For Good

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

From the musical play Wicked

Inglourious Basterds

During World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “the Basterds” are chosen to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. They join forces with a German actress and undercover agent to take down the leaders of the Third Reich. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris and is out for revenge against the Nazis.

Just got back from watching this new film by Quentin Tarantino (last-minute gimik hehe). I loved it, it's a must-see! It's not for the faint of heart, though :)

The villain, Col. Hans Landa a.k.a. "The Jew Hunter" (played by veteran Austrian actor Christoph Waltz) really stole the show....He was charming, he was sinister! I liked him, I despised him! He made me laugh, he made me cringe in disgust! (He totally eclipsed Brad Pitt hahaha)

It's interesting to note that this film also has a scene that displays Quentin's famous foot fetish.

The movie runs for approximately 2.5 hours...I was thoroughly entertained!

Tutto a te mi guida

Mom and I are flying home tomorrow night and will be in Manila Friday morning, YIPPPEEEE!

Huge thanks to the following people back home:

• Vinchi, Migs, and Grace - for so ably taking care of the team the past three weeks. I'm returning to work fully-charged and armed with a different perspective. I owe you lots.
• My sisters - for running important errands for me while I was out. I shopped till I dropped just for you girls!
• Javi (for the 2nd time around) and Lizzie - by simply being available, you took away the 'sick' in homesick. Hahaha you know what I mean!
  

I would've treated you guys to an out-of-this-world vacation had I won big bucks in Vegas, but since I lost everything I bet, I said a little prayer for you instead :)

This getaway has been loads of fun, but I'm happy, happy, happy to be going home :D

Some Photos Taken While Gallivanting

The Strip...Where I gambled and lost it all! ($3 lang naman hehe)

We watched Cirque Du Soleil's Criss Angel: Believe at the Luxor.
It was ok, entertaining enough, but nothing to rave about.


San Francisco Public Library - a haven!
Below is where a scene in the film City of Angels was shot.


We queued for 1 hour just to have brunch at this well-acclaimed dining spot in SF. Yummy!


International Orange is actually the color of the Golden Gate Bridge, not gold. After debating on which color to use, they settled on this as it contrasts and blends with the backdrop beautifully. No idea why the bridge was named that way, though.


We visited Gov. Arnold in Sacramento but he didn't come out of his office for lunch...I think he had baon hahaha!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have them as pets?

Alcatraz Photos

"It's good to be back home!" - Sam and Bing :p

Clothing Storage and Shower Room


Prison Block and Standard Prison Cell


Solitary Confinement Unit a.k.a. The Hole


The Hole (where darkness is total) vs. The Sunniest Corner of the Building (where the most sought-after cells are)


For Recreation and Sharpening the Saw


Prison Control Room and Visitation Area


Hmm...the problems sound familiar!


Whoa - can be corporate guidelines too, hahaha! ;D


The Perfect Soap Ad


Note: The complete set of pictures to be posted in Sam's Facebook soon!

Snippets: SF w/ Sam & Rye

We waited roughly 1.5 hours before we were seated for brunch at Mama's on Washington Square, a Zagat Restaurant of Distinction awardee and one of the best dining spots in San Francisco. Fluffy omelettes and pancakes, homemade jam, and fresh baked breads keep tourists and locals lining up. Definitely worth the long wait!

We're watching the play Wicked tomorrow night, woohoo! This Tony Award-winning Broadway and West End musical is the untold story of the witches of Oz long before Dorothy's arrival: Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good. Pictures of The Good and The Wicked below...who is who? Heehee.

Tomorrow is also Alcatraz day, yipeee!

As I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Why is it that I always get homesick when I travel to far-off places? This trip is no exception. Tsk tsk. I miss the rest of my family, I miss friends back home. And this despite the series of activities keeping us occupied day in, day out! Aaaarrggh. Speaking of days, the days are literally very long. I can't believe it's just Thursday; it seems like ages since we landed Sunday.

**********
Next week, I'll be returning to San Francisco for a few days (on my own this time) to meet up with Sam and Rye. This'll be my last opportunity to see Sam before she flies to Spain. I'll also carve out some me-time, which is absolutely essential in fulfilling the real purpose of this trip. I've had to suppress my anti-social side since we arrived and it's just raring to get out! I'm looking forward to quiet moments with just me, my book, and the city. Note: The book I brought with me is turning out to be quite an interesting read -- The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks, Book 1 of the Night Angel Trilogy.

**********

Excerpt of text message exchanges between Sam and myself the other night (I've had to resort to text messaging for the most part due to the unreliable connection in the house) :

BING: Sam, I'm planning to go to Alcatraz! If you want to experience a touch of macabre, do come with!
SAM: Sige sige GAME! Let's go on a day tour!
BING: You're the best, Sam! It will be the crowning moment of this trip -- visiting our fellow-hardened criminals' former abode! :D
SAM: Wahahaha funny kaaaaa!

I'll miss this girl.

I Want To Go Here

Macabre, historic, creepy, and imposing all at the same time! So intriguing. I hope Sam/Rye will agree to go. In any case, I think I've made up my mind ;)

After Breakfast Musings

My grandparents have been married for almost 50 years. It's a feat, especially in this day and age where divorces are a dime a dozen, where many marriages don't make it beyond the proverbial 7 years.

My grandfather is the quiet, soft-spoken type, while my grandmother is a dynamo. He's gentle and doting, while she's a force to reckon with (...and this is why I couldn't worm my way out of the gala night cum charity ball slated for Saturday, huhuhu). They have very different personalities, but they complement each other quite well and are so alike in values (which is what matters most, ultimately). Watching them banter and go down memory lane during breakfast, I can see the quiet affection they have for each other -- still strong and genuine even after half a century! Their partnership is just amazing.