Nights in Rodanthe

This is an overdue review of Nights in Rodanthe. I started making this one earlier this week, however, I never got the hang of finishing it due to this nasty cold, with cough, then eventually grown into a fever. Shesh.. this was just not my week…

Anyway, Nights in Rodanthe is another successful novel by Nicholas Sparks, author of the bestsellers Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook. I really love his books. He writes them simply and not so complicated, but still takes your away breath away and makes you want to find love more. I just love tearjerkers, don’t you?

Nights in Rodanthe is a dramatic story of a mother trying to connect with her recently widowed daughter, as she tells her daughter her true story of a hope and sacrifice and how she rebounded from losing her heart.

While dealing with the heartache of divorce, Adrienne Willis heads to Rodanthe to tend an inn owned by a close friend, and also needing time to clear her head and her heart. After settling herself in, she learns that she has one guest arriving and a storm is coming.

Paul Flanner in hopes of making things right with his life and his relationship with his son, sold his practice and goes to Rodanthe to settle things with a family of his patient who died after surgery, then plans to follow his son to Ecuador.

Preparing for the storm to come, they realized that both of them are trying to find fresh starts. As the lightening, wind, and rain crash against the inn, Paul and Adrienne found solace in each other’s arms. Though their time together healed both of them, the two must part in order to make amends with themselves and their families; while planning to meet again, never really knowing when it will happen.

Nights in Rodanthe, like all the other of Nicholas Spark’s works, is another romantic drama determined to bring its readers to tears. This is a tender story about hope and sacrifice, reminding us that lost love can be found again at any age, at any time, and often comes when we least expect it.

Here are my favorite excerpts from Paul’s letters to Adrienne:

“When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart.”

“You are a treasure, a gift, and when we’re together again, I intend to hold you until my arms are weak and I can do it no longer. My thoughts of you are sometimes the only things that keep me going.”

Read more...

Books3x: The Cold Moon

I finished reading The Cold Moon by Jeffrey Deaver days ago and I'm quite late on making my book review for this assigned read. I just love murder mysteries and suspense thrillers - be it books or movies. But most of the time I go for books.

Jeffrey Deaver's books never ceases to amaze me. His Lincoln Rhyme series has always been my favorite. He was first introduced in The Bone Collector (turned into a movie, starring Denzel Washington), and since then I'm hooked to the series.

Click on the image below to read my full review on The Cold Moon.

Read more...

Inheritance Cycle - Brisingr

So I've finally finished reading Eldest (book 2 of the Inheritance Cycle). It's still a good read but quite longer than it should be. There are a few events and descriptions in the book that have no really significance whatsoever in the main plot. I still enjoyed reading it though. See my review here.

So I will now be starting book 3 - Brisingr. Ohh I cant wait to finish the Inheritance Cycle. Christopher Paolini shaped the events in the second book in a way that would make you want (need?) to read the next book. If you want a copy of the Inheritance Cycle, I'll give you an ebook for free... :)

Read more...

Eldest - Book 2 Inheritance Cycle

After reading Christopher Paolini's Eragon (book 1 of the Inheritance cycle), I'm hooked with the story. Don't be discouraged by the movie version of Eragon (it didn't give the book much justice), I'm telling you the book is really good. To think the author is just a year older than I am and he's already selling bestsellers?! Hats off to him..

So now I just got my hands on a copy of book 2 - Eldest. I know I still have much other reading to do but I just couldn't wait to finish this trilogy.

I'll make my review for this book once I'm done reading. Check out other reviews at Books Books Books. We also give away free ebooks, just so you'll know..

Read more...

For the love of books

I'm so happy today.. I just received the books I purchased from eBay. This is a first online purchase for me.. teehee... I never thought I would ever find the guts to buy things online (much more eBay?), but I did. Yay for me! I just purchased two - one by Barbara Michaels and one by Jude Deveraux.



Since I spend most of my time at home working, I never got enough time to visit bookstores and search for a good read. The last book I purchased was around April or May I think. And that's a new one for me since a bookworm that I am always had the time to look for a good book (well that was before). Because I spend hours and hours online why not search for a good read on the net right? I really don't like reading ebooks, mind you, I prefer curling up in my bed and read. I know I know this will just strain my eyes or something. But who cares!? I only read ebooks when I just couldn't find a copy or couldn't afford one at the moment..hehehe I'm actually reading an ebook this past few days - Eragon by Christopher Paolini - as recommended by my good friend Z. The book is way better than the movie, as usual, and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequels - Eldest and Brisingr.

Anywho, I'm quite pleased with my binge buying this week. I actually bought two books from the National Bookstore last Tuesday. They were on sale, and I just cant help it?! Lurchie prodded me to buy them that's why, and I find the plots interesting. I'm a sucker for suspense and thrillers and I just couldn't say no to these two.


By the way check out this new blog Books3x. It's a collab of bookworms sharing interesting reads and reviews on books as well.

Read more...

101 Things To Do This Summer

Here are some things we could do during summer (note: this is due to boredom, but some are pretty good ideas!)

1. Make a scrapbook of everything you do this summer (nah! I'm too lazy to do scrapbooks)
2. Have a picnic (yah! i like this one)
3. Write a letter (now who am I writing to?)
4. Visit another country (hell yeh! if I have truckloads of cash)
5. Go to a ballgame (ahmmm???)
6. Get a job (hehehehe)
7. Become a photographer (I kinda like this one)
8. Make dinner for your family (I'm always making dinner for my family, even lunch too.. and I enjoy it!)
9. Compare a book to a movie (kapoy! heheh)
10. Write a poem (oooohhhhh me writy a poo-wem..)
11. Learn about fireworks (now why would I want to learn about that?)
12. Bake some cookies (fooodieee!! slurp slurp!)
13. Take a boat ride (hmmm to where? this is kinda romantic.. dontya tink?)
14. Sketch a picture of your house from the outside (hahahhaha like me?! draw something?!)
15. Go to camp (dats for kids! hmph...)
16. Visit a farm (E-I-E-I-O..and on his farm he had some...)
17. Take a walk and record the sounds (dis is good... :) so relaxing...)
18. Make your own soccer camp (I dont even know how to play soccer! hesh..)
19. Keep a journal on what you do during summer (hmmmm....)
20. Cut up an old greeting card and make a puzzle (now why would I cut up a greeting card?! I save those kind of stuff... hehe)
21. Start a band (oh yah! rah rah rah rah sis bomba!)
22. Make a new kind of sandwich (heheh I do like these ideas that involve food..)
23. Blow up balloons, put notes inside and hand them out to friends (nah.. too expensive)
24. Go backpacking (yah! who likes to go with me?!)
25. Go outside and find 10 different kinds of flowers (ahhmmm gumamela, santan, bulak sa acacia.. heheh)
26. Create a web site (I dont really know how to do that.. that's Lurch's thing.. heheh)
27. Go camping (where? any ideas?)
28. Invent a new dance (shesh! would someone really follow my lead? hehe)
29. Help with house and yard work (ok! ok! if its not too hot outside.. oki?!)
30. Visit the zoo (the only zoo here is good old li'l Silliman Miniforest..also called CENTROP)
31. Learn a foreign language (yah, I always like to learn Latin or Aramaic)
32. Make an obstacle course in your backyard (yah, for my two doggies!)
33. Make a treasure hunt (kinsay ganahan mu apil? isang tiil!!!)
34. Read a story to someone (basi makatulog ra niya siya... or is that the plan? hehe)
35. Have a winter theme party (hey! this is cool..)
36. Recycle bottles and donate the money to a local charity (this is good)
37. Clean up a nature trail (this is good too! who would like to help?)
38. Build a tree house (nah! dont know how to build stuff.. maybe someone I know.. hehe)
39. Create a new world (woah!)
40. Set up a lemonade stand (hahahha hutdon ra nako inom ako baligya.. )
41. Learn or teach a new sport (I'm really not a sporty person.. really..)
42. Attend a concert (wala mn concert dire karon.. )
43. Have a family game night (heheh I'd like to see this one happen)
44. Make a movie (hehe)
45. Make a collage (kapoy.. hehe)
46. Make a terrarium (I'm busy with my two doggies..)
47. Go canoeing (this is fun!)
48. Discover a new author or book series (I'm collecting works of Barbara Michaels for some time now..)
49. Go to a museum (heheh cge ra ko adto museum.. sa Silliman Hall. You should go too! It was recently reopened)
50. Make a fire plan (yah, definitely! For safety measures!)
51. Make up a bubble solution and have a contest (hehe I remember blowing bubbles from the 3rd floor of the SC building..that was fun!)
52. Find a new friend (this is not too hard)
53. Plant something (I tried planting something once, it just died. Poor plant.)
54. Visit a tourist spot near your home (hehe cge ra!)
55. Host a yard sale (Will somebody actually buy my old stuff?! hehe)
56. Build a sandcastle (yey! A day at the beach sound soooooo goooood!)
57. Donate some of the toys and clothes you no longer use (Hey this is a good idea!)
58. Research your family tree (I'm really not good at this. But my father knows a lot about our family. Maybe I could ask for his help)
59. Fly a kite (with all these big acacia trees, I don't think I can..)
60. Invent your own board game (what is it with this inventing stuff???)
61. Use a compass or GPS to map your neighborhood (why don't I just go to google maps and print it! Oh wait! Dili diay siya makita sa google map!)
62. Build a time capsule (I already did this one... maybe I'll do another one)
63. Act in a play (I'm not really a good actor.. maybe when I have to wiggle my way out of something I did wrong.. heheh)
64. Throw a cultural heritage block party (heheh maybe this is too big for me)
65. Make a bird feeder (heheh my mischievous dogs would just probably destroy it.. hehehe)
66. Organize a bike safety clinic (I dont even own a bike. shesh!)
67. Spend time with your grandparents (I wish I could but my grandparents are gone.. :( )
68. Attend a first aid class (if I'm not too tired to get my lazy butt out of the house, maybe I will!)
69. Dig for fossils (dont wanna get my hands dirrty.. my two doggies are digging something in our backyard.. its getting deeper and wider..)
70. Write a song (I wish I know how.. kutob ra ko sa poems)
71. Tie-dye some t-shirts (maybe..one of these days)
72. Take a dog for a walk (make that take two dogs for a walk)
73. Have a paper airplane contest (nah! conserve paper man!)
74. Go without TV for a day (ahhm ahmm ahmm, is this really necessary??)
75. Sign up at your local library for their Summer Reading Program (I dont think our library has this one..?)
76. Learn some new outdoor games (dah oi! naa napd ning invent ug games...!! hmph!)
77. Make something from recyclables (yah! more trash! heheh my father would have my head..)
78. Share your favorite movie with a friend (movie marathon! go!)
79. Make home made ice cream (YEHEY!!! more foood!!!!)
80. Get a magazine subscription (nah!)
81. Jump on a trampoline (hehehehehhe)
82. Organize a scavenger hunt (I just read this horror book about scavenger hunts... dili sa ko.. hehhe)
83. Go swimming (honestly??? I dont know how to swim.. hehe)
84. Paint a portrait of your bestfriend (the best thing i can do is stick drawing... )
85. Start a collection (I already did! Books, movies, bags.. hehhe can I call that collection??)
86. Write a fairy tale (yah, and my heroine would be Princess Shenzee!!! hahahahhaha dili bagay!)
87. Travel in time (literally? hehe if only I have the power of Hiro Nakamura...)
88. Stargaze and track the moon phases (I like to stargaze..with.. heheh)
89. Learn how to sew (I think I know the basics of sewing.. I took HE back in high school..)
90. Visit a National Park (someday maybe..)
91. Roast marshmallows (ohhhh... gooodieee gooodieee!!! I'd like to dip them in chocolate tooo!!!!)
92. Rent a video of a ballet (nah! too boring!)
93. Watch the birds (basi mgka-stiff neck nya ko... are we talking about the same birds ryt? heheheheh *wink*)
94. Arrange a bouquet of flowers (heheh this is sweeett..and maybe I can do this for my mom's bday!)
95. Learn to blog (hahahha like where am I posting this?!)
96. Re-decorate your room (ok!)
97. Learn to play chess (I already know how.. not that good, but I know the basics..)
98. Adopt a pet (my parents would probably have my head if I adopt one more pet! hehehe)
99. Keep your brain going (yah! always man! always!)
100. Teach someone to use email (hahaha I know a person or two... *wink*)
101. Create your own holiday (hey this is probably the best idea ever! I'll name it Shenzee's day! no! not day, maybe Shenzee's week! or Sheenzee's month! or Shenzee's year! hahahhaha)

Read more...

a father's poem...

TO MY CHILD

Just for this morning, I am going to
smile when I see your face and laugh
when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you
choose what you want to wear,
and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step
over the laundry and pick you up and take you to
the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the
dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put
that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug
the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with
you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell
once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and
whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one
if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry
about what you are going to be when you grow up, or
second guess every decision I have made where you are
concern ed.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you
help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you
trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us
to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can
have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in
my arms and tell you a story about how you were
born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you
splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you
stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle
beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my
finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be
grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and
fathers who are searching for their missing children, the
mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's
graves instead of their bedrooms. The mothers
and fathers who are in hospital rooms
watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming
inside that little body
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold
you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then,
that I will thank God for you, and ask him for

nothing, except one more day.............

Read more...

I Believe in You

I believe in the way that you are

and the way you will be.

I believe in the things that you say.

You mean the world to me.

And if you should go,

if you should turn around one day,

if you ever should doubt your dreams

in any way,

don’t think twice about it.

Don’t worry too long

about whether you’ll find a place

for yourself in the world – you belong.

I know that you’ll get where

you’re going someday.

For no matter what happens,

you will find a way.

I believe in the way that you are

and the way that you will be.

You are a shining star

in this world...

...and you mean the world to me.

–­Ashley Rice

Read more...

I Wish I Could Explain to You Why Life is So Unfair at Times

All I can tell you is that

there are good times and bad;

there is love and hate, luck and tragedy.

All of these get in the way of fairness,

which is why we sometimes accept the lack of it in our lives.

If you can forgive yourself as well as others

and if you can learn from your mistakes

problems and heartaches will be steppingstones

on your path to growing wised and stronger.

If you can love yourself as well as others,

you will learn acceptance and understanding.

If you believe you are unique and wonderful

(as I know you are),

then you will learn to change what you can,

make a difference when you can,

and accept the things

you can’t do anything about.

I know that you’ll make the best

of any situation,

taking from it what will be of benefit to you

and discarding the rest.

I also know that you are wise and capable,

loved and appreciated,

and able to overcome anything

that comes your way.

-Barbara Cage

Read more...

2008: Year of the Rat

2008 is Year of the Rat (my year since I was born in 1984...That's why I like cheese so much.. hehe). Here are some info I found here and here...

Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity.

Behind that sweet smile, though, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. This Sign is motivated by its own interests, which often include money; greed can become a problem if the Rat isn't careful to keep its priorities straight. This Sign's natural powers of charm and persuasion can definitely come in handy! Although they are often hoarders, Rats can be very generous to those in their pack, namely friends and family members who have proven their loyalty. Others might perceive them as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish. Verbal jousting is a great pleasure for the Rat, a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.

Rats enjoy being on the outside looking in, as the outside affords a view into the inner workings of a system or situation. The Rat's keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp. If boredom sets in the Rat is no fun at all, but that isn't likely; this Sign knows how to keep itself entertained.

A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.

The most compatible match for a Rat is the Dragon or the Monkey.



Zodiac location: 1st

Ruling hours: 11pm–1am

Direction: North

Season and month: Winter, December

Gemstone: Garnet

Colors: Black, red, white

Roughly equivalent western sign: Sagittarius

Polarity: Yang

Element: Water

Food: Pork, peas, cabbage

Positive traits: Meticulous, intelligent, sociable,
charismatic, charming, ambitious,practical, industrious, eloquent

Negative traits: Controlling, obstinate, stubborn,resentful, manipulative, cruel, vengeful,power-driven, critical

Most compatibility: Dragon, Monkey, Ox

Semi-compatibility: Snake, Pig, Rat, Dog

Incompatibility: Rabbit, Goat, Rooster, Tiger, Horse

Clink here to check which Chinese sign are you.

Read more...

"A competent leader can get efficient service from poor troops, while on the contrary an incapable leader can demoralize the best of troops."
~ General of the Armies John J. Pershing

Read more...

chance or choice?

When you meet the right person to love, in the right place, at the right time... that's a CHANCE.
When you meet someone you're attracted to, that's a CHANCE too.

Being caught that there are many people out there who are more attractive, smarter, and richer than your mate and yet you decide to love your mate just the same, that's a CHOICE.

Attraction comes to us by chance. But true love that lasts is truly a CHOICE.

Fate brings two people together, but it's still up to you two to make it happen. We may meet someone by CHANCE, but loving and staying with that someone is still a CHOICE.

*got this from a text message from Ellen... :)

Read more...

Magbalik by Calla Lily

Magbalik Lyrics

Read more...

Music and Lyrics

Way Back Into Love




I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
oh, oh, oh

There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end
oh, oh, oh

Read more...

The Seven Deadly Sins

"Vanity is an excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise."

..Or if you prefer: Pride - Mother of all sins. First one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
symbolism?

- Vanity is linked with the color violet.
- Peacocks are symbols of vanity as well, therefore peacock feather is used as an inspiration for the "frame".
- Background is being desertish (plus the dead tree)... Vain people usually never see any beauty in the world, but only in themselves... That is why everything around them, sooner or later, dies.




"Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, orsituation."

Envy means much more than just a wish to have something someone else has. It means also ACTING AGAINST that person,"revenging" in a way, trying to take the "object of our desire" away fromthem, or backstabbing them in some way etc. that is why it can also be the deadliestsymbolism:

- snake is connected with cunning and doingsomething behind one's back

- poison ivy leaf in the frame (and the column)- maybe just a word play.

"Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body."

The theme: As you can see, from my Lust sketch I have only kept the pose, but totally changed the face. I think that this one fits the topic better.

I see Lust as being concentrated on yourself, being "drowned in your own world" kind of way, rather than seducting and being "flirty" (and this look was used in the sketch)

About the symbolism:Lust is connected with blue, but it's too "cold", and therefore changed to red - connection with the color of flame, warmth. Although not connected with love.

The frame - uses the flame pattern... flame -> burning desire -> lust

The waterfall - something rapid, unpredictable, not controlable.

"Greed, also called Avarice or Covetousness, is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual."

"Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work"


This is the fifth from the Seven Deadly Sins series.

Symbolism:

- She is sitting on a swing and blowing bubbles: it's a symbol of wasting your time on insignificant things; idleness

- She is placed above the ground, in the sky: symbol of being separated from Earth and mundane htings (like work etc)

- Feathers: they symbolize something sleepy and lazy

- Color: light blue is also a color of sleepiness and idleness

"Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires."

Character is aesthetic, pretty and (in her way) attractive.

Some symbolic explanations:
Abundance of textiles - this sin not only as eating and drinking, but consuming in it's wider meaning, such as buying and gathering useless things etc
Grapes - "luxury" goods, connected with lavish parties (in ancient times) etc
The pink colour theme - grapes, sweets etc

Wrath - Inappropriate feelings of hatred and anger. (...) Impatience with the law, or seeking revenge outside of justice, such as with unnecessary vigilantism. Wishing to do evil or harm to others."
Wrath

Symbolism:
The colour theme - the colours red, orange, black ->fire -> destruction
Lightning (in the frame and background)- something destructive, rapid, uncontrollable
The hairstyle - another reference to fire
The make-up - a reference to battle marks (face painting etc)
The feathers - ("sharp" rather than soft and fluffy); in this form they bare a resemblance to tribes -> Wrath seen as something wild and primal.
The whip she is holding - a symbol of power
The shattered earth - the influence Wrath has on the world.

*This was taken from an email sent by a friend... I salute the artist of this... Nice pixies!

Read more...

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it." -Thomas Fuller

Read more...