Missing

L-R:Jo, Karen

L-R: Yana, Ming & Jo

After more than a year of not writing, I wonder what came into me tonight to update this blog. Come to think of it, it was sadness that started this, and so fittingly, it was also sadness that led me back here.


Yana's last day of work was last Wednesday (Jan. 9) and Karen's last day was last Thursday (Jan. 10).  Although making the videos was fun (the way we try to hide all the preparations was hilarious), it was only the day after the despedida(s) that the reality sank in. It was in the normalcy of things when you can see that despite all things being in the same way they used to be, not quite everything is normal. You look around seeking and you strain to hear the voices, but they are not there anymore. Now there are only three. Well, that's how I feel. And it makes me sad.

I guess that's just how this "welcome back" entry will be. Forgive me, but this is all I have right now.

I'll come back for more blogging, hopefully on a happier state :)

Matched by Ally Condie

It all started with me and Camille (my colleague) establishing our own Book Club in the office. We asked some of our friends in the office to join our little club and began recommending novels and TV shows which we can talk about in the office. Of course, only 


Camille and I are the ones who are passionate on this, reading books after books and then switching to TV series for variety. 
And here we are, having our own blog, twitter account and email account under our name: House of C&J. 


You may visit our blog at www.housecj.blogspot.com and follow us on twitter @HouseCJ
Email us at HouseCandJ@yahoo.com.

First attempt at Book Review: Matched By Ally Condie.

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.

Courtesy of: http://www.matched-book.com

To those who have read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, this book might have a familiar ring to it.
First, there's the government that seems to control the community and its citizens. Second, there's a hint of a storyline that involves a rebellion against the status quo. And lastly, there's the love triangle that puts the icing on the cake.
The first installment in the Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie is quite lacking in action and excitement as compared to The Hunger Games. It's not as enthralling and exciting as Hunger Games or Catching Fire ......


For more of this post, visit www.housecj,blogspot.com

The July 20-November 30 Challenge

Yes, the challenge is on! No shopping for clothes, shoes, bags and accessories from July 20 to November 30, 2011.

This is my way of replenishing my savings account (and also to save up for my next trip?) since my Singapore Trip recently.

People do NOT believe that I can do this.  But I can. And I WILL.

But boy, I can't wait for December!

Jace letter to Clary

 

Clary,

Despite everything, I can't bear the thought of this ring being lost forever, any more then I can bear the thought of leaving you forever. And though i have no choice about the one, at least I can choose about the other. Im leaving you our family ring because you have as much right to it as i do
I'm writing this watching the sun come up. You're asleep, dreams moving behind your restless eyelids. I wish i knew what you were thinking. I wish I could slip into your head and see the world the way you do. I wish I could see myself the way you do. But maybe I dont want to see that. Maybe It would make me feel even more than I already do that I'm perpetuating some kind of Great Lie on you, and I couldnt stand that.
I belong to you. You could do anything you wanted with me and i would let you. You could ask anything of me and I'd break myself trying to make you happy. My heart tells me this is the best and greatest feeling i have ever had. But my mind knows the difference between wanting what you cant have and wanting what you shouldnt want. and I shouldnt want you.
All night I've watched you sleeping, watched the moonlight come and go, casting it's shadows across your face in black and white. I've never seen anything more beautiful. I think of the life we could have had if things were different, a life where this night is not a singular event, separate from everything else that's real, but every night. But things aren't different, and I cant look at you without feeling like ive tricked you into loving me.
The truth no one is willing to say out loud is that no one has a shot against Valentine but me. I can get close to him like no one else can. I can pretend I want to join him and hell believe me, up until that last moment where I end it all, one way or another. I have something of Sebastians; I can track him to where my fathers hiding, and thats what im going to do. So I lied to you last night. I said I just wanted one night with you. But i want every night with you. And thats why I have to slip out of your window now, like a coward. Because if I had to tell you this to your face, I couldnt make myself go.

I dont blame you if you hate me, I wish you would. As long as I can stil dream, I will dream of you

-Jace 

 

Presenting the face for Jace Wayland

The long wait is over! Finally, an actor has been chosen for much-coveted role of Jace Wayland, the shadowhunter lead role in the Mortal Instruments big screen adaptation. He is JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER. He is the Arthur in the TV series "Camelot". He also landed other minor roles  in the Twilight Saga, Sweeney Todd and Harry Potter Series.

I think he will do, given his acting capabilities compared to Alex Pettyfer. He just needs to add more muscles, gold eye contacts and nice hair style to fit the character. I'm just not sure if fans will be thrilled that he's already engaged.

Anyways, the girl above is Lily Collins, the actress set to play Clary Fray. She's really pretty, hope she gives the role justice.


I'm super excited for the movie!

Mortal Instruments The Movie: Alex Pettyfer as Jace Wayland

Looks like "Mortal Instruments" will be the next "Twilight" and "Harry Potter"!

It was REALLY disappointing that Alex Pettyfer turned down the role of Jace Wayland in favor of other movies like Magic Mike (a movie based on early days of Channing Tatum as a stripper) and "The Seventh Son" (based on the Last Apprentice book series) - as far as I know.

He is the perfect Jace Wayland!

To those who haven't read the book, here is how Lily Collins, the actress set to play Clary Fray in the big screen, describes Jace and the perfect actor to play the part: 

"Jace is confident and knows he’s confident,” Collins explained. “He’s good-looking and knows he’s good-looking. He’s got that je ne sais quoi, in that he walks into a room and you go, ‘Wow.’ He knows he’s the best thing in the room. He’s got to have wit but also be very vulnerable, and I think it’s hard. I think a lot of actors don’t necessarily want to show vulnerability, but [for] this character, it’s completely necessary but, at the same time, that overconfidence as well. I think it’s going to be that thing where they walk into a room and you do a reading and go, ‘Wow, I really can’t see anyone else as this character,’ so it’s going to be an interesting process.”

Here are some photos to show Alex Pettyfer was supposed to be the one!

  In terms of looks, HE IS THE PERFECT JACE! :)

Mortal Instruments

After Percy Jackson Series, now I am totally addicted to Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. First book is City of Bones, followed by City of Ashes and book 3 is City of Glass.

Now there's book 4! Mortal Instruments Book 4: City of Fallen Angels

The series narrate the story of Clary Fray, an ordinary 15 year-old girl and how her world turned inside out the moment she met Jace Wayland, a warrior, raised in the world of Nephilim, bound to protect the world of humans, the world of mundanes. In this series, Clary and Jace will be entangled in the world of shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves, warlocks and faeries, and in a war that is inevitable.

I'm excited for the series to finish!


City of Lost Souls: May 2012
City of Heavenly Fire: September 2013

The Camp Half-Blood Series aka Percy Jackson Series

Okay, so I am so into books now. Well, good for me. Just last week I finished reading Rick Riordan's Camp Half-Blood Series featuring Percy Jackson. It consist of five books namely: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian.

Percy Jackson was discovered to be the son of Poseidon (the god of the sea) with a mortal and he might be the subject of the Great Prophecy that will determine the fate of the Olympus, and possibly the entire world. The book is centered on Greek Mythology. We will find those familiar Greek Mythological characters such as the gods & goddesses, cyclops, medusa, minotaur, centaur, making the life of Percy Jackson a bit interesting and challenging as well.

If you're looking for an easy-reading book, funny, entertaining, interesting and somewhat thrilling, then this is the book for you. The story is being narrated by the teenager Percy Jackson himself and his language and tone is very entertaining, I must say. 

Enjoy reading! :)

Books read last 2010

Thanks to Holy Week, I finally had the time to edit the text boxes at the right portion of this blog. Well, looks like I was able to read a lot of books last 2010, considering that I only started reading about July? :)

Last 2010: 

Books Read:
1. Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
2. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
4. Catching Fire by Suzanne Colins
5. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
6. The Magician's Guild by Trudi Canavan
7. The Novice by Trudi Canavan
8. The High Lord by Trudi Canavan
9. The Magician's Apprentice by Trudi Canavan
10. The Ambassador's Mission by Trudi Canavan
11. Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami
12. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
13. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
14. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Definitely looking forward to a lot more books this 2011!

My latest need

Okay, I know that my cellphone looks like a mess.Well, what can you expect from a phone that's been used for two years? Alright...that's not an excuse too because a lot of people can preserve their phones at least to a decent looking shape even after a few years. I confess, I always (like everyday?) drop my phone. There, I said it. But I'm proud to say that my phone is still working perfectly (except for some instances of restarting and no sound). 

Why am I writing this entry? Well, just to stress the importance of this topic, I haven't written anything on this page since...October?And I chose to write about this. I didn't even bother writing anything for Christmas or New Year or about Japan..and not even about any other thing more significant for the human race.

My point being?I want a new phone. 

I want a Blackberry Torch! 

Its just too bad that it's too pricey for me. It's too expensive for something that will be "out" next quarter. Come on, we all know that the technology today will be obsolete tomorrow...well, maybe not that fast, but do you get me?

I want a decent phone that can be used for texting, calling, notes, calendar, music, radio and games. It must look a little nice too, but for an affordable price. Can you suggest one?

One more thing. This is also to stop my friends from begging me to buy a new phone. :))