Pulse

Collectibles

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

My friends Zara and Shazam have something in common. They both collect refrigerator magnets. Gretchen, my former secretary, requests that I bring her back a keychain when I go on trips because she collects them. I used to collect them too but has since stopped. I wonder if my friend Dale still collects cookie jars. He used to when we were in training together. Nowadays, I don't collect anything at all; partly because of my limit clutter principle.

What do you collect?

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

When news broke out last year that Warner Bros has moved the showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, many expressed disappointment. I was among them but I knew I couldn't stay away. After all, book 6 is probably my favorite of the books because it holds so many answers to the stories of both Harry Potter and Voldemort. Aside from that, there is romance, comedy, action and adventure.

The movie is probably my favorite along with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. While I found movies 2, 3, 4 and 5 dark and a bit boring, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is not at all like that. I laughed at a number of scenes, most of them featuring Rupert Grint who plays Ron Weasley. There were some scenes in the movie which were not in the book but I think they were a plus. An example is how Malfoy and the Vanishing Cabinet subplot was treated.

Although the movie is an excellent adaptation, there were a few things I would have wanted to see. What I missed: some of Tom Riddle's memories, particularly the back stories of the ring, locket and cup and Moaning Myrtle. There may be others but I refrained from rereading the book just before the movie lest it ruins the movie experience.

I think though that viewers who are not fans of the books would have a hard time comprehending the film. Frenchy, a non-fan, had that experience when she watched the movie.

I was right about not staying away. The movie was well worth the wait. I'm sure the other fans weren't able to resist it too; the ticket sales worldwide attest to that.

Witch Powers

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Long before my infatuation with Harry Potter, I've always been fascinated with witches, the good ones particularly. I think this has something to do with watching Bewitched and Sabrina The Teenage Witch or reading the comic strip Broomhilda while growing up. But reading Harry Potter exposed me to the many abilities a witch possesses. Since the image of a witch tending to her brew is the most evocative for me, I think, of all the witchly abilities, I would prefer to a be a wiz at potions.

Which witch ability would you like to possess? Transfiguration? Charms? Or Broomstick Riding?

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This is my contribution to Aloha Friday.

Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Rain is such a powerful natural phenomenon that it evokes many reactions and many emotions. And some of these have even been immortalized in song.

With weddings and sports events, especially if outdoors, we pray for no rain; even offering eggs to Sta. Clara to make the rain go away. However, we welcome a little bit of rain. Because when it does, we consider it a blessing from above. As children, we were thought the rhyme Rain rain go away.

Rain can also be sombering. We've heard the Carpenters sing Rainy Days and Mondays. Rain may also mean a crisis or something similar; just like in Barry Manilow's I Made It Through the Rain .

But rain can also be romantic. One of the more romantic rain stories for me is that embedded in Laughter in the Rain. OPM wise, these songs evoke romance: Swerte Swerte Lang Pag Umuulan and Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka.

Rain is such a normal occurrence that it means many things to many people. When it rains, I want to stay home, curl up in bed and either read a book or watch a movie. The APO Hiking Society seems to agree in Pumapatak ang Ulan.

What do you like doing when it rains? Do you have other rain songs in mind?

Hannah Montana The Movie

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

When Zara and I were in Singapore last month, S4 told us she's watching Hannah Montana the Movie. Had I not been too busy shopping, I would have joined her.

The movie explores the problems of celebrities - paparazzi, time demands, isolation from family and ego. How Hannah reconnects with Miley and reconciles the two is what the rest of the movie is all about.

As for the soundtrack, the movie has catchy tunes. The father and daughter number is heartwarming while the hiphop number is quite infectious.

I don't follow the TV series but was attracted to the movie because of the trailer. It reminds me of my one and only visit to the US mainland. The first states I visited then Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. People who heard that exclaimed you haven't seen America then! I did see New York, Washington and Orlando before heading home but I must admit that rural America has a charm of its own.

The movie compares opposite poles: the celebrity Hannah vs country girl Miley and urban vs rural America. In the end, we learn that both have unique gifts and should be appreciated in their own terms.

Photo from this site.

On Naps

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

One thing a senior consultant must have daily is his siesta or power nap. He says it rejuvenates him.

While I'm not exactly a napper, there were days I couldn't help it. And I was tired most of those days. Like the time I had a shut eye watching what would later be my favorite movie of all time. Or when I conducted a patient to another hospital and slept in the waiting room while she was being scanned; that was embarrassing. Or when I slept through mass and missed communion, among many other things; good thing I was alone or else Mom would have been embarrassed or nudged me all throughout.

The reason for this post is I just had a most refreshing nap while having my hair done at the salon. I woke up feeling all good, It felt like the best sleep I've had in days. That can only mean I've been tired but wouldn't accept it.

Do you take naps?

Same Old, Same Old

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

After pounds lost and gained, babies and marriages in between, I met up with friends from med school today. Now that we're older, wiser and not much richer, we still laugh at the same jokes and the events which happened some 15 years ago. While we can now afford to laugh at failed hair treatments and lost loves, we still think that Joey G. of Side A rocks. True, he has gotten old but so did we.

We loved posing for group photos. During our community medicine rotation while leaping on air. In the Chubby Mestiza's garden wearing our wacky faces. In a studio not necessarily dolled up. Inday remembered that and so we capped the night with a photo session, just like in the old days.

No Signal

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

I found my personal phone warm and drained of its charge early today. Thought it was a battery problem so I charged it again, only to find it in the same condition after a couple of hours. It also couldn't access the network even if other phones in the house on the same network can. I think that's how it keeps losing its charge, by having to search for the network automatically. Customer service thinks it might be a SIM problem if things don't improve in 24 hours and that I'm a candidate for a replacement especially after other SIMs worked on the phone and after learning that I've had that SIM for six years .

I'm getting a new SIM then. Fortunately, because I'm a post-paid subscriber, I'm getting the same number. I did think about the liberty of a new number, that somehow I can rid my contacts of undesirables, but the benefits of having the same number far outweigh that.

Do you change numbers all the time?

Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

The food item I miss most when traveling out of the country is rice. I guess most Filipinos feel the same way.

Plain Rice. There are many ways to cook plain rice. Some like it moist, the others dry. Most prefer it with a trace of pandan. Others specifically go for the tutong. I like mine just right, with a hint of pandan; no tutong please!

Garlic Rice. The best companion to longanisa, tocino or tapa or what makes a Filipino breakfast.

Java Rice. Best together with barbecue.

Brown Rice. Although touted as healthy, the taste is a turn-off for me and that makes me eat less of it.

Fried Rice. The Chinese call it yang chow; the Japanese call it yakimeshi. Whatever name it's called, it's a winner; in limited amounts of course!

Paella. Not exactly a big fan of the dish until I tried the one at Casa Armas, still the best paella for me!

When I trained in the US and stayed in a hotel for 2 months, Filipino friends in the area would give me cooked rice when I visited their homes and that kept me happy for days.

How do you like your rice?

Caffeine

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

When I told Zara about my migraine, she suggested I try drinking a cup of coffee. She said it works for her and that some anti-migraine drugs have caffeine as one of its components. So I did, but it only kept me up at night.

Frenchy says I shouldn't have followed Zara's advice because I'm not a regular coffee drinker. I avoid it most of the time though as I once got palpitations with brewed coffee. I do get a regular dose of caffeine from soda though and maybe, tea.

Now I'm giving up all forms of caffeine to prevent migraine. I'm sure it can be done as I once gave up Diet Coke for close to 2 years, only to resume it in February this year.

Are you caffeinated or decaf?

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This is my contribution to Aloha Friday.

Healthy Mamon Faceoff

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

In this age where many are demanding healthier options, two local bakeshops rice to the challenge and produce low calorie alternatives.

Let's see how they do with the mamon.

Red Ribbon's No Sugar Added Mamon (PHP 24) is softer, fluffier and tastes better than Goldilocks' Sugar-Free Mamon (PHP 23). Problem is, you don't actually know how much you're getting because unlike Goldilocks', Red Ribbon has no nutrition label attached to its product. Goldilocks' Sugar-Free Mamon is about 160 calories. If the Red Ribbon one tastes better, then maybe it's because it's more packed in calories. Price wise, there's about a peso difference between the two.

I think Red Ribbon can improve their product by affixing a nutrition label.

Raffles

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Every time our favorite mall runs a raffle, Zara and I kid each other that one of us is winning the grand prize. We haven't won anything but we continue to hope, filling one raffle stub after another or making sure our purchases meet the minimum requirement for a ticket.

Do you participate in raffles or don't bother at all?

Craving

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Don't you just sometimes wish you were eating a certain food item?

For the last few weeks, I've been craving for barbecue. I tried it at Bar-B-Queen and at a restaurant Zara and I frequent but at both times was not satisfied. Today, I couldn't put off the craving much longer even if I wanted to hunt for Ice Age's Buck in those Happy Meals. I went to Reyes Barbecue and was instantly satisfied. Until the next craving, that is.

I wonder what sets off cravings. Hormones could be a factor, especially since cravings figure prominently in pregnancy. For me, what occasionally sets off a craving is a well written article about a certain food item. If the author can set off a craving or at least a desire to hunt that restaurant down, I believe he did a very good job writing that article.

What are you craving for at the moment?

Movie Soundtracks

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

One of the things that make a movie is its soundtrack.

My earliest exposure to the movie soundtrack was through the TV movie Sunshine, a story about a cancer-stricken young woman whose illness force her to leave a husband and daughter behind. I love the songs, most of them by John Denver.

When he migrated to the US, Tennis Ace left his stack of cassette tapes with S1 and I. The album of Saturday Night Fever was among them and it was through this that we discovered John Travolta and the Bee Gees. Later we would sing along to Can You Read My Mind from Superman and Looking Through the Eyes of Love from Ice Castles.

Although movie musicals have the richest repertoire, I think they're in a separate category if they are already established musicals from the theatre. Soundtracks developed specifically for film are somewhat different. And movie themes are as iconic of the movie as its characters. A few come to mind: Superman, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.

My recent favorites are the soundtracks from Ally McBeal, My Best Friend's Wedding, Dying Young, Beauty and the Beast and of course, Music and Lyrics.

Do you have a favorite movie soundtrack?

Experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

A few days ago, the experiment finally paid off after more than 2 years of blogging. It's not much but now I know the promise is real.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

I did not see Ice Age. I left midway into Ice Age 2 because I had to go back to the hospital. Leaving it was easy because it did not really interest me. All the talk about global warming turned me off. While I support the environment, I go to the movies primarily to be entertained.

Before watching Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, I heard contrasting opinions about the movie. S5 liked Ice Age 2 better but Zara's kids loved Ice Age 3. I wondered, would I agree with the adult or the kid?

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs follows the adventures of an unlikely group of animals. This time, their friendship is tested by life changing events and danger. How they manage is what the rest of the movie is all about.

I love the movie from start to finish. It is funny and entertaining yet there are lessons to learn on friendship, parenting, etc. The animation is superb and makes one wish for a similar place in real life.

I've always shunned heavyweight films, preferring blockbusters and comedies over Oscar awarded films. Now, it's been confirmed, I have the movie watching attributes of a 6-year old.

Photo from this site.

A(H1N1)

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Zara's kids' classes were suspended. My temperature was checked at Changi Airport. I now carry a hand sanitizer with me always. Although WHO does not restrict travel, I'm not planning any international travel at the moment.

How has A(H1N1) changed your life?

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This is my contribution to Aloha Friday.

Gender Prediction

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

S3 and Kulisap are having a baby but like what they did with the Little Music Man, they're not telling us the kid's gender. They want it to be a surprise so we'll just find out after she delivers.

Without the benefit of an ultrasound, most people predict the baby's gender using old wives' tales which are not at at all foolproof. Plus, they could be tricky and dangerous.

While in training, a pregnant colleague suddenly demanded that I accompany her to the parlor after our duties. I learned later that all throughout the day she received comments predicting that she was having a son. And that meant, in old wives' tales' language, a big nose, dark skin, etc. No wonder, she ran off to the salon.

Do you believe in old wives' tales about gender prediction or would you rather be surprised?

Xiao MIng Chinese Cuisine

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

After a heavy breakfast at CaraMia Gelateria yesterday, I burned the calories with treadmill at the gym and going around the tiangge. After all, I had my heart set on spareribs rice at Le Ching. But while walking around the tiangge, somebody handed me a flyer of Xiao Ming Chinese Cuisine, a newly opened restaurant. Since they had what I was craving for on the menu, I decided to give it a try.

By the time I settled for late lunch, I was only one of three diners in the restaurant which was huge. It felt good sitting in a brand new restaurant. Round and long tables dot the place with the kitchen on one side of the room.
I ordered the Steamed Spareribs in Taosi Rice Topping (PHP 150) and while Le Ching's version still tops my list, this is a good alternative because of the additionals: vegetables which make it a complete meal and Chinese chorizo which add flavor. The spareribs was tender, juicy and flavorful.

The menu is quite extensive with most dishes available in three serving sizes: small, medium and large. They also have set menus for groups of ten.

Because my family's addicted to Chinese food, I'm sure they'd want to give this a try. And when they do, I'll be more than glad to join them.

CaraMia Gelateria

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

When Endapea asked where we should meet for breakfast at Greenhills, I suggested Amici thinking we could cap it off with gelato at their sister restaurant CaraMia Gelateria. She agreed, not having tried both restaurants before.

When we got there a little before ten this morning, Amici was still closed but CaraMia Gelateria was open. To my surprise, they serve not only gelato but cakes and breakfast too.

I ordered La Polpette on Parmigiana Panini (PHP 150), delectable Italian meatballs topped with symphony of cheeses. I've always paid close attention to how dishes are described in menus and this one is a winner. It was the phrase symphony of cheeses which got to me and the dish did not disappoint.

However, when I saw what she had ordered, I somehow wished I was having that or something similar because a lot seemed to be going on in her plate compared to mine. Endapea had the Frittata (PHP 140), omelette filled with onion, mushroom, bell pepper, tomato, olives served with toasted ciabatta, hash browns and roasted tomato. She must have sensed my curiosity because she shared some of it with me. While eating it, she was impressed with how the omelet was full of ingredients and that it even has olives. She said obviously CaraMia does not scrimp on ingredients compared to other restaurants where she'd order vegetarian omelets for about the same price.

For dessert, we shared a slice of Mango Tango (PHP 55) which was heavenly.

I've always been a fan of Amici. Now, I'm a fan of CaraMia Gelateria. I believe Endapea's a fan too. She says the dishes are reasonably priced and that she intends to bring her family there.

Michael Jackson and Me

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

When I decluttered last year and threw out most old magazines, there was one I couldn't part with. It was Time's Mar. 19, 1984 issue and it had a drawing of Michael Jackson on the cover. Inside, it described his phenomenal success.

Michael Jackson was on everybody's radios and TVs then. His were the MTVs to watch because they were original and well choreographed. And everybody danced the Moonwalk.

Although he got all weird in his later years, that doesn't change the fact that he's a musical genius. My favorites are She's Out of My Life, Heal the World, Someone in the Dark and Black and White.

And I will always remember Thriller with fondness, for in the summer of 1984, we did a Michael Jackson, dressed up as zombies and danced to Thriller.

MJ was a part of my life and I'm sure of many others too.

Mee Noodle Bar and Restaurant

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Although I've eaten at Mee Noodle Bar and Restaurant since it opened late last year, I have not brought my family there because I'm not sure Mom would like the ambiance. Second, I found the dishes expensive the first time I dined there with a good friend.

Yesterday, my family finally got to try it only because our original choice for lunch, Gloria Maris, has closed shop at Shangri-La.

We had the Dimsum Combination (PHP 235), siomai, roast pork asado and fried chicken balls combination. We also had the Pork Satay (PHP 168), basted in coconut milk and peanut sauce, and Chicken Satay (PHP 180), succulent chicken cubes with a choice of peanut or sweet soy sauce. Although both were good, I found the chicken more tender. Completing the meal were Plain Rice (PHP 40) and Phad Thai (PHP 219), Bangkok style, a scrumptious stir fried nodle dish, a combination of sweet, sour, salty and bitter taste cooked to perfection. I found this quite unlike any of the noodles I've tried before and I say this in a good way.

The source of my disappointment the first time I dined at Mee Noodle Bar and Restaurant was the Guchi Bags (PHP 180), chunky bags served with tangy sweet chili sauce, as I found them small and therefore expensive. I ordered it nonetheless because I knew Mom would like it. To my surprise, they've become more presentable and a lot heftier and I pointed the change to the server. She asked if I preferred the original, I said no, this is a lot better. In fact, with its size I think it's just priced right.

For drinks, I had my usual Diet Soda while the others had Sago and Gulaman (PHP80) which came in an oversized glass and very much worth it.

Service was fast and the staff were very attentive and responded to our little requests. Mom had no problems with the ambiance but requested that we sit inside.

My family was quite pleased with the experience so I guess we're going back sometime.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

I had no plans of telling Dad I was watching Transformers today because he might tell me not to on fear of the A(H1N1) virus. But I had to confess when he asked me after lunch at the mall what movies were showing because he wanted to watch one. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen was showing in all the mall's cinemas and that wasn't a problem because Dad wanted to see it.

Since Mom was coming along, I warned her that the movie is 2 1/2 hours long and that she might get bored. In fact, I had a feeling she would just sleep through it but Dad said no, she won't. I also warned her that if she decides to go to the restroom or whatever during the climax, like she did in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she would have to go alone.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is set 2 years after the first movie. The leads are older and have moved on. While the Autobots have formed an alliance with the military, this is threatened by the new attack of the Decepticons.

I was amazed at the special effects of Transformers and instantly became a fan. I must admit however, that though there were more action sequences in the sequel, they did not have the same impact as the first one. Somehow, the transformation has become ordinary.

What I missed most was the humor of the first movie which was just good, clean fun. There were some attempts to inject humor in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but the jokes, sexual innuendos seem more appropriate in an Adam Sandler film. I didn't quite expect a film as big as Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to resort to cheap tricks. Thankfully, midway into the movie, they brought back a character from the first movie who was and is really funny.

Story wise, Revenge of the Fallen again pales in comparison to Transformers. While the latter was very straightforward, the former was too convoluted in order to tie loose ends. But that's just how it is with science fiction, I just thought Michael Bay could do better and show restraint.

Overall, the movie was okay. It's just the first one's a lot better. Dad was right, Mom didn't fall asleep. But I'm not at all sure that's because of the movie, I think it was more because of the noise. After all, she did ask him will it be over soon?

Photo from this site.

No Green Thumb

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

Somebody gave me orchids a few years ago and while Mom's trusted aide Nene took care of it for me, it didn't survive for a long time. When we graduated, my friend Rita gave each of us a plant to remember her by but it too died a natural death. My thumb is anything but green. So when my friend Princess gave out plants as souvenirs of her wedding, I got kamagong I think, I gave it to a mentor who farms during weekends. It felt like finding a home for a stray pet or putting someone's life in skilled hands.

Do you have a green thumb?

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This is my contribution to Aloha Friday.

Feng Shui

noreply@blogger.com (Em Dy) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

For decorating ideas, Zara turns to her husband Clarence for ideas because he knows more about feng shui than she does.

Doors facing each other is a no-no, he says. He also doesn't like beams and is particular about where a house or a room must face. And so on.

Do you practice feng shui?