day 19 – a song from your favorite album

This task is definitely giving me a headache, literally. I have a lot of favorite albums from different music genre, and it’s hard to choose only one among them. I’m in two minds whether to post this or that. I tried to make up my mind, and it seems like I can only shilly shally. So to stop myself from ranting about this simple stuff, I’ve decided to just post one song from each of my three favorite albums. I guess that would be much better.

The first song is from the album Old World Underground: Where are you? The song’s called On a Slow Night by one of the bands that I love because of the female vocalist – Metric. I like this song because it sounds smooth and pleasing despite the electric guitar accompaniment. It can also pass for a song that makes me fall asleep.

On a Slow Night – Metric

"True beautiful one
What have you gone and done
I can see all your moves are new
Tell me what did that salesman do to you

That catalogue replaced
The fine mind behind your face
No human trio can compete
When that three way mirror meets your eye

On a slow night
On a slow night..."

The second song is from the album Season of Poison from a synthpop/electronic band, Shiny Toy Guns. The song’s called Ghost Town. I love this album because almost all the tracks sound good. About Ghost Town, I like it mainly because it’s funky, and it’s not heavy. I can listen to it with family who’s not into rock music unlike me.

Ghost Town – Shiny Toy Guns

"Everyone living in ghost town
Everyone buried in waste land
We dont want to
We dont have to be like that
Living in ghost town
All the boys shout it out loud now
All the girls scream it out louder
We dont want to
We dont have to live like that
Oooooooh oooooohhhhhhhh

Hold me back you know were never gonna back down
Hold me back you know were never gonna back down
Were dead in this ghost town
You better let go so let go of me
Were dead in this ghost town
You better let go so let go let go of me..."

The third song is called Smokahontas by Attack! Attack! from their self-titled album. I just love all the songs from this band to beat! I still couldn’t get enough of their party-core music. For me, they’re the best modern band. I salute them for trying to experiment on their craft. That makes them the most popular band combining heavy metal and electronic. Long live rock!

Smokahontas – Attack! Attack!

"I'm alone in a crowded room

Conversations that I'll never remember

Trapped in a reality

That shouldn't be, that shouldn't be

Show me the way, allow me to see cause my heart is broken

Be my escape, allow me to hear with a word unspoken

Oh, I am separated from the one I was made to love

I'm pathetic and lost

They are so separating

I am no longer in control

You are upon me..."

The videos in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.

Royal Wedding of the Century

The newly weds kissed twice at the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

I consider my blog as a scrapbook of everything that sparks my interest which brings me to this point of sharing you the things I learned about the Royal Wedding from different reliable sources. It's not because I want to have a lot of readers or something, I just want this post to be like a living proof that I've also witnessed the unfolding of this once in a lifetime extravaganza.

It feels good to know that a commoner is now Her Royal Highness -- The Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Kate Middleton. She looks so beautiful and elegant with her simple-looking V-Neck wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The train is 2.17m long (BBC). According to The 2011 Royal Wedding's Official Website, the dress is made of French Chantilly lace combined with English Cluny lace hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. I've also read that her shoes have also been made hand-made by the AMQ team. Her tiara was also loaned to her by the Queen herself.

The bride's bouquet details are also worth-sharing:

• Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
• Sweet William – Gallantry
• Hyacinth – Constancy of love
• Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
• Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.

I absolutely love the music played while Kate was walking down the aisle. It felt like I was watching a fairytale. I'm pretty sure you felt it too. I also felt *kilig* or titillated when Prince Harry looked back at Kate with a smile on his face, and then he said something to Prince William. Maybe he told his brother, "You're wife-to-be looks so beautiful, mah-man!" Haha. I wonder why Prince William wasn't looking at her. He just looked straight ahead. Is that a royal protocol too, or was it just his choice? One more thing, I love the way Kate spoke her vow to her Prince. She sounded so soft and lady-like.

Watch the royal wedding videos through the official YouTube Channel for the British Monarchy through this link.

Royal Pictures

Pippa Middleton also in AMQ, with Grace & Eliza (Camilla's daughter).

The Mother of the Bride -- Carole Middleton, wearing powder blue Catherine Walker.

Princes William & Harry. The groom wears red tunic of the Irish Guards.

Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II in yellow Angela Kelly.

The newly ennobled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William & Kate.

Top 5 Best Hats by People

Mad-hatters indeed...

Princess Eugenie and Beatrice of York

Zara Philips -- my choice!

Duchess of Cornwall Camilla

Singer Joss Stone -- I didn't expect this.

Princess Letizia of Spain.

I admire Princess Kate and especially Prince William for their humility. I can see it in them that they’re truly sincere with their gratitude for the support of the whole world. They’re not high-minded unlike any other people who are already standing on the pedestal. I have a feeling that they have a plan or some sort to change the perception of the common people towards their royalty. Do you feel it too?

Photos courtesy of People. The images used in this post are not intended for copyrightinfringement. Best wishes to the Royal Couple of the Century! Be happy and in love every single day. Continue to inspire more couples.

GT: Techie Talk

I’m finally part of the GT loop. Welcome me with open arms, folks. I know I’m already four topics late, but there’s no harm about that, right girlfriends? I’m still groping on how I can connect with other girls who are into GT, so that they would also know my ideas on a given topic. But, that’s not a big problem to fret about. I know my girls will help me out.

This week’s topic is technology, which is actually my blind spot. I don’t fancy any other thingamajigs aside from camera. I’ve mentioned in my wish list before that I badly want to a DSLR camera, but until now I still don’t have one. I’m a shutterbug, but I don’t own a camera. It’s like being a warrior without a sword – having the skill without the equipment.

Hopefully, I can get hold of the desire of my heart this year. I’ve been pestering my father to buy me one, and he said he will give me what I want before graduation. I still have to wait a little longer, but it’s just OK. I have to be patient, because my favor’s not very easy to get. Cross fingers for the arrival of the photography buff’s best friend! Promises are NOT made to be broken, right Papa?

Going back to techie talk, there’s this camera that has been making me drool to death for months already. I know we can’t afford to purchase those luxurious stuffs, so I always go for the more affordable ones. I don’t usually dwell too much on the things that are quite impossible for us to reach. In that case, I think it’ll just be fine if I dream on having this not-so-expensive entry-level DSLR cam – the Nikon D3000.

Here are the key features of my much-coveted Nikon D3000. I got these details from this site.

• 10.2megapixel CCD sensor. Even in low light the image resolution makes easy work of big prints and sharp enlargements.
• 11-point autofocus system. Keeps even the fastest moving subjects in focus, often the biggest challenge for compact cameras
• Fast response. The start up time and shutter lag means you can capture the shot almost instantly, without the delayed response time common of compact cameras
• Guide mode. Simply the easiest way to get great pictures, without having to read the manual
• 3-inch TFT. With pictures this good, you will need a great screen to share them with friends and family
• EXPEED image processing. Exclusive system to deliver rich, bright results close to what you saw with your own eyes
• Picture Controls. Lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot
• 3 fps continuous shooting allows you to capture fast-moving action at 3 frames per second
• Intuitive ergonomics. We challenge anyone to pick up a D3000 and it not to feel part of your hand
• Stylish discrete appearance. The D3000 does not become a barrier between you and your subject, resulting in natural looking expressions
• Compact, light and durable. It won’t fit in your pocket, but with pictures this good you will find a shoulder to hang it on

The downside of this camera is that it can only take pictures but not videos, but I don't mind. Photography is my thing, not video documentation.

It will be fine for me if I get deprived of those cool gadgets like laptop, iPOD, iPAD, or QWERTY phone, just as long as I can have this camera, at last! I even told my Mom, “It’s ok if you don’t give me new clothes, new shoes, or whatever. A camera is all I want for now.” I sound too desperate, right? I hope that desperation I got there will still pay off in the end. I’m just LOL-ing around, Mom!

The image used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

Mystic Nerd

Image courtesy of Natalie Dee

According to WiseGeek, a contraction is a written form in which a number of words are combined into a new word. They are usually represented with an apostrophe to replace the omitted letters that join the words together. Examples: don’t for do not, you're for you are, it’s for it is.

I know this sounds a little nerdy and weird, but what will happen if contractions were not thought of by those brilliant minds? Let's sing this song Hot 'n Cold by Katy Perry without contractions.

"Cause you are hot and you are cold,

You are yes and you are no

You are in and you are out

You are up and you are down

You are wrong when it is right

It is black when it is white

We fight, we break up

We kiss and make up

You do not really want to stay, no

Cause you do not really want to go on..."

Everything will sound longer and absurd if there would be no contractions. Let us thank our grammarian friends for initiating its usage.

I'm corny. Throw rocks at me!

Til my next geeky thoughts, folks!

day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio

I love the song Hot 'n Cold, but not the Katy Perry version. Well, yes I like it but I guess that doesn't count to being my favorite. I love the Punk Goes Pop version of the band, Red Summer Tape. It's a rock cover, but the party feel of the song is still there. If club songs are only played this way, I'd probably be party animal.

PS: I used this song when I created a video for our Asian Cuisine Adventure for our Asia and the World class. We were required to make a photo essay or a video documentation for our gastronomic experience. Our group was assigned to eat at a Turkish restaurant. Turquoise at SM was already closed that time. We didn't know it was just moved to a new location. The result, we ate at Cafe Med instead.

I apologize for the hasty presentation. I'm really not good at techie stuffs. Just mind the song, not the video. :-)

day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio

I don't listen to the radio these days, especially when The Home of NU Rock bid its farewell to the airwaves. In that case, let me just break the rule for now, and change the title to "a song that you used to hear often on the radio." The song for today is from an OPM emo-core rock band, Typecast. This band was actually an underground rock band turned mainstream in the year 2007, but now I think they went back to being underground because I haven't heard much of them lately. Anyway, the song's called The Boston Drama. You know this one, don't you? This is the only song I like from them. Their Will You Ever Learn? sucks. I used to hear The Boston Drama almost every hour in Killer Bee 89.1 and in NU 107. So, here's their funny video.

The Boston Drama - Typecast

Standard pick-up lines that seems to wreck your bones
Can this be a sequel of my dying hope?
Chasing down with a never ending make-believe
But you're a perfect match of consistency

Will you come back in a heartbeat?
Don't be confused of what a great thing we can be
We'll take a walk at the same street
Can you tell me how Boston is like without me?

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

Child's Play: Simplicity

My Outfit

Snoopy Dress: H&M

Skin Tone Undergarment: No Brand

Peep Toe Flats: Parisian

Chained Bag: Insense (Vintage)

Leather Waisted Belt: From UK

Beaded Bangle: Tiangge (Cagayan de Oro)

This is my normal get-up whenever I feel like dressing up. A simple lady pulling off a simple style. I can imagine myself wearing this outfit during bonding moments with my girls, and even on a date with my man. I wouldn't want to wear this at school though. It gets windy there at times, and this dress gets blown that easily.

There's something summery about my dress, isn't it? It's maybe because of the multi-colored stripes. I think it can also be worn while having a walk along the seashore. Accented with big sunnies, straw hat and candy-colored sandals, I'm all set and ready to hit the road for a summer excursion. What about a vacation, Mom?

TAG: 10 Things I Love

I have been tagged by my blogger friend to do this very interesting entry. Thank you Tessa! I was supposed to do this yesterday, but my thesis work got me busy. Enough of that! I actually remember writing a post like this before through A Few of My Favorite Things and The Mystic Collection. I yakked about all tangible materials in those posts. I don't wanna come off as a material girl so instead of talking about them again and again here in my niche, let me share you 10 intangible & valuable things I hold dear in my heart, mind and soul.

That sounded so dramatic. Right, folks? Here goes my list in no particular order:

University of the Philippines

In UP, I've learned how to work under pressure, not to mention poise under pressure. Teachers bombard us with a lot of paper works and stuff, and I thank God I was able to survive them somehow. In this institution, I've gained the confidence I never had before especially in dealing with difficult situations in academic and real life. I've gained strength because of the circumstances I've been through. Most of all, I gained new true friends here.

BA Communication ARTS (BACA)

That image above is our official logo. I love learning about communication -- from the theories to the practices. Communication really is my passion. My favorite communication subjects are Intercultural Communication, Public Relations & Advertising, Organizational Communication and Ethics in Communication. I would like to quote what our professor told our class before, "You might think communication arts is easy, but it's not." Very well-said, Sir!

Writing

Writing my thoughts out are one of those activities that ultimately makes me sane. I love to express myself through writing although I'm a Speech Comm major. That's how I spend most of my solitary moments alongside listening to my favorite music. I love doing it more than anything else. I write poems, journals, essays and even stories. But my stories are so weak. They're not like the good ones. You wouldn't want to read them.

Music

Music is my sanctuary. I consider it a safe place in this troubling world. Just like writing or blogging, it also makes me sane from all kinds of pressure that I experience every single day. Without it, I’d probably have an extensive degree of exhaustion every time I deal with some mind-boggling trials. It’s my preferred companion whenever I want to rest my mind, body and soul. I listen to 80% rock and 20% smooth music.

Simplicity

"Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, and adding the meaningful." That is a beautiful quote I found while searching for SIMPLICITY images. I was not born with a golden spoon. Now everything is handed to me on a silver platter. I am just a simple and average girl, but I feel happy just living my simple life. I love everything simple, from fashion to lifestyle. I don't know why, but I really feel intimidated with anything extravagant.

Art

With art, I can have great ideas when it comes to fashion, food, lifestyle and even in writing. Art is just everywhere, and I love it. I was really honored when I got the chance to enroll in one of the famous subjects we have at school -- Arts and Humanities. I talked about it in an entry just last year, December 2010. It gained 424 page views, so far. If you want to read it, here's the link -- Creative Juice: My Intense Devotion for Art.

Thoughts

I love to think. When in my deepest and wildest thoughts, I don't want anyone to disturb me. For me, thinking is a lot like dreaming. When someone or something interrupts, it's like going back to sleep to continue your dream. I admit that I get weird sometimes, but of course I don't show it to people. Thinking helps me come in contact with myself. With my thoughts, I can talk to myself. I'd rather do it than talk to senseless people.

Serenity

Because I mostly have troubled thoughts, I love to compose myself by going to places that invite calmness and peace of mind. Serenity for me is bliss. I don't like going to places that are too crowded and noisy. I actually think I'm a little enochlophobic (fear of being in crowds). That explains why I'd rather eat at restaurants than fastfood chains. I just get easily irritated with people moving back and forth when I'm concentrating on something (like eating).

Desires

I have a lot of desires from the materials I want to have, to the things I want to achieve and all that jazz. I want to graduate with flying colors soon. I want to have stable job when I graduate. I want to have a position in an advertising or marketing firm. You know, things like that. Those desires help me strive hard. They inspire me to do good in crafts that can help me get what I've always wanted to have and hold. I certainly hope I can get the desires of my heart someday!

Adventure

Adventure means fun. It is a kind that gives us natural high. It has that certain factor that yields excitement and amusement. When I say adventure, it doesn't only mean going on extreme activities like trekking, bungee jumping, wall-climbing or white water rafting. Adventure can also happen even in choosing what we wear, what we eat, and most especially, what we want to become. By taking risks, I also learn even if it means failing. That's how we grow, right?

How about you, what are those ten things that you love? I'm tagging Ate Gemma, Lavinia, Sergei, Jesse, Shimea and Maxine. Care to do this tag too?

All images in this post are not intended for copyright infringement.

day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

This was the version I like better.

Four years ago, I happened to like this song from Mr. A-Z called I’m Yours. It was the time when not everyone knew about it yet, and it was still played on acoustics. I totally think it’s better than the 2009 version which already has drums and everything. I was quite a big fan of Jason Mraz because of his awesome play on words, thus the song Wordplay also from him. I used to be head over heels in love with his songs back in high school. Some tunes that I liked from him are: You and I Both, The Remedy, Sleep All Day, Melt with You and Beautiful Mess. Sad to say I got over my Jason Mraz addiction now. On a second thought, I still am a fan but not that much anymore.

I’ll let you in a little mushy revelation about the song I’m Yours. It used to be me and my boyfriend’s love song. Yeah, I know it’s corny but spare me of your loathing pretty please. Back then, this song was played on only one radio station in Davao – 99.5 Monster Radio (which is gone now). Monster used to play it once a week or less, because only a few people were requesting it. But when its rival station, 89.1 Killer Bee, released the band version in 2009, everybody went gaga over it. The moment I heard it being played by other “maka-masa” radio stations in town, I gave it an instant aversion. As I said before, I just completely hate songs that are way too mainstream.

Sixteen songs down. Fourteen more to go! Two weeks more for 30 Day Song Challenge. I can't wait to begin my 30 Day List Challenge.

The video in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 15 - a song that best describes you

Warning: This post can get cheesy. I hope you’ll still bear with me.

I am a self-confessed undercover agent. I snoop around. I’m good in spying, and I can get honest answers most of the time. That’s what I got from being obsessed with our short course of Forensics back in first year high school. I love being a detective in my own simple ways. That characteristic holds true even in my role as a girlfriend. Okay, here comes the cheesy part.

I am a kind of girl who doesn't simply get cool with anything my boyfriend does. I actually think I’m a bad girlfriend for doubting him all the time. We argue because I tend not to give my full trust on him. I know it’s a negative vibe that may repel him sooner than I think. I also admit that he gets smothered by me at times, but I admire him for not showing any signs of giving up on me. He doesn’t complain about my ways. Two thumbs down for me!

So, this song that best describes me (as a girlfriend) is from The Bird and The Bee, originally from Hall & Oates. It’s called Private Eyes. From the title itself, need I say more?

Private Eyes by The Bird and The Bee

I see you
You see me
Watch you blowing the lines
When you're making a scene
Oh girl, you've got to know
What my head overlooks
The senses will show to my heart
When it's watching for lies
You can't escape my

Private eyes
They're watching you
They see your every move
Private eyes
They're watching you
Private eyes
They're watching you
Watching you
Watching you
Watching you

This is such a cute song from the musicality to the lyrics, isn’t it? No wonder why I went nuts over it that easily the first time I listened to it. I’m pretty sure a lot of girlfriends out there will like this song as much as I did. I know I’m not the perfect one who should say this, but ladies let us screw the thought of doubting our partners. We should not hinder them from doing what they want. If they break our trust, then to hell with them. Their loss, not ours. This is a piece of advice for everyone, especially for me. A destined relationship will not fizzle out no matter what.

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love

People who know a great deal about me have an idea about my preference on music as well. I am a girly girl who is very much a rock comrade. I'm guessing you've already read my pots on how much I love rock music. If not, you can click these links: Supersonic Explosion and Invigorating the Soul. My music library is filled with 80% of hardcore anthems. I don't want to go over it again, cause I've already mentioned it a lot of times before. I don't have to rub it in, right? LoL!

I guess if I'd say I'm a frustrated dancer, nobody would believe me. But to tell you frankly, I really am. Sometimes, I think about the things that I can't do that I really want to do in my solitary moments. Honestly, I envy those women who can groove like a man just like Georcelle Dapat of the famous dance group, G-Force. My sisters are gifted with dancing feet, and I'm not (but I can carry a tune). On that note, this song I'll be sharing is a party tune from Step Up 3.

I Like That by Static Revenger & Richard Vission ft. Luciana

This track is indeed a song that no one would expect me to like (not love, it's a pretty strong word). The lyrics is crap though cause it's just very bitchy and spoiled, but I love the beat. It makes me want to pursue being a jitterbug. Kidding!

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure

You got wires, going in
You got wires, coming out of your skin
You got tears, making tracks
I got tears, that are scared of the facts

Running, down corridors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here, in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights, reflect in your eyes

One of my blogger friends posted some songs in her blog weeks ago and since I am such a big music lover, I downloaded them. Thanks for sharing it again, Ms. Z! The song that got me really hooked from her playlist is Wires by Athlete. I googled it, and found out that it's part of the official soundtrack of the hit TV series, Vampire Diaries. I haven't seen even a single episode from it. My friends have been forcing me to join their VD circle, but I don't have time. Sorry friends! I am still on NBC's Community mode, although I'm still on the 9th episode of Season 1, and my sisters are already in Season 2. Darn!

Anyway, I really love Wires. I couldn't help but harass the replay button ever since I had it in my playlist. Maybe because of the captivating singing voice of the front man. It's just so sexy and very manly! But honestly, I had a hard time grasping some of the words he's saying. But with the advent of the Internet, I can now understand them. LOL!

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 12 - a song from a band you hate

There are a a lot of bands out there that I really don't like. I don't want to name all of them because I might just step on the toes of the people who are devoted to them. When I say I hate a certain band, it means I don't like their common style and shallow lyrics. My kind of band is something of distinct grace in performance and profound compositions in melody/ lyrics no matter what genre they are.

Do you know the band FM Static? I hate to say this, but they became quite famous around last year. I totally don't like their songs, simply because they're played by almost everybody everywhere every time. Their songs sort of became an anthem of most of the hopeless romantics in Davao City. I don't know if they also got special attention in other places. All I know is that I loathe that band.

The song I hate from them is Tonight. Try searching it in YouTube. For my last words regarding this song... Throw rocks at it. KTHANKSBYE!

The photo used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 11 - a song from your favorite band

First and foremost, I'd like to say my favorite band is Attack! Attack! from Ohio. It's a popcore/partycore band who began crabbing it up in 2009 (as far as I know) under Rise Records. Their music is a combination of dubsteps which is an electronic dance music and hardcore breakdowns. I'm actually a big fan of this new breed of music.

I got to know Attack! Attack! when they became a part of Punk Goes Pop 2, a compilation album released by Fearless Records. They covered Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl. I was quite impressed with their distinct electronica version! From then on, I began following them by downloading Someday Came Suddenly and a self-titled album.

My favorite songs from A!A! include Stick Stickly, Smokahontas and Sexual Man Chocolate. But this song I'm going to share is from their latest album. I chose this because it's not very heavy. I like it because the keyboard solos, auto-tuned singing and breakdowns sound lovely when combined. It's called Lonely. Have you heard of this, folks?

Lonely by Attack! Attack!

My heart doesn't pull me the same
Oh all my carelessness is gone
And ya know my mind doesn't owe me the same
But girl my struggle goes on and on

My soul wants to pull me away
But all this hopelessness has won
And all these dreams wanna take me away
But this feeling just makes me stay

Apathy, has it's hold on me

Lonely, I feel so lonely
Girl hold me, won't you just hold me
Lonely, I feel so lonely
Girl hold me, won't you just hold me

Attack! Attack! is such an epic. This song could totally melt every girl's heart! Rockers are really sweet, aren't they? I hope you like what I shared.

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep

This post is a day late already, because I thought I can't be able to to buy credits for our Smart Bro. Thanks to my father who sponsored the one-day Unlisurf. This song that makes me fall asleep is from Billie Holiday. I downloaded one album from her, and it turned out that all her songs are like sleeping pills. She was a jazz singer in the United States then. She sang with a lot of famous bands and small groups in 1930s and 1940s. Later on, she suffered from heroin addiction.

Just like listening to her singing voice really makes my eyes droop shut. It consumes my energy and knocks me out. I don't know what is it with jazz music that can make me feel so drowsy. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that its melody and harmony are not something I'd like to have a dose whenever I have tons of homework to do at night. I love jazz only when I'm invigorated enough, not when I'm exhausted. Here's Come Rain or Come Shine from Billie Holiday.

Come Rain or Come Shine from Billie Holiday

Do you know the song Gloomy Sunday? Billie Holiday was also the one who sang it. I remember Erni Baron actually featured that song during one of his show's Halloween specials. Speculations claimed that people who listen that song alone committed suicide afterwards. Creepy, right?

Enough said! Let me get some shut eye, folks! "(-_-)" zZz

The video used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.

Ultimate Guilty Pleasure: Blog Challenge

I don’t know what has gotten into me, but all I know is that I’m beginning to have a thing about blog challenges. That sort of “addiction” originated when I took on the 30 Day Song Challenge which I am currently doing. I’m getting fond of challenges because first and foremost, ideas are already given on a silver platter; second, my mind is focused on only one idea per day; and third, I am encouraged to blog more. It gets hard to keep up with it at times, but it’s just all in the mind as the saying goes.

I have been searching for interesting blog challenges that I can deal with right after I’m done with the 30 Day Song Challenge, but unfortunately, nothing gained my fascination. Some are too difficult and boring. I found the 30 Day Blog Challenge, but I think it’s already outdated. Right then, I thought of creating my own instead. I’ll call it 30 Day List Challenge. I decided to write daily lists, because they’re very handy and easy-to-write. I’ve also read that it draws more readers due to practicality.

“It takes 30 Days to form a habit.”

Here’s what I’ve came up for my 30 Day List Challenge:

01 – Ten Important Life Lessons you’ve learned

02 – Five Ways to know that you are not in the mood

03 – Ten Beautiful Places you’ve been to

04 – Five Things you don’t understand about the opposite sex

05 – Ten Fashion Styles that you hate

06 – Five Best Shots of you

07 – Ten Decisions you regret making

08 – Five Weird things about you

09 – Ten Fabulous Activities you’d like to share

10 – Five Ways to survive boredom

11 – Ten of your ultimate guilty pleasures

12 – Five Fashion brands you love most

13 – Ten Attitudes that turn you off

14 – Five Things that have been bugging you

15 – Ten Abilities you are proud to have

16 – Five Health Mistakes that have or had

17 – Ten of your all-time favorite dishes

18 – Five Recent shopping finds you got

19 – Ten Crazy things you did that you don’t regret doing

20 – Five of your most admired people

21 – Ten Things that freak you out

22 – Five People you miss so much

23 – Ten Things that disgust you the most

24 – Five of you wildest dreams ever since

25 – Ten Memories that make you smile or laugh

26 – Five Misconceptions of others about you

27 – Ten Things you still want to learn

28 – Five Daily Rituals you’ll never miss out

29 – Ten Simple things you don’t know how to do

30 – Five Things you love most about yourself

The good thing about this post is that you don’t have to post those tasks consecutively. If you’re that busy, you can skip one day or two (definitely not over a month). But, be sure to write each task for a certain day in just a span of 30 days. Do not jump from one task to another. Make it a point of listing the ideas assigned for each day. One more thing, elaborate on the things you’ve listed as much as possible. Don’t just list them. Even a few words will do. Those are the rules of the game. Just take your time folks, and enjoy the challenge!

A Dog Story

When I first heard of the movie Hachiko from my highschool friends, I didn't care about it at all. I just said, "Nah, it's just the same old dog story again." I doubted the beautiful feedbacks they gave for that film. I wasn't excited to know what it's really like. Days passed and I forgot about it. Yesterday, my mother brought along some DVDs for us -- there are 3 Idiots, From Prada to Nadaand Hachiko. I've already watched the first one, and I'm not interested with the second. I watched the latter one with my sisters instead. Now, I understand where the "beautiful feedbacks" my friends had for that movie were coming from.

Hachi (English Title) is a true story of faith, devotion and undying love as its tagline goes. Hachi was actually an abandoned puppy who found its way to its master, Mr. Parker Wilson. As his wife said, Parker didn't find Hachi, cause it was Hachi who found Parker. This movie is definitely a perfect tear-jerker for pet lovers like me. It touched my heart so bad I couldn't help but cry. In fact, this is the only film that got me weeping from start to finish. I didn't know a dog can love its master that much that long. That must be true love from a pet's point of view. If you ask me, I don't see Hachi as just a pet. I see him as a man's best friend indeed.

Watching this film would make you want to have a pet who would love you like Hachi did. I am not that much of a dog-lover, but now I definitely am. Hachi faithfully waited for his master everyday for nine years even when his master already died. Who wouldn't be moved by that wonderful story of loyalty? It was like Hachi's love for Mr. Parker was life for the dog itself. If not because of its strong and imperishable love for its master, Hachi would not last that long. With that, I would like to share you this line Mr. Parker's Japanese friend told Hachi when he found it patiently waiting at the train station after many years. I got this from IMdB:

(Talking in Japanese) It's been a year, hasn't it? I wake up sometimes in the middle of the night and think about Parker. He was a good friend. I understand how you feel. Hachi, my friend, Parker is never coming home. But if Hachiko wants to wait, then Hachiko should wait. You want to wait for him, don't you? Have a long life, Hachi.

That quotable quote really made my tears fall. How I wish I'll have a dog like him. Now, let me talk about my top favorite scenes from this film. The first one was when Mr. Parker was training the little Hachi how to fetch a ball. It was the time when Parker's wife was about to sell the dog, but when she saw how much her husband loved it she changed her mind. The second one was when Hachi was already two years old. Hachi accompanies Mr. Parker at the train station every single morning, and waits for his return at the same spot every afternoon. The third one was the morning before Parker died. Hachi never fetched a ball but before its master died, he managed to do it for the first time which made his master really proud. The last one was when Mr. Parker died while at work. Hachi still waited for him at the station despite all the hindrances that came its way everyday for nine years.

Every single scene in this heart-warming film is very memorable, I have to say. You will never regret watching this. Prepare to shed some tears, folks! Be sure to bring tissues with you.

To watch the trailer of this dog's tale, just click this link.

The photo used in this post is not intended for copyright infringement.