1. One book that changed your life?

Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice

Reading it in sixth grade really opened my mind into poetry and art and the darkness of things.

2. One book you have read more than once?

Dragon Sword and Wind Child

I must have read it about three times. I was so determined to read it at least once a year of my life! It's a Japanese fantasy translated into English. I don't know if it's a famous classic. I did find a common bond with the main character and the writing was a poetry on its own.

3. One book you would want on a desert island?

The Army Survival Manual

4. One book that made you laugh?

One For the Money by Janet Evanovich (sadly, I have yet to finish it)

5. One book that made you cry:

The Rose and The Beast by Francesca Lia Block

It's under the "Teen" section of the bookstore, but you have to read it! It's exquisite poetry.

6. One book you wish had been written?

The Answer To Everything (which would be a book with a long Introduction and a single blank page that is the True answer).

7. One book you wish had never been written?

I steer clear from these. And I hypnotize myself that I've never seen or heard of them. So I don't remember what they are.

8. One book you are currently reading?

Hannibal by Thomas Harris

9. One book you have been meaning to read?

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi (and the bible too...someday)

10. Now tag five people.

Some 20 things you might not know about me even if you're my friend.

1) I'm afraid of thunder. But I'm trying to get over it. I love lightning.

2) I cherish good friends.

3) I'm a hugger. Especially to huggable friends and strangers!

4) Gluttony is my vice.

5) Attention is what I hunger for.

6) Over-conservativism is my sin. Impulse glorifies.

7) I love my family! I just can't tell them that openly.

8) I hate lying. I'm bad at it.

9) If you lie to me, regaining my trust will be the hardest thing to do. Regaining my respect will even be harder.

10) I look up to a lot of my older cousins since I don't have older siblings.

11) I love my little brother but he won't hear that from me anytime soon XD.

12) I'm lazy. I'm a talker, not a do-er. That's why most of my drawings are unfinished...and my room is a pigsty.

13) I tend to get confused most of the time because I'm too lazy to think.

14) Sometimes I pretend I'm confused to avoid talking about a topic I don't like.

15) My family and I have a lot of problems we don't face. We fail at communication skills.

16) I'm not always happy just because I smile.

17) I'm not good at keeping promises. I'm sorry.

18) My best friend, means the world to me. She understands me the best! Whoever hurts her will die in a slow agonizing death (in my mind).

19) I am an idealistic optimist and a pessimist rolled into one. Sometimes I contradict myself but I'm mostly optimistic to those that know me. Mostly pessimistic to the people that listen to my troubles.

20) I love to make people's day because I think a smile can tip the scale from a million different woes to a pinch of happiness. I want to make the world a better place. ^_^

I'm currently working at Starbucks. Been busy, busy, busy. I love it! Of course, I still draw on the side. I just don't have a means to put them up online. But now, Toto has his computer back, I hope to be able to use his scanner tomorrow! Yay! ^_^

As for my job, I love the people and the work! I got trained on Bar duty today and I think I did fairly well. I'm not a coffee addict...I'm just addicted to making them ^_~ Here's hoping I don't forget to put up more stuffs soon!

I watched Howl's Moving Castle! It's out in the Hollywood area, like X/1999 the movie was out several years ago and never came to Orange County. But the best part is I got to watch it! In Amazon.com, there is a book by Dianna Wynne Jones with the same title and I believe that's where they got the movie from.

The movie was fantastic! It was very heartwarming and I had a smile throughout watching it! As usual, the musical pieces were carefully tuned and flowed sweetly throughout the movie. It made me want to draw happy things afterwards! Happy things!!! ^______^ So much for morbidity. I recommend it not only because it is directed by Hayao Miyazaki, or created by Ghibli, but also because it teaches one to be true to themselves and the ones that they love.

Once, a friend of mine commented that he did not like the animation for Ghibli and how "simple" they looked. Being a Ghibli fan, I was insulted and went on the defense. In fact, the simplicity of the character designs and elegant backgrounds are a trademark for Ghibli films. Perhaps what seduces me the most to their creations are their characters and that they can be related to. However magical the journey, the characters' decisions are not unlike that of the "normal" person.

I encourage you all to watch the movie and feel really good! ^_^

I met a fellow taga-Iloilo today, by the bus stop. New friend! He's a year older bala. I haven't met one from Visayas that's not related to me. Ah, I love it when people know exactly what I am. I've been mistaken for Vietnamese, Chinese, even Mexican sometimes, but the Pinoys know a fellow kababayan (fellow countryman) when they see one. ^_~

"Pilipino ka?" (Are you Filipino?) But he already knew before he asked.

"Oo."(Yes) I grinned. "I heard you talking on the phone nga eh and I was just smiling to myself..."

"Taga diin ka?" (Where are you from?)

"Iloilo. Ikaw?" (Iloilo. You?)

"Bisaya gali. Ako man....Bacolod." (Ah, Bisaya. Me too...from Bacolod)

(Whee! I finally met someone from Iloilo who knows more people from Iloilo without any sort of relation to moi. That means meeting more people!) Pero...Something he said caught me though...

"Ano major mo?" (What's your major?)

"Ga-kwa ko subong LVN." (I'm taking LVN)

"Amo na gusto mo?" (Is that what you want [to do]?)

"...Amo man na nami hambal ni mama eh." (That's what mom says is good [to take].)

I knew that feeling all too well... We took the same bus, talked a bit more. Of course our conversation led back to about our homeland, our ties to it. But what he would say later...

"Mas nami pa 'to sa aton." (It is better at our place <--meaning the Philippines)

It broke my heart. His voice was level when he said it, but it felt broken when I heard it. I looked down, like he was looking down, and I knew he was thinking of the things he misses like I was thinking of the things I miss. I was hit with a strong blow of nostalgia, leaving me wordless for several moments before I could eke out an "I know..."

I walked over to my cousins' home and, just before I could cross the street to their door, I stopped by the sidewalk and stood there like I was about to cry. I would not have been able to explain the tears so I stopped…

I miss the Philippines too, I whispered to the trees, to the air, to the sun. I miss it dearly.