Re-reading Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist

Perhaps, now that I am older do I appreciate more the wisdom that can be found in this book, The Alchemist.

One passage that moved me is this:
"Because I don't live in either my past or my future. I'm interested only in my present. If you can concentrate always on your present, you'll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, BECAUSE LIFE IS THE MOMENT WE'RE LIVING RIGHT NOW."

Bookworm Chronicles: Fifty Shades of Grey

Another case of curiosity that I read the book. I hear it from friends, officemates, my sister, and then it had a book review featured on the 2BU section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (my guide on the latest pop culture). When I ask what the book is all about, they say it is a story with very graphic, detailed descriptions of the act of sex. Now, that makes it the more interesting, is what I thought.

I started reading the first of the three-book-series on a Saturday and finished it by Tuesday. That would be fast, well, for me. When I read a book that I truly like, I read slow so as not finish it already. It is much like savoring the flavor of my favorite dish. With Fifty Shades of Grey, I just had to find out what makes this book so hyped-up and if it would be worth my time.

The book was easy to read, the words simple and direct to the point. Any student or young adult can easily relate to the setting of the story as it is very much modern and timely as we are today. Initially, the story has the elements of a love story--a pretty college gal meeting a hot, young businessman, with mutual attraction so intense it is obvious.

There is definitely a mystery surrounding the guy, makes one wonder what can it be--is he a criminal, sex-obsessed or a rapist? As I continue reading, I was shocked to discover that Christian Grey is a sadist, well for me, that is what he is. This is the first time that I have read a story that features love-making or sex with pain and pleasure combined. For me, this fact is what  makes this read stand-out or different from other young-adult, chick-flick books. I say descriptions of the act of sex are very much like those on romance novels but with the taboo factor of pain infliction during love scenes (you must read it yourself to know what I am talking about).

Sweet moments that make one giggle are present but I was also introduced to the concept of dominant-subject relationship (which is totally new to me). I wonder then if such persons exist in real life. I am guessing there might be, it just makes me think if there is anyone I know who is a dominant (control-freak, yes, but someone like Grey?) or a subject, like Anastasia (who, I was glad to know eventually is still a level-headed woman who thinks).

I can say the book was worth my time. The story is very adult and it made me see an aspect of a real-life activity that is sex different from what I know. At least I learned something new from it, and yes, I will be reading the next two books since the first one left me pretty much hanging. I would like to see what will become of the unusual relationship/setup between Grey and Anastasia. My advice is, sit back, relax, read, just do not forget to breathe. And by the way, you may laugh along the way.

Happy reading!

I Think It's The Rain

I like that it's raining today. The air is so cool, everything's wet, I hear the raindrops. It's just cool. It's relaxing. It's de-stressing. But I still feel blue. Grabe, I'm still sad. I still miss him. Crap!

I missed the Sofitel Moonlit Run last Saturday. I was supposed to be running 5 kilometers during sunset along Manila Bay and got to go to finish line to party! And I missed it because of this hateful flu. Flu, which I think is caused by the sudden change of weather, because of this rain.

So I got to avail the very rare Starbucks promo of 50% off Frapuccinos during well, Frapuccino Happy Hour. That was last Sunday at Starbucks Ashcreek near Xavier, where there were no long lines of Frap-thirsty yuppies (which was always the case in Starbucks near office). As usual, caramel, coffee-based, nonfat milk, frap for me. And I was drinking frap while walking under the rain, on my way to the car.

And I didn't get to see Rick Pino! I can't believe I let that chance got away! My Romance, Your Love Is Like! How could I??? And I still blame the rain, and the flu.

How can I even know it's me? Oh no, he's leaving real soon :( And the rain isn't helping.

Spareribs and Almond Milk Tea

Chinese dinner again with the family, in Binondo, in Ying Ying Tea House, two weeks in a row. But it's not like I'm complaining. Chinese food is still the tastiest for me and I like going to Binondo, the area feels alive to me and I see a unique culture and history there. I think I must go to one of those Binondo tours soon, or I can actually ask my friend who lives there to tour me and my friends (her friends also) around the place instead.

Food in Ying Ying is really good and easy on the wallet. My family is very particular with restaurants so we only eat out at places with good food, and the newest choice is Ying Ying. So far it's the only restaurant that offers sweet and sour fish that I truly like, their siomai is one of the best that I've tried. I had spareribs tonight, tastes like the others, but way tenderer (big thumbs-up for me!). I also like their soya milk, which is not so sweet, just right.

So I finished my soya milk and I was not done yet. While they all ordered frozen yogurt from Frutti Froyo in Tomas Morato, I finally got to try Milk Tea. It's new, similar to Bubble Tea but cheaper, yay! I ordered their almond milk tea with pearl and I la-la-love it! I'll have to tell this to my peeps when we hang around Morato next time, which is tomorrow nga pala!

Chick Flick Night

Haha! It's been a while since I've watched a chick flick! Last night, I watched Beastly with my officemates. I would have wanted to watch Rio 'coz I wanted to laugh and be entertained. But since I'm a good friend, I got to see Vanessa Hudgens and the I am Number Four guy (according to my officemate since I haven't seen that one yet), instead.

Cheesy. Corny. Chick flick. Don't get me wrong, the movie was nice enough to have taken a classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast, into a modern flick that more kids can relate to. It's just that I'm so over those chick flicks! Except maybe when I just want to chill and have a very good laugh, haha!

The bright side for me is the movie's soundtrack. I've always liked soundtracks from romantic movies, such as those from 500 Days of Summer and Love Actually.

Here are the songs from Beastly OST, which are catchy enough to have made me search for them:

-Atlanticism by Death Cab for Cutie (actually released in 2003, but I only first heard in Beastly)

-Breathe In, Breathe Out by Mat Kearney (a song apparently popularized by Grey's Anatomy)

-Crashing by Gersey

-Broken Arrow by Pixie Lott (a song that fits me daw my friend say, as this one's about a girl missing this guy so much that he's stuck like a broken arrow, hehe)

So there, my latest chick flick movie. I very much still want to watch Rio, though. And Thor. And Pirates of the Carribean 4. And HP 7. Can't wait!

Learning the Hard Way

This would be one of my drama queen moments.

I wonder why I still let him cross my mind. When I can actually just not let him. But it's not easy, so not easy, it bugs me. This is actually frustrating, since I've been through this once already, and it's happening again. I know this will take some time, but it will go away.

For now I can just write about it.

I just hope I had the chance to be nice to him before he left, said goodbye properly and take back what I said (that he was an asshole most of the time). Well, he really can be an ass at times, but it actually endeared me to him :) All I have now is regrets. I took what could have been for granted. Everything then was confusing, nothing really clear anyway, so I just took the chance to say what I felt, but I guess it was too late. And maybe, he was not interested at all.

I wonder how he is now, maybe already making a move on someone else. I miss him terribly. I want us to be friends again and make peace already but now maybe is not yet the right time.

I laid my cards alright, or did I? Not clear eh. I just wish he knows that I like him, for real, and I still want to know him more and just be with him, making fun of something or someone, just to laugh with him again. Coz I know we both like to laugh, we're happy persons :D

I wish I can just laugh again soon :(

The Humbling Camiguin

Just got back from Camiguin, a 3-days and 2-nights stay on the island. At first, I must admit I was expecting more from this Northern Mindanao province when I got there, mostly because I know it's an island and therefore has many beaches. But first things first.

It took me and my officemates a 1-hour plane ride to Cagayan de Oro, a 2-hour travel by land to Balingoan Port, 1-hour ferry ride to Benoni Port in Camiguin and a 30-minute commute to a highland hotel. First thing I noticed in the island is the lushness of trees everywhere, that place is so green that I knew just by looking, Camiguin is one land of rich biodiversity. I could also see the coastal beaches from the main highway, which is constructed near the waters following the contours of the island. Now here's when I decided to lower my expectations, when I saw the black sand beaches and when we found ourselves staying in a hotel ensconced high on a mountain.

We had a day-tour of the island and can be summarized into: going to the famous White Island, a sandbar which is 1 boat-ride away, trekking up the Walkway on Mt. Hibok-Hibok, visiting the Sunken Cemetery, where we saw the actual old huge cross lying at the bottom of the sea (it was creepy!), submerging for a little while in the Ardent Hot Springs, buying the famous Pastel from the original Vjandep bakery and finally, looking for a coffee shop for our merienda, we were led to Secret Cove Restaurant where we had brewed coffee and their specialty pizza (nothing like I tasted before, sarap!).

Though the beaches did not impress that much (but I'm always easily pleased by any beach anyway), I still find many good things to cherish in Camiguin. It's a very simple place, with simple people, with simple lifestyle. I was amazed by colonial era houses that seem to be frozen in time, those box-type houses with 2nd level and with big, wide windows that are always open. People in the island are also quiet, they are not loud people unlike people here in Manila. Locals seem to be just contented with the island life of farming or fishing isolated from modernization of the outside world. They also seem not to be affected at all by visitors/tourists, no haggling when we were buying pasalubong, their attitude was more of like take it or leave it, it doesn't matter, which I actually find not really offending but more of it being unusual.

Seeing these Camiguingnons face the daily grind of life in simplicity is a humbling experience for me. If they can live without cable channels, or even a tv!, live in age-old houses, or not having a mall in the area, and still "live", can I imagine myself settling for that? My point-blank answer is no. But if I still had the time to just be still and pray in that quiet and peaceful island, I would gladly do so. It's very tempting to be not always on-the-go, not living the fast-paced life of Manila, to just stop, appreciate God-created nature, see the sunrise over the vast waters surrounding the island.

This Camiguin trip has made me realize that there are other ways of living different from how I live mine and can still have the same satisfaction. Thanks Camiguin for humbling me that way!

Now, where to next? :)