ESSENTIALS * DEMANDS * OBSESSIONS

This is how I ALLEVIATE my FRUSTRATIONS..... making non-sense lists.... hahahahaha Just For FUN bois and gals!!!!

=====================

***ESSENTIALS***
6 Things You Cannot Leave Home Without
-Rosary Necklace
-Cel Phone
-Shanghai Tang Wallet
-American Express Card
-Nano iPOD
-Sony DIGI Cam (not pictured as it is what I used to take the photo above... lols!)

***DEMANDS***
6 Things on your WISH LIST
-Burberry Watch
-tokidoki USB
-Pinoy Team Jersey by Adidas
-more Prison Break
-gym membership in all destinations (Manila, US, Taiwan)
-INTERNET CONNECTION / CAFEs (everywhere I go!)

***OBSESSIONS***
6 Things You are Obsessing On
-tokidoki
-chocolates
-rosaries
-premium vinyl toys
-Mike He (Taiwan's HOT Soap Star & Model)
-Men's UNO magazine (Taiwan's Male Fashion Magazine)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

There is nothing about the new "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" movie feels too old and trying -- though it has been 19 years since the first one ever came out.... the series for me, with the newest installment has been rejuvenated -- tremendously.... with hopes and promises of more to come... and I can only hope they will come out with more....

Everything old is new again, as the saying goes... and I did not think Harrison Ford,looks any older than he did from when he first started... he still ahs the same charms and vigor as he did when he first put on Indy's hat.... if he is getting older - he sure did not show in the action sequences.... He IS and FOREVER will be, Dr Jones!!!!

The movie really gets you going.... the action sequences that are so enormous (as expected from Mr Spielberg) -- they do not just wow audiences, but rock us in our seats and make us laugh at the audacity of it all. Critics might dismiss this latest installment as probably the worst of the "Indiana Jones" movies, but the franchise's FANATICS worldwide would AGREE that it's still pretty much a delight, from the beginning almost until the end. Credits should be given to the filmmakers' insistence on making a film in which the action is nonstop, in which the viewer and the characters never quite have the chance to breathe.

And from what I read - this one went though the ringer as all three MAJOR players (SPIELBERG, HARRISON FORD & George LUCAS) has to have APPROVALS on every details... and that alone, as we all know in HOLLYWOOD LINGO, is an ADVENTURE on it's own....

STARRING
Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett,
Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt,
Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf
DIRECTED BY
Steven Spielberg

Fun, Food, Friends

Saturday the 24th was spent most of the time at Juliana's home - here in Taipei... Juliana as most of you know is one of the few friends I do have here in Taiwan... you have seen her in some of my photo albums as I normally get together with her, at least, once a month - or we try to anyway... She is just as busy as I am - not to mention - she travels just as much, if not more, as I do.... so for the most part, we see each other in between our comings and goings....

The day was set for us to get together along with Sue & Cecilia... two other long time friends in Taipei... and yes, like Juliana, they are a couple of BUSY GALs!!! I see them less as somehow, our dates just do not mesh well.... so the few times we do see each other - we try to make the most of it.... a bit of history: Sue went to school in the USA as well... that is where she met Juliana - in college at Berkeley School.... we could have almost met as well, as she attended the same HS that I did... albeit a couple of years behind me....

David got up quite early in order to prepare most of the things he would be making for all of us.... then we stopped by the market, and picked up a few more items for the complete lunch we would all be sitting down to.... Got to Juliana's home by 11:30.... and right away David went for the kitchen to unpack...as Juliana and I huddled and admire her collection... the display I have yet to see as she changes her display cases now and again.... this time around she had momoko and Blythe dolls on display... of course, that was cut short as Chef David was calling for us for help with more prepping.....

Sue & Cecilia arrived half an hour later and Juliana and I could not be happier...Cecilia loves to cook and was more than happy to relieve us of kitchen duties.. David and her finished all the cooking - happily... as Sue, Juliana and I chatted about life & work... blogging.... flickr...eBay.... travels... and everything else in between.... time flew by fast and lunch was served...

Delicious meal all around... toasted bread topped with sauteed tuna and veggies... a creamy veggie soup in a nice shade of green... Pasta with herbs and garnishes with a side of Shrimp.... plus a sumptuous roasted pork, pre- and marinated in herbs and spices.... and for dessert, Sue & Cecilia brought a delicious turnover cake filled with all sorts of nuts an fruits... which went well with Juliana's fresh cut up fruits (pineapple and guavas)....

Later we retired to the living room for more chatting sessions and keeping up with each other's lives.. snapping photos... and of course, planning the next get together lunch.... which will have to be after I come back from a business trip... and Juliana and her MOM from a tour of Germany -- yes, that would be a whole month later... and wouldn't you know it... it was past 6PM.... and it was time to part ways and head on to our individual dinner plans..... LOLs....

Overall, it was another GREAT time with friends.... topped off with delicious food... not just for the tummy but also for the eyes....

"Love Is...."

Just marking this day with this beautiful passage sent my way this morning....
===================

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes. Love does not come to an end.”
====================================================================

'Never Mind... i'll just go and eat'

All I wanted was to be able to get a Philippine Passport -- just so I can stay in Manila longer than the 21 days am able to with my US Passport... 21 days is more than enough for most of the time.... especially since my busy work and travel schedules allows me only a week at the most each time I visit... But bow and again, XMAS and VACATION Holidays, I would love to spend a longer time... to hang and be with family and friends, as they have more FREE time, as well....

So I inquired with our lawyer in Manila how to go about re-acquisitioning a Philippine Passport for me... and was told that it is a fairly simple procedure, as long as I have my Philippine Birth Certificate as Proof of Birth in Manila - I should be able to get one.... and was given the TIP to do so outside the Philippines as the Philippine Embassy in Manila is just too crowded and too slow.... that I should be able to do this at any Philippine Embassy nearest me....

Today, since I had some FREE time, I went early to MECO (Manila Economic & Cultural Office in Taipei)... only half an hour away from where I live..... got there early enough and already was happy to see that there was not a lot of people.... then I got my # and it was #215, saw that #208 is being helped, so I was ecstatic even more.... this will be FAST, I told myself..... WRONG!!!!!

After 20 mins sitting around waiting, it was still #208 being served... so I took a better look and I saw that there was no one at the windows at all.... no one... and no one around even to ask what was going on..... not even a sign to say they were on a coffee break or something.... and the Ates and Kuyas all seemed restless, but were already resigned to waiting..... so I figured I had no choice but to go with the flow.... another 15 mins had passed before #209 was called.... and it must have taken another half an hour before it was my turn!!! already this is a big FRUSTRATION for me... as most people who know me well, knows that there is nothing I HATE (with a capital H-A-T-E!) more than to wait for anyone or anything!!!

Still I went up to the counter.... and still with a big smile and told and explain the person what I wanted to do.... right away he cut me off and mumbled soooo many papers that I have to have... And still with a smile, i pulled out of my bag and provided him with my US Passport, my US NATURALIZATION Certificate... and my Philippine Birth Certificate.... after looking them over a few minutes, he looked up to me and said - that they needed to be AUTHENTICATED.... "Authenti-effing-what?" I mean, how much more authentication do you need.... the papers were all ORIGINAL.... Notarized.... and signed by the POWERS that be during the times I was born (Birth Cert) and sworn to be a US citizen (Naturalization Cert)... Then he went on to say the even my PASSPORT needed to be authenticated.... never mind that it is CURRENT... full of STAMPS from all my travels - including many from my numerous trips to MANILA the last few years....

At this point, my PATIENCE was long gone.. I asked to speak to someone higher..... was told that it is not possible.... instead he went back and I was told he will speak to them for me.... when he returned, I was informed that I would need to go back home to AMERICA, go to the Philippine Embassy there.... tell them what am wishing to do... get my papers authenticated by them in the US... then bring them all back to the TAIWAN office for processing that could take about a couple of months.... LOLs!!! (WTF!!!)

At that point, I just gathered all my papers and put them all in my bag and simply walked away..... as much as I would love to get this passport and be able to stay at a longer length of a time - NEVER MIND... the HASSLES is just NOT WORTH IT for me... there's got to be an easier and better way..... and until I figure that out, I will just stay my allotted time of 21 days or less each trip to Manila.

...what a difference a day makes.....

(PHOTOS: "rainy" was taken yesterday; while "sunny" is from this morning..... Photos were taken from the park across my home...)

It is that time of the year again when the WEATHER here in Taipei goes from one extreme to the next..... you can be having a wonderful clear nite and wake up to a very stormy day...... just like yesterday, it was raining "cats & dogs".... it was sooo hard and frustrating to get around and for sure, you will be coming home drenched - no matter how big your umbrella is... wind blowing from all directions... as it there was a typhoon -- but it was definitely not a typhoon....

TODAY though, I woke up to another BRIGHT SUNNY day...as if yesterday did not even happen at all.... and my "hunky" friend was even back doing his morning stretches....

such is the weather.... much like life... you never know what it will be from one day to the next..... so you just go with the flow.... all the while smiling.... as you cannot fight it....

Patriotic or Baduy....

No Matter.... I would love to get one of these... Issued by ADIDAS during the World Games - it was reported to have SOLD OUT within a couple of hours and that they have been fetching quite a lot of moolah on good old eBay....

last I inquired, they are to be reissued to coincide with the SUMMER OLYMPICS.... here's hoping I will be able to get one when they are re-released.....

"Unhappiness" -- According to Piglet

The Te of Piglet is what's keeping me company at nite these days... it is a great follow up to The Tao of Pooh, delves even deeper to Taoism and it's practices... Anyway, I just read this passage about Unhappiness and thought I would share it... it is something I have always felt strongly about... that is why as much as possible, I try to push away UNHAPPY feelings and those that results in these feelings....
================================================================= There is something in each of us that wants to be Unhappy. It creates in our imaginations problems that don't yet exist - quite often causing them to come true. It exaggerates problems that are already there. It reinforces low self-esteem and lack of respect for others. It destroys in workmanship, order and cleanliness. It turns meetings into confrontations, expectations into Dread, opportunities into Danger, stepping stones into Stumbling Blocks. It can be seen at work in grimaces and frowns, which pulls the muscle of the face forward and down, speeding the aging process. It contaminates the mind behind the face with its negative energy and spreads outward, like a disease. And then it comes back, projected and reflected by other unhappy minds and faces. And on it goes.... ===================================================================

Lucky "21"

I did not think I would go see this movie...gambling is not really my thing... then, over the weekend with nothing special planned to unwind, I read a review online about this movie and found out it was based on a TRUE STORY... a story i have read about years ago and all of a sudden it appealed to me.... am now glad that I did get to see 21 as I actually thought it was enjoyable.... blows my mind that there are people that can actually do what they did... the 5 students from MIT.... and to think about how much $$$ they have accumulated doing so....
=========================================================
Synopsis:
Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a shy, brilliant M.I.T. student who needing to pay school tuition finds the answers in the cards. He is recruited to join a group of the schools most gifted students that heads to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. With unorthodox math professor and stats genius Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) leading the way, they've cracked the code. By counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals, the team can beat the casinos big time. Seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, and by his smart and sexy teammate, Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth), Ben begins to push the limits. Though counting cards isnt illegal, the stakes are high, and the challenge becomes not only keeping the numbers straight, but staying one step ahead of the casinos menacing enforcer: Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne). 21 is inspired by the true story of the very brightest young minds in the country and how they took Vegas for millions.
==========================================================

3 Must See Movies

These are the THREE MOVIES am currently DYING to see - their releases will never come soon enough:

Deception

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams, Natasha Henstridge, Maggie Q

From the looks of it - this iwll be one SEXY THRILLER.... Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams & Maggie Q - AM THERE!!!!
Release Date: Now Playing in US - Coming out end of May (Taiwan)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Starring:Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt,
Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf

Dr Jones is back!!!! and so is Marion from the very first one!!! Add in to the MIX - Cate Blanchett looking very much like a DOMINATRIX.... and Shia LaBeouf from Disturbia...
Release Date: May 22nd (Worldwide)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sex and the City

Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis

Get Carried Away once again....
Carrie, Samantha, Miranda & Charlotte are back doing what they do BEST! Forget Mr Big, Jerry Jerrod aka Smith (Jason Lewis) - Samantha's Boy Toy is back along with them!!!
Release Date: May 30th (USA) / June 20th (Taiwan)

a stab through the heart.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The WORST stab wound is the one to the HEART... Yes, people do survive it but the HEART is never the same.... there's always a scar left.. it is there FOREVER.... But it is probably there to remind us all that, even for a little while SOMEBODY made your HEART beat faster.... and that's the kind of scar you can live with -- PROUDLY - all the days of your life.....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
so many times, we all, at one time or another, have had out hearts broken -- not just by being abandoned/rejected by our respective or intended love ones..... sometimes it is as deep as them passing away..... and at times, simply, because they have moved miles and miles away from you due to circumstances.... getting your heart broken does not end with just a partner -- it can also be wounded by one's family, friends, and pets, even..... all the uncertainties leaves you a bit wounded.... and your heart bleeding... "Circumstances control our feelings.... Now, If only our feelings can control circumstances..."

so the question is - do you wallow in despair and let the heart lies bleeding.... or do you move on and CELEBRATE all that you had... and all that still, could be..... i opt for the latter and I thank GOD for what is given to me each and everyday..... heart wounds and all..... they are all a part of me -- they are what makes me.....

Here, There & Everywhere....

Blogging, for me, have always been an enjoyable task, a great release... and most especially, a great way to share with friends and family - all over the world - all the things I love.... had done.... have seen....... wishes and desires....

But blogging also have been a GREAT SOURCE of splitting headaches..... from figuring out the right words, to the right phrasing..... editing what should be included, or not, knowing that your family will be reading the entries, as well..... and of course, wondering and self doubting whether you are just rambling on and on and on... and not even making sense to anyone else but yourself.....

Then I realize, it is why I blog... why I write.... mostly for me.... to commemorate and record my days and my loves.... triumphs and despairs..... sadness and happiness..... lonely and fun days.... it is a way for me to reach out and share with my family and friends all my travels an experiences.... especially living thousands of miles away for them all, these past year....

So here I am again... starting a new BLOG... in hopes that I, busy schedule or not, will be able to keep up with it on a regular basis.....