While doing some research online of a particular subject, I came across this film which is quite remarkable and breathtaking at the same time. I've actually seen this for like a couple of months ago as its initial screening was back in 2009 due to limited release. If I'm not mistaken, this should be shown shortly as right now the film is geared for a worldwide release. That shouldn't be a problem.

Romance set in an exotic Mediterranean country both culturally and historically rich is like sipping wine in a weekend picnic under a beautiful balmy weather. There's just something enchanting and memorable about it that is worth retelling for years and years. What's interesting about watching Cairo Time is that also does double-duty as a travelogue, is that it transports an audience to a place so magical and mythic. Somehow, it is already a rewarding experience in itself.


The main character of the story is the place itself, Egypt or in this case, Cairo in particular - "The City of a Thousand Minarets." On a November, we see Juliette (played by Patricia Clarkson), a 40-something fashion magazine editor, touching down at Cairo International Airport in town to visit and spend time with her husband Mark. Her host, Tareq (Alexander Siddig) came to fetch her and who also happened to be her husband's former colleague working under the United Nations refugee camps. Upon arriving, Tareq informed her of her husband's unavoidable delay in Gaza due to an urgent mission and assured her of the safety of Mark's situation. As they walked towards the car, they chanced upon Yasmeen, an old friend of Tareq's during his university days and ended up being invited to a wedding in Alexandria for Yasmeen's daughter. Both were appreciative and cordial of the gesture.

Along the way, the two started exchanging conversations about family and work even commenting about the intense weather enveloping the place. Being her first time in the "middle east" as remarked by Tareq, she confessed how much she loves the idea of finally getting the opportunity to experience Cairo. He dropped her off at her hotel to get settled and wait for Mark's call. Although disappointed of spending a few days alone, Juliette tried to check out the place even managing to leave the hotel premises unaccompanied. She then encountered an unusual and strange culture far removed from the comforts of home, men started following her around which started to scare her. She decided to drop by Tareq's coffee shop just to be around a familiar face where the patrons are all-male playing a game of cards and chess. He spent the day with her being a gracious host. This would begin a series of get together for the two on the duration of Mark's absence.


That evening, a solo Juliette attended one of Mark's function and met some of his colleagues and their partners especially Kathryn. Already worried of how she can get through to her husband, Kathryn offered to have lunch with her along with some friends the following day and also went for a hike at the white dessert - in an effort to keep each other occupied. The next morning, Tareq came by to show her around - taking her on a boat ride in the River Nile and capping the night for a smoke of shisha. She then departed to her room and was in time to receive Mark's call for update. Desperate to see him, she couldn't help herself but venture her way to Gaza via coach. Halfway to her trip, she was held up at a check point and was not allowed to go any further to reach her destination. Left with no choice, she was ordered to go back to Cairo and obliged to phone in Tareq to pick her up from her stop.

The days that follow, Juliette and Tareq kept each other company taking leisurely walks in the city, talking and discussing about life and relationships with occasional friendly banters followed by a little bit of flirtation from time to time. They even decided to embark on a journey to Alexandria for the wedding. They both enjoyed the traditional celebration and grateful for their accommodating host. While there, they couldn't fathom the idea of not seeing each other again once she leaves Egypt and unsure how they could keep in touch. After which, they headed back to Cairo and was in time to see Mark waiting at the hotel that put an end to their fleeting rendezvous.


The film ended with Mark and Juliette leaving the hotel to finally take a tour of the Grand Pyramids just as they had promised each other.

Clarkson and Siddig's performances were captivating and beautifully painful - it would seem as if these roles were carefully tailored fit for both. They very much carried their own with graceful sophistication in the entire run of the film without trying to compete with its main character, Cairo. Juliette's softspoken disposition, understated style (not to mention that unforgettable chic green dress) and impeccable manners are so endearing; while Tareq's brooding persona, unwavering honesty and unapologetic ideals are intimidating to say the least. As a testament to that, the unspoken chemistry and quiet hesitation of their characters are undeniably charming.

It's highly likely to see Cairo as the newest romantic destination. Be sure to make a stop there in this lifetime.

** This story is taken from my old blog - popcorn sessions. **

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Photos via Aceshowbiz

The post-millennial era has Mark Zuckerberg and his team at Harvard to thank for. Who would have thought that the future of time-keeping, diary entry of thoughts, pictures and emotions are encapsulated in the form of Facebook.

We’ve become so connected and obsessed in documenting our daily lives from the mundane to the extraordinary. It’s amazing sometimes when we try to think about the fact that content is just at our fingertips. We can easily talk and share our opinions quickly, freely and (to some) anonymously – whether solicited or unsolicited.

I remember when I lived overseas where my lifestyle dictates me to be constantly online. Every time I notice that my phone battery is about to die – I feel like I’m about to die along with it too. The 'fear of missing out' from the virtual environment makes me jittery and neurotic. [FYI, the term has already entered into mainstream consciousness and made its way on the pages of dictionaries officially as ‘FOMO’.] I can’t find my way around because I have no GPS. I have no idea when the next bus is coming because I have no phone alarm – let alone the app itself. I’m not sure if the restaurant I’m about to go to still have enough seats. If my friends are on their way, I wouldn’t be sure how close they are to the meeting place. And if I’ve ordered food or having a great time, there’s no camera to capture the moment. And the list goes on and on…

It’s like a deer in the headlights scenario. The very idea of being offline feels more or less like a digital death and it is unimaginable. You see – it wasn’t like this before.

When internet and smart phones were not as widespread as it is now, (and that was how many eras ago, mind you!), people relied on common sense. If one had trouble locating a place, they'd go old school by asking people to point them in the right direction. The same goes with the time if one forgot to wear a watch. And if they're lucky, maybe meet a newfound acquaintance, a bit of small talk, a smile and little joke on the side to go along with it on a beautiful day. That’s pretty much more than you can get talking to actual three-dimensional people out there as opposed to your pocket-sized rectangular friend.

The sad thing is, in general, people have become too focused on their own daily affairs. Subconsciously, the habit of replacing the actual three-dimensional people over smart phones is prevalent in today’s society.

Take a good hard look around, provided that your device does not distract you, and you’ll see how people in the train, people who are eating out, people who are traveling and basically just people everywhere from all walks of life are plugged without acknowledging their surroundings.

For all we know, there are amazing things happening around us that we fail to see and perhaps, even take part of. And those are moments that we can’t go back to.

That guy who just slipped right across the street after stepping on a banana peel that happened in a space of 15 seconds would have been a funny sight. But we missed it – that 15 seconds alone is gone.

Let’s say, we did saw it and took a video of it. That would have been a potential gif or meme to go viral waiting to happen. But then again, so are capturing everything in our lives. It’s become, at times, a silly habit to take pictures of almost anything and everything we can think of from the food we eat to the clothes we wear.

Although it’s nice sometimes, but in the long run, it’s damaging us on how completely reliant we are to these devices. What if, just an exercise, we take away your smart phones (gasp!) for a day and test your memory skills. Try to witness the events that happened during the day and try recalling them at night. Remember anything special and specific – like, did you see that guy who slipped earlier? Did you notice his facial expression when it happened? How about the color of his shirt? Oh wait, was he wearing a shirt or a suit? See my point?

That said; give yourself a little favor to rely on your mental capacity to remember things naturally – without digital intervention via smart phones, tablets and laptops. And remember: GO OUT AND HAVE FUN! Be happy to be unplugged for a little while and relish the moment.


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Photo via CJ

There's nothing like coming across a book, a poem, a quote or even a well-written piece of literature that gives you a sudden epiphany out of nowhere. It just stops you in your tracks and realize how much it resonates with the things that you live by. It's amazing... and unbelievable both in equal measure.

And so, several years ago in the days of MTV at its peak, there I was, my adolescent self sitting on the couch tuning into my favorite channel. Then, out of nowhere, a video was played that was completely different to what I was used to then - a confection of pop, alternative, rock, r&b sounds. It was more about spoken words accompanied by a background music that I had trouble recognizing. Completely unlike anything I've heard before. So I listened closely with all my senses focused on nothing else but what was played on the screen.

Ohh... That was it - I was hooked. I really get it. It was a sort of tribute dispensing valuable life lessons to young generations like me. The words and advices that pack a punch and land in our ears and minds of things that shouldn't be taken for granted.

It was quite a generous effort. So I decided to track down the origins of the thought behind the piece. And there there, it was a beautifully written by a lady journalist named Mary Schmich published in the Chicago Tribune.

Thank you Mary. It has such a wonderful and inspiring message that it has contained some of my go-to mantras every now and then when certain situations call for it.

And to everyone else: May you find the same beauty that I myself found within it, too. So, without further ado, I am sharing to you. Here goes ---

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who'd rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there's no reason we can't entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.


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Photo via CJ

How Zach Braff does it? I'm not too sure. All I know is that - the guy is brilliant. He has incredible insight in the kind of projects he chooses to work on. He's a genius, for sure.. from screenwriting to acting, soundtrack selection to directing.

In many a series of lead roles, he plays Michael in the film called The Last Kiss. Michael, a twentysomething architect on the verge of pushing 30, is happily settled with his girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) - the kind of relationship his friends were quite envious of. He realizes that everything he wanted since he was young falls into place. He has a great job, maintains a friendship with his childhood friends and Jenna, who is expecting their first baby. Pretty much, he has it all.


While at a friend's wedding, he meets Kim (Rachel Bilson) - a charming yet aggressive college student who caught his eye. With her forward nature, she seems to easily get Michael wrapped around her fingers without hesitation. While making conversations with her, Michael confesses how much he thinks that even in his otherwise perfect life - there's no more room for surprises anymore. Kim suggests that he's in a crisis which he agrees in silence.

On the homefront, Jenna is caught offguard of her parent's separation and tries to tie loose ends hoping to get Anna and Stephen (played by Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson respectively) back together especially with the pending birth of their granddaughter. While, Michael's friends are in a tsunami of relationship turmoil. Izzy, who got jumped by his girlfriend Ariana, and Kenny, who is commitment-phobic, decide to embark on a roadtrip to get away from Wisconsin. Chris, on the otherhand, is stuck in a ticking timebomb of a marriage with Lisa waiting to disintegrate.


With everyone around them in a state of domestic disturbance, Michael is secretly brewing a mix of his own by meeting Kim from time to time with Jenna kept in the dark. Despite having an inkling of what the consequences of his actions will be, he becomes more enamored with Kim's youthful and carefree ways. Chris suspects of Michael's cheating ways and decides not to get involved in any of his alibis.

On the night when he was partying with Kim at a club, Jenna tries to get hold of him with sad news of Izzy's dad who passed away. He puts up an excuse that he is out with Chris only to get busted by her at the wake where all of Michael's friends including Chris are present except him. Upon rushing his way home, Jenna confronts and interrogates him of his whereabouts. Preferring to stick to his alibi only to get outed with Chris, he starts confessing and vows of its meaningless implication in their relationship. With his apologies holding no weight on the matter, she kicks him out of the house. So left with no place to go, he drops by at Kim's dorm and decides to sleep with her instead.

Jenna moves to her parent's house to compose herself and cool down. He figures it right away and thinks of visiting her there when Kim ambushes him at his office. He explains to Kim of his predicament and tries to apologize to her of the confusions caused between them. Michael then rushes out and arrives at the house to talk to Jenna. As her parents tries to get some sense talking to them, she bolts out of the door and goes straight to their house and locks Michael out. He makes up for everything that he has done by waiting and staying in the porch for days and nights - rain or shine. Until Jenna gives in.


What's fascinating about the film is how it dissects the very complicated depths of how relationships is responsible to its own demise. The human factor, is almost and always, a given factor. How being human is an imperfection in itself that explaining lapses in judgment is like beyond the radars of being human. With a contemporary story and setting, Braff has become a poster boy for sensitively flawed leads experiencing dramatic highs and lows of a relationship. His performance is just seamless to begin with. In the meantime, Bilson can easily master the role of a sex kitten trying to seduce the male protagonist and sway him off the tracks. But somehow, you can't help but notice bits and pieces of her O.C. days with Summer Roberts springing from behind her - not so hard to miss on that one though. Overall, the material on this remake is relatively modern and likeable. Kudos!


** This story is taken from my old blog - popcorn sessions. **

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Photos via Aceshowbiz, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, JoBlo

A few weeks ago on this blog, I posted a two-part series entitled “What Dreams Are Made Of… Sometimes!” It was written at a time when my mind and body was consumed with too much work and personal stress that it took an insane toll even during in my sleep and dream state. I had no idea then what I was running into. Until I realized that it was a dream that had zero – I repeat, zero – sound taking place. No sound, no noise, and most definitely, no music. It was an audiophile’s worst nightmare!

And so, I thought maybe in the future we could manipulate the kind of dreams we have. Maybe make some edits as our dream starts unfolding. Wouldn’t that be so cool? It’s like those scenarios in the movies where a character breaks the fourth wall and tries to revise the story in real time – should some situation proved disadvantageous – in order to gain the upper hand.

In the spirit of that theory, I had this idea what if we can pre-select the kind of tunes that gets played in our dreams. Nothing blah or meh in this case. But a trove of ultra quirky, part dreamy, part ambient, hyper pop alternative soundtrack that even MTV would pale in comparison. So I’ve run down a list of what I felt best suits that surreal and, most often, inexplicable dream environment. Let’s go through it – shall we?


(1) Under The Water – Merril Bainbridge

(2) What I Am – Emma Bunton f/ Tin Tin Out

(3) Symptom Of My Time – Marie Frank

(4) Indestructible – Alisha’s Attic

(5) Damned – Shimoli

(6) Tattooed On My Mind – D’Sound

(7) Totally Underwater – Shelly Poole

(8) Snow On The Sahara – Anggun

(9) Templefrog – Kiln

(10) The Rain – Oh Wonder

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Photos via (from left to right, starting from top panel)  1 - Wikipedia, 2 - Wikipedia, 3 - MusicStack, 4 - LaDiscoàTibronx, (middle panel) 5 - MusicStack, 6 - Lyrics 007, (bottom panel) 7 - iTunes, 8 - Wikipedia, 9 - Ghostly, 10 - All Things Go Music

[This is the second part of the two-part series. To read the first part, click here.]

What I stepped into was a world beyond recognition – it was strange and otherworldly. I was floating in the air with the misty wind moving all around me. I could feel that there were others just like me but just outside my peripheral vision at every turn of my head. It’s like being sucked into a world that was sort of Tim Burton-esque in all its fantastical glory. I was floating in a patch of land that seemed to be elevated by a sea of clouds. A few distances away, I could see a cascading waterfall with the water dropping off to a bottomless pit. Across it were vines growing in total abandonment as it made its way towards some funny looking trees resembling the kind found in exotic Socotra. I was spellbound.

But to add another layer of weirdness was that there was a complete absence of noise, sound, or perhaps even, music. Ever thought how intriguing it can be when you can actually bring your senses forward when you’re under a dream state, of course, with the exception of your tactile and olfactory senses? I’ve always thought it to be rather bizarre that I can still feel, see, hear and say something in that dream state when, after all, you are in deep sleep. But at that point in time, I was missing the hearing part or, yet, the absence of it.


As all dreams often are, they normally don’t make sense. Maybe they served as a reflection of your waking state of how exhausted you are from what you were doing and how badly you needed the rest. Maybe they don’t. And, in that particular dream, all I was doing was just roam aimlessly around that mystical environment – enjoying the sight of the waterfall, the sea of clouds underneath, the intertwining vines and the funny trees.

Before I know it, I started falling off the bottomless pit and I could sense my body was moving uncontrollably. My arms were spread out in the air hoping to grab something to keep me from falling further. I was screaming like mad minus the sound of my voice. All of a sudden, I was taken back to reality. It turned out – I had fallen off the bed with half of my blanket held tightly in my hands and the other half tucked in on top of the bed.

I was awake but didn’t have the strength to get up just yet. I opened my eyes and kept thinking what the dream was about. I replayed it over and over in my head about what it meant. But unfortunately, I didn’t reach any conclusion whatsoever. Then I realized something… there was melody in the air. A song was playing. I also realized… I can hear the music playing. Thank God – everything’s back to normal! Phew!

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Photos via HDW, michaelpickard

Fact: Paris is the city of romance. Yes, everyone knows this even for someone who hasn't been there. But true to form, be it in a postcard, there's always the tacit knowledge of how seeing a film that uses the place as a backdrop makes you want to go there. The Eiffel Tower, the Palais Royal, the French language, Musee de Louvre, the Seine... these and more just give you some kind of fairytale experience.

In Le Divorce, it starts off with Isabel Walker (played by Kate Hudson), an American, who just arrived in Paris to visit her sister, Roxanne de Persand (played by Naomi Watts) exactly the same time when her sister's husband Charles-Henri took off. Immediately caught by surprise on what the sisters are faced with, Isabel's stay couldn't have been more perfectly timed to be there and be of help to Roxanne and her daughter.


Isabel accompanies them to visit Roxanne's in-laws without breaking the news of Charles-Henri's departure. Worried about her sister, she decides to call her parents in Santa Barbara about it and discusses of retrieving a painting owned by the Walkers that Roxanne is holding in her care which might be of interest to her husband. After which, she goes along with Roxanne to meet Charles-Henri and then with writer Olivia Pace, who hires her for a job on the spot while out for drinks.

While working, she meets Yves, who's also under the employment of Pace renovating the apartment. Quickly enough, the two hit if off and even spend the night together in bed watching TV, she comes across one interview of Edgar Cosset, an in-law of hers, whom she becomes infatuated to. This leads to a friendly banter with Yves and drops the issue.

Roxanne, on the other hand, faces bitter divorce proceedings while being pressured to have a baby boy by her mother-in-law despite the predicament. At home, a Getty curator visits the sisters to determine the authenticity of the painting they have believing it is an original La Tour. Even when the curator showed an interest to it, the sisters were encouraged by friends not to give up the Saint Ursula as it is too priceless.


In the middle of channel-surfing, Isabel comes across yet another Cosset interview on TV and decides to call and meet him at Cafe George to help speed up her French. And right off the bat during lunch, Edgar offers a proposition to her to become his mistress which she agrees provided that they keep it on the down-low. Next thing she knows, an Hermès Kelly bag is sent to her way prompting Roxanne to warn her not to accept expensive gifts from men. She now embarks on a relationship simultaneously between two men, one in public with Yves and the other one in clandestine with Edgar.

At Olivia's and Roxanne's book event, Isabel starts getting harassed by Tellman, the husband of Charles-Henri's mistress and asks Yves to kick the guy out from interrupting the book-reading. What follows is a series of negotiation between the Walkers and de Persands making the Saint Ursula the centerpiece of the divorce settlement. It almost lead Roxanne on a suicide attempt while still pregnant. Fortunately, Isabel finds her in time before it causes serious repercussions to the baby. After finding out, the Walkers flies in to Paris to be with their daughters. During lunch, it shows that Roxanne's lawyer, Maitre is having a thing towards her. Their brother, Roger (played by Thomas Lennon) is adamant in discussing the value of the Saint Ursula and how it can be divided equally within the family. The Walker family goes to visit the de Persands country house outside the city to continue their negotiation emphasizing the ownership of the painting as an heirloom. Even the topic involving the supposed affair with Edgar comes into play where Isabel just shrugs off the conversation preferring not to care.


One morning, as Isabel along with her mother and niece tours the Eiffer Tower, Tellman starts following the two on board the lift to the top. He takes them hostage and keeps asking them if Roxanne is coming. As if Roxanne is not experiencing enough domestic problems, she arrives home to find her husband dead. It is then found out that Tellman was the culprit and was sent to a psychiatric institution.

In the later part, Isabel and Edgar ends the affair amicably. The Walkers makes the decision to sell the Saint Ursula and gets astouded how its value skyrocketed to an amount more than $4M USD and even opened up a foundation after the said painting.

The film's dialogue is about 50% in French. So this is more like a nice starter for anyone who wants to learn the language or any Francophile for that matter. Overall, it's a gem to watch not to mention that adorable scene stealer of a haircut on Kate Hudson - it's just vivacious. If only I could pull off that hair style like hers. Très chic!


** This story is taken from my old blog - popcorn sessions. **

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Photos via My French Life, Tribute, Showtimes

I remember it was quite a busy week sometime ago. I was mentally and physically spent after working like a mad dog in the office. I had a long list of to do’s that seemed almost impossible to finish and at the same time kept getting longer as the day went on.

It was like getting caught in a loop of unfortunate luck that there’s no use moving backwards or forwards. A hamster on a wheel. That was what it felt like. I mean, of course, I was working my absolute best at whatever task came my way. I treated it with dedication and precision. It felt good no matter how tiring it was back then.

But then I realized that my off-duty hours were getting the short end of the stick. Come weekends or after-work, I had to double my efforts making sure that I am using my time as efficiently as possible and that I am enjoying every waking minute out of it. Well… I did, in fact, managed to do some of that. But then, truth be told, it wasn’t always the case. You see - I also had to catch up on my sleeping. In stereotypical Asian perspective, that’s considered lazy and even, to a worst extent, the subject of online shaming. An idea I really objected and rejected. So let me be the first, maybe in some ways, to admit the fact that (A) I needed my sleep and therefore entitled me to catch up on it; and, (B) I really don’t care what the opinion of a faceless majority thought about what I do or don't do. My life belongs to me.


So there I was... all glassy eyed with my book on the bed, waiting till the sleep fairy will take me someplace interesting and enchanting good enough of a story to be told and retold. Then suddenly, I started drifting away, weightless into the air – my feet barely touching the ground.

I didn’t even remember closing my eyes at that point. I suppose I was too distracted with my aching muscles that my mind took the liberty to head off to slumber land.

[To be continued… This is the first part of a two-part series. Watch out for the second part of this story!]

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Photos via Danbury Library, Florian Simeth

At first glance, it all evokes emptiness and separation, stillness and realism. It’s as if the paintings that show so little say a lot of what’s not there. But then if you look even closer – and you’ll see it. Not just in the paintings per se, although it does have the ability to affect you in the most profound manner. But it also allows you to look at yourself intuitively – on how you can relate to the art in one way or another and how it gives you the means to confront reality at its finest moments.

I first came across John Register when his work got featured in a little-known gem of a film from Curtis Hanson. It served as a mood fixture that parallels with the storyline of the lives of the characters. I wasn’t at all bothered that much at an early point – I guess perhaps, I was too engrossed with the drama that’s happening onscreen. However, after the end of the film and patiently sitting through the end credits – there it was and I saw as his name rolled by. John Register. And by that time, I was pretty sure that’s one name you would hardly forget. It really ‘register’-ed and boy did Google helped me pique my interest level several notches high.

I was mesmerized. Hooked. I admire Register’s aesthetic sensibility of showing rawness in a most minimal way. As cliché as this may sound, and you pretty much hear this all of the time but dare I say it that “less is more” resonates a lot in his body of work. An empty chair situated close to an huge impressive window makes quite an impact on how you see things that others may see differently. It creates a tangible effect that in order to simplify your life from its chaos and complications, you have to strip yourself from your worldly possessions. Be bold to take risks and be resilient to changes.


And though it is part of my bucket list to see his paintings in person sometime in the future – one thing is for sure; John Register has definitely left an imprint on me. How he managed to create an experience out of his paintings leave a lot to the senses. Like you and I along with the world, we take notice and we carry on.

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To read a full bio of John Register, check out his retrospective.

To experience the world according to John Register, visit this dedicated gallery.

Photos via Magnolia Editions and John Register: A Retrospective

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Love can be a very hard topic to write about, let alone discuss about it. The four-letter word that has us on a string, prompts us to act inexplicably and messes with our decisions. It is potent at best and disturbing at worst. The different definitions of what love is and why it matters make it compelling to share to people.

As a kid, I recognized love in its primal form… family. My parents, my siblings, my grandparents (which unfortunately – I didn’t get to have a lot of time spent with) and my extended relatives. The comfort and care that’s readily there round-the-clock, 24/7 in all its unconditional glory. Despite running into a few mischievous acts kids normally get into – my parents, while instilling in me a sense of discipline and a little bit of (ahem!) scolding, they’ve always explained to me that what they’re doing comes from a place of good intentions. That straightening me out early in life is a way to keep me well-behaved and avoid becoming a troublemaker growing up. Apart from that, the amount of nurture I get from them are immeasurable especially during sick days. The diligent monitoring of body temperature, making sure that I took my medicines in a timely manner and have eaten my meals… It’s this kind of deep-seated affection that makes me feel better quickly that even medicines sometimes pale in comparison. Through which I can gratefully say, that’s what love is for!


Then came the painful adolescent years (and yes, let’s be honest – adolescence and all it’s raging hormones were always an exceptionally trying stage), where figuring out who I was, what was important to me and trying to fit in, were the usual norm. This is where the role of friends takes a greater slice of the pie when it comes to time and attention. My friends were the consoling force when it comes to coping with adolescent issues like school and getting good grades, personal identity, guys and relationships. We went through these pressures in the same wavelength, carefully treading through the complicated twists and turns of life the way an adolescent does. Friends were there to listen and advise, hang out and laugh with, talk and have fun with. Mind you, the attention and presence they provide is completely beyond leaps and bounds – and that was way before the age of Facebook and other social media what-have-yous. For this, I can say with all honesty, that’s what love is for!



So when maturity knocked, I opened the door with open arms ready to face the next challenges to come. I’m now a grown-up with grown-up problems figuring out some grown-up solutions. But the formula for love is still the same – it never changes, at least, the way I see it. Yet trying to dissect the anatomy of love in a guy’s perspective is no easy feat. Not even a real genius can understand the intricacy and delicateness of love between a guy and a girl in a relationship. It’s a work in progress with little room for success sometimes but enormous room for failure (sad to say!) from time to time. Being in a relationship creates the ultimate balance especially when a guy’s personality complements with mine. It’s like finding the missing part of the puzzle I’ve had trouble sorting out my entire life. The experience of sharing together similar or opposite interests and a deep friendship within the relationship leads to a sense of purpose and fulfilment. It’s almost like being inside a cocoon where both people find belongingness to each other which I think is the most beautiful thing. But then, like all beautiful things, there are beginnings and there are endings. The cocoon starts to break. What used to be similarities between two people becomes a wedge driving them apart. I’ve been here before and it can be quite difficult. Though I’m not one to bash at guys – it does help to put distance and time away from the experience and see it from a different angle. When I started picking up the pieces, I’ve learned to appreciate every moment, bad or good, of the experience. And that’s when I figured, my heart has grown bigger too and next time around, it has so much room for someone who’s more deserving of it. Yes, I can sincerely say from my heart and from my head – that’s what love is for!



So, in the spirit of the month of February and St. Valentine's Day, let love be the centerpiece of our lives at whatever we do, whoever we’re with and whenever time of day, month or year. There’s no truer emotion that makes us more human. And for what it’s worth, that’s what love is for!

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Photos via JD, Joëlle T., Makena Zayle Gadient, Leo Hidalgo

If you happen to dig modern love stories like the Before Sunrise, Before Sunset and Before Midnight trilogy, then I'm pretty sure that 2 Days in Paris is no exception. And with Valentine's Day just around the corner, this is the perfect one to watch!

With a fascination over the City of Lights lately, this film is an emotional and comedic mumblecore between two quirky characters. Julie Delpy is definitely pulling all the stops to create a compelling and hectic two-day film diary under her direction.

It starts with Marion (also played by Delpy) and Jack (played by Adam Goldberg) on a train heading to Paris fresh from their Venetian trip. Marion is a French photographer in New York where she met Jack, an American interior designer – each with their own brand of neurotics trying to outwit each other in their relationship.

Upon arrival, the two heads straight to Marion's apartment one floor up her parent's place. Jack tries to acclimate himself of the new environment as well as the household routines not to mention Marion's irritability, wits and utter charm. Marion, on the other hand, does her best to manage Jack's discomfort, paranoia and sarcasm especially with a relatively compact space.


Despite having a rough start during lunch with the family, he makes it a point to put up with it by offering to show them the pictures of the trip. Suddenly out of nowhere, a very incriminating photo of him is brought up in the conversation. Apparently, Marion took the photo of him and circulated it to her family. Unaware and caught off-guard, he feels awkward and tries brushing it off topic. To get away from the situation, the couple left to go around Paris sightseeing, paying a visit to Jim Morrison's grave and even meeting one of Marion's ex-lovers, Manu, along the way.

Later that evening, they made plans to go to her dad's gallery opening and a party for Marion's friends. While preparing to go out, Jack found another incriminating photo – this time – of one of Marion's ex-lovers. He then questions her for which she quickly dispels it as a running joke she does with her friends. They decided to drop the issue on their way to the gallery and party.


Once again, they bumped into Manu at the party. Jack is surprised to know that Manu had this strange idea of staying at their place in New York. He asks Marion to disinvite him and she comes up with an excuse to do so.

A series of unfortunate events ensue including a false emergency call, an aggressive tirade with a racist taxi driver, an unromantic moment in bed, a flood situation on the domestic front and a bad case of hangover.

The following morning for breakfast, Marion spots an ex-lover and acts hostile throwing words towards the guy in public. Jack restrains her but feels that her sudden burst of anger doesn't make any sense and inexcusable. He then confronts her of hiding her affair with Mathieu which he found out via text message. With their incessant argument reaching fever pitch, the two took a time out and decided to cool off for awhile.


Back at the apartment that evening, she finds him waiting for her there. Then comes the big talk, laying all the cards down as the tone of their voices gradually change ahead. Both came to realise how the span of their relationship got broken down in just mere two days and how they were off-rhythm together seeing that they are in one of the most romantic cities in the world.

"There's a moment in life where you can't recover anymore from another breakup. And even if this person bugs you 60% of the time, well you still can't live without him. And even if he wakes you up everyday by sneezing right in your face, well, you love his sneezes more than anyone else's kisses."
– Marion

I must say that the script was cleverly written and the accompanying soundtrack does its job quite well in every scene as it simply goes along with the story. It's a fresh take romance mixed with culture clashes and an insight on stereotypical behaviour. Delpy's work is reminiscent to that of Woody Allen's style of quick-as-whip anecdotes and psychoanalytical diatribes. This is definitely a must-see film for anyone who's a sucker for romantic comedies.

** This story is taken from my old blog – popcorn sessions. **

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Photos via Fandango, Tribute, World Movies DB

“… As small as the flutter of a butterfly’s wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world.” – Chaos Theory

It’s this quote I came across a few years ago that have made a profound impact on me. Though for a student during my secondary and university days, the world of science wasn’t really something that ranked high in my attention scale. For me, it was more about paying mind about those raging hormones – plain and simple. But I’ve always thought about the intrigue and controversy that’s attached to the quote from the scientific to the existential perspectives.

Hence, I’ve equated this quote to how simple unspoken gestures can convey a lot of interpretation and, maybe even, form a certain long-term impression especially to the recipient of the actions. A pat on the shoulder… a hint of crooked smile to suggest an affirmative answer… a twinkle in the eye to welcome a person’s presence… and a cotton-soft embrace that carries a feeling of generosity and compassion. I found all of these as quiet evidences of how unspoken acts held so much volume in the form of sincere and heartfelt gestures.


Or here’s another analogy. It’s the composition of these small specks of our skin that make up our entire body and in the process, our very existence – that defines who we are as a person and how we engage to those like us. A gesture of kindness and goodwill that we show to other people that leave them astounded and impressed – and emanates a certain glow from people inside out.

So it goes without saying that subtle acts of sincerity does leave lasting imprints to people – maybe not too memorable for some but can actually bring about a sense of positive effect to certain areas in life. It may not manifest that quickly right away but it’s there. And time can only tell when it’s right to come out. And I certainly think that the positive effects far outweigh the negative.

The power of gestures that even words alone can't capture. It's one amazing gift of all!

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Photos via Val Kerry and Paco CT

The 90's were the main proponent of #normcore. They gave birth to the philosophy, the ethos, and the trend even before the term entered the fashion lexicon. But then again, the people who were in the forefront, especially those in popular sitcoms and music videos, were not aware of what they were on to – the normcore that we know now was just the normal zeitgeist then. Looking back – there really was nothing special about it.

As a child who grew up in those years, normcore was typically your everyday conventional and unpretentious outerwear. I remember it so well. Those denim overalls, sports team shirts and jackets, Nike sneakers and baseball cap among others. Loose, shapeless and blah! Even in the world of entertainment, fashion statement then not necessarily ranked high when all people wanted was someone they can relate to. When Friends, Seinfeld and their contemporaries came around – everyone were tuning in because the shows were fun to watch, the characters were relatable and the actors behind them were likeable while the lives they lead were, in some ways, aspirational.


But at the turn of the millennium – the whole landscape has evolved… Even too quickly that it left no room to step back and see things from a different angle. It became a culture of individualism, consumerism and one-upmanship. It seems that every parents’ comforting advice of ‘Be Yourself!’ to their kids took a drastic turn.

And so with the oversaturation of individuals trying to stand out – then came the inevitable emergence of people trying to blend in. To paint a better picture about this logic, there’s this line in Singles by Cameron Crowe that really springs to mind –

“I think that (A) You have an act; and that, (B) Not having an act is your act.”
– Linda Powell


The line where normcore begins and individualism ends is quite hard to define. Convoluted at best. But in a world where changes take place at incredible warp speed, sometimes a little bit of slowing down is not so bad. Or perhaps because of the speed, all of us might have been forced to cut the 90's experience really short in order to keep up with the changes. Hence, it is just our romantic effort to revisit the decade and hold on to it for a little while longer.

Good thing #normcore managed to get a little bit of place in today's pop culture especially when the world is overwhelmed with too much of anything and everything. And there’s no better time to enjoy the phenomenon than now.

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Photos via Huff Post, Baeble, HITC Lifestyle and The Window

Nothing beats the mood of a song trying to pick you up as another midweek madness starts to take shape. Erratic behaviors and insane news flying from every direction not to mention the cacophony of sounds from car honks to roadside drills, emergency sirens to strangers exchanging bleep words. I've grown up a city slicker since the day I was born. These are everyday occurrences that still get on my nerves after living in Singapore, Bangkok and Cebu. I try to find other means to escape sadly still within the boundaries of conventionality – like a change of location, routine and attitude. I yearn for untested activities that I have yet to try first-hand maybe skydiving, hiking or camping.

But then the most convenient form of escapism in the midst of all chaos is getting lost in a song, reveling the feeling of how it manages to segway one's thoughts.

Hmmm, stop for a second... Pause, breathe and let the melody take over you heart and soul, mind over matter. Easy now – put that smile on your face – let the universe surprise you in ways beyond your imagination.

"...I'm not the average girl from your video / 
And I ain't built like a supermodel / 
But I learned to love myself unconditionally / 
Because I am a queen..."
– Video by India Arie

Keep that music playing...

** This story is taken from my old blog - chic and understated. **

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Photo via CJ

Oh how I love to travel! And how I love to read as well! To hold a book or two while embarking on a journey – whether far or near, long or short! To feed my mind with a recommended dose of literature! And to exercise my brain in tip-top shape with new vocabularies at every turn of a page!

While we all know how great of an indulgence traveling is – reading is also, in fact, a great indulgence for the mind. Learning new things and accumulating knowledge is what makes people rich in experience. I just relish holding a book, touching the words with my hand and leafing the paper page-after-page. I’m sure you do too!

Every time I go out of town or take a trip overseas, there’s always a must-read tome packed in to keep me company. So much so, that if I were to ask myself what I couldn’t live without when stuck in a deserted island, I would say a good book would be one of them. You might ask why… Well, in the event that I get rescued back to civilization, at least my reading comprehension would still be intact. Smart, eh?

Typically, my literary genre of choice falls under eclectic. I am a voracious reader of various topics of interest – from history, travel (of course!), suspense thriller, pop culture (yes please!) and everything in between whether fact or fiction. One of the earlier books that I hang on to was Lit Riffs by Tom Perrotta and Matthew Miele not to mention a host of others. This is a collection of stories with inspiration taken from hit songs of contemporary musicians. One thing though - this may not be for the faint of heart but a great example of fusing musical history and songwriting with imaginative storytelling.

Sadly, with my incessant movement from place to place back then, I lost that precious, precious book. So if anyone of you got hold of my personal piece of treasure, kindly take good care of it. ☺

Another book I’ve taken on the road (or in the plane) a few times is The Kindness of Strangers, another short story collection, edited by Don George. I got this at a Lonely Planet shop at Kingsford-Smith airport during my trip to Sydney. It’s a hearty read from renowned travel scribes the likes of Pico Iyer, Rolf Potts and even a preface written by The Dalai Lama. Yes, The Dalai Lama – betcha didn't see that coming?

However, in an unfortunate twist of fate (sigh!), the book almost got ruined after a powerful storm hit the region where I lived. Though it was completely soaked with rainwater, I managed to keep it dry a few days after. The storm may have faded the look and feel of the book but it still can withstand wear and tear. I suppose kindness is on my side! 

While I like to read and re-read books when I travel, one thing I like doing when I’m on the road is visit the local bookshop. Or even better, a second-hand shop or book exchange which houses the best finds that people have long forgotten about… stories waiting to be discovered and read… writers with a distinct perspective and knack for storytelling. The thrill of uncovering those literary fly-on-the-wall types. Oh, it’s like a playground of sorts – so much enriching experience that awaits the mind! 

Amazing how your mind just submits to reckless abandon during a reading session? And even more amazing is how travel takes you to places the same way a book does? I couldn’t agree more!

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Photos via Greg Roberts, Publishers Weekly, Amazon

The culture of social media has rapidly influenced today's generation of lingo and behavior at an unbelievable warp speed. The parameters of how it penetrated pop culture is completely blurring the lines of truth and fiction. Next thing you know, art is then imitated by life.

When social network giant Facebook came into the picture, the options of customising contents are unlimited. You fill out your name, date of birth, current city and then... drum roll please... yep, that's right - relationship status. And surprise surprise, one of those choices have become a byword to any unclear and undefined relations with someone. Uh huh, even when you are still filling out that particular portion yet the pressure is unmistakable on which status to use. Thanks Mark Zuckerberg!


But then while browsing online, I chanced upon this movie called It's Complicated. And immediately I had this insane flashback during the time I was establishing my Facebook account. It's no surprise anymore how these things online creeps its way into mainstream life. So anyway, I got curious and decided to watch what the 'complication' was all about.

The opening credits started to roll. I got my popcorn and ice-cold Mountain Dew ready, lights turned off, headsets tucked in my ears and only had eyes on my laptop screen. Now there - powerhouse names by the likes of Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin and not to mention the lady behind the lens - Nancy Meyers is front and center.


Although, Meyers' films are typically targeted to the middle-aged demographic but you can't deny the fact how she manages to charm you in to her own brand of romantic comedy. There's always this ingredient of warm sophistication, classy glamour and adorable sense of humor that packs a punch. I sat there glued for the entire movie trying to capture the movie as if making a connection with the characters.

Streep's character Jane Adler is a divorcee and multi-tasking between looking after her bakery business, her grown up children and overseeing her latest project renovating her house. One occassion at work gave her the chance to get introduced and eventually work with Martin's Adam Schaffer, an architect who's also coping a divorce of his own. This meet-cute didn't result to a date right away, as our main protagonist had an unexpected intimate moment with her ex-husband Jake (played by Alec Baldwin) during a trip to New York. The direct result of this event led to unusual meetings from late-night booty calls to afternoon hotel trysts between both without the knowledge of their children except for soon-to-be son-in-law Harley (played by the adorable John Krasinski). The two start having "healthy" and "breakthrough" conversations they didn't encounter during the time of their marriage. Jake becomes more inclined in spending time with her instead of his current wife, Agness, who is a few years his junior. But Jane, as much as she tries to rationalize this arrangement, wants to avoid further complications especially when dealing with her children.


After declining Adam's offer to go out on a date, Jane and Jake decided to have dinner instead both coming up with their own alibis to get off previous commitments. Unfortunately, what was supposedly a candlelit dinner turned into a humiliating night of waiting on Jane's side as he flaked on their dinner date. This prompted Jane to invite Adam to her son's graduation party and ended up having a smoking great time after sharing a hit of weed together. With Jake bringing Agness along for the occassion, it was already apparent that he still harbors feelings toward Jane. This caused both parties to rock each other's boat and Agness throwing Jake out of the house. Soon enough, the secret of their affair came out with the children having a difficult time trying to reconcile how things ended up as it were. Eventually, Jane decided that getting back together with Jake will not be a possibility but she still managed to stay friends with Adam.

So as the movie ended, it left me feeling satisfied with the story since I'm such a sucker for romantic comedies. Although, it wasn't really a "happy ending" on the romantic relationship level, but at least it was "happy" in a "complicated" manner. Not only did I enjoy the movie, their witty characters and appealing cast, but I also loved the contemporary setting and its portrayal of modern relationships with the discipline it requires out of that busy schedule in life called work. I guess the movie summed it all up in two hard-hitting words, there's no better way to say it other than "It's complicated!"

** This story is taken from my old blog - popcorn sessions. **

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Photos via Baltimore Sun, Tribute, Ace Showbiz

When you say Down Under, you can’t deny the fact that Sydney stands out. It is a storied place packed with historic, artistic and cultural values that continue to hold relevance today. Part of what makes Sydney recognizable is the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – two of Australia’s crown jewels. Among the cities found in the Southern Hemisphere – nothing can outrank the vibrancy of Australia’s first city. It has the friendliest people while it is teeming with majestic flora and fauna and stunning landscapes. A wanderlust’s dream destination!





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Photos via CJ