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Eco Thoughts

Recession of huge banks in the US had been a major problem during the last months of 2008. Bank holidays and closures are piling up these past weeks which made businessmen and other investors wrinkling their foreheads hoping for an instant solution for this problem. Though the economy is on crisis, I noticed that there are a lot of jobs in banking being posted online. This means they still haven't reached a dead end. 

Thesis Tips

I bumped into my cousin this morning at the terminal. Of course, she greeted me with questions and updates about the latest on weight loss products. I've given her magazines and websites to visit before the end of last year because she needs the information for the thesis she had been working for the past two years. I do not know why but she thinks her research and interviews needs more updates. She's now polishing the final draft of her document and is hoping to have the final defense before the end of February.

I just hope she submits her final draft on time.

God-pa Na, Let-maku Pa

Sleepy. Still on my jeans, and craving for a second cup of coffee, and yet I am still here trying to squeeze something to write about. I wore my new Lomo Love shirt today, and it felt nice. The fabric is nice, and the fit was perfect. I felt great wearing it. If only I could wear it everyday, hehe.

Nick Joaquin and his prose are inspiring. I am reading one of his books while waiting at the FX station for my ride going home. His words has a balanced mix of subtlety and harshness that makes one grip the book tighter in every page while sighing in between. It's crazy how I sometimes get queer looks from the people at the station while wiping my eyes every now and then whenever I get so into Joaquin's stories.

*hikab.

Mr. Miyagi is Mang Pino

Blogs have been buzzing about a remake of The Karate Kid to be produced this year. I heard Will Smith's son will be playing the lead, and Jackie Chan is in negotiations for playing coveted role of the Karate master. And was I excited.

Ralph Macchio's signature film is on my list of my favorite movies. I remember that one summer when I was 5 when my father eagerly set up the Betamax system and insisted that I should watch the film. He's a fan of the movie, and I was barely a year old when it first came out. And I think the longing of having a son as his first child was still there that's why this movie, along with Voltes V were his weekend movie treat instead of The Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.

I cannot really remember my first reaction when I watched it for the first time. If I was bored or did I ask my father to switch on the TV instead to Batibot (which I think I didn't do because writing this entry doesn't make any sense, hehe). But the movie had its certain appeal to me that I cannot put into words. Maybe it's my father and the seldom times we spent together. He used to work and would normally go home late, and our only bonding time was whenever we watch a movie while curled up on our sofa or watching McGayver with my mom.

Who can ever forget Mr. Miyagi? Pat Morita reminded me of a neighbor who had the fondness of scaring the kids out of his backyard. He had an Alatires and Mango trees on his backyard, and these brats (me included) would cook up silly tricks to get a free afternoon snack from those trees. Imagine my bewilderment when scrubbing the floor, waxing a car and painting a fence had a whole new meaning when Mr. Miyagi started teaching Daniel basic Karate moves. Now I wonder if I had asked Mang Pino if I can scrub their floors...

Broken Plans

Just finished watching Revolutionary Road. It's quite an experience seeing Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet on screen again. Their team-up was first made popular by their iconic character as Jack and Rose in Titanic almost a decade ago. 

Revolutionary Road was not really an action packed, feast-in-the-eyes kind of film. It's tragic, and the journey to that tragedy was clearly presented on the film. The script was appropriately written, with the mix of jargons and eloquence of the mid-50s. I can't really say that much about it at the moment, but one thing I got from this film is that how broken plans brings so much frustration around. Kate Winslet was a bit half-baked when it comes to her acting here, which she always had been with the other movies I saw with her in it. I think she was overshadowed by Leo on this film. 

I'd better stop writing now because I am not making any sense anymore. Goodnight for now...

Eclipse

It had been a month since my brother finished reading and passed the book for me to read, but I just can't muster the enthusiasm to get through the third installment of Bella and Edward's saga. I overheard a colleague the other day sharing that it's her third time to read the whole series. She started with Twilight just last week, and she's now done reading Eclipse again and off to Breaking Dawn. Hindi daw nya mabitawan kapag sinisimulan na nyang basahin. Maybe I am just not into its plot and how the characters were presented in the book. And I am not really a big fan of mushy-mushy (hullo, Kuya!) things. Yes, there are parts that makes me blush and hold my breathe for a while, but I am just not into it like everyone else. I'll finish the series though, for the sake of knowing what comes next and nothing more. 

Up Dharma Down and other Terno bands will be at Route 196 tomorrow. Punta kayo. :)

I want to write more and share about the unbelievably inconsiderate FX driver that made an attempt to ruin my day. Of course, he did not succeed. That's for tomorrow. I am dead tired and my stomach cramps is getting worse. I love you, PMS. You are so kind to let me have a painful sleep tonight, I can give you ten hugs and kisses. LOL. 

Signing off now.

Sixteen

Super late response. Tagged by Cosmic.

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. In addition, you have to tag the person who tagged you. If i tagged you it's because i want to know more about you! :D

1. My right ear seems bigger than my left ear.

2. Lord Stow's Peppermint and Coffee brownies are my new faves. I discovered it over the holidays and still can't get enough.

3. I snore! LOL. When I get super tired, that's when. I only discovered that I snore last year during a trip to Zambales. Me and my friends camped-out at Anawangin after a long stroll going to and from the old light house at Capones Island. I went to sleep early because I was super tired, while my friends stayed up until the wee hours of the morning. They were surprised as I am was when they heard me snore and told me about it the minute I woke up the next day.

4. Mr. Miyagi was my childhood hero.

5. I love taking long walks. I tend to walk when going to different spots in Makati (where I currently work) instead of taking a cab.

6. Baguio and Corregidor are two of the places I hope to visit this year.

7. Going to concerts and band gigs are my favorite cure for stress.

8. I am a Professional Blogger.

9. I do not have a Friendster account.

10. Luli, Beluli and Belicious are my other nick names. Can you guess who gave these nicknames? Hehe.

11. Roald Dahl is my favorite author, and The Umbrella Man and Other Stories is my favorite book.

12. I can play the guitar.

13. I am bad at recalling people's names. I am so bad at it that I will certainly forget someone's name after a minute's worth of conversation after we're introduced. That's why I ask a person's name twice or even thrice for me to remember it.

14. I drink an average of 5 cups of coffee a day.

15. I love to dance. Dancing makes me feel confident, next to writing. I am not a good dancer, though.

16. I am a miracle baby. :D

Positive

That's what I hoped for when the clock struck 12:01. I've succeeded on starting the first few days of 2009 on a happy and cheerful note, and I plan to *fingers crossed* do a lot of things to stay this way the rest of the year. Being happy, as they say, is a decision. Though there are (and there will be) a lot of factors that would lead one at the other end of the pole, one strong will and the desire to be happy are what matters.

I was lurking through some of my friend's page at Facebook this morning when I came across this list from Kuya Robert Alejandro's page. I hope you'll get a lot from his post and be more inspired to start the year on a positive note, like I was:

Alphabet Of Happiness

Accept
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

Break Away
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

Create
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

Decide
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

Explore
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

Forgive
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

Grow
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

Hope
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

Ignore
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

Journey
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll always stay young.

Know
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

Love
Let love fill your heart instead of hatred. When hatred is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

Manage
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

Notice
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

Open
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

Play
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

Question
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

Relax
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

Share
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

Try
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

Use
Use your gifts to the best of your ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

Value
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

Work
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

X-Ray
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

Yield
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

Zoom
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities, your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow.

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