I love books, no question.

Powerbooks(?), I think. But, Trinoma, definitely.

And reading. I come to a good mall and the bookstore's gotta be one of my stops. I just can't help it. And if I got money, no way I'm walking out without a book purchase. What I'm on the lookout, really, are good fiction books, preferably by India and/or Arabic/Mid-Eastern  writers. But of the late, with me teaching university  Architecture classes and all -- it's about design books this time. Not your ordinary, design/architecture coffee table books -- which don't come cheap -- but the academic ones, really -- which don't come any cheaper! Of course, I can't really look away from any good literature books. Seemingly little-known books/writers don't go unnoticed, too. I usually browse through the first paragraphs and even the last -- and if I like what I read, I'm pretty much sold to it. A good cover art is a good come-on, too.

So, in my visit yesterday, I took pictures of some design books that goes into my wishlist.

The Bohol Spanish-era bridges should figure in this one. 

I flipped through the pages, so niiiice.

You had me at AUTHENTIC. Hah! These probably are not. Woops.

Who wouldn't want to read the WHOLE story of ART. Duh.

Good source book for design class.

This, too. 

But, of course. This book is all text, but the price  --  damn.

Best Vegetarian Burger Yet

I'm no vegetarian. I don't think I can be one - ever. But I've had my share of pure vegetarian food via my experimenting friends (veggie phase, whoops!) or Adventist pals - and their kind of chow is not for me. I had my share of (red) meatless days (shortest was 2 months; max was 2 years) - it was not easy - but with chicken and seafoods still on the list, I survived. Anyway this aversion to vegetarian food is mainly, too, because I'm not a vegetable person. Never was.

But this, Maria's vegetarian burger (patty from pre-made gluten, marinated ala Maria, stuffed with other goodness) - best 'gluten' food I've eaten. Really. And just looking back at this photograph right now, makes me want to knock on Maria's door again - for more. 

Earth Hour: We Have the Power to Make Change

Best Christmas Song Ever - Christmas In Our Hearts | By Jose Mari Chan

Probably not ever but still I think this Jose Mari Chan favorite is in the top ten of my list of best Christmas songs, local or foreign.

I used to fancy myself singing this at one of those neighborhood Christmas parties when I was younger - I even practiced! - that panned out, of course. I always chicken out at these things - public stages, blah-blah.

And one more Christmas song that gives me the tinglies is ""Kumukutikutitap". I think that song = happiness. Truly.

Anyway, the best things about Christmas are the cold weather!, the food!, to an extent, the movies! (eww! not the effin MMFF!) and of course, the presents! (bonus!) - but most of all, the songs! They're free, they're fun and they hug you all over!

Maayong Pasko ya'll!

Help Sendong Victims

Days are happy to be in

I've been particularly fascinated with these philosophy video lectures over at our favorite video streaming site YouTube. I've been listening to them while working on a lot of back jobs like finalizing grades, liquidation for my little projects, thinking (just thinking) about completing my OU projects, that darn arts fest project, etc. They're quite calming, really. Quite surprisingly, so.

You know I've been wishing I'd have time to again revisit some of the great thinkers I admire, Sartre, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Socrates, Derrida, Foucault, etc. Listening to them or about them, isn't half bad. I think I'm gonna be searching more and more philosophy lectures in YouTube hereon. That is, in between What the Buck, Happy Slip, flash mobs, music videos, DIY's, film trailers and what-have-you.

Anyhow, below is a poem I first learned from the YouTube video of Philosopher Robert Rowland Smith lecture "The Meaning of Life's Milestones" . It's by Philip Larkin, entitled "Days". Could be another memory-poem here:

What are days for?

Days are where we live.

They come, they wake us

Time and time over.

They are to be happy in:

Where can we live but days?

Ah, solving that question

Brings the priest and the doctor

In their long coats

Running over the fields.

Just the films I need to get by. No really.

I've been trailerspotting in YouTube, found these feel-good jewels. These days, I'm so not in the mood for cerebral movies. Some of these are last year's or later, I think.


When did this kid Freddie get so hot?


With the muppets? This should be fun.


Anything with Paris, does it with me. Plus this is a Woody Allen.


Coming-of-age stories are always a darling.


Because Tom Stu is a hottie.


Wee, it's Romain Duris from the Spanish Apartment.


Because it's by Gus van Sant. And I like the kid's name, Enoch.


Ah this. There's just some things that are destined to occur.


Of course, la?

Remembering China

I was looking for a new picture for my Facebook profile, browsing through my pictures folders and always, always, I get pulled towards my China album.And unbelievable, how I could still vividly recall the details of that 2-month China exposure. Fun times, those times.

I definitely owe that experience a writing. Like what I've always planned to do. No, this short aside post wouldn't do.

Look at us, like a bunch of tweens gaga over Jonathan Taylor Thomas. But this dude is hot. And we chatted for quite a while with him, too, no?

Even the panda's, agree. Cheers! Gan bei!

Pass the RH Bill now!

I could really use a wish right now

This pretty much sums it up for me.

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