Surprise SepAnx

I just completed something that would be done in 2 days time. Not that I did so in such period of time, but it has been the core of my thoughts these past days. I even lost sleep so I could start with the original work.

The feeling is exactly what you get when reading a really good book. It's difficult to let go. Even when you know you're only few chapters away from the end, it's hard to decide whether to stall just so you could have more time with it or to rush the remaining episodes and get to the bottom of it. It's that difficult because you know once you accomplish the latter it means the end of it.

I've probably mentioned this in my other blog, that I never intend to get started with it soon, that I even thought of dismissing it. Then I got a glimpse of the particular characters.

The whole thing didn't click right away for my understanding. I was simply in the mood to see things through and also happened to have nothing good yet to start with that I pushed and pushed. Things began to get clear and now I am waiting for the latest chapter to unfold.

Wanting to actually see the real story, the original one, I embarked on another adventure. How I wish I have Barry Allen's reading speed so I could get to the chapter/s that I look forward to. As I am the type of reader who doesn't like skipping parts and does mind the details, not necessarily in a thorough manner, I have to do it page by page.

There's just too much longing in my heart. I'm actually surprised to have been too attached. The story is that good, be it in the Anime, Manga, or live-action. Now I wonder how to deal with my restless heart and with the untamed mind that I have.

Now Playing: The Untamed OST - Wu Ji

14 months later...

...a new entry is posted.

If there's one word that mostly kept from posting again it is work. The other factors would only come as consequence of this word. Thankfully I can do something about it now. And I need to intentionally write things down to keep my sanity, mostly, and to of course keep a record of events. I would probably be posting travels and adventures from the past year or so.

Truth be told, there are plenty to write about, crossing borders and going beyond typical interests. That kind of makes me excited, the thought of writing about them. Sweet.

For now, I'll get started with reading Arriane Serafico's book Existential Crisis Courage. Been looking for a copy in bookstores but found none so I ordered it online last month. I just received it today though; perhaps email matters. Well, things happen for a reason or more. I'll be posting some thoughts on the book here - that's intentional - and not just on Twitter or Instagram.

Now Playing: The Corrs - What Can I Do

Unang Pahina para sa Buwan ng Wika

Anong aking masasabi? Naisin ko mang magsulat ng tungkol sa anim na aklat na aking nabasa nitong nakaraang buwan ay hindi ko nagawa. Batid kong hindi mabibigyan ng katarungan ang bawat akda, o kahit isa man lamang sa kanila, kung ako ay magsusulat gamit lamang ang aking telepono. Napakarami ng aking saloobin sa bawat aklat na aking nabasa, kahit ang naunang tatlo sa kanila ay akin nang nabasa tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan.

Tatlong libro ba 'kamo? At bakit hindi? Nagkataon lamang na may pumukaw sa akin na may kinalaman sa ilan sa mga bagay na napakalapit sa aking puso. At iyon na ang simula...

Sa ngayon ako ay nagbabasa ng isang awtobayograpiya (autobiography). Bago ang lahat, dalangin kong malaman sa susunod na mga araw ang Tagalog ng mga salitang "telephone" at "autobiography." Aking napagtanto na ang katumbas nito sa Filipino ay ang tuwirang salin ng tunog at hindi ng salita gaya ng "salipawpaw" para sa "airplane" bagamat walang gumagamit ng salitang ito kundi "eroplano." Mas dayuhan nga naman sa pandinig ang salitang salipawpaw.

Ngayon tayo'y magbalik sa aking kasalukuyang binabasa. Ang pamagat nito'y Rescuing Haya. Ito'y patungkol sa "Confessions of an Eight Generation Israeli Emigrant." Hindi ako mahilig sa ganitong paksa ng akda subalit naisip kong bilhin ito sapagkat ang halaga nito'y may kaunting kamahalan lamang sa mga 3-in-1 na kape. At ngayo'y masaya ako na ito nga ay aking binili. 

Marami akong nalaman sa aklat na ito bagamat hindi ko pa natatapos. Subalit kasabay nito ang nakabinbing galit hinggil sa mga bagay na lumilitaw. Ang akala ko'y tapos na ang mga iyon subalit pinamulat sa akin ng Rescuing Haya na hindi pa tapos ang lahat. Marami pa akong dapat harapin at tapusin.

Sa ngayo'y rito ko muna tatapusin ang "pahina" na ito nang matapos na ito. Dalangin kong sa susunod ako ay makakapagsulat ng aking mga saloobin tungkol sa Rescuing Haya pati na rin ng ibang mga aklat na aking nabasa nitong nakaraang buwan.

Friday Random

There are a lot of things and thoughts to write about. Unfortunately, timing isn't something that is always on my side. Whenever I feel compelled to write, I'm either at work or on the road travelling. I usually try to prep the words hoping to be ready once I am in front of the PC. Too bad that isn't always the case. Whenever I am ready or rather available to write, nothing sensible comes to mind. But mostly, there's just a lot that I didn't know where or how to start. I usually end up writing random things. Like this.

The month of July is about to end. Thankfully. It was not so friendly to me. I had a lot of downs and bumps. I got sick a number of times, which mostly resulted to me staying at home. As much as I love staying at home, doing so because of sickness is not something I desire. Those days make me think about a lot of things, among others. The month also set the beginning of days when I wouldn't be able to see something I used to look forward to. But what can I do. Truth be told, I kind of like it and not like it.

For my form of entertainment, in the first half of year it was mostly watching Japanese and/or Korean dramas. This month, I went back to my first favourite past time - reading. I've actually read five (5) books, five times more than I have read from January to June. Apparently, all books were from the same author. I've re-read three of Joel C. Rosenberg's novels and started on two others from another series.

Now Playing: Katharine McPhee - Over It

Too much Rosenberg?

I realized I didn't make it on time to repost a lot of blog entries before my apparently favourite blogsite - blog.com - went down. I particularly feel bad that I wasn't able to repost entries about The Copper Scroll and Dead Heat, the last two books in the The Last Jihad series by Joel C. Rosenberg. Or maybe I haven't really written anything about these two books. Then I'd have to wait until I read them again, because I already finished reading The Ezekiel Option a second time last July 19, Wednesday.

I've grown fond of Rosenberg's novels as well as a lot of characters in his works. Obviously, I already finished the Jihad series. I've also read The Twelfth Imam and yet to read the next two sequels. 

Then there's the J.B. Collins novels - The Third Target and The First Hostage - which I've just recently started. I'll just take a short break but I will soon buy a copy of Without Warning.

The last scenes from The Third Target were so compelling that I kind of vowed to look for and get a hold of The First Hostage. I literally went to a lot of BookSale branches, mostly in Makati, looking for it but I found one in SM Megamall. Very thankful, because my search had finally come to an end and because I couldn't remember other BookSale branch anymore.

Much to my surprise, I was able to finish reading The First Hostage - all 430 pages - within 24 hours, complete with sleep and all forms of break from reading. It's the first since forever.

Novels are not the only books Mr. Rosenberg write. He's also written non-fictions, two of which I have - Epicenter and Inside the Revolution, which I am yet to finish reading.

4-3-3

That's the number of minutes per "phase" I spent when I had my Monday post-sunset jog in Antipolo.

Yes, I was in Antipolo after my Sunday/Monday shift because it's been "too much" at work lately. I just needed my dose of endorphin and exposure to nature.

4-3-3. 

• Four minutes of running
• Three minutes of walking
• Another 3 minutes of running

After that was another 3 minutes spent specifically for walking and cooling down, which was quite extended because I just had to hang out longer. 

As I said, I needed my dose of exposure to nature. And I still need more. I still have to see lots of greens and breathe fresh air.

All in all, it was at least 15 minutes of exercise but it was enough for the day. It was better than having none at all as I would usually have to wait for Friday to have a run.

I really had to run. It's that crucial for me to induce endorphin release and have some fresh air. I had to get away from the city and immerse with nature. There may also be trees and a jogging track in Makati but they're nothing compared to what Antipolo and our hamlet have to offer.

Antipolo brings peace and quiet that Makati or even other place in the metropolis could not give. Besides, there's no place like home. Other place doesn't have our library that I sometimes or recently turned into a "gym" with the heavy books doubled as weights.

My improvised weights after my Monday post-sunset jog

Recent Preoccupation

So I found out that one of my friends in the office already resigned. I just saw her a day or two ago but she didn't say a thing. That makes me sad.

This reminds me of my recent preoccupation, something that I am looking forward to.

I just started watching another TV series. I didn't have a clear picture about it but as I've gone past the pilot episode, I realized that what I am watching is a strong reminder of my recent preoccupation. It's pointing me to something.

What's confusing, however, is my recent strong urge to *beep.* It feels like everything within me points to *beep* so what the TV series is pointing me to kind of clouds my judgment.

Now I am trying to recall how this preoccupation started, like way, way back. It brought me back to a book I've read back in college. The book was Every Move She Makes by Robin Burcell. The book started everything and thinking about it, the desire is still in my heart.

5 out of 16

For this year, I decided to aim for 16 books to read. It's 2016, that's why.

So far, as of yesterday to be precise, I've already fiished reading 5 books, which are as follows:

1. The Conversation (Hill Harper)

2. The 77 Habits of Highly Ineffective Christians

3. The Bible Cure for Depression and Anxiety

4. Spirit-Controlled Temperament (Tim LaHaye)

5. Solo Flight (Francie Castañeda-Lacanilao and Grace Chong)

Books 1 and 2 were both finished on January 24 while books 3 and 4 were both finished on February 7. Books 1 and 3 were actually my to-read books for the month of January while books 4 and 5 were my to-read books for this month. The Bible Cure for Depression and Anxiety is among my "regular reads" list, which includes the Bible. 📜

Oh, I started and finished reading Solo Flight just yesterday. I didn't know I could finish it in one or two sitting. I bought it in 2012 or 2013 during the Manila International Book Fair. I still have books purchased during the 2012 and 2013 MIBFs which remain unread. 📚📚📚

Just 11 more books to go and I'd be able to complete my list. 😆

Missing a Bookworm

I miss a friend so much that I feel like crying. I miss the random talks, mostly about books and leaders of the past. I miss the walks together. I miss the rides together. Because those encounters usually came with discussion about books and people and ideas.

I miss that friend so much.

When I was at the 36th MIBF, I remembered my friend especially while I was purchasing. I wish I told/reminded my friend about the fair although I'm not sure if my friend's into such events. If so, my apologies. There's still next year anyway. If there is still next year.

Book List

I was supposed to write about something else but it was too bothersome that I decided otherwise. I remember a friend posting her birthday wish list which included something about The Little Prince. She loves it. Btw, Happy Birthday, Jap! =) I thought I'd write also a list, although not for my birthday as I only want to have a rest in peace on that day.

Listed below are the books I wish to have ASAP, in the sense that should I see them at the 36th MIBF on sale I would definitely grab them. Most of them are classics as I am much inclined with such as of recently. They are not listed in random order, except for the first 5 books.

1. Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal

2. El Filibusterismo, Jose Rizal

3. The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

4. The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien (even if just The Return of the King)

5. The Arabian Nights

6. Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen

7. Persuasion, Jane Austen

8. Emma, Jane Austen

9. The Damascus Countdown, Joel C. Rosenberg

10. Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray

11. The Bourne Identity, Robert Ludlum

12. The Bourne Supremacy, Robert Ludlum

13. The Bourne Ultimatum, Robert Ludlum

14. Abide in Christ, Andrew Murray

15. Animal Farm, George Orwell

16. To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee

17. Lord of the Flies, William Golding

18. A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Shakespeare

19. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

20. The Bell Jar, Sylvia Plath

21. The English Assassin, Daniel Sylvia

22. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

23. The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas

24. Dracula, Bram Stoker

25. The Woman Who Had Two Navels, Nick Joaquin

There are more books not listed here. And there will be books I cannot list but will buy come the MIBF. So far, these are what I have on my list.

To my dear friends who wish to give me a present on my birthday next month or on Christmas, or perhaps for no apparent reason, any of the above mentioned books are more than welcome. Even those not listed, especially if a classic, will still be accepted with much delight. (*whispers* There are classics worth P99.00 only. They're only cheap in price but not in worth. I'd still love them.)

Noli Me Tangere

I was browsing Noli Me Tangere related stuff then I thought I should read this book again. I should read it soon. I should read it next. Well, I should buy it first. I think I'll do that during the 36th MIBF. It's going to be next week already. Yay!

Thinking about it, I've come to reckon further delaying something I plan to do. I guess it's one of the mysteries and wonders and magic of books. They can make you pause, and pause for good.

If someone plans to give me an early present, I hope it's Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere. And El Filibusterismo too.

12 Years a Slave

I was in Power Books at Greenbelt when I thought of buying a classic work. Instead of a typical novel, I decided to go for 12 Years a Slave, an autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free but coloured man who was abducted and sold into slavery. He was born free but suffered the unfortunate fate of some of his fellows. Thankfully, and praise God for that, Northup did not die a slave. He was able to reclaim his freedom and be united with his family albeit after 12 years.

What made me buy this book was my now interest in biographies. I've already bought a few at least a year ago but I haven't really made it a personal interest to collect some, not even a few. I went for 12 Years a Slave because it's an actual account of someone who was made a slave. He was not just a slave, though only for a period of time, but he was an outsider who experienced slavery. His view of the system was obviously different because he was not born into it but was fully treated as if he was.

I remember crying hard, not just once nor twice, when I read Solomon's story. 12 Years a Slave is heart-breaking. I can only imagine what it was really like. We should thank the great men and women who did their part to put a stop into this wicked practice.

I could say Northup bore the experience of slavery "for us." In our time and generation, I believe we can't appreciate the system. We may, and will definitely, raise a brow seeing men brutally hurt by their masters nowadays. But what was it like for the masters back then? How on earth could they dare and stand to hurt a human being to the point of almost death? Why would they treat and consider another human a mere property no less than a farm animal? And for what? Because they were born black? A negro? Who started that wicked thought?

Back then, slavery was a norm. It was legal and perceived as natural as purchasing anything. But how the masters treated their slaves was another story. Having servants may have been mentioned in the Bible more than a dozen times but some seemed to have forgotten that God also cares for the slaves, basically anyone who is maltreated and oppressed by their masters and the society. We were taught or told that rampant sexual immorality caused God to fire sulfur at Sodom and Gomorrah, but only few realized that it was not the only reason. Too much wickedness abound in both cities. Cries of oppression reached the heavens. There was too much injustice in Sodom and Gomorrah.

There was a day, while I was still reading this book, when I got so upset with our driver that I wanted to call him and tell him words that were not nice. I was so upset because he did something wrong and cost me. Then I remembered 12 Years a Slave and those wicked masters mentioned by Northup. What makes me different then? Of course I couldn't and wouldn't whip our driver but my words, those I intended to lash him with, would probably have had the same effect. I grieved that such wicked intent came into me.

"A man with a particle of mercy in his soul would have not beaten even a dog so cruelly." This is my favourite quote from the book. Today, we grieve the death of an animal but back then a slave beaten to death would be justified because of the slave's disobedience. It's hard to grasp. Perhaps.

I looked into today's, our time's, society. How do we treat people with lower economic status or lower social rank than us. The latter, I dare say, is absurd. But yes, how do we treat our house helpers if we have one? How about our drivers? And those utility workers in our company?

How Solomon recalled his story was very impressive. He was obviously an educated man. His accounts also showed that he was not discriminate for he did not withhold the good characters of his master William Ford. He even understood why some people even young ones were indifferent to the slavery system. And yet, Samuel Bass was spot on when he asked, "Is everything right because the law allows it?"

I quote in chapter 18, when Solomon was referring to his master's son of ten or twelve years of age. "The child is father to the man," and with such training, whatever may be his natural disposition, it cannot well be otherwise than that, on arriving at maturity, the sufferings and miseries of the slave will be looked upon with entire indifference. The influence of the iniquitous system necessarily fosters an unfeeling and cruel spirit, even in the bosoms of those who, among their equals, are regarded as humane and generous." And I totally agree to that. They thought and believed that slavery was ok and that they could do whatever they want to their slave, whom they considered a property. And yet they have forgotten mercy. Showing none will grant them none.

We should all remember that the day will come for the prayers of the slaves to be answered. A time will come for justice and judgment. It will be "a terrible day of vengeance when the master in his turn will cry in vain for mercy."

Prince of Fire

by Daniel Silva.

Mid-2007. We were at a different bookstore at Serendra. We were asked what we wanted and I picked The Prince of Fire. But it took me 8 years before mustering the intent of reading this book. Truth be told, I've had enough of deception. It took a toll on my soul. For the record, The Prince of Fire is the latest, and probably the first book this year, in months that brought me places: Vienna, France (I've "been" to a lot.), Israel, Lebanon, and even Egypt. For the past couple of week, it kept me distracted from the troubles at work. And I am grateful.

--------

Gabriel Allon is back in Venice after unmasking Erich Radek, when a terrible explosion in Rome leads to a disturbing personal revelation: the existence of a dossier in terrorist hands that strips away his secrets, lays bare his history. Hastily recalled home, drawn once more into the heart of a service he had once forsaken, Gabriel finds himself stalking an elusive master-terrorist across a landscape drenched in generations of blood, the trail turning upon itself until, finally, he can no longer be certain who is stalking whom. And when at last the showdown comes, it will not be Gabriel alone who is threatened with destruction - for it is not his history alone that has been laid bare.

--------

Art restorer Gabriel Allon. He's probably the most troubled lead character I've known from a thriller novel. His issues however, are valid. I find it interesting.

It seems like I've lost the thoughts I've had about and while reading this novel. One thing remains though, or two rather. One, it's good to have a book that brings me to places. I've gone to Europe especially France and the Canaan (Israel-Lebanon-TransJordan). Two, it also brought tears to my eyes. I was moved to tears for various reasons while reading Prince of Fire.

If I am to share one particular thing that moved my core and soul, it was the mere mention of the name Adolf Eichmann. At first I forgot who he was although the name rang a bell. Even so, I felt a pang in my chest when I first read his name. Then my suspicion was right, that he was involved in the Holocaust. But he was not just involved. He was also an architect of this great genocide act. It went on, that hurting feeling whenever I come across his name.

Books.

Inside the Revolution effect

I haven't finished reading Inside the Revolution by Joel C. Rosenberg but it gives me a picture of what had happened, so vivid that I couldn't help being moved. Like today. There I was on MRT Araneta-Cubao Station wiping the tears welling in my eyes as I read about the Tragedy at Desert One.

It breaks my heart knowing that hundreds of thousands of Muslims were  and are brainwashed by the radicals. They're not on a suicide bombing mission on the way to paradise. It's genocide bombing on the way to hell. This is a new form of pagan practice done way back before Christ was born, causing God to condemn how people sacrificed their children on fire.

May this come to an end.

Now Playing: Hagit Yaso - Standing at the Gate

Post LOTR feels

It's hard to start another book when you've just finished a great one. 

I've finished reading The Lord of the Rings an hour past midnight earlier. I still feel nostalgic about the Company and the others. Parting is hard. I'd like to get started with The Hobbit, of which was lent to me yester noon, but it's no easy. I may still be in Middle Earth but it'll be with different folks. I may meet familiar ones but still not the same.

It feels like I'm one of the three Hobbits who bid farewell to those who sailed to the sea. Ah, namarie!

Now Playing: Liv Tyler - Need You Tonight

Left Behind (1995)

Oh my. It's been a month since my last entry. How troublesome. For all the troubles in the world, I'd rather talk about the books I've completed since coming here in Baguio. I've had four - Left Behind and The Lord of the Rings - but I will only talk about Left Behind since the trilogy is pretty long and deserves an entry of its own.

Left Behind is the first of the series of the same name having sixteen books in all by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. It was the first published but it has three pre-"Left Behind" books that were published later. Reminds me of The Silmarillion.

I've known about Left Behind even back in high school but I haven't read it yet. Perhaps it wasn't time to do so. "There's a time for everything," said the Wise King. I also think and believe that it did me good to have this read late as the story and intent of the authors were more piercing now knowing when in chronos we are.

Fiction it is but to those with open eyes and ears know what needs to be done. Yeah, prepare the way. Prepare the city. Prepare one's heart. And I'm not saying it's easy. It isn't. Harsh it may be, or it shall be.

Now Playing: The Grace of Undomiel