Currently Reading:

• Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami (translated by Jay Rubin)
• My Name Is Memory  - Ann Brashares
• Committed - Elizabeth Gilbert

When I read books, I tend not to stick with just one book. So I usually switch into reading another after a few chapters on one book. Listed above are my currently reads.

I actually just finished reading Norwegian Wood. It's my first Murakami book ever. I know it's insane that I've only read a Murakami novel now, but I was really hesitant reading his works because of the depressing emotions from his novels. And I usually tend to read only light and easy books. I hate that I would have to undergo stress and negative emotions as well when reading. But this one is really good and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters so much. And every girl, though a lot deny it, are really suckers for love stories (sad or happy endings).

The book I always bring with me right now is My Name Is Memory. I just bought it recently (though I still have a  pile of unread books at my desk and they were bought months ago). It's a love story as well (duh), about a guy who has spent centuries loving a girl. And I am not exaggerating when I said centuries. Remember what people say that our bodies die but our soul doesn't and that we just reincarnate / reborn into a different body, but we can't remember anything from our past life? Apparently this guy, Daniel, remembers everything that has happened to him life after life. I' m still halfway through the book, so I can't really say if I like it or not. I need to read more to give that judgement.

And usually, the 3rd book is the "just-another-option-book". It's more of the book I read when I get bored or tired of reading my main book. I have loved Elizabeth Gilbert ever since Eat, Pray, Love came into my life. So it was without a doubt that I should buy the continuation of that book. Though Committed is less appealing to me since it's more focused into the discussion of marriage, I still am enjoying it since I enjoy Liz's humor.

Pre - Valentine Date with Mariel ♥

Mariel and I used to celebrate vday together. But then she got a boyfriend, I stayed single and started having a work so we decided to celebrate it a few days earlier.

We decided to have dinner at Almon Marina (Southmall). 

What we ate:

 Pasta Puttanesca

16" Neptune Submarine Sandwich

We were so full after finishing the sandwich that we weren't able to eat the pastries we bought for desserts.

We bought some  pastries from Tous Les Jours (favorite custard cream pastry!)

It was a rainy night and we head home at around 9pm with stomachs full! 

♥

Lilah: My Samsung PL120

This is my biggest purchase since I started working. I bought a brand new Samsung PL120 (in lilac) on New Year's eve. I know right? I started the year broke. But I thought this is good investment since I needed a working digital camera to start the year. I didn't regret buying it after all! I LOVE IT!

 

Here's how it looks like!

And of course, like any other silly people, I give names to my precious things. This baby is now named, Lilah. The lady from the appliance store told me that the other color available is in lilac, which made me doubt to buy at first because from what I know lilac is in a lighter shade of violet. But when I saw the actual thing it is in a metallic dark violet color. But anyway, that's where I got the name, Lilah.

I haven't fully explored the cam but here's a run down of it's features:

• 14 Megapixel
• HD Video Capture
• 5XOptical zoom
• 2 View camera (it has a front view screen!)
• Has a number of camera effects (my favorite is the object highlight feature)
• Adjustable ISO
• Smart face recognition technology
• Smile shutter :)

Here's the navigation side

Sample shots from our Nuvali trip using Lilah

♥♥♥

Star Spangled

Last Tuesday (Dec 27), my high school girl friends and I meet up to have dinner together since we haven't seen each other for months. 2 of my friends still has work. So my 2 other friends and I (we are 5 in our group) decided to try some salon in the mall and had our nails done. 

We went to nail-a-holics (@ sm san lazaro)

If you know me well, you'd know that this will be my first time to go to nail salon or to even have my nails done commercially. Weakest point of my body would be probably be my nails since I cringe with just the thought of short nails or broken nail. I feel vulnerable and prone to pain if I cut my nails too short. So what more having others use pointy and rough materials to my nails? I braved myself and conquered one of my fears.

here's a glimpse on how their stores usually look like 

(photo from their fb account)

The experience was so-so. I love my nail color, although I do think it's kind of pricey for just a manicure. I paid 220php since I used a branded nail polish. But I'm happy anyway 'cause I love my nails!

Here's a really crappy photo of my nails

I know it doesn't look so cool and pretty in there (coz it's a really crappy photo!) but it is. 

Here's how it looks like in real life.

(photo from manicuremommas.com)

 

It's shiny and sparkling! I used Orly Star Spangled from their Permanent | Sparkling Glitters Collection.

Pretty right? I think I'll buy my own bottle soon!

♥

le frère me manque

Latest picture of mon frère (my brother). 

 He is braving the first Christmas snow at Ontario. Miss this guy so much.