...skeletons...

In honor of Halloween this weekend:
What reading skeletons do you have in your closet? Books you’d be ashamed to let people know you love? Addiction to the worst kind of (fill in cheesy genre here)? Your old collection of Bobbsey Twin Mysteries lovingly stored behind your “grown-up” books? You get the picture … come on, confess!

 I'm not sure if I have it in my closet. :-) There are books that I'd love to read but I can't just let it be known to other people not because I'm ashamed but because I don't want them conjuring wayward thoughts about me, based on what I read.

I used to love reading Hardy Boys way back in high school. Then moved on to some serious stuff eventually.

...I love the phrase "shameless plugging"...

Two weeks before my birthday last year, I had the gall to write a post about what I want for my birthday. Suffice to say that I got it all. I can't recall anymore if I got drunk at that time. One thing I did remember well though, I was happy. I had an "awesome" birthday. :-)

A month from now, I'm getting a year older ( God willing ). Nothing much has changed for the past year, except for my location at the moment. I'm miles away from my family and friends now, so that's kind of a bummer. Though, I have my sister and aunt here. But still.

Anyway, I'm not going to be melodramatic here. The sole purpose of churning out this post is to get across my birthday wishes ( "ahem" ) to those people who find me  'special' somehow ( Well, they did not really say it to me. I just assumed it)

For this edition of my shameless plugging, I'm doing away with the "list". It's kind of boring to look at and overwhelming. One thing I learned  after my seven months of stay here is to say what you want, up front. ( doesn't really matter if you get it right away, at least you tried). So indulge me for a few minutes of your precious time here, after all, my birthday is coming up...

Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy ( doesn't have to be the exact image above, paperback is fine with me )

NOOK ( If you're curious, click here.)

The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene ( I already have Greene's  two other books. I just thought I should also read this one. And please, don't think I'm out to seduce anyone.)

So there goes my 'birthday wishes'. I think it's not that complicated actually. And not that many compared to what I had made last year. Anyone can have their own way at looking this. To some, it may be too extravagant and unreasonable. Hence, the title "shameless". Go figures.

Now unto more serious stuff. My world will not fall apart if I don't get all those things I mentioned above. And I can get by without them ( There's always the library. What's the point of my library card if I don't use it?) I just love the sound of "birthday wishes" :-) 

What I really want is not just for me, per se. I find it more fulfilling and meaningful to share what I have with my family, especially now. So to reiterate what I wrote last year with some revisions:

•  Good health for my family and friends. And for myself too. ( I haven't forgotten my 'lofty' goal of running a marathon before I reach 40 ( puhon2x) )
• The means and willingness to provide for my family.
• Hopefully, I will realize that all what is happening to me now is just "one more passing show" and that I should not feel so bad about it.
• To always "Be satisfied. Be grateful."
• And lastly to "Don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff."

Hope I did not bore you senseless with my "shameless plugging" for this year. Happy reading and thank you for indulging me...:-)

...lost count...

About how many books (roughly) would you say you own? (If you don’t have a clue how many, do you care to know? Why, or why not?)




I can surely say that I own more than ten books ( roughly). I lost count of them actually. I'm not really in the habit of keeping track how many books I have, except for those ones that I really "care about" ( meaning they're with me right now) When I moved here in Canada, I had to make the difficult decision to leave all my books behind and brought only those I want with me. 


At present, I'm still in the habit of buying books, especially those I see in the thrift store here. So I'm starting to accumulate a few already. 

...I prefer foreign...

Name a book (or books) from a country other than your own that you love. Or aren’t there any?

All of the books I've read and those to be read yet are foreign. Where I came from, English is our second language and used in schools. I'm grateful for that. I would be missing a lot of good stuff if it wasn't.

I think it would be cool to learn other languages too, like French or Latin perhaps. But for now, I'd stick with English first.

...I like them all...

Do you prefer hardcovers, trade paperbacks (the bigger ones), or mass market paperbacks (the smaller ones)? Why?




 I don't have any preference though I have to say, I don't quite understand what trade paperback means. I'm not sure if I have seen  it already and did not know it.


My collection includes both hardcovers and paperbacks ( the smaller ones). I would have wanted to get a hardcover copy of every book I want  but sometimes, I need to be practical so I settle for the paperback. 


And since getting my library card, I haven't been buying book lately, except if there's really something I want to read and have my own copy.

...I'm thankful for...

In regards to books, reading, the publishing industry, etc… What are you most grateful for? Why? Have you ever done anything to tangibly show your appreciation?



 I'm thankful for the love of reading. I wouldn't be the way I am right now if I don't read. Life has been more exciting because I read. I'm thankful for my Aunt who showed me the joy of reading and encouraged me to read more.


I'm thankful for the people responsible in coming up stories. People who are behind the process of the finish product--a book. 


I show my appreciation through reading as often as I can. And buy books that I really want to have...:-)


Happy Thanksgiving!!!

...travel read...

When you travel, how many books do you bring with you?
Has this changed since the arrival of e-books? 

 I don't usually travel. Going home for a short visit is somehow considered "travel" for me. I always make it a point to think about bringing some books when I go home but at the last minute ( while packing) I changed my mind, except if there's a book that I do want to "really" read.

With regards to the e-book, I have to try it yet. I guess its cool to have and it is convenient. Maybe if I can afford one in the future. As for now, I still prefer the "real" books.

...one fine weekend with sister...

 My lunch of choice. Somewhat messy plate of Vietnamese fare( roll, tofu in tomato sauce, rice and veggies)

Since arriving here almost seven months ago, it was always my sister who visited me in the island during her days off. I've been to the mainland twice but not by myself.

Last Thursday, out of the blue, I decided to pay my sister a visit. Since I have free time at the moment, why not? Plus, I find the thought of going on a trip alone, appealing and somewhat refreshing. Friday afternoon, I found myself in the 3:10 PM ferry trip to Horseshoe Bay. My sister and I agreed that, she will meet me downtown. I was filled with anticipation and excitement. It was kind of strange.

 Lions Gate Bridge. Reminds me of Brooklyn Bridge in NYC. Coincidence?

The moment I got off the bus, there was a surge of adrenaline rush. People just came rushing either way. Then I saw my sister on the corner and we were all smiles. I felt like I was in NYC ( just keep dreaming) while walking on the streets of downtown Vancouver.

 Reminded me of some scenes in a movie.

We spent the whole Saturday afternoon at Stanley Park. We had lunch at Pacific Center then walked toward the park, afterward. It was a perfect day to be out and about. I had my jacket on even if it was kind of warm. The only downside of that visit was my headache which I had the moment I got off the bus Friday evening until Saturday mid-morning. But I paid it no mind. The sights of Stanley Park is just awesome. I took a lot of pictures and covered more than 10 kilometers ( I think) on foot. My sister and I were both dog-tired when we finally got home. She complained about her feet hurting. My legs hurt too and I even snored when I was asleep that night ( which I rarely does). The next morning, I felt like I ran a marathon the day before.

 Sister and I. The only photo we had, together. A stranger took this one.

 I had a great visit with my sister. Getting on the SkyTrain was nauseating to me but I got no choice. Watching her, navigating through the streets, with me behind, I can say that she's pretty well-adjusted with the fast-paced city life. She even told me that she'd prefer residing there compared to the island.

 She had fun.

While I nursed my headache, I arrived at the conclusion that maybe, I'm not cut-out for the hustle and bustle of city life, that probably, I'm already attuned to the laid-back life I have in the island.

Anyway, I have plans of going back there again. And go back to Stanley Park. :-)

Well, let's see.:-)

...cozy read...

What’s your favorite “cozy” book — and, by that, I’m meaning “curl-up-on-a-cold-day comfort read“? Or, if you don’t have a particular book, what genre do you most feel like reading when the weather starts to turn colder?


 I have no favorite "cozy" book. It will be my first time to experience cold weather now so I have no idea what to read when it gets colder. Any suggestion?


I guess I'll read whatever I feel up to. Or something interesting. :-)