The Leonardo DiCaprio Experience

After catching up with Inception this week, I knew I just have to see Shutter Island as well.  It has been a pure, uninterrupted, Leonardo moment for me, and I was in movieland euphoria! 

It didn’t matter how I got typically bored the first half of Inception with all it’s rudimentary introduction of the theoretical aspect and the main concept of the story, not to mention the soggy hebrew national hotdog melting in my left hand (are movie theaters kosher now?) and the jug of iced cola in my right hand (I eat a balanced diet).  The last half got me hooked all the way to the end of the movie.  It’s for audiences who loved The Matrix, Minority Report, Strange Days (1995, Ralph Fiennes), or even Somewhere In Time (1980, Christopher Reeves), although the latter would be too mushy for people who are not into romance movies.  So, buckle up and have fun with Inception!

So I went and rubbed plastic with a Redbox at my local Ralphs (rent a movie from a vendo — don’t you just love the 21st century?) and got Shutter Island.  The trailer tells me it’s kind of eerie, depressing, psycho-thriller, but it was something I did not expect at all, even after I spoiled the ending by reading up the summary while the movie was running.  It’s in the same niche as Sybil (1976, Sally Fields) and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, Jack Nicholson).

In sum, it’s Leonardo in one of his fine performances.  He’s got that vulnerable, honest look in his face, and an exceptional ability of delivering lines so naturally that he takes you beyond the world of make-believe.   I’d vote for him for a Golden Globe for Shutter Island.

The Greatest Love of All

“Wait ’til you have kids of your own!”  those words have been ringing in my ears since the day I got potty trained.  I never realized my own mother was putting a curse on me.

I always knew raising children is a tough job, I saw firsthand growing up with three annoying, rough-playing, rambunctious brothers, how my mother with my auntie’s help, used to try to keep them in line like drill sergeants. 

Now that I have my own 3-yr old Elijah, going on 4 this month, I have experienced how much I have grown mentally and emotionally from before I had him.  Raising my baby taught me to be more patient, hold my tongue and my hand, and most of all, to be selfless.

I never knew I could love someone so much as I do my son.  It’s so deep that it hurts.  Seeing my son grow up brings me back to my own childhood and all its joys and disappointments. 

As my son starts his journey of finding his way in this world, all I ever hope for is that I have taught him the right way so he will know to stand up on his own each time he falls.  It wouldn’t count how much success he will have in his life, but it’s how many times he picked himself up and be his own man.

I hope he will one day recall his childhood the way I have with mine, and remember how his mother loved him so much that she would have given him her life just for him to be happy.

Au Revior Mon Ami, A Demain

What makes it hard for me to say goodbye to a friend is the thought of change and the regret of not having spent more time with her.  Theresa, whom I fondly call my baby girl, has left for Chicago to be with family.  She may not be leaving for good, but there is still that emptiness that I feel when someone you are fond of moves out of your sight and creates a certain change in your daily routine.  Like just about right now, Theresa would be coming around our aisle and whine about something.  Or, I would come up to her corner office and whine about something — and stick up her food stash —- my 3 o’clock habit.  We miss you Theresa, hope you’ll come back to Los Angeles soon.

Belated Post: Sex and The City and Me

Finally got to see the sequel of popular Sex and the City with Yola, Liz and Theresa a week after it’s release.  I never followed the series or saw the first movie but heard a lot of positive reaction, from my girls and gays.  I can say I am glad to have experienced Sex and The City 2 with my best gals from work — front row with juicy hotdog in one hand and a jug of ice cold coke in another.  It was such a romp!  What’s so interesting is that I saw myself in all four girls.  I saw myself in Carrie being frustrated with her husband’s lack of desire to get out of the house, Charlotte and her perfect ideal of a family, Miranda and her obsession with control, and of course, Samantha and her kinkiness.  What else can I say.  Sex and the City is the Golden Girls of the 21st Century.

My Invisible Passenger

Driving 30 to 45 minutes each way, sometimes an hour and half in traffic, takes me back to moments that bring a lot of unspoken conversations with my dad.  He passed away from heart complications back in 2003.

I used to drive him around at lot back home, to his doctor appointments, the store, his mahjong parties, and his boyhood hometown where he grew up.

Being old school and having been raised in a harsh life, working for a living before he was 10, he was a man with a limited way of showing his admiration towards his children, much more to his wife.

I remember when I was driving him around the city one day, I weaved my small Daihatsu hatchback around traffic like no other girl in my block could.  From the corner of my eye, I saw him beaming with pride as other cars were honking like mad as we pulled out of traffic.  No words were needed to make me feel that he approved.  It was an unspoken admiration.

Today, when I’m on the wheel and I whiz past other cars — in a safe and legal speed limit, mind you — I feel my dad’s presence in the passenger side with his unspoken admiration.

I said a little prayer today, wishing he can be one of my guardian angels on the road to watch over me and my son — the grandson he never lived to see.

How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying

“Is it a book?” the husband asked after I excitedly announced I won tickets for two in a random number generator raffle at work — again!  ”It’s a play, silly!” I corrected him.  Can’t blame him though, it does sound like a title of a book.  I won tickets for two for “Cats” a few months ago, and winning another raffle is quite a lovely treat!

We left our little man with the sitter for our date night and he was not very happy about it.  I don’t know about the husband, he wore his Lady Gaga (poker) face the whole night, but I had a helluva good time!  It was a funny, genius screenplay, and a lovely cast, some are known stars like Nicole Parker, John Hurley, Vickie Lewis, and it was directed by Jason Alexander.  It was like watching MadTV, Seinfeld, Family Fued, and Dancing With The Stars!  Absolutely delightful.

Wanted: Website Designer

I might have two gigs coming up in June and I desperately need to set up a website with a proofing gallery and PayPal feature ASAP!  I’ve looked up several website templates but couldn’t find one with the features I need.  I came across Live Books and they have exactly what I need, but I don’t want to pay monthly hosting fees without any regular income pouring in yet!  It’s funny because I initially didn’t see the need for a website until a friend Liz brought up the idea of a proofing gallery and she’s not even a techie or a shutterbug.  Such a great feedback from a client’s perspective!  I am so fortunate to be surrounded by friends who give me encouragement and constructive critiques, and contribute to my slowly emerging career.  Thank you guys!

Photo reference:  Architectural and Spacial Study:  Exterior Detail – Walt Disney Concert Hall