Eat and drink the Czech way

Learn to prepare those delightful miniature sandwiches called chlebíčky (kle-bitch-ki).

Set the table, make sure there's a place for everyone. Don't forget the wine glasses.

Because there will always be that one bottle of red wine. Or two. Or three. Or more.

And a gentleman who's there to pour it out for you. Don't forget to say děkuji (thank you).

Sit back, relax with your colleagues... Who knows until when you'll be working with them?

And just enjoy the meal. Forget work, be ready to sit and talk for a minimum of two hours.

Once in awhile, have lunch at the home of colleagues: that's goulash in the pot. Yum!

And then some coffee and home-made dessert. Forget whatever diet it is you're on.

Always the best way to end the day: with a glass of wine. (See the big smiles) Na zdraví!

Quotable Quotes

Jane: There are few things sadder in this life than watching someone walk away after they've left you, watching the distance between your bodies expand until there's nothing... but empty space and silence.

Liz: So I call him up to say good night and guess who answers the phone 1AM PARIS TIME? Penelope Pope!

Jane: Who's Penelope Pope?

Liz: I don't know, but that's what she said when I asked "Who the FUCK is this?"

Eddie: It's over. Why can't you just let it go?

Jane: I can't.

Eddie: Why?

Jane: Because I was happy. Because if this theory is wrong, men don't leave all women, Eddie, they leave me.

Eddie: I know it hurts. I know. It's so hard to believe that something that wonderful can ever happen to us again.

****

If you never want to see a man again, say, 'I love you, I want to marry you. I want to have children...' - they leave skid marks. -- Rita Rudner

Silly Answers to Silly Questions

Why is it so hard to trust?

Because people lie. Billy Joel was so right: Honesty is such a lonely word.

Why do some people choose to believe the lies?

Because it hurts less than having to accept that the world isn't as good as they thought it to be.

How does one forgive and forget?

It's easy to forgive. But it's virtually impossible to forget. Temporarily perhaps, and through sheer will power, or self-delusion. One can try. And keep on trying.

Why does the heart continue to love in spite of all the pain it has gone through?

Because sometimes love is worth it. Because we always hope for better things. Because it's the crazy yet wise thing to do, if we want to find that elusive happiness we all want.

Are you stressed?

If the image is moving, the answer is yes. The faster the movement, the more stress you have.

:)

He’s Just Not That Into You

He’s just not that into you : the no-excuses truth to understanding guys
By Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

1 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Not Asking You Out
2 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Not Calling You
3 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Not Dating You
4 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Not Having Sex with You
5 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Having Sex with Someone Else
6 He’s Just Not That Into You If He Only Wants to See You When He’s Drunk
7 He’s Just Not That Into You If He Doesn’t Want to Marry You
8 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Breaking Up with You
9 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Disappeared on You
10 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Married (and Other Insane Variations of Being Unavailable)
11 He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s a Selfish Jerk, a Bully, or a Really Big Freak

New read

I started a new book today: Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas by Bob Ong.

It's actually been with me for more than 3 years now, given to me by a colleague at PCCI. I tried reading it before, but I guess I stopped somewhere right around the beginning. I hope I'm not disappointing him by admitting this, haha.

But seriously, it's such a difficult book to read -- mainly because it's in Filipino. I get so confused reading and translating in my head. Thing is, I couldn't sleep last night. And since I couldn't find another book I hadn't read yet, and as I was desperate for something to read, I picked up this book and forced myself to read.

I'm still having a hard time, but I will persevere. I don't think I've read a book written in Filipino since El Filibusterismo (which I didn't exactly finish). I think it's time I expanded my reading list to include local literature. Besides, this book is on the list of favorite books of a good friend of mine. I should see what it's all about. :)

****

"Most of who we are is what people expect of us." -- from Heroes

Random thoughts, Random acts

It's the birthday of one of my sisters today -- sibling number 5. :) Happy birthday Maisie!

It's also the birthday of Jose Rizal. I wonder how many people care. But for sure my boss the Ambassador does. He's a fan of Rizal and his works, particularly his writings. It's funny how he, a foreigner, seems to care more about Rizal than I do. Yikes.

****

I used to think that the chances of my having a long-term (meaning more than 5 months at least) relationship with anyone were about one in a million, and yet here I am. I can't believe I've been going out with Jay for a year now. How fast time flies.

****

The other night, I was wondering why traffic was moving so slowly along Kalayaan. A little later, I saw the reason: a mentally retarded girl was sitting in the middle of street and cars had to merge in one lane to avoid her. What struck me was that no one was helping her -- someone could have easily led her away from the street to the curb. But heck, who am I to say that? I didn't help her either. I was more preoccupied with getting to my destination.

But there are some good people out there.

A few weeks back, I was waiting for my sister to pick me up at Shell at the corner of EDSA and Buendia. Another crazy girl was roaming around the station. I saw the guard approach her and take her by the arm. I thought he was going to ask her to leave the area. But lo and behold, he took her to the Select shop and gave her a seat outside. Minutes later, an attendant came out of the shop with a cupcake and a glass of water for the girl. The guy even opened the cupcake for her when she couldn't figure out how to do it herself. Aww.

It's always nice to see random acts of kindness. It makes you believe that, quoting from the Desiderata, with all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. And it makes you want to be a better person. :)

Jazz overdose

I guess you can only listen to so much jazz.

My friends and I got to Sofitel for the Jazz Festival around 7.30pm. By midnight we were in a rush to leave. Not that the performances were bad. I loved the UST Jazz Band, Sino Sikat?, Brass Munkeys, and Thomas Enhco and the Jazz Angels.

More on the French jazz act (from the rfi musique website):

With his round baby face and his unruly curls, 18-year-old Thomas Enhco has the face of an angel – and the fingers of an angel, too! The young musician, who trained at the “Centre International des Musiques Improvisées” set up by the renowned French violinist Didier Lockwood, handles his chosen instruments with disarming dexterity and ease.

Thomas Cohen – his stage name Enhco is backwards slang for Cohen – is a multi-talented prodigy, equally at home playing violin, piano or Fender Rhodes guitar. In his short career to date, young Thomas has worked with the ‘crème de la crème’ of the international jazz world including guitarists Mike Stern and Martin Taylor and drummer Bill Cobham. Didier Lockwood invited young Monsieur Enhco to perform at the Juan-les-Pins jazz festival when he was just 9 years old, and since then he has appeared at many of the world’s other leading jazz festivals (Marciac, Vienne etc.).

Love!!!

My friends and I were up on our feet during the performances of the groups I mentioned above. Sadly, we were the only ones grooving to the music. I don't know what was up with the crowd but they sure weren't a dancing bunch. Even with all that free wine. Strange.

But. Inasmuch as we had a great time listening to those acts (listening is the word as the stage was too low for us at the back to see much of the performers), by the time Verni Varga got to performing, we were tired. I had a headache! Now, whether I got the headache because of Verni Varga or because I had listened to too much jazz by the time she came on is debatable. :P

Anyway, we left by midnight. I am sure there were more interesting performances but we really couldn't stay longer. I guess we should have been there much later, as the better acts started around 9pm. Oh well.

Guess it's true, what they say. That too much of even a good thing can be a bad thing. :)

But I will still be at the next Manila Jazz Festival. Although I promise to arrive late.

Finally got the dive photos

Jay finally sent me photos from my check out dive. (teşekkür!) Here are some of them:

Get set, ready, go! At the Dive & Trek Resort.

Final lesson: Still taking classes with Doris and Hanna.

Hello! Yes, that unrecognizable person is me.

Fishy fishy.

Post dive: Tired and sleepy but happy :)

Horoscope for the Day

Taurus

You are questioning your path in life. It's time to remember that your path isn't a straight line, but more like a zigzag brushstroke loaded with color and texture. It doesn't have to make sense. In fact. the best art often doesn't.

Hmm. True.

These are the days of my life

I haven't written for almost a month now. Blame it on a month long illness (my doctor called it respiratory tract infection, I called it a bad cough), an increasingly demanding boss, and a bit of laziness on my part. :P

I think I should also add a non-interesting life to my list of excuses. Nothing's been happening in my life lately. I haven't gone diving since I got my license. But then again, I got sick. And so did Jay. Which means, Bohol didn’t materialize. :( But then again, there's no reason why we shouldn't go one of these days. Let's see.

****


Last Saturday, I attended the baptism of my sister’s baby. They named him Jose Ma. Alfonso. Cute little baby, pleasant and quiet – he didn’t cry a single time during both the baptism and reception. Good boy!

Thanks to the reception, I got to see all those relatives I rarely see. These are the times we get together: baptisms, weddings, burials. All the significant moments of our lives. Goes to show how (not) close-knit we are.

****

I was reading this email I sent a friend two years ago. My life was just so different then. Here’s a part of the drama I sent her:

Everyday, I get up and hope for something exciting or wonderful to happen. And every night before I go to bed I get sad because nothing happened. I wish I could just be happy with my life. After all, there are so many people out there who have more miserable lives. But I can’t. There’s something missing. But I don’t know what it is.

I don’t know if, well actually, I don’t think I have found that missing thing, but I am definitely, definitely happier today. My mornings are more joyous. I like my job. I’m happier with my relationships with my family and friends. And I have Jay. As I said in my last post, life is good.

Still, there are moments when I feel lost and unsure. I’m 25 and I still haven’t achieved much, or anything actually. And I don’t know where I’m going.

I think what’s different now is that I worry less. Sometimes it’s just good to go on faith. No one knows what tomorrow holds, but we can trust that it will be beautiful. If not beautiful, well, at the very least, helpful or constructive. Haha.

****

Enough mooning about. I hope to write about something more interesting soon. I need some excitement in my life!

****

Manila Jazz Festival on Friday, June 15 at the Grand Sunset Pavilion, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, 6pm onwards. My friends and I will be there. It should be fun – something different to do on a Friday night.