24th
I am not very religious. Being consistent with that, I am not particularly fond of celebrating Christmas. I find it overrated, and my family knows that. ( Noche Buena )

25th
I woke up around 11 am on Christmas day to the sound of my whole family singing howling over the most stocked karaoke songs  on earth. By noon some of my maternal relatives dropped by our house for the yearly reunion, which my second eldest sister and I always conveniently find an excuse not to attend. But for this particular reunion, since they decided to hold it in our house, we find ourselves chatting with our cousins over pasta, kakanin, vodka, chocolate, and anything that can possibly be barbecued--chicken, pork, fish, gizzards et al.

For the rest of the afternoon, I found myself going out of my room taking hourly food binges before I resume reading. This is my form of retaliation from the painful song Nobody  which has been sang and danced with for almost 50 (yes, with the zero) times the whole day. That song pains me up until this very moment.

When everyone left, I thought I'd finally have my quiet time. Christmas is for mediation people! Hello?! But no, it was the helpers' turn to massacre the karaoke with all greatest hits of the 90s. You all want to enjoy yourselves, fine by me. I'd not be Scrooge this year. So I just turned TV on,  put it in full volume, and pretend I was watching. After an hour or so, I gave up. I went to my room, shut out all the noise, and thought about the year that was.

I fell asleep.

26th

While eating breakfast, I heard my favorite holiday soundbite from my mother and sister.

Mother: My head hurts. May hangover ata ako.
Sister: Ayan kasi inom ng inom.

I thought, what the fuck?

I barely remember what I did on the 26th. Oh, it's because I didn't do anything. The family went out. I preferred to stay in the house, so did my father. Sometimes I think I'm more like him. It scares me though, I don't like him that much.

PS. I hope you had a meaningful Christmas, Christians.

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[Goodreads]

Other than the obvious rest I get while on vacation, I love the fact that I can catch up on all the reading I didn't do during the last few months. Somehow, work has taken me away from reading actual books (though not from fic of course) and at least I was able to finish up my list before the year ended. Thanks to dorkfish04 and stellarmoneca for the recs. There's so much YA lit to read and so little time ( » )

An All New World Awaits	[All Movie Photos]

I didn't really buy much into the crazy hype that went with this movie, other than wondering why it was so central in that Bones episode (now I know why). All I knew about it was that it had the same name as the other Avatar movie that had Jackson Rathbone and Dev Patel in it.

Right before watching it, jamypye informed that it was the first movie James Cameron had made since Titanic (which I bawled my eyes out in). So let's just say, I was feeling a little skeptical about this movie. Would Jack die again? I don't think I could handle it if James Cameron killed the Jack-like character again when clearly, the DOOR/RAFT WAS BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH JACK AND ROSE!!!

And almost 3 hours later, I could see why all the hype surrounded it and why half the flist was going batshit crazy over it. It was a really good movie. Would I call it my favorite? No, not really but I can see why others would. ( » )

This is called the HP Nobag. The name says it all. You don't need a bag to carry it around.


This is the HP Fitness. Perfect for the weight-conscious and all that shiz.


This is called the HP Make-up. It has a button that changes the screen to a mirror, an on-nail printing device, and a make-up palette. (Alexis, doesn't this make you wanna go back to HP? It's pink pa oh. :p)

I don't know when these concepts will materialize - if they ever will - but I think I'd like the HP Nobag.

source

	[Anne Hathaway Fan]

I know I always say I want to become a celebrity of sorts, but when I read about the paparazzi's craziness, I sort of think twice. You think they'd learn their lesson with Princess Diana, but no. Anne Hathaway got into a little accident with the paparazzi a few days ago. I'm honestly scared for all these celebs.

I'm glad Anne or her boyfriend weren't hurt, but I hope things change for celebs and the paparazzi in 2010. Here are some photos of Anne prior to her accident at the Friends Without Border's First Annual Los Angeles Gala looking gorgeous as always. ( » )

Reputed paparazzo on bike hits Anne Hathaway's car [LA Times]

Gyllenspoon No More	[I Heart Jake Media]

Who knew that 'study' on the honeymoon period of relationships was true?! I had written over a year ago that Jake Gyllenhaal would be single by May 2010 and a few days ago, it actually happened. Though I wasn't the biggest fan of Gyllenspoon, I feel bad for Reese's kids. They seemed to really get along with Jake.

But after seeing this behind the scenes feature for Prince of Persia, including these SHIRTLESS caps, boy am I glad that he's single again. Start your engines. Belated Happy Birthday Jake! I hope he enjoyed his birthday despite the break up. ( » )

RELATED: 7 Year What?
Jake Gyllenhaal Steps Out – Without Reese [People]

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First 5th set win ng Gorayeb era! Sabi nila, sa volleyball, kapag kaya mo nang manalo sa 5th set, kaya mo nalang manalo kahit kelan. :)

Yez!

Go Cainglet! Itodo mo pa!! Ingudngud mo, beybe!

Editorial party last night. My throat hurts and my head aches and I think I may have eaten too much Inasal chicken. Just look at the pictures will you?

(PS Charice Pempengco was there, y'all. Like, yeah.)

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, reading would be it. Read poetry, fiction, newspapers, bathroom graffiti, essays, magazines, and advertisements. Reading expands your mind in ways video games and Farmville won’t. See books as an investment.

Sing. Sing in the shower, in the car, in the club, and while walking. Sing alone and sing with friends.

Travel. Travel. Travel. You will encounter different people, cultures, and cuisines. You will even encounter yourself.

Read the rest here.

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Yebah! 26 na ko. :) Thank you Lord for another year! You are the best. You are the light. You are the joy. You are the hope. You are the song I sing. :) Glee club boys and girls, alam nyo dapat yang song na yan. :)



26, 26, 26... hmm.. ano bang cool gawin ngayong 26 na ko?

Ah...


I wanna be just like this hyrax ngayong taon


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2NVu6F-eV4


A bully.

Undaunted.
Kebs.
Crazy.
Reckless.
Determined.
Focused.
Territorial.
One man monster!

Rawr!

I wanna be a cool and slightly ma-ere and kebs 26 year old man.


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If there's a movie I look forward to watching every year during Christmastime, it's gotta be Love Actually. Need I explain? I think not.

This is probably my only all-time favorite holiday movie.

In fact, I'm watching it again tonight, right after I post this entry.

From Rocket Kapre:

Last October, I sent out a limited call for submissions for Ruin and Resolve, an ebook anthology which Rocket Kapre would put up for sale, donating any profits received to the Philippine National Red Cross.  Seventeen heeded that call, and in the span of less than three months, we’ve managed to compile nineteen stories and five poems, to offer as an incentive for those who want to share their blessings, especially during the Christmas season. On December 28 (fingers crossed) the anthology will go on sale at Smashwords.com, and I’ll need everyone’s help to get the word out.

December 28, you guys. It's for a good cause! :D

Here's the TOC:

RUIN AND RESOLVE

Mouse and I – Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
Strange Salvation – Celestine Trinidad
Earthquake – Kate Aton-Osias
Designations – Partia Rivera
Firestorm – Erica Gonzales
Excerpt from Neomuros – Paolo J. Cruz
After the Flood – Nikki Alfar
Stairway to heaven – Patria Rivera
Wishgranters – Rod M. Santos
The Sparrows of Climaco Avenue – Kenneth Yu
Dreams after the Storm – Eliza Victoria
We End Up with the Same Thing Anyway – Crystal Koo
Before the Perfect Season – Catherine Batac Walder
Wail of the Sun – Vincent Michael Simbulan
Haya and Me – Erica Gonzales
Snippets – Kate Aton-Osias
The way a plague transforms the land – Patria Rivera
The Marriage of Sun and Moon – Sharmaine Galve
The Death and Rebirth of Nathaniel Alan Sempio – Alexander Marcos Osias
Cutis Marmorata – Celestine Trinidad
The Return of the Sun – Rochita Loenen-Ruiz
Strangelove – by chiles samaniego
Excerpt from News of the Shaman – Karl R. De Mesa

[BrittanyMurphy.net]

Though I wasn't exactly a big fan, nor am I really clear on how Brittany Murphy passed away, it's still saddening to hear of her death. 2009 is two weeks away from ending and here we get another death. Brittany's ex, Ashton Kutcher tweeted a real sweet farewell. But it's folks like Kevin Smith who like me, have never met her, and yet are affected by her death. He really summed it up quite nicely. [Vulture]

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1. I recently dated a quite fine, tall, Chinese UST Med student who, after a night together, texted me 'Milan, do I look ok? I am insecure about so many things.' A message that made me feel like may chance ako sa kanya.

2. I once went out with rather hot GMA7 news reporter (obviously, it's not Mike Enriqu3z or this puppet look-alike, etc. etc.) who, after touching sya, told me that I can also touch ang kanyang bestfriend news reporter who was waiting sa living room - an offer I promptly declined dahil di ko lang trip.

3. My first ever crush is a girl who, after I transfered school (for high school), disclosed to all of our common friends that she actually had a crush on me too. Unfortunately, when I learned about it, boyfriend na nya ang captain ball ng basketball varsity team of my new school.

4. I had regular fun with an ABS-CBN talent and secretly visited ang kanyang condo near Mother Ignacia from time to time mula 3rd quarter ng 2006 hanggang gitna ng 2007. Una kaming nagkakilala sa isang banyo ng resto near the ad agency kung san ako nagwork before. I didn't tell my friends about it for fear na hindi naman ako paniniwalaan.

5. I am hoping that this certain med rep from Glaxo Smith Kline actually likes me at iintroduce naman nya ang sarili nya sakin nang maayos -- so we can get it on na. Grr, yes! Yun lang naman ang gusto ko sa kanya eh. Dahil namamanyak ang utak ko tuwing nakikita ko sya.

6. I realized lately that I'm incapable of settling down sa ngayon. Minsan, I say I want to settle down na pero ang totoo, I enjoy playing and I'm not yet ready to be in a relationship pa -- lalo na ngayon.



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I wanna hurry home to you -- 50 Down/2 to Go	[me]

[+] And the holiday spirit is really in the air! I got my first holiday cards from maraudersaffair and heartfatality! Thanks so much girls! I love them ♥ Hope you all got mine too!

[+] My last week at work seemed to be one of my most productive ones and I can't remember being that busy in all my 3 months of work.

[+] And yes, we're down to two weeks in 2009. I can't believe there's so little time left. I feel like I still haven't done anything worthwhile.

[-] How quickly can something positive and private turn into something negative and public. It's my fault for opening my mouth to begin with. Lesson learned, Patty.

【THE TIME CAPSULE MEME】

You still have a week or so to leave me a note in the meme and I'm not forcing anyone at all. I just want to get mine in before it closes. ( » )