Starstruck in LAX

Hello Blog and Hello dear Readers (aka my family and friends, haha!)!  I've missed you!!!

Things have been hectic since my last post.  Had some things to do and settle, errands to run, managed to take a trip to Singapore with the family and now, guess what. . . we're back to our second home, LA! (I call it our second home because Philippines will always be our first home)  

It has been two weeks now and we are slowly getting into our rhythm.  There are still 2 boxes left unpacked but those can wait (heehee).

We took a 1AM flight from Clark (this international airport was near our city) which had an 8 hr layover (I know, 8 hours!) in Incheon Airport (Seoul, Korea) and then the travel time from from Seoul to LA was less than 12 hours.  Having two toddlers on a long haul trip isn't easy but I'm glad the kids were manageable (meaning I didn't have a meltdown, haha) during the trip.  

Do you know what was the highlight of our trip?

It happened in LAX! (getting giddy again just thinking about it!)

I got . . . .STARSTRUCK!

Image from www.dreamstime.com

When I see paparazzi photos of Hollywood stars taken in LAX, I always wonder why I don't get the chance to see them in the airport considering I've been going to LA since 2008.  Tough luck I guess!

Oh but wait, there was one time!  I saw Mr. Big. . . Carey's Mr. Big!  I remember seeing him wearing a blue Hawaiian shirt, a far cry from his character in Sex in the City!  Haha!  

Well what do you know, my luck has changed!

After we got our luggages from the carousel, we were about to go through Customs when a lady from the airport told us to take the "Special Lane".   I guess seeing a couple, with a toddler and another one sleeping in the stroller managing 2 carts (we had 5 luggages) qualifies you to go in the special lane, haha!  She saw me pushing a cart and hubby pushing another one PLUS a stroller at the same time.

So I was walking with our little Princess and Hubby was behind us when he called me.  So I turned around and saw a ground stewardess (I think) in red (my best guess, she was from Cathay Pacific) ushering a lady who I though looked like Angelina Jolie. . . 

I continued walking and felt I had to turn around again, haha!

OMG. .. . it was ANGELINA JOLIE!!!  

What made me sure that it was her?  She was with a young man and recognized him as one of her adopted children (not sure if he was Maddox or Pax),

I am sorry. . . I have no pictures!  Starstruck!

But she wore a brown trench coat similar to the one pictured below, with her hair neatly tied back in a pony tail and was wearing brown Aviator-like sunglasses.

Image from www.peoplestylewatch.com

After a few steps, I turned around (again! haha) and saw the stewardess pushing our stroller which made it easier for Hubby.  As hubby told me later on, he had a 3 second moment with Angelina Jolie, hahaha! She told him and I quote "Let her help you" . . .yes, she volunteered the stewardess to help us.

Having a family of her own and travelling with 6 kids all the time, I think she knows that it's not easy, haha!

So I stepped aside, waited for Hubby and let them pass through first (they were in a rush), thanked her and gave her a smile.

I found her prettier in person.  Her aura exudes a sense of inner peace and calmness.  She radiates such grace and kindness and THAT to me, makes her more beautiful.  

Thank you Ms. Jolie for the kindness and the patience you have shown our family.  I will always remember it.


By the way. . .

Which do you think is cooler . . . Brad Pitt being there or Angelina Jolie pushing our stroller? 

Haha!  

In my dreams. . . 

That Could Have Been . . . Them!

I was watching a TV special about "Friends" and they've mentioned that the role of Rachel (played by Jennifer Aniston) was first offered to Tea Leoni.  With the commercial success of Friends, everyone has fallen in love with the whole cast that I'm sure we can't imagine other actors playing the roles of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Ross and Joey.   (If you want to read more about the other actors who were considered for the cast of "Friends", please click on this link )

Then I found this online by chance--- a list of actors who have passed up on Iconic roles.

*All images are from espressogossip.com

Will Smith as Neo (Matrix)

Dana Delaney as Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City)
This one, I cannot imagine AT ALL!  
SJP is Carrie and Carrie is SJP, enough said, Haha!

Molly Ringwald as Vivian Ward (Pretty Woman)

John Travolta as Forrest Gump

Bette Midler as Sis. Mary Clarence (Sister Act)
Bette Midler turned down this role because she thought her fans
would have some concerns over her playing the role of a nun

Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones
I think Tom Selleck is a good choice for the role and I can see him playing it actually.  
But I just love Harrison Ford more =)

Jack Nicholson as Michael Corleone (The Godfather)
It's been said that Jack Nicholson turned down this role, not because he didn't like it.
He just felt that an Italian should play the role.

Sandra Bullock as Maggie Fitzgerald (Million Dollar Baby)
The story goes that there was a delay in the production so Sandra "packed her bags" 
and dropped out from this movie project 

Julia Roberts as Leigh Anne Tuohy (The Blind Side)
Julia turned downed the role because she is set to do a movie (Valentine's Day) 
with Garry Marshall, the director who gave her break in Pretty Woman

As I was going through the list, I have picked up  a thing or two from the stories behind these what ifs and could have beens:

1. When we give too much importance on what other people have to say, we end up losing because it stops us from doing what we want.

2. Patience is a virtue . . . and good things happen to those who wait =)

3. Giving up something doesn't mean we are weak, it means that we know ourselves better and that we acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses.    

4. You cannot put a price to the relationship you have built with the people who have made a difference in your life.


These actors have their own reasons why they passed up on these roles and I'm sure that somehow, there is a feeling of regret to most of them (if not all).  Just like them, I'm sure we have our stories to tell.  But we shouldn't dwell on these regrets.  Instead, let us learn from them.

Here's to more opportunities to come our way. . . and the courage to take our chances!

If you want to read more about the actors that passed up on iconic roles, please click on this link.

Two Peas in a Pod 5

One of my favorite TV series which  premiered last October in the US is Chicago Fire.  The show tells us the challenges faced by the firemen and paramedics (both at work and in their personal lives) in one of the fire stations of the Chicago Fire Department.  This drama has a good cast of characters, riveting plots in each episode. . . and another reason to watch it. . .I'll let these photos do the talking, haha! 

Photos courtesy of:  www.justjared.com

This is one fireman (Lt. Kelly Severide played by Taylor Kinney) who doesn't put out fire. . . but starts one!  HOTNESS!!!

He actually reminds me of Grey Anatomy's McSteamy . . . what do you think?

Guess I'll call him McHottie then!  Heehee

Trivia:  Did you know (I didn't!) that our fireman has been in a relationship with Lady Gaga since September last year?

Oh My Jake!

I was able to catch "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" in cable today and truth be told, I lost count how many times I watched this movie . . . .all because of Jake Gyllenhaal!  Haha!  (I ALWAYS misspell his last name!)

Photo Source

Can you blame me? Teehee

Photo Source

 Yes, even when his role called for this unkempt look! Haha!

I loooovveee him! *gushing* 

Well, actually him and Heath Ledger (whose untimely passing I still mourn)

Photo Source

They may not be a Tom Cruise or a Brad Pitt but I think they are brilliant actors and are special in their own way. 

Who's your favorite Hollywood actor?

Note to Zola's Dad:.

Hun, you will always be the sexiest and most gorgeous guy for me! 

XOXO =)