imperfection @ its finest

Where I'm From, Everyone's a Hero: A Tale of Two Storms

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:02:00 +0000

After being hit by two terrible storms, one after the other, parts of the Philippine archipelago have been left submerged in murky flood water...and much sorrow for lives lost, homes destroyed, livelihoods crippled. But, as in any tragedy or calamity, the Filipino spirit remains resilient and unwavering.

This leaves all of us to ask: "Why did this happen?"

There have been many theories, overly complicated analyzations. But the bottom line is that Mother Earth has reached its boiling point and all of these are simply the results of our actions (or inactions). Not just by Filipinos but by the citizens of the world.

It's not too late. Sure, we've got our work cut out for us. But for as long as there are clear skies, air to breathe, water to drink, lives to protect, we should never abandon our cause. Save what needs saving, and save the world. Recycle, reuse, reinforce green policies, and remember that other people rely on this finite Earth, too.

STOP CLIMATE CHANGE.
OPEN YOUR EYES.
AFFECT OTHERS.
MOVE.
NOW.

Many relief operations and donations from within the country and abroad have helped our ailing brothers and sisters, and for this we are very grateful as a nation. But the nightmare is still far from over for most. Many have completely lost their homes and are still taking refuge from evacuation centers, relying on relief assistance for food and water.

If you wish to provide ANY kind of assistance, go to the Google Help Typhoon Victims in the Philippines page.

To read other Blog Action Day posts, go to BlogActionDay.Org

The Age Of Stupid: How More Stupid Can We Get?

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Also featuring Moby, Radiohead's Thom Yorke, Gillian Anderson, Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson, Heather Graham, and many others.

Wordless: Uhuh, I'll Take 'Ya

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Mabuhay ka, Apl.de.ap!

Time for a Cool Change

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:37:00 +0000

10 On Tuesday: Things I Think Are Cool

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:40:00 +0000

I'm very easy to please, so you could imagine how challenging it was for me to narrow down the coolest things in the world to only TEN. Phew. OK, here they are...

1. 24-Hour Food Deliveries. If it's late, it's free!

2. Soap and Dental Floss. You should try them out some time! :)

3. Books. I have nothing against eBooks and audiobooks; I've read/listened to a few. But call me old fashioned; I'd much rather read a book I can actually hold. You know, turning the pages, bookmarking, and all that jazz.

4. Live Concerts. Concert DVDs are alright, but nothing beats live.

5. Frankenstein. Not the monster, but my long pillow (and oldest bed buddy). I call it Franky for short. Angelo has always wanted me to get rid of it. I say to him, "Not yet, Baby. Not yet." lol

6. Anything and Everything Touch-Screen. Swish and slide!

7. The Beach.

8. TV/Computer/Movie Theater/Radio/iPod/Cellphones. Any and all portals of media and communication really.

9. Couch Surfing. Would love to do this someday.

10. Airconditioning. In its most literal sense. If you live in these parts, you'd think it was very cool, too.

On Podcasts, Magic Spells, And Barcelona

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:46:00 +0000

LunaNina says ... and I think ... ?

Delayed :: ...reaction.
Irresponsible :: Reckless.
Stupendous :: Could pass off as a spell by Harry Potter or one of his friends.
Barcelona :: Would love to go there someday.
Solution :: My favorite part of the problem.
Simplify :: ...your life. This afternoon, Angelo and I were like, "if you don't need it, don't buy/keep it."
Crumble :: Cookie!
Podcast :: I used to subscribe to some, but I never find the time to listen to them anymore.
Conversation :: Communication.
Homepage :: http://frenchkys.blogspot.com

Saturday 9: The Longest Time

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:49:00 +0000

1. What's the longest time that you've waited to meet your date? Oh wow. Hmmm. I've always been the punctual type; I'm either early or on the dot. So let's just say I've had my decent share of "waiting" moments. Never a good feeling, waiting. But what do you do.

2. What's the longest time that you've waited for a job interview? It was in 2007. I had applied for a PR job and I got there on time (surprise). The interviewer wasn't around, but the receptionist assured me she was on her way. Ended up waiting for over 2 hours.

3. What's the longest time that you've waited to have sex the first time with someone? My lips are sealed on this one. ;)

4. What's the longest time that you've not gone out on the town? Two weeks maybe. There's always something going on, which is good, and I'm REALLY thankful for that.

5. What's the longest time that you've worked without a break. Never for too long. lol I ALWAYS take my breaks, are you kidding? It's the LAW! LOL

6. What's the longest time that you've not posted on your blog? There've been gaps in my blog, I don't deny it. I mean, the proof's right there on the archive widget. I only blogged once in April. I just got back from the States and I was busy reconnecting with friends and family.

7. What's the longest time that you've been on the computer? It was probably back in late 90's or early 00's, and I would chat with an old friend for hours on end. Camping out in front of the PC was like a regular thing, only getting up to go to the bathroom or to get snackage. I'd say right now, too, because my job involves exactly THIS. I sleep with my laptop most nights, how's that.

8. What's the longest time that you've waited for a friend? Uh, Giselle, care to expound on this? Hahaha Or you can pass the mic to Cynthia, too. lol I love you girls.

9. What's the longest time that you've gone without food? I should probably say NEVER lol but I remember deliberately starving myself back in high school, you know, one of those teenage angsty dark moments. I ended up pigging out at a buffet later that week.

Wordless: For Corazon

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:53:00 +0000

This is my favorite Gospel song. I dedicate it to a woman who I've never met...but love nonetheless. Rest in peace, Tita Cory Aquino. Give my Gramps and Grandma a big hug for me...

"Ipagpapatuloy ko." ~ Corazon Aquino

After death, there is REBIRTH. Sometimes it DOES take a great loss to realize an even greater purpose. It may dwindle, but it will never die. Never again.

Beautifully Imperfect

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:33:00 +0000

What can I say. Family + Friends + Better Halves + Love + Comedy + Tragedy + Life + Death...

This is imperfection at its finest.

This goes out to my crazy family, even crazier friends, and Angelo (I will miss your snores the most).

Thank you ALL for being so beautifully imperfect...

Wordless: The Half Blood Prince on Imax 3D

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:41:00 +0000

10 On Tuesday: Favorite Places To Eat

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Oh, wow, I'm excited and I haven't even begun. OK, here we go. In no particular order...

1. The Streets of Bangkok (Thailand). Delish hawker food, spicy sauces, available 24 hours a day. I miss it. Badly.

2. Tong Yang (Philippines). Sizzling hot pot, a spread of awesome raw food, cooked crab and dumplings, their heavenly Tong Yang sauce (oh, man), and unlimited ice cream.

3. Saisaki / Dad's (Philippines). The best buffet in town.

4. Buffalo's Wings N' Things (Philippines). Friday nights, wings, beer, and good company. Great way to kick off the weekend.

5. Burgoo (Philippines). Love, love, LOVE their combo fajitas.

6. IHOP (USA). Chicken Florentine and comfort breakfast food served ALL day.

7. Lucille's BBQ (USA). Meatlovers paradise.

8. Hong Kong Express (USA). This quaint little Chinese take-out place on the corner of Carson and Western in Cali. I ate their food for DAYS!

9. Cocoy's (Q.C., Philippines). Pares, anyone?

10. Dampa (Manila, Philippines). You buy your food at the market you pick out a restaurant, they cook it for you, then you eat with your hands. Chili crab, buttered and/or tempura shrimps, fresh oysters, baked scallops...keep the rice and soda coming...ahhhh. Heaven!

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits...

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:30:00 +0000

1. Take-out and food deliveries make a quick and easy dinner.

2. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman is the book I'm reading right now.

3. July brings back memories of of when my Gramps died. It'll be 2 years on Monday...

4. Angelo falling for me the second he saw me was obvious. ;)

5. They say if you tell your dreams to someone, you unknowingly share your juju.

6. It's good to think it over.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing something with the girl/s, tomorrow my plans include watching Harry Potter again (among other things), with my baby this time, at the Imax, in 3D and Sunday, I want to visit my Gramps' grave, have a picnic, and reminisce with my loved ones!

Wordless: My New Do '09

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:08:00 +0000

10 On Tuesday: Fave 80's Tunes

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:16:00 +0000

1. Billie Jean by MJ. Of course.

2. With or Without You by U2.

3. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses.

4. In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel.

5. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2.

6. The One I Love by R.E.M.

7. Tempted by Squeeze.

8. Thriller by MJ.

9. Don't Stop Believing by Journey.

10. Pride (In The Name of Love) by U2.

Saturday 9: Wedding Bell Blues

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Found this very interesting. Thanks, Thom! :)

1. If you have been or are married, tell us about your wedding. If you are not, tell us how would you want it to be. Angelo asked me earlier tonight what I thought about getting married at this little chapel near their house followed by the reception at the basketball court next to it. I laughed. Then, I told him, I really didn't care WHERE we have it.

2. What age would you encourage your children to get married? I don't really think there's a "right" age. For as long as they get their degree and both parties are truly convinced that they are physically, financially, emotionally, and psychologically ready, then they have my blessing.

3. Who got married at the last wedding that you attended? Angelo's sister and Armand. We were secondary sponsors.

4. Do you enjoy weddings and receptions? I do, yes. It's always great to be a part of such a happy day in the lives of the people dear to me.

5. Have you cried at a wedding? I believe so.

6. Would you prefer a lavish event or a intimate ceremony? Not lavish, but tasteful. And yes, intimate. Definitely intimate.

7. Have you ever been in some one’s wedding party? If yes, do tell. Ever since I could remember! I've had my share of the wedding entourage spotlight. Been the flower girl several times. Got my first bridesmaid gig when I was FOURTEEN. Since then, I can't remember how many times I've been a bridesmaid. I was maid of honor TWICE so far. So you can imagine how many dresses I've acquired the last 15 years. Katherine Heigl's got nothing on me.

8. Does a wedding make you happy and sentimental or grouchy and skeptic? Happy and sentimental.

9. Why do you think our divorce rate is so high? In our country, we don't have divorce. But the reason why I think the divorce rate is high elsewhere is simply because divorce IS an option.

When It Rains...

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:31:00 +0000

1. The last thing I ate was menudo and rice.

2. A headband is something I recently bought.

3. When it rains, it freakin' POURS.

4. Our housekeeper was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are therapeutic.

6. My pillow Frankie (short for Frankenstein) provides extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to beer and wings with friends, tomorrow my plans include chilling with my boyfriend, and Sunday, I want to learn how to do my own taxes!

Good Mood Tunes: I Gotta Feeling

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:10:00 +0000

Music that just make me want to drop everything and dance/sing out loud...yes, even in public.

We Are Martians

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:15:00 +0000

"Right now, you and me here, put together entirely of atoms, sitting on this round rock with a core of liquid iron, held down by this force that seems to trouble you, called gravity, all the while spinning around the sun at 67,000 miles an hour and whizzing through the Milky Way at 600,000 miles an hour in a universe that very well may be chasing its own tail at the speed of light; And admist all this frantic activity, fully cognizant of our own eminent demise - which is our own pretty way of saying we all know we're gonna die - We reach out to one another. Sometimes for the sake of entity, sometimes for reasons you're not old enough to understand yet, but a lot of the time we just reach out and expect nothing in return." ~ David Gordon, Martian Child (2007)

Wordless: "Sisters"

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:42:00 +0000

Me & Wan @ Buffalo's (yes, we ate/drank ALL that)

San Miguel Premium & Ms. Stella

10 On Tuesday: Things That Turn Me Off About People

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:03:00 +0000

1. People who are full of themselves.

2. People who only befriend you for your money.

3. People who aren't grateful.

4. People who step on/say stuff against other people just to get ahead.

5. People who don't respect other people's personal space.

6. People who take and take (give a little, why don't you).

7. People who are full of [false] pride.

8. People who act all high-and-mighty...what turns me off more is when they order other people around without saying "please" or "thank you."

9. People who break their promises. Over and over again. With no remorse whatsoever.

10. A tie between people who cheat on their partners and HOMEWRECKERS. Those are the worst kind of scum.

One FLU Over the Cuckoo's Nest

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:10:00 +0000

Went to the hospital on Thursday to get Obie checked. People have been saying, "NOT TO PANIC -- if you have flu-like symptoms, you probably just have the flu." It's just that, with all this H1N1 craziness, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

A preview of the ER lobby at The Medical City. A sea of people in face masks...not exactly the most calming sight in the world.

The sight of blood. Nothing I can't handle.

Chillaxing with a pack of...NSS (intravenous NaCl).

Meet Frizzy - caregiver slash driver slash documentarian.

Went back yesterday to The Medical City for a follow-up. Turns out it was the seasonal flu. SO happy to hear it wasn't anything serious. He's still on a few meds for the next 5 days, but all in all, I think he's gonna be fine (thank God). :)

Have You Ever Read the Back of a Fake DVD?

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:10:00 +0000

A copywriter's nightmare... funny as hell, but painful nonetheless. "Huang Huang"...what does that even mean?!? Anyone speak Chinese? LOL PLEASE, read on...

House, a vulgar language, the character of the cynical doctors, a never believe anyone in particular, the patient's own doctor, it is a solution to numerous diseases doctor, "House" is a new medical drama.

George House (Hugh Laurie) has no concern for the patients bedside accompanied by the consciousness, but always leaning a crutch to Huang Huang, as if this will mean he brutal show. In fact, despite the acts of Guaizhang House, he is a perfect intuitive diagnosis were excellent. As a medical expert, the house still good at capturing the medical problems in the gate of hell to save patients.

Over the past four seasons, guiding the House by a young elite team of experts to help him solve the diseases. His good friend, oncology expert James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) for his loyalty. At the same time, medical director of the Department, the hospital's head of the Treasury Di Lisa (Lisa Edestein) between the House and the sincerity of Health dark. Although the house is often good to be true because of their responsibilities and act in conflict with her, even then, she has to admit that the house smart enough to offset the trouble he caused.

Wasn't that fun? LOL

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

It's Late, but...

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:46:00 +0000

1. When I heard Angelo wasn't feeling well, I immediately went to his house to take care of him .

2. TLC is the best medicine.

3. It's late, but I thought I'd do today's fill-ins anyway.

4. Forgive always.

5. My eyes have seen many, but not enough.

6. Believe strongly.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing up this week's assignments for work, tomorrow my plans include 3 birthday parties and a side-trip to the hospital for Angelo's follow-up with the doctor, and Sunday, I want to take my baby somewhere nice...hopefully by then he's feeling much better!

Moody Dating Machine...Any Takers? LOL

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:45:00 +0000

I took this online personality test, as suggested by a friend. The grammatical errors are making me twitch haha but all in all it still makes sense. Here are my results:

Your view on yourself: You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You like serious, smart and determined people. You don't judge a book by its cover, so good-looking people aren't necessarily your style. This makes you an attractive person in many people's eyes.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

Your have very sensible tactics when approaching the opposite sex. In many ways people find your straightforwardness attractive, so you will find yourself with plenty of dates.

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:

You are afraid of failure and scared to have a go at the career you would like to have in case you don't succeed. Don't give up when you haven't yet even started! Be courageous.

What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:

You are full of energy and confidence. You are unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. You might occasionally be calm and still, but never for long.

Healed The World

noreply@blogger.com (frenchkys) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:45:00 +0000

Michael Jackson, despite controversies surrounding his evolving physical appearance and so-called "extra friendliness" toward young boys, is and always will be an unwavering force in the music industry. He will be remembered by fans and musical contemporaries as someone who had changed the face of pop culture forever (rightfully so).

I may not be a hardcore Jacko fan, but I did appreciate his genius. He was a musical alchemist; every song and melody stuck even when we made no conscious effort to like him or his work.

Now that this...legend has passed on, we are left with all sorts of memories of him -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. The last two will always be there, that's the undeniable truth. But, if we recognize how brilliant and kind and loving he was as an artist and as a human being, the rest shouldn't really matter anymore.

Have a look at these inmates from the province of Cebu in the Philippines -- convicted felons who, at least at one point in their lives made such grave mistakes against country and God, are now making-over their broken spirits with such powerful, life-altering avenues as music and dance. Their tribute to Michael Jackson is just outstanding. And for a few minutes, you forget why they're all there in the first place. CNN was there and here's the full story.