Sunday, May 29, 2011

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 1/Episode 7


1.7 You Win or You Die
Robert Baratheon is fatally wounded in a hunting accident. He has Ned Stark write a will proclaiming him as protector of the realm until Joffrey is old enough to rule. He also changes his opinion about Danaerys, but the move comes a little too late as the assassins out to get her have already been dispatched. One of them tries to poison her with wine, but the attempt is foiled. Furious, Khal Drogo promises to install their unborn son in the Iron Throne. Jon Snow is bewildered by the disappearance of his uncle, and also mad for not being designated as a ranger. Renly Baratheon (Gethin Anthony), attempts to get Ned’s support to crown him as King, but Ned thinks the crown should go to Stannis, the other brother after concluding that Cersei’s sons are Jaime Lannister’s bastards and hence have no claim to the throne. Petyr convinces him to seize Joffrey knowing that Cersei has plans to ignore the King’s last words, which she does. A showdown at the Iron Throne room ends with Petyr betraying Ned, and Joffrey as king.

Third World Happy

♣♣♣♣/♣♣♣♣♣

After the death of his parents in a vehicular accident, Wesley (Sam Milby) decides to leave everything and everyone behind to spend a solitary life in the US via a Fulbright Scholarship. Thirteen years later he receives a phone call about another death in the family, prompting him to go back home. At the wake he meets several people who would serve as a catalyst for him to seek closure from past issues and finally move on with his life, among them Aylynn (Jodi Sta. Maria) and his Kuya Danny (Richard Quan).

The film bored me but this is perhaps because it is far from your typical mainstream flick which tends to abuse a lot of factors just for the sake of being dramatic or catching the viewer’s rather short attention span. This film’s presentation is so simple to the point that it somehow loses the intended dramatic effect in some scenes, although it seems to successfully convey its message clearly to its audience. There is an awkward silence lingering throughout the movie, which somehow effectively captures not just the atmosphere of being in a wake, but also the state of mind of the protagonist. It is that feeling of longing for something to end just to ease the pain, although in reality one is still in denial and desires otherwise because once you let go you would know that it is finally over. In short, the prevalent issue tackled in the movie is about moving on.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

[SAMAR] Budget and Itinerary


MONDAY: May 23, 2011
Jeep (Allen - Calbayog) - 80.00
Lunch (Jollibee) - 130.00
Ciriaco Hotel (Single air-con/1 night) - 1,800.00
Traisikol (to City Center) - 8.00
Traisikol (to Brgy Naga) - 10.00
Traisikol (Naga Beach - Bagacay Beach) - 8.00
Entrance Fee (Bagacay Beach) - 5.00
Dinner (Ciriaco Hotel and Restaurant) - 298.97
PhP2,339.97

[CALBAYOG] Watching “Water Fall” by the Window


Early the next morning, I boarded the boat going back to Allen. We left the port at 6:30 AM and arrived at Allen Port around an hour later. Instead of staying there, I just decided to proceed to Calbayog where my flight going back to Manila would be taking-off. There are a lot more islands and natural wonders to discover in Northern Samar but I simply did not have the time. A side trip to Biri would have been nice but simply not feasible at the moment. Capul would suffice. The experience was short but memorable.

Friday, May 27, 2011

[NORTHERN SAMAR] Budget and Itinerary


SUNDAY: May 22, 2011
Taxi (NAIA 3) - 117.00
Terminal Fee (NAIA 3) - 200.00
Airphilexpress (Manila - Catarman) - 211.00
Traisikol (Airport - Brgy Macagtas) - 100.00
Traisikol (to Terminal) - 10.00
Bread x2 (Bakery) - 14.00
Breakfast (Jollibee) - 61.00
Lunch To Go (Jollibee) - 81.00
Bus (Catarman - Allen) - 50.00
Padyak (Allen) - 10.00
Traisikol (Allen - Buenos Aires) -  25.00
Traisikol (Buenos Aires - Allen Port, Brgy Looc) - 15.00
Boat (Allen - Capul) - 60.00
Coke Sakto x3 (Store) - 30.00
Snacks (Store) - 74.50
Tour Guide (Fee/Habal-Habal) - 500.00
Home Stay (1 Night) - 100.00
PhP1,658.50

Thursday, May 26, 2011

[CAPUL] A Taste of Batanes in Samar


Up north in Baranggay San Luis is an old lighthouse built in the 1900’s, rather short but quite popular with tourists. In my opinion, people really go there for the beach, not for the lighthouse. The lighthouse in question seems a bit vertically challenged, while the orange highlights are a bit awkward. I searched for it in vain earlier while our boat was approaching the island but I did not even catch a glimpse of its shadow. It turns out that its location is a bit remote, although just around 15 to 20 minutes on a habal-habal from the port. To go to the beach, you have to pass by the gated area of the lighthouse, down a beautiful green cliff with a stunning view, and then down a dirt path going to the beach itself where a natural pool deep enough for you to dive in awaits.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

[CAPUL] Those Tiny Piranha Wannabes of Oson Beach


I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding! It was only during that third retreat to the shore when I accidentally caught a glimpse of my shins and saw traces of blood. WTF? Each time I went down into the water I would feel a sting similar to when an angry red ant bites you before you stomp on it. I leaned closer to see the culprit and there they were: white shrimp-like creatures only a tad bigger than a termite.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

[CAPUL] Skipping Catarman


In fairness to Airphilexpress, the flight was fast. In spite of boarding and take off coming ten minutes late, touchdown in Catarman came ten minutes earlier than expected. My only lament was that ten minutes prior to touchdown my left ear was practically deaf. It was the first time I've had this experience. I felt like my eardrums were going to explode and my left jaw was tightening as if undergoing paralysis.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 1/Episode 6


1.6 A Golden Crown
Ned wakes up in bed, with the King and Queen looking intently at him. Cersei is furious and demands “justice” for her brothers. Robert instead gives her both a literal and figurative slap on the face by reinstating his friend as his Hand. This gives Ned temporary power by sitting on the Iron Throne while the King is out hunting. He summons Tywin Lannister to court, a move that would surely ruffle feathers in King’s Landing. He also decides to send her daughters back to Winterfell for their protection, which Sansa vehemently protests because she wants to stay, marry Joffrey, and have his blonde babies. This random comment leads Ned to investigate, ending up with doubts as to why everyone in the Baratheon bloodline has black hair, and yet the crowned prince is blonde. Tyrion is still held captive by Cat and Lysa but uses his wits to break free and demand a trial by combat, which his volunteer warrior wins, granting him his freedom. Viserys throws a fit, threatening his sister and her unborn child. Khal Drogo responds by giving him the golden crown that he wants, in molten form poured directly on his head.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

My Airphilexpress Flight to Catarman

True to what a lot of people have already said, Airphilexpress sucks. If you book with them, you should check the schedule on their website everyday just so you know if your flight time has been changed or not. And that was what I did. When I booked a flight to Catarman three months ago the departure time was 12:55. When I verified the flight on their website a week ago it said 05:30. The gap is big, and for me, crucial, because I leave the office at 06:00. It is a make or break thing. So I called their hotline. 

Friday, May 20, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 20

49일: 제20회
Ji Hyeon, indeed, dies for good as she turns out to be the last person the Scheduler is tasked to escort to the elevator. Although she specifically asks Yi Kyeong not to tell Kang the truth about her remembering everything, she still does so. Everything goes on smoothly and she is able to bid everyone farewell with the six-day extension she is given. The second teardrop does come from Seo Woo, but the third one actually comes from In Jeong, who has regretted everything she has done, and turns out to be the one responsible for Minho’s arrest. Yi Kyeong did cry for Ji Hyeon, but her tears do not count because, *drum roll please* SHE IS JI HYEON’S BIOLOGICAL SISTER. She was not abandoned, but rather kidnapped when she was young. Her bag and shoes as a kid along with Ji Hyeon’s mother’s photos of her confirm this. Now she finally has a family that she could call her own. In the end, Yi Kyeong and Kang stand by Yi Soo and Ji Hyeon’s graves, thanking both of them for letting them appreciate life more, and live it as if they only have 49 days.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 19

49일: 제19회
Kang returns from the US just in time, securing his father’s investment only to find out that Ji Hyeon is gone. This feeling of regret is immediately replaced with a feeling of bliss as he learns that Ji Hyeon is finally awake, only to be replaced again by a feeling of hurt because she wakes up without a single memory of her 49 days. Yi Soo and Yi Kyeong finally meet to have proper closure. He gives her the engagement ring he bought for her, brings him to an amusement park, and even redecorates her house. In the morning, however, he gets rid of the rings and tells her to move on, for his sake, because they could no longer be together again. Yi Kyeong is heartbroken because all the while she thought he has finally come to take her with him. Bidding their final farewell, he disappears from her life. Forever. In Jeong breaks down after a forced reunion with Ji Hyeon. Minho is arrested by the police, after finally meeting his mother and breaking down in front of her. Yi Kyeong visits Ji Hyeon at the hospital, and is surprised that she remembers her well. Ji Hyeon makes a confession. She remembers everything, but pretends she does not, because according to her, she is going to die. Again.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 18

49일: 제18회
It turns out to be Ji Hyeon hugging Kang, and he notices this too. The few days left are spent mostly on company matters and making small moments more special. In Jeong almost tampers with Ji Hyeon’s respirator as per Minho’s orders, but is stopped by Kang just in time. There is also a confrontation with Ji Hyeon’s mother, putting all of their issues out in the open but eventually left unresolved. Kang tries to appeal to Minho’s humanity by dragging his mother’s name into the discussion, but he remains adamant. Kang decides to leave for the US to personally seek his father’s help in the form of an investment so that Ji Hyeon’s company would stay afloat. This, he does with barely two days left on Ji Hyeon’s death clock. Yi Kyeong begins to acknowledge the bond between her and Ji Hyeon, and how this wandering soul has impacted on her life. Yi Kyeong sheds a tear as Ji Hyeon bids her parents goodbye, but this does not go into the necklace. Surrendering, Ji Hyeon asks the Scheduler to send her to the elevator even with seven hours still remaining, but as he summons it, a tear appears in the necklace. And then, another. Ji Hyeon wakes up in the hospital.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 17

49일: 제17회
Kang and Ji Hyeon make it in time to convince Yi Kyeong not to leave for Busan. Yi Kyeong could now see and hear Ji Hyeon, and she is also aware that she has caused her death. She agrees to let her use her body for the remaining 10 days and even agrees with her to fool Minho. Ji Hyeon tells her that it would not take long and that she would eventually meet Yi Soo. Minho no longer knows what to do, and is forever wondering if it is Ji Hyeon or Yi Kyeong that he has come to love. Kang manages to foil his plan of declaring Ji Hyeon’s company bankrupt by convincing her mother to sell Ji Hyeon’s land through her seal that is with him. Seo Woo leaves In Jeong and declares their friendship over. Yi Kyeong moves in to Kang’s house so she could be protected from Minho. She tells Kang to stop loving Ji Hyeon because it would be devastating once she is gone for good. Kang gets frustrated and leaves, but Yi Kyeong suddenly gives him a tight hug. Or is that actually Ji Hyeon in her body?

Monday, May 16, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 16

49일: 제16회
Kang discovers, through his restaurant staff’s brainstorming session of how many days, that tears are the best expression of one’s true feelings. He confirms this by asking Ji Hyeon questions about her necklace and the one tear that it now contains. He tricks her into admitting when that single tear appeared and confesses that he went to the hospital to cry for her that day. She is now grateful to him and eventually admits to the Scheduler that she now has feelings for him. The Scheduler’s memory is back because and this is because of keeping Ji Hyeon in Yi Kyeong’s body as constant company. He now remembers that his wish is for him to come back as himself just to be able to explain his side of the story to Yi Kyeong. It turns out that the two had a big argument before his motorcycle accident and never had a proper closure. Ji Hyeon finds out that Yi Kyeong is the one who caused her accident, and unleashed her rage on her a bit, causing the barriers between them to start breaking, with the latter now hearing and seeing the former from time to time. Minho is now convinced that Yi Kyeong is Ji Hyeon, confronts her about it, buys her apartment, and sends Yi Kyeong off to Busan, leaving Ji Hyeon without a body.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 1/Episode 5


1.5 The Wolf and the Lion
Instead of bringing him to Winterfell, Cat brings Tyrion to her sister Lysa, the wife of the old Hand of the King. She however finds out that her sister might actually have a few screws loose. Bran becomes more depressed as the days go by, faulting his mother for leaving him despite his helpless state. Arya wanders into the castle’s dungeons and overhears two men talking about plans for her father’s murder. The King finds out about Daenerys’ pregnancy and is convinced that the Dothraki would soon attack them. Ned does not agree, for he believes that the barbarians do not have what it takes to cross the Narrow Sea. The two old friends call it quits after failing to settle their differences. Meanwhile, Ned also hears about his wife taking the younger Lannister hostage, news that also makes its way to Jaime Lannister’s ears, provoking him to attack Ned and kill all his men. The fight leads to the Lord of Winterfell suffering a very bad leg injury, limping and helpless in front of Petyr’s brothel.

[QUEZON] Budget and Itinerary


SUNDAY: May 15, 2011
Burger Machine - 86.00
Jeep (Buendia - JAC Liner) - 8.00
JAC Liner (Buendia - Lucena) - 209.50
CR (JAC Liner) - 5.00
Smart Load - 100.00
Jeep (Lucena - Lucban) - 30.00
Souvenir Shirt (Lucban) - 150.00
Souvenir Hat (Lucban) - 60.00
Suman 2 bungkos (Lucban) - 100.00
Jeep (Lucban - Kamay ni Hesus) - 8.00
Pancit Habhab + Coke Sakto x2 (Kamay ni Hesus) - 30.00
CR (Kamay ni Hesus) - 5.00
Jeep (Kamay ni Hesus - Lucena Grand) - 30.00
Jollibee (Lucena Grand) - 115.00
Jeep (Lucena Grand - Bayan) - 8.00
Jeep (Bayan - SM) - 8.00
Snacks (7/11) - 33.00
Phone Charging (7/11) - 50.00
Van (SM - Sariaya) - 30.00
CR (Sariaya) - 5.00
JAC Liner (Sariaya - Buendia) - 189.50
Jeep (Buendia) - 8.00

TOTAL - PhP1,268.00

[SARIAYA] Making Agaw the Cheeze-Its


Sariaya is, without a doubt, a perfect weekend getaway. With Mt. Banahaw to the north and Tayabas Bay to the south, this town sure has a lot to offer. You can climb Banahaw in the morning, do a cultural heritage tour after lunch thanks to the many ancestral houses present, and then spend the rest of the day lazing around the beach at your preferred resort by the Tayabas Bay. Cool, eh?

[LUCBAN] ??? Steps to Jesus


Kamay ni Hesus is a sanctuary similar in terms of concept to Iguig’s Calvary Hills in the Cagayan Valley. Although they present the same theme via life-size figures depicting the Stations of the Cross, Kamay ni Hesus presents a more challenging terrain for the pilgrim. Situated on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw, the location requires you to ascend around seven levels in order to reach the grand statue of Jesus above. This is in contrast to Cavalry Hills’ seemingly flat topography. Both sites offer a stunning view, though. Iguig has the Cagayan River while Kamay ni Hesus gives you Banahaw and an aerial view of Lucban.

[LUCBAN] Attack of the Colorful Houses


As a tribute to San Isidro for a bountiful harvest, a fiesta dubbed as the Pahiyas Festival (NOT Pahiyas FILM Festival) is held annually in the town of Lucban (Quezon Province) every May 15. This lively celebration involves the selection of a route from and back to the church, wherein each and every family with a house on the said path is given ample time to transform their abodes into colorful works of art in honor of San Isidro who traverses the same route (his statue, not his ghost) after the 7 AM mass during that day. Popular choices for decorations include kiping (colorful and edible), vegetables, and this year: a British flag with a picture of the newly married royal couple. Are they from Quezon too?

Saturday, May 14, 2011

In the Name of Love

♣♣♣♣/♣♣♣♣♣

Ex-dancer Emman/Garry (Aga Mulach) builds his life anew after a life gone awry in Japan by opening a dance studio in his home town, just in time for open auditions for Dance Instructors for the Governor's Ball celebrating the engagement of the governor's son Dylan (Jake Cuenca) to ex-pole dancer turned kept woman Mercedes (Angel Locsin). Their paths eventually cross resulting in a complicated love triangle.

Olivia Lamasan could not have started the movie on a more thrilling note. The opening credits roll with emphasis on certain objects (a music box, a yin yang necklace, and a toy robot, among others) which immediately sparks curiosity. The said items reappear in various moments of the movie to trigger some flashbacks. What follows is a tense airport scene accentuated by an adrenaline-inducing musical score. Seriously, is Lamasan planning to give Chito Roño a run for his money? Angel Locsin does not appear until after ten minutes or so, which makes you think twice if you are seeing the right movie based on the poster and the trailer. The said screen time is instead given to Aga Mulach’s character in an effort to partially establish his backstory, including a family related subplot that is immediately, but not unceremoniously dismissed to give way to the love angle.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 15

49일: 제15회
It turns out that Yi Kyeong just blurted Minho’s name out of nowhere. She gets extremely nervous after that, but Dr Noh saves the day. Yi Kyeong starts narrating her past, on how she was abandoned by her mother and how she met Yi Soo at the orphanage. Dr Noh thinks that she is suffering from multiple personality disorder. She thinks a ghost is possessing her. In spite of this, she feels relieved, because the ghost seems to care for her and gives her a feeling that someone is concerned about her, which she has never felt again after Yi Soo died. Ji Hyeon’s father undergoes the operation and wakes up successfully with her guidance through a dream. Ji Hyeon meets another 49-day traveler in the person of an old man. Unlike her, though, the guy only has one day left but without a single tear in his necklace. Minho is still 50-50 in believing that Yi Kyeong is being possessed by Ji Hyeon. In Jeong is quite sure. After Seo Woo finds out about her relationship with Minho, In Joeng calls Yi Kyeong and explains every grudge she has for Ji Hyeon, showing the strong envy she feels for her best friend. The Scheduler begins to remember Yi Kyeong after Ji Hyeon goes to the hotel where she used to work and gathered some memorabilia.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 14

49일: 제14회
The Scheduler could not remember anything despite Ji Hyeon telling him that he is Song Yi Kyeong’s dead boyfriend. However, he is still shaken by the revelation given how his human feelings are starting to come back to him nearing the end of his five-year duty. Kang manages to convince Ji Hyeon’s father to undergo surgery, lessening the stress she is already suffering from. She accidentally drops the letter addressed to his father admitting everything at the restaurant, but Kang keeps it and gets it back to her secretly, but she finds out anyway. Afraid that she would now automatically die due to Kang’s discovery, she is relieved to know that people finding out about her identity on their own does not count as violating the rules. Kang, however, leaves her resignation letter on his desk, which is discovered by In Jeong, who recognizes Ji Hyeon’s handwriting right away. After further investigation and thinking, she concludes that Ji Hyeon’s soul is somehow possessing Yi Kyeong’s body and tells Minho about it. Minho would not believe at first, but goes on investigating. He follows the real Yi Kyeong to her night shift at the cafe. Just as he asks to confirm if she is indeed Yi Kyeong, she replies, “Yes, MINHO. Why?”

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 13

49일: 제13회
Ji Hyeon is finding it harder to leave Yi Kyeong’s body. Yi Kyeong, on the other hand, is starting to acknowledge Ji Hyeon’s presence more and more by hearing her voice and being able to touch her somehow. Through her continued hypnosis, she also gets to recall more of Ji Hyeon’s memories. In Jeong exposes Yi Kyeong as Park Jeong Eun after solving pieces of the puzzle that ends up with Yi Kyeong’s number. Kang comes to Yi Kyeong’s defense, making up his own white lies to protect her, and playing naive with her after she asks him about it. She thinks Kang knows, and she asks the Scheduler, but he tells her nothing. Ji Hyeon comes clean to Minho, solidifying her claim that she is Ji Hyeon’s friend. Now that she has admitted this, she no longer has a way to get close to him to open the vault in his room. She then goes to his flat without Yi Kyeong’s body, but just ends up wasting a few days there because he would not open the damn vault. Ji Hyeon discovers Yi Kyeong’s college year book and finds out that Song Yi Soo and the Scheduler are one and the same. She shows this year book to the Scheduler.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 12

49일: 제12회
The four of them are connected after all. Jinan triggers a powerful memory that leads Yi Kyeong to wake up and eject Ji Hyeon from her body. A few years back when they were all students, Yi Kyeong and the Scheduler, known by his then human name Yi Soo, traveled to Jinan and met Ji Hyeon and Kang, who were doing a fund raiser by reading tarot cards. Yi Soo picked an unlucky card depicting two lovers separating, but Ji Hyeon lies and says otherwise because the couple seemed so happy. A fight breaks out between her and Kang because of the lie, and then both of them were suddenly separated due to their parents’ respective decisions. He is brought to the US. She is led back to Seoul. Kang starts to connect the dots regarding Ji Hyeon’s mission, not letting her know that he already knows, which in effect does not have her breaking any of the rules. In Jeong resigns from her job after Ji Hyeon continues to provoke her and tell her that Minho is just using her as an informant, an insider in the company. In Jeong, however, is starting to catch up and is slowly discovering some things about Yi Kyeong.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 11

49일: 제11회
Kang is the one to shed the first tear, and discover everything about Ji Hyeon’s mission. After the restaurant’s manager finds Ji Hyeon’s seal buried in one of the potted plants, Kang confirms his suspicion. He figures out that Ji Hyeon could not admit who she is, although he is unaware of the reason. He also observes Yi Kyeong’s daily routine and figures out how Ji Hyeon borrows her body. Ji Hyeon does not know that he knows, but he is helping her anyhow. Minho has to go to Jinan to fix some company issues. Kang also goes to Jinan to seek the help of a Buddhist monk to confirm his theory about 49 days for wandering souls. In Jeong and Seo Wu also go. Ji hyeon goes with Minho in order to find out more about his plans. Yi Kyeong undergoes hypnosis, and sees a vision of Ji Hyeon in her room. As Minho and Ji Hyeon walk down a pathway lined with cherry blossom trees, Yi Kyeong regains consciousness, consequently ejecting Ji Hyeon from her body.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 1/Episode 4


1.4 Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things
Viserys becomes more and more impatient in his quest to regain the Iron Throne and unleashes his frustration on his sister. But Daenerys would have no more; she fights back and issues a stern warning that it would be the last time he would be hurting her. Ned continues his duties as the new Hand of the King and investigates the death of the man he replaced, discovering some secrets along the way. Jon Snow befriends Samwell Tarly (John Bradley), the fat and clumsy new recruit who gets bullied by the other trainees. Tyrion stops by Winterfell on his way back to King’s Landing and gives Bran a gift that would allow him to ride a horse despite being crippled by his accident. Feeling unwelcome by Ned’s eldest son, he chooses to spend the night in an inn where he runs into Cat and inadvertently blows her cover. She uses her knowledge of her father’s connections to warm up to the men in the inn, convincing them to seize Tyrion and bring him back to Winterfell for trial over the attempted murder of her son.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 10

49일: 제10회
Kang finds Ji Hyeon singing a familiar tune while playing his piano. He confronts her and asks her if she is Ji Hyeon, something which she vehemently denies as this is against the three rules. Kang further investigates and meets the real Yi Kyeong twice. She does not recognize him. He concludes that perhaps she has multiple personality disorder. The real Yi Kyeong pushes through with her hospital tests, which triggers a flashback of her and her boyfriend having some mushy time while having a picnic. The boyfriend is the Scheduler. Ji Hyeon’s father signs his last will and testament anyway, refusing surgery despite constant prodding from everyone around him. He wants to be there for his daughter regardless if she comes back or not, and he could no longer do that if he dies in surgery. Ji Hyeon gives up her quest, discovering how difficult and nearly impossible it is to find three people who would shed pure tears for her. As she bids the people who have become her temporary family goodbye, she herself sheds genuine tears, and collects the first of three that she need in order to live again.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 9

49일: 제9회
Kang literally drags Ji Hyeon out of Minho’s flat so she could go back working for him. As their friends gather together at his restaurant for his birthday, Ji Hyeon reveals to In Jeong that she knows about her secret relationship with Minho. This, however, does not matter as much as her father’s decision to come up with a new last will and testament giving their company to Minho once he dies. In an effort to stop this, Ji Hyeon asks for the Scheduler’s help once again, and he does help her by giving her the ability to touch something just once, and also by directly interfering in human affairs. Because of this, his boss, personified by a an old biker lady in a motorcycle, scolds him and tells him that she is extending his five-year duty for another week as punishment for meddling with earthly affairs. Yi Kyeong discovers more oddities regarding her everyday life which prompts her to calls her psychiatrist, whose prognosis of her dilemma is sleepwalking. She, on the other hand, thinks she is going crazy.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 8

49일: 제8회
In Jeong catches Yi Kyeong working as a part-time maid at Minho’s flat, but despite her rage she could not really play the jealous girlfriend card without revealing their supposedly secret relationship. And so she manipulates Kang and asks him to deliver some architecture related papers to Minho’s apartment, in the end finding out about Yi Kyeong too. This leads to him also having a jealous fit, thrashing furniture around once he gets home. Ji Hyeon does not want to hurt Kang, but she has a mission in Minho’s house. Minho, on the other hand, starts to show feelings for Yi Kyeong, even taking her out to lunch in a hidden alley restaurant where he used to bring his mother. Ji Hyeon finds out that the person close to Yi Kyeong who died five years ago could be his younger brother. She tells the scheduler about it in an effort to convince him to find Yi Kyeong’s brother, but he would not help her, causing her to scold him. He retaliates by revealing that he died at the age of 23, and that he no longer wants to be involved with Yi Kyeong’s affairs ever again, hinting some sort of relationship between the two that is unknown for now. Minho discovers that Ji Hyeon’s father has a brain tumor, and that his days are also numbered.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 7

49일: 제7회
Yi Kyeong is fired from her convenience store job and goes through a cycle of depression, not going out of the house for a few days, which means Ji Hyeon is also stuck in there with the clock ticking. She loses about four days doing nothing, but uses the opportunity to get to know her host well enough to actually care. This happens after Yi Kyeong once again decides to commit suicide, just in time for the psychiatrist guy to foil her attempt again. Ji Hyeon asks the Scheduler to intervene, and he does, by getting Yi Kyeong a part-time night job in a café for shorter hours, which means more time for Ji Hyeon, who in turn accepts the day job as a maid at Minho’s flat. For her, this decision would be like hitting two birds with one stone. On one hand, she would still have a job to earn her keep, and on the other, she would be able to investigate on whatever Minho is planning against her family. Minho, on the contrary, starts to lie to In Jeong, just to accommodate Yi Kyeong. One white lie backfires as In Jeong heads straight to his flat, and finds Yi Kyeong working there.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Pure Love: Episode 6

49일: 제6회
Ji Hyeon is fired by Kang, in an apparent fit of jealous rage. Kang has noticed that Minho is uncharacteristically repugnant to Yi Kyeong, something which he considers as a trace of hidden desire. He uses Ji Hyeon’s condition and the fact that she is his fiancée as an excuse, but the truth is that he is also starting to develop feelings for Yi Kyeong because of the personality that she shares with Ji Hyeon. This is further affirmed by a magic trick done by Yi Kyeong to appease a crying kid, which Ji Hyeon taught him in high school. Yi Kyeong’s body starts to suffer from the fatigue, and Ji Hyeon has to bring her, while inside her body, to the hospital. There, she is seen by Minho, who forcibly brings her back to Kang’s restaurant, where the confrontation between her and Kang ensue, leading to her dismissal. However, Minho offers her a job, which is to clean his house, but obviously with a hidden agenda.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Game of Thrones (HBO): Season 1/Episode 3


1.3 Lord Snow
Ned finally arrives at King’s Landing to fulfill his duties as the new Hand of the King, and brings along Sansa and Arya with him. He later discovers that Cat has followed them because she is convinced that what happened to their son is no accident, and that the Lannisters are to blame. They find an unlikely ally in Lord Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen), who happens to be her old flame. Back in Winterfell, Bran could not remember anything from his accident, and tells his other brother that he would rather die than be a cripple. Jon Snow begins his training at the Wall as part of the Night’s Watch, and proves to be the best one there, which makes him rather unpopular among the rest. Daenerys embraces her new role as a Khaleesi, much to her brother’s disdain who keeps on insisting that he is the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms. She also finds out that she is pregnant with Khal Drogo’s child. Cersei schools Joffrey on how to be a good king, telling him that he can do whatever he wants once he inherits the throne.

Thor

♣♣♣♣/♣♣♣♣♣

I never really had an interest in Thor’s story as part of the Marvel Universe and I know hardcore fans would probably grill me alive for voicing this opinion. Blame it on my limited exposure to Marvel through X-Men. Those dudes are mutants, but strip them off their powers and you see a bunch of outcasts easily relatable to each and every bullied nerd out there. Thor, on the other hand, is a god. So how could I actually relate to him? How could you? At least the film tries to reconcile those differences.

Before the opening credits, we are shown the trio of Jane Foster and friends chasing some astronomical storm somewhere in New Mexico and when they finally see it they accidentally hit Thor with their van. What follows are the opening credits and a flashback that serves as a background to the main character’s universe. Here he is presented as the very same god of thunder that the Vikings worshiped eons ago, except that it is further explained how he really is not a god but rather a member of a race similar to humans with a much more advanced civilization hidden somewhere in another galaxy. In short, aliens. They have these mortal enemies who resemble a bunch of fugly orcs with the ability to freeze anything through touch. Iceman would have felt at home. The story revolves around this war between the two races and planet Earth just serves as a detour for Thor’s exile due to his hardheadedness.

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