The Ego Episodes

Wednesday, Oct. 06, 2004

101

What keeps you going? For me, it's like this. I plan to make a book out of my entries. Not a book that will get published (far from happening) and available to the public. No. The book that will spawn from these entries will be a keepsake, a collection of stories that has entertained me and will go on entertaining me many years from now. I'm looking forward to the day I look at my former self and how that former self reacted to various life experiences. Call this a lighter version of my personal paper journal. Though I don't update often, this is what keeps me writing.

I have not succumbed to the lure of blogging because I prefer individual journal entries for my book. Blogging just asks for more discontinuities than what's good for my book. As of this moment, I should have more than a hundred pages already. How do I know that? Because I've just passed the 100th entry mark! Yay, me! That's right. This is the 101st entry for Ego Episodes. In tv shows they make the 100th episode extra special. In Ego Episodes, I'll just make it um, more meaty.

First, a shout-out to my best girl Jul for having graduated. Yay, Jul! I am sooo happy for her. She's moving on to yet another chapter in life and I hope she gets to do more of what she wants rather than follow a system. And I would love it if she comes here. She could work here, where it's more rewarding, financially, at least. We could share a flat, shop, watch concerts and many other things. Sigh. If only...

So, now, how do you like my new layout? The flower at the side makes it girly and I love it because it's preeetty. It's a sakura or cherry blossom, where in Japan, people flock to see it bloom every April. Hmm, April. It would be nice to take my mother there for her birthday. Someday ...

The thought just occurred to me: I have to update my cast page for so many reasons.

Now on to the events since I last updated.

Last Tuesday (September 28), Donny took me to the Lantern Festival at Chinese Garden. We came on the actual day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a festival that makes you want to be a kid. I was more excited seeing families with their kids parading their lit lanterns than at the huge lantern displays representing historical characters like those of Disney.

Following my suggestion, we went inside the pagoda because I've never been in one. The climb was challenging. The spiral staircase just didn't want to end. When it did, we got to see one side of the garden. I fell in love with the lights. It reminded me of my fantasy of getting married like King Arthur and Guinevere in "Camelot", at night with hundreds of candles lighting their way.

We took lots of pictures: in front of huge lantern versions of Aladin, Finding Nemo, Giant Pandas, Bugs in A Bug's Life, Winnie the Poo and friends, Beauty and the Beast, Giant Cards in Alice in Wonderland, Mickey Mouse and peach trees.

we walked some more and found a stall selling dragon beard candy. Donny loves this stuff so he made me try it at the lantern festival at school. I love it. Not just for its taste but the candy simply fascinates me (who knew?). It looks as if it was wrapped in white thread. At first, I hesitated picking it up because they totally look like silkworm cocoon and I didn't want to destroy the delicate wrapping.

Donny asked the auntie at the stall to make one on the spot and she readily obliged. Yes, he has that charm, hehe. She kneaded a lump of malt sugar covered with flour, formed it into a hoop, submerged it in a container of flour and from that hoop, she pulled and twisted the malt sugar to form more hoops (like tying your hair with a rubber band). This stretched the malt sugar until they were thread-like thin. The flour kept the strands from sticking together so it's like a bunch of white strings. It was cut into short pieces to wrap the crushed peanut mixture. Final product: sweet silkworm-looking candy. Fascinating, isn't it? And yum!

Upon writing this, I forgot the time and momentarily forgot that I have a class at 11:30 am. This realization came about when I was in the toilet and ran back to my room to check the time. Whew. It's still 10:30 am. Okay, moving on ...

I can't find any picture of the candy so this is the closest one I got. It shows the pulled strands of sugar.

Okay, I'm done with the candy. I enjoyed myself at the festival and would love to come back next year. I read somewhere about the importance of not forgetting the child in you. Was it in Under the Tuscan Sun? I think so. Anyway, this festival lets you remember the innocent in you.

Last Monday (October 4), we watched The Motorcycle Diaries. I had a class that ended late so we were practically running to get to the cinema on time. We were 15 minutes late and I already prepared myself for the sadness that is missing at least 5 minutes of the movie. But when we went in, it hasn't started yet! I love you Visa Mini commercial!

I overlooked the fact that The Guy Who Is Not Diego Luna is starring in this movie. I remember him as the one starring opposite Diego Luna in Y Tu Mama Tambien. But in this film, you forget his association with Diego Luna. He's just Gael Garcia Bernal. Someone who looks like Keannu Reeves in some angles.

Anyway, I enjoyed this movie. It's both sad and funny, but mostly sad. It makes you think about the problems in this world and how petty your problems are compared to the world. Okay, for some people, that's not good, but for me, I like that. I'm tired of thinking my own problems and making them bigger than they should be. And, I finally know who is Che Guevarra. I mean, at least I don't see him as That Guy In The Shirt I Feel Like Owning anymore. Okay, without saying much, go and watch this movie.

So how am I? Happy and not yet overstressed. I only have half an assignment to finish and then I can prepare for exams. I'm still doing my final year project when everyone else has stopped. That is the source of stress. But still, happy. And how are you?

{ joycie at 10:55 a.m.}