Mood Swings

I don't how to begin describing this never ending craziness...I wonder if I'm depressed indeed. Nothing seems to be that exciting anymore. I am not happy just staying home. Sometimes I feel elated with things like books, movies, gym, etc..but then again it's not enough. I feel that I am not living my own life here...anymore! I don't have friends that makes it somehow strange for me. I guess the need to socialize is "soo" much of a need to me than a want.

I feel that I don't deserve the things that I have now. But then again, I may just be petty and sick in the head. I am like this because this is not a usual circumstance. A new so called life. And no, I'm not being hormonal (quite far from being premenstrual even). I wonder if you would understand. But Mark said he does. He knows why I'm acting strange, if indeed I am one. And for now, I think we'll just have to adjust with my 'episodes'. Tomorrow is our 8th month. I asked him to take a leave so we can spend the day together. A fresh start.

This is quite contrary to have felt marital bliss in my previous blogs. Well, that's just shows how volatile my moods are right now. Again, my poor husband.

Nothing much, really...

Lately, I am enjoying so much time with my husband... that I find myself so "busy" to be blogging, hehehe!!!! Right now, he seems (or rather he is) to be my world. My one and only. Not being cheesy, I really love every waking moment with him. And yeah, I do miss him when I'm alone at home.

I love it when he tries to goof around with me after a long day at work. I find it sweet and just too sweet to cuddle up with him while watching television. And I like making his coffee while he tries to finish up his work (sometimes late at weeknights). I enjoy the feeling of being needed when I rub his aching back and shoulders. I just savour these little moments with him, alone with him.

These moments, where the entire apartment is our lovenest. All to ourselves. I want to remember this "feeling" when we won't be alone anymore. When we would become a family. Not just yet, but perhaps soon.

Right now, this is what I call marital bliss!!! (On to our eighth month...)

Battling the Belly Pooch!!!

Here I am again, struggling to maintain an exercise activity...bellydancing, running, stretching, etc...but I do lack, like everybody else, DILIGENCE!!! I can't keep a routine... do I have attention deficiency disorder? hehehe!!! I know, I'm just pure lazy. Anyway, for the past month I actually didn't take care of myself that much. I stopped exercising. I ate lots and lots of pasta, cakes, ice cream, and chocolates! I was craving like pregnant-crazy and of course I am not. And you know, I sleep a LOT! It's quite normal for me to be in bed for twelve hours a day. What a slacker... so all these leads to a chub of lard around my waistline. I wanted to think I am bloating because I'm menstrual... I still want to believe so... I hope to see this go away after a few days. So you must know, I somehow exercised like crazy since last Sunday. I hope to shape up before I blow out of proportion in this tiny frame of mine. I won't be a lovely sight, I know, if I'm fat. I still want to wear my tank tops while summer is still here... Now, all my muscles are sore... every single cell is aching. A warm bubble bath, in cucumber and melondew scent, helped me relax. After a day's workout, comes a little pampering. Ah, my life! Hehehehe! =P

Multiplying

I have a new website http://theresehabana.multiply.com. Some of you may be familiar with it already. I know it's quite complicated to start your own account, but I find it interesting and enjoyable! It has lots of features and pretty nice to maintain to meet old friends, make new ones, etc. You can share your journal, activities, photos, etc... Better features than friendster actually.

I hope I won't be neglecting my blogspot now that I discovered multiplying...

The Da Vinci Code (Believing it or not)

I'm sure most of you have read or heard about this bestseller by Dan Brown - The Da Vinci Code. I just finished the book today and (whoah!) I could pretty well imagine how interesting it must be on film. With its fame and controversy, I won't be surprised if it becomes the next 'The Passion of the Christ' for next year's Lenten season. I don't know about you but when I read a book I usually think of the best actors to play the roles! (weird...but fun!)

Well anyway, Brown magnificiently illustrated how religions are dicatated by certain "authorities" and are somehow passed on to the next generations by pure faith. And I find it fascinating to learn of the Holy Grail and Mary Magdalene. This book could really shake your Christian beliefs and faith. It will make you question Jesus Christ's divinity, the Church, the Pope, and the Bible.

Now, I can't say I'm religious but I'm a believer of the existence of a supreme being in charge of the order and chaos in this so-called life. I don't know what religion that is, when I just want to believe there is a God!!! I still want to believe in little miracles, surprises, blessings, and trials. Although not often, I try to pray. By praying I evaluate my life's joy and suffering -- I am grateful for what I have, I feel remorseful for my shortcomings, and I wish a lot of things for myself, my marriage, my family, and dear friends. Prayer actually is self-introspecting and I guess therapeutic. (cheaper than getting into psychotherapy!) So imagine how sad it must be without a God to turn to =)

I am a Catholic, but not devout, and despite 'The Da Vinci Code' I'll still remain one. I have nothing against other religions but since being a Catholic is what I'm accustomed to, then I'll practise it. Call it blind faith, but this is how I want to praise my God!!! Amen.

Love & Prayer

My sweet Sofia, I long to see your angelic face!
Can’t wait to cuddle you in my arms, my warm embrace.

You are the one gift, I pray and hope to receive
With God’s blessing and utmost love, I shall conceive

I will endure pain and suffering, my labor of love
For you to enjoy and see the sun, savor life

Remember always, love and passion brought you here
Be grateful, be loving, be happy, Mama loves you dear!

Here are some pictures of our visit to LA last weekend... I actually went there to renew my passport at the Philippine Consulate. Oh my! I really felt transported back home when I was there... familiar chaos and what-have-you (think: any other public office back home). I thought it would be better here, at least, but it's still very much the Philippines! On an early Friday morning we drove all the way from San Diego, went to the Consulate, had Korean lunch, and then off to the Universal Studios. Afterwards we got lost finding our way to Glendale, where we stayed for the weekend. Thanks Jade for being such a gracious host! Saturday, we went around Hollywood and Beverly Hills. I was able to meet Nannette, my fellow Thursday Clubber when we were still working at CHI (Cebu Holdings, Inc.)

Another lovely weekend with my dearest husband Mark! Until the next getaway...

Jade, thank you very much for being so hospitable! (This is where we stayed for the weekend @ Justin St. Glendale, California)

Lunch @ Max's Restaurant - Glendale, California. We had sinigang na hipon, pinakbet, and of course the famous Max chicken =P

Sci-Hi 93 mini-reunion @ LA

This is the 'dancing fountain' @ The Grove

Futboleros reunion @ Los Angeles Hollywood Lake

With my fellow Thursday Clubber, Nannette.

Welcome to Hollywood!

The Grove - a lovely mall at the Beverly Blvd., Hollywood.

LA was fun! Visiting it the second time around gave me another 'perspective' of the overly glamorized city in the world... let me put it this way, Hollywood is better off on screen. If possible, do not disillusion yourself by trekking the stinky alleys where the Hollywood 'Stars' can be found. Leave the 'red carpet' moments to the paparazzi and the satellite feed during the Oscar's season. You cannot imagine how filthy the Hollywood Blvd. can be! Anyway, the place enthralled me with its vibrance. It surely is a melting pot of different ethnic groups and 'hollywood hopefuls'.

It's not at all bad, like in any other place there are sites that just stand out. In my nearly two days of driving around, Burbank caught my attention. It was nice, modern, clean, elegant but not flamboyant, and relaxing. Heading to Beverly Hills I enjoyed 'The Grove' sooo much! It is a mall but feels like a theme park to me. They have a dancing fountain and a trolley within the mall! A miracle though I never bought anything except food!!! I was also hoping I could spot famous stars malling around the place, but nah! We also drove around Rodeo Drive, where the stars mostly shop, and found it well 'okay' but not really impressive. I think one will enjoy Rodeo, if one has dollars to splurge! Mostly buildings around it are colonial and well kept. And do you think I'd miss the Hollywood sign? Oh no!!! We drove all the way up, reminds of you driving up to Busay, and took pictures and that's just it... aiya! Not really that spectacular. The night before we left LA we drove to Old Town Pasadena. The town is famous for their Rosebowl Parade, I heard it is mostly 'astonishing'!!!

These are just glimpses of the famous LA, but mostly I enjoyed it because I was able to see old friends. A bit of nostalgia somehow when we had midnight dinner at this place called MP Bistro (Melting Pot with the native palayok as logo). A typical parochial bar, with karaoke and sisig! Hehehe!!! It felt good to hear a Filipino singing mushy, sweet, cute ballads... and speaking of karaoke, I had a dose of magic mic experience myself! I reminisce my karaoke escapades when I visited my friend Nannette at her house in South Ardmore Avenue.

And this is of course memorable, with Mark!

Our first visit to Universal Studios.

It sure was HOT in here!!! This is a taste of how the Backdraft movie set was.

Mark loved this Animal Planet Live perfomances!!! They have all sorts of tricks, mostly meant for the kids...

A mini water park, within a theme park, that's Nickolodeon. One day, my little one will enjoy this.

The Jaws - nothing scares this little boy!

Enter if you dare!!! Boo!

If you enjoyed Van Helsing, you'll pretty much enjoy this tour around the horror museum. Watch out for the ghosts, they could pretty much scare the hell out of you!

The Mummy Ride - too bad we weren't able to try this ride as planned. Hmm! I thought it was like the Studio Tour, but oh no! It's like a horror roller coaster! Can't risk having a heart attack =)

Waterworld - live show! Somehow like a live performance of a scene from the infamous Kevin Costner productions. So imagine water splashing and explosions! (The actors were bad)

On our way down to The Mummy Ride. This is pretty much similar to the escalators in Ocean Park.

My football hero!!! Hahaha =P

The Studio Tour gives the visitors the chance to see the famous studio sets used in various movies and television shows.

I find this amazing! A barbed wire, pergola like, dome-shaped light well located at the City Walk, Universal Studios. City Walk is pretty much like a mall with several shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and cinema. It is a long stretch of 'walk' before you reach the theme park. Mostly people crowd out there, so there's no need to pay for an entrance ticket to get the Universal 'feel'.