Best Finds 2008: Twilight Series (Books)

It used to be that the internet has totally gobbled up the reader in me. Before the net became second nature, my free time would be spent lost in a book. But technology has taken over (shouldn't) until Twilight bit me. Big time.

Twilight, and its sequels, brought back what I had long lost - enough interest in a book that I could not put it down. For the longest time, no book I've come across had captured me enough to want to finish reading in one sitting. And I kinda missed the experience. But Twilight cured me of that.

Twilight Musings and Twilight Series (labels) are testament to what the Twilight series have become in my life this year.

Best Finds 2008: Taylor Swift (Musician)

Since I learned about her and her music, her songs have never left my playlist. I love every one of her songs. Her music has given me something to look forward to, something to dance to, something to sing my heart out with and something to soothe some very bad days.

The Taylor Chronicles was created to celebrate her and her songs.

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Photo Credit: Starpulse

Best Finds 2008: Vancouver (Foreign City)

Got lucky enough to attend a conference in Vancouver last May. The conference was a blast: the speakers were experts, the topics were relevant (at the time, which was post subprime and pre-Lehman), the overall management of the event was the best I have seen so far, even considering that it had thousands of participants.

And yes, I loved the city. Still do. Walked the streets like I've never walked before: I think I've covered most of the place by just walking. Hehe. And loved the bike-friendly streets as well. And the lovely flowers lining the pavements. And the kinda laid back life. And the eco-friendliness. And even the weather!

Conference Venue

Entrance to Stanley Park

Inukshuk: 2010 Winter Olympics Symbol

Best Finds 2008: Boracay (Vacation Spot)

It wasn't the first time I stepped on the country's most popular beach (Boracay) but it felt like it was, considering that the rest of the peeps I went there with last April were first timers. Besides, it's been so long since I have last seen the white sands and clear waters (I was still in college and I went there to join a quiz bee. Ahhh, what can be more nerdy?)

But this time, I was there to unwind, and what an adventure the trip was! My cousins and friends were funtastic company, the resort was brimming with summer activities (local stars populated the place so we had our paparazzi moments, hehe) and there were a number of firsts to try on: the banana boat ride, snorkeling, etc.

Our Bora trip is simply one of my happiest 2008 moments. =)

Best Finds 2008: Foreword

People Magazine does it. And so does ET (Entertainment Tonight). And so do most of media big thingies: Time Magazine, Forbes, etc.

Why not have my own?

My own LIST. Hmmm, empowering.

And so, while People lists its 50 Most Beautiful People and ET lists almost anything in 2008 (e.g., sexiest men, best/worst hook-ups, etc), I - dojski - will list the best things I've found in 2008: stuff that has entered my life this year and made it so much happier, fun, better.

There will be no strict rules, no defined categories. Anything new that has outstandingly impressed me can be it. [It's great to be making your own rules. =) ]

Best Finds 2008 is a celebration of the people who and things that has made my 2008 a great year.

Anjali Talks Bill

I think I've got it. Yep, I think I kinda finally know why there has been a surge on Anjali Rao googles lately (a question I posed in this post): she got to talk to Bill. Yep, Bill. Clinton. =)

Tonight, I caught only a small part of the interview, and from someone who doesn't really stick to interviews with political figures, I must say I did stay tuned till the interview was over. As usual, Anjali was her smart, charming self and the interview was done really well (smooth, cool, good vibes). I hesitated listening to Bill's answer on what he regret doing or not doing while President (read: Monica) but of course, the unmentionable was not mentioned and he instead replied on the big stuff - not doing enough for health care, etc.

Well, so there. Mystery solved.

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On a sad, sad note, a heroic idea turned into a really painful one today. Having missed serious workout, I thought a dip at the pool will do me good - a few laps, and I can give myself a pat in the back for having done a healthful activity. Unfortunately, a sharp portion of the pool's steel ladder cut through my thumb when I slid to the water. Bloody painful. Literally. I will have to see a doctor tomorrow. Ahhh.

Still a Gossip Girl

The thing about being at the latter decade of your 20's is you tend to think you're through with teenage stuff. Well, since reactivating this blog, I have found out otherwise: your years may pile up but some of your interests remain essentially the same. Twilight is teenage stuff, but I'm crazy about it. Taylor Swift is teenage stuff, but I love every single one of her songs. And the new addition to the bunch? GOSSIP GIRL:

I've heard of the show: it's been a big hit. But it did not interest me at all initially because I did not think I could like it. The title itself strongly hinted malice and backstabbing, and the setting (high school and the elite class at that) was susceptible to all the troubles of youth. I thought I did not have to bother with high school gossip or misdemeanors.

Well, I still don't think I have to bother with the world of gossiping, trouble-making high school kids, but it turns out, I can be very entertained by it.

Gossip Girl elicits just the right ounce of intrigue and suspense to pique your mind about what's going to happen next or what happened in the past. It is populated by actors and actresses who are so convincing in their roles, they all should win an award for best performance by an entire cast. It is led by a relative newbie (Blake Lively) whose acting talent is of the Meryl Streep kind - effective, natural and smart. It is put to life by characters that you either hate (Chuck) or love (Dan), with passion.

Gossip Girl - despite its naughtiness, or maybe partly because of it - is a masterpiece.

The Anjali Buzz

Why is everybody googling Anjali Rao?

I look at my feedjit, and I mostly see people pointed to this blog through a google search on Anjali Rao. I check out my statcounter and I see the same.

When I wrote about her posts ago, I thought she was just another CNN reporter who has impressed me much. I did not expect many others would come 'looking for her', i.e., be interested enough to search google about her, her pics or the 'Anjali Rao pants' (a most interesting query, hehe). The countries span across continents - from the U.S. and Canada to South Africa, Hong Kong, Denmark, India, Austria, Albania, etc.

But why the buzz? I still don't get it.

Twilight Twice

It's a Thursday-workday-night, and the movie is on its 2nd week, so, imagine my surprise at finding out that there were only a few seats left at a 6:30 PM show this evening. And these seats were mostly the first two rows to the screen!

One of the reasons I wanted to watch again was the theory that maybe, I didn't like the film for itself the first time because I sat too close to the screen. Ah, excuses.

Luckily, I was able to get a seat far enough for me not to be exposed too much to the vamps' powdered faces (make-up: thumbs down). Nothing has changed much from my original opinion of the film but there were some parts that I appreciated more. Those were the parts where I almost forgot about the book and simply let myself get carried away by the movie.

Still, I hope for a better New Moon.

(Regardless of my regard for the film, I grabbed this great CD on my way home. I really love the songs:)

Fave tracks:

1. Supermassive Black Hole (Muse)

2. Full Moon (The Black Ghosts)

3. Tremble for my Beloved (Collective Soul)

4. Eyes on Fire (Blue Foundation)

5. Flightless Bird (Iron & Wine)

What do you do?

What do you do when the day ends with you realizing that things haven't changed? What do you do when they have, but only for the parts that you wanted to stay the same? What do you do when you finally see that the things you wanted over, will never be?

What do you do?

When you got painful blisters on your feet and you got to walk the way home, what do you do? When you got a most loved ipod in your bag and your heart feels so heavy, what do you do? When your spirit is so low and Seattle's comes to view, what do you do?

What, indeed?

Me?

I put on my ipod, think things through while my favorite songs serve as the musical score in my head, walk the way to Seattle's like I've got all the time in the world, and order this plate of comfort:

You, what do you do?

Lola

I just learned that my lola (grandma) got sick. I am so worried. I wish I were there to take care of her.

But it's not till the 20th that I can fly home. And it's going to be a couple of hours from there to my lola's place. Oh...I really hope she is feeling all right now.

La, be strong. We're going to have a great Christmas.

Two Words

Low budget. If that still doesn't make sense, here are two more words: artistically disappointing.

I and four other twilighters trooped to Greenbelt last Wednesday to catch the midnight showing of Twilight - the one thing we all have been waiting for. I and the other twilighters left that theater unanimously feeling like we've been had.

The make-up was horrible. The script was flat. The scoring did not score. The special effects were not special. The editing needed more. The acting did not move me. The whole film was amateurish.

Twilight, was, the low budget film that it was. IF not for the books, I may never watch it again, as I will this weekend. ;) [A fan is a fan.] :)

Twilight Musings: Stars

Jasper, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Edward Cullen

Did I expect the actors to be anything like the Cullen kids in my mind? Hmmm. Well, I do not think I really had a face for any of them so it was quite easy to fit the actors' faces to the characters'. I had the easiest time with Rosalie, because women who are said to be outstandingly pretty in the books are often portrayed by blondes like the actress playing her. The Bond Girl who played Jane Bennett in Keira Knightley's Pride and Prejudice is an example.

I had the hardest time getting used to the on-screen Jasper (what's with the hair!) but I think eventually, the image stuck and actually gave more character to the character. Haha.

I think Ashley Greene fits Alice so well - the spiky hair, the cool fashion. =) Kellan Lutz, well, that bod explains all of Emmett's love for a good fight.

And Rob? Hmmm, no question on the messy hair - it's character itself. I think Rob is not as striking as the Edward I expected but it seems he did act so well, he gave Edward life on screen. But, regardless, I embrace anything and everything in that movie. Can't wait to finally see it. (The premiere buzz is cruel. My EQ, or what's left of it, is being tested to its limits.) =)

Single Ladies

I just cannot let this pass:


This was a recent SNL skit posted by a friend in Facebook (thanks, Imee). It gave my heart its best laugh today. LOL. Justin was so game! :)

The New Cover Boy

I was out for lunch today when I chanced upon that Newsweek commemorative issue on the right. It was just too tempting to pass up. Someday, my children and grandchildren will find that issue in their ma/grandma's attic and probably find a historical gem. Haha.

Of course, I had to add in the latest TIME. Afterall, Newsweek was mostly pictures. Ah, I'm guessing all stuff Obama are hot these days. The newsstand salesgirl cheerfully volunteered that the above mags were flying off her shelves. Obama surely faces a whole lot of expectations.

More Than Just Coffee

It was almost noon but I hadn't really had a full meal yet, so I hurried to Seattle's before heading to a 1pm appointment. I still fondly remember the order I took when I last visited the coffee shop, so, I looked forward to enjoying the new discovery again:


I only mostly order coffee before but after I tasted the above treat, I knew I would be coming back for it. Seattle's Best, it turns out, is more than just good coffee. ;)

Being a lazy Sunday, there were a few people around, so I was able to get myself both of the country's biggest national papers (see above). And yes, that's Chris Brown and Rihanna in the paper to the left. Both are in the country for a joint concert tonight. Don't get me wrong, I find both artists admirable - I like Brown's "With You" and love all of Rihanna's unique music. However, I kinda felt having them grace the frontpage of a national daily a bit inappropriate. Is their arrival such a national issue? Ah, no wonder I've always had more respect for the other paper.

The Taylor Chronicles: Taylor

To me, Taylor Swift is to country music what Jane Austen was to English literature: a breath of fresh air, a fascination, a revolution.

There have been singer-songwriter-guitar players before her but Taylor brings into the scene a kind of passion so energetic and a kind of talent all her own, that you can't help but notice and eventually learn to love her music. Her triple-platinum debut album is an undeniable witness to this. As a Good Morning America host once commented, Taylor was something that was dropped onto the stage and massively exploded - in the best sense, that is. But the numbers regardless, Taylor is a breath of fresh air because her songs are original and crafted in such a way that anyone who dare listen are able to relate to the songs like they were their own.

With her achievements, you'd think she'll be older than her sweet 18. When you watch her interviews, you'd think it's an older, perceptive soul speaking. With her resolve, you'd wonder why self-knowledge would come to people like her so soon. Who would refuse a record deal just because they were not allowed to sing their own songs? Who would refuse potential fame and riches just because they were denied the chance to be who they are and to do the stuff that define them? And she was only 13 when she made the decision! Taylor knows what she is all about and it is fascinating to see that in such young a person.

Despite the wave of troubled young celebrities, Taylor is able to keep her smart head level-headed, and her attitude cool and positive. She wears an honesty in her communications with fans that is not often seen in people of her stature. She exudes a character that is appreciative of life and simply, good. Taylor makes a special mark in the biz because she understands the responsibility beside the fame, and appreciates her success for what it truly is - a wonderful, wonderful blessing.

Lost in Madagascar

Even Alice could not have seen it coming. You see, I unexpectedly found myself in Madagascar today:
Alice could not have predicted it because I haven't really made up my mind about watching until the last minute. Traffic looked bad and I didn't think I could go straight home, so, I detoured and hurried to Greenbelt to catch the earliest showtimes. =)

It was a choice betweeen animals and James (haven't seen James yet). I do not think James would like it but he lost to the former. Unfortunately for him, I just wasn't in the mood for serious action. I have an inkling that James' fast-paced sequences would carry a nerdy story (just like the first one - financial options, duh), and I didn't want to do anymore thinking. So, Madagascar was the choice.

Well, it was ok. Typical animated movie. The scenes were amazing, as expected. But I think it didn't offer anything new really. And the laughs...well, they were few and far in between, as far as I was concerned.

Regardless, it was a good thing to have the choice to do something else (e.g., see a film) rather than get stuck to a routine. =)

Light on a Manic Monday

Just when I thought Monday would go by without much to be especially glad about, dear ol' Ely would drop me an invite for that tease of a movie, Twilight. =) Finally, Ely, you have heeded my calls! Hehe. This just proves that being a Twilighter is a very good thing. Apart from the literary pleasure, it can also gather long lost friends. ;)

Looking forward to the movie and talk. =) You better fill me in on your law years or I'll sue. Hehe. Kidding.

P.S. #1 Ynnah, newly-born Twilighter that you are, is it already definite you can't make it?
P.S. #2 Hmmm, I wonder if Popo has already started the read...

Sleepy Rainy Sunday

It is raining outside, and the city seems to be on a standstill - quiet, covered by the dimming raincloud, and looking like everyone's taking a restful afternoon nap. I opened my window and the rushing breeze not only touched my skin but my spirit as well. The rain almost always brings with it a calming effect on me. After it naturally bathes all things on soil, I feel that its next mission is always to soothe me...make me feel that despite life's challenges, everything is going to be all right.

Now is one of the moments I love most - a sleepy rainy Sunday afternoon, my open window inviting the cool wind to come fill the room, my fave music streaming, and blogging away. I feel happy and at peace with the world.

Green

Aren't those eyes pairs of lovely, lovely green?

The Taylor Chronicles: Introduction

This was the moment that started it all, the "it" being my fascination with country star Taylor Swift:


Before that fateful Ellen appearance, I had no idea who she was. I have not heard of her, nor of her songs. It only took that Ellen interview, however, to let her creep into my esteem. She was funny, smart, candid and obviously passionate about her music. Add to that the facts that she was also a songwriter and guitar player, and she cemented her place in my list of great finds. And when she performed, wow, I could feel her energy (and that of her band) all the way to my side of the globe. ;)

I had to write down her name and promise myself to look her over google the next time I got online. It was a promise I was glad I kept...

The Speech

There were a number of lines in Obama's victory speech that I especially liked, and one of them is this one:

"It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy..."

I am amazed at the delivery of that speech. I can't imagine myself capable of memorizing the lines and delivering them the way Obama did - well-paced, seemingly spontaneous (it couldn't have been, could it?), sincere and oozing with quiet confidence.

Uh, well, I guess it's forgivable if I can't. After all, I'm not a US president-elect. Hehe. :)

Congrats, America

Even to this far a country, THIS is the highlight of the day. Obama wins. What history.

Amidst the rubble of the financial mess and fears of deep recession, America took the stage and performed outstandingly. The voter turnout, the activism of high profile names, the decisive vote, the gracious acceptance of defeat by McCain, the victory of a man which decades back was considered an impossibility...are a reminder of why America rules.

Hats off. :)

James and I

James Bond will come to theaters again starting tomorrow, but I feel like I've beaten him to the action. I did a thousand things today, and the way I've accomplished the errands I've set to do, feels like I'm a hero. Or heroine, that is. LOL. I'm exaggerating, of course. ;)

Seriously, it feels real good having finally done the weekend's unfinished business (chores, hehe), and some stuff that I've postponed for the longest time. If there is one lesson I re-learned today, it's realizing that nothing can be left undone once I've made up my mind to do it. Well, having vacation leaves I have to use by yearend (or they'll go pffft) was great help. ;)

Tomorrow, though, is another day. Busy day, that is. So, sorry James, you and I will have to meet this weekend. =)