2006: Best Year Ever

I was on my knees paying gratitude for the year that has been, when I started unwrapping the year's colorful events in my head: from Zizu's infamous headbutt to celebrities' junk exhibitionism. 2006 is yet another banner year! But as you may know, this year wasn't exactly as productive as it should've been. I was out of school, pathetically undecided of what route in life I wanted to take. Hence, all of my time were spent and entertained by sports, reality tv, and honey wheat bagels. On a soon-to-be-demolished-bum's point of view, why don't we recall all of the stupid things that we laid our eyes on and conquered our numskulls.


The first half of the year was dominated by the most unlikely couple EVER, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, that even The Today Show was dragged into this then-fabricated love affair. The Dawson's Creek alumnus got preggers, and then speculations of an alien morphing inside her womb surged the surface. It never ended, until one cute thick-haired baby named Suri tickled our very eyes. She's probably one of the prettiest babies I've seen of late, but is she real? That I still don't know. But in spite of happy couples like TomKat, Hollywood has made its place a daunting foundation for sacred matrimonies. Sad but true, splitsville was just as trendy as flaunting your crotch. Speaking of displaying the vags, this year, hands down, belonged to Britney Spears. Apart from the most anticipated divorce in history, she lightened up every office cubicle in the world by quite-purposely flashing her fanny. Sure enough, her tool paved the way for the greatest comeback of modern times since Paula Abdul. And there were the other bitches who've altogether monopolized the daily episodes of E! News and sorts. Nicole Richie, the dubbed anorexic (I actually like her); Lindsay Lohan, the firecrotch; and Paris Hilton who's famous for banging half of Hollywood at age 12. It was entertaining when it started, but I'm so sick of these skanks, and I seriously hope to see a new set of regulars on TV and tabloids in the coming year.

On the brighter side of showbizcrap though, this year's TV shows were more than spectacular. Whoever thought that a show that embodies superheroes would be such a hit? I mean, considering that Smallville isn't as magnetic, hehe. Then there's the erupting left eye, the revival of the poncho, the death of Edgar, the wife murderer, the escape of gorgeous convicts, and the additional steam to an already sizzling cast. Scripted TV is back!!! But of course, reality TV won't allow you to ignore their geniuses too. Big Brother was back, with the Chenbot, and an all-star cast. Janelle didn't win, to my dismay, but Taylor Hicks is the new American Idol! A couple of rehab graduates won the Amazing Race, the Hoff was uninvitedly back on our TV sets, and some tattooed manbitch was named Tim Gunn's new boytoy. Wish for next year? More drama, less peculiar results.


It wasn't just the world of glitz and glamour that shook up the world in 2006. Sports' boneheads made headlines for themselves too! Zinedine Zidane's idiotic gesture that crippled his nation's chances of winning the World Cup, in his last game before retirement, no less, was the talk of the town for at least two weeks. I have all the respect for the guy, I mean, arguably the best soccer player of his generation, but come on now. A wrestling move on a sweaty grass field in the middle of a championship match? You gotta be kidding me. Then there was Terrell Owen's suicide/overdose drama right here in my usually peaceful neighborhood of Valley Ranch, Bode Miller's bageled performance at the Olympics, and Floyd Landis' testosterone overload. But it wasn't all that bad this year in sports. In fact, there were some seriously noteworthy performances just like Roger Federer's third year of sheer dominance, Rafael Nadal's superiority on clay (and Federer, hihi), Tiger Woods' emotional comeback at the British Open, Longhorns' amazing Rosebowl win, Saints' momentous homecoming, Andre Agassi's farewell, Mavericks' first trip to the NBA finals, and on top of it all... Emmitt Smith winning Dancing with the Stars! Ha, whatta year.

I can honestly say that I had fun throughout. From being sleepless during midnight of June 6 '06, to indulging a whole afternoon in YouTube, to laughing my ass off Borat's one-liners, to watching Saddam's long awaited execution. 2006's yearbook will forever hold memories of all these stupidity and awesomeness. I hope you all enjoyed it too!

And with that... I wish you my friends a prosperous, entertaining, and zit-free 2007. Cheers!

Year-end survey

It's that time of the year again when we look back to what we've accomplished, and/or failed to do in the past year, when we recall the bitter moments we all had with our EXes, when we weigh in to check how much fat we've gained, and when we bring out this traditional survey...

What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Eat In-N-Out's famous burger. Haha, but seriously? Fight for my color.

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't. But I plan on making one for next year, and hopefully I get half of it done.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
The best cousin in the world, Hannah!

Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, none.

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Something worthy of my time, like school and money-making.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
That damn wisdom tooth!

What was the best thing you bought?
My first pair of chucks.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
MINE! Bwaharhar.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My mom's. Especially for refusing to buy me a new ironing board. :))

Where did most of your money go?
Christmas gifts.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My 10-day trip to California and Nevada.

What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
Sexyback by JT. DUH?!

Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? -- happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- OH. Thinner, baby, hahaha!
iii. richer or poorer? -- $300 bucks richer.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Work out.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Pig out.

What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's is a no-brainer. But HEROES is the shit, man!

What was your greatest musical discovery?
KT Tunstall, Ray LaMontagne

What was your favorite film of this year?
Little Miss Sunshine. I have a couple more, but I enjoyed this most.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Accomplishment in school. Or landing a job somewhere with a satisfying wage.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Preppy in church, sporty in malls, hobo elsewhere.

What kept you sane?
Sports and television.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
I'm the only person I have, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
That I'm a naturally happy person because of my optimistic outlook in life.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
Well, highlighting what was said about me...my optimism.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
My being argumentative, especially towards my mom.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"This could be the very minute, I'm aware I'm alive. All these places feel like home" - Chocolate by Snow Patrol

Was 2006 a good year for you?
It was sloppy at times, but definitely better than anticipated.

Where were you when 2006 began?
Kuya Richard's old apartment in Dallas.

Who were you with?
Family, Kuya Richard, and other Pinoys from CMCD.

Where will you be when 2006 ends?
I'll be watching a Mavericks vs. Nuggets game.

Who will you be with when 2006 ends?
Papa and Patrick.

What was your favorite month of 2006?
November. I was out of town, enjoyed myself, and it snowed when I came back.

What are your plans for 2007?
Go back to school, pursue the dreadful world of medicine, and become an achiever.

What are your wishes for the new year?
A good and successful schoolyear, cool new friends to hang out with, and a new dress size.

My REAL grown up Christmas list.

I know this won't matter to you, but I'll give it a shot anyway, just in case a gold-hearted individual out there would have something extra to spare me with. I mean, seriously, if Gail got something granted out of her list, then sure I can too. Right? Fine, not really. Haha, but what do I know? It's already Santa Oprah studying my wishlist, hahaha!

I'm not gonna go good samaritan-ish on you and say all I want for Christmas is world peace... Pfft, that's good, but you won't hear me saying that. Instead, I'll be selfishly giving you (and Oprah, haha) a rundown of my needs. :))

1. It's common knowledge that this season isn't just about what it celebrates, it's also about food and being fat. But unlike you, I have some severe issues to work with, and as much as I enjoy eating, I know I need help. And what better way to help me get over this fat situation than gifting me Horizon's new treadmill!

2. Along with that, Ellen told me about Hydracoach, a new thingamajig that calculates the amount of water your body needs, and consumes everyday. Isn't that amazing? Note: it hit stores late December ;)

3. A relaxing but physical vacation would be a perfect way to end the year too. I also need to work on my forehand, so if anybody wants to chip in, The Phoenician would work.

4. Or if it wouldn't, Nintendo Wii offers sports like tennis, baseball and boxing. That'd be just fine for a daily workout.

5. And if that's not asking enough, I also need a personal nutritionist. That of yours, Oprah, too!

6. Or if he's too busy with you, then maybe you can just ask your friend Kirstie to get me some Jenny Craig help. Her change was dramatical and definitely the subject of my envy. A year of subscription would absolutely save my life!

7. Or if that's too much already, a pedometer from Wal-Mart would be fine. I was at Children's yesterday and I read something about keeping a good, balanced lifestyle. And all you need to do is walk 10,000 steps a day. I'm not very good at math, let alone counting, so that pedometer thing will surefire help my ass.

8. And while walking, I think I'm gonna need a new pair of Nikes. Those that got sensors monitoring your progress. Through your iPod, it tells you how long you've been exercising, how far you've gone and how much calories you've burned. Isn't that COOL???

9. And of course, I'm also gonna need an iPod nano for that. Apple green, please.

10. Apart from my concerns with health, I also happen to have a wish for my parents. They'll be celebrating their 25th year together by the end of the month, so if Colin Cowie can come over and help me with things, that'd be amazing.

11. Okay, I'm not entirely deluded yet, and I'm still aware that there's a slim to none chance that Oprah might actually be going through my crappy list. So you know what? I'll probably just wish for a free ticket to Los Angeles so I can audition for Deal or No Deal.

12. And if that works out, I'll be able to get all things mentioned AND finally get a new apartment. Look at me. I'm an adult, and I still live with my parents. I'm out of school and totally jobless. In other words, I need to move out. Immediately! Preferably to AMLI, which is conveniently just across this house. I still want to be close, especially when rough times come, like running out of salt or tin foil.

Alright, enough of this nonsense... In case I don't get to blog on the day itself...

Budget Conscious

I was so excited to go to the mall today because this is the first time in a while that I'd be shopping for my family, without them knowing what I'm buying, AND without them paying. Hahaha, I know, I've been such a pain. So despite the freezing rain, we braved the foggy weather in hopes of completing our shopping lists.

I hauled my brother because quite honestly, I'm not the most brilliant shopper at all. I hate choosing, so if I get to set my eyes on something pleasant, I'd refrain from looking elsewhere for something cheaper, or better, and he's safely the other way around. Since we were in a mall, it was pretty convenient to hop from one place to another, depending on what our agenda was, and since we were looking for presents for parents (rhyme time!), we went to Dillard's for some bargain but high quality goods. Being the trying-hard-shopwizard that I am, I scanned the website first to have an idea of how much the potential gifts would cost, and some seemed quite reasonable, hence my confidence of heading straight to the retail.

Off I went to the Women's section, looking particularly for Dior's J'adore. As soon as I saw it, I giddily asked the salesperson how much it costs and it was about 10 bucks over my budget. BUMMER! As much as I'd love to spare more, I have three more persons to buy gifts for, so I had to tell the woman that I'm on a tight budget, and couldn't get it. And guess what, she grinned at me like a rich bitch. Oh no she didn't!!! But since I know it was merely classless of her to do that to a budget conscious customer, and I didn't wanna embarrass my brother, I just had to laugh it off. What can I do, Charlize Theron's endorsement is not for the jobless! So I went on and looked for other stuff... to no avail. My thin benjamins were already getting frustrated until I saw this perfume store just accross Dillard's, and IT'S ON FUCKIN' SALE!!! Ahhh, talk about luck! And you bet, I sprinted my way there, dorkily looking around for something to pay for. Excited enough to even forget the store's name...idiot!

But then again, I caught myself in the middle of a "what's your cheapest?" question and answer portion with the attendant. I was like, "Dolce and Gabbana... no? Um, Gucci... anything else? How about Bvlgari... err, that's too much". It was almost embarrassing that I could already feel my armpits sweating bullets, and my poor brother couldn't help either. The woman, who was exceedingly accomodating by the way, tried her hardest to help me though, but she was just as clueless. Well, I'd be baffled too if I was surrounded by all those perfumes of different names with different scents for different ages and sexes. My chances were slowly shrinking, as I continued surveying her of products I know of... until I saw the concealed Escada cubicle behind her. I asked the nice lady if anything there is within my budget, and yes!!! Angels sang in unison, and there it was... a gift for my mother!

Hahaha, I know, sounds like too much trouble for a bottle of perfume. But I'm afraid, I'm not even close to getting my list done. One down, three to go...

Friendster

I have to admit, I was once addicted to this community, even plead guilty of having multiple accounts before, which partially consist of people who I don't even know, who have too much time in their hands, bombarding your neat, lovely page with messy and glittery testimonials. It grew out to be the most annoying thing ever, hence the urge to abandon them. But for my own personal friends, I've decided to go back and create a new one. I figured that by not having a number in my username (such as Kai-I, Kai-II, Kai-III for corresponding friendster account number. I know. LAME!), it'd be easier for them to locate my profile and get in touch with me, especially now that I'm oceans away.

So far it's doing its duties quite adequately. I get to see my friends' new photographs once in a while, some wedding pictures even, and their babies', but most importantly, it became a tool for me to be in reach again. I'm glad to have gone back! However, there are still some things that kind of stings my eye whenever I log in to it. I don't know how to say this politely, but it's what Hannah loves to call pa-please, hahaha. You know what I'm talking about!

Like this cousin I have from Manila who nicknamed himself "Ashton", when he remotely doesn't look like the real one. I mean, it could've made more sense if he has similar features, or hair, or height, or accent with that Punk'd guy, but no, and his real name isn't even close! Hahaha. Then there are those whose lives revolve on the bulletin boards. One chick writes, "Mama, we all go to hell. I'm writing this letter and wishing you well". Hahaha, the creepiest thing I've read in a long time! I also get mad at my mother, but I sure don't want to go to hell, let alone take her with me. I mean, who does that?!! Then there's another who says, "I've never looked better and you can't stand it.", ermm...not really! Sorry, I know mean girl syndrome, but did she seriously have to say that? On the bulletin boards??? :))

Then there are those profiles which take forever to load because of 1,000 music videos and hundreds more of those photo slideshows. Not to mention, their unbearable animated backgrounds! Isn't the purpose of this thing to get connected with people, and have an interesting and attractive profile? Well, waiting 10 minutes for your page to load is definitely otherwise, that I just had to click the back button and swear to never hit your page again! Don't even get me started on the "emo" or emotional self portraits. Those of which are intended to be stolen shots of yourself. I mean, what's wrong with looking at the camera and displaying your bright smile? :) Seriously.

But eventhough Friendster goes haywire, as its members, I still can't resist the urge of logging in everyday just to check out my friends' daily update of profiles, and frequent addition of photos. It's my own little way of getting connected, because as you know, a jobless prick can only afford so much. So with that, I'd like to thank SBC for my unlimited internet, mom and dad for paying, and Friendster for its free service. Who needs long distance calls when you've got Friendster? Hahaha!

1 vs. 100

In relationships, there's this common denominator nicknamed chemistry, which is simply being congruous, or having harmony between two parties or a group. And since I'm severely prone to being extra argumentative, I have accepted the fact that this lame harmony thing is like oil to my water. We just can't jive.

That's why I don't have a best friend. I have countless friends, a favorite cousin, a 7-pc barkada, and a gay childhood friend who I call my bff, just for the sake of it. But none of them is truly my best friend. I had one once, but I eventually lost her because of my being possessive. Since then, I have feared engaging myself in a very convenient friendship, for fear that my ways couldn't resist the urge to argue again.

Same thing with family. If I get myself into a domestic squabble, even if I'd always want to quickly get out of it, I'd impetuosly draw more anger into it, and inadvertently end up being hurt and hurting them too. It's even scary how obloquious the arguments become, when all you initially wanted was just to explain yourself. And you still end up always misunderstood.

And don't you just know it when a certain person doesn't like you, even if you've only met once, or even if it's just another random stranger you crossed path with in the blogging world. Your guts just tell you when you're being annoying, although you know you couldn't be nicer, and had done nothing to offend them or their individuality.

Thank God that there are still people who choose to stick by me, and I'm no less than glad. I still don't think I'm that difficult of a person. I may be bitchy, but difficult? Overstatement. Hell, I even go out of my way just to be sincerely friendly, generous and forgiving, even if it means swallowing my monster pride. So the fact that I'm not likeable enough, and that there are still people who perceive me degradingly, somehow worries me. And it's quite pathetic that all I can do about it is swear, sometimes cry, and be my old pissed self.

I know this sounds like a Seventeen letter from a struggling highschooler, but whatever. I just had to get it off my chest. Damn, am I infuriated these past few days or what. Umm. I think I'm gonna need a beer. Now if you'll excuse me...

Fedtard attack!

This post will go down as one of the bitchiest entries you could ever possibly read in this blog. I'm supposed to be done with getting pissed about it, since it's apparently not all that big of a deal, but I'm still not. And obviously, there's no better way for me to channel this overflowing fury other than to bitchwrite about it. So let's get this going.


Are you fuckin' kidding me?

Ok, first of all, I think Dwyane Wade is awesome. We all know the story about last season, and it was all great (yes, despite the phantom calls against my Mavs). But for him to be the recipient of this accolade sounds like a complete joke to my ears. Don't be misled though, I think the guy is a great basketball player, it's just that, my understanding of this award was it's supposed to be given to the best athlete slash sportsman in the world, on and off the court/field/ring, and there's no way I would have named Dwyane Wade that.

To start with, how can it be possible for Sports Illustrated not to give this then-prestigious recognition to somebody who's vastly dominating the sport of Tennis over the past three years? I mean, it can't be any clearer. Roger Federer IS the best athlete in the world today, and/or possibly EVER, and any sports analyst, who are in their right mind, would definitely agree with me, one way or another. He won three of the four slams this year, including Wimbledon for the FOURTH straight year, made the French Open finals, won more than 10 titles for the third consecutive year (open era record), cruised his way through his third Tennis Masters Cup title, and evidently, has just been leaving marks of his legacy in the history books.

And yet again, The 3-time US Open champ gets undeservingly snubbed by the American media.

"This award has always stood for more than the victory alone. It recognizes the manner of an athlete's striving and the quality of his or her efforts. Dwyane embodies that winning spirit by playing for his team, not himself, and by working in the community to ensure young people have the chance to realize their own dreams." - Sports Illustrated Group Editor, Terry McDonell ..... And you don't give the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador the freakin' award??? Who are you kidding?!!

And honestly, Vince Young did more for the Longhorns than Wade for Miami. And it could've made more sense if the thing went to Lance Armstrong, who battled his way through cancer, or the New Orleans Saints' momentous comeback after the Katrina catastrophe. There's more out there than a commercially marketable Dwyane Wade, but unfortunately, the publication has turned a blind eye on it and refused to give recognition to the best athlete there is, nor even the most inspiring stories of the year.

But to end this animosity-filled entry, that only a few of you might understand anyway, let me go back to my enraged Fedtard attack... Roger Federer displayed three seasons of superiority and sheer perfection the world of sports hasn't seen in a long time. While Dwyane Wade, your Sportsman of the year, could barely hold an excellent playoff - in a team of five, with a coach on court, and officials who're accustomed of treating him like a baby.

Yes, I know all about Wade although I've never heard of him until the 2006 NBA Finals.

$300... to me or not to me?!!

As I've said in the previous post, I only have $300 bucks to spare for gifts and ehem, personal indulgence. I'm not sure if it's enough for them, but then, it's not everyday that I get a grip on this otherwise handful amount of money to buy stuff for myself. Not that I'm being a selfish bitch, but I'm jobless, not one cent is registering in my lonely pocket, and godparents are apparently done with their respective giveaways. So dare I say that I want to splurge in these three pieces of benjamins?

But... FINE. I'll buy them presents, just whatever my money can afford. And the leftovers, granted that there'll be any, will all be mine...ugh, hopefully. But seriously, this is becoming extremely ludicrous already. I'm morphing into a money-hogging, super cantankerous monster over this unworthy predicament. I know! I know! Money shouldn't really make me sad, or antagonistic for that matter. I mean, it's just money, right? But for a jobless prick like myself, $300 bucks turns into a jackpot that only hits your couch-potato-ass once in a blue moon. It's a sudden gift from heaven, with little satan whispering in your left ear quite convincingly, "gratify yourfuckinself!". I'm sorry, I don't tend to be blasphemous, but you perfectly know what I'm talking about. It's basically giving vs. receiving. Or as Mr. Tursunov refers to breakfast, the battle of temptations vs. sensibility.

I'm laying this out here because I know that most of my blog friends aren't hypocritical, and most likely are torn in the exact same dilemma as me during this time. So please, just allow me to complain, as if I'll be eternally robbed of a chance to appease myself. For what it's worth though, all I really wanted was enough money to use for school and the activities (yes! those activities) when I get back on it. $300 may not be a lot, but for a student, a yet struggling one at that, it's a whole damn lot. And just so you know, I'm not a d-a-d-d-y kind of domestic princess (something to be proud of, at least!), hence this pathetic quandary.

On a completely irrelative note... Happy Birthday Ate Vayie! Haha, dare I call you that. :))

ETA: And since somebody has been invigoratingly inquisitive, I'll be explaining a couple of trivial things here, as he requested, even if it's remotely disconnected to the titular subject, and it means I'll only be wasting time and energy because nobody would even read this part of the post anymore. But since it's the holidays, and I'm supposed to be a giver, I'm gonna allow this idiot intrude my otherwise self-centered blog. Among the eurogeek's one-liners were: a) "Why do you keep changing your blog address? You know that I didn't enjoy looking for your fat ass!", b) "Since when did you like lullabies?" - pertaining to my recent choices for music here, and c) "Actually, Home Alone could have been the best choice. You just wanted to look at Ryan Reynolds on a daily basis, did you?"

OK. First of all, I've been changing my blog address quite habitually, reasons have varied overtime, but mostly, it was to get rid of some unwanted readers, and no, that does not include you, eventhough you called me a fat ass and it hurt...because it's true, so fuck you! Lullabies? I'm skipping that one. And yes, the guy's sixpack, even if covered, is worth my header space, than yours in my still functioning memory. I'm so glad I can embarrass you here. Harhar!

Naughty > nice. Pfft!

On the first day of Christmas...

Damn, December's here! And in no time, I'll have to turn a year older again. But I'm not gonna dwell on that just yet. In fact, I'm pretty much thrilled by the approaching Christmas season. It's my favorite time of the year for the simple and very corny reason that most families gather in this occasion more than any other. Well, not that I'd normally care about others, but whatever. I just thought it's cool to think about it that way, besides the most anticipated part of scrapping the gift wrappers on Christmas morning.

And what better way to kick off the season but with snow! On a very rare event, this northern part of the state was slathered with snow two days ago (still November, word!), from morning til afternoon, and it never stopped. Boy, you can only imagine our sophomoric glee while watching the flakes cover our frontyard, as if it's getting any thicker than an inch. Haha!



My sometimes incosiderate mother though attempted to ruin our gaieties by asking us to Christmas-ized the house, inside and out, in the midst of a killer temperature. I'd normally bitch and be all "please, stop killing me!", but I'm practicing being patient right now, therefore, I just had to be the obedient daughter, even if watching the snow spread before my eyes was the perfect lazy day I've always dreamt of. I didn't have to do much though, since there's the little brother (who's literally big, btw) who's more than willing to climb slippery ladders and attach one electric extension to another, and a partridge in a pear tree. The finish product was more than satisfying anyway, and I'm proud to say that I took part in making the Christmas tree, oh yes! And there, we finally got our first ever PAROL!!! Now my mother stands a chance in winning that Deck The Halls-esque contest here in Valley Ranch. She's obsessed with decorating that even our indoor plants are now plastered with running lights. Seriously.

And since we're already talking Christmas, I thought I'd just ask you, my dear friends, for some wanted advice. I happen to be jobless, and with only more or less $300 in my pocket (seemingly impossible to buy 5 people quality gifts, but that's all I fuckin' have *sniffles*), I'm wondering what gift is best suitable for the greatest father on earth. I know, I'm too sweet! :)) My mother, who's my super best friend as you know, deserves a stupendous giveaway too, but unlike my father, she's very easy to pick a present for. Kindly help??? Just for my dad. I want to give him the best gift possible, even if it's under 50 bucks, hahaha, just kidding.

Ambak!

*** Long entry ahead. If you can't devote a good 10-minute readfest of a Texan's escapade to California, and with major camwhorage in tow, then this particular post is not for you. Scaramoosh!

I was planning to blog while I was in California, but my aunt's AOL dial up service was helluva crap, for lack of a better word. I'm over and done with dial up, so to sit infront of that computer for more than 15 minutes would actually be very patient of me. Unfortunately, that's yet one trait I'm planning to list in my new year's resolution, hence the short hiatus. But I'm back! With a new blog address, blog title, template, stories, and everything else. Long story short, I just got tired of the old stuff. Back to story...

As you know, I finally got my much awaited vacay the past couple of weeks and I got to spend each day with no less than my family. Expectedly, it was fun, but I never thought I'd be exhausted by the 3rd day. We were always on the go, there was always something to be up to, and not one day for me to indulge myself in that tempurpedic bed. Not that I didn't have a choice, but I don't want to give them the cold shoulder, especially that they only get to see me once in a blue moon. Nevertheless, I had a ball, and hopefully everyone else also did.

The rundown.

Day 1: Eagle Rock Plaza is about a 2-mile walk away from my aunt's place, so we chose it as our first destination. It's pretty small, and its basement is stacked with Filipino people, shops, and fast foods. We had lunch at Jollibee, had my first Jolly Spaghetti in years, and you bet, I was in heaven. The mall also has Chowking, Goldilocks, Bench and a huge grocery store racked with Filipino goods. It's like strolling in Megamall on a random Sunday morning. Then off we go to Universal Studios after lunch. It was only the four of us, but we had fun, nonetheless. Super bonding time.


Jolly Spaghetti; Universal Studios overlooking San Bernardino; Bagets Reunion with Hailey
Day 3: Hollywood Blvd. We just cruised through it, kodak-ed here and there then left immediately. Had dinner at Max's Restaurant shortly after, with my parents' old classmates and the rest of the family. Sarap ng Crispy Pata, super na-miss ko!

Day 4: Off to Rancho Sta. Margarita to visit our favorite cousins. Traffic and travel time are torture but it was all worth it upon seeing our first pamangkin. Then to Irvine to visit a friend, and back to LA to celebrate Tita Tess' birthday.

Day 5: Then the actual celebration. It wasn't really a huge party, just family and some friends. My ninang from Fresno came over, and a few others. We also watched the Pacquiao match altogether, and you can only imagine how bizarrely exuberant their celebratory cheers were after the 15-minute payperview. Quite expensive, 'no? But whatever. After seeing the fight, and the priceless look on that rich boxer's face, I finally realized why it was so important for Filipinos to support this boastful man. No matter how yabang he gets, he still bleeds for the country, so there, I couldn't help but go patriotic and appreciative. Parang hindi bagay, 'no.

Day 6: Sunday, church day. After mass, we decided to eat In-n-Out for lunch, my first time! My people who've been in LA forever have been bragging about their burger for the longest time, so why not give it a try. But for real, it didn't taste any special. It's good, but the fries were even better. I still prefer Sonic's, and Whataburger's. But you know what's the best burger I've tasted? Tropical Hut's junior classic. Yep, that one back in the Philippines. To die fuckin' for! I'd give up a year without internet just to have one branch here in Texas. PLEASE!!! Branch internationally!!!

Day 7: It was all about Vegas. We left around noon, and arrived at about 4pm. Checked in at Aladdin, changed clothes and had dinner at Buffet @ Asia, then strolled the strip until 11pm. Papa and Auntie Rose still managed to go the Casino downstais and guess what? My dad won ten times his capital. Hahaha, I wish I had his powers. Woke up fairly early, had brunch at Spice Market Buffet, shopping at Prim, then back to LA before midnight.


Strolling the strip with Bo and Han; Breakfast camwhorage with Hailey; Thanksgiving beerfest
Day 7: Rodeo Drive. I wasn't really expecting to see a celebrity since it's like a tourist spot now more than anything, but I saw a couple, a B-list and a G-list, I guess, hehe. I was in the same elevator ride as Jon Lovitz, and I was standing next to Eugena of ANTM Cycle 7 in the valet parking. Seriously, of all the celebrities in the world, I got to see those two. How lucky!

Day 8: Thanksgiving. I really don't prefer celebrating tradional American holidays, but whatev, it was all in good fun. I almost did nothing that day though. Just rested, fixed my suitcase, and drank a little. And ate my Chowking siomai to go.

Day 9: Back to Eagle Rock Plaza for Black Friday. It was my first time to shop at Macy's, and boy do they have quality clothes there. Too bad I only got one piece because of my luggage space left, and this sweater I badly wanted had no tag on it that I couldn't bring it home. Eff it! Good thing there was Jollibee for lunch, I was calmed. Hahaha! Then Kristine Hermosa and Anne Curtis invaded the Filipino grocery. I happen to be an avid viewer of these Tagalog soap operas, but I never intend to be a so-called fan of theirs to actually line up and ask for their autographs. My mom, my aunt and my cousin were otherwise. They like Anne so much that they just had to squeeze into the day-off crowd and take pictures. Then guess what. This random manong comes up to me and says, "maputi lang sila, at may make-up, mas maganda ka pa sakanila, magpapayat ka lang", hahaha, the old guy just had to compliment this fatgirl to vent out his frustrations of not getting his poster signed. Nambola pa! Bwiset.

Day 10: We went to Griffith Park the previous night to see the light show which was jampacked that it got us home at around 10pm. Went to bed at almost midnight, woke up at 3am, to the airport and left Los Angeles at 6:15. What a crazy hour to fly. Seriously. But for some reason, it was a huge relief to see good ol' Texas again. Such a breath of fresh air.

Can you imagine, it's been two weeks, exactly this time, since the time that I was enjoying McDo's famous fries, waiting for boarding time en route to LAX. Man, how time flies so damn fast. Holidays are here, the ones I normally celebrate. Then I turn a year older, and funtimes will soon be over.

Target Shopper Saga

Is it wrong to feel irate towards perhaps unintentional naivete? Well, I was talking to a friend an hour ago and she was telling me how she just learned that a black nail polish exists on earth. Seriously? I was guilelessly shocked. Like, have you been to the moon?? I admit I wasn't too kikay before, but I sure knew about that. But of course, as a semi-forbearing friend, I had to be artificially benevolent, hence my stubtle "really, how come?" response. Totally reminds me of one tennis player who had the exact same predicament. And guess what? They just knew about it because Chanel just recently had it. And they get it for what, $18/bottle? Ha! As if that's really worth some muscles shaping a surprised face. That's equivalent to 18 bottles at the dollar store! But seriously, is that just stupid or what? You can't even tell 'em apart so what gives. It is just because it's Chanel, that you convince yourself that you just learned about it lately? Don't let me mislead you though, I absolutely have no reason to be this irritated. But I just couldn't help but cringe over the obvious absurdity. $18?!!?! *scoffs*

Since I'm at it... I've decided to get rid of this Louis Vuitton suitcase my mother bought me a couple of years ago. I only used it once, and although it looks really good and the quality's even better, it's still got "LV" written all over it which gradually morphed into a K-Fed sighting for me--extremely annoying. I'm not even sure if it's 100% authentic, well not that I'd care anyway. Plus, I saw those kids from Laguna Beach all having the exact same thing. That alone could end my 26-hour-travel relationship with it. Haha, seriously. It's already too much. As to a song, overplayed. You know what I mean.

This is actually one of the many subjects I often battle with my mom over. But the contrast is pretty obvious, she has the job and I don't. So I'd often prefer buying a lot in a small amount of money, than just get a couple of things that would eternally inject me with guilt, 'cause she always pays. Not that I loathe branded goods, I in fact know that their qualities are the best, hence the ridiculous price tags. But I'm just not the kind who'd want to spend fortunes only for say, a pair of Cole Haans, when I can get the same quality at the mall for a more advantageous purchase. For someone who doesn't earn a lot, or doesn't earn anything at all, luxuriating in that magnitude is the last thing in my to-do list. But eventhough I apprehend practicalness that way, I know I should also recognize the fact that the better quality of item I get, the longer it stays with me. So I'm not really completely refraining myself from them branded stuff, just that the item has to be reasonable. Reasonable as in generally affordable.


And the practice starts... My first ever pair of chuck taylors.
My brother, who has the same perception as my mom's, has been convincing me forever to buy myself chucks instead of splurging in cheap shoes and boho slippers I get at Payless Shoestores or Target all for not more than 50 buckaroos. And since I'm on this self-made therapy to become a girly-girl, I always shrugged off his brainwashing, until an irresistable sale at Kohl's this past weekend. I was actually there to buy Bongo flats but my being practical hit me between two eyes. I'll be doing a lot of walking this week, so I decided to finally agree with him, and get a pair of my own. I'm not really a trend follower but these fit me comfortably and it doesn't look bad at all. I know, I have giant feet ala McDo. Wouldn't really translate very well if I were testosteroned, right?. Hahaha, but I digress. :)) At least I finally got something that's relatively cheap and that will last.

So anyway. I have tennis to watch right now (it's live from Shanghai, what the hell, haha), then I'll make breakfast, manually heat a bucket of water since this house's waterheater is totally unreliable at the moment, take a suicidal shower, get dressed, do my hair, beautify my face, last-minute packing, watch last night's Studio 60, make lunch/merienda/dinner, eat, brush teeth, call a cab, 15-minute travel to airport, wait for boarding, and leave for Los Angeles. I'll be there 10pm PT, and it sucks because I'll be missing a presumably good Mavericks game. Nevertheless, I ask you to please pray for my safety, as I'll do with yours. *winks*

Finally!

I was itching to blog the past couple of days but nausea kept me out of it. I think an Aleve overdose caused it, or this vanilla tylenol I tried two nights back. But whatever, I'm just so glad that my swollen gum, caused by the beastial wisdom tooth, is gradually leaving my piehole at peace. I'm finally enjoying food once again, and my 3-pounder gain was proof of that. Not that I'm happy about that! But heck, as long as I can luxuriate in food again, hehehe.

So it's exactly 6 days from today before my much awaited vacay to California. I know, I've been bitching about the idea of moving there, but much to my disgust of that concept, I still like that place. That being said, I only like California as a vacation spot, not a place for me to suffer in for the rest of my life. I've sited my reasons quite precisely already, so let me not go there again. I'm excited though! It's been a couple of years since the last time I saw my favorite cousins, and there's my cute little niece waiting for me to finally cuddle her. I also have a ninang from Fresno whom I've never met, but kept in touch with. Can you believe that she gave me 10k pesos just for a concert??? I know, she owes me that much, but damn, she loves me too much to give me $200 only for a musical showcase, right? Haha. I'm not really that materialistic, but with a moneyed godmother, I'll be a hypocrite if I say that I don't anticipate what she's got instored for me. Hahaha! Just kidding. :P

I can't help but blog about this... Spederline is dunzo!!! OMG. Finally! I'm not really that big of a fan of Britney's, but I just loathe K-Fed so much that this news brought delight to my nauseous system. He sooo had it coming, but I still can't believe it took her sooo long to file for divorce! Nevertheless, this is worth rejoicing. Now let the Britney + Justin rumors begin. :))

EDIT: Women on The View celebrated with waves of confetti. Hahahaha! Fiesta ito!

ETA: Random snapshots I saw while reading my daily sports news. Just thought I'd share...


Maria Sharapova is officially the luckiest bitch in the world!

AND LOOK!


THE HOTTEST PRACTICE SESSION ON EARTH!!! *squee*
Finally! After two long years, they're on the same court again. Heck, who cares if it's not an actual match, haha. But dare I say this... I want Rafa and Roddick for Tennis Masters Cup Finals. I'm so sick of Rogelio's domination! He's too perfect! Somebody gotta take him down!

OK. That's VERY random, haha! Have a grandiose weekend, my friends! Be smiling. :)

California vs. Texas

My wisdom tooth is soaked in excruciating pain that it now has its own heartbeat. No kidding! But as I was watching That's The Question last night, I learned that there's a certain part of the brain that has its own anesthetic capability which would seemingly work when you don't think about the ache that registers your body. I know, that can't be serious, right? But it actually works. Once in a while. Just like Aleeve. But not really the eternal remedy I was hoping for.

Anyway, let's forget about this bastardly denture for a second, shall we? I've been thinking about this dilemma my mother, and this whole family, are presently facing. Well, it's not really a dilemma since I'm the only one who's entirely against the idea, but I'm pretty much on point, contrary to the rest. Allow me to fill you in.

My mom got a call from Cedar Sinai Medical Center last Monday. Suri Cruise, those Spederline kids, Kingston Stefani-Rossdale. Ring a bell? Yes. That Hollywood hospital. She could've landed a job there long before we moved to Texas, but she chose to be committed to her agency at that time. But since her ties with it, and Children's Medical Center, are soon to be unattached, she's been contemplating on which hospital she would rather spend the rest of her professional life in. She's obviously enthused by the Cedar Sinai opportunity, and although I'm pretty confident that she already has this in the bag, I still can't quite imagine myself living in a city like Los Angeles. Permanently. Unless I choose to be left here in Dallas. Forgive the skepticism, but I seriously have some issues.

We've been out of apartments for almost a year now, and I'm not one who'd take the risk of leaving this beautiful house in exchange of a 2-bedroom, fifteen-hundred-dollar apartment in Hollywood. Plus, this location can't get any more convenient. We're literally minutes away from the post office, gas station, interstate freeway, schools, church, a lane stacked with restaurants and fast food chains, Walmart, Target, mini malls, etc. This place is effin' awesome! That's why I can't be puzzled enough by their, my dad's specially, obsession over this whole moving idea. I mean, it was OK before 'cause we didn't have to tow furnitures with us, and we traveled not via land, but this is a totally different story. And I never imagined busting my ass driving a U-haul from one state to another. So please!

Family, yadda yadda yadda. Sure, it's definitely funner spending Holidays with the rest of the clan. I'm not that insensitive to not cognize the comfort of having people you know best in the same vicinity as you are. But how about being practical for once? Los Angeles isn't the best place on earth for a family like ours who's only halfway through being completely stable. If we're already jousting over tax payments in a state that only commands Federal tax, how much more if we move to a place where there's Federal, city, county, state, and all else? Let alone the cost of living, the percentage of interest I have to pay when I loan for college, and just about everything in that superstar expensive city that'd ruthlessly torture our bank books.

Okay, I might be a little too overreacting, but you get the drift. I've gotten used to the type of living here in Texas and it would take a lot to shift gears YET again. Here, everything's humbly cheap (well, compared to LA), there's the equally diverse community, time zone is PERFECT, and we get the four seasons. Even snow on lucky winters. But obviously, my point is beyond making snowballs during Christmas time. It's about gambling this more than contented life we're all zesting at the moment, for something so trivial as being in the same state as family. Yes, I said trivial, not big enough of a reason to me. Why? Because I'd rather spend a 500-dollar ticket to California every summer to see them all, than inescapably slap my face with traffic, stupid celebrities on the streets and ridiculous bills I can't even afford to pay.

I'm so glad I'm a Capricorn. It sometimes pays to be inevitably practical. But hey, I'm only one-fourth of this family and I don't make the decision alone. So... insha allah!

What's up, vanilla face?

I missed it for the world! It could have been my very first giving-away-candies experience for this particular holiday (since kids wouldn't drop by apartments before, sosyal sila e), but I missed it. I was half naked upstairs when I heard the bell ring and the collective excited squee - "twick or tweat!!!" - but obviously, I didn't wanna give them horror at its best by running downstairs with my bouncing watermelons partly covered and pretend that it's just any other ordinary costume. So I just had to pass. And much to my luck, those kids (a group of 10 or so, per my mom) were the first and last group of treat-or-treaters that knocked our door. Well, it's chilly that night so I have to be the mature adult to understand, right? Fine. There's always a next year. I'll get over it, don't worry.

Anyway.

I've been seeing BORAT everywhere! From The Today Show, to Letterman, even at this morning's Kid Kraddick radio show. Seriously, he's frickin' everywhere! Well, can't blame his commodity, his movie's trailer is one of the funniest shit I've seen in years, what more in its entirety. It should be good. Quite depicts yet another pop culture phenomenon, following the carved comedic footsteps of say, Napoleon Dynamite.



Please come see my film. If it not success, I will be execute. HAHAHAHA!

On another random blab.

I'm not sure about this but aren't all wisdom teeth supposed to be already in place once you turn 18? Well, I'm already past that age, obviously, and I still have my lower right struggling to surge out the surface. It did hurt multiple times before, but it'd take a long break once in a while. But it still hurts so fuckin' bad every single time! I can't even eat properly. Is this normal? I think I need help again from my blogging physicians/nurses. Does this problem frequently happen to mankind, or am I the only one? Help! I want to enjoy my food again. :(

By the way, I hope y'all attended mass or at least prayed for your beloved departed ones.

Enjoy Friday, everyone. :)

Weekstartrants.

Eating out after hearing mass has been the usual routine every Sunday, but now that my brother and I aren't babies anymore, and there's no more Jolly Spaghetti hovering our tastebuds, eating out has now become a weekly debate for my family. The battle of what's in the fridge vs. a 20/30 dollar ticket to a decent breakfast. This Sunday was no different. We already ran out of sausage patties and hashbrows, and I was too lazy to prepare anything, and besides, I was dripping saliva over this breakfast burito from Sonic (my favorite fastfood, as you know) for the longest time. But since it's the end of the month (no cash and useless plastics), we had to look for somewhere else cheaper (if Sonic wasn't cheap enough). Then cruised Krispy Kreme. I love it there, got the best doughnuts in the world, but sometimes when you've had too much of it, especially for breakfast, it doesn't feel indulgent anymore. But hey, I haven't had it for months, I was freakin' starved and it's Sunday - which Papa God approved to put a red light to whatever we're doing, and I guess my controlled-eating-habit is no exception to that - so I gave in. I walked in to the heavenly aroma of coffee and caramel, snatched my freebie, and told the lady that I'm going to take a couple of dozens. I was ready to pick whichwhich, when these creepy yet enticing pumpkin-faced doughnuts immediately invaded my sight and were loudly singing to me in chorus. I just had to get it!!! Ugh, thank God it's Sunday! :)) And since Krispy Kreme is kinda cheap, I was thinking of working it on Trick-or-Treaters, but unfortunately, I already have candies, lollipops and chocolates in a basket waiting for them, and doughnuts will only add more damage to their choppers. Too bad, but the last thing I want for Halloween is some mother kicking my front door because her kid received monster sweet treats from a fat lady. Uh-uh, not happening.

My cute little niece, Hailey, celebrated her first birthday this weekend (today's her actual birthday). This is just one of those many occasions when you can only wish that Texas to California is as convenient as a 4-peso jeepney ride from Cainta to Cubao. Seriously! I can't believe I'm missing out on Hanny's whole motherhood thing. The last time I saw her, she was still single, and that was just a couple of years ago. Yeah, and now I'm already a bonafide auntie-ninang. Ha, look how rapid the freakin' calendar flips. And I still don't have a new boyfriend!!! Well, not that I wanted a baby too, but I think she's enjoying life so much more than I am. Anyway, three more weeks til I get to snuggle them. Super kakagigil. :p

I just got John Mayer's new album. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. Vultures has got to be my favorite cut. Well, it's collectively good stuff - amazing lyrics, the falsetto is exceedingly sexy, and the guitars in there are just INSANE!!! Imagining his orgasmic guitar face while repeatedly listening to it kinda helps too, hahaha. It's really good. Go get it!

That's it for me this October. How time flies so fast, man. I remember back in the Philippines, around this time, my friends and I would spend a Saturday night altogether watching the yearly spooky episode of Magandang Gabi Bayan with a big bowl of yakisoba, then off we go to various parties ala Lindsay Lohan. Hayy, it just never gets boring back home. Oh well. If ever this house becomes a pitstop for trick-or-treaters, I promise to bring some pictures. I just hope I don't scare them and think that I'll auction them off eBay, haha. Advance Happy Halloween!

Sinwagon

It's been three years, but I've never paid a handful amount of attention to this certain controversy up until the trio showed up on my tv again on a Wednesday's Oprah. I don't dislike them. I happen to love some of their songs, but that's just how far it goes. I never said I was a country music fan to begin with, but nevertheless, these women's tenacious and rightful bluntness towards their nation's erroneous happenings were something noteworthy. In fact, I think Natalie kicked so much ass for basically saying that President Bush, with all due respect, is-was-always-will-be a piece of shit. It's really not that hard to say, but with the backlash that parked her frontdoor... Man, ow, man. Seemed like speech's vested freedom never existed.

For those of you who are still clueless about what I'm yabbering about, I'm talking about the Dixie Chicks. A grammy-winning bluegrass trio who apparently spoke disrespectfully of this country's president. Quote-unquote, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas". Burn!!! Fifteen words that immediately leaped half of this shallow country in an idiosyncratic sphere, with a repercussion that was beyond nightmare. Album sales dropped, poor concert ticket sales, avid supporters devotedly boycotted them, and even obscene death threats conquered their living-the-dream superstar status.


To despise them is one thing, but to insensately damage their characters - permanently and without limits, just for the partially irrational reason that they said it on foreign soil - is purely overreacting. I may understand that it was too unorthodox for politically conservative Southerners to hear three open-minded girls speak their minds like they did, especially in regards of their country's misguidance. But to smother them with verbal destruction and traitor-treatment ENDLESSLY is just too bestial for bearing. I can't even imagine how they've managed to go on with their lives despite the unfathomable jungle they trapped themselves into. Gee. I must've nailed my liver with a butcher knife or something. And although I may agree that as public figures, and role models, they might have acted otherwise unpleasantly, their compatriots still automatically discounted that these women are in fact human too, with a prerogative to say what their smarts urge them to express.

So what if their combative opinions were uttered on foreign soil? It's not like they purposely blasted Bush in UK, a country by the way that even helps the US in jeopardy. And it's oceans apart from Iraq, I'm pretty sure they knew the difference. So was that reasoning suppose to add more fuel to the fire? Pfft. Nevermind. Makes me think about how much Filipinos in this country execrate the dirty politics back in the Philippines, and how brazen we are in belittling (no pun intended) the president. Do you think that even if we forever bag on her flaws as a leader, here in a foreign country no less, we'll ever be cussed as traitors? I never thought so.

And that's the harsh reality of being in the public eye. You're instantly robbed of the power to utilize the freedom that was given to mankind to think open-mindedly and be considerably outspoken. Unfortunately for the Dixie Chicks, they had to suffer the humiliating behaviour besetting their individualities and had to be sidelined for what seemed to be the longest three years of their lives. But what the hell! They're BACK!!! And still not ready to make fuckin' nice.

Being "dysfunctional"

For me, the term 'dysfunctional' is nothing but itself. It's only a word that's often used to describe inexplicably difficult families or those of which you normally see readily bicker over unworthy stuff right on the sacred dinner table. But tell me, aren't all families like that? Not in my 2 decades of existence have I seen a family so perfect. Even our neighbors back in Manila, who I initially thought exhibited such harmony within them, would be heard cursing at each other in Ilocano from time to time. Even my family isn't all that unruffled. Trust me, this house transforms into an African jungle in no time during a wild bitchfest. But eventhough fights like that truly exist, I just can't help but find it oddly cute and funny how family can patch things up quite so easily, even without apologies exchanged. I mean, it's not that easy to be making peace with friends, right? But how come with family it comes organically effortless?

Then insert this movie appealingly titled, Little Miss Sunshine. It has been in my movie queue for the longest time, and at last, I was granted time and a free ticket to see it yesterday. Minus the fact that I'm a big Steve Carell fan, I was more intrigued by the plot's dark yet delightful comedy about the Hoover family and their misfortuned roadtrip to this certain beauty pageant, the titular subject. Olive (Abigail Breslin), an average girl from Albuquerque, has been wanting to enter the said contest for years, and when finally given the chance, her family of misfits decides to accompany her via a cross-country adventure to California, needless to say, with innumerable mishappenings. With her are her father Richard (Greg Kinnear), an unsuccessful motivational speaker who disgusts losers, her heroin-snorting and pageant-coach Grandpa (Alan Arkin), her gay Uncle (Steve Carell) who recently committed suicide, her non-speaking brother Dwayne (Paul Dano) who took a vow of silence before entering flight school, and her mother Sheryl (Toni Collette), who cares about family above anything else. In a rusty aged van which works as flawlessly as their relationships, the trip was anything but pretty as they'd hoped for. But along the way -- although petty fights, and unexpected events have taken place -- they found a way to unite as a family and resolve things, sometimes, without even saying a word.

What I like most about this movie is that it's enjoyably moving without being theatrically dramatic. It will dab your emotions quite strongly but not in the sense that it'd make you cry. If anything, the film's surprisingly undisguised humor is what would definitely drive you to tears in laughter. Acting is equally amazing. I don't think there's a better collected cast than this. Overall, this feature simply exudes everything a moviegoer wants in a satisfying bargain - a clear and unpretentious story-telling and acting without being over the top. I can honestly say that this one's just perfect for my tastebuds. Let alone that it stars one of my favorite actors, and that it conveys a story that's very easy to relate to and a reality check that's comforting to admit.

Literally, the word 'dysfunctional' refers to a subject that can never function, or a frequent failure of its purpose. But to me, the word's use has obviously now morphed into a new synonym of 'normal' whenever pertains to family. I don't want to believe that family can forever be tainted with faults, fury, hatred, and anything else negative. Instead, I embrace family -- although unmanageable at times -- as the only one I have in the world, through prosperous and unhealthy times of life. Therefore, upon seeing this movie, it only reaffirmed one thing. And that's the fact that being a member of a so-called dysfunctional family is actually indeed normal.

I just got bang'd!

I know, couldn't have gotten a worse title than that. But look who's sporting a new do. I finally feel like a woman who cares how she looks like. And I effin' like it! But you know me, I was all that contented with how my hair was done on a daily basis, so I still had to literally streetfight with my mom before she got me to this urgent and totally nonessential haircut. We only went out to apply for a state ID replacement, and the next think I know, I'm already in the queue of makeovers. I was pissed! She knew I was rushing home to catch a tennis match, but she still insisted. Mahirap magpalaki ng magulang, so I just had to say yes, even after embarrassingly telling the hairdresser that I have to look good when I go to California to see movie stars. Trust me, that's not really my purpose. I ended up apologizing and thanking her anyway, because I think I look better now that the ponytail days are over. And the new bangs!!! Haha. Very Tina Paner.

I still made it to Rafa's quarterfinals match (this was last Friday, btw). I wasn't exactly pleased with the end result, nor by his opponent's celebratory arrogance. But it was entirely entertaining, to say the least. Perhaps it was Becks' absence that caused Rafa's uninspired tennis (the bromance, you know? lol), or maybe because Sergio let his Jennifer-Aniston-hair down that it easily became a distraction. Or it could be me. You know what, I think I jinxed him. Haha. You see, everytime I mention him in this blog, in the middle of a tourney, he always chokes. I think it happened 3 times now, in a row. Plausible, right? Maybe if I mention Federer, he could lose too? Just kidding.

So to compensate my frustration with Nadal's recurrent crappy tennis, ATP provided me with this photo of (L-R) Iker, Raul, Rafa, Sergio (thanks for the beanie), and Becks. ATP, you're awesome but nobody's worth of this collective Eurohotness. It's just too much!!! Ok, enough of the fangirl squee-ing. I just got a new do, so I now have to act accordingly.


Bakit kayo nagsisiksikan sa Madrid? Maluwag dito!
Onto other stories...

In less than a month's time, I'll be somewhere else, window shopping, strolling the strip, and endlessly chatting with an aunt whom I've not seen for the past 15 years. My memories of her though stayed clear over time, and our communication never waned, so hopefully I won't have problems being comfortable with and around her when I get there. After all, she's the same person who convinced me repeatedly that I'm a girl, not the kind who's socially allowed to collect matchboxes. And she even wanted me to be Little Ms. Philippines. I could have given Aiza Seguerra a run for her money, but I rejected the offer. Hahaha. We got our tickets yesterday, and looks like it'll be an 11-day escapade. Finally! A real vacation. Wardrobe for travel would be quite something to think about though, since weather here and there are as dissimilar as their timezones. The hours of our departure and arrival don't help either. Imagine, I woke up to 37°F this morning, without the heater and waterheater on. Man, this isn't normal. It feels like I'm in Colorado or something. Not even funny, and it's only October! But I know that coldfront there isn't as bad as this place's, and I'm sure they always have the heaters on whenever necessary, unlike here where they want to conserve energy as much as weather's still tolerable. Whatever.

On another very random note... I weighed in last night before going to bed, and it said that I lost 6 pounds from my last weigh-in. Of course I was instantly in cloud 9. My no-rice campaign is slowly paying off. Then when I woke up, guess what, I gained a couple of them damn pounds back. Huh?!! I only slept for about 6-7 hours and I got fatter. This is what we normally call a "what the fuck" moment. Seriously, that's just a pretty bemusing way to start my week off.

Randomgasms.

I know I have nurses, physicians, whathaveyous, reading this blog, so just one query. Is there something wrong with emptying your bladder once, twice or more within an hour? I was couch-potato-ing this afternoon, enjoying a Rafael Nadal match when I subconsciously would run for my life to the bathroom every now and then. I never sat on something hot as what would normally cause a balisawsaw, nor have I been drinking too much water. It's kinda weird. Not that it's hurting or something. Just bothers me a little bit.

Look who's watching! Maybe this caused my pee problems? Ugh! Rafa + BECKS = suicidal hotness.



Anyway. I ONCE AGAIN changed my template. I've been trying to make one that I won't get tired of looking at, and I sure hope this is it. As Tani have said, I seem to be making my blog over and over again. And I know it sort of annoys some of you already. Trust me, I sincerely wish to stop right here. At least for the next couple of months. :p

Project Runway season 3 concluded last night. It was nice to see the collections completely, and I must say that Uli's set was just...ugh, PERFECTION! I'm so glad she didn't use prints in all 12 pieces, but man, that was some mad skills! I won't take back whatever I said about Jeffrey though. I didn't think he had the best collection out there, nor did I ever consider him to be the best out of the final four, but being ambitious takes you to new heights, hence his victory. I'll say I'm a bit upset, not that I didn't expect it, but it could have ended in a better fashion.

Don't worry Uli, if I ever (God willing) get my shape back, I will definitely hunt you down. It will take a while, but you can absolutely count on that. Here are my favorite pieces from your drop dead gorgeous collection. I still feel bad because you should have won, you clearly were the best, and YOU DIDN'T GO OVER BUDGET. But hey, I'll soon get over it. It's only reality TV!



And onto more random stuff...

My mom had a strange dream. She was like, "nanaginip ako, ang payat mo na daw!". I could only laugh my ass off, while of course, kind of wishing at the back of my head that it comes true. I was told though that when you talk about what you dreamt of, it won't happen in reality ever. Man, aren't dreams suppose to come true anyhow? I don't wanna be fat for the rest of my life! :))

It's been really cold lately, and rumor has it that it might snow this year. I looooove snow, because it makes me feel like I'm in America, not Mexico. OK, that's a joke, before you go bonkers on me. So weather this year has been pretty much similar to what it was a couple of years ago. VERY hot summer, but equally freezing fall-winter. And it snowed that time! But snow tends to be a little unfriendly though, especially when you're driving. I remember one time actually seeing a couple of cars clash into each other by the corner stoplight, exactly how it is in funpark bumpcars. Yikes! Regardless of that, I still hope to experience it again. I never had my picture taken on it, so I'm still waiting for that second chance. Let is snow!!! Too early to ask for snow, or as if this state is prone to that kind of weather. Pfft.

I needed to be random after that "Maalala Mo Kaya"-ish post. Back to my old jubilant self, and enough of the dramachoos. I'll be visiting your blogs after posting this, then I'll head to bed, for I'll continue drooling over Rafa's hotness tomorrow. Hahaha. Have a gradioso weekend, my friends!

Mi Mama Drama

I was 3 years of age when I saw a random woman canoodling with my dad. I sat in a corner, screamed repeatedly at the top of my lungs, and interminably bawled my eyes out. Little did I know that this random person was no less than my own mother. She came to me with tears uncontrollably plastering her cheeks, desperately convincing me that she was her. I think I believed her, but that's all I could dig in my memory. I can't remember anything afterso.

My mom left me when I was 1. She decided to work in the middle east contrary to their plans of moving here in the states in the mid-80s. Earlier on, I didn't understand why would she pick a place completely unfamiliar to her, let alone without her husband and her newborn by her side, whereas she had an open ticket to the west side where her college friends and some relatives reside. I never knew why, not that I asked, but whatever her reason was, it only brought the family good things. But I guess, myself excluded.

She gave us everything...clothes, money, gadgets, and her presence. But still, I found a way to make her feel that she was a worthless mother. I started going out when I was 15, going home late even at school nights, hanging out until the wee hours of the morning during weekends, sleepovers left and right, party, disco, smoke, booze, all but illegal drugs. It went on for about 3 years, until I was kicked out of high school. It was one incident that could only wake me up, and at the same time, successfully target my goal...her misery. My mom came home that March in hopes of seeing me graduate, but on our ride home from the airport, of all places, I knew I just had to let her know. "Ma, hindi ako ga-graduate", her reaction was plainly heartbreaking. She didn't yell at me, never cursed, but looked devastatingly flabbergasted. I cried upon entering my room that night, although I never planned or wished to, but the inevitable realizition hit me hard in the head. Rebellion wasn't the perfect way to let her feel what I wanted her to feel. I could have been more respectful of who she really is in my life, and what she does for me. But I didn't.

Now, when we occasionally discuss it, she can't help but plague herself with guilt, which is painfully unjust and depressively unbearable for me. I know I'm responsible for making her feel that way, but it was all my fault. For all I know, she was wiping indian-food-smelling asses of baby Arabs just so she could bring us the best of life. And I only put it all to waste. I felt sorry, I was and still am sorry, but I had no idea how to make it up to her. In my quietest ways though, I managed to quit smoking, abandon party-ing, and continue on with school. For her and myself, I've grown to be a better woman, and a completely different person. With all the mishappenings in my life, and the lessons it hauled, and eventhough it doesn't sound right, I have her to thank for everything. She might have been away most of my time, but that wasn't cessation enough for her not to become the best mother she could possibly be for me and my brother. And for that, I'm forever sorry that I brought her tears over time, and that she wasn't blessed with the perfect daughter she dreamed to have. But hey, God is awesome. We're together now, happy as can be, and I just can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.


Happy Birthday, Mama!

The Departed

They only went to grocery shop while I was menacingly dusting off my rifle in anxiety, thinking all along that they left me to watch The Departed. So I hold myself responsible for tainting my dad's and brother's wondrous image, lol. We were supposed to see the movie either Wednesday or Thursday, but things didn't go as planned. But luckily for us, my dad cut off worktime just so we could finally see it. See, got the best father in the world, hehe.

Action movies though don't attract me instantaneously, especially when the trailer only provides one-note brutality instead of variety. But once I'm at it, I'd always find myself cracking my knuckles brought by its intensity as well as laughing bersekly at the feature's sadistic humor. Just like with Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, these movies which weren't even a part of my movie queue before but grew to be classic favorites the minute I laid my comprehension on it. The Departed, on the other hand, intrigued me not because of its premise rather by its ensemble gorgeousness cast, not to mention, Martin Scorsese's directorial juices. And so, to be in an interested disposition, I placed myself a row below where my dad and brother were seated, so I could feast on the actors' collective hotness, and at the same time thoroughly absorb every ounce of story being told. I actually had the row to myself until a couple of blondies seated by my far left. Not that I was very displeased, but they were a little misbehaved, eating their chips like a starving homeless dude would, and they'd flippantly squee everytime a hunk's on screen. Nevertheless, I wouldn't let them be a significant hindrance to my most awaited viewing pleasure.

Story centers on a couple of South Boston natives, William "Billy" Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) who both are serving as spies (or 'rats' as what they're being dubbed as) to the Massachusetts State Police Department and to the demonic Irish mafia chief Frank Costello (the brilliant Jack Nicholson), respectively. Sullivan who grew up with the mobster was tossed to the police academy to eventually be in the elite group of officers who are in the mission of pursuing the mafia, particularly his 'dad'. Meanwhile, Costigan, who was a police academy dropout, and also who has real family ties with Costello, was assigned by Oliver Queenan (Martin Sheen) and his hot-headed deputy, Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) to infiltrate the Irish gang. As the two rats' double lives were completely filtered by lies, brutality, and strenuous eagle-eye-ing, both of their camps concurrently figured that they have spies within their teams. And in such an event, both Sullivan and Costigan were appointed to find their own rats in opposing sides.

It's quite a trick though, like both leads were counter-casted, because prior to watching this movie, I expected Matt to be playing the innocent good guy while Leo as the grungy and arrogant one. But unsurprisingly, both executed their characters, Matt as the slick dickwad and Leo as the sacrificial lamb, almost perfectly. These two might have stolen the whole feature with their acting prowess, but Jack Nicholson's effortless satanic expressions as well as Mark Wahlberg's solid jerkbag performance are definitely worth the mention. With that said, I believe that this without a doubt is one of the best films this year. Second best in my book. If you enjoyed films like Pulp Fiction or Goodfellas (a Scorsese classic I have yet to see), then you will most likely want to see this one. It will certainly grind your knee joints in suspense, and potentially crack you up with its comedic panache.

Worst Wednesday '06

Perhaps in Boracay, it's about 95°F, fairly sunny and breezy at the same time, with maybe a couple of bikini-clad college bombshells toasting glasses filled with mango margarita. Sounds fun, should be fun. But weather here, as you may know, is already changing up. Scorching and irritating hot days are finally over. And I can't be happier. But waking up at 7:15am when you've only had 4 hours of sleep is no joke, especially when you feel like it's snowing outside when it's remotely not.

So anyway, instead of resuming my suspended dream, I hurriedly got up when I heard my dad getting ready to go to Dallas to pick up my mom, and told him to wait for me, I'll only get a jacket, and I'll go with him. He laughed because he knew what caused the panic. It was this freakin' fat ghost I saw in the kitchen at 12:30am last night which naturally freaked me out. Ok, you might think I'm totally hallucinating because of the ghost stories I've been hearing lately, but I know I saw something in there. I was prepping to go upstairs when I overlooked the kitchen and boom, there it was. Seeing a ghost is scary enough, but imagine how scarier it was to see one without a head! Jesus. And I'm not making this up, it really had no head!!! And so I calmly walked for my dear life towards my dad who was already lying in bed downstairs and yelled for my brother to come down. Told them both what I saw, and expectedly, they poked fun at me. Whatever. I really saw something, and boy I wish that this effin' ghost makes a surprise appearance right infront of their eyes so I could laugh at them too. Hysterically, no less.

Upon coming out the door, I immediately ran into the car because of the freezing weather, and unsure of what exactly the temperature was, my dad was counting down the thermometer inside the car. It started with 70°F inside the garage, and quickly changed to 65°F in the driveway. We were like idiots counting the temp down, haha, 63, 62, 61, 60!!! My dad's child-like reaction to the coldfront was priceless, haha, as if he doesn't experience this every year. And it didn't stop there! The countdown went on and stopped right at 56°F. Damn, it was cold. And with my dad's enthusiasm over the cold weather (babaw, ano?), he refused to turn on the heater and even opened his window. And mind you, he was only wearing a T-SHIRT! I was just like, Papa, I know you're loving this, but your daughter's right here. Shaking!!!

On our way home was a different story. My mom, who HATES fall and winter unhesitatingly stopped my dad's enjoyment of the weather and asked him to shut his window and turn the heater on. Majority wins!!! My dad was pissed. Hahaha! I also told my mom about the ghost, and THANK GOD, she believed me! Of course at first she was like, guni-guni mo lang yun, but when I told her exactly what I did when I saw it (I actually stared at it longer than I should have), she got the idea that I wasn't lying at all. She was even more terrified than I was coming into the kitchen this morning, haha, finally, somebody who believed I see dead people.

And so I went straight back to bed after some couple of minutes accomodating my mother, and when I woke up it's already 12:30 in the afternoon and it was uncomfortably quiet. Normally, I'd wake up to the sounds of my radio, but since I slept in the computer room, I heard nothing but passing cars. Looked at the garage, durango is gone. SHIT! Papa and my brother already left to see The Departed without me. WITHOUT ME!!! Leo, Matt, Mark??? My long awaited dream of testosterone-overload is officially gonzo! It can't get any worse than this. I wanna die!!!