Brokeback Mountain

After beeing trapped in suburban Minnesotta for the last 2 weeks, I decided I was going to go out on my own and spend my day exactly the way I wanted to. So I went to the mall near my hotel. It's pretty complete because they have a Barnes and Noble, Target and more importantly a movie house.

I decided I was going to watch "Brokeback Mountain" or what has been referred to for the last year as "that gay cowboy movie". I was curious to find out what the buzz was all about or if it was warranted in the first place. Problem was, it started showing in Manila when I had already left which is why I have to watch by myself now in Midewestern America.

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal play Ennis and Jack. 2 cowboys raised in the tradition of macho America with the rodeos, the tough-boy stance and the drinking. On the surface, they seem like everyone else. Except that both of them develop feelings for each other and have a long-drawn out affair that survives beyond their own marriages to other women, children and work. Jake wants to be with Ennis and build a life with him, but Ennis is consumed by shame and fear which prevents him from ever expressing who he really is.

The story itself is powerful because I believe it can apply to anyone whether you're straight or gay. All the actors give good performances. Heath as Ennis totally captures the inner conflict of the character: the rage, sadness and fear without using so many words. Jake as Jack displays his pain and longing to be with the love of his life. Michelle Williams and even Anne Hathaway play their roles convincingly as the wives of men whom deep in their hearts they know are not really in love with them.

Although the movie itself is good, I found that I could not relate to it on a deep level. Maybe I just wasn't in a proper state of mind that day. But I think the reason why I could not feel it the way I should have is that I could not understand the experience of pining away for someone for years and not doing anything about it. Maybe when I'm a bit older and I've had a lot more experience then I'll be able to appreciate the film better. Don't get me wrong though. It's one movie worth watching.

Badly Missing My Baby

It's 12 midnight here in Minnesotta and I'm still up watching the marathon reruns of "Law and Order" on the USA cable channel. At the same time, I'm chatting with Bryan who I'm really missing so badly right now.

It's not easy to be apart from him especially since we're used to seeing each other everyday. At least with YM, it's much easier to keep in touch. It's still different though. I wish I was back in Manila to hang out with him in the mall or have Saturday lunch in Ateneo. There's also Mr. Kebab on Quezon Ave. with their really cheap Middle-Eastern food.:)

I miss all the time we would spend in the mall just watching movies, hanging out in Starbucks and going on food trips. I miss how we argue about which restaurant is good or not. I miss how we can go out and have fun with the silliest things. I miss the times when we would just sing all the songs on the Magic Mic.

Anyway, it's just 3 weeks to go and I'll be seeing him again. I can't wait to get home....

Mall of America Trip

Today I went to the most famous landmark in Minnesotta, the Mall of America. Minnesottans claim that it's the biggest mall in the world. It was one of my officemates who brought me there. When I got there, I really could not understand what the fuss is all about. It's pretty much like any other mall I've been to in the world. It sort of reminds me of the KLCC mall in Malaysia. Except this one has an indoor amusement center with the roller coasters and all other kinds of rides.

What made my day worth it though was that I was able to do most of my shopping already. I bought most of the gourmet chocolate I planned on buying for most of the people back home. Plus the Bath and Body Works stuff requested by my team leaders.:)

I was hoping to watch a movie, but they didn't have Brokeback Mountain showing there. Plus, there weren't any movies worth spending $ 6.50 on. Oh well, maybe I'll try going to the Eden Prairie Center which is much closer my house.

blog find

While waiting for my officemate before my trip to the Mall of America, I decided to go bloghopping. I found an interesting bit of information on Kawso's blog. It's a link to a internet radio station which is easier to use than Yahoo launchcast: Pandora. Check it out.

Dancing With the Stars

Since we are expecting freezing temperatures for this weekend, I've been stuck in the hotel most of the time. I pretty much feel like a hibernating bear. I've probably been gaining a lot of weight, but I don't even want to think about it anymore.

So here I am stuck with American television. I've been channel surfing aimlessly and I ran into this show called "Dancing with the Stars". It features B or C stars who perform ballroom and latin dances. Afterwards, they get to face a panel of 3 judges who give out their comments. Then of course, a staple of American reality TV, the audience gets to vote.

Well, since I got to the semifinals already, the dancers left are pretty okay except for the former football player. He really sucks. He only got to stay because of the audience vote.

Next on my viewing list: CSI, then later Law and Order.

Alone, Sick and Insane in Suburban Minnesotta

It's been 4 days since I arrived in Minnesotta and I'm already going insane. I'm sick and alone in my hotel room right now downloading email from Manila.

It's cold and freezing in this place. Tomorrow we're expecting to have 0 degrees Farenheit! Brrrr.... I wish I were home. Eventhough Manila is dirty, sleazy and crowded, I know my way around it. Unlike here, you can't get around because there is no sidewalk, no public trnasportation and nothing much to do.

Can't wait for this assignment to be over....

1st Day in Minnesotta

I arrived at 10:55 am here in Minnesotta at the Minneapolis St. Paul International airport. It wasn't such a bad flight since since I was asleep 3/4 th's of the time. I breezed through immigration and we didn't have any plane delays.

When I got to the hotel, I settled down and rested a bit. I'm staying in a place called Homestead Suites which is really designed for long-term guest stays. I checked out the kitchen and all the other amenities. Then I found out that for $4.99, I will have unlimited access to high-speed internet for the rest of my stay here. Yipee! So I've just been surfing the net. Although the room has cable, the choices are limited so I haven't really been watching anything.

At around 3, I decided to walk and try to go to the nearest mall. It was just so damn cold though so I ended up eating at the nearest restaurant called Fuddruckers which serves American-style burgers. After that, I went back to my hotel and crashed. I don't have any groceries yet. Let's see how I adjust to the new time zone.

So how is life here in suburban Minnesotta? If you don't have a car, your'e pretty much trapped in the hotel. You have to call for a cab to get anywhere. There really isn't much to see since it's just lots of open space and snow. In fact, I have a view of a frozen lake outside my room. I'll try to go to the downtown area one of these days, but I don't know how different that will be from where I am staying. A trip to Mall of America is part of the plan, but that might be for next weekend.

Life seems so quiet here, I'll probably have lots of time to update my blog. This isn't exactly my idea of an adventure since this is really the heart of White America, but hell, I'll try to make the most out of it.

Training Trip

I'm leaving for Minneapolis this Sunday. I'm going to be on training with my client for a month in the US. At first I wasn't excited about the prospect of staying 1 month in the Midwest. But then again, why refuse a free trip. Hmm...maybe I'll learn how to ski!:)

Anyway, I'll miss you. Hopefully though, I'll finally have time to write while I'm there. I'm planning to bring 5 books and tons of cds. Maybe I'll hang out in the Mall of America. As if I don't do that every weekend here.:)

Within a month of my promotion, the office finally gave me a laptop. It's been a year and a half since I gave up my former laptop, but it's taken less than a week for me to get back into the old habits.

I am now officially a slave. I do leave the office earlier, but I end up bringing my work home. This is now how a typical Sunday afternoon goes between me and "_":

"_": It's time for dinner!
Me: Wait, there's this report I need to finish in 10 mins.
"_": Look, they're showing "Justice League" on Cartoon Network.
Me: Go ahead. I still need to finish putting together the results of January.
"_": Oh well. Might as well work on my new case then.

Sad....But a laptop can really get in the way....