Reader's Corner: Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern

My first Cecelia Ahern novel, and what a surprise!

A charming and heartwarming tale of true friendship, love and fate. The lovely characters and their connection from childhood to old age brought me tears, almost every chapter.

After reading this, I gained more appreciation of my relationships and valued my time with

my loved ones. No, nobody died. The characters are flawed but their story, albeit a lot of down and waiting moments, is perfect. It took a long journey for them to realize they are made for each other but I guess, that made this more relevant because in life, you don't always get what you want but in time, and 

This book came at the right time: I was roaming around the mall, waiting for a supplier I'm about to meet. With an hour to spare, I dropped by Book Sale and the title caught my attention.

Sidetrip: Subic Roadtrip

My cousins and I went to a fun Subic roadtrip last September.
Left Bulacan around 3 in the morning to witness the sunrise, unfortunately, it was raining when we reached Zambales. Had breakfast(I cooked!) facing the bay and tried out the Canopy Ride at Subic Treetop Adventure. I learned that I can't do the free fall jump because of my scoliosis, and worse, as per the staff, I may not be allowed to skydive and bungee jump in the future(but I'm seeking second opinion!).
We continued the journey to Olongapo where we stayed at the beach, had a sumptuous feast of grilled pork, chicken, squid and some shrimps for lunch. Lazed on the shore in the breezy afternoon, before we had to go.
Traveled back to Bulacan, but had a quick stop at NLEX to enjoy some Razon's Halo-halo.
Celebrating a great day for us, albeit unfortunate scenarios encountered.
Until the next getaway, gang!

Sidetrip: American Idol 2012

Two Friday nights ago, I was asked to accompany my "favorite" cousin Patricia to see the American Idol 2012 Concert, the stars and show of which she is a fan of. I'm familiar of the show, especially the Filipina Jessica Sanchez and watched a few episodes but I hardly know them to deserve such pricey opportunity. I said yes anyhow because I'm to thrilled to spend an unforgettable night with one of my best friends, am actually more excited to be with her than to see the singers. I had no expectations and advised her beforehand that I might be a boring chaperon. And then the concert night came...
It was a crazy, fun night. The performers were talented and entertaining, I can't help but cheer for them and danced the night away. Wow, Colton Dixon is a revelation.. I'm a late bloomer on these things, right?
I really had a great time seeing them and more so, seeing how happy Patricia was. I'm grateful for another 'new' adventure. This existence is full of surprises most of the time. Thanks Tita and Tricia! Life is good.

Anyone can COOK!

My family and friends can attest to this - I don't cook. I never cook. The words Ayen and cooking cannot be together in a single sentence.
I have always been uninterested in cooking. I love good food and enjoy eating but to prepare the delectable masterpieces myself, "No, thank you!". I grew up in a family of great cooks - my mom and grandmothers - so it was surprising that I lack the skill and curiosity for it. I think cooking is very time and energy consuming when you can purchase delicious food for the same price of buying the ingredients. The closest thing I get to being in the kitchen is washing the dishes or when, ages ago, I was mom's little helper. I'm always annoyed when people question how I don't cook and how it would be when I get married, how will you feed your family, things like that. Well, my perspective has always been "I will not go to college, work hard to build my career and earn well just to end up cooking for someone else. If I want to cook, I will. For myself. Surely, my future spouse won't marry me based on a cooking show criteria, the same way I won't judge my future spouse if he doesn't sing as well as Jason Mraz. And I'll work so hard to afford a cook and to buy my favorite food, ok?". Hehehe. So yeah.

While making my bucket list for 2012, I included "Cook Something" just to try something new for myself. It was actually one of last things I worked on since, being me, it's unexciting. For encouragement, I listed down my favorite food, mostly from restaurants, so I will be motivated to try this new adventure. I asked for recipes and did my research, and for the months of August & September, I'm happy to announce that I, Ayen Santos, non-cook extraordinaire, finally gave cooking a try. For August, I prepared some of my lunch that I bring to the office. Stir fry cauliflower & broccoli and Ginisang Ampalaya. One weekend in Bulacan, I prepared breakfast for my folks - Tinapa Rice and Longganisang Bawang - which lolo and lola enjoyed. I made the same set for a Subic getaway with my cousins last weekend, they loved it too. In addition, I went to the supermarket, buy ingredients and cooked Korean Beef Bulgogi with side veggies weeks ago, I brought some for my officemates and friends and they were so surprised I did cook. Well, me too!

I am yet to fall in love with 'cooking' but I'm glad I surpassed another challenge.
I'm so proud of how much I've changed for the better because of this 2012 Project.
I did it for myself! Life is good!

Sidetrip: Global Mala Project 2012

Yesterday, I had one of the most unforgettable experiences of  2012.

I attended the Global Mala Project 2012. It is one of the largest gathering of the yoga community, and my stepmom, Tita Jing, made that awesome idea of inviting me to go with her.

I've enrolled myself into a Saturday yoga class in our neighborhood early August. After one class, albeit the thoughts of giving up during the activity because it's really hard for the unfit and inflexible me, the feeling afterwards was unbelievably good. No muscle pains, unlike when I'm from the gym, and I feel my spirit is renewed.

I said yes to the invitation because I want to experience something new, and it was a great decision.

I was surprised to see a lot of people, women and men, young and old,  who were passionate about the course. There were a lot of classes the entire day. TJ and I took the Yin Yoga(I'd love to enroll in a class), Yoga & Chocolates(Difficult but TJ said I did great for a newbie.. and there were free almond chocolates as rewards.) and at night, the Trance Dance, which was the highlight. I grooved my way and partied with strangers in a circle. It was liberating and relaxing. The teacher went around asking "What are you dancing for?". As for me, it's LIFE. I feel free and infinite. During the end part where they played a lovely version of "In the Sun", I got teary out of joy and gratefulness. I am so glad I did this.

I spent a an hour of gym work out in the morning, 3 hours worth of yoga activities in the afternoon, and I can't feel any ache at all. I'm like a goddess. Oh yoga, what you did to me. :)

Reader's Corner: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

This book had a simple and profound message - that each one of us is connected to one another, 

and whatever we do will have an effect to the next person.Yet another Mitch Albom classic.

And my favorite quote *paragraph* from the bestseller:

"Lost love is still love, Eddie. It takes a different form, that's all. You can't see their smile or bring them food or tousle their hair or move them around a dance floor. But when those weakens, another heightens.

Memory. Memory becomes your partner.

You nurture it. You hold it. You dance with it."

"Life has to end. Love doesn't."

Life is indeed wonderful.

Readers Corner: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Over the weekend, I spent my free time reading this bestseller. Given it's a Mitch Albom, it's inspiring and heartwarming.The story revolves around two preachers, their journeys which cultivated their faith and a request for a eulogy. This book gave me a new perspective on how to lead my life, in faith and in continuous hope. I wrote down a lot of notes and quotes, one of which is -'you may find there is something beautiful to learn, and it doesn't bite you and it doesn't weaken you, it only proves a divine spark lies inside each of us. And that spark may one day save the world". Enlightening, yes?

I'm in awe at how much I have learned and changed(for the better) these past months. Life is an everyday classroom where I meet people who serves as teachers, students or most of the time, both. I am eternally grateful for this existence.
More books coming up!