Bookspine

A Taylor Swift Closeted Fan Experience

2023-10-19T11:02:00.001-07:00

Im sure by now, everyone know who Taylor Swift is, if not, "Where ins the World are you?" . Im rewinding 10-12 years ago when majority of the people only knows about Taylor Swift because she writes song about her exes, I was a Closet Taylor Swift fan then. Like any other Swifties (what you call Taylor Swift's fans) I think, her lyrics are relatable and she has perfected a formula for a catchy tune to her songs that makes it linger in your head. So, when she anounced about her Eras Concert tour I am one of the million people queued to actually see her in person. I queued for the Levi's Stadium concert in Satana Clara CA and then the one in London for June 2024 and then in Toronto for November 2024 but just like millions of her fans I was not fortunate enough to score tickets to her concert. Much to her Swifties delight that Taylor Swift decided to show her concert to cinemas. Well, of course I am going to watch it. My friend and I watched the concert as also a way to catch up and in this blog entry I'd like to share our honest opinion about the concert. I promise it's an honest opinion despite me being a Swifty, my friend isn't I just dragged her with me to watch.

First, the setlist. It tells you the story of the concert, of Taylor Swift's music which totally makes sense because that was the actual goal of the Eras tour. Im a little bit disappointed about other familiar songs that didn't make the cut like "Wildest Dreams" which is one of my fave. Although towards the middle during the Evermore Era, it melllows down and it make you yawn a little. Also, it kind of reminds me of Twilight movie. It's foggy, feels like a fairy tale, with vampires and werewolves. Second, the stage. Kudos to the stage designer and to the team that conceptualize the design. Again, its a storytelling in a different medium, which again connects to TS music as she is a great stryteller through her songs. I love the fact thay they thought of designing even the smallet details. The mic for example, she has matching mic to every outfit she wore. If its the sprkly gold then the mic whould match that, even the woods stage have a matching mic. Let's not forget about the Piano which also matches the set. The wireless mic receiver, you usuually see this clipped at the back of the artist's bottoms but in Taylor Swift's Era's tour it has its own pocket that you hardly see because it camouflages in her outfit. How Cool is that? And speaking of outfit, another round of applause, no, a standing ovation to her warddrobe staff because everything just screams WAAAAAA! It screams "Look at me" It's Sparkly! Catchy! I would wear it and I dont care if I will look like a walking mirror ball. It's appropriate for a big concert, it makes you look at her more and retains that attention. And Lastly, I admire and commend the marketng strategy of Taylor Swift's team because this is no doubt a success for them. I also liked the fact that it brought jobs and money to every city they performed. Economically speaking that is a big boost. There is also a talk about Taylor Swift ditching the middle man when she diecided to release the concert in theaters, that means more money for her and the theaters. If any of you is not familiar how theaters earn a profit, please google. That's another topic I am not too familiar to write about. My friend an I went to a screening where the theater isn't that packed and no one turned the cinema into a concert stadium but still we enjoyed the experience and still sang our hearts out with the other cinema goers. I hear that Beyonce is doing the same thing with her Renaissance tour concert, I'm thinking of seeing that as well, though I am not a fan but equally curious how her concert was. This is it for now, until my next blog entry. Thanks for reading.

Rediscovering what sparks joy

2022-02-21T21:18:00.004-08:00

Hi, if there's really anyone reading this blog. I kept this blog open more of a open diary and realized that writing is form of therapy for me. For all those bottled up feeling that I couldn't express. The last blog post I did was 2019 that I started a vlog in YouTube, sadly that vlog is no longer existing. I could make up excuses as to why but its really one complicated reason, which could be for another blog post. I was going to write that its been a year since I last posted but and then realized that its 2022 now, well it could be a year if we don't really count 2020.

Since moving to the States five years ago (2020 counted here), I was busy trying to make my family and I's life better, financially more or less, ok more so I was really busy with work and making more money. Unconsciously trying to fulfill the wants that I couldn't afford. In the process, I forgot what would make me happy. At the rise of tiktok I have discovered posts that intrigued my curiosity. I would google names of Turkish series and characters that I see in the post and one of which brought me back to reading.

There was one post about a Turkish series where all the comments are about Cassian, hence I googled the book and found myself heavily intrigued by this novel.

I have to be honest, it wasn't really Cassian that lead me to buying Sarah J. Mass novel "A Court of Thorns and Roses" but the reviews that it was spicy with detailed description of love making. "Oooh" I told myself, I needed a little spice to my all work less play life right now. And I'm thankful that my impulsiveness made me by the whole series. I have rediscovered one of the thing that truly makes me happy. Reading. The book made realized how happy I feel to read again. Just as Marie Kondo say. "Does it spark joy?" And it definitely did. The smell of the pages brought back fun memories of sharing stories with friends and family. I felt excited ending my work day knowing that I can climb on my bed and read until I have to tell myself that I need to sleep to work so I can afford this not so cheap recently rediscovered spark of joy.

Reading made me realized as well how much I miss going to the bookstore and wander from aisle to aisle and be lost in the thousand of books in the store, just trying to decide which book you can purchase for now and which book you can hide so you can come back later for it. I remember the smell of paper that perfectly blends the coffee aroma from the Cafe inside the store. I went to the nearest bookstore and sadly there wasn't enough bookstores these days. I entered the store knowing very well that I will be lost in this labyrinth with a smile on my face.

I purchased three books and absolutely love their tote bag too which I plan to bring again maybe next month for my next set of books to buy.

I have always been a fan of Mythology its something I can read over and over again and books with makes me read them. I bought the 75th Anniversary of Edith Hamilton's Mythology and Circe by Madeline Miller. I was sold when there's a review on the shelf about Circe, that if I enjoy Percy Jackson as a teenager, I will surely enjoy Circe as an adult, so without thinking I took the book in my hand. I also loved criminal drama, suspense and mystery and I saw the book in Barnes and Noble's top 100 book. "Good Girl's Guide to Murder" first, I thought it was a comedy book until I read the back for summary. I also felt a little bit embarrassed to find the book in the Teen's section, but hey, its still a book and it will still spark joy.

Overall, I'm really glad that I come to rediscover this hobby, it made me to look forward for something every day, to be excited to start the day. This might a silly thing to others but with what happening to world, pandemic, invasion and political affairs, we need to hold on to even a little spark of happiness not for everyone else sake but for ourselves.

So, I started a Vlog

2019-08-10T19:06:00.001-07:00

Like, Share Subscribe. Those are my latest words to people recently. My boyfriend and I thought doing a vlog and share our #wewander moments. Please click link to check out our youtube channel. But just like a small business starter we have to turn to our friends and social media for our initial promotions. And I tell you, it isn't easy. Now I think of the people who had sent me a message and asking to like their page. The tags that I have been ignoring to watch a video or to subscribe. I must say, I have a new light for you guys.

click on the links in this blog to view some of our video

I graduated with a degree in Mass communication and I am not new in thinking that promoting and and advertising a product, in this case our vlog, is not a piece of cake. So far the craziest thing I have to do to share our latest vlog is hacked in to my Mom's FB and share it there. Well, she has a public profile.
Then, slowly we started researching how can you boost the channel? How do you promote your Youtube channel? Tips on having more subscribers or viewers. It's challenging.
We are in our early stage of slowly building our channel and I can say I have to thank my school experiences and my Family's Annual New Year's presentation for the creativity boost.

Look for this profile pic when you search for us

I am not making this blog long, I just want to share my latest venture in slowly making it to the world wide web and joining the new age stars the Internet sensations.

And with that. Please Like. Share and Subscribe to our channel it's called FIT Travellers and you can also like us in Facebook.

Til next time.

To Happiness, Adventures and Misadventures

2018-09-19T21:41:00.001-07:00

My TV (pardon my feet)

I almost forgot about this blog. Thanks to my sister who asked how she will start a blog. It's almost two years since I last posted something and I can't do an annual recap because we're approaching the last chapter of 2018. I originally started this blog so I can write reviews of the books I've read. Sadly, I haven't been reading as much as I was before. So until I finish another book, let me post some of the things that happened to me.

More than a year ago I moved to the US to be with my parents.I know that everyone was excited for me to fly and join them because we waited for my petition papers for fourteen years. Yes, people, you read that right, fourteen, one - four. Behind the waves and the good bye hugs are the tears I kept so hard from falling. Because moving to another country means leaving the 34 years of friendship, happiness, adventures and misadventures. But at the back of my mind are the vast opportunity that Uncle Sam will give me. Yes, just like any other OFWs' reason.

I was sad that I will leave my room aka my Batcave, my sanctuary. If walls could talk, I will treat the four walls of that room nicely and protect it with all my life because that room just know everything about me, by everything means deepest darkest up to the realm of Hades secret.

Just me waiting for Captain America

Horsehoe bend

I'm sad to leave my 55" inch TV, it sounds crazy right? but that television gave me so much joy from watching movies to hooking it up to the internet and do instructional dance videos. It became the one tool that brought me and my cousins closer. Everyday I would wait for them to show up at our our house, hearing them say "We're home" because they spend more time in my house than theirs. We would start the day by watching youtube videos of our favorite Kpop artists. Followed by movies or kdrama and then to cap our day is a 30 to 40 minutes dance exercise in the hope to inspire each other to lose weight. Some days other cousins would join us and have movie night that means calling for McDonald's delivery and borrowing out Grannies' senior citizen card to get the 20% discount.

I'm missing the space of the house, the independence I once just prayed for. The freedom and the responsibilities that comes along with that.

Celebrating my Dad's birthday after 14 yrs

Apartment life was waiting for me at the bay area, this means limited space I can move around. I have to share television with my dad or watch reality shows with my Mom. Living with them after 10 years of independence means to text them at 9pm saying you are still in the gym or at 6pm telling them that you're in the train on the way back home. Kdramas are pre-downloaded on my phone so I can watch it while on the threadmill. Those are little adjustments I made since I got here.

Those adjustments also meant celebrating Mother's Day, Father's Day, and my parents's birthday. Looking forward to Sunday to have our weekly breakfast after church. Having to wake up every morning knowing my lunch is ready because my Mom has prepared it.

Moving to the US gave me reasons to travel because the country itself has a lot to offer. The job I have, let me afford concerts and shows that I hardly see back in the Philippines. It also allows me to buy a little something for myself and send stuff to the Philippines and gives joy to people that you really miss.

My workplace family

My first concert in the US

Overall, as it is in everything there are pros and cons, we just have to be motivated and focus on the pros and use that to direct our life to a more positive outlook. I'm sure there are thousands of reasons for me to be sad and to be homesick but also, there are a million reasons to stay here to find new friends and create another happiness, adventures and misadventures.

The Year that was

2017-01-06T05:30:00.000-08:00

By Now I think everyone had enough of the New Year, New Me post don't worry I will try my hardest not to do that here. Instead I would like to recap a little on the year that was.
2016, whew, insert hand swiping my forehead here. Let's see, how many time did you sing Closer by Chainsmokers? What was your favorite movie? I like Civil War but Suicide Squad gave me a fun memory. What was your biggest project completed?

First and foremost my theme song for 2016 is "Thank you for the broken heart" by J. Rice. If you're reading my previous posts, well, thank you, but it doesn't take a genius to know that I had a heartbreak but I have to thank it because it opened a lot of doors for me. It wasn't a bitter break-up but just as others, it was sad. It happened at the start of the year which I think was good because it gave me a chance to revisit my goal for the year and what I really wanted.

So drum roll please...

On door no. 1, I had a chance to reconnect with families and friends with highlight on the family side. So all those reunions and birthday that I secretly dread actually became an opening for realizing that I have fun and loving cousins. I realized that we are more matured with concrete goals in life. Family reunion isn't just every Christmas but everytime our schedules would meet. The food isn't just the usual Spaghetti but the alcohol content on our drink are being checked too.

Part of reconnecting with cousins is also realizing that well, I was more of an older sister now, having to treat them once in a while. Like I said, I love their company so I really don't mind. I realize that it's happier to see their happy faces than worrying if I'll enjoy it because in the end, I actually enjoyed it.
I had some foodventures with friends which I longed planned to do.

Rib City Menu

On door no 2, I told myself I will be a btter version of myself starting with my weight. I was so proud of myself to be losing 10 kilos in eight months. I know those of you who are gym buffs and health concious this is a small number but for someone who hates walking and loves cake this is a big sacfrice. Losing weight and trimming a few inches on my waistline means I have to cut down food intake started doing calorie counting. I started with 1500 kcal a day for a month, trimmed it down to 1400kcal then to 1300kcal until I mantained a healthy 1000kcal a day. I targeted a 20 minutes workout everyday which sometimes results to an hour or two depending on what I am watching. For eight months I mantained the minimum of 20 minutes workout. And I am happy that it wasn't just me seeing the result.

Big Ben and the peeking London Eye

Bob Marley's wax

The last door but my biggest and most important project for the year was to visit my sister in England. I'm very pleased to anounce that I am writing this entry on her laptop, in her house, sitting on her dinning chair. Waaaaaaaa!!! okay, okay, let me try to calm my fingers before it typed away. Initially I will be visitng for two months, I will just finish my suster's partner's birthday party and my sister's birthday then I will flying back home. But, it turns out, I love being with my sister. It's not a surprise actually, we're very close, you see, but she is my best friend, the only person who knows me in and out, the only person I can cry to. So I took a leap of faith, I resigned from my job to stay here for another two months. Which is worth it, every penny saved, every weight gained and even the ache on my feet when walking around tour sites.

Castle Acre and The Priory

Skit in Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakepeare was born

The trip to England ticked off a lot of things on my list. Castles,Castles and Castles. I'm fascinated with the rich history of England so I enjoyed touring the Castle ruins like Castle Acre and Castle Rising. I went to see the Royals in Sandringham on Christmas Day and got interviewed by BBC, again, inserting my silent scream here. I went to see Shakespeare's place and visited the Harry Potter studios. I got teary eyed when I saw Big Ben and the London Eye because these are the pictures you see on Instagram usually and it feels surreal seeing them in person. To be standing just a few inches from them gives you that feeling of happiness and gratitude and makes you want to scream. OH MY GOD I AM HERE! There's a history lecture that I enjoyed during our Cambridge punting. I did a lot selfies with the wax figures. And let's not forget the parties I've been to, my sis and I counted this last night, 20 parties in the four months I am here. Imagine 20!
I surely love the gorgeous autumn color, I took a lot of pictures of that. The frost on the ground and plants during winter that of course I took a photo of in my jammies with hat or jumpers on, because I was too excited to put it on.
I danced, I sang, I hosted a party program. Oh those four months, I gained lots of friends, learned a lot from the poeple here, some of which became an inspiration.
But four months isn't enough and there are plenty fo reasons to come back.

from one of the parties I'been to

so, yes, 2016, you were awesome to me. You gave me a renewed reason to set goals a new perspective in life and a new found self.
I am leaving UK soon and that's where I am personally ending my year and once I land back home I need to start planning how awesome 2017 will be.

The Reading Challenge

2015-11-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

At the start of the year there were two reading challenges I committed myself to The Goodreads Reading Challenge where you will decide how many books you can read for the year. The other one I got from my cousin but upon searching in Google it's a Popsugar Reading Challenge. I must have underestimated my annual calendar because I challenged my self to red 50 books in Goodreads. I thought "50 books? Oh that's nothing, I have all the time in the world." And guess what? It's mid of November and here's my reading challenge.

Apparently I didn't plan on being too busy during mid year but I'm not complaining I just didn't expect it to be like that. Still, I'm happy to I have read 25 books so far. And these are mostly YA books. What's with YA anyway? Am I old to be reading it? But that's another blog entry I suppose. I am happy to discover new authors that I will sure follow (Sarah Haas, Cassandra Rose Clarke) and the likes. With these 25 books there are only 2 suspense/thriller books I read. This is because in the Popsugar challenge I needed to read a suspense/mystery book and it turned out well because Girl on the Train is such a good read. First time authors like Nicola Yoon and Sandy Hall kept me entertained and left marks in stomach due to the butterflies flying around it when I was reading. Lady Chatterley's Lover was a different case, I needed to read a classic romance and I found out that Richard Madden is doing a TV-Movie of it, so it was decided though very sudden that I will read it.
I am such a fan of reading and I thought that having to take these challenges gave me direction in reading. Although randomly selected books re also fine. But it gave me goals to look forward to when deciding what to read.

Last month of the year is fast approaching and I am hoping I can squeeze in a few more books and hopefully its in a genre I haven't tried before to keep my collections vast and my knowledge wise.

How To Be Interesting So That Other Can Envy and Notice You

2015-01-26T20:28:00.002-08:00

My whole 32 years of existence, ok, minus the toddler years where I don’t really care; I want to be wanted, desirable, likable and according to Google, to achieve this you must be interesting and as part of my research that’s why I came across this book.

I hunted for this book in the hope that I can get tips so I can be interesting. In the cover it says:

Rule # 1. One must be attractive. – If you are such a good friend or sister you will tell your mates that its personality that wins. I agree, but for the others to notice you, you must be attractive or else they will not make that second look or make an effort to get to know you thus you are not given the chance to showcase your great personality. So, yes, a nod to this rule #1.

Rule #2. One must be friends with other attractive people – Ever heard of the saying “Tell me who your friends are and I tell you who you are”? Now that you’re attractive do not stop there and make friends to other equally attractive people. Pros? You’re in the “it” circle darling, the circle where everyone else will kill just to be part of it. Those over privileged, attractive people who more often than not get what they want just by batting their eyelashes. All you have to do is be part of it and a lot of people will be curious on how you live your life. Cons? You are in a lions’ den, these attractive people who are now your so-called friends are the same people that you are battling with. See, you are all attractive and interesting to the eyes of the other people outside the circle. You are battling each other for the attention, for that top spot of being the most interesting, most number of facebook page or likes. But for me this second rule is not really necessary, I think it is better if you’re friendly, you get along with a lot of people. In that way you get to mingle with different type of people, get different stories, jokes that you can share to your other friends, and making you funny and informative because of these knowledge you get from your other friends. Sometimes it makes you look smarter because they think you know a lot.

Rule #3. One must Fall in love with somebody forbidden – This is interesting? It is, but this calls for uber headlines, gossip worthy of Page Six. I think when you have this, it makes you more interesting because you excrete endorphins when you are in love, it makes you prettier and happier. You get to be more creative plus, when we are part of something forbidden, when we have a deadly secret there’s this excitement inside us that makes you look forward to everyday.

I could go on with the Rules but that’s like book report here right? And not a review of something I read. Another book I read with the same theme is “Revenge of the Girl with a Great personality” and I agree with her, sometimes having a great personality isn't enough. There are times I don’t want to be the girl with a great sense of humor , the smart girl, the over confident lady who sits behind her desk and see trends to be delivered. Most of the time I wanted to be described as the pretty girl on station 282. That Lady with a great smile. Unfortunately, those adjectives do not come easy. If you are a 32 years old woman seeking for this you will need a lot of work. 1. Get fit and be fit 2. Continuously learn. In this age one cannot be too confident that we know is suffice because trends are changing way faster than usual. Information can be passed down in a speed of light. Be updated, be smarter than your phones. 3. Travel. Discover people and food. Do not be occupied by taking pictures that you can’t wait to post in your Facebook page. There are far more beautiful things to look at other than the scenery when you travel. The adventure and the experience that you get is far more interesting than the filtered photos you posted in your Instagram.

These two are great reads, and I’m sure a lot of people can relate to it. But it’s important for us to be interesting in our own way, not just follow rules or go with the flow. Do what makes you happy and the rest will naturally show. That’s a cliché but it’s true. So, how to be more interesting? There are no definitive rules on how to be, just enjoy life, live it and appreciate it.

My Surrender to E-books

2014-09-01T20:19:00.001-07:00

Recession hit us in one way or another. For me I have to give up some of the things I used to always do One, is the Starbucks coffee, we all can agree that their coffee are warm and the aroma is inviting but they are so expensive too. So I have to look for alternative to suffice my morning energy boost, enter 7-11 coffee. Two, my daily solo cab going to work, well thanks to a neighbor which I just need to ask for a change shift so we can share the fare. And three, My monthly splurge on books. It has been years since I bought a book and I miss the smell of paper, the physical feeling of turning a page but I can not just give up on my love for fiction and love stories and the rill of mysteries, so I decided to surrender to e-books which I have vowed that I am not going to use, in support of my favorite authors.

There are several books I have read using Bluefire Apps. This is the first application I learned to use. I found a seller of e-books for 5php (ebookstories in instagram) so I used to order from her until my cousins taught me how to search in Google and load it in my Ibook. I also have a friend who uploads e-book in her icloud so we can search and choose what to download from her profile.
After several months and I got an Android phone and found out that some of my friends are using this app, it's 10,000+ ebook whuch is really useful for me (I still use it). Everything that I am looking for is there, well not everything but mostly.
Using ebooks gave me a chance to enjoy my favorite hobby but don't worry I haven't totally abandoned the good ol' paper books in fact, I bought two, recently. It's just a good alternative if you're in a tight budget. And I can enjoy reading even when the lights are out.

Hopefully I can share with you my thoughts with the books I read from ebooks. And really soon I will, for the mean time I will enjoy "Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock" in 10,000+ ebooks.

Images are from Google image

I Did What?

2013-09-02T07:33:00.002-07:00

I checked on my blog today and can't believe that it has been nine months long since my last blog entry. I don't know what happened but it seems that I might have been busy for the past few months.
I'm glad I found time today to write on this entry (Thank you US Labor Day)

I will have to draft my first official entry after nine months its about my recent discovery ebooks..

Until Then

Lost in Space Self

2013-01-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

New Year, new hope. I know a lot of you will agree. There will be resolutions waiting to be fulfilled and hopes that are being prayed upon. This entry is not going to be related with any book at all, I just want to blurt out what I'm feeling and I feel that this is the safest place I can write.

Surely there are people who would think I am lucky, don't get me wrong I know I am but that doesn't mean I am happy. I am not happy not because I am not contented but because I feel empty. Everyday I go to work, worked on the loads of task on my desk, mingle with my colleagues, tidy my desk and go home. Check my FB, play a little with my game console, surf the net, read a little (sometimes a lot) then sleep and tomorrow will be another day. I do this to be numb and just go on with my life and let the waves take me wherever with no goals or destination. Whatever happened to me, I don't know. I envy people who have set goals or who had planned a year or a day, because I can't even write anything on my hard earned Starbucks Planner.
What made me this person who's numb and trying to feel no emotions? I don't know. Right now, I feel like I needed somebody to tell me what to do but then again, I know I am the author of my life, the boss of my own and therefore should know what I need and want to do. But every time I try to decide for my own it isn't the best outcome everyone would hope for. I am not getting any younger and already feeling the pressure of life, the feeling of truly knowing oneself. But here I am blogging about being lost in the journey of my so called life.

What i know for sure, i I have to pick up myself and go on. Find something that would keep me going everyday, that would let me look for something to look forward to and wake up smiling.
Pardon my ranting, but I needed this to get off my chest but can't tell anyone. Thanks for reading.

Cricket FTW!

2012-11-26T19:46:00.004-08:00

I'm starting this blog entry with this letter.

"Dear Stephanie Perkins,
I became your fan when Anna met St. Clair (view Anna and the French Kiss here). And will be reading your next books and looking forward of another intersting characters you are creating.

xxgelayxx of bookspine"

Stephanie Perkins reminds me of Sophie Kinsella in a teeny bopper kind of way. Aside from the familiar butterflies in the stomach and sumersaulting inside is always present when you read "Lola and the Boy Next Door" there are funny embarassing moments that made the reading enjoyable. Although its a little bit predictable, the events that takes place in the book makes you turn the page more. It is realistic that makes the reader relate to the story.

I enjoyed reading the book even though I am reading it beside my boyfriends who is playing Black Ops in his PS3. The sound of gun and constant cursing did not stop me from devouring the book which by the way he bought.

I recommend this book it is fun and easy to read, specially for those looking for a love story that doesn't have sparkling skin or fangs.

PS - nails by Etude :)

For October

2012-09-02T17:27:00.001-07:00

from Rick Riordan's site

The Mark of Athena
October 2, 2012
Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.
And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?
Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.
Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athenais an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .

The Rise of Nine

2012-09-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

My friends and I have been waiting for this book to come out. It's funny because you wait for a year and finish the book in a day. What can I say, it was indeed The Rise of Nine (spoiler) he was really bad ass with a big head. I think he and John could really be good friends plus a maybe a love story with Six. But of course just like other fanatics we want John to end up with Six and ditch Sarah, right?
Just like the other books this is action-packed and more gadgets discovered. Plus of course the little reunion in the end is wanting you more for the next book. Which brings me to my next question. Mr. Pittacus Lore, how many books are you trying to publish for this series?

Since almost everyone is in the book now, I like how they were described and have that individualism but compensates for each other. I wish Five is male just to have a little balance.
The ending of the book does not leave you hanging but will crave for more although the waiting will be bearable this time.

The Lost Files

2012-08-18T19:03:00.001-07:00

No, I'm not talking about X-files people, if kids today even know about it. I have been hooked with "I am Number Four" ever since I watched ~~Alex Pettyfer~~ the movie. So far the series brings me at the edge of my seat, anticipating what would be the next move. Knowing there will be more action pack scene/sequence.

I like it that this series is written by males a breather from the contemporary romance I read and gives me new look inside my paperback novels.
The Lost Files gives you idea about in between action, more glimpse to Six and Nine lives as well as (spoiler alert) a friendly young Mogs who may be or may not be an Ally. This new character will be a colorful addition to our heroes lives.
On August 21 the 3rd book will be out and I just can't wait to purchase it and devour it. I'm just wondering how many books will it be, hopefully not as many as Harry Potter, really, that's expensive.

This August

2012-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

Coming this August at your nearest bookstores

KANE Chronicles

2012-07-29T20:31:00.002-07:00

I have been a Rick Riordan fan since I saw Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief movie, I like the story in the movie but just as expected the book is way better so I read the whole series of Percy Jackson and The Olympians and decided to Rick Riordinside story an books. One because I have always been interested with the Gods. Back when I was in high school in World Literature I always find myself listening attentively to my teacher's inside story of the Gods. Two I like how Rick Riordan relate the Gods to modern times which I have mentioned when I blogged about Percy Jackson's book (click here for a little back track). Three, the story is light but push you at the edge of your seat. The words used are simple and easily understood that makes the reading enjoyable and exciting.

The first two books of the Kane Chronicles

The last installation in the series

With this three book series of the Kane Chronicles the author used a style that has reader's participation, it is as if the Kanes are talking to us letting making us feel that we're part of the world that needs saving. Of course even outside the fictional world Mother Earth needs saving but that will be another topic. I like how the Kanes are talking to the reader letting them know what they did, will do and who are involved via the recordings they sent. As mentioned in the book (spolier alert) most Egyptian Gods are forgotten barely being flipped from the duat of the literary universe. So it is very good the Mr. Riordan wrote about these Gods of the first civilization so that his readers which is mostly composed of teens and some twenteens like me will be introduced to them. The series is action pascked, but I feel its a little similar to Harry Potter.
I think books like these are very educational but there is a disclaimer just like the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons they were derived from the existing story we know so it is still best we go to our library and researched for the real ones or if you prefer modern day loo up start googling the Gods' names. But as Robert Langdon stated "Googling is not researching" and quoting someone which I read "Anyone can write on the internet but not anyone can write a book" so there, go old school sometimes kids, go to your library and search for the Gods mentioned like Nekhbet, Ra, Isis.
I am looking forward reading other books by Rick Riordan and I gladly share this with my cousins and happy that they are enjoying the pleasure of reading.

The Point of being a Wallflower

2012-06-07T20:16:00.012-07:00

1.	wallflower
	a type of loner. seemingly shy folks who no one really knows. often some of the most interesting people if one actually talks to them. cute.
2.	wallflower
	Usually refer to people who are shy and fade in the background , that none really knows or pays any attention to. Its been a while since I wrote something here, and these past few months I have been reading but no writing so I thought I’ll put my mind to work and write about one of the books I read during the short hiatus.

The books I read during the writing break, I should be able to blog about them soon, I hope.

How do you choose what book to read next? Word of mouth? internet? Best seller’s list? All of the above? I decided to read this book because it is going to be a film, well as we all know the book is always better (For those who read anyway).

What can I say? It’s not what I think it is, I thought it’s a love story, a teeny bopper-ish but I was dead wrong. It actually involves teens, but not the usual candy girl kind of book. It is actually a very good coming of age book. And I like it because it is from a view of someone who really should be telling us stories about everyone. Someone who knows everything but doesn’t tell a soul, doesn’t even react and just passes by without attracting huge attention. In other words, a perfect disguise for superheroes.

I like the book because it gives us a different meaning to those who are invisible, they are

suddenly interesting while really they are. I like people who are wallflowers actually. I have this colleague who used to be a wallflower, take note of the word, used to be. He is in every sense a wallflower, not until we worked closely he told me he likes listening to my calls when someone new is sitting beside me because I explain to them what I do in my call. He told me stuff that only with those observant yes would recognize. And as per the definition the wallflowers are some of the most interesting people you’ll get to know. So we discovered there are lots of things we have in common,. Animes, books, unusual topic others wouldn’t talk about. But of course people evolve and him was for the better, he started being confident and witty and really smart so he isn't a wallflower now. Not that I’m disappointed, I’m happy about him changing for the better.

Back to the book and to make my point. If you read the book you will understand why Wallflowers are a good confidante. Why we need them and why those with dark secrets should be afraid of them.

I like the way Mr. Chbosky described the protagonist thinking, his ideas and thoughts it gave him a concrete character, one that is not complicated but not too simple as well. The book introduced me to other style of writing and new story to work on. This is far from what I am used to reading. It made me feel mature when I read it. Which by the way I should really feel, I’m not very young you know. That “infinite” phrase in the book, I don’t really get it but I felt it, it is beyond words when you try to describe it. These are some instances when I don’t really have a word for it. I guess you better read the book to understand it.

Dear Mr. Clavio

2012-03-14T20:33:00.002-07:00

Please read through the blog, I agree to everything she wrote, specially those in bold letters

http://inez.abcruz.com/Diary/2012Mar14Wed024849

Inez's Diary

Dear Mr. Clavio

(This is in response to broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio’s declaration on TV that the Men’s National Football Team was “pretending to be Filipino” – “in his words, “nagpapanggap na kayumanggi” – a declaration that was not taken lightly by many Azkals fans.)

I haven’t written a blog entry like this in a long time. The last time I did it, I chided a young man for looking down at people who didn’t speak English as well as he did. Today, I am going to write about someone who castigates people whom he believes are not as Filipino as he is.

Yes, Mr. Clavio. This post is dedicated to you.

I know you spoke just one sentence – but see, in those few words, you also brought to mind a common, howsoever misguided complaint: a lot of the players on the national team are not really Filipino. The reasons are many: the players are “half breeds”, or they don’t really have the brown skin of Filipinos, or they don’t really speak Filipino that well. Etcetera, etcetera…blah blah blah…

Which brings to mind a question, sir, that I asked long ago: What makes a Filipino a Filipino?

Your words assume that Filipinos need to be fully bred, from a Filipino mother and Filipino father. But that still begs the question: what makes a Filipino a Filipino? Is it a passport? Living in the country from birth? Being born in a local hospital? Having Filipino genes? Is there even a unique Filipino genetic makeup that no one else on the planet has?

Or is being Filipino making your country proud, regardless of whether you are half- or full-Filipino?

The Azkals played well. Not all of them were born of two Filipino parents. Some of them were born of a Filipino mother and a non-Filipino father. But you know what, Mr. Clavio? They make me want to stay in this country. They make me proud.

I also know of some Filipinos who were born to two Pinoy parents. They hold a hefty, brown Filipino passport. They’ve lived in the Philippines since the day they kicked themselves out into the world. They were born in a Filipino hospital, and they probably have a Filipino genetic makeup, whatever that is.

But they lie. They cheat. They rob the country. They make the poor poorer. They earn money, keep it, and steal from the poor. They gossip. They turn trivial things into issues that don’t deserve our time or attention. They drag people down by sneering at the success of their betters, in much the same way that crabs fight to keep each other in their filthy baskets.

And you know what? They’re Filipino, too, with the kayumanggi blood that you so proudly exhort.

But I would never want to be in their presence. Their existence makes me want to leave the country. And they make me ashamed to be called Filipino.

So is that all it is, Mr. Clavio? A passport? Parents? Skin? Blood?

How dare you trivialize our inheritance as Filipinos.

How dare you denigrate the proud kayumanggi to mere genetics.

A kayumanggi probably has all sorts of nationalities running through his rich blood: Spain, China, the Indo-Malays, the tribes that made their homes in the ancient shores of our archipelago. Throw North America into the mixture. Throw Europe into the brew.

So what is a kayumanggi? Is there really a definition grounded in a single nationality, bound by a single country, confined to a single island?

And what about that language issue? Azkals aren’t Filipino because they don’t speak Filipino well, some pundits say. I suppose that completely edges out some foreign-based, Filipino born singers who can’t speak English, but earn accolades from home. That also wipes out my friends who were born in the US to Filipino parents, and who are struggling to learn Filipino – the way that some Azkals are trying.

If you have a complaint about how the Azkals act, talk, or behave, then berate them for that. If you are concerned about the cases being filed against them, then talk about those cases.

But please, Mr. Clavio, don’t drag the issue of birth into the discussion.

When you bring up the issue of half-breeds, you insult all Filipinos. You insult those who don’t speak the language well, who don’t have the color of skin that you expect, who were not born or raised here, who don’t carry Filipino passports, who weren’t born to two Filipino parents. You insult those who want to sing for our country, play for our country, wear our country’s colors and make our country proud.

You also insult those who do speak the language and have the skin and the passports and the parents and the local upbringing. You insult them because you reduce their identity to these mere trivialities.

Is it so important that people are born to a specific set of parents? No – their pedigree means nothing in the face of what they do AFTER they are born. Their birth is mere circumstance. Their lives are what define them.

But who am I to write about all these definitions? A journalist would do research. A journalist would sort out words and sentences carefully, taking care to weed out the useless and the trite, exercising prudence to bring forth a message that encourages and enriches us all. A journalist would think, and then write. A journalist would ponder, and then speak.

Pretending to be kayumanggi, Mr. Clavio?

How dare you pretend to be a journalist.

The Woman they call Tiger Lorns

2012-03-09T20:20:00.023-08:00

January 29, 2011 when I first blogged about this book, and true enough from my forecast I laughed about similar situation that happened in our household, what I didn’t see coming was crying about same feeling I felt back then.

When I was asked by my colleagues if this book was any good I answered, “I don’t know,” I shrugged “I love it because I can relate to it” anyway liking something is subjective so that would depend on the reader.

My mom is not even pure Chinese, and she was not raised the

same way we were. All she was telling us is she needs to work hard for everything she wants in life because they were too many for our Grandmother to supervise. My grandpa is in the army so he is always away for mission and they were nine in the family, my Mom was the second child but the eldest child was sent in the convent so that she can study for free so it was my Mom who took the role of the eldest daughter who happens to assist my grandma in raising the other 7 children. That’s probably why my Mom grew up to be a strong person, not because she wanted to but she needed to.

Back - Ma, Tita Lyn. Front L-R - Tita Luz, Lola Azon, Tita Ludy. Ma's siblings.

And she made sure that we grew up with the same strong character she had. Thus, growing up dealing with her iron fist. I don't know where she got the Chinese way of upbringing, I didn't even know it was the Chinese way, not until this book and asked from Chinese friends. Yes, I did some research from friends who are pure Chinese if it was the same for them.

In Part 1 It says

“The Tiger, the living symbol of strength and power, generally inspires fear and respect”

My sissey used to call my Mom something out of a fable.

“Mother dear we sadly fear”

In Part 3

“Tigers are capable of great love, but they become too intense about it.”

My Mom is not just strict with her children, but with her nieces and nephews too. As a daughter and dealing with her all the time I completely understand why she needed to correct some of my cousins actions. My Mom have a sharp tongue and it is not really for the weak heart. But I was glad when I heard this from my cousin.

“Tita Lorna is actually thoughtful and caring but she says it not with the kind words, not very soft, but in time you realize everything she says is for the best.”

My mom cares too much for everyone, intense is a good adjective to describe how she shows it.

I don’t know how Tigers show their affection to their love ones, Ma is never good with emotions and sweet words but very effective with fierceness. My Family called her Tiger Lorns because everyone feared her, she ran a strict household, with schedule and should exactly do all things her way. I guess, Tiger fits her very well. Feared, respected and very protective.

My Ma in flesh at the back. The usual glare from my Ma, "mataray look"

They might call her Tiger Lorns, but to me she is “Ma”

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother captures the strictness to the children but gave us a clear thought of the Tiger Mother that everything they decide no matter how hard, how strict they will be it is always for their children’s good. Although as described in the book (spoiler alert) there are times that they tend to let us do things because they know they will get half the credit but when you also hear your parents’ friends praises it also makes us a little proud of ourselves. And sometime all that yelling and hard work is worth it.

Ma, sissey and I on a plane, from our 2011 Bohol trip album

There are a lot of things I agree with in this book, one is having a very strict Mom, siblings tend to be closer (i blogged about this, search the site). When we were young most of the time we bond over hating my Mom all because of the yelling and letting you do things you don’t want. When we grew up, we have successfully recruited our Dad (laughing so much now). In the book the eldest daughter is obedient and responsible. I have the same sissey, but what I got from the book is, eldest daughter or son felt the need to be responsible and obedient to serve as a good example to their younger sibling. Oh yes my sister is a very good example. Excelling in school academics, in sports (we play Table Tennis or ping-pong, so very Chinese) being very respectful to others. But I am different, her ways with her might not really work for me. I guess my Mom realized it as well.

Sissey and I in Manila Ocean Park, 2010

Until we reach that certain age that we can make decisions by ourselves, until that time the motto “Mother knows best” is applicable. (Hell, I’m 29 years old and it still applies).

Ma and I, see the resemblance?

I honestly don’t know if the Western way of upbringing will approve this, maybe kids might call 911 for thinking it is abuse. When you were young you tend to hate a lot of things your parents let you do, but growing up I realize I am actually grateful for the way I was brought up. I learned how to be strong, how to look after myself and anticipate my needs. Those summer classes were added skills is really handy most of the times.

I cried a lot of times reading the book, one time I was crying at Starbucks while reading it, how embarrassing is that? The book is nostalgic for me, it brought a lot of memories from growing years and appreciated my Mom more.

I don’t know if every child would want their Mom read this book. I Don’t recommend it if you’re not ready for some beating and yelling. For Mom who wants the best for their children, you can pick up a lot of things from this book.

I love Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, most of the time I have to stop reading just to check that I’m not reading my own story. It might not be applicable for others but what’s important is we all learn from the experiences they brought us. We should not put all the shouting and crying to waste. Afterall, those were done for us to be a better person.

Ma's face in a good mood, circa 1990s

Butterflies in our stomach and other discomfort

2012-02-21T20:26:00.005-08:00

I couldn't find the direct translation of the Filipino word "Kilig" but this simple five letter word and to most is very foreign sums all the feeling we have inside when we are infatuated, or if our crush sat beside us, or having feeling for the girl/boy and you know the feeling is mutual but unable to say it. This is the feeling of butterflies in our stomach, summersaults inside, heart skipping triple times and other discomfort we feel.

Lately when you scan around the bookstores, the unearthly beings are dominating the scene and we crave for more realistic love affair. Thank goodness for other authors who still believe in the mystery of love without the godly beings or immortal creature. Having to purchase a contemporary book is a rare find. I have to be greatfull of my cousins who share the same passion of reading, without them I won't be able to know some books that are worth reading but are pushed back on the shelves because of the book series of the mythical beings.

One example is Anna and the French Kiss of Stephanie Perkins. I wanted to read a book one long weekend but unfortunately I didn't have any pending book at that time so my cousin Nica, lend me this, and boy oh boy. I couldn't contain my "kilig" feeling. This is definitely a breather. First of, its realistic, and if it is we all have that hope, that this can happen to us. We girls have that hopeless romantic inside us no matter how we deny it. We all wished to be swooned. To be able to feel the butterflies in our stomach when we fall in love. Second, I like it that its not too teeny bopper, they are in their Junior and Senior years but cursed just like in real life. Kiss a lot as we discover the excitement of the action and trying very hard not to go over kissing because we are too young. We don't want to be featured like that in MTV would we?

I highly recommend this book for everyone to read, its very light, funny and will make you wish to be falling in love again.

Christmas wishlist 2011

2012-01-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

Every year there are wishlist that needs to be filled out and each year I ran out of ideas that I can write and all the time I have books on those lists and this year is not different. For the first part of 2012 I thing I'm covered with these books.

Kokology

2011-11-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

kokology - [Japanese, kokoro, mind, spirit, feeling + Greek - logia, the study of] 1. A series of psycholigical games designed to uncover emotional and behavioral traits of players. 2. A popular term for the interpretation of the hidden meanings of human behavior and situational responses.

From Kokology 2

I can't believe have not blogged about Kokology before. Anyway. There was a time in my life, maybe some of you did too, that I was confuse and I just wanted to find myself. I didn't know what I want, I didn't have plans for the future. Nothing, nada. Simply because I failed no.1 question. What do I want? To find out what I want I needed to know who am I. There are times that we enjoy people telling us what they think of us, because we didn't know we possess that kind of trait they were telling us about.

As one Fishisms goes "you're not who you are. You're only what other people think of you."

I had a one year journey in finding myself, in order to make a plan of what I wanted to be in the future. I didn't have a goal. Just like the water in the sea and ocean. It flows endlessly, it reaches the sea, to the river, back to ocean and then goes another journey.

Aside from the people who helped me, I consulted Kokology. In a desperate attempt to unlock something about myself that I myself didn't know.

I first heard of Kokology in one of my class exercises back in College. My Film teacher introduced it to us, just an icebreaker after watching "Citizen Kane" (yes, we needed the breather after that). And it struck me, I wanted a copy of that, not knowing that it'll help me in the future.

I haven't done all the exercises in the book, but somehow, the exercises I picked made me laugh because I realized that yes it is true.

From time to time I answer a game or two from the book. People constantly change, it amazes me that in answering the game, it reflects the changes in me. The way I think and feel towards others or myself.

I highly suggest you get your own copy. And enjoy the discovery of a surprising you.

Bring Back what once was mine

2011-11-20T19:31:00.000-08:00

From the incantation song of the movie "Tangled", I cant help but sing the title when I found my book.

By the River Piedra I sat down and Wept, the first words from the book of the same title. No matter how long it has been I will never forget the book. My favorite love quote is there.

"But love is much like a dam: if you allow a tiny crack to form through which a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the whole structure, and soon no one will be able to control the force of the current"

That's why when we feel that little butterflies in our stomach most of us tried to resist it, deny it because if we allow a tiny portion of that feeling to affect us, soon enough it will consume us.

I didn't put name on the book, the reason I knew it was mine because, most of the quotes were in a faint pencil underline. I read the first few pages and read the first quote underlined. It was like fire traveling from my feet up, until my cheeks are all red. It was lost love found in an exact unexpected moment. First underlined quote was.

"Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old"

Then I smiled. It is my book, it was the same feeling I had when I first read it.

I could go on and on with the quotes underlined on this book. But we all know Paulo Coelho gives us all the quotes we need for us to nod our head and agree, or for our hearts to understand and make us put the book we are reading close to our hearts.

I'm just glad I found what was once was mine.

32nd Manila International Book Fair

2011-09-18T13:28:00.001-07:00

If you're an avid book reader like me and most of my friends I am sure if there's a book sale or book fair you will be doing anything just to go there and get a glimpse even if it means you're not going to sleep yet.

A month ago I knew that there will be a book sale thanks to my friend who will have their booth there. I made a note on my planner, whatever happens I will go with the hopes of finding some of the books that is on my list. Sadly since I went there Saturday and it started Wednesday, some of the books I want were out of stock already, but I made sure that

Although it says 32nd Manila International Book Fair, I only started going to the book fair last year, because it was only last year that I was using my internet or more informative ways, like following blogs, using twitter and tumblr for informations re. sale or any useful tips, not just using my internet for games in facebook or cyber stalking. I found more books last year, probably the friend I went with last year is more game of finding good finds from the hundreds of racks that were on display. I am not walking out of the fair without any book on hand.

This year, I found a book that my Dad recommended, "The Eleventh Commandment" by Jeffrey Archer. My Dad knows I like Steve Berry and Dan Brown's like so he suggested that, though reading the book will have to wait because there are quite a number on queue right now.

I found "The Devil and Miss Prym" no need to mention who wrote it for 50 pesos, yes, 50 pesos. I also bought my cousin books, 2 "True Philippine Ghost Stories" for 50 pesos each from original price of 80 pesos. I bought a word hunt book for my Mom, for memory sharpness and to keep her busy too.

Surely next year, I will be walking the aisles of the book fair, hoping to find a book treasure. Well, every book is a treasure, Walt Disney said that, sort of like that.

The Son of Neptune

2011-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

I loved Percy Jackson from the moment I watched it until the last page of The Last Olympian so it is no surprise that I patiently awaits another book that will have Percy Jackson in it. I read the first book The Lost Hero but quite disappointed that Percy is missing, that's why I'm excited with the second book which most probably star Percy, well who could be Neptune's Son right? probably Tyson?

Love the cover too. Will be available on October 4, 2011

To read the first chapter click here