That Familiar Smell

As I walked up the steps to our apartment, I noticed a familiar smell. The last time I encountered it was last summer when I had to go home ahead of Noel. It's the smell of an empty apartment.

Noel left this afternoon for SF. He'll be back next week.

I've always been amazed at the oneness that envelopes my parents. Two beautiful individuals that fit perfectly to complete a puzzle. I saw that in my grandparents, too. I'm also seeing it with my bro and my sis-in-;aw. And now, I'm experiencing the same thing. I love it.

Between now and last summer, we've grown together and on each other.

I love it that I have grown accustomed to sleeping beside him and waking up next to him each and every morning. I love it that even if we have our alone time, I can sense him in the next room, steadily typing away on his laptop. I love it that while I'm in the kitchen, I'll just here a: "Soot?" (that's what we call each other) and I say: "Yes?" and he'll say: "How are you?" and then I'll say: "Ok!" And I absolutely love it that he knows what's on my mind. That sometimes, he says what I'm just about to utter.

And this is precisely why I miss him now.

I know, I know. Give it ten to twenty more years and I'd welcome every moment I spend without him. Maybe. Maybe not. But I miss him now and I hope I can sleep soundly tonight. As peaceful as I do when I'm beside him.

Of Wicked Witches and Secret Suppers (and not so empty minds, after all)

My Big Bro and I recently talked about having empty minds. We seemed to have encountered a creative slump at the same time. Although it is a welcome respite from a seemingly endless cycle of thinking, thinking and thinking (which we enjoy especially since even if we don't want to, our minds just go on and on and on. I wonder what our brains look like as we think of the alternate life of an avocado. See? What did I tell you?), it can also cause quite a panic since we're used to our minds just thinking and thinking and thinking.

I think I'll be out of the slump by next week. Maybe it has something to do with the thawing temperatures here. Meantime, conversely, I hope it will be cooler in the Kamuning Republic as I think his has to do with the scorching weather there.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share with you my email to him:

Hi Xioy,

I hope yours is no longer an empty mind. Mine? Well, getting there. I still haven't garnered enough energy to conquer the slump but I feel next week is going to be different.

I just got back however from the interesting journey I went on while reading Wicked. If you can get your hands on a copy, you should. It's the most creative piece I have read so far and it leaves you having a very different opinion of the land of Oz.

My body may be stagnant but my excuse is that at least my mind isn't by virtue of my readings. I am now on the tenth chapter of The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra, set in the 1400's, it's about Da Vinci and his hidden codes in the master piece.

When I work I don't get to read, when I read, I don't get to work.

Must find a balance.

But until then, I am happily content.

I dread next week when I have to force myself to work again. Hahaha

Abueno,
Yami

The Sound of Music

A couple of days ago, while surfing the channels on TV, I chanced upon my favorite movie of all time: The Sound of Music. I watched as if it was the first time I had laid my eyes on the Von Trapp family, I sang with Maria and the children songs that filled my own childhood and wept when Christoper Plummer strained to sing the last notes of Edelweiss.

For some, The Sound of Music is just one of those classics. Fun to watch. Nice songs. Cute kids. Lovely costumes.

But for me, The Sound of Music continues to be one of my favorite things because it's about the two things that I hold dear to my heart: family and country.

Memorable quotes forThe Sound of Music (1965)

Max: How many have I had?

Maid: Two.

Max: Make it an uneven three.

Captain von Trapp: Fraulein, is it to be at every meal, or merely at dinnertime, that you intend on leading us all through this rare and wonderful new world of... indigestion?

Max: He's got to at least *pretend* to work with these people. You must convince him. Maria: I can't ask him to be less than he is.

The Baroness: Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun. Auf Wiedersehen, darling.

Captain von Trapp: It's the dress. You'll have to put on another one before you meet the children.

Maria: But I don't have another one. When we entered the abbey our worldly clothes were given to the poor.

Captain von Trapp: What about this one?

Maria: The poor didn't want this one.

Mother Abbess: Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.

Kurt: I wonder what grass tastes like.

Max: I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I'm making.

Captain von Trapp: You have no choice.

Max: I know... That's why I'm making it.

Captain von Trapp: Oh, there's nothing wrong with the children. Only the governesses.

Captain von Trapp: You brought music back into the house. I had forgotten.

Captain von Trapp: I don't care to hear anything further from you about my children.

Maria: I am not finished yet!

Captain von Trapp: Oh, yes, you are, Captain! [pauses]

Captain von Trapp: Fraulein.

Maria: I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel.

Mother Abbess: Some people would call that honesty.

Maria: Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother.
Sister Margaretta: After all, the wool from the black sheep is just as warm.

Captain von Trapp: The first rule of this household is discipline.

Frau Schmidt: The Von Trapp children don't play. They march.

Herr Zeller: Perhaps those who would warn you that the Anschluss is coming - and it is coming, Captain - perhaps they would get further with you by setting their words to music.

Captain von Trapp: If the Nazis take over Austria, I have no doubt, Herr Zeller, that you will be the entire trumpet section.

Herr Zeller: You flatter me, Captain.

Captain von Trapp: Oh, how clumsy of me - I meant to accuse you.

Herr Zeller: I've not asked you where you and your family are going. Nor have you asked me why I am here.

Captain von Trapp: Well, apparently, we're both suffering from a deplorable lack of curiosity.

The Baroness: Why didn't you tell me?

Max: What?

The Baroness: To bring along my harmonica.

Kurt: Only grown-up men are scared of women.

Maria: Kurt, how are you?

Kurt: Hungry.

Max: The Von Trapp Family Singers. Here your names: Leisl, Friedrich, Louisa, Brigitta, Kurt, Marta and Gretl.

Gretl: Why am I always last?

Max: Because you are the most important.

Maria: Where the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.

Max: What's going to happen's going to happen. Just make sure it doesn't happen to you. Captain von Trapp: Max. Don't you *ever* say that again.

Max: You know I have no political convictions. Can I help it if other people do?

Captain von Trapp: Oh yes, you can help it. You must help it.

Captain von Trapp: You are the twelfth in a long line of governesses who have come here to look after my children since their mother died. I trust you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours.

Maria: There were times when we would look at each other, oh Mother I could hardly breathe.

Maria: Gretl, what happened to your finger?

Gretl: It got caught.

Maria: Caught in what?

Gretl: Friedrich's teeth.

Captain von Trapp: Now, when I want you, this is what you will hear. [Blows whistle]

Maria: Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too... humiliating.

Captain von Trapp: Fraulein, were you this much trouble at the Abbey?

Maria: Oh, much more, sir.

Captain von Trapp: Hmm. [Starts to leave the room when Maria blows the whistle. He looks back at her]

Maria: Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal.

Maria: I don't understand.

Captain von Trapp: Well, we called off our engagement, you see, and...

Maria: Oh, I'm sorry.

Captain von Trapp: Yes. You are?

Maria: Mm-hmm. You did?

Captain von Trapp: Yes. Well, you can't marry someone when you're in love with someone else... can you?

The Baroness: There's nothing more irresistible to a man than a woman who's in love with him.

The Baroness: Darling, haven't you ever heard of a delightful little thing called boarding school?

Captain von Trapp: Fraulein Maria, did I or did I not say that bedtime is to be strictly observed in this household?

Maria: Yes, well the children were scared of the thunderstorm and... You did, sir.

Captain von Trapp: And do you or do you not have trouble following these simple instructions? Maria: Only during thunderstorms.

Gretl: It'll be my first party, father.

Maria: [singing] Silver white winters that melt into springs, these are a few of my favorite things
Marta: The least they could have done is to let us say hello.

Captain von Trapp: [after pulling the gun from Rolfe] You'll never be one of them.

Rolfe: Lieutenant! Lieutenant, they're here! They're here, Lieutenant! [blows whistle]

Liesl: How else are we supposed to get Father's attention?

Brigitta: Yes.

Maria: Well, we'll have to think about that one.

The Baroness: You're far away. Where are you?

Captain von Trapp: In a world that's disappearing, I'm afraid.

[talking about pink lemonade] The Baroness: Not too sweet, not too sour. Max: Just too? uh . . pink.

Liesl: I'm Liesl. I'm sixteen years old and I don't need a governess.

Marta: Why don't we ever get to see the baroness?

Kurt: Why would she want to see you?

Marta: Can we really keep the puppet show Uncle Max?

Max: Of course. Why else do you think I sent the bill to your father?

Max: Hold on. What's so funny?

Captain von Trapp: You are, Max. Expensive, but very funny.

Max: Friedrich, Gretl, why don't you sing?

Gretl: I can't, I've got a sore finger.

Max: I like rich people. I like the way they live, and I like the way I live when I'm with them.

Maria: You know how Sister Berthe always makes me kiss the floor after we've had a disagreement? Well, lately I've taken to kissing the floor whenever I see her coming, just to save time.

[last lines] Sister Margaretta: Reverend Mother, I have sinned.

Sister Berthe: I, too, Reverend Mother.

Mother Abbess: What is this sin, my children? [the nuns look at each other, then reveal from under their robes the distributor and coil they have removed from the Germans' cars]

Kurt: I haven't had so much fun since the day we put glue on Fräulein Josephine's toothbrush.

Maria: Why didn't you children tell me you could dance?

Kurt: We were afraid you'd make us all dance together. The von Trapp Family dancers. [spins]

Liesl: [singing with the children at the Villa] So long, farewell, au revoir, auf Wiedersehen! I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne. Yes?

Captain von Trapp: No!

[singing starts somewhere inside] Captain von Trapp: What's that?

Maria: It's singing.

Captain von Trapp: Yes, I realize it's singing, but who?

Maria: The children.

Captain von Trapp: The children?

Maria: I taught them something to sing for the Baroness.

Maria: [the captain begins to walk away, and Maria blows her whistle. The captain turns around] Sorry Sir, I don't know your call.

Marta: I'm Marta, and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday, and I'd like a pink parasol.

Maria: Well. pink's my favorite color, too.

Louisa von Trapp: I'm Brigitta.

Maria: You didn't tell me how old you are, Louisa.

Brigitta: I'm Brigitta, she's Louisa. She's thirteen years old, and your smart! I'm ten, and I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw!

[Maria finds a frog in her pocket] Frau Schmidt: You're lucky. With Fraulein Helga, it was a snake!

Captain von Trapp: Now, Fraulein. I want a truthful answer from you.

Maria: Yes, Captain?

Captain von Trapp: Is it possible - or could I have just imagined it - have my children by any chance been climbing trees today?

Maria: Yes, Captain.

Captain von Trapp: I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these... ummm...

Maria: Play clothes.

Captain von Trapp: Oh, is that what you call them?

Maria: I made them. From the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom.

Captain von Trapp: Drapes?

Maria: They still have plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them.

Captain von Trapp: Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but some old drapes?

Maria: Mmm-hmmm. And having a marvelous time!

Friedrich von Trapp: I'm Friedrich. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible!

Maria: [laughing] Really? Who told you that, Friedrich?

Friedrich von Trapp: Fraulein Josephine, four governesses ago.

Max: I shall miss you. I shall miss the money I could have made with you!

Captain von Trapp: My fellow Austrians, I shall not be seeing you again perhaps for a very long time. I would like to sing for you now... a love song. I know you share this love. I pray that you will never let it die.

It's Been a While

It's been a a while since my last post. I've been quite busy with work and... play. Last month, Noel and I took a trip to the West Coast to see some old friends. Cooper, my bestfriend, and I have not see each other for about 6 years! It was awesome seeing him again..... I totally enjoyed being Ninang to Gabby and Rafael, even just for a while. Maybe we can go and visit them again. And stay longer. That trip was just too short.

I've also been busy going back to reading again. Somehow, vacations always reinvigorate my love for reading. Right now, I'm going through the last few pages of "The General and his Labyrinth," by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. A heart rending, inspiring and thought provoking account of the last days of General Simon Bolivar - The Liberator. I think next on my list is "Wicked" and another one on Kabbalah and love, I think.

Here are some snapshots of how life has been since my last entry. Enjoy.