Layers of Dreams

I dare say that Inception is one of the best movie ever made. I expect that it set a standard in smart film making the same way UP influence animation films and Avatar set the standard in special effects.
The movie reviews claim that the movie was really complicated that they compared it to a quiz and a puzzle. So I decided not to dwell with the complexity of the rules of Inception. I just took it as it is, they enter the dream of a person to plant, alter or get a memory. I just let myself be dazzled with the artificial beauty of the dream. I just accepted that their high tech equipment can just be put in a silver case and a drop of liquid can change the appearance of a man in the dream. The premise of the movie was outrageous, and that was the part of its' success, because moviegoers still believe.
Leonardo DiCaprio should have his first Oscar Best Actor award. He was already nominated but never won yet. Critics should realize soon how deep an actor he is, with a string of notable movies and brilliant acting. He once again shined in tackling the emotional mess that he is as Dom Cobb. He was the guilty husband, the longing father but he was also the headstrong leader of his group and a selfish brat. He is a complicated persona who I was mesmerized and sympathetic with.
Another actor that really impressed me was Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I discovered him in Inception the way I did with Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Carribean. I heard a great deal about him, particularly on his movie 500 Days of Summer. But I have to watch this movie for me to take notice. To say that he was awesome throughout the movie was an understatement. With Hans Zimmer's musical score, his scenes in the elevator was one of the coolest ever. I just fell in love with him as he battle it up against the projections, defied gravity, prepared the kick and rope his colleagues together. I think this role was a defining moment of his career and he should have more mainstream movies really soon.
The simultaneous events in the real world and in the layers of dreams was also exceptional. The slow motioned drop of the van, with the detailed shots of the team while being chased by the projection with their guns blazing while they are also endangered in dream land. It was amazing that they have to go all through that just to alter a memory. And the clever last shot of the movie was really controversial. Movie buffs can have debate or even write a thesis about it but it can never be resolved.
The action, drama, revelations and twist in the movie were all embedded to make it a benchmark, something that movie producers, writers and actors should aspire: excellence and nothing less.

Poxy Bride

The newly formed PM6 just had our first ever party together. We threw a bachelorette's bash for our dear colleague, Poxy. We congratulated her because she will get married to the love of her life. But the sad part is she is also going to resign from work. You see, her lucky guy, Rodrigo, is a Puerto Rican US soldier. So they are set to go to the States to settle down and start their family.
We decided to have a fun send-off party for her. We had some exciting games such as cucumber relay and 'eat the banana'. It was really fun because everyone was so into it and we had a good laugh. I was really pleased about it because we made Poxy happy and everyone was really cooperative (except for some girls from our group who just disappeared in the party). And Kevin made a caricature for Poxy which captured her sexy and sultry vibe.
I hope that this will only be the beginning of the fun times my team will have. And of course, we wish Poxy and Rodrigo a happy, exciting and God-centered marital life.

Orly Got Married

Don't Stop Believin'

Whew! I finally finished the drafts of the first and second chapters of my project study. I am really happy that I proved to myself that I could actually do it. I was starting to doubt myself if I can even survive with the two chapters. But apparently, I can!
I don’t want to fool myself, though. I have a long way to go. The good thing is my professor gave me valuable comments to further improve my work. There had been major changes about the statement of the problem and research paradigm even with the title of my study. In our consultation, she gave me good advice on how to do it better. So I am not lost in the dark, I am now more confident that I can really do this.
I know that my work is far from perfect, but I am challenging myself to step it up to present her my chapter three and the revised first two next week.
A lot of drama had been involved in my quest to finish my project study. It was really fun to write and then to read and reflect on it. But I have to focus on what I have to accomplish. An output, a hardcopy will all that matter.
I have to continue researching for theories and literature, and then make an outline for clarity. I have to rewrite my draft, check the grammar and make corrections. I have to discuss with my bosses my methodologies on how to evaluate the speaking skills of my students. Then if I can have the go signal from them, I can start conducting the test to my respondents.
Oh, my to-do-list is crazy. But who says that producing a project study while you are also working is easy? I just have to keep in mind that I should not stop believing that I can finish this before the last week of October. I’ll just take it one chapter at a time. Then hopefully I will just surprise myself that I am finally done.

ECLIPSEd

photo: www.e!.com

In the photo, Edward and Bella are reacting to an angry mob taunting them how their third movie sucks.(Kidding!)

I had been brutally honest when I reviewed the book version of New Moon. In a nutshell, I expressed my disappointment with the 'unsatisfying' battle of the Cullens and the werewolves against the new borns. I also thought that the pages of the book had been unnecessarily thick. And the back story about Jacob's tribe had been well detailed worth skipping.

I dare say that I liked the third movie way better than the book. The book had been too long to finish while the movie will end for two hours. The point, heart and essence of the pages had been more satisfactory compelled in the shorter version of the movie. Critics mercilessly panned New Moon. But I think it was as not as bad as they say it is.

It was made for the gazillion fans of the Twilight Saga. It is really not for everyone. One should care about Bella, Edward and Jacob to appreciate it. The first movie is still the superior among the three books and movies and it is unlikely that the two-part Breaking Dawn can surpass it. But will that stop me from watching it? Definitely not.

New Moon has a deeper emotional conflict as the triangle of a human, vampire and werewolf was presented. I still like everything about Edward. I adore the body physique of Jacob. And Bella is still okay. I like how they interacted with each other, the love, confusion, jealousy, betrayal and devotion. I am a fan of their love triangle which solicits chuckles, kilig, smile but sometimes eye-roll and pursed lips, for Bella, from me.

The best thing about this movie is that it also tackled showed the past lives the lovable members of the Cullen clan. I love Jasper and Alice and I was happy that they have more airtime as a couple this time around. Rose is also a compelling character and showing her tragic past explains a lot about her.

I always thought that the Cullens are like a superhero family. And in this movie, they were shown to be brave and strong, ripping the new borns into shreds. Aside from their strength, I also admire their ideologies about second chances and leading the hard but right path of life. And of course there is Dakota Fanning as Jane and the rest of the Volturi, menacing and threatening, casting dark clouds to the future of the Cullens; specifically Bella and Edward.

I will still hope that the last two movies will not be released only to rake millions of money. It is not for fan service, but also to give the high-quality of the movie that the fans deserve. The trio of Bella, Edward and Jacob should still continue to work on their acting chops and Summit media should invest more to the special effects. They still have two movies to finally get it right.

Red Reigned

Flashback 1/3: ALOHA!

The daily grind had been peaceful for half a year after the company's Christmas party. So to shake things up, the previous PM6 team led by TL Josie spearheaded an exciting office event, Mr. and Ms. Xepesys Earth 2010.



The good thing about having this party is that my former team, PM1 had a good bonding time for preparing for this. We showed team effort to make our head dresses and leis for the team. It was really good because our team spirit was really high. Everyone had a good, roaring fun.



I am just so proud with this sassy girl, Jena. She is our candidate for the pageant. I convinced her to represent our group and she accepted graciously. She represented our team glamourously with her poise, charm and wit.The crowd went wild in the presentation of the candidates. Everyone was floored with her sexy dance number.She was a leathal combination of beauty and talent that she won tha Ms. Close Up Smile award and earned a spot in the final round. And she epitomized grace under pressure as she impressed the panel of judges in the question and answer portion.



A number of candidates proved they have the guts, beauty and smarts. A lot of them had been a revelation. They captivated the audience with their beauty queen alter egos, making their respective teams cheering with pride. They flaunted their Hawaiin party-ready bodies, wowed everyone wih their talents and proved that they can handle any mind-boggling final question.



Congratulations to our representatives, Jena, for winning the well-deserved second runner-up and Ms. Close-up Smile; and Michael, with his funny, boy-next-door appeal landed him to first runner-up and Darling of the Crowd award. I will never forget how gamely you two did your best to represent our team; and for making that evening a truly special and unforgettable one.

Library Hopping

Time management had always been my problem, even in my project. I promised myself to wake up early but I was too exhausted from work. I took a mental note that I will work on it during my break time at work but I have to start conducting QA to my team, so it never happens.

The only free time that I have is every Saturday. And in the past two Saturdays, I have been successful in making progress on my chapter one. Last July 3, I discovered that I should also worry about my understanding of directions. I’ve mentioned that my class is going to have a field trip at the UP Diliman library. So I was there before 9:00 am, lo and behold, non-UP students are not permitted to even step foot on the library every weekend. Fuming will do me no good, so instead I just ate egg sandwich and drink C2 while enjoying the fun activities in the Sunken garden and jogging area. I decided to just go back to the UE Graduate school library that also boosts of good books about my topic, Distance Education. I took a jeepney with an MRT sign, which was a mistake because MRT is different from LRT, haha.

I ended up in GMA-Kamuning train station. I dare asked the security guard what station should I alight to go to Recto, he said that it will be on the second station. Seeing a CEU student in the carriage was a relief, I can just follow her! So that is what I did, I strutted my way around Araneta and Gateway mall, but I think she felt that someone was on her trail, she suddenly stopped dead and not wanting to be busted, I just continued prancing, following the flow of people who are obviously on their way to the train station.

On my way to the train, I realized that people don’t line up in the first carriage because it was for ‘special’ people. Believing the I was also one of them, someone who lost her way and needs to rest, I made my way into it, only to be warned by a security guard who was about to blow his whistle. I immediately shifted back, but giving the guy a ‘sweet and innocent’ sarcastic smile for doing his job well. =)

I was already comfortable in my place when I realized that I should have alighted from the station before Recto. So I need to go back! I cursed everyone on my way, but because I am no witch, there was no effect at all. I am already on a jeepney going back to UE when my classmate sent me a text message. And guess where they are…

They are in the National Library. I was like, ‘That is in Kalaw, I don’t know how to get there!’. After receiving a feeble answer from the guards, I made my way back to Recto, and then when I was too tired to continue my hike and still no jeeney going to Kalaw, I asked a barker. He told me a direction, I asked “Pwede bang lakarin?’, I think he said ‘yes’. And that was a fatal mistake.

It was so far! I even have to go to the underpass to cross to Isetan. When I saw the underpass, I muttered, “There is no way in hell I will go in that underpass.” But I did it anyway, almost running for my life. After that, the gods had their good laugh, they let me see a jeepney going to Kalaw. At last, I am on my way to my destination.

But there was no warning at all what my destination awaits me. It was hot as being inside an oven in that library. And I am not being a diva, it was really hot, how can people study well in that kind of temperature still baffles me. Instead of starting to look for my related literature, I sat down in the bench, stretched my poor legs and enjoyed the still humid air from an electric fan. I almost jumped for joy when I finally saw my dear professor and classmates. I hold my tongue before I can say “Can we go now?”, I think they also suffered enough and rewarded themselves to just go back to the comfortable, air-conditioned library of UE.

Our meeting yesterday was the opposite of my disastrous misadventures last week. My professor and classmates were nowhere to be seen. I learned from one of my classmate that we were supposed to be in the Ateneo library this time. But I have no intention to drag myself to Quezon City when I was in a roll in my chapter one in the comforts of UE library. Even though I am not with the Jesuits, I think I am in good hand because I am with the Red Warriors, where I think I belong, err, aside from the Marooners of course.

Paul the Psychic Octopus was Right?!

Head Games
Spain's Carles Puyol, right, heads the ball to score against the German side. They would win 1-0, sending the Spaniards to their nation's first ever World Cup finals appearance.

www.time.com

Personalized Heaven

My thoughtful friend, May, gave me an amazing book for my birthday. It’s Mitch Albom’s The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The book made me realize several things about life, death and beyond.

Eddie Maintenance is the hero in the book. He learned life’s lessons in his after life. He died in an accident in Ruby Pier where he works. But before he can have his own piece of heaven, he must first meet the five people whose lives intertwined with his.

First he met the Blue Man who told him “there are no random acts, that we are all connected. That you can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind.” This is why you should be aware on how you treat others. What I do or say will affect others even if I am aware of it or not. I actually have a mantra about it, that everyday is an opportunity to be a blessing to someone.

Then his captain had been also waiting for him. What he shared with Eddie is that “sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It is something to aspire.” I think it was my parents who sacrificed a lot for our family. My mom and dad worked really hard to support my sister and me. I got everything I need and want because they had been selfless. I had not made a major sacrifice in my life, but through Eddie’s captain and my parents, I learned its’ true meaning.

The third was Ruby, who explained to him why his father died and demanded from him that he must finally forgive his father. I am not a person who easily forgives and forgets. How can I forgive someone who hurt me and made me miserable? And then I remember that I also sinned against others. I also inflicted misery and pain to others. No one is perfect, so I need to give that person another chance, I need to forgive him and forget about it to have a clean slate.

Then he met the love of his life, his wife Marguerite. She reminded him that “Life has to end, love doesn’t.” Nothing is permanent in this world, not even the people who are important to us. They will leave us one day, or we might go on first. But that is not the end of it. They will be with us physically, but their love and memories will be seared in our hearts.

And the last door led her to a girl named Tala. Finally she revealed to him what was his life was all about. It was keeping the children safe in Ruby Pier by being the maintenance.

After reading the book, I reflected that life is a journey that we should enjoy. Everyday is a gift that we should be thankful of and make the most of it.

more than just a TOY STORY

Toy Story had become one of the best franchises of Disney. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang remained to be so lovable and surprisingly, relatable.

Andy is all grown-up and on his way to college. He decided to put all his toys in the attic while he will take Woody with him. But with some twist of fate, they ended in the seemingly perfect Sunnydale daycare. But soon they discovered that it was unjustly run by a cuddly but cunning pink Teddy Bear. It turned out that the paradise façade of their new ‘home’ is a prison, torture cell and labor camp rolled into one.

I especially like the humor of Toy Story 3. But I also appreciate its’ strong stance about social equality. We were once again reminded that dictatorship would only result to injustice and fear. The abusive leader will fall as his victims will unite and stand against him. When their fallen leader met his inevitable demise, there was a reform in the daycare. Every toy will have their time to be ‘played’ by the youngsters while those who worked will have a free time out and well-deserved massage. It seemed that the toys are now happier with the democratic reign of Ken and Barbie. If the toys can do it, I think we, in a human society can also follow suit.

The third movie also revealed why the toys, especially, Woody is crazy about Andy. He made a cool introduction for each toys. I felt that he really loves and cares for his toys even though he is now an adult as proven when he initially hesitated to give away Woody to the little girl. It is really hard to let go of something important to us, but sometimes life forces us do it. With a heavy heart, we must accept that it is for our own good and those who matters to us.

out-scored.out-played.out-classed.

Beaten
Germany's Miroslav Klose scores a goal past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Germany won the match 4-0.

www.time.com