May 31, 2004
May 30, 2004
Those fucking terrorists!
I just found out about what happened to that oil company in Khobar, Saudi Arabia. That city is where my father is. And he's also working at an oil company with westerners. >.<
May 26, 2004
Good Stuff
For the first time since I came here, I bought ice cream today: Haagen-Dazs Cookies & Cream which I think tastes exactly like my favorite brand in the Philippines [Magnolia]. Thus, I do not understand why Haagen-Dazs is so expensive everywhere.
Since we only have roughly two months left here in Japan,I decided that it's time to make the grocery price entry. So here are the stuff I bought today, please compare them to the prices where you live and tell me what you think!
Plastic Bag - Y6
Oreo Cookies 18pcs - Y159
Cheese Cream Spaghetti Sauce 70g - Y139
Spaghetti 450g - Y199
Cauliflower - Y259
Broccoli - Y98
Banana 5pcs - Y98
Haagen Dazs C&C 1pint - Y490
Squash - Y160
Mango - Y179
Parsley 3.5g - Y120
Black Pepper 18.5g - Y144
The sad thing is all these prices don't have tax yet. :( Anyway, today's exchange rate is JPY109=US$1. Are they cheaper or more expensive where you are?
On another note, doesn't it totally make your day when the DJ on the radio not only plays, but replies to your email request? ^^;
Since we only have roughly two months left here in Japan,I decided that it's time to make the grocery price entry. So here are the stuff I bought today, please compare them to the prices where you live and tell me what you think!
Plastic Bag - Y6
Oreo Cookies 18pcs - Y159
Cheese Cream Spaghetti Sauce 70g - Y139
Spaghetti 450g - Y199
Cauliflower - Y259
Broccoli - Y98
Banana 5pcs - Y98
Haagen Dazs C&C 1pint - Y490
Squash - Y160
Mango - Y179
Parsley 3.5g - Y120
Black Pepper 18.5g - Y144
The sad thing is all these prices don't have tax yet. :( Anyway, today's exchange rate is JPY109=US$1. Are they cheaper or more expensive where you are?
On another note, doesn't it totally make your day when the DJ on the radio not only plays, but replies to your email request? ^^;
May 25, 2004
Nasty things
Gwah gwah gwah! It's so hot! It's so dry! I need humidity! :((
Ok, for the first time, I am going to say it. Amazon sucks, especially Amazon.co.jp! You know why? Because I ordered this over a month ago and it's not yet here, and because no one has bought me anything from my wishlist. Heheh. :P~
Ok, for the first time, I am going to say it. Amazon sucks, especially Amazon.co.jp! You know why? Because I ordered this over a month ago and it's not yet here, and because no one has bought me anything from my wishlist. Heheh. :P~
May 24, 2004
Oh yeah!
Annie and I were walking towards the supermarket when I asked her "Where's the karaoke?" to which she pointed to the second floor of the building and said "Over there." The she asked if I wanted to go, and I was like, OK! So we went!
The funny thing is, my friends and I have been planning since well, forever, that we would go there, but we always cancelled. Since Annie went last week with some friends, she knew where it was and what we needed to do.
Yeah it was great. I love singing, although singing doesn't like me! LOL. I will forever always be wishing that I could sing better. But anyways, it was FUN FUN FUN! And it wasn't expensive, too. So I'm sure I'm gonna be dropping by there quite often from now on.
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| A photo of a karaoke room, although the one we went to wasn't this posh. |
The funny thing is, my friends and I have been planning since well, forever, that we would go there, but we always cancelled. Since Annie went last week with some friends, she knew where it was and what we needed to do.
Yeah it was great. I love singing, although singing doesn't like me! LOL. I will forever always be wishing that I could sing better. But anyways, it was FUN FUN FUN! And it wasn't expensive, too. So I'm sure I'm gonna be dropping by there quite often from now on.
May 21, 2004
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Jean Rhys is a great writer. We're also reading her unfinished biography in class now and she has this way with words that are unique to her. It's a bit sad that she's not very popular.
If you have read and like Jane Eyre, I recommend Wide Sargasso Sea. It will give you an insight of life in the West Indies (as Rhys was from there herself and put so much of her life story into the book) and will make you understand why someone like Mr. Rochester would marry someone like Bertha. Of course, it also gives you Bertha's side of the story, and that's great because "there is always the other side, always".
May 17, 2004
Cable tv!!!
*bangs my fists on the table* I WANT CABLE TV, DAMMIT!!!
There's just so many things happening nowadays, and I don't get the chance to see them. There's the Philippine elections, the Indian elections and Sonia Gandhi, all the stuff going on in Iraq, the (just finished) Survivor All-Stars, the marriage of Denmark's Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson, and of course the riot over American Idol's most recent episode. *buhuhuh* I feel like I'm in another planet. (Or, maybe I really am!)
'Neways, I never did really care much about this before, but I have to say that I am proud of what Camile Velasco [born in the Philippines, raised in HI], and especially Jasmine Trias [born and raised in HI, Filipino parents] have achieved on American Idol. Just making it to American Idol is already an achievement in itself! Even if Jasmine doesn't win, it will still be ok. The two of them have given us Filipinos something to be proud of.
By the way, isn't that great that the last 3 finalists of the show are so diverse? There's a white girl, an African-American, and an Asian-American. Kewl, eh?! American Idol is truly American! LOL.
Also, I just learned that The Amazing Race 5 will premiere on July 6. Hmm... that means I'll probably miss 4 or 5 episodes before I can watch it at home. Not bad, not bad. *sings* I'm so excited... (and I just can't hide it!) :P~
Partial Unofficial Results of the Philippine Elections
There's just so many things happening nowadays, and I don't get the chance to see them. There's the Philippine elections, the Indian elections and Sonia Gandhi, all the stuff going on in Iraq, the (just finished) Survivor All-Stars, the marriage of Denmark's Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson, and of course the riot over American Idol's most recent episode. *buhuhuh* I feel like I'm in another planet. (Or, maybe I really am!)
'Neways, I never did really care much about this before, but I have to say that I am proud of what Camile Velasco [born in the Philippines, raised in HI], and especially Jasmine Trias [born and raised in HI, Filipino parents] have achieved on American Idol. Just making it to American Idol is already an achievement in itself! Even if Jasmine doesn't win, it will still be ok. The two of them have given us Filipinos something to be proud of.
By the way, isn't that great that the last 3 finalists of the show are so diverse? There's a white girl, an African-American, and an Asian-American. Kewl, eh?! American Idol is truly American! LOL.
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| Good luck, Jasmine! ^^; |
Also, I just learned that The Amazing Race 5 will premiere on July 6. Hmm... that means I'll probably miss 4 or 5 episodes before I can watch it at home. Not bad, not bad. *sings* I'm so excited... (and I just can't hide it!) :P~
Horrible horrible!
One of my friends sent me an email with a link to the video showing the beheading of Nick Berg. I don't know why I even clicked on it. Oh my God. It's just so so horrible...
[ADD-ON]
After I saw those pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners, I was feeling so bad for those Iraqi people. And then they did this. And it like, erased most of my sympathy towards them. I shouldn't be generalizing, but in situations like these, it just can't be helped.
Gah. It's a sad, cruel world out there. *crawls back into my mummy's tummy*
[ADD-ON]
After I saw those pictures of abused Iraqi prisoners, I was feeling so bad for those Iraqi people. And then they did this. And it like, erased most of my sympathy towards them. I shouldn't be generalizing, but in situations like these, it just can't be helped.
Gah. It's a sad, cruel world out there. *crawls back into my mummy's tummy*
May 12, 2004
WTF?!?
I know I said I don't care, but damn it all! Fernando Poe, Jr. is leading in the damned election counting!
Why are Filipinos so stupid? We're said to value education, but in reality, we're ignoramuses with deficient memories! How long ago was it that an actor, college drop-out of a president was removed from office? Not even four years ago! And now FPJ is leading! Damn you, people! I do not want--I don't think I can take it--it is just far too embarrassing to have a high school drop out for a president! Please God!!!
[ADD-ON]
The nationwide exit poll tally made by the SWS [Social Weather Stations], however, showed Mrs. Arroyo getting the highest voting percentage in Central Visayas or Region 7 with 74.35 percent while Poe settled for only 11.97 percent.
--From PhilStar.com
Thank God people from my part of the country still apparently use their heads.
Why are Filipinos so stupid? We're said to value education, but in reality, we're ignoramuses with deficient memories! How long ago was it that an actor, college drop-out of a president was removed from office? Not even four years ago! And now FPJ is leading! Damn you, people! I do not want--I don't think I can take it--it is just far too embarrassing to have a high school drop out for a president! Please God!!!
[ADD-ON]
The nationwide exit poll tally made by the SWS [Social Weather Stations], however, showed Mrs. Arroyo getting the highest voting percentage in Central Visayas or Region 7 with 74.35 percent while Poe settled for only 11.97 percent.
--From PhilStar.com
Thank God people from my part of the country still apparently use their heads.
May 11, 2004
Abuse in Iraq
The pictures of the abused POW's in Iraq are just so completely, utterly horrible, I can't find it in my mind to figure out what kind of insane thoughts those US personnel were thinking when they did that.
I used to think very highly of the US military. Technically, they saved my homeland from both the Spaniards and the Japanese, and for that I look up to that institution so much and have only gratitude for the country, regardless of the not-so-desirable things they get into some times. But these new developments in Iraq are just so disgusting, I honestly can't believe they allowed this to happen. True, in war, things like the torture of prisoners are bound to happen... but that kind of torture? Those pictures? The things they made those Iraqis do? My God. I know they're just the deeds of a select few, but still...
They could have done a better job. They should have done a better job. Oh, US.
 |
| One of the photos of torture at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. |
I used to think very highly of the US military. Technically, they saved my homeland from both the Spaniards and the Japanese, and for that I look up to that institution so much and have only gratitude for the country, regardless of the not-so-desirable things they get into some times. But these new developments in Iraq are just so disgusting, I honestly can't believe they allowed this to happen. True, in war, things like the torture of prisoners are bound to happen... but that kind of torture? Those pictures? The things they made those Iraqis do? My God. I know they're just the deeds of a select few, but still...
They could have done a better job. They should have done a better job. Oh, US.
May 10, 2004
Philippine Presidential Elections
Three years ago, during the last elections, I couldn't vote because it was also held in May and I would only turn 18 on November that year. This year, I couldn't vote again because I'm here in Japan. Hmmm. Maybe I'm not meant to vote in my country's elections. (Who knows where I'll be in the next 3 years?) >.<
Anyway, today was election day in the Philippines. The incumbent president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is running again even though ordinarily, a president is only allowed to have one term in office. Arroyo is different, because she wasn't elected during the last elections. She became the president because of a people power revolution--the second time in the country that a president was ousted in just over a decade.
Her biggest opponent is popular action star Fernando Poe, Jr. An actor, a school drop-out (high school, college, whatever, I don't know), and no experience in politics. He is a close friend of the former Pres. Joseph "Erap" Estrada who was replaced by Arroyo because of corruption charges, and is apparently backed by comrades of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos (this I heard on AFN, here in Japan--see how popular/notorious we are?). If he wins, hmmm. I don't know what's going to happen, and frankly, I don't care anymore.
My mother called me today and we talked for a bit about the elections. She said it was a tight race, and expressed her concerns if Poe would win. My reaction was: it doesn't matter. If he wins, and the people find out they don't like him (anymore), I'm sure there's gonna be another people-power revolution at EDSA again. But really, Philippine politics is just going in one direction, and that is DOWN. No matter how good that person is who comes to office, I doubt if he/she can make a difference. There are just too many obstacles and people just wanna pull you down if you're on top. At the end of the day, all I can say is: I don't care who wins anymore, it's hopeless. One thing is sure though, if Bush was the president of the Philippines, I bet he would already have been replaced ages ago. LOL. ^^;
On another note, today as I was on the train, I saw a middle-aged Japanese man rise from his seat on the train and offer it to an older Japanese woman. Wow. That was amazing. I finally saw it. You can't believe how happy I was. LOL.
 |
| The presidentiables: Fernando Poe, Jr., Panfilo Lacson and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. |
Anyway, today was election day in the Philippines. The incumbent president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is running again even though ordinarily, a president is only allowed to have one term in office. Arroyo is different, because she wasn't elected during the last elections. She became the president because of a people power revolution--the second time in the country that a president was ousted in just over a decade.
Her biggest opponent is popular action star Fernando Poe, Jr. An actor, a school drop-out (high school, college, whatever, I don't know), and no experience in politics. He is a close friend of the former Pres. Joseph "Erap" Estrada who was replaced by Arroyo because of corruption charges, and is apparently backed by comrades of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos (this I heard on AFN, here in Japan--see how popular/notorious we are?). If he wins, hmmm. I don't know what's going to happen, and frankly, I don't care anymore.
My mother called me today and we talked for a bit about the elections. She said it was a tight race, and expressed her concerns if Poe would win. My reaction was: it doesn't matter. If he wins, and the people find out they don't like him (anymore), I'm sure there's gonna be another people-power revolution at EDSA again. But really, Philippine politics is just going in one direction, and that is DOWN. No matter how good that person is who comes to office, I doubt if he/she can make a difference. There are just too many obstacles and people just wanna pull you down if you're on top. At the end of the day, all I can say is: I don't care who wins anymore, it's hopeless. One thing is sure though, if Bush was the president of the Philippines, I bet he would already have been replaced ages ago. LOL. ^^;
On another note, today as I was on the train, I saw a middle-aged Japanese man rise from his seat on the train and offer it to an older Japanese woman. Wow. That was amazing. I finally saw it. You can't believe how happy I was. LOL.
May 5, 2004
Red Brick Excursion
No doubt about it, the Minato Mirai 21 area is definitely my most favorite part in the whole wide world! Or OK, maybe just in Japan.
Today we went there again for the sole purpose of exploring the Red Brick Warehouse, which is a 100-year old building that was recently renovated, and is located right beside the Yokohama Bay. Well actually, there's two buildings, #1 and #2, and as their name imparts, they're entirely made of red bricks. The whole time we were there, I kept feeling as if I were in some old European town, or something. I even joked to my companions (Astiti, April and Annie) that it was the Buckingham Palace, but in red!
Now mind you, I have never been to London or seen the Buckingham Palace, or any European place for that matter, but that's just what I felt, partly because of the things I see on tv. Granted, it's not as elaborate as the Buckingham, but its design looks Victorian, I think (and looks almost similar to the Tokyo Station), so that's why I came to that conclusion. Even the ambience (lights, smells) of the place takes you into the past!
Now, you might wonder what could be in warehouse? Well, inside are really cool shops, cafes, and restaurants. There's just heaps of them! There was a shop that sold different kinds of international food, a pretty but totally expensive antique shop, and lotsa gift shops, among others.
The warehouse is located way, way deep into the MM21. It's virtually right beside the sea, and quite a walk from JR Sakuragicho or Minato Mirai station. But today, it was packed! So many people were there and it was hard to walk around. I guess it's because it's still Golden Week, even though today is the last day. Anyway, the place was cool and interesting. It was really cold out today, so I bet it would be more enjoyable to go there on a nice day.
Today I also got a copy of Tokyo Stories, a humorous fiction novel by a Filipina writer, Christine Cunanan-Miki, who has lived here in Japan for over a decade. It features short stories about the adventures and misadventures of foreigners here in Japan, particularly Tokyo. It looks interesting, so I hope it will be a good read.
Today we went there again for the sole purpose of exploring the Red Brick Warehouse, which is a 100-year old building that was recently renovated, and is located right beside the Yokohama Bay. Well actually, there's two buildings, #1 and #2, and as their name imparts, they're entirely made of red bricks. The whole time we were there, I kept feeling as if I were in some old European town, or something. I even joked to my companions (Astiti, April and Annie) that it was the Buckingham Palace, but in red!
Now mind you, I have never been to London or seen the Buckingham Palace, or any European place for that matter, but that's just what I felt, partly because of the things I see on tv. Granted, it's not as elaborate as the Buckingham, but its design looks Victorian, I think (and looks almost similar to the Tokyo Station), so that's why I came to that conclusion. Even the ambience (lights, smells) of the place takes you into the past!
Now, you might wonder what could be in warehouse? Well, inside are really cool shops, cafes, and restaurants. There's just heaps of them! There was a shop that sold different kinds of international food, a pretty but totally expensive antique shop, and lotsa gift shops, among others.
The warehouse is located way, way deep into the MM21. It's virtually right beside the sea, and quite a walk from JR Sakuragicho or Minato Mirai station. But today, it was packed! So many people were there and it was hard to walk around. I guess it's because it's still Golden Week, even though today is the last day. Anyway, the place was cool and interesting. It was really cold out today, so I bet it would be more enjoyable to go there on a nice day.
Today I also got a copy of Tokyo Stories, a humorous fiction novel by a Filipina writer, Christine Cunanan-Miki, who has lived here in Japan for over a decade. It features short stories about the adventures and misadventures of foreigners here in Japan, particularly Tokyo. It looks interesting, so I hope it will be a good read.
May 4, 2004
Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre
One of the classes I'm taking this semester is entitled Home and Abroad in English Literature, and for that class, we're discussing the unfinished autobiography of a classic English author, Jean Rhys. Rhys' most popular work is the novel Wide Sargasso Sea, which is the life story of Mr. Rochester's lunatic wife in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.
Next semester, they will be reading Wide Sargasso Sea in this class, and since I won't be here anymore, our professor kindly lent me a copy of the book so that I could read it ahead. Undoubtedly, among the two books, Jane Eyre is more popular, and since it is the inspiration (or at least one of its characters is)--the "original", so to speak--I decided to read it before reading Rhys' novel.
And so, I just finished Jane Eyre and it's amazing. It is so beautifully written, and by god, it made me cry (more like sob actually) so many times. There were parts in the book where Jane totally exasperated me, as she is very stubborn, but in the end, I was thankful for her personality. All in all, I love this novel. It is truly a literary gem and would recommend it to anyone. Now however, I'm kinda apprehensive about starting Wide Sargasso Sea. In Jane Eyre, the lunatic is kinda like the antagonist. And then I move on to this book, where she tells the story--she's the main character. I think it's going to be interesting. I know that there are always two sides to a story, but I just hope these two books don't contradict each other very much and that I won't be disappointed.
[ADD-ON]
On another note, I entered the Philippine Blog Awards contest. Heee. I know my journal's not very good, but what do I lose by entering? Nothing. I'll probably fix up this page soon to make it look more, erm... sophisticated. ^^; Hehehehe. If you wanna see the list of all the entries, just go to their website. My link's on there, too. XD~
Next semester, they will be reading Wide Sargasso Sea in this class, and since I won't be here anymore, our professor kindly lent me a copy of the book so that I could read it ahead. Undoubtedly, among the two books, Jane Eyre is more popular, and since it is the inspiration (or at least one of its characters is)--the "original", so to speak--I decided to read it before reading Rhys' novel.
And so, I just finished Jane Eyre and it's amazing. It is so beautifully written, and by god, it made me cry (more like sob actually) so many times. There were parts in the book where Jane totally exasperated me, as she is very stubborn, but in the end, I was thankful for her personality. All in all, I love this novel. It is truly a literary gem and would recommend it to anyone. Now however, I'm kinda apprehensive about starting Wide Sargasso Sea. In Jane Eyre, the lunatic is kinda like the antagonist. And then I move on to this book, where she tells the story--she's the main character. I think it's going to be interesting. I know that there are always two sides to a story, but I just hope these two books don't contradict each other very much and that I won't be disappointed.
[ADD-ON]
On another note, I entered the Philippine Blog Awards contest. Heee. I know my journal's not very good, but what do I lose by entering? Nothing. I'll probably fix up this page soon to make it look more, erm... sophisticated. ^^; Hehehehe. If you wanna see the list of all the entries, just go to their website. My link's on there, too. XD~
May 3, 2004
Buy, buy, buy!
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| Senso-ji, the Asakusa Kannon Temple |
We went to Asakusa yesterday. It's this place in Tokyo with a huge Buddhist temple and with a long row of shops selling omiyage. To give more meaning to Golden Week, April, Annie, and I dragged our butts over and joined the throng of people who flock this "omiyage heaven" [according to Annie]. April and I started buying our omiyage so that we wouldn't be totally bankrupt by the time we had to leave. I bought two frames and two Japanese dolls.
If you read Annie's journal, you might remember that she talked about fortunes. Well, we did get fortunes near the temple, and both April and Annie got Bad Fortune. I, on the other hand, who was the reluctant one in getting the said fortunes, got Best Fortune. Hahahaha. Well, praise the heavens! LOL. Here is my fortune:
No. 8 Best Fortune
Don't get along with the lower classes as the upper classes. Both in culture and fighting go well.
Happiness will come to you just like cutting rice plants with a cutter. If you have right mind and keep virtue as a man, you will be able to get best fortune.
*Your wishes will be realized. *A sick person will recover. Taking good care is important. *The lost article will be found. *The person you are waiting for will come. *Building a new house, removal, employment are all good. *When you make a trip, be careful. *Marriage is very good.
Now, isn't that kinda nice? ^^;
Today, I went to Yokohama and bought an electronic dictionary. Before, I decided that I wouldn't buy it, but it's really useful, so I decided to just get on with it. I also bought the 8th and last book of Chobits in Japanese, but it's all just kanji and doesn't have furigana, so I won't be able to read parts of it. Sad.
omiyage - souvenir or present (like from a trip); Tagalog - pasalubong
kanji - Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system
furigana - small hiragana, written above kanji as a phonetic comment and reading aid
hiragana - cursive formed Japanese kana syllabary
kanji - Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system
furigana - small hiragana, written above kanji as a phonetic comment and reading aid
hiragana - cursive formed Japanese kana syllabary
May 1, 2004
Golden Week
A one-week break started last Thursday to celebrate Golden Week here in Japan. Golden Week is a yearly event that allows people to take a break, travel, or do anything they went. During this season, there's also heaps of festivals everywhere and a lot of things happening all over.
Yesterday, I was supposed to go to Tokyo. But I cancelled because the friend that I was supposed to go with had an important appointment and couldn't go until late in the afternoon. I didn't wanna go by that time, because the travel is around one hour and a half one way, and that's kinda scary to be doing that late at night. I ended up going with April and Annie to Futamatagawa (two stations from where we are) and had late lunch and some window shopping. We got some movies, too, so last night we watched The Sweetest Thing and Good Will Hunting. It was my second time to watch the former, but my first to watch the latter. Both were really good, and I'm amazed that Matt Damon/Ben Affleck wrote the Oscar-winning GWH. But then again, they are Harvard peeps, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
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| Flying kites during Golden Week |
Yesterday, I was supposed to go to Tokyo. But I cancelled because the friend that I was supposed to go with had an important appointment and couldn't go until late in the afternoon. I didn't wanna go by that time, because the travel is around one hour and a half one way, and that's kinda scary to be doing that late at night. I ended up going with April and Annie to Futamatagawa (two stations from where we are) and had late lunch and some window shopping. We got some movies, too, so last night we watched The Sweetest Thing and Good Will Hunting. It was my second time to watch the former, but my first to watch the latter. Both were really good, and I'm amazed that Matt Damon/Ben Affleck wrote the Oscar-winning GWH. But then again, they are Harvard peeps, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.