Life at War

 I had a great war week! We spend the whole week in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, my dear boyfriend's hometown. For seven days, we did a movie marathon of the "The Godfather", "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific". The Godfather is an American gangster-drama three series film based on a novel of Mario Puzo. It is a must see classic movie starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, etc. It is more of a family war and war for power type movie. All the actors portrayed their characters really good. They almost maintained the same actors from the first movie down to the third, so you won't get confused with the characters as they grow old. This is definitely one of my best classic movie I watched so far. 

"Band of Brothers", a HBO TV mini-series in 2001. A story of Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne division and their mission in World War II against the Germans. And lastly, "The Pacific", a HBO TV mini-series also, released only this March. A intertwined stories of 3 marines during American's battle with the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II. Both produced and directed by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. But between the two mini-series, I like the "Band of Brothers" most. The story is written more like a movie that each series are really related to each other since they are focusing to one group of company who somehow, some of them survived all throughout the war. The story is more inspiring  and touching because of their solid brotherhood and you can really got a chance to know each member of the company who has it's own different personality too. Unlike in "The Pacific", the whole mini-series focuses on the Pacific war and to three marines in separate combat actions only. But both experienced totally different kind of  enemy, war, and location. Where the "Band of Brothers" experience war in winter cold area in Europe while "The Pacific" in a rainy, muddy hot area in the Pacific. They also got different kind of leadership, strategies , weapons and training that make them a war heroes. 

But in between movie breaks I also got a chance to read Stieg Larsson Millennium trilogy's first book "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". A must read crime/mystery novel that you will surely read non-stop. Although the first part of the book is a bit boring because of  the detailed information but somehow related to the story. But I promise you, after the first chapter, you won't put down the book until you finished it. Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and writer which is best known from this Millennium Trilogy of crime novels. He was the second best-selling author in the world in 2008, behind Khaled Hosseini. By March 2010, his Millennium Trilogy had sold 27 million copies in more than 40 countries according to Wikipedia. But unfortunately, he died too soon, he didn't get the chance to witness the success of his novels. If you're into crime/mysteries novels, you better grab a copy of this one. Swedish film production company Yellow Bird actually made this trilogy into a movie already in 2009 and also been shown in Swedish television as a six-part miniseries. But because of the success of the film and the novels, Yellow Bird has partnered with Sony Pictures to produce an American adaptation of the trilogy, with Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander. The first film of the trilogy will be released in December 2011. I am reading the second book already, "The Girl Who Played with Fire", let's see if he can still maintain the mystery and the excitement  I am expecting.

It is been a war zone week, even typhoon "Juan" visited Solano and make our weekdays rainy, windy and cold. Each and everyone of us actually is like living a life at war. Some literally but some are something like it. Whether you're in Europe or in the Pacific, airborne or marines, the enemy or not, each of us struggle with our life and try to survive as much as we can. It is a big battlefield out there that we actually do not know if the enemies are hiding or just in front of you as you landed, if you got a reliable company that can watch your back or just on your own, or if you can make it or got hit just after you landed. Some may be lucky to have a great Captain, Major or leaders that can teach and guide us in life where in real life, they can be our parents or mentors. Or luckier to have our own Easy Company that we can call true friends, that can back us up and even kill enemies for us. Friends that we share almost the same war zone and almost same enemies. I can say, I am lucky I didn't get the chance to experience the actual war. But life at war, well, I am still on the battlefield, somehow strong and fighting. I got myself wounded too, a lot of times already, but wounds do heal and you can always learn from it and try not to get hit again. So when you  get old and be a veteran, you can tell to the world proudly,  "I AM A WAR SURVIVOR!"  

Bridal Shower

Weddings bells are coming, a bridal shower is a must! That's the trend nowadays. A bridal shower according to Wikipedia is a gift-giving party held for a bride-to-be in anticipation of her wedding. Usually the maid of honor or the bridesmaids (bride's best friends) or one or more close friends of the bride-to-be host and organized this kind of event. 

But when you hear the word "bridal shower", first thing that will come up in your mind is aside from the gift-giving are an exclusive girl party in a bar or an exclusive place with a hired hunk dancer wearing only a bikini brief or in a sexy costume. And he will do a sexy dance with the bride-to-be, letting her touch his body and let the bride-to-be dance as well. Just the thought of it seems exciting. Ha ha! But bridal shower are not only limited to these kind of party. There are actually different kinds of bridal shower ideas I heard, read and watched that seems promising too. But last night, I attended my boyfriend's cousin's fiance's bridal shower. And this is my first bridal shower I attended. It's not that I'm still young or something but it's just that I never got a chance to attend or ever got invited to a bridal shower before (actually I got an invitation once from a college friend but I didn't make it because I am out of town that time). And just right now, I feel so guilty! Because while I am thinking why I haven't got invited to this kind of party, I remembered that my best friend who got married like 4 years ago didn't had any bridal shower at all. Which is suppose to be my responsibility as a best friend and as a maid of honor! My God! I owe her a party, don't you think? Is it too late already? I can call it "Post Bridal Shower" right? after 4 years. I am crazy! Well, I think you can't blame me. Maybe the reason why I didn't came up with the bridal shower thing is because I don't agree with  the marriage, that's one. Second, the wedding is announced just few months before, we are all busy with the preparation and everything already. Third, maybe there will be another wedding with a more better husband. : ) I think I like the third reason most, so I can still make up to her. (Bitter?! yes I am! I just don't like him for her period).

Anyways, back with my first bridal shower whom I attended last night. So this party is hosted by my boyfriend's aunt and the groom's mother, organized by my boyfriend's sister. The bridal shower theme is "Book Bridal Shower". since groom's family and the bride-to-be love books. So each one of us who's invited are asked to bring a gift for the bride-to-be according to the theme. So from the theme title, you'll know that it is a wholesome party and guests are not at the same age as ours. You know what I mean. So, the venue is at the groom's mother house. Almost every women in the groom's family (it is not a big party actually, we are only around 15-20 persons) and the bride-to-be's mother are there to celebrate. I am actually the only girl there who is not an official part of the groom's family but still I am happy that they consider me already as part of their family. The party is just a simple one, a bit heavy merienda (snack) party with a lot of sharing and more talks and the gift-giving which is the main event. Mostly, they gave her recipe books in different dishes, one gave her a really nice reading lamp and a cute notebooks, but me, I gave her a "Lover's Encyclopedia". It is actually my boyfriend's idea since the bride-to-be is a bit conservative and a bit shy. But i guess she can use all the information. It is actually a good book. :) Anyways,  as I was saying. Aside from the book I gave, everything seems simple and wholesome but the meaning of this bridal shower party is deeper than what you think.

A good buy as gift for a bridal shower party.

Why? The thought that, the groom's family initiated the shower party is already a big thing. It is already a form of welcoming the bride-to-be in their family open arms. They can actually just say that they are happy she will be part of their family soon individually or something during the wedding or just say it personally after the engagement  party. But by inviting every girl in the family, makes it more interesting because the bride-to-be will get a chance to meet every women of her future husband and will get a chance to know them better before the wedding. Belongingness is important, especially if the group you want to be accepted are the family of the man you love. There are stories of marriages that they don't like their husbands family or vice versa. So a bride like her is lucky not only to be married to a person she truly loves but found a new family that can accept her as she is. I like a bridal shower with hunk dancer too you know, but if I get to choose between the two, I like the simple groom's family bridal shower better. But if I can get both, much better! haha! :) Maybe, other groom's family can get this idea and make their new found member of the family feel more welcome and comfortable, but only if they really want to. : )

"In every life's journey, you can never enjoy everything alone and you can never get through it alone too. You need family, friends and someone who will be there for you without questions an judgment. Share all the things you have. To make it more meaningful share with someone you trust and love." - kuwaderno

Time is a Gift

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.. 

These are the main meals that families usually seat altogether in the dining area to eat. For some, this is normal. For some, like me, it isn't. That every member of the family should be there, sitting, say grace, eat a delightful meal and talk. Like this one family I know. As much as possible, they want to eat altogether. When the food is ready, they call up each member of the family. Whatever they are doing, important or not. They should, they need to eat as a family. Most of the time, they are complete by dinner time especially if their parents are in town. Of course there are occasions that some of them may not be present because of other commitments but they make up to it. And you know the best part of it, they talk. Share stories, thoughts, jokes, learning, or whatever. They even can spend two to three hours talking, in their dining room. At first, it seems weird for me. For I grew up with the opposite family they have. My father won't allow that idea, talking with each other while eating. We can only talk when he asked something that we just answer back or if we have a visitor who talks during meal. I am not sure the real reason but, I think he just want to eat quietly or I think talking while eating is a disrespectful thing to do for the food for him. I really didn't get the real reason though. So when I became a regular guest with this family, my first reaction was, "How long is this going to be? My butt can't stand to seat any longer!". It is uncomfortable and I honestly don't know how to be in their conversation that long. But as time passes by, I finally appreciate the whole idea of it. This is right! All family should do this. And if one day, I got my own family, I want to remember and follow this. 

Why? It is the perfect time that you can get to talk to each member of the family and everyone can be part of the whole conversation. Like every member of the family even the young ones can participate and learn to whatever conversation the family are into. It is an interaction that bonds the family and at the same time enjoys a delectable meal together. And it is actually a form of togetherness, a sharing that gives importance to what a true family really are. I salute every parents who practice this. Your children may not know the real advantage and may not be vocal about it but deep in their heart, they know you have given them a special bonding time every meal, each day. So I guess, it is not bad to talk while eating right, just make sure your mouth is not full.

"Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of you life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your Time."- unknown

kuwaderno

Do you like writing? Not like writing books or stories professionally. Just writing. Writing what you feel at the moment, whether your happy, sad, angry, heart broken, in love, or when you just learned something new that you don't want to forget about it. Me, I love to write things. I have lots of notebook, like buying cute notebooks and pen too. I have different kinds of notebook in my closet. I have a notebook given by my best friend, where I write different text message quotes I love and would like to keep and share someday. I have a small notebook where I write things to do and things to remember. I have a notebook where I write recipes I like or would like to try. I have a "My Life Notebook" (given by my boyfriend) where I write what I feel, think or my dreams or whatever I want that I think are important in my life. I still have other notebooks actually but basically these are the most important ones. I am not a writer, this is actually my Waterloo but if someday I can improve my grammar and learn more words that can describe what I actually want to say in words, I maybe can write my own story in a book. So maybe, this can be the start of it. Anyway, do you like writing? I'm sure you do too. Because I do. In any form. In whatever reason, in whatever state, in any paper, in any kuwaderno. :)