wolverine

Everyone who won't be away during the long weekend has seen Xmen Origins. What the...

Who's up for it?

(I can almost taste the crispy chicken.)

Francesco Clemente

After watching Great Expectations again, I was compelled to look up the artist behind the imagery featured throughout the film.

I found that Francesco Clemente's official site is still under construction.

I was however, able to pull some images of his productions. Of those that I've seen (apart from those featured in the movie), I liked these two the most.

This is called Tale done in watercolor.
While the first work is interesting for me, I love this one below for a lot of reasons, maybe even for very personal reasons--that I'm not writing about. This is an oil on linen and it is called Something I Heard II.

meaningless entry

Let's see how I fare after a happy hour. (This line reminds me so much of Bill)

I just got home from my favorite Mexican place in Singapore. Actually, it is by default. As there are only two Mexican restaurants here (that I know of). Taco Bell doesn't count, in case you were wondering.

Much had been discussed relating to the last few blog entries that I made. And I must say that our brainstorming was not only enjoyable, but also very interesting.

We talked about a boy. And a few girls. Oh, and another boy.

I talked a lot about my dissatisfaction about something that was left unsaid. But quickly added that I have decided to go back to being unmoved.

The boy said he refuses to say anything. But ended up saying some things.

The girl ranted. Laughed. And at some point firmly said that I was over analyzing.

Unless you were with us tonight, this entry would be totally meaningless, so stop reading.

If you are still reading, you'd know that I just felt like writing a quick one before I fix up to go to bed.

who is your 'jasper'? who is your 'maggie'?

Because you're hoping you're wrong. And every time she does something that tells you she's no good, you ignore it. And every time she comes through and surprises you, she wins you over, and you lose that argument with yourself, that she's not for you.

From that movie, The Holiday. The one where all the girls (and some guys) were gushing over Jude Law, meanwhile I was thinking Jack Black is so funny. I never really bought the whole sensitive guy thing.

Got sidetracked.

What I really wanted to say was that that this line could well apply to non-romantic relationships too.

I think CB and RN would lift their glasses to this one.

chuck sounds like my kind of guy

I had been busying myself with watching episodes of Chuck. I must say that I particularly like the soundtrack.

Click here for the full list.

(I was walking, on a one way street...)

666

This is my 666th post.

take a (giant) bow

It has been so long since I last sew something. I'm not sure if the sewing mojo is back for good, but I'm glad I was able to jab into it. This is a hybrid of a balloon and a wrap skirt. The fabric is cotton although I think it is a blend due to the shimmer. I will take decent photos after it has been washed and pressed. I like how it provisions for a giant bow. I am thinking of making it a bit shorter. Hmmmm. (In case you are wondering, the kalat on the floor is what is left of the cloth after I made the skirt.)

new hair, new avatar

retrospective writing

Sundays are for reviewing the damage caused by the week that was.

Well, I guess that first line is too dramatic. It makes it seem as though there are significant realizations, events or changes that take place every week. If you think long term, then potentially, there would be. Otherwise the list below would just be another list of as expected useless information.

This week, I realized that:

1. Too much dependency strains friendships and often leads to falling outs. I know what I am talking about here. I was fortunate that for my case, we were able to get past it. We are now better friends than we were, but I was fortunate should be highlighted here.

2. On and off. You are seen as an insane, stupid, hopeless, pathetic person if you are in an on-and-off boyfriend-and-girlfriend relationship; if you are married to the person you have an on-and-off relationship with, you are actually applauded for doing the right thing.

3. More and more people are realizing that I just can't see you in my future is not a break up line, but a reason to break up. Yey!

4. Nerd Herd :) This isn't about that series Chuck, but I am happy to say that more women are discovering how cool nerds are.

5. If you look hard enough and watch enough tv shows, you'd see glimpses of your relationship or past relationships in random segments of most series.

6. If you think you know who left the anonymous comment, you are probably right.

7. People volunteer to make their lives more difficult when they lie.

8. Relationships never end. Relationships however, change.

9. Don't be too quick to say that someone is not paying attention, because it could be the case that you are the one not paying attention.

10. It is not so very easy to shut up and listen.

the end is near

I've started seeing this at random times during my workday. There are things that you expect to happen eventually, yet you still feel surprised when it actually happens.

numb3rs

(I enjoy the show, but this isn't about that. And also not about typing "tH1S wAy".)

I reread a Haruki Murakami quote today:

Numbers aren’t the important thing...what matters is deciding in your heart to accept another person completely. When you do that, it is always the first time and the last.

I am not romantic and as much as I love Haruki, I do not get life lessons from his work.

In no way did this quote change, or remotely affect my life and the decisions that I made. It however, made me say to myself "Haruki, you got a point there".

Once upon a time, it had been brought to my attention by a certain couple that I have had (based on some standard) too many boyfriends.

When I think about it now, I have not gone past one hand's count. But taking the typical (what is typical?) number of relationships my contemporaries have had, it would likely fall above average. Maybe like Haruki, the couple had a point too.

I however, expect that people who know me get it.

The couple's opinion doesn't upset me. Or make me reconsider my decisions in case I am able to go back in time. Apologies are out of the question.

I guess some people fail to see beyond numbers and rules that the paths taken by their lives are sometimes based on trivialities.

Engaging in relationships does not make you a loose woman. Engaging in meaningless relationships does.

don't throw it all away (our mugs, our mugs)

We have white mugs in the office. As with white mugs, cracks (among other things) are very visible and with continued use, the color of the drinks seeps into these cracks. Hideous. Glaring.

Very hideous that I cringe upon sight of it.

There is this one mug that was in a please-end-my-life state. I got so affected that one day, I took it from the cupboard and tossed it into the pantry trash can. The next day, I found it in the cupboard. The cleaning lady rescued it.

I was determined to see the mug go, so this time I tossed it into the trash can in my room. The next day, I found it in the cupboard. The cleaning lady rescued it. Again.

Of course I cursed a bit when I found it, this time I opted for the toilet trash can. I was grossing myself out imagining the cleaning lady saving it. I mean, someone might use it! (Goosebumps)

The next day, I found it in the cupboard again. The cleaning lady is probably as determined keeping the mug as I am throwing it away.

I was not going to give up. This time opened the garbage bag from the previous day (as I came in early), threw the mug in, closed the bag and washed my hands profusely.

Since then, cupboard opening exercise had been a breeze.

living in

When asked (for kwentuhan purposes by a girl friend) about my stand with regard to living in with a partner, I realized I am unable to answer in a breath if it is something I would consider.

I don't know if it helps that even when I was with someone the thought never occurred to me.

And I don't recall ever saying to myself--or anyone else "It would be great if my partner and I could live together".

But that is not the point.

I know.

So what do I think?

I think that I am currently unable to say if I am for or against it when it comes to my future.

I think that it is not only an economic but also an emotional, mental and ethical decision.

I think that there are two major challenges. The first one caused by the fact that I am afraid of ending up with the wrong person and the second because I am afraid of ending up with the wrong kind of person.

First, if it is remotely possible, it makes breaking up more complicated. You not only have to move on, you also need to move out.

Second, it is like living in limbo. You are more than boyfriend and girlfriend but less than being husband and wife. Relationships are hard. I heard that marriage is harder. Try having to be at a place in between. Being the planner that I am, I could potentially feel uneasy working around a moving target.

I think I shook my head when I heard someone say "I am asking my boyfriend (to live in instead), I don't want to get married, since I don't want to give up the whole forest but to hold one tree only". And it is not about the lack of a more creative metaphor. There is no such thing as a commitment spectrum. A commitment is absolute.

I think there are more than a few relationships that lasted because of the move. I also think that a lot of doomed marriages didn't happen because of moving in.

I think an expectation setting session would help clear the air before taking the leap.

I think living in could be like a perpetual holiday.

I think I am capable of being uncomfortable dating someone who has lived in with someone in the past. I haven't, so I don't know for sure.

I think I would understand if someone I started seeing felt uncomfortable dating me if hypothetically, I lived in with someone in the past.

I think living in allows you to be intimate with someone beyond the level of intimacy brought about by ten years of dating.

I think this entry is getting too long.

I think I should quit typing as there is no point babbling about this now.

nana pina

Nana Pina just passed away. She is my lola's sister. I think of all my grandparents' siblings, she is the one closest to my family.

Whenever my lola, who is based in Canada flew to Manila to visit during summer break, Nana Pina who lived in the province would take time to go to Manila to spend time with us too.

I remember how my aunt (who lived right beside our house) would bring out the sewing machines and set it up outside so the all three ladies could sew, just for fun by the garden.

I also remember pestering my lola and Nana Pina to sew dresses for my doll, Bingo. My lola, with Nana Pina's help would make clothes for me (and for Bingo, so we match). Nana Pina even took it further by making scrunchies for me too with the remains of the cloth.

She was a petite woman who spent the whole day smiling. I think there is no one who could ever accuse her of being anything but pleasant.

For some reason, I keep remembering that day she asked me to help, by wrapping buttons with fabric that matched pillowcases so that the buttons become invisible. I managed to make two, one she had to redo.

I never really know what to say about death beyond the condolences. I guess this post ends here but not without adding that I find saying a silent prayer is the single effective self soothing act man can do.

(Image from shopping.erol.co.uk)

nick and norah's infinite playlist

I love this photo.Watching the trailer, you would know that it is one of those one day--more like one night movies. With the endearing, grows-on-you Michael Cera as the leading man, it is a given that it would be (1) funny in a non-slapstick way (because slapstick is NOT FUNNY!) and (2) a light, straight-forward feel good movie.I am yet to put my finger as to how he is such an effective actor. He does the most subtle facial expressions--the bare minimum to get the feelings across.

happy easter!

I missyou both :(

same time next year

It was the song. I guess what made this movie a hit was the song. Watching it in fact, got me thinking about my piano lessons. More like the piano lessons I stopped taking.

I would say that it makes a so much better play than movie, HOWEVER, I seriously think that with today's liberties as far as language and physical intimacy go, a remake would be spectacular.

See's the day

I opened the ref to look for fruit (and nut?) and found an even bigger box of See's Candy :)

Let the second season begin!

(Right after my family comes back from Maldives)

south side

So I haven't taken a single quiz in facebook. Not planning to take any. I must admit that I did find one amusing. The Are you from the dirty south or the filthy north? or something like that.

My bestfriend was insisting that her results are wrong as she and I both are true to the south side.

Below is the breakdown of points considered to be from the south. But before that, can I just add that I am surprised there was no mention of having car pass stickers (Alabang Hills, Friendship, BF, etc) even for the villages you don't live in.

MAHILIG KANG UMINOM SA BAHAY BAHAY <-- True, but I also like going out :)

PAG MAY DADATE KANG BABAE DADALHIN MO SA MOVIE OR COFFEE LANG <-- I never took a woman out on a date. I can't confirm. Why is there a LANG in the statement? Is this about being non-committal?

PAG MAGREGALO KA KURIPOT PERO MEANINGFUL! <-- I seriously think that anything from someone important to you IS meaningful.

MADALAS KANG NASA TOWN CENTER <-- You got it!

MAHILIG KANG TUMAMBAY SA BF PARANAQUE... <-- Accurate.

MAHILIG KAYO SA MGA SALITANG "STEADY LANG", "SIR", "CHIEF"... <-- "Steady". I didn't think that everyone used it. (I have a feeling that I know who wrote this quiz!)

GALIT KAYO SA GIMIKERO! <-- Why, not at all. Not at all.

LAGI KANG LATE SA GIMIKAN <-- I am punctual. So, NO. Wait. I think there is some confusion. There is a difference between LAGI KANG LATE and LAGI KANG LATE SA GIMIKAN. Let me just say that I am there on the set time. Whether the set time is late or not, I can't tell. Steady lang.

KAHIT MALAYO PA YAN KAYO RIN ANG HULING UMUUWI SA INUMAN MAPANORTH OR SOUTH <-- Hence, prinsesa mode.

attack of the cookie cutter

Neneng is back from Iloilo! :)

She flew in on Saturday and as a result, we had lechon kawali and mongo for dinner yesterday. Yipeeee!

I must add though that she now sports short hair--with bangs!

multilingual?

I was busy wrinkling my nose because of the too sweet, almost juice like rose--the only one the place had. Their previous staple was so much better.

ANYWAY, back to my story.

She suddenly looks up and says "Pwede magtagalog nalang tayo ng tagalog, namimiss ko na matagalog, mamaya english nanaman. Ang dami ko pang magagandang hirit na tagalog, hindi ko na mahihirit mamaya".

Dude, I'm agreeable only if we could also refrain from talking, chatting, exchanging email and sms in Singlish. Whenever I am having an exchange with you, the voice in my head sounds like a local.

It's scary lor. Seeee!

classmates :)

Welcome to Lego Land :)

I did it. Fringe. Of course I had to endure the jabs last night. All of a sudden, my friends want to crown me with a golden snake. The grumpy one even said that I reminded him of a green alien cartoon character (whose name he can't recall) with a dog. Okay. I'm sure she is just lovely.Since I was disguised last night (and will continue to be until my hair grows out), Tink and Roch decided to do some...errrr some, I'm sure there is a better term, but due to my lazy-nothing-to-eat-since-morning-brain, I'd say role playing. "nges ngoo!" hahahahaha.Here are a couple of pictures with the now, constant escort, as we are missing a regular.
It is like I have a perpetual helmet. Hmmmm, I think someone is about to ask What do you mean?. Just for fun I'll say No helmet. Hair. Not helmet. Not anymore.

to SEE'S is to believe

As typical to those flying to San Francisco, the pasalubong is always See's Candy. Thanks Ate Tans :)

I really don't know why the candy company never print the "guide". Bummer, how else can you avoid the demon candies?

As a result, every night, after dinner when we eat a few pieces for dessert. We play a game. The rules are simple. Touch move. Once you touch a piece, it is yours. YOURS. And you have to finish it, even if there is coconut inside.

I was the poor soul who ate the coconut one last night. But I also got the black forest in dark chocolate.

The mint is still at large. I hope I am not the reason for its end.

who's the singer?

Apparently, according to Pam, I am.

Hahahahaha.

And Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii will always loooove you....