I hope you were able to catch the 2-hr season finale of The Amazing Race. If you still haven't, I think it's still being aired in AXN this week so go, go, go!
Some people are saying that the last task was a bit blah. For real?! I personally thought it was the bomb. A major breather from the physical tasks they usually use as a prelude to the nerve-wracking dash to gorgeous Phil, the red carpet, and the $1MM.
To quote Jeremy, "(I) didn't think the last one was gonna be brains. Dammit." =)
Although I was distracted by a man named Elliott over at another show, I still love TAR to bits. It's a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience the world (although it IS kinda hard to enjoy the ride when you're huffing and puffing and actively strategizing what you'll do next, but still, a free trip around the world is too good to pass up) and more importantly, it allows you to experience it with someone dear to you. I think that's the highlight of the entire journey. And I believe this is also why non-winners of The Race don't look bitter at all (well, except for Eric and Jeremy when they stepped on the mat but I really think that after a couple of good nights' sleep, they'll realize that the experience itself is already worth a million dollars).
I would love to join TAR Asia, but I'm guessing one look at my skinny frame and they'll immediately say "Next."
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Caught by surprise
It's funny how at the most unexpected moments, I am overwhelmed by this feeling that I'm the luckiest girl in the world because of Dong. I won't go into details why, but it's such a beautiful feeling.
I know he doesn't read this blog, but if at some point, he does, I hope he understands how blessed I am to have him.
I know he doesn't read this blog, but if at some point, he does, I hope he understands how blessed I am to have him.
Monday, May 22, 2006
25 Things to Do
These are things I wish I can do before I die. Some of them are a bit mababaw but what the heck, this is my blog. Go park somewhere else if you like.
1) Visit a) 2 Asian countries, b) USA, c) any country in Europe.
2) Eat an apple. Drink milk.
3) Go bungee-jumping.
4) Join a sports team and compete in a tournament.
5) Publish an article in a daily broadsheet.
6) Grow my hair long.
7) Go camping.
8) Buy a luxe bag [a] that I can pass on to my future children.
9) Have matching trolleys, suitcase, and carry-all.
10) Submit a folio for TV commercials or billboards.
11) Eat something weird a la Amazing Race or Fear Factor.
12) Learn to like vegetables.
13) Set up a small business (or a franchise will do).
14) Buy a nice jewelry set.
15) Buy a diamond ring.
16) Finance a kid’s education from start to finish [b].
17) Make a scrapbook.
18) Watch Gone With the Wind and Casablanca.
19) Travel first-class.
20) Get drunk.
21) Watch a live concert [c].
22) Spend one weekend alone in a nice hotel.
23) Wear red lipstick.
24) Have a dress customized by a relatively famous local designer [d].
25) Grow my nails long and go for a manicure and pedicure.
Notes:
[a] Somewhere along the lines of Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga.
[b] The child must not be my own, and I should have direct contact with him, not just through an institution.
[c] Must splurge to get front-row or near-front-row seats.
[d] Wedding dress does not count.
1) Visit a) 2 Asian countries, b) USA, c) any country in Europe.
2) Eat an apple. Drink milk.
3) Go bungee-jumping.
4) Join a sports team and compete in a tournament.
5) Publish an article in a daily broadsheet.
6) Grow my hair long.
7) Go camping.
8) Buy a luxe bag [a] that I can pass on to my future children.
9) Have matching trolleys, suitcase, and carry-all.
10) Submit a folio for TV commercials or billboards.
11) Eat something weird a la Amazing Race or Fear Factor.
12) Learn to like vegetables.
13) Set up a small business (or a franchise will do).
14) Buy a nice jewelry set.
15) Buy a diamond ring.
16) Finance a kid’s education from start to finish [b].
17) Make a scrapbook.
18) Watch Gone With the Wind and Casablanca.
19) Travel first-class.
20) Get drunk.
21) Watch a live concert [c].
22) Spend one weekend alone in a nice hotel.
23) Wear red lipstick.
24) Have a dress customized by a relatively famous local designer [d].
25) Grow my nails long and go for a manicure and pedicure.
Notes:
[a] Somewhere along the lines of Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga.
[b] The child must not be my own, and I should have direct contact with him, not just through an institution.
[c] Must splurge to get front-row or near-front-row seats.
[d] Wedding dress does not count.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Got this from Television Without Pity:
Elliott did not win my vote instantly. He earned it and earned it well. He won a myriad of supporters across the globe not by first impression nor by looks but by sheer talent, impeccable vocals, oustanding personality and humility admidst the glitz and glamour in the labyrinth that is Hollywood. As weeks passed by, Elliott converts grew in numbers that they even managed to bring the man often called as “The Funky White Boy” to the semi-finals. This is what Elliott magic is all about. His greatness is cloaked by his shy smile and boyish look in front of cameras. No, he didn’t need to be pomp and bombastic to be referred to as The Best Male Vocalist of Season 5. He doesn’t need to do stage antics, be antsy and twitchy to be loved by the audience. He doesn’t need to wear revealing clothes, do a musical Broadway drama, sport a sultry look and bat his eyes to the magnifying camera lense, sprawl himself on the floor to be glorified, nor defend himself when the judges are harsh on him. The sole most powerful weapon that this guy uses is what this show is all about: TALENT.
'Nuff said. Everything Kat is not and everything an "American Idol" supposedly is.
Elliott did not win my vote instantly. He earned it and earned it well. He won a myriad of supporters across the globe not by first impression nor by looks but by sheer talent, impeccable vocals, oustanding personality and humility admidst the glitz and glamour in the labyrinth that is Hollywood. As weeks passed by, Elliott converts grew in numbers that they even managed to bring the man often called as “The Funky White Boy” to the semi-finals. This is what Elliott magic is all about. His greatness is cloaked by his shy smile and boyish look in front of cameras. No, he didn’t need to be pomp and bombastic to be referred to as The Best Male Vocalist of Season 5. He doesn’t need to do stage antics, be antsy and twitchy to be loved by the audience. He doesn’t need to wear revealing clothes, do a musical Broadway drama, sport a sultry look and bat his eyes to the magnifying camera lense, sprawl himself on the floor to be glorified, nor defend himself when the judges are harsh on him. The sole most powerful weapon that this guy uses is what this show is all about: TALENT.
'Nuff said. Everything Kat is not and everything an "American Idol" supposedly is.
Goodbye E.
Goodbye Elliott, 'twas an excellent run. And a big F*** You to American Idol. Elliott's way better without you.
I am so indignant not because Elliott got the short end of the stick tonight. Not because I won't hear a full song from him again until the AI album comes out. Not because that biatch named McPhee is in the finals. Not because E needs the prize more than anybody.
It's because McBitch was treated like Her Royal Highness, while Elliott was treated like trash. Proof?
1) McBitch's Somewhere Over the Rainbow was 2:43 long, while Elliott's What You Won't Do for Love was only 1:20 long. WTF?!
2) Elliott not getting the pimp spot, when Kat had it last week and Taylor had it the week before. Then it's Taylor again this week?! With Elliott going first?
3) Simon explicitly showing him the door out.
4) Simon outright announcing on an interview that Elliott's a nice guy but it'll be Taylor and Kat in the finale.
I hate it how shows like these persuade you to invest in something/someone and pull the rug out of you. Well, no one said it will be all nice and fair. God.
Going back to E. Okay, I wasn't really floored by his performances last night - Trouble was a loooot better than all the 3 songs combined. I loved Open Arms but it was too short, damnit! That song's highlight is the 2nd chorus, and, God forbid, the show just didn't have enough time to include that. Oh I'm sorry, we just have to give that airtime to McBitch. Right. Paula's choice was perfect for Elliott's range and tone, but the song per se did not have that whoa factor you have to totally bring in the Top 3. But hats off to Paula for a good song choice. Elliott's personal choice was a bit meh for me (during the first "hearing," that is). Right after he ended his last song, I knew he was in trouble. He just didn't bring it tonight. It was like he knew what was coming, he knew what the show was purposely doing to him, and he just wasn't up for it anymore. It's sad to see him so dejected like that, and had he actually known what the Results will be, I would have wanted him to exit on a high note.
To be fair, I thought Somewhere Over the Rainbow was fantastic. If I had just closed my eyes and imagined someone else singing it rather than fat-ass over there, I would download it in a flash. But c'mon, "the best vocal piece in the entire competition"?! Really? And what's with copying Fantasia's signature moment (READ - Summertime)? That biatch really has to resort to all kinds of gimmicks just to get everyone high up on her McPheever *puke*. And puke a bit more.
And then, I have to see all these pics tonight and it makes me want to put my finger right inside the television and poke that camera whore in the eyes.
And her equally bitchy, no-class-whatsoever, mother:
I am so indignant not because Elliott got the short end of the stick tonight. Not because I won't hear a full song from him again until the AI album comes out. Not because that biatch named McPhee is in the finals. Not because E needs the prize more than anybody.
It's because McBitch was treated like Her Royal Highness, while Elliott was treated like trash. Proof?
1) McBitch's Somewhere Over the Rainbow was 2:43 long, while Elliott's What You Won't Do for Love was only 1:20 long. WTF?!
2) Elliott not getting the pimp spot, when Kat had it last week and Taylor had it the week before. Then it's Taylor again this week?! With Elliott going first?
3) Simon explicitly showing him the door out.
4) Simon outright announcing on an interview that Elliott's a nice guy but it'll be Taylor and Kat in the finale.
I hate it how shows like these persuade you to invest in something/someone and pull the rug out of you. Well, no one said it will be all nice and fair. God.
Going back to E. Okay, I wasn't really floored by his performances last night - Trouble was a loooot better than all the 3 songs combined. I loved Open Arms but it was too short, damnit! That song's highlight is the 2nd chorus, and, God forbid, the show just didn't have enough time to include that. Oh I'm sorry, we just have to give that airtime to McBitch. Right. Paula's choice was perfect for Elliott's range and tone, but the song per se did not have that whoa factor you have to totally bring in the Top 3. But hats off to Paula for a good song choice. Elliott's personal choice was a bit meh for me (during the first "hearing," that is). Right after he ended his last song, I knew he was in trouble. He just didn't bring it tonight. It was like he knew what was coming, he knew what the show was purposely doing to him, and he just wasn't up for it anymore. It's sad to see him so dejected like that, and had he actually known what the Results will be, I would have wanted him to exit on a high note.
To be fair, I thought Somewhere Over the Rainbow was fantastic. If I had just closed my eyes and imagined someone else singing it rather than fat-ass over there, I would download it in a flash. But c'mon, "the best vocal piece in the entire competition"?! Really? And what's with copying Fantasia's signature moment (READ - Summertime)? That biatch really has to resort to all kinds of gimmicks just to get everyone high up on her McPheever *puke*. And puke a bit more.
And then, I have to see all these pics tonight and it makes me want to put my finger right inside the television and poke that camera whore in the eyes.
And her equally bitchy, no-class-whatsoever, mother:
Katharine McPhee - one song can never change the fact that you're a God-awful singer who tries too hard. And you gotta thank your fat-ass and your pretty face for that Top 2 spot. Ooh, and because Clive likes pretty girls and is still hoping for a lap dance from you before he retires and dies (soon, I hope). I hope Taylor wipes that smug smile off your face next week (but if he shouts Soul Patrol one more time, I'll go back to watching The Amazing Race from now on). And if you win, I hope AI gets what it deserves and signs an artist who cannot, for the love of God, be in tune for an entire song.
I am watching the finale next week just to hear Elliott sing again and see Kat shoved down the stage. Shove her, shove her! Y-A-Y!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Traumatized
Does one need to experience actual fear to be able to say that he's been traumatized? In my case, no. I dwell on others' experiences and imagine them over and over as if they were my own.
Of course, I am exaggerating here - trauma is such a big word - but in my own little world, that is what I have become. I am scared of a lot of things, and my mom often calls me on it, saying I just have to pray more to overcome these fears - and maybe I do need to pray more but more on that in another post.
Close friends would know that my heart skips a beat everytime I see dogs, even small cute ones. My first reaction is to turn around and go back the way I came from. Or I would call for help no matter how many meters they are from me. I have never been bitten by a dog my whole life, so you'd probably wonder how this unfounded fear came about. See, my older sister got bitten by 3 different dogs when we were kids. And I vividly remember all 3 times - the dogs' violent bites, my sister's shock, applying luya in the wound, rushing to the clinic - and I've never been a dog lover ever since. One day back when I was small, I remember going home from church and our huge dog got out of her leash and was barking like crazy. Not thinking twice, I made a mad dash to our front door but not before I caught a glimpse of her panting hard to catch me. I think that's the most terrifying thing that has happend to me. Now, I can't even get myself to pat puppies in the back, to have them lick my feet, to play ball with them. It saddens me to think that I'm missing a lot, especially when I see my family play with our Shih-Tzus or when I see Dong playing around with his own Shih-Tzu. But I just can't bring myself to do it.
I also have this recurring fear of intruders entering our house in the middle of the night and robbing us blind - and worse, physically hurting us. Blame it on blatant pictures of massacres splashed in the media these days or me watching too many CSI episodes even if I know that I'll be seeing the images and remembering the stories for weeks. I always double-check if our bedroom door's locked and close the drapes so that my imagination won't run wild. Sometimes, I check all the things in our bedroom and imagine how I can use them as weapons, when necessary. Pretty weird. This is also why I don't think I can stand having a room all to myself. I would rather sleep sandwiched between my parents and be labelled as a scaredy-cat than sleep on my own.
Just tonight, a Purefoods player went down hard and stayed lying there for 30 minutes. He couldn't feel a thing from the waist down and just watching him, I got cold all over. Imagine someone who's around 6'5" with a big tattoo on his arm, crying, because he couldn't feel anything. Images like these really get to me (and it didn't help that the PBA kept playing the incidents that led to his fall, and in slow motion too). I know, I know, I don't play basketball, but my brother and Dong do and I get scared for them.
It's like I'm afraid that just because I've seen "bad" things, it will also to happen to me or to people I love. I think that's the worst fear of all - fearing something that hasn't really happened so you're on your toes everytime, expecting the worst. I am not sure if I'll ever grow out of this phase, but for the meantime, I'll follow my mom's advice and pray.
Of course, I am exaggerating here - trauma is such a big word - but in my own little world, that is what I have become. I am scared of a lot of things, and my mom often calls me on it, saying I just have to pray more to overcome these fears - and maybe I do need to pray more but more on that in another post.
Close friends would know that my heart skips a beat everytime I see dogs, even small cute ones. My first reaction is to turn around and go back the way I came from. Or I would call for help no matter how many meters they are from me. I have never been bitten by a dog my whole life, so you'd probably wonder how this unfounded fear came about. See, my older sister got bitten by 3 different dogs when we were kids. And I vividly remember all 3 times - the dogs' violent bites, my sister's shock, applying luya in the wound, rushing to the clinic - and I've never been a dog lover ever since. One day back when I was small, I remember going home from church and our huge dog got out of her leash and was barking like crazy. Not thinking twice, I made a mad dash to our front door but not before I caught a glimpse of her panting hard to catch me. I think that's the most terrifying thing that has happend to me. Now, I can't even get myself to pat puppies in the back, to have them lick my feet, to play ball with them. It saddens me to think that I'm missing a lot, especially when I see my family play with our Shih-Tzus or when I see Dong playing around with his own Shih-Tzu. But I just can't bring myself to do it.
I also have this recurring fear of intruders entering our house in the middle of the night and robbing us blind - and worse, physically hurting us. Blame it on blatant pictures of massacres splashed in the media these days or me watching too many CSI episodes even if I know that I'll be seeing the images and remembering the stories for weeks. I always double-check if our bedroom door's locked and close the drapes so that my imagination won't run wild. Sometimes, I check all the things in our bedroom and imagine how I can use them as weapons, when necessary. Pretty weird. This is also why I don't think I can stand having a room all to myself. I would rather sleep sandwiched between my parents and be labelled as a scaredy-cat than sleep on my own.
Just tonight, a Purefoods player went down hard and stayed lying there for 30 minutes. He couldn't feel a thing from the waist down and just watching him, I got cold all over. Imagine someone who's around 6'5" with a big tattoo on his arm, crying, because he couldn't feel anything. Images like these really get to me (and it didn't help that the PBA kept playing the incidents that led to his fall, and in slow motion too). I know, I know, I don't play basketball, but my brother and Dong do and I get scared for them.
It's like I'm afraid that just because I've seen "bad" things, it will also to happen to me or to people I love. I think that's the worst fear of all - fearing something that hasn't really happened so you're on your toes everytime, expecting the worst. I am not sure if I'll ever grow out of this phase, but for the meantime, I'll follow my mom's advice and pray.
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