twilight

I went to see Twilight tonight with Nini and Zel at Rockwell (Thanks to Mic for the ticket reservations :P ). It was a pretty decent movie adaptation. I read the book a few months back so I couldn't remember all of the details but I think the film was able to tackle all the main parts.

The Oregon backdrop was a perfect setting for the sleepy little town of Forks, with its towering trees and misty mountains. The entire film - with its set, make-up, and environment - gave off a certain quality of coldness and numbness, which isn't to say that it wasn't able to play out emotions.

The focus was on the Edward-Bella love story so there wasn't much character development in terms of the supporting roles. But I loved how Alice was portrayed - spunky and unique, slightly gysy-like. Charlie was also one of the more endearing characters. He managed to inject some moments of humor in the movie. Especially liked the scene where he was cleaning his rifle and Bella introduced him to Edward. I liked how the father-daughter connection was played out in the movie :)

The softball game scene was also nicely presented. I like how the effects make it seem as if the actors are really zipping to and fro. I also liked the cinematography used in the scene where Bella and Edward are just lying down on the grass, after Edward shows her how he becomes when he's exposed to sunlight. It's just a quiet scene - no dialogue - just the two of them lying down, basking in the slants of filtered sunlight. The contrast of colors with really nice. It was one of those few scenes were everything didn't seem as dark or subdued.

The two leads did a good job portraying Edward and Bella, respectively. They had good chemistry and I think they did the book justice - no over-the-top acting or anything. I found the acting and the movie in general, quite restrained actually - subdued and mellow, haunting even, kind of like a black and white movie playing in the background. It doesn't impose or intrude, but it makes its presence felt. The movie's soundtrack suits its unintrusive charm. My current favorite is Bella's Lullaby, which is the piece Edward plays in the movie, on the grand piano. Beautiful piece :)

Let's see how the next movie in the franchise turns out. Till then, it's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince :P

December 2, 2008

Note: Being a vegetarian, a line of Edward's struck me. I don't remember it word for word but it was something along the lines of, "...it's like a human being who only eats tofu. You get strong but you're never truly satisfied." There were times when I felt like that. During those early days when my body was just adjusting, I did feel deprived but I guess my pity (or was it compassion) for the animals won out. Five years after, my body has adjusted. I'm not sure if it's adjusted well but I no longer feel the hunger pains I felt early on. One thing that being vegetarian has changed in me, is that I probably don't enjoy eating as much as omnivores do. Maybe it's because of the lesser food choices, or because I don't need to eat as much to feel full, but it seems as if I've kind of lost an interest in exploring new palates and trying new dishes. It's not necessarily bad. I just find it a bit sad sometimes.

Side note: My mom showed me a T-shirt at David & Goliath. The tagline read: Save a tree. Eat animals :D Maybe I should buy it and put it side by side with my "I only date vegetarians" shirt :P

Bolt

Trinoma. The lines at the movie ticket counter yesterday resembled a long winding snake. 5 out of 7 cinema houses were showing Twilight. My guess was 90% of those in line were there to watch Twilight. I could see the worried glances and hear the hushed conversations as the people stared anxiously at the little red squares flashing by the television screens near the counter. By the time we got to the movie counter, even the last full shows for Twilight were almost sold out. Talk about selling like hot cakes :P

My mom, Zel, and I weren't there to see Twilight though. We went to see Bolt, the new Disney film featuring a dog who never knew another world aside from the movie set where he grew up in. In fact, to him, the movie set is the real world. His duty in life is - as the script dictates - to protect and save Penny from the evil clutches of the green-eyed man. The first half of the film showcases Bolt's various "powers," as we see him speed from action scene to action scene. Following a change in management direction, Bolt finds himself the victim of a newly written script which takes him away from Penny. In the ensuing adventure, he befriends pigeons, an alley cat with a past named Mittens, and his number 1 fan - Rhino the hamster (or was it guinea pig?). My favorite part was when the three friends were making their way to Hollywood and Mittens was teaching Bolt how to be a normal dog. The trailer park scene was a funny way of portraying discrimation between dogs and cats. The movie was light and funny, with lots of warm Disney moments. I'm sure the kids, who kept the entire cinema rocking with laughter and chuckles, would agree with me.

*****
I attended the MBA fair that was held at the Mandarin Oriental Ballroom last Thursday. I was disappointed that not many schools attended, but I was happy to run into Alexia, Melody, Heidi, and Ernest. My plan to apply to London Business School was ignited by Melody mentioning that her sister studies there. I guess it's not such a far-fetched plan after all :) I have to start working on applications now, especially thinking about my long-term plans and preparing for the GMAT. So far, I've chosen to apply to - in order of preference - University of Toronto (Rotman), Wharton, London Business School, Columbia Business School, Stanford, and Manchester Business School. Intimidating choices but I'll give them a try just for the heck of it.

Ernest and I had dinner at Greenbelt afterwards and we got to talking about family businesses and future goals. I guess a lot can change in a year and even though we plan, nothing's ever really set in stone. I don't know where I'll find myself in the next year or the year after that, but it's nice to keep a certain game plan going. I'll just adjust that game plan depending on what the circumstances or events call for. After all, the only permanent thing in life is change.

Rediscovering Shishi

November 20, 2008

Woke up at 4:30am after a night of unorganized packing - I just basically through my skincare products, clothes, and accessories together at the last minute :/ - went to Sape's place at 5am so that we could catch our 7:40 flight to Xiamen.

When we got to the airport, the first thing I noticed was the number of people. I hadn't known that it would be a huge group. We were around 250! Check in was basically uneventful. We had to hand carry a bag because we already exceeded the baggage limit :( Lots of pasalubong for the China peeps. Hehe

After two hours, arrived in breezy Xiamen. We stepped out the airport doors...and the males started smoking! Welcome to the land of no smoking restrictions hehe. Smoker heaven XP Hopped on the bus and slept for most of the trip to Shishi.

We stayed at the South Vereign Hotel. It was a nice hotel, near the Honor Hotel where I stayed during last year's trip. When we arrived at the hotel, the lobby was teeming with people and luggage. I had to struggle a bit to get our hotel room keys, and when I got the keys, we realized that Nini's luggage was missing! We had seen it being brought into the hotel lobby so we assumed that someone had taken it by mistake. We were able to locate it after lunch, when a bellboy was pulling it into the elevator Ni and I were in. Ama was so worried that Ni's luggage went missing that she lent Nini some sweaters. It was a sweet gesture :)

After the luggage fiasco, we headed off to Ama's place to deliver the pasalubongs. The Shishi building always reminds me of my late grandfather. Everytime I step through the front doors, there's no mistaking that it is my grandparents' home. It is where they spend half of every year, where they feel at home with friends and childhood memories. I especially love the 5ht floor living room balcony. I remember that during my visits, I'd see my grandfather standing there when I woke up. He'd be looking at the children playing in the school across. I just remember the sense of peace and contentment he seemed to give off every time he was there.

Nov 21-24

For the rest of the events, I'll just jot them down in the order I remember them.

On Friday - the 21st - Xiao Li went shopping with Ni and I. We stopped by Angkong's scholarship foundation building so that Ni could see the statue and the mini museum. We walked around the market area - the old part of Shishi - and passed the modern area, where Angkong's building was located. We bought CDs and keychains and bonded with Xiao Li. We talked about China's one-child policy, the education policies, the college entrance examinations, her life in Shishi, her studies. Later on, when we had returned back to Ama's place, she helped me with my speech and corrected some of my pronunciations :) Lunch was prepared by Annabelle and Ama Mia. Ama Mia is a good cook. Ami must have taken after her :)

I also got a chance to talk with Ama Mia. She said that we shouldn't look down on people because we never know when they will be more successful than us. All people have the ability to become successful. I know Ama Mia for her keen ability to buy great mushrooms and fresh produce. She's a really nice person, warm, giving, and religious.

On Saturday - the 22nd - I was surprisingly not a bag of nerves. That day, after breakfast, we got to talk to Uncle NinTin for the first time in the hotel lobby. We later on became friends and chatted at the airport gate while waiting for the flight back to Manila to board. (He called Ni and me up today so I guess we'll be hearing more from him in the future). Back to the events of the 22nd, we attended a monument unveiling at a public high school (which put to shame the public schools here) and a scholarship foundation building inauguration. We also attended a groundbreaking for a new hospital. It was the first time I truly realized how much the Chinese-FIlipino community is contributing to Shishi's development.

The next event was the awarding ceremony of my grandfather's foundation. My hands were freezing by the time I entered the Music Hall, where the event was held. When my name was called, I could hardly feel myself walking up towards the podium. Once I got through the first few lines, I felt more at ease but when I saw that the audience was listening and looking at me, I sort of panicked. But still, I was able to finish the speech and boy, was I glad to hear the applause at the end ;) The vice-mayor and one of the gov't officials shook my still freezing hands afterwards so I took it to mean my performance didn't suck too bad :P

After I sat down, a reporter asked to interview me for a local news channel. Imagine, having a microphone and tv camera stuck in front of you, and being asked in rapidfire Chinese about your thoughts and emotions, my mind went blank, literally. I do not remember what I said but I hope it made some sense. That truly was an embarassing moment. I don't think they even aired it. I sure hope not. I made sure not to watch any news channels that day XP

With my speech delivered, the rest of the trip was pretty relaxing. Spent the afternoon with 6stim, Coco, Auntie Lily, and Xiao Lin shopping at old Shishi (Renmin Lou). Bought a book prediciting the fortunes and woes of the 12 horoscopes for the year of the ox, bought frozen veggie food, and pajamas for mom and zel :) Afterwards, we went to New Shishi and visited the new Walmart like mall, where there were shops and big department store-supermarket combo area (kinda like Hypermart). The surrounding area had newly constructed condominiums and new commercial centers. Wonder how it'll be like in a few years.

The next day, we attended a celebration/ceremony of Shishi's 20th anniversary (as a city) at the Sports Complex. In the afternoon, we visited the newly opened museum where we saw angkong's picture and my dad's pic as well. There, Ni and I got to talk to the curator's young daughter, who was so lively and brimming with energy. She was just 9 years old but her manner of speaking was like that of an adult. She seemed a tad too spoiled - an effect maybe of China's one child policy? - but she was quite independent, which is something I can't say of the kids in the Philippines who seem to be attached to their yayas.

After the museum visit, Coco, 6stim, A-em, Ni and I (together with Ah Xiong) headed off to FouZhuang Shi (Clothes City), which is a new complex which houses wholesale clothes shops. Three buildings are devoted to women's, children's, and men's clothes respectively. There's also an exhibit hall for sewing machines. It's like a big 168 mall, except it's cleaner and wider. Shoes are cheap at 20-35 yuan sell price, while clothes were a bit more expensive at 140 yuan and up. Most of the clothes were winter clothes though so didn't buy much.

Seems like Shishi is trying to boost its reputation as a clothes city. Xiao Li said that Shishi's main source of income is from clothes & garments. Heard that Shishi is trying to promote local Chinese designers.

I've been to Shishi a few times but it was this trip that opened my eyes and made me realize how much my grandparents have contributed to society. I realized how the Chinese-Filipino community has helped the provincial city turn into the developing city that it is now. While walking through the noisy market grounds and by the old wooden houses, I saw Shishi as the city/town where my grandparents grew up in. I really do hope we can continue the legacy and contributions they've made.

The China trip was memorable for:
- Its seemingly never-ending lauriat meals with tons of seafood and at least 3 different kinds of soup. Banquet meals are marked by lots of wine toasting, packs of cigarettes distributed per table, and twelve pairs of chopsticks digging into a dish (they only provide serving chopsticks by request). Banquet rooms are marked by smoke-filled air from the cigarette smoke and steam from the soups and dishes. Arm yourselves with a good perfume XD

- Ceremonies start with the singing of the China national anthem. I felt as if I were watching the Olympic games at home. It was a cool experience.

- Blaring horns. Beware of motorcycles while walking the streets. Every day seems like a New Year celebration :/

- Meeting new people from different age groups (mostly talked to middle-aged to grandparent-aged people)

- Criticism for my being vegetarian. Let me just say that it is not fun to be a vegetarian in meat-loving, feast-indulgent, carnivorous China XP Not that I want to eat meat and seafood dishes, I just got tired of all the critical and unapproving stares and comments :(

- Talking to my uncles and aunts in Tagalog when I would normally talk to them in Fookien. In Manila, Fookien is used when we don't want the household help or drivers to know what we're talking about. In Shishi, Tagalog is used :D 6stim even talked to Xiao Li in Tagalog only to be met with a quizical stare. She was talking to Annabelle and she forgot to switch back to Chinese when she talked to Xiao Li. Good thing Xiao Li understands a bit of Tagalog :)

To cap this entry, let me just say that I enjoyed this trip. I got to practice my Mandarin with Xiao Li and Xiao Lin (who became my new friends). I got to bond with my aunts and uncles. I had the chance to make my grandma happy. And, of course, I got to shop! :)

consumption

Currently reading Deb Caletti's The Fortunes of Indigo Skye.
Just wanted to share a few lines from the book:

"There's something about consumption - chocolate-to-mouth, receipt-in-bottom-of-shopping-bag - that fills empty places. We need our empty places filled, and what are the speedy, available options? Material things, God, love, nachos with everything. Consuming something, anything, smoothes out the gnawing of need and stitches the gaping of angst, and if only a brownie is available, a brownie will do."

I say "Hear, hear" to the 'receipt-in-bottom-of-shopping-bag' line :/ With the financial crisis, I should trust myself less with a "magic card" as the Shopaholic trailer puts it.
Confessions of a Shopaholic is now a movie, starring Isla Fisher. Checked out the trailer earlier :)

I wonder if they'll be showing Entre Les Murs here in Manila. It's a film about the schooling environment/system in France. Looks interesting.

cotton candy and sharp daggers

Spent most of the day at Shangri-La. Had breakfast at Dome. I liked their Affogatto - espresso with vanilla ice cream - the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream gave complemented the strong kick of caffeine from the espresso. Yum :) Went off on my own after a while, as the rest of the family shopped at rustans. Bought some basic tees and a turtleneck from Zara and headed off to the new Fully Booked branch where I reserved a copy of the official GMAT guide. Bought The White Tiger and The Inheritance of Loss, which are both Man Booker Prize winners (Don't know what the prize is for though :/). Also got Love Walked In, and finally got a copy of Bringing Home the Birkin, which looks to be a fun read.

If I could use one word to describe October, it would have to be "books." I bought tons of books. Every time I walked into a bookstore, I'd come out with at least two books. Book backlog hehe. I'll work my way through the pile slowly :P I just love bookstores (I'm starting to prefer Fully Booked to Powerbooks these days). It's my treasure trove.

Aside from books, I've been stocking up on clothes as well :/ I have fun mixing and matching. I currently love the jackets and blazers and sweaters that bayo, promod, and topshop have. I guess I've managed to find myself through accessorizing and dressing up. I like that I feel more confident now in my wardrobe choices, which I feel have become more representative of my personality and style. I've finally grown up :P

October was also my birthday month. My birthday went by without much fanfare. Ms Ivy and some managers treated me to lunch at the Paul Calvin deli. I was pretty surprised and touched by the gesture :) Ernest got me a cheescake :D Yum! Then, of course, all the greetings and warm wishes made my day. Mom and Dad and my sisters got me a Backyardigans cake from Red Ribbon. The cake was adorable :)

All Saints' Day was spent at Ever Memorial. Chatted with Mae about the HK travel documentary series she has (Sounds interesting. Making mental note to borrow it when I have time to watch), played UNO cards with Sharmane and Christian. Chatted with Mae and Junjun about delivering speeches, hypnotherapy, the relation of our present lives/issues with our past lives, the US elections - the conversation just went from one direction to another :) Played with Jaymie and Alex and saw a video of Baby Patricia :) 4ko treated us to her Naicha, which is delicious and comforting. I'm ordering it the next time I stop by her cafe. Also, I saw my Ninong Perry for the first time too :P t was a laidback day with lots of conversation and food. I went home sticky and tired but contented - I actually found the long day relaxing :) Went out afterwards to watch Nights in Rodanthe with Ni and ate at Pepper Steak. Their pepper-flavored rice when mixed together with teriyaki sauce is yummy!

Back to today, went to see my ama early this evening, to run through my speech with her. She advised me to emphasize some bits and to pause longer during certain parts. I hope i do the speech justice :/ I talked to ama for a bit. She shared how she loved reading and how tough life was before during the Japanese occupation. I don't get to talk to my grandma that much, maybe because there are so many of us grandchildren, so it was nice to have some time alone with her. The quiet together time just made me a bit sentimental.

It's sad I haven't been able to write my thoughts down regularly because so many things have been running through my mind. I'm thinking about the future, about work, about studying again, about applying for an MBA, about how to organize the Christmas party I've been assigned to prepare. The past few weeks have just been a big blur of undulating, swinging emotions. I've had second thoughts and I've pondered those second thoughts and my thoughts are just going round in circles. I want everything to just neatly fall into place - work, life, relationships, plans.

I've been feeling unsettled lately because the son of my aunt's close friend passed away. The news say it was an accident but some people say it was orchestrated. Reminds me of what Mae said, about preferring to live abroad because it isn't that safe here. I never really thought that living here was more dangerous than living abroad. And it's hard for me to come to terms with this other side of reality. I don't know how to put myself at ease, because my life as I know it and reality just don't lie on the same page. More than poverty, it's the viciousness and greed of human beings that scare me. It's an evil that seems so alien yet it also has this strong presence, as if it were lurking just beyond the gated walls of my home. May the Lord grant me courage and peace of mind.

*I entitled the entry as such because there seems to be a stark contrast to the world I live in - safe home, materialistic gratification and all - and the reality of the world I am in - where scary reel events take a realistic turn, events that turn your world upside down and cause you to re-evaluate what's really important.