A Child at the End of this thing called Life

Whenever I encounter patients with illnesses, I always feel sorry for them because nobody wanted to be sick. Life is something to be cherished and felt with others and not alone in a bed. That is why, it is with a heavy heart that I enter the wards in the hospital. However, it's even more heartbreaking if the one I'm entering is the pediatrics ward or the pediatric ICU. I mean they're so young -still kids. They have so many things to see, so many new things to learn. They're supposed to grow old - not die when they haven't experienced life yet. It seems so unfair but there's no one to blame really.

I remember a female classmate who had two younger brothers. The youngest was diagnosed with leukemia at stage III. At a very young age, he died of cancer. The parents felt so depressed and incompetent being physicians and not being able to cure their child. It's not their fault, but if there's no one to blame, you can only blame yourself. The other members of the family felt lost and shocked too. Frankly, we were all shocked. He was just 6 years old.

Cancer is such a bad friend. It is not content in devouring you slowly but it also aims to be passed on to your children. To counter it, you have to have a good constitution and outlook in life. When the very old become devastated, how more would it be in the very young?

In my duty days at the Cancer Institute, I always found myself wondering what kind of persons these children will be when they grow up? Will they have extra strength because of the burden they have carried or will they be weak because of the unwanted dependence they have on their significant others? What about their family? Their siblings if there are any? How do they grow up having all the attention on the sickly child in the house?

This touching video inspired me to resurrect these feelings and thoughts I had inside my mind that remained dormant for a long time. Very simple but heart-wrenching.

~ Babble by brownbeat

On Beauty Contests and Contestants

I like watching beauty contests. Not because I want to join one nor is it because I like being visually entertained. I watch beauty contests due to the question and answer (Q & A) portion which usually occurs at the end of the program. I like them not because I love watching beautiful ladies make a fool out of themselves nor do I view it as reinforcement of the famous belief that beauty is only on the surface ( I absolutely do not believe that!).

In all honesty, I watch it because of the very interesting questions themselves and the vast possibility of answers that could be given in return. Ask any professional on beauty pageants and he or she will tell you that the Q & A is the most crucial part because it decides who wins.

This is the portion where the contestant is given the opportunity to show everyone that beneath her gorgeous body and pretty face lies a woman equipped with brains and attitude. How she answers a tricky (which they usually are) question will reveal the qualities she holds dear and true to her heart. It also tells us the level of confidence she has about her self and her convictions.

Now, I have a list of interesting examples of women who displayed wit and didn't crumble under pressure. (Most examples are from the Philippines as they usually are the first to pop up in Google). I take these ones from this site.

Margie Moran

MARGIE MORAN was asked during the 1973 Miss Universe Contest: "What’s the difference between being Miss Universe and being a Filipina?" Her reply: "Being Miss Universe is like having a birthstone, you may lose it. Being a Filipina is like having a birthmark, its forever."

Ruffa Gutierrez

RUFFA GUTIERREZ at the1993 Miss World Contest: "How would you tell a girl who’s suffering from low self-esteem to feel better about herself? "Her reply: "I’ll tell her to believe in herself because it’s not only physical beauty that’s important but also inner beauty. Like what the Little Prince said, "What is essential is invisible to the naked eye. And I believe that character and personality are more important than physical beauty."

Oxana Fedorova

OXANA FEDOROVA (Miss Russia) at 2002 Miss Universe Contest: "What makes you blush?" Her reply: "When I say the wrong things".

Mpule Kwelagobe

MPULE KWELAGOBE (Miss Botswana) at the 1999 Miss Universe Contest: "Should Miss Universe be allowed to keep her crown if she became pregnant? "Her reply: "Personally, I think it should not in any way interrupt her duties. She should be allowed to celebrate her femininity."

Sushmita Sen

SUSHMITA SEN (Miss India) at the 1994 Miss Universe Contest: "What’s the essence of being a woman? "Her reply: "Just being a woman is God’s gift. The origin of a child is a mother, a woman. Woman is sharing, she shows a man what sharing, caring, and loving is all about. That is the essence of a woman."

Gloria Diaz

GLORIA DIAZ at 1969 Miss Universe Contest: "If the man from the moon landed in your hometown, what would you do to entertain him? "Her reply: "I guess since he has been in the moon so long, he would enjoy anything that an ordinary man would."


Great ladies, aren't they?

~ Babble by brownbeat

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

It's already morning and I have nothing else to do but entertain myself because I can't sleep. I've been listening to the song Get It Right performed by Lea Michele on Glee for the original songs episode. And I've realized one thing. I do not have something worth living for. I don't have a dream.

When I was young, all I wanted was to get into a decent school, have decent grades, land a decent job and own decent possessions. I didn't realize I have to have specifics. I thought wanting a dream life is enough - and now that I'm older, I realized it isn't.

What makes a person strive? What possesses him to be better? What ignites his passions? What makes him want to live? The answer is simple - having a desire that overrides everything else.

I am a very practical person that is why I seldom make demands even on myself. I take life as it is. But sometimes, living life isn't enough. You have to live a great life. A dream-driven life.

~ Babble by brownbeat

[MANGA] Scanlations and Mangas

Of the 5 main senses of the body, the eyes are the most important for me. In as much as I like to eat, to hear, to sing and to feel, I've always wanted to see everything first. I am a visual person. Anything visual stimulates me, that is why I always prefer music videos over songs or talking in person than texting.

If you have never been asked before, I'm sure you have thought of this question. "If you were to choose among these four, what will you be? Will you be a mute, a deaf, a cripple or blind?".

Me, I would pick being mute over the others any time (not that I want to *knock on wood*). It is, I think, the easiest to adapt to (not that it is easy). However, if the question was a wee bit different...say, "What is the least disability would you want to have?", I'd choose not to be blind in a blink.

Now, my friends always ask me why I find mangas fascinating. Mangas are Japanese comics (to put it roughly) in that they draw characters into images, illustrating them on books (usually read from right to left), with the characters' conversations written on balloons. On the other hand, scanlations are scanned images of mangas that have been translated from Japanese to a different language (usually English).

You see, my friends are perplexed by the idea of surfing the Internet all day to read comics and allowing a bunch of jpegs to consume 6gb of my hard drive just for the sake of reading. I do not attempt to explain because it is not easy to explain this fascination to others who have never been gripped by it.

I've always been a reader but mangas took my reading experience to a whole new experience. The awe, the excitement, the joy and the breathlessness that overtook me when I experienced my first manga was unbelievable. I've always been a fan of animes but reading them on mangas is so much different.

With the illustrations, the mangakas (writer/illustrator) allow you to enter their minds through their characters and visualize for yourself the world they have created. May it be shoujo (mangas for females) or shounen (for males) or josei (for adult women), mangas helped me be my own director or moviemaker as the images keep playing on my head.

I'll be forever grateful to these sites: Mangareader, Mangatraders, OneManga (dead), MangaFox, MangaVolume, Mangatoshokan and many more for providing me with wonderful scanlations. :))

~ Babble by brownbeat

[FANVID] Dream High to Fame

I am very much a fan of Korean dramas and anyone who will read my blog (if ever) will know that very soon. Recently, I've watched the Korean drama Dream High which garnered a lot of attention prior to its filming as it is produced by none other than Yon-sama (Bae Yong Joon)  and the JYP (Jin-young Park) himself.

It is also a show about idols, of idols and by idols. Huh. If you have no idea about the "idols" I'm talking about, then you've never experienced the Hallyu (Korean wave). But if you have, then this is a show for you.

Dream High has a similar format to Fox's Glee. However, it does not only concentrate on singing itself but also on various other arts like dancing, performing and songwriting. It also illustrates how the Korean entertainment industry works with all the "debuts" and "trainees". It has a distinct Korean flavor which will give the viewer one hell of a show - with eye candy.

A fanvid made by queencofbrooklyn compiled different performances of the idol-actors to the tune of Fame. Here, see for yourself.

Interesting, isn't it?

~ Babble by brownbeat

[FILM] Oh My God 2

There are movies.. and there are movies.

I am no movie critic but it does not take one to distinguish some movies that are CRAP and NONSENSE, many of which are made purely for PROFIT'S SAKE or just ended up really bad (*cough* Last Airbender *cough*).

Even though I like reviewing films, I hate nitpicking at things made from hard work. That is why I thoroughly immerse myself in movies that I enjoy no matter how bad they may seem for others.

I usually download movies from the Internet in torrent or from Megaupload. If it's Korean,Dramafever is the best place because it's legitimate and complete with English subtitles. However, if you're not above illegal means, you can always use Veoh or Freekoreanmovies.net or some Youtube channels here and there. If all else fail, you can always watch on Mysoju.

This is my first review so please have mercy on me. :)

Oh my God 2 is like a very sour candy that you have to finish to taste its sweetness. I've never watched the first one (if there ever was) but if you are the type to leave a movie in the middle without bothering to know how it ends, this film is not for you.

YEAR: 2009
SIFT:
This story centers around a self-centered, egoistic, lazy, good-for-nothing son of a taxi company owner named Im Jung Hwan (Choi Seong-gook). He's very slick, sucks on personality and on luck and love. He is enjoying the perks of being the heir to the taxi empire - wearing expensive brands and partying at high-end clubs. However, his mother catches in on his constant visit to the company's safety box that she issued an ultimatum - he must WORK as a taxi driver to repay all that he stole from the company.

One day, he met a passenger named Eun-ji (Lee Young-eun) who, on her haste to enter the hospital, forgot to pay her fare. He took her ring as collateral which gave Eun-ji an excuse to continuously pester him. With this, the story of the two begins to unfold as both realizes that LIFE and LOVE never comes easy.

THE REVIEW:
If you haven't been warned. I will do so again. The lead male character is someone you have to understand to like. He's basically a person your parents always told you to watch out for - irresponsible, no dream, no future. He's also rude and very self-possessed. If you've watched Secret Garden, he's an unpolished version of Joo Won.

Nevertheless, he must have an endearing quality for people to root for him through the end. Moreover, his friendship with Chil-gu (Baek Il-Seop) provides his character with a redeeming quality. His "Jim Carrey-esque" antics also make people identify with his character. Haha. You just want to cover your face with embarrassment for him, if you get my meaning.

{SPOILER AHEAD} The film starts with Eun-Ji's narration of her break up with her boyfriend of 3 years. To clear her mind, she went to the hospital's rooftop to unwind. Jung Hwan follows her there and saves her as she was about to fall off the roof. In all honesty, I really cannot comprehend this critical scene in the story. The writers made us understand that this is when Eun Ji first started to have feelings for Jung Hwan but it's so lacking (I'm sorry if that seems so much like a spoiler but really, if you didn't think of it, you're new to Korean ent.). The chemistry is not quite established that it surprises me how far they've gone (or traveled) in the relationship. However, the comedy more than makes up for it....so I'm really sold.

From my viewpoint, the film is somewhat formulaic. That much, I can say without revealing too much. It's that movie where you don't have to think hard to figure out what will come next. However, it's filled with hilarious bumps and riots that you can't help but be strangely endeared to it. With gooses and perverts and out-of-the world characters, you'll never ran out of tears and laughs. :)

It can be downloaded here and the srt here. (IT'S A WEE BIT ILLEGAL - I THINK?)

NITPICK:
Actors: 4 out of 5
Story: 2 out of 5
Chemistry: 3 out of 5
Transition: 3 out of 5
Comedy: 4 out of 5

If you are bored with nothing else to do and can appreciate a movie even if it's not very good, then I can recommend this. But in all honesty, the overall rating's 3 out of 5.

TRAILER:

~ Babble by brownbeat

The Murder Quiz (I Am A Murderer?)

LOL. I am currently on a roll with personality tests and it is fucking funny because they are all so stupid. And I am an idiot for answering them. HAHAHA.  Initially, all I wanted to know is the extent of my aggressive character; however I came upon this quiz - THE MURDER QUIZ. If only it doesn't have any attempt at seriousness, it would really be ridiculous.


INSTRUCTIONS: This quiz is designed for you to get a good idea about how much of a murderer you are. Most people fit into one of four catagories, you will be graded at the end.


Question 1:
You are in a crowded street at Christmas time, you feel:

a. Full of Christmas cheer and are enjoying the festive spirit
b. Slightly stressed by the crowds, but are still keen to get your shopping done
c. Like stabbing the next person that gets in your way in the throat

Question 2:
Fuel prices:

a. Are reasonable
b. Are slightly expensive, but it's just the way it is
c. Are fucking ridiculous and make you want to stab someone in the throat

Question 3:
When watching the Phantom Menace (or any horror films with sequels):

a. You appreciated that you'd grown older since the original films, and understood that it could never have captured your imagination in the same way
b. You were disappointed by how heavily the film relied on special effects
c. You wanted to stab George Lucas (or the director) in the throat

Question 4:
Someone cuts in front of you in traffic, do you:

a. Accept that some people are inconsiderate and not give it another thought
b. Shout an obscenity
c. Beep your horn, make an obscene hand gesture, shout an obscenity, and briefly consider deliberately crashing into him

Question 5:
You are on a plane that is largely populated by people embarking on an 18 -30's holiday, do you:

a. Accept that they are excited about their trip and don't let the noise bother you
b. Curse your luck and get progressively more frustrated without ever saying anything
c. Make a pact with god that you'd happily sacrifice your life just to kill these people, and pray for the plane to explode

Question 6:
Those kids with their tracksuit bottoms tucked into their socks:

a. Should be allowed to do what they like without other people judging them
b. Are misguided, but it's their choice
c. Make you physically sick and should be stabbed in the throat

Question 7:
Someone in front of you is walking very slowly when you have nowhere important to be, you:

a. Just go at their pace, you're not in a hurry anyway
b. Overtake them, despite not being in a rush
c. Want to knee them in the spine

Question 8:
A mans phone goes off on the train, he has the 24 ring tone, you:

a. Barely notice
b. Are slightly annoyed by the ridiculous sound
c. Desperately fight the urge to stab him in the throat

Question 9:
You are at a restaurant and your waitress is taking a long time to serve you, you:

a. Wait patiently for her to get to your table, enjoying the company of whoever you are with
b. Get agitated by the wait and try to make eye contact with her
c. Immediately start waving your arm to get her attention whilst complaining loudly to the people you are with about how bad the service is and declaring you will not be leaving a tip

Question 10:
You see a homeless man in the street, you feel

a. Sympathetic
b. Indifferent
c. Aroused

.........

Okay, I'm sorry. It does not have any attempt at seriousness. Whoever did this is probably very bored or is actually raving mad. 

ANYWAY.

SCORING:

ALL As = 1 point

ALL Bs = 2 points

ALL Cs = 3 points

INTERPRETATION:

Saint!

If your murder score is 10 - 15 points.

You barely have a spine.

Scout Leader!

If your murder score is 16-20 points.

Should be OK as long as nobody pushes you.

Postal Worker!

If your murder score is 21-25 points.

There's a good chance you're going on a killing spree one day.

Truck Driver!

If your murder score is 25-30 points.

Just like every single truck driver, murder is all you ever think about.

~ Babble by brownbeat

[CF] You Are A Murderer!

Whenever I'm bored, I randomly search things on YouTube. A friend of mine posted a link to a very cute Filipino commercial film of the fastfood chain McDonalds on Facebook entitled BF/GF. So, this led me to a search of quite interesting advertising films of different countries on different brands and products. It is interesting to note that the widely watched commercial films are from McDonalds, Coca Cola, Pepsi and various condoms. HAHAHA. It was a fun experience; however, it is a sign of how bored I really was to go so far as watch these things on YouTube.

ANYWAY. 

Of the many countries with various interesting commercial films, I find Thailand CFs the funniest. It is the randomness coupled with unpredictability and reality that can make even me - the gloomiest person on earth (or most bored at that time) - to be silenced, laugh, shout "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!" and think that the Thai must have waited on the streets with open arms when God (or is it Buddha?) showered craziness on Earth. HAHAHA.

..........

Well, humor is quite relative. And my humor is definitely different from everybody else's. However, as no one cares what I think or do OR POST, here's one prime example of a Thai CF.

TSK. TSK. TSK. Bloody man for killing bloody lizards. DIE!

~ Babble by brownbeat

Project Runway on the WWW

I've recently come across a website that matches dresses and makes an explosive outfit!! I was so excited upon seeing the collections of budding stylists in polyvore.com. I am so overwhelmed that there are many wannabe stylists like me and people are soOOoo creative. It is very nice to see that their creativity are channeled through a site like this for people across the world to see. Hah!

Here are some of the pieces I crave.

Gossip Girl inspired theme by Noala :)
Blake Lively

Another Gossip Girl inspired theme by ѕτסʁмϟ
Georgina Sparks

Georgina Sparks by ѕτסʁмϟ featuring cocktail ring jewelry

Blue-colored elegant dress by candy_6192
He said..

Breezy set by aisha.kay
Memories seem like long ago..

Super elegant by Cècilita Lèfebvre
Feliz Navidad

Even though I cannot be a fashion designer or a fantastic stylist, I feel like one when I doodle in polyvore. Happy doodling to me!!! <3

~ Babble by brownbeat

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Personality is the supreme realization of the innate idiosyncrasy of a living being. It is an act of high courage flung in the face of life, the absolute affirmation of all that constitutes the individual, the most successful adaptation to the universal condition of existence coupled with the greatest possible freedom for self-determination
- Carl Gustav Jung, 1934

This personality test is a test I found at blogthings.

This is the world's shortest personality test - but quite revealing. Simply choose the picture that appeals to you most at this moment. DON'T SCROLL DOWN IMMEDIATELY. The interpretation is written below.

          
         
        

INTERPRETATION:

     BLACK
You Are Calculating
You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.
Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.
You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs.

For you, comfort and calm are very important.
You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.
You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

    BLUE
You Are Emotional
You are dependable, popular, and observant.
Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.
In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do.

You are unique, creative, and expressive.
You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.
And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!


    GREEN
You Are Trustworthy
You are nurturing, kind, and lucky.
Like mother nature, you want to help everyone.
You are good at keeping secrets and tend to be secretive.

A seeker of harmony, you are a natural peacemaker.
You are good natured and people enjoy your company.
You put people at ease and make them feel at home with you.

    PINK
You Are Upbeat
You are dreamy, peaceful, and young at heart.
Optimistic and caring, you tend to see the best in people.
You tend to be always smiling - and making others smile.

You are shy and intelligent... and a very hard worker.
You're also funny, but many people don't see your funny side.
Your subtle dry humor leaves your close friends in stitches.


   ORANGE
You Are Inventive
You are funky, outdoorsy, and down to earth.
While you may not be a total hippie...
You're definitely one of the most free spirited people around.

You are very impulsive - every day is a new adventure.
However, you do put some thought behind all your actions.
Still, you do tend to shock and offend people from time to time!


    PURPLE

You Are Intelligent
You are dignified, spiritual, and wise.
Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself.
You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books.

You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life.
You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world.
A good friend, you always give of yourself first

.

    RED
You Are Irresistible
You are sexy, powerful, and bold.
You're full of passion and energy...
Sometimes this passion has a dark side.

You feel most alive when you're seducing someone.
You never fail to get someone's attention.
You're quick minded, but you're also quick to lose your temper!


    WHITE

You Are Honest
You are pure, moral, and adaptable.
You tend to blend into your surroundings.
Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends.

You believe that you live a virtuous life...
And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.
As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

   YELLOW
You Are Independent
You are happy, driven, and status conscious.
You want everyone to know how successful you are.
Very logical, you see life as a game of strategy.

A bit of a loner, you prefer to depend on yourself.
You always keep your cool and your composure.
You are a born leader and business person. 

~ Babble by brownbeat