Uh-huh. I am so happy. As in happy.

I finally did watch the whole Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End movie! Yahoo!

I was guffawing throughout the whole movie. I was thinking of just how funny Johnny Depp (well, Capt. Jack Sparrow) was and how versatile an actor he is. Really. He really makes me swoon and I mean swoon.

Honestly, I'm no Orlando Bloom crazy but I do like him as Will Turner (especially when he becomes the captain of the Flying Dutchman - whoopsie! Spoiler!). Now I know that I do not like really neat guys. The dugyot types are the ones for me. Haha. Another piece of proof of my tastes. Sheesh!

Now, what would make me really happy is(are) an original VCD (or DVD) of Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Would any of you care to buy me those? I'm soon having my birthday. These would really really really really make a good birthday present.

Yes. Now, I'm feeling bouts of rheumatism (or arthritis, whatever). Sheesh.

So now, I better be off these:

• alcohol (aw...)
• coffee (not an addict anymore, thank God)
• salt
• sugar (there goes my sweet tooth)
  
• white flour
• pork
• acid
• dairy products

And I better stock up on:

• vitamin c
• fresh fruits
• vegetables
• cheese
  

Goodluck to me! Any other suggestions?

When I went off to my friend, Ate Pinky's, house, she told me that she bought a new DVD. Pirated, of course. I was not in the mood to stay inside her room because I could not smoke.

But being the good guest (and the good friend) that I am, I went in. She was teaching her new 'yaya' how to operate the DVD player. And while she was waving around the DVD case, I thought I saw a glimpse of my Capt. Jack Sparrow. I got totally excited and grabbed the case.

And right I was. It was a pirated DVD that contained various movies including Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Shrek The Third, and Spiderman 3.

We played the third Pirates film and the movie was quite blurred and there were some portions when the images would pixel-ize (if there is such a word). But what the heck! It's Pirates 3! I was watching the movie with Ate Pinky and her sister, Ate Mean. Oh well. I was guffawing throughout the scenes but then I heard some snores behind. Oh yeah. The sisters had fallen asleep (they were quite tired for they did go to the market that afternoon). Who cared now? I was enjoying my movie!

However, I did not finish the movie. I was only able to see that part when Jack Sparrow goes back from that place known as Davy Jones' locker and he had been able to interpret what 'up is down' means. Yeah! Oh my beloved pirate Capt. Jack Sparrow is sure one hell of an actor! And I'm sure he'll be waiting until I am free (so I can watch him show off his antics throughout the movie).

Too bad. And I thought I was one real lakwatsera.

My Lakbayan grade is F!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Today marks our country's Independence Day. But are we really free?

I know I should be proud that our country has been liberated from the chains of oppression from foreigners but I think we may have been liberated but we are not totally free.

And so you may ask me why do I say that we have been liberated but not exactly free. Well, just take a look around you. Do you still see foreigners taking over our land and saying that this country is theirs? No. Because they are no longer here. Literally. But if you do stop and reflect, you would notice that their presence is very much still around. Keep in mind that the forces of foreigners (especially the Americans) still are here. Do you remember the war in Iraq? GMA has decided to send our troops there when in fact it is not our war. So how come our soldiers went there? The Americans needed more power and had Filipino soldiers helping them take their claim over Iraq.

This discussion could last for a long time. And there are tons of other examples that you could also state. But I don't think I'll need to keep it as long as this already is. For most of us, Independence Day only means one thing: a holiday. But as for some, there is still a meaning behind such a celebration. And some do get to ponder, what are we really celebrating about?

These foreign conquerors may not be here and may not be seen ruling over our country just like those days when the Japanese, the Spaniards, and the Americans were here. But still, their invisible hands are continuously working their way among our politicians and our officials and they still try to run our country as subtly as they can.