Batman in Coach

So I was munching on my quarter pounder and fries, anticipating another delayed flight out of JFK, when I chanced upon a couple approaching the AA counter. The guy looked strangely familiar... I thought, "No, it can't be him, he's too short and kinda skinny. Has production wrapped up and he's lost all his bulk already?" But the lady he was with had a quality about her. Like the types that could be seen in US magazine's "Stars, They're Just Like Us." I pretend I'm not staring by looking at his reflection on the glass windows instead. Oh, but I really think it's him! So I call my very reliable friend J, and give him an assignment:

"Does he have a wife?" I asked

"Yes...," he replied. "Well, what does she look like?"

"Jessica Biel," was his very efficient reply. Then I start shivering like the Noreaster winds were blowing at the back of my neck. "OH MY GOD! Then it is Christian Bale!"

And I just watched Batman Begins for the nth time last week. I couldn't believe he was standing just about four feet from me and I could not rack my brains for the best way to approach him. And so, I opted to act like any self-respecting New Yorker who doesn't want to admit that she was starstruck would, like I didn't recognize Christian Freakin' Bale. He was just like any other stranded passenger at JFK... except that he has played in the best Batman movie ever! I realized I definitely have stalking tendencies. The entire time we were waiting, I was tracking where he was and what better way to find a superstar but at the arcade games. His game of choice? Why, PacMan, of course!

We start boarding and I thought, "Well that's the last time I'm seeing the guy." And much to my pleasant surprise, he boards with everybody else in coach! Coach, for goodness' sake! I guess he was a chance passenger... or he's just really, really stingy. Well, if his worn out sneakers say anything. I just love the guy more now. He didn't seem to have any airs about him. None at all. In fact, he reminded me more of his Jim from Empire of the Sun instead of Bruce Wayne.

I'm still haunted by the fact that I had two cameras with me and did not have the guts to approach my favorite Batman. I just want to punch myself. I guess there are more chances for star sightings on an LA flight from NY. I think I'll be taking that flight again when I fly off to California. Christian Bale made the four hour delay worth it.

Thanks!

This has been a wonderful year of gifts! Alright, so it's a bit materialistic, but I do want to thank my friends for the great gifts I got this year... They took both implied and blunt wishlists seriously and I have to say, I'm very grateful!

This is why each of these gifts is so cool... Roomie gave me my ultimate kilig DVD from the final season of the Vicar of Dibley when the vicar gets married to yummylicious Harry played by Richard Armitage, of course. This was an absolutely pleasant surprise! Apart from this, roomie included, with the already great gift, a Shu Uemura eyelash curler. I've been scoping for one, but haven't been able to bring myself to get one primarily because I have virtually no lashes and so I didn't think it would be worth the purchase. So thanks to roomie who thought my lashes could potentially be curled after all.

Next, my secret Santa J, as it turns out, gave me some new additions to my flimsy library. Got me books from Milton Friedman, and two new authors I wanted to read: Jorge Amado and Lisa See. Can't wait to plop down and read them!

Then, there's Franny and Noel's gift--another interesting and fun book on Egyptology. This is sort of a more mature pop-up book as you can see below.

And of course, these pictures are made possible by the absolutely perfect gift I got for my birthday:

Thank you!!!

Quotable quotes 1

Eating is a serious business--Lorah Madete, Ph.D. student, Fordham Economics

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it maximizes its utility.--Charles Wheelan, Naked Economics

Accomplished: A Rather Belated Response

Forgive the tone of the title of this blog entry. It just reflects the anglophilia that my roommate and I have been recently afflicted with. Well, maybe we’re not exactly obsessed with everything English or about England, but maybe with everything BBC! This entry is in response to roomie's blog post, “Accomplished” (http://kristinesync.multiply.com/journal/item/50/Accomplished).

Yes, perhaps, we would fall short of their standards of an accomplished woman, but Austen lived in a time where the accomplishment of women is measured by very, very limited norms. The arts figured prominently in their standards because women could not be expected to be good at anything else since they are ultimately to be married off anyway. I shudder to think of a time when my lack of talent in music and the arts and of the “air” of an “accomplished” woman or the impropriety of my gait and my manner of speaking would have kept me from a life of comfort and a “marriage with affection”.

We moved 8,000 or so miles away from home to become doctors of philosophy in a field that many recoil from. We are, so far, unscathed by this harsh realm that we call the Bronx. Although I have yet to fully understand it, roomie is writing a kick-ass dissertation that I’m sure no accomplished woman of Austen’s time would have even imagined understanding. At our age, we are not having panic attacks at not having any good marriage prospects because we know we can hold our own good fortune… signed in our own names. As for that certain air? We can put one on… take your pick. Yes, there may be much to be desired with our current status, but I would still consider us rather… accomplished.

Happy birthday, roomie!

Headstand for a Hangover

After one year of prodding and promoting, roomie finally got me to go to yoga class. I started to doubt if I'd go considering the amount of alcohol I consumed the night before. But I went anyway since I would never hear the end of it from Elitza who, along with roomie, would not let up on insisting that I go to the classes.

It was a very interesting and quite fulfilling experience, actually. I went there thinking that I'd probably take it easy and not try and do everything that these more advanced students are already doing. Oh, but no, when they started doing the headstands and I was quietly watching in awe at the gymnastics these people are doing, Elitza comes and says the dreaded "Come on, Leanne." Seriously? Make me do a headstand on the first time I ever go to yoga class? So, having Elitza who is Hitler personified in a prettier package at my back, I try it anyway. And I'm glad I did. There's nothing better than to do a headstand with a hangover. When I woke up, half my head hurt... now, I hurt. Talk about treating pain with pain. I'll definitely be back, though.

People Are Such Idiots

So here I am at home, quietly surfing the internet, not bothering anyone when I am rudely interrupted by a strange noise that sounded like someone threw a snow ball at my window. And why am I not surprised that the strange noise WAS someone throwing a snow ball at my bedroom window? Because people are such idiots!!! ... Oh, and this happened twice. By the way, I'm on the second floor, someone put in effort to throw that snow ball. Idiot.

My Book Shelf on Shelfari

I don't necessarily like all these books... especially Coelho (too "the-universe-is-working-with-you") and Kundera (Hitler would have been a great man if he didn't have to go poop... Whada???). Special note here, I loved the Soledad Lacson-Locsin English translations of Noli and El Fili.

Morimoto, NYC

I still find it amusing that I only get to visit certain places in NYC when I have guests from out of town. Never got to see the Empire State Bldg., for instance, until my friends Soph and Clem came here for a holiday. Last month, my uncle and his wonderful family flew in from Canada. And thank goodness they're big Food Network fans. They made it a point to make reservations at Morimoto of Iron Chef fame. I would never have gotten to eat there with my student budget, if not for them.

Because they wanted the whole Morimoto experience, we all went for the Chef's 120-dollar tasting menu. The menu consists of eight courses personally designed by Morimoto himself (or so they say). Of course, those eight courses include the green tea and tiny macaroon to clean the palate in the middle of the meal. My aunt and I weren't very impressed with the first few courses--tuna paste with five or so dipping sauces, oyster with foie gras and uni, among those that I could remember. They were pretty, indeed, but nothing really blew our minds.That is, until the surf and turf came.

It was half a lobster seasoned with curry that came with lemon creme fraiche to subdue the strength of the seasoning and kobe beef marinated in teriyaki sauce on a bed of cut Japanese sweet potatoes (AKA, kamote!). That was the kicker. The lobster was fresh and didn't really need too much spicing up at all. The beef was unbelievably tender and sweet.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, especially since I didn't pay for it! The restaurant, with its clean lines and immaculate appearance, was quite a sight to behold. Even the restrooms were interesting, with their hi-tech flushing, pulsating, warming up the toilet seat system. The wait staff was friendly and accommodating. I mean, it is to be expected given the price you have to pay in that restaurant, but it's still refreshing that their staff did not have any airs that some high brow places would have.

What's Your Favorite Richard Armitage Proposal Scene?

I have seen a total of three bodies of work involving the hunkalicious British actor, Richard Armitage. Roomie introduced me to the ultimate pining movie, North and South, the BBC miniseries that launched Richard Armitage as a new, and possibly, better Mr. Darcy. As John Thornton, a cotton mill owner from the North, he is shunned by his object of affection, Margaret who hails from the South and is appalled by the ways of the North (initially, at least). The marriage proposal, let's just say, didn't go very well.

In Robinhood, he plays the contemptible (although I wouldn't say he's successful at making me hate him) Sir Guy of Gisborne who seeks pretty much everything that Robin has... land, a real title, and naturally, the girl. The proposal scene here finds Marian being forced by Sir Guy to say yes under the threat that if she doesn't, he would not be able to protect her and her father from the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. Although he was able to get the desired result, this is hardly the most romantic proposal anybody's ever seen.

The best proposal scene, in my opinion, is the one from the Vicar of Dibley. He plays Harry (Jasper) Kennedy, an accountant who moves into Dibley and falls in love with the vicar, played brilliantly funny by Dawn French. The pairing seems odd, the much younger and hunky Harry with the chunky vicar. But they play it so wonderfully that you can't help but fall in love with and root for them. Richard is convincing as a lovelorn Harry, and Dawn gives the most wonderful reaction to the proposal. Roomie posted these scenes (also available on YouTube) from the series finale... All you romantics must watch. Although I've watched the scene countless times, I still get kilig with the courtship and the proposal.

Weight Loss Log No. 6

Twelve pounds to date! I'm still losing the weight, and I can't believe it. I'm actually back to my weight two years ago. Anyway, what's working for me (for those who also want to lose some of those pounds) again is swimming about 1hr and 20 mins, three times a week. I'm not talking about doing two laps and then resting and chatting about for 5 minutes. I'm talking about timing myself and keeping a pace to keep the heart rate up. Aerobic exercise works to help you lose weight only if you get your heart rate up to a certain level.

Food-wise, I have cut down junk food and sweets significantly. I used to always have a stash of chips and boxes of Duncan Hines brownie and cake mixes. Don't get me wrong, I still give in to these guilty pleasures once in a while. I still want my food flavorful and plentiful. I just learned how to eat in portions that I actually need. I realize that in the past, I overate everyday. I just keep myself in check nowadays, but I still enjoy my lardy meals.

I'm facing a dilemma, however. Do I lose more weight when I've given up my thinner-me clothes? I guess I'm just going to have to work on my modista skills.

Weight Loss Log No. 5

Ten pounds to date! I still can't believe it. I'm down a dress size. Now I can be greedy and wish to lose about 5 more.

The Little Prince Quiz

Apparently, I think I'm too big for the world??? I'm one of 7% of those who took the quiz... what does this mean???

Saint Exupery's 'The Little Prince' Quiz.

You are the baobabs. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Susan Sarandon in Chelsea

Saw the award-winning actress while having dinner at Basta Pasta in Chelsea. She came in with her kids and their friends. All I can say is, Hollywood make up is good.

Weight Loss Log No. 4

Almost 9 lbs. lost to date. I was shocked when I stepped on the scale this morning. I was just complaining to roomie that my weight loss has slowed down since I reached the barrier that I was never able to break with exercise. I probably stayed on the scale, shifting my position, trying to make sure that it isn't broken. But it's true. And I'm glad.

I mentioned before that swimming is helping me lose the weight. Somebody actually told me that swimming does not help. Whadda??? Well, of course, just like with any exercise, you must have a set work out to achieve your goals. Having the water there is not an excuse to just splash around and hope that you've lost 10 inches after the "swim".

When I started almost a month ago, I was only hoping to swim a mile in an hour. I have built up my stamina and can now swim 1.5 miles in an hour. I have also started doing sprints. This am, I did 1:35 for 100m freestyle. Hardly Olympic speed, but my personal best (achieved more than 10 years ago) was maybe 1:26. This was in my pre-smoking and drinking years. So that was my achievement today. Maybe it's because my arms have gained so much surface area that they're more like paddles now. Who knows.

My ultimate goal is to lose more weight, so that when I quit smoking, I won't feel bad gaining some of it back. By and by.

Photo from Swim-City.com

Weight Loss Log No. 3

Almost 7 lbs. lost to date. I now weigh slightly below my pre-summer weight (never reached this with exercise--just when I got depressed before going home and I wasn't eating). Yipee! And I did 1 and a quarter miles in the pool today. My dress for a cousin's wedding this Saturday fits, not comfortably, but it closes with less struggle. Woohoo!

The 15 Names of Leanne

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Bruno Lancer

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)

Vanilla Otap (ampanget pa rin!)

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)

LMar

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)

Red Tiger

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),

Cruz Quezon (ano ba toh?)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)

MarLe (too normal)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),

The Black Water (cool!)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)

Leodegario Benito (uy, realistic, actually parang pang F1)

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)

Gardenia Reese

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),

Ophelia Santa Barbara

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)

Can't remember my 5th grade teacher...

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).

Summer Rose (hmm...)

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)

Mango Pocket Ty (para iba naman kay Karla)

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)

Oatmeal Santol (hehe!)

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Swimming Sun Tour (realistic ito!)

Weight Loss Log No. 2

Five pounds to date. I'm almost back to my pre-summer weight. Staying off Nagaraya crackers (the one bag is still on the kitchen table), a total of seven days in two weeks going to the gym (20 minutes on the stairmaster and a mile of laps in the pool), and crazy calorie counting is paying off so far. I've tried going to the gym (treadmill for 40 minutes and some light weights) during grad school but I've never lost this much weight--come to think of it, never did lose weight in the gym in grad school. Only swimming and calorie counting helped me lose weight this fast.

Best of all, I feel great. I've forgotten how good it felt to swim! My ankles and my knees are probably thanking me for re-discovering the sport. They didn't appreciate me using them to run with all the extra weight. nutristrtegy.com estimates that I can burn between 472 and 563 calories with light/moderate effort swimming freestyle. More importantly, there is no jarring. The website lists other activities and calories burned with those activities. I really believe in finding the exercise that most suits you for the moment. Running on the treadmill used to work for me, but I guess I have to do heavier cardio now that I'm 30. There's really no getting out of exercise if I want to lose weight.

As for calorie counting... this is how I understand the role of calories from an article on wikipedia.org. Human fat tissue has equivalent calorie values. To maintain your current weight, you must consume food calories equal to the calories burned. To lose weight then, you must burn more than you consume. This is expounded more on howstuffworks.com. The following link helps you estimate your calorie requirements: http://www.thelifestylecompany.com/wloss/dcr.asp; while this link has estimated calorie content of food: http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/.

Why am I so obsessed with losing weight nowadays? Because I've gained more in grad school alone than some people who have given birth multiple times. I'm taking back my life--my health and my social life--that has taken a back seat since I started grad school. I will not be told I let myself go again (Damn you, Nik Tabios).

If You Wanna Be Different On Your Wedding Day

Was browsing through Brian's blog tonight and he posted a video of this guy that does rock covers of classical music. This is his version of Pachelbel's famous Canon in D, the classical piece usually played as a wedding march. This is one version that would certainly shock your guests and the priest! That is, if you can find anybody who can play this well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjA5faZF1A8

Or read Brian's blog: brianbelen.blogspot.com.

Weight Loss Log No. 1

This week I embarked on a journey to lose the 30 pounds or so that I have gained in the last five years. If there's anything I've learned as I grow older is that losing weight just became increasingly difficult after I turned 25.

In the past week, I've been on a calorie-counting craze and I actually lost 2lbs. I, however, gain the other pound after lunch. It's true, I do. How sad. I have so far lost 3 lbs. (before going to the gym, 4 lbs. after my swim) of the 10 that I gained from my three-month holiday in the islands. Thank goodness for the unavailability of Nagaraya cracker nuts... Franny gave me one to remember the days in the islands and it is (congratulations to me) still sitting on our kitchen table waiting for the day that I cannot contain my cravings anymore.

So I hope to be making regular entries in this series. The main purpose that I put this in my blog at all is for me to keep track of my progress. No entries, no progress. Oh, and I'm not ready to talk about quitting smoking yet. One mountain at a time.

Just Dug Up Gold

For months, my friends have been asking me to go to this Asian supermarket somewhere in the Bronx. I have never gone until today. Thank goodness, my roomie, Tina got me to get up from my nap and go with her and Franny to Chang Li.

For $20, I will be able to feed myself with today's groceries for the next two weeks. We were like kids in a candy store, sorry to use the cliche. But we were delirious with excitement as we saw stuff from the Islands that we used to take for granted: salted duck eggs, bottled tuyo and tinapa, pancit canton, Mr. Chips! I mean, they had a whole section of Pinoy goodies! Someday, I will also take advantage of the Asian eggplants (US eggplants are round and tough), bok choy, and all the other veggies we found there that we can never expect to get at our local grocery store. We used to go all the way to Flushing in Queens to satisfy our cravings for Asian treats.

And I was trying to plan during lunch when I could possibly have my sisig and laing fix again (I had Purefoods sisig and Moondish laing in can). Although Chang Li didn't have my Purefoods de lata goodies (canning sisig and bopis must be the smartest thing they ever did), there are many things from that supermarket that will make up for lack of these Pinoy-in-NY pantry standards.

This may sound absolutely shallow and funny to those who have never been away from the Islands long enough, but you have to understand, when you're missing Ate Luz and Nanay's cooking so badly, these canned and bottled stuff just hit the spot.

What To Do With Party Leftovers

Having had my birthday party a whole week ago, I was left with nothing in the fridge but leftovers. For a couple of days, these satisfied my need for nourishment. Then my genius roommate (ehem) suggested that my leftover pepperoni dip would be wonderful to use in a cordon bleu.

The pepperoni dip itself is a breeze to make. Two cans of mushroom soup (no water), a bar of cream cheese, and a pound of pepperoni. Thanks to my cousin, Ate Ivy, for the recipe. After the party, though, when bread and the dip just isn't acceptable as a complete meal anymore, the idea of cordon bleu is welcome. You're gonna need to butterfly chicken breast cuts, then season them with basil, oregano and pepper. No salt, since the dip is already quite salty. Put some of the dip at the center of the sliced chicken breast then fold the chicken around the dip. Tuck in the sides of the chicken to keep the dip from melting out. Roll the chicken onto bread crumbs (this is the lazy way, recipes would say dip into egg and add some oil for a brown crust, but it's not that necessary, taste-wise). Place into a baking sheet and put in the oven at 350-degrees Farenheit. Bake for 35 minutes.

Cut like pinwheels for a nice presentation and easier warm up for leftovers. Serve with ranch dressing if desired. Total prep time was only 10 minutes. Nothing is better than good food prepared easily.

My three-month vacation back in the islands was certainly a break from the two years of hard freakin' studying I did in NY. Apart from the three DVDs I watched almost everyday in July (that's apart from HBO, the Hallmark channel and StarMovies), I did something I never thought I would again. I re-learned to play the piano.

In maybe 15 years that our piano had been laying idle, I decide to see if I could still play. I was never talented, but I thought maybe I could actually learn to play it if I'm not being forced to. So the entire month of August was spent trying to learn five pieces. I started with the Grade 3 pieces in my cousin's book. This was certainly bonding time with my 12-year-old cousin Ericka who's had lessos only recently. I also forced my cousin Eunice who used to study music to remember the stuff she learned from her stint in music school.


My favorite piece was Camille Saint-Saens' The Swan. I remember crying to this being played on cello (I think) by a soloist of the NY Philharmonic. And so in a month, I learned a grand total of five piano pieces. I don't think it's too bad since I used to learn only one piece maybe a month. Actually, in the four years that I took lessons, I can only remember one piece that I perfected: Ballade Pour Adeline. It was just a good feeling to be able to learn something that I thought I'd already failed at. I know I'll never be a concert pianist, but I know too that I can always have something to do when I'm at home again for a long time.

From Cha... How Much of the Philippines Have you Visited?

My Lakbayan grade is C!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out atLakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

I have a lot of catching up to do!!!

Ateneo Survey... Join Ako!

1. What's your ID number?
Bukuhan na ng edad eto... 940569!

2. Passed or wait-listed?
Passed

3. How did you know about the ACET results?
ateneo sent the letters to my high school. we opened the letters while fixing the school's stage for something.

4. Was Ateneo your first choice?
wanna be UPista rin. dad didn't like, baka raw maging aktibista.

5. Do you know what your ACET score is?
can't remember, basta pasa.

6. What course was your first choice?
BS BM

7. Second choice?
AB Comm

8. Anong course mo ngayon?
Noon... AB Ec-H

9. Did you have any plans of shifting?
yes, to Ec reg, kaso patigasan na lang... kick out kung kick out

10. Chinito/chinita ka ba?
yes, but i'm not chinese... what does this have to do with ateneo?

11. Taga-Ateneo High?
bawal

12. Did you have fun in your OrSem?
don't remember... i guess.

13. Saang gate ka pumasok nung first day?
maybe gate 2.

14. Are you staying/did you stay in a dorm?
nope

15. Ever had an F in your grade report?
hanggang D lang. hehe!

16. How about an A?
awa ng diyos

17. Highest grade?
A

18. Lowest grade?
D

19. Worst experience in ADMU?
remember that freaky filipino prof., hornedo, aka horny dude. he SCREAMED at me for asking a question. can you imagine sigawan ka ng 6foot tall na monster??? he looks like an even less pleasant walter mathau (spelling?) with too much facial hair. i cried and cursed for an hour.

20. Do you always attend class?
nope, especially my last semester. i don't remember going to my 730 philo class.

21. What are/were your orgs?
swim team, AEA, AJMA, yearbook

22. How many units have/did you pass/ed?
all that i took

23. Nangangarap/nangarap ka bang maglaude?
nope, just wanted to stay in my course

24. When will/did you graduate?
march 98

25. Fave subject?
math 22

26. Worst subject/s?
math 122

27. Fave landmark sa ADMU?
clubhouse

28. Fave kainan?
clubhouse... manang's used to be called clubhouse, for the info of all the younger generations

29. How do/did you get to school?
hatid ni kuya, ni daddy, ni tita non... sakay kay rolynne, commute.

30. Are/were you always at the lib?
when i'm sleepy

31. Ever gone to the infirmary when you were sick?
once or twice

32. Do/did you have a crush in campus?
of course!!!

33. May balak kang mag-MS, PhD?
doing ph.d. now, never really planned it though

34. Have you ever watched a graduation ceremony?
mine

35. Do you know the "Song for Mary" by heart?
nope

36. Memorize mo ba ang Fabilioh?
nope

37. ...ang Halikinu?
i think so

38. ...ang Blue Eagle Spelling?
i think so, too

39. Are you part of Team Ateneo?
what's team ateneo? like a varsity team? if so, yes, swim team.

40. Who's your fave UAAP basketball player?
during my time, taga-ateneo ba dapat? hehe! ewan.

41. Ever had a perfect score in an exam?
don't remember

42. Ano ang ayaw mo sa Hell Week?
uh, hell ?

43. Dito ka ba natuto uminom ng beer?
hinde. sa high school... ditto ako dito, karla.

44. What do you like about our school?
campus and the jesuit education. seriously, i know why i'm catholic because of ateneo (love you, fr. dacanay)

45. Ano ang ayaw mo?
pretentious people, but maybe all schools would have them

46. Have you ever bought anything at the A-shop?
not during my stay in ateneo.

47. maganda ba ID pic mo?
nyek, i don't think so.

48. Done anything illegal on campus?
nope

49. Bought anything at National Katips?
yes.

50. Ever gone to Starbucks Katips?
no starbucks katips pa during my stay there, but yeah later on. graduate na ko nun.

51. May nakaaway ka na ba sa school?
yes, friends pa naman kami ngayon.

Survey from Mae

Instructions: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I'm a Juday fan. Well, a lot of my friends know this already. I love to watch her movies and I have a copy of her recent Marie Claire Philippines cover.

2. I love Philippine green mangoes.

3. I have a little bit of a clinical OC condition. When I was younger, if I was walking on a street/sidewalk with lines, I have to step on the lines with my left and right foot alternatively.

4. I will not bother reading a book if the movie's already out.

5. I'm a beach lover... One of my blue collar dreams is to become a bar tender in Boracay so I can work at night while I can enjoy the beach during the day.

6. I want to learn to sew well. I already own a machine and I'm wishing I could spend more time with it. My goal is to be able to sew my own dress and actually be able to wear it.

7. I'm scared I'll never finish my doctorate degree.

Well Isn't This Just Great

I'm flying out tomorrow and of course, it's raining! This is so typical. Last winter, there was gorgeous weather throughout my stay in SoCal and then the wind decides to blow really, really hard the day I was flying out. I don't know how many Our Fathers I was screaming out in my head as the plane would dip like it can't stay up.

This is just great. Pray for a safe trip for me, please. Thanks!

Lisa Edelstein in SoHo

My friends were in town from TX and Soph saw Lisa Edelstein (Dr. Cuddy, House) walking around SoHo. Soph got so tongue-tied trying to subtly tell us about the sighting that we missed the sighting. I did catch her a bit while crossing Broadway.

(Photo from yahoo photos.)

This Age

Being confined in the apartment for a week, down with a bad case of colds, gave me time to think about turning 30 this year. All over the news, you hear about the youngest person who reached the peak of Mt. Everest, the oldest woman to give birth to twins (FYI, she was 60), the youngest pitcher in the major league... It seems that all of us who have reached a certain age have lost any capacity to impress. At this age, sure, you can climb Everest, but you'll never be the youngest or the oldest.

It seems that whether it be as great as climbing the tallest mountain or as common as giving birth, at our age, the world takes for granted that we cannot fail in these things. At the rate I'm going, I'm pretty sure that I won't make it to the best economists under 40 list. I haven't even finished school... and I'm turning 30. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was still worried about homework.

Although I can choose to look at this negatively, I also realized that I have never been more comfortable with me being me than now. I have never been more certain about my values and my beliefs and more importantly, with what could make me happy. There are still many insecurities, but there is a whole lot of confidence, too. I can now walk around in tank tops even if my bi-flaps (lost the biceps couple of years back) flap about because I know that I've earned every bit of flap they can make. Whatever that means. Anyway, my point is, I will choose to embrace this age because no good could come from being angsty about things we cannot do anything about.

Survey Fun with Your Ipod

This is from some friends. Try it, it's very interesting (especially if you have a lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers in your library!). Put your Ipod in shuffle... then press forward to answer each question...

*How am I feeling today?
Yeah... Usher

*Will I get far in life?
Warped... Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Descend all the way, all they way. Everyday, warped and scared, Of being there, Of being there... " hmmm... too scared to get far???)

*How do my friends see me?
Unwell... HAHAHAHA!!!

*Where will I get married?
What would you say?... Dave Matthews ("Everyone goes in the end...", yun lang)

*What is my best friend's theme song?
Behind the Sun (RHCP)

*What is the story of my life?
All I Want is You--U2. SWAK!!! Palagi na lang ganun... hehe!

*What was high school like?
Slow Cheetah--RHCP. Hmmm... so how do i interpret that?

*What is the best thing about me?
I Like Dirt--RHCP. This is too funny.

*What was today like?
I Alone--Live. Yeah, can't really find people to want to be with you in Econometrics.

*What is in store for this weekend?
Falling into Grace--RHCP. I guess it's nothing to look forward to!

*What song describes my parents?
Walkabout

*How is my life going?
Mellowship Slinky In B Major--RHCP

*What song will they play at my funeral?
On Mercury--RHCP. I guess they're gonna be rockin' in my funeral.

*How does the world see me?
You and Me--Lifehouse. Aw, that's so sweet.

*Do people secretly lust after me?
Fight Like A Brave--RHCP. Yeah, come out you cowards!!!

*How can I make myself happy?
Everything's Gonna Be Alright--Bob Marley. Yup, you gotta tell yourself that all the time. This is too cool.

*What should I do with my life?
All Alone--Gorillaz. Yipes! Even the songs are telling me something...

*Will I ever have children?
Funky Monks--RHCP. I guess I will but they're not gonna procreate! They're gonna be funky, though.

*What will you name them?
Sir Psycho Sexy--RHCP. Can you imagine funky monks named Sir Psycho Sexy???

*Who will you marry?
Everytime--Janet Jackson. Guess no one, huh...

*Do you have a gf/bf?
Tear--RHCP. This is getting really freaky... too true!

Selma Blair in SoHo

Walking around SoHo last week and noticed this gorgeous hunk... I thought it was Brad Pitt! I noticed only much later that the hunk was walking with Selma Blair. She's tiny! I guess that's my once every six months star sighting.

(Photo from movieguide.co.nz)

Tragedy in Virginia

It's been two days since a disturbed 23-year old student gunned down 32 people in Virginia Tech then shot himself. While I know that it is unimaginably more painful to those who lost someone to this tragedy or to the survivors, I am greatly disturbed not just as someone who would be because of the violence, but because I work in a university setting. I couldn't help but imagine how desperate those people must have been while the gunman turned their classrooms into cages where he both methodically and randomly shot people down. A friend and I were talking about it the day after and she said she couldn't concentrate while she was teaching because she would look at every passer by.

It's even more disturbing because of how often it has happened here in the US. In other societies, massacres happen because of cultural, political and religious divisions. However, massacres of this kind in the US are carried out by individuals who feel that they are at war with the rest of society. I mean, the US is a great country because of its diversity and mixed cultures, but is the price of greatness the isolation that some people feel? They feel so isolated that they do not consider the lives of others or of themselves valuable. I wish I understood what kind of environment these sociopaths could have grown up in that turned them into what they are, but since I don't, all I can hope for is that at least one person makes a difference in their lives that would make them believe that they are not alone.

I'm Putting My Glasses Down

I am finally putting my glasses and my mind to rest tonight. Been working on this program in R--the dreaded stats software we're using in my Econometrics class. I probably worked for 10 hours on the program alone... and I am rewarding myself with a blog break and a Target trip tomorrow.

Buffet! Buffet! Buffet!

I can't believe I've never written about the East Manor Buffet over in Rego Park in Queens. I've been there a couple of times and it was always worth the trip. For under $15, you get Peking Duck, sushi, king crab legs and oh, so much more. I'm also addicted to their teeny pecan pies. When you come for dinner, for a couple more dollars (still under $20), you even get oysters. Endless freakin' oysters!

My roommate and I have made a sport out of it. If vanity is the devil's favorite sin, gluttony is mine.

NY Restaurant Week

In all two weeks that was Winter Restaurant Week in NY I was able to try exactly one restaurant. Restaurant week is an opportunity for us with tight budgets to try out the different participating restos, some of which I can't even imagine looking at the menus. The idea is that restaurants offer prix fixe lunch for $24.07 and dinner for $35, stressing the idea that NY is open 24/7 (of course, so is Manila!). My friends did try out one of the more expensive places, a French restaurant, but were quite disappointed. I suppose, they will not offer the top items on their menu for that price.

After poring over countless menus online, the one restaurant that appealed to me and my friends was Blue Water Grill. Naturally, island people that we are. Although this was not really a restaurant that was unattainable at all, I still thoroughly enjoyed the set lunch we had. The place was huge but had a surprisingly homey feel. We were led to the loft area which was perfect for people watching, especially since we had a good view of the bar (tender!) downstairs.

For my appetizer, (apart from the bartender who was certainly eye candy!) I had the fried oyster maki roll. It had the ideal mix of crunch and chew, and its light lemon foam dip gave it that distinctive Asian-Western fusion taste. My main entree was a perfect follow up to the maki roll--a seared tuna salad lightly tossed in vinaigrette dressing. I was pleasantly surprised with the refreshing dessert which was a selection of three sorbets: kiwi, pineapple and mango. Although the kiwi sorbet was a taste I don't think I will soon acquire, the pineapple and mango were a perfect end to the meal. Overall, I think I can say that I did a pretty good job ordering for this little "adventure". What's so great was that I realized I could actually go back to Blue Water Grill on a regular day and not be afraid of breaking the budget too much.

Worth It

In one of our afternoon strolls in the city, my friend Camille and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice supper at Union Square Cafe. Because the regular restaurant was closed between lunch and dinner, we were seated at the bar. Although limited, their bar menu was still quite a treat if only for the pretty good selection of oysters that they offer. At first glance, I thought that a $12 salad was pretty steep especially if you're on a student budget. Good thing Camille picked up the tab for the oysters!

Sitting at the bar for a meal was a new experience for me. Unknown to me, however, the afternoon would be quite worth the prices on the menu. The bartender was quite attentive, telling us what the difference is among the different oyster selections. I realize that I preferred the creaminess of the Western ones versus the sea water taste of those harvested here in the East. We also decide to have a beer or two, being seated at the bar and all. I ask the bartender if they offered some wheat beer and of course, they do and again, I am educated with the different kinds. He offers us an organic wheat beer, Edelweiss Hefenweisen (I hope I got that right). Although i couldn't really care less about it being organic or not, it was darn good beer. Each bottle was actually a pint, so two of those did it for me. What was so great, though, was that the bar tender even gave us a free taste of the one on tap, which naturally, I forgot what it was but was good, although a bit more spicy.

Camille, although reluctant to have a drink at first, now tells me she's actually craving for the beer. I can't wait to go back to the place because even if it was quite pricey, it is a good treat once in a good while. Not only for the food, but also for the interaction with the "help" which turned out to be educational. I can't believe I'm saying that about a bartender!

I get it now... why these places charge so much. They make you feel good about eating or drinking there. I haven't tried enough of the expensive places to say that that's how it is overall, but this place was, I have to say, worth the $10 bottle of beer.

Marcel from Top Chef

I'm creating a new category for star sightings in NY. It's so funny how people know that they see famous people, but pretend not to be interested. Well, being the jologs that I am, I will pretend not to be interested but will write about it.

Last week, to those who watched this season's Bravo's Top Chef, Marcel the a__hole runner-up on the phone outside Le Cirque in Midtown. I so wanted to scream "LOSER!!!" at him...

Also, Christmas of two years ago, Lucy Liu shopping along 5th Ave., with an assistant and about a dozen bags from Coach. She made a couple of female friends and family happy that year.