Saturday, August 27, 2011

My e-reader experience

So finally I got hold one of them e-readers. Cool, eh? Well, actually it is more than cool if I may so. I'm happy I have the opportunity to try it before I go ahead and buy one for myself. 


First, I commend the Vancouver Island Regional Library ( VIRL ) for coming up with this brilliant idea. They have this KOBO e-reader for loan to the adult reading public. How nice is that? Libraries are just awesome.


Since they first come out, I've been wanting to try one. Even went as far checking out the Chapters website and almost place an order. But something always stop me. The price, for one. And other reasons that somehow managed to make its way through my "I WANT THIS " state of mind. 
KOBO e-reader
Anyway, the day I got the e-reader, I can't wait to use it. And it's a no-brainer ( if you know how to read and follow instructions ) And the library took the time to provide a laminated help sheet to better aid the users as they go along. So, it's pretty easy to use.


And now, if anyone will ask me, would I buy one? 


Frankly, yes, if I have the extra dough to burn ( but sadly, no ) And if my reason for wanting to own one is just for the sake of keeping up with the times. 


I'd still go for the ol' real books. I like the feel of the paper against my fingers when I turn the page. I like the smell of the books. I like the different textures that a paperback has compared to the hardcover one. I like the idea of a book having its own self through its print, the kind of paper use, the images used on the inside cover or jacket. 


Convenience-wise, e-reader has its advantage. You can take it anywhere without an added weight. But then that's the only good point I can think of. Or maybe, I'm just not totally into it.


"Real" books will always be my choice. Whenever I pick a book and decide to read it, I feel that I have already establish a relationship or bond with the author and the story. And I don't feel that way with the e-reader.


Well, anyway, that's just me saying. Call me old-fashioned but I'd still go for the "real" ones.



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Be direct if you must but don't forget to thaw....

No name salad.
One of the things I am known for is my obvious lack of "cooking" skills. I am helpless in the kitchen. If there's a "Cooking for Dummies" book, then I'm sure as glad to get hold of one.

I recall an incident about the "frozen lasagna". I haven't bake a thing in my life so what I did was look over some recipe. Actually, I did not have to go that far. The people I work for before were kind enough to let this "slight handicap" go by. All I need to do was just pop it in the oven then set the timer and temperature. It was pre-made for my convenience. I didn't realize though that I have to thaw it first before the baking part. This is fairly common sense but sometimes, at desperate times, common sense fails me. After the timer went off, I was excited and ready to dig in, only to find out that it's still hard as a rock and cold as a corpse. I spewed out obscenities in my mind. I was hungry and of all times to messed up. Anyway, when I told my sister about this little episode in the kitchen, she laughed. We both ended laughing about it. Oh well... ( Note to self: It's not too bad to, sometimes, find humor in your mishaps and remember, don't forget to thaw... )
Buns for anyone who's game....
There are a few times in my life that it is more readily convenient to lash out at anyone or anything that somehow miff me. Oftentimes, when I do realize what I've done, it's too late to patch things up. Or worse, irreparable damage has been done.

I've been in certain situations, wherein I am tempted to rip someone's face off because of some discontent or misunderstanding.  I can't deny the fact that no matter how I try to live in harmony with others, people do get in my nerves. ( Especially those who are nosy and ask stupid questions.)

One thing I learn and do know for sure is, it pays to cool off and see things in perspective, before readily launching an attack. I used to be hotheaded, that usually involves throwing things and slamming doors. I could get angry for no apparent reason and just went crazy. But then, I say to myself, I'm not going to be like this forever, every time someone or someone sets me off. And it can be exhausting really.
One way to cool off and be "ice cream struck".
So when I seethe with anger ( and feels like hitting someone or something ), I try to coax myself to think what it is that makes me angry in the first place. Try to look it in a different angle and mull over if it is really worth my time and effort. ( I know it's easier said than done. Since I arrive here, I find it that it's not really hard after all, if I  will it to be so. And once I get over the first few minutes, I'm  okay. )  Besides, when it's out of my control, I'm better off letting it go. It's a fact of life, sometimes, I don't always get what I want. I'm not saying that I'd deny my anger or pretend I'm not angry because that will only makes me sick.

So, anyway, if you're curious as to what happen to the lasagna, well, I ate it the next day. And I'm a happy camper.

As for "cooking" skills, I'm a work in progress. Fortunately now, I bake bread and chocolate chip cookies; whip up a passable gravy and mashed potato and come up with an edible salad ( with a few trimmings like pecans, raisins and pumpkin seeds )

I still can't "cook" but now remembers to thaw.... :-)



Thursday, August 11, 2011

...my three "friendship" reads...

I wish it's that easy ( like ABCs ) to walk up to someone and say, "Hey, would you like to be my friend?" or "Can we be friends?" or "Can we hang out?"

Maybe it's no coincidence that the three books I've read lately dealt about friends and the intricacies of friendships. I am loathe to admit it, that I too, need friends. After living for more than a year in a foreign country, I have yet to call someone a "friend". I have friends back home and I miss them ( but I try not to dwell on it so much )

So, here goes...
"People are not always obedient. We say one thing and do another. We feel one thing; then our hearts open in another direction. We see one thing but don't understand that blinders hinder our vision."
"Grief is what tells you who you are alone."

"What they never tell you about grief is that missing someone is the simple part."

"You must be true to yourself even if it goes against the grain of what is expected."

"Remember that life is short and full of surprises. If you wait too long, opportunities fade like the setting sun."

I tried to come up with a book review but I draw a blank. All I can say, is that, having read these books, made me think, about the friends I have.  A friend is not merely someone whom you have almost everything in common. Sometimes, a friend can be someone, whom at first, you thought it's unlikely for you to be friends with, but once you hit it off --- there's magic.

Enough said.