A SiP for MayO

May's first homecoming from Singapore celebrated with gossips and coffee.

Christmas Soiree '08

Free flowing foods and drinks, great band, nice music and a Bingo game! It was a night to remember.

InFaMous BaSeball ScEne

The Cullens showed their awesomeness playing the "American past time" while this perfect song was humming in the background.

Supermassive Black Hole
Muse

Oh baby dont you know I suffer?
Oh baby can you hear me moan?
You caught me under false pretenses
How long before you let me go?

You set my soul alight
You set my soul alight

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the 'supermassive'

I thought I was a fool for no-one
Oh baby I'm a fool for you
You're the queen of the superficial
And how long before you tell the truth

You set my soul alight
You set my soul alight

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the 'supermassive'

Supermassive black hole
Supermassive black hole
Supermassive black hole

Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

(You set my soul alight)
Glaciers melting in the dead of night
And the superstars sucked into the supermassive

Supermassive black hole
Supermassive black hole
Supermassive black hole

ShOe AttaCk

"This is a gift from the Iraqis. This is the farewell kiss, you dog!"

- MUNTADAR AL-ZAIDI,
a reporter with the Cairo-based TV network Al Baghdadia, as he hurled two shoes at President George W. Bush during a Dec. 14 press conference with the Iraqi Prime Minister in Baghdad

www.time.com

CraZy, WhirlwiNd WeeK

Everyone has a say about everything. From the inconvience they endure to eat in the new pantry, to whether they are going to attend the Christmas party and to wear jeans or cocktail dress, to their impatience to finally get the 13th month pay, to the speculation if there would be work on Dec. 26, the urban jungle is in total abuzz, and the negativity can drive one CRAZY.

I refuse to be sucked on that all those trivialities. I am lucky not to have the luxury of time to deal with it because I have to prepare the related literature for my project study that my professor required me to do. So it all came as a blur, like a WHIRLWIND,and came Friday, my papers are ready to be printed. I deserve a pat on my shoulders for that. No one would pat me so I'll do it. PAT! PAT!

But I won't get all the credit for my job well done. I stumbled upon the OST of Twilight and I fell in love with it. The last time that I got so interested in a soundtrack was in the movies Charlies Angels and Kill Bill Vol.1. The tracks were all great, but I like the song Tremble for my Beloved the best. With it's cool guitars and amazing beat, studying while working had been a very enjoyable task to do!




The hour has begun
Your eyes have now opened

To a world where madness craves
To a world where hopes enslaved
Oh, Ill tremble for my love always

Your windows, opened wide
Your innocence takes flight

To a world where madness craves
To a world where hopes enslaved
Oh, Ill tremble for my love always

Its a world where madness craves
Its a world where hopes enslaved
Oh, I tremble for my love always

Its a world where madness craves
Its a world where hopes enslaved
Yeah, I tremble for you, love, always

NoT so GOLDEN after all

Oscar dela Hoya had been beaten black and blue after Manny Pacquiao demolished him for eight rounds.He made a wise decision to save his bloody handsome face for any further damage and did not welcome the idea of kissing the mat. Manny gave another reason for the 'people in the Islands', as one of the commentators called the Filipinos, rejoice in jubilation glowing with pride.

Definitely Worth All the BuZZ

Stephenie Meyer burst into the limelight after writing the best seller novel, Twilight, about the Adonis-like vampire, Edward Cullen and ultimate klutz high school girl Bella Swan. It was supposed to cater to the tween readers, but it appealed beyond any age. And me, in my quarter life had been bitten, badly, by this romantic-fantasy novel.
Beyond the narration and interaction on the first few pages which features the all too familiar American school set-up of teen angst, frenemies, longing to belong and the new-girl-in-school drama which confused me if I am reading a Sweet Valley book; and the seemingly lack of creativity about the existence and nature of vampires aside form the diamond like glitter due to the sunlight and the convincing description about the attractive smell of the the prey - Twilight soars way above the other books on the same genre.

The reason why it is an exceptional book is an open secret. It is because of Edward and Bella. One smile from Edward and the readers lost their mind. Every ladies can relate to Bella, the self described plain and ordinary girl. And who wouldn't swoon to experience such romance with sizzling intensity? The story is indeed about an obsessive, unhealthy relationship. But it was explained that just like a carnivorous plant, vampires seems so beautiful to their prey and Bella is just seventeen years old so it is not surprising that 'his mere presence intoxicates her'. As for Edward, he had been a living dead for almost a century, so now that he found his 'his exact brand of heroin', even though he resisted it, he can't deny his cravings anymore. So it was actually logical that they fell for each other with such tenacity never mind risking their own self destruction.

It had been a pleasant surprise that I actually liked the movie too. Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen had been one of the best casting ever since Orlando Bloom as Legolas. He is simply PERFECT. His on-screen chemistry with Kristen Stewart was almost as burning hot but rated PG- sweet as the same time just like in the novel. And the Cullen family had been an extra bonus with their Justice league-esqe efforts and 'vegetarian diet' morals. The visuals were dreamlike as it features misty mountains, secluded forest and lush greeneries. Even the music was surreal, creating the variety of moods complementing the other elements of the movie. The movie definitely won new followers for the book. Count me in as one of the minions of fans of this franchise. Midnight Sun will be another must read, hopefully in 2009.

HaVe I been NaUgHty or NiCe?

Either way, I believe that I am still Santa's favorite. So here is my ultimate Christmas wish list that I think will extend as my New Year wish list as well because it is just too long and my much awaited 13th month pay is yet to be announced.

1. BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! Gabriel García Márquez' Memories of My Melancholy Whores, Paulo Coelho's The Witch of Portobello and JK Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard. If I can get the book seven of Harry Potter and ALL Haruki Murakami books, I'll be in paradise.
2. A COMPLETE NEW SET of wardrobe for my office and casual wear.
3. USB to transfer my files before our computer will be reformatted.
4. House M.D. tv series Season 4 and 5 DVD.
5. All expenses paid to 'any procedure' in Medical City.
6. One year supply of Revlon foundation, Sand Beige.
7. Free trip to the salon and dermatologist for a 'general overhaul'.
8. A trip to Palawan for the summer vacation.
9. A trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Not really an impossible quest right? I will just make a checklist to chart my progress in realizing this wish list. If Santa can't make this come true, I guess I have to be my OWN Santa. Merry Christmas to ME!

He's the Man!

"I still hear the voices of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Tupac Shakur, Kurt Cobain, The Notorious B.I.G. and Frank Sinatra to name a few. And their voices rise from their graves.

I am lucky to have been a recording artist and one day when I leave this world, just like the names I mentioned, my voice will be heard. Always. At a touch of a button or switch, I am "alive" again.

In essence music is life. Music is immortality."

- Francis M. in his http://happybattle.multiply.com

TGIF

I finally been able to enroll in the the last two courses to finish my MAT in UE. It is about time because I had been toiling for this degree for two going to three years now. It is not so friendly in the pocket and definitely no Friday night outs, so I am nearing the end of the tunnel and see at least the silhouette of a diploma. If everything will go smoothly, I will have my go up in the stage this March. Oh, it is so nice to write that down, if only it is as easy as that. I have a tough act to follow as I was able to score the best two grades for my Literature classes last semester. Not that I am not going to TRY to do that again for my Project study. And yes, the result of the Compre exam is not yet out. The suspense is unbearable. Did anybody even have a passing score on that test? Don't know what's taking it a long time.

US Choking

ReN nO HaNa

There are many anime series with diferrent themes and styles available to anyone's fancy. Most of them becomes favorite of the moment, being obsessed about by the enthusiastic fans. But as an avalanche of newer series takes centerstage, it will just be in it's rightful place in due time, insignificant and passe good only for trivia contests.
But there are some series which becomes better as time passed by. It only becomes more interesting and intriguing soon after it ended, atleast with the DVD that one owns. NANA is one of them. So what makes this anime about rival punk bands who love sex, drugs and rock and roll an all time favorite?


The relationship between the lovers in the series, Nana and Ren makes a very good story. The best part of the series is that when it was revealed how Ren abandoned Nana, and their band, to pursue a career in Tokyo with a more established band. Even with a strong facade, she was devasted and heartbroken, but later vowed revenge by being a more famous with her own band.



How they got back together, their rocky relationship that follows and the bitter rivalry between Black Stones and Trapnest added on the charm, depth and conflict in NANA. As Nana told Ren in the bathtub upon their reconciliation, she wants to go back to their old apartment after all their 'vanity' were satisfied. But NANA is not the type of series which promises a good ending.


Who would not fall for this guy? Ren was just only one of the cool guys from this series. Very talented, higly ambitious and extremely passionate but has a tendency to self destruct.

Ren Honjo was said to be inspired from Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistol.They even both have the same padlock and chains around their necks.

The movie Sid and Nancy was about the life and the tragic end of Sid Vicious and his girlfriend, Nancy. Fans hoped that NANA won't end the way the the movie concluded. Nancy was found murdered in her own room while Sid died of heroin overdose.




No matter what the ending is, which supposedly includes Ren dying in a car accident, NANA will already be in the Hall of Fame in anime series turned Japanese live action drama. And the video above entitled Endless Story, says it all.

Post-Apocalyptic America

The Road is a about the journey of a father and son who are survivors when the world ended. Now they should fight for their survival by scavenging foods and dodging cannibals who lurks the destroyed cities. They follow that road that will lead them to a better place wherein they would not freeze to death. All they have is their cart full of their measly meals, a tarp, scraps of clothing and a pistol with one remaining bullet that the father instructed the boy to save for himself 'when the time comes.'

The book was disturbingly eerie as it describes ruined city as covered with ash, trees all blackened and gray snow falling from the dark sky. It was a page turner as they were constantly chased by the lawless band who wants them for food or as a catamite. It was horrifying even when they were just checking abandoned houses or ships or just walking in the road or when they were about to sleep. It was as if danger always lurks around them and something bad was bound to happen. And the book was heartfelt and touching as it showed the love between the father and son; the determination of the father for his son to survive and the boy's innate kindness and his belief that 'they are the torch bearers who carry the light' . It also gives a heartbreaking but satisfying and sigh worthy, in a good way, conclusion.

Viggo Mortensen as the father will be something to look forward to in he upcoming film adaption of this book. The Road is indeed a must read masterpiece and worthy of a movie version which is to watch out for in 2009.

UrBaN JungLe

Historical, indeed

NiCe Ad, nIce GaMs

Does she has the mustache milk? Maybe supermodels are exempted to have a smear on their faces. Not that it will make Heidi Klum even a bit ugly. Mooo!

Jap Lit

Voyeuristic yet unreliable narrator. Richly detailed but still with lose ends. Funny, endearing characters. Dreamlike, intriguing and bittersweet. A good read.

FiNaLe

This is our last day in our Asian Literature class. After two years, I am about to finish my MAT course. I already took the Comprehensive exam and currently waiting for the result. If everything goes well, I will start with my thesis next sem. ^^

Friendship among men

... can sometimes be more sincere with less competition than female's.