Juno MacGuff

I love Juno. Just watched it last weekend. It's a nice alternative to the romantic sappy movies on young love. A great break from life's normalcy. Lot of great insights. Love the dialogs and the soundtrack. Didn't realize that Ellen Page can portray such a role. She seemed really sweet to me in X-men. Of course, Michael Cera never failed to entertain me with his character. Arrested development rocks! Jason Reitman and Diable Cody are boss!

Love the duet in the end.

I never realized how much I like being home unless I've been somewhere different for a while

Someday you'll be back here on your terms

I guess normalcy isn't really my style

I don't see what anyone can see than anyone else but you

The two-minute date

Watched the latest How I Met You Mother episode. The one where Britney Spears guested in. The following contains spoilers. In that episode, Ted Mosby gave a two minute date to his hot doctor. She doesn't date her patients and is also a single mother. I felt heavy hearted and a bit frustrated because it was so romantic. It was such a heartwarmer that it hurt! Why, oh why!? Hahaha. It took awhile for the feeling to subside. My housemate O, was laughing at me because I couldn't get over the episode just yet.

I wish that someday I can do that for her. When you really like someone you should really go for it and not give up. Even if everything seems so gray. Look at Ted Mosby. Patient, positive and persistent. Traits that I have to acquire big time.

When the fighting is over. At least for today.

Nothing beats a good night out after a stressful day at work and a semi-aching heart. Went to mag:net high street last night to watch a gig with my pals Jo and C. For 150, pesos I was able to unwind and vent out all the stress through music, booze, great conversation and a couple of cigs. Yes. I have broken my fasting from yosi and now consider myself a social smoker. Meaning of social, those boundaries I still need to define. It was such a recharge to hear familiar beats from Urbandub and Taken by Cars. Lalay played all out last night. For that, I crush Lalay even more. Hahaha.

We opted to stay outside so we can smoke. The place was pretty full. Good thing there was an empty sofa by the balcony. Downside was there was a glass pane preventing us from hearing the bands play in their full glory. Also saw my college professor A. I told him i wanted to teach and he told he could help me get in with his recommendation. Yesss. I'll try next school year. By then I should have the program of my elective prepared and syllabus.

It was a worth it night. Totally compensated for the shitty day I had yesterday.

Quote of the night. Nothing worth having ever comes easy. Thanks J and C and Scrubs for sharing those wise words.

In Memoriam: Abby Parong

I found out two days ago that my freshie Abby Parong passed away. I hate it when I receive of bad news like those. It never fails to tighten my lungs a little bit longer than usual.

One of your tasks as a TNT is to take care of your freshman block. It's usually the course blocks, as compared to the english blocks, that you become more close to. More attached to. That was true with my Legal Management block O1. My only legit TNT block and the block where Abby was part of. It's so surreal that most of them, if not all are now a year off college. It seems like it was just yesterday that these totoys and nenes were running around the field for their OrSem GDs, asking me and my partner Jc tips on surviving college, and calling me from far away when they see me on campus. Memories like these make me want to go back to college. There, everything was more simple. Life a little kinder and death a little rarer. In block O1, I remember Abby being one of the more kalog and outgoing freshies. She seemed to be one of the glues of the block as she makes sure that O1 is the wacky LM block that they were. It breaks my heart that death can, yet again, take away people just like that. It's ironic that the she passed away from that car accident on Easter. A life was taken away when we should be celebrating life. Maybe this is the message that Easter brings through this dark time. Abby's death is not the end, it's only the beginning of the new life she now has up there in heaven. For us left here on earth, lets celebrate the life Abby has shared with us, no matter how short it was for us.

I feel sad that I couldn't go to her wake. Now that you are in a better place, I just wanted you to know that you are not forgotten.

DJ DM

Nope! Not DJ Delfin Montano. Although, his hate blog c/o Brian Gorell is addicting like the drugs he snorts. Go check out DJ Dense Modesto. The creator of the Janina San Miguel Remix and a lot of other cool remixes. I'm listening to the BIOMAN remix now. Gotta give him props for the great arrangement.

Check out Dense's Multiply Site

Weekend Realizations

It's nice to know that there are friends, no matter how seldom you see each other, are still your friends. This has been proven time and again with my carpool mates. After 2 months since we last saw each other and almost a year before that, the gang hung out again last Friday at M's house for some pizza, alcohol and such sinful desserts care of J, our resident pastry chef and also the reason for the night. J is to leave a few weeks from now for the states, again. Back to being the head Pastry Chef in this Hampton Summer Lodge she wowed everyone over. Good job! We haven't tasted any of her desserts ever since she went into culinary school, left for the states, and got back - only to leave again. And because she now jokes on how baking cupcakes are so amateurish, it makes me wonder how advanced her baking prowess is now. She brought us cheesecake and creme brulee. I was so rich and definitely sinful. A purist as she would describe her baking philosophy. The desserts melted in my mouth no less.

In the middle of eating pizza, drinking and eating J's desserts, we look back on our favorite carpool memories. The first time we formed the group, our first impressions on each other, and our most memorable experiences as a carpool. And just like the good ol day, we talk about the usually things we talk about to and from Ateneo. An hour to an hour and a half of honest to goodness banter. Usually crazy things and sometimes we talk about serious stuff.

One thing that can take from that carpool night was when we started talking about our plans for the Holy Week. M has been going to missions and she was narrating how sometimes these voluntary works really tires you physically and how it can really brings you out of your comfort zone. Serving until it hurts. And because you choose to be there, you continue to stick it through. It goes to a point that it's not much for self fulfillment anymore. Or maybe this comes in retrospect. But you continue to serve for its genuine reason, that you chose to do it in spite of all the things that you have to endure throughout the mission.

I always like it when we go deeper into ours conversation. It makes me realize a lot of things. It makes me real thankful for having friends like them. We are a group different from each other. You wouldn't immediately associate us with the same circle of friends in school since, we don't really hand out with the same group of people. Though there could be some overlaps, you can say that we really are an odd bunch. But we are one that clicks. That what makes this group significant to me. In our diversity we learn a lot from each other. And during our carpool trips we just see each other for who we are as individuals.

From the previous night's conversation with my carpool mates. I have come to realize during the prayer session with my unit mates the morning after, that going out of ones comfort zone is not the goal. In tough undesirable situations, we convince ourselves that we should go beyond our comfort zone and stick it out to make it work. But why should we get out of our comfort zones? It was such a coincidence that what we were sharing during our carpool night was continued in my prayer session hours after. It amazes me how my own perception of things can evolve into something deeper in a matter of hours. To expand ones comfort zone is something I can associate best with how Scott Peck explains love. Loving is expanding ones ego boundaries. It is allowing yourself to be more accepting of the things and situations that you don't normally like. Living a life of love can therefore be an expansion of ones comfort zone in times of hardships and trials. Saying that these hardships are not different from you but a part of yourself. You take ownership of what you go through, thus making it more you.

Susubukan kong maging Pilosopo at ipapaliwanag ko ang aking sarili si Filipino: Sa pamamagitan ng mag 'papalawak ng nakagisnan' tuwing nakakaranas ng paghihirap, inaangkin mo ang nararanasan mo at inilalapat iyon sa iyong pagkatao. Dahil dito masasabing ikaw na ikaw ang dumaranas ng pagsubok. Mas may talab ang pagpapalawak na ito sa iyong pagkatao kumpara sa 'paglabas sa nakagisnan', tuwing nahihirapan. Ano mang kaligayahan o gantimpalang makukuha mula sa pagdanas nito ng buo ay siguradong mas masinag at matalab kumpara sa pagdanas nito mula sa labas tungong paloob.

Funny book about dating in the 21st century

I just finished reading this book I got so intrigued with after hearing RJ Ledesma (the author) on a morning radio show. He was promoting the launch of his book called "Lies my Yaya Should've Told Me". Like a a stand up comedian, he started talking about his theories and case studies on dating in that radio show. Hours after, I catch myself buying my own copy of the book. Not bad for 170 bucks. Apparently, the book is a compilation of his articles from Manila Times.

So, I bought the book. I even bought another for my friend. It was his party that weekend and I thought that it was a fitting book for him. I mean, us. A funny take on our bachelor-ness, so to speak.

I actually wonder where he gets his theories from. His out of this world insights on dating gave me a good laugh nonetheless. Especially now that I'm based in Laguna, got nothing to do in here but catch up on my reading.

My new Converse (PRODUCT) RED Skid Grips

It's now or never. I didn't want to delay myself from buying these shoes. I feel that the opportunity is right to buy me one of those Converse slip-ons. Not only do I want to contribute to the Global Fund, I also want to help in getting the word out there. It's a statement I can wear. An advocacy I like everyone to know about.

Although, honestly, battling AIDS is not one of life advocacies. But, I still believe in the power of this campaign. We can be heroes in our own way. As the shoe tag line would say, there is no such thing as small change.

Just to share what was written on the tag that comes with the shoe. Converse (PRODUCT) RED presents an original way of thinking about shoes, creativity, and doing good. Basically, you buy the shoes you would've bought anyway, but you buy them in RED.



And of course, it looks good. What a consolation!

INSPI(RED) about (PRODUCT) RED

I stumbled upon the GAP website while surfing at work and I came across a particular line of shirts. It looked familiar because I saw these just the weekend before but in a Converse store, and they were marked on shoes. The GAP shirt was red and it had INSPI(RED) on it while the Converse shoe had different (RED) words all over. Like, INSPI(RED) ADMI(RED) DESI(RED) etc. It looked really familiar since I remember seeing a (RED) sign somewhere else. Like on a billboard or poster. But I really don't remember. Hehehe.



Anyway, GAP and Converse are both partners with this movement called (PRODUCT) RED. It's a campaign to help the Global Fund for AIDS. They partner with the private sector. Mostly consumer goods like clothing and electronics. A certain percentage upon purchase of the (PRODUCT) RED product goes directly to the Global Fund, and 100% of this fund is used for AIDS grants in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland. Other partners are Armani, Motorola, Apple, Dell, and Microsoft.

Makes me want to get me a pair of those Converse slip-on shoes. Besides, I've been wanting to buy new shoes. This time though, I get to contribute to something bigger than myself.

I'm so inspired about this campaign that I want to start something like it. But of course for a different cause. Which cause? Of course, something that's close to my heart. Something that has to do with the youth/education/leadership/nation building/social change kinda thing. Just now, I felt this rush that made me realize how small I really am. The task to make a difference seems so daunting. But you got to at least try, right? Who knows you just might do more good that you initially expected. It's all in the heart, I suppose.

Learn more about (PRODUCT) RED by visiting their website joinred.com and their blog.

*Can someone buy me that GAP hoodie?