Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Wonder - R.J. Palacio (Book Review)



"Shit, this is one good book!" is what I thought to myself all throughout this book. It's so good, so so good. It's indescribable. It's a wonder.


I want to be selfish, to not recommend this book to people who don't appreciate books and the art of it. Because I want people to feel what I've felt, and experience what it has done to me. I've lost count of how many times I cried reading this great piece (it's my first time crying because of a book, mind you.) because it was just so terribly tragic, but strong, full of heart and humor and inspiring all at the same time.


It was so real. The way things are described, the way conversations went, the way things happen and days passed and time flew and I felt like I was there with August every second of it. I had this urge to reach out (or in) to lend Auggie a hand, and maybe somehow make his day a little better.


Okay, point is, it's a great great book and it's one you'd sympathize with. R. J. Palacio did an epic job, so out of the box, so real, so on point with the feelings.


So who's August? Who's Auggie? Who's him?
ps: I'll try to minimize the spoilers, because trust me you'll want to read the book first.


August Pullman, nicknamed Auggie, is a boy who's suffering from a facial anomaly and that makes him an outsider to everyone else. He has never been to an actual school before, but his parents decides to enroll him into one because they think it's the best for him. Of course, without a doubt, being different physically calls for bullying in just about any middle school these days. So this story is about his days in middle school in a span of one school year, and how he adapts to the people there and also how the people there adapt to his existence.


It's so great because it shows how people are, the nature of us as humans. Even the nicest ones.
The way events unfolded so realistically it's hard to believe this is just pure fiction (maybe it's not) because hey, this can happen to any Auggie out there.


Gosh, I can't say more. I'm so bad at explaining things. My mind is tongue-tied.


It's a ten out of ten.


“The things we do outlast our mortality. The things we do are like monuments that people build to honor heroes after they've died. They're like the pyramids that the Egyptians built to honor the pharaohs. Only instead of being made of stone, they're made out of the memories people have of you.” 

if it really was all random, the universe would abandon us completely. and the universe doesn't. it takes care of its most fragile creations in ways we can't see.” 

the universe takes care of all its birds.” 

“It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” 

“Its not a contest about whose days suck the most. The point is we all have to put up with the bad days.” 

“Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams.” 


Happy reading!
Love, C.

Sunday, 27 December 2015

Christmas, hitting the 2015 slate and resolutions.


Dec 24.
Christmas Eve and I'm not home.
I miss home, I miss my people.
Taiwan's great, not to be mistaken.
I tend to get homesick easily, guess that's a good thing?


Dec 25.
Back home on Christmas morning, feels so good.


Christmas was joy in the simplest way. Tea with friends, dinner with family. We don't share presents, but aunt got me some. She always get us presents.

I think when you really want the year to end, it ends slowly but when it really passes you'll come to find that time flies faster than ever. Don't you think?

Hmm, 2015. Except for crazy shit-just-got-real moments, nothing big happened. I guess, like everyone else, I didn't have the liberty of time to play this year. Everything about 2015 has been said thousands of times over on my blog. I don't know how to summarize, really. I've been ready for graduation one year earlier, and maybe it was too early, because when the time came I took it just like that. I let go a long time ago. Now everyone's going separate ways, some are already overseas, some are already planning to go overseas, some are starting to fill college applications, everyone's hustling.


Me? I haven't figured anything out yet. Everything will fall into place, I believe.


Ohh wow, resolutions. I forgot what I wrote for this year, I forgot what I've virtually crossed out. I doubt I've achieved anything. It's funny because I feel a lot more lost than I've ever been this year. My brains fuzzy, a lot of loose screws. This holiday will screw them back, I suppose.


What I want for in 2016, is simple. It's a very run-of-the-mill list, but simplicity rules all. Safety, health, happiness and joy. To me, my family, and friends. Simple.


Admittedly also, skills which I am working on, and a great college life and future ahead.


This is all I wish for. I need a positive mind!


Merry Christmas, and a great new year ahead! 
Love, C.

Sunday, 13 December 2015

Brushing off more cobwebs.



From Prom Night.
I love my dress, loveeeee it.
I'm so bad at solo shots, my legs and hands are always so awkward.
That's why I have this photo, with two of my good friends.
It's so saturated, I know.
But it's okay.


I've been so busy.
I don't know why I'm so busy.
Finally found some time to settle down.
I haven't really settle down yet, to be honest.
This holiday is going to be super productive, I know it.


I've got so much plans up my sleeves, it's starting to feel like a chore.
I need more time.
But it's all good.
I'm expanding my skills.
My friends all are looking for part-time jobs.
I don't want to.
I want to learn, as much as I can.
Call it "prepping for college" as you will.
When you see someone so talented, it hurts.
I haven't had the opportunity to figure out my talents.
Mom and dad didn't want to send me to classes.
I remember I wanted to learn piano, but dad didn't let me.
I wanted to learn so much.
Music, dancing, art.
I've grown up with empty hands.
Now is the time, for me understand myself better.
And at least try to do something significant.
I want to learn, I want to sweep my interests all in one hand.
Understand them, and to the very least, try to master them.


There is always the contrary side,
I used to sit around and watch series after series of Korean shows,
or maybe YouTube, snoop every nook and cranny for some good music.
That's my form of relaxation.
Now I'm constantly like "Wait, I need to learn this first."
"Wait till I finish this."
Too many things to do.
I think I need to get used to it.
I'm not hating it or anything.
It's great actually.
It's just something different from my usual routine.
I'm in for something big, after all.


Aside from that, I'm going to Taiwan!
We've been planning this trip for a year now, and it's happening!
I'm really excited!
This trip marks my first time travelling with friends.
What I really want to do is go shopping, lol.
#whateverygirlwants


Once I come back it's going to be Christmas!
Christmas is never like Christmas anymore.
I miss the old Christmas times.
Now everyone is so disconnected.
Technology killed the vibe.
Everything is so online now.
It doesn't feel exciting anymore because everyone is too prepared.
When the actual time comes everyone is like mehhhh.


I'm gonna download some podcasts from JKNews for my flight.
Best news channel ever!
And some new albums to check out!

Till next time, stay jolly.
Love, C.

Friday, 4 December 2015

Brushing off cobwebs

1. I have finally graduated from high school. The weight off my shoulders is a huge relief. I'm still taking it little by little day by day, and I'm really enjoying the "do-nothing" days.

2. I'm in love with Avicii *raises hand fangirl here*. He's a beautiful person, I perceive. He makes great music, he's talented, looks hawt af and when he smiles *melts* Check out the video below. I melted so hard.



I downloaded his Stories album past two weeks ago and I've been replaying it over and over again since then. It's genuine, nongeneric gold. Trust me, I'm not being biased here.

3. Martin Garrix is 19. What am I doing with my life. Damn. 

lol just kidding I love my life


This week has been crazy. I had to clean my room, shop for supplies for my upcoming class trip, and also grab some makeup for prom. AND I also need to shed some fat (seems like I've heard this 10000 times before)

It's hectic but it's a great kind of hectic because I feel like I'm a part of something big, like something grand is about to go down. Plus, I don't rush because I don't need to prioritize and commit to school work anymore, I can do things slow without abstaining myself.

I have a feeling that this holiday is going to be amazing. 
So much plans I can't keep up! 
Lots and lots of love, C.


Tuesday, 1 December 2015

#np: December's Playlist

December is here! The last of 2015. A lot of post-exam plans going on I'm so hyped! Okay I'll talk about it in another post. I'm super in love with Avicii btw ;)

Gone - MGK ft. Leroy Sanchez


Trouble - Avicii


Light It Up - Major Lazer ft. Nyla


Renegades - X Ambassadors


A Small Part of You - Parade of Lights


Ordinary Love - Park Kyung ft. Park Bo Ram


晴天 - 刘瑞琦


I'm really loving EDM this month, albeit this playlist doesn't have much EDM. I'm replaying Avicii's Stories album over and over again. It's just too good. It's hard to choose which song I wanted to put up here but I really love Trouble's lyrics so here it is. ;) But all the other songs are really good too!

That's about it for the post. I'll talk more (and more) about my plans and basically everything about my life lololol. ps: I'll rant more about Avicii. He's the best!