A Christmas Story

Christmas 2010

When my brother and Sis Anne went to do their Christmas shopping at SM Southmall, I tagged along.

Since I knew what I was going to buy for the kids, I finished early. I didn't tell my brother I was done because it was obvious that they weren't and I didn't want them to feel rushed or something. So I decided to just wander around the mall a bit. Of course, knowing me, my feet brought me to the first shop I always go to when I'm at Southmall - National Bookstore. Seriously, there were tears in my eyes as I gazed at the familiar layout of the bookstore and all the books that they had on sale (nerd lang talaga, LOL!)..

I realized then that I can get something for the "older kids" (Mojo, ManMane & Aizing) from the store. Mojo and Aizing loved the Percy Jackson series so I decided to get them the first book on the Jason Grace series by the same author. For my brother, because of our mutual love of Pugad Baboy (and because he reminds me of Igno, hahaha!) I got him & Sis Anne a copy of Pugad Baboy XX.

After making my purchases, I texted my brother that I'm finished with my shopping and that I was "going" to National Bookstore to look around. My brother texted me back saying they were almost finished and that they'd meet me in front of the stage instead. I said that I'd meet them there but that I'll drop by National first, just to say 'hi'. When he said "Don't buy anything, 'te Malen, ha", I started to get a funny feeling..

The bus ride home was comical because my brother kept trying to look at the bags I was carrying for any proof of purchase from National. I think my brother suspected that I bought some books in National for myself and that I might have ended up buying something that he was giving me. So it got obvious that my brother bought me a book, which one out of the hundreds he could have bought me, I don't know, but by then I had a funny suspicion.

Well, to throw them off, I only placed the presents for the kiddos under our tree. For their part, to throw me off, Sis Anne placed a different gift for me (one that definitely didn't look and feel like a book) under our tree..

Then it was time.. Noche Buena - opening of gifts:

Hahaha.. :)

back with a vengeance.. LOL!

After taking a bit of a hiatus, I intend to get started on writing again, not for anybody else, but for me.. this is my therapy.. this is my cure..

alright, dramatics aside, I will be setting up a new blog featuring my reviews for tv shows, books and movies.

here's to posting something everyday, starting today! :)

btw, im sad to say that the link for my friendster blogs is no longer working.. :( i don't know where they are now - probably floating aimlessly somewhere in cyber space.. several blog posts and reviews, gone, all gone.. :( while they weren't posts or reviews worthy of literary commendations, they were my posts and my reviews and dammit, i should have copied them all here.. *sigh* another reason why i refuse to be lazy any longer..

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY POCO!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY POCOYO!! MAY YOU HAVE MANY MORE BIRTHDAYS TO COME! LOVE YOU MUCH! :)

TV - american idol 10 - top 13

AI S10 top 24

From this group of 24 comes the final 13 for this season of American Idol.. I have to admit, they were all good..

Before I delve any further, I would just like to say that while I saw the wisdom in letting Chris & Jaycee go, Jaycee's departure broke my heart.. His voice is really special and I hope that we'd see a new and improved (better) Jaycee in the next season or a couple of seasons after this. I would definitely love hear him sing his heart out again!

Okay, the top 13.. I think they were all good choices - i got the top 5 guys right and missed on hailey for the girls (my money was on either Naima or Julie or even Rachel who reminded me of last season's Siobhan).  At least Naima got saved with the wild card competition.  Speaking of which, I'm not sure I like Ashthon and while I do like Stefano, I think that Robbie should have been given the spot.

All in all, as what has always been pointed out, the talent on this batch was great.. if only some of them have auditioned last year, they'd be a shoo-in.. but at least they got to show America and the world that they have the chops.. i recently read an article from Yahoo (i think!) where they showed that the vocalist for Lady Antebellum and Mercedes from Glee had previously auditioned for Idol fame, but sadly (or luckily? depends on perspective) got rejected.. i guess it only goes to show that if you persevere and if you believe in yourself and your dreams, different paths get you to the same destination..

my faves? paul and casey for the guys and pia and karen for the girls.. hope these picks would make it far..

TV - american idol s11 milwaukee auditions

apparently, i still care about american idol, LOL!

i thought i was over it after last year's dismal display.  when i read that simon is out and so is ellen (i didnt care that kara was leaving), i thought this show has reached an end.  but the producers had other plans and brought back nigel (i didnt even know he was connected to american idol, i just knew him from watching 'so you think you can dance') and brought in new judges as well (hello steven and jlo).  but still, knowing all these didnt convince me enough to try to even care that they were about to air the auditions.  truth be told, this wasnt the first season of american idol that i didnt watch from start to finish..

and yet..

the months inbetween..

I can't believe that my last post was dated the 31st of October.. Wow! Talk about taking a looooong time writing about something, LOL!

..so, what has occurred during that time?