...who needs speed?...

What do you think of speed-reading? Is it a good way to get through a lot of books, or does the speed-reader miss depth and nuance? Do you speed-read? Is some material better suited to speed-reading than others?

I'm all for speed. I mean, I don't take lightly if I have to wait. Yeah, I know, I'm a bit impatient when it comes to a lot of things. Reading for that matter is not of those things. I think I can speed-read if I want to but then what will I gain from it. I read for the simple joy of being entertained and to learn a thing or two. I tried speed-reading once but it was not good. I end up forgetting what I was reading about.

I think there are some materials worth speed-reading. As for me, I don't speed-read them. In my haste to get it over with, I just skim over them.

...fifth day...i'm here still...

Fifth day of the Simbang Gabi. I fully intend to complete all the nine days. For the past five days, I've been up at a quarter to three in the morning. Not that it made a difference because on the ordinary days I am always up early especially if I go out to run. I have to compromise on my running to give way to this besides it only happens once a year.

It was already past nine o'clock last night when I finally get to bed. We had dinner outside. When we got home, Joy and I decided to went out again and took pictures of the well-lit streets near our place.

When my alarm buzz off, I was hesitant to get up. I was still very sleepy. Turning off the alarm and holding my cellphone, I lingered in bed for a few minutes. Afraid that I might eventually fall back to sleep, I decided to get up and took a shower at once. I had my usual cup of coffee. Since today is a Sunday, I am apprehensive that there may be a lot of people going to church. We left our place a bit early. But when we get to the church, there's still few people inside. I was wrong. Joy give a me a look that says "I told you so." At least we're early, was all I can think of a reply.

Once inside, my eyes started to feel heavy again. I tried not to close them even for just a tad because If I do so, I know I will start dozing off. The mass went fairly well, as usual. I'm thankful that I still manage to attend until now and for the remaining four days, hopefully.

Five days down, four more to go.

...fourth day...i'm thankful...

Fourth day of Simbang Gabi. Every time my alarm buzz off, it seems that I automatically jump out of bed, out of habit. My mind has yet to fully wake up and it usually happens by the time I'm doused with water from the shower. At this point, I'm beginning to slowly awake. Sometimes the water is freezing cold but most of the time it's not, that I wish it was otherwise. There's nothing better than a cold shower to jolt you up.

I received awesome news yesterday that I am beside myself with gratitude. It's hard to explain what I feel. All I know is that I am very happy and thankful to God.

When I went to bed last night, I fall asleep at once. My mind filled with excitement and anticipation for the next day.

We went to the church same time as yesterday. We still get to sit on our favorite spot. By now, my eyes have already adjusted to feeling sleepy. They still feel heavy though but I am used to it.

I'm very thankful today. God finally answered my and my family's prayers.

Four days down, five more to go. :-)

...third day...think out of the box...

Third day of Simbang Gabi. I woke up to the usual annoying and familiar sound of my alarm. By this time, my body clock has already adjusted to the very early wake up time. I hurriedly got out of bed then proceeded to make some coffee then hit the showers afterward. I have a pretty boring routine every morning. Good thing is I kind of like it.

For the past two days, we usually just walk back home after the mass and after we had some breakfast. I usually just wore slippers and I find it uncomfortable while walking besides I can't walk that fast when I had it on. Callus has developed on my left foot. So this morning I wore my running shoes and the walk back home was comfy--I felt like I could run. :-)

The people occupying  on the front pews are getting fewer by the day. People usually started filling in thirty minutes before the mass will commence. We arrived at the church at ten minutes past four o'clock. We still get to sit on our favorite spot. I'm loving this. I have to adjust my eyes to the glaring lights inside. The moment I sat, I begin to feel sleepy. I was not able to take a nap yesterday afternoon because we went out. I tried to fight off drowsiness by glancing up on the church ceilings and watched the birds take off.

I was happy about my small feat  yesterday--staying awake for the entire time the mass was going on. And I intend to continue with this until the ninth day, hopefully.  This morning, the mass started on time, thankfully. The all-male band added to the festive mood inside the church, with their upbeat songs. I'm positive that no one was fighting off sleep while listening to the priest's homily. We were all attentive.

Today's theme was about "thinking out of the box and learning from the margins". The gospel came from the book of Matthew. I'm not going discuss  here at length, what it's all about.

After the mass, we headed home immediately. We decided to have breakfast at our place because we have some leftover food from yesterday. Besides, it will be expensive if we keep eating outside.

There goes my tale for the third day of Simbang Gabi.

Three days down, six more to go.

...second day and still standing...

altar

Second day of Simbang Gabi. I heard my alarm but ignored it for a while. I thought I was dreaming and the annoying sound would stop. I tried to go back to sleep but the sound continued, that's when I realized that I wasn't dreaming after all.

I'm glad there's water in the dispenser. I was able to make some coffee before I took a shower. I think I was half asleep until the water hits me. It did little to completely abate my sleepiness because after I showered and dressed, my eyes started to feel heavy. I was up and about for a good two hours before the mass will start. Call that crazy. :-)

The challenge for me is to remain alert for the entire duration of the mass. Sometimes, I dozed off, especially during the homily. Very bad of me, huh? I remember my grandmother, telling me that when I can barely open my eyes during that particular time because I'm very sleepy, it was during this time that Satan's minions are playing tricks on my eyes, so I would fall asleep and ignored altogether the priest's homily.

There were not too many people yet when we got to the church, unlike yesterday. At around 4:30 AM, people started to pour in. We were still able to sit on our favorite spot. My eyes started to feel heavy again. I could barely open it. My ordeal is just about to begin. To ward  nodding off, I wrote a draft of this post on my phone.

Surprisingly, I managed to stay awake the entire time. Sure, I kept yawning and all. but still, I was alert. During the homily, I worried that I might dozed off again, thankfully, I did not.

After the mass, we went to Mother's Best to grab some breakfast. It's just a walking distance from Redemptorist.

Cheesy Mushroom Omelette.

Tocino with Scrambled Eggs

Two days down, seven more to go.

...first day...

I woke up to the sound of my alarm. I was reluctant to get out of bed, my eyes were still heavy with sleep. I lingered for awhile in bed then slowly got up. My watch read three o'clock. Yes, I was up that early. I headed to the shower and thankfully, I was finally awake. I made myself a cup of coffee and sip this while I dressed. I read a few pages of Paulo Coelho's book while waiting for the time.At exactly four o'clock, Joy and I stepped outside and headed to Redemptorist.

Today is the start of the nine day novena masses, popularly known as "Misa de Gallo" or "Simbang Gabi". Some cynics noted, why it is called Simbang Gabi when in fact, the mass is held early in the morning. Come to think of it, I myself, ask this more than once. This tradition is practiced predominantly by Roman Catholics. I have yet to hear of other denomination or group who also celebrate these dawn masses.

No one is forced to attend Simbang Gabi. I mean, everyone who come to church daily from Dec. 16 until Dec. 24, come at their own volition. Anyone can wake up early and attend mass but the challenging part, is to be able to sustain until the ninth day.

We arrived at the church, an hour before the mass is scheduled to start. There are already a lot of people inside and the pews on the front were already occupied. Fortunately, our favorite spot was still empty. Cool. Why it is my favorite spot? It is just situated on the middle and near a wall fan. It's perfect for me.

The mass started on time. The church was brightly lit, far from the usual Sunday morning I went there to hear mass. Another thing, it was jam-packed. Since it was the first day, most people are inclined to attend.

I intend to complete the nine days, hopefully. And not because of a particular favor that I'd like God to grant. It's just something I need to do and my way of saying thanks. :-)

...I use "bookmarks"...

What items have you ever used as a bookmark? What is the most unusual item you’ve ever used or seen used?

a prepaid cellphone card 

 folded Post-It note to be thrown away

a marker pen

small cards I like to collect 

I also collect tags

The above stuff are what I usually used as bookmarks. The marker pen is a last resort and only if for a very short period of time. I don't want to damage my books. I have some bookmarks though, but sometimes I misplaced them.

I noticed that some people fold a page on the book they're reading to mark what page they'd stop. As much as I possible, I will avoid this especially if my book is new.  

 

...Pssst...Silence Please...

For the regular library patrons among us: do you have your own idea of what constitutes proper library etiquette? Is there anything you always try to do? Anything you hate when others do?

The only time I went to a library was when during high school, but only to do some research for a school assignment. I never went to a library just to read. I had spent an ample time there though, enough for me to noticed that there are some people who just don't realized that they are in the library. Some students trooped to this place just to rehashed every gossip they have gathered for that day and they were oblivious to the stern looks of the librarian, directed at them, when they got noisy. And for some, the library is some neat place to take a nap. I have been tempted once to sleep that's why I did not stay in the library more often.

If I have my say with regards to proper library etiquette, I will impose some way of making an inquiry as to one's true intention of going inside the library and that is to read. If someone will just go there to make unnecessary noise or just fall asleep, then that person will not be allowed to enter. Pretty harsh, huh.

At present, I've never been inside a library, not even once, since I graduated from college. I do all my readings in the comfort and privacy of my bedroom. There's a  public library near my place, just walking distance, but I never venture there though I was thinking about of going. You see, libraries here are no big deal, especially those put up by the government. All you will see are just worn out books, with pages yellowed with time. Besides, I'm sure I'm not going to find the books I would love to read. I'm better off buying my own books from BookSale or borrow from friends.

...my read-a-thon account...

I'm not really sure what I expected from joining in this read-a-thon since this is my first time. Truth be known, I was excited. I have a somewhat short list of books to "devour". I started off with Paulo Coelho's The Winner Stands Alone. I was able to read up to page 128 only before sleep overtook me. I was on chair, with feet propped on the bed, while reading. After a while, I got tired and succumbed to the bed's invitation...

...BTT...i like...

 What's your favorite part of Booking Through Thursday? Why do you participate ( or not) ?

Booking Through Thursday is something I always look forward to every week. It's a welcome activity for me to take part in answering questions related to something I love, books. It's nice to hear comments from other bloggers and also read what they have to say. I participated in this weekly event just recently but I have to say that I'm loving it already. Its a cool thing to have some way of expressing my thoughts on reading and books. Plus it encourages me to improve on my writing too.

So keep those questions coming.:-)

...I like Boo...

It is seldom that I get so taken with a movie, any particular movie. It could be a blockbuster hit or just a low-budget one. There are even movies I like that others never heard about. Well, its their loss, I guess.

Anyway, last Saturday, I was again ( as always) coop up inside my room. I declined my friend's offer to go out. I was not feeling up to it, besides I felt tired. While lounging on bed, I while away the time, changing channels, until finally, I came to a stop on Disney Channel. Hence, the unintended start of my "cartoons movie marathon".

I admit it, I'm already 33 but I still am, fascinated and entertained with cartoons.I started off with Monster, Inc., which I was able to watched halfway, due to my constantly changing the channels. Next was, Finding Nemo, followed by, Ratatouille. By the end of the third movie, it was only then, I realized that night has sets in.

Of all the three movies I watched that day, the one that affected me most was, Monster, Inc..The first time I saw and heard the little girl giggled and laughed, I instantly becomes her fan. I like how the story goes about how the child endeared her way  to the monster, Sulley's heart. And I had a good laugh too and one almost teary-eyed moment.

Now, I like Boo....