All Good Things Must Come To An End: My Love From Another Star

Started watching this series around January this year. DSL connection at that time was still crappy and slooooow, so I put off watching until now. Because I am sick and am excused from doing anything productive, I spent the entire afternoon catching up with this Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun starrer.

Jun Ji-hyun is one of the first Korean actresses I ever knew of, thanks to My Sassy Girl, and in her absence in the Korean drama/movie scene for the longest time, I was very excited when I found out about this drama. I know Kim Soo-hyun is one of the most in-demand young actors these days, but I am watching this solely because of JJH. And she didn't disappoint. During the first few episodes, I was laughing the entire time. I guess I only stopped watching because of my crappy connection and my interest sort of wanes when things are starting to get melodramatic.

I liked the ending though. It's not a happy ending typical of Korean dramas these days. I have to admit, medyo nakakamiss ang mga bidang may terminal illness at namamatay sa huli. However, My Love From Another Star's ending actually reminded me of one of my favorite books, The Time Traveler's Wife. So the ending's a little bit happy because they still get to spend time with each other together but at the same time, sad, because they don't know when and if they're going to see each other again.

GMA7 is actually showing this series on afternoon TV and inasmuch as I want to watch sana, I am restraining myself to do so because I don't want to see another Korean drama botched by GMA's awful dubbing. What I am excited to watch is ABS-CBN's adaptation of 49 Days. Their version will be using the title Pure Love with Alex Gonzaga playing the lead character. Kaya pala siya pinasok sa PBB House. Sneaky sneaky! While I still have to finish watching The Heirs, I started two more Korean dramas: You're All Surrounded (with my favorite Cha Seung-won of The Greatest Love) and King of High School Life Conduct (whatever that means). Aja! Haha.

2014 Book Challenge: Finding June

Chose this book just because it is the month of June and it has June in its title. Which is somewhat befitting since it's almost the only book I was able to read this month. I started June 10 and finished only today.

Honestly, I don't know why it has high ratings on Goodreads- almost four stars. For me it lacks chemistry between the two main characters, June and Joseph. And not because it is a "clean teen" book, meaning the absence of pre-marital sexy times. I like kilig and I didn't find/feel it here.

Everything in this book was predictable. We kinda knew right from the beginning that these two are going to end up together at the end of the book. We also knew that Lukas would be exactly what we originally thought he would be. I guess it took me 20+ days to finish because I found it boring as hell. Partida pa na wala naman akong masyadong ginagawa ngayon. I would always attempt to read before going to sleep but I always end up asleep without even finishing one (ONE!) page. It was that blah.

One of the reviews that gave Finding June just one star said that June is self-absorbed and I totally agree. Majority of the book she talks about her make-up, her clothes and the feathers in her skirt. Everything here is about her. Well, is is about finding June after all. Whatever that means.

Because I spent two weeks on this book, I am now two books behind my goal. I give thee: two stars.

Something About Nail Polish

It's been a while since I posted about nail polish... I think. Haha. Biglang hindi ako sure. Anyhoo, went nail polish shopping earlier today and bought 16 bottles on sale! Yeehaw! I was only going to buy base and top coats but since their Cutex™ polish are on sale, I got all the available colors except the matte ones. Aside from Cutex, I also got two Bobbie bottles:

Bobbie Confetti in Party Peeps

Bobbie Sweet Speckles in Berry Brownie

Should've put a colored base under Party Peeps para mas obvious yung "confetti." Out of the two, I like Berry Brownie better. I've been wanting to buy something like this from The Face Shop- yogurt nails- but I keep forgetting to buy so by posting this, I will be reminded. Okay, tomorrow.

Pick Flick: Maybe This Time

image source

Totally random, unplanned movie date with mommy and daddy. After finally transferring our TITF account, I was able to convince mommy to treat me to a movie, kahit treat ko na ang merienda. But since mommy already got her pension, merienda was also on her. Huzzah!

Sarah Geronimo movies are my guilty pleasures. Semi-closet fan ako ni SG. Hahaha. Pero seryoso, I really like this girl kahit may pagka-OA siya at kalurks ang sing-song voice niya sa mga pelicula niya. However, this movie with Coco Martin isn't exactly one of my highly-anticipated, must-see-in-the-cinemas movie of Sarah. Sorry Star Cinema, wit sila chemistry. And oh, masakit sa bangs ang pagsasalita ni Coco, which in fairness, the role calls for.

We missed the first few minutes of the movie but you know these movies doesn't really require that you watch it right from the start nor your full attention to actually get it. So Coco and Sarah had a mutual anderstanding (that's according to Coco) when they were younger. But circumstances kept them apart and fast forward seven years later, they meet again... as what often happens in the "small world" that is a movie. But of course things are more complicated seven years later: may unresolved feelings, walang closure at may Amazonang girlfriend. But we all knew how this was going to end, right?

That is why I really liked Starting Over Again. At first you'd think Piolo and Toni would end up together at the end of the movie, hence the title. They didn't and I loved it. That confrontation scene of Toni and Iza was instrumental to how the movie ended because if it didn't happen, Piolo's character could have ended up with Toni. So in SOA, walang happy ending. But Maybe This Time, it'll be lovin' they'll find. Hahaha!

In fair to Ruffa G's character, nakakahiya naman talaga yung character ni Coco Martin. Umm.. maybe not the person per se, but I totally get where Ruffa's character is coming from. She is sort of in public relations and communications where image is very important. However, Coco's past as a seaman and a caregiver is not something to be embarrassed about. Atsaka 'day, hindi matuturo ang correct grammar at good diction sa isang linggo. Hinayaan mo na lang sana siyang magtayo ng pernichur shap. Hehe.

So let's save the inevitable for last. Again, Star Cinema used a song title for their movie title. Corny and unimaginative but forgivable. They do make good romcom's after all. Baka coming up with good movie titles just isn't their strong suit. And you know what else isn't one of their strong suit? WIGS. GAAAHD SERIOUSLY? What's it with Star Cinema movies and wigs? Nung mahaba buhok ni Sarah sa Sarah-John Lloyd trilogy, pinapasuot niyo siya ng short hair na wig. Ngayon namang short ang hair niya, pinapasuot niyo ng long hair na wig. I am not against wearing wigs. I am against wearing bad wigs. Palitan na ang supplier. At 'wag bigyan ng jacket yan!

It was an okay movie. Not a waste of a fraction of my mom's monthly pension, but if given a do-over, I'd wait for it in Cinema One. Sorry, wala silang chemistry. Hindi ako kinilig. Not even once.

If Sarah + Coco = Neon + Hydrogen
Then, Sarah + Coco = NO ATTRACTION

Pick Flick: The Fault In Our Stars

I almost didn't watch this movie. Almost. Because I sort of hate getting on the bandwagon and, seriously, Facebook is teeming with everything The Fault In Our Stars (TFIOS) since early this year. Not that I hate it but it ticks me a little when people just read something just because everyone else is reading it. Well I am also guilty of doing this (ahem, Fifty Shades of Grey) but I don't put it on Facebook for everyone to know. And now that the TFIOS movie's out, everyone's posting about it on every social media. And the last straw was when I was on an FX going home with these teenage (not-so) boys and they were talking about the book and he's just not telling it correctly and accurately. Ang lakas pa man din ng boses niya. I was super tempted to tell him to shut up already. But after a meeting last Friday, AD has her complimentary tickets and I still have two hours to kill; ergo...

Surprisingly, I liked the movie. Maybe not having any expectations helped and maybe because I didn't like the casting. I used to like Shailene Woodley in The Secret Life of an American Teenage circa Season 1 but not so much right now. And the guy who plays Augustus Waters (gaaahd, now I'm reminded of these teenage (not-so) boys in the FX and their discussion of how chaka the name Augustus Waters is. Like, who would name their son Augustus Waters daw. Blech. Shut up already!), umm, I didn't like him at first but he sort of grows on you. Actually, he's like a better-looking, less awkward version of Michael Cera. If Ansel Elgort had a nerdy older brother, it would be Michael Cera. Hahaha! So anyway, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort both played their characters very well. They both portrayed it beautifully.

Of course I already knew how it would end but since I read this a year ago already, a lot of details I already have forgotten. Being that I am a sucker for sad albeit beautiful endings, I really loved this book and I am thankful that I did watch this movie because I was reminded of why I gave it five stars (ha!).

Yes. All the feels!

And because I already knew the ending, I really thought and am really convinced that I wouldn't cry. But I did. Dammit. Loved it and it was beautiful and who cares whether or not they were faithful to the book. 

And oh, since it was already TFIOS's second screening week, a lot of senior citizens were also watching. I was seated to this group of elderly ladies and I overheard one say, "ano ba itong napanuod natin." Hahaha! Nothing like cancer to remind one of his/her impending doom and I think granny doesn't want to reminded. 

2014 Book Challenge: Rock Chick Renegade

{via Goodreads}

Most reviews on Goodreads say that Rock Chick Renegade is their favorite out of the series (I assume out of the first four books), but personally it is my least liked out of the first four and I think that is because I am getting tired of the same old story, going on and on ever since Book 1 and there are, like, five more books in this series.

Seriously, I skipped a lot of paragraphs and pages! And seriously, these guys should be charged for illegal detention and/or sexual assault. It would always start off with the guy and the girl hot for each other but girl decides to make pakipot but guy wouldn't have any of it so he takes things into his own hands, breaks into girl's home, forces himself into her, girl refuses (at first) and pushes him away, guy doesn't listen and kisses her (and much more) anyway, girl finally gets into it and stops resisting. After doing the deed, girl wants to break off whatever kind of relationship it is she has with the guy for many reasons that are too many but not because he forced himself on her. And girl would always say she'd move somewhere else to get away from guy but girl never really packs her stuff. Yeah, right. From Indy to Jet to Roxie and now, Jules, it's the same banana (not literally. ha!). Plus, Vance and Jules are lacking chemistry. I didn't get kilig over them.

I think the only "pro" from reading this fourth Rock Chick book is I actually stopped thinking of Dog and Beth while reading it and consequently (and gratefully), stopped "seeing" Dog and Beth "getting it on" on the sexy scenes. I have Goodreads reviewers to thank for that and also the fact that Vance is of American Indian descent and in no way would look like Dog.

And why do these girls call themselves the Rock Chicks? I'd totally get it if they're girlfriends of members of a rock band but they're girlfriends of bounty hunters and policemen. They should call themselves Bounty Chicks. Haha. Parang manok lang- Bounty Fresh. Well, yeah, they think they rock and I have this prejudice against groups (individuals, even) who would refer to themselves as cool or hot. How presumptuous.

I would have liked this book better had Jules died. Or even it was Roam who died so Sniff was actually having preconceived notions about being someone's pallbearer. Nang maiba naman.

I need to read Attachments again. I need kilig in my life right now. Hahaha.

Surprise!

Planned a surprise birthday for my sister's 40th birthday. I admit it wasn't my pakana because although I may be sweet thoughtful enough to think about it, my financial means are sort of hindering me to do so. The suggestion came from AB and AD (who were both in NY at the time). To cut the story short, napag-utusan lang po ako. Well, I still had to give a little monetary contribution but in the scheme of patak-patak, 'ambon' lang ang sa akin. But of course I also contributed my kick-ass "organizing and coordinating" powers. But really, I reckon surprise parties are easier to organize nowadays because of technology. Thank God for text messaging and (and Mark Zuckeberg) for Facebook. Well, that and the fact that she was away from home for an entire week.


Upon finalizing our restaurant reservation, it was on to information dissemination and the decors! Another reason to thank God for the technology that is the Internet- free tutorials on how to make paper pompom decors. AHLAVET! If there were no time and supply constraints, I could've spent the entire night making pompoms and cutting letters. I even attempted to make paper medallions but, alas, I only bought three sheets of cartolina paper and I think I needed at least two cartolina papers to make one medallion. Boo! But seriously, this is so addicting! I swear I need to find a rich husband so I could just stay in the attic-turned-craft-room making paper pompoms the entire day.

So, these cute (according to me) decors were almost unnoticeable when we set them up in the venue:

i knew it. i should've made more paper pompoms :-/

So anyway this was how the day transpired:

We asked one of her friends, E, if she could invite AC for coffee after lunch. We needed her to leave the house so we then could leave the house without her suspecting anything. Suffice to say, we were late to the agreed time on the invitation which was 2:30pm. We had to set everything up in a rush. Nakaraos rin naman. Haha.

"Kay tagal kang hinintay," sabi ng mga pagkain.

After a little less than hour, we gave E the go signal to bring the birthday celebrant in. And the rest, as they say, is history. Bahahaha! I believe na-surprise naman talaga si ate. After the has gotten over the shock- time to eat!

as long as there's food on my plate...

Everything was scrumptious but my favorites were the Spinach & Cheese Wonton with Onion Mayo Dip, Tapa Pasta and the Vigan Longganisa Pasta. V bought a Becky's Kitchen Swiss Chocolate Cake for AC but unfortunately, I wasn't able to eat some.

The theme for my sister's 40th party is... Hello Kitty. Hahaha! I'm glad AB and AD thought of giving AC a surprise party because I know she felt special and very loved. I should know because my sisters threw me one when I turned 18 and even if most of my guests back then were just college acquaintances and not the real friends I have until now (it was first year, first term). Parang Hallmark lang yan... you know they care enough to send the very best. Hehe.

So there, I now know I can organize surprise parties and if there's one lesson learned out of this experience, it's that PEOPLE NEVER RSVP.

Panay Tagaytay

This is just an update on what I've been doing with my life lately. (Wala!) Started to reconnect with one of my close high school friend. Well, I think we are still "close," in the sense that even if we only see each other once a year, there is still that connection. A planned a Tagaytay getaway on her birthday with usually just the two of us and her sister or sisters and their friend; however, this year there were three of us and it was a very welcome change.

view from the other side

For the bazillion times I've been to Tagaytay, I have always taken the route taken by most Tagaytay bakasyonistas: a restaurant with a view of the Taal volcano, Sonya's Garden, Bag of Beans... you know, the usual. But this time, we headed to the other side.

We stayed in their sort-of log cabin which smelled of wood and it was the good type of smell, mind you. After a short walk around the pool area (because we were all tamad to change into swimwear, swim, then change back to regular clothes) and dinner, we went back to the cabin and watched Pitch Perfect. I swear that movie never gets old although I think I might have dozed off on some parts. Loved hanging out with my friends with nothing to do but eat, sleep and reminisce.

inside looking out

i remember using this plant for one of my pranks back in high school

It was fun being with my friends and thank God for friends who have log cabins in Tagaytay Highlands, haha!

Break Muna

As someone who works from home (and alone), I usually get my laughs from things I find on the Internet. Without further ado, this week's dose:

Professional Heckler's tweet re: MRT's frequent malfunctions...

Name: MRT Age: 14 Hobby: Tumirik tuwing rush hour
— Professional Heckler (@HecklerForever) June 4, 2014

At in fair, this is why I love working from home- I get to avoid crazy Manila traffic. 

And here's another one care of ol' trusty Buzzfeed- 19 People Who Are Having A Way Worse Day Than You. 

{image source}

Funny, no? I was literally LOL-ing while perusing this article.

Okay, this next article is not really per se, maybe only when you are actually 30 and can relate to the items on the list- 30 Words That Have A Different Meaning After You Turn 30. But you know what, I think I was acting like a thirty year old even when I was twenty-something. Haha. However I can relate to #s 1, 4, 7, 19 and 25. Especially #4.

So that's it pansit for today☺

2014 Book Challenge: Biggest Flirts

Okay here I am again going all-preachy about how these teenagers are so promiscuous. Biggest Flirts (Jennifer Echols) may have been one of the books with the fastest hook up that ever happened in a YA book. I think Tia and Will's hook up happened even faster than those characters in Trish Doller's Something Like Normal. But after reading a lot of these American YA books, I think I am slowly coming to terms with how fast things go in their part of the world. However, I think I still need someone to explain to me what exactly is a hook up. Is it everything, but...?

Tia and Will hook up within the first ten seconds upon getting acquainted with each other. Okay it wasn't that fast but they did hook up at the end of night and of course the prude in me was shocked at how these kids progress sexually. I get that this is fiction where everything is possible such as hooking up with a guy you just met and he doesn't lose his respect for you, but in real life, 'wag isuko ang Bataan, girls. Spoken like a true, blue prude. Ha.

that's right

I like Will. Tia, not so much. This is not a case of double standards and this is not based on their propensity to engage in certain "activities." Well, I sort of have this issue with girls who self-destruct and obviously, Tia is one of those girls. But then again Tia is not solely to blame with regard to her actions. Her family is pretty messed up and with an absentee father and she is just a teenager who does what she thinks will get her through life. Plus, Tia is smart and she has what it takes to rise above her situation so notwithstanding the circumstances of their first meeting, I reckon Will was the best thing to have ever happened to her.

But props to Tia for changing for the better not because of Will but because she wants to even if it was Will who made her realize that she wanted something better and that she is capable of being better.

Two stars for Biggest Flirts. Although there was some semblance of kilig, kulang pa din. Groping and other stuff that entail a hook up doesn't automatically equate to kilig. They should learn from Lara Jean. Hehehe.