2021's Eve
My usual last day of the year activity is to buy food and fruits for our media noche. What is unusual is that we always have food from Emerald Garden Restaurant; but now, our food would be from The Aristocrat Restaurant instead as the former has closed shop due to the pandemic. Sad...😞
At around 9AM, left the condo. Would have left earlier as The Landmark Supermarket is open at 8:30AM. It was the first time I have to queue in order to get inside the supermarket. I would just be buying my usual Thursday purchases for my Friday bread and water fasting.
It is also here where I bought two round Goldilocks cake and have "Happy 2021!" written on them. One for me and one for Edgar.
Since it is still not 10AM (opening of the malls and department stores), Edgar and I walked to SM Makati's supermarket to buy the basket of fruits. Edgar would be carrying two baskets--one for me and the other for my niece's mother.
I, then, proceeded to Baskin-Robbins to buy a half-gallon of World Class Chocolate. It is on 31% discount. Edgar would be waiting while the pack is being prepared while I would be searching for the items I plan to buy: calendar for the office and trumpet that you would not blow through your mouth (to stop the spread of #coronavirus ).
Was not able to find both. Checked True Value, Toy Kingdom, National Bookstore, The Landmark's toy section, Office Warehouse. So, asked Edgar if he can buy one for me at Libertad. He can also buy one, too for his son, Luis. We will use it to welcome the new year. There is this Chinese belief that noise wards of bad spirits, bad luck.
Dropped my purchases at the condo (due to the ice cream) before proceeding to "The Aristocrat Restaurant".
At 5PM, joined the online Mass.
Would have eaten at 12 midnight but that would be Friday already. So, my niece and I had a late dinner instead. Watched Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (a.k.a. Goblin) in Netflix while waiting for the year to crossover.
Wanted the dinner table to be full of food, preferably round, with the belief that we would not want for the coming year, and all my pockets would have money in them (belief that "may madudukot kapag mangangailangan") when the year changes.
A happy and blessed 2021 to all of us!!!
Death To 2020
Watched Netflix's Death To 2020, a comedy documentary showing fictional events presented as a documentary. Although, this mockumentary actually included real events such as the Australian fires, global warming, COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement and the U.S. election.
Although some opinions/ statements may sound absurd, there is a sense of truth in them that will make you grin.
The Master's Sun
Finished the Korean drama recommended by my niece. And thank you that she did!
The Master's Sun is a horror, romantic, comedy Korean drama about Joo Joong-Won, the CEO of Kingdom, and Tae Gong-shil, girl who can see ghosts. When they met on a rainy day, Gong-shil discovers that when she touches Joong-Won, the ghosts surrounding her disappears. With much pleading, Gong-shil persuades Joong-Won to allow her to be near him, in return, she will try to recover the fortune stolen from their family due to his kidnapping. Luv this! I can actually watch this Korean drama repeatedly. 👍
Fan Girl and The Boy Foretold By The Stars
My niece bought tickets for two movies included in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2020.
Our first film is Fan Girl. An obsessed high school fan girl hides in the back of her celebrity idol Paulo Avelino's pick-up truck and finds herself in an unfamiliar house in an unfamiliar place and for her to have her rose-colored glasses about her idol yanked from her. This movie won the best picture, best director, best actor and best actress of the MMFF. It also garnered international recognition.
Our second film is The Boy Foretold By The Stars. It is a romantic comedy film about two senior high school boys who finds each other, thanks to a prediction by a fortune teller and an optional school retreat. #like 👍 This film is the second best picture of the film festival.
Frankly, I prefer "The Boy Foretold By The Stars" over "Fan Girl". Me thinks, the judges were influenced by the latter's getting international recognition.
Alice in Borderland
Decided to finish my other Netflix series, Voice 2. The lead actor here happens to be in Sweet Home, too! Hehehe!
I have already watched the "Voice 2", it is just, sometimes, I liked watching them again.
Our next Netflix series is Alice in Borderland. My other niece learned that there is already a Season 2 for this series and she doesn't want to watch the first season now. She likes binge watching continuously all season/s of the series.
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| From Netflix Korea |
"Alice in Borderland" is a Japanese science fiction thriller based on the manga of the same name. Arisu with his bestfriends Chota and Karube, finds themselves in an abandoned Tokyo. As they try to searche for civilization, they find themselves trapped in the city and forced to participate in dangerous games to survive. Friendship. Betrayal. Intellect. Will to survive. All intertwined making this series "click". #ThumbsUp 👍 Cannot wait for Season 2. But what I am sure, will watch Season 1 again once Season 2 is available.
Sweet Home, The Missing and The Good Detective
Since we slept late, would wait for my nieces to wake up before we continue the Sweet Home series.
So, attended the 7AM live online Christmas Mass. When the Mass is about to finish, there was an earthquake! The movement is enough for my nieces to wake up. It felt like the movement lasted minutes. Oddly, it seems the earthquake was not being felt by the priest celebrating the Mass. Thank You, Lord, no one was hurt. 🙏 The epicenter of the earthquake is Batangas. A few minutes later, there is another earthquake; but, in Mindanao.
Back to our binge watching.
Sweet Home is a South Korean television series based on a webtoon of the same name. With the death of his family, loner Cha Hyun-soo moves to a new apartment. Then, strange incidents started to happen in his building as people become monsters in the form of their hidden desire. Like! 👍 Hoping there is a Season 2.
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| From Netflix Korea |
After we completed the series, my other niece left to be "Santa Claus".
Since what we usually do during Christmas Day, we go to the mall with my "angels" and I treat them for lunch, dinner and the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) movies. Since this is not possible with the #COVID19 pandemic, decided to watch at least one MMFF movie. Bought a ticket for the only horror movie entry of the festival, The Missing.
I have yet to be scared by a Filipino-made horror film. In short, it is not scary. It also has it flaws. Irish was offered to do a restoration job in Japan. A scene shows Irish starting to call using her mobile phone then it was cut showing scenes already in Japan. Len, inspite of having an amulet bracelet to ward-off bad spirits, was able to see them in one scene. I would understand if she saw them after her bracelet broke. Then, one of the ghosts was able to get her; but, Irish was able to find her (Len) unconscious--which is not what happened to one of the workers of the house. Irish's ex-boyfriend, Job, said he did not know about the sacrifice, why is he still hiring people to do the restoration after what happened to Irish (with a grin on his face)? I still prefer Jodi Sta. Maria's Filipino horror film "Clarita".
Decided to finish the other series I am watching. The Good Detective. It is a South Korean television series of two detectives and a reporter who tried to reveal the truth against all odds. There were lots of twists and mind games with a flash of humor here and there. #ThumbsUp 👍 Season 2?
Ruled Out
Will pick-up the food I ordered at Conti's for our noche buena. At 9AM, already left the condo with Edgar. There were already people waiting for their turn as they are walk-in customers. Since I already placed my order and paid for it at the start of December, roughly, I was there about 15 to 20 minutes. #ThumbsUp
After, we went to The Landmark Supermarket to buy a few items. After my groceries, since the department store is already open by 10AM, checked if Burlington is selling their face mask on retail. Nope.
I have instructed Edgar to get my X-ray result on the 26th and gave him the form so that it will be released to him. I guess, there would be no releasing of results on the 24th and on Christmas day. c",)
At home, decided to check if the result is available online. And, it is!
Normal cardiopulmonary findings.
Mild thoracic dextrocoliosis, unchanged.
Thank You, Lord! 🙏
At 10PM, my niece and I would be joining the Solemnity of the Nativity of the The Lord Mass. We would not be having our noche buena at 12 midnight as I would be having my bread and water only on Fridays. We ate around 9PM, instead.
While waiting for the 10PM Mass, finished the Netflix series I am watching, "The Ripper". It is a crime documentary of the Yorkshire Ripper serial killer, who murdered 13 women between 1975 and 1980. It also pointed out the failure of the West Yorkshire Police who have doggedly stuck that the motive is similar to the infamous serial killer in 1888 known as Jack the Ripper.
When my other niece arrived, we started with the series "Sweet Home". Hmm... it seems we would be binge watching this holiday break.
Blood In Saliva
Yesterday, my (inner) mouth seems sensitive. And while intending to brush my teeth before going to bed, noticed blood in my saliva. Was not sure if it was really blood (I was not wearing my glasses that time), just thought that maybe because I just had a frappucino. Decided to see what happens in the morning.
And in the morning, there really is a streak of blood!
Now, that got me worried. Searched the internet of the possible causes of having blood in your sputum even if you are not coughing. Will go to our company's clinic as soon as I arrive in the office. Took a picture.
I explained to that doctor what happened, the medicines I am taking even what I am gargling (hydrogen peroxide solution). She said to stop gargling with the hydrogen peroxide solution (she recommended Orohex-AF instead) and not to take hot drinks/ meal. She also asked that I take chest x-ray to rule out pulmonary tuberculosis.
After office, went to Makati Medical Center to do the chest x-ray. Will be able to get the result on the 26th. That's three days until I get the result. That's too long!
Will stop gargling and observe if I still have blood. Trying to be optimistic, I am no longer seeing blood. In any case, will be wearing face mask even at home.
The Bros
My movie this Sunday from Netflix is
The Bros.
Seok-bong and his brother, Joo-bong, have not seen each other in years but they have to return home to Andong at the news that their father has passed away. On the way, they accidentally hit Aurora, who lost her memory after the accident. They used their father's funeral to pursue their dream. Seok-bong wanted to find a national treasure, which was believed buried in their land. Joo-bong wanted to migrate to Germany, which would be possible if he is able to sell their land to the company he is working for. But the truth about their family will change all this.
Funny.
The Christmas Chronicles Part 2
My Christmas movie in Netflix is The Christmas Chronicles Part 2. A sequel to The Christmas Chronicles where siblings Teddy and Kate Pierce met Santa Claus as they try to help him because Christmas is about to be lost because of them.
Now, two years later, Teddy and Kate with their mother will be celebrating Christmas at Cancun, Mexico with her mom's boyfriend Bob and his son Jack. Kate, who is now a cynical pre-teen wants to go back to home where it is snowing. She decides to run away and go back to Boston. Unbeknown to her, Jack sneaked on to the shuttle for the airport. But instead of the airport, they were transported to the North Pole by their driver, Belsnickel, who is actually a wicked Christmas elf.
Kate learns that celebrating Christmas is not where you are but who you are with. Jack learned to believe in himself. Belsnickel learns to admit what is really in his heart.
#ThumbsUp
Blind Detective
Something happened today that stressed me. Just a few seconds later, I received a video message from my nieces while on their way to Clark to attend a wedding. Plus, my inaanak sent an SMS message that my aunt (her grandmother) plans to give me something so she will have it delivered at the condo. Now, if that is not Him nudging me as a reminder that He is just beside me. 🙏
Tonight, watched Blind Detective in Netflix. Johnston Chong See-tun has to leave the service when he went blind. He solves cold cases for police rewards as an income. In one of those cases, he meets Inspector Goldie Ho Ka-tung. Because of his investigative mind, she (Ho) hires him to help her solve her missing friend, Minnie.
Toyota U-Turn
Already made an appointment today for the preventive maintenance of my Toyota Avanza. Left the condo around 9AM for the 10AM schedule.
Was already in the area but we are still too early; thus, stopped at a Metrobank branch to withdraw for the Christmas ham. My brother already ordered them as our gift to our relatives and friends.
At Toyota Manila Bay, was served immediately. Edgar left to pick-up the HR-V while I am talking with my service advisor.
Passed by StorageMart to store some items before proceeding home.
My movie weekend is U-Turn starring Kim Chiu. Supposedly scary. Basically, those who did a U-turn on the street where a mother and child originally died in an accident, also dies due to suicide. It appears to be suicide. Did not scare.
The Guest
Finished the horror K-drama series The Guest. A detective, a psychic and a Catholic priest have been fated to meet again to fight against mysterious crimes.
What makes you keep on watching to the next episode is because you want to know who Park Il-do, the main antagonist, is.
Like.
Rust Dumplin'
Already made an appointment at Ziebart Makati for the annual rustproofing of my Honda HR-V. The car was already brought there by Edgar, the driver, earlier. He picked me up for the 9AM appointment. Paid for the services so that Edgar only has to pick up the car later.
Planned also to buy some items at home and for my Christmas gifts. Since it is before 10AM, the mall is still closed except for the supermarket. So, went to the The Landmark Supermarket instead and bought AA and AAA batteries.
Next stop is at Mercury Drug to buy the 10 volumes hydrogen peroxide, which I use as mixture for gargle (1 part hydrogen peroxide, 2 parts water) against #COVID19.
To Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries where I placed an order for my gifts at the office. Edgar will pick it up on Wednesday as tomorrow is a holiday, Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Then to Healthy Options where I bought my stock of vitamins (B-complex, D3, Omega-3).
At home, watched a movie in Netflix. Dumplin'.
Based on the novel of the same name, "Dumplin'" is about Willowdean "Will" Dickson, raised primarily by her Aunt Lucy, who taught her to accept her body and empowerment of others. Her mother, Rosie, unfortunately, is a former beauty queen committed to various beauty pageants, which occupies her time to be with her daughter. Through Lucy, she met her bestfriend Ellen and the music of Dolly Parton.
Six months before the start of of her final year in high school, Aunt Lucy dies. Rosie is having a hard time to connect with Lucy.
Luv it! 👍
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
This time, it's a Christmas movie in Netflix. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
Jeronicus Jangle is an inventor, toymaker and owner of "Jangles and Things". When he received the last component needed to complete his latest invention, he and his family celebrates for he believes that it will change his and his family's life forever.
It is a success (the Don Juan Diego, a sentient matador doll) but this success also causes his downfall as Diego convinces Jeronicus' apprentice, Gustafson, to take him (Diego) and Jeronicus' book of inventions.
Without proof that Gustafson stole from him, "Jangles and Things" falls into a financial ruin, while Gustafson succeeds as he builds his own toy factory. Then, Jeronicus' wife, Joanne, dies and he, inadvertently, pushes away his daughter, Jessica.
30 years later, "Jangles and Things" is now a failing pawnbroker shop as Jeronicus loses his spark. Then, he meets his granddaughter, Journey, and everything changed.
What I liked most is the scene wherein Gustafson was arrested; but before leaving, Jeronicus gives Gustafson the missing component for Gustafson's Twirly, which he would have given him back then if he was patient.
Car's Preventive Maintenance
Already made an appointment today for the preventive maintenance for my Honda HR-V. Edgar already brought the car earlier at Honda Makati. He is going to pick me up so I can pay for the service and he just have to get the car when it is ready.
Bought a simple gift for my service advisor. Hopes he likes. it.
Rapid Antigen Test
Today, I took again the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) being arranged by our office. Thank, God! I am negative.
Starting today, everything will be different because of what happened yesterday and the decision I made. Will there be instant karma to them? I'll just hold on to Him for God is bigger!
