THE LAKERS ARE BACK

It was a moment I always looked forward to in the past few years as an avid fan of the NBA but most of all, of the Los Angeles Lakers. That is.... seeing them back to the Finals after 4 years!

Watching the game where they were down by 17 made me think why are they allowing such thing to happen. When all they have to do is to win 1 game to become the Western Conference Champions. But they proved they are a resilient team by trimming it down and taking over the game in the second half. Man, I can't believe it. They did it again, successfully.

I'm talking about Game 1 vs the Spurs where they were trailing by 20 in the 3rd quarter, but managed to win. And they did it again in Game 5. They proved they can really win if they really want to and if they will work as a team. I do hope that they keep that 'thing' until they win in the Finals. Congratulations to my team! Best of luck to all of us!

KB24 = MVP

The Staples Center crowd shows support for their MVP, and ours too!

Kobe can cross his name on the list of the Greatest Players never to win an MVP award.

The award was personally given by the NBA commisioner David Stern before an electrifying Staples Center crowd who were long before 'christening' Bryant to be the MVP.

After finishing fifth, fourth and third in the voting during the past seasons, Kobe finally won the award with 1100 points over Chris Paul's 892 points. The Lakers superstar got the majority of votes getting 82 first place votes versus Paul's 28 first place votes.

Now Kobe's goal is to win the NBA championship and get the Olympic gold for USA.

The Lakers are now up 2-0 against Utah.

JASON PACKS HIS SUITCASE

photo courtesy of americanidol.com

It was a deserving exit for the dreadlocked crooner as the judges agreed that he is the weakest performer during the Rock and Roll night, as Simon helped him pack his suitcase. The judges were not impressed in either two of his performances stating that his take on Bob Marley's I Shot the Sheriff was karaoke.

I honestly think that there are more deserving contestants who should have stayed longer than Jason. I even think that he should have gone home instead of Brooke on last week's results.

And on another note, I was impressed with Syesha who seems to be getting better as the competition narrows the contestant to three.

I still think that Syesha has chances of winning. But still, votes are the only thing that counts. But either way, the two Davids also deserve to win. It will just all depend on the votes.

BROOKE IS THE BEST

Watch Brooke's performance here http://youtube.com/watch?v=DkHxGthO65Y


She didn't caught my attention at the first stages of the competition. And until the Top 24 was announced, she was not the one I'm rooting for. I heard there are a lot of good singers in this season and it's hard to choose a favorite.

She wasn't recognizable during her first performance. A blond lady with a messy, curly hair singing Happy Together.
Not until I saw her performance with a guitar singing You're So Vain during the 70's night. I honestly loved her voice and was impressed that she could play an instrument. A proof that she has a heart of a musician. Her third song was equally impressive as she got rid of the guitar and sang his nice rendition of Love is a Battlefield. That is when I started to love her even more. Her voice, her style was nicely mixed up. And her looks made me say that if I were to see her for the first time, I would think that she is a movie actress or model and not a musician.

It was Lennon-McCartney night. And I looked forward to her performance. About three singers did a great performance before it was her turn. And I prayed she would pull a great performance either. It's hard to do a Beatles song. And as they say, "Do not screw a Beatles song!" Yeah, you have committed a crime when you murder a Beatles song coz it's like fixing a newly manufactured television. You're not suppose to fix it coz it's perfectly in shape. And I agree with that. The musicality behind any Beatles song is perfect. They're copyrights, and considered priced gems in music.

Her song is Let It Be. Oh God, how will she perform that song. As we know it's one of the cliche songs along with Yesterday and In My Life. Earlier that night, the judges didn't like Malubay's rendition of In My Life. It surprised me again to see that she sang the song with the piano. Such a talented lady she is. I guess some people are just born to be good at music. That separates her with the contestants who could just sing. You're just in a different level when you showcase your voice and your talent in playing some instruments. I am a music freak and I can tell that I am much more impressed with such people. Being a singer is clearly different than being a musician. And this season, America is just so blessed to have Brooke as finalist. I believe that she's gonna be a great singer/songwriter in the future even if she does not win. But I do hope she wins.

I just love Brooke White. She's the most gorgeous nanny in the whole world!

MAROON 5 IN MANILA

It won't be soon before long! They're coming! And with a series of unfortunate events that I'm feeling damn upset for not being an early bird! How could this happen? What the f@*$#! I've waited for this and I can't go to watch the concert. After inquiring at the Ticketnet, I found out the dreaded news. The prices of the tickets that were left were astronomical. The cheapest priced at P2675 was sold out. So were the next three (I think). I'm thinking if it's reasonable to watch them at P7000 plus (the cheapest that's left, and the next are priced at P8000 to the absurd P10,000)!

Oh God! I know I won't shell out seven thousand bucks! Aaaarrrggghh! And I will not even be permitted! Haay. Talagang daig ng maagap ang masipag! When oh when can I watch my band???

OUR MUCH ANTICIPATED, EVER JOYOUS AND FLAMBOYANT (this year it is) CHRISTMAS PARTY

My cousin/co-organizer/co-presentor. We did threw a rockin' party!

It's never too late to post this entry (though apparently, it's already Valentine's and this thing happened on Christmas Day). Yah, it's late. But who cares... I want this in my page.

Year 2007 was quite a thrifty year for our clan. No summer outing (the first time in five years, I guess), no spending February in Baguio for the yearly flower festival, to name a few. But we're still blessed that two of our family member (an aunt & an uncle) were given their working visa and went to work in the "maple leaf country". Hey wait.... call it quits coz on the other hand, another two from our family got their working visa refused (a cousin and he who must not be mentioned), at the last quarter of 2007. Maybe their too young for their age, unripe & still not ready to be picked from the orchard. Maybe they'll be ripe this year....haha.

December 2007, the month of excitement, rushes and expenses. As the organizers of our annual Christmas Party, my cousin Richelle and yours truly were busy by the second week, planning the games, prizes, gigs, theme, food and drinks. We decided to have a cocktail-themed party this time, to get rid of the usual red get-ups. Invitations were distributed by the third week, so they will have enough time to find themselves cocktail-appropriate clothes. But we reiterated in the invitation that as much as possible, wear anything that's modest from their closet to avoid spending as most of my aunt's & uncle's families are in tight budget. Good for those who have money to spend on cocktail dresses, and good for me for I have money left from my past and forgotten job.

The week before Christmas was a totally busy week. Wrapped gifts & prizes, compared & purchased ingredients for my hors d'oeuvres and chocolate fondue, bought martini glasses, goblets & some chinawares and did the cutouts for the mini red carpet.

Christmas Day. I slept at 1 am the night before, I woke up at 10 am and started to prepare the foods for the cocktail. It was 2 in the afternoon and we started the program with stints of poses at our improvised red carpet, complete with a bunch of fabulous names as backdrop. All families lined up and had their pictures taken. They had no idea they would pose and take pictures the way celebrities do it, that they posed more and more and some more.

We had games for the kids and for the kids at heart (including the staple egg-throwing). But I never expected that the message relay would be a total laugh trip for the adults. They liked the prizes which were wrapped in glittering gold and silver. After the program, we exchanged gifts and ended the program with a Thanksgiving prayer by Lola Nene. The prayer was immediately followed by cocktails and refreshments. From being the co-host of the event, I transformed into a chef and did some finishing touches. Finishing touches that took me about an hour to finish. My aunts volunteered to become my sous chefs sparing the craving stomachs of my guests from hunger.

For the hors d'oeuvres, I made smoked white fish on cucumber rounds, olive tomato squares (brushed with basil pesto), and my current favorite chicken satay triangles. They liked it as much as I did saying they loved the texture. For the chocolate fondue, I used Trufettes du Francais (french truffles from Vancouver), white cream and vanilla syrup. Pretzel sticks, butter cookies, marshmallows, semi-ripe plantains & apples served as the dippings. As compared with other fondue, I took it a notch higher and made it more luxurious. I bought walnuts and smoked macadamia nuts for coating (after they have dipped whatever on the fondue). So for that night, my family members were treated with a luscious and decadent dessert that is French truffle chocolate fondue, coated with precious nuts and paired with cocktail drinks (cathedral punch & sparkling lemonade), a California red wine and a 2006 Shiraz Cabernet. Who said you could only have these gastronomic delights in a deluxe hotel? Well, we managed to bring these treats at home and made it a really special night for all of us!

Posing & taking pictures resumed right after that.

All couples. My aunts & uncles during the tip off (egg-throwing).

The Mummy Returns (one of the games).

Let's eat! Can't wait to make the satay triangles again.

The Adorables. Emil, Addi & Justin.

All star casts. My proud cousins.

With my brothers and our beloved grandma.

DJOKOVIC ENDS FEDERER'S WINNING STREAK

you'll raise your head up again, soon


(Sob)An upset was created at the Rod Laver Arena as Roger Federer lost to Novak Djokovic in three straight sets in the men's semifinals at this year's Australian Open. (Sob)

Well, that's tennis. Even the greatest of the great have to lose sometime. I agree to what Federer said that he pays a steep price for all his success. One by one, players aim to knock him off. And with each match, the crowd always expects a victory in his name.

"Of course, I've created a monster," he said. "So I know I need to always win every tournament."

Thus, on that rare night, the monster was tamed.

He's been seeking his third straight Australian Open crown, and a victory would have pulled him withing one championship of Pete Sampras' 14 Grandslam titles.

Two unseeded will battle for the men's final as world no. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain lost to frenchman Wilfried Tsonga. So there's fresh names on this year's title.

Next up for my idol is the Wimbledon come spring.


Meanwhile, congratulations to the lovely Maria Sharapova for winning his third Grandslam by beating Ana Ivanovic in two sets.



it's now three for Maria

BEAUTIES BATTLE AT THE AUSSIE OPEN WOMEN'S FINAL

SHARAPOVA vs IVANOVIC


Maria Sharapova is looking unstoppable on her quest for her third Grand Slam crown as she outdid Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals. It was a year after she lost to Serena Williams at the Australian Open final and this year might be her sweet revenge.

She will take on Ana Ivanovic in the Saturday's final at the Melbourne Park.

The two have plenty in common. Both stand over 6 feet and hit right-handed with two-handed backhands. Both moved from their home countries to train elsewhere -- Sharapova from Siberia to Florida and Ivanovic from Belgrade to Switzerland.

Maria proved to be hotter than Ivanovic as her last win is her sixth straight set wins, including her victory over world no. 1 Justine Henin Harden. Go Maria!

WHAT'S UP AUSTRALIAN OPEN 08?

the wonderful aussie crowd clad in yellow

I'm kinda late posting this entry coz the Aussie Open started last Monday, Jan. 14, but I think it's a good follow up to my second post. To start the year, the name that everyone's chanting is the great Roger Federer, this year's two-time defending champion & my idol (that's why I love Switzerland-- cheese, chocolates & the tennis genius). Not to mention that it's a great nation to retire to.

His first two games proved to be a piece of cake for him as he beat his opponents easily. But at his third match, Federer took more than four hours to shake Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic before a stunned and vocal Rod Laver arena crowd.

The Swiss sensation eventually winning 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 to move into the last 16 of the tournament. But the world no. 1 is adamant that his exhausting five-set struggle against Tipsarevic on Saturday night will not slow his push for a third straight Australian Open crown.

Good luck also to my Maria!

Left: Federer shakes hand with his Serbian opponent after the grueling 5 set match

Right: Maria Sharapove celebrates after winning a point

MON AIMER POUR LE SPORT TENNIS

Pardonnez moi pour mon mots, monsieur dammes. J'ai etudier la langue du Francais a la moment, et je ce aimer!

So much for that. Aside from badminton, bowling, volleyball & basketball (well, actually I stopped playing basketball as soon as I found out that I look awkward in playing, as they said I play like a kangaroo--those jerks), tennis is one sport that really caught my interest. I love it as much as I'm addicted to food & chocolates. And I swear that if I win at the lottery, I'll have a tennis court built in my house. All four surfaces of them--hard, clay, grass & shell!

My love for tennis started roughly 4 years ago. I have to credit Tito Rain for having influenced yours truly to play the strenuous but more exciting sport.

It wasn't easy learning to play it. The grip, footwork, forehand & backhand swing (be it single or double-fisted), volley & some physics of the ball. Admittedly, I have no formal training of the sport and Tito Rain acted as my trainor during those times that I was trying to learn the basics.

Back then I was always up against the wall...hitting, receiving & missing those out-of-control Slazenger & sometimes Wilson balls. It pissed me off when I can't hit the ball even for two consecutive times. Darn! I was hopeless then.

I didn't give up coz my being hopeless was overpowered by my great interest to play the sport. I continued playing, studied the motion of the ball & memorized where the ball went everytime I hit it. From there I adjusted my every hit & swing. I tried & tried to figure out how I will hit the ball if I want it to go that way. The whole thing was trial & error. But every error had helped me learn to play the sport & was all worth the try.

It delighted me to discover that I was hitting the ball 2, 3, to 4 times consecutively. Finally, I was in the groove. And it wasn't long before I started to try my backhand. I prefer to use the single backhand (Federer style). I applied the same strategy and focused on anticipating the ball so I can hit it properly, and where I want it to go. The only thing that's lacking is the chance to test my skills on court (plus my very own racket, hope I could buy my very first in 2 months). Sadly, I never played on real court in recent years.

THE START OF MY BLOG

I was long before planning to start a blog, several months after it was introduced as a new feature for social networks on the Internet. Although I have a handwritten blog in the form of my journal, I must say that I was permanently infected by the e-virus.

Yes, journal writing is much more intimate and sentimental. But computers are the 'in' thing today, and even resumes now are in video format. And this move provided me an excuse to be able to use the skill I will forever be thankful that I have learned during my first year in college, which is the 45 wpm typing speed (my average).

And today, I'm officially starting my first ever blog here at blogspot. But my journals won't be left behind.

Since I started my first journal in college (which was a project in a religion subject), I didn't stop writing. but most of the time, I am not writing on it which explains why my journal's content is still on my high school days! Pardonez moi, ami(e)s! I'm also worried that I might forget some precious events that happened. I must really do a lot of catching up. That's a promise I made to myself.

But for the meantime, let me indulge in the gift of blogging!

Till my next post! (I wonder when it's gonna be??)