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My 2021 #bookchallenge (so far)

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

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Sunday Currently Vol 2

Sunday, September 17, 2017

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Sunday Currently Vol 1

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Hello! I know I have not posted anything in a while. I will not make up an excuse for my absence; I really just got lazy.

Anyway, I have been wanting to do this "Sunday Currently" post, so here is the inaugural blog (and hopefully, first of many volumes!)

Is it the time of the month? (Jessica Biel as Cora Tannetti in The Sinner)

Reading
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

It's been taking me forever to finish this book, not because it's bad, it's actually pretty interesting and short. I promised myself to read more books this year, but to be honest, I am still reading more stuff online and I should stop. Heeeh.

Writing
I just finished the magazine I was working on for work. I want to take a break from writing anything work related for a few days -- but I doubt it. Ya know why? We just finished brainstorming for the next issue and I already volunteered to write four articles.

Listening

Well, you must know that a certain female artist named Taylor Swift just released her new single Look What You Made Me Do two days ago -- and guess what, that's what I have been listening to (and Ok, the rest of her discography) on Spotify. It so much better listening to it with full speakers than with earphones. That's just a suggestion, you guys!

Ok, I am a Swiftie -- I liked this song although it's not her best one. But was I disappointed? No. Do I think it sucks? No. Could she have done a better song? Yes. But guys, this is just the first single, we haven't heard her entire album yet. It was the same comment when she released Shake it Off because it did not sound like her at all. But see, 1989 was one of her best albums!

I have a lot more thoughts about Taylor and this new song, but I won't say it here. I better talk to you in person about it.

Thinking
I need to do something more in this life. I have a lot of pursuits, but I lost interest in the middle of every thing and just do something else. My attention and patience for things are really bad.

Smelling
Nothing at the moment, but for sure I will if I don't go to shower!

Wishing
That my last few days at work will be easy, breezy!

Hoping
For a good week ahead -- it's a short one because of the super long holiday coming up!

Wearing
A JD Salinger shirt I got from Baguio.

Loving
The Sinner! Currently four episodes, but I am already hooked! It's only eight episodes (why must they do this!) but man, solid show! Great cast (nice to see Bill Pullman again; did not know Jessica Biel is a good actress; every time I see Christopher Abbott, he is always eating vaj).

Anyway, here's the trailer of the show and please let's discuss it!

Wanting
Clean the house, but you know... I am lazy. Maybe after watching The Sinner, heeeh.

Needing
To go up and take a shower!

Feeling
Lazy, can I please turn into a sloth now?

Clicking
I have been meaning to buy stuff from EZ Buy after recommendations from colleagues. So over the weekend, I have been going through the site, heeeh.

The Sunday Currently was originally created by SiddaThornton

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Of Handwritten Letters and Scribbled Notes

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

Somebody once told me I am an old soul. And although I don't think I am wise beyond my years (still childlike and childish at 24), it's nice that someone thinks you understand the world more compared to people your age.

But I'd like to think that my being an old soul stems from my traditional approach to things. Maybe I have lived a hundred years ahead and that my spirit thinks it's still in the same period, like it never left. It's still living relishing experiences and the only way to do those things again is to make it happen in this lifetime. I'm not sure now if I'm still making sense, but you get the point right?

One of the "old" things I tremendously enjoy is writing letters. There is something about stories written in ink and the anticipation it brings that make letters endearing. Whenever there's a chance, I prefer to write my messages and scribble my short notes, instead of sending them virtually. With the emergence of technology, handwritten letters are becoming obsolete. I remember when having a pen pal was a hit and knew of people who ended up together after having written each other. It has since become a thing of the past (and corny) when the internet arrived. We need our information fast and cheap, so we settle for e-mails, Facebook messages, and texts.

Although I really cannot do anything, but to ride the wave of modernisation, there is still a huge part of me who wants to get my letters the old fashion way, longhand, stamps, postcards, post office, the works. My parents were lucky enough to enjoy writing love letters when my father lived in the US when I was younger. It was fun and heartwarming at the same time to read his letters now, thinking how much time he spent actually writing those, even when he was dead tired from work. I also kept a few postcards sent by Lian when she was in London and Scotland and Monica when she was in Malaysia. Honestly, I appreciate those things more than any other souvenir.

One of my books, Love Letters of Great Men and Women featured some of the most romantic love letters in our history. My favourite, not just because it's featured in Sex and the City (well okay partly) was Beethoven's third letter to his Beloved Immortal:

Good morning, on July 7

Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, now and then joyfully, then sadly, waiting to learn whether or not fate will hear us - I can live only wholly with you or not at all - Yes, I am resolved to wander so long away from you until I can fly to your arms and say that I am really at home with you, and can send my soul enwrapped in you into the land of spirits - Yes, unhappily it must be so - You will be the more contained since you know my fidelity to you. No one else can ever possess my heart - never - never - Oh God, why must one be parted from one whom one so loves. And yet my life in V is now a wretched life - Your love makes me at once the happiest and the unhappiest of men - At my age I need a steady, quiet life - can that be so in our connection? My angel, I have just been told that the mailcoach goes every day - therefore I must close at once so that you may receive the letter at once - Be calm, only by a calm consideration of our existence can we achieve our purpose to live together - Be calm - love me - today - yesterday - what tearful longings for you - you - you - my life - my all - farewell. Oh continue to love me - never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved.

Ever thine

Ever

mine

Ever ours

I also frequent to Letters of Note, a site featuring collected correspondences written by people from different periods of our time. Although not everything is handwritten, it's still interesting to read through all sorts of messages, letters, postcards, faxes, telegrams, and memos. It's also fascinating to go through photos read a bit about them. I have bookmarked Stieg Larsson, journalist and author of the Millenium Series. This was his letter to his partner Eva Gabrielsson, which he specifically requested that she open after he dies.

Stockholm,
February 9, 1977

Eva, my love,
It's over. One way or another, everything comes to an end. It's all over some day. That's perhaps one of the most fascinating truths we know about the entire universe. The stars die, the galaxies die, the planets die. And people die too. I've never been a believer, but the day I became interested in astronomy, I think I put aside all that was left of my fear of death. I'd realized that in comparison to the universe, a human being, a single human being, me... is infinitely small. Well, I'm not writing this letter to deliver a profound religious or philosophical lecture. I'm writing it to tell you "farewell." I was just talking to you on the phone. I can still hear the sound of your voice. I imagine you, before my eyes...a beautiful image, a lovely memory I will keep until the end. At this very moment, reading this letter, you know that I am dead.

There are things I want you to know. As I leave for Africa, I'm aware of what's waiting for me. I even have the feeling that this trip could bring about my death, but it's something that I have to experience, in spite of everything. I wasn't born to sit in an armchair. I'm not like that. Correction: I wasn't like that...I'm not going to Africa just as a journalist, I'm going above all on a political mission, and that's why I think this trip might lead to my death.

This is the first time I've written to you knowing exactly what to say: I love you, I love you, love you, love you. I want you to know that. I want you to know that I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I want you to know I mean that seriously. I want you to remember me but not grieve for me. If I truly mean something to you, and I know that I do, you will probably suffer when you learn I am dead. But if I really mean something to you, don't suffer, I don't want that. Don't forget me, but go on living. Live your life. Pain will fade with time, even if that's hard to imagine right now. Live in peace, my dearest love; live, love, hate, and keep fighting...

I had a lot of faults, I know, but some good qualities as well, I hope. But you, Eva, you inspired such love in me that I was never able to express it to you...

Straighten up, square your shoulders, hold your head high. Okay? Take care of yourself, Eva. Go have a cup of coffee. It's over. Thank you for the beautiful times we had. You made me very happy. Adieu.

I kiss you goodbye, Eva.

From Stieg, with love.

While I know it would be silly now (unless you have so much trust to humanity) to write and send handwritten to complete strangers, I took a sudden leap of faith and correspond (although through e-mail) with a fellow traveller I haven't spoken to in real life and had just shared a few eye contacts with when we met. Honestly, the letters/updates have been a highlight of my weeks, and I hope I haven't creeped my friend yet, but I told my e-mail pal that it's actually refreshing to reply to mails aside from those I get from work. As much as I want to write with pen and paper, I guess electronic mails would suffice for now. But I hope one day, I get to receive actual letters and be able to give them without clicking "send."

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It won't Hurt to Ask

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Twenty-two isn't really a significant number, but it will be on the 18th.

I thought that no matter how many times I do wishlist, I never really get any of the things I requested, but I am trying to make one again, just to give hint to those who love me. Hehe.

Inspired by my best friend's wishlist (who is also celebrating her 20th birthday on October 18), ladies and gentlemen, here are few of the things I want for my birthday.

1. Bret Easton Ellis books

There is something about Bret Easton Ellis and his books. The first time I "met" Ellis was when I watched American Psycho. The movie was beautiful and I thought if it were, the book would also probably be awesome as the movie. Sadly, I haven't picked the book yet, but I already have one of his numerous books, The Informers. It did not disappoint. It further affirmed my love for the man. Unfortunately, not all of his books are sold here, or I haven't just paid too much attention in bookstores. Anyway, here's a run-through of his books and covers. You might see them and would want to get them for me. Hehe.

Clockwise: Glamorama, American Psycho, Rules of Attraction,
Less than Zero, Lunar Park, and Imperial Bedroom

Six books. It isn't hard to get me one. :-)

There are still some bunch of books I want to have. To refresh your memory from last year

2. Stila Travel Palette

Stila Travel Palettes: Pretty in Paris and Road to Radiance Across the USA

I recently realised how important make-up is in my job. I was actually ecstatic when I got free lipsticks. Yes, congratulate me for owning more than just concealer and lip and cheek tint. I actually have two lipsticks! How awesome is that, right? (for the record, there is no sarcasm there). With all the events happening in the month of October (Fashion Week, Product Launch, Book Launch etc.) I think I need to learn how to glam myself up. But the thought of lugging around a lot of make-up kind of annoys me, that's why I am putting make-up palette here. If it weren't too much too ask, can I get any of these Stila Travel palettes? :-)

3. Christian Siriano for Payless shoes

L-R: Midnigth D'Orsay Evening Pumps, Royalty Satin Flats, and Parisienne Exotic Platform Pumps

It has been a month since Payless Shoe Source opened in Manila, but I still haven't seen any of Christian Siriano's shoe collection. They already gave a preview of his collection during the launch and I was really excited with these three pairs. I can't wait to have them! Sooner please?

There are some more I just can't remember right now. This is just one of those spur-of-the-moment lists.

But I know I got one of the best birthday gifts to date. JackTV just returned to Sky Cable. This calls for a celebration.

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Of Handwritten Letters and Scribbled Notes

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Of Handwritten Letters and Scribbled Notes

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