Music Monday: Somebody to Love

This is a post-Valentine song for myself:

Somebody to Love - Leighton Meester / Robin Thicke

Paris, France to Michigan
London town and through Berlin
I cant believe this place Im in
Everywhere and back again
Porcelain and China dolls
Give me one and Ive seen them all
Got my back against the wall
Wonder where Ill be tomorrow?

But wait, now how long could this take?
Its hard to find a man,
When youre gone before he wakes.
They say its hard to achieve
But cant a girl believe?

(Chorus)
Is there somebody who still believes in love?
I know youre out there
Theres got to be somebody
I search around the world
But I cant seem to find
Somebody to love

(Robin Thicke)
Baby girl, there you at
Looking at me like a putty cat
Wondering where that thing is at
Wondering where your ring is at
Nobody ever did it quite like this
Nobody ever did it quite like you
Do your hair, I bought you shoes
We can hit the town like superstars do
You fall in love? Then let me show you love
Give me the key to your heart
I can give you what you want
When youre waiting for love
And youre lookin for someone
Imma turn this gossip girl into a woman

[Chorus x2]
Is there somebody who still believes in love?
I know youre out there
Theres got to be somebody
I search around the world
But I cant seem to find
Somebody to love

Je t'adore, Je t'adore
Make a move, do the thing
Turn around, strike a pose
Je t'adore, Je t'adore
Make a move, do the thing
Turn around, strike a pose
Ooh, I like it
Ooh, I need it
Ooh, I want it
Hey Hey

I know its hard to achieve
But cant a girl believe?

[Chorus x2]
Is there somebody who still believes in love?
I know youre out there
Theres got to be somebody
I search around the world
But I cant seem to find
Somebody to love

Roger Federer is Australian Open's CHAMPION... again!

After losing his winning streak to Rafael Nadal in last year's Australian Open, World Number 1 and my personal number 1 favorite, Roger Federer got back his AO title winning against Andy Murray in 3 straight sets. Not that Murray didn't give him a good a match especially during the last set where they played 13-11 tie break. It was an intense match but I had no doubt Roger will win it!

World Number 1. Roger Federer giving his Australian Open Championship Trophy a kiss on the cheek. :)

I am so happy I am just satisfying myself by thinking I am the trophy that Roger is kissing. :P

Sorry for not updating my blog about the tournament. This is a first but I was always updating via my twitter. If you are not following me yet, follow me at: HTTP://WWW.TWITTER.COM/MaraDeGuzman :) for more updates about my interesting day to day life, quotations, random things, and other updates.

2010 Movies.

What is with new year that most people enjoy making different kinds of lists for the year that was and the year that will be? Blessings received, resolutions, things to do, things to accomplish, etc. I won't judge because I like making lists myself. I even enjoy making lists for things to do in a day to day basis. I'm crazy.

So anyway, this post is dedicated to all movie buffs out there who are making lists of movies to look forward to for this year. Here's my very own list and please feel free to leave a comment in case I forgot any:

1. Sex and the City 2: May 2010 showing. I cannot wait! I even set a date already with my sis right after I read online about the worldwide screening date! ;)

2. Iron Man 2: May 2010 showing--am I right? I have seen the trailer on YouTube and it looks good!

3. Shutter Island: February 2010 showing. This one looks like my kind of movie, something that will keep me guessing, thinking about the twist. I like!

4. Alice in Wonderland: March 2010 showing. Johnny Depp is an exceptional actor and one of my favorites! I won't miss this one.

5. Twilight Saga Eclipse: June 2010 showing. I am not sure why I am looking forward to this one except for wanting to see Edward. What I'm sure about is that there will be a sea of people watching and cheering for Team Jacob or Team Edward and I'm sure it will disappoint me.

6. Legion: January 2010 showing. Other than psych thriller/mystery, I'm also into end-of-the-world kind of movies and I've seen the trailer of this one and it looks promising.

7. Valentine's Day: February 2010 showing. An all-star cast, a funny trailer and a date-less valentine's day would surely make me watch this one! Haha! Seriously.

8. Killers: June 2010 showing. I'm going for being a chic this year and watch chick-flick more often and so far, Katherine Heigl's movies are all fairly good except this particular movie is not as cheeky as the previous ones.

9. The A-Team: June 2010 showing. After The Hangover, I developed a huge crush on Bradley Cooper (but I didn't like All About Steve considering the I love Sandra Bullock). Hopefully this one won't disappoint me.

10. Knight and Day: July 2010 showing. I have always been a Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise fan so I'll give this one a go.

11. Life As We Know It: December 2010 release date but since it's December I think it's either gonna be shown here earlier or later to give way to Metro Manila Filmfest. Anyway, this is another Katherine Heigl movie with Josh Duhamel. :)

So, any more movies I forgot? How about you? What are the movies you look forward to this year? :)

Oh, my movie agenda this week include:

1. Alvin and the Chipmunks
2. Sherlock Holmes

Hooray!

images from: Google Images

Happy Birthday Mommy!

A very, very, very happy birthday to my mother dearest!! Today, she turns 46. Hooray!

Please don't tell me she looks young, etc. etc. I have heard all of that before! Haha!

I miss you Mommy!!! Hopefully you'll be back home on my 23rd birthday or for Christmas 2010. Please! And don't forget my pasalubongs (yes, with an S, it's plural), just take your pick from my list. Hehe! I love you! Have a mega fun day today there with Dan, Hannah and Dad. :)

My Mom a year or two ago.

Mommy's birthday cake from my niece and nephew. Her grandchildren from my cousin, her niece. :)

Wanted: Katrina Grace Lozano

Dinner at Dencio's Metrowalk

L-R: Ferron, Mimo, JM, Me, Zano, Abs and Apol

Our last (and first for 2010) dinner with our LA-based friend, Zano (in white). Can't wait for her holiday this year! :) Too bad we weren't able to push through with our Tagaytay plan and all other plans for her 2009 vacation. Hopefully, 2010 will be a much fun one for all of us. We miss you Zanotot! We didn't get to see each other before your flight back there and you didn't say bye to Apol. Haha! Don't forget Mommy's "package". Love u!! Thanks for all the meal treat! Btw, I will post pics of my shoes soon!

I hope Jesa gets to read this, hello, we miss you too!!!

Top 10 Blogs & Websites That Rocked my 2009: Happy 2010!!

Please don't tell me I'm late cos I know and I'm sorry... again! The last 2 months of 2009 has been a lot busier for me what with my job and all. The last 2 months practically made up for my depression during the first 10 months but let's not dwell on that anymore because this is the second day of the new year, the year 2010!

I'm telling you, so far it has been a great start of the year for me not to mention the chipped tooth I got last Christmas and a stye on New Year's Eve. Yikes. But anyway back to my happy day: I received my paycheck earlier than usual, I won a free meal in one of my most favorite places to eat, I did my first step in trying out "new things" (you know, the ones I haven't tried before but wouldn't harm me if I do), and I have a really good feeling 2010 will rock for me!

Since we're in the line of rocking, I would like to post THE TOP 10 BLOGS/WEBSITES THAT ROCKED MY 2009. Uh-huh, uh-huh! The list will include the blogs that I enjoyed reading, commenting on, lurked around, and basically made friends with the blog owners themselves and the websites that are always open on my tabs up until the 31st of December year 2009.

I hope you enjoy my list and thank you for keeping me and the rest of the online world happy and entertained! :)

THE TOP 10 BLOGS & WEBSITES THAT ROCKED MY 2009:

1. Home Buddies

The blogger, Fedhz, has been my friend for about a year now more or less if I'm not mistaken. Her blog contents are pretty much like mine: random. But her randoms are more on the Mommy, housekeeper, blogger, multi-tasker side while my randoms are... well too random. Fedhz' entries which talks about her real life are inspiring!

2. Conversations with Moms

This blog introduced me to the world of motherhood. Mommy Maria talks about her kids in a way that makes me dream about being a Mom myself and I want a son as smart as Jeffrey too. Her kids are so adorable! Conversations with Moms are not just about being a Mommy, there's also a bit of a humor here and there, some frustrations with day to day life, etc. Believe me, I am nowhere near being a Mom but visiting and reading Mommy Maria's blog got my interest.

3. Facebook

After 2 blog sites I am including a social networking site on the list. What? Facebook completes me! Haha! I'm kidding...not! Well, you know what I mean if you're "hooked" with it like I am. I can't go on a day without checking my Facebook account except when I'm out of town or out for the day which I still find the time to check using my BlackBerry at least once. There's just something addicting about getting updates from your friends which most of them you don't get to see as often or those who are already abroad and with families. Facebook connects people. :) (I believe that tagline is from Nokia--connecting people.)

4. Mariuca

Mariuca has several other blogs but this particular blog I like more because it's much more random and I like visiting blogs which makes talking about random things their niche. Does that even make sense? Mariuca gets a lot of visitors and commenters everyday but she finds time to reply and visit you back which is pretty nice of her.

5. Twitter

I created an account just late August and I think I'm near a thousand tweets already as we speak. I'm not that much of an addict though cos I also feed my 2 blogs there and from August until November I have been posting almost everyday plus for the past months I've only been using my BlackBerry via UberTwitter to tweet. But yes, it is addicting. Hi, I'm Mara and I'm a #TWADDICT. (See?)

6. Basically Becky

The first time I happen to stumble upon Becky's blog I read through almost all her entries and read her story and I was deeply moved that I actually sent her an e-mail. Her story is really something but when you visit her blog you can feel and almost see her positivity and happy outlook in life. She talks about personal things, random musings, etc. She's a really good person.

7. Blogger

Hello! Like I would exclude my blog platform which helped me earn a little something something throughout 2009! You rock, Blogger!

8. Pregnant with Cancer

Sandy, the blog owner, talks about her life in remission from cancer. I only discovered her blog sometime last year and by then she was already talking about her remission and her miracle baby. Like Becky, Sandy's blog has something to share, there are lessons we could learn and realizations to discover.

9. Travelin' thru Life with Marie

Even though it was not until mid 2009 that I first visited Travelin' it was always an enjoyable read when I'm on her blog. Just recently she held a contest and I sponsored. I planned on participating too but after I sent my pledged prizes I became too busy to go about all the blogs, the instructions, etc. Her blog is friendly and so is she. :)

10. My Thoughts, My Heart, My Turf

With several blog awards that I received last year, Ate Bambie rocked the last quarter of 2009 for me with all the awards she has shared. She's friendly, sweet and although she updates her blog once in a while or with daily quick posts, you'll see she really has ideas and opinions that she wants to share with everyone.

I'm about to go for Top 20 cos there's still several other blogs and websites I have in mind but my stye is like throbbing already and I should probably get some eye-shut. I will continue with the list...........

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! MAY THIS YEAR ROCK FOR ALL OF US!

XOXO,

MARA

Movie: I Love You, Goodbye.

Christmas day here in the Philippines also means that Metro Manila Film Festival is on and that only Filipino movies (particularly those who are entries of MMFF) are being shown in the theaters for about 2 weeks.

I don't look forward to the MMFF except when Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo had their movies but I do watch at least one movie during the course of the festival. I cannot believe Shake, Rattle and Roll is still alive and that I always watch it. :| Moving on, the only promising movies for me in this year's MMFF d Mano Po 6 and I Love You, Goodbye.

Mano Po 6 because there's Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, etc. and previous Mano Po's have proven their award-winning "skills" but even though I think it'll be this year's Numero Uno in the box-office I don't think I will watch it in the theaters. No. Come on, how many Mano Po's are there? 100?!

And then there's Star Cinema's entry: I Love You, Goodbye and the great story and wonderful actors (except for Kim Chiu). I watched it yesterday with my BFF at Shangri-La. Uhm, yeah... my BFF made fun of me the entire time because 1. my BFF is a dude 2. hence, he does not watch Filipino movies especially MMFF entries and 3. he had no idea that ILYG is a Tagalog movie when I told him the day before that we should watch it, he was surprised when he asked me 4 hours before the screening time and I told him YES. So he had no choice but to watch it with me. :)

I think the movie was good however, there were some scenes and dialogues that are... bad. Not bad that it's gross or anything in that category but bad that's could have been better, bad because I don't like Kim Chiu's portrayal, her voice and the way she talks and oh, Gabby Concepcion's acting is seriously not my type. You guys better watch it and let me know what you think about the movie and the actors.

Overall, I Love You, Goodbye is a good watch because of the story and because of Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsey. :)

Merry Christmas!!

I am a day late but it does not mean that my greeting everybody a happy holidays just now is less sincere. I know I have been MIA for almost 2 weeks and I definitely am sure that I missed a lot of happenings with my friends' blogs. That part makes me sad but... well, they know I'm with them in spirit and I am always thinking of YOU. It might sound crazy but I do think of the blogs that I used to visit and read everyday but I don't get to for the past days and imagine that I am actually reading them. That's how much I miss all of you! I have a lot of stories to share and I'd really start typing them now for scheduled postings before the holiday ends and I'm back to my busy busy schedule (not that I have a lot of free time on my hands even on holidays).

Anyway, I would just like to greet everyone a very happy christmas! I hope you all enjoyed this day with your family and loved ones and don't forget to hug them, thank them and say I love you to them. :) Time is fleeting!

I wish my Dad is still alive and my Mom is here with us in the Philippines but they're not so I just tell them "I love you" when I pray (my Dad) and on Facebook and IM messages (my Mom). I miss them both so much!

Catch you guys later!

P.S.

Have you read my entry below? I want my love story too. Read and comment!

I want my love story too.

Hi guys! How have you all been? I have been twice as preoccupied and thrice as exhausted these past days and haven't had the energy to go around and drop by my favorite blogs. I miss all of you!

Today, I am just dropping by to share with you something that I have found a few minutes earlier. Yes, I have read about this a few minutes ago and I cannot wait to share this with you. I fell in love with them and their story that I seriously got tears in my eyes and I feel like crying right now.

I am currently doing some daily tasks and one of it include searching for certain photos that can be included in a website. As I was searching, I stumbled about a photo with a title "This is heaven". Unfortunately, I cannot seem to save the image but you can check it out by clicking HERE. I fell in love with their photos and checked out their blog and discovered that they have actually been featured in one of the top local newspaper here in the Philippines, Philippine Daily Inquirer. This is a must-read article for those in love, wants to fall in love, already lost hope in falling in love, etc. etc. Ironic that while I was reading the article, my iTunes played "Is It You" by Cassie. Now I really feel like crying.

Check out the article about Aaron and Rosie HERE.

Check out their blog HERE.

And listen and watch Is It You below:

I'm looking for a lover not a friend
Somebody who can be there
When I need someone to talk to
I'm looking for someone who won't pretend
Somebody not afraid to say the way they feel about you

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,
Someone who can keep me real and who knows always
Baby I like to have you in my way
And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,
Wants to share, shows he cares
Thinking on the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me? (Could you be?)
Could you be the one I need?

I'm looking for someone
To share my pain (Uh)
Someone who I can run to,
Who would stay with me when it rains
Someone who I can cry with trough the night
Someone who I can trust who's hardest right
And I'm looking for someone

And I'm looking for someone who understands how I feel,
Someone who can keep me real and who knows always
Baby I like to have you in my way
And I'm looking for someone who takes me there,
Want to share, shows he cares
Thinking on the one that I've been waiting for

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be this one I need?

Take for grant
How much I care (How much I care)
And appreciates that I'm there
Someone who listens
And someone I can call
Who isn't afraid of thought to share

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

Is it you? is it you?
Maybe you're the one I've been waiting for
Could you be the one for me?
Could you be the one I need?

What do you think of having 2 jobs?

So, okay I have not really been active at all during the past week and I terribly missed blogging! For real! It's like I have this list of new topics to write but then again at the end of the day I already feel too tired and too exhausted to work my brain out. It's not a writer's block but it's a little similar to that.

I am not sure if I have already shared with you that I landed a home-based job last November. It takes most hours of my day doing my tasks that I already feel drained during the night. It's already feels like a real job to me because I get paid monthly with a reasonable enough salary for 8 hours of work every weekday except that I can accomplish those tasks at the comfort of my own home or wherever I please. I enjoy doing this and I feel a whole lot comfortable than going through the hassle of everyday traffic, meal expenses, etc. but there's just one thing... I cannot exactly count it as employment and I have specific goals to attain within next year. That is why I decided to go out and apply for a second job... and I got hired!

Now, I feel like I am going to be completely drained out to be able to handle all my online activities but I will do my best to figure things out. I will go back to advertising my blogs again probably on January of 2010. Can you guys believe it's already 2010 in a few weeks time? I can't. It feels like 2009 just passed me by. Sure I have had lots of fun activities during the summer but in general, I cannot think of any significant thing that happened to me except that I got a job last November, I get to hang out with friends and that I got hired for a second job this month. But I guess this is a rather good way to end 2009 and welcome 2010, don't you think? I am set to having a real "work experience" to put into my CV other than my 2 student training (practicum/OJT) by next year. My friends think I would not last a year. One even gave me 2 months before I quit and the other one said 3 months but is hoping for a year. Okay, I'm motivated. I will go for at least 6 months. ;) That is when the one I am really expecting for next year won't happen earlier or else I would leave the second job in less than 6 months ( just the second job).

I am expecting things to go the way I want and will do what I have to achieve those things. Thanks to friends of mine who helped me get my shiz straight. :D

Two jobs! Whatcha think?

25 Days of Christmas Holiday Contest by Travelin' With Marie.

Technically, there are only 18 days left before Christmas and this post is a week overdue. Sorry about that. Everyone has still a lot of time left to join though. I am a sponsor in this contest and yes, I am joining too. :) Oh please, indulge me. You guys know how I feel about contests and prizes what with the several times I have won in the past weeks and months. I'm feeling lucky!

And because this the season for sharing, I am sharing this contest and all the prizes that await every participants. Check out the banner (for the complete list of details) and all the prizes from the different sponsors of Travelin' With Marie:

Prizes and Sponsors.

1st Prize:
$5 Paypal funds- Crayons n' Pencils
5000 EC credits - Wonderful Things in Life
4000 EC credits - Simple Happy Life
2000 EC credits - Blog Fusion
2000 EC credits - Life's Journey
2000 EC credits - My Crafts Stores Online
2000 EC credits - Blog de Manila
2000 EC credits - Mara's Personal Bubble
2000 EC credits - Mommy's Little Corner
2000 EC credits - A Woman Remembers
2000 EC credits - My Life's Adventure
1000 EC credits - Meow Diaries
1000 EC credits - Take a Coffee Break
1-month 125x125 ad - Azumi ★
1-month 125x125 ad - Life Expressions
1-month 125x125 ad - A Momma's Journal
1-month 125x125 ad - Walking Newspaper
1-month 125x125 ad - Pinoy Medical Doctor
1-month 125x125 ad - World Travel and Vacation
1-month 125x125 ad - Pinay Mom
1-month 125x125 ad - Travelin' With Marie
1-month 125x125 ad - My Journey to Life
1-month 125x125 ad - Home Buddies
1-month 125x125 ad - isherrygo
1-month 125x125 ad - My Mom's Best
1-month 125x125 ad - iLUVcontest
1-month 125x125 ad - Sherry Rambling
1-month 125x125 ad - Bloguardian Hellsite: OVERCASHED

2nd Prize:
$5 Paypal funds - Cotton Candy Buzz
5000 EC credits - Nessa's Mumblings
3000 EC credits - The Fountain of Happiness
2000 EC credits - Momgen Craft Corner
2000 EC credits - Kaya Mo, Pinoy!
2000 EC credits - The Mommy Journey
2000 EC credits - A Simple Life
2000 EC credits - Random WAHM Thoughts
2000 EC credits - Bloguardian Hellsite: OVERCASHED
2000 EC credits - Milestones
1000 EC credits - Mara's Appetite
1000 EC credits - This is My Blog
1000 EC credits - Wishing on a Falling Star
1-month 125x125 ad - Couple's Love Book
1-month 125x125 ad - Garden of Moments
1-month 125x125 ad - Latest Buzzzz
1-month 125x125 ad - Walking Newspaper
1-month 125x125 ad - Leilanie's 101 in 1001 Challenge
1-month 125x125 ad - Blog de Manila
1-month 125x125 ad - Fab Momma
1-month 125x125 ad - Yashiro
1-month 125x125 ad - Happy Thoughts Happy Tot
1-month 125x125 ad - Mine all Mine
1-month 125x125 ad - Lurvevertyhing
1-month 125x125 ad - Shopping
1-month 125x125 ad - Hotels For All
1-month 125x125 ad - Another Contest

3rd Prize:
$3 Paypal funds - Mara's Appetite
5000 EC credits - Yashiro
3000 EC credits - The Wonder Mom
2000 EC credits - Moms...Check Nyo
2000 EC credits - The Joy of Life Forever
2000 EC credits - Rewards Station
2000 EC credits - Worth's Road
1500 EC credits - Pinay Mom
1000 EC credits - Philippine USANA
1000 EC credits - Mariuca's Perfume Gallery
1000 EC credits - Yummy as Can Be
1000 EC credits - Life's Sweets and Spices
500 EC credits - Elai's Haven
1-month 125x125 ad - A Shopaholic Diary
1-month 125x125 ad - Pinay in States
1-month 125x125 ad - Pinoy Medical Doctor
1-month 125x125 ad - The Latest Buzzzz
1-month 125x125 ad - Travelin' With Marie
1-month 125x125 ad - Kaya Mo, Pinoy!
1-month 125x125 ad - Philippine USANA
1-month 125x125 ad - Handy Reviews
1-month 125x125 ad - Online Scoop
1-month 125x125 ad - ibloagholic
1-month 125x125 ad - nameSherry
1-month 125x125 ad - heartrandom
1-month 125x125 ad - Sherry Contest
1-month 125x125 ad - A Woman Remembers

Special Prizes:
10 various postcards from United States - Travelin' With Marie
1 pair of earrings (Worldwide shipping) - Momgen's Corner
4 sets of mixed handmade cards - DarlingRose Paper Goods
$10 gift certificate to Etsy shop- DaisyBookworm

We'll be waiting for all you blogging friends to join, yes?

See you!!

Top Droppers for November.

No matter how busy I am I would make time to thank everyone who are continuously dropping by my blog. I think last month was the busiest month I have had for the longest time. I felt so exhausted and helplessly drained out every day that I cannot find the strength anymore to go on and proceed to my usual blog activities after I finished my daily assignments. I am doing my best to juggle things around. Give me a month or two and I can handle my 2 blogs, blog hopping, adgitize-ing and finishing mu daily assignments all with my eyes closed. ;)

For now, I will be joining and sponsoring several blog contests (I'll keep you posted about those in the coming days) and of course, since today is the first of December it is time again for Top Droppers appreciation!

Dropper	# of drops
Cooking Japanese Style	30
The One Minute Guide	30
Humor	28
My Poem	27
Cornymans Money-Blog, everything about financial independence	27
All about Babies and Kids	27
Best travel pictures in the world	26
Health Body	24
Tyson Chaney's Life 2000	20
Cornymans Blogreviews	20

Wow, Martin has taken over my Top Droppers list. Thanks Martin and thank you to the rest of my top droppers and those who are not on the list but drop still.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

I hope to see you all this month. Don't forget to hit me comments every now and then and check back for my replies. I always try to reply to your comments.