From my picture tube: "The Bucket List"

How do you face death? That's the gist of the movie. How do you fulfill your goals and ambitions in life when you know that clock is ticking, would you dare to do things you wish you have done long time ago, or do things you only dream of doing or do things you think you cant do??

This is a sentimental movie that would touch your emotions. The main characters Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman has an opposite showing of characters but both found friendship from each other in the end. The "Bucket List" in many respects is a good happy fairy tale that most ordinary folks would dream about before they die, yet the character types played by Nicholson and Freeman make it so believable.

Never mind the flaws of the movie, what I like is the whole concept of having to meet someone opposite of you and slowly gravitating to like that stranger then learn to appreciate that someone because you are in the same boat, and learning that differences do make you accept and understand each other. That life has meaning when you put importance to people around you. Its a journey of lessons and discovery...and arent we all in this world here for exactly the same thing?

Sometimes we are so afraid to look whats lurking out there in the dark, sometimes life takes its toll on us that we just let it slip by without really doing anything. We wake up, go to work, earn a living, go home to our kids, cook dinner then rest to bed to wake up to another day of routine....have we really done something so out of extraordinary lately? Not that I encourage everyone to sky dive like what Jack and Morgan did, but have we taken a good look of our perspectives in life? Are we one shot closer to our goals? What about relationships? What about our spirituality? Are we healed and cleansed? Did we love enough? Did we make people happy? Have we touched their lives?

Life and love equate with one another because we cant live without love and we cant go on loving if life has abandoned us. I would never trade the feeling of love for anything in this world. In love comes hurting, but thats perfectly fine....thats just what makes you love more fiercely..and thats next to magical. If death is finally taking over my life, I would spend my last minutes LOVING...loving GOD, loving my SON, loving my family, and my friends and even my enemies...I'd never get tired of loving them until my last grasp of breath...because in my Bucket List: LOVE is in all numbers!!!

Notes to MYSELF

My father died in March 1996, that's 14 years ago, yet every now and then when I dream and think of him, it feels like he is and has always been just around. Whenever I'm going through a difficult time, I alternately talk to God and to my Dad...there's always a feeling of relief after doing such...and for years now, my tears just wont stop falling everytime I miss him....My Dad was strict...he would never entertain attempts of party/night out permissions, for him, life for children should be home-school-home day in and day out...but Dad was not a bore, he was always the first one to plan on out of town trips for the family, and my, he was such a generous man in terms of preparations, he liked going to different places, meeting new people, exploring life outside our home...that's what I love about Dad, we are really more alike than I am with my mom...because we both just love LIFE!

Dad showed all his children how to mingle and interact with different people from different walks of life..He had plenty of friends..and as always, he was generous with his time and money with them. I remember, we had parties at home almost every week, My father wanted merriment in the house in the company of his friends...we grew up seeing his friends come and go...and learned social skills through that...that's the reason I value friendships so much..I am so into it, because of the example my father lived...


In my relationships with people, I try to nurture them with utmost care..I spend as much time as I can with my friends, more than I do with my family...that's quite odd for some, but that's how i live..I am more comfortable being ME in the company of my friends, i can let loose in other words...at home, Im usually the doer, the idealistic one and the strongest ( my opinion)...my Mom comes to me for advise, so my role in the family is more stiff...one responsibility that comes being a family member, i don't hate it, I am just frustrated that I cant fulfill it because i live in another island from them. With my friends, Im quite observant, quite sensitive and quite protective...I get jealous more on friends having other friends than boyfriends flirting with someone else...thats how big impact friends have on me...

I haven't been dating anyone for the last 5 years since I left my ex....i had few friends on web i got close to alright, but never formally dated anyone of them, so i suppose that doesn't count as "DATING"...in its real sense...not until I met Gabby...he is way so much younger than me...a student that is...but he is one guy who really makes me feel "I am a WOMAN"...he is every inch a gentleman, always protects me, always there to please me...and because of his age, he is also so generous with sweet words, words that still sends tingles to my spine...He isnt my ideal guy, in fact he has the opposite of all attributes i like in a MAN...but with the effort he is taking to be with me...that's more than enough to cover the "flaws" i find in him..based on my standards..we don't have the typical relationship of a man and a woman attracted to each other....we are more of a support system to each other..Gabby is in relationship with someone else..and having me in his life is just a chance he said he is willing to take risk with...and I appreciate that, though you would say Im the villain...but I am really not...I don't intend to take him away from his girl not unless he would say so...but even if that's the case, I don't really see Gabby and me in a "relationship" in the future...He just wouldn't fit in my world the way i see it now...oh well, I will just cross the bridge when I get there...for now, I enjoy having few days a month with him....whenever he is here with me or I with him, we always make the most out of it..and truthfully, I see that glow in his eyes all the time, so i know i am making him happy...

For this month of March, I live to cherish and celebrate the life lived by my Dad in commemoration of his death anniversary this 14th, for all friendships found and built, may the Lord bless it more and more, for my family who I know is just there following every step I take even without me knowing it, for my son who is finishing 3rd grade, and who has given me so much inspiration to be a better person..and for Gabby who makes me smile for now....thank you all...

I love you Dad, always and forever!

Dining OUT!

They have these decorations that are quite artsy....local materials are used, formed into something that is pleasing to the eyes...this one is hanging by the window, with some lights on it, it would sure highlight some areas of that small nook outside the resto...


this post has bricks nicely piled around the base....it gives a little something to talk about...


Garden salad: the usual lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and some dressing....healthy and crunchy!



Kubyertos


Chicken Milanese: deep fried battered chicken breast with gravy sauce


This menu holder is made of popsicle sticks, a child can very well do this, but as a project...its quite unique huh?


One hint of being local: pots with water cascading from one to another...an ambience of serenity..


Dining here in Boston Cafe will give you a feel of mixed cultures...the art gallery is surefire hit to the scrutinizing eyes of the creative ones, the food, mostly pizza and pasta can draw all-age crowd, while the ambience outside can make you feel a little relaxed and comfy...


Resto hunting and food tasting has been always a pleasure for me...


and how can you complain when you are in the company of people who makes it more memorable??

This is IT!

I'm restless
I can hear my heart beating so fast...lub...dub..dub...dub...
Headaches are not going away anytime sooner...just getting worse..
The day is half-over....but things are half-done
Am I going through?

Yesterday was not good, what about today?
Plans are all set, but will it not go aground?
The plane is landing and going, will I see a familiar shadow?
Today is crucial, tomorrow is on trial...
Will my emotions explode from the vial?

How will I face tomorrow?
If it cant be seen from here?
Will I rise above it?
Will I face it flat on the floor?
How do I know?

Life is full of surprises
Sometimes it isn't pleasant, but sometimes it makes you gape in awe!
Will I have the latter and not the former?
Which is which?
Oh enough, I just have to brace myself and face it...
This is IT!

From my picture tube: "My Sister's Keeper"

What keeps a family together? Nick Cassavetes, the director of The Notebook and John Q, again demonstrates his sure hand tales of deep human emotion in this inspiring film about a loving family challenged-and-united by a child's illness. Cameron Diaz, Abegail Breslin, Alec Baldwin and others in an exceptional cast bring sensitivity to the story of 11-yr old Anna Fitzgerald, conceived to be a donor for her leukemia-stricken sister, but who finally demands the right to control her own body. The act of free will may tear the Fitzgeralds apart or, it may be the first step to triumphant realization of devotion, dignity and what it means to be a family. ( From cover)

For me, the movie is intriguing, what with the main plot of an 11 yr old child suing her parents...but that's not really be-all-end-all of the story..., it is also inspiring because this is a story of a mother who would do everything at all costs just to save a child, a story of a sibling who would try everything to help a dying sister and a story of a father who has to be strong for everyone. I couldn't help my tears from falling, because everytime Kate is in the scene it demands nothing less than a tidal wave of emotions, like when she was scanning pages from her scrapbook, in it are memories of her with her family and her poignant messages to all of them, you wish you were there to give her a big hug...

Sometimes, a sad story isn't just a manipulative venture that makes you cry. Sometimes it comes from your understanding of these people and how this particular family operates in an atmosphere of love and mutual concern. Sometimes you just have to believe in each character’s strength of conviction – consumed by their own unrelenting drive to save Kate’s life, and the level of commitment is absolutely apparent to the audience. Sometimes, it's a tale well told that brings out honest emotions. Sometimes, it's in a movie such as 'My Sister's Keeper.

My fave lines from the soundtrack:

1. Feels Like Home - Kate met Taylor, also a cancer-stricken young lad...they fell for each other, loving everyday with all they can because it might be their last day together...you would be crying just seeing them together, bald and all....so touching...so inspiring...

Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much

2. Don't wanna cry - by Pete Yorn - I like men who could be emotionally sensitive to women...and that's rare to find...so I salute them..

I know men aren't supposed to act this way,
but things they got too real; I couldn't stay.
Now I know one day we will both feel good.
If I could be with you, you know I would.

3. Life is Beautiful by Vega4 - Because its true that Life is beautiful but COMPLICATED!!!

Life is beautiful, but it's complicated.
We barely make it.
We don't need to understand,
There are miracles, miracles.

4. We All Fall in Love Sometimes by Jeff Buckley - "Everybody has memories of love gone bad for some reason, especially if it's gone bad for reasons they don't know about..and they can never really figure out...that on..that last one was called 'Unforgiven'"

Didn’t we? did we? should we? could we?
I’m not sure but sometimes we’re so blind
Struggling through the day
When even your best friends say
Don’t you find?
We all fall in love sometimes

5. Find My Way Back Home by Priscila Ann - When love conquers the heart of people, it conquers everything....

'Cause you and me,
So happily,
Make all our dreams of make believe reality


There you have it, watch this movie with a roll of tissue....and popcorn too!!!

Happy Hearts Day everyone!!!

I received this text today: " I keep you in my heart and in my thoughts when I am alone, when I'm doing something and even when I'm sleeping...these things I promise you.......

I will always love you...


I miss you...I am missing you, I always miss you...


I will always carry you in my heart...


I will always cherish you..


I will be that something in your nothingness..


I will take care of you...


I will forever adore you...


and take your breath away


sweep you off your feet...


caress you tenderly...


I will respect your being...


will love you at your best, and love you more at your worst..


I will put meaning to your life...


build wonderful memories with you...


grow old with you...


I will understand you...be patient with you..


I will protect you...


My Only goal is to make you happy...being with me..


Make you part of my life...through thick and thin...


You are the reason Im still hanging on...


Despite the trials im going through..


Always remember that I love you very much...


I really long to see you and put a smile on your face...


I wish I could do it all now...


Just to hold your hand and be with you...


I miss you so much...


Thank you for your understanding...


Im inspired because of you..


I thank you for coming to my life...


for making me feel Im special too...


You are the most amazing woman I have ever known...and would like to know more...



I am such a lucky guy...will always be..because i got you...


5 pages of text message...and guess what? I BELIEVE HIM!!!

Untitled

"There is no passion where pride reigns more powerfully than in love, and one is more often content to sacrifice the peace of mind of the person one loves than to sacrifice one's own." --Maxim 262 (Emilie's Voice)