Trip Down Memory Lane of Movies I Used to Love!

Ever since I was a little girl, I loved going to movies.  I have fond memories of my family and I catching the last full show of some Chinese films about 30 or more years ago in my hometown.  My dad used to love the cinema and his choices back then were quite diverse.  Some of the movies that made quite an impression on a little girl’s mind were:

For a five-year old, this was one scary movie that caused me several sleepless nights!  I ended up sleeping beside my dad–much to my mom’s annoyance.

This was my very first experience of a romantic movie which at the age of 9, was quite special.  Hmm…I still love the movie theme song, too!

This was one movie that I will never forget.  It was the pilot showing of a new cinema back then so my family and I ended up watching the whole movie standing up because of the huge crowd. I had to strain my neck, stand on tiptoes just to catch the scenes and honestly, it was worth it.  This movie turned out to be well-acclaimed and for a 9-year-old girl who ended up in tears after the very last scene, it was one of the best!

After watching this movie, I was a 100% Robby Benson fan and really, he was my very first crush!  Another love story but hey, I loved it!

My sister Cecilia brought me to watch this movie and I remembered enjoying it! It was also this time that I discovered I liked Warren Beatty too!  Although the story didn’t end up the way I wanted it to happen–it got stuck as an all-time favorite.

Today, I still love going to movies.  I am still a huge fan of comedy, romance and action packed films; I still stay away from horror and suspense movies because it still gives me sleepless nights.  Nevertheless, watching a movie complete with surround sound is one of the nicest way to relax and wind down after working hard all week-long.

How about you? Do you like watching movies? Are there any films in the past or present that are your favorites?

Weekend = Tennis

I’m so happy weekend is finally here!!!!

It has been a tough, busy week but I am so glad most of my works are updated with no back log this time for me.  Although it also meant my sitting in front of the computer for several hours a day and yep, several times dozing off in front of the monitor, I can fairly say I feel good that I can go to the tennis court this afternoon without having to think of work for the rest of the weekend.

I love playing tennis.  I have been a player for the past 17 years and the sport has kept me sane and happy all these years.  Most athlete would agree with me when I say sports not only keep us healthy but it plays an important role in having a better disposition in life.

Tennis continually challenges me to be a better player despite the fact that I am moving past my 40 years.  These days, I concentrate more on outwitting opponents not by power shots alone but a variety of drop shots and lobs.  Lobs are more or less done almost 80% accurate while my drop shots are simply frustrating.  It definitely needs more practice but being a western gripped tennis player makes it difficult to change grip to prepare for a sliced backhand.  As a player, I pride myself being a consistent base liner although this works pretty well if I play singles and with a good netter for a partner in doubles game.  However, I still have to continue overcoming my fear and well, stupidity every time I rush to the net as some of my opponents like to give me drop shots.  Lately, I have mastered almost 85% of my topspin volley by the service line and I know this certainly helps improve my game.  All in all, for an only girl player in the club, I can say I have a lot more to improve.  Despite the fact that I have several trophies lined up in the house, guys would always look at me as a weak tennis player being a girl.

Sad but true.

I love playing tennis (isn’t it quite obvious? ) and I can’t wait to go to the tennis court in awhile.

Happy Weekend!

HORSEBACK RIDING

While driving home from visiting an old church in Tiwi, Albay (about an hour drive from home), we came across a sign that says “HORSEBACK RIDING”. It certainly caught my interest since here in the province where we currently reside there is no place/farm that allows horseback riding at all.  Yes, we are known for the beauty of our perfect cone-shaped, active volcano Mayon and Pili nuts.  But horse back riding?? Hmmm…that IS interesting.  So off we went to check it out.  After almost half an hour trekking the mountain side and the rugged road, I told my husband we better head back since it seems like we were in the middle of nowhere! There was no visible ranch or farm…there was only a huge space of…green.  After more turns, we finally came to a clearing and this was what caught our eyes.

“oooh…horsie!” my son Everett shouted.  We got out of the car and went near the horse slowly so not to scare him.

The horse was beautiful!

A man approached us and ask if we went Everett to ride him? Half an hour cost php200 ($5)

“Please mom, please!  I want to ride the horse! I can do it! Please? Please?” my pesky son pleaded.  In fact, to prove that he wasn’t afraid, he went near the horse so fast I had to pull him back before the horse kicks him.

Since my son seem to want it so much, we agreed for him to get saddled up.  The horse may seem tamed but obviously was not used to have a screaming kid on his back.  Yes, Everett was screaming! So much for saying he can do it–he’s scared being on top of the horse!

I was laughing my head off (bad mommy!)

Anyway, the man told us that he can ride with Everett just so he will experience what is it to ride on a horse.  So up he went.

Mommy kept laughing.

While waiting for them, I can’t help but experience how peaceful the place is.  The beautiful majestic Mayon Volcano looming down at us with the field so green.  The gently breeze blowing and the sky so blue.  We may be at the middle of nowhere but the untouched beauty of nature is a rare sight.

Mayon Volcano, Albay Philippines

 

This was a pony, only a month old.  He was among the other horses by the other side of the field.

Everett did have fun.

I was quite peaceful and happy that day.  The little time we spent there were captured only through my mobile camera but every time I look at the pictures, it bring warm happy memories the day my son went horse back riding in the middle of nowhere!