Saturday, December 7, 2013

“Some things must be done however much we wish to avoid them.”




The Prophecy of the Sisters is a trilogy done by Michelle Zink who started publishing its first book in 2010. In the first book, the Milthorpe twins are introduced, namely Lia and Alice. Down in history, every female twins are tasked to be the Guardian and the Gate. After their parents` death, strange marks appear on their arms that revealed their roles into the prophecy. One the guardian, one the gate. Lia and Alice, respectively, are forced to go against each other to play out their roles. Lia is to become the guardian who is to keep the gate closed so as not to allow Samael, the greatest evil of all, to enter the world we live in today. The series` setting is in New York State, sometime around the late 1800s.

What I enjoyed most about this book is that it involves other dimensions other than where we are. The story opens at the Milthorpe mansion where the twins grew up. As they both learn about their roles in the prophecy, as for Lia, she flies through portals so as to learn more about her own role. She is helped by other teenage women who have the same mark as hers for they play as the keys to the gate. To be honest, the trilogy has always kept me tied to my seat because of its body-chilling plot. The fact that the author used old-English words, especially with the chants, poems, and letters that were presented in the book, add more depth to it. Personally, though I am easily frightened, I love to read books that have something to do with other dimensions with a romantic twist to it. Throughout Lia`s journey to find out what her role really is, James accompanies her as she understands what she has to face and discovers her power to conquer Samael. The book does not entirely focus on the romantic genre, which makes it stand out from the rest of the books that are in demand today.

To be honest, I am not the type of person who reads books on a regular basis. Every time I enter a bookstore, I automatically proceed to the 'top 10 books' section to actually avoid reading those books. I would rather read books that are hidden in the 'young adult' section rather than those books that people talk and fangirl about. I also avoid books that are 'soon to be a major motion picture' cause I get more excited about the movie rather than to read the actually story. When people ask me what books I read, the most common response would be "what`s that?" or "who wrote that?" and other comments such as those. Not to be particular about authors but I`ve noticed that the books I like to read, since they are not usually on the 'top 10' shelves, are series` that are hard to find. I`ve had a number of incidents where I would walk up to the customer service area and ask which branch of theirs has a copy of the book I`m looking for, get it reserved, then ask my mom to drive me there to purchase the book. I am not a fast reader as well. Sometimes, it takes me 3 days or a week to finish a book, depending on how the plot`s flow goes. I`ve read books that only excite me at the beginning and the end but hey, I still end up loving those books!








Sources:
Zink, M. (2010). Prophecy of the sisters. Guelph, Canada: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
[Book cover] Retrieved on December 3, 2013 from http://letthewordsflow.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/book-
recommendation-prophecy-of-the-sisters/

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Love is more than just a game for two ❤

Christmas is just around the corner! Last time I checked, it`s happening in less than a month. It`s another time for family reunions, road trips and tons of picture-perfect moments! What I love the most about Christmas is actually the weather. Christmas breaks are a time for me to relax at home with my family, have Christmas songs playing around the house and have cups of hot coco!

It`s been a tradition in our house to play Christmas songs but what I love the most are the Michael Bublé ones! I actually have a playlist of his songs that suits any season all-year round. Personally, I think his songs can make you fall in love instantly and can turn you into a hopeless romantic with all those dreamy lyrics! ❤ Let me share to you my 5 favorite Michael Bublé songs!

5. Haven`t Met You Yet

And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet

Given with the title itself, the song is for a future lover. The artist has had his heart broken for how many times but he isn`t giving up on love just yet. He believes that the next woman he will love would be the right one for him. With all the relationships that he has been in, he believes that their relationship won`t be perfect but rather, it would be worth the while! Isn`t that the sweetest?


4. Everything

And you play it coy, But it`s kinda cute
Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do
Baby don`t pretend, that you don`t know it`s true
Cause you can see it when I look at you

In this piece, the artist is falling for the woman already. He sings about what makes him like the woman so much such as her awkwardness whenever he looks at her. As you hear more of the song, the artist unravels more of the reasons why he is falling in love with the woman more and more.

3. Some Kind Of Wonderful

I only know when I`m in your embrace
Then this world seems a better place
And something happens to me
You know it`s some kind of wonderful
The artist sings with an overwhelmed heart. He is in a relationship such that they are in a state where they are very happy and he knows that they are going strong with it. The overflowing feeling of love makes the artist feel that he cannot fathom it any longer to the point where he is left speechless and ends up repeatedly saying "it`s some kind of wonderful". 

2. Save The Last Dance For Me

Oh I know that the music`s fine
Like sparkling wine, go and have your fun
Laugh and sing, but while we're apart
Don`t give your heart to anyone
But don't forget who`s taking you home
And in whose arms you`re gonna be
So darling save the last dance for me
With this song, he is allowing the woman to go have fun with other men in the club or maybe in a bar so long as the woman should remember that at the end of the night, she will be back in his arms once again. What`s romantic is that he wants to end the night by having a dance with the woman so she will not forget their special moments.


1. L-O-V-E

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore
I first heard this song when I was a little girl watching The Parent Trap. This was the opening song wherein the couple was on a ship during their wedding. I find it really romantic until now because it`s such a romantic song with all the love going on in the scene and fireworks were everywhere. The song has little and simple lyrics yet it gives a beautiful message. My favorite version of this would obviously have to be Michael Bublé`s. The artist sings about how much they are in love. He is also knowledgeable that she can just take his heart and break it but begs her not to, and it practically says that the artist wants to be with her for a very long time or even forever. Sweet! ❤



Sunday, December 1, 2013

"You were my new dream." "And you were mine."

Let`s take a stroll down Paris, shall we?



Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris


Of course, most of knows this famous church from ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ movie from Disney. Due to its old structure, the church features medieval art which can be seen inside and out. The west façade of this famous church boasts a beautiful stained glass that lights up beautifully at night!

Musée du Louvre


The Musée du Louvre houses the Mona Lisa painting, the Venus de Milo sculpture and many other pieces of art that dates back to the Medieval Era. Though museums can get us bored, I have a good feeling about this one. Since the pieces come from different eras and centuries, it would be an honor to see these at least once in your life, wouldn`t it? The mix of old and new architectural designs of the place makes it even more interesting to visit!

Disneyland Paris



Who in the wrong mind would want to miss this treat?! Yes you`re a grown up, no you`re not too old for Disney!

The warm welcome of the cast and crew, the cotton candy you eat while strolling around the park, the rides that will make you go crazy… What more can you ask for? It`s like getting a part in your Disney fairytale!

I`ve only gone once to Disneyland (in Hong Kong) and what pissed me off was that I had an asthma attack on the exact same day. I haven`t had the chance to go back but from then on, I always keep my inhaler in my pocket or in my bag. While waiting for the fireworks show, I went to the nearest souvenir shops to get myself a jacket and some character pins. I remember getting a lot of Mickey-shaped pens and candies that my mom kept putting back because I was so in love with everything in the shop! HAHAHA!

Wouldn`t Disneyland be a perfect venue for a date? You get to share you childhood craziness with the love of your life and you get to see their childhood craziness too! Who knows, you might even have the same favorite movie or habit when watching one! :”>
(I am blushing at the moment while doing this blog hihi)

Avenue de Champs-Élysées


Here`s the start of my Audrey Hepburn-like trip around Paris: The Avenue de Champs-Élysées houses shops such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Elie Saab, Tiffany & Co. and the like. Diamonds are a girl`s best friend, isn`t it? ;)

Ladurée


Since the start of the macarons` fame, I have been on the lookout for the perfect ones! So far, I haven`t been disappointed with the brands that have it here in the country but they say that Ladurée has the best ones since they paved the way for the birth of these delicious treats! I bet a few of those, together with some tea or French-pressed coffee, and a long day around Avenue de Champs-Élysées will surely give me the perfect Audrey Hepburn experience!

La Tour Eiffel


Paris is known to be the ‘city of love’ for they say that French is the language of love. Many couples dream to have a kiss on top of the Eiffel Tower or for the bachelors or bachelorettes, they dream to stroll around the park and find ‘the one’ that will sweep them off of their feet.

As for my case, I have NO idea as to whom I`ll be sharing that magical kiss with on that tower but I`ve had my prospects. ;) Close your eyes and think of Tinkerbell flying around with pixie dust then a curtain of flowers open and behold, the Eiffel Tower. You`re walking hand in hand with the man of your dreams just like in the movies where the wind perfectly plays with your hair and you don’t trip while wearing your heels. You walk further into the park but he stops and pulls your hand, making you stop as well then pulls you into his arms and holds your face with warmth. He looks around your face and you know that he looks at you with perfection. You start to blush as he slowly kisses your forehead, the tip of your nose and before you know it, the magical kiss has begun and ‘forever’ has unfolded before you.




So much for all that daydreaming. See you guys soon!
Bonsoir! 



Sources:

[Vintage map of Paris] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://www.art.com/products/p11899717207-sa-i6201323/ladyleia-vintage-map-of-paris.htm

[Notre Dame de Paris] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://heurchon.deviantart.com/art/Notre-Dame-de-Paris-by-night-2-369616631

[The Louvre Museum] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://impressivemagazine.com/2013/06/20/interesting-facts-about-the-louvre-museum/

[Disneyland Paris castle] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://citymocha.com/2012/12/disneyland-paris-at-night/

[Woman in Disneyland] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2285781/Murad-Osmann-Photographers-amazing-pictures-girlfriend-leading-hand-globe.html

[Avenue de Champs-Élysées] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://thebestparis.info/tag/champs-elysees/

[Ladurée shop] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2011/08/laudree-upper-east-side-nyc-macaron-shop-opening.html

[Eiffel Tower in spring time] Retrieved on November 30, 2013 from http://alohabonjourgirl.tumblr.com/post/31831290839/springtime-in-paris-jaime