...doesn't matter...

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about movies based on books…

What happens when you see a movie based on a book/story, especially one you’ve not read? Do you feel the need to track it down and read it?

 For me, it is usually the other way around, I first read the book then watch its film adaption. Sometimes, the movie live up to what was in the book but often, it does not. Which I think is not surprising since it is quite a difficult task to fit a more than a hundred or so pages  of story into  more than an hour length movie.

There was one instance when I watched a movie, "The Secret Life of Bees". Later, I learned that it was based on a book of the same title. I had it in mind to read the book too but I was not in hurry to get hold of  it Months passed, then I chanced upon a pile of used books inside a mall. The books were to be sold in an upcoming book sale. I always get distracted at the sight of books, they always have that hold on me. So anyway, I found "The Secret Life of Bees". It took me more than a week to finished reading the book. 

While reading it, the characters come to life in my mind and it also helped that I saw the movie already.

Watching a movie based on a book has the same effect to me as to one not adapted from a book. It boils down to this--did I like the movie or not.

...I can be swayed...

Are your book choices influenced by friends and family? Do their recommendations carry weight for you? Or do you choose your books solely by what you want to read?

I discovered the joy of reading through my Aunt's suggestion while I was still in high school. Then I had a classmate who also encouraged me to read other books. That's how it all started for me.


At present, I solely read based on what I want to read. Unfortunately, I don't have that many friends and the few I have, are not fond of books the same way I am. As for family, it is only my Aunt whom I can get along when it comes to books.

 favorite place

Sometimes, someone would suggest a book for me. But then, it seldom happens. I've long stop relating to  my sister, any book I've just read when I noticed her eyes glaze over while she was listening to me. That's my cue to stop and which means, she was bored.

When I started blogging and read other blogs about books, I realized that there are many books and authors  that I haven't read or even heard about. 


Joining this weekly activity has prodded me to read more and be open to the other type of stories or books out there that are just waiting for me....

...cool Mother's day...

I'm not big on special occasion like Mother's day. Still, my sister and I called our Nanay back home and greeted her "Happy Mother's day" one day in advance. They went to the beach. They had a great time as evident by the pictures they sent to us.

our "tanging ina"

Nanay and Tiya with Ikay, Mokang and TJ

For our part here, our treat for Mama on Mother's day was to clean her house. :-) And gave her a Happy Mother's day card. It's the least we can do for her at this time.

So anyway, by Sunday morning, Mama and I had a huge breakfast consisting of toast, poached eggs and coffee while my sister was busy grooming herself. By ten o'clock we drove off to attend a church service.

Pastor Darcy

At noon, after the church service, we went to a Vietnamese restaurant to grab some lunch. We arrived there a bit early so we were seated at once. We all ordered Bubble tea. My sister and I ordered Chicken Curry, while Mama settled on a Vegetable Roll and Spring Roll.

my "glamorous" sister

She was very flattered when I told her that she resembles Stef ( our cousin )

And here's our lunch "feast"....

Vegetable Roll

Spring Roll

Chicken Curry

After our sumptuous lunch, we drove to the mall near Mama's place and that's where we saw this cool set-up on one section of the parking area, complete with all the rides and food concessions. We walked around for a bit, amused at all the rides and people around us. For the first time, I saw a huge crowd outside. And the weather was perfect.

nice to be out

here goes my sister again

cool ride ( but I don't think I'm brave enough to get on it )

 too bad we did not get to try this

We had a great Sunday yesterday. And before we know it, its time again to go on our separate ways and head back to work. We drove back to Mama's house to get our stuff. We get to eat supper first before heading out. Mama drove Lourdes ( my sister ) to the ferry terminal to catch the 7 PM trip. She's going back to Vancouver. Afterward, we drove to my place of work and dropped me off. "Day off" is over.

Another cool thing happened, Mama and I  heard Stef's song "Mr. Immature" played on the radio. Awesome....

...reading time...

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about the war books

Do you have to carve out time in your day for reading (due to work and other obligations), or does your reading just happen naturally?

 I am ashamed to say that I professed to love books and reading so much, yet it took me forever to finish the "The Secret Life of Bees". And it was not for lack of time or pressing obligations. Its just that I did not want to make the time. I have more time to spend on Facebook than to attend to my reading.

I'm not the type who specifically has to set aside a time each day just for reading. I lean on more to the "reading just happen naturally". I read whenever I feel that I'm up for it or I have a really good book that I can't wait to get myself into. To me, it  will feel like a bit of a drudgery if I have to set a time to read and all the more reason for me to skip it.

Anyway, to each his or her own. We all have different thoughts on reading. Whatever works for someone may not work for others. The important thing is to find the time to read and enjoy this wonderful privilege.

Which reminds me, I have to get back on my reading now. :-)

...one fine day in Vancouver...

 How the weather looked, minutes after we left Nanaimo. Gloomy, eh?

 Funny how unplanned things can worm its way through your daily routine but in the end, give you some new insights toward other new things. I know I sound like I'm talking crazy right now. No, I'm not drunk or something. Probably I'm still experiencing the after effects of having spend an entire day in a big city. Please note that I don't live in the mountains but in fact, I also live in a city. A city in an island. Good, so far?

The bustling Burrard St. The only street I get to snap pictures of after my hands feel slightly warm.

When I arrived in Vancouver for the first time, it was already night time plus it was very, very cold. I did not get to see the city in its entirety except on the streets we passed by at that time. And the next day, we left for Nanaimo. That was it. And I haven't been back there since last Monday, with Mama. The moment we stepped out from the ferry, I was pumped with adrenaline. People here moved in a rush.

I woke up early that day since we will be taking the first trip which was 6:30 in the morning. Mama decided to bring along her car and we just left it in the ferry terminal's parking area after paying the appropriate parking fee. It was a good idea because we don't have to wait for the bus anymore. ( By the way, the buses here have schedules, so you can not just get on one, anytime you like.) The short walk to the ferry terminal from the parking area was very cold. I had on a t-shirt and jacket but it was not enough. The chilly wind seemed to seep right through my clothing. I even forgot to bring my gloves. Mama reminded me to be always ready since the weather here is unpredictable.

The one and half hour trip from Nanaimo to Vancouver was uneventful, except for the occasional thud I felt when the ferry encountered a big wave. The seas were choppy that day and I felt dizzy for a bit but I just slept it off.

Here are some snapshots I managed to take during that day...

inside the church

typical Filipino lunch or should I say, feast?

totem pole

a pretty sight from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal

We arrived in Horseshoe Bay at thirty minutes past eight in the morning. We made our way from the ferry terminal and step outside in a hurry. When we got to the bus stop, there was already queue of people waiting to board the bus. I'm glad we made it to the bus. The exact amount of coins for our fare was already ready and I was excited when I slid down the coins into the slot then waited for our bus ticket. So this is how it's done. My first time to get on one, actually.

The bus ride from Horseshoe Bay to downtown Vancouver was okay except for the fact that I had to sit beside a man whom I think haven't showered in ages and reeked of cigarette. I turned my head the other way and pretended to watched the scenery outside. One of the downside of using the public transport.

Mama and I get off from the bus on the street near Stef's place. I forgot the name of that street. And I even forgot to snap some pictures while we were walking around because I was busy tucking my hands inside my jacket pocket. My face felt numb due to the chilly air. I had to turn up my jacket collar to ward off the cold. Very bad of me to forget my scarf. I saw all the people walking around, still bundled up and this is supposed to be spring time already.

I went to Vancouver but not to sight see. One day is not enough, I surmised. I went there just to accompany Mama with her doctor's appointment. And after that, we went to a Filipino store and grab some lunch, Pinoy style. Then we were off to catch the bus that will take us to the train station and from there, we would get on the train that will take us back to downtown. Mama's Iphone comes in handy when I used the Google Maps application on it. For the first time, I appreciate the genius mind behind Google Maps. :-) Good thing that when we got to the bus stop, the bus going to Horseshoe Bay was already there and we did not have to wait for a long time.

The weather in Vancouver that day was perfect. The sun was out in all its glory. The only thing that puts a damper on the good weather was the fact it was very windy and very cold. I could not help but shiver while we stood there, waiting for the bus. ( Note to self, bring extra jacket or shirt next time.)

All in all, my unplanned jaunt to the big city turned out great. Plus, I get to met my cousin, Carla, on the ferry, where she works, by the way.

I'm thinking of going back there and let my sister show me around the city. It's just a plan though, at the moment. Let's just see how it goes. :-)

...one month in retrospect...

How time flies so fast when you're not so hang up on it. That's one thing I noticed in my first month of living here.  So anyway, it has been one month since I came to Canada, to work.

Nothing much has changed. I'm still the quiet individual who prefers to be left alone. I guess that won't change in any way, though some of my aunt's friends hinted, that in time, I will be otherwise.

Life in a foreign country is different in every way. It's one reality that I have to live with everyday. Someone told me that in two or three months I will be able to adjust, hopefully.

I miss everything that's familiar to me back home. But it's something that I don't dwell on.

So anyway, here's a rundown of stuff I have come to start "adhering" to while I'm here:

 I have to get used to the "HOT" and "COLD" side of things when it comes to the faucet and shower. Back home, taking a shower is a breeze. Here, I have to adjust the water temperature or else, I'd end scalding or freezing myself.

I started using lip balm few days after I arrived here. Not for any aesthetic reason. I guess, due to the cold, my lips started to crack and bleed, hence the lip balm.

Jackets have become a part of my life, especially if I go out. Even if the sun is out there, shining bright and all, I still need to suit up lest I freeze. :-)

Keeps me company on cold nights ahead.

Socks have become my ally. I wear them 24/7, except when I take a shower. My bare feet is no match for the ice-cold floors.

Typical lunch.

But then, I still get to eat Filipino foods on weekends. Not bad.

So far I'm doing good. I get to see my aunt and younger sister during weekends. We just hang out and before we know it, the weekend is over.

Time to go back to work, again.

...down reading lane...

Do you remember learning to read? What’s your earliest reading memory?


I remembered struggling to memorize something for a school assignment. I have no memory of learning to read. I just learn how to. But then, there are two sides to this primal activity. I mean, anyone can read except for a few who doesn't. I guess it's easy to read, what comes after reading is sometimes the difficult part.

I grew up to my Aunt's telling us stories every night. In my mind, characters and events in the story played on my mind. When time came for me to start reading, I think, it just come naturally. From the moment I started reading I never look back.


 

...welcome to Canada eh...

 (conclusion)

Growing up I've always been fascinated about life in the other time zone. I grew   up watching foreign movies and loving them. Even now, I am more  inclined to watch foreign films as compared to ours.

So anyway, to continue with my tale, the cold really took me by surprise. My flimsy khaki jacket was not able to withstand it. Good thing my sister brought along her jacket for me and she gave me a pair of red gloves from the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

The night breeze was very cold to my skin, while we were walking downtown Vancouver. We spent the night in my cousin's place and by next morning, we headed out to Nanaimo,  where Mama lives.

The first thing I noticed while we were walking was how the streets are so wide and clean. And the cars did not seem to make any noise as they come and go. And it was very, very cold. I had  fun staring at the cloud of smoke that comes out, every time I open my mouth. Cool eh?

Way back home, I always hated to go out especially during the afternoons because of the extreme heat and I always perspire a lot. Here, it's the opposite. If I stay  long outside without a jacket, I'll probably freeze to death and they say that, British Columbia has the mildest climate in Canada.

with my sister, Lourdes, at Port Alberni

I have a lot of things to look forward to in this new country. All I can I do is to take things one day at a time. I know I have to adjust to almost everything here. It's kind of fascinating to hear everyone around you speak in English. :-) And somehow, I have to learn to do that too. Of course, I know how to speak the language and I just have to get used to it.

So far, this is all I can write about for now. I have been here for more than a week already. I'm pretty sure, I have other stuff to write in the days to come,depending on my mood to put into words every experience that I'm going to encounter here.

Happy reading, eh...:-)

...welcome to Canada eh...

 exact opposite

The prospect of going to another country has never entered my mind. Of course, I have always set my sights on going to New York City someday but that's about it. When an opportunity presented itself as my ticket to make that "dream" a reality, I was hesitant to take it. Not because I don't want to but because I feel that I was not up for the job.

To make the long story short, I took the chance and two years later, I'm here in a foreign country already. No, it's not New York yet but it will be easier for me to get there if I work hard at it.

When I received my visa to work in Canada, I was glad and I even got teary-eyed when I phoned my mother and told her about the wonderful news. At that time the thought of leaving has not yet sink in. I was just plain happy.

After all the necessary paperwork was done, I got my flight schedule. And still I was not thinking of leaving yet. A week before my flight, I got anxious and all. I failed to mention that I'm scared of flying ( that's what I get from watching too much TV). 

At the airport, my hands started to get clammy and I was nervous and at the same time sad. An hour before my flight, I bid my mother, sister, AJ and Mokang goodbye. When I saw Nanay cried, I hurried away. I hate saying goodbyes. Joy, Jingle, Fritzie and Mae Ann were there too, to see me off.

At the boarding area, while waiting for my flight to be called, I felt very alone. For the first time, I realized how it felt to be all by yourself. And that come from someone who prided herself on being a loner.

The flight to HongKong was uneventful, except that I got very cold, other than that it was okay. Good thing I heed my sister's suggestion to tell the Cathay Pacific staff at the check-in counter way back in Cebu, that it was my first time to fly. When I arrived at the HongKong International Airport, someone from Cathay Pacific was waiting for me and promptly guided me around the various twists and turns of the terminal until I reached the boarding area for my connecting flight to Vancouver. I waited for another three hours before my flight. I have to say it Cathay Pacific is always on time and has no delays.

My connecting flight to Vancouver took almost 10 hours or so, I think. We encountered a lot of turbulence along the way. Imagine my anxiety. Every time the plane shaked or moved, I just closed my eyes and think pleasant thoughts. But at the back of my mind, images of those planes torn in half or exploding in the air ( from National Geographic's Air Crash Investigation) kept creeping up. I got a terrible headache and downed two Biogesic.When I finally saw the lights of Vancouver, it then occured to me that, this is it. There's no turning back now. Philippines is already a thousand miles away and I can't just go home at any time I want to. Then I recalled Tiya's message for me. Thinking of this got me misty-eyed and all the more sad.

 with Mama and Ferdinand

After the plane landed, I wasted no time getting out, not totally excited but because I still have to passed by Immigration. Fortunately, there were not a lot of people in the Immigration. I survived the questions directed at me by the Immigration Officer. After a few minutes, he handed me my Work Permit and I was off to retrieve my luggage. Then I went to look for the exit, pushing my luggage cart.

 with Mama

My sister, my aunt ( whom we call Mama ) and her husband, Ferdinand, were there to met me. We exchanged pleasantires and laughs. For a moment there, I did not recognized my sister in her get-up which was far from what I've seen her way back home. Mama gave me a hug. When we stepped outside, I was taken aback by the cold. Grrrrr.....

( to be continued )

...sensual...

Which do you prefer? Lurid, fruity prose, awash in imagery and sensuous textures and colors? Or straight-forward, clean, simple prose?

 I prefer the straight-forward, clean simple prose. I don't want the distractions. I'm after more of how the story turned out. I can't deny it I've read some books with all the "lurid, fruity prose, awash in imagery and sensuous textures and colors" but I end up not reading it until the last pages. I just lose interest in it.

As I've said before, it all really goes down to the one reading. He or she can read anything that suits his or her fancy. We always have the last say in choosing what we want to read. :-)

...picture or no picture...

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about picture books.

Do you have a favorite picture book, either from your own childhood, or reading to you children?

I never own a book until I got a job. Sometimes, I wonder at how I came to love books and reading when growing up, I never have books. It's a blessing that I have an aunt who made time to tell us stories when we were kids. It felt also like reading.

I don't have a favorite picture book. I could say I did not pass the stage of "liking favorite books".  But I do love to peruse them from time to time. I remember buying one, Monster. Inc. I gave it to my niece, AJ.

..."draw" me in...

How do you feel about illustrations in your books? Graphs? Photos? Sketches?

When I was younger, I tend to be more inclined to read books with illustrations or photos in them. I flipped through the pages, gawking at the pictures and just skimmed over some lines.

I started reading seriously when I was in high school. By this time, I moved from just gawking at pictures to actually reading what's on print. 

Books with illustrations and photos are fine by me. When I read a book with a technical subject matter, I would prefer it to have illustrations. Then if I read a novel, I think illustrations are not that necessary. That's when your imagination comes in. :-)

...with or without...

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about dust jackets.

Do you prefer books with a dust jacket? What do you do with your dust jacket while reading? Leave it on or take it off? 

 I usually don't get books with dust jackets since they are quite expensive, though they're pretty cool to look at. And when ever I get the chance to acquire a book with one, I just leave it on.

I can't say I prefer them with dust jackets because most of my books are paperbacks. I am after  the story, actually. :-)

...so how's your Grammar?...

In honor of National Grammar Day … it IS “March Fourth” after all … do you have any grammar books? Punctuation? Writing guidelines? Style books?

More importantly, have you read them?

How do you feel about grammar in general? Important? Vital? Unnecessary? Fussy?

Way back in high school, I was not too keen on grammar. I did not look forward to every grammar lessons I had to attend. I had no way out of it so I endured. Fortunately, I was able to manage a passing mark.

I don't have any grammar books or any writing guidelines. If have to consult on punctuations or grammar, I usually just Google it. 

I'm sure that if my writings now will be scrutinized by a grammar teacher, I doubt if I can make the grade. I play it by ear when I write. If I think, it sounds right, then I'd go for it.

Grammar has its own purpose. And somehow, I'm still trying to make my way through it.:-)

...excited and anxious...

"How do you prepare for something you're both excited and anxious about at the same time?"

I posted this question on Twitter, a few days ago. I guess I was just thinking out loud at that time. How do you prepare indeed, for situations like this? For someone whom nothing much is happening in her life ( that's me), this is an overwhelming task.

I'm used to what I have been for the past 33 years of my life. I had my own shares of ups and downs as expected from a struggling individual, trying to make both ends meet. Sometimes, I complained for lack of zest in my life but then I always settled back, and just take it easy.

Two years ago, I did something out of the ordinary. I enrolled in a short-term course at my Aunt's urging. Of course, after having failed in my own field, what better way to licked those wounds? It's a far cry from what I studied in college but I breezed through it without so much of a hitch, except for those times when I had to go to hospitals. All in all, I survived it.

Then after more than a year of waiting, I received wonderful news. Wonderful in the sense that for once, I did not fail and I made my Aunt happy. :-)

So in four days time ( God willing), I will embark on a new journey. Something I have never done before. And that's got me both excited and anxious. I think it's exciting to be doing something new and way out of my comfort zone. On the other hand, I'm anxious for the reason that I have no idea what is in store for me out there. Will my laid-back attitude see me through? Will I be able to overcome my trepidation and fully embrace my new life in an entirely new place?

For now, I'm thinking about nothing in particular. My partially packed bags are the only semblance of my upcoming trip. Other than that, I'm still trying to go through my days like I always do. There's one thing though, I'm trying to eat all the food that I will miss.;-) No surprise there.

When I finally have the answer to my question, expect  to read it here. In the meantime, I guess I just have to take it all, one day at a time.