So many things have been running through my head lately, and I’ve been trying to organize them into a logical, readable post, but somehow, my brain is not cooperating. So maybe let’s keep with the music recommendations, and soon you, my dear reader (one of eight, hello!) will have a playlist to keep on loop.

I watched the movie Warm Bodies the other day. The premise is simple, the guy’s a zombie, the girl, a human. It could’ve made for a very strange, sappy film, but the really witty writing and sort of adorable (make that very) lead Nicholas Hoult in his red hoodie and gray shirt made it one of the funniest films I’ve seen in a while.

I digress. This is supposed to be about John Waite’s Missing You. It’s an oldie but a goodie, and is always good value. It makes an appearance on the film twice, when R (Nicholas Hoult’s zombie) plays it on his record player, and the next, when he sees the female lead for the first time.

And really, how can you resist lyrics like these:

And there’s a storm that’s raging
Through my frozen heart tonight

I hear your name, in certain circles
And it always makes me smile
I spend my time,thinking about you
And it’s almost driving me wild
And there’s a heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight

Listen to this cheesefest here and tell me what you think.

 

Up Dharma Down songs have an ethereal quality to them, and Tadhana is definitely one of the more moving ones. It’s in Filipino, and very old school so, that it took me quite a while to really understand what the song is trying to say. (I still think I’m missing some of the subtleties because of the language used).

Saan nga ba patungo,
Nakayapak at nahihiwagaan na
Ang bagyo ng tadhana ay
Dinadala ako sa init ng bisig mo

Which loosely translates to: I don’t know where I’m going, barefoot and amazed. The storm of fate brings me to the warmth of your arms.

Poetry set in music, what can get any better?

Listen and feel the amazing here:

I got this the other day. It was a meeting of the whole Philippine office at work, and I almost teared up. It was a simple gesture. This person had gotten their business cards due to a recent promotion, and they handed this over while a talk by one of our bosses was going on.

See, I’m not really the most emotional of people (well, that’s a debatable statement), but I really had to blink back the tears that were perilously coming to the surface.

Because the statement is true. I really was proud. I was pushing for this all along, I saw this person’s hard work and diligence, and rallied for the recognition. This is the most important business card in my wallet, and I hope that this person continues to do well, because they really deserve anything that’s coming to them.

I’ve never been happier in anything in my career than in that moment, right there.

You can listen to the song here. Because even if John Mayer is a douche in real life, he does come up with lyrics like these:

Don’t say a word, just come over and lie here with me

‘Cause I’m just about to set fire to everything I see

I want you so bad, I’ll go back on the things I believe

There I just said it, I’m scared you’ll forget about me

And with that melody, it really can just go on loop the whole day.

What are you listening to?

Yesterday was the first time I fully participated in a “team building activity”. I never believed in team building activities. I was never the motivational speaker, self-help book type of girl. I thought all these years that it was all a bunch of boo-hockey that was made to force people into humiliating themselves for the fun of others, and no one was left better for it.

Harsh right? This (kind of) cynical girl has gone through all of it, scavenger hunts, cheering competitions, relays. All leaving me a little more with a bitter taste in my mouth, a lot sweatier, and a little bit angrier at what we had to go through as adults.

I went in doubtful, and even more so when they declared we were going to do a bit of strenuous activity, and I wasn’t exactly dressed for it. My sneakers and non stretchy jeans weren’t made for anything more than long walks or maybe a game of longest line. We were going to go through rope courses, a zip line, ground activities and a climbing wall. I braced myself for a session of eye rolling, especially when i saw the amount of people in the place. The wave pool looked like people soup, it was so packed.

Then things got started and I got caught in everyone else’s adrenaline high. People were really sincerely cheering each other on, and getting people to do what they normally wouldn’t. I certainly did things I really wouldn’t do if I didn’t have the team I had cheering me on. When it came for the parts of the activities with heights involved, my hands were shaking, my knees were buckling, I could feel an anxiety attack coming on. I took deep breaths and tried to compose myself from totally breaking down and letting my team down. Every point counted and I was in a hypercompetitive group, all willing to push themselves to the limit, I couldn’t be the one person to just fold my cards and say “No.”

So i went with it, and saw the really supportive, fun group I was in, and all the other groups that were helping each other succeed with the not easy tasks we were set. And we did, we finished everything. Nobody quit, everyone else was giving each other tips on how to go over faster, or reassuring them that everything was all good, and to just get through it, no pressure. Every single time I was thinking of throwing in the towel, I could hear a reassuring voice telling me there was nothing to it, and each time, the voice was different. I am a very lucky girl to have been surrounded by all that support, and it drove me to push the phobia I had aside and just have fun.

Of course after it was time for drinks to unwind and just get back to being silly, that was amazing too.

By the way, did I mention we won?

 

 

 

This summer has not been forgiving. Temperatures of 36-38 degrees Celsius are normal. There are no breezes to speak of, then suddenly a downpour for 20 minutes. Just enough to soak you to the skin and make your flipflops muddy, then the heat comes back worse.

I don’t go to an office everyday so there have been endless workarounds to the heat. I’ve worked in the yard, the garage, the living room, my parent’s room, whichever is the coolest at the time. Multiple baths. Icy drinks. I’ve worked with friends in different locations. I’ve begged the fiance to go out and work at tea and coffee shops that have constant AC and cushy chairs. I am this close to unfolding and using an above ground pool that my work is storing at home and working from the edge of that.

Then something like that rainbow appears. It just shows you that in the middle of the insanity of the heat, there are beautiful things out there. Sunflowers filling the entrance to UP Diliman (catch them this week before they all wilt!), the sky at almost sunset, the glorious purples and reds of a halo halo.

So I guess what I’m trying to say is, maybe we’re all scorching under this scary weather, but there’s still something to be happy about out there. You just have to look up.

Even with the onslaught of modern distractions, there are still plenty of readers in the world. I’d like to think we’re obstinate dinosaurs that begin our adventures from pages written by other people. People that have been blessed to be able to put these thoughts into coherent, flowing stories that make our life richer, more insane, and color the outlines of sometimes humdrum lives spent doing the routine we’re used to.

So what kind of reader are you? I can think of a few kinds:

1. The Extra Obstinate Dinousaur:

Readers that absolutely refuse to use electronic materials to read. They won’t use electronic readers, tablets or cellular phones to read. They insist that turning pages of books should include crinkling of paper and the smell of published ink on sheets. EODs will have bookshelves filled with old books, and love them the older the better.

2. The Loyalist

Readers that only stick to one, or a few authors or one genre. They will forgo all other books until their favorite authors come out with new books, and will be first in line to buy it, or will only go to the section of the bookstore for their favorite genre. They will recommend their favorites to all readers they come across, and will offer a favorite from the collection, and will stalk their authors online (if alive). They will also have part of their online handles include their authors’ names, and will try to emulate their way of speaking or fashion.

3. The Fad Reader

Readers that will read only the books that are hyped. These include old “reader favorites” such as the LOTR series, or new ones like the Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code books or the Hunger Games Trilogy. They will use these books in conversation and will sprinkle them in discussions. Otherwise, they will not use their time to read. They will usually only pick up a book if they hear about it and get their interests piqued.

4. The Memorizer

Readers that will reread the same book over and over again. They will have read their favorite books up until they’ve almost memorized all their favorite lines, or know the characters inside and out. They will also feel emotionally attached to each character and will bemoan their deaths each time they read the scene, even if they know it’s coming.

5. The Book Whore

Readers who will read any book, at any time, using any device available. These readers are addicted to the written word, and can spend hours in a bookstore reading an opened book. These readers usually log hours of page turning a day, and will count reading more important the meals/sleep/human interaction.

6. The Bargain Hunter

The reader that won’t buy a book for full price. They are usually found in thrift stores, cheap bookstores, or at mall sales hunting for deals on books. They will usually consider a book from an author/genre they don’t usually go for because of the price. They will also download all free books they can find online.

I’m kind of a mix of all of these. What kind of a reader are you?