Thankful 12009

The day began at 6:00am (thanks to Bea who's first class is a hellish 7:00-----and to think it's lab!)

Things to remember from today:

1. Encouragement from my mom and aunties and good/best friends. :)
I usually borderline on knowing I'm God has given me talents and stuff I'm good at... that, and the fear that I don't have anything at all, since so many people have existed and are doing/have done great things in the world. Nothing is new under the sun. But I'm well on my way to finding my own niche. It's a matter of taking the time (oh, time!) and discipline. :) I've already accomplished some things so far. So... Let's conquer the world, baby! All those words of affirmation are such blessings. :)

2. "Absolutely Refuse To Worry"
from a book I'm currently reading. This is top-notch advice for people who want to stay focused. It's also good for the health. :P

3. Hades and Persephone

They are so interesting/cute/evil/dark&devious! This is all thanks to my friend Anne for posting a link of a fanfic. My next owl pet will be names Hades. Teeheehee! I'm so inspired! Will make something... soon.

an excerpt:

Hades gagged. "Poetry? Are you serious?"

"Poetry," Apollo said firmly. "Also, do you still have that helm of invisibility? You could sneak into her bedroom at night and watch her sleep!"

Hades stared at the other god, bewildered. "Why on earth would I want to watch her sleep?"

"Trust me," Apollo assured him. "Girls love that sort of stuff. It's all very romantic."

And so began Hades' courtship of the beautiful Persephone.

Wanna read it too?

4. New homework: A reflection paper on...
Reconciling the presence of a good God and the existence of evil (and suffering, if I may add) Not the first time I've encountered this. But for the first time, I actually know what to answer.


Back to work!

Thankful 11709

Things that tickle my gratitude and... transitively, happy neurons:

1. Caressing La Senza's Marshmallow Plush Robes. Wouldn't it be such a dream to sleep in such softness?


2. The smell of oranges (Rustans supermarket in Rockwell has a fresh orange squeezer! :D). It is one of the most invigorating scents in the world!

3. Hurt. Surrender. Restoration. (Thank You for the wonderful surprise!)

4. Beautiful wallpaper and fabrics (as seen in Weaves of Asia. Too bad they don't give away samples.) (PERO GRABE, ANG MAHAL!)

5. Finishing the first of fifty books for 2009! HURRAH! AND being rewarded for it. Heeheehee. (Dairy Queen Banana Split Blizzard. MMMMM.)

6. Japanese snacks. Dropped by the Konbini Store the other day and saw an array of new snacks, expensive Japanese strawberries (they look almost unreal... so plump and red!). One day when I have enough money, I will raid that store and come out with a feast!


Pet Peeves

1. Sharing the bathroom with other people. Sharing spaces with other people, for the matter. I'm a very private person. But I'm cooperative and harmonious, when I have to. :3



Frustrations

1. How on earth does one paste larger pictures on blog entries in blogspot, multiply, and livejournal? They always end up being some 300x200 tiny thing. URGH. oh, make that URGH!!!!!!!!

Delightful! : Ichigo Daifuku

I'm a sucker for Japan and good food. So what more enticing temptation than a delectable Japanese sweet treat?

(Note: They have the same color as my fat dog's tummy.
For those who know her... These are Pizza's puppies! Hahaha)

Here lies an Ichigo (strawberry) Daifuku (rice cake). Upon opening the bag, there's a powdery, rice cake-y (for lack of a better description) smell. This made me a bit anxious that it might turn out like Korean rice cakes (which are too rice-y/starchy for me).

(inside packaging)

Anyway. They're really soft to touch. (Masarap i-poke) Upon holding... "ooooooh! so soft and pudgy! how cute! ^_^" There's also a nice, light dusting of confectioner's sugar.

Now for the most important part: Taste. The not-as-thick-as-it-looks rice-y & gummy skin blends with a mildly sweet strawberry jam filling. MMMMM. I was pleasantly surprised. :)


If you want to try it on your own... I'M NOT TELLING. BWAHAHAHA!:P

Farewell, grassling.

Fare thee well, good little grassling.
At the height of my "Plant Geek" phase, I bought you and nurtured you..
Morning and evening,
you sit by my window
listening to the music of my sanctuary.

If it's any consolation,
your withered look
has given you more character
than you ever had.






On another note:
These are images of mondo grass. Scientifically known as Ophiopogon Japonicum. While it was alive, the above image had dark green leaves. Given another chance to hone my green thumb, I'd go for the Black version of it:


It's really this black. I'll plant it among smooth, little white rocks. :)

Wicked magic & People growing old backwards

Second movie of the year!
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Random Musings:

- Props to the makeup artists. I was blown away by the transformations of the characters. Truly, you have found the secret to the fountain of youth: Make-up.
- Cate Blanchett: Tres beautiful! Her face has such an ethereal, sculptural quality. When she first appeared in the Ballet school (probably in her late teens/early twenties) ANG GANDA GANDA NIYA. They only showed a few, short clips on it though.
- Still finding it hilarious: " I feel the wind in your cheeks." *SMOOCH* (LOL. I mean, who does that??)
- The movie was heartwarming and sad at the same time.
- Among the (nearly full) number of audience, I was the only one who cried. I think. :3 SHAMEFUL, BUT I DON'T GIVE A DAMN.
- Watched with Isa and Carina in Podium last Friday. :) Love you girls!

First Movie of 2009
Hocus Pocus

Random Musings:

- Been waiting to watch this because of a vague memory recall... and because it has Sarah Jessica Parker in her younger years. Curious! It also has Bette Midler.
- It had its funny moments. :)
- There were the Sanderson witches in this movie. Looking at the poster, I think they could pass for sisters because their noses seem quite similar.
- Halloween on New Year's Eve. Hahaha!

2009 Kicks Off... Yesterday

AHOY THERE 2009. It's officially the second day of the year already... and I have unfulfilled one of my goals (which is sleeping at least 8 hours... and sleeping early at that). But anyway, it was quite a day to start off this mysterious, hopeful, 2009.





THE NEWS

Since one of my goals is to be more aware or current events, I read today's paper and did a bit of online researching. Headliners such as the Israel rejection of the 48 hour truce, and the "Senate seeks to regulate pyrotechnics industry" were two that caught my attention. (I read FOOD magazine for other sorts of news HAHA but more on that later)

Fireworks in the Philippines:
My new year celebration was a solemn one in my home while spying on my neighbor's fireworks. Despite the damp conditions (thanks rain!) my countrymen never failed to deliver sparklies in the sky, or daringly enough, on the wet ground. Fireworks are truly amazing. Kudos to the Chinese for developing exploding things to ward away evil spirits (or was that the sun-eating-dragon in the sky?). And more amazing even are the developments we make out of it. (such as sparklers: utterly delightful wands that emit fairy-like sparks... orr... fireworks that imitate falling stars... fireworks that create images... ETC.)

On the other hand, fireworks freak me out a lot. Half of me enjoys them, while the other half is freaked out at the prospect that it endangers lives (MY life to be precise) , if not executed properly. I'm glad that my neighbors don't really light fireworks because we have a lot of trees and overhead electric wires. Plus, there is limited space thanks to the cars parked along the driveways. So...
Worse case scenarios: (all of which lead to one tragic outcome)
1. firework just so happens to go under the car = car explodes = flora and fauna catch fire = trees catch fire = electric wires catch fire = electric wires at home go haywire = my house is burnt to a toast = am i still alive
2. firework accidentaly flies to the electrical wires = house wires go crazy = no more house = am i still alive
3. firework sets tree on fire = tree sets electrical wires on fire = house wires short/explode = am i still alive
4. i'm standing on the balcony (as we usually do) and a stray bullet either kills me or gives a painful injury

Now the thing about the non-regulation of fireworks in the country is the danger is poses to the lighters, watchers, and innocent unrelated 'civilians.' Anyone can buy or make their own fireworks. And the past few years have resulted in serious injuries, or worse even, death for several (or many). That's just horrible, since Christmas and New Years Eve are supposed to be times or happiness... not times of losing body parts or lives. :c It was reported that a young child of nine who was sleeping innocently in her bed was victimized by a stray bullet. It penetrated their roof, and lodged itself in her cheek, so now she needs to get an operation. The others are people who lost fingers or arms...

It's surreal to just read about this, while one is healthy and safe. But the time to take action is never just when one is victimized, and it's too late. The call to pay more attention and filter out this industry is a wise move, especially since there is no firework extravaganza or no means of celebration so worthy as to lose one's body or life to. After watching London's firework display on the River Thames (it was marvelous!) maybe it would be a good idea to plan out the way the fireworks will happen. It may take more effort, but it just might be worth it. From the BBC video, it seemed like a lot of the community went in front of the Thames to watch the display together. And it's not just random bursts of lights in the sky but a brilliant choreography of light and sound (12 months of planning, exploding in the sky! woohoo! ) to usher in the New Year. From the different (video) shooting angles, it seemed like it was the only place with fireworks (after all, what sensible person would want to fire their own and miss out on this grand presentation?). Maybe the rich London folks had their own private affair, BUT ANYWAY. The only beams of light came seemed to come from the Thames...everything seemed concentrated in that area. In addition, it was planned out well enough so that even though were many MANY people, the presentation was high enough so that everyone could watch it and be happy. ^_^ Now I could be completely wrong in my assumption about pyrotechnics in London BUT my point is that maybe it could be a good idea to pool ideas and resources, choose a venue, and have one ultra excellent firework display that everyone can see where the fireworks are regulated and controlled as opposed to multiple small not-as-nice firework presentations where people have greater chances of meeting accidents.

Of course, we live in an imperfect world. And living in the Philippines makes it a notch more difficult. (Hehehe)
So anyway, it turns out this entry on fireworks came longer than expected. So for my news about the Israel-Hamas conflict, some other day.



In line with my other 2009 goals:
1. I love Champagne. Champagne makes me very happy. I'm not drunk right now just in case you were thinking. But this bubbly, varied, sophisticated drink is how I want to celebrate many good thigns in my life. :) Oh, happiness in a bottle!

2. If there's any way I can pray for you, just let me know!

3. I *still* have homework hanging over my head I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL ANYMORE. SIGH!



Closure:
A HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU. Here's to a purposeful, meaningful year ahead of us. :)