Queen of Duets: Dionne Warwick

Actually, I feel really tired and sleepy right now, but I want to share my fascination with Dionne Warwick and the spell she has put on me with her sweet songs.

(Photo: german.fansshare.com)

I’ve known Dionne Warwick way before I hit puberty. I’m a big fan of “oldies but goodies” songs, so it’s no surprise to know that I’ve been listening to “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “That’s What Friends Are For” since I was a little kid. But it wasn’t until I got reunited with her song “Heartbreaker” that I got hooked on Dionne’s irresistible charms. Since then, I always make sure that she’s in my office playlist every day. Her husky, dreamy voice gets me going whenever I feel sleepy while working. In addition, her songs are brilliant. The lyrics, rhythm, beat… everything!

Recently, I’ve developed an “undying” LSS (last song syndrome) with her duet hits. It started with “Reservations for Two,” which she recorded with Kashif. I’ve been in LSS mode with that song for months already, and surprisingly, I don’t get tired of hearing it over and over.

(“Reservations for Two” music video)

Yesterday, I discovered another Dionne Warwick duet— this time, with Jeffrey Osborne. I didn’t expect I’d be badly hooked.

(“Love Power” music video)

I thought that was the end of it, but earlier this afternoon while I was browsing through my playlist, I noticed a Dionne Warwick duet that I’ve never heard before. I decided to play it and, well, you can predict what happened next.

(“Friends in Love” with Johnny Mathis)

Of course, here’s a duet that I’ve known for so long. Until now, I still get kilig whenever I hear this:

(“It’s You” with Stevie Wonder)

I really love Dionne Warwick. I’ve adored her since I was little, and now that I’ve discovered her amazing duets with other artists, I think I just became her biggest fan. She’s amazing on her own, but when she sings with other equally-talented males of the 80s, heaven just goes straight in my ears and into my soul.

That’s why I was so devastated when I wasn’t able to attend her concert here in the Philippines last July 23. What’s more heartbreaking was the fact that she performed with Tavares, which is my favorite group too! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I missed it. Too bad.

(Photo: http://manilaconcertscene.blogspot.com)

Oh well. It’s tragic for someone who dreams to see and hear her idol perform live, not just in Youtube or Grooveshark. I just wish she can still go back here and do another concert. Yes, she’s already 73 years old and probably not in her best shape anymore, but I’m still hoping.

Kudos, Dionne Warwick!  Your songs (especially your duets) will always be in my heart… and in my playlist. 🙂

The impossible 2013 Christmas wish list

Ahhh, December— the “most wonderful time of the year.” Christmas is just around the corner, and same as the past years, this season won’t be complete without gifts. Aside from long tables of fatty dishes and Christmas trees filled with garlands and colorful lights, gifts are very important during the holidays. In fact, some people already plan their wish list as early as September.

Well, I also have my own Christmas wish list, of course. But, unfortunately, I can’t share it with you guys. We have a Secret Santa activity in the office for our Christmas party, and they might find me out if I post my desired gifts here (though I think they already know and I’m not sure if someone from the office reads my blog lol).

Anyway, I still have another wish list called “The Impossible Christmas Wish List of 2013.”

• Studio unit – Yes, my very own condo unit. I’ve always dreamed of having a tiny space that I can call my own, and I swear I will accomplish that before I turn 30 (haha). I want a clean and no-fuss place, with less furniture and not-so-wide walkway. Specifically, I want my little unit to look like this:
  Cool, right?
• Car – Though I’ve been dreaming of a Volkswagen beetle since I was a kid, it doesn’t matter if it’s brand new or not. All I want is a well-working car and the ability to drive. Yeah, I’m a frustrated driver. I’ve always wanted to have my hands on the steering wheel and just drive anywhere. But sadly, my dad still doesn’t want me to go to driving school… unless I already have enough money to pay for gas, toll gates, etc. Well it’s reasonable, but I’m still wishing for it next year. Hahaha. And oh, a hot pink beetle would be super cool to drive, like this one:
  

  Source: theamazoeffect.blogspot.com

• DSLR camera – I’m not aspiring to be a photographer, but it would be nice to have my own high-definition camera. No more low-quality shots of oh-so-awesome happenings/places! Plus, with a DSLR cam, my sisters and I can finally do that photoshoot that we’ve been planning for ages.
• Independence – Wow, the only non-material wish here. Actually, this sums up my other wishes. Aaaand, it speaks for itself. I don’t think I need to elaborate this. 🙂

Obviously, the things listed here are sooooo impossible to have this year (or the next 2-3 years haha). I just thought I’d share it here. Nevertheless, I’m happy with what I have (and what I will be having!) right now. But hey, a little daydreaming doesn’t hurt, right?

Last: How about you? Do you have an impossible wish list? Come on, share it! I don’t bite. Hahaha. Happy holidays!

Frustrated baker

I like sweets. I’m the typical girl who goes gaga for chocolates (well now I prefer the dark ones), ice creams, cakes, and candies. If I have to choose between a healthy, very green-y salad and a sumptuous, moist chocolate cake, I’d definitely go for the latter. Even if I’m in a strict diet.

Yeah, I know. That’s why I keep on gaining weight. *sighs* Oh well.

Anyway, aside from the fact that I drool over sweets, I’m also developing an interest in baking cupcakes.

This began when I accidentally saw Cupcake Wars on TV. One day, I was just hopping from one channel to another, then I saw these stressed bakers trying their best to whip up delicious cupcakes. I was hooked on the show ever since. (Though lately, I haven’t watched a single episode because, until now, I don’t know its exact time slot on BeTV. Hahaha.)

And now, I’m currently glued to 2 Broke Girls (I know… I’m kinda late but, hey, I just had a copy of the whole season 1). Max (one of the lead characters) is a waitress in a simple diner, but is also a cupcake baker. As I continue to watch the show’s episodes, I become more enamored of baking cupcakes.

(Source: glamour.com)

Who wouldn’t be, right? Chewy, mouth-watering cupcakes coming out of the oven… sweet icing and little decorations that melt in your mouth… yummy gooey filling… everything about cupcakes fascinate me.

(Source: my folder. Hahaha. Chewed on this baby while Meeka and I were on Vanilla Cupcake Bakery in Glorietta. My oh my, look at that sweet sweet cupcake!)

I think I want to give baking a try. I know it won’t be easy, but I still want to do it. I know I haven’t done any baking before (well once, but a dry and undecorated banana cake doesn’t count) and I’m not very experimental with flavors, but I think I can pull it off. All for the love of baking— and fulfilling one of my frustrations.

Wish me luck! And oh, I also wish for a complete baking set. Now I know what I want for Christmas. 😉

When boredom strikes

Bored + lack of sleep + sudden burst of emotions = THIS:

This little girl went near a cliff
Saw a sign and didn’t give a sh*t
Saw a warning but went close anyway
There she fell, happy and free

I made the “poem” yesterday when I was still in the office. I got kinda bored after finishing a handful of images, so I quickly grabbed my pen and notebook and wrote random stuff. The illustration, however, was made today using MS Paint. I actually have a hand-drawn version on my notebook, but I left it in the office. Shame.

Anyway, there… the things we do when we’re bored. *bow*

Hello?

Wow, I can’t believe I wasn’t able to update this site for almost five months!

Anyway, I’m back and I wish to manage this blog as often as I could. My life has been very colorful for the past months— I graduated from college, joined the unemployed circle for almost a month, became a content writer for an outsourcing company, finally changed my status from “single” to “in a relationship,” ate (and still eating) stress for breakfast, met new people, tried (and still trying) to get in touch with my old friends, learned Greek alphabet, island-hopped… and so much more— so I think I have a lot to share with you guys.

But then again, I have the tendency to get lazy, so I still don’t know if I can tell you everything. Hahaha.

(Some events for the past five months)

Nevertheless, it’s good to be back. 😉

♥ Jane