Everything and then Some.....

Charice Pempengco in Glee, Season 2

2010-09-22T23:43:00.002+08:00

I am not a big fan of Charice Pempengco simply because I am not fond of listening to "birit" (belter) kind of singing. But her song with Iyaz, Pyramid, is so fine. I like it.

Even if I am not a super fan I still couldn't wait to watch her in Glee's second season. I love Glee and all the cast. Now a fellow Filipino is there for everyone to admire. She has a really powerful voice I must say (even if I am not inclined to her style of singing). She's good. She did not appear to be a sore thumb among the rest of the cast. In fact, Charice was able to blend well. I like the confidence she exudes while acting and singing her way in the first episode.

I can't wait for the next episode. I actually missed Kurt and Finn! By the way, I love the group's version of Empire State of Mind and Rachel's "What I Did for Love".

Go, Glee!

Unconscious Mutterings #30

2010-09-13T07:26:00.000+08:00

Killing time before the daily grind. Bracing myself for a very, very full week ahead. LOADED! In the mean time, here are my mutterings for the week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

Singapore :: Orchard Road
blah blah blah :: yaddah yaddah yaddah
Stall :: Booth
Bowls :: Soups
Entrance :: Gateway
Antique :: Old
Elizabeth :: Arden
Hook :: line and sinker
Width :: side to side
Photo journalism :: something that seems exciting to explore

It's Monday here and start of a full work and school week again. Have fun and enjoy every moment! God bless!

Side A

2010-08-28T12:55:00.000+08:00

I missed their concert last night. I was supposed to meet my friends at the venue but loads of work and heavy traffic proved to be a lethal combination so I decided not t proceed. It was almost eleven in the evening already. I learned they left the place at around one in t morning.

I am hoping we'll set a date soon when I am not that busy so I can join them. I love Side A band since I was in high school, college and even when I was already working up to now that I have a tween daughter. The guys in the band are just a little older than my batch I guess. They still sound the same, almost look the same except for the hair of the lead vocalist, Joey Generoso. I like his hair long actually.

To compensate for not watching them live, I have been listening to their songs through YouTube. And here's one of my favorites, Set You Free.

But here's one song I truly loved during early 2000.

And I love Joey Generoso's hair in this video, their version of Let the Pain Remain.

Unconscious Mutterings #29

2010-08-08T18:31:00.000+08:00

It's a very rainy Sunday. Bed-weather really. Done with morning activities. We had lunch in one of our favorite restaurants. Chanced upon a good friend. Bought some DVDs and other things my daughter needs for her school tomorrow. Unfortunately I'm stuck because of the heavy rains which means I cannot attend the get-together with some of my high school friends.

Trying my best to control eating in this kind of weather but I have just consumed a plate of a popular local food, Pancit Malabon with shrimps and hard boiled eggs and calorie inducing sauce. I had my share of half of okoy - again with shrimps and bean sprouts, egg and tofu dipped in vinegar. I also had a bite of cassava cake. God, I am so full.

I have been dieting for half a year now and have never felt this full. So now I know that you easily get full when your stomach have been used to wheat bread, wheat pasta, white meat and fruits.

Before I shake off all the calories I've had, let me blog away and let all the food settle. Sharing my unconscious mutterings for the week:

I say ... and you think ... ?

Coma :: unconscious
Aristotle :: philospher
Pink eye :: conjunctivitis
Expensive :: travel
Dancer :: SYTYCD (lol, that's the first thing that entered my mind, So You Think You Can Dance)
Lipstick :: I like it glossy.
Buffer :: Extra (like stocks which are used in case forecast is short)
Stilettos :: I love them!
Booming :: flourishing
Rap :: Eminem (well, he's the one who first got into my head).

Whooa! The rain is getting stronger as I post this. I wonder if there will be school tomorrow at the rate things are going. My daughter will be very happy if there is none.

Looking forward to a fruitful week!

James Joyce

2010-07-21T17:53:00.002+08:00

I write like
James Joyce

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

I tried this thrice just to see if I will get the same results. The first was Margaret Atwood and twice I got James Joyce. I prefer James Joyce. He's one of my favorite writers. A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is in my top ten list of books. :) Makes me want to read it again.

Manic Monday #11

2010-07-13T10:59:00.000+08:00

It's raining! Bed-weather really. I love it. Just that I need to work. Just taking a break. I'm back in Manic Monday Meme too. I am so back in blogging. I love it again. :)

1. Name 5 of the simple pleasures in your life.
a. Bonding with my daughter even if we just stay home inside our room the whole day - with our favorite shows, DVDs, music and some good food. Love to cuddle her.
b. A good read.
c. Oolong tea and tuna melt sandwich
d. Facebook, Twitter and Blogging (in that order, haha)
e. Working out even just at home

2. What do you like to do on a rainy day?
Just stay in the house, sleep, cuddle with my daughter, bake, watch our favorite DVDs. Dance in the rain!

3. I deserve a _______.
I DESERVE MORE BLESSINGS FROM ABOVE. :)

Unconscious Mutterings #28

2010-07-11T12:48:00.000+08:00

I am resurrecting this blog. :) Got home from church activities an hour ago. Just finished lunch and now relaxing.

My Unconscious Mutterings for the day.....

I say ... and you think ... ?

Dickens :: Charles
Collection :: Notebooks (yes, I love collecting notebooks, the paper kind.)
Weekends :: Fun!!!
Travel :: Most awaited by the family
District :: 3 (That's our area. We are in District 3 of this city.)
Vampires :: Cullens!
Peep show :: TV show
Crochet :: My mom and grandmom (father's mom) love this.
Lion :: Lamb ("And the lion fell in love with the lamb". Lol. A line by Edward Cullen to Bella Swan, Twilight.)
Fetch :: Pick up

Happy weekend!

Manic Monday #10

2009-12-15T11:14:00.003+08:00

I thought the worst is over but today I'm coughing, I've colds as worst as the past two days. I hope all these will be gone as soon as possible. I have so many work to do and shopping to make. :)

I'm back on Manic Monday (on a Tuesday where I am). I don't know, I just like doing meme.

What is your greatest strength?
Keeping the faith. Keeping a positive attitude and being resilient.

What is your worst weakness?
Great food. I find it hard to diet. Food is my weakness especially moist chocolate cake and pasta.

Is your favorite time the past, present or the future?
I learned from my past. I look forward to my future with great enthusiasm. But what I have is my present so this is my favorite time - doing things I love, being with people I will not exchange for the world, working and planning for a wonderful future with my family.

Happy holidays!

Movies: Music

2009-12-14T19:58:00.004+08:00

I know there are a lot of movies with music as their theme. I will share the first movies that comes to mind. I am not so much into movies with music as theme nor musicals when I was younger but I got to appreciate them as I matured. This was specially true when I watched Chicago (not a music theme but a musical) which I find really worth-watching. The actors played their part very well even if they aren't much exposed to singing and dancing.

On to my list before I digress too much.

1. High School Musical
2. Camp Rock
These two are already in my sub-conscious as they have been repeatedly played here in the house courtesy of my daughter.

3. Mr. Holland's Opus
A story more about passion and dedication.

4. School of Rock
Anything Jack Black, my husband will watch.

5. Music and Lyrics
This is one of my favorite feel-good movies. I love Hugh Grant as the aging, has-been rocker of the 80s. I love Drew Barrymore's beauty and being so bubbly.

6. Sound of Music
This was my sister's favorite movie back then. She watches this whenever she feels like it like every month I guess. Would you believe I have not finished this movie? But I love the part where Maria and the children sing the famous songs - Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, So Long, Farewell, Sixteen Going on Seventeen.

Geez, I have now an LSS (last song syndrome) - Way Back Into Love from Music and Lyrics. I love this song too. :)

Have a great week!

More music and movies at The Bumbles Blog.

Unconscious Mutterings #27

2009-12-13T20:20:00.002+08:00

It's been warm in the morning till the afternoon for two days now. I'd prefer the cool breeze we have experienced the earlier last week. It's the December chill but as we all know, the weather is quite unpredictable already. It actually rained last Friday. I have the sniffles now. A-chooo!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Up :: I love the movie!
2. Scram! :: Get out!
3. Smell :: Perfume (I just bought mine.)
4. Belong :: A part of
5. Doug :: Douglas
6. Collar :: Dog
7. Squirrel :: Long tail
8. Chinese :: Noodles
9. Tracker :: Granola bar
10. Apartment :: Rooms

Have a great week ahead!

Unconscious Mutterings #26

2009-11-30T13:16:00.003+08:00

It's a holiday today in the Philippines in honor of one of our national heroes, Andres Bonifacio. There is no school and maybe no work for 85% of the work force.

I'm home but it just doesn't feel like a holiday as I have some tasks to take care of for tomorrow's presentation. I'm just squeezing in a few minutes of internet time as my break. I hope to finish early as I want to go out with my family later today.

In the mean time, here's my unconscious mutterings for today.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. MacGyver :: Know-it-all :D
2. Garter :: Band
3. Wedge :: Potato
4. Inches :: Unit of measurement
5. Code :: Bar (bar code, those black lines in a merchandise)
6. Water :: Swimming!
7. Running :: Treadmill
8. Curly :: Hair
9. Turkey :: Thanksgiving
10. Stupor :: Unresponsive

Have a great week!

Movies: Victory

2009-11-23T22:26:00.003+08:00

I have been quite delinquent with my blogging lately as my schedule is just full and so is everyone in the family. Facebook and Twitter eat my online time at night before I finally go to bed. The evening is spent having dinner, sometimes late dinner at eight in the evening just in time when my daughter had finished her school works and had a good afternoon sleep (which extends till early evening).

I am getting used to my additional work load and not as rattled as the past weeks. So I take this opportunity to blog and do some of my favorite meme like The Bumbles Bog's Monday Movie Meme. Today's movie theme is all about victory. Let me have my take.

1. High School Musical 1 - It's victory for the class because they were able to break the stereotype basketball superstars and the scholars. They were able to excel in both sports and in their creative passion. One even showed potential in preparing creme brulee. How's that for major victory? :)

2. Dead Poet Society - Victory for the students and their mentor for unleashing the passion within them - break the status quo, explore, CARPE DIEM!

3. Home Alone - Harhar. Sweet victory for a little boy, don't we all know this?

Let me leave this post at three movies. Couch potato time with the hubby. Enjoy the rest of the week! :)

Oh boy I just have to log in again and add this.

4. The Karate Kid - Ralph Macchio is one of the celebrities I follow in Twitter. I heard there's going to be a remake with Will Smith's son, Jaden, as Daniel LaRusso. Daniel with Miyagi's help achieved victory versus his more buffed nemesis.

Okay, that's it! :)

Unconscious Mutterings #25

2009-11-15T14:34:00.003+08:00

First off, let me congratulate the people's champ, MANNY PACQUIAO, for winning the fight against Miguel Cotto.

MANNY Pacquiao created boxing history today becoming the first fighter to win a world title in seven weight classes when he took the WBO welterweight title from Miguel Cotto. *The Daily Telegraph

On to this week's Unconscious Mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Grace :: My sister
2. Shower :: Rain
3. Alice :: Cullen
4. Purple :: Daughter's favorite color
5. Apartment :: House
6. 3 :: Stooges
7. Car :: Joy ride
8. Pregnant :: Full
9. Counselor :: Guidance
10. Discretion :: Free will

Movies: Surprise Endings

2009-10-26T21:51:00.004+08:00

I like this weeks' theme for The Bumbles Blogs' Monday Movie Meme. Surprise endings. In real life I am not so fond of surprises as I always want to be prepared. But in movies, the twists make me more engrossed and surprise endings (as long as it still makes sense) leaves a silly grin on my face.

Let me have a quick rundown of movies which surprised me with their endings.
1. The Sixth Sense (1999, Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment)
This would be tops for me. I was blown away!

2. The Village (2004, Adrien Brody, Joaquin Phoenix)
A number of people I know were dismayed by the twist but I love it! I don't know why they were not able to grasp how the plot was constructed. Oh well, to each his own.

3. Psycho (1960, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles)
This got me.

4. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill)
Dumbfounded.

5. The Others (2001, Nicole Kidman)
So that explains their super pale color.

6. 12 Monkeys (1995, Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt)
Would you really want to watch your future self?

7. Se7en (1995, Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman)
Heartbreaking ending.

8. The Usual Suspects (1995, Kevin Spacey)
This is a genius!

Movies: Western Theme

2009-10-19T18:42:00.004+08:00

If there's a movie theme I do not really watch is it's all those gun toting, cowboy-hat-laden wild, wild west films. I feel that there is really no story to understand but only action stunts to watch. I am not fond with that kind of actions. I am more of Mission Impossible-kind-of-action.

I have to check Wikipedia for its list of Western genre to see if I did watch anything Western at all. What do you know, I remembered some films I've watched from this genre.

1. Three Amigos - Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Martin Short (Comedy)
2. Young Guns - Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips (Outlaw)
3. Back to the Future III - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd (Science fiction/Comedy)
4. Sommersby - Richard Gere, Jodie Foster (Drama)
5. Legends of the Fall - Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins (Drama)
6. Brokeback Mountain - the late, great Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal

Read more about movies with Western theme at The Bumbles Blog.

Unconcious Mutterings #24

2009-10-18T19:14:00.003+08:00

It's a laid back night for a change. My daughter's finishing her school assignments while husband is channel surfing. I just checked my Facebook account and went straight to my blog for some posts this Sunday night.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Werewolf :: Jacob Black (Twilight, New Moon)
2. Jim :: Carrey
3. 2x4 :: 8
4. Unruly :: My hair at times.
5. Component :: Music
6. Prolific :: Johnny Depp (Not for anything but for being a prolific actor.)
7. Wrestler :: Hulk Hogan
8. Huh? :: What?
9. Dolls :: Bratz
10. Super! :: Man

More mutterings here.

Manic Monday #9

2009-10-13T07:43:00.004+08:00

The day started early as it always does during weekdays and Sundays. I am happy that the morning just feels so right. This is a great way to commence any given day. There were so many opportunities I already committed myself into at this hour. I am just so excited about it. The hustle and bustle do not scare me but it all the more makes me excited. :)

How's your week so far? It's Tuesday morning from where I am and the start of the week has been good. I have God to thank that for. :)

What word describes you best?
Describing myself is quite hard for me. Resiliency has been my consistent trait.

What drives you every day?
The different activities I set out to do. Bonding with my daughter at the start and end of the day.

Where do you want to retire?
In my dream house with my family.

Movies: Romance

2009-10-12T20:57:00.007+08:00

The first movie that comes to mind is Love Actually. The best scene for me until now is when the best friend of the groom showed up at the door of the newly weds and just flashed notes on the bride telling her how much he loves her. Oh my goodness. It's so romantic.

Please check it out if you haven't seen it yet. Your heart will melt. Unrequited love. Heartwarming.

Embed feature is disabled. Here's the link, Best Scene from Love Actually.

For more romantic movies, head on to The Bumbles Blog.

Unconcious Mutterings #23

2009-10-11T21:38:00.003+08:00

Baking brownies tonight - fail. I did not anymore repeat it. Just let it go even if I was really craving for some freshly baked brownies. Maybe tomorrow night I will.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. My treat :: Coffee (I can be coaxed to give a treat once in a while and I always choose coffee after a heavy dinner.)
2. Bell :: Ice cream (Ice cream peddlers from where I am ring a bell to attract customers.)
3. Five :: Fingers in one hand
4. You’re crazy! :: Kanye West
5. Disgust :: Distaste
6. Tempest :: Megan Fox
7. Bummer :: The failed baked brownies
8. Brim :: Border
9. Hose :: Water
10. Lollipop :: Orange, my favorite flavor.

Have a great week!

Unconscious Mutterings #22

2009-10-04T18:14:00.005+08:00

I was not able to blog much here and at Beyond Fried Eggs, my food blog, because the week has been really heart pounding for practically most Filipinos. Two storms visited the country in a span of six days.

The devastation left by Ketsana (local name, Ondoy) is so great that a large part of Metro Manila was submerged in water. Several areas in Rizal and Laguna are still waist deep as I post this. Reports are saying it will take about three months before the flood waters will finally subside in Laguna.

Midweek the whole country was glued to the news of another storm crossing the Philippines, Parma. According to forecast Parma (local name, Pepeng) is stronger than Ketsana. The people went panic buying that practically most supermarkets were wiped out with basic goods, rechargeable lamps and batteries. Some reported that even floaters were so in demand.

Classes in all levels were suspended for the whole week. Like what I have mentioned it was hard to focus on the daily grind knowing the damage Ketsana brought to the country, Metro Manila in particular. This was the first time it happened in this generation. Parma spared Metro Manila but ravaged the northern part of the Philippines, not as huge as the damage Ketsana brought, but several structures and electric power were also trampled.

The sun smiled this morning. We experienced cloudy skies in the afternoon but no rain. Wind is just enough to give us some cool weather. Classes will resume tomorrow. Adults and parents can now focus more on their jobs and other responsibilities. A lot of areas still need help which means our help in whatever way should continue.

There's a rainbow after the rain. There's a silver lining behind each cloud. The sun smiles after a storm. Let's do our part in maintaining a balance in our environment.

I've just finished preparing dinner. Let me rest my mind and my body and on to my unconscious mutterings for the week after a week or two of absence here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Yacht :: Sunset Cruise (I love this trip we had in a yacht going to Grande Island.)
2. Paula :: Abdul (I might just miss her when American Idol resumes on January 2010. But Ellen is very much welcome. I love her!)
3. Delete :: Obliterate
4. Auto :: Automatic (Lol, that was the first word that came to mind.)
5. Obsolete :: No use already.
6. Dedicated :: This Is It! (Dedicated to all MJ fans including me.)
7. Old :: My bags, I need to buy at least one, seriously.
8. Convince :: Agree
9. Poster :: David Archuleta (The poster inserted in my daughter's magazine.)
10. Erase :: Mistakes (Erase them but learn from them.)

This post was a mouthful maybe because the week was mostly spent being still and quiet and listening to the news, preparing for the storm. Thank God the weather is fine now. Let it be that way please.

I am looking forward to a great, productive week!

Unconscious Muttertings #21

2009-09-20T18:40:00.004+08:00

It's a long weekend! We had a great time last night going to Active Fun, an activity center for kids. We went to Best Seller, a bookstore, right after. My daughter already finished the book we bought. That's how she loved it. It's Allie Finkle by Meg Cabot (of Princess Diaries).

My connection is terrible for almost two weeks now. I pray to God it gets better from hereon. I grinned when I read the first word of today's Unconscious Mutterings. That's what's been happening to my DSL.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Disconnect :: My internet service provider, Bayantel DSL.
2. Contribute :: Share.
3. Dismay :: The feeling you'll get when your internet gets disconnected every 5 minutes like Bayantel DSL.
4. Constant :: Always there or always here. :)
5. Nails :: Art (I'd love to have some nail art done.)
6. Vibrate :: to and fro
7. Therapy :: Heal.
8. Stupid :: When your ISP like Bayantel DSL can't figure out what's the root cause of the series of disconnections.
9. Poo :: Cover your nose.
10. Commune :: Be intimate.

Read more mutterings at Luna Nina's site.

Manic Monday #8

2009-09-15T08:08:00.003+08:00

I'm glad that the week started good. Even Monday was good. I tried getting rid of the feeling of dreading Monday. Positive thinking and affirmations really work with prayers of course.

Today, so far things are going on as I set them out. One was bumped off till tomorrow but that's fine because I need to deal with a pending work this morning.

In the meantime, here's my Manic Monday list on a Tuesday morning.

What's one new thing you tried this summer than you've never done before?
Summer in the Philippines falls on March, April, May (with occasional rains). Looking back, here are the things which I did for the first time. Small things, nothing life changing here.
* Watched a movie alone while waiting for my daughter to finish her day 1 of her summer activity.
* First time to attend a blog convention.
* First time to watch American Idol and root for a contender which is Kris Allen.
* First time to play a game in Facebook (Restaurant City). I never thought I'll give in to these FB games. Now I have Farmville and Farm Town too.
* First time to visit an organic restaurant owned by a former classmate in high school.

What is the one thing you miss the most about summer when it is over?
My daughter's school vacation. I miss the extra hour I can still sleep before my daily grind starts.

If you could eliminate one source of anger in your life right now, what would it be?
I have passed the stage of being angry. And I'd keep to myself what it was. :) As I've read (and believe), the past is of no use to us anymore. Move forward.

Have a great week!

Unconcious Mutterings #20

2009-09-13T20:47:00.004+08:00

Watching America's Best Dance Crew but not paying much attention. My daughter and I are actually waiting for Glee. Sleep time after this. It's been a full day for us this Sunday. I only had about three hours sleep. Looking forward to yet another productive week. In the meantime, here's my mutterings for the week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Omelette :: vegetable (my favorite omelette)
2. Classic :: Greeks and Romans
3. Thrifty :: frugal
4. Search :: find
5. Fan :: admirer
6. Fussy :: some babies?
7. I am not :: a snob. (A lot of people think I am.)
8. Indulge :: pamper
9. Poor :: my cooking skills (but I'm getting there)
10. Manicure :: I love!

Head over here for more mutterings that will last you a week. :)

Sunrise, Sunset

2009-09-05T15:17:00.004+08:00

No, this is not about two of my favorite movies, Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I would like to share two pictures taken during one of our trips to Grande Island Resort, Subic. Orange is today's Photo Hunt theme. The sun with its orange color is a perfect entry.

Sunset
I like the color orange because it's calming for me. It's a very happy color. In fact I used to have templates sprinkled with fonts in orange color. Also, I like paper crafts with tinge of orange.

Most of all I love the rising of the sun with its radiating soft orange color bordering on yellow. It speaks of a bright and brand new day.

Sunrise
Happy weekend!

Thursday Thirteen: Movies At Ramdom

2009-09-03T08:56:00.008+08:00

I am a big movie fan. I must admit though there are movies which I don't get to watch immediately. But I do catch up. I would like to share at least thirteen of the movies I have watched this year, at random.

1. Orphan - The twist was good enough. Esther, the orphan, was good.

2. Let the Right One In - One of my favorite movies of all time. Think Twilight only this is better, a million times better.

3. Seven Pounds - I am thinking or any redeeming value of this movie. I was thinking it's another Crash but it was not.

4. UP - Heart and humor.

5. Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen - I like the first one better.

6. Angels and Demons - I like this better than the movie, Da Vinci Code.

7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Oh, I listened to every quotable quote of this movie and I loved them all.

8. Star Trek - I enjoyed this movie. I find Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine great at reprising the roles of Spock and James Kirk respectively.

9. Public Enemies - It's Johnny Depp. Anything Johnny Depp I will watch.

10. Sleepy Hollow - And because I craved for more Johnny Depp, I scouted YouTube for some Depp movies even if I have already watched them.

11. Donnie Brasco - Including this one with Al Pacino.

12. Changeling - I'd rather watch Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft or Mrs. Smith or Fox in Wanted.

13. Drag Me to Hell - It's Sam Raimi. His horror films aren't actually scary. More like gross and funny. I like his movies.

Read more sharing at Thursday 13 site.

Movies on The Great Outdoors

2009-08-31T13:39:00.005+08:00

Today's theme are movies with the great outdoors as its main setting. I will be posting some movies which readily pops out of my mind (and hubby's). The highlights of these movies happened in the desert or in the wilderness.

1. The River Wild - Stars Keving Bacon and Meryl Streep. I love Kevin Bacon in whatever form, even if it was in Footloose. The action scenes here gave me goosebumps, rafting wild - saving your loved ones' lives.

2. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome - Husband loves movies like this - post-apocalyptic setting. I do not. But I love the theme song rendered by Tina Turner, "We Don't Need Another Hero".

3. The Blue Lagoon - LOL. This movie was shown when I was barely in my teens. Remember Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins? I love Brooke in The Lipstick Jungle. But I don't know whatever happened with Chris.

4. Castaway - What would you do in an uninhabited island? Try to survive of course. The ending will leave a mark on you.

5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Shia LaBeouf is fine but I wish there was another Indie Jr. Who? Zac Efron? Haha. Jut kidding.

More sharing on movies at The Bumbles Blog.

Manic Monday #7

2009-08-31T13:11:00.005+08:00

It's a holiday and I decided to take it easy today. The morning was busy for me though because I needed to finish some work. More than half are done as I've mentioned in my previous entry, some I will continue tomorrow as I need to talk to some people before I get to finish them.

I'm juggling online surfing, setting our week's menu, checking my calender updating schedule and preparing for some baking later on. Hubby and daughter are busy with the diorama project. I leave it to them since they are more artistically inclined than I am.

Are you usually late, early or right on time?
I am on time specially on official appointments and schedules previously set-up.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or to tell them that you do not love them back? The latter. How can you break someone's heart just like that? Depends on the situation definitely.

Which would you rather have: a high salary or job satisfaction? Job satisfaction...in a job which is giving me high salary. Haha.

More Manic Monday sharing here.

Unconcious Mutterings #19

2009-08-31T12:40:00.006+08:00

I was so drained yesterday that I was not able to go online as I usually do during weekends. I went offline as soon as I got online. I took a rest after dinner, curled up to bed early while watching America's Next Top Model (again, one of my guilty pleasures) and fell asleep. That was a great sleep. I woke up so refreshed.

It's a holiday today but I managed to finish some pending work this morning. The whole afternoon is free already. :) I plan to bake brownies!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Spinning :: cycling
2. Impasse :: deadlock
3. Gravy :: sauce
4. You are :: beautiful!
5. September :: Tomorrow! (It's Sept. 1 tomorrow from my side of the globe.)
6. Divulge :: reveal
7. Training :: extensive
8. Crap! :: Foolish!
9. Results :: consequence
10. Shutting down :: this laptop in a while

Have a great week! More mutterings here.

Movies: Villain

2009-08-24T18:11:00.002+08:00

Movies won't be complete I guess without the villains, the antagonists, people who make the lives of the lead characters difficult. Quite formulaic but most plots stay close to the tried and tested. Bad people versus good people.

What villain characters were made famous by Hollywood? These are on my mind:

1. Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)
2. Darth Vader (Star Wars)
3. The Joker (especially Heath Ledger's in The Dark Knight)
4. Lex Luthor (Superman)
5. Sadako (The Ring, not a Hollywood original though)
6. Dracula
7. Chuckie
8. Jason (Friday the 13th)
9. Normal Bates (Psycho)
10. Michael Myers (Halloween)
11. Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street) > This one gave me the creeps when I was young.
12. I'd say Esther from the movie Orphan. There is really something wrong with Esther. To those who have watched the movie, were you surprised by the twist? I was a bit surprised. It made me, "ooooooooohh, so that's why".

Read more villains at The Bumbles Blog.

Unconscious Mutterings #18

2009-08-23T20:13:00.001+08:00

It was a holiday last Friday but I asked my daughter to finish her school assignments so she can enjoy the rest of the weekend. Saturday was spent watching a movie, a little shopping, dinner at TGIF before going home.

Today, Sunday is decidedly laid back. We just did the usual, church, grocery and then we went home. An hour of studying again for Math and Science and it's free time.

Watching TMZ (one of my guilty pleasures on weekends) while doing today's unconscious mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Disguised :: Johnny Depp (I like his roles which disguises him as a pirate, as Edward Scissorhands, as Sweeney Todd, and soon as the Mad Hatter.)
2. Big wheel :: Big bike
3. Irritating :: Some reality shows
4. Care :: show interest and concern
5. Grandpa :: Mr. Carl Fredricksen (from the movie UP)
6. Shooting :: Stars
7. Sunglasses :: Aviator
8. Stampede :: Wowowee (A local show which had a stampede incident.)
9. Painstakingly :: Meticulously
10. Terrible position :: Hmmm, some yoga positions I cannot actually do yet, head stand for one.)

Enjoy the coming week!

Movies: Fear

2009-08-18T07:16:00.005+08:00

I get excited watching horror movies for some months now but the previous years I can't stand watching one especially the like of The Exorcist, Omen, Rosemary's Baby...I really get scared.

But there are movies which I watched which gave me the chills. Not the gory ones because I can't the sight of too much torn flesh and oozing blood. But I like films which can be classified as psychological thrillers and slasher movies.

1. Se7en - "What's in the box?", that line by Brad Pitt as David Mills gave me the creeps. The line was delivered with so much pain and anger. You're expecting there's something in there that shouldn't be there.
2. Cape Fear - Robert de Niro's scary as the ex-convict.
3. Silence of the Lambs - Hannibal Lecter, inside a criminal's mind.
4. Thesis - A Spanish movie by Alejandro Amenabar where a college student stumbles on what could be snuff films committed by people she probably knows. Snuff films are filming of the actual death or murder of a person.
5. Psycho series - I tend to peek from the curtain shower whenever I watch any Psycho movies.
6. The Ring - I prefer the Japanese version. Those who have seen this movie might have experienced anxieties whenever the phone rings and the television turned on. Haha. Sadako lingered on me.
7. Carrie - I love the theme song of Carrie, "I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Love Someone Like Me". Cheesy but the movie is not, it's creepy especially the scene where the cross was focused.

Read more about movies about Fear at The Bumbles Blog.

Unconcious Mutterings #17

2009-08-16T19:30:00.005+08:00

Reviewing time with my daughter has just finished. He's now with his daddy at the tv room, well watching television while dad and daughter tag team give finishing touches to her bookmark project. Hubby is more artistic than yours truly. I leave it up to him how to guide our daughter when it comes to projects which require some creativity.

Time for my unconscious mutterings for the week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Delayed :: Late
2. Irresponsible :: Reckless
3. Stupendous :: Amazing
4. Barcelona :: Spain
5. Solution :: Answer
6. Simplify :: Make plain
7. Crumble :: Coffee (like the ice cream flavor, coffee crumble, which is one of my favorites)
8. Podcast :: iTunes
9. Conversation :: over coffee, I like
10. Homepage :: Main page

Looking forward to the two non-working holidays this week. :) Have a great week ahead!

Artificial Tree

2009-08-15T13:04:00.005+08:00

I thought I wouldn't have any entry for today's Photo Hunt theme, "artificial". I was browsing on my picture folders checking what I can post and voila, I saw this artificial but colorful trees.

This was taken at Eugenio Lopez Convention Center during our strategic planning. It's a wonderful sight as guests are welcomed at the lobby of the building. The colors are very calming. I love it.

Take note of the quote from the former president of the Lopez group of companies.

"The company that is prosperous and rich, while labor lives in misery, has neither the right to exist nor the right to claim public support."

This also applies to the leaders of this country (or any country for that matter). The seats just might be empty then.

Oh well, happy weekend everyone!

Movies: Wedding Theme

2009-08-10T13:52:00.007+08:00

Oh I could name a lot! I have watched so many movies with wedding as the main theme. Here they go:

1. My Best Friend's Wedding - I don't know anyone who has not watched this. Everyone knows the songs, the classic dialogue, "If you love someone you say it, you say it right then, out loud. Otherwise the moment just passes you by".

2. My Big Fat Greek Wedding - This is a very enjoyable movie and the Greeks are somewhat similar to the Filipinos as to how the family gets so much involved in wedding preparations.

3. Runaway Bride - I love Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. One of the cheesiest lines, lol, "Look, I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know, in my heart, you're the only one for me".

4. Four Weddings and a Funeral - Hugh Grant! I get interested in any Hugh Grant movie.

5. Sweet Home Alabama - I only have a few actresses that I like and Reese Witherspoon is one of them. I like this movie what with Patrick Dempsey as her rich fiance. Gotta love McDreamy.

6. Mama Mia - I feel like singing with Meryl Streep.

7. The Wedding Singer - It transported me back to the 80s. I love it! I love the soundtrack.

8. Father of the Bride - I guess generally all fathers feel sentimental way when their daughter is about to get married. I love Martin Short here as the wedding planner. Haha. Makes me want to watch this again.

I haven't watched yet Rachel Geting Married. I'd love to watch this.

Read more about movies with a wedding theme at The Bumbles Blog.

Unconscious Mutterings #16

2009-08-10T09:58:00.006+08:00

I am up and about since five in the morning. I've accomplished a lot of work but now my energy is slipping. Zzzz. I need my coffee break and some blog notes. I need to recharge my batteries. I hope I can come up with some sensible Unconscious Mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Death :: the beginning
2. Identified :: recognized
3. Saturday :: one of my favorite days being a weekend.
4. Dumped :: Jennifer Aniston (ewww I'm cruel)
5. Division :: department
6. Stilted :: curved
7. Crimes of :: passion
8. Stumped :: at a loss
9. Future :: is so bright ('memba the Timbuk3 song?)
10. Team :: brood

Have a great week!

Thursday Thirteen: MJ Songs

2009-08-05T21:47:00.005+08:00

Oh no, I'm not over it yet. It's been more than a month and I'm still reeling over the passing away of Michael Jackson. I've been listening to his songs everyday since that fateful day. Here are the top thirteen Michael Jackson songs which are in a loop in my music player:

1. Man in the Mirror
2. You Are Not Alone
3. They Don't Care About Us
4. Smooth Criminal
5. Rock My World
6. Another Part of Me
7. Billie Jean
8. I'll Be There
9. In the Closet
10. Black or White
11. Rock with You
12. Ben
13. The Way You Make Me Feel

There are a lot of songs of Michael that I love but some are just too emotional they make me shed a tear or two when I listen to them.

***Come join Thursday Thirteen.

Movies You've (Almost) Walked Out On

2009-07-20T22:51:00.002+08:00

The sharing for this week's movie meme is to post about movies you have walked out on or at least you thought of walking out on. This is quite hard for me since I either watch movies or I don't. If I sit and start watching, I watch it till the end no matter how inane the movie seems to be. This goes for both watching in the cinema and DVD at home. Well, yes, if it's on cable, it's easy to change channels but that's too many too even register on my mind. Haha.

So let me think hard what movie I almost walked out on.

1. Cloverfield - I stopped watching for a while because it made my husband really dizzy. It's a disaster movie presented in such a way that it was recorded from a digital camcorder during the chaotic event which made the camera really shaky. Imagine that.

2. Blair Witch Project - I got really scared watching this. I have to stop and breathe and wait for my husband so we can watch it together.

3. Rosemary's Baby - Oh my, this movie gave me the creeps.

Let's see what the others have to share at The Bumbles Blog.

Manic Monday #6

2009-07-20T16:35:00.005+08:00

It's a pretty laid back afternoon but I still have to finish something before I finally call it a day. Part of my break is to post one of my weekly meme, Manic Monday. This should be quick.

When and with whom was your first kiss?
Setting parents and other doting relatives aside when I was younger, the first kiss was from an uneventful school fair. You remember it - a boy and a girl are chosen at random, handcuffed and then led to the booth for a marriage ceremony complete with a marriage certificate capped by a peck on the cheek. That was it. I was in second year high school. Haha, juvenile fun. Funny thing is that boy courted my friend and the boy who acted as priest courted me for almost a year. Isn't it nice to reminisce. Haha.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Yes. "Snowflakes fall, each in its proper place", so the zen saying goes.

What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"You did a great job back there, my daughter. Come on right in."

Now, back to regular programming. Ta,ta.

Unconscious Mutterings #16

2009-07-20T13:20:00.004+08:00

Still gray skies today. This kind of weather/atmosphere relaxes me even if I am in the middle of juggling responsibilities. Right timing to post my unconscious mutterings today.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Banter :: Tease
2. Amazing :: Seven Wonders of the World
3. Towel :: What's always in my gym bag.
4. Cinema :: Movies
5. Newspaper :: BusinessWorld (my favorite newspaper)
6. Not good :: Mediocre
7. My type :: Zen garden (that's what I want to do with my pocket garden)
8. Twinkle :: Little stars
9. Actress :: Drew Barrymore (I like her childlike ways.)
10. Daft :: Crazy

Have a great day!

Rock

2009-07-18T18:29:00.005+08:00

This picture came immediately to mind when I checked today's theme for Photo Hunt. I am not a Catholic but I have always been fascinated with Catholic churches. The designs are sometimes elaborate, sometimes crude but functional and still with a touch of art.

This was taken inside the church of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. This is run by Benedictine monks which, by the way, also produce Monks' Blend premium coffee quite popular with travelers.

The church is interesting from the outside with its pyramid shape structure. Going inside, one can see the altar is made of rock and so is the podium. This church gives a great view of the picturesque Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Movies: Water

2009-07-14T18:44:00.005+08:00

I found this movie meme at Mommy Journey's blog. I would love to participate as I am a big movie fan. This would be my first entry for this meme. Let me get on it while my daughter is in the middle of her homework. We'll have dinner after.

This week's movie theme is all about "water". I'll be sharing the first three movies on my mind with water as setting.

*Finding Nemo - I think this is my husband and my daughter's most watched movie when my daughter was still a toddler. They love even the trivia feature included in the DVD.

*Titanic - I was at the treadmill for twenty minutes watching Titanic in one of the screens. It got me all interested again to watch the entirety of the movie. I thought of extending my treadmill session so I can at least watch the first quarter of the movie. But well, my legs might get sore. Haha. I thought we have a DVD of that movie at home but, sorry, we don't have. YouTube for help.

*The Lake House - Well, the setting is not on water but there's a lake fronting(?) the house. It stars one of my all time favorites, Keanu Reeves with Sandra Bullock. How mushy can one get, love transcending time and space. But I love Keanu. So there.

Unconscious Mutterings #15

2009-07-14T17:47:00.002+08:00

I'm home early but was able to drop by my dentist and go to the gym. I just postponed going to the salon for my feet pampering and haircut. I rescheduled them for tomorrow.

Achoo! I have a cold. I hope this goes away soon. I'm having a cup of calamansi juice later.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Sister :: Grace, my one and only sis!
2. Talks :: Discussion
3. Electric! :: Company (Electric Company is much like Sesame Street. I watched this show a lot as a child.)
4. Corner :: Poet's (Poet's Corner was a part of my high school news journal.)
5. Turnstile :: What is this? (Too lazy to check Google for its definition. Haha.)
6. Swap :: Exchange
7. Young :: My daughter. She's turning 11 this month.
8. Horrific :: Tragedies
9. Block :: Prevent
10. Wind :: Bob Dylan (His song, Blowin' in the Wind, entered my mind.)

I'll be out after dinner for our church activity. Have fun with answering this week's UM.

Tubig (Water)

2009-07-09T13:40:00.006+08:00

This is my entry for this week's Litratong Pinoy theme - Wet. In these pictures you can see how my two year old niece points the water hose to my mother. Kids, they love playing with water. Conserve water my child. Haha. I would 'play' with water too I believe looking how hot it was that day these were taken.

(Ito ang entry ko para Litratong Pinoy ngayong linggo na may temang Basa. Makikita n'yo sa mga litratong ito kung paano itutok ng aking dalawang taong pamangkin ang water hose sa aking nanay. Sadyang mahilig maglaro ng tubig ang mga bata. Conserve water, hija. Gugustuhin ko ring maglaro sa tubig kung ganyang kainit ang panahon.)

Manic Monday #5

2009-07-07T16:59:00.004+08:00

It rained a lot today. Bed weather if I must say. I'm in front of my laptop and doing some work. I'm really sleepy though. I will not sleep early tonight as I will be watching Michael Jackson's memorial at around 12 midnight in this side of the globe.

I'm taking a break and here's my weekly Manic Monday post.

Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at:
Two only? Haha. Anyway, I'm good at multi-tasking. Tbis skill was further reinforced when I became a mother. I'm good at giving directions (and following them if need be).

Name two things you consider yourself to be bad at:I'm not really a good cook, not yet. I am not good at remembering faces of people.

Name one thing not many people know about you:
I am spiritual.

Unconscious Mutterings #14

2009-07-05T16:25:00.006+08:00

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon. Since the school year started a few weeks ago, I noticed my daughter prefers to be left alone when studying. She does not want me hovering around her like her satellite. She just goes to me when there is something unclear. I have to feel good about this since it means she's getting to be independent as days, weeks, and months go by. So I'm online while she's finishing her assignments due tomorrow.

I have time to do some of my online work and staples this afternoon.

1. Independence :: freedom with responsibility
2. Meltdown :: breakdown
3. Vulture :: predator
4. Hope :: springs eternal
5. Float :: get by
6. Hole :: somewhere on the wall
7. Trespass :: intrude
8. Moving :: going somewhere
9. Extinct :: dinosaur
10. Alligator :: Crocs

A great weekend to all!

Manic Monday #4

2009-06-30T06:33:00.004+08:00

I started early today. I'm not sure if I'll go watch a movie later but definitely I want to go back to the gym. Yesterday at the gym, choosing to be in the treadmill with its own television was serendipitous. I was able to channel surf and landed on Joel Osteen's sharing which was all about the healing power of laughter. It felt great listening to him while I burn calories. Just what I needed. :)

I succeeded in not being in a frantic mode yesterday. I was getting hyper again this morning as I was preparing breakfast, checking my daughter if she's done freshening up and doing some dishes. I love multi-tasking but methinks this is what is making me all hyped up and manic.

Anyway, happy Tuesday and let me get on with my Manic Monday meme.

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?
Well, it's with my husband. We met in 1985 and had a relationship the following year and it did not stop from there. We got married a decade and a year after.

What is on your bedside table?
My eyeglass and the book I am reading, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?
Including my husband's pillows, six in all. I have this long soft pillow where I rest my feet on as I sleep. I love the relaxing feeling it gives me. I can't sleep without putting my feet on it. And yes, I make our bed daily.

Unconcious Mutterings #13

2009-06-29T07:40:00.004+08:00

My mind wants to be in a frenzy and think like the usual manic Monday. But I'm changing channels. We can learn how to switch off all unnecessary thoughts. I don't want a chaotic Monday. I would like to take control of how and what I am thinking.

On to my weekly unconscious mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Guest :: Visitor
2. Impact :: Effect
3. Unplanned :: Random
4. Tactic :: Ploy
5. Delayed :: Late
6. Bombastic :: Shaggy (I remember the song Mr. Bombastic.)
7. Comfort :: Solace
8. Trumpet :: Noisy
9. Joe :: Jonas
10. Budget :: Allocation of resources

Have a great week ahead!

Manic Monday #3

2009-06-24T15:20:00.003+08:00

It's not a Monday but I still want to do the Manic Monday meme. It's Wednesday afternoon and there's supposed to be a storm in my area. It's raining now but it's been humid since this morning. There's no school for my daughter and I preferred to be home this afternoon.

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what's your current favorite?
I don't like strong perfume so I usually wear Lovely from Sarah Jessica Parker collection.

What's the last book you've read that you thought was really good? If you don't have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?
I have finished Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth a few weeks ago. Was it good? It's a good read but you need to have an open mind about the author's discipline. I am currently reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. This book was a gift from a mentor years ago. A friend has been nudging me to finally read it. I have started already a few days ago. I look forward to reading it nightly.

Fill in the blank: I wouldn't be caught dead ________.
I wouldn't be caught dead unprepared for a major presentation. I did that once, it was fine but I won't do it again.

September Hideaway

2009-06-23T08:20:00.008+08:00

My cousin will visit Manila this year. She will be with her husband who is a first time visitor of our country. This should be exciting. She was planning to stay in Manila for a few days and fly to Hongkong afterwards. But plans changed. It would be better to tour her husband in the Philippines. It would be great to show him the beauty of our country. I agree to that.

He loves fishing and the outdoors. This country has a wealth of exotic places, nature's wonder one can truly be proud of. I would like to suggest an itinerary. I would like him to see Batanes for one. It is a lovely place where a visitor, local or not, feels he can be one with nature and speak to them, relate to them and be awed at their splendid beauty.

My cousin and I are exchanging emails talking about their forthcoming vacation among other things. The first thing she asked me is about where they can stay. She wants to have an unforgettable visit with her husband but she wants to be wise in spending money.

I helped her scout for hotels they can stay, a fine hotel accessible to the metropolis as they will be staying for a week in Mega Manila before their island hopping. Accor Hotels City Super Sale is having a limited sale for bookings from June 23 to June 29, for stays between July 10 and September 30. My cousin will be here on September. This is just great! A savings of up to 60% is a wonderful deal. I have just found a hotel which at the heart of Mega Manila's north area where they can have a comfortable stay.

We are on to a chat later and can't wait to tell her this good news.

Manic Monday #2

2009-06-02T12:10:00.003+08:00

Of course my location is several hours ahead from the host of Manic Monday, haha. But let me do this still on a weekly basis. I like meme which are light and random.

I just finished a few tasks and on to the others. Before I tackle them, let me take a break by posting this and checking my Facebook. Twitter is down unfortunately.

Imagine you're packing a picnic lunch. What would be in your basket?
Garden tuna sandwich, wheat bread of course. All sorts of food which my family and companions prefer. That sounds a lot! Water, lots of water. A couple of chocolates and potato chips. A colorful picnic mat. The latest book I'm reading will definitely be in the basket (or should that be in my bag?).

If your life were a weather vane, which direction would it be pointing right now?
Well, I am standing firm when it's needed, I sway when it's the best thing to do. I just don't let the wind blow me away.

What's something that people do in traffic that really annoys you?
People who tries to steal my lane and has the nerve to get angry if we don't give in.

A great week to all!

Unconcious Mutterings #12

2009-06-01T20:30:00.006+08:00

I'm a bit late posting my unconscious mutterings. I was supposed to do this last night but the lights went off. I opted to sleep when electric power returned around twelve midnight.

It's a relaxing Monday evening. Let me indulge in my online activities tonight.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Nursery :: Babies
2. Side effect :: An unwanted effect
3. Heart to heart :: An intimate talk
4. Try :: Give your best shot.
5. Hog :: Self indulgent
6. Symptom :: Sign
7. Collide :: Fall
8. Fury :: Rage
9. Incorporated :: Included
10. Summer :: Unbearable heat

Read more mutterings here.

Unconscious Mutterings #11

2009-05-24T20:32:00.005+08:00

A relaxing Sunday night. All work in and out of the house are done. Husband is not yet home though. My daughter and I had an early dinner. We're off to bed in a while. I'm making it a practice again to sleep at least around ten in the evening and my daughter around nine.

I'm passing the time away. I have two windows open, side by side, in my laptop. One is this - blogging, while the other is Farm Town. I am getting slowly addicted to this game in Facebook. I am in the marketplace waiting for anyone who will hire me to harvest their crops. That's one way to earn lots of money for both farmers and land owners. This game is fun!

My farm is still very simple compared to my 'neighbors' but I'll get there. I'm spending 30 minutes to an hour a few nights on weekdays to tend my farm. Slowly but surely, I'll earn my keep. :)

Here goes my unconscious mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Lisa :: Simpson
2. Hope :: Faith, Love
3. Irene :: Cara
4. Tony :: Blair
5. Anna :: Karenina
6. Dolly :: Hello
7. Laura :: Dern
8. Debbie :: Gibson
9. Wilson :: Owen
10. Paula :: Abdul (I still have hang over after American Idol's Season 8. I love Kris Allen!)

I love this name game. Some of the artists I featured were from the 80s. Well, I'm an 80s child, that's why.

For more mutterings, head on to Luna Nina. Have a great week ahead!

Manic Monday #1

2009-05-18T22:28:00.008+08:00

Oh, this is not the first time I'm participating in Manic Monday. But let me say it's post number one. I join sporadically but I plan to play every Monday starting today.

Why am I suddenly up and about with my blogging? It just goes that way, sometimes I have all the enthusiasm, sometimes the blogging mojo slows down. That goes even for my two other blogs.

If you could completely redecorate any room in your house at no expense to you, what room would you choose?
Is the dirty kitchen considered a room? Anyway, I want to change the layout by moving the cabinets and the working table.

Which hour of the day do you feel goes the slowest?
It varies. Today, it's in the afternoon because my cold worsened.

If your birthday could be in a different month of the year, when would you have it?
Hmm, my birthday falls on a merry month. I don't think I want to change it. Not even for this meme. :D

I'll be going around the rest of the participants tomorrow night. It's nap time already. :)

***More sharing at Manic Monday.

Unconcious Mutterings #10

2009-05-18T21:45:00.005+08:00

I just need to do my unconscious mutterings. Racing against time, haha. It's almost ten in the evening and I resolve to sleep early starting tonight.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Vex :: Perplex
2. Relapse :: Slide back
3. Twinkle :: Little stars!
4. Crawls :: Snakes
5. Optimistic moment :: This should be all the time, right?
6. Cage :: Suffocating
7. Superwoman :: Moms! :D
8. Personal :: Close to the heart.
9. Vapor :: Water
10. Grocery store :: Included in one of my favorite places.

Have a great week ahead!

***Read more word associations at Unconscious Mutterings.

Painted Mask

2009-05-16T18:23:00.004+08:00

This is my entry for today's photo hunt - a painted mask. This mask belong to one of my team which he used during our masquerade party. Though it's not much for a masquerade, I like the colors - orange, red, green. They are so alive and fresh.

***More painted pictures at Photo Hunt.

Happy weekend!

Unconcious Mutterings #9

2009-05-11T00:32:00.007+08:00

It's Mother's Day today but husband was occupied with business matters. Whatever celebration that we were supposed to do is postponed for tomorrow. Nevertheless, let me greet all the moms a very Happy Mother's Day!

My unconscious mutterings is a bit late but here goes.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Again :: One more time
2. Shower :: Rain
3. Flirting :: is for singles only, haha
4. Moving on :: Next up!
5. Rachel :: Ray
6. Chips :: Potato
7. Texting :: QWERTY
8. Feel better :: In good shape
9. Cashmere :: Mafia (I like Lipstick Jungle better.)
10. Sucked :: Vampire not of the Cullen kind

More mutterings at Luna Nina.

Have a great week ahead!

Walking on the Beam

2009-05-02T16:52:00.005+08:00

This was taken during a three-day team building held at Air Force City, Pampanga. This team building were done in three batches. The first was for us, the management committee, the next was the group of managers and officers, the third batch were composed of the managers in the front line and the regular staff.

This team building was one of the most rigorous team buildings I have participated. It was full of surprises. Each batch were surprised to hear that all cell phones and watches will be surrendered to the facilitators. You can hear the oooohs and aaaahs. Can we ever live without these two?

For three days there were no means of communication in the outside world. No watches in the rooms to check what time it is. There is an alarm every six in the morning which signals the time to be ready to line up outside and jog and head on to the team building area.

The fun part was the strategy each group implemented such that all will be up on time considering no one knows the exact time. It was fun alright!

One of the activities was a form of military training. One of them is walking on a beam. See how the guys try to manage without any help. And see the ladies manage to cross with a little help from our air force men. :)

***More "walking" photos at Photo Hunt.

Changing Template

2009-04-28T17:23:00.002+08:00

If you see something funny in here it's because template is currently undergoing changes. I hope it will be quick. :)

Unconscious Mutterings #8

2009-04-19T16:51:00.003+08:00

I think this is the hottest summer I have ever experienced in my life. Whew! We are all sweating even if we are just sitting watching television. Can't help but turn on the ACU for a few hours until we feel comfortable.

It's raining now while the sun is shining but it feels better. I feel relaxed, onto my usual Sunday online activities.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Lease :: Rent
2. Dead :: Flatline
3. Removed :: Omitted
4. Broke :: Zero capital
5. Lips :: Kissable
6. Flight :: or fight?
7. Three hours :: A movie maybe?
8. Give :: Share
9. Technical :: Manual
10. Hurry :: Move it!

Other mutterings here. Happy weekend!

A Meme Before Sleeping

2009-04-13T23:13:00.002+08:00

I decided to drop by the gym tonight. I just need to recharge and release all the tension after a whole day of stress. It's back to the daily grind. I got home later than usual but feeling so refreshed ready to sleep well and start a great day tomorrow.

Do you recycle? Why or why not?
I should do more I know. It's not enough that we reuse paper bags, clothes and tin cans. Trash are segregated though.

Would you rather be a pirate or a prince/princess?
I'd like to be a prince. I am more enamored with the idea of how it is to be the knight in shining armor.

Are you into astrology? If yes, how does it affect your life?
I have been interested in astrology for quite a while but my life is not dependent to it.

Overlooking the Sea

2009-03-31T16:37:00.006+08:00

I like this photo very much. This was taken a few feet from our villa during our stay in Dos Palmas.

Sky meets the sea. The sea meets the land. It's very serene.

***More of see and sea at Heads or Tails.

Unconscious Mutterings #7

2009-03-15T21:35:00.009+08:00

I have just finished helping my daughter review in one of her subjects for her finals this coming week. Reviewing for her finals means going over her lessons from beginning to end, from cover to cover of the book. Whew! It stresses us both if I may say so it feels good everytime we finish one subject - it's an accomplishment.

It's "me time" now and here I am, online, will finish my unconscious mutterings before going over my facebook account to chat with a friend for a few minutes and then I'll go to sleep.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Sunburn :: Beach
2. Aquarium :: Fish
3. Otter :: Mammal
4. Awesome :: Wow!
5. LOL :: Really funny
6. Accordion :: Stretchable
7. Hot Pocket :: Lots of cheese, please! :)
8. Grandstand :: Stadium
9. Shaved :: Barren
10. Upgrade :: Up the ante

Here's wishing everyone a great week ahead! More mutterings here.

Sweetened Soy Bean Curd

2009-03-06T20:00:00.003+08:00

......or in the vernacular, taho. This is a photo tag from Maiylah. This is the sixth photo from the sixth folder of my picture files. I used this photo as a post for Manila Metro Blog more than a year ago.

I have not tried flavored taho yet but right now I am craving for the good, old taho that I grew up with. :)

Spend Wisely, Give Wisely

2009-02-26T09:38:00.008+08:00

Last holiday I spent a huge percentage of my time going around different malls to find the best buys for my family and my friends. Gift-giving is a tradition I practice, as well as the whole family, since I was a child. Inspired by my mother's generosity, I would always prepare for tokens, even small ones, for people that matter to me most especially.

My family lives in a different country. Sending gifts to each other, greetings through our webcams are one of the many ways we keep in touch. I see to it that I send them things they need and want on special occasions and even if there are no occasions. Just a spur of the moment thing.

But it happens that I don't know anymore what exactly to give to them. Like for Valentine's Day, what else can I send that they do not have yet? Or what do they really want? Leaning on practicality, I'd like to give them gifts that they can really use. My dilemma is interests change especially for the young ones. Or in the case of my mother, sister and sister in law who are all great shoppers, they may already have what I want to give them - the latest shirt styles, flipflops, electronic gadgets, even kitchen gadgets.

With the economy still trying to settle for a better shape, I have to make sure every money is spent wisely. Well, at whatever financial situation we are in, it's best that we manage well our expenses. One of the ways is ensuring whatever we buy is worth it and we are happy with it and so are the recipients if it's a gift. Maybe they can choose our gifts for them themselves. :)

A Fellow Blogger's Give Away

2009-02-22T19:03:00.005+08:00

This is my first time to join a contest hosted by a fellow blogger. I hope to win of course. This is what Maver is going to give away for her blog's first year anniversary.

It's a Smart Prepaid Broadband Kit. You may go to her site if you want to join the fun. :)

Carpet::Satisfy

2009-02-22T15:38:00.006+08:00

After all the morning activities up to early afternoon, it's nice to get back to bed and cuddle with my daughter. It's Sunday afterall!

We watched Iron Chef and something about fashion presenting creations of DKNY, Kimora, Ana Sui among others. We had fun goofing around while marveling at the chefs wonderful concoctions and food presentations and the models' out of this world hairstyles and wardrobes.

And then we decided to go separate ways - she goes to take a bath and I go to my laptop. :) It's time for my unconscious mutterings for the week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Carpet :: Alladin
2. William :: The Prince
3. Oh! :: Wide eyes
4. Board game :: Chess
5. Sunlight :: Mornings
6. Delay :: Late
7. Winner :: ...takes it all
8. Concubine :: a play (Farewell My Concubine)
9. Comatose :: In deep sleep
10. Satisfy :: Satiate

Happy Sunday!

Be Mine

2009-02-15T21:36:00.008+08:00

It's been a while since I participated in Unconscious Mutterings and all other memes that I usually join. I had a meme fatigue I guess. I am wading through my stream of consciousness. That's what I mostly post about in my other blogs.

Today's a full day. It's a Sunday I know but there are works which needs to be done. I'm on a relax mode now. Just watching reruns of Dirty, Sexy, Money while doing this week's UM. I believe my blogging mojo (meme posting I mean) is back.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Be mine :: I'll take care of you.
2. Ecstatic :: Euphoric
3. Orderly :: Organized
4. Sebastian :: Bach (ex-frontman of Skid Row)
5. Sore :: Thumb
6. Don’t need :: Give them away.
7. Rockstar :: Uncombed hair (ooh, I'm stereotyping. Lol.)
8. Tinfoil :: Silver
9. Addiction :: Books
10. Where? :: To infinity and beyond! (I just remembered this line from Toy Story.)

Have a great week ahead! :)

Enhance Your Knowledge

2009-01-18T22:28:00.004+08:00

Learning never stops. It is always a worthy experience to learn something one can put to good use. It not only benefits the self but can also be shared with others. After all, true learning can only happen through sharing.

Honing one's skills is one way to grow and be more confident in this very competitive world. In this age and time when everything happens so fast, one need to equip oneself with the right knowledge and skills. One need to be in touch with what is going on around the world. Taking advantage of seminars and trainings given by the company or schools is a wise move. Some organizations even offer study grants. It is a pity to let go of this kind of chance.

Do you want to reinforce a knowledge or a skill? Do you want a new learning? Most people I know say yes to both but are too busy with their jobs and families to take time and give additional learning a chance. For some, these are not company priorities. I say if there is a will, there is a way.

Take advantage of online education. You can check the courses offered at online education centers such as Ashworth College. Manage your time and be able to attend to your thirst for learning. Centers like Ashworth College gives you the convenience of studying at times and places most applicable to you.

Continue reading, continue researching. Manage information and be in touch. Networking is one opportunity to expand one's knowledge. One needs to focus on what learning one really needs to acquire such that it will not be a clutter of knowledge. Information overload is the worst that could happen.

Online study centers like Ashworth College has a variety of disciplines that can help you realize what it is that will reinforce or build the learning most applicable to your needs and wants.

Female Icon Quiz

2009-01-12T23:12:00.006+08:00

Whenever the results of online quizzes I take are somewhat close to some facts about how I am, I publish it. And this one has some grain of truth. So I am not Jackie O, I am not Marilyn Monroe, but I am Joan.

Am no Mommie Dearest, okay? Definitely not but I sure would want to run a corporation. I understand Joan Crawford chaired PepsiCo after her last husband.

Anyway, those in bold fonts are quite a bit like me but not to be taken solely as they are phrased here. :D

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Joan!

You are a Joan -- "I need to succeed" Joans are energetic, optimistic, self-assured, and goal oriented.

How to Get Along with Me
* Leave me alone when I am doing my work.
* Give me honest, but not unduly critical or judgmental, feedback.
* Help me keep my environment harmonious and peaceful.
* Don't burden me with negative emotions.
* Tell me you like being around me.
* Tell me when you're proud of me or my accomplishments.

What I Like About Being a Joan
* being optimistic, friendly, and upbeat
* providing well for my family
* being able to recover quickly from setbacks and to charge ahead to the next challenge
* staying informed, knowing what's going on
* being competent and able to get things to work efficiently
* being able to motivate people

What's Hard About Being a Joan
* having to put up with inefficiency and incompetence
* the fear on not being -- or of not being seen as -- successful
* comparing myself to people who do things better
* struggling to hang on to my success
* putting on facades in order to impress people
* always being "on." It's exhausting.

Joans as Children Often
* work hard to receive appreciation for their accomplishments
* are well liked by other children and by adults
* are among the most capable and responsible children in their class or school
* are active in school government and clubs or are quietly busy working on their own projects

Joans as Parents
* are consistent, dependable, and loyal
* struggle between wanting to spend time with their children and wanting to get more work done
* expect their children to be responsible and organized

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Hope

2009-01-03T21:52:00.007+08:00

I enrolled in a gym with the great hope and determination to achieve the ideal weight for me, the weight that is right for my age and height. I just have to tell myself to practice portion control more. :)

I hope to bring back my slender body like these beautiful ladies here, all candidates for Miss Earth 2008. You can LOL now. They visited the gym a few months back. Luckily I was there and had a chance to work out with them. By the way, our very own Miss Philippines bagged the crown. :)

As it is often said, youth is the hope of our motherland. Celebrate your youth! Say cheese pretty young misses!

For more pictures about hope, please visit Photo Hunt headquarters. Happy new year everyone!

HAPPY 2009!

2009-01-01T21:52:00.001+08:00

Gold Pouch

2008-12-24T20:47:00.004+08:00

Filipino Mom Blog's fabulous finds color theme for this week is gold.

I want to share the gold pouch in the middle which I bought to keep the bracelets I will give to my nieces and nephew for the new year. All pouches come in gold tassels too. They're good buys - cute and reusable (at least for the recipient).

Gym on a Weekend

2008-12-22T07:47:00.001+08:00

I needed to check something with my team on a Saturday. Our head office is a bit far so I decided to meet them in one of our branch office. Since I will be going out early, I might as well maximize the time. I coaxed husband to join me. We headed to the gym first afterwhich we went separate ways to attend to our own agenda for the day.

The gym is practically empty. Who wants to get up really early on a weekend?

We have our tuna sandwich and pasta here at the gym's healthy options stall. We both love the garden tuna sandwich here.

More weekend snapshots here. The Mommy Zone shares a holiday get-together with the Filipino Mom Blog Mommies and our kids. Beyond Fried Eggs share a lunch at Taco Bell.

Carpet::Buzzer

2008-12-21T16:12:00.006+08:00

I woke up really early this morning. I can't go back to sleep so I decided to start doing some work. I was finished with all of them around two in the afternoon. This included accompanying my daughter to her Sunday church service.

I'm in a relaxed mode now with a bit of upper limb discomfort, maybe I strained my arms too much when I was stretching. They will be fine. On to my weekly mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Carpet :: Taz (That's the carpet in my daughter's room.)
2. Bottoms :: Up
3. Music :: New Wave
4. Nails :: Polish
5. Watch it! :: Careful!
6. Your life :: Make the best of it.
7. Candies :: Sweet
8. Chafing :: Dish
9. Svelte :: Sleek
10. Ding :: Buzzer

More mutterings here.

Hotdogs

2008-12-06T14:53:00.004+08:00

There are three kinds of hotdogs in the supermarket that we buy alternately - there's your regular hotdogs, cheese dog and the latest is corn dog. It tastes and smells like corn with a lot of butter. I don't really like it but my daughter loves it. We have hotdogs for breakfast a few times in a month since I am cutting on processed foods. Hotdogs is a sure winner for a lot of kids though.

Click here for other breakfast hunts. My mamarazzi breakfast photos is at The Mommy Zone. My breakfast and my husband's are posted at Beyond Fried Eggs. Happy weekend!

A Baby and Her Turkey

2008-12-02T22:07:00.005+08:00

My sister-in-law posted their pictures from Thanksgiving at her Multiply site. We were really laughing at our niece while she was in various poses devouring their turkey. Poor turkey. Let me share some of my niece's pictures for Wordless Wednesday.

"This turkey seems good."
"Let me taste it, just a pinch."
"Oh what the heck, lemme have a big bite!"
"Now that tastes really good...Burp!"
Belated Happy Thanksgiving to all! :)

Shine

2008-12-02T17:31:00.005+08:00

Let the sun shine on us....This was taken in the early morning of April this year during a team building with my core group. We spent two days at La Luz, San Juan, Batangas.

More shine here at HoT.

Planning Session

2008-12-01T13:21:00.006+08:00

The company kicked off its planning session for 2009 last September. We spent it at the Eugenio Lopez Center, Antipolo. It was a quiet afternoon and during breaks I managed to take a few pictures. The place is conducive for planning and team buildings. Another good thing is it's very near Mega Manila where most of us live. Home sweet home in a matter of hours after a few days holed up for planning.

Click the logo for other weekend snapshots. You may want to take a peek at The Mommy Zone for my other snapshot. Have a great week! :)

Metal

2008-11-29T16:02:00.003+08:00

My husband owns this. He rarely uses them now though and just stays in his cabinet drawer. Now it's put to good use. :)

It's photo hunt time! I have another entry at The Mommy Zone. Happy weekend! :)

Unconcious Mutterings

2008-11-23T17:24:00.004+08:00

I just finished reorganizing a part of our kitchen. It was tiring but worth it. I now have a clearer view of our counter top. Trying to relax now before I cook for dinner.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Spit it out :: just say it
2. Shadow :: dark reflection (haha, I just made this up)
3. Database :: record
4. Expression :: emotion
5. Boss :: head
6. Baby :: cute and cuddly
7. Mystic :: enigmatic
8. Kate :: Leopold (Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman movie)
9. Boobies :: delicate (they are)
10. Raid :: attack

Reflection

2008-11-22T15:12:00.004+08:00

This was taken during our sunset cruise going to Grande Island in Subic. It's a beautiful sight. I love how the sun burst into a wonderful orange color which reflected on the water. The wonder of nature.

Please click here for other photos on "reflection". My other entry on my reflection and my daughter's at The Mommy Zone. Happy weekend! :)

Mutterings on a Monday

2008-11-17T04:16:00.001+08:00

I normally post my mutterings on a Sunday but because I was a little indisposed yesterday let me post this today, a Monday. I woke up really early maybe because I had a good rest yesterday. Everyone's still sleeping at this time whereas I've prepared everything to start the day. While waiting for everyone to wake up, here are my mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Please stop :: Hold it!
2. Move over :: Excuse me
3. Sweet as :: a cake :D
4. Bet :: a stake
5. Mad about :: Paul and Jamie (a 90s sitcom, Mad About You0
6. It’s over :: the US elections
7. Intend to :: was about to do
8. Blame :: pass the bucket
9. Jefferson :: Starship (an 80s rock band)
10. Heartless :: evil

Cagsawa Ruins

2008-11-15T14:40:00.009+08:00

I have shared my trip about Bicol already in one of my posts. I lifted some texts from that post which are appropriate for today's Photo Hunt theme, ruin(ed). In this case, it's ruins. I'm sharing Cagsawa Ruins.

The structure that you see with two windows was the Cagsawa Church. Based on history books, when the volcano erupted in 1814, more than a thousand people run towards the church to escape the lava flow. Unfortunately, the fiery flow buried and engulfed the church. Only the bell tower remained which is shown in the picture below (the structure with two windows). To this day, it stands as one of the main tourist attractions of the Bicol region.

Had there been a clear sky when I took this picture, the perfect cone that is Mayon Volcano can be seen. Unfortunately the clouds covered it.

A closer look at Cagsawa Ruins.

Closer.

Please visit other photo hunters here. I have another take on 'ruin(ed)' at my other blog, The Mommy Zone. Hope you'll stop by there too. Thanks. :)

Dessert

2008-11-10T20:43:00.003+08:00

Do you know what this is?

This was what we had yesterday as our dessert after lunch. Pichi-pichi! I love it with loads of cheese on top!

Have a look at other photos at Weekend Snapshot. I have other entries at The Mommy Zone.

Hamburger Steak

2008-11-08T14:44:00.004+08:00

They go together. It will be bland without the perennial partner. Husband and I had lunch at French Baker a few weeks ago and we ordered the same food. It's quite rare that we have the same food but due to limited choices at this particular branch, we opted for a hamburger steak. I must say it did not fail us. It was good and filling. The gravy that go with the hamburger is actually creamy.

You may check other 'together' pictures at Photo Hunt site. My other entry is at The Mommy Zone. Happy weekend! :)

Blue Water

2008-11-01T11:44:00.005+08:00

The boat we were on is nearing Dos Palmas Beach Resort. It's as if we could not wait to land there. The sun shining bright, the sand so pure, the water so blue. Bliss. I need a vacation like this again. :)

For other blue pictures, please visit Photo Hunt. And for my other blue waters, please see them here at The Mommy Zone. :)

Hello Kitty

2008-10-27T16:14:00.004+08:00

I chanced upon a merchandise exhibit of Hello Kitty at The Block two weeks or so ago. It's really cute. Even the entrance set-up looks so dainty with all its balloons and red ribbon.

Hope you also visit my Pizza Time weekend snapshot. :) Other weekenders are here.

Sunday Mutterings

2008-10-26T17:27:00.005+08:00

I just finished helping my daughter review for her first day mastery exam tomorrow. It was exhausting - for one, the temperature's really humid. Answering these mutterings is a welcome break.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Contemplate :: Think hard
2. In the house :: Present
3. Classical :: Ballet
4. Quest :: Search
5. Best friend :: Most trusted friend
6. 1991 :: Strongest earthquake in the Philippines
7. Never will :: neglect my daughter
8. Fool :: Lacks good judgment
9. Unhappy :: Scrooge
10. Best man :: Father and Husband

EQ

2008-10-22T22:29:00.004+08:00

I took a quiz about emotional intelligence at Blogthings. Through the years my EQ had shown great improvement and I'm glad about that.

Your EQ is 147

You are remarkable when it comes to relating with others. Only the biggest losers get under your skin.

You are warm and open. Even when life gets you down, you're unafraid of the world and its challenges.

You are comfortable with who you are. And you accept your weaknesses - as well as the weaknesses of others.

While you are quite stable, you don't respond perfectly to every bad situation that comes up.

But you have enough emotional intelligence to know when you need a course correction.

What's Your EQ (Emotional Intelligence Quotient)?

I laughed out loud at the second line. Let me do it again...hahahahaha! A very annoying being is going the rounds at the office. But I am ready to forget all about what happened. I won't see him anymore I guess. Anyway, this quizzes prove to be true a lot of times. I wonder if there really is a psychologist who screens these quizzes before publishing them. :

Skyline

2008-10-13T22:06:00.005+08:00

This was taken by my husband when we were at a hotel last August during a long weekend. It's the break of dawn - clear skies, peace and quiet, the day just starting. Wonderful! :)

Visit weekend snapshots for more great pictures.

Zoo:Standard

2008-10-12T19:59:00.004+08:00

We just had dinner. I feel so full. I am a bit tired because I was the one who cooked and prepared. And I helped my daughter finish her scrapbook on the different types of houses. It's still a week before its submission date but if we can do it now, why procrastinate? :)

Anyway, she's on her computer now browsing on the Jonas Brothers. I am in front of my laptop recharging and doing some blogging, blog-hopping and reading some mails from my personal email. Hubby is watching television while browsing on his newly purchased dictionary. How nerdy can a hubby get? :D

Here are my mutterings for this week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Zoo :: Animals
2. Neighborhood :: Nice people
3. Salute :: Too stiff
4. Immortality :: Twilight
5. Dominion :: Star Trek
6. Rhonda :: A song?
7. Parties :: Celebration
8. Prince of Darkness :: Dracula
9. Garbage :: Trash
10. Standard :: Norm

Lazy Frog

2008-10-11T20:35:00.005+08:00

Today's theme for photo hunt is lazy. I was browsing in my files of pictures when I chanced upon Kerokeropi. It used to be my daughter's stuffed toy. Look at its eyes and the way it sat on the computer chair. Sure looks really lazy to me. :)

You may click here for other photo hunters.

Luma Na (Something Old)

2008-10-08T23:40:00.005+08:00

Ito ay kuha sa Philippine Air Force noong field trip ng aking anak nitong nakaraang Pebrero. Natuwa ako sa mga lumang eroplanong naroroon. Isa na rito ang lumang eroplano para sa presidente ng bansa. Maaaring pumasok sa loob at kumuha ng souvenir photo na akin namang ginawa. Bihira lamang ang pagkakataong ito kayat akin ng sinamantala.

(This was taken at the Philippine Air Force during my daughter's field trip last February. I had fun taking pictures of all the old planes exhibited in the area. One of them is the old presidential plane. It's a good thing we can have a look inside and even take pictures. I gladly took several shots since this is a rare opportunity.)

For other entries, you may visit Litratong Pinoy. And for my other 'old theme', please visit my daughter's ten year old toy at The Mommy Zone. See you there. Thanks! :)

Mutterings

2008-10-05T20:54:00.004+08:00

I just finished helping my daughter with her scrapbook project...the different parts of the house. I actually enjoyed browsing on old magazines to look for a dining room, a kitchen, bedroom and everything else. :)

Time now for my blogging. Here's my unconscious mutterings for this week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Insight :: Point of view
2. Irksome :: Annoying
3. Maybe :: Probably
4. Confirmation :: Validation
5. Bib :: Small towel for babies
6. Stop! :: Hold it!
7. Lobster :: Steamed, with olive oil and garlic...yummmy!
8. Boys :: Men
9. Fire away :: Bring it on.
10. Give up :: Throw it away.

A New Girl

2008-10-01T14:54:00.002+08:00

I have already posted about enrolling in a gym about two months ago. My husband and I have to be responsible for our well being. Getting fit and trim are one of the ways we can take care of ourselves.

Being fit not only has wonderful physical rewards but it also has its psychological advantages. You feel good inside and out. You feel good looking at yourself in front of the mirror looking fresh and with so much energy. A very good example of a renewed soul because of an enhanced and a physically fit body is the cousin of my husband.

I was browsing the newspaper when I saw a familiar face but I can not seem to remember who she is. She gave a testimony about how she had gone from 250 pounds to 145 pounds. She was even wearing a body hugging blouse and a pair of skinny jeans. I can only say wow! Tummy tuck surely improved the contour of her body and flatten her abdomen as if she has this body all her life. Looking at the "before" picture, I recognized her!

I think my husband got curious what I could be reading intently so he joined in. Looking closely at what I am reading, he recognized the girl in the picture with the testimonial on tummy tuck and liposuction, it is his cousin! I just have to call her. And so I did.

She kept on laughing about her testimony. Laughing in a good way. She was asking me if I read about her breast augmentation testimony. We were having a good time talking about this great experience of hers. I asked how she has managed to go under the knife when we have known her to be somewhat on the less adventurous side. She said she needs the extra boost in confidence. She needed to improve physically since this is what is causing her inferiority complex. I may not agree with her but that is her life. She lived with her obesity for so long I have no right to lecture her or argue with her about what she feels. In fact, I feel proud of her because she has manage to fight her anxiety. She is ready to face the world with so much confidence. :)

My Sister's Car

2008-09-07T14:07:00.005+08:00

My father, together with my sister, and I had been discussing acquiring another car intended for the family. Yes, it's a discussion because my father is one meticulous person. Meticulous in just about everything, even in taking care of the appliances at home, the pots and pans collection in his (and my mother's) kitchen, the growing weeds in their backyard, the painting of their window sills - name it, my father's on it. Everything has to be taken cared of.

He still has his very first car when he migrated to the U.S. more than a decade ago. He never fails when it comes to its maintenance. They are always on schedule. True to his character, what needs to be done gets done. That includes reviewing car insurance quotes. As my sister is about to buy her first car, tips on availing a good car insurance is in our discussion. She was able to get a free insurance quote fast. I understand car insurance varies from state to state. A preview of the different car insurance is helpful especially for a first time car owner like my sister. I really hope my sister will get to purchase her new car. She's pretty excited about it. Her driving lessons was a breeze. Once she gets the car, she'll have more time to do things all by herself without asking my father to drive for her. :)

House:Pickles

2008-09-07T13:11:00.005+08:00

I have not participated in Unconscious Mutterings for several weeks now. Been quite busy. I am now back with my usual blogging. Here's my mutterings for the week.

1. House :: Comfort
2. Think :: Mind
3. Clot :: Blood
4. Believe me :: Follow me
5. Fumigation :: Misting
6. Bore :: Yawn
7. Luck :: Smile!
8. Patient :: Waiting
9. Tremors :: After shock
10. Pickles :: Sour

Files and Pictures

2008-08-12T10:20:00.002+08:00

I have some free time today so I thought to declutter my files both online and off line. I have several email accounts for different purposes - for my blogging, for my personal mails and for my online transactions. They all come with the unlimited email storage feature but old emails like those from my several e-groups are still there. They just crowd my inbox and my folders.

It's like my files want to breathe. And so I will give them some breathing space. It is the same scenario with the files in my computers. I save pictures in a DVD but I still have a lot of photoshopped pictures stored in one folder. I believe it is time to back them up too even if I have the original, untouched versions of them. One way to make the computer faster is to declutter them too. That's a no-brainer I know. :)

I will have to buy some DVDs later when I go out to back up all my files and safely keep them in my drawer. I also checked three boxes of pictures stored in one of my cabinets. I will put them all in a photo album for better safe keeping. For one thing, it is relaxing for me to just browse on old pictures - pictures when I was still a child and playing with my cousins, my classmates, pictures when we were all still young.

As I was checking each pictures I came to the box where pictures of my grandparents living in the US are neatly stored. I marveled at how my grandmother have kept her house so spic and span clean. She does it alone, mind you. She is one active woman and a great tennis coach and player. Even at age 65, she still does her tennis perfectly well back then.

What I have always loved looking at in their house is their gas fire. As a child growing up in a tropical country where gas fires or electric fires are not a common site in households, I have always wondered how it is to have one in the house. While growing up, my fascination with fireplaces have never ceased. I have seen a lot during our visits to Baguio City. It's kind of romantic I think. A lot of romantic scenes in movies use fireplaces as a back drop. But I digress.

The kind of fireplace one decides to keep contributes a great deal to the character of the house. It can be modern, traditional or avantgarde. For those without chimneys, there are flueless gas fires you can enjoy at even lower prices. Now that my parents are living in the U.S., they have their own gas fire with a pebble bed which blends well with their newly renovated house. My mother is a very talented woman too especially in decorating, arranging or doing some relayouts in her house. I can't wait to help her out in another relayout she'd been mulling about.

Budget Talk

2008-08-09T10:29:00.004+08:00

Like most mothers (and fathers) do, I have a monthly budget that I follow. I need to monitor them on a weekly basis just to be sure I am aligned with the budget I am working on. It has to be that way. I am not perfect, a few times I go over the budget. But for the past months I am able to stick to what me and my husband was able to agree on. We do not falter in paying our bills ever since we became husband and wife and we intend to keep it that way. We manage to save a certain percentage from both our incomes too.

However, there are times that a certain expense not on our list comes up. Like our washing machine acting up. The dryer does not want to function. It's raining hard the past days and we can't afford not to have a dryer. There was a time too our television in our room conked out on us without any warning. It is a form of relaxation for us at the end of the day. We watch our favorite movie or television show before going to sleep. I just cannot live without it so to speak. Unforeseen situations like the ones I have stated are not what you may call a matter of life and death but they are important parts of our daily lives. Unfortunately though they are not on our budget. This is where a fast payday loan comes in handy. We can cover the expenses right away, we can continue enjoying the benefits of these helpful household appliances I have mentioned and we can pay the loan easily. But then again, I hope none of our appliances goes malfunctioning again. :)

Dozen:Crankiness

2008-08-03T13:27:00.004+08:00

I wasn't able to participate last week. Been quite busy that there were some things I was not able to attend to. Here's my dose of unconscious mutterings for the week.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Crankiness :: Moodiness
2. Backpack :: Heavy
3. Clone :: Copy cat
4. High ground :: Hill
5. Dreams :: Amazing
6. Lovingly :: Sweetly
7. Mistake :: Error
8. Carson :: Johnny
9. Errand :: Chore
10. Dozen :: Twelve

Have a great Sunday! :)