Resurrection?

So hello there. Nice to meet you! I'm Marie and this is my blog.

It has been around 2 years since my last post and WTF? 2 years already passed?? I guess time flies but dang! That was fast.

Back then I was just a sweet college student (ha!) but now, I'd like to believe I've grown in certain aspects in this life and I dont know why I'm telling you this.

This blog has always been in my mind but at the back portion of it hehe. It was something that I know that will be always there and well, there were times when I wanted to revive it but hey I was lazy.. no judging!

But seriously, so many things happened and sometimes I kind of regret it that I was not able to out into writing the things that went over my head. But I guess I'm re-starting now.

Do you have any regrets? 'Course you do. Everyone does. Wanna talk about it? I'd like to hear from you, you know. :) I guess my next post will be about that r-word.

Cheers,

Marie <3

Marie's Buying and Selling Moments

BUYING. SELLING. ONLINE. SHOPPING

^Putting these words together offers one helluva ride. No, seriously! The moment I learned how to buy online, my wallet cried rivers and seas. The possibilities are endless - shoes, bags, food, make up, accessories, services, BOOKS. Oh, yeah. BOOKS. The bliss of possessing that "something" you've been looking for (at a considerable lower price) is always there. And what's more, online shopping is convenient - browse online, pay for your items and shipping fee (via many modes) and it is delivered right on your doorstep! Simple, easy, convenient. And requires a lot of money. For this post, I'd like to share my thoughts, insights, experiences, etc. regarding Online Shopping.

Buying

Buying requires a lot of money. Which is sad because, for a student like me, I have very limited resources (which I budget in order for me to survive while I'm away from the comfortable nest I call home, where food is abundant *feels*cries #iwannagohome).  But then again, just think of that book you've been dying to read and then all of the sudden, you see an online shop selling it for a cheaper price! Think of that sweet pair of heels you're willing to kill for. OMG! Is that a new trend? Yes, my friend. Temptation everywhere. I know, I know. It has a heaven-hell feel. 

The thing about buying online is that, as I've said, it's convenient. In one click, I am able to search what I am looking for without the effort and hassle. Of course there are moments when I'd like to, for example, go book hunting but, you know us people, we're lazy at times. And online shops are just the thing! Click here and there, and we're done.

Selling

And then, of course, after a while of buying stuffs, you'll have this thinking, "What if I sell my things?"

So, you're a seller now.

Yeah, this happened to me.

Because of so many books, and since I was not alone (my friends also face this situation), we started a book shop. 

Bookfriends&Girlfriends: Where you'll never be cheated.

"So, once upon a time, a group of friends wanted to establish a book shop-coffee shop, the typical dream of bookworms. But reality was harsh and demanding, so the dream was set aside.
We're a group of friends who love books. We buy books, we read books, we store books = a lot of books. And our shelves are begging for mercy so we've decided to sell some of our loved books. Proceeds will, of course, go to our own pockets but a portion will be allocated for our dream book/coffee shop."

I pray that we'll prosper.

Anyway, online interaction with other buyers and sellers is a treat! Well, for me, that is. It's nice to know that you are not alone suffering this addiction of online transactions.

what I hate don't like:

Of course, life can't be perfect. Despite the perks of online shopping, it has.. you know.. downsides. :(

1. Shipping Fee

- A necessary evil if you want your item to be delivered. There are numerous couriers offering sercives: from 2go, JRS, Xend to Philpost etc... you just have to make your pick. And, no wonder there are so many: once they gain support of sellers, they'd profit big time. But it adds cost to the amount you need to pay. Instead of just paying, say, 50... you'd need to pay 100 (if the shipping fee's 50). Yeah, a necessary evil.

2. Bogus sellers

- Bogus sellers are sad, sad people - making a living out of the weakness of others and in deceit. They commit crimes and oftentimes, if you are a victim, there's little opportunity to seek justice. (And then, some would place blame to buyers for being deceived. Put it this way, will you blame a man killed just because he passed a street? Okay, that might be a little to harsh as an example.) :So, I think the means of selling (like eBay, Sulit, AyosDito, FB, etc) should have something - I don't know. (Okay, I know I sound like a spoiled child, but what the heck - you get my meaning). Better yet, the government should take measures. Or not. I hope. :(

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There's so much more I'd like to say, but I'll end here. I know I'm boring you endless. I suddenly didn't feel like writing (because of the memory of those bogus sellers who deceived me.)

I know life's not fair, but why do you think some people want to make others suffer? 

:(

- Marie.

Marie’s Thoughts on Blogging

Blogging. 

Haha. You must forgive me... I can't get over the fact that I'm REALLY doing this. I know, I know - this isn't something big but still, in some ways, it is for me.

I really wanted to start earlier. Truly I did. But with all the demands of school and reality and stuff, I just couldn’t! It feels overwhelming, like a responsibility of sorts. But then, it happened, when everything is just too much and I needed to stop for a while, I decided, “Hell. My life’s already hell and I need an outlet. One problem wouldn’t make much of a difference.” Poof. Blog. Nice. I never thought I’d enjoy it.

But I MUST share what I feel.

Blogging is exciting. Actually, I feel like a baby (making baby steps and all) learning new things and it’s not every day I really like to learn new things.

There’s more to it for me than talking to myself (or to you, if you’re reading this).

It’s kind of nice to know that somewhere out there, in this vast world, there is someone actually reading (or even looking at) my posts! Call it attention seeking but I’ve seen worse cases of attention whores. (Sorry if I sound stereotypical and judgemental but I think at least I’m not posting all the angles of my face. Meh. Yeah, I think I’m mean too. At times.).

Just last January 4, 2014, 3:03 am (yeah, I’m way past bedtime..haha), seeing 40 people already visited this blog made me.. giddy. Weird, I know, right? And I thought I was already weird as I am. And now, I have 600+ page views! That's more that what I hoped for!

But I feel somehow sad since I can't blog as frequently as I've planned. But then again, I must remind myself that though I might consider myself passionate in this endeavor, this is just a hobby and not a priority - and it's a shame it can't be a priority.. :(

Now, I'm receiving feedbacks and it is still gratifying to see that your page is viewed. I love it when there's a reply / comment waiting to be read. This is also true to any kind of work. It’s as if your work is appreciated. Appreciation is a nice feeling :’’>

So, who appreciates you the most? ;)

Love,

Marie's Spotlight: UPM Readers' Circle + Giveaway

Have you ever wondered what will/may happen if you have/join a group/organization with people having similar, if not identical, interests? Heck, that's what orgs are for! Am I right, or am I right?

Okay... I may have a little bit of bias here (I'll have you know, I'm the current Secretary General of this Organization...Yep, I'm fishing for compliments. I'm shallow like that). But I'd like to share what it is like to be a part of an organization composed of people that can relate to you. 

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Besides my course mates, I didn't really know anyone when the org started. Actually, UPM Reads is still a baby organization - it just started last (last?) year. Anyway, getting along with other members proved no difficulty at all. The population is so diverse (different colleges, different courses, different year levels...) and sometimes, this fact becomes a liability. Scheduling meetings is a chore, getting the cooperation of members is challenging. But still, you'll be having fun.

To all the members of the org reading this, please submit your Form 5 ASAP. And please, don't make the lives of the future Executive Board hard. Seriously, we'll have a lot of fun if we cooperate. I think you're missing a lot if you're not. I'm grateful to all the people who always attend the GAs. 

But enough of my feelings. Hahaha.. I know you're here for the giveaway.

This is my way of thanking all the people who made the UPM Readers' Circle possible. Good luck! :*

If you're from UP Manila or from somewhere in Manila (so that you can claim the prize via meet ups), this one's for you. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Questions? Comment below.

Love lots,

Marie's Thesis Feels

Image from: http://www.troll.me/images/boromir/one-does-not-simply-write-a-thesis.jpg

THESIS. Big word.

This post is just a collection of images yada yada... about my thesis feels. (I don't own any of them, will never claim I do. They did, however, console me during my misery... and despite all these, I think this endeavor of writing a thesis made me, in so many ways, a better person. XD)

WARNING: You might feel agony. You might relate to my emotions. You are not alone... X))

But the fruit of our labor is always so sweet, especially if we did things right, if we put our heart into it, if we were able to learn lessons from it.

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 Both Images from : https://plus.google.com/112340570026306023999/posts

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Marie's Thesis Feels.

Don't get me wrong. I don't hate research. But I guess it is really not for me. But I do my best when I can. I guess I'm just really not cut out for it. There are people out there who are great and meant for this endeavor (I quite envy them). 

Image from http://my-lifebrary.blogspot.com/2013/02/uff-ye-thesishumse-na-ho-paega.html

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1. When my brain won't function at all:

Why are you doing this? We should be having an understanding, you and I.

Image from http://memeshare.net/meme/Futurama_Fry/1956.html

2. When there are so many requirements - thesis + other subjects: I just want everything to end.

However:

From http://www.troll.me/2012/09/05/badass-aragorn/a-day-may-come-when-the-editing-of-your-thesis-is-finised-but-it-is-not-this-day/

3. When someone says that I need to do this now because I won't be able to do it later:

Got from http://thegirlnextspore.wordpress.com/category/meme-monday/

You underestimate my powers... But, yeah, you're probably right.

4. When people try to console me:

From http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzbhvf217o1rn95k2o1_500.gif

5. When people try to approach me:

Credits to http://jazzlinguist.blogspot.com/2012/04/dont-ask-about-my-thesis.html

Don't talk to me.

6. When I see my room mates sleeping or waking up: Sleep? What sleep? Sleep is for the weak.

http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/2015400/SLEEP

But then again, in the first place,

 http://joeyyun.com/2011/03/23/thesis-why-you-no-let-me-sleep/

...

http://diylol.com/meme-generator/y-u-no/memes/thesis-y-u-no-write-yourself

7. When the requests for interview I've sent were not successful or denied:

From http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3sqinw

Huhuhu...

I feel they're telling me:

From http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ok1bv

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BUT THESE ARE ALL IN THE PAST.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M HALFWAY THERE.

OMG.

How about you? Are you still alive? XD

Love,

Marie's First Paranormal Anthology

Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about anthologies is that (positive) it contains different short stories which is a plus if you're not the kind who loves long ones but it also (negative) somehow requires you to have at least a little bit of background IF the story is set up in another world - another world that the author established in an entire series, for example.

Th]is is my first ever paranormal anthology-ish book. Honestly, I only picked it up because of J.R. Ward (Meh. Yes. I have a favorite) I read up anthologies to "discover" "new" authors I would like.

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Shadow of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon

2.75 stars

Huhu.. This is is my first Sherrilyn Kenyon story and now, I'm really not sure what I should feel. Should I give her a try? (I'm collecting a series of her, not yet started reading it)

I can really feel that she'd created a wonderful, interesting world in the Dark Hunter series but for us who are not acquainted, it's hard to keep up. Well, I did understand the basics but still. Technically, this can be a "stand alone," as all entries in anthologies are, but maybe it's better if you're aware of the world where the story is from. And I pray I'm making sense.

And I really didn't like the heroine of the story. See? Forgot her name already.

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The Story of Son by J.R. Ward

5 stars

Maybe I rated this story high since I'm a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. And the story is really good. But, as much as I love happy endings, this one was really over the top. Too much of a happy ending. Well, still, it made me happy. XD

Hero. I love him <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="">
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Beyond the Night by Susan Squires

3.75 stars

Okay. This is my first Susan Squires too. At first I had a hard time deciding whether to continue reading or not because this one said it had a ghost. I really don't like ghosts in my story (well, except the three in A Christmas Carol) and to think I'll be reading a love story between a man and a ghost. I was like, "No way, dude." this is the reason for the lengthy amount of time I'm "reading" the anthology. But then, one day... I just read it. And it wasn't so bad.

I found the "parasite" thing inside the body funny. Until now, I don't know why. But I feel sorry for the hero. Yep, he deserved a happy ending.

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Midnight Kiss Goodbye by Dianna Love

2.75 stars

Ehhh.. What can I say? I was a bit confused. And it's a whole new world. (I think I'll lay off anthologies). Celtic and Hindu cultures with enemies living under Mount Meru and Beladors fighting, witches... err, witching.

It was okay, I guess. But plus points for Lucien. Now, there's a story I'd like to read. :D

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So, all in all... I did enjoy the book.
But as I've said, I think I'll stay away from anthologies for the meantime.

View all my reviews

What about you? Any paranormal anthologies to share?
I'd love to hear them!

Love,

Marie's First Giveaway. Ever.

God, I'm so excited to do this. Call me crazy or a person with little dreams but seriously, I've wanted to host a giveaway for a long time. There's something about giving. Hmm...

Actually, "giving" is quite selfish. You give maybe because you want a person to feel appreciated. However, think about it - you also give something because there's this feeling of bliss (?), happiness (?) when you're able to see another people's happiness. You feel good when you're giving so, you're giving for the sake of yourself. Mehehehehe... Sometimes, you give because you like to be thanked. Yeah, I like seeing people happy. I hope whoever wins will grant me a smile ;)

This is for my fellow Filipino bookworms out there in the PH.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Any thoughts about the giveaway? :D

Love,