5 Movies A Girl Must Watch

5 Movies A Girl Must Watch

Sigh. Movies. I love what the magic of the silver screen can do to you, how it can influence your life, mannerisms, even habits. And like any hopeless romantic, love, in all its forms, fascinates me. Over the years, I have watched many beautiful films with love as the main theme. And over the years, I have gotten to love a few of them, not to mention dislike a few as well.

Here is my list of romantic (not necessarily comedies) movies a girl must watch. And if you are a guy, I guarantee you WILL score brownie points if you plan an evening with your wife/girlfriend and one of these movie DVDs.

You've Got Mail

Forget 'Sleepless in Seattle'! This is the one you have to watch. The second time Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan got together to star in a rom-com, it was magic; THIS was magic. The simplicity in this love story is one to die for, and if you have not watched the movie yet, I will not give any spoilers. But this I must say, have you stopped 'writing' to your beloved? This will encourage you to do so.

Take a look at this brilliant dialogue, as written by Meg Ryan's character Kathleen Kelly to her online friend, Tom Hanks' character Joe Fox:

"Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdale's to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are."

The Holiday

'The Holiday' is the reason why I think Nancy Meyers is the fairy godmother of all romantic movies. Kate Winslet, by far, is the one to watch  out for in this rom-com. Released pretty recently, (2006) this is one movie that will make you say (or think) at least once, 'Hey, I am like that!' And ladies, prepare to bring out that tissue toward the end of the movie… for happy tears, of course.

'The Holiday' also has some of the most amazing dialogue writing I have ever seen and heard on-screen. Take a look at this one.

Arthur Abbot, the senior screenwriter, played by the legendary Eli Wallach, says to Iris (Kate Winslet) at dinner: "This is not a hard one to figure out. Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend."

Serendipity

'Serendipity' is the game of chance. Of luck, as it were. Luck in love and romance. Would I recommend it in real life? Maybe not. But I do recommend watching this beautiful John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale movie. This is one of those films that will make you believe in having an everlasting soulmate, and that nothing can stop anyone from meeting that person.

Just one line sums up this rom-com. Kate Beckinsale's character Sara tells John Cusack's character Jonathan: "Well, if we're meant to meet again, we'll meet again. it's just not the right time now."

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Did you know mixed marriages are controversial everywhere? If you're wondering what I am talking about, refer to my earlier post, The Great Indian Mixed Family. The reason why I love this movie is because it's about two very different cultures coming together, because of love. Nothing can be sweeter than that.

If you have not watched the movie, the next dialogue may be a bit of a spoiler, but MAN, is it an ego boost! Maria Portokalos (the mother) gives her daughter Toula, some enlightening advice: "Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants."

But what sums up this film of different cultures, is the following dialogue. Gus Portokalos (the father) makes a speech when both families officially meet for the first time. See what he says: "You know, the root of the word Miller is a Greek word. Miller come from the Greek word "milo," which is mean "apple," so there you go. As many of you know, our name, Portokalos, is come from the Greek word "portokali," which mean "orange." So, okay? Here tonight, we have, ah, apple and orange. We all different, but in the end, we all fruit."

Beauty and the Beast

This Walt Disney classic is a favourite for all ages, and if you have not watched it yet, I suggest you make a stop at your local DVD rental shop, right about NOW. I remember watching this movie when I was a teenager, hoping and wishing for my own Prince Charming to arrive. The Beast, however, was a rude shock. And yet, I was riveted. The music, the dance, the talking kettle (Mrs Potts), candlestick (Lumiere) and wall clock (Cogsworth) were as enchanting as they were lovable.

Just as the intro starts in the beginning of the film, the narrator says: "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart. And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?"

So, there you go; make a date, cuddle up on the couch, and watch these classic happily-ever-afters. And make sure you leave a comment about your thoughts about these movies.

A Halloween Gone By...

The Glamtastic Party of last year never had a part two this year. The good friend Crisanto Mercier just visited me at home and we ate heaps of siomai. 

Since October 31st 2010, I've been obsessed of dressing up (or doing make up) for Halloween. Let's say I was waaaaay tooooo shyyyy when I was younger so I did not quite enjoy activities like this.

I would sit down in one corner trying to come up with looks for a there-could-be-a-Halloween-Party-this-year. Haaaayyyy...

The thought of a frustrated party brought me back to the topic of channeling our inner vixens cum pop icon. The BFF and I was planning of doing a "Britney through the Years" Halloween Party!

The first Britney look that came to my mind was this:

TADA! The video that catapulted her from teeny bopper to sexy pop icon: I'm A Slave 4 U

Guess what? Just took a Cosmo quiz earlier and this is the result. Talk about POP-session.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Ask for a salary hike now

Ask for a salary hike now

Despite putting in a number of years at an organisation and holding on to your job when others quit, you have been passed over for promotion. Should you ask for a bigger role and a raise? What's the best way to go about it?

Most of us try to avoid asking for a promotion or raise. But it's worth mustering the courage; the rewards are worth it. But before you present your case, here are a few questions you ought to ask yourself...

Does your performance speak for itself?
If the answer is yes, you have a chance. Present all your achievements since you started working in the organisation. Showcase how these achievements are noteworthy and need recognition in the form of a promotion and raise. The best time to ask is immediately after a recent major achievement, where you have displayed exemplary behaviour (cost cutting, clinching a major account, process improvement or improved productivity). But remember that your past performance, ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines also enhances your chances for a promotion.

Are you ready to take on additional responsibilities?
Promotion means additional responsibilities. The expectation levels will also increase the moment you move to the next level. What was exceptional performance in the last role would be considered average in the new role. As you move ahead in your career, remember that there is no scope for complacency.

Is there a position that you can fill in?
Companies do not offer promotions merely to satisfy employees. There must be a vacancy available. Organisations do not create positions to fulfil your desires. Even if they do so, within a couple of months you will realise that you are still stuck doing the same old routine tasks. However, if you have been creating value additions, been efficient and well informed, there is a possibility of you being given an opportunity to do something different, where you create something from scratch, perhaps even a new department. This is your true test of performance, potential and perseverance.

How to raise the topic?
Be very sure of what you want, why you want it and what makes you fit for the role. Do not show dissatisfaction at your current state of affairs. Present a positive picture by mentioning that you wish to contribute more towards the organisation's growth. Presentation with valid, relevant data would make your boss realise your potential. Perceived potential for growth matters a lot. Keep statistics handy during the discussion; showcase your contribution and achievements.

Not getting the deserved raise
You have worked hard and feel the raise you have got does not match your investment in the firm. Will the threat to quit, work? This is common in many organisations. But, it's unethical and has a very slim chance of working.

TEASER!!!

Call me desperate but dang... you kiddin' me Katy? 11.11.11 is soooo tagal!

Been waiting for this song to be released since ET days!

Definitely, my fave off Teenage Dream -- reminded me of Thinking of You, the first video that made me love you.

We shall meet Katy, chill ka lang.

On Travel

Famed pyramids of Cairo, Egypt. "Stolen" from a friend's Facebook album

"Ang gusto sana namin, lagi kaming makapagtravel nang sabay."

The words of a friend who got married fairly recently just left a mark on me. How many Filipinos are able to travel at least twice a year, at least for leisure? 

I bet, a lot of households have not even been outside the outskirts of the Metro (wherein a plane ride is deemed practical than a silly aircon bus) and hell yeah, what more beyond Luzon? outside the country?

Budget constraint is the number one reason. Hell, why travel if you're struggling to feed yourself a decent meal three times a day, yes? Next is... come on... this perhaps is my BIGGEST frustration. Visa application. If check out the websites of those "big guns", you'll see a lot of heartaches regarding VS application -- property, business, bank account, proof of blah blah. Yeah, believe me, browsing VS application process on the internet has been a hobby since last year. One country have different requirements than the other, less or more difficult maybe but one thing's quite the same -- for an average Pinoy like me, visiting a country needing Visa SUCKS.

Whew!

But you know what? It's free to dream! Well I think, dreaming's all I can do for now. 

Why am I bringing this all up? Maybe "Eat, Pray, Love" is the reason. Yes, that Julia Roberts film. 

I want that! You know... being gone for a year just wandering and enjoying places and culture. I win ll not stay in hotels. I'd stay in hostels! HAHAHA. Or in a simple, cozy and little apartment or flat or room wherein I can cook! Yeah, I think the second's better than the first. What else? Oh here it is! As much as possible, I  will minimize booking tours. I'd make friends with fellow tourists (or locals) and I'd get lost and discover the place! I'm sure to make many, many friends out there.

Everytime I see updates on my Facebook timeline of recent travels, I couldn't help but smile. I hope that these people get to write something about these travels too. While pictures entice my senses, I'd love to hear stories  too. How was the trip, were they able to mingle with the locals, did they get drunk, did they hook up with someone etc. 

Travel... a dream that's just taking a lifetime for me to realize. But I am a hundred percent super hopeful :)

Trust is Important for Every Relationship

Trust is Important for Every Relationship

TRUST
Trust is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.

A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated, "PUB." There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is."

Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB".


NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?"

The father-in-law answered in a smile, "Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you."

We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

If we forgive  others, others will ignore our mistake too.

CREATING PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS?

A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, had requested "I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one." The SDU officer said, "Your requirements, please." "Oh, good looking, polite, humorous, sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest." The officer listened carefully and replied, "I understand you need television.."

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband, because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up a and discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.


NO OVERPOWERING

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another, or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character."


RIGHT SPEECH

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that "A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation." Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other, we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted, "Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school." On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, "Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker." She answered," You should appreciate that you married me. Other wise, he will be the millionaire and not you."

Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.


PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, "Very stupid. Why neither of them rides on the donkey? "Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, "The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?" Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, "How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman."

The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, "Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you." Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.
It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a narrow bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you.. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..


BE PATIENT

This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.

Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers of both the hands of the kid. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, "Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?" The father went home & committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.

People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

"Good Life starts only when you stop wanting a better One"

LIFEBOOK

LIFEBOOK

Health:

1.    Drink plenty of water.
2.    Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.    Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants (factory).
4.    Live with the 3 E's -- Energy,  Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5.    Make Time for Prayers.
6.    Play more games.
7.    Read more books than you did in 2009.
8.    Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day & meditate/pray.
9.    Sleep for 7 hours.
10.  Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day -- and while you walk, SMILE !!

Personality:

11.  Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.  Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.  Don't overdo; keep your limits.
14.  Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
15.  Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.  Dream more while you are awake.
17.  Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need..
18.  Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.  Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.  Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.  Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.  Smile and Laugh more often.
24.  You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

25..  Call your family often.
26.  Each day give something good to others.
27.  Forgive everyone for everything.
28.  Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 7.
29.  Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.  What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.  Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

32.  Do the right things.
33.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.  God heals everything.
35.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.  No matter how you feel; Get up, Dress up and Show up!
37.  The best is yet to come.
38.  When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.  Your inner most is always happy, So be Happy!