My son turned four this month.
Amidst my hectic schedule as a student, I have to make his birthday fun nonetheless. With or without a big party. His father is not really keen on parties as he regard such as not part of his culture, we only had to make do with what our boy requested, minimally. A chocolate cake with four candles, four balloons and the presence of his parents and Grandparents. Good thing my Mother enlisted herself to make some pasta or else, all we will be eating is the cake, some rice cake and bread.
The cake.
We didn't have a pic of it. All the gadgets seemed not ready for a party. Come to think of it, we almost bought exactly the same one we had last year. It looks like I may have to really prepare for his cake next 'coz the ready to eat ones are running out different design. I may end up buying the same ones I've previously bought. tut, tut.
On his first birthday, an aunt was the one who took care of the traditional 1st Birthday Rice Cake. It wasn't that sweet kind of cake, mind you. A first for me too.
On his 2nd birthday, I finally had the chance to really order a special one. A teddy Bear Cake. Small as it is, it was quite cute and just right as he was just a wee boy too.
On his 3rd birthday, we were in the middle of renovation and all so we ended up just buying whatever was in the store. Also a round chocolate cake with some nuts on top.
Same thing this year. Except that there were no nuts anymore. It was still yummy nonetheless.
Hopefully, next year, nobody else would mention about getting him a cake for his birthday. I would pre-order his cake and at least be able to choose really neat one. Or better yet make one myself! (That remains to be seen).
Balloons.
My four-year-old boy's concept of birthday means party and party means cake, plus ...balloons. Even though I've prepared some before, he specifically requested it this time. His concept of things is evolving. So I wonder what would be the addition next year.
Gift.
Although not yet concrete on his mind equation of birthday, I do think that he really looked forward to one specific gift this year. My brother-in-law had mentioned about sending him something a few weeeks before his birthday. We weren't very sure if he'll get it on his birthday. it could be a little late because of the post. Nobody knows. Fortunately, we were able to get it the same day. With all the rush of getting his box, we even got caught in the rain. The trouble was all worth it as we watched him enjoy his birthday gift. A dinosaur lego box set, dino book, a music Video tape that he can watch and sing along with. It was almost perfect, save that the gift giver was watching him online. Thank goodness for webcams online.
That pretty much capped his birthday. At the end of the day, we just have to thank the Lord for his numerous blessings.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Rilla of Ingleside
As I look over my previous entries before, I've come across some typos, and things alike. Ihaven't done a lot of editing before publishing anything coz all I want to be able to do is save whatever is running on my mind. Excuses, excuses. I will have to polish it off soon.
These days kept me busy with schoolwork for me. Nonetheless, the pull of something to listen to even while I am doing the dishes, or folding up the clothes. I fancied Rilla on Ingleside one day and started listening to it. The first 5 chapters just played repeatedly for a while until I finally got tired of it and really decided to "really" listen. After getting past it, the interest on the book started building up.
Comparing it to the Anne series, which I thought I completed except for this, this one is a bit heavy. Melancholic. I was looking for a setting of the-old-days this book brought me to a period of war in history. It may not be as godd as the Anne Frank's Diary but it was set on a little far from the was area. Geographically. Still same sufffering of the people living during the war. I'm not sure if it was World War 1 or 2, I must go back to my world history lessons ;(. My bet is it's 2nd one.
This made me reflect again on the the atrocities of war. Not exactly first-hand recounting of what took place that time but how other people felt and lived. To live in the world during war time even you're miles away from the war zone still would be felt somehow. More than fifty years ago since the last World War took place and it might seem a long time ago. Some veterans still live til this day but it won't be long that the effects and lives of war may be forgotten. We might not be very apprehensive of any possibility of yet another war again. God forbid.
Confession. This book made me cry. Death of a brother. A brother believed to be a coward. Yet after braving the frontlines of the war, finds himself no coward at all. It is better to have died fighting so that others may live without fear, than to live in fear, and remember the sad pictures of life during the war.
Going back to the Anne series, I found out that I may have seem to miss one. My next book on the list would be "Rainbow Valley." I may need to take a break from Montgomery's books for now though. I'm digging up the "Further Chronicles of Avonlea" but I may "reshelf" it for a while. If I could find an A.Christie audio book, that would be to my liking now. If not, any mystery/detective one will suffice.
'Til my next one.
These days kept me busy with schoolwork for me. Nonetheless, the pull of something to listen to even while I am doing the dishes, or folding up the clothes. I fancied Rilla on Ingleside one day and started listening to it. The first 5 chapters just played repeatedly for a while until I finally got tired of it and really decided to "really" listen. After getting past it, the interest on the book started building up.
Comparing it to the Anne series, which I thought I completed except for this, this one is a bit heavy. Melancholic. I was looking for a setting of the-old-days this book brought me to a period of war in history. It may not be as godd as the Anne Frank's Diary but it was set on a little far from the was area. Geographically. Still same sufffering of the people living during the war. I'm not sure if it was World War 1 or 2, I must go back to my world history lessons ;(. My bet is it's 2nd one.
This made me reflect again on the the atrocities of war. Not exactly first-hand recounting of what took place that time but how other people felt and lived. To live in the world during war time even you're miles away from the war zone still would be felt somehow. More than fifty years ago since the last World War took place and it might seem a long time ago. Some veterans still live til this day but it won't be long that the effects and lives of war may be forgotten. We might not be very apprehensive of any possibility of yet another war again. God forbid.
Confession. This book made me cry. Death of a brother. A brother believed to be a coward. Yet after braving the frontlines of the war, finds himself no coward at all. It is better to have died fighting so that others may live without fear, than to live in fear, and remember the sad pictures of life during the war.
Going back to the Anne series, I found out that I may have seem to miss one. My next book on the list would be "Rainbow Valley." I may need to take a break from Montgomery's books for now though. I'm digging up the "Further Chronicles of Avonlea" but I may "reshelf" it for a while. If I could find an A.Christie audio book, that would be to my liking now. If not, any mystery/detective one will suffice.
'Til my next one.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Books Snips and Snaps from the Past
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Harry Potter Series
These are some books that I've read years ago. Except for "The Hobbit" and the remaining HP books, most of it are already in film. One thing in common, I tend to enjoy the books better than the films. I've tried watching the films but never really got my whole attention compared to me reading the words of every page of the book. Could it be because I've already read and know the story? I doubt it. In my opinion, film usually don't do justice to the works of the authors. Still, films can be a shortcut to knowing the stories.
The Phantom.
It was creepy. It left an impression on me that I found myself immersed even though I got a bit scared while reading it. Or maybe it was the romantic part that kept me there? I was in my teens at that time when I read it. Didn't really enjoy scaring myself before, even til now. I prefer something that will make me think while reading. Not something that will scare me. I read, and finished it. Even enjoyed it along the way.
The Hobbit; The Lord of the Rings
This is a bit light reading compared to the trilogy that followed it. As it was recommended for me to read, I had a little more push to finish the book. I was 14 or 15 then. This, I believe, is one of the highlights of my reading journey. It paved way to other genres aside from romantic pulp fiction and teenage detective books that I've been reading before. Although I've read adult mystery/detective books before, the Hobbit was a good start to try a different one. It got me to read the "thickest book" I've ever read at that time, the LOTR trilogy. It was like a fairy tale adventure for adults rolled into one very thick book. The setting is somewhere in the middle earth; the plot has a lot of twist and turns; and the characters are elves, hobbits, fairies, and not to forget Gollum. Didn't he became as famous as Baggins?
Harry Potter Series
Page turning for kids and adults. More movies coming as they have not yet finish making everything into one yet. Should I write more on this one? Perhaps some other time.
A minute before twelve. Today is 8-8-8.
The Hobbit
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Harry Potter Series
These are some books that I've read years ago. Except for "The Hobbit" and the remaining HP books, most of it are already in film. One thing in common, I tend to enjoy the books better than the films. I've tried watching the films but never really got my whole attention compared to me reading the words of every page of the book. Could it be because I've already read and know the story? I doubt it. In my opinion, film usually don't do justice to the works of the authors. Still, films can be a shortcut to knowing the stories.
The Phantom.
It was creepy. It left an impression on me that I found myself immersed even though I got a bit scared while reading it. Or maybe it was the romantic part that kept me there? I was in my teens at that time when I read it. Didn't really enjoy scaring myself before, even til now. I prefer something that will make me think while reading. Not something that will scare me. I read, and finished it. Even enjoyed it along the way.
The Hobbit; The Lord of the Rings
This is a bit light reading compared to the trilogy that followed it. As it was recommended for me to read, I had a little more push to finish the book. I was 14 or 15 then. This, I believe, is one of the highlights of my reading journey. It paved way to other genres aside from romantic pulp fiction and teenage detective books that I've been reading before. Although I've read adult mystery/detective books before, the Hobbit was a good start to try a different one. It got me to read the "thickest book" I've ever read at that time, the LOTR trilogy. It was like a fairy tale adventure for adults rolled into one very thick book. The setting is somewhere in the middle earth; the plot has a lot of twist and turns; and the characters are elves, hobbits, fairies, and not to forget Gollum. Didn't he became as famous as Baggins?
Harry Potter Series
Page turning for kids and adults. More movies coming as they have not yet finish making everything into one yet. Should I write more on this one? Perhaps some other time.
A minute before twelve. Today is 8-8-8.
Pride and Prejudice
I'm going a bit backwards on the logs of I have read recently.
This book title, I believe to have come across a few time reading other books before. Not to mention of it being in a movie. I've tried to watch before but never really got everything from start to finish. If I do remember it well, I was finally able to read this at a local library. Unfortunately, I had this impression that it was a condensed version.
When I first try to start the ebook, I almost backed off thinking that it looks so familiar that I might find it boring coz I've "read" it somewhere already. Nonetheless, with my hubby's prodding, as well as there wasn't much other choice availabe on the reader at that time, I started it. I can't remeber around what chapter was I when I felt that I have finish it even though I already know how the story will go. I found myself enjoying each page. Some part, I had to compromise on listeninng to the audio version. Nevertheless, I started and really ended it with "reading."
Going beyond the romantic hook of the story, I believe that it does also have other implications in life. A very nice choice of title. Pride and Prejudice. People really tend to have prejudicisms even unconsciously. It might be quite "immoral" to admit to have prejudice on something or someone but human may find himself a prey to this every now and then. As for pride, I think it's a given trait of human. Only, some can be very obvious while some are a bit inconspicuous.
Should I still give a background of the story? I believe not. This is a very popular one and any try on my part might not just do justice. I might even get sued. :)
This book title, I believe to have come across a few time reading other books before. Not to mention of it being in a movie. I've tried to watch before but never really got everything from start to finish. If I do remember it well, I was finally able to read this at a local library. Unfortunately, I had this impression that it was a condensed version.
When I first try to start the ebook, I almost backed off thinking that it looks so familiar that I might find it boring coz I've "read" it somewhere already. Nonetheless, with my hubby's prodding, as well as there wasn't much other choice availabe on the reader at that time, I started it. I can't remeber around what chapter was I when I felt that I have finish it even though I already know how the story will go. I found myself enjoying each page. Some part, I had to compromise on listeninng to the audio version. Nevertheless, I started and really ended it with "reading."
Going beyond the romantic hook of the story, I believe that it does also have other implications in life. A very nice choice of title. Pride and Prejudice. People really tend to have prejudicisms even unconsciously. It might be quite "immoral" to admit to have prejudice on something or someone but human may find himself a prey to this every now and then. As for pride, I think it's a given trait of human. Only, some can be very obvious while some are a bit inconspicuous.
Should I still give a background of the story? I believe not. This is a very popular one and any try on my part might not just do justice. I might even get sued. :)
Reading Log History
I've never had a reading list except for the series of books of my favorite authors while growing up. I'm refering to the list of "other books of this author" at every back or inside cover of a book. Did I dream of collecting and be able to read all those books!
As life goes, we grow up. Genres might not change but other books come up every now and then. Even though I've managed to venture reading other authors, I've learned to read other kinds too. Different level, age-market or something of that sort.
After reading quite a number, I think it will be just now that I've considered keeping a log. Sure, I might have written some diary entries about a book or two before but most likely that it was out of overflow of ideas and reaction after reading one.
Now I have found myself of a task that I SHOULD write something about what I've read. For memory or simple mind exercise, as well writing.
Next entry coming up for some books that I've read recently and can still remember enough things to write about.
As life goes, we grow up. Genres might not change but other books come up every now and then. Even though I've managed to venture reading other authors, I've learned to read other kinds too. Different level, age-market or something of that sort.
After reading quite a number, I think it will be just now that I've considered keeping a log. Sure, I might have written some diary entries about a book or two before but most likely that it was out of overflow of ideas and reaction after reading one.
Now I have found myself of a task that I SHOULD write something about what I've read. For memory or simple mind exercise, as well writing.
Next entry coming up for some books that I've read recently and can still remember enough things to write about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
