Muji 2013 Planner

Because coffee shop planners are so mainstream, I asked my Father to buy me a Muji 2013 planner. ^_^

Yes, I am a (trying hard) hipster. 

PS: Those are Muji pens I bought from Hong Kong 

The Hot Sauce and Tequila Challenge

The prize I won after consuming a bottle of hot sauce and washing it down with tequila in less than a minute during our Christmas party.

Oh yeah, we won Pinoy Henyo, too!

Happy 9th Birthday Tatay Chavo

I hope the good Lord will bless you with more years and more swagger,
so we can cover more miles together.

I love you,  dog! 

Books to Read

I am not really a voracious reader. But when I am in the mood, I tend to hoard on some book titles. Most of the time, I am not fond of popular book titles unless I am intrigued by hype (Ahem "The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo"), or if my professor told me to do so.

This holiday season I have browsed and checked on my goodreads.com account to update the books that I will read, and here are the titles that piqued my interest.

I saw this book in the book stall in Hong Kong airport last July. For some strange reason, I hesitated in buying the book (Must be the price, HK$ 200). But since seeing the title, I was intrigued by it. I did a little research on it's author who was dubbed a the Japanese Stieg Larsson, and the book had a Japanese movie adaptation and a Korean drama (or was it the other way around?).

When I watched the Dream Team documentary, I felt it I was shortchanged. I felt there was something more to Michael, Larry, Magic, Chuck and their issues with Isaiah Thomas. To me the documentary didn't scratch the surface of other team members (Although Charles Barkley's significant contribution vs. Angola was highlighted.). So maybe this book would fill me in on what the documentary didn't show. This was already released in other countries, and is scheduled to be release in the Philippines in April 2013.

I read this book before when I was a kid. And for some strange reason, I forgot it! I must be so clumsy that The BFG story that is ingrained into my subconscious got deleted when I fell or banged my head. 

I bought this book already, but I decided not to finish it since I find Dan Brown to be predictable. But I swear, I have to finish this book.

DEAR CAPTAIN VERMAELEN and VICE CAPTAIN ARTETA

TV05 and Miki on my bedside dresser.

Please, please, tell all the players that we’re behind you! It’s a privilege & honor to play for Arsenal. Versus Swansea, you guys were lethargic, pathetic, jaded. Lead the lads to every battle with Arsenal’s motto in mind, ‘Victoria Concordia Crescit’.

Herbert Chapman envisioned the club to be the greatest in the world, even us fans sing it loud and proud at home, away, and even in front of the telly or computer monitor. ‘We’re by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen… and it’s Arsenal, Arsenal FC!’ Funny that you guys had a performance that did not deserve such praise. 

 To the rest of the Arsenal first team, what say you? What say you? Are you worthy to wear the colors of Arsenal? Are you worthy to be even named in the first team? If so, tell me what makes you special that you deserve to be in the first team. so many Arsenal academy standouts are even shipped with hearts broken to other clubs since they were not deemed to be not good enough to crack into the first team. These lads who supported the club as kids could only dreamed about playing for the club they supported now. Yes, you may be technically gifted in Arsene’s standards, but do you have the heart to play for Arsenal? Are you just gonna sit around and play some football, collect hefty weekly wages than most of humanity can collect in their lifetime?

To the Arsenal young guns, do you have what it takes to be on the first team? You’ve got your chances in the cup games. Take your chances and grab it firmly with both hands. 

Back to the first team, you’ve got a a tricky CL fixture at Olympiakos. Sort yourselves out!


 Remember when you lost to Manchester United 8-2, the faithful Arsenal fans stayed on and sang this, ‘We love you Arsenal, we do! We love you Arsenal, we do! We love you Arsenal, we do… Arsenal we love you!’.

EDUARD SACAPAÑO TAKE A BOW SON

I was at the stands and watched the Philippines Men’s National team take on the Singapore Men’s National team in a friendly enroute to the AFF Suzuki Cup next week.

The Philippines won by 1-0 scoreline, but if it weren’t for Eduard Sacapano’s heroics, Singapore could have won.

I was fortunate enough that I actually captured the Singapore penalty he saved right before the first half ended. 

My London-based classmate and I clearly gave the MoTM award to him, and I am glad that the crowd recognized his efforts, that his name was chanted by everyone at the stands.

To Manong Ed, take a bow! 

#AskPoldi: I'm Really Naughty This Year

I'm naughty. So no gifts for me from Santa then.

When Arsenal made a surprise announcement that they're going to have another Twitter Takeover last Nov. 8, I was in panic to shoot some question on the mystery player they're going to feature on the hot seat.

When they announced that Lukas Podolski will be on board first, I went blank. I can't think of any questions on this guy who I have a crush on since 2006 (That long!). I tweeted some random questions tagging Arsenal with hashtags #AskPoldi and #ArsenalTwitterTakeover but it seems the club didn't notice my questions. (You're question might get answered by the players if the club will click on "Favorite" on your tweet.)In my desperation (Yes I was that desperate for Poldi to take notice of me.), I ask him to be my sperm donor. The club may find my Q offensive, but I got compliments for being such a laugh trip.

Thank you Jady Salonga for the screen shot! Forever cherished!

RE: Weighing Arsenal's Chances

On a fine Saturday morn, I had a chance to read on a column in our local daily regarding Arsenal's chances of winning any silverwear this 2012-2013 season. I promised that author to make a reply, but since Arsenal's form as of late has been dismal, I needed to muster enough inspiration to write my reply.

Arsenal's 7 years and counting trophy drought has been the major talking point among the press and fans alike. To be a big club not just in England and in Europe, but in the whole world, you have to win a major trophy season after season. The last time we won any trophy was the 2005 FA Cup.

After that 2-0 lost against Schalke in the Champion League, Arsenal had a general meeting attended by members of the Supporter's Trust, the board members, stockholders and the manager himself, Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal board emphasizes on being a club with balanced accounting books and banks on self-sustainability. A major dent into club's cheque book is the payment for their new stadium. Sure an airline company bought the naming rights for it, but I felt the club is somehow short changed with an estimated fee of  £100 million for 15 years (not counting inflation rates during that period). Thus the club have to sell their most prized players to other big clubs both in the UK and in the continent. There are some sections of fans who supported such scheme, but there are also who won't give in to the club's self-sustainability b*llsh*t. In the age where an oligarch or a sheikh can buy a mediocre club success, these Arsenal fans wanted the club to the same since they know that the club has money to burn. Stan Kroenke, the club's majority shareholder, may have the ability to pump in millions to cash on Arsenal's arsenal; but he too embraced the club's self-sustainability philosophy. *I actually read the transcript of the AGM, so that was where I got my information.

On to the trophy thing, during that AGM, Arsene Wenger told everyone that in every season that he is in-charge for the club, we are in contention for 5 trophies; 1. Premier League, 2. Champions League, 3. Champions League qualification, 4. FA Cup, 5. League (Capital One Cup).In the course of his 16 years as Arsenal's manager, Wenger won the Premier League 3 times, FA Cup 4 times (2 double winning seasons), 14 straight Champions League qualification, 1 Champions League runners-up (2006), 2 League Cup runners-up (2007, 2011). The fans' point of view, CL qualifications is not a trophy, we want something tangible. But in Arsene's perspective, qualifications in Europe's elite club competition mean added revenue to Arsenal, as well as attracting players to play for the club. Even fans from beleaguered Liverpool and rivals, Tottenham, can attest how much what is at stake by just merely qualifying for it. Arsenal's league form took a dip after an impressive start having lost thrice already to Chelsea, Norwich and Manchester United. In the Champions League, they lie second to Schalke in Group B with 2 fixtures still to be played. Arsenal will enter the FA Cup this January, while the League Cup is still up-for grabs after a dramatic 5-7 win at Reading.

As a fan, I admire Arsenal frugality, but on this day and age of social media, success in the balance sheet without trophies to boot is not success at all. But season 2012-2013 season is long, anything can happen. I hope Lady Luck will finally smile at Arsenal, I guess that's what this football club needed.

Earrings

A friend of mine made these for me! I super love! Thanks Jo!

Birthday Greetings from the Azkals lads

Thanks to my college cheatmate, Peter, for this wonderful surprise.

Daddy Rob, my CB crush. :D

Thanks fellow Gooner, OJ Porteria!

Ayee! The YH brothers!

One of my favorites, Manong Chieffy!

Hey Patrick! Thanks! Make us Bisdaks proud!

It's not everyday (or in my case birthday) that members of your national football team greet you. :D

HIBAG: How I Became a Gooner

I am celebrating my 9th year as Arsenal FC fan today. So in honor of such milestone, I am writing this blog for the curious.

THE BEGINNING
Way back in high school, I already exhibited signs of my fangirlism. Most of my high school friends often associated me with basketball, that they even predicted that I'll be the first female coach of the Cebu Gems of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association. But unknown to them, I was secretly rooting for the likes of Barcelona (because of the original Ronaldo) and Liverpool (because of Michael Owen), during the time where David Beckham was the crush of football. 

Back when David Beckham was the girls' word of mouth when it came to football, I find this baby-faced Scouser cute.

The things was I did not watch most football matches then. I only relied on the results being broadcasted via Sportscenter, Sport Today and World Sport. I did tried to watch an Italian Serie A (which was shown on cable back then), but I fell asleep in the half-hour mark. The first (not-so full) match that I saw was the 1999 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, in which Teddy Sherringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored at Fergie time to win the club's second CL crown.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stunned Oliver Kahn and Bayern Munich  enroute to the Red Devils' treble that year.

When I moved on to the much provincial setting for my college degree, I was kind at lost of my basketball and football (news) fixation. Back then only the affluent families had access to cable television with huge satellite dish. I became accustomed to Filipino soap operas and such...

PRELUDE TO GOONERDOM
Before I graduated on my first course (My state run school had a ladderized system for the DVM degree.), cable TV in the province is readily available in the masses and even in some dormitories. Every June, upper class men (and women) of the DVM degree would flocked into Banahaw Dorm (aka the Vet Dorm) to watch the NBA playoffs and finals. This was in 2003. The San Antonio Spurs where the NBA champs and my apple of the eye was Tony Parker.

REMOVAL EXAMINATIONS, LUNCH, FARM REPORTS, SEMESTRAL BREAKSWhile waiting for my housemates to finish their removal examinations, I was eating lunch alone in our hangout, The Honeycomb. One of my housemates boyfriend, Justin, joined me for lunch. We initially talked about basketball, then we started talking about football. He was merely raving about Barcelona's (I being a Barcelona admirer back then.) latest acquisition, the great Ronaldinho ( Ronaldinho was a revelation during the World Cup 2002. That was what I've read.), and at the same time he was talking about Tony Parker's BFF, a guy named Thierry Henry who plays for Arsenal. Justin encouraged me to watch any Arsenal match during the semestral break. I agreed.

When I got home, Justin texted me that Arsenal had a match on the weekend I arrived home for my semestral break. But the kick-off was late night. That was Oct. 18, 2003 at around 10 in the evening or so.

I did not paid much attention to the match back then. All I wanna watch was that guy named Henry and check if how good he was since Justin was comparing him with Ronaldinho. The only thing I could remember during that match was the date, the venue, Highbury, and Thierry Henry scoring. By 12 midnight, I was convince that I'll follow the progress of this club in the Premiership. By May 15, 2003, Thierry Henry and his teammates (by now I already knew all their names), were crowned the Premier League Champions without conceding a loss.
 

The Invincibles. Played 38. Won 26. Drawn 12. Lost 0.

It was just recently that that Oct.18-19, 2003 match was against Chelsea, their runners-up for that season. But who cares. On that night, I fell in love with the brand of football Arsenal played. It was an attacking style of football, and I swear I never fell asleep on an Arsenal match, EVER!

I will forever be grateful to Justin for introducing me to Arsenal! Take a bow, Jus!

HBD Bimby

You're ain't a puppy anymore!
Happy birthday Bimby, este, Bambino!

Red Marked Dates for Red October

I have been red marking these two dates on my planner since these are my-must attend dates for the month of October. And I guess you should too if you're a fan of Samurai X and an animal lover.

Our teaser poster.

 Oct. 7 (Sunday) is the day for pets and pet lovers alike. The Cebu Companion Animal Practitioners Association (CCAPA) and Parkmall bring you Octoberpets 2012! This is the event's 7th year and for the first time it will be held in a mall (A pet-friendly mall at that).

And after weeks of speculations and signing petitions for this to be shown in Philippine cinemas, our prayers have finally been answered! Rurouni Kenshin (or Samurai X) the movie based on a manga and anime series of the life of Battousai, Himura Kenshin, will be shown here in my home country! It will premier on Oct. 17!

My First 5K Run

As I was browsing some of my Multiply entries, I came across to this one. The result of my first 5K run. This happened about 3 years ago, June 28, 2009 to be exact.

I was ranked 171 among male and female runners. I was runner # 571 and my registered name was Leslie, instead of Nes-Li. I finished at an impressive 26 minutes! Even until now this still my personal record for 5K.

Me towards the finish line. You can see that I was so desperate to finish this one.

*I will be publishing more of my posts from Multiply since it will end it's social networking and sharing features by December of this year.

The Veterinarian Meme

Hong Kong in Lomo

  I happened to sneak a little r&r in Hong Kong last July 28-30, 2012. The reason? Arsenal FC were in town for their Asia Tour of 2012.

I took a lot of photos during my trip in HK both on my mobile phone and camera. I used an app (or application) Man with A Camera that gives a lomo (lomography) effect on the photos I took.

Arrived 30 minutes past 12 in the morning on the 28th.

Rode this double decker to TST.Bus A21.It's got wifi! Wee!

I spent 2 hours or so wondering in the promenade! It was a surreal feeling that I was actually in HK!

The famous Hong Kong Skyline

After months of reminding me to redeem my tickets via my e-mail (They even gave a call before I left.), I was able to get my match tickets from the ticketing machine by swiping the credit card that I used for the transaction.

Oh look! Freebies! Arsenal is spoiling us to rot! Thank you!

Four hundred Arsenal fans were invited exclusively by the club itself.

At the Fans Party. We were able to meet Kyle Bartley (now with Swansea), Carl Jenkinson, Johan Djourou and Vito Mannone. Filipino Arsenal fans were positioned up front!

HK's elderly residents perform group exercises in parks. They repeatedly tap certain parts of the body accompanied by music.

Cheap thrill: Ferry ride to HK island

I was addicted to the McCafe hazelnut latte

Wasabi flavored dip? You bet! I got hooked on it. I don't mind if I have to pay HK$1 for me to dip my fries!

Finally, I was able to watch Arsenal at play LIVE and in the FLESH!

We petted this fat kitty. She lives near Chow Yun Fat's neighborhood.

I survived my HK lamierda. Thanks to this octopus card! ^_^

Olivier was my companion while waiting for my flight home.

Corgi!

After 5 years or so in practice, we finally have a corgi patient!!!!!!!!

All hail the corgis!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Et Tu RvP

I'm emotionally in a fragile state right now. After knowing that the captain that steered the Arsenal ship from the brink of relegation to Champions League football last season, has joined the most bitter of all rivals, Manchester United.

After loosing key players in each and every summer, I was hoping Arsenal's summer would be somehow be peaceful and stable. After all, snagging both Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud of less than half a price of a Fernando Torres is actually good business. Unfortunately, we were dead wrong. A week after the purchase of Giroud, Robin van Persie dropped the bomb, he is not going to sign a contract extension.

Sighting that the club did not match his ambition was beyond belief! Arsenal made a gamble on signing this trouble maker from Feyenoord for a meager £2.7 million. He was accused of rape and was imprisoned for 6 weeks. He had a string of bad injuries that plagued his Arsenal career. Through it all Arsenal was there. I began to question his ambition? Trophies? Now with Podolski and Giroud on board, plus 1 or 2 more signings, Arsenal can win trophies! Money? The club can only offer a maximum of £130,00/week.

 The BBC reported that RvP wanted to stay. But Arsene Wenger had a plan B, and he was not part of it. The club had no choice but to sell him while he was still under contract with Arsenal. And there were three suitors for RvP's services: Juventus, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

I first thought Manchester United would be a farfetch destination for him, but I was wrong. If Graham Hunter is to believe, RvP was already in talks with Manchester United 7 months ago! He told Cesc Fabregas that he'll be staying for another year, and see if he can win trophies with the club. Unfortunately, Arsenal only managed to cling on third place in the league, and bowed out (but with a fight) on cup games.

It was a perfect betrayal to Gooners, similar to the unsuspecting Julius Caesar at the Ides of March. When the captaincy was entrusted by Wenger, he acted as if he was indeed the captain of Arsenal. He led the team by scoring the goals, gave pre-game pep talk, he organized parties off the pitch. But he was and is a linchpin. Just like the wankers who left for money before him like Ashley Cole, Emanuel Adebayor, and Samir Nasri. "Et tu, Brutus!" was the last word Caesar said to Marcus Junius Brutus. Like Caesar, we Gooners were appalled by such treachery, "Et tu, RvP!", we exclaimed.

For £24 million, he has sold his soul to the Devil, and forever tarnished his Arsenal legacy not just as the club's 8th all-time leading goal scorer, but also as the leader of the club with most come-from-behind wins in a season. Gone were my memories of your early Arsenal career, Robin! That equalizer vs. Southhampton. That Volley at the Valley vs Charlton. Your brace vs. Blackburn in the semis of the FA Cup. For volunteering to take Edu's penalty in the final vs. your new team!

Like a jilted lover, I wish you nothing but misery in your new team! Arsenal will be a better team without you! Victoria Concordia Crescit. Victory through harmony on to the new club football season.

Pets Bill of Rights

*I am currently retrieving some photos and blogs from my Multiply account. As you may all have known by now, Multiply will no longer hold it's social networking, blogging and sharing features by Dec. 1, 2012. So I am posting some random and what I think my memorable blogs from that site.

Blogged on Jun 2, 2008

1. We have the right to full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise and love.

2. We have the right to stimulation. We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy.

3. We have the right to regular exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish...or fat.

4. We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns now and then; don't expect us to be predictable all the time.

5. We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet.

6. We have the right to a good diet. Like some people, we don't know what's best for us. We depend on you.

7. We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs or show cats, watchdogs, hunters, or baby-sitters.

8. We have the right to receive proper training. Otherwise, our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife-and we could become dangerous to ourselves and others.

9. We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion, rather than abuse.

10. We have the right to live with dignity...and to die with dignity when the time comes.

~Author Unknown~

Arsenal 2012-2013

I can't wait for next weekend!

The English Premier League will commence on Aug. 18, with Arsenal hosting
Sunderland at the Ashburton Grove.

March toward the quadruple! Come on you Gunners!

Ironman 70.3 Philippines

1.9 km Swim. 90 km Bike. 21.1 km Run.

SURREALITY

Photo by Thera Reyes

What I have experienced in HongKong can be describe in a word. SURREALITY. SURREAL because I still can't believe it that I saw these guys in person. REALITY because a dream came true.

OH TO BE A GOONER! 

Lucky Charm

Photo taken by Stuart McFarlane.

Who would have thought that the last thing I added inside my backpack could be my trip’s lucky charm?

1. When we went to the fans party, Kyle Bartley asked us to raised the Philippine NT bar scarf and took a photo of it.

2. As we entered the stadium, we saw and called out Stuart McFarlane, the club’s official photographer. We had a brief chat, and he asked us to pose in front of his camera. Lo and behold, the photo above.

3. We waited for the club coach outside the stadium. But we made sure to stay away from where the crowd was. The coach stopped as the ushers try to widen the barricade, I flashed the flag part of the scarf while the others roll out our banner. We waved our hands and screamed, “Arsene! Arsene!”. The great man saw us, he smiled and he waved back. That was the best moment ever! Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also waved at us too. 

Photo can be seen on this site.

We're by Far the Handsomest Team the World Has Ever Seen

 Three of the most of most prolific strikers in the world are now playing for Arsenal.

The whole of Goonerdom were celebrating the arrival of their latest addition to our beloved Arsenal, Olivier Giroud. The announcement was made official at around 5 o'clock in the afternoon in my time zone, and Beliebers might have the shock of their lives upon seeing the name "Olivier Giroud" topping the trending topics worldwide.

Just like Lukas Podolski's signing, the Giroud signing was a mere speculation for months. But it happened to be Arsene Wenger's worst kept secrets. As of this writing, Arsene Wenger has 3 of most prolific  strikers in world at his disposable and all three happened to be left footers. The lack of quality back up striker really hurt Arsenal's chances of attaining at least a trophy in what was a tumultuous season under Wenger. And doing business this early, made me think that Le Professeur's did learn something from last summer's transfer shenanigans.

Speculations that either Giroud or Podolski could be club captain Robin van Persie's replacement in case the latter's contract negotiations breaks down are just mere speculations. Robin is on a holiday somewhere, and he'll be reporting to the club by July 3 for the preseason training. By then we will know what will be his plans.

I wonder what would be Arsenal's next move? Adding some steel in the midfield by acquiring either Lucas Biglia or Yann M'Vila? Will they purchase a decent goalkeeper to back-up or even challenge Wojciech Szczesny? Which young Guns will be featured in the first team in cup matches? Which young Guns will go on loan? Do we have buyers or willing loaners to some fringe players? Will Joel Campbell finally have his working permit? So many questions by most Gooners that need to be answered. Roll on, July!

PS1: The acquisition of Olivier Giroud officially made Arsenal as the most handsome club in the world. Thus, I took a pun on a favorite Gooner song, "And it's Arsenal".

PS2: All three forwards photographed above have "bromances" with 3 club centerbacks: Lukas Podolski & Per Mertesacker, Robin van Persie & Thomas Vermaelen, Olivier Giroud & Laurent Koscielny.