Pride Circa 1984

And we're still singing it. Here's to love, country, and the good kind of pride...

On Teamwork And Getting Things Done Faster

LunaNina says ... and the Doctor and I think ... ?

1. Loneliness :: A song by Laura Pausini. One of the first songs I learned on guitar.
   
2. Traffic :: suburbanites to blame.
   
3. Chaos :: like baking a cake, you have to break some eggs.
   
4. Burp :: rude but necessary.
   
5. 500 :: Number of times I burp in a day.
   
6. Movie :: bow down and thank star wars for everything.
7. Coma :: limbo.
   
8. Bark :: not as bad as a bite.
   
9. Stare :: rude AND unecessary.
   
10. Angelina :: please, anything but jolie. so sick of hearing about her. bleech. (Jolie rocks!)

Curve The Bullet: It's Popcorn Time

After working my butt off on the treadmill, the elliptical trainer, and then lifting some weights, I thought I deserved some popcorn ala concession stand. Saw Kung Fu Panda (again) and Wanted at Siam Paragon last night. The former was just too good not to see again. Meanwhile, I underestimated the latter; thought it was going to be one of those Mr. & Mrs. Smith/Tomb Raider kind of movies (Angelina can't seem to make enough of them), but I was happily mistaken.


Angelina was smooth as ever (I haven't seen her so...bare, I don't think. In my language, she's someone we'd call "astig") and Morgan Freeman was epic (everybody loves Morgan), but James McAvoy definitely stood out. He was funny without even trying (OK, his lines were, thanks to the movie's writers, I guess, and Mark Millar for coming up with some very cool comics), and not bad to look at either (so what if he's married and just 5'7" tall). In fact, if it were a silent movie (or in my case, completely dubbed in Thai), I would've still enjoyed the movie a lot. And so would you. Not just of the protagonist's hotness factor, but the awesomeness of the entire movie. It was awesome.

In other news...Have you ever seen that 200+ gallon steaming kettle right above the Starbucks on Court St. in Boston, MA? Well, there's a Starbucks here in Bangkok, on this street parallel to Silom and perpendicular to Patpong, I forget the name (or it was just too hard to remember/pronounce/spell in the first place). It's got a touch of Thai to it and I thought it was really cool. I took a picture while I was in the cab last night, but it turned out a little blurry. Found this picture online though (photo by Rizalindo S. Gigante -- who's Filipino, too, I bet). I have to go back there one of these days and take a decent picture. Maybe even get a Venti Java Chip Frappuccino Light Blended Coffee or a Grande Green Tea Frapuccino (no whipped cream either way) while I'm there.

A Few Words From The Wise #4

"There is no charge for awesomeness...or attractiveness."

~ Po, Kung Fu Panda

Mix Tape: Like I'm In The Way

Title: Don't I Hold You
Artist: Wheat
Dedication: For those who are waiting...

Don't I hold you like you want to be held
Don't I treat you like you want
Don't I love you like you want to be loved
And you're running away
And what's your name
Like I'm in the way
and wasting too much time

Don't I
Don't I hold you like you want

Lyrics Source

Wordless: Waste Bins Bangkok Style

Note: I had to write over it so y'all can read it. Doesn't matter though; still doesn't make a whole lot of sense -- haha!

Night Rider

I had a wild experience on the motorbike taxi here in Bangkok the other night; really thought I was going to die. Check out just how fast these things go:



Now, imagine me at the back of one, side-saddled, with an unfastened helmet (I was too lazy, my bad. Didn't realize it was going to be THAT fast), a ginormous shopping bag hooked around my arm (and when I say ginormous I mean GINORMOUS), holding on for dear life to ANYTHING I can grab (i.e. the railing behind the motorcycle, the vest of the poor driver, my bottom lip), crossing 4 major intersections, in serious lightning speed, at night. Come to think of it, the video didn't do it any justice. Check THIS one out:



Let's just say I took a cab back home that night. I'm not swearing off motorbike taxis yet though. I'm sure I'm going to ride at least one more while I'm here. And I'll make sure to secure my helmet the next time. What was I thinking?!?

On Magic Words, Heat Waves, And The Doctor's 45th Birthday

First off, I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Doctor! Take it easy on the Sangria, Daniel. lol Leave some for me! And the age thing is just a joke, in case you missed that.

Now, on to my mutterings.

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

1. Goodbye :: ...Manila, hello Bangkok!
   
2. Cage :: A place I don't want to be stuck in.
   
3. Buddy :: Pal. Friend. Confidant. Companion.
4. Magic words :: Please. Thank you. Wingardium Laviosa.
   
5. Library :: I miss going to one. I want one.
   
6. Fall in love :: hmmm...
   
7. Tense :: What I felt...until I had that very relaxing massage at the Seven Eden Spa in Siri Sathorn (c/o Tita Jet...thanks, Tita!).
   
8. Work! :: Today is my laundry day and I'm LOVIN' it! Haha My first time to EVER do laundry. Woohoo!
   
9. Empty :: The laundry bag.
   
10. Heat wave :: None around here so far, thank God. (I heard there's a storm in Manila now. You guys take care over there!)

Don't Worry, Baby

I was watching My Girl 2 on TV this afternoon (hospital duty, caregiver for a week, in BANGKOK, what can I say, it's my calling). And toward the last part, where Vada takes the plane back home to Papa and Step-Mama, this Beach Boys song plays. Sigh...

A Few Words From The Wise #3

"Dreams have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely."

~ Erma Bombeck

Wordless: Granny Lourdes

Rest in peace, Lola...

June 27, 1918 - June 18, 2008

Touchdown, Bangkok

Instead of doing my usual Tuesday post, I thought I'd write about my actual day for a change. So, at 20 minutes past the hour of 12 this morning, my plane safely landed at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (despite the darkness, rain, and the slippery runway).

It was my first time taking the red-eye to anywhere; it wasn't bad at all. There aren't that many people at the airport, which is always good for people like me. Cues are practically non-existent. And, most of the people on the plane are asleep. Except for this one lady who kept talking to the couple seated behind me, telling them the entire freakin' HISTORY of Thailand. My goodness. As if my deadly stares weren't enough to shut her up. Apparently not.

I'll be in Bangkok for three weeks. Today is just the beginning of a familiar yet equally exciting adventure. Sawadee Ca!

If There's A Will...

I saw Semi-Pro again on DVD last night with Obie; it wasn't funnier the 2nd time around, but I just couldn't get that Jackie Moon (aka Will Ferrell ala Barry White) song out of my head! "Baby who wants to love me sexy uh uh..." Too funny.

On Acrophobia, Mild Explosives, And Mango Maragaritas

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful Dads out there!

And to my Nanay, it's been 23 years today since you passed. Missing you even more...

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

1. Purchase :: Shopping.
   
2. Squeaky clean :: Soap, shampoo, detergent, dish washing liquid.
   
3. Blended :: Tequila, Triple Sec, mangoes, lotsa ice.
   
4. Wednesday :: Three days 'til Saturday...
   
5. Function :: Altogether now, "conjuction junction, what's your function? Hookin' up words and phrases and clauses..."
   
6. Look down :: I can't. Fear of heights.
   
7. July? :: The 7th month of the year?
   
8. Raspberry :: Yumm.
9. Assertive :: Should be more of this.
   
10. Cracker :: Fire-.

A Few Words From The Wise #2

“People count up the faults of those who keep them waiting.”

~ French Proverb

Double Celebration

I just realized it was [almost] exactly last year when I started this blog!@#$ How could I not remember this?!? I guess I do live up to the premise of my blog -- this is imperfection at its finest. How about that.

So, today calls for much celebration -- my blog's 1st year anniversary (which was actually on the 10th of June) and the commemoration of our country's independence from Spain for over a century now.

I leave you now with a very touching rendition of the Philippine National Anthem. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Double yay! Plus a pat on my shoulder for my 1st birthday on Blogger. ;)

Wordless: Lean On Me

Photo courtesy of The Doctor (thanks, D!)

10 On Tuesday: Things That Annoy The Hell Outta Me About Work

I haven't exactly been in a typical office setting for a while now, but I definitely remember how things go. Working from home can be an advantage, especially when I think about the things that annoy the hell out of me when working the corporate scene:

1. Kiss-ass colleagues. Nothing could be more annoying than that. What makes them worse than scum of the Earth? When they kiss ass AND pull you down so they could get ahead. Grrr. Office politics -- never a good thing in my book.

2. Power-tripping supervisors. Sure, some are nice. But some are just egotistic and, worse, MEAN. Power is a very tricky thing to possess, indeed.

3. Cut-backs and blatant lies. "Come work with us and you'll also get unlimited supply of coffee." "As long as you finish your job for the day, you can go home anytime." "I'm sorry, we will need you to share a work station with [put name of the most boring person in the office here]." "You can't snack while working anymore." Not snack while working?!? Are you insane?!? And I'm sure those newly installed 180-degree cameras weren't mounted on the walls for OUR own safety. Puhleaze, I've heard it all. And I'm just annoyed as hell whenever I do. Keep your promises, why don't you. And stop sugar-coating your excuses when all you really want is for us to suffer!

4. Groping and smelly pits. It's 7 in the morning on the metro/subway/train. Don't people use deodorants anymore? Don't they SHOWER anymore?!? Has anyone ever heard of personal space? I know it's the rush hour, but you don't have to grope, do you? DO YOU?!?

5. Limited breaks. I firmly believe that a happy worker works hard when they are well-rested, well-compensated, and inspired. Sure, the usual 9-5 is mandatory; you have to report to work everyday. But you can't limit the working class with just two 15-minute breaks (the 1-hour lunch is OK, I guess). I say take all the time you need on your breaks. But at the end of the day, you better deliver the goods. That's all I'm saying.

6. Kiss-ass colleagues. I just wanted to stress how truly annoying these people are. Really.

7. Having to work on a holiday or a scheduled off-day. I mean, come on. People are feasting, drinking, opening presents, and setting off fireworks out the window. How do you expect us to work like that? Productivity could only be low, and you know it. Why make us suffer, you sadistic, power-tripping son of a...

8. Payroll disputes and accounting discrepancies. I know math sucks, but we're talking about wages here. You can't get it wrong. You just can't.

9. Office gossip. Especially when it's about me. Get back to work, why don't you.

10. Not having one. Or having to quit one because of all of the above.

Under, Under, Under

I did some underwear shopping last week -- once on Thursday and then again yesterday afternoon. It's a secret favorite pastime (well, maybe not so much a secret anymore haha).

I haven't been myself lately; Obie thinks I might be feeling a little under the weather. I told him (and everyone else who asked) that I was just a little...tired.

My cousin Paolo and sweet Julie tied the knot under the stars last night. Needless to say, it was a beautiful wedding. They asked me to sing and I obliged. The best part was seeing all my relatives again. They're flying back to New York after their honeymoon. But not before another night of poker, that's for sure. God, I miss the old days...

On Weddings, Theme Park Rides, And Cuss Words That Rhyme With Shoop

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

1. Rambling :: What I do when I'm a) nervous, b) on the verge of lying, and c) posting on a Sunday.
   
2. Magnetic :: My personality (haha!).
   
3. Again! :: What you say after being on a sweet theme park ride.
   
4. Acoustic :: My guitar.
   
5. Mahogany :: Tough wood.
   
6. Promises :: Paolo & Julie forever...congrats again, you guys. I love you!
   
7. Ill fitting :: A size 0 dress. It's simply unnatural.
   
8. Sublime :: Sing me with now... "I don't practice Santeria, I ain't got no crystal ball. I had a million dollars but I, I spent it all!"
9. Poop :: A polite way of saying sh*t.
   
10. Disoriented :: What you'll be if you cross me.