Welcome to one of the new series here at The Parody which will feature the movies I’ll end up choosing for those special Friday nights. I can’t say I’ll be writing movie reviews but I reckon I just might in my own little way.

Accommodating my new work schedule, I’ve managed to make time to catch the last full show on a Friday night. Things usually would run late and I’d only be able to get off work around 11pm which would give me roughly around a quarter or half an hour to get to the cinema just in the nick of time.

This routine started a couple of weeks ago when I dragged a couple people — hallo J and P! — to see The Ugly Truth.

It’s a chick flick, yes, but it was the first movie (in a long time!) that J (a guy) didn’t fall asleep. I’m telling you, that’s saying a lot! It’s one of the better romantic comedies I’ve seen to date and it’s such a fun movie to watch since you’ll find yourself LOLing a lot throughout the movie.

Scene that I didn’t particularly like was the bit wherein they’re on board a hot air balloon. The climax turned bland, IMHO. Good thing a lot of the smaller details that made the movie both hilarious and cheesy-romantic made the over-all experience memorable. I came out of the cinema fully entertained.

Last night, it was just a spontaneous decision to watch a movie that we (hallo, K!) actually made a dash for it (slightly exaggerated, of course, but you get the picture) just to catch the last showing in time (er, sort of). This time, it’s 500 Days of Summer.

I loved the movie because the I loved the story and how it was told. It’s a story about love. It’s a story about heartbreak. It’s a story about finding love’s meaning.

It’s a movie which comes closest to how love and relationships are (should be) defined and depicted. It shows how love (and a relationship) can be or is caustic and how it helps you see the bigger picture. It’s a movie that I don’t mind watching again and again. It doesn’t hurt that it has an awesome soundtrack.

Going to the movies is one of my preferred ways to de-stress and relax. A reward for a week’s worth of rendered work, both online and off. My own way of restoring a bit of sanity. I guess, it’s a much welcomed break. Doing something which is totally unrelated to any of my work, helps calm myself down to a certain level wherein ungluing won’t be too difficult.

Two films that helped kick off the Friday night movie series. I’m looking to share the movies I’d get to see on a Friday night from now on — in the hope to push myself to blog more frequently here in my personal blog. LOL.

How about you? What special thing do you do on a Friday night? Have you seen these movies? What sort of movie do you usually go for? If not movies, what do you usually do to de-stress? Come, let’s talk!

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Normally, I would buy myself a pair of shoes or perhaps an outfit or two but yesterday, I went straight to the bookstore.

Time suddenly went in slow motion as soon as I reached the bestseller aisle. A notable change in pace happened in my head. It’s like it calmed down. My thoughts went silent. Breathing was easier. I knew that I knew I was happy, know what I mean?

Anyway, I spent a considerable amount of time rummaging through the sale rack before making a beeline to the classics section. But, interestingly, I ended up with three (3) titles from various authors whose individual works I’m little familiar with or not at all.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind
The Gathering by Anne Enright
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

I’ve already seen the film version of the Perfume book and I found it interesting enough to want to read the book when I found out that the film was based on one. And I’ve heard of Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand, separately. Yes, I didn’t know that the former was written by the latter and the latter having written the former. LOL. But like I said, these books are pretty much risks on my part. I’m hoping that they’d hold my interest long enough to earn a spot in my current schedule. The blurbs were effective enough to make me grab them from the shelf and bring them to the cashier, however, the first few chapters are a different matter. Heh.

Never mind that my reading (to-do) list is getting longer by the minute (still haven’t finished a lot of the books on my list, gah), I’m still pretty much happy with these new books. They made me feel better. I wish I can buy all the books I want to buy and, yea, have time to read them too.

Another thing that made me feel better was enjoying a bowl of this:

Capped my little night out with this delectable Greek Salad from Shakey’s. I love this salad! The combination of greens, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, salami and white cheese topped with that delicious tangy sauce made my taste buds sing in rapture. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. Yes, folks, it’s a dish you can actually order in Shakey’s for less than Php 200.00.

These things saved my Saturday and I’m hoping the memory will help sustain things for the rest of my weekend. How about you folks? How’ve you been? It’s been a while since I was here. Sorry about that. It’s just that there were major changes in my life the past month or so which made my schedule go topsy-turvy. Anyway, if you can share what sort of things you do to make yourself feel better, I’d appreciate it!

Photo taken using my Nokia 6700 Classic © 2009 Sasha Manuel

P.S. If you’re a Nokia user, I would suggest that you sign up for you own Ovi account. Apart from storing and sharing photos, it’s useful for contacts, calendar, and notes back-up.

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1. Rodanthe, Sandition, and Alexander The Great
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I reckon this makes me grateful for technology adapting to specific needs. Particularly in the form of something as handy as a mobile phone.

Moving

Taken using my Nokia E71 whilst cruising along SLEX on our way back to Manila. A moment I had wanted to capture and would’ve missed had I relied solely on my Canon DSLR which had run out of battery.

Thinking

I find myself thinking whenever I read and one of the more recent books I’ve read had given me much inspiration was this book by Jesse Berst called The Magnet Effect. Took a photo of the page simply because I wanted to capture the moment and remember.

Writing

Taken during one of my many solo coffee breaks at Starbucks, the Grove. An afternoon filled with plans and hopes and little joys at every sip from my Iced Venti Soy Latte. This serves as a reminder on how important these afternoons were. It helped me write more.

Whenever I step out of the house, I’d often expect that something will happen which will move me to think and write. Finding myself mobile may prove to be tricky so I appreciate handy gadgets and useful applications that will help me share what I have. Discovering that I can actually upload photos taken using my phone onto an Ovi account is something worth celebrating. I can now truly optimise what my phone can do and customise it according to my tech needs.

Now, not only will I be able to timely jot down (and take photos of!) thoughts and inspirations, I can also stretch my photography skills to include using a mobile phone camera.

How about you folks? What role does technology play in your life? What sort of gadgets do you rely on?

P.S. If you’re a Nokia user, I would suggest that you sign up for you own Ovi account. Apart from storing and sharing photos, it’s useful for contacts, calendar, and notes back-up.

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Though it is true that I don’t think of it often, the hope is still there, dancing around my heart and mind. I reckon if I have the time and energy to think about heartaches and heartbreaks, why can’t I spend the same amount (or more even) of time and energy to hope for love?

Is it true that love is the key to my personal happiness?

I’m learning that in how I define love will effectuate the same level of bliss. It is not how I am given love but in how I receive it. Give without asking anything back and trust that with any amount of effort, it will be reciprocated accordingly. Not in the manner how I think I deserve things but as it should be. Believe that I will be loved the way I need to be loved and find happiness and satisfaction in each and every time it is given.

It is a rare gift in itself to be loved at all.

Trusting that God has indeed prepared that special person to be exactly who I need in my life. The right person with the right love at the right time. The PERFECT person with the PERFECT love at the PERFECT time.

I have begun to realise that this IS the sort of life that my God had planned for me. I have found richness in every piece chipped off my heart. He had allowed me to experience things, however extraordinarily good or bad, which helped mold me into the person I am.

I am where I should be. I am who I should be. Said without arrogance but with the knowledge that shit happens with reason and purpose.

Among other things in life, I’m also on the path of someone seeking love and I’m taking it with all its complications and promises of bliss.

How about you folks? Have you found the perfect love? Have you stopped worrying about serious matters, difficult decisions and hard words? Are you with someone who has brought peace to your heart? If your answer is yes then I’m truly happy for you!

P.S. Currently re-reading a Paulo Coelho book, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept, hence, the post. LOL.

Photo taken by my baby bro, Arnold Manuel. Also seen here: Let’s Pretend

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I had wished I had my camera with me when I saw a two-year old boy trying to push his father’s wooden cart laden with bananas for sale; a show of wanting to help out perhaps. Without breathing a word, the father, seeing what his son — who is almost in tears when he realised he’s unable to — was trying to do, simply picked him up and carried him on one arm then continued to push the heavy cart with his free hand.

The scenario had almost brought tears to my eyes for it encapsulates what most fathers (both our parents, really) would do for their children. They make room for these helpless and innocent creatures in their lives, regardless of how difficult and taxing it can be. Fathering a child can trigger acts of selflessness in degrees you didn’t think possible.

Shortly after, I then saw a father off to deliver packs of laundered clothes in a pedicab. His son was sitting with the clothes, holding the paper which I guess contains the list of addresses where the clothes are meant to go. A child wanting to spend time with his father while he works simply because he thinks that it’s cool, whatever it is.

A familiar wave of understanding washed over me. I know of the wanting to be part of my father’s life. Watching him work or drive a car. Wanting to go wherever he’d go. Trying to do what he’s doing then looking up expectantly for a word of praise or even a hint of a smile in his eyes, seemingly telling me that yes, he had seen my effort and was proud of me regardless of the outcome.

Then I found myself wondering, will their respective families celebrate them being fathers this Sunday? Are they aware of the importance to set aside a day to appreciate them and who they are to the children?

I really can’t say that a father’s love is greater than that of the mother’s. Roles of fathers and mothers in a child’s life complements. One can nurture, support and encourage, and the other can discipline, instruct and protect. They both just affect their children differently.

While a child can find the heart and inspiration in life from mothers, they can find the strength and will to live a good one from a father’s love.

So, I’m taking this opportunity to especially appreciate all the fathers. You have been given an important role in a child’s life, a responsibility that you alone can fully fathom. Know that all your hard work and sacrifices did not go unnoticed. In your child’s eyes, you are truly the best father one can ever have.

As a daughter, I am especially grateful for the love that only a father can give. The love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. The love that never fails. No man will ever love me the way he did.

P.S. The bananas are of the Latundan variety. I bought a kilo priced at Php 28.00 from the little boy’s father.

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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“Sitting on the grass one quiet morning, sans the angry humming of the grass cutter and the sound of the broom wrestling with the fallen leaves littered around the grassy knoll, I’ve finally found myself alone with the memory of my father,” I wrote.

It’s been a year since that fateful morning when I awoke to the news of his death. It felt like a sad re-hash. I would have loved to laugh at the irony of the situation but twas reined in by the pain.

Everything seems to be glued inside, quite unwilling to come out.

Save for that single moment a year ago when I had cried in abandon, I still find it difficult to grieve.

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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Travel back in time and imagine horse-drawn carriages and muddy roads. Get a glimpse of a miracle unfold in an otherwise ordinary life. Experience the magical encounter with someone great. Spend your nights in Rodanthe. Traipse around Sandition. Immerse yourself in the life of Alexander The Great.

There are days when I don’t feel like reading but for the past couple of months, books have been a constant companion in my bedroom, specifically right before I sleep.

My love for the Classics and Jane Austen have brought me to grab a copy of Sandition, the half-finished masterpiece of the great author now completed by respected author and Austen expert, Juliette Shapiro.

I’m certainly curious to finish reading this novel and hope to love it as much as I love the other Jane Austen books I’ve already read.

Choosing to read Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, I have to admit was greatly due to movie trailers I’ve seen. Growing up surrounded by Contemporary Fiction, mostly romance for young adults, I’ve learned to appreciate the modern comedy no matter how shallow the plot may be. I reckon it’s easier to identify myself in characters if things are set in a familiar period. It was only when I was older did I enjoy ones that are not, hence, my love for the classics.

I haven’t seen the movie but I’m sure I’ll get around to doing that esp as soon as I finish reading the book. I wonder if this is the Sparks book that will make me cry. I’ve read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook (which my brother was sure would make me cry but he lost that bet, heh) and nothing so far. He’s the one to tug his readers’ heartstrings, huh? But I admit, his stories are good. It never felt like the writer was trying too hard.

My fascination with Historical Fiction, particularly if you talk of kings, philosophers and ancient civilizations, grew out of my affinity with stories of ancient mythology, Greek or Roman. Having consumed a number of books on the matter and watched movies like Gladiator, Troy, King Arthur, 300, and The Last Samurai, I simply haven’t had enough. It was only by chance that I saw this Steven Pressfield book, The Virtues of War. It’s a novel of Alexander The Great. Now, who wouldn’t be curious enough to read about that? Interestingly, he’s also the one behind the book (popularised by the movie), The Legend of Bagger Vance.

With these three (3) new books, I reckon I might lose sleep a little cuz instead of taking things in small doses, I just might not be able to put them down. Like what happened when I was reading the Twilight Saga.

Though come to think of it, it’s not something to complain about. I always love to read a good story. How about you folks? What sort of books to you prefer to read? Any new books on your reading list?

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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I’ve been using a Canon Rebel XTi 400D since February 2007 and an HP Pavilion dv9000 since March of 2008. I’ve managed to reach the maximum round of clicks for the dSLR and have started over. Imported roughly around 20,000 images, a number of which were then subjected to post-processing, layouts, etc so you can say that the number may have more or less doubled. I also do have my fair share of music and tv series download. Can you imagine just how much data that my lappytop now stores?

I use Vista. Getting past the collective groans, I have to say that I am quite happy with the OS. I reckon the system I use can take the load, however, remember how much data I ended up with? I started to feel the strain. I reckon this is why people shy away from folks with excess baggage. Each experience can be burdensome. Pardon the pun.

So back to stretching.

I decided to invest in an external hard drive. I reckon every laptop owner should have one esp if you’re the sort who likes to store a lot of data, from photos to documents. I’ve been shopping around for one, probably around the sizes of 80GB and 160GB, portable if possible. I actually have considered asking my brother who’s currently in the US to buy me one cuz I heard it’s cheaper there. But thanks to my bestfriend, she found a good deal over at TipidPC.com on a 1TB. Now this stretch is good. Hehe.

I’d like you to meet Teri, my (hopefully) trusty digital assistant. Er, well — Teri will be responsible for storing all pertinent files, which used to be with the Pav, from now on. All organised and such. This task of transferring stuff is a real treat for the OC in me. Heehee.

Teri is a My Book Essential Edition external hard drive from Western Digital. She can store up to 250,000 MP3s or 284,000 JPGs. Though this can vary based on file size and format, settings, features, software and other factors.

What’s in the box: External hard drive, USB 2.0 cable, AC adapter, Quick install guide

Software: Google Software (Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, and Picasa - Windows only)

Compatibility: Windows Vista/XP/2000, MAC OS X 10.3+ (may vary depending on user’s hardware configuration and OS)

Oh, don’t go assuming that since I dished out terms like configuration and such I’d know a lot about these things. Hahaha.

However, one of the things my parents had taught my siblings and I is that every little material thing bought or given has value, big or small, you need to be responsible enough to own one (or you have to step up to the responsibility of owning one), i.e. owning a car would mean knowing how to fix little things in case of emergencies, paying for the registration/insurance, etc. This requires self-study (cuz they sure as hell won’t teach you how to use something they might already consider complex, haha) and, of course, how to maintain it yourself (includes any fixes that will require money or bubble gums, hehe).

Personally, what really appealed to me was that it has a big storage space. I reckon spending Php 5,425.00 on it now will suit present and future needs. Don’t you agree? Of course, there’s my personal affinity with black gadgets. Hehe. The lappytop is black. Mr. X, Mr. E, and the PS3 are also black. I even went ahead and adopted a Black Labrador Retriever! So I really don’t mind that Teri came in Black, too! LOL.

Anyway, how about you folks? Have you ever thought about getting yourselves external hard drives? Is there a particular brand you prefer? Have you heard of Western Digital? Like I said, I’m not much of a techie really and this is the only brand I’ve ever tried so, yea, I’d appreciate any sort of feedback.

Update: I saw the very same box in Octagon which they’re selling for Php 6,995.00 as of May 2009.

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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As much as I don’t mind being alone, since I can think of many things to keep my mind and hands busy, I have to admit that it does get lonely. Only a week into it, I’ve experienced extremes. From paranoia (of normal and paranormal but it’s more of the former than the latter, believe it or not) to luxuriating in the thick atmosphere of independence.

What do folks like me do in these situations? Do we party every night? Make a mess and simply not care? Turn on the A/C as much and as long as we want without fear of getting an earful of reminders of electricity bills, etc?

Funny but house-sitting is much more difficult as it seems. Heck, living alone is not at all glamourous as most young people think. It’s hard work. Full of responsibilities. I reckon, since I did live independently a few years back, I sort of knew what to expect as soon as I got back from the airport; after dropping my mum off. We’re just taking out rent control and, goshdarnit, this is helluva bigger place.

Sitting in front of the laptop that night, I remember feeling utterly small and very much alone. I knew I’ll need people to check up on me from time to time. That’s why I’m thankful that we live close to relatives plus friends would occasionally drop by and hang out. I’m slowly feeling a little comfortable with the setup, comfortable enough to accommodate more things to do at home (like I need more reasons to stay inside, yea? I work at home for crying out loud!).

Anyway, I knew I’ll be scheduling beach trips during the course of the months I’ll be house-sitting so I decided that I need to allot considerable amount of time spent indoors. What do I usually like doing indoors apart from going online-slash-working? What else? Read books, of course. Fantastic. It’s high time I read more.

Enter the recently purchased box set of the Twilight saga. Egad. Succumbed into the Edward-Bella-Jacob thing.

I didn’t really plan on buying the entire set in one go, actually. I guess, that’s the problem with having too much time on your hands and finding yourself in a bookstore with the intention of buying yourself a book. Note, a book! Ah, well.

I was on my way to Manila Penn that night for a Hens Party I organised for a friend. I knew I’ll be the first one there and I had forgotten to bring with me a book to help pass the time while waiting. So I figured buying one that time wouldn’t hurt since I was planning to buy new books anyway.

Twas Friday night when I started reading bits from the first book in the Saga, Twilight.

It’s now Thursday and I’m halfway through the third one, Eclipse. Not only that; I’ve finally watched the Twilight movie for three (3) consecutive nights actually. LOL. I’m still deciding if I’m watching it again before I sleep.

The Twilight Saga know resides in my once bare bookshelf. I’ve been organising the library in our house and have contributed most of my books to the shelves found in the den, hence the empty shelves in my room. However, I’ve been re-organising books the past few months so favourites and the un-read books are now back in my room. Which is great actually since it helps remind me that there are books left to be read. Hehe.

Enough about me. How about you folks? How’ve you guys been? Bought any new books lately? Have you read the Twilight saga? Come, let’s talk! This small person staying alone in a big house will surely appreciate it!

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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2. 3 Books That Made Me Feel Better

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In the middle of finding something to jumpstart the thought-process needed to bring that pen to touch the paper and effectuate thoughts to materialise, I thought it’d be useful to list down the things I’ve been doing to find inspiration and share them with you folks.

Separating yourself from your workspace. If you’ve been cooped up inside your office or wherever you work, it’s good to consciously create some physical distance from it. It doesn’t have to be far, just make sure that the separation will indeed allow you to forget about work for a while.

Get out of the house. Go jogging, take your dog for a walk, or simply just spend your afternoon sitting out on the porch watching the sun set. Spending time to enjoy a bit of outdoor activity will help stimulate the thought process.

Take a short trip. Going out of town will surely do you good. Spending a day on the beach always rejuvenates me. Spending time away from the urban jungle is a great way to rest and relax my mind, thus, allowing it to be more receptive to ideas and conducive to stringing thoughts together.

Read books, watch movies, listen to music These are some of the most immediate things I do when I need some form of inspiration. Immersing myself in stories through novels and films trigger the generation of ideas. Emotions are tapped in, imagination exercised and oftentimes, out of sheer enjoyment, they bring me to this happy place where caustic optimism would effect thoughts that are easily transcribed into words.

Stillness. Unconnected. Silent Darkness. With my eyes closed, I would simply listen to the wind, sounds coming from outside the house and somewhere in the distance. My thoughts are suddenly amplified. Feelings so colourful that I can paint a mural. Awareness so alive that you end up restless. I still have to work on this bit. It’s actually a very useful practice if only I can find a way to bottle everything up and produce something. Still unorganised and very much raw.

One of the other things that brought me to write about this is the realisation that some folks who’ve been reading my blogs have failed to understand about me, I do keep a number of blogs but these blogs offer different things, hence, the need to find ways to push myself to write. All these blogs are active, though some are less frequently updated than others. I try to offer variety of content in all my blogs and I’d like to think that I have indeed established that.

The Parody is and will always be my personal blog — it’s my online diary if you may. If you want to keep track of what’s happening on a more personal level, this is the place to find it. If you want to share stuff about fashion, beauty, shopping, street style and events that I go to with me then you can enjoy Style Manila. But if you’re looking into having conversations about life in stills and words then SashaManuel.com is where we can do that. Of course, if you truly wish to get to know me, you have the option to check out all three.

I reckon it just made me feel a little sore about having to answer the question on which of my blogs this individual should subscribe to. It’s like telling me, “I like you but not all of you”. Know what I mean? I do appreciate that this particular person likes even just one part of me though. I guess it’s better than nothing, yes? Hehe.

Anyway, how about you folks? Where do you blog? How do you find your inspiration for these blogs? Share!

Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel

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