Vampires, Werewolves, and the end of the world...

Since I am on leave today, I decided I'd watch 2 movies. It has been months since I had the time to watch a film. I already missed out on 500 Days of Summer, This is It, Julie and Julia, and many more... and because there's just simply no one to go with on a working day, I went by myself. I'm not new to watching by myself though, I used to do it a lot back in the days but the last movie I went to alone was Lost in Translation, in Oxford. I decided to watch New Moon and 2012, I caught the first screening of New Moon which I thought would be perfect because the cinema won't be crowded yet but I guess I was wrong. I have never seen too many people in a movie theater at 10:40 in the morning on a weekday. I bet all those younger audience either cut or skipped class.
Anyhow, the movie was good. I won't say much about it except there is a scene between Edward and Bella that lasted more or less 10 seconds that was very cheesy and the movie could have done without it. And, I know I was not the only one who cringed. If only for Jacob Black, I'd say the movie is perfect! Haha! How Taylor Lautner turned from this (in Cheaper by the Dozen 2- 2005):
to this:



in just 4 years or so will remain a mystery to me... on second thoughts, who cares how he did it!

and then there was 2012...


There's something about Roland Emmerich and the end of the world, may it be by disasters or alien invasion(he also directed The Day after Tomorrow and Independence Day), I'm starting to think he has visions of the future. The thought of apocalypse is a bit scary but also a reminder that we will never know what's gonna happen and the only thing that is for sure is that every day is a chance to change, make things right and show some love...
The movie was also good except for the fact that you'd need a billion Euros to be spared from death:) I say... just pray and be ready.

Both movies are worth watching.

I'm a watch this!

Crazy 'bout FLIP!

Two weeks ago, I bought this very cool gadget. This is the Flip Ultra camcorder. I decided to buy it mainly because of my nephews and niece. I thought I'd take videos of their activities to record their milestones.
Here's a list of just a few things I like about the gadget:
- it's very handy (think iPhone, only a bit thicker);
- it runs with 2 AA batteries, so you don't have to worry about it being discharged when you are out. You just have to bring extra batteries and don't worry, the battery life is very reasonable considering there is a live view while shooting. My first set of batteries recorded videos that last well over 2 hours if I add up the length of all the videos I've taken and that does not even include the playbacks.
- it's very affordable, mine is a first generation Flip, bought it for P3,999 (about $80)
- as seen in the image above, it connects to computers directly through USB, and once connected, it automatically starts up the software which will let you directly upload videos to YouTube
- and more importantly, the sound and video quality is very good

Click here to see sample videos, this is the e-journal I made to share videos of my nephews and niece.

I learned about this gadget from one of my favorite blogs: chuvaness.com

To learn more about the new generation Flip, click here.

Angkor Wat

One of my shallow regrets is not being able to see the STONEHENGE up close for the more than 4 years that I lived in the UK. It is one of the many wonders of the world that I want to see...not only in pictures. When I go back to visit my sister, Wiltshire will be one of the places I'd go to. Come February, I will be putting on my tourist hat and go to Cambodia with a friend to see another great wonder... Angkor Wat!!! woot!!!

Yabang Pinoy!!!

This makes me really proud. I have seen documentaries of how he helped young children who couldn't go to school. I think he deserves the prize money as he has done something that only someone who really cares would have thought of doing... To read about all the CNN heroes and the Top 10, click here. To vote for Efren, click here.

Typhoon Survival 101

This is a re-post... thank you to whoever came up with this... Feel free to repost and share

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A FLOOD

Put together a supply kit or your very own typhoon survival kit including:

Clear drinking WATER. Good enough for a week. Consider having at least 1 gallon per person. Consider: juices in packs, carbonated drinks, coffee.

FOOD Also good enough for a week. Consider:

* Snacks that are ready-to-eat, easy to store and carry (biscuits, cookies)

* Non-perishable canned food (corned beef, tuna, pork and beans, vienna sausage, etc.)
* Candies to maintain sugar in body and keep acidity at bay
* Bread that will last for a few days, for carbo load
* Instant noodles, if you have the means to cook
* IMPORTANT: food for babies and the elderly if you have some staying with you

food utensils (spoons,can opener,etc.)
first aid and medicines
sleeping bags or bedding
personal items you must have for health and safety
toiletries include toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap.
blankets, towels, comforters, pillows. You can put them in large garbage bags to keep from getting wet.
extra clothes and underwear. Put them in plastic bags to avoid from getting wet. If you can, pack something that will last you for a few days.
Jackets, sweaters, socks, caps, rain gear and warm clothing and anything else that will keep you warm and dry.
Emergency lights and flashlights
Fresh batteries, battery-powered flashlights and radio. Have reserves for batteries of different sizes, especially for radios and flashlights. Avoid candles.
Mobile phone. Make sure the battery is fully charge, and that you have a spare one, too, in case of emergency. Also consider walkie-talkies.
Cash. Banks and ATMs might not be available so make sure that you have cash with you.
Keys. Have copies of keys to the front door, back door, garage, car keys, etc.
Items for pets. Consider also having a leash, muzzle, cage and food for your pets.
Umbrellas and tents
Water pails and dippers
Floatation devices like life jackets, styrofoams, old tires, etc.
Rope

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO PROTECT

Many people have died trying to go back for these things, so it’s important that you are well-prepared already at this point in time. Keep these documents in a water-proof container:

1. Birth certificates
2. Insurance records
3. Medical records
4. SSS, Pag-ibig and Philhealth records
5. Identification cards
6. Bank account numbers and records
7. Emergency contact numbers
8. Contact numbers of family, friends and loved ones

It is important that you have an ID with you wherever you go. Also, a list of people to contact in case something happens to you. If you can, put your emergency contacts on speed dial.

SAFETY during a typhoon

Stay indoors and keep calm. Secure your home. Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. If your house is in a flood-prone area, go to the nearest designated evacuation center. Have a flashlight and radio handy, with fresh batteries, a first aid kit as well.

Do not use gas or elctrical appliances that have been flooded. If you do stay home, turn off and unplug electric appliances and equipment to avoid possible electrical shorts and fires. Make sure you have adequate protective rain gear to keep warm and dry in case you need to flee. If you are indoors during the storm, stay there. Going outside may expose u to fallen power lines, flying debris that is extremely dangerous.

In case of flooding, turn off the main sources of electricity, gas and water in your home. Unplug all equipment and appliances. Make sure that the main electrical power switch or circuit breaker is turned off. When you need to touch a switch and the floor is still wet, stand on dry board or carton or wear rubber sole boots.


Avoid low-lying areas, riverbanks, creeks and coastal areas, slopes, cliffs and foothills. Rains can trigger landslides, rockslides or mudslides.Avoid wading through flooded areas. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Do not operate any electrical equipment during a flood.

For people whose houses have been submerged:

1. Make sure you use CHLOROX or ZONROX for dirt and not just Lysol to kill molds. Then 2. Spray/Fumigate against mosquitoes, otherwise there will be an outbreak of dengue & cholera may follow.

Allow electrical wires, connectors and other wiring devices to dry completely. Drying may take days, depending on how wet the system is and on external temperature. When all electrical wires and accessories are dry and clean, the wiring system must be checked. The appliance itself must be completely dry, serviced or checked by a licensed electrician. Do not turn on damaged electrical appliances.

A new typhoon called Pepeng might become a super typhoon by the time it reaches Northern Luzon and has already left about 139 people stranded in ports and transportation terminals in Legazpi City.

The Bicol region has been put under Storm Signal No. 1 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), but forecaster Mario Palafox warns that as it moves toward Northern Luzon, Pepeng could become a super typhoon with its strong winds, saying in Filipino, “Its winds are now 150 kph, near 180 kph, which is the minimum wind speed for it to be considered a super typhoon.”

It is estimated that Pepeng, which has winds that are twice as strong as Ondoy, will reach Manila by Saturday.


Prepare. Inform. Connect. Help. Remain calm. Pray. We can get through this storm.

a day to remember...

na magdasal....
na tumulong....
na matuto....

If I were rich...

I'd buy all these for myself as an early Christmas gift:



1. “Not a Point & Shoot. Not an SLR … It’s a PEN.” A cool looking camera, it's like an old analog camera, but really, it's digital. The Olympus E-P1®.



2. I'd love to have a new lense for my Canon SLR.



3. This Samsung Blu-ray disc player will look good on my wall.



4. I've heard good reviews about the Windows 7. The stability of XP and improved features of Vista combined.



5. A new computer station.

Ok now, reality check... I'm not rich. so maybe, just one of these.
But really, this Christmas, all I'm wishing for is... world peace. ;-)☺☺☺

Life List....

i so agree with these...

The most destructive habit : Worry
The greatest joy: Giving
The most endangered species: Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource: Our youth
The greatest “shot in the arm”: Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome: Fear
The most effective sleeping pill: Peace of mind
The most crippling disease: Excuses
The most powerful force in life: Love
The most destructive pariah: Gossip
The most incredible computer: The human brain
The worst thing to be without: Hope
The deadliest weapon: The tongue
The two most powerful words: Can do
The greatest asset: Faith
The most worthless emotion: Self-pity
The worst thing you can lose: Self-respect
The most satisfying work: Helping others
The ugliest personality trait: Selfishness
The most beautiful attire: A smile!
The most prized possession: Integrity
The most contagious spirit: Enthusiasm

Random thoughts from a 4 by 4 room...

15-09-09
i really hate hospitals... everything about it, the smell, the noise, and the fact that if you need to go there, most of the time it means that you or someone you care about is not well. If you are not going to see a new baby, it's just not worth it...First of all, the rooms all seem so small no matter how much you pay per night or per day. Staying to care for someone means that you are probably going to sit all day, but hooray, it also means you now have time to catch up on your reading, update blog, watch the tv shows you've been missing some episodes of, and finally opening the envelopes you've been ignoring since you don't really need to see the bills, thanks to direct debit.
Nurses:
My mother needs to have blood transfusion, 4 bags is what she needs. Her vitals need to be checked every 15 minutes during the course of transfusion and no offense to my nurse friends but for Pete's sakes, why do they need to come in groups all the time, 1 nurse for body temp, 1 for blood pressure, 1 for checking if the flow of blood is just about right, and another one who does nothing...what the?!
Meal:
Steamed fish - unsalted and smells like it's fresh out of the fisherman's net
Steamed rice - overcooked
steamed vegetables - not cooked enough
small slice of papaya - why is it still green?
Goodluck eating that mother!
Visitors:
You can't help but be thankful to all the relatives and friends who make time to show that they care. And the more visitors you have in a day, the more food supply you get... goldilocks rolls, fortune hopia ube, cookies, biscuits, mamon, red ribbon to name a few.
Long time:
Sometimes, hospital can also be a place where you'll be reminded that you know a lot of other people... like highschool batchmates who work at the front desk of the hospital, gradeschool friends who are also employees, a distant cousin who is also there for a loved one, and an old neighbor who is waiting for his new baby's arrival. Not a nice place for such reacquaintances...
Still...

amidst all the complaints and these good but fattening food, bottomline: the patient is doing okay.. so thank you OLPMC, you've been good to our family for the past few years...

heartless...

Indeed! Kanye West once again proved what a stupid arse he is for what he did during the acceptance speech of Taylor Swift at the VMAs. Yes, Taylor Swift is not that good and there's probably another artist who truly deserved that award but that? he just embarassed himself! He's always been like that and this is the case where you can say "...like the music but not so much the person!" oh well! Okay, he's forgiven... next album...

Represent! Aquino all the way...

Sen. Noynoy officially announced that he is running for President in the 2010 elections... here's hoping and praying that, win or lose, he'll continue to make real the promise of democracy that his father died for and his mother fought for...

stamped...

i wanna get my hands on these tribute stamps... hope the 70,000 pieces that philpost released today is not yet sold out by the time i'm free to go to the post office.

u-BER excited!

In some countries, including the Philippines, Christmas can be felt as soon as the ber months start and true enough, malls have started stocking up with Christmas ornaments on this 1st week of September. It doesn't matter if no one really buys anything yet... it's there and it's discounted even. Last year, the Christmas motif in the house was silver and blue, bit boyish/masculine in honor of my nephew's first ever Christmas. This year I'm thinking, it should be colorful, Disney-themed, since all my 3 nephews and niece will be in the Phils. this coming holidays. But that's a few more weeks from now, there's still a Christening and a 60th Birthday party to organize and celebrate before December.

kiyeme...

2 movies I'm hoping to see this weekend...
I'm not really sure about district 9 but due to unexpected good reviews, it's kind of tempting to go see this movie. Anyway, I can always use the movie theater as a sleeping place, in case the story doesn't maintain my attention span.
Kimmy Dora! :) I'm not losing hope in Filipino comedy movies...

Bon Voyage???

Just sharing! For the complete article, click here: Manila Bulletin. Wala naman... Excuse me while I sing So Sick!!!!

Mmmm Lemon grass...

loving thai food... This is the seafood Tom Yum from Jatujak Thai restaurant in Mall of Asia. Unlike other Thai restos, their prices are reasonable. I just love how almost every food in their menu has a hint of lemongrass. Green papaya salad is also worth trying. Gotta stock up on Lucky Me Tom Yum to satisfy these cravings :) goodbye jjampong...

Katy Perry's waking up in Manila...

never heard of Boys like Girls... but this will be a good show nonetheless...woooot!

Manila, Manila

I love Team Manila... they have really cool stuff from hoodies to shirts to belts and much much more... http://www.teammanilalifestyle.com/ Also, check out their shirts for the benefit of UNICEF.

De-stress yourself...

A refreshing Sunday... a stroll along provincial small town backroads with the car windows rolled down to breathe fresh air and smell the scent of rice farms... this.. while eating banana or camote cue and dirty ice cream.