When I was in elementary school, a friend brought our group to her house and introduced us to the family computer game Super Mario Bros. I was instantly addicted, considering that those times my most treasured gift from my parents is my Game n Watch (the one where you have to catch jumping fishes). Kids today wouldn’t know what I’m talking about. But those days, invitations to get together and play such video games never go unnoticed.

I only remembered this because my sister brought home a PlayStation 2 and we’re abusing it by playing kiddie arcade games, instead of the usual role-playing games or other currently popular video games. Well, to each his own I guess.

So all my favorite TV shows are going on a hiatus soon. Which pretty much means that all of their remaining episodes are going to be awesome, because it’s season finale … eekkk… season.

Well, I’m a bit sad with the news that FlashForward is most likely going to be canceled (but V isn’t? I prefer FF, ABC!). But I’m only too happy that Fringe is definitely coming back, and getting strong! As for the others, I’m going to have to make a list and codes (e.g., ls2208) because I’m following tons of other TV shows. At least I try to, whenever time permits.

P.S. Grey’s Anatomy is going to be season 7 already? Wow. That show is strong, though still cheesy. Who doesn’t love cheese, right?

It’s a funny word – blog. If you’ve been living under a rock, you’d probably think it means … I really don’t know what you’ll think it means. You probably won’t be reading this anyway if you had actually been living under a rock. Or something. And you probably won’t understand why creating another blog when you have plenty of others is not merely creating an online backup of what you already have. It’s more like food tasting. It’s there, it’s free, it doesn’t hurt anyone, so why not take advantage? Here’s my new Tumblr site. [Don't mind me if you've already seen this update somewhere else.]

Roger Federer is supposed to meet Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Rome Masters this week, also as part of their preparation for the upcoming French Open in June. Nadal has been showing signs of his invincible self (at least on clay) again these past week, when he won in Monte Carlo. I watched that final against Fernando Verdasco and it was frustrating for the other Spaniard.

So with all the build-up, and the fact that Federer hasn’t won anything since the Australian Open, this loss to Ernests Gulbis is rather anticlimactic. It also stressed me into eating an unplanned midnight snack. Gee, I need my ephedra diet pills now.

I have two upcoming badminton tournaments this month. Here’s hoping I’ll be healthy enough to give them my best effort. I feel like I’m being a bit of a hypochondriac lately, although with good reason. With all the stress from work and other life stuff, plus the time and energy I have to spend practicing for these events, the last thing I need is to be sick, or to feel sick. There’s too much to do in so little time.

The first tournament would be a company event, so that’s more of a fun game than the other. The next one would probably be a bit more serious considering that the participants will be regular club players. Anyway, we’re joining the latter for experience mostly; but that’s what we always say, maybe to take pressure out of the equation. I still need to learn more shots and improve my power and speed before I get satisfied with my badminton skills. Not that I’m trying to be an real athlete. I’ll stop when I find no more room for improvement, anyway.

It’s that time of the year again when employees of our company are required to undergo a physical exam. It’s not supposed to be one of those things you don’t look forward to because it’s for our personal benefit actually. It just can be tedious sometimes. For lazy people like me, that is. We make up every reason to not give specimens for testing and find it bothersome to have a physical exam behind curtains where everybody else are just outside waiting for their turn. We even make fun of our height and weight measurements. It won’t surprise me if people will go buy weight loss pills after getting onto those scales.

Whenever I spend hours inside a salon, usually when I’m having my hair straightened or when I’m having any other hair treatment that takes a while to be done, the salon people will place a pile of magazines in front of me, which I actually go through with. I start with the celebrity, nay gossip, magazines because they are fun to read (and sometimes fun means hilarious). They devote pages and pages on one particular celebrity and by the time you finish reading the entire article, you can’t help but either be a fan (at least while the article’s still fresh in your mind) or marvel at the glitz-covered hypocrisy of some. Not that this next thing is one or the other, but I just can’t forget reading about those baby strollers that Jennifer Lopez’ friends gifted her twins. They cost hundreds of thousands of dollars because they were studded with diamonds. I mean, really? Is there really a need for diamonds? It sounds so wasteful. I know, the next peppy parents would just look for a Baby jogger city select that they can bring to the park and leave on one side while they play with their infants. I guess being filthy rich does redefines luxury and elegance in so many ways that those of us who are not will not understand.

After a recent health scare, I’m all feeling-a-health-buff again. Things on my list: finish that ongoing medical evaluation, cut down on salt, cut down on fats, cut down on coffee, avoid soft drinks, eat more green leafy veggies, exercise, eat more fruits, exercise, have enough sleep, and exercise. It sounds simple on paper, really. Especially because I play badminton, exercise shouldn’t be a difficult task to perform, only if I can do it more regularly. My schedule’s been out of whack lately but I’m, again, trying to fix it. Losing a few pounds will help, too, I guess. In my case, I have to do it without having to resort to the best diet pills for women. Lesson learned: don’t wait for your body to tell you that you’re being unhealthy. Easier said than done, right?

It’s summer! Time to give up your Hudson jeans for beach wear.

Truth is, I was so laughing at myself when I realized that I even forgot that it’s already April and it’s the time when students are vacationing, families (and friends) are going to the beach, and everyone’s just excited to take it easy and get some relaxation time. I’m thinking of joining the lot. I just hope I get to do it before the summer ends, because so far I’m still swamped. Or maybe it’ll be fine to let the majority have their fun and then schedule some trips when it’s no longer the peak season. That is, with the hope that typhoons would not get in the way by then.

My brother’s on his summer vacation. He actually wants to enroll in summer classes, not because he’s so into his studies but because he gets bored when he stays in our province. Imagine that. What does not surprise me is that he wants to take summer classes so he can be with his friends.. I was like that before, to be honest. Suffice it to say I told him to take a break. It’s just for barely two months anyway.

Ahh, I miss being a student. The way you don’t have to worry about too much except to pass your subjects, graduate on time, save your allowance, and all those student-y stuff. The first years in college, after you’re done with all sat prep and actually qualifies, are the best years. It’s good to be reminded of those times once in a while. It’s just too bad you can’t go back at will.