...a little glitch

We had been preparing for this trip for months! Roadtrip to Bacolod! This was Ava's first trip to Bacolod. We were all excited. Slept early the night before. The kids were already in travel cloths when I put them to sleep. (Sudden flashback to movie Sound of Music when they went away to the mountains) hehehehe. by 3am I have begun waking the household to prepare. Engine starts at 4am. We had to be tight about the schedule so as to reach Toledo early for the barge to San Carlos at 7.30am. And this Wednesday of the holy week, all of Cebu would be driving to Toledo to catch the same trip. Everyone would be quietly and secretly racing to Toledo. It was 4am and all you could see are the headlights of them cars going to Toledo. We got there by 5.45am. a good time. NOT!!!
jWe were the 2nd car in line to get a ticket. And guess what? We DID NOT GET a ticket! Why? Because for some freaky reason, some VIPs were allowed to cut ahead of us. Friends, relatives of the ship owner, I just couldnt care less. There was no justice in that! Things used to be smooth (and fair) in that terminal. It was like, if you wake up early, drive up early and get there early, then you get on the ship. But not this year. PALAKASAN I guess. A car, 7th in line AFTER us was allowed to get on. Poor us. Poor our kids! It meant another FOUR hours in Toledo. The next trip was still at 1pm. The car ahead of us got there at 4am and he didnt get a ticket either. What did we do? Raise hell actually. It was one of the very rare moments that I saw Joel get mad. What's hell? Raising our voices in the ticket counter of course. Hehehehe I could just laugh about it now but boy, were we boiling mad!!!
Anyway anyway highway...4 hours. 4 freaking hours. What to do? Good thing Joel remembered he has a friend who owns a resort in Toledo. Off to Binghay Marine Resort we went and found this:

Me. Recomposing. We had lunch at Jollibee in the terminal.

...vacation

Finally time for another Concepcion reunion. It happens every 2 years although some have been wanting it to happen every year. We went on a road trip 4am Wednesday. Left Cebu and reached Bacolod by afternoon (there was a 4-hour delay, long story, another blog )
Dinner and chika with Bacolod relatives, another hour and we were in Prudencia, the getaway. Thursday morning it was just still us and my sis in law's family. It was very quiet.
This was Friday morning. My familia waking up at 6am.

...a comeback

Yesterday would have been the 3rd month that Ive not seen any gossip talk show, local or foreign. I have completely sworn them off. I mean...if Sam Milby, the hunk that he is, wants to be gay, then let him be gay...why make a fuss? If Audrey Miles wants to hide her kid, let her! What right do we have to force them to speak? Public figures...Bah! The truth is, we are tsismosa! and these gossip shows think they have the right judge these people. But but but...yesterday was different. My ultimate crush was going to be interviewed. Gabby Concepcion. (my married name being the same is totally coincidental)

He has come back from America. The ultimate 80's icon. I even kept a picture of him in my wallet during high school! harharhar! I asked my mommy to take me to cebu when he and Sharon had a theater tour (it was the first ever tour). They were one of the first to travel around the country to promote their movie. I remember that. My papa would never let me watch a Tagalog movie. Something about it being corny and all. But I had to watch Dear Heart. Sharon and Gabby film. I cried while asking my papa for permission. And so history found it to be my first ever tagalog movie! haharharharhar. Yesterday, I watched the Buzz just to catch Gabby's interview. It was the first time Ive seen Boy Abunda going very gay around a guy.

Although my classmates werent all for the Gabby-Sharon tandem, some were for Gabby-Snooky. Nopes, I didnt want that. Hehehehehe

...musicals

And since we are on the subject of movies and musicals and cute actors...

The whole household has lately been breaking out into the song, "HOw does she know you love her..." spontaneously and without warning I might add. Spontaneous, without warning, means the same thing siguro. Even my sweet 1-year-old puchicoo babe, Ava, raises up her hand and head whenever she hears that song, just like Giselle in the movie. JOel surprised the kids one night with the dvd but they didnt get to watch it till the next morning. I was still in deep slumber when from a distance I could hear a girl singing "...how does she know she's yours..." plus there was something raggae about it. It was like I floated toward the voice like a dream. I was dreaming. Then I hear Alyssa's laughter and Ava's giggle. Hmmm, I think, both girls in the room. Must be past 9am. You see, Joel had been letting me oversleep past 8am, taking care of the kids when he wakes up at 7. By then Ava would be awake, he'd be playing with her for awhile before he gets his breakfast or jogs. By 8, Alyssa would be waking up too. By some luck, both girls would not disturb me. Before Joel leaves for work, he'd have Ava playing already and have set up everything for Alyssa's morning activities. Since it's summer vacation, this would be doses of morning Dora the explorer show on tv. but the past days I have been waking up to The Enchanted. Forget that McDreamy's there. And James Marsden. No no no no cant forget mcDreamy. Cant escape his face. Giselle is such a lovely girl played by Amy Adams. Who has mastered the art of keeping her arms afloat just like in animated films. She moves soooo "cartonish" and I love it! It's amazing! Susan Sarandon much!!! "Hello, worthless" dont you just love the sound of her voice when she said that? Love her voice. Period. Loved her since Bull Durham.

The little girl. I have actually started buying the girls more skirt and simple shirts to match. The only time I was sad was when I saw Giselle's gown at the ball. I know it was supposed to make her stand out. But I just thought with all those bags and the amount of shopping they did, I just thought the outfit would have more omph. Why did they straighten her hair? Im sure they wanted to have contrast with her looks but a little curly curly would have been nice. The Oscars. 4 songs from the soundtrack were nominated. 4? or 3? I forgot. Freakily, hahahahaha, ...freakily... the song NOT from the movie, won. Im a sucker for musicals. I love this film. Alyssa seems to have an inkling for musicals Ive noticed.

Love the Beatles. Love each and every one of their songs. Love musicals. What's not to love with this movie? Directed by Julie Taymor. Same who brought you Frida and The Lion King (Musical).

...beby treetop

In a mind of a 4-year-old, it is one horrific thought. Last night, as Alyssa was putting her new fave toy Frog to sleep (on her Lightning Mcqueen pillow), she sang Road a bye Baby song. Ava have long since been sleeping since 8pm and we had the night light on already. In the midst of singing the song for the second time..."when the bough breaks..." Alyssa GASPS loudly...

SHE: It breaks? Mommmmyyy! It breaks???

(I keep quiet)

But she goes on anyway, "...and the cradle will fall..." Abruptly stops and GASPS even louder.

SHE: It falls? Mommyyyyyy it falls? The cradle and baby will fall? (Tsk tsk tsk)

ME: It's just a song Alyssa dont worry (I say it softly and soothingly coz by now she looks crestfallen and confused)

SHE: Why would you put a baby on a treetop?

My sis-in-law, Nang Cynch, have actually pointed this out to me sometime January this year and we just shook our heads at the thought. It was just a matter of time. And so it happened last night.

So much for the all-time favorite nursery rhyme.

...hypnosis scary

This is a true story. You should at least warn your friends and relatives, particularly in Ormoc. They call it 'Budol-budol' for reasons I dont know.

This is my mother's story. 3 weeks ago. 8am. Outiside Gainsano Ormoc. She was standing just outside by the fruit stands and was about to go across the street where Tio Tony and Aileen were waiting for her inthe jeep. When suddenly a Turk looking guy smiled at her and said,"wow, lucky you auntie, you're just shopping, just like my mother." Mommy: "(chuckles) Where is your mother at, by the way?" Guy: "California". My mother, being the ever and over cautious type looked the other way to cut any communication with the guy. Suddenly a Turk looking woman stood very close to mommy and put her arm on her shoulders, said,"Hey auntie, so you know my cousin?" Mommy:"which one?" Girl, "The guy you were just talking about." Mommy, "Okay." Girl, "Why dont you come with us to Zenaida's Inn, we parked our car there and we have something for you from California."

Mommy's built-in alarm goes off. She was thinking, how could they have any gift for her when she hasnt even seen them before and they didnt know they'd be meeting one another that day. But, mommy didnt resist. According to Tio Tony and Aileen who saw the whole thing, mommy and the girl (still with her arm on mom's shoulders) crossed the street towards them. But mommy didnt even look at Tio Tony or Aileen, she just passed them by and kept walking with the girl. Minutes later while walking, according to mommy, she saw a friend of hers waving at her from her car. It was a colleague from the city court. The friend was waving at her inviting her to take a ride to work with her. But she was distracted again by the Turk looking woman whose body was still sticking to hers. Girl "Let's go now to Zenaida for the gift (slippers)". Mommy thought, Havaianas. Heheheh even under hypnosis, she knows her fashion. Once again, mommy saw her friend waving from across the street, calling her name. Mom looked at her gold watch and said, "it's almost 9am, I have to get to the office." She then saw the Turk looking guy signal the Turk looking girl with his head to go. The girl took her arm off mom's shoulders and suddenly mommy felt different. She went to Tio Tony, who said, "What happened to you Inday? Why didnt you look at us? Who were they?" All mommy could say was, "I dont know. I didnt see you." That was so not like my mommy, talking and walking and going with strangers. She is always on alert mode. Not the vibrating mode, but the maximum volume!!! Obviously, something weird did happen to her.

This is the scary modus operandi now in Ormoc. They work in couples. They befriend you, hold you somehow, like a friend would. And that's when you go down. You lose concept of yourself. You do whatever they tell you. You go into a spell they say. 2 other family friends were victims of this scam. An auntie almost withdrew all her time deposit to give to the girl who went in with her at the bank. Good thing the tellers and manager played delaying tactics (they are trained to do that with withdrawals). The Turk girl got apprehensive and left. Auntie didnt know what the tellers were talking about her wanting to withdraw all her money. Another one actually brought the Turk girl inside her bedroom and handed her P30,000!!! Another auntie gave her jewelries, inside her own house, with a neice looking on!!! Apparently, you go under her spell when she's holding you. When she lets go, you're out of it. It's scary.

...friends

College. 1980s. Honestly Ive forgotten the specifics. hehehehe. I believe the story can be told now. harharhar. The girls on this photo were my dormmates. In that big concrete dorm in Ramos St., Cebu. Catholic girls. We came from all over the country. We had our days. And nights. And dawns. hahahahahahahahaha. The guys are our trusted buddies. 711 mhz. over over roger. The guys are all respected professionals now. Have you spotted me yet? Second from the right, standing, light purple shirt. Men's shirt were so in. Tretorns!!! We used to sneak out from our dorm just before curfew and would be in our house cloths and flipflops. But we already took our bags with extra clothings that morning and stashed them somewhere near. And off to Moalboal we went. Like it was far far far! We spent the weekend there. Swimming and chika chika, bonding. We had fun. We were the best of friends. We helped one another grow and go for our dreams. No black sheep. No queen or king. No underdog. We were all equals and friends. We got home Monday early morning. Us girls have already changed into our Sunday best while in Moalboal. We went straight to the chapel for the sunday mass. Looking pretty like we were just there the whole weekend. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

...beautiful

These are the photos Ive always been dreaming of taking. Beautiful photos of my dearest beautiful daughters. Both girls have finally come to terms of me always following with the black thing on my face. Yesterday, I captured their personalities on digital. Ava, with her round cheeks and almond-shaped eyes is one year old. Nowadays, she loves to ham it up for the cam and is obssessed with blowing on stuff, in this case, big sis' toy fire extinguisher.
Alyssa, 4, now poses. Sits down, smiles and poses. Those round big eyes and pointy chin facing me.

...summer

HOrding much? Here comes the smell of sunblock! The smell of summer! I just cant decide! Sometimes I go for the color. But I try to look for the non-sting, especially for the kids. The dark tanning is obviously mine...the non tanning is joel's. Im always hording. Every summer. Believe it or not, we consume them all every year. When it's February, the stores begin displaying sunblock and that's when I start to go toink!

...must go place

This was actually our first fave when it comes to coffee and cakes. They had been around for about 4 years already. Coffeebeanery in A.S. Fortuna. A very forgotten place sad to say. But they serve real good coffee and pastries. Very very affordable and the place has a nice relaxed ambiance. they have good people too. No Im not related to the owners. I dont know them at all. I just believe, people should give this place a try. Give the coffee heavy weights a rest. Go out from your comfort zone and go to Mandaue. A.S. Fortuna stretch actually. Good pasta too! it maybe far from the mainstream of what's happening in town but it's good coffee. Give it a go!

..the defferense

The defferens is. I just heard the word in a detergent soap tv commercial years years ago and it had stuck in my brain. The woman was actually supposed to say "I can see the difference." And am I even spelling the word correctly? Dannnnnggg! Embarrassed. The difference is that my pics have more depth now. Although I will not part with our trusty handy dandy Opio Pentax. It is still serving me well. But I loveeeeeeee our new cam!

This is Alyssa. She got cranky. Tired. It had been almost an hour already Ive been taking her pictures. Ava was luckier, she had fallen asleep about 20minutes ago.

Joel. Unusual, he came home for lunch yesterday. Both kids have had their lunch and were already taking their nap. I recognized the car engine I got up to look outside the window. Joel indeed. Lots of reasons went thru my mind why he would be home at lunchtime. Bad news or badder news. Pessimistic huh? He wasnt even wearing his office shirt. Testing a gun with a client I guessed. I tried to read his face but he got his poker face look on. As he came in the gate, he was carrying a big Rustans plastic bag, still with the poker face. Rustans. Hmmm...could he have bought there ..without me! hahahaha...perhaps, more bathing suits for me and the kids, or a big toy for the girls. Nope, they've had their monthly toys allowance already. More summer stuff? I just love summer stuff, whatever they might be. Hi hello, etc etc. He handed me the bag and said, here you go. okayyyy here I go what? A Dior make up kit summer 2008? I wish! HARHARHARHARHAR! nOPES, ...i recognize that gold box of a Nikon D70 anytime anywhere!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I Dream!!! A new cam! A DSLR. So okay, maybe more than half of the world already owns a dslr. But not me. I just dream of it. Now I...we have it. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA yeeeheee for me! Love it Love it Love it!!! Thank you Joel!

A gift for no occassion. Oh you're wrong. JOel says, everyday is a valentines day for our family. Giggles!

...sweet irony

The lionness (Beatrix) on the prowl

Beatrix (The Bride) and B.B. in the happiest ending ever.

And then, finally, after putting us through three hours of hell, Tarantino grants us three minutes of grace. Beatrix, in the penultimate scene of the movie, has rescued her daughter and her future. She rolls on the floor, weeping, clutching a teddy bear, saying "thank you" over and over.

INT. MOTEL ROOM BATHROOM - MORNING
The Bride is on the floor of the motel room bathroom, crying her eyes out.
She shoves a towel in her mouth so B.B. won't hear her.
We wonder for a moment what's wrong...
Till we see her face in CU...
Her tears are tears of joy.
She can't believe this is even happening.
Her daughter is alive. They're together. They get to begin again.
She covers her mouth so B.B. won't hear her crying and get worried or confused.
But as the deadliest woman on the planet, lies on the motel room bathroom floor, smile on her face, twinkle in her eyes, happier than she's ever been, she thinks one thought. Over and over again....
Thank you god...thank you god...thank you god...thank you god.
She washes her face in the sink, when she's presentable, she walks out of the bathroom, jumps on the bed with her baby, hugs her from behind as the two watch Saturday morning cartoons.
TWO SHOT CU
Both blonde heads, the big one and the little one, next to each other, watching T.V.
The lioness has been reunited with her cub, and all is right in the jungle.
THE END
Kill Bill gives us the first prayer scene in a Tarantino movie. The Bride's prayer, albeit to an unknown god (more explicit in the script than in the film), is not shackled to any religious tradition or institution, but it is surely spiritual in nature. The prayer offers us a fitting end to this look at vice through the blood-red-tinted shades of Quentin Tarantino.

By Eric David as published in The Ooze, October 4, 2005

Sweet irony. The bloodiest movie Ive ever seen should offer me the sweetest and happiest ending ever. Who can forget The Bride's (Beatrix/Uma Thurman) smile and her peaceful expression while carrying daughter B.B. away from Bill's mansion? "The lioness hass been reunited with her cub, and all is right in the jungle."

Indeed. Indeed.

...promos

I must admit I get easily sucked in with all types of promos. So it was no different when Crocs store in Ayala offered me a promo last December. The jibbitz. We always check the store out
for new jibbitz. I was paying for one jibbitz when the attendant told me that if I buy 2 or was it 3? jibbitz I could get one free seasonal jibbitz. Ohhhhhh...seasonal. That's not so easy to get by around here. And that would look good on Alyssa's crocs. It was christmas time so I figured it was gonna be a snowman or something. Well, snowman it was. They said this was so limited, it's not everyday they have this seasonal jibbitz. And it's christmas, it would be just so cool. Oh yeah, sucked in I was. I bought 3 jibbitz to get one seasonal design. Afterall it was limited. Mahutdan nya ko! I bought 3. And this attendant unceremoniously dumps this big big big plastic full of thousands of seasonal jibbitz right in front of me! LIMITED MY ASS!!! I could say 'ass' on my blog now, cant I? What's so limited about that big big big plastic flull of thousands of seasonal jibz? I was so, hmmm, let's put this delicately, pissed? But I didnt show it. Afterall, it was the Crocs store, our happy place. They could just have let me choose from a small contaner just so it would really appear limited. Im telling you, thousands of seasonal jibbitz in a big big plastic bag. Good grief!!! I went out from the store feeling so had. They have this mug. It's a promotional thingy. It looks more or less like my drawing. Brown and stuff. But you dont see it on the counter. What you see is a sign on the counter. It says something like, you get a mug with a message. A crocs mug. Ohhhhhhhhhh another crocs stuff. Ive seen one on the net and it looks more like Lacoste with the crocodile on white background. But like I said, I am a sucker for promo stuff. So I had to ask, and regretted seconds after I did. The attendant took out this mug from below. When it gets hot, a message is suppose to appear. Where? I thought? on the surface of your coffee? Why I thought that? Becauuuuuussssseeeeee... there are already brown colored messages printed on the mug itself. I guess they appear more prominent when hot? Why am I even asking again? Ohhh, coz it's the Crocs store, and Im a sucker. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA . You were supposed to guy 2 pairs of crocs shoes to get the mug for free. click click click calculator on my head...P1,800 + 1,800 = P3600. Expensive mug. Pointless actually.