..booked...

Its always been a rare treat for me to go out and just take a stroll around the malls. But its not really my forte because I get tired easily from just walking around. Since my friend always requires my company then I always obliged , of course with something in return, a nice treat perhaps..( kidding aside)The only places inside the mall I feel so at home and at myself is the bookstores..National Bookstores either in Ayala or SM; Fully-booked in Ayala and PowerBooks in SM. These are the only places that I don't mind standing for hours just to peruse those nicely arranged books on the shelves. Whenever I came inside these places it feels like I am entering into a different world.. a world that i can fully comprehend and just be immersed in it...I love books and reading is something I prefer to do most of the time...Getting comfy in a corner and be lost to the story I have at hand is a kind of high for me....

...underworld-rise of the lycans...

A prequel to the first two Underworld movies.....

..SINULOG 2009...

This will be my first time to be outside and have the first-hand view of this annual celebration. I have resided in Cebu City for a few years now and I never get to watch the grand Sinulog parade. I always abhor the crowd and the traffic it usually cause. But this year, I will be joining the photo contest. I will be taking pictures during the grand parade itself. I am excited about this event because this will be my first time..I will be pitting myself against professional photographers and newbies like myself...but then, I just want to be involve in this and just enjoy everything...and probably get some pointers from the pro on how to improve myself with regards to this newfound hobby of mine...

...cake....

..full moon...

A&E

It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, hey hey
And the pain's starting to slip away, hey hey

I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward that's shining
Think I want you still
But there may be pills at work

Do you really wanna know how I was dancing on the floor?
I was trying to phone you as I'm crawling out the door
I'm amazed at you, the things you say and that you don't do
Why don't you ring?

I was feeling lonely, feeling blue
Feeling like I needed you
Like I'm walking up surrounded by me
A&E

It's a blue, bright blue Saturday, hey hey
And the pain's starting to slip away, hey hey

I'm in a backless dress on a pastel ward that's shining
They gotta watch you still
But there may be pills at work

How did I get to accident and emergency?
All I wanted was you to take me out high
And I was feeling lonely, feeling blue
Feeling like I needed you
Like I hoped you'd call and hoped you'd see me
A&E

Simbang Gabi-Conclusion

I was able to complete the nine days dawn masses. I was not able to blog about it because I went home and I choose not to be in front of the computer for the duration of my vacation so to speak. For the 9th day mass, I was at home already.....It started at 4 AM and we had to go to church at 2 AM just to get some seats...we did actually but it was really hard for my part, especially not falling asleep during the homily...

Simbang Gabi- 7th day

Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

Simbang Gabi- 6th day

Today is a Sunday. I attended mass and had breakfast afterward. I'm kind of feeling sleepy now. I've been getting not enough shut-eye for the past few days.....

Simbang Gabi- 5th day

My blog entry is getting shorter by the day. Well, there's really nothing much to say. I did the same thing I always do upon getting out of bed. While inside the church though, I was trying to control myself from getting fed up because there's this kid who was very noisy while the mass was going on and the parents did not do anything to keep their son quiet. It was very annoying...

Simbang Gabi- 4th day

Yes, I'm still counting..I am thankful that I was still able to attend the mass for past four days even if it means waking up very early. I'm kind of used to it though, I mean, the waking up early part. Its more of a routine already and I will probably miss doing it, once the nine days are over. Talk about over-confident....

Simbang Gabi- 3rd day

As usual, I woke up this morning feeling groggy and my eyes still heavy with sleep. I did not hear my alarm buzz off. Again, my friend had to wake me up. I hastily took a shower, dressed then have some coffee while waiting for the time. For three straight days now I've been getting up at 3:00 AM and I do intend to keep it up till I complete the nine days. Wish me luck...

Simbang Gabi- 2nd day

I missed the alarm sounding off. Good thing my friend came to my room and woke me up. I was startled for a bit and I was wondering why I did not hear my alarm clock sound off. Not wasting any precious minutes, I took a shower immediately. As always the water was freaking cold. it took an ounce of willpower just to endure the biting cold water. Minutes later, I was toweling my myself dry and get dressed. At the church, I felt so sleepy, it seems that I can't stay awake. I try to distract myself by just looking at all the different lights on the altar.......

Simbang Gabi- 1st day

I went to bed early last night so I could have enough shuteye before today's ordeal. I set my cellphone's alarm clock and my Winnie the Pooh clock just to be sure. Only my cellphone's alarm sound off. I don't know what's wrong with my other clock. Anyway, just as soon as the clock buzz off, I instantly got out of bed. I cannot afford to linger for any minute longer for fear of falling back asleep . I took a shower and boy, the water was really damn cold. I got goosebumps all over my body as soon as the water hit me. I closed my mouth shut to keep it from rattling...It was really, really cold...Today was the start of the nine day novena before Christmas so that's the reason for my waking up early today. The mass started at 5:00 AM but I was up and about at 2:30 AM, call that overly excited. As usual, the church was filled with people. Those who came in late brought their own foldaway chairs. Well, I always make it a point to complete the nine days. Hopefully this year, I will be able to do so....

...belen...

I happened to go out last night and I was able to see various decorations depicting Christmas. Its mostly lights and more lights. Christmas trees are always there and Santa too. But what caught most of my attention is the nativity scene, whenever you go around the streets or inside the malls, this one bit of Christmas scenery is always present. So I did a a little research about it and here it goes...

A nativity scene may be used to describe any depiction of the Nativity of Jesus in art, but in the sense covered here, also called a crib or manger in the UK and crèche in France (meaning "crib" or "manger" in French), it means a three-dimensional commercial or folk art depiction of the birth or birthplace of Jesus, either sculpted or using two-dimensional (cut-out) figures arranged in a three-dimensional setting. At Christmas time these arrangements are created and displayed in Catholic and Protestant homes, churches and parks. For the Christmas season, two nativity scenes are put on display at the Vatican. The first is put inside the Vatican Basilica. The second, placed in the Piazza San Pietro before the Christmas Tree, was made by Saint Vincent Pallotti. ( Wikipedia)

Here in the Philippines we call this nativity scene as "Belen" from the Spaniards' influence....