Thanksgiving Week in Photos!!!

well... you are not going to see any Turkey here as I did not get to have any -- for the umpteenth year in a row.... I cannot even remember the last time I really got to celebrate Thanksgiving with Turkey and all the trimmings... the closest I got to it was watching Julia Roberts and company celebrate Thanksgiving in a Heartwarming scene from the movie: "Eat, Pray, Love"... anyway, the week sure was busy enough... and it is not letting up yet..... so am sharing a few photos here....

Since coming back from Manila last Tuesday - it has been NON-STOP digging, unboxing and cleaning up a bunch of dollies for an upcoming project, taking place early in DEC.... those of you who know me well, knows that with the extent of my collection, this chore is HELL.... I have to open up boxes after boxes, trying to find just the right ones for the project... so day after day, it was this chore and communicating with the powers that be - who am working with... the last few nites, I have even stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, just to get more done... with only Rihanna's new, ultra cool CD, "Rebelle Fleur", keeping me awake and going.... it is tiring and frustrating, that's for sure... but it also has been GREAT... like seeing OLD FRIENDS... each one bring back good memories and FUZZY WARM FEELINGS... So my days are spent with nothing but this chore - am almost done but not quite.... the only break I get is when I go to Jewel's home for meals... just to get out... and maybe a run or the gym at nite... just to stay somewhat fit... plus it does take my mind off some other pressing matters - family/love ones-wise...

"Hey Jewel - aren't you supposed to be here to help? hmmmmmm...."

Another highlight for the week is the Post Thanksgiving lunch I had with Sue (Juliana was going to meet us but had a work engagement to attend to, sadly...) in honour of Thanksgiving, I chose Swensen's... yes, all the way from San Francisco... just to geta bit of that Nostalgic Homey feel for the holiday... yeah, that and the chocolate covevered, creamy Ice Cream desserts... hahahahahaha - COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

and today, I did manage to get to Church... and treat myself to some, down home Pinoy lunch... a couple of my FAVE Ulams (dishes): Tocino & Pinakbet...

so that is about it for this week... hope you are all had a nice Thaksgiving Holiday Weekend... now back to work for me again.... tonite will be another all niter.... :((

...of all the "Crothchery"!

As reported yesterday in the Taiwan Times: "Singapore slams its national water polo team for wearing swim trunks that "the powers that be" deemed as “inappropriate”." What's the Big Deal anyway?

"The trunks, which were designed by members of the men’s team currently competing in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, show the flag’s white crescent moon jutting up from the groin area with five stars to the side on a red background." It is said to be causing a lot of "red faces" back home... Thank God for the Asian Games rules that stipulates: "a team's uniform cannot be changed once the tournament has begun -- so the government had no choice but to let the Water Polo team play - they finished 5th, btw....

I for one, do not see the big deal.... I actually think it is a beautiful design that shows off the country's flag really well.... I would not even mind having one for my collection of speedos.... hahahahahaha

murakami @ this year's Macys' Parade!!!

Renowned artist & LV frequent collaborator, Takashi Murakami, made a bold appearance at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade both in person and with one of his iconic characters. KAWS was on hand to capture the artist who appeared on the cover of THE NEW ORDER with him for issue 2.　I can only WISH to have been there to see him and his giant balloons in person.... now that would have been something else to be Thankful for!!!

HOTNESS - something else to be THANKFUL for....

HUNKY Matthew Morrison of GLEE.... out of his shirt and cardigan.... just what we need on this COLD WINTER DAYS, right??? and btw, is it just me or do you also think he can totally play Justin Timberlake's brother??? They can do a MUSICAL together....or Justin should just do a GUEST spot on GLEE....

...and here's Justin Timberlake.....

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!

a contact on 365project posted this and I thought it needs sharing:

"people who study positive psychology (yes, there is such a thing) have provided some pretty solid research indicating that people who practice expressing gratitude on a regular basis are far more likely to be happy and healthy than those who don't."

Makes sense to me, really, but SADLY, it is something that is often forgotten. We are reminded of course, over Holidays such as Thanksgiving and soon to come, XMas.... but we need not wait for these moments -- we ought to always give Thanks where it's due... So here, I give mine:

Thank You All for the Love, the Friendships, the Support, and making my days worth living... for continually inspiring me to strive harder, no matter how, at times, things really seem hopeless...

Boy, Oh Boy!!!

Series 21 of my favorite Bearbricks have been announced - Photo and all... and I can see am in for a lot of trouble once more.... besides the obvious: Flag, Batman, Barbie, Tron, there are also too many other cuties to ponder/pine over once more - and add to my collection..... haiiis it will be another Bearbrick XMas - for sure!!!!

Mark Bautista's New CD - Coming Soon!

am soooo vey much looking forward to this - Mark Bautista's latest CD/Album: "Nagmamahal"

yep yep, the OPM singer/actor/hunk, who is truly a FAVE of mine has a new CD coming out next week.... and I cannot wait to get it and of course, overplay it!!!!

sometimes it feels like...

...am barely keeping my head above the water....

fly*fly*fly

Time for that monthly flight once more.... I am used to it, YES... but still gripe over the 1 hour bus ride to the International airport.... which took even longer this morning since there was some rainy day traffic... then a couple of hours wait at the airport to check in, pass through immigration, and board.... not even forgetting to mention the 20 minutes bus ride to the bus terminal that will take me to the airport, and of course the extra hour in the morning to wake up, have some java, and get ready.... then I think of what experience I will have with the Philippine Airline Flight, this time.... LOL!!! All these for a flight that takes less than a couple of hours....Still, I find the whole thing OK now... even enjoy the quiet times on the bus and on the flight.... get myself ready and prepped up for what's awaiting me in Manila.... hahahahahaha and when am LUCKY, I even get to use this FREE NET... plus get to see what's new at the airport.... always an interesting exhibit going on.... and just looking at all the International magazines is an added BONUS....
Anyway, we are being called to go to our flight terminal now.... so must end here and finish up later, once in Manila.... Happy Monday All!!!

Music To My Ears...

Winding down my Sunday nite.... finished, pretty much all I needed to do... will go to bed soon as I have to wake up early tomorrow and still get ready for my flight... Just had to check emails... and as always, before turning in for the nite, check my 365 Project...

So very happy I did as I received such a nice comment/note - from one of my contacts...

=====================================
Rudi, you always surprise us with these wonderful finds! You have a great eye and it inspires me to be more aware of what's happening around me, thank you! :) -Yoori
=====================================
...and for her to comment this on a photo (posted on November 13th) that I am actually quite HAPPY and PROUD of taking and finding - but sadly, did not get a lot of views - was just a wonderful feeling to end my nite... now I have a biiig smile on my face....

The Week In Review!

This was a truly just a SO-SO week for me.... nothing too exciting, nothing too dramatic happened, and best of all, not sooo much drama.... well, if pay attention to my Half Brother's drama - then there is... but I choose to Ignore it... so there!!!

Johnny was going to come up this week , and I was looking forward to it, as we would have gone to see the FLORA EXPO for the day... it did not happen much to my disappointment... maybe the end of the month, instead..... Hopefully.... but I did get to check out, from the outside looking in, a few of the installations a block away from the church I go to.... not to mention by the river where I run, what I could see always beckon for me to come in already... LOL...

PHOTOS HERE!

So most of the week was spent working.... tidying up as I have to take that once a month trip again tomorrow.... With the lunch and dinner breaks spent at Jewel's home: helping out, playing with Jewel, and giving Lyn a bit of a break from taking care of her.... LOL.... such a biiiig responsibility.... really not for the faint hearted..... Of course, kids are Great when they are awake and playful... or just been fed.... but, Boy-Oh-Boy, when they are Hungry... or just pooped... or can't get their groove sleeping - totally a different matter..... hahahahaha I gotta hand it to the FULL TIME Moms who can truly take in the Bad with the Good....The weather's been off and on... so running is a trying thing - was only able to run by the river a couple of times this week.... still, thankful there is always the Gym.... and of course, Blogging.... truly a stress reliever.....

Hope you all had a Great Week.... and are enjoying your weekends.... Remember: a little over a month left till XMas.....the XMas shopping Nightmare begins..... be sure to get all that XMas shopping done early!!!! On that note, I leave you with my newest Bearbricks: Sally & Jack from Tim Burton's 1993 film, "A Nightmare Before XMas".

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Got my first XMAS Gift in the mail today... and I could not be HAPPIER..... just too cute and soooo Perfect for how I like decorate my XMAS tree - in white and silver.....It is an "oh-so-cute!" White Reindeer with Silver accents from TY... been a long time since I got anything from this company... hmmm.... now I better DIG UP my others....

Thank You, Mary!!! Love ya!!!

Bearbricks: Tons of Fun...

it is KOOKY, I know but one of the PLEASURES I get in Life is carrying a Bearbrick or two, wherever I go -- and taking their photos.... youcan just IMAGINE the reactions I get from onlookers.... most of the Adults gives me the"He's Strange" look... while the kiddies wanna come up and play.... LOL...

Still, I do not mind.. am actually use to is all by now.... and I still enjoy it.. so on with the fun... sharing a few of my recent Bearbrick shots....

More Traveling Bearbrick Photos Here

Jimmy Liao X HiLife X Bearbrick

Water Torture...

This week, over on my 365 Project, I have been having a torturous time with the week's theme - WATER! It is kinda' weird as I love Water... I love swimming.... and I love the rain... even running in the rain.... but somehow it was a bit tough for me to come up with a NIFTY water theme shot.... boo hoo....

I wanted to stray away from the usual Rain shot: flowers or leaves with raindrops.... the wet pavement... or rain on car windshields and what not.... so I really decided that I was just not going to do this week's theme -- but somehow I did find a couple of interesting things to share - a cool water pool... and an very exotic looking fish.... I like them both so much I just have to share them here, too...

WATER BEAUTY: Flowerhorn cichild
For more info pls Click Here

Whirlpool of Life

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

Water: Basic Neccessity (Last Entry for This Week's Theme)

For such a basic necessity of life, water sure can be a natural resource that many of us take for granted. We often think/feel that since we live in a favorable climate area where it is abundant most of the year, that when it falls out of the sky regularly, it should, therefore, be free. In many developing countries, however, a limited access to potable water remains a serious health threat.

And unfortunately, we MUST also take HEED that all that is rapidly changing... Due to pollution, corruption, inefficiency and the never ending greed of the global elite.... hence, the entire world is heading for a very serious water shortage.

Wishing Wednesdays

...just WISHING OUT LOUD!!! hahahahahahaha

Dr Seuss Converse

Charlie Brown Set Bearbricks: Am sure SNOOPY is to follow..

SIDESHOW's Young Indiana Jones 12": It's River Phoenix!!!

MEDICOM's Cheburashka

OPEN for XMAS, once more....

It's beginning to look a lot like Open Plaza XMas... once more...
7-11 has already unveiled their XMAS Premium Toys Promotion... already ongoing till early Jan..... and yes, Open-chan & Lock-chan, along with their KOOKY Open Plaza friends are back - much, too much, to my excitement - of course!!!
This time around, the gang will Thrill and WOW, all collectors as they, not only come musically equipped... they also double as mini flashlights.... to better shine on each other I suppose....and once more, one can collect sticker points faster by Special promos such as this one: Buy 7-11 Slurpee Large Cup size and get double sticker points... Weeei.....

tokidoki X Onitsuka Tiger: Last Chance

The last collaboration between the Japanese Shoe Brand, Onitsuka Tiger and the UBER CUTENESS and Fave of mine, tokidoki is just now beginning to hit the market.... be sure to check out your local shops, that carries Onitsuka Tiger Shoes.... These, just as their former collaborations are bound to SELL OUT FAST!!!
Here in Taipei, I was able to find them at SOGO Department Store - one style for the men (High Tops in 2 colors - Black & White or Purple & Black) and 2 styles for the women (High Tops and Converse style)... the shop only got 2 of each of the sizes and I was told were selling like hotcakes since their appearance....

The Men's High Tops

Though it was prohibited, I was able to take these snapshots.. (^_*)....

Celebrities in Fred Perry

As if I had nothing else better to do...LOL!!! I was going though my photos from the different cities in Italy visited and was reminded how many people we came across with sporting Fred Perry - then out of the blue, I decided to GOOGLE celebrities in one of my most fave clothing line, Fred Perry.... I mean I have always had in my files the photos of Zac Efron for his cover interview with Nylon magazine & Anderson Cooper biking about with a buddy of his in matching shirts by one of my fave designers.... and I have always been aware that a personal fave, Paul Weller (formerly of The Style Council) has always been a fan and even had his own Limited Edition Shirt for Fred Perry... see photo below...Then the Amy Winehouse's collection debuted.... and I saw a German film a few months back, where the leads wore mostly Fred Perry... and even most recently, the Oct issue of GQ magazine with hottie, Ryan Reynolds on the cover, had him also sporting Fred Perry.... so I got more intrigued to see who else have sported them on the scene -- and of course, there's been many.... I compiled a photo collage of some of the more famous ones below... actors, singers, tennis ace, director, vampire, CNN star reporter, and even a Filipino actor/idol.... so you see, am in GREAT COMPANY here.... too bad i do not have their CLOTHING BUDGET! hahahahaha...

Pls see the rest of the photos by CLICKING HERE...

NOTE: Pls do let me know if you know of any others I can add to the album... just in case you find yourselg one of these lazy days, just gooling about.... (^_*)... Enjoy the rest of your Sunday Everyone!!!

Flora Expo Opens In Cloudy Rainy Taipei

Last nite, so many of us here in Taipei were soooo looking forward to watching the fireworks to officially welcome the opening of the 2010 Taipei Flora Exhibition - truly one of the most anticipated BIG EVENTS this year.... lots of $$$ was spent for this fireworks of fireworks display to be.... Sadly, the weather did not cooperate... it was a rainy, cloudy nite.... so for the most part all that glitter and shimmering fireworks went off hidden behind the clouds....

Good thing we live by the Dajia river park where it should have been very visible...we did not have to travel far, deal with the traffic and parking, as most revelers did.... wish they could have postponed for another nite, a much clearer one but Oh Well....

Here's an excerpt I found from last nite's fireworks display- the clearest one so far.... Note: a short one as this was probably the most visible one the lenser got...

Yesterday also marked, Lyn's Birthday... so we had a little cake for her - a few friends stopped by and Jewel got out and came to visit our home for the very first time....

More Photos Here

Tickled Pink!

Today marks Jewel's 1 Month Birthday!!! and this afternoon it was a fun filled couple of hours celebrating the occasion with a tiny cake... a couple of wardrobe changes for Jewel... and lot's of photo taking....Jewel was being sooooo cooperative, too as she did not cry for the most part of it.... she let us change her, pose her, and took turns holding her for our own photo opt to mark the occasion... just look at the photo and you will see - th Adults had a lot more Fun than Jewel, herself... most especially, Wu Papa..... hahahahaha"Hmmmm... what are you guys up to?"

Fun Photos Here!!!

Murakami In Rome

A favorite artist, Murakami in a favorite city, Rome, for his very first Solo Exhibition in the city filled with Art Treasures from throughout history. The venue is the Gagosian Gallery and it will run from the 13th of November, 2010 through January 15th, 2011.

A couple of new paintings are being made especially for the exhibition, and a lot of his works will be on hand, as well.... am sure, including some of the Superflats he has made for Louis Vuitton - like this one below.... Aaaaaah, if only I could fly there to see this exhibition.... Oh Well.... add that to my XMas Wish List.....LOL!

Murakami @ Gagosian Gallery
November 13, 2010 - January 15, 2011
Via Francesco Crispi 16
00187 Rome
T. 39.06.4208.6498 F. 39.06.4201.4765
Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30-7 & by appointment

PLS CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE EXHIBITION

Hump Day Break with Sue...

Today, Wednesday the 3rd, Sue and I were finally able to schedule another lunch get-together... last time we had lunch together was at least, a couple of months back.... and to think her work is only a 15 minute walk away from my home.... LOL..... Much of it, of course, is the busy schedules... like this month, I fly to Manila on the 15th and back on the 23rd; while she flies to Beijing on the 22nd for a few days... so scheduling is always tricky!!! And sadly, Cecilia's work is not too close - so she could not join us....

The Japanese restaurant we have gone to before, that I liked, had closed down... not sure why as it was quite Busy & Popular, from what I gathered... maybe the rent in the area was just way too much.... But Sue knew of another Japanese restaurant, SAKURA - so the craving for Japanese food was still satisfied...

The restaurant is pretty quaint and very Japanese - it should be as one half of the married couple owner is Japanese.... Western and Japanese style seatings are available - we opted for the latter, of course.... the decor is nice and simple -- but lovely... and the food - DELICIOUS!!! Desserts are even baked in house, they are actually famous for their desserts, as they also have a popular bakery called, Chiffon - a few doors down... Overall, it was a satisfying meal we both had... and of course, just to sit, chat & catch is and foremost, the highlight of the get-together....

No get-together will be complete without exchanging something fun to remember the day by... I gave her Flat Tops, my fave childhood chocolates from The Philippines and a Rosary from The Vatican... and she gifted me with this cute "12 Apostles" tee... an original design for a fundraising project of the church she goes to... I LOVE IT!!!

And of course, we were accompanied by a couple of Bearbricks, too: Gremlins - the good and the bad versions....

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE