My First Lang Leav

I finally got to finish my first Lang Leav novel, Sad Girls. I had no idea about Lang Leav’s type of a writer, nor have I read her other works. My discovery of Lang Leav  just came about when I decided to scout  for new writer to read, saw her book in a bestseller list and I thought of trying her out.

So I finished the “Sad Girls”.

I would have to be honest, I am not impressed with how she has written this book. I felt like there were too many squandered characters and twists in the story. Side characters’ roles were not esthetically built up. I also feel that the plot was unsuitable for highschool-er characters. (Disclaimer: these are just my opinion, you go read the book and tell me if you feel otherwise).

So much of my mini- book review!

I didn’t give up on Lang Leav.  After reading and not being satisfied with Sad Girls, I looked up for her other works.

Why? I just want to see where she was coming from. And I got the answer: She transitioned from poetry to novels, I cannot say this is a better move, but , I found out that she has written several poems. And boi, she was sooo good.

Some of her poems from Love & Misadventure:

Just Friends

I know that I don’t own you,

and perhaps I never will,

so my anger when you’re with her,

I have no right to feel.

I know that you don’t owe me,

and I shouldn’t ask for more;

I shouldn’t feel so let down,

all the times when you don’t call.

 

 

Xs and Os

Love is a game

of tic-tac-toe,

constantly waiting,

for the next x or o.

My first Leav experience didn’t satisfy but I don’t always believe in first impression that lasts. I may not be a fan of her first novel venture but I will keep reading her poetry, that’s for sure.

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Getting Around Kuala Lumpur

I have been getting a lot of messages lately about my Malaysian Trip specifically KL. That was almost a year ago already, but since I realized I haven’t really posted anything about it aside from the TripHobo Itinerary  I made,   I will share some of my favorite pics. I’m not good in taking pics, hope you bear with me.

Arenaa Star Hotel – Our Home for 5 nights at the heart of KL

KL Tower ( Menara) -Towering the Petronas Twin Tower – view from the Hotel rooftop

Museum Tekstil – Beautiful Architecture right across Ocean Park and the I Love KL sign

Pampas Restaurant and KL tower at 5am  ( we love taking a walk at dawn)

Artist at the Central Market – Ive seen him paint some Philippine Celebrities too. I have my neice’s photo charcoaled for souvenir

Need I say more?!

When the tower changes color!

Shi Narayanan temple – Beautiful and Holy

A sight to behold! Peacock at the Batu Cave.. There a lot of them!

Abdul Samaad Building, just right across Tekstil Museum

Batu Cave – There were renovations when we came, that explains the scaffolding around the Murugan Statue.

KLCC Park – we went at around 5pm to see Twin Tower at day time and waited all the way til lights turn on.

Twin Tower by day

Twin Tower by night!

 

There you go, I hope you all have fun.

Take care!

Awesome Blogger Award Nomination

Hello Guys,

I am deeply honored to have been nominated by one of the coolest bloggers, Eye see Something . This is my first ever nomination and I cannot even explain how deeply grateful and happy I am. Thank you so much for the nomination.

What is This Award All About?

So , according to what I read, this is an award for the absolutely wonderful writers all across the blogging world. They have beautiful blogs, are kind and lovely, and always find a way to add happiness and laughter to the lives of their readers. That is what truly defines an awesome blogger.

 

THE RULES OF AWESOME-NESS

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Tag it under #awesomebloggeraward in the Reader
• Answer the questions your nominator gave you
• Nominate at least 5 awesome bloggers.
• Give your nominees 10 new questions to answer.
• Let your nominees know that they’ve been nominated.

QUESTIONS I NEED TO ANSWER:

1. If you were to be reincarnated as an animal? What would it be?

Answer: I want to be a bird, ever so free and always ready to spread its wings.

2. What is your favorite quote?

Answer: The very classic Golden Rule: “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you”. I always believe in Karma and if ever my deeds are not reciprocated in this life time, I know there is always God up there who sees me and that is the most important of all. It also talks about co – existing, we should be good to everyone but, we should also know how to stand up for our rights when we need to.

3. What motivates you as a blogger?

Answer: All my followers motivate me to blog. People messaging me that they get something from what I write keep me going. Your Comments, likes and reblogs motivate me all the time. Plus, blogging is my way of sharing my views and experiences to a larger audience.

4. Best present you’ve ever received?

Answer: I have received so many material gifts, and I appreciate all of them. Aside from letters from my significant other, I also loooove the gifts I received at work. My full time job is in the Training industry. I train new hire classes in my company. The best gifts I always receive are thank you cards and letters after the class and after a few months or a year or so, when my trainee gets back to me thanking me for everything and telling me he got promoted, that’s the best gift ever.

5. Name one item you never leave the house with except your clothes.

Answer: Cellphone, a pair of earrings and a lipstick ( have to be ready always… only girls would understand lol)

6. What is your least favorite social media platform and why?

Answer: Facebook  – I have deactivated my FB account already, it’s a choice I had to make about 1.5 years ago because I couldn’t spend time unfollowing and  removing people in my friends list who post negative things – by negative I mean, everything… rants about neighbors, rants about the government, about an ex bf/gf, about work…, I am all for spreading good vibes, so instead of removing them one by one, the easier way is to deactivate. But… don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of pros FB has to offer too but I prefer other platforms instead.

7. What do you like and dislike about the blogging community?

Answer: What I like?

• I like meeting new friend and reading what others have to say about a certain topic. All the blogs that I follow, I make sure to read some of their pieces. Ok, I admit, not all of the entries but before I hit the follow and like button, I make sure I have read atleast one article.
• I like it that I get a lot of ideas from my fellow blogger specially on beauty and style..
• I like reading book reviews, and I also get to know other awesome book authors through book reviews
• I get to express myself and I get to inspire other readers
• Ahggggg… I have so many things in mind…. The pros are limitless

What I dislike?

• People posting negative posts , rants, whines and anything that do not inspire at all.

8. Tag your favorite blog post that you’ve written here.

Answer: 5 years ago, I wrote a very personal piece about my life, here it is: A Phase in Life

9. Name 5 things you like about yourself.

Answer:

• I like it that I am friendly 🙂
• I like my relationship with my parents – we are open to each other, our parents treat us like friends and we treat them like our friends too but with the level of respect due to a great set of parents
• I am confident in speaking publicly ( sorry, this sounds so braggy)
• I have great relationship with my siblings – I am a middle child , I have 1 big sister, an only brother next to me and a little sister. – You know what they say about middle children being different? People notice that a lot of times in me but my siblings never make me feel different.
• . why is it so hard to find things that you like about yourself?

10. What life lesson do you appreciate the most and why?

Answer: To have faith in God. No matter what happens, trust in the Lord. We will never go wrong. While we have faith in God, do your part. God cannot just give everything we need, we need to work hard for it too.

 

So, who are my nominees?

The Bookie Rookie

Renxkyoko

Truthtroubles

Kelleysdiy

To breatheistowrite

Bayance

Brainy Versatility

Foodfond

Wereonlyhsuman

Ms toywhisperer

 

My Questions for my Nominees:

 

1. What is your greatest fear?
2. How do you see yourself 10 years from now?
3. What are the three things that you are most proud about yourself?
4. What is your dream destination? Why?
5. Name 3 things that you still want to do within this year
6. Who is your greatest influence in Blogging?
7. Aside from your blog posts, share the link of someone else’s blog that
8. What’s your favorite post from your blog? Post a link here.
9. What is your one distinct character that you got from your mom?
10. Why do you enjoy blogging?

 

Malaysia in 6days

How I Managed a Well- organized Trip? I met a new travel buddy and I plan to keep it my travel companion forever. I just got back from my 5 nights/6 days Malaysian trip and I must say, I have achieved a seamless and my most organized trip so far. I was able to make […]

via Malaysia Itinerary — SimplymeSMC

100 followers + Why I write?

When I started writing in WordPress all I wanted was to have a platform where I can store and share my articles. I didn’t know about likes and follows at the beginning. All I know is I am writing from the heart. I never post regularly. I only post whenever a topic arises that I really feel strongly about. I don’t write just because… I don’t write despite of… I don’t write for nothing…. I just want articles that hit me home. And I thank you, my 100+ followers for believing in me. Now, I know that whatever you do, as long as it comes from the heart, it will always be remarkable.

Thank you for liking, following and sharing the blog.

Cheers to writing to inspire!

I Travel With My Childhood Friends

I know this is a chestnut, but still my favorite quote on traveling: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

About 5 years ago, during the start-up period of this blog, I wrote about one of my life’s blessings which are my friends. For those who have read my blog 3 years ago, you might have remembered (or not!) one of the travel adventures I did with my childhood friends too. So basically, you have an idea that I maintain a 25-year-friendship with my solid core.

Okay, for new subs, to give you a little backgrounder, I grew up being friends with a lot of people – Yes, generally I am friendly but I think everybody will agree that amongst all your friends, you have a core group. The group that you could go silly with or serious with or sneak out at night with. The ones who are with you through ups and downs. Yes, I have a solid foundation. I have been friends with my 4 girls who I fondly call “bru” ( short for Bruha – a Tagalog for witch) for 25 years now. Needless to say, I met these girls in grade school (First Grade to be exact).

I love traveling a lot and some of you have seen that in my series of posts already. Indeed, traveling makes me discover the unknown, thus, changes my perspective as a human being. It makes me humble having to realize that my niche in this world is just a tiny spot in this vast universe.  I am glad that in the last 3 years, I get the privilege to explore the world with one of my best brus , Joan. We went to Bohol, to Singapore, Hong Kong , Macau and our supposed travel to Malaysia (please read my “Why Malaysia Made me Cry’ here.)  not to mention our local travels together. Amongst all the places we’ve been to, I love our recent travel to Hong Kong and Macau.

Why? Well, not so much with the place, ( don’t get me wrong, the country is good but I have been to other better places.) still my favorite  because we went along with another bru, Anna Marie – plus, they brought their kids (and husband). Yes, some of my friends have kids already and I am glad that we are turning the pages of the unknown world together. What makes me a little emotional is this: We were the kids’ age when their moms and I met. (oh boi, times do fly so fast).

Beholding the world in the eyes of my little God-children and looking at how happy they were in every Disneyland rides while, us, adults have gone crazy, in every expenses, responsibilities and “adulting” stuff that we talked about, I realize how lucky I am to have explored life with my childhood friends whom I consider my family ( by choice).  I wish and pray that these kids, 6-year old Liam and 7-year old Eanna, find a solid friendship as strong as their parents’ (and God-parents’).

I wish the same for my future little ones.

Soon, when they grow up, we will tell them how nice it is to turn pages of life, explore the world and rediscover oneself together with your solid friends. Just like their moms.

You may read my HK and MO travel thru the links below:

– Four Days in Hong Kong

– Day Tour in Macau

 

 

A Girl From Mindanao

Before 2010 situation:

Hi, my name is Shiela, I’m from Maguindanao.

Where’s that?

It’s in Mindanao, I’m from ARMM region.

Are you a Muslim?

2010:

Hi, my name is Shiela, I’m from Maguindanao.

Oh are you related to the Ampatuans? Or the Magundadatos? (This is pertaining to the Maguindanao Massacre that put Maguindanao in International media.)

2017:

Hi, my name is Shiela, I’m from Mindanao.

Is it safe there? Are you not afraid of Maute? Do you still live there?….

Yes, I was born and raised in Maguindanao Province, the seemingly inconspicuous place down south until the 2010 massacre happened that involved two highly influential political families.

Maguindanao is a neighboring province and a sister province under Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao of Lanao Del Sur, in which, its Capital city, Marawi is currently under siege  because of Maute – Isis group’s penetration that caused the government to declare Martial Law.

Yes, sad to say, of the numerous achievements, positive contributions of these poor provinces, their claim to distinction was focused on war, crimes and all the negative things there are…

As a girl who was molded into a productive individual in the heart of Mindanao, my heart bleeds for my homeland.

Today, I want to make a point:

Yes, I am from Mindanao, I am from Maguindanao.

Am I Muslim? No I am not but I have a number of Muslim friends. And there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim.

They are Islams,yes! And NOT all Islams  are terrorists just as not all terrorists are Islams.

I pray that one day, when someone from down south is asked about his province, and someone heard Mindanao or Maguindanao, or Marawi ,  you will be able to recall our places with all the positive things that these have contributed to the society.  It’s beauty, It’s colorful culture…. Someday… someday, one day!