So I finally gave in and read Twilight.

Thanks to a co-worker who wanted to read the series with someone who has not "set camp" yet, I felt like we had our own personal book club. I know, I fought reading Meyer tooth and nail, but being inundated with advertisements for the movie, I just had to give in.

The book was given to me a week before, and it had sat in my bag forever. Friday, I had an oil change, and instead of taking my less respectable tawdry books, I decided to take this along.

Boy, was I glad I did. The 30-minute oil change turned into a 3-hour ordeal. Apparently, I needed my emissions test done too, which expired in March (to which I asked why they didn't do it then when I had my last oil change, but I digress). So, in that span, I became friends with Bella and Edward, the town of Forks, and its inhabitants.

The book's charm wasn't lost on me on 2 accounts. The depiction of the characters were actually nicely written. Not coming out as a straight "vampire" book, and more appealing to an almost parallelism to racism, I thought it was an interesting take. The other is the fact that having lived in the Kitsap area, Sol Duc, Forks, Port Angeles, Hoquiam, and its other adjacent towns brought me back home. Oh how I miss the Pacific North West and its greenery!

I was hooked pretty much after the baseball game. Team Cullen, here I come. I had to get my hands on New Moon.

Surprisingly, my co-worker just so happened to finish her copy of the book that evening. I can tell you that I went through New Moon like I was going to die if I didn't read it. Sure enough, I was hooked. With Edward being gone, I felt my heart break for Bella. I was rather surprised that her friends at school seemed to be marginally written in despite the fact that Bella "forgot" about them when she was in her catatonic state. Some friends she had. But as much as I detested that part, I was willing to overlook it for the page time Jacob Black got. He sounds like someone you can actually relate to. He was young, cute, easy to get along with... Things I would've loved to have in a guy if I lived around Forks. Again, my heart broke when Jacob seemed to "leave" Bella behind. God, it killed me. But when Jacob came back, and stood up for Bella, I was swooning. I just can't believe how much I wanted to tell Bella to play things safe.

Then came Alice. I love her, but man! Telling Rosalie that Bella might be dead was such the wrong thing to do. Grrr...

Now, I am on an impasse. I read the 2 books in 3 days, and I am going through Twilight withdrawal. The library cannot guarantee me another copy in the next 2 weeks. So for now, I had to relive the Twilight experience by watching the movie.

I wouldn't say that the movie was a let down. However, I can admit that they could've done better.

I like Kristen Stewart as Bella. I think she was ideal. I think I was the only person that loved her in "In The Land of Women". She was awkward, cute in the girl-next-door kind of way. And she'd look kutzy.

As far as Robert Pattinson is concerned, however, I am on the fence. He does have the features of one that can classically fit a chieseled Adonis, but as far as acting? I felt like he was constipated the whole time.

I loved Michael Welch in Joan of Arcadia. I think, as Mike, he was okay. Same as the girl who played Jessica. I am not quite sure about Hardwicke's vision of whom she chose to play Lauren and Eric. I like the whole diversity thing, but it felt... forced.

Taylor Lautner as Jacob was perfect. He reminds me of a young Jared Paladecki. He can go places, this young man.

Since the movie was already doing a lot of the introspection thing from Bella's point of view, they should've used it to bridge certain things the book covered. It seemed like the awkwardness between Bella and Edward in the book, which felt like a million years, seemed to just be 2 days in the movie. The accident was poorly portrayed, I thought. I also felt like for the 2-hour length of the movie, it lingered over things that should've just been given cursory nods way longer than scenes that should've been filmed, and are more important. Plus, the "romance" part between Bella and Edward were really stiff, like they were made of plywood. That wasn't good. I loved the "Lamb-Lion" line in the book. When they said the words, all I wanted to do was laugh and throw something against the screen, it was so bad. GAH!

I enjoyed James, however. With the ponytail, he looked a lot like Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall. Glad to see him only last for a few minutes. Laurent also seemed to be portrayed well. I am wondering how his fate would be ended in the sequel to this movie.

Although I am not going to own Twilight the movie (I give it a 6 out of 10), I am looking forward to New Moon. Chris Weitz is directing the movie, and I am stoked. He did wonders producing another YA book turned to movie called Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and loved it. He also produced In Good Company and directed About A Boy.

So with that being said, I will get out of Twilight mode again, and pretend to be a mommy. The monster should be up from his afternoon nap soon, and snacks should be made.

Finally, I got half an hour to write this. I should be in bed right now...

TV and movie to occupy your time this summer and fall...

 Here are my final thoughts about TV these past few days.

Just finished watching Castle.  I tell ya, I love Nathan Fillion.

Here's a quick synopsis. Rick Castle is a suspense writer. Last week, we got to meet him when a copycat killer posed his clients based on Castle's books. After helping Detective Kate Beckett break the case, Castle pulls strings so he can follow Beckett, the basis for his next novel.

Last night's episode, Nanny McDead, Castle and Beckett were at it again. Trying to figure out who decided to put the nanny in the dryer, the couple bickered and argued their way to solving the whodunit case.

The show's still sappy, and its characters are oozing with sexual tension. It's my new drug.

Another reason to watch the show? Castle's daughter, Alexis played by Molly C. McQuinn. She's stellar as the straight-shooter daughter that takes care of her twice-divorced dad and her flighty actress grandmother.

If you haven't seen it yet, watch it. You'll have a new guilty pleasure on Mondays.

I feel the need to share despite the fact that my mommy said, "Never Brag."

But  I am too giddy to keep it in right now.

I've started spring cleaning and have gotten rid of at least 30 pieces of clothing. Yay! My pack-rat ways are finally allowing me to let go.

To boot, I've tried on the outfits and realized that I can wear my old pre-pregnancy jeans again, something I haven't worn in 2 years!

So yes, I've not lost the weight, but I will take losing a jean size.

Here's to losing 6 more jean sizes and more motivation to do those lunges.

As I promised, my February book review (albeit almost half a month late). I just wanted to tie it with the movie since I was going to watch it.

Careful as you tread.

The Watchmen review.

I woke up with a sore back and a messy house. See, yesterday, I had to catch up with some needed rest and recreation (ie Sleep and The Watchmen-- something I will write about later).  So that meant that chores are to be left to be done today.

The kitchen is now back to some semblance of order. I am not afraid anymore that ants, or heaven forbid, cockroaches would all of a sudden appear on my window sill.  Of course, it's still cold outside so such pests are non-existent for now, but I always have this fear that I would wake up and my kitchen will be overran by pests. Now if I had the Ratatouille rat cooking us an exotic meal, I may have to curb some of my squeamishness for pests.

I find cleaning therapeutic. So therapeutic that I actually am reconsidering doing NaNo this year despite the fact that it had caused some turmoil in my household (post NaNo) after the fact.  Finding Eden may have reached the >50000 word count but it remains unfinished because of two things. One, its ending is too bittersweet to write, and two, Nilly and I had a long fight about my time spent on the computer just to get my word count. He thought that I was "neglecting" him in the process.  The fact that he came home to a clean house, with clothes to wear, and hot food apparently doesn't count as care.  He may consider it okay that he spends time in front of the computer, but me? It's too much.

But I digress. I think I'll be going down a different path this time and make this year's NaNo about me.  Maybe make something that may play out like a memoir, if not a series of anecdotes that reminds me of who I am and what I wanted to be.

I never wanted to be a lab rat, and now I am. I always loved writing, and that, I am not.

So here's to this year's project that would be born this November.  I am calling it "Short Term Memory".

I hope the idea keeps brewing and not lose steam before I can actually get it off the ground!

Hey! It's been a while since I've posted (according to LJ, 2 weeks).  It's been very busy! Let me start out by saying



to all who wished me a happy birthday.  You know who you are. Props go to hali_in_college  who  wished me way early since she wasn't going to be around.  You're a dearie!!!!

As far as pressies go, I'll expound on them in Part 2 of my drabble.  For now, I'll just let you all in on some of the basics.

Since I've posted:

1. I've gotten physically better. I am relieved that I can breathe through my nostrils for the time being. Spring has apparently sprung in Podunk Town so I have to ready myself with allergy medicine especially if it's going to be a damp season. It will SUCK if I don't get prepared NOW.

2. The J-man is back to sleeping throughout the night again!!!! Yay! I figured he was probably getting cold midway through the night and that's what's keeping him up. He still wants us to lay our heads on the pillow when he is ready to go down for the night, but at least he doesn't expect us to sleep with him.  Thank goodness!!!

3. I am still attending Body Pump 3 times a week and I'll be glad when this session is over. New classes start next month and I am ready for the challenge. I've also added on a Zumba class on Fridays to change the routine. I don't run as often as I used to, but with the spring season just around the corner, I might sneak in a run or 2 if time (and the little man) permit.

4. The refrigerator is still clean-- after a month! I have to be doing something right... right?

5. The music library is halfway completed. Still have half to go.  It's taking forever to go through crappy music!

6. Satan lives in Facebook.

7. I've decided to take a week off from work. I've gone 6 months without a vacation and I am feeling myself get overwhelmed and short tempered.  I just-- have to let go of situations (and people) that just won't allow any room for improvement. I am done "making do" with mediocre. Hopefully the time off will be enough to rejuvinate me.

8. Get to watch The Watchmen tonight. It will be a fun date night for the hubby and me since J will be at the g-parents.  We've decided to set up a camera on the computer so J can say goodnight to us over the internet. So far, it's been a fun experience.

Alright, enough of this nonesense. I'll talk more later!

Although numerous things had happened on this day, the most important one for me is the birth of my son, the J-man. 2 years ago, after waddling into the OB's saying I was having contractions that was about 5 minutes apart (the nurses thinking I may not be dilated-- and surprise, I was 9-1/2 cm dilated), they wheeled me into the hospital, then cursing me by saying I will have the kid within 20 minutes. 11 hours later, they decide to give me a C-section, and then, my son was born.

So today, I am having Part I of the celebrations.  Yes, part one.

I have to have myself examined for being part of this family.

You see, my MIL is neurotic.  I do not blame her if she did not want to partake in festivities tomorrow when the house will be filled by 8 kids all under the age of 5.  However, I didn't expect that I would be providing her with a separate party until Tuesday.  Apparently, the insistence to this party was so that I can "accomodate Nilly's godparents who are from Philly and my BIL who wouldn't attend the Saturday's festivities" because my girlfriend (who is his ex-gf) will be in attendance with her little one and hubby.  I also recently found out that my MIL believes my friends are mean to her.

Excuse me? Are we back in grade school?

Here's a woman who cannot make her own friends, is upset her kids have a life outside of hers, and is upset my friends wouldn't talk to her except for small talk because she doesn't contribute to any conversation and that she has a boring life as an accountant.

I am exasperated.

Oh, and I know I will be taking flak for not making a birthday cake for J because I was sprung with this impromptu party.  I told Nilly that I will do some bodily harm if she even MENTIONS the fact that I have a store-bought cake.

Oh, and to add insult, my MIL was pissed that Nillly invited the GPs to be over by 1800 and she can't make it to the house by 1830. Uhm, nothing's set in stone. The only thing that may happen is J is going to be fed by the time he gets home from daycare because he usually is tired and is ready for bed by 2000.

So, to all that have given their well wishes for the little man, thank you. For those praying that I won't end up in the slammer by 2000, much is appreciated.

So...

I haven't updated in a week, so I guess my 101 in 1001 has to reset and start all over. God, it's almost like dieting. You slip once, and now you have to get back to square one and get going.

Anyway, the reason I have not posted is because the life in the Shoppe has been BUSY. And when I mean busy, I mean, no attempt to sit down and do much.

First, the pilot to our heater died. Had to spend $175 to just get that fixed. That was a bummer.

Second, I am sick... Again... This time, I have a nasal congestion that's affecting my lymph nodes and it's making my throat hurt! Not to mention, ear aches. Painful, like stabbing in my ear. I've downed a bottle of Mucinex and things aren't progressing as far as I've wanted this congestion to go. Damn it!

Third, J is still waking up in the middle of the night. I thought last night, we would've gotten away with him sleeping through until 6. No dice. He woke up at 0530. I stayed in his room for about 2 hours before deciding to make breakfast for Nilly and the J who's going to day care today. He's also getting the snivels so that's not helping.

He went to his 24 month appointment and things are well. His noggin is in the 90th percentile, height in the 80th (he's shrinking!!!) and his weight in the 70th. He's lean so the doc is happy with that. He checked his teeth and is glad that he doesn't have any decays or dental issues. Of course, J won't "talk" to the doc which exasperated me. Although he said, "All done" and made his signal, so the doc knows I'm not lying that the boy can talk and communicate. Also, J started running around the office and knocked his head on the examination table. Boy did he cry! Doc felt bad, but at least he knows that the few bruises J has are obviously from him running into stuff.

Fourth, I've attended Body Pump three times this week, making it the 2nd week in a row I am doing this class. I wish I can be skeptical about it but I noticed that I fit different in my jeans. Maybe I should attempt to squeeze into my size 12 and see if it's that kind of change. The weighing scale is still not budging so I am disheartened at that respect.

Fifth, I've cleaned out the refrigerator to make room for the stuff I am purchasing for J' party next weekend. I've been dreading doing it all week, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Threw away some dips that were from Nilly's birthday. I told Nilly I don't want a party for my birthday in 3 weeks but I don't think he'll listen. I said I'll be fine with us going out and have some Vietnamese food or sushi. I just don't want to have people over.

Sixth, still cleaning out the closet. I don't know why I still have my maternity clothes out. Maybe I am still insecure that I look like a boat. Need to let go of that mentality.

Seventh, I had to move my music library to a more permanent, and bigger facility. I've been trying to delete music I have not liked but kept. I sure need to purge more.

Lastly, I've signed up for Facebook. 'Nuff said.

Now I am headed to the gym to run a few miles then drop the car off for an oil change.

Life in the Shoppe is never dull...

I hurt.

I am hurting so badly, I wish I wouldn't move. But, that's something I cannot afford.

Remember me telling you guys that I was taking part of the America On The Move project? Since I was sick for almost 2 weeks, I have been under the step count (plus the fact that I was only adding steps and not my workout sessions, as a challenge to myself). So this week, I've decided to do Body Pump during the morning and run my 2.5 miles in the afternoon.

I am paying for it right now.

Thighs hurt, the biceps are sore. When I lift the Jman, I groan.

I

AM

OLD

I am not afraid to admit it.

Now if only I could see some weight/shape change, I would think my actions won't be futile.

The local National Guard (our neighbor across the way the street included) is headed to the Middle East. This is the biggest team being sent overseas, and I am disgusted.

I am disgusted not because I don't support the war (well, I don't but not for reasons you might think), but because right now, my co-worker's son, who got sent last December, has been sitting, doing nothing in Kuwait, because Iraq just signed their Peace Pact, keeping the American Troops away from Iraq. If that's not enough, his unit is getting disbanded, and he's getting reassigned to a unit he's not acquainted with at all!

There is nothing worse that being in a "hurry up and wait" situation. You do nothing but lie in your bunk, watch tv (and not the shows you support), watch movies you've seen a million times, read books that you don't like (and if you do, you realize that the pages are stuck, torn, or too dilapidated to covet), and spend money on CDs just because you need something else to listen to that the idle chatter in the tent. In Kuwait, it's worse. You can't drink alcoholic beverages (thank God I was in Yugoslavia!), and you cannot consume pork products (I would've not survived hurry up and wait without a dose of bacon and egg muffins).

Report just came out that a significantly higher number of soldiers are committing suicide. 20.2 per 100,000 in 2008 has been reported, a sharp increase from the 2007 rate of 16.8. I don't know if this list is limited to Regular Amry, but I won't be surprised if this number actually included the Guard/Reserve units that have been sent throughout the years.

I don't know if people know this, but RA people get used to being told, "You're not going back for at least 4 years." So, when you enlist, you get yourself in a mindset that you're going to be gone. You cannot tell someone to postpone things, or put their lives on hold while you're in Basic Training or in military training. Life goes on. However, Reservists and Guards tell their family members they will be back. They go back to school, go back to regular jobs and their own beds and houses.

So, imagine when you're planning your finals, your wedding, your child's birthday party, or worse, tending to a loved one's death, and be told you're shipping out in the next few days or weeks? Stress galore!

When you've not been away from your native environment, let alone your loved ones, and is dumped in the middle of nowhere and is told that you may be there no less than three months, no more than a year, you go berserk. You get anxious. You get paranoid. You get depressed.

It is scary when you wonder if your stay-at-home wife is getting by. Or that your parents are getting sleep because they just heard that a bomb went off in the Middle East.

Now, this unit heading out and may contribute to the suicidal atrition rate.

I am angered.

Please, help stop this problem by calling or writing to your Senators and Governors and tell them to stop sending troops overseas unless they HAVE A PURPOSE.

Spare a life by saving the military another trip to the Middle East until they have something set in stone and definite.

Hell, if it contributes to saving the country money in this money pit we're currently in, shouldn't you think this as a no-brainer move?

Book: Twisted 8: Night of the Living Twisted
Author: Jessica Zafra
Genre: Non-Fiction Essay
Rating: 4.4/5

Jessica Zafra is a Filipino fiction writer, who has become popular for her Twisted series. She has also been a columnist, editor, publisher and former television and radio show host. She also used to be the band, Eraserheads, manager a decade ago.

Twisted 8 probably has been my favorite of the Twisted series not just because it's most recent, but as I've gotten older, I seem to have learned to accept some of her musings as more than something just trivial. Most of her essays have become an "aha!" moment for me, whether it be about her movie list or what she thinks about the current state of the political climate in the Philippines.

The only misgiving I have about this book is that I used to see her as someone who pretty down to earth. Now, reading about her trips to Italy, and France, and attending the Sundance a couple of years ago, I've realized she wasn't the journalist I pictured in my head. She's definitely rich, maybe more vapid than I actually thought, and maybe uses her writing to write off humanity as a whole-- I mean, she admits hating the human race-- mostly referring to the dummies running amok in this universe.

But that's beside the point.

Snarcastic reading is at its best in this Twisted book. Most of the written Filipino language is translated in English, and is a fun, quick read. If you liked Daria, or Veronica Mars, and would like to have a non-American writer to feed your brain, this book in this series is a good one to pick up!

GREEK SCOOPAGE!

As a Greek fan, this scoop really threw me for a loop: A ZBZ sister is GONE! Thank heavens because she really didn't do much for me... Not that Casey is winning my affection. Gah!

Ironically, this just happened at my end of the world. Coincidence? I think not. I just thought that Kappa Tau being in trouble on TV wouldn't mean that it would be in trouble in real life!

Alright, for the meat and potatoes, I found this article through Wired Magazine, featuring McG's vision of the Terminator 4 movie that would be featuring none other than hottie, Christian Bale, who's sole purpose in living is saving the world as John Connor. If that's not creepy/cool enough, how about learning that University of PA may be the next Skynet? And if that's not enough drama for you, how about listening to Christian Bale/John Connor tear a DP a new one? Can you hear an F-Bomb dropping every 6 seconds?  I don't know about you, but hearing it made me want to watch a movie with a lot of cussing all of a sudden.

Maybe Ah-nuld can wrap this puppy up and give John a good mouth soaping...

It's Monday, so it means I am making up for the absentee posts this past weekend.

So let's start this session with a 'WTF was he thinking?' session. Who's the HE I am referring to? None other than Olympic superstar, Michael Phelps.

This past weekend, the 2008 Beijing Olympiad was photographed doing the puff-puff give. His defense was that he is  a 23-year old who showed poor judgement.

I wish I can fault him for this.

Unfortunately, 4 years ago, after he became a decorated 2004 Sydney Olympiad, he was caught in a DUI as a 19-year old, several months after the Olympics!

So is this what we get to look forward to every 4 years from this Olympian? People say that it isn't his fault that he was pushed to become a "role model".  He's just an athlete.

Then don't make any promises, or camp, or swim activities that promote that YOU, the OLYMPIAD, as a ROLE MODEL.

London, 2012 Olympics, what do we get to see Phelps do winter after winning? Caught with a prostitute? Illegal smuggling? Being caught having sex with a tranny?

I guess we just have to wait and see. Four years isn't that far away.

Chris Pratt (Everwood), once boyfriend to his TV sister, Emily Van Camp, is now engaged to slapstick queen, Anna Faris! Hope they have a long loving marriage and great relationship to boot.

Here I am, standing in the middle of my closet, figuring out what I can donate-- clothes I have not worn in years.  Apparently, that might as well be my whole blasted closet.  I can't fit in a majority of them save for the fat pants and the boyfriend (now hubby) shirts I've stolen over the years.

Who said that cleaning is therapeutic? 

Not me, I say.

I may have not been a fan of their dad, but I was really surprised (and entertained) by the open letter Jenna and Barbara Bush wrote for the new kids in the (White) House, Sasha and Malia.

Having Jenna and Barbara chronicle their emotions the first time they entered the White House when their grandfather became the 41st president was awesome in a way that was so realistic, so tangible, I could almost picture myself conversing with the White House ushers, Buddy, Ramsey, and "Smiley". I could almost feel the cold air as I picture myself running alongside the twins and their cousins on the front lawn on that late December day they vividly described. I could smell the pine trees, the blooming cherry blossoms, the very things any kid would want to fondly remember about their childhood. 

Having to relive and retell the White House memories ten years later was also interesting because it showed growing pains (and love) the twins had gone through (remember getting caught under age drinking?).  Imagine trying to tell Sasha and Malia not to do some things they actually did!

Anyway, the letter may have the Obama daughters in mind but it isn't limited to them. Here are a few things we could pass on to our children, and maybe live by -- the only difference is you change "White House" with "insert your house here":

-- Surround yourself with loyal friends. They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.

-- If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for "Smiley." (In our case, find someone in your life you'd want to share your thoughts with)

-- Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.

-- Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the (White House) lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.

-- When your dad throws out the first pitch (for the Yankees), go to the game.

-- In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!

- Be inspired by amazing people. Dine with people who will inspire you. Travel foreign lands, and be motivated to be a catalyst for change.

- Find a place for everything: where you can be lively, be by yourself, or just be.

- Remember who your dad (or mom) really is.


Peace