Archive for November, 2011

23 Nov

Serenade again and other random thoughts

Posted by renxkyoko in Manga, my life, Philiipine culture, Philippine Heritage, Random thoughts, relationships. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Hello !  That handwritten signature makes it more personal, don’t you think so ?  I’m going to make that my intro from now on.

Oh, gosh, I don’t even know where to start. First off,  it’s Nov.21  today.  Hmmmm, a significant day for me.  Last night  the family had dinner at our favorite Chinese – Filipino restaurant, after which we went to watch a movie ” A Very Harold and Kumar 3 D Christmas ” . As usual, it’s about the misadventures of 2 idiots, Harold ( a Chinese investment banker ) and Kumar ( a medical student Asian Indian ) . I’ve watched the other 2 H and K movies.  I know not everyone appreciates the humour, but I get it and love it.  Oh, in fact, I had a   zombie overload this week.  For the first time, a Friday with no work and school! ! I got to watch the first season of Walking Dead ( loved it ! ) and the last Harry Potter movie. Of course I didn’t just sit in the couch and did nothing but watched…. …I made my free time more productive by ironing clothes as I watched the movies.  And while taking a break from all these zombies and ironing, I did the laundry.  Then before I went to bed, I managed to read and finish  a 200 page book  , The Crying of Lot 49 by Thomas Pynchon.  ( Uhm , supposedly a book  recommended  for Thomas Pynchon beginners )  Thomas Pynchon received a National Book Award and he was  regular contender fot Nobel Prize in Literature.  Seriously, this book……….@___@….. I know I’m shallow, and all that, but not totally stupid, you know ?  but, to be honest,  I didn’t know what I just read.  Well, it’s about the main character , a woman, who’ s  investigating or trying to get proofs that Trystero, a private mail delivery company  exists and is trying to dominate the world. She sees its logo everywhere, even under a bush. While investigating, she meets people who are even more weird and paranoid than her. There seems to be no resolution, the story ends, just like that, no hee, no haa . WTH !  I don’t get it.  You know what, I don’t care if  he’s a literary giant, I didn’t enjoy reading  his book. Period.  And  that’s what’s important, right ? To enjoy a book ?

 I just bought the last book of Eragon series, Inheritance. My sister is reading it first…. ooooh, I can’t wait to read it. It’s awesome !  Now, this is what I consider good read, LOL.

It seems my post on serenades generated a lot of interest.  I wish I could add some more info about it, although one commented that it is probably of Spanish influence. I’m sure it is. The Philippines was under Spain from 1521 t0 1898, so  I assume  majority of its customs and traditions are  Spanish in origin.    The country is the odd man out in Asia, they say.  90% Catholics,  with customs and traditions that  are more similar to Spain and Mexico rather than its asian neighbors.  Asians , for example are aloof and non- demonstrative, but in the Philippines, they hug and kiss when they greet relatives and friends. Filipinos are a boisterous lot. 

So, okay the serenades…. nothing much there…. except one anecdote from Dad. When he was 17 or so, he had a friend who was crushing on this one girl ( he mentioned the name of the girl, because, later on, Dad was the one who crushed on her… but that’s another story, he he he ). Another friend  suggested they serenade this girl, and so they did. But before that, they had a drinking party first, then, around 10 PM, they got around to serenade the girl. But they were so drunk the song they sang sounded horrible. And instead of the girl coming out to talk to them, it was the father and a brother who came out, and they even let the dog out.  So, the guys said sorry and hastily retreated, then ran off . The dog chased them off the property. LOL  Oh, another one….. one guy  serenaded solo, but used a boombox instead, and played a tape recorded song. I don’t know if the girl opened the window. Ahahaha.   Oh, here’s another  image of  serenade.

Take note of the grandpa  behind her. He looks annoyed. Anyways, if the couple have mutual feelings,  the girl will let the guy or guys , if it’s a group, to come into the house. Maybe they will be served hot coffee or whatever is available…. meanwhile, the family will be lurking in the shadows, listening in to the conversations ,  and when it’s time for them to leave, the grumpiest in the family, the grandma, will spread a sleeping  mat on the living room floor. That means, she’s going to sleep, right there, and it’s time for the guys to go.  And the girl of course will blush and get embarassed… Grandma ?  That;s the movie on my mind.

About the girl my Dad’s friend serenaded…….. The friend gave up on her. Years later, it was Dad who crushed on her. It was also the same time Mom had met Dad. Well, suffice it to say, Mom turned out to be the evil rival…. if this was a manga story, LOL !  Wanna know the story ?  Post a comment and let me know.

I wrote on the post, ” My Vehicle was Stolen” that I was cited for not stopping at a STOP sign. So, the court appearance was on Nov. 15.  Dad came with me, and told me to plead NOT GUILTY. So I stood before the judge and he asked ” How do you plead? ” I said Not guilty. I was asked to take a seat again. I waited for the clerk of court to call me back, … waited for 1 1/2 hours, then she called me and said I should come back on Dec 12, present evidences why I think I’m not guilty, blah, blah…. At that point, I was already at my limit. It was a hopeless case. Everybody else just pled guilty and paid the fine. So I told her I’d change my plea to Guilty. So the judge called me again, and said ” Ms. Iglesias, you’d like to change your plea, so how do you plead,” I said  “Guilty, Sir. ”  ” So, the sentence is either community service or fine of $ 236.00 ”  ” I’ d like to pay the fine, sir. ”  So, that’s it, my court saga.  Ugh. Lousy experience. I swear, Traffic court is California’s money machine.  There goes 1/4  of my monthly wages.

There you go. The picture is making an L sign.  I am a LOSER.  LOL !

Oh, hey ! Thanksgiving Day on Thursday ! HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY ! !

Uhm, here are some random pics ….

Street at  my school.  I just love Fall colours !

And that’s moi going to school…. busy texting…..

 

And this next one… I painted this using colored pencils.

This is all for now ! ! Good day to all ! !  PEACE !

12 Nov

Courtship and serenade

Posted by renxkyoko in Manga, my life, Philiipine culture, Philippine Heritage, Random thoughts. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Hello, Renxkyoko Iglesias musing here!

Eight days have passed…………. time to post again.  Meh. As usual, I’m hitting a blank wall. 

I just checked out my email folder, with almost 2,000 read emails . I deleted around 500. Going through the mails, I suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia and sadness wash over me when I read a series of emails between a certain person and myself.  He was my one-sided  love.

 But  the unrequited love is not the reason why I felt sad. The reason is more dire than that. I have a question….. what is the mathermatical probability that out of the population of 4 billion men, the guy that you happen to like has a terminal illness ? He  turned 20 this September. He was diagnosed when he was just 18 years old.  This is really true. “ Hey, Dreamsending, I guess you now have an idea who he is.” ( Dreamsending is my co-author here on Renxkyoko’s space )

So, what else can I talk about ?  Well, I bought a blu-ray of the movie The Strangers, ( recommended by a blogger )and the first season of Walking Dead. ( recommended by 3 bloggers ) I don’t think I can watch the movies this week. I have exams coming next week. As usual, crunch time.

It’s been a rather boring week.  Seriously, I really have nothing to talk about.  It seems everything is …. lifeless. Everyday  it’ s school, work, home…….and I guess this happens to be one of my “off” days . I really feel lethargic, and I just want to curl up in bed and sleep . 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Hi, again ! I wrote the above 4 days ago. Today is Veteran’s Day, so there’s no school, although  I went to work from 1 PM to 7 . And there wasn’t much happening there, either. My boss gave me another $ 150 gift certificate, though.  My third one !   Also, I deleted/erased most of what I had written above about this guy. . I thought they were most inappropriate.  My problem with him seemed so puny compared to his own personal problem, so I felt I had no right whatsoever to  feel  hurt. I mean, his situation is mind- blowing. I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling now.   Last I heard from him, there was remission. I hope it stays that way.  So young ……….

So…..

My mom got a call from the Philippines,  from my aunt, Mom’s sister. She told my Mom that a cousin, (  their first cousin ) had asked my aunt to call Mom, so that Mom could call a nephew ( who’s in the Philippines, too , and who’s actually my Dad’s nephew, the son of his sister) and ask him what his real intentions are regarding Mom’s first cousin’s daughter, who happens to be the nephew’s girlfriend.  ( Are you still with me?  LOL )……… maybe a diagram is in order. 

Mom——> First cousin——–> daughter Cathy

Dad——-> Sister———> son Don

Cathy <——- hearts ——–> Don

Backround story:  It was when  Mom and I went to the Philippines last year  on vacation that Don and Cathy were introduced at a family reunion.  Cathy is a 30 year old doctor, single, and  really quite pretty. Don is a 35 year old lawyer, single, and never even had a girlfriend. So, they liked each other, and just had a first year anniversary of their relationship last August.  But, here’s the thing…. it seems Cathy wants to get married, but  doesn’t want to bring up the subject of marriage to Don.  Mom is not sure if  Cathy knows about her Mom’s call to my Mom, but  Mom’s  assuming she does, so Mom calls Don. For fun, this is more or less, Mom’s and Don’s conversation:

Mom :  Don, don’t tell Cathy I talked to you about this, but Cathy’s Mom called and told me to sound you off about Cathy’s desire to get married.

Don :  Aunty,  I know what  Cathy feels, but, I have just started my own law firm, and right now, I can barely pay the rent and my secretary’s salary. My savings are fast disappearing. I don’t think I can afford to have a family now.

Mom:  Don, Cathy is a doctor. She’s doing okay financially. She knows you’re in a bind now,  yet, she still wants to get married  to you..

Don: That’s exactly the reason why I don’t want to get married yet. I should be the one to support her, to bring home the bacon.

Mom: Don, you’re 35. How long will it take you to build a steady clientle, 5 years, 10 years? You’ll be 40 by then, and Cathy will be 35. She doesn’t want that.  She’s willing to share the burden with you, as a wife.

Don:   That’s what she thinks now…. but, I’m sure there are going to be money problems… and marital fights…… that’s inevitable….. and I don’t want that to happen to us.

Mom:    Don, you don’t have to marry her now….. all you have to do is make the relationship official…. give her a ring, get engaged… that’s all for now…. and then both of you decide when to get married.

Don :  Alright, alright. Aunty, I love you, but please don’t think I’m doing this because you asked me to. I’m doing this of my own free will and because  I love her, okay? 

Mom : Alright ! But please don’t get married before our Euro trip next year. We want to attend the wedding ! ! !

 Of course I embellished the conversation a little bit, but it’s more or less 80% accurate. I was the Third wheel on their first few dates !  And  I witnessed the awkwardness of 2 grown adults. I couldn’t believe it. Or was it a culture thing?  Mom says  in the rural areas in the Philippines, a man has to serve the family of the girl he’s courting.  Like, chopping  firewood for cooking?  Oh, and there’s this tradition of serenading the girl  !  They say the guy serenades the girl at night, under the moonlight, and if the girl likes him back, she will open the window and listen, but if she doesn’t like him, the window will not be opened.  And if the guy can’t sing, he hires a professional singer.  Wow! Just imagine the scene…. a guy singing a haunting love song, accompanied by a guitar, and the girl looking out the window, with a lovely smile on her face, awwww !  I wonder if this tradition still exists.  Mom says it still does, coz she was serenaded once by a young, poor farmer when she stayed at a small barrio for one month  for her on the job training when she was in college. She siad it was embarassing and awkward., like, did the guy really think that would work? LOL

Edited to include a pic of Philipine tradition of Serenade:

I have a question, though…. do you think my Mom crossed the line by  ” urging”  my cousin Don to get engaged to Cathy?  Well, actually, it was Cathy’s mother who wanted Mom to do that. This isn’t what we call a shotgun wedding , is it ? Shotgun weddings are for pregnant ladies, and Cathy isn’t.

Anyways, I hope Philippine guys continue with this sweet tradition of courtship, serenade and all. It’s awesome. Over here in the US,  wham, bam, thank you , Ma’m  is the thing.

Well, this is all for now. Good day to all !  Oh, wait, before I go, there’s this Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao who’s gonna have a bout with a Mexican boxer Marquez tonight on HBO’s Pay Per View. You bet we’re going to watch. And some guests are coming, including my sister’s boyfriend’s cousins. ( A bunch of white guys, haha ) Last time the cousins were here, BF and one cousin almost had their own boxing match at the backyard.  It seemed the cousin favored the other boxer. And, they had beers too many.

Alright, gotta go….. I’ll bake cupcakes ! ! Bye for now !

1 Nov

AOI SPICE and all things nice, and not so nice….

Posted by renxkyoko in Manga, my life, Random thoughts, rantings, relationships.

* Come  Ren, …… say hi *

I made it to  3 posts this October.  Yay ! I wasn’t really that busy this  past week, though I did pull at least 3 all nighters   for  Chem . and Physics.  Problem is,  I really  don’t have anything to talk about !……… Unless you want to read a blow by blow account of  what I did at work and at school. ?  No?  Right. I don’t think so.  * sigh * Anyways, I did go to a head banger concert last Friday with my sweet 13 year old cuz.  Gosh, I thought, is this the extent of my social life? Chaperoning  an 8th grader ?

Not only that, we had to pick up a  6 footer first year high school boy and I was like, ” You have a date? A high school boy ?  ” Oh, no, no , Tita, he’s just a friend who’s got  a ticket to the concert too, but he needs a ride. ”  ” Whatever. How come you’re  friends with a HS kid. ?” ” We’ve been friends since last year yet. He went to [ insert name of middle school ], too .”   Hmmmm……….*ponders* …….   So, as expected, the concert was rowdy and loud, and fun. Yup, I enjoyed it. The concert started at 6 PM and ended at 11 PM . It took that long coz there were 6 bands that played. Oh, and also, one band singer got one  water bottle  , took a sip,  returned the cap, and threw it at the crowd. My cuz caught it, and I thought she’d keep it as a souvenir, but no, she drank from it , too and passed it on to the HS kid, who drank from it and passed it on and so on….. and I was like,  freakin’ hell !  ! What if  that singer had an infectious disease or something !  Yikes!

  Actually, I was supposed to go to a club that night too, with my college pals, but I couldn’t leave  the concert and the kids. My friends texted  me all night. ” Why aren’t you here yet? ” Are you coming over  or not? ” Not.   Well, we got home at 11:30. It was too late to go…. to a club, alone,  past 12 midnight.  So, I decided to just read a manga  . Pathetic.

Speaking of which, I just read a horrible manga, even more horrible than that one where the main character kills herself.  I read the ending first, and I was like, ” Oooooh, they are together “, so I didn’t bother to read the forum. Big mistake.  The “hero” of the story is a first class sadist and the “heroine ” is a masochist.  How bad is he ? Well, he doesn’t like the girl’s hairstyle, so he gets a pair of scissors and forcibly  cuts the girl’s hair. Just like that. Yeah, that bad.  What’s worse is that, while he professes deep love for the girl, he has been  banging  another girl! !  A manwhore !  What the ! ! !#$%^&*#$%^&* ! ! ! Freak !   What kind of a  love story is that ? It ‘s so twisted and perverted !  Geeezuz ! ” Excuse me for a sec , guys,  I think I’m gonna jump off a cliff. ”

So, anyways,

It was already 2 AM when I finished reading. I was so upset by what I just read I almost  hurled my laptop across the room, or myself  againts the wall.  * ( There, there…..( pats head )….  It’s just a story, Ren.  You don’t have to be so emo about it. ” *) I  then decided to read another one  to erase the negative aura that enveloped me.  Never mind the time. I am, after all, the Goddess of Imsomniacs.  So, I rummaged through a list of  titles and found one . A gem  ! ! One of the loveliest, sweetest, fluffiest, cutest romance story I’ve ever read so far.  Just  a story between two people, without the angst and conflicts that usually accompany their journey to everlasting love.   The title is AOI SPICE.  This story proves that any  author can write a moving love story without  the main guy with a GF, or  still pining for his ex GF, ex- Gfs  and rivals bitching and getting in the way of the protagonists’ relationship, girls seducing the main guy and succeeding, main guy cheating, and all these cliches the writers throw our  way to spice up the stories. They’re so gut wrenching. But I guess it can’t be helped. We cannot  have cheese all the time, huh.

Here are some scenes of the ending story. By the way, Japanese comics are read from right to left. On these scenes, Ren , the main guy is holding his first ever concert. ( He is a singing idol, while Ageha, the main girl, is an ordinary student he has met at the park while  walking his dog.) Meanwhile, Ageha is already at the airport, leaving for England with her parents. She could have stayed behind , but due to misunderstandings, Ren lets her go. But before that, he deliberately hurts her feelings and breaks up with her. Also, his first ever album is titled Ageha, with all the songs composed by him. His last song at the concert is the song Ageha, but he is unable to sing it, and leaves his own concert to rush to the airport to see Ageha. There,  he professes his undying love, T.T…… Ageha leaves , just the same , with a promise to come back in 2 years. On the last 2 panels, you can see a small box with an engagement ring in it. And also, Ren has become more famous, but his love never wavers. The end. 

 

* misty eyes*  * sniffs*  ” Tissue, please. ”  Well, that’s how a manga looks like, for those of you who don’t know what a manga is.

I got an email informing me that one reader ” LIKED” one post of mine.  I couldn’t remember that I even posted that… about a bargain Calvin Kline purse ? I blogged about that ? It was dated June , 2010, so I guess it was on Windows Live. All my posts there were transferred lock, stock and barrel to WordPress in October , 2010,  one year ago today.  I want to repost an excerpt of that one here, if I may. I feel nostalgic. Oh, and you know what, I ‘ve never used that purse, and I don’t know where it is. Maybe it’s in the attic.?

Exerpt :

{A four – hour work, no matter how short, was a welcome interruption from a truly , boring day. I got out of the house and interacted with fellow human beings, laughed heartily at my co-worker’s stupid jokes, and patiently dealt with rude customers. This was also the first time I enjoyed scooping ice cream, LOL.  After work, I lingered around, checked out the shoe store < Payless > nearby, ordered some ” fish and chips ” at this British restaurant, went into a video game store to ask how much I could get for my Persona 3 video game… $ 5.00….no, thank you, I’d rather give it away and earn some goodwill. Then, ooooh, a Thrift shop. I went in, checked out racks of old clothes < ha ha, I was just curious…. they could have come from some dead people’s wardrobe >, then , lo and behold, a Calvin Klein purse ! ! And only for a buck fifty ! ! Smile It looked unused, pristine, and you bet I bought it ! ! Got myself a true bargain and that, my friends,  made my day. Tongue out * happy dance * Red rose }
 
I love having the emoticons ! How can I get one here on WordPress?
Oh, it’s Holloween  today !  I like this holiday. This is the day where I can get in touch with my inner zombie.  I managed to watch 2 full zombie movies, Day of the Living Dead, and Dawn of the Dead on SyFy. ( and we have the complete Resident Evil series . This series rocks ! LOL ) Do yuo know Brad Pitt will star in a zombie movie? Wow, an A-lister ! Hahaha !  * ponders*  Zombies used to walk so slow people could run around them and chop off their heads, but modern zombies can outrun living people nowadays. If there were  zombies in real time, what would you do? What’s your weapon of choice to kill zombies?  He he he… I know, stupid questions. ( Not to me, though. I actually thought about such things. But that’s me )
 
Well, this is all for now. Good day to all, and I hope I didn’t bore you. Please come again and read me.  Be good, and PEACE !