bethgstories

As an author and having attended quite a few workshops about writing, I always keep an eye on various events, symposia, dialogues and seminars (for free, of course!) that would definitely make me grow as a writer. I am just so glad that yesterday, Kim and I pushed our plans to attend this symposium called Book Talks @SecretLivesOfBooks . It was held in the Ayala Museum and for the life of an author, I'd say that this kind of opportunity seldom comes by. So what have I learned from the speakers? Let me share with you some of the things that greatly caught my interest. It's the cover that sells. Librarian of the Rizal Library of the Ateneo de Manila University Dr. Vernon Totales gave a detailed analysis of the evolution of the book covers of Agoncillo's The History of the Filipino People (I think I still have my copy of the latest edition somewhere here), and Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Panahon by the great Ricky Lee . Funny how I haven't paid attention to the details o...

After the PPCRV volunteering I did for the elections, the somewhat depressing outcome of the results and the day today that was so tiring yet fulfilling, I figured I deserved a treat. Although chocolate cake and coffee could have been heaven, I decided to go for pasta and pizza for lunch. My stop? Gotti's Ristorante. I discovered this place a few weeks ago. I tried their puttanesca and as much as I wanted to also try the pizza margherita , my doubt for my appetite that day prevailed. Good thing there's always next time, and it happened today. I had Joe's minestrone first - something that I haven't had for quite a while now. The tomato goodness of the soup and the finely diced vegetables made up for the lack of pasta. Macaroni is missing, and instead it was replaced with a few strands of spaghetti. I've been reading minestrone recipes online and all of them have macaronis so I don't know if Joe's version is something original in some places in Italy. Joe...

I went to McDonald's this afternoon in the name of my cheeseburger and fries cravings. Like the usual, I went to stand behind the counter for senior citizens and persons with disability since I have my disability card with me. Then a young pregnant woman came, seemingly in a rush, and she stood beside me. Our eyes met, and then I caught her looking at me from head to toe, like she was evaluating me if I was really standing in the right lane. I get that stare... a lot. There was even an elderly woman who tapped my shoulder and said, "This is the senior citizen's lane. You should not be here." Her tone sounded like I was too stupid on missing the sign behind the register. Maybe it wasn't her intention, but I felt like I needed to explain thoroughly why I was there. But then everytime I would show my PWD ID to those who are curious, my dreaded question would come up next. "Myasthenia gravis? What is that?" You see, despite living for more than three years w...

Belle is devastated and heartbroken. Kaya naman matapos ang kanyang failed suicide attempt, sinama siya ng mga kaibigang sina Jean at Callie na mag-out of town. Pero ang masaya sanang out of town ay nauwi sa emergency room, nang makaramdam si Belle ng mga sintomas ng isa palang kakaibang sakit. Then here comes Joseph Benivides, a mighty handsome young doctor. Makayanan kaya niyang i-save si Belle from her broken heart? Magagamot ba niya ang sakit ni Belle? And the ultimate question: ang sakit nga ba ni Belle ang maglalapit sa kanila, o ang maghahatid sa kanila sa happily never after?

"No matter how you feel inside, you must always look good on the outside." That's one of the words of wisdom I've picked up from Once Upon a Time. On good days, I might actually believe that. Though physical appearance isn't on the top of your list of important things, it still makes an impression. But on bad days, which is practically most days for chronically ill people, well, it's really hard to care about the way you look, especially if you are on a lot of drugs, or you simply can't move in the literal sense. And I am talking from experience. Gone were the days when my eyes looked heavy with eyeliners and mascara. I no longer bother, for most of the time, I can't even lift my hands and arms to do the job. Now my eyes would look heavy, not from make-up but from my symptoms. Bright red lips are sometimes okay, but totally optional. I can't see the point of wearing them red. Though colored lip balm became my best friend. My hair is getting longer,...

My book reading challenge is going quite well, and I am glad that I am somehow up to date. My book choices are also superb so far, which is probably why I am too excited to invade my bookshelf. Don't Breathe A Word is another intriguing novel. Its protagonist, Joy , is a disturbed, sickly teenager who ran away from her family. Her boyfriend, Asher is said to have contributed to Joy's disturbing past, as a victim of domestic violence. I liked the plot of the story. I have read a lot of books about bullying where the bullied and the disturbed sincerely believed that suicide is the best solution there is. I am not saying that running away is a good solution, but absolutely not worse than putting an end to a life of one's self. I was expecting a lot of situations of Joy's involvement in domestic violence because I wanted enough reason for Joy to run away from her family. Sure, what Asher did to her was way too cruel, but it wasn't unexpected. Her disappointment and pai...

Finally, I've finished reading the trilogy. I just don't like being left hanging in the open, that is why I forced myself to finish the series. What I have said about the first book remains true, though - that it is quite an intriguing read. Mara and Noah, and this time including their schoolmate and friend, Jamie are all humans, except for them bearing an abnormal gene that makes them extraordinary. It reminded me of th Hannah .e movie  It is just so frustrating on Mara's part to be considered a freak. In the real world, no one's really gonna believe her extraordinariness. It's just so lucky of her to have a big brother Daniel, who was always there for her. Plus there were parts in the books that are unnecessary, like the story can still go on and reach the same ending without them. And why is it that Noah's point of view suddenly pops up in the last book? I couldn't ignore Noah and Mara's romantic banter. Their words, especially Noah's, were almos...