I picked out Sea of Dreams, A Mexican film, from the in-flight entertainment on our recent long-haul flight to Manila because the plot seemed intriguing. A beautiful woman (Grecia) is inextricably linked to the sea because it gave her her life. When, at a young age, she was found unharmed and with seashells woven in her hair when the boat she was riding in with her parents capsized, the townspeople conclude that she is blessed by the sea. The fishing village finds itself the beneficiary of bountiful catch and rare black pearls thereafter. But when a childhood friend (Benjamin), who falls in love with Grecia attempts to kiss her, the sea becomes “jealous” and takes his life. The harvest dries up and the entire fishing village now considers her cursed. Grecia becomes an outcast. Enter a dashing young man (Marcelo), a visitor from another land, who knows nothing about Grecia being the Bride of the Sea. He does not believe in the village folklore and is more outspoken in his feelings toward Grecia than the other guy (Sebastian), brother of Benjamin, who is also in love with Grecia but is afraid, not only of ending up like his brother, but also of gaining the ire of his mother who asked him to swear on his brother’s grave not to fall in love with Grecia. The conflict comes in a sort of love triangle between the two eye candies, Marcelo and Sebastian (make that a foursome if we include the sea). Grecia’s mysterious ties to the sea is explained in the end when she makes a decision to marry one of them and makes an attempt to leave the village. Great story, beautiful location, lotsa eye candies. It’s a love story that’s not cheesy. I’d recommend this film to those who like magical realism and an unconventional ending.

Tagged by my sister, Maidapaypay (okay, to make matters simpler, I shall henceforth call her Maidapaypay because Gorgeous One might sound like I’m lifting her bench - Filipino translation: binubuhat ang kanyang bangko, do I hear laughter out there?). I don’t really have one but just in case somebody generous (or gorgeous - you know who you are, haha!) out there wants to buy me a Christmas booty, here’s the list:

Material Stuff:

1. A book, a notebook or a nice pen. Mababaw lang ang kaligayahan ko.
2. A colored Laser Printer. Laaazzzzer. (Okay, I’m not so mababaw after all).
3. A gym membership. (Now all I have to do is find a way to make Bee read my blog).

“Big” Stuff / Others / Super Wishes:

1. Another baby for me (Santa, I’ve been good!). One too for Maidapaypay (wouldn’t it be nice if we held each other’s hair while we, uh, experienced morning sickness together?).
2. An organic farm and a huge, state-of-the-art kitchen.
3. Cure for cancer.
4. Me on Ms. Universe mode - a greener earth and world peace.
5. Good health for me and my family.
6. The best life for everyone in 2009!

Weird. I’m about to cry for some strange reason. Doink.

1. As usual, gulong-gulo na naman ako. I couldn’t follow the story properly and had to constantly whisper in, “ano daw?” and “ano nangyari?” and “bakeeet?” to Bee. I forgot what Casino Royale is all about. The first few minutes are a continuation of Daniel Craig’s first Bond film - this was supposedly an hour after the last scene ended in Casino Royale - and I knew I was lost when I had to ask, “Vesper who?”. For people who are often nawawala sa sarili like me, better to watch CR again before watching Quantum of Solace.

2. I still like the pout. Although Craig has lost his sex appeal here for some reason (they should’ve put that beach bod rising out of the water scene again!!!), I still like the pout.

3. Olga Kurylenko is the bomb! She’s so exotic-looking and gorgeous. Bee thinks I look like her and has even told Swiss Miss to my embarrassment, anuvayan (now I know how he feels whenever I call him Ben Affleck or Gerard Butler, hahaha!). Lest anyone be misled out there, Olga Kurylenko and I have nothing in common except for our foreheads. Bee, apart from being my full-time hubby, is also the President of The Glenville Fans Club, is all.

4. For the whowhatwear-obsessed out there, Daniel Craig wore Tom Ford suits in the film while Olga Kurylenko’s simple but chic black dress was by Prada.

5. The movie is shorter than the previous one and felt rushed.

6. I miss the humor in Casino Royale.

7. Did you notice? Near the end, the villain, Dominic Greene, as he was being pummeled to oblivion by Bond, was screaming like a lady? He was going, “Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!” in a high-pitched voice, instead of a masculine-sounding, “Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!” I had to laugh. Sorry. That was probably the highlight of the film, humor-wise.

Okay. Let’s take a brief respite from all the European tralalas. I’m itching to blog about local things and happenings.

Pho Hoa

Eastwood is just a couple of minutes away from where we live and ten seconds from Swiss Miss’ doorstep. So of course it was our default mall of choice when we decided to meet up a day after we arrived here in Manila. We agreed on Pho Hoa because 1. Bee and I missed Asian food sooo much (except for Chinese as ristorante chi-ne-se and chinoise are everywhere in Europe and Boo is a Chinese restaurant magnet - not magnate, magnet) and 2. we wanted to eat some semblance of healthy food. We ordered our usual Pho Hoa foodies:

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It was my first time in Prague and Bee’s nth so he just smiled when I announced loudly that I didn’t like the city as we were entering it. I simply couldn’t comprehend why it’s called “The Golden City” when all I could see were graffiti and vandalisms everywhere. We arrived at night, settled in after the long drive and when I woke up, lo and behold. There were stunning sculptures, gilded structures and intricate gargoyles outside our hotel room window at the heart of Prague. I must say I ate my words when I told Bee, “Prague is beeeyootiful.”

i was too tired and sleepy to notice the intricate design of our hotel’s elevator

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It feels good to be back in the third world hehehe. I can’t wait to blog and blog-hop! But, gotta rest first and catch up on our much-needed z’s. Update you guys later.

surprise! as we were unpacking, we found a little boy inside our maleta!

Salut! We’re now in Paris but I’ll be posting photo-essays of our earlier travels. Here are some scenes from Innsbruck:

the lovely view from our hotel room, boo looking out of the window

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This is a bit incoherent. Jet lag and exhaustion are my excuses. The photos that follow are a bit boring as Milan was our first stop in this trip. If not for the shopping, I’d probably say that Milan is my least favorite city because it’s very industrial and cosmopolitan (I’m a nature and countryside kind of girl). Our hotel was a 5-minute walk to Via Monte Napoleone, the street where all THE shops to max out your credit cards are located.

sushal. nanny in front of hermes.

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Starting tomorrow, expect minimal activity here in Oodles of Goodles. We’re off to Europe where we’ll be driving and traipsing around in 5 countries in less than a month. Hence, Bee calls it Amazing Race Europe harharhar. I’ll try to update as much as I can depending on whether there’s internet connection in the hotels we’re staying at, I’ve had enough sleep or too much sangria. See ya when I see ya!

Do not read Camilla Morton’s How To Walk In High Heels (The Girl’s Guide to Everything) if you know how to:

1. Serve tea (”The teacup and saucer, ideally in porcelain, is the ultimate for High Tea, and posh relatives. Mugs are for cosy nights in, comforting and gossip.”).

2. Appear knowledgeable about the who’s who in the art world (e.g. name drop art biggies such as Charles Saatchi, Lucien Freud and Andy Warhol like you’re their BFF).

3. Blow your nose gracefully (”Practically impossible. You can’t.” Excuse yourself and leave the room.).

4. Play chess like you’re seriously into it (Don’t call them rows and columns, lest you be thought of as a simpleton. Call those ranks and files).

5. Complain with class (”Always complain in a slow, low voice. If you start in a screech you will have nothing to crescendo up to.”).

6. Wear an apron with style (”You can also showcase your Fendi baguette, vintage Schiaparelli lobster-print dress or even a Chloe banana bag as a nod to culinary couture.”) and produce a fabulous three-course dinner (Don’t forget the wine, tea, coffee, and flowers. Get all odd jobs done in advance. Aim high).

7. Make your hotel room feel like home (”Unpack as soon as possible and spread your personal belongings, and character, artistically around the room.”).

8. Become a greenfingered goddess (trim the hedge, mow the lawn, create a chic window box).

9. Join the jetset (”Films and books are a brilliant source of inspiration. The Sound of Music will send you to Salzburg, Moulin Rouge to Paris, Picnic at Hanging Rock to Australia and Amadeus to Prague.”).

10. Change a flat tire (First, you have to take off any clothing you don’t want grease on.).

Next book, please.