Cellular

Since House came to life on AXN, I make sure that if I missed it on Tuesdays I would watch it on Saturdays. And yes, I watch House over PBB every Saturday, a very easy decision. TV in the living room is reserved for me at 10:00 p.m. However, I made a tough call last night. Cellular was going to be shown at 9:00 p.m. on HBO. Choices, choices, choices. I wasn’t really planning to watch it because I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to finish it but there wasn’t anything else good for us on TV at around 9:30. And so we started watching Cellular. At around 10:00 p.m., I made the executive decision to finish Cellular and it was indeed worth it. My sisters were wondering since I would miss out House. And I said, that would be fine since I know the ending (that the case would be solved by Dr. House, with the rest of the team).

Cellular featured Kim Basinger and that jock in Not Another Scary Movie (or some movie with that sort of title. I’ve heard great reviews about it but never got to watch it until last night. It sure had its thrilling moments when my sisters and I would just get jittery (and even shout). My mom was even wondering what we were watching, as she was intently watching PBB inside their bedroom that time. It was truly worth watching (and I even missed around 20 minutes of it). Ryan in that movie was one smart guy and so was Jessica (Kim Basinger). I would have loved to spill my favorite parts right here (make it another Top 5 list) but then I don’t want to spoil it for anyone out there. With the film, one would appreciate technology more, the reason why it was called Cellular (with Nokia placing their product well, along with one of the songs from their ads). It was really one great film and I can’t wait to catch it again on HBO.

About House? I sure got to watch probably last 15 minutes of it. And just as I’ve guessed, he cured someone else’s ailment. But one thing also made it more fun watching. There was this toddler who was also crying and his brother was thinking how sick the kid was. The first time they were there, Dr. House pulled a little policeman toy from the kid’s nose. They came back again and Dr. House pulled a little fireman. But that didn’t stop the kid from crying, until Dr. House told him to shut up, which he did (you should have seen the kid’s face!). Anyway, there was another toy, a fire truck found in the kid’s nose. At first, Dr. House said something that the kid may be just plain stupid, not learning the lesson in putting toys in his nose. Anyhow, the kid was still crying and Dr. House found that there was another day buried deep. He pulled another gadget (sort of like a magnet), and out came a miniature cat. Dr. House said that the kid may have been actually smart at all, sending the policeman, fireman, and fire truck to save the cat. Nice isn’t it?

It was really a lingaw Saturday!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Five

Nope, there is no typographical error there. I intentionally changed the word Fire to Five. You’ll figure it out in a while ;)

Anyway, I watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with my classmates around 10:45 a.m. The movie was awesome. It makes me go ‘aaah’ with Fleur and her classmates. Admittedly, I am one of those few who favor the Goblet of Fire over the other books. Most of those people I know favor the Prisoner of Azkaban, which made me shed a few tears.

Cedric Diggory has truly got the looks of Mr. Nice Guy. Viktor Krum is the ruggedly handsome one. So ladies out there with different tastes need not fret.

Well, it may be harder for non-readers to grasp the story of Goblet of Fire with the movie, compared to the first three. Readers surely missed a lot of things but can’t blame the film in not being able to put everything in the book in it. It should always be expected that books and films will always have a hard time ironing their kinks. Let me just put it this way – the book and the film were spectacular in its own way.

The movie with all its effects was definitely better than the first three. It makes a 24-year old (hey, that’s me) swoon over the younger guys, cheer for the good guys, tingle with all the teenage love, laugh with the antics and hope for magic to reign.

Back to the title, I’m incorporating my Top 5 in this blog. For today, my Top 5 first ever or first time in a long time experience today:

1. First time to watch a movie on the first hour of its first showing day.
I already had a chance to watch a movie on the first hour (I remember Titanic!), but not yet on its first day. My officemates used to kid me that I’ll be absent on the first day that the Matrix movies will be shown but I never did. I guess the power of Harry is simply irresistible.
2. First time to watch a movie which skipped some parts and got a ticket for it.
We noticed that the movie jumped (of all, climax pa!), so one of our classmates told the usher while the others simply clapped for them to fix it. They did but it jumped for the second time. We reacted a bit but then continued anyway. On the way out, we asked to talk to the management. They were sorry for there were problems on the reels but we got another chance to watch it up until Friday (whoopee!). Don’t worry, there was no shouting match. It was settled amicably so to speak. And I think it was only us who were able to get those freebies since we were the only ones who aired our grievances.
3. First time in a long time I had my lunch at around almost 2 pm.
I am usually the type of person who tries to eat a complete meal a day. Ever since I resigned from my job back in February, I see to it that I eat breakfast (even if just bread) and lunch (this is important for me .. hehe). I can pass dinner as long as I have had my merienda. We ate late due to Harry (Oh, the things I would do for Harry).
4. First time in a long time I could relate to a horoscope.
I read the newspapers everyday, which means I read the horoscope section. Most of the time, I couldn’t relate with it. At times, I feel it is too general to relate to. On my way home, I told my classmate that I have really been talkative today. Call it coincidence but my horoscope says: “ Still operating your mouth without engaging your brain first, especially if your feelings are involved? Well, try your best to get it under control – but if it doesn’t work, don’t worry. The entire world will be quite chatty today, not just you.
5. First time I have thought of teaching in the US
My mom mentioned that teachers are demand in the US right now. One could even take a test (only $500!) and if one passes it, she could be on her way to a teaching profession in the US of A. Sure, I have thought of teaching as a part-time job right here in Davao City. But it has never crossed my mind to teach in the US. The only things I have imagined myself to be in the US are accountant, IT consultant, student, actress (haha!), FBI agent, CSI, police, among others. Too broad but I never thought of being a teacher in the US until today. But then, it is just a thought for now ;)

Reality

The reality is that I am reality TV fanatic.

It started off with Survivor. No, I wasn’t really a fan of the first Survivor. But through the media hype, I was able to catch its last few episodes and made me (and my siblings) truly gung-ho over Survivor: Outback. It went on with Survivor : Africa. After that, I wasn’t able to catch all of the episodes of the next seasons. But I came back with Survivor:All Star, rested a bit with Survivor:Vanuatu. And now, I am glued to Survivor: Guatemala.

All this time, new breed of reality TV shows came in full force. I was hooked with Amazing Race. Hell, I was screaming when I found out that a really late Amazing Race 4 was to be shown in Melbourne, since I missed out its last episodes in the Philippines. Then there was Apprentice (I would love to join a show like this). I was able to catch Seasons 3 and 4 of the American Idol. I was not much a fan of the Bachelor and Bachelorette Series but admittedly, I have seen a few episodes of whatever season. I was able to watch more episodes of Average Joe:2 though, back in Melbourne when I was all by myself in the apartment.

Local reality series? Extra-Challenge is cool (although I am certified ka-pamilya!) until changes in timeslot got me confused and it has been quite a while since I was able to catch an episode. I was able to keep track of Star Struck 1 and Star Circle Quest 2. And now, Pinoy Big Brother, of which I am a critic-fan, watching it with such criticism.

I am not sure if I am watching these shows because of the reality element (for the fact that I am TV freak per se– reality or not!). I have always believed in the reality of the power of media to hype shows. I have always believed in the reality of editing, choosing what appeals to the people which would ignite reactions. I have always believed in the reality that there is more, or even less, of the people we watch in these reality shows. Nevertheless, the sheer joy of watching and even gaining insights from these shows is for real.

Can’t blame me then if I watch these reality shows, huh? Who knows I may be on the next reality TV series? (nah!)

Another wedding …

…. not mine, of course!

Just the other day, I attended the wedding of one of my friends in high school. Actually, it’s the 3rd wedding I attended this year (can’t help if I am that in demand .. hehe). And no, I was not the maid-of-honor nor any of the bridesmaids in any of those weddings. I was one of the emcees of the first one, a guest of the second one and an usherette in the third one.

It’s nice being invited and attending such a special celebration. Another friend of mine, who was also an usherette, kept saying that such occasion indicates such change. Parang kalian lang nung nag-JS prom kami (char lang!) But kidding aside, it makes you think how life changes and it seems that everything went with just a snap. Pretty soon, they will have kids and then I’m one of the godmothers (oh my!). I know there wouldn’t be gimik nights (although I’m not a gimikera). Let me rephrase that .. no more late night dinners and videoke. But that’s life. People move on to different stages and change will always be there. But I always make sure that I tell my friends that we will still be friends .. hehe!

Of course, when a single person attends such occasion .. there is that inevitable question. Kelan kayo susunod? Huh! As if I could answer that question! But I say that for now, attending such weddings is quite enough for me. I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.

Attending such wedding made me realize more that some things won’t go as planned. Rain was one of the reasons for the changes in two of the weddings I attended. But at the same time, the show must go on .. and it did! See! It just means that it’s good to plan, but it doesn’t work .. go for Plan B. The important thing is it will eventually work out fine.

Oh! And another thing! That bouquet thing? I always try to avoid it (no need to explain because majority of single ladies out there avoid it as well). Anyhow, can’t avoid it the last time around because my friend’s tita was calling our names (we were in the comfort room .. hehe). By the way, that catch-that-bouquet tradition has been sort of changed because of the hard fact that some girl will not really try to catch it (which is believed to be bad luck). Anyhow, with the last wedding, we were to pull up some strings from a basket, and one string has a note attached to it. Guess what? I did not get that string .. luck is indeed with me!

Well .. until the next wedding (most probably not mine)!

Ripples

I have always believed that everyone creates ripples. And that we touch other's lives with everything that we do. The precise time I crossed a street or bought some food creates an effect on other people's lives. Joan just reiterated it today.

Oh! I haven't told you about Joan? Well, she's Joan of Arcadia. One really nice show that really makes me ponder about my life more.

Today's episode (actually, it was Friday night's episode on ETC) was about touching other's lives and looking at the whole spectrum. Joan was tasked by GOD to ask Steve, a bully, to the school dance at a precise moment and she did. She doesn't really know why. Anyway, things went well and a small thing led to Steve running away from school, with Joan following her. Steve had a gun and started practice shooting until Joan's dad arrives. Anyhow, Joan asks GOD what good was she able to do when it will eventually landed Steve in jail. She was tasked to listen. She did. She observed. But she still didn't understand why nothing good came out if. Well, she was missing the whole spectrum. When she asked Steve to the dance, she saved lives. Because of her act, Steve got noticed. He was given an importance. Another person believed in him. If not for Joan's act, there would have been a shooting incident with a number of students getting killed and shot by Steve, who will commit suicide in the end.

Of course, if GOD wasn't there, Joan would have missed the big picture. How would she know, right?

I guess it just made me think more that everything I do, affects everyone, no matter how small. I touch other people's lives, affecting their decisions, making an impact on their future. I create ripples, though I may never know up to what extent

At last

At last ….

… I have updated my blog after quite some time. I am not pretty sure why I only got to update my blog now when I was basically free after our last exam a week ago. Probably because I had too many topics to write … hehe …

… first semester of law school is over, well almost since we still don’t have our grades and we have a removal exam on the 12th of November just to eliminate our lowest quiz. Well, damn if you do, damn if you don’t!

… I got my first celebrity picture since I resigned from work. I got an autographed picture from Jeff Probst, the Survivor host, a few weeks back. Actually, I also got a letter from Rodger Bingham, from Survivor 2, a few months back. (Take a guess if I'm a Survivor fan!) My letter to Rodger was actually a thank you note for replying to my letter years ago. And still, he replied to my letter!

… I have started arranging our pictures from our vacation last May and I should be finished before the second semester begins (or just about when it starts).

… I have finished a novel after months of not reading one. I just finished James Patterson’s Jack and Jill. Cool twists but the ending was kind of open-ended .. typical conspiracy stuff .. hehe!

… I have tasted Jollibee’s Double Cheese Fries. Being a cheese-fanatic, I have been wanting to have a taste of this. The verdict? Typical fries with cheese!