My Ears Are A-Clapping. :))

Translation: pumapalakpak taenga ko. :))

I love it when I get good comments on my pictures:

delete reply trevor66 wrote today at 1:06 PM great shots! love it!

delete reply ahlexcidal wrote today at 1:12 PM asteeeeg! anu equipment mo?

edit delete reply dedmalang wrote today at 2:56 PM Canon 350D, with Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Prime Lens. :) That's it. I don't have money for a flash yet. :))

delete reply revengeofkittie wrote today at 1:16 PM galliiingg!!!!!! :)

delete reply cyberkamote wrote today at 2:29 PM great exposures! saktong sakto yung lighting nung stage! pang magazine!

delete reply jervinn wrote today at 2:53 PM ang galing!

edit delete reply dedmalang wrote today at 3:10 PM thank you! :)

delete reply elricphoto wrote today at 3:26 PM nice ma'am eto sinasabi ko wala sa equipment nasa photographer eto... galing ma'am

delete reply aliverbeng wrote today at 3:30 PM nice

delete reply akugibran wrote today at 3:35 PM great photos bro. 50 1.8 right? flash sucks for concert photos, even if you bounce. it just destroy the colorful concert lights.

delete reply anamariz wrote today at 4:51 PM hi! :) great shots! I saw you na in person in Hale's gigs. I also LOVE that band. :) you rock! you took very professional shots..:)

delete reply countingcrow wrote today at 5:58 PM Nice images Les. Very well done! I remember when you first bought the 50mm. I knew you would put it to good use. I've noticed a marked improvement in your photos. No joke. Actually, i think you're ready for some actual event coverage. ;) Ano, type mo? No pressure, i'll bring you to one of my gigs, give you a backstage pass, you take photos. Game? :D

delete reply countingcrow wrote today at 6:02 PM Now THIS is a photograph!

* * * *

But I love it even more (and it means a whoooole lot more), when a great photographer (and also a good friend!) compliments me. In a special blog entry, nonetheless:

Ku's Blog Entry: Lesley Images

My very good friend Lesley Espiritu is awesome. She started photography around a year ago, with her 350D, kit lens, and 55-200mm zoom. She took photos of anything and everything. Until she came across event coverage.

For some reason (like a boy who shall not be named Sheldon), she came to love watching gigs of the band Hale. She was getting frustrated because she couldn't capture the images that she wanted with the gear that he had.

Enter the 50mm 1.8 prime lens. Cheap, fast glass. She started to gain momentum (having access to the stage and everything around it), and was soon covering Hale's gigs left and right. Over the course of a few months, her Multiply site slowly became an unofficial Hale webpage. But I digress.

I am really impressed by the quality of the images she is pumping out nowadays. Great exposure, timing, framing, composition. All this, plus the passion to get out there and click away. I envy her. I have my camera with me all the time, and i watch gigs a lot too. But for some reason, I feel i don't have the drive to click click click... She's out there, clicking.

So kudos to you, Lesley! Good job, and keep on clicking!

For more images from Les, go here - http://dedmalang.multiply.com

* * * *

Awwww, Kuuuuuuu!!! :') That is so sweet, I got teary-eyed while reading it. You know how much I crave for positive photography thoughts! Hahahaha. :')

I really hope that this is my niche. I have fun doing it. I love hearing people say how much I have improved (and I hope I improve some more!). There are people out there who are infinitely better, and I get inspiration from them all (hi Ku, idol kita!) I may not have the most impressive system, but I try my best with what I have. :"> (haha shit, parang acceptance speech!)

Check out Ku's site: http://countingcrow.multiply.com, yan talaga ang master photographer! :)

Boo. I lost it.

In an attempt to incorporate Blogger's new blog tools / features, I forgot to save a copy of my old blog template.

All of my links, my blogmates, my sidebar stuff...poof. Gone. Demmet. :(

Oh well. At least I have new sidewall tools.

Still.

Boooooo. :'(

High School Musical has never been hotter

Elle's new photo spread features High School Musical stars, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale.

HOT.

There's no other word for it.

I love Zac and Vanessa as a couple. I am a Zanessa fan. Kinikilig ako sa kanila. Hahaha. :)

I can't wait for High School Musical 3. :D Wheee. Time to bring out the kid in me. :D

I Killed A Cat

I feel terrible.

I was out late last night, and I was already half-asleep as I was driving home (yeah, I know, it's dangerous. In my opinion, it feels more uncontrollable than drunk driving). I already made it into my village, and in my mind, I was already picturing myself asleep in bed.

The next time I opened my eyes (I think around 5 seconds of sleep?), I glimpsed a white adolescent cat (not a kitten, not a grown-up cat..."medium-sized," as I relayed to my sister) crossing the street. There was no more time to avoid it, and I felt a "crunch" under my tires.

I feel terrible.

I was too chicken to go back and see if it was still OK (but judging from the crunch, I highly doubt it). I immediately called Sheldon to tell him about what happened, and he tried to calm me down by telling me that I shouldn't dwell on it anymore, and that it was not my fault.

But it was. I should have been more...awake. :(

Wah. I need a hug. :(

I still feel terrible. :( I cried when I got home (sabi nga ni Mama, ang OA ko daw, pusa lang naman daw yun). I cried myself to sleep, thinking how awful it feels to be responsible for taking away a life (yeah, so medyo OA nga ako, so what?).

A few years back, I witnessed a kitten being run over by an FX. It was so small that it spun around with the wheel a few times before it fell to the ground. I was traumatized for days. When I see roadkill on the streets, I get so angry that I wish karma on the driver. And now that I have blood on my hands (cat blood), I feel as if I'm a hypocrite, and that my karma is on it's way soon. :'(

I really hope that I didn't kill it. Maybe I just bumped it aside, or ran over its tail (I didn't hear it screech/wail, though). Or maybe it wasn't really a cat...just a huge, white rat. Wah, I'm desperate for a positive thought. :(

I can't handle this, I can't believe I killed something. :( To the cat, wherever you are: I'm sorry. I really really feel bad. I know that that thought doesn't help at all (especially since you might be already dead. And also since you're a cat, and you don't understand English), but I just want to throw it out to the universe. There. Sorry. :(

Absurd thought for the day

I am buried in paperwork (blue print paper kind of work), and as I sat in my 700mm x 700mm personal bubble (yes, it is that small, I am not exaggerating), I had this sudden absurd thought: what if I had magic powers like Harry Potter? I could just summon the missing blueprints into my hands with one "Accio Drawing S-ORT2-509!"

[poignant pause]

But given that there are thousands of blueprints lying around the office, I could probably end up literally buried in more paperwork.

Hehe.

Told you it was an absurd thought. :D

What is dedma?

I have been using this domain name for years. Since college (I won't say how many years ago that was...just trust me that it was a long time ago. Haha). I have used this as my mantra ever since my good, good friend Kayan (my tree-mate!) gave me this piece of advice during one of our CR crying sessions. "Dedma lang!" I forget the context of our conversation (I think it's safe to say that it was about love...or the lack thereof), but the gist was that I shouldn't get too affected by it, hence the usage of the term "dedma."

But what exactly is dedma?

I stumbled across this very useful site, wherein they got an excerpt from Jessica Zafra's Twisted. Dedma 101:

The etymology: Dedma is the attenuated form of the English words dead malice. Dead malice, in turn, is the literal translation of the Tagalog expression, patay malisya. It is conjugated thus: dedma, dinedma, dededmahin.

Huh. I never knew that! Hehehe. We learn something new everyday! :)

To break it down more specifically, there are 3 definitions of "dedma:"

1. To completely ignore/feign ignorance of the existence/presence of someone/something.
   
2. To snub, reject, or toss in the trash.
   
3. To pretend deafness or blindness in order to escape a sticky situation.
   

I have been trying to apply definitions 1 and 3 in my life. I am just too affected by everything around me; I'm an emotional sponge; I'm too empathic for my own good...if that doesn't emotionally drain you, then I don't know what will.

I have been struggling with this topic for years now (as proven by my "Good Guys Finish Last" entry, written 4 years ago. Haha), and I still don't know whether I have achieved my goal to be a dedma person. Some say that, yes, I am dedma (Hello Diane, ikaw to), but some say that, no, I'm still too affected/emotional/totally-the-opposite-of-dedma.

I now realize that the ultimate goal isn't to be dedma all the time...I just wanted (emphasis on the past tense) to not be affected all the time; to only care for what really matters; to not throw a hissy fit every time something doesn't go according to what I expected; to use my energy towards happiness and not towards worrying about things that don't worry about me back. :)

If that's the case, then I think my mission has been accomplished. At least, I think I have greatly improved. :) Or maybe I'm just too damn happy to have anything to be dedma about. :)

Yeah, maybe that's it. :)

First Day High

As the previous entry suggests, I started working for a new office just last Monday (the first Monday of June). Of course, like every new adventure, my first day has to have a story. Not necessarily an interesting one, but one that I would like to tell. :) 

This is going to be a really long account of my day, so if you have a short attention span, I suggest that you leave now. Haha. 

* * * *

Ok. So, Monday.

I woke up at 4:50 a.m., so that I could have enough time to prepare for my first day of work. Problem was, I really didn't know how to prepare. What the hell does one wear to a construction site? My dad said to wear "smart casual," but that could mean many things. Rugged office attire? Smart but rugged? Rugged but smart? I gave up trying to think and settled on jeans, a sleeveless button-down polo (pin-stripes pa, to give that office-y feel), and my most "rugged" shoes that are not sneakers: closed black sandals with kitten heels (my shoes are either chucks, strappy sandals, or peep-toe stiletto heels eh). Astig diba. Kitten heels to a construction site. My feet are doomed.

At 5:20 a.m., I was done with my shower, and my wet hair was soaking through my crisp, pin-striped polo. I sit down for a breakfast of Frosted Flakes and cold low-fat milk. I feed the dog. I grab my stuff (my bag, 2 pieces of tuna pandesal, a water bottle, and my planner), kiss my parents goodbye, and I head towards my car...which was, I realized as I drew nearer, the dirtiest thing in the world. Wooh, great. I had to drive around Metro Manila in a car covered in plant spores (If you do not live under the canopy of 6 eucalyptus trees, you wouldn't understand).

Anyway, I left promptly at 5:45 a.m. (because I had to be at work at 7:00 a.m. Tuh). Wow, I get to listen to the beginning of the Morning Rush! Hurrah! :) I get to EDSA-Guadalupe at 6:10 a.m. (wow, aga, mali time estimate ko. Haha!), and I drive into the site office lot at 6:15 a.m. I parked, put on a little make-up (can't afford to look sloppy on my 1st day), and waited. I got to listen to the first batch of the Morning Rush top 10 ("Top 10 Grammatical Errors that give you a headache." Ahluvit), and then I got out of the car.

The guard made me wait outside, because the person I was looking for (my supervisor, an architect-nun. Haha) wasn't in yet (it was only 6:30 a.m. Duh). A few minutes later, a 40-ish looking guy told me to wait inside. So like a very trusting puppy, I followed him inside the office, and there were only a handful of people in there. Tuh. Everyone's late? It was already 7 a.m. by that time.  I started doodling on my planner for 30 minutes before a guy came in and told me I was waiting in the wrong office. The office I was supposed to report to was next door. Ohmygod, I was late. I woke up early, I got to the site early, and I WAS LATE. How annoying is that?!?! Or how stupid. Hahahaha. *sigh*

So I went in. My supervisor was on sick leave, so someone else had to brief me about my work responsibilities. Ok naman. It's a lot different from what I was used to, but I can handle it (I think). I spent the morning just reviewing the floor plans and the project description of the buildings we were constructing. Then someone toured me around (the tour lasted around 5 minutes. The office was that small), and introduced me to some of the people there. I have office mates with names like Charisma, Melchor, Modesto, and Fundador (that's a winner). Hehehe. Ok ba? 

During lunch time, I ate one pandesal and then, being anti-social me (and because no one was around anyway...they were either eating in the pantry, or sleeping in their seats), I walked to the nearby (very nearby) mall to do some window shopping. Ang saya. Ang lapit ko sa mall. The perks. :)) The downside? Having no money, in a mall full of really expensive designer brands. Torture. Kulang nalang talaga eh umiyak ako sa loob ng Zara. Those long, summery, flower-print dresses!!! I need them!!!

*sigh* 

After lunch, there was a staff meeting...and it lasted for 4 frickin' hours. After the meeting, uwian na! Yahoo. So I went to the mall again. :)) My credit card is going to bite me back some day...(in approximately 1 month, when the bill comes).

* * * *

So yun. I guess that wasn't really a complete account of my day. Tinatamad lang ako to recall every single detail. Basta yan na yung gist. :D I think I'm going to like this new job. It's very technical (very construction-y, obviously), but I think I can do it. My body still has to adjust to the new hours (7 a.m. naman kasi!!! Waaaahhh), and to the new environment (I have to learn to use the site office restroom, rather than walk all the way to the mall to use their really nice, tissue-equipped restroom...maarte ako sa banyo, sorry. Pero kawawa bladder ko, since I can only go to the mall during lunch time. Hahaha!). 

But this is bound to be a very interesting ride. :) Hurrah, I'm excited. Bring it on!

Next time nalang

It's Friday night, and I'm about to go to bed.

Why?

Because I have work tomorrow.

Not overtime, mind you.

My work is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (but people don't really leave till 6 p.m.), Mondays through Saturdays.

Nice.

I have a loooong, detailed account of my first day at work. Watch out for it. :))

For now, I want to sleep.

(or maybe check my mail...Hehe)

Ode to Blog

Dear Blog,

I promise to resurrect you soon.

I'm sorry I've been neglecting you for so long.

I have given in to the lure of multi-function websites like Multiply and Facebook.

But I truly miss being able to write.

I think I've concentrated too much on my ability to see.

It's really ironic, because I haven't had any work for a whole month, yet I can't find time to sit down and write about my day(s).

Oh well.

I'm sure you understand.

I'm sure you won't mind that I'm writing this useless entry, and that I'm speaking to you as if you were a real person.

It's 5:00 a.m. 

I haven't had any sleep. 

Pardon me if I sound delirious.

:))

Ooookay. Time to sleep.

Love,

Les

P.S. I will post a decent entry when I'm well-nourished, well-rested, and sane.

Boo, this blog is dead. :(

Boo, this blog is dead. :(

Haven't posted an entry for sooooo looooong. It's all Multiply's fault. Hahaha. At least that is constantly updated. Sorry Blogger, I have abandoned you.

Oh well.

Have nothing to write about anyway.

Except that, oh yeah, I already left my post at the office (resigned/indefinite leave), and I am now a bum for a month! Yeehaa. Hooray for May!

Come June, though, I'll be starting work again. For my dad. Hahaha. :P

And then, this July...school! Yay, buhay estudyante ulit!!!

I want to blog! I want to dust out my writing skills and write a decent entry!

But I can't, cause I have a meeting in a couple of hours. Hahaha. (Bum nga, may meeting naman. Extra moolah! Whee)

Later nalang. Or tomorrow. Or next week. :)

Financial Distress

This morning, I've been adding up all of my credit card bills (which will all be due some time within 1-3 weeks), and I've realized something... Ok, I've realized a lot of things:

• I cannot spend any more money until mid-April. SERIOUSLY.
• I should lock up my credit cards until I pay off all of my bills.
• I cannot afford to watch the Mandy Moore concert on Wednesday (sorry seastarr...maybe we can just hang out outside and listen. Hehe)
• I cannot afford to buy the Canon Speedlite 580EX II I told my mom to bring home for me from the States. *boohoo* :((
• Ever since I bought Zac, I have not saved ANY money. Not in my time deposit. Not in my mutual funds. Not in my savings bank. NADA.
• The money I get every 15-30 goes right out of my pocket again, to pay for my bills.
• Major expenses for this year: Clothes + birthday blow-out (I dieeeee) + concerts!
• ...which means that: I should stop buying new clothes (how???) + I should not spend too much on food (HOW???) + I should pray for a financial miracle (because how can I surpass Toto? DMB? Justin Timberlake?!?! HOW???!!!)

Agh. This is impossible. My credit cards are magic, and I love them, but they will also be the death of me. :(

I can already hear my mom's voice in my head, saying: "Do not live beyond your means." BLAH. I hate it when she's right. Hehe.

I really should (re)start saving up. I'm already 26, and I'm way below my target. *sigh* :(

So I guess this means that for this year:

• No more out-of-town trips.
• No out-of-the-country trips (goodbye Hong Kong. Boooo).
• No more buying of camera accessories (waaaaah!)
• I should stop buying stuff at Bayo, People Are People, Plains & Prints, and Shoe Salon.
• I shouldn't be lazy to go to Greenhills to shop for my stuff there.
• No more Cold Rock ice cream. :(
• No more Tea Lattes at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
• I shouldn't bring my car to the office anymore, even on Fridays (the parking fees are killing me).
• No more buying of snacks at 7-11 during break time (good for my diet, too).
• No more blow-outs! Kahit sa office despedida ko, WALA!!! (sorry officemates).
• No more kakikayan at the parlor/spa. Hello do-it-yourself manicures/pedicures, wax, etc. Shet. :(
• I should cut-back on lunch/dinners-out.

BOO.

HOO.

:'(

Corporate Vanity

Bah. Monday again. Back to work. :(

My happy thought for the day...I like the clothes I'm wearing. Hahaha. Sorry for sounding vain, but looking good can really make you feel good. :) It's a Cosmo-girl fact. :))

Just to give you an idea...I'm wearing a chocolate brown, button-down, safari-style, hip-length blouse (I don't know what the technical term for this piece of clothing is. Fashion editor, I am not), with black, slim-cut slacks; tan, faux snake-skin peep-toe stilettos from Janilyn; pearl necklace (dammit, I forgot the matching earrings. Haha), and my black leather watch (which goes with pretty much everything).

I look pretty good, I think, given that I just got the first thing I saw in my closet (this top, which I haven't worn in ages). It's a good thing, too, since I just remembered that I have an internal design review meeting with the big boss later today (Ugh. I have to prep).

I haven't looked this "corporate" in a long time. I usually just wear a simple blouse with my slacks, since I cover it up with a sweater once I'm here at work (I freeze in office air-conditioning). I really should put more effort into dressing for the office. Haha! And I really should make it a point to apply make-up before leaving the house. Just this morning, I shared an elevator with my boss...and not just any boss (I'm in the middle of the pile so there are a lot of other people I call "boss")...the BIG BOSS, our company's CEO. I looked professional in my outfit, yeah, but I looked like I just woke up (which is really the case, since I slept in the car on the way to work). I rushed to the ladies' room to apply my usual make-up, and I was amazed at what a big difference a little cheek tint and eyeliner can make. Gad. Am I really getting that old that I need make-up to transform my face??? Hahaha. Boo.

I wonder what I'll wear tomorrow?

All I Want for Christmas

[Updated as of 11/16/08]

At the risk of sounding demanding and kapal-mukhs, I have compiled a wish list (for Christmas, my birthday, or any-random-day). To follow the list is optional anyway, so it's not like I'm imposing anything on anyone. *grin*

I made a similar list for my birthday last year...wala atang sumunod. The ones I've crossed out were supplied by me. Hahaha.

Anyway, I am just throwing out my wishes to the universe. Universe, ikaw na ang bahala sa akin. :)

Camera stuff

• Canon 430EX flash Upgrade ko na rin, kung hihingi rin lang ako: Canon 580EX flash. Whee.
• Canon 50mm 1.8 prime lens (bought one for myself!!! Whee!)
• Canon lens cap for a Canon 18-55 lens (Bought one for myself in HK)
• Polarizer filter
• Canon battery grip (Returned to sender)
• CF cards (1 or 2 GB)
• Light Studio installer (pirated OK lang. Haha)
• Tripod
• Compact digicam (for the time na hassle magdala ng malaking camera diba). Sony Cybershot or Canon Ixus 800 maganda. OR The Olympus Waterproof camera thingie! That is so cool!

Kikay stuff
(A girl has the right to be kikay sometimes. Haha)

• Benefit "That Gal" Skin Brightening makeup primer (recommended by Mia. It's the best!)
  
• Benefit 10 (Bought one for myself at Incheon airport)
• Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Lotion
• Revlon Bare It All Lustrous Powder
• Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey
  
• Clinique Quickliner for Eyes (w/ smudge sponge at the other end) in Black/Brown
• Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunswept
• Clinique True Bronze Gel for Face
• Body Shop bronzer balls, or the bronzer stick-brush combo thingie
• Translucent Loose Powder
• Lip plumper. Haha! :)
• Mascara w/ eyelash comb
• Oh. And maybe a large kikay bag to put all of the stuff in. :))

Fashion

• Black and gray / Navy blue and gray striped hoodie from Bayo (size 10 ata)
• Gray-blue winter jacket from Topshop (I don't know the style name...but I have a pic! I'll post it soon), size 6 or 8. (Christmas gift in 2007)
• Skinny jeans from Wildflower (I'm a size 28), dark blue or black (bought one for myself. Hehe)
• Bandeau bikini top (I'm a size 34B), with matching bikini bottom narin, kung nasa budget nyo. Hehe.
• A big, black, slouchy, leather bag.

Bookworm Essentials

• Stardust by Neil Gaiman (The book. And the DVD if it's already out!)
• The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (I had this book before, but I lost my copy. I want it back!) (Thanks Rhys!)
• The Museum at Purgatory by Nick Bantock (Lav! How did you find out about this wishlist? Thank youuuu!)
  
• The Gryphon by Nick Bantock
• Morning Star by Nick Bantock

Miscellaneous

• Ugly Betty seasons 1 & 2 (kahit pirated, masaya na ako dun. Pero shempre, no to piracy *ubo ubo*)
• White iSkin Evo silicone protective cover for my iPod Video (kung gusto niyo akong bigyan ng bagong iPod Video, 80gb, ok din. Wahaha!)
• MacBook. (mamahalin ko habang buhay ang makakapagbigay sakin nito. Haha!)
• 2008 Starbucks Planner (I have decided that, due to lack of funds, I will not aspire to earn a planner this year. Goodbye Christmas tradition! But if someone's willing to give me one, I will not object to that!) (Don't need one anymore. Am using a Sunlife Planner).
  

WILD

Nuninooo...

My flight to CDO is in 3 hours. I have to leave the house in an hour. I haven't slept yet. I can't take a quick nap because I know that it will be anything BUT quick. Can't risk missing my flight. That's 3k down the drain. Haha. :) I have an hour to kill...and I can't think of anything to do except blog. And I can't even blog properly because I feel so groggy. So pardon the nonsense. It's the drowsiness talking.

It's raining hard outside. White water rafting in THIS weather? WILD. Hahaha. :) Man, I hope the weather cooperates when we get there!!! :( My mom made me watch the news last night...Iligan City (where we're going) is in a state of calamity. Floods everywhere, people dying, homes destroyed, TYPHOON level...Ano baaaah. And I'm still going. Hehe.

Oh well. Mia, what a way to see you off. Even the rain gods are crying. :D Let's hope the tequila saves the day. ;)

Stardust

This movie is dreamy, inspired, inspirational, fantastic, and truly out-of-this-world. :)

Perfect for a (hopeless) romantic like me. *sigh*

Yvain: "You know when I said I knew little about love? That wasn't true. I know a lot about love. I've seen it, centuries and centuries of it, and it was the only thing that made watching your world bearable. All those wars. Pain, lies, hate... It made me want to turn away and never look down again. But when I see the way that mankind loves... You could search to the furthest reaches of the universe and never find anything more beautiful. So yes, I know that love is unconditional. But I also know that it can be unpredictable, unexpected, uncontrollable, unbearable and strangely easy to mistake for loathing, and... What I'm trying to say, Tristan is... I think I love you. Is this love, Tristan? I never imagined I'd know it for myself. My heart... It feels like my chest can barely contain it. Like it's trying to escape because it doesn't belong to me any more.
It belongs to you.

And if you wanted it, I'd wish for nothing in exchange - no fits. No goods. No demonstrations of devotion. Nothing but knowing you loved me too. Just your heart, in exchange for mine."

* * * *

Waaaah. Panalo talaga. :)

My cheesiness is reborn. Hahaha. :)

Happy Birthday, Seastarrrr!!! :)

(more pictures)

I love you, always and forever, sister. Hahaha. :)
HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY!!!

Don't be in any hurry to grow older hah. You have your whole life stretched out before you. Everything will fall into place, in time. I promise! :) Tignan mo ako, hindi pa rin...Hahaha. Pero in time din, in time. I have faith! Mwah!

Bingo

I think I took my "drunk and happy" statement just a tad too seriously.

This week was crazy. I was out with friends every single day. I've been feeling really restless lately...like something within me is struggling to break free. Waha. Ayan tuloy, para akong ibon na pinakawalan sa hawla...nagwawala. Haha. :)

Tuesday – Had dinner with mah girls at Heaven N' Eggs, Market! Market! Then accompanied Di and Lez to their card-reading session at Xocolat, Serendra. :) Tested Zac out, and took crappy pictures. Haha!

Wednesday – Gimik at Saguijo w/ AF Alumni who work around the Makati area. Tested Zac out again, and took nice pictures, thanks to the flash lent by Ku!

Thursday – Aris' birthday blow-out at Magnet Cafe, Bonifacio High Street. :) Sadly, I wasn't able to take pictures. :(

Friday – Gimik Marathon w/ the Kaladkarin Group (himala, I'm actually part of it! Haha). Dinner at North Park, Makati Avenue; videoke at Music Platinum; clubbing at Piedra (I saw Marc Nelson and Borgy! Whee!); walking around the (closed and deserted) Bonifacio High Street (at 3 a.m.!), giving ourselves a waker-upper at Starbucks, Metrowalk. Getting home at 5 a.m. Waha! Bad.

Saturday – Lunch w/ Anton at Chocolate Kiss! Pesto Pasta yummmm. :)

Kulang ko lang yung Monday, bingo na dapat ako. Hahaha. :)
Next week, pahinga naman. Need to let the beer drain from my system. Haha.

[August 28, 2007] Night out with my favorite girls. :)

[August 29, 2007] Saguijo with AF Alumni

[August 31, 2007] Gimik Marathon w/AF Alumni

Introducing "Zac!"

Hey everyone, meet "Zac," my new baby!!! Haha. Named after a famous "Zac," of course, my current eye-candy. ;)

He's a Canon 350D, by the way. :) A rebel, just the way I like 'em. ;)

To commemorate his homecoming, shempre may pictorial pa (kalandian talaga!). I don't have a CF card yet (loooser) so I can't take pictures using Zac. Boo. :( But I'm so excited to introduce him to you that I took pictures of us (our first official "couple" pics -- prenup. Haha) using another Canon. Waha. :)

We're going to be joined at the hip (or the eye) from now on, Zac and I.

Sweeeeet. :)

*Special thanks to Ana for getting this in Dubai for me!!! You are the coolest friend ever!!! Hehehe. :)

Focus...Malabo...

Do you see what I see?

Zac and his 55-200mm lens. Whee!

Party-Hearty

AF Meriendahan 2007 - Casino Night

I haven't had so much fun in one night, since...since...well, let's just say that it has been a long time. :) Me, Ms. I'd-rather-stay-at-home or I'd-rather-hang-out-in-the-mall is perpetually allergic to big events. Hence, allergic to fun. Haha.

But this was the best night ever! Or maybe it's the beer (still) talking.

Non-stop beer.
Lokohan.
Kalokohan.

Iba talaga ang "fun," AF-style.

Wanna see my night with my hot hot date (Cute niya noh? Naka-tux pa! San ka pa!)?

Click on me!

**Lahat kami jan eh lasing, kaya pagbigyan niyo na kung mukha kaming mga sabog. Waha. 

Kinikilig Ako

Hay. This is such a sweet, sweet song.

Kinikilig ako pag naririnig ko to. :)

Extra kilig when I watch the video.



It's so cute how they added flashback scenes from HSM1. You'll see how they evolved from cutesy teenagers then, to cutesy teenagers now. Hahaha. Seriously, there is a difference, especially with regards to Gabriella's wardrobe. Si Troy pareho parin outfits. Hehe.

Zac and Vanessa (a.k.a "Zanessa" haha) are the cutest couple everrrr. And the way he looks at her when they sing...aaaahhhh, I melt. Hehe. :)

And the "piano moments" are killer. Waaaah. :)

You Are The Music In Me
Troy & Gabriella
High School Musical 2

Na na na na
Na na na na yeah
You are the music in me

You know the words
"Once Upon A Time"
Make you listen
There's a reason
When you dream there's a chance you'll find
A little laughter
or happy ever after
You're harmony to the melody
That's echoing inside my head
A single voice (Single voice)
Above the noise
And like a common thread
Hmm, you're pulling me

When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong
Oh, you are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
Because you are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh)
Na na na na na
Yeah yeah yeah
(Na na na na)
You are the music in me

It's like I knew you before we met (Before we met)
Can't explain it (Ohh ohh)
There's no name for it (No name for it)
I'm saying words I never said
And it was easy (So easy)
Because you see the real me (I see)
As I am
You understand
And that's more than I've ever known
To hear your voice (Hear your voice)
Above the noise (Ohh ohh)
And no, I'm not alone
Oh you're singing to me (Ohh yeah)

When I hear my favorite song
I know that we belong (Yeah ohh)
You are the music in me
It's living in all of us
And it's brought us here because
You are the music in me

Together we're gonna sing (Yeah)
We got the power to sing what we feel (What we feel)
Connected and real
Can't keep it all inside (Ohh)

Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Yeah yeah yeah (Na na na na)
You are the music in me (In me)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me
When I hear my favorite song (Favorite song)
I know that we belong (We belong)
You are the music in me
Yeah it's living in all of us
It's brought us here because (Here because)
You are the music in me
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na (Ohh yeah)
Na na na na
You are the music in me (Yeah)

My MegaDay at MegaMall

Hehe. Ang baduy ng title ko. :P

Spent the day at the mall again. :) It was my Tita's birthday, and us cousins went bowling. Whee. It's strange, though. I usually bowl with an 11-lb ball. Today, I couldn't even lift a 10-lb ball. :( I'm too weak. I need to tone my arm muscles. The office bowling tournament is coming up, and I want that trophy!!! Hehehe.

Bowling is fun!

All I Want For Christmas!

I went around the mall by myself afterwards. Hanging out with myself is always fun. :) The downside is that strange people approach me, and try to strike up a conversation. Some random dude came up to me with the most bulok pick-up line ever: "Miss, what school are you from, you look familiar." Nyaaah. In fairness, he thought I was still in college. Hehe. Ano ba, I am not a friendly person! Doesn't the scowl in my face clearly tell you to back off??? Hehe. :) Boo!

I really shouldn't be set loose inside Powerbooks. I saw a lot of books I wanted to buy! Books are my weakness! *sigh* Since there are too many cool stuff in the world, and I don't have enough moolah to buy them all, I have decided to throw my concerns out to the universe through my "All I Want for Christmas" campaign. Thanks to my handy celphone camera (the quality of which, sucks. I should post a picture of a new celphone with my AIWfC stamp), I have documented a couple of stuff that I really want for Christmas (or for my birthday, or for any occasion really).

Universe, it's all up to you!

A book on how to make books. Hehe.

One tough cookie! Shirt by Seventeen, Cinderella

Zac Efron. :) Ang makapagbigay sakin nito for Christmas, superhero ko.
Pag yung Rolling Stone Magazine lang, sidekick. Wehehe. :P

* * * *

Speaking of Zac Efron, I saw the Hairspray promotional poster in the cinema area...Bakit naman mukha ni Zac Efron ang tinakpan diba? Bakit hindi yung kay Nikki Blonski? Hehehe.

Watched A Love Story again today with my Tita and my sister. Tip lang: do not watch a drama movie in Megamall! Hindi ka makakapag-emote. The crowd there is so different, they laugh at all the wrong things, it totally ruins the emo moments. Haha. And it's super annoying how they squeal whenever there are kilig moments on screen. Ano baaahh. :P

So there. My very colorful, eventful day in MegaMall. :)
Next weekend is another long weekend!!! GMA, wag mo babawiin!!! :P

I Need Inspiration

My family and I went to Shangri-La Plaza to watch Rush Hour 3 supposedly. We ended up watching Bourne Ultimatum instead. Random anectode from my mom:

Mama: May kasunod pa raw yan ah.
Everyone else: Huh? Talaga?
Mama: Oo. "Bourne Free."
(Wahahaha. Give her a round of applause everyone.)

No trip to the mall is complete without a couple of trips to NBS/Powerbooks. They had a sale, which was completely useless for me anyway, since I have zero funds nowadays.

Had a couple of star sightings in Powerbooks too: Jessica Zafra (we were looking at the same sale bin! Waha!) in her perpetual black garb, and Julius Babao, who looks smaller in person. Hmmm.

Found this really cute book in the Art/Architecture department: Portfolio of Inspirations.


"Creative people" each have their own page wherein they would disclose what their work processes are, what inspires them, and how they translate their inspirations into their work. It is the coolest book everrrr. Malapit na Christmas guys. This is part of my wishlist. It is available in Powerbooks Shangri-La. Hehehehe. Shameless plugging!

What an artist's inspiration notebook looks like

Quotable quote from an artist

There's this other book called Mute: Just Pictograms. A book of little icons/graphics that speak for themselves. Ang cute ng mga concepts! I'm going to try to figure out how to do these in Photoshop. They're so cool. :)

Why are there so many nice books in the world?
Why are there books sales NOW when I am currently low on funds?? Hay.

Kung hindi lang nakakahiya na magpicture sa Powerbooks, I would have taken a picture of every page in those books. Waha!

Tear-jerker

Oh my gaaaaaaad.

I just finished watching A Love Story.
Here in Eastwood.
By myself.
And I cried buckets.
*hikbi*

Of course I tried to keep from crying.
My mascara was going to run.
Stupidity right there, deciding to wear mascara when I knew full well that I was going to watch a tear-jerker. Waha.

Pero di ko na talaga mapigilan.
Especially during this poignant scene when all three of them were in the same room, and Tell Me was swelling in the background. Kailangan ba talaga i-up yung volume ng kanta while they're showing Maricel Soriano crying her eyes out? Kailangan ba talaga???

Damn that song. My tear ducts succumb to the power of that song. Haha.

Aga: Are you ok?
Maricel: Kailangan ko maging ok, diba? Para magawa ko ang tama.

Yon. Sa lahat ng nagtatanong sakin kung ok ba ako, yan ang sagot ko. First sentence palang, panalo na.

And finally, I heard a quote from Angelica’s character that’s worth blogging about…

Angelica: Alam mo ba na hindi ko pinagsisihan na pinaglaban kita?

Waaaaah. Ipaglaban mohhhh.

So many good lines. Somebody transcribe this movie already!!!

* * * *

With the risk of spoiling the ending, can I just say that Aga’s beach house is so not tropical architecture? Why build a modern structure on a friggin’ beach anyway? It totally ruins the landscape (not to mention the seascape). Haha. Huling hirit na nga, tungkol pa sa Arki. Oh well.

If I want an Aga-esque boyfriend, maybe I should be a doctor and hang out at Lago de Oro (like in the movie). And then I will prey on good-looking, accident-prone wakeboarders, and tell them when they wipe-out:

“It’s ok. I’m a doctor. I’ll take care of you.” (sabay give them my most Maricel-like smile)

Or, I should go wakeboarding, and hope that the doctor who will take care of me when I wipe-out (which is sure to be often) is one good-looking guy. "Ow, my ribs! Take care of me! Take me home!" Wahahahaaaa. Yeah, that would definitely be easier than going to med school. :D

That was a good movie. Watch it!
Call me! I'll watch it with you!!!

* * * *

By the way, I stayed up late last night watching High School Musical 2.
What a difference eh? From feel-good teeny-bopper flick to Pinoy movie with lots of dramz. Haha.

Can I just say that my ultimate goal in life is to marry Zac Efron? Hahahaha. Ok, my ultimate ultimate goal is to marry Prince William and be Queen of England, but I need to have a fallback, you know. Haha.

Zac Efron is so adorable when he's begging. And singing. And skipping. And jumping around. And making pa-cute faces at Vanessa Hudgens. Ooohweee. :)

His solo song/dance number is so gay though. Waha! It's so Broadway-y. So very spirit finger-y. Haha. But he makes up for it in the last song number with Vanessa. Their duets are so kilig, my heart melted 3 times during the whole movie. Haha. *sigh* Oh to be high school again and have uncomplicated kilig. :)

Dancing the Night Away

Tonight, my room is temporarily converted into my own personal club.

Club music is blaring out of my speakers (The Way I Are and Please Don't Stop the Music are the popular choices), and I am jumping around my room like a maniac, my arms, legs and hips trying to keep up with the beat.

My realization: I look like a complete idiot. Hahaha. Why, oh why, don't I know how to dance??? Waha! Good thing nobody can see me. Unfortunately, I have full view of my failed attempts at "cool dance moves," thanks to the mirror covering most of my bedroom wall (yeah, a whole wall. That's vanity for you).

Yesterday, I was carefully following the steps in the High School Musical Dance-Along. Wahaha! Ang corny ko talaga foreverrr. My sister was laughing at me the whole time I was attempting that "Getcha Head In the Game" dance sequence. I thought I did ok during the step-by-step lesson. But when they switched to half-speed, then to full-speed, I was flailing around like a freak. Haaaaah, crazy. :)

Stress can make you do crazy things. Might as well make sure that they're crazy, fun things. :)

Dancing is fun. And Rihanna has got it right when she says: "I gotta get my body movin', shake the stress away." It works! It's a good workout too. I was red in the face (out of exertion and personal embarrassment) within minutes. I reckon I might have lost a couple of pounds right there. Haha. I wish.

Ika nga ni Baz Luhrmann: "Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room." In my case, it's my bedroom. And shakin' my booty (even if I look like I'm having an epileptic attack while doing so), makes me feel oh-so-freeeeeee. Haha.

Whee. Fun. :)

I wish I knew how to dance. That would be soooo cool.

"She's a maniac, maniac on the dance floor. And she's dancing like she's never danced before."

A Love Story

I am so looking forward to watching A Love Story, starring Aga Muhlach, Maricel Soriano and Angelica Panganiban. 1st day palang papanoorin ko na to. Baka mamaya makita niyo nalang ako sa news, kakalabas lang ng movie house giving my testimonial about the movie:

The fanatic: "Ang guwapo ni Aga!"
The romantic: "Bagay sila!"
The cool-kunwari: "Great movie. Watch it."
The psycho: "AAAAAAAAAAAH! Ang gandaAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Wahaha. :)

Trailer palang naiiyak na ako. It's Joey Albert's fault.

Tell me
Where did I go wrong?
What did I do to make you change your mind completely?
When I thought this love would never end
But if this love's not ours to have
I'll let it go
With your goodbye...

Hehe. Sorry, baduy ba? :D




Some quotable quotes I got from watching the trailer:

Aga: "Mahal mo ba ako?"
Maricel: "Sobra. Kahit alam kong hindi na tama."

Aga: "Mahal na mahal kita! Akala ko sapat na yun para makalimutan mo kung tama to o mali."

Maricel: "Ayoko na ng may kahati ako. Kaya hindi na kita kayang mahalin."

"Ang babae, parang bulaklak...wag mong pipitasin kung sisirain mo lang."
(yan ang winner!)


Magbabaon na rin ako ng tissue. Waaaah. :(

Delirious

I am going to starve today.

I left my baon at home (2 pieces of corned beef pandesal that are too big anyway, so I can't really eat them properly because of my sore jaw).

I don't have any money on me (Lemme count...40 pesos worth of bills + 20 pesos worth of coins = 60 pesos. Just enough for my fare going home tonight. Wow).

I don't have any money in my ATM account (I wiped it all out to pay for my horrendous credit card bill last month, brought about by this).

Yesterday, after eating chicken joy, half-rice and palabok (all free, care of the product presentation here at work), I weighed myself and gleefully saw that I am back to my college weight! Busog ako pero college weight parin! Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles! Waha. That's saying a lot, since I was thin as a stick during college. Want proof? :D

If you want to get thin in a span of 2 months (15 pounds, yeah), here's my secret: 1. Get depressed. 2. Be emotionally imbalanced (it helps curb your appetite). 3. Do not eat anything that reminds you of what got you depressed in the first place (which is pretty much everything). 4. Get your wisdom teeth removed.

Sure ball yan. Waha. :D Disclaimer: Once you start doing some (or all) of the above, it's hard to pull yourself back up. It's a definite black hole. Make sure someone's around to support you...or to give you a slap in the face when you're being a drama queen. :)

Anyway, when my swollen face has improved, I have to exercise. Tone the abs for a bikini-worthy body come November. I'll be hitting the waves in the Land Down Under, and I plan to make a splash. Ohmygod. For the first time in my whole, entire life, am I about to have washboard abs? Or is it too much to wish for?!? Hahahaha. Sorry, I'm sort of delirious today. It's the hunger, see.

Somebody save me. Fooooood. Somebody give me some foooood. Something easy to chew please. Haha.

"Productive" Monday

I stayed home today, because of my swollen jaw (caused by another wisdom tooth extraction). I look like I came straight out of a chipmunk cartoon (Alvin, Simon...Theodore!). Not good for walking around Makati.

I woke up this morning, my whole body (yes, including certain internal organs, specifically the one located in the left chest cavity) feeling like lead.

So I stayed home. And I thought I would be productive today. :)

Being productive, meaning: I sat on my butt the whole day and added new pictures to my Multiply site. Haha. I wanted to fix my layout, too. But the Adobe Photoshop is in the PC upstairs, and I'm tamad. Besides, the altitude might cause the arteries in my gums to explode (don't quote me on this, this has no medical basis).

Go check 'em out:

Random Nothings
Blast From the Past - College Edition

Recognize the effort, people. I had to go dig up my old CDs to get my (already) archived pictures from the land of no return. And I'm frustrated since I haven't had any eventful stuff in my life to warrant any new pictures. That's coming soon, though. I hope. Hehe.

Anyway, since I don't have anything better to do than to sit in front of my laptop the whole day, I thought I'd go check out my daily horoscope. I like it. Here it is:

"There is a stillness in the air, and things are finally settling into place in your personal life. Therefore, this is not a good day to move around and stir things up again. Let sleeping dogs lie, don't revisit sensitive issues, and just enjoy where you are in life right now. You'll be getting introspective about yourself, which is a good thing -- it will help you see things in the right perspective and realize how much you've grown in a relatively short period of time."

Hell, yeah I've grown. I am awesome. I am strong. I am woman.

I sure hope you're right, oh lucky stars. :)

Ok. Back to bumming. Gotta love it. :)

Dapat nag t-shirt nalang ako

Expectations are for fools.

I am a fool.

A fool who has wasted a perfectly good outfit on a Friday night spent at home.

Dumdedumdumb.

Switchfoot Live In Manila!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

Switchfoot is having a concert here in Manila!

When: September 10, 2007 (Monday)
Where: Cuneta Astrodome
Tickets: Prices range from PhP 250 (gallery) - PhP 1400 (moshpit)

Ang mura noh?

AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! I love Switchfoot.

I will definitely watch this.

StairMistress

I have a new exercise regimen.

Instead of waiting until the weekend to get an hour of "walking" on the treadmill, I figured, why not do my walking here in the office? *grin*

So 2x a day, every lunch break and afternoon break, I use the stairs.

I go down 10 flights (my warm-up), and then I go 10 flights back up! Geeeenius. Haha.

I'm improving, too. Yesterday, I was already wheezing on my 2nd flight back up. Today, I didn't start wheezing until the 5th flight. Heehee. Tomorrow, if I'm not too tired, maybe I can eliminate the wheezing altogether! Haha. Asa.

Yeah. Burn, baby, burn.

In a few months, I'll be so sexified, you won't believe it. Haha. *sigh*

Next step: Resist Ruffles temptation (Pretty hard when we've got about a dozen bags at home! My mom just came from Duty Free shopping. Waaah).

Happiness

Enough of my gloom-and-doom entries. I think it's about time some sunshine invades these gloomy blog pages. Hehe.
Now this video is sunshine in a bottle. :)

OK Go - On Treadmills

If there is such a thing as instant-silly-happiness, thizizit. Cheered me up, for sure. Haha! Watch it!

I want to be a robot

I coerced my seastarr to accompany me to the mall once again (3rd straight day in row!).

Friday: Eastwood City to eat at Teriyaki Boy and to watch Sandwich and Hale (for free!).
Saturday: Power Plant Mall to take advantage of the sale; Glorietta to have dinner with Diane and Lez at Italianni's and to watch Fantastic Four (finally) with my sister.
Sunday: To eat at CPK and to watch Transformers.

My mom's reaction: "Aalis nanaman kayo? Bakit ba hindi ka mapakali???"

This, accompanied by an exasperated look which slowly gave way to a look of realization, and finally to a look of submission. Instant permission. That's the only good thing that has come out of this, so far. Hehe.

And so, my sister and I went to the mall (Shangri-La Plaza this time) with the intent of watching Transformers...

Gaaaaah!

TRANSFORMERS is the coolest movie EVER!!!

My mouth was literally hanging open the whole time. Those alien robots make being mechanical look so cool. I want to be a robot. Hahaha. I want to watch it again!

Josh Duhamel is HOT. And Shia LeBeouf is quirky-cute. I should've staked my claim on him during his Even Steven days. Now, after his awesomely funny portrayal of Sam Witwicky (gotta love that name), everyone's going to want a piece of him. Haha.

And the moment they inserted Linkin Park's song at the end...that was genius. Ahhhh. Ahluvit. :) Have I mentioned that I want to watch it again?

I got strangely sad, though, when Optimus Prime (or was it Megatron?) said "One shall stand, one shall fall." Dagnabit. Even robot action movies make me sad.

* * * *

And since I was in a mall, it goes without saying that I felt compelled to put a dent in my savings yet again. Hay. Last na toh, promise.

As a kit-kat present to myself (and as a misguided act of rebellion), I bought something that is the anti-thesis of my existence: A new, "rugged-looking" watch (at 50% off, at least!) from Time Studio. Something that symbolizes this strange, new phase I am going through...this strange, new me (the operative word being "symbolize"...Very different from "represent").

It's kinda rocker-bordering-on-biker-ish: thick, black leather strap embellished with stainless steel chains (tasfefully done, ha, and not too OA. I haven't gone over the edge yet), and a small, round, silver watch mounted on the strap. And the clincher: a playboy bunny (the logo, not the person) emblazoned prominently on the watch face. Ahahaha. I look so cool. Trying hard to look cool. :D Trying hard to look different.

* * * *

Today, it's back to work. Back to the nitty-gritty. Back to realizing that I have saved none of my latest salary. Back to doing monotonous tasks which thankfully keep my mind on track. Back to my boring life...the most exciting event of which is having a rebel watch. Ha. How pathetic. :)

Is it so hard to believe then that I want to be a robot? Hehe.

Retail Therapy?

I had some retail therapy today at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell. Sale eh. Gotta take advantage of that! :)

• I bought this cute, asymmetrical black top with silver stars at Mango (50% off!). Perfect for nights out. Though I really can't imagine myself having a gimik night any time soon. Helps to be prepared, though.

• I bought another black top, this time at Zara (regular price, though). It has this art work in front, of a 20's-era couple. It's my I-feel-like-a-rocker-chick mood shirt.

• And i bought a white top, also from Zara. It has some words (etched in silver) that say: More Love Because It's Good and It Makes You Happy. Haha. Can't argue with that. Bring on the luuuuurve. *sigh* It's my optimistic shirt. Gotta wear it when I'm depressed so that I exude an image of sarcasm – I mean, happiness.

• I also bought fashion tape from Beauty Bar, just because I had to. The top I wore for the day was very "accident-prone" if you know what I mean. Maybe I should have bought 2-sided tape at National Bookstore instead. That fashion tape is horrendously overpriced! But desperate times call for desperate measures (and desperate measures do not let money get in the way).

* * * *

So...did it work? (The retail therapy, not the fashion tape)

Eh. Not really.

Instead of mending that big, gaping hole in my chest, I just acquired an even bigger hole in my wallet. Boo. :( I hope I don't regret this when the credit card bill comes!

Thanks to my seastarr, by the way, who has been patiently accompanying me to my spur of the moment escapades. :) Dahil sayo, nauubos pera ko. Hahaha. Just kidding. Mwah.

First Time

Lifehouse has done it again. :)

Their new single, First Time, is something that could fit perfectly into a romantic comedy (which is a good thing, by the way). Its melody exhilarates you, sweeps you off your feet and brings you along for the ride...just like being inlove for the first time. Hay.

Never mind that listening to it makes me puke because my vivid imagination sees it being sung by an imaginary antagonist. Never mind that.

If you're in the zone, though (the zone being the happy place), this is a very nice song.

Here are the lyrics. Download the song and drown yourself in its sharp sappiness. :P

I love you, Lifehouse.

* * * *

First Time
by Lifehouse

We're both looking for something
We've been afraid to find
It's easier to be broken
It's easier to hide

Looking at you, holding my breath
For once in my life
I'm scared to death
I'm taking a chance letting you inside

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time

The world that I see inside you
Waiting to come to life
Waking me up to dreaming
Reality in your eyes

Looking at you, holding my breath
For once in my life I'm scared to death
I'm taking a chance letting you inside

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time

We're crashing
Into the unknown
We're lost in this
But it feels like home

I'm feeling alive all over again
As deep as the sky under my skin
Like being in love, she said, for the first time
Maybe I'm wrong, I'm feeling right
Where I belong with you tonight
Like being in love to feel for the first time
Like being in love she said for the first time
Like being in love to feel for the first time

For Good

I've only started reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire the beginning of this month. I also have the Wicked Musical soundtrack on repeat in my iPod.

It's a very witty story: it redefines good and evil, and gives you a view of the paradox that surrounds it. I haven't advanced substantially into the book yet (but I've read enough to know that it's not a children's book - parents beware), but I have heard the whole soundtrack a few times already, so I have an idea of how the story will turn out. One song in particular caught my attention (and caused a sentimental ache in my heart in the process. Hehe): "For Good." It's the 2nd to the last song in the musical. Shows you how sad the ending is. :( I have it on repeat now as I write this.

You can apply this song to friendship or love, or both. It's very sad. Kinda like "I Love You, Goodbye" but in a mutual sense (excuse me while I get a tissue. *sniff*).

Listen to it, please. Listen to the whole soundtrack so that you can better appreciate the story. Listen to the song so that you can hear for yourself the sadness of its melody (sorry about the mushiness, I think it's the hormones). Listen to iiiiittt. :)

Excuse me for now. Magsesenti muna ako..."Because I knew youuu..."

My goal is to be able to watch the musical within the year! Puwede kaya yun? :) Somebody send me tickets to the States...or to London! :)

* * * *

For Good
by Elphaba (Idina Menzel) and Glinda (Kristin Chenoweth)

(Elphaba) I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda) I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda) Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda) But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda) Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba) Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both) Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda) And because I knew you...

(Elphaba) Because I knew you...

(Both) Because I knew you...I have been changed for good.

Musing Out Loud

Is it considered tacky for a woman to drink in public by herself?

Those girls in Grey's Anatomy do it all the time at Joe's.

Hmmm.

Hehe. That would be pretty interesting.