[Personal Update] Long Time, No See

The last time I updated this book blog was way back in 2017, and the last post was more than three years ago. The reason for my abrupt hiatus from book blogging was because 2017 was the year my whole life changed. I'd rather not go into details on this.

I had to step back from book-blogging and re-calibrate everything in my life. It was a huge, "Now what?" moment, and for the first time since graduating from law school, I was at a complete standstill.

Anyway, despite being M.I.A. for the last three years, I'm back now. These recent events have given me more time on my hands than I know what to do, and I figured, why not get back into book blogging?

Actually, as I was overhauling this book blog, I realized how diligent and dedicated I was as a book blogger before. I didn't realize how overly involved I was in the maintenance of this book blog, from its appearance, to the graphic images that I use, even up to the social media accounts, and the application used for cross-platform posting.

Within the next few days, I plan to start being a little more active on the social media accounts related to this book blog. And relative to this, if you haven't already, please 'Like' and 'Follow' the following social media accounts:

Facebook Page // Instagram // Twitter

I'm glad to be back, and I can't wait to be in the groove of things again.

[Personal Update] I Feel Like a KDrama Heroine

I'm not even kidding!

Ever since January, I've been bombarded with mandatory social functions, which in the beginning seemed too daunting for my introvert self. Fortunately, I survived unscathed (I'll have you know that many weekends were spent in bed alternating between sleeping, eating, chores and reading in order to cope.)

Then came the employment part. I was working two part-time jobs before I got a regular 8AM-5PM job for a government office, so now I am juggling one regular job and two part-time jobs (exactly like a KDrama heroine). What a riot, right? (Also, this is why my book-blogging has been meehhh.)

A new job meant meeting new people and more forced social interaction. Add the fact that I suck at remembering names, and that people who meet me for the first time only have either of two impressions: 1.) I'm intimidating; 2.) I'm snobbish. (I'm neither. Really!)

The new job also entailed constant travel in far-flung places, which required both members of the police force and the armed forces to tag along as security details.

The fact that I'm surrounded by testosterone is not even a problem because I'm pretty boyish. I can hold my own in a room-full of men (I'd like to think that this is because I look intimidating).

The problem is, I've received multiple offers, and encouragement to join the police force (also not kidding on this one), and even more offers to hook me up with their co-workers, cousins, relatives, etc. who are single. This usually happens after they get past the intimidating aura and realize that I'm actually harmless. (I'm flattered, but it gets old pretty quick.)

For the record, I'm single, but I'd rather concentrate on work rather than date. It's a preference I'd like to keep indefinitely, and largely because I'm too emotionally unavailable at the moment.

The only silver-lining to my ever constant struggle with work is my new crush (and it's been so long since I had one).

I am only willing to share three things about my crush:

• He's hard-working and competent with work, but awkward with social interactions. (He knows his numbers, azimuths, directions and coordinates.) 
• His jokes are entirely laughable because they're so NOT funny. (He's really trying though!) 
• I relish the fact that I seem to unsettle and intimidate him. Muahahaha! (Shifty eyes, can't keep eye-contact, and awkward replies, but actually pays attention to what I do.)

I have a few days free (Thank you for religious holidays in the Philippines!), so I'll try to be more active. I'll probably review a book or two, and tinker with this book-blog while I'm free.

I'll keep you posted!

[Personal Update] First Post for 2017

How about that?

To say that 2016 swallowed me whole and only spit me out after breaking all my bones and inflicting maximum damage would be an understatement.

I'd like to think that 2016 was the year of mercury retrograde for me, and that things have no other way but up.

Book-blogging-wise and reading-wise, my 2016 was not so good. Add this to personal and professional dilemmas that kept stacking up one after another, and it would be accurate to say that I was pretty much miserable.

Still though, I know that I am luckier than most. Blame the optimist in me.

I got roof over my head, food to eat, and people who support me even though, more often than not, I can't find the motivation to pursue my passions.

This 2017, I plan to go slow but sure. And as always, I'll tap my heart for reassurance, and say my mantra: nothing worth doing is ever easy.

So let's just go steady. Everything will be fine.

[Personal Update] Failures and Fighting Spirits

November last year, I took the bar exam full of eagerness and optimism. It was an experience in, and of itself. It was mentally-exhausting, and emotionally-challenging, and was something I hoped to never go through again.

May 3, 2016, the bar exam results came out, and I didn't make it.

I was hurt. I cried for a little bit. I mourned. It felt like all the hard work I put in was all for naught. I felt inadequate, I felt stupid, and I began doubting myself. It was a grand defeat, and although I fought with everything I had, the end-result was the same: I did not pass the bar.

Come May 9, 2016, it was the national elections.

I am an avid advocate of Miriam Defensor-Santiago for President. In my younger years, I may have thought of the woman as comical and insane. I clearly remember her promising on national television that she was going to jump out of a plane. However, after years and years of witnessing the woman achieve excellence beyond her co-leagues, she gained my respect. She became an inspiration, an icon for strong women, and an example of excellent leadership.

She had a dry wit about her. She's fond of hyperbole and exaggerated statements that become very effective catch-phrases and punch lines. And underneath the satirical nature of her statements, she remains steadfast and unyielding in delivering excellent public service. She has been a faithful public servant for several years, and has dedicated most of her life to serving her country.

When the partial and unofficial results of the election was announced on news programs last night, I felt a physical ache in my chest. It was so disheartening to see someone who has given her best to this country remain unappreciated.

To have dedicated the best years of your life to public service, and be failed again and again, yet still remain faithful to serving this country? How does she do it?

Witnessing her defeat, I felt my failure in the bar exams pale a million times in comparison.

I felt actual, physical heartbreak for the iron lady who stood alone and courageous against the face of corruption, death threats, and even her failing health. She could have chosen to work anywhere else in the world, and be compensated with thousands of dollars. Yet she still chose to be in public service.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, you really are the best President we never had. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Thank you for fighting the good fight, and for standing firm in your principles. Thank you for being someone to look up to, and for being an example to the youth.

 As for my own failure, well, I am made of sterner stuff. I am still young, and I have my battles ahead of me. If Miriam can fight the good fight, so can I.

[Personal Update] Howdy?

Okay, so first off, I apologize for the lack of updates and book reviews. My offline life has been a bit too busy. I've been helping out with the family business, and sneaking in a little bit of writing on the side. I don't exactly know when I'll be reviewing books regularly again.

I can't believe it's April already! Huh. To say that I'm dreading the months of April to May is an understatement. I'm terribly horrified of what these months will bring to me. The Supreme Court announced that the 2015 bar exam results will be coming out late April to early May. It's my make or break moment, so...

Anyways, this is just me checking into say that I am still well and alive; extremely anxious and catatonic, but alive.

[Feature] Daphne, The Non-Reader

Everything started when I saw Daphne holding a book. Specifically, she was holding Kesh Tanglao's The Real Score. I raised one curious eyebrow and thought of it as an oddity. 

Daphne is a non-reader. 

I've known her since she was in diapers and I have never seen her read a book out of her own volition. And if she was ever reading any book at all, I could say for certain that she'd be dozing off by the third page. 

Imagine my surprise when I saw her holding a book, and actually reading it; a book that's not a textbook or a school-related book. She was reading it. On. Her. Own. No one forced her to read it. I did not even insist that she read it. She voluntarily picked up a book from the pile of books on my shelves, and actually finished reading it!

  

I could not explain how I felt then. I was ecstatic, of course! I mean, for so long, I've been the only one in the family who's into reading. I've always left my bookcases and shelves open, hoping that anyone from my family would be open to reading them. Finally, Daphne came around!

But of course, I didn't want to keep my hopes up. I thought maybe it was a one time thing, and she'd be bored of reading. 

I was wrong. 

A ninja pic I took of the non-reader. hehe

The next day, I asked her if she was done with The Real Score. She said yes, and told me that she started reading Love Story by Jennifer Echols. 

Later that day, she told me that she didn't like Love Story all that much. She said The Real Score was better. 

Today, she said she wanted to read another book. I told her I recommend Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, but we couldn't find it on my shelves. Someone probably borrowed it. *sigh* 

Anyways, since she seemed to be getting more interested in reading, I handed her Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, because she told me someone recommended Dan Brown's novels to her. She though the book was really thick but took it nonetheless. hihi

As a fervent reader, it makes me giddy to witness a convert first hand. I hope this twist lasts, and she decides to dabble in leisure reading for good. After all, I still have a ton of books lying on my shelves, waiting for another reader to get to know their worlds. 

[Personal Update] Happy New Year!

2015 kicked my ass -- this is probably the most accurate thing to say about my year. It left me badly beaten, sore and completely exhausted most of the time, but it also left lessons. I'd rather not dwell in negatives. I'd rather talk about the highlights of my year.

• I placed first on my Legal Ethics Comprehensive Exams. Exams were given last December 2014. The results, however, were out by beginning of 2015 only. This is something I really did not expect because I honestly don't think I qualify as someone "ethical". LOL! If you knew me in person, my personality is a far cry from "ethical", or even "formal" for that matter.

• Atty. Y personally told me that I was his favorite student. You have to understand that this is a compliment of epic proportions. Atty. Y was my teacher in Statutory Construction, Legal Ethics, and Sales. He's like a strict but well-meaning grandfather. Lots of first year law students don't reach the second year because of his subjects. He's scary and strict, but he's fair, and he's a real softy at the core. I've been very vocal to the fact that he is my favorite teacher and mentor, so it was such an honor to be told that he was looking out for me. Thank you so much, sir! 

• I graduated from law school. This was a big deal for me, and was discussed lengthily HERE.

• I took the bar exam last November 2015. This was also a very big deal for me. Let's just say it was an experience I would never forget.

• Kids These Days was traditionally published by Anvil Publishing. Now, I could confidently say that I have a book out in bookstores (under a pen name, of course)!

• I re-launched my book blog! I was inactive in book blogging for almost two years. This made me miss a lot of bookish events and had a backlog of books I needed to read and review. Hopefully, I can get to work on my backlog within the first three months of 2016.

I'm pretty sure I read more than 36 books in 2015, but I wasn't able to record all of them accurately in my Reading Challenge widget on Goodreads, hence, only 36 books appear. It doesn't really matter even if I did not reach my goal of 50 books though, since I gave myself a much-needed hiatus from reading to focus on my exams. I will definitely read more books in 2016!!

All in all, 2015 was a very challenging year for me. Hopefully, 2016 will have more in store.

Have a prosperous new year!!

[Personal Update] Spoken Words

I have always been a “Words-Person”. As far as I can remember, words -- be it spoken or written -- hold a special kind of allure. I especially like it when I am able to command words to convey complicated thoughts and feelings.

When I heard about Harinawa, a spoken poetry event headlined by Juan Miguel Severo, I immediately reserved tickets without second thoughts. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass. As a writer, I’ve written my own share of poems. As a public speaker, I’ve performed countless poetry pieces when I was young.

Way before spoken poetry was a thing, I’ve been in several summer speech classes which trained grade school students in public speaking. These classes included poetry recitals, so one could say that I was “trained” when I was young.

I first heard about slam poetry (spoken poetry) in Colleen Hoover’s Slammed. I’m also a fan of Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye. Then, a random video-surfing on Youtube led to a seemingly harmless video of Juan Miguel Severo, pouring his heart out in his piece called “Ang Huling Tula na Isusulat Ko Para Sa’Yo”. The piece was heart-breaking and gut-wrenching, and yes, beautiful even.

As an Ilonggo, my native language is Karay-a. The dominant language in Iloilo is Hiligaynon. And the medium of instruction is English. I'm fluent in all three languages. There was very little need to learn Filipino, except for passing the Filipino subject in grade school. Sad to say, while I can understand Tagalog or Filipino, I suck at speaking it.

When I saw Juan Miguel Severo perform his Tagalog poem, I realized how beautiful Tagalog is. This made me want to be better at speaking and writing Filipino. Marami kasing mga salita sa Tagalog na hindi ko pa alam at hindi ko pa napapaglaruan. Hindi kagaya sa Ingles na gamay na gamay ko na at kaya kong gamitin at paglaruan kahit ako ay nakapikit pa.

Nang natuklasan ko ang ganda ng Filipino bilang isang wika, para akong isang batang nabigyan ng panibagong laruan. Nakamamanghang isipin na isang tula lang pala ang makapagpapakita sa akin ng ganda nga wikang Filipino na dati ay hindi ko masyadong pinapansin. 

Maraming salamat, Juan Miguel Severo. Hayaan mo, magsisimula ako sa pagsusulat ng mga tulang Filipino. Malay natin, baka sa susunod, kaya ko na rin ulit umakyat sa entablado bilang isang panibagong makata kagaya mo.

[Personal Update] I'm baaaackkk!

It has been a VERY interesting year, to say the least. Surviving law school was... something. Getting through a month-long bar exam was also... something. I'm even surprised I still have yet to go berserk even after all the somethings I went through these past few months!

Anyways, GREAT NEWS!!! Book Junkie Joint is now The Perfictionist!! Isn't it amazing? Well, not really, but you know...

Why The Perfictionist, you say? Well, if isn't blatant enough, I combined two words: Perfect and Fiction. I'm not saying I'm in search of the perfect fiction (because fiction is perfect in and of itself). I'm just saying that a well-put together fiction story is a perfect reading material for me.

After all the roller coaster ride I've been through, I'm finally back to doing what I love most: reading. And I couldn't be happier!

As I type, I'm flexing me metaphorical fingers (aside from my actual ones), and sighing in contentment. This is THE life. Heeee. But! My work is not yet done. I missed too many literary events and too many new books this year, so I have to catch up!

Also, THIS:

It's perfect AF, right?! (Please pardon the language. I'm not myself yet.)

I'm so happy to announce that Kids These Days (Stories From Luna East Arts Academy) is finally out in bookstores nationwide! If that is not amazing, I don't know what is!

Plans for the month of December? Why, reading and writing, of course! I'm thinking of writing a new story for Luna East.

Oh, and stay tuned for an exciting giveaway coming your way for a perfictionally perfect holiday!!

[Personal Update] Au revoir, Law School!

I'm finally graduating from 

the hell that is law school!! 

(This is a long rant. You have been warned.)

[Personal Update] Nothing worth doing

... is ever easy. This has been my mantra ever since I got into law school.

This thing I've gotten myself into -- it's hella exhausting. Now that I'm in my last year, the pressure is mounting, the things I need to study, learn and memorize are also mounting, and I barely have time for anything else.

If you're one of those people I've been interacting with in the interwebs within the last year or so, you'd notice the scarcity of my posts and online presence. Truth is, I've limited myself to checking Facebook on my mobile. Most of the time, I leave my laptop alone because my nose is always buried in studying materials. I need to resist temptation from checking out too many websites and wasting idle time. The interwebs is a vast fountain of knowledge and I can spend hours online. Seriously.

The only thing I do to de-stress is read books (my kind of books, not law books) but I can't read as much as I want to. I just don't have the time. I don't even write or blog anymore, which really sucks.

I'm feeling introspective at the moment and I'd be lying if I say that negative thoughts, doubts and the urge to just give up are not creeping in. They are. Every. Single. Day. The only thing I do is to live each day as it comes, and it's getting harder. I need a good cry. =(

[#amwriting] Why do I always do this?

Ahoy! Konnichiwa! Greetings!

I speak as both book blogger and author in this writerly-post. (Oh, sh*t! I'm an author now! I never really claimed being one before! ASDFGHJKL!!!) 

Aheemmm... Sorry.

Anyways, what I mean about the 'Why do I always do this?' title is the fact that I tend to keep my hobbies a secret from my mom but end up carelessly letting her know about it without really explaining myself.

Let me explain what I mean.

[Personal Update] Smells Like Sun, Sea and Sand!

It's March here in the Philippines, and it's actually the beginning of summer! (Hence the title of this post.) Yes, I'm being overly excited. No, I actually don't have a summer vacation planned because I'm going to start reviewing this summer. No, I am not that studious. It's more like I have no choice.

Also, if you might notice, I got tired of the dark background of this blog so I opted for summer-y colors. Well, summer-y to me, that is. The background reminds me of the sea and seaweeds so I chose it. haha! I'm weird. As always, credits to Plumrose Lane for the background.

Anyways, I'm still getting my book reviewing groove back. It's good to finally be able to sit down and type my thoughts in a post. I missed blogging! Oh yeah, my finals are coming up, but I will try my best to write reviews in advance so this blog won't be so empty like last time.

Oh, and yeah, I finally submitted my final #buqosteamyreads work! It's going to be exclusively available through the Buqo app which is downloadable on the Apple iStore. The Android app is still in the works so yeah...

Here's the book cover and blurb if you're interested!

Inappropriate Entanglement

On their first meeting, she ordered him to strip. 

Kaye is the independent and workaholic creative director of an ad agency. She’s been single for five straight years but she still isn’t so keen on joining the dating pool anytime soon. Unfortunately, Matt, a hunky client she needs to please and appease, has other plans.

On their first meeting, he stripped.

[Personal Update] I AM ALIVE~!!

Belated Happy Valentine's Day, Everyone~!

I hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day, even if I couldn't say the same for me.

I spent most of my Feb.14 curled up under the sheets with fever, cough and flu before attending classes in Taxation II. It must've been the stress of my midterm exam week that got me sick. But I'm okay~! I finished reading Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. It was awesome. Then I watched the movie afterwards and complained (loudly) about how different it was to my younger brother. Also, as a reward for getting through my exam week, I bought myself the first volume of Trese (graphic novel). I have the second volume already. hihi (Love life? What love life?)

I'm craving for more Sci-Fi in my reading list. I'm planning to read all of the books in the Ender series by Orson Scott Card and then maybe get started on that Dr. Who marathon I've been planning, and catch up on Criminal Minds. So many things to do, so little time...

That's it! Regular book review posts *may* resume next week.  

[Personal Update] My date on Valentine's Day

... is Midterms.

This is my hell week schedule.
I'm not taking all of them!
Just those in the III.

In short, I will be extremely preoccupied next week so if I can't return your emails, tweets, messages, etc., that means I'm probably dead or dying, or I devolved into an overly-caffeinated zombie.

Oh, and I apologize in advance for this blog's inactivity next week.

[Personal Update] Darkly Dangerous

... is what I chose for this blog's new look!

How do you like it?

The previous lay-out was a little too sunny and sickeningly feminine for my taste. I tried it out just for kicks. Been wanting to change it for weeks but only had the time to do so now. As a result, I went overboard and over-compensated for the previous pink-festation by being all dark and gloomy. Heh.

Got a new chibi avatar, too!

Today marks the start of #SteamyReads, an online writing class spearheaded by author Mina V. Esguerra and sponsored by Buqo, and of which, I am a student. There's a face to face discussion, but unfortunately I am all the way from Iloilo and the class is in Manila. I want to go, but aside from the hecka expensive air fare, I have classes today. So here I am, wallowing in a downward helix of envy and self-pity, with abundant tears flowing from eyes and deep sadness resounding from the depths of my heart. (I am being dramatic. Ignore me.)

It just so happens that today is also the book signing event of Gayle Forman, sponsored by National Book Store. Then again, the signing is in Manila and I'm here in Iloilo. (Double the theatrics I put into words above and you pretty much get a clear picture of what I am feeling at the moment.)

*sigh*

On a positive note, I have a darkly dangerous new look for this blog! That counts as something, right?

[Personal Update] Happy Christmas, Everyone!

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life. I'm so thankful for having a very loving family, a wonderful set of friends and a flourishing book-blogging hobby! haha!

Anyways, I'm here to brag about the books I got this Christmas simply because if you're a book blogger, it's obligatory to brag about the books you've acquired. Hee.

I got a copy of Ngumiti si Andoy from children's book author Xi Zuq! He even signed it and gave me book marks! My little brother was pretty ecstatic when I showed him the book. He added it into his collection of children's illustrated books.

Thank you so much, Xi Zuq! May you write more books that children could enjoy and learn from!

I also got a SIGNED paperback copy of The Real Score from author Kesh Tanglao! *squeeeee* She even included bookmarks, a blue journal and a pen for me to write on. I'll definitely use it, Miss Kesh! Thank you very much!



Napasaya mo rin ako at ang nakababatang kapatid ko, Xi Zuq! Maraming maraming salamat sa'yo at congratulations sa pagkaka-publish ng iyong kwento! (This is also proof that I only suck at speaking Filipino! HAH!)

Thank you, Miss Kesh! Your story rocked! It made me write hate-tweets at 3AM, that was how awesome it was! Don't you ever forget it! And I'm already looking forward to reading Gezellig2! Thank you for letting me read  your story! YOU ROCK!!

Last December 23, 2013, I also got a signed paperback copy of In Over Her Head by author Anne Plaza! She also sent me a postcard, a bookmark and a Japanese Wallpaper journal! =)

Have I ever mentioned I love notebooks and journals? The mere sight and proximity of a clear sheet of paper is comforting to me. Maybe Miss Anne and Miss Kesh share this fetish of mine, too, so they both sent me journals! I love them! Thank you!

And of course, here are the books I got because it's Christmas. I got a paperback copy of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl from my Secret Pal in class (Thank you, Boss Jeorge!). I also got myself the complete Lord of the Rings set by J.R.R. Tolkien, a paperback copy of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, and a paperback copy of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

I could definitely say that my Christmas is very merry! How about you? What books did you get this Christmas? ^_^

[Personal Update] LLB-3A Christmas Party

The reason why I've been M.I.A. from my online life these past few days is this:

Me (in red) and Ate Apol with the kids from Sitio Looc, Basiao, Ivisan, Capiz. 

Last December 21, my section (LLB-3A) held our Christmas Party at Ivisan, Capiz. We went on a three hour drive from Iloilo City and gave gifts to about a hundred children from Sitio Looc.

There were only eleven of us who came, and there were more than a hundred of kids that day. The weather also didn't cooperate at the beginning as there was a downpour, but we persevered nonetheless.

LLB-3A with their kinda abnormal tyrant/dictator/supreme leader president in red.
Credits to Johanna for this picture.

credits to Johanna for this picture. ^_^

It was such a test of patience to handle the kids. They were constantly running around and were very noisy. Plus, there was no electricity so we had to use my laptop for our music. How futile that turned out to be. haha!

The kids finally settled down after getting some snacks. Then, we finally distributed the toys and goody bags we prepared for them. =)

When it was time for us to leave, it was such a great feeling to have children standing by the car we were in while waving their good-byes and Christmas greetings with smiles on their faces. It was priceless!

I feel so blessed to be in a position to give this Christmas. And I'm so proud of what our section did for our Christmas Party this year. I hope that we turn out to be the person that we are meant to be, and I hope we can help more people along the way. =)

[Personal Update] Santa's Elves for a Day

Yesterday, December 18, 2013, I've been a little too occupied the whole day because of preparing for our classroom Christmas Party on the 21st.

As much as I like being a lazy-ass, I am the class tyrant/dictator/supreme ruler president of my section so I had no choice but to step up and play nice.

For a day, I and a couple of classmates and friends, had to journey through the downtown of Iloilo City to buy toys for 100 kids while on a budget. We also had to buy candies for the goody bags that we planned to give away, and had to prepare prizes for the games we planned to facilitate on the 21st.

To be honest, I was spent by mid-afternoon, but we accomplished a lot so I would say that our efforts weren't for naught. Also, we were like Santa's Elves for a day! We wrapped toys and candies and made sure that everyone had a little something. It was fun although a little tiresome. haha

Oh, and one interesting coincidence is that way back in November, I mentioned in one of my previous blog posts that I originally wanted to give out toys to the children in my neighborhood this Christmas. I had money saved up for it, but it never came through because typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan hit the Philippines. Instead of the toy giveaway that I was planning to hold, I donated what little money I saved up to the relief efforts for the victims of the typhoon. I even joined the relief operations organized by my school.

I was without any budget and I thought I would not be able to give toys to children this Christmas.

Coincidentally, when my section had a meeting about our Christmas Party, we decided that instead of having a usual party, we could just hold it in Ivisan, Capiz and do a good deed for the victims of the typhoon. Ivisan, Capiz is one of the areas that was badly hit by the typhoon back in November, and up until now, electricity still has yet to be restored to the area.

We also came to agree that our Christmas Party will be for the benefit of the children in Ivisan, Capiz.

Another coincidence was that a week before our meeting about the class Christmas Party, I was able to earn some extra money and was contemplating to revive my original plan to give toys to children for Christmas.

So by some very fortunate turn of events, I was given a bit of budget and an opportunity to give toys to children! It was like when I decided to do something good, the world moved and gave me a chance to do it! The coincidences are just whoah!

I could not help but think of that specific quote from Harry Potter by Luna Lovegood --- >

I lost the opportunity to give toys to the children in my neighborhood, but I was given a chance to give toys to the children in Ivisan, Capiz. I was alone in my original plan, but I ended up being with my classmates and friends for our Christmas Party good deed. =) Amazing, if I may say so myself.

Here are some pictures I've taken yesterday after we finished our tasks:

Oh, and before I get accused of being too kind or selfless, the truth is, I'm actually not. Hee. I made sure to give myself a gift this Christmas, too! =)

I got myself J.R.R. Tolkien's complete Lord of the Rings paperback set, and a copy of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass.

After all, you could never really give love unless you love yourself first.

<--- This is me expressing my great love for myself because I love myself too much!! haha!

[Personal Update] First Blogoversary Giveaway!

The second part of Book Junkie Joint's First Blogoversary Celebration is a Giveaway! 

Don't forget to follow Book Junkie Joint via Bloglovin!

I'm giving away Volume 1 to 3 of My Midnight: The Graphic Novel written by Ron Mendoza and illustrated by Randy Valiente! The same graphic novel is based on the PHR Gothic Romance My Midnight by Camilla.

DISCLAIMER:

This giveaway is is no way affiliated with Facebok, Twitter or Blogger. The prizes up for grabs are in no way connected with the publisher Precious Pages Corporation. I purchased the books on my own.

Earn entries below!

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