October, Baby: 25 songs from The OC -- Birthday Countdown List #1

Alas, it's October--my favorite month of the year! weeee. Why? Well, for the simple reason that it's my birthday month (LOL, sooo childish!), but really, I've always loved October.  I like October Weather; I like thinking that it's autumn (though it's not that big in the Philippines), and that soon, it'll be Christmas--but it'll be my birthday first! HA!

I know, I know, I'm OOOOOOLD but I don't see that as a reason not to celebrate one's birthday. I believe that during your birthday month, you can try to be as happy as can be--and be excited, even just for that little big thing known as your birthday. Mine falls on the 18th (so I basically only have 17 days left of being 25 and then I'll be ancient...) So, I thought I'd do a countdown of some sorts (let's see if I can keep up with this daily) of the things I love, things that matter, and whatever else you can think of.

My first post for my Birthday Countdown List would be a list of the 25 BEST SONGS FROM THE OC!

 

If you don't know yet, THE OC is my favorite TV Series of all time. I've seen it over and over and it just never gets old. It made me dream of waking up to the smell of coffee and bagels, seeing shows at The Bait Shop, eating Chili Fries, living in THE OC, and possibly meeting my own Seth Cohen! HAHA! I was obsessed with this show (still am). One good thing about THE OC (Aside from Seth, Summer, Ryan, and Marissa) is the awesome, awesome, ultra awesome soundtrack. So, without further adieu, here's...

THE 25 BEST SONGS FROM THE OC:

1. Youth Group - Forever Young
2. Nada Surf - If You Leave
3. Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
4. Finley Quay - Dice
5. Matt Pond PA - Champagne Supernova
6. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall
7. Phantom Planet - California
8. Rachael Yamagata - Worn Me Down
9. Jason Scwartzman - The West Coast
10. Imogen Heap -  Hide and Seek
11. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
12. Rooney - Terrible Person
13. Coldplay - Fix You
14. Jem - Maybe I'm Amazed
15. Dios Malos - You got me all wrong
16. U2 - Sometimes you can't make it on your own
17. The Perishers - Trouble Sleeping
18. The Killers - Mr. Brightside
19. Beck - True Love will find you in the end
20. The Dandy Warhols - We Used to be Friends
21. Alexi Murdoch - All of my days 
22. Mates of State - California
23. Rachael Yamagata - Reason Why
24. Mazzy Star - Into Dust
25. Patrick Park - Life is a song

I linked most of the songs to some of the best moments in THE OC where they were used so all those FEEEEELLLSSSS could be unleashed.

That's it for today! Toodles!

An Interview with Agay Llanera, author of ONCE UPON A PLAYER + GIVEAWAY

 

Gorgeous college senior Val Fabian is a player in every sense of the word. She's the star spiker of her university's volleyball team, and she never runs out of dates. But it seems that this year, she has finally been bitten by the commitment bug. She sets her sights on an unexpected target--the unassuming yet ultra-cute Jake Clementia. Val is used to getting what she wants, and is sure she'll snag him before graduation. But in the process of winning his heart, she is sideswiped by a surprise move that sends her tumbling from her pedestal.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22892370-once-upon-a-player
Purchase links: Amazon | Smashwords
 
 Hi darlings! So, here's an interview with AGAY LLANERA, author of ONCE UPON A PLAYER.

1. What inspired you to create the character of Val? Were you ever a

sporty girl yourself or were you as strong and assertive as her?

Being a UAAP volleyball fan inspired me to create Val's character.

Watching the young women battle it out on court was such a treat; they

were athletic, driven and graceful, making me wish I was the same way.

I never had a sporty bone in my body, so I lived my athletic fantasies

through these girls.

2. Jake is a darling. What do you think is his biggest impact on Val?

Yes, Jake is a darling, isn't he? I think he made Val feel vulnerable,

reminding her that she can't always call the shots in matters of the

heart. He's her reality check, also a link to her rosy past when her

family and financial situations were ideal.

3. What lessons would you like readers to learn from this story?

Whatever lesson they can glean from it, I guess. :-) I just wanted to

paint Val as this strong female character, but knew when to concede

and to go for the things/person she wanted most.

4. If you could liken this story to a cake, or a pastry, what would it

be and why?

Hmmm... because Val dreams of going to Paris, I think I'll liken her

to a macaron. On the outside, she looks flawless and maybe a bit (a

lot) intimidating. But when you get to know her, sink your teeth into

the real her, you'll find that inside, she's quite soft and crumbly.

But you would have to first take the risk to find that out. :-)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children.

Her first romance novella, Vintage Love is available on e-bookstores (Amazon, Kobo, Buqo, Smashwords).

Blog: http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/agayskee
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgayLlanera
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/AgayLlanera
 

***GIVEAWAY TIME***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once Upon A Player by Agay Llanera--Book Review + GIVEAWAY

 

 

Title: Once Upon a Player

Author: Agay Llanera

Gorgeous college senior Val Fabian is a player in every sense of the word. She's the star spiker of her university's volleyball team, and she never runs out of dates. But it seems that this year, she has finally been bitten by the commitment bug. She sets her sights on an unexpected target--the unassuming yet ultra-cute Jake Clementia. Val is used to getting what she wants, and is sure she'll snag him before graduation. But in the process of winning his heart, she is sideswiped by a surprise move that sends her tumbling from her pedestal.

  Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22892370-once-upon-a-player

  Purchase links: Amazon | Smashwords

I'm not a big fan of sports, or anything of that sort, but boy, this book made me smile and made my heart leap. If being "kilig" was a sport, I'd have won, because of this book.

Reasons Why I adored ONCE UPON A PLAYER:

1. A Strong Lead. Valerie is not your usual sweet chick. She has some sass. She's smart, driven, and passionate. And more than that, she's strong. And that's great because you do not usually see heroines like that in novels these days. I like how she knows what she wants, stubborn as she may be, but she's amazing--and you'll love her for it.

2. The Darling Love Interest. What's also great about this book is that the love interest, Jake, in this one, is also not your typical guy. Read it and see what I mean, and if you don't fall for him after reading the book, tell me. ;)

3. The Story. Wow, Ms. Llanera really knows what she's doing. Combining sports, romance, and the drama that comes with being a student, her words will speak through to you. This really isn't your usual run-of-the-mill love story, and that's what makes it so special and unique.

Conflict? Of course there is. Lots, actually. But what's great is that they show you a special side of Valerie. They show you how fierce she is; how different. And that at the end of the day, women are worth loving--no matter who they are, or how they think.

ONCE UPON A PLAYER will play on your heartstrings--and you'll appreciate it because of that and more.

 ***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children.

> Her first romance novella, Vintage Love is available on e-bookstores (Amazon, Kobo, Buqo, Smashwords).

Blog: http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/agayskee
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgayLlanera
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/AgayLlanera
 

***

GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway