season three

Finally, I have finished Grey's Anatomy Season 3. I wasn't a series freak, nor was I very interested in this series even if my friends have gone gaga over it when it started. But for some reason, I got hooked to it. At the start it was only because of the dialogues. I liked the insights of the scriptwriter. Eventually, as I get to know the characters bit by bit, I get more interested to know them and associate my self to their experiences.

I admired Preston Burke's mystery from the very start. He was a very good cardio-thoracic surgeon. Brilliant even. I also loved Cristina Yang, a surgical intern. Although at the start, I didn't like her rigidity and inhumane, voracious character. But I realized I loved her being ambitious and a go-getter. She knows what she wants and she knows how to get it. She works hard and she is focused. She isn't like any other woman who spends time day dreaming and whining. She doesn't even seem to have a sweet bone inside of her. But she later learned how to protect her man, when Burke needed keep a secret about his profession. That may be a down side, but later I realized I see much of myself in her. Yang knew how to compromise and sacrifice too.

Meredith and Derek's love story brought me to being nauseous. While Burke and Yang's interested me a lot. It is brutal. Harsh, even. No mush. But very intense. Sandra Oh, the Hollywood actress playing Yang's character, said in an interview in Oprah that Yang did love Burke so much. Sadly, it didn't ended like I wanted it to. O well... Too much for fairy tales. Grey's isn't a fairy tale after all.

brightening up

I have changed the color of my blog to yellow. Bright.ü

I like it.

Umn. I feel nauseous about my recent posts. Too much love. Hehe.

love captured

These are some of the photos on exhibit in a Photo Congress last Tuesday. Dee, Juris and I took shots of some of our favorites. Here are mine. Sorry we forgot to take note of the photographers.

I like the silhouette effect plus the sunset on background. Very playful.

This one is very cultural. Very Filipino.

On top of the list simply because of its personal meaning. Profound.

This one is melodramatic.

The fireworks got me. I love fireworks.

Emotional.

Very creative. Plus I like the waves kissing the seashore concept.

more on kids' pov

HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE TYPICALLY BEHAVE?

"When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and theydon't get up for at least an hour." Wendy, age 8

"Mooshy...like puppy dogs...except puppy dogs don't wag their tailsnearly as much." Arnold, age 10

"All of a sudden, the people get movies fever so they can sit togetherin the dark." Shem, age 8



CONCERNING WHY LOVE HAPPENS BETWEEN TWO PARTICULAR PEOPLE

"One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who hasfreckles too." Andrew, age 6

"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do withhow you smell...that's why perfume and deodorant is so popular." Mae,age 9

"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but therest of it isn't supposed to be painful." Manuel, age 8



ON WHAT FALLING IN LOVE IS LIKE

"Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life." John, age 9

"If falling in love is anything like learning to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." Glenn, age 7



ON THE ROLE OF BEAUTY AND HANDSOMENESS IN LOVE

"If you want to be loved by somebody who isn't already in your family,it doesn't hurt to be beautiful." Anita, age 8

"It isn't always just how you look. Look at me, I'm handsome asanything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." Brian, age 7

"Beauty is skin deep. But how rich you are can last a lifetime."Christine, age 9



REFLECTIONS ON THE NATURE OF LOVE

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is prettygood too." Greg, age 8



CONCERNING WHY LOVERS OFTEN HOLD HANDS

"They want to make sure their rings don't fall off because they paid good money for them." Gavin, age 8

"They are just practicing for when they might have to walk down the aisle someday and do the holy matchimony thing." John, age 9



CONFIDENTIAL OPINIONS ABOUT LOVE

"I'm in favor of love as long as it doesn't happen when 'Dinosaurs' ison television." Jill, age 6

"Love is foolish.....but I might try it sometime." Floyd, age 9

"Yesterday I kissed a girl in a private place...we were behind a tree."Carey, age 7

"Love will find you. Even if you hide from it. I have been trying tohide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." Dave,age 8

"I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding the fourth grade hard enough." Regina, age 10



THE PERSONAL QUALITIES YOU NEED TO HAVE IN ORDER TO BE A GOOD LOVER

"Sensitivity don't hurt." Robbie, age 8

"One of you should know how to write a check. Because even if you havetons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." Ava, age 8



SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

"Tell them that you own a whole bunch of candy stores." Del, age 6

"Shake your hips and hope for the best." Camille, age 9

"Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs...and don't worryif their parents are right there." Manuel, age 8

"Don't do things like have smelly, green sneakers. You might getattention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." Alonzo, age 9

"One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something shelikes to eat. French fries usually works for me." Bart, age 9



HOW CAN YOU TELL IF ADULTS EATING DINNER IN A RESTAURANT ARE IN LOVE?

"Just see if the man picks up the check. That's how you can tell if heis in love." Bobby, age 9"

Lovers will just be staring at each other and their food will getcold...other people care more about their food." Bart, age 9

"Romantic adults are usually all dressed up, so if they are just wearingjeans it might mean they used to go out or they just broke up." Sarah,age 9

"See if the man has lipstick on his face." Sandra, age 7

"It's love if they order one of those desserts that's on fire. They like to order those because it's just like how their hearts are---onfire." Christine, age 9



WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE THINKING WHEN THEY SAY "I LOVE YOU"

"The person is thinking: Yeah, I really love him. But I hope heshowers at least once a day." Michelle, age 9

"Some lovers might be real nervous, so they are glad that they finallygot it out and said it and now they can eat." Dick, age 7



HOW WAS KISSING INVENTED?

"I know one reason that kissing was created. It makes you feel warm allover, and they don't always have electric heat or fireplaces or evenstoves in their houses." Gina, age 8



HOW A PERSON LEARNS TO KISS

"You can have a big rehearsal with your Barbie and Ken dolls." Julia,age 7

"You learn it right on the spot when your gooshy feelings get the bestof you." Brian, age 7

"It might help to watch soap operas all day." Carin, age 9



WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?

"When they're rich." Pam, age 7

"It's never okay to kiss a boy. They always slobber all overyou....that's why I stopped doing it." Tammy, age 7

"If it's your mother, you can kiss her anytime. But if it's a newperson, you have to ask permission." Roger, age 8

"I look at kissing like this: Kissing is fine if you like it, but it'sa free country and nobody should be forced to do it." Michael, age 8



HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE

"Spend most of your time loving instead of going to work." Dick, age 7

"Don't forget your wife's name..that will mess up the love." Erin, age 8

"Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never takeout the trash." Dave, age 8

"Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind....Love isn'tlike picking which movies you watch." Natalie, age 9

warm and fuzzy

I woke up with a funny feeling. That familiar feeling.

I smiled.

As I was travelling to a meeting place for a project, the rain started to pour. It was cool, but the my heart felt warm and fuzzy. I'd like to dismiss myself, but eventually I just let myself be.

I talked to my God, telling Him every detail of the what's going on with my head, heart and just everything that surrounds me as I perceive them.I told Him to take charge. It felt nice. I thanked Him too. I felt blessed being gifted with people who makes my heart smile. I prayed I'd serve my purpose in other people's lives.

mushyness in innocence

This afternoon I received a SMS which contains a definition of love by an 8 year old. It says: "Love is when someone hurt you and you fot so mad but you didn't yell at them coz you know it would hurt their feelings too." Aww. How innocent. I remembered receiving an email which contains a lot of these...and so I searched. Read through and see how the cute rascals can be profound in their simple views of what love can be.

"Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way."

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way she says your name is different. You know that your name is safe in her mouth."

"God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn't. That's love."

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is when someone hurts you. And you get so mad but you don't yell at him because you know it would hurt his feelings."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss."

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."

"Love is hugging. Love is kissing. Love is saying no."

"When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more."

"There are 2 kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

"Love is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken."

"Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day"

"When you're born and see your mommy for the first time. That's love."

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mom says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her."

"Love cards like Valentine's cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying."

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little Stars come out of you."

spinning off the sem break

Finally, another sem is over. Four more sems and I'll soon be ready for the bar. Yahoo! For now, I need this break. 2 weeks. My to-do list isn't cramped. I'd just like it to be free and light. More time for lazing around, reading non-law books, surfing the net, maybe a trip to the beach or to tagaytay or to Pangasinan to see Zeny's mom, meet some old friends, attend Berna's wedding and watch grey's (or maybe I can start watching House) and lots of movies too.

My sem break officially started yesterday and so upon waking up from a night of beer with my law school friends, I accepted a spur of the moment invite from Peds for a movie. It was a bright and sunny day yesterday, and I realized how much time I have been spending inside buildings. Oftentimes, I go home at night or at dawn if I stay out in coffee houses to study. The sunshine is a welcome. I remember telling Peds: "Ganito pala pag umaga. Ang saya." One proof that the sun rays do stimulate some hormones in the body which makes you feel gleeful.

After conversations over lunch and coffee, we saw Stardust. It's an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's book about a true love and magic. The story revolves around fallen star who who turned out to be a beautiful woman in the person of Yvaine (Claire Danes) and Tristan (Charlie Cox), a yound lad who's looking for the fallen star to please the prettiest girl from his village. They both were caught in a magical adventure to run away from all those who are after them for an array of reasons. And in the course of going through the twists and turns of death and spells, they fell for each other.

In all, the movie is a mixture of magic, romance and adventure spiced up with some risque humor. I actually felt I was warped in a fairy tale book in kinder. The pictureque fields and mountains setting is soooo soothing. I remember commenting thrice: "Ang ganda!" . The medieval village costumes of sires and maidens, to the flyng ships, pirates, castles, spells and witches did it all. Although, this time it's a little appreciation from an adult. Hehe. I had a little tickle on my romatic side (Yes, I do have that too!).

I thought as I walked out of the movie house: Yvaine shone the brightest when she found her true love. Hence, true love brings you to your nature and makes you the best of it. Cheesy.ü

desperate

The comment made by Teri Hatcher's character in Desperate Housewives about Filipino doctors stirred a thick volume of anger for most Filipinos. Some of my friends started blogging it the moment they heard it in the news, while some started strings of discussions in message boards. I too was irrated that time.

Here are the dialogues from the episode:

MD: Well, everything seems normal. But, you say you’ve been having irregular periods?

Susan: Yeah, you know, one month off, two months on. That happens, right?

MD: Have you ever experienced night sweats? …. (few other lines here)

MD: How about hot flashes?

Susan: OK, whoa. I’m gonna stop you right there. I’m way too young for that, please refer to your chart.

MD: Susan, I know for a lot of women the word menopause has negative connotations. They hear aging, brittle bones, loss of sexual desire…

Susan: Before you go any further, can I check those diplomas? I would just like to make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines…

E t*nga pala siya e. Ilang taon na ba siya? Normal kaya ang mag-menopause sa babae! Desperada na nga! Tsk. tsk.

Sorry for the foul language. I don't normally allow such profanity in my blog but that woman is really getting into my nerves! (Ow, my reaction haven't changed the first time I saw the video till now.) Isn't the writer of that freaking show aware that we were taught by the Thomasites who apparently are Americans? And haven't they realized that if not because of our doctors (and nurses), they could have been dead by now or at least their population have trimmed to half? St*pid! Hmn...a Filipino character should then be placed in Grey's Anatomy from now on. Hahaha!

I like Teri Hatcher as I was growing up. I frequently watched her as Lois Lane in Lois and Clark. But I am now disgusted with her uncritical acting. Good thing I never became a fan of that desperate series. Buti nalang tlaga.

Good thing the ABC Network had already issued it's statement of apology: “The producers of Desperate Housewives and ABC Studios offer our sincere apologies for any offence caused [by the insulting remark] in the season premier. There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines.” However, the Malacanang is demanding that an episode would carry and apology or at least take back the slur. (Clap, clap, clap! Good job on that Sec. Bunye.)

Now, let me talk to my fellow Filipinos: I am happy that we are fighting back. At least, we are aware of our worth and dignity as a Nation. Let the blood of Lapu-lapu and Gabriela Silang run free. The foreign influence might have caused us to feel insecure of our brown skins, but remember that these Caucasians are not better off than us. Never was, is and will be. More than our bronze skin, we are made of good stuff, Pinoys! Believe that and show the world...and those desperate housewives! Remember also that it isn't all about image, if we think that we are good, let's be better and continue proving them wrong.

i've got a new stuff-y

Nina gave this cute-y stuffed toy for my birthday. (Thanks, nina! mmmwwaahhhh!) Tagal na nun noh?! Di ko kasi nakuha agad from Juris.ü

Anyway, I need help in naming this little thing. Can't think of any. Juris and I are coming up with crazy names. I don't want to give in just yet to any of those...Hahaha!

Just send me a comment, message or an email for your suggestions. Thanks.

battles fought and won

People's Champ

Manny Pacquiao won the bout against Marco Antonio Barrera all over again!

After 12 complete rounds, Manny emerged as the winner by a unanimous decision. I am not a boxing fanatic, but it is always sends chill down my spine to hear the "Lupang Hinirang" being sung atop the international boxing ring and see the Philippine flag raised in a foreign land. It would always, always make me sob inside. Simply because of pride that I am a Filipino, and whatever my country's circumstances are, I am still proud to be one.

There was some dirty play from Barrera on the 11th round, but Manny was gentleman enough not to throw some dirty tactics as well. I liked what Chino Trinidad commented to that: "Di na lumaban si Manny. Pilipino eh." Whether it is mind conditioning or simply for posterity, I would like to believe Chino. Manny knew the world is watching and he acted accordingly. May that little act of propriety remind us that we represent a Nation. We do not want to be branded as crooks or second-class, don't we? (I'll write about what Teri Hatcher's character said in Desperate Housewives about Filipino doctors next time.) I also thought that maybe, Manny would have wanted to give Barrera a graceful exit, since this is his final bout. That as a boxer he knew that Barrera deserves some dignity especially now that this is his farewell fight, even if Manny could have knocked him out. My brothers refuse to believe me, though. Haha!

I salute Manny Pacquiao. He transforms whenever he gives out his jabs and uppercuts. He is simply following his "flow". I tip my hat for the passion he's shown-- that heart for his craft and the determination not only to prove himself but also to bring honor to the country. He knew his victory isn't only his, but for the whole Philippines. Thank you for making us proud again. Thank you for showing the world that Filipinos can do something. That we too, can win.

And...I am really happy you didn't make it in Congress. You're battleground is the ring, not the legislative halls.ü

__________

Faith Battle

During the month of October, the Dominican Community in the Philippines, especially in Manila, celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of La Naval. (Next week the annual La Naval procession will be held around the Santo Domingo parish.) It commemorates the victory of the Filipino and Spanish soldiers in the Battle of Manila in the 1600's against the Dutch. It was believed that this victory is a miracle which happened through the aid of the intercession of Mary. The soldiers who were then praying the rosary promised to the Lady to walk barefoot from Cavite to the shrine of the Lady of the Holy Rosary in Manila. From then, this became a devotion which is now practiced for centuries.

This afternoon, I attended my Sunday Mass in UST Chapel. More than feeling that familiar home-y warmth, it also felt good to be in one of the places which actually shaped my faith. The Parish is celebrating its annual fiesta in celebration of the Feast of the Lady of the Holy Rosary. The re-appointed Rector of the University, Fr. Rolando Dela Rosa, O.P. is the main celebrant and homilist.

In his homily, Fr. Dela Rosa highlighted that battles are won not only because of one's ability, skill or intelligence to fight. It is more of the heart that drives one to conquer the obstacle set before him. It is also in recognizing that winning battles is about letting God create miracles from our limited creations. That realizing that we are "little gods"--potent and capable. It is after we have done the best that we can, that we allow His grace to meet us and bring us to heights we've never imagined.

A focused will, a fervent heart and faith in God
______

UAAP town is painted green.

The La Salle Green Archers are back with a vengeance.

After a year of suspension from playing basketball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Archers capped the 70th UAAP season by bagging the Championship title against the University of the East. La Salle ran away with a 73-64 score against UE. Via television coverage, I witnessed how the La Sallista's cheered and raved for their school players. The players must have known that the school is counting on them, and supporting them with all hearts too. I have always admired their school spirit. "Animo La Salle..." as I would always hear during basketball games in my college days. De La Salle university is back..

The University of the East is a tough team to beat. After earning a 14-0 score during the eliminations, these guys have what it takes to give a good fight too. However, the De La Salle basketball team wanted to win--and they did. They know what they want, they worked for it, and they got it. Purpose, resilience and character.

I am not a La Sallista. In fact, I have seen La Salle as a persistent rival since there was a time that UST and La Salle would always meet in basketball championship way back when I was still a UAAP Basketball fan. Funny is I didn't even applied in La Salle for college because of this lame reason. Hahaha! But that is all history.

It is just also interesting to note the teams coaches are brothers--Dindo and Franz Pumaren.ü
_______

I have a battle to fight too... Finals na.ü

oc-oc

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that causes people to have unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and to repeat certain behaviors (compulsions) over and over again. We all have habits and routines in our daily lives, such as brushing our teeth before bed. However, for people with OCD, patterns of behavior get in the way of their daily lives.

Most people with OCD know that their obsessions and compulsions make no sense but they can't ignore or stop them. Common obsessions include fear of dirt or germs and worry that a task has been done poorly, even when the person knows this is not true. While common compulsions include cleaning and grooming, such as washing hands, showering or brushing teeth over and over again and ordering and arranging items in certain ways. (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What It Is and How to Treat It )

I have my own kicks of obsession-compulsion which I am learning to outgrow bit by bit.

I arrange my shirts by color. I have separate purses/pouch bags for my pens (a.k.a school supplies. I have a stapler, staple wire, scissors, post it pads, highlighters, etc. in it), my kikay stuff, my coins, my contact lens paraphernalia. Check my bag. It is full of pouches and that is the reason why I carry a BIG bag all the time. My paper bills in my wallet are arranged according to denomination. And the cards and ID's are arranged according to use. My monthly bills are filed according to their kind, by date having the latest on top. They are placed in separately color coded folders with plastic fasteners with the same color.ü Whenever I study, I have to lay down my pens at a certain angle diagonal to the book am reading. (I remember Juris laughing at me whenever I do this.)

But one thing that I have noticed that I am OC about is whenever I write. I have the tendency to dwell on the details and make sure that everythings else is perfect. This will range from the the grammar to the margins (or in some cases, lay-out). I read every portion part by part, over and over. Then I edit if I see something is missing or I feel that I should have expounded on an area or i'll delete a paragraph or sentence. I make sure that what I write is sensible and almost perfect. Whenever I catch myself doing this nitty-gritty thing, I start hating myself for not being able to let go of it. It is so time consuming and I find it's less productive. Sometimes, I succeed in letting go, but oftentimes I give in. But tell you, the relief and satisfaction afterwards is incomparable!

I guess, my OC-ness is a manifestation of all the other anxieties that should be directed in the other areas of my life.

And I think that this is genetic... My mom is OC too. Suuper OC to the hilt.

what's in a name?

Kate directed me to this site where it will give you the meaning of your name. Interesting.

ma. fatima

You are both a visionary and a realist able to bring your dreams into a tangible form. Pioneering and ambitious you accept new challenges and the responsibilities which go with them willingly. Your sound judgement, resourcefulness and positive nature means that your progress in life is assured. Certainly your kindness and generosity to others and your inspirational manner attract success as well as many admirers.

pre-finals

I am sick. :C

Am down with colds. I kept on sneezing in class this afternoon and man! my nose is stuffy! Am having a slight fever too. Tsk. I hate this especially that final exams is coming next week.

Grrr... Yes, lovely body. I know you need a break. But this is early for rest. After finals...after finals.

I hope I get better.

money and happiness

Money can buy happiness.

I have found a new site titled as above which is authored by Laura Rowley. (Kindly find link from the well-spring section). To which, I reminded me of the lessons I learned about money. And yes, I have to agree with her. Money may not be the most important thing in the world, but it definitely affects all other areas of life.

In my quater-life, I am now going through a lesson learning experiences about money and how it works. Yes, I am currently unemployed in my mid twenties and tell you, it doesn't feel good asking for allowance from my parents. I miss those days when I rake in my own money, spend it to the my heart's content and later earn some more. Although, I am not completely sad since I left the corporate world to pursue my law degree, which will be a different story altogether. I am now contemplating of finding means of earning.

Vending isn't very appealing. But maybe, I have to try it too. Atleast, learn the lesson of confidence about the dignity of it. I do have to learn the discipline of saving. I did saved some money before I left my previous job, but I still have to be tighter on myself, especially now. I do have the tendecy to splurge, especially when feel stressed.

I realized it all boilds down to what you have set aside and not what you actually earn.