A weekend in the city... and other ramblings.

Yay! Met some new friends over the weekend...

This is Boo, the chunk o burnin' love Bull Mastiff I fell in love with at first sight.
Man, this guy is HUGE.

And then there's Getty, the adorable Golden Retriever.
Unfortunately the clicks kept him from keeping his eyes open.

Boo with his master. Didn't get his name but he was nice; somewhat reminded me of Jim Carrey because he was so animated. Plus ofcourse he was cool with our stalking his dog so that's plus points in my book.

Here we are enjoying the (lately elusive) sun in Crissy Field.
Rain, rain GO AWAY. Please :)

Strangers yet friends in Crissy Field. Check out the Golden Gate Bridge at back.

Boats taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

After having met new friends, we hung out with old ones...

The Quilas and Bharwanis at the Roastery in Union Street.
(Now I know what my bad angle is...)

Meet Bebo's godchild, Gabbie and her pet Tamagochi (spell check?).

More pics of our weekend HERE.

I may have bumped into Vanessa Carlton while stalking the dogs (Note to self: move to a pet-friendly apartment on next lease!). I tell you the resemblance was uncanny, except she had those oversized superstar shades on, which MEANS a third of her face was was partly tinted, which REALLY means it probably wasn't her. But then I researched her on the net after and apparently, she resides in both New York AND San Francisco.

So yes, I may have actually met her. Kewl.

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Notes worth mentioning:

* MUST WATCH: V for Vendetta by the Wachowski Brothers.

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

I was blown away by this film. Absolutely brilliant! Go watch NOW, you will not be disappointed.


* MUST LISTEN: Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap
(Primary vocalist of the defunct group Frou Frou).

Enjoying a growing fascination for Electronica, and recently acquired Imogen Heap's latest album. The instrumentation is interesting and her voice is something else. Different. I like it. Get a copy, all songs are good. Also look out for Zero 7, and their popular single When it Falls. Great chillout music.

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I'm realizing that I'm starting to prefer European music over American. Seems like a sweeping statement, but think about it: Sting, U2, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, Jamie Cullum, Dave Matthews, Peter Gabriel (And did I mention Imogen and Zero 7 are both from the UK?)... Versus what, formulaic Hollywood pop? Can't help but think their music is less cookie cutter (to borrow my husband's favorite term).

Ofcourse there are exceptions to the rule. I've my own list of homegrown faves who are far from the formula. Sarah Mac is an absolute original (although she's not exactly American. hehe). Then there's Shelby Lynne, Tori Amos, Nichole Nordeman, John Mayer...

I just wish mainstream didn't have to be so pop, y'know?

Ode to Juancho.

Okay, these pictures are WAY overdue.

Let me just say that the beginnings of March seemed to me like one seamless party after party (after crazy party!), all in celebration of JJ's big THREE-OH.

And rightly so; the guy is everybody's leading man. I can't think of anyone who deserves three birthday bashes. We're talking about the man who looks after everyone else, and will go so far as to make sure his friends have their futures in order.

So, to our then disconsolate Bestman (hehe), our brother and dear friend, we're glad you had the 30th birthday you hoped for, and then some. We love you bro. And we Juan Cho! Hahaha.

Click on each photo to view entire album.

JJ's surprise party (complete with tears!).

Party bus, baby!

In Absencia.

There's a reason for my absence. Turn up the volume and find out...





Btw, I've got tons of photos ready for sharing. Will post them soon, promise. ;)

How do you conquer Monterey & Carmel?

The only way possible: With good friends.

Click on photo above to view the gallivantings of four fogies
in search of... good photo opportunities. Hehe.
(What can I say? We're simple people with simple joys ;)

I miss you guys already :) You momoys should have stayed LONGER!

Tahoe, baby!

The photos are up!

A peek at our weekend of snow, FOOOOOD, karaoke and good company :)
Click on image above to view the entire gallery.


Here's a bonus:



Our shameless rendition of Toad the Wet Sprocket's All I Want.
Lol. Knock your socks off :)

Awesome weekend, guys. I had such a blast. :)

Oh Happy Day

I did this video for the Youth in church, I thought it would be cool to revive the all-famous Oh Happy Day from Sister Act 2. It's actually a bit dated, I must have done this a year back. Anyway, chew on it while I post the rest of the pics ;)

I'll be gone this weekend. A group of us are heading to TAHOE BABY! for more fun in the snow. I'll try my hand at skiing as well (or snowboarding, which ever chooses me). I'll definitely have my camera, so I should have coverage of the road trip when I get back.

Till then, have an awesome weekend people!

A Bridgepoint Valentine party.

Join us if you're in the area.

This guy is GOOD.

I still need to upload more pics of last week's Monterey/Carmel trip.
Coming soon, promise.

All Nics rule. hehe.

I know this movie has been out a while, but I only watched it recently and enjoyed it so much that I thought I'd recommend it. The film isn't perfect; some lines were definitely a little preachy, but I guess that's the whole point of it. Plus ofcourse it's written and directed by the Brains behind one of my all-time favorite films, Gattaca, Mr. Andrew Niccol himself. That enough is worth the watch.

Props to Jared Leto, who did an amazing performance. No doubt one of our better actors, unfortunately underrated, but he'll be noticed soon enough.

In other news, we just came back from Monterey and Carmel with the newlywed Filarts. Fun fun fun! I'll post the photos soon, keep watch ;)

The mac is back.

Whoa, it's been a while. How is everyone? This month's been bustling with so much activity, I haven't had time to post anything decent.

Here are a few of January's highlights:

1) I woke up one Sunday morning, looked at myself in the mirror and realized I had had enough of the same old. So in an attempt to look different, I grabbed a pair of scissors and chopped my bangs off. No hesitations.

That may have been the most impulsive thing I've ever done to date. What's worse is that it was also my first experience at cutting hair... so you can imagine the huge laugh my stylist enjoyed when he laid eyes on my messed-up bangs.

Two words: never again.

2) Good friends from Manila are here!

Jons and Ces have FINALLY tied the knot (Welcome to the club, momoys! Wahooo!), and are in town for their honeymoon. It's been three years for me and five years for Bebs since we last saw them, so the reunion has been swell.

Some roadtrips since their arrival: Weekend snow fun at Angel's Camp, Pasadena night-out with Weedge for Brazilian food (and that huge-ass brownie sundae), and majorly craaazy roller coasting at Magic Mountain.

And yes, I've got pictures ;)

Click on pic to view entire album.

3) WE TURNED THREE!

Yup, third year of marriage and still going. :) I'm really no expert at the whole marriage bit, but it's all been an amazing learning and growing experience. I'm grateful grateful grateful for such a wonderful husband. Always a good thing to find your bestfriend, partner in crime, and that sweeeeet lovin' all in one person (Insert all cheeky gushing here ;). Needless to say, it's not always a bed of roses. Still, the sparring's worth every penny. Naks. Hahaha. :)

I'm getting cheesy, I better end before it gets out of hand. Night, folks!

The 2006 Vegas New Year partEY.

Once upon a New Year's holiday in Vegas...

Finally! The photos are in... Mine atleast ;) I have to say this trip was the best New Year's so far, what with the carlot parties, 24 marathon, and all the lost and found drama that happened. Haha! Only in Vegas, I tell you.

Thanks to all those who made this trip the ultimate happenin' holiday. I had such a blast. :)

Cheers to 2006! Here's to another year of big leaps, fulfilled dreams and living BIG. It can only get better, baby.

Click on Beautiful eyes Bebster and made-up Nikker
to view the craziness of our New Year in Vegas.

Enjoy!

Happy happy!

Hello all,

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

This is just a short note to greet everyone an awesome Holiday. We're currently in Las Vegas right now spending New Year's (second year in a row). I'll post some pics when I get back since Internet access is scarce, but meanwhile hope you all have a great New Year's!

Lots of kwento when I get back next week :)

Some days...

Overheard from a teenager on our walk back to the car from Albertson's:

"Oh wow, this is so awesome. I can already smell Christmas!"

That was two weeks ago. In the dimly lit car lot, she could actually smell Christmas. Amazing. You should have seen her too. Despite the dark, I could clearly make out the smile on her face. It was such a genuine excitement, and I felt so envious.

I wasn't in such a joyous mood that day due to an unpleasant incident at work, but the girl's remark kinda hit me. It's funny how feeling the Season was so much easier when you were younger, and so elusive as you actually got older. So many aspects to it, really. For one thing, feeling isn't so much the point any more when you're an adult, especially when you've come to understand the real Reason for it all. The holidays now extend beyond mere tinsel and lights and big presents.

Honestly though, some days I seriously feel like life would be so much simpler if our senses just sparked the emotion and have that be enough. Just like when we were kids. We see the Christmas tree and the colorful decor, and automatically it triggers some "happy signal" and we're instantly excited. That's all it seemed to take. You see the sights, and you feel Christmas.

I wonder how life would be like if we remained that way... Living life with no expectations from you, no obligation to dig deeper, and no urgency in making life count. Just excitement and happiness based on what is seen and what is told us.

Honest questions I'll never know the answers to. What I do know is that this adult life needs working at, and that there is no stopping till.

...I do wish we could take a breather from the toiling every now and then.

Alanis doublebills with Switchfoot.

Two awesome performers in one concert. I didn't think it was possible, but thank God Radio Alice put it together. I must say that gig more than made my evening.

Alice in Winterland presents:

SWITCHFOOT, baby!

And the phenomenal
ALANIS MORISETTE, no less:





Saved the best for last, ofcourse:





Four happy ducks after a phenomenal Wednesday night rockout.

More of the fun stuff HERE.
That gig was so awesooooooooooome.
I think I may know now how I got the sore throat ;)

Crazy sick.

And not the good kind. Sigh. :(

The flu bug has gotten the better of me yet again. I haven't been sleeping very well because of it either. Sleep at 1230mn, wake up at 230am, force myself to go back to sleep at 3, wake up again at 5.. and so on and on, until it's actually time to be up.

It sucks, I'll tell you that. I can hardly breathe from the clogged nose and my thousand and one meds aren't helping any. The coughing's nasty too; my poor throat's taking such an awful beating from it. This needs to go down soon, as the Christmas concert is nearing and I can't afford to still be ngongo come weekend. Help, Lord! I can sure use a miracle right now.

In other news, I have some photos to post from the Alanis and Switchfoot concert last week. This whole fever-flu-cough thing's been keeping me from doing a lot of stuff, but I should be able to upload them soon. I also have a video clip of Alanis rocking it out. It should knock your socks off.

Also, I got to watch the long awaited Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe over the weekend. Hmm.. It was a good attempt, although I feel they sacrificed much needed dialogue and background explanation in order to cram the movie in two hours. They should have extended it another thirty minutes, or a full hour even, to make the film well-rounded. So much was lacking for me. Some of the sets too were a little too unreal, in fact they looked exactly like that: sets.

The kids were definitely a redeeming factor though. Lucy and Edmond are great and very well played. Great character development. No complaints on the Witch either and Liam Neeson as Aslan's voice. He was perfect, although he needed more lines in there.

All in all, it's still a must-see. It might leave a lot of questions though to those who may not have read the book or seen the old cartoons. Still, it's worth watching.

Thanksgiving weekend in pictures.

They're finally uploaded! Complete with captions too (hehehe).

As promised, here are the pics from last week's four-day Thanksgiving Holiday.
Click on the photo to view the entire album.

Uhm... Don't mind the momoy behind us.