Top Favorite Movies

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

 

I’ve been thinking of writing movie reviews (since I love movies so much ^_^). Really, like, I probably watch more than 10 movies in a year at the movie theater. But since the last movie I saw didn’t quite meet my expectations (Men in Black 3), it will probably be best to talk about the movies that did.

Here are a few of my favorite movies. Well, I just picked one per genre, just to add variety.

1. Comedy – The Comebacks

LOL is probably the best way to describe this movie. I can watch this over and over again and still crack up. It’s just a collection of funny scenes tied together in an annoyingly senseless plot. It’s just nonsense hilarious.

2. Animation – Up

Interestingly enough, I cried watching this movie. A ‘cartoon’ movie making me cry should definitely earn something right? But it wasn’t just that. I laughed so hard, I felt thrilled, annoyed, and happy. I loved it! Adorable characters. It’s one of those movies where you leave the theater feeling happy. What are movies for really?

3. Romance – The Notebook

This Nicholas Sparks adaptation probably set the bar for my taste in romantic films. For instance, what all romantic movies have in common is the scene where the guy/girl has this sudden realization of love and decides to pursue love and chase after his/her beloved who always seems to be leaving for some reason. The movie ‘The Notebook’ perfected that scene for me. The acting was so realistic; a guy desperate for a girl, a girl who is torn between love and responsibility. And it wasn’t just the acting, it was everything about the scene. The score, the blocking, the video quality… It felt so real, that my heart felt like it broke into little pieces when Allie was reading Noah’s letter (haha I still know the characters names). To me that is what a romantic movie should be. Something that makes you feel what love feels.

4. Action Thriller – Fast Five

I particularly liked the pacing of action and dialogue scenes; so as there doesn’t seem to be a dull moment in the movie. One of the few fight scenes that I actually enjoyed watching. No guns whatsoever just plain bare hands ass-kicking. Cool car race scenes and mission plot too. One word for it; nice!

5. Fiction – Avatar

Aliens, futuristic setting, robots, explosions; Avatar has everything you’ll look for in a fiction film. (not to mention the epic wars and made up language) The movie turned me into a fiction geek for weeks that I literally tried to speak “Na’vi”.

 

So there you go 5 of my favorite movies. I’ll try to write movie reviews starting on the next movie I’ll see at the theaters. ^_^

Oh the Marry Marriages

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

 

How was your week? Mine was full of ‘marriages’ ; literally!

As days go by, I’m starting to get busy planning my own wedding. We (my fiancé and I) decided to be hands-on to this and we pretty much marched around the whole city checking out bridal stores, flower shops, invitation makers, etc.~ etc.~

But of course we’re not the only two people in love in this planet. Ours is just one of the 4 stories of marriage that happened this week.

A few weeks ago, my fiancé’s college friend surprised us with the news that she is also getting married. And last Wednesday we attended her beautiful and fun wedding. Kudos to them for the scrumptious food that filled our belly! The wedding was very well organized too. It was filled with fun presentations and dances. I loved how the couple seemed so happy and comfortable with each other. They seemed to be like the best of friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On damper state, the wife of my fiancé’s co-worker (both are nice friends to us), had fallen ill. The couple are just a year older than my fiancé  but they were married younger and now have 3 kids. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for their situation. I guess marriage doesn’t mean “a happy ending”. The challenges that await love in marriage is more complicated and would inflict a deeper sense of pain. Unlike the simple “lovers quarrel”, sadness is reflected not just between the couple’s eyes but on their children’s eyes too.

Since marriage is both a challenge and a prize. It is only right to celebrate it too. That was exactly what my parents did on Thursday. They celebrated their 26th Wedding Anniversary. We had food prepared, there was music and they invited friends  and relatives over.They were pretty happy. My mom said, when I told her we were getting married, that marriage is a never ending series of arguments and disagreements. Thinking about it gave me hope that people can still last and be happily married in this day and age; throughout all those arguments.

So those are the stories of marriages that filled my week. I and my fiancé who are about to be married, our newly wed friends, a husband and wife going through tough times and old folks celebrating the longevity of their marriage.

The Telenovela Effect

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

 

Have you ever watched a ‘Telenovela’?  It’s a strangely addictive TV series that invokes a thriving anger at every end of an episode.

You see, the hallmark of ‘telenovelas’ is how ultimate evil can get and that the protagonist seems to be so helpless with wave after wave of sheer bad luck and of course the ruthless mischiefs of the antagonists.

I’ve always hated these shows which is why I praise the heavens for the creation of Youtube where I can find alternative, and more useful things to watch such as “29 ways to wear your underwear” O_o

Anyway, the reason for mentioning ‘telenovelas’ is because for the past weeks; I’ve felt like my life has been plagued with the “Telenovela Effect”

So dramatic! As my brother caught “dengue fever” and I desperately posted for help on Facebook.  Even more so, when and I ran through the pouring rain, clutching a piece of paper, begging the seemingly indifferent clerk at the Blood Bank to please give us blood so that my brother can have the transfusion. After 23 (imagine that!) bags were transfused, he recovered and is now okay.

But like I said, “telenovela effect”. I caught flu and was sick for a couple of days. Then, I had such a severe asthma attack (I haven’t had that kind for like 4 years!) I was stuck in bed and missed out on so many things that I wanted to do.

Both of those pre-mentioned events made me mess up my class schedule with my tutee which kind of pissed him off; I think…

Then I had an argument with my boyfriend over something stupid like “how fat is fat” and "’how fat is chubby” which we still can’t agree on ‘till now.

Well, bottom line is, I just told you why I haven’t blogged for a while. Ugrh! I wish I could get out of this “telenovela effect” rut! So if you are reading this last line, I’m passing it on to you! Ha! LOL~ 

Pamamanhikan: A Filipino Tradition

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

This is actually an over due blog post. I’ve written a previous draft on this weeks ago but for some reason my computer decided to delete all my drafts. Now I’m forced to rewrite this blog or technically write a new one.

Last April first my fiancé went to my residence to formally ask for my hand in marriage from my parents. This is a tradition among Filipinos called “Pamamanhikan”.

We’ve been talking about having each other’s parents meet after the engagement. Our first option was to take them out for dinner. But we kind of hesitated over the idea because it would be super awkward to talk about our marriage plans with other people eavesdropping on us at a restaurant.

Alas, it was my fiancé’s trusted league of merry-men (a.k.a his workmates) who convinced him to do it the traditional way. That is, to go to my house with his parents and family members bringing food. It was a great idea since it would be the best venue for our families to meet so that the wedding itself won’t be that awkward for them.

“In all things, success depends on previous preparation and without such previous preparation there is sure to be failure –Confucius”

And prepare we did! Like agents on a mission my fiancé and I met a couple of days before the actual Pamamanhikan. We discussed about our plans, how to answer questions they might ask and etc. We agreed pretty much on things except that he wanted to bring liquor. I went on a crazy speed talk rant. (LOL) I was afraid that our parents would get drunk, disagree and ruin everything. He just smiled at me and said he won’t bring some.

(but he still did … good thing neither of our parent drank)

On the day of the Pamamahikan, I was going nuts trying to get our house clean. Normally, it looked like a dumpsite, but when I was done… it looked like an “organized” dumpsite! ^_^ Seriously though, it was a mess. Our glass table broke a couple of weeks before and the glass that they ordered for the table wasn’t available within the day. We resorted to having 2 wooden tables covered with table cloth.

I had just finished cleaning when my fiancé called to say they were on their way. I hurriedly got dressed and probably put on one too many blush on and possibly looked like a clown when I went out to greet and welcome them to our humble abode.

When everyone was “settled in” (meaning all cramped and seated together cautiously waiting for something to happen in an awkward silence), his father said (very formally) that they were there to ask for my hand in marriage. My mom then replied (very formally) “well, which hand would you like to have; the right or the left?” LOL everyone chuckled…

Anyway, long story short; the evening went okay. All thanks to his uncle’s superb cooking (which really impressed my parents) and the fact that his father (and his father’s siblings) went to the same high school as my mom and her siblings. Our parents were able have some small-talk after dinner. Of course the Sendong Tragedy was ever present in the conversation. As for the rest of the family; well, there’s nothing more Filipino than “picture-picture” LOL ^_^

 

 

 

(I made dessert “with love~” )^_^

 

 

 

We were able to answer their questions (as rehearsed) or at least my fiancé answered while I nodded in agreement. Truthfully, I admired how he handled that situation. I watched as he answered with confidence while he firmly held my hand. That moment, I could feel how serious he was with his intention to marry me.

For me, the best part of the whole Pamamanhikan, was hearing each other’s family say “he/she is very well accepted as part of our family”. It was just so heart-warming. It was like sharing a part of who we are; our families.

By the end of the night, we were relieved to take another big step towards the aisle. All our anxiety turned into excitement. ^_^

Everybody Needs Some R&R…

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

Happy Easter to all those who believe in Easter. And well, Happy day to those who don’t.
You might be wondering what I’ve been up to for the past… OMG! It’s been a month!

Anyway back to the blog.  ^_^

The past month has been crazy! Literally! To sum it up, work has been madness, I quit my job, I left good friends in the process, I’m working on my new means of earning a living, we started wedding planning and I pretty much burned myself out.

Which is why I spent the last couple of days just sleeping the whole day. I know, it sounds lazy but everybody needs some R and R.

Anyway, I have a couple of blogs to post which I will ( ^_* ) post soon.

Today, my family and I went to the Municipality of Talisayan; my father’s home town. We didn’t stay long but the drive going there was like 4 hours. I’ll just leave you with some photos from the trip.

Have a nice day! Blog you back soon~ ^_^


Ancient trees of a simple town.

Here lies Don Miguel Pelaez my grandmother’s great grandfather.

My aunt, lighting a candle for my grandma and grandpa’s souls.

My brother pointing at a row of sea-side restaurants.

One monkey on a tree.

 

 Sipaca the guardian of the sea.

Riding the “butanding” (chill PETA, it’s fake) ^_^

And of course, you can’t leave town without having some good old “torta”.

^____^

Re:Tag “Get To Know Me”

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

So I had this long fiasco with my old computer. The screen resolution is weird. I couldn’t access my built-in camera. The dual touch pad isn’t working… and etc… One programmer said it had a problem with it’s video card and that it can’t be fixed. Another said it just had missing drivers. (sigh~) I can still use it though, so I’m keeping it.

That made me so sad. That computer was the first property I ever bought with my own salary and now it’s a mess

Anyway, I bought a new one instead (*x*) yikes! Basically this is the first time I’ll ever blog using this new netbook. And that’s because I’ve been under heaps of stressful work of late. ~_~
Weeks ago Mai (flora the most awesome goddess) tagged me in this "Get To Know Me" blog.

These are the  rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them

11 Random Things About Me
I’m engaged to a handsome guy  *_^
I need my caffeine fix.
I like collecting key-chains.
I can be very complicated.
I dressed up as Cat-woman once.
I am dead scared of dogs.
I dream of owning a pink volkswagen beetle.
I’ve had a ghost encounter.
I’m not fond of drinking alcoholic beverages
I love traveling with someone special.
I like blog challenges ^_^

Answers to my tagger’s questions:

1. Why do think you're tagged in this game? –I’m on Mai’s blog roll ^_^
2. What is your ideal girl/guy?  -Why bother over an idea when you can have the real thing?
3. What turns you off (girl/guy)? –Body odor, smoking habit, discourteous  attitude
4. Do you believe in love and marriage? –Of course
5. What would you do if you only have 24hours left in your life? –get married, eat chocolates, and give all of my things away
6. If you're to travel somewhere, name 3 persons you wanna bring along with and where? –my mom, dad, boyfriend on a European cruise
7. When was your first kiss and who? –with my first, last and only; Nov. 2004
8. What do you hate the most in a person? –insincerity
9. Who do you look up to the most? –umm, I probably look up most of the time since I’m really small. LOL ^_^
10. How do you see yourself 5 years from now? –happily married with 2 kids and hopefully not that fat lol~
11. If you have something to say to the tagger (that is me), what would it be? :D –Congratulations on your life achievement of becoming a Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree Holder! ^_^

My Questions:

1. What is your favorite horror movie?
2. What piece of clothing can you not live without?
3. Who is the sexiest man alive?
4. Who is the sexiest woman alive?
5. If your shadow had a name what would it be?
6. What is the best vegetable ever?
7. Skinny jeans or mini skirts?
8. What was your first word?
9. Who would you vote president of the world?
10. What’s the name of your very first school-friend?
11. You’re favorite ice-cream flavor?

I’m tagging these bloggers ^_____^
(I’m not sure they’ll have time for this though~)

Sam at Frills and Thrills
CutestPrincess at It's a Girl Thing
Mark at The Rambling Person
My 2 Pesos at My 2 Pesos
Hazel at Pablo's Angel
j. littlejohn at An Open Letter To
Michael Westside at Everyday life of Cray
Albert Einstein☺ at How to become an Einstein?
Bersercules at The Berserk Herc
Hasidic Plumber at Nightly Chatter with your Hasidic Plumber
Laughing Vault at Laughing Vault - Funny Pictures

Engaged: An Awkward and Funny Proposal

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

I come bearing news; good news! I'm engaged. ^____^ (wow! it feels weird even just writing it) I guess you might have already known this since my future sister-in-law (ehem! ^_^) beat me at blogging about it a couple of weeks back.

To be honest, I kept the news to myself for a while. I didn't know who to tell first or how to tell my parents. It's mind-blowing to utter the words "mom, I'm getting married". I find it ridiculously funny that I'm shy about it or having a hard time telling my parents. After all, I'm at the right age, my boyfriend and I have been together for 7 years and we both earn a living.

And, just to clear the air, NO I'm not pregnant! W.T.H!

Anyway, just like Mai blogged, he proposed in a chic café, at 6pm. (just about the same time when seven years back he asked me to be his girlfriend)

But unlike Mai's impression, I didn't know her brother was going to propose that day. Well, we've already talked about getting married, so a proposal was already out of the picture for me. I've always told him that a proposal is just unnecessary expense. Why buy an engagement ring, when you still ought to buy a pair of wedding rings?

A couple of weeks before his proposal he had already told me that we were going to attend a party with his co-workers. It was supposedly a Christmas party but was cancelled due to the Typhoon Sendong tragedy.

That day, I brought a dress and changed after my work duty. I didn't want to get caught on camera wearing my work uniform. LOL ^_^ Ironically, I was stuck in traffic so bad that I walked the city street in the dress with a backpack.

When I finally saw him other on the street (he was waiting for me); I was glad because he looked really nice which meant I wasn't over dressed for the occasion. He said, he wanted mango shake and I asked "Aren't we going to a party where we are going to eat anyway?" and he replied "Let's just drop by this coffee shop for a bit".

When we got inside and I saw his sister; my confidence flew out the window. Just like it always happens whenever I'm around his friends or family.

He started making this serious face. Which was awkward and funny at the same time. You see, he only has 4 serious face looks. 1. the I'm angry serious face 2. the I'm thinking/not thinking serious face 3. the I'm worried/ I'm about to get busted serious face. But this serious face was awkward. I began to giggle looking at him. His sister was giving him the "you're embarrassing me" look LOL.

Then he said, "I'm quitting my job". My mind went to flash speed thinking. I was worried he would leave me to work abroad and earn more. "Why?" I seriously replied. Then he asked, "Would you come if I asked you to live under the bridge with me?" "Well, I'll help you dig a pit for our bathroom" I laughingly answered. We all laughed.

Then he said, he wanted to tell me something and that he practiced a speech last night. But he couldn't remember any of it out of nervousness. So he just went down on one knee, offered me this beautiful ring, and asked me to marry him. I said "of course I will, even for a hundred times; I will marry you".

I was so overwhelmed. I was so happy that I wanted to cry. I never dreamed that in my life I would experience a proposal. It's something I've only seen in movies. That very moment, he made me the happiest girl.

I wanted to hug and kiss him but that would be awkward knowing that his sister was taking pictures (and probably filming) while all this was happening. We were all laughing because we kept asking Mai if what we were doing was right. Should he stand up now? Should the ring be on the right or left hand? Which finger should we put the ring on? ^_^ She would answer "why are you asking me, I'm just here to take pictures." LOL

.

Sure, it was a bit awkward... but I wouldn't have it any other way. Mai is his closest sibling. And if she weren't there, we wouldn't have that moment so beautifully documented like she did with these pictures.
(Thank you Mai ^_^)

 While my boyfriend fiancé  and I were walking on the street to get a cab to get to the party; I asked him "What was your speech?" He looked at me and said "I wish I could give you everything, but for now all I can give you is this ring. I want to spend the rest of my life with you... Will you marry me?" My heart melted, I smiled and said "it's beautiful..."

A car honked at us as it sped right by. We both said "hey!" then he said "don't get us killed, we just got engaged!" We looked at each other and smiled... ^_^ OMG! we're engaged! Thanks to everyone who showered warm greetings. ^_^