Since I'm reccing fics, might as well link to my favorite Good Omens fic author as well. I did find the Sherlock Holmes fic rec from her journal.

One of the reasons I like her stories (and also the Sherlock Holmes ones from yesterday) is that they sound (feel?) like the original material. It's like reading the real book/stories, only with slashy bits added in. (Although, arguably, Good Omens and Sherlock Holmes both do have slashy bits in canon, just presented a little more subtly. Hehe.)

I don't usually post recs, but I just have to link to this Sherlock Holmes fanfic author:
The Seventeenth Step

I don't know which specific story to recommend, as each one I've read is brilliant. You'll not go wrong if you pick one at random. Promise. ♥

Met with college friends Jon and Gerald (both vacationing from the States), Joyce S., Jeff, Fungi, Aireen, and Lolo. I haven't seen Jon, Gerald and Jeff for more than five years, so we had a lot to catch up on.

We were supposed to have dinner at Dencio's in Eastwood, but we saw this small place called Heaven and Eggs Rock and Roll, and ended up eating there instead (mostly because of curiosity about the unusual name). Their fish and chips looked amazing on the plate, but the fish was too salty. I ordered the grilled tuna, which didn't turn out too memorable, either. I've had better at the SM Food Court for half the price. Too bad nobody ordered the house specialty (Manila steak, or something like that). That might have been a hit. Their garlic rice was great, though.

We went for after-dinner coffee and desserts at Dulcinea. Their cakes weren't special. I tried the Peach tea for the first time, however, and I really liked it. (I was looking for Passion Fruit, but they were all out.)

Jon and Gerald are flying back to the States over the weekend. I wonder when we'll get a chance to see each other again. :/


***


On a happy note, Katips will be visiting Manila next month. Yahoooooo!

The Pacheca Clan
From left: Kevin, Kerstie, Mommy, Me, Carl (boy in front of me), Tito Bong, Janzel, Jade, Diana, Jane, Tita Patty, Ringo John, CJ, Brandy Jun, Tita Emy

Or four families' worth of Lolo Ido and Lola Andeng's offspring, anyway. My mom is the eldest sibling, and me, Jane and Jade are her daughters. Tito Bong is the second; Kevin and Carl are his sons (he has two other children, Kim and Carol). Tita Patty is the fourth, and Kerstie is her only child. Tito Lesty is the youngest, Tita Emy is his wife, and their children are Janzel, Diana, CJ, Brandy Jun and Ringo (they have another son, Ramir, who's in Davao). I have two other aunts (Tita Letty and Tita Yoyet); they and their families live abroad.

It's hard to tell where my grandparents' children end and their grandchildren begin. The ages of their children range from 62 years old (my mom) to 46 years old (Tito Lesty). The oldest grandchild (Carol) is 36, a mere ten years younger than her youngest Tito, and the youngest grandchild (CJ) is only 1 year old. So far, there are only two great-grandkids, both of whom are older than their Tita CJ.

( Read more... )

Official UP Adidas jackets and shirts are now available at the UP Shopping Center (will also be sold at Adidas Eastwood, Katipunan and Ali Mall by mid-January).

I love the jacket design, but they don't seem to be available in women's sizes. At saka bakit naman black and white? How boring. :/

Update: Apparently, a maroon version of the jacket will be released in the future. I'm not sure if that's any better. Why do we have such a fugly school color?

And here comes the usual end of year retrospective, beginning with...

The things I did for the first time in 2009:

• Worked during the night shift.


• Went to the midnight Banchetto at Ortigas.


• Vacationed at Davao.


• Bought real estate. (!)


• Got an intrarectal ultrasound. (Ouch.)


• Experienced, and survived, a natural disaster (Also: waded through chest-deep floodwater, became an evacuee, and existed on relief goods).


• Climbed a mountain. (Actually, I'm not sure if this IS a first time. We trekked to the Taal Volcano crater for a Geology field trip back in college, but most of the volcano is underwater so we only had to climb the few exposed kilometers at the top. Did that count?)

Best books:*

1. The Egyptologist - Arthur Philips


2. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke


3. City of Saints and Madmen - Jeff Vandermeer

Best movies:*

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince


• Star Trek


• Inglorious Basterds

Best TV series:*

• Battlestar Galactica (all seasons)


• Fringe (season 2)


• Naruto Shippuuden (Sasuke arc)

*These weren't necessarily released in 2009, but I read/watched them for the first time this year.

I'd love to hear your firsts and bests, too! Please share! :)

The other day, a friend asked me what memories I think I would recall on my deathbed. Thinking on it, I realized that almost all of my fondest memories occurred in one of these three places: at home, at my grandparents' ancestral house, and at the Owl's Nest.

Last night, we bid farewell to our beloved college tambayan, the UPZS Owl's Nest, which will be demolished in place of a new Animal House for the Biology Department. We met once again in this little building by the swamp to send it off with a bang.


Beside Kamia Hall, the barely noticeable sign to the Owl's Nest...


... reveals the steps leading down...


... to our home away from home.

( More photos. )


Leaving my final mark.

So hello and goodbye, Owl's Nest. You were witness to some of the happiest (and bittersweet, and challenging, and adventurous...) moments of my life. I learned so much more under your roof than in any other classroom. Thank you for the memories. ♥

Once again, we have come to the time of year when we reflect on what we have achieved, and look forward to what is to come. It's resolution time!

( First off, the measuring up... )

I had a horrible year, what with the global recession, the threat of layoffs, and the Ondoy disaster sidetracking almost all of my financial (and other) plans. On the plus side, everyone I love is safe and sound. Also, I don't think I took any steps backward. I just didn't grow much (or maybe just stayed in place). Hopefully, next year will be a better one for all of us.

For 2010, I think I will have a balance of work and play to my goals. I don't think I can expect much financially, as we're still in the middle of a recession, so I will try to make my financial goals a bit more realistically attainable.

So, without further ado, here are my GOALS FOR 2010:

1. Write two original short stories.

2. Not be more than 5 days late in a month.

3. Lose 2 inches off my belly (by hook or by crook!).

4. Make at least two new human friends.

5. Start a topic-exclusive blog.

6. Make at least [an equivalent of 2 months salary] from sideline jobs.

7. Join at least 4 sportsy activities (marathon, mountain climbing, cycling, etc).

8. Backpack tour to at least one foreign country or remote Philippine location.

9. Start a money-making venture.

10. Visit the following places: Binondo (Chinatown), Star City area, Antipolo, Intramuros.

11. Watch a play or a ballet.

12. Learn to identify at least 2 more constellations.

13. Wear lady-like shoes at least once a week.

14. Learn PHP and Joomla.

15. Love Squall with all of my heart. - DONE, DONE, DONE!!!

Had post-Christmas lunch at Gotti's Megamall with my high school friends Gail, Ampy and Apple. Food was good, and company was even better! After lunch, we walked around the mall and had impromptu photoshoots at random locations. We even had a photoshoot at a corridor leading to the toilets; how random can you get? XD

And here is my favorite photo:

Yes, pang-centerfold!

More photos at Gail's FB album (hopefully, she didn't friends-lock it).

***

My trainer says I looked like I lost weight during the Christmas break, so I'm eating to my heart's content until New Year's day! Hahahaha!

My silver sequin dress earned me the Star of the Night award at the office Christmas Party. The prize was two 100-peso SM Gift Certificates (cheapskates!). And bragging rights. XD

Smoky eye makeup was a total failure. I need more practice. Good thing Sherelyn was there to fix me up.

No pics yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Old news, but finally got around to downloading Adam Lambert's AMA performance. So he kissed the keyboardist. Why censor that? Haven't Britney Spears and Madonna been there, done that? (Or could it be that the jrock fan service culture has made me immune to the risqueness of it all? XD)

I'm not saying I was all stoic and unaffected while watching the kissy bits, though. Because that was hot! ♥


*dies*

Meanwhile, don't you guys think Adam Lambert is the non-jailbait version of Tokio Hotel's Bill Kaulitz? Hahahaha!

***

I filed for a vacation leave today so I can do my Christmas shopping. But I got sick and had to stay home. Grrrrr.

Ten days to go and still no Christmas presents under our tree. How sad is that?

Went to Galleria to see Inglorious Basterds with my two sisters. The movie was amazing, totally worth the trek to your nearest Robinson's Movieworld just to watch it. (For some strange reason, Inglorious Basterds is only being shown in Robinsons theaters. The R-18 rating can't possibly be the reason; Ninja Assassins had the same rating and still screened everywhere.)

Had cheesecake and coffee overload at the Coffee Bean afterwards. Good times.

1. A dose of culture

Reserve tickets to the hit Broadway musical, Cats, coming to Manila this July, featuring an international cast (and the magnificent Lea Salonga). Ticket prices range from around P800 for nosebleed seats to P5000 to P7000 for good ones (ouch).

For less kabuhayan-showcasey fare, try The Nutcracker or Baroque Fantasque by Ballet Philippines. Final showdates are December 12 and 13. Ticket prices range from P200 to P600.


2. The moon and stars

Get a Galileoscope, a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed for the International Year of Astronomy (description taken from their site). For only $20, view the night skies the way Galileo saw it hundreds of years ago.

Alternatively, arm yourself with binoculars and a planisphere, and become a Sirius Stargazer. So far, they've covered the Double Cluster, the Alpha Persei Cluster, and The Pleiades. Cool stuff.

For the best view of the sky, spend a night at a beach with minimal light pollution (e.g., non-commercial beaches in Zambales).


[Note: The title originally said five ideas but I changed it to two ideas because I took too long to update this post that I forgot the other three. XD]

High school batch reunion class picture, stolen from someone's FB
I don't remember half of the people in this photo. I either really didn't meet anyone the whole time I was in St. Paul, or I'm suffering from post-traumatic amnesia. (Sometimes I feel like my life started in college, and everything before that was just a horrible nightmare. The mere sight of nuns gives me the creeps.)

I wonder... will I be opening psychological floodgates if I force myself to remember who these people are? :/

A few of my high school batchmates cooked up an SPCP reunion slated for tonight at the Metrowalk. I'm not going, but it got me thinking about grade school and high school batchmates that I would love to revisit. They're not really friends, maybe they don't even remember who I am, but they're some of the most intriguing people I have ever met in real life. Here's a couple:

1. Sharon Estanislao - Sharon was the high school hothead, the batch's Scary Spice. She wasn't the typical girl's bully, though. She would never attack you psychologically (unlike the other resident bully, the Diaz girl, who I'm thankful I never shared a class with). Sharon was also pretty nice, once she'd copied off of your history and chemistry quizzes. She'd give you gifts (shiny stickers and stuff) and offer to varnish your desk for you at the end of the school year.

2. J. Miraflor* - J was the class rebel. She was also beautiful. And very smart. She was one of the people I most idolized, growing up. She would do things I could only daydream about, like get drunk at the Christmas mass, or sneak out of school hidden in the trunk of a cab. While people were talking about her, I was always silently cheering her on. I wonder how she's doing now. Hopefully, she hasn't lost all of her spunk.

I doubt they'll be at the reunion, as they're just not the sociable types. Unless they've mellowed down a lot in their dotage.

*[I shortened her name because I just found out that this post turns up at searches for her full name. We wouldn't want to ruin her rep. :)]


And then there are the teachers I wouldn't mind meeting again:

1. Ms. Miraflor (not related to J.) - Heaven help you if you haven't read the assigned Ibong Mandaragit chapters when she calls on you. She was the most dreaded teacher, ever. She's also the one I most remember. I don't know if it's because she taught us for two years, or because I remember her more fondly now that I don't quake in fear of her ronda (this, even when I read chapters way ahead!).

2. Ms. Reyes - I've always been interested in natural sciences, but Ms. Reyes, who taught Biology and Chemistry, was probably one of the major factors that pushed me into taking up MBB in college. No other teacher made me feel like I'm just being made to see through a peephole; that there's so much more beyond what she's teaching, but I'd have to work at breaking the barrier myself if I want to see more. And I did, I really did!

3. Sir Dela Vega - He once announced in front of the class that he gave me high marks in History because, even if I never participated in class, I got high grades in quizzes and tests. Everyone bugged me to reveal my History grade after that. He gave me an 81. The lowest mark I received for any subject in years. Funny, sir. Absolutely hilarious.


I tried searching for these people on FB, but their names aren't in the database (or, in the case of Ms. Reyes, there's just too many with the same name).

UPDATE: I found Sir Dela Vega. LOL.

UPDATE 2: I think I found J. Miraflor, too. Or rather, she found me. (See comments section.)

Wednesdays are MOB (My Own Bag) Days at the SM Megamall Supermarket. So remember to bring your own shopping bags if you plan to do your grocery shopping there on a Wednesday. If you can't be bothered, or if you forgot, your purchases shall be packed in handleless brown paper bags, unless you opt to buy plastic bags (boo you!) or their green canvas shopping bags.

***

The annual CONVERSE SALE at the Megatrade Hall (SM Megamall) runs from today to December 6. I got there before noon and stocks were already starting to run out.

I couldn't decide between the all-black Metallica high tops and the black and white checkered high tops, so I got both. I know I'll regret it tomorrow, when it finally sinks in that the the money could have bought me an okay office table at SM Home. What is it about sales that makes us involuntarily suspend our better judgement?

On the bright side (aside from the bright side of having 2 new Chucks), I get a free 2-piece Chickenjoy with rice and a Peach Mango pie because I paid with BPI EPS. Tomorrow's lunch -- check! ;p

My first ever mountain climbing experience. That's me in Lex Luthor colors. ;)

Mount Daguldol is what seasoned climbers call a Level 1 mountain, meaning it's fairly risk-free and easy to climb. The way I was huffing and puffing on the way up, though, you'd think I climbed a level one million. Half of the trail was steep, slippery, and muddy (the other half was just steep). My rubber shoes, which I bought post-Ondoy, were baptized in ankle-deep mud. They won't feel so out-of-place with my pre-Ondoy shoes now. In contrast, our tour guide's baby pink sneakers barely had any mud splatters on them. She must have the power to float on soft ground or something.


At the peak

Think going down is cake? Nope. It's hell on the toes, which gravity kept crushing against my shoes. Both my big toes were stubbed to death. Literally. Pareho silang namatayan ng kuko. Poor things. Lesson learned: next time, wear toeless footwear. ("There's a next time?!" exclaimed the battered toes.)

( More photos. )

After more than two months of waiting for a PLDT repairman to come, Ningning lost her temper and waylaid a PLDT repair van on its way to another house, and forced the crew to take a look at our line. So, our phone and DSL are back up! Finally! If we had known this was the way their repair schedule worked, we would have ambushed a repair van earlier.

Will probably swap the PLDT DSL with my cousin's SmartBro again later, though, as PLDT is even slower than I remember. I should have gotten that sh*t disconnected a long time ago.

November 1. All Saints' Day, also known in my family as pig-out-at-the-cemetery day. Went early to avoid the usual scorching afternoon heat. Had hotdogs, chao fan rice, siomai, ice cream, chips and lots and lots of candy.

November 11. Preck's karaoke night / despedida party. I don't even remember what I ate here. But karaoke + food = win. Went to Starbucks afterwards, where I discovered a new favorite drink: the Tazo Passion tea.

November 12. Daddy's death anniversary. Went back to the cemetery to lay flowers and several candles of different shapes, colors and sizes. Would have been pretty if they stayed lit, but it was a windy day. Brought home a party box of donuts and smidgets(?), forgetting that Mom just stocked up on butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate pretzels.

November 13. Everyone's send off. (Or sure felt like it.) It was three people's last day at the office (resigned). First there was cake, and then pizza, and more cake, and ice cream, and more cake, and chocolate-covered turon, and more ice cream. I didn't have to try everything. But you know I did. XD

November 15. 2012. Terrible movie, free calorie-laden popcorn (courtesy of Citibank ;D), which I couldn't stop eating because the movie was so so bad and I needed the distraction.

November 22. Jane's birthday party. I think I had three servings of pancit, and 2 extra-large slices of chocolate cake. Plus there was also nilagang baka. And leche flan. My stomach felt like it was going to explode. And then I ate more cake. LOL.

It doesn't end here, though. This weekend, I will either be going with my officemates to loll at the Laiya beach for three days, or with my family to have a reunion party at a private pool.

And then comes December, the month of unbridled feasting. :/

Since I had quite a few post-Ondoy purchases (to replace home necessities that were destroyed), I realized that I do not always get the most out of my money when I pay with cash. Several banks have ongoing holiday promotions that would give me more bang for my buck. In other words: sulit! Here are some sulit EPS / credit card promos I discovered:


1. BPI EPS or Credit Card Real Thrills

You get one piece Jollibee Chickenjoy with rice for a minimum of P1500 single-receipt purchase, two pieces for P3000, and a whole bucket for a P6000 single receipt purchase. So instead of withdrawing cash from my BPI account before buying stuff, I just use my ATM to make EPS purchases.

I get free meals, and I'm not hassled by the long ATM queues. It's win-win all the way, di ba?!


2. Citibank Free Movie Tickets

Citibank gives one free movie pass for a minimum of P1500 single-receipt purchase, 2 passes + 2 softdrinks + 1 popcorn for every P7000, and 3 passes + 3 softdrinks + 1 popcorn for Paylite purchases worth at least P20,000.

I have accumulated a gazillion free passes and softdrinks and popcorn because I charged my large purchases with Citibank even if I am able to pay in cash. My sisters and I are just waiting for a good movie to come out so our whole extended family can go on a movie date.

Read the fine print.


3. Citibank and SM Appliance Center's Buy Now, Pay After Three Months

If you buy anything worth over P3000 at any SM Appliance center and use your Citibank card, you won't get billed until after three months. I took advantage of this to get stuff that I didn't have budget for right now, but I'd have funds for after I pay off my large credit card purchases next month. XD

******


A word of advice, though: when taking advantage of credit card promotions, it's best to make sure that we're able to pay off our monthly credit card bills in full, otherwise the finance charges would be greater than the value of the freebies. E di hindi na sulit yun!

Have fun with your Christmas shopping! ;)

Hands down, my favorite romantic movie scene would have to be the one from Secret Admirer when Michael realizes that the person who sent him the endearing love letter is actually his best friend, Toni, and that he's also in love with her. But Toni is going away for a year to study abroad, and when Michael reaches the dock, Toni's boat has already set off. So he shouts at her from across the water.

Michael: Toni, wait! Hey! Wait! Stop! Wait!
(Toni finally notices him.)
Michael: I know you wrote the letters!
Toni: Michael! What?
Michael: The letters! I know you wrote them!
(Toni stares at him.)
Michael: Don't leave me! I love you!
Toni: What?!
Michael: I love you! Do you love me?!
Toni: What difference does it make?!
Michael: But do you love me?
Toni: Yes! Does that make you feel any better?

Michael jumps off the pier into the water and tries to swim to the boat, but after a while stops and looks at Toni. Toni hesitates, and jumps off, too. They swim towards each other, and everyone cheers.

It's cheesy, I know. But it was the 80s, and I was young and impressionable. That's why having someone profess his love at the last possible chance (and across a great distance) became my definitive romantic fantasy. Possibly it's also to blame for my tendency to sit back and do nothing, and wait for the person I'm in love with to just suddenly realize in the end that we're meant for each other after all. In my lifetime, this has worked out for me a grand total of zero times. You'd think by now I'd have changed tactics. (Or at least written a love letter to give myself a fighting chance.) Hehe.


Runners up (these aren't movies, but what the hey, this is my list):

- Coffee Prince, in that night beach scene where Han Kyul admits (what he thinks is) his unnatural love to a sleeping Eun Chan, who he still believes is a man. Now that is what I call real love!

- Hana Yori Dango, where Domyouji rents a room in a rundown apartment to be near Makino, and he visits her in her crappy room, and tells her that for him, love doesn't taste like the bittersweet heart-shaped fig, but like the lousy cookies Makino baked for him. (I could melt! Domyouji is totally my Prince Charming.)

Maybe I should try emulating my runners up's leading ladies instead. Let's see how acting like a boy and beating up gorgeous guys works out for me. XD

John Hughes Film Festival at the Shang Cineplex

Schedule:

October 24 (Saturday)
2:00PM Breakfast Club
4:30PM Ferris Bueller's Day Off
7:00PM Some Kind of Wonderful
9:30PM Pretty in Pink

October 25 (Sunday)
2:00PM Ferris Bueller's Day Off
4:30PM Pretty in Pink
7:00PM Breakfast Club
9:30PM Some Kind of Wonderful

For months (years?), I've been holding off re-reading the Wheel of Time series to make sure that the latest book is out by the time I finish the previous eleven. Well, the 12th book (The Gathering Storm) will be released next week. I should be ecstatic.

But, sadly, I now have no Wheel of Time books left to read. They all perished during The Great Flood. I can't remember most of the story details, either, so I can't just dig into the latest book. (Really, can anyone keep track of all of WoT's complicated storylines in their heads?) My mini-notes would help, but they're stuck between the pages of the books that drowned. :(

On the bright side, maybe I'll be able to acquire the eleven books (hopefully, they're available in book sales) just in time for the paperback release of the twelfth. I'm more comfortable reading paperbacks, anyway. In the mean time, I just need to use my Aes Sedai powers to stay out of spoiler stuff for the next year or so. Good luck, me.

This month is all about dinners with old friends. (And cleaning up calamity mud, but I think I've completely exhausted that topic.)

This time, it's dinner at Serendra with my high school friends, plus an adopted much younger friend who also went to the same school.


Gail, Ampy, Apple and me at Conti's

Don't we look like we're still in our twenties? NOT! Hahahaha! Well, except for Apple, who is. We actually talked about this over coffee. The conclusion being that if we're told we look like we're in our twenties, then we're being lied to. At least tell us we look 33. Pwede na yun, mas realistic pa!


Conti's famous Mango Bravo

The cake wasn't as to-die-for as it was reputed to be. Okay lang. The baked salmon, though, was positively orgasmic! No pic because we wolfed down dinner before anybody thought to whip out the cam. XD


The pretty people at Bo's Coffee

Yeah, yeah. You all just wish you'd look like us when you're as old. ;p