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Archives for October 2012

The Casual Vacancy

October 21, 2012

If there’s one thing you’ll hear people say about this book, it’s that it’s far from what they expected. It’s written by J.K. Rowling, the author of the beloved Harry Potter series, and to think that it will have a touch of magic in it is normal. But to approach this book as a Harry Potter fan is probably a wrong idea.

In fact, to read this book, there’s a few things that you need to tell yourself. First, it’s an adult book, meaning, there really are some things that aren’t suitable for children. Second, it’s pointless to compare it to Harry Potter since it falls in a completely different genre and deals with completely different things. And third, if you’re expecting for any kind of fantastical element, then you’ll surely be disappointed.

Now, why am I talking about all this instead of merely talking about the book? Because I’ve read reviews and most of them are bad. And I perfectly understand why. You have to be in the mood to start reading, and to read it completely aware that you’re reading Casual Vacancy and not Harry Potter. In this aspect, Rowling tries hard to show early on that it’s an adult novel and you should expect nothing more. And when I’ve accepted that, I enjoyed the book more.

I won’t even lie. It was extremely difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. I found myself falling asleep after every two pages. I’m not proud of it, but I tried okay. 50 pages in and I was starting to find it difficult to continue. But I’m glad I did. I’m glad I wasn’t fooled by the first 100 pages, or I would have missed out on a lot.

The Casual Vacancy starts with the death of Barry Fairbrother. And with his death, his position at the Parish Council becomes vacant. And with this death, the story explores the lives of individuals and how their lives are affected by Barry’s death. From close friends, to family, to political rivals and even to random citizens of the little town called Pagford. [Read more…]

Leave a Comment · Books

Never-Too-Early Christmas Wishlist

October 16, 2012

It’s already October so it’s acceptable to create a Christmas wishlist this early. Lately, I’ve been wanting so many things but my stingy self is too stingy to spend money. I have tons of things to save for and I ended up spending way too much last September. So this October and November, I’ll make sure to save enough to at least fulfill one of my material wishes. Heh.

I don’t want much. Really.

1. Canon EOS 600D

Because my old dSLR needs to retire. (/insert crying face here huhu) I’ve been using it for four years, and since April, it kept dying on me. First, in Korea. Then when I was in Hong Kong, it refused to function altogether. I almost cried. Buying a new one seems a bit impractical since I’m no professional photographer, can’t even call myself an amateur because saying I’m an amateur photographer means I still take it seriously. But I’m a hobbyist, and my impractical self tells me that I need to have one. Maybe then I’ll start taking it more seriously. I don’t know. But of all the models out in the market, I want this model the most. I’m a Canon girl, so you won’t see me switching to Nikon. Hehe.

2. 1TB External HD

A little fangirl voice keeps telling me that of all the things on this list, I should prioritize this first. I really, really want to listen to that voice. I really do. I cannot believe that I have officially used up the 1TB memory of my current external HD. What the heck have I been downloading?! Anyway, I seriously need a new one and I’m waiting for a KPOP fairy godmother to appear and grant me this wish.

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or iPhone 4S

I’m not a very techie person and I don’t care much if I have the latest gadget or not. But having a smartphone is something that I’ve been wanting for a long time. I seriously want to have internet wherever I go! I’m just not sure what to get, a Galaxy Note or an iPhone 4S? I tried using a Galaxy Note and I love how it’s so big! But I think iPhone has a better camera? I don’t know. I think the Galaxy Note has better resolution. I still have months to think about this so no worries!

4. KPOP stuff

Ever since Ate Karen and Ate Ninay brought me some TVXQ DVDs from Korea, I’ve been wanting to buy more. I know that I complained A LOT about how much the DVDs cost but after going through the 3 DVD concerts in a week, my fangirl heart screams fore more. If I’d ever win in jueteng, I’ll immediately buy:

  • The Secret Code Album
  • The Best of TVXQ (CD + DVD) (Available at the any Astrovision near you! Thanks!)
  • Tone Album
  • Tone Tour DVD

5. TVXQ’s Catch Me World Tour

(Not pictured since there’s no official promotional materials yet!)

Please help Cassies trend #BringTVXQinManila on Twitter. PLEASE! I sincerely wish that South Korea would realize that there are thousands of KPOP fans in the Philippines and thousands of Cassies (currently 13K on Facebook!), too. I already have a plan B in case Philippines won’t be included in their World Tour itinerary but I just really want to hear them say, “Hello, Philippines!” and “Mahal ko kayo!” because I’m shallow like that. [Read more…]

5 Comments · List

Hello, Strangers

October 7, 2012

We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken.

– Fyodor Dostoevsky

[Read more…]

3 Comments · Photography, Travel


Hello, I'm Janey. I'm a fangirl, a bookworm, a dreamer and a wannabe writer. I'm a couch potato and a traveler rolled into one.
This is my lame attempt to be a travel blogger, but honestly, this is just an archive of my daily reality.


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