I woke up this morning and realized that there's something wrong with my ear.. again. Earlier this year, I went to an otolaryngologist because i had a problem hearing well with my left ear. I'm all fixed up now, but suddenly this, my right ear. I don't want to have another check up.. This is the consequence of listening excessively to Ipod, perhaps?

PS: I am hungry, I am bored, my ear is itchy, and i'd be having one busy weekend ahead. How worse could that get? Fortunately, I met my crush early this morning. At least, there are still some pleasures in this hellish life.

This past few days I've been downloading Mp3 (yea, it's illegal I know) for the songs during the past decade. I am updating my Itunes, and I miss hearing all those old songs (well, not that old..). Today, I downloaded some Spice Girls, M2M (I can see you smirk upon reading that) and the Moffats. I cannot think of other artists right now, so maybe I'll continue that some other time.

i've read somewhere that the height of pop music is between the late 90's-early 00's, and to that I just have to agree. Who could forget Britney Spears, Nsync, Christina Aguilera and the Backstreet Boys? Whenever DJ's would play songs during the Pop period, people of my age couldn't help but remember those high school days when they would gush over those artists, etc. And I'm included in that population.

Oh, I miss those times. And that kind of music. I can't bear to hear Miley Cyrus' voice, and one cannot avoid it for her songs are often played in the airwaves and music channels. Miley Cyrus? Puh-leeze. I'd take the Spice Girls any day.

Or perhaps, I'm just getting old. (Hey, I'm not that old old..)

Watashi wa gogo ju-ji no nemasu.
Oyasuminasai!

I am not broken,
I wasn't when you left,
I am whole when you were gone,
I am not broken.

I am not in pain,
I was okay when you turned your back,
I am grateful with I have,
I am not in pain.

I am beautiful,
That charm made you fall,
That didn't last, but,
I am still beautiful.

I am strong,
I thought I wasn't when you said you'd leave,
But I am strong,
Though with nothing you made me live,

Alone.

Textures, scents and sights
Bring back memories.
People, places and events,
Are reminders of the past.
The dreams that I dream,
Are about you, us.

In those dreams,
i walk the streets with you,
Which now I walk on alone.
In those dreams,
I sit on that bench on the park
with you,
But in reality,
I don't visit it anymore.

Textures, scents, and sights
Bring back pain.
People, places and events,
Are reminders of our forgotten past.
How easy it was for you to get all over that,
When I am still haunted by those memories
That now, you barely remember.

I hate to say this since I became friends or had been fond them one time or another eons ago, but they irritate me most of the time. They're a bunch of conyos. So fake. Pasosyal and everything. Can't they simply be who they really are? I hate hate hate conyos, they all can go to Dante's Inferno.

Okay, so to use a teenage term: it's so gay. I'd rate it 4/10. Out of all the 7 cinemas in the mall, 5 were for New Moon and only 2 for 2012. I was shocked when I saw the lines for the movie so long! Good thing we had reservations.
Well, back to New Moon itself, it was so bland. It barely got any reaction from the audience (except the gasps from the ladies when Jacob took off his shirt the first time, and when Edward said "Marry me".) Really, if Summit wouldn't hurry with the 3rd installment of the Twilight Saga, I think they are doomed to have fewer audience who are yet to be disappointed for Eclipse. Rottentomatoes rated it 29%.

And then, my friend and I suddenly decided to watch 2012 too. And that we did. I it found way, way more satisfying than New Moon. The visual effects was very good despite the fact that we all know what goes in apocalyptic movies such as this one. Okay, I browsed the site I wrote above for reviews regarding 2012, it got only 38%. Most complained about the length, lame script, and very false scientific basis (or such as you would call it). But personally, it's highly entertaining. Like what the others who commented wrote, movies are meant to entertain and not to be taken seriously. I personally think that those critics were just way too serious (or way too intelligent) to appreciate such film. But based on experience, the viewers from the theater were pretty satisfied with it.

So, New Moon vs 2012? Definitely the latter. With that kind of visual feast, it's definitely worth the movie ticket.

            I'm off to see New Moon today with a college friend. It is the second installment for the Twilight Saga, some people on Facebook who have seen the film yesterday said it's very good. I wonder if it'll be that good for me. I must admit, I've read the entire series, and I've gushed over the vampire Edward Cullen for awhile as well, but I am not obsessed like some people are. Besides, I'm past my teenage years, so obsession of that kind is a pretty silly thing. Bella Swan, both in the series and in film, irritated the hell out of me. Really, I wonder how could the author, Stephenie Meyer, ever came up with such a heroine.
            Anyways, I am yet to judge New Moon, I hope it isn't overrated, it'll be worth my Php 190. And that I won't be disappointed with it like I was in the first film.

Thank God for Y! News. I don't buy newspapers nor do i watch news on TV religiously, so  it's very convenient to come across headlines every time I browse the net. Aside from upcoming announcement that the Oprah Winfrey show will end on 2011, and the ANTM Bi-Racial Photo shoot, I came across this: Ask former President Estrada a question.

The questions are very interesting, and it's as if you can taste the sarcasm dripping from their lips. Haha.

**This is a reaction paper for a pamphlet The Management of Women, had to do this during my tutoring days. ;)

The Spaniards having occupied the Philippine soil for three centuries undeniably left their indelible marks in our culture, and in all aspects of living. It is also because of these colonizers that our view of the women's societal role seems to be backwards in comparison to that of other countries.

            Filipinas. Who do not love them? Them who are loving, nurturing, patient, religious, and meek? And what kind of modern Filipinas wouldn't want to be described as such? But these values that our women have are also the root causing different problems in this modern world.  Now, more than ever the contributions of the female sex in building a stronger nation through making a career is needed.  The financial global crisis does not only affect industrialized countries, but most especially the developing ones where majority of the population is living below the poverty line. Today, contribution of each citizen, men and women, is vital.

            The aim of a democratic country is freedom and equality for its citizens. But are we true to this aim? The Philippines, a country dominated by chauvinism and machismo, is struggling for an aim everyone is willing accept but no one is willing to work for to achieve.

            It is a common knowledge that in all parts of the world, the male specie is considered as the superior sex. They provide money for the economy, and money for the family, and the role of their female mates is to manage the finances, and assist them i.e., cook their food, iron their suits, and rear the children. All of these, considered inferior in comparison to the male contributions to the world. But, time changes, and with this societies advance.  Already, the female sex realized that their value is equal to that of men, if not greater. They were enlightened that education and opportunity of a fulfilling career should not be a privilege enjoyed by men but a right that must be exercised by all.

            But can this ever changing society can easily accept that new roles of women? Is this country, which is fuelled by machismo, can now be called equalitarian? Previous decades proves that the Philippines tried to adapt with this change. Careers are offered to women, and they are accepted to have careers primarily to help uplift the family income. But, with this, they are also expected not to leave their primary role as household managers. Thus, the responsibility is heavier, and the pressure greater.

            Women have already proven that they can juggle both being career women and house makers. They work harder to be able to stand in the same social ladder which they male counterparts enjoy. But sadly, efforts alone cannot promote total change. Careers are offered, but higher offices seem to be an unachievable goal because it seems to be reserved for men. Twelve male presidents out of fourteen, male CEOs, male entrepreneurs, male executives, isn't this the norm?

            Some argues that females are not fit for higher offices because they are vulnerable to be overruled by emotions, and that their competencies do not equate those of men. But, is this the truth? Or the society simply cannot accept the fact that females have equal talents and abilities, and that sometimes they even surpass their counterparts?

            It is difficult to demand equality while enjoying privileges. This is the reason while women nowadays no longer wait for men to open the doors for them, nor expect them to give their seats on the MRT trains. Because they are aiming for equality, they are demanding for better opportunities. Throughout the history of humankind, females have proven their worth though not often credited. And in this modern world, they are still willing to prove what they can do, but this time to get credit for what they do.

            A modern Filipina is obedient to her parents, values her education, treasures God, family and acquaintances, and hardworking with an aim of a better future. And all her inherent traits will help her in achieving this goal.

            Filipino women have no need for men as superiors and bid on their commands. Rather, Filipino women need men as their equals, who would show appreciation, respect, and admiration for their achievements.