HP Weekend

After seeing the making of the movie on BBC a week ago and nights of dreaming about it, I finally got to watch the full length movie!!!

The past weekend was a Harry Potter treat for me. Zach and I watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last Saturday evening. I remembered being excited the whole day while trying to scan the pages of the book I had at home just to make sure I remember the high points of the story. When we got to the mall, almost all people were carrying copies of the HP and the Deathly Hallows. But what’s most funny was the teenager who sat beside me at the cinema. She was actually reading the latest and final installment of the story inside the cinema while the adverts and trailers were shown!!! She obviously did not want to waste time.

Expectedly, the movie did not cover the whole book and some scenes were portrayed differently. But nevertheless, I truly enjoyed the movie and was amazed how the characters have grown so much. They were far from the cute kids that they were on the first three movies. Zach and I agreed later after the movie that we felt goosebumps when it came to the scene where Harry and his friends flew to London riding the thestrals. It showed London, River Thames and the tourist spots at night. We just cannot believe that we have actually been in those places. Now, Zach is looking forward to a Scotland trip to see the famed castle that was used in the film as Hogwarts.

The following day, we went to the town center after hearing mass. And we passed by a bookstore, I just was not able fight the urge to buy a copy of my own. I desperately can’t wait to find out how the whole Harry Potter saga will come to an end. And this book completes my set of Harry Potter and his adventures.

Well, that’s all for now and I’ll be hitting the book again.

Here and There...

With the British summer going weird and unpredictable as ever, I've been lucky to capture the few sunny and cheerful summer days that we had so far.

Images below were taken at The Grove in Hertfordshire which is just 35 minutes from London. It is a magnificent 18th century house set in a 300-acre of parkland. It has an 18-hole golf course which hosted the 2006 World Golf Championships.

What makes the place more interesting is that they actually have a beach...yeah! a beach nestled inside the estate!!! It is located inside the walled garden and it offers a wide area of golden sand complete with a volleyball court, spa treatment, beach bar and beach huts.




--o0o--

Days after the "The Grove" trip, Zach and I joined the company's annual summer party held at Chessington World of Adventure where we tried and enjoyed the rides, games and zoo animals.

A Long Story

Let me tell you a story of a man I can’t really claim to know so well. I have not been with him throughout the 29 years of my life and technically, I did not grow up with him around. But, I’ll be telling stuffs about him as I know him and as I see him.

As a young girl, I found him really handsome. Skinny but handsome! He dressed casually but coolly and as far as I can recall, he seemed to be smelling good and fresh all the time with his signature perfume. I used to resent having him around since I wouldn’t be able to sleep with Nanay and he always has this daunting and reprimanding look everytime I start an argument and childish squabbles with my sister. But the thought that it will just be a matter of months before he leaves again gave me comfort.

It was when I entered school that I realized the he should have been with us at home. He should have been the one bringing and fetching me and my sister from school and not just trusted drivers. He should be attending family council meetings with Nanay so she wouldn’t have run between my homeroom and my sister’s. When it comes to kiddy bragging, the only things I showed around are Christmas and Birthday cards telling them how neat and cool his handwriting was. But I have no memories to share.

Until there was an opportunity for him to stayed longer with us. Though, not really an opportunity as he was out of work and was looking around for a good employment contract that will be worth being away from his family for. It was there that I got to know him a little. How I hated it when he would make us memorize the whole multiplication table and solve Math worded problems on our free time. He made it a point that we understand mathematical concepts and not just be contented with answering homework provided by teachers. He would not let me go until I master the lesson even if I was drenched in tears already. But above all, I was able to have memories of him around that I shall keep forever – bringing me to school on the first day of the school year and stayed with me even if I was already in the queue for the flag ceremony, following me around on a sportsfest parade and untiringly took pictures of me, and attending our speech presentation that I was conscious all of a sudden because I saw him from the crowd. They were simply priceless!!!

When the time came for him to leave again, for the first time, I cried. Maybe because I was an intermediate grader already and matured a little but thinking again, it was definitely because I was able to established a relationship with him. Through technology, we were able to maintain the relationship and communication. He called long distance once in a while and talked to the whole family and never failed to write letters. I fondly looked forward to his homecoming and be sad again when it was time for him to leave again. He inspired me do well in school and gave me credit for the good grades and class standing. It continued until I was in high school and the calls became frequent with the advances of telecom. He made it a point that he was updated with our academic and extra-curricular activities. Though, he was unable to attend any of my graduation and recognition day, every medal gained was dedicated to him.

When I was about to enter college, I was lucky to have him around. He was there during my confusion on what course to take and it helped a lot. He was there during my scholarship presentation ceremony and his grinning and proud face will forever be etched in my mind. He was there when I was struggling with Engineering Math subjects in my freshman year. He saw to it that I have all the materials and tools needed for my drafting class, electronics laboratory, and computer class. I was really thankful for all his support. I would have given up Engineering if not for him. The thought of him made me to strive more.

Too bad though that when he decided to retire from work and stay home for good, I already left home to pursue a promising career. Having a job and in managing my life and finances, he has a great impact. All of us, his daughters, didn’t grow up having what we want anytime we want. There is a clear distinction between “needs” and “wants”. The “needs” are readily provided and we have to save and work for our “wants”. Even if he was working abroad, it was not customary for us to demand pasalubong. We were contented with what he has to give. No matter how he asked what we want when he goes home, we just leave it all to him.

The moments that I’ll forever cherish are the ones we spent here in England when we had the whole 4 months with each other and Nanay. I came to know him more and realized that even if he spent most of the years away from us, he was a cool FATHER and a best friend to me. I will never forget how we kid around and laugh on things and people we find funny (no wonder where I get that attitude!!!), how we enjoyed the same food, our similar opinions on things and issues, and same outlook in life and how I am very like him.

my favorite photo - taken before his flight

enjoying time with my Nanay after his early retirement

London sightseeing

Tay!!! sa likod mo...

Tatay riding the Detonator ride in Thorpe Park

happy!

I’m so proud of my Tatay!!! The first man in my life…

Happy birthday and I’m missing you a lot!

6 Weird Things About Me

This post is long overdue. I was tagged by Maping to list 6 weird things about myself and I came up with so many things. Haha! Anyway, here are 6 random weird things about me:

1. I used to have this small childhood pillow that I just cannot sleep without it. I had it with me for more than 20 years and just let go of it when I moved to Manila. My mother and sisters thought it was already ragged, thin and stinky but I thought otherwise. I would get into fights with my sisters if they tried to touch it, made fun of it or keep it from me. When I was sharing a flat with college classmates in Manila, I missed my pillow so much that it gave me sleepless nights. Then one of them had this old and extremely thin pillow that reminded me of my old one. She agreed immediately when I told her I’ll buy a new pillow and swapped it with her old one. Then I had that pillow for five years until I moved here in England. I would have brought it with me but my father firmly disagreed. Hehe! Now, there are nights that I truly missed my pillows. Good thing though, I brought a new one with which was a Christmas gift from one of our managers in Globe.

2. I am very afraid of thunders. I cower and curl down everytime I hear their loud blast and I am having the fastest palpitation ever. I feel like the earth will tear apart and swallow me whole. I slightly recover from that fear when I was living alone in Manila and I would just pull the blankets over me and hug my pillow (see how much it gave me comfort...hehe!)

3. I have a sensitive nose. I seem to smell things even before anybody else do.

4. I love okra! I know most people hate it but for me it’s my favorite vegetable. As a child, I don’t eat any veggies except okra. Even if it’s just plainly boiled or steamed, it’s a treat for me eating them dipped in vinegar and soy sauce.

5. Studying and memorizing for me is easier when I write down my thoughts. During quizzes and exams, I would remember how I wrote them down while studying. At work, even with the existence of laptops, I still keep a notebook handy and write down all things learned along the way. It’s more effective for me in remembering them.

6. Once in a while, I will have dreams that suggest events or information that is bound to happen. Or, out of nowhere, a name or some thought will popped in my mind and learn later about their relevance. One perfect example was when I was in high school. My sister’s senior class was involved in a legal issue. That night, I dreamed of opening my notebook and found out the name ‘Delfin’ written all over the pages. I brushed aside that dream but was taken aback the following night during dinner when my sister announced that they found a lawyer to handle their case: Atty. Delfin!!! Weird!

I’m tagging my friends listed in my blog list and any readers who want to do so. Go ahead, help yourself. :-)