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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Hallmark Goes Gay....

USA's largest greeting card company, HALLMARK, unveils their same-sex wedding cards — featuring two tuxedos, overlapping hearts or intertwined flowers, with best wishes inside. "Two hearts. One promise." as one says.
For more on the story - CLICK HERE.
These cards are one for the history memory books... hope to get them - HELP!!!!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

4 Random Quotes From "The Alchemist"


"Wherever Your Heart Is,
That Is Where You Will Find Your Treasure"

"Life Attracts Life"

"The Fear of Suffering is Worse than the Suffering Itself"

"Love Never Keeps a Man From Pursuing His Personal Legend.
If he abandons that Pursuit, it is because it was not True Love..."


The Alchemist is an International Bestselling Phenomenon by one of the most influential authors: Paulo Coelho. September 2008 also mark the book's 20th Anniversary!!!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Am "BENT"...

Bent
If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk

If I need some other love
Give me more than I can stand
And when my smile gets old and faded
Wait around Ill smile again

Shouldnt be so complicated
Just hold me and then
Just hold me again

Can you help me Im bent
Im so scared that Ill never
Get put back together

Youre breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

If I couldnt sleep could you sleep
Could you paint me better off
Could you sympathize with my needs
I know you think I need a lot

I started out clean but Im jaded
Just phoning it in
Just breaking the skin

Can you help me Im bent
Im so scared that Ill never
Get put back together

Youre breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

Start bending me
Its never enough
I feel all your pieces

Start bending me
Keep bending me until Im completely broken in

Shouldnt be so complicated
Just touch me and then
Just touch me again

Can you help me Im bent
Im so scared that Ill never
Get put back together

Youre breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

Can you help me Im bent
Im so scared that Ill never
Get put back together

Youre breaking me in
And this is how we will end
With you and me bent

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Beijing Revisited

The recently concluded Olympics brought back fun memories of this BEIJING Trip with David... well, it really is from a few years back -- but somehow, everything is still fresh in my memories... there were really lots to see and it will always be one of the BEST travel experiences I have ever had... running around the Great Wall of China alone is TRULY unforgettable... a DREAM COME TRUE!!!!

I did not have my NEGATIVES anymore so I resorted to scanning the actual albums....

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Twelve Little Cuties!!!!

Finally!!! DONE!!!!With Persistence and lots of BEGGING I finished and actually got all 12 of them... and just in time as the Program is ending soon.....

For a minute there I was getting worried as this guy, The Monkey King was the last elusive one to get... I thought I was going to have the Monkey King Series sans the Monkey... lols.....

Monday, August 25, 2008

Mamma Mia! The Movie

What is a very simple, sweet, cute story of finding one's father is heightened to the MAX by setting it to ABBA's beautiful, fun, & catchy music. No matter how old or young you are - I guarantee - you have heard some, if not all, of the songs.... and you will find yourself singing along - and maybe even dancing throughout....

and the BEST part - LA MERYL STREEP singing and dancing -- LOVE IT!!!!!

Can this woman ever do wrong??? It is a RESOUNDING.... NO!!!! We have heard glimpses of her singing voice in "Postcards From the Edge" and "Silkwood" - but here she goes all out belting out some of Abba's BEST HITS!!! Her rendition of "The Winner Takes It All" is my hands down FAVE.... she owned this song... her voice lends so much feelings and insight into the song.... made the words POP OUT and come ALIVE so much more for me.....

Official Movie Site with Trailers

FIRE

"...for all it's beauty - Fire is the color of anger... and the color of hatred..."

...out with the old... in with the new....

..Cel Phone, that is!!!

as most of you know, am one of the worst, not-in-the-know, kind of person when it comes to Cel Phones.... first of all, took me ages before I broke down to get one.... then i had a NOKIA 6630 for about 4 or 5 years because my nephew ace insisted it was really GOOD with lots of GREAT features.... not that I ever got to use, better word for it, learn how to use the features....

anyway, I always hated that it was too thick... too wide... and too heavy to carry around.... so I FINALLY BROKE down and got myself something more on par with my style -- the NOKIA 6500 Classic...

I was really hoping for an Armani or Prada Touch Phones, but they are just way out of my budget.... so I had to scale down and buy something more affordable for myself.... But am HAPPY as I like the easy features - since it is also NOKIA, am pretty familiar with a lot of it already.... and most of all, it is THIN, LITE, & I love the BRONZE/BROWN color of it... it is NOT GOLD - THANK GOD!!!!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Tokidoki Comes to Manila!!!!


Another Reason to LOVE the SHANGRILA EDSA Mall... TOKIDOKI is now there!!!!!!!
During the recent trip to visit my MOM, I stopped by my favorite Mall to pick up a few things and YOWZA!!! I saw this POSTER AD on the 2nd level..... got me EXCITED soooo much..... so I had to run over there....ALAS, only watches and tees..... and the tees are only for women... so I was a bit saddened.... i did like a couple of watches and from what I noticed the prices are pretty comparable to those if bought from the US with shipping added.... so it is worth checking out guys and gals....

Friday, August 22, 2008

Songs in the Key of John Barrowman

Still on a John Barrowman kick, as you all can see....
Mary your to BLAME!!

TORCHWOOD: BBC Series

Aliens, Ghosts, Action, Monsters, Dead Man Walking, Comic Wit Banter, Techies, Boy Kissing Girl, Boy Kissing Boy, Girl Kissing Girl, Love Found, Love Lost, SPIKE from BUFFY appears, HOTTIE JOHN BARROWMAN kissing everyone - LOLS, I have found my newest FAVE SHOW!!! Turned to it by my friend, Mary - and am sooo glad she told me about it - I actually finished the 2 seasons (13 Eps per season) during my last visit in MANILA..... blame it on the rainy lonely nites if you wish, but am all the HAPPY for it..... this show is just my kind of show.....
=========================================================

SERIES SYNOPSIS:
A spin-off from the 2005 revival of the long-running science fiction program Doctor Who, Torchwood centers on the activities of the Cardiff branch of the fictional Torchwood Institute that deal mainly with incidents involving extraterrestrials. The Torchwood team is lead by Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) with Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) as the "new girl" who joins up in the first episode and acts as a point-of-view character for the viewer. Additionally, the show also features Burn Gorman as Owen Harper, Gareth David-Lloyd as Ianto Jones, and Naoko Mori as Toshiko Sato.

Torchwood premiered on October 22, 2006 on BBC Three and BBC HD and received mixed reviews for its controversial characterization and portrayal of sex. The series eventually earned critical acclaim, which ensured the show a second season, as well as the highly anticipated third season.

More INFO/Photos/Episode Guides
http://www.tv.com/torchwood/show/50470/summary.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchwood

Thursday, August 21, 2008

GHOSTLY HAPPENINGS!

Celebrated on the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar and culminating on the 15th day - this year's Chinese Ghost Month is celebrated the 20th of Aug.... and here I am in the midst of all the festivities.....For more info on the HISTORY behind this Festivities - pls GO HERE and More Photos!!!

...it's a stormin'....

the freaky weather we had to drive through visiting my MOM in Rizal.... the winding road up the mountains coupled with lightning... thunder... and HALE was a bit creepy .... but all the fright and worries disappeared watching NANAY (my cousin Rounette) get so excited about the HALE..... she's traveled abroad a lot... but ALAS, have not seen snow or HALE -- so this was a real TREAT for her... and she was just like a child in the CANDY SHOP....

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Timeless Music

Who Can I Turn To- - Sam Harris
While visiting my Mom, I got to hear this song, WHO CAN I TURN TO?... an oldie but definitely a goodie... I remember hearing it before as my DAD loves BALLADs like these.... even my MOM confirmed this... my DAD was a SAP when it comes to songs... so I know where I got that from... hahahaha
Am sure a lot of you are already groaning... and even screaming out "Turn that Damn Noise off!!" and some will most likely not even bother to listen, but for those of you who does listen - am sure you will agree that this song is truly timeless... the words are simple & sappy, yet very emotional.... am sure if EMO was biiiiig then - this would fall into that category....

 
(Me & My Mom)

Sunday, August 10, 2008

The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Okay, so I have read a lot of really BAD REVIEWS on this newest installment of The Mummy Series - which was really disappointing me as I was sooooo looking forward to this one since reading the initial write ups when it first started shooting - I mean Jet Li, Ancient China, costumes, fantasy martial arts fighting, Xian Stone Warriors )- some of the things I really like and get excited about...

So maybe I should really be THANKFUL as I went with very low expectations, still having all the reviews going over my head.... I threw cautions to the wind and just went with an open mind.... and it worked... I was not too disappointed... well, if I compare it to the thrills, chills & antics of the first two installments - this one really pales in comparison... As a separate movie - it can actually stand.... and people who have no expectations nor have yet to see the first two - am sure will enjoy the ride....

The first 15 or so mins alone when the story of the Emperor was being told was, for me, very much worth the price of admission... their take on how the Xian Stone Warriors came about, was fun and fresh... The regal costumes and the battle gears, though not new to Chinese Films, is really awesome to behold for the first time. Seeing the duel, albeit short, between Michelle Yeoh & Jet Li in the latter part of the film was as exciting as those seen in movies like HERO (one of my All-time FAVE!), House Of Flying Daggers & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon....

and though, am sure, a lot of people are missing the chemistry between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weitz - I actually do not mind seeing Maria Bello step in... she is still one of the finest actresses around today in Hollywood - underrated and underused.... she added a much stronger presence in the role...

So I would still recommend seeing this movie.... as long as you see it with an open mind.... and erase all the bad reviews you have read already.... see Trailers in the Official Site here - The Mummy 3

Friday, August 8, 2008

08:08:08 - is it really Lucky???

well, am not sure where I stand on this.... I feel that, though am blessed in some ways, I do not think am that LUCKY... as in I never really win the LOTTO - 'cept for maybe $20.00US; and though once or twice I have won @ Black Jack in Las Vegas, more so than not, I LOSE!!!

So all week long my friends, here in Taiwan and elsewhere, have been telling me 08.08.08 is coming up... get set as it will be one LUCKY Day.... I walk away smiling, as I mumble three words under my breath: "wah eh vher"!!!!
(Right Photo: Poster for the 2 More Limited Releases)

Today is just like an ordinary day for me... same, same... work as usual... gym break.... eat... work again.... the biggest event to happen is me forgetting my cel phone at the gym - which is a regular occurrence - not LUCKY - if I may say so myself.... on my way back to pick it up - I ran into one of the workers of FAMILY MART.... and he remembers me for collecting all the VINYL PREMIUMS they offer now and again... with The Monkey King series being the most current one.... he told me to come by as he had something for me.... which got me EXCITED and CURIOUS right away....

YOWZA!!! he had three of the figures for me - and he was giving them to me.... he said that he had seen me come in and redeem for them time and time again -- diligently even....... and felt bad that often, he's seen, that I kept getting doubles of the ones I already have..... and all the while he said: I always take it all with a SMILE.... so he remembers this.... When one of their other customers dropped off their extras - just like that - he thought right away to RESERVE them for me.... he's had them already for a few days as I have not been in in a while... so he seemed really happy to run into me in the streets....

I have basically given up on these as I was getting frustrated.... i got 4 of the 8 introduced.. and a couple of them I have two or three extras.... and top of that - they even introduced a couple of special limited editions to go with the set... and even more LIMITED the the first 8 - LOLS!!!! SO now I have 6 of the first 8, 1 of the 2 just released ones, and a renewed PASSION for finishing the collection...

So you tell me, is it LUCK.... I tend to lean more on KARMA.... if you are kind to people, then kindness comes back to you.... SMALL or BIG - we can never have enough of it!!!
3 new additions to the Monkey King Premium Series Collection.
All Thanks to the very kind Family Mart Employee.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Qi Qiao Jie - Chinese Valentine's Day!


Lucky are those lover's residing in Taiwan... they do not just get to celebrate the WESTERN Valentine's Day in Feb - but they also have their own that falls on the 7th Day of the 7th month of the LUNAR Calendar... this year, it is August 7th.

The history of this tradition goes as far back as the Jin Dynasty (256-420AD). Chinese Lover's Day, known in Mandarin as, Qi Jiao Jie is the Middle Kingdom' cultural testament to romance. Unlike the Western versions of V-DAY, Qi QUiao Jie has maintained its romantic tradition for over two millennia.

This one night of the year is reserved for the celestial lovers Niu Lang (an OX herder) and his Goddess/Lover/Wife Zhi Nu (the youngest & most beautiful of the 7 daughters of the celestial fairies). Separated by Zhi Nu's father after realizing that the milky way is missing it's luster and brightness without is daughter in the heavens -- this is the one nite of the year that the lovers can reunite - thus becoming Lover's Day for the Chinese.

You can read more of the story on these two links:
-Chinese Lover's Day on WIKIPEDIA.
-Traditional Chinese Festivals

Monday, August 4, 2008

AAAAAAAWWWWWWW - Heartwarming!!!!

Funny how life works... 3 tiger cubs gets abandoned by their Mom, and through the miracles of miracles,Isabella, a Golden retriever who just happens to be pregnant steps in and nurses them....

Complete Story Here:
Dog plays mom to tiger cubs abandoned.



ADDENDUM:
My Good Friend Mary, after reading this BLOG, sent me this LINK:
Christian, The Lion
-the VIDEO is a bit dated but the message is timeless

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Little Surprises....

So unexpected.... over the weekend, much to my surprise - I got 2 more additions to the MSN Premiums that I had been collecting... I have totally given up on them as already, Family Mart is doing the MONKEY KING Premiums... but this weekend, JASON and TODD came up for the weekend from Kaohsiung... and lo and behold, they brought me a few of the MSN Premiums... and out of the 6 they gave me, two of them I did not have yet... the ones representing the FRUITS & the Sticky Rice..

These two plus the one one Sue & Cecilia gave me a couple of weekends ago bring me to 8 of them... so am missing only two from the whole collection... and even something as simple and small as these little things - brings a great deal of happiness to me... and GOD knows I could really use some lately.....
The WHOLE LINE UP... am only missing the second one from the right in this collection....