Ms. Yoko Ramos

Down with love of Renee Zellwegger is very funny , entertaining and amusing. 

This film has been shown, if I am not mistaken, last year or a couple of years ago but I only got a chance to see it last night.  It was shown in the cable channel -- I was lucky because it was still in English and was not yet translated in Japanese.

Down with love is a light girlie film -- definitely the guys would fall asleep (as they often do when these martians go to these kind of films with their girl friends or wife) and find it boring if not a waste of their precious time, set in the 60's.  

In the film, women were submissive to the greater sex and were expected to do things that were supposed to do until they discover this cute little pink book entitled "Down  with love" written by Barbara Novak, a librarian from Maine.  And that is the start of  the transformation for the venuses.

The costumes were gorgeous and definitely a hit for me. 

The handsome ladies man, man man, man about town was Catcher Block. 

To be continued ....     

A semi-couch potato-- that would be moi and my partner.  

 I enjoy watching almost everything  there is to see on the tube -- mtv's, commercials, talk shows, news programs, magazine shows, tv series, sit com's, kid's show, shop channels -- etc; all at the same time. 

When I was young, of course, I love watching cartoons, Tarzan, the Million Dollar Man and Wonder Woman.  Then there was Dynasty, Remington Steele, The Simpsons, Doogie Houser, The Practice, NYPD, Emergency, Ally McBeal, and Sex and the City.  The latest ones are unknown to me, for now.  (Will get updated when I get back home.)

Here in Japan, they have some of the programs that I have mentioned so I was able to watch the other episode that I really like or that I wasn't able to see because of either work or I was stuck in traffic. The programs are in English but sometimes they are translated in Japanese. 

During the first six months year here, I did not mind watching them over and over and over again.  But now, I think I am getting tired of it.  So, now am surfing the local Japanese channels.

Webster says, a friend is "one well known to another and regarded with affection and loyalty; intimate associate; suporter."

Everybody has a friend because as the old saying goes "No man is an island."  They can either be your school chums, work/office mates, neighbor, brods/sis in an org or club or just simply your partner.

I have little circles of friends.  There's my high school friends, one little circle. Then there's my college friends, second little circle.  Melissa, Jun, Rina and Marion; during my Centennial days, third little circle.  My stay at the Office of the Vice President, I got my fourth little circle.  And my fifth circle is my loving and very affectionate husband. A small number compared to my husband because he has a lot.  Even big circles.

Last week, my husband was sent an article by a friend entitled "Partners and Marriage" which he printed out and brought home for me to ponder. It was written in a simple language unlike other articles that we read that uses highfalutin words that would require the reader to use a dictionary.  Anyway, the message of the writer, for those who are getting married or who are in a relationship, is to find something beyond love that would make them (the couple) stick together thus an assurance of a long and lasting relationship -- that is FRIENDSHIP.  Let's face it, we get into a relationship because, number one concern, we are physically attracted  then follows number two concern, we like the guy.  My dearest hubby says I am his best friend and likewise.  The key,  whether in marriage or in a partnership, is to be friends.  Anyways, let's go to my point. 

How do you know who your real friends are?  Hhhmmm!?! Think about it.

The reason why I have little circles that I keep is because I am what I am today if not for them. We share our problems to lighten the burden and to feel a little ease.  We criticize each other constructively (never backstabbing or bad mouthing).  We offer our shoulder for each other to cry on.  We share our happiness and despair. 

I had weathered many things in life and still they are there to support me.  They are just there, "Wind Beneath My Wings" like in the song.  I am lucky to have each one of them. 

I know some people who pose to be a friend of a friend who would talk nasty things behind the other person's back.  It's cruel and unfair.  Foul.  Maligning other people is their cup of tea.  This morning there was a news carried by CNN from Colombia about gossiping.  In Colombia, they were able to put behind bars those people who are gossipers.  Cheers to that! 

Another adage is "friends are precious gems", I certainly agree.  I am not a moneyed person but I am rich with my little circles of friends.  They are my treasure -- my "precious gems".   That's right.

Funny how people are so fuzzy about titles.  Like Dr. for doctors, Atty. for lawyers, Engr, Arch. et al.  Here in Japan, artist, doctors, teachers, experts, or anybody who has an expertise on something is called a Sensei. 

When I was a small girl, my grandfather wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer so I can be addressed as such, I do not believe in titles that you attach in your name.  For me, if you are a good and kind hearted person you will be remembered and loved by your name and not the title that you have. 

Same goes for women.  Women are suppossed to change their maiden name when they get married and follow her husband's name. (Why do men get to keep their name?)  I, for one, have a predicament.  I am not a titled person.  When I was in the government, I was addressed as Miss or Director, but that is not my predicament -- it's the last name.

I have a unique name Yoko (I have to thank my Mom and Dad for that, four letters and I did not have a hard time writing it back then).  Family and friends alike had a hard time trying to figure out my last name.  This is especially true in family get together or meetings.  You see, I was married then separated then annulled.  For a time I was single then I tied the knot.  So, now you can more or less understand the imbroglio.  Too much confusion.

Once, I was being introduced by Justice RCC to one of his collegue, he said " This is Director Yoko XXXX" He uttered the last name of my ex-husband (I felt my cheeks flush) so I corrected him saying my maiden name XXX.  He goes to continue "She is engaged to one of our brod, XXXX --ahhh-- how do you say his last name?"

I married this man with his unique last name -- amusing, isn't it?  The guy is just irresistable.  I love him and married him because of his persona, he is he -- and not his last name that is hard to remember -- even pronounce.