Bookish Worm

Game Of Thrones

2012-01-24T17:22:00.006+08:00

"If you play the game of thrones, you either live or die!"

I was right to choose this book to read over the long weekend because it was so exciting! I even had to buy new eyeglasses so as not to strain my self too much. I lost 2 day's siesta over his book but I don't mind because it was so good!

Okay, I am not really good at writing synopsis so I will just point you over here to read about it, but beware of spoilers! I am now reading the second book, A Clash of Kings and I hope it to be better! Off to read now!

Decisions, Indecision!!!

2012-01-19T17:20:00.004+08:00

I am about to start reading a new book and I cant seem to decide which one to pick. Decisions, indecision!The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo seems to be in the running because my friend brought her book to the gym because she cant put it down. But my other friend cant stop talking about Games of Thrones and even changed his Facebook profile page to that of the HBO series. So, which one is better?

My New Tattoo

2011-12-30T18:21:00.002+08:00

Since today is the last day of work and when I say work I mean it very loosely, I had time to make my new tattoo. And this infinity tattoo is something that I am seriously considering to make permanent. I just love it!

Why I Havent Been Reading Much Lately

2011-12-29T10:33:00.003+08:00

I was re-reading my Harry Potter books last month when I bribed my kids with lunches if they finish a book. But I had headaches after so I limit my reading until I finally stopped mid-Goblet of Fire. So when we had our annual physical exam, I had my eyes checked and it is confirmed: I need to wear glasses soon! Okay, I was wearing glasses before but they make me look old so I stopped wearing them years ago but I think I need to start wearing them again now. I only need to look for glasses that would me look cool and not nerdy and you can expect more posts on this blog soon :)

This Reading Nook is Love!

2011-12-12T16:50:00.002+08:00

I promise to save enough money to have as pretty a reading nook as this one! I love it!

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My Son's Bookmarks

2011-12-03T13:10:00.003+08:00

My eldest son got bad grades in one of his subjects and as a punishment, he wont be playing any computer games until after I see that his grades have improved. As an added punishment, I am making him read the Twilight books to improve his English vocabulary. And to make it worthwhile for him, I promised to treat him out to KFC for every book that he would finish reading. And while I love reading, I dont have any bookmarks at home. I just fold the pages of the books that I read! So this morning, my son made these!
It reads: Read this book, Challenge Accepted 500 pages. While the one for his sister , who is reading Harry Potter, reads, Tapusin mo ito, may KFC ka.
I hope eating out while be enough of an incentive for them to finish the books!

Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project

2011-12-02T20:17:00.002+08:00

The Philippines sends so many overseas Filipino workers abroad and at special occasions like Christmas, there are families who are always missing one of their loved ones. When I saw this video shared on Facebook, I cried! This is indeed a wonderful gift to these three lucky OFW's and their families. Indeed, happiness struck, thanks to Coca-Cola!

Bella Vs Hermione

2011-11-21T16:51:00.002+08:00

Harry Potter is my favorite book series of all time and I may be biased when I say that Bella has nothing on Hermione. I dont need to explain it further because if you are a fan, either you agree or not. But even in real life, Kristin Stewart has nothing on Emma Watson!

And its true too! We were watching Breaking Dawn the other day and we were laughing because Kristin really have the same expression throughout the movie! Even while she was on her honeymoon and she was asking Edward to touch her, she still has the same facial expression! No kidding!

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I Love Books!

2011-11-07T19:51:00.003+08:00

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Tell This Story!

2011-11-04T15:59:00.001+08:00

Hey, I know these stories and these are actually some of my favorites! And come to think of it, they indeed can be told in exactly the way as depicted below!

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Paper and Pencils For a Cause

2011-11-03T14:33:00.004+08:00

Pinay Jade is asking for all our help to support the Paper and Pencils for a Cause Project for the benefit of the students of Estrella Village Elementary School in Narra, Palawan. Any help that you can extend, in cash or in kind will be very useful to the beneficiaries. You can send donations via paypal to jade.samson (at) ymail (dot) com

You may also send:

Paper/ Notebooks
Pencils/ Pens
Picture books for the Pre schoolers
Elementary books
School bags/ any bags that can be used for this purpose (doesn’t need to be new as long as it’s usable)
Chalks
Blackboard Eraser
Crayons
Children Scissors
Pencil sharpeners
Markers
Working Computers

Please spread the word about this project and help these children have a better future! For more details, please check out their Facebook page.

How Was Your October

2011-11-02T16:08:00.002+08:00

This is a monthly round-up that I got from Mich and which I started doing for some months now. So, my October was considerably better than my September and I guess its because I choose to be happy and get the drama out of my life. I know, I can be such a drama queen sometime! Anyway, here is the round-up:

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
-Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto, Neil Gaiman's Star Dust

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
-Shawshank Redemption for the x-times already. Really love this movie!

What special days did I celebrate and how?
-none.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
-none.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
-super bad migraine

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
-chocolate fountain treat at the office c/o Bunny

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
-Bagoong Club, thanks to groupons

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
-IPL for me, yay!

What were this month's disappointments?
-the extra expenses for the van's maintenance.

What were my accomplishments this month?
-extra income from blogging.

Its just a few weeks before my son's birthday and then it will be our wedding anniversary and then it will be Christmas! The rest of the year is looking better for me, yehey!

If I Had A Bookshelf Like This...

2011-10-28T18:19:00.002+08:00

I would be happiness, personified!!! This is so cute!

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25 Random Facts About Me

2011-10-21T11:49:00.003+08:00

I found this via Mommy Journey and decided to put this up here so that you may at least know the blogger behind the books.

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Meg Cabot of the Princess Diaries books.
2. What’s on your playlist right now? True Faith
3. Where did you meet your husband? Texas Chicken fast food, Divisoria branch.
4. How many children do you have? Three.
5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? No.
6. Was it love at first sight when you saw your husband? No. I was ignoring him and he was challenged because all the girls at work likes him.
7. What’s your favorite food? Sinigang
8. What do you order at Starbucks? Chocolate Chip Cookie
9. If you could buy one thing for the house right now, money aside, what would it be? Books, more book storage space.
10. As a child, what did you want to grow up to be? Doctor
11. Say something totally random about yourself. I love doing the laundry. It soothes me.
12. Do you watch X-Factor? Yes.
13. Did you have braces? Not yet, but I plan to have them next year.
14. Favorite Social Network? Twitter @ishi0506 and Blogspot
15. Where’d your husband propose to you? He didnt. We had to get married because I was pregnant, he he.
16. Why is your blog called The Bookish Worm? Because I love reading. I started reading when I was a kid, starting with komiks, and then in high school(1st and 2nd years) because I had no friends, I was just always at the library.
17. Do you speak any other languages? I speak weird sometimes!
18. What’s your favorite pastime? Duh, reading, he he.
19. What magazines do you read? Home magazines like Real Living
20. Name one of your useless skills. I can tune out of everything when I am reading.
21. Do you drive? Learning.
22. What are your top five TV shows at home this fall ’11 season? X Factor and not much else. I am not into TV and I just got hooked on X Factor because my husband loves it.
23. Can you dance? Yes, but gracefully, No! My son is teaching me how to Dougie though.
24. What’s your favorite place in the world? Home.
25. If you could have a super power, what would it be? Read people's mind.

Now, I’m gonna ask you to do two things in the comments: 1) Answer one of my 25 questions with an answer about you, and 2) ask me another random question, which I’ll answer. I hope to meet you!

Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto

2011-10-17T15:21:00.004+08:00

If I was to give a rating to this book after only reading a few pages, I would put it under my bathroom books. You know the ones I read only because I have no choice. But several pages later, this book is under my unputdownable (is there such a word) ones. I spent my whole Sunday reading this book and I was completely useless that whole day!

This is the story of Max and Shelley and it has a happy ending (or I would like to believe so).Max was killed after a bomb exploded in Madrid and for 3 years, Shelley was still mourning for him. Then Paolo, a 30-something guy, came to her doorstep with the news that he is Max's grandson. Together, they journey to discover who Max really was or is. Shelley and Max's story started when she quit her job and found this leaflet to join Max's tour and just went ahead with it. The unusual tour was through the unknown side of Europe (or maybe unknown to me) and through the life story of Isabelle and her ancestors. Looking back at the stories with Paolo, Shelley realized that Max was telling his life history! And yes, SPOILER ALERT, he is immortal. And why do I think that they lived happily ever after? Because I believe that their love (or Shelley's) was great and that it would have survived even death.

I love certain passages in the book and here are just a few:
On immortality:

Forever, Brad?" Shelley said. Dont get me wrong. I dont enjoy getting wrinkles but I imagine that living forever would be like being the last person at a party-and then watching the room fill up again with people you dont know, playing music you
cant stand. You wouldnt have anyone left to remember the good old days with.

On grieving:

Why aren't you crying Rose? Its rake you a lifetime to find Jonathan and yet now that youve lost him, you have no tears? No, Im not in shock dear. I know that Jonathan;s gone. I do miss him. I cant even say his name without dying a little. But to be honest, I havent cried because Ive had no reason to. I have every reason to be sad, but I dont have any reason to mourn. People grieve when things end. Nothing has ended tonight. One of us has simply gone ahead as we always knew it would have to be. But there is no place that Jonathan can go... Where you cant follow. Yes, in time.

On love and pain:

I know that there is no magic potion to preserve my life or Sheila's. And I know that the time will come when her voice wont be as crystal clear in my head. But even when every detail has dulled, I know that I'll always have something that not even time can take away. Pain. Yes because when Ive forgotten everything else, I'll feel that ache, the tightness in my throat, that heaviness in my chest, and I know that I loved a woman once and she loved me back. Its proof that I existed and so did she.

on death:

Death is never swift, no matter how those left behind would like to comfort themselves with the thought.

Love it! Thanks Bunny for letting me borrow your book!

A Reading Corner

2011-10-13T13:36:00.004+08:00

I want this reading corner. I want to be able to read by daylight and store my books like below.

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I want floor to ceiling bookshelves and a reading corner like this.

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Oooh, I am green with envy at these beautiful reading corners and I really want one for myself!

How was your September?

2011-10-12T15:29:00.004+08:00

My August was hell so September, while not yet heaven, was still a big improvement!

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
-Time Magazine on 9/11, more Judith McNaught, 2 Sidney Sheldons

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
-X Factor, Wish ko Lang, Zombadings

What special days did I celebrate and how?
-Ehm's birthday where I get to see my long lost friend Emily and where Rona left her husband inside the bus!

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
-for Ehms, just a dinner treat and for Vangie, the blouse as a group gift

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
-the usual allergies and my mom's aching lower back and her hypertension.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
-playing and teaching the kids card games like Pekwa, unggoyan etc.

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
-our very own ginataang kuhol and lunch at 8 spices with dear ex-boss

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
-1 pair of sandals, 1 alligator shoes, 3 flats! (5 shoes in a month)

What were this month's disappointments?
-no extra blogging income
-my sister in law left to work abroad

What were my accomplishments this month?
-I lost 3 pounds and then i gain 5 back, ha ha ha

I hope to have a better October!

Write or Wrong?

2011-09-28T08:26:00.003+08:00

This is my entry to Techie She Lucky Blogger Weekly Giveaways Week 17. This week’s prize is $10 paypal credits from Mys of Written by Mys.

I love reading and I would like to think that it follows that I would also love to write. But am I write or am I wrong? I actually didn't like writing at first but I wanted to develop the skill and that is why I decided to put up my own blogs. I also wanted to share some things that I have read or experienced and writing them on this blog is a great way to do that. I am not sure that I am good writer, nor do I make the greatest of reviews here but I do my best. I just hope that there are readers out there who find inspiration in my struggle to become a better writer and that some of my posts are actually able to help them! But I find true that when you have read a lot, you know a lot. So read and write my friends, and hope to get better at both someday ;-p

Writing an Essay

2011-09-19T09:24:00.004+08:00

My son is now in second year high school and while I love reading, it is not one of his many passions. He love music, computer games, board games and basketball but you won't see him with books in his hands! And since writing essays are one of the many projects that they do in school, he is finding it hard to write them. He would always ask me what to write and how to do it. He can't seem to love reading the book and is just doing it to comply with school requirements so I see that he cant relate very well to what he is reading. He would just choose a slim book with big type set and read them for a while before he would start asking me questions! This weekend, I think I finally made him understand that to be able to write a proper essay or reaction paper, he must understand the book first. He must choose a book with a story that he can relate to or at leas find one character that he can admire. And choose one view point from which he can write his reaction. While there are lots of free research paper and essays or book report on the internet that he can find, he still has to learn how to do it on his own. Short cuts can only come later once he has mastered the basics, I always say. And I think their teacher has given them a reading hour at school and then they write their essays at the same time to ensure that they have all read the book with their full attention.

How Was Your August?

2011-09-07T10:52:00.003+08:00

I read about this monthly round up from Mich Magbag's blog and decided to make one for myself! So here is my August:

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
-How To Make an American Quilt
-The Hunger Games
-Always by Judith McNaught
-Now and Forever by Judith McNaught

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
-Everybody's Fine
-Parent Trap

What special days did I celebrate and how?
-Vangie and Rio's wedding in Kalibo
-The Cebu family trip

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
-Bouquet of flowers and a letter after a huge fight

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
-Me, just the usual allergies and headaches while hubby was admitted for Cardiac AF last Aug 31
-Hubby's motor accident

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
-An overnight stay in Boracay, disco at an alumni homecoming, and Perya in San Roque!
-The Cebu family trip

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
-A Korean restaurant in Robinsons Galleria but I forgot the name. They had the best chicken evah!
- Larsian in Cebu, CNT and Zubuchon

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
-None! no budget, ha ha

What were this month's disappointments?
-Plenty of heartaches and tears

What were my accomplishments this month?
-Cant think of any, hu hu.

I hope to have a better September but this past week did not show any promise. Oh well.

Make that Christmas List Already!

2011-09-02T08:49:00.002+08:00

Today i s the second day of September and that begins the count down to Christmas. And its now only 54 days before the biggest occasion of all! And what better way to enjoy a stress free Christmas than to plan your list t in advances? And the list must be checked and re-checked to make sure that everybody is in it. As a mom, my list usually includes my kid's teachers and other school personnel like the school guard and librarian because they make life pleasant and safe for my kids at school. But since there are restrictions on what you can give them because it may be labeled as solicitation, useful little tokens are always easier to give. Writing materials like pens and notepads area big hit with teachers. I wonder where I can find a local supplier of Amsterdam printing cheap promotional pens that I receive from a bank last year They are cheap when bought in bulk and I can even have them personalized. I think my kids would love to give them away to their friends too if I can find a supplier. There are also gift ideas like fans, umbrellas, mugs and cups that can be bought in bulk and personalized as early as now when its cheaper so I guess I better start making that list and checking it twice! Oh, and i f you ask me what I want to receive this Christmas, would it be too obvious if I ask for books? Ha ha, yes I think I will!

Do you bring books when you travel?

2011-08-09T21:46:00.002+08:00

Do you bring books when you travel? I do, but most of the time, I don't get to read even a single page. I have on my bag now Jeffrey Deaver's Empty Chair for this trip to Cebu, but it is still there in my bag, unopened. I was supposed to read it at the airport but since my sister's family was traveling with us and this was their first time, I was happily chatting away with my sister and didn't need a book to help pass the time. I was busy taking photos of my family, niece and nephew. And at the hotel, I am busy with planning and organizing the itinerary for the next day or arranging bags and looking at pictures that I have no more time to read my book! And when I get my chance on the laptop once the kids are asleep, I blog! Even when it was just me and my husband traveling, I am also unable to find the energy to read. I usually make a full and packed itinerary that once we are in the hotel, I am too tired already to read. So maybe next time, I should just leave my books at home. But what I suddenly have an urge to read and I don't have a book at hand? I guess I will just bring a book along just in case. Better safe, than sorry. It wont make a dent on my luggage anyway.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2011-08-03T11:50:00.002+08:00

If I have only one word to describe this book, it would be riveting. I was literally unable to get up and put down the book even to go to the loo. And I was at work too! I have my copy of the book for a month now before I opened it for lack of something to read and I was hooked from start to finish. It was good! And since it was a trilogy, I spent most of may waking hours these past few day reading the book.

The Hunger games are a game of survival. The Capitol, or the seat of the government chooses two champions from each District (district 1-12) to fight to death as a reminder of what happens to those who wish to rebel against them. Katniss was not chosen during the Reaping but she volunteered for her sister Prim. The other champion was Peeta, a son of a bakery owner. And you have to read the book to find out how it turned out. Let's just say that I loved the book I wasnt able to tear myself away from it long enough to eat!

The other two books are Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

2011-07-27T09:38:00.003+08:00

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The plot: Jane has a very dominating mother who was divorced from her father. And as she was always ignored by her mother, she has an imaginary friend named Michael. The title refers to their weekly trip at Tiffany's to look at diamonds. But before the visit to Tiffany's, they would always eat this sundae and Jane and Michael would play this game where they would look at people at invent stories about them. During Jane's 9th birthday, Michael disappeared in her life because how the imaginary friend business works. Jane was not supposed to remember about Michael after that but she never forgot. Fast forward to when she was in her 30-something, she was working for her mother but she was a successful producer of a play about her childhood imaginary friend. Jane is kind and her mom is still pushy. Her boyfriend treats her like dirt. And then Michael came back to her life. They fell in love but were not sure what will happen because Michael is an imaginary friend. Michael thought he was there because Jane was dying, only to realize that it was Vivian, Jane's mother who would die. And then he became human and they had 2 kids.

The book had it moments, but while reading this, all I could think about was the movie City of Angels. I cant escape the comparison between Seth and Michael. And I think that City of Angels is better maybe because I saw it first. If I have read of this book before I saw the movie, I may have thought the book is better.

Is that a useful review or what? But judging from the way that I picked up the book at 9pm and was done by 11pm, it was a good read.

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

2011-07-25T14:35:00.003+08:00

I found this copy of The Hobbit from a book sale at Robinsons Galleria. Surprisingly, it took me just a few days to finish reading it. Compared to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, this one is an easy read. The story was very straight forward: Bilbo Baggins was tricked by Gandalf to join thirteen dwarves in their quest to recover the Lonely Mountain and its treasures from the dragon, Smaug. Bilbo who was just a simple hobbit was to become the burglar. On the way to the mountain, they encountered difficulties and different creatures and from a hobbit who wishes nothing more than to be home, Bilbo became more mature and wise. He also met Gollum and found the magic ring which was central to the sequel of the story. The dragon was slayed, but not by the dwarves, but by Bard. The surrounding town was destroyed and there were other claims to the treasure of the mountain but the dwarves refused to share. Bilbo used the Arkenstone, a rare jewel, to convince Thorin to give up some claims and accept help but he refused. He was later on wounded but made peace with Bilbo before he died. Bilbo only accepted a small portion of his reward but it was enough for him to return a rich man. And when he returned a year later, he was just in time to see his possessions being auctioned off by his relatives. But he gets most of it back and settled to a simple and happy life after such a long journey.

I think the moral lesson of the story is

"You are capable of more than you can possibly imagine."