I opened my internet explorer this morning and guess what I saw in my homepage…

So I hover my mouse at the logo to find out why the Cookie Monster is there at Google. And so I learned that it’s Sesame Street’s 40th Anniversary!

Happy 40th Anniversary Sesame Street! See you around Cookie Monster…

It’s another important event for the last quarter of the year. Yep, it’s Halloween.

Halloween is not actually just a time for costumes and parties. It is also a time to remember the departed loved-ones and to value those that we still have. So, in case you are just stuck at home and can’t go to the province to visit cemeteries due to bad weather, why not read?

I have here some recommended books that would really fit the season. A thriller type and a humorous ghost story. Well, don’t underestimate them for they are written by Best-Selling authors: Dan Brown and Sophie Kinsella. Now, allow me to give you the titles and a short summary.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon, the famous Harvard symbologist has received an invitation from his friend Peter Solomon to deliver a lecture in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Since Peter is his friend and mentor, he went to Washington D.C. without any idea that his trip is not just an ordinary visit. When he arrived, he was more than shocked by what greeted him. There were no audience at all for the lecture and the severed right hand of Peter is there at the place, tattooed and transformed as the Hand of Mysteries. From there, a series of events took place and a lot of puzzles surfaced. Will Robert Langdon be able to solve the mysteries and save his friend? And who is this tattooed man who kidnapped Peter?

Know more on The Lost Symbol here >>

*  *  *

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Lara has been undergoing the gloomy days in her life. Everything has been going beyond her control from her relationship with her boyfriend to her newly-launched head-hunting business. So she thought that because of these stress, she has been starting to see things like a ghost. But, she’s wrong. Sadie, her great-aunt has come to seek her help. They have to find a necklace who has been in Sadie’s posession for more than seventy-five years. Sadie said that she couldn’t rest without it. And so, the hunting and haunting began. As they go into the journey in finding the necklace, they started to discover things about love, about each other and most important, about their family.

Know more on Twenties Girl here >>

Have a great weekend. Enjoy reading!

Previously…

“Call me insane but I thought that dating Gerry is the only chance I could have to be with my bestfriend again…”

*Sighs*

I’ve fallen into one of Gerry’s tricks again. Here I am, sitting at Coffee Indulgence sipping my cold coffee as I pretend to listen to his stories.  Kanina pa kwento nang kwento ang isang ito. Halos kilala ko na yata nang husto ang ex niya sa kakakwento niya. TSK!

Maybe this is what I get for also using him to be with my bestfriend, Z. I thought they’re together kaya eto naman ako, punta agad. Yun pala, I’m stuck with the boring company of this person who chats with me as though we are always on a debate.

Naku, kalahati na pala ang coffee ko. I gotta do something before he rewinds his stories again.

“Um… Gerry, kamusta na nga pala si Z?”

“Ha? Ok naman siya.”

“Mukhang masyado siyang busy. Wala akong balita sa kanya.”

“Hindi naman. Ganun lang talaga siguro pag may love life.”

“Ha? Anong love life?”

“Hindi mo ba alam?”

“Ang alin?”

“May girlfriend na siya”

***

It’s already late in the evening but I feel as though time has stood still from the moment I heard that Z already got a girlfriend. I can still recall my shock when I heard Gerry. Every thing around me has lost its colors and it’s as if I am in a black and white film. I was in total blank. In fact, di ko nga maalala kung paano natapos ang “date” namin na yun ni Gerry at kung papaano ako nakauwi.

I feel so shattered. My last tiny flickering light of hope was gone. And so I sunk on my bed and just tried to recall our good days together. I looked for old letters, photos and gifts. Then I saw ones from my debut. Our photos on that occasion and a poem I wrote after…

Lamentations

“.I’ll have savored you like an oyster
memorized you
held you under my tongue
learned you by heart
So that when you leave
I’ll write poems”
-Sandra Cisneros

I hold in my hands
memories of yesterday
Dried, fragile petals
on decaying stems
red and white roses
Now turned yellowish-brown
Beauty that has fade
Can never be regained

Sweet tunes and lovely roses
A night of dreams
You belong to me that evening
Like Endymion in Selene’s arms
A slave of her love
Just for a night

If only I could stop the earth
From revolving
If only I could freeze the time
It could have been
Only you and me
And the night won’t come to an end

But like the roses in my hands
The night is now a memory
That will fade
And will be taken away by time
I can never bring back the magic
For now,
The spell
Is
Over.
Reality
Has
Come
We
Are
Just
friends.

 Yes, we are just friends… Then, my mind suddenly snapped back into reality. Yes, there is definitely no point in seeing Gerry anymore I should already get rid of him (way back ago). After all, he is still so into his ex, getting rid of him will do us both a huge favor.

To be continued…

Everything has been created in pairs. Yin and Yang. Darkness and Light. Land and Water. Right and Left.

 A spoon for a fork… Food for plate…  Every one seems to have another.

And as I secretly glance at your hand on the table, longing to hold it and feel your warmth… How I wish that you could be the one for me… If only…

___________________________________________________

Photo taken last Sept. 20, 2009 at Gerry’s Grill, Manila Ocean Park.  (Thanks for the happy moments this date and the day before…)

Haven’t Stopped Lovin’ You

(Janno Gibbs) 

Hey, how have you been?
It’s been a while, it’s nice to see you once again
Me? I’m doin’ just fine
Livin’ my life, showing myself of the good times

But what am I sayin’
Who am I foolin’
So before I let you go
I just think that you should know

I haven’t stopped lovin’ you
I haven’t stopped wantin’ you
I haven’t stopped hopin’ that you feel the same way too
I haven’t stopped dreamin’
I haven’t stopped wishin’
I haven’t stopped thinkin’ that, you’re thinkin’ of me too
I haven’t stopped lovin’ you

Ohh yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah ohh

I’m happy for you
It seems you’re doin’ well, you’re seein’ someone new
Me? Oh you know me
Foolin’ around with every pretty girl I see

But what am I sayin’
Who am I foolin’
So before I let you go
I just think that you should know

I haven’t stopped lovin’ you
I haven’t stopped wantin’ you
I haven’t stopped hopin’ that you feel the same way too
I haven’t stopped dreamin’
I haven’t stopped wishin’
I haven’t stopped thinkin’ that, you’re thinkin’ of me too
I haven’t stopped fallin’, fallin’ in love with you

I haven’t stopped lovin’ you
I haven’t stopped lovin’ you
I haven’t stopped lovin’ you

________________________

*** I haven’t stopped lovin’ you. It’s just hard for me to show it. So hard to say it…

Previously…

“Seniors’ Prom. Isa ito sa mga most memorable moments ko ng high school. Pero ito rin yata ang isa sa mga biggest regrets ko. Ilang beses ako niyaya noon ni Z na sumayaw pero tinanggihan ko siya…”

Bihira na lang kami magkita ni Z noong college kaya kapag may pagkakataon para magkasama kami, I always grab it. Kaya naman nang minsan mag-text siya ng hatinggabi, di ako nagdalawang-isip na mag-reply. Ang kaso… iba na ang sumagot sa text message ko.

“Hi, I’m Gerry, Z’s frend. He’s drunk ryt now so his cel s wid me.”

Worried as I was for my friend, I didn’t even think twice whether I should reply or not. Apparently, I didn’t know back then that this text message exchange would be the start of Z’s role of playing Cupid to me and his friend.

Well, dahil kaibigan ko nga itong si Z, nagtiwala ako sa taste niya and inisip ko rin na baka through this Gerry ay magawa kong kalimutan na ang feelings ko kay Z. So, I met up with Gerry and went out a few times with him.

***

First meeting with Gerry… I texted him to wait for me in front of my college’s entrance which is katabi ng library. At dahil gusto kong malaman kung anong hitsura niya bago ako makipagkita sa kanya (baka kasi magbago isip ko pag nakita ko hitsura niya), nag-stay ako sa library, sa may windows and looked for him. Unfortunately, my plan failed.

So lumabas ako at di ko alam na nakasalubong ko na pala siya. When we finally met, I did my best to hide my disappointment. May tiwala ako sa taste ni Z pero di ko akalain that he would fail. Though, I still gave him the chance and said to myself na baka ok naman siya.

***

Gerry is a year older than me. He is short and chubby. And, this really made me feel awkward  to walk beside him when I’m wearing heels. No, don’t get me wrong, I’m not mean.  Hindi lang talaga ako sanay makipag-date sa isang guy na mas matangkad ako. Most of the guys I’ve dated are taller than me.

So why did I dated him?

Call me insane but I thought that dating Gerry is the only chance I could have to be with my bestfriend again…

And mukhang nahalata nga iyon ni Gerry.

I became the so-called “first lady” of the coach for the Commerce’s  debate team where Z is a member. I attended their trainings sitting beside Gerry while secretly gazing at Z. But when training is finished, parting became so hard for me. I wanted Z to accompany me in going home since my destination is just on his way too. But he would always insist  for Gerry to accompany me instead.

And so it went on until one night while on cab, Gerry did something that really turned me off.

He forcedfully tried to kiss me. Luckily, we are not of the same height and I was able to avoid him. I could still recall his big mouth that tried to devour me. Very creepy. I even thought I would have nightmares.

So, I texted Z and informed him. He replied with a laugh and said I was so conservative.

Well, sorry, I thought. I wasn’t just being conservative. I just really don’t like your friend. And why do you have to give me to another, when it’s you that I want?

*sighs* I wished I could said that to him, I thought as I stared at my cellphone.

To be continued…

Here’s a must-not-missed event for book lovers out there!

On Sept. 16-20,  the biggest book fair for the year will be held, the Manila International Book Fair 2009. Venue for this year would be Exhibits 1-4 of SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of  Asia Complex, Pasay City. The fair will be open  from 10am to 8pm.

Manila International Book Fair was founded in 1981. This year, it will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary and surely, lots of activities are in store for everyone.

What to Expect:

• Storytelling sessions
• Seminars on getting published, freelance writing, intellectual property protection, how to export books
• Talks on dealing with the challenges the publishing industry faces amid the ongoing global financial crisis
• Book Launchings
• Live Musical Performances
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Cosplay Competitions

This event was organized by Primetrade Asia Inc in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc. (PBAI), and Publishers’ Representatives Organization of the Philippines (PROP).

For more info on the event, visit the offical website.

For FREE ENTRANCE, Click Here.

See you all there!

Paparazzi

(Lady Gaga)

We are the crowd, we’re c-comin’ out
Got my flash on, it’s true
Need that picture of you
It so magical, we’d be so fantastical

Leather and jeans, garage glamorous
Not sure what it means
But this photo of us it don’t have a price
Ready for those flashing light
‘Cause you know that baby, I

I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa, paparazzi
Baby, there’s no other superstar, you know that I’ll be
Your papa, paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby, you’ll be famous, chase you down until you love me
Papa, paparazzi

I’ll be your girl backstage at your show
Velvet ropes and guitars
Yeah, cause you’re my rock star in between the sets
Eyeliner and cigarettes

Shadow is burnt, yellow dance and we turn
My lashes are dry, purple teardrops I cry
It don’t have a price, loving you is cherry pie
Cause you know that baby, I

I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa, paparazzi
Baby, there’s no other superstar, you know that I’ll be
Your papa, paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby, you’ll be famous, chase you down until you love me
Papa, paparazzi

Real good, we dance in the studio
Snap, snap to that shit on the radio
Don’t stop for anyone
We’re plastic but we still have fun

I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa, paparazzi
Baby, there’s no other superstar, you know that I’ll be
Your papa, paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby, you’ll be famous, chase you down until you love me
Papa, paparazzi

___________________________

*** Hmmm… Paparazzi reminds me of  “Papa R…”

Previously…

“We were no longer classmates and dahil doon nabawasan ang time namin together. He began having new friends. And I, started missing him. Ako naman ang nagselos sa mga bago niyang kaibigan.”

Senior year began at naging classmates kami ulit ni Z. We were both in the cream section, as every one else has expected. Gayunpaman, hindi pa rin kami ok until I took the courage to make the move.

***

It was the night of my birthday celebration. I was a bit nervous. Darating kaya siya? It was a big risk to invite him tonight. Pero tinanggap niya naman yung invitation and he even smiled.

Nasa kalagitnaan pa rin ako ng pag-aagam-agam nang marinig ko ang excited na mga boses at tuksuhan ng aking mga bisita. Napalingon ako sa may pinto.

There he is… Handsome as ever. When he met my eyes, he smoothly approached me and handed his gift.

From then on, we became close again and almost inseparable. Back to being seatmates, project partners, groupmates and friends.

***

Dahil nga sa close na kami ulit… we both know the secrets of each other. Well, almost. Di ko naman kasi kayang sabihin sa kanya ang lahat like my feelings for him.

I remember a time when nakiusap siya sa akin na iabot sa nililigawan niya yung framed poem seatwork namin sa isang subject. Self- composed niya yung poem. Maganda at talagang pinaghirapan even the design and frame. It was so heart-breaking pero tiniis ko. Ayaw nga tanggapin nung nililigawan niya na friend ko kasi alam nung girl na may gusto ako kay Z. Pero dahil may pagka-martyr nga ako. Nakiusap pa ako sa kanya Ayun, tinanggap din sa wakas. 

***

Seniors’ Prom. Isa ito sa mga most memorable moments ko ng high school. Pero ito rin yata ang isa sa mga biggest regrets ko. Ilang beses ako niyaya noon ni Z na sumayaw pero tinanggihan ko siya…

Wala kasi ako sa mood dahil napagalitan at napahiya kami noon ng adviser namin. Na-late kasi kami. Kakainis!

If only I could turn back time… I’ll dance with him na talaga!

***

College came. Medyo nakakalungkot kasi nagkahiwalay na kami ni Z. But I was so glad na at least we are in the same university. We still keep in touch but not as frequent as the usual. Nakaka-miss…

To be continued…

After almost seven decades, it seems that Archie Comics will finally end. Why? Well because Archie Andrews has made up his mind and will already be proposing to Veronica.

Yeah. Ronnie it is and not Betty. You might as well check the cover of Part 1 of the upcoming Archie marries Veronica series.

So why didn’t he choose Betty? What will happen now…?

As you could see in the cover (and like many of Betty’s supporters out there), Betty is teary-eyed and we assume that it would be difficult for her to accept her defeat.

But I guess, this is what would really happen anyway. That Archie would really choose Ronnie over Betty. And maybe Betty would end up in Jughead’s arms.

One should have observed that it was really Ronnie that made Archie crazy in love during their years in Riverdale High. And, Archie would only date Betty whenever Ronnie is not around or if he needs a favor.

Perhaps Betty is too good for Archie. She deserves someone better. But is Jughead a good choice?

Ok. Enough. I’ll just buy my copy and read what will happen to the love triangle.