Friday, August 29, 2008

I was never too shy around my friends. But with Cinnamon, I barely speak. I can't even glance at him. He was distracting my every thoughts. At the swimming party, he saw me cry. I was ashamed. I didn't know what to do until he finally came up to me and said, "If I were you're boyfriend, I would never make you cry". At his words, I eventually stopped crying. It felt good having an assurance like that. Later on that month, I was officially his girl.

War with the Alcoholics

We had new members early this summer. Kids. Teens. Lovers. Any one. I thought having them around would make the club more fun. But no, I was wrong. There was this couple, an officious couple who thought that they were one of the most famous people you'd ever know in audition world. DJMargarita, a costume player, nursing student, was the jealous girlfriend of DJScotch, a high leveled audista. They two, hit the gossip grounds, making names. Wrecked names. They had wars, eventually, with almost all the jockeys. If you'd only witnessed the nasty things they said, you'd curse them. We were glad the conflicts over for they were expelled from the club.


The online world seemed so empty for one by one, jockeys tried to pull themselves out of the club. For random reasons. Studies. Family and money matters. Anything under the sun, just to have an excuse. We let them go. For they'll be happy if we let them go. All that was left, those who were still standing on Club DJs' grounds, were those brave enough to never leave their mates.

The remaining jockeys, their bond has become tighter. They go to assemblies, gatherings and the like together. Though conflicts cannot be avoided, members always try to act as mature as they can. Break ups had been one of the most bought reasons for disagreements. There were times that members would take his side, her side but for the record, we manage to fix things up before a week ends.

After 2-3 months of leaving the club, several of our former colleagues began to chat with us again. Eventually, the boss asked them to come back to the club. After moments and moments of thinking, there they are, an official Club DJ members again. It's fun to have them back. *smiles*



Sunday, August 24, 2008

All the hopes to be close to her, the hopes to be called one of her sissies turned into balls of shame. He is a male. I just didn’t want to believe it for when I talk to Watermelon in game, she always seems so feminine. Yes. He carried himself well. As a girl. When I later on found out that he was one of those ancient, old members of DJs who objected to have me in the club, I started to dislike him.

After the break up with Sourcream, another jockey attempted to win Butternut’s heart. DJGrapes, who was totally shattered at that time, became a very dear friend to me. I was his confidant, a shoulder to cry on. Our closeness lead to a special friendship. He fell in love. I did too. Or so I thought. But same as Sourcream's story, it didn't last long. Bitterness ate him up that until now, he blames me for all the pain he went through.


The club has a very tight bond. Opening application for new members was a risk of time. Almost everyday, the club master would hire one or two applicants. It's fun to have new friends. But still you have to choose them. For you will never know who are true and who are going to pull you down and bury you alive.

Cinnamon Rolls Went Rolling

I was beginning to get close to DJCinnamon at that time. He was the guy I never thought he is. I always tease him, telling him that I like him when I know he won't like me. It's not that Im not pretty, it's just that .. He likes somebody else. There was this one time when I was so bored, I got him to text me. And jeez, I was totally out of my mind. I uttered the magical words. Yes you know it. I told him that I love him. And whoa, I got him confused. I keep telling him that I love him when I know in myself that I was just infatuated. After a few replies, he told me that he loves me back. OMG. Is that for real? Yes it was for real.

Days passed, the online script turned into a real life love story. The jockeys were in a swimming party that time, we were drinking beer. I was crying then for I don't want to get hurt anymore. I don't want to hurt others because I am hurting. I just want to be happy. That was when I saw Cinnamon, for the very first time. Cinnamon.


TO CONTINUE.



Wednesday, August 20, 2008

DJBlackberry and DJSourcream were the first two jockeys I ever met in game. My heart was pumping blood more than usual. I didn't know how to introduce myself without sounding arrogant or flirty. After seconds of thinking what to say, Blackberry finally approached me. We were talking about NASLs (name, age, sex/gender, location) when Sourcream joined the conversation.

We were all in getting-to-know-each-other stage when some DJs entered the room. I felt their warmth, their friendship, their sincerity. But I proved myself wrong. Not all of them likes me.

I heard rumors that some ancient members really didn't want me in the club. The hell I care, the club master accepted me as an official member and that's all that matters.

The Deal With DJSourcream


Sourcream, who eventually became my in-game couple after weeks of my stay in the club, had been one of my closest friends online. He would comment on my photos in friendster everyday, stating how he loves to look at my pictures, how he likes me. I sensed something far more than friendship in him and I was right. Sourcream courted me for more than a week then boom, before I knew it, I was starting a special friendship with him. Too bad, it didn't last for even a month. He just cant save me from the burdens I was carrying at that time. He was too weak to be my saviour.


At long last, after weeks of having cyber friendship, I met them ... personally at Boss Lhime's birthday party. I wasn't surprised when I saw that he really was a he. Besides, they already warned me that Lhime is a male. But there's this one revelation I tend not to believe ... at first.

DJWatermelon, Male or Female? Good or Bad?

I was looking for her, the great signature maker of the club. I heard that she was one of Lhime's closest friends and that they both came from one place. Blackberry, who took me to the venue of Lhime's party asked me if I know the guy standing by the front door's internet cafe. He was a tall, slim guy with weakly shaven beard and mustache. He's not that handsome, I told myself. I was staring at him when Blackberry blurted out that the guy I was looking at is DJWatermelon. You read it right folks. It was him.


TO CONTINUE ..

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I joined this certain club in an online game I am currently playing - Audition Dance Battle Philippines. Club DJ, who welcomed me warmly, was one of the most known clubs in Audition. It came to life on the first month of 2007, closed beta period.


I came to know the club while I was browsing the pages of E-games forums. I was a member of l'Esprit du Clan back then when I decided to join Club DJ.

Why?
  • First, my clan was bringing up the rear, besides, it was fresh and we only had few members.
  • Second, I was mesmerized by the colorful banners and signatures Club DJ has.
  • Third, it was famed.

It took nights, bread, when I finally had the guts to approach their club master, DJLhime. Fortunately, and I mean so fortunately, application to join the club was open. They needed members. So after I passed my application, they put me up for an interview with DJTaro and DJChocolate. The interview almost took two hours. I could still recall how sick I was at that time and my nose was bleeding then. At last, I was accepted, I was officially a Club DJ member.

That was January 2008, new members were obliged to modify their former in game names into flavor/spice/fruit names like that of DJWatermelon's and other DJs. And the chosen name must start with the letters D and J, capitalized. I was recognized as jeihzie for a year before I changed my in game name into DJButternut.

Butternut. The History.


Chopsueyrice, one of my closest friends in E-games Forums has become my constant text and chatmate. He knew about everything I went through. My rants, my joy, my heartaches. He was happy for me when I told him that I was going to join one of the well known clubs online. When the DJs accepted me as their member, Chops, as what i call him, helped me think of a food name I can use as an in game name. We came up with Lollipop, Cream, Berries etc etc. When we finally agreed in Butternut. He got it from a flavor of Dunkin Donuts' Donuts. That color orange shaped in a letter O thing-y. A day after our conversation, jeihzie was, for the record, became DJButternut from then on.

The first time I showed up with the jockeys in the dancefloor, my heart was freakin' racing. What if's filled my mind like plague. What if they dont like me? What if some of them are rude, mean, cruel? What if I'm not really welcome? What if? What if?

TO CONTINUE ...


Monday, August 18, 2008

Intro

This girl has been acquainted to pain since she entered college. That was the very first time she thought that life never really is good. She thought she was strong, that she can brave anything that comes her way ... until she fell in love.

What Exactly Is Heartbreak?

Lots of things can cause heartbreak. Some people might have had a romantic relationship that ended before they were ready. Others might have strong feelings for someone who doesn't feel the same way. Or maybe a person feels sad or angry when a close friend ends or abandons the friendship. Although the causes may be different, the feeling of loss is the same — whether it's the loss of something real or the loss of something you only hoped for. People describe heartbreak as a feeling of heaviness, emptiness, and sadness.

How Can I Deal With How I Feel?

Most people will tell you you'll get over it or you'll meet someone else, but when it's happening to you, it can feel like no one else in the world has ever felt the same way. If you're experiencing these feelings, there are things you can do to lessen the pain. Here are some tips that might help:

  • Share your feelings. Some people find that sharing their feelings with someone they trust — someone who recognizes what they're going through — helps them feel better. That could mean talking over all the things you feel, even having a good cry on the shoulder of a comforting friend or family member. Others find they heal better if they hang out and do the things they normally enjoy, like seeing a movie or going to a concert, to take their minds off the hurt. If you feel like someone can't relate to what you're going through or is dismissive of your feelings, find someone more sympathetic to talk to. (OK, we know that sharing feelings can be tough for guys, but you don't necessarily have to tell the football team or your wrestling coach what you're going through. Talk with a friend or family member, a teacher, or counselor. It might make you more comfortable if you find a female family member or friend, like an older sister or a neighbor, to talk to.)
  • Remember what's good about you. This one is really important. Sometimes people with broken hearts start to blame themselves for what's happened. They may be really down on themselves, exaggerating their faults as though they did something to deserve the unhappiness they're experiencing. If you find this happening to you, nip it in the bud! Remind yourself of your good qualities, and if you can't think of them because your broken heart is clouding your view, get your friends to remind you.
  • Take good care of yourself. A broken heart can be very stressful so don't let the rest of your body get broken too. Get lots of sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly to minimize stress and depression and give your self-esteem a boost.
  • Don't be afraid to cry. Going through a break-up can be really tough, and getting some of those raw emotions out can be a big help. We know this is another tough one for guys, but there's no shame in crying now and then. No one has to see you do it — you don't have to start blubbering in class or at soccer practice or anything. Just a find a place where you can be alone, like crying into your pillow at night or in the shower when you're getting ready for the day.
  • Do the things you normally enjoy. Whether it's seeing a movie or going to a concert, do something fun to take your mind off the negative feelings for a while.
  • Keep yourself busy. Sometimes this is difficult when you're coping with sadness and grief, but it really helps. This is a great time to redecorate your room or try a new hobby. That doesn't mean you shouldn't think about what happened — working things through in our minds is all part of the healing process — it just means you should focus on other things too.
  • Give yourself time. It takes time for sadness to go away. Almost everyone thinks they won't feel normal again, but the human spirit is amazing — and the heartbreak almost always heals after a while. But how long will that take? That depends on what caused your heartbreak, how you deal with loss, and how quickly you tend to bounce back from things. Getting over a break-up can take a couple of days to many weeks — and sometimes even months.

Some people feel that nothing will make them happy again and resort to alcohol or drugs. Others feel angry and want to hurt themselves or someone else. People who drink, do drugs, or cut themselves to escape from the reality of a loss may think they are numbing their pain, but the feeling is only temporary. They're not really dealing with the pain, only masking it, which makes all their feelings build up inside and prolongs the sadness.

Sometimes the sadness is so deep — or lasts so long — that a person may need some extra support. For someone who isn't starting to feel better after a few weeks or who continues to feel depressed, talking to a counselor or therapist can be very helpful.

So be patient with yourself, and let the healing begin.

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Getting Over a Break up, reviewed by: Jennifer Pendley, PhD

Sunday, August 17, 2008



THEY KISSED AGAIN

Sequel to the 2005 smash hit It Started With a Kiss

Chinese Title: 'E Zuo Ju Er Wen' (literally, prank's second kiss)
Year: 2008
No. of episodes: 20
Theme song: Mavis Fan (ending song - Ni ('You') by Ariel Lin and interlude by Joe Cheng)
Based on the manga Itazaru Na Kiss ("prank's kiss") by Kaoru Tada


Ariel Lin as Xiang Qin
Joe Cheng as Zhi Shu


Best Moments & Lines

- Episode 11 in its entirety
- When ZS is sitting by himself on the bench after his farewell to his family and XQ before departing for the military. The image of him, alone and looking/caressing XQ's picture on his cellphone was moving beyond words. I nearly bursted into tears.
- "I'm the king of the world! You jump, I jump!" - Ariel was damn funny in that scene.
- "She doesn't seem to understand just how much I love her." - Zhi Shu in a heart-to-heart with XQ's dad. I'm glad XQ overheard this.

- "Like a broken record, she kept telling me that she loved me...it was so annoying. But when this became a regular part of my life and I took it for granted, she suddenly told me she didn't love me anymore. I can still clearly remember the nauseating feeling I had [when she said that]...I can do 90% of the things in this world. The other 10%, she can do, in a way that no one else can." - ZS explaining to YS how he fell in love with XQ.

- "I can't imagine how you would live if I weren't by your side. That is probably why I'm so strict with you. I don't know how long I can be with you in this lifetime, so even if I'm not with you one day, you must live on bravely". - ZS' narration while leaving for the military.

- The episode where the past and personality of XQ's mom is revealed.
- "The most important thing is, I love you. I love you so much. Anything that comes from you, I will love. Be it beautiful, ugly, normal or odd... as long as it comes from you, I will love it". Hands-down the most romantic line uttered in the whole series. How far ZS has come. I nearly melted on the spot.

The Loot Bag

1) The love nest. The doped-up house is fantastic, I'd want to live there! And their blog actually exists in real life! A clever idea to market and promote this series.
2) The acting.

3) There's at least one kiss in every episode, except the one when ZS treats XQ like dirt during their tension about Qi Tai.
4) A lot of funny scenes. The director is actually in a lot of them, plus he likes to include a lot of NG clips in the final cut.

5) Episode 11, which was an explosive episode in terms of emotions and character revelations. A lot of best moments were in this episode.

6) Incredibly creative connections to ISWAK without flashback overload. For example, in the finale, in the scene where ZS asks XQ if she's pregnant, he's wearing the same sweater he wore on their first unofficial date in ISWAK! I was also estatic with ZS' office decorations. I was praying that the bakery model that XQ made for his birthday would make a re-appearance and it did, along with the love letter and the good luck charm she gave him! Amazing! Finally something to show XQ that he was in love with her for almost as long as she was with him. And how freakin' cute was the button ring?!

The Barf Bag

1) Back in ISWAK, XQ was pretty uncomfortable whenever ZS teased her about physical intimacy (even though she was head over heels in love), so I found it shady that in TKA, they slept together on the last night of their honeymoon. I have to ask, would XQ have agreed to sleeping together if she knew they weren't legally married? The writers glided over this point and I can't shake the feeling that XQ might not have agreed to sleeping together if they weren't married.

2) How rude Yu Shu is. Terrible parenting skills displayed by the Jiangs.
3) The bastardization of the nursing profession. I understand that this is supposedly a romantic comedy, but is anyone going to trust a nurse after watching XQ and her antics in nursing school and the hospital? She cried in an operating room, for god's sake!

4) Too many soliloquies. I can't count how many times characters gave huge, long speeches as if they were about to die. One example was Ah Bu's speech about his love for Chun Mei at the hospital.

5) The brief but idiotic moment when ZS is introduced to Christine and says (in English) "Hi, I'm Joe. What's up?" and Christine replies "Good!". Who the hell replies 'good' to 'what's up'?!!? Who scripted this sad English? I almost died laughing.

6) How ZS still calls XQ 'idiot'. I find that verbally abusive and I cringed everytime.
7) People come in and out of the series way too quickly. I understand that the focus is on XQ and ZS, but the snippets of other people made other characters seem like caricatures, and didn't allow for some meaningful subplots. It's a good thing Ariel and Joe are such terrific actors, otherwise I would be begging for more subplots.

Eyes of a Hawk

- In the episode where XQ goes to Ma Tzu to visit ZS and she falls down and he tends to her ankle - look - they're wearing matching shoes!

Through the Grapevine

Forums are abuzz about the possible real-life relationship between Ariel and Joe. What we do know is (and they've said in interviews) that they call each other "lao gong" (husband) and "lao po" (wife) in real life. Ariel has said in an interview that while preparing for this series, she watched an American TV show on doctors and quickly called Joe and said "Lao gong, there's a show on TV about doctors! Quick! Watch and learn how to be a doctor!" I find this both telling and interesting given the fact that the two characters in the series don't even call each other that - they just call each other by name. Recent interviews also indicate that they may just come out and admit their relationship very soon.


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Credits to Bridget for the review.

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