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Sick With The Flu

Published by Justine

The past two days my one true companion has been the tissue box. One thing I hate about being sick BESIDES being sick itself is how much tissue I waste because of blowing my nose or coughing out germs. It’s so bad for the environment but it’s the fastest way to go. I’ve been going to the office because I can’t afford to stay home. I’ve only been working here 3 months and I’m leaving for the Philippines at the end of this month for a vacation and I really don’t wanna waste that just coz I have the flu. The good thing about working here is that we have a company doctor who comes in a couple of times a week so I got myself checked and he prescribed some meds so I hope I’ll be good to go because my nose, lungs and throat are so so worn out already it’s annoying. Sleep has been okay, but waking up with your nose blocked is certainly not the way to go. This is my first flu of the year and I’m actually surprised it waited until April, it’s probably my health telling me to slow down because March has been such a full month with barely any rest.

I used to get sick a lot late last year because I was really bad with vitamins and when I started taking them my immune system definitely improved. The doctors (and my dad) speculate that it’s due to my expanding tonsils, which I think is due for a tonsillectomy anytime soon. I get tonsillitis almost every few months. My mom won’t allow me to have mine taken out because she thinks it’s going to ruin my singing voice and she says, “If a tonsil is part of your insides it’s not meant to be taken out.” My dad says otherwise though, he’s had his tonsils out and he says he’s never felt better, he hardly gets sick because of the littlest things anymore (which I have been experiencing as of late). I’m torn now and it’s definitely up to me when I want to have that tonsillectomy, before everything becomes worse.

Oh well, here’s a get well soon to myself!

Sweet Vally Confidential: A Review

Published by Justine

Thanks to Helga I was able to read Sweet Valley Confidential during the weekend. It was the kind of book that was so bad it was good. The first few chapters up until the middle had such bad writing. Not really writing per se, but the words used to describe feelings and anger were so self-centered and shallow that it was hard not to laugh at the ridiculousness of some parts. Some recent trends came out forced for example social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter that were mentioned but not in the way where they seemed cool and hip. More like a, “Try hard much?” kind of reaction. Don’t even get me started on the music. Beyonce? Justin Timberlake? Even Hanna from Pretty Little Liars listens to Elliot Smith and even HER MOM knew she listened to Elliot Smith. It was a great light read and all too hilarious, you couldn’t take it seriously. The descriptive narrating became too much for me at times. Of course the reason I read it wasn’t because of the writing, it was beyond that. I grew up with the series so it was just fitting that I go back and re-live it. Sweet Valley was still Sweet Valley. People didn’t really move on and were still the same as much they wanted to change that, as much as the writer wanted to change that.

What I liked about the book was that I didn’t really know how it would end. I guess I was too caught up with how amusing the writing style was that I didn’t really think about how the story was gonna close. I wasn’t mindblown, more like pleasantly surprised. The hate which Elizabeth had for Jessica in the beginning was so strong it was hard to believe that twins would ever rekindle again, but they did of course. As how all happy endings should be. I don’t wanna give out too much about the book, but my conclusion is that, it tried too hard. Would I want a follow-up book? Why not? I’m always game for more Sweet Valley.

Ten Years Later

Published by Justine

I’ve been reading Sweet Valley ever since I started with primary school. I remembered the VERY first Sweet Valley Kids book I read and it was #6, Lila’s Secret. Ever since that time during first grade I wouldn’t stop reading all the of Sweet Valley books. I basically grew up with it. Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley Twins, Sweet Valley High, Sweet Valley University, Sweet Valley Senior Year, Sweet Valley Junior High, The Unicorn Club, you name it, I’ve read most of these books! Imagine my surprise when I knew that Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later was officially released yesterday. I remember vaguely reading about Cody Diablo doing a remake of the series for this year or next and I was also excited about that. Anyway back to the book, I’ve been reading early reviews from buyers and it seems like it isn’t very good? WELL I DON’T CARE. I’m a huge fan of the franchise and I’m definitely reading it the moment I get my hands on it.

It’s now set in New York, and it seems like it has a Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars feel. Since I immensely enjoy those shows, then I will definitely enjoy this book series. The old characters are back, and one thing that surprised me the most is the Steven Wakefield, the infamous Wakefield older brother.. is gay. I don’t know what to make of it, I thought he had always been a goof in the books so I’m definitely excited to see what’s in store for his character this time. Another review said that it’s like they never left high school.. all the more fun to read! I mean aren’t high school dramas the best? Exaggerated, overly self-centered.. just my usual cup of tea. Far away from the real world and all its intricacies. Can’t wait to read it soon.

QOTD: How often do you use the phone to call?

Published by Justine

This smartly-written article from The New York Times titled Don’t Call Me, I Won’t Call You came to my attention a few days ago on twitter. It made so much sense that I realized, I don’t call people anymore either.

I remember back in middle school when I used to sprint to the phone the moment it rang because I KNEW it was for me. Now, even if I were the only one left at home I wouldn’t bother picking up the phone at all, or take ages to reach it. My mobile is used for BBM, Twitter, emails, IM and Facebook most of the time. 80% of my prepaid top-up is used to activate my BIS and only 20% (sometimes even less) is used for extra credit or in case of emergency. Sometimes when my phone rings I don’t even bother to pick it up unless told beforehand that I was gonna get that call. I guess the reason why I knew I wasn’t gonna last in my previous job because it involved calling a lot of people (I worked in a recruitment firm), and I was kind of fed up with it at one point. It’s not that I’m not social, the purpose of phone calls have just been less significant. Most of my calls come from family and it’s usually just to confirm something or to tell me why I don’t reply to BBMs or messages or to confirm whether those messages have reached me or not. Given the chance of course I would love to work in a recruitment firm again, but I would definitely prefer meeting people face to face rather than spending time on the phone with them.

This visual example is my call log. I took a screenshot just 10 minutes ago and my last call was 2 days ago. Four of who are family and one which is my best friend. Sometimes I even ignore my phone when somebody calls me and don’t even bother to see who it is. I just silent my phone when ringing, turn it upside down and text/IM/email/BBM them to ask what’s up a few minutes after they call. This particular paragraph in the article totally made sense:

Receiving calls on the cellphone can be a particular annoyance. First, there’s the assumption that you’re carrying the thing at all times. For those in homes with stairs, the cellphone siren can send a person scrambling up and down flights of steps in desperate pursuit. Having the cellphone in hand doesn’t necessarily lessen the burden. After all, someone might actually be using the phone: someone who is in the middle of scrolling through a Facebook photo album. Someone who is playing Cut the Rope. Someone who is in the process of painstakingly touch-tapping an important e-mail.

Even when it comes to friends and family outside of the country calling has become more awkward than Skype in my case. It’s much better to video call than to call per se. Of course, under some circumstances it’s easier to dial the person and call them. When typing becomes tiresome, when you’re in a rush or your message is better communicated by saying it.. for me that’s usually my call to err.. call.

So tell me, how often do you use your phones to call or receive a call? Personal use of course.

2PM, Finally!

Published by Justine

2PM was the reason why I got into k-pop. 2PM was the reason why I started to listen to Korean songs excessively. 2PM ignited the very fangirl in me that I thought did not exist. 2PM made me open my mind and eyes to singing and dancing Asian boys in which I used to laugh and poke fun at just a few years back. 2PM is a reason for a whole lot of things. After 15+ months of excessive fangirling, I finally saw 2PM. All six of their glory. Last December I already saw Jay Park, so SEEING all seven of THEM live and in person was quite unbelievable, sort of felt like a dream. I’m gonna go all major fangirl in this post and release my inhibitions, as it needs to be relished. I went to the event with my bestfriend, 3 Korean friends, my little sister and cousin.

2PM as a whole: It was surreal. Since they only performed 4 songs it’s hard for me to say what I feel. It was like a dream! Everything went by so fast. One minute I was singing, dancing and shouting along with everyone and basking in their glory the next thing I knew they were saying their goodbyes and performing their last song, 10 Points out of 10. I was afraid that they would be dressed horribly with overly made up faces but everything was perfect. Their outfits were all black: black pants, black wifebeaters and studded vests, hair not outrageous and makeup just the way it’s supposed to be.

JUNSU: That fucker is so good at mindfucking. He may appear to be the least good-looking out of all the guys but it doesn’t mean he ISN’T. Bitch looks good and works it well. He brought the stage yesterday with his singing and his overflowing charisma.

NICHKHUN: He was the one who didn’t shock me the most. Probably because it’s a given that he’s got the most beauty in terms of physical appearance–so let’s say he just about met my expectations.

TAECYEON: My first bias. He was definitely handsome, more handsome in real life. Some friends thought I was gonna go back to liking him because there have been countless stories and fanaccounts that stated the minute they saw Taec in real life that was it for them, and they were hooked. Sure, I still love him.. but that didn’t happen to me. He had flawless english and brought the house down with his ab-teasing and growl. Loved his growl!

WOOYOUNG: The number one in my heart. Considering he doesn’t even posses anything I like in a guy, he became my ultimate favorite out of all the boys. But I’m not here to talk about that. When I saw him I took a good look, and I fell even more in love <3 despite my known abhorrence for Asian men with blond hair. His was done very tastefully and definitely fit him. I did disagree with someone from one of the fanaccounts I read though, who said his hairstyle was the worst. Sorry miss, I beg to differ. Not to mention how great he sounded. I always believed that Wooyoung sounds the best on record and Junho sounds the best live.. but I actually loved the way Woo sang that night.

JUNHO: It was pretty surreal seeing him. Something about seeing the two youngest which shocked me the most, but I’ll get to the most youngest later. Junho held his notes really well. He looked the most serious out of all the members, but I’m guessing because he was shy and probably felt overshadowed by his hyungs. So very him.

CHANSUNG: Chansung was the first guy I knew out of all the 2PM members so it’s just fitting that I was most awed by him. I almost couldn’t believe he was right before my eyes. I guess being in a constant fangirl state for over a year does that to you. It was fortunately unfortunate (yes very contradicting) that his microphone was one of the loudest and being known for the–here I go again–“least best” singer, I knew his voice was real. Good job, Chansungie.

Photos from bff:

A reunion: me, Kimie and Noemz before the show started. I hadn

Taec was really feeling it.

Photos from the BlackBerry Indonesia official Facebook page:

Wooyoung, Khun, Junsu, Chansung working it.

La la la la la la la, pretty baby.

Saying goodbye 🙁

I don’t have a lot of photos because the event didn’t allow SLR cameras, and even if you had a media pass JYP Entertainment (2PM’s company) didn’t allow anyone to be in the media pit during 2PM’s set. After being a fan this long I know how much pricks they tend to be, but there are times I’ll never understand the reason why.

My bestfriend was with me, so she took most of the photos while I was going crazy. I didn’t stay in the front either and boy am I glad I didn’t. Apparently the pushing was intense and a few girls had to be brought back because they fainted. Thanks to my trusty Steve Madden wedges I was able to see the boys JUST FINE and enjoy it all along. I feel sorry for some of the fangirls though.

This time last year at the peak of being in this fandom never would I ever have imagined to see all of them a year later. SEVEN of them. Yes even their ex-leader Jay Park (read fanaccount here). I’ve really come full circle and I couldn’t be happier. Rest assured I’ll be supporting all of these boys until the end of their career, or even beneath that.

[youtube]ZturAbvZUdA[/youtube]

I really need to see them again, once is really really really not enough. That was the best fancam of the show, and showed how crazy all the Indonesian girls went.

Did I mention the event also included Shontelle, Taio Cruz and Suede (the headlining act)? The whole BlackBerry event really had the most eclectic mix of artists. After 2PM’s set we were so tired so we grabbed something to eat and came back just in time for Taio Cruz’s set, which was disappointing to say the least and Suede, WHICH WAS AMAZING. Brett Anderson is a rock god.