Monday, March 31, 2008

a song from my girl


It's been a laggard, dawdly Monday I spent away from the office so that I could sleep and rest off my flu and headaches. Angela has been asking me if I'd stay the day at home. And I said yes. This must have made her happy. And then after dinner, she asked me to see what she got for me.

"Mommy, I made this song and it is dedicated to you." Gela


When You’re Not With Me

You are the sunlight shining
Above the sky
And in the night
You hush me with your soothing voice
When I am alone your hug will
Sooth me…

(Chorus)
And the sun won’t shine when you’re not with me
And the moon won’t glow with any glee
And the world won’t be free… when you are not with me

(Guitar playing)

So when I am alone
Without you..
I feel alone and useless in everybody’s presence
But I know you
Will always stay with me and you
Will always stay with me

(Repeat chorus)

So please stay with me
And we’ll be in harmony..


One of these days, I know we'll catch the right rhythm and we will put music into that composition. But for tonight, I shall get to bed early and smile.. proud with the knowledge that my daughter made me a song!

Song notes photo credit: Kitty Nightlight

Thursday, March 27, 2008

dressing up for sun and fun

Where I am, in the land of the eternal summer sunshine - pretty dresses like these reign supreme:

Bensoni navy linen Lola flounce collar dress











Abaete ivory silk round neck pleating dress











BCBGMAXAZRIA cognac taffeta stitched strapless dress











Vivienne Tam silver silk jersey sequin empire dress











Alvin Valley chocolate stretch linen ruffle dress











Summer dresses photos from Bluefly

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

just a quick one


Yeah, a quick entry because I'm watching the clock. And I think I must put this down to print so I won't forget the name.

Well like any other person who gets pimples, I do fret. The mirrors seem more clear and specific during those times when I know that something is lurking there under the skin. So before it gets any bigger and I lose any more sleep worrying over it, I run to Skin R Us for a prick.

I have no patience for astringents and lotions and creams and soaps. So when you want to see me and I say I'm with my doctor, it's the friendly neighborhood dermatologist with her needle and Kanolone Triamcinolone Acetonide. I asked for the name and checked the vial. It is steroids and certainly stops the swelling fast.

Stings a little but when you wake up the morning after, there is no zit coming! Zippo. See, told you it's a quick one.

Potion bottles photo credit: www.paganpretties.com

Monday, March 10, 2008

what's not to like?


Men make up one half of the humans in the planet. So it would really be easier for women to like them. Actually, I do, you know. And like, I have many reasons to do so too.

You see, you got to get to like -

The men who really try to understand women. The men who think we’re special, no matter the build, the size and the height. The men who can kiss the daylight out of you.

The men who can make us laugh. The men who anticipate our needs. The men who help us fight our battles. The men who teach us to be happy. The men who smell good!

The men who lead us to the top. The men who are considerate. The men with a healthy sense of humor. The men who listen to the kind of music we also prefer.

The men who are there when we need them most. The men who believe we can do it. The men who are not difficult to like. The men who look like Little Boy Blue but think like the Navy Commander, the Dark Knight and the Wizard rolled into one.

The men who are Hollywood heart-stoppers personified. The men who know us and still accept us. The men who make good husbands and good fathers.

The men who are great boyfriends. The men who don’t smoke. The men who listen and remember what they heard. The men with dimples when they smile.

The men who are silent but effective leaders. The men who can get through a campfire. The men who don’t put on airs. The men who can finish a crossword puzzle. The men who are sometimes a puzzle themselves.

The men who scavenge cookies or almonds for us. The men who remember us when they happen to read a very lovely poem. The men who can give us a good argument when we are looking for one.

The men who call us by the name we want to hear. The men with a sense of God. The men who are nice to us – be they busy or not. The men who are simply gorgeous.

The men who engage in long, deep, philosophical, soul-probing, self-revealing talks with us. The men who are neat and clean and yet allow us to mess their hair. The men who retain the gallantry we’ve known of old.

The men who challenge us to think and to do our work excellently. The men who turn into demigods when they wear a pair of khaki pants. The men who don’t complain.

The men who are true to their words. The men who are kind. The men who do not look at other girls when they are with us, either because they are not interested or just being polite.

The men who alternately criticize, tease and flatter us and we can never know when exactly. The men who give us a reason to live. The men who are men, not just guys.

Male silhouettes photo credit: Ehsan Amini

Thursday, March 06, 2008

more popcorn please!

Isn't it fabulous that I passed my exams? And I can be giddy about it? And have once again the pleasure of listing my favorite movies!

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (2005)
Experience the greatest love story of all time.

Elizabeth Bennet: And that put paid to it. I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?
Mr. Darcy: I thought that poetry was the fruit of love.
Elizabeth Bennet: Of a fine stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination I'm convinced one poor sonnet will kill it stone dead.


THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
One of the most important and powerful films of all time!

Michael: I'll tell you, Nick. You're the only guy I go hunting with, you know. I like a guy with quick moves and speed. I ain't gonna hunt with no assholes.
Michael: Every time he comes up, he's got no knife, he's got no jacket, he's got no pants, he's got no boots. All he's got is that stupid gun he carries around like John Wayne.


BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961)
The craziest heroine who ever crept the pages of a novel!

Paul Varjak: I love you.
Holly Golightly: So what.
Paul Varjak: So what? So plenty! I love you, you belong to me!
Holly Golightly: No. People don't belong to people.
Paul Varjak: Of course they do!
Holly Golightly: I'll never let anybody put me in a cage.


GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING (2003)
Beauty inspires obsession.

Pieter: Not even a smile for my pains?
Griet: Not today.
Pieter: Come on.
Griet: No.
Pieter: I shall put it in the book, then: "Owed by Griet: one smile."




BATMAN BEGINS (2005)
It's not who he is underneath but what he does that defines him.

Ra's Al Ghul: You cannot lead these men unless you are prepared to do what is necessary to defeat evil.
Bruce Wayne: And where would I be leading these men?
Ra's Al Ghul: Gotham. As Gotham's favored son you will be ideally placed to strike at the heart of criminality.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

and the popcorn goes to

With my MBA study and review marathon and my comprehensive examinations finished, I sat down for a night's good movie. As I look at our burgeoning collection of movies, I run my fingers along the various titles. And sometimes I stop and smile at a personal favorite.

Here are a few:

THE USUAL SUSPECTS (1995)
Five Criminals . One Line Up . No Coincidence.

Redfoot the Fence: You guys interested in any more work?
McManus: We're always looking for extra work -
Keaton: We're on vacation.
Redfoot the Fence: Well. That's too bad. I got a ton of work and I don't have any good people. Not like you guys.
McManus: What's the job?


FINDING NEVERLAND (2004)
Unlock Your Imagination.

J.M. Barrie: What did you say your name was?
Michael Llewelyn Davies: Michael.
J.M. Barrie: What precisely is Michael's crime?
George Llewelyn Davies: He's my younger brother.
J.M. Barrie: Ah, fair enough. Sorry lad, I cannot free you.
Michael Llewelyn Davies: That's all right.



BIG FISH (2003)
An adventure as big as life itself.

Young Ed Bloom: I just saw the woman I'm going to marry. I know it. But I lost her.
Amos Calloway: Oh, tough break. Well, most men have to get married before they lose their wives.
Young Ed Bloom: I'm gonna spend every day for the rest of my life looking for her. That, or die alone!



STAGE BEAUTY (2004)
She was the first of her kind. He was the last of his.

Ned Kynaston: Men aren't beautiful. What they do isn't beautiful either. Women do everything beautifully, especially when they die. Men feel far too much. Feeling ruins the effect. Feeling makes it ugly.
Ned Kynaston: Perhaps that's why I could never pull off the death scene. I- could never feel it in a way that wouldn't mar the-


LA VIE EN ROSE (2007)
The extraordinary life of Edith Piaf.

American journalist: If you were to give advice to a woman, what would it be?
Edith Piaf: Love.
American journalist: To a young girl?
Edith Piaf: Love.
American journalist: To a child?
Edith Piaf: Love.