Bangkok and the 'Reds'

I am expecting friends from Hong Kong this weekend. I am supposed to tour them around downtown Bangkok, the wats, the klongs, and the what-have-yous. This Saturday's big 'Red' rally (Thailand's UDD political group) may put a big dent on our plans especially since one of the targeted areas is Samut Prakarn, that's where my place is. Will we have to brush shoulders with the 'Reds' this Saturday and Sunday just so we can go around Bangkok? There are a lot of areas to visit though, those that are away from the targeted rally areas but as of now, I am quite tired to think of options - and I am getting tired of the 'Reds'. I understand though that holding these rallies is still within their constitutional rights especially since they were able to hold 'peaceful' rallies recently. What I really wanna say is, "Can we PLEASE get on with it? Move on?!?!"

Hmmmmm….

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

26 January 2007

Hmmmmm….

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 7:55 pm

Here I am again … procrastinating… Oh yeah!

I’ve got tons of work to do but somehow I can’t overcome the lure of the net and the smooth feel of the touch pad (toink!!!)

My mind just can’t click with Gradequick…

My body just can’t say no to a hobby (which I’m trying so hard NOT to make into a hobby)

Surfing… and surfing… and surfing…

Through the electronic waves… through air packets… through 0 and 1… 0 and 1… 0 and 1…

And I don’t know where this is going so I better end

Lest you might think of me as a no-good quest.

Hehehehe

Funny....

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

21 April 2007

Funny….

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 8:34 pm

I came across the lines of a song that goes something like this, "When the ones you shared your memories with don’t even remember your birthday….", it got me into thinking. Why? I went through this…once. And I’m still struck with something like pain deep in my gut even if it happened many months ago. I guess there’s just no replacing one’s closest friend - one’s bestfriend. I can also relate with yet another line of a song, "You don’t miss the water ’til the well runs dry…" Sure, that line is easy to understand but it’s got more meaning to me now. Whew! LIFE. And what’s even more inspiring is that I’d go through the same experience again - now I know I can. Sure, my life went akimbo once but I know that I’m good at surviving in limbo and I have just proven that to myself. LIFE is indeed beautiful … especially if we do not forget to bring our sunscreen! hehehehehe. Gotcha!!!

The Sorcerer

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago. This was written at a time when I thought I understood about relationships and their endings but it turned out that I still had some bitterness in me so I just had to let it out. When I look back now, those were really good experiences: the relationship and everything that happened after. I can no longer remember most of the emotions that led me to write the words below, though. What I do remember is there is a huge time gap between my writing this and the time I posted this first in my Friendster blog.)

1 June 2007

The Sorcerer

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 7:09 pm

Thoughts of her never calmed me

I have always been uneasy

When I learned about her

Something’s just not right

It didn’t click right

And true enough things

Started their downhill ride

And you turned to her

Things were becoming bleak

For me as each day passes

Until I lost you – though not totally – yet

Still she continues to wield her power

Widening the chasm between us

And then she used her best potion – friendship

She cons me into admitting

That times with you were the best

And she used this knowledge

To permanently pull us apart

Yet despite her charm, despite her subtle ways

I managed to look through to her

And I saw that her purpose

Is to wreak havoc

To our lives

And leaves us to pick up the pieces

But I can’t – not totally

Because she left me with a curse

She took you away from me…

Forever…

And still you believe her…

The sorcerer…

Wimbledon 2007

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

6 July 2007

Wimbledon 2007

Filed under: Justine and tennis — cristyjones @ 8:17 pm

I was ready to delete a name in my Wimbledon homepage, I wasn’t paying that much attention after 10 minutes into the game, I was so sure of the outcome - only to be proven otherwise.

The first set was played the way it ought to be played. Magnificent one-handed backhand passes, beautiful ground strokes, fantastic footwork, superb drop shots. All these from the world number one. And then a see-saw of a second set which I should have known had the makings of a comeback. And now I know why: Pierce Brosnan - 007. Marion Bartoli of France, world number 18, caught a glimpse of him cheering for her in the stands and she continued making her comeback all through the third set. The result? The greatest shock of the tournament: Justine Henin, my player, world number one, the crowd’s favorite to win, the people’s (and the papers’) best bet to hoist that Wimbledon trophy this year, bundled out of Wimbledon 2007. How unbelievable can that be? Oh Pierce, you should have ducked!!!

A really exciting fortnight of tennis it has been. Although I was just following the proceedings online but this is the first time that I would go to sleep at 3 or 4 in the morning just to finish watching Justine’s match for the day (merci to www.channelsurfing.net). Thank God it’s still summer break for me, huh?

In the end, the better player on the court during the Wimbledon 2007 Ladies Singles Semi-Finals won. That’s tennis. That’s sports. That’s life. It drove home an obvious point to me: never write off an underdog because underdogs have nothing to lose.

So, at the end of an exciting two weeks for me – I am happy. Oh, how can that be when my player just got trounced out of a grand slam by an underdog? Because the underdog - Marion - produced her best tennis and deserved to win. Does that mean that I would lose interest in the finals now? Honestly, yes. And no one can blame me. It would have been thrilling to see Justine and Venus fight in the finals: one diminutive and feisty, the other all about power; one mentally and physically tough, the other hampered by injuries. And that’s Justine – Venus, a’ight?

I eventually deleted Marion’s name in my Wimbledon homepage along with Serena’s. I changed it for Roger, Rafa, Richard, and the oh so guapo Novak. Of course, Justine is there – she occupies the first box as always. Exciting fortnight of tennis, huh? You bet! And what happens to the ladies’ world number one now? She’ll continue her reign as world number one. She’ll go home, feel bad for a few days, and be back all fresh and play her matches en route to the US Open. Don’t forget that during all these, she’ll be surrounded by her supporters and family whom she just recently reunited with after her marriage breakup and the accident of her elder brother. Full of drama? You bet!

Whew! The wettest Wimbledon tournament so far – the famous English summer weather really had a kick! And oh, the final score?

Justine Henin (1) BELGIUM 6 5 1

Marion Bartoli (18) FRANCE 1 7 6

How elusive can the Venus Rosewater Dish be for Justine? It’s proven to be very elusive indeed. Wimbledon – the only grand slam that she needs to complete her collection of grand slam trophies and join the elite in women’s tennis when it comes to winning grand slams.

But in a way, she won her “special” Wimbledon. In the quarter finals against the second best grass court player: Serena Williams, something only Justine can do.

In conclusion, Wimbledon 2007 was an unforgettable achievement for the greatest grass court player in the world, Justine Henin.

Wimbledon 2008 just might be THE year. And who knows this time, I’ll make it?

Allez Justine! Tu es mon heroine.

(Check Justine’s website at www.justine-henin.be and you’ll know why she’s not only the best on court but off-court as well.)

Wimbledon - one last time

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

Wimbledon - one last time

Filed under: Justine and tennis — cristyjones @ 12:55 am

I take back the words that I said - at least some of them. It came out that I was still a little bit interested in the final results. Here it is: Venus Williams defeated Marion Bartoli to claim her fourth Wimbledon trophy: her namesake - the Venus Rosewater Dish. And (still) to be fair to Marion (which I know I’m very good at considering everything…) she still showed her good moves, she dug in especially in the 2nd round. And as for Venus, well, she is a grass court player - no doubt about that. In fact, I think that her current position in the WTA rankings is a fake because the rankings aside, she is still in the top five. But oh well, there are rules and rules, so…

The men’s finals this year was a repeat of last year’s. But the similarity ends there. Why? Man oh man, Rafa gave King Roger a hell of a shock all the way to the fifth set! Whew! But Roger proved his being an all-around tennis player. Furthermore, he concretized an important point: centre court at Wimbledon is indeed his home - no matter what Jonas Bjorkman may have to say on that matter. And, he equaled Bjorn Borg’s Wimbledon record - winning it for 5 straight years. Not to worry for Rafa, though. He’ll hoist that Wimbledon trophy some time in the coming years.

As for the doubles, the Bryan brothers were denied winning the men’s doubles for two consecutive years - it’s the year of the French, that’s why. And oh, something’s brewing in the mixed doubles; something good and definitely one to look forward to especially in the next grand slam, the US Open, and that is the unusual pair of Jamie Murray and Jelena Jankovic who, despite teaming up for the first time, got ahold of this year’s mixed doubles trophy. And the chemistry between the two was just too obvious. Hmmmmm,….

And talking about chemistry, that’s what I teach but I’m a ROARING (sic) supporter of tennis (especially to Justine Henin) since high school - thanks to my father (who I watch countless tennis matches on TV to the chagrin of my mother) and Michael Chang (who we’ll be hearing more of hopefully since he just came back to the pro-tennis circuit as a coach) and Marcelo Rios (whatever happened to him?).

Enough of Wimbledon for now, at least for this year. So what’s up now with tennis? Well, one more grand slam - the US Open - in August with Maria (G-R-U-N-T) Sharapova as the defending champion and the WTA championships near the end of this year and the fight for the numero uno position who happens to have Justine as the defending champion (to both). An in between are the US Open Series and other Tiers I, II and III events.

Allez Justine! Tu es mon heroine - always.

(Look out also for this up and coming Serbian player: Ana Ivanovic. She’s really good and all of 19. She’ll be in the same caliber as Justine - soon. I know so.)

gracious even in defeat

Eve and the Firehorse

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

9 July 2007

Eve and the Firehorse

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 6:36 pm

I watched this movie last night. Got me crying less than 20 minutes into the movie

Here is the summary of the movie:

Eve is a precious nine-year-old growing up in a Vancouver Chinese immigrant family where Confucian doctrines, superstitious obsessions, and divine visions abound. When Buddhism and Catholicism are thrown into the mix, life for Eve and her prim authoritative sister, Karena, escalates into a fantasia of catastrophe, sainthood, and cultural confusion.

This is a good movie. Reminds me of many of my students who are "second" culture kids.

Moving Out - Part 1

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago. I never did got around to writing Moving Out - Part II but obviously I fared well. I am now living in my 3rd 'home' as an independent woman - this time overseas.)

2 September 2007

Moving Out - Part 1

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 6:34 am

I just finished part I of my packing. I’m moving out of my "home" of 5 years and moving in to a new place ten minutes away from school. I just found it senseless to wake up very early each morning and drive 40-45 minutes to school. The added traffic this school year, with the opening of the new site of a local school, definitely was THE major contributor in my decision to move. And so, I have to pack… which is no easy task considering the things that I have collected through the 5 years. A big chunk of these "things" were really the books, oh, my books. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I don’t wanna pack them in boxes because I’m too lazy to unpack them again. And so I started with the "small" things. And this took me almost two hours. When I surveyed my work after, the pile of trash was more than the pile that I’m going to take with me. Tsk, tsk, tsk - drives home the point of not keeping things which you thought will prove to be useful in the future. Did I strike a chord? Hehehehe.

I still have 13 days to prepare for the big move, though. And honestly, right now, I don’t wanna think about packing anymore - it just takes so much…

Swimming to Antarctica

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

5 August 2007

Swimming To Antarctica

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 6:32 pm

I came across the unique feat of a South Californian, Lynne Cox, who swam 1.22 miles in Antarctica at water temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius - temperature that can kill nearly anyone five minutes into the water. Super-human Lynne, huh? In a way, yes.But added to her big physique(ideal for low temperatures) are courage and determination which are surefire ingredients for the human spirit to come out triumphant.

Check these clips at http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com

Whisper of the Heart

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

12 July 2007

Whisper of the Heart

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 8:21 am

I was browsing through the movie page of tv links hoping to see a movie that would interest me. Something did catch my eye! Whisper of the Heart - hhmmmm… interesting! Was I in for a surprise! Why? Well, you’ve got to see it to know… ^-^

bonne nuit à tous et dormez bien from moi

Bitter….sweet??? - gourd is more like it ;-)

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago after reflecting on relationships.)

11 August 2007

Bitter….sweet??? - gourd is more like it ;-)

Filed under: Uncategorized — cristyjones @ 8:43 am

Postponing to realize a goal could prove detrimental - VERY detrimental - especially if the reason is inorder to let something happen with someone who you thought at that time was special.

Believe me, I was in that boat once and no matter how I wish to turn back the hands of time just to undo everything in that time frame, I obviously can’t. So I did my best to learn to live with it and I did.

Looking back, postponing to realize a goal wasn’t so bad after all because I now have something better - not the best but better.

I just wish I didn’t do it for you.

Doby - A Free Elf

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than two years ago.)

27, August 2007

Doby - A Free Elf

Filed under: justaboutanything — cristyjones @ 5:30 am

The best part for me in J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter Book VII series is when Harry dug Doby’s grave - without the aid of magic. I don’t know why but tears just flowed as I continued to read that part… so much emotion there… J.K. Rowling simply outdid herself there.

15 years ago

(This blog appears in my Friendster blog, tabula rasa undone ... my not so explored passion, more than a year ago. It consists of questions that I answered 2 days before I turned 31.)

27, September 2008

15 years ago

Filed under: Uncategorized — cristyjones @ 4:39 am

27 September 2008

(I’ll be 31 years old the day after tomorrow. Yahoo!)

15 years ago, it was 1993. Take this survey, post the results, and see how many things have changed since then

1) How old were you?

THEN: 16

NOW: 30 (Well, I’ll turn 31 the day after tomorrow – can you believe that?)

2) Where did you go to school?

THEN: University of San Carlos

NOW: I’m an independent, tax-paying, working woman

3) Where did you work?

THEN: I did not work. I was so enjoying my role as a student.

NOW: at an international school in the Kingdom of Siam

4) Where did you live?

THEN: Cebu

NOW: The Kingdom of Siam

5) How was your hairstyle?

THEN: (one length) naturally straight black hair that was shoulder length

NOW: still a one-length hairstyle (well below my shoulders) that’s recently permed straight (re-bonded) and oh, I’m contemplating having it cut in a layered style with bangs – haha (as per advise by Christine Zara)

6) Did you wear braces?

THEN: no (though I thought they looked cool but upon knowing of a friend’s discomfort over her new braces, I chased the thought away)

NOW: no, never did

7) Did you wear contacts?

THEN: no

NOW: no (though I wore contacts about 5 – 6 years back but had problems due to astigmatism)

8 ) Did you wear glasses?

THEN: yes

NOW: yes – the world would be literally a blur without my glasses

9) Who was your best friend?

THEN: Ianne (Where are you now?)

NOW: my mom and my two sisters

10) Which of your pets were still alive?

THEN: I didn’t have pets then

NOW: I used to have – Ting, a lab – but he passed away 8 Sept this year (I miss you, Ting.)

11) Who was your boyfriend/girlfriend?

THEN: none

NOW: none still – haha!

12) Who was your celebrity crush?

THEN: Chad Lowe – haha! Yeah! After watching Nobody’s Perfect, I was hooked on him for quite some time

NOW: Mike Rowe – yes, the Dirty Jobs guy; Ami James of Miami Ink – he’s so hot and has a BIG heart; AND Anderson Cooper – imagine those eyes looking at no one but you – WOW - and I don't care if he's gay!

13) Who was your regular-person crush?

THEN: Jojo – haha!

NOW: secret! Haha! Basta he makes my day worthwhile WHEN I see him and see him smile

14) How many piercing did you have?

THEN: 2

NOW: 2

15) How many tattoos did you have?

THEN: none

NOW: none still – though I’m thinking of getting one, I just cannot decide yet. Maybe I’ll bust all my savings and have Ami James do the tattoo for me – hehehe.

16) Who was your favorite band/singer?

THEN: The Carpenters and Chicago – I broke two cassette tapes because I kept playing their songs

NOW: David Cook (?) Kenny G and Kenny Loggins

17) Had you smoked cigarettes?

THEN: yes – but just one puff and it was WITH consent from papa – just to get over my curiosity

NOW: not for many, many years, AMEN!

18) Had you gotten drunk?

THEN: no

NOW: not recently – haha! Honestly, I swore off drinking alcohol with friends for almost two years now though I buy 2 cans of beer every time I buy my groceries for the month but only to have something for the cramps I occasionally get during my period. And if the cramps don’t come, I consume the 2 cans on a Friday night, on separate Friday nights – alone

19) Had you DRIVEN?

THEN: sure! A motorcycle and a bicycle.

NOW: not since I moved to Thailand – I’m a happy passenger here and I’m enjoying it. Besides, i think I need a lot of time to get to used to right-hand drive vehicles. There were many times when I still get disoriented and ask myself, “Why is the driver on the wrong side of the road?” and then I remember, “Oh, it’s KEEP LEFT here. LEFT!” :-)

20) Looking back, are you where you thought you would be in 2008?

At sixteen years old, all I want to do is finish school, work, and live independently. Even at a young age, I was secretly harboring the dream of going to places thus I was so interested in reading and imagined the places described in whatever it was that I’m reading. Now, I finally get to realize it and what is more exciting is I’m doing things on my own, in a foreign country, doing my best to create my chances and make responsible choices. I’m immeasurably happy with what’s happening now and with what’s to come. So yes, I’m pretty much where I thought I would be: self-sufficient and happily single. Thank you, God! Ave Maria!

Allez!

* Take the same survey. Just copy and paste and change the answers. It’s pretty cool!

Judgment Day: Red March in Bangkok

School is cancelled tomorrow, 12 March 2010, in most (if not all) local and international schools in Bangkok and in neighbouring provinces as the Red Shirts hold their anti-government rally. The government has invoked the Internal Security Act (some sort of a martial law) in Bangkok and in other areas and promised to pin down hard those law offenders in tomorrow's and in the next days' demonstrations.

I hope the expected political unrest will not materialize as gov't instability has been hurting this beautiful country for quite a long time now. I hope that the government and the red shirts will be able to come up with an amicable settlement, one that lasts, for overthrowing the current government is sure bound to hurt Thailand and its people real bad.

Here are links to The Nation and Bangkok Post's coverage of the so-called Red March:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/