Best Finds 2008: Twilight Series (Books)

It used to be that the internet has totally gobbled up the reader in me. Before the net became second nature, my free time would be spent lost in a book. But technology has taken over (shouldn't) until Twilight bit me. Big time.

Twilight, and its sequels, brought back what I had long lost - enough interest in a book that I could not put it down. For the longest time, no book I've come across had captured me enough to want to finish reading in one sitting. And I kinda missed the experience. But Twilight cured me of that.

Twilight Musings and Twilight Series (labels) are testament to what the Twilight series have become in my life this year.

Best Finds 2008: Taylor Swift (Musician)

Since I learned about her and her music, her songs have never left my playlist. I love every one of her songs. Her music has given me something to look forward to, something to dance to, something to sing my heart out with and something to soothe some very bad days.

The Taylor Chronicles was created to celebrate her and her songs.

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Photo Credit: Starpulse

Best Finds 2008: Vancouver (Foreign City)

Got lucky enough to attend a conference in Vancouver last May. The conference was a blast: the speakers were experts, the topics were relevant (at the time, which was post subprime and pre-Lehman), the overall management of the event was the best I have seen so far, even considering that it had thousands of participants.

And yes, I loved the city. Still do. Walked the streets like I've never walked before: I think I've covered most of the place by just walking. Hehe. And loved the bike-friendly streets as well. And the lovely flowers lining the pavements. And the kinda laid back life. And the eco-friendliness. And even the weather!

Conference Venue

Entrance to Stanley Park

Inukshuk: 2010 Winter Olympics Symbol

Best Finds 2008: Boracay (Vacation Spot)

It wasn't the first time I stepped on the country's most popular beach (Boracay) but it felt like it was, considering that the rest of the peeps I went there with last April were first timers. Besides, it's been so long since I have last seen the white sands and clear waters (I was still in college and I went there to join a quiz bee. Ahhh, what can be more nerdy?)

But this time, I was there to unwind, and what an adventure the trip was! My cousins and friends were funtastic company, the resort was brimming with summer activities (local stars populated the place so we had our paparazzi moments, hehe) and there were a number of firsts to try on: the banana boat ride, snorkeling, etc.

Our Bora trip is simply one of my happiest 2008 moments. =)

Best Finds 2008: Foreword

People Magazine does it. And so does ET (Entertainment Tonight). And so do most of media big thingies: Time Magazine, Forbes, etc.

Why not have my own?

My own LIST. Hmmm, empowering.

And so, while People lists its 50 Most Beautiful People and ET lists almost anything in 2008 (e.g., sexiest men, best/worst hook-ups, etc), I - dojski - will list the best things I've found in 2008: stuff that has entered my life this year and made it so much happier, fun, better.

There will be no strict rules, no defined categories. Anything new that has outstandingly impressed me can be it. [It's great to be making your own rules. =) ]

Best Finds 2008 is a celebration of the people who and things that has made my 2008 a great year.

Anjali Talks Bill

I think I've got it. Yep, I think I kinda finally know why there has been a surge on Anjali Rao googles lately (a question I posed in this post): she got to talk to Bill. Yep, Bill. Clinton. =)

Tonight, I caught only a small part of the interview, and from someone who doesn't really stick to interviews with political figures, I must say I did stay tuned till the interview was over. As usual, Anjali was her smart, charming self and the interview was done really well (smooth, cool, good vibes). I hesitated listening to Bill's answer on what he regret doing or not doing while President (read: Monica) but of course, the unmentionable was not mentioned and he instead replied on the big stuff - not doing enough for health care, etc.

Well, so there. Mystery solved.

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On a sad, sad note, a heroic idea turned into a really painful one today. Having missed serious workout, I thought a dip at the pool will do me good - a few laps, and I can give myself a pat in the back for having done a healthful activity. Unfortunately, a sharp portion of the pool's steel ladder cut through my thumb when I slid to the water. Bloody painful. Literally. I will have to see a doctor tomorrow. Ahhh.

Still a Gossip Girl

The thing about being at the latter decade of your 20's is you tend to think you're through with teenage stuff. Well, since reactivating this blog, I have found out otherwise: your years may pile up but some of your interests remain essentially the same. Twilight is teenage stuff, but I'm crazy about it. Taylor Swift is teenage stuff, but I love every single one of her songs. And the new addition to the bunch? GOSSIP GIRL:

I've heard of the show: it's been a big hit. But it did not interest me at all initially because I did not think I could like it. The title itself strongly hinted malice and backstabbing, and the setting (high school and the elite class at that) was susceptible to all the troubles of youth. I thought I did not have to bother with high school gossip or misdemeanors.

Well, I still don't think I have to bother with the world of gossiping, trouble-making high school kids, but it turns out, I can be very entertained by it.

Gossip Girl elicits just the right ounce of intrigue and suspense to pique your mind about what's going to happen next or what happened in the past. It is populated by actors and actresses who are so convincing in their roles, they all should win an award for best performance by an entire cast. It is led by a relative newbie (Blake Lively) whose acting talent is of the Meryl Streep kind - effective, natural and smart. It is put to life by characters that you either hate (Chuck) or love (Dan), with passion.

Gossip Girl - despite its naughtiness, or maybe partly because of it - is a masterpiece.

The Anjali Buzz

Why is everybody googling Anjali Rao?

I look at my feedjit, and I mostly see people pointed to this blog through a google search on Anjali Rao. I check out my statcounter and I see the same.

When I wrote about her posts ago, I thought she was just another CNN reporter who has impressed me much. I did not expect many others would come 'looking for her', i.e., be interested enough to search google about her, her pics or the 'Anjali Rao pants' (a most interesting query, hehe). The countries span across continents - from the U.S. and Canada to South Africa, Hong Kong, Denmark, India, Austria, Albania, etc.

But why the buzz? I still don't get it.

Twilight Twice

It's a Thursday-workday-night, and the movie is on its 2nd week, so, imagine my surprise at finding out that there were only a few seats left at a 6:30 PM show this evening. And these seats were mostly the first two rows to the screen!

One of the reasons I wanted to watch again was the theory that maybe, I didn't like the film for itself the first time because I sat too close to the screen. Ah, excuses.

Luckily, I was able to get a seat far enough for me not to be exposed too much to the vamps' powdered faces (make-up: thumbs down). Nothing has changed much from my original opinion of the film but there were some parts that I appreciated more. Those were the parts where I almost forgot about the book and simply let myself get carried away by the movie.

Still, I hope for a better New Moon.

(Regardless of my regard for the film, I grabbed this great CD on my way home. I really love the songs:)

Fave tracks:

1. Supermassive Black Hole (Muse)

2. Full Moon (The Black Ghosts)

3. Tremble for my Beloved (Collective Soul)

4. Eyes on Fire (Blue Foundation)

5. Flightless Bird (Iron & Wine)

What do you do?

What do you do when the day ends with you realizing that things haven't changed? What do you do when they have, but only for the parts that you wanted to stay the same? What do you do when you finally see that the things you wanted over, will never be?

What do you do?

When you got painful blisters on your feet and you got to walk the way home, what do you do? When you got a most loved ipod in your bag and your heart feels so heavy, what do you do? When your spirit is so low and Seattle's comes to view, what do you do?

What, indeed?

Me?

I put on my ipod, think things through while my favorite songs serve as the musical score in my head, walk the way to Seattle's like I've got all the time in the world, and order this plate of comfort:

You, what do you do?

Lola

I just learned that my lola (grandma) got sick. I am so worried. I wish I were there to take care of her.

But it's not till the 20th that I can fly home. And it's going to be a couple of hours from there to my lola's place. Oh...I really hope she is feeling all right now.

La, be strong. We're going to have a great Christmas.