Somewhere in Alabama

My Brother left for the US yesterday from Singapore (where he used to work). I sent him a SMS message yesterday and he told me he was in Nakita, Japan for his connecting flight. (humm, reminds me of the movie Terminal - too much movie last weekend, I know! this is like a hangover). By now, he would be somewhere in the state of ... Alabama. Another stint of being an OFW, from an island country to the land of milk and honey. Good thing he does drink milk and likes honey...hahaha! Kidding aside, I won't be seeing him for the next 3 years or so. AJ will be 3 years old by the time he comes back.
[FLASH BACK]
Early 80's, playing with big bro... and the neighbors' kids our age in a village in Iloilo. Taguan, patentero, agawan base, langit lupa, pepsi seven-up, jolen... from sun up to sun down.. no worries, no problems, no bills and no money but yet it was the time of our lives that nothing matters but your bestfriend and the rest of the kids in your street. The only dissapointment that I can think of was when it rained and we were not allowed to play outside.
[BACK TO REALITY]
I wish him safety and good health. I'm not really familiar with the Alabama State ( just know they have Southern accent and it only reminds me of Reese Witherspoon's Sweet Home Alabama, which is a very nice movie btw), I just hope (and pray) that he won't be harassed by some gangster or racists.

May the force be with you brother.

Big Bro Dave at Sears, Alabama

couch potato marathon

Our Chinese New Year weekend was celebrated with marathons. Not, the physical marathon (running and panting) but the couch potato marathon. Hubby and I watched the latest episode of CSI NY & Vegas and the soon to be off the tube, The O.C. and 4 movies. All done in the comfort of our bedroom with AJ rolling, crawling, standing, babbling, playing, etc. in our bed and his play mat.

So what movies did we watch?

The Pursuit to HappynessWhen I saw the trailer months back, I thought, seems like a nice feel good movie..drama to be exact. But unfortunately, I didn't shed a tear.. not even teary eyed. The movie just didn't struck any emotions for me. Another reason I want to see this movie was because Will Smith was nominated for Best Actor in this year's Oscars. But I don't think running around San Francisco with a bone scanner in tote could win him the award. Pardon to all Smith fans out there... I didn't see him at his best (performance) in this film. The film is about survival, family and a man's pursuit to happyness (which should be spelled with an i not a y but you'll know why its spelled like that if you watch it).

Thomas Jefferson's US Declaration of Independence was quoted in the film, "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Why was it written as pursuit of Happiness and not just Happiness period? Was it because they knew that only Life and Liberty can be achieve while happiness can never be ours thus we can only pursuit happiness? This film clearly gave an example of how a man pursuits happiness and got it in the end.

Blood Diamond

When I heard that Leo DiCarpio was nominated for this year's Oscar, I was hoping it was for The Departed. I love his acting there (as well as Mark Wahlberg's). But when I learned that it was for this film, I wanted to watch it and see for myself if he indeed gave a deserving Oscar performance. My colleague, Kim also told me that it was a good movie. And I totally agree, its a good film and Leo is very good, at his best I guess (just like in the Departed). The accent was weird but I guess you should be a good actor to pull off an accent that's not native to you. Djimon Hounsou was equally good in this movie and deserves to be recognized (an Oscar for Supporting Actor is a good idea..hehe!) I have only good things to say to the Demi Moore look-a-like, Jennifer Connelly. Reporters should all be like her, beautiful under pressure. The film show cased who suffer the most in time of a civil war. The children. The sight of a boy holding a rifle and training him to kill is an injustice to mankind. And how many people are killed and abused for a blood diamond.
After watching this, it made me think, if my engagement ring was a conflict diamond. Hope NOT!

Step Up

When I was a kid, I used to love and enjoy dancing, yes, even in front of an audience. I was dancing I was like flying as my mom would say. And I get the steps easily. At that time, I didn't know what kind of dance I was into, later did I realized that it was Jazz. Twists and turns and legs kicking and flying all around. No, I didn't have formal training. I guess that's why it came and gone away. Watching Step Up, brings back memories of being free, confident and proud. I really enjoyed watching this movie. Aside for the romance that evolved between the lead characters, Tyler and Nora, I also enjoyed the music that they played, the dance rehearsals and the final showcase. It's another feel good movie that I'm glad I saw. An inspirational film to reach for what you want and that we can be better than who we are right now. All we need is just a chance to prove that we can step up to a life far larger than we can ever imagined.

As a parent, I can only imagine the fulfillment once I have nourished my child's talent. I'm looking forward to what ever AJ's interests will be and I'd do my best to give my support and find ways and means to nourish them.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

I know, this has been released 4 years ago, but we never came around to seeing the first installment of this mega hit movie until this weekend. We saw the POTC: Dead Man's Chest in the theater last year though. I only have 3 words for this film, DEPP is HOT! Even if he looks like he has not taken a bath for ages and has not changed his clothes... he still has the clearest and smoothest face in the film. I do love Orlando Bloom in LOTR but in this movie.. he is just simply Will Turner, off to face danger to save the love of his life. Yes! Sweet and Romantic. As scary as those ghosts aboard the Black Pearl, Keira Knightley's beautiful face is a refreshing sight. I just love those 17th century costumes, women look so regal.. well except that corset Knightly wore where she can breath no more.
Looking forward to this year's Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End

pictures courtesy of imdb.com

Holiday on Valentine's Day

Last night hubby and I watched The Holiday. I have been waiting to watch this ever since I saw the trailer last year. Though the setting was Christmas, its a very beautiful valentine's movie date. I read Misty's blog about it and true enough.. I so love Graham (Jude Law) and uncontrolled tears flow down like there's no tomorrow when he said I Love You to Amanda (Cameron Diaz). I'm smitten, he's a definite dahling (in Brit accent) in this movie. I love Iris' (Kate Winslet) monologues. Every time she delivers her lines, I was like 100% all ears! Cameron is effortlessly funny in the movie. I so love the scene were Iris' saw Amanda's house and went from room to room with excitement in her eyes like a child seeing her Christmas gift for the first time. And not to mention dancing. I've never imagined her being suitable for a romantic comedy movie. I guess its all because of the Titanic thing. Miles (Jack Black) is hands down funny. And I just love that Brit accent :) Love it Love it! Did you notice how many time I mentioned "LOVE"? ... its because I do and this movie will be in my favorite list (together with my other fave: 50 first dates, How to loose a guy in 10 days, etc..). The cast was perfect for each of the characters, a great setting, and a brilliant Nancy Meyers (Director).So, my review score is PERFECT 10! I can watch it again and again.

Till my next review..."Don't blow away"- Miles

"It doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. and how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. and you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little peices of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade." - Iris

credits to IMDB.com for the quotes

Milestones at 8 Months

Crawling



Sitting



Attemp to stand up

my first pearly whites

I'm pleased to announce to everyone that my little cute rascal got his pearly whites 2 weeks ago...yes, I know, I'm a bad mother for announcing it a bit late. Our camera was missing in action so I have been using my phone's camera to take pictures but I can't get a good shot at it until now.. (our cam is back to life so...) I'm back to my picture taking addiction. And to start my week right...here is a glimpse of AJ's top and bottom teeth. Oh so cute.. and so white!

a pre-valentine affair

Early today, opps.. its 12:41am so I guess I should say.. "early yesterday.. hubby and I went out for our pre-valentine's date. Yup, we're done celebrating this special occasion. Aside from Valentine's day falls on a weekday (Wednesday), my mom will be leaving for Singapore later this evening which means.. no one will be baby sitting for us. So we took this weekend as a chance to bond and be husband and wife even for just 6 hours. We had our late lunch (3:30pm) at Italiannis and tried the Sicilian Chicken Salad that hubby has been bragging about how delicious it is even since he and his officemates dined there for lunch. I ordered a Toasted Ravioli for starters because I haven't tried it yet and I don't know what a ravioli is so... I want my ignorance to end here. And for playing it safe.. we chose a Pepperoni Pizza for our main course (just in case the Ravioli is not what we hoped for). And their ultra delicious dalandan juice.


After finishing our freshly baked bread dipped in olive oil and a tangy dark sauce (ok fine, I really don't know what's it called), the salad arrived then the starter with our pizza. I'm glad the Ravioli was yummy and yes the salad was superb.. with its sweet mango and grapes and the dressing is just right. But I was a bit disappointed with the pizza because it was a bit overly toasted thus its so hard to chew. I end up giving my last slice to hubby.

After lunch or should I say "meryenda"? We still have a hour to spare before our scheduled couples thai massage at Body Tune Spa, so we decided to hear mass since it was already 5pm and it will end right before our session starts.

I was really such a great day for me... spending some quality time with hubby which I have unintentionally been unable to do since I'm more focused on being AJ's mommy and working at the same time... its so hard to juggle everything and to please everyone. But I'm trying hear. I guess I need more time to be able to do everything with ease. I'm taking and learning one day at a time.

Next week will be a bit of a challenge since I'll be working from home for the whole week since I have to take care of AJ while gradma is away to celebrate Gong Hei Fat Choi in Singapore.