high speed bike chase

in the slums. in the heaviest of Manila's traffic. the only reason I seek the Bourne Legacy (haven't seen all the previous Bourne films) because a few shots used my country's capital as a glorious backdrop. and movies sell more than documentaries. and blockbusters sell to the favoured denomination, of the portion of the global population who don't require to think, but just to watch, observe and follow. however long it took me to decipher (i'm a slow learner) that RP may not yet boast of elegance in its various metropolis. but when it comes to natural landscape, chicken barbecue and warmth of its guest relations committee, we're the sweet icing.

as for Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz, the film is too light for their range. but hope they enjoyed the views in Palawan (the closing credit scene in the boat).

uv days

I'm sleepy and tired, most of the time and since it's summer ( not any other July but heat wave July) a few select souls add aggravations like screaming within the realm of life and the courtyard, merely because it's the essence of their personalities. If they're kids or squalling brats, it's fine (grin and bear it?), if they're adults, I'll just remember it's winter soon and these flesh-bearing mammals would rather stay indoors.

and the parties. all the planning. cooking and tidying. should we do quiet for next year's celebration? venture on a voyage? how do people turn 40?

loving the presents!

happy 1st Birthday, my sweetest!
13 July 2013

it's a joy

Photogenic. In this age of Instagrams and the likes, a gorgeous garden is something to behold. The pretty pink rose above is from the green thumb of a colleague ( I forgot to ask permission to publish her name).

Gorgeous.

We're doing a countdown for our gorgeous gal's first birthday. She would be totally clueless of the celebration of her milestone but a picture paints a thousand words (pinch the cliche). At this point, her folks are still waiting for her first in a series of syllabic queries. Princess Sophia, Peppa Pig, Minnie, Daisy are still trying to capture her attention. Just waiting to grasp and seize, the love of learning.

invites

our prep wasn't that much but too many for only three guests. in actuality, it's more expensive to go to sushi restaurants or travel and book hotels than mapping out a do without paying for the venue. as my baby shower last year fell on my birthday, i thought why not recreate the sparkle, let's conduct a dry run for baby girl's first birthday using my 39th natal day as gauge. this time. three.

if my fair weathers are the gauge, then it's kind of bare and sad. but then it has to be with like-minded people, kindred spirits and the likes, or there would be frozen shoulders all around. however, the enemies would refuse by the mere thought of just going near my vicinity.

but i still ordered too many empanadas. someone who does like seeing food wasted ( just think of those who are starving), i'm now stuffed on carbs. it means, i have to stretch, move and shake.

eddshrinker cup 2013

team Ben -- 6
Dicko -- 2
Dazza -- 1
Chicko -- 1
Stubbsy -- 1

team Dave -- 4
Dan -- 2
Wayne -- 2

Goal of the Match
Dazza -- free kick ( team Ben)

Man of the Match
Jason (team Ben)


--for Edd--
one of the nicest blokes ever.

hope it doesn't rain

but the weather forecast says otherwise. the whole week, on my birthday on Thursday, during the summer solstice, it's going to be wet. as if the winter wasn't already freezing.

while last year, it was hot, sun shining and my baby shower guests screaming for electric fans. but we cannot actually create throwback Thursdays on any given day. rain it is, and just bask in the cooler air, my get together invites.

two years ago, after gallivanting at Tate Britain, there was also rain in the afternoon when I turned 37.

as I stand on the threshold of another decade ( 40 next year, how cruel), do I feel old? some people my age, are already grandmothers and I still feel youthful yet hoping I have learned my life's lessons. I want a few laments during the day. but as the people we hobnob and cross paths with do not come with handheld controls, that's quite hard.

baby girl and her cuddles though permeate warmth.