Missing Gossip Girl: Reasons why I miss this show

I have no idea why but these past couple of days, I've been missing Gossip Girl like crazy. Sure it was whack after the first two seasons but AHHHH just the feeling of watching it each week, wanting to know who Gossip Girl was and maybe I miss who I was back then and whatever. Anyway, here are the reasons why I miss this show:

1. THE MUSIC

Just like its predecessor, The OC, GG has some of the best music moments ever. Like, this one between Chuck and Blair, for instance, where I first heard Lana del Rey's Video Games back in 2011.



or, this one with Foxes' Youth



or, this one with Taylor Momsen before she decided to go dark...



2. The Fact that Blair Waldorf made eating Macarons look so sexy

 

3. The Fashion

Admit it. You wanted those clothes, too.

 

4. The Unbelievably Crazy Storylines

Remember that time when Serena found out that her mom used to date one of her boyfriends way back in the day? YIKES. Or, when Chuck flew to Europe just to get Blair Wolford Stockings and some Macarons? Or, when Dan apparently got Georgina pregnant? Oh, and when Dan actually turned out to be Gossip Girl?

But admit it, it's one of those things that made the show CRAAAAAAAZY GOOD. (Maybe more crazy than good but...)

5. The Ships you Shipped

I was a hardcore #Derena and #Chair Shipper. (But I loved the friendship between Serena and Chuck and yeah well, Dan and Blair)

 

6.  and of course, GOSSIP GIRL...and her quotable quotes.

I lived each week for those quotes.

Ah, well, maybe I should do a GG Marathon soon...Xoxo

 

Rest Easy Michael Johns

Today I was greeted with the news that one of my favorite American Idol Contestants of all time, Michael Johns, has died. He's a nice, talented guy and it's just...sad. He's gone way too soon. I don't really know what to say so I'll just post some of his songs here and let them speak for themselves.

 (Life is Okay (ft Brooke White))

 "I'm just a daydreamer, one of those hopeless believers..."


 
 (Across the Universe - The Beatles) 
"They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe..."
His voice here is just way too beautiful. One of my favorite Idol performances ever. :'(  



  
 (It's All Wrong but it's All Right)
"Could I use you for a while? It's all wrong, but it's all right...just close your eyes and hold me tight"

RIP Michael, you will be missed. x 

  

Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable--Interview with the Author, Kesh Tanglao

 Title: Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable
Author: Kesh Tanglao


Lorin Perez's life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK--Spence's home country--and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn't follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?

***

So, I got the chance to ask Kesh a few questions about this book and more and here's what she had to say:

1.  Gezelig 2 (Un)Breakable is not only about the music business but you have also introduced the readers to sports, in the form of Spence the hot Rugby player. What made you decide to do this? 

Kesh: I decided to introduce rugby primarily because the sport--and the team--deserve more exposure. I met these players, and they're really good at what they're doing. I know the sport hasn't really become big yet, like basketball or football, but I think it's one sport that the Filipinos could really excel in. 

2. How do you feel about what happens between Marcus and Caitlin in this installment? Was it a conscious effort on your part to develop their story like that or it just happened? 

Kesh: Is this in reference to the ending? It was a conscious effort. Initially there were more of their scenes in this one, but it was diluting Lorin's story, so we had to take them out. Their story was already plotted right after the first book, and I had to get them there. (I'm sorry, don't hate me. *holds up a peace sign*)

3. If you were Lorin, who would you choose: Nigel or Spence? :>

Kesh: Oh boy! I feel like I'm going to shoot myself in the foot to answer this. At this point in my life, I'd choose Spence. A few years down the road, I know I need Nigel. :) (I badly want to expound on this, but I don't want to spoil!) 

4. You are a true-blue fangirl. What was the craziest thing you ever did as a fan?

Kesh: Ask me a few months back, and I'd say the craziest thing I ever did was to go to meet and greets and ask for pictures. Now, I think I upped the ante: fall in line for 17 hours for tickets to a concert (with very little food, too much stress, and I got sick after!). Also, the rugby player who inspired Spence knows about this book (eep.)

5. Lastly, what in your life would you consider as "unbreakable"?

Kesh: Love for and faith in my family. I may not always see them, but I know they have my back. :) 

 

Gezellig 2:(Unbreakable) -- Book Review

 Title: Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable)

Author: Kesh Tanglao

Lorin Perez's life is finally back on track after almost losing it six years ago. She knows meeting and dating sizzling hot professional rugby player Spence Clarke is a huge part of her healing process. But with her father starting a new family, she decides to follow her best friend Caitlin to UK--Spence's home country--and start a new life.

However, moving to UK brings certain complications in the form of Gezellig band member Nigel Whitmore, a.k.a. the one who didn't follow through three years ago. And even though Lorin is very clear about her no commitment rule, Nigel ignores this and pursues Lorin like never before.

Caught between the man who made her feel safe and the one who makes her feel alive, will she finally be able to set her heart free and make the right choice?

***

If you loved THE REAL SCORE then you'll certainly love (UN)BREAKABLE, too.  This one focuses on Lorin, Caitlin's best friend and how she's torn between two lovers--or something like it. Not to worry though because you'd still see how Cait and Marcus are doing and there certainly are loads of surprises here and there.

Lorin is a strong woman who asserts her right to choose but that doesn't mean that she never gets confused (seriously, with two hot guys like that, how can you not?). With her new choices in life comes complications and that's what she has to deal with. 

The characters are well-written. You can just see through them and it's so hard not to fall in love or get attached to them. 

What's great about this book is that even though the story is not as realistic as you want it to be, the beauty is that it makes you dream and hope that maybe, someday, you'll find your own person, too. You'll find that person who will be right for you in every possible way, whatever twists and turns may lay ahead. As a fangirl, it's good to know that someone writes about your hopes and aspirations in life. 

If you would like a book that'll make you kilig and make you want to finally decide on what you have to do in life, this certainly is it.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kesh Tanglao is a lover of books, music, and TV shows. A self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists. When she's not writing (or fangirling), she works as a researcher.

Blog: http://sparksfire.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparksfire_ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeshTanglao

Tumblr: http://funtolivetheillusion.tumblr.com/

 

The Real Score by Kesh Tanglao: Excerpt Reveal + GIVEAWAY!

Hi Darlings!

Gezellig 2: (Un)breakable is out on the 16th but before we delve into the world of Gezellig once again, why not read The Real Score, the first book in the series first?

What's it about:
 

Caitlin's friendship with Marcus, the de facto frontman of the world's biggest boy band Gezellig, has long been an object of scrutiny by almost everyone--their friends and families, the media, and his fans--ever since they "went public" a couple of years back. Who wouldn't be interested? She was a nobody, catapulted into the limelight of his fame when he struck an unusual friendship with her.

To both Caitlin and Marcus, what they have is a "perfect little thing." But then something comes along and threatens it.

In a no-holds-barred interview, will they finally be forced to settle the score?

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18398844-the-real-score

Purchase links: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

Here's an excerpt from the book:

MANILA! Excited for tonight’s show. Wanna hear you loud and proud, ayt? .xx M #giveusachance

It was one in the afternoon when I woke up from my ‘real’ sleep, and Twitter was the first thing I checked. I searched for Marcus, found the Twitter account with the check on it. Verified, with six million followers.

That was his first tweet since landing in the Philippines yesterday, and I grinned at the hashtag. I clicked follow, searched for his other bandmates, and followed them, too.

Oh Caitlin, what is happening to you?

I tapped on my phone, pulled up a name, and then called it.

“Tan!”

I smiled. I could hear Gezellig blasting in the background. “Lorin, please turn it down! You’d want to hear this!”

I heard a click and the music stopped. “Preparing for the big night, I see,” I said.

“Of course. I’m listening to their playlist tonight. I sent you the songs they’re going to sing tonight, so give them a listen, will you?”

I sighed, checking my inbox, and true enough, the setlist was there. “Yeah, I got it.”

“So what’s up, Ms. Killjoy?”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. “Well, see, I, Ms. Killjoy, just spent the night at Marcus’ hotel room.”

I had to keep the phone away from my ear at the high-pitched squeal that Lorin let out. “ARE YOU FRIGGING SERIOUS, CAITLIN SAMANTHA TAN?”

I put the phone back on my ear when I deemed it was safe. “I am staring at a couple of CDs—signed—which he wants me to listen to. His CDs trump your playlist.”

“Arrrrrgh!” she said, and I could hear her accosting a pillow with what sounded like her fists. “This is unbelievable! I leave you at the restaurant and he sees you?”

I laughed, feeling sorry for the pillow.

“Give me the details,” she demanded, and finally stopped punching the pillow. I gave her a Cliffnotes version of the night. At the end of it, I could almost imagine Lorin melting at the other line because of envy.

“You are so going tonight,” she declared.

“Hey, the agreement is that I should listen first and then if I liked it, that’s the only time that I’m going to come.”

“But Marcus wants you there! Why wouldn’t you want to go?”

I sighed. “It’s just that…” I stopped, gathering my thoughts. It’s just that what? I had fun last night and I really did find Marcus a pretty interesting guy to talk to, and I didn’t want to admit that because I never liked Gezellig? That despite saying his smile doesn’t affect me, I actually dreamt about it? That his eyes were glorious, and I sound so much like a fangirl right now?

Excited already? Well, here's something even more awesome: A GIVEAWAY from the author herself! Join below:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*ABOUT THE AUTHOR*

 

Kesh Tanglao is a full-time market researcher. When she’s not crunching numbers, she spends most of her free time watching TV shows, listening to music, and reading. Also a self-proclaimed fangirl, she likes cheering for her favorite sports teams and supporting her favorite artists.

Blog: http://sparksfire.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sparksfire_ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeshTanglao

Tumblr: http://funtolivetheillusion.tumblr.com/

You don't love the Crazy, Sullen Girl (Looking for Alaska FEEEEELS)

Hi darlings!
So this week brought forth a news that really made me giddy with joy--and, well, kind of scared at the same time. LOOKING FOR ALASKA is gonna be turned into a movie!!!

(photo not mine)

Well, I'm happy because Looking for Alaska is one of my favorite books of all time. If you've been paying attention, you probably would've noticed that this blog's name (THE ENIGMA OF HERSELF) is an homage to the book. It's from one of my favorite passages from the book, which goes something like this:

"When she fucked up all those years ago, just a little girl terrified into paralysis, she collapsed into the enigma of herself."

Here's what LOOKING FOR ALASKA is about:

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.
After. Nothing is ever the same.

Well, this book broke my heart in more ways than one. For starters, Alaska Young is one messed-up, complicated character. She is someone who once dreamed to much, believed in the good things, and did one big stupid mistake that would haunt her for the rest of her life. Alaska is a character that says so much about life; about death; about our choices; about how, no matter what we do, sometimes, the universe just has a different way of going about with things. It is a gripping, haunting, beautiful book. Something you'd want to read over and over again. 

This book is also really special to me. It's one of those stories that have stayed with me through time and basically, I really like Alaska. (Twitter Handle's also partly dedicated to her) 

Another reason why I'm excited for this is because of the great SARAH POLLEY who's such a brilliant filmmaker. Of all her works, I'm most passionate about MY LIFE WITHOUT ME, a story about a young woman who deals with the fact that she has Cancer and how she can live her life to the fullest. I'm telling you, though, it's not your typical love story plus it has Mark Ruffalo in it--which makes it all the more awesome :>>>> but seriously, it's a beautiful film and if you want to see how Sarah operates, you better check that one out.

hehe..this pic's from my old movie reviews on tumblr

Now back to LFA. I'm just scared that it will be hyped up too much the way TFIOS was and it will lose its brilliance. I'm also scared that some people will just join the bandwagon but then again, I really like the story so we'll see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

Anyway, let me share with you some of my other favorite quotes from the book:

"Is the labyrinth living or dying?"

 "...If people were rain, I am drizzle and she is the hurricane."

"What the hell is instant? Nothing is instant."

"I may die young, but at least, I'll die smart."

"That's the whole point: You never get me."

"What you must understand about me is that I'm a deeply unhappy person."

"I would always love Alaska Young, my crooked neighbor, with all my crooked heart." 

"After all this time, it seems to me that straight and fast is the only way out."

"She had embodied the great perhaps."

"You love the girl who makes you laugh, and shows you porn and drinks wine with you. You don't love the crazy, sullen girl."

Ah, I could go on all day! HAHA! Oh, and I made a little playlist for Alaska, too. I'll probably be adding more songs in the future, but here's the playlist for now:

Incubus-Drive
Velvet Underground - Stephanie Says
The  Pretty Reckless - Champagne Supernova
Sarah Mclachlan - Adia
Coldplay - The Scientist
The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever
Lana del Rey - Brooklyn Baby
Lorde - Bravado
Ellie Goulding - Explosions
Ryan Cabrera - 40 Kinds of Sadness
John Mayer- No Such Thing
Jason Mraz - Back to the Earth
John Mayer - Why Georgia

 I absolutely cannot wait. Happy Weekend, darlings!

A Dreamer Dreams, She Never Dies

Well, this is basically a "I'm still alive, I'm just spacing out" kind of post because I am still alive but I really have been spacing out a bit lately. Must be the weather and all these things in my mind. I also haven't been reading much this week (I've been DNF'ing too much because I feel like there's nothing good to read although I'm currently reading ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF MY HEART and that's pretty nice)  and I did read my first Choose Your Own Adventure book (second, but this is the first one I've owned) and that was fun.

Anyway, I've been listening to a lot of songs lately (some old, some new) and I just wanna share some of them with you...

THE PRETTY RECKLESS - CHAMPAGNE SUPERNOVA (COVER)

(I've loved this song for years but this version is just MASSIVELY.AWESOME.)


Wake up the dawn and ask her why/ A dreamer dreams, she never dies/ 
Wipe that tear away now from your eyes

LANA DEL REY - BROOKLYN BABY

(She just never fails <3)






They say I'm too dumb to see/ They judge me like a picture book/ 
by the colors/ like they forgot to read

LORDE - BRAVADO




I'm faking glory/ Lick my Lips/ 
Touch my Hair/ And turn the Smile On
I'll find my own Bravado

MARY LAMBERT - SHE KEEPS ME WARM

(There's something about her voice that just keeps me warm...)





What's your middle name?/ Do you hate your job?
Do you fall in love so easily?/ What's your favorite word?
Do you like kissing girls?/ Can I call you baby?

And there are a lot more but internet connection sucks so...Happy Sunday, darlings. :)