Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Posted on 11/25/2015 by Lenn

Rating: ★★★★★
Read: November 2015

The APEC week turned out pretty well for me. I filed a leave from work last November 17 & 20 while 18 & 19 are special holidays because of the APEC, making it a 6-day vacation.

Our family stayed at our rest house in Tagaytay to get away from the noise of the city thus, to have a peaceful rest. I brought this book with me and since I haven’t really finished a single book since August, I didn’t bring any other book with it because this book is a 525-page book and to my surprise, I managed to finish it in two days. I just couldn’t put it down! I loved the first book but the second book is just so freaking great that it actually drove me crazy myself!

This series just keeps intensifying as we get nearer to the conclusion of Mara and Noah’s story. Everything in this book just kept me guessing and guessing. I love the writing, I love the creepiness. I love the suspense. Everything in this book is just plain a w e s o m e. I’m sorry if I can’t write a review that will give justice to this book because I honestly, I don’t have the right words to express my love and adoration for this trilogy and for Michelle Hodkin as well.

As I finished reading the book on the second day, I just felt the urge to get a copy of the last one so I immediately went to the nearest bookstore to buy it but unfortunately, it was already out of stock so, yes, the ending made my stomach turn because I was so freaking eager to continue reading and to find out what happens next!!

All in all, this book was amazing and was written very, very, very well.

“Just because you can’t prove something, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

Missing in Action

Posted on 11/23/2015 by Lenn

So where have I been in the past three weeks?!

I’ve been kind of busy with life lately. Trying to find myself in the midst of everything that happened this year and so far, I’m happy with the little things unfolding before my eyes and yesterday, I thanked God for all the things he has blessed me with, I know that what he took away is leading me to something better. It feels very calming to know that things have changed for the better and losing a few people isn’t always a bad thing.

I am currently enjoying every moment of my life and I’ve learned not to let negative things and people affect my vibe and so far, it’s going pretty well. The past three weeks has been a mix and clash of so many things and to make it up, here’s what transcribed:

Lunch out with the whole team @ Kenny Roger’s.

Watched Goosebumps with my bestfriend x Thai food for lunch!

Visited my Grandpa’s brother @ Victoria, Laguna which has always been a peaceful place for me.

Stayed at our rest house in Tagaytay during the APEC week. The signal may have been really crappy, I can’t send a text properly and I didn’t have a decent connection to the internet as well, but I’ve had a really great time. It was such a great time to rest and unwind from all the things happening in the city. Plus, I’ve managed to finish reading two awesome books in just four days! It’s been a really long while since that happened and I’m very happy about it!

Also, we went to Ayala to eat lunch during our last day in Tagaytay and this shop caught my attention because it’s so pretty!

So, that’s just about it! I’m currently reading the last book in The Mortal Instruments series which is the City of Heavenly Fire. It’s quite a long read, over 700+ pages, I think, but I woke up one day and just wanted to know how Clary and Jace’s story will end. I’ve actually bought this the day it was released and I kept it in my shelf for a year because I didn’t think I was ready to end their story, but recently, I’ve been craving for the old Shadowhunter feeling so.

I’ll probably write a quick review about what I think about the two books I finished reading over the short vacation that I’ve had in the next few days, so until then, I’ll leave you with this cliche of a quote, but I’ve recently proven to be true:

“Not everything and everyone you lose is a loss.”

Journ

Posted on 11/03/2015 by Lenn

One day, I woke up with the sudden realization that I have to work on my dream of becoming a writer. I’ve already wasted a year of not doing anything about it that it started to haunt me everywhere.

I’ve always said that I really wanted to take up Journalism because writing has always been something I am fond of doing but my parents didn’t want me to. So instead, I took up a course that I didn’t really like. I survived school, I graduated on time, I can also say that I made my parents proud but I didn’t make myself proud. I went and marched on that stage a year ago with a smile on my face that everyone thought was so genuine but it wasn’t. That night, when I got home, I stayed awake until dawn… It hurt, it hurt so much that I felt it in my bones.

The next day, I woke up and promised myself to practice and never stop writing no matter what. I did. I wrote book reviews, I wrote about sports, I wrote personal experiences, I wrote about everything I could write about.

Yesterday, a friend asked me what course I took up in college and the conversation went on and on until I opened up about always wanting to take up Journalism. He told me that he would try to refer me to a friend of his who works in a known newspaper company and my eyes automatically lit up. I considered that conversation a sign that I should do something about this dream of mine sooner or later. I don’t want to regret not being able to pursue it when I grow old.

#LabanPilipinas: National Team Pool

Posted on 10/14/2015 by Lenn

Today, the PBA Board of Governors released 17 players to the national team pool making them the available players for Gilas Pilipinas in the Olympic wildcard qualifiers in July 2016.

The players released by the PBA Board of Governors are LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Greg Slaughter, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, Matt Rosser, Ryan Reyes, Marc Pingris, Ian Sangalang, Troy Rosario, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jeff Chan.

The Samahan Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) shall release a final line-up of 12 players to include the naturalized player by the end of January 2016.

Starting in November, the players will start preparing for the Olympic Qualifiers with a schedule of Monday practices before they step up on their training in June.

#RoadtoRio2016 is real.

❤

5 Things

Posted on 10/13/2015 by Lenn

Learn to forgive those who hurt you. Easier said than done, I know. It may be hard not to hate the person who’ve caused you a very deep cut but you will never be free from something unless you accept the situation and forgive the people who caused it. Don’t stress over the things you can’t change.
You can’t please everyone. Not everyone will like you, there will always be people who will say something about you no matter how much you try to please them so just be yourself and do what you do. As long as you’re not doing anything bad, keep going.
Try to understand others before you judge them. Stop judging people for the things they do for you do not know what they’re going through. Put yourself in their shoes first.
Accept your mistakes. Always accept your mistakes and apologize for the damage you’ve done.
You won’t get everything you want. It is not because you do not deserve it but because you deserve something else, something better for you. You just have to fully accept that not everything you want is good for you.

Five Songs I’ve Been Obsessing Over Lately

Posted on 10/12/2015 by Lenn

These songs aren’t really new but these are the songs that have had me going cray in the past two weeks or so. It’s just the right mix and clash of OPM and foreign pop rock. Enjoy listening!

1. Sa Ibang Mundo – Nadine Lustre & Kean Cipriano

2. Comeback Kid – Against the Current

3. Talk – Against the Current

4. Almost Is Never Enough – Ariana Grande ft. Nathan Sykes

5. Pasensya Ka Na – Silent Sanctuary

These are songs that have given me so much feels lately. 🙂

Farewell, Lolo Jo

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Last Friday, we were shocked with another heart-breaking news. Another person who was very dear to our family passed away.

Lolo Joe was my grandfather’s uncle, his mom’s brother. Last May, we got the news that he was very ill and was having a hard time eating. He was confined in the hospital for weeks but was also discharged. I remember how relieved we all were when he was finally discharged, we visit him almost every week in their house at BF until he was confined again and undergone an operation. The operation was successful and for a moment, we all thought he was getting better, he even gained weight.

So last Friday, September 25, two weeks after his operation, I was at the salon and was having my hair done which was an annual routine for me, and then I got a message from my mom that Lolo Joe is, again, badly ill. I informed my hairstylist that I wouldn’t have my hair colored anymore. My grandparents just got to our rest house in Tagaytay that morning and was rushing back home right after they got the news. At around 11:40, my mom texted me again and told me that he’s already gone. I was so teary-eyed at the salon. I went home crying because the last time I saw him was at the hospital, after his operation. We all thought he was getting better.

I hated myself for being so selfish because I didn’t want him to die even when I know that he’s already too tired. A hundred years really is something. I know he misses his parents, his sister and wife, but I seriously wasn’t ready to lose him.

Lolo Joe, I know you’re happy now and I’m sorry that it took me a hard time to really let you go. We miss you, we miss you so much it hurts. We miss you everyday. Rest in peace, Lolo. See you soon.

Source: dustypromises

Farewell, Tito Aries

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Yesterday was such a shock to all of us. We lost a very good friend, an awesome person and a strong, undaunted investigative reporter.

I have always looked up to you for being so fearless when it comes to knowing the truth. I have always loved writing but when I met you and learned the way you write your articles and reports, I’ve been much more eager to be just like you. It was just too bad that I didn’t take up Journalism.

You were such a blessing to everyone around you. You were always willing to help in every way you can, you’d go out of your way when one of your friends needs someone to talk to, you’re truly one of a kind. You were such a good person and I guess, it’s true that good people go to heaven early.

You’re only 45, so, so young. Death stole you too soon. You’re still having the time of your life, we’re still learning from everything you impart. Everyone misses you already, Tito Aries.

We went to your wake this afternoon. The first time I looked at you inside the coffin, I was still hoping that everyone would start laughing and tell me that this was all a bad joke, but none of it ever happened. You’re really gone. When I was about to turn my back on you and walk towards the nearest chair, for a second, for a split second I thought your lips curled into a smile and that immediately made me look at you again. You looked as if you were just sleeping and playing a big bad joke on us. My mom, beside me, said, “Aries, gising na. Ang haba na ng tulog mo.” And again, for a split second I thought your eyes moved a bit and if I was in a different person’s wake, I would literally run out, screaming, but with you, I didn’t get scared. I actually wanted you to wake up. I really wanted to believe that you were just sleeping but you weren’t. Everyday, I would have to convince myself that you are gone…

I know you’re going to be safe and happy up there, but it just hurts to lose someone like you. But with all that being said, I thank you for being one of my strongest inspiration when it comes to writing. Thank you for simply existing. Everyone who knew you are blessed. This isn’t goodbye, we’ll see you again in the next lifetime, Tito Aries! And while we’re waiting, when you finally get to heaven, please write a story of how beautiful it is in person. I’ll read it when I get there! Have a safe trip to heaven, Tito! ❤

Source: dustypromises

The Last

Posted on 08/30/2015 by Lenn

Writing has always been some sort of emotional therapy for me. And so I believe that writing these feelings down can ease whatever I am feeling right now.

I’ve always believed in second chances and maybe that was the reason why I chose to work things out with you last year. Now that I know the truth, looking back at everything, I realized that maybe not everyone deserves a second chance. Maybe it should only be given to someone who is sincere and determined to make things right. I was so stupid to ever think that you could still change. You are hopeless.

Honestly, I just regret wasting another year on someone who didn’t even deserve to be forgiven in the first place. I should’ve listened to everyone before, I shouldn’t have settled for less. Your words remained words. Well, I guess, what do I expect from someone like you? I knew I didn’t deserve to be treated that way, no girl deserves to, but I was stupid because of everything you said. Now I know that guys like you aren’t to be trusted.

To make things clear, I am not hurt because I still love you. Damn, no. I’m done with that, I’m hurt because people like you take advantage of other people who did nothing but love and fight for you and quite frankly, what I feel towards you are more of anger and disgust than love and pity. It’s been almost two months since that day, I never messaged or called you after the first two days. I got so fed up of you doing that to me that I finally learned how to deal with it. I didn’t chase you anymore because I was so fucking tired of doing that. I used to do that, but surprise, surprise, I grew the fuck up and realized my worth. I tried my hardest to move on but you were the one who kept calling and leaving random messages. And that, I admit, confused me a bit. But with everything that I found out last night, well, it just proved how much of an asshole you are.

You are a living and walking hell and I am so sorry for anyone who will ever love you in the future. One thing I know is that I am glad that you’re finally out of my life. I am finally free and I can finally be happy. I never truly believed that letting go was the easiest way out, until today.

You were asking for my forgiveness but you never for one bit thought of how fucking big the damage you’ve caused have been? You are a self-centered bastard and I can’t believe that I loved someone like you. I don’t know you anymore. You turned into a fucking monster and now you don’t know how to change it.

From this day on, I promise to put myself first. Call me selfish but I’ve been putting others first for far too long and all I earned from doing that was deep scars and bruises from bullets that were fired by the exact person I was trying to save and protect. It’s time to put myself first, it’s time to save myself from the monster and the nightmare that is you.

This serves as the last and final letter I will write about you and for you. You don’t deserve that power over me anymore.

I AM SO DONE, GOOD BYE.

Milk Tea Date 101

Posted on 12/21/2014 by Lenn

The real plan was having dinner at one of Alabang’s new restaurant, but decided to just hang somewhere near our place because we all bet there’d be a lot of people in the mall since the holidays are getting nearer. So we went to this milk tea place that I’ve been eyeing every time I pass by Rosario.

We actually just chatted and talked about so many random stuff. It’s been a while since we last saw each other and it just fascinates me every time that despite not constantly seeing each other, nothing really ever changes between our friendship. It remains as constant as the world. And that is really one thing I treasure the most.