Happy Holidaze!

From me and some of my Tinseltown boyz.

A little holiday cheer because I spent the supposed last two days of the world working.

Panic shopping starts TOMORROW!

A Case of You

Read somewhere that she wrote this song after their break-up. I have no idea if that's true, but they looked like they were super in love.

Some nice articles:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/17/hail-hail-rock-n-roll

http://www.goldminemag.com/article/graham-nash-holds-nothing-back-part-2

Many, many thanks to the movie Practical Magic for introducing me to this song. And then Tori. And then Diana Krall. Years later it's still so beautiful.

We're all in this together...

Kahit si Ben. Este XO. Este my brain stalled. From work, from Ben este XO in uniform, from work, from work.

Temple Town

I don't like crowds--and in Temple Town you will run into a lot of humans. 

It took a while for me to block them out and just focus on the sights. 

 

 It helped that in some places there were few people. So I could hear the trees and the stones and the walls speak.

And for the first time (maybe because Temple Town can slow down sometimes) I got to take pictures of people.

I made friends with a ninja Tuktuk driver (at least I hope I did), ate new stuff like frog and eel, and not-so-new stuff like bean sprouts (they seemed to taste better there for some reason). I realized the kind of people I like (and don't like) travelling with, and thanked my father for the fact that I was the only one (again) who had a flashlight and an umbrella in my bag at all times. 

I regret not going to another country nearby (Vietnam or Thailand), but maybe that's for another journey.

Angkor What?

I didn't get to read up on Siem Reap until the day we left. Not my usual style, and I kinda felt the difference...but I guess sometimes you just have to leave room for surprises.

And hope you get good weather.

More pics and chika when I get home.

Love,
Cyberlaundry in Pub Street, grateful for free wifi

Pro-aging outfit #1

After that horrible "How old are you?" hirit by a then-possible client (now officially a client, huzzah!), Da Boss and I have been trying to level up outfit-wise.

I bought a pair of pumps (!) and a top and left them in the office to break in case of emergency.

I took them out for a spin today.

Comments, suggestions and violent reactions are most welcome. I feel like a dorky kid playing dress-up and need all the help I can get ;)

Coming soon.

This is the first time in a long time (or maybe even ever) that I'm flying without majorly reading up and preparing and making all these lists and grids. But life has been strange, work has been funky, so vahala na si vatman.

But I'm sure that I will not be bringing a black tank top.

Fare thee well.

Paris, 2010.

"My father's people say that at the birth of the sun and his brother the moon, their mother died. So the sun gave to the earth her body from which was to spring all life. And he drew forth from her breast the stars, and the stars he threw into the night sky to remind him of her soul. So there's the Cameron's monument. My folks' too, I guess." - The Last of the Mohicans

When I found out you and the brother were going to Europe back then, I was worried that you would be spending so much money and effort after chemo, etc. I told Kuya the other day, outside our sister's soon-to-be-house, while he sat there on the sidewalk going through your pictures, that I am so glad you did go on that trip together.

In fairness/Fairview/fair Verona--I never saw so many pretty bags in the flesh than at your wake. Thanks for that treat.

Take care of my brother for us, okay? Enjoy the lamon.

How did this happen?

I now have an equal number of sneakers AND ballet flats.

In my defense, I've been a) trying to look more mature, b) doing research, and c) trying to find a successor to my beloved Hush Puppies. I did find a worthy successor--in Hush Puppies. So if I had gone there before everywhere else and not worried that my grandmother and I have the same favorite shoe brand, we would not be having this cyber-conversation.

But! But! If I had gone straight to my Shoe Mecca I wouldn't have run into these two ladies:



Grendha 

I let Fate decide if I was meant to have this shoe. I ran into them in the department store and wore them for a whole week straight or something. They're rubber = my feet don't get wet and they're easy to clean. And they don't hurt! They passed the MRT test and mall test.

Fioni 

I had to wear these babies two days straight because of my crazy life. They survived the MRT test, too! Next challenge: the mall test. Abangan!

They're both quilted, which (to my non-fashionista eyes) adds some texture to my usual plain self.

But just when I thought I was making progress in the fashyon department, this happened last week:


I was in a room full of board members, 98% men. I was dressed in a long-sleeved, button-down plaid shirt, and was wearing my good shoes (Grendha) and my dark jeans. The first thing they asked me before I gave our presentation was, "How old are you?"

FAIL.

Please don't tell me I have to level up to heels now. It's not my fault my face is round. Why should my feet suffer?? Sigh.

Wristful Thinking

This wrist is 

a) making me think I'm crazy, because the pain comes and goes; but I know something's really wrong because I can't even do a push up or down/up/any kind of dog

b) making me think I'm crazy for admiring my mom's veiny hands when I was younger; had I known what those veins FELT like!

c) making my left wrist hurt na rin! CURSES!

The house now looks like it belongs to a serial killer who likes to chop up bodies because there are rubber gloves everywhere--utility room, kitchen sink, labada banyo. Kulang nalang huge sheets of plastic ;)

The doctor says it's synovitis. I've ditched the wrist brace and can now type (but not for too long). Everyday stuff I took for granted (opening doors and faucets, putting my clothes on) are now easier to do, but again, the pain comes and goes. Once our latest major project is done (something I worked on is going to RUSSIA! Russia!) I'm hoping to visit an old Chinaman in Manila who, according to Dad's friend, has performed miracles on other malfunctional humans such as yours truly. ABANGAN!

If I were REALLY honest with myself, I would ask the following to testify under oath that they were not responsible for the state of my wrists:

a) The heavy clasp of my Nine West bag (NO!!)

b) My beloved Kindle (double NO!!)

I plead the 5th!

We watched Snow Patrol! We watched Snow Patrol!

The man is a bard. I actually shed a tear or two. (Was that from the music? His kind words? The fact that we were surrounded by kids, some of whom were PICKED UP after the concert? I laughed from my belly when Syd pointed that out.)

I never thought I'd get to see them live, so I'm very grateful--and a bit sad that I feel a bit guilty about a happy experience when the country is underwater.

Snow Patrol is one of the few bands that I liked post-college. And they weren't one of my "angry chicks" (Syd's term) so I was hoping we'd both like them. He doesn't like them as much as I do, or as much as we like Counting Crows or Better than Ezra, but he was nice enough to drive us to the concert, and convince me to bring The Camera.

And he was super enough to take tons of pictures and videos, because I lost my brain when they started playing.

Here are some of my favorites.

 

Here's the setlist. Kulang nalang Signal Fire, Dark Roman Wine, An Olive Grove Facing the Sea, and The Planets Bend Between Us, but one can't be too greedy.

Up next, for that retro-sing-along experience naman!

 

Sprite Fight*

I can't get enough of this girl!

Sure, she cries a lot...but then again, I cry a lot, too. So kebs.

Heart on her sleeve with the whole world watching

She and Mustafina are so sweet.

I haven't been this enthusiastic about gymnastics since the days of Silivas, Dobre, and Boginskaya!


*Name of a 1988 Time Magazine article on gymnastics that I snail-mailed Time Magazine a copy for because I was such a delusional fangirl.

Deja vu.

London, 2012. 

Montreal, 1976.

I thought those beautiful lines looked familiar.

Gooooo, Russkies! Komova!!! Mustafina!!!

Sorry, Team USA--it's not because I'm a Romanov freak, or the Russian national anthem makes me want to whip out my The Hunt for Red October DVD. I just prefer gymnasts with power AND grace. Komova's floor routine during the all-around made me sigh.

Even the dancers agree she rocked.

John F. Kennedy said something truly terrifying--guaranteed to make every parent's blood run cold: "To have a child is to give fate a hostage." - Bourdain on becoming a father

She's not even mine and my blood ran cold. Which is probably why I should start with a bigger plant, some pet fish, or maybe a puppy.

Snow Patrol is coming! Snow Patrol is coming!

I will watch! I will watch! Itaga mo sa cyber-bato!

Dark Roman Wine!
Set the Fire to the Third Bar!
Signal Fire!
Olive Grove choo-choo!

AAAAAHHHH!

Three Bees: An Update

Mission(s) accomplished!


Mission 1: Babies (and baboy)


No, I did not give birth to a baby...or a baby baboy. (Though I WAS quite the heavyweight when I was a baby, as seen here.)


We got to eat the suckling pig sushi that The Boyfriend was dying to try, and we got to hang out with The Platon Baby! 

We had to OD on tea and hot lemon water to make it through the meal. The Platon Baby was so well-behaved and cute as a button! When the time comes, I'm taking notes from her parents!


I also ran into The Writer-Carpoolmate's baby at Eastwood. Ang kyot din! At enthusiastic about walking back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Was so glad we bumped into them! I should've taken a picture, din!


Mission 2: Bag


Say hello to the most expensive bag I have ever bought (backpacks and maletas don't count; those are necessities in life):

Actual price: P5,250.00
Sale price: P2,887.00

Not in picture: Kulot texting people ("Should I buy this?" "Is this a good price?"), then going around the entire mall before going back to the store. So Libran. I didn't tell my advisors that it was on sale. When I saw them they were all like, "Lalo na! Score!"


It is brown again--I can't seem to find a black bag that I like. But most of my shoes and belts are brown, anyway, so...so there! We spent the day together in the FX, the office, and the grocery. So far, so good. My umbrella fits. I don't know if the Kindle fits (I try not to bring it to work). Let's see how synthetic leather does in this crazy weather of ours...


Mission 3: Ballet flats


Be it ever so humble, there is no place like Hush Puppies.

I love that "W" really means "wide" in their world. And that they really give their shoes honest-to-goodness soles. I don't want to feel the world beneath my feet, thank you very much.


I saw these babies in another store, and they looked so cute, ballet na ballet. But I tried them on AFTER buying the Hush Puppies, so I really felt the difference in terms of comfort. I may give them another chance, though. If heaven wants me to have them, they will be there, in my size, when I go back.

At dahil paninindigan ko na ang pagka-kikay ng blog entry na ito, here is a photo of what I looked like today.

How long will I stay away from my Chucks and Army bag? Abangan!

Cooking for one

The good: I can cook (or not cook) anything. I can eat (or not eat) anything.

The bad: I have to eat everything. For days.

In picture (because am using my phone and have no idea how to make captions): soba with tuna, spinach, and garbanzos.

Not in picture: isang balde ng tuna, spinach, and garbanzos.

So am thinking, maybe I'll have it with pasta next. Then couscous. Then maybe just dump it in the blender and make a shake out of it.

Foodies, chefs, cooks: what say you?

Three Bees

Three bees have been buzzing in my ears: babies, bags, and ballet flats.


Babies 
I blogged about money matters a few posts back. Since the birth of The Sprout last May, my  Internet search history has been full of baby-related websites, and I've stumbled upon some useful information along the way:

1. The Happiest Baby on the Block
This whole "fourth trimester" thing kinda makes sense.
This whole 5 S's System is pretty effective!
If I do decide to have a kid, I'm going to take EVERY class known to man. 

2. CRAZY CRAZY MONEY MATTERS
From pregnancy to delivery
From 0 to 6 months

P221,000??? Say it like Olivier Martinez in SWAT. P221,000??? *Faints* I made the mistake of sharing this information with two co-workers (one married and trying to conceive; the other engaged) and our world got all high-pitched.


Bags
I feel kinda shallow talking about this (especially since some of my dear friends are talking about big stuff like making ethical food choices and self-publishing in the Philippines), but a bee is a bee, and a buzz is a buzz, and this bee has been buzzing.I've never been one for brands. 

My favorite bag in the whole world is an Army bag I picked up at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, during one of my favorite GamePlan shoots. 

Around the world with my trusty bag.

She's been with me on shoots and trips; she magically expands when needed, and has endured countless cramped MRT rides without becoming a victim of some evil pickpocket shithead. I am grateful and full of love, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's time to level up. No, I've never been one for brands, but the world kinda is, and like it or not, I live in this world. That point was probably best driven home by an old friend who wrote, "Tumatanda na tayo. Gone are my $20 bag days." This from a woman who, like myself, used to wear tie-dyed shirts and black boots.

If money were not an issue, I'd bag one of these babies:

If it's good enough for Buffy, it's good enough for me.

As classy as the lady herself.

Probably impossibly impractical. (Unless you're hiding a baby bump.)

Mind you, I've never seen, felt, or even smelled any of these bags. I don't even think I've gone into any of their stores. My trusty Army bag might go into shock. I might go into shock. (P70,000+++ for a bag? A bag?? Can it do my laundry?)

Obviously hindi ko pa keri ang ganyang level ng level up. So I now have a bookmark folder named "Bag Lady", and more accessible girls like Kate Spade, Coach, Nine West, and Tory Burch hang out there. I still shudder at the prices. I've gotten compliments from friends and clients on some of the bags I own (St. Francis Square, Market! Market!, dear ol' SM, I heart you all), so I must be doing okay. But again, there are some places and people in this world who look at stuff like what you wear or own--and while they're not my friends or my places (thank GOD), sometimes I wind up there and a woman's gotta arm herself. 

(I understand now why Scarlett O'Hara made a dress out of her mother's drapes and wore it like armor against Rhett.) And speaking of armor...


Ballet flats
Almost a year ago I wrote about jeans and juju. I was a good girl about the juju part (two out of three plants are still alive and kicking, Sir!), but after buying a pair of straight jeans I went on with my life.

I realized that I can look a little bit more presentable by trading my trusty Chucks for my trusty ballet flats from Hush Puppies. Unfortunately, my ballet flats are slowly dying, and trying to find a good replacement has made me feel like one of them knights looking for the Holy Grail. 

Are they in Payless? Sorta kinda, but I still got to put band-aids just in case, and my baby bunions are not happy. So I flexed my Google muscles and wondered, "Could they be somewhere else, in places that I find too fashyon for scruffy ol' me?"

Abangan! (Wow. I just made a new label: fashyon. Kalowka.)

Because I can't say this on Facebook...

(Because as far as The Parental Units are concerned, I am their innocent, alcohol-free baby daughter)


I will say it here.


Is Hemingway right? Is it really better to "write drunk; edit sober"? Because I was blocked like hell until I cracked that first bottle open...

Photo from majoytheindian.deviantart.com

And then I started dancing around while doing the dishes. And then I stopped staring at that fricking blinking cursor (I HATE that fricking blinking cursor) and started typing instead.

Don't. Drop. The Package.

I held her and she didn't break!

But hot damn, that wiggly neck is all kinds of freaky. And don't get me started on putting her back, or putting her down. Shudder.

The first time I held her I was so tense! At parang pabigat siya ng pabigat.

Mommies of the world, saludo ako sa inyo.

Camp O'Donnell

Must. Get. Electronic ear protectors. Para sulit.

The Sprout is Out.

She took her time (all 19 hours of it), but the Sprout is finally out.

Sing with me now! The first picture of you/the first picture of [Alessa by Tita]

I am relieved. I was climbing the walls, sending white-night email and text messages, and harassing the doctor in the labor room at ungodly hours. Poor, patient woman--she had to deal with me through the night, and my Mom come morning.

To the bat cave! The Parental Units rushing to the viewing area.

While I know women have been doing this for eons, and without any of this modern medical equipment, all these horrible thoughts were going through my head. It's ironic that new life made me think so deeply about mortality and all that jazz. Or maybe that's the point of new life.

May you have your mother's strength, wisdom, humor, and heart. I've been blessed with it for almost 34 years now; may you cherish it as much as I do.