What If

Today, I had a thought. What if I never met you?

Akala

Akala ko alam ko na ang lahat
Ng dapat kong malaman
Ngunit mali na naman
Pero okay lang yan

'Wag kang matakot na baka magkamali
Walang mapapala kung hindi ka magbakasakali
Dahil lumilipas ang oras
Baka ka maiwanan kung hindi mo susubukan
-Parokya ni Edgar

Steal Not

I just had to write this down.

While I am in no position to condemn anyone, I am almost starting to lose my faith on humanity. Don't get me wrong, I am wonderfully blessed with earthly angels but for some reason, unwanted people find their way and caused me trouble.

In a span of 3 weeks, I lost a lot of valuable items already in this "marketplace". No one heard me complain about it until I lost a pretty hefty amount of money to some thief. That money was not even intended for shopping, it was for school. Nevertheless, I cried my heart out soon I realized I lost that wallet.

I get it that this "thief" probably needs the money so bad - bills to pay, food, whatever but what I don't understand is why would someone even bother to steal my other things like:
- pencil case
- Time magazine (Nelson Mandela on the cover)
- Love in Time of Cholera book
- Lesson plan
- visual aids for my Reading class
- Flash disk
- coloring book
- Mug (how gross is that?!)

And to make things even worse, I don't have any hint who my legendary borrower is. If only I could strip off that effing mask. Now, as a lesson learned, I bring my huge bag everywhere - even if I need to go to the loo.

I am ready to forgive because I have been forgiven but I also hope that this person knows that stealing my things (or others') will not make him/her better than any of us.

Harumpf.

The Dark Knight

One of the most anticipated movie this year is Christoper Nolan's second take on Batman - not only because of its given great cinematography, effects, Christian Bale and that this is "darker" from all the other previous Batmans we've seen but we're also curious at how the late Heath Ledger portrayed Joker.

His take on the Joker is really scary from his make up, laugh, manner of speaking and how you cannot decipher what's on his mind. Heaven knows how much Ledger studied this character that he couldn't shake it off long after he's done portraying it. I remember holding my beau's hand so tight during the scene where Joker was telling a man how he got his scars and mimicking his dad's "why so serious?"

This early, there are talks of a Best Actor Oscar for Ledger, even if some critics would say that its not going to happen. Well, you'll never know.

Aside from Ledger, the movie also boasts of such great actors - that inclue Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. Christian Bale, so far, is the best Bruce Wayne/Batman for me. He was able to show his characters' human side - he can be lonely and vulnerable. Maggie Gyllenhaal has always given life to whatever character she tackles; thus, making her portrayal as Rachel Dawes notable. Aaron Eckhart (think No Reservation) is a pleasant surprise - playing Harvey Dent/Two Face. He sure pulled off his characters quite notably.

The Dark Knight is a celebration of an excellent work - showing that the people involved had a huge respect to the material and went as far as the "dark side".

Mama Mia

Having been raised by a wonderful couple crazy for music, I was a captured audience of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Beatles, ABBA, U2, Madonna, Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Tiffany and Debbie Gibson. I listened to a whole bunch of Broadway songs, grew crazy over The Sound of Music and danced Footloose a hundred times.

After seeing Mama Mia's trailer, I knew that the movie is going to be a quick trip down to the memory lane - as t features ABBA songs.

Much to my delight, the movie is a treat - from its location (captured the beautiful Greece), ABBA songs, witty lines, great actors and it definitely did not hurt that Pierce Brosnan, in his 50's can still charm any woman (or feeling woman) with his looks.

The movie is light and tackles a mystery involving Donna's (Meryl Streep) daughter, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). She does not know who her father is. So after reading her mother's diary, she found out that she has 3 possible fathers. Without her mother knowing it, she invited these 3 men to her wedding.

What happened when the 3 men arrived in Greece is funny to a tee.

If you're looking for some entertainment without cringing your face, Mama Mia is a must see.

Amazed by Your Grace

Coming from dust;
Born in an imperfect world;
I, myself is a sinner.

Like what Paul said -
"we do the things we're not supposed to do,
and we don't do the things we're supposed to do."
But with Your mercy and steadfast love, I become your daughter.

For the many times I have failed You,
Still, You did not desert me;
Instead You have shown me Your awesome power.

In times that I cannot be still;
When I had troubles waiting -
You nevertheless remind me how You died for us to be saved.

During the several wee hours -
When Lalaland was yet beyond my reach,
Your words would comfort me; soothes this weary soul.

My soul is sounding with joy;
Saving me from another doom;
You are, indeed, my master shield!

From where I sit now -
I cannot help but be grateful,
And just be amazed by Your grace.

All of My Days

Proclaim Your awesome power,
Tell of mighty deeds,
Declare Your future kingdom,
Of everlasting peace.

And my eyes they look unto You always,
And I am captured by Your Majesty.

All of my days,
I will sing of Your greatness.
All of my days,
I will speak of Your grace.
All of my days,
I will tell of Your wonderous love.
Your love in my life,
Your love.

All Your works will praise You,
Your children bless Your name.
We speak of all Your goodness,
We walk in fields of grace.

One Big Fight

Fight, Fight - Blue and White!
Go Ateneo!

Hancock

A day after the movie was released in the theaters, my beau and I watched this Will Smith starrer film, Hancock who is a drunkard blessed (or cursed) with supernatural powers. He can fly, knocks the hell out of everyone and everything, he hates everyone and everyone hates him because of the chaos he often caused. He does not have a momory of himself 80 years ago... yes! he does not age.

One day, he rescued Ray Embrey, a PR guy played by Jason Bateman (think of Juno) from being crushed by a train and much to Hancock's surprise, Ray actually thanked him profusely and offered to do an image makeover for this drunkard superhero.

Ray invited Hancock to be with his family for dinner as he try to convince him to this image makeover proposal. This seems a pretty good idea but Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron) did not like it and wanted Hancock to be out of their lives instead.

Having seen so many superheroes movies these past years, Hancock did not really blew me away although, the plot caught me off guard. I was looking for that wow factor or something that sets him apart from all those superheroes/villains we've always known.

Or maybe, I am just hard to please when it comes to movies.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Wanted

Although we first noticed him as Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, it was his portrayal as Dr. Nicolas Garrigan in The Last King of Scotland (topbilled by Forest Whitaker) that made his name under the "watch out for list" in Hollywood. And since then, I have my eyes all set on James McAvoy. He does not have the pretty boy looks, alright but he definitely has the it factor, he sure can act and I just love his sexy Scottish accent.

In Wanted, he played the role of Wesley Gibson - a pushover, gets anxiety attacks very and must've been bullied all his life until he met Fox played by the ever reliable Angelina Jolie - who after tackling a dramatic role in A Mighty Heart, is finally back kicking ass, think Lara Croft and Mrs. Jane Smith. Also in the cast is Morgan Freeman, who played Sloan - current leader of the Fraternity, a brotherhood of assassins whose target are those chosen by Fate. Their motto is "kill one, save thousands".

I never consider myself a fan of violence, guns and goons but I just so love watching action packed flicks - and this movie is not just all about killing, it is also about finding your niche, fighting for what is fair and risking your lige to protect someone you love.

Wanted did not make a huge impact on me that way Bourne movies did but my 150 bucks did not go to waste either.

Another Stanger Call

Around lunchtime yesterday, I received a call from a woman (probably in her 30's) spilling her gathered guts and what she coined as "things I should've known years ago." I knew I was up for something spicy, so I settled myself comfortably on a chair, accompanied by ice cold Coke Zero and readily lend her my left ear.

I gave her the floor wholeheartedly.

It was more than an hour conversation - she did most of the talking and I was a willing captured audience. She said a lot of things that could probably break the confidence I have with the man I have been with for the past 6 years (the first year being his time of pursuit) but she should've done a better job in research - she should know that I am not a gullible person and that am not that easy.

I told her in my friendliest tone ever that while I appreciate her "good intentions", I cannot just accept her side of the story as the truth simply because (1) she is an anonymous caller. She refuses to divulge her real name, I can call her Eve daw in the meantime, (2) she backed off when I dared her to meet up with me so we can talk personally and so that I'll know who I am dealing with. Will you trust somebody who continously hide behind these telephone lines? I won't. (3) This type of calls is no longer trivial to me. I have been running with all sorts of anonymous callers, sending me messages through email, Friendster and even sms since February 2004. And by far, I am winning.

Seriously, I have been trying hard to understand where these boogers err buggers are coming from - is it insecurity, envy, wrath or maybe they just couldn't stand the kind of relationship my beau and I have?

That same afternoon, it dawned on me that my mere existence hurt them - you see hurt people, hurt people. And while they continue to plague me with their misplaced wrath and insecurities, I am armored with a handful of prayer and that man who always asks for my hand.

Life is good and short, let's not waste our time enviously observing other people's lives and guiltlessly try to hurt them. I may not be able to pin these buggers down now but I know Someone bigger than any of us will do the job for me.

Just wait.