Book Review: Memoirs of the Mask (‘Phantom’ by Susan Kay)

Are you sure a small jar could contain me, madame? -- Erik

Little was known of that romantic Gothic novel by French journalist and writer Gaston Leroux until Lon Chaney brought it on screen to become one of the greatest horror films of all time. He was even branded as a 'Man of a Thousand Faces' because of such portrayals. Then, after 61 years of becoming a household name and having many different film adaptations based on the then infamous Gothic novel, Leroux's Erik the Phantom became a worldwide character sensation through Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 musical The Phantom of the Opera. From then on, it's hard to find someone who doesn't recognise the story of that deformed genius and his search for earthly love.

No doubt that through Lloyd Webber's adaptation and Michael Crawford's stage portrayal of the character Erik, The Phantom of the Opera's fame spread like a plague. Obviously, I was infected and became obsessed, permanently.

Now, after the original novel, the films, and the musical, another adaptation, Susan Kay's Phantom, published in 1990, proved to be equally remarkable.

What did I feel after reading this novel?

1. Pity, sympathy 2. Sadness 3. Understanding of human nature especially humans who were crazed by their bitter past, unlawful treatment by the world, and a lot of awful things. 4. Fascination of Kay's perspective of telling the story of Erik's life from the day he was about to be born to how he met and fall in love with Christine, how he found love at last, and died in her loving arms.

A must read for all drama/romance/tragedy novel fanatics out there. It tells the tragic story of Erik the Phantom of the Opera, his struggle to be loved, to be like everybody else despite the hideousness of his appearance, which drove him to live a life somewhat not knowing the difference between good and evil. Unlike the Leroux version, this one presented a detailed story written like a diary, in which Erik and the other people whom he met gave their own accounts of their encounter with the master magician, architect, musician out of the Phantom himself.

Kay filled the gaps that are missing in Leroux’s account of Erik's life. Once you read this best-selling version, I doubt that you'll never shed tears. Touching scenes including the "can-I-have-a-kiss-as-a-birthday-present" by Erik to his mother, the story about the nightingale and the rose, the "I'll-never-have-a-kiss-as-a-birthday-gift" and "invite-me-to-your-wedding" scenes at the end part of the novel are absolute tear-jerking experiences.

One would fall in love with this novel, with the character Erik himself even if you believe that "the Opera Ghost really existed" or not...

366 Notes of 2013: 8th February 2012

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was tired when i arrived home from work. watched some television and an episode of Dong Yi online. i decided to watch more.

the usual way of life. but nothing of interest.

366 Notes to 2013: 7th February 2012

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was surprised when i woke up. one of my brother's friends slept over. Plates, glass, and bottles were on the floor. they might have had a long talk last night.

anyway, at the office, TL was absent. everything went well again. at home, i watched two biopics on HBO: Iron Jawed Angels (about the time women suffrage in USA became a constitutional law) and Enid (about Enid Blyton, a children's stories author). both were very good films. they were well-acted. i especially like Helena Bonham-Carter's Enid.

366 Notes to 2013: 6th February 2012

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nothing special, just work. happy that all's well at the office. at home, the usual. but when my brother went home, he had bad news from work.

no films seen today, even on cable.

366 Notes to 2013: 5th February 2012

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i should have went out to pleasure myself. but i didn't. i was in front of the notebook all day long. i downloaded the soundtrack of Requiem for a Dream, re-posted some of my poems, opened blog accounts i haven't opened since last year, posted some blog accounts, etc.

that's it. after that, i watched some football.

366 Notes to 2013: 4th February 2012

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saturday. in the morning i ate cereals and saw a scene from the film Julius Caesar starring Marlon Brando, James Mason, and John Gielgud. i was surprised by Brando's performance. he could do a Shakespeare, even if his previous films portrayed him as a murmurer.

when my mother arrived, we watched The Closer. i was thinking of what time i'd go to church. i made this promise that i'd go to mass every Saturday afternoon, instead of Sunday. a promise i made while the Australian Open was still on. anyway, i went to mass at 6 p.m. my brother went to mass, too. but i went ahead of him because he had to finish grilling. he was to sing in the church choir.

the church is within walking distance from home. when i arrived, the church clock says it's 5.45 p.m. i left the house at 6 p.m. the church's clock was 15 minutes late. the Rosary was being said halfway through. i got to look around and saw more people coming for the mass. it was announced that the mass would be celebrated in Latin. that's curious and exciting.

the mass went well. i was happy that i still know how it would flow even if i had not been to a mass for a long time. i prayed and thanked God for everything and for my renewed faith before becoming a lapsed Catholic.

i saw a college friend, Jean. but i did not bother to call her for she was far from where i was.

it always feels good after the celebration.

366 Notes to 2013: 3rd February 2012

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didn't go to work today once more. stayed home with my mother and brother. my brother created a bit of a worry today. when i woke up, he was not yet home. he went out yesterday at around 6 p.m. he arrived at 9.30 a.m this day.

anyway, the rest of the day i decided to continue reading A Game of Thrones. but i started all over, started from the beginning.

after that, i decided to watch television. my brother and i watched Vantage Point again while eating pizza and ciabatta.

7 p.m. i was watching TVe when our cable connection went off. nothing still. arrgh.

but luckily the cable finally was fixed at around 8.30 p.m.

366 Notes to 2013: 2nd February 2012

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in the morning, at around 7, my brother just arrived with two of his friends. i wondered where'd been. he slept after that.

went to the mall to buy some groceries with my mother. before the groceries, we ate lunch at a sandwich restaurant. i didn't pay attention to the name. it is in front of the second supermarket in Building A. the food was good enough and delicious.

we were lucky enough to easily ride a taxi home. at home, i watched the impeachment trial of Renato Corona. i was actually listening and glancing occasionally while playing a cell phone game. when my phone went low on battery, I stopped, went upstairs, and recorded on this note the not-so-important account of my day. tomorrow, i'll go to work after two days of not going to work. it seems that there is enough number of essays to edit.

my brother just arrived from somewhere i don't know. he went out while i was watching the trial and playing a game. anyway, that's all for today.

P.S.: it rained for a while. i hoped it lasted longer, like that rain last 31st January.

366 Notes to 2013: 1st February 2012

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the second month of the year. month of purification, but to most, month of love. the highlight of this month would be Valentine's Day. many would be waiting to celebrate it. the first day of this month was OK. no work for me. didn't go to work. i made it a chance to stay at home and rest.

just watched the film Howards End starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, and Helena Bonham-Carter. it was a nice, feel-good film. Merchant-Ivory films like this with Hopkins and Thompson were always lovely.

Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson

 i read the book by E.M. Forster, which is a great book tackling an interesting subject. the film has many excellent performances from the two characters (as always) and the characters of Bonham-Carter, Vanessa Redgrave, Samuel West, and so on. it also has lovely setting, costume, and cinematography. but the subject it conveyed was more important and reflected what is familiar to many: the poor, the rich, privileges, inequality. There's much talk, the film's a bit slow paced. But those were what made this film a delight to watch. Perfect for an anglophile like me.

the cinephiliac moment for me was Henry's (Hopkins) awkward marriage proposal to Margaret (Thompson).

End of the Beginning

January, the first month of the year. the doorway. the start. the beginning. new chance.

as i said before, i never made any resolutions. i only made a promise to God before the month ended. there were some big events that happened, some were boring, and others were ordinary and extraordinary. i appreciated many things, discovered some things, became disappointed; but happy with the Dragon year so far.

looking forward to what the remaining months will offer.

366 Notes to 2013: 31st January 2012

last day of the month. at work, i only edited five essays because most students have not submitted their work yet. a pretty disappointing start of the day. so i decided to go home, but i headed myself to the mall. i thought of watching a film. i passed by the bookstore first to see if some books would interest me. but i was having second thoughts on whether to watch a film or just go home. i did the latter.

outside the mall, ominous grey clouds and forbidding rain. while i was on the FX, it started to rain cats and dogs. i was hoping it would stop when i arrived at Rotonda, but it still continued. i waited for about half an hour. still, no sign of halting. the rain even poured harder.

i couldn't wait any longer, so i rushed to get home under the heavy rain. i had no load to text someone at home. i had no umbrella. why is it that when you thought you would not need something that's the time you would be needing it? well, i rushed myself with a jacket covering my head and my upper body, even if i would be wet either with it or not, and barefooted. my bag was almost soaked.

at home, my mother was there. i took a shower to prevent myself from getting sick. a few minutes later, the rain subsided and eventually stopped. great... it's always like that. anyway, i enjoyed myself at home. i was thankful still for the rain because the atmosphere was fine all throughout the day.

it was an adventure. what a way to end the month!

366 Notes to 2013: 30th January 2012

monday. i was on fire editing essays. 61. it was an ordinary day.

at home, watched television. still gloomy about the tennis result yesterday. Sigh. Nadal will still be my number one. he's already a hall of fame tennis player for me, along with the great Federer. Djokovic is a new player to watch. he'll win more titles. he may even surpass Nadal in terms of numbers of title, but he still has a long way to go to be considered in the hall of fame.

366 Notes to 2013: 29th January 2012

last Aus Open tennis match. Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic. it was a great match between the two. they gave it all, and at the end, the Serbian had yet again defeated Nadal on a Grand Slam final four consecutive times. i was disappointed because i was for Nadal, but Djokovic played his heart out and emerged victorious.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

the match lasted a little under six hours (five hours and fifty-three minutes to be exact, the longest Grand Slam final match in the Open Era). it was a five-set match. Djoko went on to take a two-set lead, but Nadal fought and did not made it easy for the world number one. there were many unforced errors, but there were more amazing and fantastic shots from the two. every minute was a tensed moment, and it was every man's game. in the end, Djokovic claimed his fifth Grand Slam singles title, depriving Nadal of his eleventh Grand Slam single title that would have put him in level with Bjorn Borg.

well, that's it. i hope that at the 2012 Roland Garros Open (French Open) Nadal would claim his eleventh. he has an edge because he technically owns clay courts. Vamos Nadal!

366 Notes to 2013: 28th January 2012

watched television almost all day. saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. the first one was better, but the story of this one was interesting and more adventurous.

just resting at home, enjoying life...

366 Notes to 2013: 27th January 2012

tennis day again, and the match today was more than halfway through when i tuned in. anyway, the match was between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic. it was a five-set match. Murray was ahead two sets to one, but he blew the fourth set. it was his chance to win the set but he gave up. it was a pathetic move. i don't know what he was thinking there. Djoko went home winning the match and was through to the final.

366 Notes to 2013: 26th January 2012

another tennis day. another great tennis showdown between two current best players. a great tennis match took place between two of the greatest players and rivals ever in the world of tennis: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. everyone expected a phenomenal and historical match, and the two never failed the world of tennis and its fans.

the game was halfway through when i tuned in. both players take a set each. after intense moments, deuces, wonderful winners, etc., Nadal win three sets to Federer's one.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

i was a bit surprised that Federer had so many unforced errors, about 60. the commentators said that it was very unlikely of him. the world's number three's forehands failed him several times at several crucial moments of the game. the slices were set aside and were barely seen. Nadal, on the other hand, improved his services since his match against Berdych. his forehands helped him more and more take wins. his mental and physical power and some unbelievable and remarkable runs were all keys to edge his rival.

now, Federer had to watch all the fireworks as everyone celebrates Australia Day and Nadal's triumph against him yet again and think of ways to end his Grand Slam title drought. the world number two had to sit back and wait for his next rally partner to edge to win the first Grand Slam of the year.

366 Notes to 2013: 25th January 2012

i didn't go to work this day. was tired and had a bit difficult period.

Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer

anyway, this day, another tennis match was played. this time between Novak Djokovic, current world number one and David Ferrer, world's number five. first two sets, Djoko was already tired. he won an easy first set, but had to endure a tie-breaker; Ferrer seemed to test his endurance. the world's number five was fit in all matches, but failed to have the winning touches. Djoko's net approaches, runs, and the winners were the key for him to win three sets and advance to meet Andy Murray.

i was rooting for Ferrer, but he needs more than his fitness and endurance to get past the Serbian. still, he was a tough opponent before Djokovic could advance.

366 Notes to 2013: 24th January 2012

watched the tennis match between Rafa Nadal and Tomas Berdych. i was rooting for the Spaniard. the Czech national proved a strong opponent for Nadal. the match ended in four sets, with Nadal taking three sets to Berdych's one set.

Tomas Berdych

Rafael Nadal

 the two players both had a great start, winning tie-breakers, taking one set each. Nadal's forehand were a problem for Berdych on the last two sets, despite Berdych's dominant powerful services. The world number 2 had to adjust deep and way behind the line (just inches below the "MELBOURNE' sign), and the adjustment proved effective. Nadal's intensity play dominated and paved way for him to the semi-final against his long-time rival and friend, the current world's number 3, Roger Federer.

after the match, i was very, very happy. i thought that Nadal should improve his services despite his intense and powerful play. i'm not an expert in tennis, but that's what i observed.

satisfying tennis match...

366 Notes to 2013: 23rd January 2012

happy Chinese New Year! welcome year of the Water Dragon.

before 12.00
here in front of the laptop reviewing The Artist (2011), Facebooking, Google +ing, Multiplying, MUBIing, Twittering, and many other social networking activities. my father's fixing our water pipeline because someone might have illegally tapped into it. our water bills started to increase since November. the bills said we were consuming more than half of what we regularly consume since we moved in the place. my mother cooked sinigang while watching Bones. my brother is at work.

20.20
my father finished the fixing. am still in front of the laptop and playing an FPS game. i don't know if we have work tomorrow. i read one of my office mates' status that we still are on holiday tomorrow. i hope so. will confirm in a moment. whether there'd be work or not, am still ready to earn some money.

366 Notes to 2013: 22nd January 2012

boring day. my brother and i did the laundry. unfortunately, the dryer was not working, so we had to hang the clothes wet. some heated moments with some family members at dinner, but they were nothing.

anyway, the happy thought was that it's Chinese New Year the next day, so no work.

366 Notes to 2013: 21st January 2012

i was planning to go out, was planning to read, was planning to watch television, but i decided not to. what i did was play computer games in the afternoon. then, at night, i downloaded and watched The Artist (2011), starring Jean Dujardin. i L-O-V-E it. it's perfect in every way. Dujardin deserved his Cannes, Golden Globes Best Actor awards, and others. it would be a treat to see him win the Academy Award and BAFTA acting awards as well. special mention and recognition to the clever dog, Uggie.\

Jean Dujardin and Uggie

The Artist is a melodrama about the decline of a silent film actor, George Valentin, on the latter part of the 1920s, the growth of talkies, and the rise of an actress, Peppy Miller.

Dujardin as George Valentin and Berenice Bejo as Peppy Miller

watching The Artist is genuinely like watching a silent film in the golden age of silent films. i get excited and thrilled with the signature silent film screen ratio and long shots and medium shots and the occasional close-ups, with the 1930s setting, with the hair and dress styles (you would think the actors belonged to the silent era), the 'mugging' of the actors on screen, the lively and tender musical score, and especially the intertitles. they made me smile. the touches of pathos made me teary eyed as well. the film made clever use of technology in those days. truly, a tribute to the silent era.

i can't wait to see it again.

366 Notes to 2013: 20th January 2012

Happy Feast Day of St Sebastian!

i remember when we were still living in Pinagbuhatan. every feast day of St Sebastian, people will go to the streets to prepare for the parade, the marching bands, and the dousing of the icon and the devotees. it is fun to be drenched along with the people. EVERYONE will be wet, sometimes, even those going to work dressed up. that is why it is better not to go to work or go as early as possible. moreover, everyone will prepare meals to celebrate the day.

my brother and i talked about the feast and the way people celebrate when he got home from work. we reminisced those days, the people and neighbors we know, the parade, and especially the ever exciting dousing.

366 Notes to 2013: 19th January 2012

went to Instituto Cervantes to enroll and get my certificate of completion for A1.2 lesson. unfortunately, there was still no schedule for twice a week 13.00-16.00 class for A1.3. i have to wait for February. with me to IC was Shan. Pre (another IC classmate), on the other hand, already enrolled, 17.30 class, twice a week.

i just went home. decided to work out. been feeling weak these days.

by the way, it's one of my favourite persons' birthday today. the ever charming and lovely Michael Crawford, who turned 70 today. YOUR music of the night will never be over..

366 Notes to 2013: 18th January 2012

saw Coriolanus (2011) starring the excellent Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler. said it before, and i'll say it again: Fiennes was a brilliant raging dragon in that film, which he also directed. the acting of the Shakespearean play veterans got me very hooked as well. i was awed. however, Butler seemed not able to get a grip and equal the strong and intense performance of the lead.

Coriolanus is a modern-day adaptation of a Roman tragedy of the same name by The Bard. Fiennes preserved the original text. its theme: typical ancient Roman politics, plebeians and patricians... Think about the Occupy Wall Street movement or the London riots. i got excited with the Half-Life-and-Counter-Strike-like shooting scenes as well.

Ralph Fiennes as Gaius Marcius Coriolanus

honestly, it was hard to watch, but i won't go 'Hello.. It's WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.' there wasn't any moment that i took my attention from it, even though i found the ending a bit rushed and Butler and the actress who played Coriolanus' wife a bore. it showed how great actors Ralph Fiennes, Vanessa Redgrave, and Brian Cox and even the two who played the tribunes.

that's my day this day. watched a good film and got hooked.

366 Notes to 2013: 17th January 2012

i decided to rejuvenate my reading habit. i started reading one of the Bong Ong books i have never read, Stainless Longganisa, for two hours. a good read, as always. Bong Ong really tickles one's mind with how he worded his ideas. reading always makes me feel good and nice.

i have many more books to read. this year, i would try to read many of them and lessen spending time on the Internet.

366 Notes to 2013: 16th January 2012

i went to Instituto Cervantes to meet Shan, so we could look for a suitable schedule and enroll. however, it was already closed before 17.00. thus, we just went to Robinson's Place near Pedro Gil to eat. to tell the truth, I had never been at this mall. Shan did not know that. if she'd asked me whether i've been there or not, i would have told the truth, of course. anyway, i was bit uncomfortable because i was new there.

we had some conversations about films because we both like watching films. then, i thought about the silent film, The Artist. i really want to see it on the big screen. i imagined myself i was in the 1910s or 1920s watching this silent film.

after that, we went home. we spent almost an hour at the LRT Station because we couldn't get on the trains. too many people. the trains became long rectangular cans of human sardines. fortunately, the MRT ride was less jam packed.

i decided to enroll on Wednesday instead.

366 Notes to 2013: 15th January 2012

what did i do this day? nothing, except i went to sleep at 21.00 to be able to wake up early the next day for work. before that, i was bothered by a small particle inside my right eye (puwing, in Tagalog). after taking showers and until i slept, it was still there! i couldn't sleep. what i did was to force myself to cry. i thought of dramatic scenes from a novel i read and imagined myself as one of the characters, but to no avail. it was still there. i would never know if it was still there or not until the next day.

why am i telling you this? it's the only memorable thing i could remember, except for the usual routine of eating, watching TV, and so on.

366 Notes to 2013: 14th January 2012

instead of spending time studying Spanish, i was at home watching NBA. i couldn't even encourage myself to read. i really miss IC. i would find out on Monday if there's already an available class from 1 to 4 p.m. twice a week.

another thing i did was play FIFA 09. what else to write... nothing...

anyway...

366 Notes to 2013: 13th January 2012

before the 13th ends, here are my experiences and thoughts...

i finished work early and fed myself at the Megamall at lunch. went to eat at Sbarro. i was very hungry and ordered a slice of pizza and baked ziti. after that, i thought of watching a film, but the lineup of films is still the same since the last time i've been there. then, i saw the poster of Ralph Fiennes' film, his take on Shakespeare's Coriolanus. i read that the dialogues of the original play are retained, but the film is transposed to the present. will look forward to that, as well as Hugo, and I hope, The Artist.

i decided not to watch, so i went home. at home, i just played FIFA 09, ate dinner, and watched PBA semi-finals. the semi-final game between Petron and Talk 'N Text disappointed me. it's Friday the 13th. the believed-to-be day of bad luck might have affected the game. (sigh) i don't even believe the bad luck attributed to this day. if one would take it to heart the belief that such day is a day of bad luck, he or she might indeed experience it. "What one insists, sometimes persists." so be positive so that positivity will persist.

good night!

366 Notes to 2013: 12th January 2012

feeling fine, waiting for the Korean drama: Dong Yi, and with some stuffed toys i love, especially the rat one. just attached Arvee's gift to my smartphone, a mobile phone accessory. thankful to Arvee, but sad that i'd no gift for her. she already gave me two; the first one's a coin purse as a Christmas gift, and this mobile accessory as a New Year's gift. i owe her one. i might give her a gift on her birthday on 2nd July.

366 Notes to 2013: 11th January 2012

i've been having a stagnant first month of the year. there's work which is okay. doing fine with it. but there's something missing... i am really missing my Spanish classes... (sigh)

Facebook. i saw on my news feed some pictures of one of my former Instituto Cervantes classmates' pictures of her trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. these made me think of the 2014 World Cup. i want to go there to watch the games. if I have money and passport in 2014, i would definitely go there. no visa, Philippines is exempted.

366 Notes to 2013: 10th January 2012

05.30: i woke up, turned on the TV, and saw and watched the last 15 minutes of the Arsenal-Leeds United FA Cup match. it was nice to have witnessed Thierry Henry scoring the only goal of the match after his return to Arsenal.

when i switched the channel after the game, i saw that the Black Nazarene was still not at the Quiapo Church. 0_o ... after more than 20 hours, it finally arrived at around 06.00. fanaticism or devotion?
------
anyway, at work, the editing team worked on the Writing bulletin board. it was rewarding for our team leader that our bulletin board won the best bulletin board.

366 Notes to 2013: 9th January 2012

before going to work, i was wondering about the procession later: how would it go? how many hours would it last?

anyway, at work, at the office, i was a bit surprised at myself because of how focused i was. i was able to edit 46 advanced essays in just over seven hours.

after that, i went to Megamall to watch Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. i had not been very enjoyed watching a movie since HP7 part 2. it was a great film. i am not a fan much of a film embedded with CGI, especially an action CGI film. but this Sherlock Holmes was entertainingly crafted, not to mention the brilliant performances of the actors, whether lead ones or supporting ones. i think i was asking for more after the end of the film. i will SURELY look forward to the next one.

 

 Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr), Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry), and Dr Watson (Jude Law)

 

 Prof Moriarty (Jared Harris) and Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr)

18.00: at home, just saw and heard on TV that the Black Nazarene was still at the Manila City Hall area. Really? the news said the procession is expected to arrive at the Quiapo church at around 24.00 or 01.00.

--------

Happy birthday to one of my most favourite literary characters, Severus Snape, and Happy Feast Day of the Black Nazarene.

366 Notes to 2013: 7th and 8th January 2012

7th January: weekend. stayed home and relaxed. i think i have enough rest now. will prepare for Monday and work. i plan to watch the new Sherlock Holmes film on 8th January.

8th January: wasn't able to watch the Sherlock Holmes film. maybe some other time. i decided to stay at home and just spend time with the family. when I woke up, my father was playing some folk farm songs he got as a gift when he bought seeds from his work.

nothing special happened. i enjoyed the cloudy weather with some rainshowers.

366 Notes to 2013: 6th January 2012

this week has been a tiring one. three absences because of feeling sick and tired. not the best way to start the year, and i miss my Spanish classes. Bones, again, and The Big Bang Theory. no mood to do any other, even reading. 

 

what else, hmmm. there would be so many things to get ready for. i am not sure what they are, but i will welcome to face them. 

366 Notes to 2013: 5th January 2012

Bones all the way. i enjoyed myself at home watching this series. i like being at home, most of the time alone. afternoon is always my favourite time of the day. that's the only time i like sunny weather. but i could live with rainy weather everyday, i guess.

the cloudy day and the occasional glimpse of the sun was great. still didn't go to work because of feeling sick and tired. moreover, i haven't enrolled in IC because of unavailability of a convenient schedule. anyway, basically, i did not do anything 'useful' to the world. i thought of going out, but what would i have done and where would I have gone to? so better stay at home, watch some TV or films, browse the Internet, and read.

ta.

366 Notes to 2013: 4th January 2012

it was cold at around 05.00. i guess cold days would struck. i remember the cold nights of early 2010. those never happened again. at that time, i had to cover myself with a blanket every night; the fan enjoyed nights off.

i didn't go to work today. i'd to 'call in sick' and had an unscheduled day of leisure. i just felt tired to go to work. so i spent some time with my mother watching Bones. i just re-enacted Bruno Mars' The Lazy Song.. today I don't feel like doing anything... anyway, just watched television all day long: watched a tennis match, etc. i even cared to see Tron: Legacy on Star Movies. nah, a forgettable film.

366 Notes to 2013: 3rd January 2012

work. work. work. ...after a hopefully very satisfying holiday vacation. i guess there is no more to write about than work. but let me tell what i've been thinking. i've been thinking of applying for a new job since i am not wanting to stay in my current job forever. i still don't know what particular job would it be. i've been browsing some online on JobStreet and JobsDB.

anyway, nothing very special happened.

366 Notes to 2013: 2nd January 2012

after the first day of the year, back to work. i was a bit positive, and my mind was ready for work. what I did this day is to edit essays at work. fortunately, few compositions were a headache. the editing session went smoothly, and before i called it a day, i edited fifty essays (as if someone bothers :P). however, i raised my white flag and officially called it a day.

i thought of the last day of the enrollment at the Instituto Cervantes for the semi-intensive (two times a week), T and Th class on 3rd January. i guessed i wouldn't be able to enroll. i cannot take intensive classes (Tuesdays to Fridays) anymore. Having classes four times a week is like being a full-time student, even if classes are just for two and a half weeks.  first, there is my work, and second, i am not learning well. i prefer having classes two times a week (like my Level A1.1 Spanish class). so until a semi-intensive class is offered, i think i would not enroll.

the film i have seen this day was How To Train Your Dragon on HBO. it is a good film. quite enjoyed it, but i do not like Jay Baruchel as the voice of the main character, Hiccup.

366 Notes to 2013: 1st January 2012

everyone welcomed the Water Dragon year. i was glad the climactic wave of fireworks only last about ten minutes. every room in our house was covered in smoke. my family and i settled ourselves with horns and coins in our pockets to create noises. after the countdown and the visit of the Angels of Firecrackers, Noise, and Gunpowder combined in one to destroy order and silence, we ate our media noche meal. pictures were taken, and we made our toast and greeted everyone Happy New Year. 

i made no New Year's Resolutions. i never made any that should be taken seriously ever. i always believe in 'what would-come-would-come-and-we'll-meet-it-when-it-does' attitude.  

first day of the year and i had to do the laundry. great! maybe it meant something, that i would stay clean and healthy all year round (dreaming). 

Peter's Friends

January Man

anyway, i was able to finish doing the mountain of laundry in time for me to eat dinner and watch two films that featured New Year celebration: Peter's Friends (which i had already seen and became a favourite) and January Man (because Alan Rickman is in it). 

then, sleep.