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Moving Domains
Hello All, Just a quick note to say that I haven't been blogging here for a while because Peter and I decided to get our own doma...
Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
I've already reviewed New Moon in this blog, but I was at a loss to review the first book, Twilight.
Anyway, in the third installment of the series, it chronicles Bella as she tries to choose between Jacob and Edward on who should own her heart.
The first part of the tale also covers a back story on Edward, Jasper, and Rosalie, which was most interesting, and definitely worth pondering upon.
The latter part, ugh, it was one of the most excruciating reads of my life. It dragged on and on and on. I didn't want to know the full details of how Edward and Jacob were playing mind games just to win over Bella. Nor did I need to know how selfish Bella was when she was asking Edward to stay by her side.
Nor was I amused about how Bella started using "Please?" to get whatever she wanted from Edward.
Ugh. Pathetic.
To be honest the writing was definitely not something to be also amused about. I feel a fifth grader could write better plot lines and story twists than this.
Well, there was a bit of action in the book, maybe centered in one chapter. But most of it was "missed out" because the bulk of the action was handled by Edward's family & the wolf pack at some other clearing. It was narrated briefly through Edward's communication with the wolf pack through *gasp* his mind-reading skill.
(500) Days of Summer
I am a wee bit bored and tired from last night so I might as well lighten things up with a blog post to release some of the stress and tension from my little brain lol.
So, last Wednesday, my friend and I saw (500) Days of Summer in the cinema. It was shown a few months ago in the US and some other countries and I have no clue why it took so long to show it here in Manila.
So, last Wednesday, my friend and I saw (500) Days of Summer in the cinema. It was shown a few months ago in the US and some other countries and I have no clue why it took so long to show it here in Manila. It stars Joseph Gordon Levitt (I loooooved him in 3rd Rock from the Sun. It's one of the best telly shows in the 90s IMO) and Zooey Deschanel (who I think looks like Katy Perry and she turns out to be Emily Deschanel's little sister!)
Anyway, on to the story. It;s a story about Tom, and how he chronicles 500 days of knowing, dating, and getting over Summer, a girl whom he thinks is "The One" for him.
It's a typical chick flick, although presented in such a non-linear way [ie first scene may show day one, then the next would show day 100+ ] throughout the movie. I also loved that there were some scenes show in parallel -- ie the scene of what really happened & in half the screen, shows what Tom had pictured the scene to happen in his mind.
The 24hour readathon wrap-up post.
So, the readathon officially ended an hour and a half ago.
Now I'm trolling around the internet, trying to find something else to do. Lol. How pathetic am I? :P
It was my first time to do the readathon, and I was surprised it was so much fun! And here I thought it was going to be all stressful as I try to read page after page of books, and trying to "compete" with other readers in trying to read books but it didn't turn out that way at all.
I enjoyed being a cheerleader -- I managed to visit some websites that I didn't know about and also getting a peek in how other readers were progressing in the readathon. I managed to find out books that I had no clue existed in the first place, and also take a peek at some upcoming releases in the latter part of 2009 and in 2010. Amazing.
I also managed to take part in some of the mini-challenges. I love the way my heart thumps faster than normal as I try to post in my answers in the fastest time possible to get back to reader and/or cheerleading. It was fun stress! lol.
So, here are my final stats from the readathon. I'll look forward for the April leg, I just hope that I would be free on the day they schedule it.
Pages read - Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer - 36
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - JK Rowling - 124
Kissing Games of the World - Sandi Kahn Shelton - 6
Pride & Prejudice - 2
Total number of pages read - 168 [hmm... okay then. others have read 1000+ pages but to each their own. I am a really slow reader anyway]
Mini challenges completed - 14
Prize won - One! A random cheerlead prize. Wheeee!!! My first prize ever from the readathon -- and since I've started cheering as well! teehee.
Number of other sites visited/cheered on - 31, I think? I don't really remember since I've only kept track during the third hour! teehee. *blush*
Overall, the readathon has been a success for me. Wheeee!!!
Now I'm trolling around the internet, trying to find something else to do. Lol. How pathetic am I? :P
It was my first time to do the readathon, and I was surprised it was so much fun! And here I thought it was going to be all stressful as I try to read page after page of books, and trying to "compete" with other readers in trying to read books but it didn't turn out that way at all.
I enjoyed being a cheerleader -- I managed to visit some websites that I didn't know about and also getting a peek in how other readers were progressing in the readathon. I managed to find out books that I had no clue existed in the first place, and also take a peek at some upcoming releases in the latter part of 2009 and in 2010. Amazing.
I also managed to take part in some of the mini-challenges. I love the way my heart thumps faster than normal as I try to post in my answers in the fastest time possible to get back to reader and/or cheerleading. It was fun stress! lol.
So, here are my final stats from the readathon. I'll look forward for the April leg, I just hope that I would be free on the day they schedule it.
Pages read - Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer - 36
Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - JK Rowling - 124
Kissing Games of the World - Sandi Kahn Shelton - 6
Pride & Prejudice - 2
Total number of pages read - 168 [hmm... okay then. others have read 1000+ pages but to each their own. I am a really slow reader anyway]
Mini challenges completed - 14
Prize won - One! A random cheerlead prize. Wheeee!!! My first prize ever from the readathon -- and since I've started cheering as well! teehee.
Number of other sites visited/cheered on - 31, I think? I don't really remember since I've only kept track during the third hour! teehee. *blush*
Overall, the readathon has been a success for me. Wheeee!!!
Meme: Eight of my favourite things.
It's nearing the last few hours of the readathon and I am now in the mood for some mini-challenges! :) Having done my errands for the night, I am free until 8PM Manila time to read like crazy [cramming] and also participating in last-minute mini-challenges.
This is hosted by Princess Bookie and I should jot down 8 of my favourite things. Here goes.
1. My mum <3
2. Goofy, my little doggie, whom I treat like my own baby
3. Money, money, money, and lots of money.
4. My house. I <3 it. I grew up in it, and houses all my stuff, my mum, and my baby Goofy as well.
5. Our car. It's old now, but I still <3 it.
6. Travelling. [Not a thing? Hmm... maybe different countries then?]
7. Concerts and events. I really, really love them.
8. My laptop! What else? :)
** Could the list go infinitely? I would put in my mobile phone, dvds, music, and so much more ***
This is hosted by Princess Bookie and I should jot down 8 of my favourite things. Here goes.
1. My mum <3
2. Goofy, my little doggie, whom I treat like my own baby
3. Money, money, money, and lots of money.
4. My house. I <3 it. I grew up in it, and houses all my stuff, my mum, and my baby Goofy as well.
5. Our car. It's old now, but I still <3 it.
6. Travelling. [Not a thing? Hmm... maybe different countries then?]
7. Concerts and events. I really, really love them.
8. My laptop! What else? :)
** Could the list go infinitely? I would put in my mobile phone, dvds, music, and so much more ***
The 24hour readathon [Day 2]
READATHON DAY 2
** my other blog is getting long so I decided to create another one for this occassion.
First off, if you want to win a book, please comment on this link below:
http://rubylovesadventure.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-giveaway-kissing-games-of-world.html
Click on the read more link below to see all the contents!
** my other blog is getting long so I decided to create another one for this occassion.
First off, if you want to win a book, please comment on this link below:
http://rubylovesadventure.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-giveaway-kissing-games-of-world.html
Click on the read more link below to see all the contents!
24hour readathon updates
PRE-READATHON POST:
Gah.
My internet is such a pain right now. It keeps on disconnecting for some reason or another! Othertimes, its dialup speed slow. Ugh.
Anyhow, I'm posting this in preparation for the 24hour readathon tonight [its nearly 3pm here in Manila so 5 more hours to go before the readathon]
I'm well rested [sort of] and ready to go. My book list is ready as well.
Will edit this post with every hour that I am in the readathon. :D
Oh by the way, if you happen to pass by my blog, you live in the US and want to win a FREE book, please do so by leaving a comment here:
http://rubylovesadventure.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-giveaway-kissing-games-of-world.html
THE READATHON
***CLICK ON THE READ MORE TO SEE THE POST...***
~This is a long, comprehensive post of all the hours I'd stayed up for the readathon~
Gah.
My internet is such a pain right now. It keeps on disconnecting for some reason or another! Othertimes, its dialup speed slow. Ugh.
Anyhow, I'm posting this in preparation for the 24hour readathon tonight [its nearly 3pm here in Manila so 5 more hours to go before the readathon]
I'm well rested [sort of] and ready to go. My book list is ready as well.
Will edit this post with every hour that I am in the readathon. :D
Oh by the way, if you happen to pass by my blog, you live in the US and want to win a FREE book, please do so by leaving a comment here:
http://rubylovesadventure.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-giveaway-kissing-games-of-world.html
THE READATHON
***CLICK ON THE READ MORE TO SEE THE POST...***
~This is a long, comprehensive post of all the hours I'd stayed up for the readathon~
Raygun Live in Manila, October 18th, 2009
So, last Sunday, October 18th, I went to SM North Edsa's The Block atrium to catch a show by a new British band called Raygun.
Well, I don't really know them much, except that a good friend of mine is totally addicted to them [esp the bassist] and begged me to come. Well, since I had nothing to do that Sunday afternoon and I'm curious to see if this band iscute good, I am happy to oblige with her request.
I arrived at SM North around 4:15pm -- the show was at 5pm and I'm not really expecting it to start on time given that no one really follows the exact time here in the Philippines.
Calallilly [sp?] started the set by singing a few songs [not a big fan of them, sorry, don't know any of their song titles] followed by Raygun.
Raygun setlist [many thanks Dez!]
1. Can't say no
2. Rocketblast
3. Waiting in Line
4. Just Because
5. Lord forgive me
6. See you later
Just bloody 6 songs? Come on! The event was only around 30-40 minutes long!
Meanwhile, enjoy some photos I shot at the event. There's probably gonna be more uploads once I have the time to upload them.
Well, I don't really know them much, except that a good friend of mine is totally addicted to them [esp the bassist] and begged me to come. Well, since I had nothing to do that Sunday afternoon and I'm curious to see if this band is
I arrived at SM North around 4:15pm -- the show was at 5pm and I'm not really expecting it to start on time given that no one really follows the exact time here in the Philippines.
Calallilly [sp?] started the set by singing a few songs [not a big fan of them, sorry, don't know any of their song titles] followed by Raygun.
Raygun setlist [many thanks Dez!]
1. Can't say no
2. Rocketblast
3. Waiting in Line
4. Just Because
5. Lord forgive me
6. See you later
Just bloody 6 songs? Come on! The event was only around 30-40 minutes long!
Meanwhile, enjoy some photos I shot at the event. There's probably gonna be more uploads once I have the time to upload them.
Spring Awakening
Forgive my lack of updates recently. I've been ill last Friday and I've had a really packed weekend!
First off, this Saturday, I went with a good friend of mine to watch the Spring Awakening musical here in Manila, held at the RCBC theatre.
We're lucky enough to get good loge seats, and our view was excellent!
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this theatre production, Spring Awakening is a play first done in 1891 by Frank Wedekind. It was initially banned for show in Germany due to controversial topics [more about that later]. It tells the tale of a group of teenagers, mainly Melchior Gabor, the "perfect" student -- always getting good grades and is a role model to his peers, Moritz - the goof, he's tagged as a failure, and is very curious about women, Wendla - an innocent girl who eventually falls for Melchior, and Ilsa - she's the "rebel" -- she is living in the streets.
I loved this musical! It is absolutely fantastic -- the music was so good [it was written by Duncan Sheik], it had me singing the lines "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah" after we have already left the theatre and was on our way to a second-hand bookstore. This soundtrack is currently on queue on my download list. The performances were great, but there were some downsides:
1. There are some scenes that got me all confused -- some characters did not have the proper closure that I expected [ie Ilsa and Melchior]; also the adult parts got me confused as well. Who's the parent of whom? If only one actor plays one female adult and one male adult, and you would only have one costume the whole play, wouldn't you get confused as well?
2. Not enough props -- there was a part where Melchior was supposed to be in a graveyard and there were tubes everywhere, but uh.. the Manila production didn't even have fake tombstones in the area.
Guess those are the downsides and ups for now.
Now, for those of you who are going to watch [in other countries, or for the next run of this play in Manila, whenever that may be], here's some things you have to prepare yourself for: *a bit of spoilers. Skip this part if you want to be totally surprised*
1. There's some instances of masturbation that were shown in the play. It's not the explicit kind, of course, but still, don't be shocked.
2. There's some breast & butt exposure [but I heard that there was nudity in the other country's version? can anyone verify this? I am off to surf reviews from other countries after I post this]
3. Suicide is tackled
4. They talk about sex
5. Male kissing is also included [yes, the homo kind, not the bromance kind]
6. Abortion
Overall, the play is very good, its worth my time and money. It's one of those plays that made the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. Good, good, good. Actors were also awesome [Joaquin Valdez is good as Melchior, but the dude that played Moritz? Hats off to you, you were also good as well], the venue is in the Central district as well so it is very accessible!
I think the last run of the play here in Manila was last Sunday, October 18th, but hey, here's wishing to another run!
After the concert, we went off to a secondhand bookstore, and I snagged myself a copy of "The Duchess" by Amanda Foreman. Whee!
First off, this Saturday, I went with a good friend of mine to watch the Spring Awakening musical here in Manila, held at the RCBC theatre.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this theatre production, Spring Awakening is a play first done in 1891 by Frank Wedekind. It was initially banned for show in Germany due to controversial topics [more about that later]. It tells the tale of a group of teenagers, mainly Melchior Gabor, the "perfect" student -- always getting good grades and is a role model to his peers, Moritz - the goof, he's tagged as a failure, and is very curious about women, Wendla - an innocent girl who eventually falls for Melchior, and Ilsa - she's the "rebel" -- she is living in the streets.
I loved this musical! It is absolutely fantastic -- the music was so good [it was written by Duncan Sheik], it had me singing the lines "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah" after we have already left the theatre and was on our way to a second-hand bookstore. This soundtrack is currently on queue on my download list. The performances were great, but there were some downsides:
1. There are some scenes that got me all confused -- some characters did not have the proper closure that I expected [ie Ilsa and Melchior]; also the adult parts got me confused as well. Who's the parent of whom? If only one actor plays one female adult and one male adult, and you would only have one costume the whole play, wouldn't you get confused as well?
2. Not enough props -- there was a part where Melchior was supposed to be in a graveyard and there were tubes everywhere, but uh.. the Manila production didn't even have fake tombstones in the area.
Guess those are the downsides and ups for now.
Now, for those of you who are going to watch [in other countries, or for the next run of this play in Manila, whenever that may be], here's some things you have to prepare yourself for: *a bit of spoilers. Skip this part if you want to be totally surprised*
1. There's some instances of masturbation that were shown in the play. It's not the explicit kind, of course, but still, don't be shocked.
2. There's some breast & butt exposure [but I heard that there was nudity in the other country's version? can anyone verify this? I am off to surf reviews from other countries after I post this]
3. Suicide is tackled
4. They talk about sex
5. Male kissing is also included [yes, the homo kind, not the bromance kind]
6. Abortion
Overall, the play is very good, its worth my time and money. It's one of those plays that made the hairs at the back of my neck stand up. Good, good, good. Actors were also awesome [Joaquin Valdez is good as Melchior, but the dude that played Moritz? Hats off to you, you were also good as well], the venue is in the Central district as well so it is very accessible!
I think the last run of the play here in Manila was last Sunday, October 18th, but hey, here's wishing to another run!
After the concert, we went off to a secondhand bookstore, and I snagged myself a copy of "The Duchess" by Amanda Foreman. Whee!
The 24hour readathon TBR pile
Finally! This post was going to be posted a few days ago but I was having difficulty editing my blogger post!
After my last depressing blog entry, I decided to post a more happier one -- The 24 hour readathon! It's going to be next Saturday, from 24th of October 8pm Manila time till the 25th of October, 8pm.
I will be reading from 8pm-12mn [possibly even 1am], then from 9am till the evening. [minus a few other personal time as well]
Below is a list of books I hope to be reading during the whole readathon:
1. Cleopatra's Daughter - Michelle Moran
2. Angels & Demons - Dan Brown
3. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
My backup pile:
1. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - JK Rowling
2. Me & Mr Darcy - Alexandra Potter
It is quite a short list, given that I read very, very slow.
I will be posting updates through my blog or through my twitter account @rubyreads every hour, will be joining the mini-challenges & also cheering the other readers on *phew*
That's it for now! :)
After my last depressing blog entry, I decided to post a more happier one -- The 24 hour readathon! It's going to be next Saturday, from 24th of October 8pm Manila time till the 25th of October, 8pm.
I will be reading from 8pm-12mn [possibly even 1am], then from 9am till the evening. [minus a few other personal time as well]
Below is a list of books I hope to be reading during the whole readathon:
1. Cleopatra's Daughter - Michelle Moran
2. Angels & Demons - Dan Brown
3. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
My backup pile:
1. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - JK Rowling
2. Me & Mr Darcy - Alexandra Potter
It is quite a short list, given that I read very, very slow.
I will be posting updates through my blog or through my twitter account @rubyreads every hour, will be joining the mini-challenges & also cheering the other readers on *phew*
That's it for now! :)
RIP Stephen Gately [1976-2009]
Not a book nor a travel related post. This is something more personal and maybe, music related. I just need an outlet to post my thoughts and feelings about this issue so bear with me.
I got a text from one of my closest friends last Sunday, saying that Stephen Gately of Boyzone just died.
At first I was doubtful that this was true. Boyzone's manager was undeniably the greatest tabloid story maker of all time, going to lengths of exaggerating stories about the artists he manages.
But this time, the stories were true. He did indeed die tragically whilst on holiday in Majorca, Spain. Cause of death was still unknown.
London: North Greenwich O2 Arena
Since I don't have any bookish related things to share, and since a friend of mine wanted me to blog about some of my travels, I might as well start off with a long overdue post from a trip to the UK last June-July 2008.
After a long plane ride from Manila to Dubai and finally to London, I landed on June 1st, Saturday, around 8AM.
[More info in another blog post]
After resting in my apartment in Smithfield, unpacking and cooking my lunch, it was time to go sightseeing with my friends!
First up was North Greenwich.
After a long plane ride from Manila to Dubai and finally to London, I landed on June 1st, Saturday, around 8AM.
[More info in another blog post]
After resting in my apartment in Smithfield, unpacking and cooking my lunch, it was time to go sightseeing with my friends!
First up was North Greenwich.
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
One of the classic books from Jane Austen. The last time I actually read this book was in high school, for a book report from school. And so I took out my old book from the shelf at the basement, and decided to re-read it for the October book discussion of my book club [well, the book discussion was postponed until November until further notice]
The basic plot of the book is simple: boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl rejects boy because she thinks him to be a pompous man, girl then thinks that rejecting boy was stupid, boy does everything to make it right for girl, girl realizes she loves boy, boy and girl meet again, confess their true feelings and live happily ever after.
Such is the story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is the second of five children, all girls, whom their mother has no real dreams but to have all five of them entered in suitable marriages with husbands that are rich, or have enough money on them. Mr. Darcy is born in high society, Elizabeth was just a simple girl who believes in falling in love before getting married. See the prejudice in the two different circles where Elizabeth and Darcy belong to.