SPIDERMAN 2: A must-see. 

Spiderman rules!

Hmmmm... I must say the week started out a bit bad for me. I had to take a day off work, which on second thought is not that bad, if only I didn't feel like vomitting the whole day. Anyway, Tuesday and Wednesday went by so quickly...had so much work, time flew by and was gone even before I knew it.

Spiderman. Wheeeew!!! I have three words... two thumbs up!!! As in, ang ganda ni ni!!! Hahaha... The effects were superb, the sounds were great, there was never a dull moment when it comes to stunts, and lastly, nobody worth crying over died! Hahahahaha... This is a must-see guys! And when I say a must-see... I mean in the movies and not on any pirated DVD. I swear you don't know what your missing!

Myke was equally pleased with the film that after watching it I felt like walking two steps behind him.... Well, how do you explain to people why your boyfriend seem to have acquired a humiliating illusion that some spidery web is shooting out of his wrists? Hahahaha...

My great escape from office overtime was 101% worth it.

Our first family picture, taken from my new phone. . . danda2, bigay ng baby ko! 

Katya, or daughter-in-law at her infamous sexy pose 

Unwanted Opportunities, a curse or a gift?

Is it a crime to have simple dreams?

Simple dreams. When a person dares not dream what others are dreaming, or dares not dream what he/she is expected to be and to have, does that mean he/she is less than everybody else? Does that make him/her odd? Does it mean he/she is a loser?

I know, I should be happy. And in a way, I am. To have the opportunity, even if remotely possible. I was trying to understand myself last night, while my mom was talking with me. It breaks my heart seeing her surrender to me when I know for a fact she also wants it for me. How I want them to go with a happy heart, assured that I am capable of taking care of Tita Ly, and that they have not been a failure in raising us, after everything that they have gone through for us. I'd rather die than let them pass away believing that they have not done enough.

But I am tired. So tired. The offer is not a dream, its a possible
reality with a lot of complications. Even now, my quivering state of peace is being tipped over. Oh, how I hate pressure. Why can't Myke and I just get married, have tons of children and live happily ever after, when that is all I want? Why do I always have to be the one to prove something? Why can't my brother? Why can't my sister? Why does it always have to be me? Why is it always me that has to set aside her dreams in order to fulfill someone else's, or to do the right thing? I am tired.

It would be nice to just lay on the ground and let time pass me by. To be in a complete state of peace. To not experience pressure, To not be expected of anything.

I used to tell Myke that it would be nice to be like Anne Rice's Lestat. Immortality. I guess who would not get tired of life once in a while, especially when you have forever to look forward to. When Lestat tires of life, he abandons everything, and let the earth embrace him. Not dead nor alive, but still there...listening, knowing, and understanding. I do not have forever, but sometimes upheavals make minutes into forever.

I told my mom I hate my course last night, and she told me she didn't know that it was my dad that chose it for me. She was hurt that even my misery in my career is still somehow their fault. Oh, if I can only take it back. If I can only assure her that I can live with the mistake. That someday soon, perhaps I'd be happy with my work. She encouraged me to take on another course, one which I liked, and even offered to sponsor it. I told her it is too late. Another painful truth, yet still a blow on her face. I hate myself.

Then I was thinking, if I go, if I actively pursue the possibility of me getting my MBA there, will it make them feel less of a failure? Yes, but I can't stop my tears from flowing down my face, because it would make me miserable yet again. When I return, will I still be able to be with them? Will time spare their weakening bodies from aging? Will I be able to hug my mom one last time? Will I still have an opportunity to tell her how much I love her, how much I appreciate her, how I want nothing more in this world but to be like her. I don't care for money or success, she is what I want to be.

I don't know.

Siemens, Inc. asks: Describe briefly your standards of success.

In my opinion, success is relative to the person achieveing it. A gold medal may signify success to one person, while may mean as much as another piece of junk to another. A person may consider career achievements as success, while it can be a peaceful and harmonious family life to another. Success is also relative to time. As we so often put it, man's thirst for achievement is unquenchable. Therefore, passing the board exam may mean success to one at that time, while later in life he may be pursuing some other goal which he finds to be a better measure of success than some silly ol' exam.

For me, success is doing everything and anything which brings satisfaction and happiness to myself and the people that surrounds me. Success does not have to be as big as solving the unending problems of poverty in the Philippines, nor inventing some gadget that makes time travel possible. I relish success in the smallest forms that it comes to me. It may be as little as finding joy in my work, helping a co-worker, beating deadlines, finalizing projects, giving good advise to friends, acing a subject, etc. In this way, I get to relish every moment in my life where I am able to exceed expectations, overcome hurdles, bring laughter to the miserable, and hope to the distressed. Life seems so much better when you get to look forward to a whole lot of success in a single day. So, am I a success? I say that question's reltive.

==**==
Hay, I still don't have time to make my daily blogs eh. I'll be posting some soon. Dami kong chika ever!

Flatliners, revived.

Hmmmmm.... There's no greater feeling when you are able to revive a friendship you thought was lost.

Friday, June 4, 2004:
With my worsening memory, I don't seem to remember anything significant happening last friday.... let me see... hmmm... Oh, yes! I was surprised to receive a text message from my sister (she rarely texts, so imagine my surprise!). She gladly announces to me the good news -- the gang has arrived! Well, you see, I texted my bro the night before. I just couldn't contain the itch of not knowing the real deal with Sara and her diabetes. So I took the plunge and texted him. To my great relief, he tells me that her complications are reversible, with proper diet and regular exercise. I was excited to tell my sister and mom all about it, but thought otherwise as I remembered my sis advising me to stay out of it. Anyway, Sara and her sisters have come home to visit us, probably to assure us that all is well. I guess that is very gracious of my bro. One less problem my parents have to deal with.

I was even more surprised when my sister texted me a second time saying that my aunts have arrived, and that the house was full of guests. hahaha.. I could imagine her distress as she hates to be with people, especially strangers nonetheless. I personally don't know how to feel about my aunts coming over. I guess I am thrilled to see them but there is still some sadness that comes with it. Sadness, that my family has stayed isolated from the rest of the clan. Perhaps it is not pride that has kept us apart, maybe it is just how my family upholds our principles? hahaha... I don't know. I'll go deeper into this matter some other time.

Myke had badminton last Friday, and so I had to occupy my time. First, by fighting with him.... well, it seems necessary because afterall he made me wait for so long. Second, by trying to make peace with Anj. Anj, she was the friend I wrote about in my previous blogs. To date, she is one of my closest friends. I guess, our fight was just brought about by bad circumstances. I was in a bad mood, while she was in the foulest mood ever. I'm just so happy that we were able to patch things up. I would really hate to lose any more of my friends, as they seem to be a dying species.

Saturday, June 5, 2004
The only highlight for the day -- I beat Myke in a game of badminton, scoring two (best out of three). We scored 15-9 during the first match, and again a score of 15-9 for the re-match. I was so inspired that I have begun making my own silly compositions.... "Pulpol, Pulpol, Pulpol and M**R***T*, Pulpol (8x). Hahaha... What's so satisfying about my win is -- I haven't played for so long while he plays twice a week, and I haven't got a title to defend while he is his company's doubles champion! Ha!

Sunday, June 6, 2004
Hmmm... It rained all day. It felt good to be able to sleep endlessly. Myke and I took Lola to the dressmaker. She had so many dresses made yet still she seemed not to have anything to wear to my cousin's wedding... Myke and I fought... because he wouldn't let me have cake!!!

Monday, June 7, 2004
I was surprised .... well aghast at first, hearing Liza's first words on the phone. I didn't know what the hell was happening but whoever was on the other end of the line, she was hysterical. Hahahaha, it was just Liza. My confused friend. She wrote me a letter earlier this morning telling me the good news. She has finally found herself a suitable boyfriend. My reaction: I couldn't thank enough all the saints in heaven! Anyway, back to her phone call... she was so kiliiiig in telling me that her long lost crush is back from NJ and that we had to see him. Talk about just having made a new commitment just last Saturday huh? Anyway, she practically threatened me to call "H" and talk him into seeing us. Well, I did but apparently he was too busy and had to arrange some things before he leaves the next day. I guess Liza was crushed. I bet she so wanted "H" to see how she has changed. But I guess it is all for the best!

Later that day, Liz invited me to meet her new BF. He was a great guy, I think. Kinda quiet, aren't they all at first. But I think he has all the potentials of being a good partner for Liza. I wish them all the luck!

So you see? Three people flatlined on me last week... my fight with Anj, the situation with Liz, and the issue with Sara. But I am so blessed... that somehow... we, God and I, were able to revive and restore all that was lost and more.

HP3

Just wanna add somethin to this new sequel...
Undoubtedly its a fun movie... seein them mature like that (I mean, only a year ago, they're these small teens, now.., look how they've grown)
...but I don't know, maybe it's just me...
but somethin's lacking...
...maybe the cinema quality we went to isn't that good
...maybe the sound seems dull...
...or maybe just maybe, our expectation is already at such a high level, that I get easily frustrated when the level is not met...

Oh by the way, I like the previous "Dumbledore"... i mean his previous character... if you wanna know what I mean, just watch the movie.

But don't get me wrong, I did like the movie....

The Marauder's Map 

Prisoner from Azkaban

I was kinda disappointed early this morning as I wasn't able to say goodbye to my bf. He claims that he spent so many hours on his blogspot that he drained all his energy and creativity. In order to recouperate, he has to oversleep -- translation: he got to work in a rush merely to have lunch!

Anyway, I was so busy to be bothered. You might say I am just bitter, because he gets away with tardiness, or sometimes even absence, by reason of a phony meeting or a made-up client call. Wish I too can do that sometime without raising an eyebrow from my already suspicious manager. Hay, life is so unfair most of the time.

I worked like a horse today, thinking I had to finish as much as I could or else I will have to break my promise. Myke and I agreed to watch "Harry Potter" today. We expect it to be jam-packed, as it is its first showing day. That means I have to leave work at exactly 5 in order to beat all the daily afternoon MRT rush, especially that the weather seems not to be cooperating much.

Anyway, I did make it afterall. I was beginning to think I'd have to cancel our date today, but ... to hell with it. Life goes on after work! I have made it a promise to myself that I'd never sacrifice my personal time just so I can impress people in my office. I guess, some people's got screwed priorities... or perhaps I'm just too proud, plain and simple.

Harry Potter. I noticed the film to be a bit gloomier than usual. Or it could have been just the cinema projector. Fast-paced. One comment that sums it all. Yes, everything was great, the effects, the story, the actors... but I guess in their hope to compress the whole book into two hours of film time, they sacrificed a little heart. By heart what I mean is... you don't get to see Harry staring out into the moonlight thinking about his life's misfortunes, or you don't get to see Ron and Harry playing chess, or you don't get to see Harry unwrapping Christmas gifts, and you don't get to see Harry staring into his parents pictures with longing. I guess I'm just a sucker for drama, but I found it hard to digest each scene, an adventure after another. Sometimes I just need a few moments for the story to sink in, for me to feel what the characters may be feeling. Aside from it's teamendously fast pacing, the movie was totally amazing. I definitely would have to get a copy of this on DVD!

BTW, I did think of calling Sara today. But I didn't want to take the chance of having to speak to her mom. I guess her cellphone is off, because my call couldn't get through. Maybe she has no load either, as she did not answer my text messages. Hmmmm, I can't stop thinking of things I can do to make her happier. I just wish she knows how I love her so.

Blue Team's Victory

I woke up puffy-eyed. A good night's sleep from a good weeping. I still hope my Sara is ok. Anyway, life goes on...

Work. It went by in a flash. I was swamped with so much work, I couldn't decide which to do first. Busy as I am, there was something odd about today. Without knowing, one would sense the great disturbance in the usually work-driven "**" spirit. Today everybody was restless, excited, anticipating. Today, the blue team will defeat the green in the Championship game of "**'s" 2004 basketball tournament.

Yesterday, I was coerced to attend a team meeting. Little did I expect that the meeting would turn out to be a cheering practice. It has been so long since I last cheered for any team, and I think it quite comical to see myself doing what I used to do in gradeschool. These people, they are unbelievably amazing. One might say the appropriate term is "bibo!" I don't know how else you might call this -- our team, an intra-office basketball team,has 1) complete set of uniforms for players 2) 2 megaphones for the cheerers 3) a complete drum set and 4) a professional drummer 5) a complete program of cheers. That's what you call pooling your resources. Wow to the blue team!