2015 Reading Challenge: Second Chance Summer

Be careful what you wish for cos you just might get it. I enjoyed Morgan Matson's Since You've Been Gone so much, I decided to read another one of her books, plus reviews said this one's going to give you (the reader) a good ugly-cry, which I reckon I needed right now. But you see, I was still a little skeptical. I didn't know I was going to get my wish. Kaya ayan... I am now nursing a headache from all the ugly-crying I did.

The story starts with Taylor not wanting to go with the family back to Poconos for the summer vacation. The last time she's been there was five years ago and how she left things there back then were a little unresolved. She was dreading going back not only because of the possibility of running into Henry and Lucy again, but also in facing the real reason why the family's going back there again.

It was a beautiful story of second chances, rekindling relationships with friends and also our family. In a world so fast-paced, it's easy to forget about the things that really matter. It was just unfortunate that for the Edwards, it had to be a situation like this to bring them all back together and be a family in the truest sense of the word.

My favorite part would have to be when Taylor begged his dad's nurse to bring his dad outside so he could see the meteor shower and she told him, 'I love you daddy,' to which he replied, 'I knew that. Always knew that.' I was already bawling at this point.

I was going to give it five stars but minus one star for giving me a terrible headache so, four stars.

"Sometimes my grandfather was awake, and would sit with me while I looked

up at the stars, needing to see something fixed and permanent while everything

else in my life seemed to be breaking apart."

Living Life As If Everything Is Rigged In My Favor ☺

So we've finally moved to our new location- YAY! Super stressful, I tell you. At hindi pa jan kasama ang pag-realize na andami kong chinarge sa credit card na business-related expenses and I bet when I see my next babayarins, mas mastre-stress pa ako ng bongga. But so far, so good. This our sixth day operating in our new location and there are still a lot of things to repair, add, chuchuchu. I swear ang bagal- bagal ko. I really should change this attitude of procrastinating things. Like my ITR, for example. Blech.

I remember reading an article from Entrepreneur.com about the most common mistakes rookie business owners make and one of them is know when to stop bootstrapping. Well, I take pride of the fact that I do almost everything myself. At least, I am not threatened about anyone leaving. But the biggest mistake I may have made was trying to make the business' financials by myself. I should've let someone take care of it from the get-go. If I did, then I would have less worries today. But yuuh, that's one lesson I learned from all these kahibangan.

Bakit ba tayo napunta sa usapang yan? Ah, ITR. Change topic na nga.

Another month has passed. We're on our fourth month of 2015 and what do I have to show for it? Aside from the additional calories and fat rolls? Haha.

Catch-up with Ama Jo. Because I need to meet and greet all my friends before the Big Move, met up with Jo the week before. I had to run to Ortigas first to purchase some frickin' expensive nail polish (para lang may option sila) and then scamper off to Binondo for my lunch date. Lunch again at Tonkatsu and since it was my second time to eat there, no more food pictures. Ha. A little gallivanting and supply-shopping, then back to Lucky Chinatown for dessert at UCC. People who know me know that Starbucks is my go-to coffee place. I am not really a coffee drinker,  I just like Starbucks' mocha frappuccino ☺ So when Jo suggested UCC, medyo na-sad ako. Haha bwiset ang babaw. My IC friends and I go to UCC in Rustans Makat for coffee and I always order the same thing- coffee jelly cooler- and I'm not very happy with it. That time, I thought of rocking the boat and ordered something different- Kori Kohi.

at least may bago akong oorderin next time 

I loved it ☺ And we also enjoyed apple crumb pie. The pie had a hint of cinnamon but I didn't mind. The Kori Kohi adn apple pie didn't really change my mind when it comes to my go-to coffee place but at least I know what to order next time we go to UCC for dessert.

Another restaurant V, H and I ate at was Wok Inn. Wow. I've been missing Wok Inn for years already. First introduced to us by our ates, we used always eat there with entire family either in their Wilson branch or the one in Ortigas Extension. When both branches closed, our Wok Inn habit ended. Thanks to my very gala sister and her husband, I got to try Wok Inn again ☺

Ordering was a challenge because they don't have a menu. You just tell them what you want and they'll cook it for you. That is easy if you know what you want and what it is called. Pero kung parang ko na walang alam (at magulo pa mag-explain), patay tayo jan. Pero in fernez, na-gets nila nung sinabi kong mixed mushrooms.

we meet again ♥

sipa
albeit yummy, my dumpling ♥ still belongs to wai ying's hakaw

  

brought back childhood memories
so kinanin ko kahit nasundot-sundot ang loob ng bibig ko

Scrumptious. Bow. I will suggest that when AB comes home later this month, we eat lunch in Wok Inn for old time's sake ☺

And when I got home (yep, that same day we ate at Wok Inn), I was super duper excited to make my own bar soaps. Bought from my supplier earlier that day, soapmaking supplies. I added kojic acid active and pure honey and ze finished product est

honey kojic soaps

I'm my own guinea pig and I'm using the soap for my face these days and I've got to say I'm a satisfied customer. Haha. But seriously, the stuff works. I have uber-sensitive skin and if my skin doesn't agree with the product I'm using, I break out right away. I've been using the soap for almost two weeks and no major pimple situation yet. The whitening part (I added 5% kojic acid active ingredient and in kojic speak, that is A LOT) I'm not sure if it's working though. I may have done one step wrong because I didn't dissolve the powder in water, I added it right into the mixture, so I don't know if that affects the kojic's effectivity. But aside from the whitening effect, success ang honey kojic soaps ko.

Since we're in the topic of DIY-stuff... here's another diy project I made over the Lenten holiday- a cover for my kindle case. Because a kindle case is expensive (mahal ang 500 ha! isang bote na ng Orly yun), I kept putting off buying a new case for Kendall (FYI: that's my kindle's name). I used to spiffy up Kendall with stickers but when the material of the case started peeling off, the stickers can't do the job any longer. So I decided to make a "damit" for my Kendall.

materials used for the project

the fabric I'm going to use + old Kindle case

 I could've used a less dumihin fabric but since it's the only fabric na puede-puede na, I used it anyway. Next time I'm going to Divi, I'm going to look for  pretty canvas fabric with smaller details/ design, but for now this will do.

So wala akong pattern whatsoever. I just winged it, so to speak. And here's the finished product

ta-dah!!!!

Not bad, eh? Now my kindle case looks like a wallet, haha! But it served it's purpose, right? Hindi na mukhang kawawa ang case ko ☺ This is what the inside looks like

finally had use for these velcro thingy that has been sitting
inside our cabinet for years!

Pretty decent work for someone who doesn't really sew, right? Well, plus I used a lot of fabric glue to use for the seams. I didn't want it to be too bulky which the thread would do (make it look bulky) had I sewn all the sides. I'm giving myself a proverbial pat on the back. Gujab!

And oh before I forget, here's what AD gave me for pasalubong from her work-related trip to London~

For pasalubong, AC asked for M&S panties
Ako, I wanted to be surprised.
When AD said she won't be bringing us our pasalubongs
muna kasi may panty pa naman siguro si AC (ahaha),
sabi ko, "ayaw ko panty!"
AD said, "hindi nga. ele-panty sayo."
Totoo nga naman.

Finally, nakapagpahinga na ang aking CD-R King usb hub na laging nagloloko. The elephant hub is just a little bulky but it's serving naman its purpose and it's not 'disconnecting' every once in a while like what my previous usb hubs did.

Umm, so that's basically what happened in my life. Looking back, my life actually seemed boring but at that time I was exhilarated for being able to (1) make my first batch of bar soaps, and (2) make that kindle case's case by hand. It doesn't take a lot to make me happy. Napaka-babaw ko actually. So why do I get the feeling I may a be a little depressed. I think the weight has something to do with it. Or maybe, the hormones are to blame. Yes, the hormones. I'm blaming the hormones.

I wish for a very exciting (the good kind of exciting) summer with the family ☺ AB comes home on the 24th I'm looking forward to our lakwatsa engrande + mommy's 70th birthday + Katy Perry concert ☺ I will be ending this post with my personal mantra these days~

Works like magic ☺

Try mo :P

2015 Reading Challenge: Since You've Been Gone

It took me a while to finish the book because of, you know, real world stuff. I've been busy with the NS relocation among other grown-up things that it took me two weeks to finish this- absolutely not an indication that the book sucked because it totally rocked my socks, dude!

...And we have Frank to thank for that. It's been a while since I've encountered swoonable fictional boyfriends and now here's one when I was totally not expecting him. He's every bit a gentleman- nice, proper and smart! But honestly, Frank had me at the mention of his 'abs.' Yuuuh, I'm an ahjumma like dut.

Plus, I also liked Emily. She's not as angsty like most of YA heroines and what she felt at the start when she found out her best friend, Sloane, just left town with no word of goodbye or whatsoever. And I understand how she felt lost without friend. They used to do everything together, they spent almost every waking hour together and just like that Sloane's gone. Ni ha, ni ho.

So the gist of the story is Sloane and her family left town and Emily's dumbfounded as to where her bestfriend could be and why she would leave without saying anything. Sloane just left without a word. She just left Emily a list of bucket-list-ish things to do. Emily does the things on the list, believing that they'd lead her to Sloane. Well, they did alright but also it led her to so much more.

Ahhhh basta loved the book and if you're into kilig reads, I highly recommend this.

Movie Musings: The DUFF

Ever since I found out that they're making The DUFF into a movie, I've been very very VERY excited about it. I loved the book so much even if I think it's a little too makamundo for high school kids. So anyway, when I found out nga they're making the book into a movie, I only had high hopes. How could you go wrong on something so easy to make? No special effects needed! But yeah, they botched it alright.

Umm, medyo skeptical na ako when I saw the trailer because they're not the characters I had in mind. But I gave it a chance. Malay ko naman, diba?

{image credits}

First of all, I think they can do better than this Wesley Rush. The movie's Wesley Rush isn't not handsome. He is but not quite how I envision my Wesley Rush. I really really really wish they got someone else, someone like him.

I haven't changed my mind yet. He still is my Wesley and I think he's good at douchebaggery. With Bianca, I'd still prefer that actress who played Schmidt's fat girlfriend in New Girl

she's cute and I bet she can do funny, too

over Mae Whitman. Well I guess this happens when your favorite book's made into a movie. Because you want every bit and piece perfectly executed and more often than not, the movie adaptation falls short.

But I'm very very disappointed about was that they sort of changed the story. And not just a wee bit, might I add. They stuck to with the DUFF concept but they changed everything else. What I loved pa naman with the book was Bianca and Wesley's clandestine relationship and I'm not talking about the sensei-student Bianca and Wesley movie versions had in the film. Heck, they even made Bianca stay with her mother. The movie was a totally different story from the book, like a teenage version of Pretty Woman meets Pretty in Pink and pretty much any high school movie where the popular boy falls for the ordinary girl. The DUFF had that twist and they removed it. Disappointed talaga ako.

why talaga

Sana iniba na lang nila ang title. The shouldn't have claimed it was a movie adaptation of the book. Cos although it wasn't actually a bad movie, I still maintain that they should've remained faithful to the original story. Inisip ko na lang baka masyadong risque for teenagers (their target audience) kaya iniba nila, but then again these books are much more risque and they're not even censored.

I want to read The DUFF again to erase the movie's version on my mind. Why did Kody Keplinger agree to this? Why?!?!?!?!

2015 Reading Challenge: The Art of Lainey

Much better read than Transcendence. Thank God. Although hindi kasing-level ng favorite books ko and not worthy of a 4-star rating, I liked it nevertheless.

To cut the story short, popular high school soccer-star, Lainey Mitchell was dumped by equally hot and popular soccer-star boyfriend, Jason. Upon the suggestion of her best friend, Bianca, she uses Sun Tzu's The Art of War to win ze boyfriend back. They sought Micah's participation. While Micah wasn't exactly Lainey's type, we all kinda knew where this pretend stuff's leading to, yes? So yes, I enjoyed it. Thanks to Micah but not so much to Lainey. Why, you ask? Lainey comes off across as someone who's very self-assured bordering on narcissism, but to be fair to her she kind of calls herself on it towards the end.

The book's theme is somewhat appropriate to my situation now but alas, not in the "love" department. We're moving locations again and I'm considering this as a new business venture and The Art of War may also be used in the business setting and those little Sun Tzu snippets sort of reminded me that I am not prepared for the move. Guess I have to go read my copy and win the battle I'm fighting.

Soooo... my favorite character in the book is, obviously, Micah. Of course, mohawk boy has his own issues but deep down, he's a real softy.

Micah in my mind
{image credits}

O diba ang cute niya? But guys with mohawks, piercings and tattoos aren't really my type and even if one shouldn't judge books by its covers, we judge anyway. I judge them anyway. So, Micah I like and if he does look like that mohawk boy above, bongga si Lainey. Cos if Lainey looks like that girl on the cover of the book, lugi si Micah. Hahaha.

Anyhoo, just found out that this book actually has a prequel, Infinite Repeat, told from Micah's POV and I'm dying to read it. Micah said Lainey's totally not his type but I hope a little Lainey-crush is hiding somewhere there during his Amber days.

So three stars for the book. I hope to encounter more of these stories. Ang babaw ko talaga.

2015 Reading Challenge: Transcendence

What made me read this book in the first place was its blurb which can be read here. I thought it was interesting how love between a modern day human being and a primitive caveman would develop, or if it's even possible.

Actually, I think I was misled by the book cover which made me think that caveman could look like that- way better-looking than most fully-evolved men living in the 21st century. The author included a note which I'm glad I read (because I tend to not read those and jump right into the story) because it was where the author specifically said that Ehd, our story's caveman, would never, ever learn how to speak. Just reviews the author's note and she qualified Ehd's pagka-caveman. Turns out he's just like any other modern-day human male, intelligent  and capable of learning except how to speak and associate sounds with words, objects or actions (so sign language is out). Pero still I think he'll never be able to look like that man on the cover of the book.

So at first I was actually excited and hopeful of the 'promise of kilig' this story will bring into my kilig-obsessed system. I was okay with the first few chapters with Ehd and Beh (Elizabeth) slowly learning how to exist with one another. Of course I understand why Beh would be terrified of Ehd, being that he is a caveman (and will never look like that man on the cover, kung si Tarzan nga modern-day male hindi naman guapo, si Ehd pa kaya?). However, as they were the only Homo-sapien-somethings wherever they were, things were bound to happen and by 'thing,' I think you know to what I'm referring to. Which is actually to Ehd's benefit as he was must-put-a-baby-in-her at first sight with Beh. And when that was all what I was reading again and again, I started to get bored. Which made me skip a looooot of pages (and chapters).

I know how you feel, Alice

And also this is one of those books which I feel should've been told from two POVs. Para at least hindi paulit-ulit and will also give the readers better understanding how Beh finally decided to give Ehd a chance- like did she really fall in love with him or was it just plain tawag ng laman? In the end, light was shed into the situation but I find that out cos I'm the type who finishes her books, no matter how what.What if I'm the type who gives up when things are going WTF-proportions? Also what I can't understand was why Elizabeth chose to stay in the BC era when she could bring Ehd with her to the future instead? Siguro mas masaya sa kweba ☺ Hahaha!

Two stars.

Let me bore you

Officially welcoming the month of March even if this is actually my fourth post for the month ☺ It's already the third month of the year and it's almost May. Come June, I need to apply again for my annual bazaar thing then it's production time for Christmas season again. Kabilis naman ng panahon.

Anyway, twas not the end of reunions and scheduled catching-up to do. After delivery last Tuesday (Gratitude List Item #1: Another bulk order. Yipee), V and I went to Mega to meet with Manang M. It's been awhile since I've had these talks with Manang. We used to talk about life often but that has been put to a halt these days because, you know, life...

We had lunch at Linguini Fini and since it's my first time eating there- here's the mandatory food shot

clockwise: complimentary foccacia bread with balsamic vinegar & olive oil dip; papardelle nose
to tail bolo; manila caprese and lardo roasted half chicken

Oh yes, gluttony is STILL my favorite sin. In fair naman sa akin, I lost 10 pounds (and still need to lose twenty more). Linguini Fini is love, my friends, but it is a hazard to the wallet. Haha. But I guess it was worth it. It didn't feel like I was ripped off my money and that papardelle one was heaven ☺ Liked the chicken as well, although first love ko pa rin Amici's pollo arrostito. Keri lang ako sa pizza- I'll have Friuli's margherita over this pizza any time. Did a little strolling then coffee afterwards then back to barracks for me.

Okay, so here's another reason why I go out often these days- market research, y'all. Because I fell in love with a nail spa's sloughing lotion, I have become obsessed with finding a sloughing lotion in Watsons, the grocery, EVERYWHERE(!!!) and I just get these weird looks when I tell them what I'm looking for. Finally found two brands online and bought them just in time for AB to bring them home (Gratitude List Item #2: Sloughing Lotion ♥). I actually made my own and while it worked (it worked!!!), I'd have to rub the product extra-hard to slough off the dead skin and I need something that can be removed with minimal effort. That said, I'm so excited for my sloughing lotions to arrive ☺

Wednesday was another unplanned lakwatsa as I had to deliver samples again in Makati. Wasn't able to see AD, just left the samples with reception. Originally, I was going to wait for her to get off work and hitch a ride going home but AC called and asked me to come with V and family, mommy and her to CCP to watch the Jilin Art Troupe. With regard to the Jilin Art performance, isa lang masasabi ko: GMA Supershow!

Anyway, my highlight for Wednesday was watching the latest Daniel Padilla movie with Kathryn Bernardo- Crazy Beautiful You. Wasn't too crazy about that title but hey, it's not a song title so keri-keri na. AC has seen it already and although she said it was 'maganda,' I still didn't expect much from it cos as they say,

the key to contentment is lowered expectations

Despite the title, I loved the movie. Oo, loved talaga. I remember watching She's Dating the Gangster, expecting it to suck, then being surprised and delighted with the movie. I am not a fan of the pairing but I have to say, their chemistry is undeniable. So with this movie, I was still skeptical of the story kasi nga chaka ng title but again, I was surprised and delighted. Hindi sayang ang P230 ko. Hindi sumama loob ko na sana hinintay ko na lang ang movie pass ko. Also, I will admit this only here in this blog so I think walang ibang makakaalam- guilty pleasure ko si Daniel Padilla. Haha. I don't have a crush on the boy; natutuwa lang ako sa kanya.

And oh here's an update of my room decluttering project:

December 2014

March 2015

Well, nothing much has changed but there's now actually space for me to sleep in. Removed my Teen Vogue mags from the shelf but I am not ready to part with them yet. And oh, our walls are now light gray in color. A lot of fixing up, organizing and filing to do which I always put off for another day.

I still have a lot to do but I'm sort of delaying everything because I'm trying to enjoy whatever's left of my "free days." When we transfer location and there's more at stake, I need to be there most of the time which means less time to invest in "recreation therapy."

And on that note, I need to end this now and what better way than to end it with this:

source: somewhere in Google

I will tell myself this every time.