The Black Magician Trilogy by Trudi Canavan

After reading The Hunger Games Trilogy, I began reading the first book of the Black Magician Trilogy - The Magician's Guild. At first, it was just one of those good books. Actually, the absence of the claims like "New York Bestseller" or reviews by different known writers or organizations made me feel like I am just reading one of those books trying to be like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, especially with the obvious presence of magic and what-nots.

After reading the first book, it was a good-read, but as the story progresses, I found myself becoming curious with characters and the rest of the plot. And soon enough after the second book (The Novice) , I itched reading the conclusion - The High Lord. After just one chapter, I can't let go of the book! I must say, the third book is as good as The Hunger Games and/or Catching Fire. This will not be a book review yet. I hope I find the time to write a book review on this Trilogy as well as on the The Hunger Games Trilogy. I have a lot to say about the latter.  For now, I definitely recommend this book, though I suggest not wasting your time looking for it in any bookstore. Looks like they do not have any copy left. You may find pdf and e-book copies on the net :)

Happy reading! :)

Other Happenings in Davao City - August 14-15, 2010

We ate at Penong's, Barbecue Boss and BlueGre (dessert). The food's REALLY GREAT. Where can you find sumptuous pork barbecue at P5 per stick? :) We also went to URC Flour Davao Plant (for picture-taking, just kidding :p) We also went to People's Park to take some pictures, though it's already dark. The place is really for a budget-friendly date. There were a lot of couples as well as families with their children having fun on the playground.  We went back to hotel kinda late but it's so safe there. I loooooooooooove Davao :)

Scuba Diving Adventure in Samal Island, Davao

Because we had one day for leisure, Camille (my officemate), together with Irene (her friend, Atenean also), went scuba diving in Samal Island, Davao. The underwater pictures will be posted in the future, but for now, here are some pictures :)

August 15, 2010

Just The Way You Are

I just need to put these lyrics :)

Oh, her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining

Her hair, her hair, falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me

And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are

Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me

Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy

She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change

If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same

So, don't even bother asking if you look ok

You know I'll say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are
The way you are, the way you are

Girl you're amazing, just the way you are

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change

Because you're amazing, just the way you are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while

Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are. Yeah

Im Excited!

I'm so excited to read the Mockingjay. I wonder how the story would end.. Would they win against the Capitol? Who would be together at the end? Peeta and Katniss? Or Gale and Katniss? I love Gale! Wish Katniss and Gale can be finally together at the end. I'm guessing that somewhere in the third book, either Peeta or Gale (hopefully Peeta) will have a heroic death to save Katniss or the districts. That's just my guess. Suzanne Collins is a terrific author, laying out a story in such a way that is thrilling, intense, exciting and enthralling. Did I already say that I love the book? I hope more people get the chance to read the trilogy. I haven't read all the Twilight Books nor the Harry Potter series  but I'm sure The Hunger Games Trilogy is just as good and engrossing (if not more, just saying).

The third book will come out TODAY. I went to National Bookstore yesterday and asked if they already released in advance some copies. Good thing they are faithful to the release date but at the same time, I am just so excited to read it. Being the kuripot that I am, I'll wait for Mel to let me borrow it. But at the same time, how long can I contain this excitement?

I loooooooooove The Hunger Games Trilogy. I just finished reading Catching Fire, the second book in the trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I love the story and the way it was written.  

I can't wait for the final installation and the conclusion of the story: Mockingjay

It will be released this August 25. Save the date!

I want that too!

Baking Class

Last August 4, we had our baking class here in URC.

The Technical Services Group taught us how to bake brownies, sweet dough varieties, pandesal, cake and cookies.

The marketing girls surely had a lot of fun!

Yum, yum, yum! :)

I made the brownies and it was HEAVEN :)

Can't wait to try it at home!

YOU have to read this

Nice :)

We can depart from the Ateneo, but we can never really leave it behind. It will always be a home for us, a home we’ve shared with 150 years of Ateneo alumni, a home we will share for the next 150 batches and beyond. Teachers, parents, fellow graduates. Thank you for letting me fall in love here, for letting me be loved in return. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, as hopefully I have shared my life. And so I leave you with this reminder: that I will always be connected to you, as you are connected to me, as we all are connected to each other in this room; as Ateneo is connected to this hill; as it is connected to those down from the hill; as we are connected as Filipinos; as we are connected to this earth; as we are connected to the past; as we are connected to the future; as we are connected in corruption; as we are connected in justice; as we are connected in fear; as we are connected in hope; as we are connected in love, yes, as we are all connected in love. Patuloy tayong mangarap, mangarap nang malaki at matayog. At mangarap din tayo para sa iba. Mangarap tayo kasama ng iba. Mangarap tayo kasama Niya.
 -  Kim Bunag, Valedictory Speech for Graduating Class of 2010 (via disturbingtheuniverse)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  I miss Ateneo :)

Is it worth it?

Note to self

Green Lantern

I'll watch this movie FOR SURE.

So much for my happy ending

My New Wallpaper

Wish I have my own camera to capture special moments like these :)

Passport Application

Dear Jo-Anne Escolano,

Your appointment has been set.

Your appointment is on Sat, Sep 18, 2010 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am.
Please make sure you arrive at the DFA at 10:00 am.

You will be expected to arrive for your appointment at exactly 30 minutes before your schedule.
Even if you arrive early, you will not be entertained until 30 minutes before your appointment.
If you arrive late, you will need to secure another appointment for another day.

=====================================================
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION -
=====================================================
Your Reference Number: 11030108100918

1. Click the link below to confirm and print your application form.
2. Use Long Bond Paper when printing.
3. Be sure to bring your application form with you on your appointment date.
4. Please do not sign the application form. You need to sign it with the presence of a DFA officer in the processing window.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally! Next step is to have an actual international destination :) a copy of an e-ticket perhaps?
Special thanks to Christel, a very good friend of mine (HS Barkada) for being an accomplice :p

Ordinary People by John Legend

I've ALWAYS loved this song. After years of singing my heart out each and everytime I hear this song, never thought I can finally relate to it. Such a great song! Most especially when every word says your story. (Hmmm..this is also the first time I ever wrote something before a song).

Girl im in love with you
This ain't the honeymoon

Past the infatuation phase

Right in the thick of love

At times we get sick of love

It seems like we argue everyday

I know i misbehaved

And you made your mistakes

And we both still got room left to grow

And though love sometimes hurts

I still put you first

And we'll make this thing work

But I think we should take it slow

We're just ordinary people

We don't know which way to go

Cuz we're ordinary people

Maybe we should take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we'll take it slow (Take it slow oh oh ohh)

This time we'll take it slow

This ain't a movie no

No fairy tale conclusion ya'll

It gets more confusing everyday

Sometimes it's heaven sent

Then we head back to hell again

We kiss and we make up on the way

I hang up you call

We rise and we fall

And we feel like just walking away

As our love advances

We take second chances

Though it's not a fantasy

I Still want you to stay

Take it slow

Maybe we'll live and learn

Maybe we'll crash and burn

Maybe you'll stay, maybe you'll leave,

maybe you'll return

Maybe another fight

Maybe we won't survive

But maybe we'll grow

We never know baby youuuu and I

 

I don’t know where I’m at

I’m standing at the back

And I’m tired of waiting

Waiting here in line, hoping that I’ll find what I’ve been chasing.

Not ready to let go

Cause then I'd never know

What I could be missing

But I’m missing way too much

So when do I give up what I’ve been wishing for.

Can’t find another way around

And I don’t want to hear the sound, of losing what I never found.

I shot for the sky

I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m gonna to fall down

I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?

I never know why it’s coming down, down, down.

Angels Cry by Mariah Carey and Ne-yo

I shouldn't have walked away

I would've stayed if you said

We could've made everything OK

But we just

Threw the blame back and forth

We treated love like a sport

The final blow hit so low

I'm still on the ground

I couldn't have prepared myself for this fall

Shattered in pieces curled on the floor

Super natural love conquers all

'Member we used to touch the sky

And
Lightning don't strike

The same place twice

When you and I said goodbye
I felt the angels cry

True love's a gift
We let it drift

In a storm

Every night

I feel the angels cry

Neyo:

C'mon babe can't our love be revived

Bring it back and we gon' make it right

I'm on the edge just tryin' to survive

As the angels cry

I thought we'd be forever and always

You were serenity

You took away the bad days

Didn't always treat you right

But it was OK

I do somethin' stupid

And you still stay with me

But you can only go for so long

Doing the one you claim to love wrong

Before too much is enough

You look up

Find your love gone

And
We were so good together

How come we could not weather

This storm and just do better

Why did we say goodbye

'Cause lightning don't strike

The same place twice

When you and I said goodbye

I felt the angels cry

True love's a gift

We let it drift

In a storm

Now every night

I feel the angels cry

C'mon babe can't our love be revived

Bring it back and we gon' make it right

I'm on the edge just tryin' to survive

As the angels cry

Baby I'm missin' you

Don't allow love to lose

We gotta ride it through

I'm reaching for you

Baby I'm missin' you

Don't allow love to lose

We gotta ride it through

I'm reaching for you

Inception

A work of a genius.

A must-watched movie.

It will leave you confused, happy, satisfied, wondering...

the best movie of the year :)

Risk