Just finished Jamie Ford's book, "Love and Other Consolation Prizes". I enjoyed the book and found the premise very interesting. The book explored many topics that caused much controversy during the period the story was told. Mixed marriages, biracial children, slavery, brothels and prostitution ... to name a few. But the book also explored universal values like hope, selflessness, hard work, and true love that transcends such negativity in the world.
Overall, I liked the book and thought Jamie Ford wrote with such a clarity that I could almost picture the characters in various scenes. The book did have some slow parts (causing me to flip forward a few pages just to speed things up). I have a tendency to do that, but somehow, force myself to go back and re-read what I skipped over. I always worry I missed a significant detail or an important arc in the story. The book (without giving away spoilers) had a nice ending that allowed readers who were invested in the story to find some closure when the story "ended". I liked how Mr. Ford wrapped things up for the main characters without making anything seem cliche.
I'd rate this book an 8 out of 10. It is definitely a very pleasant read and a good novel that captured my attention. I would recommend it to those who like historical fiction and to those who enjoy stories where the hero/heroine experience hardships in life, but with traits like faithfulness and love, find themselves in much better circumstances in the end.
P.S. My first attempt at a brief book review. It's surprising how I've never donoe this before considering how much I read and how I often I used to blog. Maybe there'll be more of this in th future ... who knows?
Monday, January 28, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Turning Forty-four
On the eve before my 44th birthday, I sit and reflect on things I need to focus more on this year. I have 4 birthday resolutions that I will try my best-est to make sure I stick to this year. First, I will eat healthier. In the last few years, I have not paid any attention to what I eat. Basically just eating what I want, when I want, and in quantities that I want. Obviously, that eating style coupled with my slowed down metabolism (thanks to my age) and just genes in general have resulted in weight gain. So, I definitely want to now really pay attention to what I eat - not deprive or starve myself - but be more conscious of what I am fueling myself with.
Second, I want to exercise more. That's kind of misleading. "exercise more" implies exercise has been or is being done when in fact, no exercise is happening. So I guess the statement should be "I want to exercise". Jojo is gifting me with a treadmill and I hope to do at least 30 minutes on it daily. That doesn't seem like a very intimidating goal. The diet and exercise isn't just to lose weight (although that would be a very nice bonus). But moreso to be healthier. I'm not getting any younger and the statistics on diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. are scary!
Third, I want to expand my mind more. I read a lot. But I want to read more. And am hoping to expand my reading selection to include autobiographies of inspiring people, maybe books that help make me be a better person, parent, sister, friend. So while I will still indulge in my fiction favorites, I'll definitely make a conscious effort to diversify.
Lastly, I will make an effort to be less stressed and less weighed down by things I have no control over. Petty grievances, unnecessary worry, feeling pulled in too many directions, and just feeling depressed over things I can't control - I wan to consciously avoid. I need to learn to say no, to set boundaries, to give up control. It's not very clearly defined how I'll accomplish this but just saying it out loud and putting it into words helps.
So, 4 resolutions as I turn 44. It's been a great life thus far and with these as a guidelines, I know there is so much more and better things in store!
Second, I want to exercise more. That's kind of misleading. "exercise more" implies exercise has been or is being done when in fact, no exercise is happening. So I guess the statement should be "I want to exercise". Jojo is gifting me with a treadmill and I hope to do at least 30 minutes on it daily. That doesn't seem like a very intimidating goal. The diet and exercise isn't just to lose weight (although that would be a very nice bonus). But moreso to be healthier. I'm not getting any younger and the statistics on diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc. are scary!
Third, I want to expand my mind more. I read a lot. But I want to read more. And am hoping to expand my reading selection to include autobiographies of inspiring people, maybe books that help make me be a better person, parent, sister, friend. So while I will still indulge in my fiction favorites, I'll definitely make a conscious effort to diversify.
Lastly, I will make an effort to be less stressed and less weighed down by things I have no control over. Petty grievances, unnecessary worry, feeling pulled in too many directions, and just feeling depressed over things I can't control - I wan to consciously avoid. I need to learn to say no, to set boundaries, to give up control. It's not very clearly defined how I'll accomplish this but just saying it out loud and putting it into words helps.
So, 4 resolutions as I turn 44. It's been a great life thus far and with these as a guidelines, I know there is so much more and better things in store!
Monday, October 29, 2018
New Things Since October 2012
So, my blogging has been on hiatus since January 2012. Lots of things have happened since then. I think it's important for me to give a rundown of a few pertinent facts that have transpired in that time period:
1.) Jamie is now 7 years old. She was 2 when I went on a blogging break. She's in second grade at SJS (a Catholic school).
2.) I'm now working for an engineering company (not as an engineer - although I could have gotten an engineering degree in the time since my last post in 2012). I did not. I work "behind the scenes".
3.) Jojo now works for a multi-national company in LA. He's still in IT. But he's now a big shot IT executive.
4.) We still live in the same house but have had several renovations since then. It's the same house but not the same house.
5.) My sister Joy got married on April 2012. My brother Jules got married in 2017. My brother Jim got engaged just this month. I have a wonderful brother in law and two wonderful sisters in law.
6.) Since 2012, I have two more nephews and 2 more nieces on Jojo's side and 1 more niece and 1 more on the way on my side. Our family is growing!
7.) In 2013 we found out Jamie has food allergies. Bad food allergies. We've lived in fear for her life. But in 2015 we heard of a fantastic doctor who treated such allergies. We signed up to see him and a year later we started the program. It's been 2+ years since and true blue miracles have happened / are happening. I know I'll blog more about that in a separate entry at some point.
8.) I now drive a Honda Pilot. I used to think I would never drive anything so massive. But now, I can't imagine downsizing.
9.) I still like to read and have probably what can be considered a book addiction. I seriously have fears of running out of books to read. I worry about finishing the current book I am reading and not having another one to take its place. So I order books and then commiserate about not having time to read the all. Although I secretly love having a stack of books to read whenever I want. Sounds crazy to others but completely rational to me.
10.) I'm still talking myself into exercising more and trying to lose weight. It's been a long time since I started doing this and I've had my share of ups and downs - it's been a struggle. But the good news is I have not given up on myself and I know it will happen ... eventually. =)
1.) Jamie is now 7 years old. She was 2 when I went on a blogging break. She's in second grade at SJS (a Catholic school).
2.) I'm now working for an engineering company (not as an engineer - although I could have gotten an engineering degree in the time since my last post in 2012). I did not. I work "behind the scenes".
3.) Jojo now works for a multi-national company in LA. He's still in IT. But he's now a big shot IT executive.
4.) We still live in the same house but have had several renovations since then. It's the same house but not the same house.
5.) My sister Joy got married on April 2012. My brother Jules got married in 2017. My brother Jim got engaged just this month. I have a wonderful brother in law and two wonderful sisters in law.
6.) Since 2012, I have two more nephews and 2 more nieces on Jojo's side and 1 more niece and 1 more on the way on my side. Our family is growing!
7.) In 2013 we found out Jamie has food allergies. Bad food allergies. We've lived in fear for her life. But in 2015 we heard of a fantastic doctor who treated such allergies. We signed up to see him and a year later we started the program. It's been 2+ years since and true blue miracles have happened / are happening. I know I'll blog more about that in a separate entry at some point.
8.) I now drive a Honda Pilot. I used to think I would never drive anything so massive. But now, I can't imagine downsizing.
9.) I still like to read and have probably what can be considered a book addiction. I seriously have fears of running out of books to read. I worry about finishing the current book I am reading and not having another one to take its place. So I order books and then commiserate about not having time to read the all. Although I secretly love having a stack of books to read whenever I want. Sounds crazy to others but completely rational to me.
10.) I'm still talking myself into exercising more and trying to lose weight. It's been a long time since I started doing this and I've had my share of ups and downs - it's been a struggle. But the good news is I have not given up on myself and I know it will happen ... eventually. =)
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Allie's Arrival
Yesterday (October 27th, Manila time), my niece, Allie was born. She is the daughter of my brother, Jules, and his wife, Juliene. We have been waiting for her arrival for quite some time now and seeing their first family picture brought me an emotional realization. Although I've been shopping for baby clothes for Allie, I've sent Juliene lotions for stretch marks, and I've been giving them parenting advice, it was seeing the photo of their three happy faces that made everything so real. I think it was seeing my brother's face right next to his new daughter that made me realize - he's a dad! And now I'm all sentimental.
Jules is three years younger than me. That makes him 40 years old! He is hardly a kid anymore. But, for me, he will forever be my kid brother. The one I laugh and joke with, the one I call silly names (Julsie Pogs, Pyugi), the one who I am protective towards, and the one I always feel I need to look out for. It's just a little bit surreal to see him married and now become a father as well. It's surreal but in a good kind of way.
I wish him the very best. Parenthood is an amazing journey and he is in for quite a ride. I know he'll do great. He and Juliene will be fantastic parents. Allie is lucky to have them. But I know too, that along the way, if he needs me, I'm still going to be there for Jules. And that now goes for his family as well. I'll still be there for my kid brother, after all, a big sister's job is never done =)
Jules is three years younger than me. That makes him 40 years old! He is hardly a kid anymore. But, for me, he will forever be my kid brother. The one I laugh and joke with, the one I call silly names (Julsie Pogs, Pyugi), the one who I am protective towards, and the one I always feel I need to look out for. It's just a little bit surreal to see him married and now become a father as well. It's surreal but in a good kind of way.
I wish him the very best. Parenthood is an amazing journey and he is in for quite a ride. I know he'll do great. He and Juliene will be fantastic parents. Allie is lucky to have them. But I know too, that along the way, if he needs me, I'm still going to be there for Jules. And that now goes for his family as well. I'll still be there for my kid brother, after all, a big sister's job is never done =)
Thursday, October 25, 2018
I'm Back
Testing this out. It’s been over 6 years since my last post. So much has changed, around the world in general, and also within my life. I don’t really know where to start. But I do miss blogging and just getting my thoughts onto paper. So I'm back! It’s been a while but I think it’ll be just like riding a bike. But first things first, let’s check and see if this thing still actually works and I’m still able to post! Let’s start with this for now.
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