Rin on the Rox

I was watching Ellen the other night, and saw her make a shoutout for these two Fil-Am girls to go on her show. How lucky are they?



I mean, with voices like those, they can get on any show! I had a feeling right away that they were Pinays, because - and not that I'm biased or anything - I think the Filipinos are just the most amazing Asian singers (and even dancers - Jabbawockeez?) in America. Or any part of the world, for that matter. I tried searching for them on YouTube after watching Ellen because those are really mad vocals they got, but I didn't really get to catch their names. Good thing I stumbled upon a forum on PinoyExchange about the same Ellen shoutout, and turns out the girls are Rin and Rox. Here is their complete version of Beyonce's If I Were A Boy, and it is bee-yoo-tee-ful!



I'm really glad I found their YouTube channel, because I'm starting to get sick of watching my pretty Japanese boybands night after night the girls have got a handful of other songs that are equally brilliant. So, I'm just trying to spread the amazing talent around. :) Check them out, they're a gorgeous duo, too.

Oh Bama Rama

So, I'm three days late.

But anyways, I was really glad I caught Obama's inauguration on telly last Jan 20. He took oath at about 1AM Manila time, and it was an awesome sight seeing so many people feeling really positive about him getting into the White House. It was just funny how nervous Obama must've been; he seemed to have messed up a little in the actual oath-taking. Bet he didn't even get a minute's sleep from too much anticipation.

I honestly am not really that familiar with the guy's political platforms, but I'm guessing they're really good, judging by how America is going a tad bit crazy about him. If anything, I like it that he has sort of united the whole world - I've only been living for a quarter of a century, not really enough years to see so many presidents take into power (both for America and the Philippines), but this is the only time that I've seen people really passionate and hopeful in a political figure. Living in the Philippines has made me lose my esteem in any kind of government, but Obama may have changed that a little. Too bad I'm not American, though. Barack's got four years not to let everyone down, and I really think he'll start making things OK. He better; this whole global recession thing is seriously driving me nuts!

I am loving the Obama daughters though, they are too adorable! I especially like the elder Obama, Malia. For a 10-year old, she already has the air of a young woman. I love how she's very composed and lady-like during the times that the Obama family did their public appearances. She's really lovely, I hope she blossoms into a fine and pretty lady like her mom.

Everyday, everyday, everyday the magic is here

Finally! Myra posted pics of our Enchanted Kingdom trip last January 11, and it was bunches of fun! I haven't gone to EK with the Stoners since 2001 (during Grace's 18th birthday celebration. Eep, it's been that long already??) although EK hasn't really changed that much. If anything, it just seemed smaller and more crowded, or maybe because we came on a Sunday right smack after the Holidays. Anyways, it still felt refreshing to go around the park like the little tikes that we really are at heart, and get on every ride there was. Speaking of rides, look who got on Anchor's Away for the first time ever.

Another first crossed off the list :) That's me in red, frantically thinking of ways how to get off the freakin' ship without killing myself, whilst all my friends scream with glee. LOL!

I've never ridden the Anchor's Away because I know my stomach isn't too strong to handle it. And I was RIGHT! Then over the years, I've made a surprise discovery that I've become more of a pussy when it comes to scary rides! I haven't gotten on the Space Shuttle since 2001, and I don't even attempt to get on it anymore. I don't mind getting wet in the Rio Grande Rapids, though. Gee, signs of the times?

We have changed but we're still the same

Myra's home!!! Wheee!

And already, we spent an entire afternoon food-bingeing and talking each others' ears off about possibly everything under the sun. Love itttt. Fran joined us for dinner and voila! Camwhore galore! Then this week, it's another date to catch Dad Pitt on the big screen. I cannot wait to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!

Speaking of change, my sister Michel had one of those recently... changing ages (?), that is. I can't believe she's actually 23.

We didn't plan to wear matching red and brown striped polo shirts that night; it must've looked funny to everyone else at church when we heard mass for her birthday. I love birthday cakes; check out the Red Ribbon Smores cake my parents got (it was sooooo good!)

Rant of the hour

It's starting to get a wee bit annoying when people ask me the same, heart-wrenching question. Every. Single. Time. It's OK for family and friends, don't get me wrong. I don't mind talking about every nook and cranny of the situation with them; in fact, I'd happily pour my heart and soul out until they get sick and tired of my whining. But I seriously want to bleed my scalp dry when people I barely know throw me the why's and how's. Like, randomly. YM, Facebook, Multiply. What's up with that? If we've never had a proper, laughter-induced conversation before, or never chatted for more than 3x on YM, or only know each other through a friend of a friend, then with all due respect, but I really don't think there's a dire need to know my situation. What's so juicy about it, anyway?

Guilty pleasure

With my verrrryyy screwed up body clock at the moment, I have decided to spend the hours of dawn catching up on Japanese dramas that I've been missing out on recently. And I found one that is just absolutely adorable, I finished watching the whole series in like, six days nights.

The show is called Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend), and is based on a manga (comic series) by manga extraordinaire Yuu Watase. And because I was such an anime dork back in my teens, I adored the cartoons based on her works (Fushigi Yuugi, Ceres) mainly because the boys in them are hawt. Hmm. That doesn't really sound right, does it?

ANYWAY, before I sound even more loopy, the drama is about this girl who accidentally "purchases" a robot that is designed to be her ideal boyfriend. So there she is, living with a hunky (and I mean REALLY hunky) robot for a boyfriend, while this other hot boy at work starts to have the hots for her too. And voila, a love triangle is born. It's cute, it's fresh, it's funny, and it's kilig in so many ways. I love how the Japanese do dramas, they are too wacky! I think they try to make it look like an anime to make it stay true to its manga roots, so even the actors' expressions come out cartoon-ish... which is really kawaii* because the Japanese people look and act like cartoon characters, anyway. :)

Oh and rumors on the net say that the actor who plays the robot Night (Hayami Mokomichi) is half-Pinoy. Daw. But I think fans just assume that because he's tan, which is unusual for the general paleness of the Jap. He has the sexiest man-voice ever, though.

* cute

The rest is still unwritten

Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

- Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield

First post for the year!

How did I end 2008? So much drama! Ugh, I completely hate myself for finding the worst time to be all teleserye - right smack at the strike of New Year's. I stayed in my room and was totally engrossed in this cheerleading show on ESPN, when it dawned on me that crap, 2009 na.

WHAT TO DO??!!

So there I was, all of a sudden in a panic mode because I honestly had this big blank sheet in my head as I started thinking about the twelve months sprawled vastly ahead. Such a big year waiting, and I feel extremely *tiny*. Suddenly, I didn't have the energy to party and be crazy and pig out like I was originally planning to; I got really praning. Which is stupid now because it's not like there's anything I can do about it... about life. Yan tuloy, the first ever time in my whole life that I wasn't able to celebrate New Year's with my family. I was in my room, unconsciously watching TV, immobile in bed while bombs disguised as firecrackers went off everywhere! Can you say PARTY POOPER??

And for that realizaton, I am officially ending my angsty, bitter, depressing, emo-filled holidays. I honestly really didn't get to enjoy it much, or at all. What a waste. I'll be, like, 76 when the next Christmas season comes again. Hmph. I can't believe this has been the crappiest Christmas for me. I guess I'm all to blame for feeling that way. I wasn't able to handle certain things well, and it consequently ruined my favorite time of year for me.

But I'm cutting myself some slack, too... this is the first time I've had to face something so big and serious in my life, so the first-timer's got no clue. Now that the vacation is almost up, so will my emo-ness. Eew, just saying that makes me cringe.

And now to my favorite part of New Year's, the part that I never take seriously. Resolutions! I can't remember the last time I made one, because I am so bad at keeping them. This time though, I'll be realistic and just make ones that I know I can do. Like:

a) Blog. Blog MORE. Seriously. I am looking at my blog this year, and i've only had what? 17 entries??! In the past 365 days, I was only able to come up with 17 measly posts. What has happened to my brain?! So here it is, I will blog about anything that comes to mind - people, favorite things, movies, books, songs, pictures... anything that takes my fancy. I have really missed writing, and since I've got a lot of free time in my hands now, there's no more excuse not to. :)

b) Drink water. I noticed that since my stint in Lion Land, I've been drinking less and less... water, that is. I used to down liters of water in a day!

Hmm....

I guess that's it. I can't think of other things that I will actually stick to and keep doing for the rest of the year, so I won't bother thinking of anything more.

Oh yeah. Lose weight. Because I look (and feel) like a dugong right now. See Exhibit A:

I'm not even facing the camera, but you can tell there's a platter of a face on her. Look at that cheek! I want to slice it off!

The only upside about gaining a few pounds is, maybe my boobies will get bigger, too! Yey!