twilight

I haven't read the book.

I just saw the movie, and I wish I spent my time watching Nadal instead--even if it is not against Federer.

Robert Pattinson has lost whatever charm he had as Cedric Diggory. One can argue that maybe it is the make up, my answer? Interview with a Vampire. I rest my case. Good looks can't hurt when you act like him.

Kristen Stewart is pretty. That is the most that I could say about her.

I feel indifferent about the movie. It didn't suck, but it also didn't stir any kind of emotion--not even a reaction from me. It just failed to make an impression. It is like reading the words but not understanding the content.

(I know the entry should have ended with the previous paragraph, but I'd just like to say that I hope the script, editing, fight scene, special effects and make-up are better in the next installment.)

Jamie Oliver

I had a dream about Jamie Oliver. We were hanging out at a place presumably my home, and we were exchanging recipes. I then ask him what what the secret to truly crispy friend chicken.

J: That is very simple, I'll tell you.
T: What is it?
J: (Takes something out of his pocket) Just add six packs of these.
T: (Sees Ajinomoto) Oh. How much? How many grams of MSG?
J: I told you, six packs. If you have bigger packs than these, you can use less than six; if you have smaller packs, then use more.
T: (Takes a pack and inspects the content, realizes the text is too small, couldn't make out the weight) You're right. Thanks.

Don't worry. Of course I realize that this is just a dream, not some sign or calling or grand moment meant for realization. Maybe tonight I will talk crap with Anthony Bordain in my sleep.

zip it

I did it. No. I didn't finally learn to shut up. Because I shut up--when I have to. Or when there is nothing to say.

Now let me get back to what I was writing about.

After a year of seamstressing for myself, I finally took the time to learn sewing invisible zippers. It is very easy. Not the very least frustrating. I did it in one go.

I'm not sure how this will impact my sewing output. We'll see.

I did attach my first zipper to a maxi dress I sew yesterday. I will be posting a photo soon.

good things come to those who look around

I missed the braised pork noodles sold near my workplace, so today, I decided to get some for lunch. Unfortunately, I found out that the store was closed.

I decided to go for the prawn mee poh. I mean, I haven't had it for a long time, and it is quite good too. Unfortunately, I found out that the store was closed.

I headed to the crayfish laksa stall. The laksa there is not bad. Unfortunately, I found out that the store was closed.

I was clueless where to go, so I looked around some more. I found a claypot booth. I queued and decided to get the chicken rice claypot. I just hoped that it was not bad. When I started eating, I discovered that not only is the rice tasty, there were chunks of salted fish and slivers of chorizo in the mix. Welcome year of the Ox!

he's just not that into you

So I finally read the book.

I came across a forum for this book and admittedly, the excerpts were interesting--some were downright hilarious. So I jumped at the chance of borrowing a copy when my friend told me that she has one.

I flipped through the foreword.

I would not comment on the message the book is putting out there. Although I'm sure that there would be women thanking the authors for pointing out the obvious (and changing their lives), if you read it with the intention of amusing yourself, it won't happen.

I would say that reading the forum trail was more enjoyable. While the text is good when taken as a page, when pasted together, it just becomes annoying--for me at least. Think movie trailers. Sometimes all the good parts had been shown in the trailer that when you watch the movie, you're like okay, I've seen all that already.

It is like the show Sex and the City (and the authors are actually associated with the show), I immensely enjoy watching it, but only one episode at a time. The minute I watched episodes back to back, I realize that the dialog was predictable--trite.

Don't get me wrong, I am not bitching about reading the book. Besides, it is a quick read, two hours tops. I guess this is me saying, I didn't mind reading it but I'm sure glad it was a borrowed book.

how about some yarn and knitting needles?

If I list down the things that I did today, you'd tell me to get a cat (or a cactus).

1. Watched Private Practice (finished the entire season)
2. Started (and finished) reading He's just not that into you
3. Went to the gym <-- this totally destroys the list
4. Ate a bag of Chippy (original flavor) after my afternoon nap
   
5. Had tacos for lunch. Three. Crushed in a bowl. Taken in front of my laptop while watching an ebay auction end.
6. Decided which shoes I would wear tomorrow (and Thursday--and Friday)
7. Thought of writing a blog entry about He's just not that into you
8. Replied to a kid cousin's wall-to-wall message in Facebook
9. Sent an offline message to a friend in YM
10. Wrote a blog entry about how a free day was spent
    

better that we break

A friend flew in from a holiday and got me what I thought initially was soap. It is tiny, it would fit the palm of your hand. And it is hard. I bet that if I threw this at someone, the other person would bruise. I did not play soft ball as a kid to throw like a girl. I throw like a girl who played softball as a kid.It came with the euro's penny equivalent. I'm not sure if the idea is something like that song a penny for your thoughts. I didn't get it, if you ask me.

It is Sunday. I broke a heart today. I need a cigarette.
Good things come from broken hearts all the time. Let's see what comes out of this one.
It looks like a mess. Most broken hearts kick start chaos.
Yes. A happy ending.

dirty...filthy....

After walking on the ground, on cables, on bamboo swings, on elevated seemingly railroad tracks, on knotted rope mesh, I was beat. I didn't anticipate the course to be this physical. I was also sorry to realize that my shoes took some beating. I should have worn a different pair. Despite my aching (and bruised) body, I was still up for some Indonesian dinner, a girl has got to eat and this girl ate!

When asked to hang out at a friend's house after dinner, I didn't have to think about my answer. I quickly answered "Maglalaba pa ako ng rubber shoes ko" (I'm going to wash my rubber shoes).

As I replay the events in my head, I can't help but think that it seemed like an excuse (airhead heroine: I need to wash my hair). For those who once read Sweet Dreams as a kid, they would totally understand (of course Americans never wash their rubber shoes, come to think of it, I think in is a Filipino habit).

(And I did wash my rubber shoes.)

who'd of known?

warning

I don't know about you, but if you ask me, they did a good job with this signage. I bet illiterate people would have no problem understanding the message. Congratulations Singapore!

Don't get me wrong

if I'm acting so distracted....

as the elves don't come fixing 'em at night

I was walking to the train station the other day when I realized that my shoe was making funny sounds, so when I got home, I immediately checked the soles. I found out that the metal part of the bottom of the kitten heel of the right shoe was already beginning to show.

I hate it when this happens, especially to shoes that look like it has only been worn twice.

How can this happen? I really don't understand, I mean, the left heel is perfect, all other parts of the sole--and body (pun unintended, seriously) are perfect.

Maybe it is the way I walk.

I will be bringing in the shoes to a nearby shoe repair store and hope that soon, I figure out the mystery behind my right heel.

booked

Thanks to two wonderful friends, today is a very happy day :)

dot shall wear this dress soon

This pattern reminds me of blurred images of heavy traffic on a rainy evening, but when the cloth is made into a dress, the dots look like lines. No genius pointillism technique application here, just something that happened by chance.

This is a satin dress that is very easy to make, it was quite tricky to hem the bottom though as it is gently curved. The dress looks like a glorified duster as it is but becomes presentable after I put it together with the belt that I made. This is the second polka clothing I have sewn. Hmmmm. I have become very adventurous with my fabric patterns.

thirsty?

I got this series from an email to one of the yahoogroups that I am part of. The title of the email was "What goes through your mind when someone says let's go for a drink?"

Not that I have to answer, but I think for me it is the second one. People who had gone drinking with me would understand.

dream a little dream(boy)

Last night, I dreamt two dreams--one was pure kalokohan, the other left my heart hurting.

Dream 1:
I met a once young commercial model for a series of ads for a Filipino orange soda. Not much detail except that we went to a resto and ate siomai.

Dream 2:
I had a son who had wings and is the size of a grain of rice. I was so anxious because I could not protect him from everything. He was so tiny that I had trouble looking after him. I didn't want to put him in a glass bubble or crystal capsule because I didn't want to imprison him. One time it was raining and a raindrop caught him. I was worried sick and rushed to attend to him. He was drowning and I felt so helpless. I did whatever I could to dry him. He later wakes up, as if from a dream and my heart was flooded with relief.

I googled for some dream interpretation, unfortunately, I was not able to find anything on siomai. Bummer.

April?

Definitely maybe.

I knocked myself out presser foot shopping :)

I'm pretty sure no one knows what a presser foot is. I am not about to explain. I would like to point out however that it is NOT Lawrence Pineda related--at all, just in case there is any comfort in that.

new old clothes, clothes that stay pressed and well stored cables

The nice thing about fixing your closet is that you rediscover clothes that you forgot you had, and all of a sudden you have new ensembles. Although sometimes, you'd come across one article and think Wow, I'd rather not remember that I had this.

I'm happy to see the hung clothes organized and properly spaced--not too crowded may be more accurate (as "properly spaced" is debatable...but so is "not too crowded"). Now, pressed clothes remain in tip top pressed condition.

I still have to go through knitted tops and sweaters in the shelves. We'll see how that goes.

I am challenged with what comes after the shelves, organizing IT stuff.

I might need a container for all the boxes and manuals that are never used, this should go to the deepest, most inaccessible part of my closet. I would also need a container for the HDs, wires and cables that I use almost regularly, preferably something open, would match my room and would not, in anyway be an eyesore, maybe the basket type would work.

It is the first time in my life that I am organizing my room. It is not as easy--or as cheap as I imagined, but I am surprised that I actually enjoy it. I am not turning Monica Geller here but I find that it is quite fulfilling to see that little by little, things are starting to fall into place.

Oh, and I also want to get the organizing over and done with so that I could proceed with my sewing.

not exactly no one

Maybe I was a bit too rash when I said that no one knew who Lawrence Pineda is. I actually know two other people who know him--and not because of my "endorsing". These are my best friend, Cheng and my good friend Mamyk.

Lawrence Pineda

I don't even know if his name is spelled that way. Anyways whenever there is a talk about the old Filipino stars that you liked as a kid, there would be Miguel Rodriguez, Tom Lupton, Shintaro Valdez, etc. And each time I bring up Lawrence Pineda, everyone would go "Who is that?", I would explain that he had a San Miguel Beer ad, no recall. I would say that he is Alice Dixon's rapist in Dyesabel movie, still no recall. I would say, he is the best friend of the bidang lalaki, usually Richard Gomez in movies, nope, no recall. Then I'd just say "Forget it".

I found a photo of him online. Actually I saw a video compilation of all the San Miguel Beer Ads and I did a screenshot.

It is likely that this photo will make no difference. After looking at the photo, it is likely that one would say "Okay. I still don't remember him".

hallelujah brother

My brother fixed my closet :)

It is now my turn to do my part in keeping a harmonious home. I should fix my clothes. I hope I would be able to put everything in place by end of day tomorrow.

Love thy brother (he will fix the closet) and sister (in law, she will ask brother to fix the closet).

tea pie ample ah

Maybe twice or thrice a week, I go to a store near my workplace and get three slices of pineapple for breakfast. It is amazing how each time I am about to open my mouth to order, the lady manning the store would say "tea pie ample ah" and like a child presented with some magic tricks, I'd nod while smiling, amused.

boy magnet?

I was walking when a kid ran towards me, locked my arms with his hands and licked my shirt (not that it matters, but it was around the stomach area). I was so shocked I couldn't move. It was a good thing that his nanny was there to get him to let go of me.

How is that as an answer to the question "How was your weekend?".

Benny & Joon

Please watch this movie. I found myself gushing and blushing here and there. I especially like the part when Johnny Depp was doing his routine. No spoilers here, I would just like to add that I think it takes an outstanding MAN to make his special girl happy beyond what she thought possible. Some movie lines here :)

Sam: How sick is she?

Benny: She's plenty sick. Now listen to me, I've been doin' some thinkin'-
Sam: Because, you know, it seems to me that, I mean, except for being a little mentally ill, she's pretty normal.

Some lines from the song here :)

When I wake up yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you
When I come home yeah I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you
And if I grow old well I know I'm gonna be
I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you

pick me

Here is my jello avatar. Hahahaha.

breakdown

Whenever I get home, I immediately change to pantulog (clothes for sleeping). Whatever time it is, whenever I am at home, I wear pantulog. I only have clothes for going out, clothes for doing sports and pantulog. I have no pang-bahay (clothes for the house).

Trivia: It is quite common for Filipinos to buy clothes to wear at home.

There are three closet doors in my room and my pantulog are in the third. It is below where the pants and jackets are hung.

Yesterday, when I got home, I got off my office clothes (classified under clothes for going out) and opened my closet to get a pantulog and nearly fainted.

The sight shocked me.

The bar that holds the hangers was off. Clothes were spilling off the compartment and it looked like it was about to "landslide" any minute. I immediately closed the closet door, sighed, caught my breath and put on some gym clothes from the first closet door.

Bummer.

During dinner, I told my brother about it and when he asked me what was the reason for it, I looked at him and assured him that I would do my spring cleaning (perfect timing if you ask me as chinese new year is fast approaching).

I think it would be a hectic (and somewhat heartbreaking) weekend for me. Somebody hold my hand.

i know nothing

If someone hanging by a thread asks you if she should let go, what do you say?

I think I would say that I know nothing and that she would be the best judge. But I guess no one hanging by a thread would realize the truth in those simple words, instead one would insist of being spoon fed with the answer (but would do what she had in mind anyway).

Breaking up is hard because it entails you to leave part of yourself with the other person and fit what is left of the other person into your being. It is like Jaime Lannister feeling his phantom hand, and it is only through time that he realizes that he is still a knight even without that part that he believed to have defined him--the hand that holds the sword. It is tricky to imagine yourself complete when something isn't there anymore, but once you realize that you could in fact be more--that, that is the sweet in the sour.

What am I saying? I'm saying (and I'm not even rephrasing much) that I know nothing and you are always the best judge--even when you think you are a mess (and one more thing, don't put your life on hold waiting for closure or anything that resembles it. Closure is you deciding that it is time to move on).

hey mister, that's my plaid

After a great lunch at Jin De Lai Zhong Hual La Mian (I didn't actually memorize the name of the establishment, I have it stored in my address book) with a friend before her trip back home, we headed to a another place to get some dessert when we saw a man walking towards us.

I looked at him and thought something is familiar, but somehow, I couldn't figure it out.

After he passed by us, my friend said "Trace, nakita mo yun pattern ng polo niya? Hindi ba ganun yung polo dress mo?" (Translation: Trace, did you see the pattern of his shirt? Isn't it like your polo dress?).

Then we both laughed. It was. Exactly.

can we still be (pam-pam, pam-pam)

I got reacquainted with a good friend today. It is nice to know that despite the glaring silence that went between us for years, we are somewhat talking again. I fell short on him. I know.

I was just talking to my best friend the other day, she was saying that it is likely that she now knows the friends that she would have for life. Like myself, she keeps to a smaller group of friends rather than a big concert crowd.

What's the point? I'm glad that Jester and I are better.

margarita (and a salad) on me

How many times can I break till I shatter? she asks.

I think some people get broken the first round, some people just take the impact, crack some, move on and become more interesting. Don't hold your breath waiting for the falling apart, I have a feeling you are one of the latter.

can't sleep

When talking about the can't eat (this can never be applicable to me), can't sleep phenomenon... I didn't think this was what it meant.

august rush

I just saw August Rush, it is a movie about a lost boy and his wanting to be found. I don't want to be too dramatic or to spill too much, but what stood out for me was the idea of hearing music off sounds.

The take away? I don't try to pull lessons from movies but maybe I could indulge tonight. I guess in the context of the real life for non-musical folks like me, we could aspire to see the good off everyday little things and happenings. Not quite as inspirational when you put it that way, even if it involves getting better at Guitar Hero.

low low low

I just heard some news. I'm disgusted. Seriously, truly disgusted. Somebody hand me a barf bag.

Thursday Group

I had mass with my family yesterday. I think more than anything mass is meaningful for me if I get to spend it with loved ones. Yesterday was especially pleasant for me as the choir was not too bad. They sang mass songs that I had missed. The last song of course was the killer, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me....

Then I thought to myself, That's Entertainment. Hahahaha. Kuya Germs naman o.

cleaning and organizing

It started with a jewelry box.

I received a jewelry box as a present for Christmas (it was a nice one too! Yey!) and so I took out some of my stuff and started to arrange them into the designated compartments in the case. As I was going through the desk that had my stuff, I realized that it was a complete mess. I started fixing the drawer too. It was a small drawer, trust me, but it took me a while to tidy up.

When all was done, I found that I had a few things that were out of place. I ended up cleaning up two other (tiny) drawers.

Now, I'm beat. I don't understand why this simple exercise was very exhausting for me.

I now want to organize the other parts of my room but I am not about to knock myself out cleaning. Maybe I'd do it one area--or nook--maybe compartment, at a time.