RT 2012 book 10: before i fall

Here's another thing to remember. Hope keeps you alive.

Even when you're dead, it's the only thing  that

keeps you alive.

Before I Fall

Groundhog Day meets Mean Girls (but way meaner). Samantha 'Sam' Kingston and her friends Lindsay, Ally and Elody are the queen bees in school.

It was February 12, the morn of Cupid Day, one of Sam's most awaited events in school. Cupid Day confirms who are the school's most popular and "loved" by the number of roses one gets. The entire day she only worries about how many roses she'll get and losing her v-card to Rob later that night at Kent's party, fully unaware what awaits her come night's end.

That same night, Sam died in a car crash.

She wakes up the next morning thinking it was all a bad dream. She looked at her clock, it was February 12 again, Cupid's Day.

Sam relives her last day on earth for seven days, trying to make things right and maybe to change her fate. During those seven days, she somehow sees her life from different perspectives. She learns to appreciate her life and the people around her even more. It is only heartbreaking because it still is her last day. Even if she was able to make things right, in a way, her fate still remains.

It was an interesting read although there were some dragging parts. The first few chapters bored me because they were mainly about how cool their group is, how pretty, popular or promiscuous they are. And it gets doubly painful when you're reading it on your 4" wide phone. Thankfully, things started to pick up in the middle of the book when Sam starts reliving her last day over and over.

My Thoughts on Before I Fall:

1.  I cringe every time Sam would refer, or at least think, that she and her friends were above everyone else in school. Being pretty or popular does not make you better off than the next girl, it only means you're prettier. Not better. 
2. It is scary what the youths these days are up to. Sex, drugs and alcohol- a recurring theme in most YA books I've read. Makes you think what your kids are up to, no? Really, I don't know why kids are such in a hurry to grow up. Once you're already grown up, believe me, you have 50 more years of your life as a n adult. Be a kid when you're still one. Enjoy it because it will not last.
3. Sam losing her virginity just to get it over and done with- WTF? I know there's not much regard for one's virginity now as before, but doing it just to say you've done it? Girls, have respect for yourselves. 
4. Sam tried to spend time with her family, her loved ones. One can't help but think about them when Sam dies. Most especially, Izzy. Her little sister, Izzy, who will forever be traumatized by her big sister's untimely and tragic death. It was also heartbreaking that she and Kent only had one day to share.

Shouldas, wouldas and couldas. In the book, just doing one thing differently changes the entire course of the day. Makes you wonder if the same goes in reality. Hmm.. makes me want to go see Sliding Doors :) So anyway, again this book was an interesting read and makes you ponder about life and try to live life to the fullest because we really don't know when it'll be our last. Tragic, yes, but also true.

So to my fellow procrastinators, let's start living TODAY. Kimmy Dora na 'to. Toodles xoxo

awkward...er.

You guys, I am so frickin' excited! So Valley Girl, no? I guess that is the effect of reading too much YA books. I'm currently reading Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall and I swear brain cells are dying per minute I am reading that book- but I stick through whatever book it is I am reading, through thick and thin and I am still hopeful for a redeeming factor in the end. ANYWAY... Awkward is just 14 days away!!! 

I CAN'T WAIT. I'm super duper mega over excited already :D I'm so giddy with excitement and I cannot be any more redundant than this. The only con of Awkward is it is only 20 minutes long short, then we'd have to wait for seven days again for a new episode. Actually, that's seven days if we're lucky. Sometimes, they won't release a new episode for weeks and that is just pure agony. I just hope there'll be more episodes this season as opposed to season one's 12. 

Team Matty or Team Jake, that is the question.

After seeing season 2's trailer, I am even more confused. I'm right down there the middle. 50/50. Almost everyone I know who also watched the series were the same. Well at first we were all for Jake cos we thought Matty's only playing Jenna but when it has become clearer how Matty truly feels for Jenna, our dilemma begins. 

Is it just me or Matty reminds me of Dan Humphrey. Of course, Matty is waaaay hotter and cuter. I guess it's just the hair. 

OMG, I missed you sooo much and now you're only 14 days away :) I can deal with that ♥ 

it's crunch time!

It's hard when you panic even over the littlest things- I wasn't called panic girl for nothing. But it's really tiresome because I tend to linger on the current preoccupation until it has been resolved or overshadowed by a far worse preoccupation. And to make matters worse, I cannot compartmentalize! Ergo, what happens at work I bring home with me and it even haunts me in my sleep. That is why I didn't pursue law school and I can't work in a call center. When I was in (my verrrry short) law school stint, I dreamt of law books chasing me up an endless, spiral staircase. When I was working in a call center, I took all the scoldings personally and because I'm a little psychotic I listed all the names of the people who made my 30-day call center non-career hell and included them in my Kill List. Buti na lang nawala na yung notebook na yun. Good for me that I'm working in a less stressful environment now but of course I am not without any preoccupations to mull over.

Preoccupation #1: The New Nail Spa

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As if the number of nails spas in the village isn't enough, there's another one that just opened. Perfect. Just perfect. I'm actually threatened because their NS is really cute, though I still have the price factor in my favor. I was planning on a price increase but I guess I can't just yet. So for now, I have to devise new promos and kaeklatan chorva.

Preoccupation #2: That Coveted Bazaar Slot
I sent an email today inquiring on the availability of slots of this certain bazaar, but instead a got a text message from them about a different bazaar in Makati. I am actually worried but I am still hoping for good news. Tomorrow I shall text them to make things clear. I'm really praying and hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that they'll offer me a slot AGAIN because for the past two years, it is the only Christmas bazaar I join and those two times I did pretty well. Please, Lord :D I've think I've been a good girl this year. Thank You. Yes, I'm claiming it already amidst the uncertainty.

Preoccupation #3: Health Problems

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I'm getting my lab results on Friday. Last week I had my OGTT results interpreted and although a doctor friend told me my results were normal, the doctor at the clinic told me those values are high and I had to 1) go on a diet and lose 30 to 40 frickin pounds, and 2) take metformin. No way I am taking metformin. I can lessen my food and sugar intake but I am not taking metformin. I'm still waiting for my results before I go back to my OB for her interpretation. I'm still keeping my hopes high. I think I can live with infertility but please not diabetes.

My preoccupations are all legit naman diba? Not just petty concerns, riiight? I'm still hoping for the best here but at the same time, I should be prepared for the worst case scenario.

In other news, we celebrated our 114th Independence Day yesterday. I love holidays! AC and I took J2 on a train ride in the LRT. I feel J1 would have enjoyed and appreciated it more but since he didn't take his afternoon nap, hindi siya sinama. I felt really bad leaving J1 but consistency is key in raising disciplined kids. After our LRT ride, we had merienda at Burger King while the kids played in the mini jungle gym. I wish I could have the luxury of taking care of my own kids if ever I have my own family [provided I do not become infertile].

Today, had early dinner at Cyma with AD, D and D. I got my check already and I promised AD I'd treat her to a grilled pork chop at Cyma. In the family, AD has been the most supportive of my endeavors and her husband, D, has been also the same. I really appreciate all the support and not just moral support ha, support in all levels :) So tonight's dinner was my way of thanks for all the help (and dinners in their house). Hopefully, I'll have more projects to come and more successful bazaars so I can share my blessings more often.

And on less serious, unimportant stuff~ I'm watching Suzy's new drama, Big. I really like Suzy that I still dare to write her name here in spite of my recently developed aversion to the name. Last saw Gong Yoo, the male lead, in Coffee Prince and that was like three to four years ago! I love how the old-school Korean stars are making their comebacks. Life's little pleasures ♥

i'm lazy and i know it

This seems to be my peg now. Bad, I know. But it's just so tempting to lie on my bed all day or play Cityville on the computer or watch TV series from start to finish. FML ng bonggang bongga.

I feel I have so many issues to address and I don't know which should come first in my list. It's actually overwhelming that I end up not doing anything. I know I should be doing A, B, C and D but I can't do all of them at the same time but they all seem urgent so I'd just spend all day thinking which should be done first. FAIL. Anubah.

Anyway, the second half of 2012 is here and although I really hate the rainy season, at least it's almost Christmas- my favorite holiday EVARRRR. And oh, my 30th birthday is just 90+ days away. I really love celebrating my birthday but since last year I'm a bit depressed about celebrating and turning another year older. I'm almost 30 and what do I have to show for my 30 years of existence on this earth- NADA. I thought I've sorted out my quarterlife crisis early on but I think it's all coming back to me now. Celine Dion, isdatchu? I hope this article can still be of help.

I'm having a hard time reading Here Lies Bridget because it is in Spanish. Gahd, how can I still not understand a YA book written in Spanish when I have undergone 28 levels of Spanish class plus 4 more special courses? For this reason, I think I'm reading Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall first.

You know what??? In the surface, it seems that everything's going perfect but when I think hard about it, I feel that I don't really know what to do. So to dispel thoughts of negativity, here's my Gratitude List:

• My FBS and OGTT results are normal. Yay! Which means I still can indulge on sweets and sugary drinks ☺ But boy, was that scary. I don't want to spend my life taking maintenance medications, no. So I've gone easy on softdrinks already and I haven't been guzzling down liters and liters of my favorite drink. Surprisingly, I am not craving for it. I better keep this up.
• Chocolates, chocolates and chocolates! Not really a chocoholic here but I love love love milk chocolates especially Kisses and Milky Way. I happen to not like nuts in my chocolates so that Snickers bar is all yours :P AB sent us loads of chocolates and happiness is knowing I can still eat them.
• Getting my check tomorrow! Whoopeedoo :) I'm treating my family to a nice lunch when Daddy arrives. 
• Complete Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty. Siobhan Vivian's The List. Lauren Oliver's Before I Fall. Thank heavens for ebooks ☺ I ♥ YA books, y'all ;)
• My Singapore trip on Sept/Oct! Since it's highly improbable that I'll be seeing New York this 2012, I'm going to SG instead. Will be going with one of my BFFs and we'll be visiting, actually crashing, Xmas' place for 5 days. Speaking of which, I've yet to decided what I want to do there. 
• Season 2 of Awkward in 3 weeks... 

Since I've started making lists, here goes my To-Purchase List:

SHOPPING LIST

• a laptop. or a desktop. Still haven't decided yet which to get. More people said I should get a laptop since it would allow me to be more mobile. Only one told me I should get a desktop. But there's an 85% chance I'm getting a laptop para makapagoffice-office ako dun. Haha. 
• I need a bag. My current partner-in-crime business is bags but I'm not too much of a fan of her design and also the quality na rin. I bought one from her a few years back but it lasted only a few weeks. I need a sturdy schlepping bag that doesn't give even when holding TONS of personal stuff inside. 

I think that's it for now. I'm not a very materialistic person and the only pressing need I have right now is a laptop. Still using my sister's PC and she's taking it away SOON. I was thinking of letting my sister buy me one in the States cos it's cheaper there daw or I'll buy in SG instead. But time is of the essence and I don't think I can wait for both. I need a new project para mas guilt-free and laptop shopping ☺

Omigosh I feel so much better now after this post. Thank you dear blog for being there. Ha. I really need to buy a laptop soon so I could do these quasi-nonsensical things while overseeing spa operations. 

Good night, loves :) 

RT 2012 book 9: 50 shades of grey

Just like how I got into reading Twilight and The Hunger Games, I read 50 Shades of Grey just so I could see what's all the fuss over it. Just jumping on the bandwagon.

It all started with one post of a school mate on Facebook about the book and then I started hearing about it EVERYWHERE. I just happened to finish reading my 8th book and so I started on it right away. Guess what? It took me just three days to finish reading. And thank heavens for ebooks-  because 50 Shades of Grey is mainly about BDSM and it is actually a little pornographic (okay, a lot) and it would be a little embarrassing to be reading a book like that in public, right?

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Honestly, I was amazed that I was able to finish it. For someone like me who didn't even finish reading Para Kay B cos I thought it was too scandalous for my taste. Well, well, well... look who's reading something far more scandalous now? Ha.

50 Shades of Grey actually reminded me of Twilight. They both started on the same premise- ordinary girl meets rich-and-uber-good-looking guy, they were instantly attracted to each other, guy warns girl to stay away from him because he's not good for her, they get it on anyway, they're too attached to each other to let each other go. A perverted version of Twilight. But if ever they decide to make this into a movie (which I highly doubt), please do not get Kristen Stewart. Just don't.

What made me hold on until the end of the book was the question of whether or not Christian really loved Anastasia. That and the first few chapters were too kilig-inducing aka "I feel giddy and tingle all over," in the book's own words. Really, I'm such a sucker for anything nakakakilig. Of course, prudish me still got squeamish in most parts and honestly, before I got to the ending I didn't know if I would pick up the second book of the trilogy. Yes, it is a trilogy. This book is corrupting me. Hala. Haha! But you see, the ending didn't really give an ending and I really want to know what happens next. And why Christian doesn't like his chest hair touched. Haha.

And to think I thought of giving the trilogy to a friend for her birthday just because it's the new shizz in books, dawg! But that was before I got to read the entire book. Buti na lang hindi.

50 Shades of Grey is EVERYWHERE and I mean EVERYWHERE! There are two things I keep on seeing over the internet and that's somebody else's version of Call Me, Maybe and anything that has something to do with this book- from blog posts to parodies.

Reading Paige Harbison's Here Lies Bridget next and then Megan McCafferty's Jessica Darling series :) But for sure I'll read book 2 just because I hate open-ended stories- I want to know who crosses over: Christian to normalcy or Anastasia to the dark side. Bwahaha.

RT 2012 book 8: stupid and contagious

Nako, I'm again backlogged with my goal of 2 books per month. It's already June so I should already be starting on my twelfth book. I'm about to start on my 9th pa lang. I'm making my reading assignments priority than my 100 Movies goal this year. I'm trying to make myself smart. Or at least, just so I don't lose any brain cells due to brain's inactivity.

Trying to make myself smart. Bah. Can chick-lits or YA books make me smart? Ha.

Stupid & Contagious

Caprice Crane

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Right now I think about my life and how every
single thing I've ever done has gotten
me to right here.
-Brady

A book about two people both fumbling through life, then falling in love without them even knowing it.

Heaven became part of Brady's life when he moved in next door to her apartment. Although Brady initially thought Heaven's cute, her craziness stumped her cuteness. He felt she was intruding his privacy by opening his mails which were missent to her door. The two didn't hit it off well in the beginning.

I loved this book and enjoyed reading it. Though it took me a month to finish it because of my Kdramas (Protect the Boss was a waste of time!). It was a fun read. Stupid & Contagious was a little reminiscent of Anna Maxted's Getting Over It.

Both characters were lovable. Heaven was crazy bordering on AD/HD but I swear she's the funny kind of crazy. Brady's more normal but I loved his ideas and his reactions to things. Or to be more specific- his reaction to what Heaven does.

I'm reminded of "The Princess and the Pea" and get to thinking... What kind of girl is going to feel a pea under her mattress? And furthermore, what kind of man is going to find a girl who is so distressed by a measly little pea and think, "Now that is the woman for me." - Heaven

Agreed. I think if Heaven were a real person, we'd be friends. Aside from sharing the same sentiments on guys who like high-maintenance girls, we also agree on sleeping only on half of the bed, the other half being occupied with books, magazines, bags, among other things.

Before, I used to like serious, business-y books and steer clear of romance novels, chick-lits. But now it seems I've found my genre ;) I love how chicklits and YA books give me that feel-good vibe. Of course, business-y books are a must to educate myself, but I've definitely found my niche. Next books I'll try to read are Paige Harbison's Here Lies Bridget and EL James's 50 Shades of Grey.

this week (and last week's) highlights

Some people might think I live a very boring, repetitive life. I agree. But you see, I kinda like the routine. Diversion from my normal is, of course, welcome but must be scheduled in advance. I tend to get headaches when things do not go as planned.

Last week was pretty lethargic and guess what- it's pretty much the same this week. That is why I hate rainy days- they make me feel super lazy and do not want to get off my bed. I actually spent the whole Tuesday sleeping. 

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the peg. LOL.

Pero in fernez, masakit talaga ang ulo ko nun. I don't know if it was a side effect of the medication I was taking or I was still lamenting the possibility that sweets and I would have to break up soon. I'll know the results by Monday and although I am praying for good news, I should prepare myself for the worst. Pero promise, whatever the results say on Monday, I am breaking up with Coke already. Occasional cakes and chocolates are allowed. 

the last mocha frap I'll drink dahil wala lang
pero in fernez, tall lang yan kahit 50%

negative sana

I am dreading my my results might say and the anticipation is killing me. I should have gotten it this morning already just so I could get it over and done with, no? But earlier today, I was supposed to help out my sister in a bridal fair which didn't push through

We were already outside the venue at 9am and ingress was supposed to be at 7 in the morning. They weren't letting anyone in because the organizers and the venue were in deadlock. It was already 12 in the afternoon and they still weren't letting anyone in, not even a word from the organizers. People were already mad but man, the crowd was civilized. Just imagine if this were Wowowee...

ayoko sana takpan ang fez ni kuya, ganda pa naman ng smile niya haha

Yes, those were rain clouds over yonder. It was funny how everybody ran to their car when the rain suddenly started pouring. Buti na lang we went home a little past 12. Some stayed until 3pm only to be informed that the fair will not push through. Medyo naawa ako sa organizers. This was supposed to be their 9th year organizing a bridal fair. Malamang wala nang 10th year.

Went home to pansit and lechon manok because it's AC's birthday! Tomorrow we will eat out for lunch to celebrate her birthday. I love birthdays! Note to self: No more bottomless coke/ iced teas.

Went to Duty Free last Thursday. AC came back from her Singapore/Bali trip and she asked mommy if she wanted to buy detergent powder from Duty Free. Shushal. Detergent powder mo, duty free pa! But it was much cheaper naman talaga back then. A 5-kg pack of Ariel detergent for only P500+ but now it's more expensive by 200 pesos. So mommy bought this China brand instead. It's weird how stuff in Duty Free aren't really that much cheaper than when you buy it outside, tapos old stock pa! 

Traffic going home was pretty bad. It took us three friggin' hours to reach home. When we arrived home, Nonoy noticed this big box in the driveway~

IT'S THE BOX!

I wasn't expecting it soon cos AB said she just had it shipped two weeks ago. In fernez, mabilis. 

Magazine stash. Mineral make-up stash. Boy oh boy, I ♥ it! Pretzel m&m's. Air Delight Kisses. And much much more. AB sent her Blow Dry Perfector which is sort of a Brazilian Hair Treatment of sorts but I have one problem- I do not have a blow dryer. AB's hair dryer conked out while I was using it to shrink-wrap my Christmas packs and AC's made-in-China travel hair dryer's also broken. I love love love magazines! ♥ I also have a new facial wash! THANK YOU AB!!! My room smells so nice right now because of the magazines! Hihi. Loves it ♥

There was no electricity for three hours earlier today. But these kept me company~

Leighton Meester article and rold gold pretzels ♥

I'm about to call it a day :) Boring but fun in my own, 'auti' way. 

Dear Sunday,

Please be awesome.

Please let the sun shine.

Please sana madami customers.

So I can 'make bawi.'

Thank You.

I can hear inihaw na baboy calling me~

And oh, before I forget- a picture from the Joe Jonas shizz I went to last week

He's cute.
But not my type.
ANG FEELING KO.
As if naman type niya ako.
Harhar.
At wala akong tiwala sa lalaking masikip ang damit :P

DALHIN NIYO SI PHILLIP PHILLIPS DITO!!!