PrettyRandomThings

Monsieur Abwan

2009-09-03T15:36:00.003+08:00

A week before his flight for Paris, my Asia-particularly-China-fanatic dad was getting more and more reluctant about the trip. While we were on our way to the office one morning, he suddenly pretended to be a kid throwing a tantrum:

Daddy, shaking his head and fake-crying: "Ayoko na umalis....ayoko na umalis!!! Walang magawa sa Europe, mas masarap pa sa Chinaaa."

(After 1 week)

Arriving from the airport, he enters our main door where my brother greeted him:

Carl: O! Kamusta trip?!
...
..
.
Daddy: Bon Jour.

Definitely No Cold Feet Here

2009-07-25T10:04:00.007+08:00

ADORABLE!! And even more adorable are the grandpas and grandmas clapping along to Chris Brown's Forever! HAHA.

And speaking of Walk-Down-The-Aisle songs, a schoolmate of mine got married recently and hers was Sting's Fields of Gold, but of Eva Cassidy's version. (HOW PERFECT IS THAT CHOICE?!?)

My friend's sister who was present at the ceremony told us that everyone had goosebumps, most especially when the big church doors opened on cue and the bride was standing at the end of the aisle immersed in sunlight.

...Which then made another partially-skeptical friend of mine to admit, "I'm starting to believe in Romance again."

♥

Finally Stopping To Smell The Roses

2009-07-19T22:57:00.019+08:00

And then it finally happened.

My friend Michelle and I have been conversing (at times debating) on which 'Sideline' business we should partake in.

Food? Good. Steady.

Fashion? Good, too. But nah, maybe not for now.

*Now accepting orders! :)

Flowers? Hmm. Could be, could be. After all, we both are admittedly meticulously O.C. and we certainly appreciate good aesthetics. (And not to mention that I just adore both Flowers and Colors.) Having these traits would be perfect if we were to pursue a career as florists. (Ha!)

So when her niece was about to celebrate her 1st Birthday and Michelle asked me to team up with her to arrange the floral centerpieces, I right then and there said Yes. Didn't think twice about it.

And of course, crammers that we are, we started the creative thinking process a couple days before and did everything-- shopping, costing, arranging- the night before the party.

It was EXHAUSTING. But I couldn't explain it. Somehow, standing for 15 hours straight, the missed meals, and sleep deprivation didn't discourage me (and my singing, much to their dismay? I hope not haha.) at all. I honestly enjoyed arranging those flowers: matching the colors, making sure the flowers didn't clash, and that the arrangement is proportioned.

I left Michelle's house at 1 in the morning, got home, showered, hopped into bed at around 3 and when I closed my eyes to finally get some R & R, I kid you not, I literally could still see flowers everywhere. And-- as much as I would like to come up with a different closing sentence from the post previous to this, I can't think of anything more accurate- that made me smile. :)

*I apologize for the poor quality of the photo (as well as the backdrop!) as I was in a rush to get my beauty sleep.

**The Color Motif was Pink-Purple-Green. We were asked to make the flowers compact and low in height. We added the Butterflies, which we attached to wires, to make it more playful.

***For queries, requests, orders (within Metro Manila, Philippines only please), kindly E-Mail us at prettyrandomthings@yahoo.com. We would be happy to arrange your floral centerpieces for your next event. :)

Happy Mother's Day! ♥

2009-05-10T18:23:00.004+08:00

From PostSecret.

:)

This Just Screams Artistry. Doesn't It?

2009-05-03T17:30:00.010+08:00

Crocodile pump with grosgrain tie and rhinestone heel by Lanvin.

Mr. Alber Elbaz, you are a cruel, cruel man.

Dream House ♥

2009-04-29T16:07:00.027+08:00

Actress Amy Smart's charming home in Beverly Hills, as seen on In Style, March 2009.

Looks sooo cozy! It's more cottage than house, which I love :)

Cutie!

*Sigh*

I'm already dreaming of Brunches haha!

A. Smart: "It's Cape Cod meets Hollywood bungalow... I wanted to keep the feel of the '40s."

The lesser the signs of civilization, the better. Her garden is lovely! It'd be my perfect escape.

Photographs by Art Streiber.

Joey Ryan's Light On

2009-04-29T15:48:00.013+08:00

Joey Ryan's Light On. I could listen to this all day. :)

~ Discovered Joey Ryan from watching Bella.
~ Discovered Bella from visiting IMDB site.
~ Visited IMDB site for Anchorman Quotes.
~ Looked for Anchorman Quotes after watching said film.
~ Watched said film as a way to pass time on plane.
~ Was on plane en route to Manila after visiting relatives.
~ Was visiting relatives for a big Mother-side reunion a few Christmases ago.
~ Ok, I'll stop.

~ But before I forget, go watch Bella! That movie gave me goosebumps.

Bella Official Trailer

This Will Melt Your Cold, Cold Heart

2009-04-17T19:09:00.005+08:00

From PostSecret.

In response to a postcard about stuttering.

-----Email Message-----
I am mum to a 13 year old boy who has a stammer that is so bad my heart aches for him. But his friends just don't care about it. They take phone calls for him, they cover for him, insist people let him finish and I love them for that more I can possibly tell a bunch of 13/14 and 15 year old boys!

Jack & Karen Make Me Laugh The Hardest

2009-04-01T16:27:00.005+08:00

At 00:45 ---> HAHAHA.

They have way too many sidesplitting one-liners but this is possibly the best Jack and Karen scene ever!

7 Days

2009-03-30T13:04:00.006+08:00

If these look fake it's because they are. Haha.
(Well, not completely, but they're not exactly real, either.)
Got these 7 semi-precious stones from Greenhills Tiangge last week for 700 bucks ($14.50). Not bad, right?

The colors in the photo look more stark, but in actuality, the stones are more pastel-ish.

I'm planning on making them into 7-Day Gold Bangles.
I think I'm over the White Gold Jewelry phase..
Gold seems more regal now, no? Oh actually, it always has been. Tumatanda na ata ako that's why my tastes are changing. Ack. o_O

Well I'm off to Binondo tomorrow afternoon to visit a jeweller. I'll post photos of the bangles once they're done.
Let's see if they can pass off as genuine. Haha.

Summer Brights

2009-03-15T13:19:00.028+08:00

What gets me excited during Summertime (apart from the melting hot weather, thank you) are the Spring-Summer fashion collections (clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, etc.) that feature flashy, attention-getting colors that would make even a 7-colored Rainbow jealous.

I visited Zara last month trying to look for a red dress/top for my dad's surprise party. I don't usually like to spend a huge amount of money on clothes, I like to say I'd rather spend my money on music, on good food, and on a great piece of art or furniture.
Unfortunately, that whole credo of mine was thrown out the window as soon as I detected those bright yellow sleeves peeking through an array of hung tops.

Walk walk walk. Stop. Back-up. My feet automatically turning to the right, like an army man would.

Paint the town yellow.

My favorite color is yellow and my favorite shade of yellow is pastel. This is an exception, though. I literally gasped when this jacket caught my eye. The shade was perfect. Bright yet still flattering. When I look at it I envision myself wearing the jacket with a different bright-colored bag/shoes, my accessories gold, and my makeup a soft peachy-pink blush with berry stained lips roaming around New York.

Hmm, let's see:

It's yellow. Pro.

I don't live in New York. Con.

The color complements my skin tone. Pro.

It's never (or very rarely) chilly here. Con.

It's fairly cheap considering it's Zara. Pro.

It's not red. Con.

There'll never be another jacket of this exact same shade again. I think. Or if ever there will be, I'd have to wait 4 seasons long before I'd see another brightly-hued piece of clothing on store racks. Pro. Definitely a Pro.

He's 58.

2009-03-15T12:24:00.008+08:00

Yesterday I went to the mall to have some pressed flowers* laminated into bookmarks.

*Roses from the (not-so-)surprise party we threw for our dad 3 weeks ago.

Daddy, in the car: Anong ginawa mo dyan? Buong hapon ka ba sa mall? (What did you do there? Did you spend the whole afternoon in the mall?)

Me: Ah hindi, sandali lang. Nagpa-laminate lang ako ng bookmarks. (Ah, nope. I just had some bookmarks laminated.)

Daddy: Sinong kasama mo? (Who were you with?)

Me: Ako lang. Mabilis lang naman ako dun. (Just me. It was just a quick errand.)

Daddy: Mag-isa ka lang naglalakad dun? (So you were just by yourself?)

Me: Ahh oo, bakit? (Ahh yup, why?)

Daddy, snickering:....................Loser.

American Idol

2009-03-12T12:35:00.009+08:00

My 3 all-time AI faves.

(1) Elliott Yamin (Season 5)---> finished 3rd.

(2) Michael Johns (Season 7)---> finished 8th.

(3) Matt Giraud (Season 8)

I always like the raspy-voiced ones!

How To Know When Summer Is Officially Starting

2009-03-08T18:31:00.032+08:00

(Especially here, where it's scorching hot 90% of the time.)

Cue Jack Johnson music. Or Beach Boys.

~Everywhere you look seems like an overexposed photograph.

~US Blockbusters start invading local movie theaters.

~Window displays become less bland.

~You no longer care for your heater.

~(Even though you're a grown man/woman,) Inflatable kiddie pools become so inviting.

~And you feel the urge to buy whale-shaped pool floats.

~You start craving for ice cream again. On second thought, everyone's love for ice cream knows no season.

~Your facial cleanser changes viscosity. (And in extreme cases, it turns to mush.)

~Havaianas flipflops become ubiquitous. Again.

~(Summer or not, I've always been a fan of mixing bright colors in my outfit i.e. fuchsia and turquoise, fuchsia and coral, fuchsia and yellow, etc.-- you get the drill- but) Somewhat disapproving (I assume) stares from strangers become more friendly and morph into smiles paired with slight nods.

You can go crazy with colors and still get away with it.

~Yes. Rainbow is the new Black.

~(And finally,) Fashion collections start making you salivate even more. (Please see Fig. 1)

Fig. 1 Christian Louboutin Petal Sandals

Lin: and these are to die for!!!

Shatan: OMG OMG!!!

Late Night With Conan O'Brien ♥♥♥

2009-02-22T22:55:00.013+08:00

Thanks to his writers, producers, band, staff, and those who always stood by him (especially in his starting years) for making sure we get to have our Conan fix every night.

And thanks to Conan for the amazing 16 years, 2,725 episodes of Late Night.

You are the reason we go to bed with smiles on our faces.

Can't wait for your next stint on The Tonight Show.

I wouldn't miss it for the world! :D

Farewell Video For Conan O'Brien

2009-02-22T18:53:00.007+08:00

:'(
This made me tear up. So sad!

I remember I started watching Late Night in 1993-1995 when I came across his show on cable. I was just 11-13 years old back then. I practically grew up with him haha. I've seen his pilot episode, his staring contests with Andy, his 9/11 speech, the birth of the hornymanatee.com, and yes, even that infamous Rebecca Romijn kiss.
He's basically the reason why I'm a semi-insomniac.

It's not like he's quitting the industry, haha. But it's still sad..
I'll miss him on his Late Night set! :(
I didn't even get the chance to see him live in NY! BOOHOO haha.

Well I'm sure the new show's going to be as funny as Late Night. But it won't be the same.. Hopefully he'll still be the same deadpanning and self-deprecating comedian I fell in love with. Sorry, obsessed Conan fan talking.

***Watch out for him on The Tonight Show! :)

Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert String Dance Off

2009-02-21T01:25:00.005+08:00

Thank you, professional wrestling audience.
HAHAHA I super love these two. :)

Lady And The Tramp (Guinea Pig Style)

2009-01-28T22:31:00.004+08:00

Hehe. Made me laugh.
Guinea pigs are sooo cute!

An Über-Quick Rant

2009-01-23T22:57:00.005+08:00

Don't you just hate ALBUM RE-RELEASES???

It's happened to me multiple times:

I check on album updates from an artist I love.
I go regularly to music stores to see if that CD has come out.
I buy the CD.
A few months thereafter, they re-release the EXACT SAME CD with ANOTHER Bonus disc.
And worse even, it's an LP more often than not.

ARRRGHHH.
I literally can't decide which I hate more. This or Coriander.

A Short Video For Shoe Addicts

2009-01-23T13:31:00.014+08:00

From The New York Times website.
09.13.08

VIDEO: On The Street With Bill Cunningham

Haha.
Everyone's a masochist to a certain degree.

Case in point:
My nude satin peep-toe booties. 4" heels.

We have a love-hate relationship. ♥

Laura Izibor's Shine

2009-01-21T13:27:00.005+08:00

Wake up one morning you realize

Your life is one big compromise

Stuck in the job you swore was only temporary

Feel like the world is passin' you by

Never done all the things you wanted to try

Stuck in one place, got a pain in your face

From all your stressin' out

You ask yourself there's got to be more than what I'm livin for

You ask yourself there's got to be somethin else

Somethin' more, more, more

CHORUS

Well let the sun shine on your face

And don't let your life go to waste

Now is the time, got to make up your mind

Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Feel like theres nothin', nowhere to go

You try and fight but you can't let go

Of all the pain, got so much to gain

Now is the time

You ask yourself there's got to be somethin else

Somethin' more, more, more

CHORUS

Let the sun shine on your face

And don't let your life go to waste

Now is the time, got to make up your mind

Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

You ask yourself there's got to be more than what I'm livin for

You ask yourself there's got to be somethin else

Somethin' more, more, more...

CHORUS

Well let the sun shine on your face

And don't let your life go to waste

Now is the time, got to make up your mind

Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Well let the sun shine on your face

And don't let your life go to waste

Now is the time, got to make up your mind

Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

Let the sun shine on your face

And don't let your life go to waste

Now is the time, got to make up your mind

Let it shine on you, let it shine on you

For the audio clip, please visit http://www.lauraizibor.com/music/shine/

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T11:02:00.001+08:00

And in Steve Jobs' words:

Stay hungry.
Stay foolish.

Hyper When Hungry

2008-12-07T01:05:00.021+08:00

Friday night, us four again in the car: ahya (driving), dihya (passenger seat), Daddy and me.

We were on our way to pick up Elaine from her bakeshop Carla and Elaine's in Greenhills and as expected, traffic was slow that night.

Around 7ish, Dad was getting hungry and we soon discovered that hunger was one of the three things* (and counting) that triggered his hyperactivity and heightened talkativeness, or what my dihya would refer to as "second childhood."

*(1) Golf the next day. He couldn't even sleep due to his excitement. And it's not like he just started to play the sport. He's been a golfer for more than a decade.

(2) Spicy food. Proven by Kocco's Hot Tuna Bread.

(3) Hunger.

Because of the traffic, my ahya had to look for a different route so we could go home in time for dinner. My dihya suggested that he take a shortcut dad had taught him a few weeks ago.

Remembering that my dihya was skeptical of his shortcut before, dad goes: Ooohhhh!! Iyan yung tinuro ko sa iyo dati. Sabi mo hindi OK yung turo ko tapos ngayon tinuturo mo na kay Ahya. Tama ako noh? OK yung daan ko. Aminin mo. Tama yung tinuro ko. Aminin! Uuyyy aminiiiiin!!! (then putting on a girly voice) AMIIIINIIIIIII--- (he cuts himself off, distracted by the car shop named Mother's we just passed by).

2 seconds after,

Daddy, singing a John Lennon song, feel na feel: "MOOOTHERRRRR...."

Someone give this guy a sedative. HAHAHA.

PostSecret 11.08.08

2008-11-10T13:13:00.006+08:00

This is as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.

From PostSecret.

-----Email Message-----

Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2008 8:58 AM

Subject: So sorry for your loss.

I don't know if we have read your beloved's obituary, but my husband and I read your secret -- one of our favorite things is to read PostSecret on Sunday morning when we're still bleary-eyed and in need of coffee, making up stories about the poster's lives -- and he hugged me because it made me cry, and touched the screen saying, "it's really beautiful."

So you just became a part of our story. I wanted to share this with you, because I would be honored to be a part of yours.

Uhh...Guess Not

2008-11-07T20:27:00.003+08:00

Dad was being his usual talkative self, this time the topic centered around someone's daughter.

My brother asks: Maganda ba?

Daddy: Mabait.

Brother: Maganda ba?!?

Daddy: Uhh...Matalino.

Conan: Celebrity Survey

2008-11-07T19:53:00.006+08:00

My favorite Celebrity Survey* to date:

To the question: "My favorite time of day is..."

Evangeline Lilly wrote: "Dawn."
Matt Lauer wrote "Twilight."
.....
....
...
..
.
O.J. Simpson wrote: "Murder O'Clock."

Conan: I like how there's no attempt there to make sense.

*Celebrity Survey-- A Late Night With Conan O'Brien sketch wherein Conan supposedly sends out surveys to celebrities and then reads off their replies.

The Neverending Story

2008-11-04T20:49:00.005+08:00

The ride going to and from the office is never, ever dull.
In the car, both of my brothers are always seated in front; my dad and I at the back. The two most talkative, without a doubt, are my daddyo and his mini-me (although actually taller than him), my dihya.

Being the only girl there, I'm indebted to my iPod for letting me tune out and escape from all their chitchats on cars, sports, and other guy stuff I could care less about. Once I get in the car, I automatically take it out and press Play until we arrive home 30-40 minutes later.

Sometimes, their conversations would get too heated up I'd either have to increase the volume of my music or hit pause and play the role of the adjudicator.
Though if it isn't raised voices, it's usually boisterous laughters I hear through my earphones.

One time, my dad started sharing to us a story about China (or a childhood memory of his, or one of his business-related anecdotes-- I forget. He always talks about these 3 all the time.), so I stopped my iPod for a while and listened.

Two sentences in, my dihya goes: OOOOoooohhhppp ohp ohp ohppp. Stop. Alam na namin iyan.
My ahya followed: Nakwento mo na iyan.

My dad pauses. Sitting beside him, I see his face still looking excited. And so he continues on with his story.

My two brothers: OoOooohhh narinig na nga namin iyan. Ilang beses mo na iyan kinwento eh. Paulit ulit na.

Daddy, pauses again, letting them finish. His facial expression still unchanged and his body shifted forward, making sure they hear him loud and clear: .....tapos noh...blah blah blah... tapos........

Brothers, laughing a little while daddy continues talking: Sinabi na ngang narinig na, kwento pa rin siya...

Daddy, unmindful and still fascinated by his own repeatedly-told story (his intonations and hand gestures full of emotion each time he tells it): ...blah blah blah...tapos.....blah blah blah..........

Brothers: Wala talagang effect...

Me: HAHAHAHAHA!

Aww. Cutest Bunny Ever.

2008-10-07T11:56:00.011+08:00

Armed and dangerous.

('Shopped) Photo from Cute Overload.

Isn't she, I'm assuming, adorable??? :)

The Girl With An Apple

2008-10-04T17:01:00.006+08:00

This is a ~~true~~* beautiful story.

*Saw a report on CNN this afternoon that parts of this story were embellished.
The gist:
They did meet on a blind date.
He was in fact in a concentration camp.
He had that dream.
She was in hiding with her family, but they were 200 miles away from the camp.
No apple-throwing occured.

August 1942. Piotrkow , Poland.

The sky was gloomy that morning as we waited anxiously. All the men, women and children of Piotrkow's Jewish ghetto had been herded into a square.

Word had gotten around that we were being moved. My father had only recently died from typhus, which had run rampant through the crowded ghetto. My greatest fear was that our family would be separated.

'Whatever you do,' Isidore, my eldest brother, whispered to me, 'don't tell them your age. Say you're sixteen.

'I was tall for a boy of 11, so I could pull it off. That way I might be deemed valuable as a worker.

An SS man approached me, boots clicking against the cobblestones. He looked me up and down, and then asked my age.

'Sixteen,' I said. He directed me to the left, where my three brothers and other healthy young men already stood.

My mother was motioned to the right with the other women, children, sick and elderly people.

I whispered to Isidore, 'Why?'

He didn't answer.

I ran to Mama's side and said I wanted to stay with her.

'No, 'she said sternly.

'Get away. Don't be a nuisance. Go with your brothers.'

She had never spoken so harshly before. But I understood: She was protecting me. She loved me so much that, just this once, she pretended not to. It was the last I ever saw of her.

My brothers and I were transported in a cattle car to Germany .

We arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp one night weeks later and were led into a crowded barrack. The next day, we were issued uniforms and identification numbers.

'Don't call me Herman anymore.' I said to my brothers. 'Call me 94983.'

I was put to work in the camp's crematorium, loading the dead into a hand-cranked elevator.

I, too, felt dead. Hardened, I had become a number.

Soon, my brothers and I were sent to Schlieben, one of Buchenwald's sub-camps near Berlin .

One morning I thought I heard my mother's voice.

'Son,' she said softly but clearly, I am going to send you an angel..'

Then I woke up. Just a dream. A beautiful dream.

But in this place there could be no angels. There was only work. And hunger. And fear.

A couple of days later, I was walking around the camp, around the barracks, near the barbed-wire fence where the guards could not easily see. I was alone.

On the other side of the fence, I spotted someone: a little girl with light, almost luminous curls. She was half-hidden behind a birch tree.

I glanced around to make sure no one saw me. I called to her softly in German. 'Do you have something to eat?'

She didn't understand.

I inched closer to the fence and repeated the question in Polish. She stepped forward. I was thin and gaunt, with rags wrapped around my feet, but the girl looked unafraid. In her eyes, I saw life.

She pulled an apple from her woolen jacket and threw it over the fence.

I grabbed the fruit and, as I started to run away, I heard her say faintly, 'I'll see you tomorrow.'

I returned to the same spot by the fence at the same time every day. She was always there with something for me to eat - a hunk of bread or, better yet, an apple.

We didn't dare speak or linger. To be caught would mean death for us both.

I didn't know anything about her, just a kind farm girl, except that she understood Polish. What was her name? Why was she risking her life for me?

Hope was in such short supply, and this girl on the other side of the fence gave me some, as nourishing in its way as the bread and apples.

Nearly seven months later, my brothers and I were crammed into a coal car and shipped to Theresienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia .

'Don't return,' I told the girl that day. 'We're leaving.'

I turned toward the barracks and didn't look back, didn't even say good-bye to the little girl whose name I'd never learned, the girl with the apples.

We were in Theresienstadt for three months. The war was winding down and Allied forces were closing in, yet my fate seemed sealed.

On May 10, 1945, I was scheduled to die in the gas chamber at 10:00 AM.

In the quiet of dawn, I tried to prepare myself. So many times death seemed ready to claim me, but somehow I'd survived. Now, it was over.

I thought of my parents. At least, I thought, we will be reunited.

But at 8 A.M. there was a commotion. I heard shouts, and saw people running every which way through camp. I caught up with my brothers.

Russian troops had liberated the camp! The gates swung open. Everyone was running, so I did too. Amazingly, all of my brothers had survived;

I'm not sure how. But I knew that the girl with the apples had been the key to my survival.

In a place where evil seemed triumphant, one person's goodness had saved my life, had given me hope in a place where there was none.

My mother had promised to send me an angel, and the angel had come.

Eventually I made my way to England where I was sponsored by a Jewish charity, put up in a hostel with other boys who had survived the Holocaust and trained in electronics. Then I came to America , where my brother Sam had already moved. I served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, and returned to New York City after two years.

By August 1957 I'd opened my own electronics repair shop. I was starting to settle in.

One day, my friend Sid who I knew from England called me.

'I've got a date. She's got a Polish friend. Let's double date.

'A blind date? Nah, that wasn't for me.

But Sid kept pestering me, and a few days later we headed up to the Bronx to pick up his date and her friend Roma.

I had to admit, for a blind date this wasn't so bad. Roma was a nurse at a Bronx hospital. She was kind and smart. Beautiful, too, with swirling brown curls and green, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life.

The four of us drove out to Coney Island . Roma was easy to talk to, easy to be with.

Turned out she was wary of blind dates too!

We were both just doing our friends a favor. We took a stroll on the boardwalk, enjoying the salty Atlantic breeze, and then had dinner by the shore. I couldn't remember having a better time.

We piled back into Sid's car, Roma and I sharing the backseat.

As European Jews who had survived the war, we were aware that much had been left unsaid between us. She broached the subject, 'Where were you,' she asked softly, 'during the war?'

'The camps,' I said. The terrible memories still vivid, the irreparable loss. I had tried to forget. But you can never forget.

She nodded. 'My family was hiding on a farm in Germany , not far from Berlin ,' she told me. 'My father knew a priest, and he got us Aryan papers.'

I imagined how she must have suffered too, fear, a constant companion. And yet here we were both survivors, in a new world.

'There was a camp next to the farm.' Roma continued. 'I saw a boy there and I would throw him apples every day.'

What an amazing coincidence that she had helped some other boy. 'What did he look like? I asked.

'He was tall, skinny, and hungry. I must have seen him every day for six months.'

My heart was racing. I couldn't believe it.

This couldn't be.

'Did he tell you one day not to come back because he was leaving Schlieben?'

Roma looked at me in amazement. 'Yes!'

'That was me!'

I was ready to burst with joy and awe, flooded with emotions. I couldn't believe it! My angel.

'I'm not letting you go.' I said to Roma. And in the back of the car on that blind date, I proposed to her. I didn't want to wait.

'You're crazy!' she said. But she invited me to meet her parents for Shabbat dinner the following week.

There was so much I looked forward to learning about Roma, but the most important things I always knew: her steadfastness, her goodness. For many months, in the worst of circumstances, she had come to the fence and given me hope. Now that I'd found her again, I could never let her go.

That day, she said yes. And I kept my word. After nearly 50 years of marriage, two children and three grandchildren, I have never let her go.

~Herman Rosenblat of Miami Beach , Florida

A Letter To Your Younger Self

2008-10-04T16:47:00.004+08:00

I saw this in the September 2008 issue of Marie Claire and I'd like to share it with you.

Readers were invited to submit letters they would write to their younger selves and three were selected. I chose this one in particular because frankly, and I hate to admit it, I related to this one the most.

To Melanie,

When I peer into the looking glass that illuminates you, I see a shy, quiet girl who is critically afraid. Afraid of failure, afraid of rejection, afraid of loneliness... and these fears are holding you back. If there were one lesson I could give to you, it would be to stop letting fear keep you from living. Don't run away, for joy often lies just below the surface of uncomfortable. You will fail, but failure will make success a little richer. You will be rejected, but rejection will refine your inner strength. Be good to yourself: Practice self-reverence, self-discipline, and self-control. For in the end, you are stronger than you think. The consequences of all that you fear are not nearly as bad as the regret of what is missed while standing on the sidelines.

With courage, Melanie

Paul Newman (1925-2008)

2008-10-03T22:26:00.021+08:00

I first learned of Paul Newman in my early teens (I am now 25) while I was reading a feature article on Hollywood Screen Legends. It mentioned quite a few actors and actresses, who were all considered icons by many, but the only 2 people I would still remember from then on were P. Newman and Marlon Brando.
And that would be because I've never seen anyone as beautiful a creature as they were.

Paul Newman.

*Note: I abhor smoking and would never encourage it but I must admit these photos are delovely.

Marlon Brando.

To be honest, I don't really know much about Paul Newman but I've always found him charming and fascinating. (Must be his eyes; Blue Eyes they called him. Eyes are such give aways. And for Mr. Newman, his easily divulged of his good soul.)

I've never really seen a whole lot of his movies. Well, aside from the animated film Cars, the only other movies of Paul Newman's I've watched were Message In A Bottle and Road To Perdition. (Two totally different genres but I enjoyed them nonetheless and I must say, even as a crime boss, Mr. Newman certainly was charming in his roles.)

All I know, from what I've heard and read, is that he was a great actor, a devoted husband, and the founder of Newman's Own.

The next I would see him in is on the television show Iconoclasts wherein two "creative visionaries", as described in its Wikipedia page, discuss their lives, influences, and art. In that episode, P. Newman and his close friend Robert Redford interviewed each other.

Prior to that, I only knew of him as an old crush who was, and is, considered a legend. Watching it, however, I learned that he was more than a celebrity, more than just a great actor. Paul Newman, was a humanitarian*. And that was what I admired most about him. It's not impossible, but surely it's rare to come across a person who is so lucky to be blessed as such and be as kind and selfless as he was.

And as cliche as this may sound, he made me want to be a better person.

*(His company, Newman's Own, donates all of its profits to charity and his camps, Hole In The Wall Gang, continue to help seriously ill children today.)

Paul Newman passed last September 26, 2008. Now, I'm not going to write about his life story or discuss his film works because Wikipedia and IMDB are better sources for that. I write this blog entry because I consider him as an inspiration and I mourn the loss of such an amazing human being. He managed to live a full life while he exemplified the value of generosity, kindness, and of love. He dedicated his life to giving back and for that, he made this world a better place.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Paul Newman. You will be missed greatly.

Hi. My Name Is Sharleen. And I'm A Conanholic.

2008-10-03T16:52:00.003+08:00

I say it's admiration.
They say it's obsession.

Ahhh. What I would give to be able to watch him live.

SNL: OJ Jury Selection

2008-10-02T12:06:00.002+08:00

HAHA.
Aww man. I miss SNL.

SNL: Sarah Palin and Katie Couric

2008-09-29T21:01:00.002+08:00

Pew! Pew! Pew!
*wink*

I Guess He's Not A Fan As Well

2008-09-24T15:38:00.006+08:00

The morning after mom's birthday party, our refrigerator was stocked with boxes of cakes, one of which was the famous Conti's Mango Bravo. (A tall cake with layers of meringue, whipped cream, chocolate cream, and of course, mangoes.)

They say it's their bestseller; personally though, I'm not really a big fan.

Photo by Mr. Anton from the blog Our Awesome Planet

At the breakfast table, my mom asked my dad if he wanted to bring a slice of the Mango Bravo for merienda later.

Daddy, irked: AYOKO 'YAN, OVER-ACTING! MASYADONG OVER-ACTING!

:)) Haha.

Surprise Party For Mom

2008-09-24T15:35:00.011+08:00

Planning the surprise party was a bit stressful honestly, especially with all the things you have to prepare and take note of: guest list, reservations, the food, banner (courtesy of Auntie Mary), the cake (by Elaine), the cupcake souvenirs (Elaine, too), and the flowers.
This we had to do in a span of one week and it didn't help that mom's schedule was a little hectic due to her other birthday treats. But thankfully, we pulled it off. Despite the fact that SM was having a three-day sale and traffic was heavy, everyone (except for a couple) we invited was there and there were no slip-ups. The suprise party was successful and everything went well.

But as stressful as it was, seeing the look on my mom's face when she came into the room and everyone started singing Happy Birthday? Ahh, nothing beats that.

*Quotable quotes from the party:

Mommy, wearing a plain purple empire dress/top with white leggings and black sandals, who at that night wasn't really at her best fashion-wise ("I thought we'd just be having a small, simple dinner," she later explained) said this right after everyone greeted her at the party: Gwa eh sah huan hiong oh! (My outfit looks hideous!)

Sophie, seeing mom's pic on the banner: Amaaaaaaa!!!!!

Chiz, to one of the guests: Goodbye, Vick.

Thanks to Elaine for providing the lovely (and yummy!) fondant cake and rose cupcakes and making the surprise party a special one.

*Please visit her other blog, Cosmo Bread to see her complete list of baked goodies.

Coolio Daddio

2008-08-27T20:04:00.011+08:00

After having checked the schedule for upcoming concerts here in Manila, I immediately messaged my dad.

Me: magconcert paul anka sept 20 (Paul Anka's having a concert on Sept. 20.)

Daddy: pangit yun (That's ugly / I'm not interested.)

Me: nde ba fave mo yun? (Isn't he your favorite?) ---knowing full well he owns P. Anka CD's

Daddy: dati ngayon si maroon 5 (Before. Now, Maroon 5.)

..........Wow. And to think I spent the whole day listening to OPM's.

*I especially love how he preceded Maroon 5 with a Si. Haha.*

Pilosopong Crustacean

2008-07-05T22:08:00.010+08:00

Mutts Comics by Patrick McDonnell.

The bird's like, "Ehhhhhhh..." Haha.

Happy Summer to me friends there and to me friends here, where it feels like Summer all year long.

David Gray's Shine

2008-06-17T11:49:00.007+08:00

I can see it in your eyes

What I know in my heart is true

That our love it has faded

Like the summer run through

So we'll walk down the shoreline

One last time together

Feel the wind blow our wanderin' hearts

Like a feather

But who knows what's waiting

In the wings of time

Dry your eyes

We gotta go where we can shine

Don't be hiding in sorrow

Or clinging to the past

With your beauty so precious

And the season so fast

No matter how cold the horizon appear

Or how far the first night

When I held you near

You gotta rise from these ashes

Like a bird of flame

Take my hand

We've gotta go where we can shine

For all that we struggle

For all we pretend

It don't come down to nothing

Except love in the end

And ours is a road

That is strewn with goodbyes

But as it unfolds

As it all unwinds

Remember your soul is the one thing

You just can't compromise

Step out of the shadow

We're gonna go where we can shine

(and look, and look)

Through the windows of midnight

Moonfoam and silver

LANVIN Spring-Summer '08

2008-05-20T23:41:00.011+08:00

The collection that would inspire even more collections.

Premiered last October 2007.

No other fashion label has ever given me this much goosebumps.

Lanvin's Spring-Summer line is truly breathtaking; the artistry, the colors, the fabric choices, the fluidity of the garments, and the overall Parisian feel.

I remember on first day of fashion school our teacher asked us to look for one fashion designer or a fashion label that would serve to be the foundation, the inspiration of what kind of fashion designers we would come to be.
"Choose one, read up on it, and study the designs. Learn as much as you can about the designer/label," he said. That was almost two years ago.

I think I finally found mine.

Mr. Alber Elbaz, thank you.

The Square Root of 3

2008-05-18T22:46:00.003+08:00

I fear that I will always be

A lonely number like root 3

A 3 is all that's good and right,

Why must my 3 keep out of sight

Beneath a vicious square root sign

I wish instead I were a 9

For 9 could thwart this evil trick,

with just some quick arithmetic

I know I'll never see the sun, as 1.7321

Such is my reality, a sad irrationality

When hark! What is this I see,

Another square root of a 3

Has quietly come waltzing by,

Together now we multiply

To form a number we prefer,

Rejoicing as an integer

We break free from our mortal bonds

And with a wave of magic wands

Our square root signs become unglued

And love for me has been renewed.

As heard on Harold And Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay, which I think is a hilarious movie despite what my sister and friends say :P

Hamsterrific! XP

2008-05-17T23:59:00.003+08:00

Aww. Tres cute!

I Need My Conan and SNL Fix

2008-04-23T13:01:00.006+08:00

I still haven't forgiven SkyCable for removing Conan and SNL from their program line-up.

At least they finally got The Colbert Report on Maxxx. Yay!
One less reason to switch cable providers! :D

Becoming Jane

2007-12-14T16:43:00.002+08:00

I don't think I could write a movie review for Becoming Jane without ruining it for those people who have yet to see it.

Relax, I'm not planning on writing any spoilers. I'm not sadistic. :)

All I'm going to say is, Wow. This movie, based on the book Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence, is basically about the rumored romance between a 21-year-old Jane Austen (played by Anne Hathaway) and Thomas Lefroy (James McAvoy-- one of the best actors today, in my opinion). As the tagline for the movie goes, "Their love story was her greatest inspiration."

Becoming Jane is undoubtedly the best romantic period film I've ever seen. The cinematography is amazing; the music hauntingly beautiful; and the acting, in British accent now, utterly brilliant.

Of course other Jane Austen movies like Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice are still on top of my Movies To See list. But I doubt that any of those two will leave me as entranced.

For the fans of Jane Austen, go watch this film. For those who have never read any of her novels, watch it and I'm sure you'll be converted.

Just make sure you resist the urge to go snooping on the Internet for plot summaries or in-depth movie reviews. And if possible, try not to watch the trailer. Some of the good parts are shown there.

Stereophonics' It Means Nothing

2007-12-09T16:03:00.000+08:00

Did we lose ourselves again?
Do we take in what's been said?
Do we take the time to be
All the things we said we'd be
And we bury heads in sand
But my future's in my hands
It means nothing
It means nothing

You can find yourself a God
Believe in which one you want
'Coz they love you all the same
They just go by different names
When we fly our flag today
Are you proud or just ashamed?
It means nothing
It means nothing

It means nothing
It means nothing
It means nothing
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you

And the sun sets in the sky
You're the apple of my eye
If the bomb goes off again
In my brain or on the train
I hope that I'm with you
'Cos I wouldn't know what to do
It means nothing
It means nothing

It means nothing
It means nothing
It means nothing
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you
If I haven't got you

They Are SO Not Amused.

2007-11-01T02:15:00.000+08:00

Uh oh. That dog Wicket looks pissed.

Polyvore.com

2007-09-01T22:31:00.000+08:00

Fun fun fun! Playing dress up sans the doll, online.

Today I discovered the site Polyvore while Facebook-ing and spent a great deal of the afternoon styling 3 different outfits.

This is one of the two reasons why I dream of working in Fashion magazines. (The other one being Fashion Photography.)

Move over, Rachel Zoe. Har har I wish.

Check out the site if you don't have anything else to do. Caution, though, it's highly addictive!

Little Pink Ballerina

2007-08-18T21:16:00.001+08:00

Sketch dated 01/18/07.
I just discovered Adobe Photoshop and was excitedly experimenting when I made this rough doodle. Naturally, having a fascination with ballet, I chose ballet shoes as my subject. I wasn't finished with it yet but I kinda like how it turned out quite unpolished.

Anyone else out there who's interested in watching ballet?

I've been inviting friends for years now to watch one with me but I think they would rather watch paint dry. Haha. Is ballet really that unappealing???

I guess my love for ballet started when I donned my first ever pretty little pink tutus (although I hated the tulle 'coz it was itchy) while I was in Kindergarten. Aww, I can still remember the smell of our ballet studio. I miss it. We had this big presentation at the Meralco Theater and I can still picture the audience as I danced from the second line of little ballerinas onstage. We practiced real hard for that performance but I'll let you in on a little secret. I cheated with my pirouettes. Shhh.

Sadly, I was a ballerina only for 2 years, though I never stopped liking it. I try to collect photos, prints, displays of ballerinas and try to watch all the dance movies out there. Centerstage is my favorite ballet movie so far.

Here's a video that is also a favorite of mine from another movie called The Company:

Well, no one in my family really likes ballet. None of my friends do, too.

I have tried asking them but what I usually get is laughter, followed by "Are you serious?", and then followed by some more laughter.

I don't care, I still think ballet is inarguably cooler than Backstreet Boys, noh! (Hi Tif! :D Haha.)

Although some would be real sweet enough to volunteer to accompany me (even if it's pretty obvious they want nothing to do with it. Haha.), I'd politely decline since I don't really want to hassle them.

If I do get desperate, though, I might just go watch ballet alone.

***There are shows lined up at the Aliw Theater (of Star City, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City) these coming months.

(1) Halo-Halo 2

August 24-26, 31, September 1-2, 2007

(2) Swan Lake

September 28-30, October 5-7, 2007
(3) Pinnochio

December 7-9, 14-16, 2007

(4) Le Corsaire
February 15-17, 22-24, 2008

For inquiries, please call Ballet Manila at 525.5967 or 400.0292. You may also buy tickets at A Different Bookstore outlets.
And if you're planning to watch, please call/message me! Unless you're some psycho stranger who just happened to click on my blog.

Rainy Days

2007-08-16T22:58:00.001+08:00

Frankly, I don't understand why rain is so hated. I, for one, love it. I long for it.

I always hear people complain at the sight of cloudy skies and rant about how they make them sad, or worse, depressed.

I mean, I get why people would consider it gloomy. But what I don't get is how they don't see the beauty in it.

Maybe part of its negative connotation is brought about by its resemblance to tears/crying? I don't know. Or the people's dislike for getting wet and getting mud on their shoes? Or maybe it's the idea of being stuck at home and being bored out of their wits. (Which isn't a problem for me at all since I'm such a homebody.)

I guess Science is also somewhat responsible for rain's bad reputation because our eyes associate happiness with bright, lively colors. I agree that with the dullness of gray skies, I'm pretty sure I won't suddenly be doing any song-and-dance number anytime soon. Still, it doesn't make me sad.

David Gray's January Rain. Your perfect background

music as you stare at the rain by your window. Haha.

But rain can be so beautiful if you look past its gloominess.

If you give it a chance, you'll see how relaxing, pure, and serene it actually is. Even therapeutic.

And frankly, rain isn't depressing. At all. It's just misunderstood.

Oh Crap. I'm 24.

2007-08-03T23:02:00.000+08:00

Maybe it comes with the age, but I've noticed how I've gotten more mellow (sounds too depressing), or rather, more mature (that's more like it).

Few things I've noticed about myself that solidifies my getting older--

My tastes have matured; improved, in my opinion.
I feel like my views have changed; I'm more open minded now.
I don't dwell on things that don't matter to me; and petty things don't bother me as much anymore.
My reasoning has improved.
I'm calmer in difficult situations.
I played Mahjong on my 24th Birthday.
Why yes, that's a good reason alright.

I recently celebrated my birthday at home with a few close buddies. I actually prefer staying in, having friends over, and talking the night away.
It's much more intimate.
Usually, girls I know would rather go to bars and get drunk to celebrate their one more year of wisdom. Nothing against them, of course. To each his own.
Then again, this is me talking, Lil' Miss I-Dream-Of-Afternoon-Tea-Parties.

Everything about the party was impromptu. Unfortunately, my turning a year older still didn't do much on my indecisiveness.
I invited my friends on such a short notice (and was relieved they didn't have plans that Saturday).

Good food. Great music. Even greater company. :D

For the food, I ordered Lasagna and Chicken Pie, bestsellers from Magic Kitchen in Acropolis [+632.637.8002 / +632.635.2043] (do try their cakes as well.), made some Chicken Parmigiana, and baked my favorite Chocolate Cheesecake (I had to, it's my birthday! Hehe.)

CHICKEN PARMIGIANA

Ingredients:

Chicken Cutlets, Breasts preferrably

Salt and Pepper

Egg, beaten

Breadcrumbs

Parmesan Cheese, grated

Olive oil

Tomato Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Dip into beaten egg, then cover with breadcrumbs-and-parmesan-cheese mixture. (I used around 1/3 cup cheese for every cup of breadcrumbs.)
Heat oil in pan, place the chicken and cook until golden brown, drain oil.
Pour tomato sauce (any type you want, plain, puttanesca, basil pomodoro, etc.) on a baking dish and arrange chicken cutlets on top.
Place a small slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each cutlet.
Bake until the cheese melts.

After scarfing down our food, we moved from the dinner table to the mahjong table.
And so the fun begins.
We played for four hours straight while talking about High School and singing along to some great music simultaneously. (Haha. I did say we're frustrated singers as well, right?)
And in those four hours, I only won once. I still had a great time though. No, no, I had a blast!

***Thank you to those who came as well as to those who tried. :)

Alexi Murdoch

2007-06-16T23:44:00.000+08:00

I think of a reason why I should buy a pair of Noise Cancelling headphones and I immediately think of Alexi Murdoch.
Even on his MySpace page, he wrote under Sounds Like:
listen with headphones
And that's exactly how I would describe him as well.

I love everything about his music. His voice, his strums, his melody, and his lyrics.
His songs are perfect to listen to whenever you're feeling a little introspective or are in the mood to escape.

Alexi Murdoch's All My Days

Just a guy and his guitar.
Nothing beats pure, infabricated music.

Potty-Mouthed Cutie

2007-06-08T17:08:00.000+08:00

The Landlord

I ♥ Will Ferrell, but Pearl is clearly the star in the video.
Cutie patootie! :D

When All Else Fails, There's Always Delusion

2007-06-06T16:41:00.001+08:00

Other people's New York Itinerary:
1. Times Square
2. Statue of Liberty
3. Broadway
4. Museums
5. etc.

Mine:
1. Conan O'Brien's Souvenir Shop
2. etc.

I'm a little obsessed with Conan O'Brien. (Not I-have-memorized-his-biography-stalkerish obsessed, but more like I-have-been-a-fan-since-the-Andy-Richter-days-and-I-print-out-his-monologues-and-he-is-the-ninety-percent-cause-of-my-bouts-of-insomnia obsessed)
How can you not be with his pasty skin and bright-orange hair? Haha.

I would like to share with you this speech (quite a long read, but definitely worth it) by Conan I found on the net a few years back. I still read it from time to time. I never get tired of his humor. :D

Conan O'Brien's Commencement Speech At Harvard

I'd like to thank the Class Marshals for inviting me here today. The last time I was invited to Harvard it cost me $110,000, so you'll forgive me if I'm a bit suspicious. I'd like to announce up front that I have one goal this afternoon: to be half as funny as tomorrow's Commencement Speaker, Moral Philosopher and Economist, Amartya Sen. Must get more laughs than seminal wage/price theoretician.

Students of the Harvard Class of 2000, fifteen years ago I sat where you sit now and I thought exactly what you are now thinking: What's going to happen to me? Will I find my place in the world? Am I really graduating a virgin? I still have 24 hours and my roommate's Mom is hot. I swear she was checking me out.

Being here today is very special for me. I miss this place. I especially miss Harvard Square - it's so unique. No where else in the world will you find a man with a turban wearing a Red Sox jacket and working in a lesbian bookstore. Hey, I'm just glad my dad's working.

It's particularly sweet for me to be here today because when I graduated, I wanted very badly to be a Class Day Speaker. Unfortunately, my speech was rejected. So, if you'll indulge me, I'd like to read a portion of that speech from fifteen years ago: "Fellow students, as we sit here today listening to that classic Ah-ha tune which will definitely stand the test of time, I would like to make several predictions about what the future will hold: I believe that one day a simple Governor from a small Southern state will rise to the highest office in the land. He will lack political skill, but will lead on the sheer strength of his moral authority. I believe that Justice will prevail and, one day, the Berlin Wall will crumble, uniting East and West Berlin forever under Communist rule. I believe that one day, a high speed network of interconnected computers will spring up world-wide, so enriching people that they will lose their interest in idle chit chat and pornography. And finally, I believe that one day I will have a television show on a major network, seen by millions of people a night, which I will use to re-enact crimes and help catch at-large criminals." And then there's some stuff about the death of Wall Street which I don't think we need to get into....

I was actually a student here once much like you. I came here in the fall of 1981 and lived in Holworthy. I was, without exaggeration, the ugliest picture in the Freshman Face book. When Harvard asked me for a picture the previous summer, I thought it was just for their records, so I literally jogged in the August heat to a passport photo office and sat for a morgue photo.

To make matters worse, when the Face Book came out they put my picture next to Catherine Oxenberg, a stunning blonde actress who was accepted to the class of '85 but decided to defer admission so she could join the cast of "Dynasty." My photo would have looked bad on any page, but next to Catherine Oxenberg, I looked like a mackerel that had been in a car accident. You see, in those days I was six feet four inches tall and I weighed 150 pounds. Recently, I had some structural engineers run those numbers into a computer model and, according the computer, I collapsed in 1987, killing hundreds in Taiwan.

After freshman year I moved to Mather House. Mather House, incidentally, was designed by the same firm that built Hitler's bunker. In fact, if Hitler had conducted the war from Mather House, he'd have shot himself a year earlier.

1985 seems like a long time ago now. When I had my Class Day, you students would have been seven years old. Seven years old. Do you know what that means? Back then I could have beaten any of you in a fight. And I mean bad. It would be no contest. If any one here has a time machine, seriously, let's get it on, I will whip your seven year old butt. When I was here, they sold diapers at the Coop that said "Harvard Class of 2000." At the time, it was kind of a joke, but now I realize you wore those diapers. How embarrassing for you. A lot has happened in fifteen years. When you think about it, we come from completely different worlds. When I graduated, we watched movies starring Tom Cruise and listened to music by Madonna. I come from a time when we huddled around our TV sets and watched "The Cosby Show" on NBC, never imagining that there would one day be a show called "Cosby" on CBS. In 1985 we drove cars with driver's side airbags, but if you told us that one day there'd be passenger side airbags, we'd have burned you for witchcraft. But of course, I think there is some common ground between us.

I remember well the great uncertainty of this day. Many of you are justifiably nervous about leaving the safe, comfortable world of Harvard Yard and hurling yourself headlong into the cold, harsh world of Harvard Grad School, a plum job at your father's firm, or a year abroad with a gold Amex card and then a plum job in your father's firm. But let me assure you that the knowledge you've gained here at Harvard is a precious gift that will never leave you. Take it from me, your education is yours to keep forever. Why, many of you have read the Merchant of Florence, and that will inspire you when you travel to the island of Spain. Your knowledge of that problem they had with those people in Russia, or that guy in South America- you know, that guy- will enrich you for the rest of your life.

There is also sadness today, a feeling of loss that you're leaving Harvard forever. Well, let me assure you that you never really leave Harvard. The Harvard Fundraising Committee will be on your ass until the day you die. Right now, a member of the Alumni Association is at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery shaking down the corpse of Henry Adams. They heard he had a brass toe ring and they aims to get it. Imagine: These people just raised 2.5 billion dollars and they only got through the B's in the alumni directory. Here's how it works. Your phone rings, usually after a big meal when you're tired and most vulnerable. A voice asks you for money. Knowing they just raised 2.5 billion dollars you ask, "What do you need it for?" Then there's a long pause and the voice on the other end of the Line says, "We don't need it, we just want it." It's chilling. What else can you expect? Let me see, by your applause, who here wrote a thesis.

(APPLAUSE)

A lot of hard work, a lot of your Blood went into that thesis... and no one is ever going to care. I wrote a thesis: Literary Progeria in the works of Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner. Let's just say that, during my discussions with Pauly Shore, it doesn't come up much. For three years after graduation I kept my thesis in the glove compartment of my car so I could show it to a policeman in case I was pulled over. (ACT OUT) License, registration, cultural exploration of the Man Child in the Sound and the Fury... So what can you expect out there in the real world? Let me tell you. As you leave these gates and re-enter society, one thing is certain:

Everyone out there is going to hate you. Never tell anyone in a roadside diner that you went to Harvard. In most situations the correct response to where did you to school is, "School? Why, I never had much in the way of book larnin' and such." Then, get in your BMW and get the hell out of there. You see, you're in for a lifetime of "And you went to Harvard?" Accidentally give the wrong amount of change in a transaction and it's "And you went to Harvard?" Ask the guy at the hardware store how these jumper cables work and hear, "And you went to Harvard?" Forget just once that your underwear goes inside your pants and it's "and you went to Harvard." Get your head stuck in your niece's dollhouse because you wanted to see what it was like to be a giant and it's "Uncle Conan, you went to Harvard!?" But to really know what's in store for you after Harvard, I have to tell you what happened to me after graduation. I'm going to tell you my story because, first of all, my perspective may give many of you hope, and, secondly, it's an amazing rush to stand in front of six thousand people and talk about yourself.

After graduating in May, I moved to Los Angeles and got a three week contract at a small cable show. I got a $380 a month apartment and bought a 1977 Isuzu Opel, a car Isuzu only manufactured for a year because they found out that, technically, it's not a car. Here's a quick tip, graduates: no four cylinder vehicle should have a racing stripe. I worked at that show for over a year, feeling pretty good about myself, when one day they told me they were letting me go.

I was fired and, I hadn't saved a lot of money. I tried to get another job in television but I couldn't find one. So, with nowhere else to turn, I went to a temp agency and filled out a questionnaire. I made damn sure they knew I had been to Harvard and that I expected the very best treatment. And so, the next day, I was sent to the Santa Monica branch of Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. When you have a Harvard degree and you're working at Wilson's House of Suede and Leather, you are Haunted by the ghostly images of your classmates who chose Graduate School. You see their faces everywhere: in coffee cups, in fish tanks, and they're always laughing at you as you stack suede shirts no man, in good conscience, would ever wear.

I tried a lot of things during this period: acting in corporate infomercials, serving drinks in a non-equity theatre, I even took a job entertaining at a seven year olds' birthday party. In desperate need of work, I put together some sketches and scored a job at the fledgling Fox Network as a writer and performer for a new show called "The Wilton North Report." I was finally on a network and really excited. The producer told me the show was going to revolutionize television. And, in a way, it did. The show was so hated and did so badly that when, four weeks later, news of its cancellation was announced to the Fox affiliates, they burst into applause. Eventually, though, I got a huge break. I had submitted, along with my writing partner, a Batch of sketches to Saturday Night Live and, after a year and a half, they read it and gave us a two week tryout. The two weeks turned into two seasons and I felt successful. Successful enough to write a TV pilot for an original sitcom and, when the network decided to make it, I left Saturday Night Live. This TV show was going to be groundbreaking. It was going to resurrect the career of TV's Batman, Adam West. It was going to be a comedy without a laugh track or a studio audience. It was going to change all the rules.

And here's what happened: When the pilot aired it was the second lowest-rated television show of all time. It's tied with a test pattern they show in Nova Scotia. So, I was 28 and, once again, I had no job. I had good writing credits in New York, but I was filled with disappointment and didn't know what to do next. I started smelling suede on my fingertips. And that's when The Simpsons saved me. I got a job there and started writing episodes about Springfield getting a Monorail and Homer going to College. I was finally putting my Harvard education to good use, writing dialogue for a man who's so stupid that in one episode he forgot to make his own heart beat. Life was good. And then, an insane, inexplicable opportunity came my way . A chance to audition for host of the new Late Night Show. I took the opportunity seriously but, at the same time, I had the relaxed confidence of someone who knew he had no real shot. I couldn't fear losing a great job I had never had. And, I think that attitude made the difference. I'll never forget being in the Simpson's recording basement that morning when the phone rang. It was for me.

My car was blocking a fire lane.

But a week later I got another call: I got the job. So, this was undeniably the it: the truly life-altering break I had always dreamed of. And, I went to work. I gathered all my funny friends and poured all my years of comedy experience into building that show over the summer, gathering the talent and figuring out the sensibility. We debuted on September 13, 1993 and I was happy with our effort. I felt like I had seized the moment and put my very best foot forward.

And this is what the most respected and widely read television critic, Tom Shales, wrote in the Washington Post: "O'Brien is a living collage of annoying nervous habits. He giggles and titters, jiggles about and fiddles with his cuffs. He had dark, beady little eyes like a rabbit. He's one of the whitest white men ever. O'Brien is a switch on the guest who won't leave: he's the host who should never have come. Let the Late show with Conan O'Brien become the late, Late Show and may the host return to Conan O'Blivion whence he came." There's more but it gets kind of mean.

Needless to say, I took a lot of criticism, some of it deserved, some of it excessive. And it hurt like you wouldn't believe. But I'm telling you all this for a reason. I've had a lot of success and I've had a lot of failure. I've looked good and I've looked bad. I've been praised and I've been criticized. But my mistakes have been necessary. Except for Wilson's House of Suede and Leather. That was just stupid.

I've dwelled on my failures today because, as graduates of Harvard, your biggest liability is your need to succeed. Your need to always find yourself on the sweet side of the bell curve. Because success is a lot like a bright, white tuxedo. You feel terrific when you get it, but then you're desperately afraid of getting it dirty, of spoiling it in any way. I left the cocoon of Harvard, I left the cocoon of Saturday Night Live, I left the cocoon of The Simpsons. And each time it was bruising and tumultuous. And yet, every failure was freeing, and today I'm as nostalgic for the bad as I am for the good. So, that's what I wish for all of you: the bad as well as the good. Fall down, make a mess, break something occasionally. And remember that the story is never over. If it's all right, I'd like to read a little something from just this year: "Somehow, Conan O'Brien has transformed himself into the brightest star in the Late Night firmament. His comedy is the gold standard and Conan himself is not only the quickest and most inventive wit of his generation, but quite possible the greatest host ever."

Ladies and Gentlemen, Class of 2000, I wrote that this morning, as proof that, when all else fails, there's always delusion. I'll go now, to make bigger mistakes and to embarrass this fine institution even more. But let me leave you with one last thought:

If you can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall, people will think you're drunk.

Thank you.

I Think My iTunes Is Psychic

2007-06-02T21:15:00.001+08:00

You open your iTunes.
You hit play while thinking of a certain song, hoping your Music Library, which is permanently set on shuffle, is feeling a little psychic at that time.
After a 1 or 2 second delay, it begins to play your song.

Has this ever happened to you?

Oddly enough, it has happened to me more times than it probably should.

And this time is no different.

Earlier today I was feeling a little pensive so I automatically clicked on a playlist I created in my iPod for times I want to escape. It started to play Rachael Yamagata's Be Be Your Love but I had to cut it short since I had already arrived at the office.

And then a few minutes ago, after turning on my computer, I opened my iTunes first, as I always do, and right before I pressed play, I was thinking of that same Rachael Yamagata song and wishing it's the first song I'd hear tonight. And it was.

I'm starting to think my iTunes is the one who has ESP and not me.

Either way, as long as I have my music, I'll be fine. :)

I Miss High School

2007-05-18T12:00:00.001+08:00

I usually shy away from surveys but this I just had to do.

Reminiscing is one of my favorite pastimes :)

1. Who was/were your best friends?
♥ My barkada since Grade School, but in High School, I was closest to Jeco, Ongson, Lin, and Tif.

2.What sport/s did you play?
♥ I was good in badminton but sucked in volleyball. (Do patintero and touch taya sa lines count?)

3. What kind of car did you drive?
♥ Didn't drive. But our driver Dodong drove a laspag Toyota Hi-Ace.

4. It's Friday night, where were you?
♥ (a) If it's only 6pm, then we're probably still in the classroom playing cards/Quizzmo or talking and laughing our heads off at something silly. (b) In Virramall. (c) Having a mini, self-invited night-swimming party at Lin's. (d) On our way home so we could get ready for dinner at Chili's.

5. Were you much of a party animal?
♥ Nope. Although I was a senior when I experienced my first 5-clubs-a-night with Lin, I'm more of a homebody. And I don't think the 5-clubs count if we only stayed for 5 minutes at each one. Haha.

6. Were you considered a flirt/player?
♥ Haha. No.

7. Ever skip school?
♥ Only time my friends and I did was in 7th Grade. We were supposed to attend our Confirmation practice but decided to hang out at Ongson's place instead. Someone spilled the beans so the school started calling our parents trying to look for us (the folks knew where we were). News got to us and by lunchtime, we went back to school (separately at different arrival times, ofcourse-- yeah, we planned it down to the littlest details. Haha.) with our made-up excuse letters on hand.-- (One blamed the absence of her driver, the other dentist, and etc.). The teacher didn't believe us (What?!?? I know!) so we spent a good deal of the afternoon at the Prefect's office. Haay...fun times.

8. Were you a nerd?
♥ I got good grades (but not honors-class-good) but I don't think I was a nerd.

9. What's your funniest memory in school?
♥ Ooohh...WAY TOO MANY. Here's a link to our partially-archived shenanigans: http://www.lilmissmischiefs.blogspot.com

10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
♥ Nope.

11. Can you sing the fight song?
♥ I can sing it in both fast and slow tunes. Haha.
Beloved school, your song we sing, your banner we raise high. Immaculate Conception...We're white and blue, immaculate for you. Our alma mater, I-C-A. Our alma mater, I-C-A.

12. Who were your favorite teachers?
♥ Ms. Calayo (English): Funny as heck.

13. Favorite class?
♥ Sewing, Cooking, Baking (super fun; these 3 never did feel like schoolwork), English, and Trig.

14. Your school's full name?
♥ Immaculate Conception Academy

15. School mascot?
♥ Don't think we had one...

16. Did you go to Prom?
♥ Yup.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
♥ Would LOVE to relive it again, but I wouldn't change a thing.

18. What do you remember most about graduation?
♥ Giggling with Lin while singing our grad song (Madonna's I'll Remember) on stage.

19. Favorite memory of your Senior Year?
♥ Tons. I really can't choose just one. The whole senior year was memorable-- and crazy! On top of the usual school stuff: homework, projects, exams, we were applying for colleges, taking their exams, doing CAT exercises (which were totally useless, but still fun), having our grad photos taken, making the yearbook, planning the Class Night, sponsoring for Days With The Lord, organizing the Christmas party, practicing for the Intramurals, hosting a POP Concert for our AP Class, and getting ready for finals, the Grad Ball, and our Graduation at the same time.
And even with a schedule as hectic as this, we still managed to spend our free time staying late in school doing absolutely nothing. (And fit in a few impromptu swimming and sleepover parties as well.)
But really, I wouldn't have it any other way. That was the BEST year in High School. :)

20. Did you have a job when you were on your senior year?
♥ Nope.

21. Where did you go most often for lunch?
♥ Anna's forever! Haha. Miss those fried rice and mashed potatoes with gravy combo! Talk about carbohydrates overload! (Lin: Carbohydrates overload is when...)

22. What did you do after graduation?
♥ That day? Had lunch with my family. That summer? Went to Eastern Europe with my mom and sis.

23. When did you graduate?
♥ March 21, 2001.

24. Who was your Senior prom date?
♥ Kelvin. Who also turned out to be my blockmate in college. And no, I had no idea.

25. Are you going to your ten year reunion?
♥ Yup!

26. Who was your homeroom teacher?
♥ I remember Ms. Lim, Ms. ? (who supposedly had a relationship with our 3rd Year English teacher), and Ms. Cabrera, darling!

27. Who will repost this after you?
♥ Umm...maybe Tif or Jeco?

28. Who was President of your class?
♥ Aina.

29. What were you voted as in your senior year?
♥ Was the secretary in class because of my undeniably refined penmanship. (Haha.) And I was put against Jeco for the Best Crammer in 4th Year. She won, deservingly so. Lin was a nominee, too, right? Haha. Crammer friends!

30. What were your accomplishments in your senior year?
♥ Academically, I think the only awards I received were Chinese honor ones. But I only got those mostly because of memorization.

I think personally, though, it's when I got in the Cheerdance Group (for our yearly Intramurals) during our Senior Year. I've always dreamt of being part of our ICA Dance Troupe but for yearsss was too shy to audition (and I never did).
So at the last year (the crammer in me) of High School when they were looking for cheerdancers, I just went for it. Passed both auditions and had a BLAST during the Intramurals. It was such a personal thing that I knew I had to do it, even if it meant missing out on another school program in LSGH where a former President was set to do a talk.
I've no idea where my pompoms are now but I still have my cheerleading outfit in my closet as a reminder that sometimes (Warning: about to turn dramatic) you don't really need to overthink things and you have to learn how to let go of your fears and inhibitions. Just go for it and take a risk. Take a leap of faith. :)

And here's a beautiful Mark Twain quote I got from Lin's page:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

Now if only I had a sailboat..

When In Hong Kong...

2007-04-29T11:54:00.001+08:00

Spent the Holy Week with my family in Hong Kong. It's been years since I'd been there and on the day we arrived, I was such a tourist taking pictures of everything while I utter a few "Aww I remember this" and "OoOooh I miss this place."
I definitely enjoyed that train and bus ride from the airport to the hotel.

Aside from the fact that it's only an hour and a half away, I love Hong Kong not because of the shopping but because I enjoy getting lost in the city. It's always fun getting up in the morning, putting on your jacket and scarf (we were lucky 'coz on the week we arrived, the weather got cooler), having congee and dimsum for brunch, and starting the day without any plans at all.

Even if my feet would start to hurt, I really wouldn't mind walking the streets of Hong Kong the whole day-- and night!

On our first night, we opted for the good ol’ congee and rice roll across our hotel.

Rose Petal Gelato. I’ve always liked flower scented desserts. (Try the Sampaguita Ice Cream at Ilustrado—if they still have it- and Max Brenner’s Lavender and Orchid dark chocolate pralines.)

Everything’s just an MTR ride away. It’s much more fun standing up!

New discovery! Japanese chocolate Royce’…currently tops my list.

Hello, cholesterol!

Please mind the platform gap! Waiting for our ride.

Bought this from Wellcome on one of our midnight walks. It’s unfair how milk always tastes better abroad.

You can’t go to Hong Kong and not try their staples!

Milk tea: the bitterer, the better!

Favorite part about Hong Kong: randomly walking around the city late at night.

Two things, though.

A good, sturdy pair of walking shoes.

And an empty stomach.

That's all you really need. :)

Pucker Up!

2007-04-28T14:55:00.000+08:00

No one likes to have chapped lips.

I'm not a lipstick/gloss girl (hate the sticky stuff) but I occasionally use lip balm when my lips become too dry. I have tried quite a few: cream, gloss, stick, balm, from the more affordable ones you can get from drugstores to dermatologically-tested lip products from high-end department stores. And from experience, I would say that MAC is the only one that really works.

MAC Lip Conditioner SPF 15

I've heard raves about Kiehl's but when I put it on, the balm didn't last longer than I expected it to. Probably because the viscosity's too light.
Philosophy's felt a little oily for me.
Lip Smackers, though they smell yum, didn't do the job, either.
The Body Shop's (the one in the lipstick tube, not in pot) was good, too, but only lasted a few hours.
Clarin's gloss was a little thick and heavy.
Clinique's All About Lips (cream form) made my lips sooo smooth but was too expensive.

My sis-in-law Chiz gave me a pot of MAC Lip Conditioner as a gift (they also come in different hues if you want a hint of color) and from all the ones I've tried, it's the only one that lasts for HOURS. I usually apply it at night-- right before sleeping- and would wake up with the product still on, and my lips would be soft the whole day for sure.
Its pot is bigger than the usual lip balms so it'll last quite a while-- truly worth it. And it smells (and tastes) great, too, kinda like vanilla frosting. :)

sMAC your lips!

Har har. Somebody had to say it.

Fresh Pasta, D'OH!

2007-04-23T14:25:00.001+08:00

So it's my first time making Ravioli (last Friday) and Lasagna (Saturday) using fresh pasta and I have to say, I didn't exactly pass with flying colors. I got mixed reviews, but overall, I did okay...I think.

The Good:

(1) Bitin! (Not enough!)

(2) Sarap ng filling sa ravioli! (The ravioli filling is yum.)
(3) Okay yung sauce! Masarap siya. (The sauce tastes good. Yummy.)

The Bad:

(1) Regarding my Ravioli: Mas malaki pa sa spam 'to ah! (These are even bigger than spam!)

(2) Ang kapal naman nito, tagal nguyain! (These are real thick, and they take quite a while to chew.)
(3) Regarding my Lasagna: Para akong kumakain ng tinapay. Parang sandwich na may palaman na ground meat. ~~(It's as if I'm eating bread /sandwich with ground meat filling.)~~ (Delicious! :D )

I actually think it's not that hard to make your own pasta especially if you own a pasta machine. But for the cheapskates (I prefer the term frugal) like me who's hesitant to shell out thousands of pesos, as long as you have a good rolling pin, you'll be fine. (Just make sure you've eaten carbs that morning!)

BASIC RAVIOLI DOUGH (can also be used for LASAGNA)
***Recipe from ISCAHM (International School For Culinary Arts And Hotel Management)

Yield: 8-10 servings (For Ravioli) / 2 Pyrex Loaf Dish Bakeware (For Lasagna)

Ingredients:
360 g (≈ 2 ¾ cups + 1 tablespoon) White wheat flour (All Purpose Flour can be used)
3 Eggs
30 ml (≈ 2 tablespoons) Sunflower oil
60 ml (≈ 4 tablespoons) Cold water

(1) Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the eggs, sunflower oil, and cold water.
(2) Knead the mixture thoroughly until dough turns smooth and elastic.

(3) Let the dough rest for 1 hour in room temperature.
***Make sure it is covered. For the ravioli, prepare the filling then let cool for a while.
(4) Divide the dough into 2 equal parts.
(5) Roll the dough with rolling pin or pasta machine.
***For Lasagna, go straight to (10).

(***Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures. For the O.C.'s reading this, let me assure you that the thermos was cleaned thoroughly and I made sure the bottom didn't touch any part of the dough. :) )

Mental note to self: Buy rolling pin.

(6) Place filling in equal amounts on the first dough sheet. Filling should be separated from each other.
(7) Between filling, brush dough with egg yolk mixed with a small amount of water.
(8) Place second dough sheet on top.
(9) With a towel, press down between fillings to seal.
(10) Cut (between fillings) into desired shapes with a pastry wheel or a sharp knife.

(11) Add salt and oil to ample amount of water and bring to a boil.
(12) Drop in ravioli into boiling water and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
***You can boil them longer if you don’t like your pasta al dente.

*Notes:
· The purpose of kneading the dough is to develop the gluten in the flour which makes it elastic.
· Pasta and ravioli dough are not salted because salt would make the dough brittle.
· When preparing dough with a mixer (but where’s the fun in that?), all ingredients are combined and with a dough hook, mix at low speed for at least 5 minutes or until thoroughly kneaded. This dough can be used right away.

The recipe suggested Spinach and Feta Cheese filling and for the Ravioli sauce, Tomato Concasse. I was thinking of changing it to Spinach and Mushroom but discovered that afternoon that we just ran out of Spinach. Mushroom alone is still tasty so I made the filling with not just one, but two of them! I chopped button and shitake mushrooms along with onions, sauteed them in a little bit of butter and added a can of Cream of Mushroom.

It would have been great with Tomato Concasse but after rolling the dough for what felt like forever (a good exercise for the arms), I was too tired to make anything from scratch. So I opened a packet of Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce in Parmesan Cheese flavor (and added a few tablespoons of cream) instead. Tasted good; although the sauce could have done without the cream to build contrast.

The first Bad comment says it all! Haha.

With Mushroom in Cream Sauce as filling.

And for the Lasagna, as expected, it called for the basic Bolognaise Sauce. I wanted to make 2 sauces-- Tomato and Creamy White (alternately over each layer)- but I had been in the kitchen from 2-7pm baking (Bread and Butter Pudding-- recipe to be posted soon) and handrolling pasta and the thought of having to stay there for another hour didn't exactly excite me. So I chose the easy route: I sauteed some chopped garlic, onions, ground meat, and sliced mushrooms, poured in the Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce (same flavor), and added just a small amount of cream. I would've put fresh basil leaves if I had some. They always make tomato sauces extra tasty.

"Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it."

- Madeleine L'Engle

You know the feeling when you're about to do something and the lack of preparation sort of thrills you? And you still go through with it even though you have no clue how exactly you'd do (or get away with) it?

It was like that when I tried to make my own pasta. I started making the dough knowing I didn't have a rolling pin, didn't have the complete ingredients for the filling, and had still not figured out what sauce I would make for the Ravioli (and Lasagna).

Messy messy! My first handrolled pasta turned out too thick so I had to slice them off.

But I believe it's the challenge that keeps us interested and motivated. Although part of the unknown scares us, the idea of figuring things out halfway through the process is the one that makes the whole thing fun and exciting.

So don't be afraid to experiment and try things for the first time. Have fun, make mistakes, learn from them.

And enjoy a good upperbody workout while you're at it! :)

Updated April 28:

I just finished making Lasagna for my brother's birthday party.

And the difference with this pasta?

- I didn't make my own dough.

- I added fresh basil.

- I layered Bechamel Sauce on top of the Bolognaise.

- Sprinkled generous amounts of Parmesan Cheese over the Bechamel and on the final layer.

- It definitely looks more presentable! Haha.

Hope 2nd time's a charm!

Sooo Cute! (And The Bear Ain't Too Shabby Either)

2007-04-20T00:28:00.000+08:00

Knut!

Awww. *pinch*pinch*

And just when you thought it couldn't get any cuter...

Knut + Stephen Colbert

***You can watch the second video here if it doesn't load. :)

My Very Own Snoopy

2007-04-19T15:14:00.000+08:00

Well, actually, from what we've been told, Doggie (how very aptly named, eh?) is half Poodle and half Japanese Spitz. (We're 90% sure about that..)
But he's no mutt. He's WAY too cute to be called that! :P

I had a dream about him (maybe it was because of all those videos of pet birds and dogs I was watching on YouTube late last night) and in the dream, he just had a haircut and was no longer sporting his usual naturally messy (just like mine!)-- and tangled (yeah...just like mine.)- wavy hair...uhh...fur. (I personally prefer him with longer fur-- Super cutie!)

We got him in 1998 while I was in 2nd Year HS. I remember getting a call from my sister/ brother telling me that they had just bought this cute little beigish puppy from a small pet store in Virramall. And funny thing was, it was NOT planned at all.
They were just there on a Friday night doing an errand when they passed by the pet shop and became smitten with these 2 pups caged near the window. (They had them at "Arf!")
They were arguing which one was cuter-- one was white, the other beige. They finally decided and chose the beige puppy and the rest, as they say, is history.

***Well let me explain as to why he got named Doggie. When he was younger, we were still undecided on what to name him so during the brainstorming process, we called him that temporarily. Well who knew what a smart cookie he was and picked up on it real quick. So really, it wasn't his fault. Nor ours. Well, maybe ours. (This explanation also applies to our Siberian Husky named Husky.)

Doggie was with us for almost 6 years and he was my absolute favorite. Still is.
He's definitely quite a character and we always find it amusing how he has these different kinds of facial expressions (see pics): from indifferent to excited, sad to happy, and even interested to confused. ("Eh?")
He's scared of the candle, loves to chase our pet chicken (who eventually flew over our walls in search of greener pastures), and has a fang bigger than the other (he lost his old one from intensely gnawing on a bone).
He loves, as all dogs do, getting a belly rub and whenever he's hyper, he runs amok around the house and it's always funny to see him stop, catch his breath, and then start to run again.

I especially love it when I'm sitting somewhere giving him a head-and-temple massage and if I stop, he would position his head under my hand as if saying, "Heyyy...!"

I remember one time, I was in our den when I suddenly had an allergy attack and started sneezing nonstop. I think I was on my 15th sneeze when I felt like someone was watching me. Then I noticed something in my peripheral vision and saw that it was Doggie (who came all the way from the kitchen-- I must've been a little loud) standing near the door, giving me this "What's-that-sound-Was-that-you-Are-you-okay-I'm-kinda-confused" look.

Sorta like the one below. (Except his head was tilted a little to his left).
Aww. Cute. :)
Although Doggie's always friendly to us, he definitely enjoys scaring relatives and friends. As soon as he sees an unfamiliar face, he would start barking at them-- get this- while hiding under the cabinet. Someone's not much of a toughie after all.

But he was getting grumpier for a while and had already bitten two of our maids (innocent 'til proven guilty!) so my mom decided it was best that he be given away. And who better to take care of Doggie than our cook who's been bathing and feeding him since he was a pup. (At least I know he's in good hands.)

I was so sad the day he left us especially when he looked real happy and excited because he thought he was going for a short walk outside. I can still vividly picture in my head Doggie walking away. Somehow that day, the house, and everything else, was somber.

Doggie is now in Bohol, (I always knew he loved to travel, walking around the village whenever he got the chance to slip past the driver and the houseboys-- although he never got more than a few yards away from the gate) and apparently, he's always in vacation mode! His temperament has changed and from what I hear, would gladly tag along with any stranger, leash-free!
Definitely a far cry from what we (and our occasional visitors) were used to.

Well, our cook tells us that he's Mr. Popular in their town and loves to play with everyone, and anyone who's willing. And whenever they go to the beach, Doggie would always run excitedly to the water and swim on the shallow area by himself.

Awww...I miss my Doggie.
I'm just glad to know that at least in Bohol, he now has a bigger playground, an even bigger bathtub (although salty), and more than enough poultry to satisfy his inner bully. ;)

Snow Patrol's You Could Be Happy

2007-03-24T12:45:00.001+08:00

You could be happy and I won't know
But you weren't happy the day I watched you go
And all the things that I wished I had not said
Are played in loops 'til it's MADNESS in my head

Is it too late to remind you how we were
But not our last days of SILENCE, screaming, blur
Most of what I remember makes me sure
I should have stopped you from walking out the door

You could be happy, I hope you are
You made me happier than I'd been by far
Somehow everything I own smells of YOU
And for the tiniest moment it's all not TRUE

Do the things that you always wanted to
Without ME there to hold you back, don't THINK, just do
More than anything I want to see you girl
Take a glorious bite out of the WHOLE world

:*(

Books vs. Film Adaptations

2007-03-21T22:06:00.000+08:00

“When you reread a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in you than there was before.”

- Clifton Fadiman

Reading always seemed like a hassle to me, especially if it’s schoolwork; however, I have phases when I would bury my nose in a book and read it until my eyes get tired. And then there are times I would restrain myself and make a book last for a few weeks/months as if I’m watching a series on TV.
A little suspense is always good.

I enjoy getting lost in a huge bookstore (not library, ‘coz they tend to be a bit creepy) and realizing that I’ve spent an hour moving from shelf to shelf scouting for interesting finds. I do have a bad habit of buying books more than I can read, though.

The thing I like about reading is that your mind is free to make your own lil’ movie.
You get to be your own actor, director, set designer, casting agent, and even the special effects guy. And what's even better, is when the book is adapted into a film because then you get to picture in your head how it’s supposed to be played out and you get to compare what you have imagined the story would be like to its cinematic equivalent.
That’s the freedom that I love with reading. The freedom of the imagination.

I know it’s unfair to compare the book and its film version since they are two wholly different things but it’s just fun seeing how much of what you have imagined is synonymous to what is actualized-- like when I read J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (a fun read, but not my cup of tea), I was amazed at how similar the visuals were to the ones in my head.

Books aren’t necessarily a lot better than its movies, though.
Take for example Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook or Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada. They didn't compare to their film versions.
I didn't really enjoy reading Devil Wears. I know chick lit's are supposed to be just a light, fun read, but after 360 pages, I still couldn't find a concrete storyline and it seemed redundant at times. But the movie, I loved.

And as for The Notebook, it has got to be one of the most romantic movies I have seen even though the book was a little boring. And frankly, watching a breathtaking scenery of a swan-filled lake is a whole lot better than just reading about it.

***That's also one thing I look for in a book: Great setting and sceneries. Because then when it is translated into film, it will definitely satisfy the aesthetic eye.

On the other hand, Nicholas Sparks' Message in a Bottle-- one of my favorite books- was much better than the movie. (I remember picking up the last copy dusty since it was behind the other books, ignored)

I preferred the novel because you can see how the story is built up, page by page. You are able to process it all in completely as opposed to absorbing everything in in just under 2 hours.

And most often than not, changes are made in the script in order for them to squeeze all of it in, which consequently degrades the quality of the story.

This is probably why I could never bring myself to watch a movie unless I have read the book first. (Or maybe because I'm just too lazy to read once I've already seen the film.)

Books on my shelf that I have yet to read and see:

Feel free to comment on which books/movies you have read/seen are worth reading/watching. Thanks! :)

Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha
Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife
Boris Pasternak’s Dr. Zhivago
David Nicholls' Starter for Ten

E.B. White and Garth Williams’ Charlotte’s Web
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights
Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera

Helen Schulman’s P.S.

Ian McEwan's Atonement

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility

Jean-Dominique Bauby's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Melissa Banks’ The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing
Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient
Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie
Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity
Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl

Robert James Waller’s The Bridges of Madison County

***Currently reading Cecelia Ahern's P.S. I Love You.
Premise is unique and interesting. A definite tearjerker. I'm only at page 42 and I've never cried as much as I did with Nicholas Spark's Message in a Bottle.

Can't wait to see the film next year!

300

2007-03-20T22:59:00.000+08:00

This blog has mostly been about pretty, girly stuff that it's a little unusual I post something about a movie that's pure machismo.

300, though, is an exception.

There are so many things I love about this movie.

First, ofcourse, is Gerard Butler's portrayal of King Leonidas (abs or no abs, I was hooked the first time I heard him speak). He had so much charisma and presence onscreen he'd make you believe he was the King of Sparta. (And so did the rest of the actors, especially Queen Gorgo, even though the movie was full of unknowns.) I love how he speaks with his eyes and manages to pull off witty one-liners in one scene and be all macho in the next.

The fight scenes, albeit gory, were so well-executed that it made spearing a human being in the chest look so graceful. I was smiling silly while watching the slow-mo's because I was so amazed at how beautifully shot and choreographed they were with the flawless special effects, perfect lighting and tones, and fitting background music. I tell you this movie is like nothing you've ever seen.

There are tons of unforgettable scenes in 300. These 2 are my absolute favorite. (It was hard to narrow it down since I enjoyed every minute of it.)

(***SPOILER ALERT***)

First is the "This Is Sparta" clip that had been constantly playing in my head even before I saw the film, thanks in part to YouTube.
Gotta love that voice.

And the second one is the latter part of the battle where King Leonidas valiantly throws his spear targeting Xerxes up until the heartbreaking scene where he utters his last words: "My Queen, My Wife, My Love."

300 is one of those films you just have to see in the movie theater. Watching it on your TV won't do it any justice.

And if you're still unsure whether you'd want to see it or not, here are two of the many reasons why you should:
Gerard Butler and that deep raspy voice of his.

Now who wouldn't consider that pretty?

Mutts Comics

2007-02-27T02:38:00.000+08:00

http://muttscomics.com

Patrick McDonnell's Mutts Comics.

Hope these made you smile today! :)

Some Like It Hot!

2007-02-25T21:38:00.000+08:00

...and sour, apparently

I'm the official Martha Stewart wannabe in our family. Just ask my sister. She's the one who loves to tease me by adding the title Aling before my name.

Atchie: Aling Neeneen! Patahi naman ng button sa dress ko.

And it doesn't help that today our cook was on vacation and lunch hasn't been prepared yet.
Yep.
Aling Neeneen.
At your service.

My mom's a great cook. So is my grandma. I don't really cook at home. I know how but I just don't. Today I felt a little adventurous, though, and decided to try and make my first attempt at concoting a Chinese favorite, the Hot and Sour Soup. (I will not be posting the actual recipe since the ingredients of the soup may vary depending on the taster's preference. That and the fact that I didn't exactly follow it.)

Here's what I added in mine:

chicken broth
soy sauce
white vinegar
white pepper
mushrooms of your choice, sliced
young corn, sliced
firm tofu, sliced
chicken, stripped
cornstarch, mixed with cold water
eggs, beaten
chicken powder
sesame oil

***Note: Black vinegar is a much better choice than using both soy sauce and white vinegar.

One of the things I enjoy in cooking, aside from knowing that you can always remedy any mistake you make, is chopping. With this soup, I probably did one too many: shitake mushrooms, button mushrooms, young corn, and firm tofu. (My brothers commented that there was more sahog than broth in the soup.)

But the thing I absolutely love when I do cook is the idea of pleasing my family with something I made from scratch. Mind you, they really are hard to please being such harsh critics and all (well, except for my mom). Which is why I especially love it when they give me that smile of approval.

Today, after handing my mom and dad a bowl of Hot and Sour soup, she said to me, beamingly: Mmmm, pwede na. Masarap! (Aww!)
And my dad: Mmmm. Medyo mapait, ay, maalat. Slurp slurp. Kulang sa asim. Some more slurping. Mmmm. Pwede na. Pwede na magtayo ng restaurant. ---> (Haha! I was half-laughing when he said this.)

I then asked my brothers and sister if they liked it and my dihya teasingly answers: Yuck! Pwe! Kadire!

Thing is, I would have believed him.
If not for that emptied soup bowl beside his plate. ;D

A Shutterbug's Passion for Fashion

2007-02-14T22:29:00.001+08:00

Back in Grade School, my friends and I would always head out to Virramall and/or Shoppesville to unwind and spend what little time we had before having to face another homework-filled night. Once the bell rings, as if on cue, students would start huddling to plan where in Virramall or Shoppesville they would meet up.
Everyone called it their third home.

Our Virramall/Shoppesville itinerary usually looked something like this:
National Bookstore
Tiangge
stopover for some snacks (if we’re hungry)
Tiangge
Gift Gate
Regina’s
Tickles
That small magazine stall near Giordano
Giordano
And maybe a few more Tiangge

That third to the last trip is probably the one I enjoyed most. I ♥ magazines. Fashion ones, to be exact. When I was younger, I would always borrow my sister’s magazines (YM, Teen, Dolly, Girlfriend, et al. And yes, I went through a Teen Beat/ BOP phase as well, shamefully) and read them until I fall asleep.
I remember stumbling upon my first ever issue of InStyle back in 7th Grade when I was contemplating on spending my money on a fashion magazine I’ve never read before (and had Matthew Perry on its cover) or buying another issue of a teeny-bopper magazine whose contents were beginning to feel a little too monotonous for me.

I was debating with a friend on why I think InStyle was a much better buy than Seventeen. She wanted to see Sarah Michelle Gellar/Alicia Silverstone but this new, more mature fashion magazine really got me interested. I decided to satisfy my curiosity and was glad to know that it was, in fact, a good buy.
I have never missed an issue since then.

I added 2 more to my Must Buy List: Teen Vogue and Lucky.

It would be a dream of mine to work in a fashion magazine, and an even bigger dream to work in Teen Vogue. It’s one of my faves because I like how they photograph clothes and their models. There’s nothing blah about their photo spreads. There always is a story.

Photography. I ♥ photography. Every time we would go abroad my family would tease me about wasting film (or file space) on sceneries rather than on people. So I guess this is where 2 of my passions merge.
And thanks to Norman Jean Roy, one of my favorite photographers who I discovered while admiring an amazingly shot photo from a page of Teen Vogue, my passion for fashion photography was born.

Here are some of my N. J. Roy favorites. With the perfect angle, focus, lighting, exposure, and mixture of colors, he can capture the carefreeness and the sensuality of a woman. Of a fashionably clad woman, rather.

“I started taking pictures at a very early age. I think I was six when I first started. I never thought of it as anything more than taking pictures for fun. But that's when I got addicted to the idea of freezing a moment; there was something about that concept I thought was cool, to just go click, click, click and know that you're stopping moments in time.”

- N. J. Roy

Jack Johnson's No Other Way

2007-02-12T00:23:00.001+08:00

Is it just me or does listening to this particular JJ song make you wish you were with someone special and you're slowdancing while watching the sun set by the beach?

I think I've seen way too many movies.

I especially love the first 40 seconds of the song. =)

Have Your Chocolate Cheesecake And Eat It Too

2007-02-03T00:46:00.000+08:00

I'm sure every baker is equally proud of each baked goodie that comes out of his oven, but there will always be that one dessert he will consider his best work yet. His masterpiece, or his signature dessert, if you will.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm no pro. I don't bake a lot. The first batch of cookies I made back in 5th grade? Hard as rocks. Although I have improved a great deal since then, I'm still no expert. But Mrs. Fields or no Mrs. Fields, I'm telling you-- with all biases aside: I do make one hell of a chocolate cheesecake.

I'd like to share to you this recipe I got from the magazine Martha Stewart Living. In that issue, she featured various cheesecakes like the classic Baked New York, Frozen Espresso, Raspberry Swirl, Citrus Ricotta, and even the No-Bake. Being such an avid fan of the deepest darkest chocolate, I just had to try the Chocolate Cheesecake recipe.

Well, technically, the recipe is Martha's but taking into consideration the few adjustments I did here and there, I can call it my own now...At least that's what I tell myself. :P

Photo by Elaine

NEEN'S CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE-- Haha.
Serves 8-10

1 cup finely ground chocolate wafer cookies (5 ounces; about 22 cookies)
***note: chocolate wafer cookies is just a posh baker's lingo for Oreo.
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
***note: I added a little more to make the cheesecake richer.
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
***note: I'm loyal to Philadelphia.
Pinch of salt
¾ cup sour cream, room temperature
***note: I only added around 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup. Depends on your preference, really.
3 tablespoons Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature

(1) Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together cookie crumbs, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl. Press crumb mixture firmly onto bottom and up 1 inch on sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake until set, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300°.
(2) Melt chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
(3) Put cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. With mixer on low speed, add remaining cup sugar in a slow, steady stream. Add salt; mix until combined. Add sour cream, cocoa, vanilla extract, and melted chocolate; mix until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing each until just combined (do not overmix). Pour cream cheese filling over crust.
(4) Bake until set but still slightly wobbly in center, 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool completely in pan on rack. Refrigerate, uncovered, 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around edge of cake.

And here's what the critics have got to say on my take on Martha Stewart's Chocolate Cheesecake:

One forkful melted into a velvety mass accompanied by a burst of real deep chocolate. The sweetness from the chocolate was evenly tempered by the sourcream. The crust was thick enough and even crunchy like, it tasted like it had roasted nuts in it, but it didn't. It left me in a subliminal state. Even my brother, who's not really a dessert person, couldn't resist a second helping. He aptly described it as "a cross between a chocolate bar and chocolate ice cream."

- Elaine, excerpt taken from "The Only Chocolate Cheesecake For Me," dated March 13, 2006 from her blog Just Desserts

Undoubtedly THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE I have ever tasted! So heavenly!

- Margarita

When all else fails, there's always delusion.

- Conan O'Brien

Okaaay...I added the last one just because I'm a HUGE Conan O'Brien fan.
Aaand...I don't really know anyone named Margarita...

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-16T00:46:00.000+08:00

The weatherman never said anything about a snowstorm...

Powder Blush 101

2006-12-13T13:28:00.000+08:00

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with make-up. Armed with my ever reliable cotton buds and Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder, I would pretend our room was a beauty salon and my yaya was my favorite client. I fondly remember gently applying powder on her eyelids to emphasize her deep-set eyes, on her cheeks to give her a rosy (or frosty, in this case) glow, and on her lips to make them look plumper. After doing some finishing touches, I would look at her, carefully checking for smudges and admiring my work at the same time. Oh, and did I mention I used baby powder? (That's how sweet my yaya is. She let me have my fun even if she knew how ridiculous she would look.) -- Let me digress a little: I miss my yaya (she was with us for almost 25 years). She took care of my eldest brother when he was still an infant and she stayed until I graduated from High School. But she's currently in HK so I haven't seen her in ages :( We still keep in touch from time to time, though. And she never forgets to call on my birthday (and my brothers' and sister's). Told you she's sweet :)

Peekaboo. My fave NARS powder blushes, both in Orgasm.

..Well, surprisingly enough, as much as I enjoyed putting my so-called cosmetic skills to use back in the day, I didn't really wear that much make-up growing up...even up to now. The idea of make-up gunk clogging my pores doesn't quite sit well with me. But that's not to say I've stopped experimenting and buying products. I still enjoy giving makeovers to friends in High School, and whenever my mom's chosen beauty stylist is MIA, I'll always be the one to volunteer to get her ready for that dinner party.

Usually, I'd just put on a little concealer and some sheer blush when going out at night, but that's it. I guess you could say that I'm a blush girl. Some would claim that their must-have beauty product is a tube of mascara while others prefer the good ol' lipstick. I must admit applying a little mascara opens up chinky eyes and it's fun to match your lipcolor with whatever mood you're in. Feeling vampy? Red it is. Demure? Nude then.
But nothing beats having that rosy, fresh, natural look you get from a blush. Just a light touch instantly brightens up the face, without looking too made-up.
Blush comes in different varieties: powder, cream, liquid, and gel, the first one being my top choice. Sure, powder fades the fastest among the four but I like how it's sheer and doesn't get oily when the temperature rises.

Model: Elaine

When I do put on blush, I noticed how people would compliment me on how natural my application is (yes, playing with baby powder does have its benefits). The key, as any make-up buff would know, is blending. And if you have a good brush, even better.

Here's how to get that rosy glow:
1. Swipe your brush over the powder blush then gently tap off the excess. Always start with light applications, then you can add some more blush later on if it looks too sheer.
2. Lightly brush in an upward stroke starting from the apple of the cheek 'til right below the temple. (1)
3. Now gently brush in a downward stroke-- some may be skeptical about this one, but trust me, it'll look more blended- from the apple 'til two-thirds down the cheek. (2)
4. Then swipe your brush starting just off the edge of the nose, more or less an inch below the eye, and blend along the apple of the cheek 'til right below the temple. This will make the rosiness look even more natural, as if you've been sun-kissed. (3)
5. Repeat the 3 strokes if necessary.
6. Go out and have fun.

...And if they ask you what brand and shade of blush you're wearing, just smile and say:
it's au naturelle :)

It's Official: Reindeer CAN Fly

2006-12-06T13:46:00.000+08:00

Photo by Lin

lin: that's olive the reindeer!
lin: may isang kid nga nagask if it could fly
shatan: HAHAHA! awwww cute! kids. haha
lin: and the man was like, on christmas eve it can!
lin: and the little boy went to his dad and was like, see? I told you reindeer can fly!

Everyone now: Awwwww... :)

Cupcakes vs. Muffins

2006-11-27T20:45:00.000+08:00

If cupcakes and muffins were in a fight (well, it could happen..), cupcakes would win hands down.

Most people usually interchange these two baked goodies, probably because of their size, but there actually is a difference between the two.

Cupcakes by Sonja at Serendra Piazza, The Fort.

Muffins are small baked breads which have a totally different texture than that of cupcakes'. They, most often than not, are denser and tend to be less sweet.
Since I'm a chocoholic (and a proud one at that), I usually buy chocolate muffins, but I also enjoy different varieties like blueberry, banana, and Brown Sugar Muffins' orange (which I'm sad to say has been discontinued).
Sure, I like muffins. Give me one and I'd gladly take it. But give me a cupcake? Ahh, that's a different story altogether.

Cupcakes are literally just that-- cakes in a cup. Their batter is the same one used in cakes so they come out of the oven (and into your mouth) airy and soft. They're usually iced and decorated just like you would a normal cake. And come on, just admit it. They're a whole lot cuter than muffins. Right?

Don't you just love the retro-shabby-chic interior?

I recently discovered Cupcakes by Sonja thanks to my sis-in-law Chiz who knows that I'm a sucker for anything dessertlicious.
Hearing that Ms. Sonja previously worked at the uber-famous Magnolia Bakery in New York, I knew that her cupcakes would be a definite must-try.

We were on our way to dinner one Friday when Elaine and I decided to pass by the shop and sample the cupcakes. What was supposed to be a quick run eventually turned into a photo-op. As we entered, (cue sound: OoOoOooh..) we were like excited lil' kids who couldn't stop giggling. Out came our cameras and we snapped away.

The interior was just perfect. Everything was so retro, from her pink floral and stripes wallpaper to her very vintage-y Smeg chiller.
It's like a scene from Pleasantville, immortalized.

And the cupcakes? I cannot even begin to tell you how lush they were. (When we got home, everyone wanted to have a taste of each one, they were gone in just a few minutes).

The Red Velvet Vixen, most famous in the southern part of the US, is known for its unique yet subtle taste. Although one of the main ingredients is cocoa powder, food coloring is added to make it look red, hence its name. Topped with a cream cheese frosting, the combination was just simply yum.

Vanilla Sunrise tastes just like every other vanilla cupcake. But the difference, from the ones I've tried, is the texture. Ms. Sonja's are without a doubt the softest and although I'm more of a chocolate fan, I definitely didn't mind munching on this one.

Chocolate Surprise would surely delight any chocolate lover. Aside from the moist sponge and the chocolate icing, you would be- yep, you guessed it- surprised to find that there's a chocolate filling for you to enjoy as well.

Pistachio Dacquoise was purely mousse. I liked that it was light and the pistachio flavor was not overpowering.

The Chocolate Cream Pie was Ms. Sonja's take on a chocolate mousse, the authentic kind. The bottom part was a chocolate cookie-like crust, not the crumby type we commonly see in bakeshops (although those are good, too). She added a silky chocolate filling and then topped it with whipped cream.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Flourless Chocolate. The name says it all. :)

All in all, the mousses were velvety smooth while the sponged ones were so light you will want a second helping. And although it's a bit expensive (prices range from P45 to P100), I wouldn't mind having another cupcake fix.

..Until I move on to cookies, that is. :P

You could almost hear them scream: "Eat me, eat me!"

Clockwise from top: Red Velvet Vixen, Vanilla Sunrise, Chocolate Surprise, Pistachio Dacquoise, Chocolate Cream Pie, and Melt-In-Your-Mouth Flourless Chocolate.

Sketch dated 08/31/01

2006-11-25T01:45:00.000+08:00

“A sketch has charm because of its truth- - not because it is unfinished.”

- Charles Hawthorne

This is one of the few sketches I did back in highschool. (My apologies for the cheesy signature. Haha.)

Lead is my favorite art medium because I enjoy shading, both with stumps and with my fingers. It's so low maintenance and even though it can look bland at times, you can still play with the texture and increase the depth of your sketch to make it more dramatic.

But the best thing about lead is not having to worry about making mistakes.
All you need is a sheet of paper, a pencil, and your trusty eraser, and you're set! :D

Strawberry Fields Forever

2006-11-23T23:33:00.000+08:00

I love strawberries!
I love the vibrancy and the contrast of their colors.
I love their heart-like shapes.
I love their sweet and sour taste.
I love the little yellow dots and those little leaves on top of each berry.
I love how they go amazingly well with chocolate/cream.
And I love that they're loaded with more Vitamin C than the usual citrus fruits.

Beat that, orange! :P

I Heart Paris

2006-11-20T19:50:00.004+08:00

I don't really know what's in Paris that draws us in. Could be the mystery. Or the sensuality. I don't know.
I have only been there once and was probably too young to really care about all the historical information the tour guide was feeding our brains with. I was in a country foreign to me and I was interested in absorbing the aesthetics more than the facts. I would rather have roamed around the city, sat by the cafe, took pictures, and people watched.

Before I've stepped foot in Paris, the only thing I associated it with is probably the Eiffel Tower. If you asked me then, I would have probably described the French as beret-and-striped-shirt-wearing people who prefer their wine red. But ask me again and I will tell you that the best thing about this deemed romantic city is not the famous tower nor the people's fashion sense.

It's that little cafe just around the corner. It's the aroma of that cup of strong espresso you can smell blocks away. And it's that French music being played in the background by an accordionist, sans the beret and striped shirt.

This is what will make you fall in love with Paris.
This is how I will always remember Paris.

Of all the places I've been to, it will always be the city I fell in love with. And even though I don't get to experience Paris everyday, I'm glad to know that it only takes one song to take me back down memory lane.

I recently bought the CD Paris, one of the the numerous titles of Putumayo's, whose vast collection features practically every city famously known for its music (New Orleans Jazz, Mississippi Blues, Samba Bossa Nova, et cetera).

Putumayo CD's transport you to other worlds. Hit play and surely you would feel like you have travelled thousands of miles and you're basking in another man's culture. Only cheaper.

Whenever I listen to Paris and French Cafe (my first Putumayo purchase), it's as if I'm back in France and I'm imagining myself sipping my cup of cafe au lait.
It really is true what they say about the nostalgic effect of music.

So do what I do on those days you long for the mystery and excitement of a foreign country: Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee. Insert that Putumayo disc in your player. Sit back and relax.
It may not be as good as the real thing, but it sure does come close. :)

A Passion For Random Pretty Things

2006-11-18T23:16:00.000+08:00

Jill of all trades; Master of none.

It's sad, really.
And I'd like to think I am not one of those people.

Today I got an invite to an afternoon dessert party hosted by Ms. Tina of Taza Platito.
I remember how Elaine, my brother's girlfriend who also happens to share my weakness for anything sweet and delish, texted me about the party a few days back.

Reply. click.
Type type type: Wow! Cool! Yup! Thanks! :)
Send. click.

Took me less than 5 seconds, I think.

The party was set at 4 to 7 p.m. and being the opportunistic dessert freaks that we are, we made sure that we got there early. So I got to Elaine's house, picked her up, and on our way to the party, we couldn't stop rambling on about how excited we were.
Our conversation? 2% penguins and the new 007; 98% desserts.
(What types of cakes was she going to present? How fudgey would her Double Chocolate Chip Fallen Cupcakes be? How different would chocolate tablea taste compared to the usual cocoa?)
Call us dessert geeks, if you will.

We arrived at a quarter past four. Elaine rang the doorbell, and Ms. Tina greeted us then led us to the living room where the party was set up. She introduced us to a few people, one of whom was Ms. Lori, the brilliant food photographer/blogger, and two (or three?) other people whose names I can't remember as I was busy scouting the dessert table. Hehe. (I did take a mental note the second time their names were mentioned.)
Cookies, bars, cupcakes, cakes: chocolate, caramel, coffee, pastillas de leche, cheesecakes, and every scrumptious dessert you or any dessert lover can imagine were served. Elaine and I were like kids in a candy store. No, scratch that. We were kids in a candy store.

So there we were on the table, talking while savoring each bite of our sliced cakes, carefully analyzing the ingredients used, the taste, and the texture of each one. I definitely enjoyed playing dessert critic but what I enjoyed more was listening to these bakers talk passionately about something they truly love doing. I do a little baking here and there but I'm not up to par with these people. (Although Elaine once said that my chocolate cheesecake was one of the best she's tried. Really! Hehe.)
And that sometimes scares me. They've already figured out what they want to do. They already know what their passion is. And they're good at it. Really good.

I know a little bit of everything but I'm afraid to think that I don't exactly excel in one. I like to try things that interest me. I took classes that involved things I love to do but am not necessarily passionate about-- yet. I'm still in that stage where I can't absolutely pinpoint what it is I truly want to do. I guess you can say that I'm an indecisive fool who seems to be on a standstill. But you can't say that I'm not enjoying every minute of it.

So I introduce to you a place where I can share pretty random things that I love.
-- Could be a dessert, a fashion trend, a makeup product, a tourist spot, a piece of art, or a song I can't get out of my head.
So if you ask me what my passion is, I really couldn't say.

But I will tell you this.

It may be random.
But it's definitely purty.

Welcome to my blog.