booktrack 2011-8: something borrowed

SOMETHING BORROWED

Emily Giffin

AB asked if I already saw Something Borrowed the movie and recommended that I watch it. I don’t know from where I found out that it was adapted from a book (from tumblr, most probably) but I knew I had to read the book first before I see the movie.

And I’m so happy I did.

It was a nice book. I couldn’t put it down- literally. Just finished reading it today and I just started with it last Saturday afternoon- all 403 pages of it! A big feat for someone like me considering that it would normally take me at least two weeks to finish a book. I just kept on reading because I wanted to know what happened at the end- will the wedding push through? Will Dex finally make up his mind? Though I wanted to hit myself in the head for reading Something Blue’s summary at the back of the book while browsing the shelves of National Book Store and found out Something Borrowed’s ending. Dammit.

Goody-goody Rachel gets into an affair with her bestfriend Darcy’s fiancé. They’ve been best friends for 25 years. More like frenemies for 25 years. Rachel has always felt she’s second place to Darcy who always gets what she wants. Rachel always felt that whatever it is she wants, Darcy also wanted it for herself. That incident during her 30^th birthday I knew she wanted it to happen. For once, she felt that she’s one-upped Darcy on this one.

Aside from the fact that he’s cheated on Darcy, Dex seemed perfect. Tall, handsome, intelligent, kind- he IS perfect. Maybe that’s why even after his infidelity I never really hated him. Okay I get it, he really loves Rachel but I want to know when he realized this. Did he realize it years ago or just recently? He admitted to Rachel he liked her back in law school so why did he even agree to go on a date with Darcy? It was difficult to say whether I rooted for Dex and Rachel’s affair. I know what they’re doing was wrong but Darcy was such a pain in the ass which maybe made their affair more acceptable to me. But in reality, having an affair (with your bestfriend's fiancé!) will never be justifiable.

I believe that Darcy and Rachel’s friendship was genuine. Though it may not be the most perfect and ideal of friendship, I felt they both cared for each other. But sometimes there are friendships that are toxic which I think what theirs also was. It was a true friendship which was tarnished by their insecurities. I know someone who is like Darcy only she is not beautiful like Darcy. Well, feel niya beautiful siya but to me and people I know who know her, she’s not. Not really a Rachel here but if a chance to outdo "Darcy" presents itself to me, I would take it in a heartbeat.

So yes I understand Rachel and why she did it. I take her word for it that she loves Dex but maybe the fact that Dex was Darcy’s but could be hers made Dex more desirable, more appealing. And the fact that Darcy was such made me more accepting of Dex and Rachel’s affair. If Darcy wasn’t much of a pain in the ass, I would be totally repulsed by their infidelity.

A very good read. Engaging. Who knew I would enjoy chick-lit? I didn’t purposely avoid chick lits but I thought I should read books I could learn something from, but after Something Borrowed I am reminded of why chick lits are good- they give one that giddy feeling and I’m such a sucker for anything giddy. I also think it’s genius how they included the Prologue and first chapter of Something Blue which is a follow-up to Borrowed. Something Borrowed was from Rachel’s point-of-view; Something Blue would be from Darcy’s perspective. Made me want to read it so I could see where Darcy is coming from.

But I have learned that you make your own happiness, that part of 

going for what you want means losing something else. 

and when the stakes are high, the losses can be that much greater.

booktrack 2011-7: paper cuts

Paper Cuts by Pam Pastor

I was a reader of her old blog and I’ve always enjoyed her posts so when I found out she was to release a book which is a compilation of some of her previous posts, I knew I wanted a copy. But I was conflicted whether or not to get a copy: I SHOULD GET IT because 1) I’ve always enjoyed reading about her adventures and sometimes, misadventures and 2) I would be supporting local publications; I SHOULDN’T GET IT  because it costs P235. I know that’s cheap pero sorry naman at sadyang kuripot talaga ako. In spite of my stinginess, I grabbed a copy and I'm glad I did cos it's worth every penny.

Paper Cuts was really fun and entertaining. There were some stories I can actually relate to most especially those of unruly hair and weight issues. Well, there’s also the school clinic that gives Caladryl, Vicks and ammonia to heal almost any ailment- I was laughing so hard while reading this entry because it is oh so true and I believe we didn’t even go to the same school. My sister kept on asking me why I was laughing every now and then and I would point to the book. Another story I liked was when she lost her brother’s Cross pen and this actually made me look through my stuff and find my Cross pen which was a gift from someone during my 14^th birthday. So I revived my Cross pen which would already be in high school had it been a person. Wow I feel old thinking that I own something that’s 15 years old.

I think I stopped reading other people’s blogs because I would feel how inadequate I am or how few my accomplishments are. Sometimes, you can’t help but compare. As with the book, I feel so envious of her and how much she has accomplished considering that she’s just a year older than I am. I am envious of how much of the world she has seen, how varied her life experiences were. But yeah, that was then. I am more secure now.

I love love love this book. I highly recommend Paper Cuts if you want a good laugh or a trip down memory lane or both!

post 1000

Wow! Time really flies. And not only when you're having fun. Apparently, time goes by extra fast when you're older. Today is the last day of June and we're only two months away from my 29th *ack* birthday. I started blogging 2005 when I was dealing with pre-mature quarterlife crisis. Six years after, here I am still and no intentions of stopping. Blogging has been my therapy. This is where I rant and rave, complain and compliment, gush and bash. Yes, I can also do that via old-school pen & paper journaling but there I can't embed pictures or audio or music videos, riiiight??? I know I don't make sense oftentimes and I don't really mind because the main purpose of this blog is purely personal- a place for my head [quoting a Linkin Park song here ;)]

I am glad that I started blogging six years ago because in a way I have been able to monitor my life for the past six years- see how much I've changed which isn't pretty much. Ha. This is not my original blog and how I would like to import posts from my old blogs and compare my old, younger self with this almost-29 mind of mine. The biggest change that has happened in my life is now I am more positive and I have fewer crying spells. Still insecure and still nursing a bruised self-esteem, but I am feeling so much better. Happy and content, but sometimes still wishing I were more of the person I envisioned myself to be. Meh.

{source}

Although I still feel inadequate in most aspects of my life sometimes, I just try to make the best out of the situation. I just would have to count my blessings to remember how much I have and how lucky I am. Who cares how far I would go in this life? We're all going to die anyway. Haha.

Oh well papel... this is only my thousandth post; Expect a thousand more posts to kill your brain cells.

week 25: rainy days and mondays can be lovely

MONDAY

Meet-up/reunion with old friend, K. She almost didn't recognize me. I suggested maybe it was because I gained weight but she said she already knew I gained weight. It was the hair. My hair's all curly now. Not wavy like it was before. Curly na siya ngayon. Natural curls. Hindi ko alam kung saan sila nanggaling.

Anyway, catch up over lunch at Almon Marina. There are some things I want to probe into but I restrained myself to do so because I might come across as too nosy. Like, she is already of age and I supposed his boyfriend is already of age, why the need to hide? Hmm... Diba? Oh well. None of my business. After lunch, we just strolled in the mall talking about just any topic. I love friendships like this one, like most of my relationship with friends- no need for frequent keeping in touch; after months, years even, of not seeing nor talking to each other, we just pick up where we left off. Dessert at DQ, courtesy of K. She accompanied me to where I took my FX ride home.

Got home just in time for church- we were today's family offerer. It's sad that there are only three of us. Before there would be seven of us there. There's barely a quorum.

TUESDAY

Lie To Me marathon. The only productive thing I did for the day was work on an order.

WEDNESDAY

Lie To Me marathon. AGAIN. Although I live for Kdramas such as this one, this is also the bane of my quest for my empire. Really good dramas paralyze you. Until I finish watching, I am a good-for-nothing blob constantly clicking on "next episode." Finally finished backlogged episodes. Just waiting for the final two episodes ☺

THURSDAY

Delivery to make today. Fortunately, took half the day off work so I was able to hitch a ride with her and make my delivery which is on the way to her work. Unfortunately, the person to whom I was making the delivery was sick at home; ergo, I wasn't able to deliver the goods yet. So I just went with her to her office which is located above a mall. Wee!

After a few purchases at the book store and a little window shopping, AD told me to buy ready-to-eat food from the grocery since it has been raining incessantly. We wanted to be prepared should this day's bad weather translate to another Ondoy event. Even if it didn't flood as much (thank God!), it was better that we were prepared with our canned goods.

FRIDAY

Still hasn't stopped raining. Closed shop for the day because of really bad weather- aside from the probability that sales would be likely low, I'm for the safety of the employees who live in Floodway. Stayed in bed and read my new book,  Paper Cuts.

In the afternoon, went to AD's house and celebrated Ate Jo's and Rona's birthday. Pansit, fried chicken and Hungry Pac chocolate cake ☺

SATURDAY

Weather was slightly better. No more rains but we were still closed because the employees can't come to work. I'm no employer from hell who will insist that they come to work come hell or high water (pun intended). So just stayed in bed and finished reading Paper Cuts and started on Something Borrowed. Literally can't get myself to put it down. I stayed up until 4am reading.

SUNDAY

Lunch at AD's. Had yummy yummy lechon and vegetables for lunch. Made mommy buy us coffee hehe.

week 24: the lost week

today i don't feel like doing anything

Except bum around all day. Sans guilt. Although another day of lost sales. We closed shop today since all my employees can't come to work today- they all live in Floodway. Sayang kasi maaraw naman na. But they claim it's still flooded in their area and it was still raining this morning. I just hope we recoup lost sales this coming week.

{source}

If I were to be reincarnated into an animal in my next life, I think I'd be a cat. Or maybe I was a cat in my past life. One profe even told me she reminds me of a cat. And to think I don't like cats and think they're traidores. Though I can even identify with Garfield. LOL.

Almost done with Papercuts. At least my day was somewhat productive. I intend to finish the book in the next hour and after that have a DVD marathon :) Hooray for days like these. Of course, minus the incessant rains and flooding. 

Another rant. I need to find a way to shut our maids up. Kalerkey I swear. Talo pa nila ang pabo. 

Wait. There's more!

They love to sing. Na mali ang lyrics. Which is one of my pet peeves. There was one time when she accompanied me to my sister's house. She was singing while we were walking...

Maid: ♫ a long and lasting lan... ♫♪

Me: Anon'g a long and lasting lun? A long and lasting LOVE! Sabihin mo nga LOVE

Maid: Love

Me: O kantahin mo uli

Maid: ♫ a long and lasting LAN... ♫♪

 Fine. Whatever.

And their singing with faulty lyrics has gotten into V already, without me knowing that she also feels the same. One time I was teaching the maid how to set the table and she was doing this while singing Miley Cyrus' The Climb cheerfully. 

Me: Siguro kung kinukulong lang yung mali lyrics matagal ka nang nakakulong.

Then I heard V, who I thought was not paying attention to us, laughing. 

V: Joy, pag kinukulong ang mali lyrics, sa palagay mo magkasama sila ni AC sa selda? [AC who also invents her own lyrics. She sings Will.i.am's "tell me where you get your body from" with the lyrics, "tell me where you get your MOMMA from." And many, many more.]

Me: Hindi. Maximum security na 'to (referring to our maid)

AB suggests that I buy her songhits. Puede.

adik na ulan

V made me watch this Parokya ni Edgar music video earlier today...

Cute ♥_♥ I rarely see OPM music videos with a well-thought of storyline and good film quality, too. Lagi na lang kasing may-I-emote ang concept ng OPM MVs o yung parang naglalakad-lakad lang sa buwan. Nice concept. Nice storyline. Oo nga pala, ang cute ni JM de Guzman. Oo nga boy, mangarap ka na lang kasi unang-una, Chinese siya ikaw Pinoy tapos waiter ka nila. Malabo. Actually, zero visibility na.

Another version of the MV

Eh naman pag Parokya na nasa video alam naman na joke time na yan.

I miss Binondo!