my TFIOS experience

The Fault In Our Stars (TFIOS).

let me start this book review by sharing that someone died in the story.

most of the pictures here are from pinterest

yep. I spoiled it for you, as someone has spoiled it for me. but still, it didn't change the fact that this is probably one of the nicest novels I've read in a while.

recently (well more of last year), a surge of "erotica love stories" aka Fifty Shades of Grey has come to the attention of many especially teenage girls. I would like to jump in there, and say "including myself" but I know for a fact that I am in the "appropriate age" to read such books. So if you're a mom with a teenager especially if she's still in HS, check if she has a copy and if she already read it, make sure you read it and discuss it with her, because those are some really hard core stuff in there.

anyway, back to my point, as this Fifty Shades trilogy ignited some curious minds and sales on those types of books (I know because I get my ebooks from an online store and I see the best sellers and new releases are the likes of those), it's good to find a different, highly interesting and "family friendly" love story that deals with "real life" stuff like acceptance, sickness and death.

As I was introduced to the world of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, their characteristics, temperaments, dreams, wishes, strengths and weaknesses. I feel like I have gained new people in my life. At that point I knew, this book has already made it on my list of "must recommend to friends and must put in my favorite books".

i would have probably done too if i had time :P

I probably loved reading the moment I learned how to. I truly believe and experience how books can carry you to anytime, to anywhere and everywhere. Although, when someone asks me, "what's your favorite book?" or "what's the last book you've read?" especially if that person isn't someone you really know (I've been asked this question in job interviews too! probably that happens when you put "reading" as one of your hobbies) -- I always get a little wobbly and I couldn't understand why. so the part where Hazel Grace had a trouble sharing her love for An Imperial Affliction, I was totally sold.

I love re-reading, re-highlighting, putting notes and marks on any book that I really like, suffice to say, I have murdered my TFIOS ebook copy. I would probably buy a real book and re-read it and highlight all of the parts that hit me again.

I just had to go back and imagine each of the situations again. I wanted to fully understand each character's battles even though it already hit me the first time.

It is rare for me to use my pink highlighter (which i use to mark the lines that I think are so heartwarming or something that could affect anybody if they read even not in the book) early in a novel and i did in this book. "But in fact, depression is not a side effect of cancer. Depression is a side effect of dying. (Cancer is also a side effect of dying. Almost everything is, really.)" 

and having known the basic premise of the story which is: young people with cancer, I was really surprise to be laughing while reading this dialogue: "Thank you for explaining that my eye cancer isn't going to make me deaf. I feel so fortunate that an intellectual giant like yourself would deign to operate on me."  and this wasn't the last. by then, I knew John Green would be my hero. I love how any writer can make you laugh especially if it's really embedded in the story that you can't seem to imagine having that situation in real life but still make you laugh hard.

in the end, I wanted to  post "my favorite part of the story" or "the line that struck me the most" but I just couldn't decide. so I went with the part that I knew I would have never thought or imagine could happen in the book (as I am a sucker for happy ending). I chose the page where Augustus Waters died.

lately, there has been a whirlwind of thoughts in my head, and I started to read this book with the aim to distract me of these thoughts. However, it has done otherwise. It made me zoom into those thoughts and decided what to do with them. with that, I couldn't be more grateful. For the nth time, THANK YOU JOHN GREEN :D

chinese new year in china town

2013 is year of the water snake and i've been looking forward to this one as it promises a better year for most people including myself ( I'm a born under the year of the dragon :P ).


of course, i had to wear a traditional chinese blouse :P

this is one of the many dragon and lion dance that roamed the streets

 

Last February 9-10, we stayed at Ramada Manila Central, in the heart of Binondo (the oldest China Town in the World). And as expected there were loads of people walking around that it took a while for us to get to the hotel. The employees of the hotel were really accommodating though, from the parking, to ushering us to the rooms, to simple queries like mass schedule and public transportation.
  

It was great to just walk on the streets of Ongpin and Salazar without worrying of parking and having to carry lots of things, do a little fruits, tikoy and other sticky rice snacks shopping. We also enjoyed nosing around the different charm shops and see what everyone is flocking there for.

Goodluck charms for love, health and prosperity was everywhere too of course. Looking at the line up just makes me smile and enjoy how "chinoy" (Chinese-Pinoy) culture has flourished and continue to.

 

 

One of the best things about the weekend was that I woke up, fixed up and in 15 minutes and just crossed the street to attend Sunday Mass.

Doing this every year is not a bad idea, next time though, we shouldn't forget our shopping bags ;) 

goodbye 2012

i really wanted to post this last year which was yesterday hehe but since i forgot and add the fact that i'm having a not so happening first day of the year, so might as well do this finale post for 2012.

last December 12 (12-12-12) i was able to gather the strength to tick off one of the things on my bucket list: GET A  REAL TATTOO :D after years of pondering of what design to get, where to put it and all that, I DID IT!

my inspiration for the design :)

it was definitely painful (as painful as a brazilian wax and upper lip thread - gosh i so hate threading worst thing a girl has to do every month! haha) but now i get why getting inked can be addicting. having to go through that sort of pain and survive, of course one would want to do it again! but i'm in no rush of getting another one and there's even a slight chance that this would be my last, so i'm just happy i did it ;)

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a lot of people was looking forward to December 21, 2012 as this was the predicted date of the End of the World (yep, nothing really happened).

for me and my friends though we were looking forward to this date to party and welcome Anj back ;) We went to Prive at Fort Strip :)

 

OOTD: indian print blouse by Mint. feather ear cuffs by Diva Accessories. loop earrings by H&M. platform shoes by PrP.

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other holiday activities:

a. Ayala Light Show

b. Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes

snow cones Php450 each - free refill!

 

this is my first time to see a Disney on Ice presentation, I loved how the little girls seated behind us would scream their hearts out everytime a character appears on stage PLUS one dad knew the lyrics of all the songs performed! I was amazed with the beautiful set, wonderful costumes, choreography and skating :D

 

 

c. Bingo game with neighbors and making surprise meatball

according to feng shui experts on tv, 2013 -  the year of the snake is gonna be a good year for most people - but I was really sad on how the year started for me. anyway the official - Chinese New Year is on February 10 so I've got almost a month to go :P

good luck and God speed to all of us!

halloween round-up

"I believe playing dress up begins at age 5 and never truly ends." -Kate Spade

I really treasure every opportunity to get dolled up and sometimes dress up or just try to be a different character especially when I'm in a good mood. That is why I totally enjoy having themed parties or trips, aside from the added "fun" factor when you do it with friends.


and halloween parties are a great excuse :P I just wanna do a quick recap on the different "costumes" i've put on these past years.

an angel in 2008

little miss evil in 2009

and it's quite telling when you win "most realistic" LOL



in 2011 our theme was Disney, so I went as Cruella de Vil of course :P

this year, since it was kind of last minute just looked up whatever was in the closet and came up with "RETRO"

OOTD: bumpits for my hair bump, black top from maldita, retro jazz pants from SM Coco cabana line, love & peace necklace from puregold haha, glass shoes from an ukay ukay :)

as I was looking for pictures for this post, I remembered I did retro for our company Christmas party before. I wonder where's my air wid now? :P

crossover brunch

Last sunday, October 21, my mum, bro and I went back to Dusit Thani in Makati to try their crossover brunch. The week before that we tried the Basix buffet for dinner and we enjoyed very much that we really look forward to coming back.

 

The mechanics of this crossover brunch is to select a "basecamp" out of the 4 restaurants of the hotel. We decided to stay in Tosca, their italian restaurant. Then you can just "crossover" to the other restaurants and try their specialties. Benjarong serves Thai food, Umu serves Japanese food and Basix has Filipino, American, Mexican, Italian, Indian, Chinese and Spanish food. Logically, Basix would be an instant choice since it has more variety, but I think Tosca being more concentrated on Italian definitely served better pasta and meat dishes.

biggest plus plus: Included in the buffet is unlimited sparkling wine. I chugged 4 glasses like water which made me a little dizzy at once, but i loved it since it wasn't heavy on the tummy.

 

crossover brunch dinners were given a wrist band to wear, just like in theme parks :P

 

the desserts not only looked good, tastes superb!

side note: my mum has been much into these Hotel deals and memberships and she has always given it to me as a birthday gift. Some deals though has more than just a free overnight but also food discounts, so I have decided to become the willing victim hehe. Although this may not be a good idea since I've also decided to really stick to my diet. We can just have a cheat day right? :))

take home: birthday cake. it was yummy!!

So far my experience with Dusit Thani dining has been consistently 4 stars for me! maybe if the crepe station at Basix would have nutella and almond in their filling choices and whip cream, I would add a fifth star in there, lol. but really, the food choices were great and staff was really nice. I'm excited for our overnight stay this Decemeber. :)

OOTD (outfit of the day):



cute "oxford style" shoes from So Fab

peacock earrings from H&M :)

mum said my top was too bright, but i love it! :P

major life essential :D

LAoAve. in Love with Laoag.

a recent conversation with an officemate made me reminisce about my trips to Laoag City. well entirely of Ilocos. plus, to appreciate my blessngs more, i want to spend time to recap my travels.

it takes only less than an hour via plane from Manila, but almost 12 hours if you will bring your car. but the trip which ever way is truly worth it.

My experiences to this city has truly been "magical" :P and I feel like I just wanna keep coming back.

In 2010, I went to Ilocos with 9 lovely girls. so imagine, 10 girls running around taking pictures, non-stop stories, non-stop fun!

first stop: Paoay Church

We stayed in Batac, which is where you will find the waxed corpse of former president Ferdinand Marcos. We also tried the beaches of Currimao and Pagudpud. We had a very "mysterious/strange" incident. But I'd rather share that in person :P

During this trip I met my now, very good friend, Chin. She's a cousin of Tini but we've become very close that it's like we're cousins as well. :P Plus, I love looking and shopping! from her "Royalty Heels" collection. I remember when we went to visit their house, I almost fainted because of all the lovely shoes she was selling. I haven't been in her store / showroom, so maybe that is a good reason to go back :)

oh gosh, it sure is "MORANTIC"
 

 

all of us with Chin :)

ATVs at Fort Ilocandia ;) 

But the reason why I was back in Ilocos by January this year was for Chin's wedding! :)

 

 

Though this time it was only me, tini and eloisa because others had work. We stayed at Fort Ilocandia Resort where Chin's reception was held too. We planned to go to places which we haven't seen yet, however, the hotel sheets were just too good to pass up. So we just stayed in our room and enjoyed the long hours of sleep and tv.

fort ilocandia grounds :)

It was only hours before our flight back to Manila, that we were able to roam around Laoag and buy pasalubong straight from the market.



                                                    Hole in a wall: Empanadahan

Oh, I remember, after the wedding, we were so upbeat that we made a dance video with "Moves Like Jagger" as our song. And with that, I end this entry :P <3 p="p">