MADE SEVERAL FRIENDS THIS WEEK

I am quite surprised myself that I have been on a book roll these past few days. Matter of fact, this is the first time that I have read books consecutively. I think it’s because of the convenience these ebooks bring, that I could easily take my phone out and dive in to these stories:

Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander III

A neurosurgeon falls into a coma after his brain was “soaked in pus” due to meningitis and tells the story of his journey to “afterlife”. This is a little bit tricky since most people think near-death experience is only a product of our imagination or whatsoever. Personally, I don’t think the man’s only making up a story for bucks. I saw one of his interviews (with Oprah), and he pretty much told snippets of his story just like how he did it in the book. I’m giving credit to his consistency. Who knows, right?

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

First book I’ve read where one of the lead characters is gay. Honestly, I’m a little ashamed of myself with the plot of this book. But it’s only then I have also realized how the two authors blended so well. It’s not until in Chapter 8 where I realize that there are two Will’s in the story. I don’t know if that info was a spoiler or what, but I felt stupid for a while after realizing what I should have known in the first place. Why some chapters started with upper case letters and the others did not. If you’ve read it, you know what I mean already.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

I have to say I have enjoyed this book in a different level. The book is narrated by Christopher Boone, a 15-year old boy with behavioral problems determined to find out who killed Wellington, his neighbor’s dog struck down by a garden fork. Somehow, I felt Mark Haddon was sneaking in to my mind, making me think like Christopher, fooling my mind that I am Christopher, and that I’m not just reading someone’s imagination. Great narration!

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

I’m really not fond of romance-themed books (I usually find them at a certain level of cheesiness) but there’s something in the way Layken and Will were written that I didn’t mind having to go through their love story. Young adult-ish, but not really. This is the first part in the two-book series, which leads me to:

Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover

A continuation of Layken and Will’s love story, introducing their much mature sides as they went on to life’s unexpected happenings. I tell you this book has put me on the edge of anticipation just to give me a bluff! Hahaha. And it’s the good kind. ‘Butterflying’ good :)

I’ve enjoyed a lot of the last two books that I am going to start Colleen Hoover’s latest book Hopeless :) Been hearing raves about it. I’m also hoping I don’t lose interest in reading any time soon. I love the feeling of having accomplished going over these stories.

Let’s see if get to do this book summary again ;)

PARTIAL BLISS. SIMPLE JOY.

Commuting is no joke when you’re traveling from South to North five times a week for six months now. This is where I take the phrase “daily grind” literally. I usually anticipate riding the MRT everyday with fear, most especially during the rush hour in the evening. A part within me dies every time I see a long line waiting for me. But that doesn’t end there yet. Wait until the MRT cars arrive, will you only know hell on earth has commenced.

Within the duration of riding the MRT, I have already had my fair share of mind-blowing experience. I swear, people just immediately turn into monsters in a jam-packed MRT! System, please.

On the brighter but rarer side of things, I happen to be in my favorite spot in the MRT today. Jackpot! It’s the end part of the car where there is a rail to lean on. Miraculously, only few passengers where standing when I hopped on it on my way home. Ahhh, the comfort of propping your elbows on to the rail, just chillin’ and reading an e-book. No sweaty arms or other protruding body parts of strangers getting in my way.

Partial bliss. Simple joy.

TIME

Turn that dial and freeze the moment.

STORIES AND LIVES MID-AIR

Only seven of these books are finished. What a shame.

TO A HAPPY 2013

First of all, Happy New Year! :)

2012 has been really great for me, and I’m really glad to hear this from other people too. Instead of being the end (as what was predicted), the year that was turned out to be quite the opposite of it.

Personally, there hasn’t been a lot of things that happened in 2012. Actually, there are only few. But like how I always prefer things in general: quality over quantity. These few points in the past year turned out to be major changes and realizations in life. I’d like to coin 2012 as “The Catalyst,” and I’m looking forward to the coming years as how things will come in their full circle :)

So, to maintain the energy I’ve had, I have decided to use a planner! (finally, to the main topic of this post). I was really rooting for Paulo Coelho Transformations Day Planner because the illustrations were exquisitely beautiful! I already had a copy although I bought it as a gift. Was supposed to buy another one for myself but I put it back in the shelf because I was also skeptic of myself in using it, HEH. So I waited for days to think over of using one, and when I was finally decided, it was already sold out in every mall that I searched for. Good job, self!

LUCKILY, a friend gave me a Starbucks planner! 

I guess I’m always lucky at having their planners (even though they only serve as a home for dust in my shelf), and I must say this year’s a good one! It’s not as heavy as the previous years and I really like the small details they’ve put inside :) 

Each month has a theme of some sort, allowing you to be creative and communicative. I personally like the scribbling in random pages, telling you to do something good in that day.

My favorite would have to be (2) the magnetic cup bookmark! I squealed a little bit inside when I saw this haha! It’s so cute, clever and useful!

All in all, I’m satisfied with this year’s layout. It’s got all what I need, which I like, because then I’ll be more motivated to use it *crossfingers* :)

I’m letting my writing sail on its own this year, and may it crash to the waves of breaking free. Cheers to our hopes and dreams of 2013!