Whew. It’s that time of the year again, when girls wear bikinis and boys go to the beach to surf or learn how to surf or pretend that they know how to surf lol I am not a big fan of summer, honestly. Never have been. I have always been the “rain person”. I love it when it rains and when the weather is cold. I love staying in my room, on the bed, stuffed with blankets and pillows. Aaaahh, that would be an ideal day plus a hot coffee and a book. Purrr-fect.

I am not hating on summer, though. It’s just that there are reasons why I can’t enjoy it like other friends and people I know. Here’s why:

The beach
– okay, so I prefer the pool over the sea. Is that bad? lol I do not like salty water and when I swim in the beach, I get itchy all over. I also don’t like not knowing what’s under the sea. My mum says those are only rocks and little fishes. LITTLE FISHES. That’s just it. Swimming with the little fishes is not and never gonna be my thing lol And the sea is large, you can be taken by big waves and drown or just bring you far from the city scares me. Yeah, it scares me big time.

The sun
– weird but yes, summer is all about the beach and the sun. Okay, so I hate the beach and the sun. I do not like walking under the 12nn to 2pm sun and I do not like getting sunburned.

The bikini competition
– lol there may not be a competition but all these girls at the beach wear bikinis. The kids, the adults, the girls in different sizes and shapes. It’s not that I don’t like it but it’s just that I couldn’t pull it off and I couldn’t wear one because I am insecure and I just can’t go out in bikini tops and skinny bottoms because I am fat. There, now how can I enjoy summer if I’m in shorts and shirt, yeah?

Malling in the summer
– okay, I love malls, watching movies, shopping, walking around it or just hanging out but going to the mall would be a bit too hard if the temperature is over 30 degrees, yeah? That would be too hot and you’d be too sweaty when you reached the mall. Walking in a hot weather is just going to piss me off and would put me in a bad mood.

Seeee? The reasons why I don’t like summer, are the same reasons why others love it. Though there are two reasons why I love summer:

Traveling
– whether it’s out of the country or just out of the town, I enjoy riding a van or car and driving to the destination. I don’t know why but nice seeing the views and I enjoy bonding with the people I’m with. Or I just enjoy catching up with lost sleep lol

Ice creams and cold foods
– Given that summer is too hot, you’d need something to cool you down. And that would be ice cream, ice candies, halo-halo and other cold foods that are very popular during the summer!

Alright I have my likes and dislikes, I know you have too. Not all people like the hot weather and the beach. Like me, some people prefer the rainy season. So till next time!

After busy days of school work and job hunting, here I am again, writing as if I won’t be doing anything tomorrow lol Anyway, I am here to rant. To rant about people who cannot decide well, about the people who say yes to plans but really means ditching afterwards, about the people who annoy the hell out of me.

What would you feel if you asked someone nicely to come over to your swimming or birthday party, have a sip of coke and rum, catch up, offer them barbecue and just plain hangout, they say yes, then of course, you put them into your guest list or to the people-you-are-expecting-list then when it’s time for the party to start, they cannot be found anywhere. No phone calls, no sms’, nothing to inform you that they couldn’t make it? Isn’t it a bit too frustrating? Wouldn’t you be pissed off about it?

Okay, alright, I get it, you have a lot of work to do and you’re near your deadline or you forgot that it’s your brother’s birthday or you were out with your special someone, he/she asked you out for dinner and a movie but couldn’t you spare a minute, or even seconds, of your time to send an sms that you wouldn’t be able to come anymore? Hell-oh, the people at the party are expecting you, you could’ve at least be respectful enough and told them that you aren’t coming anymore.

Or if you really weren’t even planning to attend in the first place you could’ve just said no. I think that would be better for the both of you, yeah? The host, or your friends, would’ve understood if you were just honest that you have plans on the same date or you don’t have money or you just feel like being alone and not hanging out with people. Or even maybe, if you’re tired hanging out with the same old people. I think saying no would be more respectful than saying yes and then ditching afterwards.

There are lots of ways to tell the host beforehand that you couldn’t make it. Let me enlighten you with some of the ways that I find legit and could be taken under consideration:

Call or SMS the host

        – The most common way of connection nowadays. This may also be the way you were invited to the party. Calling and SMS-ing would be the easiest way to communicate and let the people know why you’re not coming.

Facebook Message

    – Another common way of connection these past few days. I bet almost all of your friends have Facebook accounts. Message them ahead of time so they would be able to read it.

Email

     - I don’t think this is the most convenient way since people don’t really check their emails before a party. But it’s still counted as an effort that you’ve let them know, even if it’s by the most inconvenient way lol

Pass the message thru a common friend

     - Okay, so you cannot come and one of the invited guests is your neighbor. Take a few minutes to go over their house and let him/her pass the message to the group.

Alright, so main point is not to say yes, if you aren’t sure you’re coming to the event or if you aren’t coming at all and you’d just don’t want your friends to be disappointed because you’re saying no or you’re turning their invitation down. Trust me, it’s better to decline sooner that ditch later.

Okay, so that would be all. I am just venting out since I am very frustrated about some people. I would’ve understood if they told me sooner or it would’ve been better if they picked up their phones when I was calling them or SMS-ed me back when I asked them where they were. It’s just so aggravating when you get no reply. You feel unwanted, yes?

Woooooooh! Till my next blog!

How have you guys been? I hope all is well. As for me, I am starting the year right, as you may know. I have eaten right amounts of food and have watched my diet very carefully lol cos one of my resolutions is to lose weight. I have cut my rice intake into half, I have eaten more fruits and veggies and I am slowly walking away from meat, fried foods, oily foods and junk foods. I am also trying to avoid soft drink and artificially flavored juices. I will come to exercising again but for now, I guess I would have to check my food intake.

I also have looked for a job and luckily I found one! Hurrah! Well, it isn’t related with my course, Multimedia Arts, in any way but it will definitely do. I have been accepted as an English tutor for kids ages 5 – 14 in Number Works and Words. Hurrah x 2! I am so glad that I have been accepted, I have something to do now with my spare time since I only have Thursdays for school. Bummer, I know. Well, I can now spend my time productively and I will be earning my money! I am so excited!

Well, ever since I have always been so close with my book shelf, I guess it would be fair to say this: New year, new books, new stories to enjoy! I will definitely spend more time with my books lol

Alright, so I hope I could support the changes that I have done for a week now and hopefully I can lose a lot of weight and do good with my job. Now good luck to me and to you guys as well!

Oh and by the way, I am trying out this Ask.fm thingy. For fun. Well, ask whatever you want to ask, I don’t mind! Go!

Click and Ask Away!

Wow. Time sure knows how to fly! 2012 is nearly about to end (like only 4 hours after this post) and we will all be facing and welcoming another new year, 2013. Honestly, 2012 has been a good year to me and my family, not a problem we cannot solve and no other major difficulties came to us. I hope, 2013 would either be the same or be better. I wish nothing more but my family’s (all of them, cousins, aunts, uncles and immediate family members) happiness, good health, prosperous wealth, more love, successful careers, good grades and safety. That is all.

And about the ‘new year’s resolution thingy’ lol I wouldn’t make one this year since I wasn’t able to follow anything last year. As in, literally, not one resolution was solved. So yeah, no new year’s resolution for me this year.

Again, HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! May you all, have a prosperous new year ahead! X

New Year 2012

I know it may be a little late (got busy last week) and I wasn’t able to write anything last week but hey, it is better late than never, yes? I know we have all heard about that “end of the world on December 21″ thing but worry not, we are all safe now. I honestly didn’t believe anything about that prediction (no offense to the people who did) but I have faith in the Lord and I know He cannot do such thing to us. He cannot kill all the people that He created and gave life.

So once again, Merry Christmas to all! x

I cannot believe it’s Christmas time already! Time flies so fast, yeah? It felt like I was just writing my December 2011 wish list. Oh, time please be a little slower. Let the people enjoy every moment with their loved ones. I thought I would not be feeling the air of Christmas this year, but my mom decorated the outside of our house with Christmas lights, Christmas balls and Santa Claus lol (all for my little two-year-old sissy) and she also bought a small Christmas tree with a few Christmas lights and a small star (we cannot build a regular Christmas tree yet, the little sissy might only take the designs out one by one lol)

So anyway, I am here to share my Christmas wishlist for *ehem* my mom *ehem* my dad *ehem* my friends *ehem* lol. So here it is!

1. A Pug or a Golden Retriever

Oh I know we aren’t allowed to have pets yet again (our dog Woody, a Pomeranian, stays with my granddad at Pateros) but I just love these dogs! They are adorable and very cute.

2. Pair of doves/pigeons

We have been bird feeding in Venice Piazza, a local mall, and I have grown fondly of the birds. And now I want my own!

3. Hamsters or Guinea Pigs (How many you prefer lol)

I just saw a lot in a pet shop recently, I thought they are cute and fluffy and adorable and I want my own too lol

4. Books

This is er obvious if you know me too well. I am in love with books and I will accept whatever the genre is, whoever the author is. I will gladly accept lol but of course here are my desired titles, so you would not be rummaging through the bookshelves of the bookstore, not knowing what to buy:

- Chasing Daisy by Paige Toon

- Lucy in the Sky by Paige Toon

- Pictures of Lily by Paige Toon

- Johnny Be Good by Paige Toon

- Boxed set of Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

- Vampire Academy

- Frostbite

- Shadow Kiss

- Blood Promise

- Spirit Bound

- Last Sacrifice

- Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

- Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

- Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter

- Blood Red Road by Moira Young

5. A trip outside the country

A trip to relax and appreciate the different cultures of different places. I know mom would not approve of going to the UK or the US (it would be too costly for now), so Asian countries would do he he like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Korea.

6. A 32gb Ipod (nano, classic or touch)

Okay, cos I just need a new device to store my music into and I think there are new cute colors for Ipod nano and Ipod touch *evil smile*

And that is it! *clap clap clap* I know, I know, I have a lot of things that I want now but who says a girl cannot wish, yeah? *wink*

The society, today, tends to stereotype people and categorize them into groups such as “The socialites”, “The mean girls”, “The rich kids”, “The smart ass”, “The rebels”, “The geeks”, “The jocks”, “The wannabe’s”, “The emo’s”, “The skaters”, “The dorks”, etc. This happens most with the teens and young adults. Of course, there wouldn’t be a problem if you are categorized as a mean girl or a jock or a smart ass, those are pretty good titles (when you’re in a school campus). But what about the kids that were categorized as the emo’s or the dorks and the wannabe’s? Two things can happen:

First: They will think that they aren’t good enough and are not worthy of any attention at all. They will be insecure and will think lowly of themselves. They will either, stay the way they are and would not do anything to be better. They will be growing up with lots of insecurities and/or kill themselves.

Second: They will try to fit in. They will change their way of living and be that someone, supposedly “a mean girl”, and try to live like them, with their ways, their looks, the way they walk, the way they talk and even the way they dress. They would not act as themselves anymore. Just to be part of a better social group.

Sucks, yes? I have seen this for so many times, in movies, in life, in the news, everywhere. People tend to change themselves to become the person that they are not. They change themselves to be what their friends, schoolmates, teachers and other people surrounding them want them to be. They do it to fit in.

But why would you want to fit in and try to be the person that you are not, just to please some people who could not appreciate the real you? Why would you try to fit in if you could be yourself? And why would you change yourself for some people who were not seeing you as you when you can stay the same and just be you?

I am twenty years old and I have insecurities and imperfections. Insecurities that stopped me and now stops from doing whatever I want to do, from saying the things I want to say, from being the person who I want to be. I have always wanted to sing on stage but of course, I always think that  I am not attractive enough to even set a foot on the first level of the stage’s stairs. I am scared people might laugh at me, mock me, judge me, shout something that is not nice to me and do a lot more horrible things while I am standing there, frozen. I am also fat, I cannot wear the clothes that I want to wear because I am afraid that they might not fit me, afraid that I would just look ridiculous in it. So I stay neutral to what I wear, I stick to jeans, shirts and sneakers. Usual young adult/college outfit. I started smoking cigarettes, when I was in first year college, I was 17. I thought, “Oh the kids my age are smoking, I guess I should try too. I think it’s cool, blah, blah”. And so I started smoking regularly. I also started to drink alcohol with friends and spend some night out with them. I do not like going out, but I do just to catch up.

You see? All the things you do to gain friends. You are not even sure, until about now, if they are your friends. You spent days impressing them, smoking and drinking with them, praising them and then what? After everything, when you stop doing the things that they do, they would forget about you and proceed as if you weren’t there, as if you do not exist. Your efforts will be put into trash.

So, why don’t we all just stop pretending to be someone we are not and start being ourselves. We need not to be friends who could not accept us for who we are. We need not to pretend that we are this or we are that. Let us just ourselves, you be yourself and I’ll be me.

Well, I am a bookworm, a love reading books and writing reviews. I love blogging and writing down my thoughts. I love fiction, young adult, contemporary romance, sci-fi novels and English literature. I, obviously, adore William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. I love watching TV shows such as Doctor Who, Pretty Little Liars, Once Upon A Time, Revenge, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, New Girl and a lot more. I have no particular genre when it comes to TV shows. I watch what I like. I also love shooting and editing videos. Making short films. I love taking simple photographs. I would love to learn how to bake and cook. I am wiling to take up lessons in baking and cooking. I love playing The Sims 3. I love to sing in the shower, in the karaoke bar with friends, in my room, in our living room with my family, in the car, everywhere! (Just not on stage lol)

Well, this is who I am so this is who I will be. I will continue to be the imperfect me. No one is perfect. We all have flaws. Insecurities will still be there, it would be hard to take away and to overcome but I know it will eventually be gone once I build up my confidence in doing the things I love. I won’t force anyone to be friends with me, neither will I be forced to like anyone and be their friend. I will be true to my words, I will be true to myself. If I am not liked then I will do nothing, it is your problem anyway, not mine. So, as my inspiration had once said, “This above all: To thine own self be true.” I will live by this forever, with my heart, with my mind, with my words and with my soul. I will forever be true to myself.

I don’t think it’s fair for the government to take away the people’s choice to use the social networking sites, I mean, it is their right to speak for themselves and talk to their friends via Facebook and do whatever they want in the internet because:<br>

1.) They pay for it. They pay so they can use it, whether it’s for homework, or for socializing, or for saying the truth or for copying speeches, they have their rights to access the internet because they paid. Now what will happen with Smart, Globe and other more internet providers? They will lose costumers.

2.) Freedom of Speech. Isn’t it a human right that couldn’t be taken away from you? You have your own thoughts, own mind, own way of speaking for yourself. What if your way of speaking is via blogging? You write about your current situation, you write about the books you just read, you write about what happened today and would just like to share it to your followers just because, you write about how wonderful life is and quote an author and a senator copies it. Like me, I blog when I feel like writing, I blog when I’m bored. This is my hobby, writing is my passion. Will the law take it away from me? Yes it would. That is why I am against it.
And what could this law possibly do to us? Oh not much, just these:

1.) We could not speak for ourselves. If you are pissed off to someone, you cannot tell him to shut the fuck up or go to hell anymore LOL You are limited to what you should say. Motherfork!

2.) They could possibly ban the social networking sites. No Facebook. No Twitter. No 9gag. Okay, so no more connections to your family abroad. No more saying ‘hi’ to the people who are miles away from you. They should’ve given more thought to this. Not all people use Facebook just to flaunt them boobies and show them butts, but a lot of people use this to communicate with their families abroad or in the province. Now what? They are going to use Skype lol And I don’t even know if Skype is still legal to use here in the Philippines.

3.) No more torrent and file sharing. To all the people who download stuff via torrent. Say goodbye to it now. You may never be able to use it again.

4.) Your messages in Facebook, if ever they don’t get it banned and just decided to monitor it, will be out in public. From the year 2010 up to date will be shown to everyone. Hurray!

5.) You can be thrown to jail just by liking a post, sharing a picture, posting something liberated and re-posting something liberated that your friend has posted. And if I were you, I’ll bring my pajamas and a twelve-year supply of coffee because you will probably stay in jail for that long when you are caught liking and sharing a post.

And here’s more, okay I saw this post on Facebook posted by PIFA (Philippine Internet freedom Alliance) who were looking were looking for supporters and petitioners and I just thought the information is useful so therefore I am posting it here to inform everyone who’ll be reading this.

I signed a petition or two already *yay* I hope it isn’t too late to trash this law and focus on some other big time problems such as corruption and poverty.
Anyway, You know what pisses me off most? Is that the government tolerated the plagiarism act and still abides with most likely, the law maker, who is also the one who plagiarized his speech. Twice. Seriously? Plagiarism is an act of stealing. And just like the commercial in the cinemas. STEALING IS AGAINST THE LAW. Just like buying pirated DVD’s and Cd’s. Only in this concern, he is a senator and supposed to be a role model to the Filipino citizens. Someone to look up to, you know? But I don’t think I’ll ever look up to someone who signed-slash-made a law that would take away my freedom to blog and to say the things I feel like saying.

And wait, now, I am reading some things in Facebook that they weren’t able to review the whole law, just the part of which needed their concern? Jeez. Isn’t it your job to review laws and any provisions regarding it. Because if not, whose job is it then? Please be responsible enough. Don’t risk the people’s trust in the government.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT, also, READ BEFORE YOU SIGN.

If this continues, I probably would get out of the country and find my privacy elsewhere. And I doubt I’ll ever say that I am proud to live in the Philippines. The government system is just something that I couldn’t be proud of. Politicians get to be over-emotional and thinks that the whole country is conspiring against them then *kaboom!* a new law that will deprive you of your privacy and of your freedom to state whatever it is on your mind has been implemented in your country. Sucks to think that the government didn’t think about this well enough. Now, I also doubt that people will trust them again. I, for one, will not.

Trust has been damaged. Hope is now faltered. The actions of our government speaks for the whole country. We are corrupt and we don’t do anything about it. Instead of helping the poor and making poverty our prioritized economic problem, they do this. This is very sad. I just hope they know what they are doing. And this law is just a mashed potato. Couldn’t think of a better term lol

Lol but there is still hope! Tenenen!

Case Doctrines Section 4- Constitution. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

To know more about the Philippine Bill of rights, read this:

http://tagaloglang.com/The-Philippines/Government/philippine-bill-of-rights.html

Well, I don’t usually rant. I blog about stuff that makes me happy, about the books that I read and about something that challenges my mind to think and write. But this issue, is just beyond my anger limit and I need it out of my mind, even for a short while.

Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Ashes

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release date: March 25, 2008

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genres: Science Fiction / Young Adult / Dystopian

Pages: 453

ISBN: 9781416914297

Summary (from Goodreads):

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what’s normal when you’re a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who’s becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn’t ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary’s only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City’s Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

My review:

SPOILERS

Whoa. Okay, so I have read this for over a year now and I have just reread it because I miss Jace, my baby LOL So I will try reviewing it as if it is my first tie reading it.

Okay, so I hate to say this but this book frustrates me. It annoys me even. Why? Here is why:

ONE:
Jace and Clary. They are supposed to be siblings, yes? And they act so awkward around each other. They still show the “love” that they felt when they didn’t know they were siblings yet (though I have read the CoG and they aren’t really siblings) but still, they are too awkward. And bros and sis’ should really be THAT overprotective of each other. Clary’s right in one of the things she said in the book, that what they were doing is ‘disgusting’, thinking that they really are siblings LOL

TWO:
Jace. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jace! I love his charming personality and his witty comebacks but here in CoA he seems lost and out of his usual self.

THREE:
Maryse Lightwood. She shouldn’t have kicked Jace out of the house. That was too much! She knows he doesn’t have anyone to go to, I mean, he sees them, Maryse, Robert, Alec, Izzy and Max as his family already then she chose not to believe him. Poor Jace. She lacked faith in him and I don’t like her for that.

FOUR:
The Inquisitor/Imogen Herondale. Who would like her? She was so bitchy and mean and inconsiderate and she was eaten by her hatred with Valentine. She isn’t fair. She doesn’t believe Jace because he is Valentine’s son and she wouldn’t consider listening to anyone who is/was related to him, even to Maryse Lightwood, who was once in Valentine’s circle. Though I felt a little bad when she died (cos she died for Jace), still can’t take away the fact that she annoys me and wanted to strangle her myself when she was questioning Jace about the things that he didn’t really do but she kinda got away cos she is somehow good with reasoning LOL

FIVE:
Simon. Well, I like the best friend Simon, what I didn’t like was the boyfriend Simon and the vampire Simon LOL I didn’t like him being Clary’s boyfriend cos I have always been team Jace. And he seems a little too clingy. Anyway, I think he’s better off with Maia or Izzy’s boyfie. And I didn’t like him being a vampire cos that means he now belongs in Clary’s world, which I totally didn’t dig in. I mean, okay so they still were seeing each other even if she is a Shadowhunter and he was a Mundane, why does he have to be one of the Night Children? It just annoys me how I couldn’t get rid of him in the series LOL (Sorry for the Simon fans but yeah)

SIX:
Jocelyn Fray. It just seems annoying that she’s in a coma for a whole book and a half lol and she did that to herself for Valentine not get to her or whatever she knows about the Mortal Cup.

SEVEN:
The death of the Silent Brothers. It just came too fast. Well, Jace got chained in their sanctuary and then they all died just like that. What? No action? Thinking they were so great and all and Jace was scared of them in book one.

But of course, there are also a few things that I liked:

ONE:
Luke Garroway/Lucian Graymark. He’s so good to Clary, well, we all know that he isn’t really Luke’s daughter but he takes good care of her and loves her as his own. This unconditional love for Jocelyn Fray/Jocelyn Fairchild is just too much for him. I love Luke! He’s one of the best characters in the series!

TWO:
Magnus Bane. Oh, is this what love can do to a person? He’s obviously helping because of Alec Lightwood. He likes him so much and I do hope Alec likes him the way he does. It’s really wonderful what it can do to you, with love, I mean. He is also one of my favorite characters

Okay, so that’s it! It’s so obvious that I got more annoyed with the book than liked it. But I’m still reading the third book LOL Have you ever heard the “annoyed-in-a-good-way” kind of annoyed? Lol That is how I’m feeling because this series (TMI series) is one of my favorite series’ everrr. As in, I love Jace, though he is oftentimes an asshole to everyone and who thinks he’s superior to anyone who’s around him but still there’s this kind of attitude in him that could make you love him like a love song, baby LOL I kid. Anyway, I’m now off to read the third book! Ciao.

Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Author: Cassandra Clare

Release date: March 27, 2007

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genres: Science Fiction / Young Adult / Dystopian

Pages: 485

ISBN: 9781416914280

Summary (from Goodreads):

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing — not even a smear of blood — to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare’s ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

My Review:

SPOILERS

Ohh I missed The Mortal Instruments series! It feels so good to reread it again. I missed Jace’s conceited yet charming self. I missed Clary’s courageous acts. I missed Alec and Magnus Bane’s relationship (I love gays, so I love them!!). I missed Izzy’s fierceness. I missed Simon’s caring best friend acts. I missed Luke’s father-like figure. I missed almost all the characters!!! LOL

How could you not be hooked with TMI? With the very arrogant, witty, self-appraising yet charming and beautiful Jace as the lead guy. Why would you not fall in love? It is true, he’s somehow, well, confused with his life since he thought his dad was Michael Wayland, who has been killed by Valentines’ (the antagonist and Clary’s dad) men, Pangborn and Blackwell. But turns out that Valentines himself raised Jace and taught him how to fight like a Shadowhunter, how to kill demons and to extract those ‘slimy’ downworlders and just, plainly, how to be a Shadowhunter.

And Clarissa Fray, who we know better as Clary. She was raised as a normal kid by her mom, with a little help from Luke. She was blinded from the “Sight” by the High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane. So she reached fifteen without knowing about the Shadowhunter world. Without knowing that fairies, werewolves, vampires and demons do exist. But her life turns the other way around and she is slowly catching up with the life she should have had.

Okay, so I just noticed that the story of TMI is comparable with ‘The Secret Circle’. Well, not that I have read the TSC books, I have just watched the TV show and I must say, there are things that are alike. Such as:

1. The Circle: So in TMI, Valentines’ generation had created a circle, a bond of friendship, something that would like to stand-up against the downworlders being one with the Shadowhunters. Same as with TSC, the generation of Amelia, (Cassie’s mom) had formed a circle.

2. Valentine Morgenstern and John Blackwell: They both have dreamt of power (though Valentine didn’t really say that he wants power, with what he is doing, that’s what I see.) They started of as wanting some change and would do anything for a “better world” for Shadowhunters/Witches. And both turns out to be equally evil and doing what has to be done, which involves a lot of killing and a little “acting” to get on the good sides of their children (Clary and Cassie).

3. Jocelyn (Clary’s mom) and Amelia (Cassie’s mom): They both ran away from their evil husbands, who were the leader of the circles. They tried giving their daughters a normal life, away from the Shadowhunters/Witches, which makes it harder for the girls to cope up with the lives they should’ve had.

4. And lastly, Clary and Cassie’s name both starts with a “C” LOL I thought I ought to include it here.

So there, I couldn’t compare more because the TSC had stopped airing and producing. So I don’t really know what happens next. I wish they continue it, though. I love that TV series!

Anyway, I couldn’t really explain how Jace turns out to be Valentines’ son and a lot more dilemmas in the book that has has gone out, you guys have to actually read the book and understand it yourselves. The story is nice! Wonderful, even. You will find yourself drawn into the Shadowhunter world.

I am actually rooting for Alex Pettyfer to take up the role as Jace Wayland. It suits him right? That badass personality, physically beautiful, Blonde hair, it suits him well. *sigh* too bad he wouldn’t be portraying him. Despite the crowd cheering him to be Jace.

But I am not to worry because another hot actor wold be portraying Jace Wayland/Lightwood/Morgenstern/Herondale LOL And he is Jamie Campbell Bower!! Yay!! *clap clap* He could be Jace also. I wish he’d be good in the movies though! I’ll be waiting for that!

Title: Shatter Me

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Release date: November 15, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genres: Science Fiction / Young Adult / Dystopian

Pages: 338

ISBN: 9780062085481

Summary (from Goodreads):

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

My Review:

SPOILERS

Okay so I never review a book without spoilers lol I cannot control myself from spilling the good and the bad in the story. My apologies.

Anyway, this story is a mix of likes and frustrations but I must tell you guys that I like like like this book. Of course, in every book there is something you really must not have comprehended and expected that wy you become frustrated, yes? I must list them all for you. Here:

LIKES

1. Juliette – I feel really sad for her. As in, I feel bad when Adam tells the readers how she gave up a seat on their field trip so one girl can come along, how she gave up her lunch to somebody not close to her and treated her like she doesn’t exist after she got okay, how she admitted that she was the one who cheated of someone’s math test and failed and got detention. And also when she accidentally killed this little boy, well, she did that to save him, yes? It’s not like it’s her fault or it’s her intention to kill him. She’s just so pure and the only thing that she desires is to be loved and accepted. I love her pure intentions and her uncorrupted mind.

2. Adam – Thought he was an asshole when he came into the cell to be Juliette’s roommate, it turns out that he had this secret crush on her since they were young. I love him and his effort in finding her. His dedication for peace and for making her feel loved. And also, his love for his brother is just so sweet. He doesn’t want him to be afraid and to be traumatized with the things happening. Oh, a new Adam to swoon for! LOL

3. Juliette’s gift – Well, I think her gift is very powerful. She doesn’t know how to control it yet but I know she will. And even though she knows she can kill people with it, she still chooses not to, despite of the being rude and unkind to her.

4. Kenji – LOL I thought he was some spy who Warner sent to kill Adam and bring Juliette back but he isn’t and he is cool. He brought them in an underground establishment and introduced Juliette into a small world full of people like her. People with special gifts and would appreciate Juliette if she stays there with them.

FRUSTRATIONS

1. Warner – I hate him like Juliette hated him LOL I just think it’s weird for him to be so obsessed with Juliette. I mean, I know she got powers and all but he ended up liking her, loving her and wanted to be with her. And yes, I usually hate the people who the main characters are hating lol I feel the need to hate them too! And he tried to hurt and kill Adam!!! I ain’t sitting around liking this Warner guy LOL

2. The X-Men like ending plot – Oh lol I may be the only one who have noticed but yes, I did and it’s kinda frustrating. See, Juliette has this super ability, she can kill people with her bare hands, and then she was not accepted by the public so she was detained in an asylum for more than 200 days and then got out and had been abducted (for lack of a better term) by Warner and escaped and ran away with Adam. I like this part of the story. But to me, it sounds just so weird for Juliette to be finding people like her when for seventeen years, she thought she was alone and didn’t have anyone who could understand her. Yes yes yes? And the “leader” of the so-called underground movement, Castle, possesses psychokinesis, which helps him to move things with his mind. Just like Professor X in X-Men. The only difference is Castle cannot communicate through his mind whilst Professor X can.

Anyway, I am not comparing the whole book to X-Men, just the ending part LOL but hey, I liked this book and I am looking forward to the next one which is Unravel Me.

Title: Insurgent (Divergent trilogy)

Author: Veronica Roth

Release date: May 01, 2012

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genres: Science Fiction / Young Adult / Dystopian

Pages: 532

ISBN: 9780007442911

Summary (from Goodreads):

One choice can transform you–or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves–and herself–while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable–and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

“New York Times” bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian “Divergent” series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My Review:

SPOILERS

Still amazing! This series amaze me. One of my favorite books of all time!

Okay, so I loved Divergent! I like how Beatrice changed her name into Tris and wanted a new life and started on her own and how she tried to fit in the Dauntless even though she has doubts in her mind and feels like she is still part Abnegation (her former faction) and how she had overcome the initiation and ranked first in her batch and how she and Four met and fell in love with each other. God, there’s just a lot of things that are praise worthy in Divergent.

And same goes with Insurgent, though I liked Divergent more because that is where Tris is finding herself, her purpose and where she decides on what faction to be in and where she thinks she belongs to and that is when she found out about being Divergent. It is where it all started. Here, in Insurgent, happens a lot of twists though. Some of the problems that affected Tris alone and her relationship with Tobias/Four are:

1. The Dauntless have split into half. The Loyal Dauntless and the Traitor Dauntless. Loyal Dauntless like Uriah, Marlene, Lynn, Shauna etc stayed together. They didn’t want to merge with the Erudite and do evil things with them using their technologies. The Traitor Dauntless wants otherwise and sided with the Erudite. They took part in killing the Abnegation from the first simulation that controlled the non-Divergent people.

2. When Tobias needs to stay in Amity with his father, Marcus. We all know that Tobias is afraid of his dad and he doesn’t trust and love him. Marcus was mistreating him when he was young. I know it’s hard for Tobias to be with him in the same roof, let alone plan with him what they’ll do next.

3. When Tris meets Tobias’ mom, Evelyn. Tris didn’t trust her from the very beginning. She knew that she has something in her mind that would do no good. Evelyn is like the factionless leader. She was exiled from Abnegation when she was caught having an affair when Tobias was young. And at the end of Insurgent, y’all wouldn’t like her lol

4. Tris’ brother, Caleb, had turned his back on her. Well, we can never say he turned his back because he never left the Erudite. He was so scared to be factionless that it got to the point where he had to betray Tris and tell Jeanine that she’s Divergent and got three results from the test. Tris trusted Caleb with all her heart because they are family, little had she known that he chose “faction over blood”. Poor Tris, no more family to run to

5. I just noticed, Tris had really shown her “Erudite side” in Insurgent, yes? She thinks a lot and a lot of things had been bugging her mind and also a number of Dauntless had come to her for help because they know that she could think better than mos of them. Even Tobias asked her to come along when he met up with his mom and told her to read her mom if she had a good intention or not, but at the end, he didn’t listen and just sealed a deal with the factionless.

6. When the Loyal Dauntless sealed an alliance with the factionless. Okay, so I think this was a stupid move cos first, factionless aren’t supposed to be trusted. I mean, they were kicked out or didn’t pass in an initiation of one’s faction so I assume that most of them are bitter. Bitter in life, bitter that they didn’t get in the faction that they chose or just plain hate life. So I think it was stupid of Tobias to ally with them. I know he thought his mom was to be trusted but I don’t know, if I was Tris, I’d tell him that I think she doesn’t have good intentions in front of her when they were on the train. That way, Tobias could chose between her, his girlfriend, the one he turns to when things get ugly and the one he trusts the most or his mom, the woman who abandoned him, the woman who is manipulating him and the woman who cheated on his father.

7. Peter’s change of heart LOL I must say, I was really surprised he changed sides. Though I felt that he would while I was nearing the part where Tris was about to die, from the beginning, I never thought he’d leave Erudite and join back to Dauntless. Though he did it only because he felt indebted with Tris but still, it was nice of him to save her. I wish he’d change for the better in book three. Hopefully, he could be someone to be trusted by Tris and Tobias lol because honestly, when the book ended, I don’t know who to trust among them anymore, definitely not Marcus, not Evelyn and the factionless and not the Dauntless traitors. So it’s just Tris, Tobias and their Loyal Dauntless friends (Uriah, Christina, Zeke and Tori)
8. Tris and Tobias’ quarreling. They fought so much on this book, oh God. Well, I think it is both okay and not okay. Okay because this way (fighting), they could strengthen their relationship and get to know each other well, like how they really think or they can really be together despite of the differences in thinking and in life’s perspective. And not okay because, I don’t know I just feel bad for Tobias when they fight because most of the time, it is Tris’ fault why they quarrel. She just can’t follow Tobias’ wish which is to stay with him in the headquarters and be safe. She always wants to spring herself up high, volunteer to die or just plain be stupid to catch a bullet for people who doesn’t even appreciate her. I know, it is her “Abnegation” part that made her all do it but it’s just too much. She’s too stubborn.

Well, I guess that is what makes a Divergent unique. They can’t be controlled and be told what to do. Like how Tobias can’t tell Tris that she should be safe with him inside the headquarters. That is why Jeanine is so eager to get rid of them because they are threat that could destroy the Erudite.

I’d love to be Divergent! I’d like to be Tris lol Dauntless and Erudite and Abnegation. But if I had to chose one among the five factions, I’d choose Dauntless. I would be thrilled to be in their training lol jumping from trains and cliffs, learning how to shoot guns and use knives as weapons, having a brawl with your fellow initiates and be ranked and I’d like to taste some of their cake lol I heard it’s delicious! So yeah, Dauntless it is! LOL

So I loved Insurgent, one of my favorite books. I recommend to all my friends and followers, read it. You’ll all love it!

In relationships, breakups and cool-offs can never be avoided because misunderstandings and wrong interpretation of actions are always there. And sometimes, when girls are on their period, things get heated up in an argument. They tend to be hot-headed and jump into conclusions and voila! The next thing you know, the couple are breaking up. And when they do, they’ll run to someone close to them for comfort or advice. You might be one of them, so here are seven worst things that should not be said to a person who just got dumped.

1. “Wanna hook-up? *wink*” – Some friends do this. Too insensitive. What the fucking fuck, man? She just got dumped. Try to give her some space. She needs time to think and to decide when she’s going to date again. If one of your friends do this to you, he/she doesn’t care that much about how you feel, at the moment. Hang out with other friends and leave him be.

2. “I was wondering the whole span of your relationship when you’ll realize that you’re not meant to be together!” – uh-oh, wrong response. Of course, your friend will ask you why you thought of that and you’re gonna have to explain yourself. Then you might end up saying that he is too ugly for her. Your friend might get offended because she still loves the guy and cry even more or she wouldn’t come to you for advice any longer.

3. “Isn’t there a bit of a chance to getting back together? Call him and ask.” – Uhm, you might just end up giving false hope to your friend. This advice will just make her more upset if the ex-lover doesn’t want to be with them anymore.

4. “Here, drink some vodka! This will calm your nerves!” – We all know that for every broken heart there should be at least a glass of wine or something hard to accompany the broken-hearted. Yes, a drink or two sounds good, at the moment, but you don’t want to see your friend grinding somewhere public at 1am, or stripping outside your front door! Be a good friend and just let them stay at home and drink milk instead lol

5. “Sean is beside me, sorry I can’t talk. We might wake him up!” – Not a wise response, at all. She just got dumped and called her most trusted friend for comfort and then what? You’ll say that you and your boyfriend are sleeping together and you might wake him up? You didn’t just chose him over your friend, you also rubbed the fact that you still have your man beside you and she didn’t have hers. This will upset her more!

6. “I told you before, I do not like him for you!” – She will ask you why you don’t like him and I think whatever you say to her, even negative comments about the guy he was dating, she’ll argue with you and would tell you how nice he is or how strong his muscles are when he flexes or he smells so good after sex. Ugh.

7. “Yeah? So he was dating that girl I saw with him in the mall!” – You’ll only make your friend feel more devastated and she’ll be insecure. She’ll think she’s ugly for the rest of her life. Besides, you aren’t sure if he’s really dating the bitch so shut it. It’s not worth seeing your friend cry because she thinks she was replaced.

8. “Please, *name of friend*, get over it! There are lots of men out there. Just go find a decent one and try not to date another asshole!” - This response is just so mean. She needs comfort and an understanding friend, not a whiny-annoyed-friend. She doesn’t want anyone, at the moment. All she wants is the guy who dumped her. Would she seek comfort if she doesn’t?

Okay, so whatever happens, if a ‘dumped’ friend seeks your advice and your soft, sweet words, DO NOT EVER TELL THESE TO THEM. If you really really really care about their feelings, you really wouldn’t let these words slip out of your mouth. They are in need of a friend, okay? And a friend’s job is to put a smile on the face of a sad friend. Be sensitive enough and think about this, if it ever happened to you, would you like your friends to tell these to you? xx

Prompt: Write a letter to the 10-year-old child you had been.

Dearest child,

You are currently in fourth grade, yes? This is the time that you’re having chicken pox. Very annoying, and itchy chicken pox. Oh no, you are warned by your mother not to scratch them, they might end up leaving permanent marks on your skin. But you aren’t listening, are you? You are scratching and scratching until you are satisfied. After the chicken pox left its marks, you are diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura. You cannot walk because of enlarged feet and purple spots could be seen on your legs. You are hospitalized and you feel miserable. You are asking why this is happening to you. Two major illnesses in one summer. Well, life is just like that, child. At this point, you are weak and you are insecure. You do not know a lot of things just yet, but trust me, eventually, you will. You cry just because of small things. You do not get everything that you want: toys, clothes, sweet and other unnecessary things. You dress up like a boy. You wear pants and shirts all the time because you think you are so fat and you do not want to look all stupid in a mini skirt. Ah, yes, this is also the time that your parents separated and decided to part ways. Your dad moves out of the house and your mum shouldered all the expenses. She saves money so you and your two siblings can go to school. You like writing stories, I know this is true. I’ve read a lot of those but you never showed them to anyone, not even your parents. Why, child? Why not flaunt your work and show it to the world? Oh, I know, because you are afraid that they might say ugly things about your poems and short stories. You do not like criticism and you are being pulled down when you hear a negative comment about your works. You are very insecure. You know you are not perfect, physically, mentally and emotionally and you know that you wouldn’t be. Even with your young mind, child, you know what you want and you want to show it to them but you are afraid. Afraid of people laughing at you, afraid of what they are going to say.

Well, let me tell you something, child. You are not born to please everybody around you. You aren’t raised to live up to everyone’s expectations and you aren’t breathing right now just to be afraid. You must know that you are unique and you can do whatever you want and however you wish of pursuing your dream. All those past illnesses that you’ve had and the marks that were left on your arms and on your legs are just challenges, to know if you are strong enough. You didn’t listen to your mother when she told you not to scratch, yes? See? You can do whatever you want. You’ve done it once, why not do it again? Why not be ready to tell everyone you know how tough you are and how passionate you can be? You did not get all those toys and other stuff before? Trust me, you will get things that you like soon. Just have faith on your family, on your mum. Hold on to her. Love her and cherish her. She’s all you’ve got and she’s doing her best to give you everything. Don’t give her much of a hard time. She’s got her hands full, at the moment. If there’s one person who you need to follow all your life and whose expectations you should meet, it’s your mum. She’s the only person whom you should trust with all your heart. And if you think you’re ugly today, don’t worry it’s part of growing up. Just think of it this way, before every flower has to bloom into its pretty self, they were once a bud, ugly and small and all-curled-up. You are growing up, child, and you are going to go through different paces of life. Being ugly is one of those paces. You’ll eventually leave this pace and be a beautiful girl. And with your passion in writing, just continue to do so. I believe that you do not need a career in writing, just to be ale to write and express yourself. Just write and write and let people read. Being criticized isn’t always a bad thing, child. There’s also these positive comments that will lighten up your mood and would make you push through. Embrace the positiveness and learn from your mistakes. If one article isn’t good enough then write another. Learn and cope up. Never be afraid. Stand your ground and be firm.

Do you get me, child? All of the things that you are experiencing now, will end up helping you realize how hard reality is and it will help shape you up and make you a tougher, smarter and better person. Trust me, I know. *wink*

Love,

Your 20-year-old self.