My First Free Book

“When fact and fiction are combined in novels, it’s not always clear to the reader which is which.”

Nelson DeMille said this in his Wild Fire's Author’s Note. It is very well true and that's what attracted me to grab and choose this free book distributed by our library.


Mixing fact and fiction makes a story really exciting. So, thumbs up to Mr. DeMille. However, if you really are interested in determining which are fact and which are fiction, you need to do only one thing - research. Nonetheless, let the books entertain me at times and teach me at another.

The only conflict I encountered was that I found this other book. It was written by James Patterson entitled The Jester. I also liked the book because in his note, he wrote this (not the exact line but the same thought), "Every author has a favorite among the novels he wrote and this is my favorite among the books I wrote."

That very thought intrigued me about the reason why it's James Patterson's favorite book. I have to find out.

I had to choose among the two and I chose the first. I just asked this to be reserved to me because the library didn't allow a student to take home two. One may return and get another... but only when done with the first book. Better get on with Wild Fire because I can't wait to get my hands on The Jester. Hahahahaha! XD

So, that's it?

[Rec] and Quarantine are the same films. There are differences in some scenes but basically, [Rec] is in Spanish and Quarantine is in English. [Rec] is only an hour and fifteen minute film while Quarantine is appriximately one and a half hour. Quarantine is inspired by [Rec]. Of course, some names and characters differ but the main character is still Angela Vidal (and the dog is still named Max). Both movie has the same plot of story. So, yes, I have wasted my time.

[Rec] and Quarantine revolves around a reporter covering an assignment of filming the life of firemen, everything they do in front and behind the camera. That's it.

Being a reporter takes a lot of responsibility. I like the scene when either of the Angela Vidal actresses fight for their right to take video to let people know what is/was happening. Sad to say, the tragedy won't let their efforts do their job to reach the public. Instead of her and her cameraman reporting the event, it was them that was reported.

Being a reporter isn't easy. In your pursuit of the truth, it might also harm you. In the movie, although it is fictitious, a simple cover of firemen life killed the reporter and her cameraman. "People think we [firemen] run around putting out fires but around 70% of the calls we get are for other types of services. For example, broken water mains or stopping a water leak, or helping someone out of their apartment, or pet rescue, too." At that particular moment that Angela was with the firemen, they responded not to a fire alarm but of a neighbor disturbance. Yet, everybody died inside of the building where they went. Their timing was bad because the building was sealed when they have entered. If only they came late, they won't get in the middle of the situation. But in real life, you cannot say when and where. Remember what happened in the Maguindanao Massacre? A lot of journalists were killed. They were just accompanying someone who will pass her certificate of candidacy and all of them was ambushed.

Being part of the media takes a lot of courage to face everyday trials and issues. You also have to keep in mind that danger might be following you wherever you go, but not always.

Going back to the films, I like to compare and contrast them. I like the child of [Rec] better than of Quarantine. The sound she made is very interesting. Ahaha! Sorry for the word, but I like horror, creepy, suspense, thriller stories. I am also sorry to inform you that when I watched the two films (different day and time), I was eating. Take note, for both movie. It was not intentional, but I got hungry. Well, while eating delicious food, I was staring at blood squirting scenarios.

One thing I noticed is that the film is just around the people who were and went inside the building. The movie ended with Angela being pulled away from the camera view. So, that's it? Yes. Because it didn't continue to what those people outside did and because the whole movie was from the  first eye point of view, the view of those who are involved directly like in other movies such as Blairwtich Project, Cloverfield, and Paranormal Activity.

Be Careful of What You Wish For

What is a family without a father? It's incomplete and hard, right? As you see your mom being a single parent and you have many siblings, it hurts you. The absence of a father affects the whole family. However, what's the difference of this one with a family with a father but doesn't act like one?

A father is important in a life of an individual. A father figure is mostly needed by boys and has a big effect if they don't get it. They may get lost in their own paths at an early age. They will go astray, confused of what they really want with their lives other than drinking and smoking, becoming hard headed and many more. All of the enumerated were the result of a fatherless family, a family who once had a father and for no logical reason, vanishes in their lives and on the face of the earth without a trace, saying all the fathers went to the moon.

"Please Don't Come Back From the Moon" is a very good novel for me. Although at the teenage years of the characters, they were already doing things that adults should do, that's only on the first part. As you go along reading, you will see their progress. As I will put it, they started badly and ended up becoming better.

I like the way it was written. I love what profession Michael Smolij chose, to become a writer, somewhat similar to mine. I encountered a lot of terms and scenarios that we have already encountered and which we will surely encounter a lot of times in the future when we have our jobs. I like the way some scenes show humor. It made me laugh in times I didn't expect it to. And I like the pun Dean Bakopoulos has made in the names of the bars: George Monday's, Ruby Tuesday, happy Wednesday's, TGI Friday's. Does it really have to contain the days of the week? It was in the story because it's almost everyday that the characters drink.

To sum it all up, I like the book, I like it's story. In it's simplicity, it's beautiful. So if your father leaves a note saying he went to the moon, don't say right away "please don't come back from the moon." Be careful of what you wish for, because who knows, in time when we're not aware, it might come true.

We Can Do It

I've heard a lot of comments that Green Lantern is boring. Well, for me it wasn't. Film viewing is my hobby. Of course I choose what to watch but basically, I'll watch anything. I judge movies after watching them. But it is so rare that I dislike movies. I can't even remember one or even enumerate those that I don't like until I hear their titles again.

I think it's kind of my problem in the field of U.S. films... telling what is good, not telling things as they are. For me, almost everything they produce is beautiful, sometimes awesome. The effects they use are amazing and I find their stories fascinating. But, I have no problem with myself with that. I am happy about it. If there comes a time that I have to be blunt and frank, I can and I will because time asks me to adopt. I know how to be objective, but not always on film viewing because I watch most of the time for the mere reason of entertaining myself when I'm not doing anything or whenever I need a break from doing something.

So I like the movie, not because it's "green" again (yes, I admit it is, but only a part) but because of the story of humans. When we are chosen, we kind of give all the possible reason for us not to be selected. Why don't we just believe that they chose us because they know we can?

The ring chose Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds) because it saw that he is fearless. Fearless is the job description. But he knew in himself and he admitted that he was afraid. The answer to this dilemma was given by Carol Ferris (played by Blake Lively), "The ring didn't see you fearless, it saw that you have the ability to overcome fear. It saw that you're courageous."

As I watch the movie, I learned that the ring can produce anything that we imagine. During Green Lantern's first appearance to the public when the helicopter was about to crash, Hal thought of a fast solution to keep the people safe. After that scene, I kind of reflected, if I was in that situation, would I have acted fast as well? Will I be able to do what he has done? Then I found the answer. We are not the same. He is he and I am me. I may not be able to do it in his way, but I will certainly do it on my way. And as I remember all the obstacles that I have encountered, I can say that I can act on the situation properly because I have seen myself in God's view. He won't give me trials if He knows I won't be able to face it.

Believe, that's all you need to do and trust, because you should not doubt.

The Walking Dead

Ever since I was a kid, I am a fan of zombies, whether it be a a game or a movie.

I am really hooked up into Resident Evil 3 Nemesis in play station one and computer. Eventually, the movie was released. There came Resident Evil. Resident Evil Apocalypse followed. Resident Evil Extinction came afterward. Then, we have Resident Evil Afterlife. I watched them a lot over and over again.

Although I wasn't able to follow the story of the games Capcom release, I like the story shown in the movie. When Extinction came out, the first time I watched it, I kind of became confused. The first and second movie were awesome and then all of a sudden, it was like that? They killed my idol, Carlos Olivera, and my other idol, Jill Valentine, had only a small time appearance. I also disliked Afterlife. However, for the third and fourth movie, as I watched them repeatedly, I finally liked them and I understood the story. Now, I'm waiting for the reappearance of Jill on the fifth movie. I am still hoping to see Ada Wong.

This is the first time that I saw a zombie story that is in series. It's entitled The Walking Dead. I like it so much. I remember 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, I Am Legend. I finished the first season already. Although the reason how everything got started wasn't explained, I was amazed at how the story went. It was a story of how to survive a city full of zombies while facing some struggles and conflicts with your comrades.

"Just one bite, one scratch, you will become one of them." My most memorable line of the red queen in Resident Evil 1 and "Shoot them in the head!" of Jill Valentine in Resident Evil Apocalypse.

Now, the word that you'll hear from me will be "Walkers!"

Oh, by the way, I am entertained in Plants vs Zombies. It is a relaxing zombie story contrasted to other zombie stories like Left for Dead. Hehe.. XD

A Book About Relationship

Inspired by my friend, I bought and read this book. I remember him say, on our first year college, that he was looking for this book because when he read this when he was young, it made him cry. Now that he found it, he shared it to us, in our circle of friends. But he left and I didn't get the chance to read. So I bought it even though it's kind of expensive.

"hope for the flowers" is a 1972 book, its copyright date. The story is simple. We have these worms who had their journey to become butterflies. Trina Paulus gave them human characteristics, a personification, and I see it just appropriate since they are also living creatures.

Stripe said "there must be more to life than just eating and getting bigger." He had this realization while he was alone. It's true. So he went on his adventure into the world, leaving the place of his birth. He met Yellow. They become more than friends. The one gives meaning to the other.

Conflicts will always be present. Stripe left to pursue his goal. If things can't be done by talking, give each other space because that's the time when each will reflect and realize some things. Yellow thought, "What in the world do I really want? It seems different every few minutes. But I know there must be more."

Of course, along the way, you will doubt at times. Yellow asked another worm, "How can I believe there's a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?"

In life, there are lots of things to learn, to be discovered. We have to believe in ourselves, in our capabilities. Yellow said, "Imagine, I didn't even know I could do this. That's some encouragement that I am on the right track."

Afterwards, she became a butterfly. She went to Stripe and he didn't notice him. In life, not everything we want to say is through words only. We have to see the non-verbal actions and listen to the hidden messages by heart.

In the end, both of them came back to each other again, but now, as butterflies.

To put it in human nature, we started young, just like those caterpillars. We grew up and learned things about ourselves, about others, about life. We once were like others, lost and not sure of what we should do. But as we grow more, we come to realize that there will come a time that we should get out of our shells, and show the world who we really are. We will learn something we might not know we are capable of. In the end, we can shine brighter than anyone in our own ways. Let us pursue our goals and trust not only ourselves, but others as well. People who come to our lives are important for they will accompany us on our journey here on earth. So cherish them.

"E"nvironment friendly par"K"*

When was the last time I went to this amusement park? Oh, that's right. I remember. It was way back when I was in grade six. It was a field trip. 

The very first time was when I was in grade five. It was the same, it was our field trip. I didn't quite enjoy it. Yes, I was with my classmates, but it was not my family.

I can't remember everything. But they were memorable because field trip was the only reason I was able to go to that area.

On the other hand, the time I got inside Star City was in fourth year high school Christmas break. I was with relatives, the family of my mother's sister. It was memorable as it was my first time. But still, my shyness kind of held me back a little. Nonetheless, it was fun.

And now, I went back to the very first amusement park I had visited. I was with my journalist friends, a family we call M.A.F.F.E.R. Everything was memorable. There was a promo, P350/ticket for students. It comes with free hotdog and soda. The only three rides we were able to enjoy were the rides that I rode for the first time: Flying Fiesta, Anchor's Away, and Space Shuttle.

Flying Fiesta was still kind of calm. The second one, Anchor's Away was kind of wild. And the last, Space Shuttle, was INSANE!

In Flying Fiesta, nothing special happened. We just flew around and around.

In Anchor's Away, a part of me is always taken away whenever we go down. The ship rocked back and forth making a steep pause in each side. We were seated at the back part so it was totally wild. I am not afraid of heights, but it's just that I was uncomfortable. I sat at my seat all alone, still and motionless.

Last but not the least, Space Shuttle. The question is, does it really bring us to space since it is a shuttle? The answer is no because it's freaking insane. At first we were brought at a great height. Of course, it was making a grand entrance. It was high and evening. Then we heard a click... "Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" I was never so shaken that hard in my whole life. The hardest was at the back of a bus going up and down the road and making us jump whenever it runs fast and hit a bumpy road. Well, this broke that record. XD

I am so speechless with what I have experienced. It was fun. It was my first time on all three of that. I still want to ride them again. And I hope I may still ride those that I haven't yet. We went home tired and with this:

I love you guys. I hope we will be complete next time. :))

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*E.K. - Enchanted Kingdom