Still unemployed and barely have any money to buy everyone gifts. Gift cards will have to do I’m afraid. I’m not wealthy after all.
On the other hand, the days from the 24th to the 31st would be seriously crazy around the house. Though everyone dreams of a White Christmas, I’m actually an exception. I’d like to stay as warm as I can while spending these days with the family, especially with relatives whom I haven’t seen for majority of my life so far. It would’ve been wonderful too if one day that we can spend at least one Christmas with the folks in the Philippines. It’s one thing that my parents admitted that they truly miss. It’s also one thing that my brother first experienced with his girlfriend several years ago when his girlfriend’s older brother and his then-fiancee got married there. I have a feeling that bro and gf/fiancee would also want their wedding over there as well. When that happens, that’s probably one huge chance that I can finally go there.
And of course, there’s other reasons why I want to visit the “old country” as well. Many of you already know what that reason may be. :)
I’ve been catching up with my reading; been hanging out at the library more often to borrow new and interesting books as of late. I also go to Borders too if there was any books worth buying. I spotted Kate Morton’s latest work, The Distant Hours, but I’m gonna wait until the paperback version comes out. I’ve immensely enjoyed her work so far, especially The Forgotten Garden, still one of my top favorites. I also read Sara Gruen’s Ape House, which I think is a pretty witty and funny novel, but a very good story. I still like her bestselling classic, Water for Elephants, a lot more than her latest one though, but still a good recommended reading for all animal-themed fans out there. :D
At the moment I’m reading Book of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff, a detective/mystery novel that involves serial murders and Satanic cults and modern witches. I can’t really tell if this is realistic fiction or a sci-fi/fantasy type as I’ve only read the first few chapters. I have to admit that “horror” stuff scare the hell out of me but somehow I find them tame when they’re in written form because it’s easy to imagine the story in your head and knowing that it’s all fiction in the first place. I find horror movies horrible altogether actually, not because I get easily scared but the interpretation of them in film is simply “eh” to me.
Earlier today I checked out My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares of the The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants fame. It reminds me of that old movie Somewhere In Time about two lovers who share their love for one another through different time periods until the present times. Can’t wait to get to that once I finish the current one that I have.
Last but not least, I’m waiting (patiently) for my copy of St. Catherine University Campus Girl: Bunny, The Charming Barista by the one and only Ayi Heart Yngrid. This will also be the first time that I’ll be reading a novel in my native language (or rather, first time I’ll be reading a book in my native language since my family and I migrated here in the States). I have been waiting for this for quite awhile now since Ayi-san became inspired by our love for BRETZIE and knowing how hopeless romantic us Filipinos are, even the cheesiest of the cheesiest romance stories is PURE WIN for us. Though we can actually order online ourselves at the Precious Shop site for all the locals and globals, I’m having mine’s autographed by none other than Bret and Fretzie themselves. They already got my autograph last month so they should also return the favor. :D (kidding… kidding… kidding… :D )
Speaking of my autograph for Bretzie, this is what I meant. There’s this…
and then there’s this…
Just to let you know folks that the latter picture is not an edited pic. If you’re in doubt, I got backup too. :D
(Video Credits: Nercy)
And for all the haters and doubters out there… where ya at?! :P
