Suffering

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

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

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

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

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

...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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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.