Bi-curious, what?

Rant Alert!!!

Today, I started questioning and thinking about abandoning my tomboyish ways. I know that my friends may think that it is easier said than done, After all, in all my 27 years of existing, I have never been lady-like or girly, or whatever you call it. I have always been the tomboy of the family. I've been rather proud of it. I know that because of my boyishness, no man will try and take me for a fool and people will think that I can take care of myself. Also, because of my boyishness, I have made heaps of guy friends and rather intelligent girlfriends (none of those "valley girl" types). I think I should also mention that I also have heaps of gay friends and have absolutely no problem with homosexuality. I know that I should be happy because my boyishness is part of who I have become today.

Two weeks ago in university, while I was waiting for my class to start, I was hanging out with my friends outside the classroom. We were all sitting on the floor along the corridor. While I was leaning against the wall with my knees tucked close to my chest (in pure unlady-like fashion :p), a girl of asian descent looked at me and smiled. I smiled back, thinking nothing of it. And then... she winked at me! A real, flirtateous wink at that! I blinked. Can you imagine my surprise?

Bloody hell... I have had my share of girls trying to flirt with me back when I was doing my bachelor degree 8 years ago. But this was the first that I have encountered such a bold attempt! I have talked to Arnie about this and he just laughed the whole thing of. I asked him if I look like a lesbian to him. He did say that people may get that impression because of my boyishness. Maybe I should try to act slightly lady-like.

Well, when I wear dresses, I don't act like a tomboy. I may not be as graceful as some girls out there, but I do know how to behave. Honestly, am I supposed to act like a freakin' model in school or something? My point is, I am not trying to attract men out there and act all giggly/girly/silly just to assert the fact that I ain't gay.

Jennie has always been known as a big tomboy and I don't think I should change just because some chick flirted with me. I'll just have to straighten out any misunderstanding I guess...

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Finally got my finger out of my arse... I feel like after the excellent experience I had last night, I should be posting more regularly now. I am back with a vengeance!

Get your dirty mind out of the gutter... it wasn't that kind of an experience (although I wished it was... hahaha)... ahem... Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Every year, hundreds of comedians from all over the world gather in Melbourne and endeavour to make us Melbournites piss our pants with laughter. I was fortunate to watch one comedian whom I've wanted see for such a long time but never got the chance (read: all shows are sold out! Grrrr...). Luckily, I was able to snatch the last two tickets to his special show at the Melbourne Town Hall. Introducing (to those who don't know him)... Danny Bhoy!!!

He's a 24 year-old half Scottish, half Indian bloke who's been the comedy circuit since 1998. He had sold out shows in the Edinburgh festival, London, and three years of shows in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival made him a household name. Some even dub him "the next Billy Connolly." I guess that fits... he's a bloke, he's scottish, and well, he's crude!

Here's a sample joke:

"I was the only coloured in kid in school and I remember on my first day, there was this kid who was the school bully. He was huge with red hair, freckles, and was wearing an incredible hulk t-shirt. He started pushing me and said, 'get away from here! I hate coloured people!'"

"... and I said, 'then why are you wearing a shirt with a green man on it?'"

Hahahahaha.... I'm still in stitches!

No excuses...

I know it has been a good week since I last posted something in my blog/blogs. I thought I'd give myself a "mental health break". Between work, school, updating this blog, Arnie, Meeko, my friends, and mourning the Pope, (whose funeral was yesterday just in case people in caves don't know :p) I have barely enough time to scratch my arse!

I am trying my darnest to update this ASAP. I guess this short note is just an alert to everyone that I AM ALIVE! I am working on my latest post in my arts blog. Hopefully once I get my damn pictures uploaded into my PC, I'll post that entry by tomorrow night.

Cheers folks!

My Tribute to Pope John Paul II

At exactly 9:27 pm local time, the Pope was unresponsive. The carmalengo, after having performed the ritual of calling upon his holiness by his Christian name, Carol, 3 times and the light tapping of a silver hammer on the forehead thrice, announced the death of Pope John Paul II. Silence was asked of the people maintaining a vigil at St. Peter's Square while the eerie bells rang, and afterwards, a huge applause was heard throughout the Vatican.

People mourned the death of the great Pope and celebrated his wonderful reign as the symbolical Father of the Church. I have known no other Pope than he, him being the Pope the same time I was born. I have cried this morning when I heard of his death, feeling like I have lost a father whom I have profound respect and cared for deeply. As I'm typing this entry, I'm still shedding a few tears. I may not be the devout Catholic I was when he visited Manila back in 1995 during World Youth Day, but I have always loved the man. I admire him for his strength, his humour, his intelligence, his conviction, and most of all, for his genuine love of people... that he sincerely believed that people are good, capable of doing great things, and capable of being united under one God regardless of religion.

He was known for a lot of "firsts", "mosts" and "greats". He was:

- the most travelled Pope, believed that by using a measuring tape, it equates to him having travelled to the moon and back three times!
- the first none Italian Pope in 450 years
- the youngest Pope in 150 years
- the first Pope to have been into a synagogue... and for apologizing to the Jews for atrocities committed by Christians
- have admonished the pedophile priests tarnishing Christianity in America and all over the world
- have used the media extensively
- have met the most number of political leaders in the World
- have met with other spiritual leaders of different faiths
- have been involved in the destruction of Communism in Eastern Europe

... and so on, and so forth.

It is the end of an era. It will be difficult for the conclave to vote and elect for a new Pope, for no one can be JPII. His brand of Christianity, according to many, has been criticized and perceived as not suited for today's times. He shrugged off all criticisms and soldiered on. He was probably the only Pope that regardless of difference of opinions, people still listen to him and respect him for the man that he is.

He will be sorely missed by Christians and people from other faiths that he has made friends with. He will always have a special place in my heart, the man who has kept a brave face and a serene aura until the day he passed.

He uttered his final words last night (Australian time) and said, "I am aware you are all here for me and I thank you."

We thank you, Pope... may flocks of angels sing thee to thy rest.

I will post a follow up entry on this regarding the voting rituals of the conclave. In the meantime, I mourn...

April Fool's Day!

Rant Alert!

1st of April. All over the world heaps of people, simpletons and intellectuals alike, unite during the one day wherein tomfoolery is encouraged. I, for one, am not exempt from this. I have devised a "very cunning plan" (in the words of Black Adder's Baldrick) and instigated my well-thought out prank.

My victim: Arnie... who else? He would believe everything I say, being the lovable cutie that I am (according to him, anyway :p). I gave him a call while I was at work, while he was at work, very busy with what he was doing at the time. With a serious tone, I said:

"Baby, I haven't been honest with you."

"Why?" he asked.

"It's just that I have been throwing these past few days."

"Why? Is it something you ate?" he asked, really concerned.

"Baby, I bought a pregnancy test kit and... it's positive." I said in a very solemn tone.

"Say that again?"

"I'm pregnant, baby."

"But how? You have your period, don't you?" he asked.

"I know. Apparently it is a rarity but it happens."

Now here is the part that I didn't expect, that made me realize that my plan backfired.

I was expecting him to rant, to go insanely anxious and nervous, but instead... he was genuinely happy!

Un-fucking-believable!

He then proceeded to ask me about our plans, about how we're going to approach the situation, etc., etc...

A few minutes later, I just started laughing. He then realized that I "April fooled" him. He told me that he was really excited and was actually disappointed it was real. Apparently, if I hadn't told him then that it was a joke and left it till tonight, as soon as we hang the phone he'll be emailing and ringing our friends and his family about my so-called pregnancy!

I say it again, un-fucking-believable!

I told my classmate in my post-grad studies, Patricia, about the whole thing. She, too, was very much surprised with Arnie's reaction. She then told me to hang onto him because he was indeed one of a kind.

Well, honey, I have snagged him... and I have no intentions of letting him go!

All the leaves are brown...

... and the sky is gray... (California Dreamin' - The Mamas and The Papas)

Autumn officially started in Australia on the 1st of March... which doesn't really mean anything. Everyone who has lived in Australia would know that Melbourne has the reputation of having all four seasons in a single day... nice and sunny early in the morning, strong winds at noon, rain in the afternoon, and cold at night that you have to rug up (this is not an everyday occurence mind you).

Now that it is the 31st of March, a whole month into Autumn, at 9pm, outside temperature is 27 degrees!!! WTF???

Tomorrow and Saturday, it's going to be 30 degrees... WTF again? That's summer weather! As much as I love Melbourne, the weather here is just so damn freaky at times... greenhouse effect is obviously taking its toll.

Now I have to ponder on one important thing before I go to sleep tonight... what am I going to wear tomorrow?

Bourke Street

Bourke Street is one of the main streets located in the heart of Melbourne. It is also probably one of the most frequented streets in the city for it is laden with malls, shops, and of course, Melbourne's tram rail.



Bourke Street is also where the GPO is, now no longer a post office but a mall...



And more malls and shops!





Melbourne is definitely the fashion (and shopping!) capital of Australia...

That's why I'm eternally broke.... grrrr...

Unknown to Jennie's friends, in a struggle to keep her from bankruptcy, she works as a busker at night, usually in front of Myer, playing a single string guitar and sings "What A Feeling" heartily.

Happy Easter... Melbourne style!

I have been living here in Melbourne for 5 years. I have enjoyed my stay here and made quite a lot of friends throughout the years, met the love of my life, established myself financially and very much fulfilled career-wise. With a very busy schedule involving work, play, school, Arnie, Meeko, my mum, and friends... you may ask, when do I stop to say thanks to God?

Enter Easter. One of the most solemn holidays of the year... in the Philippines, that is. Apparently, the rest of the world don't really look at Easter as a reflective season, but rather a time for friends to catch up (nothing wrong with that!), get thrashed on alcohol (!) and consume atrocious amounts of chocolates (I kind of like this part :p).

I am not a religious person. I am, in fact, a non-practicing Catholic. But I believe that one should always strive to be a better person. Through reflection, we will be able to look at ourselves and decide if we are happy with the person we have come to be. You may or may not believe in God, but I think that one thing that makes people similar is their drive to be the best they can be. I am not just talking about money or fame or how many cars one has. It is much more than that. It's the friends that you have, your kindness, understanding, your family, the honest way that you live.

I believe that regardless the circumstances, we have at least one thing to be thankful for. Nobody is perfect. Accept that! The sooner you accept it, the better off you'll be. Strive to be the best you can be!... but don't lose track of what is important. Family, love, friends... everything else is secondary.

Just think about this: Jesus Christ suffered for our sins according to Bible lore. I respect him for his beliefs and his ideals. We all should be thankful that we don't have to suffer as much as he has... for he already did it for us.

Jennie is currently pigging out on some chocolate eggs... and a huge burger... Thank God I can meat!!!

You're The One That I Want... sigh...

I am not singing along to some Grease karaoke special or anything like that...

Two weeks ago, my lovely partner Arnie got some free tickets to the annual Melbourne Motor Show which is the same week as the Australian Grand Prix. I was very excited by this, since I have been planning to feast my eyes on something that I have been wanting to buy for myself... if only I had the funds >sigh<... This is definitely on my wish list...



The new Mini Cooper S Cabrio... 125 kw of power with a 4 cylinder 1.6 litre supercharged engine... perfect for today's atrocious petrol prices!



If I was only rich, I could have taken one of these babies home already! How frustrating!!!



One of these days... you will be mine!!!! hahahahahahahaha!!!! >maniacal laughter<

Jennie is currently under sedation... just don't show her any posters or TV commercials of the Cabrio...

To Vegan Or Not To Vegan...

I've had the opportunity (or misfortune, which ever way you want to look at it) to partake on my very first Vegan meal last Saturday (19/3). A very good friend, Gabby, invited Arnie and myself to a free meal (!) at a well-known Vegan restaurant in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. The restaurant is called the "Vegetarian Orgasm." No, they don't sell orgasms as the board outside the restaurant says, but they sell "fine home cooked Vegan meals." So, the million dollar question: what is the difference between vegetarian and vegan? Well (doning the professor cap now) vegetarian is someone who basically does not eat meat but can consume dairy products, seafood, and (I think) meals that may only have vegetables and some animal product in it. A vegan, on the other hand, cannot consume anything dairy or any animal product. So, imagine my surprise when I saw Vegan Bloody Mary in the drinks menu. I was like, "what the hell? Isn't Bloody Mary vegan enough?" Apparently, worchestershire sauce has animal products (!) in it. Vegan Bloody Mary calls for vegan worchestershire sauce! Oh well, whatever makes them happy, I suppose...

So, after much deliberation and doubt, I decided on the Vegan Curry. Gabby ordered the Cannelloni while Arnie ordered the dairy Meditteranean Pizza. Surprisingly, vegan curry wasn't all that bad (thank God vegans can have coconut cream! Imagine curry without coconut cream... shudder!), although the vegan meat was a bit suspect. Being a meat eater, I could definitely tell the difference! Soy meat doesn't exactly fill you up like real red meat does, innit?

For a first timer, I actually liked the meal... although now, I have a huge craving for a Whopper (runs off to Hungry Jacks...)

Vegetarian Orgasm - 3 yums...