nursing board exam

I thank God it's over. It was exhausting, draining, mind-boggling. It's not the end though. anxiety levels will be going up until the results are out on February. I hope and I pray that I pass.

I'm finally able to start my DVD marathons! I'm watching Friends, season 1. I just love this series. Never fails to make me laugh! =)

New Moon

Synopsis: The second installment of Stephenie Meyers phenomenally successful Twilight series, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of only to find herself in greater peril than ever before.

Following Bellas ill-fated 18th birthday party, Edward Cullen(Robert Pattinson) and his family abandon the town of Forks, Washington, in an effort to protect her from the dangers inherent in their world. As the heartbroken Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school, numb and alone, she discovers Edwards image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. Her desire to be with him at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.

With the help of her childhood friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), Bella refurbishes an old motorbike to carry her on her adventures. Bellas frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob, a member of the mysterious Quileute tribe, who has a supernatural secret of his own.

When a chance encounter brings Bella face to face with a former nemesis, only the intervention of a pack of supernaturally large wolves saves her from a grisly fate, and the encounter makes it frighteningly clear that Bella is still in grave danger. In a race against the clock, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edwards true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved that is a far cry from the one she'd hoped for. With more of the passion, action and suspense that made TWILIGHT a worldwide phenomenon, The Twilight Saga: New Moon is a spellbinding follow-up to the box office hit.

Rating: 4/5

Comments: I never actually wanted to watch New Moon, because I never really liked how they made Twilight (I was so disappointed with the movie). So the reason why I watched it, and on the opening day, too, no less? One word: Jacob. I mean, how can you not love a body like that?! And even in the book, I'm Team Jacob - no offense to Edward fans, but I just don't like him. I don't see why Bella would choose him over Jacob.

You should have heard the girls at the movie house when Jacob took off his shirt at the scene where Bella crashed the motorcycle. Of course, it gets irritating at the end. Across our aisle were these high school girls who couldn't seem to control their raging hormones and kept giggling and sighing like they've never seen a buff male body before.

I still love Alice - and I loved the yellow Porsche that she stole (I was waiting for that part coz I really wanted to see it). And the cliff diving! God, one of these days I'm going to try that.

Edward was soooo eeew though (again, no offense to fans out there). He shouldn't have taken his shirt off. Ugh.

In all fairness, it was actually better then Twilight - not counting the hot, half-naked men.

2012

Synopsis (CONTAINS SPOILERS): In 2009, American geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) travels to India to meet his friend Satnam, who has discovered that neutrinos from a massive solar flare have penetrated the Earth and are causing the temperature of its core to increase rapidly. Adrian returns to Washington D.C. to inform White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) and US President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) that this will instigate a chain of events that will bring about the end of the world. At the 36th G8 summit in 2010, other heads of state and heads of government are made aware of the situation. They collaborate to begin a secret project intended to ensure the continuity of human life, strategically choosing 400,000 people for admission on a series of gigantic arks to be constructed in the Himalayas. To help fund the venture, additional individuals are allowed to purchase tickets for one billion euros apiece.

In 2012, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is a writer in Los Angeles who works part time as a limousine driver for Russian billionaire Yuri Karpov. Jackson's ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) and their children Noah and Lily live with her new boyfriend, plastic surgeon and amateur pilot Gordon. Jackson takes Noah and Lily on a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park, where they meet Charlie Frost, a radio show host and conspiracy theorist. Charlie supports a theory that suggests the Mayans predicted the world would come to an end in 2012, and claims he has knowledge of the ark project and possesses a map of the arks' location. The family returns home as cracks begin to develop along the San Andreas Fault in California and earthquakes occur in the San Francisco Bay area. Jackson grows suspicious and rents a private plane to rescue his family. He collects his family and Gordon when the Earth's crust displacement begins and they escape Los Angeles as it collapses into the Pacific Ocean.

As millions begin dying in apocalyptic earthquakes worldwide, the group flies to Yellowstone to retrieve Charlie's map. The group narrowly escapes as the Yellowstone Caldera erupts. Charlie, who stayed behind to make a live broadcast of the eruption, is killed by the blast. Realizing the arks are in China, the group lands in Las Vegas, where they meet Yuri, his twin sons, girlfriend Tamara, and pilot Sasha. They join the group and secure a larger plane, the Antonov An-225, to head across the Pacific. Also bound for the arks aboard Air Force One are Anheuser, Adrian, and First Daughter Laura Wilson. President Wilson remained in Washington D.C. to address the nation one last time. He is soon killed by a tsunami that sends the USS John F. Kennedy crashing into the White House. With the Vice President dead and the Speaker of the House missing, Anheuser appoints himself acting Commander-in-Chief.

Yuri, who has purchased ark tickets for himself and his sons, deserts the Curtis family, Gordon, and Tamara upon arriving in China in a crash-landing that kills Sasha. However, the abandoned group is picked up by Nima, a Buddhist monk. Together, they begin sneaking onto an ark through its hydraulics chamber with the help of Nima's brother Tenzin, a welder for the ark project. In his last moments, Satnam calls Adrian to inform him that a tsunami is engulfing India and heading towards the arks. Learning of this, Anheuser orders the arks be sealed before the boarding process is complete, trapping thousands outside. Adrian manages to convince the other G8 leaders to let the remaining people on board. As the ark's tailgate is lowered, Gordon is killed when he falls in between the gears, followed by Tenzin's large electrical power drill. Yuri sacrifices his life to get his two sons on in time, but the obstruction prevents the gate from closing, rendering the ship unable to start its engines. The tsunami arrives and begins to flood the ark, drowning Tamara and setting the ark helplessly adrift. Jackson and Noah work together to free the drill and its cable from the closing mechanism. The gate closes and the crew regains control of the ark, preventing a fatal collision with Mount Everest.

When the floodwater from the worldwide tsunamis eventually recedes, satellite data shows that Africa rose in relation to sea level, and its Drakensberg mountains are now the highest on the planet. As three arks set sail for the Cape of Good Hope, Jackson reconciles with his family, and Adrian starts a relationship with Laura. The movie ends with a view of the Earth revealing the African continent as the only major landmass left above water.

Rating: 5/5

Comments: I was itching to see this movie since it opened on Robi last Saturday, but unfortunately it was already sold out (we were buying the last full show tickets for 9 PM, but it was sold out since 12 lunch!) Everytime we try to buy tickets (we had to juggle our schedule to fit with our preboards), but it was always sold out. That's how popular the movie is.

I was so happy when we finally get to watch the movie. Now I finally understand why the movie is always sold out.

I loved the movie - from the effects down to the ending. It would have been better if one could see it in 4D, but still. It was a feast for someone who enjoys watching movies with lots of explosions, falling buildings, flaming cars (meaning me!). The tsunami over Mt. Everest was an added bonus.

It was an eye-opener. It makes one think about the limited time we have (whether the 2012 prophecy was true or not) and how love is always equated to sacrifice. In events such as those, you'll do anything, even give up your own life to save the one you love the most.

Sucks how a lot of people died in the end, but it was really nice when they decided to open the gates to let the other people in.

I've read a lot of reviews saying the movie sucked, but, personally, I give it 5 out of 5. I guess it depends on the person watching it. I love the added humor. It's not all "it's the end of the world, lets all panic". It's funny though how, in the middle of a disaster, they still manage to add some romance to it.

All in all, I'd say it's a movie worth watching. All 2.5 hours or more of it. I even had to hold my bladder coz halfway through the movie I felt like peeing, but it was worth risking getting kidneys stones for. =)

and the pressure mounts up.

11 more days to go before the Nursing Licensure Exams.. I can feel my anxiety building up, as a result, I am more irritable and cranky these days.

Pray for me, please. I am bordering between panic and hysteria.

Everytime I go to church, it's either I feel like crying, or I really cry. Boo me.

awarded =)

Neno's Award. Hmmm, I wonder why it's called like that. :]

The rules and regulations for this award are:

1. As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging.
2. To seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
3. Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it.
4. Don’t forget to mention the person who gives you the award.
5. Answer the award’s question by writing the reason why you love blogging.
6. Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like.
7. Don’t forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

Thanks to Krissy! Someone I've never met face-to-face, but a sweet person who's become much more than an online acquaintance. Cheers to being friends! We'll see each other one day. I can't wait. :)

So.. Why do I love blogging? It's simple, actually. Since I express my feelings better through writing than through spoken words, blogging is such a big comfort to me. I don't like bottling up feelings, they make me explode at such unpredictable times (yes, I am so moody). I also hate confrontations, so whenever I get mad at a friend, I would keep it to myself (I get fired up quick, but I cool down just as fast - so it's easy for me to let bygones be bygones).

And much as I'd like to forget unpleasant memories, I use blogging as a means to get it out of my system - maybe not permanently, but for the time being at least. Someday, when I read through my blog, maybe I'll be able to laugh about it and remember the good times instead.

I'd actually like to expound more, but sadly I am pressed for time. I've been doing some last minute reading for the upcoming Nursing Licensure Exams this November 29 and 30, and I gave myself a limit on internet usage. I was only online because I have to book a flight for my Mom, but when I checked my FB and saw Krissy's post on my wall, I decided to give it a try.

I haven't been blogging long, so I haven't accumulated much blog friends (as I like to call them) yet. I used to blog on Multiply.

As for passing this on, I give this award to a few people (whom I haven't met personally, too) but I consider as friends (thanks to our Sigaw days - I miss that forum).

Joan
Joyce
Aileen

when the going gets tough, the tough gets band-aid.

I was feeling very shitty last Monday, that I actually went to church and just cried there. Then I just walked around downtown (walking helps me calm down and think) for like about an hour, and when I got to the Mercury Drug across our house, I went in. I picked up some Band-aids and some Loacker Sandwich, then I went home.

I actually thought about Band-aids when I got home. I have a bunch of 'em here. I kept buying them and I don't know why (aside from the fact that I am accident-prone, thus prone to scratches and wounds, so I like to be ready), until that day when I analyzed my actions. I realized that Band-aids are one of my security blankets (the others being sarongs and of course, food). I always buy a box of them whenever I'm feeling down, and I find myself near a grocery store or a pharmacy. They are my sources of comfort. :) Weird.

Anyway.. I have been out everyday these past days (to the annoyance of my parents).

Last Wednesday I was at Bo's with Cha (my ever beloved study buddy). She's the only person I can have a a study date with. We always hit the coffee shops, with each of us getting a separate table (we never seat together, because then we'd end up talking). We only talk to each other when we have clarifications regarding our topics. We chose Bo's that day because of their free WiFi. JK has WiFi, but it has limited use only (1 hour, I think), whereas Bo's has unlimited. We brought our laptops, and we downloaded movies from Torrent while we peruse our books and notes. We ate lunch at around 3 PM (late, I know), then we went to church with Jojo. Met with Lex afterwards and we all had dinner. Hans caught up with us later that night.

Thursday, Cha, Denise and I attended Fr. Suarez' Healing Mass. It was such a humbling experience. I attended his mass last year, and I'm so happy I was able to attend for a second time. We didn't stay for the healing though, there was plenty of people and we were really hungry, so we left. I just prayed to God, thanked Him, asked for blessings, and asked Him to heal those who needed it more than me.

We all went home afterward, and I minded our store for the whole day. Around 6 PM, a cargo truck passed by Rizal Avenue and one of the electrical wires got stuck on it. So naturally, when the truck moved forward, the wire snapped and we were plunged into darkness. I hate brownouts. It was hot at home, so I met with Jojo, Kenji and Lex (I've been spending way too much time with my ex) at the Dunkin Donuts a block away from my home. We stayed till 11 PM, talking, eating and taking pictures. It was a bunch of fun - cheap thrills, if you ask me. Then I had to go home coz my Dad was looking for me (I told him I won't be gone for long, I left at 8 PM, yet I went home at 11).

All in all, I had a good week, despite it's bad start. It's not over yet, though. I have weekend reviews. Boo.

friends. family. food.

All Soul's Day is like an informal gathering for our family. Since we don't see each other much, we try to make the most our gatherings. My aunt and cousin came home, and my nephews stayed at my other cousin's place, and we all had a big sleepover. Our neighbor's got WiFi (no password, yey!) so we hauled our laptops and enjoyed free net. They're so generous, they just don't know it. LOL

October 31

Went to the mall with Hans, Jojo and Lex. Jun was supposed to come, too, but she wasn't in the mood due to lack of sleep. We watched Michael Jackson's This Is It. I'm not an MJ fun, but seeing how the concert was prepared for, I knew it was gonna be a good one. Too bad. (May his soul rest in peace.) I especially loved Thriller (aside from the fact that it's my favorite MJ song). It was well made, and the costumes and make up look realistic to me.

We ate at Shakey's after. We didn't stay long, though. Then we went to Jin's at San Joaquin to get my Twilight Saga books. And we all went home.

My cousins, aunts and nephews were all accounted for when I got to my couz's place. We discovered our neighbor's WiFi, and we spent all night using it. I slept at about 2am, my nephews followed suit at 3am.

November 1

Went to the cemetery to pay respects to my grandma and uncle. I brought along a novel - Maeve Binchy's Heart and Soul, and while my nephews have their noses up against their PSPs, I spent the afternoon reading.

Afterwards, we went to Stephanie's for dinner. I so love eat all you can. What's not to love? Needless to say, we were all stuffed last night.

My nephew and I went straight to our respective laptops when we arrived home. Again, using our unaware neighbor's connection again, we surfed the net, downloaded songs, downloaded movies, check our Facebook and mail, chatted via YM and all. We tried to watch Jennifer's Body at Play and Watch, but we got till about 30 minutes through the movie. It stopped buffering and wouldn't continue, so we gave it up. I went to sleep, and my nephews came after me. They were scared to be left alone. LOL

November 2

Went to the cemetery again, but this time I didn't stay long. It was so hot there. I came home right after lunch, I didn't even go to the airport to say goodbye to my cousin and aunt (they're going back to Manila).

I just wanted to get home, and maybe have a little lie-in before I hit the books once again. November 29 is fast approaching, and I gotta be ready else the board might catch me unaware. LOL

On a much different note, my previous blog was just a little something something that's got me confused. LOL Maybe I'll blog about it, maybe I won't. Just not something I'm ready to divulge, coz I still am on denial. It's got me all fucked up though. Sigh.

The Shadow of the Wind

Author: Carlos Ruiz Safon

Summary: A stunning literary thriller in the tradition of Umberto Eco. The discovery of a forgotten book leads to a hunt for an elusive author who may or may not still be alive...

Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out 'La Sombra del Viento' by Julian Carax. But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.

Rating: 4.5/5

Quote: Few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. ♥