Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

This Jennifer Garner film is one of my favorite movies of all time. Not to mention that it also features Mark Ruffalo who is a cutie himself.  When this movie was released in 2004, it made such an impact on me since I was also turning 30 at that time. (Yes, you may do the math to find out my current age!)

Crossing the line from the 20s to the 30s was a big deal for me at that time, but thank God this movie made the transition so much easier. Being 30 was like plunging into the unknown, and I wondered if I would start feeling squeamish when somebody asks for my age.

If you had the chance to watch this quirky tale about big-time magazine editor Jenna Rink, you will agree with me that there are many lessons to pick up from the story.

Being a magazine writer, I can totally relate to the idea of competition. Every publisher wants the lion’s share, and sometimes a brilliant idea is all you need. There are moments when you have to stand out among the all-too-familiar and create your own path.  Being different can be refreshing.

Jenna Rink’s presentation was one of the sentimental parts of the movie.

“Who are these women? Does anyone know? I don’t recognize any of them. I want to see my best friend’s big sister, the girls from the soccer team, my next door neighbor, real women who are smart and pretty and happy to be who they are. These are the women to look up to. Let’s put life back into the magazine. And fun and laughter and silliness. I think we all - I think all of us - want to feel something that we’ve forgotten or turned our backs on because maybe we didn’t realize how much we were leaving behind. We need to remember what used to be good. If we don’t, we won’t recognize it even if it hits us between the eyes.“

So what are the things that used to be good? Dancing the Thriller, eating an ice cream cone not counting the calories, pajama parties, playing on a swing, playing a cassette tape and rewinding it, and of course, idolizing Madonna!

If only we could buy Matt’s wishing dust, then probably we could go back in time and relive these good stuffs. On second thought, we don’t need wishing dust to relive them.

You see, the real “good stuffs” are timeless, whether you are 13 or 30. They are family, friendship, and love. Love is all we need.

Love is a battlefield.

Just A Thought

I miss swimming. The last time was when I fell off the raft at Davao last month. Hehe. And that was not exactly what I have in mind. I wanna get into a pool and stay there for hours.

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Quarter Past Midnight

As always, here I am with my free-flowing thoughts, recalling how my day went. This is the time when I choose something to write about. And often I find it hard to choose for there are so many stories that I can’t wait to share.

There is a new habit that I am trying to incorporate into my lifestyle and that is walking. I’ve become so attached to driving that it’s about time I use leg-power. Driving since 1994, I have to admit that driving gives me a sense of freedom and command. Being in the driver’s seat has its perks, but there are times that it can be burdensome, especially if you can’t find a parking space. This is where walking comes in handy.

Like driving, walking takes me to many places. In fact, walking takes me to places where driving cannot, such as little patches of garden hidden in the urban jungle.

The not-so-secret garden that I found allows me to enjoy walking all the more. Finding a walking buddy whom you can chat with makes the experience even more pleasant.

Down By The River

It feels good to have finally released pent up emotions. Pride is so hard to swallow and admitting one’s mistake can sometimes take days. In the end, all is well that ends well. Life goes on and you learn another lesson until you’re again stuck in a rut, facing a blank wall, or lost in the middle of crossroads.

I still can’t get over the fact that I fell off the raft when we did whitewater rafting in Davao. And it happened when I least expected it. My theory is that my guardian angel pushed me (oops, sorry, I know that it impossible!) but still made sure that I will be saved, just to give me a little lesson. To make the trip not only about laughter and having fun but wisdom as well.

Having a wrist brace which I should wear for a few more weeks (or even months) made me decide not to join the rafting anymore. I already made previous plans to see the food festival while the others go rafting, but like in any vacation, changes crop up. I disobeyed my doctor’s orders and ended up having a great time traversing the river wild.

So what did I learn from the ride?

That life is a made up of still water and unruly waves, that somewhere along the way are “surprises” that may catch you off guard if you are not paying attention, or have become complacent.

That no matter what happens, help is just an arm reach away.

That looks are deceiving. No matter how weak you appear to people, you are still capable of saving others.

That trust is important even if you are surrounded by strangers.

That even if you think you are good, you can still fall.

That it’s all about the attitude. The same wave can appear exciting to one and dangerous to another.

That rest is necessary even if it is sometimes boring.

That you need to pay attention and put your mind and heart in everything that you do.

Random Thought 2

This is the perfect time to drive without a destination in mind, just to wander through the streets until your head goes blank. I’m typing at a very slow rate for there in nothing coming out, no bright idea, no creative juices today. As I was driving this afternoon, as usual I was listening to Magic 89.9’s Friday Madness. The song “Butterfly Kisses” was playing and suddenly I remember my dad: if you know the lyrics, then you will understand why. It’s a very beautiful story about a father’s love and the melody is just as beautiful.

Even in the US, dad loves karaoke singing. Birthday celebrations are often spiced up with a videoke session over San Miguel Beer. Well, I think now he is drinking Budweiser Lite. Mom takes care of the pulutan and putting my dad to bed when he’s already too tipsy. When I was a kid, dad taught me how to drink beer and how to pour it into a mug without the froth. Thanks for the early training, Papcy!

Short Circuit

Today instead of speaking up my mind, I shut up and let my anger brew inside. I’ve become sensitive (the bad kind) and it didn’t help at all. Of course you don’t know what I’m talking about and it doesn’t matter. I’m just finding an outlet and for now this is the safest way to do it, just typing away not caring if I am making sense. I am recalling now Tom Hank’s character in the film You’ve Got Mail, when he said something like: "Do you sometimes feel you have become the worst version of yourself?" Somehow that is what happened to me. Sensing this imperfection is very uncomfortable for me and the sooner I get over this the better. Tell me, how does a mature person handle something like this?

This Forsaken Blog

I have a confession to make — I love staying up late even though it’s not exactly a healthy habit. Puttering around my Friendster account led me to this forsaken blog since all my attention went to Multiply. Writing here is more like a spur-of-the-moment trip to the nearby 7-11 to buy something. Napadaan lang ako. Might as well write.

August is almost over and I’m so looking forward to September when I officially begin my Christmas countdown. Christmas is my favorite time of the year - bar none! As early as September, I often start planning the Christmas Menu, the dining table decor, and other Christmassy stuffs to place in the house. Last year I bought a lot of potted poinsettias and hopefully they will bloom well this coming Christmas. OMG, I can’t wait!

This is love

My sister Iya sent me an MP3 of this song some months ago, and today I kept on singing it in my head. It has a very beautiful melody, and the words are so poetic. One of those songs that will make you feel that love is all that really matters.

THIS IS LOVE by Kelly Rowland

[Verse 1:]
Can you describe the moment
When two people fall in love?
Some say the clouds will spin in circles
And the rain will turn to dust
The poor will start to laugh
Even the rich will start to cry
It can sneak up like a soldier
It can wake you up at night

[Chorus]

The Thrill of Blogging

I don’t usually shout to the world my blog site since I’m a rather private person, and so my blog entries are usually for my eyes only. But now I decide to go real online. I’ve revived my Multiply site (www.chunv.multiply.com), gave it a little facelift, and renewed by desire to diligently post something at least once a week.

There’s something about writing that I can’t resist. I hear this voice in my head that seems to dictate to me what to write, and all I do is just to obey. Write whatever I hear, write whatever my heart tells me. The silence of the night keeps my company as I try to find will to sleep. There are days when I would wish there were more than 24 hours in a day, so I could do more. Today happens to be one of those days. My schedule tells me I should be asleep at this time for a have to be up by 430am, but my heart longs to express something, at least through the written word.

Today I bought a lamp for the living room, and I especially liked the dimmer in the switch. That is called control. Power. With a slight twitch, I can set how intense or dim I want the light to be. Who wouldn’t want that? People like to be in control, don’t they? The problem starts when you can no longer discern what you can and cannot control.

Freeing the writer in me

It’s been a long time since I wrote something here. I used to stay up til the wee hours of the morning just writing about what I feel like writing. Usually it doesn’t make any sense. Just letting it all out. Not caring at all if my grammar is correct, or if my syntax is perfect. In fact, it’s okay if no one will ever get to read this. All I want to do now is to write.

One goal I still want to achieve is to create my own website, featuring my food essays and my luscious food photographs. I should be able to finally launch that project this year, so watch out for it. Any suggestion for a domain name? I’m stuck with cheesychun.com. Yes, I’m a huge fan of cheese but I’s sure there’s a better name out there.

Which reminds me, I still have to hang my "cheeses" in my kitchen. I got this cheap but really nice picture of various cheeses around the world, neatly framed. Goes well with the room’s yellow-theme. Wait, let me raid the fridge right now. Swoooosh.

I’m back with a Havarti from Hickory Farms. It’s a pasteurized process cheese spread, and has a very delicate taste. Perfect with crackers. Who needs a spreader, I have my fingers. Yum!