Midyear Assessment

My spontaneous writing juices come and go in spurts! Its realy temperemental. Then again, its just a reflection of the writer, I guess. hehehe Trust me, I have calmed down a lot! I usually write when I feel like it or if im venting (or maybe PMSing, which I deny) or when Im happy, or when I just feel I need some sort of release. Sometimes, I feel like posting on blogspot, or friendster, or my myspace page. I guess its nice to look back sometimes and reflect on things that where on my mind at that particular moment when I wrote them. Right now is one of the rare occasions where I want to write something but I realy dont know what about which makes this all nonesense right. What makes it even more annoying is that you're reading it! HAHAHAHA so let's see what comes to mind....

Well, I am surpised that my profile views this month has risen to an all time high of 325. Wow, I usually get over a hundred a month so Im really baffled at this sudden surge in views? I wonder about friendster sometimes. Why can't they fix their damn server! Its either slow, it doesnt log on correctly, pictures are not where they're supposed to be and profiles that I dont care for pop up on my front page. So, I have a love-hate relationship with this site. Its just nice being connected to people you havent seen for a long time and know what they've been up to. See, Im just rambling again, making no sense at all.

Hmm...let see if I can make more sense here. How about a mid year assesment of my life in general. Well, I really can't complain about my life. In fact, ITS GREAT! Its still on the upswing and things are just about to burst in the next couple of months. Still surreal if you ask me. Glorty to God for that. Its all from Him, I swear its not me or my own efforts.

MY SON, STORM - My son graduated from Elementary with an Academic Excellence Award signed by President Bush. Wow, thats better than Ive ever done! It really DOES give you a warm fussy feeling inside! hahaha It makes every effort that Ive made to make sure he does his schoolwork properly worth every struggle. After all, ever since last year when Mikey retired me, i have completely devoted myself to motherhood and committed to the development of their gifts and talents and that they grow up much better individuals than I. And all parents will agree with me that this is not an easy task. Many would say a full time career would have more dignity than one that chooses to be a stay at home mom. Trust me, all my old friends will gag at the thought of me being a full time mom but I should say, its the best thing I could've ever done not for me but for them. They have NOTHING on me! But enough about me...

ALL his grades are A's and 4's. These leaves me a bewildered but proud mom (very blessed to be exact!). Then again, the American educational system isn't one to boast but hey, achievment is achievment. He's 2/3 to his black belt in taekwondo with a silver medal to his name. He joined Chorus, played cello (for a few months) and got into the GATES program (gifted students). All this and having to contend with me and his sister! Thats a great accomplishment! WOW! He has the purest heart amongst the family. Next to his stepdad of course who is by far the most selfless person I know. (That would be in a latter paragraph). We had fun last week at Knotts Berry where I trained and psyched him to get over his fear of rollercoasters. After that first ride where we got pulled back 124 ft in the air thrown across 3 loops. He was totally sucked into the adrenaline rush. So now, like me he's a rollercoaster junkie! He's developing a love for soccerr (which was also may favorite sport growing up) and he's leaving on Saturday for a one week field trip to the Capital, DC for an educational field trip which I wish I could've done when i was 11.

MY DAUGHTER, SUMMER: Her story is not far from her brother's. She's incoming 5th grader and also exceeds any mothers expectations in grades and co curricular excellence. Also straight E's. She was definitely teachers pet and volunteered at school to do more than she was obligated to do. She worked for the library and read to younger kids. Kinda reminds me of me during the same age! She took up the violin this year and was also in her School's award winning drill team. She just recently concluded her ballet recital (Swan Lake) where she played one of the peasant girls. Bravo to that. Have you realized yet how busy they are? Wait till I throw in my sked then you'll wonder how I juggled all this and still have my sanity intact!

Of course, they've also been involved in musicals and drama skits at church these past couple of months. Busy is an understaement, indeed.

MYSELF: Well, first and foremost. I have been busy shuttling the kids to and from their activities. I have been busy serving in Church as a member of the Music team (where else) and now even busier being handed my own ministry (creative arts) to help people realize their God' given talents and use it to further the Kingdom. The music team is gaining recognition in LA's Filipino community. We were front page of the Balita Newspaper published here and I had a picture on page 47-48. Of course, the newspapers are nothing new for me but this one is more exciting because it is for God's work and not mine. We even had around a 3 minute spot at a local Filipino cable tv show. Not too shabby for a church. My own Creative Arts Ministry is moving so quickly. As soon as we activated it, we had several opportunities to use the different talents in and out of the church. We are planning a concert/musical on October 2006 among other monthly activities.

MY BAND: hmmm...extraordinary news! I have a signed and sealed contract for us to play in Cannes, France on Jan 21, 2007! We are being flown over there by an Int'l MAJOR Label (i cannot divulge the name yet because they need to make the announcement themselves first) all expense paid to take part in the midem.com music festival! Just go to their website if you care to know more about it. We're only playing one hour show and are going to get paid for it as well! YES, we have been picked up by a MAJOR LABEL! Never been done in the History of the Filipino people! Then to make you even gasp more...we're playing for the World cup or its equivalent next year in EUROPE! That is coming up soon too! Stay tuned on our website for a major announcement on it when the time is right! We will be frequenting the UK next year for a serier of tours (check our myspace page for the exact dates) It'll be an awesome way of seeing Europe! For free and actually with PAY! So, great things , great things!

MY HUSBAND: Yes, the unfortunate thing is still tied up in Seattle due to some personal and family business he needs to attend to but he might have a breakthrough next week and be able to move here finally. He has A LOT going on too! He got picked up by Eric Clapton. Yes, there's only ONE Eric Clapton, to represent him as a publicist. We are going to be guests at Nicholas Cage's NewPort Bay mansion in the next two weeks because Mikey is writing his auto biography and possibly collaborating on screenplays, comic books and other stuff. Of course, while he works I'll be chilling with Nic's wife at their very own spa and beachfront! hahaha Yes, Mikey is not only a Music collector and freak (he owns at least 5,000 cds) he is a total COMIC NERD (God only knows how many boxes of really old, musty comic books he has!). I dunno how I end up with comic nerds all the time! (maybe because I like reading them myself, duh !!??) Well,this time, this is the last stop!

Oops, I don't want to forget to mention the fact that his dad has been so generous to give us a car. So what are my choices? The toyota sequoia or land cruiser. I went to the dealership yesterday to test drive them and DANG they ride like airplanes!! The sequoia ride is like coach and the LC rides like first class! woo hoo...so, thats going to happens sometime in the next few weeks depending on the availability of our choice. After that, I'll be able to finally buy a jetski that Ive been wanting for the last 15 years! This is way back mid 90's when we were almost going to buy one in Manila and "charge it to the band!" hahaha

Then there's his non-fiction book about the 80's thats being picked up by Harper Collins. Thats going down in the next 2-3 weeks. And he's finishing up his gothic romance novel with a character he based on me (that should be interesting!) I haven't read it yet because he wants to surprise me when its done. And then the Nic Cage projects follow after that. Oh, I forgot to mention he got offered to run the Berlin branch of the recording co that's picking us up but he turned it down because there's NO WAY I'm moving to GERMANY! Im a SOCAL kinda gal. hahaha

Are you dizzy yet? I haven't mentioned the activites we're doing as a family. hahahaha...We're going for a whole week to Disneyworld this August as my 'good job on your grades' gift and should definitely be a blast!

We're planning to finally go home to Manila this Christmas or sometime that season depending on when they get off for Xmas break. I haven't been home in 7 years!! It seems like forever. I miss BORACAY and PUERTO PRINCESSA and SEA FOOD and HUMUS w/ OX BRAIN and BACOLOD CHICKEN HOUSE and LE CHING and SAISAKI and KAMAYAN and DENCIOS..need I go on

Wedding Bells? Well, after forfeiting my April 05 deposit (which I put a year ago) on a gorgeous spanish style house up in the Pacific Palisades hills with a garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Southern California coastline, we've decided to move it sometime summer next year because my lolo could not make it this year for health reasons. Next year, the whole bautista clan will show up so we decided to move it again for the nth time. That will be something to look forward to as well. I've had the invitations, save the date cards, disposable cameras and guest books since last year! Heck, I even bought my dress already a month ago. You're jaw will drop when you find out where and how much I bought the dress!??! Marshall's, price tag: $25 dollars!!! hahahaahahah I was just buying some everyday stuff and as I was in line in the check out counter, there it was beside me. A simple spaghetti strap, creme colored gown with beading at the torso area. Its abolutely simplicity at its perfection! GORGEOUS!! Why make the dress where me because of its price tag? I'll WEAR the dress, thank you.

There's an Israel trip coming this October as well, not sure if we can go but that's definitely on the top of the list of places to visit together with Kenya to see the conditions of our churches there (im thinking, what I could've spent on my dress would be well spent in those areas). Since becoming 'retired' last year. Ive decided to devote my spare time to philanthrophy work. Its not an angelina jolie thing. This has been in my heart a long time ago before the husband stealing but its okay since Im a humanist media darling started her mission. So that's that for now....this is my life midway into 2006. hmm..this turned out to be a long journal!!! The best news this blog has to offer??? I have a date with KAL'EL TOMORROW!!! Superman begins.....woo hooo

The Da Vinci (Fias)code

The Da Vinci (Fias)code
Current mood: annoyed
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Yes, I only watched it today. I really don't comprehend the hype given this movie. Then again, I was never shallow to fall for anything that's shoved down our psyche specially when its from Hollywood (the home of Scientology freaks) I can smell blasphemy a mile away. It was an Indiana Jones meets Pelican Brief meets National Treasure (minus the exciting action scenes) type BOGUS account of JESUS CHRIST's "untold secret life". I was falling asleep a third into the movie getting lost trying to figure out one twist after another. Uh-huh...the movie doesnt even give you time to absorb what just transpired. It goes into another twist and turn within seconds which looks to me like a subconscious but blatant tactic used to confuse even more. (Even my 11 year old son was whispering 'boring' every so often.) If you KNOW of JC but are not a TRUE believer/worshipper you will walk away more confused about the whole 'religion' thing. I read someone's blog re: this movie and she said she was "blessed" to watch it, obviously falling into this seemingly innocent but wicked venus fly trap. It made me a bit sad that she felt blessed by a FICTITIOUS MOVIE?!??!! Was she trying to be spiritual about this distortion? Oh, God, save her soul. What has this world come to?!?!? It reminds me of chickens running around without their heads (thinking they still have it on) or the emperor's new clothes (walking around town with his new robes unseen to the unwise (of course to his demise, he was really naked!)...

I'm assuming they tried to compress all the excitement that went into the paperback which gives me the impression was entertaining (I didn't read it and don't plan to now that I've seen the movie.) Garbage in, garbage out. Why would I waste more time. I only watched it to satisfy my curiosity and I have now put it to rest. Plus I wanted to escape the scorching hundred degree weather.Trust me, laying out at the pool with a good book would have been a better time to spend my Sunday afternoon just as I did on Saturday.

The only upside that I saw with this movie is that it would stir up a curiosity among people to SEEK the truth about JC since this movie is FICTION (ask the Author,he SWEARS by it). And it gives Jesus junkies like me a chance to voice out our opinions on the matter (and we're not doing it enough). I love the first amendment. Watch....

Only a moron, half-wit oblivious to the TRUTH about the Bible will even begin to think that there is validity to this mythical and unethical movie. Oops! Is it politically correct to say unethical since it seems the world is in reverse now!?!? A movie about JC full of lies as compared to Brokeback Mountain...what is unethical these days since we live in a time of moral decay and a "whatever-makes-you-happy-as-long-as-you're-not- harming-someone" attitude?

What amazes me, though, is people's interest and curiosity when it comes to JC evidenced by box office returns. He was always center of controversy anyways which strengthens my belief in his Sovereignity. Why? Darkness loves the dark , is afraid to come to the light and overcompensates by denial, defensiveness, feeling of supremacy (which is really a from of insecurity) oftentimes hostility and violence. Mankind is so in the DARK these days that people HATE having to admit the TRUTH that JESUS and everything He stands for was yes, a man but GOD as well duh! BUT, wouldn't it make us feel better to fantasize that this man revered as GOD is just mere mortal and that he is not divine after all? Remember, misery loves company. It would help nurse our wounds of insecurity wouldn't it? C'mon, let's crucify Him again by reducing him to our level of mortality, if it makes you feel better and gives you a false sense of POWER, temporarily that is. But hey, temporary gratification in exchange for eternal condemnation? I'd rather believe in and revere GOD today according to HIS commandments and die to find that there is no GOD than to live without a regard for God then find out that HE does exist!

"They exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creation rather than the Creator" Romans 1:25

It sure made a lot of money for the producers and the author is laughing his way to his bank but it definitely robbed people's souls in the process. The funny thing is Dan Brown claims to be Christian. All I can say to him is, "Good luck when its your time to face God and he asks you what you did with what he entrusted to you." You have a lot of explaining to do why on earth you would use your writing talents to TWIST the TRUTH about GOD in a FICTION novel even just for kicks. Pretty irresponsible, Mr."Believer".Thats playing with death right there, walking on very thin ice. The confusion it has cost humanity is something you, Mr. Brown, will surely have to answer for when your time comes.

Im pretty sure the Christian community which is slowly waking up to the call to be first century Christians again (brave and bold), will retaliate with a much, much better and accurate account of JC's life. We need more movies like The Passion and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which were both excellent movies and blockbusters as well, with depth and profoundness of the TRUTH that which liberates us from our bondage from all sorts of SIN.

my recommendations: On my TRUTH-O-METER: A big EGG!! For its overall appeal, forget it, I'll take Indiana Jones anyday. And do yourself a favor. If you watched it or are going to, don't be naive and just accept the movie's subliminal deception. Please take it upon yourself to search the truth from reliable sources so you can be set free like the rest of us!