The Life of Honey

I didn't realize how writing helps me a lot in so many ways. In the past few months, I’ve been wanting to write in this journal again. However, for some reasons, I can’t find the time to rewrite everything that I’ve been putting in some random notes or papers so bear with me for a little while because I will publish some posts that aren’t in line with the date.

The Change, as the title of this post says, is that I want to make some few changes in this blog such as the title of this blog, the look and some of the descriptions in this blog. I’ve decided to make this blog more personal than before. I want to share, hoping that in some ways, I would be able to help some readers.

Hopefully, the change would create a positive effect.

Have you ever been flipping through the channels and noticed that some movies are always on? Chances are that one of those movies was "The Shawshank Redemption”. It's all because the movie is really, really watchable. I have watched it many times and it gets better with every showing. Like so many other people who love watching this movie repeatedly, I was and am profoundly moved by this simple and eloquent depiction of hope and friendship and redemption.

The Shawshank Redemption is a rated R film. It includes profanity and occasional violence, including a scene that discreetly suggests homosexual rape but without a single riot scene or horrific effect, it tells a slow, gentle story of camaraderie and growth, with an ending that abruptly finds poetic justice in what has come before. The movie shares a tale with a surprising degree of loving care.

What made me fall in love with watching this movie?

It is definitely the rigorous mood swings through every emotion as the cranky, wiseguy and downright crazed array of criminals bare the brunt of the turbulent life within the doomy Shawshank catacomb. Then it gets really mean, gearing up for its injury-time shockers.

Many movies offer us vicarious experiences and quick, superficial emotions. "Shawshank" slows down and looks. It uses the narrator's calm, observant voice to include us in the story of men who have formed a community behind bars. It is deeper than most films; about continuity in a lifetime, based on friendship and hope.

People like excitement at the movies, and titles that provide it do well. Films about "redemption" are approached with great wariness; a lot of people are not thrilled by the prospect of a great film - it sounds like work. But there's a hunger for messages of hope, and when a film offers one, it's likely to have staying power even if it doesn't grab an immediate audience.

There are standard ways to stage a prison film and standard ways to tell a story by Stephen King. But "The Shawshank Redemption," based on a King novella and set in the correctional institution of the title, succeeds in avoiding the familiar.

The cinematography is tactful, not showy. Two opening shots, one from a helicopter, one of prison walls looming overhead, establish the prison. Shots follow the dialogue instead of anticipating it. The music enhances rather than informs, and there is a subtle touch in the way deep bass rumblings during the early murder are reprised when a young prisoner recalls another man's description of the crime.

Having said all that, the film is satisfying, but cloying. Andy is the minister of the healing power of hope. He educates the inmates on the healing power of Mozart. He builds a library. He asks Red why he stopped playing the harmonica. When Red replies that it's no use in prison, Andy looks at him soulfully and replies that "here's where you need it the most". Despite the somewhat unbelievable friendship between a white, upper-class, innocent banker and a black man in 1949, it's a valuable lesson that seems to refresh my soul after every time that I watch it.

Are you tired of waiting in the long line to buy movie tickets at cinemas? I think I can help you with that. Check this new mobile app from Globe Telecom!

How GMovies is the ultimate pocket app for my movie fix

Here’s some information about GMovies to help you understand what I love about it:

A first and only one of its kind in the country, GMovies allows you to begin your movie going experience anytime, anywhere! Stay updated with the current and upcoming movie releases on cinemas nationwide, get the best seats and buy your movie tickets straight on your smartphones! Powered by Globe Telecom, this film-tastic mobile app is FREE for download for both Android and iOS users.

How cool is that huh? Now only would I be able to stay updated in movie releases in my country but I would also be able to buy tickets from my phone! Whew! Technology nowadays is pretty amazing just like this app. You can see the length of the screening time, film rating whether it is rated PG or anything else, nearby cinemas, showtimes, ticket price, and more information that gives you the convenience of saving you the time while having the best seats.

My Dad and I just tried mobile reservation through this GMovies app and saved us from the pain of waiting in line for the Transformers: Age of Extinction movie tickets. Hooray! I don’t have the patience for that. Btw, I enjoyed the Transformers movie as always. What else can I say? Download this app now!

Oh I have one more thing to say and it’s really REALLY important,

As you can tell, this is a post for a contest given by Nuffnang and GMovies. If I win this contest I would be able to get a Movie-All-You-Can Pass for two. But not only that, one of my lucky readers who commented on this would also win the same prize, two (2) FREE movie dates each week for one (1) month!

All you have to do is answer the same question, “What movie made you fall in love with watching movies?”

As I said from my last post, I’ve been busy for the past few months. Final exam, Submission of Plates, Submission of different projects, Reporting, Defense, etc. All of these were put together in one month. My planners – yes, planners – are always full of schedules, deadlines, and a long to-do list for everyday.

Despite all of these, I tried to enjoy everything that I do. One more year and I’ll be done with this course and I want to enjoy these things even though tiring and stressful. I want to relish the taste of my final years in college (I hope I’m not going to have some problems with my grades).

I just want share one of my success this month. I knew how to use Photoshop! Yep, I’m that proud since I’ve been wanting to learn this since I went to college. I had to learn how to use it since for our last plate, I decided to use AutoCAD and other programs for my plate. I just watch a single Youtube Video Tutorial and the rest is through the Photoshop Online Help itself. I want to thank my friend for giving me a copy of Portable Photoshop CS6. I’m planning to learn more about Photoshop this summer to improve my skills in it.

Now that I’m done with all of my school stuffs, I’ll have more time to write new blog posts and catch up with the other bloggers. I hope to find new friends with the blogosphere as well. I guess that’s all for now. Bye!

P.S. If you're interested in learning how to use Photoshop CS6 here's the Youtube Video Tutorial Link  Just click and it will direct you to the video. Special thanks to Technologyguru77!

What can I give to the Philippines? Or better yet, what can I give back to the Philippines?

Of course, giving is something you have in the first place. Ever since I’ve read about this question, it made me thinking what can I give as a gift and for me, nothing beats sharing your knowledge. I’ve been studying BS Architecture for four years and one of my subjects specializes in Urban Planning and Urban Design & Community Architecture.

In relation with the past tragedies that happened throughout the Philippines, a lot of cities were in ruins and I thought, ‘Why not start to plan to build a better city?’. I know it’s not something that you can do overnight especially when the people’s source of income were destroyed by the natural calamities as well.

Urban Planning & Design isn't just about planning for aesthetic purposes only. Community Architecture is primarily concerned with the structural, functional and aesthetic aspects.

If there is one thing that I can give to the Philippines, what is that gift? The knowledge that I learnt and I know that the Philippines would be able to use for better living and could be used by the future generation as well; to contribute with what I know especially when people need to rebuild their home and life.

Planning for the better quality of life...

This is not just for those places that were destroyed. A good urban design will definitely meet the needs and aspirations of the people. It has a lot of benefits for the community. I’m not going to discuss everything that my professor had told us about our subject but I hope someday I would be able to actually contribute these things in our country someday. I wish great urban planners would give their services to those places who are in great need.

What about you guys? If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift? Tell me about the things you guy wanna give to this country.

Thanks to #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 for this wonderful question (feeling like a beauty pageant contestant!) that made me think of the things that I would want to do to serve more for this country.

“I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you...”

I kept my mouth shut. I want to say the same thing, I really do. I want to say it back to you, but still, I kept my mouth shut.

Remember when I told you that I see falling in love as jumping of the cliff?

That 'moment' just passed for only a minute or two but it felt too long for me, but at the same time, it’s too fast. Weird isn't it? Too slow yet too fast. Without thinking about all the ‘what if...’s, without thinking all about my fears, I know right then that I wanted to say the same thing to you, to say those words and really mean it.

That’s when I realized that I've already jumped off the cliff, figuratively speaking, of course.

“I love you. I love you. I love you...”

You kept on saying it. I can’t say what just happened within myself so instead, I asked what’s the meaning of those words or why are you saying it. I’m sorry. I can’t remember my exact question even though I asked you repeatedly.

“I don’t know why I love you. I just do.”

I guess that’s what you've said or so I hope. I fell asleep right when you’re answering my question. You always talked to me when I’m about to lose my consciousness and enter my dream realm. I always hate it whenever you do that. It feels like I should have heard about it. It felt like I missed an important piece of a puzzle.

-

*ACDC Thunderstruck plays*


-

I woke up to my phone ringing. I looked at you while I reach out for my phone. You stirred a little as I took my call. As the day passed, I tried to wrap my head around the idea of falling and what all of these would mean. It felt like I’m trying to search for the purpose of life while I try to act casually in front of you.

At the end of the day, I don't have any answers to all of my questions. I can feel all those fears and anxiety creeping up towards me.

"What if...?"

As my counselor told me, walking would help you think.

Besides, it was a stressful day for me. With all those academic responsibilities and emotional search, I decided to go home already. I know you wouldn't like it but I chose to give myself a rest.

Then a simple joke happened. I should've told about the walk.

I was afraid to lose your trust. Hell, I’m not even sure if you trust me enough.

But I am determined to give myself a little break that I know I don't deserve so I shut myself from the world for a couple of hours.

-

And now as I woke up to a new day, I realized that I may not be able to answer all of my questions, that there are certain things, no matter how bad or good it is, is all part of the grand 'fall'.

For now, I've decided to enjoy this 'fall', to feel this strange yet fascinating feeling, because deep down I know it’s all worth it.

I have no idea how will I end this post but I believe that this is just the beginning and I hope that it’ll never end.

Now without a doubt, I can definitely say that I am unequivocally falling in love.

Whenever there’s a celebration, my Dad always makes it a point that there’s a wine at the table. He says that without wine, it’s not a real celebration. There are times that it’s just the wine alone and no other foods if it’s a simple celebration. The sad thing though is that we don’t have a specific wine that we buy. We always try to buy different brands, different kinds so we would be able to tell the differences.

We were taught how to sip wine since we were 10 yrs old (of course it’s a red wine by that time). My Grandpa always says that there’s an art in drinking wine and me, being me and being a girl, doesn’t really listens to what these important guys in my life said. I don’t know how the colour of the wine affects the taste; I just know there’s a meaning or some sort. I don’t know why do we have to swirl the drink in our glass and smell it. Honestly, it smells the same to thing to me. Of course, I do know the kind of glassware we have to use depending on the wine but I think that’s about it.

True, I don’t know much about wines and I could just start and research about the art of wine tasting but I want to be honest. I’m doing this for all the men in our family who does this kind of thing. Nuffnang is right, it’s the best Christmas gift and I couldn’t ask for more.

Of course, we’ve come across some of the famous Hardys’ products like the Sparkling Rose which I remember a lot (because it’s pink!), Chardonnay something... ( I can’t remember the exact name I’m sorry!), and a few more from crest and stamp. One thing is for sure, I can’t remember most of the drinks name because, well, it’s hard for me to pronounce! Haha I’m not even sure if I’ve spelled it correctly or not. I can also remember that there are some names that spelled like cabinet and pinoy or something which I’m sure is not because it’s an Australian brand.

So I’ll stop embarrassing myself from here and start to actually research about the brand because I only know two things about it. It’s Australian brand and started in 1853. How smart, right?

Evidently, Hardys has established their name since 1853 which makes it 160 years of expertise in wine-making. It has been passed on for 5 generations with such devotion from the famous Thomas Hardy to Robert Burrough Hardy (Second Generation), Eileen and Kenneth Hardy (Third Generation), Thomas Walter Hardy (Fourth Generation) up to William Bill Hardy, the present winemaker generation. As if lasting for 160 years isn’t enough, the Hardys gathered over 3000 awards in the last decade.

 As I said earlier, we always have a wine in almost all occasions. My grandfather thought us that it makes the occasion ever more special than it is by wine consumption. It became related to our family lifestyle and it elevates the spirit of occasion and conversation. It is more sophisticated and healthy compared to drinking beers. It has a sense culture even for middle class like our family.

Big or small occasion, Hardy with its astounding heritage and quality blending techniques which has been passed on by 5 generations, will surely make your occasion as unique and refined no matter how you like it because of its broad range of sub brands that is available across the country. It has a strong appeal with the wide range of consumers for rising affluent in Asia because of its premium products.

Now that I’ve learned a lot about its rich history, I would surely tell about this, not only to my family but also some of my friends whom I want to have a special holiday for this coming Christmas. And hey, my birthday is coming up!

There are lots of things that gets better with time and as I age, I realized a lot of things that I’m really thankful for. Back then, I’m afraid of getting old. Weird, I know, because a lot of kids cannot wait to grow but I don’t. Now that I’m about to turn 20 this month, I decided to look for things that gets better as we age.

Self-confidence. It may not be that good every moment. Of course, there are times that I feel bad about myself but I learned to get up and deal with it.

Decision Making and Good Judgement. I’m not saying that I’m good at this but this time, I’m not afraid to make mistakes and I know I’ll always learn something new.

True Friends. True, it’s not about how long you’ve been known each other and how long your friendship have been but it’s nice to know that there are people who knew you from the very beginning and considers you as a family just like you are to them.

Wines. Not all wines benefits from sitting around the cellar but those that do are more delicious as it gets older.

And lastly, Robert Downey, Jr. Do I need to say more?