Roland Garros 2008!!!

Ok, so I've been too busy (or too...heartbroken?) that I haven't really noticed that Roland Garros 2008 (a.k.a. French Open) has already started. Thanks to my channel-surfing uncle, I glimpsed my most-awaited tennis court (clay, baby, clay) being played. It's my favorite, obviously, because it's where my beloved Rafael Nadal reigns supreme.

And he's still raking in the wins.

He has now eased into the 4th round and another Nadal-Federer toss-up is in the horizon. As I'm typing this entry, my baby's making a killing against another Spanish guy -- no. 22, Fernando Verdasco.

I'm getting excited... I live for the tennis season(s)! ^__^;;

Feeling: excited
All ears to: live performances from Dicta License and Urbandub (listen to them here)
Curled up in bed with: New Moon Stephanie Meyer, Fear of Flying Erica Jong, and Haunted Chuck Palahniuk

The 2008 Australian Open, The 2008 French Open, Rafel Nadal, etc...

The 2008 Australian Open was, in one word, interesting. For one, the men's singles finals was devoid of a Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal - a first since 2005. Next, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a number 38 tennis player (and Congolese...he probably was the first - somebody correct me if I'm wrong), gave a surprise performance, overtaking #14 seed Mikhail Youzhny, #9 seed Andy Murray, #8 seed Richard Gasquet, and - it hurts really to reminisce this *weeps* - #2 seed Rafael Nadal to reach the finals. The finals is another interesting moment: Novak Đjoković becomes the first Serbian player to win a Grand Slam singles titles (not just an Australian Open title, mind you). And oh yeah, Đjoković is the first player since 2004 to beat Roger Federer in straight sets.

The women's singles finals was also a noteworthy event. Although the crowd favourite Maria Sharapova won, it was still pretty much historical. Sharapova (whom I super love, BTW) became the first Russian woman to become a champion in the Aussie Open. And Ana Ivanovic giving a good fight also made the women's finals an engaging watch.

Now the Australian Open has wrapped up. And the next Grand Slam event, the Roland Garros Tournament a.k.a. French Open, won't happen until May 25. I'm excited - I expect my favourite (Rafa Nadal, duh?) to make a killing.

Speaking of Rafa, I read somewhere that the next tennis event he'll be participating in is the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Does anybody know if this is being shown in the Philippines?

I can't wait for May 25!!!


EDIT: My bad. Rafa's next tourney after the Australian Open will not be the Dubai Tennis Championships but Rotterdam/ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Same question, will this be shown in the Philippines?! (I doubt it. Bummer.)

Feeling: like pornstar (LOL)
Curled up in bed with: If Only Geri Halliwell
All ears to: Paghilom Dicta License

Roger Federer, NOOoooOOOoo!!!

Okay, Federer and Djokovic's semis match is on its second set. And Federer is trailing behind, 7-5 and 4-1. Will this be, as Loi has dubbed, a year of upsets? Or, if we'll be optimists, a year of underdogs?

I love underdogs. But since I won't have Nadal in the finals, I was hoping Federer will be there at least.

Feeling: happy still, even with this news...it's still payday...lol

Curled up in bed with: If Only Geri Halliwell
All ears to: Kuwentuhan Sugarfree

A virtual upset: Tsonga defeats Nadal in Aussie Open semis

I was still at work, far away from a television set when Loi sent me this SMS: "Are you watching? Rafa is losing to Tsonga (who looks like a tsonggo)".

My initial reaction was, "What? No. Where's the TV? I need to watch this!" But as I said, I was faraway from the TV set and the rational in me said that I cannot go home just to watch the match. So I just asked Loi to keep me updated.

At around 7:30, 8pm, he told me that I can officially weep: Nadal lost to the Frenchman -- 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. It was really a huge upset, especially since Nadal is ranked 2nd and Tsonga not even seeded in the Top 30 (he's number 38, to be exact). It was more upsetting because, well, where will I get my Nadal fix now? Damn that Tsonga! I wish Federer will make him weep and bleed during the Finals!!!

On a happy note: Look at the picture above. Rafael Nadal has to-die-for muscles! I can just imagine being wrapped in those arms. +cue daydream+

Feeling: happy because it's payday
Curled up in bed with: If Only Geri Halliwell
All ears to: Torpedo Eraserheads

Weekend recap

Sisters' bonding on a Saturday

I received a nice surprise last Friday: an SMS from Loi saying that he has free tickets to Repertory Philippines' "Tuesdays with Morrie". My sister and mother being big Mitch Albom fans (I like his books, I'm just not as huge a fan as the rest of the family), I grabbed the chance to make use of the tickets.

The play was a beautiful start to a great sisters' bonding day - my mother was not able to join us because she already had a previous engagement. It was such an emotional play and my sister and I silently let our tears fall as Morrie tries to break down Mitch's hardened outlook in life. (Read my full review over here.)

After the play, my sister and I trooped to Cubao. We had dinner at Shopwise's cheap selection of fast food because we were both on tight budget.

Since my sister had her first taste of a paycheck last Thursday (woohoo!), she treated me to a full body massage at our favourite spa in Cubao, the Heaven and Earth Spa. Side story: The Heaven and Earth Spa has this sign on the door that says, "Clean massage only". Because it is situated right across Eurotel, people apparently mistake it for one of "those" kinds of massage places. True to their word, they only give "clean massage". And a good one at that.

The lovely "clean" massage ended at 10 p.m. and since Anne has duty at 6 a.m. the next day, we decided to call it a night and went home to rest our sleepy heads in bed.

* * * *

Karen becomes an "Ugly Betty" fan and a Christopher Gorham lover

Okay, I'm kinda late when it comes to riding in the "Ugly Betty" love bus but the two weekends has turned me into an Ugly...Betty addict.

I've always loved America Ferrera. And I found her adorable as Betty Suarez. She gives the character the right mix of being confused, smart, composed, and charming.

I did not open up to "Ugly Betty" immediately despite my huge love for America Ferrera because I thought the show will be a tad too boring for my taste, just like its Colombian counterpart "Betty la Fea". But because I failed to find the Daniel Henney DVDs I've been searching for, I settled for "Ugly Betty" (and Cycle 8 of "America's Next Top Model"). Now, I'm really glad I did.

I'm finding the show super funny. Wilhelmina cracks me up with her witty, sarcastic lines. And it's nice to imagine, once in awhile, that I'm living the fast-paced life of those working in a fashion magazine.

And yesterday, I think in my third hour staying glued to the sofa, munching on cheez curls, and immersing myself in Betty's life, I met Henry Grubstick. And fell in love (yet again). Ain't he such a hot geek? While surfing the 'Net for some info on this cutie, I found this and almost fainted:

Christopher Gorham is so yummy.

* * * *

Speaking of yummy...

I haven't been able to watch the Australian Open the past few weeks but I was able to catch a glimpse of the Rafael Nadal-Paul Henri Mathieu match (which Nadal won as Mathieu threw in the towel at the second set because of an injury). Then I realized: Rafael Nadal is so sexily tanned and buff these days. Yummy indeed.

* * * *

To cap it all off...

I'm really loving this pregnant (and naked) Christina Aguilera picture at Marie Clare's January 2008 cover:

Feeling: just great

Curled up in bed with: If Only Geri Haliwell
All ears to: Paghilom Dicta License (aaargh...I miss them already!!!)