Books And Life (but mostly Life)

Updates...I know you're waiting for it... Anyways, whatever.

2011-07-10T14:27:00.000+08:00

It's been a month since my last post. Since I said that I'll just organize my thoughts and will blog. Like I expected, I haven't posted anything for the last 30 days. Now I am going to post something, not because I have to, but because my blog looks like an abandoned house. Much like the Texas Chainsaw killer's house except that mine's completely uninhabited. So yeah. Enough with the pre-blog pageantry.

Something new in my blog site:

1. The Facebook Like Button. What an irony. I have a like button in my blog even though I don't have a Facebook account. Why don't I have a Facebook account? Simple. I prefer real life socializing. If you want to befriend me, talk to me or just say a random fact about anything to me, exert an effort. I prefer phone calls, text messaging and face-to-face conversation. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against Facebook or to those people who use it. I just and refuse to let my self into it. And besides, I wouldn't enjoy it anyways.

2. Tweet Button. Although not entirely, it is another irony. I don't have a Twitter account. I used to have but I deleted it. I just don't see the point of it.

3. If I don't have a Facebook and Twitter account, then why the hell put it in my blog in the first place? Simple. Advertising. If you're going to say something, make sure that you will be heard.

4. I am going to take this opportunity to introduce to you the blog of my friend and my colleague, Mr. Stevenson Que. His blog, Cavite Daily Photo, is one of my favorite blogs. It is informative and his photos capture the raw side of Cavite (as a Caviteño sees it).

5. I set an objective. I am planning to read at least 10 books for 2011. As I fulfill my objective, I'll be posting reviews of the books that I've already read. I already have a few books in mind that I want to read. A friend of mine told me to read Divergent, knowing that I loved the Hunger Games series, she said that I'd love this too.

These are only few of the new things that is happening to me. I'll add some more later as I *ehem* gather my thoughts and contemplate if I want to share it to you or not, creepers.

It's Been A Year...

2011-06-11T01:54:00.001+08:00

I've been missing out the action (if there is any) for the past few months. My last blog entry was November 10 of last year. I've been busy and that's all you have to (and will) know. I'm planning on resurrecting this blog mainly because it looks like a neglected child. I apologize if I let this blog sink into the abyss. I'll organize my thoughts then I'll post.

The Blogger is Sick

2010-11-10T11:29:00.000+08:00

Well, not in that context. No. I am sick since I have a cough (an irritating and dry one) and I am experiencing a couple of headaches. Lucky I do not have a fever anymore. Anyways, I don't want to give away too much information about my self (or me not using Zuck's creation would defeat its very reason, to enjoy my privacy). Enough with the chitty-chat-chat. I am originally going to announce my excitement because in 11 days, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will hit the big screen. Finally! I've been waiting for this day for 3 years! Or shall I say, since the day I fell in love to the epic tale of the boy-who-lived.

Nothing To Do...

2010-11-04T19:28:00.000+08:00

My body aches. My throat is itchy and my head hurts.

I just got my yearbook from school. It was heavy. So heavy. And I'm not exaggerating.

I can read a book (The Scorch Trials) or I can watch a DVD (Inception).

Maybe I'll do something later.

Another Boring Day

2010-11-03T13:24:00.000+08:00

It's 1:22 PM. Despite the fact that it's now November, the weather is still hot as hell. I can't wait for the December. Not only because of Christmas but also because of the cold weather. Enough with the weather. I am on my computer again. I decided to watch a movie later, since my ear buds are broke as shit, I have no choice but to wander off the internet and do some useless blogging. Microsoft Visual Studio is open and I feel the urge to practice my programming skill. It's set. Let the programming begin.

Zuck's Social Network

2010-11-02T21:28:00.000+08:00

Two nights ago, I decided to watch a movie. Now this isn't just another teen movie, no. This is the movie based upon a book based upon the life of Zuck. Is he familiar to you? Probably. If you haven't heard of his name before, shame on you...especially if you're using Facebook. He is the co-founder of the world's largest networking site, Facebook (www.facebook.com). Mark Zuckerberg, or just Zuck. The youngest billionaire in the world (I'm not sure about this one anymore. I read somewhere that Zuckerberg's friend and Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz is now ranked youngest billionaire by Forbes 400. If you want to know more the Facebook founders, Google is just one click away. I'm not here to lecture you about the lives of these people, I'm here to make a review.) Anyway, back to the movie. The Social Network (http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/) is based upon the book of Ben Mezrich, The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal (Mr. Mezrich is also the author of Bringing Down the House which was also made into a movie). Mark Zuckerberg, played by Jesse Eisenberg, founded Facebook in his dorm room with 3 of his dorm mates. The movie chronicles the founding of Facebook and its founders' lives as the largest social network changes the virtual social lives of the world forever.

The movie was inspiring yet cautious. As the movie's tag line says, "You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies." Success doesn't come easily. Sometimes, you have to be drunk and creative. A little flash of genius is also necessary.

"I don’t want my fidelity to be to the truth; I want it to be to storytelling...What is the big deal about accuracy purely for accuracy’s sake, and can we not have the true be the enemy of the good?"

-Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network's Screenwriter in his interview with the New York Magazine

Waiting for the Scorch Trials

2010-10-07T19:54:00.000+08:00

Since I was busy for the past couple of months (I just finished my bachelor's degree thesis and now, I am officially graduate of college! Yey!), my books were put into a dusty corner of my room. I have lost track of time and it escaped my mind that the release of The Maze Runner's sequel will be out of the market in just 5 days! Five days! Can you believe it?! The Scorch Trials will be released on October 12. I expect the book to be as good (if not better) as the first one. I am also expecting some answers to the questions I have in my mind. What is this 'WICKED' organization? Why is there a second group in the Trials? What they are for? How bad is it outside the real world? And how can these kids stop this so-called "Flare"?

If you haven't read The Maze Runner yet, I am urging you to read it!

Too Many Things Happened At Once

2010-07-01T21:51:00.002+08:00

President Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino III Inaugurated as 15th Philippine President

Yesterday, President Benigno Simeon "NoyNoy" Conjuanco Aquino was inaugurated at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila. He took his oath before Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales instead of the Chief Justice, Renato Corona, where most of the past presidents sworn before to. Pres. Aquino never hid his disapproval of the Chief Justice's appointment, whom has been appointed by Former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
After the oath taking, Pres. Aquino delivered his inspiring inaugural speech to the Filipino people, promising a better Philippines by eradicating the rampant corruption in the government. As his campaign slogan said, "Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap." (If there is no corrupt, there won't be any poor.)
Full transcript of Pres. Aquino's speech.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Full Trailer Released

A couple of days ago, the official trailer of Harry Potter's seventh and final installment has been released. The movie will be shown in 2-parts, the first one will be on November whilst part two will be on July 2011. As a Harry Potter fan, all I can say is I CAN'T WAIT FOR NOVEMBER! I WANT TO WATCH IT NOW! FUCK!

My Sweet Little Angel Left Me -- For A Month

So here's a countdown clock for your return darlin'! Dang, it's only Day 1 and I miss you already!!! Okay, I must restrain my self.

Countdown Creator Progreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Today, We Are Free

2010-06-12T18:46:00.003+08:00

Today, June 12, 2010, is the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence. And I feel free. Thanks to our forefathers who gave their lives for the independence I, together with my people, enjoy.

That's it. I just want to have a blog entry about it.

Oh and btw, Google Philippines put up a cool Philippine-flag inspired doodle in their home page. Kick-ass.

*That pic is owned by Google. Obviously.

Bree Tanner: A Novella

2010-06-07T18:42:00.000+08:00

I am not really a fan of Stephenie Meyer nor the Twilight Saga itself. On the contrary, I do not like the books. I said I do not like them, not hate them. Anyway, Meyer released another book whereas the idea of this book sprang from Book 3: Eclipse. I knew that this book will certainly make a buzz in the Twilight World, especially that the third installment of the book, Eclipse, will be available in the screen on June 30th in which the character of Bree Tanner was born.

I read the synopsis of the book and I became curious as to who this Bree Tanner might be and what is her side of the story. Fans of the book will undoubtedly know that Bree Tanner was the newborn vampire in the last part of Book 3. But as what Meyer said, it seems that there is more to her than meets the eye. I decided to read the book out of curiosity and with a dwindling hope that this might be different from the story of a hundred-year old sparkling vampire and his girlfriend whom cannot stand on her own.

*The book can be read online on www.breetanner.com starting on the noon of June 7.

Election 2010 (AKA I Should Have Posted This Entry Last Month)

2010-06-04T17:51:00.002+08:00

"What this country needs is not a change of men but a change in men."
- Sen. Richard Gordon

Last second Monday of May, Filipinos flocked to voting precincts to exercise their most precious right and holy duty to their country: suffrage. I am personally excited to this Election because this is the first automated election in Philippine history. Likewise, this is also the first time that I am going to vote.

As a first time voter, I want my first time to be as memorable as any first times that will happen in our lives. I spent some time to think of whom I am going to vote. I considered several characteristics of what I think a President should possess. And after some time of contemplating the pros and cons, I am confident of my choice.

- Competence: I believe every government official should be competent enough to hold a public office. One that has the capability to deal with the challenges of governing a country.
- Track Records: Like an Employer hiring an applicant, track records are important basis of a candidate to be considered as qualified for the job.
- Not Corrupt: Most of the Filipinos will agree that the rampant corruption in the Government is one primary problems of this country.
- I also believe that a President should be an Economic Literate (since the country was not greatly affected by the worldwide economic meltdown), s/he should has the capability of maintaining the Economy's stability. Likewise, a moral candidate is needed as well.

Graduated from Ateneo De Manila University with A.B. in History and Government (1966) and University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's Degree in Laws (1975), Richard Gordon served as a Mayor in Olongapo for 11 years before he became the Founding Chairman and Administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). He also served as a Cabinet Secretary in the Department of Tourism under the Arroyo Administration (2001-2004). In the National Election of 2004, he was elected as Senator up until now. An awardee of Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Award by the Red Cross, Gordon, chairman of the Phil. Red Cross, is committed to public service through medical missions and reliefs.

The lists goes on and on for this candidate. I exerted effort to know more about him and the other candidates, and I arrived to the conclusion that he is the best choice. So that is why I gave my vote to him.

"I would like to congratulate Sen. Aquino for his spectacular victory. I call upon this nation to unite and support him.... I would like to congratulate all the winners and pray that they serve our country well. We accept the will of the people."

- Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon

Footnote: Sen. Richard Gordon lost the Election after he conceded to the Presidential Race front-runner Sen. Benigno "Noy-Noy" Aquino III. According to the unofficial tallies and exit polls, he came 6th out of the 9 candidates. Sen. Gordon will remain as Philippine Senator until his term expires on June 30, 2010.

*Reference: Senate of the Philippines (Sen. Richard Gordon)
**Photo taken from www.senate.gov.ph

101 Things I Love About You

2010-04-19T21:17:00.003+08:00

101. I love everything about you
100. I love your slowness
99. I love your lameness
98. I love playing chess with you
97. I love how you always beat me in chess
96. I love the fact that I CAN'T BEAT YOU (unless you let me to)
95. I love how you always want to lose on PURPOSE so our score isn't always your score against my 0
94. I love the fact that we have the same view about religion
93. I love it that you love yogurt (even though I'm grossed out of it)

92. I love this generic picture you've sent me for Valentine's

91. I love the way you care for me
90. I love the way you say 'honey'
89. I love the way you kiss me
88. I love the fact that your kiss almost always ending up to a snog
87. I love the way you say "mwaaahhh"
86. I love the way we make out
85. I love the fact that you eat walnuts, tomato and bread (together)
84. I love how you're being sneaky just to talk to me
83. I love the fact that you're thinking of "genius strategies" just to talk to me
82. I love the fact that you're good at damning everything!
81. I love how thoughtful you are

80. I love the way you lie
79. I love the fact that we're both liars
78. I love the way you say my name
77. I love calling you 'my little angel'
76. I love the fact that you can't make a <3 smiley
75. I love the fact that I have to teach you how to do it
74. I love the fact that you still can't do it even though I already taught you

73. I love it whenever you feel "THAT" (in case you're wondering, just ask me what it is)
72. I love the fact that I NEED YOU to live
71. I love the fact that you also NEED ME to live
70. I love to make you laugh
69. I love the fact that I want you
68. I love it when you say "uhuh"
67. I love it when you're "hmmmmmm-ing"
66. I love saying how cute you are
65. I love it when you say I'm also cute so I won't feel bad
64. I love waking up and having a great day because I had a dream of you
63. I love it when I wake up and you're the one who comes first into my mind

61. I love the fact that I'm only yours

60. I love your short story (finish it, I'd like to know what happened after the kiss)
59. I love the fact that we both love collecting sea shells (this really fascinates me!)
58. I love it when I miss you
57. I love the way you miss me
56. I love the way you say "sure" whenever I ask you to make out
55. I love the way you ask me to make out
54. I love the fact that you love Tom and Jerry (just proves how my girlfriend is such a child)
53. I love it whenever you say "I'm actually 17...turning 18" (proves how much you love me)

51. I love the fact that for you "haha" is different from "hahahahahaha"
50. I love the fact that you wear glasses
49. I love the fact that it doesn't matter to me even if you wear glasses

48. I love your eyes

47. I love giving you goodluck kisses for your exams
46. I love the fact that you trust me
45. I love it when you said you want to have a family with me
44. I love our plan of you riding on a grocery cart while I'm gonna push it (I swear one day will gonna do that!)
43. I love it when I hate you (because everytime I hate you, I'm lovin' you)
42. I love it when you're feelin' jealous (you're so cute!)
41. I love how brave (and strong) you are
40. I love it when you're being sarcastic without knowing you're being one
39. I love the way you act when you're in a mood swing
38. I love the way you act even if you're in a "once-a-month-syndrome"
37. I love your kisses
36. I love your lips
35. I love it that we both want to make love with each other
34. I love the way you stuck out your tounge in your baby picture (in the My Girlfriend in Diaper picture)
33. I love the fact that you never doubted on me
32. I love caring for you
31. I love your 1.59 meter height

29. I love spending time with you
28. I love the way you make me happy
27. I love the fact that you dont give a damn about what other people think about us
26. I love it that the tought of you kept me alive during darkest moments
25. I love making you smile
24. I love the way you joke (so lame)
23. I love your sweetness
22. I love the day you said you love me (February 15, 2010, 11:12 PM)
21. I love saying how ADORABLE you are (here we go again honey, I broke my rule again)
20. I love the fact that you have a power over me
19. I love your innocence
18. I love the fact that this 101 things I love about you isn't enough to list all the things I love about you
17. I love the fact that I believe you'll make a good mother
16. I love your name (which means "Snow Queen", I have to agree you are a queen to me)
15. I love it when you give me good luck kisses for my exams
14. I love the fact that our good luck kisses really make us study harder
13. I love the fact that good luck kisses gave us good grades
12. I love the fact that you're smarter than me
11. I love the fact that for you, I'm smarter

9. I love it when you say you want me
8. I love to say I'll be with you forever
7. I love it when you say you won't leave me
6. I love our honesty with each other
5. I love being loyal to you
4. I love the fact we found each other out of the billions of people in the world
3. I love our love story
2. I love the way you love me

1. and most of all,

I had to say goodbye to a very dear person but I can't write about her at the moment.

2010-03-07T01:35:00.004+08:00

Well, the title says it all. Goodbyes are harder the first time but we learn to move on. I hope this is true, because I don't see any sign of moving on yet.

*She never left me. Thank heavens for that.

Will ya please turn the aircon on?! Oh, it's already on?

2010-03-03T12:21:00.001+08:00

Okay, I don't usually blog about the things like this but it's gettin' hard to ignore mainly because I can effin feel it the whole time. The deal is, the abnormality of the climate suddenly kicks a high mark and if you don't believe me because you're living on a once-was-snow-carpeted-pavements-but-it's-not-anymore-cuz-it's-already-spring place then, umm, yeah I understand. But the thing is, its getting absurdly hot in here! That's so uncool (lol)!! CLIMATE CHANGE? Maybe? Absolutely? Definitely? One thing is for sure, it's something to do with El Niño (El Niño in summer!) The sad news is, it's not only affecting our body but the crops, poultry and Tarzan's crib as well. Sooner or later there will be a scarcity of food, water and prostitutes. I hope not, especially the third one (lol). BUT the good thing is, everyone is doing their job to lessen the effect of this phenomenon. The Catholics are doing a Horatio Imperata (prayer for rain), the tribesmen on Mountain Province are doing a rain dance (I just saw this on news last night), most of the Filipinos are saving water and the government is busy on campaigning.
By the way, we're bracing ourselves for April/May because the temp would kick as high as 40C. Sup with that?!

You know, It's Getting Hot In Here

Sex, Murder and "That's a really nice tattoo. No, I'm serious"

2010-02-27T14:11:00.005+08:00

Title: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Män som hatar kvinnor)
Country: Sweden

Author: Stieg Larsson (1954-2004)

I saw this book on my friend's (Katy) virtual shelf and I was curious about it because (1) she gave it a very good review and (2) I wonder why is there a dragon tattoo on a woman's back. Anyway, I asked Katy if it was really a worth read and she said it was, though she warned me about the physical and sexual violence. I'm not really a sissy when it comes to physical violence, except if it's really gross (like the one in horror/gore movies) but I'm pretty much disgusted when it comes to sexual violence, well sometimes. This is to say that I have a potential to become a serial killer but not a serial rapist. LOL! Though if I'll be given a chance to become invisible for 24 hours but have to do either Kill or Rape, I think I'll rape like a madman than resort to a killing spree. Naah, I'm just kidding. But seriously, if I'll be given a chance, I'll weigh my options. LOL!
I think everyone who have read this book will agree on one thing: Stieg's gone a little too far on the details. At first I thought it's kinda annoying and unnecessary. Annoying in a sense that some of the details were not really crucial to the story, hence they were quite unnecessary. But at some point, I enjoyed reading those extra details. I even copied the Vanger Family Tree, took down notes and add some of my personal thoughts because it can get really confusing so it's helpful to jot down notes but it was really enjoying to keep track of the details.

The plot consists of two major mysteries, the first was the case of Harriet Vanger and second was the mystery about the Wennerström affair.The hero, Mikael Blomkvist, is a journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium. Portrayed as a ladies man, Blomkvist was convicted of libel because of his accusations to Hans-Erik Wennerström. However, Blomkvist's real mission is to solve a murder case that took place some forty years ago. The niece of Henrik Vanger, Harriet Vanger, was, according to Henrik's theory, murdered by a greedy and petty Vanger. This was the starting point of a fast-paced thrilling story of greed, lust and killing sprees. Now I know what Katy meant when she said "It has a lot of physical and sexual violence". What really sad is the fact that these things actually happened and it was stated in the stats in the book.

"Forty-six percent of the women in Sweden have been subjected to violence by a man."
"Thirteen percent of the women in Sweden have been subjected to aggravated sexual assault
outside of a sexual relationship."
"Ninety-two percent of women in Sweden who have been subjected to sexual assault have not
reported the most recent violent incident to the police."

These numbers were really disturbing. That's not how you treat a woman.

But what captures me is the heroine of the story, Lisbeth Salander. A victim of sexual abuse herself, Salander is an intelligent hacker and apparent partner of Blomkvist in solving the Harriet Murder Case. Lisbeth was a very likable character, she was honest to her feelings and a one tough punk. She was the first and most original heroine of crime and mystery.

I have also watched a film adaptation of the book and I'd say the movie was brilliant. It captures the essence of the book and and it gave justice to the characters, especially Lisbeth Salander. It couldn't get any more perfect. The one who portrayed Blomkvist kinda off to be Blomkvist, I imagined a more handsome actor. The girl who played the young Harriet Vanger was more than perfect! She's exactly like the one I imagined as Harriet. I like Julia Sporre (Harriet Vanger) because she gave justice to the character and she's soooooo beautiful (and uber hot)! Just look at the picture at the right and you'll know what I'm talking about. She has one hell of a beautiful face.

All in all, I'd say this book kicks effin ass! I'm looking forward to read the sequel (The Girl Who Played with Fire) and the the sequel of the sequel (The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest). Stieg was a genius and he deserved all the praises. Good job Stieg and may you rest in peace.

Rating: 9.6/10
*Images: Book Cover of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo; Harriet Vanger (from the film adaptation)

OFFICIAL TRAILER

Thomas, Maze and Grievers

2010-01-10T15:50:00.002+08:00

It all begins with my friend Katy, when she said to me “Hey Mark, if you have time, read The Maze Runner. It’s good.” Then I said, “Yeah, sure. I’ll read it, sounds cool.” But I didn’t read it. Well, at least I didn’t read it immediately. I just grab a copy of the book but I didn’t read it. After quite some time, more than a week perhaps, I flipped to the first page and begun reading. Just to close it again after reading that very first page. I’m not interested, yet. A couple of weeks later, after putting several books to my “Read or Die list” aka My Book Basket, I decided that I want to read The Maze Runner and finish it.

After I finished reading the first three chapters, I became totally hooked to the story. I don’t know but maybe, when you’re reading a book for the first time, there’ll always this phase that it’s hard to get accustomed and get hook to the story. It’s like this phase in smoking (even though I do not smoke), the first three days will be always hard but after that you’ll be fine and get used to the smoke. It’s the same with drinking. The beginning will always be the hardest but as soon as you get to the flow, everything will be in place and you’ll just see what’s going to happen. So after the first three chapters, I get used to the surroundings of the story, the characters and what the story wants to tell. Now, after a few chapters, the phase of the story started to get faster and chapters are getting intriguing and exciting. One of the things I liked about this book is its ability to hang you in a thread whenever a chapter ended. It kind of makes a veil of thrill that makes you want to know more and makes you curious on what to happen next. It reminds me of Harry Potter books and Catching Fire that makes you blown away in every ending of every chapter and it makes me satisfied.

As for the characters, I liked the character of Thomas. He reminded me of Harry Potter in so many ways. He was courageous, he was selfless and he was stupid (sometimes). Likewise, his heroine, Teresa proved to be a valuable character. I like the subtle romance between them. Subtle because they don’t have any idea what they are to each other for the reason that they both have amnesia. They just felt that they have this deep connection, that they were lovers before their memory was wiped out. I also like the character of Teresa because she has a strong personality and that even boys cannot bully her. Newt’s humor proved also to be valuable to the story. I bought most of his jokes because it was totally hilarious! Chuck’s character reminded me of Rue of Catching Fire. I have this speculation about Chuck regarding the thing that happened to him in the ending. But I will not mention it because it would spoil a lot about the book.

All in all, I think the book kick effin ass and I’m very much excited to get my hand on the next book. But unfortunately, it’s not written yet and there’s no definite schedule as when the author will write it. But it’s sure that he will definitely write a sequel because the story is clearly isn’t finished yet.

Rating: 8.5/10

Fine Christmas. And now: New Year

2009-12-28T18:41:00.000+08:00

It's been quite a long time since my last post. I've been busy for the past weeks due to some unnecessary things such as exams. I had 5 exams: 1 so-so (Graph Theory), 2 exams that was ass-kicking (C# and Automata Theory) and 2 piece of cakes (Political Science and Economics). All in all, i think I did pretty well.

As a 21 year old, Christmas is not as exciting as those of 4-year-olds. For one thing, Christmas presents are less valuable (just kidding). But who cares, right? I think I had a fine Christmas. No snow, like always (but I will be freaked out if there'll be snow here in the Philippines!). I'm really looking forward to New Year.And New Year in the Philippines means firecrackers! It's like, New Year's not complete without these ear-splitting firecracker bastards.

But what I'm pissed about is no less than a week, classes will resume again. It's like, "Give us some fuckin' break!" But don't get me wrong, I like going to school. Especially seeing my gorgeous schoolmates. Mmmm, I missed school already!

Books piling up in my basket

2009-12-11T20:08:00.000+08:00

My books keep piling up. I have another book to read entitled The Maze Runner. A friend of mine recommended this to me. I bet this is good as she has a very good taste in books. :)

---

I'm currently reading Nightlight: A Twilight Parody. And I must say, WHAT A GAS! I'm like in Chapter 3 and all I could do is laugh! The guys who made this are genius!

It's My Birthday! Yesterday.

2009-12-09T07:29:00.000+08:00

It's my birthday yesterday, December 7! I started the day by waking up 10 in the morning. My mom and dad wished me a happy birthday. A couple of relatives texted (how gay!) me wishing me also a happy birthday.

Nothing much today. Pretty much the same actually. The same routines.

None of my friends greet me, or any other classmate. I don't know if they knew it's my birthday yesterday. Actually, I thought of it as funny! Imagine, none of my friends wished me a happy birthday! LOL! Maybe they don't know it's my birthday. HAHA!

I'm So Upset

2009-12-05T15:09:00.000+08:00

Gosh, I'm so upset I can't even talk about it.

*so what's the point of posting it in here eh?*

*Sorry that's my alter ego being rude to me again*

But on the bright side, I had plenty of time to do what I want to do.

PS. I'm in love again.

PPS. Oh, I forgot, she's my friend's girlfriend.

Post PPS. Bad luck. Why I'm always falling in love with people who are already taken?

It's December Again!

2009-12-01T20:44:00.001+08:00

Yipee! It's December again and I can already feel the coldness of the wind biting my skin! Also, being December means another thing: it's my Hapee Birthday! I can't wait to finish my stuffs. I really want to read books again. I have two additional books in my basket: (1) The Harvard Lampoon - Nightlight. A parody of the "Phenomenal" *duh* Twilight Saga.

* The cover alone made me LOL! HAHA!

The other book is (2) Vacations From Hell. Seems interesting, the title, that is!

*Edit (2/27/10)
I've finished this anthology a long time ago, I was just too lazy to post anything about it since it was kinda lame. But to be honest, I enjoyed 2 of its 5 short stories. There was a fair dose of mystery and a considerate amount of making-out (especially the snogging sessions of Charlotte and the french guy). I'd like to give it a failing mark but to be fair, I'm just gonna give it 3 over 5 asterisks (that is, ***/*****).

Can't wait to finish my ^#$@# thesis!

2009-11-29T18:03:00.000+08:00

I can't wait for my thesis to be over. I have plenty of books in my basket, awaiting to be read. One of the books I plan to read is Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz. The cover seems intriguing (and the girl has a nice legs :)) Then after this book, I plan to read its' sequet, Deadly Little Lies.

Oh No!

2009-11-26T20:00:00.000+08:00

Gosh! Days have been passing by so fast! Like vomit passing through the mouth or a Ferrari driven by Schumacher, that fast! And for all I know, it's my thesis defense next week! Damn! I wish I had more time to furnish my thesis.

And every time I've been doing my stuffs, I always ask my self: "Why the fuck do I have to study these things?"

Economics, Political Science? duh!?!

Whew!

2009-11-23T20:04:00.000+08:00

Well, I got a very busy 2 weeks ahead of me. I have software stuffs to do, some school stuffs like Economics and Political Science. Can I be honest with you guys? I don't know why the fuck I'm studying these things. Oh well.

Bow, Single Arrow and the Mockingjay

2009-10-26T21:28:00.000+08:00

For anyone who read the Hunger Games Books, this symbol signifies one important thing: rebellion. What happened in Panem is not far from reality. Oppression and injustice is happening almost everywhere. In my country, the Philippines, oppression, injustice and corruption are no news. In fact, the people are already too numb to care. But are they?

Corruption crippled the system of our society. It triggers injustice as those power-hungry beasts devour our hopes. Those in the position of power don’t care whether their people eat or not. As long as their belly is full and their pocket is bulging of money, they don’t care if we rot in hell of starvation. Yes, I may not experienced hunger but you don’t have to feel it to be sorry for those who have, to have compassion. You don’t have to be a victim to see the injustice that draped around you. You don’t have to be forced to flatten a mountain to feel the hand of the oppressor. Maybe it’s better to leave it the way it has been. Maybe there is more solace to ignore these things. Yes, it is bliss to be ignorant, to be unaware of the horrifying scenes that is happening. But to be ignorant is no different to be like these monsters, to be the enemy.

What can I do? I’m in no position of power. All I have is my bow and a single arrow (well, at least metaphorically). Yes, a bow and arrow!

---

Next year, May 2010, there will be a National Election. This is one of the few things that they cannot take away from us, the right to suffrage. This is my single arrow that will find its home to the heart of the enemy, the oppressor. This is my voice, out of millions, who seeks change, the millions who seek change. Our vote is our act of defiance that we seek for change. We want a leader who can deliver us from injustice and corruption and likewise who believe that there can be change. I believe we can have a leader who can do the right thing. And this is our rebellion, our mockingjay, that we are tired of corruption and injustice and oppression. It's time to kick some politicians ass!

-photo from the cover of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Pink dress and The Hunger Games

2009-10-25T21:40:00.000+08:00

It’s been a long time since I really enjoyed reading a book. I mean, REALLY ENJOYED reading a book. If I’m not mistaken it was September 2007 when I first read the last book on the epic tale of Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when it was released on August 21, 2007 that I engulfed myself in pages of the book like there was no tomorrow. I really liked those times, when I am the only one existed and also my book to tell me a story. Then there was Twilight, I really liked the plot of this novel. On how Meyer convinces me that apart from the magic of Harry, I will also like romances. But that was ages ago.

I remember when I was browsing Stephenie Meyer’s website that I came across this book. Apparently, Meyer read it and she recommends everyone to likewise read it. But I don’t give a f*** because the cover didn’t appeal to me. On the contrary, I found it very boring and corny. It was a black-based book with Mayan-like designs and a golden bird inside a circle with an arrow in its beak. Several months later (at least almost a year), when I’m browsing my Shelfari account that I stumble again with this book, but like the first time I saw it, it still didn’t appeal to me. But oh since I do nothing at that time, I decided to give it a try and see if Meyer was right about recommending it, worth reading the least. Then, I started to read The Hunger Games.

The first few chapters were boring, but that is completely normal as this was the stage where a reader is acquainted to the characters. I learned that this book was told in a first-person-point-of-view (I like third-person-point-of-view style of telling the plot because I have an idea of the bigger picture of the story). The protagonist is a girl named Katniss Everdeen, which I found very odd (what a name?!) and later revealed to be inspired by some grass. On the first part of the novel, I imagined Katniss as Emma Watson if ever this book will find its way to the big screen. If Emma will speak in American accent, she could be the perfect movie counterpart of Katniss. But Emma Watson was immediately replaced by another girl from being the Katniss in my imagination. Later I will tell you who she is.

I started reading this 9pm up until 1am in the morning. Then I resumed the following day 9am up until 3pm then resumed again 6pm and finished the entire book all the way to 4am. All in all, I finished the book in good 20 hours, technically less than a day. I think this is enough to tell you all how I loved the book that I almost refused to let it down. 20 hours of reading, for me, is equal to the statement: “I F***ING LOVE THIS BOOK!”

Katniss is a very likable character. She’s tough but is not afraid to cry and show a little emotion. When I’m reading the book, the only girl in my mind as Katniss is a girl from our school. I first saw this girl a couple of weeks ago but the classes ended and I never had the chance to saw her again. I don’t know why but during the times I read The Hunger Games, she was the only one in my mind. It’s odd really, considering that I only saw her once, I fully remember her face yet I didn’t even know her name. When I first saw her, she was wearing this beautiful pink dress, and I kept glancing on her every time I had the chance. She is very beautiful. But I never saw her again. Am I falling in love again? It seems ages when I wrote my last blog about the girl whom I fell in love again after her breaking my heart. Hmmm, am I being a bitchy liar for saying things like “always” and “no one will ever love someone blah… blah…blah” yet here I am falling for another girl? What’s the boy word for slut again? Unfortunate but that only proves one thing: life is full of twists and turns. But despite these twists and turns the fact remains the same. Someone out there was destined for me, that someday, a girl will say that I am hers and she is mine.

Well, I maybe losing my feelings to the girl who broke my heart, but I know one thing: I need to find that girl in the pink dress. And thanks for The Hunger Games for helping me realize that the girl in the pink dress whom I met only once should be my real-life Katniss.

PS. I already read the second book of the Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and I should say it’s beautiful as its’ prequel. I’m going to post my review here (Though I don’t know when. I’m still mourning what happened in District 12, if you know what I mean.) All I can say is Katniss is still somehow admirable to me, considering the circumstances and her current plans. And still, I need to find the girl in the pink dress. There are still a good three weeks before the classes will resume.

The Day I Fell In Love Again to the Girl Who Broke My Heart

2009-10-13T21:32:00.002+08:00

(A Fictional Monologue)

"ALWAYS"

That’s what I promised to her. Now I came to think of the weight of that one word. Now I came to think (and feel) that I’ve never been in love this way before.

***

They say life is so complicated. Actually it’s not, it’s pretty simple. Because in life, there are only two choices: the same old things you want to do and the new different things you’re afraid to try. Life is not complicated. It is what people say when they can’t handle it anymore, when they can’t reason it anymore, and when they can’t grasp the idea that life isn’t fair.

***

I’m always afraid of commitment. Maybe because I know that one day, the people I love will eventually leave me, “So why love them in the first place?”

“Why should I be in love? Does that make the world a better place?”

“Why should I love her?”

“What if she doesn’t love me anymore three days after?”

“What if she sees someone who’s better than me? Of course, there are million people better than me. Forgive my arrogance.”

“What if she gets sick?”

“What if she died?”

I don’t think I can handle that.

So before they have the chance to leave me, I will leave them first. In that way, the pain will be lesser. And I will not be as empty as I should if I attached myself to them. “It is safer this way,” I said. Yes, safer indeed but not happy. Between the two choices above, I always choose the same old things I’m comfortable with. Why risk trying new and ending up broken hearted?

***

I’m in love. Yes, I’m in love with the same girl I loved for the past thirteen years.

Why I feel this contaminating feeling?

“Maybe I just like the way she talk and no more serious than that,” I reasoned to myself.

This can’t be love because love doesn’t suppose to exist. Love cannot be explained nor quantified, hence the probability that it doesn’t exist is with the same probability that water will evaporate if it reaches 100 degrees Celsius. But what puzzles me is the fact that this unexplainable and unquantifiable “thing" doesn’t leave my heart for the past thirteen years, and it’s getting stronger by the minute.

“There is definitely something wrong with me,” I said.

***

There is someone else. Yes, she’s in love with someone else.

Maybe the pain will go now. She’s in love with someone else. The truth slaps me in the face.

But hold on! What is this another feeling? Why I want to stab that guy in the neck?

Is this jealousy? No, this can’t be jealousy. Why would I be jealous to that man? I hardly even know him. Oh! I know him! He’s my friend. But why would I want to stab my friend in the neck?

...

Why I am happy? Is there anything joyous about a man and a woman breaking up?

(A decade later)

I am confused again.

Why is she happy with that guy (who happened to be my friend)? They broke up years ago.

She’s supposed to hate that guy. Maybe they reconciled. What’s the point of reconciling to the person who hurt you so much? Yes, love is lovelier the second time around.

“There is something wrong with me. There is definitely something wrong with me!”

She broke my heart.

***

The question is whether we are or not perfect for each other.

She’s not perfect. Yes, that’s a fact.

The moment I saw her, three years ago, I knew that I don’t like her. All I can see are negative things. She’s this, she’s that, and she’s crazy. All I can see are imperfections. Imperfections that is somehow same with me.

Thirteen years later, here I am, reminiscing the moment I saw her. That moment when I saw all of her imperfections, the moment I saw all negative things about her, the moment I realized that I don’t care about those imperfections. All I care is the fact that I love her. And she is the most perfect woman I have ever known.

Then there’s doubt.

I’ve never doubted of her. I’ve never doubted my love for her. I doubt myself. I doubt that I’m worthy enough for her. She’s heaven, I’m worse than hell.

Sometimes, I wish I am not in love with her, so that I’m not going to experience this agony anymore. But like I said, I’m not worthy enough for her. She’s heaven, I’m worse than hell.

***

Love is not synonymous to sex, at least pleasure-wise.

Why I’m feeling this feeling? At this stage of my life, as stated in the Psychosexual Stages of human, I should feel sexual attractions toward the opposite sex.

But why I don’t have any earthly desire to the woman I love? Why I don’t have any sexual feelings to the woman who broke my heart? Why I feel this feeling? I feel that I just love her. And I cannot bear, even in my mind, to see her that way, that we are doing “that” without a wedding ring? I just love her. I respect her. I never saw her that way. Never, even in my mind, I saw her naked. Maybe Freud made a mistake. Maybe there’s an exception. Maybe the exception is: “Sexual desires, when one being is in a state of true love, don’t exist and he doesn’t feel nor seek earthly pleasures towards the person he loves. He just loves her.” Sex is a wonderful thing that should be done in the premises of marriage.

***

Love, they say, doesn’t make the world go round. It just makes the ride worthwhile.

“If I asked you about love, you’d probably quote me a sonnet. But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable, known someone that could level you with her eyes.

Feeling like God put an angel on Earth just for you, who could rescue you from the depths of hell.

And you wouldn't know what it's like to be her angel, to have that love for her be there forever, through anything, through cancer.”

-Sean, Good Will Hunting

For the first time in my life, I risk trying new. I realized that one day, maybe three years later, maybe five or maybe ten but definitely there will come a day that I will have regret for not telling her that she’s the most important woman in my life. Before I faced that day, I will tell to the only woman I loved how much I love her. A love that cannot be explained, defined and quantified, yet it exists.

***

True love lasts a lifetime.

The only consolation I can give to my wasted heart is the fact that I never bitch out. I’m not a coward. I told her the truth. I told her that I love her, that I always have and I always will. Always

***

If I could somehow summarize my feelings for her, it would only take thirteen words:

“No one could possibly ever love someone as much as I love her.”

The Lost Symbol?

2009-10-07T20:35:00.000+08:00

The latest thriller of Dan Brown hit the shelves of bookstores last September 2009 and as expected, sales hit the charts. After all, this novel came from the same author who gave us Angels and Demons and of course, The Da Vinci Code. What is more exciting, Robert Langdon returns to this book to solve another mystery not in the Louvre or the Il Passéto but in the heart of United States, the US Capitol in Washington DC. I’m like a child underneath a huge Christmas tree waiting for his gift to be opened when my eyes finally touched the first few words of the book. “The Secret is how to die” are the first six words that greeted me. Enticing, isn’t it? But as I kept reading and reading, I noticed that the plot seemed to be slowing down as my eyes starting to shut down. The first few chapters were slow-plotted and didn’t move for quite some time. It was getting very boring by the minute. But then again, I kept on reading and reading. After all, this was Brown’s so there must be some “explosive things” somewhere beneath the pages. There were a few, but it’s not shocking enough. And the only thing that gave me the feeling of satisfaction is the twist about Mala’kh. At least I never had foreseen this twist about Mala’kh, unlike in Deception Point and Digital Fortress where I totally guessed the ending (the worse is Deception Point where I already guessed the ending when I was only halfway reading it), that keeps me sane and calm. LOL! In the end, all I can say is this book doesn’t live up to my expectations. And the boy who happily waited underneath the Christmas tree to open his gift was deeply disappointed, nearly suicidal, while staring at his gift: a copy of The Lost Symbol.

My Paramore

2009-09-29T22:18:00.001+08:00

Currently listening to Paramore. They have a new album called Brand New Eyes.

Hayley and the rest of the band rocks! I love their song Misguided Ghosts and Playing God.

Nice :)