Persepolis

So real, so beautiful. The movie is based on Marjane Satrapi's growing pains and struggles as a young girl living in Iran during the Islamic revolution. I may not have witnessed a revolution of the same scale myself, but I can fully relate to at least 80% of what she has been through in the course of her life. Definitely one of the best movies I've seen all year.

An exercise in purging

I had arranged to give away my old laptop to my brother so I spent most of Sunday cleaning out my files. I stumbled upon lots of photos, archives of IM conversations, poems, ad infinitum. All from years ago when I was still sentimental enough to keep such cutesy patootsie stuff. Funny how it seemed like only yesterday when I got so burned by what happened. Then again the human heart does know how to self-heal, and time has a way of changing things and perspectives. I must confess though that I did hesitate for like two seconds if I should delete all that "documentation". In the end, I decided to exercise better judgment, and I am happy to report that the files have been flushed down the black abyss of oblivion.

I've got a new laptop now. Time for new memories :-)

A photoblog of the past month

Chiang Mai - I attended an ASEAN-sponsored event called Workshops on Youth, Culture and Development first week of November. Stayed at this gorgeous nature-inspired boutique resort (our rooms were converted tobacco barns). Met lots of bright and charming young people from Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. But of course...Filipinos for the win! No question about it, they are brothers and sisters from another mother. Had my fill of pad thai, Chang & Singha (Heiny too), grasshoppers (yes, grasshoppers) and CHILLI. I nearly OD'd on chilli - it was pretty hardcore cos even their soups and salads had them.


ASEAN Regional Conference on Womenomics at the Manila Hotel - A good conference overall, but horribly disorganised and NOISY. Lesson learnt: At a conference FOR women WITH women, nobody really pays attention to speakers and lectures on gender issues because it is more fun to do girly things like chat and gossip and compare shopping purchases. It was literally like going to market, only with better-dressed people.

Painted a community library in Mariveles - One weekend in November I helped paint the walls of a beautiful children's library by the sea. The place had a lovely sea and sky theme.

My Wii & Videoke 26th - Had birthday drinkies with friends while playing Rockband and singing our throats out like retards. Good times indeed. Seeing my friends again that night (after what seemed like ages) gave me warm and fuzzy feelings. I may be jobless and broke and stupid at most things, but hey I've got all these mates so I AM GOLD.
An overnight spiritual retreat - My soul needed it. I see things differently now, and I am ever so slowly rediscovering God.