Teen Age Idol

Who did you idolize as a teenager? Did you go crazy for the Beatles? Ga-ga over Duran Duran? In love with Justin Bieber? Did you think Elvis was the livin’ end?

 

Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman

 

Who was my teen idol?

Back in junior high, I used to watched re-runs of the original Wonder Woman TV series, the one with Lynda Carter in it. I loved the way she would spin around to transform from a geeky looking lady to the ultra sexy Wonder Woman. Then she would proceed to fight and kick the bad guys away and then return to her “normal” life, as if it didn’t happened.

Much to my delight, I found out that Lynda Carter was once a beauty queen, the title holder of Miss World USA in 1972. Another thing, she can carry a tune and even released some albums. I found out that until now, she still sings and is still recognized in the entertainment industry.

I think I can put a name to my feelings back then, a “girl crush”. Admiring Lynda Carter/Wonder Woman was fun while it lasted. Then, like all teen girls do, I moved on from it.

But Wonder Woman will always have a pleasant dent in my heart. Sometimes, I think of spinning around to see if I’ll become the heroine herself.

What I Did Lately-Read Some Stuff

My well of thoughts had run dry. Looking on this screen for a long time, I figured out I have nothing to blog about for now. But here I am, still continuing my writing. Let me write about the things I’ve read about previously.

 

1. The Gulag

By Eufrosinia Kersnovskaya

 

I have to admit, I don’t know a lot about World History, except from the limited classes I had back in high school. But after reading Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44, I got curious about the Gulag system during the Stalin era in Russia. The said novel also talks about those prison/labor camps.

 

I wasn’t prepared to see and read about the horrifying conditions in those labor camps, where  human dignity is reduced to that of a cattle. Seeing the drawings of Eufrosinia Kersnovskaya and Nikolai Getman gave me a picture of the terrifying life they lived in as Gulag prisoners, and surviving it. Looking back at that dark period in Russian history, and thinking that the same thing is happening until now in some parts of the world (North Korea for example), I can only shudder.

 

 

2. Book lists

From weheartit

 

I salute any individual who can read tons of books and remain devoted to it. As for me, I can only concentrate on one book at a time. Sometimes, I don’t get to finish my reading because I get busy with other things. Then I would return to the book, only to find out that I lost some interest in it.

 

I hope that I can become a regular reader again. I’ve already started with Child 44, and I must say, it kept me up late at night. It’s about a disgraced MGB Officer who wants to find a serial killer going after children in Russia. Set during the Stalin era in the 1950’s, the task proves daunting, as the governing principle back then is “There is no crime”. Proving so means that you’re going against the State, and this can get you punished.

 

So far, I’m close to finishing it. Next on my list will be:

 

* Eleanor and Park/Fangirl (both by Rainbow Rowell)-for a lighter read

* The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (out of sheer curiosity)

* If I Stay by Gayle Forman

 

I might re-read again The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, because I plan to see the movie! So excited!

 

 

3. Some WordPress posts

from courtneyjade.com

 

There are some posts that I randomly like here, and I must say, I’m in good company with lots of bloggers!

 

 

Well, that’s it for now. Just when I thought I can’t write anything, I ended up writing something after all.

Changing the World With Paulo Coelho

From my favorite author.

My Long Dalliance

“Everybody has a creative potential and from the moment you can express this creative potential, you can start changing the world.”

― Paulo Coelho

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Break The Silence-Unsaid

From comtantoamore.tumblr.com

 

We accidentally bumped into each other at the coffee shop. He flashed a tiny smile at me and I smiled back, feeling warm on the inside. He asked if he can have coffee with me, and I agreed.

With our cuppa joe and pastries in tow, we shared a table together. We talked about life in general and laughed over silly little things. Time passed, and before we knew it, we spent three hours with each other.

Silence fell between us. We ended up staring at each other’s eyes.

Then, for some reason, I started saying goodbye to him, telling him that I was busy with something at home. He told me, “See you again!”

I walked out of the coffee shop happy, but at the same time, I regretted the fact that I should have told him already how I felt.

I shouldn’t have let go of that moment.

 

 

 

Pingback: http://yichinglin.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/here-is-our-unspoken/

Mind Reader-Drink, Drank, Drunk

Last night, I met up with some friends for dinner and a few drinks. We stayed, laughed, and talked with each other until thee wee hours of the morning. I said goodbye to them, then walked on to the bus stop to find my one ride back home in my flat.

 

 

The bus stopped in front of me and I boarded it. There were a few passengers seated inside. No one was standing up and holding on to the bus railings, because everyone got a seat.

 

 

I sat on the seat to the window. I like window seats. I was about to look out the window during the ride, when I saw someone on the left aisle. It was a woman my age, who was asleep and obviously passed out from drunkenness. She didn’t looked messy in her state; rather, she still appeared neat in her plaid blouse, jeans, and black sneakers. Her hair gave her away, as her top bun now looked unkempt, with strands of hair covering her face.

 

 

In her sleep, she still looked uneasy. I wonder what made her drink too much? Or did she only drank a few shots and got drunk instantly? What was the reason for her excessive drinking, if ever that was excessive?

 

 

What is she dreaming of right now? Probably the last fight she had with her boyfriend. He must have threatened that he would leave her, and she realized that she was afraid that it would happen. She was too dependent and clingy on him. He walked out angry, and she was left by herself.

 

 

Soon, she called up her closest friend, and asked to be with her for a few drinks. As the night went on, it turns out that her boyfriend isn’t the only problem in her life. She flunked two classes this semester, because she was also busy working to fend for herself. She told all of these to her friend, who listened intently and gave her a shoulder to cry on. The friend remained with her until she (the friend) led drunk girl to the bus stop. She had to make sure that she go home straight.

 

 

The bus soon came to a halt at my station. I went down, and as I looked back, the girl woke up and hopped down the bus as well. Despite her drunken state, she knew where to go. She went the direction opposite from mine, walking like a zombie.

 

 

She should not go out drunk again. Whatever her problem may be, I hope she learns to deal with situations.

 

 

On the other hand, maybe she only experienced a really good time that night.

 

 

 

Pingback:http://tonkadella.wordpress.com/2014/05/22/mind-reader/

A Day In The Life

Honey Nut Cheerios with milk and a scrambled egg sandwich started my day quite perfectly.

After that, I decided to do some personal journal writing (not for your eyes!), and then started to work on one writing assignment. I tell you, being a freelance writer isn’t that easy. It’s not everyday that you feel like writing. It’s not everyday that you are fired up to write and do it like crazy. Most of the time, you feel like not doing anything. But you have to write and force yourself to do it, so that you can deliver what is expected of you as a working writer.

As I go along the way of a freelance writer’s life, I learned ways to deal with it:

1. Write the first thing that comes to your mind after you do some research about your subject.

2. Write it all out and then edit later.

3. Take some naps if you must. Naps are healthy.

4. I can’t do without coffee, but I also realized that 3 cups or more makes my heart palpitate.

5. Eat a full lunch, rest for an hour or so, and then go back to writing.

6. Nothing beats the feeling of having your work done.

7. And then submitting it your boss later and finding out he’s impressed with it. Despite the time you spent more on procrastinating than writing.

I was this close to giving up freelance writing. But I motivated myself to press on, because aside from monetary perks from various assignments, I can also be relaxed in my own work environment.

I see myself doing a “regular” job, but for now, freelance work will do.

 

 

From Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/ForFictionsSake/inspirational-writing-quotes/

Gaga Over Radio

When I was young I’d listen to the radio
Waiting for my favorite song
When they played, I’d sing along
It made me smile…

(Yesterday Once More-The Carpenters)

A radio brings so much memories to me. It means thoughts of the past, carefree days, and the simple pleasure of listening to songs from your youth. I imagined the thrill I once felt whenever my favorite song on the radio plays and I would hurriedly record it using my blank tape. Yes, I kept mixtapes as a child and it was filled with a hodge-podge of songs ranging from Can You Feel The Love Tonight to Wannabe. Creating mixtapes was the 90’s equivalent of downloading and creating your own playlist on your smartphone or personal computer.

As I grew up, the radio became my constant companion whenever I can’t fall asleep at night. I especially enjoyed the night time repertoire that different radio stations had. One played old songs, another one had an ask advice type of radio program, and one only played relaxing instrumentals by 12 midnight and beyond. The instrumentals radio station kept me up during my all-nighters when I reviewed for exams, only to let me fall asleep on my desk in the middle of reading my textbook. Anyway, it was easier on the ears, plus you won’t wake up the sleeping household when a “noisy” song comes up on the radio.

I wonder if radio culture is still as lively as it was during my childhood and teenage years. Lately, I’ve been listening to more of my created playlists, and it’s been a long time since I last tuned in. One advantage of having your own playlist is not having those annoying commercials or the DJ speaking just as the song is about to end. But I must say, radio listening is something I did missed after all these years. One of these days, I’m going to find a portable radio and turn it on again. Just to relieve the old days.

 

From: recollection-vintage.tumblr.com

 

 

Do you recognise this man?

Courageous and inspiring.

My Long Dalliance

Do you recognize this man?  If you are in the arts and are unaware of who he is, I would love to bring him to your attention.  He is responsible for saving the lives of over 2200 Jews during the Holocaust in World War 2.  He is, without doubt one of the greatest men of the twentieth century, and still to this day remains relatively unknown.  This is Varian Fry, also referred to as the American Schindler.  An American journalist who put his life at risk in order to save the heartbeat of Europe, its culture and those whom would go on to influence millions of people around the world.

In 1935, while visiting Berlin, he witnessed SA men assaulting Jewish people in the street.  No longer able to remain indifferent, he went against the advise of all those around him and decided to act against the atrocities.

With the…

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First Sight-Nick

Whether a person, a pet, an object, or a place, write about something or someone you connected with from the very first second. (from The Daily Post)

 

 

There was this undeniable spark that I felt the first time I laid eyes on him.

 

 

It was my 10th birthday then. Dad bought me to the petshop as promised. I told him I wanted a puppy for my birthday. He fulfilled his promise, on condition that I would take care of the puppy and be responsible. I sealed the deal with dad.

 
Out of the many dogs that are present, I laid eyes on a beagle. As I approached the dog cage and knelt down to have a good look, the beagle puppy came closer. In that moment, we locked eyes with each other. I then knew it in my heart that this was the puppy I’ve been looking for. I went out of the petshop with my dad, feeling happy over my new pet, whom I named Nick.

 
Years later, as I look back on that unforgettable birthday present, I didn’t regret my decision of getting a dog. I learned to look after Nick by feeding him on time, playing with him, taking him out for walks, and cleaning up his place. My family equally loved him as well.

 
As I write this, I miss Nick so badly. He may have gone on to a better place, but he will forever live in our hearts. He’s not a pet, but a family member.

Source: womenhijab.com

 

Dreaming of Wanderlust

 

Travel is something to be experienced at least many times as you can in your life. It takes you out of your comfort zone, helps you explore the world, and you learn a lot along the way. It’s something that classroom learning won’t be able to give you. No, it’s not that I’m telling you to shun school. There are many ways to learn, not just in the classroom.

 

If you can’t afford to see the world in one go, at least you can visit nice spots near your home. Go on a road trip, check out a historical site, visit a well-known out of the way town near your school-the possibilities are endless. You can travel if you really want to, if you have the initiative and drive for it. You don’t have to be rich to travel far and wide. Pack lightly, bring your best camera, wear comfortable shoes, and you’re ready to take on the world.