For the past 2 hours..

... I have been booking plane tickets and hotel rooms at Expedia . This is my favorite website by far. I have realized that I wanted to see the world ever since my first international trip 7 years ago to Singapore.

And now, I have listed 7 different places and I should be able to visit at least 3 before I turn 30.

1. Athens, Greece

Plane Ticket: $2012 ++
Hotel: $2000 ++ for 9 days in a standard room

2.) Maldives, Male

Plane Ticket: $1700++
Hotel: $2600++ for 9 days standard room

3.) Cape Town, South Africa

Plane Ticket: $1640 ++
Hotel: $1300++ for 9 days standard room

4.) Paris, France

Plane Ticket: $1237 ++
Hotel: $3000++ for 9 days

5.) New York, USA

Plane Ticket: $1788 ++
Hotel: $3000++ for 9 days standard room

6.) Santiago, Chile

Plane Ticket: $4400 ++
Hotel: $2000++ for 9 days standard room

7.) Moscow, Russia

Plane Ticket: $1586
Hotel: $5000++ for 9 days

OK! Snap! Back to the real world Bons!

Yun lang po.


Mood: Hopeful!

Envious!!!

There's this blog that I do not miss reading everyday.
For every freaking day, I always forget the cardinal rule that our parents taught us.

That is "Do not be jealous of what others have. Be contented".

Of course, I'd probably be the last person, at least in this side of the world to understand the meaning of contentment.

Go Figure.

This is Jane. She likes to dress up and collect shoes.....

Check out the shoes!

Now, aren't you envious as well?

I love her shoesssss.................... Especially this one.

This is her mom who is as fashionable as her.

I completely adore her.

Haay..

All photos taken from Jane's blog, Sea of Shoes.


Mood: Speechless

Movie Review: And When Did You Last See Your Father? (United Kingdom)

"Between every father and his son there is a story to be told."

And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007) is an English film based on Blake Morrison's 1993 autobiography of the same name. The film was directed by Anand Tucker and stars Jim Broadbent, Colin Firth, Juliet Stevenson, Matthew Beard and Carey Mulligan.

This was the first film I saw at this year's Cine Europa.

Plot:

"A parent and a child. The past and the present. Memories and secrets. Can you know someone for a lifetime.... and not know them at all? The life of a father. Through the journey of a son."

The plot essentially revolves around a series of memories Blake has about his father when he was younger while seeing him die in present. Blake showed how hurt he was knowing that his father philanders with another woman.

Review:

Some may find this movie dragging. If you're looking for visual entertainment, then this movie is not for you. This is not the type that Masa Filipinos would love watching. But I really did enjoy the movie.

It was artistic, simple and deep. I could somehow relate to this film as I experienced the same thing when my dad was dying 5 years ago. I was quiet the whole time because I was so touched as to how Firth put life into the character. Blake's character was the same person I was 5 years ago.

Each scene was artistically shot and each character was professionaly played. I loved how Broadbent played his role as a very annoying father to his teenage son, Blake. I loved how Broadbent characterized my dad.

My last recollection of my father was him smiling at me and telling me how proud he was of me. That was the last time he looked at my eyes and felt that I was his eldest and his most important kid.

Like in the movie, My father was authoritative. He did things his way not minding how people will react. He was smart and he really knew what he was talking about. He's arrogant and scary. and I love him for that.

I could put myself in Blake's situation because I know how hard it was to see your dad dying. What's more painful is that you felt that you knew him but it was still not enough.

After watching the movie, I was just quiet and rekindled all the good memories of my father. It was that heartwarming.

Here's the trailer.

Later,
B

Mood: Sleepy!

The World Keeps on Revealing You to Me

You scrolled down my ipod.
You laughed.
And said, "It's OMD not OMC"
"How Bizarre, was by OMC". I thought.
I didn't know who OMD was.
I said, "It's typo error."
You smiled at me. You looked at my lips.
You kissed me once more.

I can feel you..
Holding my hand.
Touching my face.
Kissing my lips.

I was shy.
I felt embarassed I did not know who OMD was.

A month later, I watched a movie
I downloaded a song.
It was sung originally by OMD.
Now I know who they are.

The world keeps on revealing you to me.
What do I do?

--
anonymous

Movie Review: Summer Storm (German: Sommersturm)

Mike told me that I should and must watch Summer Storm (German: Sommersturm). He blogged about it and I know that he has very good taste in movies. So he sent me the imeem link where I could watch it.

Summer Storm (German: Sommersturm) is a multi award-winning, German coming-of-age film directed by Marco Kreuzpainter. It was released in 2004.

Plot:

Rowing Teams from all over Germany stayed in a camping ground for one week of training before the final rowing competition.

The RSC rowing team camped out with a gay rowing team called "Queerstrokes" (Queerschlag). Supposedly the RSC team will be camping out with the girls team from Berlin but they backed out and they had no choice. The members of Queerstrokes were so proud of their strengths and abilities in the sport, so there were inevitable tense interactions with the RSC team.
Because of unexpected circumstances, RSC's Tobi was forced to confront his long-time feelings for his close friend and team-mate Achim, who was already romantically involved with a girl named Sandra.

As the movie progresses, there were deeper issues the Tobi had to face.

Of course, I won't spill...



Review:

The movie is artistic, sexy and young yet mature. It successfully showcased the process of how the youth of today discover the real essence of sexuality. The characters were very natural with their roles. The movie shows homosexuality in a deeper sense where those who have biases and prejudices towards homosexuals will treat this movie as an eye-opener. It will serve as a learning experience for those who are judgmental about the people who have different sexual orientations.


The soundtrack is equally good and I have yet to download it.

Here's the trailer.




Click this to watch it.

P.S
Got the pictures from Mike.

Want some?

Of course I do! No need to ask me!

I don't like Chris Tiu though.

Naknang

When I was even little...

I already knew how to project myself in front of the camera.



I did not do boring poses.

I already knew how to look good and accessorize.


I was already a favorite of grandma.



I already knew the art of flirting and how to carry myself in front of boys, even the not so cute ones. =P

F off

too much in two days...
i know it is a small world,
and we are just under one sky.

i know that our paths will somehow cross,
but it's too early.
i am still moving on from our loss.

it may have been 5 years ago but it's still hard,
after all that has been said and done,
i just cannot accept you yet. maybe not now.

you have hurt my family.
you have tainted his memories.
i still hate you. i still do.

i wish one day i get to see each and everyone of you,
i wish one day you will see how we have strived and survived,
i wish one day i will JUST laugh when i see you all of you.

that day is just around the corner,
and i can only imagine the priceless look in your faces,
just priceless.

that'd be sweet revenge.

Lecheng buhay to

I am not poreless like KC Concepcion. I don't have the perfect skin like hers.

Leche.


I started using Garnier as my toner to "tighten the pores" and still Olay for my moisturizer.

My sister, Ja commented the other night, "Hindi naman effective si KC sayo at bumibili ka ng produkto niya."

By the way, I also bought the eye cream. I think Garnier products are good, but not good enough to make my skin look like hers...... (Garnier is inexpensive too).

Well, my pictures aren't photoshop-ed and I commute everyday breathing and experiencing third world air. That's the difference.

On the other note, mukhang hindi to photoshop-ed

Life is unfair.

Leche.

Today

Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will not get angry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to all living things.

by Dr. Mikao Usuki

Dr. Usuki founded Reiki. Reiki is a form of healing that enables you to tap into the universal life form or energy. The healer becomes a conduit between the universal healing energy and the patient.

You are important in my world

I learned that I have a relatively big cyst in my neck a few months ago. I had a biopsy around June and the doctor told me that it's benign. I was very thankful.

I did not mind it for quite sometime because of my trips and work and what have you. When mum would ask me when I want it to be removed, I kept on rescheduling my appointments at Makati Med. I was looking for reasons why I shouldn't go there.

A part of me was afraid of the supposed operation. The biopsy was so painful enough for me to think about a scalpel cutting through my neck.

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a very good friend and he asked about it.

Friend: "How's your cyst? Have you been to the doctor lately?"
Bons: "Nope. I don't have time"
Friend: "Goodness, you have good health benefits from your company, why don't you have it removed."
Bons: "I guess I'm afraid and I can't find time."
Friend: "Bons, take care of yourself, you are important in my world."

He lives at the other side of the world and still thought of my health condition. I was very touched.

At that moment, I remembered all the people who really care for me and those who love me. I promised myself to find time and go to the doctor and have it checked once again.

Hence, I will be leaving in an hour for Makati Med. Wish me luck.



Mood: Nervous

Movie Review: Love Songs (Les Chansons d'amour)

"love me less, but love me a long time"

Love Songs (French: Les Chansons d'amour ) is a French 2007 film by Christophe Honoré. It was one of the 20 films running for the Featured Films competition at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, a musical about love, life and death starring Louis Garrel, Ludivine Sagnier and Chiara Mastroianni.

This was the last of the 3 movies I watched last Saturday.

The movie has three parts.

Part One: The Departure

It talked about the struggle of a couple to revive their relationship.

Julie and Ismael got involved in a threesome with a lady named Alice. It was a girl-boy-girl relationship where Alice is more of a mediator when the two has petty misunderstandings.

Part Two: Absence

This part talked about how a family copes up with a member's absence. It also talked about how a loving beau struggles to bring back his life after one very sudden event.

Ismael could not bear staying at his flat because of what happened in Part One, so he sought help from Alice. He stayed at Gwendal's place where he met Gwendal's brother, Erwann.

Part Three: The Return
This part will make you realize that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. No man ever can survive on his own. It also showcased that it is easier to go through life if you remain true to yourself.

Erwann made Ismael realize the reason why his relationship with Julie was a mess. This highlighted the emancipation of Ismael after all that has happened in his life for the past months.

I really like the OST of this movie. Chiqui downloaded the whole album and I have been listening to it all day.

Here is the movie trailer.






I enjoyed the movie because of its simplicity. It is very straight-forward, fast-paced and blatant.

The plot is very simple but when you go out of the movie house, it will make you think about a lot of things. It will make you reevaluate your life and appreciate the importance of the people who care for you. It will make you realize that YOU are important to their worlds.

And that's what matters.

PS. Send me a PM if you want a copy of the album.

ACS Newsletter for the Beijing 2008 Olympics

ACOS5 Cryptographic Smart Card ACR38 Smart Card Reader AET60 BioCARDKey AET63 BioTRUSTKey ACR88 PIN-Pad Smart Card Reader ACR120 Contactless Reader ACR122 NFC Contactless Reader ACR128 Dual-interface Reader ABOUT ACS Advanced Card Systems Ltd. (HONG KONG STOCK Exchange: 8210), Founded in 1995, Asia Pacific's number one supplier of PC-linked smart card readers (Source: research report issued by Frost & Sullivan) is one of a select group of global companies at the forefront of the smart card revolution. ACS develops and distributes a wide range of high quality smart card reading/writing devices, smart cards, and related products to over 80 countries worldwide, facilitating an easier adoption of smart card applications in different industries. As the one of the world's leading supplier of PC-linked smart card readers, ACS has the technology, expertise, and global resources to develop and offer the next generation in smart card versatility to satisfy the needs of its customers worldwide. If you would like more information on these or any other ACS product or service, please feel free to contact our Sales Department anytime. We would be more than happy to assist you. Tel: +852 2796 7873 Fax: +852 2796 1286 Email: info@acs.com.hk Website: http://www.acs.com.hk If you do not wish to receive these emails in the future, please send a blank email to info@acs.com.hk with your email address in the subject line. Press Release : ACS was chosen by World Olympians Association (WOA) to secure its events in 2008 Beijing Olympics Hong Kong, 19 Sep, 2008 - Advanced Card Systems Ltd. (HONG KONG STOCK Exchange: 8210, www.acs.com.hk), Asia Pacific's number one supplier in PC-linked smart card readers industry (Source: research report issued by Frost & Sullivan), provided security access to the World Olympians Association (WOA) events for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games from 8 to 26 Aug 2008. The Olympians Reunion Center (ORC) is set up by WOA in every Olympic Games. It welcomes all Olympians, guests and VIPs where they can reunite with old friends, make new ones and participate in functions organized by the WOA and other partners such as VISA. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the ORC, WOA chose to apply smart card technology for its access control system this year. Advanced Card Systems Ltd. (ACS) together with Artemis Solutions Group (ASG) were invited to participate in this security enhancement project and provide a set of smart card-based security access control system to WOA. Around 4,000 credentials were issued using ACS micro-controller smart cards, Model ACOS3, which cannot be cloned as all the information is encrypted in the card module. ACS Handheld PIN-Pad Readers, Model ACR88 were used to read the smart cards and verify the identity of the guests. Data captured were transferred to the PC network system for compiling the statistics of people who joined the events or used the facilities in the center. The portable ACR88 allows a high level of flexibility and mobility so that it can be used anywhere in the centre. ACOS3 Smart Card issuing Process Identity authentication by using ACR88 ACS CEO Denny Wong with Rose Voisk (right), 1948 Olympic gymnast of the former Yugoslavia "I feel very happy that ACS is the first smart card and reader supplier chosen by WOA to provide the security access for the Olympians Reunion Center", said Denny Wong, Chief Executive Officer of ACS. He added, "We have truly made our mark and successfully introduced the smart card industry to this realm of sports." ACS smart cards and readers were also used for the authentication of journalists and security personnel during the interviews with famous athletes such as Michael Phelps and Nastia Liukin. Moreover, credentials were issued to renowned international artists like Taylor Dayne for the musical concert sponsored by CCTV to mark the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. "This is the very first time that we used smart cards for security authentication in all our events", said Dick Fosbury, President of the WOA. He also mentioned, "I am completely satisfied that the ID system that we used at the 2008 Olympians Reunion Center ensured the integrity of our venue and enhanced the safety and security of our on-site guests." ACS Hazel Basuel with Dick Fosbury (right), WOA President and 1968 Olympic gold medallist (High Jump) and inventor of Fosbury Flop ACS Sandy Tang with Nastia Liukin (right), 2008 Olympic gold medallist (Individual All-Around in Artistic Gymnastics) About ACS Advanced Card Systems Ltd. (ACS, Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 8210), founded in 1995, Asia Pacific's top supplier of PC-linked smart card readers (Source: Research Report issued by Frost & Sullivan) is one of a select group of global companies at the forefront of the smart card revolution. ACS develops, and distributes a wide range of high quality smart card reading/writing devices, smart cards, and related security products to over 100 countries worldwide, facilitating an easier adoption of smart card applications in different industries. Visit ACS at http://www.acs.com.hk/. About ASG Artemis Solutions Group is a family of companies that focuses on global technology solutions for biometrics, smart cards, PVC and ID Cards and custom printing. ASG’s international presence integrates all facets of design, manufacturing, sales and distribution of world-class security solutions incorporating biometric and smart card technologies. Visit ASG at http://www.artemis-usa.com/. About WOA World Olympians Association unites Olympians from around the world regardless of age, sport or nationality. WOA activities include dissemination of Olympic ideals, promotion of virtues that make the Olympic Movement, fair play and advance environmental protection values. WOA also contributes to sport related charities, hosts special hospitality centers, involves Olympians in social support, displays positive role models and promotes culture of which sport is a part of. WOA has a network of more than 80,000 Olympians. Visit WOA at http://www.woaolympians.com/.