Showing posts with label year-ender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label year-ender. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2015 A-Z: What My Year Was like from A-Z

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2015 has been a whole lot of things, pretty much just a rollercoaster and to sum it all up, here’s an A-Z of how my year was like–in my own handwriting, too!

(I know, I know. I haven’t had much practice. Read at your own risk. lmao)

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And I also found this page with a quote from “Brooklyn”, one of the best movies of the year, in my opinion…

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So…how about you? How was 2015 for you?


Monday, December 28, 2015

2015 Favorites: 15 Songs for 2015

BESTSONGS

  1. Fight Song (Rachel Platten)

Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep
Everybody’s worried about me
In too deep
Say I’m in too deep (in too deep)
And it’s been two years
I miss my home
But there’s a fire burning in my bones
Still believe
Yeah, I still believe

  1. Oasis (A Great Big World)

When we’re lost in a desert night
and we’re chasing our paradise
When we can’t fight another fight
We’re gonna make it,
You’re my Oasis

  1. High by the Beach (Lana del Rey)

The truth is I never
Bought into your bullshit
When you would pay tribute to me
Cause I know that
All I wanted to do is get high by the beach
Get high baby, baby, bye, bye

  1. Your Type (Carly Rae Jepsen)

I’m not the type of girl for you
And I’m not going to pretend
That I’m the type of girl you call more than a friend
And I break all the rules for you
Break my heart and start again
I’m not the type of girl you call more than a friend

  1. On my Mind (Ellie Goulding)

I always hear, always hear them talking
Talking ’bout a girl, ’bout a girl with my name
Saying that I hurt you but I still don’t get it
You didn’t love me, no, not really
Wait, I could have really liked you
I’ll bet, I’ll bet that’s why I keep thinking about you
It’s a shame, you said I was good
So I poured it down, so I poured it down

And now I don’t understand it
You don’t mess with love you mess with the truth
And I know I shouldn’t say it
But my heart don’t understand

  1. The Words (Christina Perri)

And all of the noise I hear inside
Restless and loud, unspoken and wild

  1. Love Myself (Hailee Steinfeld)

I’m gonna put my body first
And love me so hard ’til it hurts
I know how to scream out the words
Scream the words

  1. Stone Cold (Demi Lovato)

Stone cold, stone cold
You’re dancing with her, while I’m staring at my phone
Stone cold, stone cold
I was your amber, but now she’s your shade of gold

Stone cold, baby
God knows I tried to feel
Happy for you
Know that I am, even if I
Can’t understand, I’ll take the pain
Give me the truth, me and my heart
We’ll make it through

  1. Magnets (Disclosure ft Lorde)

Smoke and sunset, off Mulholland
He was talking, I was wondering ’bout
You and that girl, she your girlfriend?
Face from heaven, bet the world she don’t know
Pretty girls don’t know the things that I know
But my way I’ll share the things that you want

Uh-oh, dancin’ past the point of no return
Let go, we can free ourselves of all we’ve learned
I love this secret language that we’re speaking
Say it to me, let’s embrace the point of no return
Let’s embrace the point of no return
Let’s embrace the point of no return

  1. Man on a Wire (The Script)

No, I can’t look down
I’m trying to fight the feeling
I will fall to the ground
If I ever see you
‘Cause I feel like I’m walkin’ on a tightrope

My heart is in my throat
I’m counting on high hopes to get me over you
And I’ve got my eyes closed
As long as the wind blows
I’m counting on high hopes to get me over you, you

  1. Up (Olly Murs ft Demi Lovato)

I never meant to break your heart
Now I won’t let this plane go down
I never meant to make you cry
I’ll do what it takes to make this fly, oh
You gotta hold on
Hold on to what you’re feeling
That feeling is the best thing
The best thing, alright
I’m gonna place my bet on us
I know this love is heading in the same direction
That’s up

  1. Tattoo (Hilary Duff)

Apologies for the way I’ve been
I couldn’t wash you off my skin, no I
I couldn’t live without you

Mmm, Tears and eyes can try
But I know
Burning like the wire in lightbulbs
It could be in the way you bleed me

  1. Paper Doll (Bea Miller)

Does it make you feel good to make me feel small?
When you’re pushing me down, does it make you feel tall?
Pointing out my flaws cause you wanna erase them all
Does it make you feel good to make me feel small?

I’m not a paper doll
Can’t make me what you want
You just build me up and tear me down
Enough’s enough
Go, leave me alone
Cut me down but I won’t fall
I’m not a paper doll

  1. Bright (Echosmith)

Did you see that shooting star tonight?
Were you dazzled by the same constellation?
Did you and Jupiter conspire to get me?
I think you and the Moon and Neptune got it right
‘Cause now I’m shining bright, so bright
Bright, so bright

  1. Four Five Seconds (Rihanna and Kanye West ft Paul McCartney)

Woke up an optimist, sun was shining I’m positive
Then I heard you was talkin’ trash
Hold me back I’m bout’ to spaz

See they want to buy my pride, but that just ain’t up for sale
See all of my kindness, is taken for weakness

Bonus:  Little Do You Know (Alex and Sierra)

(I know this was released last year but it’s just so beautiful and I only heard it earlier this year so…)

Little do you know
I know you’re hurting while I’m sound asleep
Little do you know
All my mistakes are slowly drowning me
Little do you know
I’m trying to make it better piece by piece

Little do you know
I, I love you ’til the sun dies


Tuesday, December 22, 2015

2015 Favorites: Best Books

BESTBOOKSLOGO

Now, time to list my 15 favorite books of 2015! Check them all out below!

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  1. Everything, Everything (Nicola Yoon)

“I was trying so hard to find the single pivotal moment that set my life on its path. The moment that answered the question, ‘How did I get here?’

But it’s never just one moment. It’s a series of them. And your life can branch out from each one in a thousand different ways. Maybe there’s a version of your life for all the choices you make and all the choices you don’t.”

Everything, and I mean, EVERYTHING, about this book is beautiful. You know, you’d think it’s one of those usual stories but it’s definitely on a league of its own. It’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and there are a lot of unexpected moments that will make you swoon, cry, and basically just gasp and take a lot of deep breaths. I’m a really forgetful person but this one? I know it would stay with me for a long, long time.

 

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  1. All The Bright Places (Jennifer Niven)

“She is oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. The same elements that are inside the rest of us, but I can’t help thinking she’s more than that and she’s got other elements going on that no one’s ever heard of, ones that make her stand apart from everybody else.”

I read this early this year, before it became big, and I’m glad I did because it’s just one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking, cry-worthy books I’ve read all my life. I’m glad it also talks about Depression in such a way that makes it understandable for those who don’t. I’m just basically glad for the beauty that is this book. The author’s also working on the movie’s screenplay so that’s something to look forward to.

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  1. The Good Girl (Mary Kubica)

“I know how betrayal and disillusionment feel, when someone who could give you the world refuses even a tiny piece of it.”

Mary Kubica is one of my favorite authors right now because she writes soooo well. Like, seriously. I’m a fan of crazy suspense/crime thrillers and she nails it. She knows how to do it. This book certainly proved that.

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  1. Another Day (David Levithan)

“That has to be what love is – seeing what a mess he is and loving him anyway, because you know you’re a mess, too, maybe even worse.”

There were lots of bad reviews for this book but I liked it not just because I love David Levithan, but also because it’s good to be in Rhiannon’s shoes. So heartbreaking and painful. I wouldn’t choose what’s better between this one and Every Day because I love them both.

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  1. The Status of All Things (Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke)

“A very wise person once told me marriage is hard, that you have to keep fighting for it everyday.”

One word: Facebook. It’s so witty and it has that Sophie Kinsella/Alexandra Potter feel.

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  1. Pretty Baby (Mary Kubica)

“Momma used to say, “We don’t have much, but at least we have each other.” And then one day, we didn’t even have that much.”

Another Kubica! Pretty Baby is really crazy but great. Read it and you’d know what I mean.

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  1. Hallowed (Tonya Hurley)

I love the Precious Blood series and this was such a fitting ending. But I still want mooooooore

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  1. Down The Rabbit Hole (Holly Madison)

“Maybe I wasn’t defined by the mistakes I had made after all . . . maybe those decisions were what allowed me to become the person I was always destined to be.”

Didn’t know much about Holly except for Girls Next Door, but I really enjoyed this book. She is a survivor and no matter what you say, I’m glad things worked out for her.

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  1. Finding Audrey (Sophie Kinsella)

“I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”

This book nailed what anxiety feels like to a T. It’s Sophie’s first YA offering and she did it so well. So beautiful.

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  1. P.S. I Still Love You (Jenny Han)

“There’s a Korean word my grandma taught me. It’s called jung. It’s the connection between two people that can’t be severed, even when love turns to hate. You still have those old feelings for them; you can’t ever completely shake them loose of you; you will always have tenderness in your heart for them.”

The ending to the Song Sisters series. Oh man, the rollercoaster of emotions this brought me!

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  1. Carry On (Rainbow Rowell)

“Sharing a room with the person you want most is like sharing a room with an open fire.

He’s constantly drawing you in. And you’re constantly stepping too close. And you know it’s not good–that there is no good–that there’s absolutely nothing that can ever come of it.

But you do it anyway.
And then…
Well. Then you burn.”

Harry Potter. Twilight. Fanfics. Fangirl. EVERYTHING.

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  1. Leaving Time (Jodi Picoult)

“I wonder if, as you get older, you stop missing people so fiercely. Maybe growing up is just focusing on what you’ve got, instead of what you don’t.” 

Dark, sad, beautiful, unforgettable.

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  1. My Heart and Other Black Holes (Jasmine Warga)

“Depression is like a heaviness that you can’t ever escape. It crushes down on you, making even the smallest things like tying your shoes or chewing on toast seem like a twenty-mile hike uphill. Depression is a part of you; it’s in your bones and your blood. If I know anything about it, this is what I know: It’s impossible to escape.”

Again: Depression. Suicide. I love how it does not sugarcoat things. It’s heartbreaking. It’s fearless. It’s beautiful.

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  1. Pretending to be Erica (Michelle Painchaud)

I just like how it was written; how enjoyable and entertaining and painful it was.

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  1. This is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper)

“I may not be old but I’m too old to have this much nothing”

I’m pretty sure this was not released this year but only read it a couple of months ago and it had a really big impact on me. I always like complicated, intertwining stories. I like this novel’s humor and wit—and the characters, too!


Thursday, December 11, 2014

14 Songs for 2014: My Favorite tunes for this year

1. Taylor Swift - Blank Space

 When I first heard this song, I was like "Damn, that song is SO ME." Those lyrics are divine lol and that video? Ah, dear, if you only knew...hahaha. >:)

2. Sam  Smith - I'm Not the Only One



 I think Sam Smith was put on earth to pull on our heartstrings and drive us into happy despair, if ever there's such a thing. Love this song, love the video and this is just perfection.

3. Ariana Grande ft The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Say what you want about Ariana, but this song is dope. It's sexy and I love how her vocals complemented that of The Weeknd's so yeah, it's on my list.

4. Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat
Ahhh, Ella. Ella is truly a lord because she is divine and she makes songs like this. Great lyrics, love the video, and the Kanye rework is amazing, too!

5. Lana del Rey - Brooklyn Baby


It's a beautiful, beautiful song. I have like, zero attention span  but I can listen to this song over and over and over again without feeling like I want to smash the screen. It's beautiful, haunting, and Lana is such a goddess!

6. Nicki Minaj - Pills and Potions
I wish more people saw this side of Nicki. I'm not a fan of hers but this song is really beautiful.

7. Selena Gomez - The Heart Wants What it Wants
I think this song's lovely. I also believe that it's one of the most honest songs that I've heard this year and when Selena sang it (LIVE!!!!) at the AMA's, you could really just feel her pain so it's not hard for you to

8. Meghan Trainor - Close Your Eyes
Meghan is more than just "the All About That Bass" girl. Check out her other songs, especially this one, and you'll surely love her.

9. Caitlin Hart - Young Volcanoes (Fall Out Boy Cover)

I looooove Caitlin and her version of this song is just so awesome.

10. Lucy Hale - The Road Between
^That exactly.


11. Leighton Meester - Heartstrings

Yes, she can  really sing and this song is so lovely. </3

12. Tove Lo - Habits
There's just something about this song that makes me want to listen to it over and over and over again.

13.Ellie Goulding - All I Want

Kodaline's original version is great but Ellie can take a song and make it her own because she is awesome.

14. Keira Knightley - Lost Stars
Beautiful song + beautiful movie = Perfection.

Needless to say, it was a great year for music. *Sorry I have lost my grasp of words today...but I'll be back ;)*

Thursday, December 4, 2014

14 Books for 2014



I have a confession to make: After reading over a hundred books by July, I've pretty much slowed down on reading the last couple of months this year (boo, I know).
I learned that it's actually my anxiety that caused me to have such short attention span. There were days when I'd start reading a new book and I'd end up not finishing it at all. There are also a couple of books in my shelves that I haven't gotten to read yet--and that never really happened before, at least not because I was lazy. And well, I've also been busy with work, like a lot, coz I enjoy it and I know that's not an excuse to be such a lazy reader, but yeah, well, things happen.

Anyway, that does not mean that I don't read anymore. Of course it doesn't. It's just that I'm currently only reading short ones and all these articles, but I'll get back my "I can read extremely long books with no problem whatsoever" groove soon. And besides, I was able to read  (insert number here) this year so that's not bad.

(side note: as of now, I'm reading Pretty Little Liars: Vicious, so yeah, there's some progress right there... ^^)
 
That said, here are my favorite books of 2014. (14 for 2014!). (I know it's early but before I hibernate again and get sucked up in all these things, let me do this now) Some of these were published this year, some weren't, but the point is that I read them all these year. And ta-daaaa, here they are:

Dwellers
 Oh my god, this one is really, really good. I couldn't count the number of times that I read this in the past couple of months. It's a weird but good bedtime story (at least for me hihihi). I like how it's not just about the horror, but how it incorporated some elements of weird romances, plus a whole lot of pain and craziness into it. And I LOVE the characters. Each of them had their own unique traits, even if most of them were downright crazy. Celeste stood out from the pack, in my opinion, She's just different, and assertive, and deep--and I really like her.

The Descendants
 I've seen the movie years ago and it became one of my favorites and when I read the book, I realized how great they both were and it's just really amazing. I like how realistic this story is and the way it was written was just on point. 

 This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl 

 This one's really special and it's one of those stories that will stay with me forever. It's not just a story--it's a real story. Reading Esther's thoughts, seeing some of her drawings, and just feeling like you know her--even for just a while--is just something else. Most importantly, you'd realize how big her heart was and how much she loved--and is loved. Even my guy is touched by this one--we love it to pieces. Oh and it's Goodreads' Best Memoir/Autobiography for 2014, too, yay!!!

We Were Liars
Oh man, this book broke my heart in more ways than one. It's just on a league of its own and you'd definitely feel for the characters. Plus, you'd also get to think about why things are that way, or how events in the story came to be And once you get to the end, your brain will just be rattled and you'll probably say "Why oh why", or "NOOOOOO!" and that's the reason why this book rocks, for me. Oh, and it also won a Goodreads Choice Award for best Young Adult Fiction! Woot!

The Heiresses
 It's like, this adult version of Pretty Little Liars (which I am obviously obsessed with) but it also has different elements to it. Plus, the characters feel so real and you kind of wish that you live in their world (but not be part of the whole fiasco lol)

The Kitchen When it Sizzles
 This is one of those books that just made me want to read again after being lazy. It's beautiful and sexy in all the right places plus it would really make you feel "Kilig"--and to me, that's kind of a mark of an effective love story: when you feel "kilig" and want to be part of the story yourself.

Landline by Rainbow Rowell
 Ah, Rainbow Rowell is a gem, isn't she? I like this novel primarily because it deals with the harsh realities of love and relationships. I like how it makes you think about what you have in life, and why things work out or why they don't. It's not your usual mushy love story, but it's great because it's more realistic than fictional and that's really good. And this is also Goodreads' Best Fiction for 2014!!! <3

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon  
This is also another book that I read over and over again--and it's in Tagalog! Hooray! It's one of those local books that I'm truly proud of coz it's so good. You have this average guy as the hero and it's written in a real world perspective which makes you think that "hey, what if that really happens?" and the thought will probably scare you. 

The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2)
Can JKR do anything wrong? No, absolutely not. I like Cuckoo's Calling better, though, but this one is also great because you learn a lot from it. PLUS CORMOROBIN!!!! You can't go wrong with that. 

Heat of the Moment  
This story is special to me and even if I didn't know it from the beginning, I'd still say that it's amazing. Really will make you "kilig" plus if you're looking for a story that's steamy and classy but will just really make you want to read more, I'd say you do have to read this one. 

While this one may not really happen in real life, you still wouldn't help but feel "kilig" over what goes on in it. And sometimes, that makes a story great, too: when you know that something may be impossible but you still put some hope into it.

This is seriously one of the cutest, most romantic, and "kilig" books that I read this year--and possibly for all time. It's simple, it's not trying to be deep and all that stuff, but you'll love it because of that. And my friend Alyssa and I have fangirled over this over and over and over...hihi

The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales  
Because why not? I found a great copy this year and I instantly bought it. It's nice to read all those fairy tales again, though some of them were really weird. Like Cat Skin! Oh my god, I can't even.

The Geography of You and Me
 I think I read this one in one sitting because it's just sooooo "kilig" and though it'll also break your heart, it's a story that's just pretty realistic, too, so that makes it one of the best love stories ever.

So, that's it. Here's to more years of reading (and hopefully, I'll get back to my reading streak in full force soon). Xx