Dance me through the panic till I'm gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
- Leonard Cohen
Confessions of a Shopaholic - A Review
August 31, 2007
A week ago, my friend Mitz e-mailed me a series of e-books by Sophie Kinsella with a note that the novel was so hilarious she had "to go out of the room to keep myself from loughing out loud". Well Mitz, I got to read the very first of them, "Confessions of A Shopaholic" and what can I say?? Really, Becky Bloomwood , (the series' central character), "how hilariously imaginative can you get, in personifying the shopping habit gone bad. Terribly bad.”
Indeed, how do you really solve a problem like Becky Bloomwood? Fresh from college, 25-year old Becky just landed a job as a financial journalist for Successful Savings. In this job, she regularly sits down on press conferences where she doodles on her notebook rather than pay attention or ask questions. She’s every inch what a shallow worker is, cares more for how she looks, what brand of clothing she wears than what quality of work she turns up. Irresponsible? Bordering to, but as she still shows up with her articles, no matter how unthought of they are, she hardly is, yet. (more…)
Sweet Ina
August 27, 2007
After a while, my sister and I went to their computer room and hooked ourselves to the first few episodes of a new romantic korean novela "Coffee Prince" (currently one of the hottest series in South Korea). It stars Goong Yoo and Yoon Eun Hye (Princes Hours). I am not actually a fan of korean tv or films but upon my sis' influence, i got to watch a few episodes straight without really complaining hehe. Anyway, we were in the middle of this internet watching when I felt a small hand slip from my back and folded letters appeared in front of us. Apparently, one was for my sister and another one was for me.
Basically, she just wanted to say "Thank You" or "I love You Ninang"or "I love you Ategirl". Aww, if there's one thing that could make up for the hassle of a long-distance travel to attend a young child's birthday, it would be the innocent face of that young girl telling you just how glad she is you came.
'Love you too Ina and Happy Birthday!
Of Wakeboarding and…Beggars
August 26, 2007
So when was the last time you did something for the first time?
I have never been the athletic type nor someone you could consider physically fit at this point. I just happen to be an extremely curious person who seeks education in almost anything. And so finding myself in a group of office buddies who all trooped to Lago de Oro in Calatagan last Saturday to try out wakeboarding, came as, well…just a little surprise.
So what exactly is wakeboarding? Coming into Lago, the only idea I have about it is that it is an aquatic sports similar to water-skiing and surfing. But nothing really prepared me for what it was specifically. Arriving there around 9:30 AM, we were met by an empty man-made lake hovered by a closed-course cable. As we were heading to the registration desk, we passed by 1 or 2 seemingly-professional wakeboarders already preparing in the takeoff area. We were all first-time riders and judging from my companions’ physiques, I must have the least developed muscle for this yet untested endeavor (well eza, you are more fit than I am). During the registration, I got a little scared when I had to sign this disclaimer stating that the resort owners are freed of any responsibility in case of death or injuries arising from the activity. I thought, “Wow, I could really die doing this, hehe.” (more…)
Thanking Dad
August 20, 2007
Dear Daddy,
Two years ago, I wrote you one of my most heartfelt letters. Today, I feel like I need to write you another one because of late, you keep showing in my dreams. Besides, it's your birthday tomorrow.
I see now that tributes to fathers are never over. In my last letter, I told you how we were doing a year after your death. I was describing to you our preparations for Onin's wedding, Arons and family's immigration to US, CIndy's hardwork because she was helping out Mama renovate the house and Carmie's new job and her relationship with Rei (which by the way is no longer existent). And then, I talked about the emotional turmoil I was going through at that moment and I said I can't complain because if complaining (or venting out your difficulties) attract more misfortunes in life, then these are things I can't afford to further have.
Well, I still miss you. It's hard to keep a dry eye while saying this. I just wanted to say I'm sorry that I still keep on calling your name unnecessarily when I should be telling you to go where peace is. Recently, I've been really, really sick and I've been crying for you to help me out. Then in my dream that night, you were telling Mama and Onin that you have willed yourself to come back to life because we were clamoring for you. That was vivid. (more…)
Ode to my Kettle
August 3, 2007Before you I stare
A cold frame of silver
Where before I could fill you with water
You'd mirror my thoughts
for today.
I say "hurrah!"
to that famed Indian stance
or frozen Egyptian dance
they say
for to me you're like a loyal,
old guardian
caught in such fashion
that seem to say
"have you first uttered
a prayer?"
So in shallow wakefulness
I bow my head down
and send a silent note to God
that if in the cold outside
I find no friend
let the warmth delivered
by my kettle
make me just as content.
or if the sun delays it's promise
of a bright day
May her sheen from the kitchen
show me the way.
God indeed bless
my guardian kettle
for at dusk she wants only
to rest her hand
on her forehead
but the moment she has to whistle
my loneliness as well
is ended.
