One Day

One Day by David Nicholls
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a sort-of book review but really, below are mostly random thoughts.

I think it's sweet to fall in love with someone you grew up with-- a bestfriend and confidante. I also think that if a woman walks away from you in any situation, but you still want her to stay in your life, always, ALWAYS run after her. I feel that despite all the disappointments in life and all those dreams that didn't come true, there is still someone or something that would make it all worthwhile.

The book made me realize these things. Although the jaded part of me knows a plot like this can only exist in fiction, the romantic part still loves how well-written this story is. I like that Emma and Dexter are both imperfect in their own ways. It makes them easier to relate to. It doesn't matter if you're fresh out of college or middle-aged. Life has its way of making you doubt the direction you're going. It makes you question yourself and your purpose of living. I like the way the book focuses on one specific day (albeit different years) and how it isn't chronologically written. It's true-- the past always finds its way back. Sometimes, to haunt us and make us feel like crap. Sometimes, to make us realize that we know better and we should move on because time will never wait for us.

Lastly, this book made me want to go to Europe. I can still hope. =)

View all my reviews

Irish Goodness

Earlier today, I was lucky enough to be online and catch Mark Feehily (my favorite Westlife lad) start a live stream of him getting made up for a morning show in London. I was there to witness the number of viewers grow from less than a hundred to almost 500 in a few minutes. 

Since I am a fan girl, I was chatting like crazy wishing he would read through my tweet. At 15:02, Mark said "Karen from the Philippines" as he read what I tweeted. I can die happy now. =)

Notable times:
10:02 Shane got his top off
10:14 Mark suggested Shane gets his top off on the Farewell Tour
13:09 Mark and Shane started singing The Birthday Song to a fan named Priscilla from the Philippines
16:17 Shane enjoying his morning coffee and Danish pastry
20:58 "Why is Nicky so cranky?"
21:09 Mark starts singing "That's Kian in the corner" to the tune of "Losing My Religion" and the rest of the lads follow -- This is my second favorite part of the stream.

Eleven

I made a wish at 11:11 on 11.11.11.

Sooner or later, I would know the reason why it did (or did not) happen to me, why I did (or did not) deserve it. When that time comes, I will understand and I will be okay. Everything will fall into place.

7 Wonders of Nature

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Please vote for the PP (Puerto Princesa) Underground River in Palawan to be included in the 7 Wonders of Nature. One vote (7 choices) per email address. Make sure to check your email inbox to confirm your votes and make them count! Voting ends on 11.11.11. =)

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTES

When in the Philippines, you can also vote through SMS. Each SMS sent counts as one vote for PP Underground River in the New7Wonders of Nature.
Send PPUR to 2861
Cost per each SMS sent:
PHP2.00 (Sun)
PHP2.50 (Globe, Smart)

The world is their stage.

I was thinking of writing about the Big Bang K-pop fandom, but I don't think it'll just be a blog post. That would probably be a whole chapter in my book. I'll just say it all started from my sister's influence. Then to watching videos and guestings, buying their albums, listening to their music, buying their merchandise, downloading wallpapers for my desktop, attending K-pop conventions, and best of all, meeting new friends. It has been a long journey. So, I'll just focus on the MTV EMA win. This is not an entry that will try to change the opinion of others with regards to K-pop in general. Haters will always hate (and if you are one, you are welcome to stop reading this). It's just that I have so much emotions in me right now and writing about it is the best way I can express myself.

Big Bang light sticks
photo taken from http://dandiyang.tumblr.com

Big Bang, one of our favorite K-pop groups, was nominated for the MTV EMA Worldwide Act. They won an initial voting/screening to represent the Asia Pacific. I remember liking this Youtube video about a month ago telling other VIP's to vote for them (just look at the most-liked comment! ^^). I also remembered someone replying to me that Big Bang would not have a chance because so-and-so artist is leading and is better than them. I was so tempted to reply back, but then again, I told myself I am better than that, so I ignored it.

Everyday, my sister and I would reach the voting limit using several browsers and several sites for MTV. Our fingers even got the most out of it because we became much more passionate with the voting after seeing Big Bang (all five of them!) leaving Incheon airport for Heathrow airport a few days ago. Most, if not all VIP's, know that this year has not been very gentle with Big Bang. It's been a rollercoaster and tumultuous ride. Earlier this year, a friend and I watched them at the Korean Music Wave in Singapore. Just the four of them. I missed Daesung. He had been on "leave" for months now because of that car accident, and then this most recent marijuana issue with GD happened. VIP's couldn't help but wonder when they are going to grace the stage together again.

It was Monday morning from where we're from. My sister and I woke up at 3 AM to watch the pre-show of the MTV EMA. My Twitter,Tumblr and Facebook are full of Big Bang posts for the past few hours. Before the winner was announced, I was shaking. I was so nervous I couldn't even understand why. I told myself, they're going against Britney Spears. That no matter what happens, VIP's are still proud of them. When Big Bang was announced as the winners, I wanted to shout, cry and laugh all at the same time. I was like a mother so proud of her kids.

Click here to watch the pink carpet backstage interview.

"We can do everything!" - Taeyang

Click here to view the moment that made me very nervous.

"This is only because of our fans, through all the ups and downs, thank you for standing by us. Thank you!" - Taeyang

"Woah, it’s amazing! Thank you so much! We are called BigBang from South Korea! It’s nice to see you and this award is all the more valuable because it’s a present that you, fans, gave us. Thank you VIPs! Please take interest in Korean Music and BigBang even more from now." (spoken in Korean translated to English) - Jiyong

This Worldwide Act Award is what they needed to get out of the slump. It just goes to show that when you're down, there's nowhere else to go but up. Now, they can do anything they set their hearts to. It was wonderful seeing the five of them together again and, of course, the VIP's went to the rescue! I am so proud of Big Bang for bringing attention to the Asia Pacific talents. I am also proud for the VIP's (and the K-pop fandom) whose support never wavered despite everything that happened and who united in achieving a single goal. The boys can now share their music to the whole world! Big Bang Fighting! ^^


P.S.
Dear YG, I am hoping this would be enough for you to plan a World Tour for Big Bang in the days to come. =)

Note to Self

"Don't Quit"

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow--

You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out--

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Edgar A. Guest

The Power of Six

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always been intrigued by what the Lorien Legacies can offer. This book is as adventurous as the first one. There are probably paragraphs that I find too cheesy, but the last 50 or 60 pages are action-packed and thrilling that I wished I can zoom through each page just to know what happens next. It was that good! Of course, the ending seemed to come in the most inconvenient of times. Now, I shall wait for the next book. Again.

View all my reviews

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The main reason why I started reading this book is because my sister sent me a link of the movie adaptation trailer and I told myself, I wanted to read it before I watch it. This is the first Jonathan Safran Foer book that I've read and I don't understand why I just started reading his work. Some of his books have been on my to-read list and getting this one crossed out made me a fan. The book is extremely hilarious and incredibly touching.

The story is very unpredictable. It took me from 9-tear-old Oskar Schell's adventure after his father died at the 9/11 tragedy to his grandparents' story years ago during the bombing in Dresden, Germany. Back and forth. Back and forth. It made me laugh out loud, then made me pause and digest the words. I never would have guessed how the "mystery" of the Black key would be solved.

Reading the book is a journey. I noted a lot of quotable quotes and learned a lot of trivia. I found it funny how Tom Hanks was mentioned in the book and now, he'll be playing Thomas Schell (Oskar's father) in the movie. It was nice seeing "Philippines" mentioned as well.

I've grown to love Oskar. At first, he reminded me of Charlie from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", but then again, he's totally different. I like his innocence and the way he likes writing letters. I like how smart he is and how he idolizes Stephen Hawking. I like his vulnerability and the words he used. I read the line "Succotash my balzac you dip shiitake!" again and again so I can laugh at it some more. One of my favorite moments was when he was playing "the game" with Dr. Fein, his psychiatrist. I couldn't stop laughing then. It's amazing how Oskar touched and changed so many lives. In the end, I just wanted to hug him and tell him it's gonna be okay.

I've watched the trailer a couple of times before. I watched it again after reading the book and saw it in an entirely different light. One, I don't think this is another movie made to just profit from 9/11. Two, this time, the trailer made me cry. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" gave me heavy boots but still made me feel like a hundred dollars.

View all my reviews

A Game of Thrones: A Storm of Swords

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The third book of the Game of Throne series is not as page-turning as the first two, but no matter how I try to find spoilers in Wikipedia, this book still has its own share of surprises. I think that's one of the reasons why I like George R.R. Martin's writing. He can make me love or hate a certain character and before I finish reading, the opinion or affinity I have with someone will change, and even do a 360-degree turn. He can write from a point-of-view of an innocent child in one chapter and change to a brutal outlaw who wants nothing more but revenge in the next chapter. This book is action-packed and, in my opinion, the most violent from the three I've read so far. That's the reason why I would stop and give it a rest from time to time. After watching the Game of Thrones series again, which gave me a whole lot of different perspective after reading the book, I resumed reading. So far, the books have not yet disappointed me.

View all my reviews