Ascot scene from My Fair Lady (c) Warner Bros

Bed? Bed -- I couldn't go to bed
My head's too light to try to settle down
Sleep? Sleep -- I couldn't sleep tonight
Not for all the jewels in the crown!
I could have danced all night
I could have danced all night
And still have begged for more
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I'd never done before
I'll never know what made it so exciting
When all at once my heart took flight
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced... all night!

being a lady takes a lot of hard work. it isnt about putting up a front -- what fashionable clothes to wear, how much.. erm.. how "worthy" our guy is, how many pairs of "designer" shoes we have in our 450 ft long, 75 ft wide, and 45 ft high walk-in closet. when we look at magazines, we see all sorts of how to's -- how to keep a guy, how to "be yourself" on a date, how to be attractive (which also means ultimately spending 9 hrs in the gym, and following fad diets), etcétera etcétera. beauty products and cosmetic surgery attempt to create a package of alluring womanhood, sadly, very few women can really be called ladies.
a lady doesnt roar, she refrains from raising her voice, and yet knows how to get her point across. a lady's strength gets her through any adversity, yet she is most feminine when she handles her man. she resists the temptation to exploit other people's lives by gossiping. she knows how to give -- what she can, when she can, and as often as she can, not expecting anything in return. a true lady is not about inches and pounds. she is as immeasurable as her faith in God, as fair as the character she carries.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
-- Proverbs 27:30-31



I've grown accustomed to her face,
she almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed to the tune
she whistles night an' noon
Her smiles, her frowns,
her ups, her downs
are second nature to me now
like breathing out and breathing in
I was serenely independent
and content, before we met
surely I could always be that way again, and yet,
I've grown accustomed to her looks
accustomed to her voice
accustomed to her face!

Words by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe, 1956

Bugs Bunny & Yosemite Sam (c) Warner Bros

what: a blind date
where: the mall
when: 12ish
who? to protect their identities, let's call them 'harry' and 'sally'...
my friend 'sally' one time went to my house, woke me up, and told me that she was going on a blind date. "can i use your hair dryer, lotion, cream, blah blah blah", she prattled on and on. she was wearing a bright orange shirt that almost blinded me, and a pair of tight jeans to show off her nicely rounded butt (according to her sisters). when she was finished eyeing herself, admiring her face in the mirror, she turned to me, and waited for my reaction. she was already strutting while i was still pondering what to say. a few hours later, sally came back with her new beau, 'harry'. i wondered what the heck they were doing in my house, holding hands, cooing like lovebirds, acting a scene in henry V. i was completely mesmerised the whole time they were there. a week later, sally came back crying. i asked what was wrong -- she should be happy to have finally met someone who would take her to the altar and stay there until the end of the ceremony -- sobbing woefully, she told me he broke up with her. the whirlwind romance and courtship lasted exactly seven days...
the reason? he decided he wanted to become a priest, after all.
the lamest excuse a guy could ever come up with.
moral of the story: before dating a guy, ask first if they're harbouring any priestly inclinations.

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
-- Proverbs 18:22

10 fashion items every woman should have:
1. White shirt
2. Black skirt
3. Black sweater
4. Black pants
5. Classic black pumps
6. Classic beige pumps
7. Pearl necklace, any length
8. Pearl earrings
9. Good watch
10. And a good man to provide all those
-- Inno Sotto

what is my voice to you? can i still wear the rubber band around my finger? will you keep my glove and my sock? will you still check your movie guide? will you ever forgive me? if i let you go, will you come back to me?
your sophie

Photo from Stockstash

Sweet and smiling are thy ways, Beauteous, gold Autumn days.
-- Will Carleton

i woke up to thunderstorms and downcast skies. the temperature was 16 degrees. the greens and browns of summer are changing into a foliage of reds, purples, oranges and yellows.
may this be a favoured season.

... then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.
-- Deuteronomy 11:14

Cinderella (c) The Walt Disney Co

TO THE WONDERFUL WOMEN IN MY CIRCLE

Now I lay me
Down to sleep
I pray the Lord
My shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles
Please no bags
And please lift my butt
Before it sags.
Please no age spots
Please no gray
And as for my belly,
Please take it away.
Please keep me healthy
Please keep me young,
And thank you Dear Lord
For all that you've done.

Footnotes:
1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend, and then I started to become a woman. And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, God will show you the best in many friends. One friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your man. Another friend's best is needed when you're going through things with your mom. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be. One friend will say let's pray together, another let's cry together, another let's fight together, another let's walk away together... One friend will meet your spiritual need, another your shoe fetish, another your love for movies, another will be with you in your season of confusion, another will be your clarifier, another the wind beneath your wings... But whatever their assignment in your life, or whatever the occasion, or whatever the day, or whenever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself... those are your best friends. It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many it's wrapped up in several...
-- Anonymous

Graphics (c) Dianne Rigdon

laundry, laundry, laundry... oh joy. dont get me wrong, i like house chores. i like making my place cozy, quaint and immaculate. but i do regret the times i let the washables pile up. to multitask, try these recipes while waiting for the washer to finish its run:

Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Serves 4

4 cups milk
2 vanilla beans, split
10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces

1. Combine milk and split vanilla beans in a saucepan; scald milk over medium-low heat. Remove from heat, and take out vanilla beans. Scrape the seeds from the beans into the milk, discarding the pods. Stir, then let stand covered for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Return to medium-low heat, add chocolate, and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately.

(something quick and easy for dinner...)
Perfect Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce

Serves 2 to 4

This recipe’s quickness depends on getting all the sauce ingredients and cooking equipment ready before you start cooking. Then, when the water’s boiling, start the pasta, and sauté the sauce at the same time.

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds baby pear tomatoes (or cherry or vine-ripened tomatoes), or one 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes
8 ounces thin, best-quality spaghetti
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, cut into 1/8-inch-thick pieces
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley leaves, loosely packed and torn
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional)

1. In a tall stockpot, bring 3 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil.
2. If using pear tomatoes, wash and stem. If using vine-ripened tomatoes, score bottoms with a small “X”; blanch 5 seconds in boiling water. Plunge tomatoes into an ice-water bath, then remove the skins. Using a chef’s knife, cut flesh from cores, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips; place in a sieve set over a bowl. Press the cores of tomatoes through sieve; discard seeds. If using canned tomatoes, strain, and pass through a food mill.
3. Drop spaghetti into boiling water; stir. Cook until al dente, about 11 minutes, according to package instructions.
4. Place a 12-inch sauté pan over medium heat; add oil. Add garlic to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden, about 30 seconds. Add red-pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until garlic is medium golden, about 1 minute.
5. Increase heat to high. Tilting pan at an angle, add tomatoes. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, pear tomatoes begin to burst, or canned tomatoes begin to thicken, 5 to 6 minutes. If using pear tomatoes, mash a few with a spoon. If pear tomatoes start to get too dry, add a little water from the stockpot.
6. Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup liquid in case sauce gets too dry. Add pasta to sauce in sauté pan; cook until sauce begins to cling to pasta, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil; cook 30 seconds more. Divide among bowls, and sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Photo from Stockstash

html is quite fun once you get the hang of it! here's to a new "look"... cheers!
some useful links: webmonkey the www help page html goodies

Photo from Stockstash

chaos. confusion. depression. hitting major bumps and ending up in cul de sacs. senselessness and hopelessness and nothingness. even as christians, we were never promised an easy life. but when it all comes to pass, i look at my hands and rejoice that i am still alive... my God, again, has carried me through.
even when i evolve mentally and emotionally, he doesnt change, he is ever faithful. i have learned to live a minute at a time, to think about the future, but not be anxious about it. he who loves me holds all my tomorrows, i will not be afraid.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
-- Lamentations 3:22-23

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
-- words by Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923;
music by William M. Runyan, 1923

due to public clamour... the invites are back (links below):

Des yeux qui font baisser les miens,
Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche,
Voilà le portrait sans retouche
De l'homme auquel j'appartiens

Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas,
Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,
Des mots de tous les jours,
Et ça me fait quelque chose.

Il est entré dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause.

C'est lui pour moi. Moi pour lui
Dans la vie,
Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie.

Et dès que je l'aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat

Des nuits d'amour à plus finir
Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place
Les ennuis les chagrins s'effacent
Heureux, heureux à en mourir.

Quand il me prend dans ses bras
Il me parle tout bas,
Je vois la vie en rose.

Il me dit des mots d'amour,
Des mots de tous les jours,
Et ça me fait quelque chose.

Il est entré dans mon coeur
Une part de bonheur
Dont je connais la cause.

C'est toi pour moi. Moi pour toi
Dans la vie,
Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie.

Et dès que je l'aperçois
Alors je sens en moi
Mon coeur qui bat

-- Edith Piaf, 1946

Rocky The Gangster (c) Warner Bros

"give me an invite and no one gets hurt." that was my friend john turned Gmail-mobster. the triumphs and pitfalls of the Gmail-haves and have nots... harvard professor n. gregory mankiw got it right: the cost of something is what you give up to get it. here are some of the things people are offering in exchange for a Gmail invite -- h****** account, password included; pms-free marriage; the great wall of china; the chance of a british title; a hug from holland; a picture from brazil; a kiss from romania; a postcard from japan; and the pink flamingo outside someone's window. in my case, the cost of getting Gmail in a 100-megabyte webmail-society is the sacrificed opportunity to have continued getting spam.
10 invites for the taking -- just click on the bible verses:

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. -- Psalm 33:11

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. -- Deuteronomy 33:27

The earth is full of goodness from the Lord. -- Psalm 33:5

Your Father knows what things you need before you ask Him. -- Matthew 6:8

I will never fail or forsake you. -- Hebrews 13:5

Fear not... I will strengthen you... I will help you. -- Isaiah 41:10

You O Lord keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. -- Psalm 18:28

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. -- Philippians 4:13

Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.' -- Matthew 19:26

Come to me all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -- Matthew 11:28

Asterix & Obelix (c) René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo

want Gmail? the only way to get it is to be invited. how? go and make friends. lots of friends. these very nice people -- samantha, mr. z, josef, a.r., and sean (sweet, sweet sean) -- sent me invites! in turn, i was able to give an invite each to my loved ones.

Gmail is an experiment in a new kind of webmail, built on the idea that you should never have to delete mail and you should always be able to find the message you want. Gmail is a free, search-based webmail service that includes 1,000 megabytes (1 gigabyte) of storage. The backbone of Gmail is a powerful Google search engine that quickly finds any message an account owner has ever sent or received. That means there's no need to file messages in order to find them again. When Gmail displays an email, it automatically shows all the replies to that email as well, so users can view a message in the context of a conversation. There are no pop-ups or untargeted banner ads in Gmail, which places relevant text ads and links to related web pages adjacent to email messages.

Champ de Mars (c) Andre Gunther

when i look at a photograph, it has to tell me a story. i have created epics out of the produced images of dennis barloga, bernard faucon, and derek langley. now, here is andre gunther, to take me nature-scouring and city-hopping.

to take photographs is to hold one's breath when all faculties converge in the face of fleeing reality. it is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
-- Henri Cartier Bresson

Peter Pan (c) The Walt Disney Co

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, O blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Children's Hour


Photo (c) AFP

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.
-- Job 2:13

i was deeply affected by what happened in beslan. there's no excuse for the [more than] 350 lives that were taken -- children held hostage, and for 3 days had nothing to eat or drink other than their own urine. it is upsetting that others blame everything and everyone except terrorism -- terrorism, just as its Marxist or secessionist version in the West and Latin America was, is a matter of power -- who has it and how to get it -- not of poverty.

i do not hate, but i have no patience either, for terrorists who think they have reasons to bring havoc into the world. whatever they believe in, it will never be enough to justify their actions.

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
-- John 16:22

Asterix (c) René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo

woohoo!!! bravo!!! congratulations!!! félicitations!!!
our spirits soar when we hear cheers, see admiring faces, and get pats on the back (that would send us flying across the room) for a job well done. it isnt just for the crowd's adulation that we press on toward our goal, but the prize we'd win when we finally reach that goal. an athlete knows what it means to be fully prepared, with his heart and mind set on winning.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.
-- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

on 29 august 2004 at 10:48 pm, athens' flame was snuffed out, and an awesome display of fireworks lit up the sky...

We trod like pilgrims to a shrine up the dusty stones of the Acropolis to gaze with awe at the 2,500-year-old Parthenon. Our imaginations did the rest, letting us feel the spirit of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; Pericles and Alexander the Great; Hippocrates and Herodotus; Euclid and Pythagoras -- that brainy bunch who laid the foundation for our culture.
-- Steve Wilstein, AP Sports Columnist

life is a celebration of champions. if we look at ourselves more closely, we'd be completely blown away by what we can actually do, especially in the hour of trial. as in sports, we race on toward our goal, focused on finishing what we began. and like an athlete, we brace ourselves for whatever circumstances we may get into. life isnt all about winning, and i think, deep down we all know that. there are times when we lose -- no matter how prepared we are, but losing doesnt mean total defeat. what is most important, and a lot of us need to understand this, is that never giving up is what life is all about. we can consider ourselves victorious because of what we were able to survive.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. -- Ephesians 6:14-18

i keep reminding myself that though i lose a battle, i'll always win the war because i have someone with me who's bigger than any problem, and greater than all the kings combined, and that is, Jesus. i just try to enjoy life as it comes, having fun with every little thing that gets thrown my way. when people say, "live life to the fullest", what does it mean? someone who knows better than most answered this wisely. what he said i've carefully etched -- first in my journal, then in my heart, so that when i am all grown up, as i am now, i'd be reminded that this time, too, is meant to be relished.