B.S.

My Friday is almost ending.


Friendship. Food. Music. Love. I had a mish-mash of them today. I consider myself lucky.


The past few months, I have learned to appreciate what life has to offer. After the storm, I found myself finding reasons to be happy. Life will never be perfect nor fair, but this is what is given to me. I won't always be contented. I have my weaknesses. There will be things I think I need to do or find, but don't know what or how to or don't have the guts to. I won't please everyone, but when I have the peace of mind I needed to sleep soundly at the end of my day, I survive.


I am grateful to the people and events that help me know myself more. The journey will have its bumps and bruises but the lessons are there to be learned. There will be crappy and bullshitty days, but I will find another B.S. -- life's Brighter Sides.

To Greatness

(My thoughts after watching "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" for the first time)


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IMHO, It is one of the best, if not the best, Harry Potter movie to date. David Yates has pressure on his shoulders to surpass this as he finishes the last book adaptation and divides it into two films.


I miss the old characters because they have lesser screen times, but I like the new ones (I think Cormac McLaggen and Tom Riddle are dashing!) and I love how the main characters have evolved. There was a great improvement in Dan's and Emma's acting-- Dan because he became the sensitive and mature Harry, Emma because she became sweeter and less hysterical (haha!) while still staying Hermione-ish. Hats off to Sir Michael Gambon and to Tom Felton! The portrayal of their characters awed me.


Watching the first 20 minutes in 3D was breathtaking as expected, though I would have wanted to see the last scenes in 3D instead, starting from the cave scene. That scene reminded me of Gandalf (from "The Lord of the Rings") battling the balrog with a lot of "Gollums" crawling around him. Good thing Harry was there to remind me it was his movie (haha!). That scene was so touching it made my throat hurt. My favorite scene was when Draco lowered his wand, then Dumbledore said to Snape, "Severus, please..." I cried. A lot of people did. Maybe watching it on a screen that's 2-stories high does wonders.


I immensely enjoyed the "puppy love" moments. I appreciate the additional scenes at The Burrow, which supported what Hermione said to Harry in the next scene-- that he's an easy target. I applaud the trio's chemistry because they needed to establish that for the upcoming movie installments.


I wanted to see the D.A. (Dumbledore's Army) fight with the deatheaters when they entered Hogwarts, similar to the fight in the Department of Mysteries in the last film. I wanted to see the white tomb and all creatures mourn Dumbledore's death. The last scene with Fawkes is not as touching. I can't have it, all I guess.


The 6th book is probably the most difficult to be adapted into the big screen because it's more of a narration or explanation of how Voldemort came to be the darkest wizard in Harry's time. That's probably why some people got bored or disappointed. For me, they showed me a movie fit to portray the death of the greatest wizard who ever lived. That's enough reasonfor me to watch it again and again.

xoxo

my birthday, 2009
(For my friends. Inspired by the Wave 20 scrapbook received on July 9, 2009. Written on the scrapbook as well.)





I've read a lot of fiction in my life, but reading heartwarming greetings and messages from people who mean so much to me make me realize how great it is to be living in the real world! =)


I'm grateful I got to know each of you because every person who enters my life touches and influences me more than I could ever imagine. We all have our own differences, opinions, personalities, priorities and beliefs, yet our paths have crossed. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. I may not know or understand it yet but eventually, I will. Still, I am grateful.


A lot of you have wished me "true love" and "lovelife", well thanks! Hahaha! But then again, love comes in a variety of ways and not just the romantic kind. I have a loving family and great friends (like you!), what more can I ask for? Long-legged duchess? Heehee.


Again, thanks for the sweet messages. I will forever treasure what we have. =)

So Many Books, So Little Time

After procrastinating for several weeks... erm... months, the long weekend helped me relax, unwind and finish three books, much to my contentment.



"The Supernaturalist"
by Eoin Colfer


This is very entertaining. I am fond of the Artemis Fowl series and this is even more "futuristic" than that. Cosmo Hill's heroic, albeit naive, character is refreshing. Eoin Colfer's "juvenile science fiction with a heart" plot is still palpable in this book. Honestly though, I would still choose Artemis Fowl with his genius and sarcasm, over Cosmo Hill.



"The Time Traveler's Wife"
by Audrey Niffenegger


It's been a while since a work of fiction made me cry. Reading this book ended that tearless, dry spell. The story was well-written. It is science fiction but what touched me is that behind the tragic plot, the characters' emotions are tangible and real. The book is about love that has no boundaries or limits, not even time itself. It's heartwarming and, at the same time, heart-wrenching. It's a classic!


I can't wait to see the movie especially since Henry DeTamble will be played by Eric Bana. =)



"The Giver"
by Lois Lowry


After reading the book, I wanted more. It was the same feeling I felt after reading Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book". I craved more of Jonas adventures. I even want to see the story on the big screen. The book reminded me of "Stepford Wives" combined with M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village", minus the suspense. I enjoyed the book! =)

Fireworks!

I was sipping my favorite ice-blended milk tea when I noticed a commotion outside. People from all ages were trying to get a better view. It was the kids' expression of awe that caught my attention. It made me remember my own childhood. The world was then a place to explore. Life is an adventure. Happiness can be found in simple things. Nothing was routine. Boredom does not exist. I was easy to please.


We were halfway in watching the show when the sky was lit up again. I realized I never really lost the child in me. Simple things can lighten my mood-- the great weather that night; the wonderful live music from two stars who overcame a lot of obstacles but still found ways to make their dreams a reality; and the fact that I was sharing the experience with my sister and friends. It was worth the wait.



courtesy of Logan
fireworks taken during the David Cook & David Archuleta concert
16 May 2009


I smile at the memory because life can be like fireworks-- dangerous, beautiful and random. It will never cease to amaze me. =)