Lavender & Coffee Stains

Who wants to have a gmail (email) account? Please send me an email if you want one.

To all book fanatics like me, I would like to inform you the upcoming 9th Philippine Academic BookFair to be held from July 11-15 at the PTA Tent, Clamshell 2, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila.



See you there!

I was bloghopping almost everywhere this morning the moment I logged in the web. I visited JohnHeart’s blog and his March 6 entry about his puppy brought sadness to my heart. Archie, the puppy look like almost my Skubi except for the color. Archie is black while my Skubi had a brown color. I really missed Skubi for he died a few months back. He had been sick for quite a while then, got better but down on his feet again. His naughtiness and snobbish attitude endeared him to me. I never thought that he would die that day. It was such a shock for I saw him limping going to his nook in the house and the next time I saw him, after less than 5 minutes, he was dead – sprawled on his side. I thought he was just too weak to stand up but he was not moving at all. He died that day at 4:05pm.

To my beloved Skubi, forgive me if I had hurt you in any way. I am guilty of that. I miss you my dear puppy. Your presence had graced simple, memorable happiness to the family. You were not just a puppy of any sort, you were a companion, a playmate and a guide. Wherever you are, you will always be a part of my memory.

Movie Line-up

I am really looking forward in watching these films. So, who's available to watch it with me?

1. The Pacifier - I thought that the craze over this hunk of a man named Vin Diesel would never get into me. I heard all about him, how gerlaloos and vakloosh went gaga over him. After seeing him in the movies - Pitch Black, The Fast and the Furious, Chronicles of Riddick (thanks to Dex), I was mesmerized by the strength of the man and ooohh, those searching eyes. Hehehe.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to this new movie of his. Would you believe he would be doing his very first comedy movie (as far as I know)? Picture this: a big guy taking care of kids! *excited*



2. Hitch - I am not really a big fan of Will Smith but I am beginning to like his style of cracking humor. Let us see how good he can be in giving dating strategies to lovesick fools in this romantic-comedy film.



3. Spanglish - Quite curious about this movie which stars Adam Sandler. Teaser shows about the clash of culture, values and insights to human commitments. Sometimes, it is refreshing to see films that are basically in touch with our human soul.



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Movies Watched

1. I forgot what day it was that I watched the Keanu Reeves movie, Constantine. I had no desire to watch it at first but Dex was surely on to it. So we did watch. The movie was too dark in its sense and too complicated. I don't actually buy the movie's premise that God and the devil wagers on human soul, on who gets who. I do not believe that and my faith in God's power is unceasing.



I gave credit to the film's superior cinematography plus its believably scary visual effects. A gothic horror with a cynical, gruesome sense of humor.

But there is one thought that remains in my head. Does the forces of good and evil represented by halfbreeds really amongst us humans? I know they do, figuratively but literally walking and mingling with us? I cannot imagine that a devil incarnate is actually seating beside me.

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Cyanide Poisoning

It was so shocking to learn that 28 pupils of a public school in a small town in Bohol died from eating native cassava. It was believed that the cause of mass poisoning was due to the high level content of cyanide found in the cassava. Research investigation is still undergoing to determine the real cause of this tragedy. Her Excellency, President Arroyo has placed the town of Mabini in Bohol under a state of calamity.

Let us share a minute of silent prayer for the eternal repose of their souls.

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The Honorable PMA Sanlingan Class 2005

I hold Baguio dear in my heart. Everything good and nice about it is something I wanna share to everyone.

Anyway, kudos to the 148 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets who will march the stage as they graduate today, March 12. Out of the 148 are 12 female cadets; of which 4 are in the top 10.

HE Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the commencement exercises speaker of the graduating PMA Sanlingan (honor) Class 2005.

I used to remember my father coaxing (kiddingly, of course) me to enter PMA. He thought then I was so addicted in my CAT class. But then, I dreamed that once graduating, I would opt to enter the Philippine Air Force (though in our CAT, we practice the Philippine Army way). Hehehe. I was dreaming then of becoming a member of the elite group of PAF. Guess what? Here I am.

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High School Reunion

My high school batchmates will be staging a small reunion after more than 10 years of not seeing/catching up with each other. It will be held at 7pm tonight somewhere in Timog Avenue. I am still contemplating if I will be attending because it seems like I will be the only one coming from our section. Levi seems uninterested and Uriah is quite busy. The rest of my gang are unreachable, meaning I do not know where in this world they may be. I am undecided because I may feel isolated if I attend but the urge in me to go and see my former batchmates is strong enough to even consider giving it a thought.

I just hope those 2 buddies of mine will give a + feedback. I will try to contact the rest as well. I was a researcher and the blood is still flowing in me.

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Lunch With Mariel

I was chatting at early mawning with Mariel via yahoo messenger when she popped up the invitation. She said she already missed us and that it would be nice to see each other again. So tomorrow, March 12, we will all be meeting - Mariel, me, Jon, Jovee. Mariel requested me to inform LA, Jary, Kerwin and Jheng.

I am really looking forward to see them again and to think it was just last Wednesday that I met up with Jon and Jary to have dinner at a pizza resto.

Surely, this is 100% guaranteed fun!

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Finalist

-pala ang site na ito sa Best Blogger of the Year 2004 category sa Philippine Blog Awards. Naks, walang alam sa html yan (yabang ko, *toinks). At hindi rin naman ako magaling magsulat. Mahilig lang magsulat.

I wonder what is their basis for including me? Hmmm.

Like the way I crave for chocolates when I am depressed, I crave for a certain book that will satisfy my reading desire at the moment. What I really want right now is something controversial, rocks the brains with innuendos of historical claims clashing with fiction. What comes to mind? Dan Brown's books. Well, I have already read all of them. In my search, I discovered this book which came prior to Dan Brown's best-seller, the Dan Vinci Code. Published 1997, the Templar Revelation is somewhat akin to the tone of the Da Vinci Code.

Written by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, the Templar Revelation tells about an enigmatic history undisclosed through centuries and which can be decoded in the pieces of priceless art.

I have recently checked if National Bookstore and Powerbooks have stocks of that book but up to now, zilch. Anyone got an ebook copy? Can I request a copy? Kindly send it to my email addy.

Supposedly, I was to join them in jogging and wallclimbing yesterday but a part of my body was playing this untolerable, painful trick in me. I woke up late and firmly decided that I would just stay home and do what was supposed to be done. I just wish that my medical check-up 2 weeks from now will yield negative results. Darn! Thinking about it gives me the goosebumps.

Staying home was kinda boring but good thing Dex popped in the scene. He brought a half gallon of ice cream (cookies and cream) and a loaf of fresh Gardenia bread. He also brought some episode copies of my favorite CSI Miami. While watching, we devoured the ice cream and the bread loaf with the tuna spread. Hehehe! So much about wanting to cut our food intake. After running out of CSI stuff, we watched The Jackal that starred the very macho man, Bruce Willis and my chinky-eyes Hollywood all-time crush, Richard Gere.

It was such a happy time that we did not notice that we actually finished the half gallon ice cream and the bread. The same with how fast time passed by. I told Dex to go home because it was kinda late for him to go traipsing in the vicinity. It was a weekend and you know that drunks, drug junkies, holduppers and psychos proliferate the streets at night. I was freaking worried of what the scenario might be and my blasted imagination was not even helping me ease my anxiety. Hahay.

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I wonder when will my finances be in the super-ok slate? I have a number of plans of what to do afterwards.

1. Go clothes-shopping in this most-sought 'trendy' store.
2. Buy the most-coveted digital camera from Sony.
3. Travel in any of these places: Thailand, Bohol, Boracay, Ilocos Norte.

Well, so much for saving, breaking my New Year's resolution. *toinkself*

Lunchtime na at di ako kumakain. Bakit kamo? Diet kasi ako. Wehehehe. Seriously, hindi naman. Busog kasi ako. I just had 2 small slices of pizza and 3 pieces of my favorite tuna gratin from Dusit Hotel and 2 cups of black coffee for my once-in-a-blue-moon morning breaks. It has been my habit to dine either breakfast or lunch. Normally, I do not take something for breakfast (except 4 cups of caffeine); that means, I can look forward in having a sumptuous lunch. I had something this morning so no need to eat again for lunch. I am still full.

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Since modifying my blogskin, I did not actually have the luxurious time of updating my template. So that is what I am doing everytime I log-in. I kinda like the new skin because it appears very light and friendly to my eyes.

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Aside from this personal site, I also started last month 2 new sites which are both being hosted by Blogger. The first site was actually an offshoot of my Something To Ponder On site hosted by Xanga. I decided to shift it to Blogger because I can easily 'manipulate' the html codes according to my preferences rather than the one being offered by Xanga. Basically, the former title of the site speaks for itself (its content). But I had it re-titled to Reflections. I had the link posted here at the sidebar at the Personal category. So, if any of this site's visitors want a nice read, do check it out. I am sure you are going to like it.

The second site that I am also starting and trying to manage is a consequence of an inherent desire to have a site dedicated to awareness of our environment, specifically on Philippine environs. I am on the lookout of news, articles that talks about the state and conditions, what's hot and new about the Philippine environment. So, I had it titled Philippine Environment & Bio-Diversity. Please click the link to check out the site. I would very much welcome suggestions of such articles or news from anyone. Such will be posted as entries to the site.

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I need to get back to work because I only have an hour to cram on my requirements. Ciao!

Isn't it obvious that I miss blogging? My demanding work has surely taken its toll on me. Aside from mountainclimbing during weekends, escaping to Baguio, writing about something, having a cup of coffee or mocha frap while reading a good book in a nook at a favorite coffee shop, I love to spend my precious little time in front of any computer - writing in and talking to my dear blogsite.

Right now, I am at work but I just cannot help taking a 'peep' in my blog world. I have to finish some project requirements which will be used in our wrap-up meeting at 2pm today. It is also Friday and I have to facilitate arrangements for a project counterpart's workshop requirements on Monday and Tuesday. Yadah, yadah. Who cares? I am sure I will be able to find a way to accomplish them before the time comes.

What I am really excited to blog about was my trip to Baguio last Feb 24-27. It was such an exciting weekend despite not going to many places. There was no need to revisit every places since I have been going there frequently. It was also one of the weekends celebrating the very festive Panagbenga. Aside from the flower and float parade, I enjoyed the time spent in checking out new places to eat in Baguio. Aside from that, I was like a happy kid jumping with glee because of the cheap thrills that Burnham Park had to offer.

Well, that story (plus the photos) has to wait. Oops, I just have to warn you. Most of the photos were the faces of Dex and me. We were having a 'trip' on taking photos (like taking pictures against varied backdrops, light settings, etc). He actually looked like he was embarassed having his photo taken. Teaser: the photos I took of Dex were mostly in a surrounding of flowers.

It has been four straight days since I got addicted to staying up late till early dawn just to reunite with my beloved desktop. Why not? We have been separated for a long time when my dear motherboard decided to crank up at me. Mind you. It was such a heavy load to pull out something from your pocket just to buy a new one. Oops, it was actually Dex who paid for it using his credit card. Mine was maxed out and my cash was not enough. I told him that I would pay him every payday. Aside from the motherboard, we also bought new, cool speakers and if I was not mistaken, we also bought a brand new modem since the old one had corroded edges already (?).

More or less, I spend 6 hours in front of my desktop. All I do was engage in a hit in playing Snood, Virtua Cop & Text Twist, check and reply to sensible and personal emails, browse Friendster, check jobstreet for my brother's benefit, and of course, update my blog.

Oh well, I was planning to blog more but my eyes are really, really droopy.

Goodnight, blog. Sweet dreams to me.

It was already past 10 in the evening today when my mobile phone rang. An unregistered number. I was planning not to answer it but my obligation in reference to my projects did not hinder me to do so.

So I got a call from this guy, Kristen, whom I had the pleasure of meeting during a pinoyexchange event. Anyway, he called up to ask me if I would be available during the weekends for a board game. If you are going to ask me, this guy is a real genius when it comes to playing scrabble. He competed against me and I lost the game plus my copy of Tom Clancy's book, Clear and Present Danger. Well, I have no qualms of playing against him for the second time around.

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It all started when my former colleague, Rajnna, emailed me inquiring how's life been treating me. An hour back, another former colleague, Joy, was exchanging emails with me. Raj is currently in the US while Joy is in Canada. Raj is planning to head back to Toronto soon. As we were corresponding, the current and the future plans of each other's lives were brought out in the open. I was seeking Joy's advice on how will I be able to migrate to Canada either for work or for studies or even both. She claimed that I have a better chance. As usual in most cases, the only hindering factor will be one's bank account with a stable amount of more or less P500,000.00. My gaws! Is this for real?! Well, she taught me the ways how to acquire this but still, a long shot and I do not think I have the patience nor the face for it. Hmm.

Due to the simultaneous implementation of my 2 projects, I missed today the opening of Eiga Sai 2005: Akira Kurosawa featuring the movie, Rashomon. I had reserved tickets and I just wasted it. Anyway, Eiga Sai 2005 will run till March 11. I can still catch up and watch the other works of this renowned filmmaker. For more information, do visit this site!

Tomorrow, I will also miss attending this orientation/info regarding Japn Education Seminar. Basically, this is all about study opportunities in Japan. I have been searching for overseas scholarships for a while. Now that I find one, my schedule goes haywire. It reminds me of the local saying, "kapag hindi uukol, hindi bubukol." Anyway, please see details below if interested.

March 2, 2005 (Wednesday)
9:00 AM to 12:00 NN (AM Session)
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PM Session)

Multipurpose Hall, JICC
Embassy of Japan

*Admission is free, just bring an ID for security purposes

There will be videos, talks and consultations regarding:
- Study opportunities in Japan
- Japanese Government Scholarships, etc.

For more information,
please call 551-7814
Embassy of Japan in RP

Organized by Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the Embassy of Japan
In cooperation with PHILAJAMES, Inc. and APPAJU
In celebration of the Philippines-Japan Festival 2005

Japan Information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan
2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
1300 Philippines

Spending more time with friends is likely now. Attend more parties and you will temporarily forget your worries. A new friend will accept you with open arms. You easily your lose temper in your home, so you want to go out to enjoy time with others. There is an improvement in work because your superiors will notice your courage and extra efforts in doing things. Communications is limited with your loved ones, you need try to make up for lost time when you are more loving.

Hindi naman talaga ako totally naniniwala sa horoscope pero naaaliw ako na basahin paminsan-minsan kung ano ang magiging kapalaran ko. Among other things, iyung pang-limang pangungusap lang sa itaas ang nagpataas ng kilay ko. May nangyari kasi sa trabaho noong nakaraang February 21. Sinagot at iniyakan ko ang boss ko dahil sa pagiging unfair niya. I accidentally spit out that I will resign. Ewan ko lang kung kinalimutan na niya pero nakatanim pa rin sa utak ko ang dahilan ng lahat, idagdag na din ang ilang buwang kunsumisyong inabot ko sa kanya. Wala naman talaga akong pakialam kung hinayupak ang boss ko so long as hindi naaapektuhan trabaho ko. Kaso siya ang dahilan kung bakit hindi maganda ang takbo ng mga projects namin. I have been giving more than a hundred percent of my efforts sa work but still, nothing happens. Just imagine how frustrating that can be.