What I like about Johnny Depp

My brother who's a movie buff claimed that one of the actors he likes best is Johnny Depp. Why? He's such an exceptional actor. I do agree with that. He could be believable in practically any role I can think of because his talent is just so multi-dimensional. We can't think of one movie he was in that I would classify as bad. He also seems like a cool person in real life, like if you were to hang out with him he would be full of interesting conversation (as Jack Sparrow, he can't just stop talking!). My only problem with him is that I haven't gazed his real face on TV! I mean he's always on heavy make-up. I want to see him with his real face. That chance was given when hubby let me watch "The Tourist".

So there I saw that he's cute even with not so white teeth, unkempt hair, clumsiness,weird accents and even with that E-cigar (with long lasting ecig battery, I supposed). He has this whole charismatic magnificent persona in him. But in the movie, I cracked up when Angelina Jolie commented about his looks. Read this:

Twenty million dollars worth of plastic surgery and that's the face you choose!

Oh, you haven't seen "The Tourist" yet? So you didn't get what I mean? Good. Now go and see the movie. This story is full for actions, adventure, romance and mystery.

Hatyai Lantern Festival 2011

Was supposed to blog about our visit to the annual Lantern festival last weekend but my hands were really full this week. You know the life of teachers especially during final weeks, test here and there and checking workbooks and test papers here and there (not to mention the making of grades and report cards) . I won't bore you with the details. I'm just glad I'm back in here and because it's weekend, I got to give myself a break- got to type my thoughts away.

This Lantern festival is held annually in Hatyai Park Municipality from November to February. Last year, they've featured 9 Amazing Lantern Zones, this year I wonder why they tagged the festival 11 Amazing Lanterns .I'm sorry I didn't get the details. We're just in a hurry ...taking a pose with each lantern takes time and with a tot in tow you can't expect him to be nice and go with the flow especially if he's sleepy. So that night I just "let go" of my "blogger attitude" (you know that stuff like getting to know each Lantern zones, taking notes to inform the readers what each lantern means or symbolize , taking photo of hundreds of lanterns and many other activities just to make sure you provide the accurate details and information to your readers). I just enjoy the moment with my family, savoring the rare opportunity of getting out at night and take pleasure of the lanterns around us.So far, there are 7 zones we've visited (closer look and in a distance)- Amazing Small World, Amazing Floating Lantern, Amazing Animal Planet, Amazing Lantern of the East, Amazing Chinese Lantern, Amazing Bird Paradise and Amazing Sculpture Lantern. The exhibits are both Thai and international. There are also cultural performances but we didn't get the chance to witness them.

It's year of the rabbit so at the entrance of the park, rabbits are waiting for you

New models of Coca-Cola, aren't they cool?

On stage is a band performing...they're singing love songs! What a romantic place to celebrate Valentine's day- a bridge over a lake and a band serenading you (we could pretend that they're singing for us!).

a temple with monks and palace guards in China

Hyzyd can't let go of his love of numbers. He spotted this one behind one of the palace guards above.

What's this? A lantern depicting Sangkayaw or the coconut shell race. It's commonly played in the Tagalog and Central Luzon provinces where a coconut shell is tied to a string under each foot; the string placed between the toe and the next one. The hand holds the loose end of the string. I just passed this lantern and didn't mind it until I noticed just now. Do other nationalities play it too? I'm not familiar with the lantern with stick and ring. Do you know what game it refers to?

International flags and Kokeshi dolls lantern lighted the path we walked .

A closer look of the kokeshi dolls lantern. One characteristic of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs.

We passed by a swinging bridge to get to the Animal Kingdom Lanterns. Some really get frightened when the bridge sways. It made me dizzy, really!

Though dizzy, I still managed to get a good shot of hubby (wag na kayong kumontra)

Here comes the animals-flying, swimming, crawling, walking...basta animals ...(Our Sunday School last Sunday was about God's creations and we focused on animals. It's a hands-on experience for Hyzyd. He gets to know the animals in a unique way . It's like a field trip to him. )

Warning: photo overload but I'm sure you'll love the cuddly pandas and the big bears.















Haven't visited here yet? Be sure to visit there before this months end because they'll be not be around next month. No entrance fee is required. Don't worry about packing your own food. You know Thailand, food is in every corner. Don't forget to bring your camera and be there when darkness falls so that you'll be mesmerized with the lights. If you're using lowtech digicam like moi (Canon PowershotA560), set it on "night scene" so that you'll capture the stronger lights of the lantern and you'll be seen too. Setting it on "Auto" will just make you "disappear"...I mean you'll only appear in silhouette form like our first attempt here:


See what I mean?

Whew!!!It's a long post with lotsa pictures but I hope it helps you having a glimpse of our Lantern festival here. To Hatyai Ice Dome we'll go next time. Have a nice day!

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Join Chris Chronicles' 1st Blogversary Giveaway-$100 for 1st prize!!!

One of my marces is celebrating her first blogversary!!! Check out Chris Chronicles today and join her blogversary giveaway. It will end on February 15, 2011 and you only got 6 more days to join the fun! Who knows, you'll be the lucky winner of the following prizes:

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Why I joined? I would love to win the cash prize because I badly needed an additional budget for my "pasalubong". We got a chance to finally visit Philippines after 3 long years and I would love to buy something special for my love ones.

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