randomness to end the year with....

Dec 31st, 2011... last few hours before we welcome in the New Year.... Another New Beginning.... So the mind wanders... mostly to what most think about during these times - New Year's Resolutions....

Well, this year, I decided not to have any... so as not to be disappointed when I end up breaking them.... instead, I will try my darndest to stick to my MOTTO for 2011: "Less Is More"... I will try hard to have LESS:

-Less Unwarranted Expenses
-Less Non-Sense
-Less Idle Time
-Less Time & Thoughts for Things & People that do not matter...
and most of all,
-Less Drama!!!

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

Now few FAVE Quotes to end 2010 with:

"Don't Wish.... Don't Try... Wishing only Wounds the Heart..."
-WICKED, the Musical

"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things."
~Author Unknown

"To let go, to just love, is not to fade into the wallpaper. Quite the contrary, it’s when we truly become bright. We’re letting our own light shine.”

The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen.
Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our
attention.... A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect
than the most well-intentioned words.
~Rachel Naomi Remen

WHEW!!!

So Christmas has come and gone once again.... all done... and we all have managed to see it through.... Through all the DRAMAS and disappointments brought by the HOLIDAYS, am still quite HAPPY for so many things... the little blessings.... the little joys.... the people in my life who continually supports and love me for who I am.... friendships that lasts and survives time, distance and heartaches.... for all the possibilities that each and every day brings.... and for more moments with my MOM....

So rest up all( including you, SANTA...)and lets do it all again next year!!! Now on to making it through the New Year Countdown!!!

knocks me off my feet

Newly Rediscovered Song.... Just Beautiful!

MERRY XMas To One and All!!!

Though life is full of UPs and DOWNs - one thing is ALWAYS certain, XMAS is the time of the year when we all must Forgive, Forget, and Be Merry!!! Share the Love to One and All!!!

Merry Christmas All!!!

am flying away..... again....

well, here at the airport now... flying off to Manila for the Holidays..... this time around, am actually excited about getting to Manila - even with all the dramas and personal matters I need to deal with, each and every trip.... i did not even mind the long process and travel to get to the airport, the long wait which just got longer as my flight is half an hour delayed... Nope, none of those matters now... it can only be because it is the Holidays... My favorite time of the year....Don't know why, i never get tired of this time of the year.... year after year, sorrows and happiness passes.... getting older... heartaches & frustrations.... but my feelings when XMas time comes remains the same... all the things I remember about XMas - growing up, friends and family, love ones - they all come coming back and once again, am like a little boy in a Toy Shop!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!

The Greening of Our Home....

Wu Papa, who has been up in Taipei a lot = to help take care of Jewel must really be missing his BEAUTIFUL ROOF TOP garden in Kaohsiung.... he has decided to DUPLICATE it, first in Shaun & Lyn's own garden - but since that is not quite as big, and is now full - he has decided to focus his attention on ours.... The last two weeks he has been doing a complete overhaul in the front - pulling plants, planting new ones... we now have guava, peach and grapes striving to grow out there....LOL...
But since we basically do not have a garden 9as you can see from the above photo...), only a tiny one in the front - he's decided to let his plants invade the inside of the house....

Yesterday morning, he woke me up early in the morning with not one or two little plants -- but with 6 of them.... With plans of bringing in more!!! And while I tell him that it is not a good idea (since we travel a lot, no one will be able to take care of the plants whenever we are away and that they will just die) -- without listening to what am saying, he was going on about his other plans... including running lights from the inside to the outside of the house.... WAAAAH HELP!!!!
Am soooo scared... since am going away tomorrow morning for the Holidays and no one will be home till after, he will have free reign - I will not be surprised if I was to come home and find a totally different ..... YOWZA!!!!

I better learn to read Chinese....

...or ELSE AM MISSING OUT ON ALL THE GOOD PARTS!!! LOL.... and this is one of those times.....

...Been collecting Premium Toys from various places here in Taiwan, 7-11, McDonalds, Family Mart, etc... and recently I have been coveting the XMas 2010 Open Plaza premiums, basically the more Limited Special Edition Open and Lock ones.... dressed as Nutcraker Soldiers, they are just cute as a button.... and as an added bonus, they double as Flashlights...Somehow I lucked in on the Lock one when I redeemed the points I have collected so far.... unfortunately, though I had enough for two, the other one I got was the Pink Dog (Jewel is getting this from me...:) ) so I had to ask Sue, my Yahoo Auction connection to help me get the Open chan one.... which she was able to quite fast....

Anyway, when she called to tell me she had received Open chan - she went on to say that she had to check if the light works, as well as the sound recoding device... I had to ask her to repeat right away, "the sound what?" Little did I know, each one can also record one's voice and playback.... and it even say so on the boxes...waaaaah!!! I had to run and get my Lock-chan out right away and test it - and it sure did record me talking and can play back pretty clearly.... I never would have known this if I did not enlist Sue to help me get one.... LOL!

Needless to say, am even happier about this EXTRA UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!!!!

"Sweet & Sour": Xmas Get Together 2010

Dec 11th, we had our annual XMas dinner get together.... Juliana, David, Sue n Cecilia and myself... a bit earlier than usual but with everyone's busy schedule, this was the only Open date we all had....

The place picked was SOLO PASTA - a somewhat chichi place in the heart of one of Taipei's busier and popular streets.... The place from the outside was inviting enough but a bit on the dark side - with totally minimal lighting.... once inside, you feel the darkness even more... just a tad bit low lighting to create a really romantic ambiance.... once, the dishes were served, I realized what the low lighting is all about - so as to not see how little is on one's plate - especially considering the prices being a bit on the HIGHER/PRICEY end... When I first looked at the MENU and see the choices and prices, I was a bit AMAZED - I mean PASTA and GNOCCHI dishes for about US$10 and up... and this does not include anything else... no soup, no bread, no salad, no drinks... so I was thinking: "hmmmmm, maybe the servings are big.."... well, they were served on BIIIG PLATES anyway.... the look of the food leaves nothing to be desired... and from the first taste, I was already turned off... my Gnocchi, all 25 little pieces of them were served cold... not hot, not warm but COLD! And everyone else on my table seemed not as please with their choices.... and looking around, I can tell everyone else have the same feel for the place... no one seemed to have ordered extras... only the main dishes - I guess they too, felt everything was pricey... and upon leaving, no one seems to have smiles on their faces... so we decided not to move places for desserts.... SOUR NOTE for the Nite....

Thank GOD for LAVAZZA - we ended the nite on a SWEET NOTE! Coffee and big slices of SWEETS, coupled with exchanging of gifts, and endless and fun conversation - I completely forgotten about my bad dinner.... that is, until I got back home and realized I was still hungry from my minimalist dinner... hahahahahahaha

COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE

...loving these...

Just SHARING a few things am currently LOVING....
============================
The TWINKLING LIGHTS of XMas!!!

My New 2011 Tokidoki Planner (Thanks Sue n Cecilia!)

STARBUCKS XMas 2010 Cookie Jar (Thanks Juliana!)

Hunky Designer Tom Ford's Ass Shot from OUT magazine:(Thanks Mary!!!)

Black Eyed Peas' Time of My Life: Dirty Bit Mix

Stories Are Gifts: SHARE!!!

...so Starbucks' new slogan for the holidays go.... Yes, Indeed!!! I could not Agree more... am Loving this so much, it makes me want to go and have a cup each and every time I pass by a Starbucks....

First saw this in Manila last month, but sadly, I was not allowed to photograph at all... not sure why??? I was totally disappointed as I was really loving the TAG LINE.... and thought it was IRONIC that Starbucks was asking us to share and yet, they do not let their shops share by forbidding them to photograph... I even went as far as asking for permission first and talking about BLOGGING it... still, they would not budge... the employees, though friendly, was afraid their Bosses will be upset and they will be terminated...

Then I came back to Taipei, and saw the same familiar illustrations... yet, it is a bit different, as gone was the Tag Line... the focus more is on playing in the snow.... not much about the Sharing of Stories... which was also a disappointment...

That is until my Annual get together XMas dinner with the girls - and Juliana gifted us all with this year's cookie jar (oh so cute with a Rudolph lid cover)... as if it was not enough - the added bonus for me was that it came in a Brown Starbucks Holiday paper bag with the tag line I love most...

Truly a Double treat!!!
More Starbucks XMas 2010 Photos Here

Japan: Kingdom of Kawaiiness

The land of the rising sun is much more known to me as the land of Kawaiiness (Cuteness).... since my very first trip in Tokyo and Kyoto, back in 1998 - japan will always be know to me as a place where one can always feel and stay a child... through the countless of characters developed and produce year after year after year.... from cute to scary; sexy to icky; and everything else in between... such characters have invaded my world as well, as most of my friends' world... No One is safe, young or old; man or woman; rich or poor -- everyone, and I do mean everyone, falls in love with one or two (or if like me, MORE!!!) of these many characters over the years...

Kaohsiung's Dream Mall currently has a retrospective exhibition of such characters titled: "Japan: Kingdom of Characters"... highlighting decades of popular characters from the 1050's through the 2000's... as well as showing has these world of Kawaiiness has invaded the citizen's everyday life - from a child growing up surrounded by cuteness; teenage kids buying into all the cuteness and going as far as decorating their whole room in such Kawaiiness; older women incorporating cuteness to their cooking, sewing, cleaning, etc - after all, isn't it more fun to do chores surrounded by cuteness?; middle aged man escaping the everyday work life by reading MANGA, or collecting Sexy figures as a form of stress release...

All these have also been TRUE in many Asian countries I have visited, lived in... here in Taipei alone, I cannot even tell you how often I see cars, driven by adults, all in full cartoon regalia... not only the outside body painted in various cartoon characters but also inside, all accessories covered in full Kawaiiness... hanging stuff or vinyl toys on cel phones and purses (yes, even LVs and Prada bags are not safe - actually they have since jumped on the bandwagon and have produce oh so EXPENSIVE trinkets!)...

The exhibition, rather small but still was a fun one to see... especially great seeing all the ones I have loved over the years... AstroBoy, Evangelion, Galaxy 999, Pokemon, Cardcaptor Sakura & so many more... Truly brings back so much fun memories of all the Anime I watched growing up and still watches, as well as , Manga comics I used to read to pass the time away.... It (the exhibition) also invigorates to seek more of these Kawaiiness to help escape the humdrumness of everyday life.....

missed opportunity...

am so sad, just learned that Anthony Neely will be one of the stars giving a concert for the Holidays in Taiwan.... am sad as I will be totally missing him singing live... as always, I will be in Manila for the Holidays....

Since the release of the album, he has been gaining more popularity.. appearing in Talk Shows, Music Shows, and of course magazine, such as this newest ESQUIRE cover story.... he has also been making the rounds appearing live at various Malls and venues to promote his CD, "Lesson One"... and soon the much talked about, Holiday Concert....

would really love to see and hear him sing "The Blower's Daughter" live - from the movie, Closer... his version on the CD is quite emotional....

so for now I will just keep playing this You Tube - from one of his appearances late last year in One Million Star:

And a COUPLE OF PHOTOS from the CURRENT ISSUE of MEN's UNO magazine:

Sunday in the Park with the Doggies...

Spent a relaxing and therapeutic afternoon today playing with not one, not two, but three dogs.... yes, three dogs... meet the newest addition to the Wu Clan's brood of doggies, Little Pearl....Such a cutie... only 2 months old and as playful as they come... spent the afternoon running around after us and the other grown up doggies, Laifu and Ah-Bao... Not quite sure as to what breed she is, but none of that matters... she is just cute as a button... would love to have taken him home already but really would feel so GUILTY having to leave her behind - as most of the time no one is home... not to mention the once a month travel abroad... boo hoo.... so for now, will just visit her as often as I could....Lala is still as mischievous as ever.... and Ah Bao has come a long way and have become as healthy as any dog could be... all thanks to Liya... such patience and care for the doggies....

Sexiest Man of the Year 2010

...just got a copy of this year's People Magazine's "Sexiest man of the Year" issue and it is none other than: Ryan Reynolds.. was there any doubt???

Nice article on him - he lives up to his funny and down to Earth personality he projects onscreen... lots of really nice photos in the magazine but if you are looking for some chest baring one, then let me warn you now, you will be disappointed... 'cept for a tiny shot of him bare chested, low riding jeans, from the movie Blade: Trinity - every shot is nice, sweet, Boy Next Door type of shots.... but still oozes with so much sexiness....

.and just found out another reason to like him, his a dog loving person and his dog's name is: BAXTER!!!

and he is even the new Spokesman for HUGO BOSS' cologne:

Captain America VS Green Lantern

aaaaaahhhhh, it really is more like: Chris Evans VS Ryan Reynolds - battling it out as to whose movie will become a CERTIFIED HIT, and more so, a Franchise of a film Ala, Batman, Superman, Spiderman...

Both are FAVE Actors of mine - so am sure I will be amongst those who will get in line the minute the movies open... and from the Previews I have seen so far - am already excited and anxious to see both... they both are very charming likable - and even very good actors... both adept in different genres of films - and both are Certified Hunks...

Ryan Reynolds I have liked since his TV Sitcom days... cannot even remember the name of the series now, nor the other two leads in the show - but he was a reason to watch week after week... and of course, he has shown his acting muscles - and muscles, for that matter in such movies as BLADE: Trinity, the creepy horror flick, AMITYVILLE, Smoking Aces, WOLVERINE, and most recently, The Proposal & Buried.

Chris Evans charmed his way into my circle of Faves when I first saw him in CELLULAR... a great, fun, action movie... he was charming in Fantastic Four, though the movie was NOT!... and of course, he has also handled a few tough cop dramas that highlights more of his acting than his looks...

In the promotional Teaser videos and photos circling around - I do like the look of Ryan as the Green Lantern... his built: Hunky but just right... not too overly developed.... while Chris looks soooo beefed up, and a bit more so for my taste - but he sure looks great in that Capt. America suit.... So, am not sure who you all prefer but one thing is for sure, I like both so I DECLARE the movies, and the actors, a TIE -- and am just going by these two photos for now... hahahahahaha

Now if they can just HURRY UP with the Green Lantern & Capt America Action Figures in their likenesses already... that would make XMAS more Merrier, for me....

just thinking out loud...

...as sometimes it does help when I do...
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!

It's That TIme of the Year Once More...

...and I really could not be HAPPIER.... yes, yes, life is FULL of DRAMAs, Ups and Downs, and TESTs, lately - still, it never fails, come this time of the year - I forget all and start humming joyful XMas ditties....

Normally, if I were back in the Bay Area, I would already have my XMas tree up, presents bought and wrapped, and XMas music fills the room - along with Just Desserts pumpkin Cookies or Carrot cake, as well as EGG NOGs & Apple Cider... the each nite, I would pick a different neighborhood to drive around or walk about - admiring and reveling on all the WONDERFUL XMAS displays from each home or shops... and loving every minute of it... the mechanical window displays of both Saks and Macys.... the incorporation of little doggies and kitties at Nieman Marcus' window displays... the glistening with so much XMas lights homes by the Marina... they were all wonders to see... the lighting of the Trees in both Union Square & Ghirardelli Square - all are TRULY not to be missed... seeing them all became a TRADITION!

In Taiwan, it is mostly at the Department stores that one can feel and revel in the XMas wonders.... some homes and churches, of course - but really, most of it are can only be seen at retail shops... this is truly one of those countries where one can Honestly say, XMas has become too commercialized... still, it does not stop me from going around and seeing and taking in all that I could... and there is still so much to see...

SOGO Department Store:

FORMOSA Regeant's Giant XMas Tree & Shops:

MORE XMAS in TAIWAN PHOTOS HERE

Of course, once in Manila - it is a totally different story.... being such a Catholic country - Christmas is in abundance.... everywhere you look, every corner - you can see and feel XMas... hell, I was seeing XMas since way back in October.... here are a few of the more WONDERFUL & MAGICAL displays I have seen so far....

AYALA MALLS has twinkling life sized Ballerinas & Nutcrackers all over - both on the ground and flying up in the air... MORE PHOTOS HERE:

...and my FAVE so FAR - Rustan's Mall - soooooo MAGICAL looking.... if you are a toy and fantasy lover - these windows are not to be missed..... COMPLETE PHOTOS HERE:

PS: Do share Holiday Photos from your parts of the world... would love to see them.... :))

"Finding India" @ Taipei MOCA

Yesterday, had a nice afternoon break taking in the "Finding India" Exhibition at Taipei's MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)... and it is a good thing to as it is on it;s last few days... been on since late Oct, the exhibit closes on the 12th of this month. David had a couple of appointments around the area - so I met up with him to view the Exhibit...

What a GREAT EXHIBITION!!! Colorful, ornate, thought provoking, and simply INCREDIBLE! Included in the exhibit are sculptures, videos, multi media art, paintings, photographs, abstract art, etc.... This Exhibition is the first contemporary art exhibition that explores Modern India story. Over 60 works of art by contemporary artists who became household names from the 1950s thru the 1980s, and continues to serve as social and art commentators, to date.

Complete Exhibition Photos Here

"Lesson One": Anthony Lee

Just recently, after seeing his photos on taxis and Billboards hawking something for a Phone company, it got me wondering when his CD is coming out.... Actually, i have been waiting for the CD to come out ever since I have seen him sing and get discovered in the Popular Taiwan singing show, 1 Million Star... and of course, ever since I ran into him at IKEA back in November of 2009 - where I got to talk with him and even take a photo with him.

Lo, and Behold, it IS out!!! Anthony Neely's first CD, Lesson One - with a couple of Music Videos to boot!!! It came out middle of November while I was away - reason why i did not even noticed all the hoopla.... and not having a TV at home (by choice) - i do not get updated with new music videos - but his videos have been popular - I have been told...

Anthony Lee looks and sounds in top form with this CD... he has lost a few KGS from the time I ran into him... looking even more fit... and his voice even more refined.... one thing did not change, much to my delight - his Lovely Smile... can TRULY BRIGHTEN UP ANY ROOM.... Makes him a Total Hunk to me.....

Do check out his 2 Brand New MVs - an English song and another a Chinese song.

"Sorry That I Loved You"

and the Chinese POP Ballad:

Happy 2nd Month BDay, Jewel!!!

Jewel is 2 months old today!!!

do I really look LOST???

Went to hear Mass today - at the church I always go to when am here in Taipei... I go at this particular time as, the service is in Tagalog (Philippines' language).... I get to practice my comprehension of Tagalog through the Priest's Eulogy... it helps that he is a funny one, always making me smile.... and the music - also in Tagalog - just sounds so beautiful.. uplifting and heart warming....

Anyway, right after the service, i saw that everyone was taking turns with photo taking by our Fave Priest and St. Christopher Church's Annual XMAS tree... so, always having the digicam handy, I joined in on the fun... got my photo taken too... at which time, this funny exchange between the Priest and I took place:

====================
Father: Are You Filipino?
Rudi: Yes, Father... of course, I come to your service all the time and it is in Tagalog.... why did you ask?
Father: I see you all the time and I always just assume you are LOST...
===================

LOL! That tells me never to sit in the very front anymore... I always thought I was being a good Catholic boy by sitting upfront, making sure I do not miss on anything... I did not know I look soooo Lost in following everything.... hahahahahaha

Happy Sunday All!!!

A Pirate's Life For Me....

Juliana and I had one of those unscheduled lunches yesterday... and it was a very nice break from all the work and hassles I was going through from a project that was never really a project.... but that's another story.... something I try to not think about too much - for now... LOL...

Anyway, Juliana called to tell me about a mutual friend's art on display as part of a "Pirate Exhibition" at Tom's Diner... off of Chung Hsiao North Rd.and it only running thru the 12th of DEC... so of course we had to go.... plus, it is a diner - so Burgers and Fries - for sure!!!! LUCKY US!!!

The food was actually good.... just as good as TGI Fridays or Chili's, if not better.... and priced modestly... a little less than NT$300 ($9.00US) for a set meal (main course of pasta, burger or hot dogs; hot or cold drink; and desserts - you choose from the 4 different flavours of Sundaes on the menu! Not bad at all....

The place was FUN!!! A quaint, hole in the wall, entrance that leads you to the 2nd Floor resto - all in red, white and black - truly, reminiscent of the better diners I frequent in San Francisco, California. It also has lots of biiig windows overlooking the streets... and since it is not that big of a place, every table gets a window seat!!! It also has a very nice counter style seating with cool swivel red stools.... And of course, the BIGGEST DRAW for us both: the place is overflowing with Vinyl Toys on display!!! At the moment, Pirate themed vinyl toys, tote bags, memorabilias, and :oh-so-cool" sketches and illustrations (by well known and not-so-well known, talented artists) adorns every nook and cranny of the place.... the vinyl toys are soooo cool and ecclectic... Premium Toys, TOFU, Disney Characters, Big Boy, so many other cuties whose names escapes me now.... Blythe dolls even!

Our friend, Jin Jin's COOL ART! She is actually the one that told Juliana about this place and the cool Exhibition...

Love this Display cased overflowing with Pirate Themed Toys... including a Pirate's Ship!

Tom Diner's Complete Photos Here

Tom's Diner
1F, No.2, Lane 248, Sec.4, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Da An District
Taipei City, 106, Taiwan
0287736664