NYC

Alicia's solo rendition of Empire State of Mind is waaaay better than the one w/ Jay-Z. This one's beyond classy!

I first heard this at Zara. Ngayon lang ako nagkandarapa hanapin. And I must admit every time I hear this, I really wanna fly to New York! Feeling ko ako si Jennifer Hudson sa SATC.

UGH. ONE DAY, when I'm rich enough, I'll fly to New York and rent a small room, live there for a year, take odd jobs for the heck of it and quit when I want to. And maybe, just maybe, fall in love. Yes! So very Jennifer Hudson noh? haha

The irony in life

Just a few days ago I blogged about getting a Goyard and Mulberry for myself. Today someone contacted me about an inquiry I made weeks ago. It was for a Prada bag at 35k. She said it's still available in case I'm interested. Grabe thoughts were racing in my mind. Kakalurks! I even went as far as asking if she offered installment terms. But after much thinking, I decided not to buy the bag. It's pretty, yes. But it reminds me of Kimi Go Donghae's famous scene with her intern (on video at 4:50).

And because I somehow channel Kimy Godonghae in real life (hahaha), I said no. And I thought how the hell am I gonna purchase an 85k bag if I can't even let go of 35k? hahaha Naaliw naman ako sa problema ko. Walang kwenta. hahaha

LISTED!

I've listed bags that I swear I'm gonna get for myself by hook or by crook... (at least as of this moment, haha)

Call me crazy but yes I'd like to own a Goyard. Sure it looks like a banig from afar but really, each of those dots on the 'banig' pattern is hand painted. WILD! And their designs kinda grew on me already. On my list is a 35 cm Croisiere in black and tan (around 85k++).

Mulberry Alexa oversized tote in Oak (69k++) It looks like Proenza's PS1 but this one's more feminine.

I'm limiting it to three so my last 'listed' item would be I dunno! haha Not Chanel anymore. hehe I've concluded I'm not a Chanel girl.

So maybe these two will suffice. I can't even afford one. But I'm posting this just in case someone loves me enough and is too generous to give me one. HAHA

Teachers and teaching

When I was a kid, I wanted to become a cashier. I thought they get all the money we give when we buy stuff. Of course it didn't take long to realize it's not too cool a job to be a cashier.

When I was in grade 6, I wanted to become a teacher. I had the best teachers so I wanted to become like them.

When I got into high school, I got turned off with my student teachers so I lost interest in becoming a teacher. Don't get me wrong though. My teachers were good- but you see I attended high school in a state university where senior college students taking up Education are 'trained' to teach in the grade school and high school departments. Many times I get impatient with ineffective student teachers. Or overly strict ones. Or those who simply lack common sense. I'd get into 'diplomatic' arguments with them whenever I couldn't understand what they were explaining. Quite a few times in Physics class I kept 'arguing', not because I didn't understand but because I felt she's the one who's confused. We have books so it was pretty easy to sense if she was telling us the right stuff. I wanted our argument to become an 'AAAAH GETS!' moment for my other classmates. Until our real teacher (her supervisor) noticed I was asking too much. He intervened and ask what's up. So I explained my question and my answer to that question to my teacher. Bottom line: I was right, so he let our student teacher sit at the back of the room and took over the lesson and explained the problem the same way I explained it to him and my student teacher. EEEK, I'M SO MEAN! hahaha Until now I remember that scene. It's one of those times I was hungry for answers- not for myself but for the whole class. I wanted all of us to understand it, not just me.

Obviously I graduated high school NOT wanting to be a teacher. Actually, I still want to teach but I wasn't willing to take Education as a course. Based on my experience in high school, I've concluded that not everyone who finished Education can teach. And not all who didn't take up Education as a course cannot teach. I actually hope that in the future, people who pass a certain standard will be allowed to teach- regardless if they own an Education degree or not. With the poor standards of education and teachers right now ( no offense to teachers but let's face it, all the good ones are in private schools, top universities, or abroad), we really need help from those who can share knowledge.

It takes skills and passion to be a teacher. Students can feel passion. And passion is contagious. How would you like to wake up early in the morning to attend the most boring, monotone, bookish class evaaar? NOT NICE RIGHT? But you'd definitely want to get up for school if you're in for another exciting exchange of knowledge.

Today I find myself back to wanting to be a teacher. But that'd mean I'll be a student first. I've actually drafted my short-term plan for 2011. And yes, it includes going back to school. I just have to give it a shot to stop all the what-ifs on my mind.

Wish me luuuuck!

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES!

"There's a man out there who will fight for you."

Please let mine be this guy.

kthanksbye.

Ole Olay!

Can I just say?

This noon, Dad and I dropped by Mercury Drug before heading off to lunch. While he was waiting for his meds, I saw the Olay bottles on display at the counter- with smaller Olay bottles for free. I said 'Uy may libre!' He said 'gusto mo ba? Oh bumili ka na.' I declined nicely saying the variant I use isn't there and I didn't bring cash and my Mercury card. I just said 'babalikan ko nalang'. He gave up insisting that he can buy it for me and just said 'balikan mo habang may libre pa.'

THE POINT IS NOT ABOUT THE LIBRE OK? hahaha

The truth is, the variant I use is there. It's just that I was thinking of getting a different variant in my next purchase that's why I had doubts of getting this one. Coz it'll mean putting off trying the variant I planned on getting for like two months. And, to put it bluntly, nahihiya rin naman ako na siya pa bibili ng kikay stuff ko. But I kinda feel this 'blah' thing inside me. That I should have put my hiya aside and let him be a father to me. You know, the dad who'd like to give his kids stuff if he can afford it. That's why I'm so bothered about that Olay bottle that I had to blog about it. But I guess he kinda knew it wasn't about the variant that kept me from letting him buy that bottle. He probably figured 'ah baka nahihiya siya sa akin kasi may sweldo na siya'. HAHA

Now about the libre...side story lang. My dad likes free stuff when doing groceries. Well, not all free stuff. Just value for money in general. Like when we're at the supermarket, he buys those soaps in packs of three's or six's even if he has like 10 other packs of soaps at home. He always says 'magagamit mo rin naman yan eventually so bili ka lang ng bili habang may pambili ka.' Of course this shopping advise does not extend to shoes or bags which qualify as (my) wants. Soaps are must-haves at home, thus, he keeps buying them without checking inventory. haha Believe me my dad buys so much soaps that- remember the maid who stole stuff from me? She took packs of soaps and shampoos thinking I wouldn't notice coz we have a rack full of it. haha

So now I'm pretty much okay about this Olay issue. In fairness, 'writing' it down or blogging it makes you feel better. And to put a closure to this internal conflict, I am off to Mercury Drug tomorrow to buy that bottle. (Para matahimik na ang kalooban ko.) And I'll display it where he'll see it para matahimik na rin ang kalooban niya. hahaha

City lights

This morning, THE Carlos Celdran posted a badass shout out on Facebook.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH HIM. I don't want to generalize Makati residents but we all know which type of Makati people he's talking about. If Greenbelt is your thing, fine. No problem. But don't ever judge something you've never seen or experienced.

Regardless where you live, before you whine about the stench of Manila Bay, or the squatters on the streets, try, for once to look at the amazing sunset at the bay, the majestic CCP, immerse yourself in some real culture at the National Museum and walk the walls of Intramuros (Visit Casa Manila ok?). If not satisfied, go ahead and whine. BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T TRIED AT ALL, SHUT THE EFFF UP AND DO YOUR PART.

I've never lived in Manila but I frequent the place. My brother lived in Taft for college, I've been to Intramuros a lot of times, went to Divisoria a couple of times, walked along Escolta and Binondo, eat at Ma Mon Luk, hear mass at Quiapo whenever I get the chance to. I pretty much experienced some of Manila. I've yet to experience Hobbit House, Cafe Adriatico, La Scala, and the 'old school' activities but I'm raring to do it! I just need a buddy. :)

In hindsight, I just realized that every time I get home from a day in Manila, I am always filled with satisfaction even if I'm tired. With Makati, more often than not it's stressful. I dunno why.

I guess what I'm saying is, at the end of the day Makati is just a city where people go to work and earn and Manila is a home. The cradle of heritage and culture that Makati malls (and even the M museum) just can't beat.

Of course Quezon City is my home but I'd pick Manila heart over Makati hype anytime.

Life's a movie

Well, almost. I find that there's always a little truth in movies.

Right now one of my favorite Sharon movies is on Cinema One- Kung Ako Nalang Sana. I hate to admit it but I kinda feel like I'm a little of Emmy (Sharon). Aside from our size (haha), I really see myself as Emmy some ten years from now. The girl who looks after everyone- family and friends. I hope to be as rich as her character too!

Kulang lang sa akin- guy best friend who, when I reach 40 and single, will be willing to marry me. hahahahahaha Shempre naman I wanna be married before I reach 30 noh. Okay fine 32. May allowance para sure.

Speaking of guy best friend...I guess I really don't have one. I have guy friends but my closest friends are girls. I mean, no one can understand girls like their girlfriends do. The closest I had to a guy best friend was back in high school. Until he fell in love with my friend. hahahaha Until now, sila pa rin so I guess it's meant to be. But it doesn't matter. I love my girl and gay friends! I'm sure one day we'll meet our prince charming through them or maybe we'll meet THE ONE when we're out with our friends. They'll be there when some casanova breaks your heart. Their tears will flow when you make your vows and some of them will be among the hopefuls to catch the bouquet.

Whatever it is, girlfriends will stick with you through thick and thin.

Oh well, I'm just 21. I shouldn't panic yet.

Or okay, I should not panic too much yet.

Can't read my, can't read my...

Ever had that blah feeling- one where you're not happy in the purest sense of it but you're not sad either? Yung parang "Saktong ewan lang".

It's like you're looking for that rush, hungry for new knowledge, excited to experience new things. I miss talking to friends everyday. I just want to lounge in an aircon room (because you can learn things within the four corners of a room), watch Living Asia, NatGeo, Star World, Star Movies, and read my books (I've got four waiting) all day.

If I'm to leave house, I'd like to ride the zipline (done this twice), go snorkeling and spelunking. Maybe go hike and immerse myself in some new culture.

OH DEAR, how's this possible?

Edit: Thought about this 5 7 seconds after 'finishing' my post... I'd also like to ride that ferry from Guadalupe to Chinatown and then direcho sa Binondo Food Wok ni Ivan Man Dy. hehe

The essence of life

You'll never really know the essence of life until you've lived it. This is my takeaway after seeing the ad of National Geographic.

If you are, you breath.
If you breath, you talk.
If you talk, you ask.
If you ask, you think.
If you think, you search.
If you search, you experience.
If you experience, you learn.
If you learn, you grow.
If you grow, you wish.
If you wish, you find.
If you find, you doubt.
If you doubt, you question.
If you question, you understand.
If you understand, you know.
If you know, you want to know more...
And if you want to know more, you are alive.

Let's all live curious!

I feel for you

Was sulking today coz while everyone's scheduled to watch Eclipse, I was stuck at home watching PNoy's inauguration and doing my laundry. That was until I got a text from Farrah. Her boss, whose husband is the brand manager of C2 gave her two premiere tickets for the 9 pm screening at Shang. NALOKA AKO. SHEMPRE YES!!! Before you fear finding spoilers here, let me assure you that there's none. No quotable quotes and 'scene' descriptions. But let me say it was famazing! As in effin amazing! To hell with the Twilight haters but this movie is totally leaps better than the first one. The soundtrack's good too!

In the middle of the movie Farrah and I kept rooting for our boyfriends. Fa for Edward, me for Jacob. I guess I know how it feels to not be loved in return. Or be loved but in a different way. Farrah was totally into the messy and rough look of Edward. For the record, I don't like the rockstar look- messy hair, drugged eyes, hoarse voice so it was easy for me to like Jacob. His hair's always neat, he's got abs flashing like stoplights for your heart, and he's got this mega martyr heart you'd fall in love with. Edward is martyr, yes. But I'm just not into the whole disheveled look.

And oh, I couldn't help but associate some characters to local showbiz personalities. Please watch out for Victor Wood and Alfie Lorenzo. HAHAHAHA I couldn't breathe as I tried to suppress my laugh when I pointed out Alfie Lorenzo. I SWEAR, I TRIED BUT I LET OUT A SQUEAK. That moment was HILARIOUS!

Like I mentioned in my tweet, tonight I felt like a student again. Like the good old days when Fa and I would catch the last full show of a movie on a school night. When we'd stay late to catch up about life (this part not so much coz we were pressed for time), and then we'd see familiar people at the mall. I remember thinking the people who declare they miss college are just OA. Now I find myself one of them. It's different when all you care about is to be with your friends and pass you classes. When you're done with school, being with friends become a tad more difficult. We all have crazy schedules, our own plans every weekend, or some are too tired they just wanna sleep all weekend. If you're lucky, you'd get to enjoy the company of those who aren't too eager to get a job yet. I did- watched Showtime at the studio with some friends, spent three hours doing karaoke with them. I LOVE IT!

Okay...this is pretty much a sabog post. But that's how I am when I tell a story. :))