One Day I will write a book

I can still remember the first time I discovered chick literature. I was inside my favorite hangout in Glorietta, the old National Bookstore facing Park Square, when I discovered a quite intriguing book by Jane Green. It was on sale so I bought it. 

I could not put it down! That's the time I discovered Jane Green and years later I spent years trying to complete all her books. Like me, her writing and topics differ and she wrote according to her phase in life. Her topics have changed from being the ultimate single gal to settling down. Now I've moved on from the UK chick lit author to Irish Author, Marian Keyes.

One Summer, I was happily browsing my newly purchased Cosmo magazine and it came with a mini pocket book:

I love this! Too bad, it wasn't for sale. It's no longer available for years now and I wish this would be re-launched, because I lost mine.

I love this book by Tara FT Sering. I don't mean to put Pinays down, but I really did not think that Pinays can pull off a Chick Literature book, but Tara FT Sering sure did, and she did well (and along came the others and I got to know more of them like Maya Calica).  I think I was 21 when I read this. It dawned on me and realized that I wanted to be a chick literature author. I want to write about feisty,  funny, fabulous and smart women. Just few weeks ago, my best friend and I had a book sale haul and her mom went through my selection of books. She said I am fond of witty female authors. That's because I am surrounded by witty female friends!

When I had my heart severely broken, the old me would have blogged about it. But the, "new, in-quarter-life-crisis-me" wrote a make-shift e-book instead. I wrote a mini-novel in February 16, 2011 and saved in a pdf file. It has 31 mini chapters in 65 pages. I let a friend who I don't really see often read it and she said I'm really heart broken.But I don't want to write about broken hearts and bad recovery.

Now years later and a lot wiser (I believe) I was reacquainted with my desire to write a chick literature book. Now I am declaring to the Universe,that someday I will write a book! I will write a chick lit book and I already have an illustrator to work on the art of my book, none other than my friend/colleague EISEN!

Someday, I will write the book and fearlessly offer to publishers and prepare myself for rejection. Actually I did write already to some publishers for a pitch but haven't got a reply, but that's okay. I believe, one day I will release a chick lit book that I have written on my own. My desire to be a chick literature author is far stronger than my dream to be a make up artist.

But I think, it will be necessary to use a pen name for the topics that I have in mind. #DefinitelyNotThe50ShadesofGraykind

Essential Tools hi-def Make up brushes

I have a strange love affair with make up brushes. Apy's friend helped us/me get this from US last summer. I fell in love with it especially the eye shadow brush kit, which you don't normally see  in the Philippines.

Another WTH Book found in Book Sale

Remember my post about What the Heck Books you find in Book Sales? I think I better start collecting photos of funny and interesting books that I usually find.

Like last weekend, my friends and I were at a SM Mall of Asia's book sale when I saw this:

The book actually got 3.37 rating from the good reads site. And a few weeks ago, I found this on another booksale:

I like taking photos of these kind of book sale finds because, obviously, no matter how cheap, I do not have any intention of buying it.

[Project FeeTrail July 2013]: Befriend the Unknown

This month, I met my spiritual adviser for the very first time. I never really thought I would be the "holy" type, or someone wanting a spiritual adviser. I've always wanted to talk to a shrink, but then I think I need to talk someone on another level. I decided I want a spiritual adviser whom I can really be honest with. 

I needed someone to tell me where I messed up, help me understand on a whole new level. I know I wanted to get a shrink before, but it's expensive and because, hello...this is the Philippines. But other personalities I know that do have these kind of advisers, like Kris Aquino and one of my favorite bloggers, Cecile Van Straten. I did not get one to join a bandwagon, I got one because I needed it. And you just don't get someone for the sake of having one, you have to pray for it. And I did, sincerely.

She said she wasn't supposed to take any counseling sessions but something about me told her that matches the current project she's working with. And that meeting me was meant to be. I remember the first time I texted her, she was on vacation. I just told her to let me know when she is available and then few weeks later, while I was at the mall, I got a text from her that she is back from her vacation. After a month of trying to match our schedule, we finally made our first appointment. I got a spiritual adviser.  

So this photo captures the first time I traveled alone to meet a stranger. Although it is not too far, but the driving force that I have to go there is not based on meeting a beau or an out-of-town trip to meet with friends. I went there for myself.

I know some might want to do the same, but to truly experience it to the fullest is to start acknowledging that you need help, you are doing something about it and that you will have to have an open mind and  take action steps. Most important of all, you  will really have to strip down your walls and be totally honest about it. I, the queen of walls and trust issues, stripped down my walls and spoke in all honesty, because I did not travel alone this far just to fool myself and expect to hear some kind of validation.

Happy Birthday Wilhelmina Giovanna Samantha Jones

I am incredibly lucky to have a bff like Samantha Jones. Nobody can really take that title away from her. You think she's fiction, but I have her in 4D. She's in my speed dial and a short bus ride away.

I was actually browsing Pinterest for Samantha Jones photos and I ended up laughing because most of her lines were said to me in real-life at least one point in time! I will not get into details but these brought back a lot of my favorite memories.

Next:

Why Parental Guidance is still needed when with a minor in Book Sales

I have a favorite Mother and Daughter tandem who I love rummaging book sales with. The nearest and one of  our favorite book sale store in elbi closes this July 31, 2013 for good. Probably the cheapest and most practical book that I got was from this Book Sale branch. I got a female-friendly financial book for only Php 5.00!

Anyway, there's still SM Calamba and SM San Pablo Book Sale branches that I go to, but I hate having  to drive/commute at least 30 minutes to get to the mall. I'm also not a fan when these two malls hold weekend, payday sales like last weekend at SM San Pablo:

My sister had to get something from the department store, so I figured out to drop by the Book Sale. I've talking alot about my favorite author, Jane Green, in this blog, I was very happy to find 3 books of Jane Green priced at Php50.00 each. Bad  news is, I already have them.

I remember my friend Faye's sentiments about the about-to-close Book Sale, where will we get our quick Book Sale fix? She, her now 10yrd old daughter Cheska and I frequent Book Sales, whether we are in SM Calamba, Alabang, and even in SM Naga back in summer of 2011.

Faye would give Cheska a book budget and this little lady knows how to haggle. Before we leave the book sale, she'd be carrying at least 3 books all within Faye's assigned budget. She likes to show Tita Kea her new books about animals and she'd be checking out what's on my hand.

This weekend, I saw something at SM San Pablo's Book Sale that, looks attractive to kids, packaging wise,  but Que Horror to mommies like Faye:

Another What the heck book 

I already got into trouble with new terms/idea that Cheska learned from me besides putting on make up, pool jump ala Free Willy and Tyra Banks high fashion Fierce pose and other stuff (like: Naku Cheka, if you turn into rebellious highschooler, please don't go emo or get into goth fashion ha?!) and Faye had to pay the price and agony of having to explain to her what it is when they get home.

Good thing, little lady is not with me when I saw this, or else, I am not prepared to talk impromptu about the birds and bees and all other things to her.

Maybe when she's 18?   I bet Mama Faye would join the convo with Tequila. :)

I will never complain about my job ever again

Back in 2010, I  know exactly what it felt like to drag your ass to work and look forward to nothing but payday. Then when I pursued graduate school full time for the first three semesters, I experienced what it was like not having my own money. So on my next job, I made sure that I actually like and love what I do because I am exchanging at least 8 hours of my life for it.

Today I found this on pinterest, and it made me feel good. This is a good reminder for me when I'm having those "I-just-want-to-take-a-personal-day-off-and-just-watch-Modern-Family-at-home".

Now, if you feel the same, repeat after me:

Pray, Love, Eat

I read from somewhere that if you tell everyone (maybe not literally everyone) what you want to do and you will across someone who will help you get it/achieve it. This year, as part of my 2013 checklist, I want to have a Spiritual Adviser and a Financial Adviser. I was able to have both those two in less than three months.

PRAY

Late last May, I decided, proactively, that I needed a spiritual adviser. I approached the catholic church (literally I went to the church) and got dismayed. In respect for my religion, I will not write about it in detail.

Then a friend invited me to a Christian community gathering. When I asked what it is, he said " Sort of Alive-alive..."(referring to those church groups singing gospel songs singing Jesus is Alive forevermore). I attended just to see what it is like out other, other than the Catholicism that I grew up with. Then one day, I found myself agreeing to a bible study, and reserving a day in my week for this. I did not convert (knowing Filipinos have this need to be associated to a certain religion or church group), I know my self as spiritual and not religious. Somehow along the way, it provided me a sense of calmness, peace and balance.