It's now or never

Thanks to my co-fanatic, I have been able to follow and watch American Idol this season (just 2 to 3 days delayed). Hope the episodes keep coming! (^.^)v

Although our kababayan Czar Galvez didn't make it to the finals, this season's AI is one show I'm going to watch 'till they declare who the new American Idol will be. As early as now, I already have a list of contestants who I'm gonna root for. And let me tell you, it was not one easy task. Some of my favorites were cut off but still I can say that this batch is really good! I'm pretty sure the Randy, Paula and Simon had a hard time coming up with the 24 finalists. (Jaclyn Crum, i do hope you'll try again next time. )

My top picks ... (don't you think that there are more good male singers in this batch?)

1) Anwar Robinson -- the lucidity of his voice makes me want to hear more of his singing. *sighhh...*
2) Scott Savol -- such great voice coming from this guy leaves me in awe (as the saying goes ... "don't judge a book by its cover")
3) Bo Bice -- he might not be as good looking as Constantine (who I also like), but he certainly has better pipes than his co-rocker (definitely not "like somebody who should be singing on a cruise ship").

Although he didn't have that much exposure in the past episodes, I think Joseph Murena has a good shot at winning this competition. Have you heard him sing? Not pitchy at all dawg! As for Mario Vazquez, he has the looks and talent to be an AI but I think he's too cocky.

Well, for the gals, there are a few who made good impression. First, there's Vonzell Solomon, a girl with a great voice but who's modest and unassuming. I find her pretty nice. Also, there's Sarah Mather who's got not only a mesmerizing face but has a fascinating voice as well. And then there's Mikalah Gordon who reminds me of a young Barbra Streisand. She has the voice that goes well with her bubbly personality. As for Carrie Underwood, well, she also has a big chance of joining the ranks of Kelly Clarkson, Reuben Studdard (although i personally prefer Clay Aiken) and Fantasia.

Still, I haven't heard the others do their thing; it won't be fair if I will not give them a chance to prove themselves. (feeling judge naman ako ... hehehe) So, I guess this list may change or be updated as the show goes on.


Odessa out!

P.S.
Aargghhh ... the image of Mary Roach doing her version of "I feel the earth move" still pops up my mind every now and then.

I feel the earth move under my feet
I feel the sky tumbling down, tumbling down
I feel my heart start to trembling
Whenever you're around

Ooh, baby, when I see your face
Mellow as the month of May
Oh, darling, I can't stand it
When you look at me that way

I had the most bizarre dream the other night. I was back in Pinas, specifically in Boracay with my family and some friends (a mixture from high school, college and work). We were there to enjoy the summer breeze (which is actually what I plan to do this coming May). At one point, I found myself by the shore, slowly (yes, it was in slow motion) removing this sarong I was wearing ... and lo and behold, I was donned in this teeny weeny string bikini; and guess what (here comes the strange part) ... I actually looked good, no make that pretty hot just like those girls in Victoria's Secret. Weird ne?


Now, how to turn this dream into a reality? *think ... ok, and act on it*
(or is this where the phrase "only in my dreams" perfectly applies ... bwehehehe :D )


----------

"Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free." - Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption (one of my favorite movies)

recap:

* "V ... V ... V..." *

* "brake ... brake... brake ... STOP! STOP!" *

* "... HELP! i can't stand up!" *

* "... kaya mo yan (you can do it!)" *

* going down the lift ... splat! ... gapang (crawl) ... "hayaku, hayaku! (bilis, bilis!)" *

* "sh*t .. sh*t .. sh*t .. i can't stop. get out of the way..." shwapak! *

* "do you know where my bonnet is?" *




ski area



my fellow adventurers
*some of these guys were first timers but i was pretty amazed how fast they were able to learn the sport (so unlike me)*



moi!
*the decent and pretty ones*
(sorry, you won't see pictures of me on my butt here)

Yes, the chocolates in the photo are mine; but no, they are not mine to consume. These chocolates are mine to give. For those who still do not know, Japan has this practice during Valentine's day which is a bit different from ours.

In Japan, where a girl proposing to a guy she likes is a common occurrence , Valentine's day is the perfect time for a girl to let a guy know (or maybe just give a hint) that she is interested in him by giving him chocolates.

But wait a minute ... before you go thinking I have the hots for some guy, let me say that giving chocolates to male co-workers, guy friends and other people in your life that you are grateful to is also part of this Valentine's day practice (which is actually similar to ours). So, the goodies in the photo are for my boss, my co-workers and my friends who have made life in Japan less lonelier and more fun ... just my simple way of saying thanks!


Happy Hearts Day to all !!!

P.S.
White Day (March 14) -- the time when it's the guys turn to give chocolates, cookies, flowers and other gifts to the women in their life.

winter01 Originally uploaded by odette776.

I am off to go skiing at Nagano tomorrow evening (this Friday is a holiday here in Japan). It will be the first time for me this year; but my fifth or sixth time since I first tried it back in 2002.

I remember the first time I put my skis on, I could hardly stand up. And if I did manage to, I would fall back on my butt after taking two to three steps. I can not count the number of times I fell and roll down the snow with my poles and skis flying in all direction. Not to mention the bruises and ache I got after the numerous fall ... ahhh the pain, but it was all worth it. (Right Krishie?)

Well, after the third or fourth ski trip, I was able to learn a few things. I can now glide down on a beginner's course without taking a fall. But on an intermediate course, you'll still see my butt (or sometimes face) on the ground from time to time. As for the expert level, I won't dare try it in this lifetime. :D

I am so excited, I can't wait! (Cough and colds can't stop me from going.)

February --- the love month. It's the month when the town is painted red (literally); we see red in different shades where ever we go. It is also the month that Petals Galore, Holland Tulips, Bloom Central and even manang's flower shop in Carbon especially like. Prices of flowers skyrocket as the 14th draws near that one has to pay more than twice of what the flowers are worth during an ordinary day.

Honestly, I do not have a fond Valentine's memory. I had a funny one though. It was during my last year in college. Just a month away from the finals, a group of my batchmates rented an apartment where we could stay and make our projects. In the early morning of the 14th, I was awoken by my groupmate saying that there's somebody looking for me downstairs. So, still in sleeplike state, I went down and, lo and behold, a bunch of roses wrapped in an old newspaper was shove into my hands. I think he just came from the market where he bought the flowers because the next thing I noticed was one of my fingers was starting to bleed. Yes, the flowers came in their purest form minus the plant pot. (Nothing happened with that guy; but it was not because of the flowers incident.)

On the night of Valentine's day last year, I was sitting beside one of my fabulous friends on a bus going to Nagano for a ski trip. During the long trip, we talked about life, past relationships, and the fact we haven't had a real valentine for years. [Despite being (I think) the good catch that we are, the fact that we are still single and unattached leaves me somewhat befuddled.] So, then and there, we made a pact -- that on this day next year, we won't be sitting beside each other and will be with someone special. Next year is already here and the 14th is just few days away. I can surely say we will not be sitting beside each other since she is in Cebu right now. And for that someone special? Hhhmm, given that it's only six days away, I doubt if there would be one. Well, I hope she will have more luck than me. If not, there will always be next year ... my dear fabulous friend(s).

"Huh?!?! You got yours already ... but I haven't received mine yet."

Actually, it was already delivered yesterday. But I totally forgot that I addressed mine to a friend's room (thinking I would be back in the Philippines by the time it would be out).

"Wait ... I need to be alone."

So, there I was on my bed ... said a short prayer and ...


合格 (PASSED)

"Aahhhh..." I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I honestly had to read what was written a couple of times before it sunk in. That was 3 hours ago. Since then I have been smiling from ear to ear (and shedding tears from time to time). Yes, I passed the exam! My efforts have paid off. I feel so blessed. My prayers were heard and I am so grateful. I am filled with so much joy that it's bursting out of me. If you could only see me at this very moment. Sheer happiness is written all over my face.

*My (semi) goals in life ... so far so good.

"If God brings you to it , He will bring you through it."

"Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, today.
For without You I can do nothing."


(Thanks for the mail Krishie.)

... ako... ako ...

puro na lang ako.

sa math ako...

sa spelling ako...

ngayon, ako ulit.









I know that your photos have been plastered all over your Auntie ninang's blog. She can't help it eh. She loves you that much. I can't wait to see you again luluk.