Why Twilight is Madness and the Eclipse of a New Moon is Not My Kind of Day

I may be a drama queen but I am definitely not a Twilight series fan.


But one thing is for sure: I definitely commend Ms. Stefanie Meyer for being such a genius... I applaud her for thinking ahead before writing her books. She definitely knows how to market her story. And through my understanding, I have come to a conclusion that the reason it is such a big hit is that it touches the subconscious and naive desires of women to be with their impossible dream guy.


Most of my girl friends are fans of the books and movies. They go gaga over Edward and Jacob to a point that they have already formed teams supporting each side. They swoon at every cheesy, extremely-romatic line that they say to Bella... They secretly wish they were Bella... No, scratch that! They BLATANTLY SAY they wish they were Bella!


And that is why the Twilight series became a hit~ well, to girls and gay men mostly! I realized that most of my guy friends are not fans. For those who were dragged and nagged by their girlfriends to watch it, they find the story too cheesy. Too much sappy lines that they defined it as GAY. Well, on my end, I think they just find Edward and Jacob's characters as big punches to their ego. Who would want their girls' panties falling to the floor at the sight of those two?

Well, actually, most girls see themselves in Bella~ a feeble, clumsy, homey and insecure girl. The story somehow brainwashes women's thoughts to a point that they sympathize with Bella through her view of herself. And despite of this, she still managed to make two of the hottest guys on earth to fall for her desperately. Oh and did I say "Normal Guys?" No they aren't! To top it all off, they aren't even human. They're even better! One's an immortal, hot but cold-blooded vampire and the other is the arch-enemy, hunk-bodied werewolf. Now tell me, if you're sympathizing with Bella, why wouldn't you go gaga over this movie?!

So why am I not moved? 

Hmm... I guess I already met my dream guy. I don't see myself in Bella. I don't find myself swooning at Edward's lines nor drooling at Jacob's well-defined abdominals. Yes, I have read parts of the Twilight book and have seen the movies, Twilight and Eclipse, on DVDs out of curiosity. But it did not raise any special interest to a point of making myself a fanatic. It is what it is: a modern-day Romeo and Juliet romance, ready to elicit the sappiest and most overly romantic ideals.

Besides, I already have drama in my life~ cheesy lines and romantic scenes included! And the best thing about  it is: IT'S REAL! 

with lots of drama,

An Inconvenient Truth... Hearing it live from Al Gore.

Climate change. The Greenhouse Effect. Global warming.

Do those words ring a bell? Oh don't you kid me around! As far as I could remember, I've been hearing them since my elementary days. I could recall my grade school teacher telling me about how the greenhouse gases trap the heat from the sun from escaping the earth's atmosphere. But at that time, people weren't alarmed. People were naive and wouldn't care less. People were indifferent.

But here we are, decades later, reaping the effects of the things we have brought upon ourselves. We are perspiring in our seats while doing nothing and the only ones to blame are us. Only decades after, we have felt the changes in climate that were once urban legends to most people. Who has the last laugh now? --No one.

Being a biologist, I did not have to hear it from Al Gore that the reason behind climate change is the amount of carbon emissions. The amount of carbon in the air is directly proportional to the increase in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. In short, the more carbon, the more hot it gets. And the more hot it gets, the more it gets nasty for all of us: stronger and more frequent typhoons, melting of the ice caps, flooding, drought, seasonal change and the destruction of the balance of the ecosystem. In short, life on earth is in grave danger. It couldn't be worse.

So where did all the carbon come from? Yes, carbon is embedded in the framework of most matter here on earth but how come it's accumulating in the atmosphere? I think we all know the answer... even a seventh grader could answer that. Humanity is at fault. We have been taking everything for granted at our own convenience. We are the ones to blame in the ongoing destruction of the environment and eventually, ourselves.

If most of us knows that we are responsible, why aren't we doing anything to stop it? Why are millions of people still smoke cigarettes or burn things? Why do people still cut trees? Why are millions of people still pretending that this things are not happening? Why aren't we thinking of solutions and actually executing them? Why? Because most people are still not informed.

When Al Gore first spoke about climate change and the reason behind it, there were a lot of detractors. He received a lot of criticisms and most of them are saying that he is just using this for the money. He was even nicknamed, "the carbon billionaire." I am not here to defend him but it is not the main issue at hand. Why? Because right now, the things that he is presenting are not mere theories. They are facts. It is an evident truth-- an inconvenient one. And it is a truth that we all have to face.

So, what is the truth? Why is it inconvenient? The truth is that if we don't act now, our planet is going to be destroyed. It is inconvenient for all of us because in order to save the planet, we have to change a lot of things- most of them compromising our own convenience and comfort. But as Al Gore said, "It is not just any act. It is not just any political act. It is not just an environmental matter. It is a moral obligation. It is a moral action because the fate of living things in this planet lies in our hands. It is God's will for us to take care of nature."

Yes it is inconvenient for me to bring a recyclable cloth bag every time I shop, so I would not have to add to the plastic scum, but I always do. Yes it is inconvenient or uncustomary to refuse to put a small item I have bought in small plastic bags, but I always do. All my accounts and bills are enrolled in online banking systems so that they would not have to print out my bills in paper that adds to our trash. And yes, it is inconvenient for me to put small bits of trash in my pockets or bag until I come near to a trash bin, but I do, even if at the end of the day, when I get home, I have a handful of trash in my bag. Every act to save the earth is inconvenient but we need to do this. We all have to have that inner voice telling us to do the right thing in terms of saving the environment.

I may not have the money to do something big for the environment but as a responsible individual, I am doing as much as I could to help. If all of us are aware of our actions and the repercussions, it will be a great step. So tell me, what have you done to save the Earth? 

Well, it's not to late to start now.

P.S.

Opinions regarding the Al Gore in Manila Talk: 

Yes, Al Gore's talk is inspirational and important but in my opinion, it should have been better if the talk was accessible for the masses. I do believe in the issue at hand and I admire Al Gore's dedication. When I first heard that Al Gore will be here live in Manila to talk about "An Inconvenient Truth", I was elated because finally, someone is giving importance to the environmental crisis and it would be an eye-opener to most people. However, as I saw the cost of the tickets for the said event, it was way too expensive. Truth be told, if I have never won a Bronze ticket from Anton Diaz, I would be having second thoughts about buying one. I wouldn't go there just because it costs that much... It definitely raised questions in my head regarding the conspiracy theories behind Al Gore's environmental causes.

And so I was there. It was a symposium but it felt like I was attending an elite-party event. Where are the people who are passionate about the environment? Students? Teachers? Most people there are the high-rollers and celebrities. Most people are those who could afford 15K tickets to something that I could hear and see from a DVD of Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. And here we are talking about something that the masses should be aware of. Why charge that much? Why not educate those people who are more in need of these information? You think those highly-educated, top-of-the-social-class and disciplined people are those who throw trash carelessly on the streets? I think not.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was there. I was hoping NoyNoy Aquino was there so that when he's proclaimed president he would do something about it. Though I'm thankful some politicians were there. Why? Because as Al gore said, "Political will is the most renewable source." At least they could do something about it. It's about time.

An Unfinished Story…

A short story I wrote while I was waiting for my hunny... Someday, I will write a book... Someday...

An unfinished story…

“It has been two weeks already since she last cried…”

This was the thought that lingered in her mind as she sat on the bench, listening to the sound of flowing water from a fountain nearby.

She was all alone. Though in an unfamiliar place, she found it comfortable sitting along the length of a wooden bench, feeling the wind as it touched her face and blew her wispy hair around her head. It was refreshingly windy that afternoon and it created a serene and somewhat surreal feeling around her. Maybe it was because of the ambiance created by the nearby coastal area… or maybe it was just the lack of sleep inducing a hypnotic state.

Though peaceful as it seems, she was still focused on her fingers. She always had that undesirable habit of digging her fingernails into her cuticles and the skin around her nails, creating multiple hangnails and small bleeding nicks and wounds. Her fingertips looked raw and abused. She is well aware of this habit and she also knows she does this, immersed in subconscious state, when in deep thought, troubled or anxious about something.

Though her eyes were weary and in need of slumber, her mind was incredibly alert. Everytime the sound of footsteps grew louder, her eyes gazes up to catch a glimpse of a face, hoping it was someone familiar.

Ayahnla was waiting for someone.

When she realized that she was alone again, she snapped back to her previous thought.

“It seems like it has been a long time since I cried. But it has only been two weeks.”

Two weeks… two weeks yet something inside her warned her of an upcoming storm. Something in her heart stirred with hints of sadness and fear of the unkonwn… something that tried to fill her chest and choke her breath until her eyes felt damp.

Her eyes were drying up because of the strong breeze. But at that moment, she felt them blinking fast and trying to prevent a tear or two to come out.

“Stop being so melodramatic!” Ayahnla was telling that to herself. “You’re a big girl now. You should be more logical and objective.”

It was a good try, but no matter how much “self-uplifting” words she comes up with, the same emotions are bothering her. And with this thought, the sound of Mak’s voice echoed over and over again…

“I want to consider this option because I want us to start already. It is for our future and I want to be with you for the rest of my life… though I don’t want to be away from you. I love you hun.”

His words were trying to comfort her. But Ayahnla’s mind was already focused on the part where they will be away from each other for a long time…

Ayahnla shuddered. She was trying to whisk away that thought. She knows that Mak was making sense. All she had to do was swallow the painful thought of being away from each other… of not feeling each other’s embrace… of missing the soft caresses, sweet kisses and the warmth of each other’s complimenting smiles…

Ayahnla snapped back to reality when she heard footsteps coming her way. She looked up to see if it was him. It was just the janitor passing by. It was a close call… she doesn’t want him to see her like this.

She looked at her watch and saw it was already four in the afternoon. Mak said the meeting will be over by around this time. With all the strength left within her, she sat upright, fixing her blouse and her hair. She wiped her eyes with her fingers and took a deep breath.

As soon as she fixed herself up, she heard footsteps going her way again. This time, there was a certain cadence to it, like it was almost running. And even without looking, she knew it was him.

“Hi hun,” Mak said with a concerned tone. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As they walked to a nearby mall, they talked about Mak’s decision on whether to leave or not. After laying out all the cards on the table, He asked her, “Do you want me to go?”

Ayahnla was silent. But in her mind it was chaos. In her mind, it sounded like her voice was saying 100 different things all at the same time. She could barely process what she wanted to say. Her silence was the direct opposite of what’s running deep in her thoughts. She can’t bare to look at him because she knows she would cry.

“If it is for us, I don’t want to hinder you from it.” Ayahnla slowly answered.

“No! I don’t want you to go.” The voice in her mind echoed.

“It is for the best, right? I want us to start too.” She added.

“Please don’t go. I don’t want to be away from you.” The voice in her mind added.

They were walking side by side while they talked, with their fingers entwined with each other. Ayahnla could feel Mak’s grip tightening with each answer. Somehow, she felt that it was his way of saying that he knows how she feels.

For how long were they silently walking, Ayahnla could not remember. No more word has been said, yet it seemed that they were silently talking to each other… silently comforting each other.

“No one and nothing will come between us.” Mak whispered to her ears as he stopped and looked in her eyes. “Always remember that. Nothing is for certain right now. It’s either I will leave or not. But no matter what happens, I’m with you…”

Ayahnla looked in his sad eyes and saw that he meant everything that he said. Somehow, what Mak said made her feel better. But deep in her heart, there was still an undeniable feeling of sadness.

The skies were a bit dim that afternoon. It  was a warning of an upcoming rain. Yet throught the clouds, there was a ray of sunlight shining down, casting faint shadows of builings and poles… and of two people in a tight embrace.

...

 With lots of drama,

The Vintage Drama Queen's Make-up Loot~ What's in the Bag?

As they say, a girl's gotta invest in some high quality make-up. As for me, though I believe that it is always good to find good bargain finds, based on experience, investing on high quality make-up is a must. I admit, I am a make-up junkie but it doesn't mean I can't live without it. Though true beauty can be seen underneath it all, what is wrong with enhancing your best features? And most especially, what's a little help for concealing those nasty, "it-wasn't-there-before," imperfections?

My mantra in applying make-up is, the more natural it looks, the more appealing it is. And based on my experience in using make-up and cosmetics, the pricey lot are  more indistinguishable. It is quite ironic right? I mean, who pays more for make-up so it wouldn't be that discernible?! But I guess a huge fraction of it goes to  the knowledge on how to apply make up. Believe me, a lot of people doesn't know how to do this...

Well, fortunately, I was blessed with an artistic eye. And armed with my make-up loot, each day is a beautiful day! So what's in the bag? Well, the latest addition to my armada is my NARS blush in Orgasm shade. Based from research, this is one of the best blushes and is used by a lot of celebrities. That's why I grabbed it when I saw it on eBay. And I love the subtle shade it gives to my cheeks-- though it may not look like I am having an orgasm, it hints a playful but not over-the top blush. It just gives my face a youthful vibe.

If you ask me what are the things in my kit that I could not live without, it would be the concealer and my eyebrow pencil. Why because I have dark undereye circles whenever I lack sleep (which is basically most of the time) and I was blessed with eyebrows that have some bald spots. I am not a lipstick person so take it away and I would care less. Powders and foundations are not that big a deal too. My liquid concealer is from BIOTHERM named "Forget It". Kinda catchy for me and it really does live up to its name. It makes me forget that I have stuff in my face that I don't really want. I also have a cream concealer pallette from E.L.F.  for specific color toned imperfections. My eyebrow pencil is from CHANEL but in order to properly fix my eyebrows, which I believe makes a big change in the face whenever it is altered, I use my MARY KAY brow gel which kinda looks like a mini clear mascara. And speaking of mascara, I love the mascaras of COVER GIRL! For me, they have the most natural, no-clumping, full and defined look. For now, I am using their waterproof lash blast length.

My foundation is CHANEL teint innocence, which gives full coverage but I seldom use it during casual days. I just use my CHANEL Poudre Universelle pressed powder over properly toned and moisturized skin. It just gives me light coverage and looks natural. Both of them are courtesy of my mother who also gave me my CHANEL eyeliner Kohl pencils in grey, brandy, copper smoke and teak. I also have an eyeliner palette from LANCOME which has 4 natural shades: Filigree Shimmer, Metallic Burgundy, Matte Dark Brown and Semi-Matte Light Brown. I use the Filigree shimmer for accenting my brow bone while I sometimes use the matte dark brown for my eyebrows using the eyeliner brush.

As for applicators, I believe that proper application of make- up relies on the good ol' make-up brush. Once you tried using brush instead of the puff applicator that always comes with the compact, you will never go back! Why? because it dispenses just the right amount of powder or make-up on your face without clumping or making it look cakey and uneven. Cool huh? Plus, it gives you that sophisticated, "I-know-how-to-use-make-up" look! Try it! My make-up brushes are just the basics. Eyeliner, Eyeshadow, lip and blush travel-size brushes from BODY SHOP and foundation, eyeshadow and stippling brushes from bare naturals. I also have a separate brush from CHANEL, courtesy again of my mother.

So basically, those are the make-up loot in my bag. Oh and did I mention that I also have make-up loot that is not in my bag? Well, there's always a next post. Those are the BB creams, some lipsticks and mineral blushes and etc. that are not for everyday use. As for now, the stuff that I mention are the stuff I carry all the time, wherever I go. So, next time you bump into me, you know what I have in my make-up bag! Not really a big deal for most people but it's something girls gotta share. Who knows, I could give you a tip or two about brands that I have used... but most especially, you could toss in your preferred brands so I could try em' too!

So, what make-up stuff would you recommend me?

With lots of drama,

Heat, Boredom and Tips for Online Shopping.

The heat of summer combined with El Niño's wrath is definitely making me crave for a cooling breeze or an ice cold beverage. The increase in temperature is going into my head, making me hallucinate white sandy beaches and blue azure waters while basking in the sun with my Prada shades and my Vitamin A swimsuit while having an ice-blended Piña colada, complete with a cocktail umbrella.

Poof!

There it goes again! My daydream bubble aka hallucination vanished into thin air, revealing a whitewashed room, with a laptop and mobile phone in front of me. In spite of these gadgets and internet social pages, I am currently bored to mental degradation and the heat is already having a killing spree of cells in my body. I have already harvested my imaginary plants, fed my binary coded fishes and cooked make-believe food. What else should I do? The heat! The boredom! I am slowly withering away...

The sudden visualization of myself, getting older in front of my laptop, hairs turning white and skin getting wrinkled, made me jerk out of my chair. Then I remembered I have something left to do! Shop online and blog about it.

I have been an avid online shopper for years since the boom of online and internet stores. I have my own eBay store as well and I occasionally post my barely used stuff up there an for online garage sale. It generates cash for a new online shopping spree! I think online shopping has its benefits. For me, it saves me money because I don't have to go out and spend on gas or fare and online stores have the best bargain offers that you can't see in malls! Even the hard to find branded stash are in online stores, with less the price! Another benefit is convenience. Just a few minutes (or sometimes hours) and you could buy the stuff, pay for it online and wait for it to get shipped right to your doorstep. However, the down side is, there are a lot of scammers out there in the online world. So you just have to know who to trust.

As I have said before, I have been in the online shopping biz for quite a while so I already know how to buy, what to buy and who to buy from. I recently bought a new pair of Old Navy bikini swim wear, Bath and Body Works foaming wash and cologne, Mary Kay brow gel and a Smashbox O-bronze intuitive bronzer all for a bargain price, almost 75% off if i bought them from retail stores!

So for you newbies on the internet shopping world, here are some pointers:

1. Before online shopping, open a Gcash account or have someone in your household or your circle of friends with a globe number have a gcash account. Most online transactions are done through this. If you don't have any access to a gcash account, you could pay via Globe center: Just fill out the gcash forms, know the seller's full name, address and globe number.
2. If you are shopping from eBay, check the feedback score of the seller and his or her feedback messages. If  he or she is a power seller or with feedback scores greater than 50, you could really trust the person. But sometimes, even accounts could get hacked.
3. Depending on the value of what you are buying (ex. Electronics, mobile phones), the payment method and delivery mode should also be secure. If you are just buying small toiletries amounting to less than 500 to 1000 bucks, then it is okay to have the transaction via Gcash and have it shipped via any courier (Air21, Xend, 2Go, LBC). But if you are buying valuable items like electronics or items with values 1000 up, then a bank deposit is a more secure transaction or a Cash upon meet-up or delivery is best.
4. Know the authenticity of what you are buying (ex. bags, signature items). If the seller could not provide you   a proof of authenticity and he or she is selling it dirt-cheaper than the actual price range, then it must be a fake or a class A item. You could always ask the seller.
5. If you are buying through eBay, some items are sold through bidding from a lowest bid price. So know how to bid. (I will post bidding tips soon.)
6. And Lastly, if you are in doubt during the transaction, do not continue. Some online shopping sites like multiply do not have a feedback score and rely on comments posted on the page. So just use your instinct and read, read, read. 

Well, hopefully, I could help you with these tips. For any questions and concerns about online shopping, just feel free to message me here! 

With lots of drama,

Life is a Box of CHANEL Goodies... It is not always what you want.

Yes. For me, right now, Life is a box of Chanel goodies with a golden glow emanating from the gold and black box as I slowly unfolded the black ribbon with gold Chanel prints.

Seriously, for a while, I thought I was hearing glorious musical voices as I opened the box. The anticipation was overwhelming. I was very careful enough, mindful of the delicate ribbon and box, as if, they too were worth as much as the contents. My mom sent a long due package from Canada and it arrived last night at home. I was not home yet because I was assigned at Bulacan. When my dad told me the package arrived, I told myself, "At last..." It was supposed to arrive last December as a birthday/ Christmas present for me and my family. But alas, due to the cost of sending a package that big, it took 3 months just to get here, customs and all. That is why the anticipation was already up to the brim to a point of indifference. It was so long overdue.

Now back to the moment I had with the gold Chanel box...

After untying the ribbon, I inhaled a deep breath of air. This is it. I opened it and saw a lot of Chanel goodies... a compact face powder, Two perfumes, a make-up remover, sun protection cream, body firming creme, lotion, soap... 

I stared at them, touched and replaced the stuff back in the box again.

I smiled. 

I closed the box again. 

Tied the ribbon again and looked at the other stuff that mom sent us.

Aside from the box, I received 3 packages of gourmet tea from a well-known tea store in Canada, David's Tea. I love tea that's why my heart kinda skipped a bit when I was smelling the tea and reading the descriptions of the different infusions and flavors. I also received 3 pairs of socks, which made my smile even bigger because I know I love cute short socks and I need them for everyday work. I was also excited with the pairs of lingerie and cute undergarments my mom sent me because I love cute and sexy lingerie. I was also thrilled for my two brothers who received Pokemon Platinum and Ranger game cartridges for their Nintendo DS. I was also happy for my sister who got a Kate Moss perfume and some toiletries that she needs too. My dad also have new shirts.

After all the excitement and happy warm feelings, we finally fixed up the mess that we made while unpacking. Then there was silence as each of us retreated to our own rooms. I looked at my own loot and realized something. Of all the things my mom sent me, the Chanel box of goodies has the highest worth. But it did not give me the happiness and thrill that I felt when I smelled the tea that I love and wanted. It did not make me giggle with satisfaction like the way I did when I saw the teflon muffin pans, pepper mills, and cooling rack that I could use for my baking. And it did not make me smile for long as much as the smile that I feel inside for my family because they are happy.

I realized, like the Chanel box of goodies, life sometimes gives us great things and big opportunities that we should be thankful for but would not make us happy. This is the reason why that guy from your office turned down a promotion and just settled for something less. That is also the reason why that girl from your neighborhood settled for the middle-class simpleton rather than the corporate high-roller. And that is the reason why people are happy even if they don't have everything... Because they have what they want... they chose what they need.

I remembered my mom asking me for what I need and what I want. I did not ask for that box. All I wanted was a Clinique Happy and a Davidoff Cool Water perfume because they were my signature scents. :)

And in lieu with the current Holy Week celebration, it also made me realize that all these things are not we need in life. We may be happy for a while for all these material things but in the end, we will always be unsatisfied. Because in Him alone will we be truly happy. Because we need Him in our lives...

Have a Holy Maundy Thursday everyone.

With lots of drama,

Are You an Obsessive-Compulsive-Neat-Freak-Traveller Wannabe? Be at Beabi!

Attention obsessive-compulsive and neat-freak people who loves to clean and organize things in every system known to man as possible: beabi is here! If you are the type of person who loves to separate, organize and pack things according to kind, type, etc., you are definitely gonna go gaga over this store! And if you are a pretentious, organized person wannabe like me who loves the idea of having organized stuff but always fails to take action, this is where it could actually start working.

Beabi offers a lot of travel repackages, containers for pills, lotions, perfumes, creams, dentures, contact lens and solutions.  They also have bags, knapsacks, bag organizers and other travel cases for a lot of things that usually are cluttered in your bag or in your room! It actually reminded me of the now extinct "Anonymous" store that sold clear, unbranded containers for everyday normal stuff. But judging from the line-up of the items that they are offering, Beabi is specialized with travel containers and bags that are suitable for organized packing.

Since I am usually assigned in a provincial area and I need to travel every week, I had the need to buy their contact lens solution bottle. Why? Because I want to travel light and the contact lens solution is so big and fat and heavy... Their items are just simple, nothing dramatic (very ironic for me). Just -plain colors, no designs. I guess they are after the function of the items since they are intended for repackaging.

Well, that was a start for me... I don't think I'm gonna have a complete overhaul of my clutter and start organizing my stuff either by the Dewey Decimal System or some color-size-starting letter system. A small bottle is a start and I am thinking of going back there to buy some lotion and shampoo containers... or maybe even an underwear/ lingerie bag. Hmm...

I could already imagine myself being a neat-freak... or a very organized person with little packaged and grouped items, neatly stacked in my very clean room...hmm... on second thought... NOT!

Poof! there it goes again... my mind is playing tricks on my ability to clean my room... and my life. :)

Maybe, next time, I'll write about my very organized room and how long I could keep it that way.


With lots of drama,