So many things have been running through my head lately, and I’ve been trying to organize them into a logical, readable post, but somehow, my brain is not cooperating. So maybe let’s keep with the music recommendations, and soon you, my dear reader (one of eight, hello!) will have a playlist to keep on loop. I watched the movie Warm Bodies the other day. The premise is simple, the guy’s a zombie, the girl, a human. It could’ve made for a very strange, sappy film, but the really witty writing and sort of adorable (make that very) lead Nicholas Hoult in his red hoodie and gray shirt made it one…

Up Dharma Down songs have an ethereal quality to them, and Tadhana is definitely one of the more moving ones. It’s in Filipino, and very old school so, that it took me quite a while to really understand what the song is trying to say. (I still think I’m missing some of the subtleties because of the language used). Saan nga ba patungo, Nakayapak at nahihiwagaan na Ang bagyo ng tadhana ay Dinadala ako sa init ng bisig mo Which loosely translates to: I don’t know where I’m going, barefoot and amazed. The storm of fate brings me to the warmth of your arms. Poetry set in music, what can…

I got this the other day. It was a meeting of the whole Philippine office at work, and I almost teared up. It was a simple gesture. This person had gotten their business cards due to a recent promotion, and they handed this over while a talk by one of our bosses was going on. See, I’m not really the most emotional of people (well, that’s a debatable statement), but I really had to blink back the tears that were perilously coming to the surface. Because the statement is true. I really was proud. I was pushing for this all along, I saw this person’s hard work and diligence, and…

You can listen to the song here. Because even if John Mayer is a douche in real life, he does come up with lyrics like these: Don’t say a word, just come over and lie here with me ‘Cause I’m just about to set fire to everything I see I want you so bad, I’ll go back on the things I believe There I just said it, I’m scared you’ll forget about me And with that melody, it really can just go on loop the whole day. What are you listening to?

Yesterday was the first time I fully participated in a “team building activity”. I never believed in team building activities. I was never the motivational speaker, self-help book type of girl. I thought all these years that it was all a bunch of boo-hockey that was made to force people into humiliating themselves for the fun of others, and no one was left better for it. Harsh right? This (kind of) cynical girl has gone through all of it, scavenger hunts, cheering competitions, relays. All leaving me a little more with a bitter taste in my mouth, a lot sweatier, and a little bit angrier at what we had to…

This summer has not been forgiving. Temperatures of 36-38 degrees Celsius are normal. There are no breezes to speak of, then suddenly a downpour for 20 minutes. Just enough to soak you to the skin and make your flipflops muddy, then the heat comes back worse. I don’t go to an office everyday so there have been endless workarounds to the heat. I’ve worked in the yard, the garage, the living room, my parent’s room, whichever is the coolest at the time. Multiple baths. Icy drinks. I’ve worked with friends in different locations. I’ve begged the fiance to go out and work at tea and coffee shops that have constant…

Even with the onslaught of modern distractions, there are still plenty of readers in the world. I’d like to think we’re obstinate dinosaurs that begin our adventures from pages written by other people. People that have been blessed to be able to put these thoughts into coherent, flowing stories that make our life richer, more insane, and color the outlines of sometimes humdrum lives spent doing the routine we’re used to. So what kind of reader are you? I can think of a few kinds: 1. The Extra Obstinate Dinousaur: Readers that absolutely refuse to use electronic materials to read. They won’t use electronic readers, tablets or cellular phones to…