celebration of her birthday.

it was a great party. the place was marvelously done by Party Station. the theme of Erin's party was Alice in Wonderland. it really felt like we were in Wonderland. there were giant slides, basketball hoops, snacks from Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, Dippin Dots, and a lot more. my favorite portion of the party was the unlimited pictures by Bai Capture. i would love to have a party like this even though i'm already in my mid-twenties. hehe.

The Cake

The Slide

Basketball Hoops

The decorations:

Other pictures:

Me, Aie, Tin

Edel, Jo, Me, Aie, Tin, Johanna, Maw

Other visitors

With the Queen of Hearts

Tin, Maw, Jo

Johanna, Tin, Maw, Me

Johanna, Tin, Me, Jo

Alice in Wonderland

Jo and Edel looking at the pictures from the photo booth

i wonder why i was holding my neck

Wacky Pictures:

Starbucks Planner Promo

2008-11-04T21:36:00.004+08:00

my blog has many visitors today because of the Starbucks Planner. i have a picture of the Starbucks 2008 planner in this blog entry and that's where most visitors landed after googling it. so why are people looking for the Starbucks planner? well, today is the first day of the Starbucks 2009 Planner promo. yup, it's that time of the year again. but for the first time since 2005, i wouldn't be collecting stickers to get the planner. i know that it has been my tradition for the past 3 years. but not anymore.

i already got myself a planner, the Belle de Jour Power Planner (BDJ). i already paid for it since the news came out about it last October. i am just waiting for the day it would arrive on my doorstep.

for this year, i have 2 planners: BDJ and Starbucks. the BDJ planner is the one i'm using while the Starbucks planner is just lying inside my cabinet. so it would be a total waste if i get myself a Starbucks planner which would just be kept inside my cabinet. besides, i haven't been a loyal Starbucks customer this year. i have been a loyal Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf customer instead.

i used to have my caffeine/choco/green tea fix from Starbucks back in college. but i got more "sort-of" (haha) addicted to it when a store opened near the school where i worked more than 3 years ago. so for almost every day of my life, i went to Starbucks after every work when i don't have a class in UP. i even went there during weekends. i go there to study, read, drink Iced Chocolate/Green Tea Frap/Iced White Mocha/Caramel Macchiato/Hazelnut Mocha, think, relax, meet with friends, etc. some of the baristas there became my friends. even the security guards. i also met lots of people (other customers) there. Starbucks has been my home until i transferred to a new one last March. make that 2 homes: Coffee Bean in TriNoma and The Block. every time i want to relax, study, or just drink coffee/tea, i go to Coffee Bean. i have tasted almost all their drinks and i like them all.

anyway, back to the planner. based from what i've read in the forums i visit, the planner looks like the 2006 planner. it comes in three colors: red, black, and blue. the number of stickers you need to collect is only 15. but the bad news about this year's promo is that Peppermint is no longer included in the holiday drinks. jeez. what is Christmas without Peppermint? the featured drinks for this season are Dark Cherry Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, and Praline Mocha.

but why am i writing about this anyway? i dunno. i guess it just feels weird to break a tradition. i remember completing my stickers in less than a month because i was at Starbucks every day. i even got an extra planner for my Dad. i also helped my sister and some friends complete their stickers. the experience was exciting. but i have to be practical. i have to save my money for more important things. so i guess it's goodbye Starbucks planner for me. at least for now.

2006, 2007, & 2008 Starbucks Planners

Formula One 2008 Final Race

2008-11-03T03:20:00.007+08:00

LEWIS HAMILTON IS THE 2008 F1 WORLD DRIVERS' CHAMPION!!!!!!!!

yes, my bet this year won the title. my last year's bet was Kimi Räikkönen. but Lewis is just so darn good i couldn't help but cheer for him this season. i'm still a Ferrari fan though and i really hope a Ferrari driver would win next year's world title. so would my bet be Felipe Massa? i know that i've been too harsh on him this year. i actually felt sad when he thought he won the title only to find out a few seconds later that he didn't. so maybe i could condition myself on January to like Massa before the race starts on March 29, 2009 in Australia. haha. i'll find out next year.

the Brazilian GP was a really exciting race. it's good that i'm still on vacation so i was able to watch it. the race started at past 1AM here in the Philippines. anyway, i wouldn't yak about what happened on the race because there were just too many things that happened in such a short time. you could just Google them. i'm also still on cloud nine because of Hamilton's win.

before i forget, here are the winners in the Brazilian GP:

1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2. Fernando Alonso (Renault)
3. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)

this picture would have looked better if Massa won this years title. from left: Fernando Alonso (2005-2006 WDC), Felipe Massa (2008 WDC), Kimi Räikkönen (2007 WDC). but of course, that is not the case since Felipe is not the champion.

so this concludes this season's Formula One. as usual, it was an amazing season. see you guys next season!

PS: i hope Kimi gets his title back next year. haha. but i'd still think about if i would bet on Felipe.

*pictures from http://www.f1-live.com

United Nations Day Program 2008 in School

2008-10-26T21:12:00.010+08:00

we had a UN Day Program in school yesterday. the students presented song and dance numbers. my Nursery classes (morning and afternoon) danced Italian and Japanese dances respectively. the days prior to the event were very tiring but it was all worth it. the students enjoyed the program and we received lots of positive reviews from the parents. so now, i'm on vacation or semestral break and will be back in school on November 6.

The Stage

My students seated at the front row

Opening Number

Selected students to recite the Rights of the Child

Kinder PM (Lauterbach Waltz - Swiss Dance)

Kinder AM (Tropanka - Bulgarian Dance)

Kinder PM (Pearly Shell - Hawaiian Dance)

Prep (Carinosa - Filipino National Dance)

Prep (Maglalatik - Filipino Dance)

Prep (Song Number)

The Students

Teacher Ellen, Me, Teacher Lani

i'll upload my Nursery students' pictures as soon as i get them from one of my co-teachers. i wasn't able to take pictures of them coz i was busy guiding/showing them the steps for their dance presentations. would you believe that i taught my Nursery classes Italian and Japanese dances? i never did that during the early years of my teaching career because i don't dance. but now, oh well.

Afterglow

2008-10-06T19:25:00.001+08:00

Just when the days start getting colder,
I walk the streets I never knew
There's some words I never told you,
The sound rings out like the truth

Chorus:
And if you could see what's come over me
Then you would know
Cause I'm walking free
The wind at my back
Bathed in afterglow

As I sit here in this dark room,
All I seem to feel is light
I see color,
I see the maroon in the blood of this life...
That's ours

Chorus

Watch the sun it paints an orange sky
Lay me down and feel the days gone by

Just when the days start getting longer
I walk the streets I never knew...
The sun comes out for you

Chorus

* a song by Vanessa Carlton
* the lines from the song that describes me now:
Cause I'm walking free
The wind at my back
Bathed in afterglow.

October 2008 Get Together With Friends

2008-10-05T00:46:00.004+08:00

i just got home from dinner with my friends last night at Claw Daddy, Shangri-La Mall. the last time i saw them was last August when we had dinner at Cyma also in Shangri-La Mall. i was not able to attend the get-together last month at Red Box, TriNoma because i was at the Manila International Book Fair in SMX Convention Center. i was also not feeling well when i got home (i was sick that week) so i did not go anymore. so when Edel sent a text message about the information for our get-together, i immediately cleared whatever i was planning to do so that i wouldn't miss the dinner. as usual, it was an enjoyable dinner that ended with a dessert from Starbucks.

view from the inside

Ojane, Aie, Edel

Me, Jo, Tin

group shot with our bibs

my placemat after eating. nyaha.

alive again

2008-10-01T21:13:00.004+08:00

i haven't posted much in this blog for the past month. i was busy shopping for books and updating my book blog. yes, i created a blog about books. so all my book-related entries can now be found there.

today is a holiday due to Eid-ul Fitr. i planned on going to the mall to pay my cell phone bill and buy some arts and crafts supplies in National Book Store but there's a typhoon so i'm stuck here at home. to make my day useful, i organized my dresser and disposed things that i no longer use. i also organized my bookshelf to give space to the 23 books i bought last month. it was Literacy Month and there were lots of book fairs and book sales so i took advantage of it by hoarding as much books as i could. i sort-of promised myself that i wouldn't buy books till my birthday. i also have to save money for all the shopping i will do on December.

so far my life is good. i've been reading a lot again. i meet with old friends to talk and enjoy each other's company. i endure the whims and panic attacks of my boss. some of my students who hated me and the school when they first came are now happy to see me. i feel alive again after feeling like a robot and zombie these past few months.

here is a poem that i wrote to describe myself in Friendster:

i was lost
i looked around
found my passion
it was just there
i'm alive again
loving
living
never letting go.

2008 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix

2008-09-29T19:32:00.002+08:00

the first ever night race in F1 history. though i wasn't able to watch it live, i was able to watch it in the family room of our house. haha.

during the first few laps, the race was very boring. things started to become interesting when Felipe Massa (Ferrari) had a pit stop fiasco. the electronic lollipop turned green even though the fuel hose was still attached to his car. he left the pit but stopped at the side because the hose needs to be removed. he was the race leader but because of what happened, he fell 14 places below. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) was the 5th placer but his car crashed during the last 4 laps of the race. it was definitely not Ferrari's night. McLaren-Mercedes now leads the Constructor's Championship with 135 points followed by Ferrari with 134 points.

the most surprising event of the race was Fernando Alonso's (Renault) win. he was 15th from the grid but managed to get on top. i am not a big Alonso fan and i hated him for beating Michael Schumacher in previous F1 seasons. but i felt happy for him. it was his first podium finish this season.

the winners:
1. Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2. Nico Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
3. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)

ps: i really wish i was there to see two of my favorite drivers, Nico and Lewis receiving their awards. dang!

next stop: Fuji, Japan. October 10-12, 2008.

Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander D'Italia 2008

2008-09-14T21:50:00.003+08:00

i haven't blogged about the last two races though i was able to watch them. the races were filled with controversies especially the last one where Lewis Hamilton was stripped off his win because of a penalty he made. but he still leads the points though Felipe Massa is just very close behind him (a one-point lead).

anyway, the just concluded race was one of the best races i've seen this season. it's all because of a new face on the podium. a driver from STR-Ferrari or Toro Rosso. of course, you all know who i'm talking about. he's no other than Sebastian Vettel, the youngest winner in the history of F1. he's 21 years old and looks like a teenage boy to me. haha.

when my brother told me that Vettel is on pole, i thought he was kidding me. but when i turned on the TV to watch the race, i was very surprised to see that Vettel is indeed on pole position with the usual winners like Kimi and Lewis at the middle of the pack. even if i'm a Ferrari and Lewis fan (weird combination, i know), i was really happy to see Vettel receiving his well-deserved trophy. it rained in Monza during the qualifying yesterday and the race today, but he still won without any difficulty. it was the first ever win for his team. so let's all be happy for them. :)

the winners:
1. Sebastian Vettel (STR-Ferrari)
2. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. Robert Kubica (BMW)

next stop: SINGAPORE. September 26-28, 2008. the first-ever night race. i won't miss it for anything.

Eating The Cheshire Cat (Helen Ellis)

2008-09-07T19:05:00.000+08:00

* Eating the Cheshire Cat lures us into a world of perfectly planned parties and steep social ladders, where traditional rites of passage take unpredictable and horrifying turns as three girls and their overbearing mothers collide. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, beauty is as beauty does, with axes and knives and killer smiles.

Sarina Summers and her mother will stop at nothing to have it all. Nicole Hicks harbors a fierce obsession with Sarina, which repeatedly undermines Mrs. Hicks's ambitious goals. Bitty Jack Carlson, a nice girl from the wrong side of the tracks, is caught in the crossfire but struggles to succeed outside the confines of this outrageous yet eerily familiar Southern community. It's survival of the fittest. Which girl will come out on top?

Covering everything from summer camp to the University of Alabama's Homecoming game, this fast-paced and unforgettable novel will keep readers guessing until the bitter end.

Among the three characters, Nicole was the one who really got into me. She is so terribly obsessed with Sarina that she revolved her life around Sarina. She stalked her and did everything she could to please Sarina. Aside from her obsession with Sarina, she also like to cut herself. Every time she cuts herself, I close the book and think of something else for a few minutes before reading again. I just couldn't stand it. I once cut my thumb with a blade when I was 8 years old out of curiosity. It hurt like hell so I never did it again. So it somehow amazes me why some people get a kick out of cutting themselves.

Sarina, on the other hand, is the almost perfect and mean girl everyone loves to hate. I don't hate her though. I actually pity her. She does every thing she could to get what she wants but always gets hurt in the end.

Bitty Jack is the nice girl whose life is tormented by Sarina both directly and indirectly. She finally got the explosive revenge she always wanted at the end, but with a conscience that would haunt her for as long as she live.

This book is dark, funny, and crazy. A nice book to read on a lazy afternoon - that is if you don't mind reading about people cutting themselves with blades and chopping off people's fingers with an ax.

Book Shopping 2

2008-09-05T00:35:00.000+08:00

I paid my cell phone bill last Tuesday (September 2) at SM Fairview. That was my only agenda in the mall but I decided to pass by National Book Store since they were on sale. I checked out the books on sale but didn't find anything interesting. So I went to Booksale and found books (hardbound, first editions, good copies) at a really low price. They have a promo until October where hardbound books are priced for as low as P25. How's that for a great buy? Here are the books I bought:

top to bottom: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells (softbound, P15.00); The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller (hardbound, first edition, P30.00); Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton (hardbound, first edition, P45.00)

I'll be back in Booksale soon for more purchases. :)

Book Shopping 1

2008-09-03T19:05:00.004+08:00

I had an impulsive book shopping last August 23 (Saturday) at SM Makati. Almost all my book purchases are actually on an impulse. Tee-hee. :P

I first went to Powerbooks, Greenbelt to check out the books since there were only a few days left before the sale ends. I saw a lot of books that I like but did not buy any. I had some important things to buy first so I decided that I'd come back as soon as I buy the things I needed.

I went to SM Makati to buy the things I needed. While I was walking, I saw the book sale that has been going on for weeks. I have seen that book sale in my previous visits to Makati but I never stopped to browse or buy. When I saw the giant coloring books on display, I decided to check out the books on sale. After almost an hour, I ended up with these purchases:

top (left to right): Breakfast in Babylon by Emer Martin; Like Normal People by Karen E. Bender

bottom (left to right): The Appointment by Herta Muller; Eating the Cheshire Cat by Helen Ellis

The books cost P99 apiece. But there was a promo that if you buy one P99 book, you get another one for free (buy one, take one). So in total, I only paid P198 for all these books. I was really happy with my purchases that I did not go back to Powerbooks, Greenbelt anymore. Though on my way home, I passed by Powerbooks, TriNoma. I stayed there for just a few minutes before I get the chance to deplete my savings account.

Grey's Anatomy Season 5: September 25, 2008

2008-08-23T23:10:00.002+08:00

my favorite group of doctors from Seattle Grace Hospital (aside from the medical team of Dr. House) will be back for another season. hmm... i wonder what will happen to Meredith and McDreamy's relationship. hopefully, George and Lizzie would break up coz i don't really like them together. whatever.

Ugly Betty Season 3: September 25, 2008

2008-08-22T19:54:00.002+08:00

the last episode of Ugly Betty Season 2 was a total cliffhanger. hmm... what was Betty's decision?

based on the video, it seems like she did not say "Yes" to Henry or Gio. there's a new guy. a CUTE guy. lucky Betty.

Heroes Season 3: September 22, 2008

2008-08-21T16:53:00.002+08:00

it's been almost a year since i last watched Heroes. i sort-of forgotten now the events that happened last season. but i'm still very excited on its return. i really miss Hiro. according to one quiz in Tickle.com that i answered (Which Hero Are You?), i am Hiro Nakamura. here's what it says:

Hiro Nakamura

Such a dreamer! Even when you're stuck in a rut, you still reach for the stars. Happy-go-lucky and trusting you may be, but silly you're not — you've definitely got a practical side. And no matter what the future holds for you, we know you'll have fun along the way!

nice. haha.

Yata!

Gossip Girl Season 2: September 1, 2008

2008-08-20T17:49:00.002+08:00

by September, i'm going to have my weekly fix of GG once again.

... will S and D get back together?

... what's going to happen to B and C's relationship?

... why is N running on the street with just his underwear on? i know the answer, but i won't tell you.

... and will Little J continue to irritate me?

i sure miss Gossip Girl.

Greek Season 2: August 26, 2008

2008-08-19T21:37:00.002+08:00

i am the only person i know who watches this TV show. i discovered this in iTunes and got hooked since then. the show will be back on August 26.

i already miss Cappie, Rusty, Casey, Evan, and of course, Beaver. :D

after that, the other TV shows i watch will be back on September and October. so by August 26, my TV life will be alive once again.

and i still have lots of books to read and stories to write. haha. so exciting.

Quezon City Day 2008

2008-08-19T18:47:00.003+08:00

no classes and work today in Quezon City because it is our city's day. but i still went to school this morning to choreograph dance steps for the upcoming Buwan ng Wika celebration next week.

me?! a dancer?! in what universe?!

i know. i actually did not create/make/whatever-you-call-it the dance steps. i just relied on the videos i downloaded from YouTube. my 2 Nursery classes will be performing Itik-Itik and i have to teach them the steps tomorrow. good luck to me.

i went home at around lunch time. i ate then played some games in my laptop. i also took a nap. it was basically a lazy afternoon.

when i woke up, i just surfed the internet.

i downloaded and subscribed to some podcasts from iTunes. here are some of them:
- New Yorker: Fiction
- Sesame Street Podcast
- PRI: Selected Shorts Podcast
- PotterCast: THE Harry Potter Podcast
- MuggleCast: The #1 Harry Potter Podcast
- Imprint: The #1 Twilight Podcast
- Bitten: Twilight Podcasting
- H&M Video Podcast
- GUCCI

i'm actually not yet finished downloading coz there are a lot of them. there are also a lot of podcasts that i plan to download soon.

there goes my day. nothing special.

Twilight the Movie: November 21, 2008

2008-08-17T10:43:00.002+08:00

okay. this is really an exciting news. Twilight will be shown on November instead of December. just like Harry Potter, the release date was moved. hopefully, it would have a worldwide release so it would also be shown here on November. here's a news about it.

so it seems like this year has been a Twilight year for me. i've read the books lots of times since January, anticipated the release of Breaking Dawn, became an active member of different Twilight groups (particularly Twilight Coven Philippines), attended the Breaking Dawn pre-launch party, and attended the Twilight Retrospective Book Discussion. then on November, if the movie would be released here, i would be watching the movie together with fellow Filipino Twilighters. so it goes to show that i'm not a Twilight fan. haha.

ps: the above photo is my laptop's current wallpaper.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Movie: July 17, 2009

2008-08-16T08:56:00.003+08:00

it was supposed to be shown on November this year, but it was moved. here's the news about it.

i'm not really pissed like other muggles. at least, i now have another thing to look forward to next year (aside from the Twilight movie and David Cook's show). haha. yeah right.

but seriously, i'm cool with it.

that's all folks.

Formula 1 ING Magyar Nagydij 2008

2008-08-06T18:46:00.003+08:00

it was supposed to be a great race for Felipe Massa (Ferrari) because he was able to overtake Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) at the start of the race. he was leading the race until his car's engine failed. and there were only 3 laps left. tsk... tsk... not that i cared. haha.

finally, Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes) won his first grand prix. a new face was seen on the podium, Timo Glock (Toyota). Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) was back on the podium after two races.

i actually wasn't able to watch the whole race. but i sure didn't miss Massa's blowup.

the winners:
1. Heikki Kovalainen
2. Timo Glock
3. Kimi Räikkönen

next stop: Valencia, Spain. August 22-24, 2008.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

2008-08-05T19:51:00.009+08:00

WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!

my speculations before the book came out:
- Bella and Edward will be together forever
- Bella will become a vampire
- the Cullen family will face the Volturi at the end
- some characters will die during the violent encounter with the Volturi
- Jacob will imprint on Leah

what happened:
- Bella and Edward lived together forever
- Bella became a vampire
- Bella became pregnant! impregnated by a vampire?! (it's fiction, okay?)
- the Cullen family faced the Volturi at the end with very minimal violence
- a minor character died, Irina, one of the Denali sisters (the only violent event during the Volturi encounter)
- Jacob imprinted on Renesmee, Bella and Edward's daughter

events/people i didn't see coming:
- Bella and Edward's daughter
- Jacob imprinting on Renesmee (B & E's daughter)
- Jacob becoming an Alpha

my reactions/thoughts:
- overall, the book is okay. but i wished there was more. an ending with a BANG!
- the characters (particularly Bella and Jacob) have matured and you couldn't detect the teenage angst they used to have.
- Bella is not as irritating as she was in Eclipse.
- i wished Edward was a little sweet during the first "morning after" or at least pretended to enjoyed what happened instead of being overly concerned with Bella's state even though it was obvious that she's fine and very happy.
- Jacob and Alice have chemistry. i like them together. but that would never happen since the series has just ended. unless...
- Emmett is another character i like. he still made me laugh.
- i cried a little during the farewell scene - the one where Bella and Edward said their goodbyes to Renesmee and Jacob.
- i found the book too long. it brought me back to the time when i read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and felt that the book seems to have no end. but i don't mind. i love reading, anyway. haha.
- Jacob... well, well, well... reading his point of view made me love him. he's just a person in love with someone who couldn't love him back the same way. i could somehow relate to how he feels though the difference between us is that i don't fight. i give up easily. so it's Team Jacob for me now? :D

i never thought that i would love the Twilight series. i like reading love stories, but not mushy ones. as much as possible, i stay away from hardcore romance novels.

when i first encountered the series, i thought to myself: a love story between a human and a vampire? Eww. how cheesy. but curiosity got the best of me so i bought the book. i didn't read it immediately. but when i started reading it, i couldn't put it down. just like Bella, i was dazzled by Edward - the vampire who is now every girl's dream guy. his love for Bella was so intense that i felt it. weird, but true.

so i read the series to find out the fate of Bella and Edward's story. like most Twilighters, i rooted for them. and yes, they ended up together forever.

i am really glad that Bella didn't end up with Jacob. she and Edward belong together.

Jacob is MINE.

:D

okay. i am sort-of disappointed with Breaking Dawn. it wasn't as exciting as i expected. i think if there was no Jacob's POV in the book, it would be ultimately boring. i'm actually glad that Stephenie included it. i now understand Jacob better.

it is fiction, so ridiculous things are expected to happen (i still can't get over the fact that Bella and Edward conceived a child). it is not a brilliant piece of writing. but that doesn't mean that it's not worth the wait. the whole book is not a total waste. questions were answered and the characters were given an ending they deserved. the Twilight series is still a good read. i have to give credit to Stephenie Meyer for writing a book where you can find values needed by today's young adults.

anyway, it's time for me to re-read the whole series. i might appreciate Breaking Dawn better on my second read.

Breaking Dawn Pre-Launch Party in Manila

2008-08-02T22:35:00.010+08:00

i spent my afternoon surrounded with screaming girls. :D

Ate Dimples and i went to Powerbooks, Greenbelt for the Pre-Launch Party of Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. the book will be released on August 4, Monday, here in the Philippines. of course, lots of Filipino Twilighters are very excited about it.

the pre-launch party was organized by Twilight Coven Philippines together with Powerbooks and Hachette Book Group. there were lots of people who attended, mostly females, of course. it was really fun. people screamed with delight every time they hear Edward's name or see Robert Pattinson on-screen. there were more members of Team Edward than Team Jacob. surprisingly, there were also members of Team James and Team Jasper. but my sister and i are members of Team Edward.

there were games during the party like the Twilight Hunt and the Twilight Trivia Challenge. the winners of the games received really cool prizes like a free copy of Breaking Dawn which they can claim on Monday. if they received their copies during the party, they will surely be mugged right then and there. lol.

anyway, here are some pictures during the party.

The Stage

Go Team Edward!

sige na nga... Go Team Bella!

TCP Logo

fellow Filipino Twilighters

Photo Booth for Die-hard Edward Fans

Fan Art Entries

Forks Arcade

The Podiums for the Twilight Trivia Challenge

here are the Twilight pins i ordered from Twilight Coven Philippines:

it was a fun-filled afternoon. i can't hardly wait for Breaking Dawn. O.M.E. (oh my Edward)! :D

Official Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Teaser

2008-07-31T23:52:00.004+08:00

after i read Breaking Dawn, i'm going to re-read the whole Twilight series until i get enough of Edward Cullen (which i think will never happen. haha).

then, i'm going to re-read the Harry Potter series. seems like i'm going to immerse myself in magical/mythical worlds in the next few months (with the exception of Gossip Girl once it returns on September).

Harry Potter still rocks my world. i can't wait for the film's release.

Official TWILIGHT Teaser 2

2008-07-29T22:23:00.002+08:00

this is the new teaser of the film, Twilight. i wish it's already January 2009 so i could finally watch this film. six more days before i could finally land my hands on Breaking Dawn. :)

David Cook in Manila (January 27, 2009)

2008-07-28T22:44:00.003+08:00

i was still on cloud nine because of the Lifehouse concert last Saturday when i came across this news.

O. M. G.

i've been watching this video since last weekend. if this pushes through, i would be able to see David Cook perform live. wow. i would definitely do everything i can to see him up close (and maybe hug him. haha.).

well David, see you in 6 months... :)

Lifehouse in Manila (July 26, 2008)

2008-07-27T00:26:00.005+08:00

wow! i really had an amazing time during the concert just like what i said. they didn't perform Everything which was a bit disappointing, but i still enjoyed the whole concert.

here's the set list during the concert:

Make Me Over
Spin
Am I Ever Gonna Find Out
Simon
Hanging By A Moment
Blind
Take Me Away
Someone Else's Song
From Where You Are
Bridges
Better Luck Next Time
Whatever It Takes
You And Me
First Time

encore:
Disarray
Broken

Jason Wade and the rest of the band members are nice and friendly.

they are all really talented.

even if they didn't perform Everything, at least they performed Blind. i really like this song very much.

as usual, i recorded the songs performed during the concert. they can be found here. i sang along with some songs so you could hear my voice in the background. haha.

i wish they would come back here. i'd definitely watch them again.

... the next thing for me to do is to decide on what concert i'll watch next. :)

Pre-Lifehouse Concert Excitement

2008-07-26T15:47:00.003+08:00

in a few hours, i'll be watching Lifehouse perform live at the Araneta Coliseum. woohoo! i'm so excited. i really hope they play Everything, Blind, Broken, First Time, Sick Cycle Carousel, and of course, their hit singles You and Me and Hanging By A Moment.

The song Everything became one of my favorite songs ever since i heard it in one of the episodes of Smallville. it's so beautiful.

this would be the 7th concert i'll be watching this year. haha. and there'll be more to come.

i'll be back later to share with you the amazing experience i'll have.

ciao!

thoughts on a sleepless night: part huit

2008-07-24T01:01:00.004+08:00

... around this time last year, i was very excited on the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. now, i can't think of anything much except the release of Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer on August 4 here in the Philippines. questions run through my head: will Bella be a vampire? will Bella and Edward have a happy ending? who will Jacob imprint on? how will this wonderful series end?

... if Bella and Edward won't end up together, i really hope she won't end up with Jacob. it's all or nothing. Team Edward all the way.

... i watched the movie, The Dark Knight in TriNoma last Saturday with Ate Dimples. wow! amazing film. it's the best Batman movie i've seen. Heath Ledger's performance was really great. You complete me - The Joker (not Jerry Maguire. haha.).

... i'm back to playing Sims 2 after more than 6 months. i played Sims Life Stories and Sims Castaway Stories instead. but after i finished the stories, it became boring. i don't like the limited fun on the free play. Sims 2 is boring without the expansion packs.

... i'm back to writing in my journal again after a few months. i'm trying to get my groove back.

... hopefully, after i read Breaking Dawn, i would be able to enjoy reading books again.

... i don't know why, but in the past few months, i lost interest in reading and writing - two things i love doing the most.

... during those times i didn't read or write, i discovered something about myself: i could draw. i always thought i couldn't. that is why i'd rather color pictures/drawings using crayons or oil pastels coz those are the things i know i'm good at. not drawing or sketching. but now, i realized i could. it's never too late for anything.

... so maybe i could still learn how to play the violin...

Formula 1 Grosser Preis Santander von Deutschland 2008

2008-07-20T22:40:00.002+08:00

i wasn't able to watch most of the race because i was at my grandma's house and we had a visitor there. we left at past 8pm and arrived home at around 8:30pm. my brother forgot that it was race day so he also missed the first 20 laps of the race. i only caught a few glimpse from the race because i ate dinner and continued playing Sims 2 in my laptop. the only events that i remembered are the crashing of Timo Glock's (Toyota) car and the tight race between Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) and Felipe Massa (Ferrari). a new face was seen on the podium today- Nelsinho Piquet (Renault).

here are the winners:

1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)
3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

next stop: Budapest, Hungary. August 1-3, 2008.

Computer Wallpapers 2

2008-07-14T01:20:00.008+08:00

these are some of the wallpapers i alternately use in my computer:

* pictures from the upcoming Twilight the Movie:

*Twilight wallpapers i Googled:

* from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf website:

*some of my favorite bands:

*what my computer looks now:

i still love the world of Harry Potter. :)

2008 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix

2008-07-07T23:30:00.003+08:00

another eventful race in this season's F1. i love it!

- it was raining during the race so exciting events were expected. haha.

- Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes), Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault), and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) were the top 3 drivers during the qualifying but they did not win. Kovy was 5th, Webber was 10th, and Kimi was 4th at the end of the race.

- Felipe Massa (Ferrari) spun his car 6 times during the race. i couldn't help but laugh every time i saw his car spinning. :D

- Adrian Sutil's (Force India-Ferrari) car flew in the air. woah.

- David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault) and Sebastian Vettel (STR-Ferrari) weren't able to finish the first lap. their cars went off-track and got stuck.

- great race by Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes). he was 4th during the qualifying but was able to pass through Webber as they were leaving the starting line. he was more than a minute ahead of Nick Heidfeld (BMW) who landed on 2nd place. it was a sweet victory for Lewis since it was held in his own country. :)

- Rubens Barrichello (Honda) landed on the podium again after 3 years.

- Lewis, Felipe, and Kimi are all tied on the top spot of driver's points. Ferrari still leads the constructor's points followed by BMW and McLaren.

- the winners:
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Nick Heidfeld
3. Rubens Barrichello

next stop: Hockenheim, Germany. July 18-20, 2008.

what's in my bag

2008-06-29T23:06:00.009+08:00

my Dad always tease me about my big bags. here are the stuff commonly seen in my bags and why they are big.

Belle de Jour Power Planner

Starbucks Planner

Jordi Labanda Small Notebook

Keys

My Pens & Pencils (Heartstring Pencil Case, Staedtler Mars Lumograph 2B, Parker Mechanical Pencil, Parker Jotter Pen, Pilot Hi-tecpoint V5 Grip, Agatha Ruiz De La Prada Fountain Pen by Inoxcrom, Pentel e-line 2 Twin Tip Highlighter, Dong-A Violet Gel Pen 0.5, Dong-A Pink Gel Pen 0.7, Sharpie Violet Ultra Fine Point Pen)

Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook

Wallet

Kikay Kit (Benetton Small Bag, So Soft Hygienic Wipes, Sofeel Facial Tissue, J&J Band-Aid Alcohol, Estee Lauder Brush, Plus+1 Lip Care Stick by The Face Shop, Clean&Clear Oil Control Film, Black Label Blusher by The Face Shop, J&J Face Powder, Comb)

Egg Coin Purse

Harry Potter Case & Rimless Eyeglasses

1st Gen iPod Nano & Philips Earphones

Starbucks Water Bottle

do i use all the planners and notebooks? yes, i do coz i love to write and organize stuff.

there are times when i bring a bigger pencil case with more than 20 pens of different colors, oil pastels, drawing papers/sketch pads, coloring books, scissors, glue, ruler, stapler, and other school/office supplies. other teachers i know also have school/office supplies in their bags. :)

Formula 1 Grand Prix De France 2008

2008-06-23T19:50:00.003+08:00

even though the TV was on last night, i wasn't able to fully watch the race because i was busy playing Sally's Salon in my laptop. nothing much happened. Jenson Button (Honda) was the only one who didn't finish the race. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) got the pole position during the qualifying the other day. i have no idea what happened to him and he landed in second place only. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) won (*sucks*). Massa now leads the driver standings (*sucks* even more).

the winners:
1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
3. Jarno Trulli (Toyota)

next stop: Silverstone, England. July 4 - 6, 2008.

ps: hopefully, Lewis Hamilton will win in his own country. :)

Father's Day 2008

2008-06-21T22:12:00.017+08:00

Father's Day. during special occasions like this, my family go out to eat lunch. we usually eat at Dad's, Saisaki, Kamayan in West Avenue. but last Father's Day, we ate at Zong in TriNoma since my Dad loves Chinese food. the food was great. the place was small but bright. a nice place to eat out with family and friends.

Zong, TriNoma

outside Zong

While Waiting for the Food...

Kuya Arbee

Me and Raevin

Dad and Rich

Me and Mom

i'm sooo hungry...

Ate Dimples and Raevin

just wake me up if the food has arrived...

will the food really arrive???

The Food We Ate

Yang Chow Fried Rice

Crab Meat Tofu (Shanghai Style)

Steamed Fish Fillet Garlic Sauce

General Tso's Chicken

Deep Fried Pork Ribs Lemon Sauce

After Eating...

Girlfriend

2008-06-14T22:05:00.002+08:00

You wear your hair
Like it's your best accessory
And I don't want to
Ever have to compete with that
And I know you'd be
Nothing but excessively sweet
And cherish me, sing to me, love me
But...

I can't belong
To anybody else right now
Though it is not much of an excuse
I can't belong
To anybody else when I've got
So much figuring out to do.

I don't wanna be a girlfriend
I don't want to talk about my feelings yeah
I don't wanna be some girlfriend oh
I don't want to have to explain what I'm thinking.

I go alone
To watch stupid romance movies
And I sit, wishing,
It was your arms wrapped around me
And I just deny
That all I want is a piece of you
But I guess it's true, don't wanna talk on the phone,
Don't want attachments, don't wanna be your girlfriend.

I just can't belong
To anybody else right now
Though it is not much of an excuse
I can't belong
To anybody else when I've got
So much figuring out to do.

I don't wanna be a girlfriend
I don't want to talk about my feelings yeah
I don't wanna be some girlfriend oh
I don't want to have to explain what I'm thinking.

Is it wrong for me to want you
Just for a day
I don't want to be that kind of girl
But I can't help myself.

I can't belong
To anybody else right now
Like a girlfriend
I don't want to talk about my feelings yeah
I don't wanna be some girlfriend oh
I don't want to have to explain what I'm thinking
yeah yeah, yeah yeah yeah

*a song by Marié Digby

Formula 1 Grand Prix Du Canada 2008

2008-06-09T03:20:00.002+08:00

it's past 3AM here in the Philippines, but i'm still awake because i just watched F1.

... well, it was a good race led by BMW. it was a 1-2 finish for them. it was also their first F1 victory and the first win for Robert Kubica. though i am not a BMW fan, i am very happy for them.

... Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen weren't able to finish the race because the car of Lewis crashed behind Kimi's car while they were exiting the pit lane. Nico Rosberg also crashed behind Lewis but he was able to leave the pitlane and finish the race.

... it was refreshing to see the podium with no McLaren or Ferrari drivers in sight. haha.

... Kubica now leads the drivers' points followed by Lewis.

here are the winners:

1. Robert Kubica (BMW)
2. Nick Heidfeld (BMW)
3. David Coulthard (Red Bull-Renault)

next stop: Magny-Cours, France. June 20 - 22, 2008.

Ojane's Birthday Party 2008

2008-06-08T13:45:00.013+08:00

yesterday was the birthday of one of my good friends in college, Ojane. she celebrated her birthday at Katips in Katipunan. i wasn't able to attend her birthday party last year so i made sure that i would be available to attend her party this year. i was with my other college friends, Tin, Aie, Jo, and Hanna. there were only five of us coz Jhenel is in the US while Edel had some thing at work. anyway, here are some pictures from Ojane's party and in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Eastwood City where we hanged out after the party.

Katips (Katipunan, Quezon City):

Happy birthday Ojane...

top: Aie, Ojane, Jo
bottom: Hanna, Me, Tin

Me and Tin

Aie, Hanna, Jo

jello shots

Tequila Rose

Giveaways from the party (Martha's Cakes)

my red Chanel bag

Hanna's white Chanel bag

Hanna's white Chanel bag and Jo's Louis Vuitton bag

lovely Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City)

Not Another Nightlife Movie ( Sims 2 Movie)

2008-06-04T16:43:00.003+08:00

here's one of the coolest Sims movies i've seen in YouTube. kudos to the one who made it. enjoy. :)

Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2008

2008-05-25T23:38:00.003+08:00

THE BEST RACE THIS SEASON SO FAR. wow. a very eventful race. i have been waiting for this since the season started. so what happened during the race?

... it rained. i know that i should think of the drivers' safety during the race. but a rain during the race makes it more exciting especially now with the absence of traction control. the skill of the driver is really tested.

... lots of crashes. they were expected, of course. rain, small lanes, sharp curves...

... among those who crashed were Nico Rosberg, David Coulthard, and Sebastian Vettel.

... the most unforgettable crash (for me) was the one between Kimi Räikkönen and Adrian Sutil. poor Sutil! i know it was just an accident and i'm a Kimi fan, but i partly blame Kimi for ruining Sutil's race. it was supposed to be Sutil's highest finish (4th) in his career, but his car didn't move anymore when he was inside the pit lane. so he got eliminated to think that there were only a few laps left. but his performance was good. he usually never finishes a race. but during the last few laps, his position was 4th, in between Felipe Massa and Kimi (no pressure there. haha.). but something happened to Kimi's car and it hit the back of Sutil's car. tsk, tsk... Sutil will some day have his shining moment.

... Lewis Hamilton won! yey! i really like seeing his reaction whenever he wins. he pumps his fists in the air and jumps for joy. unlike Kimi...

... okay. i am now bashing Kimi. i don't hate him. i am still a Kimi and Ferrari fan. but i am also a Lewis fan so it makes me happy whenever he wins. i want Lewis to win this year. if Kimi wins again, i would still feel happy.

... Lewis now leads with 38 points followed by Kimi with 35 points (he finished in 9th place after crashing with Sutil).

... here are the winners of this race:
1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. Robert Kubica (BMW)
3. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

next stop: Montreal, Canada. June 6-8, 2008.

American Idol 7 Finale Events

2008-05-22T22:52:00.004+08:00

i am not going to drone on and on again about David Cook. i am going to talk about other events that happened during the finale.

one of my favorite bands, OneRepublic, performed together with David A. i read from somewhere (i forgot where) that they canceled a gig just to perform in AI finals. they sang Apologize. in fairness to Archie, he did a good job singing that song. though of course, it would have been better if Cook sang with OneRepublic.

my fellow Filipino, Renaldo Lapuz, performed his famous song, We're Brothers Forever, together with the USC band. Paula, Randy, and Ryan even joined him on stage. not that i am a fan of him, but i downloaded his audition video from iTunes before. haha. his audition was really memorable.

speaking of brothers, the Jonas Brothers were there. duh. so what?! i didn't even know it was them until my 5-year-old niece, Raevin, told me and Kuya Arbee that the ones singing are the Jonas Brothers. well, i've heard about them and their shows with Miley Cyrus. but i have no idea what they look like and their songs. why the heck am i talking about them?

okay. i know i said that i wouldn't talk about Cook. so i'm just going to feature the video of him singing Time of My Life.

these are just some of the performances that made a mark in me. just visit YouTube for more videos if you weren't able to watch the finale. enjoy.

David Cook is the Winner!!!

2008-05-22T13:26:00.006+08:00

Ryan Seacrest: Ladies and gentlemen, David and David, the winner by 12 million votes of American Idol 2008 is... David... COOK!!!!

wooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM SOOOOOOOOO HAAAAAPPPPYYYYY!!!! yey!!!

okay. breathe. inhale... exhale... inhale... exhale...

i really thought Archie would win. but oh my. Cook won!

well, i have nothing much to say anymore. i'm at a loss for words just like Cook. haha.

yes, David C. i will still support you even after American Idol.

till the next American Idol. :)

James Blunt in Manila (May 19, 2008)

2008-05-19T23:13:00.003+08:00

i just came home from the concert of James Blunt at the Araneta Coliseum. it was the sixth concert i watched this year. i love it! even though only a few people watched, it was still good.

for someone who sings sad songs, James was full of energy. in the middle of the concert, he suddenly jumped from the stage, ran around the Patron area, shook hands and hugged some people. lucky them! during his last song (1973), he stood at the top of his piano and posed like he was surfing. really funny.

of course, the best parts of the concert were the songs he sang. i can't believe that i finally heard my favorite song, You're Beautiful live. wow. he also sang High, Goodbye My Lover, Carry Me Home, and One of the Brightest Stars. too bad he didn't sing Tears and Rain. but i guess it's okay. i might find myself crying in the middle of Araneta if he sang that. :)

well, it seems like watching concerts is now an official hobby of mine. :D

* here's the link of the videos i took during the concert.

what's in my iPod

2008-05-18T13:14:00.005+08:00

it usually takes me at least an hour to fill up my 2GB iPod with songs. i sometimes find it hard to choose at least 350 songs out of 4ooo+. last night, i decided to put songs in my album by artist and album. in less than 30 minutes, my iPod is already filled with songs. so these are the artists and albums found in my iPod.

1. All Saints (Studio 1)

2. Andrea Corr (Ten Feet High)

3. Britney Spears (Blackout) - i have this?! haha. yes, i listen to Britney.

4. Colbie Caillat (Coco)

5. Incubus (Light Grenades; chosen songs from A Crow Left of the Murder, Make Yourself, and Morning View)

6. James Blunt (All the Lost Souls and Back to Bedlam)

7. Maroon 5 (It Won't Be Soon Before Long and Songs About Jane)

8. Michelle Branch (Hotel Paper)

9. Natalie Imbruglia (Glorious: The Singles 97-07)

10. Natasha Bedingfield (Pocketful of Sunshine; chosen songs from Unwritten)

11. OneRepublic (Dreaming Out Loud)

12. Panic at the Disco (Pretty. Odd.)

13. Sara Bareilles (Little Voice)

14. Vanessa Carlton (Harmonium; Heroes and Thieves; chosen songs from Be Not Nobody)

15. Vertical Horizon (Everything You Want; Go; Running On Ice; There and Back Again) - i am a fan. until now, i still regret not going to their concert last year. :(

i also chose certain songs from some artists. it didn't take me long to choose since i already know what songs to put. most are actually staple songs in my iPod already. here are the artists:
1. Alanis Morissette
2. The Album Leaf
3. The All-American Rejects
4. Anna Nalick
5. Avril Lavigne
6. Bachelor Girl
7. Bic Runga
8. Black Eyed Peas
9. Coldplay
10. The Corrs
11. The Cranberries
12. Daniel Powter
13. Dashboard Confessional
14. Daughtry
15. Dido
16. Diego
17. Duffy
18. Emma Bunton
19. Fergie
20. The Fray
21. Gavin DeGraw
22. Goo Goo Dolls
23. Hoku
24. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth (from Wicked)
25. Ingrid Michaelson
26. John Mayer
27. Josh Groban
28. Justin Timberlake
29. Keane
30. Kelly Clarkson
31. Keri Noble
32. Lifehouse
33. Lindsay Lohan
34. Lisa Loeb
35. Mandy Moore
36. Maria Mena
37. Mariah Carey
38. Marie Digby
39. Mat Kearney
40. Missy Higgins
41. Mutya Buena
42. Nada Surf
43. Nelly Furtado
44. Nicole Scherzinger

after a few weeks, some songs will be replaced again depending on my mood.

thoughts on a sleepless night: part sept

2008-05-18T02:31:00.002+08:00

... it's raining very hard right now.

... i am currently watching Greek (aside from blogging). my favorite character on the show is Crappie. i mean, Cappie.

... i still can't believe that i forgot to pay my cell phone bill twice.

... i was finally able to play Tekken 6 in Timezone TriNoma the other day. yey! i suck. i haven't played in a looooong time.

... my favorite shows (Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty) may have come back for new episodes, but will have their season endings next week. they will be back again after a few months. right. so great.

... i'll be starting a new chapter in my life soon. i honestly have no idea what to expect.

... back to the TV show Greek, it reminds me of Sims 2 University. i really miss playing that game.

... there are a lot of things in my mind right now. but i'm having a hard time letting them all out. i can't even write them in my journal.

... hopefully things would turn out alright. i know they will.

2008 Formula 1 Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix

2008-05-16T02:05:00.002+08:00

i know that this is a late post already about the recent grand prix. i was preoccupied with my Vanessa Carlton experience that i didn't pay much attention during the race. all i remember are the crashing of Giancarlo Fisichella's car with i-forgot-who at the start of the race and the car of Lewis overtaking Felipe's in the middle of the race. that's all. as far as i know, nothing much happened. well, here are the winners:

1. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) - he could have won if it weren't for his 3-stop strategy
3. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)

hopefully in the next race i would see other drivers on the podium.

next stop: Monaco. May 22-25, 2008.

Battle of the Davids

2008-05-16T01:29:00.004+08:00

the decision has been made. it's David A. vs. David C. for the finals of American Idol 7.

my vote goes to Cook though i somehow feel that Archie will win this year's AI. he seems to have more fans than Cook. but whether or not Cook wins, he surely has a great singing career ahead of him. i just hope that i'm still alive on finals day because my knees got weak and i felt like fainting when he sang two songs that i like last night: Dare You To Move (i love this!) and I Don't Want To Miss A Thing. i still feel that way whenever i watch the videos. and i can't seem to stop watching them. haha.

Vanessa Carlton in Manila (Glorietta Experience)

2008-05-12T19:18:00.006+08:00

May 10, 2008 (Saturday) - Vanessa's second show in Manila.

even if i already saw Vanessa's performance in TriNoma, i was still dead set on watching her again for three reasons: (1) i am a BIG fan. (2) i promised my friend, Jeena, that i'd watch the show with her. (3) i NEED to record Home because i was able to record only 12 seconds of the song in TriNoma. so even if there's a zero chance for me to get any kind of passes, i still went.

i arrived in Glorietta at around 4PM. Jeena was still at a gym in Greenhills. she'd be in Glorietta at around 6PM. so i just strolled and checked out some stores. the last time that i've been there was last February 15 when i met with Jeena to buy our Maroon 5 concert tickets.

i also went to the concierge to inquire about the passes. the lady i talked to was irritating. she was not as nice as the concierge ladies (sorry for the term) in TriNoma. i dunno, but she sounded so smug when i talked to her. it's like she wants to laugh at me because i have no passes and that i've got no chance in meeting Vanessa. yeah right. if only i don't have self-control, i might have shove the pictures of Vanessa that i took in her face. haha. anyway, i found out that there were still 20 passes available. i got surprised because i really thought that they would be sold out as early as 11AM just like in TriNoma. but i guess some people didn't mind getting passes since they could still see Vanessa without passes unlike in TriNoma. so i just went to the Activity Center and sat on one of the circular benches.

since it was Saturday, there were lots of children at the play area. most of the people there were families. i just sat there and observed the happenings around me. one thing i would never forget was the honesty of a certain guy. based on the shirt he was wearing, he seemed to be working as a person who fixes elevator or in a construction or something else. anyway, a lady who was counting her money passed in front of me. she didn't notice that one of her hundred peso bill fell. the guy immediately called the attention of the lady. she didn't seem to hear the guy at first and just kept on walking. she was already a few feet away from her money but the guy kept calling her. finally, she heard the guy and got her money back. the first thing that came in my mind was how honest the guy was. but he may not be really honest. he may have been forced to be honest because there were other people around. but whether he's really honest or not, at least he called the lady's attention.

at around 5:30PM, i went near the barricades. there were already people who were seated at the steps. i stood behind them and waited for Jeena. she was already done at the gym so she'll be in Glorietta in 30 minutes. people were already taking their seats and more people were arriving at the Activity Center. Jeena finally arrived at around 6PM. we just talked about our jobs and other stuff while waiting for the show to start. the lady near us was eavesdropping coz she asked about the school where i teach. right. anyway, i was getting more and more excited as the minutes passed.

finally, at around 7:15PM, Vanessa finally appeared on stage. she sang the same songs she sang in TriNoma except for More Than This. i was also able to record the song Home in my camera phone. of course, Vanessa's performance was great. the audience in Glorietta were more receptive than the ones in TriNoma. it was a great show.

after the show, the usual meet and greet and autograph signing were held on stage. Vanessa didn't change her clothes anymore for the picture taking unlike in TriNoma. she just put on a sheer jacket over her dress.

Jeena and i stayed near the stage to take pictures of Vanessa. we just stayed there and watched Vanessa and the people until the time Vanessa went backstage. as soon as she was gone, we decided to just walk around.

we just kept on walking and had no idea where we're going when we found ourselves just beside the backstage door. the guards were setting up barricades to prevent people from mobbing Vanessa because she was about to go out. we immediately brought out our cameras. every thing happened so fast. i just clicked my camera while Vanessa passed in front of me. when i checked my camera, i saw that i wasn't able to get a clear shot of her. crap. my one and only chance that time. anyway, i soon forgot about it coz i felt like on cloud nine again because i saw her up close for the second time. wow. really amazing.

Jeena was also happy to see her up close. but i was happier. haha. anyway, it was a bit late that time already so we headed home. it was another unforgettable and amazing experience.

Vanessa Carlton in Manila (TriNoma Experience Part 3)

2008-05-12T00:37:00.016+08:00

when Rich and i arrived outside Cinema 7, there were already two lines. but there were only around 30 people. near the entrance, there was a booth selling Heroes and Thieves album. i already have the albums of Vanessa which i got from iTunes. but i don't have a CD. they were also giving away stubs for autograph signing. i asked the lady if they still have stubs. luckily they did. so i didn't think twice in buying a CD as long as i would be able to meet Vanessa in person. the funny thing about it was that the number stub they gave me was "14." it was my number stub when i had my CD signed by Colbie Caillat. it must be my lucky number. :)

i went back to the line. Rich and i were really excited at the thought of meeting Vanessa. the line started getting longer. at around 6:30PM, the security guard stood beside me and Rich and said to the people around me that digicams should be surrendered at the entrance because they are not allowed inside. i guessed he saw me while i took a picture of my CD, number stub, and passes. hehe. as soon as he's gone, i immediately made sure that the digicam is kept well-hidden inside my bag. at around 6:45PM, they finally opened the gates.

since seating was on a first come, first served basis, i pulled Rich along with me as i jog. one of the guards said that we shouldn't run because it's still early and that the show would start at 7PM. duh?! i was not in a hurry because i'm scared i might missed it. i was after the good seats! Rich and i sat at the middle section of the movie theater. i just forgot which row number it was. our view from our place was good. my seat is directly right in front of Vanessa's chair. it was also good that seats were elevated. at least i wouldn't be bothered with the heads of people in front of me.

people started to pour inside the movie theater. guards were roaming around. the organizers were busy checking on some stuff. i felt my excitement getting stronger and stronger by the minute.

at around 7:30PM, Vanessa finally came on stage. my first reaction? she's tall! i didn't expect her to be tall. of course, she's beautiful. i immediately brought out my camera phone. my eyes were glued on the stage while i pressed the phone to record her first song. the first song she sang was Nolita Fairytale, one of my favorite songs from her latest album. in the middle of the song, i suddenly felt like crying. i couldn't believe that she was there, a few feet away from me, singing a song that i love. i suddenly remembered the video clips i saw when i was a child of girls crying when they saw Michael Jackson in person. i laughed at those girls and thought they were weird. and there i was, in the middle of the movie theater, feeling the same way the girls felt. i didn't cry though. i just continued to watch.

i recorded some parts of every song that she sang. the last song she sang was Home, another favorite song of mine. unfortunately, there was no more space in the phone's memory card so i was able to record only 12 seconds of the song! the song is 5 minutes and 38 seconds long. of course, the live version is longer. and i only got 12 seconds. right. i just sang along with her.

after her performance, most people started to leave except for those with meet and greet pass and number stubs for the autograph. Rich and i remained in our seats. after 10 minutes, Vanessa was back on stage with a different outfit. the people with the meet and greet were the first ones who were accommodated. they had their pictures taken with Vanessa. Rich and i went near the stage and took some pictures of her. the battery of the digicam i brought suddenly conked out. aarrgghh.. so i have to use the camera phone again and rely on the very small space in the phone memory.

the CD stub holders were then called to form a line. there were these two girls in front of me with a meet and greet pass who weren't able to have their pictures taken because they went to the rest room. poor girls.

the line moved really fast. before i knew it, Rich and i were in front of Vanessa. this was how our conversation went while she signed my CD:

VANESSA: Hi!
ME and RICH: Hi!
ME: He's my brother. He's a Nessaholic. (i am the real NESSAHOLIC. haha.)
VANESSA (to me): Really? (smiles)
VANESSA (to Rich): Hi! Nice to meet you! (smiles)

and then we left the stage. when i went down, i suddenly remembered that i forgot to say thank you to Vanessa. i guess my mind was clouded with happiness for a few seconds that i forgot about reality. anyway, we didn't leave yet. we went back near the stage to watch Vanessa sign more CD's. after signing the CD's, she stood up, waved to the people, and left.

when Rich and i left the movie theater, i felt like i was floating. i couldn't believe the events that happened. just the day before, i was very frustrated and sad because i thought i wouldn't be able to see her. but things turned around and i got more than what i expected. and i am really thankful for that.

anyway, here are my other observations and thoughts during Vanessa's show in TriNoma:

- there were only a few real fans there. the people seated in my row didn't know most of the songs. they only knew the popular ones like A Thousand Miles, Ordinary Day, and Pretty Baby. the people were not singing along. more proof? try searching YouTube. the only songs uploaded by people there aside from me were the popular ones.

- okay. i know i seem so arrogant. i just didn't like the way people reacted to Vanessa. the movie theater was quiet most of the time while she was singing. not that they should make noise. but some people did not even clap after Vanessa sang some songs. the least that they could do was clap even if they didn't know the song.

- of course, people have different reactions (i am now contradicting myself. haha.). maybe most people there are really fans. they just didn't want to show it. they wouldn't spend at least 1000php that week if they were not interested to watch Vanessa.

- i guess i still can't get over my Incubus experience at the Araneta Coliseum where all the people screamed, jumped, pumped their fist, and sang along all throughout the concert.

- right. it was a rock concert so that was normal. Vanessa plays the piano and sings mellow songs.

- enough of the crowd.

- Vanessa is a great performer. she plays the piano really well. i wish i could play like her. she is really talented.

- she said that it was her first time to perform in a movie theater. she joked that there should be popcorns and alcohol. lol.

- she said that she feels that she might have a little Filipino blood in her because she looks like every one else there.

- the drummer, violin and cello players who performed with her are Filipinos. lucky them.

well, this is it. an unforgettable experience.

Vanessa Carlton in Manila (TriNoma Experience Part 2)

2008-05-11T23:44:00.004+08:00

May 9, 2008 - Vanessa's first scheduled performance in TriNoma.

i woke up at around 10AM. i immediately checked my cell phone for any messages from the people with extra passes. later on, i received a text message from the friend of the person selling her tickets asking for the time of our meet-up. i told him that i'd be in TriNoma at around 4PM. when i checked my Pinoy Exchange inbox, the other person whose friend might not come sent me a message. she said that her friend changed her mind and would watch the VC show with her. i told her that it's okay since i already acquired passes.

my original plan that day when i still didn't have passes was to go to Glorietta in the morning to buy something worth 500php so that i would be able to get passes for the Glorietta show. i decided not to go since i would be able to watch Vanessa in TriNoma. though i still planned on going to the Glorietta show. i would just watch outside the barricaded area. like what i said, the important thing for me was to was to see Vanessa up close.

at around 3PM, Rich and i prepared to leave. we arrived in TriNoma at around 4PM. i received a text message from the friend of the ticket seller. he said that the venue was changed to Cinema 7. he was already there in TriNoma. Rich and i immediately went to the cinema lobby. i sent him a text message telling him that i was there already. after a few minutes, he told me that he would meet me after an hour. so Rich and i decided to stroll.

when we reached the ground level, i decided to go to the concierge to inquire about the change of venue. lo and behold, there was a sign saying that another batch of passes are available due to the change of venue. it was amazing because the receipt of my purchases was still in my jeans pocket. i was supposed to leave it at home but decided against it. i can't believe it. i asked the lady how many passes are still available. she said that there are still a lot available.

i then became confused. i did not promise the seller that i would buy her tickets, but i know that they were counting on it. so i sent a text message to the friend and informing him of my dilemma. i knew that he would understand. so i brought out my receipt and got my passes. oh my. the passes are in my hands. i'm going to see Vanessa!!!

Rich and i went back at the 4th level to eat at McDonald's. it was already past 5PM. i also sent a text message to the friend and apologized a lot. he did not reply though. anyway, i ordered McChicken sandwich meal, my favorite. but i couldn't eat. i'll be seeing my favorite singer in two hours! at around 5:30PM, Rich and i went to Cinema 7.

Vanessa Carlton in Manila (TriNoma Experience Part 1)

2008-05-11T20:56:00.005+08:00

Vanessa Carlton is the fourth foreign artist i've seen this year. the others were Maroon 5, Incubus, and Colbie Caillat. i remember last March, i wished for Vanessa Carlton to come here in the Philippines for a concert. i never thought that two months later, my wish would come true.

i found out about her concert here last April 21, 2008. oh yeah. i'm so weird i even remember the date. hehe. i accidentally stumbled upon a blog post about her series of shows here. at first, i couldn't believe it. it must be a delayed April Fool's joke. i searched the internet and found out that it was true. oh my. i felt like crying. i love her songs.

when my older brother arrived, i immediately told him the news. turned out, he already knew it. the day before, we went to visit our relatives in Bacoor, Cavite. we usually take the C5 road in traveling. for the first time, i slept in the car throughout our travel to Cavite. so i wasn't able to see the huge billboard of Vanessa along C5. my whole family saw it but they didn't tell me. nice. if it weren't for my internet addiction, i wouldn't find out about it. anyway, what mattered to me that time was i would be able to watch her concerts for free since they would be held in different Ayala Malls: TriNoma, Glorietta, and Alabang Town Center. so i marked my calendar. i hardly can't wait.

whenever there are shows in Ayala Malls, free passes are given in exchange for receipts from any store in the malls. so i went to TriNoma early this week to shop. passes for the TriNoma show wouldn't be released until the day before of the actual show. i went back last Thursday at around 3PM to claim my passes. as i neared the concierge, i saw the sign that says tickets for the show are already sold out. OH MY. i immediately approached the lady and asked her about it. according to her, tickets were sold out as early as 11:15 AM. i was still asleep that time!

i really felt like crying. i walked around the mall with no idea where i was going. i called up my friend, Jeena, and told her about it. we really have to acquire passes for the Glorietta show because i want to see Vanessa up close. it was really frustrating! i just kept on walking until i reached Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. i sat outside and did not even mind that i was inhaling the secondhand smoke around me. i just sat there and stared into space. after a century, i stood up and went to TriNoma Park to check out the place where Vanessa would perform. the place is so small. the only chance that i would see Vanessa in person is if i have passes.

while i was at the TriNoma Park, i called up the concierge in Glorietta to inquire about the VC show there on May 10 (Saturday). according to the lady, passes would be given on the day of the show itself. the receipt should be from any store in Glorietta and Park Square 1. the date of purchase should be May 9. so i decided that i would go to Glorietta the next day to spend again just so i could get passes. i then went home with a heavy heart.

as soon as i got home, i immediately posted my frustration in the VC thread in Pinoy Exchange. i "begged" people to send me a PM if they have extra passes to spare. i also said that i wish it would rain heavily the next day so that the venue would be changed. i was monitoring the thread the whole evening. i was also exchanging comments with another VC fan who was lucky to acquire not only passes for seats but a meet and greet pass. later on, she sent me a PM saying that her friend might not be able to watch the VC show with her so she would give me her extra pass if that happens. that really made my hopes go up. though i didn't count on it 100%. but it helped lighten my mood.

a few minutes later, somebody posted that she won't be able to watch the VC show in TriNoma so she has to sell her passes. i immediately sent her a PM and told her that i'm really interested. i asked for two passes so that i could bring Rich along with me. she told me that her friend would send me a text message the next day. i was really happy. i could now watch Vanessa's show. though i wasn't 100% happy until the passes land in the pocket of my jeans. then i slept peacefully.

another extraORDINARY DAY

2008-05-11T02:56:00.002+08:00

i watched Vanessa Carlton's concert in Glorietta last night. it was a great show, of course. told you i'm not a fan. haha.

anyway, i'll be posting the events that happened during Vanessa's concerts both in TriNoma and Glorietta as soon as i can.

ciao!

an extraORDINARY DAY

2008-05-10T00:29:00.002+08:00

yesterday was one of the best days of my life. i was able to watch Vanessa Carlton's concert in TriNoma and had my CD (Heroes and Thieves) signed! woohoo!

Vanessa is one of my favorite singers. i love her songs.

anyway, i took some videos. just click on the YouTube link at the side. i posted some videos in my channel in YouTube. :)

just dropping by.

ps: i'll be watching her again later in Glorietta. haha.

Official TWILIGHT Teaser

2008-05-06T22:00:00.002+08:00

this is just the teaser. oh my. if only i can pull the months so it will be December already. but i feel that this movie will be shown here in the Philippines on January 2009 because of the Metro Manila Film Festival. hopefully, i could still wait that long.

ps: Edward's (Robert Pattinson) smile at the end was heart-stopping. *swoon*

good news

2008-05-03T21:03:00.003+08:00

i received a message in my email this afternoon. the results of the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) has been released. i got really nervous when i read that. the big question in my mind was, DID I PASS??? so i clicked on the link and looked for my name. IT WAS THERE! I PASSED! woohoo!!!

okay. i know that the LET is one of the easiest board exams. but if you only studied for less than two weeks, you would really get nervous. i actually studied just two weeks before the exam. and during those weeks, i wasn't really focused because i still had an exam and paper to finish in grad school. i was also busy tutoring a kid who had an entrance exam in UPIS. so passing the LET was a big deal for me.

congratulations to ME!!!

ps: here's the link of the list of successful examinees.

Formula One Gran Premio De Espana Telefonica 2008

2008-05-01T22:03:00.003+08:00

i wasn't able to watch the F1 race last weekend because i was in Boracay. i also wasn't able to watch the replay the following day because i was at work. so i just have to rely on YouTube to watch some parts of the race. boo-hoo.

anyway, Kimi won again. but for some reason, even though he's one of my favorite F1 drivers (aside from Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and Heikki Kovalainen), i don't want him to win. haha. i want Lewis Hamilton to win the driver's trophy. well, there are still a lot of races to go so there's still a chance for Lewis to catch up. i am happy, though, for Kimi and Ferrari.

i also feel pity towards Fernando Alonso. he hasn't won anything since the season started. he didn't finish the race in his own country even though he was P2 in the qualifying. what happened to the former world champion? hmmm...

so here are the winners:
1. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
2. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
3. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)

next stop: Turkey. May 9-11, 2008.

still alive

2008-04-29T20:56:00.005+08:00

i've been missing in action from the internet world these past few days because i was out of town. i went to Boracay with my friends for a much needed break. i had an awesome time. anyway, i'm just dropping by to check my blog. i'll be back for the story of my Boracay trip. ciao!

thoughts on a sleepless night: part six

2008-04-22T23:45:00.003+08:00

... Gossip Girl is baaacckk!!!! yiipppeee!!! my thoughts on the latest episode (Episode 14: The Blair Bitch Project):
- i hate Little J! though i hate her so-called "friends" more.
- poor Chuck.
- i totally heart Dan (though i don't like him in the books).
- Queen B will surely get her revenge on Little J.
- Serena was okay. she really is a good girl in the TV series. but we'll discover her secrets as soon as Georgina goes back to Upper East Side.
- can't wait for next week's episode.

... i've been reading Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer for the nth time these past few days. i still hyperventilate whenever i read Bella-Edward moments.

... my sister is now an official Twilight fan. she was bored the other day so she went to my room to look for a book to read. she saw New Moon lying on the chair and decided to read it. she got hooked since then.

... my family and I visited our relatives in Bacoor, Cavite last Sunday whom we only see during Christmas. it somehow felt weird being there without gifts. haha.

... i brought my latest book, Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella when we went to Cavite so that i have something to read. i really love the Shopaholic series. the books never fail to make me laugh.

... i am slowly converting my family members from Starbucks lovers to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf lovers. when we were at the mall last Friday, i brought them to Coffee Bean even though my younger brother and niece were asking me to buy them Green Tea Frappuccino and Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino from Starbucks. we ordered Pure Chocolate, Pure Vanilla, and Mocha Mudslide Ice Blended drinks in Coffee Bean and they loved it.

... i don't have anything against Starbucks. i still go there sometimes. i just find the taste of their drinks not good lately.

... whereas in Coffee Bean, every drink that i order tastes really good.

... good thing i have a Swirl Card from Coffee Bean so i got discounts on my orders.

... hmmm... talking about Coffee Bean made me crave for Chai Latte and White Chocolate Dream. yum.

Gossip Girl Returns on April 21, 2008

2008-04-18T19:40:00.005+08:00

starting next week, i'm going to be a couch potato once again. one of my favorite TV shows, Gossip Girl, will be back on-air with all-new episodes. i can't wait for B's revenge on Little J. i wanna see that little b*tch crushed into pieces by B. bwahahaha...

ps: the song on the video, Hands on Me by Vanessa Carlton is the second song featured on Gossip Girl. the first one was Nolita Fairytale during the Thanksgiving episode. nice. i love the songs of Vanessa Carlton. :)

Always Be My Baby - David Cook

2008-04-17T19:34:00.003+08:00

here's my favorite AI7 contestant, David Cook, singing my favorite Mariah Carey song, Always Be My Baby. swoon!!!

ps: Kristy Lee Cook's eliminated! woohoo!

Powercard VIP Access Sale at Powerbooks

2008-04-16T18:53:00.005+08:00

i received this flyer through email. since i am a Powercard Plus owner, i am entitled to this sale. right. i have a feeling that my pile of to-read-books will reach the ceiling of our 3-storey-house. haha. can't wait for this. :)

thoughts on a sleepless night: part cing

2008-04-15T01:23:00.004+08:00

... i just finished reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire. my thoughts on the book:
- it's a good read though it became a bit dragging in the middle.
- no one is born wicked or evil.
- i found Dorothy's kindness fake.
- Glinda is the Good Witch of the North. yet she is so vain.
- poor Elphaba...

... i want to go somewhere really far and forget about my pathetic life even for just a few days.

... it's already the middle of April. before i know it, summer is over.

... Coldplay will release a new album this year. hopefully, they go on tour (maybe next year) and have a concert here in the Philippines.

... i went to Fully Booked in the Block yesterday afternoon. i was sooo tempted to buy new books. but i reminded myself that i still have to finish reading 25 books.

... haha. i suddenly remember that i bought a book again in eBay last Sunday.

... i should definitely stay away from shopping sites (and malls!) for now.

random thoughts

2008-04-13T20:06:00.005+08:00

... i am currently listening to the album of the band, OneRepublic, Dreaming Out Loud. i like all the songs there. they make me feel good.

... i feel better now.

... i have 16 bottles of nail polish (different colors, of course). i wonder how am i going to finish them all up.

... i am still not yet done reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire. i'm already on the part where Elphaba is traveling towards i-forgot-where. Fiyero is already dead.

... my cousin, Kuya Tontee, just lent me a book about solving crimes, Whodunit. so far, my guesses were correct which puts me in the same league as Sherman Holmes (my colleague in the book). i just have no idea how long i could retain it.

... yesterday, i spent most of my day watching videos and reading stories about the missions of Improv Everywhere group. i first got to know them in Maroon 5's blog a few weeks ago. they (IE) really made me laugh so hard. PC desktops in Starbucks, anyone? hahahahaha.....

... i haven't been to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for 9 days. might as well drop by one of these days. and i should never ever impose a coffee ban on myself. that's crazy.

... i would achieve every thing i want in the right time.

summer reads

2008-04-12T00:17:00.003+08:00

after months of being so busy with requirements in graduate school, i finally have the time now to read the books that have been gathering dust in my room. so far, these are the books that i saw because i have yet to unearth books i haven't read yet under my bed (or hidden in random places in our house). i haven't read some of these books while for some, i've only read a few chapters. i also feel that more books would be added to this list. i'm not in a hurry though to finish reading all of these this summer. the most important thing is for me to enjoy each and every book that i read. summer happens to be a great time for that.

1. A Son of the Circus by John Irving
2. Quidditch Through the Ages by J.K. Rowling
3. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
4. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
5. She's Got the Beat by Nancy Krulik
6. The Zahir by Paulo Coelho
7. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
8. How to Make an American Quilt by Whitney Otto
9. Wifey by Judy Blume
10. Smart Women by Judy Blume
11. Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts
12. Future Shock by Alvin Toffler
13. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
14. The Lost Mind by Christopher Pike
15. See You Later by Christopher Pike
16. That was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton
17. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
18. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
19. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
20. Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
21. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
22. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
23. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
24. Among the Gently Mad by Nicholas A. Basbanes
25. The Raven and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe

an inspiration

2008-04-11T21:06:00.006+08:00

every time a not-so-good thing or event happens to me, i always try to find something positive about it. i guess you can call me an optimist.

lately, i have been feeling a little down because of someone. just read some of my previous posts to find out what i'm saying.

anyway, as crazy as it sounds, i decided not to let go of the person and the feelings i have even though it hurts me very much. i would let the feelings live inside me and make those feelings serve as inspiration for me to write.

i'm also hoping every thing would turn out alright.

*'Cos baby time has changed nothing at all -
You're still the only one that feels like home.
And I've tried cutting the ropes,
I let you go but you're still the only one
That feels like home, yeah,
You're still the only one that feels like home,
You're still the only one I've gotta love.
Oh yeah...

- Ten Days (Missy Higgins)

Sweet Valley High New Edition

2008-04-11T18:15:00.006+08:00

ever since i was in preschool, i already love to read. i remember asking books as pasalubong or gift from my Mom and Dad. but the books that really got me hooked on reading were the Sweet Valley books. i grew up with the Wakefield twins, Elizabeth and Jessica together with their family and friends.

after 25 years, the book series is back by popular demand. here are some links regarding the news of its release.

* Sweet Valley High: Back in Session
* Random House Proudly Promoting Eating Diso rders

i know that i'm already 24, but i'm definitely going to buy the new editions. i'm still a big Sweet Valley fan with a total of 462 books (Kids, Twins, Unicorn Club, Team Sweet Valley, Junior High, High, Senior High, University, Elizabeth, TV Edition) in my shelf. and i'm still trying to complete my collection (reading them, too, of course).

a moment of sadness

2008-04-11T00:54:00.004+08:00

i cannot put into words exactly how i feel right now. so here are some random quotes that can describe what's going on with me.

* If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget. - By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept (Paulo Coelho)

* May my tears run just as far that my love might never know that one day I cried for him. May my tears run just as far, that I might forget the river piedra, the monastary, the church in the Pyrenees, the mists, and the paths we walked together. I shall forget the roads, the mountains, and the field of dreams - the dreams that will never come true... - By the River Piedra, I Sat Down and Wept (Paulo Coelho)

* For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.' - John Greenleaf Whittier

* I no longer love her (him), that's certain, but how i loved her (him). Love is so short, forgetting is so long. - Pablo Neruda

* You're beautiful, it's true. I saw your face in a crowded place. And I don't know what to do. 'Cause I'll never be with you. - You're Beautiful (James Blunt)

Tears and Rain

2008-04-11T00:08:00.000+08:00

How I wish I could surrender my soul;
Shed the clothes that become my skin;
See the liar that burns within my needing.
How I wish I'd chosen darkness from cold.
How I wish I had screamed out loud,
Instead I've found no meaning.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

How I wish I could walk through the doors of my mind;
Hold memory close at hand,
Help me understand the years.
How I wish I could choose between Heaven and Hell.
How I wish I would save my soul.
I'm so cold from fear.

I guess it's time I run far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray.
I've heard what they say, but I'm not here for trouble.
Far, far away; find comfort in pain.
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

Tears and Rain.

Tears and Rain.

Far, far away; find comfort in pain,
All pleasure's the same: it just keeps me from trouble.
It's more than just words: it's just tears and rain.

* a song by James Blunt
* theme song for myself as of this time :(

2008 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix Result

2008-04-06T23:33:00.003+08:00

finally! Felipe Massa (Ferrari) finished a race for the first time this season. he did not only finish it, he won it. second to him was Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) and Robert Kubica (BMW) came in third. so it was a Ferrari 1-2 finish. as of this time, Kimi leads the Driver Standings. of course, it's just the third race so a lot of things could still happen. but hopefully, Kimi would remain on top until the season ends.

as for Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes), his car had some mechanical problems which slowed him down at the start of the race. he also hit the back of Fernando Alonso's (Renault) car (of all people!) and broke the front wing of his car. so he had to go to the pit stop early which lowered his position more. he finished in 13th.

next stop: Spain. April 25-27, 2008.

ps: BMW leads the Team Standings as of this time. hmm... not bad. though Ferrari could still catch up. :)

The Incubus Game

2008-04-06T17:44:00.002+08:00

got this from the Multiply site of Incubus Philippines.

Answer using ONLY titles of Incubus songs.
(reply by copying the questions and then answer them)

1. Are you male or female?
Southern Girl

2.Describe yourself:
Stellar

3.What do people feel when they're around you?
Privilege

4.How would you describe your previous relationship?
Oil and Water

5.Describe your current relationship.
Just A Phase

6.Where would you want to be now?
Here in My Room

7.How do you feel about love?
Love Hurts

8.What's your life like?
Made for TV Movie

9.What would you ask for if you had only one wish?
The Answer

10.Say something wise:
Hilikus

Stellar

2008-04-05T21:44:00.001+08:00

Meet me in outer space
We could spend the night
Watch the earth come up
I've grown tired of that place
Won't you come with me?
We could start again

How do you do it?
Make me feel like I do
How do you do it?
It's better than I ever knew

Meet me in outer space
I will hold you close
If you're afraid of heights
I need you to see this place
It might be the only way
That I can show you how
It feels to be inside of you

How do you do it?
Make me feel like I do
How do you do it?
It's better than I ever knew

You are stellar

* a song by Incubus

my "workspaces"

2008-03-27T22:55:00.006+08:00

for the past few days, i've been a voyeur to other people's workspaces posted on the internet. the pictures i saw inspired me to take a picture of my own. then i realized, i don't have an "official" workspace at home coz i don't work or study there. my study table is used as a storage for my "kalat." besides, i do all my work-related stuff in school and my studying in different coffee shops around the metro.

in my previous entries, i posted the lame pictures of my "workspace" in Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. the pictures were from two different Coffee Bean branches. anyway, instead of going to Coffee Bean this afternoon, i went to Starbucks to study. i actually wanted to go to Coffee Bean because i love their drinks. but i felt lazy traveling far so i resorted to the nearest coffee shop which is Starbucks. of course, i took pictures of what my "workspace" looked like. here are they.

i took this picture after i ordered my drink

in the picture (aside from the familiar round checkered table and chair):
- Grande Chai Latte (which they still have and tasted really lame compared to the one in Coffee Bean)
- mug of water
- tissue
- stirrer
- Agatha Ruiz De La Prada fountain pen by Inoxcrom (blue ink)
- Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5 Grip (violet ink)
- reviewer
- Moleskine large ruled notebook
- Moleskine Cahier pocket ruled notebook
- cell phone case
- iPod nano

after studying...

in the picture:
- mug of water
- Grande Chai Latte
- tissue
- Staedtler Mars Lumograph 2B
- Harry Potter eraser
- Heartstring pencil case (i got it free from a magazine subscription years before)
- Moleskine Cahier pocket ruled notebooks
- reviewer
- rimless eyeglasses
- Moleskine Cahier pocket ruled notebook
- Pilot Hi-Tecpoint V5 Grip
- Agatha Ruiz De La Prada fountain pen by Inoxcrom
- iPod nano

so there goes my "workspace" this afternoon.

what a boring life i have. haha.

Spell

2008-03-26T21:29:00.001+08:00

Spotlight shining brightly
On my face
I can't see a thing
And yet I feel you walking my way

Empty stage
With nothing but this girl
Who's singing this simple melody
And wearing her heart on her sleeve

And right now
I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth
I've put a spell over you

Beauty emanates from every
Word that you say
And captured the deepest thoughts
In the purest and simplest of ways
But you see
I'm not that graceful
Like you
Nor am I as eloquent
But just a simple melody
Can change the way that you see me

And right now
I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth
I've put a spell over you

And all my life I've stumbled
But up here I am just perfect
Perfect as I'll ever be

I have you
For a moment I can tell I've got you
Cause your lips don't move
And something is happening
Cause your eyes tell me the truth

I've put a spell over you

* a song by Mariè Digby
* i love this song :)

2008-03-24T23:27:00.001+08:00

55% Geek

one down, two to go...

2008-03-24T22:30:00.005+08:00

i finally finished my take home exam this afternoon. i am somehow confident that i did well (*cross fingers*). so now, i have to focus on my term paper and another exam. after that, utter bliss!!! uhm, not actually. haha. it's back to work since i have to supervise the summer program in school. but at least i would finally have the time to read the books that are gathering dust on my shelf. and of course, summer! :)

my study companions:
- handouts
- bluebook
- moleskine large ruled notebook
- moleskine cahier pocket ruled notebook
- agatha ruiz de la prada fountain pens by inoxcrom
- regular chai latte from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (yum, yum! this is a million times better than the one sold in Starbucks a few weeks ago)
- tissue

2008 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Winners

2008-03-24T01:09:00.003+08:00

Kimi won! yey!

a message to Kimi: divorce your wife now and marry me... haha... NOT!

he's the most boring talker i've seen but one of the best drivers in F1.

too bad for Massa. a repeat of his fate last year. pole position but no podium finish.

so here are the winners:
1. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
2. Robert Kubica (BMW)
3. Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes)

next stop: Bahrain on April 4 - 6.

after bumming around...

2008-03-22T21:02:00.006+08:00

it has been a productive day for me today. in the last two days, i spent my time at home doing the following (aside from the usual eating, sleeping, and bathing):

- surfed the internet
- organized my study table
- surfed the internet
- watched some clips from the 7th Heaven marathon in Studio 23
- surfed the internet
- write in my journal
- surfed the internet
- drew some stuff in my journal
- surfed the internet
- listened to some songs from my iTunes library
- surfed the internet

well, i just surfed the internet most of the time. when my brother came home yesterday from his shooting (airsoft), he asked me if i have downloaded the whole internet. haha.

i was supposed to study for the upcoming exams. but since i was at home, i didn't do any. i consider my home as a place where i can relax, do anything i like, and just have fun. i usually study in a coffee shop because that's the only place where i can really do some serious studying. since most establishments were closed in the past few days, i have no choice but to stay at home. but it was okay. at least i had fun.

today, most of the establishments were back to business. i went to National Bookstore to buy pencils and a pen (as if i don't have enough to last me a lifetime). after that, i went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf to study and to satisfy my craving for a mocha latte. i have been craving for it in the past few days. yum. it was a happy and productive day for me.

my study companions:
- reviewer (what i need to study)
- moleskine large ruled notebook (for sudden attacks of creative ideas)
- moleskine cahier pocket ruled notebook (for note taking)
- agatha ruiz de la prada fountain pen by inoxcrom (my pen, of course)
- ipod nano (i can't study without listening to my favorite songs)
- regular mocha latte by coffee bean & tea leaf (yum...)
- cup of water (coffee companion)
- tissue (another coffee companion)

ps: red cars will lead tomorrow's race in Sepang. yey! click here to find out.

2008 Parker Pens

2008-03-21T22:55:00.003+08:00

oh. my. god.

i am literally bouncing on my seat because of Parker's new set of pens. click here to discover the new colors of the jotter and vector pens. i'm definitely going to buy the pink one (probably all.. haha..) as soon as they become available here in the Philippines (hopefully they will... *cross fingers*).

Miriam University (formerly Miriam College)

2008-03-18T18:52:00.002+08:00

after my tutorial yesterday afternoon, i went to Fully Booked in The Block to find out what's new and to hang out (yes, i'm such a geek that i enjoy hanging out at bookstores). i got elated when i saw new stocks of Jordi Labanda and Agatha Ruiz De La Prada notebooks/journals. they are the notebooks/journals with chic and pretty designs. there were two tables filled with them i didn't know where to begin (in the end, i settled with a small Jordi Labanda notebook and an Agatha Ruiz De La Prada fountain pen).

so there i was, admiring the notebooks/journals, when i saw an old schoolmate of mine stopping near me to look at the bookmarks on display. i called out her name and said "Hi." she look surprised when she saw me. i guess she didn't recognize me at first because she belonged to a batch lower than me. finally, she recognized me and said hi, too. as usual, we asked each other what we have been up to. she's also taking up a Master's degree like me. we mostly talked about our work and studies when our conversation turned to our old school, Miriam College. i haven't been there for a while. then she told me that our old school is now a university. so probably this coming school year, Miriam will now be called Miriam University (MU for short. ang sweet.) no offense to my old school, but i find the shortcut (MU) funny. haha. anyway, my old schoolmate said that there are already new brochures with the name "Miriam University" on it. courses such as BS and AB Psychology are now under a college, which is College of Arts and Sciences. new course such as BS Biology is also now being offered.

it has been four years since i graduated from that school and it is now a university. i wonder what other changes would happen in the next few years.

results of today's sports events

2008-03-16T14:29:00.003+08:00

Manny Pacquiao won?! Kimi Räikkönen didn't?! what is wrong today?!

maybe the only consolation i have is that Lewis Hamilton won the first race this season. yes, i also like this guy coz he's good. no doubt about it. it just wasn't his time last year so he didn't bag the driver's championship trophy. but... no points for Ferrari team. tsk, tsk... seems like the drivers had a hard time today with the absence of driver aids. it was a sunny day in Melbourne but only 7 cars finished the race. well, it's just the start of the season so a lot of things could still happen. next stop: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March 21 - 23).

ps: here are the 2008 Australian Grand Prix winners
1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. Nick Heidfeld (BMW)
3. Nico Rosberg (Williams Toyota)

pss: i know that i'm a Filipino and that i should support Manny. but i don't care about him. F1 rules!!!

Early Birthday Wish

2008-03-16T00:19:00.003+08:00

i know that my birthday is months away, but as early as now, i am announcing the gift that i want to have on my 25th birthday: a Pink Moleskine. forget the MacBook Air or iPhone. a pink Moleskine is what i want. it would definitely stand out among my black Moleskines. wow.

*picture