In Countenance

In 4 days, I'll be older. Maybe, none the wiser but older. Big, old 25. Definitely in my quarter-life now.

Funny, isn't it? When you're young, you feel like when you turn 25, you'd be on top of the world. You'd be accomplished. You'd be this, you'd be that. Reality check, people: For some of us, it's not that way.

Does that make us any less than those of you who have accomplished everything at 25? Maybe. But not having everything at 25 also means that we have more--so much more to look forward to.

I've been through hell and back this past year. I've loved much and been loved in return. I've had many mishaps. I took a lot of roads less traveled. I lied. I told the truth. I gained weight. Lost weight. Tryin' to gain weight again. I left the place I grew up in. I went back, then left again. I moved somewhere new--way different than where I grew up in. I had a bit of a culture-shock thing. I tried to fit in. Tried to live simpler. Met new people. Took care of a lot of cats. Lost cats. Read a lot of books. Wrote. Wrote again.

Felt all these emotions. Knew people who knew all my shit and still loved me (here's to you my beautiful, crazy ones). Knew people who didn't even know half my shit and judged me relentlessly (I've nothing to say). Lost friends. Kept only the reliable, non judging but real ones. Had down times. Had fun times. Had nothing to do. Had so much to do. Rebuilt my faith (again, FAITH, not religion. Yeah, I'm agnostic, deal with it.) Questioned myself. Learned that some things will never change.

I've donned a lot of hats the past 24 years: Everyone's favorite girl. Little genius. Smart, promising kid. Shy girl. Kontesera. Nerd. Miserable child. Crazy child. Lost girl. College girl extraordinaire. Jobless bitch. Busy girl. Selfless. Selfish. Good girlfriend. Bad girlfriend. Bad friend. Good friend. Too unsure of herself. I've been this, been that, more so, I've been me--whatever that means.

I'm turning 25 in 4 days. I've dealt with so much harsh realities. I may not have the answer to the question "How do you see yourself 5 yrs from now?" but does that even matter?

What I know is this: No matter how many times I've fallen, somehow, some way, even if it takes me a long, long while, I always, always try to get back on track. My track. Not yours, but mine.

I've dealt with shit--I've been shit. But sometimes, life and I get along just fine. Right now, I'd say I'm gettin' back on track. Maybe it's the unconventional kind. But I'm rolling with the punches and sometimes...sometimes my heart just says that I'm in the right place. That I'm okay. That it's still all good.

I'm turning 25. I'm embracing it. I'm in the now.

"I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby...I'm broke, but I'm happy, I'm brave but I'm chicken shit...and what it all comes down to, is that everything's gonna be fine fine fine..." --Alanis Morisette, "Hand in my Pocket"

Filipino Friday: What Kind of Reader Are You?

 

What Kind of Reader Am I? Well, based on this infographic, let's see...

Please include attribution to Laura E. Kelly with this graphic. (Click to view at original large size.)

Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors.

I'm compulsively a Book Worshipper slash Immersive Reader.  My books are my life and it always makes me happy whenever I see them stacked on my shelves or when I see all the e-books I've accumulated over the years. It gives me this sense of pride. I'm an immerse reader because sometimes, some books are just too good and what can you do but give them their time of day and just read them all the way through, right? It's better that way--makes you feel more a part of the story.

I'm also a "It's Complicated" reader. I read mostly everything. Everything, as long as the story's good, as long as I like the author, as long as the cover is oh-so-gorgeous, I'll give it a try. Also a bit of a professional reader, now, yes, because well, I review books and I love it.

P.S. I'm also an underliner and scribbler, a re-reader slash comfort reader and a sharer screamer. shameless, yes.

What about you? What kind of reader are you?

Alluring Turmoil by Skye Turner (Review + Playlist and Author Interview)

Hello everyone! Welcome to Alluring Turmoil's stop on my blog.

Title: Alluring Turmoil (Bayou Stix #1)
Author: Skye Turner

Amazon Kindle Amazon Paperback Smashwords

Alexia Sloane is the twenty-six year old owner of the highly successful Louisiana coffee shop/bakery, Java and Sweeties. The past couple of years have been all she’s dreamed of and her business takes all of her focus, all of her heart. 
Jude Delecroix is the lead singer of one of the most famous rock bands in the country, Bayou Stix, and the man who broke Lexi’s heart. 
Lexi and Jude have a past. 
When Jude comes back to town eight years after leaving to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a famous musician and comes face to face with Lexi, forces collide, old hurts are brought to the surface, and life as these two have been living it will never be the same. 
There are two sides to every story, and what happens when the things you believed to be concrete suddenly crumble like ash and fade away? 
What happens when two people afraid to face the past, become involved in the present? Can they hope for a future?
Welcome to Louisiana where humidity and passion are high and things are not always what they seem.

***

The first installment of the Bayou Stix series, this is the story of how Jude Delecroix--everyone's favorite rockstar comes back into Lexi Sloane's life. Jude and Lexi had a strong but tumultuous past. They both think that the other broke the other's heart and so refused to speak to each other for a long, long time and definitely avoided one another however they could. 

But fate has another plan and so Jude finds himself back in Louisiana and back in Lexi's life. Truths rise up. And they have to choose whether to be in each other's history and just stay right there or to be part of each other's life again, and this time, for good.

This book is soooooooo sexy. I mean, soooooo sexy. Like, you'd really have to catch your breath while reading it because it'll give you so.much.chills. Plus, who does not want to read about rockstars havin' errm...doing sexy stuff? Haha. It's so much fun. 

I also like how this book is also about friendship and taking care of the ones you love in your life. It's about making choices and being yourself through it all. It's about taking a leap of faith and giving love a chance again.

If you love music, and you love sexy, romantic books, then this one's for you. 

***

AN INTERVIEW WITH SKYE TURNER

1. What's your inspiration for "Alluring Turmoil"?

I’ve been an Indie Editor for 3 years, one day this summer, I finally decided to just sit down and take the story that had been pushing closer and closer to the front out of my head and onto the laptop.

Why is Jude a rock star? I have no idea. Probably because all women have the “bad boy with tattoos” somewhere in their line-up of what they find sexy. Add a motorcycle and a voice that melts your heart, and Jude was born.
Lexi owns a coffeeshop/bakery because it’s actually a dream of mine and I felt it would add a nice aspect to the story.

Alluring Turmoil is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and you will find a lot of Louisiana locations and flare in the book. The location was a no brainer for me, since Louisiana is home and I always tell authors through my editing to “write about what you know.”

2. As a writer, what's the biggest problem that you've encountered?

I think the biggest hurdle for me was approaching blogs and trying to get them interested in taking a chance on me and my work, since I’m an unknown. But I have to be honest, for the most part blogs and authors have been so supportive and willing to help.

3. As Jude is a rock star, who's your favorite rock star? And what do you think makes rock stars so hot?

My personal favorite rock star is probably Adam Levine. I know that’s a little cliche, but he’s just so intriguing.

Personally, I think rock stars touch a chord with people because they are personified as “bad boys”. Most have the “devil may care” attitude, tattoos, cocky smirks, and panty melting voices. Put all of it together and it’s a man you shouldn’t even like, but you can’t help but want.

4. How did you move past your worst heartbreak?

My worst heartbreak… well for a while, I went a little wild, but then I met the “right” person (my husband) and things just fell into place. Bottom line though, is I had to keep living. Waiting and wallowing in depression is not healthy and changes nothing.

5. Any message to your readers?

I’d like to thank my “fans” and the readers who may become fans for taking the time to take a chance on me. I fell completely in love with my characters and I hope that all of you will as well. And I’d like to offer up some unwarranted advice… If you have a dream, take a chance. If you don’t try, you’ll never know true success. You might fail, but if you don’t try, you’ll always wonder, and you just might surprise yourself… and others. 

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned writer. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism. She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, 2 children, and 4 fur babies. When she's not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing Supermom, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), listening to music and dancing like a fool, or catching up on her family oriented blog.

Check out her Website and her Twitter.

***

Check out the Alluring Turmoil Playlist HERE.

Songs:

Clarity- Zedd

Scream- Usher

Dance

Me to the End of Love- The Civil Wars

All or Nothing- Theory of a Deadman

You and Me- Lifehouse

Rockstar- Nickelback

It‟s Not Over- Daughtry

So What- Pink

Asking Too Much- All That Remains

I Can‟t Stay Away- The Veronicas

Wanted You More- Lady Antebellum

One More Night- Maroon 5

Blow Me (One Last Kiss)- Pink

If I Didn‟t Have You- Thompson Square

Home- Michael Bublé

Not Over You- Gavin DeGraw

Why Do You Love Me- Garbage

Photograph- Nickelback

Broken- Seether, Amy Lee

Desperately Wanting- Better Than Ezra

Blame- Cavo

Come & Get It- Selena Gomez

Everybody‟s Fool- Evanescence

If I Ever Get Around To Living- John Mayer

Fortune and Pain- Kyle Turley

I Could Not Ask For More- Edwin McCain

Thanks To You- All Time Low

Trying Not To Love You- Nickelback

Cruise- Florida Georgia Line

When You Were Mine- Lady Antebellum

You Don‟t Know Her Like I Do- Brantley Gilbert

Lost In You- Three Days Grace

You Lie- The Band Perry

Screwed Up and Beautiful- Better Than Ezra

Who You Are- Jessie J

ALLURING TURMOIL ARC: THE ENIGMA OF HERSELF

Something To Talk About- Bonnie Raitt

Someone Else Calling You Baby- Luke Bryan

The Man Who Never Lied- Maroon 5

First Time- Jonas Brothers

After All- Cher and Peter Cetera

Think Twice- Eve 6

Cass and Jin Eats: Merienda--Marikina Style

Just a mini-update. After some walking and a little kikay shopping yesterday, we walked around San Roque, Marikina (which I tell you is a fun, relaxing thing to do) and decided to drop by Macky's Goto--one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in Marikina and decided to have some Halo-Halo to beat the heat.

Halo-Halo from Macky's Goto (P30)

The Halo-Halo is pretty much a minimalist Halo-Halo that consists of a lot of beans--mongo, chick peas or Garbanzos, and some White Beans (not too sure what they're called). Plus, some strips of Buco. The milk is good and sweet--yep, it's sugary, but it's not overpowering. The Leche Flan is not too sweet, though. And then of course there's the Halayang Ube. There's supposed to be some Bananas here but they ran out of stock that afternoon. Over-all, it's not as tasty as other halo-halos but if you're the type who likes minimalist Halo-Halos then you should try this one. It also comes in this tall glass so you know you're getting a lot--and the ice is well-crushed so you wouldn't have any problems with them disrupting your halo-halo moment. 

Aside from that, we bought one of those Putong Pulo packs from one of the stores near Our Lady of the Abandoned Church.

This only costs P50.

I think you'll enjoy the fact that the Puto is not your usual Puto that's too gelatinous and ricey. (Ricey? Lol) Plus, the cheese is really, really, really good. Did I say really good? Yes. You can visit those stores near Our Lady of the Abandoned Church and Earth Japan Surplus in JP Rizal Street, Marikina. You won't regret it, I promise. 

So yeah, toodles! :)

Cass and Jin Eats: Some Belgian, Some Japanese and Some Pinoy

So, yesterday we went malling (which is a big stress reliever) and we went food-tripping (another stress reliever!)

Strawberry Creamcheese Belgian Waffle (P55) from Famous Belgian Waffles. Like them on Facebook

First thing we tried were the Strawberry Creamcheesee and Blueberry Creamcheese from Famous Belgian Waffles. I like the set-up of their cafe/stall, although it's kind of small, but the whole wood-paneling and fence design worked, I think. As for the waffles, they're great! I got the Strawberry Cheesecake Waffle for only P55. I love how the strawberries and the cheese mixed together and would've had more if only I wasn't too lactose-intolerant (boo). The Blueberry Creamcheese waffle is only P45, and it was good, too. Minimalist and simple but good. Plus, the smell of all the waffles are just soooooo tempting. They also have a wide variety of flavors so I think you definitely should check them out.

Next, we went to this stall called California Maki. You can visit their Facebook Page HERE.

Gyoza (P25) and Philly Maki(P35) from California Maki. Caramel Ice Cream (P25) from Mcdonalds. 

If you're looking for some affordable Japanese street food, then better head on over to California Maki now. The Gyoza (steamed Gyoza) is pretty nice, not too doughy, not too shabby and the taste of the fish/shrimp are really evident. The Philly Maki with garlic sauce is pretty good, too. And then of course, there's my favorite Caramel Ice Cream from Mcdonalds. Cheap thrill, yes.

Lastly, we took home my favorite Fresh Lumpia from Goldilocks.

Lumpiang Ubod/Fresh Lumpia (P60) from Goldilocks. Check them out HERE.

Ah, I've always loved Goldilocks' Fresh Lumpia. It's really fresh and you can definitely tell that from the crunch of the vegetables and the tofu. Plus, there's some meat inside too which makes it such a delectable dish. Their sauce also never fails. You'd definitely want more. 

Review and Favorite Quotes from David Levithan and Andrea Cremer's "Invisibility"

Title: Invisibility
Authors: David Levithan and Andrea Cremer

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

***

Every once in a while, you come across a book that even by just reading the first page, you know you will fall in love with. This is what this book is to me! I really love David Levithan. His books are often poignant but easy to devour and super, super romantic. Haven't read anything from Andrea Cremer before this one but I must say, she and David have some good writing chemistry.  This is the story of Stephen who has been invisible his whole life...until he meets a girl named Elizabeth who, for some reason, is able to see him. And then there's Elizabeth's brother, Laurie, who reminds me so much of Patrick from "The Perks of being a Wallflower!"  These characters are super lovable and though this is a story of magic and curses, you'll fall for the characters and fall for their stories. It's such an easy, hard-to-out down kind of book. It's about trying to see past through who you are and trying to live past the challenges and the pain. And it's a great, great love story <3  Two thumbs up for this one! *** FAVORITE QUOTES: "I don't want it to be. I want to narrow the world back down to the two of us, just for a little while. I want her to be able to retreat into me, and I want to be able to retreat into her." "This is the beginning of something. Neither of us knows what, but that's okay. What matters is that it's the beginning of something. You feel that, don't you?" You say something like, "it's okay", not because it's okay but because you're hoping those words will somehow make it okay. Even though they never, ever do. "It's easier when I'm angry. Anger has been my armor for a while now and I'm comfortable slipping into it again." "You're allowed to walk away," I said. She smiled. "I know. But in this case, I'd rather walk towards." "She's scared. Strong, but scared." "Some people are given relatively fair lives but others, they carry the burden of the world on their shoulders." "Because you're young and in love. Love feels distant while loss feels close." "What I'd really love right now is for us to exist in the world as we know it five weeks ago."

Burn Out by Ruthi Knight (Review + Book Soundtrack)

Hello October! And hello to y'all. Welcome to Burn Out's stop on my blog via Girls Heart Books Tours.

Title: Burn Out
Author: Ruthi Knight
Links: Goodreads Amazon

Pyromaniac. Murderer. Burn out.

Ten years ago Delia’s life went up in smoke. Literally. After a decade of hiding, she is forced back into the world. With only her wits to guide her, she must now figure out how to live in a town that knows her only as a murderer. Her family is gone. The people all fear her. She has nothing holding her in Sunny Shores...until she meets Liam. He’s heard the stories. He knows he should stay away from her, but he’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Life seems to be looking up for them...until her past comes back like a bitch slap to the face.

***

This book was quite a surprise for me. At first, I thought that it had a pretty good cover but was skeptical as to how it would really be, as a book. But, boy, was I glad I read this.

This is the story of how Delia, who had been living away from people for ten years--ever since she was blamed for her parents' death. Now that she's back, will she be able to break away from the bonds of the past and find that there's still life out there for her?

And then there's Liam--the guy who seems to have the hots for Delia, and who's always there for her, not even minding the fact that she's a known pyromaniac.

This book is the right mix of being twisted, and realistic. It will make you think. It will make you realize so many things about the world we're living in and that there are always chances--the only catch is that sometimes, there are things that can't work together...but it doesn't mean that you shouldn't give them a chance. Sometimes, life gives you hell--and it's up to you to know what to do.

And the ending...I have so much feels! But not gonna tell you because you SHOULD read the book. And I mean it.

Another thing I like about this book is that it's so easy to read, but it never loses depth.  It's so hard to put down that you'll probably finish it right away.

So yes, bravo to this book, and two thumbs up to the author.

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ruthi Kight currently lives in her hometown of Columbia, SC, with her fiancé and five year old daughter. She has an unhealthy addiction to books, music, and chocolate, but not necessarily in that order. When her dream of being a rock star didn't work out, she focused on her other passion: writing. She is the author of Knotted Roots, a YA Coming of Age story, and is currently working on two other novels that are due out this year.

You may catch up with Ruthi at:

Facebook  Twitter her Blog Goodreads

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PLAYLIST

1. Linkin Park - Numb
2. Danielle Bradbery - Heart of Dixie
3. The Runaways - Cherry Bomb
4. The Doors - Hello, I Love You
5. Maroon 5 - Must Get Out
6. Suzanne Vega - Luka
7. Joseph Arthur - Honey and the Moon
8. Selena Gomez - Slow Down
9. The Swell Season - The Moon
10. Avril Lavigne - Goodbye
11. Leighton Meester and Garett Hedlund - Give in to me
12. The Weepies - Can't Go Back Now