Lavender & Coffee Stains

Dear Me,

Suspense and thriller type of books are one of my top favorites when it comes to reading. When I go inside a bookstore, I always leave with a heart-stopping, action-filled book in hand. Truth to be told, I have a lot of these kinds of books in my shelves.

With that, I would like to carry out my intention of reducing my TBR pile. To realize this, I am participating in another book reading challenge.

Hosted by J.Kaye over at her book blog, the 2009 Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge is adopting various sub-genres.

Check here for the list of suspense & thriller sub-genres.

The Rules:

• Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.
  
  
• You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go.
  
  
• Your books can cross-over into other challenges.
  
  
• You don't need a blog to join in this challenge. For those who do, this is important. When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your S/T books will be listed. If you list just your blog's URL, it will be removed.

Like the YA Reading Challenge which I'm also participating into, I opted to jot down my list beforehand as guide.

Out of the 37 sub-genres listed, my chosen 12 books according to sub-genres are the following:

1. Crime Thriller - Dexter In The Dark by Jeff Lindsay
   
   
2. Forensic Mystery - Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs [READ - FEB 09]
   
   
3. Hard-Boiled Mystery - Guardian Angel by Sara Paretsky
   
   
4. Hitman Thriller - The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
   
   
5. Legal Thriller - The Chamber by John Grisham [READ - APR 09]
   
   
6. Medical Thriller - Seizure by Robin Cook
   
   
7. Murder Mystery - First Kill by Michael Kronenwetter
   
   
8. Psychological Thriller - To Die In Provence by Norman Bogner
   
   
9. Religious Thriller - Michael Angelo's Notebook by Paul Christopher [READ - JUL 09]
   
   
10. Spy Thriller - The Eiger Sanction by Trevanian [READ - MAY 09]
    
    
11. Supernatural Thriller - Firestorm by Iris Johansen [READ - OCT 09]
    
    
12. True-Crime Thriller - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

I'm already flipping pages of my selected legal thriller book. :)

Dear Me,

I read this book early this year because I was looking for some thrill and action and this book was just there standing in one of the shelves. My hubby bought this book for me during his book-hunting spree last year. He thought that since I'm into crime suspense/thriller genres, I would appreciate the works of Edna Buchanan.

Nobody Lives Forever was the first book I read by this author.



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Title: Nobody Lives Forever, mass market paperback
Author: Edna Buchanan
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Pub. Date: April 1992
ISBN-13: 9780821737125
Pages: 399
Genre: crime thriller, fiction

First Line: "Stepping into the night left him breathless, as if slipping into a black well."

Synopsis: With a brutal serial killer on the loose in Miami, homicide detective Rick Barrish and his partners, Mary Ellen "Dusty" Dustin and Jim Ransom, watch the corpses mount and discover startling truths about themselves.



My Thoughts: Reading the first few pages kinda already gave me a rough assumption of the turn of events in the plot. Author Buchanan should not have made it so obvious so early in the story about Laurel's mental health problems. Revealing it had provided me the notion of existing connections of the other subplots in the story linking entirely to Laurel.

I was expecting the average crime thriller type of book but what always popped to mind was the explicit declaration of relationship between Barrish and Laurel. I had nothing against those type of books but I just expected more basing on the plot.

Although not expecting a happy ending, I was a little turned-off when some of the main characters were terminated leaving Barrish alive and alone after all the ill events that came to pass.

Rating: 2/5 stars


Link: Official Website of Edna Buchanan

Dear Me,

It was early October that my hubby booked plane tickets to Cebu online. The chosen airline was Cebu Pacific for we grabbed its timely promo offering.


our flight sked to Cebu

our roundtrip fare for 2 pax

The reason the family flew there was because we would be visiting my in-laws there. My hubby is a true-blue Cebuano and it had been quite a while since he set foot in his beloved hometown.

I was also excited in this trip because I missed Cebu. I haven't visited this wonderful place ever since I got pregnant with Miguel. Honestly, I terribly miss the languid pace of life in the historic Mactan.

My father-in-law and my hubby's sisters were also longing to see Miguel for they had only laid eyes on him while he was still a few months old. Miguel's more than a year old now.

Toting six luggage and hand-carry bags, we bid goodbyes to my parents and sister and off we went, taxied to the new airport terminal: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 or getting popularly known as T3.



Although Miguel had his very few firsts when it comes to traveling (he had been to Quezon and Pampanga), this trip to the Queen City of the South allowed him to experience his very first plane ride.





Months ago before the trip (upon learning that the new terminal had opened and was now catering to passengers), I sort of Googled this and found a number of not-so-very-pleasant and frustrating tales of encounters and experiences. So upon our arrival there, I had already set my heart for long queues and even intermittent flight delays.

Well, we didn't experience any irritation over queues for there had no long lines and no flight delays.

T3 was vast, bright, clear and clean. Apt signs were posted to direct and guide any lone passenger feeling lost in such a colossal setting. Flight information terminals abound and display monitors were big enough for the eyes to see. Security check was stricter and yet comfortable. A specific area of the terminal building was also designated for those welcoming and sending-off parties where they had accessed to the lobby, coffee shops, stores and restaurants.

Truth to be told, I could say that the new T3 could be now considered to be at par with other international airports in the world.

Dear Me,

Wow! This is my 4th entry for the day and I would like to continue the momentum. Ahahaha!

To re-introduce this mind exercise:

Unconscious Mutterings.

Free association is described as a "psychonanalytic procedure in which a person is encouraged to give free rein to his or her thoughts and feelings, verbalizing whatever comes into the mind without monitoring its content." Over time, this technique is supposed to help bring forth repressed thoughts and feelings that the person can then work through to gain a better sense of self.

That's an admirable goal, but for the purposes of this exercise, we're just hoping to have a little fun with the technique. Each week I'll post ten words to which you can respond to with the first thing that comes to mind.

"Rules are, there are no rules." There are no right or wrong answers. Don't limit yourself to one word responses; just say everything that pops into your head. AND you don't have to have your words up on Sunday. Take all week if you want! Read the FAQ for more information.

1. Unwanted :: child?


2. You'd better :: do it or else...


3. Woman :: strong


4. Weighed :: down or measured


5. Upright :: morals


6. I feel :: giddy!


7. Ill :: not myself


8. It's like :: this...


9. Poor man :: pitiful


10. Great :: minds

Have time? Participate and let your mind do the muttering. :)

Dear Me,

Woohoooohooo! I was browsing the upcoming local AXN Big Challenge 2009 and commented to hubby about it. He just told me that his officemates and him are joining the sports challenge. I thought he was just goofing me because he knew that he hadn't done anything to stay fit. But he just said that it was just for fun and that it was his workmates who enticed him to join them.



Well, I kinda envy him. Hahaha. I would like to join, too but I couldn't and wouldn't. Maybe next time.

Anyway, I'm happy for him and for the first step, I wish that they qualify.

This is for the sports-challenged and fun-looking people out there. Send in your registration NOW for this day, January 25, is the last day to sign up.

What: AXN Big Challenge 2009
When: February 7, 2009 - Saturday
Where: Mall of Asia (MOA)
Requirements:

1. Form 3 members per team
   
2. Submit a team photo
   
3. Tell AXN why you deserve to be in the challenge

Prizes:

Cash and other prizes worth US$1000.


Rules and Regulations:

The AXN B!G Challenge 2009 will cover the areas within the Mall of Asia compound. Your teams will be tested on your physical endurance, planning and strategies, problem solving, and teamwork in a series of challenges along the race against 24 other teams.

RACE FORMAT AND INFORMATION

The AXN B!G CHALLENGE 2009 will have a race duration of 5 hours as its cut-off time.

Every team will be provided with a race kit, comprised of the race event T-Shirt, passport, race map, and instruction booklet upon registration on the race date itself.

The instruction booklet will contain the necessary information of each of all the challenges in this race. It will detail the location, time limit, mechanics, bonuses and/or penalties of each of the challenges. Said instruction booklet will be provided in full to allow the qualified teams to plan in advance.

Moving from one challenge to another will be on random basis, hence, teams will be given freehand in planning and deciding as to which challenge to take and in what order.

The main objective of each team is to complete all the given tasks and/or challenges in this race, the most efficient and fastest possible way.


How To Win

The AXN B!G CHALLENGE 2009 will mainly be based on the total points garnered of each team and not just on speed in finishing.

At the end of the race, the cut-off time will be converted into points - wherein - one minute is equivalent to 1 point. Each of the team's finishing time will be deducted from the cut-off time. The sum of which will be converted to points then added on to the team's actual points garnered from each of the challenges.

In this case, the first team to finish does not mean that they are automatically the winner unless they are the ones to get the highest number of points.


RACE RULES AND CONDITIONS

All participants must wear the Race T-shirt and bring along the team passport during the race. Losing these items will lead to race disqualification.

Use of all electronic devices during the race other than wristwatches is prohibited (e.g. personal mobile phone, pager, radio, etc, unless otherwise advised by the Organizer). Teams are also not allowed to carry cash with them during the race. All mobile devices MUST be surrendered to the registration marshal upon registration to be sealed. Teams are only allowed to break the seal to use their mobile devices during an emergency, or after the team races.

The teams will have to complete the challenge in all checkpoints (CP).

A CP/Station Marshal can be found in each of the challenge location. Their main responsibility is to remind the teams of any safety concern, ensure that team implementation is in accordance to the challenge instructions; recording of the team points; and, stamp the AXN Logo in the team passport upon completion of the challenge. It is the team's sole responsibility to have their passport stamped by the CP Marshal.

Race Disqualification: If team does not adhere to the race rules and conditions specified herein, the team will be disqualified immediately. The team MUST hand in their race passport to the race marshal immediately.

PUSHING AND SHOUTING at each other or any individual in this establishment is NOT allowed during the race, any breach of this rule will lead to immediate team disqualification.

Organizers reserve the right to change the race rules and conditions at any time. No further correspondence will be entertained.

Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Sponsors and Organizers will not be held liable for injury, loss or damage incurred.

Sponsors and Organizers will not be held liable for any inconvenience caused for prize takings.

Sponsors and Organizers reserve the right to substitute designated prizes with other prizes with similar or equal value in case it is necessary.


TEAM WITHDRAWAL and DISQUALIFICATION

A team will be automatically disqualified should one member drop out of the race.

Any voluntary withdrawal of a team or team member must be made at the nearest Checkpoint, except in medical emergency cases where the team MUST then contact the nearest designated Race Official to inform them of their decision at their earliest convenience.

The Race Organizer reserves the right to decide if the team or person may continue for health safety or other reasons.

The Race Organizer reserves the right to disqualify a team or person for not following the instructions of the Race Organizer and/or any race official/marshal. The Race Organizer's decision is always final.

Failure to abide by the race rules and conditions including but not limited to those specified in this race entry form will result in immediate disqualification.

Any discrepancies during the race must be reported to the nearest Marshal. Organizer's decision will be final and no further correspondence will be entertained after that.

Rude behavior or arguing with Race Officials, Marshals, other teams or the public will result in automatic disqualification.


RACE SAFETY: Participant's Responsibility

Every competitor is responsible for his/her involvement in the race and is the sole judge of whether he/she should begin or continue competing in the race. However, the Race Organizer reserves the absolute right and discretion to stop a competitor from starting or continuing the race, if in the Race Organizer's opinion the competitor is likely to cause himself/herself injury either by starting or continuing the race and/or compromise the safety of the competitors, team mates and/or the safety of the other competitors and/or safety of the Public during the race. The Race Organizer's decision will be final.

Participants who are not certain of their physical and/or mental capacities to participate in this race are advised to consult a registered and practicing doctor prior to participation.

If participants feel unwell during the race, they must stop and ask for medical attention from the support crew/marshal along the race route.

Last call, do register here if you and your friends are interested to join!

Dear Me,

Wonder what are the wonderful places to visit this year? As New York Times put it, these places are "compelling" enough for you to pack your bags and fly transatlantic miles away.


#1 BEIRUT - is the capital and largest city of Lebanon. A destination for those looking to delight their unsatiable palate.


#2 WASHINGTON, DC - formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. Must see is the newly-opened 580,000 square foot Capitol Visitors Center.


#3 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - an archipelago of volcanic islands and a province in Ecuador. The islands are all part of Ecuador's national park system and became famous for its natural species. Year 2009 marks the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Darwin and 150th anniversary of the book, "The Origin of Species."


#4 BERLIN - is the capital city of Germany and also the largest city. Exhibitions, art showcases and a number of festivals will mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall thus bonding the East and West Germany.


#5 LAS VEGAS - internationally popular for its number of casino resorts. It's The Entertainment Capital of the World as it provides venues for gambling, shopping, and entertainment. If you're up to some budget travel, then Las Vegas it is. It's been voted as the Frugal Destination of the Year! Ironic, isn't it? As far as I know, it's more spending when in your Las Vegas but due to the economic crisis, things have toned down a bit.


#6 FJALLNAS, SWEDEN - This travel destination is not for the small and shallow-pocketed travelers. With a lot of cash to burn, one can experience the majestic beauty of the mountains.


#7 HAWAII - Who doesn't know what this enchanting US state has to offer? Being the 50th state to be admitted to statehood, Hawaii is also celebrating its 50th anniversary of statehood on August 21, 1959. (Does my statement seem redundant to you? :))


#8 VIENNA - is the capital of Austria. This fabulous European city is world-renown for its opera houses and classical music.


#9 DOHA, QATAR - Aside from being its capital city, Doha is also the largest city in Qatar. It was also the venue of the first ministerial-level meeting of the Doha Development Round of World Trade Organization negotiations and the 2006 Asian Games, which was the world's largest Asian Games. What makes this city a destination is that it is gaining ranks as a cultural capital in the region thus being the Cultural Destination of the Year.


#10 DAKAR, SENEGAL - Located in Western Africa, this city is making waves in the music scene with their original acts.


#11 MAREMMA, ITALY - Located in a secluded region of Tuscany, this place still sports quaint towns, sprawling fields of green and vineyards. Untouched by modern society, visitors will surely enjoy la dolce vita.


#12 PHUKET - Thailand’s largest island and a top-lister in the list of the world's finest beach and hotel selections.


#13 MARRAKESH - a city in Morocco and when you say Morocco, its authentic and exotic cuisine comes to mind.


#14 CHICAGO - A must-see is the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago that will soon house the finest and greatest artworks of the 20th century.


#15 AEGEAN SEA - lies between Greece on the west and the north and Turkey on the east. In the south, where Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes, and other Greek islands lie, the Aegean merges with the Mediterranean. Hopping in these islands and islets within the sea via cruise would be a sure fun to explore these places.


#16 MONTERREY, MEXICO - is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. Despite being a modern industrial and business center, it is also fast-becoming an arts destination.


#17 DALLAS - The Dallas Center for Performing Arts and the Winspear Opera House will be a looking-forward-to experience
for the cultural arts fanatic.


There's still 20+ places to visit. I still have to read them before I post them here. It's taking time because I also google them to know better.

PS. The Philippines is included in the list. :)

Dear Me,

I'm not really a shoe nor a sandal nor a slipper person.

Naturally, I won't be found in a shoe store or anyplace else that concerns such fetish.

But recently, I found myself wandering in a Havaianas store in a mall. A fabulous slip-on caught my fancy.


Yes! It sported my favorite beloved color. Whenever this color and any of its shades catches my peripheral vision, I will absolutely take a second, third glance, even step back, turn around and see the beauty itself.

And so I did. I entered the store and unfortunately, this very pleasing footwear wasn't the one for me. The design and the size was for kids only. Bummer.

A certain pensiveness came over me. It's just that sometimes you really don't want things and yet they come and make you feel the need to want them. When you find the desire to want them, upon closer inspection, they aren't meant for you at all.

Life is beginning to be like that lately... *sigh*

Dear Me,

It was one of those rare weekends that my sister and I got to spend the littlest time available together. Usually, we ask each other weeks before if one would be free to 'undergo' a minor beauty 'chaka' such as hot oil, hair spa, trim, manicure/pedicure.

Well, she had herself a hot oil and I just decided to accompany her this time. I've been meaning to have myself a rebond [I want a straight hair...can somebody give me a wig? ;)] but with the hair quality that I have, five hours wouldn't be enough. Free time for myself is a luxury these days.

Anyway, I found myself observing (more like staring and gawking and eavesdropping to boot) the place and the people around me.

I deduced the following facts:

• Women (including me) request that their hair stylists give them a certain celebrity's cut because it will make them (assume that) beautiful. Truth is, hair stylists' aren't magicians. There are hair cuts that can be becoming and unbecoming and that lie in the faces of the owners of that hair.
  
  
  
• Kids' haircuts do really cost much. Why? Because they're restless and will never sit still. For hair cutters, it will always be a very challenging and frustrating experience.
  
  
  
• Don't be too stingy with your tips, either to the shampoo person or your hair stylist. Making waves about your hair requires their knowledge, skills and expertise.
  
  
  
• I think hair stylists also get anxious about what other people may say about your hair. It's like you're representing them so I assume that they do wanna make you look good instead of making a crappy job out of your hair.
  
  
  
• Lastly, don't come in a salon/parlor saying you're in a rush and please, if your hair stylist can hurry and do magic on you. Go back to #1. Further, do you really want haste overtaking a supposed beautiful craft to be done in your crowning glory? Make time.

There goes my deduction - a number of teeny-weeny bits of realization as my eyes wander around and ears strain over other people's conversation! Hehehe.

Dear Me,

Fulfilling #5 in my list of this year's goals and aspirations, I am participating in a number of book reading challenges.

The first one would be the 2009 Young Adult (YA) Book Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye over her book blog.

The Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
   
   
2. Read 12 Young Adult novels. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
   
   
3. Challenge begins January through December 2009.
   
   
4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.
   
   
5. Sign up under Mr. Linky over J. Kaye's blog by putting the direct link of your post where your Young Adult novels are/will be listed.

I've scoured my shelves and found the following books I'm putting up in this reading challenge.

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
   
   
2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
   
   
3. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
   
   
4. Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
   
   
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
   
   
6. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
   
   
7. Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
   
   
8. Two Suns in the Sky by Miriam Bat-Ami
   
   
9. The Likes of Me by Randall Platt
   
   
10. Canyons by Gary Paulsen
    
    
11. Caught by the Sea: My Life on Boats by Gary Paulsen
    
    
12. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

There you go! I'm off to searching more books for the other reading challenge I'm jumping in to. :)

Dear Me,

I decided to rise from the grave.

It's been over a month and I really wanna have a fresh start since it's another new year to live. I kinda promised myself from the old year that I wanna do things differently and manage my life livelier yet with great content.

Seemingly, I think everyone believes and promises the same thing every year. Yes, every new year. Countless resolutions to better one's life and perspective...Yet, how many of these marked resolutions ever reached its point of attainment?

Years ago, I stopped drafting ones for myself. Then, I made some just for the sheer fun of it. I was able to achieve some of them while others popped in to oblivion.

The point is, creating resolutions for one's self every new year is sort of a way to welcome the new year with a fresh, new outlook in life. It's HOPING for better times and looking forward that in that part of your universe, something is bound to happen as you try to re-mold your life into it.

Banal as it may seem, I made ones for myself, too! :)


Happy New Year, everyone!

Cheers to us this 2009!