The Finish Line

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Ah... it's all over. After following the whole season of The Amazing Race 3 faithfully, I as well as the real racers have reached the finish line. It's funny how I can get so affected by the show. It's like I've seen them transform (I've seen my crush Flo morph from a beautiful chick into an ugly beast-- but I love her all the same!) as well as see their real attitudes surface. I (like many others) have religiously watched their ups and downs and lapped it up like a soap opera.

And now it's over and the team I was rooting for won (belat Habanapz!) I don't have a highlight to my week any longer. I don't have my Flo Pesenti to crush on. This'll be the last time I'm posting Flo photos from the CBS website on my blog (which somewhat doubles as a Flo shrine).

Though I really wanted to kick Flo's ass on this 2nd to the last leg of the race. As much as she is a chick, she is also a major pain. Good thing she knows it.

And finally...

By the way, here are some other web sites that are off shoots of TAR, in case anyone is interested.

The Amazing Race Sucks

Michael and Kathy

Christmas Party # 2

It's the 2nd party of the season. It's the party of my former block. I'm supposed to be enjoying the party considering I'm pretty close to most of them. But up until now, there is this one thing that still saddens me about the whole thing. I guess it's something I have to live with and just try to squeeze out as much fun as there is possible.

The So-Called Party Animal

Christmas party 1 down, so much more to go. God help me- I don't think my mom's gonna be amused.

Yesterday was the "InterCOMM" Christmas party of the IMC Juniors at Grilla in Rockwell. At least... that's where it began anyway.

Know the feeling of wanting to be in 2 places at one time simply because there's so much to do and just so little time to do it? Well, those were my exact sentiments last night.

Aside from the "InterCOMM" thing, there was also the Varsity Party (held for the school's athletes) which was being held at a condo near school. They were two very different crowds but I knew I'd enjoy each.

With Habanapz as my "date" last night, it was very easy. See, we travel in practically the same circle. We both are Comm majors and good old Habanapz's better half was at the varsity party and I had my reasons for dropping by (free drinks?). Needless to say, we both had the same agenda last night.

Ah... the best laid plans of mice and men.

The original plan was to have dinner at Grilla and then make our way to the Varsity party. Ideally, that was the case. Ideally. I guess we were assuming that after dinner, people would break up into their own little cliques and go separate ways.

Unfortunately, the Comm people were a bit more into "togetherness" than I expected and they suggested that all of us go somewhere after. Somewhere was Pravda.

Not to sound "bagong salta" or anything but that was my first time in Pravda. It was a nice place, albeit a little expensive. Oh, and just a bit too crowded for my liking with people just standing around the place. And I was amused at how people really check other people out. I mean, you could see it- really!

One thing about Pravda is that 1. It fills up after 12 and 2. They charge after 12. Our companions came 5 minutes after 12 and, well, they were required to pay cover charge. Since they didn't want to, a change of venue was planned. This time it was Il Ponti in Salcedo.

Yet again, this was my first time here. And yet again, we didn't stay long. We just stayed long enough for one beer and decided to leave.

We ended up longest on the sidewalk in front of the convenience store in the same building as Ponti. There we hung out, drinking, talking and just basically having a good time.

A conclusion I got from last night was that an inuman was and will always be an inuman no matter where you have it. Be it in your garage, in Pravda or on a sidewalk. You're going to bond and get intoxicated all the same, so why opt for the more expensive alternative? I think we had more fun on the sidewalk anyways.

We finally got to the Varsity Party at around 2:15 in the morning. The festivities were still in full swing, though the atmosphere was a bit toned down. The people at the party fell into 3 categories: The sabog (those who are coming out of their stupor), The sober and The wasted.

I didn't stay long here since I still had the long trip home ahead of me and I was hoping to get home before my mom woke up for the 4:00 Simbang Gabi.

I think I stayed for around 30 minutes, just talking with a friend while enjoying the crisp night. We were at the Penthouse balcony and it was nice to look at the city asleep. And there was a full moon above... it was nice, really.

"The room is empty/ The lights are dim/ And my heart wonders/ If I'll ever see you again/ My tears are hungry/ For an open door/ And your arms held me/ I've never felt that way before/ And I'll be waiting/ And I'll be watching/ Under a blue moon/ Taste of heaven/ Only happens/ Once in a blue moon/Do you remember/ When the wind blew free?/ We fit together/ So naturally..."

I'm just thinking of wasted opportunites.

"If the wind closes a door/ It will open another/ And I'll be waiting/ And I'll be watching/ Once in a Blue Moon/ A taste of Heaven/ Only happens/ Once in a Blue Moon" -- "Once in a Blue Moon", Sydney Forest. OST Simply Irresistible.

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Songs That Make Me Feel Christmas

Just got me thinking... I just had to listen to Jose Mari Chan's "Christmas in Our Hearts" album now as my "Music to blog by".

I love this album- it's an album that really makes me think of Christmas. Probably because we first bought a tape of this back when I was Grade One. I grew up relating Christmas to this album and my Christmas won't be complete without hearing it as least once.

Please. Let's just skip "Christmas in Our Hearts"!.

But the songs that really get me into Christmas mode are...

1. O Holy Night

2. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

3. When a Child is Born (this one's the rendition by Jose Mari Chan)

4. It is the Lord (also by Jose Mari Chan)

The Best of Junk Mail

Thing still makes me laugh. It was published in the column of Neil Cruz in Philippine Daily Inquirer a few weeks ago, but I also got it over e-mail.

Hu's on First

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Denying Christmas

I've figured out that the main reason why I don't feel Christmas right now, as much as I force it, is because Christmas decorations have been up since October.

Because of this, I've been telling myself that Christmas is still far away. Since the start of the "ber" months, I've been denying the fact that Christmas was around the corner. And I'm stuck with that mentality up until now- less than a week before Christmas.

But definitely, there is no denying the fact that Christmas is indeed already here. In fact, party season has already started today and my calendar is already fully booked 'till Christmas!

I just came from a get-together with friends from my former college block. This was pretty clean though- it was just dinner and a pirated VCD (English version of "The Ring") at the condo of my friend who is leaving to spend Christmas with her family tomorrow. It was pretty clean- no booze or stuff. Just a lot of food and bonding.

Today was also the last day of classes and really, no one was in any mood for studying. It also sort of dawned on me that it was the last day of school when I started receiving gifts. I was mortified! I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet. Not one bit!

So much for denial- reality was hitting me straight on the noggin today!

It was kind of a wake up call- hey, look around. Those Christmas lights aren't there to waste electricity, matey. The wreath ain't there to fill up space.

I guess I also wasn't able to feel much of Christmas because several of my tradtions have been absent this year. Aside from the parties, I miss thinking up oddball stuff for any Kris Kringle whatsoever. We're no even playing Christmas carols here at home (probably 'cause we're almost always out). And to top it all off, I haven't even thought of what I'd give anybody (sans a few!).

This afternoon, I went panic buying with Bambi and Habanapz in Megamall. Since some of my friends would be leaving for the province tomorrow, I decided to buy their gifts first. The IMC and former blockmates as well as my High School barkada would have to wait for their respective parties for their gifts.

Ah... and the parties! This is going to be a bit painful on my wallet since I'm already booked for tomorrow, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

If not a bit stressful in the planning, I love the parties because I get to share the season with people I'm really comfortable with. It's nice that we get away from the school environment, leave the competition behind, kick off our shoes and just plain have a blast. This is why I look forward to the parties.

Speaking of parties, well, it's San Miguel season once again.

yum!

I'm missing this commercial. It was a great commercial for girl-ogling.

Although at one point, we got to talking about that famous ad. We questioning whether the ad celebrates Filipina beauty...

... or is it that after you've had a bottle of San Miguel, with being inebriated and all, all the girls within your periphery suddenly become beautiful.

What do you think?

In any case, these hot girls are still eye candy. I really love San Miguel beer!

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Getting in Shape for the Break!

I didn't do much today really, cause there was nothing much to do.

Supposedly, it's a class day. For me, it was a precursor of days to come (read: vacation!). There wasn't much to go to school for and the only thing important was the submission of a Philo paper.

I've mentioned before that I am a crammer and an extremely laid back person- thus, I opted to do a paper due today this morning.

Since Habanapz was in school already, I uploaded my paper into our website and had her print and submit it. Thank God for the wonders of modern technology!

Of course, I am extremely greatful to Habanapz for getting my paper submitted on time. It's not the first time either...

What can I say? Habanapz is always there to save the day! When I need a lunch companion, when I need xerox (or readings), when I need kasama (in the words of Abanapz!), when I need kausap (still in her words!) and when I need big, big favors. Grabe- I'm practically indebted to her!

Oh. And did I mention, that "big favor" has even ranged up to having a polo shirt pressed at her house?

Thanks again, Krabanapz!

And just like in those days of vacation, I did what I do best: bum! I chatted on the phone (with Habanapz pa rin) and I baked in front of the computer and the TV.

Half the baking in front of the computer was done because of the paper, which I did in 2 hours time. One thing I'm really greatful for is the fact that I can write half-decent. Because of this, I am able to get away with studying for tests in a half-baked manner. A personal motto is...

"Know a little and let your English take you the rest of the way"

Not the best course of action, but what can I say? I'm bolero- a technique I mastered and developed through 4 years of High School.

I also took the time to watch the VCD of my beloved Trip. Somehow, it's not as good as when I saw it first, but I still like the story. It's got cute comedy (I really found this scene with Heart and John Pratts funny) and some drama. But most of all, it got me missing my friends.

The movie got me thinking of those little out-of-town trips we used to take over vacations. I remember our little Tagaytay outing back in 3rd year where we brought so much booze. I woke up the next morning with a nasty hangover and well, barf all over the room. It was my first time to get drunk.

I was also able to catch a part of GMA's "Habang Kapiling Ka". After one scene, I had to switch immediately. It went:

Chynna Ortaleza: This place is pretty far. I hope they don't find me here.

Richard Guterrez: Ayan ka naman, nag-English ka na naman! Paano ka namin maiintindihan?

This other guy: Daz ok. I am understanding...

This was matched with bad acting and it honestly wanted to make me puke.

The Best of Junk Mail

Check out this link- it was funny because I got to relate!

Guys Rules: Life 101

And these...

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Leisure Weekend

After a whole week of cramming a case study and presentation which we weren't so clear about, I think I did deserve a weekend of leisure.

Our presentation Saturday morning was... ambiguous. Ambiguous in the sense that it's not clear to me whether we did well or not. I mean, we were the first group and the solution we proposed was well-accepted and even defended by our classmates. In fact, our teacher even had to agree to the ideas we were broaching. It's just that.. well, I'm not sure and I just don't want to be confident.

But what the hell? We survived without getting skewered as was my earlier prediction. Or was it that he didn't have enough time to roast us?

After class, I went with my dad to pick up my mom. My mom planned this weekend to be her "shopping weekend" and I can imagine why, with a very extensive gift list and all. To think I have a lot of people to buy for and I haven't gotten started yet!

On the way to Manila, my dad got pulled over by a policeman for "beating the red light" even when he clearly didn't do it. I assume the policeman had an extensive gift list as well...

First stop on my mom's agenda was Megamall. To have her hair done and to take advantage of the sales.

Do you know those Archie comic exaggerated descriptions of rampaging Christmas shoppers? Well, I don't think it's exaggerated anymore. People really push you aside, step on your feet and elbow their way through crowds just to get at something. Megamall is crazy! And there are kids "rolling" around in those pesky little roller shoes which I hope are going to be banned soon enough!

After walking around and not really accomplishing anything, we had dinner at Super Bowl. After that, we took in Harry Potter 2.

At long last! After 3 weeks of showing, it's about time that I watched it. And what do I have to say?

Pwede na...

The ending (which I will restrain myself from mentioning, in deference to those who haven't seen it yet) was overly cheesy. It was so cheesy I wanted to throw up. I wonder why J.K. Rowling allowed her story to be raped like that.

The movie itself was a bit choppy and the story wasn't developed well. Had I not read the book twice, I doubt if I'd understand. Or appreciate it. And Moaning Myrtle was a lousy actress (played by Shirley Henderson). She was the pits! Seriously now, I couldn't tell if she was crying, moaning or vomiting. And her voice was high-pitched and really grating to the ears. That little putz didn't do justice to her role.

But I was able to appreciate visually that young Hermione Granger is turning into a fine chick.... young, but still a chick. Worth checking out in a few years...

Since it was the last full show in Mega, we got out at around 12 past. It was just a very amusing sight to see Megamall so deserted in the midst of December. The whole mall was so calm and still. I even got to go down the "up" escalator!

Today entailed more serious shopping. After hearing mass at Christ the King, my mom made a beeline for the bazaar and emerged an hour later with several plastic bags on hand.

We then had lunch at Greenbelt 3 with my cousins. It's a new, 6 month old, bi-monthly tradition, these "family lunches". The restaurant was Store Super. The food was good- very tasty. It's just that, well, the place isn't exactly a family restaurant. Thus, the food wasn't exactly filling. And I've got the appetite of 2 people so...

But the deserts were really heavenly!

My cousins and I were able to finally watch "The Ring". Finally.

While waiting for the movie, we took in a few rounds of billiards at Aubar (by Bargo). I'm really getting lousier. I suck- big time.

I would prefer to call "The Ring" suspense more than horror. I loved the buildup of the story, but the synthesis is kind of wanting. And throughout the movie, I wasn't even scared one bit.

Personally, it's a bit overrated. But the character of Shizuko was hot!

After that, I proceeded to Greenhills and had a ball!

Leisure weekend now comes to an end. I am back to the reality that there is still 2 days to go before school ends and a paper on philosophy is calling out to be started on...

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