The Year in Collecting

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's the fact that I'm a collector (a mild version of a hoarder hehehe). I collect anything that fascinates me -lenticular photos, autographs, commemorative bills/coins, glow in the dark stuff, arcade tokens, foreign currencies, sneakers, candy/chocolate dispenser, stamps, flashlight, business cards (WTH!), tickets . I'm not a big collector though, I can't afford it. The stuff I mentioned, I have very few it may not even qualify to be called a collection. Still, I collect them whenever I could. There are priority collections, they are: Music box, books, and Ellen stuff. Out of the three, books won the number this year, I think I've bought a record number of books, (32) which is not much either, but still, for an average reader like me, I feel that's a lot. Most of the gifts I gave out to my niece and nephews are books too. I'm hoping that I could encourage and promote a culture of reading in my family. But I kinda hate this attitude I have when I keep on buying more even when I still have towering titles yet to read. I pledged over and over that I won't buy another one till I've read the other books I bought earlier, yet I keep on breaking them anyway. I'm an impulsive buyer. I guess it will be part of my new year's resolution to reduce my expenditure.

Books on the queue for 2013 reading hehehe

My music box consumption had also waned, I realized that I can't completely quit the toy collection, I had to compromised a reasonable bargain with myself. So the deal is, I should only order twice a year. One is for Christmas and one for my birthday. But can you imagine, I would scour the internet for music box all year round, and when the time comes, I'll choose the one I like the most, it's like a selection process.

This is what I got for Christmas (I bought it sometime in September as an advance Christmas present). This music box has all the elements I like - a Panda, a Santa, a blonda (blonde kid hehehe). Despite the Christmas design, it plays a non-Christmas song, but one of my favorite music - The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. I love the details of the figure, you can expect nothing less from Enesco. The music box is manufactured by Sankyo, another top name in quality, the sound is crisp and right on.

So yeah, it's not an absolute cessation. I know for sure that I've stopped buying any action figures, gashapon or die casts, but once in a while, I'd break the promise. But I've matured and have become really picky. I think about the future use and worth of what I'm buying. I'd like to think I am more reasonable now. Like when I decided to get a view master. It's an out of date toy, but I believe Mattel is still manufacturing them. We used to have one when we were kids, my dad got it for Oliver, but we take turns in using it. I decided to get one so my niece and nephews can enjoy some old toys that we used to enjoy. I got a 1950's model of the view master made of bakelite. I figured, the older the better, it has more stories and it's a good way to avoid made in China products (I try to avoid them as much as possible due to political reason, nothing against the Chinese people). I have 13 reels so far, 10 are scenes of old American TV shows like Mighty Mouse and Rin Tin Tin, and 3 our scenic spots in Japan. I plan to get more scenic reels next year. I'm hoping to use it to educate my niece and nephew of our beautiful planet.

Another thing I stopped collecting is the the Starbucks sticker for the Starbucks planner, years ago. For 6 years, Starbucks had always been my planner "provider", but collecting it has lost its charm on me. Everybody's going for it, even my sister, the competition just got boring. Besides, I've switched to tea. I still love Starbucks and sometimes I still have their coffee beverages, but I'm not getting their planner anymore. I decided to get something more practical and more appropriate for my usage. I realized how fun it is to look for the perfect planner. I found the perfect planner for me from Yeah Just You journals.

    

It's small and waaayyy cheaper, designed with a year, monthly and weekly planner, there's a space for budget planning (which I love), the weekly planning space has a weather indicator, there are blank spaces at the back which gives you freedom to doodle, it's colorful and cute I think I'm solved! Until I saw the Free Speech Publication journal, too late! But next year I'd love to have that one. Smartphone and tablets don't work for me, I like writing things down and i love to doodle, I think planners would be a yearly thing for me for the long run.

Speaking of gadgets, I also got me a copy of the last print issue of Newsweek. TIME's biggest rival has gone all digital, I think it's only a matter of "time" before they go the same direction. I'm not really a fan or follower of Newsweek, but I'm such a sucker for commemorative stuff like this (hoarder instinct kicks in). Both magazines, however, were my staple companion in the library when I was in college. So yeah, I may be crazy and all over anime and all those Japanese stuff at the time, but I kinda knew what's going on. In a way, it gave me a sentimental reason to get the issue for my collection.

In a way, I feel like my collecting (or hoarding) habit have toned down this year, I hope to keep it lower next year. I plan to shift my priorities to collective initiatives. I pray that I'll have the discipline to do that.

Updates, updates!!!

Hey y'all what's up? I've been busy this month, but not too busy not to blog about interesting stuff I've done. So far life has been very good. Last week I visited the art capital of the Philippines, Angono Rizal and showed some of my friends my hometown, Tanay. They loved it. I'd like to talk my travel adventures in a separate post so I won't go into that yet. Instead, I'll talk about the things I did in the city.

Last Monday I attended the Unit Asia Jazz concert in SM North EDSA Skydome. I was with Chris, Nagi and Che. The event was organized by JFMO as part of the Nihongo Fiesta 2012 so it was free. Unit Asia by the way are, Hiroyuki Noritake (drums/Japan), Shigeki Ippon (bass/Japan), Tay Chier Siang (piano/ Malaysia), Isao Miyoshi (guitar/Japan), and Koh Mr. Saxman (saxophone/Thailand). This is their second time in the Philippines. I've seen them perform the first time they were here, so I knew that it's a must to see this concert. Let me just say that I'm not exactly a fan of jazz. I mean I like it, but it's the kind of music (for me) that has a time, place and mood requirement for listening. I like it when I'm in coffee shops (which rarely happens now) and reading Murakami books. But the thing about JFMO events is, they never disappoint, at the end of the show, I'm always impressed. I was impressed the first time Unit Asia was here, and I was impressed again this time.

I'm glad that I was with my friends this time, to share the appreciation. My favoritemembers of the group, then and now, were Mr. Saxman (saxophone) and Mr. Miyoshi (guitar). For me, their sound were the most powerful. Mr Saxman, was really playful with his sax and it was really fun to watch. There were tracks they perform with vocals and for that, they always collaborate with Filipino singers. They had Sitti before, this time they had Cooky Chua. They were great choices, but I liked Cooky more, I especially loved the Jazz rendition of "Paglisan". I'd say they performed better this time though I prefer the venue last time (Music Museum).

I'm very sorry for the poor video quality

At the end of the show, Mr. Siang and Mr. Saxman were really nice to come out of the stage to shake hands with the audience. I was able to shake hands with them and I even asked for an autograph, yay!

This Saturday, I booked my day for one thing. Hugo. It's a shame that I've only learned about this film recently. When the Oscars nominees for Best Picture were announced, I immediately checked them. Hugo particularly got me hooked because of the references to automata. I was ecstatic when, one day at the mall, I saw that Hugo will be shown in cinemas. I hoped for an IMAX showing, but sadly, it's only available on Digital 3D. I scheduled my day for the film anyway.

I asked my friend Jam, who works at SM Cinema, for the best Digital 3D cinema to see Hugo and she recommended MOA, so I decided to see it there. Che came along for a totally different agenda, Travel Expo, and I thought, it would be good to check it too since I have upcoming trips. We decided to check the MV Logos Hope floating book fair too so we could maximize the day. Since the book fair venue is the one we're not familiar with, and it opens the earliest, we decided to head there first.

The world's largest floating book fair is currently docked at Pier 15 in South Harbor Manila. It offers 5,000 books at affordable prices. The ship houses 400 volunteers from different countries. Its predecessor, MV Doulos had visited the Philippines many times, but this is my first time to come aboard. When we entered inside, we were ushered to a welcome area to watch a video clip about Logos Hope.

Then we were given instructions how to go around, how to pay. It's a one way navigation, there's no way to get lost, even for people with low sense of direction like me. From the welcome area, you go to the book fair itself, then pay at the cashier or exit. The price is in "units". One unit is equal to one peso.

Most of the books I saw are stuff I never heard of or see at the local bookstores. I didn't see anything from my wishlist. Instead I bought my niece an anatomy book for children and I got me an inflatable globe and Disney Cars and Finding Nemo greeting cards. The next stop is another selection of books, mostly academic text books, then you walk along an interactive exhibit of Hope's Life Experience, it's basically the story of The Prodigal Son, in a modern day perspective.

After the exhibit, there's another watching area, this time video clips showed missions and accomplishment of Logos Hope. Then there's the International Cafe where shoppers can relax and snack. We were pressed on time and we were gonna eat lunch anyway so we skip trying the delicacies. I've read that the ice cream at the cafe were really good, next time, I'll make sure to try that. At the exit, the crews are handing out books for free, but I was trying to limit the things to carry so I declined getting the free books.

Outside Pier 15, we opted to get a cab going to MOA. And what do you know, it's not an easy thing in this part of Manila. There are men who act like disptachers, and force themselves in getting a cab for you. I was like, no thank you I can do this. But man, this guy I encountered was so persistent, I was trying to hail a cab, my friend was trying to hail a cab from a different spot, and he was competing with us just for the sake of doing us a favor for a price. Irksome fellow I tell you. When a cab stopped by, he was so persistent in getting paid. I'd like to point out that it's nowhere close to the hospitality that we pride ourselves. I mean if you're desperate for a job, then find a decent one. I gave him a five peso coin just to make him shut up.

So we went to MOA, we decided to eat at Pizza Hut. We came in lunch time so we had to wait for a table. While waiting, I went to National Bookstore to look for The Invention of Hugo Cabret. I initially scoured the Children's Book area but when I couldn't find it, I tried the customer service, which proved to be a wrong decision. NBS has one of the worst, if not the worst, customer service in the Philippines! I asked the CSR lady for the book, and she looked it up on her computer. She then wrote it on a piece of paper and called for her colleague. She told me that "the system" shows zero stock, but she'll have someone verify it. So after a good 5 minutes, the supposedly verifier came with a look that says, "I was having the perfect dream, why did you wake me up?". Anyway, she took the piece of paper and stared at it for a second, and immediately dismissed that the book out of stock. When an employee of NBS says a book is out of stock, that means you have to look for it yourself. I have lost count how many times it happened to me, but I never learn. Darn! So anyway, I went back to the Children's book section and looked for Hugo once more. And I was right. Man they still have 2 copies in stock. Now that tells me two things about NBS that are not right:

1) They have inefficient customer service; and

2) their inventory records is outdated.

The National Book Store is the largest bookstore chain in the Philippines. Seriously NBS? I wanted to go back to the Customer Service counter to point out that both the computer and the live person were wrong. But I was in a hurry to go back to Pizza Hut, besides, I'm too happy to complain. But one day, those ladies are gonna get it I swear, I'm gonna look for their manager. It's just disappointing, I came from a book fair ran by foreigners. The crew were very nice and friendly, they answered my questions with a warm smile, and they are not getting paid for what they are doing. They are volunteers. And then I go to a local bookstore, the largest chain in the country that prides itself for polite and helpful people, but I get inefficiency and attitude. Never mind the attitude, just do your job right lady.

Okay, going back to the good news, at least I got me a copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Yay!

And the day wasn't about to end anytime soon, the moment I've been waiting for is about to come!

So we had lunch at Pizza Hut (I'll never get enough of stuffed crust pizza) and I vented all my frustration to my friend (over NBS). We decided to get tickets for the 5:00 PM showing then go to Travel Expo, but when we're almost at the movie house, a long queue of movie goers loomed before us! Apparently, SM Cinema is undergoing an upgrade, so there's only one ticket counter to accommodate all customers. So I told Che that she can go ahead to the Travel Expo and I'll stay on the queue and catch up as soon I get the tickets. It was a good thing that I have the book with me while waiting for my turn. I browsed through Selznick's illustrations. I was just drooling with awe I didn't notice how long I waited. Before I knew it, I have my tickets on my hand already. SM Cinema by the way, is switching the paper tickets into reusable swipe cards, not sure though if that's the upgrade they're talking.

So I went next to the Travel Expo in SMX. There's a P50 entrance fee. I don't know anything about travel deals and booking, I always leave it up to my friend or my sister. My usual role in booking is entering my credit card information. But going to the Travel Expo is another brand new experience. At first, I thought that it'll just be a long line of Travel Agency booths, and it was by the way, but exhibitors are very creative. Too bad that I didn't get to take some pictures because my phone batt was about to drain. But I really liked the presentation of different countries. Each one has a gimmick. Most of the booths' facades are replica of popular architectural structures of the country they represent. Japan has a photo booth and free Japanese food taste and free cups of Pocari Sweat(I got me a cup of that!). Malaysia and China have dance presentations. They give freebies if you like their page on Facebook. While looking around, I couldn't help but wish that anime conventions could be that creative. While our very own country claims that "It's more fun in the Philippines", sadly, the (DOT?) booth didn't justify the slogan. I'm not saying this to criticize DOT, but if you would just compare the tourism campaign of each country based on the booths, it's very obvious why we are not faring in the competition. It's a sad thing. I look at the brochure of Malaysia and I can tell that we can do better. I don't have to be there to say that we have more beautiful beaches here. There's so much room for improvements. But hey, the hype it gave to travel enthusiasts was a good start. I'd like to believe our tourism industry is on the right track. Cynics like me just have to be patient. And because I like keeping souvenirs of events, I hoarded brochures and flyers of different countries hehehe.

By 4:30, Che and I decided to leave the Expo and go to the cinema. It was the moment I've been waiting for. Hugo!!! So, I don't wanna give away too much. All I'm saying is, it's about a boy who has a talent for fixing clockworks and he tries to solve a mystery by fixing the broken automata of a mechanical doll left by his father. I'm not be the best person to give an objective review of the film because of my fascination with automata, but the name Martin Scorsese should be enough to make you watch it. I LOVE the film! In my opinion, it should win the Oscars Best Picture. I mean, I've seen The Artist and I think it's great, but Hugo? Come on, I don't want to use a cliche here, but really, Hugo is a film that literally reminds me why I watch films. I swear you HAVE TO SEE IT. The only thing that made me sad here was the fact that it's not on IMAX.

So anyway, after the seeing the film. My energy started to drop really low. Che and I decided to eat the pizza left overs. We needed to fuel our body. We headed towards the back of the mall (facing the bay) to look for a bench to eat. But luck was on our side again when we realized that all walkway towards the bay side were gated. There's a Pyromusical event and you have to pay before you can get in. On normal days, the place is open to public. We just wanted to sit on a bench and eat pizza, but we have to pay for it too. We got interested in the fireworks anyway so we took the cheapest ticket, which is P100. The countries competing for the night were UK and Spain. I've seen Pyrolympics competition before, but it didn't have the musical component. This time pyropeople or pyromaniacs or whatever you call those who performs the pyros (?) incorporated music while doing the fireworks. I love music but I don't see the use of doing them together. The constant bang of the fireworks doesn't really mesh with the music. Maybe that's how they're being judged because Spain synched the fireworks and music better that UK. I did enjoy at first, but after a while, I just wanted it to end. Maybe it's just my low energy, or the guilt of patronizing an activity that's extremely harmful to the environment. But I swear I'll never watch another pyrolympics or musical or whatever in the future.

Traffic was horrible on our way home. I got home past 12 midnight, I was, once again, awake for more than 30 hours. I feel a tinge of guilt when I do that. I feel like I'm abusing my body. But it happens once in a while, so... zzzz....

I slept for 13 hours! <3 When I woke up, I saw my arms with 3 different stamps. So when my family asked me where I went, I just raised my arm in the air to show them, here --

Updates, updates!!!

It's time for another round of updates.


Some people decide to cut their hair for a new look, but for me, I do it for convenience. When my bangs start to irritate my eyes, it's a sign, I need a haircut! Ugh!

Yesterday I went to Manila Doctors Hospital to meet Dindee and her husband Benny. She was at the OR doing thyroidectomy, while waiting, I decided to look around at the hospital. I barely recognized anyone, it feels weird. I ran into Dr. Cuayo-Juico, she told me I haven't changed but I gained weight. I need to work out! Ugh!

On the other hand, when I met Benny, he told me I look like a Japanese. Yay!

The other night, my mom and dad went to a Jose Mari Chan concert at Thunderbird resort. I got envious because I'm a JMC fan, I wanted to go too, but I can't because I have work. They took home a signed copy of Souvenirs. Really, I am so envious!

I dropped by at Robinson's Place in Ermita yesterday to buy books. I am loving Jodi Picoult, she's very easy to read, at the same time very moving.

I also bought a copy of Songs for Japan with a hope that Japan recovers as soon as possible from one of its worst crisis. John Lennon's Imagine and Queen's Te O Tori Atte (Let Us Cling Together) makes the album worth buying. The other 35 tracks are not bad either. I highly recommend getting it, if you're in for a good cause and good music.

It's been really quiet these days...

Kokology: Bare Necessities

I’m currently into Kokology. It’s a Japanese pop-psych quiz game that reveals one’s emotion and behavior through his response to a given situation. Most of the time, my results are accurate and playing is really fun whenever I’d picture myself in a given situation. Here’s something from the book Kokology by Isamu Saito and Tadahiko Nagao. Try it!

There are a few common items that keep people in their pockets or bag nearly every time they leave the house: wallet, keys, ID and credit cards. The inside of our bags are like the insides of our heads; we all carry around a lot of the same stuff but there’s always something in each that makes every bag unique.

You’re getting ready for the day and putting your things. Besides the bare necessities, which of the following items do you want to take along with you?

1. your personal organizer or address book (my answer)
2. hairspray or mousse
3. a lucky charm
4. candy or gum

and the results are…

-drum roll-

What is it that you always have close at hand? The item you wanted to bring along is something you feel a little uncomfortable being without and your choice actually tells us something about a part of your personality you feel insecure about.

1. your personal organizer or address book
You can’t trust your own memory. Phone number, birthdays, appointments; they run through your head like water through a sieve. You don’t mean to forget things, but somehow they just never seem to stick, and you end up apologizing for missing you anniversary –again. It’s probably a good idea to keep that address book with you all the time. Now if you could just remember where you left it. (LOL!)

2. hairspray or mousse
Appearances are all-important to you. The attention to detail means you always look great and ready to take on the world, but sometimes you take things too far. Remember, a bad hair day is not a valid excuse for calling in sick.

3. a lucky charm
You’re a firm believer in your own bad luck. The other lines at the tollbooths are always moving faster, your toast always lands jelly side down. Things never seem to go your way, and you’ve noticed. How couldn’t you? It’s not to say you’re superstitious, but you do feel a little more comfortable with your personal good luck charm, whether it’s a four-leaf clover, St. Anthony’s medal, or a pair of old socks you’ve grown attached to.

4. candy or gum
You’re worried about controlling your diet. Eating a pint of cookies ‘n cream the day after starting a new diet, opening the door of the fridge every time you go past, “just to check” – your appetite fills your mind more than it does your stomach. Keeping some mints or a candy bar makes you feel safe. No matter what happen over the course of the day, at least you know you wont starve to death.

bazooka joe anyone?

I'm currently reading a cyberpunk novel by William Gibson entitled "Idoru". It's about an analyst Colin Laney who has the talent for identifying "nodal points" from a pattern of information. He went to Tokyo for a job, which was to identify the problem with the rock star Rez who announced that he'll marry a virtual Idol named Rei Toei. As you can imagine, the story is set in neo-Tokyo and I cant help imagining how cool it would be if it can be adapted into anime. A Satoshi Kon animation would really suit this cyberpunk fiction.

But that's beside the point, I'm not really here to talk about the novel. I just find it really cute to find something that is a part of my past. In one of the scene, the main character came across a bubble gum themed bar with a spotlight on a frame of Bazooka Joe. Does that ring a bell if you belong the my generation? Well yes, it's a bubble gum that I used to like when I was a kid. It cost 50 cents during those times and I remember collecting the small (read that SMALL) comics strip that comes with the pink gum, which of course entails the adventure of Bazooka Joe. As to where are they now, i absolutely have no idea. I haven't seen any Bazooka Joe gum for a very long time now and I don't think I'll ever buy one if I do. I stopped eating/chewing gums ever since I learned that it's carcinogenic and I think that was 8 years ago. But still I can't help wondering.... hehehe...

The clock is ticking, the days are moving and Christmas is coming. 89 days to go dear friends! My newest hanging out place is Gloria Jeans in Megamall. This mall is the closest to my home as of the moment and Gloria Jeans is where I get a free Wifi connection. Plus the pastries and coffee aren't that bad. But of course, nothing really beats the Starbucks coffee experience. Now that brings me to my main subject for this entry.

I am currently reading "How Starbucks Saved My Life" by Michael Gates Gill. It's actually his biography. It's about a man who has everything, lost everything, and found it all again (even more) in... well... Starbucks of course. Gill is a son of well known writers. His father, Brendan Gill, is the writer of the best selling book "Here in New Yorker". Michael graduated in Yale University and had a promising career at J. Walter Thompson company, the largest advertising agency in the world, for 25 years. He started off as a copywriter and eventually went up as the Creative Director. But things do change. After the 25 years of hard work and loyal service, the top management decided to let him go. The new chairman of the board wanted "young" people in his team. He thought of suing the company for the unjust termination, but he felt he needed the connection with JWT to start again. He established a mini-consulting company but it didn't last. Now there came the difficult part, together with financial concerns, he had an affair and impregnated a woman which made his wife decide to divorce him. What's more, he was diagnosed to have a small tumor in his brain. He got desperate. He was 63 years old back then. Who wants to take a 63 yr. old man for a job? But then he found an answer in his last coffee luxury in a Manhattan Starbucks. A young African-American woman approached him and jokingly asked him if he wanted a job, which he took seriously. Desperate for a job, Michael ended up working as a Barista. But working in Starbucks made him realize a lot of things. Things he never learned as an advertising executive and made him more fulfilled than ever.

Tom Hanks bought the story, he will be producing and starring in the movie adaptation of the book which would probably come late next year. What can I say, I loved this book! It made me realize a lot of things too. For one thing, I finally believed that it’s not all about money and prestige. Happiness in a job doesn’t really mean higher compensation and promising position. Success doesn’t really match with Self actualization. This story is far more realistic to me than those rags-to-riches stories. Of course those things are real but I just don’t have the confidence that I’d end up on the top like those struggling heroes. But that’s beside the point. This book would teach you to make most of what you have. Definitely, every suffering individual would find their time in the most unexpected place. But hey, that doesn’t mean I’m inspired to work at Starbucks. Definitely, the right job for me would come.

Happy Freedom Day! But I’m not discussing that please, I’m not a patriot. It’s a general knowledge that I have the least concern for this freaky nation hehehe. It’s the 7th day of my vacation and so far so good. It’s not like I’m having a great time but at least I’m having a break. Besides, there’s this old saying that there’s no place like home. For the past seven days I’ve been busy eating, sleeping, watching anime, reading books, eating sleeping, tending my collection, eating, sleeping, bullying my nephew Alfrei, daydreaming, eating, sleeping, browsing my college and high school papers, eating, sleeping… simply put, it’s a lazy (rather dysfunctional) man’s role hehehe… at least my vacation served its purpose. Whenever feasible, I’d borrow my mom’s or siblings’ mobile phone to put my SIM card to check any important messages. But then I’d end up texting my friends and therefore I fail my mission to totally get away from the busy city. I guess I’m not so used with a loner’s life anymore huh. Or I simply had to admit that I miss them hehe. Whatever, I’m getting my cellphone a battery as soon as I get back. Toycon is fast approaching and there’s no way I’d attend without a camera and a phone.

I’m currently reading “Dreaming Pachinko” by Isaac Adamson. His novels chronicle the adventures of an American journalist slash amateur detective Billy Chaka in ultramodern Japan. I can’t help comparing this to Rowland’s Sano Ichiro but a hilarious one, and the protagonist is a gaijin. Also, Sano is a professional detective while Chaka is not. I’ve learned a very interesting information. A film is being made based from Chaka’s first installment “Tokyo Suckerpunch” which will be released in 2008. Billy Chaka will be portrayed by Tobey Maguire which really surprised me because I never imagined Billy that cute! Hahaha but this is really something for me to look forward to next year… if I’d still be breathing hehehe.

Ahoy! I’ve got good news here. I finally reconciled with Kuya Aris. After months of coldness to one another because of a petty “remark” which I didn’t intend to address, I finally broke the ice. I was very firm of not to initiate talking to him. But when you’re faced with more troubling issues, you tend to forget what your stand is. It’s not like I’m bothered with our situation, but I have a gut feeling that when you’re hated by someone, problems tend to pour on you till you can’t breath. I asked God to keep my parents in good condition and I promised to meek myself. Of course I wouldn’t know if it’d work but it did lift a portion of the burden I’m carrying. And I really hope everything would be okay.

I just finished reading “After Dark” by Haruki Murakami. I would just want to brag that I have the First US edition! Hehehe. Anyway, the book tells the story of 8 people who more or less have trivial connection to one another. Literally a slice of life (the story happened in 7 hours!) set in the bewitching hours in Tokyo (after dark) where ordinary ones ought to be sleeping. These people have their own reasons to be awake from plain nature of job to escape of his cruel reality. Murakami works seem to deal with self discovery which I really love since I get to discover part of myself along the way. But I have to admit that I tend to get lost whenever he’d inject surrealism in the story. I have to admit that I’m slow getting their connection with the plot despite the fact that I am a Psychology graduate. But nevertheless I enjoy reading Murakami novels. I am really compelled to read his other works which might be good or bad for a no discipline when it comes to money like me. Oh well, it’s ironic though that despite Murakami being a Japanese, he barely depict Japanese culture in his works (as of 2 books I’ve read) since he’s greatly influenced by Western literature. It’s very apparent that he’s an English jazz fan, he never failed to put it as background music whenever feasible, be it residential homes, coffee shop (not unusual), convenience store, and even love hotels (aka motel). But anyway I highly recommend this partly feel-good partly analytic novel especially to creatures of the night like me! Hmmm… I suddenly miss spending the night at Starbucks.

I just had an unexpected dinner with Dr. Carnate and Dindee It was all unplanned, Dindee was about to take me home when we accidentally run into him at the Arellano and Estrada intersection. It was really funny because Dindee’s excitement was very apparent hahaha. I regret a little that I broke my pledge not to take dinner to reduce weight –phew-

I am currently reading Mishima: A Biography by John Nathan. Yukio Mishima is one of the greatest writer of his time (1925-1970) who committed seppuku publicly in pursuit of his social ideals… whatever they were, I haven’t known yet. I scan-read an article about him rumored as a homosexual, which I haven’t confirmed. I’m enjoying reading this because it’s giving me an insight of Japan that I haven’t touched which is the Late Meiji period to postwar Japan. Though I encountered a student-movement thingie in “Norweigan Wood” by Haruki Murakami. Plus Obviously, I haven’t read any Mishima works yet, but when I read the overview of his life, I got interested (the fact that he’s Japanese is interesting enough for me geez). But now I’ve learned of his childhood through pubescent, I am compelled to read his works. I bet it’d be just as interesting. His childhood reminds me of Midori (another character from “Norweigan Wood”). Just like Mishima, she also experienced the misery of being a commoner studying in a prestigious school meant for people with aristocratic background. Connecting each event to previous books I’ve read makes it more interesting. But then, it also disoriented my anime viewing. I stopped watching One Piece for a while, but the good news is that it’s weekend and I will definitely continue with Luffy’s journey hehehe…

Speaking of Luffy, a couple of days ago, the first thing that run into me in the office was a “libre” tabloid headline (see image). And amazingly must have lost my sensibility at that moment when I automatically blurted “ohmigosh! Luffy had come to life!” seriously I thought it was for real, and when I turned to the page, I got disappointed to learn that it was actually just an advertisement hehehe. Darn, I didn’t even had the sense to inspect the graphics’ quality… and it was then that I realized, that somewhere in my subconscious mind…. Is a genuine belief for supernatural powers… and even longing for it… or simply just… the longing for the lost childhood.

It’s Renchard’s birthday! He had his party last night. He and Frances finally made up prior to that and I’m glad to see them to be jolly together again. Oh how it feels good to make up with your enemy. Look who’s talking, they’ve been insisting me to reconcile with Kuya Aris, but for some reason, my ego won’t let me do it. In my deepest sense of reasoning (rather immaturity), I am not in the position to apologize because I firmly believe that I was innocent. But of course, a time would come that I’d humble myself and plead for forgiveness, not only from him but every person I’ve hurt no matter how unintentional. I’ve already set 2 conditions for me to do that: first, if I manage to have my lifetime wish granted. Second, if I have to part with the concerned person –say, if I’d be leaving MDH or going abroad or even dying… and maybe when I become a little more mature hahaha…

anyway, I’ve always felt, that one way or another I’ll have to get rid of those hatreds felt toward me and same goes for myself. I guess it’s one of those things that contributes to the fear I feel towards death… don’t get me wrong for I am not afraid to die, it’s just that the thought of leaving an unfinished business behind is pathetic. I realized this when I was reading “The Sandman: The Dream Hunters” by Neil Gaiman. By the way, I just have to praise Gaiman for this piece, the story was very Japanese, it’s as if reading an actual Japanese folklore written by a native Japanese. And of course the message was very clear and effectively expressed (that is if I got it right). This is the first time I’ve read Gaiman’s work and I’m afraid that I’m actually interested to read more I hope I don’t get to shove off my other literary priorities hehehehe…. Oh well, to try new things brings you more learnings and draws you to a new world which is actually good.

Today is also the Earth Day and I attended the Earth Day Celebration at CCP. There were booths of various environmental organizations and screening of documentary films discussing environmental issues of course. I was able to watch the “Inconvenient Truth”, a documentary film about global warming facilitated by Al Gore. At first, I couldn’t help thinking that this is nothing more than a political campaign. But after watching the film, who cares about his real purpose. It has a very significant message for every earthling. And with the heat that every one of us is experiencing right now, I believe it’s high time that we do something about it. A time for a change of lifestyle. In our own little way we can help save the earth from global warming. We can reduce our CO2 emission (reduce smoking, avoid smoke belching, if you’re a rich kid, opt for a hybrid car), we can conserve water and energy, we can recycle, we can plant trees... and we can convince our families, friends, colleagues, classmates, and our community to do the same. I’m not an environmentalist and I admit that I rarely do measures to help the earth, simply put, I don’t have the right to talk big. But I love my nephews and nieces… I love my friends who are member of the next generation. I believe that they deserve a clean water, a fresh air, to be free from biohazard… the future generation deserves a home. And we the incumbent beings have a role in giving those needs. Let’s help our mother planet!

Manatsu No Yoru No Yume

The worst part of having a good dream is waking up. To think that it’s so damn hard to fall asleep because of the summer heat, there I was having a dream of my life, a dream that, if only I had the choice, I would prefer to stay for as long as I shall live…I was right there, in the exact place that I long to be. Somewhere that I need to be, more than I need air. Where I felt more alive than being awake. But then, I had to go back, in this so called reality and face all those miseries again… and wear that smile again… Oh dear Mr. Sandman, please sprinkle those magical dust unto my eyes again, I wouldn’t mind getting all those mutt in the morning… in fact, I wouldn’t mind if Death would take a year of my lifespan… for a night of that dream…

Haha, this must be the effect of The Sandman: The Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman. Though it was against my policy to purchase a western graphic novel, I thought it’s in accordance with my Japan only policy because this publication was illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, character designer of various Final Fantasy installments. Besides, I’ve heard good remarks by fellow comics enthusiasts about The Sandman. Besides, one of the reason I bought it was because Power Books was on sale hehehehe….

This morning Frances and I finally realized the early morning jogging that we have been setting long ago (and postponed so many times). Damn the summer heat just won’t give me enough sleep that I need, I was up so early that I decided to work out than staying in that oven! I was a little frustrated though that I couldn’t keep up with Chy’s speed. Jogging together with her also made me realize how weak my stamina is and how easily I give up. No wonder I rarely achieve my objectives (short term and long term) –sigh- I really need a change or should I say evolution… also this morning I met up with 3 friends who are artists – Mike, Mark and Romer. We were supposed to go together at Anne’s place (another artist friend) because she’s coming up with an art exhibit this coming August 2007. Meeting with Anne was a good thing, I learned that having so many connections with different kinds of people opens a lot of opportunity for you. And it’s even a give and take relationship. There are so many information which she seemed to miss that I can feed while she has a lot of connections I need, to make a leap in career that I’ve been waiting. But I’m looking forward to this exhibit, I am motivated to draw. I just hope this keeps up.

There’ll gonna be a lot of changes from now on. Just to mention, Neil, who’s my sole otaku-fellow in the office has resigned since the 5th of the month. I felt both happy and sad for his departure. Happy because he’s finally set off to pursue his dreams (unlike me who’s been in slump for the last 2 years!) and the fact that that’s one slacker down hehehe. Sad, because I’d lost a fellow otaku, of course I’ve considered him as a friend. We talked about a lot of things usually about Japanese and anime stuffs. He’s always enthusiastic to come with me in various anime events. Though I sometimes get annoyed at him but those were pretty petty. Oh well, life’s like that as Kenshin puts it, life is a many things, a journey but not a separation, a beginning not an end. It’s disheartening but that’s the way things are. On the other side, Gel came back and will be staying in the office at least until September. Now the office had gone “wild” again with her around. That is to say, our jolly moments are back.

I’ve also started saving money. I opened a personal savings account using the saved money I had from a piggy bank hehehe. I find this amazing because in more than 3 years of work, I haven’t got a single saving! Not even a cent! I could only consider my toys and anime collection as investment, but there was never a single thought of selling them in the future. Also I’m determined to get my own place! Anyways, I just thought that since I have no direction in life, I might as well start saving… perhaps everything should start there…

I’ve just finished reading Shogun by James Clavell. It’s a story of an English ship pilot, John Blackthorne who got stranded, together with his ship and crew, in feudal Japan. At first he was treated as a captive but eventually when his value (for his knowledge) were realized by Japanese, he eventually turned into a samurai and served the greatest daimyo as a hatamoto. I spent almost a month reading this 1152 pages book (with a font size of 8!)… and my further readings of non-fictional books about Japan revealed to me that this book is actually loosely based on the rise of Tokugawa Shogunate. Interesting huh… Right now I’m currently reading Gai-jin which is a sequel of Shogun, and this time tells the life of foreigners in Japan during the early 1860s… which seemed to me, if I would refer to the timeline of Rurouni Kenshin, was the start of the civil war –Tokugawa shogunate vs. the Royalist, rather the fall of Tokugawa and the start of Meiji Restoration? I’m not really sure since my knowledge of Japanese history is very limited… I’m still learning (and enjoying) hehe… I tried reading a brief biography of Tokugawa Ieyasu, but I have to admit that I find it hard to keep up because of so many unfamiliar figures mentioned… that means I have to start from 1. Maybe I should start with the aboriginal Japanese –Ainus hehehe… oh well. I just want to share that Shogun captivated me! And because of that, I haven’t watch any anime yet since Honey and Clover season 2 (and that was a month ago). And speaking of ship, I might as well continue watching One Piece, I have 200+ episodes to go hehehe…

Enough about books and anime, I just want to share about this old friend of mine seeking counsel… after not hearing from him for quite sometime, I was surprised to hear him ask “What do you do when you’ve done every possible thing you could to overcome heartache? When you’ve tried everything to get over the past yet the sweet memories keep coming back? And the more you try to forget, the more you remember.” They say it’s just in the mind… willpower… whatever you may call it, when it haunts you, it will get you no matter how you try to runaway. Doshio old friend? I’d say, then just let it be… What makes you happy yet you can’t get it… then just keep on dreaming till you feel like waking up one day. But of course, I could only tell this to him because I know he can take it. I find it silly but knowing what kind of person he is, it might work out fine. And of course, these are just one of the things that I learn from anime and manga hahahaha!!!! I told myself, realizing, that a day may come that I might find it hard to distinguish reality from not. Oh well I’m sorry if I couldn’t be of much help because honestly I’m just as troubled as anyone else in this cruel world. May God bless these lonely souls…

It’s Sri’s birthday! Come to think of it, a lot of significant people are celebrating their birthdays this month. Tomorrow is Matt’s day and the next day is mine –grin-. In the manga world, hats off to CLAMP’s Satsuki Igarashi, her birthday’s on 8th! The very kawaii seiyuu Iwao Junko (I’m talking about her voice ok) on the 18th. And take note of the anime characters: Aerith (7), Subaru & Hokuto Sumeragi (18), Yuki Eiri (23), Cid of FF7 (24), Tsuzuki Asato (24), Touya Kinimoto and Omi Tsukiono(29). Okay I’ve got comprehensive list of birthdays of anime, manga, and game character, mangaka, seiyuu and animators. But I only mentioned those that I know and liked. I’m celebrating the month with lots of people (real and fiction) I like hehehe.

Anyway, lately it’s been very cold even during daytime. I even had this feeling of hating to take a bath because the water temperature really gets to my nerve. And now I have a cold and I’m not really feeling well. But of course, I still manage to check the net, I have to post something since I just attended an event yesterday! The Read or Die Literary Convention! I bought a pre-sold ticket which was lesser than buying it on the event day itself, plus I got a student discount (hehehe, the perks of having a valid student ID!). The event features book fair (of course) and series of lectures concerning Literature. What do you expect on this event is a jam pack of book worms! Now let me just clear myself, I am NOT a bookworm or book enthusiast! 95% of the books I read are Japanese novels hehehe. Though yesterday I bought a fantasy novel by Dianna Wyne Jones, for the sole reason that I’m interested how she writes because she’s the author of “Howl’s moving Castle”. And I’ve also seen an ad caption saying something like if you hate Harry Potter, then this one’s for you… or so… I don’t hate Harry Potter, but I don’t like him either. Anyway, as I was saying, pls. don’t get the wrong idea that I am a bookish person. I have actually pile of titles on the line because I haven’t got time to read, and I still buy new ones?!? Well, I can’t help it, I’m pretty sure I’ll get to read them some other time. I also bought “Obasan” By Joy Ogawa and “Norweigan Wood” by Haruki Murakami. I’m currently reading “Shogun” by James Clavell, it’s a story of a ship pilot who got stranded (along with his crew) in the exquisite and gory shore of feudal Japan. Now this novel is 1000+ pages long, font size 8! And I still have that sequel “Gaijin” which is even longer… and of course I haven’t read Rowland’s “The Dragon King’s Palace”. And they all got stocked up in my phantom bookshelf when I get a hold of XXX Holic series! I’ll talk more about this later, going back to ROD con, I didn’t stay that long to see the band performances because I had to go. My friends came, and I was having thoughts if they’d enjoy the event and find the registration fee worth it… I don’t intend to stay longer anyway. In short, the event just served me as a book fair, no more no less… didn’t see any acquaintances either. But I don’t regret coming. Every event is a learning experience hehehe.

Okay now let’s go to XXX Holic. Now that was sometime in July 2006 when I first seen the anime version of this marvelous title. I only had the first 3 episodes and the movie back then which left hanging and craving hehehe. But the succeeding months were really busy that I’ve forgotten keeping eye for the next episodes. Fortunately, I never ran out of sources. A dear friend hand me a copy of the complete episodes and I now I was really going “holic” watching it. I’m already at the 12th episode. And that was the reason why I stopped reading hehehe. Last night I was watching episode 10 “Lamplight”. It’s scary episode, the main chara-Yuuko, Doumeki, Himawari and Watanukim were playing Hyaku Monogatari. Just a 22 minute story scared the hell out of me I swear! Hehehe… anyway, I really don’t want my blog entries to be long, so I’m signing off.

PS.
I’m so happy to see the animated version of Kazahaya and Rikuou from Gohou Drug!

Haay, I’ve neglected writing anime, manga and book reviews. As I have mentioned before, I hardly have the chance to watch and read. Yeah right, for the moment I am reading “Men & Cartoons” by Jonathan Lethem and I have just finished reading “The Pillow Book of Lady Wisteria” by Laura Joh Rowland. I’ll try to write a review on these stuffs when I have the mood.

But I’d like to share that I was actually able to take a break during holidays. And what I did? I watched 51 episodes of Bioman! Yes that ol’ classic sentai series that my siblings used to love -nostalgia spill-. I got all the episodes during my DVD shopping last month. It’s really a good thing (not!) that those all-episodes-in-one-DVD are blooming. At least a non-rich-kid who’s got no time for TV shows like me can have a bonding moment with that ol’ “wonder” box teehee… Okay, going back to the series, I was quite amazed when I was actually able to withstand a Bioman marathon. Sure I loved this series when I was a kid, but if I would be objective, the plot and cinema aesthetic is just too cheesy and flimsy FOR AN ADULT WHO had seen, say, Spirited Away, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Battle Royale, etc. I have to admit, that I enjoyed watching it now because of sentimental reasons. But of course, I love the OST and I find the Bio-boys (Red1, Green2, Blue3) cute hehehe. Even my siblings watched with me, though only my brothers watched it till the end.

The act of gently pinching the ears is a symbol of sincerity, so if you have a true friend and you want to tell how much you appreciate him/her, give him a BIO-GREETING - Bioman

Aww, finally our surveillance audit is through. The auditors are currently convening a closing meeting with the unit heads at the 12th floor, I’m supposed to be there but somebody influential reprimanded me for not wearing uniform. She’s currently in the meeting too, I’m just avoiding another reprimand from someone who doesn’t even have the right to… I honestly intended to wear one if I wasn’t so busy this morning. FYI, Dr. *toot*! I’ve been here in the office since 8 AM yesterday! No sleep! Just to prepare the documents that the auditor might look for! Damn, some people are just so narrow minded… besides, she’s not in the position to reprimand me! Oh people… anyways, the audit went on fine… I honestly would not want to talk about work right now… I just want to rest… I’ve been deprived of it lately… anyways, I got a new book, (second hand of course hehe). It’s “The Last Samurai”… it’s completely different from the movie okay… it’s a story about a mother and boy… about finding his father… I’m glad that I have something to read and make me sleepy at night hehe… my PC only makes me more alive, and therefore eating my sleeping time hehe… for now, I’m just relieved that I can get MORE sleep! Yay!

Hah, a friend alerted me for not updating my blog. Truth is, I do update my journal, I was just feeling idle to upload it. Well for the sake of my regular readers, here’s what happened for the last few days… Anyways, I’ve been very busy (like what’s new with that?)….

I’ve finally got Momonja a filter/ protector. Yay! Damn it cost me 200 bucks! I’m just irritated with the fact that its adhesion means doesn’t work efficiently! Damn, I ended up using a masking tape! Pathetic! I want a refund!!!

I checked Power Station at Rockwell yesterday, And I’m happy to report that I found it really great, just as much as find Timezone G4 and Greenbelt 3 great. Oh how I’d love to hang out with my friends there. Besides from the fact that it has House of the Dead 3 & 4, they also got KTV rooms, and what’s more, their KTV systems have Japanese (and Korean and Chinese Songs). And they have Dive to Blue, Ready Steady Go! Hmmm, more updated than Music 21 huh. Though I’m not satisfied with the sounds system. Well anyways, another good thing is that they have good selection of prizes, much better than Timezone’s. which motivates me to play “ticketed” games. And they have a very good basketball games, they’re different from any basketball games I’ve seen in all the arcade centers that I’ve been. They have this “modernized” look. Plus, Power Station have this reward system every time you reload. Cool huh… and considering I purchased the VIP card (a year ago), that gives me 200 worth of load on my birthday! Yeah! Now as far as I know, there are only 3 Power Station here, Shangri-La, The Podium, and Rockwell (Power Plant Mall). Hmmm, noticed something? All located at high-end malls huh? Well, whatever, I’m determined to earn tickets, I’ve already eyed an action figure worth 500 tickets!!! I will definitely be going back here hehehe…

Last Tuesday was Russell’s flight off to Korea. Damn, I can’t help feeling sad. I’d definitely miss the guy. He’s always been very generous to me and he’s one of the few guys I know that I could have a sensible conversation. Also, I’m being emphatic on Sherry, I just know, she’ll miss her brother the most. And, it’s not gonna be the same visiting the Nery’s home without him… oh well, time flies pretty fast… for all we know, before I’d knew it, he’s back…. 3 years is too short… ne?

Last Monday, I went to Feata, and what a very gloomy state they have there! They had their electrical connection cut! The Saleslady said that the owner (they are talking about the new wife or partner of the Japanese guy) didn’t pay the bills. And it’s been like that for 2 months! Good heavens, it’s the worst! I can’t bear the fact that those manga and anime stuffs are living in darkness. Okay, I’m exaggerating, my stuffs are also in darkness (cabinet) hehehe… but I do take them out of the light (and caress them hahah)at least every weekend. I wonder what were the reactions of the other customers (who’re definitely rabid otaku). Anyway, I went there just to claim my remaining 340 worth of gift for reaching the goal box. I got myself Aneglic Layer volume 2 and Tenkuu No Escaflowne vol. 6. Now speaking of Esca, I have to check which came first, the anime or the manga, because they have different character design… though most anime (90% that is) originated from it’s printed counterpart, there’d be cases that the anime would precede the manga version, just like Evangelion. Going back to Feata, is there anything we, (otaku-tachi) can do? I wish they won’t be closing down yet… oh pls. at least not until I complete my RK manga… I still have 5 tankoubons left to obtain… damn!!!

Also, I finished House of the Dead 4, with Mike, last week at Time Zone Megamall. All HOD are so addicting hehehe… I wish I could finish the very first HOD too, and I guess that’d make me a faithful follower of HOD hehehe. So far, only Timezone at Greenbelt 3 has the HOD 1.

My recent addictions, I’m currently hooked to YUI’s music… her soft and childlike voice reminds me of Sakura Kinimoto. Kawaii!!! But her music can be both jumpy and relaxing. Typical Jpop… but I haven’t seen a female J-pop singer playing guitar… cool! Also, lately I’m into Incubus’s music, and I’ve been pestering Manong Pirate to get me an Incubus MP3. I want all their albums I said! But he’d always tell me that there’s always a raid in Quiapo so he can’t get me one. Geez, alibis! But above all, Narda still tops “Kid’s” chart hehehe… still a constant song number in my playlist hehe… in fact it’s playing in my WMPlayer right now –nag-aabang sa langit, sa mga ulap sumisilip, sa likod ng mga tala… kahit sulyap lang…-

Hmmm, what else, I’ve finished reading The Balck Lotus. Now I’m currently reading The Perfumed Sleeve… I just love it. I learn a lot of yaoi customs during the Tokugawa Era hahaha… scenes from Gohatto suddenly flashed my mind hehehe…

Lastly, we had our calendar planning yesterday. Actually, just a VL planning, my boss asked us to schedule our VL and make sure that no one would lapse the other. Knowing the busiest month for me would be June, I scheduled my VL from June 13-June 23. why, of course, Toy Con, Manila International Book Fair, The Condor’s Quest play, would be held between those dates… and besides, 2 of the most important figures in my life would be celebrating their birthdays in two of those dates… my self-proclaimed holidays hehehe…

And it’s a rainy day today… -sigh- I got no umbrella…

Bad news… well not really, it’s actually good. A friend of mine was accepted at Yokohama Tires Corp. it’s a multinational Japanese company based at Pampanga. Aside from the fact that it’s near her home, I heard that the benefits are much better (of course, it’s multinational). Plus, she’ll be working with a Nihonjin! Cool! But it’s just that I’m gonna miss her… What’s more, Jona is taking her maternity leave starting today. And that leaves me alone in the room we’re renting, huhuhu… well sure the room’s all mine now and I’d have bigger bed space…better sleep.. but that also entails additional cost for me! I mean I’ll be taking the room charge all by myself. I need a roommate!

But anyways, I’ve submitted my resume to Ma’am Minda, Jona told me she was laughing when she received it. I was always being teased because of my underage looks, and I may not look convincing if I’d be a college instructor hahaha! Oh well, the cons of looking young…

what else, tomorrow is the IQA outing, which I’m not so excited. We’re going to Pansol Laguna, thanks to Dr. Hogar’s connections we were able to get a place for free. We’re shouldering the food expenses only. What’s frustrating is that majority of auditors will not be able to come because their own departments will be holding their outing on the same day –sigh- now is there something to be excited? Well, I’m not feeling so well, but I’m definitely coming. Also, tomorrow I’ll be the assigned trainee for the Document Awareness of Business Development Division, I’ll discuss All the controlled procedures of BDD the whole day *sigh* how toxic. And I have to accompany my mom for check up and stress test at 10:00 AM…. Geez, too many things to do tomorrow… and I have to do them simultaneously! Oh please, I thought I asked for a break? –sneeze-sniff- see got a cold already?! haay, i really need a rest... i'd probably just spend my time (during the outing) reading "Black Lotus" hehehe...

Happy Valentine!

Ahoy! It’s Valentine’s Day! The heart’s day… does that apply for broken hearts as well hehehe… I’m single and I don’t have someone to celebrate this special day, but it doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate it huh… Just to pay tribute, I wore a pink shirt… HOT PINK!

I didn’t go to school and work. At morning I accompanied my mom to an Ophthalmologist to have her right eye check. Damn, how come I do not know any Ophthalmologist in MDH?! I’m such a useless kid. Ma’am Ruth referred me to Dr. Canlas, unfortunately, she cancelled clinic today. Then the next one she referred is Dr. Mike Ngu. I went to his clinic and it’s open. So I brought there my mom and my sister. Then the secretary interviewed my mom. Then she asked my mom to enter Dr. Ngu’s room. I went along. A fat guy was there. So this fat doctor checked my mom’s eye and gave prescriptions. But when I looked at the Rx sheet, his siggie told me he’s not Dr. Ngu. It read M. Reyes… So when we came out from the room, I asked the secretary where is Dr. Ngu, then she said he’s out of town and told me that he’ll be back next week. Oh curse that f*cking med. sec! How dare her not inform me that the MD who’d checked my mom was just a reliever of Dr. Ngu! Not that I don’t trust Dr. M. Reyes, but it’s not fair that my mom and I were thinking it was Dr. Ngu we were talking to huh. Anyway, I decide that I’d complain about this… maybe to MSA… I’ll use my connection to Dr. Hogar… I felt like I’ve been tricked. But anyway, I’m relieved that my mom’s fine…

Now let’s talk how I spent my valentine… like I said, I didn’t go to work. I lied to my boss. I said I had to accompany my mom, but actually I was just going to meet Sri. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her and this the only time that she can see me. It’s so hard to book an appointment with her so I took this opportunity to meet her. Haay, thank goodness she finally realized her obligation. Almost a year ago, we had a bet and I won. And the price is a treat at Teriyaki Boi (hehehe it has to be Jap. Resto.). We ate lunch at Teriyaki Boi, Timog QC branch. Gosh, I just love Teriyaki boi, Tamago Sashimi is the best hehehe… the last time I ate there was April 4… *sigh* then after our lunch, we went to a bookstore nearby. The bookstore sells both brand new and second hand books but the place is so gloomy it reminded me of Meg Ryan’s book store in the movie “You’ve Got Mail”. Then we went to Starbucks nearby. Man, it was the largest, most spacious Starbucks I’ve ever been. It has a second floor, and I was surprise to see some conference-table-like there. Very conducive for students studying (minus the noise of course). I showed her momonja.. haha, all along she thought that this is a company property… hehehe, I was proud to proclaim that it’s a PERSONAL property! And still paying it hehehe… I showed her my pictures in my flash drive. When I learned that she had a 3G mobile phone already, I took the chance to take as many pics as I could hehehe… I insisted that we took a pic together. The very first shots weren’t amenable to her. She looked fat hehehe, but it’s only because her face was nearer in the cam. When I transferred the pics in my laptop, she insisted that I erase those pics. But I won’t! Every picture, good or spoiled, is worth a space and worth keeping… pictures are hard copies of memories aren’t they. Anyway, for her relief, I deleted those pics… but the recycle bin never pop in her mind hahaha!!!! So I restored it as soon as I got back to my place hehehe… I’m posting one on my blog. She wouldn’t know anyway, she doesn’t visit my blog eh! Hehehe, I’ll be doomed if she sees it nyahahaha!!!















Anyway, after we parted, I went to Greenbelt, I just don’t feel like going home yet. Besides, Mike requested if we could meet because he wanted to give something. Anyway, as soon as we saw each other, we went home. As his letter to me stated, he notices my sorrow. But more importantly, I’m thankful that he’s always there for me. Like I’ve said to him on my birthday, I’m still sad, but everything about this year is a lot better than last year. There’s a lot more to look forward this year…

KiD at 23...

Okay, it was my 23rd birthday yesterday! In the end my wish didn’t come true. I just wanted a greeting from… Guess I’m totally forgotten huh… Anyway, as I have told Mike last night, I’m still not happy but this is a lot better than last year. He came, and brought us 2 Yellow Cab pizza… thanks to him, I had a birthday celebration. Lee and Nagi came too. We went to Starbucks after my duty. I treated them this time using my credit card *sigh* as much as I want to avoid using it… anyways, we had a chit chat till 11:30 PM I think… Mike gave me bunch of stuffs. This man really wants to make me smile (“,x). He gave me a Totoro stuff toy, 9x12 Canson Sketchpad, “Black Lotus” by Laura Joh Rowland, a sketch of me (again hehehe) inspired from the Animax marathon, and a mini CD wherein he put his dedication in Flash format. Cool huh. Sometimes I feel bad that I can never return the favor he’s doing for me... I told him a million times already. But he has become one of my FEW trusted friends… anyway, I’d like to thank also these people who greeted me yesterday (thru text): Ivy, Richard, Kara, Argiel, Colleen, Cheska, May, Aish, Nagi, Lee, Jeff, Butchoy, Mariel, Sri, Lynn, Rose, Ma’am She, Jason, Mike Fajardo, Mike Felix (sheez, too many Mike!), Sherry, Doraemon, and Glaiza.… and of course people at the office. Nagi gave me an Astroboy stationery, sweet huh (“,x)

Office news! Ma’am Glenda is leaving MDH. She’ll be here until this Friday only. So saddening huh? Everyone’s leaving. Also, Mabel’s last day was last Sunday (Feb. 5). She’s leaving for Kuwait… so that leaves 11 Docs Team members. Huhuhu… I’m gonna miss them… So much for bad news, Have I mentioned that I passed the IQA Training last week? Just before I went to the Animax 24-hr Anime Marathon challenge, passers were announced! To my surprise, I even ranked third! Way to go huh? I audited, together with our Chief Security Officer, Mr. Bong Ramos, 7F (yesterday) and 8F (today) Nurse Stations. Hohum, maybe it’s not for me, I find it boring to study their systems… but I’ve been inquisitive I believe, but some Nursing Practice issues are still vague to me. Tomorrow we’ll be auditing Wing C station *sigh*…

More good news (really?) Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” is again nominated at Oscars for Best Animated Feature! Yay! It’ll be competing with Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of Were Rabbit”. I haven’t seen the two competitors, but I’m very confident that Howl’s has a good chance of winning. Wanna bet? Hehehe… Gosh, I’m hearing “4 Seasons of Loneliness” again. Valentines day is coming and I’m still… haay.. next topic pls. I’ve finally seen FMA movie and I was surprised and glad to know that L`Arc~en~ciel songs were used as opening and ending theme! By the way, I watched it the next day after the 24-hour marathon! Now I know that I can actually watch anime 24 hours straight and watch more the next day! That makes me a certified anime addict huh. The movie was good really, I’m not mentioning the details, I don’t want to be a spoiler, but I highly recommend it!

Anyway, check those screen caps of my birthday celebration. I forced them (officemates and friends) to sing me happy birthday hehehe. Just so I could blow a candle and make a wish hehehe... but my wish didn't come true ='(

It’s not a very good day. I lost my voice since yesterday. Well, okay there was a teeny weeny left. I had my VL yesterday and I was supposed to have a good time. But I’m not feeling well. Up to now I haven’t regain my voice. Damn, I’m close to being mute. I never really thought how important one’s voice in daily living. Taking orders at fast foods, giving my transpo fare and stating my destination, telling the driver to stop when I get there, greeting back the security guards of the hospital, buying something from the store and of course there are these phone calls from friends afar that I have to accommodate. Well, it may not seem to, but these are all essential to me. Yesterday also, I consulted Dr. Arojado, one of our IMSD consultants, and also a friend. I used to borrow videos from him. He likes Asian dramas and some of are Japanese, whenever I have the time to watch, I’d ask him to lend me his videos. But that was before, I don’t have much time to watch now. Anyway, going back to my consultation, he said it’s pharyngitis (I’m not sure of the spelling). He prescribed me tons of medicine hehehe. Anyway, that’s not the real story, while checking me up, he keeps on convincing me to stop with my vices. He’s absolutely in protest of my habits hehehe. Also, he’s trying to counsel me. He said that my behavior and demeanor (damn he observes me!) are somewhat unconventional. He’s asking if I’m lacking something or if there’s something that I am not happy of. He’s thinking that it has something to do with my family. You bet I’m not satisfied with my life but it has nothing to do with my family…

I was actually planning to teach my dad to use computer as I promised him, but I don’t think I could do it tomorrow with the state of my throat now. Hopefully things would be better when I wake up. I bought DVDs! Memoirs of A Geisha and a SMAP concert. Hmmm, I’m not really a SMAP fan, or any boy band, but I find Takuya Kimura rather attractive. Besides, he voiced Howl. He’s the bad boy of SMAP and I really like him. Anyways, I haven’t seen the 3-disc video. Now let’s talk about Memoirs of A Geisha. The very first time I heard that this book will have a movie adaptation, I was very excited. But when I learned that the cast would be Chinese, I was disappointed. But then again, Ken Watanabe was there, besides, the stars are those from the hit movie “Crouching Tiger” hmmm, fair enough. And the dialogue is English, when I was buying it I’m confused whether it was Chinese or Japanese. On to the movie, everything seemed to be fast forwarded. A common dilemma among fans of a long manga series when their favorite manga was turned, or rather condensed, into a 2 hour length film. Of course you can’t expect every element that made the book such a hit present in the movie as well. Some of the vital parts (at least for me) were not there. I was disappointed that the part of a famous artist was deleted. And I was looking forward seeing Sayuri’s peasant lover when she deployed in Osaka, her General husband…and the surprising meeting with the Chairman, (the danna proposal scene)… and one thing, it was FIRMLY stressed in the book, of Sayuri’s unusual bluish eyes… or was I just not listening well… but after all this film is about “memoirs” of a geisha, at least the part of becoming a geisha, though very short is enough. In the end, I am satisfied with the film, though I would highly recommend to read the book to fully appreciate the story. Now this is turning to be a review huh, going back to me, I just tried the gown that I would be wearing on Lynn’s wedding. My, I really have gained weight! I need to loose up!!!