From the monthly archives: January 2008
Since I’m on this big reading project for this year, I thought I’d join Ate Toni‘s latest Blog Carnival. She asks this question: If books were food, what would they taste like?
I am an avid chicklit fan. I used to deny it by saying I like reading all sorts of books, but now I’m coming out in the open: I love chicklit. Some people may look down on chicklit as “fluffy” stuff with too little substance as compared to other genres, but chicklit has so much more to offer than what can be seen on those bright (usually pink) covers. Chicklit is about a woman’s (or even a man’s!) self-realization. It’s about her facing her fears, overcoming obstacles in her life and realizing that she is more than what she thinks she is, or more than what other people think of her. It’s not always about romance or shopping or superficial fluffy stuff. Chicklit is all about getting to know yourself in the midst of life’s trials. Yes it is fluffy, but it’s good fluff. :D
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I’m picking my current favorite chicklit books right now, the Phoebe Grant series: Dreaming in Black and White and Dreaming in Technicolor by Laura Jensen Walker.
Dreaming in Black and White is the first Christian chicklit novel I got my hands on. By then, the only chicklit I knew of was the Shopaholic series, which I liked, but not really loved. When I bought this book, I was just getting introduced to other Christian authors besides Frank Peretti, plus I never knew this sub-genre existed. I read this book overnight, and if it were food, I’d liken it to Kettle Corn. As in kettle corn popcorn, one of my favorite snack food. Perfect to eat anytime or during a movie, be at the cinema or in a simple movie house decorated with home theater sconces. These books, just like kettle corn is three things: sweet, salty and crunchy.
It’s sweet because I couldn’t help falling in love with Phoebe Grant’s character. Her struggles weren’t that different from my struggles: finding the perfect job, family arguments and singlehood. She isn’t ashamed of her faith, and she rises out of the struggles quite beautifully. Phoebe is like someone who I would want to have as a friend.
It’s salty because of the struggles the author put in Phoebe’s life. Like I mentioned, Phoebe is not that different from any single woman out there. In Dreaming in Black and White she wanted a bigger job, and is devastated when she had to go back to her hometown to take care of her mother, then finds struggle with saving her hometown and her family. In Dreaming in Technicolor, Phoebe has a better job, and she enjoys her time with her family, but now she’s struggling about her singlehood. It’s all normal, and these struggles give more “taste” in our life — the salt that gives the flavor. :)
Finally it’s crunchy because the book is hardly ever boring at all. I love how Laura Jensen Walker peppered the books with yummy anecdotes, quotable quotes and words of wisdom that cannot be found in other chicklit books. :)
Interestingly, Phoebe Grant is a movie addict, and popcorn just fits these books, don’t you think? :)
Rating: 
What if God has more planned for your life than you do?
Jackie Harrison is a civilian who loves her job in the U.S. Air Force Academy. That is, until she is forced to divide her office into cubicles and share with a new history instructor, Lt. Col. Joseph Gallagher. A charmer in a flight suit, Joe wants to explore both Colorado and a growing relationship with his new cubicle mate. The office was bad enough, but Jackie’s beside herself when Joe shows up in her home and church, even turning her grandmother’s weekly bridge game into poker night!
Jackie goes online to vent, but she eventually finds herself admitting her conflicted feelings about this office neighbor who drives her crazy and makes her heart flutter. But when her blog — The Cubicle Next Door — is featured on TV, everyone begins to read it, including Joe. Will he figure out the anonymous confessions and frustrations are written about him? And how will Jackie ever express her heart offline? – book blurb
Ah, my kind of book! Christian chicklit with a geek blogging protagonist — who thought this could be possible? Apparently, Siri L. Mitchell thought it is, and came out with this book. I salute you! Fall Like Rain has hope!
I have to admit that the first time I started reading this book, I read it a bit too fast, which made me not pick up everything immediately. I decided I wanted to really make sense of this book, so I started again, and slowed down to really get to know Jackie and Joe.
The blurb basically covers the entire story, so I’ll skip the summarizing and dive right into the review.
First off: I love Jackie. I love her as a chicklit protagonist, since she’s not like the other chicklit protagonists I’ve read. She’s a geek through and through — loves computers, the environment, and could not care less about what she wears (she loves Chucks! Wohoo!). She talks about blogs and Internet and message boards and programming instead of clothes or movies or make up! Although I loved Ashley Stockingdale (What a Girl Wants, She’s Out of Control and With this Ring, I’m Confused) and Phoebe Grant (Dreaming in Black and White, Dreaming in Technicolor) and Savannah Philips (Savannah from Savannah), Jackie Harrison is the only character where I can see myself literally (except maybe for the environment thing, and the family situation she has). I can relate to her need to be in control, how she’d rather be on the safe side than to do things she “normally doesn’t do.” I can understand her resistance to major changes, like her grandmother’s re-marrying or her falling in love. She writes cryptic blog entries (woot!) and feels something safe about it. I think Ms. Mitchell did a very good job with creating Jackie, to reach out to chicklit loving female geeks, deviating from the fluffy chicklit characters.
I’m not much for Joe, except that I’m curious how his dimples look like since they kept on popping up in the novel. I like how he seems to be Jackie’s complete opposite but it kind of feels like he’s had the perfect life, save for his first marriage. But, as a male protagonist, he’s not that sickeningly perfect which makes him believable (and makes me wonder if guys like him exist, ha!).
I love how the story just went through how Jackie and Joe got to know each other. There weren’t many major subplots going on. It was just about Jackie and Joe getting to know each other, Jackie blogging, Jackie realizing how she’s falling for Joe. It wasn’t one bit boring, and their conversations were not dragging. I love the blog entries and comments in between each chapter; it makes you really see how Jackie’s blog played a role in the story. It wasn’t used to create Internet romance, but it did play a big role, especially after it was featured on TV. :D The novel in itself is composed of little stories that filled the entire thing and everything fit perfectly, unlike with the other books I read where I could remove some parts and still get the same thing. In fairness to their romance, it did not feel rushed, thus making it sound better.
Lesson wise, it’s basically about getting out of the comfort zone you created for yourself. Jackie’s created a safe zone for her that she was perfectly content staying in and had no intention of moving out…but most of the time, God doesn’t want us to stay there. There is life beyond the cubicle walls, you just have to be willing to experience it. :)
This will definitely go into my favorites list. Which means I have to get my own copy of this book. :D Other noteworthy parts (and quotes) for me under the cut. :)
I’ve been out all day and I am so tired. I woke up early to hear the mass with my family, then met up with Happy so we could go fetch Tuesday from the airport. Then we went to Tuesday’s house for lunch, and we looked at all the stuff she brought home from her vacation (thank you for the funky notebooks and the Ikea container :D), and hung out at their place all afternoon to laugh at her sleepiness, oooh and ahh with all the random trinkets she brought home as she unpacked her luggage sets and read. On the way home, Happy and I stopped over at Bonifacio High Street to check out the iSkin that Happy is buying for Tuesday. Happy and I then had dinner at Binalot, then went to Krispy Kreme in time for their hot light and bought half a dozen doughnuts each, and then went home. Now I’m home, finished watching CSI:NY’s latest episode and I’m hitting the sack in a few minutes since it’s back to work tomorrow (and again, I’ve said this a million times: I love how I’m not dreading Mondays anymore :D). What a loooong day, and it was fun (though it’s funny how we were all lazy to take photos — so much for documenting these stuff ^^; ), and I love spending it with my girls. :)
Before I finally go to dreamland, let me write a few things from the top of my head which I shall probably write about sometime soon and am writing here because I am simply too tired to write them down on my offline journal:
- I’m not much of a Krispy Kreme fan because it’s too sweet, too expensive and too far away for me to get some, but when I got the free, freshly baked one earlier, I was…blown away. Yes, I’ve never had a Krispy Kreme doughnut that is hot like that. Heh. Yummeh. =P~ I now have half a dozen of it to share with my family. :)
- I’ll be taking a day off from work on Tuesday to spend with la familia. I hear we’re going to Tagaytay, which means (late) lunch at Josephine’s, and I’m thinking of sharing some part of the bill if we do eat there. And take lots and lots and lots of photos. :)
- As much as hanging out with these two girls is always the highlight of my week/month, I can’t help but feel sad about something about someone. I feel like I’m losing a friend. A little effort is all I ask, is that so hard? Hay.
- It feels weird typing on Aslan with a keyboard protector. Plus it still looks like my keyboard is kind of greasy. I should get a new microfiber cloth and clean Aslan.
- I read an old friend’s blog a little earlier and it makes me feel sad that there’s a lot of things I don’t know about her anymore. Well, maybe I’m just not updated. She just feels so…faraway. And I miss her. Hmm.
- Ugly Betty Season 1-2! Yay! Can anyone lend me House, please?
- If I want to finish 50 books this year, I better finish the two books I’ve started..like soon. And post a progress bar here so you guys can bug me about it.
- I really should sleep.
Rest well, everyone. :)
Because I’m procrastinating having a hard time writing the feedback forms I’m supposed to email before the end of my shift on this light payday Friday, and I’m also having a hard time writing a blog post with substance (one that doesn’t outline what I did for the entire day alone), here’s something I picked up from other blogs, especially from LiveJournal and Multiply.
This is one of those numerous personality tests online that looks like Kokology questions (I loved that book), which tells you who you are based on what you choose given certain situations (e.g., you are walking in a forest, what do you see, etc etc). I saw a similar test like this in Candy magazine years ago, but I couldn’t remember how I fared. So here’s another one, with the questions, the answers I gave and my comments (just so this would be a longer and less random sounding blog entry :D). Comments in italics. :)
Question # 1: Imagine that you are walking along a path. What do you see around you?
Answer: A yellow corn field against a brilliant blue sky.
Interpretation: (View on Self) You are intelligent, honest and sweet. You are friendly to everybody and don’t like conflict. Because you’re so cheerful and fun people are naturally attracted to you and like to talk to you.
I…have no comments. Haha. Really, I am? I can be pretty friendly, I guess. Cheerful most of the time. I’m not sure if people are “naturally attracted to me and like to talk to me” since I know I give off the “suplada” vibe. Or do I?
And it’s back! :)
To quote (because they explained it way better than I can):
The Philippine Blog Awards aims to recognize notable Filipino-owned blogs in their respective niches. With topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology and politics, Filipinos have become more abreast because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. The Philippine Blog Awards is a venue to showcase notable blogs with quality content that engages readers from around the globe.
Now on its second year, the Philippine Blog Awards continues to recognize Filipino blogging talent from around the world. This year, the awards extends its reach towards network blogs written by Filipinos, blogs written by mainstream media practitioners as well as local corporations that use blogs are effective communication tools.
The awards night is scheduled sometime in the second quarter of 2008, but volunteers and sponsors are already welcome. :) I’ve already volunteered, and based from experience, being an awards night volunteer is a fun thing — you get to see all the things going on behind the scenes, work with a lot of great people and everyone’s input is always welcome so as we could come up with a great awards night. :)
You may also help out by posting an entry on your blog about the awards night (just like this), or creating a PBA 2008 badge for use in other blogs (which will be credited to you, of course).
For news/updates about the Philippine Blog Awards, visit the official website or add the official blog to your RSS feed. :)
See you guys there!
I’m not much of a pop listener anymore, and I was never a fan of Mandy Moore (except for her duet with Jon Foreman in Someday We’ll Know), but this song is just so positive that I can’t help but keep it on repeat. :)
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Extraordinary
Mandy Moore
Album: Wild HopeI was a bay tree
Quiet and unseen
I lived in stories but inside I kept a mystery
I was a starling
Nobody’s darling
Flying in perfect circles just for companyAnd now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be extraordinaryA midnight airplane
A window blowing
I know I am another sparkle in the sky
I shine on copper
Still undiscovered
But you might see me in the corner of your eyeAnd now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be extraordinaryWaking up to wake up someday
I am my own parade
Stopping off at a sidewalk cafe
Wind is playing in the trees
Kick up confetti leaves
Seems as if it’s all to sayAnd now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be extraordinaryAnd now I’m ready
And now I’m ready
And now I’m ready to be extraordinary
I don’t have to be in the Outer Banks to be extraordinary, yes? Listening to this song makes me smile and be positive and all. :) Hello, BFS. :)) I’m ready to be extraordinary. :)
Anyway, I’m turning in early tonight for a change, even if I don’t really have to be at work too early tomorrow because of a meeting I have tomorrow night. Seems like my “try something new” is starting already, as I was given the leadership position for a committee at work. Not that I mind; I was actually planning to volunteer if ever they need someone, but I wasn’t expecting it to be soon. Oh well. And I still have no questions for tomorrow’s meeting, hah. I should think of some tomorrow morning. :) That’s why I’m going to work early; I see. Heh.
Okay, time for bed. Good night world!
So…Australia. Sydney, specifically.
No, I’m not planning to migrate there or anything. But it’s no secret that I’ve been planning to go to the World Youth Day 2008 since last year. And I’ve been planning to go to Sydney since November of 2006. It’s a tall dream, which I think (like…50/50) I can afford on my own and something I’ve been wanting to do for the longest time but is only having the courage to do so now. At least, start something.
But the thing is…I don’t know who I’ll be going with. See, I heard last month that the screening for Philippine delegates was finished last November. There were no announcements, no nothing. I have no idea if anyone is planning to go from SFC, I have no idea if there are any other groups planning to go. My friend from Singapore offered me a spot at their group, which means I’d be going to Singapore first, but then I think it fell through since it would be easier if I come from here since I’ll be getting my visa here too.
So here’s the question: should I go through with it?
Ha, even the office is cooperating with all the goal-setting I’ve started this year. On the first working day for 2008 (and my official sixth month at work, woot woot!), I was greeted by that piece of paper on my desk. This piece of paper is from the Total Wellness Program of our company, a program of our HR department which aims to develop their employees as a whole. Most of the focus of the program is the employees’ physical and financial aspects, as well as the working attitude. I find this program really cool because it makes me feel like I’m being taken care of. I remember one time before Christmas, all employees got 2 apples, 2 bananas and 2 oranges each because it was antioxidant day. :P
Anyway. So this little piece of paper greets me and it’s about — exactly what it says — my goals for 2008. And I just have to laugh because I just wrote my own goals the day before. Even if this is from the office, the instruction on this card says we must not put work-related goals (since we have that in a separate document which is required every year), but things we want to achieve within the year. It must be something that could stretch our limits, yet attainable. We were encouraged to write them down, and put them somewhere we could always see it (which reminds me, I should do this one for the previous list I made). We could even partner with another employee to check the progress. I have a feeling that sometime in the middle of the year or at the end of the year, they’d be asking for contributions on how the goals set at the start of the year were accomplished.
As you can see, my sheet’s still blank. It only has space for five goals, so I’m choosing which ones I would write there. I promise to write them and stick them on Guilo’s (my PC at work) CPU so I can always read them. :) Let’s see how this works.
And can I just say (again)? I love my company. :D
I’m supposed to be writing some articles for this freelance gigs, but nooo, I’m obviously not. I have my sources ready, and the document templates, but I am not doing a thing. Argh. I still have two websites to set up which is supposed to be up today, but no, I’m not doing anything either. Argh. How’s that for starting the year right? Hay.
But that assignment is due Saturday so I still have time…right? I have twelve articles due on Saturday and I finished one (but it is very crappy), so that leaves me with…11 more to go for the next two days. Great.
Okay, I shall stop the sarcasm now and I will focus on something more serious.
New Year’s Eve, my high school classmate’s dad passed away. It was a very sad thing to happen at such time, I know, and silly old me, I only texted her a day after. I didn’t know if I should greet her a happy new year still. Last night, some friends and I went to the wake to pay our respects and as expected, we saw other high school batchmates there as well. After praying a bit at the coffin, we gathered outside to stay for a while and talk about how we were, and about other people in the batch.
Ah, high school.
The day before 2007 ended, right after the mass, I was sitting in front of the TV chowing down spaghetti and cake (haha what a media noche) watching the X-Men trilogy over at Star Movies. Two days later, I’m at work, and since it’s a light day and there’s nothing to do I’m too lazy to start my freelance writing thing yet, I decided to go and read some X-Men stuff. After going through various Wikipedia articles, I landed on the original X-Men animated series article, which led me to this episode. Minutes later, I was watching it on YouTube, and I think it’s too good not to share. :)
I’ve always loved Nightcrawler ever since the second movie, but this video made me love him even more. :) Videos after the cut.
