I think I need Rehab

The first ever book I've bought from my own allowance was the first book of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Anne Brashares. It was a second-hand book. I was still a student back then so budget was tight and book sales/second-hand bookstores were great help. Before that, I usually would simply borrow books from my classmates or make use of my school library card.

My first book collections are all used books. Then I started saving and started purchasing new books. But I was not a fan of asking my mom for extra-allowance for non-school related stuffs so money was a problem back then and so I ended up using my library card again.

It was when I finally started earning a living that I gave in to my perks. Almost every pay day, I'd buy one or two. But reading books is one thing and collecting them is a totally a different thing. Remember the saying: Don't judge the book by it's cover? Well, if you start collecting books, cover does matter. Sometimes, it could drive you crazy thinking as to when will this particular book cover version will be available.

Size, publisher, version will matter. If you started collecting Hard bound you want all to be hard bound. If you had it soft bound, you want all to be soft bound. And then there are cases where in a certain book became a mega-hit that the author decided to make it in to a series, you ended up cursing the author cause that'll mean more expenses cause you have to collect them all. But you ended up waiting for the sequel and buying them anyway.

And then there's the original book cover and you love the book so much that when it was made in to a major motion picture you ended up buying the movie-tie-in edition of the book. Some people might ask what's the point of buying the same book that you already have when the content is still the same and the only difference is the cover? Yeah, what's the point of doing that when all we were after was the knowledge after all?

Personally, I can't think of a direct answer. But we could most likely credit giving in to all these whims for satisfaction and compulsiveness sake. Especially when a certain book looks so battered already which only means one thing, it was borrowed a lot of times and got dog ears in between pages.

Dog ears!

That's the number one enemy of book afficionados. That's why we have this so called bookmark invented because it's understandable that we need breaks in between reading and we need something to mark where we are in a book. But never, NEVER fold a book's page. Dog ears are a no no!

Anyway, I was planning to buy a new pair of shoes or pants maybe but then as usual I ended up buying books instead. I realized I better dress-up my brain first (if there's such a thing as that.) I better make my brain look good first before what's seen outside. haha. And guess what? I ended up buying 10 Books in a matter of 3 days! Yah, I think I need to be rehabbed. Don't ask me how much it all cost me. Siguro nga galit lang ako sa pera. lol

Well, at least all these overtime that I'm doing at work is not being put to waste. At least, I'm not buying drugs. haha. And at least again, I have something to keep me company for the upcoming days. Pero daig ko pa yung may exam sa dami ng babasahin.

But yay! I love them!^_^

kelan ang exam?XD

Confessions of a "Bookaholic"

I love books.

Old and new. I just love looking at them especially if they are piled in a ceiling high book shelf. I love feeling them. The texture of the paper used. Some have embossed title cover. Some are shiny. Some are rough. But mostly smooth. I love running my fingers through them But most of all, I love smelling them. I don't know but books have a certain distinctive smell that when you enter a library or a bookstore you can't help but mutter: "Ahhhh! It smells like books!" =p

Even old books have distinctive smell. Yung tipong galing sa baul tapos pag inamoy mo sasabihin mong ang bango! (may kasama pang achoooooo!) XD

Kidding aside, what makes its smell distinctive is its smell of knowledge. Cause you know in between those pages is a world of its own. Some authors spent years to complete a book. Some only spent a matter of days. But every book promises knowledge. And if I'd mix that smell of knowledge with coffee-aroma ---- wala na. "I'm on a high!"

My knack for reading did not start at a very young age. When I was a kid, I was more of a TV/Comics fanatic. Books looked boring for me. They are literally full of words. No illustrations, just pure sentences. Plain Boring.

When I was in high school, I joined the bandwagon of reading Hardy Boys and Nancy Drews. But those did not lauch my book addiction. Third year high school: we had to submit a full novel analysis and I had no idea which novel I must read. My aunt suggested Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. It took me 3 months to finish the entire book. It's not because I didn't have ample time. It was maybe because the book is just really thick (it have 1448 pages!). Maybe because my reading comprehension during those time was not yet good that I needed to reread every chapter and since it was a long term project, we had to give chapter by chapter analysis.

Looking back, I realized I should had chosen a different book. That experience even made my likeness for books slimmer. After that, I was back to being stuck with reading academic text-books. And we all know that academic/school books are seasonal. Peek seasons are during quizzes and periodical exam time.

So of course the obvious question is, "What book made me love books?"

Well, as much as I want to say that it's the Electronic Communications System Fundamentals Through Advance by Wayne Tomasi, I have to give the credit to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter for the book that started it all-award. I was hooked. I badly wanted to read the books one after another. Sorcerer Stone, Chamber of Secret, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire and the Order of Phoenix --- I wanted to devour all of them over night (during that time Book 6 and 7 were not yet released). It was a newly found addiction. And when I finished book 5, I was left wanting for more.

That was also the time when I was nurturing some first-love-romance-state. I found my hopeless-romantic salvation from Nicholas Sparks' The Notebook. From magical adventure to romance. That's when I started experimenting, widening my book preferences. I tried tested-through-time/Best-seller authors first: John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, Paulo Coelho, Mitch Albom or pretty much those authors whose books are available in our school library or a classmate has in possession. After that, I practically read anything (academic books are still exemptions here of course). Books from famous authors, new authors, controversial books, self-help books, fictional and non-fictional books. My pace gradually increased, comprehension was developed. Books that I can finish off in one sitting. Although there are still those that took me months to finish but it's either because I don't like the story or it's just badly written. But at least I still finish them anyway.

So my point here is: It's never too late to love reading, never too late to love books. You just need to find the right book that could change your perception. Don't be intimidated by the number of pages. The lines are more detailed and intricate than any illustrators can draw. The words are more truthful and painful. It's your time alone. It'll make you travel. It will let you get lost but it will also let you find an entirely new world.

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan

Friday Madness

Thank God it's Friday! Probably, that's one of the most used expressions any worker/laborer had said. There's only one reason for that: it's the last day of the working days. At least that would be for "normal" working people. For special cases like mine, a Friday could be the start of a work-week or it could be a rest day. Good thing for today, my case fell on the latter part. I had a day off. And there were 4 things that had at least entertained me for the day: motorbikes, a movie, a book and a tall-sized coffee. I know that the last 3 are so the typical me but what's with the motorcycle?

Although I'm not a motorcycle enthusiast, I can't help but admire those flashy Harley Davidson motorcycles. I never thought I'd ever get to see a number of those luxurious bikes up close and personal. They're actually the type that once you had purchased one of those, you'd have it tied up in your garage for fear that someone might steal it while you'd park it somewhere or because the city's road is rough enough for its wheels. They are literary flashy, shiny, and reminded me of those motorbikes used by Mask-Rider Black and Shaider. Very Cool!

slide show of some Harley Davidson Motorcycles

AS for the movie-part, I watched the Night at the Museum. On my way out of the theater, I overheard a guy saying: "That's the most dumbest F**king movie I've ever seen!". If given a chance to reply, I could have said: Watch your language, most especially your grammar. LOL. But for the most part I have to agree with him. The movie is not good.

Anyway, since today is payday Friday for me, I decided to buy a book then planned to read it in a coffee-shop. It's been a while since the last time I had that so I went to one of the coffee-shops I usually go. Too bad, it's currently close for renovation. Too bad I can't see the barista-guy I had a crush on. LOL. So I went to another branch and lo and behold! You got it right! My likey-liked barista was there. You think that's Fate? LOL.

It's not likely that he remembered me. I mean, if he did, he did not gave any clue that he did. LOL. Of course I don't go there everyday or every week so I can't be considered as a regular customer. But I'd like to think that I'm not that easy to be forgotten. XD hahaha. Alright. Of course the usual thing happened. He asked for my name and he uttered my name thrice. First was when he asked what kind of coffee would I want. Second time was when he asked me which would I prefer, a regular or a non-fat milk. And the third time was when he served my coffee. And then he gave me his name: Leon. XD. LOL. OK, I made a quick glance on his name plate. It was shorter than I thought. Reminded me of my favorite Resident Evil character (Leon) and one of my favorite bands (Kings of Leon). I might add him on my list: my favorite barista. LOL. But it's only the say-my-name-part that was ok. When I had my coffee, I was disappointed. He misspelled my name.-_-




The coffee shop had a number of people more than I expected it to have. The place was probably 75% full. I decided to seat on one of those round-coffee tables, a bit near to the counter where Leon was in =p but the location was bad enough to be in front of a young couple. Bad enough in a sense that I found them distracting. Hugging is one thing. Snuggling is another thing. And smooching is definitely a totally different thing! I made a mental note to self that if I'd have a boyfriend, I'll be considerate to others. So, it ended me reading just the prologue of the book and the for here coffee turned to a to go. I simply went out and looked at the motorcycles again.

Crazy Friday indeed.

Fighting Temptations.

Sunday. And finally I had a real weekend rest day. Although what's on the top of my mind right now is to go back to our boarding house and sleep, I'm restraining my self not too. I had too much sleep these past few days and I think that habit also deserves a break. Like what they say, too much of something is bad enough.

It's been a while since that last time I've watched a movie and so I decided to go malling and see if there's something worth watching for this week. As it turned out, they're not my kind of movies so I fought the temptation of watching a movie just for the sake of watching and not because I want to.

The hardest part was going to the bookstore and seeing piles of Twilight Series book set. Of course I already have my own copy of the four books. And actually I have also the movie-tie-in version of the first book. But isn't it nicer if there's really a box intended for the whole set? And there's just too many of those box set these days! And to think that I had a hard time before completing my collection! And I don't have a box! So I was like muttering to my self...I already have my own collection, why would I buy a new set? Hmmm...Collector's thing? My first book has a fold on it's cover already and I lend it to an office mate and too bad she's an advocate of dog-ears. Hmmm...what if I will sell my current collection in ebay so that I will have a reason to buy this? And how about the story of how you were able to collect those 5 books? All those efforts? And I thought you are saving? Ok. Ok. Point taken. I have to stay away from here then.

Oh well. I did not give in to any of my whims today. And if you'd ask me, I think that's a good thing. One thing I've learned if you are to live independently, discipline is a must. It's either you go to sleep or go clubbing, either you save your money or spend it, or you either learn to let go or hang on a little longer. Wait. The last part is not included.lol.

But I sure can't shake off those Twilight box set.

Twilight Box Set

Note to self: Stay away from this bookstore.XD

of bookstores and coffee shop

The smell of new books and an aroma of coffee: that's one of the best ever combination.

It's never been a secret that I'm a sucker for books and coffee. For me, one of the blissful moments I ever have is for me to read a good book while having a cup of coffee. And one of my greatest dream is for one day for me to have my own library and my own coffee maker.

For now, I've only been a regular bystander (lol) in a bookstore and a coffee shop here in Cebu. I've been to a lot of bookstores already but Fullybooked Bookstore is my most favorite if we'd actually talk about the setting and ambiance. And I've been a regular customer in Seattle's Best Coffee as well. If I find life boring here, books and coffee are the only things that would usually keep me company. Hopefully, that is not a sign of spinsterhood.XD

Click on the pictures for bigger size

And by the way, a nice playlist is also a good add-on. And thanks to my friend Chang, I've recently learned the song Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg. Very much appropriate. Hopefully that too will happen to me: Falling in love at a coffee shop. ^_^

of shopping, books and wolverine.

I could be anything else except being shopaholic. That's one of those other things that is not so feminine of me. Of course when I was still in school, the reason would be, I don't have the money to pay for my suppose to be shopping bills. But right now that I'm already earning a living and I somehow already got the money to pretty much buy my self new dresses or new shoes, I still haven't sign up for those shopping cards.

I actually don't consider my self thrifty nor stingy. I do spend a lot so I could be considered as a spend-thrift. But I don't normally walk in to boutiques or shoe stores. If I would actually say I'd go "malling", there are only 3 places you'd most likely find me: bookshop, coffee-shop, or a movie-house.

I really don't care about fashion. Call me an outfit repeater and I won't care. Anyway, that's true and I find nothing wrong with it. Possibly, the reason why a colleague would usually push me and say: "buy something for yourself" is because she seldom sees me with a new outfit on or new gadgets to show off. But, technically speaking, I'm always buying something for my self. For one thing, everyday I do shell out quite an amount of money for food alone. And if you won't consider that shopping because shopping is defined as going store to store in search of merchandise or bargains then I do go shopping but not for clothes. Like today, I went from bookstore to bookstore. Yep. I went shopping for books. I already have a long list of books to read and I decided that I have to start cutting the list short. And I got 3 off the check list today.

Speaking of being a spendthrift, I also treated my self over some movie. I've been waiting to watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine and finally the wait is over. Is the wait worth it? Definitely. Aside from the superb effects, I actually swooned over Daniel Henney a.k.a Agent Zero in the film. ^_^ I liked him when he was doing some korean drama series and it's so cool to see him in this big Hollywood movie. And his accent, acting, stunts are all magnifico!^_^ I'm drooling over him. XD



Rating: ★★★☆☆

I will meet Mr. Right in a Bookstore?!?

When we were students, we often find our selves complaining about quizzes and exams. But there are actually some tests that we often times find interesting to take. More likely, they would involve personality tests and for some, some fortune-telling kind of tests. We usually find it absurd to take those on line quizzes but yup, we still answer them.

I've recently been making my self busy taking some online tests in facebook and the latest test I've taken was a quiz about where will I most likely meet my Mr. Right. Now, I was really intrigue to take the quiz considering that I do think I really need to find Mr. Right the soonest time possible. Oh....scrap that part.

Anyway, let me share to you the result of that quiz:

You are most likely to meet your "Mr. Right" at a quaint, upscale bookstore or a large chain bookstore. Avoid men with track suits, worn-out running shoes,coffee-stained shirts, reading magazines or thumbing through the "how-do" hard cover books as these indicate a less than desirable choice. Instead, look for a guy who is by a window, looking at novels or at biographies. The best time of the day to find him will be in the early morning hours on a Saturday, (7am-10:30am), 7pm on a Friday evening or Tuesday at 6pm. Consider it a bonus if he appears to be hunting for a particular book, yet is going about it in a slow, methodical manner (he is killing time while trying to find you!) and if he is wearing dark denim jeans, sports coat, buttoned up shirt and trendy shoes. Look for a guy who is confident enough to be standing tall, yet is charmingly cute enough to be allowing you room to browse the isle. Look for what type of books he is looking for and then ask his opinion about a book...and then let the journey begin!

When I read that I'll most likely meet him in a bookstore, I was actually extra excited! Well, I'm always going to bookstores so that "meeting place" is very much possible. And maybe, if he do like reading books, most likely he love coffee shops as well. Hmmmm...let the journey begin then. LOL.