life's juice

Nice Shots

2010-01-16T12:35:00.004+08:00

i've been remiss in my dabbling with photography. it is just too cold to go out these past few weeks (read: lazy).

i stumbled upon the site of Nicolas Evariste, a French photographer who takes marvelous black and white images. here are some of my favorite entries from his gallery:

Industrial melancholy

this is so six feet under

seeing images like these inspire me to take more photos and better my shots

Now, EVERYONE is on Twitter (hahaha)

2009-12-31T11:18:00.000+08:00

who needs to go to church if you can just follow Him on twitter?! hahaha

follow Him na!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-29T21:59:00.000+08:00

this will probably be my last post for the year.

i'm making a list of the highs and lows this year, what i've learned in 2009 and what i want to do & achieve this coming 2010. i'll post some of it soon.

to those who read my blog (hope you guys are still there hahaha) have a blessed one to you and your family. see you 2010!

all peace,

ian

Doper Than Dope

2009-10-26T14:26:00.002+08:00

was uploading the Soup Dragon's Lovegod (1990) on my iPod when i noticed it didn't include an album art. googled the album cover and it led me to a very interesting blog. i find it so dope that i HAVE to share it with you guys.

this is now officially one of my fave blogs: Forgotten Disc Friday

thanks for keeping the music alive....

iMac, iWant

2009-10-21T15:58:00.000+08:00

oohhh.....i want one!

bahala na the future...it will take care of itself! hahaha

imagine how beautifully-rendered your photographs will be on one of these babies.

savings what?!

I'm Back!

2009-10-07T15:28:00.001+08:00

hi. been off blogging for some time.

nothing much has changed.

work is still the same.

perspectives, prejudices and aspirations are a little different now though.

much has happened. but when i try to scribble it down, i can't think of anything to write.

weird.

i feel tired. i feel lazy.

kulang lang siguro sa vitamins.

so much to say. not enough will to write it down and convey.

will try to update more often.

Beckon

2009-05-05T16:27:00.004+08:00

amidst the crowd

i find myself standing alone

unsure of what step to take,

which direction to go

waiting for the bell's ring,

a melody to follow

for that distinct sound to beckon

and fill the hollow

To Twitt Or Not To Twitt

2009-04-26T13:14:00.002+08:00

i finally joined the twitter bandwagon! add and follow me @ ianlagac

Heaven

2009-03-27T16:03:00.007+08:00

Donuts = Heaven

Just Chillin'

2009-03-21T16:10:00.003+08:00

it's a little past four in the afternoon on a saturday

dark and drizzling outside, i'm listening to Chris Botti

just enjoying the quiet

i haven't felt this relaxed for quite sometime

i live for these simple pleasures in life

i like.

Not Love

2009-03-13T13:45:00.004+08:00

Do not believe it when they say that love conquers all. We are all just humans, flawed. In the light of one's true self, only acceptance is salvation.

Family First

2009-02-22T14:36:00.002+08:00

i just finished watching "Ang Tanging Ina Nyong Lahat." although i consider the first installment to be the funniest, i find this movie to be entertaining. for some reason i missed watching filipino movies. hay.

anyways, i just like how, in spite of the political setting, this movie did not at all dwell on politics. instead, it chose to highlight the filipino family and values. come to think of it, isn't that the right place to foster change? instilling good morals, values and ways within the family is, for me, a more efficient way to bring about change rather than relying on the government or politics per se. yun lang.

Unbelievable!

2009-02-21T13:01:00.003+08:00

i was just washing the dishes from lunch when i saw this guy stealing someone else's laundry! can you believe that? to top it all, it's either a hanky or a pair of granny panties that he took with a stick. a classic panunungkit.

too bad i was not able to take a photo. sayang

Cannot Be

2009-02-14T16:55:00.000+08:00

if equal affections can not be, let the more loving one be me

The Crowd

2009-02-10T20:36:00.002+08:00

looking at the crowd i realized that there's a vast world out there, that i am just one of the many mere spectators and that the world does not revolve around me. it is humbling. really.

Recent Tunes

2009-02-02T12:48:00.003+08:00

lately i've just been listening to these songs:

Eric Benet's Still With You
Ray LaMontagne's Let It Be Me
James Morrison's version of It's Too Late
Ne-Yo's Mad

and the Chicken Dance

Twilight

2009-01-22T09:56:00.011+08:00

i know, i know. i'm waaay too late to post something about the hyped movie that is Twilight. i admit that i'm one of those who liked the movie. but more than the plot, i liked the cars and the Cullen's house more.

see the pics below:

photo credit: arch daily

such a beautiful architecture wouldn't you agree?

The Wheelers

2009-01-17T16:00:00.009+08:00

this is another movie entry. i just finished watching Revolutionary Road starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. this is one draining movie. read on.

Those who were waiting for the romantic reunion of TITANIC's Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet may be surprised by what they find in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. The movie begins with a sweet scene where... Those who were waiting for the romantic reunion of TITANIC's Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet may be surprised by what they find in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. The movie begins with a sweet scene where Frank (DiCaprio) and April (Winslet) meet at a party, but the rest of this drama based on Richard Yates's novel is devoted to watching the destruction of their marriage and their selves in 1950s suburbia. Frank works at a job he hates in New York City, then commutes home to two children and a wife who feels none of them belong in their cookie-cutter town. Their realtor (a fine Kathy Bates) recognizes their specialness and introduces them to her mentally unstable son (BUG's Michael Shannon, in another good, unhinged performance) in an effort to establish some normalcy for the man. However, Frank and April's marriage is not as perfect as it seems to the outside world, and the audience gets to witness their downfall. With its commentary on conformity and finding identity, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD bears more than a passing resemblance in both theme and tone to the TV series MAD MEN and director Sam Mendes's previous film AMERICAN BEAUTY. The characters here may live in a polite age where men wear ties and hats and women clean the house in skirts and heels, but the dialogue often enters brutal territory. Less capable actors wouldn't have been able to capture the volatile chemistry between Frank and April, but DiCaprio and Winslet are as wonderful at uttering sweet nothings as they are at tearing each other apart with verbal barbs. Mendes, directing his wife, Winslet, for the first time, is a perfect match for the source novel's lack of sentimentality and its wry commentary on life in the 1950s that still resonates half a century later. from RottenTomatoes

like what i said, this is one emotionally-draining movie. it makes you ponder if happiness is really that elusive or even perhaps only an illusion? come to think of it, when you get the things that you thought you want, is everything supposed to end there? it's human nature to crave more but it's also true that one can't have it all. where do you draw the line? some may say contentment. others though, say that the day you stop wanting is the day you stop living. my own two cents worth? you never really know. someday it will just hit you that even though you still want to do a lot of things and achieve more, deep within you already have this tranquil and assuring feeling. a sense that although another step forward is surely welcome, all in all you can honestly say that you're already at peace with where you are standing. the only thing that you want to do now is just chill and enjoy the view.

Once

2009-01-17T10:49:00.010+08:00

some good things come out of bad circumstances. a couple of days ago when my computer was busted, i was forced to watch some of the DVDs that i bought months ago. i've just been keeping them unopened as most of the time i'm busy with the tv shows (Californication, Fringe, The Big Bang Theory, Brothers and Sisters, Grey's Anatomy and yes, Lipstick Jungle hahaha) and movies that i download.

one movie i really liked...Once

read the synopsis here

basically, i liked it because the story is very simple but yet universal. the movie is devoid of any mainstream spectacle which makes it a breathe of fresh air from commercial films. also to be noted is how the leads, both of whom are really musicians and not actors by the way, were very effective in delivering the depth of their character's idiosyncrasies. and oh, the music is good too. i've yet to download the soundtrack but i'm guessing that the songs from this movie will be a staple in my playlist for sometime.

this movie slightly rekindled my being a frustrated musician. but i have to come to terms that some things are just not meant to be eh....as difficult as it is to accept! hahaha

Offline (my computer is busted and hirap to use my ipod)

2009-01-11T20:22:00.005+08:00

could this be because of the mercury retrograde thingy?

update:

prior to this, my 2-month old training watch conked out on me for no apparent reason. good thing is, it's still under warranty. i had my housemate bring it back to the store as he is currently in manila and have it checked. hopefully i won't be needing to pay extra or something like that.

Oh, To the M, To the G!

2009-01-09T17:51:00.006+08:00

just when i thought that Palm has already entered the domain of the has-beens, it let out a red-hot new multi-touch smartphone powered by their own webOS. at the 2009 CES, palm released the Pre, their new flagship smartphone.

see the initial review and more pictures here.

this is one phone to watch out for. and no, i don't consider this an iphone-killer. the Palm Pre is in a totally different league.

a fitting upgrade from my pro

Unfair Treatment

2009-01-07T19:35:00.007+08:00

i'm guilty. i sometimes have this tendency to quickly judge and draw out a negative conclusion.

i woke up somewhat pissed. i don't have an alarm clock and all i use to wake me up in the morning is my mobile phone. this morning i almost woke up late (like that is strange?! hahaha) because my alarm didn't go off except for the phone's subtle vibration. luckily, in my tossing and turning, i checked my phone and saw that i was already 30 minutes late from the time i was suppose to wake up! crappy right? nakakainis!

another incident with my phone. see, when i leave my phone idle for two hours it will automatically lock and ask for a password. i don't have a very good memory so i keep mine short (no, i mean the password!). then one night after dinner, i was keying-in my code but the phone would not unlock. wtf?! i'm only allowed 10 attempts then it will be restored to the factory setting, thereby erasing all my contacts, notes, tasks, calendar entries and emails. so as expected, after the 10th attempt, no luck. it restarted with a clean slate.

ano ba yan? i paid xx amount of hard-earned money (hahaha) for a piece of crap that instead of making my life easier is giving me a hard time.

then these happened:

during lunch, i realized that i had it on vibrate mode since yesterday afternoon. hence, the vibration instead of the alarm.

i also just realized that my code is 121212 instead of just 1212. no wonder i was unable to unlock my phone.

and no, these are not signs of aging!! pfft!

Relieving Publicly

2009-01-04T14:41:00.009+08:00

i've always been a visual kind of person. i tend to like anything that looks nice may it be a shirt, a gadget, a diecast model, a lamp or even a doormat! needless to say i've grown a penchant for mostly modern and chic-looking stuff that i sometimes choose form over function.

so it will not come as a surprise that i also like beautiful and visually arresting architechture. like this.

the following pictures of a structure are another example:

yes ladies and gentlemen, you guessed it right. the above is a public restroom located in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. if we have toilets like this, i'd gladly do my deed publicly. in a public restroom, i mean.

Zeroing In On Things

2009-01-02T14:31:00.009+08:00

in the tradition of new year's resolutions, i have listed several aspects of my life that i want to improve on, or shall i say continue to improve on?

health. this should be on top of everybody's list. as of late, i haven't been doing much to better this aspect. i'm not sick or anything (or am i? hahaha). i just want to get into shape and continue my disrupted regimen.

relationships. this is one aspect i'm guilty of overlooking. i need to get in touch with my family and friends more often. i sometimes forget to catch up with them.

career. need to get more trainings and broaden my skills to get more out of the opportunities that will come my way

finances. who doesn't want an improved financial state? this one i really have to work on...after these:

music helps me get by, so it is just right for me to invest on a good pair of earphones

being on-time is a must. this will help me....i think

since memories are priceless, i need another help to enable me in capturing new ones

Looking Back

2008-12-31T14:12:00.005+08:00

being the last day of the year, i can't help but evaluate how i fared against my resolutions or simply my own personal to-do list. though not completely accomplished, looking back at my game plan for 2008, i see that i have carried out a few. better than nothing eh?

but seriously, i have to double my efforts to make up for what i failed to bring about this past year. last january i said that i was looking forward to what's ahead. true enough, i was not disappointed as a lot of good things have happened.

more than '08 though, i'm all the more charged to face '09. no specific reason/s yet. but i'm sure as hell thrilled to unravel what's in store for me this coming year. so to 2009.....

bring it on!!

Missing

2008-12-19T13:45:00.004+08:00

christmas seasons never fail to bring a melancholic feeling. the cold breeze always bring a hint of this funk that comes from missing home.

i miss my family.

i miss my cousins and our ktv sessions.

i miss my nephews and nieces. especially when their faces light up when they see me...carrying something for them! hahaha

i miss my grandma. as difficult as she can get, i still miss her...and her cooking.

i miss my friends.

i miss my hs buddies. as ma fan as they can get, they're a funny bunch.

i miss all my previous colleagues. different groups but just as fun.

i miss the food.

i miss halo-halo.

i miss palabok.

i miss bibingka.

i miss jollibee.

i miss cupcakes by sonja.

i miss the cheesy shawarma under the ayala mrt station (dunno if it's still there).

i miss amici.

i miss my lola's laing and tsokolate on christmas eve.

i miss manila.

i miss the metro's christmas rush.

i miss the traffic (in a weird way, i do)

i miss how everyone is extra nice to each other during christmas.

but most of all, i miss you

On Taking A Break

2008-12-09T14:37:00.010+08:00

after a couple of weeks hiatus from blogging, i'm back. i just took a long overdue break, reconnected with old friends and made new ones. it's always nice to take time-out from everything and just relax. eventhough my island trip didn't push through because of uncooperative weather, i had FUN.

at least i'll have new memories that will help me get through this bitch of a winter! hahaha

peace out.

The Biting Cold

2008-11-19T10:46:00.009+08:00

this is how the weather forecast for today looks like.

and sometimes these are the mornings i wake up to:

so, am i crazy for wanting to just crawl back into bed and hide under the blanket the ENTIRE day?!

Alone and Lonely?

2008-11-15T09:27:00.006+08:00

do you find yourself without a dancing partner these days? fret not for the Sony Rolly is here.

along with the cool gadgets you don't really need, this mp3 player has built-in stereo speakers, lights and sensors that enables it to dance smoothly with the tune or beat that it is playing. now how cool is that?

see it in action here, here and here.

You're My First, My Last, My Everything

2008-11-09T16:44:00.019+08:00

by Barry White. that's one of the songs that i've been listening to a lot lately. here are the others:

Let's Stay Together - Al Green

The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Make It Mine - Jason Mraz

Chariot - Gavin DeGraw

Creep - Damien Rice's version

Fall Again - Glenn Lewis

Still With You - Eric Benet

The Park - Feist

Unforgettable - Jack & Karen's version (of Will & Grace)

and since sandali na lang Christmas na:

Grown Up Christmas List - Michael Buble

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Diana Krall

and believe it or not:

Ave Maria - Josh Groban

Cool Stuff You Don't Really Need

2008-11-09T11:59:00.004+08:00

here are some random stuff that are interesting but you don't really need (like the Lumie Light Therapy Alarm Clock) :

a mini fireplace. think of it as a burner, only more chic

a pool table. not the sport, but a literally swimming pool-inspired frosted glass table.

i know, i know. unnecessary but just the same, these are in-your-face cool stuff.

On Long-Term Goals

2008-11-07T16:26:00.016+08:00

all of us have dreams, ambitions and goals in life. we shouldn't let anyone belittle our dreams, however mundane it may be to them. what counts is that we dream. even more important is that we do something to achieve it. every action, even baby-steps, matters and contributes to us accomplishing whatever it is we want to attain.

in this regard, i'd like to show you a glimpse of one of my ultimate goals. that is to have my own place that sorta, kinda looks like this:

and that's just the facade. here's the interiors:

and the bathroom:

after all, it's said that we should dream big. dui ma?

Enchanting Fall

2008-11-03T10:19:00.004+08:00

i love fall, even more than spring. there's a melancholic comfort in the seeping cold and withering leaves. a lot might find it depressing but it's solitude and serenity that i feel during autumn. here, this is the closest we get to an autumn in new york:

PSP2 Concept

2008-10-31T11:28:00.005+08:00

i stumbled upon Kanye West's blog and saw this entry. i'm not a fan of the guy but he has some interesting stuff to show, astig. the Sony PSP2 Concept is by designer Tai Chiem. check out the pics below:

now, how cool is that?

Happy Halloween Everyone

2008-10-31T09:02:00.005+08:00

trick or treat, smell my feet
give me something good to eat
if you don't, i don't care
i'll just pull your underwear

Rise Of The Lycans

2008-10-30T10:51:00.006+08:00

this is a must-see for me. watch the trailer here. does any one now where and how to get the comic books?

On Lust

2008-10-30T09:43:00.003+08:00

i'm not sure if it's because of my being a catholic but i find the word lust too strong and forward. i don't have anything against lust or the likes, this is very normal and as some might say, is simply human nature. the differentiator though is whether you act on every lusting impulse you get. as for me, as much as i want to act on this current lust, i can't. if i try to, mga 6 months akong magugutom!! hahaha

Finally

2008-10-29T09:16:00.003+08:00

our shanghai trip finally pushed through yesterday. huey and i went there for a daytrip. our plan was to do her stuff in the morning, have lunch and coffee then go to ikea. we had lunch in xintiandi. it was soooo good.

we had coffee after, haven't had a decent cup of coffee for the longest time. hahaha

was already able to get my stuff from ikea. bought a new table lamp for my room and some small trinkets. i like how you can find unique and useful things from ikea for a relatively good deal. slight headache in the morning aside, it was all good.

New Beginnings

2008-10-25T13:17:00.003+08:00

the optimist in me believes that it doesn't have to be the start of a new year or the day after a death to venture into a new beginning. we can initiate change whenever and however we want to if we just decide to finally take the plunge.

On Holidays

2008-10-25T12:48:00.007+08:00

there's nothing more exciting than going on a holiday. i'm taking one late november, and as early as now i'm already feeling ecstatic about it. this manila trip will be double the fun than last summer. aside from meeting up old friends, i'll be meeting up with people that i'm really looking forward to get to know. then there's my island getaway, which i've been planning for a long time. woot, woot!

in line with that, we'll be going to shanghai tomorrow until tuesday (yes, i'm skipping work! hahaha). we figured that since the weather is getting colder by the day, now is the perfect time to enjoy al fresco and where better to do that than in Xintiandi. i also need to do my pre-manila shopping to get the stuff that i'll bring back. ah, this is what i call living the life (even for a short time and even if it will cost me an arm and a leg! hahaha)

update: shanghai trip moved to two weekends from now. we have a busy two weeks ahead.

Age by Decade

2008-10-24T12:20:00.002+08:00

have you heard the word Vicenarian, Nonagenarian or Supercentenarian? if not, then read on.

Age by decade: A term designating someone's age by decade. For example, a septuagenarian refers to someone in his or her seventies (age 70 to 79). The prefix in such terms is always from the Latin. For example, the Latin septuageni = seventy.

Denarian: Someone age 10 to 19.
Vicenarian: Someone in his or her twenties.
Tricenarian: Someone in his or her thirties.
Quadragenarian: Someone in his or her forties.
Quinquagenarian: Someone in his or her fifties.
Sexagenarian: Someone in his or her sixties.
Septuagenarian: Someone in his or her seventies.
Octogenarian: Someone in his or her eighties.
Nonagenarian: Someone in his or her nineties.
Centenarian: Someone 100 or more.
Supercentenarian: Someone 110 years old or more (no upper limit).

The terms denarian, vicenarian, tricenarian, and quadragenarian are not in common usage. The term supercentenarian was coined in 1991.

New Macbooks

2008-10-14T13:20:00.004+08:00

the upcoming announcement on the new macbook models from Apple continues to churn out rumors on what to be expected. here is an interesting one.

is this the face of the new macbook pro?

photo from Engadget

we will find out in a couple of hours.

update:

the rumors were true after all. see the new macbook pro and macbook

MacBook Pro

MacBook

Starting Over

2008-10-13T14:42:00.004+08:00

i have been in a pensive mood the past couple of days. it started because i was home alone, the two pinoys that i share the apartment with went back to manila. then i had four days off. when you get some alone time, things just start hitting you (not literally, of course). suddenly i realized that i've been under utilizing my ipod. so in a futile attempt to jail-break it, i tried to downgrade and restore it to firmware 1.1.1. and guess what? i was unable to. for some reason, i cannot get it to install 1.1.1! so, i'm now back to the updated firmware with no media at all! geez! now i understand why they say STARTING OVER is more difficult than when you first started.

Sick and Tired

2008-10-11T11:03:00.003+08:00

that's how i feel about pizza. yes, pizza. i've been home alone for the past couple of days and since i'm not very knowledgeable in the kitchen, i've been buying pizza and stocking it in the fridge. reheating a couple of slices for my breakfast, lunch and dinner. last night, i had enough. while eating 2 slices, i had a hard time swallowing every bite without the urge to throw up! hahaha. and i thought i can never get tired of eating pizza. moral of the story: too much of everything, even the things you thought you can never get enough of, can take it's toll. moderation is the key.

Defining Life and Death

2008-10-06T10:01:00.004+08:00

i just read this article from the washington post online. it talks about how advance science continues to make resuscitations more possible, even after 2-5 minutes of heart stoppage. i'm not a science person much less a medical one but what i find interesting in this article is the ethics. where do you draw the line between life and death? especially now that restarting the heart is becoming more and more possible.

some of the arguments are:

- How can death be declared based on irreversible heart stoppage when the plan is to restart that heart in a new body?

- Is it safe to base lethal decisions on the ebb and flow of public opinion, particularly when the same surveys show confusion about death standards?

- Can termination decisions really be insulated from pressure to donate?

- Even if each family makes its own choice, aren't we loosening standards for termination precisely to get more organs?

it will be very hard to establish a standard guideline for this issue. like how you want to live your life is your own prerogative, apparently death is too. well, at least your family's.

Suffering

2008-09-28T08:03:00.003+08:00

let me start by saying that this is not a dramatic post, not even close to one. i just had the quickest shower-and-prepare-for-work routine this morning. the company car is supposed to pick us up at 7:35 for work, and you know what time i woke up? i woke up at 7:15! plus you know how time fleets so fast in the a.m.? good thing my hair is really short, so that's 5 minutes out of the way. hahaha

ah, the joys of cold weather. i love it, it reminds me of christmas. i hate it, it makes getting up in the morning a bitch.

Run, Run, Run

2008-09-26T14:32:00.005+08:00

winter is fast approaching, which means that gaining weight is just like breathing...it is inevitable. and believe me, the last thing that i need now is to gain more weight. hence, i am planning to run regularly (that is aside from going to the gym). and what better way to monitor my improvement and stats than to track my run, distance, elapsed time, heart rate and calories burned. it doesn't come as a surprise that i NEED the new Nike+ SportBand (i already asked a colleague to get me one in the US and he'll be back about 2 weeks from now!)

when nike and apple came up with the Nike+ iPod SportKit (the one for the iPod Nano) i already wanted to get one. the only problem was, i didn't have a nano and i'm not sure if it is compatible with a Touch. so instead of getting a Nano or the new 2nd gen iPod Touch (still contemplating on this one) i decided to go for the SportBand.

at in preparation for that, i got myself a new pair of Nike+ trainers. tada....

i can't wait for my SportBand to arrive. but until then, i'll just lounge around the sofa and my bedroom...that's in preparation for my RUN! hahaha

True Blood

2008-09-10T10:28:00.006+08:00

i'm sure most of you have already heard about HBO's new show True Blood (from the creator of Six Feet Under). i was able to download the pilot episode and watch it last night. at first i thought it was a drag, but as the episode progressed it became quite interesting.

i'm an Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles fan hence my high standards when it comes to vampire movies and books. fangs, squirts of blood, corpses and leather pants are not enough for me. it has to have the over-all mystery of immortality and at the same time the beauty of death.

so far, so good. i'm sure to follow the succeeding episodes of this show. until, of course, i find a reason to lose interest.

Religions and other Affiliations

2008-09-06T16:42:00.004+08:00

religion is a never ending debate. even the dumbest person can have a valid argument when it comes to his religion or faith.

i'm a catholic, a non-practicing catholic at that. haven't heard mass for the longest time. even when i was in manila, i rarely go to church. not primarily because i'm lazy, i can go if i want to. instead, most of the time i choose not to. the political meddling of the church with the state, the politics within the church itself, some medieval beliefs and basically the sanctimoniousness of some church leaders. these are just some of the reasons that i can think of off the bat why i opt to not to go to church. like most people with the same sentiments, i choose to just pray and voice my thoughts in my own way and in my own time.

i am not an atheist as i believe in a higher being. although i have nothing against atheism, i just cannot fathom the thought that there is no higher being or force that watches over us. maybe i believe in a supreme being to feel safe and comfortable. maybe i believe because i want someone to run to when the going gets tough or when i feel like something is missing. maybe because at the end of the day, that is all i have. faith. faith that someone is guiding me and that everything happens for a reason. hey, whatever works for you. right?

Let's Rock

2008-09-03T11:08:00.004+08:00

Apple is set to stage a music-related event next week, Sept. 9th. and techies are speculating that Jobs might be introducing a slew of new gen ipods. woot woot. there have been rumors about a revamped nano. using the old gen's elongated body with the new gen's wide screen for video playback. but i don't really care about that. i'm more eager to know if they will be launching a new version of the touch. i like my touch now. i'm so used to it's easy navigation and controls. my only gripe is that it's pricey and the memory is not enough (i have a 1 year old 16gb). as per the forums, they are predicting that the new touch, if ever they will launch one, will be cheaper just like the iphone 3g and will sport a bigger memory.

let's just wait 'til next week. so if you're planning to get an ipod, better hold off and see what Apple has in store for us.

Dark and Bitter

2008-08-31T19:43:00.003+08:00

...that's how i like my chocolate.

look at this:

i got to buy this dark chocolate again from a store in Taikang Lu in Shanghai that sells Australian and New Zealand trinkets. this is good stuff. the cocoa taste is strong with just the right amount of sweetness. perfect for my taste. it reminds me of the "tabliya" (cocoa tablets / balls) that my aunt use to buy for me in Batangas. it is actually used for making hot coco, but i like eating it like a jawbreaker instead.

In Lieu Of My Holiday

2008-08-24T16:35:00.006+08:00

to maximize my travel in november, i'm thinking of getting a tripod and a nikkor 18-200mm. i only have the basic 18-55 from the kit. the catch is, don't know what kind / brand of tripod to get and where. sana i can find a reasonably-priced one as my trip alone will already cost me an arm and a leg! hahaha. as per the lens, don't have an idea how much a nikkor 18-200mm costs in manila. if it won't fit my budget eh i'll make do with my 18-55 na lang. hay, if any of you have any suggestions regarding what tripod to buy and how much a nikkor 18-200mm please let me know. (eugene, samahan mo ko sa quiapo ha? sana mura dun. hahaha)

eto sana gusto kong tripod, kaso expensive (Php6600 expensive!):

Giottos MT 9360

i'll make do muna with a cheaper tripod. so please send in your suggestions. sali na!

Of Breathtaking Vistas and New Experiences

2008-08-21T15:53:00.005+08:00

if you ask my friends about me, they will surely say that i'm not the most adventurous person you'll meet. i tend to be safe if not at all boring! hahaha. but i'm looking forward to a nice holiday soon. well, not so soon. i will keep you guys posted. surprise muna. i'm all excited now kasi that is a place that i've always wanted to go to...even before Iza. hahaha

This is so Angels & Demons

2008-08-20T10:39:00.003+08:00

for all of you Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons and Holy Blood, Holy Grail fanatics out there, you'll find JZ's post very interesting. it's about the Knight Templars suing the Pope.

Breathe Me

2008-08-18T11:40:00.003+08:00

i'm loving this song:

Breathe Me by Sia from her album Colour The Small One

this is the song from the final scene in Six Feet Under's Last Episode

Gone Six Feet Under

2008-08-16T11:56:00.014+08:00

i just finished watching Six Feet Under, all 5 seasons of it. every time i finish watching a series, i can't help but feel a little sad (uy, hindi pathetic yun ha! hahaha). this is also true when i finished watching Will & Grace, yes all 8 seasons. recently i prefer watching tv series over movies. because the story line is longer and broader and because you have succeeding episodes to go back to at the end of the day. watching series has already been a part of my routine. i usually have 3-4 tv shows that i take turns watching. usually of different genres but my staple are comedies. after Will & Grace, i'm now watching How I Met Your Mother. the first few episodes were a bore but it's now growing on me.

back to Six Feet Under, i've always had a thing for the dark and twisted but not necessarily sordid and gross. so this show is not surprisingly a hit for me. as i watch the show's final episode last night, they showed what happened to all the main characters; how they started a family, grew old and eventually died. that got me thinking.

in reality, everyone has to die. your parents, siblings, children, relatives and yes, even your favorite Victoria's Secret Angel. to me, looking at life in that perspective is really humbling. it made me realize that i am not invincible and that if i look at the bigger picture, the things that seems major to me now, is nothing but a fragment of my entire life. the same goes with my life per se, i am just a fragment of the human race and the whole of the world for that matter. having said that, i came to a conclusion that's not new to most of us. and that is, as short as a normal life span can be, i must live my life the way i want it, with purpose and for a higher cause.

the way i want it - need i elaborate on this? we only get one chance in this life (unless you're a buddhist and believes in reincarnation. pero just the same, isa lang in a lifetime) might as well make the most out of it. this is provided that we don't implicate hurt or harm to others on purpose.

with purpose - the only way to fill the void that we feel is to have a purpose. however mundane you think it maybe, having a purpose serves as a beacon of light that will guide us through whatever it is we venture in to. be it to be the top in the class, the best guitar player, the best parent, the best partner or a good christian. these are all posts that we can measure ourselves against with. i'd elaborate on this on a separate post.

for a higher cause - i'm not talking about something Jolie-Pitt-ish as i don't have the means. but something to a scale that is realistic to me. i believe that a life that touched others is a life that is well lived. the riches, power and material things a man accumulates in his lifetime is nothing compared to how he affected other people's lives. you won't be remembered as the first one who drove a Ferrari amongst your high school batch as much as how good, funny and kind a friend you turned out to be.

in the end, death is inevitable. if the thought of dying frightens you, then it's high time you examine your life and start working on the things you want to do or change. when you're done, you will be surprised at how welcoming death now appeals to you. mwahahaha!!

(on second thought, being the first one to drive your own Ferrari won't hurt. just imagine the look on the faces of the people who dumped you back in high school....that would be priceless! not that a lot of people dumped me or anything! defensive much? hahaha)

Still

2008-08-09T15:20:00.003+08:00

today, i find myself listening to Brian McKnight's Still over and over. i've always liked this song. it gives an almost haunting sense of hope that your relationship will pull through, no matter what.

and we're back with the mushy posts! hahaha

Another Gadget Lust

2008-08-09T10:49:00.003+08:00

i found myself wishing for a new toy these past few days. as i am already set on getting the new iphone, i'm channeling my lust to Sony's new ebook reader PRS-505. read cnet's review here.

this is so cool. this makes reading more convenient. no lugging of books around, no worrying of losing your bookmark, you can enlarge texts and it can even play music files.

The Mushiness of Ironing Clothes

2008-08-05T12:26:00.006+08:00

you can have me wash the dishes, do the laundry and clean the bathroom but i HATE ironing clothes. it's such a pain in the a@#! that's one reason why i like winter, i can go to the office without ironing my shirt since i have a jacket on anyways! hahaha (the epitome of katamaran).

the only thing that gets me through ironing my uniforms is listening to mushy songs. songs that are easy to sing along with and those that i know the lyrics of. hahaha

this morning, while doing the burden of ironing my office shirts, i was listening to Lemar's What About Love. i had it on repeat and i think i listened to it more than 10 times the whole time i was doing my ironing.

well, mushy songs and m&m's! hahaha

Scents and Sensibility

2008-08-05T11:56:00.003+08:00

i read in some magazine (can't remember if it's GQ, Details or Esquire) that a person's perfume describes his personality. this is very true, because one's choice reflects his likes, dislikes, quirks and the likes. we choose a scent that we think reflects us and embodies what we believe in or what we want people to believe in us.

here are the current scents that i'm using:

from left to right: Pure by Hugo Boss, Terre D' Hermes by Hermes, Gucci Pour Homme II by Gucci, L'eau Par Kenzo by Kenzo, Contradiction by Calvin Klein and Polo Explorer by Polo Ralph Lauren.

i don't exactly know how to interpret my choices but all i can say is that i like conservative scents. i like it distinct but not over-powering, laid-back but active and classy but not musky.

now, what do you smell like?

Sunrise And Sunset By Command

2008-08-02T15:59:00.006+08:00

this is another "not- really-necessary-but-is-so-cool-to-have" gadget. Lumie, a UK-based company has been dishing out light therapy gizmos for seasonal affective disorders (whatever that maybe), jetlag, winter blues and more. the above photo is of the Bodyclock ADVANCED 200 which emits light that resembles a real sunrise and sunset to encourage waking up and induce sleepiness.

Bodyclock ADVANCED 200
extra sunrise/sunset options help you find a routine that's right for you

- £99.95
- 15, 30, 60 or 90 minute sunrise & sunset
- Snooze feature
- Fade-to-nightlight option
- White noise setting to help mask sound
- Intelligent LCD display
- Dimmable bedside lighting
- Glass lamp cover
- Special daylight bulb
- Security option
- Power failure back-up
- Back-up beeper
- 19x24x18cm
- 1200g
- MAX 60W bulb E14 (SES)

in short, it's an Php8700+ portable alarm clock, bed-side lamp, and a pretend sun. how cool is that sunshine?

2008-08-02T13:18:00.004+08:00

it's another looong saturday shift here at the office. today, there's only 3 of us here (except for the people in another department). here's how our office look like on a dead-saturday 12-hour shift.

and here's one of my fave shirts from nike (yes, kuha sa banyo yan. hahaha)

i know, i know, the last pic is not related to my post. but hey, this is the privilage of having your own blog. you get to do / post whatever you want, however irrelevant or mundane. hahaha

i'm just bored, so please humor me with this one.

Idealist vs Realist

2008-07-31T14:08:00.003+08:00

my colleagues and i were talking about some personal stuff several weeks ago. before i knew it, our topic got to how being a realist and an idealist both have their pros and cons.

taken from Dictionary.com

Realist - noun

1. a person who tends to view or represent things as they really are.
2. an artist or a writer whose work is characterized by realism.

Idealist - noun

1. a person who cherishes or pursues high or noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.
2. a visionary or impractical person.
3. a person who represents things as they might or should be rather than as they are.

most of my friends say that i'm an idealist. i don't see anything wrong with being one but i just want to highlight that, although i'd like to see things in the best possible way, i am very much intuned that nothing is perfect and that shit happens (pardon my french). i just try my best to stay positive, more so during trying times, because i believe that life is too short to be burdened by things that are inevitable. no one escape the perils of life. that is a given, what is not is our take on things. if you dwell on something negative, it's just understandable that you get sad or even get depressed. this clip from Jim Paredes' blog exlplains it well:

Many times, we define life by the outer conditions and situations which we have no control over, and we end up feeling helpless and victimized. We forget that while the objective condition is a given, our take on it is not. It is something left for us to create. We can give it any value we want — positive, negative, exciting, scary, challenging, inspiring — it’s up to us! Our biggest problem might be our lack of awareness. We are simply not aware of the autonomy we possess to define what we wish to experience.

I was talking to my son about taking on a certain job and I could feel his hesitation. He finally expressed his fear that he may get bored or may not get over his negative feelings about certain people he has to deal with. Feeling his fears, I pointed out to him that boredom and negative feelings are not conditions dictated to him by the world. These are purely internal matters over which he has 100-percent control. He could allow himself to succumb to these transient negative moods or he could decide to summon a different, more positive experience.

Every time I feel “cornered” by so-called negative situations, or when I feel the world ganging up on me, I try to remind myself that no one can give me a bad time without my permission. They can only do so if I allow them to, and I will only say “yes” to them if I am not conscious that I have a choice about how to feel. This knowledge empowers me to be creative and find new ways to experience the world.

sabi nga nila: "mind over matter." if you see past the drama, the hurt, the fright and the overflowing emotions, you'll realize that the world is not ganging up on you and that the forces of nature is not against you. no one is that important, so get over yourself and move on. it's always nice to burst your own bubble once in a while. humbling isn't it?

Jessica Zafra's Cake

2008-07-28T17:23:00.006+08:00

i like reading Jessica Zafra's blog. there's always something to learn. her no-nonsense approach on things is very informative and often times funny. like this post.

you know the saying: "you can't have your cake and eat it too"? it generally means, you can't have the best of both worlds, you can't have everything, you must sacrifice something over the other, etc. well, it's not supposed to be that way pala. it's supposed to go: "you can't eat your cake and have it, too." parang mali diba? but if you digest it literally, it only make sense that it is in that order. you can have a cake and eat it but you cannot eat a cake and still have it (physically). that's what the one who quoted it was implying. also, do not overlook the comma before the word too.

and i thought relationships were complicated!! hahaha

Welcome To The Dark Side

2008-07-15T15:49:00.006+08:00

i just read that Jessica Zafra already saw "The Dark Knight" on it's premiere at IMAX in Mall of Asia (she raved about it). i'm sooo looking forward to watching it when it opens here in china. i don't care if i have to spend for an overnight stay in shanghai and even if movie tickets here are waaayy more expensive than in manila. i MUST see The Dark Knight.

* these are one of the downsides of not being in manila where we have an easy access (and a cheaper one at that) to things and events such as movie premieres. hay buhay!

ugh! why so serious? eh ang mahal ng sine dito! crappy.

On Humor, Music, Sex, Meditation and Beauty

2008-07-14T15:49:00.006+08:00

i like reading Jim Paredes' blog as it always stir something in me. he has this new post entitled: Some of the best things are still free. he listed 5 things that we still enjoy amidst the sky-rocketing of prices and the slumping of economies. what he wrote is very true. in the very basic essence, we can still enjoy humor, music, sex, meditation and beauty without busting our wallets or bank accounts. for those who like to argue, yes, we can put price tags on the given. but these things are more appreciated and enjoyed when free or done spontaneously.

i find humor the most important (actually flush sila ng sex! hahaha). i easily get along with people who have a sense or appreciates humor. thus, whether in friendship or a prospective relationship, this is a trait that's on top of my list. come on, life is tough. it is meant to be that way. the last thing you need is to dramatize everything. things won't always go the way we expect it but hey, we don't have to cry our eyes out, alter our entire lives or stop living altogether. we pick up the pieces and move on. stronger and more determined to succeed.

music. this needs no elaborate explanation. life without music is tantamount to an earth without water.

everybody's guilty pleasure, sex. my personal take on this is as long as it is consensual or done responsibly and without a negative ulterior motive or is brought upon by something special, sex is meant to be enjoyed. (insert lion's roar. hahaha)

meditation is very subjective. i, for instance, don't need to be inside a church or hear a mass to cultivate my faith. this maybe a simple act of being alone and one with yourself. if it helps to pray or call to a god, a spirit or an icon then so be it. as long as you feel a renewed sense of hope and positivity, then you're good to go.

beauty like meditaion is very subjective. we need not refer to the media or dra. vicky belo to define what is beautiful and what is not. as stereotypical as it sounds, beauty is innate. we just need to realize that we have it and get past the physical aspects in seeing it in other people.

Ay, phone!

2008-07-11T15:52:00.004+08:00

finally, something free from apple. read here. i'm just not sure if it is accessible to those who are using the unlocked units as the applications will be through itunes.

if you are lusting for the new iphone like me, we still have to wait for about a month as the demand for the new 3g version of apple's iphone has sky-rocketed. i am going for the unlocked version as it will be very hard for me to subscribe to a partner carrier here in china. hell, it's not even clear who will release it here (china unicom or china mobile?). i'm hoping to get one soon although i still don't know wether to have someone get it manila for me or in hongkong. hay, complicated! parang relationships. hahaha.

With You

2008-07-10T10:43:00.002+08:00

after a couple of days trying to learn Wang Lee Hom's Kiss Goodbye hahaha, i'm now stuck to listening to Boyce Avenue's version of With You. i even like it better than Chris Brown's.
the entire album is actually nice.

Self-Help Tips

2008-07-09T12:58:00.003+08:00

bernadette, my close friend in manila is setting up her own call center with her uncle. they're already starting to do business and is expecting to be fully operational in a couple of days. for me, that's a big accomplishment and to think she's only in her late 20s. anyways, i called her last weekend and she asked me if i can give a talk to her agents when i go back to manila. i instantly said yes even if i had no idea what i'm going to say! hahaha. the other night, i was unable to sleep and i ended up thinking of what to say when i give the said talk. i don't want to go all profound and preachy as that would be boring and i, myself, still has a lot of learning to do too before i can go and teach stuff about my craft. i then decided that i'll probably just give my two cents' worth on how to better one's self by starting with the basics. here's a gist of my train of thought that night:

1. start with doing good in whatever you do. do well in your job as most of us cannot afford to do what we want to without earning a living. if the financial aspect in our lives is taken cared of, we'll have more room to delve into other things we want to do. also, take pride in whatever you do. no job is too menial if you do it well and with enough gusto.

2. enrich yourself, invest in your own development. may it be learning a new language, taking up a new hobby or going to the gym, continuously bettering yourself rakes in confidence and knowledge in the long run.

3. reward yourself. now, for all the hard work that you put into stabilizing your finances and empowering your self, it is just right to give yourself a treat. buy your self something that you've always wanted, indulge in the food that you've been craving for, get a new haircut or a relaxing massage.

4. give back. now that you are in a better position in your life, take time to reach out and help other people. there is no better way to get a natural high than to help out. having people genuinely say "thank you" to you is priceless. pay it forward and do your contribution in making this world a little better for all of us.

hopefully i won't forget this when i'm about to give the talk na. hahaha

On Sweating Like A Pig

2008-07-09T10:28:00.003+08:00

it's now summer in china. and summer it really is. it can get HOT. good thing hindi mainitin ulo ko. hahaha. this weather actually works for me when i go to the gym, it makes it easier for me to sweat. sweating it out by excercising is a nice feeling, i feel awake, alert, alive, enthusiastic! hahaha.

the thing that i dislike about summer though is how it can make you feel sticky even after showering, i don't like that feeling. and worse is that you smell all sweaty even after a short time of being under the sun's heat. good thing i had my colleague kymn get me the new Hugo Boss Pure. i love the freshness of this scent. it has the same refreshing effect as that of Davidoff's Cool Water (which is so highschool but nonetheless a nice cologne) only in a totally new scent. this is now my official summer cologne. vain eh?

Tongue-twister

2008-07-08T22:13:00.003+08:00

i just attended the first session of our mandarin classes. initially i thought that it would be a little easier since i've been hearing people speak mandarin for a little over a year now. but hell no! hahaha. our teacher started with the pronunciation of the basic chinese syllables and some basic greetings. oh boy, it is hard! until now i'm practicing how to properly enunciate j, q, x, z, c and s. i won't be surprised if i wake up tomorrow with a s and z defect. kamote! hahaha

Conversations #1

2008-07-03T14:01:00.005+08:00

i dunno if i'm hallucinating because of the heat or i'm just dead-bored. hahaha. been having this conversation in my head the whole morning

My Insatiable Gadget-Lust

2008-06-28T19:49:00.005+08:00

since early march, i have been nursing this desire to get a new gadget. as stated in my previous posts here and here i want to get a new phone and a black macbook. as of now, i am looking into getting the new Samsung i900 Omnia. this iphone killer packs in a stunning 5 megapixel camera with flash and auto-focus, comes in 8 or 16 gb just like the iphone and it's even expandable, runs windows mobile 6.1, and has a built-in trackpad. it's already available in singapore but i have yet to check if it is already out here in china. hopefully it's not that expensive.

as per the Macbook, i still haven't completely decided wether to just get the Black Macbook or opt for the super sleek Macbook Air instead. the things that are hindering me from getting a macbook air aside from the price (of course! hahaha) is how it only has a maximum of 80gb and how it lacks an optical reader. hmmm...decisions, decisions. if i go for the air, that means i might also opt to get the 500gb Time Capsule and the Macbook Air Super Drive.

tsk, tsk...in the meantime, let me go and save up for these babies first! hahaha

What It Means To Be A Kid

2008-06-27T12:53:00.007+08:00

life is so much simpler when we were kids. you know how simple things could bring a smile in our faces? a balloon, a toy, a chocolate bar, a slice of cake, an ice cream cone, or just a walk in the park was sure to brighten up our day. but as we grow older, may it be consciously or unconsciously, it seemed that we just got harder to please. suddenly any toy won't do anymore, it has to be a certain kind or brand. the chocolate bar now has to have nuts, caramel or wafer inside. the cake must be chocolate, not just any chocolate flavor but should be chocolate fudge. the ice cream should have colorful sprinkles on top. and a walk in the park won't do, we'd have to have rollerblades on or a skateboard. i think it's human nature that as we mature, we crave for more (in every aspect of the word).

being a grown-up is not so bad and has it's own perks too. we get to decide on our own (at least most people do. hahaha), we learn to appreciate things on a level that's more than what we see or initially perceive. we learn to listen and reason. and the list goes on.

but today, i just want to go back to the simplicity that is having a child's temporary contentment. hence the following photos:

i'm still working on getting the newer models. mom can you buy me one?

MIcrowarehouse Mid-Year Sale

2008-06-20T11:06:00.003+08:00

microwarehouse's mid-year sale starts today at 12nn. ugh!! i'm thinking of getting a black macbook. too bad i'm not in manila! oh well, i'll try to catch the year-end sale instead.

click here for this year's price list.

A Very Interesting Read

2008-06-13T09:08:00.003+08:00

was reading news when i stumbled upon this article. it talks about how gen Xers are unhappy at work. i'm not sure if i'm (1982) considered a gen x or gen y but just the same, some issues pointed out are true.

ultimately, i think whether we belong to the baby-boomers, gen x or gen y we all experience/d our share of tough times, disappointments, getting lied to, getting unfairly treated and getting tricked in the corporate world. it's just a matter of how you make do with what you have given, make the most out of the situation and use these things to your own advantage without sacrificing your work ethics and beliefs.

Artsy

2008-06-11T08:44:00.004+08:00

last saturday afternoon when we were in shanghai, we stumbled upon a very interesting area of the French Concession. it's an entire block of two or three-storey apartment buildings which were converted to art galleries, restaurants, cafes and specialty shops. Sinan Lu (Road) is a long street lined with trees and populated by Shanghai's Art Deco residential architecture. you will discover many specialty restaurants and cafes while walking along this road. with intersecting streets that have a lot of interesting places and shops to see, you'll never get tired exploring this side of shanghai. too bad i didn't bring my camera, i could've spent the entire afternoon walking around and taking pictures. oh well, there's always a next time.

Shanghai Shenanigans

2008-06-10T12:24:00.005+08:00

being a long-weekend, huey and i went to shanghai last saturday to "chillax." we stayed there for three days and two nights. it was a really good trip. saturday we bought some dvds, i got several movies (The Other Boleyn Girl, Once, Breaking and Entering etc.) and some tv shows (Skin and Moonlight). that should keep me occupied for some time hahaha. then we had lunch at Parkson's Crossroad in Huaihai Road (the malaysian noodles is really nice!). that afternnon we went for a facial (vanity, vanity), got my haircut then had a healthy (well, sort of) dinner at coffee bean. haven't been to coffee bean for the longest time. i really like their food. so much so that the day after, we had lunch in coffee bean too, this time in Xintiandi. over-all, it was a really relaxed long-weekend. i enjoyed it a lot.....and did i mention i got a new bag?! hahaha.

MyPersonality.info Badge

2008-05-29T11:21:00.001+08:00

Wonderwall

2008-05-27T14:07:00.006+08:00

i slept really late last night (this morning). had coffee with Huey and ended up chatting until 12mn. when i got home, i was dead-sleepy but i can't help but put up the picture frames that i bought in ikea a couple of weeks ago. i had 6 random pictures printed and put it in the frames. plan to, once in a while, change the pictures to have some variety. i'm just not sold on how i arranged the frames in my wall. too lazy to measure and stuff. any suggestions?

Colored Vs. Whites

2008-05-27T12:26:00.005+08:00

i do my laundry twice a week, every sunday and wednesday or thursday. last weekend was an eye-opener for me. it made me realize that i, too, is only human. human in a sense that i also make mistakes. hahaha. i made a catastrophic mistake last sunday while doing my laundry.....

before:

after:

pink na sya.

lesson learned: do not mix whites with the colored ones

9 Essential Career Questions

2008-05-23T11:56:00.003+08:00

taken from the current issue of Men's Health Ph, i have here some questions that will help us in keeping track of our career growth or lack of one hahaha.

1. What do you want to be doing when you grow up? (or when you grow old...er)

2. What are your actual strengths and weaknesses? (being realistic with this one helps in assessing where you're good at and where you need some improving)

3. Are you in the right place for achieving your dream?

4. What's your time frame? (this is very important so you can track your progress)

5. What obstacles stand in your way? (identify and work around it)

6. What should you be doing right this minute that you're not? (start building on the things that will help you reach your goal)

7. What are you doing right this minute that you shouldn't be doing? (prioritize)

8. Are you happy? (only you can answer this question. some things you thought you want may not make you happy at all)

9. How are you doing so far? (so you think you're still a long way from meeting your goals? look back, and compare your current status from before. you're not doing so bad.)

Top Ten Religious Moments

2008-05-16T11:17:00.003+08:00

in response to chico garcia's the best and the rest 33, here is my entry:

we were cruising along commonwealth ave. when, in front of the big I.N.C. church, the nanny of my cousin did a sign of the cross. we burst out laughing. when she realized, she said: "oo nga pala, sa muslim pala yan!" hahaha. that was one of the funniest moments.

Calligraphy

2008-05-11T14:45:00.004+08:00

when we went to hangzhou last month, huey and i went to this store that does calligrpahy. we had our names done.
it reads my chinese name: Ke (a chinese surname) Xiao (little or small) Tian (sky) and the poetry behind it (i think). i'll have it translated and will post the meaning soon.

Pasukan

2008-04-30T17:50:00.003+08:00

it has been drizzling this afternoon. as we were on our way home, looking out the window of the car, naalala ko how i felt whenever the start of school year is coming (yeah i know, it's not even may! hahaha). how we made siksik in the bookstore to buy notebooks, books, pens and other school supplies. it's mababaw but i've always loved that feeling. it's always nice knowing that you'll be seeing your friends and classmates again after the vacation. meeting new classmates and surprisingly getting along with those whom you didn't even talk to before. "...may sense din pala sya kausap" or "hindi nman pala sya masyado baduy" hahaha. you know how immature we were (are) and how we tend to judge our classmates by the bag or the shoes that they were using. funny. but as we grow old, we become more broad-minded and we now know that a "hawk bag" is not always tantamount to baduyness. pwedeng "simplicity" lang! hahaha

Welcome To Sleepy Town

2008-04-30T09:50:00.002+08:00

as tomorrow is a holiday, a lot of people here at the office are already on leave. hence the stillness and the quietness of what can be compared to as a ghost town. we (expats) are still required to come in on friday while the chinese can enjoy thursday, friday and saturday off. that's cool though, as we don't have anything to do on a long weekend anyways.

might go to shanghai with some colleagues this weekend. you know, to chill....and eat! hahaha. i've been craving for something spanish and of course my mocha (kahit na i've been told to lessen my coffee, alcohol and spicy food intake because of my migraine)

haaayyy...so MANY spare time, nothing to do! hahaha

Anne Rice And Her Books

2008-04-23T09:03:00.005+08:00

i love anne rice's books especially her vampire chronicles. i've almost read all of them except for "Queen of The Damned", though i've seen the movie i still prefer to read the book. i have her complete ebooks (except for the Christ The Lord series), many thanks to the people who seeds her torrent! hahaha.

just last month, anne (first name basis talaga! hahaha) released a follow up to her first Catholic novel Christ The Lord: Out Of Egypt. Christ The Lord: The Road To Cana tackles Yeshua's young adulthood. dunno much about this book as i haven't read it yet, planning to get a copy next time i go to shanghai.

for those who are curious and want an insight to christianity and catholicism, these books would be a nice addition to your list. Christ The Lord: Out Of Egypt gives you a peek into what might have been child Jesus's life without being preachy. a really nice read.

Foggy Friday

2008-04-18T08:36:00.004+08:00

i woke up this morning to a very foggy zhangjiagang (a lot foggier than in baguio). i like foggy days.

on a different note, i finally went for a check-up yesterday. i'm having migraine attacks more and more often. with kymn's egging, i went for a CAT scan and another test (the one that measures the amount of blood flow in the head) yesterday. i don't mind going to hospitals to visit sick realtives or friends, but going there for a check-up as serious as having my brains checked is altogether a different story. in short, i was hella nervous. what if i'm sick? what if i only have x number of days / months / years to live?! drama no?! hahaha. anyways, the results were ok. my CAT scan was normal but the other test showed a little abnormality on the right side of my head. it showed that my head's right side has a faster blood flow compared to my left. weird. as whenever i get migraine attacks it's the left side of my head that hurts. the doctor advised me to go to the hospital for the next 5 days (starting today) and get a drip. weird. but sayang naman because it's already paid for. wasn't expecting that i'll be getting my first ever i.v. in china pa. hahaha

hope it works and lessen the frequency. migraine attack is a bitch!

Thinking Aloud

2008-04-16T12:25:00.003+08:00

i'm at work and got nothing to do. been surfing the net and reading blogs, news and browsing through the sites on my favorites for the last 4 hours!

all this idleness got me thinking about my life. all the usual questions one might ask himself: am i happy? what do i want to do? where do i want to go? how do i achieve all the things that i want? what can i do as an individual to give back to the world? things to that effect.

there's nothing special about my rantings. like the rest of the world, i'm just trying to look for my place and role in the circle of life (galing sa Lion King yan! hahaha). and to do that i need to break-away from this funk and start doing something. that i will do.....i'll just make my last tunganga and start on regaining the momentum na hahaha.

Hangzhou Weekend

2008-04-15T12:11:00.006+08:00

it's been 2 days since we got back from our weekend trip to Hangzhou and i still feel soooo tired. we left for Wu Zhen at 7am last saturday. after Wu Zhen we went to a cave Jin Xiu Feng Shu Dong (Natural Water-eroded Cave)

sunday morning we went to a park called Lingyin Flying Peak (bakit? hindi ko alam! hahaha)

in the afternoon, we went to Xi Hu Lake
it was really fun. plus, i got to drink my iced almond soy mocha! good thing i didn't wear shorts kasi it was still chilly. have tons of pics pa but go to my facebook na lang.

GNC What?!

2008-04-11T12:41:00.002+08:00

i can't believe that there is not even one, yes even one, GNC store in the largeness (?) of China!! now i'll have to wait until i go back to Manila or for someone from Singapore to fly in to get my supplements. crappy right?! ugh! hahaha

Lost In Everyday Humdrum

2008-04-11T11:14:00.003+08:00

and i thought that having enjoyed almost 2 weeks of holiday would reinvigorate me. it kinda did, but not in terms of work. i'm suffering from a slump now. i don't know if i'm just plain lazy or i need something new to perk me up. by that, i don't necessarily mean buying something new (although getting a new pair of shoes is not a bad idea! hahaha). i may mean taking up a new hobby, doing something new or going someplace different.

hopefully our company outing to Hangzhou tomorrow will do me good. i need to break away from this funk. i can't function properly and i'm not my usual charming self! hahahaha

A Penny For Your Thoughts

2008-04-10T10:51:00.000+08:00

What's Your Savings Style?

My Result: Makeover

Just remember, there's no time like the present. Maybe you haven't had the time to look into it, maybe you haven't been interested before. But we promise, understanding your finances and savings plans will help you look and feel better — and it doesn't even take that much to do it. The way you spend, the amount you spend, and the types of accounts you hold — they all contribute to your savings style. While purchases and nice dinners out come and go, your savings style is something you can carry through life with you. So now's the time to make smarter decisions about what to do with your money.

With a little organization and planning, you can start making your money work for you and your future. Next time you're tempted to dole out a large amount of dough on something you don't really need, think about the long-term benefits of being financially fit. And the joy you'll get from feeling financially confident — both day to day, and for your future.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=savingsstyleogt&c=50652

Fiesta

2008-04-10T10:01:00.005+08:00

of the 11 days that i went back, i went out every single day. had so much fun meeting different sets of friends, eating all the food that i want and of course getting my cuppa (iced almond/raspberry soy mocha or a double grande espresso frappuccino) everyday.

with my friends from my previous job

with my "alabang" friends

tribes

with my h.s. friends

You'll Never Forget Your First

2008-04-09T10:05:00.007+08:00

it's true what they say about how we can never forget our firsts. as for me, my first ever spa / massage experience is really unforgettable. i had the aromatherapy massage in The Spa at The Fort.the lobby / reception the men's locker roomthe men's shower rooms and jacuzzi the soaking tubthe waiting areathe foot massages area the massage rooms

for their nice facilities, the rates are reasonable. i'm thinking of getting their monthly membership when i go back to manila for a long holiday.

...And I'm Back In The Game

2008-04-09T09:04:00.004+08:00

after a few days of well-deserved hiatus, i'm now back in zjg. my trip was a welcome break from the redundancy and monotony of my life here in zjg. it was really nice and refreshing to go back and re-charge.
PAL (Philippine Airlines) now uses the Terminal 2 of Pudong Int'l Airport.

the new terminal is, of course, nicer than the old one. more stores, nicer cafes, cleaner and bigger restrooms.

good thing i came way early for my flight as i needed to transfer from terminal 1 to the new terminal (2). they have free terminal buses (the yellow bus) that shuttles passengers between both terminals.

will post more entries about my trip in a while...

Holiday!!

2008-04-01T01:48:00.002+08:00

no time to update my blog with new posts yet as i am soooooooooooo busy. i'll post my pics and the things that i've been doing these past few days soon. ciao

Christmas In March

2008-03-22T20:46:00.003+08:00

i've been listening and singing to Michael Buble's version of "Grown Up Christmas List" for about an hour now. geez, weird! hahaha. dunno if it's the rain, the boring saturday night or my eternal plea for world peace. what do you think?

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might go to shanghai tomorrow for a day-trip. want to eat somewhere different and have my caffeine fix.

Ancient

2008-03-20T09:45:00.005+08:00

kymn and i are listening to Ne-yo's "So Sick". haven't heard that song for the longest time. when she said that this song is from 2002 it made me feel sooooooo old. 2002 is already 6 years ago but it feels like it was only yesterday. haaayyy....suddenly i feel so ancient! hahaha

New Phone

2008-03-19T15:50:00.010+08:00

my current phone is already showing signs that it might die on me anytime soon. this resulted me to contemplate on getting a new one. years ago, it would have been easy to get a new one. just choose the latest. but now, with mobile phone manufacturers launching 2-4 models almost every two weeks, choosing one is as hard as going through life's ups and downs! hahaha

here are some of the phones that i'm considering:

Samsung F700

- touch screen with a qwerty keypad, 3mp camera with flash

Sony Ericsson Experia

-touch screen with a qwerty keypad, 5mp camera with flash, wi-fi capable

Samsung i780-touch screen (stylus), 2mp camera

what do you think is better?