Have you ever read something you wrote when you were so full of emotions in the past and just cringed? Either because it was a bad piece of writing or you were over reacting or maybe you just can't believe you could have ever felt that way.
It's weird isn't it?
I was reading something I wrote a few weeks back and I can't believe I wrote what I did. The things I said and the emotions I was feeling; it was all so intense and I never thought I'd say those things. I never want to again, either.
I guess sometimes you have to get it out of your system. All those feelings and emotions that aren't necessarily what you feel all the time. Not who you are always, just in the moment. Not a good moment, either. Which is why I love writing. Because I can write and write and make sure I mean what I say. I can make sure I keep these moments of un-me-ness away from people.
Some would say that's not a good idea and that we should be who we are, in good moments and bad, and I agree. But I think moments like these are better left in the closet. Because it's not you. And words can cause a lot of hurt. So sometimes, it's better not to let the world into your head.
Just a thought.
Anyways, I have lots to watch this next few weeks before the semester starts. I'm finally at series 7 of Doctor Who, which is super. I'm also going to start on season 1 of Supernatural. AND, I have a few movies to watch too. So, entertainment, check.
OH! I'm also in the middle of 3 novels right now. One of the dark hunter books by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and The Hobbit. Lots to focus on :)
It's going to be a fantastical Christmas.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Monday, December 17, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
An Update of Sorts... :P
Just thought I'd update this part of cyberspace with the few on-goings in my life.
First up, I'm heading to the land down under! Yessir:) I'm going to Perth for 2 weeks:) It'll be a blast and I can't wait! Ahhhh! I'm gonna feed some kangaroos and hug some koalas. Perth, here I come!!
Something else worth mentioning is that I wrote an article for the CDM Today! For those of you who do not know; CDM Today is my church's quarterly newsletter. For the next issue, the editor (I think it was the editor) asked the youths to contribute an article. After very little discussion, this task was given to me.
I have to admit, I had a little trouble coming up with something to write but I managed. I sent it to the editor, fully expecting it to be rejected with requests that it needed polishing up but to my utter surprise, it was well accepted! And so, my article will be published in the July issue:)
I'll post it here once the newsletter is out.
Also, I'm contemplating cutting off my locks. I've oscillated between loving the long hair, wanting it to grow longer and hating it and wanting to cut it short and save myself the hassle of dealing with it everyday. Right now, I'm back to keeping it. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how long I can keep this pendulum moving and where it might end up stopping.
And one last thing; I'm currently reading Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. At first, I wasn't to sure if I liked it. It takes a lot of brain power to process everything. It's a whole new world with no point of reference at all. Seriously, everything is alien.
But then, as I kept going, I realised that it's a pretty interesting book. Sure, I can't actually read it when my brain isn't fully awake ('cause I won't understand have of what's going on normally but when my brain is half asleep, everything gets foggier) but when I really focus, I find myself enjoying the story even though I can't understand half of what's going on. I guess it's not too bad, my blurness, because this is probably how one of the character's Arthur Dent must be feeling too. It's all just so weird!
But fun:)
Anyway, time for more tetris.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Reaching For Freedom
Currently reading: How To Be Free by Tom Hodgkinson.
Right off the bat, I can tell you that this guy, Tom, has a great writing style. I enjoy reading the book not because it helps me be free, but because it's really enjoyable. The way he writes makes reading come alive and all colourful.
I've read 3 chapters so far. Here's the gist; Chapter 1: Ride A Bicycle, Chapter 2: Play The Ukelele, and Chapter 3: Cancel All Direct Debits. I'm on Chapter 4 right now. It's all about careers and boredom. What I've managed to wrangle so far is that boredom is a killer and that careers oppress creativity.
I love the way he reasons and how he transforms societal norms into a thing of endless limitations. He makes so much sense that he could be either crazy or completely right. Just reading the book makes me feel limited, like I have to go jump in a puddle of water to loosen up or something.
I'd quote so many things from the book but I'm too lazy to go and get it right now. So, I'd suggest you read it. Seriously, even if you aren't into the whole non-fiction thing, this really is awesome. I don't usually read non-fiction or self-help books because I find them quite dull, irritatingly instructive and mostly a threat to individuality (I'll get to that some other time) but this one is quite different. The facts and fancies, logical reasoning nd quotes from other authors make for a good read.
Now, I'm going to go plaster my room wall with some cut out shapes because.... well, because I can :)
Right off the bat, I can tell you that this guy, Tom, has a great writing style. I enjoy reading the book not because it helps me be free, but because it's really enjoyable. The way he writes makes reading come alive and all colourful.
I've read 3 chapters so far. Here's the gist; Chapter 1: Ride A Bicycle, Chapter 2: Play The Ukelele, and Chapter 3: Cancel All Direct Debits. I'm on Chapter 4 right now. It's all about careers and boredom. What I've managed to wrangle so far is that boredom is a killer and that careers oppress creativity.
I love the way he reasons and how he transforms societal norms into a thing of endless limitations. He makes so much sense that he could be either crazy or completely right. Just reading the book makes me feel limited, like I have to go jump in a puddle of water to loosen up or something.
I'd quote so many things from the book but I'm too lazy to go and get it right now. So, I'd suggest you read it. Seriously, even if you aren't into the whole non-fiction thing, this really is awesome. I don't usually read non-fiction or self-help books because I find them quite dull, irritatingly instructive and mostly a threat to individuality (I'll get to that some other time) but this one is quite different. The facts and fancies, logical reasoning nd quotes from other authors make for a good read.
Now, I'm going to go plaster my room wall with some cut out shapes because.... well, because I can :)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesdays With Morrie
Ok, I've been writing this for a while now, but only just decided to finish it and post it. Laziness got the better of me :P
Tuesdays With Morrie is an amazing book!
I was crying and laughing and understanding and learning. This is a book for reading. Seriously, everyone should read it. Morrie Schwartz was and incredible man (it's a true story, by the way). His views on life and love and especially death, are so close to us. It's personal but also unifying. He makes you think without you knowing that he's doing it.
I would love to have had the chance and privilege to meet him. To talk to him and ask him things just to hear how he perceives it. Mitch Albom was one lucky man, to have been able to see him at his best, and worst too. To want to see him live longer and yet to want to see his suffering end. The tension of opposites.
This book covers everything from life, love, family, marriage, culture, death and more. It's not a book that tells you what to do or how to do it. It's not a book for you to scan through, hoping to find an immediate cure for your problems. It's a book to make you think and rethink. To help you evaluate yourself and open up to new ideas. It's a book to help you conquer fear - not show you how to do it but to prove to you that it is entirely possible, that's it's scary but not all that impossible.
Mitch Albom wrote it out all so beautifully and when he describes Morrie's character, how his smile lights up a room, how he listens to you like nothing else matters, how you can see him dancing even though he can no longer move his body. Morrie was a great teacher, too. He can even teach through the pages of a book after leaving this world 16 years ago. Imagine that.
I think the best way to show you what I've learnt from this book is to quote some of the passages in it.
- “The problem, Mitch, is that we don’t believe we are as much alike as we are. Whites and Blacks, Catholics and Protestants, men and women. If we saw each other as more alike, we might be very eager to join in one big human family in this world, and to care about that family the way we care about our own.”
- “If you let the fear inside, if you pull it on like a familiar shirt, then you can say to yourself, “All right, it’s just fear, I don’t have to let it control me. I see it for what it is.”
- "Take my condition [He has ALS]. The things I am supposed to be embarrassed about now - not being able to walk, not being able to clean myself, waking up some mornings and wanting to cry - there is nothing innately embarrassing about them. It's the same for women not being thin enough, or men not being rich enough. It's just what our culture would have you believe. Don't believe it."
- "The truth is, part of me is every age. I'm a three-year-old, I'm a five-year-old, I'm a thirty-seven-year-old, I'm a fifty-year-old. I've been through all of them, and I know what it's like. I delight in being a child when it's appropriate to be a child. I delight in being a wise old man when it's appropriate being a wise old man. Think of all I can be! I am every age, up to my own. Do you understand?"
- "Love each other or perish."
Morrie is a smart man, and he gets to me. He lives life not caring about opinions and neither does he rush through it. He savours his life, not attaching himself to the outer world the way we do. We are dependant, Morrie isn't. He always chooses positivity. He might take some time when he wakes up in the morning but he gets there eventually. Morrie chooses to have good days. He knows that he is the only one who can control what he feels and he does that by embracing life, with all its glory and darkness.
It's not about imitating Morrie and his beliefs. It's about finding your own beliefs that are uncontaminated with that of the general world. Finding who you are and sticking to that no matter what because you are in control of your own mind. Why give in to the norms when you can be just the way you are?
Morrie Schwartz, a man, a teacher, a true human being.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Wolves, Princesses and cute Boys!
Sunday:
So, I've obviously been AWOL these past few days. I've actually just been very lazy. I log in to Blogger and end up logging out again because the thought of typing out the words in my head seemed pretty dull work at the time. It still kind of is - mainly because I don't really have anything to rant about. Or, I do, but it's all little stuff that's scrunched up together which requires a certain amount of energy to untangle.
And yet, here I am, typing. I do this, oddly enough, not when I'm physically fit but when my left arm is screaming out for repose.
Ok. Change of plans. I have to sleep now, so my brother keeps telling me. Continued later.
***
Tuesday:
Hello. I must be some weirdo. I'm supposed to be working, and I thought that since the WIFI connection is down, I might actually move a little faster. Boy, could I be any more wrong. I got the broadband out. :)
Ok, so here's the scoop. My left arm was protesting on Sunday because on Saturday, I carried Dillon around a lot. He's 2 and he's a lot smaller than me but man is he heavy! Or maybe I'm just not fit? A little of both I think.
On Saturday, we were all supposed to go to Port Klang to see the Lugos ship. The Dulos' sister or something. But, big brother had a futsal tournament and we ended up going for that instead. Dillon was so excited. I can see the resemblance between my two brothers very clearly now. If I let Dillon down, he'd run right into the court! He wanted to join then but they're big buffaloes playing a friendly match. They take their futsal very seriously.
So, I had to hold on to Dillon the entire time. And every few seconds, he'd go, "Where's kohkoh?" (which means brother in Chinese, although the spelling might be wrong.) Once, big brother got out of the game because he was really tired, and he couldn't breathe properly. Dillon's attention was totally off the game. He only had eyes for his brother who he knew wasn't ok. So then, I had to carry Dillon to our brother.
So, so cute!
We ended up not going to the ship because by the time the match was over, Dillon was beat. So, they headed back and we did too.
Which then takes me backwards to Thursday. THE BIG BAD WOLF BOOK SALE!
The best book sale ever! Since I won the preview pass (picture above), mum and I got to go a day earlier. Us and another few hundred or so people. But that didn't matter at all because the hall was ENORMOUS and it felt like no one was there.
Anyway, mum and I bought many a book. I completed my Princess Diaries set, found Artemis Fowl: The Atlantic Complex and a few other good looking books. Mama bought quite a few romance novels and we we grabbed tons of recipe books! We even bought a Jamie Oliver Christmas Special Food Magazine. Sweet:)
We spent almost 2 hours in there and we could have spent more time but we didn't want to hurt out wallets too much. So, hard as it was, we dragged ourselves to the cashier and paid for our loot. Only RM200+ for about 30 books. Magical! We kinda took the extremely long way home but it was worth it.
I went to the sale again yesterday! This time, I took Nadiah, Claudine and Maria with me. We went in the evening so there wasn't much of a crowd. We didn't even have to line up to go in. We did get lost on the way though. I took the wrong turning so we ended up on the wrong side of the road from the MARDI entrance. I took one big round and started again. We made it there after 2 hours. *Phew*
The sale was still worth it though. They added more books. I was looking for the fourth Princess Diaries book (apparently I missed that ): ) But I couldn't find it. Nor did I find the Ultimate Cake book mama wanted or her novel. I did find some awesome Princess Diaries extras though. The are 10 books in the series and a few smaller books in between. Found two so far, and I'm going to start looking for the rest! Also, I found a great present for MeshPot:)
Oh, another big news, KINDLE has ARRIVED! I have my own Kindle now! IT'S ALL MINE! muahahahaha! :)
Can't wait to get started! All these books to read, and only 2 months till the end of my school life, it's stoked! :)
Okok, I have to get back to work now. Earn me some $$ :)
Friday, September 2, 2011
Electrons, Green and Time Travel!
No, it's not easy. Writing I mean. Well, no, not writing. But finding the time, and most of all, the energy, the drive. It's not all that simple. There are words, forming in my head. Hundreds of words, weaving in and out, forming sentences; sometimes coherent, sometimes gibberish. It's like... I don't know, exactly. Like, tiny sparks of electricity, connecting with each other, slowly, till they become one long, meaningful thread of thought. Everything that is going on around me - smell, sight, sound, feeling - everything is recorded by my brain. And then it's interpreted and analysed. Thoughts are formed. Imagery and words. The challenge here is when do I get them down? How and when? Yeah, it's all in my head, enclosed and safe, but I can't exactly keep writing the whole day. Then I'll just miss everything. That completely defeats the purpose.
So, no. It's not easy. My brain wants to keep thinking. Stopping is not an option. Would a bolt of lightning stop mid-strike just because the rain decided to leave? No. And so, I'm reduced to chasing after those words in my head. Trying my best to capture them, immortalise them into cyber space. Hopefully, getting as much out as possible while still retaining their original meaning. I don't want to confuse anyone.
Anyway, now that my fingers are feeling compliant, I am transferring the thoughts from this human brain of mine into the vast space that is the world wide web. My thoughts are now being translated from brain activity (electrons and what not) into some sort of mechanical, binary gibberish that is the language of cyber space. Whoopee! (I don't know if I made much sense right there. Oh well!)
The Glee Project: DAMIAN McGINTY!
He is so good looking! OMG:) Plus, he's from Ireland (Northern Ireland, to be specific). That beautiful voice, and the Irish drawl - just heart melting. Not to mention the amazingly blue eyes. Yes, I have a crush on him, who wouldn't. <-- Just wanted to get that out there:)
Keeping with the Irish theme, My brain goes immediately to Artemis Fowl. What a genius he is (fictional, yes. So I guess the genius here is the creator, Eoin Colfer. But for the sake of my adolescence, lets stick to Artemis Fowl II, shall we?). I've reread the books I own, from the first till the sixth. I have not managed to get my hands on the seventh book yet but I will, soon. It's an amazing series. It's a story that keeps you on your toes and your brain whirring from the first page to the last. I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It seems like almost all the main characters have a sarcastic bone in them, which is really humorous. And of course the whole genius thing. Not only Artemis, but also Foaly(the centaur) Opal(the megalomaniac pixie) and Holly(the elfin LEPrecon Captain). Geniuses.. oops, I mean genii. Anyway, smart in their own way.
The plots are great too. Sure, some people would say that saving the fairy and human world from total annihilation again and again maybe a little redundant but, hey, that's what great stories are made of. Besides, each adventure is totally different simply because Artemis is changing. From cold-hearted, genius, bad-guy who cares for nothing but money to genius bad-guy who has a heart (steal from the rich and give to the poor. Or maybe just steal from the rich, because some people deserve to be stolen from). Then there's the brawn. Butler, to be precise. No, he is not just the smartly dressed guy running around the house serving you drinks. His name is Domovoi Butler (which we don't find out until the third book, because bodyguards are not supposed to reveal their first name to their charge. Something about not getting too attached - not like that helped). He's well trained in a specialised form of martial arts, cordon bleu cooking, weapons and military training, tactical training and other handy skills. Butler is Artemis' bodyguard since the time he was born. Butler is one of Artemis' closest friend and father figure (even if he does take orders). The thing I like most about him is that he has faith in his young charge, even though many don't. Butler goes through with Artemis' bold schemes without question but he's also the moral compass (as much of a moral compass as he can be to a 14 year old criminal master mind). The best thing though, is how much Butler loves his little sister (who, by the way, received the same training as he did). Anyway, Artemis Fowl is a great read. And he's Irish! :)
Moving on, trials are coming up and I am... not the least bit worried. Well, actually I am. I'm just not too 'semangat' to care right now. I don't know where it went to, but my usually spunk has left the building. I am not into anything except maybe cute Irish boys and brain electron stimulating novels. I don't seem to care much for school. Nor do I care much about going out or even staying home. When I'm home, I want to go out. when I'm out, I want to be home. When I'm in school, I can't wait to get out. What is up with me?? I just want to get this whole school thing over with. I'll be glad of the day I stop wearing the blue and white uniform so synonymous with secondary schools here in Malaysia. I'm fed of up it all. Not of studying, just school. Honestly, I can't wait to give my time and effort fully to studying what I want to. Creative writing and sociology. I would give my whole self to the pursuit of this knowledge. But first, I have to get through STPM. I have to hang on tight. Hmm, maybe if I could just fall asleep for 4 months. If only.
Hmm.. I'm making butterscotch cookies tomorrow. Maybe I'll make some salted caramel too.
I need to find something, a meaning or purpose. I feel like I'm drifting right now. Aimlessly living life with no real colour. How do I explain this? There is nothing that I want more than getting to next year. So, right now, I'm just living each day because I need to in order to get through to next year. It's not that bad la. Everyday there's something to make me smile and be all happy. I love my life, really. When I come right down to it, my life is great. I'm not thinking of running away or anything like that, just that I want to run right into next year. This whole school thing has really tired me out. I'm just fed up of it. Who wouldn't be? C'mon, 12 years in school. That's over 63% of my life as a school student. No, I'm ready for the big time! I want something more! :)
As for now, what I need more of is sleep. Adieu :)
So, no. It's not easy. My brain wants to keep thinking. Stopping is not an option. Would a bolt of lightning stop mid-strike just because the rain decided to leave? No. And so, I'm reduced to chasing after those words in my head. Trying my best to capture them, immortalise them into cyber space. Hopefully, getting as much out as possible while still retaining their original meaning. I don't want to confuse anyone.
Anyway, now that my fingers are feeling compliant, I am transferring the thoughts from this human brain of mine into the vast space that is the world wide web. My thoughts are now being translated from brain activity (electrons and what not) into some sort of mechanical, binary gibberish that is the language of cyber space. Whoopee! (I don't know if I made much sense right there. Oh well!)
The Glee Project: DAMIAN McGINTY!
He is so good looking! OMG:) Plus, he's from Ireland (Northern Ireland, to be specific). That beautiful voice, and the Irish drawl - just heart melting. Not to mention the amazingly blue eyes. Yes, I have a crush on him, who wouldn't. <-- Just wanted to get that out there:)
Keeping with the Irish theme, My brain goes immediately to Artemis Fowl. What a genius he is (fictional, yes. So I guess the genius here is the creator, Eoin Colfer. But for the sake of my adolescence, lets stick to Artemis Fowl II, shall we?). I've reread the books I own, from the first till the sixth. I have not managed to get my hands on the seventh book yet but I will, soon. It's an amazing series. It's a story that keeps you on your toes and your brain whirring from the first page to the last. I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It seems like almost all the main characters have a sarcastic bone in them, which is really humorous. And of course the whole genius thing. Not only Artemis, but also Foaly(the centaur) Opal(the megalomaniac pixie) and Holly(the elfin LEPrecon Captain). Geniuses.. oops, I mean genii. Anyway, smart in their own way.
The plots are great too. Sure, some people would say that saving the fairy and human world from total annihilation again and again maybe a little redundant but, hey, that's what great stories are made of. Besides, each adventure is totally different simply because Artemis is changing. From cold-hearted, genius, bad-guy who cares for nothing but money to genius bad-guy who has a heart (steal from the rich and give to the poor. Or maybe just steal from the rich, because some people deserve to be stolen from). Then there's the brawn. Butler, to be precise. No, he is not just the smartly dressed guy running around the house serving you drinks. His name is Domovoi Butler (which we don't find out until the third book, because bodyguards are not supposed to reveal their first name to their charge. Something about not getting too attached - not like that helped). He's well trained in a specialised form of martial arts, cordon bleu cooking, weapons and military training, tactical training and other handy skills. Butler is Artemis' bodyguard since the time he was born. Butler is one of Artemis' closest friend and father figure (even if he does take orders). The thing I like most about him is that he has faith in his young charge, even though many don't. Butler goes through with Artemis' bold schemes without question but he's also the moral compass (as much of a moral compass as he can be to a 14 year old criminal master mind). The best thing though, is how much Butler loves his little sister (who, by the way, received the same training as he did). Anyway, Artemis Fowl is a great read. And he's Irish! :)
Moving on, trials are coming up and I am... not the least bit worried. Well, actually I am. I'm just not too 'semangat' to care right now. I don't know where it went to, but my usually spunk has left the building. I am not into anything except maybe cute Irish boys and brain electron stimulating novels. I don't seem to care much for school. Nor do I care much about going out or even staying home. When I'm home, I want to go out. when I'm out, I want to be home. When I'm in school, I can't wait to get out. What is up with me?? I just want to get this whole school thing over with. I'll be glad of the day I stop wearing the blue and white uniform so synonymous with secondary schools here in Malaysia. I'm fed of up it all. Not of studying, just school. Honestly, I can't wait to give my time and effort fully to studying what I want to. Creative writing and sociology. I would give my whole self to the pursuit of this knowledge. But first, I have to get through STPM. I have to hang on tight. Hmm, maybe if I could just fall asleep for 4 months. If only.
Hmm.. I'm making butterscotch cookies tomorrow. Maybe I'll make some salted caramel too.
I need to find something, a meaning or purpose. I feel like I'm drifting right now. Aimlessly living life with no real colour. How do I explain this? There is nothing that I want more than getting to next year. So, right now, I'm just living each day because I need to in order to get through to next year. It's not that bad la. Everyday there's something to make me smile and be all happy. I love my life, really. When I come right down to it, my life is great. I'm not thinking of running away or anything like that, just that I want to run right into next year. This whole school thing has really tired me out. I'm just fed up of it. Who wouldn't be? C'mon, 12 years in school. That's over 63% of my life as a school student. No, I'm ready for the big time! I want something more! :)
As for now, what I need more of is sleep. Adieu :)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Paper and Ink
It's been a while, a long while since I've managed to disappear into another world. These past few months have been, at the most, entertaining. Exciting, not thrilling. Tasteful, not mouth-watering. Indulgent, not overwhelmingly good. I can't tell if it's just me or the books. I could not, no matter how hard I tried, escape into the world beyond the pages. Paper and ink remained merely paper and ink. The words didn't jump out, they didn't dance in my mind forming beautiful faces and scenes as they once did. They remained still and lifeless; just words being read, nothing more. I thought I had lost it. No, what a silly notion. No one just loses their love of reading. That's not how it works. Right? It does seem that way, though.
Hmm, I shouldn't dwell on the past. I'm back now; or at least, my love is back. I found it, locked way back in my mind (or heart, those two go hand in hand, yes? Topic for another time). This book, it was the key. The key I've been searching for. It fits perfectly into the keyhole of that wretched chest in my mind (or heart) that stowed away my love for books. It is a young love, lots to develop and learn, but a love nonetheless. A love which I am glad to have back. I can now see the world beyond the paper, beyond the ink, the world of imagination where anything is possible. It's open to me as if nothing stood in my way. All I need to do is read a few words and I'm thrust back into the world of wonders. Everything comes to me clearly now. Pictures form in my mind as clearly as if I see them in real life. Sight and sound and even smell are no longer forced but flow willingly out of the pages into my mind. I'm free. Inkheart did the trick.
Now, I'm itching to read Inkspell (the second book in the Inkworld Trilogy). Tomorrow, I shall once again board the train of words that will surely take me into another 600 pages of wonder and excitement. Irony and humour, love and hate, classic good versus evil will dominate my mind. Hopefully I do not end it too fast. The finale, Inkdeath, is a good 7-10 working days away from my grasp. Imagine, finishing Inkspell fast and having to wait a whole day (or two or three) for Inkdeath. I'd go mad! Cornelia Funke has managed to capture me with her words. I love writers who love adjectives. They help me mould the characters in my mind, the setting and even they way everyone sounds. I've missed that ever since reading my first novel, HP6 by JKR. No one had yet managed to capture me quite like Ms. JKR (Dan Brown comes close though) but Ms. Cornelia Funke has done a pretty darn good job. I can't wait to see what happens in Inkspell; what adventures await Meggie and Farid, what becomes of Dustfinger and that little marten Gwin and what of Resa and Mo?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Little Kathy and The BigBadWolf
The BigBadWolf's BigBadSale was spectacular!
Not only was it well-organised, but the staff were super-friendly and the environment was comfortable. No sweating and pushing around or getting bumped into at all! Between us, we bought around 35-40 book and only paid RM439. If you're an avid reader in Malaysia, you'd know that the price was amazing. If I went to any other book store, RM439 will only get me around 12 books. As soon as you walk in, the whole layout becomes clear. It just a huge square area divided very expertly into different sections: fiction, non-fiction, children's books, magazines. Each individual sections are then organised and sorted out according to genre and authors. There were rows and rows of books and stacks of novels that cost so cheap with people looking through politely so as not to disrupt anyone around them.
It felt, to me, like a shopping spree. A true shopping spree where I didn't have to worry about price or debate whether the item was worth the money or if it'll serve me more than once. I just saw a book, evaluated it, and decided. If it was 'No', the book goes back neatly onto the pile it came from. A 'Yes' and I'd keep it with me until I deposited it into the huge cardboard box we commissioned as our own. I spent so much time going trough the fiction section that I didn't even look at anything else. If we stayed longer, I would have gone through the non-fiction section and grabbed more then a couple recipe and craft books. Not to mention magazines and some childhood favourites. I got myself around 15 books, guaranteed to last me the whole holidays, and more. I managed to get Inkheart and Inkspell. Also, the Princess Diaries Collection (not the whole thing though because they didn't have it. I still have a few more to collect), The Time Traveller's Wife, The Way Things Look To Me and some others. The sale was worth every cent.
There were some people who were obviously professionals when it came to this sale. They came prepared with trolley bags & plastic bag carries. Some bought 3 or 4 books. Others hauled 2-3 boxes of books. When we were queuing up, on my right was a group of about 5 ladies. Between them, they had 3 huge boxes overflowing with books and about 5 gigantic recyclable bags (like the big Jusco ones) jam packed with more books. They probably bought close to 200 books. I think they're starting a home library or something. On my left, however, was a lady with a trolley bag full to the brim with books. While everyone around her was struggling to drag their loot to the cashier, she coolly pulled her haul via the handle on the bag. I think I'll adopt that tactic for the next sale.
The only sad part was that I didn't get any of the books that were on my list. I should have expected that though. It's really hard to get the books you want in mega book sales. Popular series and such are easy but not the single, small time books. No worries though, because next year, I'll start hunting down the tiles on my list. You'll notice that I said 'next year'. That's because I've spent so much on books this year, more than the last 5 years combined, so I'm going to have to stay away from bookstores for a while.
Now all that's left is to clear my room. I need to completely spring clean it. Every inch needs to be reorganised so I can fit in all my new books. The books shelf is already full but with some creative arranging, I'm sure everything will be fine. Now,I'm off to dream up a layout for my room. I'm bored with the current furniture arrangement so a change in decor is in order.
It felt, to me, like a shopping spree. A true shopping spree where I didn't have to worry about price or debate whether the item was worth the money or if it'll serve me more than once. I just saw a book, evaluated it, and decided. If it was 'No', the book goes back neatly onto the pile it came from. A 'Yes' and I'd keep it with me until I deposited it into the huge cardboard box we commissioned as our own. I spent so much time going trough the fiction section that I didn't even look at anything else. If we stayed longer, I would have gone through the non-fiction section and grabbed more then a couple recipe and craft books. Not to mention magazines and some childhood favourites. I got myself around 15 books, guaranteed to last me the whole holidays, and more. I managed to get Inkheart and Inkspell. Also, the Princess Diaries Collection (not the whole thing though because they didn't have it. I still have a few more to collect), The Time Traveller's Wife, The Way Things Look To Me and some others. The sale was worth every cent.
There were some people who were obviously professionals when it came to this sale. They came prepared with trolley bags & plastic bag carries. Some bought 3 or 4 books. Others hauled 2-3 boxes of books. When we were queuing up, on my right was a group of about 5 ladies. Between them, they had 3 huge boxes overflowing with books and about 5 gigantic recyclable bags (like the big Jusco ones) jam packed with more books. They probably bought close to 200 books. I think they're starting a home library or something. On my left, however, was a lady with a trolley bag full to the brim with books. While everyone around her was struggling to drag their loot to the cashier, she coolly pulled her haul via the handle on the bag. I think I'll adopt that tactic for the next sale.
The only sad part was that I didn't get any of the books that were on my list. I should have expected that though. It's really hard to get the books you want in mega book sales. Popular series and such are easy but not the single, small time books. No worries though, because next year, I'll start hunting down the tiles on my list. You'll notice that I said 'next year'. That's because I've spent so much on books this year, more than the last 5 years combined, so I'm going to have to stay away from bookstores for a while.
Now all that's left is to clear my room. I need to completely spring clean it. Every inch needs to be reorganised so I can fit in all my new books. The books shelf is already full but with some creative arranging, I'm sure everything will be fine. Now,I'm off to dream up a layout for my room. I'm bored with the current furniture arrangement so a change in decor is in order.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Holiday Forecast: Bright With a Chance of Insanity
Ok, so I didn't exactly comment on my following days of exams. I have a good reason though. I was too busy reading! But more on that later. The exams went fine. English Literature wasn't too bad but not too good either. Every other subject went fairly well. Now, I have the rest of the week off for Deepavali which is this Friday. After that, one more week of school and then, about 2 months of... we'll see. It could be utter boredom with nothing whatsoever to do, stuck inside my own head or working. Boredom, I think, is inevitable. So we'll skip trying to plot against it. Same goes for being stuck in my own head. That leaves me with the option of working. I want to but I'm not so sure. I certainly do miss working there but so much has changed. I don't know if I want to alter my memories of working there. Holidays at home doesn't sound to bad anyway. Apart from total boredom and complete immersion in my own head, I still have my books and the wonders of modern technology (namely, television and the Internet) to keep me occupied. I've also been a little energetic about cooking. I've got scores of dishes in my head that I want to try. Maybe I should just stay home and make them? Though choice. We'll see how it goes.
Yesterday, we (Mina, Visha, Dinesh, Bengs and myself) went to Lookout Point for a little post-exam celebration. We got a little lost on the way but with the help of a nice young lady in a Kancil, we made it. We had lot of fun on the way, singing along very loudly to Lady Gaga (except Bengs, who just smiled and laughed a lot at out insanity). Going up was the fun part. We saw the whole city from up there. Lights everywhere and cars on the road. The food was great too. We sat and watched time pass by. It was very relaxing. Calming, too. I just couldn't help but feel small and insignificant looking at the whole city down there. It was mesmerising and kind of hypnotic. I would have stayed there the whole time if not for the others who wanted to take lots and lots of photos. (No offence to them though, I enjoyed the photo shoot as much as they did, I just wanted to watch the lights too). I guess that even though I may be loud when I'm with them, I like to sit in the quiet just as much. My outlet, you could say.
Moving on, my current literary adventure is non other than Artemis Fowl himself. I read the first 3 books in the series back when I was in Form 4. Now, I've caught up with the rest in the series and am waiting to get my hands on the next book. Artemis Fowl is a teenage genius who finds a whole new world, underground that is. A world of fairies and magic. His pure genius combined with the technological advances of the People(Fairy People, that is), his personal bodyguard named Butler, and a certain elfin captain help save both their races and more from annihilation more then once. His whole adventure will be too long to write out here so I'll say this; it's spectacular. I was at first flummoxed as to why I was so interested in this book. It was fantasy and reality packed into one and filled with so-called human misconceptions regarding the whimsical, so obviously I was drawn. The main reason, however, is the fact that these books keep me so tightly locked that I am immersed from the moment I set eyes on the first sentence. Each page is jammed pack with adjectives and descriptions of everything. My brain is constantly on edge trying to process each information and come up with proper imagery to follow the words on the book. It reminds me a lot of the Harry Potter Saga. Eoin Colfer's writing style is different, in my opinion, to that of J.K Rowling's but they both seem to highly relish the use of adjectives and descriptive sentences. They use imagery to thrust the readers into another world and both do so quite splendidly with their respective styles. These kinds of books keep me hooked till the last page. Nothing is predictable. It's filled with so many things that I can reread it a dozen times before actually getting bored. Also, I suspect that the two Sidney Sheldon books I read before this had me wanting a less darker place to put my mind in. Artemis Fowl seemed like the best option.
Bad news though. I've read all 6 books now. Finished it even before the long holidays started and before the Deepavali holidays even ended. I'm definitely reading it again, no doubt about it. BookXcess doesn't have the latest book, The Atlantis Complex, but I don't mind waiting until they do. There are other book and hobbies to pursue. Speaking of BookXcess, I went there with RM50 and left with RM1 and four books which would have cost RM35 each in any other book store. Oh, how I love them!
Yesterday, we (Mina, Visha, Dinesh, Bengs and myself) went to Lookout Point for a little post-exam celebration. We got a little lost on the way but with the help of a nice young lady in a Kancil, we made it. We had lot of fun on the way, singing along very loudly to Lady Gaga (except Bengs, who just smiled and laughed a lot at out insanity). Going up was the fun part. We saw the whole city from up there. Lights everywhere and cars on the road. The food was great too. We sat and watched time pass by. It was very relaxing. Calming, too. I just couldn't help but feel small and insignificant looking at the whole city down there. It was mesmerising and kind of hypnotic. I would have stayed there the whole time if not for the others who wanted to take lots and lots of photos. (No offence to them though, I enjoyed the photo shoot as much as they did, I just wanted to watch the lights too). I guess that even though I may be loud when I'm with them, I like to sit in the quiet just as much. My outlet, you could say.
Moving on, my current literary adventure is non other than Artemis Fowl himself. I read the first 3 books in the series back when I was in Form 4. Now, I've caught up with the rest in the series and am waiting to get my hands on the next book. Artemis Fowl is a teenage genius who finds a whole new world, underground that is. A world of fairies and magic. His pure genius combined with the technological advances of the People(Fairy People, that is), his personal bodyguard named Butler, and a certain elfin captain help save both their races and more from annihilation more then once. His whole adventure will be too long to write out here so I'll say this; it's spectacular. I was at first flummoxed as to why I was so interested in this book. It was fantasy and reality packed into one and filled with so-called human misconceptions regarding the whimsical, so obviously I was drawn. The main reason, however, is the fact that these books keep me so tightly locked that I am immersed from the moment I set eyes on the first sentence. Each page is jammed pack with adjectives and descriptions of everything. My brain is constantly on edge trying to process each information and come up with proper imagery to follow the words on the book. It reminds me a lot of the Harry Potter Saga. Eoin Colfer's writing style is different, in my opinion, to that of J.K Rowling's but they both seem to highly relish the use of adjectives and descriptive sentences. They use imagery to thrust the readers into another world and both do so quite splendidly with their respective styles. These kinds of books keep me hooked till the last page. Nothing is predictable. It's filled with so many things that I can reread it a dozen times before actually getting bored. Also, I suspect that the two Sidney Sheldon books I read before this had me wanting a less darker place to put my mind in. Artemis Fowl seemed like the best option.
Bad news though. I've read all 6 books now. Finished it even before the long holidays started and before the Deepavali holidays even ended. I'm definitely reading it again, no doubt about it. BookXcess doesn't have the latest book, The Atlantis Complex, but I don't mind waiting until they do. There are other book and hobbies to pursue. Speaking of BookXcess, I went there with RM50 and left with RM1 and four books which would have cost RM35 each in any other book store. Oh, how I love them!
Friday, June 18, 2010
An Uncommon Love
First up, I followed ma to work yesterday because I needed to go to the MPH Bookstore in MidValley. I'm looking for the text for STPM English Literature. Let me tell you, I've never been so diappointed in bookstores (not just MPH but others as well) as much as this. They only have one or two of the required text and even that is not satisfying because of the horrid font size. It's impossible to thoroughly enjoy a classic when you need a magnifying glass to read it. But I'm not giving up. I'm still on a hunt for the text and any past year questions (which MPH used to sell but not anymore).
Moving on, later at night, we went to watch Adam The Musical at The Actors Studio, Lot 10.
Moving on, later at night, we went to watch Adam The Musical at The Actors Studio, Lot 10.
It was great. The story revolves around an engaged couple, Adam and Sylvia. Before the wedding, Sylvia finds out that Adam is HIV positive and she goes through an emotional roller coaster. Finally she decides to..... (go watch it yourself to find out the ending). It's all about the dangers of the times we live in, trying to fight off the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS patients and trying to bring about awareness regarding the this disease.
My favourite character was the crazy, lady with the wheel chair played by Tria Aziz. She was spectacular. Her character reminds of Belletrix Lestrange in Harry Potter. Wild eyes, crazy hair and cackling laugh. Her solo was really awesome. The gist of it is, live your life to the fullest because life is short but death is an eternity long.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
New Beginnings; Good or Bad??
Let's see;
* I've finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank
It's a really great book (or diary, to be exact). I like how mature she is. To think that she's only 13 or 14 years old but with the maturity of adults. She comtemplates issues that most children don't and only half of adults dare to. She's got wisdom beyond her years and she's able to understand things at such an early age, things that most people spend half their life trying to figure out. I admire her. I don't mean to seem conceited but she reminds me a little of myself. I think we all see a part of ourselves in Anne. She makes so much sense when she's pouring her heart out on those pages. She's taught me alot about myself too. I owe her alot. I think a woman like her, if she had the chance to grow up, would have been someone who changed the world, a woman of powerful words. She is now too, but due to her unfortunate and terribly short life, she didn't get as far as she could have. Anne made such and impact at the age of 15, imagine the impact she would have made if she had lived to be 60.
* I'm starting in the Accounts class tomorrow
I hope I do better there than I did in History. I know for sure that History isn't my subject but I'm not sure about Accounts. I have a good feeling but still, I can't help but wonder. Accounts seems like a better option. It's more straight forward. There's a right and a wrong and there's always only one or two ways to get the answer your looking for. I prefer that to the abbysmally subjective ways of History. I know it sounds insane, since I love Literature which is the most subjective subject there is, but I just don't get History. I can't seem to wrap my head around it.
Anyway, I don't really know anyone form the Accounts class and I don't think they know I'm coming. I'm expecting a bunch of shocked faces staring at me once I enter class tomorrow. That, followed closely by an unending cycle of questions, makes tomorrow a day I'm really dreading. But then again, it'll be one of those times when I wonder what I was afraid of in the first place (I've had far too many of those times for it to be random or abnormal).
* School holidays starts in a week
YAY!!! I know I've barely started school, but I've been away from that kind of environment for so long that I actually don't miss it anymore. In fact, I can't wait to get away. Now that I'm in a different class, school has become even more boring (didn't think that was possible). I don't really mesh with anyone in that class. The only one I'm friendly with, a girl named Izumi, has been absent for over a week now. I call that pure bad luck. So, I'm seated at the right end of the third row, far away from the fan (which is a nightmare in this heat) and with no one for company. I think I can finally understand why some people just hated school.
-.-
* I've finished reading The Diary of Anne Frank
It's a really great book (or diary, to be exact). I like how mature she is. To think that she's only 13 or 14 years old but with the maturity of adults. She comtemplates issues that most children don't and only half of adults dare to. She's got wisdom beyond her years and she's able to understand things at such an early age, things that most people spend half their life trying to figure out. I admire her. I don't mean to seem conceited but she reminds me a little of myself. I think we all see a part of ourselves in Anne. She makes so much sense when she's pouring her heart out on those pages. She's taught me alot about myself too. I owe her alot. I think a woman like her, if she had the chance to grow up, would have been someone who changed the world, a woman of powerful words. She is now too, but due to her unfortunate and terribly short life, she didn't get as far as she could have. Anne made such and impact at the age of 15, imagine the impact she would have made if she had lived to be 60.
* I'm starting in the Accounts class tomorrow
I hope I do better there than I did in History. I know for sure that History isn't my subject but I'm not sure about Accounts. I have a good feeling but still, I can't help but wonder. Accounts seems like a better option. It's more straight forward. There's a right and a wrong and there's always only one or two ways to get the answer your looking for. I prefer that to the abbysmally subjective ways of History. I know it sounds insane, since I love Literature which is the most subjective subject there is, but I just don't get History. I can't seem to wrap my head around it.
Anyway, I don't really know anyone form the Accounts class and I don't think they know I'm coming. I'm expecting a bunch of shocked faces staring at me once I enter class tomorrow. That, followed closely by an unending cycle of questions, makes tomorrow a day I'm really dreading. But then again, it'll be one of those times when I wonder what I was afraid of in the first place (I've had far too many of those times for it to be random or abnormal).
* I've dyed my red hair black again
* School holidays starts in a week
YAY!!! I know I've barely started school, but I've been away from that kind of environment for so long that I actually don't miss it anymore. In fact, I can't wait to get away. Now that I'm in a different class, school has become even more boring (didn't think that was possible). I don't really mesh with anyone in that class. The only one I'm friendly with, a girl named Izumi, has been absent for over a week now. I call that pure bad luck. So, I'm seated at the right end of the third row, far away from the fan (which is a nightmare in this heat) and with no one for company. I think I can finally understand why some people just hated school.
-.-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)