YET HERE I AM

I have a terrible cough and cold and yet, I can't find time to rest. It's tough being a mom, that's for sure. You rest for a minute then feel guilty when you forget to fix the messy living room, or forget to remind your son to drink his vitamins. I've been coughing for days now. And apparently today, it's just not enough. I've developed a cold as well. Yup, it's not enough that I sound like a braying donkey whenever I cough, I have to sniff as well. This afternoon, my body just couldn't take it. At around 12noon, I just had to nap to get myself energized. But I was wrong, when I woke up, my body just felt tired, my eyes felt warm and I was still coughing. Sigh. Good thing Ruther was there to take care of the boys. He even bathed Ethan and Enzo while I was dozing. I love this guy. Anyway, am planning to drink plenty of Vitamin C to boost my immune system and maybe, just maybe, that will be enough to make me better.

.....

I have started reviewing Nikki for his exams this Thursday and Friday. I try to do it a little at a time because knowing him, he would either be too bored after 15 minutes of review or would daydream while I blab away. So far, he's doing well. We just have to concentrate more on his Filipino and Makabayan subjects because he's not that fluent in Filipino yet. But so far, am so proud of his progress. Even if he's in first grade in regular school, we still continue with his grade 3 homeschooling after classes. I know it's tough but I make sure he we do it a little at a time so he won't be burned out. I still don't know if this is the right path for him but looking at his progress in school and here at home, I'm thinking, we might as well continue on...

.....

Finally watched Breaking Dawn Part 1 the other day. Wanted to watch it at the movies but was afraid Ruther would die from "excessive cheesiness". So, I took pity and decided to wait. Didn't have to force Ruther to watch it the other day. At least he lasted through the movie, with some comments from me about how it compared to the book. It was an okay movie I guess. I did enjoy watching it, but to watch it repeatedly, I don't think that's something I would do.

Anyway, am looking forward to the part 2 of this movie. Hopefully it'll be as great as the book.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF

I just finished reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and I must say, I was really disappointed that the story was so different from the movie. I mean, sure, the characters were there: Percy, his mom, the centaur, the satyr, Annabeth, Poseidon, Zeus and Hades but other than that, the movie seemed like it was inspired from the book rather than based from it, if you know what I mean.

For instance, in the book, Percy never developed his powers until he was in Camp Half-Blood. In the movie, he was underwater holding his breath in the first few minutes of the flick. In the book, Annabeth and Percy did not have an attraction towards each other. She was more interested in Luke (son of Hermes). Also, the god of war, Ares was never ever mentioned in the movie but in the book, he was the one of the gods who conspired against Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. Ares gave Percy a magical backpack that had the lightning bolt while in the movie, the bolt was hidden in the shield Luke gave him before leaving camp. Also, Luke was the one who stole the lightning bolt PLUS the Hades helm of darkness when some demi-gods went on a visit to Olympus. Are you confused yet?

It's just so disappointing for me when movie versions stray away too far from the books. I would have thought it to be more of like Harry Potter or The Golden Compass where there were some extra scenes but still stayed true to the story. Oh and that scene with the Hydra, getting of the pearls, Persephone in the Underworld, and Hades visiting the camp? Those were never in the book.

I just didn't like it. I mean, I enjoyed the movie (watched it weeks ago). I thought it was nice. Then, reading the book chanted a whole lot of things for me. Now I wonder, "Do I like the movie version more? OR the book?" And I can't say because they are both SO different! Oh and guess what? In the book, Percy never got to save his mom! Wrap your head around that! And in the movie, that was all he was thinking of, right?

Sigh. Anyway, I'm now on the second book The Sea of Monsters. I just hope that if they do a movie version of this, they would stick to the story.

I LIKE IT

Just started watching the movie (just now) and already I noticed some differences from the book. I paused the movie to take the time to write this, and will pause and write as I continue to notice many things throughout the flick. I know, I'm weird but just let me have my say...

1. Rosalie. My gawd, she's not how I pictured her in my mind. In the book, she's this enthereal creature, really really beautiful, blonde, and really really out of this world. But in the movie, she looked like any model in a magazine. That was not enough for me. And yes, I was disappointed.

2. Jacob. Uh, after finishing all the books, I still had no idea how this character would look like and although I was a teeny bit surprised about the actor playing Jacob, I suppose he's all right. I'm just curious about the change that will transpire in him in the next movie. I think that will be interesting.

3. The relationship between Bella and Charlie is just as it is in the book: strained, awkward, uncomfortable at times, but you could still tell that he tries his best to be a good father and she tries to reassure him that she's okay in Forks.

Okay, on with the movie...

4. Bella's truck... is just how I pictured it. I thought it was really cool. For an old truck.

5. Alice. I pictured her to be smaller, more pixielike and cute. I suppose I had Dakota Fanning in mind but I suppose Ashley Greene is okay. I guess I'm more disappointed with Rosalie than Alice so...

6. I expected the Cullens to look more dangerous (meaning a lot scary) when angered but they only looked real serious in crouching positions, which to me, is a bit lacking (especially after getting all apprehensive in those action-packed moments in the book). I mean, of course I did not expect their faces to change like the vamps in the tv series Buffy but I at least expected them to have scary looks. Of course, that's just my opinion.

7. The movie is definitely less sappy from the book, that's for sure. And I like it like that. There isn't much sappy moments, no googly-eyed Bella, no moments of extreme insecurity. Just unique Bella trying to understand a very special Edward. And I'll say it again. I like it.

The movie is actually great. I had some qualms after reading the book but I found it very entertaining and having just enough sweetness from Bella and Edward. After watching Harry Potter movies and not liking the "interpretation" too much, I must say, I'm happy with Twilight. And I'm actually looking forward to watching the sequel. Hopefully, that will be in the theatre. And with Ruther.

WARM DRINK AND A MOVIE

Thank goodness for microwave ovens. If they didn't exist and if we did not have one in the apartment I would keep on throwing my cold coffee away and we wouldn't want to waste money now, would we? Because of the cold weather, I would usually crave for a cup (or mug) of coffee or hot chocolate or milk. But what everyone does not know is that my tongue burns very easily which is surprising because the other parts of my body have a relatively high pain threshold. So yeah, after making a fresh batch, I usually have to wait for a few minutes before drinking my drink. But because of this weirdness, I only take like 3 sips and then the coffee/hot chocolate/milk gets cold. So what do I do? I just pop my cup/mug into the microwave, turn the knob a little bit and voila! My drink is warm again. Ahhh yes. The wonders of technology.

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We watched Wall-E the other day and we loved it! Well I loved it and the boys loved it because well, who wouldn't really? It's just a really wonderful movie. I'm such a sucker for movies that teaches values and that have a really good story. Oh yeah, and happy endings too. Can't forget that. Anyway, I think Wall-E is simply adorable in his rustic way. And Eve is too, in her dysfunctional way. The boys have been watching the movie again and again and I can't blame them. I mean, I never get tired of watching it. (I'll get back to you on this after the 57th time.) Here are some of the things the boys learned from watching the movie:

1. Take care of the Earth!
2. Take care of all creatures big or small (even cockroaches).
3. It's sad to be alone.
4. Even robots can have pets.
5. Do not throw your trash anywhere! Even in outer space!
6. A spork is not a spoon OR a fork. It's a spork.
7. Friends come in all shapes and sizes.
8. It's not nice to be so fat and lazy.
9. The sun has solar flares and sun spots.
10. It is never too late to save the Earth, to love someone and to fight for something/someone you love.
11. If everyone works together with a common goal, wonderful things can happen.
12. Love is the greatest thing in this world.

THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW

from the movie Enchanted
Amy Adams

Giselle:
How does she know you love her?
How does she know she's yours?

Man:
How does she know that you love her?

Giselle:
How do you show her you love her?

Both:
How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?
How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?
How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?

Giselle:
It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind her, or she'll be inclined to say...
"How do I know he loves me?"
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you love her?)
"How do I know he's mine?"
(How does she know that you really, really, truely love her?)

Well does he leave a little note to tell you you are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is grey? Heyy!
He'll find a new way to show you, a little bit everyday
That's how you know, that's how you know!
He's your love...

Man:
You've got to show her you need her
Don't treat her like a mind reader
Each day do something to need her
To believe you love her

Giselle:
Everybody wants to live happily ever after
Everybody wants to know their true love is true...
How do you know he loves you?
(How does she know that you love her?
How do you show her you need her?)
How do you know he's yours?
(How does she know that you really, really, truely-)

Well does he take you out dancin' just so he can hold you close?
Dedicate a song with words in
Just for you? Ohhh!

All:
He'll find his own way to tell you
With the little things he'll do
That's how you know
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love
He's your love...

That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
He loves you
(la la la la la la la la)
That's how you know
(la la la la la la la la)
It's true
(la la la la la)

Because he'll wear your favorite color
Just so he can match your eyes
Rent a private picnic
By the fires glow-oohh!

All:
His heart will be yours forever
Something everyday will show
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know
(That's how you know)
That's how you know!

Giselle:
He's your love...

Man:
That's how she knows that you love her
That's how you show her you love her

Giselle:
That's how you know...
That's how you know...
He's your love...