let’s talk about books shall we?

There were times a couple of months back when I feel so lost and I’d ask – what to read?! It’s like I have this inner urge to read something really worth my time and yet don’t know what book to read. I almost envy Hubs who can get inside any bookstore we pass by and come out with three or four books in tow. Having no recommendations, I almost always buy the ones with the “international bestsellers” tag or ones which won a certain literary prize.

Hence I was really happy when I came across goodreads.com, featured by Aleng on her blog. It’s like finding a cornucopia, a cornucopia of books!

Came across The Prophets of Ghost Ants in goodreads. Can’t wait to get a copy of this one!!!

Anyways, this was the latest book I’ve finished reading a couple weeks back.

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It was the Orange Award winner for 2011 so I was a bit curious with the book. This is the first time I’ve read a book written by someone 5 years younger than me and I must say she has a great career ahead of her. But I’d have to say I was a bit disappointed about how the book ended, almost feeling like I wasted my time reading it. Her narration is quite good though and young as she is and yet already award-winning at that, she has much time to improve her craft.

Was able to get a prized possession last weekend – my much awaited IQ84 English-translated copy, all three books, in one big volume! Felt like I waited for such a looong time for it’s translation that I almost jumped for joy when I found this hardbound three-book volume.

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Hardbound as it is, of course I can’t cart it around with me. It’s gonna be a bedtime book. But I have to hurry reading it. Hubs is next in line. Haha.

I needed a book to read in between train rides and while on a queue (been working late recently that my free time for reading is almost only during train rides. Huff). I’m carting this around right now.

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So much acclaim for this book. But at some parts, I’m bored although it comes pretty interesting on some parts. I’m yet to discover why it’s categorized as a science fiction though.

At the time I bought IQ84, I also came across the Tokyo Michelin guide at a discounted price. The 2012 issue is already out but this discounted old issue is already fine with me. Can’t wait for a good food experience soon!

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hot pads anyone?

We feel it’s unusually warmer than it usually is at this time of the year. Nevertheless it’s bound to be pretty cold in the next few months. And even now, we’re already using カイロ (kairo) or what I simply call hot pads, preferring to use it than turning the AC on. It’s pretty helpful when you’re out in the cold, the whole day as well. But it’s not advised to go to sleep with it.

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It can heat up to 64degC, with average temp of 51degC and can last up to 9 hours, perfect for a day out.

Just peel the side with the sticker on and stick it on one of your inner layers, definitely not to be in direct contact with your skin. It’s not fashionable looking hence it’s meant to be under your coat and jackets 🙂

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I find it pretty helpful as well during bouts of dysmenorrhea. Buy now. Available in Matsumoto Kiyoshi, Tomods and other similar shops.

Puerto Princesa and the 7 wonders of the world

Hurray! Puerto Princesa Underground River made it to the top seven list of the New Seven Wonders of Nature!

It’s not yet final and official though as it will be made official come early 2012. The results were based on the preliminary tally held yesterday, of course, 11.11.11.

Visit here to see the rest of the seven wonders as well as the other 28 finalists.

We’ve been to Coron and El Nido islands, both in Palawan and hence neighboring islands of Puerto Princesa, both beautiful in their own rights. We’ve been to Halong Bay in Vietnam as well, listed as one of the seven wonders together with Puerto Princesa. But we are yet to see the underground river. Hope we could get to visit Puerto Princesa in our next vacation in the Philippines. Can’t wait!!

11.11.11

Along with probably all bloggers in the whole wide world, I just couldn’t pass up the chance to pin down something on our blog on this very unique day.

We haven’t got anything special planned today actually. I’m even now alone in Starbucks waiting for Hubs as he had a project party with their multi-national clients. It has been a good day at the office as well, for my part. Even my allergic rhinitis didn’t act up for the first time in two weeks! Not a sniffle at all.

But even so, I don’t consider this day as a day of “doing” or sort of “reaping” and celebrating. Rather, I consider this a day of planting, with heart filled with joy and hope as I did the “planting”.

Had the idea of planting earlier when I paused from frowning at the HYSYS simulation in front of me and accidentally looked at my laptop clock and a smile lit up my face as I saw it was exactly at 11:11. Perfect time for planting indeed!

Happy. Hopeful. Full of eager anticipation. Thankful.

early Christmas

The day immediately after Halloween, jack o’lanterns and witches’ hats and brooms were taken off to give way to Christmas trees and decors. It may not be as early as Christmas in Philippines and you may not hear Christmas carols as often, still, this year’s Christmas decors are up early compared to how I remember my previous Christmases here in Japan. Indeed, they are such a joy to behold! 🙂

Merry Christmas everyone!

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