I read this for the first time back in in high school; it's included in the book "Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul." There are a few lines that really struck me, even then. Three years ago, I downloaded the "song" version by Baz Lurhmann (yes, the director of Moulin Rouge) and listen to it … Continue reading Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)
Of Letters, September, and Dolores
My grandmother, Dolores Lira, was born September 22, 1912. Lole, as she was called, was born in a time when some of the great milestones of the Philippine development and government are achieved. She was born at a time when people relied on the land for their living. My lola (Filipino term for grandmother) lived … Continue reading Of Letters, September, and Dolores
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
This series from Rick Riordan is a new discovery for me. I watched the movie, liked it enough but thought that there's nothing really special about it. About a year (or more, I think) later, I read the first book. That's where the addiction started. I have always liked Greek Mythology; ever since I … Continue reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later
Let me start my book blog with the series that started it all. The very first book that I remembered reading was a book in the Sweet Valley Kids Series. I read through the Kids, then moved on to the Twins series. I think I started reading Sweet Valley High right when I started … Continue reading Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later
The Book Affair
This has actually been a long time coming. It is no secret that I love books. A friend of mine used to laugh at me back in college because I would gladly go without lunch because I used my money for books. Now, I would gladly go poor for a couple of days because I … Continue reading The Book Affair
On first capture
Few things leave a deeper mark on a reader than the first book that finds its way into his heart. Those first images, the echo of words we think we have left behind, accompany us throughout our lives and sculpt a place in our memory to which, sooner or later - no matter how many … Continue reading On first capture
Roaming Around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
March 2012 The crazy people and I went to Ho Chi Minh City. It was the 100th year Anniversary of St. Paul University Manila and, as a gift, they sent their employees on a tour to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Since my mother had been an employee for over 15 years now, she got the … Continue reading Roaming Around Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Conquering Mt. Pinatubo
Last February 18, 2012, I was finally able to do what I have been wanting to do for 4 years: hike up to the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. I was actually a bit worried then that I couldn't do it because I had been sick for almost the whole of February, but I decided to … Continue reading Conquering Mt. Pinatubo
Reclaiming Creativity
I've had several epiphanies the past few weeks; epiphanies that are overwhelming (both in a good and bad way) at first. Well, to be honest, they're a bit overwhelming even until now. But as with almost every big thing that comes my way, I have decided to tackle it piece by piece. So, in preparation … Continue reading Reclaiming Creativity
