SEASONS CHANGE

Radio used to be my company during mornings, and by radio I mean The Morning Rush with Chico and Delle. However, since Gino joined the duo and changed the dynamics to The Kikay Barkada, it’s just not the same anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for their success now, I still love Chico and Delle, but I really just can’t stomach Gino anymore. I hate it how I have to sacrifice not listening to the original duo — laugh with them like I used to and listen to their interesting conversations, just because there’s this one guy that makes me cringe every time he opens his mouth.

Whatever Gino’s bringing to the table is just not my cup of tea. Chico and Delle will always have my adoration and respect though. Sure, I might tune in once in a while but probably not as a daily routine like it was anymore. I wish I enjoy Gino, but no.

So now, to make the most out of the two-hour trip to the office every morning, I’ve started to bring a book with me. I feel lucky that I don’t get dizzy or nauseous whenever I read a book or watch a movie in a moving vehicle now, considering that I used to barf on air-conditioned cars/buses when I was a kid. I used to read e-books too on my phone but then it was snatched from me while on a bus just about a month ago, so there.

I’m currently hanging out with Toru and Naoko of Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami. I’ve bought this book months ago and got to read a few pages but I got bored too early on the reading. I don’t know what was up with me that time because I’m enjoying reading it now.

Seasons change, I guess :)

DIG IN

We all have been guilty of joining the bandwagon that takes a photo of their meal before eating it. Sure, nobody cares what and where I ate, but maybe it’s not so much about the food itself.

People take photos of their food probably because there’s more to it than an answer to a grumpy stomach. Maybe it’s because we want to remember, not the meal, but the moment spent over it. A meaningful conversation. A comfortable silence. A similar interest that nudges you to dig in.

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.