Fushigi no Kuni

I once said I hated my life and wanted to crumble and die.

2011-05-04T08:33:00.001-07:00

I forgot what the reason was, but it must have been pretty bad yet pretty much stupid. Why? Because despite everything and all that crap, I'm right here. I'm sitting here right now, in front of my laptop on a fine glorious Monday with no classes, three MS Word documents open, my TC notes pinned on a notepad beside me and John Grisham's The Client waiting to be finished. I'm right here and I might not be the happiest person alive, but I'm happy because I'm alive. I'm glad because in time, I will finally see my sister. I feel lucky because I study in a private Catholic school, I eat more than three times a day and I have a family, amazing friends and adorable pets with one who shit in my room on a daily basis. I am alive and I love it. I may not say so a lot of times, but when realization hits me with a sack of bricks, I'll come around. I may not be Richie Rich's sister, I may not possess the brains of Dilton Doiley and I may be incomparable to the prettiest person you know, but I'm alive and that's something.

If you can think of something better than being alive, hit me now.

There will come a time when we will meet death, but until that day comes, you live your life. It doesn't matter if you want to be rich, smart or pretty because honestly speaking, it seems that that's all that matters these days.

Living life to the fullest stands for many things.

You just have to figure out what it means in your life.

April 30th: Harry Overload

2011-04-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

April 27th: Glee Season 2.

You should've seen it to believe it. Hint: Asian characters. ;)

Mike Chang's character is played by a Harry: Harry Shum, Jr.

I feel Pretty/Unpretty video.

Born this Way video.

April 28th: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The trailer.

(My life is currently being un-awesome so I therefore am unable to upload the trailer)

But there's a petition going on that David Yates let the Marching On video be shown at the end of the movie.

Link to Official Trailer

Link to Marcing On

Link to Petition

PS I tried uploading but the internet connection is being a little crappy. Okay, more than crappy.

PPS I'm going on premiere night with my best friend and her family.

Pays to have a best friend whose family is as crazy over Harry Potter as I am!

It's hard to imagine that this little guy in 2001 is all grown up. And of course, he's going to die and live again. He's so bad-ass.

There had been news that Emma Watson (Hermione Granger in the HP series, in case you've been a Patrick this past decade) dropped out of Brown University due to bullying. This is not true. She addressed this through her blog, and here is a copy of her letter:

April 29th: The Royal Wedding

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince Harry and formerly Ms. Catherine Middleton)

Now, I told myself, "I don't care about the Royal Wedding" mainly because everyone else has gone all crazy about it and I guess I'm just not the person who wants to be in the same craze as everyone else. (Harry Potter is a different matter.) That's why my face wasn't stuck on the tv screen

Her gown is a McQueen by Sarah Burton, similar to Grace Kelly's.

The real modern-day Cinderella. I wrote a novel on it when I was in sixth grade as a project entitled Cindy, a Modern-Day Cinderlla, and I never imagined this would occur because I'm too much of a realist. But this? This made me see that not all Disney movies cannot not occur in real life.

The bridal entourage.

The reception gown, another McQueen by Sarah Burton.

And they also honored the late Princess Diana. They reserved her a seat and Kate didn't throw her bouquet on the crowd, but instead, to respect her husband, she laid her flowers on the grave of Diana. The ring, a sapphire and diamond heirloom, is Diana's. Here are the things they also did in honor of Diana:

The late Diana with sons William and Harry.

The ring.
Westminster Abbey, where Di's memorial was held (1997)
Bishop of London Richard Chartres also spoke at Di's funeral
"Guide Me Thou, O Great Redeemer" was the same sung that concluded Di's funeral and memorial service
Di's bouquet (Sweet William with Lily of the Valley) is a staple of Di's own wedding bouquet

An excerpt from the article:

Nine days ago, while the rest of the world fixated on every last detail of their impending nuptials, Will and Kate took a boat to his mother’s final resting place. The couple spent a quiet day at Lady Di’s remote burial site, and walking the grounds of the nearby arboretum where Will and Harry planted trees alongside their mother as boys. “It was very important for William to take Kate to visit his mum just before their wedding day," a royal insider told the Daily Mirror. “Diana is still a huge part of her boys' everyday life and always will be." This was particularly true today, as William bit his lip nervously, standing at the altar with his bride, just as his mother did on her wedding day. It was a reminder to the millions of viewers who've watched the prince become a man, he's still his mother's son.

(Source)

You know what's even better? Kate Middleton Windsor is a Potterhead.

All hail.

But like this post is titled, this is a Harry Overload, meaning while everyone else was fixated on the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry is being claimed by everyone. And by a little bit of me, too. :D

Royal Wedding Spoof. T-Mobile commercial gif. Here's a link to the video.

He's a sweet brother to Prince William. When Kate was walking down the altar, the best man looked back then told William,"Right, she's here now." Then, he added with a grin, "Wait 'till you see her." If that's not sweet or cute to you, then I don't know what is.

"Right, she's here now. Wait 'till you see her."

While every other royal was waving at the crowd, Harry was doing this:

Already a joker as a kid.

Ahem... :")

Charles, William and Harry getting dressed.

And so, for every girl out there...

And before you close this and start on your plans on how to get Prince Harry to fall helplessly in love with you, please do pray for Alabama.

...

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

2011-04-26T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Time Traveler’s Wife (Aubrey Niffenegger)

When Henry meets Clare, he is a twenty-eight-year-old librarian and she, a twenty-year-old art student. That was his first time knowing her, but Clare has been waiting for him— for that moment— all her life, ever since his thirty-six-year-old self showed up at the meadow six-year-old Clare was playing at. This is because Henry is one of the first people who were diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder, wherein his genetic clock resets and he loses himself from the present and turns up in various pasts and futures.

The Time Traveler’s Wife focuses on the effects and journey the disorder causes on Henry and Clare's relationship. As his time travels are spontaneous, there is no telling when he’d be back, other than the fact that he’d probably be naked by then. Because of this, he learned how to pick locks, steal and survive until he goes back to the present.

In this extraordinary book, we are shown, through Henry and Clare’s love and relationship, how important waiting is, and what it really means abstaining from the roller coaster of emotions just for that charming gentleman who has no idea you exist. It narrates us a story of that one person who you're going to literally wait all your life for, and sure there would be bumpy roads, but it will be hell worth it.

What makes you hold up on this novel is because you want to know if they're going to survive. Here's a spoiler: they will. But that doesn't mean bad things aren't going to happen. Every end is truly just the beginning, because not every end is the ending of the story.

FILM:

In 2009, Robert Schwentke directed a film version of the 2003 masterpiece, starring Rachel McAdams (a personal favorite from Mean Girls and The Notebook) and Eric Bana. For the most part, it is how I imagined it would be (I didn't know there was a movie until Star Movies featured it). Although if you plan on watching the movie, I'd recommend the book first, or perhaps the other way around if you want to be fascinated and then even more. Tiring it is for some people when it comes to books, I don't think any film can ever capture an author's emotions conveyed in a book.

April 8th: The Hunger Games Movie

2011-04-08T10:14:00.001-07:00

A/N: So apparently, it took me one night for these posters. Obviously, from Lucy Hale down, I've grown lazy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the photos used below.

Source

Katniss Everdeen

"Straight black hair, olive skin, we even have the same gray eyes."

Considered:

As Hailee Steinfeild

I think she can throw in that deadpan, I-don't-care look of Katniss but still pull of a pretty smile. I haven't seen True Grit, which she starred, and although she somehow looks the part than others, I think her acting's a little behind. It needed to be stronger if she wanted to be Katniss, who's a little badass behind that facade.

As Lucy Hale

I guess she portrays that Katniss look, but some fans have said that she does not look too natural. She's got wonderful potential, I'd say.

As Kaya Scoledario

I think Kaya would've been wonderful, plus, she's got that braid thing going on! She's that actress from Skins, yes. :D Although she is nineteen, she's got the features and her model-thin body works for District 12.

The Real Cast:

As Jennifer Lawrence

I wished she was sixteen. She's turning twenty, and I'm sure she's a wonderful actress to fit so as Katniss since she was casted. But age doesn't matter and make-up can do almost everything these days, so what the hell. Though I'm sure I'm going to love her. I always (well, often) do in the end.

Gary Ross in Entertainment Weekly on Lawrence:

First I saw Winter’s Bone, and I just thought she was phenomenally talented and just kind of riveting and amazing and had so much power. And then we had a meeting and I found her to be just a completely compelling, intelligent person. But then she came in and read for me and it just knocked me out. I don’t want to go into too many details, but we did a scene from the movie and it was so amazingly powerful that it was sort of stunning. You glimpsed every aspect of the role and the potential of the whole movie.

And on that little issue of mine with Lawrence being twenty, Ross had said,

First of all, I talked to Suzanne extensively about this. Suzanne saw every single audition. And not only did Suzanne not have an issue with Jen’s age, she felt you need someone of a certain maturity and power to be Katniss. This is a girl who needs to incite a revolution. We can’t have an insubstantial person play her, and we can’t have someone who’s too young to play this. Suzanne was incredibly adamant about this. Far from being too old, she was very concerned that we would cast someone who was too young. In Suzanne’s mind, and in mine, Katniss is not a young girl. It’s important for her to be a young woman. She’s a maternal figure in her family. She’s had to take care of Prim and in many ways her mother since her father’s death. She’s had to grow up pretty quick.

.o.

But someone young and fresh and preferably, new. I think The Hunger Games calls for new opportunities for thousands of hopefuls out there who can really kick ass on the screen. Take Harry Potter for example. Most of the actors there were casted from the world outside Hollywood, and it's a success. Sure, there were glitches, but with things like these, I believe there are other talents outside that list.

.o.

A/N: Apparently, the wifi's been crappy so I was unable to continue this.

And I grew tired making posters that are obviously losers against the work of a three-year-old.

Book Review: The Hunger Games

2011-04-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

The trilogy narrates from the perspective of sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen in a post-apocalyptic world, in a place called Panem that rose from the ashes of North America. Katniss has been eligible to enter the Hunger Games since the age of twelve, and adding to that predicament is the dilemma of being the man of the house given the unfortunate circumstances that ascended on their family. The Hunger Games is hosted by the Capitol people, which started about seventy-five years before when District 13 started an uprising against them. When said District was believed to have vanished from the face of the planet, the Games became a reminder that what ever may come and go, the Capitol will always be stronger than any of the remaining twelve districts.

Katniss’ role used to be within the boundaries of making sure that the Everdeen family stays alive, including her sister’s old goat and the ugliest cat known to mankind. However, when the Games interfered, Katniss’ beliefs and thoughts that are against the Capitol’s unspoken rules became the cause of her trouble. After an audacious and seditious act with Peeta Mellark, Katniss has become the symbol of rebellion. Whether this roots to something good or not is up for the readers to find out.

What I like about The Hunger Games trilogy is that Collins didn’t sugarcoat it. There was eventually an ending, yet it was happy and sad at the same time— the reality of life. There are few books that were able to satisfy me when it comes to endings, and this was one of them. Her imagery of real life situations in the slums hundred of years later are both similar and different to what we live in presenttime. What adds to her sci-fi genre is the love triangle that formed between the main character who wants to save everybody, the guy who literally saved her from dying and the best friend who has always saved her. Though the triangle made its debut in the latter part of the first book, it was not the focus, yet still urges the reader to move on, perhaps not only to find out who she eventually ends up with but because Collins’ trilogy is just like that. It makes you turn page after page, stay up late to get the book through, cry and laugh with the characters, pity their situations and join in the fighting. It teaches you that there are choices in life that are so hard, you just want to take the easy way out, but there’s none, so you have to choose, somehow.

All in all, I give this book a rating of 4/5. Requirements for reading: a mellow and open mind, a cup of coffee, a comfortable sofa and a soft blanket to cry on, to squeal on, or just something to snuggle under when you feel so.

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So why did I do this just now?

I've had this on my file for so long, but I never got around to posting it since my laptop was sick. Like, very sick. And part of the reason is because the movie cast list has been finalized, and can I just say how utterly disappointed I am? My friends are, too. I hope we're not the only one. Next post on (you guessed it) the cast list.

Online Reads: Jonnie the Girl

2011-04-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

Summary: (excerpt from author herself)

Five boys, one dorm house. They needed a sixth to make rent, she needed a place to stay. Only, they thought Jonnie was a guy. Now she has to learn to live with their gross habits, and they have to live with tampons underneath the bathroom sink.

Personal Review:

The thing about Jonnie the Girl that really drew me in was because it was based on a real life situation of the author (Anastasia). She threw in comical things here and there, but when I started getting addicted to the story and read her official website did I know that it's a true-to-life-story. I think that makes it so wonderful, that bearing on the story is like waiting impatiently for gossip because you want to know what happens with the girl and the boy. Jonnie's love story with a character I won't name yet is lovely and heartbreaking, unique and amusing and a relationship you wouldn't have dreamed of. It's not only a love story, though. The author throws in friendship, family, emotional problems and choices. Since this review of mine is so petty, I'm guess I'm near to ending it with the conclusion that Jonnie the Girl is indescribable.

Here's a sneak peak before you start reading that awesome story; quotes by the characters: (A poll has been conducted by the author, hence the places)

10th place: “She’s just the jealous type. You could’ve sneezed and she still would’ve flown off the handle.” – Jonah

9th place: “Hey, Spawn of Satan, say hi to your dad for me.” – Jonnie

8th place: “It’s a TRAP!” – Sean

7th place: “FRIKKIN’ SEAN? OVER ME? WHAT KIND OF A WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN HERE?” – Trent

6th place: “Damn, Jons, why do you have to make doing the right thing so hard?” – Ryder

5th place: “Holy mother of shirtlessness… Ryder had some serious pecks and shoulders going on there.” – Jonnie

4th place: “I like banging things.” – Trent

3rd place: “You are the gayest of the gayest! You are pretty and witty and GAY, dude!” – Trent

2nd place: “Uno, dos… How can we be ‘tres’passing when there are only ‘dos’ of us?” – Ryder

AND, in 1st place: “Your hand off my ass or your nuts in a jar… your choice.” – Rachel

Link to Jonnie the Girl

Link to Jonnie the Sequel

Link to What If?

Link to Official Website

Link to Photo Album

Online Reads: The Last Dance

2011-04-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Summary:

Prince John fears being King. He's twenty-one and his parents already want him to get settled down with a wife and the kingdom. John has bigger plans: he wants a life outside the castle walls, with no attendants tagging along to shine a button or brush dust from his coat. When he abandoned this life, a childhood "friend" and lady knight, Celia, came to save him from the mess he brought upon himself. But Celia has problems too, without John mixing in with her worries, given that they've done nothing in the past years than fight and argue like cat and dog. Her turning nineteen will require her to attend the High Ball, but she doesn't want that. She doesn't like that at all. So what do these two incompatible (according to them, at least) young gentleman and lady have in common?

They both need the other to survive.

Personal Review:

I think The Last Dance is a wonderful story. It's about choices, and choosing the right thing, or rather, what we think is right. John and Celia's story, admittedly, is admittedly typical, but there comes a twist in the end that will totally leave you hanging on your seat. The author, xoStardust (or Celia Rhodes), also brought forth Celia's insecurities in a time of pretty gowns and lovely faces. A little similar to the preteen-teenage life these days, who often lack the self-confidence. Celia loses her esteem when John commented on this of her, and in life, there is indeed that person who let us believing false things about us.

Rating:

♥♥♥

Link to The Last Dance

April 3rd: Summer Reads

2011-04-03T00:50:00.000-07:00

It's summer, baby, and what else do a penniless and jobless teenage bookworm like me to do than lounge around, reading? I've actually gotten a little tired on my library so I'm taking a rest.

I'm going to add two sections to my blog. One: Book reviews. I've read books that are actually pretty good, but I barely know people who've read these books. So, to advertise them, I'm going to write about it here in my blog. And besides, all I've been posting here are quite... boorish, or something.

Two: Wattpad, Storywrite, Fictionpress, etcetera... reads. Where is the world when they need to pay attention to these amazing writers on these writing sites? They're actually pretty good! Actually, more than that. The stories are amazing, even kids can totally beat the adults' bums.

Last summer, I spent it watching animes, reading books and mangas and whatnots. I want to make this one extra special. I originally planned to apply for a summer job but apparently, I missed the deadline of the submission of application forms and I haven't got the heart to look for another one. So I'm going to do it right here at home. Yes, without pay. But these young writers deserve to be known. They have the confidence to write something their imaginations believe in, and that's not easy.

Watch out! :)

March 19th: "A bird may love a fish, but where would they live?"

2011-03-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

AUGUST=ATTITUDE

outgoing personality. takes risks. feeds on attention. self control. kind hearted. Self confident. loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. easy to get along with and talk to. has an “every thing’s peachy” attitude. likes talking and singing. loves music. daydreamer. easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. loves to be loved. hates studying. in need of “that someone”. longs for freedom. rebellious when withheld or restricted. lives by “no pain no gain” caring. always a suspect. playful. mysterious. “charming” or “beautiful” to everyone. stubborn. curious.. independent. strong willed. a fighter.

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I find this post of myself quite true. I work best alone as I always want to be in control, which cannot happen.

And I am often raging, somehow envious with measly things (not on materials) and I love to hear myself talk,

yet I still have to build my confidence with past happenings regarding things that led to embarrassments. Is it odd that I aspire to be a lawyer, yet despise studying in some degree? :P

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I was sick last Ash Wednesday and have been for three days then. Now, I am sick again and it's just so aggravating as I have my final examinations on Monday to Wednesday, and getting special tests are a big pain as they are extremely harder.

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Something I've been aching to watch.

Except, I don't think the copy is anywhere in this house anymore.

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So I am settling for this while I write my reviewers.

I love real-life remakes of Disney movies/Grimm Brothers movie.

And this is one of the most quotable ones I've seen.

Quote,

"A bird may love a fish, but where would they live?"

Unquote.

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I'm off. :)

Quote of the day:

January 17th: I Wish I Had Cosmo and Wanda

2011-01-17T02:22:00.000-08:00

This is Cosmo and Wanda. They are fairy godparents from a Nickelodean show.

I think the noun "fairy godparents" is enough as an explanation. :>

I got my report card today.

It was dreadful. :(

Sure, the subject I had trouble the most (read: Computer and Technology) increased by three points (that's a lot),

but then in two subjects, I decreased a point each (Languages, Physical Ed)

I haven't shown my card yet to my parents because my mom just pushed the wrong button. :( :|

I have one grading left (three months) to prove everyone including myself that I am worthy to be a high school junior

--- in the first section.

In the meantime, let us all wonder at this amazing photograph of Helena Bonham Carter in her bizarre outfit and mismatching shoes in the Golden Globes.

Cheers.

January 16th: I Was Bulimic For Three Days

2011-01-16T02:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone I knew was convinced that 1/11/11 would be a lucky day— similar to their belief on 1/1/11. The Monday before that, our section had no classes because since we were the top contributor to the October Mission Drive (we donate money daily for the whole month of October to help the world; the collection is sent to Rome to be distributed all over the planet) in the whole school, that was our free day. One of my classmates spent her fifteenth birthday on an eat-all-you-can restaurant and we had fun.

That same night, however, I got sick. I vomited that afternoon but that was it and I went to bed early because I was tired. I woke up around eight to nine in the evening and I started throwing up. I threw up so much every five, ten, fifteen minutes— it was crazy. I suddenly felt hungry so I ate a handful of grapes, but I threw them up, too.

I was scared because I rarely get sick. The last time I got sick was around the time I started this blog (August 2010), and that was because I had acute conjunctivitis. So I was really freaked out. I got to bed around eleven, but then I woke up at three all sweaty. I was burning. I went over to where my parents slept and I stayed awake until five. I couldn't take it anymore so I woke her up. She told me to skip school so she could take me to the doctor. When they weighed me, I think I lost about 15 to 20 pounds or so.

I barfed out my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was scared. When I went to school the following day (I wasn't burning up anymore and I didn't want to skip anymore), I threw up my morning snack so I tried not to eat much. After that, I only kept purging liquid. It was then that I realized that I wasn't really throwing up. I was forcing myself to. After the continuous vomiting Monday night, I kept telling my body to throw up the food I ate. I lightly punched my stomach, I strangled my throat, I tried sticking a finger down it... It was by force.

So I knew, I had to stop. I ate less but I didn't force myself. I was not going to throw up if I had nothing to throw up, right? Then gradually I started being myself again. I ate when I wanted, did the things I felt like doing, so suddenly, I wasn't "bulimic" anymore.

Yesterday, I decided to start eating healthy again. I did last Summer but with school, my nutrition was just not the priority anymore. I went back to drinking carbonated drinks, started eating all these junk, popping sweets into my mouth whenever I'm hungry... it's just a nightmare. I gained a lot of weight and I felt horrible, but I couldn't stop. I loved eating. It was a past time. I just wanted to chew, I didn't really want to eat. But then I couldn't chew all day because my jaw would hurt like crap.

I documented my healthy eating last Summer but then like I said, it just stopped. I learned to cook poached eggs, French toasts and Egg Benedict. I made all these food from scratch just so I could control them, but I need more control.

I am not Bulimic. I am not Anorexic. I never wish I would be, and I wish I would never experience that feeling again— that wanting to throw up just to please myself. There are better ways to lose weight. I need to learn how to be on my foot. A weekly trip to the mall might sound costly but I don't need to buy anything. Maybe I'd go, walk around, drop by the bookstore and got lost in it.

I'm going to start because I love myself. I care for my body. Everyone should to. If you are having problems, I may not be an expert, but I can help. I can be a friend, because sometimes, that's just all we need.

For some reason I can't get the video, but if you can spare less than a minute, go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsfn3UIeayM

Ciao! xoxo

January 1st: Bonne Annee!

2011-01-01T21:59:00.000-08:00

Because this 2011, you're going to rule the world. :)

Bonne Annee, mon cheri!

December 25: Happy Christmas!

2010-12-24T00:21:00.000-08:00

Have a Happy Christmas, everyone! :-)

Do your:

Last minute wishes...

and open your gifts! :D

December 18th: Day 01 of the Holidays

2010-12-17T21:45:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to steer myself away from the internet and the techie life to get a little more serious with school. Now with finals done, I'm finally free. :>

Two weeks holiday. The only schoolwork I'm going to do is a group project *cough* and remake of the monologue I did a few weeks ago.

Yesterday was our class party and I got the "Best in Outfit" award. :D

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Basically, I just want to enjoy these moments. I might not be around often because I'm trying to live my life to the fullest here in the Philippines. Who knows? It might be my last Christmas holiday here.

Have a happy Christmas, everyone!

Signing off.

November 29: We Meet Death

2010-11-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

Last night, I received news that one of my godmothers who has reached quite an old age attempted suicide. She's sickly and can barely move, like one of those types you read about in blogs and stuff who are left and abandoned by their family.

Here in my country, we barely send our parents/grandparents to retirement homes. Our love and affection towards the elderly are very precious to us. We make them live with us as some kind of payment (although payment is not the term and neither is it required) for what they've done to us in our early years.

I barely remember my godmother, but she's always been kind to me. She's a sweet person and she loved everyone in general. Because of her situation, she seems like a semi-vegetable. Like every elder out there, they yearn the attention of their other half and children. Her kids are away from her and her husband almost never spends his time with her. That's just, well, sad.

But, suicide?

I understand my godmother's pain, although I've never experienced it as I have neither a child or a husband. Honestly, it was once considered. Yes, I'm crazy, psychotic, pathetic, whatever you wanted to call me, but I considered it. I forgot what the reason was, but it must have been pretty bad yet pretty much stupid. Why? Because despite everything and all that crap, I'm right here. I'm sitting here right now, in front of my laptop, on a fine glorious Monday with no classes, three MS Word documents open, my TC notes pinned on a notepad beside me and John Grisham's The Client waiting to be finished. I'm right here and I might not be the happiest person alive, but I'm happy because I'm alive. I'm glad because in time, I will finally see my sister. I feel lucky because I study in a private Catholic school, I eat more than three times a day and I have a family, amazing friends and adorable pets with one who shit in my room on a daily basis. I am alive and I love it. I may not be Richie Rich's sister, I may not possess the brains of Dilton Doiley and I may be incomparable to the prettiest person you know, but I'm alive.

If you can think of something better than being alive, hit me now.

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Meet the Australian Who's Saved 160 People from Suicide Don Ritchie lives across the street from the most famous suicide spot in Australia: A cliff known as "The Gap." Most people would move, but Ritchie's stayed for almost 50 years—saving an estimated 160 people from suicide. So what's his big secret? Ritchie wakes up every morning and looks out the window for "anyone standing alone too close to the precipice." If he sees someone who looks like they might be contemplating a jump, he walks over and... strikes up a conversation. He just gives them a warm smile, asks if they'd like to talk and invites them back to his house for tea. Sometimes, they join him. "I'm offering them an alternative, really," Ritchie says. "I always act in a friendly manner. I smile." Ritchie's house might be the worst real estate ever. One person a week commits suicide at the "the Gap," the cliff he lives across from. It's protected only by a small, one-meter fence, despite its legendary reputation as a suicide spot dating back to the 1800s. But the former life insurance salesman says he doesn't feel "burdened" by the fact that people are always contemplating jumping to their deaths outside his house. In fact, he and his wife Moya see it as a blessing: "I think, 'Isn't it wonderful that we live here and we can help people?'" Obviously, he's not always successful, and, at times, he's had to physically restrain people from jumping while Moya calls the police. But it isn't necessarily traumatic: Despite all he has seen, he says he is not haunted by the ones who were lost. He cannot remember the first suicide he witnessed, and none have plagued his nightmares. He says he does his best with each person, and if he loses one, he accepts that there was nothing more he could have done. Ritchie, who basically sounds like the nicest guy in the entire world, is 84, and has spent much of the last year battling cancer. But, as you might expect for a dude who's managed to live across from a fucked-up, tragic place, and not become a casualty himself, he's optimistic: "I imagine somebody else will come along and do what I've been doing." I hope so.

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Something from http://anybodythere.tumblr.com/

What about the person who has to find your body, surrounded by blood?

What about the terror and pain that they’ll have to remember for the rest of their lives?

What about them having to feel guilty for being “too late” every day of their lives?

What about them holding your body and screaming in agony as they can’t even get the strength to leave you to get a phone to call for help?

What about the depression that you’ll leave them in?

What about them having to walk away, their clothes soaked in your blood and their tears?

What about them yelling at your paralytic body “Please live! I love you! I need you! Please.”?

What about all the tears you’ll cause people that you aren’t even aware of?

What the fuck about them?

Life is so fragile, and we fight for it every day —even against our own hands.

When you kill yourself, you’re also becoming a muderer.

You’re killing pieces of the people who love you.

You’re tearing holes into their hearts that can’t even seal with time.

So what about them?

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You just have to figure out what it means in your life.

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November 25th: Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T23:58:00.000-08:00

My snarky and annoying younger brother.

My family, along with other Asian families (probably) do not celebrate Thanksgiving in the sense of turkey, stuffing and baked goodies. Wait. I'm lying. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving at all. It's just not a culture in the country. Maybe things will change in Canada. :D But even though I'm not one of those people who get to stuff their groaning tummies with heavenly fresh-from-the-oven chomps, I like spending Thanksgiving in the sense at is: Giving Thanks.

On Thanksgiving, it's kind of a customary notion to prepare something that Dionysus— Greek god of wine, parties and festivals— would be proud of. There are roasted turkeys, various dressings, rainbow-themed salads, casseroles, puddings, cakes and pie flavors you can't even imagine. The food your elders prepare could feed an entire army for a whole month.

And then, imagine this.

More than half of the world's population go to sleep without a single meal. Many of them don't even have an old rotten cot to lie in. They have no blankets to warm them up on those freezing nights, and some don't even have someone to be with them. They might not have tasted turkey in their whole existence. They probably don't even know how a casserole can be different from a pie. It's sad, isn't it? It makes you feel so guilty, because while you've been complaining about the annual stuffed turkey you've grown tired of and the weekly pudding you're served, somebody out there would just die without even knowing what it feels, rolling with their tongue in their mouths.

On Thanksgiving, say thank you to that someone who once made you smile. On Thanksgiving, order a burger and give it to the homeless bum clanking his can on the street. On Thanksgiving, give your parents a kiss on each cheek, and tell them you love them. On Thanksgiving, spend even a measle five minutes with your dog, because even though he might not understand a thing you're saying, he's grateful for the attention.

On Thanksgiving, don't stop thanking people. Do it everyday, because with Artemis' (Goddess of the Moon) and Apollo's (God of the Sun) every travel from East to West and vice-versa, someone out there has done something to please you. You may be aware or you may not be, but a small smile hurts no one, right?

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Otters hold hands when they sleep so they don't drift away from each other.

(from: hijeff.tumblr.com)

Today in class a girl sitting next to me was crying. She was trying her hardest to hold it in but I notice the tears trickling off her cheek. I warmly said “hi” with a smile. She took a few seconds to compose herself and said, “hello” with a smile but I could see she was hurting by the look in her eyes.
I noticed on her phone she had a picture of the Eiffel Tower. I decided to make her a quick drawing in class. Curious, she looked over and said it’s really good. Before class ended I wrote on the top “To: Emily, smile :) From: Jeff f.” I ripped out of my notebook and handed it to her. She read the little message, and smiled. That simple smile is all I wanted to see, well worth the work I put into the drawing.

And the most tearing one I've read...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

She Who Can't Spell Apple

2010-11-24T22:49:00.000-08:00

Under the lame radiance of my desk lamp with a handy dictionary and a pocket thesaurus in easy reach, I tunnel through a cosmic world of wild-free thoughts and characters in the Forbidden Forest, recklessly hover above the Bermuda Triangle, marvel at the spectacles in Athens and wonder aloud while aboard a magic carpet of the sunken kingdom Atlantis hundreds of feet below. For a quick, almost stolen moment, I think of the preposterousness of all these impossibilities that we have always secretly believed, deep down. And then I’d hop on a broomstick and squirm back on my uncomfortable chair, arms drooped on the steel study table with my trusted pointy tool of writing almost poking me in the eye.

Amidst the destructive cyclone and tempest havocking within me, I fall back in a dark abyss of oblivion, slipping in the shadows of the unknown terrors. I doze off, with my paper spotless from any writing aside from the tiny doodle on the bottom left side of the sheet.

Who knows how long it took? I don’t tally all the times I ended up napping instead of writing something productive or worthy. I’ve been trying so hard all these years, but it’s only now that I’ve been struck with an arrow straight through my head, piercing my brain and screeching them out through the seven holes in the uppermost part of my anatomy.

I do not know how to write.

The realization is so much worse than when I realized that I can never be one of those strikingly long-legged beauties in body-cons without love handles while strutting down the runway in twelve-inch YSLs, and that’s saying something coming from the girl who once cajoled her mother to purchase her a pair of heels when she was seven.

I’ve been living a pipe dream for the past who-knows-how-long-because-I’m-certainly-not-keeping-track years, knocking up rhyming words like cracks and lax, and elementary grade utters in the same league as dream and brim; forcing a petty tune out of my lips as if I’ll suddenly become a composing genuis within three minutes; and like this, sandwiching sixty-plus words in a single sentence.

I thought then that the flaws I possess and inadvertently apply in my toils are my signature ones— flaws that instead of putting me down would help me become known with every little absurdity I throw in. It was a pathetic excuse of mine to make me believe that I am this droll girl with an unusual and fantastic way with words.

Once again, I am slapping myself back to reality by throwing myself head-first on the top of Mt. Everest. The truth stands and remains firm. I have no idea how to write. It’s a puzzle to me why people think I can. Perhaps I do have a way with words in another reason, but not similarly to what they think I can do. Conceivably I merely enjoy bamboozling people with terms I’m not even sure I used correctly. Maybe I just like to dish it out without giving a mind’s notice of what I want to say and what I really mean.

But as aforementioned, facts remain straight. I can not, do not and I might never learn how to write. Albeit the gung ho burning passion of ten thousand suns, the truth is difficult to deny. My way of words and style of writing is just something that does not exist in the vast planet of literature, journalism or mass media communication. It is far too personal, awfully dogmatic and horribly intricate to decipher with the mashed words that do not even fit like a glove around the sentence.

If you have successfully read until here, then congratulations, honey, here’s a prize. You have just spent three minutes and forty-eight seconds you can never get back, ever again.

As this… thing comes to an end, have you realized the point? Have the main idea struck you like my earlier realization did?

If yes, you are far too kind and affable.

If no, you are blunt, and honest, and I like you.

Countless of times, I tried pretending to be a famous novelist or another personality in the similar field. During these times, I play as if I’m them, praised by the brilliant written works of the knowledge and wisdom they have regarding the turf. (See? I used the word turf but it’s not even supposed to be there.) Will there be a chance when I can finally take a bite of the apple and possibly be the writer my hopes dreamt to be? Or should I just snap back to the real world, where truth lies and wisdom is not earned by a tiny crunch of the tempting fruit?

November 23rd: Today, We Honor Journalists

2010-11-23T02:01:00.000-08:00

A year ago, my country was completely devastated on the Maguindanao Massacre. It was about half a year from the election month and unfortunately, there is barely a clean election these days. The massacre happened in the town of Ampatuan in Maguindanao Province. The victims, bless their soul, were on the road to file Esmael Mangudadatu (Buluan town’s Vice Mayor)’s candidacy. The party, who were all bearing winsome smiles, met a brutal death instead. Apparently, Mangundadatu was challenging Datu Unsay Mayor, Andal Ampatuan, Jr. (son of current Maguindanao governor, Andal Ampatuan Sr.) in the Maguindanao gubernatorial election, which was part of the national elections in 2010.

Fifty-seven people met their demise on that fateful day, which included the former vice-mayor’s wife, sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides and motorists. Some weren’t really a part of the convoy but were mistaken as so, since they came with the group.

The Committee to Protect Journalists considered this massacre as the deadliest event for journalists in present history. About thirty-four journalists kicked their buckets on that day. It is now sad that my country is the second most dangerous country for journalists, after Iraq.

It was a couple of days a year ago when the Regional Press Conference was conducted. The Conference was about journalism, about high school students committing themselves to writing, serving the truth, expressing their beliefs, having a stand. Journalism is when we young people are given a voice to speak up on things we know are right, on issues we believe are not tainted with lies.

The massacre changed my own views. It opened me to a vast world of crime and murder. I was a freshman then, and it was an honor to be among one of the greatest in the National Capital Region. The conference made me realize the dangers I am caught in on something I’ve always wanted. Journalism and serving the truth, after all, is not just about writing things people tell you is right. There is a challenge to be honest and true, to make sure that what you are serving to the public is a fact.

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, I was fourteen years old. I was not innocent, but I was naïve to countless of things happening around me.

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, people died. A candidate was killed when he was thinking of his possible future serving his men. A family died seconds after their eyes were filled with hope. Lawyers met their demise when they merely wanted to present justice. Journalists were dead when all they wanted was to serve the truth.

Today, we praise and honor all those who died in the Maguindanao Massacre. In the hope of it not happening again, our hearts are raised to the heavens in a sincere and fervent prayer.

November 16: International Day of Tolerance

2010-11-16T03:37:00.000-08:00

Though I do not trust Wikipedia with my schoolwork,

it is helpful with daily thingamobs and whatchamacallit. :D

According to Wiki,

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance
declared by UNESCO in 1995
to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

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Today is declared a National Holiday for us

in celebration for the Islamic religious holiday,

Eid'l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

Happy Feast Days, our Muslim friends! :)

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Wave your flags, Filipinos, for Pacman.

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I missed so many episodes. :(

I miss Blair Waldorf's sick and different sense of humor.

And movies.

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Yesterday was the competition for the Regionals Press Conference.

The results will be divulged next week.

I am quite nervous; I was tasked to write for Feature (English)

and the topic given was Exploring the Boundaries of Free Expression.

I don't know what got into me and I already know I'm not going to have a spot for the Nationals.

I wrote about stereotypes and was too careful to not let it be opinionated

(because I often do that) that I ended up just being... argh. :|

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I read and watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

I don't know what got into me, not deciding to read it years back.

But I just did out of... I don't know. :D

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a series created by the brilliant Rick Riordan.

It revolves around demigod Percy Jackson and the gods and goddesses

we have all believed to be nothing but myths and long gone,

when in fact, they live among human.

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Of course, reading the series and watching the movie meant slacking off.

And that meant abandoning my NaNoWriMo.

Right, I don't think I'll be able to achieve the 50k goal. :(

Because I know I can make it by next week,

but sadly we have exams.

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Sometimes, the best things in life aren't expensive. :)

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November 14th: The End is Near

2010-11-13T16:16:00.000-08:00

I have not been blogging lately because I've been too busy with my NaNoWriMo entry (I'll get to that later) and the competition tomorrow.

I've been joining Divisional and Regional Press Conferences since I started high school (we don't have middle school here) and last year, I wasn't really prepared as it was my first time. I want to make the most of it this time because this one competition might be the last time that I'll be joining it (explanations on later posts).

My brother is now in college and I admire him because he's one of the best writers out there. He wins Regionals and Divisionals like he eats cake, and he's won in the Nationals. I honestly told him that sometimes, I feel like I have to follow his footsteps, and he comforted me by saying that we both have different styles of writing, and that I just need to be myself if I wanted to win this thing. He's been training me this past week and I'm grateful for his support. I just wish I won't fail him.

So enough of this.

Later, I'm going to the mall with my parents while they look for Christmas ornaments.

I just want to relax and do my best to not feel pressured.

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Can't wait for Deathly Hallows!

Philosopher's Stone.

Chamber of Secrets with the special appearance of Antoine Dodson.

Goblet of Fire. Look, it's RPattz before he glittered.

Half-Blood Prince.

Deathly Hallows. Hi there, Bill! :-h

The Boy Who Lived.

And all of them.

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PAWS

Paws is an organization of people helping animals

They bring protection for those creatures who cannot speak for their own defense.

Visit their website, get involved, and join them in their quest to save animals. :)

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Midway through my NaNoWriMo, I did something I seemed to enjoy doing every single time I write. I changed my plot and now, I'm down to about 3,000 words. That's quite an improvement compared to the original one I wrote, which took me about three days to reach something like that. Unlike the previous entry, I have a particular idea on where I'm heading. I don't have a title yet, but I have the outlines polished in my mind. I was thinking along Superman and His Fake Tan but that's a stupid title and besides, the story doesn't only involve a guy.

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My inspirational playlist of the day:

Beating Hearts Baby (Head Automatica)

Best Beating Hearts (Sing It Loud)

Check Yes Juliet (We The Kings)

Dark Blue (Jack's Mannequin)

Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon)

Heartbeat (Stereo Skyline)

Heartbeat (Scouting for Girls)

I Was Right (New Year's Day)

I'd Do Anything (Simple Plan)

I'm Yours Remix (Jason Mraz, Jah Cure, Lil Wayne)

If You Wanted A Song Written About You, All You Had To Do Was Ask (Mayday Parade)

Screaming Infidelities (Dashboard Confessionals)

Take My Hand (Simple Plan)

Take My Hand (The Cab)

Stop And Stare (One Republic)

Tongue Tied (Faber Drive)

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I got my report card yesterday and I wasn't entirely disappointed.

Alright, maybe I was.

All my subjects ranged from a couple of As, a handful of Bs and about one of two Cs.

I lost one point in one subject (from B+ to B-)

But my rank got lower.

From ranking 26th out of 41 students, I became a 31st.

Which means, everybody improved.

Except me.

And that just sucks big time.

So yeah, resolution. Less absents on half-days (I kinda do that a lot) and more focusing.

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Quote of the day:

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Sources:

princezuko.tumblr.com

burnyourbridges.tumblr.com

November 7th: Once Or Twice Was Enough, But It Was All In Vain

2010-11-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

I think girls are left with the impression that love is the most important thing in life.

Not the kind of love given by parents or shared by our friends;

rather, the thirst they have for an opposite sex.

I've had my fair share of this when I was in my tween and early teen years,

and I'm currently single, but I realized that I don't need to mingle,

because frankly, that's not my top priority.

It is, however, my priority to make sure that I spend a life worthwhile in the country.

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I don't know what happened but this afternoon,

while I was getting ready for church,

my mom said she'll take me shopping

for a yellow dress to be worn

on my godmother's 70th birthday on December.

Although I don't think any of those styles are suitable for a semi-formal gathering, XD

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If I could, I would live in a bookstore.

Latest splurges:

Neon-colored twin-liners, neon green sticky note and a new magazine.

I have no money for books. :|

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NaNoWriMo Progress:

Actually, that's supposed to be 13% to 15% but the website's kind of down.

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This is to remind every girl that we are all amazing :)

We may have our imperfections.

At times, we may look like crap.

Our hair may not stay in place.

Our hips might be too wide.

Our arms might be too big.

Or we might not even be blessed with height.

But remember that we are all a masterpiece,

and all masterpieces have something

that makes them unique among any artwork.

Most of the time, we are not contented with what we have.

And most of the times, I am not as well.

But I realized that it's alright,

because we can change,

but our changes must be for our own good.

We shouldn't change to please that boy across the hall who might never notice us.

We shouldn't change to convince people of who we're not.

We change because that change will be good for us,

because it will build our self-esteem,

because it will build our selves.

Being happy is not synonymous to THE ONE.

No one is perfect, but someone is perfect for you.

So take your time, because the perfect guy for you will approach you

on his own perfect time, looking like the perfect guy for you. :)

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Look! :D A candid shot, not a stolen or scripted one. ;)

November 6th: Don't Stop Believin'

2010-11-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

Heh~ Playing with words.

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One of the most amazing pep talks I've read, courtesy of NaNoWriMo.

I began my journey of trying to make it into the bestselling shelves when I was about seven years old. That’s ten years ago. I haven’t had any luck, but I like what I do. Or, rather, what I’ve been doing. Trying to do.

I need to ask you writers something: Why do you write?

Think of an answer. Quick. Do you have your answer? Okay. Good.

When I was a kid, writing was the very thing that kept me at it. It kept me alive. Kept me waking up each day. It excited me. It opened me up to a whole new world that only I knew. Just me and a bunch of characters whose lives I controlled. Whose fates I’d made my own. It was like I had a bunch of Legos. I grew my city with each chapter I wrote, but even when I tore down a building with a Lego meteor, it grew. The story went on.

Soon, I discovered it wasn’t enough to just write for myself. I mean, sure, it helps but that’s not what it’s about.

When I was in high school, I met a girl. We all do at some point, don’t we? She was special, beautiful, breathtaking. Her laugh, her smile—I’d never seen anything like it before. I thought, maybe I should write her a novel. And I did, in six months. She thought it was sweet, but that we just weren’t meant for each other. It wasn’t all bad. At least I finished a novel.

Writers, you can’t write anything beautiful—not anything worth buying, worth reading, worth fighting for—if it isn’t meant for someone else. You know why they have a page for a simple “to” line in published books? It’s because it was written for someone. And it was that good because it was. That’s what I’ve been missing all those years as a kid—I hadn’t the slightest clue whom to write for except myself.

You need drive. Inspiration. "I want to get published, I want to get this award, I want to win this competition, I want to get the highest word count…" That’s not drive. I mean it is drive that you want something so badly, but it isn’t enough to get you through the next thirty days. You can’t write anything faster than when you write for someone.

The question, then, is not “Why do I write?” but “Whom do I write for?”

Writers, I find that the best way to get through a project is to write for someone—it feels better, plus it drives you to completing your novels. So, write for the person you love. Write for all your fellow geeks. Write for the masses. Write for the country.

You’ll see. When you write with reason, when you write for your readers, not just for yourself, it becomes less daunting. The words come more easily to you. When you stop thinking of wanting to write just for the sake of writing, and once you try to communicate with your readers—teach, share, “show,” and just talk and let yourself loose—you get your point across more clearly, faster.

I know it sounds scary at first that you have to be perfect. That you have to think of grammar, spelling, formatting, layout, interior design, cover art—but the fact of the matter is: That’s not what NaNoWriMo is about. All you have to do is write. Get your story out.

So, for whom am I writing? This year, I’m writing for the LGBT community, and for my mom and my sister who’s doing NaNoWriMo this year, too. I may not win awards like I want to, heck, I may not even get published, but as long as I can write for the people important to me, I’ll have written with reason, and that’s what’s most important to me.

---Judd Labarda, PUP College Freshman, http://myheartupclose.blogspot.com/

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How far am I?

I know, I'm such an ass.

Goal: at least 2500 words/day.

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..0.

"Better to write for yourself and have no public,

than to write for the public and have no self."

-Cyril Connolly

"The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say,

but what we are unable to say."

-Anais Nin

"The wastebasket is a writer's best friend."

-Isaac Bashevis Singer

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

-William Wordsworth.

"Don't tell me the moon is shining;

show me the glint of light on broken glass."

-Anton Chekhov.

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Inspiration from life's simple daily pleasures.

Photo courtesy: Christienne Dreyfus

Photo courtesy: Tumblr.

xoxo, marie

PS Yes, I know I need a new signature. :(

November 5th: Take My Hand Tonight and We Can Find Some Place To Go

2010-11-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

From my timeline, it is exactly 49 Days, 21 Hours and 50 Minutes left before Christmas.

Of course, since I'm only really spending much on my friends,

I have less than that left to do my Christmas shopping.

Photo courtesy: chuvaness.livejournal.com

But since I have no such money to buy everything I want in Forever 21,

I decided that, since they said they could do well with accessories,

I can just purchase some silver knickknacks and stuff that comes in heaps,

And put it in custom-made jewelry boxes.

Plus, a letter with a penguin. :D

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Have you ever given thought

that the things we say everyday

may hold more than what they seem to be holding?

Photo courtesies: Christienne Dreyfus, Blaire Dreyfus, Tumblr

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I've only got as far as 3800+ words in my NaNoWriMo.

Writer's Block. :|

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xoxo,marie

I need a new signature.

November 3rd: Just the Girl.

2010-11-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

Post Halloween Stuffs:

Ian Somerhalder as Stefan Salvatore. Brilliant, no?

...those are supposedly GIFs. :|

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This totally explains my mood.

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A couple of my friends and I

went to Enchanted Kingdom

(an amusement park in the country)

last October 30.

and behold... the fiercest ride!

It was fun XD

But I got cold feet in the Haunted Attraction. :|

I mean, wow,

I can handle the Ekstreme Tower Ride,

but NOT an attraction of people clad in bogus costumes.

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I am once again joining this year's NaNoWriMo.

Alright, in a nutshell, NaNoWriMo's short for National Novel Writing Month.

The challenge is to write a 50,000+ word novel

during the month of November,

starting from Midnight the morning of Nov. 1 to Midnight Nov. 30.

Last year, I was not able to achieve my goal and only got to 2k+

I thought I lost my USB,

but it was with my brother all along,

who conveniently "forgot" to tell me that he had it.

Eeeeeeeeeexactly!

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And this is the anatomy of a Ferrero. :D

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Semestral Break is finito, mio amore.

That means hit the books,

complete notes,

grab your calculators

and sharpen your pencils.

Damn, I am so not ready.

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So, this is ciao for the meantime, dears!

xoxo, Marie

October 31th: Attack of the Pumpkins

2010-10-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Apparently, when my laptop was cleaned, all my files (and considering the pat rack I am, including my first grade files) ended up getting deleted.

So I finished typing all these files this morning around five, then when I transferred it to my laptop...

it literally POOF-ed.

So, yeah, here I am, with wiped out files. I am such a loser.

But, yeah, Happy Halloween! XD

October 22: International CAPS LOCK Day

2010-10-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Today is

INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY.

This is a parodic holiday first imagined by Derek Arnold on October 22, 2000.

He declared that everyone across the world should type only in Caps.

"International Caps Lock Day is in fact a testament to the small mindedness of certain Western individuals: the majority of the world’s population writes in scripts which have no concept of letter casing. Therefore it is advised to laugh at anyone who invokes this day as an excuse to dismiss local typographical conventions: they are simply making an ass out of themselves."

You might, of course, run into some problems if you insist on using Caps Lock 24/7...

See official Twitter and Website.

-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-

And generally, I just want today to be all about self-expression.

Sources:

primcess of Deviant Art for her version of Steel's HRH cover.

Danners of Deviant Art for the Cage

Julia Starr of Deviant Art for the Key

Aryanna Epperson of Deviant Art for her self-portrait.

Dimitriy Kaynev of Deviant Art for the expressive photograph.

-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-

Yesterday afternoon, I planned to clean my room.

I ended up getting tired and sleepy.

So after lunch, I grabbed one of the books I borrowed from the library.

I don't even know why I chose a Danielle Steel.

We have loads of it at home, plus Nora Roberts.

I have, like, more than ten books still waiting to be read.

Anyway. The plot.

After four years at Berkley in America, Princess Christianna returns home and returns to being the only daughter of the reigning prince of a neutral European nation. Although her brother will inherit the crown, her father has plans for her and it was a burden as the older sibling is a playboy and a nutcracker. When ravages of terrorism and disease occurs in Russia, she volunteers to help alongside the Red Cross, and later goes to East Africa to help some more before finally settling down to her princess duties in Europe. She continues to hide her identity in relief camp, but when a thirty-something-year-old doctor from Harvard joins in, things become even more complicated when affections are realized but her true identity isn't. And in one shocking moment, her life is instantly changed.

And so. The verdict.

The main role is an interesting subject. It is a royal's view of the traditional ways of her country. Steel has never failed me before, but this caused no tears and only five-second-long rapid heart beats plus the occasional "What the fudge?!" phrase. This is not my favorite book but is on my so-so list. Repetition of some words were dire (eg impeccable in the first chapters, and duty all throughout the book), although vital considering the character, but other words are really preferable. It's no life-changing, head-turning book for me, but it satisfied some of my knowledge, as I am also a writer.

-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-

And here's a blonde joke.

A blonde calls her boyfriend and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get it started."

Her boyfriend asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?"

The blonde says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster."

Her boyfriend decides to go over and help with the puzzle. She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table.

He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says, "First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster."

He takes her hand and says, "Second, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then....."

he sighed,

"...let's put all these Corn Flakes back in the box."

I don't hate blondes. I have nothing against them.

I actually wish I was blonde myself.

Which is impossible, considering my location.

-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-INTERNATIONALCAPSLOCKDAY-

That is my project for Technology and Livelihood Education.
It's a recycled bag. Initially decided a patchwork, but it was loads of work.
And I poked my fingers far too many times.
Plus, the pig is detachable XD

October 20: 20.10.2010

2010-10-20T03:48:00.000-07:00

Today is Purple Day.

To remind us of the 7 gays who committed suicide due to homophobic abuse.

Purple represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag,

Today, we remember

Tyler Clementi, Asher Brown, Seth Walsh,

Justin Aaberg, Raymond Chase, Billy Lucas

and Cody J. Baker.

No matter what their sexuality was, they are loved.

Let us all express our love for purple-slash-violet.

It also represents royalty. :) Hey, Blair Waldorf :h

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We have no TV yet. Which means, no Gossip Girl, Glee or ANTM. :|

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I was doing my homework yesterday.

We were asked to make a comic strip out of the things

that happen in class.

I might post a picture one day XD

(all from DeviantArt)

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Four-day weekend-long vacation.

Laptop still for fixing. :|

Will wait for dad so I'm just going to clean my room.

Look at my future closet/room :))

And Coco Rocha's :)

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Let us smile today.

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Buy a blank notebook.

Draw a huge heart on the cover.

Don't write anything negative in here.

If you need another outlet, make a separate notebook.

This one is all about love, personal growth, and getting back up.

Fill it with beautiful images, reaffirming thoughts, and quotes.

Write in it every day, and each day write one thing you're grateful for in your life.

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Ciao :)

October 16: Happy Birthday, Bartolome John Andrew

2010-10-19T01:41:00.000-07:00

(Yes, that is the full name of our third dog :-) )

It is also John Mayer's 33rd birthday,

(Why so gorgeous? :> )

the 217th year when Marie Antoinette was guillotined since the French Revolution,

the same date in 1923 when the Walt Disney Company was founded by brothers Walt and Roy Disney,

and the Skye Bridge connecting Highland and Isle of Skye, Scotland was opened to public.

...

According to my timeline, anyways. :D

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So today, let us focus on, basically, life's daily pleasures and happenings.

Playing Minesweeper (I still don't know how it works)...

Random: I love ribbons! :)

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Be inspired. :)

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Dear Blair and Chuck, you are both lovable. :)

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And if I seriously don't get serious,

I'll end up in the College of Useless Qualifications

instead of the best university in the country

(or, if by some unbelievable twist of fate, Harvard :P )

Then again, I should start proofreading

rather than embarrassing myself over and over again.

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Class was suspended today because of super typhoon Megi.

I didn't attend the morning session,

and when I came lunch time,

well, all was for nothing.

Because I didn't watch the news or listen to the radio.

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Nothing beats the lack of television (it is bloody not functioning)

and the absence of my own laptop (it is bloody not functioning)

with a couple of books...

and chocolate-y goodness. :D

Why I love Dimitri Belikov (and chose VA instead of Twilight):

1.) He doesn't sparkle.

2.) He likes books. Although Western, but still.

3.) He dates his own species. And dhampirs are cool.

4.) He kicks major ass. and he has molnija marks to prove it. :>

Why I think of Ben Barnes whenever I read about Dimitri:

BECAUSE HE'S FREAKING HANDSOME.

'kay, fan girl is now being swept away~~

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(source: Crizata of DeviantArt)

October 09: Happy Birthday, John Lennon

2010-10-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

Today is John Lennon's 70th birthday. :-)

My dad loves the Beatles.

And I'd kill to have a pair of his killer glasses!

Let us all treasure our memories today. :-)

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I'm quite busy with school work. I have to do my projects all over again because my laptop decided to be uncooperative. Next week is out Periodic Exams and I want to ace the three tests I didn't pass.

And here's a handful o' things I just feel like sharing.

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Lady GaGa is a great singer but she's not really my favorite person in the world. I've gone through the stage of hating her and realized I just didn't love her "way of life".

(Alegandro, Fernando, Roberto)

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How about something inspirational?

Found this on Tumblr.

Please Read This:
I want to tell you a story, it took place 3 days ago.
I was visiting my dad downtown at the hospice (sort of like a nursing home, but for younger people who are just very sick. my dad is in the last stage of brain cancer and is in a coma) when i saw a table outside the building.
It was the American Cancer Society selling yarn kits, ya know, the kinda yarn you make string bracelets from (the string in the picture ^^). They called this “magic hope” string, and sold the kits with instructions telling you to make bracelets with all the string and give them away to as many people as possible for good luck and hope for your patient.
It’s the same idea as that Japanese 1000 Paper Cranes thing, if you’ve ever heard of that.
Anyway, i’ve been making the “magic bracelets” and friends’ have been wearing them, hoping that some miracle will occur and save my dad, and put mine and my families life back into some sanity.
I’m almost out of the string though, and i went back today and the ladies were gone.
I know this story sounds really dumb, and you are probably like “no bracelet is going to save your father” but i am literally out of my mind after these past 2 years. (If you want details, check the very first page of my tumblr) and i really don’t know what else to do. This is my last resort, and somehow in my mind, this makes sense and seems possible.
So what i’m asking is for all of you to please ReBlog this for me and have it act as a “virtual” bracelet.
Like i said, sounds stupid, but in my crazed mind, it makes perfect sense and gives me a bit of hope.
Thank You <3

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I really should go do my homework. Ciao~