Loving The Lake House

I saw The Lake House on its first day of showing without many expectations. I know it is a Hollywood adaptation of an almost classic Korean film, Siworae, which was truly beautiful and also one of my favourite Asian films. So I didn’t hope for anything. Not at all. I guess I was excited to see how it would fare compared to the original, and of course, I am excited to see Sandy and Keanu back on the big screen together. I have to admit though, that although I like both actors (I like Sandy better) I am really not a huge fan of their team. I mean sure, they have great chemistry onscreen, but I really still prefer Neo and Trinity (a.k.a. Carrie-Anne Moss), anyway, it was still great seeing them back. I read the original choice for the male lead was John Cusack. It wold be interesting how that will look like but I’m glad Keanu was available for the role. Anyway, back to the film. So I wasn’t expecting much. But you what, when I came out of the cinema I was completely starry-eyed and wanted to see it again. That film is the love!

  

I am not going to go into details why I thought it was wonderful. I hate comparing it to the original version. Sure, they have the same time continuum concept but since they have different cultures, different writers and directors, the whole thing was given a different take. I still cannot decide which I like better. Both have their own distinct character. Siworae was great in a sad but beautiful way while The Lake House is wonderful in that hopeful romantic way. They elicited different feelings, but both were beautifully made. TLH was lovely. I love the characters, the progress of the film, the cinematography, the conversations, the architecture! Knowing for a fact that Sandy is into architecture I know this film must’ve meant a lot to her. One of what I thought was the really killer scenes is when Alex (Keanu Reeves) gave Kate (Sandy) an architectural tour of Chicago by sending her this street map and a letter guiding her through the city’s finest buildings and houses. And ended it with a message written in this glass wall. I thought it was really sweet.  

At first one would find it hard to get used to the idea that the two characters are separated by two years, but as the film progresses, one will just eventually forget about that and find themselves immersed, somewhat involved in the story. It was easy to sympathize with the characters. And that’s another thing that I loved about it. It was a love story, but I’m glad that they didn’t go for overkill and kept it as close to reality as possible.

 

I love how the film doesn’t try to convince you of anything or pretend to be something. It simply tells the story. It’s wonderful. Another favorite scene was when they danced on the porch, and this Paul McCartney song (This Never Happened Before – it’s just perfect!). was playing. I love how the film can be funny at times (Duh, Sandra Bullock is in it!). and the dog! That mongrel should be given best performance by a pet award. She is just fantastic!

  

Dear. I have to stop gushing about this film. Yes, I saw it thrice already and I’m so going to get the dvd when it comes out, and also the book or soundtrack cd if there will be any available. I love its effect on me. It just changed something about how I look at certain things, I don’t know? hahaha. Perhaps its because Keanu Reeves looks good in white? Hee. And I’m not even crushing on Keanu (my type is like, Hugh Jackman! Hehe!) But anyway, this is definitely a film I will recommend for anyone to watch. In my opinion, it’s truly something worth seeing and gushing about over and over again.

 

Mystery

i absolutely love this song.;-)

Each time you’d pull down the driveway,
i wasn’t sure when i would
see you again.
yours was a twisted blind-sided highway,
no matter which road you took then.
oh you set up your place in my thoughts,
moved in and made my thinking crowded.
now we’re out in the back with the barking dogs,
my heart the red sun your heart the moon clouded.
i could go crazy on a night like tonight
when summer’s beginning to give up her fight
and every thought’s a possibility and voices are heard
but nothing is seen.
why do you spend this time with me?
maybe an equal mystery.
so what is love then,
is it dictated or chosen?
does it sing like the hymns of 1000 years,
or is it just pop emotion.
and if it ever was here and it left,
does it mean it was never true?
and to exist it must elude,
is that why i think these things of you,?
but i could go crazy on a night like tonight
when summer’s beginning to give up her fight
and every thought’s a possibility
and voices are heard but nothing is seen.
why do you spend this time with me?
maybe an equal mystery oh
but you like the taste of danger,
it shines like sugar on your lips
and you like to stand in the line of fire,
just to show you can shoot straight from your hip
there must be a 1000 things you would die for,
i can hardly think of two.
but not everything is better spoken aloud,
not when i’m talking to you.
oh the pirate gets the ship and the girl tonight,
breaks a bottle to christen her.
basking in the exploits of her thief,
she’s a very good listener.
and maybe that’s all that we need
is to meet in the middle of impossibility,
standing at opposite poles,
equal partners in a mystery.
we’re standing at opposite poles..
equal partners in a mystery.

Indigo Girls

this isn’t what i thought i’d end up posting

The past week went by in a blur. Each time I woke before my cellphone alarm goes off, I say a silent prayer thanking God for the reminder, that I still have to endure a month of corporate slavery. And for Him to guide me, bless me with the drive and patience to go on and finish another boring day at the office, and with satisfactory results at the and of my shift. Without this solid faith that one divine force is backing me up, I would’ve gone crazy already.

Imagine being stuck in a job you practically abhor. It’s the worst routine one has to put up with. I got this job in February, at a time when I was caught between decisions. I would’ve applied at any company or organization where I can further enhance my law training, like the ones I’ve been to before. But this time the adventure-seeker in me wanted something different. So I joined the hype. As of February 2006, I was employed in one of the country’s leading contact centers, in one of the more prestigious accounts. It was fun and exciting at first. Imagine meeting all sorts of people, a lot different from what I’m used to. Varying backgrounds, and reasons why they’re there. And I’m the only person who was there because “I needed something to do with my time aside from studying.” Of course, I never intimated this reason with everyone, only to those I knew would understand. Lots were family breadwinners.

And they were the ones who really did well in the job. I practically slacked off. Or maybe its because I never really was into this kind of thing. I was not about to brag about my educational background. What the hell am I doing there? It was only after a couple of months into the job that I let everyone in about that. And somehow I wished I hadn’t. It was tough hearing them telling me how lucky I am that my life had “real direction”, that I have a solid career to look forward to. Compared to them who didn’t know if they’d be able to finish school or if ever they’ll want to. The pay was good, that I have to give this job credit for.

But I am trained for something else. So again, what was I doing there? I do not undermine contact centers, or people who work there. Since I began working there I actually had more respect for call centers and the agents. It wasn’t an easy job. It’s not just taking or making phone calls. It’s sacrificing a lot, subjecting oneself to ideas and concepts, which are most of the times, against one’s principles. It is interesting at times, hearing stories about bloopers and about phone calls received and made. A day won’t pass without us laughing about something that happened while on duty.

Still, it wasn’t my thing. Each day I would try to look back and check what was wrong. And each time I come up with different answers. Each one’s acceptable. Each one I understand. The job is not for me. But like, I ever want to stay here. It’s simply one of those phases where I sought something different and learned something from it. And now, I am about to start my final month in this job. I’m only going to finish the cut-off so I can still get my salaries on July 5 and 20. Last day will be July 1; I’ll take 4 to six weeks vacation. And then move on to another job, this time doing something that I got eight years of training for. After my vacation, I’m ready to start my legal profession. I have yet to pass the bar, yet to get my license. But I’m getting there. For now, I am grateful for having been given the chance to experience something different.

One more month. It’s tough seeing the faces of those friends I made. They all knew I’d eventually resign. They often joke about it but I can see they don’t want to see me go. But I have to. This isn’t my place.

But the time that I spent in the 9th floor of the east tower of that known Ortigas building will always stay with me. I originally thought about typing a very bitchy resignation letter for this post, for before I sat here I was feeling so tired and burnt out I thought I was brimming with angst. But the cool weather calmed me, and helped me think more clearly. It may not be my cup of tea but it wasn’t that bad.

It isn’t one of most fulfilling jobs in the world. But working there is something else. It opens doors, windows of opportunities. It widens one’s horizons, in a way. And it sure teaches one a lot of things.

It sure taught me lots, and in some ways I think made me a better person. It isn’t much, but still, it’s something.

Tomorrow again I will be up by 1 am to prepare, and get to my 3:30 am to 12-noon shift. Twenty more working days of sacrifice, which I’m willing to make, for the last time.

Who would’ve thought I’d be in the streets commuting alone at such an ungodly, dangerous hour of 2:30 am? My parents will have a heart attack if they found out. (One secret: they thought I already resigned.) They’d much appreciate it if I’m still up at 2 am because I’m somewhere partying with friends, instead of going to this kind of work. Man, I guess working there made me tougher.

Anyway, it’s payday today, and it’s my day-off. So I gotta go and relish the fruits of my slaver- er, labor. Tee hee.