See you next year, January

Would you look at that, it’s the end of January.

I usually feel sad whenever January is ending because it means one thing to me: the freshness of the New Year is really and truly over. I wrote about it a few years ago, and I feel that there’s a special kind of despair that hits me at this time of the year because I often feel that I haven’t done much progress with what I set out to do in the year. Then I cheer up because the end of January means that I’m closer to my birthday.

I don’t know if I’m just feeling optimistic now, but I actually feel okay with January ending. This month was actually good, despite the times when I was hit with quarter-life crisis and some asthma. Maybe this is me growing up? Maybe this is choosing to be happy? Or maybe it’s because February’s going to be busy, and there’s so many things to look forward to in the following weeks, so why not get it started as soon as possible, right?

Momentum. I thought about that earlier, while I was thinking of something to post. It feels like the steps I took in the past month is some way of building momentum for the rest of the year. I’m not the kind of person who takes huge steps or bounds just like that, but I’d like to believe I’m the kind of person who takes a little while to build momentum. If I take too long, I would end up not doing it, so I’m trying to not fall into that trap. I’d like to believe that this year, I’m building the right momentum ((Did I get my Physics term right? :D)) to get to a strong finish by the time 2013 ends.

And then we start all over again.

Look at me, thinking of the end of 2013 at the end of the first month of the year. One day at a time, Tina.

So, January is ending in my timezone in a couple of hours, and I’d like to say thanks. It may be shallow of me to do that, but I’ve learned that you can never be too grateful over the things that happen in your life everyday. So thanks, January. :)

I’ve got a busy February coming up, but I don’t mind. I have a feeling it’s going to be a very, very exciting month ahead. :)

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Kwentillion

Also knoan as: A little plug for our latest project

Okay, time to end the mushiness! A little plug!

Last weekend was the Summer Komikon and I don’t really go there except if I’m looking for autographs for some of the local series I follow, or if there’s an interesting launch. This time around, it was the latter, and I am very proud to say that it’s the first launch I attended where I actually went onstage because I was a part of the project! :)

Kwentillion: A Million Stories to be Told

From the Summit Media page:

Kwentillion Magazine is the country’s first publication dedicated to young adult literature and media, featuring YA-themed comics and fiction by Filipino creators. The bi-monthly, black and white magazine (with an eight-page colored spread in every issue) features reviews and previews of young adult books, interviews with creators, and articles which tackle a wide variety of topics of interest to the YA community.

I co-wrote an article here with my friend Chachic about YA books in 2012:

Apocalypse Can Wait!

It’s not the first time I saw my name in print (I was in another independent magazine a few years ago :P), and I have been writing for Summit and other places online for a while now, but it’s quite nice to see my name in a project like this, something that I am passionate about. The other comics and articles are all awesome too — it’s always nice to read more local fiction. :)

The first issue is really a test run, and the next issue would depend on how well this first one sells, or how much buzz it generates. So! If you like young adult literature, or you want to read more about Filipino comics and fiction, Kwentillion is the magazine you are looking for! It’s available in National Bookstore and Powerbooks branches (last thing I heard, NBS Bestsellers in Galleria has copies) for Php 150. It has pretty good print quality too — I was surprised at the size of the magazine when I finally got my copy.

This post really fits my book blog more (hence the cross-post), but I’ll probably post a more comprehensive review of the issue in the book blog when I get the time. :D But hey, a project is a project, and I am more than thrilled to see this project come to life. I’m so honored to be a part of it.

Here’s a post from one of our editors about Kwentillion, and why he thinks this project is important. And then, you can also follow Kwentillion on Twitter or like the page on Facebook for more updates (or questions). :)

Typhoon Sendong: Call for Help

I was at our book club’s Christmas party last weekend and was a bit sad about the rain that afternoon that stopped us from running around the place. Little did I know that the Southern part of our country was already being ravaged by flash floods and rains brought out by Typhoon Sendong (International name: Washi). :(

I know how it feels to be a victim of that. And this is harder because Christmas is just around the corner. So, in the spirit of giving, I ask the few of you who read my blog to share whatever you have to help in the relief efforts. Let’s help make their Christmas a little better for them despite the circumstances, yes? I’ve always believed that no one is too poor not to be able to share anything to anyone, especially to those who really need it.

For people in the Philippines, you can send your donations to the Philippine National Red Cross through text message (I already donated yesterday, and it’s very, very easy):

Image by Carlo Vergara, feat. Zsazsa Zaturnnah (via Rocketkapre.com)

SMS
Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

G-Cash
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

If you’re not in the Philippines and you still want to help (please!) or if you want to donate in kind, you can donate through the Philippine National Red Cross site. All LBC branches are also accepting donations, so you can drop off your in-kind donations (clothes, food, medicine, etc) there as well. Thank you!