"what do you say to taking chances.."

Can't wait!

2008-06-10T23:54:00.000+10:00

When you wish hard enough...

2008-05-31T20:32:00.003+10:00

Step by Step!

2008-05-17T01:10:00.001+10:00

Hangkyut! ;)

2008-05-15T08:23:00.000+10:00

In 3 weeks! LOL

2008-05-03T20:09:00.001+10:00

Another Filo!

2008-04-23T23:32:00.002+10:00

LOL
Britain's Got Talent is killing me. hahaha
Here's another video for you all to watch! :)

Oooohh Filo...

2008-04-22T22:42:00.001+10:00

Coming to Sydney SOON!

2008-04-21T21:10:00.002+10:00

Got Rice?

2008-04-21T20:59:00.002+10:00

My Mum has begun to hoard rice at home! God bless her cotton socks! ;)

Goosebumps

2008-04-16T20:23:00.001+10:00

I'm such a softie. Things like this never fail to make me cry! LOL

That's Nice..

2008-04-16T19:22:00.002+10:00

Too cute cans by Paul and Joe for Perrier!

Diane Sawyer Attempts the Papaya..

2008-03-24T23:54:00.001+11:00

LOL I wasn't aware that it was international.. :)

Excited much!?!

2008-02-24T22:21:00.002+11:00

I can't wait to see this!!
The ultimate chick flick.. :)

Whoa!

2008-02-14T07:13:00.004+11:00

One of my favourite blogs to read is Chuvaness.com It's by one of Manila's Philippine Star fashion columnists Cecile Zamora Van Straten. Recently she broke the news that Marc Jacobs is naming a bag from his FallWinter 2008-2009 collection after Bryanboy! The bag below is made of ostrich and would probably cost somewhere around $5-$6K!! It's so beautiful! I heart heart MJ! You go Bryanboy!

Below Courtesy of Chuvaness.com

-----Original Message-----

From: Marc Jacobs

Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 1:36 AM

To: Bryanboy

Subject: Hey!

Just to let you know...we are going to name the Ostrich bag the BB, in your honor! I am back home in Paris, enjoying an afternoon at home with my dogs. I carry on with LV tomorrow......Kiss, Marc.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Fall-Winter 2008/2009

Made in Ostrich

Beeee Happy..

2008-02-10T22:33:00.000+11:00

Evy's Birthday High Tea!

2008-02-04T21:39:00.000+11:00

Look at what Lea, Anna and I came up with when we decided to celebrate Evy's birthday with a DIY High Tea! J'adore High Tea!

Magnetic

2008-02-04T19:18:00.000+11:00

hahaha JT so cute...

Better than I expected...

2008-02-02T01:03:00.000+11:00

"hindi sa tala sa langit
kundi sa buwang nakasilip
ibigay ang hiling, ng matang nakapikit..."

Still sad..

2008-01-28T21:57:00.000+11:00

Chris Nolan remembers Heath Ledger

These are some very kind and interesting words recanting Heath Ledger’s on set aura, as told by Chris Nolan (via Newsweek)

One night, as I’m standing on LaSalle Street in Chicago, trying to line up a shot for “The Dark Knight,” a production assistant skateboards into my line of sight. Silently, I curse the moment that Heath first skated onto our set in full character makeup. I’d fretted about the reaction of Batman fans to a skateboarding Joker, but the actual result was a proliferation of skateboards among the younger crew members. If you’d asked those kids why they had chosen to bring their boards to work, they would have answered honestly that they didn’t know. That’s real charisma—as invisible and natural as gravity. That’s what Heath had.

Heath was bursting with creativity. It was in his every gesture. He once told me that he liked to wait between jobs until he was creatively hungry. Until he needed it again. He brought that attitude to our set every day. There aren’t many actors who can make you feel ashamed of how often you complain about doing the best job in the world. Heath was one of them.

One time he and another actor were shooting a complex scene. We had two days to shoot it, and at the end of the first day, they’d really found something and Heath was worried that he might not have it if we stopped. He wanted to carry on and finish. It’s tough to ask the crew to work late when we all know there’s plenty of time to finish the next day. But everyone seemed to understand that Heath had something special and that we had to capture it before it disappeared. Months later, I learned that as Heath left the set that night, he quietly thanked each crew member for working late. Quietly. Not trying to make a point, just grateful for the chance to create that they’d given him.

Those nights on the streets of Chicago were filled with stunts. These can be boring times for an actor, but Heath was fascinated, eagerly accepting our invitation to ride in the camera car as we chased vehicles through movie traffic—not just for the thrill ride, but to be a part of it. Of everything. He’d brought his laptop along in the car, and we had a high-speed screening of two of his works-in-progress: short films he’d made that were exciting and haunting. Their exuberance made me feel jaded and leaden. I’ve never felt as old as I did watching Heath explore his talents. That night I made him an offer—knowing he wouldn’t take me up on it—that he should feel free to come by the set when he had a night off so he could see what we were up to.

When you get into the edit suite after shooting a movie, you feel a responsibility to an actor who has trusted you, and Heath gave us everything. As we started my cut, I would wonder about each take we chose, each trim we made. I would visualize the screening where we’d have to show him the finished film—sitting three or four rows behind him, watching the movements of his head for clues to what he was thinking about what we’d done with all that he’d given us. Now that screening will never be real. I see him every day in my edit suite. I study his face, his voice. And I miss him terribly.

Back on LaSalle Street, I turn to my assistant director and I tell him to clear the skateboarding kid out of my line of sight when I realize—it’s Heath, woolly hat pulled low over his eyes, here on his night off to take me up on my offer. I can’t help but smile.

Soooooo sad...

2008-01-23T09:23:00.000+11:00

Such a tragic end to such a young life.. :((

Rest in peace.

Heath Ledger dead of 'drug overdose'

By staff writers
January 23, 2008 09:20am

HEATH Ledger has been found dead in his apartment in New York of an apparent drug overdose.
Ledger, an Academy Award nominee, was found dead in his bed in his apartment in the trendy Manhattan area of SoHo by his housekeeper at 3.35pm (7.35am AEDT).
Law enforcement sources told celebrity website TMZ.com they did not a crime, saying prescription pills were found near his body.
New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said: "We are investigating the possibility of an overdose."
"There were pills within the vicinity of the bed," Mr Browne said.
The 28-year-old Perth-born actor had a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, with former fiancee Michelle Williams, who played his wife in Brokeback Mountain.
They separated in September, 2007.
The New York Times reported that a masseuse arrived at his apartment and was let in the door by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Ledger's bedroom.
When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom door and found Ledger unconscious.
They attempted to wake him, and when they couldn't they called 911.
When paramedics responded, the actor was in full cardiac arrest. They attempted to perform CPR on him, but were unsuccessful.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ledger plays the Joker in the upcoming Batman film The Dark Knight.
Ledger is best known for his groundbreaking role as Ennis in Brokeback Mountain.
He played the suicidal son of Billy Bob Thornton in Monster's Ball and had starring roles in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot.
Ledger grew up in Perth and began doing amateur theater at age 10.
At 16, he moved to Sydney to pursue an acting career, quickly landing TV movie roles and guest spots on Australian television.
After several independent films and a starring role in the short-lived Fox TV series Roar, Ledger moved to Los Angeles and co-starred in 10 Things I Hate About You, a teen comedy reworking of The Taming of the Shrew.
Offers for other teen films came his way, but Ledger turned them down, preferring to remain idle than sign on for projects he did not like.
"It wasn't a hard decision for me," Ledger told The Associated Press in 2001.
"It was hard for everyone else around me to understand. Agents were like, 'You're crazy,' my parents were like, 'Come on, you have to eat'."
His latest role was in I'm Not There, in which he played one of the many incarnations of singer Bob Dylan - as did Cate Blanchett, whose performance in that film earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

Wednesday January 23, 03:14 PM

Ledger's death a tragic accident: family

Australian actor Heath Ledger's death was a tragic, untimely accident, his grieving family says.

The 28-year-old former Oscar nominee was found dead in his bed in his Manhattan apartment this morning (AEDT) and police have said sleeping pills were discovered near his body.Ledger's parents Kim and Sally and sister Kate told reporters outside his mother's home in Perth that his death was a terrible accident.

"We, Heath's family, can confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda," his father said, reading from a brief prepared statement.

"He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3.30pm US time (0730 AEDT)."

The family gathered at the home in suburban Attadale after news broke of Ledger's death early this morning.

It's believed they learned of his death on radio.

Mr Ledger thanked everyone for their kind thoughts but said they wanted to be left to grieve in private.

"We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time," Mr Ledger said.

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him.

"Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."

Larry Williams, grandfather to Heath Ledger's daughter, says the Australian actor's death is heartbreaking for everyone.

Mr Williams, whose actor daughter Michelle Williams was once engaged to Ledger, said he was a great talent.

Mr Williams said his daughter's former fiance left a beautiful impression during his short life.

"I think Tennyson got it right in the poem when he described someone as having died at a young age but burning the candles at both ends, and oh what a beautiful flame he made," Mr Williams told The Daily Telegraph online.

"That was Heath, what a beautiful flame he made and a great talent.

"My heart goes out to everyone in his family and my family."

Mr Williams said it was terrible that Ledger's two-year-old daughter Matilda would grow up without her father.

"The saddest thing is his daughter whom he just loved dearly," he said.

Mr Williams, who is a prominent stock market trader, is in Australia where he is facing tax fraud charges.

He declined to comment about Ledger's state of mind in the lead up to his death.

Ledger met Michelle Williams on the set of Brokeback Mountain in 2004.

The couple split last September.

Michelle Williams was "devastated" by Ledger's death and was travelling to New York, the TMZ website reported.

Back in Perth, people have been leaving tributes outside Ledger's mother's home.

Neighbours were reluctant to talk but one teenage girl said Ledger had been in and out of his mother's house over the summer.

The actor spent much of December and January in Perth with his family and told friends he was grateful to the people of Perth and to local media outlets for leaving him alone to be himself on his holiday.

His family described him as a down to earth, generous and life-loving man.

"He was down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving unselfish individual who was extremely inspirational to many," Mr Ledger said.

TMZ also reported that Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died in New York on Tuesday.

Sleeping pills were "found around the body" of Australian actor Heath Ledger, New York police confirmed.

"There were prescription pills found around the body," Lieutenant John Grimpel, of the New York Police Department, said.

"I believe they were sleeping pills."

He confirmed the pills were in Ledger's name.

Ledger was found naked and unconscious in the bedroom of his $US23,000 a month rented apartment in Soho district by his housekeeper. Police earlier said there was no obvious indication of suicide.

Grimpel said he had no evidence at this stage to support reports that Ledger had been suffering from pneumonia.

"I just heard about that now," he said.

"I have no idea about pneumonia."

Grimpel said it was believed the housekeeper had been in the apartment from at least midday. Police were alerted at about 3.30pm (0730 AEDT).

It was not until a masseuse arrived at the apartment to give Ledger a scheduled massage that it was discovered Ledger was unconscious.

"Apparently he had a massage appointment," Grimpel said.

"The housekeeper went to get him and that's when the housekeeper found him unconscious.

"When she went to wake him up for his appointment, he was unresponsive."

Grimpel said he was unsure whether the housekeeper resided at the three-bedroom loft apartment or only worked there during the day.

"I don't know if she lives there or stays there, but she was in there from at least noon onwards," Grimpel said.

When the police and ambulance officers arrived, Ledger could not be revived.

"The police department responded to his apartment at 3.30pm this afternoon," Grimpel said.

"They found a white male unconscious in his bedroom.

"He was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival) at the scene by EMS (ambulance officers) and he was removed to the Medical Examiners Office.

"The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy and will determine the cause of death. He'll probably do that sometime tomorrow."

In a New York Times interview in November, Ledger said he was taking sleeping pills after completing I'm Not There, in which he played one of the many incarnations of singer Bob Dylan.

He said that he "stressed out a little too much" during the Dylan film, and had trouble sleeping while portraying the Joker in the Batman movie, whom he called a "psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy".

"Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night," Ledger told the NY Times.

"I couldn't stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going."

He said he took two Ambien pills, which only worked for an hour, the paper said.

Ledger's publicist Mara Buxbaum appealed for the media not to speculate on how Ledger died.

"We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this accident," Ledger's publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said in a statement.

"This is an extremely difficult time for his loved ones and we are asking the media to please respect the family's privacy and avoid speculation until the facts are known."

The medical examiner's office planned an autopsy on Wednesday, spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said.

NYPD Detectives and the Medical Examiner would conduct a thorough investigation, but Ledger's death is not believed to be suspicious.

"As of right now there does not appear to be any criminality at all," the spokeswoman said.

The news has sent shockwaves around the world.

Ledger was born in Perth on April 4, 1979 to Sally Ledger Bell and her then husband, Kim Ledger.

The blond heartthrob first came to prominence by acting as a homosexual athlete in little-known Australian television series, Sweat, in 1996.

A 19-year-old Ledger left Sydney for Hollywood, where his standout talent was spotted by Mel Gibson when auditioning 500 actors for the role of his son in The Patriot. The casting was Ledger's first big-time break and led to his leading role in A Knight's Tale.

Ledger, who was nominated for a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of a gay cowboy in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain, had separated from his former fiancee Michelle Williams in September.

The pair, who met on the set of the Ang Lee-directed drama, were the parents of Matilda.

Lee had hailed Ledger's performance as a miracle of acting, reminiscent of a young Marlon Brando.

Ledger lost the Oscar for best actor in 2006 to Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Before settling down with Williams, Ledger had relationships with actresses Heather Graham and Naomi Watts.

One of Ledger's most critically-acclaimed roles was as a heroin addict in the 2006 Australian movie Candy, in which he starred with Australian Abbie Cornish.

This month, Ledger had been working on his latest movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, directed by Terry Gilliam, which was due to be released next year.

He also portrayed The Joker in a Batman movie called Dark Knight to be released later this year.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has described as a tragedy the loss of the 28-year-old actor.

"It was with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Heath Ledger," he said.

"It is tragic that we have lost one of our nation's finest actors in the prime of his life.

"Heath Ledger's diverse and challenging roles will be remembered as some of the great performances by an Australian actor."

Mr Rudd said the nation's thoughts were with Ledger's family and close friends, especially his two-year-old daughter Matilda.

At 10.35am (AEDT), Ledger's body was removed from his New York apartment and wheeled into the back of a medical examiner's van.

A huge crowd of news photographers gathered outside the apartment in the Soho building lit up the scene with flashes as authorities wheeled his body on a trolley from the complex into the van.

Courtesy: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph

Black Valentines..

2008-01-22T21:33:00.000+11:00

I think that Valentines Day is sooo overrated. But I wonder if Cupid will be my date for Valentines Day? hehehe Please?

Speechless..

2008-01-16T06:43:00.000+11:00

Today, for the first time in 2008, I fell in love.

No words necessary.. hahaha

Courtesy: www.apple.com

Change, change, change..

2008-01-09T21:10:00.000+11:00

I'm all for change, most especially when it will be for the better (Duh!) but I'm undecided on this Preview Jan/Feb 2008 cover. Preview are obviously rolling out a new look. My point is that I really loved, ok ADORED their old look. I wonder if the new look will be better? I need to get my hands on a copy of this ASAP!

Buh-bye 2007!

2008-01-07T21:02:00.000+11:00

1) Where did you begin 2007?
Hunched over a bucket in our living room, drunk on too many Smirnoff's! hahaha

2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?
Single, but I did get a couple of cards! Ooohh...

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
No, but I considered going back to do postgrad.

4) How did you earn your money?
Working my monotonous job.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not me personally no.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
No. I'm a good girl.

7) Where did you go on vacation?
In August/Sept I went to Europe - Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Lisbon, Haro, Prague, London and Manila.
In late November I went to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?
Airline tickets!

9) Meet anyone new?
Yes! Lots!

10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes. But not in my immediate family. Thank God!

11) Was anyone born?
Nathan Hines, Adam Llagas, Hayden Centeno and Rohan Francisco! My family is BOOMING!

12) Did you move anywhere?
No.

13) How did you celebrate your birthday?
At my sister's, totally sick from an on and off flu I had all winter! It was a horrid way to spend my special day!

14) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Miss Saigon and FutureSexLoveShow (the best friggin show EVER)!!

15) Are you registered to vote?
Yes, FYI I was impressed by the fluent Mandarin.

16) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
I only watch the filo version, and I wanted Jon or Will to win.

17) Where do you live now?
Still at home.

18) How did you spend your summer break?
What summer? I'm allergic to the sun! hahaha

19) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
Got drunk at a party and had other people take care of ME for once! LOL

20) What has been your favorite moment?
Seeing my cousins in Rome and getting to know them again. Despite the mini-dramas, I felt the love that only your family can make you feel.

21) What's something you learned about yourself?
That I get too affected by the things that I can't control.

22) Any new additions to your family?
Isn't this the same as "was anyone born"?

23.) What was your worst month/day?
Let's not relive it.

24.) What music will you remember 2007 by?
As much as I don't want to admit - Umbrella by Rihanna. EVERYONE did a bloody cover of the song! Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie. And my Italy song, Monsoon by Tokio Hotel! Love it!

25) Who has been your funniest buddy?
Leanne. We had to entertain each other through the 6.30am starts at the gym.

26) Made new friends?
Yes!

27) New best friends?
Yes!

28) Favorite Night out?
Said drunken party above.

29) What sporting events did you attend?
None

30) What was your best month?
September, the end of November and December! I know I'm cheating!

31) Overall, how would you rate this year?
7/10 cause of all the travel.

32) Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
At work, how sad. On the net!

33) Change your hairstyle?
Nothing drastic but I did hate the way the guy at some dodgy salon in Manila cut it too short and badly. Lucky my hair grows quickly!

34) Have any cars?
No. As if!

35) How old did you turn this year?
*coughs* 25

36) Did you have a New Year's resolution?
No cause I can never stick to them.

37) Do anything embarrassing?
Sent an email to the wrong person and it was about them. Oops. Not my finest moment.

38) Buy anything new from eBay?
No.

39) Get married?
hahahaha

41) Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
No. When was it ever on?

42) Did you get sick this year?
YES! The bloody coldest winter in the longest time. It was hard not to get sick. I think I had the flu 5 times during winter!

43) Been snowboarding?
No, I got an invite to go but I was in Europe.

44) Are you happy to see 2007 go?
Yes. I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2008!

45) Mean or nice?
I'm mean. Ask my sisters. hahaha

46) Defining moment of 2007?
Feeling like a real "adult" (I was in denial) when I flew to Italy on my own. I felt and was SO SICK that my emotions were at such an extreme high. It was the LONELIEST and LONGEST 22 hours I've ever endured. It was such a painful experience and all I wanted to do then was cry and turn around and head home. But duh, of course I couldn't! It's still Europe and no sickness was going to keep me away! :)

HAPPY 2008!!!

On Blog Leave..

2007-08-04T00:29:00.000+10:00

I know it feels like I've been on blog leave forever anyway, but I will be away for real for a little while..
Going to see one of the world's seven wonders! I've seen before, but I'll see it again with a lot of other things too! See you when I get back! :)

J'adore Le Simpsons and Harper's Bazaar!

2007-07-15T20:16:00.000+10:00

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this month's US issue of Harper's Bazaar. Look what they've done to tie in with The Simpsons movie! It's fabulous!!!

Chanel with Karl Lagerfeld

Jean Paul Gaultier by Jean Paul Gaultier

Lanvin by Alber Elbaz

Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs

Viktor & Rolf by Rolf Snoeren and Viktor Horsting

Versace by Donatella Versace

Photos Courtesy of ONTD

Puppy Love

2007-07-10T21:08:00.000+10:00

I just saw this story now.
Kawaii!

They call it puppy love

SOME people wear their heart on their sleeve, but a chihuahua puppy has been born with a lot more obvious a marking than that.

This adorable long-coated male pup has been born with a perfect heart shaped marking on his back.

The pet shop's newest and cutest addition been named "Heart-kun" by the owner, who said he is the rarest dog she has even bred.

The one-and-a-half-month-old chihuahua stunned the owners of Pucchin Dog's shop in Odate in northern Japan when he was born on May 18, as one of a litter, but the only one to have such a remarkable coat.

Shop owner Emiko Sakurada said that this is the first time a puppy with these marks had been born out of a 1,000 that she has bred.

She said she has no plans to sell the puppy.

Which is totally understandable - how could you give up this little love bundle?

R.I.P. - Jane Magazine

2007-07-10T21:03:00.000+10:00

It's sad when magazines die.
This one was only 10 years old.
At least I can say I got to buy a copy of Jane when I was in New York in 2004.
This one..

Bumblebee Love!

2007-07-04T21:53:00.000+10:00

I saw Transformers last night! Woah! I loved it! :)
The Transformers cartoons weren't really a part of my world growing up. I knew of them but not a lot and I wouldn't say I was a fan. But the movie really surprised me. After all the rave reviews from friends, colleagues and everyone else, I had to go and see it for myself.
The movie was funny and the graphics were awesome. The cars were HOT! Oh, and who would have thought that you could be an action star with a name like Shia LeBouef? hahaha My French is pretty minimal but I'm pretty sure LeBouef translates to The Beef? LOL

It's a great film with some minor holes in the plotline, but this is definitely overriden by the awesome special effects and graphics! "Autobots, roll out!"

PS. I'd like a yellow Camaro (2008 model) for my 25th birthday please! :)

"Receive the Power.."

2007-06-24T21:39:00.000+10:00

I love the new World Youth Day song written by Guy Sebastian.
It's called "Receive the Power". I had goosebumps when I first heard it.

GUY Sebastian has finally been able to lend his voice to a gospel song, recording the theme anthem for World Youth Day 2008.

Sebastian wrote the song, which he sings with Paulini Curuenavuli, and it will be released over the Internet on July 1 in the lead-up to the Catholic Church's event in Sydney next year.

"I am not Catholic as such but I guess the fundamentals are in place, which is Christ-based faith,'' said Sebastian, who simply identifies himself as a Christian.

"I guess to write it just came naturally. It was one of the quickest songs I've ever written.''

Sebastian's Receive The Power was chosen by the Vatican as the official tune for the congress, which will be held in Sydney from July 15 to 20, 2008.

Pope Benedict XVI will make his first trip to Australia for the event.

More than 125,000 delegates, or "pilgrims'', from around the world and a further 175,000 from Australia are expected to attend.

Sebastian is a World Vision ambassador and high-profile Christian, growing up in Adelaide as a member of the Paradise Church.

He recorded Receive The Power in English but the song will also be released in French, Spanish and Italian.

"This is a pretty cool event where a whole bunch of young people from around the world are getting together about something which is positive,'' he said.

Sebastian and Paulini will perform the song during World Youth Day and will launch the track at Sydney's Darling Harbour on July 1.

The World Youth Day Cross, the event symbol, is due to arrive in Australia on that same day.

And then there were more..

2007-06-17T21:59:00.000+10:00

My apologies.. I'm such a sucker for things like this..
Awww...*tear*

Things that make you go hmm...

2007-06-14T14:56:00.000+10:00

So I'm at home sick as (with the flu) innocently reading the news online.
This made me cry! hahahaha
Singing salesman makes Cowell's jaw drop

A MOBILE phone salesman from Wales has stunned the judges of a British talent show with his rendition of an opera classic.

Paul Potts, 36, sang Nessun Dorma – made famous by Luciano Pavarotti – for the judges on Britain's Got Talent TV show, who are searching for an act to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance and win $A250,000.
It was a daunting prospect, not only singing for a huge TV audience, but notoriously nasty Idol judge Simon Cowell.

But Potts, who has battled a burst appendix, a huge tumour on his adrenal gland and a shattered collarbone after being knocked off his bike, knocked 'em dead.

Wearing a cheap suit and with his hair cut too short, he admitted the judges weren't initially impressed.

But when he sang he blew them away.

Modest

Potts told the Wales on Sunday newspaper: "I don't think they were expecting very much. I'm a bit short and overweight and had a cheap old suit on and the hairdresser had used a number two on my hair instead of a four so it made me look a bit bald.

"But when I sang, I made sure I looked at the judges and I saw Simon Cowell's jaw drop. I knew then I must have done alright."

Standing ovation

Paul received a standing ovation from the 2000-strong audience at Cardiff's Millennium Centre and much praise from the hard-to-please judges, which included ex-tabloid editor Piers Morgan and actress Amanda Holden.

"I heard some of the audience were reduced to tears after my performance and Amanda has been quoted as saying the hairs on her neck stand up when she remembers it," Potts said.

"As far as Im concerned, that's a great achievement already, anything else is a bonus. I just saw the show as my last chance really."

Sigaw = Echo?

2007-06-12T20:15:00.000+10:00

Filipino thriller finds "Echo" in Hollywood

Photo : REUTERS

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jesse Bradford has signed to star in "The Echo," a remake of the acclaimed Filipino thriller "Sigaw."

The "Flags of Our Fathers" veteran plays a young ex-con who moves into an old apartment building only to learn his neighbor is an abusive police officer who savagely beats his wife and daughter. When the ex-con tries to intervene, he becomes trapped in a curse.

Yam Laranas, who co-wrote and directed "Sigaw," is directing the movie. Shooting is scheduled to begin mid-August in Toronto. The film is being fully financed by venture capitalist Robert Hoff.

In addition to starring in Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers," Bradford also appeared in Don Roos' "Happy Endings.

************
Wow, who would have thought a Filipino movie would be remade by Hollywood? I've never heard of anything like this happening before? I haven't even seen the original "Sigaw" with Richard Gutierrez. *shrugs* All I know is that the translation of "Sigaw" isn't "Echo" hahaha.

How I Heart Thee... sigh

2007-06-03T18:02:00.000+10:00

Only $698 from Neiman Marcus..

Happy Birthday Gloria May!

2007-06-01T22:20:00.000+10:00

Was meant to post this shoutout to May yesterday!
Happy Happy Birthday!
Looking forward to tomorrow afternoon! ;)

"It's always belonged to you.."

2007-05-30T22:55:00.000+10:00

Aww shucks *tear*
Saw Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End tonight.
I heart Orlando! hahaha

Yes I've been lazy, but I got tagged...

2007-05-26T00:06:00.000+10:00

by Lucy! Thanks Luce! Hope you have a safe trip to the land of the free! God Bless! Keep blogging! :)

So here's the deal.

This is what you are supposed to do. Cut and paste if you decide to participate in the tagging game.

Each player of this game starts off by giving 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write in a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rules clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names.

After you do that, leave them each a comment letting them know you tagged them and to read your blog.

Here go my 6 weird things:

1. I am allergic to 6 types of grass. Don't ask me which types though, cause I wouldn't be able to tell you. I had a really bad allergic reaction about 2 or 3 years ago (broke out in hives, puffy lips, the works) and the allergy test revealed that I was allergic to the green stuff. I was told the scientific names, not the common names like lawn grass, field grass or carpet grass.

2. I endorse dental hygiene. Ask my friends, I can't stress it enough. Everyone should be going to the dentist every 6 months for a routine check up and cleaning! I guess all those years of orthodontics hell paid off.

3. I can't eat chicken drumsticks, I prefer wings. Give me wicked wings any day, but I'd rather starve than eat the drumstick. *shrugs*

4. I'm a firm believer that people should not pay interest charges on credit cards. It's just so wrong and makes the finance sector continue to thrive. Smart money goes a long long way.

5. I hate spelling errors (unless they were intentional and I get that they were intentional). I have this knack of correcting people when they spell things wrong. It really annoys me. Totally anal, I know. But I can't help it. It's the wannabe Editor in me.

6. I thrive on reading and feeding my brain useless information. I spend way too much time reading the entertainment pages online e.g. Sydney Confidential, Pink is the New Blog, Perez Hilton. It's so irrelevant to my life, yet oddly and partially fulfilling. I feel like "I'm in the know" and at the height of the social zeitgeist. LOL

So I'm tagging Ria, Cookie, Ate Da, and Dan (although he loathes things like this and probably won't do it) hahaha.

Come on peeps! :)

Hors De Prix (Priceless)

2007-05-06T16:02:00.000+10:00

I saw this movie yesterday with Jeanette.
I loved it from the moment the opening credits began. :)
Audrey Tautou was a total knockout! Her clothes were awesome. Kudos to the stylist. It gave The Devil Wears Prada a run for its money in the fashion stakes.
Go and see it if you can!

Errr....

2007-05-04T09:15:00.000+10:00

I like that Cosmopolitan Philippines has put a male model on their cover and Piolo at that! But this cover is so poor. It's like circa 1980's or something. The photo, the colours, the fonts, all of it is just wrong! Get with the times! *frustrated*

Just wrong..

2007-04-24T23:45:00.000+10:00

I was watching TV Patrol last week with my parents when this story came on. I was dumbfounded and teary-eyed when it was finished. It was just so so wrong, how could someone who seemed so selfless, giving and compassionate be taken away so quickly? It made me think about the fragility of life and how each day could be our last. Some food for thought for all of you.

R.I.P. Julia. I may not have known you, but from what I've read, I'd like to thank you for reaching out and helping Filipinos. Gone too soon..

Body of Missing Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell Found in Philippines Wednesday, April 18, 2007

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police launched a criminal investigation after soldiers found the body of a missing American Peace Corps volunteer in a shallow grave Wednesday in a mountainous northern town where she disappeared while hiking 10 days ago. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said officials at the site confirmed that the body belonged to Julia Campbell , 40, from Fairfax, Virginia, saying she was wearing the same clothes as when she was last seen and that her glasses were found nearby. The body of the former journalist was to be airlifted Thursday to Manila, where it was to undergo forensic tests.

She had worked for The New York Times and People magazine and recently reported for CNN on a typhoon that hit the area where she was working for the Peace Corps. The remains were found buried in a dry creek, with a foot sticking out, in the vicinity of Batad village, where she was last seen, regional police commander Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales said. "There is a probability that there was foul play," Gonzales told AP, adding police will now treat it as "a crime incident." U.S. Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop earlier said embassy and Peace Corps officers were helping police recover and identify the remains. Campbell's aunt, Ann Knight, of Pensacola, Florida, said Peace Corps officials contacted Campbell's mother with news of the discovery.

Peace Corps director Ron Tschetter said Campbell "contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens." "Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens," Tschetter said in a statement. He had traveled to the Philippines to join the search for Campbell, and he praised the local police effort to find her as "incredible." "The U.S. Peace Corps is saddened by the loss of such a dedicated and vibrant volunteer, who so loved this country," Tschetter said. "Our hearts go out to her family and friends in the United States." Tschetter said more than 80 people — including police commandos, soldiers, and volunteers — were involved in the search, backed by four helicopters and four tracking dogs.

Police earlier speculated that Campbell may have fallen off a cliff. She went missing April 8 in the village outside Banaue town in Ifugao province north of Manila, where she had planned to view the famed mountainside rice terraces. Ifugao provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Pedro Ganir told AP by telephone that a stray dog had dug out one foot when soldiers discovered the body, which was placed in the creek and covered with dirt. A pair of reading glasses was found near a trail about 165 feet from the body, with one of the lenses laying nearby. Police also recovered a sandal they believed belonged to the woman. "This is no longer an accident," he said.

On Tuesday, Philippine national police chief Oscar Calderon ruled out the involvement of communist rebels in Campbell's disappearance "because the area has been cleared of insurgents." Ganir earlier said Campbell, wearing blue denim jeans, black shirt and a shawl, was last seen buying soda from a store in Batad. She was only wearing sandals and had bought a bus ticket to return to Manila by April 9, indicating she did not plan to extend her stay or make a long hike to a spot to look at the rice terraces, he said. Campbell was one of 137 Peace Corps volunteers currently in the Philippines. She lived in New York City, where she worked as a journalist, before joining the Peace Corps two years ago and was only about two weeks away from finishing her term with the organization.

"It's horrible," said Michael Cooper, a New York Times political reporter who had worked with Campbell at the newspaper when they covered New York City police. "She was a very dogged, very hardworking reporter," Cooper said. "She put in long hours. When doing street reporting, she was always sure to ring the 10th doorbell, not just leave after a few." Cooper said she left the Times to cover hard news for People magazine. Campbell also worked at FOXNews.com, ABCNews.com, CourtTV.com, and Star magazine. Campbell had been teaching English at the Divine Word College in Albay province's Legazpi city, southeast of Manila, since October 2006. She previously taught at a public school in Donsol in nearby Sorsogon province, said Nora Gallano, assistant dean of Divine Word's College of Liberal Arts.

"She just felt not fulfilled in New York and shocked us when she said she was joining the Peace Corps," said Knight, her aunt. "She was doing what she wanted to do." Knight described her niece as "a very adventuresome, very interesting, loving, giving person who loved a good story." Campbell moved around a lot as a child because her father was in the Marines. She graduated from high school in Fairfax, where her mother still lives.

...The 411...

2007-04-19T21:15:00.000+10:00

WELCOME TO MY "NEW LOOK" BLOG! hahaha
I am by no means a "techy" but it feels good to learn bits and pieces about HTML. Brings me back to those UWS days where I had to create a webpage for a subject called "Electronic Research Methods". It was so awful! LOL But this change, surprisingly enough, didn't take very long at all. It was a spur of the moment thing actually.

So it's been a busy past few weeks hence my laziness to blog.
Easter came and went with some much needed sloth days at home - you know, vegging on the couch, feasting on seafood, attempting a "Heroes" marathon. :) There was an easter egg drought at our house. Eggs available for children 2 and under only. Dylan was a bit confused as to what happened to the Lindt bunny after he ate its ears. Soo cute.. :P

The bubbies are so big now. Here's their latest pics from last weekend.

Last weekend I went on a roadtrip with Rhea to visit Ate Dee. We had heaps of fun running around like kids at Questacon, bumming and watching DVD's and strolling around Lake Burley Griffin. Thanks so much lovelies! I had a great weekend! Till next time!
Rhea, thanks for letting me nap my headache away on the drive home. I hope the hour wasn't too boring.

Here are a few pics from Canberra.

Rhea on the Freefall (a 6 metre90 degree angle slide).
Ate Dee and I went on this too. It's freaky holding all your body weight on that bar and letting go! What a rush!

Ate Dee on the floor piano. We were in fits of laughter (hysterics jumping on this. What a workout!

Ate Dee and I at Lake Burley Griffin. Rhea wasn't too fond of playing tourist and being in photos.

Other than the above, it's been work, work, work. It's so draining!

Today my excitement came from paying my air ticket for my European getaway in August.
Woohoo! I am now officially poor! :) Will reveal more about my travel details as I get closer to the date. For now, I shall continue to eagerly cross off the days on my calendar.

Tonight I realised how much my Lola enjoys watching Pinoy Big Brother (Season 2). She was getting all emotional cause Bruce was being shipped to Slovenia for an international BB swap (this is without his knowledge - all he got told was that he was leaving the house) so he and Wendy were having this massive overdramatic farewell. It was so funny cause my Lola kept calling Wendy "Windy". Hindi naman kami Bisaya. hahaha I don't watch PBB just snippets from the commercials but I have to admit that I was utterly compelled cause Bruce and Wendy were totally "in the zone" - of kaartehan (let's just say that there were tears, hyperventilation and incessant hugging on the couch). These are the episodes that Pinoy television sets wouldn't be able to switch channels from. Terrific stuff. LOL

Enough about TV, I could rave on and on and on. Don't even get me started on "The Search for the Next Doll". :) Quality TV.

Have a great weekend everybody!

PS. Big Brother Australia starts on Sunday, I hear they're not getting any prize money! What the?! All I have to say is... "Thank you Gretel, for getting a new stylist!" *bow*

Soup anyone?

2007-04-17T19:04:00.000+10:00

It isn't Christmas and this is probably old but it was too funny not to post.

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Good Friday

2007-04-06T17:53:00.000+10:00

So that we might live...

Maundy Thursday

2007-04-05T21:24:00.000+10:00

Jesus washed the Apostles' feet as an act of service. He calls on all of us to be of service; to humble ourselves for our brothers and sisters. Even in the simplest of things and in everything that we do...

Holy Wednesday

2007-04-04T21:01:00.000+10:00

Reconciliation is not about our failings and our sins. It is about God's love for us and his willingness to forgive...

Hola Mr Espana...

2007-04-02T20:07:00.000+10:00

WARNING! Let the reader beware!
Girly post! LOL

I was reading the paper online this afternoon and came across the winner of Mr. World 2007.
Please meet Mr. Spain - Juan Garcia Rodrigo.

And I thought Mr. Brazil had a really cute smile!
Meet Lucas Gil. *giggles like a schoolgirl*

Tonight - Please Support Earth Hour!

2007-03-31T16:16:00.000+10:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Dylan!!!

2007-03-25T23:14:00.000+10:00

Happy Happy Birthday Bubby!
You're so big na! Soon you'll be taller than Tita Annie!
Thank you for always cheering us up with your beautiful songs and all you're funny little antics!
Love you so so much! *mwah mwah*

I am 2 today!

My Cousin Racie and I had lots of fun at The Wiggles Playland!

Eating take out at Mama and Papa's with my family!

New Hubbies and Wifeys!

2007-03-25T02:34:00.000+10:00

Some lovely friends of mine recently got married.
Congratulations beautiful people! I'm so happy for all of you!
May you God bless all of you and keep you in love always!

Jeff and Joan's Wedding.
March 16, 2007.
Church - St. Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta
Reception - Maxim's, Bankstown

Molin and Lei's Wedding
March 17, 2007.
Church - Good Shepherd, Plumpton
Reception - The Palais, Leichardt
PS. Credit to Mara for a couple of these pics. They were from her slides. Thanks mate!

Weddings..

2007-03-19T22:45:00.000+11:00

Coming soon..
Jeff and Joan's Wedding.
Molin and Lei's Wedding.

We deliver. Whatever!

2007-03-12T00:01:00.000+11:00

This is so funny..
I was doing some blog surfing and laughed at this..

So many animals..

2007-03-05T21:41:00.000+11:00

Yesterday my friends and I went on a field trip to Taronga Zoo..

The bear was huge and moved oh-so-lethargically,

the tiger wasn't shy and peed for the crowd,

the giraffes were completely ignoring the AWESOME view

and the meerkats? Well, they were really bored that they were falling asleep!

Beth thought she was Steve Irwin!

Leanne and I posed for endless photos!

We squished real close in the sky cable car!

And my face got darker in the blistering sun!

It was an awesome day.

...THE END...

Craving - Pancakes!

2007-03-03T01:23:00.000+11:00

This video clip is sooo classic. :)
After all the Britney talk with my uni pals, it was only fitting that I paid tribute to her on the drive home. I was glad that I had Dad's blue car cause coincidentally (after all the juggle driving and digging in the compartment) there was a Britney tape there! Woohoo! Nothing beats a cassette tape (what's that?) of "Baby One More Time". Oh Britney, what did fame do to you? *tsk tsk*

This is probably my fave Britney song and video clip.
Admit it, you used to copy the dance moves! I did! I can remember it clearly. I was in Year 9! hahaha Those were the good days! She's wearing Sketchers! LOL

PS. May, Maryann, Mickey, Lainee, Phoebe, Jennie and Matt (the Asian version of Posh and Becks) - thanks so much for the hilarious evening. I laughed and talked so much my voice is a little hoarse now! :) You guys are so funny!
Posh your hair looks awesome and Becks you ain't too bad yourself. Laine and Fi, I shall look forward to the discounts that your jobs can offer me. Remember that if you need financial advice and have a credit related question, that I am the person to ask! :) May, how can you rig the lottery system so that I win the lotto and travel the world carefree? Really?!:P Maryann, can you roll my super into the one fund please? Mickey, I'll work on that complaint letter for you! :)

PPS. I can't believe for the first time, none of you brought a camera! What's goin' on huh?

PPPS. Sorry again that I was late! :P

*GROUP HUG*

Say Cheese!

2007-03-01T22:11:00.000+11:00

It's been a long and tough week.
Today was no different, but simple things have made me smile today...

* SMILE Culprit No. 1
Some colleagues from NZ (whom I've always worked with over the phone but never face to face) came for training in Sydney this week. They were with us today and they brought me gifts! Ann goes *shucks*...
A Cadbury Mighty Perky Nana (hahaha that name is so funny!) and a Pascall Pineapple Lumps.
Aww, it was so sweet of em. Feelin' the chocolate love! The Perky Nana was awesome! Banana chewy goodness covered in Cadbury chocolate. Gimme gimme.
Sorry for the bad pic but this was taken from my phone.

I've got another bar and the pineapple clumps I'm saving for a rainy day. Which would probably be tomorrow... hehehe

* SMILE Culprit No. 2
When we were at our old building we used to eat at this Viet/Malaysian place called Wong Kee's (no joke, that's what it's called). My friends and I have been missing it for a while now and today the pain must have been extra intense for Bobby cause the yearning urged him to drive there! He rang and asked if I wanted anything. "KING PRAWN LAKSA PLEASE!"
Lunch was a feast, Leanne&Eak were reunited with the Nasi Goreng, Tina&Bob were reunited with the seafood laksa. You guys made my day reuniting me with my winter favourite! You rock the nation (or should I say the Atrium?). Till next time!

Bench-warmers...

2007-02-28T15:14:00.000+11:00

Look at the newest member of Bench family!
Pogi! hahaha Hindi bias noh?

These two (Sam and Zanjoe) are Bench regulars.
Just wanted to add them cause I'm really liking this whole OJ summer launch thing goin' on.
I don't understand why there's jumpers when it's summer? *shrugs*

"Look at what God can do" indeed..

2007-02-26T21:24:00.000+11:00

She's doing it again, she's sending subliminal messages for me to cut my fringe again.. *sigh*
I have to admit, she looks awesome! Alex Perry is right, she does look hot! Eat your heart out Ryan Philippe. I wonder if all those dating George Clooney rumours are true...

If only growing a fringe out wasn't such a biatch... *ponders*

Fabulous Nostalgia!

2007-02-18T23:02:00.000+11:00

I told you guys I was feeling nostalgic! :)
The first lot of pics are actually just what's on my myspace account. But the photos below are some of what I dug out from the garage in about 10 mins today. I'm determined to find more. They're pretty funny. My grandma was even looking at them saying, "Who's this again? I wonder what happened to so and so?" hehehe

Old photos bring back so many memories! My favourites are the ones of my cousins and I. :) I miss you guys!!!

PS. Making slides is addictive! LOL :)

| View Show | Create Your Own

| View Show | Create Your Own

What's the time Mr. Wolf?

2007-02-17T23:15:00.000+11:00

You know how they say that you learn something new everyday? Well today my lesson was that you can dial 1194 on a landline or a mobile phone and a guy comes on the line and tells you what time it is! Try it kids (well if you're in Oz cause I don't know if it works overseas)! It's freaky!
My friend Miss Europe and I had a catch up today and it came across our conversation. Apparently one of her work colleagues has known about this phenomenon *LOL* for about 6 years. And get this, the voice of the "time guy" has always been the same. Who comes up with these things and how long has this service been available? Who is the service provided by? Plus if I call from another state does it mean that the time difference is accounted for? All these questions...
Does anyone else know about this? I'd like to be enlightened please! :) I wonder if any other telephone service like this exists? *insert twilight zone music here*

So I was feeling a little nostalgic tonight and I wanted to find some old pictures so I could make some slides for my myspace. I even scratched my leg on my Dad's car's bullbar and realised that it was too much effort to pull out the boxes from the garage at this time of night. I wanted to scan them but it was just too much effort. Maybe tomorrow.

'Twas a good day today, I woke up early to my Ugly Betty download finishing. I chatted to my cousin in Italy. Then I headed to Blacktown for some lunch and a movie with friends. We saw Music and Lyrics with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant.

Mini Movie Review - "Music and Lyrics"
80's music makes me laugh especially the music videos. Whoever worked on the musical score for Music and Lyrics did an awesome part on the 80's sound. One of the first few things I noticed was the amount of facial lines on Hugh's face. Yep, age is catching up to him way too fast. At least you can tell he hasn't had any botox. The movie was about an 80's popstar Alex Fletcher (Grant) who was trying to resurrect his career by composing a song for the "Britney of the new generation" Cora Corman (Hayley Bennett). He's no good at writing lyrics but is good at composing melody. Enter his wacky plant lady Sophie Fisher (Barrymore) who happens to be a slogan writer for her sister's weight reduction company.. Blah blah blah.. You can guess the rest.. :) It's really not that bad, there are other issues that are explored but I don't want to spoil the rest of the movie for you guys. Hence the 2 hours passed really quickly and if you're in the mood for some hip-shaking Hugh-Grant-style then you should see it. :) The music was catchy and poppy too!

So after a good chat with Miss Europe about our travel plans, I headed home for some Leb chicken with the ever toxic garlic sauce. hahaha One word, potent! :P
So that was Saturday, tomorrow I shall look for dresses to wear to the weddings I'm attending next month.

PS. I've decided that I wanna learn how to play "Just Like A Star" by Corinne Bailey Rae on guitar. She looked so cool singing and playing at the Grammys. Plus I love that song. I think I'll make it a goal of mine to make Luke teach me that before the end of the year.

Sugoi, John!

2007-02-13T18:39:00.000+11:00

John Mayer's way too funny for his own good! Gotta feel for Ryan Seacrest, he looked like a fool! :) Love it!

PS. Dan, did you know that John Mayer spoke Japanese? More importantly, was his Japanese correct?

Stella-r Target!!!

2007-02-01T22:07:00.000+11:00

This was by far the most exciting piece of news I read today! I can't wait to see the collection! It makes me wonder.. Can Marc Jacobs be next? hehehe

Stella styles for Oz

Fiona Hudson
London
February 01, 2007 12:00am

FASHION designer Stella McCartney has stitched up a deal to design a cut-price range exclusively for Australian women.

In a rare collaboration, the daughter of ex-Beatle Sir Paul has created a limited-edition, 42-piece collection for Target. Award-winning designer McCartney, 35, is famous for dressing A-list style queens including close friends Kate Moss and Madonna.

She said Aussie women were bloody lucky she'd agreed to the highly unusual deal with Target.

Her only other such collaboration, a limited-edition range for European chain H&M in November 2005, sparked brawls at cash registers across Britain.

McCartney's friendships with glamorous stars including Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett helped sway the designer when Target bosses approached her last year.
"I love Australians. I think Cate Blanchett is stunning and we use (model) Gemma Ward in our shows," she said.

McCartney's creative team jokingly tossed around the idea of ads featuring Nicole, Kylie, Cate and Gemma wearing the clothes at the Opera House, with Russell Crowe in the background playing guitar.

Instead the soon-to-appear ads were shot in London by her photographer sister Mary McCartney Donald.
Their father Sir Paul is locked in a bitter divorce battle with second wife Heather Mills, whom Stella is said to loathe.

The prominent animal rights campaigner cites her mum Linda, who died of breast cancer in 1998, as a key inspiration for the signature looks on display in the Australian collection.
"Mum was a big style icon for me; her natural sexiness and natural confidence," McCartney said.

The Target range will include a trench coat, tailored jacket and pants, shirts, a day dress and an embroidered cocktail frock.
McCartney said she hoped the garments would be "something you want to keep forever".

The designer came up with the range while pregnant with her second child to husband Alasdhair Willis.
She gave birth in December to Bailey Linda Olwyn Willis, named in tribute to her mother.
"I'm in love with my baby," McCartney said.
"I'm a mummy. Something does change in you when you become a mummy," she said.

McCartney said the Target collection would complement her high-end collection, rather than diluting it.
"This is about exposing more women to our label," she said.
"The main aim is to bring what our label is known for to more people.
"It's about giving real women what they need and want -- making things wearable but not losing fashion and not losing sensuality.
"The old fashioned view of being elitist about fashion is not how I live my life."

The full range will be unveiled during this year's L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Prices in the 42-piece collection range from $39.99 for a T-shirt to $199.99 for a trench coat.
It will go on sale in selected Target stores nationally from March 12.

I Dig..

2007-02-01T21:12:00.000+11:00

This is what happens when you listen to RX all day.. hehehe
This song is totally rockin! :P

Dig by Incubus

When you wish upon a star...

2007-01-28T00:34:00.000+11:00

I'm totally lovin' these images that Annie Leibovitz has done for Disney Parks.
They're so cool. I hope the upcoming pictures will show Princess Ariel and Prince Eric. Wonder who they'd be. :)

David Beckham - Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)

Scarlett Johansson - Cinderella

Beyonce, Lyle Lovette and Oliver Platt - Alice in Wonderland

H&M Goodies..

2007-01-26T13:50:00.000+11:00

You may or may not know that I'm a huge fan of Topshop and Zara, along with this list is H&M.
Madonna is set to release a collection with H&M this year called M by Madonna and if these previews are anything to go by, it's gonna be an awesome collection! At the helm of the shoot was acclaimed photographer Steven Klein.
Dammit, why couldn't there be a H&M in Australia? AargH!

Grey's Anatomy S03Ep10

2007-01-22T21:42:00.000+11:00

I saw this on my friend Mallorie's myspace account. Food for thought for all of you. :)

"At the end of the day, when it comes down to it, all we really want is to be close to somebody. So this thing where we all keep our distance and pretend to not care about each other, it's usually a load of bull. So we pick and choose who we want to remain close to, and once we've chosen those people, we tend to stay close by... The people that are still with you at the end of the day, those are the ones worth keeping. And sure sometimes close can be too close, but sometimes that invasion of personal space, it can be exactly what you need."

- Meredith Grey

Busy Bee..

2007-01-21T21:25:00.000+11:00

* Spent Friday night with family for Tita Sonia's 40th day prayers.

* Slept in on Sat morning. It felt sooooo good after a week of 4:30am alarms!

* Saturday lunch with Dete, Mum and Dad at Four Points Sheraton.

* Checked in at the hotel - Thanks Dete!

* A little retail therapy.

* Carla's 30th at Equilibrium ('Twas good catching up with you Kuya Hieu and Ate Da!) Those lychee caprioskas are potent! hahaha

* Woke up and watched The Simpsons on hotel cable. *heehee*

* Got home and watched "The Holiday".

* Went to Marie's baby shower at Dural with Ecks and Racie.

I'm buggered. Bring on 4 days work then 4 days off!

Pics later...

PS. Dear Lord, thank you for comfort solutions like air-conditioning. It was much needed, especially on days like today.

Hubba Bubba..

2007-01-19T23:32:00.000+11:00

hahaha I'm going through a Jake phase.
He looks amazing in the upcoming issue of GQ.

Congratulations May and Arnie!

2007-01-14T20:39:00.000+11:00

My beautiful friends Gloria May and Arnie tied the knot on January 6 at St. Joachim's at Lidcombe. It was such a great day filled with love and many smiles! Congratulations guys! It was awesome to be a part of your special day. I pray that God remains the centre of your relationship and may he bless you with many little angels! :) *huge hugs*

PS. To my uni chickas! It was awesome catching up with you guys! Looking forward to our next get together! *mwah*

PPS. Mickey and Matt, you guys are hilarious! Can't wait to hit the dance floor with you guys again! :P

Pics courtesy of http://saxoncole.blogspot.com

Pics Courtesy of Maryann P and Me.

You're gonna lurve meeeh!!!

2007-01-14T19:18:00.000+11:00

Is it so wrong that I heart Jake Gyllenhaal even like this? hehehe
Check out those arms! Damn!
He's a good singer too! :P

whoa LOVE IT!!! Nothing Beats PREVIEW!

2007-01-07T03:16:00.000+11:00

Finally a POST!

2007-01-05T00:30:00.000+11:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I wish you all much PEACE and LOVE and JOY in 2007!

A round of applause please cause I am guilty as charged! I have been neglecting my blog for the past month! The time has flown by so quickly and I feel like it just keeps getting faster as it goes by.

Before I proceed to the new year. I'd like to recap December 2006 as I remember it.

* Amex Christmas Party - had heaps of fun with Ate Mel, Kuya Marc, Syd, Joel. The French waiter Pierre, was "perfect".. *sigh* hahaha He was kawaii! Some drunken biatch at Marble Bar trod and put a hole through the bottom of my dress and didn't even apologise. Finally, my designated driver Christian changed his mind and decided he'd like to drink so I ended up staying with Kuya Marc and Ate Mel at their room at the Hilton. The buffet brekky at Glass was scrumptious!

* White Water Rafting - I went white water rafting at Penrith with Leanne, Toon, Matt, Brendan, Evy, Brett, Anna, Richard, Beth and Viv. It was soooooo awesome!! I loved it and can't wait to do go again! My favourite part was surfing the rapids sans paddles and the instructor Ben didn't let us go till our raft tipped over! It was so hilarious! Afterwards I helped Leanne prepare for a Christmas BBQ at her house whilst watching Heroes. J'adore! It was such a great day! :)

* Tita Sonia's passing - It's sad that it's not until someone dies that you realise just how much your family really means to you and that we should make each day we live, count. I could not even begin to imagine what my cousins are going through losing their mother so unexpectedly and so close to Christmas. May you rest in peace Tita. :(

* Hardcore Work Training - my workmate is going on leave for the month of January and it'll be up to me to do her work too. It was stressful training indeed! My mind was mostly fried by the time I got home, hence no blogs! Booo...

* Christmas Lunch at Oscar's - it was fun opening the gifts and finally getting to try the ribs. Yum! :)

* My favourite memory! HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS at the Gregorio Household!
Lots of leis, palm trees, mocktails, and food, food and FOOD! What an awesome shindig!

My growing FAMILY! All 33 of us - some are in bellies still! :)

* Boxing Day shopping with my family. The city was insanely filled with people. I last recall hitting the Boxing Day sales with my family way back in the early 90's! LOL I didn't even have money back then! :P

* Dan came home for Christmas for a sneeze of a visit! Got to spend some time with him, Jeanette, Dennis, Mary and Vaughan up in Terrigal. My family even managed a day visit! It was fun, but all too short! We conquered 8 episodes of Brothers and Sisters! I heart Justin!

* Watching "Happy Feet"! It was so cute! It just got a little too environmentally friendly/greenpeace/save-the-earth at the end though.

So that's December in a nutshell.

2007 begins NOW...

Hmmm....

2006-12-21T07:16:00.000+11:00

I don't know what to see first!
I want to watch all of these movies!
Aaarrgh!!!

"Happy Feet"

"Marie Antoinette"

"The Holiday"

"Babel"

Pondering..

2006-12-11T22:39:00.000+11:00

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your path.”

Work Christmas Party - Hilton Hotel

2006-12-02T19:16:00.000+11:00

Pics for now.. Stories later.. :)

I luuurrve this image..

2006-11-28T21:54:00.000+11:00

Courtesy: St. George Open Air Cinema 2007

Ch-ch-changes...

2006-11-26T21:45:00.000+11:00

Ah the joys of packing ang unpacking. What joys? There ain't any! :)
My work recently relocated which meant packing up my belongings and planning a new way to get to work at the other side of the city, Pyrmont actually! See you later Hyde Park. G'day Darling Harbour!

Here's my old workstation. Awww, I'm gonna miss Level 19W056 especially all those freebies that we got from Global Travel, the nudie juices, free lunch, cakes etc..

And here's my new workstation. Level 5-W-13.

It looks the same but it's a smaller workstation! hahaha I hadn't unpacked yet, hence why it's a bit bare. Notice the Allied Pickfords moving labels in red. :)

It was weird cause on Thursday morning I found myself walking through Town Hall and the Darling Harbour bridge just to get to work. I better lose weight if I walk like this everyday! LOL

Here's what Darling Harbour looks like at 6:23am. I had to stop and just savour the view. I thought, "I could get used to this.."

My loner baon (Thanks Mummy!), the first one to ever be put in the brand new fridge in the brand new kitchen on Level 5. hahaha

The view from the kitchen. I love that I can step out into the balcony and look at the harbour!

So I'm slowly discovering the place, finding out the local hangouts, the best places to have lunch, Star City is a 2 minute walk away and across the road is Harbourside. All these things to familiarise myself with. So far it's been fun, but then again it's only been 2 days. Ask me after this full week whether I'm still loving it.
I must admit though that I'm already loving Francois' the French patisserie just a block away. I think I'll be there often. :) The cakes look picture perfect, I wonder whether the taste lives up to the look. So far the quiche and the cheesecake have received 2 thumbs up from this connoisseur.

HUGE WEEK ahead. My first full week of work at the other side of the city, more of the hilarious hip hop dance class on Wednesday night (Ate Mel, did you practice?), my work Christmas party on Friday night AND a weekend away to Culburra Beach! My poor bedroom/s, am I ever going to finish moving? :P

I Wish I Was in the Audience!

2006-11-24T08:46:00.000+11:00

SUPERMODEL Kate Moss has taken to the stage to play a "total slag".

Appearing alongside Vicky Pollard as her sister Katie, Moss said: "The Pollard sisters in the house/west country!"
Vicky, played by Matt Lucas, said: "I'm the pretty one."
Katie added: "I'm the easy one. I'm a total slag."

The supermodel wore a sporty blue top, black leggings, white trainers and a scruffy ponytail during her brief appearance for the Comic Relief charity event.
She then departed to go on "the rob" as Vicky yelled at her back: "Katie, Katie, lose some weight you fat bitch."

The show, Little Britain's Big Night, took place at the Hammersmith Apollo in West London and was being filmed by the BBC to be broadcast in March.

Moss, 32, has rarely been out of the media spotlight since being pictured last year allegedly snorting cocaine in a recording studio with her boyfriend, Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty.

Someone got QUEER-EYED!!

2006-11-20T22:50:00.000+11:00

Oh mah gawd!
If you know me, then you'd know how much I adore Marc Jacobs as a designer.
But my jaw DROPPED when I saw how he's been queer eyed. Check out the difference!
WHOA!!!

BEFORE = Stan Smith lovin', Sweater wearin', four-eyed designer geek!

AFTER = Buffcake! (Marc on the right with partner Jason Preston)

The Weekend that Was...

2006-11-19T21:39:00.000+11:00

Another weekend over. Time is totally just speeding by! :)

Friday at work was such a write-off. I spent all morning trying to pack. I had lunch at our new building and that pretty much took about 3 hours. So by the time I got back I just bludged. No one wants to work on Friday afternoon. At about 6 we headed to V-Bar and stayed for about 40 minutes. That place is so boring when it's packed with people from work. I was hungry by the time we got to our Korean dinner at Goulburn Street. I can't remember the name of the place so I'll alter this later. The food was really good though. I love barbeque but I hate smelling like it! :) On the way home Eak's car got a flat tire so we had to stop at a servo so he could change it. I'm glad he knew what to do cause I woulda just called my Dad! LOL Congrats to my new neighbour Neslee for moving into San Marino. I wanna lift to work! *jokes*

I was so buggered from the night before and the week prior that Saturday I slept in till 11am! Woohoo! Decent sleep! It felt so good! After vacuuming my empty room (I'm about to move in) I had to rush to Nurragingy for Rhea's picnic. Kyzen (her business) was celebrating it's first year. I'm so proud of her. To think that she runs her own business at 23! On ya mate! :) I also got to spend some time with Julie, Luke and Lily! She's so cute. I've got a picture that I'll put up once I figure out how to make my arm look skinnier. hehehe

Today was a total lazy day. Took my Mum shopping at Bonds and Macarthur Square including lunch at Thai Splendid. That bloody prawn papaya salad is eluding me. They're always out and that's all that I ever want from there! Argh! Not happy!
Didn't really buy anything except for this awesome beach bag from Just Jeans for $4.95. Steal! :)

I don't wanna go to work tomorrow. *sigh*

So these are the pictures that I came across this weekend that are worth commenting on.

In first place...

What was Katie Holmes thinking getting married with a fringe like this? Yuck! All that money, and that was the best that Ken Paves could do? Don't even get me started on her Armani dress. *yawn* I was not impressed at all!

In prettier news, good on aussie model Miranda Kerr (you guys would know her from those Portmans ads) for being chosen to be a part of the Victoria's Secret 2006 show! I have to say that she was amongst the prettiest of the VS angels! Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima are pretty hard to beat, but she was definitely amongst the best! I hope they show this on aus TV this year cause I really wanna see Justin Timberlake's performance and I'm such a sucker for all the awesome makeup, the big hair and the VS wings!

Last but not least.. Mabuhay ka, Manny Pacquiao! :) Congratulations on beating Erik Morales in just 3 rounds in Las Vegas! What a champion! You certainly make Filipinos proud!

I Agree!

2006-11-16T23:58:00.000+11:00

Just Some Pics from Today..

2006-11-12T22:59:00.000+11:00

*alert alert alert* POSER hahaha

We spent some time at my cousins place at Campbelltown today. It was a belated birthday dinner for Tito Tony.
I'm so busog and I soooo need more sleep according to these pics! hahaha
Pardon the quality, these were taken from my phone..

PS. How cute is my niece Madeleine Rose with her little "thumbs up"? :)

The Race That Stops A Nation..

2006-11-07T15:18:00.000+11:00

Happy Melbourne Cup Day everyone! I'm writing this during my "post-Melbourne-Cup-race-excitement".

Go the Japanese-trained horsies! Although my horsey didn't win, Pop Rock (that's a pretty awesome name for a horsey) still placed a very cool second, which made me $14 thanks to the $2 sweeps at work. Yehey! Cheap thrills, I know! LOL

Congratulations must go out to Delta Blues! Dan, the Japanese jockey (Yasunari Iwata) desperately needed you to interpret for him after the race, the poor bloke could hardly utter a word of English. According to the news, Delta Blues is the first Japanese horse ridden by a Jap jockey to win the Cup. On ya, mate!

Interviewer to Jockey: "How does it feel to win the Melbourne Cup? "
Jockey (looks panicked yet still excited): "Vely - happy, vely happy..." *end*

It was priceless! Total language barrier indeed, it was so cute and funny! So then the interviewer went off to interview Damien Oliver (second place) instead. Apparently the presentation was pretty funny too. LOL

I'm soooo not a horse racing/gambling person but I love Melbourne Cup Day. It's the only day in the year you'll see me at the TAB putting on my pot-luck $1 and $2 bets on. My big budget is $5 and I pick the horses dependent on whether I think their name is cool or by number significance. I totally get all excited and my heart starts racing (no pun intended) for the duration of the 4-5 minute No.7 race at Flemington. hahaha

Here's the finish line pics...

November Na Naman...

2006-11-04T01:12:00.000+11:00

The last few days (week) have been days that I'd rather forget. Being sick just makes me really grumpy, vulnerable and sooo efen needy! I hate it! Boooo... :(

There were some highlight moments though.

You can take the Filo out of the Philippines but you can't take the tradition out of the Filo! hehehe Check out these pics of my family at the cemetery on Nov 1st. I always get confused whether it's for All Saints Day or All Souls Day, something like that. But I do know that heaps of people always drive past us and must wonder, "Why are these people partying at the cemetery"? LOL
In all seriousness, I really miss Tito Jun. I always wonder how life would have turned out if he hadn't passed away so early. I wonder if I would have still met the people that I know now or whether I would have taken the same life journey. It's been 13 years but hmmm indeed...

Anywho, being sick also gives me time to sleep for eons watch YouTube and surf the Internet. So now my sleeping patterns are completely stuffed and lately I'm really addicted to reading travel and fashion blogs. The fashion blogs are sooo cool and this was my "find of the week". I swear there must be a Filo in the design team at Louis Vuitton cause I thought "filo" when I saw these. bwahahaha

Also, there was also a fashion blog by this filo make-up artist that has just recently finished a shoot with Sam Milby for Metro Magazine November and he looks really good. The difference always lies in good stylists and expensive clothes. hehehe I can't remember but he's wearing either Armani or Boss. Either way, WOW! :)

Pics: Courtesy of Xeng Zulueta

Ooohh Maging Sino Ka Man is getting really good, I really like the storyline with JB and Celine (Sam and Anne). I'm so over John Lloyd and Bea crying! *rolls eyes* Every freaking episode they're crying and fighting and crying some more. It's tiring, monotonous and just boring. *yawn* More JB and Celine please. If you don't know what I'm talking about, get on the bandwagon and head on over to YouTube, all the episodes are there. hahaha

Peace Joes! Have a great weekend!

Song of the Moment - Elevator Love by Guy Sebastian.
(Excellent bop your head music)

..The JM Appreciation..

2006-10-31T22:47:00.000+11:00

J'adore John Mayer. Like really.
How funny was he on Rove tonight? hahaha
I can't believe he actually agreed to interview as Ricky Muscat. LOL And on Sunday at the Arias where he sang "Opportunity" with Pete Murray. How good did he sound? *swoons* Good on him for supporting Aussie music.
Oh why did I miss out on concert tickets? Can't believe he's only doing one show when he sold out in an hour. Boooo..
Looks like I'll just have to make the trip to Sunrise at Martin Place on Friday. hehehe
Any of you want to come?

PS. I know I'm supposed to be working on a special 100th post. Please be patient (unlike some! - you know who you are). I'll get there. It's a work in progress!

Celebrate!

2006-10-25T22:39:00.000+10:00

My 100th post!

WATCH THIS SPACE!
Oooohhhhh.........

Twenty

2006-10-24T09:35:00.000+10:00

Note: Secret lang natin ha, pero nanonood ako ng YouTube kanina dito sa trabaho habang kumakain ng almusal. Maaga pa kasi eh kaya 'ala pang tao nung nakita ko 'to. Buti na lang bago yung monitor ko sa work, so mas wow yung viewing experience. Talagang nawala antok ko! haha

This is from Regine Velasquez' anniversary concert titled "Twenty". I was just completely mesmerised. First of all, cause I LOVE Sana Maulit Muli, it's one of my favourite Tagalog songs ever, the arrangement was really beautiful and I was so fascinated that she could sing so well sitting down. *claps* That's talent! I really felt it - the combination of the music, the beauty of the lyrics and the emotion was so overwhelming that it brought tears to my eyes!

PS. Just don't ask me what's goin' on with her look. I'm not a fan. Her stylist should be fired. Those tranny lashes are so wrong! *tsk tsk*

Octobirthdays..edited with pictures

2006-10-23T08:15:00.000+10:00

To the following people who are celebrating another year of life this month - HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! January must have been a fun month for your parents. *LOL*

* October 7 - Ate Beck
* October 10 - Couz Couz Jay
* October 15 - Elaine & Carmen
* October 23 - Toon & Kuya Dennis
* October 28 - Farah
* October 31 - Leanne & Tito Tony

**************************

"Leanne's and Toon's Birthday" (Friday the 13th)

So I helped organise a surprise birthday party for some work friends last last Friday. Leanne and Toon have officially been an item for about 3 months and as from the above, their birthdays are about a week apart. So what better way to kill two birds with one stone than to chuck them a party together! Sometimes my intelligence overwhelms me. hahaha
Our circle of friends have such a slack sense of humour, Leanne and Toon are about to embark on a 2 week vacation to Malaysia, Singapore and Langkawi (which for months we've been calling their "honeymoon") that we decided that a very cool theme for their party was to hold a wedding reception for them. You know, since they're going on their honeymoon and all, we decided we'd like to marry them first, with or without their consent. Leanne FREAKS at the mention of the word "marriage" so you all should have seen her reaction when we blindfolded her and told her we had a special surprise for her. We put a veil on her head, shoved a garter on her thigh and had her hold a specially made rose bouquet. For Toon, we got this awesome bow tie that had little red lights on it, it was so disgusting and so disco that it was even more hilarious. The expression on their faces when we bought out their wedding cake? PRICELESS! "Oh my god, don't ever show my parents these pictures.." was Leanne's reaction. I've been restricted from putting up pictures of the bride and groom or else I won't get pasalubong, so I'll wait till they get back and then post em up. :)

Note: Many thanks to Anh for making the nem nang (the longganisa type bbq thingo on skewer) they were so awesome. All night all I kept saying was "nem nang, nem nang, nem nang". It was kinda hypnotic actually. We all just could not stop eating it! Julie, the massage chair at your place is heaven! I want one!

***************************

Elaine's 24th Birthday (Saturday 14th)

My uni friend Elaine held a birthday dinner at Chopsticks at Balmain last last Saturday. I was in charge of the present and the cake. What I didn't anticipate however was that it would be 38 degrees that day! OMG, transporting that cake was an event on its own! Fortunately, my Daddy had taken home this styrofoam box from work cause the cake box wouldn't have fit in any esky that we had. We couldn't risk the chocolate truffle cake melting and then we almost forgot it in the car etc, it was a kerfuffle.

I've been to a lot of restaurant along Darling Street but i'd never been to Chopsticks before. It's a cool Thai restaurant that's looks like it's always filled with people cause the food is good and pretty well priced. The ambiance and the set-up of the place is nice, my only gripe was that it was a bit too dark in there.

Afterwards, we were supposed to play poker but got sidetracked talking instead. Elaine is on the verge of finishing her counselling course and we decide to barrage her with Dr. Phil style questions instead. It was so funny. We were all pretending to have all these problems and she would explain to us how she would deal with each scenario. You rock the nation Lainee! You're going to make a great counsellor!

Also May and Arnie handed out their wedding invites and we all got really excited! hehe She and Arnie did such a great job with the creative and production of the invites. You could tell it was such a labour of love, awww I'm really looking forward to your big day!

Bubby Update..

2006-10-17T20:44:00.000+10:00

It's been a while since I did a bubby update, so I thought I'd do one. Look how much my little munchkins have grown! Awww kawaii ne... J'adore! :)

I know I owe you guys a longer post but I'm just too tired at the moment. I'll definitely make an effort later on in the week. Got some pics from some birthday parties I went too that were awesome. :)

So I'm a YouTube addict and the other day I found this and had the biggest laugh. Beverly Hills 90210 was a great show and the teeny boppers of today really missed out! So let's relive the 90's with this song and laugh at Jeremy Jordan who I'm pretty sure thinks he's Usher in this video clip. bwahahaha (Wait, was Usher already famous then?) *shrugs*

The HEAT is ON!

2006-10-13T10:48:00.000+10:00

They're predicting 33 degrees in the Harbour City today! Tomorrow 36 degrees!

Summer is here! Yikes! Nognog anyone? :)
I wanna go away. I don't ask for much. Here will do..

Tara let's go! Who's coming?

*sigh*

FINALLY! - I Heart Japan (Aug 23-31, 2006)

2006-10-02T22:49:00.000+10:00

This post is way overdue but I'm glad I finally finished it. I've also edited the whole page so that the Manila post is right underneath this.

PS. If you're allergic to posers, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! ;)
Welcome to Japan!

August 23, 2006 - WEDNESDAY
Let me tell you how annoying the airport is in Manila. First, you need to show the guard your passport and ticket to get inside. Non-travellers are not allowed past the door. Then you put all your stuff via the x-ray machine, you walk through the metal scanners (which means removing your belt), and line up at the check-in counter. Once you've cleared check-in, you pay 550pesos airport tax and line up at immigration to have your passport stamped. Afterwards, you have to have everything you have left on you go through the x-ray machines AGAIN and metal scanners for you AGAIN. You then proceed to the inspectors who opens your things to make sure that there are no weapons and no liquids. Before you reach the boarding gate, there's ANOTHER final document check. Aaaargh!!!!

So..... We landed in the sweltering heat of Japan (Osaka Kansai Airport) at 8:30 pm on Wednesday Aug 23. It was a good flight cause the plane wasn't full and I was so buggered I occupied a whole row and slept. :P Customs in Japan took forever and my feet were beginning to hurt from all the standing. I was so glad that the quarantine guy was lazy and didn't bother to open my luggage filled with all the Manila goodies for Dan (courtesy of his Kuya). Tess and I followed the signs to the train station and enquired with JR how much tickets were to JR Osaka Station. 1100 yen later (ouch) we were on the way. The train ride was unexpectedly long ang Tess and I began to get worried towards the end because it seemed to be taking forever and we were thinking "Maybe we got on the wrong train?" But alas, right after Tess asked for help, we arrived. hehe
Although it was already 10:30pm, I was awed by the amount of people still rushing through the subway. It was like peak time at Central station but doubled and to think that it was quite late. You also notice that there's vending machines everywhere! J'adore vending machines!
Now for the next challenge - finding our hotel. I was fascinated by the lights when we stepped out onto the street from the station.
Here's a laugh for you all, our hotel was called Hotel Kinki. Honest! :) Hotel Kinki was in the heart of Osaka (the seedy heart/ Ermita type) haha and the dodgy directions from the website said the walk was about 7 mins. It took us half an hour, but at least we made it. It's a pretty good place to stay. The rooms were clean (we asked for Western Style rooms) and it had an on-suite, so we were happy campers. By the time we reached the hotel it was 11pm. After a quick call to Dan to say that we were in the same country hehe, I bought a Fanta Grape from the vending machine (because it came highly recommended by Jeanette) and ate it with the Goldilocks mamon I bought at the airport in Manila. I loved how the can was in the shape of a bottle. :) Sidenote: What really fascinated me about visiting Japan are the vending machines! They're EVERYWHERE. You can be in the most random place like a rice field and there'd be a vending machine nearby. Most of the ones that we saw where drink vending machines but even the variety is outstanding. You just end up wanting to buy all the different bottles for the sake of trying the drink inside. But I digress... After my meal, I flicked through Japanese TV, discovered the Fly High song and realised that I wasn't going to understand any of it, no matter how animated they seemed! Alas, I fell asleep...

August 24, 2006 - THURSDAY
So the original plan for the day was that Tess and I would go to Universal Studios, Osaka. But lazy old me, was just too buggered and slept until 10 am. I was just exhausted from the travelling and needed time to relax before seeing Japan and playing "hardcore tourist" you know? So we dawdled took our time, used the free Internet and then set off to explore the nearby shops of Osaka. We had a late lunch near Hep-Five which is probably the coolest shopping centre in Osaka cause it has a Gap and Uniqlo nearby. What makes it stand out however, is the fact that there's a big red ferris wheel on top of the building. Cool noh? It was so hot outside that Tess and I spent the day walking through Hep-Five floor by floor. We bought some goodies at Gap, Snoopy Town and the indoor stalls. I thought that Japan would be an expensive country but it was actually fun shopping there. It was night time by the time we got back to the hotel and walked around the streets in search for food. I was tempted just to have some miso soup but Tess and I ended up at Yoshinoya. We headed in for an early night cause Dan was coming to get us early in the morning for an official tour of Osaka and it's sights.

August 25, 2006 - FRIDAY

Dan was late picking us up from Hotel Kinki. He too had some trouble finding the place! It was comforting knowing that the directions really were bad and it wasn't just me and Dete. After beso besos, "you're so skinny" blah blah etc etc :) we headed out for some breakfast cause Dete and Dan were hungry. I wasn't hungry cause I had just had green tea and the last of the mamon we bought. After breakfast and breaking the news to Dan that we had totally memorised Hep-Five, we headed to the information centre to ask for directions to the Osaka Tower. It took us about 30 or so mins to reach the tower, but it really it felt like 2 hours cause it was so hot. I was powerwalking where there was no path cover cause I was trying to avoid the sun and getting dark. I had Rhodora's wedding to look pale (I wish) for. Alas, we found the Tower which was really more of a tall building, with a supposed "floating garden" (which we never figured out where exactly it was) and started exploring. After a lot of escalator rides, inside were actually traditional Japanese looking villages? It was kinda very Memoirs of a Geisha. :) It was mixed in with places where you can eat and shops. As we explored higher in the building we found the entrance to the lookout to the top and proceeded to pay the admission fee. A really long escalator ride to the top and we had a fantastic view of Osaka. The sun was shining so brightly that the city kinda looks fake in the pictures. I thought it was amazing that there was no spare space as you look out into the city. When you look into the horizon, the area is completely filled, every single nook and cranny has been covered and there's just nowhere else to build. We relaxed as Dan ate and (orgasmed) over brownies and we had iced chocolates and Coke. We then ascended to the rooftop and stepped out into the heat. Eeew. :)

Look at the clear blue skies. It was this kinda heat that was totally turning me nigga (no offence). After we left Osaka Tower we proceeded to find Osaka Castle. This involved getting on a train for about 3 or 4 stations and more walking and sweating. Look at me, running through the water sprinklers just to refresh myself!

Dan (always a boyscout) was nice enough to bring paypay and bimpo. hehe It came in handy I tell ya! Thanks prend! :) So this is Osaka Castle. Cool noh? Aren't we kawaii? :)

After finding and seeing the castle, we had a very late (3:30pm) lunch. Here was my lunch. Don't ask me why I wanted to eat Tempura Udon when it was 40degrees outside. :) But it was YUM! Craving for some now. hehehe

After browsing the souvenir stores and picking postcards, it was time for a quick piccy of the gardens

and then to look for the ferry to see the rest of Osaka. It took a while to find the ferry wharf but alas we made it just in time to catch the 5pm ferry. I'd post photos of the aqualiner (turns out it wasn't really a ferry) but we didn't take one. And the surroundings? Well it was pretty much just buildings. Tess ended up sleeping cause it was nice and airconditioned inside and Dan and I just pretty much yapped on and on about life in the past 5 months. By the time we knew it, the hour was up and it was time to collect our luggage and head on to Kyoto by train.

August 26, 2006 - SATURDAY
It was a late night the previous night, by the time we had checked in to our ryokan (uber cute traditional Japanese accommodation) went out for dinner etc and went for some Baskin & Robbins my right foot had developed a huge blister (ouch). It was NASTY. Recalling the pain now, it really wasn't very noice at all. Eeek! We woke up lined up for the showers and decided to do a little posing. Check out these hotties.. bwahahaha

We checked out of the ryokan and headed to central Kyoto to shove our luggage in some lockers and to look for some breakfast. We ended up at Andersen where we chose our bread, pastry, whatever and headed to the cafe bit for beverages.

Satiated with breakfast, our eyes almost popped out of their sockets ogling the cakes, chocolates and other goodies in the display windows of Isetan.
We then strolled around the department stores in search for some Havaianas for Dan. But sadly they were no longer in stock. *tear* And also for the facial masks that Alfie had requested. After endless trips back and forth and poor directions later, we gave up and decided to visit a Kyoto temple - Toji Temple.

Toji Temple was a good 20 mins from the train terminal of Kyoto but in the 40degree heat it felt like forever. Trying to avoid the sun, I walked faster and faster to avoid direct exposure at the places where we walked and there was no cover. By the time we'd reached our destination, I thought I was going to pass out from heat exhaustion, my bimpo was drenched and my blister was worsening. I was not happy Jan! I just had to sit there for a good 10-15 mins and recover. After shooting Dan numerous evil death stares from beneath my sunglasses (for insanely making me walk in the midday heat) I bounced back to my touristy self and took pictures of the temple and of us. Don't ask what we were thinking when these pictures were taken. :P

It was fun at the time ok? :P After the temple we headed for the bus stop so that we could finally hit the shops of Kyoto. I seem to recall wandering into a liquor shop and buying some cheap wine which we never got to drink. Is it still in your fridge, Dan?
After a late lunch, we ended up at the Tokyo Random Books endlessly flicking through the latest magazines and where I ended up buying "Belle de Jour" and Tess bought "Where Rainbows End" and Dan bought some form of magazine as per always. We then continued along the rows of stores filled with food, fashion and 100yen stores in our never-ending search for pasalubong.
It began to get late so it was time to say goodbye Kyoto :( and onto a shinkansen (bullet train) for a 3 hour ride to Tokyo!

This was Dete and Dan's bento box dinner that night. I wasn't that hungry so I just snacked on some Kornets-like chips. Dan and I kept ourselves amused on the train by watching Season 8 of Will and Grace and some Little Britain, whilst Dete read the book she bought. By the time we knew it, it was time to get off the train onto a suburban train for the Mita Line and the beginning of the adventure of finding Palette Takashimadaira. It wasn't really an adventure, once we got to Takashimadaira station we asked for directions, got a poor one and ended up just circling the block and eventually found it. The owner was really nice, spoke excellent English (which to me seemed rare for the locals) and was totally helpful. J'adore! I left all the administration duties to Dete and Dan whilst I sat and just relaxed in the cool breeze.
This time our accommodation was like a mini aparment. It had 3 bedrooms with a common kitchen. It was totally cool. It even had free Internet which was in Dete's room. Sugoi ne!
We were all buggered but there was important business to be done. Dan and I had to watch the finale of Will and Grace. *tear* We were prepared. We had snacks and everything.

We had to use headphones cause it was late and Tess was snoring and we couldn't hear! :) We were so buggered afterwards that we zonked out right after the finale. Sayonara Will, Grace, Jack and Karen...

August 27, 2006 - SUNDAY
We all woke up late because we slept late - profound. :P Today's mission was to find a church, go to mass, see Tokyo and maybe try and track down my cousins whom we were really struggling to reach. After showers, cable tv viewing and Internetting, we headed off. Since it was about 10am by this time, we decided to have brunch at the Haponese restaurant close to the station. It had one of those vending machines were you had to buy a ticket and give it to the dude to cook. It was fun trying to match the character next to the picture of the food. LOL But I just let Dete do it for me.

We caught the train to Shinagawa to look for the Catholic church. Dan enquired with the information centre and the lady gave him some instructions. Suffice to say we ended up walking for about half an hour and ended up at a wedding chapel. Oops. Not what we were looking for.
I was ever so glad I was wearing shoes that day cause my blisters would have pretty much killed me if I continued on in my havies. We headed back towards the station and consulted the map that Dan had. We asked for directions from people walking by and also hotel concierges. Eventually we found the church, a mere 5 minutes away from the station, on a road just directly straight down from the exit. Yikes! The mass was just about to start communion. There was a ton of filos there and there was even a choir with the members in uniform. During the sign of peace, one of the elderly ladies totally grabbed Tess and beso beso'd. She totally wanted to know Dete's life story. Dan and I just kept looking at each other trying to not to burst out into hysterics. :) Twas funny. The priest had a good sense of humour and it was a shame that we missed his homily. After mass, the place turned into one big El Shaddai party so we slipped out despite the Tess kisser asking us to stay. Sorry po, we got more of Tokyo to see.

It was back to station and the nearby mall to browse the shops and to look for some lunch. I had this awesome salad with noodles and fabulous dressing. J'adore. I could eat that all the time. Dan felt guilty for getting us lost and making us walk for eons that he bought us Godiva ice cream. *lush* I think that he was feeling piggy that day too cause under my recommendation he went and bought some black sesame ice cream too right after chowing down the Godiva!

Whilst Dan was eating ice cream we called and finally spoke to our cousins Anne and Leslie who live in Japan. We made plans to see them that evening at Yokohama. I didn't know what to expect cause I hadn't seen my cousins for 15 years.
But first, it was time to see Shibuya. After a short train ride, we arrived at the largest pedestrian crossing in the world and a hotspot of Tokyo. It was very "Lost in Translation". :)

Sugoi ne! There was so many people out. We proceeded to Starbucks where Dan bought a drink but Tess and I were just too full. See? Told you he was piggy. *joke* After a quick squizz at the huge Virgin Mega Store, we headed over to Harajuku.

I didn't see as many Harajuku girls as I thought I would. Gwen Stefani made it sound so common! :P Maybe I just didn't come at the right time? Check out Dan's Harajuku "girl"friend in the background. LOL

Harajuku is colourful and there are lots of shops to browse for the hardcore shoppers. We even visited the BAPE store. Look Ate Mel, here's my picture. :P

So after the quickie trip to Harajuku we got on the train again for the one hour ride to Yokohama. We actually ended up at Sakuragicho Station where we reunited with our cousins.
This is Sakuragicho at night. From memory it's the US naval base in Japan. Nice noh? See that round thing with the time? It's actually a ferris wheel and we rode on it. It was so funny cause my cousin Anne was so scared she was hanging on to the railings whilst we were inside the carriage. The pics below are of us in the ferris wheel and of the view. It was a cool night and it was good to find out how my cousins are doing and how life is in Japan for them.

We were so buggered on the way home cause it had been such a long day. We just needed to rest cause the next day, we were headed to the "happiest place on earth".

August 28, 2006 - MONDAY
We said our goodbye to Palette Takashimadaira.

"Atop the Palette"

= TOKYO DISNEYLAND =

I'll let the pictures do the talking!!!

"The Entrance"

At "Robinson Crusoe's Treehouse" and "It's a Small World"

"Chompin on Churros and Turkey Legs"

Even the burgers have Mickey's ears...Kawaii!!

The boy who took on the Disney teacups, and LOST! :P

Grumpy was grumpy cause Dan wouldn't give him some of that turkey leg..

..The Disney Castle..

What an exhausting day. I could hardly walk by the time we were finished. There were sooo many people cause it was the school holidays so we could only ride where the wait times weren't too drastic. The best laugh was the Teacups. It was so funny, until Dan got dizzy. He looked so ill, I was surprised that he didn't actually vomit. I'll never forget the look on his face. LOL
We sent postcards, went souvenir shopping and took in the Disney experience with our ears on. It was great being a kid even for just a day.

We left Disneyland as it got dark and went back to the station to pick up some dinner to eat on the shinkansen to Dan's hood - Fukui. We were all tired so after dinner that we all tried to catch some shut eye. We had to transfer trains and on the last hour to Fukui ended up in the smoking section of the train we transferred into because the train was pretty full. There was a boy that looked like a 5 year old version of Silas (you know from The Da Vinci Code) . He kept staring at us. There was a ticket inspector whom Dan tried to fool and he ended up giving him the wrong ticket. We didn't understand and thought that Dan had bought the incorrect ticket cause he had to buy another one from the inspector, but then he found the right ticket so he ended up getting a refund. *phew* What a drama! :P We got to Fukui at about 11pm and was met by Dan's friend Jacques. We walked the 12 mins to Dan's apartment (luggage and all) and I was just mondo glad to be able to rest my feet. We could finally rest.

August 29, 2006 - TUESDAY
We woke up late, as was our habit. :P Our generous host made us breakfast (bacon and eggs) and the plan was to hit the onsen (traditional Jap baths). Sadly when we went there they were still closed. So we ended up walking around Fukui and browsing the supermarket where we picked up some scrumptious food for lunch. I love the supermarkets in Japan. It's such an adventure trying to figure out what you have in your hand. You simply rely on the picture because obviously the characters are in Japanese. It's so much fun and a major part of the experience cause there's a lot of things you want to try cause everything looks interesting.
By the time we returned we prepared the goodies that we bought and had lunch it was time for quick showers then a train ride to Takefu station where Dan was teaching 3 classes that evening. But first there was a 30 minute walk to the school. It was so weird seeing a one room school facing an open field. It was so province, but then when you look down the road there's this massive gaming building and Uniqlo. The sunset was awesome though! :)

Sensei, preparing for class..

Sunset at Takefu..

Dete and I taught with Dan that evening. Because Dan was only allowed one helper per class, we took turns. I assisted in the 5-6pm class whilst Dete wondered around Uniqlo. The first class consisted of kids aged between 4 and 5 and were pretty much drugged up on sugar or some kind of steroid. They just don't sit still and run like crazy. Sensei Dan totally transforms into a member of Hi-5 and/or a Wiggle cause he has this whole song and dance number thing going on and it's all really very amusing for me, but exhausting for him. hahaha :)
The kids pull on his clothes, get all violent and kick him, then they're all sweet and hug him. It's like four seasons in one day. :P The "iyakin" in the class is Hako (she was already bawling her eyes out and she hasn't even stepped out of the car yet) and Dan gave me the task of making her stop crying. It took a while, but after giving her plenty of compliments about her hair, nail polish and encouraging her to do what the other kids were doing she finally stopped. There's this boy in the class (whose name escapes me) that likes her. I was telling Dan that they're a "loveteam". It was so kawaii (cute). By the time I knew it, the hour was over and it was my turn to hit the shops and Tess' turn to observe.
The last class for the evening was with 8-year-olds, 2 sets of siblings - a guy and a gal and sisters. It was a much better class in terms of behaviour cause these kids knew how to sit still which was oh so good. They do however, ask a lot of questions, like who I am, where I'm from blah blah blah. My favourite part was the overexcited look on their faces when they're yelling "KOREK? KOREK? KOREK?" in really high-pitched voices when they play games. They totally love it and it's so funny when they try and cheat and look for clues on the posters that are on the walls of the classroom.
After all the students had left, Dan and I walked back to Takefu station and we all caught the train back to Fukui. Dan took us to dinner at Akiyoshi which is this is grill place where you pick from the menu what you want to eat, they cook it for you and then place it on the grill that you have in the middle of the table. It was awesome. I love barbeque. :P They also have this drink called "chu-hai". There's different flavours, I ordered a peach one. It was really nice, the kinda thing that I'd keep drinking during summer because it's really refreshing. Except, I'd get drunk if I keep sculling it, cause it has Bacardi or something mixed in it. The non-alcoholic version is good too. Dan, can you bring some home for Christmas? ;)

After dinner we took a stroll around Fukui and saw the castle moat without the castle. LOL It looked really cool, but I kept looking for the castle. When you look up above the water, what you can see is this building that looks like a scientific lab. It's bizaare.
When we got back to the flat it was time to pack some of our things back into luggages, eat some dessert and watch some TV. Look at our mess.

"Dan wading through the mess.."

"Me - chowing down some chocolate mochi. Yum!"

At about 2am, Dan and I decided to watch the download version of The Devil Wears Prada. It was a good watch until the sound disappeared 3 minutes before the end of the movie and we burst into laughter. bwahahaha That's what we get for downloading.

August 30, 2006 - WEDNESDAY
Our last morning in Fukui consisted of a day version stroll around the moat with the invisible castle, a trip to the post office, lunch and a stroll around the shops (Seibu) and the city itself. Fukui City despite Fukui being considered a province, is actually very modern. The infrastructure in the heart of the city is like any other city in the world, sure there aren't any skyscrapers but it's modern in the sense that the buildings don't look old and you have access to everything that you might need.

At the castle moat...

Lunchin' on my cold noodles..

..The sign says it all..

..Gelato Time..
(FYI: Any form of ice cream in Japan melts really quickly)

By the time we returned mid-afternoon, it was time to hurriedly finish packing and shower. We were all rushing to catch the train cause Dan was going to teach and we were travelling back to Osaka and staying there overnight in order to catch our early flight back to Manila.
There were no sad goodbyes at the station (although I did have to sprint around the platform cause we thought the train was coming but it wasn't) it was more of a "see you at Christmas".

It was a jampacked adventure filled with great company, adventure, food, laughter, blisters, overwhelming heat, vending machines, fun and Japan! It was hard not to love it! :)

DEDICATIONS

Dete - I'm so glad you know some Japanese cause if we ever got truly lost it would have been mondo useful. :) That lady at Snoopytown was pretty funny eh? We won't forget her for a while. Love ya long time!

Dan - Now you know how evil I can be if you make me do anything strenuous in the heat. :) I've had to stop saying J'adore cause it's just not the same without you and no one else understands my French. :) It was one big fun jampacked adventure that all went by too quickly.
Now I totally understand why you're looking all thin and waif. Uuuuyy! :P Hinay hinay lang ok? It's okay to spoil yourself every now and then. Know that I'm awed by the way you teach those kids and your patience with them. Grabe! If that was me, I think would have pulled all my hair out by now! Hanga ako! *bow*
Thanks for choosing Japan to live, cause at least it gave me a reason to visit, learn cool phrases ("SUGOI!" "KAWAII!" "NANI KORE?") and fall in love with Uniqlo and have a new appreciation of GAP stores. Let's go to the real Disneyland and check if the teacups have the same effect ok? *joke* Have you ditched those tsinelas yet?
PS. I'd like a vending machine for Christmas, preferably the Coke one so I can drown in the goodness of the Fanta drinks. I seriously miss Fanta Grape and the convenience store salads.

Ate Leslie and Ate Anne - I'm so glad we were finally able to reach you guys! It was good to see you and catch up after 15 years! Thanks for feeding us dinner and showing us Sakuragicho. We had a great time. I hope Mai and Lance haven't killed each other yet. bwahahaha Thanks! Maybe next time Tito can be there with us too.

I Heart Manila (Aug 12-23, 2006) includes (Aug 31-Sept 2)

2006-10-01T16:40:00.000+10:00

NOTE: There's a whole lot of stuff here that you guys don't really need to know. So if you're not prepared to be bored with the little details, such as what I ate everyday, then just skim read! :) I've done this for my sake, just so I can look back and laugh and reminisce and wish I was still on vacation. There's more writing in some bits than others, but I meant it that way.
This is just part one. I'm in the middle of writing about my Japan adventures.
PS. All the pictures are "clickable" so click away if you wanna see me, us, things - up close.

Some dedications.

Dete - THANKS for coming along on the journey. It was awesome having someone pick up after me and carry all the stuff I didn't want to carry and for dealing with all the paperwork that I hate! Now you know why I don't travel alone. hehehe Love ya sis!

Ate Dee - There's no other words but THANK YOU. I wish I could live with you permanently para lagi kang may kasama. O di ba? Sana! :) Love ya Ate DeeDee!

Jay - Miss you couz! Thanks for being maalaga and pasensyoso sa pinsan mong saksakan ng arte. haha Galing mo mag-drive, hanga ako! :)

Teeny - Thanks for spending loads of time with me kahit na may pasok ka. It means a lot to me na kahit napupuyat ka pinupuntahan mo pa rin kami! Miss mo ko noh?

Myla - Sa wakas nagkita rin tayo! Thanks pinsan! I'm so glad that we got to spend my last two days there na kasama ka!

My Titas and Titos - Thank you for the loads and buckets of laughter that came from your hilarious stories and for always feeding us with yummy treats. Kung madadala ko lang kayo lahat dito ginawa ko na, para kami naman ang makapag-alaga sa inyo!

Alright, let the adventures begin.

August 12, 2006 - SATURDAY
My sister Tess and I left our house at 7:30am for our 10:25am flight. We had planned to leave a bit earlier but we all woke up late. We were lucky to be let through despite having three luggages and an excess of 10 kilos. The counter lady just didn't seem to care and I wasn't exactly going to complain. :P
We got middle aisle seats for just the two of us, close to the front of the airplane and right underneath the TV. Awesome! We kept amused and watched the movies on offer, Mission Impossible 3, and RV. By the time we knew it, we had survived 4.5 hours and we were more than halfway to Manila. I spent the rest of the time napping. By the time I knew it, we had arrived! Yehey! I think that was when the excitement kicked in. Plus nothing beats feeling that humidity once you step off the airplane. You definitely know you're in Manila!
I was standing by the luggage carousel on my own when Ate Dee snuck up behind me. I was surprised to see her inside the airport cause normally they don't let you in unless you have a ticket and passport. But then again she is a diplomat so she does have special priviliges. It was so good to see her. Apparently my cousin Jay was outside waiting in the car. Despite being the first to walk through Philippine Customs our luggage took forever to emerge from the conveyor belt so it was a long and tedious process by the time we got into the car.
Ate Dee had to pick up some clothes she had custom made in Paranaque and we got lost finding our way there. It was a good laugh. We kept asking random bystanders for directions and we all got different responses. There was no validation whatsover confirming the directions given by person beforehand. *sigh* Only in Manila...
We got to Rockwell at 7:30 with time to unload all our stuff. Ate Dee had dinner plans with friends so Dete (Tess), Jay and I made our way via the residential entry to Power Plant Mall. J'adore Power Plant Mall. :) It's so nice inside and there isn't an overwhelming abundance of people like the other malls. We had dinner at a Korean restaurant called Kaya and the barbeque was yummo! After that I had to make my way to Topshop and Zara already (Abbie would be proud), I had to check out what I could buy. hehehe I walked out with a pair of black skinny (not that I am) jeans by Moto for $18. Bargain! *smiles* Then we went to Rustan's bought my favourite ice cream in the wholewide world Selecta DOUBLE DUTCH. I strolled over to the magazine stand and bought Metro and Preview August and walked back and we just relaxed and read and watched cable. We were pretty buggered after that so we went to sleep. Mind you it was midnight filo time, so really it was 2am Aussie time.

August 13, 2006 - SUNDAY
I don't know whether it was the excitement or the hard bed that woke me up, but I woke up early on that Sunday. Actually it was my stupid phone beeping cause I kept getting roaming messages from Globe and Smart "welcoming me to the Philippines". Whatever! So annoying.
Just for the bored bunnies, in the total of 13 days I was in Manila, I received a total of 320 text messages. That's an average of close 25 messages per day. That's a whole lotta lovin.. hehehe
Sunday Highlights
* Reading Ate Dee's Preview collection while everyone was still snoring. J'adore Preview.
* Breakfast at Bizu. Love! *sigh* I'd eat there everyday if I could.
* Footspa, manicure and pedicure at Greenbelt 1. The therapist was the coolest ever. I'm a french tip fan and she did such an awesome job on my hands and feet. Steady hands wins the race!
* Chowing down Jollibee spaghetti whilst at the footspa place. We were there for a while and we got hungry! Thank God for my cousin Jay!
* Mass at Power Plant Mall. Yes there's actually a chapel inside!
* Dinner at Cibo.
* Calling Kuya Odel and he was so drunk that he kept saying "I love you Tito Rey" (he's a big fan of my Dad's) bwahahaha.

August 14, 2006 - MONDAY
Monday Highlights
* Breakfast at Goldilocks. They're bangus belly sinigang rocks! Love!
* Buying a summer top for 50%off at Topshop! :)
* Driving around to Malabon and Navotas and trying to avoid the flooded areas cause the car wouldn't survive if the engine touched water. Poor Jay had to keep doing u-turns. We turned back so many times. We finally decided to park at Citisquare.
* Catching the tricycle to Tita Cora's. Tess and I were squished in one (as in it was so squishy we got chipped paint on our arms from the sides) and on top of that, we had to hold the umbrella to make sure the torrential rain didn't come in. Jay was in another tricycle with a massive suitcase filled with pasalubong. We couldn't even see where we were going. We ended up alighting from the tricyles too early and had 2 walk 200 metres in pissing down rain to Tita's. When we got there, she looked at us and just started laughing, so we all burst out laughing too. It was a classic moment. She had the quirkiest look on her face, God love her.
* Making the tricycle driver stop for Baliwag Lechon Manok on the way to Tita Lita's in Malabon.
* Ordering the HUGE 18?-inch pizza from Shakeys. It covered the whole stove top!

August 15, 2006 - TUESDAY
Tuesday Highlights
* Sleeping in! It was raining and I was feeling lazy. That's what vacations are all about!
* Hair appointment at Toni and Guy, Ayala. J'adore having straight hair but the 5 hours was BORING. Andy, the Creative Director who cut my hair was uber nice and cute to boot! Sayang may gf na. hehehe
* Ever been to a store that sells only Havaianas flip flops? I have! I bought my Havaianas with the filo flags at Flip Flops Glorietta.
* Jean consultation and fitting at Viktor Jeans at The Podium.
* Watched Sa Piling Mo with Ate Dee. I got her hooked!

August 16, 2006 - WEDNESDAY
Today was a relaxed day. We slept in and took our time. We ventured over to Greenhills to look for material to get some dresses made. We didn't find any that took our fancy, but we were able to find some decent pasalubong. Why is it that I can never travel and not worry about pasalubong? :)

Afterwards, we headed to Megamall to try our luck with the material hunting there. I dragged Dete and Jay to eat lunch at Max's cause Piolo's cardboard cutout was standing by the door. hahaha We got seated near the door and could hear the "meet and greet" guy. By the end of our meal, we rushed out because we didn't need to hear "Thank you for dining at Max's, Sir/Maam. Please visit us again soon" again. We're so mean.

Tess tried on this dress at a store called Sylvia Santos which specialised in formal outfits. I'll never forget Jay's comment, "Yan ang ganda, mukha kang Ninang.." bwahahaha The way he said it was so funny. She tried on another dress and this time he said, "Ayun, ngayon ikaw na yung ikakasal..." :) Aww, I miss Jay. He's got a great sense of humour.

We left Mega mid-afternoon cause I was suffering from a monster headache. So we went back to the condo for a sleep and that night we actually didn't eat dinner out *hooray*, but ate Rose's home cooking. Ate Dee had a rehearsal so we trawled over to Power Plant and got some dessert at Figaro and walked for a bit.

August 17, 2006 - THURSDAY
Thursday Highlights
* Kuya Dennis came to spend the day with us. He was with a whole lotta things that Dan ordered for us to bring to Japan.
* Lunch at Kaya (yes again) with Ate Chona who was running late, poor thing.
* Not really sure if this is a highlight, but we had green tea ice cream and it tasted like butter. It was weird, but I gotta mention it cause I remember it! :)
* Mall of Asia! Man, it was tiring and we were only there for 2 hours? I think the only way to see everything located there is just to walk for the day and not go inside any shops. You'll need endless hours to browse the stores if you walk in to all of them!
* Purchase of the day was a black embroidered dress to wear to Ate Dee's recital and an awesome leather handbag both from Maldita. My Mum reckons that name befits me. Funny Mama! hehehehe
* Dinner at Glorietta at Ineng's Barbeque. That place rocks. I luuurrvvve barbecue!

August 18, 2006 - FRIDAY (WARNING: A lot of food was consumed on this day - Deal with it!)
After dropping Ate Dee of at work, we decided to try travelling to Navotas again. The rain had finally ceased and after numerous phone calls, we had established that there was no "baha". Finally!
We parked near the parish and caught pedicab (tricycle-padyak) to Tita Cora's. She always sets a feast for us and that morning it was pandesal and kesong puti. Also, there was lugaw (arroz caldo) with tokwa. Yum! It was such a hearty filo breakfast. I could go on and on about all the food I ate in the Phils, but it makes me miss it so much!
Tito Oly took us to Ate Mylene's place to say hi. So we did the rounds visiting the rest of the cousins within the same vicinity. Afterwards we went to visit our grandparent's and aunt and uncle's graves at the nearby cemetery. We kept trying to light candles, but the wind was too strong and it just turned out to be a frustrating experience for Jay and I.
Now I was feeling adventurous so I asked Jay to drive the 500 metres down the road from the parish to outside my Tita's street to collect Dete. It was a cheap thrill driving amongst jeepneys, tricycles, cyclists and having to complete a 3-point turn with bystanders gawking at you. bwahahaha One of those people was my cousin and I didn't even realise it was him! :P Sorry Kuya Lito!
Since we were doing family rounds again, we were once more invited to pig out at Tita Lita's. I swear her fried chicken (dipped in banana ketchup) leaves Jollibee and McDonalds for dead. It's the best, it's so moorish! Gobble, gobble, gobble. I think I had about 5 pieces. Honest! Love you Tita! :)
We sidetracked to Mall of Asia again on the trip back to Rockwell. Picked up some Chucks and Keds for moi. Cheap as chips! Sometimes I feel bad for taking advantage of third world prices. It's not my fault though right? I also bought my Sa Piling Mo DVD's. Volumes 1-6 for P150 each. I'm eagerly awaiting Volumes 7-12 and I'll have every episode ever made. *sigh*
Dinner was another piggy affair at Dad's Saisake at Glorietta. My favourite was the fresh puto bumbong and bibingka! *drools* I still dream about it! :) Thanks to Tito Bert and Tita Bhaby and family for always treating us out when we're in the Philippines. They're generosity is always overwhelming!
Needless to say after all that food I was pretty ready to barf. hahahaha

August 19, 2006 - SATURDAY
Saturday Highlights
* Body Scrub and Full Body Massage at Fitness First RCBC Bldg Makati. haha I was wearing my "Fatness First" spoofs t-shirt cause all Ate Dee said was that we were getting massages. I didn't know it would be at Fitness First! I swear the guy at the counter was giving me evils. I thought it was funny!
* Breakfast at Starbucks. Love Love Love the corned beef pandesal (P50) and coffee frapuccino with coffee jelly at the bottom. I wish they had that here! BUT what I really love about Starbucks Philippines is the BUTTERSCOTCH FUDGE BAR. *huhuhu* Someone send me some!
The rest of the day was spent running errands for Ate Dee Dee's recital and just making sure she had everything she needed. ie. getting programs printed at Greenbelt, transporting her keyboard, lamp etc to Fort Bonifacio, taking her to the salon.

These are just some pics from Ate Dee's awesome recital. Miss Dee sang songs such as My Immortal, Because of You (Kelly Clarkson), Love Moves in Mysterious Ways and Sunlight. The crowd was going crazy for more! :) Ang daming fans!

August 20, 2006 - SUNDAY
Sunday Highlights
* We were all so buggered from the night before that we all just relaxed, slept in then headed over to Grams Cafe for breakfast. It was raining so we all huddled in umbrellas and skipped puddles down the street.
* Marche - Market of The World.
We strolled over to the Rockwell Tent after breakfast cause I was dying to check out the vintage bazaar. It was a good time to go cause it wasn't too crowded yet. I walked through and checked out each stall. I loved the Team Manila stand and bought a grey tote bag with Jose Rizal on it. I love how they've found such an excellent medium to sell the Philippines to the world. Their designs are uber cool! I also picked up a Marc Jacobs dress (pic on the right)! I heart MJ! And a beige top from Mimi. It's so girly with capped short sleeves and a choc brown bow at the front. J'adore!
* Seafood Lunch
Ate Chona and Kuya Chito treated us out to lunch near MoA. My Dad would have loved it if he was there. There was mud crabs, fish, pipis, squid, sashimi and plenty more. It reminded me of dinner at Dampa last year. But that was with another set of relatives. My niece and nephews are now teenagers which just leaves moi feeling old!
Check out this picture, and look at the waiter na "naki-extra" sa picture namin. hahaha *eeew*
* Dinner at Burgoo's
Piggy, piggy, piggy. Yeh that was me whilst on holidays. After the seafood extravaganza, all I wanted for dinner was a salad. Luckily enough Burgoos at Power Plant had a salad. It felt good to eat lettuce! Check out how cheap beer is! $1! What a joke. I'm not a beer drinker or anything but I know that when I go out with friends to the City beers are at least $5. Ripped...

August 21, 2006 - MONDAY
Monday Highlights
* Lunch at Bubba Gump, Greenbelt. I love how you have to turn the plate number thingos so that the waiter stops! The prawns were noice! Gimme some more. I do believe that I'm getting fatter just by blogging about all the food that I ate!
* Falling in love with this weekend bag at Sisley at Robinson's Galleria and now regretting not buying it. Awww...
* Jay stalking Iya and taking a photo. hehehe Ok, he wasn't really stalking her. She just happened to have some show on inside the mall so he took a pic.
* Papaya Salad from Banana Leaf and White Choco cake from Dulcinea and eating it whilst watching Sa Piling Mo. Ate Dee and I were soooo distraught that we'd miss the finale that was to be held that Friday cause I'd be in Japan and she'd be on her way to Canada. Napanood mo na ba Ate Dee? Ako hindi pa!

August 22, 2006 - TUESDAY
Tuesday Highlights
* Picking up our Viktor Jeans! I heart! :)
* Going to St. Francis Square and buying "movies" to watch. e.g. Just My Luck, X-Men 3, Step Up, She's the Man and My Super Ex-Girlfriend.
* Eating Jollibee's bangus belly with palabok for dinner and the luscious mocha-crunch cake from Dulcinea as recommended by Lori. It's bad walking past Dulcinea everytime we're walking back cause its right near the residential access. It's always so tempting.
* Watching Just My Luck whilst everyone was out.

August 31, 2006 - THURSDAY
Thursday Highlights
* The quick exit from the airport back to Powerplant. Our flight was early and we were at the mall by 2 pm. :)
* Lunch at Myron's.
* Finally finding my navy and grey cardi at Zara.
* Churros con chocolate from Dulcinea.
* Finally talking to Mum and Dad after 3 weeks - even though it was last minute "bilin". :P
* Watching "You are the One" at Powerplant cinema whilst eating Jollibee. *drool* Nothing beats Jollibee and a movie. It was a pretty good movie even though Toni was in it. That wasn't my choice. But it was enjoyable and Sam's tagalog is getting so much better.

September 1, 2006 - FRIDAY
Friday Highlights

* Eating Tita Cora's kare-kare with her infamous bagoong. Heaven on earth I tell you!
* Seeing all of my family members with the exception of very few. Doing the rounds was cool and funny as usual.
* Dinner at Mary Jay's for Nanay's farewell.
* My magazines being available at National Bookstore. Yipee!
* Photo light art. Which Dete deleted! They were so good!
* Double dutch ice cream.
* Finally seeing my cousin Myla and having her stay with us.
* D and M'ing with my cousins till 4am. Good times, it's what I miss most!

September 2, 2006 - SATURDAY
Saturday Highlights

* Buying my shoes at Kenneth Cole. It was meant to be. :) Also, finding an awesome wallet for cheap as chips.
* Hearing "Dahil Ikaw" my holiday theme song on Myx early in the morning.

PICTURES TO COME...

Appreciating Eric..

2006-09-25T11:58:00.000+10:00

*phwoar* Check out these HOT pics of Eric Bana and Gisele Bundchen in the new US Vogue (October). Far out! Eric Bana looks awesome! Gisele always looks good but this is the best that I've seen Eric Bana. If there was any doubt of his status as an A-List celebrity, this cements it!

WANTED: Fox River Runaway

2006-09-20T20:19:00.000+10:00

"Wentworth Miller's Secret Son" :)

Prison Break Escapee!!
*mwahahahahahaha*

R.I.P. Steve Irwin (1962-2006)

2006-09-20T14:18:00.000+10:00

For those who want to watch the Memorial Service, you can do so here:
::Steve Irwin Memorial Service - He Changed Our World ::
(Courtesy: Sky News Australia)
I just watched this in full and was in tears (bawling actually). It's really touching and awe-inspiring that one person could have such an enormous impact on so many people. Wow! Good on ya, Steve!

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING
(read by David Wenham)

Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life
And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife
Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside
It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!
Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above
The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch
Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek
It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique
It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved
It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew
From his fathers’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo
We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call
There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right
If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!
Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!
But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it’s hard to comprehend
I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end
To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration
May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation

…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears
It was like she’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears
I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying
His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”

Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!
And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling
As sure as we’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel
Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real

As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky
I think we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye

Ate Da and Kuya Hieu's Wedding

2006-09-16T23:59:00.000+10:00

Finally! After 7 years, they're married! hehehe

Congratulations!!!

"The Newlyweds"

"The Bridesmaids"

"Bubby and I" :)

"My Partner for the Day (the man behind "THE LOOK") - Alfie"

"Papa and Mama with Dylan"

"Ate, Me, Joce and Bon"

"Rhea, Me and Will"

"Tim, Me, Tin"

"Supermodel Racie - takes after her Tita" :)

"Tim - chanelling the Koreanovela superstar within..." LOL

J'adore Posers..

2006-09-14T11:25:00.000+10:00

"Are you there God, it's me Dylan?" bwahahaha

J'adore this picture of Dylan looking all "at one with God and nature". hehehe Kawaiiii! (and that would be the extent of my Haponese).

Just two things I wanted to share.

1. Oh mah gah!!! I'm so sleepy cause I got home at 11pm last night from Ate Da's wedding rehearsal and I decided to torture my sleepless self to watch Prison Break Season 2 - Episode 4. That show is so good. I get all anxious and tense when I watch it, but I can't stop watching it. LOL I was gettin' all teary when Michael said to Dr. Sara “It was real Sara. You and me. It’s real..,” Oh how I wish Wentworth Miller said that to ME! bwahahaha

It was so hard getting up this morning at 4.30am. It's hard being back to reality after all that holiday fun!

2. I've been listening to filo radio all day here at work (HomeFM) and I've heard 2 Christmas songs already! What the? I can't believe it's halfway through September already! Eeek!

PS. Yesterday we had a fire drill and the fire warden was new, she had no idea what she was doing and she ended up leading us to the toilet! bwahahaha The people on the floor waited for her to come back out (we didn't understand what she was doing so we didn't follow) and I said "Why are you leading us into the toilet?" It was so funny! :) It wasn't so bad walking the 19 flights of stairs. Glad I was wearing flats though!

The Last Kiss

2006-09-12T09:26:00.000+10:00

Awww, I love Rachel Bilson and Zach Braff. Why is there no playdate for this movie in Oz yet?
I can't wait to watch it!

"The Last Kiss" Trailer

Joyeux Anniversaire Mademoiselle Anna Carmela!

2006-09-08T09:04:00.000+10:00

Huge shoutout to my Ate Mel who is old today! Yeehee!
Kuya Marc, is that Tiffany & Co box ready yet or what? :P

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! See you tonight! :)

Bringin' Sexy Back...

2006-09-06T19:32:00.000+10:00

Damn, Justin's hot! :P

That's raw talent.. hehehehe

He's just too cool for school ain't he?

Justin Timberlake performing My Love and Sexy Back at MTV VMA's.

Work blech

2006-09-06T13:25:00.000+10:00

Booo today sucks..
Who wants to come back to work? Not me, I'll tell you!
Anywho, this is probably the most interesting picture I've seen today.

Fancy that, Baby Suri isn't just a figment of Tom Cruise's imagination! :P

Tell me what you think? Cute? Average? Yugly? hehehehe
Gorgeous eyes though. J'adore the colour of her eyes!

A Sneak Peek..

2006-08-29T11:52:00.000+10:00

For my Ate, who cannot wait and emails everyday for pictures.

Philippines

Japan