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Pre-Sleep Ritual and Movies

August 4th, 2009 | Posted in Entertainment | Personal - (7 Comments)

Since the start of this year, I’ve developed the habit of watching movies or TV series every night to get myself to fall asleep. I think this habit started around the time I wrote this entry which is during a very low point in my life. Prior to that, I won’t be able to sleep knowing my laptop is still on. My mind would be screaming “Think of your electric bill!” or “MBP charger may get fried again, warranty had lapsed!” until I do something about it. Today I usually just let my FRIENDS DVD (which I’ve already seen countless times) play in the background while I’m asleep — I just turn it off in the morning time.

I’ve figured out the reason behind this: I want to hear sounds before falling asleep and while I’m asleep. Strangely I prefer the sound of people talking than music. If I do not do this “ritual” I catch myself thinking about many things that bother me and in the process, these thoughts prevent me from falling asleep easily. Unless I’m too tired to think, this is what I do every night to make sure I get a good night’s rest. Especially now that I’m all alone in a small apartment. You don’t want to hear creepy noises when you’re by yourself too, do you?

From 11:00pm onwards, after I’m done working on my freelance projects, I always watch a movie or two. I don’t know why that is but I’m really more into films and TV series than listening to music (I’m so outdated I’ve only heard of “Nine Inch Nails” when I learned about their upcoming concert here in Manila). The main reason I bought that external hard drive was so I can have something to store all my movie files in. And I know it’s not the noblest thing to do, but I download movies everyday so I have something to watch at night (you might say that I’m abusing my laptop, yes). I’m not even referring to movies that had just been released but old ones.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been brainstorming for movie titles to add to my collection. These are movies that I’ve seen years ago and would love to see again. Most of these are Rom-Com, cos I’m simply a sucker for that. Here are my recommendations in no particular order:

  • Bedazzled
  • Blast From The Past
  • Fools Rush In
  • The Whole Nine Yards
  • The Whole Ten Yards
  • The Terminal
  • If Only
  • Serendipity
  • A Beautiful Mind
  • There’s Something About Mary
  • A Cinderella Story
  • The Kid
  • Anger Management
  • Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
  • Coyote Ugly

… among others! Aren’t sappy old movies the best? Currently enjoying the TV series “Chuck”, too. I’d love to know your recommendations. =)

If I Could Go Back, I Would

July 2nd, 2009 | Posted in News/Events/Occasions | Personal - (13 Comments)

In my list of 10 Simple Joys that I wrote last year, I mentioned that I was deciding on a nice anniversary gift for my parents. The anniversary gift that I was thinking of getting them then was to take them to either Singapore or Hong Kong. This was supposed to be for July 2008 because July was both their birth month and their wedding month. I was psyched about this plan since it would be Papa and Mama’s first time to fly out of the country and I knew it would really make them happy. I was leaning toward bringing them to Hong Kong because I knew my dad would love to be in a place closest to Mainland China at least so he could try authentic Chinese food (My dad has this weird fascination with anything Chinese although he’s only 25% of it, lol), while my mom would love to do some bargain shopping.

But for some reason, I discarded this plan. Maybe I was thinking about how much the trip would cost me especially during a time that I was saving for the rainy days. True enough, the “rainy days” began the day my dad was brought to the hospital last year. I could keep telling myself now that not pushing through with the trip was a good move because of all the unexpected expenses that came pouring in, but I can’t help feeling sad and regretful. I should have pushed through with the plan! It would have been a memorable experience not only for Papa, but for Mama and I. Never mind how much it would have cost, money can always be obtained.

But I just let the chance pass, didn’t I? I only have myself to blame.

During that trip to Hong Kong with Mae last month, I kept thinking about Papa and how much he would have enjoyed exploring the city. Everywhere we went, I’d imagine his joyful reaction to everything. I got sentimental the most when we dined at a real Chinese restaurant in Temple Street to try out real Chinese food. I’m positive my dad would have loved it!

templest

Today is Papa’s 55th birthday. I miss him everyday. If I could go back to last year and make his 54th birthday more special, I would. But I know he wouldn’t be happy to know that I’ve been feeling this way since he left. There really is no use crying over spilled milk, but what happened has taught me to embrace opportunities as they come.

Chances are so hard to come by and the second one is impossible to find.

Both Sides Now

June 7th, 2009 | Posted in Personal - (3 Comments)

One of the things I seldom do now that I’m caught up in this “corporate world” is see my family. I get to spend time with relatives in Pampanga (where my mom is from) 1-2 times a month, while I see and talk with relatives in Bacolod (where my dad is from) 1-2 times a year. So imagine how happy I was that for two consecutive weekends, I got to bond with cousins on both sides of the family!

My cousin, Tata, who traveled all the way from Virginia, was here two weeks ago for the pamamanhikan they did in Pangasinan. He’s marrying his fiancee on 10/10/2010. His brother, Siote, flew in from Bacolod to spend time with Tata and their mom. In their very short stay in Manila, we took them to Bonifacio High Street, SM Mall of Asia, Tagaytay, and Wensha Spa. Funny trivia: My two brothers, Tata, and Siote were my only playmates back in the days. It’s not a mystery how I turned out this way!

Siote, Jem, Tata, Jec

Dinner at Pancake House

TGIS!!

Chen-chen, Siote, and Joni in Tagaytay

Deej, Joni, Siote, Chen-chen in Tagaytay

The next weekend, the Manabat Family went to Fontana for an overnight stay before my uncle goes back to the Middle East. The sun was not shining then but I still got the tan lines! Love it.

My niece and godchild, Gracielle, is just the cutest! For a kid who’s just a year old, she’d pose for the camera every time you point it at her. She’s very sweet and she hardly ever cries. I wish my kid would be just like her! Read: not a brat.

Gracielle

Manabat Family

Did you notice? My little cousins, nephews and nieces could easily be mistaken as my kids! I’m so old.