Ideas for an ALMOST Perfect Christmas (since it's hard to achieve PERFECT, right?)

December is here, finally. But the journey to this month has been fast. It's like checking the calendar everyday and saying to yourself that its still far ahead and it won't be soon before long kinda way. I've always loved December. Its my favorite month together with the summer months. Too many memories - both joyful and sad but it's the intimate moments with family and friends I'll cherish. Meaning the various Christmas parties, Secret Santas and Manito Manitas, Christmas dinners with friends from high school and college, Noche Buenas, gift giving among family members and all those Christmas traditions. Cebu comes alive during the first month of the year mostly of the Sinulog Festival in January and the last month of the year because obviously it's Christmas! Lights and sparkling decors give the city that holiday feeling. Don't forget the huge Christmas tree in Fuente circle, right at the heart of the metropolis. I've been in a sort of giddy mood this morning, making plans in my mind on how to spend this month. I've promised myself that I will make this Christmas as memorable as possible - since it might be the last time in a long time that I will be able to enjoy without patients and responsibilities competing for my time. So less drama, less whining, less bitching, less tantrums, less conflicts yet more food, more gifts, more photo op moments, more Christmas parties as long as the wallet can keep up. This year will be a "White Christmas" minus the snow!

Here are my plans, in which I hope to accomplish after the masquerade ball, please be done with it already!

1.) Get my picture taken with the huge Christmas tree - under and over the skywalk with the tree behind me.
 Anika and I planned this about a month ago when the tree was still a work in progress. And since 2004 I've wanted a souvenir Christmas photo take with the tree in the background at night complete with lights.
2.) Shopping for myself and my friends - bazaars, malls, downtown... anywhere!
 I'll go shopping with Ianne at her school's bazaar and this has been a tradition between us anytime we have time. I'll be buying gifts for selected friends because I am not a son of a shipping magnate - gotta maximize my resources. But for sure I'll definitely be giving gifts to my friends in med school for putting up with someone unstable and borderline psychotic like me.. Nyayhahah evil laugh*
3.) Catch Up on My Reading
 I don't know on how I can catch up with my reading. The pile of unread books is turning into tower. But this season I'll finish the Twilight series by reading "Breaking Dawn" and I'll just randomly pick any book to read.
4.) Christmas Parties and Exchange Gifts
 As many as the funds allow...
5.) Batch Reunion
 I'm not yet sure on the Altavista Homecoming but I might go to the batch reunion. Sounds like fun.
6.) Listen to Christmas songs in my iPod to establish a personal holiday vibe
 I am loving the O.C. Mix 3. It's my Christmas album recommendation.

New Happy Place and New Coffee Love

Fully Booked finally opened its first branch about a week or two ago at the Terraces the newly renovated part of Ayala Center Cebu, which used to be an outdoor lagoon with gazebos and a place for just strolling into something very elegant and amazing. A garden in the center complete with two fountains surrounded by restaurants and coffee shops. Fully Booked is located near Starbucks and I think it is one of or not the only one that is not a restaurant. It's my sister April's favorite bookstore and she can't stop talking and recommending to me about the books that you'll find and she was right! Good thing is I guess I don't have much of a reason anymore to brave the Manila traffic, pollution, MRT stampede and unforeseen chaos because pretty much Cebu is catching up to Manila in terms of luxury shopping a.k.a. famous brands and fine dining a.k.a expensive restaurants and franchises from international cuisine. Don't forget the best kept secrets!

I've been there a couple of times since the last two weeks and I've been proud of myself for being able to control my impulses to get a book there considering there are a lot of choices that National Bookstore (my ever reliable store) doesn't have. I love the many and oh so diverse choices. Ranging from typical fiction flair - they practically have every book of Paolo Coehlo to literary geniuses from Murakami to McEwan and to personal favorites like Palahnuik, Ellis and Sparks! They also have a unique array of classics with very different covers. So not generic. The major letdown is the price. Cheapest are the Coehlo books at 250 pesos and the rest are between 400 - 700! Very expensive indeed. But I promised myself before the year ends or at Christmas I'll buy a book there just to satisfy the urge and to mark their presence here in Cebu! I have my sights set on Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger or a compilation of all the Narnia Books, all seven!, only for 880! That's like almost half the box set price! Others in the list include Blindness by Jose Saramago and the new book by Nick Hornby.

I consider it my new happy place because I feel relaxed and chill just browsing around books and just looking at covers. The sight of the books in bookshelves alone is enough to cap a perfect Sunday lunch and weekend! National Bookstore and BookSale are still my favorite places for ultimate bargain book buying and impulsive feel good shopping.

I am addicted to Starbucks' Dark Cherry Mocha one of their holiday special coffees. I love the perfect blend of chocolate, coffee and cherry together! Perfect blend to sip while the weathers getting a little cold. But I prefer it in iced. The Frappucino makes me bloat! I'll savor this holiday treat while it lasts!

Can't wait to go Christmas shopping next week and just having a stress free Saturday and a complete 8 hour sleep or more on Sunday night! Yes, finally all of this will be over after the masquerade ball - I just so want it to be over so I could enjoy the rest of the Yuletide season in peace!

Remember, remember, the past two weeks of November...

I wasn't able to update this blog for a while not because there was nothing interesting to whine or write about but the past two weeks have been very eventful a.k.a my new euphemism for busy that I can't find a time to write about the hurly burly and the blah blah blahs in between.

I've failed a really easy test. Not exactly a give away - but what annoyed the crap out of me was the people pretending to have a hard time answering during the exam. I really did have a hard time and they said they did too but when the results came out I bit the dust in which everyone left on their trails! Those bad actors in trying to convey emotions of failure passe,d but failed in acting 101! Hopefully I was able to bounce back from this week's exam.

Preparations for the Masquerade ball are half baked and all over the place. The posters were finally posted after a four week delay. The program is already on Plan E, and as head of that damned committee, we are given additional hassle of changing and re planning and just basically adjusting the program because of some other committee's incompetence. But right now I have to say I am kind of relieved as everything is slowly falling into place albeit really slow but I can finally but not totally shout and spread the word that we can make this awesome and we can entertain but I know we can. Please little stars and pretty moon align with us... I thought I didn't care but apparently I did. Too much at times that I just want to bite anybody who makes comments and suggestions when they are not part of my minions. Still nervous on hosting... Yikes on me!

The holiday frenzy is getting to me. As much as I want to go and start my shopping - I can't due to commitments, responsibilities, dance practice and fatigue. There were a lot of times during the past two weeks that I just want to stay in bed the whole day and eat French Toast four times a day. Yeah and I don't think I can start shopping anytime soon since I have to make my mask (Thank god for Ianne dear) and find someone who can sew a wacky Aztec costume without looking like a leftover from Halloween or an eager beaver for Sinulog! And the bimonthly exams are coming to town too way before dear old fat Santa!
 
I'm happy that in Clinics we are already doing our Secret Santa/Kris Kringle! Can't wait! I love our group a lot!

Plans for Halloween, What I Really Did on Halloween

Last weekend was the first time that I had classes on Halloween. It usually falls on a sembreak but due to being a junior in med school, we had sem break earlier because we started a month earlier so hopefully we could have one month break before back breaking, body killing internship.

We had been wanting to have a Halloween party and it push through! I went as Sherlock Holmes and I really had a fun time! Dinner was at Mooon and there were lots of picture taking! The dancing and drinks at Yo.U in One Mango Place. I'll post pictures in Multiply soon. Overall I was really happy that we did it, despite some people weren't into a costume-y mood but the fact that they showed up was good enough for me. Everybody from Clinics group was there.

Growing up, I look forward to watching Halloween specials on Magandang Gabi Bayan, a now defunct news documentary show. They feature ghost stories from places with reputations of being haunted. I admit that I do get disturb after.

Renting videos and movie marathons of horror movies was my Halloween thing during high school. College was relatively unmemorable - consisting of memories mostly of typical Filipino traditions like visiting the graves of dead relatives and lighting candles then lunch beforehand or dinner after. Most memorable Halloween has got to be 2004, because we had a Halloween party during internship. My costume was a Jedi, it was fun, though I got drunk during the party but afterward we went dancing till 4 in the morning. Fun. I miss those careless and reckless days of party all you want, without having to worry responsibilities and readings. What I don't like is having to recuperate the whole day the next day. Unlike before where I am up and about after just 4 hours of sleep - ready even for a whole day of malling and another night of bump and grinding. Oh well I think I've matured now.

This year my plans were DVD marathon of new horror movies I've missed from the past couple of months - "Mirrors", "The Strangers" and re watching classics like "Halloween", "Friday the 13th" and "The Scream Trilogy". Then visiting the dead relatives and then lunch out and shopping and then getting a good 8 hour sleep on both days of the weekend.

What I actually did: I was on duty assigned at the Ophtha Department. We didn't do anything. We just talked and then we ordered at McDonalds and the delivery guy came an hour late and botched up the orders. The next day I wasn't able to join the cemetery trip. Slept the whole morning. I was able to make it to lunch and some shopping but I went home to catch more zzzss. And last of all didn't have the 8 hour sleep I was hoping for, I had to catch up on the readings for the exam.

I think this is a preview of what my life will be like in the next couple of years - skipping holidays and losing the feeling of waking up after a good night's sleep.

Highlight of course was spending it with the family and Joanne invading Cebu this time around.

Boob Tube Favorites

I am hooked to these shows on TV. I have to agree that TV is indeed and is still is in its Renaissance. Creative writing and story lines, riveting plot lines, sympathetic characters, unforgettable antagonists and just plain addictive. I still enjoy reruns of Friends Sex and the City, The O.C. and Popular and Beverly Hills 90210 on DVD but these are the new shows that's keeping me at home on the couch.

1. How I Met Your Mother
      
                                                  
 
The tag line says it all. This TV show uses flashbacks, wisecracks and a witty humor that is reminiscent of Friends. With newly invented terms like "suit up", "The Bro Code", "The Slap" and how the writers make a philosophical reference to the life out of all the mundane things, like missing a flight at the airport or breakdown of a beloved car, this gets my vote. Ted, main character narrates to his children how she met their mother, in which as of now whose identity is top secret. His friends include ladies man Barney, and Marshall and Lily, the eternal perfect sweet couple and Robin, current girlfriend who may or may not be the woman he ended up with. Several episodes later it was revealed that she did not bear Ted's kids. Who could she be?

2. The Amazing Race
        
It's already their 13th season since starting 7 years ago. Not as exciting as the previous seasons but I am hooked. I am rooting for the mother/son team of Toni and Dallas. I hope they make it through the Final 3 at least. As of now they are consistent with their finishes at the PitStop. Terence and Sarah is also an interesting team to watch but the rest are just a dime a dozen - same from previous seasons.

3. Brothers and Sisters


                               

The family dynamics are well portrayed by the brilliant acting of the ensemble. A family drama about grown up siblings and how they interact through problems and trials as they become adults. My favorite characters are Sarah, played by Rachel Griffiths, the eldest daughter and Tommy the sterile middle child. Sally Field's acting is brilliant as matriarch Nora.

4. Supernatural

                                

The adventures of the Winchester brothers are exciting as they battle all forms of demons. I have to catch up on Season 3 soon.

And the others... Just an average fan - if time allows it I stick to the channel:

30 Rock - Tina Fey can act and write both equally superb! Her wit soars!

The Barefoot Contessa on the Lifestyle Channel - for mouth watering supposedly easy to follow recipes... NOT!

Iisa Pa Lamang - typical Pinoy soap opera flair. I have to admit that in order for you to just watch and sit back you have to leave your brain in the toilet. Acting is above average but what gets me watching is bitchy and sarcastic lines that are now classic! Just to try to catch a couple of episodes to see what I mean.

Survivor Philippines - Over hyped but couldn't maintain the buzz. What turned me off was airing the episodes daily - degrading the franchise into just another teleserye on telebabad.

Amazing Race Asia 3 - Rooting for resident villains, Geoff and Tisha, models, the former was previously of the PowerBoys fame (remember the deodorant commercial way back in college?) and the latter a dethroned beauty queen due to citizenship duality. Oh well because they are from 'Pinas! Go go go! Sam and Vince are the more deserving winners IMO, the best buds from HongKong.

TV couldn't get any better than this!

New Things, New Stress

Four weeks of relaxed and fun yet a wonderful learning experience of OB-Gyne rotation ended last Friday. We had a written exam and a practical on aseptic technique I did really bad because I was first but hopefully I managed to make it. I never thought that I would personally enjoy this rotation because I hated reading "William's Obstetrics" so much to the point of motor mouth swearing. But because of a dedicated, helpful and patient resident-in-charge, it was beyond my expectations. The last four weeks have been awesome.

I had my first stress of this bimonthly today. I started a four week rotation in Ophthalmology today. I went from bored (I rarely do) to stressed and frustrated in a couple of minutes because of an uncooperative patient and the Ophtha resident blew up. But she kind of felt bad in the end though we look like asses in front of her. Now we just have to make a way of getting hold the of the patient for the history in order to have one to submit and a clean fresh start with today's fiasco on Friday. By the way Ophtha gives me the ultimate hemorrhage. Nose bleed and bleeding from all natural orifices! It intimidates me and I do not know a lot at all about visual acuity and tonometry. Get my point? The technical terms are too technical! It will take a while to decipher them for my sanity. I hope it gets better, I really do.

5 more weeks till the masquerade ball and crunch time is imminent. I have to say that we are already a month behind from the planning and preparations. The posters haven't been made and posted up yet. And about the hosting job I have no choice - hostage!

Music and Playlists

I am currently hung up on Secondhand Serenade's latest album titled A Twist in My Story. This time around he recorded the songs not only with an acoustic guitar but with a band - complete with drums, bass and keyboards. But he did not stray away from his usual style. The words still convey pain and emotions that hit straight to the core and the lyrics are thoughtful and a perfect play of words without turning into grilled cheese. It's the perfect mush with a little bit of healthy emo. No whining, just sincerity on falling in love and losing someone. This is highly recommended.

If I'm not listening to Secondhand Serenade, I am reconnecting with the 80's by listening to REO Speedwagon's The Hits album and Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits, released last 1998 and 2001 respectively. Better late than never. REO Speedwagon writes perfect power ballads mostly about unrequited love minus the screeching and these songs have well written lyrics and belting at the appropriate times. Jon Bon Jovi's charm and appeal help Bon Jovi achieved millions of record sales way back in the days but it's just part of his talents, and man, he can belt out! Bon Jovi is one of those bands in the Philippines with a mass appeal. Just try riding a bus to the North or South of the city, chances are you'll hear most of their hit songs during the 3 - 4 hour drive. Bon Jovi is a little more hardcore compared to REO Speedwagon but they write mostly about love and leaving. Anyways both of these bands contribution to the music world are favorite karaoke hits of mine - drunk or sober.

After all the drama and controversies from the past year including a divorce, custody battles, drug rehab and addiction, meltdowns and various encounters with the paparazzi, Britney Spears is releasing a new album this December. Britney is making a perfect start of her comeback by looking hot during the VMAs and winning not one but three after 16 unsuccessful nominations and after that horrendous and pudgy opening performance last year. Proof that the girl is oozing with appeal and her fans are behind her through thick and thin. "Blackout" just released about a year ago was met with positive reviews by most critics. It's the only album of her not to debut at number one but the content is way above average compared to her previous efforts. I didn't think she promoted it well because of her dramas but it did good enough. I am looking forward to hearing her new album and how she has evolved as a singer and songwriter after the storm. Will she debut at number 1?

David Cook is also releasing his debut album by next month, as Entertainment Weekly reports it is still untitled. I am excited to hear his original compositions and at the same time I am feeling the pressure for Cook. As the first rocker winner of American Idol, all eyes are into him if he can surpass record sales of previous winners, get critical acclaim and from rock fans and critics and equal his creativity and credibility as an artist in comparison to his stint as a contestant. Will he exceed Daughtry's success by beating him in both record sales and respect from the rock community?

Download list: Boyce Avenue, The Academy is.., Joshua Radin