Music Monday and Changing Lives Concert

Today's Monday entry: all about my love, Justin Timberlake. I'm sorry but I believe I still have hangover from the Changing Lives concert last Saturday. Yes, I gave in and decided to watch and I am so so so glad that I did! It was well worth it and I want more. ;)


Here is a video of one of Timbaland's and Justin Timberlake's song performance from the concert live at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds:



This song just never gets old for me. I can't believe I got teary-eyed when Justin went on stage. Seriously. I was flushed and I felt like I was going to melt down to the ground.

Next time he comes over, I will definitely make sure I'm more than a VIP. A VVVVVVVVIP if that's even possible.

Enjoy the video!

Which Broadband to choose?

*suggestions are needed!

My WiFi router here at home has been unusable for almost a month now, so my brother and I take turns in using the direct ethernet cable from his desktop to my laptop. So far, no conflict of schedule has occurred. He's in school mornings to afternoons and I try finishing work by then.
What I'm thinking of right now is that he will be on summer break in a month, meaning: he'll spend the entire day online in front of his computer with only a few hours of sleep. It's okay for me if only I have no work to do.

Now, I'm considering buying a broadband usb for me to use in case of emergency but I don't know which one I'll go for. I just need something to use to connect to the internet so I can check my mail, submit my work and probably do research (work related). I heard Smart Bro Broadband and Sun Broadband are pretty good networks to choose from. I am a loyal Globe subscriber for a decade now but their Globe Tattoo Broadband has been getting a lot (what I meant is mostly/all) of negative feedback from its subscribers, so I'm scratching it off my list. You know I love you, but sorry Globe! :(

Should I go for Smart?

Smart Bro 996 pesos

Or for Sun?

Sun Broadband 1895 pesos

They have similar "specs" like 10 pesos for every 30 minutes and speed of up to 2Mbps.

I want to hear from those who are using prepaid broadband.

Thanks in advance!

If it matters, I live in Mandaluyong. :)

Jerri's Bracelet Giveaway.

I think the first giveaway I have won in the blogging world is from Jerri, June of last year or last last year. It was cool because it was just in time for my birthday.

Today, I am participating in another one of Jerri's giveaway over on her blog Gems By Jerri. Check it out, join and you might win...but I'm hoping to get this one!

Goodluck to us! :)

Timbaland Manila Tour.

Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake & JoJo

To watch or not to watch? That is the question.

I like Timbaland's songs and collaborations.
I enjoy Jojo's songs.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.

But I am undecided whether or not I should go and watch these 3 perform. Jojo and JT are only "guest stars".

One great factor affecting my decision is my budget. I'm saving up for something for my birthday, I already set a monthly spending allowance and money-to-set-aside every payday. I don't think I can ruin my budget for a concert... but then it's Justin Timberlake and this may never happen again! :|

I am so TORN.

Tokio Hotel - World Behind My Wall

Oh my geez... Was I really gone for more than a week?!

So much for my new year's resolution of updating my blogs at least 3 times a week. Work has suddenly been too much for my eyes and brain to handle. I need to slow down a bit if I want my brain juice to work for the next day.

Anyway, I won't make any promises anymore BUT I will do my best to make you guys feel my presence. I have so much to share to all of you.

For now, I will leave you with this video from Tokio Hotel called World Behind My Wall. I have been singing this song for days now because aside from it having a real catchy tune, I can relate to the message of the song. I also provided the lyrics below. :)



Lyrics (c/o LyricsMania)

It's raining today
The blinds are shut
It's always the same
I tried all the games that they play
But they made me insane
Life on TV
It's random
It means nothing to me
I'm writing down
What I cannot see
Wanna wake up in a dream

Oh
They're telling me
It's beautiful
I believe them
But will I ever know
The World Behind My Wall
Oh
The sun will shine
Like never before
One day I will be
Ready to go
See the World Behind My Wall

Trains in the sky
Are travelling
Through fragments of time
They're taking me to parts
Of my mind
That no one can find

I'm ready to fall
I'm ready to crawl
On my knees to know it all
I'm ready to heal
I'm ready to feel

Oh
They're telling me
It's beautiful
I believe them
But will I ever know
The World Behind My Wall
Oh
The sun will shine
Like never before
One day I will be
Ready to go
See the World Behind My Wall
See the World Behind My Wall
See the World Behind My Wall

See the World Behind My Wall

I'm ready to fall
I'm ready to crawl
On my knees to know it all
I'm ready to heal
I'm ready to feel

Take me there! (oh) [x3]

Oh
They're telling me
It's beautiful
I believe them
But will I ever know
The World Behind My Wall

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. :)