Got CARRIEd Away

So, I watched Sex and the City yesterday. It's still so surreal. The long awaited movie is finally out.

It's my second time this year to go to the movies alone, by choice. I could have waited 'til Saturday to watch SATC but I couldn't do it. I had to watch it yesterday or I'll die waiting for Saturday to come (which is tomorrow, btw). *grins*

As much as my heart is so full of wonderful things to share about the film, I just can't. I feel like I might not do it justice. Well, maybe a few words -- it's absoposilutely amazing!!! I laughed, I cried, I fell in love...and am watching it again on Sunday ....and again when DJ comes to Cebu!








Haven't seen the movie yet? What in the world are you waiting for? You wouldn't want to miss one half of your life, would you? Then how about refreshing your SATC memories... Click here.

Sex and the City, Here I Come!

It's a Wednesday. Meaning, it's change picture day!=D Guess what's out in the cinemas..... Sex and the City! Super happy, happy, joy, joy!

I've never tried watching any film on it's first day. I'm sure it would be a long queue! But I couldn't help it...I need to watch it TODAY! Am like the biggest fan of the girls ever! So, I pretended I'm not broke and dropped by Ayala this lunchtime to check the schedule and the ticket availability (their online reservation is not working). Weeeee...I now have my ticket! Php130 for sure seats, middle part, 3rd row, balcony. I'm going to the movies again...alone! Can't wait! Can't wait! 5 more minutes and am off to Ayala!

(Geez, am being impulsive again! Aarrrggghhh!!!

I Got Hit by the Jericho!

It's been awhile since I last went out of the theater REALLY stoked. *grins*

First off, thanks Paul for helping me decide on which movie to watch. You don't need to read this post because I'll be like repeating everything I just said to you.

So I watched Iron Man. The movie started 3:40 in the afternoon. I brought no food so I could concentrate on the movie. It was a free seating. I got there early so I had the chance to choose the best seat -- third row, middle seats of the balcony. Luckily, the woman in front of me was short so I got a full view of the screen. It was so funny, I actually found myself seated in between two couples. And guess what, the ones in front and behind me were also love birds! But I was there with me and myself and it was all good!

Here's the whole synopsis courtesy of Yahoo! Movies:

Tony Stark is a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man.

Prior to watching the film, I absolutely had no idea about Iron Man. I knew zero about the character and the story itself so I had zero expectations too. I have to say Jon Favreau did a great job! I'm all praises, actually! I think Transformers can now step down the throne. (I still love Transformers but it's now second to Iron Man.) I was really wowed! Loved it! I could watch it over and over again! No tacky parts, musical score was great, best of all, they chose the perfect cast --Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges. I have to admit though that at first, I actually thought why in the world would they get Robert to play the role?! A superhero? Based on his past films that I happen to see, he has the tendency of being gay-ish! But I was totally wrong! He did pull it off! (I love you Robert Downey Jr.! I'm sorry Shia, I met Bob first.) Terrence Howard who played the role of Rhodey also did great plus he's just so sexy!hahaha

Just one thing though, the whole 2 hours, 6 min. film felt like a pilot episode of a series. I wanted more! I couldn't wait for the sequel. And thanks again Paul for telling me to stay a bit longer after they finish rolling the credits. They were never wrong for choosing Samuel L. Jackson for whatever his role would be for the sequel.

I am now officially an Iron Man fan!

Indy Vs. Iron Man

I used to have this ‘Koren Day’ maybe about a year ago where I would spend the day out alone. It’s usually on Sundays after church. I would eat out, catch a movie, and shop (or should I say window shop) alone. I so miss that. Well it’s mostly the catch-a-movie part that I totally miss. I think the last film I watched alone was…Oh my gosh! I couldn’t even remember! I think it was In the Land of Women, I’m not sure. Anyway, on my way to the office yesterday, I saw this…movie guide??? (What do you call that again, the one near malls where they place the movies showing? Movie guide! haha) Anyhoo, Indiana Jones 4 is now showing!!! Okay, I’m not sure if I did like Indy when I was a kid but for sure I did watch one or two of the trilogies because my father is a big fan (and he gets to decide what everyone watches.hehe). Another film that I would want to see (but didn’t have the chance because I was always broke) was Iron Man and it’s STILL showing!!! I got so excited! I need to watch any of the two! There, it got me really baffled big time. I have missed so many great movies and I get disappointed if I only get to see them on pirated DVD’s because you won’t FEEL the movie. You miss details that you aren’t supposed to miss.

It was like a neck to neck competition between Indy and Iron Man last night that I had to text my film-critique-wannabee friend(hahaha), Paul to ask his opinion. According to him it was a no braider. It’s definitely the Marvel superhero. Marvel over Spielberg? Okay, let’s weigh things. Indy is by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Though I am not a Ford fan, I love Shia and Cate Blanchett. Iron Man, on the other hand, stars my other favorites Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. I loved Bob since his Chances Are, Only You and Heart and Souls days. Uhm, wait a second. Robert Downey Jr.? Iron Man? I could only imagine him doing romantic comedy films! Okay, I haven’t really seen another Bob movie after his Heart and Souls and I could only remember him being arrested for substance abuse but I still love him and I gotta see his amazing new physique in Iron Man. I actually don’t know Iron Man and his story but I also just realized I don’t like movies that have too dusty setting (except for Hidalgo) so it’s a ‘Goodbye Indy, I’m giving Jon Favreau a chance.’ Let’s see. I’m off to the movies in awhile. Weeeeee…..=D

Play and Feed

Thanks to a friend's post, I found a new interest- enhancing my word-hoard. I love it!

FreeRice is a vocabulary game site (just like those trivia-ish online sites); It's just that you play and feed hungry people at the same time. With every right answer you get, 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Program. Isn't that great?! You just don't enhance your vocabulary, you help end hunger. I have to warn you though, it's kind of addictive! Enjoy!=)

Warning: Scammer on the Loose

Perhaps I got this email later than you guys did. I can't believe I fell for it.

Donation From Mrs Susan Morgan

Thursday, May 15, 2008 5:21 AM

From:"Susan Morgan"

To:sus_morgan17@k.ro

From Mrs Susan Morgan
N�[38 Rue Des Martyrs Cocody
Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire

ATTN:DEAREST ONE OF GOD

I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am married to Mr.Abram Morgan,
who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died
in the year 2004. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died
after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.

Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I
decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the
Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of
$2. 5 Million (Two Million Five Hundred U.S. Dollars) in the bank here in
Abidjan in suspense account.

Presently, the fund is still with the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me
that i have serious sickness which is cancer problem. The one that disturbs
me most is my stroke sickness. Having known my condition I decided to
donate this fund to a church or individual that will utilize this money the
way I am going to instruct herein. I want a church that will use this fund
for orphanages, widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavour that
the house of God is maintained.

The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I
took this decision because I don’t have any child that will inherit this
money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don’t want my
husband’s efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don’t want a situation where
this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this
decision. I am not afraid of death hence i know where I am going. I know
that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that
the Lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace.

I don’t need any telephone communication in this regard because of my
health hence the presence of my husband’s relatives is around me always I
don't want them to know about this development. With God all things are
possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of
the bank here in Abidjan. I want you and the church to always pray for me
because the Lord is my shepherd. My happiness is that I lived a life of a
worthy Christian. Whoever that wants to serve the Lord must serve him in
spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.

Contact me on the above e-mail address for more information’s, any delay in
your reply will give me room in sourcing another church or individual for
this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I
Stated herein. Hoping to receive your
reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs susan morgan

I had so much in mind after reading the email. First I thought of it as a scam but then the gullible side of me was just overpowering. Yes, I replied to the email introducing myself (hahaha). I was thinking Bread of Life - Dumaguete needed funds to build their center so I made mention of the church. Goodness gracious great balls of fire! At 25, I fell for an internet scam.

I received the above letter 5:21 AM today. I forgot what time I replied to the email but just this 3:23 PM, I received the scammer's second letter.

From Sister Susan Morgan/Photo Attached Below

Thursday, May 15, 2008 3:23 PM

From:"Susan Morgan"

To:"saSsykoren"

Message contains attachments

i and my late husband.jpg ()

Dearest In Christ,

Greetings to you in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, i am very
happy for your quick response to my mail, well i am not afriad of the death
because i knows where i am heading to, my only problem is to see the desire
of my late husband come to accomplishment now that i am alive, so dearly
one in Christ i want you to assure me that you will never let the trust i
have in you down, that you will use the fund accondingly to the will of the
Almighty God.

I know you are surprise in receiving this letter, but as a servant of the
living God, you should know that our ways is not his ways, my Bible tells
me that God works in many ways and all things works out for good to them
that believed in Christ Jesus, all i need from you is to assure me that you
will never betray the trust i am trying to entrust in your hand for the
work of God, you may asked me how i got across your email, the bilbe said
that who is me is greater than who of the world, the Holy Spirit that leads
me to you will never let us down only if you can beleive with faith.

Please, I want you to understand that this benevolence is in fulfilment of
the desire and decision of my late husband which I am persuaded to
actualize,this fund is desiginated for humanitarian and Charity services
with special emphasis, which must be disbursed with every appropriation,
accountability and prudence to the glory of God.

Meanwhile,i could have donate this money here in my country,but the reason
is that before the death of my late beloved husband he warned me not to let
his relatives know about this money because they are unbleilvers ( muslim)
and he don't want an atom of this money to be use in anything Islamic,and i
don't intend to disobey him even in death.

I will want you to send to me your full names and address to enable me
swear an affidavit on oath on your behalf that will officially and legally
approve you as the new beneficiary to this fund, so that even if i am no
more, your claim to the fund will not be in doubt. I will be sending you
the certificate of deposit of this fund immediately after the affidavit is
ready.

I will want you to kindly be fast on your arrangement on how the fund will
be transfered to you before the fall of the crises in Ivory Coast, since
the political affair has affected their economy. Infact, the saints have
been fasting and praying for peace for the country since the attacked of
the rebels.

Ensure you reply this letter and the needed information immediately for the
proccess of this transaction on your behalf. Most Important: I will like
this to be so confidential and sincerelity, also bear in mind that can not
call you on phone, all our comminucation will be via-email because of my
late husband relatives.

Thanks and may God bless us all.
Sister Susan
Morgan.

It didn't sound right. You can't give away your $2.5 Million to some random person on the net. It was just absurd. (The photo, by the way, couldn't be opened.) So, I googled Susan Morgan and Abram Morgan hoping I could find something. I found zero. I then searched the address mentioned above. Results flooded. Turns out that the scammer also goes by other aliases: Esther Khaled, Rebecca Williams, Anita Adams, Jennifer Bruce, Morine Silver, etc. There is no Kuwait Embassy in Ivory Coast also where the supposed late husband of the letter sender worked.

Naglilipana na ang masasamang luob sa mundo! How dare they use the name of God to scam other people. But truth is, this isn't new at all. I replied to the second email. Let's see what happens.

Guys, please be warned. Spread the news; tell others about this scam. God bless us all!

The Devil is Stepping on My Eyelids

Is it clinically proven that humans need at least eight hours of sleep a day? I only get an average of six or so. What happens to me then? Does this cause Narcolepsy because I think I may be Narcoleptic.

According to Wikipedia, the main characteristic of narcolepsy is overwhelming excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), even after adequate night time sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime naps may occur without warning and may be physically irresistible. These naps can occur several times a day.

Hmmm...I couldn’t recall how this started but it sure is not healthy. Let me remember the last time I had eight hours straight sleep. Err, grade school? Okay, I may stay up later than my friends do but what's sleeping at 12 midnight to 1:00 AM and waking up at 7:30 to 8:00AM. I just find it unfair when other people stay up all night long to party but still manage to get through the day as if they’ve had 48 hours of sleep. In my case, it has always been a major problem. Let me share with you some of my not-so-good experiences with my so-called ‘semi-narcolepsy’ disorder.

• I don’t copy notes in high school. Sometimes if I do, I’ll just tear my notebook page by page because I wouldn’t understand my handwriting. (Just imagine how much I’d spend for photocopies every subject that I have.) If my professors announce to check our notebooks to serve as class project, I’d borrow from my classmates and copy notes for the whole grading/quarter of the school year (whatever) all at one night so I’ll have something to submit the next day. One time in my Religion class in freshman high, our teacher gave us a pop quiz. We were to dissect the message of the song “Ironic” by Alanis Moresette through S-E-E process. I hurriedly scanned my notebook before the test started. I remember seeing the first few lines of my not-so-complete notes – “S of the S-E-E process stands for sharing of food and so on…” I had a hard time looking for that part of the song which had a thought on sharing of food! So I wrote down “It’s like 10,000 spoons and all you need is a knife...” Sounds like talking about food right?LOL. After the test, I asked my classmates how they answered that part, only to know that it wasn’t sharing of food but sharing of feelings. Tsk tsk tsk
  

• During my high school graduation, I missed the message of the speaker because I slept almost the whole time while she was giving her speech. And take note - that was on the stage of the Luce auditorium. (Highschool batchmates, if you have a copy of her message please let me know.)
  

• Come college, Ms. Redillas (Pol. Sci. 11) asked me to step out of her class if I wanted to sleep. I looked around because I did not know it was me that she was referring to.

• Mrs. Barrera of my Chemistry (lecture) class, no question, was really strict. I could have died of heart attack in her class, I swear! I didn’t have friends in her class because all my other batchmates enrolled in a different section. No friends = no one to borrow notes from/ no one to help me if I didn't understand the lesson/ no one to pinch me every time I fall asleep. So, I did whatever I could to keep up with the lessons. I had complete notes; I completed the semester with a good Chem. grade. Thanks to Nescafe 3-in-1. It was part of my lunch just so I wouldn’t sleep through Mrs. Barrera’s 1:00PM Chemistry class! Btw, I didn't know there's such thing as cold coffee that time. eek!
  

The list could go on forever- I slept in church, in the cinemas, in the school cafeteria, even in our review classes for the board exam! But now that I'm working, I actually thought that my 'semi-narcolepsy' disorder went away or so I thought. This week (after some time of being narcolepsy-free) my please-give-me-a-bitch-slap-coz-I'm-sleepy disease came back knocking on my door. The devil is again stepping on my eyelids! Grrrr...I can't sleep at work! And I am so not drinking coffee. Am not a fan.

If anyone of you knows any remedy for this aside from getting an 8-hour sleep, it would be very much appreciated. And no, thank you very much but there is no way I'm going to the doctor!

Happy Birthday Boyfriend!

It’s JA’s 28^th! Happy Birthday Jude Anthony! Sorry I can’t be there to celebrate your birthday with you. But am seeing you…tomorrow!=) Can’t wait! I love you mucho! muaahhhh!!!!!=*

Miss Aye was in Town

One of my most favorite persons in the world came to visit last May 6 after like five months. Happy, happy, joy, joy!!!

April Joyce dropped by Cebu for two days before going home to Dapitan for a vacation.

Day 1: May 6, 2008. Dinner. Movie date. Pizza.
I was a third-wheeler. We watched this cheesy Tagalog film then went to IT Park for some pizza afterwards.

Day 2: May 7, 2008. Leo's 26th. Dinner at Golden Cowrie. Karaoke. Club.

With April Joyce around, it's always fun, fun, fun! Walang Tulugan! Thanks girlfriend!

Dream Destinations

I’m looking at a friend’s Travel Stories post and am so jealous of her. I'm envious of people who are given the opportunity to travel, be it around the country or abroad.

I love traveling that I could put it on top of my list of interests. It's just that it would sound preposterous cause I never really get to travel (well, except around Negros, Ilo-ilo and Cebu!haha). I'm stuck in the boondocks for almost 25 years of my life and the only time I got out was during a Manila field trip in college (I can totally relate to you Kat.). Of course, you also need to have the luxury to travel. I don't have that. Sometimes I wish I had Samantha Brown's job. Just imagine the perks when you host a travel show!

Here are my top 5 dream destinations (so far):

1. Venice, Italy

I want to have a picture of myself kissing (Wentworth Miller) under Ponte Dei Sospiri on a gondola on a sunset, period.

2. Bali, Indonesia

I actually don't know what to expect in Bali. Well, I know it has beautiful beaches but I also know the island has more to offer. The real reason why I got into this whole I-want-to-go-to-Bali idea was this Indonesian crush I had in high school. It was crazy because it made me embrace everything Indonesian! I promised myself that before I die, I will visit Bali.....and am keeping that promise.

3. Santorini Island, Greece

The moment I saw Santorini being featured in Discovery TLC, it was love at first sight. Amazing, amazing view. Greece itself has a lot of stories to tell. It would be a very interesting trip if ever.

4. New York, U.S.A.

First stop, Manhattan! I want to walk the streets Carrie Bradshaw walked in her Blahniks. Then there's NYC. I want to visit Parsons then dine at Serendipity III. Whew! I’m thinking of not just a visit to NY. I actually want to work there!LOL.

5. Paris, France

Predictable, it’s no surprise. Who wouldn’t want to go there?

Those are just five of my dream destinations. I change my mind every now and then though. Right now I'm thinking anywhere around Asia or Australia or Hawaii perhaps.=)

Talk About Impulsive Buying

I’m a self-confessed closeted social-climber who loves fashion but couldn’t afford even the cheapest designer clothes that scoring a Marc Jacobs piece in the ukay-ukay is already a piece of heaven within grasp. Despite that, I don’t worship fashion. Give me a quiz pronto and I’d totally flunk it.

I only feed my fashion-hungry soul through television, those glossy pages and through window shopping. Yes, window shopping! It’s like the therapy of all therapies. When it comes to dressing up, I have the ukay-ukay and some affordable local shops to the rescue. Forgive me but I refuse going to local flea markets and department stores. I know they have the cheapest alternatives but flea markets and department stores are synonymous to mass production and imitations (told you I’m a social climber! Sounded as if I don’t wear polyester! haha).

One local retail shop that I truly love is Plains & Prints. I have an eye for intricate details and construction and P&P is just the answer to my couture-ish craving. I must admit, for a r-e-g-u-l-a-r girl like me, P&P is still a bit pricey but I go there every now and then for my so-called therapy.

Yesterday though, I was in a dilemma. I’ve been eyeing this P&P sundress since Saturday. It’s been months since I last shopped but there are really times when I get too impulsive. So there, I gave myself overnight to contemplate about it. After church yesterday, I went directly to P&P and fitted the dress for the last time. To my surprise, the sales attendant told me that it’s actually a top and not a dress! Oh my! I’ve been in the store for half an hour already trying on other stuffs before supposedly buying the dress. It was a total let-down. I just can’t leave the store after all my try-ons! No can do. It would be too dyahe for me... Then, my impulsive social-climbing arse stepped in. I looked for the most affordable top just so I wouldn’t leave the store empty-handed. Guess what I got myself: a navy blue matronly top that would pass for a Latin American/Mexican costume/ graduation toga. What has gotten into me?! I hope I can still pull this off. I'm kinda lovin' lola stuff nowadays!haha

So much for the social climbing 101. Adios!