What, No Candy?

I just read somewhere that in Japan, they measure your waistline once you reach the age of 40 to ensure no one is, well, fat. If you go beyond the ideal measurement, you pay a fine. Wow.

In Great Britain, they pay obese people to enroll in weight-loss programs. WOW.

I seriously need to lose weight, get fit, live healthy, all that jazz. A fine or a government-sponsored effort would definitely be good motivation. Sadly, we don't got those back home. You're on your own. Crap.

Oooh, a Twix bar! :-|

On Rockstars, Addictions, And Talking Crabs

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

1. Be mine :: I'm Yours.
   
2. Ecstatic :: About going home. :)
   
3. Orderly :: Caregivers.
   
4. Sebastian :: Ariel's crab friend.
   
5. Sore :: Throat. Yeah, I have it now.
   
6. Don’t need :: ...to be anything other than a prison guard's son. ~ Gavin DeGraw
   
7. Rockstar :: Energy drink. (so hard to pick just one real rockstar)
   
8. Tinfoil :: Grill.
9. Addiction :: Chocolate.
   
10. Where? :: What? Who?

A Serenade

You breathe out and I breathe in...

I ache...

I miss the sound of your voice

the loudest thing in my head...

Believe...

Hold on...

Everything works in your arms.

Happy 4th, baby.


Always & always...

Stick It To Me, Mommy

A little game I cooked up for my cousin's baby shower. Sorta like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, but with pacifiers and a baby. This photo was taken post-game. Interesting, no?

10 On Tuesday: Good Old Songs Of Yore

An official 10 on Tuesday list wasn't published for today, so I'm improvising. This one's actually something I missed, thought I'd revive it. I'm sure most, if not all, of the songs on this list are pretty lame. So, be warned. I'm actually chatting with 2 of my friends who I've known for like forever (Wan, Myks -- you are my ambassadors of lame-ass 90's songs). They inspired me to write an entirely different post about how cool (NOT!) early 90's music was and how it, err, molded us to the cool (you better believe it!) people we are now. But that's reserved for another day.

In the meantime, here are my top 10 songs that bring back memories of the first 20 years of my life...

American Pie - Madonna (2000). First song I "recorded." Just a little background on that, I did ghost/cover singing for a good...5 years. What does a cover singer do? Well, I'd lend my voice to an artist with much less, uh, skill. That, and do back-up for less pretentious artists, and also re-record popular songs for karaoke (you know, when you want to sing along with the CD/tape and not just go on your own, you have the option to play the vocals? Yeah, that would be me. Or at least what I did back in the day).

Angel - Sarah McLachlan (1999). If I was a melody...

All My Life - K-Ci & Jojo (1998). Reminds me of college road trips with friends. We'd drive to Mimosa, Subic, Fontana, and wherever else our wheels would take us. Cut class if we had to. From the start of the school year and all through the summer. Booze fest, hysterical laughter, wandering off at night, nightswimming, boyfriends and girlfriends, single belles, instant cup noodles, bogus field trips, sneaking out the car, sneaking out the back to ride in someone else's car. Ahhh...to be young and carefree again...

Your House - Alanis Morissette (1997). It was an inter-collegiate Battle of the Bands, and we lost (in fairness, we were the only ones in high school, and at least one of the bands who played that day are pretty big in the Philippines now, so it was an honor losing to them lol). It was held in the middle of a busy mall and during our set we had like 3 minutes to spare so I went a capella on their asses. I did this song. And for 3 minutes, the entire mall fell quiet. It was a great feeling. After our performance, I went to buy soda at the McDonald's right behind the stage, and everyone was like "were you the one who was singing just now? You totally rocked." Well, no, not in those words exactly. In Filipino, sure. And a little less dramatic. lol It was one of my finest moments yet.

Open Arms - Mariah Carey (1996). One word: prom.

Plush - STP (1993). 7th grade. It was one of those teen, angsty years. Pearl Jam was a big hit, too, but just the first 10 notes of Plush is more than plenty to bring me back to that time in my life. (there are a bunch of other songs that my friends and I came up with, but I'll save them for another post lol)

Papa Don't Preach - Madonna (1989). I was in the 2nd grade and I joined this talent contest in school. I was up against the daughter of a famous local actress. Stressful, right? Anyway, so I lip synced this song WHILST I danced (choreography c/o, who else, my mother). I had a yellow tank top and a pair of green P.E. shorts on. I remember it was spur of the moment, so I had to improvise my, uh, "costume." Anyway, so, I won. And I won all talent contests after that. I skipped the dancing part though. lol

One Moment In Time - Whitney Houston (1988). The official anthem for that year's summer Olympics turned out to be my official talent-showcase anthem as well. I remember my family would ask me to sing in front of everyone, in frilly dresses and bows in my hair, no doubt. And I would, without fear. I wonder how/why I lost that fearlessness.

Bayan Ko - Kuh Ledesma...and every other Filipino who celebrated their liberation from the Marcos regime (1986). On the day before my 6th birthday, then-dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the first family were forced out of Malacanang Palace (our version of the White House). The People-Power Revolution, frontlined by peaceful rallyists -- politicians, celebrities, priests, nuns, and commonfolk alike -- offered prayers, flowers, and food to the military for them to step aside and completely overthrow the tyrannous government they sworn to protect. This song was sung from every corner of the archipelago, echoing the joy of the people for the whole world to hear.

Chiquitita - Abba (1982-85). My grandmother would always play it on the piano. I learned to sing along with her (I was only 2 or 3 when I learned the song, mind you). One of my earliest memories.

Ruffle My Feathers

Here's something I wouldn't be caught dead wearing. Like ever. Ever. And yes, even if they paid me.



I don't know. It's just a tad bit frilly for my liking. lol Seriously, where, oh, WHERE does one even wear something like that? It doesn't even cut it as sleepwear. You use the pillows, not become them.

I loooove fashion, but I've always considered high fashion to be a little...pointless. They're insanely expensive, uncomfortable, snooty, and certainly unflattering on the average Jane (and/or Joe). I simply don't have a clue what all the fuss is about.

On Snack Packs, Doctor Who, And Rebels

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

1. Cups :: Snack Packs.
   
2. Brilliant :: Doctor Who.
   
3. Disobey :: Rebel.
   
4. Abstain :: Sacrifice.
   
5. Daily :: ...Globe.
   
6. You make me :: ...feel like a natural woman.
   
7. Hurl :: What I can do when I watch The Hills Have Eyes 1 & 2.
   
8. Intensify :: Love.
   
9. Fuck! :: A word I have to eliminate from my vocabulary. But can't.
   
10. Race :: The Amazing Race. Woohoo!
    

Brazil! Brazil!

We were supposed to drive to Long Beach last night for the ultimate lobster buffet (@ Khoury's), but the rain was relentless so we didn't want to take our chances on the slippery freeway. What we did was we called and moved our reservations for the 13th. Instead, we opted for the next best thing -- meat, meat, meat.

Ended up having dinner at this Brazilian buffet place called Samba in Redondo Beach.

The Brazilian beef was just exquisitely done. The scallop salad, among other delectable sides, sure helped purge the strong meat after-taste (I kept tasting and tasting anyway haha). So so good.

The lamb, too, was just delish. And the tritip, and the top sirloin, and the...whole freakin' cow, how's that. Even the staff thought so. Just look at that smile. Yummy, too, no? lol

And after dinner...a little samba by my mama. You go shake what grandma gave you!

Please Don't Tell...

1. Please don't tell her that I've been meaning to miss her. ~ Jason Mraz

2. Can you dream in the morning?

3. The color blue makes me want to get my feet wet!

4. I have a craving for anything with liquor in it.

5. If my life had a pause button, I'd pause it every time I'm with Obie.

6. Eyes are the windows to Jaundice.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a lobster buffet at Khoury's, tomorrow my plans include attending/helping out with my cousin JJ's baby shower, and Sunday, I want to stay in bed the whole day!

25 Random Facts About Me

Was tagged on Facebook. Thought I'd share them on here as well. Here we go...

1. I am addicted to fiction.
2. To me, music is just as important as atmosphere.
3. I sleep with the oldest pillow in existence.
4. I secretly like free stuff. Can't appear too eager, you know how it is.
5. I find the cold comforting.
6. I know in my heart I was Irish in a past life. Ireland rocks my socks off.
7. I wrote the first draft of my last will and testament when I was in high school.
8. I had a basset hound named Molly which I later changed to Leigh. She died. And although I find ALL dogs adorable (yes, even those small, shaky ones), I've always been afraid to have another.
9. I am in-love and in-like with Angelo.
10. My heart breaks like nothing else in this world -- silent but deadly. That brings me to my 5,325,366th life now.
11. Nothing ticks me off more than arrogance. And cruelty.
12. I take too many pictures of myself, it's unhealthy.
13. If I could sing for a living, I would.
14. I can eat steak/shrimp/chicken fajitas for days.
15. Once I walked by a homeless, shoe-less guy propped up on one of those street pole platform things, and as I bent over to give him some money, I MANAGED to accidentally touch his feet with my hand. I felt completely wretched...for the both of us. But, believe it or not, more for him.
16. Fast forward to a few years later, I end up in the same place and this guy (a totally different guy) spits over his shoulder and it lands dead smack on MY feet.
17. I'm a spit/germ magnet.
18. I would rather touch that homeless guy's feet again and be spit on than eat lychees.
19. I have a serious case of stage fright. Seriously.
20. I hope to stumble upon the cure for all diseases someday. And host the grandest food fight party in Africa.
21. I've never done laundry in my life until June of last year.
22. I used to drink like a dude, ask anyone. Now, I look at a bottle of Patron and I feel dizzy.
23. Confession of the century: The first time I got in an accident while I was driving? Totally my fault.
24. I get by with a little help from my friends.
25. There is no place like home (to those who don't know where home is, it's Manila).

Wordless: Hope Floats

10 On Tuesday: Fave Movies For Kids

This list is STRICTLY kids stuff; none of those Rated PG space-age modern-day (or middle-earth...or middle-sea) storytelling intended for children of all ages, but really what they are are brilliant sci-fi motion picture epics by adults for adults (e.g. Star Wars, Back To The Future, The Lord Of The Rings, X-men, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Superman, Spiderman, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Transformers) because those are just too cool to mention. And none of this High School Musical mumbo-jumbo either. Zac Efron is so hot though, isn't he? So not healthy for pre-adolescent girls.

What is the basis of my answers? I guess it's how many times I've seen them (I even have some of them on VHS...maybe even BETAMAX), plus they're just super [effortlessly] funny.

And now, in no particular order...

1. The Mighty Ducks Trilogy. "Flying V!!!" Always gave me goosebumps. I remember fantasizing about flying to Maine and joining the team. Especially when the 2nd one came out; the one with all the "imports?" Oh, man. Good times, good times.

2. White Fang. The first one with Ethan Hawke. Didn't really care for the installment, although I still saw it. Without Ethan, it wasn't really appealing to me anymore.

3. Aladdin. The Disney version, of course. It's my absolute favorite Disney animated movie of all time. Princess Jasmin's singing voice was done by a Filipina (Lea Salonga, who also played the original Kim in Miss Saigon). AND Aladdin looked a lot like my prom date, which only made it harder not to like (the movie, I mean). The prom date I loooooved. lol I hope he never reads my blog. Ever. lol

4. The Little Mermaid. Also the Disney version. "Someday I'll beeeeee....part of yooooouuur...woooooorld." I know all the songs/dialogue by heart (yes, even Sebastian's). Freak much?

5. Shrek 1&2. The third...enh, not so much.

6. Kung Fu Panda. "There is no charge for awesomeness." Priceless! Obie likes this one, too. A LOT.

7. Chronicles Of Narnia. What can I say, I'm a sucker for fantasy (and when I say fantasy I mean Ben Barnes).

8. Finding Nemo. Who can resist Dora, the aDORAble fish with early-onset Alzheimer's who spoke "whale." Plus, I loved that a lot of the animators were Filipino and they used a few Filipino touches in the movie -- that was really thoughtful and nationalistic.

9. Monsters Inc.

10. Harry Potter. All of them.

Those that didn't make the list, but are also kick-ass movies for kids, include the Never Ending Story series, Enchanted, Labyrinth circa 1986, Ratatouille, Ice Age 1&2, Toy Story 1&2, and The Incredibles. I just couldn't help it, could I. lol

Lovehammered

Today's Manic Monday is brought to us by the word cloud. "Clouds" also happens to be one of my favorite (sure, I may have quite a few) songs. The melody is far from fresh, but it's probably the familiarity that makes it very endearing to me. And Marty Casey rocks. Big props to Lovehammers, too.

God, I love this song.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Clouds
Marty Casey & Lovehammers

I am just like you
I wish for more in this life
I need so much more
Lost all hideaway
You were there
To save me from everything
And everyone I could not see

Turn my blind eyes blue
One kiss from you
Like white light
Feel you shining through
So much more to see
But you're too scared
Trust me with everything
'Cause I'm the one
I give you strength when you're weak

So sorry she said
You'll never find out anyhow
So sorry it's over now
Go on back home

Falling through your clouds I
Hope you can catch me
Never leave you alone
Falling through you now I
Hope you can catch me

Never leave you alone

Lyrics Source

On Beer, Pureed Food, And The Big Apple

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

1. Take :: ...though 'tis better to give.
   
2. 350 :: # of times I fantasized about eating real, solid, yummy food today.
   
3. Stand :: ...By Me circa 1986.
   
4. Raspberry :: ...beer. Ah, beer.
   
5. Turnstile :: Pay as you enter.
   
6. Infomercial :: "But wait, there's more!!!"
   
7. Dejected :: Lost hope.
   
8. What’s the word? :: Sale!!!
   
9. Awestruck :: New York City.
   
10. Smashed :: Perfectly describes the kind of food I've been eating.
    

Us

~One Word To Start A Sentence Or Statement~

1. She is everything I need that I never knew I wanted, she is everything I want that I never knew I needed, she is everything.
~ The Fray

2. He is make-it-alright-to-get-you-through-the-night, the soul defender of anything I fear, the pain remover, bad-times-undoer, the joy-bringer, the love-giver, he is. ~ Heather Headley

3. We will we will rock you. ~ Queen

4. They are a-changin'. ~ Bob Dylan, on "the times"

Novocaine!

Friday Fill-Ins will follow shortly, but first...

On a particularly bad day -- having had, count it, TWO wisdom teeth pulled out (nay! More like drilled, sliced, yanked, then stitched up), absorbed in no other sensation but raging pain even in my stillness -- it is best to think of something positive, you know, to keep me sane, if anything.

So, to lighten up the mood a little, and in an attempt to make myself feel a bit superior, I would like to recall the best compliments I've ever received (pardon my self-assurance, but I'm in pain!). Trust me when I say there's not a whole lot of the genuine kind. Therefore, I secretly cling to them like oxygen to a prolonged submerged pair of lungs. There are those that people say often; too often that it starts to sound...forced. "You have a very beautiful voice." Sure, you had to say that, my mom's within earshot. "I like your bag, where'd you get it?" You just want me to ask about yours. "I swear, you have the best hair." Get in line. "My, you lost weight!" Oh, bullcrap!

Then there are these...

1. "...I know you're a good girl." Even in true candor, I still manage to find it laughable. Not because I didn't want to believe the person who said it, but because they even had to. It definitely made me soft and appreciative when I heard it, but at the same time I doubted it a little. Am I a good girl, really? (that was rhetorical, by the way, in case you missed it)

2. "Your hair smells nice." Such a casual thing to say, so positively generic, almost elementary...but it definitely made my day. It made such an impact only because it's not something I hear everyday. Nor something this person would say everyday. Not that I stink (I sure hope not). But I guess I was just never the girl-who-looked-like-she-smelled-nice, knowwhatImean? Almost like I was Gandhi in the odor department -- passive -- never stood out even with perfume on.

3. "You're enchanting." It wasn't declared to me right away. The person who told me this (once upon a time), trying to be all mysterious no doubt, said that I was "what Joe Fox's grandfather used to describe the lady who previously owned The Shop Around The Corner in that You've Got Mail movie." Or something like that. The nerd that I was, I rented it out. And just as the 3-generation Foxes convened in the office for some father-son-grandfather bonding, behold, Grandpa Fox says, "she was enchanting." He actually says it again during a walking tour of the newly opened Fox Bookstore. It was heartwarming. If you were called enchanting, wouldn't you feel the same? Definitely NOT something you hear everyday.

4. "You have cute toes." I mean, WTF, right? My toes?!? Seriously? Well, if someone else had said it, I would've thought so. But coming from Obie, I knew he really meant it, the love-sick puppy that he was when he fell for me. lol Anyone who could love my pudgy tentacles could only be the real deal.

5. "There's something about you; you walk into a room and it just...lights up." I remember going through some old letters from high school before I left for the States. This from a guy who probably doesn't even remember writing it (and I hate to admit it, but I don't even remember his last name!!#%). lol Our friendship was short as it was peachy. We may have lost touch through the years, but the banter, the stripling chummy escapades, and the letter (of course) will always be something worth cherishing.

6. "Perhaps the most beautiful friend any [one] could ask for." It was never engraved in stone, nor declared recently, but at least they meant it at that moment. That's good enough for me.

Now, on with the show.

1. I'd really like more drugs right now.

2. Something that rhymes with stuck, or completely undecipherable except to Klingons is the word you'd most often hear me say if I stubbed my toe.

3. Possession is awesome for now.

4. Will take Will Turner over Captain Jack Sparrow.

5. Marshmallows and fire go together like marshmallows and my fiery, welcoming mouth.

6. Some will win, some will lose, some were born to sing the blues, oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping knowing I wouldn't have to wake up early in the morning, tomorrow my plans include nursing my pain more, and Sunday, I want to eat real solid food!

3,288 Days

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Wordless: Sea World, San Diego

10 On Tuesday: Fave Articles Of Clothing I Own

First thing I thought when I saw this week's topic was, "yay!" Now that I'm writing about it, looks like it's gonna be a little tough to narrow down every item of clothing I own to just 10 absolute favorites. Before I reveal my picks, keep in mind that I LOVE fashion and appreciate various kinds of couture -- haute, vintage, and especially wallet-friendly ones (sales are the bomb).

Also, I want to define "articles of clothing" before going any further. As much as I j'adore all my bags, I'm afraid they would have to sit this one out. I believe they can make or break an outfit, but, in this case, are not necessarily items you "wear on" your body. Let's just say I put them in a different category altogether and consider them untouchable, for today's post at least.

OK, on with the fashion show...

1. Hoop Earrings. They go with almost anything.

2. Two-tone bracelet. I'd wear it all the time -- as long as there was no threat of losing it (when in crowded places, public transit, or doing physical activities, it has to stay home where it's safe).

3. Jackets, jackets, jackets. For someone who resides so close to the equator, I sure do love my jackets. I remember back in the 6th grade, I'd wear this yellow cardigan over my uniform even if it was like 30 degrees C out. Hoodies, coats, lumberjacks, denim jackets...all lovely. If I had to pick 1 absolute favorite, I would have to say...crap, it's so hard to pick just one. Camo cropped jacket by Chocolate, denim ones by Mango, Rolling Stones pullover, all my hoodies...I love them all equally, how's that.

4. The Jeans. It's never easy to buy the best-fitting, perfect pair of jeans. Especially for someone with my, err, built. I have quite a few pairs. Only 1 pair comes close to the perfect fit (as long as I don't gain any more weight), but I love them all just the same. Low rise, bootcut, relaxed fit, boyfriend pants, high rise, flared, skinny, cropped...I guess that's the secret to scoring the perfect jeans...buying a lot that come real close.

5. Plain White T's. Yes, I like the band, too. But I love my actual plain white t-shirts more. They hug me in the right places (i.e. not my mid-section lol).

6. Montreal Canadiens #11 Jersey. Go Habs Go!

7. Pointed pumps. In assorted colors and textures. Gotta love 'em.

8. Little Black Dress. Every girl needs one.

9. Birkenstocks. My friends and I have gone through quite a few pairs all through high school and college (tropical fever, baby). But even after the wear-and-tear, the darkened footbeds, and tarnishing metal clasps, it's always so hard to put a tag price on them in garage sales (I gave a pair away and I have to admit, that hurt a little, too). It's like saying goodbye to an old, dependable, dear friend. The ones I have now (2 pairs given to me by my boyfriend who, at that time, wasn't...ah, long story) are those single strapped ones; a white pair and a pink pair. I must say, the Germans did really good on this one.

10. Flip-flops. My absolute feet-ish. I actually lost count with how many I own. Puma, Old Navy, Crocs -- just a few of the brands I have. So, so cute AND comfortable. Nothing beats Havaianas though. I probably have 20 pairs, give or take. Plain, printed, limited edition, commemorative, jewel accents...can't live without them.

Tangled Up In Blue

Got this from a friend's site. My answers turned out to be, well, pretty interesting (and sometimes funny). So, here it goes:

Put your player on shuffle and hit the 'Next' button to get your answer to every question. You must indicate the title and artist, no matter how far-fetched it sounds.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Waves - Grantura

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
What's The Deal - Envelopes

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Running - No Doubt

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Missing You - Jem

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Lithium - Nirvana

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Talk - Coldplay

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Heroine - Something Corporate

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
You're The Storm - The Cardigans

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Don't Worry Baby - The Beach Boys

WHAT SONG WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Hands Open - Snow Patrol

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Kill - The Dresden Dolls

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
I Wanna Be A Kennedy - Kill Hannah

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Good Fight Fighting - The Very Most

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Is This The Best It Gets - Budapest

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Somebody Told Me - The Killers

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Chocolate - Snow Patrol

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Wonderwall - Ryan Adams

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Breathe (2 am) - Anna Nalick

SCARES YOU THE MOST?
I Want You - Rachael Yamagata

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Baby One More Time (Britney Spears cover) - Marty Casey

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Waiting - Chantal Kreviazuk

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Tangled Up In Blue - Ani DiFranco feat. Indigo Girls

Wordless: East Side Story

Un-Break

Title: Break Me Out
Artist: The Rescues
Dedication: This one goes out to...well, you know who you are



Break me out tonight
I wanna see the sun rising anywhere but here
Come with me
Oh, this could be
The only chance we get
We gotta take it
We don't do it now we'll never make it
Lose this crowd
Oh, break me out

Wordless: Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Wordless: Go, Habs, Go!!!

My Top 5: Stress Busters

Emotional stress is just as, if not more, taxing than physical stress. Accumulated annoyances, itty bitty heartbreaks that create sporadic earthquakes in your chest, homesickness, abandonment, depression -- too painful to even mention all of them under one breath. Do I do yoga or exercise? No (although I should, I know that much). Do I see a shrink? No. Why? Aside from the fact that I think it's a complete waste of money I may or may not have, I think of it as a favor, not to myself but to the poor stranger, sparing them from the contagious grief. Do I b*tch to my friends about these things? Hell, yeah! That's what they're for.

Seriously though, before I rejoin the rest of the world and all its normalcy (normal...ha!), I like to de-stress a little. Reboot my aura, if you will. No one wants to go out there with a black cloud hovering above them. Especially when things already are a little grim. Here are my five surefire stress busters (most of them I do just because they're fun).

1. "Please don't stop the music." I play something -- soft and soothing, ear-busting rock, same banana. Props would include, but not limit to, the radio, computer, iPod, guitar, videoke. Singing, out loud or just in my head, proves to be very calming, too.

2. Walk it off. What's better? Run. Sure, eventually, you come back to point A. But at least you've released all that bad juju for the atmosphere to consume it.

3. Write. Poetry, blog posts, music & lyrics, journal entries -- anything that involves a pen and something to write on, or a keyboard.

4. Fiction. Read books, watch movies, or make up my own stories. If you can't run away from your woes, might as well enjoy 2-3 hours of temporal yet blissful escape.


5. Zonk out. Sleep is turning out to be a luxury. I say embrace it whenever you can (this coming from a former sleepless fiend). Dreaming of Edward Cullen or Jacob Black or Aro (Ben Barnes is said to take on the role in the installments -- delish!!!) is just a bonus.

Guilty Sonic Pleasure: Untouch Me Not

"Untouched" by The Veronicas.

Heard part of it for the first time on E! a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't get the tune out of my head since. Finally, I got the music video off iTunes. I'm a happy camper (am I?).

Speaking of happy...I hope everyone has an awesome 2009.

Wordless: Solvang, San Francisco, Sacramento

My Top 5: Gifts Received On Christmas Day

I got quite a few presents today. Those gift cards and "special envelopes" rocked, for sure, but these are my top five. So far LOL I'm sure I'll be getting more when I fly back home in 2 months ha ha I am so bad...

1. [What seems like a year's supply of] Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, and Rondnoir (that last one is my fave). Ayayayayay.

2. A picture frame of me and my nephew Aidan (he's just 4 and he wrapped it himself!).

3. Vera Wang handbag.

4. Montreal Canadiens' Captain Saku Koivu #11 jersey (technically, I received it a few days early in the mail, but I did wait 'til Christmas morning before I opened it).

5. Round-trip ticket to Boston.

And on that note...

Wordless: Snow Angel

10 On Tuesday: [Old] New Year's Resolutions

Pretty much everything on here has been in my perpetual new year's resolutions list. I guess it helps to "revisit" them at least once a year to, you know, remind me how much progress (sure) I'm making. lol

1. Lose weight. Nowadays, even skinny people think they need to lose weight. I think it's time to update this. Healthier living. Yes, I think that's more positive.

2. Be nicer. To people who deserve it.

3. Go to church/pray more. Because I want to, not because I have to.

4. Clean up. I'm pretty sure my room back home is spotless -- now that I'm living thousands of miles away. Oh, thinking about the environment falls under this category, too. I'm doing OK there.

5. Touch base with family and friends overseas. I'm visiting family and friends here in the States. One country at a time, I guess. :)

6. Revive poetry and songwriting. The last time I wrote a full song was...3 years ago. I'm missing my guitar more than ever.

7. Don't sweat the small stuff. This takes a lot of effort on my part. Some days I'm successful, other days I don't really do so well. Crap.

8. Be a good daughter. I was told I sucked at it. They're probably right.

9. Read more. Yes, I'm doing pretty good in this area.

10. Find the best job and stick to it. This one, well, not so much. lol I will though, as soon as I get back home (said the echo from 2008).

Last Song Syndrome #2

I'm going to sing this in my head (and out loud, too, no doubt) ALL weekend, I swear.

"Give me that thing
give it my friend
give me good, good times around the bend
I'll stay forever..."

xxoo

Wordless: Cali Snow

photos courtesy of my cousin Gail from Hesperia

Wordless: Christmas Decorations '08

10 On Tuesday: Best Holiday Tunes

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."

OK, so I haven't had chestnuts, like ever, and I most definitely haven't roasted any kind of nut on an open fire. But, I do catch myself stopping whatever it is I'm doing whenever the song comes on the radio. It's just a great, feel-good Christmas song. Here are the rest of my top 10 best holiday songs of all time...

1. Santa Baby. No other version than Ms. Marilyn's.

2. Do They Know It's Christmas. By the original Band Aid (1984) and Band Aid 20 (2004). The 1989 version...enh, not so much. I'd still listen to it though. "Feeeeed thaaaa woooooorld!"

3. All I Want For Christmas Is You. By Mariah Carey. Just too cute. No?

4. Little Drummer Boy. By Tori Amos.

5. 12 Days Of Christmas. By The Sorianos. Yeah, our family has a Christmas anthem. Most of it is in Filipino, so I won't even bother with any of the improvised lyrics. But, it's always fun singing it with the rest of the clan.

6. Merry Christmas Baby. By, no other than, Bruce Springsteen. And the E Street Band? Oooooh. I'm not worthy.

7. Last Christmas. By Wham. Nostalgia hits every single time.

8. Happy Xmas (War Is Over). John Lennon rocked it. Sarah McLachlan managed to make it just as cool.

9. The Christmas Song. The King Cole Trio original version is the best, but I'd take any cover, too. Yes, even the New Kids On The Block cover. Seriously. I was in a Kohl's store on Black Friday and this song came on the PA...man, did I ball. Again, seriously.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

10. Oi To The World. No Doubt, baby! No Doubt, you know, Gwen "pre-hollaback-b-a-n-a-n-a-s" Stefani. I just love it, love it, love it.

Light, Shine...Bright Enough For Ya?

Today's Manic Word is light. First thing that came to mind was this song. You'll soon find out that "light" is nowhere to be found in the lyrics. But I thought light...sun...shine -- works, no? Plus, it's very optimistic and forceful even, thought I'd share it with you all today (also dedicated to a dear friend). Enjoy!



Shine
Anna Nalick

The night makes you a star
And it holds you cold in its arms
You’re the one to whom nobody verses I love you
Unless you say it first
So you lie there holding your breath
And its strange how soon you forget
That you’re like stars
They only show up when it’s dark
Cause they don’t know their worth

And I think you need to stop following misery’s lead
Shine away shine away shine away
Isn’t it time you got over how fragile you are
We’re all waiting
Waiting on your supernova
Cause that’s who you are
And you’ve only begun to shine

There are times when the poets and pornstars align and
You won’t know who to believe in
Well that’s a good time to be leavin’
And the past knocks on your door
And throws stones at your window at 4 in the morning
Well maybe he thinks it’s romantic
He’s crazy but you knew that before

Yeah you’ve only begun to shine
Won’t you shine shine shine shine over shadow
Shine shine shine shine over shadow
Shine shine shine shine over

Lyrics Source

On Persistence, Love Affairs, And Tapioca

I missed this...I missed a lot of things...

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

1. Love affair :: Starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer. Sigh.
   
2. Bubble :: Michael Bublé. I'm sorry, I'm a 2-year-old somedays.
   
3. Pimple :: Proactive.
   
4. Knocks :: When opportunity knocks, you say "what's up?"
   
5. Persistent :: Putting up Christmas decorations, no matter how much of a pain they are.
   
6. Infected :: Virus.
   
7. Yay! :: 18 days 'til Christmas!
8. Repaint :: What my bedroom will need when I get back home.
   
9. Daily :: ...Planet.
   
10. Quickly! :: Tapioca milk tea drink...yummy!

10 On Tuesday: All I Want For Christmas...

This topic was from last week (again), but I thought I'd do it since I missed it and all. Last Tuesday, I did a post of the things I was thankful for this year. This time around, I'm posting about the things I'd like, nay, WANT for Christmas.

Wish Monster, a blog I dedicated solely to my earthly and worldly desires a.k.a. my wish list, has been a fun project so far. Sometimes I get the things I write about. But even if I haven't gotten them yet (operative words: haven't gotten them yet), I still get tingles just by writing about them.

Here's a little preview. Now, pay attention. lol

1. Apple iPod Earphones. I have an iPod Touch and the earphones I have now are seriously effed up. The sound's still OK (I think), but the gray siliconesque lining? Not pretty at all.

2. Horizontal Laptop Sleeve. 13"W x 11"L (16.5" diagonally). I have a ginormous Nine West laptop bag and a Jansport vertical sleeve, but that last one's designed for deep tote bags and backpacks only. I would like a horizontal sleeve for a change, so I could put my laptop in my handbags.

3. Speaking off handbags...Handbags. The bigger the better, that's my motto. Doesn't have to be overly expensive, although I do love my LVs and Balenciagas. But I'm very easy to please. An occasional clutch ain't so bad either.

4. A Watch. My favorite two-tone watch is screaming retirement!

5. Laptop Webcam. Compact, user-friendly, efficient, and pretty. I don't really care about the technical specs lol I just want a proper webcam for my laptop.

6. Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Get Started Kit. Shade = medium. Where to buy = Macy's, Sephora, and online. Wallet damage = $174 value for just $60. Why = why the hell not.

7. "New Moon," "Eclipse," and "Breaking Dawn" books by Stephanie Meyer. What can I say, I'm an afFICTIONado, gotta complete the saga.

8. Amazing Grace Fragrance by Philosophy. Gotta smell nice if I want to be naughty. >;)

9. PS3 + RockBand 1 & 2. Need I elaborate on the magnificence of the PS3?

10. All-expenses-paid trip to anywhere in the world. A girl can dream, can't she?