Noel & Via

I was never one to care about wars. I always thought that if it wasn't near where I live, I am not affected. This is still somewhat true, except my proximity has expanded. This war in particular seems nearer to me than others since a couple of my officemates had gone to Haifa during the first few bombings there. They were there for trainning and had to be sent home when the bombings started. I also had a couple of classmates when I was in Italy who were from Tel Aviv.

My officemates had stories of being sent a couple of feet underground where bomb shelters were located. These shelters were as wide as the lobby of their hotel and it was a bit dusty. It had rooms, toilets and a good supply of water. They could feel the earth shake as bombs exploded, they couldn't sleep at night because of the helicopters patrolling, and sirens would alarm every so often too.

I am just grateful that the Philippines is nowhere near that state of emergency... I mean has anyone seen a bomb shelter underneath a 5 star hotel?

So I've been reading and watching about the situation. Pick up the latest TIME magazine and they tell you "Why they fight." We watched the Steven Spielberg movie just recently called "Munich." That gives some insight on the constant battles between Israel and Palestine. Go to CNN.com and look at their 4 part video special on the Hezbollah and the news on the bombings.

Posted by Noel at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 80 movies, you have no life. (Apparently I don't)
Mark the ones you've seen. There are 168 movie titles on this list. Put your score in header and repost.

Posted by Via at 01:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Last week I joined a text in promo at the morning radio show of Klite. And guess what? I won again! :) This time it was for tickets to the movie "Lady in the water."

Via and I enjoyed the movie. I believe that M. Night Shyamalan is a very good storyteller... almost at par with Steven Speilberg. With so little to work with in terms of cast, set, effects he made the movie very compelling, suspenceful and entertaining to watch. It was very much a fantasy movie than a scary one. So expect character driven plots than "gulatans." Thumbs up for me on this one. I just didn't like the fact that the director cast himself as one of the major characters.. its alright that he does cameos once in a while, but here he actually has a role. Not that he acted badly, but still.

Posted by Noel at 05:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

3 seasons of "Alias" just ended for us tonight. Yup we are that delayed. We started with season 1 when I was sick last week. So that's 3 seasons in about 2 weeks. Whew. It was an okay "in-betweener" TV series, while we are waiting for the other series we like better like LOST, Entorage, Grey's Anatomy, House, Smallville...

And while DSL has been down at home we have been bored out of our wits and wanting to take a short trip somewhere. Davao, Kota Kinabalu, Cebu, Singapore and Bali have been on our minds... but it all seem too expensive. hmm.. Can you please recommend somewhere we can go that's not too expensive?

Posted by Noel at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Our good friend Pepper introduced us to this wonderful whole-in-the-wall, authentic Thai place called Som's. Actually, it's really more of a sidewalk place. Just a few blocks away from Power Plant, tucked away on the ground floor of what seems to be a duplex, one can find Som's. Noel and I have been there all of three times, all with different people who we think, seemed to enjoy as much as we did. Completely unpretentious, you are seated on monobloc chairs or a thin wooden bench. If you are lucky, you'll be able to get the ritzy side, which looks out to Bel Air over little colored lights. Now before you say, beer garden, you must really sample their food- displayed on laminated sheets of colored paper. Their Thai iced tea is excellent, even if it is packaged in used water bottles, read unsealed. And their Tom Yum Goong is something else. You can eat very well for about 600.00, and we already did this as a group of four.

In fact, the place already has quite a following. The first time Pepper took us, this lady had the whole place closed out for her birthday- about three tables. So the three of us had to squeeze in the next door duplex, (which wasn't really part of the restaurant) after much pleading. And it even provides some entertainment. The last time we were there was with our cousin Tov, and this woman stormed up to one of the tables demanding: "Gabi na! Hindi ka man lang nagpaalam!" (It's late! And you didn't even ask permission) Then we see this other lady leave said table with her head down. (Seemed like she made her boss pretty angry) Best to visit this find at night when it's a bit cooler. It's Thai cuisine al fresco at unbeatable Pinoy prices! :)

Posted by Via at 07:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

("Do it there.") While at the Mall of Asia, that huge new mall near the bay, I noticed something funny and gross. I was on my way over to a trash bin to throw some paper, when I had to stop as a kid rushed to the same can. Facing the blue trash can which was about as high as his waist, the boy whipped out his ***** and started pissing inside the trash can.

I saw from the corner of my eyes that the mother was the one who told the poor kid that he should do it there ("Dyan ka nalang") instead of going to a real toilet. It was just a digusting thing to see. It's funny that this happened in one of our most modern malls, at par or even better than some of those in more developed countries.

Posted by Noel at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last week I had a high fever and sore throat. I had to miss 3 days of work and take antibiotics. And Via got infected too. So now while I'm at work, she is at bed trying to rest although getting bored. Get well soon babe. ;) Sorry I moved the virus to you.

Posted by Noel at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sweet tooth that I am, here are my recent favorite indulgences:

1. Lemongrass Iced Tea found at Magnet Cafe along Katipunan Ave.
It's their own house blend, and it's very refreshing

2. M&M's Pirate Pearls -new white chocolate from M&M's!!! (Strangely, I've only seen it available at this convenience store near us. It's called Mom's Mart, along Capitol Drive near Celebrity Sports Club)

What's your fave sweet thing? And don't say it's a person! Hehehe! :)

Posted by Via at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)