2010

This year, I am grateful for a lot of things.

I think first would be the gift of forgiveness. It is easy feel nothing, but somehow seemingly impossible to forget--for me. This year, I felt a part of me come alive, waking from a paralysis that is bore from years of indifference. I am happy for this second chance. It should not go without saying that while it is a personal decision, I appreciate encouragement I had received from friends and loved ones. I know it took me forever, but there is such as perfect timing.

I also went home to my home country after three years. In fact, I went back twice. I realised that where I'm from, there is (literally) music wherever you go. It doesn't matter if you are in the grocery, mall, gym, in transit between buildings, there is always music. You sort of get used to it, so you never notice, but in the couple of weeks that I was back, there is was. Music. I miss that.

We also move homes. I love how all my things fit in my room. I am also happy that my room is no longer an eyesore in our lovely home :)

Oh, I finally got my mannequin too! Sewing was not as big this year as it was in 2009, but I did a LOT of alterations. I'm not sure if that counts.

I saw my favorite aunt who I have not seen in 15 years! It is funny how she didn't look like she aged at all. In fact, I think she looks younger now.

I went cold turkey and stopped drinking my favorite, Coke Light. It should be good for me in the long run, there is still a struggle in my head whenever I eat anything charred.

I've finally become decent with the way I line my eyes. I knew that at some point, it would stop being such a big effort and will take no time at all to put on. Practice, practice, practice. It had been a constant frustration but with a lot of help from the make up gurus in YouTube, the best (in my book) gel eyeliner and a good brush, I have conquered... eyelining.

Yes, zapping. I will not elaborate.

I did some traveling this year too. That was exciting. I loooooooove the photos. And I can almost hear my mom say "Next time maybe you want to send us pictures from your trip that actually show YOU".

Yoga. My flexibility still remains poor, but at its feeble state, it had been such an improvement. I had discovered a class that I actually look forward to going to!

I also saw a number of good performances. I loved Simply Red! I think that sort of stood out from all the concerts I saw this year. Maybe Green Day kicked off really well in January, so it was one good show after the other.

Wicked was really wicked ;) Loved it!

Movies! My favorite movie this year is L'arnacoeur. Other favorites are Inception, Despicable Me, Never Let Me Go and Lovely Bones. I saw Love in the time of Cholera this year too, but I'm not sure if that counts because it was released in a different year. I hate that Black Swan is not yet showing here! I have to wait till February 2011.

On the telly, Dexter and South Park remain my favorites. I love Lie to Me though! I'm also starting to warm up to Master Chef, I find myself engrossed every time I catch it on.

On books, the Millennium Trilogy as a highlight this year. I also discovered Philip Roth and stumbled back into the arms of Mike Gayle and not to mention my all time favorite writer, Neil Gaiman.

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I honestly want to write some more, but I have lost all will to continue doing so because my stomach is growling, plus I need to get ready for to head out.

Happy New Year! :)

shake weight

After watching (and laughing like crazy) in South Park's Creme Fraiche episode, I was sure there was no real Shake Weight product--until today. It's quite hilarious and no matter how scientifically groundbreaking it is (if it is at all), I'm not sure I could working out with it... and I'm not explaining why.

you say it best...

There was once a time that I could have talked to a certain friend for... days.

Somehow things have happened that I could not get two words out when we are around each other.

I wouldn't say we lost it, because you never really lose what had been built. And there were no destructive events either.

Maybe, our season had passed. Maybe we had both moved on and could no longer relate to each other.

It is sad. I know though that at the right time or situation, things would pick up. And if they don't, then...we'd always have our moments.

Why does this read like goodbye?

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It had not been writing as much sunday entries for a while--I guess my sundays had changed.

never let me go

I admit this much...I saw the first third of the movie thrice, the second third twice and the last third once. I didn't mind. I loved the movie!

I especially liked Carey Mulligan's voice--I remember how I liked how she narrated parts of An Education.

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I watched the movie not knowing what it is about, except that it had pretty good ratings. That was enough. I like being surprised, so I prefer not knowing the plot.

I was surprised by the premise, and was not quite prepared for what was coming. After I finished the movie, my heart was hurting :(

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I highly recommend watching the movie (if you are not in a delicate state).

For me, it is at Atonement caliber.

after 15 years

After 15 years, I still have these shoes.

After 15 years, these are trendy again.

I'm wearing these tomorrow :)

Christmas Song

What is your favorite Christmas song?

I thought long and hard till I realised what mine is. It did not come instinctively, but since it is the only Christmas song that I play regardless of month, and also the only Christmas song in my iPod, it was the clear winner.

All I Want for Christmas is You :)

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On a side note, I suddenly remembered a Christmas Song today. It was never too popular, and I forget how I got around knowing about it, but I recall it from high school. I think someone had a mixed tape.

New Snow by Flim and the BB's.

prince and the pauper

I had finally gotten a darker make up shade.

Only, it's too dark!

There was limited stock where I went, and I was not about to go to another branch. Besides, it looked almost right when I tried the tester on my neck. Yes. My neck. One of the make up gurus in youtube said that the right shade is the one that matches your neck, not face. Interesting, yeah?

More interesting is that a friend told me today, another make up guru in youtube said that it is the color of your cleavage that you should match. Now, even if I knew that while shopping for make up, I doubt (highly doubt, in fact) that I'd swatch there.

I now sport a look that is similar to an actress tanned to look like a needy person--homeless. As opposed to an actress portraying a needy person portraying a non-needy person.

mismatch

I have spent too much time under the sun that my face powder no longer matches my face. While I don't think it is a must to wear make up everywhere I go (READ: yoga class, the beach), I feel that it is a must when going to work. Like shoes. Again, unnecessary for yoga class and the beach.

For this reason, I cringe whenever I look at the my compact mirror. As the powder is a shade lighter that my current skin tone, I look ashy :(

It is just wonderful that I was already in the store on Friday, Saturday and again on Sunday and it slipped my mind all three mall trips!

As much as it bothers me, laziness took over today that I did not make any attempt to go to the store.

We'll see how I feel about going tomorrow.

don't you (forget about me)

A very lovely person got me a dvd box set of John Hughes movies :)

I had to stop myself from pulling an all-nighter to watch the movies back to back to back.

Till now, I can't decide which one I like most. Maybe if Patrick Dempsey didn't resurrect to be McDreamy, I would have said Some Kind of Wonderful.

mugged :(

I'd like to think of my workplace as a safe place. True, once upon a time there were some theft. Wallets, cash and bags were stolen but, let us not forget that with those valuables, my sweater was taken too.

Since then, (too many) video cameras had been installed and security was reinforced in the office.

No theft had been reported since.

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During the day, my laptop bag as well as my personal belongings are locked inside my bin. When I leave, I don't lock my bin at all since there isn't much there but office supplies and my food stash. I bring all important (and valuable) things to and from the office daily.

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Today, when I got to the office, I took out my laptop, locked the case in the bin then opened the drawer so that I could (again) wash my mug--the one that I had washed the day before and stored. There. In the drawer--its place.

Only...it wasn't there!

I took my drinking bottle instead and headed to the pantry.

As I was reaching for the faucet to wash my drinking bottle, I saw my mug! It was there! Someone had used it, and there was still some coffee in it.

I got upset :(

Who steals a mug from a personal drawer? Granted it is never locked, but who looks through their colleague's stuff to secure a mug. AND OUR OFFICE PROVIDES CUPS AND SAUCERS FOR EVERYONE TO USE!!!

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I need a new mug.

For the first time in years, I actually hope someone gives me a mug for Christmas.